9 PM Current Affairs Brief – October 18, 2017

Gone girl:  SC verdict on child marriage makes a break with cultural norms. Now, back it with policy to restore childhoods. Context: The recent Supreme Court verdict provides short term relief to the female victims of early marriage. What is the verdict? The verdict says that a man who has sex with a wife less… Continue reading Gone girl: 

Making the Internet disappear:  Context Courts must take into account the exceptional character of Net shutdowns and their impact on civil liberties What does the law states? The High Court of Gujarat set the precedent by invoking Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to uphold an Internet shutdown. Section 144, which has… Continue reading Making the Internet disappear: 

U.S. ploy against Iran: envoy:  Context Iranian Ambassador Gholamreza Ansari accuses the U.S. of trying to ensure that India reduced oil imports from his country. Some facts India has cut its oil imports from Iran by approximately 20% in 2017, though its global imports have risen by 5.4%.  to “diversify” its imports so as to… Continue reading U.S. ploy against Iran: envoy: 

The right balance:  Context: The Supreme Court’s observation that there is a need to balance human rights with national interest in the Rohingya case, and that there is a case for   “holistic” hearings, is most welcome. Introduction India ought to engage Myanmar on the Rohingya crisis; expelling refugees will diminish its stature on the global… Continue reading The right balance: 

Possibilities amidst flux in South Asia:  Context The new South Asia policy of US towards Pakistan might be more apparent than real Indo-Afghanistan Cooperation: Areas of Cooperation: Economic Cooperation: India is the second largest destination for Afghanistan exports. Afghanistan possess many minerals like gold, iron, copper etc. Indian companies have invested in its mining sector… Continue reading Possibilities amidst flux in South Asia: 

Rohingya crisis worse than Syria’s, says UN:  Context: In the case of Rohingya, a balance has to be struck between national interest and human rights as the issue involved national security, economic interests and humanity. Who are the Rohingyas? The Rohingya are an ethnic Muslim minority group living primarily in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state. They… Continue reading Rohingya crisis worse than Syria’s, says UN: 

Sawfish more threatened than tigers: Context: Today, the sawfish is seen to have a population of less than 10 times in over a decade and they appear to be more threatened than tigers and elephants. What are Sawfishes? Sawfishes, also known as carpenter sharks. The sawfish’s most distinctive feature is the saw-like rostrum, covered with… Continue reading Sawfish more threatened than tigers:

Retrench India’s farm economy to sustain it:  Context: Improving farmer efficiency and productivity requires a second level of reforms aimed at inputs. Introduction: In 2007-08, Madhya Pradesh government announced a bonus of Rs150 above the minimum support price (MSP) per quintal of wheat. A large segment of farmers in the state shifted to the crop.… Continue reading Retrench India’s farm economy to sustain it: