Author: Sanjay Shah

On his 69th birthday, a portrait of Annu Kapoor, the most under-celebrated genius in the history of Indian entertainment Sanjay Shah There is a detail about Annu Kapoor that Bollywood, in its eternal obsession with manufactured rags-to-riches myth, has somehow failed to sufficiently dramatise. His great-grandfather, Lala Ganga Ram Kapoor, was hanged by the British for revolutionary activity during India’s freedom struggle. His grandfather, Dr Kripa Ram Kapoor, served as a doctor in the British Indian Army, the quiet, dutiful counterweight to the rebel. His mother, Kamal Shabnam Kapoor, was a Bengali Brahmin in a Punjabi household, a poet, a…

The announcement of an interim trade framework between India and the United States marks a turning point in bilateral economic relations. Or at least, it gives such a feeling for now. After nearly a year of strained negotiations, tariff escalations, and geopolitical friction, both governments have agreed to a compromise that reduces barriers and sets the stage for deeper cooperation. The White House has called it a “historic milestone.” For India, however, the framework is best understood as a pragmatic deal that delivers short-term relief but also introduces long-term vulnerabilities. Gains: Export Relief and Strategic Positioning The most immediate benefit…

Long-haul travel has become a routine part of global mobility. Yet the journey remains physically demanding, mentally draining and logistically complex. Flights stretching beyond 14 hours test endurance, disrupt sleep cycles and expose travellers to dehydration and fatigue. The good news is that thoughtful planning can transform these journeys from exhausting marathons into manageable, even comfortable experiences. Global aviation is currently experiencing a strong rebound. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), worldwide passenger numbers are expected to reach 5.2 billion in 2026, reflecting 4.9% year-on-year growth. Aircraft supply shortages and geopolitical rerouting continue to reshape flight paths and…

Dear Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, I write as a concerned observer of South Asia’s shared future, not to condemn, but to reflect honestly on choices and opportunities. Pakistan was born from Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of dignity, equality, and freedom. In his 11 August 1947 address to the Constituent Assembly, he called for a state where religion unites rather than divides and citizens enjoy equal rights irrespective of faith. That promise was of a modern, tolerant nation built on education, harmony, and opportunity. This vision was more than political independence. It was a moral contract between the state and its…

By Sanjay Shah Indian Railways is more than a transport system. It is the lifeline for millions. Daily wage workers commuting to cities. Families travelling for weddings. Farmers sending produce to distant markets. Pilgrims heading to temples. Students going home… Every Budget touches this vast network in some way. The questions people ask rarely change: Will my train become better? Kya ticket sasta hoga? Kya train time pe chalegi? Union Budget 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, February 1, 2026, keeps railways in sharp focus. The numbers are big. The intent is clear. But big allocations do…

By Sanjay Shah The Union Budget 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, February 1, 2026, does not deliver sweeping price cuts or massive hikes. It avoids drama. But it does move the needle in specific areas through duty changes, exemptions and levies. Some items and services will cost a little less from April 1, 2026. Others will pinch the pocket more. Here is a clear, no-nonsense list of the main shifts that will reach your wallet. Items That Become Cheaper Item / CategoryChange MadeLikely Impact on You17 specified cancer drugsBasic Customs Duty (BCD) fully exemptedLower cost for…

Union Budget 2026 one rupee breakdownBy Sanjay Shah  Every Budget boils down to one basic question that every household asks quietly: sarkar ka paisa aata kahan se hai, aur kharch hota kahan hai? Behind all the speeches and headlines lies simple arithmetic. The central government earns one rupee. Then it decides how to spend that rupee. The Union Budget 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, February 1, 2026, gives a clear picture of those choices. Total expenditure is estimated at ₹53.5 lakh crore. Total receipts, excluding borrowings, are estimated at around ₹36.5 lakh crore. The gap is…

By Sanjay Shah  Budget day always brings drama, but Sunday, February 1, 2026, turned into a full-blown storm. Sensex crashed over 1,500 points in the special session, closing down 1,547 at 80,723. Nifty shed nearly 500 points to end at 24,825. This was one of the worst Budget-day performances in six years. Traders were stunned. Brokers panicked. Social media was filled with angry posts. But why exactly did the market react so sharply? Let us break it down logically, without hype. The main trigger was clear. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman raised the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on futures and options.…

The Union Budget 2026 arrived with predictable noise. Big numbers. Big intent. Big claims. As always, the first few hours were spent decoding what the government said it wanted to do. The more important question, however, is quieter and more uncomfortable. What does this Budget actually change for the economy, for businesses, and for ordinary people who are juggling EMIs, school fees, fuel bills, and uncertain incomes? This Budget does not feel dramatic. It does not shock. It does not radically disappoint either. Instead, it sits somewhere in the middle. Careful. Calculated. At times cautious to a fault. At times…

By Sanjay Shah The Modi government’s latest Union Budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, accords tourism a more prominent role in India’s economic strategy than it has received in recent years. Travel is no longer viewed merely as a seasonal pursuit or a promotional exercise. Instead, the Budget treats it as an integrated system that links skills development, transport, ecology, healthcare, culture, and digital infrastructure. Even as a statement of intent, this shift merits close attention. Tourism in India has long occupied an uneasy position. It is celebrated in speeches and promoted as soft power, yet sustained policy attention…