India Today is the leading news magazine and most widely read publication in India. The magazine’s leadership is unquestioned, so much so that India Today is what Indian journalism is judged by, for its integrity and ability to bring unbiased and incisive perspective to arguably the most dynamic, yet perplexing, region in the world. Breaking news and shaping opinion, it is now a household name and the flagship brand of India’s leading multidimensional media group. Additionally, the weekly brings with it a range supplements like Women, Home, Aspire, Spice and Simply which focus on style, health, education, fashion, etc. and Indian cities.
FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
India Today
WHY HER VOTE COUNTS
MAMATA’S WELFARE MODEL FOR WOMEN
HAVES AND HAVE NOTS
GAPING INEQUALITY
THE CONGRESS IN ITS LABYRINTH
THE POWER OF TWO
GLASSHOUSE
COMMUNAL CALCULATIONS • A CONSOLIDATION OF MUSLIM VOTES IN FAVOUR OF THE OPPOSITION ALLIANCE COULD BE A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR BUT THIS IS ONLY ONE OF SEVERAL POLARISING DYNAMICS AT PLAY AS THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN HEATS UP
FRIENDS FOR VOTES • New alliances have emerged in the run-up to the Assam assembly election
CAN MUSLIM CONSOLIDATION DEFEAT THE BJP? • The Congress-AIUDF alliance has an edge in at least 39 assembly seats in Assam, a state with 35 per cent Muslims. If Muslims vote en bloc, it could swing another 18 seats in favour of this alliance
A BOLD NEW DEAL • The prime minister has bitten the bullet in Budget 2021 by spending big and giving a massive push to privatisation to fund his ambitious economic revival plans. Now he needs to ensure speedy delivery of his promises
THE MANTRA OF PRIVATISATION • The 2021-22 budget signals the government’s intent to disinvest like “never before”. But if that’s the new model for economic recovery, it’s easier said
ON THE BLOCK • The Centre has begun with a few PSUs, and says the disinvestment process will be wrapped up in the next financial year
THE VAJPAYEE MODEL • The A.B. Vajpayee government left a mark on the disinvestment map with its push to privatise central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) during its terms (1998-1999 and 1999-2004)
IDEAS FOR PRIVATE CAPITAL
TIGHTROPE WALK • With limited resources on one side and burgeoning expenditure on the other, the Centre had to be realistic, bring in transparency and alter the spending mix
TREADING A FINE LINE • That the fiscal deficit would be compromised was a given, considering the pandemic and the calamitous events it set off. How has the government handled it so far?
BUDGET PINCER • China’s military deployment along the northern frontiers leads to a spike in India’s defence capital budget, but the bigger challenge will be prioritising acquisitions to modernise India’s military
DRESSING UP THE WOUND • The health budget this year flatters to deceive
READING BETWEEN THE LINES • The budgetary cut belies the government’s ambition to overhaul India’s education system and digital infrastructure
KEY PROPOSALS
HOW A SLUM CITY BEAT THE VIRUS • The determination of its residents and the tireless efforts of health workers and NGOs have helped Dharavi become an exemplar in the battle against Covid
CONQUERING THE C-WORD • FROM BEING A COVID HOTSPOT, DHARAVI SHOWED THE WAY IN HOW TO REIN IN THE SPREAD OF INFECTION AND KEEP THE MORTALITY RATE LOW
THE WINNING WAY • THE DEPTH OF TALENT IN THIS YOUNG INDIAN SIDE WAS MANIFEST. WHAT WASN'T IN PLAIN SIGHT, THOUGH, IS THE PROCESS OF DISCOVERING AND NURTURING THAT TALENT
POWER BACKUP • Many of the finds of this Australian tour were reserve players, who will give the Indian team management new ideas to play with in future
A WAR AGAINST EXCESS • Examining the...