Chetan Bhagat
The Different Things The Minister & Startups Got Right
India’s job scene is so desperate that millions can be hired to deliver biryani at less than $10/day. That’s not any startup’s fault. But no startup can claim that as a great innovation either
Stand up for standups even when you don’t like their comedy
We may get upset by what comedians say sometimes, but locking them up is not the solution. In fact, doing so sets a precedent that it’s okay to use state power to suppress opinions and criticism. Is that the India we want? An India where no one feels safe expressing an opinion?
Why Can’t Indians Fly In Style Like Singaporeans?
Clogged airline toilets are too much. But these are hardly isolated problems with our airlines. Not one carrier delivers the kind of global excellence that’s seen in Indian hospitality
MUGs & Mrs: Kitchen patriarchy comes at a cost
Moral issues aside, the cost of Indian men demanding hot phulkas may have significantly impacted our GDP and contributed to India’s continued economic struggles
Revdis Aren’t Always Sweet
Delhi poll campaign shows freebie politics is now a free-for-all. Netas or voters aren’t thinking of the ultimate costs, which include higher inflation
Kudos, Bhagwat but RSS could do much more
RSS should be redefining modern Hinduism rather than dwelling on a mythical past
3 Tax Rates For Popcorn, 1 Big Problem For India
The storm in a snack bucket over GST rates on a munchie shows govts are still in that old mindset that sees whatever that’s fun and/or quality as sinful. We can’t become a rich country like this
Don’t DOGE it. India needs to tighten belt too
Like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, savvy desi entrepreneurs can help Indian government cut flab
Tourists Goan with the wind? State needs to wake up and smell the competition
Goa, once India's prime beach destination, is now out of sync with the world in terms of tourism. We must think beyond sunset points, amp up infrastructure and rein in boorish tourists to fix the much-loved holiday spot
What Haryana election verdict’s taught us about Indian voters
There are many lessons to be learnt from the Haryana election for political parties, from not over relying on social media opinions to the importance of catering to young, aspirational voters.
More Work ≠ Better Work
Controversies over work stress should tell companies something. Treating workers as grist to bottom lines isn’t just bad for them, but is also an uncreative way to improve productivity
How ultrabhakts are going from BJP’s asset to biggest headache
BJP's staunchest, loudest, most aggressive supporters are resisting introspection and feedback, something that the party needs to do after its performance in the general elections recently
Why religion & caste based campaigns are good for India
As the pendulum swings between Hindutva & quota politics as dominant themes, BJP & Congress alternate as pole position parties. This is a positive for democracy
After this dismal show, should India just give up on Olympics?
The Olympics results show our inflated sense of self-worth compared to what we really are on the world stage. We ‘feeling great’ doesn’t make us great. It’s time to start doing what will actually make us great.
Counting castes is all politics, zero policy
There’s value in a caste census. But too much politics is driving the demand for it. It’s Congress’s tool to scatter BJP’s attempts at Hindu vote consolidation
Coach runs over dreams
What do deaths of 3 students in a Delhi coaching centre basement tell us? First, that coaching is a business preying on desperate customers. Second, exams with 1% success rate are to blame
From inept pappu to khatakhat neta, Rahul’s making a comeback
The signs are all there. If Rahul plays his cards right, he could be a serious PM contender, something unthinkable even a few months ago.
Is BJP in denial?
In the ABCD of politics, D doesn’t help. Just because BJP returned to govt, doesn’t mean June 4 didn’t change anything. Rumblings in UP are also saying it’s got problems. The party needs to make changes
No NEET answer, but time to make merit matter again
Not just NEET, it's the same story with other entrance exams — the money to be made in rigging them is massive. In a nation that has rarely prioritised merit and ethics, is it really surprising that a mini industry has come up to make money off these tests?
India’s Goldilocks moment?
LS polls produced a fairly strong government and a fairly strong opposition. Onus now on both sides to ensure fairly okay governance