Shouldn't “fixing the delivery system” itself be one of the central planks of second-generation reforms, asks Ramesh Ramanathan.

BPL politics at the central level is skewed, and quotas are fixed for every state, regardless of the actual number of people who need to be protected. Pradeep Baisakh reports on one family's near-total loss.

In Second Strike: Arguments about Nuclear War in South Asia, Rajesh Rajagopalan articulates that ‘the probability of nuclear weapons use is less in the India-Pakistan feud'. This is comforting, and perhaps on that account, dangerous, because of the false sense of security its conclusions give rise to, says Firdaus Ahmed.

The book serves a felt need, as also the purpose of getting Baba Amte under the reader's skin. But the author does not tease out historical and sociological connections, and ask questions of broader relevance. The definitive interpretation of Amte's life and its significance is still awaited. Neeta Deshpande reviews Wisdom Song: The life of Baba Amte.

A recent publication from the World Resources Institute shows that the informed consent of those affected by large projects can be an asset to those projects, rather than an obstacle. Shripad Dharmadhikary reviews Development Without Conflict: The Business Case for Community Consent.

Holding trust brought forth by equality of individuals as a critical foundation for a strong democracy, Shankar Jaganathan discusses the postulates of two recent academic publications that add to the important discourse on the issue of inequality.

For AIDS prevention education to be successful, powerful gender-sensitive messages must replace the nebulous 'moral framework', argues Anita Anand.

Abhijit Das expresses concerns on the United Progressive Alliance's misplaced stress on population control targeting, taking the case of Uttar Pradesh.

India's attitude to condoms and contraception is worrisome at a time when promiscuity has a stamp of approval. Condom manufacturers are pitching pleasure enhancement in their ads, instead of being direct about the protection against AIDS. Charumathi Supraja reports.

A clear focus on protecting the interests of non-smokers has led to worldwide efforts to ban smoking in all public places, and strongly curtail any exceptions. India too has joined this trend, writes Ramesh Menon.

Did you know a cell phone in a moving car emits significantly greater radiation, half of which could be absorbed by the brain while talking? A renowned epidemiologist from the US warns users of this and other cell-phone related hazards in the course of her recent talks in India. Darryl D’Monte reports.

Karnataka's Electricity Regulatory Commission reminds Bangalore's power supplier it has an obligation to provide reliable and safe service.

It's 'ready to serve' and like a soft drink bottle or tetra pack, you can take it inside any office, drink and then dispose. Sold with the brand name Tender Fresh, 1500 – 2000 tender coconuts every day are reaching a clientele that reads like the who's who of Bangalore's software companies. Shree Padre reports.

The proposed Hubli-Ankola railway line in Karnataka originally stirred up criticism because if built, it would pass through the ecologically fragile Western Ghats forests. Matters recently came to a head when evidence emerged of the Railways proceeding to construct a part of the line without forest clearance. Kanchi Kohli has more.

With a properly metered water bill, consumers have a much better chance of being heard than otherwise. Yes, there are justified concerns about rights and equity when we talk of water, but metering is not anti-poor. In fact, used well, it can address their demands powerfully, says S Vishwanath.

Has bamboo's time arrived? The high cost of inputs going into conventional construction is beginning to push more people in the direction of alternatives, and this was topic of a recent seminar at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. Ashwin Mahesh has more.

Graduates are difficult to influence with money and liquor, says one BJP campaigner flatly about the race for Bengaluru’s MLC seat. The Lok Satta candidate meanwhile is targeting precisely the reform seekers amongst the elite. Navya P K reports.

Rasika Dhavse profiles the Disability Network

Noted anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare says that enforcing a new central RTI law is not going to be a cakewalk. "The rulers regard themselves as owners, dictators – especially the bureaucrats", says Hazare in this interview. But he warned that a national agitation may leave New Delhi no choice.

There is now a growing body of opinion against soft drinks in particular and fast food in general being marketed to children through the media and directly in schools. A number of private schools in Mumbai have already stopped sales of colas in their canteens. Darryl D'Monte has more.

