India has the third-largest higher educational system in the world. In 2016, there were 799 universities and 39,071 colleges spread across the country. These numbers are staggering. The growth of higher education in India over a little more than half a century has been even more staggering. Between 1950 and 2014, the number of universities in India increased by 34 times. And, between 1950 and 2013, colleges increased by 74 times. This quantitative explosion in higher education institutions … [Read more...]
Articles
Frank blogs regularly for the Huffington Post and writes occasional columns and articles for publications such as the International Business Times and The Economic Times of India.
Frank writes on a wide variety of topics that are critical to shaping the future of America and the American dream and to making the United States and the world a better place. These include: Business; education; poverty and inequality; politics and public policy; immigration; manufacturing; innovation; leadership; citizenship; and social commentary.
Frank’s most recent blogs are highlighted on this page. To read other blogs or articles by Frank, click on the categories or publications links on the left.
Susan Collins Stands by Her Man
On Friday, October 5, the day before she voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh as a justice to the Supreme Court, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) delivered a speech of over 40 minutes before the Senate. In her remarks, Collins tried to explain and defend her decision. Her argument was well structured, logical and presented in a passionless and objective manner. There was only one problem. It was impossible to defend the indefensible. The evidence against it was far more compelling. That was Brett … [Read more...]
Pakistani Diaspora helping Pakistan achieve its potential
Although the Pakistani diaspora is spread across the world, the government in Islamabad always accords special importance to Pakistani Americans, owing to their contribution towards the country and their influence over policy makers of the United States. Realising the importance of overseas diaspora, Prime Minister Imran Khan has made a passionate appeal to Pakistanis living abroad to donate at least US $1000 for the construction of Diamer Bhasha Dam. Responding to the call, a prominent … [Read more...]
America’s Uncivil War
The American civil war was fought between 1861 to 1865. It resulted in the deaths of an estimated 620,000 people. America’s current uncivil war began near the end of the 20th century; ramped up a little at the beginning of this 21st century; accelerated in the second decade of the century, and, has moved into nearly full-fledged and continuous conflict since Donald Trump took office on January 20, 2017. There are not many dead yet from this escalation. But this war has affected … [Read more...]
The U.S. Mid-Term Elections in Perspective
“I just hope there won’t be any violence.” That was Donald Trump’s comment on August 29 about what to expect from the mid-term elections. He made these remarks after warning his supporters earlier to beware of violence from the left if the Republicans won the mid-terms. This observation might be viewed as sincere, ironic given the violence that Trump has wrought to date on the American psyche, or as a not-so subtle nudge toward violence by his supporters if the Democrats … [Read more...]
US mid-term polls are a referendum on Trump
Just as in the legislative arena, the party that controls Congress will have a limited impact on India. This is because President Trump’s policies on international affairs have primarily been unilateral; he consults only a small circle -- and Congress doesn’t fall in that. On November 6, the mid-term Congressional elections will be held in the United States. And because of the growing polarisation and partisanship within the country, these mid-terms will be quite important. The US Congress … [Read more...]
Searching for spiritual unity
“Recent events in India have damaged the country’s image as a vibrant, plural and successful democracy.” That is the opening line of former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran’s recent article in which he expresses his “growing concern over the rising polarisation and communalism of our social and political discourse”. Saran pointed out: “We pride ourselves in being the most tolerant of people, celebrating our diversity of faith, culture and tradition, ways of life and language. Diversity … [Read more...]
It’s Time to Forget About GDP and Think IEW
After it was officially announced that the U.S. GDP had grown at an annualized rate of 4.1 percent in the second quarter of this year, President Trump provided remarks to the press on the South Lawn of the White House. As is his want as a “serial exaggerator”, Trump made several claims that were not entirely factual. They included: “…the economy grew at an amazing rate of 4.1. percent.” “We’ve accomplished an economic turnaround of historic … [Read more...]
Can the PTI initiate an Indo-Pak peace process?
With Imran Khan and Narenda Modi leading Pakistan and India, there is hope for the restoration of a formal peace process Will cricket legend Imran Khan’s ascension to power in Pakistan ease tensions between his homeland and India? Mr Khan, who took the oath to become Pakistan’s 22nd Prime Minister (PM) last week is immensely popular in cricket-crazy India. The rivalry between Pakistan and India is so strong, however, that even he may find it hard to repair the … [Read more...]
The USA: No More Poor?
Are there no more poor people in the United States of America? That’s what the following statement in the report, Expanding Work Requirements in Non-Cash Welfare Programs (Expanding Work Requirements Report), recently released by the White House Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) implies: “Based on historical standards of material well-being and the terms of engagement, our War on Poverty is largely over and a success.” Is that assertion correct? Have the … [Read more...]