As the Quad nations met in Tokyo to formalise their relationship, the battle for Asia is on. Can India consolidate its position as a bigger power in the region? Vikram Chandra speaks to India’s top foreign policy analysts.

The India Story Episode 8 | Quad vs China: ‘Game on’ in the Indo-Pacific?

As the Quad nations met in Tokyo to formalise their relationship, the battle for Asia is on. Can India consolidate its position as a bigger power in the region? Vikram Chandra speaks to India’s top foreign policy analysts on the new international order.

As the Quad nations met in Tokyo to formalise their relationship, the battle for Asia is on. Can India consolidate its position as a bigger power in the region? Vikram Chandra speaks to India&rsquo;s top foreign policy analysts on the new international order.

The &lsquo;Quad&rsquo; nations - India, Australia, Japan &amp; the United States - met in Tokyo this week under the shadow of the Ukraine-Russia war, and China&rsquo;s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The four nations committed to a series of investments for the Indo-Pacific region.
On this episode of The India Story, Vikram Chandra speaks to India&rsquo;s top foreign policy analysts on the Quad&rsquo;s big step to take on China, and whether the Quad&rsquo;s big announcements mean a changing foreign policy landscape for the US. Far from focusing only on the Ukraine-Russia war, the US is also devoting foreign policy heft to take on China in Asia. As Asia becomes the battleground between China and the US, can India consolidate its position as a bigger power in the region?
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/the-india-story-episode-7-global-inflation-woes-can-india-s-economy-emerge-victorious-1653055109926" target="_blank">The India Story Episode 7 | Global inflation woes: Can India&rsquo;s economy emerge victorious?</a>
We also take a look at the largest Indian contingent ever to attend the World Economic Forum at Davos, and how the United States has been rocked by a horrific mass shooting that killed 19 children, as calls for more sensible gun control begin to grow.
Watch The India Story with Vikram Chandra, Fridays at 8 pm. Download the Editorji app: <a href="https://editorji.com/download">www.editorji.com/download</a>

The Quad nations met for only their 2nd in-person meeting in Tokyo. On the agenda was a rollout of benefits to the Indo-Pacific region, in a bid to counter China's influence.

The India Story with Vikram Chandra | Quad Summit 2022: Can the Quad counter China in the Indo Pacific?

Decoded | Quad Summit 2022: Can the Quad counter China in the Indo Pacific?

The Quad nations met for only their 2nd in-person meeting in Tokyo. On the agenda was a rollout&nbsp;of benefits to the Indo-Pacific region, in a bid to counter China's influence.

PM Modi met the leaders of Australia, Japan, and United States at the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, meeting in Tokyo. This was only the second in-person meeting of the Quad, which has been seen by some as a vehicle for the US to counter China&rsquo;s influence in the Asia and Indo-Pacific region, with the help of like-minded nations.
This Quad meeting was held in the shadow of the Ukraine-Russia war, which has shaken up the world order, and reshaped global politics. The US has deeply engaged in the war, and has committed $54 billion to the effort.
There is some tension within the Quad over the war as well. Australia, Japan, and US all unequivocally stand against Russia&rsquo;s aggression, while India&rsquo;s position is one of studied neutrality, which calls for peace and respect for territorial sovereignty, but stops short of criticising Russia.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/joe-biden-at-quad-summit-putin-trying-to-extinguish-a-culture-1653365504294" target="_blank">Joe Biden at Quad summit: Putin trying to extinguish a culture</a>
The Quad, however, remains primarily an alliance for like-minded nations to counter China&rsquo;s influence. China does not find mention in any official Quad statement, but the four nations are banded together by the shared interest of creating a strategic balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, free from China&rsquo;s aims of expansion and subversion of the international order. Beijing has branded the Quad an &lsquo;anti-China alliance&rsquo;.
While all four countries are united in wanting to counter China&rsquo;s influence, the nature of the threat is different. While for the US and Australia, the Chinese threat is mainly about trade and the sovereignty of Taiwan, Japan and India face Chinese claims to territory. India is also facing Chinese economic overtures to its neighbours Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/quad-2002-north-korea-fires-three-missiles-after-joe-biden-leaves-japan-1653463301598" target="_blank">Quad 2002: North Korea fires three missiles after Joe Biden leaves Japan</a>
In a statement after the meeting, the four nations also announced co-operative measures including a Quad Fellowship programme, which will sponsor a 100 students every year to pursue graduate degrees in STEM fields in the United States. They also pledged $5.2 billion to the COVAX vaccination initiative, recognised the urgent need to address climate change, and recognised the importance of combating the financing of terrorism. The Quad also pledged $50 billion to improve infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific region.
On the sidelines, Prime Minister Modi also held bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, and held his first in-person meeting with newly-elected Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. PM Modi complimented Albanese on his commitment to the Quad, for being present at the summit just a day after being sworn into office. The two leaders held &lsquo;fruitful&rsquo; discussions, and affirmed their desire to continue the positive momentum in the bilateral relationship. Australia is set to host the next Quad summit in 2023.
China and Russia certainly took note of the Quad meeting in their backyard, as jets from both countries carried out joint flights over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea as the meeting occurred in Tokyo. Japan&rsquo;s defence minister called the move provocative, and expressed grave concern over the exercise.

Amid soaring global prices, is there cause for optimism for the Indian economy? Vikram Chandra speaks to Soumya Kanti Ghosh, SBI Group Chief Economic Advisor, about how India can ensure long-term growth while weathering short-term challenges.

The India Story Episode 7 | Global inflation woes: Can India’s economy emerge victorious?

Amid soaring global prices, is there cause for optimism for the Indian economy? Vikram Chandra speaks to Soumya Kanti Ghosh, SBI Group Chief Economic Advisor, about how India can ensure long-term growth while weathering short-term challenges.

