Is India Developing or Regressing?

Firoze Hirjikaka

According to a news report, a mob of MNS “activists” broke into the residence of a Ghatkopar (Mumbai north) citizen and thrashed him in front of his family. His crime? He posted an online opinion about Raj Thackeray that the MNS stalwarts deemed to be offensive. To compound the comedy of errors, the police arrested – get this – not the perpetrators of the violence, but the victim of their aggression.  Continue reading

Dr. R. Srinivasan (1929-2019)

It was the auspicious day of Pongal, a popular harvest festival of South India when we received the sad news of the passing away of Dr. R. Srinivasan, Associate Editor of Freedom First.  He was 90, had been ailing for some time and breathed his last in the early hours of that beautiful morning of January 15 with his family by his side.  The liberal fraternity has lost one more of its stalwarts. Continue reading

National Policy on Education – A Missed Opportunity

Amit Chandra

Just a few months remaining to the five-year tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) government. What has this government achieved? While it introduced reforms in several sectors, it largely failed to bring about any major change in the education segment. The government has missed a wonderful opportunity.  The National Policy on Education (NPE) is still in limbo!  Continue reading

The Changing Face of Narendra Modi

Firoze Hirjikaka

They say: Scratch a politician and you will uncover a warren’s nest of self-serving lies. Scratch an Indian politician and you are kept guessing about what will emerge from his/her mouth. The only certainty is political expediency. Narendra Modi is, of course, a master at this art, but his recent transformation has left many scratching their heads in befuddlement.   Continue reading

The Politics of Religion

N. S. Venkataraman

“Is Hindu religion discriminated in India?”

It is strange that in a country where around 80% of the population follows the Hindu religion, many Hindus still feel that their religion is discriminated in various ways by successive governments in India.  Although the BJP, described as “the Hindu nationalist party” by the western media, has been in power for more than four years, such a feeling of discrimination persists.

The following few instances highlight this discrimination. Continue reading

Naozer Aga (1941-2018) : A Tribute

“Our time on this earth is sacred, and we should celebrate every moment.” Paulo Coelho

IMG_1749
Naozer Aga speaking at Swatantra Party meeting, August 1, 2009 to commemorate the 50th year of its founding.

The above quote aptly describes the life of Naozer Aga, first-generation entrepreneur, dear friend of Freedom First and former Hon. General Secretary of the Indian Liberal Group (ILG) who the liberal fraternity lost to a tragic road accident on February 19, 2018. Continue reading