What to Read in Indian Express Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1 : Inflation is down. RBI has room to cut rates

 

Introduction

Recent data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) indicates a continued moderation in retail inflation, now falling below the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) target of 4%. Inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), declined to a seven-month low of 3.61% in February, bringing the average inflation for the January-February period to 3.9%. Analysts predict that inflation for the entire January-March quarter will stay well below the RBI’s latest forecast of 4.4%. This data will be a key input for the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which is set to meet in April.

 

Key Drivers of Inflation Decline

1. Softening Food Prices
   1. Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) fell to 3.75% in February, down from 5.97% in January.
   2. A significant drop from 10.87% in October last year.
   3. Vegetables entered deflation at -1.07%, following sharp price corrections.
   4. Certain food categories—oils and fats, fruits, and cereals—still face price pressures.
2. Favorable Weather Conditions
   1. Unlike last year, March has not experienced heatwaves, reducing the risk of adverse effects on food production.
3. Subdued Core Inflation
   1. Core inflation, which excludes food and fuel, remains stable.
   2. Muted price pressures observed across segments like: 
      • Education and health
      • Transport and communication
      • Recreation and amusement
   3. Personal care was the only segment witnessing higher inflation, attributed to rising raw material prices.

 

Implications and Outlook

• The sharp decline in inflation strengthens the case for monetary policy easing by the RBI.
• Food price stability and subdued core inflation indicate a benign inflation environment.
• A well-contained inflation rate below 4% could provide room for policy adjustments in the next MPC meeting.

 

Conclusion

The fall in retail inflation below the RBI’s target reflects favorable food price trends and stable core inflation. If this trend continues, it could influence future monetary policy decisions, potentially leading to interest rate adjustments. With food prices stabilizing and no major weather disruptions so far, inflation is expected to remain under control, supporting economic stability and consumer confidence.

 

Editorial 2 : India and Canada after Trudeau

 

Introduction

With Justin Trudeau stepping down as Prime Minister and Mark Carney taking over, India and Canada have a unique opportunity to reset their bilateral ties after a period of diplomatic tension. The strained relations were largely due to Trudeau’s accusations against India regarding the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which led to a major diplomatic fallout. However, despite the tensions, bilateral trade and migration from India to Canada have continued to grow. Carney’s leadership presents a fresh start for both nations to strengthen their strategic and economic relationship.

 

Key Factors in the India-Canada Reset

1. Trudeau’s Policy and the Challenges
   1. Trudeau’s India policy was heavily influenced by domestic politics.
   2. His reliance on Jagmeet Singh’s National Democratic Party (NDP) and support from the extremist fringe of the Sikh diaspora created friction.
   3. This led Canada to become an outlier among India’s strong relationships with other Anglosphere nations like Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the US.
2. Mark Carney’s Approach and India’s Response
   1. Carney, an economist and former central bank governor, has already expressed his commitment to “rebuilding” India-Canada ties.
   2. India, in turn, is considering reinstating its high commissioner to Canada, signaling a willingness to re-engage.
   3. Canada’s spy chief, Daniel Rogers, is set to visit India next week for a global intelligence conference, indicating further diplomatic movement.
3. The Path Forward
   1. The Khalistan issue remains a point of contention, but Carney’s government can improve communication and cooperation while respecting India’s security concerns.
   2. A more pragmatic and balanced foreign policy under Carney could lead to stronger trade, economic, and strategic partnerships between the two countries.

 

Conclusion

Mark Carney’s leadership presents a much-needed opportunity for India and Canada to move past diplomatic tensions and rebuild trust. With mutual efforts from both sides, relations could stabilize, leading to stronger economic cooperation and better diplomatic engagement. While challenges like the Khalistan issue remain, a pragmatic and respectful approach will be key to ensuring a long-overdue détente between the two nations.

 

Editorial 3 : The Third Edit: Three little pigs, and the wolves of the art world

 

Introduction

The recent controversy surrounding artist Marco Evaristti’s art installation, Now You Care, has reignited debates about ethics in art and the use of animals in artistic expression. Evaristti planned to starve three piglets—Lucia, Simon, and Benjamin—to highlight the suffering of animals in Denmark’s meat industry. However, the installation was cut short when animal rights activists, aided by a friend of the artist, stole the pigs, effectively saving them from harm. While Evaristti later accepted the outcome, stating that “at least this way the piglets would have a happy life,” the controversy raises deeper questions about whether cruelty in art can ever be justified, even for a cause.

The Intersection of Art, Ethics, and Animal Welfare

1. Historical Precedents and Artistic Intent
   1. The use of animals in art has long been a contentious issue.
   2. In 2017, New York’s Guggenheim Museum was forced to remove three artworks featuring animals after facing accusations of cruelty and threats of violence.
   3. Some critics argue that art should push boundaries, while others believe that animal suffering should never be a medium for expression.
2. Moral Dilemmas: Aesthetic vs. Ethical Values
   1. The controversy underscores the tension between artistic freedom and moral responsibility.
   2. Does art have the right to inflict suffering to make a point?
   3. The issue also raises questions about sentience and consent—how do non-human beings perceive their experiences, and do they have rights that must be respected?
3. Where Should the Line Be Drawn?
   1. The core debate revolves around whether freedom of expression should have ethical boundaries.
   2. Should artists be allowed to inflict harm in the name of creative freedom?
   3. The public backlash in cases like Evaristti’s and the Guggenheim controversy suggests that there is growing consensus that animal cruelty should not be a tool for artistic messaging.

 

Conclusion

While art has historically challenged societal norms and ethical limits, the use of live animals in harmful or distressing installations continues to spark outrage. The case of Marco Evaristti’s Now You Care raises important questions about artistic responsibility, ethical boundaries, and the cost of creative expression. If the goal of art is to provoke thought and inspire change, it must do so without causing harm to the very subjects it seeks to advocate for.