The Ukraine-Russia war, following the Covid-19 pandemic, has resulted in soaring global prices and caused fuel and food shortages. The resulting inflation has hit India hard. Retail inflation has surged to the highest point in 8 years, and both home loans and petrol have gotten more expensive.
However, this crisis also presents an opportunity for India to transform its economy, and change the balance of power in Asia.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/the-india-story-episode-6-is-foreign-education-viable-in-a-post-covid-world-1652451485256" target="_blank">The India Story Episode 6 | Is foreign education viable in a post-Covid world?</a>
This week on The India Story, Vikram Chandra speaks to Soumya Kanti Ghosh, SBI Group Chief Economic Advisor, about how the Indian economy can weather short-term challenges for long-term gains.
We also take a look at India&rsquo;s star-studded delegation at Cannes 2022, where India was the &lsquo;Country of Honour&rsquo;.
Watch full episodes of The India Story on the&nbsp;Editorji&nbsp;app. Download the app now! <a href="http://www.editorji.com/download">www.editorji.com/download</a>

A Supreme Court bench, headed by the Chief Justice of India, has stayed all proceedings in sedition cases. What is sedition law, where did it come from in India, and is it time for it to go?

The India Story with Vikram Chandra: Time for sedition law to go after SC order?

Decoded | Sedition law: Time for 'colonial baggage' to go after SC order?

A Supreme Court bench, headed by the Chief Justice of India, has stayed all proceedings in sedition cases. What is sedition law, where did it come from in India, and is it time for it to go?

A Supreme Court bench, headed by the Chief Justice of India, has stayed all proceedings in sedition cases, and asked governments to not file any FIRs under the provision. This comes after the Central government had said that they will reconsider the law, as part of an effort to &lsquo;shed colonial baggage&rsquo;.
Which is great, but what is sedition?
The dictionary definition of the word is the use of words or action that are intended to encourage people to oppose the government.
Although the recent Supreme Court order has stayed this provision, sedition is defined under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code as both a non-bailable and cognisable offence.
Which means that the police can arrest any accused person without a warrant, and they would not be able to get bail until the case is closed. The recent SC order, however, allows any person currently booked under sedition to apply for bail.
Sedition is also a non-compoundable office, which meant that once charges are filed, they can not be withdrawn, and there can be no settlement. Any accused person had to go through the full trial.
Also Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/decoded-can-judicial-reforms-enable-the-delivery-of-swift-justice-1652104540858">Decoded | Can judicial reforms enable the delivery of swift justice?</a>
<h2>History of Sedition Law</h2>
The government has called sedition &lsquo;colonial baggage&rsquo;, because it was added to the Indian Penal Code by the British in 1870.
Freedom fighter Balgangadhar Tilak was be convicted for sedition and was sent to jail for 18 months in 1897.
Mahatma Gandhi was also arrested for sedition by the British govt in 1922.
Sedition was originally also a part of the draft Indian constitution, as a restriction on freedom of speech and expression. In 1949, it was dropped from the Constitution but retained in the IPC.
In 1951, Prime Minister Nehru amended Article 19(1)(a) that guarantees fundamental rights, to put in &lsquo;reasonable restrictions&rsquo; on the right to free speech.
Then in 1974, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi made sedition cognisable offence and authorised police to make arrests without a warrant.
Also Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/decoded-getting-a-foreign-degree-what-do-the-numbers-say-1652267453223" target="_blank">Decoded | Getting a foreign degree: what do the numbers say?&nbsp;</a>
<h2>Who can be charged with sedition?</h2>
So, could anyone be charged with sedition? In 1962, the Supreme Court ruled that even strongly worded criticism of the government would be considered within the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression.
There was, however, a catch. The Court did say that when words or actions have a destructive tendency, or the intent of creating disorder or disturbance, it can be called sedition.
But how exactly does one gauge the tendency or intention behind a word or action?
The vague wording of this order left scope for the government to slap any criticism with sedition, arguing that the words or actions have the tendency or intention to create disorder, or provoke disaffection against the govt.
The accused could approach the court for relief, but remember that this was a non-bailable and non-compoundable offence, and the burden of proof lay with the accused. The process, therefore, became the punishment.
The Chief Justice of India, NV Ramana, in 2021, had said that the law needs to go. He said that the law&rsquo;s conviction rate is very low, and its enormous power can be compared to a carpenter using a saw to cut an entire forest, instead of a tree.
So, are the Chief Justice&rsquo;s concerns about the misuse of sedition law well-founded?
A total of 326 cases were registered in the country under the sedition law between 2014 and 2019.
However, just six persons were convicted under the law, according to Home Ministry's recent data. For the rest, the process became punishment.
While we await the Central government&rsquo;s reconsideration of the sedition law, the point to be noted is that the United Kingdom, which gave India this law, scrapped it back in 2009.

Amid uncertain Covid protocols and dwindling job markets, is a foreign education still viable for Indian students? Vikram Chandra speaks to experts and students on the challenges faced by India’s youth abroad. 

The India Story Episode 6 | Is foreign education viable in a post-Covid world?

Amid uncertain Covid protocols and dwindling job markets, is a foreign education still viable for Indian students? Vikram Chandra speaks to experts and students on the challenges faced by India’s youth abroad.

Amid uncertain Covid protocols and dwindling job markets, is a foreign education still viable for Indian students? Vikram Chandra speaks to experts and students on the challenges faced by India&rsquo;s youth abroad.

