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PAGE 601

The story of Indian diplomacy in Africa

With its historical, political, economic and people-to-people ties, India is welcomed by African countries in a way that China is not. But New Delhi needs to do much more

There is no question, India should have first supplied its own population before exporting doses. But, in principle, the idea of India deepening its footprint in Africa through a vaccine strategy was forward-thinking, and were India not struggling domestically today to vaccinate its own population, could have paid dividends. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

opinion

Updated on May 19, 2021 07:45 AM IST

ByManjari Chatterjee Miller

RBI’s reading of the economy

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said, in its monthly bulletin released on May 17, that “the biggest toll” of the ongoing second wave of Covid-19 is “demand shock”

If the Indian economy has to bounce back by the third quarter of this fiscal (the second may be too soon), a proper fiscal stimulus may be called for. RBI’s confidence, while reassuring, may well be misplaced. (Bloomberg)

editorials

Updated on May 19, 2021 07:46 AM IST

ByHT Editorial

Prepare for the next challenge — heat waves

It is imperative to build adequate resilient systems to minimise the damage to the people’s health, especially those at the bottom of the pyramid and especially in times of an existing health crisis

A study by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago show that rising temperatures can hurt economic output by reducing the productivity of human labour. The damage, the report added, is greatest when already warm days become hotter. (AP)

editorials

Updated on May 19, 2021 07:46 AM IST

ByHT Editorial

Covid-19: The politics of patents

The government must immediately invoke Section 92 and 100 of the Patents Act. Its apprehensions about international commitments are misplaced

A shortages of vaccines and medicines will continue until WTO members take a decision on waiving IPRs, allowing the production of these products to increase. (HT file/Representational Image)

opinion

Updated on May 19, 2021 07:47 AM IST

ByBiswajit Dhar and KM Gopakumar

A ‘Mumbai model’ for climate action: Lessons from the pandemic

The monsoon, each year more mercurial and menacing, will likely once again involve widespread flooding and damage. To address these challenges, instead of episodic and piecemeal steps, Mumbai needs a range of proactive measures

Commuters wade through a waterlogged street at Parel following heavy rainfall, in Mumbai in August, 2020. (HT archive)

opinion

Updated on May 19, 2021 07:44 AM IST

ByAaran Patel

From New Jersey, the story of alleged caste discrimination and exploitation

The temple was raided by federal agents last Tuesday after allegations that the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) Sanstha exploited 200 workers, many of them Dalit, for the project

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville Township, N.J. (AP)

world news

Updated on May 19, 2021 07:44 AM IST

ByDhrubo Jyoti

Black marketing of Covid drugs: Here’s what 9 politicians told the Delhi Police

The nine politicians, questioned by the Delhi Police for allegedly hoarding oxygen cylinders and medicines, maintained they just helped connect people to chemists and others who could make them available for Covid-19 patients, according to the status report of the case

cities

Updated on May 19, 2021 07:43 AM IST

ByPrawesh Lama

With Class 12 board exams uncertain, how will students move to colleges?

The time to take a decision that will affect the lives and future of hundreds of thousands of students is approaching, even as all stakeholders — the government, the board, schools, parents and students — grapple with what is at stake while fighting the most severe health crisis India has witnessed ever

Students celebrate their result in the CBSE Class 12 board exams 2020. (File photo)

education

Updated on May 19, 2021 07:42 AM IST

ByShivani Singh

Will US Covid vaccine patent waiver lead to more jabs in India? Not really

Like many developing nations, India is struggling to cope with a surge in vaccine demand, amid a shortage, even as it battles the second wave of Covid-19 infections

People queue up to get vaccinated against Covid-19, at SKV Railway Station, Anand Vihar, in New Delhi on Monday, May 17. (Raj K Raj / HT photo)

analysis

Updated on May 19, 2021 07:41 AM IST

ByZia Haq

As WPI spikes and rural incomes dip, is India staring at stagflation?

