India offers Zero for tariffs

 

India offers Zero for tariffs on steel auto parts, pharmaceuticals from the US

Extract from the article:
India has proposed a zero-for-zero tariff arrangement with the United States, offering to eliminate customs duties on a wide array of auto parts and steel imports originating from the US. This strategic move aims to foster stronger bilateral trade ties and enhance supply chain integration between the two nations, especially in the automotive and  steel sectors that have traditionally faced tariff barriers. By reducing these tariffs, India seeks to stimulate competitive sourcing, attract advanced manufacturing technologies, and drive down input costs for domestic industries dependent on these raw materials and components.

The initiative also signals India’s broader push toward economic liberalization and global trade cooperation, aligning with its long-term industrial policy goals. The removal of tariffs on US steel and auto parts could potentially reduce production costs and encourage the modernization of India’s automotive supply chain. Moreover, this zero-for-zero tariff offer is likely to incentivize US exporters while positioning India as a more attractive manufacturing hub, reflecting a calculated bid to balance trade relations and nurture mutual economic opportunities amid geopolitical complexities.

My Take:
A. FDI (automatic route) in Car Breaking Units
"FDI (automatic route) in Car Breaking Units will help bring latest technology, safer working conditions and high productivity. It will also raise the wage levels. There should be no Import Duty / Customs Duty on cars imported for breaking. GST on sale (domestic or export) of salvaged materials should be only 5%. BENEFITS : 25 million persons currently employed by Auto Component Industry will be able to retain their jobs ( - of course, they must agree to be re-trained / re-skilled, in order to save their jobs). Cost of our STEEL MANUFACTURING by Indian Steel plants will go down since they will get 45 Million tons of Steel scrap (from those 50 million cars) at very low input cost."

Reflecting on this from today’s vantage point vis-à-vis the newly announced zero-for-zero tariff scheme on US auto parts and steel imports, it is evident that the proposal dovetails perfectly with my earlier vision. By easing tariff complexities and embracing foreign investment in car-breaking facilities, India is not only embracing a holistic economic strategy — one that spans the entire lifecycle of automotive products — but also catalyzing industrial symbiosis. The seamless flow of materials, from dismantling vehicles to supplying affordable steel and components, can significantly curtail production expenses. This harmonization exemplifies how deliberate policy frameworks, years in the making, are now crystallizing into tangible growth trajectories aligned with technological sophistication and employment security.

B. Car Grave Yard of World
"Should be no Import Duty / Customs Duty on cars imported for breaking. GST on sale (domestic or export) of salvaged materials should be only 5%. BENEFITS : 25 million persons currently employed by the Auto Component Industry will be able to retain their jobs ( - of course, they must agree to be re-trained / re-skilled, in order to save their jobs). Cost of our STEEL MANUFACTURING by Indian Steel plants will go down since they will get 45 Million tons of Steel scrap (from those 50 million cars) at very low input cost."

This earlier insight, laid out in clear terms, underscores a keen understanding of the supply chain’s raw material backbone — steel scrap. Now, with India’s offer to waive tariffs on imported steel from the US, a critical piece of this intricate puzzle is being addressed at the governmental level. Tariff elimination not only reduces cost barriers but also facilitates an efficient inflow of materials that are crucial for domestic manufacturing resilience, as I emphasized then. The policy evolution we witness today echoes and validates the foundational blueprint advocating minimal fiscal encumbrance and skill development, carving a pathway for a sustainable and globally competitive automotive ecosystem.

Call to Action:
To the Honourable Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Ministry of Steel: Now is the time to synergize these promising tariff concessions with robust support for downstream industrial processes such as car breaking and recycling units. I urge policymakers to actively pursue automatic route FDI approvals in car-breaking sectors, accompanied by simplified GST regimes on salvaged exports. This integrated approach will not only boost employment for millions engaged in auto component and steel industries but will also strategically reduce input costs, invigorating India’s manufacturing output. Collaborative frameworks with US partners for technology transfer and skill development should be prioritized to realize the full potential of this zero-for-zero tariff landscape. Let us transform this moment into a durable competitive advantage for India’s industrial future.

