Vivpost

India’s rupee has recently crossed significant psychological thresholds, falling past 90 per US dollar and sparking widespread concern among households, businesses, and policymakers. This slide is not just a market event; it reflects deeper structural and cyclical forces that have implications for inflation, growth, and financial stability. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stands at the centre of efforts to manage this volatility, deploying a mix of market operations, regulatory tools, and strategic communication to prevent a currency crisis from becoming a broader economic shock. Declining Rupee The Rupee’s Fall: Symptom and Signal The rupee’s weakness is driven by a combination of global and domestic factors. A strong US dollar, rising American interest rates, and global risk aversion have pushed investors toward safe-haven currencies, dragging down emerging-market currencies like the rupee. Domestically, India’s persistent current account deficit—fueled by heavy imports of crude oil...

 The rental housing landscape in India has undergone a substantial transformation in 2025. With the introduction of the Home Rent Rules 2025 (built on the earlier Model Tenancy Act 2019 framework), the government aims to bring transparency, consistency and legal clarity to rentals — long plagued by informal, ambiguous, or exploitative practices. Photo by Ivan S In this post, I break down what’s new, how the new regime compares with the older (often informal) rental practices, and offer some analysis of its potential impact — whether landlords and tenants will truly benefit, or face fresh challenges. What’s New in 2025: Key Provisions Mandatory digital stamping and registration Every rent agreement, whether long-term or short-term, must now be digitally stamped and registered within 60 days of signing. Traditional stamp paper or informal, unregistered deals are no longer valid under the new rules.  Cap on security deposit For residential properties, security deposits are l...

The relationship between Venezuela and the United States has never been as simple as trade and diplomacy. It influences global oil stability, regional migration patterns, security operations against organized crime, and the wider balance of international alliances. Over the last quarter-century, the partnership has steadily transformed into a prolonged clash. Understanding how it evolved — and what the future may hold — is critical to interpreting the political landscape of the Western Hemisphere. A Look Back: When Venezuela Was a Trusted Partner For most of the 20th century, Venezuela was one of the most dependable oil suppliers to the United States. American refineries were calibrated specifically for Venezuela’s heavy crude, forging a strong energy partnership. Even under shifting governments, trade interests kept diplomacy predictable. That stability began to buckle in 1999. Enter Hugo Chávez With the late Hugo Chávez came a new ideological posture. His “Bolivarian Revolution” emph...

State Museum Hotwar, Ranchi — A Cultural Journey Through Jharkhand’s Heritage A travel reflection on history, art, and identity Entering the World of Jharkhand’s Heritage On a quiet morning in Ranchi, I stepped out of the auto at Hotwar, walking toward a monumental structure that promised a gateway into centuries of cultural memory.  Bhagwan Birsa Munda  This was the State Museum of Jharkhand, a thoughtfully curated archive of tribal roots, artistic traditions, and archaeological stories. The calm surroundings almost prepared me for the depth of what I was about to witness. A Short History: How the Museum Came to Be The State Museum was originally located at Morabadi under the Tribal Research Institute in 1974. As Jharkhand grew in its independent identity, a larger cultural institution was planned. The current museum at Hotwar was inaugurated on September 10, 2009, by the Vice...

 Introduction: A Constitutional Flashpoint Chandigarh, the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, may soon find itself at the centre of a constitutional firestorm. The Union government is reportedly planning to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025 , which would bring Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 , enabling the President to make regulations for its governance. The move has triggered a fierce backlash from political quarters in Punjab, drawing sharp accusations that the Centre aims to dilute Punjab’s historic claim over its capital. Credit - Wikipedia Understanding Article 240: What Does It Actually Do? At its core, Article 240 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to frame regulations for certain Union Territories (UTs) for their “peace, progress and good government.”  These regulations are not symbolic — they can repeal or amend Acts of Parliament applicable to the UT, and once promulgated, hold the same force as a parliamentary s...