Gurcharan Das

Just one hour a week is the answer to our political discontent

Times of India | 14 July 2013

Democracy is as depressing in practice as it is uplifting in theory. There have been so many corruption scandals in the past few years but political parties refuse to learn. In Uttar Pradesh, which always leads the country in bad behaviour, workers of the Samajwadi Party are back to their crooked old ways while they settle scores against Dalits. At the centre, the UPA has pushed through a dreadful food security law via an ordinance in a desperate move to shore up its popularity before the coming elections, knowing full well its potential for fraud and waste.

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Waiting for inspiration, sirji!

Times of India | 09 June 2013

The spot fixing scandal in the Indian Premier League of cricket is only the latest disgrace in the sickening, never ending saga of moral failure in our national life. We have got so used to blaming governance and the institutions of the law that we forget that our pathetic education system is also responsible. And yes, parents too are guilty, for the home is the crucible of the moral life. However, one inspiring teacher can make all the difference in moulding the values of young human beings.

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Narendra Modi: temptation of the middle class

Times of India | 12 May 2013

The sudden ascent of stocky, 62 year oldNarendra Modi as a serious contender for the nation’s leadership has taken people by surprise. The general election is still a year away but the average, open minded, middle-of- the-road Indian wonders how to think about the polarizing chief minister of Gujarat. Either you love him or hate him, which is precisely why one must not react with a knee-jerk but try and go beyond the shallow surface of a flawed but remarkable human being.

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Delhi needs to sell the idea of the market

Financial Times | 03 May 2013

Indians say their country ‘grows at night while the government sleeps’, writes Gurcharan Das

When the Indian government presented its budget last month, the people were expecting giveaways, subsidies and bribes for votes. But it turned out to be a surprisingly responsible settlement that capped the fiscal deficit at 4.8 per cent of economic output. It was a sensible budget, but it will not get India growing again.

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Food security bill: Corruption by another name

Times of India | 31 March 2013

On the same day as the central cabinet approved the food security bill two weeks ago, Sheila Dixit stood up courageously to defend the rising price of electric power in Delhi. By not raising the power subsidy, Delhi’s chief minister was able to increase investment in roads, public transport, education and health care. The contrast between the two actions could not have been more dramatic.

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A Budget speech you will never hear

Times of India | 24 February 2013

It is Budget time again and next Thursday the finance minister will address parliament with a speech which you will never hear except from my auto-wallah:

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A Budget speech you will never hear

Times of India | 24 February 2013

It is Budget time again and next Thursday the finance minister will address parliament with a speech which you will never hear except from my auto-wallah:

Read more