India is home to one-fifth of the world&rsquo;s youth. India&rsquo;s student population has long looked to foreign Universities for a pathway to a better life abroad, or a leg up in the Indian job market. But since the onset of the Covid pandemic, fickle travel rules, uncertainty about covid protocols, and exorbitant fees have made life difficult for Indian students abroad. Add to that struggling economies and dwindling job markets, and the allure of a foreign education has been made uncertain.
Is a foreign education still viable in the post-Covid world? This week on The India Story, Vikram Chandra speaks to both experts and students about the current state of affairs on foreign education for Indian students.
Also Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/the-india-story-episode-5-judicial-reforms-long-overdue-for-swift-justice-1651842674306" target="_blank">The India Story Episode 5 | Judicial reforms: Long overdue for swift justice?</a>
We also look at the Supreme Court&rsquo;s historic order on the sedition law, which has stayed the provision and directed governments to not file any new FIRs. Watch The India Story with Vikram Chandra, Fridays at 8 pm. Download the Editorji app: www.editorji.com/download

India’s legal system is on the verge of collapse, says retired Justice Madan Lokur. Can judicial reform bring about meaningful change? 

The India Story | Judicial reforms: Long overdue for swift justice?

India&rsquo;s legal system is on the verge of collapse, says retired Justice Madan Lokur. Can judicial reform bring about meaningful change?

India&rsquo;s legal system is struggling. Over 70,000 cases are pending before the Supreme Court, some for close to half a century. Nearly 76% of the country&rsquo;s prison population is made up of undertrials, according to a 2022 report. Despite high case pendency, thousands of judges&rsquo; posts lie vacant at all 3 tiers of the judiciary.
Judicial reforms are sorely needed to clear India&rsquo;s legal logjam. The Chief Justice of India, N.V. Ramana, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have both expressed the need to spruce up India&rsquo;s legal system.
Also Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/the-india-story-episode-4-will-elon-musk-be-able-to-solve-twitter-s-disinformation-problem-1651236587447">The India Story Episode 4 | Will Elon Musk be able to solve Twitter's disinformation problem?</a>
This week on The India Story, retired Justice Madan Lokur says that the Indian legal system is on the verge of collapse, and explains the steps that need to be taken in order for meaningful reform to happen. We also look at PM Modi&rsquo;s diplomatically packed three-day tour of Europe, where green energy, economy, and bilateral relations were on the agenda.
Watch The India Story with Vikram Chandra, Fridays at 8 pm. Download the Editorji app: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/download">www.editorji.com/download</a>

Sidhu Moose Wala’s killing in broad daylight, linked to inter-gang rivalry, has laid bare the Indo-Canadian criminal nexus. Is Punjab’s ‘gun culture’ problem contributing? Vikram Chandra speaks to experts on how India can fight organised crime.

The India Story Episode 9 | Sidhu Moose Wala killed: Need to counter Indo-Canadian criminal nexus?

Sidhu Moose Wala&rsquo;s killing in broad daylight, linked to inter-gang rivalry, has laid bare the Indo-Canadian criminal nexus. Is Punjab&rsquo;s &lsquo;gun culture&rsquo; problem contributing? Vikram Chandra speaks to experts on how India can fight organised crime.

Rapper and politician Sidhu Moose Wala was shot and killed while driving his car in Mansa, Punjab. Police has linked the crime to an inter-gang rivalry, and zeroed in on known gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is lodged in Tihar Jail, and Goldy Brar, who is based in Canada. How is a known gangster, behind bars, able to orchestrate a political murder? Why is a Canada based gangster able to order killings in India?
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/the-india-story-episode-7-global-inflation-woes-can-india-s-economy-emerge-victorious-1653055109926" target="_blank">The India Story Episode 7 | Global inflation woes: Can India&rsquo;s economy emerge victorious?</a>
This week on The India Story, Vikram Chandra discusses with experts and political representatives the need to counter the Indo-Canadian criminal nexus in Punjab. We also look at Sidhu Moose Wala&rsquo;s fast-paced rise as a young star in the world of music, his assertive lyrics which endeared him to fans and courted controversy, and his relationship with the &lsquo;gun culture&rsquo; many see as endemic in Punjab&rsquo;s pop culture.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/the-india-story-episode-8-quad-vs-china-game-on-in-the-indo-pacific-1653661841022" target="_blank">The India Story Episode 8 | Quad vs China: &lsquo;Game on&rsquo; in the Indo-Pacific?</a>
We also take a look at China&rsquo;s failed attempt to sign a sweeping agreement with ten Pacific nations, and how India can leverage its position to assume a greater role in the region.
Watch The India Story with Vikram Chandra, Fridays at 8 pm. Download the Editorji app: www.editorji.com/download

Sidhu Moose Wala lived life at at breakneck pace, moving fast, breaking rules, courting controversy and endearing himself to fans across the globe. We take a look at his life and death.

Decoded | The life and death of Sidhu Moose Wala

Sidhu&nbsp;Moose Wala&nbsp;lived life at at breakneck pace, moving fast, breaking rules, courting controversy and endearing himself to fans across the globe. We take a look at his life and death.

