Context: In his book Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari made the somewhat controversial statement that human beings have been domesticated by wheat. In other words, every science-driven improvement in agriculture has come at a price. How science has enabled humankind to overcome many of the challenges we face as a species? Having learnt farming or how… Continue reading Technological advancement often has a sting in its tail
Author: Luv Sharma
On sedition, the Supreme Court has aligned itself with the collective conscience of India
News: The Supreme Court’s seminal intervention in a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of section 124A of the Indian Penal Code is a watershed moment in the progressive expansion of human rights jurisprudence. The SC directed the Union government and the states to refrain from using the law of sedition. In addition, the… Continue reading On sedition, the Supreme Court has aligned itself with the collective conscience of India
On Gyanvapi Mosque, we are debating the wrong question
Context: Recently, the Varanasi court ordered a video survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque. The implied intention was to find out whether the fundamental claim of the petitioners that the mosque has been built by destroying or appropriating a temple is correct or not. This issue here is not about secularism or that of minority rights.… Continue reading On Gyanvapi Mosque, we are debating the wrong question
Improving cold chain systems
News: The pandemic showed us that there were weak links in the supply chain, especially in the cold chain. This means that vaccines alone do not save lives. It requires a strong service delivery network, What are the factors that can lead us to a sustainable vaccination programme? A key factor is cold chain management… Continue reading Improving cold chain systems
A concerted effort in re-imagining museums
News: On the occasion of International Museum Day on May 18, the Ministry of Culture allowed free of cost admissions to all museums which are under its ambit for a week. Contents1 Advantages of making free admission into the museums 2 What transformational shift has been visible with respect to our perspectives of our heritage? 3 What… Continue reading A concerted effort in re-imagining museums
Mundka fire is a symptom of all that ails the informal sector
News: Recently, a fire broke out at Delhi’s Mundka, with a death toll of 27 persons so far. A majority of the persons who died in the incidents were women workers in informal manufacturing units. Contents1 What issues have been exposed the fire incident in our urban areas?2 What is the nature of informal industrial units… Continue reading Mundka fire is a symptom of all that ails the informal sector
How to strengthen cyber security the right way
Context: On 28th April, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued “directions” under Section 70-B(6) of the IT Act 2000 relating to information security practices, procedure, prevention, response and reporting of cyber incidents. These directions have expanded the scope of obligations of the above requirements compared to the IT (The Indian Computer Emergency Response… Continue reading How to strengthen cyber security the right way
Modi in Lumbini: Buddhism provides India a cultural inroad in Nepal – it may not be enough to counter China
News: On the occassion of Buddha Poornima, PM Modi made a trip to Lumbini in Nepal, becoming the first Indian PM to do so. He offered prayers at the Mayadevi temple, believed to be the Buddha’s birthplace, and then laid the foundation for the International Buddhist Conference and Meditation Centre. The trip has come one… Continue reading Modi in Lumbini: Buddhism provides India a cultural inroad in Nepal – it may not be enough to counter China
For a better South Asian neighbourhood
News: Recently, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan have been facing a lot of hardship. All the South Asian countries are facing the problem of higher oil and food inflation. This has resulted in popular unrest across the region. This underlines the geographic imperative that binds India to its neighbours in the Subcontinent. How is India… Continue reading For a better South Asian neighbourhood
A war that is shrinking India’s geopolitical options
Relevance: Global and Asian Geopolitics, India-China Relations, India-Russia relations News: The confrontation between Russia and Ukraine is now raging on with no end in sight, and with its long-term implications yet unknown. What are the consequences for India? India’s initial phase of diplomatic rush is over. Its geopolitical options are shrinking as the war drags… Continue reading A war that is shrinking India’s geopolitical options
