News: Recently, there have been comments that hunger in India has increased, based on the GHI 2021 report that showed a decline in India’s ranking to 101 from 95 in 2020. This article examines the question – how best to measure poverty? It also stresses that poverty based on consumption is still important and there… Continue reading Poverty, Wellbeing, Hunger: Where Do We Stand?
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
Can inequality be solved or is it a natural human state?
News: Recently, Oxfam revealed that India’s richest 10% had 45% of Indian wealth, while the bottom half had only 6%. This article says, even if inequality is a natural consequence, it is evil. There is no need to declare it as sacred. Also, money can never be the correct measure of inequality. Is inequality a… Continue reading Can inequality be solved or is it a natural human state?
False dichotomy: On merit versus reservation
News: Recently, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of extending reservation to OBCs in All India quota (AIQ) of seats in admission to undergraduate and postgraduate medical and dental courses. What is All India Quota? It is a quota that has been implemented since 1986. It is envisaged as a domicile-free quota to access medical… Continue reading False dichotomy: On merit versus reservation
Budgeting for the education emergency
News: Less resource allocation is seen in the education sector. What is the public resource allocation in the education sector? In the 2021-22 Budget, it was seen that the Centre’s allocation for the Education Department was slashed compared to the previous year. Delhi and eight major states reduced or just about maintained their budget allocation for… Continue reading Budgeting for the education emergency
Side by Side
News Indian government’s recent move to shift the Amar Jawan Jyoti from its location under India Gate to the National War Memorial (NWM) faced some protest. Why some people are regarding the current place as inappropriate? Read here. What are these arguments in favor of moving the flame to National war memorial? NWM houses the names of all the… Continue reading Side by Side
Centre’s move to rank states on pace of green clearances will spark unhealthy competition, dilute regulation
News Central government has recently put forth a proposal to rank state environment impact assessment authorities (SEIAA) according to the speed at which they issue environmental clearances. What are the concerns regarding the recent step? It undermines the role of regulatory oversight in environmental protection, which is recognised in several Supreme Court verdicts as one of the key… Continue reading Centre’s move to rank states on pace of green clearances will spark unhealthy competition, dilute regulation
Why India is unwilling to discuss forests at the international fora
News India at UNFCCC(COP 26) declined to join Deforestation declaration, this has been followed by India declining joining several such international platforms related to climate change. Apprehensions have been raised that the official reasons given for not joining these initiatives are not justified. Why India has not joined the Deforestation declaration? Read here. Consecutive Indian state… Continue reading Why India is unwilling to discuss forests at the international fora
Relocating the Amar Jawan Jyoti to National war memorial is logical, and beyond reproach
News Indian government’s recent move to shift the Amar Jawan Jyoti from its location under India Gate to the National War Memorial (NWM) has been seeing some protest. Some sections of the society are apprehensive that this may have some political aims. Why is the current place inappropriate? India Gate is a war memorial erected by the British, in 1921… Continue reading Relocating the Amar Jawan Jyoti to National war memorial is logical, and beyond reproach
Negotiating pitfalls: Are there basic lacunae in India’s practices?
News: India’s tactics of negotiations has not worked the way China’s tactics have worked. Hence, India needs to prepare ground by negotiating better deals. What is China’s tactic in negotiations? First, it accepts some principle but do nothing in practice or make a commitment with no intention of honoring. Second, it tries to provoke a… Continue reading Negotiating pitfalls: Are there basic lacunae in India’s practices?
Why India needs a single agency to guard its borders
News: The unending threats to Indian borders and recent developments call for a comprehensive review of border management to ensure the all-weather security. What are the current developments in border areas? One, China is trying to take over territory. For example, Doklam and Galwan crisis. The recent China’s Land Border Law (LBL) will enhance its… Continue reading Why India needs a single agency to guard its borders
