By Dr. R. Balasubramaniam A question that I’ve been repeatedly asked is why I chose Heggadadevanakote (H.D. Kote) taluk to begin my social development work in 1987. Very few know that I did not choose H.D. Kote, but that it was chosen for me by two extraordinary bureaucrats. One was Nanjunda Rao, a retired special…
The Mathematics of Cabinet Formation in Karnataka
February 1, 2021By Dr. R. Balasubramaniam Recently, one saw a mockery of the statement ‘first amongst equals’ in the State of Karnataka. Constitutionally, the head of Government is the Chief Minister at the State-level while the Prime Minister at the National-level. Convention demands that legislators of the party with a majority, meet and elect their leader who…
Making India proud by running world’s largest vaccination programme
January 18, 2021By Dr. R. Balasubramaniam The last couple of weeks has seen discussions around the vaccine for COVID and whether they are safe and effective. While each person is entitled to his or her own view, it can indeed be confusing listening to the several experts and political commentators about this issue. From calling it the…
We took vaccine, what about you ?
January 16, 2021Mysore/Mysuru: The District Administration has roped in the services of two doctors to create confidence among people about two vaccines, Covaxin and Covishield, which are approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency authorisation in the wake of questions being raised over the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. This is being…
Understanding the Union budget
January 4, 2021By Dr. R. Balasubramaniam The Union budget of India arouses not only interest but passionate debate across the country. From Corporate czars to the experts on television shows, to the man on the street, everyone likes to comment on the Union budget. Each one tends to see it from their own perspective and form opinions…
Paying our taxes: Should we or shouldn’t we?
December 21, 2020By Dr. R. Balasubramaniam A few months ago, Sneha (name changed) had been to the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) branch office near her home to pay the house tax. She was aware that she was eligible for a 5% discount if she paid the taxes due for the current year before the 31st of May. …
To ban or not to ban?
December 7, 2020By Dr. R. Balasubramaniam The recent Deepavali festival saw the Government of Karnataka vacillate between wanting to ban firecrackers and not wanting to ban it. Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa initially announced that his Government was considering a ban but went back on this a few days later. The expert committee for managing the COVID pandemic…
Policy, Politics and People: Engaging Citizens in Policy-making…
November 23, 2020By Dr. R. Balasubramaniam The problem of pollution is back in Delhi again. The State Governments of Arvind Kejriwal and Capt. Amarinder Singh have started blaming each other for the problem, while the Supreme Court has been demanding action from both the Central and State Governments. Whether it is the even-odd arrangement that the Delhi…
A tribute – SPB: Much more than a musical legend…
September 26, 2020By Dr. R. Balasubramaniam Hearing the passing away of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam (SPB) yesterday left me with a feeling of emptiness. For me, he was not just a musical legend who sang a world record of more than 40,000 songs in 15 languages. He was one of the most compassionate humanists that I have met…
Book ‘Leadership Lessons For Daily Living’ launched
September 21, 2020Mysore/Mysuru: The book titled ‘Leadership Lessons For Daily Living (LLDL),’ authored by Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Founder of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), was launched at a virtual event recently in the presence of distinguished guests. Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM), Mysuru, is joined by India Leaders for Social Sector (ILSS) in co-publishing this book….
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