Articles written by
K Raveendran

Ukraine Tensions Bring Coal A New Lease Of Life In Energy Mix

CC’s Wait for Godot

K Raveendran The scene at the Central Committee meeting of the CPI-M the other day in Delhi ran like this: the committee members are huddled together, pens poised, brows furrowed and looking askance at how and why the sand under the feet of their party got washed away in the Lok Sabha elections in the only remaining backyard of the Marxist party. Mash the Great, the intellectual […]

Kerala’s communist debacle going to be far more devastating than Bengal’s

K Raveendran In the tumultuous realm of Indian politics, few narratives are as gripping and revealing as the rise and fall of communist parties. Among these, the travails of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI-M, in Kerala and Bengal offer a compelling study in contrasts – one marked by systemic decay, moral erosion, and the predictable consequences of hubris. The saga begins in West Bengal, […]

The great leveller at work

K Raveendran The Indian electorate, that mystical blend of wisdom and mischief, have done it again. They have yet again proclaimed they can never be taken for granted. Picture this: silk kurta-clad rulers strutting through constituencies like peacocks on a catwalk. Their arrogance defies both physics and good taste. They believe they’re heaven-sent, not elected. And their entourage? A trail of sycophants thicker than Kerala’s monsoon air. […]

Kerala comrades realise an Engels dream

Party is withering away its goals, accountability, and its very ability to comprehend anything definitive K Raveendran Pinarayi Vijayan and his fellow comrades have achieved a lofty Marxist ideal: the withering away of the state, which Engels had envisaged as the ultimate success of socialism, but could not live to see happen. In the glorious land of Kerala, where the red flag flutters proudly and coconuts fall […]

A lottery to decide India’s prime minister

So, let the drums roll and trumpets blare, for Indian politics is nothing if not a spectacle of surprises K Raveendran The issue of level playing field never came to the fore as it did during the 2024 elections. But it was mostly about political parties fighting out an unequal battle in terms of resources, partisan treatment by the Election Commission, sizzling summer heat at some parts […]

A diehard comrade’s first-hand experience of Singapore

K Raveendran The following is an account of an imaginary comrade visiting Singapore, provided by an imaginary reporter purportedly accompanying the comrade and his family: Firebrand Comrade X (apologies to all those who are named X) puffed out his chest as his plane touched down in the gleaming metropolis of Singapore. Here, in this capitalist paradise, he would witness the excesses of untamed free markets firsthand. He imagined […]

An agent from heaven

K Raveendran In the lush greenery of Kerala, where the backwaters meet the sky, there’s a whisper among the coconut palms. It’s about the tagline “God’s Own Country,” a clever bit of branding done by an ad agency for Kerala Tourism that has stuck so well, even the heavens above have given it a celestial nod of approval. Imagine the scene: celestial beings gathered around a cosmic […]

Verily, a campaign hoax!

K Raveendran The biggest joke or hoax of the campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is the CPI-M advertisement on television channels claiming that if India is to survive, the Left’s voice has to reverberate in Delhi. Going by whatever has happened in the 17th Lok Sabha, where the CPI-M had just three MPs, two of them from the communist-weary territory of Dravida land, where the […]

Body versus the other language

A K Antony stood tall, his silver hair catching the golden rays. Beside him, his son, Anil Antony, clad in saffron, exuded confidence, while Nandakumar with his insidious airs played his part exquisitely. K Raveendran It is an infinitely open question as to whether one’s body language is more expressive than the verbal language. While […] The post Body versus the other language appeared first on Business […]

Pinarayi Vijayan’s thankless job!

K Raveendran Without mincing …….. by K Raveendran Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan loses no opportunity to blame all the troubles of the state on the Centre. For everything that is not to his or his party’s liking, from the fiscal constraints on borrowing to the distribution of the humble Bharat rice, the blame is invariably put at the door of the Modi government. To add further effect […]

Criminal bonding in the corridors of power

Without Mincing by K Raveendran In the murky corridors of power, where shadows and secrets coil like serpents, the tale of the BJP’s electoral bond conquest has unfolded and there can’t be a greater embarrassment for the ruling party and the government at this juncture when voting for parliamentary elections is only a month away. The Supreme Court, resolute and unyielding, has cast its gaze upon this […]

Humour: Pinarayi Vijayan’s United Assembly of Nations

K Raveendran The formative years of my journalistic career coincided with the ‘super reign’ of legendary editor of Patriot, Edatata Narayanan. Edatata had a unique equation with Jawaharlal Nehru as prime minister: he was a bitter critic of Nehru and yet a true friend of his. That was quite unlike the present generation of politicians who consider their critics as their worst enemies. Edatata travelled ahead of […]

Nakheel, Meydan merger a testament to Dubai’s adaptability skill

K Raveendran The merger of Nakheel and Meydan under Dubai Holding, which the Dubai Ruler and UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced on Saturday, marks a significant shift in Dubai’s economic landscape, but it’s just the latest chapter in a long history of transformation for both entities. Dubai Holding itself has undergone several structural changes since its inception. Originally focused on investments and […]

Dubai Charts a New Course in the Digital Age

K Raveendran The Dubai International Financial Centre’s (DIFC) enactment of the world’s first comprehensive digital assets law this week marks a milestone, not just for the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, but also for Dubai’s ambitions within the knowledge economy. This bold move positions Dubai as a frontrunner in regulating and facilitating the growth of this nascent asset class, potentially solidifying its position as a global […]

Saudi, UAE vie for regional business hub status

K Raveendran The UAE and Saudi Arabia, the Middle East’s two powerhouses, are engaged in a no-holds barred competition to claim the coveted title of the region’s business and financial capital. Until some time back, the UAE had virtual monopoly in this regard, with Dubai remaining unchallenged as a magnet for foreign investments. But things have changed of late as Saudi Arabia has embarked on a new […]

