GST, Relief, and Eight Years of Silence

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Hello, I’m Ravish Kumar.

Today we talk about two stories: one is about a government decision, the other about the discussion it provokes. For the first time in eight years, the Modi government has admitted—though indirectly—that GST (Goods and Services Tax) hurt the people. That inflation crushed households. That savings have dropped to historic lows.

The same GST that was once defended as a “reform” has now been quietly rolled back in scope. Rates have been reduced, slabs simplified. The government calls it relief. Posters and press releases celebrate: “Your daily expenses will now be cheaper.” But let’s not forget—yesterday the same taxes were called “reform,” while Rahul Gandhi called it “Gabbar Singh Tax.”

So what was it all these years? Relief today means exploitation yesterday.

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Eight Years of Denial

From Arun Jaitley to Nirmala Sitharaman, the government defended the GST structure tooth and nail. They told us multiple tax slabs were necessary. They claimed high rates were justified. And anyone who questioned it was mocked or silenced.

But the results were plain: small shopkeepers crushed by compliance, medium businesses suffocated by paperwork, households drained of every rupee. Inflation soared while incomes stagnated. People skipped health insurance because 18% GST made premiums unaffordable. Parents struggled with school supplies because even pencils, erasers, and notebooks were taxed.

Now, after eight years, the government accepts what was obvious to millions: GST hurt the people.

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The Politics of “Relief”

The GST Council has now reduced the slabs from six to two main ones: 5% and 18%. A third, 40%, remains for luxury and sin goods. Items from soap to bicycles, from baby diapers to health insurance, have been shifted to lower brackets.

The government calls it “a Diwali gift.” But gifts come from generosity—this is merely undoing harm.

If this relief was possible now, why not earlier? Why did people have to pay 12% GST on school notebooks for eight years? Why did parents pay 18% on shampoo and toothpaste, while the government defended it? Why did it take almost a decade to acknowledge the obvious—that ordinary people were being looted in the name of reform?

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The Opposition’s Loneliness

Throughout these eight years, Rahul Gandhi was mocked for calling GST “Gabbar Singh Tax.” He repeatedly demanded simplification and a cap at 18%. In 2016, he warned that anything higher would crush the poor and the small trader. He was ridiculed by the media, attacked by IT cells, dismissed as ignorant.

Yet here we are, eight years later, doing exactly what he proposed.

So the question is: was Rahul Gandhi wrong, or was the government arrogant?

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The Real Cost

Relief today doesn’t erase the suffering of the past. Countless households emptied their savings. Small businesses folded. Farmers and workers bore the brunt of inflation. Parents cut corners on children’s education and health. Gig workers, already on fragile incomes, spent their lives paying high GST on fuel and bikes—only now being told that the rates will drop.

This isn’t a “gift.” It’s an admission that people were wronged for eight years.

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Beyond the Numbers

When you read headlines saying “daily items to get cheaper,” remember: if it’s cheaper now, it was unjust then. If the government celebrates lowering GST on health insurance, it means it knowingly burdened the sick and the elderly for years.

Every poster celebrating “relief” is also proof of past failure.

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Conclusion

So, should the people celebrate? Perhaps cautiously. Yes, lower GST will bring some ease. But the larger truth remains: for eight long years, an arrogant government defended the indefensible. And only when forced by politics, economics, and pressure, did it accept what millions already knew.

Relief today is not generosity. It is simply a correction of a wrong.

And in history, we must remember who defended the wrong—and who dared to call it out.

Can the Elephant and the Dragon Dance Together?

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Hello, this is Ravish Kumar. So, are India and China ready to dance together? Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping remarked that the “elephant and the dragon can dance together.”

Now, in politics, the metaphor of dance has many shades. Sometimes, it means: who is dancing on whose tune? Who is pulling the strings? That kind of dance is unhealthy. The real dance worth celebrating is one where both partners appear equal—where the steps are in balance, where dignity and respect are intact.

In October 2024, Prime Minister Modi met Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia. Later, he visited Beijing after seven years. Yet, the border tensions that erupted in Eastern Ladakh five years ago remain unresolved. Reports suggest that more than 50,000 soldiers remain stationed on both sides. Strikingly, the Prime Minister avoided speaking about the border issue directly. India rarely calls out China openly—be it about Doklam (2017) or Galwan (2020). Instead, we hear routine lines about “maintaining peace and stability” on the border. But is that enough?

Meanwhile, trade paints a very different picture. Since 2020, India’s dependency on Chinese imports has only grown. The trade deficit stands at nearly $100 billion. India buys, China sells. But what exactly does India produce that China must buy? The imbalance continues because India cannot yet find alternatives to Chinese products. This proves that trade flows smoothly even when strategic ties are strained.

