Things I want to Revisit

Perhaps the first lesson then is when policies—foreign, national, or economic—are built around personalities rather than nations, egos tend to get in the way.

The Arab world entered its demographic dividend phase in the 1990s, but without growth and employment, frustration among the population, especially the educated youth, led to the Arab Spring a decade or so ago. There, the dividend became a demographic disaster.

“Honour” killings of privileged-caste women who marry SC men reflect a society where collective identity rooted in caste purity overrides the value of life itself. Each caste is socialised to prioritise group purity and group loyalty over compassion and humanity. Values such as care, respect, and love are subordinated to allegiance.

Sometimes a tiny number tells a big story. At $353 million in 2024-25, net foreign direct investment (FDI) is one such number. Defined as gross foreign investment inflow minus funds repatriated by foreigners and investments made abroad by Indian nationals, net FDI has plummeted to one-seventh of the previous lowest amount in the last quarter centur... See more