Mint Capital Calculus

In the run-up to Diwali this year the Delhi government banned sale and bursting of firecrackers. But nothing really changed. Begging the larger question: Do bans really work? This episode examines this vexing question in a conversation with Biju Dominic, a behavioural scientist.

This week the Air Quality Index in Delhi and its vicinity began to rapidly deteriorate. Setting in motion the annual blame game. In this episode, Anil Padmanabhan speaks to Chandra Bhushan, CEO, iForest about the myth and reality of fighting India’s air pollution.

The covid-19 pandemic has ravaged the Indian economy. Less discussed is the economic scarring this has caused to those at the bottom of the pyramid. The loss to the have nots has worsened inequality, posing a serious challenge to public policy.

The world economy is projected to contract by 4.4%. This recession is unprecedented and risks reversing the hard-won gains against poverty by countries like India. Also, the policy playbook has been reset. We are in uncharted territory in which there is only one constant: uncertainty.

India may be winning the battle against the covid-19 pandemic. It needs to worry about the cure: tackling the prevailing NCD epidemic. If not it is safe till the next lethal virus strikes.

Over the weekend, first the Reserve Bank of India and later the finance ministry swung into action. The big bet is that together they stand a better chance to revive the economy. Will it work?

After a long time, the Indian economy had a run of good news. Suggesting things are on the mend. But it begs the obvious question: Does one swallow make a summer or is this indeed an inflexion point for the Indian economy?

The relationship between the centre and states is plumbing new lows. Testing India’s federal polity as it were. Will it derail the much needed second-generation reforms?

The union government’s decision to legislate second-generation reforms of the farm sector has run into a political storm. This episode looks at the political economy of this change: Is there a winner?

India’s problem with China along the Line of Actual Control is not going away. Despite the recent move to declare a truce, both sides are yet to de-escalate. Neither is willing to blink. Exactly why some believe the latest truce will not hold up.