A brother, a son, a world famous musician, and a politician - Sidhu Moose Wala wore many hats. He was beloved to many, as evident by the thousands of people who came to mourn him at his funeral. Before he tragically lost his life to bullets on May 29, Punjabi Rap&rsquo;s rising star lived life at breaking pace, already achieving many accolades by the age of 28.
Born Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu in the village of Moosa in the Mansa district of Punjab, Moose Wala chose his stage name to honour his place of birth. He reportedly started listening to hip hop music from Grade 6, and admired the music of Tupac Shakur, widely considered one of the most influential rappers of all time.
In 2016, after completing an engineering degree, Moose Wala moved to Brampton in the Ontario province of Canada, where he shot to fame with his 2017 song &lsquo;So High&rsquo;. Moose Wala&rsquo;s success on the global stage came fast. In 2018, he released his debut album &lsquo;PBX 1&rsquo;, which charted in Canada, and won awards. He had 6 singles chart in the Billboard Hot 100 in Canada, and one in the UK. In 2020, the Guardian included him in their 50 best new artists&rsquo; list, noting that South Asian music rarely crosses over to the UK.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/decoded-quad-summit-2022-can-the-quad-counter-china-in-the-indo-pacific-1653572534368" target="_blank">Decoded | Quad Summit 2022: Can the Quad counter China in the Indo Pacific?</a>
In India, his popularity knew no bounds, with songs regularly topping Hot 100 charts. Along with music, he also starred in Punjabi films. He started his own music label, in his own name, under which he released two of his own albums, along with works by other artists. The label later came to be called 5911 records, in reference to a popular tractor. It was on a 5911 tractor that his body was carried for last rites at his funeral.
In his lyrics, Moose Wala often evoked imagery of rural life from Punjab, even when writing from Canada. Along with references to farms and tractors were lyrics about bravado, self-belief, and rebellion. They included aggressive lines about firing guns, pot shots at rivals, and lines referencing rebellion against religious norms. These lyrics, which spoke deeply to fans and endeared him to many, also landed him in controversy. Moose Wala was criticised for promoting gun culture, a problem many see as endemic to the Punjabi film and music industries. In 2019, police barred him from performing in Surrey in the UK, citing a risk of violence. In India, he was booked under two sections of the Arms Act in 2020 for a video where police officers were showing him how to fire guns.
Moose Wala was also active in Indian politics. He supported the farmers&rsquo; protests against the government&rsquo;s three proposed farm laws, now repealed. He later joined the Indian National Congress ahead of the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, which he contested from his home constituency of Mansa. Despite massive crowds at his political rallies, much like his concerts, he lost to the Aam Aadmi Party&rsquo;s Vijay Singla by a margin of over 63,000 votes. He released his song &rsquo;Scapegoat&rsquo; in April, lamenting his failure in the elections.
On May 29, Sidhu Moose Wala was driving his car in Mansa when he was shot at by assailants, and perished as a result. Reports indicate he was shot over two dozen times. It was in Canada that Sidhu Moose Wala made his name as a global star, and it&rsquo;s those ties that seem to have come back to haunt him.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/decoded-texas-school-shooting-the-problem-with-america-s-gun-culture-1653659676489" target="_blank">Decoded | Texas school shooting: the problem with America's gun culture&nbsp;</a>
Punjab police linked the murder to a gang run by Lawrence Bishnoi, a criminal who is linked with over two dozen murder and extortion cases, and is presently incarcerated in Tihar jail. A Facebook profile claiming to be Goldy Brar, a Canada-based gangster linked with the gang, has taken responsibility for the killing, saying that Moose Wala was killed to avenge the murders of his cousin, and a fellow gang member. Moose Wala&rsquo;s manager, Shaganpreet, was reportedly linked with the murders.
Parts of Canada have long suffered from organised crime by Indo-Canadian gangs, many of whom are staffed by second-generation immigrants from Punjab. According to a report, between 2006 to 2014, South Asians accounted for 21.3% of gang-related deaths in the British Columbia region. In April 2021, police busted an Indo-Canadian drug trafficking network in the city of Brampton, where Moose Wala made his name, and seized over $2.3 million in drugs, and 48 fire arms.
Moose Wala&rsquo;s family has denied all links to gang-related crimes, and demanded an independent probe into the shooting, presided over by a sitting High Court judge.
Sidhu Moose Wala&rsquo;s life eerily resembles that of his icon, Tupac Shakur. On May 15, a fortnight before his eventual death, Moose Wala released a song titled &lsquo;The Last Ride&rsquo;. In it, he talks about how the glow on the young man&rsquo;s face expresses, that he knows he will die young. The cover art for the single is an image of Tupac Shakur&rsquo;s car, in which he was shot and killed in 1996. He was only 25, and the controversial murder was purported to have ties to organised crime.
Like Tupac, Sidhu Moose Wala had a short career, in which he moved fast, broke rules, courted controversy, and endeared himself to many. Like Tupac, Moose Wala&rsquo;s legacy will likely outlive him, and reach far and wide.

