What is the news? Researchers have discovered two new plant species from the Western Ghats regions in Thiruvananthapuram and Wayanad districts of Kerala. These two plant species have been named as Fimbristylis sunilii and Neanotis prabhuii. What is Fimbristylis sunilii? It is a perennial plant of the Cyperaceae family. It stands 20-59 cm tall and… Continue reading Two plant species discovered in Kerala
India welcomes Egypt as member of New Development Bank of BRICS
What is the news? India has welcomed Egypt as the fourth new member of the New Development Bank (NDB). Note: In September 2021, NDB admitted Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uruguay as its new members. What is the New Development Bank (NDB)? It is a multilateral development bank jointly founded by the BRICS countries… Continue reading India welcomes Egypt as member of New Development Bank of BRICS
Draft national air sports policy pushes for safety standards
What is the news? The Ministry of Civil Aviation has released a draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP) for public feedback. What is the purpose of the Draft National Air Sports Policy(NASP)? – Aim: To make India one of the top air sports nations by 2030 by providing a safe, affordable, accessible, enjoyable and sustainable… Continue reading Draft national air sports policy pushes for safety standards
The crypto assets conundrum
News: Arguments for legalising crypto assets in India are weak, and in fact dangerous. What is the case for Crypto regulation? – Cryptocurrency enables relatively invisible transactions, with serious implications for crime, terrorism, money laundering, tax evasion, etc. – Another worry is that the crypto mania is getting built of purely speculative investments. The eventual… Continue reading The crypto assets conundrum
It’s in India’s national interest to promote open-source software
News: Many volunteers around the world are resolving vulnerabilities in open-source Log4j software. Open-source software is in India’s national interest, given the unfolding economics and politics of the technology space. The promotion of Open Source software can be a source of competitive advantage for India in high-technology geopolitics. What is Log4j & Why it is… Continue reading It’s in India’s national interest to promote open-source software
Preparing for green energy shift in 2022
News: The world is preparing itself for an energy transition from fossil fuel to green energy. Around 133 countries have pledged to a “net-zero carbon emissions date. Most govts, corporates and civic entities have also shown determination to “phase down” and eventually phase out fossil fuels from their energy basket. However, world is still highly dependent on… Continue reading Preparing for green energy shift in 2022
Don’t support minimum support prices
News: Legal MSP is an illogical, expensive and inefficient policy instrument. Unless farmers move rapidly towards high-value agriculture, there is not much scope to achieve better incomes for smallholders in an economically efficient and sustainable way. What is the actual reach of MSP regime? If one uses the Census and National Accounts data, – The… Continue reading Don’t support minimum support prices
State schemes can cast a lifeline to this welfare plan – On Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
News: There is vast scope for improvement in the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). POSHAN Abhiyan and PMMVY are India’s initiatives to fulfill its commitment towards the Sustainable Development Goal of improving maternal health. However, targets can be achieved only if we revisit the design and implementation of this scheme. Read about PMMVY here:… Continue reading State schemes can cast a lifeline to this welfare plan – On Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
Why’s pandemic policymaking still short of science?
News: Though science & technology has definitely played an important role in many decisions related to the containment of the pandemic, it has been ignored in many as well. Instances where science & technology has been ignored in policy making w.r.t the containment of the pandemic? Scrubbing of home furniture and doors was advised by… Continue reading Why’s pandemic policymaking still short of science?
Unravelling what awaits us in 2022- On Network-Based Economy
News: India needs to update many of its governance laws so that India does not miss this epochal shift to a network economy. Contrary to what many believe, Industry’s success is not dependent on economies of scale. Rather, the most important factor in the industry’s success in the network age is connectedness. What matters in… Continue reading Unravelling what awaits us in 2022- On Network-Based Economy
