Context: Recently, the NITI Aayog released a draft battery-swapping policy pertaining to two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and e-rickshaws. The draft policy aims to address some key concerns within the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. What is the objective of the draft policy? It will promote adoption of EV. It would lower dependencies on fossil fuels and reduce the… Continue reading On Electric Vehicle adoption in India: The right push
Author: Luv Sharma
Changing the skill development model
Context: In a rapidly changing world, there is a need to talk about skill development and predicting where jobs will be in 2032. What are the challenges wrt job creation? It is difficult to predict what jobs will be created in the long run. Also, India’s mental models for skill related policies were not only… Continue reading Changing the skill development model
Living in hothouse India: We have entered a new age of heat extremes. Concrete and glass-heavy urban buildings are a major hazard
Context: India is searing. Large parts of the country are in the grips of unbearable heat and heatwaves. It’s not supposed to be like this in March and April. Such heat is usually expected in May and June – the year’s hottest months. But this temperature anomaly is not unexpected. In fact, various IPCC reports… Continue reading Living in hothouse India: We have entered a new age of heat extremes. Concrete and glass-heavy urban buildings are a major hazard
That coal feeling: Shortage of rail wagons is one reason for dipping power plant inventory. But problem goes further
Context: Thermal power plants in India are once again struggling with coal inventory dipping to critical levels. A similar coal crisis had surfaced in India in October last year. Given that both coal mining and logistics through railways are dominated by GoI-owned enterprises, it reflects poorly on official management of an essential economic input. Contents1… Continue reading That coal feeling: Shortage of rail wagons is one reason for dipping power plant inventory. But problem goes further
Amway a Ponzi scheme? ’Buyer beware’ won’t do
News: Recently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) froze assets of Amway India worth ₹758 crore. The federal agency issued a statement, alleging that the company was perpetrating a “scam” by running a pyramid “fraud” in the guise of direct-selling MLM network. The new members, it said, are not buying the products to use those, but to… Continue reading Amway a Ponzi scheme? ’Buyer beware’ won’t do
A new indispensable power
News: Recently, the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visited India. Further, the president of the European Commission is scheduled to visit India in the coming days. Therefore, India-EU relations become the centre of debate What are the various challenges for India to increase its integration with the EU? The EU comprises a mammoth bureaucracy. It… Continue reading A new indispensable power
Why reforming the system of free food is necessary?
News: Recently, the World Bank and the IMF released the working papers which has led to a renewed debate on poverty in India. The former used the Consumer Pyramid Household Surveys (CPHS) and the latter used the NSO Consumer Expenditure Survey for the poverty related assessment. Contents1 What are the findings related to India’s poverty… Continue reading Why reforming the system of free food is necessary?
Demolishing the rule of law
News: Recently, the Supreme Court ordered the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to maintain “status quo” on the demolition drive against the illegal constructions in the Jahagirpuri Area, Delhi. Such demolition drives were also carried on the homes of the alleged rioters in Khargone in Madhya Pradesh and Khambhat in Gujarat which were also hit… Continue reading Demolishing the rule of law
Side-stepping irritants: On India-U.K. ties
News: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in Delhi recently, committing to more cooperation with India on trade, defence, combating climate change and cybersecurity. What were the major issues discussed? The deadline to complete the full FTA has been pushed till October-end or Deepavali, with a view to doubling bilateral trade by 2030. Of concern… Continue reading Side-stepping irritants: On India-U.K. ties
Behind the curve on Metaverse
Context: Concept of Metaverse is promising immersive environments where we can do pretty much anything. Users will utilise avatars and gear like virtual/augmented reality helmets or glasses (more options will surely develop) to dive in. But whatever the global pace of development may be, India may well be behind the curve Must Read: What is… Continue reading Behind the curve on Metaverse