The real question is: after the SCO meeting, has anything fundamentally changed between India and China? Is there any new sense of parity that makes it look like two equals preparing to dance gracefully, mesmerizing the world as the “elephant and dragon” twirl together?

Xi may invoke this poetic image, but his actual dance partner remains Pakistan. He pulls the strings there with ease. Russia, too, continues to openly call Pakistan a “traditional friend.” During the SCO summit, while Modi’s photo-ops with world leaders made headlines in India, pictures of Xi, Putin, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told a parallel story.

Back home, pro-government media celebrated the summit as a triumph. But the truth is murkier. India refrains from naming China when it comes to terrorism, even though China continues to shield Pakistan in global forums. For instance, after the Pahalgam attack, India highlighted the “condemnation” of terrorism in joint statements as a victory. But in the same breath, terror attacks in Pakistan, like the Jafar Express bombing, were also condemned. Whose victory was that?

The contradictions run deep. Modi says India and China are “victims of terrorism.” But when exactly was China a victim? When has it suffered terror attacks like India? These vague equivalences only blur the truth.

And while Modi emphasizes “strategic autonomy” and insists relations should not be seen through a third country’s lens, the reality is clear: China won’t abandon Pakistan. India won’t name China. The stalemate continues.

All the while, optics dominate. Viral photos, hugs, and handshakes flood the headlines. Yet, significant absences remain unspoken. For instance, India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar did not travel with the delegation—officially due to “health reasons.” But his absence from key bilateral talks with Xi and Putin was glaring. It reminded me of the 1990s when even a seriously ill Foreign Minister, Dinesh Singh, was flown in a wheelchair to Tehran to secure Iran’s support for India at the UN. That was diplomacy at work, beyond optics.

Today, however, diplomacy risks being reduced to photo opportunities. China pushes its dominance through platforms like the SCO, much like India once did with SAARC. But where is SAARC today? Forgotten.

The bottom line: if the elephant and the dragon must dance, the rhythm must come from trust, balance, and equality. A dance partner is not someone you control with your fingers but someone you move in harmony with. Xi Jinping may speak of such a dance, but is he really offering one? Or is he simply reminding India of an invitation while twirling Pakistan in the meantime?

Until India calls out the contradictions and demands real parity, the so-called “dance” risks remaining nothing more than a performance staged for the cameras.

Locked Out of Knowledge: India’s Research Crisis After the Sci-Hub and LibGen Ban

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5 Key Takeaways

• Sci-Hub and LibGen have been blocked in India following a Delhi High Court order, impacting access to academic resources.
• Researchers in India and the Global South heavily rely on these 'shadow libraries' due to limited and unreliable institutional access.
• Scholars often resort to informal networks, social media, and friends abroad to obtain necessary research materials.
• Physical and digital library access is frequently inadequate, especially for independent researchers, those with disabilities, or scholars away from campuses.
• The current publishing system restricts knowledge through paywalls and gatekeeping, while authors and peer reviewers receive little compensation.

When Sci-Hub and LibGen Are Blocked: The Struggle to Access Research in India
If you’re a student or researcher in India, you’ve probably heard of Sci-Hub and LibGen. These websites have been lifesavers for many of us, offering free access to academic papers and books that are otherwise locked behind expensive paywalls. But recently, the Delhi High Court ordered internet providers to block these sites, following a lawsuit by big publishing companies. So, what does this mean for researchers like me—and for the future of learning in India?
Why Sci-Hub and LibGen Matter
Let’s be honest: getting access to academic material in India isn’t easy. University libraries often have limited collections, and their online resources can be patchy or full of technical glitches. Many important journals and books are simply out of reach unless you pay a hefty fee. That’s where Sci-Hub and LibGen came in. They acted like giant virtual libraries, letting us download research papers and books for free. For many PhD students, these sites were mentioned in thesis acknowledgements right alongside traditional libraries.
The Reality of Research in India
Most Indian researchers don’t have the same access as their peers in the US or Europe. Even if you’re at a top university, you might find that your library doesn’t subscribe to the journal you need, or that your access is unreliable. If you’re an independent scholar, or between degrees, it’s even harder. During the pandemic, when physical libraries were closed, online access became even more crucial—but often, it just didn’t work.
To get around these barriers, we’ve developed creative solutions. We share articles in social media groups, ask friends abroad to download papers for us, and spend hours searching for alternative links or “mirrors” of blocked sites. It’s a time-consuming and frustrating process, but it’s often the only way to get the information we need.
Is This Really Piracy?
Some people argue that using sites like Sci-Hub is piracy. But here’s the thing: the authors of academic papers usually don’t get paid for their work. They write and review articles for free, while publishers charge high prices for access. This system locks knowledge behind paywalls, making it harder for researchers in countries like India to do their work.
What’s the Solution?
There have been talks of a “One Nation, One Subscription” policy to give all Indian institutions access to journals, but it’s not fully in place yet. Even if it happens, it won’t cover everything—especially rare or out-of-print books that only sites like LibGen provide.
Until we fix the system, blocking Sci-Hub and LibGen just makes life harder for researchers. Knowledge should be a public good, not a privilege for the few who can afford it.

