New WHO report on assistive technology for disabled provides a roadmap for India

News: The World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) jointly launched the first Global Report on Assistive Technology (GReAT) on May 16. What is Assistive technology (AT)? It may include any item, piece of equipment, software programme or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of… Continue reading New WHO report on assistive technology for disabled provides a roadmap for India

The Ukraine conflict has raked up old dilemmas

News: The Ukraine Conflict has caused a resurfacing of the deepest dilemma related to the energy sector, i.e. – whether to ensure there is affordable, secure, and accessible energy at present, or – to secure the longer-term imperatives of economic growth and sustainable development. Situation Prior to the Ukraine Conflict Oil market It was globally… Continue reading The Ukraine conflict has raked up old dilemmas

Why kidney rackets thrive

News: Last week, a network of kidney traffickers was busted in Delhi. This is the 3rd such scam in the last 15 years in Delhi. The trafficker involved doctors and other healthcare personnel, hospital administrators. They catered to patients that have end-stage kidney diseases and cannot be treated with medicines or dialysis and require a… Continue reading Why kidney rackets thrive

Lessons from the Ukraine crisis price shock

News: The Russia-Ukraine conflict will cause major, long-term shifts in the global energy and commodity trade. What are the driving factors behind the shift? At Present (1) The European nations & Other nations (due to western sanctions on Russia) are diversifying their energy supplies. This has been causing market distortions and high prices. (2) The… Continue reading Lessons from the Ukraine crisis price shock

The dangerous intellectual fad of ‘civilisationism’

News: At present, the big nations are using civilisational rhetoric to rebrand the nations. The leadership from India, China, Russia, Turkey, and Iran have made statements that their countries are civilisations and not nation-states. In fact, the Russian President has stated that “Russia is not just a country, it’s really a separate civilisation”. It means… Continue reading The dangerous intellectual fad of ‘civilisationism’

Explained: How NAS survey assesses what school students have learnt; what it has found

News: A nationwide survey carried out by the Union Ministry of Education has found that between 2017 and 2021, the literacy and numeracy skills of school students in India worsened considerably across subjects and grades. The outcomes of the National Achievement Survey (NAS), are supposed to guide interventions by authorities across the country to bridge… Continue reading Explained: How NAS survey assesses what school students have learnt; what it has found

Urban agriculture can help make cities sustainable and liveable

News: Recently, the Union finance minister wished to make India cities “centres of sustainable living with opportunities for all”. The FM argued for a paradigm shift in urban planning with announcement to set up a high-level committee to steer the required changes in urban policy, planning, capacity building and urban governance What are the problems… Continue reading Urban agriculture can help make cities sustainable and liveable

Myanmar’s internal situation shouldn’t hobble India’s ‘Act East’ policy

News: In 2021, Myanmar’s military took over the civilian government. Now, there are reliable reports of the strengthening of the People’s Defence Force, with the support of various ethnic militias. There is no sign of the restoration of normalcy. Implications on India For India, the coup has caused an adverse impact on its Act East… Continue reading Myanmar’s internal situation shouldn’t hobble India’s ‘Act East’ policy

GST Council must uphold fiscal federalism

News: Recently, the Supreme Court has given its verdict on the nature of recommendations made by the GST Council. The verdict included an important observation on Indian federalism, especially on it being a dialogue between cooperative and uncooperative federalism. Background of the Case The case was an appeal to the SC against the Gujarat High… Continue reading GST Council must uphold fiscal federalism

Explained: How ‘Use and File’ system will bring new health insurance products faster

What is the News? The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India(IRDAI) has decided to extend the ‘Use and File’ procedure to all health insurance products. The move is expected to facilitate faster customer access to health policies. What is the Current System? Under the current system, an insurance firm wishing to introduce a new product… Continue reading Explained: How ‘Use and File’ system will bring new health insurance products faster

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