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1. Meloni’s Right: Why liberals need to listen, not melt down
The global political landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, challenging the established norms of Western liberalism and the “rules-based order” championed by Washington and Brussels. The rise of right-wing parties across Europe and beyond—exemplified by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance—reflects a growing shift away from the economic and political consensus of the late 20th century. Instead of dismissing these movements, liberal politics must engage with them to understand their appeal and impact.
The Decline of the Western Liberal Consensus
The dominance of Western liberalism, which reached its peak with the expansion of the G7 to include Russia in 1998, is now facing a crucial test. The economic principles of the “Washington Consensus”—emphasizing free markets, trade liberalization, and fiscal discipline—began eroding after the 2008 financial crisis and the rise of China. Donald Trump’s challenge to this system from within the U.S. has further deepened this crisis.
Recent political events, including Germany’s election results and speeches by Meloni and Vance, highlight a global ideological shift. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, despite taking responsibility for his party’s losses, refused to engage with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has emerged as the second-largest party. This pattern is evident elsewhere, as right-wing parties gain traction through nationalist and anti-immigration platforms.
Understanding the Rise of the Right
Meloni argues that while liberal leaders like Bill Clinton and Tony Blair were hailed for their leadership, right-wing figures such as Trump, Meloni, and Narendra Modi are often labeled as threats to democracy. She attributes this to a “double standard” of the Left, which she claims is losing credibility among voters. Vance, on the other hand, highlights issues defining the U.S. culture wars—free speech, abortion, and religious expression—urging Europe to reflect on similar inconsistencies.
The rise of right-wing parties, including the AfD in Germany and other conservative factions across Europe, cannot simply be dismissed as fringe extremism. The liberal response—often characterized by disdain or alarm—fails to address the concerns that drive voters toward these parties. Issues such as immigration, economic security, and cultural identity remain central to the right-wing narrative.
The Way Forward for Liberal Politics
The success of right-wing movements reflects the failures of liberal politics to adapt to changing realities. A rigid adherence to past ideologies has left liberal parties unable to counter the appeal of nationalist rhetoric effectively. Abortion and gun control, divisive issues in the U.S., are not significant concerns for right-wing politics in India, illustrating the diversity within the global right.
To navigate this shifting landscape, liberal politics must undergo a strategic rethink. Instead of dismissing right-wing movements outright, liberals must engage in dialogue, address economic and cultural insecurities, and develop fresh ideas that resonate with voters. A refusal to acknowledge these shifts risks further alienation and political irrelevance.
Conclusion
As right-wing parties continue to gain influence worldwide, the challenge for liberals is not just to critique them but to understand and engage with the forces driving this transformation. A more nuanced approach is needed to counter the growing appeal of conservative nationalism and ensure a balanced political discourse.
2. From Bihar to the World
The announcement of the Makhana Board in the Union Budget 2025-26 marks a significant milestone in Bihar’s agricultural landscape. With Bihar accounting for 85% of the world’s makhana production, the board aims to empower farmers, boost exports, and create employment opportunities, ultimately putting the state on the global map.
The Transformation of Makhana Farming
Over the past decade, makhana cultivation in Bihar has shifted from traditional pond-based farming to a more efficient field-based system. This shift has resulted in a significant increase in production, with the area under cultivation expanding to 35,000 hectares and production surpassing 56,000 tonnes. Despite its economic potential, challenges such as limited processing technology, lack of modern farming techniques, and market accessibility have hindered the sector’s full growth.
The Role of the Makhana Board
The newly formed Makhana Board will focus on three key areas:
(i) Production – Encouraging high-yielding varieties and modern farming techniques.
(ii) Processing – Facilitating infrastructure for value addition.
(iii) Marketing – Promoting makhana as a global superfood.
With financial assistance, training programs, and research, the board will help farmers increase productivity and profitability.
Government Initiatives and FPOs
The Bihar government has introduced subsidy schemes to encourage modern techniques. Additionally, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) will play a crucial role in providing end-to-end support, improving market access, and increasing farmers’ bargaining power. Bihar already has over 1,000 FPOs, with key contributions from:
(i) NABARD (200+ FPOs)
(ii) Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (61 FPOs)
(iii) Jaivik Corridor Scheme (296 FPOs)
Future Growth and Economic Impact
By 2035, Bihar aims to expand the makhana cultivation area to 70,000 hectares, with seed production nearly doubling in the next three years. The expected impact includes:
(i) Makhana production increasing from 23,000 MT to 78,000 MT.
(ii) Market value of makhana rising from ₹2,000 crore to ₹13,260 crore.
(iii) Farm-level employment growing from 20,000 to 50,000 families.
(iv) Post-production employment increasing from 5 lakh to 7 lakh individuals.
Export and Infrastructure Development
The GI tag for Mithila Makhana has already enhanced its appeal in international markets. Further, improved export infrastructure, including Darbhanga and Purnea airports, and Patna’s new greenfield airport, will facilitate makhana exports to the US, Europe, and the Middle East.
Conclusion
As PM Narendra Modi stated, “Bihar’s makhana is about to reach the world.” The establishment of the Makhana Board is a game-changer that will modernize the industry, increase farmers’ incomes, and make Bihar a global hub for makhana exports. With continued government support and private sector participation, Bihar’s makhana industry is poised for exponential growth.
3. The Languages We Speak
The debate on India’s Three-Language Formula (TLF) has resurfaced, particularly in the context of Tamil Nadu’s opposition to it. However, the larger issue is the gradual shift towards a de facto “English Only” policy, which undermines India’s multilingual identity.
Historical Context of the TLF
The TLF was introduced in the 1968 Education Policy as a compromise following anti-Hindi protests in South India. The policy recommended:
(i) For Hindi-speaking states: Hindi, English, and a modern Indian language (preferably a South Indian language).
(ii) For non-Hindi-speaking states: Hindi, English, and the regional language.
Despite its intent to promote multilingual education, the TLF has been unevenly implemented, with Hindi-speaking states often bypassing the requirement to teach a South Indian language, opting instead for Sanskrit.
Current Controversy
The Union government has withheld funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme from Tamil Nadu, citing its non-compliance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Tamil Nadu opposes the TLF, fearing Hindi imposition, and has traditionally followed a two-language policy (Tamil and English). However, NEP 2020 allows states flexibility in choosing languages, with no explicit imposition of Hindi.
Way Forward
Uniform Implementation of TLF: Tamil Nadu could demand that all states, including Hindi-speaking ones, adopt the TLF equally, ensuring reciprocal learning of South Indian languages.
(i) Alternative Approaches: Tamil Nadu could introduce Classical Tamil as the third language, as Hindi-speaking states have done with Sanskrit.
(ii) Federal Consensus: A meeting of all Chief Ministers, similar to the 1968 discussions, should be convened to arrive at a national consensus on language policy.
Conclusion
The real challenge is not just the Hindi vs. regional languages debate but the dominance of English in education and governance. A truly multilingual approach—ensuring reciprocal learning of languages—can help preserve India’s linguistic diversity while addressing regional concerns.
Disclaimer:
This analysis is based on the editorial content published in Indian Express and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The views, opinions, and interpretations expressed herein are those of the author of original article. Readers are encouraged to refer to the original article for complete context and to exercise their own judgment while interpreting the analysis. The analysis does not constitute professional advice or endorsement of any political, economic, or social perspective.
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