Category Governance and Law

2024 General Elections: Shaping the Future

What is the meaning of ‘mandate’ within India’s constitutional and political schema? Prof. Arun Kumar meditates on this question.

A chastened Narendra Modi has become the Prime Minister of India for a third time. He, along with his large cabinet, took oath on June 9. The mood was sombre, as during the victory celebration at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters on June 4, because the realisation had dawned that a much diminished National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would form the next government.

Child Labour: Status and Policy in India

Child labour in India persists primarily due to poverty, unemployment, and socio-economic conditions forcing children to contribute to family income. Urban migration exacerbates this issue, leading to children taking up menial work. Due to insufficient government reporting, reliance is placed on various NGOs' reports. Government efforts, such as the National Child Labour Project (NCLP), have faltered due to funding deficiencies, leading to the closure of schools meant for rehabilitated child labourers. A significant issue remains the employment of children above 14 years in hazardous work, affecting their schooling and future job prospects. The author suggests incorporating trade learning and skill development to better engage children above 14 years in schooling and improve their job opportunities.

Modi 3.0: A Journey Towards Inclusivity, Growth, and Global Recognition

With the oath-taking ceremony of Modi 3.0, one can sense the maturing of our democracy. The last decade of the Modi-led government saw institutional and economic development and a culture of inclusive governance — sabka saath sabka vikas sabka vishwas. With his focus on GYAN (Garib, Yuva, Annadata, Nari Shakti), PM Modi showed that he is the flagbearer of growth, youth development, gender equality and nation-building.

Preventing Democratic Backsliding Isn’t the Same as Securing Democracy

The INDIA bloc’s ability to rein in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vaulting ambition to godhood does not extend to addressing a vast democracy deficit

In an interim assessment of the election results, I made six points:

One, India’s next government would be a coalition government.

Two, Indian democracy has become stronger with the emergence of a strong Opposition, and a clear verdict that the people do not appreciate the politics of hatred and division, peddled aggressively by Prime Minister Modi.

Three, the Congress has halted its steady decline, which had persuaded several of its aspiring leaders and spokespersons to defect to the BJP.

INDIA: A Great Vision That Needed Stronger Implementation

Czech-born British playwright and screenwriter Tom Stoppard had aptly noted, “…it’s not the voting that’s democracy. It’s the counting...". Counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections is still on, but the current trend so far suggests the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to form the next government in New Delhi, India.

Understanding the BJP’s Triumph and BJD’s Fall in Odisha

The tables have turned for Naveen T Patnaik and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha. Analysts and even the diehard supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could not have imagined that the saffron party would unseat Patnaik, the formidable and popular chief minister of the eastern state since 2000. While it was expected that the BJP would drastically improve its Lok Sabha seat share in the state, largely aided by the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, not many had thought that a comparatively weak BJP would dominate the assembly elections.

A Lifeline for Widows: Insights into the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

Like many other countries, India struggles to meet the needs of its vulnerable populations — especially widowed women who often experience social exclusion and financial hardship. In response to this pressing issue, the Government of India introduced the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) in 2009.

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