AFTER THE CEASEFIRE

When The Cessation of firing was announced by both India and Pakistan Saturday evening, there couldn't have been a more ringing endorsement of Delhi's message on terror coming from across the border: India will hit terrorists and terror infrastructure wherever they are; Pakistan's alibis, indefensible all, have run out. The "new normal" of deterrence which began with the surgical strikes after the Uri attack and was shored up with the Balakot strike after Pulwama 2019-has now been re-etched clearly and firmly. Through Operation Sindoor, India has responded to, and countered, every act of escalation by Pakistan. The destruction of Pakistan's major military assets, including debilitating strikes at over a dozen military bases, from Lahore to Sargodha, Chakwal to Jacobabad, has demonstrated India's ability to strike with precision, and deep. The larger message is that Rawalpindi's strategy of hiding behind proxies that perpetrate terrorism on Indian soil will no longer work. India has broadened the tools at its disposal by holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, while laying down that every act of terrorism will now be considered "an act of war" and receive a proportionate response by the military. 

A fragile calm

The Temporary Ceasefire between India and Pakistan announced by US President Donald Trump is to be welcomed. It may yet prove fragile. But peace ought seldom to be sneered at; and it ought not to be held hostage to pride. The current round of conflict, precipitated by an act of terrorism at Pahalgam, put India and Pakistan on a dangerous logic of escalation. In modern war, seldom does any side prevail decisively, no matter how much arm-chair theorists fantasise about escalation dominance. Imagine that, even if accidentally, if there had been an episode of high civilian casualties on either side, how difficult it would have been to claw back. Just imagine, further, an escalation in the use of missiles, with air defences panicking over what kind of war-heads a missile might be carrying. In such scenarios, all bets would have been off. 

PLUGGING A GAP

Traditional workshops are today giving way to manufacturing units that demand digital fluency, competency in data analysis, Al and robotics-related skills and the ability to work with climate-friendly engineering technologies. However, for at least a decade, surveys and reports have been flagging the skill deficits of the Indian workforce. Only a small fraction of graduates from the Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) get placed in the cutting-edge economy. The deficit also means that a large section of the youth lacks avenues and support systems to realise its potential. The government's move to overhaul ITIs was, therefore, long overdue. Last week, the Union Cabinet ap-proved the National Scheme for Industrial Training Institute Upgradation and sanctioned the setting up of five National Skilling Training Institutes (NSTI). The Rs 60,000-crore scheme aims to forge links between the technical education ecosystem and industry.

THE AIR QUALITY PUZZLE

The Centre's Make in India initiative has boosted the morale of the country's youth. From space technologies and the Moon Mission to Covid-19 vaccines and Vande Bharat trains, the country has proved its mettle. However, when it comes to improving air quality and mitigating the health impacts of pollution, we lag behind. Every year, reports rank multiple Indian cities among the world's most polluted. These rankings are often produced by foreign entities under foreign-funded projects. Air pollution remains one of India's most pressing challenges, yet we have not fully grasped its complexities. Some experts cite a lack of funds, yet pollution control boards frequently return unspent funds.

Stitching a new story

On May 6, India and the UK concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marked as a historic milestone by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The deal grants India zero-duty access to all industrial goods and eliminates import tariffs on over 99.3 per cent of animal products, 99.8 per cent of vegetable/oil products, and 99.7 per cent processed foods. Currently, the UK imports goods worth $815.5 billion, primarily from countries like China (12 per cent, amounting to $99 billion), the US (11 per cent, amounting to $92 billion), and Germany (9 per cent, amounting to $76.2 billion). India is the 12th largest trading partner of the UK, but with a meagre 1.8 per cent ($15.3 billion) share in goods imported to the country. The UK ex-ports goods worth $512.9 billion, mainly to the US ($71.3 billion), China ($46.4 billion) and Germany ($38.8 billion) .

A new benchmark, a new normal

In Its History with Pakistan, India has tried every option to establish a normal relationship as was the promise after the creation of that state, and as behoves two neighbours. The unfortunate reality is that none of these have worked. There are many reasons, but lack of effort on India's part is not one of them. All we have to do is look at the record of successive Indian prime ministers and governments, including that of PM Narendra Modi. The answer lies in the nature of the Pakistani state and the makeup of those who have governed it since its inception. India would like a Pakistan that is at peace with itself and comfortable in its skin. It seems that this is asking for too much.

Counting for accountability

When the colonial administration completed the 1931 Census, it left behind more than just a ledger of heads. The Raj used enumeration to crystallise hierarchies and transmute prejudice into "empirical" fact. It was conducted at a time when the capacity of the census to deal with a complex social system like caste was questionable, especially in princely states, which accounted for more than one-third of India.

Trading activity by individuals in equity derivatives stays high; Sebi re-examining

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With skilled gig workers out-earning salaried staff, Urban Company readies ₹1,900-crore IPO

With many gig workers now earning more than the average salaried employee - without the accompanying job security and key benefits a segment of India's gig economy is booming, and companies built on it are now tapping the markets for funding.

All about IMF loan to Pak, why latest tranche was passed

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday decided to allow for "an immediate disbursement" of $1 billion (around Rs 8,500 crore) to Pakistan. This disbursal was done as part of the IMF's Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to Pakistan.

Why farmers prefer rice, wheat

Farmers, like businessmen tend to be, are rational and risk-averse. Everything else being the same, they will choose to grow crops that offer reasonable price as well as yield assurance.-