Robin David
More eyes, more risk. Iran war shows dark side of CCTV boom
Israel's alleged hacking of Tehran's street cameras for assassinations highlights a grave vulnerability in India's extensive, often insecure CCTV networks. With AI amplifying risks, these systems, including those with Chinese components, could be weaponised by foreign intelligence agencies, posing a significant threat to national security and critical infrastructure.
- Robin David
- TNN
Ghooskhor to Kerala Story, the slippery slope of hurt sentiments
While courts have upheld free speech, the 'Ghooskhor Pandat' case highlights the tension, suggesting box-office success often follows controversy, regardless of bans
- Robin David
- TNN
20 yrs after Prakash Singh verdict, tussle over autonomy continues
Two decades after a landmark Supreme Court verdict aimed to free police from political control, key reforms are being diluted. Despite these distortions, the fight for police autonomy continues, with the SC now intervening to ensure adherence to appointment norms, offering a glimmer of hope for a more accountable force.
- Robin David
- TNN
Fate of the aam aadmi in an age of sheesh mahals
The sheesh mahal debate surrounding Arvind Kejriwal's residence expenses brings to light the growing influence of wealthy individuals in Indian politics and the unaffordability of housing for the middle class
Does India need a Department of Sleep and Rest?
SC has defined Right to Sleep as a fundamental right. But with construction sites starting work past midnight and buzzing with loud activity till dawn, a good night's sleep is a distant dream for many living in larger Indian cities
- Robin David
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
World is running out of soldiers. Is that a job opportunity for India?
India may become fertile ground to recruit foot soldiers for international battlefields given the high unemployment, especially among youth in urban areas. This is an ideal mix for headhunters looking for cannon fodder in a trigger-happy world.
As Centre-state rows continue, time to rethink governor appointments
All that talk of the governor playing friend, philosopher and guide to the council of ministers was thrown into the dustbin of history long ago. Neither BJP nor Congress has pushed for a system that forces governors to play a less partisan role. The Centre must now give up its hold on this undemocratic lever of power that has been used to hurt our federal structure a little too often
- Robin David
- TNN
As Hyderabad’s June 2 deadline nears, Andhra still in a state of capital-lessness
Andhra Pradesh’s capital paradox is more complex than Schrödinger’s hypothetical cat. For, it has as many as four cities with the status of capital city to varying degrees. And the same four cities are simultaneously far from being capital cities
Surprising USP of ancient Hindu personal law: Diversity
Kautilya allowed for divorce by mutual consent. Smritis recognised eight types of marriages. The British wanted to suppress all this heterogeneity. Why let their Victorian values continue to rule modern India?
- Robin David
- TNN
December poll lesson: States need to rethink recruitment for govt jobs
Overhaul of state public service commissions will not only help unemployed youth but also be politically prudent
Why Telangana poll will be a test of KCR-style welfare politics
Welfare schemes as vote magnets is nothing new, but do their political benefits come with an expiry date? Telangana’s upcoming assembly election could provide key pointers on this crucial issue given the state’s heavy dependence on such schemes
- Robin David
- TNN
When a picture is no longer worth a thousand words
Photographs capturing the horrors of Syria, Ukraine, Gaza don’t influence public opinion because we consume too many images, switching between tragedy and frivolity
- Robin David
- TNN
Bulldozer ‘justice’: What you take away when you demolish a home
Taking away the roof from over the heads of people pushes them down in the social hierarchy and makes them more vulnerable
Competition in killing students. Is it time to rethink JEE?
Our society’s narrow definition of success puts too much pressure on students
The billion-dollar three-way battle for Nizam's riches
Following Mukarram Jah's death, his eldest son, London-based Azmet Jah, was named successor. But at least two other groups are not willing to accept this. There’s too much money at stake
How peegate showed us the perils of public humiliation
Shankar Mishra and his family will be the butt of scatological jokes for years. It is a heavy burden to carry for anyone. And it is not funny
India needs more doctors, not farce in the name of doctors
Although India needs more doctors, those produced at reckless speed will hardly serve us well
School uniform is important, but not more than school education
Our goal should be to ensure that young Muslim women have greater say in their own future
‘I won’t be able to completely get over my Olympics loss’
Pullela Gopichand reflects on his career as a player, the biggest controversies he’s had to deal with and when he’s going to step away from coaching
- Robin DavidM Ratnakar
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM