NFHS-5 Findings NFHS-5: Marking transformation in a billion livesRamesh ChakrapaniThe most recent family health survey throws up a plethora of interesting data that offer a peek into the changes in a post-pandemic society, and point
Refugees and migration Seeking a new lifeRamesh ChakrapaniThe number of migrants worldwide has been increasing, as has the number of refugees and displaced people.
Private domination of education Private reign Ramesh Chakrapani The latest AISHE report on higher education shows rising enrolment and a gargantuan private presence in the sector.
Health and fitness ‘Meditation has no role in reducing aggression'EVER thought that meditation would turn someone into a less aggressive and more compassionate social animal? Probably not, as a meta-analysis of 20-od
Archaeology Stone age tools raise questions on migrationVERY old and sophisticated tools excavated from Attirampakkam, 60 kilometres from Chennai, have thrown up a major puzzle in the story of human evoluti
Health & Fitness Low level of alcohol intake potentially beneficial for brainLOW to moderate drinking helps keep not only the heart but also the brain in shape. A study by a team of researchers in the United States showed that
Chemistry Indians produce boron nanosheets as thin as grapheneRESEARCHERS at Indian Instituteof Technology Gandhinagar have produced one of thinnest materials ever known to humankind.
Cancer treatment Compact LINAC for proton therapyPROTON and ion therapies are the preferred treatment for many cancers, such as tumours that are deep within the body. All of the nearly 100 worldwide
Astrophysics Finding brighter ‘Standard Candles’AN international team of astronomers has, for the first time, seen a cosmic magnification of the light from a class of supernova called Type Ia. Type
Testimony to geniusPopularly known as Arignar Anna, Annadurai was the most influential and resourceful of all Dravidian writers. He launched the political party Dravida
Economic liberalism Some gains, big lossesRAMESH CHAKRAPANIEconomic liberalism has boosted services and exports but at the cost of agriculture and public sector jobs.
Brexit Bumpy road aheadRAMESH CHAKRAPANIThe departure from one of the world’s biggest markets has immense ramifications for Britain’s economy and workforce.
School education Low on qualityRAMESH CHAKRAPANIPrimary enrolment rates remain very high across the nation, but there is room for improvement in other metrics in several States.
Primary education Long road aheadRAMESH CHAKRAPANISignificant progress has been made at the primary schooling level, but much needs to be done to stem senior secondary dropout rates.
Documenting IndiaRAMESH CHAKRAPANIThe book offers a refreshing take on the role of the documentary in Indian society and illustrates its claim on reality.
Mining and quarrying Battle for mineralsRAMESH CHAKRAPANIChhattisgarh is fast turning into a police state where officialdom is trying to clear the path for corporate mining interests.
Crimes against S.Cs Victims of violenceRAMESH CHAKRAPANIThe spurt in crimes against Scheduled Castes in recent years underscores the need for stronger laws and a quicker justice delivery mechanism.
Public finances Money mattersRAMESH CHAKRAPANIThe combined revenue of the Centre and the States has not grown at the same pace as expenditure in recent years, leaving a widening gap in public fina
Battle for narrativeRamesh ChakrapaniA portal working towards establishing an informed Ambedkar age makes an impressive debut.
University system University mattersRAMESH CHAKRAPANIHigher education has been growing from strength to strength in recent years, with State public and private universities dominating the scene.
Farming crisis Rural distressRAMESH CHAKRAPANISuccessive droughts have imperilled the livelihoods of crores of farmers and agricultural workers in India.
Dalit education Bottom of the heapRAMESH CHAKRAPANIDespite reservations and various social justice programmes, the pursuit of education continues to be an arduous task for Dalits at the senior secondar
PSUs Endangered sectorRAMESH CHAKRAPANIPublic sector undertakings play a significant financial and social role in the country's economy and the government has a duty to protect them instead
Juvenile justice End of innocenceRAMESH CHAKRAPANIThe government’s decision to amend the juvenile justice law will do little to address the root cause of juvenile crime, most of which is owing to po
Elon Musk and the culture of greed pride If we take seriously the premise that cinema is reflective of the times it is embedded in, then the sudden expression of money and luxury as heroic en
SlideshowLiving on the edgeThey are river people, whose lives ebb and flow with the waters of the Brahmaputra in a timeless rhythm. But now, hydroelectric projects and homogenis