News: Recently, the French defence major, Naval Group, announced its inability to participate in India’s Project 75-I. Russian and German submarine builders have also withdrawn from this project earlier. India’s Project 75-I Under this project, conventional (non-nuclear or diesel-electric) submarines are to be built domestically. What are the issues with India’s Submarine project? Installation of… Continue reading For a stronger navy, India needs to fast-track the submarine project
The road to safety
News: Recently, The Delhi government has initiated a drive to enforce lane discipline, starting with strict compliance on the bus lane. Trials over the last month have thrown up several lessons What are the road-safety-related problems in India? Every year, around 50,000 accidents take place in our mega Indian cities. A quarter of them are… Continue reading The road to safety
Direct paddy sowing reaps benefits
News: Recently, the Haryana government has announced a higher incentive of ₹ 10,000 per hectare for the direct planting of rice. What are the issues in present rice cropping practice? At present, rice growers generally use much more water than the crop actually needs. Around 40-45% of the water used for irrigation goes to paddy… Continue reading Direct paddy sowing reaps benefits
What explains India’s U-turn on wheat exports?
News: Union government has recently banned the exports of wheat. However, there are certain conditions, under which exports will be allowed: First, where an irrevocable letter of credit has already been issued. Second, one window has been kept open for the neighboring countries in the notification. It says export will be allowed to other countries… Continue reading What explains India’s U-turn on wheat exports?
Root cause analysis for the power crisis
Context: The root cause of the present electricity crisis in India is said to be the demand surge due to heat waves. However, it is not the case with other products where the private sector is involved. For example, the surge in the ice-cream demand is higher compared to electricity in summers. However, no one… Continue reading Root cause analysis for the power crisis
Fiddling with a climate response while our workers face the heat
News: Meteorologists are predicting that temperatures will rise above 50°C across much of South Asia, owing to less rainfall than usual in this period. Extreme heat and high humidity can prevent human sweat from evaporating, reducing the body’s ability to cool down, this condition is called ‘Wet-bulb’ temperature. Several Indian cities have recently experienced wet-bulb… Continue reading Fiddling with a climate response while our workers face the heat
In abeyance of Section 124A, a provisional relief
News: Recently, In Supreme Court of India in S.G. Vombatkere vs Union of India has directed governments, both at the level of the Union and the States, to keep “all pending trials, appeals and proceedings” arising out of a charge framed under Section 124A “in abeyance”. About Section 124A How have the Court granted a temporary… Continue reading In abeyance of Section 124A, a provisional relief
The importance of Lumbini
News: Recently, The Prime Minister of India visited Lumbini, Nepal for the first time in the last few decades. How this Indian PM’s visit to Lumbini, Nepal is important? The visit reiterated the message of peace; compassion; non-violence; tolerance; dialogue and debate; reconciliation; consensus; and the middle path forged (preached by the Buddha) in Indian… Continue reading The importance of Lumbini
Centre relaxes procurement norms for shrivelled, broken wheat grains
What is the News? The Government of India has announced relaxations for the procurement of shrunken and shrivelled grains in Punjab and Haryana. What is the issue? Due to extreme heatwaves in the northern part of the country in March, the grain quality suffers so much that the percentage of shrivelled (to become smaller, especially… Continue reading Centre relaxes procurement norms for shrivelled, broken wheat grains
India plans dam project as China seeks to divert river
What is the News? India plans to construct the country’s second-largest dam at Yingkiong in Arunachal Pradesh to counter China’s ambitious water diversion scheme of the Brahmaputra River. What are China’s plans for the Brahmaputra River? China’s 14th five-year plan has proposed building a massive dam over the Brahmaputra river, known in China as the… Continue reading India plans dam project as China seeks to divert river
