Mainstream Weekly

Most recent articles

• Letter to the readers, Mainstream, Feb 12, 2022

  12 February 2022

  Letter to the Readers, Mainstream, February 12, 2022
  State assembly elections involving millions have just begun across five states of India including its most populous state of Uttar Pradesh. In the preceding weeks practically all political behaviour of major parties has been driven by electoral calculations towards these elections. The Election Commission (EC) is supposed to keep a tab on all political parties including the ruling party to not cross any limits just prior to elections, (…)

• The Legacy of Lata Mangeshkar in Polarised Times | Vijay Kumar

  12 February 2022, by Vijay Kumar

  Lata Mangeshkar was, perhaps the last, albeit the most important link in galaxy of geniuses, whose collective endeavour established Hindi film industry at a time when the country was itself struggling to come to terms with the horror of partition that accompanied independence. Lata Mangeshkar, along with other singers like Mohammad Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Hemant Kumar and Talaq Mahmood from the playback singing, great lyrics like Shakeel Badayuni, Shailendra, Sahir Ludhianvi and (…)

• Rogues Can Be Dressed As Priests | T J S George

  12 February 2022, by T J S George

  IMPRESSIONS
  To call Franco Mulakkal India’s Rasputin would be unfair to Rasputin. The Russian mystic, though eccentric in his use of power, had dimensions of greatness. He gained influence in the court of Tsar Nicholas II by using his inherent abilities. Russia’s traditional nobles resented the rise of an outsider — and finally got rid of him by feeding him cyanide. But they still feared him. So they threw the body into the river. The fear did not go away. So they tied heavy (…)

• Rent Seeking Culture in Universities in Kerala: Challenges and Solutions | Chathukulam & Joseph

  12 February 2022, by Jos Chathukulam, Manasi Joseph

  Corruption in universities are common these days and authorities mostly turn a blind eye fearing backlash and political vendetta. However, with the recent arrest of a university staff on bribery charges in Kerala shows that such unethical practices can no longer be kept under wraps. This article also offers some practical solutions to reduce corrupt practices in institutions of higher learning.

• Interlinking Rivers — History And Analysis | S G Vombatkere

  12 February 2022, by S G Vombatkere

  In view of Union Budget 2022 giving prominence to interlinking rivers (ILR), it becomes necessary to take an overview of ILR.

• Whither India’s Sovereign Green Bonds | Kavaljit Singh

  12 February 2022, by Kavaljit Singh

  In her Union Budget 2022 speech on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the issuance of sovereign green bonds during the upcoming fiscal year. “As a part of the government’s overall market borrowings in 2022-23, sovereign green bonds will be issued for mobilizing resources for green infrastructure. The proceeds will be deployed in public sector projects which help in reducing the carbon intensity of the economy,” Ms. Sitharaman stated. Several Indian non-financial (…)

• Political and Literary World of Phanishwarnath Renu | Arup Kumar Sen

  12 February 2022, by Arup Kumar Sen

  2021 was the birth centenary year of Phanishwarnath Renu, who enriched Hindi literature by his unique style and language of writings. He was born in the village of Aurahi Hingana in Purnea district of Bihar in 1921. He led an active political life and got himself involved in several peasant movements as a member of the Socialist Party. He also played an active role in the revolt against the monarchy in Nepal. Renu was a close associate of Jayaprakash Narayan, and was arrested in 1975 for his (…)

• Politics of the farmers movement! | Prem Singh

  12 February 2022, by Prem Singh

  I have written five-six articles on the unprecedented farmers movement organised under the aegis of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) against the three agricultural laws. Therefore, to avoid repetition, this short comment.
  The peasant movement was kept apolitical in the sense that the leaders of any political party were not allowed to use the platform of the movement. However, the opposition parties/leaders supported the movement and tried to win the sympathy of the farmers so that they could (…)

• Among Political Parties, Congress is the Leading Force of National Unity in India | Bharat Dogra

  12 February 2022, by Bharat Dogra

  As India approaches 75 years of its independence, one of the biggest blessings our nation can celebrate with legitimate pride is that it has been possible to protect the integrity and unity of the nation. This is stated not in terms of any feelings of narrow nationalism; instead, this is stated in terms of a very rational, careful assessment of how important peace and stability are for the well-being of people. Of course in this eventful journey we have made some mistakes, we could not (…)

• Inequality – the Virus that Kills Virtues of Society | S S Sangwan

  12 February 2022

  by S S Sangwan
  The virus of inequality has not only survived but amplified itself even during the Covid period, says the Oxfam Report released on 16 January 2022 by the Consortium of 21 International Charitable Organisations. The report was presented ahead of the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda to highlight the issue. Its data shows that from March 2020 to November 2021, the virus of inequality has grown beyond the limit and it has been aptly titled ‘Inequality kills’. Globally, the (…)