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Locked Out of Learning: How the Shadow Library Ban Deepens India’s Knowledge Divide

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5 Key Takeaways

• The Delhi High Court's 2025 ban on shadow libraries like Sci-Hub and LibGen restricts academic access, especially in countries with limited resources.
• The ban exacerbates the divide between well-resourced Western scholars and those in the Global South, who often lack up-to-date academic materials.
• Shadow libraries are crucial for independent researchers and students who cannot afford expensive paywalled resources, enabling equal opportunities for knowledge creation.
• The move is seen as prioritizing publishers' profits over the broader goal of knowledge dissemination and future research advancement.
• The case recalls Aaron Swartz's fight for open access, highlighting ongoing global inequalities in information access and questioning who benefits from restricting knowledge.

When Knowledge Becomes a Luxury: The Ban on Shadow Libraries and Its Impact on Students and Researchers
Imagine you’re a student or a researcher in India, eager to learn and contribute to your field. You need access to the latest books, articles, and research papers. But there’s a catch: most of this information is locked behind expensive paywalls, and your university library is outdated or incomplete. For years, websites like Sci-Hub and LibGen—known as “shadow libraries”—have been a lifeline, offering free access to academic materials that would otherwise be out of reach.
But on August 23, 2025, the Delhi High Court banned these shadow libraries across India, following complaints from big publishers about copyright violations. The official reason? To protect the rights of publishers and authors. But the real-world effect is that thousands of students and independent researchers now find themselves cut off from the resources they desperately need.
This isn’t just an Indian problem. Around the world, there’s a growing divide between researchers in wealthy countries—who often get free access to journals through their universities—and those in developing countries, who are left with crumbling libraries and outdated books. The ban on shadow libraries only makes this gap wider.
The debate over open access isn’t new. Publishers argue that they need to charge for access to fund their operations and pay authors. But critics say that the main goal of research should be to spread knowledge, not to make money. When information is locked away, it slows down progress and keeps valuable knowledge out of the hands of those who could use it to make a difference.
One of the most famous advocates for free access to information was Aaron Swartz, a computer programmer and activist. He believed that “information is power,” and that it shouldn’t be reserved for the privileged few. Swartz tried to make millions of academic articles freely available, but faced harsh legal consequences and ultimately took his own life. His story is a reminder of how high the stakes are in the fight for open access.
In countries like India, where research opportunities are already limited, banning shadow libraries feels especially unfair. It’s hard to expect world-class research from people who don’t have access to the latest knowledge. While governments sometimes try to create their own digital libraries, these are often incomplete and not very helpful.
At the end of the day, restricting access to knowledge doesn’t just hurt students and researchers—it holds back society as a whole. We should be asking: Who really benefits when information is kept behind closed doors? And is it right to let money decide who gets to learn and who doesn’t?

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Raghuram Rajan Warns: Trump’s 50% Tariffs Are India’s Wake-Up Call to Rethink Trade

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5 Key Takeaways

• Raghuram Rajan calls the US's 50% tariffs on India a 'wake-up call' and evidence that India-US relations have 'clearly broken down'.
• India is at a disadvantage because its base tariffs are set at 25%, higher than those of other Asian countries.
• Rajan warns against over-dependence on any single country and urges India to diversify trade partners and pursue reforms for higher growth.
• He believes Trump's tariffs are less about fairness and more about power play, with India being specifically targeted.
• Rajan suggests India should reconsider its Russian oil purchases if the benefits do not outweigh the costs imposed by US tariffs.