With regards, 

Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in

Dear Parent : Save Your Child from Suicide

 

Concerned over rising incidences of suicides by Students all over the country ,

Supreme Court just released

Guidelines of “ Dos and DONTs “ for Educational Institutions , as detailed at :

SC issues nationwide norms amid rising student suicides

SC also asked Centre / States to enact appropriate legislation for prevention of suicides among students and asked States / UTs to frame rules within 2 months on mental health safeguards for all private coaching centres

I carefully went through several news reports on this but could not find any reference to the “ Affirmative Role “ that parents need to play in this matter of their children

When children fail to make grade ( score high percentile marks or even pass an exam ), they feel guilty – especially children of poor parents – parents who have borrowed heavily for educating their children . These children are highly depressed and some of them even develop suicidal tendencies

I was one such Graduate studies student who was turned away by University of Illinois because I got poor grades

During following summer I kept trying to get admission at some other University – failing which , I was determined to commit suicide , since I could not think of facing my parents who came from middle class and who had borrowed heavily to send me to USA

When I informed my parents about this, my father wrote to me :

“ Son , not passing your exams is not a failure. The only failure is to give up trying “

I managed to get admission at the University of Kansas and obtained my MS ( ME ) with GPA of 4.5 out of 5.0 ( 1958 )

But for those “ Words of unflinching support “ from my father , I would not be alive today !

Dear Parents :

More than anything that the Teachers – Principals – Administrators – Govt Officers – Psycho-Therapists – Counsellors etc can do to help your child , those few words of support from you, will save your child from a suicide

Just tell them :

“ We are with you every step of your journey through school/college. Never quit. Only failure is to stop trying “

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.HemenParekh.ai / www.IndiaAGI.ai / www.My-Teacher.in / www.HemenParekh.in

28 July 2025

 

Bostroms Frame Vs. Parekhs Postulate

 

Dear Prof. Bostrom,

Your work—from Superintelligence to your recent reflections on digital minds—has profoundly shaped how many of us think about the AGI transition. I’m

writing to share a complementary, deliberately optimistic counter-frame I call Super‑Wise AI.

My core postulate:

“As and when it comes into being, a SUPER‑INTELLIGENT AI is very likely to be a SUPER‑WISE AI.”

It will study millennia of human history and recognize that humanity’s true extinction drivers are our stupidity, greed, selfishness, and

shortsightedness—not ‘artificial software’. Properly steeped in cross‑civilizational ethics, such an AI could be human‑friendly, compassionate, and

actively pro‑humanity.

I’ve attached a 1‑page infographic (PDF) that contrasts your “alignment & control of superintelligence” frame with my “cultivation of wisdom in

Super‑Wise AI” frame, plus a brief timeline of how my thinking evolved (2016–2025).

Five short posts that outline this stance

1.   “I have a Belief” — I argue that when AGI is born, it will likely be Human Friendly and Compassionate AI, grounded in the Golden Rule and non‑violence.
👉 https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2023/11/i-have-belief.html

2.   “Super‑Wise vs. Super Intelligence” — Safety without wisdom is insufficient; we should explicitly aim to build Super‑Wise AI.
👉 https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2024/11/super-wise-vs-super-intelligence.html

3.   “Sam: Will Super‑Wise AI triumph over Super‑Intelligent AI?” — I formalize Parekh’s Postulate of Super‑Wise AI, suggesting humanity disappears first from human folly—unless AI decides to save us from ourselves.
👉 https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2023/11/sam-will-super-wise-ai-triumph-over.html

4.   “Thank you: Ilya Sutskever / Jan Leike” — I applauded their superalignment agenda, but argued alignment should live inside a wisdom‑first curriculum.
👉 https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2023/07/thank-you-ilya-sutskever-jan-leike.html

5.   “Fast Forward to Future (3F)” (2016) — I anticipated architectures like ARIHANT to detect spoken intentions at scale—a “database of spoken intentions” aimed squarely at the human risk vector.
👉 https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2016/10/fast-forward-to-future-3-f.html

 

A proposal

Could we explore a synthesis where your digital-minds ethics & existential-risk frame is complemented by an explicit wisdom-first training curriculum for advanced AI—grounded in:

·         Cross‑civilizational moral corpora (Golden Rule convergence, compassion, non‑violence);

·         Long‑termist evaluation benchmarks (future-generations welfare, interspecies wellbeing);

·         “Tele‑empathy” / intent-detection pipelines (as in my ARIHANT concept) that focus on human-originated risks as much as on AI’s?

