Author: ForumIAS

SAARC can learn from ASEAN experience Context ASEAN has achieved the same level of peace and prosperity without going to war, as the Europeans did. At the same time there is no other region on Planet Earth that is so diverse. Kishore Mahbubani’s latest book The ASEAN miracle advocates a Nobel peace prize for the regional grouping.… Continue reading SAARC can learn from ASEAN experience

Infrastructure is an issue for Asean, India Context Infrastructure and connectivity are among the major challenges facing India and Asean-member countries that are looking to further boost trade ties, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry C.R. Chaudhary said on Tuesday. Trilateral highway In the works are construction of a trilateral highway — India-Myanmar-Thailand —… Continue reading Infrastructure is an issue for Asean, India

Japan for greater ties with India in food processing Context Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu on Tuesday said there was plenty of room to expand India-Japan ties, especially in  food processing, urban development, environment and sanitation as well as medicine. However, he wanted the Indian government to address the concerns of Japanese firms including on… Continue reading Japan for greater ties with India in food processing

India ASEAN cultural ties a living link: Sushma Swaraj Context India’s cultural relation with Southeast Asia is centuries old and serves as a living link between the two sides, said the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday. Ms. Swaraj made the reference as she launched the final phase of events leading to the ASEAN-India… Continue reading India ASEAN cultural ties a living link: Sushma Swaraj

First India-designed vaccine passes WHO test  Context: For the first time, a vaccine conceived and developed from scratch in India has been “pre-qualified” by the World Health Organisation. While several vaccines from India have been pre-qualified, this is the first that was entirely developed locally and, according to experts, is a sign that there is… Continue reading First India-designed vaccine passes WHO test 

HPV vaccine gets immunisation nod Context: The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) has given the green signal to the introduction of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme. The decision of who will make the HPV vaccines will depend on the outcome of a 2012 Supreme Court case. What is… Continue reading HPV vaccine gets immunisation nod

Submit time-bound action plan on Bellandur lake: NGT Context: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) questioned the Karnataka government for not taking measures to prevent recurring fires at the severely polluted Bellandur lake. A Bench, headed by NGT directed the government to submit a time-bound action plan by January 29. What are the causes of the… Continue reading Submit time-bound action plan on Bellandur lake: NGT

Fraud case in India surged 21% in 2017  Context: According to Kroll Annual Global Fraud & Risk Report 2017-18 India witnessed a significant increase in fraud cases. What are the findings of the report? According to Kroll Annual Global Fraud & Risk Report 2017-18, India witnessed the highest incidence of fraud globally across three categories:… Continue reading Fraud case in India surged 21% in 2017 

Recalculating ease of doing business  Context: Recently, the World Bank announced that it would revise the methodology it uses to calculate the ease of doing business index. What is the controversy? This move that is expected to affect the rankings of countries in the last four years. The index ranks countries based on how welcoming… Continue reading Recalculating ease of doing business 

Govt. unveils 2.1 lakh crore bank recapitalisation plan Context: Govt. unveils details of recapitalisation plan for public sector banks Introduction: The government has moved proposal to infuse additional grant of Rs 88,139 crore – Rs 80,000 crore through Recap Bonds and Rs 8,139 crore as budgetary support – for 2018 under the public sector banks… Continue reading Govt. unveils 2.1 lakh crore bank recapitalisation plan