News: Govt has announced that India’s merchandise exports have already surpassed the target set for this fiscal year, with overseas shipments crossing a record $400 billion mark by March 21. Contents1 Why is this news significant? 2 Which sectors have performed well? 3 What are some challenges that need to be addressed? 4 What is the way forward? … Continue reading Heartening milestone: On India’s overseas shipping record
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
Forging a social contract for data
News: In February 2022, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) released the Data India Data Accessibility and Use Policy 2022 (or Draft Policy) for public consultation. What are the aims of the draft policy? It will help in overcoming a number of historical bottlenecks: (1) slow progress on the Open Government Data (OGD)… Continue reading Forging a social contract for data
India’s complex position on Islamophobia
News: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a consensus resolution declaring March 15 to be celebrated as “International Day to Combat Islamophobia” annually. Contents1 What is Islamophobia? 2 Who Introduced the resolution and for what purpose?3 What was the stand by various countries and organizations?4 What is the way forward? What is Islamophobia? It refers to… Continue reading India’s complex position on Islamophobia
A good foreign policy must also make a difference at home
News: India’s foreign policy is at the centre of debate due to ongoing geopolitical issues like the treatment of Indian students from the conflict-ridden Ukraine. What are the ingredients of a good foreign policy? A good foreign policy does not necessarily have to sound nice. It must be able to meet the everyday needs of… Continue reading A good foreign policy must also make a difference at home
3 in 1: New Bill silent on Corpn funding
News: The central government introduced the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, in the Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to merge the three municipal corporations of Delhi into a single entity. What is the rationale behind the bill? The 2011 Trifurcation of the erstwhile Municipal Corporation of Delhi was uneven in terms of territorial divisions… Continue reading 3 in 1: New Bill silent on Corpn funding
Food processing potential
News: Food processing sector has performed impressively in the past few years on the back of govt support. Even in times of the pandemic, this sector has grown due to the inc in demand for ready-to-consume and home-deliverable foods. But, it still has a huge untapped potential. The article throws light on the current situation… Continue reading Food processing potential
On boosting exports: Beyond $400 billion
News: Recently, there has been an export boom in the international market. Therefore, India has fixed a goal of attaining the $400 billion target for the current fiscal year. Contents1 What are the factors driving India’s exports?2 Why global economy is expected to slow down? 3 How India’s policies may obstruct its export growth?4 What is… Continue reading On boosting exports: Beyond $400 billion
The effect of farm sector changes on agrarian movements in India
News: In recently-concluded state elections, the farmer’s movement and the repeal of the three farm laws that passed in 2020 were referred to during the political discourse in some parts of the electoral landscape. In Punjab, a group of farm protestors who contested elections failed to register their presence. In Uttar Pradesh, the agitation failed… Continue reading The effect of farm sector changes on agrarian movements in India
Technology can make policing better — and also more dangerous
News: On March 11, the NCRB Foundation Day, the union home minister said that the second phase of the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) Project is going to be completed by the year 2026. Features & advantages of ICJS The system will include artificial intelligence, fingerprint systems and other tools of predictive policing. For example,… Continue reading Technology can make policing better — and also more dangerous
The worsening hunger problem of India’s poor
Context: In October 2020, The Right to Food Campaign conducted a Hunger Watch Survey (HW-1) to analyze the effect of lockdown. Covering close to 4,000 people in 11 states, the survey highlighted the extent of widespread hunger and a deterioration in the quality of diets compared to the pre-pandemic period. The second round of the Hunger… Continue reading The worsening hunger problem of India’s poor