Why Raghuram Rajan Thinks Trump’s 50% Tariffs Are a Wake-Up Call for India
Recently, former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan made headlines by calling the United States’ new 50% tariffs on Indian goods a “wake-up call” for India. But what does this really mean for India, and why is it such a big deal?
What’s Happening?
The US, under Donald Trump, has decided to slap a massive 50% tariff (a kind of tax) on products coming from India. Rajan says this is a clear sign that the relationship between India and the US has “broken down.” In simple terms, things are not going well between the two countries when it comes to trade.
Why Is This a Problem for India?
Rajan points out that India is at a disadvantage because the US has set a base tariff of 25% for Indian goods, while other Asian countries face much lower rates. This means Indian products become more expensive in the US, making it harder for Indian businesses to compete. According to Rajan, this is not just about fairness anymore—it’s about power and politics.
Why Did Trump Do This?
Rajan explains that Trump believes the US is losing out because it buys more from other countries than it sells to them (this is called a trade deficit). Trump sees this as other countries taking advantage of the US, even though American consumers benefit from cheaper goods. Rajan also says that India has been specifically targeted by these tariffs.
What Should India Do Now?
Rajan warns that India should not rely too much on any one country, including the US. Instead, he suggests India should look for new trade partners in Europe, Africa, and other parts of Asia. He also says India needs to make big changes (reforms) at home to boost economic growth and create jobs for its young population.
The Russian Oil Issue
One reason Trump gave for the high tariffs is India’s purchase of oil from Russia. Rajan says India needs to carefully consider if buying this oil is really worth it, since the benefits may not outweigh the costs, especially if exporters are losing money because of the new tariffs.
Final Thoughts
Raghuram Rajan’s message is clear: India needs to be smart and cautious in its trade deals, especially with powerful countries like the US. The new tariffs are a warning sign that India must diversify its trade partners and focus on strengthening its own economy to face these global challenges.

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Trump’s Tariffs, Modi’s Silence, and the Swadeshi Boards

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Hello, I’m Ravish Kumar.

Donald Trump has notified a fresh 25% additional tariff on Indian exports—effective from 9:30 a.m. on August 27. This comes after the earlier 25% tariff announced on August 7. But this time, the tariff is being described as a penalty on India for importing oil from Russia.

So yes, Trump has punished India. And what about his “friend,” Prime Minister Modi? He has not said a word. Modi doesn’t want to show his degree, fine. Doesn’t want to hold press conferences, fine. But why is he unable to show Trump the “red eyes” of defiance?

The newspaper The Hindu reported the new tariffs, but noted that India has not issued a single statement on how it plans to respond. Trump, meanwhile, has gone further—claiming publicly that he gave Modi 24 hours to stop a war with Pakistan, and Modi stopped it in just 5 hours. In other words, he mocked the Prime Minister of India on the global stage.

At the very least, should not the Indian government have said: Trump is lying? If Trump claims to have call recordings of his conversations with Modi, let him release them. But no such challenge was issued. Silence is the only response.

Meanwhile, Trump is saying things like:

“I’m talking to a very terrific man, Modi of India… I said, you don’t stop, you’re going to end up in a nuclear war… I told him 24 hours, but he stopped in 5.”

Mockery—plain and simple. And India, the so-called rising power, remains silent.

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From Stadiums to Tariffs

Remember the days when India booked stadiums to welcome Trump? Now the reality: India–US relations are at their lowest diplomatic ebb. Instead of confronting Trump, we are busy pasting Swadeshi boards outside small shops.

But tell me: do tariffs vanish because a shopkeeper in Kanpur or Ranchi hangs a “We Sell Only Swadeshi” poster? Do American policymakers lose sleep because of signboards on Indian kirana shops?

These tariffs threaten jobs in textiles, jewelry, seafood, chemicals, leather, auto parts, pharma, electronics—millions of livelihoods at stake. India’s $47 billion exports to the US are under direct threat.

Yet the Prime Minister’s answer is: “Dukaan par board lagaiye—Swadeshi bikta hai.”

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Swadeshi, But for Whom?

If the Prime Minister truly believes in Swadeshi, why not start from his own office? Why not declare:

• His glasses are Swadeshi.

• His watch is Swadeshi.

• His convoy runs on Indian-made cars.

• He flies not in Boeing, but in a Pushpak Vimaan proudly built in India.

If Modi insists on “boards,” then let every ministry, every foreign luxury showroom, and every foreign liquor shop carry one too. Why burden only small shopkeepers?

Because Swadeshi, as Gandhi defined it, was not a marketing stunt. It was an act of defiance against colonial rule. Today, Swadeshi is being reduced to a hollow slogan—stripped of courage, stripped of clarity.

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Tariffs, Jobs, and Lobbyists

Let’s return to the real issue. Trump’s tariffs are not just numbers—they are destroying jobs. Reports say:

• One lakh diamond workers in Gujarat may lose jobs.

• Textile hubs like Tiruppur, Noida, Surat have already slowed down production.

• Seafood exports face collapse with tariff hikes from 8% to 58%.

• Jewelry exports, which heavily depend on the US, are at a two-decade low.

In response, what has the Indian government done? Hired American lobbyists. India is paying nearly $3-4 lakh per month (₹2.5 crore) to firms in Washington to lobby against Trump’s tariffs.

