Litigation policy
Nearly 40% of the cases filed by governments before the High Courts and the Supreme Court are frivolous. The central and the state governments are litigants in approximately 46% of the cases pending before the courts. In the Supreme Court alone, government is party in 73% of the cases admitted. Cases are often filed before a division bench against an order of a single judge in High Courts despite the law officers knowing well that they will not withstand the test of scrutiny by the higher benches. Recently, former Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai felt it was time the country had a “National Litigation Policy” in place. The policy is in limbo. It was provided a renewed push by the Centre in 2024 to transform the government into an “efficient” and “responsible” litigant. The overall goal was to reduce government litigations and reduce pendency time. But the Centre, in 2025, decided against implementing the policy because of the belief that the “right to approach courts cannot be restricted”.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Urban planning
Architecture and urban planning in India is more project-focused rather than focusing on the people. We are far behind in comparison to cities abroad, where long-term planning is taken into consideration rather than the short-term returns. We are no strangers to potholes, pedestrian fatalities, urban flooding, unprotected construction sites, etc. Accidents occurring due to such reasons are becoming more common. In September 2025, a Pune-based architect died on the Cuchelim-Marna road while trying to avoid a pothole. He lost control over his motorcycle. In a similar incident that took place in Usgao, a 52-year-old individual died after his bike hit a pothole. Such incidents call for better road maintenance. There have been more than 9,000 reported deaths in India occurring due to pothole-related accidents, and pedestrian fatalities are rising by the minute. Goa saw a 44% rise in pedestrian deaths until October 2025. We have prioritised flyovers and high-speed corridors over infrastructure like footpaths and spaces for people to walk on properly. Public should be taken into consideration when a city is being planned with infrastructure such as roads, flyovers, buildings, etc.
Mishka Keny, Panaji
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday falls between Good Friday and Easter Sunday and is often described as a day of stillness and waiting. It commemorates the time between Jesus’ death and resurrection – a space marked by silence, uncertainty and hope. Both spiritually and culturally, Holy Saturday represents a pause before celebration. Many Christians observe it quietly, through prayer, fasting or reflection, while the churches prepare for Easter celebrations. The day captures a universal human experience: waiting in the dark for renewal, trusting that life and hope will rise again.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
On Pak as mediator
There have been media reports about backdoor efforts by Pakistan along with Egypt and Turkiye to broker peace in West Asia. However, the idea of Pakistan positioning itself as a mediator between the United States and Iran raises complex geopolitical questions, particularly from an Indian perspective. For India, Pakistan’s claim to act as a peace broker is difficult to reconcile with its own long-standing concerns about cross-border terrorism and regional instability. New Delhi has consistently accused Islamabad of supporting militant groups targeting India. From this standpoint, the notion of Pakistan playing a neutral and constructive role in resolving a major international conflict seems contradictory. India’s response to such a development would likely be cautious and measured. While India strongly supports peace and stability in West Asia, given its energy security needs and the large Indian diaspora in the region, it is unlikely to endorse Pakistan as a mediator. Accepting Islamabad in such a role could be seen domestically as legitimising a State India accuses of fostering terrorism. Washington has historically balanced criticism of Pakistan with cooperation when it serves immediate strategic interests, particularly in regions like Afghanistan and West Asia. Ultimately, the situation highlights the paradoxes of global diplomacy. States with contentious regional roles can still find themselves participating in international peace efforts when circumstances align. Conflicts like those between the United States and Iran are rarely resolved by a single mediator. They typically involve multiple channels, backdoor negotiations, and the participation of several regional and global actors. However, for India, the priority remains clear, supporting peace while safeguarding its own national interests and maintaining its long-held positions on terrorism and regional security.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
