News: The United Nations Special Envoy for Food Systems Summit, has called for an unprecedented focus on food systems — food and agriculture — by ensuring that COP27 (in Egypt) has a dedicated focus on this. There is a need to reimagine our food systems, which requires us to look at food systems through the… Continue reading COP27, in Egypt, must focus on food systems
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
‘More women than men’ an overestimate, say experts; demand further evidence
News: The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data shows that there are 1,020 women for every 1,000 men in India. But experts question the validity of data. Must read: NFHS-5 and its findings – Explained, pointwise What are the expert’s opinions? Firstly, the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), an autonomous organisation of the… Continue reading ‘More women than men’ an overestimate, say experts; demand further evidence
Issue of Bail: Relief to Sudha Bharadwaj is welcome. Prolonged imprisonment of other Bhima Koregaon accused must also be questioned
News: Bombay High Court granted bail to lawyer-activist Sudha Bharadwaj, an accused in the Elgar Parishad case. Reasons behind the delay in bail, and what is the High Court’s observation on it? Under the Bhima Koregaon/Elgar Parishad case, the state opposed all bail pleas of the accused, even if some of them were ailing. Even the Bombay… Continue reading Issue of Bail: Relief to Sudha Bharadwaj is welcome. Prolonged imprisonment of other Bhima Koregaon accused must also be questioned
National Family Benefit Scheme is in urgent need of revival
News: The National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), which is meant to help the survivors in difficult circumstances, is losing its purpose now. About National Family Benefit Scheme 1) Launched in 1995 under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). 2) Restricted to BPL families. 3) Rs. 20000 will be given as a lump sum assistance to… Continue reading National Family Benefit Scheme is in urgent need of revival
Challenges in NIRF: Recast this apples-and-oranges ranking method
News: Ranking of state-run Higher Education Institutes (HEI) with centrally funded institutes (CFI) like IIT’s under the National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) is not a good step. What is National Institution Ranking Framework? Read here: National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Why it is not a good step to rank both state-run HEI and CFI altogether? Allocation of… Continue reading Challenges in NIRF: Recast this apples-and-oranges ranking method
The tech holes that ensure that crypto can never be effectively banned
News: Experts have stated that it is not possible to enforce an effective ban on cryptocurrency in a foolproof manner. Why banning Cryptocurrency is not possible? Peer to Peer networks: Users can always transact using peer-to-peer networks. This is exactly what happened in India post RBI’s restrictions on Indian banks in 2018. Defi platforms: Users… Continue reading The tech holes that ensure that crypto can never be effectively banned
Human trafficking survivors identify gaps in draft Bill, seek community-based rehab
News: Indian Leadership Forum Against Trafficking (ILFAT), a forum set up in 2019 by trafficking survivors, has written to the Ministry of Women and Child Development to identify gaps in the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) draft Bill 2021, which is about to table in the Parliament. What are the changes demanded by the survivors?… Continue reading Human trafficking survivors identify gaps in draft Bill, seek community-based rehab
There’s a clear-eyed vision behind China’s maritime build-up
News: American surprise over a secret Chinese military base in the UAE port of Khalifa is unwarranted. About China’s maritime plan China in 2019 released Defence White Paper (DWP), declares overseas interests as a crucial part of China’s national interests. To address deficiencies in overseas operations and support, China builds far seas forces, develops overseas logistical… Continue reading There’s a clear-eyed vision behind China’s maritime build-up
What the latest NFHS data says about the New Welfarism
News: Recently released National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) shows remarkable improvement in New Welfarism. Must read: NFHS-5 and its findings – Explained, pointwise What is New Welfarism? According to the authors, New Welfarism does not prioritise the supply of public goods such as basic health and primary education as governments have done around the world historically. Instead,… Continue reading What the latest NFHS data says about the New Welfarism
Should the state stop focusing on population control?
News: Recent NFHS-5 data revealed that India’s Total Fertility Rate has declined to 2 from 2.2 of NFHS-4. Read here: NFHS-5 and its findings – Explained, pointwise Contents1 What factors have helped India bring down the Total Fertility Rate?2 Why the decline in TFR does not signal population stabilization?3 Should India adopt coercive population control measures?4… Continue reading Should the state stop focusing on population control?