Sights of despair, comments from leaders and laments on social media are all becoming painfully familiar in the United States of America. With over 200 incidents of mass shooting in 2022 alone, America’s gun culture has left a lasting and traumatic impact on the country.
The mass shooting at an elementary school in rural Texas where a gunman opened fire taking the life of 19 children and 2 adults is the latest in a horrific series of mass shootings to take place in the country. The suspected shooter, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, was gunned down by police on the spot. The slayings took place just before noon at Robb Elementary School, where second through fourth graders were preparing to start summer vacation this week.Also watch - Texas school shooting: a brief history of carnages at US schools since Columbine
The gun laws in USA:The infamous Gun Lobby and the National Rifle Association has been at the forefront of the argument on gun laws – their main defence being that citizens of the United States need these arms for self-defence, as is their constitution right, which has been stated in the second amendment of the US constitution.
Federal law requires that licensed gun dealers conduct a background check, through a database run by the F.B.I., to see if the customer is among those prohibited from owning a gun. The law also says that anyone adjudicated by a court or other authority to have a mental illness cannot be sold a gun. However, many point to loopholes in this system: - Records through which background checks are conducted are not updated - Most people with serious mental illnesses never receive such a legal status - Small-scale sellers, including many who do business at gun shows, are not required to do background checks
Apart from federal laws, each state in America has its own set of guidelines on the use and purchase of arms. Recent changes in the law in Texas, made it even simpler for people to obtain guns.Also watch: Why USA won't make stricter gun laws despite Texas shooting - gun lobby, Republican, filibuster hurdles
Growing attacks on schools: If gun laws are in place to protect citizens’ right to self-defence, it does not explain why there exists a growing problem of attacks on schools in the USA. A history of attacks on schools shows that following the massacre at Colorado's Columbine High School in 1999, the problem of school shootings has only exacerbated.
The Texas shooting marks the 27th school shooting this year alone. 25 people have been killed in school shootings since January.Also watch - Texas school shooting: a brief history of carnages at US schools since Columbine
What do the numbers say? these numbers aren't the only shocking ones, the US has the highest civilian gun ownership globally. Four-in-ten U.S. adults say they live in a household with a gun. In 2020 alone, more than 45,000 Americans died by gun fire, of which 54% were deaths by suicide. Studies have found that strong relationship between higher levels of gun ownership in a state and higher firearm suicide rates for both men and women. US rate of deaths from gun violence: 3.96 deaths per 100,000 people.
Gun violence and race issues: The attack on the Texas school comes just 10 days after another horrifying and racially motivated mass shooting case in Buffalo, New York. As per officials, the white 18-year-old who fatally shot 10 people at a supermarket researched the local demographics and conducted a reconnaissance a day in advance with the intent of killing as many Black people as possible.Also watch: 10 dead in 'racially motivated' mass shooting in New York supermarket; suspect arrested
Black Americans remained disproportionately affected by gun violence in 2020. Firearm homicide rates increased by 39.5% among Black people from 2019 to 2020. Black men aged 15-34 accounted for 38% of all gun homicide victims in 2020, though this group represents just 2% of the U.S. population. 
The Sandy Hook school shooting, the NYC subway carnage, the California Church attack, and now the Robb elementary school – the years, headlines and places change, but the trauma and pain stays the same. 
The National Rifle Association is set to meet in Houston, Texas this week. President Trump and Republican Senator Ted Cruz will be in attendance too. To mourn the children of Texas who lost their lives to gun violence at Robb elementary – the White House Flag will fly half-mast for 4 days. 

The India Story with Vikram Chandra: Texas school shooting: America's growing gun problem 

The horrific mass shooting in a Texas elementary school that killed 21 people has shaken the world. In this story we take a look at America's growing gun problem. 

Decoded | Texas school shooting: America's growing gun problem 

The horrific mass shooting in a Texas elementary school that killed 19 children and 2 adults has shaken the world. In this story we take a look at America's growing gun problem.&nbsp;

Sights of despair, comments from leaders and laments on social media are all becoming painfully familiar in the United States of America. With over 200 incidents of mass shooting in 2022 alone, America&rsquo;s gun culture has left a lasting and traumatic impact on the country.
The mass shooting at an <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/texas-school-shooting-did-police-delay-response-to-kill-shooter-witnesses-speak-1653619100809" target="_blank">elementary school</a> in rural Texas where a gunman opened fire taking the life of 19 children and 2 adults is the latest in a horrific series of mass shootings to take place in the country. The suspected shooter, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, was gunned down by police on the spot. The slayings took place just before noon at Robb Elementary School, where second through fourth graders were preparing to start summer vacation this week. Also watch - Texas school shooting: a brief history of carnages at US schools since Columbine
The gun laws in USA: The infamous Gun Lobby and the National Rifle Association has been at the forefront of the argument on gun laws &ndash; their main defence being that citizens of the United States need these arms for self-defence, as is their constitution right, which has been stated in the second amendment of the US constitution.
Federal law requires that licensed gun dealers conduct a background check, through a database run by the F.B.I., to see if the customer is among those prohibited from owning a gun. The law also says that anyone adjudicated by a court or other authority to have a mental illness cannot be sold a gun. However, many point to loopholes in this system:&nbsp; - Records through which background checks are conducted are not updated - Most people with serious mental illnesses never receive such a legal status - Small-scale sellers, including many who do business at gun shows, are not required to do background checks
Apart from federal laws, each state in America has its own set of guidelines on the use and purchase of arms. Recent changes in the law in Texas, made it even simpler for people to obtain guns. Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/texas-school-shooting-why-usa-won-t-make-stricter-gun-laws-gun-lobby-republican-filibuster-hurdles-1653497608355" target="_blank">Why USA won't make stricter gun laws despite Texas shooting - gun lobby, Republican, filibuster hurdles</a>
Growing attacks on schools: If gun laws are in place to protect citizens&rsquo; right to self-defence, it does not explain why there exists a growing problem of attacks on schools in the USA. A history of attacks on schools shows that following the massacre at Colorado's Columbine High School in 1999, the problem of school shootings has only exacerbated.
The Texas shooting marks the 27th school shooting this year alone. 25 people have been killed in school shootings since January. Also watch - <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/texas-school-shooting-a-brief-history-of-carnages-at-us-schools-since-columbine-1653485606372" target="_blank">Texas school shooting: a brief history of carnages at US schools since Columbine</a>
What do the numbers say? these numbers aren't the only shocking ones, the US has the highest civilian gun ownership globally. Four-in-ten U.S. adults say they live in a household with a gun. In 2020 alone, more than 45,000 Americans died by gun fire, of which 54% were deaths by suicide. Studies have found that strong relationship between higher levels of gun ownership in a state and higher firearm suicide rates for both men and women. US rate of deaths from gun violence: 3.96 deaths per 100,000 people.
Gun violence and race issues: The attack on the Texas school comes just 10 days after another horrifying and <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/10-dead-in-racially-motivated-mass-shooting-in-new-york-supermarket-suspect-arrested-1652588593234" target="_blank">racially motivated mass shooting</a> case in Buffalo, New York. As per officials, the white 18-year-old who fatally shot 10 people at a supermarket researched the local demographics and conducted a reconnaissance a day in advance with the intent of killing as many Black people as possible. Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/10-dead-in-racially-motivated-mass-shooting-in-new-york-supermarket-suspect-arrested-1652588593234" target="_blank">10 dead in 'racially motivated' mass shooting in New York supermarket; suspect arrested</a>
Black Americans remained disproportionately affected by gun violence in 2020. Firearm homicide rates increased by 39.5% among Black people from 2019 to 2020. Black men aged 15-34 accounted for 38% of all gun homicide victims in 2020, though this group represents just 2% of the U.S. population.&nbsp;
The Sandy Hook school shooting, the NYC subway carnage, the California Church attack, and now the Robb elementary school &ndash; the years, headlines and places change, but the trauma and pain stays the same.
The National Rifle Association is set to meet in Houston, Texas this week. President Trump and Republican Senator Ted Cruz will be in attendance too. To mourn the children of Texas who lost their lives to gun violence at Robb elementary &ndash; the White House Flag will fly half-mast for 4 days.