An HT analysis of inflation numbers suggests that this could be a beginning of a trajectory where incomes and therefore purchasing power in rural India will face a disproportionate squeeze

analysis

Updated on May 19, 2021 07:41 AM IST

ByRoshan Kishore

Ahead of Tokyo, a much-needed focus on mental health

Much needs to be done around the subject in India from scratch. This, while discussions around mental health among elite athletes is increasing, writes Sharda Ugra.

sports

Updated on May 18, 2021 08:59 AM IST

BySharda Ugra

Rafael Nadal's blazing forehand heats things up for French Open

The master of clay defeated Novak Djokovic in the Rome Masters final at the weekend by announcing that his main clay court weapon is back in top shape.

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his final match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic.(REUTERS)

sports

Updated on May 18, 2021 08:59 AM IST

ByRutvick Mehta

Cyclone Tauktae: Rapid intensity takes experts by surprise

Tauktae is in keeping with the trend of an increasing number of cyclones in the Arabian Sea. Time was when most of those affecting India were on the other side, in the Bay of Bengal. Scientists have no doubts as to why this is happening -- warmer seas on account of the climate crisis.

A damaged car is seen on a road after a tree fell on it due to strong winds caused by Cyclone Tauktae in Mumbai on May 17, 2021. (Reuters)

india news

Updated on May 19, 2021 07:48 AM IST

ByJayashree Nandi, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

With pandemic and polls, Sonia Gandhi may remain Congress president till 2022

Barring Uttar Pradesh, the Congress could be in the reckoning for power in the remaining election-bound states: Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. After the February-March round, elections are scheduled to the Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat legislatures in October and December next year

analysis

Updated on May 17, 2021 05:47 PM IST

ByVinod Sharma

Despite second wave, Bhagwat’s comments indicate Sangh-BJP ties on track

A perceptible ease in working relations has been a hallmark of the Sangh-BJP equation post 2014, and any criticism of government policies has been soft-pedalled. The BJP is the political arm of the Sangh, even though the latter asserts that it does not influence the government’s decision making

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat speaks at “Positivity Unlimited” event , in Nagpur on Saturday, May 15. (File photo)

india news

Updated on May 17, 2021 05:09 PM IST

BySmriti Kak Ramachandran

The inside story of why the BJP lost Bengal

The official party line is that it is focused, at the moment, in protecting workers from a vindictive TMC’s violent attacks post elections, to do any in-depth review of the results

Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. (Samir Jana/HT file)

india news

Updated on May 17, 2021 01:57 PM IST

BySunetra Choudhury

In Covid-19 second wave, how children are suffering

What we need is for kinship care to kick in on an urgent basis. Institutional care and shelter homes should be the last resort. The grief and trauma will damage the children and they will grow up to be broken adults

Relatives of a Covid-19 victim perform the last rites, at Sarai Kale Khan crematorium, in New Delhi. (HT file photo)

india news

Updated on May 17, 2021 11:24 AM IST

ByHarinder Baweja

Deaths spike, vaccination dips—the story from India’s states

These inferences are based on health ministry’s Covid and vaccination data for May 15 and population projections for 2021 by the Census Commissioner of India, and come at the time when some state governments are being accused of hiding actual Covid deaths

Beneficiaries wait in a long queue to get inoculated against Covid-19 at District Nurses' Training Centre, in Thane, Mumbai on Saturday, May 15. (HT photo)

india news

Updated on May 17, 2021 09:28 AM IST

ByChetan Chauhan

India hockey skipper Rani Rampal feels lucky, agonises for others

The ace forward speaks of the break in the Tokyo Olympics preparation due to Covid-19 infections among players, and the plight of people battling the second wave of infections in India.

Indian women hockey team captain Rani Rampal. File image(PTI)

sports

Updated on May 17, 2021 04:57 PM IST

ByRutvick Mehta

The economy story is unravelling just 46 days into FY22

Here is what we know and do not know about the evolving economic story, a month and a half into the fiscal year 2021-22.

Healthcare workers prepare a dose of the Oxford-Astrazeneca Plc. Covid-19 vaccine, manufactured by Fiocruz, during a mass vaccination event in Botucatu, Brazil, on Sunday, May 16, 2021. A total of 57.1 million Covid vaccine doses have now been administered in Brazil, with an estimated rate of 945,574 doses per day. Photographer: Jonne Roriz/Bloomberg(Bloomberg)

india news

Updated on May 17, 2021 07:52 AM IST

ByRoshan Kishore, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Sachin Tendulkar's pre-game routine - making tea, ironing clothes

The batting legend advises aspiring players how to prepare physically and mentally before every game to get the best out of themselves.

