“A fool, paid-to-tweet celebrity who can’t find Punjab on the map, member of global Left cabal”: Rihanna was called this and worse by one side in India’s Twitter akhara. For others, she’s an instant anti-Modi mascot. She got a cheat-sheet into the most argumentative democracy. It was an entertaining spectacle.
Putin is forgetting history. People’s anger over targeting Alexey Navalny will consume Russia
Russia’s decision to jail opposition leader Alexey Navalny for two years can only make him a more powerful symbol of the rising disapproval for President Putin. Authoritarian leaders, especially in flawed democracies such as Russia, shouldn’t forget history. Surging public unhappiness can consume the country if opposition isn’t given space.
BJP playing with fire by delaying CAA rules and decision on NRC
Modi government’s decision to further delay making CAA rules and not taking a decision on NRC ‘till now’ reeks of a cynical ploy to keep polarising issues simmering. Hyphenating CAA-NRC was always a bad idea. By keeping them dangling ahead of crucial assembly elections, BJP continues to play with fire.
Graded water tariff good. Modi govt’s move will help manage supply better
Modi government’s decision to accept 15th Finance Commission’s recommendation for graded water tariff deserves praise. People must pay for what they consume, especially a precious resource. Free supply leads to overuse and wastage. It’s a demonstration of political will but it can also help manage supply better and improve efficiency.
The comment on Rihanna, is a below the belt journalism. Yes-she may not be well aware of the details; Yes-we can have different opinions about the issue. Her “naive” tweet is so deafening because of the complete utter silence of our famous people. I would unsubscribe from the Print for this is not dignified journalism.
A great power needs both sturdy shoulders and a fantastic sense of humour. When we need to develop a deterrent, we will do so without bothering about the rest of the world. Responding to Rihanna and Greta Thunberg in the way that we are has a very thin skinned, insecure, Third World feel to it. They strike me as far more responsible citizens of the world than Ms Kangana Ranaut.
A humble citizen’s prayer to the Lord would be for the honourable apex court to strike down the CA Act as unconstitutional. Its religion based criterion for grant of citizenship inconsistent with the basic principle of secularism. 2. NRC at the national level is a terrible, chaotic idea. Reverses completely the natural presumption of innocence of the citizen. A recipe for unending chaos on the epic scale of Demonetisation. Senior folk really should go back to their martini lunches at Delhi Gym and long games of golf. So much more productive than working 24 / 7 and doing this stuff.
The Tsar is ageing, tiring. A professional sportsman who has been at the top of his game for a long time, who now finds his reflexes are not the same. Russia’s response to the pandemic has not been very good. Nor has the helming of the resource dependent economy for well over a decade. After Nehru Who was answered by India without skipping a beat. It will be the same in Russia. President Putin’s real fear would be, What happens when he dismounts the Siberian tiger.