News: In recent years, country or national branding has emerged as a distinctive field in marketing and communication, and also making headways in international diplomacy. What is country branding? It is a process of identity creation where countries gain visibility and put themselves on the world map as distinctive entities by drawing on their history,… Continue reading We must develop Brand India to attain global appeal and success
A policy to replicate BrahMos’ success
News: India recently sold BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines. Read here: the Philippines to acquire BrahMos cruise missiles for $375 million Why the Philippines is upgrading its defence capabilities? Both China and the Philippines claim islands in the South China Sea (SCS). China has militarized Woody Island and arbitrarily claimed the Nine-Dash Line (NDL).… Continue reading A policy to replicate BrahMos’ success
A roadmap for India’s natural farming ambitions
News: In her budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to natural, chemical-free, organic, and zero-budget farming. On the lines to develop chemical-free farming, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, has been given a larger allocation of Rs 10,433 crore. In this context, eight suggestions are given by experts to scale up chemical-free farming.… Continue reading A roadmap for India’s natural farming ambitions
A reductionist approach – On health sector
News: For a long, Government has focused on a reductionist approach of private-level interventions, ignoring social determinants of health. How did this problem arise? In the previous decade, Government’s focus remained on maternal and child health and infectious diseases. After this, focus moved to non-communicable diseases (NCD) and chronic illness. This led to individualistic and… Continue reading A reductionist approach – On health sector
Drafting a new Constitution is impossible
News: Chief Minister of Telangana said that the governments at the Centre over the years have been suppressing the powers of the State, so there is a need for a new Constitution. Why the demand for drafting a new constitution is not feasible? First, Dr. Ambedkar was originally elected from the Bengal assembly, which went to Pakistan… Continue reading Drafting a new Constitution is impossible
New Delhi’s stance on Europe’s crisis is just about right
News: At the Munich Security Conference recently, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar was asked why India keeps pointing fingers at China’s violation of the sovereignty of smaller states while not condemning Russia’s incursions into Ukraine. Western officials have sought to rope India in as part of a unified worldwide opposition to Russia’s incursions into Ukraine. But… Continue reading New Delhi’s stance on Europe’s crisis is just about right
Flashpoint Ukraine
News: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and possible sanctions by US will impact India adversely. What are the probable adverse impacts on India? Inflationary impact: the significant upward pressures on oil prices, exacerbated by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ recent unwillingness to raise output. It will accentuate inflationary impulses and increase risks for the… Continue reading Flashpoint Ukraine
9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – February 24th, 2022
Dear Friends, We have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to current affairs. What we sought to do: Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today’s newspaper are readily available to you. We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough… Continue reading 9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – February 24th, 2022
The Budget lacks the ‘power’ to transform services
Relevance: Understanding the need for energy for the improvement of the health and education sector. News: Budget 2022-23 demonstrates a clear intent to prioritise investments in clean energy and sustainable development, in line with the country’s promises made at COP26 in Glasgow last year. What does the budget proposed for the health and education sector? Health sector:… Continue reading The Budget lacks the ‘power’ to transform services
Is the time right for India to get a third aircraft carrier?
News: The idea of buying a third aircraft carrier may have to be delayed due to the current economic situation. There is a broad consensus in the strategic community on the Indian Navy having two aircraft carriers, one for each of the two seaboards. There also exists a broad consensus on acquiring the third carrier… Continue reading Is the time right for India to get a third aircraft carrier?
