News: In her budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to natural, chemical-free, organic, and zero-budget farming. On the lines to develop chemical-free farming, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, has been given a larger allocation of Rs 10,433 crore. In this context, eight suggestions are given by experts to scale up chemical-free farming.… Continue reading A roadmap for India’s natural farming ambitions
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
A reductionist approach – On health sector
News: For a long, Government has focused on a reductionist approach of private-level interventions, ignoring social determinants of health. How did this problem arise? In the previous decade, Government’s focus remained on maternal and child health and infectious diseases. After this, focus moved to non-communicable diseases (NCD) and chronic illness. This led to individualistic and… Continue reading A reductionist approach – On health sector
Drafting a new Constitution is impossible
News: Chief Minister of Telangana said that the governments at the Centre over the years have been suppressing the powers of the State, so there is a need for a new Constitution. Why the demand for drafting a new constitution is not feasible? First, Dr. Ambedkar was originally elected from the Bengal assembly, which went to Pakistan… Continue reading Drafting a new Constitution is impossible
New Delhi’s stance on Europe’s crisis is just about right
News: At the Munich Security Conference recently, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar was asked why India keeps pointing fingers at China’s violation of the sovereignty of smaller states while not condemning Russia’s incursions into Ukraine. Western officials have sought to rope India in as part of a unified worldwide opposition to Russia’s incursions into Ukraine. But… Continue reading New Delhi’s stance on Europe’s crisis is just about right
Flashpoint Ukraine
News: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and possible sanctions by US will impact India adversely. What are the probable adverse impacts on India? Inflationary impact: the significant upward pressures on oil prices, exacerbated by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ recent unwillingness to raise output. It will accentuate inflationary impulses and increase risks for the… Continue reading Flashpoint Ukraine
The Budget lacks the ‘power’ to transform services
Relevance: Understanding the need for energy for the improvement of the health and education sector. News: Budget 2022-23 demonstrates a clear intent to prioritise investments in clean energy and sustainable development, in line with the country’s promises made at COP26 in Glasgow last year. What does the budget proposed for the health and education sector? Health sector:… Continue reading The Budget lacks the ‘power’ to transform services
Is the time right for India to get a third aircraft carrier?
News: The idea of buying a third aircraft carrier may have to be delayed due to the current economic situation. There is a broad consensus in the strategic community on the Indian Navy having two aircraft carriers, one for each of the two seaboards. There also exists a broad consensus on acquiring the third carrier… Continue reading Is the time right for India to get a third aircraft carrier?
India risks being left out of TRIPS waiver
News: India, with South Africa, proposed to waive key provisions of the TRIPS agreement on Covid-19 vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, and related technologies. Developed countries attempt at limiting the waiver to vaccines alone, leaving out diagnostics and therapeutics and excluding India. Read here: US Support to TRIPS Waiver – Challenges Ahead What are Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual… Continue reading India risks being left out of TRIPS waiver
Barring students from studying Indian history or culture in foreign universities speaks of prickliness and prejudice
News: Under the new government guidelines, courses concerning Indian Culture, History, and Social Studies in foreign universities shall not be covered under National Overseas Scholarship (NOS). What the new guidelines are not justified? – It will shrink the student opportunities, and put a ceiling on their academic ambitions. – Government should not decide on what students… Continue reading Barring students from studying Indian history or culture in foreign universities speaks of prickliness and prejudice
A new measure of inflation is brewing on the horizon
News: A radical shift in paradigm with respect to the calculation of the Consumer price index has recently been initiated in the United Kingdom, by the British journalist, cookbook author, and anti-poverty campaigner, Jack Monroe. The “Vimes Boots Index” as the name of a price index, she planned to document inflation in prices of basic… Continue reading A new measure of inflation is brewing on the horizon
