This week's issue of The Week, published from a port city, focuses on India's ambitions in the maritime sector, featuring an interview with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal who highlights the industry's potential for job creation and India's status as a leading seafarer supplier, complemented by strategic insights from former naval chiefs. The publication also explores the economic threat posed by monsoon anomalies, according to a meteorological expert, and delves into the Confederation of Indian Industry president's call for vocational training and improved per capita income. Additionally, the World Cup coverage continues with a piece on fan parks and reflections on the emotional and controversial aspects of recent matches, including a debate on refereeing decisions and the role of technology in sports.

This week's issue of The Week, published from a port city, focuses on India's ambitions in the maritime sector, featuring an interview with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal who highlights the industry's potential for job creation and India's status as a leading seafarer supplier, complemented by strategic insights from former naval chiefs. The publication also explores the economic threat posed by monsoon anomalies, according to a meteorological expert, and delves into the Confederation of Indian Industry president's call for vocational training and improved per capita income. Additionally, the World Cup coverage continues with a piece on fan parks and reflections on the emotional and controversial aspects of recent matches, including a debate on refereeing decisions and the role of technology in sports.

This week's issue of The Week, published from a port city, focuses on India's ambitions in the maritime sector, featuring an interview with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal who highlights the industry's potential for job creation and India's status as a leading seafarer supplier, complemented by strategic insights from former naval chiefs. The publication also explores the economic threat posed by monsoon anomalies, according to a meteorological expert, and delves into the Confederation of Indian Industry president's call for vocational training and improved per capita income. Additionally, the World Cup coverage continues with a piece on fan parks and reflections on the emotional and controversial aspects of recent matches, including a debate on refereeing decisions and the role of technology in sports.

THE WEEK WAS BORN in and is published from a port city, within walking distance from South Tanker Jetty, which receives oil and other liquid cargo for Cochin Port. So, when the maritime sector became one of the focus areas of our website, theweek.in, the editorial journey literally came full circle. This week’s cover story is an extension of that thrust—highlighting India’s efforts to become a world leader in the maritime sector.

Senior Assistant Editor Sanjib Kr Baruah wrote the cover story, and interviewed Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who handles the vast portfolio of ports, shipping and waterways. The minister’s portfolio literally sits at the intersection of multiple ministries, straddling national security, economic growth, connectivity and climate resilience. Sonowal said the sector had the potential to become one of India’s largest employers. India is already among the three largest suppliers of seafarers worldwide.

Guest columns by Admiral Karambir Singh, former chief of naval staff, and Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, former commander-in-chief of the Eastern Naval Command, bring in the strategic angles of the cover.

From blue water, we come to the fickle weather and its impact on the Indian economy. Chief of Bureau (Chennai) Lakshmi Subramanian interviewed Sivananda Damodara Pai, head, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai. He points out that monsoon anomalies pose the biggest threat to Central India, which will force us to rethink cropping, irrigation and infrastructure.

Senior Assistant Editor K. Sunil Thomas interviewed R. Mukundan, CEO of Tata Chemicals, in his role as the president of the Confederation of Indian Industry. Mukundan stressed the need for vocational education and upskilling, and the need to improve per capita income figures alongside GDP numbers.

Our World Cup coverage continues, with Malayala Manorama Coordinating Editor Antony John writing from the US on fan parks. He beautifully blends the experience of food, music, and camaraderie to bring you a tempting taste of these places.

If you find a lost wallet at a concert, what do you do? You turn it into Lost and Found. What if it happened in a fan park? You chant about it, making the place ring until the chant finds the wallet’s owner.

I am writing this fresh from the Argentina vs Egypt game, which has evoked sentiments worldwide, stronger than anything I have seen in any sport in recent times. The Belgium vs USA game before that was literally USA vs The World. Ever since USA striker Folarin Balogun’s red card was wiped clean without acceptable explanations, the footballing world just wanted the USA to lose.

Argentina finds itself in the same position. Is it logical? No. Fair? No. Not fair to Egypt either, I would say. But then that is sport. And especially so when they are contact sports. Without the emotions and the heartbreak, it would not be football.

Former French superstar Thierry Henry had this to say about the ARG vs EGP match: “Football can be won through moments of genius or through disputed calls, and right now the refereeing decisions will be talked about just as much as the action on the field.”

I think François Letexier’s refereeing is receiving more attention than the game itself. So, what has technology done then, if it has not brought in more transparency? The bitter battle being fought on social media speaks volumes about the eroding trust in the beautiful game.

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