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 […]
HARMONISING WITH NATURE
Introduction and examples of learning from crisis Aristotle Onassis counselled, “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” So, even as we, along with millions of our fellow citizens, observe the curfew while under a lockdown, this hiatus offers a rare opportunity to reflect and take the long view. […]
THE PANDEMIC AND THE CONTOURS OF A HEALTH RESPONSE
India’s worries India is facing the worst public health crisis in its independent history which pales the earlier ones such as AIDS, SARS and H1N1 into insignificance. The speed at which the virus entered the country and the multiple challenges it has posed before the people and the government are unprecedented. While the initial response […]
WANTED, A COLLECTIVE NATIONAL ENDEAVOUR
Some excerpts from the article on “What can be done?” We are all in it together and representatives of all political parties should work together to deal with what we are told is the severest crisis since Independence. The Centre must have the State Governments as equal partners while taking decisions. The most productive effort […]
EXPLAINED: ARMED FORCES IN CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK BATTLE
Why in news? As the Army moves in to take over the COVID-19 quarantine facility at Narela in Delhi, the procedure for calling the armed forces to help the civil administration is in the spotlight. What is the procedure? The regulations permit civil authorities to requisition the Army for controlling law and order, maintaining essential […]
LIMITING TRANSMISSION IN HOTSPOTS WITH WIDER TRACING AND TESTING STRATEGY
Why in news? Even after the Health Ministry on March 28 acknowledged on its website that there was “limited community transmission”, India’s national taskforce for COVID-19 continues to deny it. Now, a paper in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, by ICMR and Health Ministry researchers, provides evidence of community transmission in 36 districts in […]
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 […]