Day: April 22, 2025

A History of Controversy and Caution Yoga guru and Patanjali Ayurved founder Baba Ramdev is no stranger to controversy. From making ambitious medicinal claims during the COVID-19 pandemic to launching aggressive marketing campaigns against pharmaceutical companies, he has frequently clashed with medical associations, regulatory bodies, and, more recently, the judiciary. Now, Ramdev finds himself in legal trouble yet again—this time over his inflammatory comments about a popular summer drink, Rooh Afza. In a video promoting Patanjali’s rose sherbet, he alleged that proceeds from certain sherbet sales were being used to…

Historic Allies in a New Economic Landscape India and the United States, long-standing democratic partners, have witnessed a dynamic evolution in their bilateral ties—from defense collaboration and strategic dialogues to growing technological and economic convergence. Yet, under the changing contours of global trade and policy shifts, particularly under President Donald Trump’s “America First” doctrine and tariff-centric trade realignments, India has had to recalibrate its approach. Against this backdrop, the recent visit of U.S. Vice President JD Vance to India, accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance and their children, marks a pivotal moment in Indo-US relations. With trade…

MTNL’s Long Struggle to Stay Afloat Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), once a cornerstone of India’s state-run telecom infrastructure, now finds itself at a precarious crossroads. Established in 1986 to provide telecommunication services in Mumbai and Delhi, MTNL was once synonymous with reliable landline connectivity. However, with the rise of private competitors, high operational costs, and delayed modernization, the company has steadily slipped into financial disrepair. In recent years, the Indian government has attempted to revive MTNL through a combination of sovereign guarantees, bond infusions, and departmental loans. Despite these interventions, the…

A Promising Partnership Unravels What began as a promising venture to propel India’s electric mobility sector now teeters on the edge of collapse. Public sector financiers Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) are facing the grim prospect of significant loan losses tied to Gensol Engineering, a company once seen as a rising force in green innovation. At the heart of the crisis lies a tangled web of financial defaults, regulatory scrutiny, and alleged fraud—all of which could jeopardize the recovery of over ₹663 crore in public funds. Loan Default…