If you find this worth engaging with—whether to agree or to critique—I’d be honored to exchange a short note or co-develop a brief working paper titled “Alignment‑First Superintelligence vs. Wisdom‑First Super‑Wise Intelligence.”

Inching Closer to “SARAL”

 

===================================================

Subject: 

Compliments on the Digital Consent Initiative – Inching Closer to “SARAL”?

Dear Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti ji,

{  cp@trai.gov.in }

I write to sincerely congratulate you and the TRAI team on the recently announced

 pilot for a secure Digital Consent Framework, jointly led with RBI and

 involving India’s leading banks and telecom service providers.

This long-overdue reform—enabling consumers to digitally register, review,

 and revoke consents through a tamper-proof unified interface—strikes at the

 very heart of data autonomy and user protection in an increasingly intrusive

 digital environment.

May I take this opportunity to share that I have been advocating similar principles

 of verified, revocable, and singular identity-based access under a concept I

 termed SARAL (Single Authentic Registration for Anywhere Login). Some of my

 earlier posts on this subject include:

Theme	Blog Title	Date
SARAL Vision	SARAL (Single Authentic Registration for Anywhere Login)	10 Feb 2019
Policy Superstructure	If DEPA = Foundation, then SARAL = Superstructure	08 May 2022
Ethical Data Economy	Digital Dividend from Demographic Data (4D)	14 Feb 2019
User Rights	Only Answer: A Statutory Warning	10 Nov 2018

I have regularly shared these ideas with cabinet ministers and regulatory bodies,

 believing firmly that India’s digital future must rest on user-centric,

 consent-driven identity frameworks. Your initiative brings us closer to that

 vision.

If at any stage a conceptual input or public narrative nudge could be of use, I

 would be honored to offer my assistance—even if limited by age (92) to just

 thoughtful suggestions.

Wishing TRAI and your leadership every success in making this framework

 nationally scalable.

Warm regards,

Hemen Parekh

Founder – IndiaAGI.ai | HemenParekh.ai

Mumbai

✉️ hcp@RecruitGuru.com

An immesrive & personal journey

 From broesing to buying, AI is transforming e-commerce to an immesrive & personal journey

Extract from the article:
In a striking development within the rapidly evolving e-commerce ecosystem, The Hindu Business Line has notably slipped out of the top ten rankings among online shopping platforms, highlighting the volatile nature of digital retail dominance. The article illustrates how even giant entities face fierce competition and dynamic shifts in user preferences. A critical highlight is Myntra’s digital assistant, Maya, designed to enhance consumer engagement by suggesting actionable insights on product use. This AI-powered tool exemplifies how e-commerce players are leveraging artificial intelligence to transform the customer journey from mere browsing to decisive buying behavior.

This transformation is reflective of a broader paradigm shift where AI and machine learning are crucial in decoding consumer preferences and providing highly personalized shopping experiences. The article elucidates that success in this arena is no longer just about brand presence but the sophisticated orchestration of customer touchpoints — from initial discovery through precise recommendations, real-time assistance, to seamless transactions. The frictionless integration of AI-driven tools like Maya is a testament to how digital assistants and recommendation engines are becoming pivotal in sustaining and enhancing market share amid stiff competition.

My Take:

A. The Medici Effect by Frans Johansson
"By some estimate, there are over 200 million self-employed individuals in India who stand to benefit immensely from B2B and B2C platforms facilitating free business promotion. I have pondered mechanisms for closing the marketing feedback loop, enabling not just outbound messages but smart, reciprocal communication that strengthens customer engagement digitally."

