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 […]
SERVICES AT OUR DOORSTEP: DELIVERY WORKERS ARE THE NEW FRONT-LINE FORCE
Why in news? The ‘ferrymen’ of Wuhan, who have been providing groceries, food and medicines to citizens isolated in their homes, have been the backbone of cities that have been most hit by the novel coronavirus. Delivery infrastructure or digitally enabled micro-logistics are key to how citizens navigate their ‘social distanced’ lives during the pandemic. […]
THE RACE TO FIND A CURE FOR COVID-19
Why in news? While efforts to develop an anti-COVID-19 vaccine are encouraging, safety issues are paramount. The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted from Wuhan district in China to the highly developed Western world. With no specific therapy or vaccine available at present, it is imperative that we fast-forward the development of efficacious vaccines and […]
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 […]
THE AGE OF THE NEOLIBERAL VIRUS
Introduction The coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 disease is the first neoliberal virus in the world. To say so is not to reduce its dangers but to criticize how it has been confronted by most governments across the world. Criticism: Hits and misses On March 12, Denmark largely shut down for at least two weeks, […]
IT’S WRONG TO PRESUME THAT MERGERS WILL SOLVE BANKS’ WOES
Hurdles in the proposed merger of nationalised banks The main hurdle will be to the smooth process of integration. In our country, all our banks have their own importance in terms of origin, growth, expansion and geographical [focus], and have been contributing to economic development in their own way. When banks were nationalised in 1969, […]
Indian Submarines and Naval Ships for UPSC Exam
Project 75 India P75I was first cleared in 2007, but lay dormant until now after undergoing numerous changes. The P75I project is part of a 30-year submarine building plan that ends in 2030. The project cost is about Rs. 45,000 crore. As part of this plan, India was to build 24 submarines — 18 conventional […]