News: Recently, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh announced that the State government was ready for peace talks with the Maoists provided they laid down arms and expressed their faith in the Constitution of India. Earlier attempts In 2010, the then Home Minister tried to bring the Maoists to the negotiating table. He asked them to… Continue reading Talking peace, negotiating with the Maoists
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The neighbourhood in turmoil, lessons for India
Context: India’s foreign policy while dealing with the neighbouring countries in the South Asia Region has changed from 2016 to the present. Rather than prevailing over any uncooperative neighbour using any means possible, India has now shifted towards using soft-power diplomacy, thereby improving ties with each of the South Asian countries. However, it has virtually… Continue reading The neighbourhood in turmoil, lessons for India
Pockets of hope, linking nature and humanity
News: Recently, the International Day for Biological Diversity was observed on May 22 across the world. Significance of Biodiversity It is the living fabric of our planet. It underpins human well-being in the present and in the future. Its rapid decline threatens nature and people alike. What are the drivers of biodiversity loss? According to… Continue reading Pockets of hope, linking nature and humanity
Crushing lives: On the need to enforce rules in quarries
Context: Death of three workers in an accident at a private stone quarry in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu has raised concerns regarding worker safety at hazardous sites. In the present case, a falling boulder trapped six workers and their heavy vehicles under debris in a 300-feet deep stone quarry. Were the norms being… Continue reading Crushing lives: On the need to enforce rules in quarries
Bridging the health policy to execution chasm
News: The Union government has released a guidance document on the setting up of a ‘public health and management cadre’ (PHMC) as well as revised editions of the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for ensuring quality health care in government facilities. Background The health sector has been facing multiple challenges of handling an epidemic and… Continue reading Bridging the health policy to execution chasm
Explained | What a new study on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome says about the disease
What is the News? A team of researchers in Australia has identified a biochemical marker in the blood that could help identify newborn babies at risk for the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)? Sudden infant death syndrome is the unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant. It usually occurs… Continue reading Explained | What a new study on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome says about the disease
The child online safety toolkit
What is the News? Britain-based NGO 5 Rights has released the Child Online Safety Toolkit with the aim to make the online experience safe for children. What is the need for a Child Online Safety Toolkit? Education has migrated almost entirely online for a significant period during the pandemic and children were linked to schools… Continue reading The child online safety toolkit
Understanding India’s ethanol blending policy
What is the News? The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 to advance the date by which fuel companies have to increase the percentage of ethanol in petrol to 20%, from 2030 to 2025. What is Ethanol? Ethanol or Ethyl Alcohol is a hydrocarbon that when burnt can generate… Continue reading Understanding India’s ethanol blending policy
PM inaugurates country’s first 5G testbed
What is the News? The Prime Minister has inaugurated India’s first 5G testbed facility. What is a 5G Testbed? The 5G testbed has been developed as a multi-institute collaborative project by eight institutes led by IIT Madras. Purpose: It will enable startups and industry players to test and validate their products locally and reduce dependence… Continue reading PM inaugurates country’s first 5G testbed
The UN report that highlights India’s vulnerability to drought
News: Recently, the Droughts in Numbers, 2022 report was presented by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). What is the Drought in Numbers Report? The report is a collection of data on the effects of droughts on our ecosystem and the manner in which they can be mitigated through efficient planning for the future. … Continue reading The UN report that highlights India’s vulnerability to drought