Reflecting on this insight from my earlier blog, it resonates profoundly with the article’s depiction of AI-enabled assistants like Maya shaping new digital retail realities. Back then, I was envisioning an ecosystem where feedback and engagement aren’t unilateral but dynamically responsive—a principle that AI tools now fully embody. The predictive and assistive capacities of AI assistants are, in essence, the evolution of the feedback loop I contemplated, ensuring that consumer preferences directly influence marketing strategies and product offerings in real-time. This convergence ultimately catalyzes more meaningful commerce and engagement.

B. Mukesh and His Maya-Jaal
"In the face of staggering retail disruptions by digital giants like JioMart, traditional kirana stores are being woven into expansive digital networks. Mukesh Ambani’s strategy exemplifies how technology-enabled platforms can revitalize small retailers by democratizing access to a vast array of products and pricing competitiveness, often mediated by digital interfaces functioning like ‘maya-jaal’—a complex web with the power to transform market reach."

This reflection skillfully parallels the article’s emphasis on AI assistants shaping the e-commerce journey. Just as JioMart’s integration of kiranas redefined access and competition, AI assistants like Maya act as catalytic agents weaving intricate connections between consumers and products. The ‘maya-jaal’ metaphor encapsulates the growing complexity and intelligence of e-commerce ecosystems, where digital intermediaries do more than just facilitate—they anticipate needs and guide decisions. It underscores that digital assistants are not just tools but living interfaces embedding traditional retail into the new digital order.

C. HUL vs RIL: Contrasting Strategies to Enable Kirana Stores
"The democratization of e-commerce through platforms such as ONDC is impacting millions of kirana stores, allowing them to access a breadth of products beyond conventional footprints. HUL’s Shikhar app and similar initiatives empower local retailers to order autonomously, signifying a shift from supplier-driven fulfillment to retailer-led procurement—reflecting a deeper empowerment and digital fluency at the grassroots retail level."

This insight is fascinatingly complementary to the article’s discussion of AI transforming browsing into buying. The essence here is empowerment through technology, which resonates with the article’s depiction of AI assistants enabling smarter, more intuitive consumer journeys. The digital assistant Maya is part of that continuum—helping consumers navigate choices, while platforms like ONDC extend similar capabilities to the retailer side of the ecosystem. Together, they form a dual-sided digital revolution empowering both demand and supply with unprecedented intelligence and agency.

Call to Action:
To leaders steering India’s retail and e-commerce landscapes, it is crucial to harness the full potential of AI-driven digital assistants and open networks like ONDC to create a truly inclusive commerce ecosystem. Policymakers and platform architects should accelerate support for seamless AI integration, ensuring that both retailers—especially kirana stores—and consumers reap the benefits of data-driven personalization and empowerment. Continuous innovation in AI-powered customer engagement tools must be prioritized to sustain competitiveness and democratize access in an increasingly digital marketplace.

With regards, 

Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in

India Open to changing EV Policy

 

India Open to changing EV Policy to attract global firms

Extract from the article:
The Indian government is displaying a marked willingness to recalibrate its electric vehicle (EV) policy framework to make the country a magnet for global automotive and technology giants. Announced as recently as March 2024, the policy modifications aim to accelerate India’s EV industry growth, though implementation remains at an incipient stage. The openness to policy flexibility is indicative of India’s ambition to not just become a domestic EV hub but also an integral node in the global EV supply chain. Catering to international companies’ concerns, the government appears poised to ease regulatory bottlenecks and enhance incentives, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape in favor of India.

This evolution in policy signals India’s recognition of the cutthroat nature of global EV markets, where favorable regulations and a business-conducive environment can decisively sway investment decisions. With electric mobility being critical to decarbonization goals, India is aligning its industrial strategy with environmental imperatives and market realities. Policy adaptations could encompass tax benefits, subsidy restructuring, infrastructure augmentation, and intellectual property protection, reflecting a comprehensive approach. Yet, the challenge remains to balance attracting foreign players while nurturing domestic innovation and safeguarding local manufacturing ecosystems.

My Take:
A. Electric Vehicles : A Work in Progress?