If one word can describe the past 24 months for the world, it would be uncertainty. Fickle travel rules, uncertainty about covid protocols, and exorbitant fees, have made life much more difficult for Indian students who opt for an education overseas.
Despite the challenges, though, demand for foreign education remains high.
So why do Indian students choose to study abroad?India is home to one-fifth of the world’s youth. As with most things in the country, competition to get in to the country’s premiere institutes is fierce. And competition for top jobs is even tougher.
As per data by the income tax department, there are only 30,000 jobs in India with a starting salary touching 10 LPA - making even this package an elusive one. In contrast, as per a report by the US labour department, starting salaries for graduates stands at 6 times more at 61 LPA.  It is then no wonder that Indian students who can afford it, look to foreign education either as a badge of honour, to get a leg up on their resume, or as an avenue to access the job market abroad.
According to a Redseer survey 70% of students want to go for specialised courses overseas, as opposed to only 30% for general courses. Specialised courses often have a much better return on investment, along with much better job prospects too.Also watch: Going to study abroad? Here is how and why you must have student travel insurance
India has the second largest number of students studying abroad, next only to China. But does the allure of foreign education make sense in a post-pandemic world?
How many students go abroad to study? The Covid-19 pandemic saw a dip in demand for foreign education, but it didn’t take long for numbers to reach pre-pandemic levels. As per the Bureau of Investigation, nearly 5.9 lakh students went abroad for a foreign education in 2019. The onset of the pandemic, however, saw this number decline by 55% in 2020, with just about 2.6 lakh students going abroad. The numbers rebounded as covid fears weaned in 2021, with 4.44 lakh students going abroad. The trend is on the up, as 1,33,135 students have already gone abroad in just the first quarter of 2022.
Paying for a foreign educationAffordability, however, remains a concern. While the cost varies greatly depending on country and course, research by the International Institute of Education found that the average cost of studying abroad is nearly ₹28 lakh per year, which is an enormous sum of money for most in India. This leads to a high demand for education loans, which soared to new highs despite the pandemic. According to credit bureau CRIF, education loans worth ₹11,000 crore were disbursed in India in 2020, which was a record high.Also watch: US bill removes green card cap for STEM doctorates, introduces startup visa
The pandemic has also offered new opportunities for students, such as courses in hybrid mode, with a mix of online and classroom teaching. Many have been able to complete a semester or two from home, before moving out to their country of choice, cutting down on living costs by a sizeable margin.
How much sense does this make in a post-pandemic world? Despite new opportunities, a cloud of uncertainty remains over foreign education post Covid-19. Ever-changing protocols and quarantine rules are difficult to navigate, and many fear having to pay high travel and living costs in foreign country, only to end up doing online classes. This, and dwindling job prospects as economies struggle to recover, have caused many to ask - does education abroad really have serious merit, or is it just another case of the grass being greener on the other side?  Also watch: Mental health of college students' worst-hit by virus lockdown: study 

The India Story with Vikram Chandra: Getting a foreign degree: what do the numbers say? 

What is the allure of getting a foreign degree for Indian students? In this story we take a look at the data! 

Decoded | Getting a foreign degree: what do the numbers say? 

What is the allure of getting a foreign degree for Indian students? In this story we take a look at the data!&nbsp;

If one word can describe the past 24 months for the world, it would be uncertainty. Fickle travel rules, uncertainty about covid protocols, and exorbitant fees, have made life much more difficult for Indian students who opt for an education overseas.
Despite the challenges, though, demand for foreign education remains high.
<h3>So why do Indian students choose to study abroad?</h3>
India is home to one-fifth of the world&rsquo;s youth. As with most things in the country, competition to get in to the country&rsquo;s premiere institutes is fierce. And competition for top jobs is even tougher.
As per data by the income tax department, there are only 30,000 jobs in India with a starting salary touching 10 LPA - making even this package an elusive one. In contrast, as per a report by the US labour department, starting salaries for graduates stands at 6 times more at 61 LPA. &nbsp;It is then no wonder that Indian students who can afford it, look to foreign education either as a badge of honour, to get a leg up on their resume, or as an avenue to access the job market abroad.
According to a Redseer survey 70% of students want to go for specialised courses overseas, as opposed to only 30% for general courses. Specialised courses often have a much better return on investment, along with much better job prospects too. <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/going-to-study-abroad-here-is-how-and-why-you-must-have-student-travel-insurance-1628486773788" target="_blank">Also watch:&nbsp;Going to study abroad? Here is how and why you must have student travel insurance</a>
India has the second largest number of students studying abroad, next only to China. But does the allure of foreign education make sense in a post-pandemic world?
<h3>How many students go abroad to study? </h3>
The Covid-19 pandemic saw a dip in demand for foreign education, but it didn&rsquo;t take long for numbers to reach pre-pandemic levels. As per the Bureau of Investigation, nearly 5.9 lakh students went abroad for a foreign education in 2019. The onset of the pandemic, however, saw this number decline by 55% in 2020, with just about 2.6 lakh students going abroad. The numbers rebounded as covid fears weaned in 2021, with 4.44 lakh students going abroad. The trend is on the up, as 1,33,135 students have already gone abroad in just the first quarter of 2022.
<h3>Paying for a foreign education</h3>
Affordability, however, remains a concern. While the cost varies greatly depending on country and course, research by the International Institute of Education found that the average cost of studying abroad is nearly ₹28 lakh per year, which is an enormous sum of money for most in India. This leads to a high demand for education loans, which soared to new highs despite the pandemic. According to credit bureau CRIF, education loans worth ₹11,000 crore were disbursed in India in 2020, which was a record high. <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/us-bill-removes-green-card-cap-for-stem-doctorates-introduces-startup-visa-1646575688090" target="_blank">Also watch:&nbsp;US bill removes green card cap for STEM doctorates, introduces startup visa</a>
 The pandemic has also offered new opportunities for students, such as courses in hybrid mode, with a mix of online and classroom teaching. Many have been able to complete a semester or two from home, before moving out to their country of choice, cutting down on living costs by a sizeable margin.
<h3>How much sense does this make in a post-pandemic world?&nbsp;</h3>
Despite new opportunities, a cloud of uncertainty remains over foreign education post Covid-19. Ever-changing protocols and quarantine rules are difficult to navigate, and many fear having to pay high travel and living costs in foreign country, only to end up doing online classes. This, and dwindling job prospects as economies struggle to recover, have caused many to ask - does education abroad really have serious merit, or is it just another case of the grass being greener on the other side? &nbsp; <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/mental-health-of-college-students-worst-hit-by-virus-lockdown-study-1598776573748" target="_blank">Also watch:&nbsp;Mental health of college students' worst-hit by virus lockdown: study&nbsp;</a>

