Context: Even today, the Indian government and civil society continue to grapple with the inhuman nature of manual scavenging. While in 1993, the government promulgated an Act to stop construction of unsanitary dry latrines and employing manual scavengers, the problem still continues. Issues with the Act: Problematic descriptions: The act defined dry latrine as “latrine… Continue reading The manacles of caste in sanitation work
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
Big headache: Minor offences majorly clog courts and harass individuals and businesses. Decriminalise them
News: The GoI has given a renewed push to decriminalize minor offenses. It has the potential to clog courts, promote ease of doing business and relieve citizens fighting criminal cases for non-serious violations. Example – In 2020 provisions of the Companies Act were decriminalized. Examples of laws causing high pendency: Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments… Continue reading Big headache: Minor offences majorly clog courts and harass individuals and businesses. Decriminalise them
Time to revisit the IIM Act
News: Recently, IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) witnessed a lot of turbulence over changes in the logo. Other IIMs in the country also witnessed disturbances over a variety of issues. This has raised questions over governance in the premier management institution of India. What changes have been introduced by the IIM Act 2017? The Act has given… Continue reading Time to revisit the IIM Act
BRICS and the creation of a multipolar world
News: The Russia-Ukraine conflict has brought BRICS grouping at the centre of discussion due to multiple reasons. The RIC controls 22% of the global GDP, and it accounts for 16% of global exports of goods and services. Therefore, the current crisis may consolidate BRICS, especially RIC. It has the potential to become a real alternative… Continue reading BRICS and the creation of a multipolar world
Is India’s position on Russia affecting its relationship with the U.S.?
News: Recently, India’s neutral position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has antagonised the U.S. In fact, the U.S. has issued a warning against conducting local currency transactions through Russia’s central bank or constructing an alternative payment mechanism that subverts or circumvents the U.S.’s sanctions against Russia. What are the issues with India’s neutral stand on… Continue reading Is India’s position on Russia affecting its relationship with the U.S.?
Ukraine and the anatomy of India’s neutrality
News: Recently, India has chosen a non-condemnatory approach and abstention approach in the United Nations (UNs) forum on the Ukraine-Russia conflict. India’s stand has pushed India at the centre of the debate in the international community. Contents1 What has been the nature of India’s foreign policy?2 Why do the western countries want India to embrace… Continue reading Ukraine and the anatomy of India’s neutrality
Explained: Indonesia’s palm oil crisis, and its implications for India
News: The world’s largest producer and exporter of palm oil, Indonesia, is facing domestic shortages, leading to price controls and export curbs. What explains this situation, and what are the implications for India? What is the present situation wrt palm oil in Indonesia? Indonesia has witnessed the domestic prices of branded cooking oil spiral, between… Continue reading Explained: Indonesia’s palm oil crisis, and its implications for India
Export Opportunity
News: Union Commerce and Food Minister Piyush Goyal’s stated optimism about India’s wheat exports scaling a new high in FY23, though his projection of the volume of likely shipments being around 10 million tonnes seems rather modest. What are the new opportunities for Indian exports? Russia-Ukraine war: Russia and Ukraine together normally account for 25-30%… Continue reading Export Opportunity
Up & Up: Airports, Pilots, Passengers, Cargo, Drones
News: Recently, India has opened its airspace for international travel for the first time since the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020 after a period of two-year. The sector is going to witness rebound due to easing in the covid-led disruptions, and simultaneously, due to important reform measures undertaken by the government. What are the expected… Continue reading Up & Up: Airports, Pilots, Passengers, Cargo, Drones
What latest climate report says: No time to waste, but world is not out of options yet
News: Working group III of the IPCC has released the third and final instalment of the AR6. The report cautions that to have any chance of restricting global temperature rise to 1.5-2oC from pre-industrial levels, the world must act now. It emphasises that strengthening of climate action to keep alive the 1.5 degree target was… Continue reading What latest climate report says: No time to waste, but world is not out of options yet
