News: After the wheat ban, there is a possibility of a ban on exports of raw cotton. The author lists out reasons for not doing so. Why ban on exports of raw cotton will not be correct? First, from raw cotton to fabric making, there are various stages and processes in the textile industry. Raw… Continue reading Government must resist demands for banning exports
Can India turn Quad into an instrument to realize its significant potential as technological power?
News: The Prime Minister of India is going to participate in the Quadrilateral Forum that brings together Delhi, Canberra, Tokyo, and Washington. The US President will visit Samsung’s semiconductor facility in South Korea during the visit. This underlines the role of critical technologies in his Indo-Pacific strategy. Importance of critical technologies They are key to… Continue reading Can India turn Quad into an instrument to realize its significant potential as technological power?
Gyanvapi: Court must follow law not faith
News: Recently, The Supreme Court has admitted petitions on the Gyanvapi mosque. At present, a controversy is raging over the Gyanvapi Mosque, which is a legacy of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb (1618-1707). Nature of Indian Polity India’s Constitution guarantees the principle of religious equality and protection of minority rights. As per B.R. Ambedkar, these principles… Continue reading Gyanvapi: Court must follow law not faith
A Harvard branch in India, prospects and challenges
News: In Budget 2022, Finance Minister announced that “world-class foreign universities and institutions would be allowed in the planned business district in Gujarat’s GIFT City”. These institutions would be free from domestic regulations to facilitate availability of high-end human resources. And the British Prime Minister during his visit to India wished to strengthen the United… Continue reading A Harvard branch in India, prospects and challenges
Why vaccine mandates are essential
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. Background The governments have imposed partial or full vaccination of individuals as a precondition for accessing public spaces, services, or… Continue reading Why vaccine mandates are essential
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. Why India should join IPEF? India should join IPEF as trade relations with fellow democracies has been its preference after it gave up on the Regional… 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. Genesis of the ASHA worker programme The ASHA programme was based on Chhattisgarh’s… 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
3 Ideas For 4 Countries Hunting for Chips
News: Quad Leaders’ Summit meeting is being hosted today. One agenda item will be to announce a concrete action plan under the Semiconductor Supply Chain Initiative. The goal of the Semiconductor Supply Chain Initiative is to strengthen the global semiconductor supply chain’s productive capacity and resilience. Why Quad is focusing on the semiconductor supply chain?… Continue reading 3 Ideas For 4 Countries Hunting for Chips