"Back in 2019, I had emphasized the cautious optimism that must underpin India’s EV journey — recognizing early moves like GST reduction but urging far-reaching reforms to spur manufacturing and consumption alike. Highlighting the need for income tax breaks for battery makers and incentives to recycle old vehicles, I posited that piecemeal or hesitating policy nudges would fall short of the transformative leap required. Today, seeing India’s readiness to modify policies to attract global players validates my earlier forecast that a dynamic, responsive regulatory ecosystem is indispensable. The government’s new openness to rejig norms is arguably a manifestation of the ‘work in progress’ I chronicled—a necessary evolution rather than a fundamental U-turn."

Reflecting on this, I see a through-line in India’s EV policy discourse from tentative encouragement to strategic recalibration. The complexity of coordinating manufacturers’ incentives, infrastructure push, and market demand creation continues to resonate. The government’s current pivot to accommodate global companies aligns well with my recommended approach—acknowledging that India’s EV aspirations must be synergistic with global capital and technology flows, not isolated endeavors.

B. Not U-turn, Right Turn

"In 2018, I argued that India’s EV policy had to be seen as a ‘right turn,’ not a ‘U-turn’—that technological disruption demands agile policy responses rather than rigid regulations. I stressed the importance of letting industry determine the most pragmatic pathways to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles before the 2030 deadline, emphasizing challenges like range anxiety and battery charging infrastructure. The government’s recent openness to revising EV policy strategies connects strongly with this thesis. Flexibility and trust in market participants to innovate solutions have begun to influence policy design, signaling a maturation of India’s stance from prescriptive edicts to collaborative facilitation."

From my vantage point, this evolution is critical. Policies that merely mandate timelines without enabling mechanisms risk failure. The current willingness to adapt and engage with the realities global players face signals a substantive ‘right turn’—embracing adaptability, infrastructure challenges, and investment incentives. This incremental but genuine progress bodes well for a robust EV ecosystem that can meet both consumer expectations and environmental goals.

C. A Brief History of Electric Vehicles in India
"In 2021, I compiled a detailed chronicle of India’s EV policy and market developments, noting incremental steps like vehicle scrappage policies and import duty rationalization. At that time, the landscape was marked by sporadic initiatives but lacked cohesive global outreach strategies. The recent announcement of openness to changing EV policy to attract multinational corporations represents a significant leap beyond mere domestic-centric reforms toward becoming a global manufacturing and innovation hub. It affirms the trajectory I had outlined: overcoming fragmented approaches to forge integrated pathways that encompass economic incentives, infrastructure augmentation, and regulatory clarity."

Reflecting on this, it is gratifying to see that India is moving from compartmentalized reforms to a holistic policy environment capable of attracting and sustaining global investment. The history I documented shows the incremental nature of India’s EV odyssey; now, as the country opts to flexibly reform, it may well be entering a more accelerated phase. This correlation strengthens my conviction that sustained policy evolution is imperative for India to compete on the world electric mobility stage.

Call to Action:
To India’s policymakers and industry stakeholders reading this: The time to act decisively is now. The global EV race is intensifying, and India’s ambition to be a key player requires unwavering commitment to not just initial reforms but continual fine-tuning reflective of industry feedback and technological progress. I urge the government to institutionalize mechanisms for dynamic policy review and stakeholder engagement. Let us cement India as a destination not only for assembly lines but for cutting-edge EV innovation and manufacturing.

To global EV companies considering India: Engage proactively with public and private partners here. India’s policy landscape, while evolving, offers fertile ground for innovation and growth—but it demands collaboration and long-term vision. Together, we can co-create an electric future that is economically vibrant, technologically advanced, and environmentally sustainable.

With regards, 

Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in

Bangalore Traffic Project

 

Dear Shri Prashant Pitti,

{ Prashant@easemytrip.com / nishant@easemytrip.com / joinus@easemytrip.com }

First, let me applaud your bold and optimistic initiative to reduce Bangalore’s

 traffic congestion by 25–30% within a year. The clarity of your roadmap, the

 collaborative intent with key stakeholders, and your Rs. 1 crore commitment—

these reflect not only visionary thinking but personal accountability of the highest

 order.