An Etihad IPO would be a game changer for Gulf aviation

K Raveendran A reported move by Abu Dhabi to launch an Initial Public Offering (IPO) for Etihad Airways has sent ripples through the Gulf’s aviation sector. This potential move, if realized, would mark a historic first for the region, potentially setting a precedent for other major airlines to follow. Firstly, an Etihad listing would be a significant step away from the traditional state-owned model prevalent in the […]

Dubai diversifies revenue with creative naming rights opportunity

K Raveendran Dubai has long been synonymous with audacious innovation and a relentless pursuit of growth. While oil has historically fueled the region’s prosperity, forward-thinking entities are increasingly turning to unconventional methods to diversify revenue streams. One such method gaining traction is the strategic use of naming rights. Dubai Metro serves as a prime example of this ingenuity. Faced with the need to supplement ticket sales, authorities […]

Demographic shift changing every aspect of life in UAE

K Raveendran The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is witnessing a significant demographic shift, with a growing influx of professionals replacing the previously dominant low-wage workforce. This trend is impacting various aspects of life in the UAE, most notably in the areas of housing, services, and the overall cost of living. Statistics paint a clear picture of this transformation. According to the World Bank, the UAE’s population in […]

Exit from FATF grey list to boost UAE real estate sector

K Raveendran The recent decision by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to remove the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from its “grey list” of jurisdictions under increased monitoring has significant implications for the country, both domestically and internationally. The action sends a positive signal to investors, boosting economic confidence and potentially attracting more foreign direct investment (FDI). It will help solidify the UAE’s position as a responsible […]

Survey reveals divided opinion over legalising casinos in Dubai

K Raveendran A survey undertaken by Dubai Casinos, proclaiming itself to be the vanguard in the realm of casino guidance and expertise in the UAE, about the idea of legalising casinos in the emirate has revealed that 42.2 percent of the respondents opposed such a move. The main reason cited was the potential clash between Emirati culture and the gambling scene. But 28.8 percent were neutral and […]

Dubai real estate may be headed for a slowdown

K Raveendran While the Dubai real estate market is undoubtedly hot, experts are predicting a possible slowdown in 2024. This could lead to price moderation and selective buying are expected, although the scope for a  significant market corrections is seen  unlikely. Dubai’s real estate market has been on a tear in recent years, fuelled by a surge in foreign investment, strong economic growth, and government reforms. However, […]

Historical moment for crypto industry as US approves spot ETF

K Raveendran In a landmark judgement, the US SEC has approved 11 Bitcoin spot ETFs paving the way for mass adoption of digital assets. Sending you herewith, reactions from industry stalwarts on its impact and future outlook. According to experts, it is expected that the US decision would prompt financial institutions in other regions to apply for similar businesses. In view of this, other financial centres such […]

GCC states more vulnerable to climate change impact: S&P

K Raveendran GCC countries could become more vulnerable to the economic and financial impacts of physical risks from climate change over the next few decades if investments in adaptation and resilience stagnate, Standard & Poor’s said in a report. According to the report titled Sustainability Insights Research: Lost GDP: Potential Impacts Of Physical Climate Risks, on average, about 8% of the GCC region’s GDP could be at […]

UAE’s Al Habtoor group asks Lebanese govt to make good losses due to instability

K Raveendran UAE’s Al Habtoor group, which has made substantial investments in Lebanon, has urged the Lebanese government to compensate for the losses suffered by GCC companies due to the reckless actions of militias, putting the Lebanese state in futile conflicts that only bring destruction and instability to the country, its economy, and its people. The Lebanese state must confront the sources of threats and take preventive […]

UAE to have specialist bankruptcy court

K Raveendran The UAE will soon have a specialist court to deal with disputes relating to bankruptcies, which will emphasise the importance of amicable solutions, broadening the scope for debtors to seek agreements with creditors. The special court will be set up under the new bankruptcy legislation that is set to come into force on May 1, 2024, replacing the 2016 bankruptcy framework. The new law will […]

UAE, Saudi Arabia to lead in green bonds issuance

K Raveendran The green, social, sustainable, and sustainable-linked bonds (GSSSB) market–including sustainable sukuk–in the Middle East (GSSSB) is set to expand further, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia likely to remain the leaders, Standard & Poor’s said in a report. The report is timing with the high-profile COP28 meeting in Dubai, which has seen a number of pathbreaking decisions by nations. GSSSB issuance in the Middle East […]

Mubadala, Saudi Fund deals on US radar for potential China angle

K Raveendran The increasing engagement by Gulf countries with China is raising eyebrows in Washington, with reports suggesting indicating that Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is reviewing several multibillion-dollar deals entered into by Gulf sovereign wealth funds, particularly the UAE’s Mubadala and the Saudi Public Investment Fund. Bloomberg reported the other day that officials in President Joe Biden’s cabinet are currently reviewing more […]

Dubai real estate sector faces risk of cyclical reverse

K Raveendran As real estate prices continue to rise in Dubai, the risk of a cyclical reversal is mounting, rating agency Standard & Poor’s has said in a report.   The agency, however, adds that the Dubai developers are well prepared for such a turn of events. S&P estimates that prices will increase 15%-18% in 2023 and by another 5%-7% in 2024 as the Dubai market gradually slows […]

UAE raises its rule of law score despite the world faring poorly

K Raveendran The United Arab Emirates is among the few countries in the world to see the Rule of Law Index score increase this year.  The UAE achievement is all the more remarkable as a majority of countries have seen rule of law being eroded this year.  The UAE ranks 37th out of 142 countries worldwide and 36th out of 46 among the high income countries in […]