The 50-word Edit — ThePrint view on the most important issues, instantly.
Shimla lesson: India will conserve only what they have to pay for
Thirsty Shimla, is a well-deserved kick in the back for all of us as we don’t respect water. We have enough water, but it’s wantonly wasted by everybody, because it is either free or nominally priced. The logic is simple — people will conserve only what they have to pay for.
Arbaaz Khan shows betting in IPL is alive and kicking
Salman Khan’s brother Arbaaz’s questioning shows betting is back in the IPL. It was IPL betting that gave the Supreme Court moral justification for demolishing the BCCI and establishing an un-elected, dictatorial regime. The judges must feel like rookie surgeons who cut open a patient but can’t stitch him back.
BJP worker deaths damaging Mamata’s credibility
The deaths of two BJP workers in West Bengal and the swift police claim of suicide is troubling. Asphyxiation, yes, but how can an autopsy prove suicide? A corpse yields no such proof of the mind. BJP’s putsch into Bengal is ruthless, but Mamata has to do more to look fair and credible.
Cosmopolitan Shillong must integrate its tribal youth
Cosmopolitan, calm and culturally “cool” Shillong is like the common capital of the northeast. Ethnic rioting is back here four decades after the anti-Dkhar (outsider) outbreak. Diversity in the tribal northeast is a desirable but fragile reality. While the rioting needs firm handling, rising alienation between ruling elites and tribal youth needs addressing urgently.
Govt’s muscular Kashmir policy is not stopping terror recruitment
Reports of a Kashmiri IPS officer’s brother joining militancy is another warning that the policy of both eyes for an eye isn’t working. Each dead terrorist brings more recruits. Most are killed soon, but governments do not make policies based on bloodlust. This model has failed and a new approach is needed.
India needs to tread a fine line between US and China
As China and the US lock horns in the Indo-Pacific, India will be drawn in. Best to walk a fine line, as PM Modi did in Singapore. Learn from Deng Xiaoping: Hide your light and reach out to both. China is a bad enemy and Trump’s America an unreliable ally.
Prof PK Sharma, Freelance Journalist, Barnala(Punjab)
Enough is enough !
PM Modi should now discard the thought of visiting foreign countries ! There is no morale boosting up improvement in India’s foreign policy ! Then exports are not showing any encouraging trend ! Disenchantment of foreign investors towards India because of chaotic conditions is not enabling Indian economy to leap up !
Why should he lavishly and extravagantly spend tax-payers money on foreign tours when there is no tangible outcome ? We have a very competent Union External Affairs Minister too, what for is she ?
At home, many burning and sensitive problems stare India in the face ! He must be serious enough to address them and redress the grievances of various sections of the society ! Kashmir problem, farmers distress, shattering economy, corruption, black money, unemployment, erosion of values and what not ?
More importantly, race for the May 2019 Lok Sabha Polls has to be run too with less than a year’s time now left for the tug of war !
In wake of bloodshed, insurgency and Pakistan sponsored terrorist activities in Kashmir some new and innovative measures ought to be initiated to arrest the menace of transborder terrorism and insurgency ! NaMo is found wanting in this direction ? When will the gloomy, wailing and traumatic times in the valley come to an end?
The recent acute Shimla water crisis is an eye-opener ! All must act and strive so that it does not raise its awe-inspiring head again in future !
Prof PK Sharma, Freelance Journalist
Pom Anm Nest,Barnala(Punjab)