It’ll Take More Than Politicians With Brooms
NDTV | A laudable initiative but the idea that the cosmetic wielding of brooms by leaders and volunteers will provide cleaner and healthier living conditions is a cruel joke on India’s poor
The best democracy that money can buy
Should we worry that Modi may be spending as much on advertising as Obama spent on his entire 2012 campaign?
Money power in elections
A study finds that wealth increases the chances of winning, and a combination of wealth and criminal record increases it further.
पूंजीवाद का प्रपंच
An abridged version of my Seminar piece on Narendra Modi and crony capitalism translated into Hindi by Amar Ujala newspaper.
The cult of cronyism
Who does Narendra Modi really represent and what does his phenomenal rise in Indian politics as election front-runner signify?
Government cold to CAG’s quest for new powers
For the past two years, the CAG has been pushing the Finance Ministry — its nodal ministry — for crucial changes in the 1971 Audit Act. To no avail … … Continue reading
India’s stake in Africa’s future
More than any other region, it is Africa that has to be a strategic priority for India. What we must offer is a partnership no other power is willing or … Continue reading
It’s time to get down to business
Manmohan Singh’s second term has seen huge scams but also action against crony capitalism of a kind India has never experienced. Which trend will finally prevail? 19 February 2011The Hindu … Continue reading
Sorry people, we’re hanging up on you
The Manmohan Singh government is digging an even bigger hole for itself by claiming there was no loss of revenue from the sweetheart sale of 2G spectrum to favoured corporate … Continue reading
No debate please, we’re MPs
Behind the unprecedented Opposition walkout during Friday’s Budget speech lies the declining salience of debate and conversation in India today … 27 February 2010The Hindu Choice of decibel over decimal … Continue reading
Climate change lessons from a Nobel prize winner
Averting the tragedy of the atmospheric commons will require binding, equitable arrangements between countries, big and small. If only this year’s Peace prize winner listens to Elinor Olstrom… 14 October … Continue reading
India pleased as G20 summit scales new height
A 23 page Leaders’ Statement shows the enormous ground the world’s leading economies have covered … Genuine forward movement on several key issues, says Manmohan Singh… 27 September 2009The Hindu … Continue reading
G20 rules out ‘premature withdrawal’ of stimulus
Fossil fuel subsidies, bankers’ pay to come under global scanner, IMF asked to prepare a report by next year on banking system … 27 September 2009The Hindu G20 rules out … Continue reading
Dateline Pittsburgh: So is Twenty the new Eight? Not quite
The G20 is here to stay but don’t write the obituary of the G8 yet… 25 September 2009The Hindu So is Twenty the new Eight? Not quite Siddharth Varadarajan Pittsburgh: … Continue reading
Siddharth Varadarajan 