India currently boasts a staggering 2,827 registered political parties. Among them are six national parties, 58 state-level outfits, and an astonishing 2,763 unrecognised ones, according to the Election Commission’s report from March 2024. Aside from the elevation of Jana Sena to state-party status in January 2025, little has changed in this crowded landscape.

How many of India’s 140 crore people can afford big cars or fancy motorbikes? Even if they buy them on EMIs, who gets free petrol? The reality is that the majority of the population—whether in cities or villages—still walks or relies on bicycles. Yet, no one ever speaks up for the interests of this vast group.

In a country dreaming of becoming a global superpower, a quiet and deadly betrayal unfolds every single day, right on our plates, in our medicine cabinets, and even within the degrees we proudly display. From adulterated milk to fake medicines, from poisonous liquor to bogus diplomas, India is battling an invisible epidemic: the rot of adulteration.

After the success of ‘Operation Langda’ in Uttar Pradesh, many states have begun efforts to make the police system tougher and more stringent. But without basic reforms, will giving the police more freedom be in line with democratic values?

Clear signals suggest that the Trump tariff shocks have jolted India awake, wounded its self-respect, and eroded trust in friendships. The positive aspect is that self-reliance will pave the way for a new India.

Imagine if India had never adopted its family planning program, today our population would be between 2.5 to 3 billion. The pressure on land, water, and food resources would have been catastrophic. Agricultural expansion is already limited, while water resources are projected to shrink by nearly 50 per cent by 2030. Such a scenario would have led to widespread hunger, mass migration, and chaos.