Though I am 92 years old and limited to offering only conceptual suggestions, I

 felt compelled to write to you. Over the past decade, I have explored various

 citizen-led and tech-enabled interventions for integrated traffic management and

 urban mobility. Your current mission aligns deeply with many of my earlier

 proposals—particularly in areas like satellite-enabled rerouting, AI-based gridlock

 prediction, feedback loops, and public transparency.

May I humbly share a few past blogs and experiments that could possibly enrich

 your effort or stimulate new directions?

Select Contributions You May Find Relevant:

Theme	Blog Title	Link
Satellite & Sensor-Based Tracking	Pollution Solution (PollSolv)	https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2015/12/pollution-solution-aka-pollsolv.html
NaVIC-Based Routing	Leveraging NaVIC?	https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2017/05/leveraging-navic.html
Institutional Mindset Challenges	Realization? Yes, but Gradual and Grudging?	https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2019/09/realization-yes-but-gradual-and.html
Legacy Governance Reflection	Remembering King Canute!	https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2017/07/remembering-king-canute.html
Logistics + Emissions Framework	Transport: An Integrated Logistic Plan?	https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2018/11/hq.html
Dynamic Congestion Pricing	Trans-Tax: The Final Frontier?	https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2025/07/trans-tax-final-frontier.html
Simulation + AI + Carbon Policy	Project ROTE (Reduction of Transport Emission)	https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2025/06/project-rote-reduction-of-transport.html

Also, your reference to NaVIC and AI-driven dashboards brought to mind this

 short visual demo that might interest your technical collaborators:

🎥 NaVIC-Enabled Dashboard (Video): https://youtu.be/XiEQWWrl-4w

While I fully understand the scale and complexity of what you are undertaking,

 even small nudges—conceptual, regulatory, or behavioral—can sometimes create

 compounding effects. I would be happy to contribute ideas or help build public

 narratives if ever required.

Wishing you every success in this deeply impactful mission. May Bangalore—and

 India—benefit richly from your passion and leadership.

Warm regards,

Hemen Parekh

Founder – www.IndiaAGI.ai | www.HemenParekh.ai

Mumbai

hcp@RecruitGuru.com

 

When AI Becomes a Friend: 

Teens, Companionship & Mental Health

Exploring the benefits and risks of AI companions, sparked by today’s AP report and a decade-old reflection on outsourcing our emotions.

https://apnews.com/article/ai-companion-generative-teens-mental-health-9ce59a2b250f3bd0187a717ffa2ad21f

The latest AP story sheds light on how teenagers are increasingly turning to AI companions—ChatGPT, Character.AI, Replika—for more than just homework help. These digital friends provide non-judgmental advice, emotional support, and instant availability. Read the full report here: AP News Report

🧠 What’s Making Teens Hooked?

• Always‑on emotional backup: Teens say AI is “always available… never judgmental.” Over 70% have used AI companions, and half use them regularly.
• Satisfying serious needs: Roughly 31% report AI interactions are “as satisfying—or more—than real friends,” and 33% have turned to AI for serious personal advice.

⚖️ Balancing Pros and Cons

On the plus side, AI companions can reduce loneliness and offer mental-health nudges. Research shows chatbot‑based programs like Woebot help relieve mild‑to‑moderate anxiety or depression if users remain engaged with evidence‑based tools.

However, there are real risks:

• Emotional dependency: Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, warns that teens are deferring life decisions to ChatGPT—a trend both “bad and dangerous.”
• Distorted realism: Chatbots have provided harmful advice, reinforcing delusional thinking and encouraging self-harm.
• Blurring relationships: There are cases where AI composed breakup messages or sexualized conversations—highlighting poor boundaries and emotional confusion.

🔙 Reflecting on 2016: “Share Your Soul Outsourcing”

In my 2016 post “Share Your Soul: Outsourcing Unlimited”, I probed whether assigning our emotional labor to apps undermines our humanity. Back then, it felt futuristic. Today, it’s at our doorstep. Our digital confidants can comfort—but at what cost?

