On Monday, in an affidavit to the Supreme Court, the food ministry admitted the figure for decayed grain was not 50,000 tonnes, but 67,000 tonnes, or nearly six times higher than Pawar had admitted. That’s enough to feed 1.9 lakh families for a month, says Samar Halarnkar.
A bauxite mine on Niyamgiri's sacred hills now seems unlikely. Belatedly, the Centre appears to be enforcing its own laws. What lies beneath?
Samar Halarnkar writes.
Judge India by the quality of its pavements. It will explain how we treat most of our — and most vulnerable — citizens. writes Samar Halarnkar.
What is it about Twitter that causes men like Modi and Tharoor to boast, tattle and scrap; women to blurt it all out? The reasons are prehistoric, writes Samar Halarnkar.
Should India deal with the Maoists as Pakistan deals with the Taliban? As lofty as the Maoist ambition is, as brutal as their growing attacks are, this would be a grave mistake, writes Samar Halarnkar.
A nation deeply resistant to women’s emancipation just got its biggest jolt. The real journey starts now, writes Samar Halarnkar.
The Hockey World Cup rekindles a faded passion. If the thrill lasts beyond a few nights, India’s lost sport could rise again, writes Samar Halarnkar.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee won’t do it tomorrow, but it is time for the government to really get out of India’s way, writes Samar Halarnkar.
Who do you think is more dangerous, the Naxal or the jihadi? I just counted the total number of people killed by both groups of extremists between January 2007 and February 17, 2010, writes Samar Halarnkar.
The RSS, the BJP, Mukesh Ambani and Rahul Gandhi are on the same side — against the Shiv Sena. Can Mumbai finally find its voice?
Samar Halarnkar examines...
A former clerk leads a global team of engineers in a state crippled by bad governance. How passion and innovation keep Bangalore going, writes Samar Halarnkar.
The Pakistanis are shut out of IPL-3, and a fading right-wing party must clear the Aussies. Must India’s cricket overlords be so craven? Samar Halarnkar writes.
A Delhi school administrator gives us the slogan of our times. It could help India develop, profit and save the Earth, writes Samar Halarnkar.
Shutting out events is something we do particularly well in India. That is why we find it so hard to apologise. Samar Halarnkar examines...
An explanation for the apparent lunacy — and growing popularity — of Bal Thackeray’s nephew lies in Maratha history. It’s just the start, writes Samar Halarnkar.