Context: Even today, the Indian government and civil society continue to grapple with the inhuman nature of manual scavenging. While in 1993, the government promulgated an Act to stop construction of unsanitary dry latrines and employing manual scavengers, the problem still continues. Issues with the Act: Problematic descriptions: The act defined dry latrine as “latrine… Continue reading The manacles of caste in sanitation work
Tag: gs paper 2
Big headache: Minor offences majorly clog courts and harass individuals and businesses. Decriminalise them
News: The GoI has given a renewed push to decriminalize minor offenses. It has the potential to clog courts, promote ease of doing business and relieve citizens fighting criminal cases for non-serious violations. Example – In 2020 provisions of the Companies Act were decriminalized. Examples of laws causing high pendency: Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments… Continue reading Big headache: Minor offences majorly clog courts and harass individuals and businesses. Decriminalise them
Time to revisit the IIM Act
News: Recently, IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) witnessed a lot of turbulence over changes in the logo. Other IIMs in the country also witnessed disturbances over a variety of issues. This has raised questions over governance in the premier management institution of India. What changes have been introduced by the IIM Act 2017? The Act has given… Continue reading Time to revisit the IIM Act
BRICS and the creation of a multipolar world
News: The Russia-Ukraine conflict has brought BRICS grouping at the centre of discussion due to multiple reasons. The RIC controls 22% of the global GDP, and it accounts for 16% of global exports of goods and services. Therefore, the current crisis may consolidate BRICS, especially RIC. It has the potential to become a real alternative… Continue reading BRICS and the creation of a multipolar world
Parliament has just passed a dangerous bill
News: Recently, the Rajya Sabha has passed the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022, just two days after it was passed by the Lok Sabha. In fact, Maharashtra has become the first state to launch its biometric database of undertrials and convicts. Such moves are being objected to on account of the violation of the right… Continue reading Parliament has just passed a dangerous bill
Is India’s position on Russia affecting its relationship with the U.S.?
News: Recently, India’s neutral position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has antagonised the U.S. In fact, the U.S. has issued a warning against conducting local currency transactions through Russia’s central bank or constructing an alternative payment mechanism that subverts or circumvents the U.S.’s sanctions against Russia. What are the issues with India’s neutral stand on… Continue reading Is India’s position on Russia affecting its relationship with the U.S.?
Ukraine and the anatomy of India’s neutrality
News: Recently, India has chosen a non-condemnatory approach and abstention approach in the United Nations (UNs) forum on the Ukraine-Russia conflict. India’s stand has pushed India at the centre of the debate in the international community. Contents1 What has been the nature of India’s foreign policy?2 Why do the western countries want India to embrace… Continue reading Ukraine and the anatomy of India’s neutrality
Explained: Indonesia’s palm oil crisis, and its implications for India
News: The world’s largest producer and exporter of palm oil, Indonesia, is facing domestic shortages, leading to price controls and export curbs. What explains this situation, and what are the implications for India? What is the present situation wrt palm oil in Indonesia? Indonesia has witnessed the domestic prices of branded cooking oil spiral, between… Continue reading Explained: Indonesia’s palm oil crisis, and its implications for India
Realism versus liberalism in international relations
Context: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has rekindled the realism versus liberalism debate in international relations. The liberals call the war an attack by “authoritarian Russia” on “democratic Ukraine”. The realists argue that the war was the culmination of the post-Cold War power games in Europe. What are the theories of liberalism? Liberalism has 3 core… Continue reading Realism versus liberalism in international relations
A candid conversation about the caged parrot
News: The Chief Justice of India (CJI) recently gave a candid appraisal of the state of India’s investigating agencies. The CJI called upon investigators to stand up to the unethical pressures in order to uphold the confidence entrusted in them by the public. He stated if middle-and senior-level investigators deviated from the path of objectivity… Continue reading A candid conversation about the caged parrot
