Page 4 - Editorial Comment
India's auto sector at crossroads: Adapting to EVs and global competition
The auto-component sector must also be given time to evolve, through the creation of alternative ecosystems
 "India's auto sector at crossroads: Adapting to EVs and global competition")
India pitches for investments at Davos amid uneven domestic economic growth
Behind the rhetoric of big themes, Davos is undoubtedly known for the opportunities it offers for behind-the-scenes deal-making
 "India pitches for investments at Davos amid uneven domestic economic growth")
Space ambitions: Isro enhances its space technological capabilities
Building a space station like the planned Bharatiya Antriksh Station also involves docking and undocking -- pre-fab modules must be slotted together in space
 "Space ambitions: Isro enhances its space technological capabilities")
An uncertain world: India needs to improve its economic growth potential
The challenge for policymakers in India is to protect financial stability and find ways to increase growth potential at a time when global growth is likely to be below trend
 "An uncertain world: India needs to improve its economic growth potential")
Improving capabilities: IMD must remain at the forefront of innovation
As India's weather-tracking department recently turned 150, its importance cannot be overstated. Weather forecasting plays a crucial role in daily operations across various sectors
 "Improving capabilities: IMD must remain at the forefront of innovation")
Peace at last? Lasting truce demands good faith by Israel and Hamas
Lasting truce demands good faith by Israel, Hamas
 "Peace at last? Lasting truce demands good faith by Israel and Hamas")
An aviation hub: Indian airports must upgrade to attract global travellers
Air India's major competitor domestically, low-cost carrier IndiGo, has also ramped up international operations of late
 "An aviation hub: Indian airports must upgrade to attract global travellers")
GPU export curbs may derail India's AI ambitions, tech-driven growth
Key chips designed in the US by companies like Nvidia and AMD are fabricated abroad. Some of the key raw-material inputs are also drawn from nations that are not on the "favoured" list
 "GPU export curbs may derail India's AI ambitions, tech-driven growth")
Ground realities: Groundwater contamination poses serious hazards
Well-defined and enforceable groundwater rights, detached from land ownership, can offer solutions in this regard
 "Ground realities: Groundwater contamination poses serious hazards")
Complex picture: MPC should avoid policy adventurism in uncertain times
The inflation projection of the MPC will need to factor in such possibilities, which will not be easy, given the level of uncertainty
 "Complex picture: MPC should avoid policy adventurism in uncertain times")
Building on missions: What Indian state should learn from the Mahakumbh
If the state can conduct such globally significant events without mishap, surely an all-round improvement in governance is possible?
 "Building on missions: What Indian state should learn from the Mahakumbh")
One step back: Draft UGC regulations add to Centre-state tensions
The new draft regulations, issued on January 7, purport to clarify ambiguities in the process of appointing V-Cs in regulations set out in 2018
 "One step back: Draft UGC regulations add to Centre-state tensions")
Threat or opportunity: India needs to be prepared for AI-driven changes
A recent study by Bloomberg Intelligence indicates that jobs in banking and finance are among the most vulnerable to AI induction
 "Threat or opportunity: India needs to be prepared for AI-driven changes")
Widening net: New US sanctions to affect supply of Russian energy
Two large producers and exporters have been brought into the sanctions net: Surgutneftegas and Gazprom Neft
 "Widening net: New US sanctions to affect supply of Russian energy")
Amplifying misinformation: Meta's decision will harm public interest
Fact checking was initiated after the 2016 US elections and the Brexit referendum, which were both influenced by rampant disinformation on Facebook
 "Amplifying misinformation: Meta's decision will harm public interest")
Local, not global: Indian brands are rare in foreign marketplaces
Haldiram's, in contrast, is one of the handful of Indian-owned and -developed brands that not only grew but held its own against the snack foods flood from multinationals
 "Local, not global: Indian brands are rare in foreign marketplaces")
Robust charging infra key to achieving India's ambitious EV targets
The Ministry of Heavy Industries has identified 40 cities for electric four-wheeler charging-points with Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad leading way, and 40 highway corridors for e-bus transit
 "Robust charging infra key to achieving India's ambitious EV targets")
Metros and riders: Planning requires a rethink to achieve improved outcomes
Delhi is not known for attention to public civility - except in the Metro, where the average rider pays far greater attention to such norms than they would on roads
 "Metros and riders: Planning requires a rethink to achieve improved outcomes")
Compromised values: Oyo's decision to discriminate opens Pandora's box
How businesses deal with such issues, which will increasingly be on their radar, will determine their longevity and popular image
 "Compromised values: Oyo's decision to discriminate opens Pandora's box")
Budget needs to prioritise strategies for sustainable economic growth
The government is unlikely to be pleased with the FAE, which could increase challenges both for the current year and the medium term
 "Budget needs to prioritise strategies for sustainable economic growth")
