DEKHO APNA DESH: ‘BENGAL BY THE HIMALAYAS’
Why in news? Dekho ApnaDesh webinar on 2nd May 2020 was titled: ‘Bengal by the Himalayas’. Highlights were: attractions of Darjeeling, the history of Darjeeling Tea, story Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR). Background: Darjeeling tea is a tea grown in the Darjeeling district, Kalimpong District in West Bengal, India, and widely exported and known. Darjeeling tea […]
DRDO DEVELOPS UV DISINFECTION TOWER
Why in news? DRDO has developed an Ultra Violet (UV) Disinfection Tower for rapid and chemical free disinfection of high infection prone areas. Details: It is a UV based area sanitiser designed and developed by Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC), the Delhi based premier laboratory of DRDO Objective: rapid and chemical free disinfection of […]
SUMMIT OF NAM CONTACT GROUP
Why in news? Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the online Summit of Non Aligned Movement (NAM) Contact Group to discuss response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Details: The online NAM Contact Group Summit on the theme of “United against COVID-19” was hosted by the current Chairman of NAM, the President of Azerbaijan. The event also […]
INDIA’S REVIVAL PLAN MUST FOCUS ON CITIES
Introduction The country needs a strong structural shift into organized manufacturing and away from its burden on the agricultural sector. The role of urban spaces across India will be key in this transition. Cities are hubs of economic activity and growth, and they increase productivity through the creation of agglomeration economies. Why should the focus […]
FIVE WAYS HOW BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY CAN AID RECOVERY
Introduction to rise of Blockchain Technology Fuelled by the unceasing hype around Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, blockchain has been regarded as the silver bullet solution for everything—hacking, threats to democracy, poverty and world hunger. 5 ways in which Blockchain Tech can help mitigate the COVID crisis: I – Building more resilient supply chains An end-to-end supply […]
ARE INDIA’S LABOUR LAWS TOO RESTRICTIVE?
Why in news? Some State governments including Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) and Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) have proposed ordinances to exempt manufacturing establishments from the purview of most labour laws. Are the Labour Law Exemption ordinances justified? Three Issues: The kind of changes that have been made, they potentially will hurt, will dis-enable the realisation of the […]
WHAT IS THE ‘ONE NATION, ONE RATION CARD’ SYSTEM?
Why in news? Finance Minister on 14th May 2020 announced the national rollout of a ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ system in all states and Union Territories by March 2021. As of now, about 20 states have come on board to implement the inter-state ration card portability. Why do we need a ‘One Nation, One Ration […]
NIRBHARTA STARTS AT HOME
Introduction The first instalment of the Rs. 20 Trillion (Lakh Crores) package of measures announced by the finance minister on 13th May 2020 is an important major step towards keeping the economy afloat (instead of revive). Not all of the Rs. 20 Lakh Crores constitute extra fiscal expenditure. They include extra expenditures, loans, loan guarantees and […]
HEED THE DIFFERENCE: STRATEGIES TO EXIT LOCKDOWN
Introduction The two imperatives, of extending the lockdown to reduce the rise in number of COVID-19 cases and relaxing lockdown to increase economic activity, might seem conflicting. But the key to resolving the impasse lies in recognising that different states have different needs and demands, and they should be given a greater say in decisions […]
WHICH SECTORS DEPEND ON IMPORTS, AND WHICH DO NOT?
What sectors heavily depend on imports Electrical equipment such as smartphones and computers are a key part of India’s import bill. Around 88% of the components used by the mobile handsets industry are imported from countries like China. Over 60 per cent of the country’s medical devices are imported as well. Other products heavily imported into the country […]