It began as a heavy rain, the kind that Himachal Pradesh has seen before. But by the night of June 28, it became clear that this was no ordinary monsoon rain. Cloudbursts over the upper reaches of the Beas basin triggered a chain reaction — landslides, glacial run-off, river swelling, and catastrophic flooding.
When the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2025 results were released on July 2, few expected Himachal Pradesh — which ranked at a modest 21st place in 2021 — to leap into the top five. While Punjab and Kerala retained their leading positions, it was Himachal’s 16-rank jump that garnered headlines.
Urban growth should be a tool for social transformation and economic opportunity, not a mechanism for ecological destruction and social displacement.
Incidents of the past few years highlight a shift in the social and cultural milieu of Himachal Pradesh. A state that once evolved through the determination of its political leadership and the momentum of progressive social and cultural movements is witnessing a resurgence of decadent feudal values. Alongside, a rise in right-wing revivalism is reshaping the state's socio-political landscape. Evaluating this trend in the current context, particularly in light of the missed opportunities for a cultural and intellectual renaissance, is essential.
India is on the cusp of a profound urban metamorphosis. In the forthcoming decades, India is anticipated to boast the most significant urban population globally. However, India’s urban future is shaped by blueprints drawn far from the streets where people live.
Carrying capacity must serve as a tool for long-term sustainability rather than a restrictive measure that disproportionately affects vulnerable communities