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We can see in the history of modern states that revolutions are sometimes followed by reactionary repulse. Bangladesh had her version of the tale in 1970s when the nation’s revolutionary birth was hugely offset by the resurgence of Islamist fundamentalist later that decade. By next two decades, these regressive forces consolidated their revival under the auspice of the military rulers and the centre-right political forces for sheer political expediency of the latter.

Land grabbers continue to be on the prowl in Punjab and Haryana. Last week’s two developments illustrate this. One was the indictment of VIPs by a Punjab and Haryana High Court panel for fraudulently grabbing village common lands, particularly on the periphery of Chandigarh. The other was the Akali-BJP government’s decision to develop Mullanpur, a township close to Chandigarh and name it as New Chandigarh. This has led to allegations that land mafia and influential politicians were behind the renaming decision.

New Delhi: The United States is likely press India to further open up its retail sector for foreign investment, effect changes in the law to recognize intellectual property rights and adequate protection for American investment during the visit of the US President Joseph (Joe) R Biden.

‘Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit’ — the Modi magic to mesmerise the foreign investors — witnessed less enthusiasm from them to pour their money into Gujarat than making formal commitments. During the five biennial summits between 2003 and 2011, the State Government claimed that MoU worth US $ 893 billion were signed for foreign investment in Gujarat.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The most valuable asset till a few weeks back, but a total liability now. That is the unenviable fate which has befallen Kerala chief minister Ommen Chandy, acclaimed by one and all as the Congress-led United Democratic Front’s USP. It is difficult to accomplish such a feat so fast, to borrow a Wodehousian expression. But Oommen Chandy has managed it, to the delight of his rivals within the party and the opposition.

One wonders if Narendra Modi may not himself become an election issue in the run up to May 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The evident from the way the Gujarat Chief Minister is bashing the Congress, and with the Sonia Gandhi-led party and the non-BJP leaders, in turn, hitting out at him. The war of words between the ruling UPA and BJP’s election campaign chief Modi is getting louder and fiercer every day. As the campaign proceeds, the chances are that it may boomerang on him. He may win a few verbal battles but loose a war.

Asia’s largest economy, China, has entered an acute phase of “mounting” domestic vulnerabilities in the financial, fiscal and real estate sectors that pose threats to the stability of its financial system and sustainable growth for the future. This is underlined in a new IMF report on China, which has gone through a historic transformation in three decades of growth averaging double digit, lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty.

BHOPAL: According to an extensive appraisal of the state of implementation of various provisions of the Right to Education Act, the position in Madhya Pradesh is far from satisfactory. During a daylong workshop held at Bhopal, NGOs made presentations to justify their contention. These NGOs carried out broad-based surveys in various districts of the state.

In hard times, the wise are most likely to try to contain demand and be judicious in expenditure seeking to live within means. The profligate will more certainly look for borrowing irrespective of their capacity to repay or indulge in sale of assets, tangible or intangible. National governments are like individuals. Some governments such as those of Germany and France believe in belt tightening and being choosy about expenditure when economy slows down and income is down. Others like Greece, Spain, Ireland and Portugal go for more borrowings to compensate for the loss of earnings and, in the process, get into debt trap over a period of time.

New Delhi: The Indian government has waken up from its deep slumber to think of planning more sustainable development, after the recent tragedy in Kedarnath region in Uttarakhand.