Date: 31st March
Absolutely ‘Fine’ or Drastically Falling?: For India’s Finance Minister, Rupee’s Historic Fall Is Business As Usual
The Fact: The rupee briefly touched ₹95 against the U.S. dollar on Monday, amid ongoing global oil disruptions in West Asia due to an escalatory conflict. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, meanwhile, told Parliament that the rupee is “absolutely doing fine,” asserting that India's currency as well as its economy are performing decently, if one compares it to other markets in the world.
The Context: Sitharaman's assertion about the rupee was met with loud uproar in Parliament from the opposition. On the internet, too, many users said the FM is taking a rather "delusional" approach instead of taking accountability. The rupee has declined around 11% in FY 2025–26. Reports also say that it is one of Asia’s worst-performing currencies, and this was its steepest annual fall in over a decade.
The Peek Insight: This is not the first time the BJP government has dismissed real concerns as false. Ever since the West Asia conflict began, statements from the Union Ministers have often appeared disconnected from the ground reality. Whether it is about the availability of LPG cylinders or, in this case, the rupee. On one hand, long queues for gas cylinders - covered by our Ground Reports - tell a very different story. Similarly, the falling value of the rupee is visible to everyone. Yet, instead of acknowledging the fact, the government continues to brush them aside as opposition-driven misinformation.
Trump’s War Enters Its Second Month, Who’s Actually Paying the Price?
The Fact: The US-Israel and Iran war has now entered its second month, with its ripple effect being felt by multiple countries. Apart from US-allied Gulf nations, other parts of the world are severely affected due to the disruptions of global oil imports, aviation networks, financial markets, and the deaths of many civilians. The war has claimed over 4,800 lives across regions. The unofficial toll is likely higher.
The Context: Iran's major retaliation, apart from attacking the Gulf countries, has been its stringent control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz, which is responsible for one-fifth of the global oil supply. Due to the stoppage, Brent crude has surged close to $120. At the same time, over 30,000 flights have been cancelled, with airfare rising astronomically high. India, too, has been suffering as the rupee briefly touched the ₹95/$ mark.
The Peek Insight: While the war bears the name of just three countries, it is quite obvious at this point that the consequences of the conflict are being faced by almost the entire world. What is more telling is how wars in today's time are not just fought on battlefields but through strategic targets like breaking the supply chain of critical materials, raising fuel prices, torpedoing financial systems, and now targeting educational institutions. With Donald Trump releasing a new statement every passing hour on his Truth Social account, it remains unknown which direction the war will now take. Ideally, with mounting pressure from the world as well as his own citizens, it might be time for Trump to sign a peace deal with the Islamic Republic. Nevertheless, even if the war slows down tomorrow, its consequences will be felt for a long time.
West Asia War Reaches Its Peak With New Low: Educational Campuses Now On Target
The Fact: After the US's alleged attack on two Iranian universities, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) has warned that they will attack U.S.-linked university campuses in West Asia if Washington does not accept and condemn these strikes.
The Context: The IRGC issued a deadline that demanded an official U.S. condemnation by March 30. At the same time, it also advised students and professors to stay at least one kilometer away from the American university campuses in the region, which are the potential targets. Several prominent U.S.-affiliated institutions operate in the region. These include the New York University in Abu Dhabi, and the Texas A&M University and Georgetown University in Qatar. The reason behind the Islamic Republic's ultimatum could be the United States’ continuous attacks on civilian-populated areas. Earlier, too, US-Israeli strikes had attacked a school in Minab that led to the death of more than 150 school girls. Back then, the US denied responsibility for the attack, even though several reports, including its own military investigation, pointed elsewhere.
The Peek Insight: By threatening university campuses, the conflict is expanding into spaces that are considered off-limits under UN norms and the Geneva Conventions. The U.S. and Israel have already been accused of similar actions before, like Israeli attacks on civilian areas in Lebanon and Gaza. And now, if Iran follows suit, even retaliatory, the conflict could take a far more dangerous turn. The lines between military and civilian targets are slowly getting blurred, and the entire West Asian region is being pushed towards a deeper crisis. This is precisely the moment when all sides must show restraint, and at the same time, other nations must also step forward immediately to urge de-escalation.
What Are We Feeding Our Children? India's Mid-Day Meal Crisis Exposed With Coimbatore Case
The Fact: In Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore, 43 children from a government school fell ill after consuming a mid-day meal that reportedly had a dead lizard. The incident was confirmed by the municipal authorities, and the children had to be rushed to the hospital for immediate treatment.
The Context: The Mid-Day Meal scheme was launched almost three decades ago to improve nutrition as well as school attendance among children who come from Economically Weaker Sections. It remains one of India's largest welfare programs. Yet with case after case of lizards and dead snakes in meals making students sick, questions over hygiene and monitoring are left without any accountability
The Peek Insight: Every time such "accidents" happen, they are treated as a one-off failure. Despite multiple inspections, suspensions, and promises, India's mid-day-meal scheme has become a threat to many students’ lives. When the state introduces such schemes for welfare’, but instead they end up harming their recipients, it raises a fundamental question about the value our lives hold in the state's eyes.
Choco-loot: 4 Lakh Bars Of Kit Kat Go Missing In Massive Easter Robbery
The Fact: A shipment of over 4,13,000 KitKat chocolate bars was stolen as it was in transit across Europe. The consignment, which weighed nearly 12 tonnes, disappeared with no sight as it was being transported from Italy to Poland. Nestlé has launched an investigation and is taking the help of local authorities and barcodes on the wrappers to track the chocolates.
The Context: This one-of-a-kind theft happened just days ahead of Easter, which is one of the busiest seasons for chocolate sales in Europe. What makes this incident part of a bigger trend is how cargo theft has been rising sharply across the continent. Over 50,000 similar cases were reported in 2023 with losses touching almost $10 billion.
The Peek Insight: Even though Nestlé has suffered a massive loss, the way the company handled the entire situation is a mark of great marketing. Despite losing lakhs worth of products right before peak season, the brand didn’t forget to lean into its iconic “Have a break” messaging.
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