Whispers Forum

If we look at India's development journey from 1950 till now, we see many glorious achievements. Obviously all these achievements are glorious, yet a lot remains to be done. It is true that we are the fifth most powerful economy in the world, but the country also has a debt of lakhs of crores of rupees. In this perspective, the harsh truth is that since the size of our GDP is large, hence we are a big economy, but we are not a debt-free economy. Actually, freebie culture has also become a big challenge for the Indian economy. Economists are very worried about free schemes because they have far-reaching disadvantages. But unfortunately our political parties are not worried about it.
Neha Kumari

Donald Trump's economic policies may be against India's interests. Trump's claim of calling India a tariff king on the basis of its highest duties is not correct, because many other countries have higher duties than India. Japan's highest duty is 457 percent, South Korea's is 887 percent and America's highest duty is 350 percent while India's highest duty is only 150 percent. The highest duty is usually imposed to protect sensitive commodities. For example, Japan imposes high duty on rice to protect the interests of its farmers. In fact, the true picture of a country's import duty is obtained only from its average tariff. However, the rules of global trade are set by the WTO and India does not violate its duty-related rules, but America does so. Although America often expresses concern by naming India, it has not challenged India's high tariffs in the WTO because it knows that India's tariffs are within the limits agreed by the WTO.
Nancy Singh

America had vowed to eliminate the Taliban and kept seizing control over Afghanistan for 20 years. America handed over Afghanistan to the Taliban after 20 years. The Taliban is still alive. Similarly, Israel pledged to annihilate Hamas and carried out collateral damage to Gaza killing more than 46 thousand innocent Palestinians. Israel killed Hamas and Hezbollah leaders but failed to ensure safe release of Israeli citizens in the custody of Hamas. Now, Hamas came face to face to strike a deal with Israel to get released Hamas militants in Israeli jail. Hamas is still alive despite having carried out heavy aerial bombardment on Gaza.
Sunil Kumar

As per guidelines issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the period of deputation may not exceed after five years.
Kusum
Congratulations ISRO!
The ISRO scientists and the entire space fraternity of the country deserve applause for demonstrating capability in successfully docking its two satellites and achieving rendezvous in space. Manoeuvring the orbital speed and distance between two satellites is a complex process. The magnificent feat has done India proud. The secret of success lies in the total autonomy and relative freedom granted to organizations like ISRO and the Deptt of Atomic Energy by the successive political dispensations since inception in scientific and technological pursuit. The ISRO is now close to setting up a permanent space station to facilitate further space experiments. This is bound to impact the global order.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

Today's cartoon by Aarushi is outstanding! My heartiest appreciation!
Arudran
Good news on Makar Sankranti
Congratulations to the wise voters of India, who ensured that ISRO continues to pursue its mission by giving the 3rd term of office to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Recall the treatment meted out to ISRO scientists by the previous government, which served the foreign vested interests in ruining ISRO efforts. The S Band business and concomitant hit reputed ISRO scientists received! And today they are congratulating them! When the prime minister assures the people of “na khaunga, na khane doonga”, exemplary results are achieved at minimum cost: less than Rupees 125 Crore for the docking mission! Soros gang has kissed dust; META’s Zuckerberg has apologised for misinformation on people’s verdict 2024; without wasting precious time the 8th Central Pay Commission has been announced. Delhi took the lead in the Lok Sabha elections by delivering all the seven seats to Narendra Modi. Delhi has to keep strengthening the hands of the prime minister by giving him total support always as the enemy has shifted HQs to Delhi to fight the Indian Nation. Congratulations ISRO , congratulations people of India, congratulations Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the good news on this Makar Sankranti 2025!
M L Gupta

Newspapers are reporting in the last 15-20 days, allegations-counter allegations , against the PM and CM of Delhi on the alleged lavish spending on the renovation/repair of the official residence of the PM and CM in Delhi. Maintenance/renovation/repair of official houses are done by CPWD or State PWD. There are guidelines issued by the Government, which stipulate the expenditure that can be incurred on various official buildings, houses etc. These are sanctioned by competent authority and carried out by CPWD/State PWD. Therefore only these two authorities: CPWD/State PWD can tell the exact amount spent on the renovation/repair of the two houses. If they had deviated from the guidelines, who authorised/permitted the deviations and how they adjusted it in their account? Those are the people who are responsible for the alleged lavish spending on these two houses and not the occupants of these houses. These are the official residences of the PM and CM. The future PM and CM will also occupy these houses.
S Gopal