News: Four workers lost their lives in a blast at a fireworks unit in Tamil Nadu on the day of the new year. The accident happened due to mishandling of chemicals. What are the reasons behind the accident? Non enforcement of safety protocol. Leasing out the industry unit to others and unauthorised manufacturing products. … Continue reading Safety at all costs: On implementation of safety protocols in fireworks industry
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Food security policy formulation: What can India learn from other countries?
News: India has transformed itself from a food-deficient country characterised by the ship-to-mouth situation of the 1960s, to the present day, when vulnerable sections of the population have enhanced access to food. Many challenges still remain, and this is where India can learn from international experiences. Must Read: Food security in India and its challenges… Continue reading Food security policy formulation: What can India learn from other countries?
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
Should vaccination be made mandatory?
News: It has been approximately one year since the introduction of vaccines. Despite many achievements there are still numerous challenges to be tackled like vaccine hesitancy and shortage in supplies. In this light, calls are being made to make vaccination mandatory. We need to understand that in public health, the education and service approach works… Continue reading Should vaccination be made mandatory?
Legal MSP: A right and a necessity
News: The demand for legal guarantee for the MSP has become the subject of much debate since the start of the farmer agitation. Many arguments have been given centred around its economic and legal feasibility. But, most are not supported by data or sound economic logic. Must Read: Legalising MSP: Challenges and way forward –… Continue reading Legal MSP: A right and a necessity
Disinvestment needs a different approach
News: The overall performance on the disinvestment front in 2021 is particularly disappointing. The government has raised only about Rs 9,300 crore compared to the target of Rs 1.75 trillion. This needs to be changed because, India’s post-pandemic medium-term growth, to a large extent, will depend on how government finances are managed, and the disinvestment… Continue reading Disinvestment needs a different approach
On James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): A new universe
News: The 25-year saga of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) illustrates the difficulties in doing pure science, and the way international cooperation can overcome such difficulties. The JWST was conceptualised in 1996 when development began with an initial R&D budget of $500 million. It took a combined effort from America’s National Aeronautics and Space… Continue reading On James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): A new universe
