The Buzz & Beyond

  Taking Back PoK — Rhetoric or Reality? Recent remarks by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, coupled with reports of unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), have reignited a long-standing debate: Should India reclaim PoK? It’s a subject charged with emotion and nationalism, yet sentiment alone cannot guide national strategy. A closer look reveals that reclaiming PoK today is far more complex — and potentially perilous — than many would like to believe. A Brief Historical Context Legally, the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir acceded to India on 27 October 1947 , when Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession. However, the turbulence of Partition — tribal invasions from the west, political indecision in Srinagar, and strategic manipulations by British-era actors — resulted in parts of the region falling under Pakistan’s control. In the 78 years since, those territories have evolved under Pakistani administration. They have built their own institutions, cultura...

  The Boy Who Stole Bread — and the Judge Who Taught the World a Lesson  (A Story and a Reflection on Justice, Compassion, and Reality) I came across a social media post with the following story. My reflections on this story has resulted in this blog. The story is reworded and rewritten here.  In a crowded courtroom, a 15-year-old boy stood trembling, his head bowed. He had been caught stealing — not money, not gold — but a packet of bread and some cheese. When the store guard tried to stop him, a scuffle broke out, and a shelf was broken. The judge looked at him kindly and asked,  “Did you really steal these things?” “Yes, sir,” the boy murmured. “Why?” “Because I needed to.” “You could have bought them.” “I had no money.” “Then ask your family.” “I only have my mother, sir. She’s sick and unemployed. The bread and cheese were for her.” The courtroom fell silent. “Don’t you work?” the judge asked. “I wash cars, sir… but I took the day off to look after ...

  GST 2.0: From Festive Boom to Sustained Growth — Can India Maintain the Momentum? In a recent press briefing, several Union Ministers announced that GST 2.0 has been a major success. Introduced just ahead of the festive season, this revamped tax structure—featuring only two simplified slabs —was positioned as a “bonus for the people,” designed to spur spending and accelerate economic growth. And it worked. The electronics sector recorded a 25% surge in sales during Navratri , while Maruti Suzuki sold 51,000 cars on Dhanteras alone —that’s roughly 35 cars a minute ! Hyundai too reported a 25% rise in festive sales . With increased car sales came a ripple effect—boosting demand for accessories, furniture, and sweets—driving a broader surge across the economy. So far, so good. But is that enough? The Need to Move Beyond a Festive Surge While India is projected to clock the highest growth rate globally at 6% , this still falls short of its own 8% target . Realistically, even ...

  Trump’s Trade Gamble: America First or America Alone? Donald Trump’s unilateral trade policies have stirred one of the most heated global economic debates in recent years. Supporters hail them as a bold defence of American interests, while critics dismiss them as “economic bullying” — and both sides have a point. “When power replaces partnership, the global order begins to crumble. In his second term, Trump’s administration has pursued an aggressive and confrontational trade strategy aimed at reshaping global commerce to favour the United States. However, by alienating allies and bypassing multilateral frameworks, this approach risks isolating America and potentially triggering a global recession. To be fair, there is logic behind Trump’s hardline stance. The U.S. has long grappled with a steady decline in its manufacturing base — a challenge with far-reaching economic and geopolitical implications. Reviving domestic industry is not merely about jobs; it’s about national power...

  कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥ Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana, Ma Karmaphalaheturbhurma Te Sangostvakarmani I would like to respectfully differ from the general interpretation given to this verse. Often, people quote only the first line of this verse, overlooking the second line that completes its meaning. Let us first observe the phrase (कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते) Karmanyevadhikaraste —sometimes written as “Karmanye Vadhikaraste,” which is also acceptable. When split further, we get Karmanya, Eva, Adhikara, Aste. A rough translation of this verse is: “You have the right only to work, but never to its fruits. Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.” While many scholars have offered spiritual interpretations, I prefer to view this through a management lens . Every journey begins with a destination in mind. When we want to go nowhere, every road is our road . Similarly, every...