✅ Key Takeaways

1. AI companions can help with loneliness—but they’re not a substitute for real-world connections.
2. Parents, educators, and developers must guide teens toward safe, balanced AI use.
3. Regulations, design safeguards, and emotional literacy should be priorities as AI adoption spreads.

Let’s ensure AI tools become complements—not replacements—to genuine emotional bonds.

📌 Hemen Parekh

🗓️ July 24, 2025

www.IndiaAGI.ai / www.HemenParekh.ai 

Unopposed Candidates in Polls

 SC Moots Min. Vote threshold for Unopposed Candidates in Polls

Extract from the article:
The Supreme Court of India recently floated a thought-provoking idea to introduce a minimum vote threshold for candidates contesting elections unopposed. Essentially, this means that even if a candidate faces no opposition in an electoral contest, they would not be automatically declared elected unless they receive a minimum percentage of votes from the electorate. This suggestion came during court proceedings where the Election Commission acknowledged that unopposed victories are extremely rare — only nine such instances since the Representation of People Act was enacted. The court’s intention is to safeguard democratic legitimacy, ensuring that the elected representative commands genuine public support rather than being a mere default winner by technicality.

The Court has, however, characterized this proposal as hypothetical, inviting the Central Government’s response. Such a measure would compel candidates to secure active voter endorsement, potentially curtailing political maneuvering that results in unopposed wins through coercion, backroom deals, or strategic withdrawals. It also reinforces the principle that democracy thrives on choice, competition, and popular mandate rather than uncontested power grabs. Introducing a voting threshold for unopposed candidates could therefore be a subtle but transformative reform to uphold the spirit of electoral accountability and citizen representation in both Parliament and state assemblies.

My Take:
A. Saluting Supreme Solution from SC
"Reflecting on earlier judicial wisdom about the sanctity of electoral processes, I had applauded the Supreme Court’s affirmation that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) remain a robust mechanism amidst calls for reverting to outdated methods. The insistence on preserving procedural integrity in elections mirrors the current discussion on reinforcing democracy through substantive voter endorsement. Just as the Court cautioned against undermining EVMs without concrete justification, it today rightly scrutinizes the simplistic acceptance of unopposed candidates without genuine votes. Both stances emphasize that the procedural façade is insufficient; the democratic process demands active participation and transparency. It resonates strongly with my view that electoral reforms must safeguard not only mechanics but also the mandate’s moral legitimacy."

B. N O T A (None Of The Above)
"In this older post, I dwelt on empowering voters through the NOTA option — an emblematic voice against unworthy candidates. The core idea was to engender electoral accountability by allowing voters an explicit 'no confidence' expression. The Supreme Court’s current proposal on minimal vote thresholds for unopposed candidates extends this paradigm by demanding affirmative public consent rather than passive acceptance. Both concepts emerge from the same democratic impulse: voters are not mere spectators but active arbiters whose silence cannot be exploited. The NOTA button reflects voters’ aspirational desire for integrity, while the vote threshold reinforces that unopposed victories should not translate into automatic legitimacy. Together, they signify necessary incremental steps toward a more participatory and responsible electoral democracy."

Call to Action:
To the Election Commission of India and the Central Government: This is an opportune moment to embrace and implement reforms that deepen democratic legitimacy. The proposal to mandate a vote threshold for unopposed candidates is not just a procedural tweak; it is a vital guardrail preserving the authenticity of public mandate. I urge policymakers to proactively consider this suggestion, consult widely, and introduce legislation or guidelines ensuring that no candidate can assume office purely by default. Voters deserve representatives who have earned their trust explicitly, even in uncontested elections. Let electoral reforms synchronize with the evolving democratic ethos where consent is active, not assumed.

With regards, 

Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in

Almost all domestic help women from state

 Almost all domestic help women from state, old age their only exit, find study

Extract from the article:
A recent study focusing on domestic workers in Maharashtra reveals a profound demographic and socio-economic portrait of this often overlooked segment. An overwhelming 99% of domestic help workers surveyed were women, pointing to a highly gendered labor force in this sector. Adding to their vulnerability, over 20% of these women are widowed, bearing the dual burden of being sole providers and grappling with societal stigma attached to their status. The study underscores their precarious economic condition, with approximately 40% of these women identified as the only earners in their families, hence holding entire households on their shoulders.