So yes, while Indian workers lose their jobs, the government is sending crores of rupees abroad… in dollars. But here, it tells the small trader: “Hang a board—sell Swadeshi.”

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The Distraction Game

The irony is thick. Modi preaches Swadeshi, yet luxury cars from Britain are made cheaper by trade deals. States themselves run shops selling foreign liquor. Amazon thrives, importing goods by the shipload.

But the Prime Minister’s focus? Asking shopkeepers to paste boards.

The truth is: Swadeshi cannot be reduced to sweat alone. To say “if Indian labor worked on it, it’s Swadeshi” is childish. By that logic, all goods made abroad by Indian workers would also be Swadeshi. Tomorrow, foreign trips could be declared “Swadeshi Yatras” just because an Indian Prime Minister walked there!

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The Question

Friends, do you see what’s happening? While tariffs eat into our exports, while jobs vanish, while lobbyists pocket crores—our answer is a distraction. A slogan. A poster.

Shouldn’t the real answer have been a strong statement against Trump’s bullying? Shouldn’t the Prime Minister have asked: Why should millions of Indians pay the price for tariffs imposed on Russian oil imports?

Instead, we are being asked to clap, to light candles, and now… to hang boards.

That’s not resistance. That’s avoidance.

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So I leave you with this question: Are Swadeshi signboards our only reply to Trump’s tariffs?

Hello, I’m Ravish Kumar.

Tags: Indian Politics,

Detained for Speaking Bengali? Gurugram’s Language Crackdown Raises Alarms

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5 Key Takeaways

• Men in Gurugram's 'Holding Centres' claim they are detained solely for speaking Bengali.
• Detentions raise concerns about discrimination based on language and ethnicity.
• Authorities have not provided clear reasons for the detentions.
• The situation highlights broader issues of migrant rights and treatment in India.
• Human rights groups are calling for transparency and fair treatment of detainees.

Title: Why Are Bengali-Speaking Men Being Detained in Gurugram?
Recently, a troubling story has come out of Gurugram, a city near Delhi known for its modern buildings and booming businesses. According to reports from The Wire, several men have been detained in what are called ‘Holding Centres’—essentially temporary detention facilities. The reason? Many of these men say they were picked up simply because they were speaking Bengali.
Let’s break down what’s happening.
What Are ‘Holding Centres’?
Holding Centres are places where authorities keep people who they suspect might be living in India without proper documents. The idea is to check their papers and decide what to do next. But in Gurugram, it seems that the process is not always fair or transparent.
Why Were These Men Detained?
The men in question say they were not doing anything illegal. They were going about their daily lives—working, commuting, or just talking with friends. The only thing that made them stand out was their language. Bengali is spoken by millions in India, especially in West Bengal and parts of Assam and Tripura. But in Gurugram, speaking Bengali apparently made these men targets for police checks.
Some of the men told reporters that the police stopped them, asked for their identity papers, and when they couldn’t immediately produce them, they were taken away. Many of them are daily wage workers, meaning they earn money for each day they work. Being detained not only causes stress and fear, but also means they lose out on their earnings.
Is This Legal?
India’s laws do allow authorities to check for proper documents, especially in cases where someone is suspected of being an illegal immigrant. However, detaining people just because of the language they speak is not right. It raises serious questions about discrimination and fairness.
What’s the Bigger Issue?
This situation highlights a bigger problem: how easy it is for people to be targeted based on their language, appearance, or background. Many of those detained say they have lived and worked in Gurugram for years. Some even have valid documents but were not given a chance to show them.
What Can Be Done?
Human rights groups and lawyers are calling for more transparency and better treatment of those in Holding Centres. They say that everyone deserves to be treated fairly, no matter what language they speak.
In the end, this story is a reminder that India’s diversity should be celebrated, not punished. Speaking Bengali—or any language—should never be a reason for suspicion or detention.

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Mistaken Identity: How Haryana’s Migrant Crackdown Is Detaining Indian Citizens

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5 Key Takeaways

• The Punjab and Haryana High Court questioned Haryana's migrant verification process after Indian citizens were wrongly detained as illegal immigrants.
• In July, several Bengali-speaking individuals from West Bengal and Assam were held in Gurugram on suspicion of being Bangladeshi migrants but were later released after document verification.
• The court asked Haryana to submit its standard operating procedure (SOP) for verifying migrant identities by September 15, amid concerns about lack of clear guidelines.
• Petitioners argued that there is no proper verification process and that detainees faced inhuman treatment and poor communication while in custody.
• There remains no clarity on how authorities distinguish between illegal migrants and Indian citizens during such crackdowns.

