DONALD TRUMP THREATENS TO STOP MONEY TO WHO
Why in news? On 7th April, President Donald Trump threatened to freeze US funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), saying the international group had “missed the call” on the coronavirus pandemic. Trump’s views Trump said the body had “called it wrong” on COVID-19 and that it was very “Chinacentric” in its approach. He suggested that […]
EXPLAINED: WHY CHILDREN ARE LESS AFFECTED, MORE SUSCEPTIBLE BY COVID-19
Why in news? Research suggests that while everyone is susceptible to COVID-19, people over the age of 60 and children are particularly vulnerable. Why children are less affected? In the early stages of the outbreak, it was found that COVID-19 was predominantly prevalent in adults over the age of 15 years, while the proportion of […]
A TIME FOR EXTRAORDINARY ACTION: STATE INVESTMENT
Why is it a grave necessity? Even before the full impact of COVID-19 on the health of Indians is clear, the economic impact of the measures required to deal with the pandemic are already posing grave problems. The Indian economy was in dire straits even before COVID-19 reached our shores. Specifically, the lockdown and other […]
A DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR INDIA-GULF ECONOMIC TIES
Why in news? The Gulf region is at the epicentre of a perfect storm: apart from the COVID-19 pandemic, it also has an oil price meltdown. The situation’s impact on bilateral economic ties needs to be anticipated and managed. Oil prices in a tailspin- What happened? The region, especially Iran, has been mauled by COVID-19, […]
WILL COVID-19 AFFECT THE COURSE OF GLOBALISATION?
With several countries and regions locked down, will there be a redrawing of geographical boundaries? Much of what we saw in terms of global integration of trade and finance would suffer in the short run. When the world was hit by economic recession in 2008, trade dipped by almost 10% in 2009 when there was […]
17th April – Editorials/Opinions Analyses
Contents Masks, fines for spitting: Window to new normal Explained: How COVID-19 can help deal with the silent tuberculosis crisis A blueprint to revive the economy India must do all it can to help the migrant workers stranded in West Asia Telemedicine can reach patients where access to medical care is difficult Will the aviation […]
NO LOCKDOWN FOR ABUSE
Why in news? The National Commission of Women has recorded a more than two-fold rise in domestic violence and sexual assaults and a three-fold increase in cases of police apathy in the first week of lockdown since March 24th 2020. In China, France, the U.K. and other countries, there have been reports of a significant […]
FINANCING THE PANDEMIC RESCUE PACKAGE
The Current Predicament The priority for India is to ensure that it overcomes the COVID-19 pandemic and kick-starts GDP growth rather than fix the weaknesses in the macroeconomy: a high fiscal deficit of 7.49% and government indebtedness that was 69% of GDP in 2019. The Government’s financing strategy should be to raise long-term funds at […]
A KEY ARSENAL IN RURAL INDIA’S PANDEMIC FIGHT
Ground Realities in Villages- COVID-19 Lockdown With the influx of thousands of migrant labourers into their villages, there is an imminent need to isolate them for at least 14 days. Unfortunately, the houses here, which are often one or two-room dwellings, with an average seven family members to accommodate, are some of the worst places […]
WHILE TAKING OVER MPLADS FUNDS, CENTRE MUST ALLOCATE JUDICIOUSLY
Why in news? The suspension of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) for two years to boost the funding available for the COVID-19 fight is a step in the right direction. Why this move is a step in the right direction? It may appear at first blush that the decision may undermine […]