News: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has raised questions in a recent report on a smaller deal, involving the purchase by Chennai Port Trust. What is the issue? The government is forcing one PSU to buy another to achieve its disinvestment target. For instance, in the recent past, the ONGC took over… Continue reading The spirit of disinvestment
Author: Ram Manohar
So, no one killed news television ratings: Ring a bell?
News: Suspension of news TV ratings is illogical. It would lead to a severe loss of credibility and revenue for the news genre. The ratings need to be restored at the earliest. Why the news rating suspension is not justified? Firstly, if the suspension was because of some case of television rating point (TRP) adulteration… Continue reading So, no one killed news television ratings: Ring a bell?
On Sports Culture – Every sportsperson is a champion
News: The belief that unless you are winning, you are not a champion is a fallacy. The very fact of participating in sport makes you a champion, and it’s time to recognize that. Over the last decade, India’s sporting culture has seen tremendous improvement in terms of -Parental support, -The expansion of government and corporate… Continue reading On Sports Culture – Every sportsperson is a champion
India urgently requires resilient and empowered cities
News: Equitable and sustainable cities are the only solutions to balance the need for economic growth with the needs of people and the environment. Cities across the world contribute about 80% of global gross domestic product. They are drivers of growth and dense labor marketplaces. However, recent developments have highlighted the severe economic, humanitarian, and… Continue reading India urgently requires resilient and empowered cities
Looking beyond the Forest Rights Act
News: The supporters of tribal rights allege that the Forest Department is overlooking the genuine claims of the tribal people. A majority of the tribal communities in India are poor and landless. They practice small-scale farming, pastoralism, and nomadic herding. On the Human Development Index, the tribal-populated States always rank lower than the national average.… Continue reading Looking beyond the Forest Rights Act
On WTO Ruling against Indian Sugar industry – Lasting solution
News: The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled against India’s sugar and sugarcane subsidies Though, the ruling is inconsequential for the country’s current policies concerning the Sugar industry. But it does provide an opportunity to address some of the chronic issues that often require the government to bail this industry out. Read more here: WTO panel’s… Continue reading On WTO Ruling against Indian Sugar industry – Lasting solution
On Geopolitics of India – As a regional leader, not a victim of circumstance
News: The changing geopolitics is demanding India’s leadership role in South Asia. But India has failed to rise to the challenge on many occasions. What are the changing Geopolitics that is impacting the Indian ocean countries? In the Indian Ocean Conference this month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar listed the following issues link to India’s… Continue reading On Geopolitics of India – As a regional leader, not a victim of circumstance
A fair playing field for ARCs to rival our new bad bank
News: ARCs should be treated equally with National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL). In many countries, the national bad banks, set up to help clean the balance sheets of banks, make losses. This is because they buy non-performing assets (NPAs) from banks at inflated value, and sell them at market value after efforts to revive… Continue reading A fair playing field for ARCs to rival our new bad bank
Our Harmed Forces?
News: Recent tragic incidents have once again brought the public focus on the long-standing issue of the relationship between the defence services and domestic politics. The time has come to pay attention to the issue of the politicisation of defence services. What events have attracted attention towards the relationship b/w services and politics? Recent events… Continue reading Our Harmed Forces?
On Plastic pollution
Relevance: Plastic pollution News: India’s track record in managing plastic pollution compares poorly with that of many other countries. The latest global Plastic Management Index, ranks India 20th among 25 major plastic-producing nations. Contents1 What are the reasons?2 What are the negative implications?3 What are the steps taken?4 What is the way forward? What are… Continue reading On Plastic pollution
