Market freefall
That Indian stock markets have been on a downward spiral with the BSE Midcap index down almost 15 per cent since the beginning of this year, while the BSE Smallcap index has fallen around 19 per cent, is a cause for concern.
A state of uncertainty that is now gripping global markets following the return of Donald Trump and his announcements on tariffs, taxes, and immigration, coupled with the slowdown of the Indian economy, rupee depreciation, and subdued corporate profitability, explains the current freefall in the stock markets.
The forthcoming second advance growth estimates of NSO (National Statistics Office), which is expected to provide clarity on the economic momentum of the country, will shape investor sentiments in the future.
M Jeyaram
Sholavandan (TN)
Steering Air India
This refers to a news report ‘Air India mulls installing modified seats to offer better experience’. Recently Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had a bad experience with now Tata owned Air India airlines and another BJP leader Jaiveer Shergill gave it the worst airlines tag.
Now Air India have had issues when it was run by the government. The Tatas were expected to bring in professionalism and change, but the airline still has a long way to go. So the Tatas need to take a holistic view of Air India’s operations to give passengers a better flying experience.
Bal Govind
Noida
Germany fractured
Apropos the Editorial ‘Germany’s transition’, (February 26), German voters have delivered a fragmented verdict, reflecting deep political shifts and divisions within the country.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured a historic second-place finish with 20.8 per cent, a sign of Germany’s political polarisation.
But, the results raise critical questions about the future of governance, coalition-building, and the broader implications for Europe. The AfD’s strong performance, particularly in eastern Germany where they secured 34 per cent of the vote, signals growing disenchantment with mainstream politics.
Their appeal among younger voters, bolstered by effective social media campaigns, suggests that Germany’s political landscape is undergoing a generational shift.
While the AfD remains politically isolated at the national level, its rising influence cannot be ignored.
N Sadhasiva Reddy
Bengaluru
