If coal is here to stay, so are credible threats of 'calamitous changes' to our life-style

By Shankar Sharma*
"Coal is here to stay despite India's ambitious renewable energy goals", says a PTI report. But the same report has failed to acknowledge the fact that credible threats of calamitous changes to our life-style, and the growing threats to early extinction of mankind are also here to stay, and that the same can escalate with the passage of each year with such a common but unfortunate frame of mind in our authorities.
One can only wonder whether there is no one in our governance structure who can think beyond today and beyond the business as usual (BAU) scenario of high GDP growth rate, and foresee the near future for our children and grandchildren on the basis of a plethora of global scientific reports, which have elaborately highlighted the perils of continuing with the BAU scenario.
What is worrying is the grand silence or indifference of most sections of our intellectuals, media and law makers on such credible threats. It will be highly unfortunate if we, as a welfare oriented society, ignore our own associated responsibilities to our own families, children and grandchildren.

It is also sad that few media houses, which are seen as carrying some articles on the topic, are seen as failing in undertaking due diligence in such reporting, and in asking relevant questions of critical importance to our people.
But why is it so hard for our bureaucrats and political leaders to learn from the associated developments and alternatives from around the world?

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*Power & Climate Policy Analyst, Karnataka

Neville Cardus: The man who turned cricket writing into poetry

By Harsh Thakor* Neville Cardus was one of the most remarkable literary figures of the twentieth century. A prolific English writer and critic, he achieved distinction in two vastly different fields: cricket and classical music. Entirely self-taught, Cardus rose from humble beginnings to become both the cricket correspondent and chief music critic of The Manchester Guardian . His achievements in these contrasting disciplines earned him widespread acclaim and established him as one of the foremost critics of his generation. In February 2025, the cricketing and literary world marked the fiftieth anniversary of his death, which occurred in February 1975.

Ideological shifts and structural realities within India's left-wing insurgency

By Harsh Thakor* The Maoist insurgency in India is arguably at its weakest point since the formation of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) in 2004. Years of sustained counterinsurgency operations, leadership losses, shrinking territorial influence, declining recruitment, and growing technological advantages enjoyed by the state have significantly eroded the movement's operational capabilities.

The Dalit body on screen: Stereotypes, sacrifice, and subjugation in Hindi films

By Dr. Prem Singh* Despite centuries of reformist efforts, from Gandhi and Ambedkar to contemporary activists, the caste system remains deeply embedded in the Indian psyche. One of the primary reasons for this persistence is the religious sanction provided by Brahminical scriptures, which have shaped not only social structures but also cultural and artistic expressions.

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