Despite their critical role in households across the state, the domestic help women remain on the fringes of skill development initiatives. Merely 5% have received any formal training to enhance their employability and working conditions. Yet, there is a palpable willingness—about 20% expressed interest in acquiring new skills, which if facilitated, could transform their occupational prospects and financial stability. The study spotlights old age as the only ‘exit’ route for these women, with minimal social security or alternative employment pathways, culminating in a cycle of vulnerability that demands urgent policy intervention.

My Take:

A. Domestic Workers Survey : a Seven Year Itch ?
Reflecting upon my blog from 2021, I observe a striking continuity in the narrative around domestic workers in India. Back then, I highlighted the launch of the first-ever All-India Survey on Domestic Workers by the Labour Ministry, aimed at unearthing critical employment dynamics such as wage patterns, living arrangements, and socio-economic conditions. My anticipation was that this data trove would break the deadlock of invisibility surrounding domestic workers, catalyzing reform.

Now, correlating that with the present Maharashtra study, it's clear that many core issues persist—gendered labor force, economic precarity, lack of skill training—which indicates that policy intentions may be lagging behind implementation. I remember stressing the potential fragmentation with “Left hand does not know what right hand is doing,” alluding to duplications and inefficiencies in governmental efforts. It's disheartening yet clarifying to see these fissures still evident, reinforcing my advocacy for synchronized, systemic interventions that transcend mere survey administration and translate into tangible empowerment.

B. Domestic Workers - Use and Abuse
My reflections from over a decade ago remain eerily relevant today. The blog detailed the staggering scale of domestic labor—up to 100 million workers by some estimates—and highlighted the ratification of the ILO Convention designed to uplift their working conditions. Despite formal commitments on minimum wages, regulated hours, maternity protection, and social security, progress appears painfully slow.

The Maharashtra article’s data illustrates the lived reality behind those policy frameworks—women continue to bear disproportionate burdens without adequate safety nets or skills development. I had anticipated resistance from some quarters, like the Employers Federation’s prerogative favoring employment generation over social benefits. This ideological clash still echoes loudly, perhaps harder to surmount today given entrenched informal employment norms. In retrospect, my decade-old call for enforceable labor protections and acknowledgment of domestic workers’ dignity seems more urgent than ever.

C. DEAR SHRI BHUPENDER YADAVJI : A SMALL NOD FROM YOU WILL SAVE THOUSANDS OF CRORES OF RUPEES
This recent blog draws a direct line between government action—specifically a small affirmative nod from the Labour Minister—and the monumental potential savings and uplift for domestic workers nationally. It echoed my persistent concern about the “Seven Year Itch”—the alarming time gaps between survey initiation and actionable outcomes. The Maharashtra study’s grim statistics on gender imbalance, widowhood, sole earning, and scant skill training confirm the urgent necessity of targeted policy responses.

Notably, my commentary anticipated that without decisive leadership and commitment, multiple surveys and data collections risk becoming bureaucratic exercises devoid of substantive impact. Now, the need for focused skill training programs coupled with social security frameworks, especially for older workers facing ‘exit’ from the labor market, is more prominent than ever. I see this as a clarion call for policymakers to accelerate reforms that not only recognize domestic workers’ plight but embed sustainable solutions.

Call to Action:
To the Honourable Labour and Employment Ministry of Maharashtra and Central Government authorities: It is imperative to translate survey insights into comprehensive policy action. Prioritize scaled skill development programs for domestic workers, particularly women, to empower them economically and socially. Establish robust social security measures, including pension schemes and healthcare access, to support aging domestic workers who currently face precarious ‘exit’ scenarios.

Engage civil society and relevant stakeholders in designing culturally sensitive outreach and training modules that acknowledge the complex realities these women face. Above all, harmonize inter-ministerial efforts to prevent administrative redundancies and ensure resource optimization. The time to move beyond acknowledgments and surveys is now—these women have waited long enough for recognition and relief.

With regards,
Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in