Redefining trade diplomacy for Global South

The recently concluded negotiation of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand is more than just a commercial pact; it is a vindication of the Modi government’s “India First” trade doctrine. For years, critics argued that India’s refusal to compromise on agriculture was a stumbling block to global integration. Yet, this December, New Delhi has…

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Will religion limit talent hiring in US?

JD Vance prodding that businesses hiring personnel from other communities and countries were ‘anti-Christian’ is simply gross. For first time in recent history of United States of America (USA), faith and religion have been introduced to run businesses, economy, make investments and hiring of personnel. Valuing diverse culture of America may not be against basic…

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Justice denied

Ten years ago, a mob dragged Mohd Akhlaq out of his Dadri home and lynched him. Justice moves tortuously slowly in India. So, that his killers still haven’t been convicted barely raises eyebrows. But even by our shabby standards, it defies belief that the state has now decided to withdraw the charges against all the…

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On a wing & a prayer

All perked up that three companies got a green signal to fly passenger planes? It’s great news, sure, but it’s a long road to seeing those planes fly – NOCs are perhaps the easiest step in the highly complex people-heavy business. Cargo is that much more stable, growing, and the segment that often rescues the…

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Lost in BJP-Cong alphabet soup

MGNREGA – India’s employment guarantee scheme – is no more. GOI scrapped it last week and replaced it with another tongue-twister acronym: VB-G RAM G. MGNREGA had many problems and the new scheme has left them largely unaddressed. MGNREGA penetration was lowest in the poorest states (Bihar and UP) that also generate the most migrants….

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He’ll make America gasp again

No one can deny Trump’s first year of his second coming was a shocker. Who would have thought he could demolish, destroy and dismantle everything at warp speed? Expect Project Break-(It)-Down to continue alongside Project BreakUp – with old friends. Trump will remain a street-fighting man without filters, and, interventions to implant any filter will…

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Meri/Teri Chrissmas

O come all ye carols, freshened and updated,O come ye, O co-ome ye, to E-rra-tica! O Come along and sing them.Out of tune or harmonised O sing them. Or hum-um them, But don’t ser-mon-ise. Hark, the estate agent singsPromising such wondrous things.Grecian name and addons pl-ush Commode with Italian flush. Why not buy two flats…

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Kamalamma and the battle for the seat

What to tell you! The other day we are visiting furniture shop, and we are seeing one big fat chair in living room section and I am asking salesman, what is that anna and he is saying oh maydam, it is recliner chair, very comfortable and perfect for relaxing. The mister is slowly sitting in…

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