VisVoice

  Happy International Women's Day - 8th March 2026 I went to my fitness class on Friday. There was a debate between two. One said jokingly "O nly one day is celebrated for women, as all the other days belong to men." The other said, "This is western culture. You all have already got all the  recognition like men. There is no need to celebrate a date connected to a gender".  In the evening, when I was walking with my wife around the complex, we met another couple. Again there was a talk on women's day. The gentlemen said, "I don't think there is any bias in a community like us (upper middle class) and there is no reason why we should celebrate an event like that in our complex". I always message my thoughts (through WhatsApp now) to the women I know, while extending my greetings on 8th March. This made me to ponder and I browsed to find out whether 'gender inequality' is a thing of the past or does it still exist. I felt the truth betwee...

Fraud in government accounts in IDFC First Bank Brief: Last week, IDFC First Bank (the bank) reported to the stock exchanges about a  fraud of  ₹ 590 cr. occurred in its Chandigarh branch in certain specified accounts of some departments of the Haryana State Government. (As per disclosure norms stipulated in regulation 30 of the SEBI listing regulations). The fraud came to light, as there was discrepancy between the amount mentioned in the transfer/closure request letter of a particular department of the State and the actual balance available in the account with the branch. The bank informed the exchanges that t he aggregate amount under reconciliation across the identified accounts at the said branch  is approximately ₹590 crore.   The Bank further said that f our suspected officials have been placed under suspension pending investigation and is in the process of appointing an independent external agency to conduct an independent forensic audit. It also filed ...

  Is it 'premature' to keep the gates wide open? India has entered into bilateral trade agreements (BTAs) with several countries, including the one that is described as the ‘Mother of all the deals” with the European Union (EU). It is all set to wrap up the deal, with a formal interim agreement, with US in Mar' 26. (Terms of reference outlined in the US-India joint statement). Though India is now the fourth largest economy in the world, in terms of nominal GDP, I was wondering whether the time has really arrived for India to enter into multiple BTAs, one followed by another, in quick succession. Is paving the way for unlimited merchandise exports and imports, the right way to go forward, as we are still a trade and current account balance 'deficit' country. The following table, as culled out from  the economic survey 2025-26, convey the persistent issues.  (USD in billion) Parameters 2014-15 2023-24 2024-25 ...