Author: ForumIAS

Doctors for rural India Context: Nearly 600 million people in India, mostly in the rural areas, have little or no access to health care. State of rural health care today: A widespread disregard for norms Perpetual failure to reach targets and an air of utter helplessness are what mark the state of rural health care… Continue reading Doctors for rural India

Punjab plans to set up cooperative rural hubs Context: The Punjab government plans to transform primary agriculture cooperative societies (PACS) into ‘cooperative rural hubs’. Introduction: Additional Chief Secretary (Cooperation) D.P. Reddy has asked the department to set up rural hubs in selected PACSs in a phased manner across the State. Mr Reddy directed the officers… Continue reading Punjab plans to set up cooperative rural hubs

Farmers told not to use polluted Hindon water to grow vegetables Context: Farmers in western Uttar Pradesh have been asked not to use the water of the Hindon River for growing vegetables, which are also sold in the National Capital Region markets, as it has been found to be polluted and contaminated by various official… Continue reading Farmers told not to use polluted Hindon water to grow vegetables

42 Indian languages stare at extinction Context: More than 40 languages or dialects in India are believed to be heading towards extinction Details: More than 40 languages or dialects in India are considered to be endangered. There are 42 languages which are spoken by less than 10,000 people. These are considered endangered and may be… Continue reading 42 Indian languages stare at extinction

Myanmar dam on border worries Manipur village Context: A dam being constructed by Myanmar across a river close to the boundary becomes a reason of concern among border villagers in Kengjoi subdivison of Manipur’s Chandel district. What is the issue? The topography of the area is such that the immediate villages will be submerged if… Continue reading Myanmar dam on border worries Manipur village

Directing reforms Context: Recently, in a landmark judgement the Supreme Court has imposed an additional disclosure norm for candidates contesting elections. About the Supreme Court Verdict: The Court has asked the Centre to amend the rules as well as the disclosure form filed by candidates along with their nomination papers, to include the sources of… Continue reading Directing reforms

India still hopeful of nuclear deal with Westinghouse Context: India is confident of concluding the nuclear deal with reactor-maker Westinghouse Electric very soon as it expects the company to come out of bankruptcy. Background: Following the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal, India has been in discussion with Westinghouse since 2005 to build six AP1000 nuclear reactors. NPCIL… Continue reading India still hopeful of nuclear deal with Westinghouse

Vaccines can prevent TB infections in adolescents Context:   A clinical trial has provided encouraging new evidence that TB vaccines can prevent sustained infections in high-risk adolescents. Introduction: The results will be announced at the 5th Global Forum on TB Vaccines in New Delhi. The study was conducted to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the… Continue reading Vaccines can prevent TB infections in adolescents

Indices of a decent society Context: The recent report that ranks India 177 out of 180 countries in the Environmental Performance Index is not just an indicator of pollution but is as much an indicator of our indifference. How did we arrive here? It is not just about pollution of nature but also of our… Continue reading Indices of a decent society

NGT seeks report on Ganga rejuvenation Context: The National Green Tribunal has sought a compliance report on the steps taken by the Centre, U.P. and Uttarakhand governments to clean river Ganga in the stretch between Gomukh and Unnao. Introduction: A Bench, headed by Justice Jawad Rahim, directed the National Mission for Clean Ganga and the… Continue reading NGT seeks report on Ganga rejuvenation