Context: Food shortages are beginning to cast a shadow over the world. One long-term factor is the warming of our planet, which has slowly destroyed agricultural land. But the proximate cause of the greatest concern is the war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Black Sea blockade is preventing Ukrainian grain and fertilizers from leaving the port… Continue reading Global food shortages demand an international-level solution
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
Another sanctions package
News: The European Union’s (EU’s) announcement of a joint decision to phase out imports of Russian crude oil has, together with some other developments, shaken up oil markets. This is the sixth such package of sanctions on entities linked to the Russian Federation by the countries of the EU. Earlier sanctions have benefitted India, but… Continue reading Another sanctions package
India’s EV ambition rides on three wheels
Context: Three-wheeler EVs have come to dominate the EV landscape in India. Given the success of e-three-wheelers, it is worth taking a closer look at their dominant position, how they got here, and what India’s EV policy can do to sustain their success and extend it to the other categories. Contents1 Domination of three-wheelers in… Continue reading India’s EV ambition rides on three wheels
Opinion: How trade can boost India’s growth
News: India’s exports have reached $418 billion in FY 2021-22. These figures have surpassed the pre-pandemic level of $331 billion in FY 2018-19. Status of India’s Exports National – Total merchandise trade, including imports of $610 billion, amounts to $1.28 trillion for FY 2021-22. Contents1 State-wise statistics2 What were the driving forces?3 Importance of India’s… Continue reading Opinion: How trade can boost India’s growth
Guns and status: VIP security cover is a system that’s lost its moorings from professional threat assessment
Context: Singer and Punjab Congress politician Sidhu Moose Wala was murdered a day after his security cover was reduced. It has raised questions over the system of providing security to the VIPs. As per data from the Bureau of Police Research and Development, more than 66,000 police personnel were providing protection to more than 19,000… Continue reading Guns and status: VIP security cover is a system that’s lost its moorings from professional threat assessment
Not by autonomy alone
News: Recently, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other political leaders have demanded for making agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) more autonomous. This has also raised questions on the poor state of state police forces. Contents1 What are the issues in the State Police forces?2 Way Forward3 Short-term4 Long-Term solutions What… Continue reading Not by autonomy alone
Is it time for India to go for competitiveness legislation?
News: Recently, Cuts International, Institute for Competitiveness and Institute for Studies in Industrial Development published a white paper on ‘Improving India’s Competitiveness for Inclusive Economic Growth’. It discussed some of the pillars for improving and sustaining India’s competitiveness. What are the economic reforms discussed? It includes digital growth, trade policy reforms and a mix of… Continue reading Is it time for India to go for competitiveness legislation?
How trade deals can take our beverages to global markets
News: Recently a study titled ‘Contribution of Non-alcoholic Beverage Sector to Indian Economic Growth & Atmanirbhar Bharat’ was released. Contents1 Findings of the study2 What are the challenges?3 Importance of the sector4 Way Forward Findings of the study The beverage processing in the country is low. India’s 19th rank in terms of revenue in 2019… Continue reading How trade deals can take our beverages to global markets
Questioning the safety of Aadhaar
News: Two days after issuing an advisory asking people to refrain from sharing photocopies of their Aadhaar Card, the Unique Identification Development Authority of India (UIDAI) has opted to withdraw the notification. It stated that the action was to avert any possibility of ‘misinterpretation’ of the (withdrawn) press release, asking people to exercise “normal prudence”… Continue reading Questioning the safety of Aadhaar
A judicial course that calls for introspection
News: Recently, the Supreme Court of India ordered the release of A.G. Perarivalan, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. About the Case The Governor had not taken a decision on the recommendation of remission by the State Cabinet for a long time. After sitting over the recommendation for more than two years, the… Continue reading A judicial course that calls for introspection
