Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley arrives at parliament house to present federal budget 2016-17, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Feb. 29, 2016. It was Jaitley’s second full budget since Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a huge majority in national election in 2014, on the back of promises to turn around the economy and boost job creation. There have been few sweeping reforms in the past two years that the government has been promising. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) Courtesy: AP
17 March 2016

Budget 2016: the challenge begins now

Two weeks after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced the Union Budget 2016-2017, it continues to be a hotly discussed topic. This pro-farmer budget has laid down great plans, but in a nation where Mars Missions and farmers suicides occur simultaneously, aspirations will have to take a backseat until the way forward has been paved.

Hanle_by_Navaneeth_Unnikrishnan Courtesy: Navaneeth Unnikrishnan / Wikipedia
3 March 2016

Is India equipped for big science?

A tectonic shift is occurring in the science landscape, wherein newly-developed nations are audaciously investing in frontier scientific research at par with developed nations. India is game to join this new wave of advancement, but its research-funding mechanisms are deficient. Can Indian philanthropy endow indigenous R&D?

modi-620x376_0 Courtesy: PTI
25 February 2016

A budget for Modi’s economic diplomacy

Prime Minister Modi's energetic foreign policy and travel has focused on attracting foreign investments. But the task of translating commitments into investments on the ground rests with the Ministry of External Affairs. And the MEA needs greater resources to realise the benefits of Modi's deepening economic diplomacy abroad.