The economy is a fickle beast. Exactly a year ago, the rupee, having experienced a prolonged appreciating spree, had reached as high as 63.5 to a dollar. At the time, quite a few commentators wondered aloud if the Indian currency was overvalued and whether was a moderation was necessary.

The trend of the rupee has entirely flipped this year. It has almost slipped 10 per cent since January, closing below the psychological 70-mark this month for the first time in history. Now, a wave of concern has swept the economy on the possible drawbacks from a depreciating currency.

Indian Railways recorded all time high Operating Ratio of 111.51 per cent during the first four months of the current financial year ending July 30, 2018. This means the railways spent rupees 111.51 to earn rupees one hundred during the period, making the behemoth public transporter financially most unviable. This reflects shortfall in the estimated passenger and freight traffic targets with higher outgo of working expenditure including pension payout.

पहली तस्वीर, दुनिया में बाढ़ से होने वाली मौतों में 20 फीसदी भारत में होती है। विश्व बैंक ने भी इसे कबूलते हुए चिंता बढ़ा दी है। इससे वर्ष 2050 तक भारत की आधी आबादी के रहन-सहन के स्तर में और गिरावट होगी।