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India's legal system is struggling. Judicial reforms are sorely needed to clear India’s legal logjam. Can long overdue reforms enable the delivery of swift justice?

Decoded | Can judicial reforms enable the delivery of swift justice?

India's legal system is struggling. Judicial reforms are sorely needed to clear India&rsquo;s legal logjam. Can long overdue reforms enable the delivery of swift justice?

India&rsquo;s legal system is struggling. Over 70,000 cases are pending before the Supreme Court, some for close to half a century. Nearly 76% of the country&rsquo;s prison population is made up of undertrials, according to a 2022 report. Despite high case pendency, thousands of judges&rsquo; posts lie vacant at all 3 tiers of the judiciary.
Judicial reforms are sorely needed to clear India&rsquo;s legal logjam. In this video,&nbsp;Vikram&nbsp;Chandra discusses how judicial reforms can propel The India Story. He also touches on four controversial laws which need to be reined in, including AFSPA, PMLA, UAPA, and the sedition law. The Centre has recently signaled its intent&nbsp;to reconsider &amp; re-examine the sedition law.
Also Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/the-india-story-episode-5-judicial-reforms-long-overdue-for-swift-justice-1651842674306">The India Story Episode 5 | Judicial reforms: Long overdue for swift justice?</a>
&nbsp;

As the new regime settles in, is a Sena vs Sena battle on the cards? Vikram Chandra speaks to political and legal experts on all dimensions of all the twists and turns in a landmark week for Maharashtra politics.

The India Story Episode 13 | Maharashtra political crisis: A game of twists and turns

As the new regime settles in, is a Sena vs Sena battle on the cards? Vikram Chandra speaks to political and legal experts on all dimensions of all the twists and turns in a landmark week for Maharashtra politics.

A rollercoaster week in Maharashtra politics saw Uddhav Thackeray step down as Chief Minister 944 days after he was sworn in, even as rebel Eknath Shinde took over the post, with the BJP&rsquo;s Devendra Fadnavis in tow as Deputy Chief Minister.
After a long-drawn Shinde vs Thackeray struggle that tore the Shiv Sena apart, which is the &lsquo;real&rsquo; Sena? What are the legal quandaries in this unique political scenario? Will the Election Commission have to step in to solve the Sena&rsquo;s leadership tussle?
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/the-india-story-episode-12-reversing-brain-drain-how-can-india-build-world-class-universities-1656079514934" target="_blank">The India Story Episode 12 | Reversing &lsquo;brain drain&rsquo;: How can India build world-class Universities?</a>
Even as the new regime sets in, sights are on the upcoming BMC elections. Will the Thackeray camp play spoilsport, and will there be a Sena vs Sena battle for the BMC? On this week&rsquo;s special episode of The India Story, Vikram Chandra speaks to political and legal experts on all dimensions of a landmark week in the state&rsquo;s politics.&nbsp;
Watch The India Story with Vikram Chandra, Fridays at 8 pm. Download the Editorji app: www.editorji.com/download

Why is India’s best talent choosing to take their skills out of India, as opposed to flourishing at home? This week, Vikram Chandra speaks to experts on the path ahead for Indian ed

The India Story Episode 12 | Reversing ‘brain drain’: How can India build world-class Universities?

Why is India’s best talent choosing to take their skills out of India, as opposed to flourishing at home? Why can’t an Indian university crack the top 100 in global rankings? This week, Vikram Chandra speaks to experts on the path ahead for Indian education. 