When Locals Get Mistaken for Migrants: Haryana’s Policy Under the Scanner
Recently, a troubling incident in Gurugram (Gurgaon), Haryana, has put the spotlight on how authorities identify and handle suspected illegal immigrants. In July, several Bengali-speaking people were picked up by the police on suspicion of being undocumented Bangladeshi migrants. However, it turned out that many of them were actually Indian citizens from West Bengal and Assam. After their documents were checked, they were released—but not before spending time in detention.
This incident has raised serious questions about the process used to identify illegal migrants. A petition was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court by Nirmal Gorana, a Delhi resident, who argued that neither Haryana nor Punjab has a clear and fair system for verifying the identity of people detained during such crackdowns. The petition claims that existing rules are either missing or not being followed properly, leading to innocent Indians being wrongly detained.
The Haryana government defended its actions, saying that the police were following orders from the central government. In May 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had asked all states to set up special teams in every district to find and deport illegal Bangladeshi migrants within 30 days. Haryana’s lawyers told the court that there is a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for this, created by the MHA’s Foreigners Branch. However, they couldn’t confirm if this SOP is available to the public or if the police were actually using it.
The lawyer for the petitioners, Bhavpreet Singh Dhatt, pointed out that over a thousand workers were detained in Gurugram alone, many of whom had valid documents proving they were Indian citizens. He also said that people were kept in detention centers without proper communication and faced poor treatment, all because there was no clear SOP guiding the process.
The High Court has now asked the Haryana government to submit the SOP, if it exists, by September 15. The petitioner must also file a statement if they believe no such procedure exists. As of now, there is still no clear answer on how authorities are supposed to tell the difference between illegal migrants and Indian citizens during these operations.
This case highlights the need for a transparent and fair process to ensure that innocent people are not wrongly caught up in anti-migrant drives. It’s a reminder that, in the rush to enforce the law, the rights of citizens must not be overlooked.

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Haryana’s Unemployment Crisis: 4 Lakh Youth Waiting for Work

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5 Key Takeaways

• 4.04 lakh unemployed youth are registered with 65 employment exchanges across Haryana.
• Hisar district has the highest number of registered unemployed youth (41,991), while Gurugram (2,984) and Faridabad (3,221) have the lowest.
• Nine districts have more than 20,000 unemployed youth, and six districts have fewer than 10,000.
• Among the registered, 29,986 are postgraduates, 1.01 lakh are graduates, and 2.34 lakh have completed 10+2.
• 1.85 lakh youth in Haryana are currently receiving unemployment allowance from the state government.

Over 4 Lakh Unemployed Youth Registered in Haryana: A Closer Look
Unemployment is a big concern for many families, and recent data from Haryana shows just how serious the problem is. According to official numbers, more than 4.04 lakh (404,000) young people are currently registered as unemployed across the state. These figures come from the 65 employment exchanges that help connect job seekers with employers.
Which Districts Have the Most Unemployed Youth?
The numbers show that some districts are struggling more than others. Hisar tops the list with 41,991 unemployed youth, followed closely by Jind with 40,596. Bhiwani (32,789) and Kaithal (32,561) also have high numbers. On the other hand, Gurugram and Faridabad, which are known for their industries and job opportunities, have the lowest numbers—just 2,984 and 3,221 registered unemployed youth, respectively.
In total, nine districts in Haryana have more than 20,000 unemployed youth each, while six districts have fewer than 10,000.
Who Are the Unemployed?
The data also gives us an idea about the education levels of those looking for jobs. Out of the total registered:

29,986 are postgraduates (people who have completed their master’s degree or higher)
1.01 lakh (101,000) are graduates (completed college)
2.34 lakh (234,000) have finished their 12th standard (10+2)

Hisar not only has the highest overall number of unemployed youth, but also the most postgraduates (2,757), followed by Jind, Bhiwani, and Rohtak.
Unemployment Allowance
To help those who are struggling, the Haryana government is providing unemployment allowance to 1.85 lakh (185,000) young people. This information was shared in the state Assembly in response to a question by Congress MLA Geeta Bhukkal, who wanted to know more about how employment offices are working and how many people are getting this support.
What Does This Mean?
These numbers highlight the ongoing challenge of unemployment in Haryana, especially among educated youth. While some districts are doing better, many young people are still waiting for the right job opportunity. The government’s unemployment allowance is a small relief, but the bigger goal remains—creating more jobs and helping young people build their futures.
If you or someone you know is looking for work, don’t forget to register at your local employment exchange and keep an eye out for new opportunities. Let’s hope for better days ahead!

