05 Feb 2025 Indian Express Editorial
What to Read in Indian Express Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)
Editorial 1 : The Third Edit on India’s U-19 World Cup win: Playing like her
India’s U19 World Cup Triumph & Its Impact on Women’s Cricket
- Victory & Significance
- India’s U19 women’s team dominated the tournament, defeating South Africa in the finals.
- This victory brings optimism to Indian women’s cricket, igniting hopes for a senior team trophy.
- Australia, England, and New Zealand do not focus much on junior cricket, making India’s triumph stand out.
- Star Performers & Emerging Talents
- Gongadi Trisha:
- The standout player of the tournament.
- Only centurion of the tournament.
- Consistently among the top batters.
- Raised in Hyderabad, groomed from a young age by her father.
- Other Key Players:
- Kamalini: Aggressive batter known for boundary-hitting.
- Vaishnavi Sharma & Aayushi Shukla: Emerging bowling talents.
- The Evolution of Women’s Cricket in India
- Progress:
- Equal match fees, franchise league, and a structured domestic setup.
- Increased talent pipeline beyond stalwarts like Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana.
- Future Contenders:
- Shafali Verma’s spot faces competition from upcoming stars like Pratika Rawal and Trisha.
- Growth in local academies and franchise-based nurturing will strengthen the talent pool.
- Looking Ahead
- India’s senior team must now aim for the ultimate challenge—defeating Australia in a major final.
- The U19 team’s success proves that this dream is achievable.
- With infrastructure and ambition aligning, the future of women’s cricket in India looks bright.
Editorial 2 : Express View on the Indian rupee: Let it fall
1. Recent Decline in Rupee & Market Impact
- The rupee has come under pressure, hitting an all-time low of 87.29 per USD before closing at 87.19 on Monday.
- The Sensex also fell by 0.4% but recovered 1.8% on Tuesday, with the rupee stabilizing at 87.07.
- Global investor sentiment has been affected, leading to uncertainty.
2. Impact of US Tariffs & Global Trade War
- US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China have roiled global markets.
- China retaliated by imposing tariffs on US imports from February 10.
- Trump hinted that the EU could be the next target, increasing market uncertainty.
- Investors are turning to the US dollar as a safe haven, strengthening it.
- The dollar index rose to 109.84 on Monday but hovered around 108.5 on Tuesday.
3. Foreign Investment & RBI's Role
- FII outflows have persisted for 23 consecutive days, marking the longest stretch in over a decade.
- In January alone, foreign investors pulled out over $9 billion from Indian markets.
- Last year, the RBI intervened in currency markets, reducing forex reserves by $50 billion between September and December.
- Recently, the RBI has allowed the rupee to adjust naturally, stepping in only to manage volatility.
4. Economic Impact & Policy Response
- A sharp rupee depreciation could push up inflation by 35 basis points over a few quarters.
- The government is focusing on fiscal consolidation, aiming to reduce the fiscal deficit from 4.8% in 2024-25 to 4.4% in 2025-26.
- Given economic slowdown concerns, the RBI should consider easing policy rates to support growth.
5. Conclusion
- The rupee’s decline reflects global economic uncertainty and trade tensions.
- The RBI must balance currency stability with inflation risks, intervening selectively.
- With foreign investor outflows and a strong dollar, policy adjustments may be needed to maintain market confidence.
Editorial 3 : Express View: Seize the lull in Manipur
1. Ongoing Ethnic Conflict & Recent Developments
- 21 months since ethnic violence began in Manipur, straining its social fabric.
- Meitei-Kuki tensions remain unresolved despite a recent lull in violence.
- November 2024 violence: 22 killed over 11 days, mainly in Jiribam district.
- Last major incident: January 1, 2025 – Shootout in Kadangband (Imphal West) hours after CM Biren Singh’s New Year’s Eve apology.
- December 31, 2024: Clashes between Kuki women protesters and CRPF, followed by a mob attack on the SP’s office in Kangpokpi.
2. Myanmar Conflict & Border Concerns
- Escalation in Myanmar’s Sagaing region raises fears of spillover into Manipur.
- Manipur shares a 400-km border with Myanmar, heightening security concerns.
- Insurgent ties across borders:
- Meiteis reportedly supporting Myanmar's military junta.
- Kukis aligning with rebel forces.
- Since January 27, 2025, over 200 refugees from Myanmar have entered Manipur’s Tengnoupal district.
3. The Urgent Need for Reconciliation & Leadership
- Ethnic divisions persist:
- Valley is emptied of Kukis, while Kuki-dominated hills have no Meiteis.
- Deep-seated trust deficit remains unaddressed.
- Government inaction:
- No mention of Manipur in President’s Lok Sabha Address.
- PM has not visited Manipur since the violence started on May 3, 2023.
- SC awaiting forensic analysis of CM Biren Singh’s alleged role in the conflict.
- The Centre must act swiftly to prevent a relapse into violence.
4. Conclusion
- Manipur's current calm is fragile—peace is not just the absence of war.
- Leadership at the highest level is essential to rebuild trust.
- Reconciliation efforts must be prioritized to prevent the state from sliding back into conflict.
