Q&A - Interviews / The Economic Times
Nobel laureate Amartya Sen voiced concerns regarding the special intensive revision of electoral rolls, cautioning that it could disenfranchise poor and marginalized individuals if not handled carefully. He questioned the fairness of demanding strict documentation from citizens lacking access to it, emphasizing that procedural improvements shouldn't compromise fundamental rights.
The Amul Girl turns fifty
The Great Indian Kapil Show's teaser is creating buzz. Kapil Sharma engages with startup founders. Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Aman Gupta, Ghazal Alagh, and Ritesh Agarwal will appear. They share stories and enjoy Kapil's humor. An audience member suggests a business idea. Aman Gupta appreciates Archana Puran Singh's laughter. The episode premieres on Netflix on August 23.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared that individuals over 18 years old will not receive new Aadhaar cards initially, aiming to prevent illegal immigrants from acquiring Indian citizenship. A limited one-month period will be available for those over 18 to apply if they haven't already.
Prasar Bharati is undergoing a significant HR restructuring to address severe understaffing, with over 30,000 vacancies. Ernst & Young's recommendations include creating nearly 15,000 posts, outsourcing non-core functions, and closing redundant facilities. The phased approach involves filling critical positions by 2026 and adapting to digital media through reskilling and new roles.
Rahul Gandhi alleged the current government was formed by stealing votes. He urged people to choose a responsible and accountable government. Gandhi claimed votes were stolen by removing names from voter lists. He criticized the government's handling of unemployment, scams, and inflation. He also mentioned incidents of violence and infrastructure failures. Gandhi asked voters to protect India and the Constitution.
Managing kidney health starts with your diet. Here are the top 9 foods that support kidney function, reduce strain, and promote overall wellness for people dealing with kidney-related issues.
Kidney-friendly swaps can lower sodium, potassium, and phosphorus without losing flavor. See exactly what to replace and what to choose instead, with two to three-line, practical examples.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav criticized the government's bill proposing the removal of ministers detained on serious charges, alleging it's a tactic to blackmail leaders like Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu. He cited examples of previously jailed and acquitted Chief Ministers, suggesting the bill aims to weaken democracy and pressure specific political figures.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three bills in the Lok Sabha proposing the removal of PM, CMs, and ministers 30 days after arrest. Shah criticized the opposition, asserting PM Modi subjected himself to the law, while they seek to govern from jail.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three bills in Lok Sabha aimed at removing arrested PMs, CMs, and ministers after 30 days, sparking opposition protests. Shah emphasized the need for ethical governance, contrasting the move with past actions by the Congress party.
A Bengaluru commuter's unpleasant Quick Ride experience ignited an online debate about traffic, public transport, and migrant perspectives. The ride giver criticized Bengaluru's traffic, people, and future, leading to a confrontation. This incident sparked discussions on migrants' role in shaping Bengaluru's identity and balancing traffic management with public transport solutions.
The government is concerned about online real money gaming. It estimates significant financial losses for many citizens. A new bill, Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, is proposed. It aims to ban money gaming but promote eSports. Violators could face fines and imprisonment. Industry bodies have voiced concerns about potential job losses.
During the Emergency period of 1975-77, over 1.07 crore people were sterilised, exceeding the government's target of 67.40 lakh. The Indira Gandhi government's vigorous population control measures led to this outcome, as revealed in the Justice JC Shah Commission report. The commission also reported 548 complaints of unmarried individuals being sterilised and 1774 deaths linked to sterilisation procedures.
Denmark's government, concerned about a growing eading crisis, plans to eliminate the 25-percent sales tax on books, currently the highest in Europe. Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt announced the proposal, estimating an annual cost of 330 million kroner ($51 million).
A building collapsed near Sadbhavna Park in Daryaganj, Delhi. The incident occurred on Wednesday. Authorities received information at 12.14 pm. Fire services sent four fire tenders to the location. The building had a ground floor and two additional floors. Three individuals were rescued from the debris. They were immediately transported to a hospital. Rescue operations continued.