In September, the Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation invited expressions of interest from private companies to build the canals for the Nira Deoghar dam on a Build Operate Transfer (BOT) basis. Everything about the process so far indicates the decision is not a well-thought out one, notes Shripad Dharmadhikary.

Consent for relocation given by Jamni village in the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra was obtained under duress. Villagers protest against the manner in which the gram sabha had proceeded. Aparna Pallavi investigates.

In a number of dalit settlements in Gaya, Bihar, there are school structures but no teachers. In some places, where there are both, as in Parariya village, the dominant Yadavs make intrusive and insulting remarks that do not provide a facilitating environment. Rahul Ramagundam reports.

People from several villages in Bihar are opposing the construction of a pair of embankments on the Bagmati river and have stopped work on one of them. Less visible behind their cries is a state administration that seems to be set on continuing a history of trapping villages in flood waters, reports Dinesh Mishra.

भारत को टूर्नामेंट के पहले मैच में तजाकिस्तान ने 4-2 से मात दी थी, इस मैच में भारत 2-0 की बढ़त हासिल करने के बाद 2-4 से हार गया था.

इंटरकॉन्टिनेंटल कप के दूसरे मुकाबले में भारत को उत्तर कोरिया ने एक तरफा मुकाबले में 5-2 से हरा दिया

फाइनल में जगह बनाने के लिए सीरिया को इस मैच में हर हाल में जीत चाहिए थी लेकिन भारत ने मुकाबला ड्रॉ करके उसका सपना तोड़ दिया.

TOI has come across a documentary evidence, which shows that the AIBA had started exploring the potential candidate to partner as new host city for the tournament in November 2019 itself, despite being in contract with the BFI for the prestigious event.

For Indian football team midfielder Anirudh Thapa, former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is his favourite cricketer.

Conditions Apply: Movie trailer

A total of 26 Bangladeshis, who were in Assam on tourist visas and had been held in Dhubri for violating their visa conitions, have been sent to judicial custody.

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has converted 315 coaches into 'Covid Care Centres' and are ready for placement at 20 nominated stations under its jurisdiction for use by the states concerned if they exhaust their facilities and need to augment capacities for isolation of both suspects and confirmed Covid cases.

The pending 29 subjects of the CBSE Board exams will be conducted from July 1 to July 15, 2020, announced ministry of human resource development (MHRD) on Friday. The Class X Board exams for six subjects will be conducted only for the students of North East Delhi which were suspended due to the riots earlier this year. The date sheet will be announced shortly.

Aam Aadmi Party’s decision to not contest any of the four upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana and Jharkhand is the wisest choice the party has made in the last six months.

After having raised the issue of whether the clubby and secretive collegiums system actually preserves the independence of the judiciary former Supreme Court judge, Justice Markandey Katju, has now trained his guns on India’s antiquated contempt of court law. He has made the valid point, in this newspaper, that judicial supremacy cannot be based on the law of kings in a democracy.

TIMES VIEW Europe had to react to MH17 downing Chandan Nandy Moscow did not stop after annexing Crimea but continues to foment insurgency in Ukraine.

The Ranchi district court set up counters with boxes for fresh filing, certified copies, notary and the bar at its premises to speed up the hearing of cases through video conferencing amid the lockdown.

Owing to the COVID crisis, many doctors and medical facilities are making use of telephonic consultations and virtual visitations to get in touch with their patients.

Indian economy has stopped, govt should de-centralise the system: Rahul Gandhi

Consider home delivery of liquor to maintain social distancing norms: SC to states

Rath Yatra 2020: Chariot construction begins in Puri after MHA’s permission

Amit Shah holds review meeting with DGs, expresses concern over rising Covid-19 cases in CAPF

Nitin Gadkari congratulates BRO for successfully connecting Kailash Mansarovar route to Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand

Vande Bharat mission: Second phase to begin from May 16 to bring 25000 Indians

Watch: Hizbul Mujahideen chief holds condolence meet for terrorist Riyaz Naikoo

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Banks yet to act on RBI's EMI relief order, spark confusion

Core industries' growth contracts 6.5% in March