Professor Edgar Whitley, London School of Economics (LSE) spoke in TISS on the UID scheme proposed in India with biometric data. Prof. Whitley was the lead author of the LSE report that showed that a nation-wide biometric scheme would not be feasible, would have huge costs and create risks of identity thefts. The LSE Report contributed to the UK project being finally dropped. He examines the basis of such UID projects and questions their techno-economic viability, apart from their dangers for privacy. (Part 1 Lecture in TISS)

Professor Edgar Whitley, London School of Economics (LSE) spoke in TISS on the UID scheme proposed in India with biometric data. Prof. Whitley was the lead author of the LSE report that showed that a nation-wide biometric scheme would not be feasible, would have huge costs and create risks of identity thefts. The LSE Report contributed to the UK project being finally dropped. He examines the basis of such UID projects and questions their techno-economic viability, apart from their dangers for privacy. (Part 2, Questions and Answers)

Professor Samir Amin, one of the leading Marxist thinkers in the world today, speaks about the implosion of contemporary capitalism. He articulates the need for the radical left, in the North as well as the South, to be bold in formulating its political alternative to the existing system. It is time for the left to articulate a new socialist agenda, not merely as a repetition of the 20 century socialism, but recreating it in light of the lessons learned from the past and the changes we are seeing in the world today.

Prakash Karat, speaking in the Conference...discusses the challenges before theft in South Asia in promoting peace and a development agenda for the people. He also speaks on the need for the Left in India to take the initiative to bring together the Left in South Asia.

Parvez Hoodbhoy, the well-known physicist and peace activist from Pakistan argues that while physically, things might have improved as less attacks are taking place today from the militants, there is an accommodation by the Pakistani state of terror outfits and the militants. Once again, Pakistan's strategic needs -- in Afghanistan and elsewhere -- may be taking precedence over its domestic impreatives. The victims will be the minorities in Pakistan, not only Christians, Ahmediayas, Hindus, but also  the Shias, who number 20-30% of Pakistan's population.

Pakistani lawmaker and Senior PPP leader traces the ways in which hostility between India and Pakistan has been sharpened – from elusive visas and bureaucratic hurdles to dangerous nukes piling up on both sides of the border. Given this situation, what are some positive, two-way strategies to shape a safer subcontinent?

Perhaps for the first time since 1947, there is the real possibility of restructuring Indo Pak relations, says Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar. The neighbours see that an end to confrontation will mean valuable benefits to both. In Pakistan, there is recognition that confrontation with India only aggravates its internal problems; in India, there is recognition that confrontation with Pakistan is a threat to secularism, the core which holds the nation together. This is an exceptional moment in history, a moment that must be seized.

Danish interviews the two authors of the book on Dastangoi, published recently in both Urdu and in Devanagari script. He explores with the authors the motivation behind the book and the problems of bringing such a venture to a written form.

Professor Samir Amin discuses with Aijaz Ahmad on developments in Egypt over the last one year. Samir Amin details the correlation of forces in Egypt today and identifies the current phase as the beginning of a long period of democratic change with its ups and downs.