Author: ForumIAS

The diagnostic lens  Context A paper in the Indian journal Current Science suggests an unexpected cause for the inflammatory brain disease — encephalitis — found in Malkangiri district of Odisha. It’s time doctors updated their understanding of encephalitis For many years, this recurring outbreak, which killed over 100 children last year, was thought to be due to… Continue reading The diagnostic lens 

Kabul- mumbai cargo service on  Context India and Afghanistan on Wednesday launched an air freight corridor service connecting Kabul with Mumbai. Afghan Vice-President Sarwar Danish flagged off the first flight of the dedicated service from Kabul, six months after a similar corridor connected the city with Delhi. Real, unimpeded connectivity for Afghan traders, says India envoy… Continue reading Kabul- mumbai cargo service on 

Israel takes India’s vote in its stride  Context Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to India in a fortnight will focus on taking cooperation on “the double-T’s” of Technology, including on agriculture and water conservation and on (Counter) Terrorism to the “next level”, according to officials familiar with the planning of the visit. Coming visit… Continue reading Israel takes India’s vote in its stride 

We are aware of Chinas maritime ambitions: India  Context The Centre on Wednesday informed the Lok Sabha that it was aware of China’s ambition to emerge as a “maritime power” and indicated that India maintained a “close watch” on all developments that threatened its security. Says it is always on the lookout for any threat… Continue reading We are aware of Chinas maritime ambitions: India 

Securing net neutrality  Context Net neutrality is at the core of an open Internet that does not allow for content discrimination by ISPs. Activists in India need to be on guard to prevent any emulation of the U.S. government’s decision here In less than a year, the Donald Trump presidency in the U.S. has administered… Continue reading Securing net neutrality 

Out at sea  Context India should remain a balancing power, and anchored in the Indian Ocean India’s emergence recognised in the NSS In its National Security Strategy (NSS), the U.S. has called China a “challenger” and “rival” while welcoming India’s emergence as a “leading global power and stronger strategic and defence partner”, and declared that… Continue reading Out at sea 

Unseemly spat  Context India and Pakistan must step back from the accusatory exchange over the Jadhav reunion Further Deterioration The meeting in Islamabad between former naval commander Kulbhushan Jadhav and his family should have been a sign that India and Pakistan are able to adhere to internationally accepted norms in dealing with officers accused of espionage Instead,… Continue reading Unseemly spat 

Interceptor missile successfully tested  Context Testing of missiles What has happened? India on Thursday successfully test-fired an Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor missile, capable of destroying enemy ballistic missiles at low altitude, from a test range in Odisha Backdrop The missile is being developed as part the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system and it was… Continue reading Interceptor missile successfully tested 

Growing forests  Context A scientific national plan to expand good green cover is absolutely essential Author’s contention Author states that the disclosure in Parliament that the Centre is not ready with the rules to implement the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 demonstrates that the government’s resolve to meet a variety of environmental objectives, including major commitments under… Continue reading Growing forests 

‘Bitcoin too small in India to be regulated’  Context Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies will see increasing use in India, according to industry players, who say that, right now, the sector is too small to be regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or Finance Ministry Price volatility Bitcoin companies also say that volatility in… Continue reading ‘Bitcoin too small in India to be regulated’