News: In 2020, India and South Africa gave a call at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver wrt Covid-19. Now, a deal has been brokered between the EU, the U.S., India, and South Africa on the issue. However, the waiver is a classic case of too little, too… Continue reading On TRIPS waiver: Profit over public health
Tag: the hindu
The move to ease voting for overseas citizens
News: The ECI has proposed to extend the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETBPS) for NRIs. How overseas voters currently vote in Indian elections? Prior to 2010, an NRI who had stayed out of India for more than 6 months at a stretch was not able to vote in elections. As their names were deleted… Continue reading The move to ease voting for overseas citizens
PM pitches for ‘local for global’
What is the News? After his ‘vocal for local’ pitch, Prime Minister has made a call for ‘local for global’ while praising the quantum jump in exports of Indian products. What is the “Vocal for Local” and “Local for Global” Slogan? The idea of the slogan “Vocal for Local” is to promote local industries and… Continue reading PM pitches for ‘local for global’
India’s ‘space economy’ valued at ₹36,794 crore
What is the News? The Centre for Development Studies(CDS) and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) has released a paper titled “The space economy of India: its size and structure”. About the paper on the Space Economy of India Purpose: The paper is a first-of-its-kind attempt at measuring the size of India’s… Continue reading India’s ‘space economy’ valued at ₹36,794 crore
State can impose tax on lotteries of other States within its jurisdiction: SC
What is the News? The Supreme Court has held that a State legislature has the right to impose tax on lotteries conducted by other States within its jurisdiction. What was the case about? Karnataka and Kerala governments had enacted laws to tax lotteries organized and promoted by the States of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur… Continue reading State can impose tax on lotteries of other States within its jurisdiction: SC
Smoking causes over seven million deaths a year
What is the News? As per the estimates of WHO, around 1.3 billion people smoke all over the world. Among them, 80% live in low and middle-income countries. Smoking kills over eight million people around the year. Over seven million of these people die due to direct tobacco use, and 1.2 million non-smokers are exposed… Continue reading Smoking causes over seven million deaths a year
Heartening milestone: On India’s overseas shipping record
News: Govt has announced that India’s merchandise exports have already surpassed the target set for this fiscal year, with overseas shipments crossing a record $400 billion mark by March 21. Why is this news significant? This news assumes importance esp in light of the last fiscal’s pandemic-induced slump in global demand. Also, the fact that… Continue reading Heartening milestone: On India’s overseas shipping record
Forging a social contract for data
News: In February 2022, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) released the Data India Data Accessibility and Use Policy 2022 (or Draft Policy) for public consultation. What are the aims of the draft policy? It will help in overcoming a number of historical bottlenecks: (1) slow progress on the Open Government Data (OGD)… Continue reading Forging a social contract for data
India’s complex position on Islamophobia
News: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a consensus resolution declaring March 15 to be celebrated as “International Day to Combat Islamophobia” annually. What is Islamophobia? It refers to the fear of and prejudice, discrimination and hate speech against Islam. For example, Muslims claims the face negative stereotyping in Western countries has exacerbated since 9/11… Continue reading India’s complex position on Islamophobia
The peculiar case of Ladakh’s eastern boundary
Context: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval. This provides a chance to focus on Ladakh’s eastern boundary and ongoing conflict. History of Ladakh’s boundary: There has never been a defined boundary in this area because high watershed frameworks do not apply to parallel… Continue reading The peculiar case of Ladakh’s eastern boundary
