News: Recently, the Supreme Court has given its verdict on the government’s ongoing vaccination policy. The court held that restrictions imposed by States and Union Territories on unvaccinated individuals cannot be said to be proportionate. Contents1 Background2 Past trends of safeguard community interest3 The Supreme Court’s observations in this case4 In particularly this case Background… Continue reading Why vaccine mandates are essential
Author: Luv Sharma
The IPEF could offer us a boat we must not miss
News: The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework may be an opportunity for India’s integration with global supply chains and trade flows. But the US must put global aims above its home politics. Contents1 Why India should join IPEF?2 What does the IPEF entail?3 What are some concerns that India must consider?4 Way forward Why India should join IPEF?… Continue reading The IPEF could offer us a boat we must not miss
ASHA: A successful public health experiment rooted in the village community
News: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognized the contribution of India’s 1 million Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) during the Covid-19 pandemic ASHA workers have received the Global Health Leaders Award-2022 in the backdrop of the on-going 75th World Health Assembly. Contents1 Genesis of the ASHA worker programme2 What were the challenges faced by… Continue reading ASHA: A successful public health experiment rooted in the village community
India needs parliamentary supervision of trade pacts
Context: India is negotiating and signing several free trade agreements (FTAs) with countries like Australia, the UK, Israel, and the EU. While the economic benefits of these FTAs have been studied, there is very little discussion on the lack of parliamentary scrutiny of these treaties. This gives rise to arguments of democratic deficit in India’s… Continue reading India needs parliamentary supervision of trade pacts
Meeting family planning goals
Context: India’s family planning programme has improved access to contraceptives. This has led to a reduction in the Total Fertility Rate from 3.4 in 1990-92 to 2.0 in 2019-21, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). However, now India needs to focus on improving access to family planning services for not just adults, but… Continue reading Meeting family planning goals
Time for us to work out a universal basic income
Context: India’s debate on the need and feasibility of a universal basic income (UBI) as an elementary safety net for all our citizens was revived again after the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister released a report on inequality. Regardless of divisions in opinion over the poverty levels in the country, inequality demands a… Continue reading Time for us to work out a universal basic income
Food security does not need this ‘surgical strike’
News: Recently, the Government of India announced a sudden ban on export of wheat when the government was looking out for ways for augmenting India’ wheat exports. Contents1 Two schools of through for ensuring food security in India2 About Indian Public Procurement System3 What are the issues with increasing India’s export?4 Other challenges5 The Way… Continue reading Food security does not need this ‘surgical strike’
Nature has the answers
News: Recently, The International Day of Biodiversity on May 22, 2022 was celebrated. It was done amid the pandemic, and the recent heat waves in much of northern India and floods in Meghalaya. The uncertainty is being further fuelled by the continuing degradation of lands and biodiversity, growing malnutrition and hunger, and inequities and environmental… Continue reading Nature has the answers
Can agri-exports be made more sustainable?
News: In the fiscal year 2021-22 (FY22), agri-exports scaled an all-time high of $50.3 billion with registering a growth of 20% over the preceding year. For example, India’s exports constituted 41% of a global rice market of 51.3 MMT. What were the driving forces? This was made possible largely by rising global commodity prices. In… Continue reading Can agri-exports be made more sustainable?
India needs to keep an eye on its myopia prevalence
Context: Millions of young children are growing up short-sighted every year because of myopia. While East Asia and the Pacific have been reporting some of the highest numbers for a decade now, current estimates out of India do not yet reflect this trend. It may mean India has time to act and save the sight… Continue reading India needs to keep an eye on its myopia prevalence
