When future's in the past

Sunanda K Datta-Ray discusses the double standards that pervade the Indian political establishment's embrace of unproven scientific nationalism

The inaugural date of the long overdue and possibly grudging decision on free vaccines may be even more significant than the decision itself. By announcing that the new dispensation will kick off on International Yoga Day, Flowing White Beard has not only thrown a sop to the enraged Bushy Black Beard, but also assured out-of-joint Ayush noses that they can expect a slice of the rich medical pie.

That’s what it is all about. As Somerset Maugham put it, an extra thousand a year (a princely sum then) soothes all anger. “Where there’s muck, there’s brass (money)” as the Yorkshire saying