Context- The problem with sanitation in India is not lack of infrastructure but the social and cultural stigma attached to it. What is the state of sanitation in India? Lack of proper toilets– the lack of proper restrooms makes long distance journeys an ordeal for women. However, NHAI maintains one restroom every 40-50 Km, but their… Continue reading Sanitation in India- Cultural stigma
Category: Current affairs Categories
Authorisation of coronavirus vaccines
Context: Safety and efficacy data for the new vaccine must be known before emergency-use authorisation for vaccines. Why in news? The Pune-based Serum Institute of India has approached the regulator for nod for its vaccine, Covishield, developed by Oxford University. AstraZeneca, which is carrying out the phase-3 trials of the Oxford vaccine in four countries, is… Continue reading Authorisation of coronavirus vaccines
Coercive and Liberal environmentalism
Context– India’s ability to influence the new geopolitics of climate change will depend a lot on its domestic political resilience in adapting to the new imperatives. What are China’s climate commitment? China would become carbon net-zero by the year 2060. Also, China now aims to have CO2 emissions peak before 2030.That means China would not… Continue reading Coercive and Liberal environmentalism
Farmers could perish with new farm acts
Context- Agricultural operations may flourish with new farm acts, but they threaten to lead to the marginalization of the farmers How farmer’s protest is unique? Farmer’s group come together– 31 farmers’ organizations, which have different ideologies and leanings, are to fight collectively against these Bills. Kept politician out of agitation– The unions came together and formally decided to keep politicians… Continue reading Farmers could perish with new farm acts
Shadow pandemic
Context: A village volunteer from Gharabari village near Siliguri in West Bengal alerted the police of a child marriage in the first week of July. Thirteen-year-old was married off to a 35-year-old man in a discreet manner at her house. More on news: Her parents were warned and a case was filed under the Protection of Children… Continue reading Shadow pandemic
Religious Freedom and Personal Choices
Context: The Allahabad High Court verdict in ‘Salamat Ansari’ is a reminder of the Constitution’s most cherished values. What did the court say? Religious conversions, even when made solely for the purposes of marriage, constituted a valid exercise of a person’s liberties. The High Court ruled that the freedom to live with a person of… Continue reading Religious Freedom and Personal Choices
Reopening schools for exams
Context: It is reasonable to plan for school exams in summer, if progress on COVID-19 holds. Should schools reopen for exams, if covid-19 situation improves? Views against opening schools: State board’s stance: State Boards are yet to make up their minds on the schedule for annual examinations and the academic session for next year. Badly… Continue reading Reopening schools for exams
Farm Bills Concerns and evaluation
Context: Agriculture in India needs state support to thrive. Background Recently, President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to three contentious farm bills passed by Parliament. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act,2020 (FAPAFS). The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 (FPTC). The Essential Commodities… Continue reading Farm Bills Concerns and evaluation
Purpose of the vaccine
Context- The challenges vaccine poses to qualify as a ‘public health’ intervention in India. What is the purpose of vaccination? Individual prevention- – The ability to develop immunity by producing antibodies among those individuals who have taken a vaccine shot. It builds an adaptive immune system To achieve herd immunity– It is a concept used… Continue reading Purpose of the vaccine
Why Corporate houses should not own banks?
Context: Granting license to corporates to promote banks will be disastrous to the economy as a whole. Background Recently, the RBI constituted an Internal Working Group to determine if large corporate houses can be given licence to promote banks. The Internal Working Group recommended to allow corporate houses to operate banks. What are the concerns… Continue reading Why Corporate houses should not own banks?
