Context: Plants express their needs through the release of aromatic chemicals. They emit fragrances for both attraction and protection. What is the significance of various fragrances emitted by the plants? For protection, a certain fragrance is released when a leaf is crushed or when someone walks on grass. This is sharp and green, called ‘green… Continue reading ‘Plants adapt by their fragrances — these enrich the environment and our lives
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
Veiled threats to privacy
Context: Cert-In recently issued a new directive making it mandatory for VPN service providers to keep user data for at least five years and share records with authorities when required. This new regulation threatens free speech and privacy. Contents1 What is a VPN?2 What are the different use cases of VPNs?3 How does a VPN… Continue reading Veiled threats to privacy
Gradual engagement – India should maintain with Afghanistan a policy of engagement rooted in realism
News: India has sent a multi-member team of senior diplomats to Afghanistan for the first time since the Indian Embassy in Kabul was evacuated in August 2021 following the arrival of the Taliban in the Afghan capital. The MEA has said that the visit is only to help coordinate India’s humanitarian assistance for the Afghanistan… Continue reading Gradual engagement – India should maintain with Afghanistan a policy of engagement rooted in realism
Control and delete
News: Recently, the Government has planned to set up a panel that can overturn content moderation decisions made by social media platforms. The idea has been proposed as an amendment to the IT Rules 2021. The IT Rules, 2021 will be amended to constitute one or more appellate committees which will have the final word… Continue reading Control and delete
New India needs free and quality higher education
News: New York University’s NYU Grossman School of Medicine has become the first major American medical school to announce that it will pay the tuition fees for all its students admitted in its MD programme, regardless of their financial needs, from the 2021–22 academic year. Contents1 The Nordic Model2 Importance of Free Education as learned… Continue reading New India needs free and quality higher education
Lessons from the Ukraine crisis price shock
News: The Russia-Ukraine conflict will cause major, long-term shifts in the global energy and commodity trade. Contents1 What are the driving factors behind the shift?2 Other reasons3 What does the future hold?4 Way Forward What are the driving factors behind the shift? At Present (1) The European nations & Other nations (due to western sanctions… Continue reading Lessons from the Ukraine crisis price shock
The dangerous intellectual fad of ‘civilisationism’
News: At present, the big nations are using civilisational rhetoric to rebrand the nations. The leadership from India, China, Russia, Turkey, and Iran have made statements that their countries are civilisations and not nation-states. In fact, the Russian President has stated that “Russia is not just a country, it’s really a separate civilisation”. It means… Continue reading The dangerous intellectual fad of ‘civilisationism’
Urban agriculture can help make cities sustainable and liveable
News: Recently, the Union finance minister wished to make India cities “centres of sustainable living with opportunities for all”. The FM argued for a paradigm shift in urban planning with announcement to set up a high-level committee to steer the required changes in urban policy, planning, capacity building and urban governance Contents1 What are the… Continue reading Urban agriculture can help make cities sustainable and liveable
Evaluating the arsenal
News: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Indian Army are assessing procurement of another 100-200 mobile SP howitzers. The additional 200 guns would equip 10 medium artillery regiments. Historical trends (1) Medieval Times In 1526, Babur defeated the Sultan of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodhi and won the First Battle of Panipat. Babur was able to… Continue reading Evaluating the arsenal
States should focus on the quality of public expenditure
News: States were guaranteed bi-monthly compensation for any loss of revenue in the first 5 years of GST implementation from 1 July 2017. The 5-year period will end on 30 June and there is a growing demand from many states to extend the GST compensation mechanism beyond that. Given this uncertainty over the extension of… Continue reading States should focus on the quality of public expenditure