Sachin Tendulkar spoke on a range on topic during a session on Unacademy. (Getty Images)

cricket

Updated on May 17, 2021 04:57 PM IST

ByRajesh Pansare, Mumbai

Why the judiciary must step back

Courts have overstepped. It is time to return to the original constitutional division of power between the organs of the State

No doubt, the independence of the judiciary is important, but so is the independence of the Parliament, the Election Commission and other institutions. The popularly elected government, which is, at all times, accountable to the supreme masters — we, the people of India — equally deserves to be respected by all citizens and institutions. (Amal KS/HT PHOTO)

opinion

Updated on May 17, 2021 07:51 AM IST

BySubash C Kashyap

The new Israel-Hamas conflict is distinct and more dangerous

While the international community wants de-escalation and an early end to the conflict, the chances of successful external mediation are not bright

Palestinian protesters hurl stones during clashes with Israeli forces in the Shuafat Palestinian neighbourhood, neighbouring the Israeli settlement of Ramat Shlomo, in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, May 14, 2021 (AFP)

opinion

Updated on May 17, 2021 07:50 AM IST

ByPR Kumaraswamy

As fans we must ask for accountability, writes Snehal Pradhan

"What do simple press conferences give us? The beginnings of transparency and accountability. And why should we push for these in women’s cricket, when we get so little in men’s cricket? I’ll tell you why," writes Snehal Pradhan.

cricket

Updated on May 17, 2021 04:57 PM IST

BySnehal Pradhan

For India’s sake, PM Modi must find his voice

I’m afraid our government and our prime minister (PM) have disappointed us. This is why many feel abandoned and helpless, full of despair and unable to see the flicker of light that can keep hope alive

Today, when we are shaken, depressed and some are even losing hope, we need him to give us strength and courage, vision and determination (PIB Photo)

opinion

Updated on May 17, 2021 07:51 AM IST

ByKaran Thapar

For India’s Opposition, the one big question

To take on Narendra Modi in 2024, Opposition parties need to decide on their leader — a single leader — in 2021. This is the hardest part of building an alliance, but not doing so may well lead to a repeat of 2014 and 2019

Postponing the decision till after the elections did not work in 2014 or 2019, for voters opted for strong and decisive leadership as opposed to a chaotic coalition headed by a weak figurehead — and repeating the same mistake in 2024 is unlikely to yield a different outcome (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

opinion

Updated on May 17, 2021 07:50 AM IST

ByChanakya

In search of today’s community leaders

Unless community leaders speak up, we will not be able to prevent a third and a fourth and more waves, each deadlier than the one before

In all these mass sgatherings, participants have come from all over India. They have come with piety, returned with the virus hovering around them (AFP)

opinion

Updated on May 17, 2021 07:50 AM IST

ByGopalkrishna Gandhi

Hanuma Vihari the team player turns a Covid-19 saviour

The batsman is in England to prepare for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand starting June 18. Moved by the humanitarian crisis in India, Vihari is actively mobilising support for people battling Covid-19 in his home state, Andhra Pradesh, as well as other regions in the country.

Hanuma Vihari bats for India.(Getty Images)

cricket

Updated on May 16, 2021 02:39 PM IST

BySanjjeev K Samyal, Mumbai

How an Olympic dream got hit

Neeraj Chopra finds himself in the bleak reality of not having competed in an international meet in 15 month.

sports

Updated on May 17, 2021 02:07 PM IST

ByAvishek Roy

Scroll through surprising cures from the world over in UCLA’s Archive of Healing

Eat grasshoppers to ease a stammer, says one we’d never heard of. Others, like clove for a toothache and the hair of the dog for a hangover, we still use today.