Why is India&rsquo;s best talent choosing to take their skills out of India, as opposed to flourishing at home? Why can&rsquo;t an Indian university crack the top 100 in global rankings? This week, Vikram Chandra speaks to experts on the path ahead for Indian education.&nbsp;

India has an undeniable &lsquo;brain drain&rsquo; problem. While Indians occupy some of the most coveted spots in the global corporate order, they often only do so after attaining a degree abroad.&nbsp;
Why is India&rsquo;s best talent choosing to take their skills out of India, as opposed to flourishing at home? Why can&rsquo;t an Indian university crack the top 100 in global rankings? Is the state of Indian education causing our best and brightest to migrate abroad - and if so, how do we reverse this &lsquo;brain drain&rsquo;? On this week&rsquo;s episode of The India Story, Vikram Chandra speaks to India&rsquo;s foremost education and skill experts on the path ahead for Indian education.&nbsp;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/the-india-story-episode-11-revenge-travel-visa-delays-spoiling-post-covid-tourism-party-1655476995618">The India Story Episode 11 | &lsquo;Revenge travel&rsquo;: Visa delays spoiling post-Covid tourism party?</a>
Watch The India Story with Vikram Chandra, Fridays at 8 pm. Download the Editorji app: www.editorji.com/download

As visa delays spoil ‘revenge travel’ plans, the emotional and financial costs begin to take their toll. Vikram Chandra speaks to Jyoti Mayal and Ajay Awtaney on where Indians can still travel. 

The India Story Episode 11 | ‘Revenge travel’: Visa delays spoiling post-Covid tourism party?

As visa delays spoil ‘revenge travel’ plans, the emotional and financial costs begin to take their toll. Vikram Chandra speaks to Jyoti Mayal and Ajay Awtaney on where Indians can still travel. 


As visa delays spoil &lsquo;revenge travel&rsquo; plans, the emotional and financial costs begin to take their toll. Vikram Chandra speaks to Jyoti Mayal and Ajay Awtaney on where Indians can still travel.&nbsp;

As Covid-induced restrictions on travel ease up around the world, the phenomenon of &lsquo;revenge travel&rsquo; has become popular. After a gruelling few years, Indians want to travel the world and meet their families. However, unprecedented demand has clogged up the systems and facilities that facilitate travel, and caused delays in processing of visas. As a result, people have had to cancel or change their plans, causing great emotional and financial loss.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/://www.editorji.com/story/the-india-story-episode-10-gulf-backlash-balancing-act-required-1654870439228">The India Story Episode 10 | Gulf backlash: Balancing act required?</a>
On this week&rsquo;s episode, Vikram Chandra speaks to Jyoti Mayal, President of the Travel Agents Association of India, and Ajay Awtaney, aviation journalist, on what locations are still viable for Indians looking for a summer break.
Watch The India Story with Vikram Chandra, Fridays at 8 pm. Download the Editorji app: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/download">www.editorji.com/download</a>

Amid backlash over remarks by BJP spokespersons about Prophet Muhammad, is a careful balancing act required? Vikram Chandra speaks to experts on how the govt should navigate relations with the Gulf.


The India Story Episode 10 | Gulf backlash: Balancing act required?

Amid backlash over remarks by BJP spokespersons about Prophet Muhammad, is a careful balancing act required? Vikram Chandra speaks to experts on how the govt should navigate relations with the Gulf.

References to Islam by the ruling party&rsquo;s now-suspended spokespersons have put India on the defensive on the global stage. At least 17 countries have protested against the comments, summoning Indian envoys and releasing statements condemning the remarks. In a bid to firefight the backlash, New Delhi has responded, calling the two saffron leaders &lsquo;fringe elements&rsquo;.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/the-india-story-episode-9-sidhu-moose-wala-killed-need-to-counter-indo-canadian-criminal-nexus-1654265556771" target="_blank">The India Story Episode 9 | Sidhu Moose Wala killed: Need to counter Indo-Canadian criminal nexus?</a>
On this week&rsquo;s episode, Vikram Chandra speaks to experts and analysts on India&rsquo;s need to balance relations with the Gulf, as it courts economic and diplomatic relationships in the region.
Watch The India Story with Vikram Chandra, Fridays at 8 pm. Download the Editorji app: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/download">www.editorji.com/download</a>

A large Indian contingent invited investment at Davos, as the WEF reflected a changing international order, with the Ukraine war, climate change, and global inflation at the top of the agenda.

India invites foreign investment in Davos as World Economic Forum reflects global conflict

Decoded | India invites foreign investment as Davos World Economic Forum reflects global conflict

A large Indian contingent invited investment at Davos, as the WEF&nbsp;reflected a changing international order, with the Ukraine war, climate change, and global inflation at the top of the agenda.

The war in Ukraine, climate change, and global inflation topped the agenda at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as political and business leaders converged to discuss global issues.
The first in-person event since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Economic Forum now reflects a changing world. Organisers asked those attending to take the train instead of travelling in an attempt to cut down on the event&rsquo;s carbon footprint, although how many took that advice is anyone&rsquo;s guess.
A large Indian contingent was in attendance at Davos, from Union Ministers to executives and leaders of India&rsquo;s biggest firms, who participated in a number of sessions at the forum. According to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, a record high 200 people from India attended the WEF this year.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/decoded-quad-summit-2022-can-the-quad-counter-china-in-the-indo-pacific-1653572534368" target="_blank">Decoded | Quad Summit 2022: Can the Quad counter China in the Indo Pacific?</a>
India&rsquo;s large turnout was accompanied by &lsquo;The India Lounge&rsquo;, set up in a street in Davos, serving up local delicacies, and inviting foreign investment at the same time. Several states, including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, set up their own individual camps as well. &lsquo;Come, invest in India&rsquo;, seemed to be the message.
India recently reported its highest ever foreign direct investment inflow, with $83.57 billion invested in 2021-22. Indian states are trying hard to increase this number at Davos, with Maharashtra signing over $10 billion in investment intentions with 24 companies, and Telangana signing renewables investment pacts worth a total of around $16 billion.
The World Economic Forum reflected the tumultuous state of global affairs, with the war in Ukraine featuring heavily throughout sessions. Russian business and political leaders haven't been invited to the gathering this year, and the former Russia House has been converted to an exhibition covering alleged warcrimes committed by the country. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the forum, and asked business leaders to exit Russia.

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