Papaya is packed with vitamins and digestive enzymes, but it isnt safe for everyone. Here are six categories of people who should avoid papaya due to potential health risks.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma states the government is monitoring visitors from Mumbai and Kerala. Authorities will arrest individuals crossing the line. Sarma alleges disruption during the NRC update. He claims anomalies were found and will be submitted to the Supreme Court. Sarma also alleges Gaurav Gogoi's NGO received funding from George Soros.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who returned to Earth in July after completing NASA's Axiom-4 space mission. During the meeting, Shukla shared that people around the world are excited about India's Gaganyaan mission.
Doctors and researchers are sounding the alarm over AI psychosis, a disturbing pattern where people spiral into delusion, mania and even death after long conversations with chatbots. Unlike social media, which was blamed for fuelling anxiety and depression, chatbots are being linked directly to psychotic breaks. While tech companies acknowledge risks, they say the wider mental health crisis is the real issue. The debate now is whether AI firms are doing enough to stop vulnerable users from slipp
Papaya, while celebrated for its nutritional benefits, poses risks for certain individuals. Pregnant women should avoid unripe papaya due to potential uterine contractions. Those with heart rhythm disorders, latex allergies, hypothyroidism, or a history of kidney stones should exercise caution or avoid papaya altogether due to potential adverse reactions and complications.
The Cambridge Dictionary has added over 6,000 new words, including the viral slang term skibidi, popularized by the Skibidi Toilet YouTube series. This addition reflects the growing influence of internet culture, particularly TikTok and meme trends, on the evolution of the English language. While some embrace these changes, others express concern about the potential loss of meaning.
A Condor flight departing from Corfu to Dsseldorf found itself in a harrowing predicament when an engine caught fire shortly after takeoff. The skilled pilot skillfully diverted the plane to Brindisi, Italy, where all 281 passengers and crew were safely evacuated.
A devastating explosion at a production facility in Russia's Ryazan region has resulted in a significant loss of life. The incident, triggered by a fire within a workshop, has claimed the lives of at least 20 individuals. In addition to the fatalities, 134 people sustained injuries, with many requiring hospitalization in Ryazan and Moscow.
Chartered Accountant Nitin Kaushik shares nine money rules for Indian professionals. He advises spending only half of your salary and diversifying investments. Building a second income and having insurance are crucial. Kaushik warns against lifestyle comparisons and bad loans. He emphasizes building your own financial security instead of relying on inheritance.
A mass shooting at Taste of the City Lounge in Brooklyn has left three dead and eleven wounded. The incident occurred early Sunday morning on Franklin Avenue. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed multiple shooters were involved. The NYPD is investigating the shooting, which followed a dispute inside the lounge. A firearm was recovered nearby.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge asserted in Sasaram, Bihar, that the Constitution and people's rights are endangered under the BJP-led government. He accused the Election Commission of acting as an agent of the Modi government and criticized the RSS for its historical association with the British.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav criticized the BJP-led central government, accusing it of manipulating the Election Commission to deprive people of their voting rights through a special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. He characterized the SIR as a dacoity of votes and vowed to resist it.
Heavy rains caused flash floods in northwest Pakistan. Over 300 people died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Many are still missing. Homes collapsed, and villages were swept away. Rescue operations are underway. The government is providing aid. Climate change and construction near waterways worsened the impact. Extreme weather events are increasing in Pakistan. Neighbouring India and Nepal also faced heavy rains.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump stated the meeting was productive, with both leaders aiming to reduce casualties. They agreed on several points, but some key issues remain unresolved. Trump plans to consult with NATO and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He praised the efforts of officials from both countries.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma pledged to protect the state's indigenous population. He vowed to combat what he termed land jihad and demographic changes. Sarma highlighted government efforts to reclaim encroached land. He warned of a future where indigenous people could lose their identity and political power. Sarma urged Assamese people to unite and fight for their self-determination.
On the 79th Independence Day, Jairam Ramesh commemorated Jawaharlal Nehru's initial address as Pradhan Sewak on All India Radio. Due to a busy schedule on August 15, 1947, Nehru first spoke from the Red Fort on August 16, invoking Mahatma Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose. Ramesh highlighted Nehru's historic message and subsequent Red Fort speeches.
