INDIA REGISTERED A TOTAL OF 826 FATALITIES AND 26,917 CASES
Why in news? The death toll due to COVID-19 continued to rise on Sunday, with the country registering a total of 826 fatalities and 26,917 cases. 5,913 people have recovered, with a recovery rate of 21.9%. The doubling rate had been showing regular improvement and stood at 10.5 days when seen over a period of […]
LIFELINE UDAN FLIGHTS
Why in news? ‘Lifeline Udan’ flights are being operated by MoCA to transport essential medical cargo to remote parts of the country to support India’s war against COVID-19. Air India operated two flights between Mumbai- Frankfurt and Mumbai- London last week under the Krishi Udan program, carrying seasonal fruits and vegetables from Mumbai and returning […]
PREVENTING FOOD SHORTAGES IS HIGH PRIORITY FOR SOUTH ASIA
Adverse Impacts of the World Bank’s Forecast The forecasted scenarios translate for South Asia into sharp declines in exports, disruptions in global value chains, deterioration of investment sentiment, reversal of capital flows, and reduced remittances. An extended lockdown for three months and a more partial lockdown in subsequent quarters would lead to a negative growth […]
E-COMMERCE CAN’T SUPPLY NON-ESSENTIALS; GOA IS FIRST TO TURN VIRUS FREE
Why in news? The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on 19th April 2020 clarified that supply of non-essential goods by e-commerce companies will remain prohibited during the lockdown. Goa, on 19th April 2020, became the first zero COVID-19 State in the country with the last seven positive cases also turning negative. What did the ministry […]
A VIRUS, SOCIAL DEMOCRACY, AND DIVIDENDS FOR KERALA
Kerala’s Success in Flattening the curve Though Kerala was the first State with a recorded case of coronavirus and once led the country in active cases, it now ranks 10th of all States and the total number of active cases (in a State that has done the most aggressive testing in India) has been declining […]
IRONING OUT WRINKLES IN INDIA’S PANDEMIC RESPONSE
Why in news? Some critical weaknesses in the country’s health system can come in the way of a credible strategy to combat COVID-19 Much concern about the novel coronavirus in India is understandably about the number of cases and related deaths. Details It is important to remember that the vast majority (80%) of COVID-19 cases […]
LONG LIVE THE NATION-STATE: THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS DEMONSTRATED
Why in news? The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the nation-state is not only alive but absolutely essential. Paradoxical as it may sound, COVID-19, a global menace, has demonstrated the resilience of the nation-state often portrayed as antediluvian by the advocates of globalisation. It has ended up strengthening the relevance of national boundaries as the […]
COVID-19: MANY TASKS AT HAND
Why in news? India has a formidable challenge ahead as it needs to control the disease, combat misinformation and protect civil liberties. As COVID-19 continues its global rampage, India has taken drastic steps to stem its spread. It has banned incoming international commercial flights till March 31, established rules of quarantine for those returning from […]
LOCKDOWN AND BEYOND: GOVERNMENTS MUST AID PEOPLE
Why in news? India has responded to the spectre of large-scale transmission of the novel coronavirus and the unprecedented public health catastrophe it may bring by ordering a full national lockdown. Why and How? The goal is to flatten the transmission curve and help a frayed health system cope with a large number of cases. […]
A PANDEMIC, AN ECONOMIC BLOW AND THE BIG FIX
Why in news? India has just finished a day of curfew on 22nd March 2020, and clapping to practice ‘social distancing’ and to express gratitude to the millions of health and essential services workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a laudable initiative by the Prime Minister to rally the nation together. The nation is […]