Herd Immunity

Herd immunity is a form of indirect protection from infectious disease that occurs when a large percentage of a population has become immune to an infection, whether through vaccination or previous infections, thereby providing a measure of protection for individuals who are not immune. Watch this video for a discussion and analysis of the concept … Continue reading Herd Immunity

Human Lives Over Profits

2% of the global population are homeless and 20% lack adequate housing. Informal sector employs up to 60% of the working population globally and 90% in India. 35% of the people across the globe lack access to sanitation. According to UNICEF, even prior to COVID-19, diseases directly linked to lack of safe water killed 1,400 … Continue reading Human Lives Over Profits

Dr. Ambedkar signs Poona Pact in 1932

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foYH3er_ZIw This is a short clip from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar movie. Poona Pact, (Sept. 24, 1932), agreement between Hindu leaders in India granting new rights to untouchables (low-caste Hindu groups). The pact, signed at Poona (now Pune, Maharashtra), resulted from the communal award of Aug. 4, 1932, made by the British government on the failure … Continue reading Dr. Ambedkar signs Poona Pact in 1932

Impact of Poona Pact

In September 1932, B.R. Ambedkar negotiated the Poona Pact with Mahatma Gandhi. The background to the Poona Pact was the Communal Award of August 1932, which, among other things, reserved 71 seats in the central legislature for the depressed classes. Mahatma Gandhi was opposed to the Communal Award. In a settlement negotiated with Gandhi, Ambedkar … Continue reading Impact of Poona Pact

Genome Clade A3i

Indian scientists have identified a unique trait in the genetic make-up in the novel coronavirus circulating in India, which is different from the virus that is prevalent in other parts of the world. Watch this episode for a discussion and analysis on this dominant Covid Genome in Indian Samples - Clade A3i. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gv0Vg4pWq0

Transformation of Aspirational Districts

The Transformation of Aspirational Districts Program aims to expeditiously transform 117 districts that were identified from across 28 states, in a transparent manner. It aims to quickly and effectively transform some of the most underdeveloped districts of the country. The broad contours of the programme are Convergence (of Central & State Schemes), Collaboration (of Central, … Continue reading Transformation of Aspirational Districts

Strategic Oil Reserves & Energy Security

India, the world’s third largest crude oil importer has an existing storage capacity of 5.3 million tonnes at Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru and Paadoor, built at an investment of $600 million in the first phase. This is operational and can support 9.5 days of net imports. In addition, the government has approved the construction of an additional … Continue reading Strategic Oil Reserves & Energy Security

Indigenous Defense Manufacturing

Indigenous defense manufacturing has seen a considerable progress in India in the recent times. As per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), in the period between 2009-13 and 2014-18, Indian defence imports fell even as exports increased. According to government of India data for the financial year 2018-19, the three armed services for their … Continue reading Indigenous Defense Manufacturing

Doha Deal

Relevance - In February, 2020 the US and the Taliban signed an "agreement for bringing peace" to Afghanistan. This deal follows after almost 18 years of armed conflict in Afghanistan. As per the deal, the US and Nato allies have agreed to withdraw all troops within 14 months if the militants uphold the deal. The … Continue reading Doha Deal

‘FAITH’ Trials for COVID-19

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to conduct phase 3 clinical trials for the efficacy of a combination of the antiviral drugs Favipiravir and Umifenovir as a potential treatment strategy for Covid-19. The new combination clinical trial will be called FAITH – (FA vipiravir plus Um I fenovir … Continue reading ‘FAITH’ Trials for COVID-19