National Database of birth and death: Amendments that are unnecessary

News: Government recently proposed creating a national database of registration system comprising births and deaths. This is proposed to be used to update every birth and death, and linked with other databases like the national population register, voter list and the Aadhaar database. What is the current mechanism? The current system is covered by the… Continue reading National Database of birth and death: Amendments that are unnecessary

Solving migrant workers’ housing crisis

News: Urbanisation and the growth of cities in India have been accompanied by pressure on basic infrastructure and services like housing, sanitation and health. Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are the two states with an acute housing crisis.  The migrant workers, and their families, are the ones who bear the brunt of this problem. As per… Continue reading Solving migrant workers’ housing crisis

Remembering Anil Agarwal — Forget Malthus: upside of population growth

News: Views of Anil Aggarwal, Down To Earth founder editor, on population density and community resource management. As per him, it’s not always necessary to mock an increasing population. It can be seen as an opportunity for moving towards real solutions, including an end to excessive population growth. What are the conditions in which natural… Continue reading Remembering Anil Agarwal — Forget Malthus: upside of population growth

Problem, solution, problem: India’s population will start to collapse in two decades. It’s a matter of celebration – and concern

News: Population growth is a function of fertility and life expectancy. India had about 1.38 billion (138 crore) people in 2020. Two recent studies estimate the country’s population to peak at 1. 5-1. 6 billion somewhere between 2040 and 2048.  India’s population has been on a decline, and several figures point in this direction.  … Continue reading Problem, solution, problem: India’s population will start to collapse in two decades. It’s a matter of celebration – and concern

False stereotypes must get out of gender equality’s way

News: The failure of labour markets and institutions in addressing gender-specific constraints has led to gender inequality in employment.   Contents1 What is the situation of Gender equality in India? 2 What are the reasons for gender inequality in employment? 3 What are some examples that things are changing in India? 4 What is the way forward?  What is… Continue reading False stereotypes must get out of gender equality’s way

India urgently requires resilient and empowered cities

News:  Equitable and sustainable cities are the only solutions to balance the need for economic growth with the needs of people and the environment. Cities across the world contribute about 80% of global gross domestic product. They are drivers of growth and dense labor marketplaces. However, recent developments have highlighted the severe economic, humanitarian, and… Continue reading India urgently requires resilient and empowered cities

Explained: Personal laws in marriage

News: A Bill proposing to increase the age of marriage for women, and ensuring harmony in the age limit across religions, was introduced in Lok Sabha this week and then referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee. Both aspects of the proposed amendment to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 have raised a debate on… Continue reading Explained: Personal laws in marriage

Challenges with Globalization: An olde fairy tale of the new world order we must brace for

News: Current phase of digital technology-enabled globalization has disturbed the fabric of human society and sovereign states. Signs of globalization in the past Human beings have travelled to distant places to survive, trade, and communicate. Harappan seals dating back to 3000 BCE found in Mesopotamia indicate trade and contacts between ancient civilizations. The number Zero, algebra,… Continue reading Challenges with Globalization: An olde fairy tale of the new world order we must brace for

“Technology can either save or doom capitalism”

News-Tech firms have a key role in preserving open and democratic society. Most often technology is perceived to be an enabler for democracy.  Do Democracy and capitalism work on similar philosophical foundations?  Although both democracy and capitalism uphold liberty as a core value, they also sometimes show inconsistencies. While capitalism leads to an asymmetric distribution of private property ownership, democracy… Continue reading “Technology can either save or doom capitalism”

Across India, minorities are overrepresented in jails

News:  National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports show that in almost all the states of the Indian Union, irrespective of the party holding office, religious minorities are over-represented in jail. What do the NCRB Report data shows? Muslims are (and were) over-represented among jail inmates in almost all the Hindu-majority states. For example, In Assam, Muslims,… Continue reading Across India, minorities are overrepresented in jails

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