What is the news? Recently the government curbed the funding for a group of ten American, Australian and European NGOs dealing with environmental, climate change and child labour issues. A similar incident also happened in the past when the government restricted Greenpeace (The International NGO) from receiving foreign funds. What were the instructions given by… Continue reading Govt. curbs funding for 10 climate change, child labour NGOs
Not just groundwater, fluoride has poisoned agricultural soil, crops in Bengal
Contents1 What is the news?2 Background3 What are the three stages to fluoride toxicity? 4 What are the harmful effects of the Fluoride contamination? 5 What are the methods to control fluoride contamination? What is the news? A new study has pointed out that crops and vegetables that use fluoride-contaminated groundwater have been contributing to an increase in consumption of… Continue reading Not just groundwater, fluoride has poisoned agricultural soil, crops in Bengal
Climate change could cause 216 mn to migrate: World Bank
What is the news? As per the report of the World Bank, climate change could push more than 200 million people to leave their homes by 2050 and create migration hot spots unless urgent action is taken to reduce global emissions and bridge the development gap. Climate change is a powerful driver of internal migration… Continue reading Climate change could cause 216 mn to migrate: World Bank
Cybersecurity can be made agile with zero-shot AI
Synopsis: Zero shot AI model can help to develop a robust and adaptive cybersecurity defence against new attacks. What makes AI a reliable tool in cybersecurity? The ability to learn from large volumes of data and find patterns of abnormal behaviour makes AI and particularly machine learning (ML) attractive in cybersecurity. ML algorithms can be… Continue reading Cybersecurity can be made agile with zero-shot AI
Urban safety net: On urban-MGNREGA
Synopsis: Instead of going forward with the ‘urban-MGNREGA’, the government needs to focus on coming up with new ideas to alleviate the condition of the urban poor. Introduction Recent data from both the private and public sector has revealed that there is considerable distress within India’s labour force. This distress has manifested in an increase… Continue reading Urban safety net: On urban-MGNREGA
Criticism of the IBC’s recovery record is unwarranted
Synopsis: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which was promoted as a panacea to the problem of bad loans, has been attacked as being ineffective at best and counterproductive at worst. It requires a more nuanced debate. Introduction In recent months, a landmark economic reform of the last decade has come under criticism from various… Continue reading Criticism of the IBC’s recovery record is unwarranted
BRICS: 2021 vs 2013: About Taper Tantrum and Economy of BRICS nations
Synopsis: The BRICS is better equipped to handle financial turbulence. Now, the focus must be on growth. Introduction: For two years, the focus of the BRICS has largely been on the economic impact of Covid. The BRICS nations are also concerned about when the US Fed will begin to taper its asset purchases again. Read… Continue reading BRICS: 2021 vs 2013: About Taper Tantrum and Economy of BRICS nations
Regulatory limbo: Digital markets are fast expanding. We need an umbrella law for platforms
Synopsis: India needs to speed up its regulatory architecture in line with the pace of adoption of digital marketplaces. Introduction One consequence of lockdowns imposed across the world during COVID was the quickening pace of economic transactions shifting from physical to digital marketplaces. Eighteen months since the pandemic hit, societies have moved towards more engagements… Continue reading Regulatory limbo: Digital markets are fast expanding. We need an umbrella law for platforms
How to boost financial inclusion
Synopsis: Greater flexibility in financial products will lead to greater inclusion of nano-enterprises, a segment which is critical to the growth of our rural economy. Contents1 Introduction2 What is the present situation wrt formalization of nano-enterprises?3 What are the associated challenges?4 What is the way forward? Introduction There are 63.4 million MSMEs in India, 99%… Continue reading How to boost financial inclusion
Women self-help groups: Funding alone does not work; the government needs to listen in
Synopsis: Women-run SHGs form the backbone of our country. In order to help them to sustain for a long period, government needs to frame proper policy and provide ecosystem to the SHGs other than providing funding to them. As a whole, institutional support is needed to fully exploit their potential. Contents1 Introduction 2 How SHGs sustained during COVID-19 pandemic? 3 What… Continue reading Women self-help groups: Funding alone does not work; the government needs to listen in
