Author: ForumIAS

Sri Lanka declares state of emergency for 10 days after anti-Muslim attacks in Kandy Context: On 6th March, 2018, Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency for 10 days, to curb heightening violence targeting the island’s Muslim minority. What has happened? Riots were triggered by the death of a 41-year-old man from the majority Sinhalese… Continue reading Sri Lanka declares state of emergency for 10 days after anti-Muslim attacks in Kandy

‘Child marriages decline in India’ Context: According to UNICEF India has seen a sharp decline in child marriages over the last ten years with 27% of girls getting married before their 18th birthday as against 47%, a decade ago Details: The decline in child marriage in India has contributed significantly to a global decline in… Continue reading ‘Child marriages decline in India’

Our toasters are brave Context: Today, the “Internet of Things” (IoT), the term coined by Peter T. Lewis in 1985, is threatening to take control of the planet. Background: Interestingly, one of the first IoTs is perhaps what John Romkey created — a toaster that could be turned on and off over the Internet for… Continue reading Our toasters are brave

Be alert to Operation ‘Dhakka’: on the toppling of the Lenin statue Context: The toppling of the Lenin statue in Tripura What has happened? On March 5th 2018, saffron-sporting men felled the statue of Lenin- the Russian communist revolutionary A second Lenin statue was similarly toppled at another site in the State shortly thereafter Syama… Continue reading Be alert to Operation ‘Dhakka’: on the toppling of the Lenin statue

Rooftop energy Context: Surveys to map usable rooftops for solar power must be undertaken nationwide Why in news? Bengaluru’s aerial mission to produce a three dimensional map of rooftop solar power potential using Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) data can give solar  source of power a big boost Highlights’ of the survey: A survey determines… Continue reading Rooftop energy

Assam govt. moves to check hit-and-runs at Kaziranga Context: The Assam government recently informed the National Green Tribunal that State government had allocated financial assistance of a sum of Rs 11 crore for the installation of sensor-operated automated traffic barriers to check unnatural death of animals around the Kaziranga National Park. Directions:  The directions came… Continue reading Assam govt. moves to check hit-and-runs at Kaziranga

‘A fight for a cleaner future’ Context: International Solar Alliance’s founding conference to be held in New Delhi. Introduction: International Solar Alliance conference will be jointly held by India an France. Venezuela’s President Maduro is making his first visit to India for two days for the International Solar Alliance How significant is this visit expected… Continue reading ‘A fight for a cleaner future’

The ecologically subsidised city Context:  Kolkata’s wetland conservation and ecological importance Rural ecological reference:  A renowned environmentalist discovered that kolkatas waste water is detained in shallow water bodies which serve as oxidation ponds because of the presence of algae. Under the open tropical sun Ghosh discovered that water undergoes change, getting comprehensively treated and cleaned… Continue reading The ecologically subsidised city

‘U.S. move to raise import duty may hit domestic steel market’ Context: According to Indian Steel Association (ISA), the proposal by the Trump administration to levy a steep tariff on steel imports would encourage steel-surplus nations to divert their exports India Details: The association has said that U.S. move to club India, a steel non-mature… Continue reading ‘U.S. move to raise import duty may hit domestic steel market’

Banks face Rs. 20,000 cr. bond losses: report Context: Indian bank are starting at Rs 20,000 crore losses in the bond portfolio in the January-March quarter, which is three times more than the losses incurred in the Oct-Dec quarter. Highlight from the report: As per the Credit Suisse(Swiss multinational financial services holding company, headquartered in… Continue reading Banks face Rs. 20,000 cr. bond losses: report