Prakash Kumar

  Ethanol blending is another issue that is gradually taking centre stage. E20 fuel offers several advantages, such as reducing India's crude oil import bill and moving the country towards greater fuel self-sufficiency. However, an important question remains: at what cost? Some people feel that blending 20% ethanol with petrol is simply a way of increasing fuel volume, much like adding water to milk. While this comparison is debatable, it reflects the concerns of many consumers. Government policies should therefore be transparent and supported by clear scientific and economic evidence to build public confidence. Another question that arises is pricing. If petrol contains 20% ethanol, which is generally less expensive than petrol, consumers naturally expect some reduction in fuel prices. However, this is not readily apparent at the retail level, leading to doubts about how the pricing is determined. There is also the issue of consumer choice. Just as petrol pumps provide separate di...

When I was a teenager stepping slowly into adulthood, I often wondered what truly happens when one becomes old. Life, as I observed it, appeared to follow a fixed and relentless trajectory—education, job, marriage, family, possessions. Alongside this ran an unspoken but powerful current of comparison: first with classmates and colleagues, later with cousins, siblings, and finally with those closest to us. The race never paused. There was no finish line, only shifting reference points. During this long and breathless run, I held onto a quiet hope. I believed that with age and experience, people would eventually see the futility of endlessly amassing wealth and status. I imagined that maturity would bring a widening of vision—that people would recognize real wealth in humane relationships, empathy, and a deeper connection with the world beyond themselves. What I witnessed instead was deeply unsettling. Many of those I observed—people entering their sixties, seventies, eighties, and...

Durga Puja, also known as Navratra, Vijayadashami, or Dasara, is one of India’s most celebrated religious festivals, symbolizing the victory of good over evil — Lord Rama’s triumph over Ravana and Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. This age-old festival has something for everyone — from children enjoying the vibrant melas, lights, and food, to spiritual seekers who observe deep penance, fasting, and introspection over the nine sacred days. Across India, the celebration takes many forms. In West Bengal, Durga Puja is the heart of cultural life — every lane and locality sets up beautifully themed pandals and idols of Goddess Durga. In Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and other northern states, too, the festival holds immense significance. In the south, Mysore Dasara and the Kullu Dasara of Himachal Pradesh are equally grand, drawing devotees and visitors from far and wide. This year, I had the opportunity to spend the first few days of Navratra in Goa, and it was a beautiful experience t...