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India at $50 Trillion: Raghuram Rajan Says Bold Reforms, Not Baby Steps, Will Unlock the Future

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5 Key Takeaways

• Raghuram Rajan warns that excessive bureaucracy and red tape are holding back investment in India and calls for urgent reforms.
• India's young population is its greatest strength, but more focus is needed on education, healthcare, and skilling to fully realize this potential.
• India is on track to become the world's third-largest economy, but still lags far behind China and the US in size.
• Rajan argues that incremental reforms are insufficient and a new generation of bold reforms is needed to achieve higher growth rates.
• Infrastructure has improved, but private sector investment and entrepreneurial ambition must increase for sustained economic growth.

Can India Become a $50 Trillion Economy by 2047? Raghuram Rajan Thinks We Need Big Changes
India is buzzing with ambition. With a young and growing population, the country is already one of the world’s largest economies. But can India really reach the massive $50 trillion mark by 2047? Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan believes it’s possible—but only if we make some big changes, and fast.
Too Much Red Tape
In a recent interview, Rajan pointed out a major problem: India’s bureaucracy is just too active. In simple terms, there are too many rules and too much paperwork, which makes it hard for businesses to grow and for new investments to come in. Both state and central governments have promised to cut down on this “red tape,” but Rajan says we need to act much faster. “We need to do all this yesterday,” he stressed.
India’s Biggest Strength: Its People
Rajan believes India’s greatest asset is its young population. If we can give our youth the right skills and education, the country has the “raw material” to move ahead. He mentioned that while India has produced global leaders like Satya Nadella (Microsoft CEO) and Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee, we need many more Indians to have access to quality education and healthcare. It’s not just about higher education—primary education, health, and access to financial services are just as important.
On Track, But Not Enough
Right now, India’s economy is worth about $4 trillion and growing at a healthy rate of 6.5%. This means India is set to overtake Japan and Germany to become the world’s third-largest economy soon, if it hasn’t already. But Rajan warns that we’re still far behind giants like China and the US.
To reach $50 trillion by 2047, India needs to create enough jobs for its young people. Rajan says the current pace of reforms isn’t enough. “Incremental stuff is not going to give us that extra growth we need,” he explained. We need a whole new generation of reforms to really boost the economy.
More Than Just Building Roads
Rajan praised the government for improving infrastructure—roads, bridges, and more are much better than 10-15 years ago. But he says that’s not enough. Private companies need to invest more and aim to compete globally. Young Indian entrepreneurs have the drive, but older business leaders need to regain their ambition too.
The Bottom Line
India has the potential to become an economic powerhouse by 2047. But to get there, we need to cut red tape, invest in our people, and encourage both government and private sector to dream big and act fast. The time for small steps is over—India needs bold moves to unlock its future.

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How Trump’s Tariffs Fueled a $54 Trillion Alliance: India, China, and Russia’s Rise

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5 Key Takeaways

• Trump's tariffs are accelerating a strategic alliance between India, China, and Russia, potentially creating a $54 trillion economic powerhouse.
• The trio commands nearly one-third of global GDP (PPP), one-fifth of global exports, and forms the largest consumer market with 3.1 billion people.
• Rising cooperation is driven by a shared goal to reduce dependence on the US dollar and challenge Western-dominated trade and financial systems.
• India, China, and Russia are leveraging their unique strengths—manufacturing, energy, and services—to reshape global trade flows and defense markets.
• This emerging partnership signals a shift toward a multipolar world order, with Eurasian powers increasingly influencing global economic and geopolitical dynamics.

How Trump’s Tariffs Could Spark a $54 Trillion Powerhouse: The Rise of India, China, and Russia
Big changes are happening in the world economy, and you might be surprised to learn that it’s not just about the US and Europe anymore. Thanks to new tariffs (taxes on imports) introduced by former US President Donald Trump, three major countries—India, China, and Russia—are quietly joining forces. This new alliance could reshape the global economy and create a powerhouse worth a staggering $54 trillion!
What’s Going On?
Recently, there’s been a lot of tension between the US and other countries over trade. Trump’s tariffs were meant to protect American businesses, but they’ve also pushed other countries to look for new partners. India, China, and Russia—three of the world’s biggest economies—are now working more closely together. This isn’t just about friendly meetings; it’s about building a new economic “team” that could rival the West.
Why Are These Countries Teaming Up?


Strength in Numbers: Together, India, China, and Russia make up almost a third of the world’s economy (about $54 trillion in GDP) and nearly 38% of the global population. That’s a huge market and a lot of economic power.


Export Powerhouses: These three countries export goods worth over $5 trillion every year—almost 20% of all global exports. They also have massive foreign currency reserves, making them financially strong even during tough times.


Moving Away from the US Dollar: For decades, most international trade has been done in US dollars. But now, these countries are starting to trade in their own currencies. This reduces their dependence on the US and gives them more control over their economies.