A pickup truck ran a stop sign in rural Michigan, crashing into a van carrying Amish community members and killing at least six people. The crash involved 13 people, with 10 in the van. Seven others were hospitalized. In a separate incident the same day, a 4-month-old girl died in a buggy crash. Authorities urge caution in Amish-traveled areas.
Rahul Gandhi met with a group of Bihar voters who were wrongly declared dead by the Election Commission and removed from electoral rolls. These voters shared their experiences and are seeking to regain their voting rights through the Supreme Court.
Bihar ECI Sir: Tejashwi Yadav claims the Election Commission is assisting the Bharatiya Janata Party in manipulating Bihar's voter lists. He alleges the BJP leaders and workers are getting multiple voter IDs. Yadav also says people from other states are being added to Bihar's voter list. Vijay Sinha says he will respond to the notice regarding holding two voter IDs.
The rising popularity of weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy is poised to create new opportunities for various sectors beyond pharmaceuticals. Industries such as textiles, apparel, fitness, and food & beverage are expected to benefit, alongside wellness services like dermatology and cosmetic surgery, as consumers address post-weight loss needs and potential side effects.
A viral TikTok video claiming to show marine trainer Jessica Radcliffe, 23, being attacked and killed by an orca at Pacific Blue Marine Park has spread widely and the video appears to be AI-generated. Amid the viral clip, an old study has re-surfaced which shows that Orcas, also known as killer whales, are highly intelligent and can replicate human sounds.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accuses Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians, condemning the Indian government's silence amidst the devastation. She highlights the deaths of over 60,000 people, including thousands of children, and the starvation crisis. Gandhi also denounces the killing of Al Jazeera journalists, praising their courage in the face of Israeli violence.
Following a Supreme Court order to remove stray dogs from Delhi-NCR due to rising dog bite incidents and rabies concerns, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the government's commitment to implementing the policy. The Supreme Court has directed authorities to place all stray dogs in shelters, prohibiting their return to the streets.
An explosion at the US Steel Clairton Coke Works near Pittsburgh has resulted in multiple injuries and a declared mass casualty incident. Emergency crews are on the scene, with medical helicopters dispatched and five people transported. The incident occurred in the eversing room of the 13/15 battery, prompting air quality monitoring and responses from local and state officials.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) informed the Supreme Court that it isn't legally bound to provide separate lists of individuals missing from electoral rolls or explain their exclusion. This response addresses allegations by NGO ADR regarding the deletion of over 65 lakh names from Bihar's rolls.
The Congress party has launched a web portal, votechori.in/ecdemand, in response to Rahul Gandhi's claims of poll rigging. The portal allows citizens to register their concerns about vote theft and support the demand for digital voter rolls, aiming to increase transparency and accountability from the Election Commission. Gandhi alleges a huge criminal fraud and urges public participation to safeguard democracy.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the government's decision to provide arms licenses to indigenous people in vulnerable areas, emphasizing that it would follow thorough evaluation. He highlighted the need for both land rights and security measures, particularly in regions like South Salmara-Mankachar.
Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde comments on the reunion of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray. He says it is good for democracy. Shinde adds people support those who work for them. He accuses Uddhav Thackeray of betraying Balasaheb's ideals. Shinde also claims Thackeray betrayed the 2019 mandate by aligning with Congress and NCP. Upcoming Mumbai municipal elections are crucial for Uddhav.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded India's economy as globally dashing and dynamic, attributing its growth to the nation's capabilities. He criticized those attempting to hinder India's progress through tariffs and trade barriers. Singh highlighted India's rise in global economic rankings and its increasing defense exports, emphasizing the country's resolve to combat terrorism without religious bias.
CJI B R Gavai emphasized that the judiciary, legislature, and executive are dedicated to serving the people and ensuring swift, affordable justice, advocating for decentralization to bring justice to people's doorsteps. He lauded efforts to preserve tribal culture while stressing the Constitution's paramount importance and the need for economic and social equality alongside political equality.