A 16th-century engraving of medicine being made from the wood of the guaiacwood tree. Across cultures, most remedies were passed on by women and came from inside the kitchen, researchers have found. (Shutterstock)

lifestyle

Updated on May 14, 2021 10:31 PM IST

ByVanessa Viegas

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HT Premium

With its historical, political, economic and people-to-people ties, India is welcomed by African countries in a way that China is not. But New Delhi needs to do much more

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said, in its monthly bulletin released on May 17, that “the biggest toll” of the ongoing second wave of Covid-19 is “demand shock”

It is imperative to build adequate resilient systems to minimise the damage to the people’s health, especially those at the bottom of the pyramid and especially in times of an existing health crisis

The government must immediately invoke Section 92 and 100 of the Patents Act. Its apprehensions about international commitments are misplaced

The monsoon, each year more mercurial and menacing, will likely once again involve widespread flooding and damage. To address these challenges, instead of episodic and piecemeal steps, Mumbai needs a range of proactive measures

The temple was raided by federal agents last Tuesday after allegations that the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) Sanstha exploited 200 workers, many of them Dalit, for the project

The nine politicians, questioned by the Delhi Police for allegedly hoarding oxygen cylinders and medicines, maintained they just helped connect people to chemists and others who could make them available for Covid-19 patients, according to the status report of the case

Like many developing nations, India is struggling to cope with a surge in vaccine demand, amid a shortage, even as it battles the second wave of Covid-19 infections

An HT analysis of inflation numbers suggests that this could be a beginning of a trajectory where incomes and therefore purchasing power in rural India will face a disproportionate squeeze

Much needs to be done around the subject in India from scratch. This, while discussions around mental health among elite athletes is increasing, writes Sharda Ugra.

The master of clay defeated Novak Djokovic in the Rome Masters final at the weekend by announcing that his main clay court weapon is back in top shape.

Tauktae is in keeping with the trend of an increasing number of cyclones in the Arabian Sea. Time was when most of those affecting India were on the other side, in the Bay of Bengal. Scientists have no doubts as to why this is happening -- warmer seas on account of the climate crisis.

Barring Uttar Pradesh, the Congress could be in the reckoning for power in the remaining election-bound states: Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. After the February-March round, elections are scheduled to the Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat legislatures in October and December next year

A perceptible ease in working relations has been a hallmark of the Sangh-BJP equation post 2014, and any criticism of government policies has been soft-pedalled. The BJP is the political arm of the Sangh, even though the latter asserts that it does not influence the government’s decision making

The official party line is that it is focused, at the moment, in protecting workers from a vindictive TMC’s violent attacks post elections, to do any in-depth review of the results

What we need is for kinship care to kick in on an urgent basis. Institutional care and shelter homes should be the last resort. The grief and trauma will damage the children and they will grow up to be broken adults

These inferences are based on health ministry’s Covid and vaccination data for May 15 and population projections for 2021 by the Census Commissioner of India, and come at the time when some state governments are being accused of hiding actual Covid deaths

The ace forward speaks of the break in the Tokyo Olympics preparation due to Covid-19 infections among players, and the plight of people battling the second wave of infections in India.

Here is what we know and do not know about the evolving economic story, a month and a half into the fiscal year 2021-22.

The batting legend advises aspiring players how to prepare physically and mentally before every game to get the best out of themselves.

Courts have overstepped. It is time to return to the original constitutional division of power between the organs of the State

While the international community wants de-escalation and an early end to the conflict, the chances of successful external mediation are not bright

"What do simple press conferences give us? The beginnings of transparency and accountability. And why should we push for these in women’s cricket, when we get so little in men’s cricket? I’ll tell you why," writes Snehal Pradhan.

I’m afraid our government and our prime minister (PM) have disappointed us. This is why many feel abandoned and helpless, full of despair and unable to see the flicker of light that can keep hope alive

To take on Narendra Modi in 2024, Opposition parties need to decide on their leader — a single leader — in 2021. This is the hardest part of building an alliance, but not doing so may well lead to a repeat of 2014 and 2019

Unless community leaders speak up, we will not be able to prevent a third and a fourth and more waves, each deadlier than the one before

The batsman is in England to prepare for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand starting June 18. Moved by the humanitarian crisis in India, Vihari is actively mobilising support for people battling Covid-19 in his home state, Andhra Pradesh, as well as other regions in the country.

Neeraj Chopra finds himself in the bleak reality of not having competed in an international meet in 15 month.

Eat grasshoppers to ease a stammer, says one we’d never heard of. Others, like clove for a toothache and the hair of the dog for a hangover, we still use today.

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