zenawi Courtesy: World Economic Forum/Flickr
5 September 2012

Time to overhaul African healthcare

The propensity of Africa’s leaders to seek medical treatment abroad illustrates the little faith they have in their own healthcare systems. Given how countless Africans don’t have the resources to follow their leaders’ steps, there should be increased political will to make affordable healthcare available at home.

angre2 Courtesy: Columbia/WikimediaCommons
4 September 2012

Kanhoji Angre: India’s first naval commander

In the 1700s, one man antagonized the European powers, and insisted on the Maratha Empire’s rights to taxation and sovereignty over Maharashtra’s coast. He was Kanhoji Angre, the head of the Maratha navy. How did he, 283 years ago, set an important precedent for the Subcontinent’s local powers?

obama romney Courtesy: Austen Hufford/Muhammad/Flickr
31 August 2012

A crucial choice: Romney or Obama?

Partly due to support from undecided voters, women and African Americans, incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama seems to be ahead in the polls. However, much will rest on which candidate can win over the country’s middle class. Whatever the result, it will have repercussions on markets and deregulation.

Courtesy: oxyman/WikimediaCommons
31 August 2012

Coal scandal tests India’s democracy

It is estimated that up to 20% of India’s power capacity lies idle due to the lack of coal available in the country. The recent $33 billion scam on the allocation of coal blocks reflects the apathy among the Indian leadership towards effective policy-making.

Courtesy: FREEDOM HOUSE2/FLICKR
24 August 2012

Syria: What next?

With the Free Syrian Army being supplied aid by the West and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the endgame for the Syrian regime has begun. Does Assad's exit guarantee the replacement of autocracy with democracy? What implications will it have on regional politics?

J Ranade interview Courtesy: Gateway House
23 August 2012

The implications of China’s leadership transition

This October, China’s 18th Party Congress will usher in a new leadership in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People's Liberation Army, amidst increased turmoil in its neighbourhood. What consequences will this have on Indo-China relations, and on the policies of the Party?

democracy in motion neelam Courtesy: Mission Against Corruption/Wikimedia Commons
10 August 2012

Regenerating our democracy

The promise of an egalitarian democratic system in India and abroad, has been tarnished by the entrenchment of dynastic leadership and by an inordinate concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few. It is imperative to find ways to confront the shortcomings that have crept into our cherished democracies.

Weaver_in_India sandstein_0 Courtesy: Sandstein/WikimediaCommons
9 August 2012

Democracy and enterprise

If the creation and consolidation of small enterprises is supported, the resultant growth in employment and incomes will further India’s development. This will increase the vibrancy and sustainability of our democracy.