Expert Zone
Straight from the Specialists
Kasab hanging a resolute and prudent decision
(The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not represent those of Reuters)
By C. Uday Bhaskar
Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving Pakistani gunman among the perpetrators of the Nov. 26, 2008 attacks on Mumbai was executed by hanging at Pune’s Yerwada prison on Wednesday, bringing to judicial closure a high-profile case that had generated both anger and anguish in India.
It is significant that the final act was carried out just a week before the fourth anniversary of the Mumbai carnage. The manner in which it was done is indicative of a certain resoluteness and prudence — traits that have eluded the Congress-led UPA government in its second tenure.
The Supreme Court had upheld the death penalty for Kasab in August and the case was expected to drag on as the mercy petition option was exercised. In an earlier column, I had opined that “Kasab is unlikely to go to the gallows in a hurry for in all likelihood, the Aug. 29 decision will be sent for appeal and a review and if rejected, the case could finally be referred to the President of India for mercy.”
Why online is the right way forward in life insurance
(The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not represent those of Reuters)
Insurance in India is divided into two broad categories — life insurance and non-life insurance (also called general insurance). For the record, most retail non-life products such as health insurance, car insurance and travel insurance are already sold completely online by most insurers.
The year ahead: expectations and apprehensions
(The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not represent those of Reuters)
The economy is presently under stress and there are no indications that recovery is underway in spite of recent reforms announced by the government. India is not alone in under-performance. But it has fared too badly for its own reasons.
Xi Jinping at the helm in Beijing, responsibility looms large
(The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not represent those of Reuters)
The carefully orchestrated and much awaited leadership transition in Beijing was formally concluded on Thursday with the elevation of Xi Jinping as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China.
Is finance too competitive?
The opinions expressed are his own
Many economists are advocating for regulation that would make banking “boring” and uncompetitive once again. After a crisis, it is not uncommon to hear calls to limit competition. During the Great Depression, the head of the United States National Recovery Administration argued that employers were being forced to lay off workers as a result of “the murderous doctrine of savage and wolfish competition, [of] dog-eat-dog and devil take the hindmost.” He appealed for a more collusive business environment, with the profits made from consumers to be shared between employers and workers.
Concerns about the deleterious effects of competition have always existed, even among those who are not persuaded that government diktat can replace markets, or that intrinsic human goodness is a more powerful motivator than monetary reward and punishment. Where the debate has been most heated, however, concerns the effects of competition on incentives to innovate.
Exit Afghanistan?
The opinions expressed are his own
In his victory speech to a rapturous crowd in Chicago following his re-election, President Barack Obama affirmed that America’s “decade-long conflict” in Afghanistan will now end. The line was greeted with prolonged applause — and understandably so. In fact, this ill-advised war — launched on the basis of a United Nations Security Council resolution — has been grinding on for 11 years, making it the longest in American history.
At the beginning, the war was aimed at eliminating Al Qaeda, vanquishing the Taliban, and transforming Afghanistan into something resembling a Western-style nation-state. With none of these goals fully achieved, America’s intervention — like every other intervention in Afghanistan’s history — is ending unsatisfactorily.
US-India strategic partnership set to grow in second Obama administration
(The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not represent those of Reuters)
The re-election of President Barack Obama is likely to be more promising and fruitful for the growing strategic partnership between India and the United States. During the second Obama administration, his India policies are expected to be upgraded further and there would possibly be more tangible outcomes from policy pronouncements made in the last four years.
India Market Weekahead: Trading subdued but markets back on track
(The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not represent those of Reuters)
Last week was a volatile one with the stock market poised for a surge but the Nifty eventually closed in the red with a loss of 0.20 percent at 5686.
Higher growth can help lower deficit
(The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not represent those of Reuters)
India’s bloating budget deficit has been a matter of concern. It means more borrowing by the government which results in overcrowding of the debt market and consequently, a higher rate of interest for the private sector. It also raises the rate on borrowings from abroad due to the downgrading by rating agencies which is bound to follow.
India Market Weekahead: Buy on dips with no roadblocks till budget
(The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not represent those of Reuters)
There wasn’t much point-to-point movement on the Nifty but it was not a listless week by any standard.