Challenging US Dominance: The US has long been the leader in global defense deals and trade. By working together, India, China, and Russia can negotiate better deals and reduce America’s influence, especially in areas like energy and military spending.


A New World Order: Each country brings something unique—Russia has cheap energy, China is a manufacturing giant, and India is a leader in services and has a huge, young population. By combining their strengths, they can create new trade routes and opportunities, making the world less dependent on the West.


What Does This Mean for the Future?
This new alliance could change everything from the way we trade to the products we buy. For India, it’s a chance to become a bigger player on the world stage, attract more investment, and create jobs. For China and Russia, it’s a way to find new markets and partners as the US and Europe become more restrictive.
In short, Trump’s tariffs may have started as a way to protect American interests, but they could end up creating a new global superpower—one that’s led by India, China, and Russia. The world is watching, and the next few years could be very interesting!

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What is ‘world-class’ about Amrit Bharat Express? It runs slowly, and it doesn’t even have AC

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Amrit Bharat Express: Easing Migration or Stopping It?

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I can’t say it with absolute certainty, but I can say with confidence: Bihar has received more new trains in just these few election months than it did in the past eleven years combined.

Right now, India has nine Amrit Bharat Express trains running. Eight of them either start from Bihar or pass through it. And this has sparked a peculiar debate:

What happened to the promises of stopping migration?
Were these trains launched to ease migration—or to accelerate it?

Because the issue was never just about trains. The issue was always migration.

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Trains and Bihar’s Politics

Trains have always been central to Bihar’s politics. Leaders like Ram Vilas Paswan, Nitish Kumar, and Lalu Prasad Yadav earned praise by introducing new trains. But post-2014, that political relationship faded. Slowly, the demand for new trains went silent.

And now, when there is no public outcry, Amrit Bharat Express trains are being launched one after another.

For a state like Bihar—where leaving and returning is a way of life—any new train feels like good news. But Amrit Bharat Express is not just any train. Its shiny new paint and redesigned coaches create a thrill, a sense that something new is on the rails.

But when politics starts selling you thrill in the name of progress, it’s important to unwrap the package. Because often you’ll find more salt than almonds.

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“World Class”? Really?

We’re told these are world-class trains. But are they?

• Delhi to Patna: Sampoorna Kranti Express → 13 hours

• Delhi to Patna: Amrit Bharat Express → 15 hours 40 minutes

• Mumbai to Saharsa: Humsafar Express → 36.5 hours

• Mumbai to Saharsa: Amrit Bharat Express → 38 hours

If this is “world class,” then what were the older trains?

The government flaunts features: new seats, bio-toilets, LED lighting, charging ports. But are these really “world-class” in 2025? Even tea stalls have CCTV cameras today.

What matters to workers and migrants is speed. Time is money for those who travel home on short holidays, often losing daily wages. But Amrit Bharat takes longer, not shorter, to complete the same journeys.

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The Politics of Stops and Speeds

Why are these trains not running daily? Why do they stop at exactly those constituencies that matter during elections?

Take the Gaya–Delhi Amrit Bharat Express:

• Time: 19.5 hours

• Fare: ₹560

Compare it with the Netaji Express:

• Time: 15.5 hours (4 hours faster)

• Fare: ₹520 (cheaper)

So what exactly makes Amrit Bharat “special”?

It seems less like a gift to workers and more like a pre-election spectacle.

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The Irony of Comfort

In 2006, Lalu Yadav launched the Garib Rath—an AC train at lower fares, aimed at poor migrants. Nineteen years later, in 2025, the Modi government launches a non-AC Amrit Bharat Express from the same Saharsa.

Progress should have meant giving workers air-conditioned comfort at affordable rates. Instead, we have trains with non-AC general and sleeper coaches being dressed up as “world class.”

Is this development—or just clever branding?

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Migration Made Convenient

Let’s face it: these trains are not stopping migration. They are making migration more convenient.

Because neither are jobs being created in Bihar, nor are wages improving in cities like Surat and Mumbai. The only thing ensured is that migrants can keep leaving and returning—without creating political unrest.

Amrit Bharat Express, then, is not a train against migration. It is a train for migration.

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The Bigger Question

Why now? Why suddenly, in the months before elections, do Bihar’s tracks fill with new trains?

Why does a state with one-third of households earning less than ₹6,000 a month get new non-AC sleeper coaches instead of real job opportunities?

The truth is: these shiny trains are election promises on wheels. They give the appearance of development while keeping the structure of migration intact.

And Bihar knows this. Its people know the difference between a train that makes headlines and a train that makes their lives better.

So let us ask again:

Are these trains really for Bihar’s progress—or just for its votes?

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