More women workers can boost growth: IMF chief – (Economics)
- If the number of female workers were to increase to the same level as the number of men, GDP in the United States would expand by 5 per cent, by 9 per cent in Japan, and by 27 per cent in India, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has estimated.
- The Food and Agriculture Organisation, she said, has estimated that giving women the same access to farming resources as men could increase output in developing countries by up to 4 per cent — lifting over 100 million out of hunger.
Captive breeding proves unsuccessful – (Environment)
- All efforts to revive the critically-endangered species of vultures in captivity at the Nehru Zoological Park going in vain, suggestions are being floated on taking the project to nature.
- For almost six years, the zoo has actively been involved in the concept of vulture breeding in captivity and in the process, could only get two eggs laid. Ironically, one egg slipped from the nest, while the other hatched, but the chick emerged with congenital problems and died a few days later after a vain struggle to survive.
200 megalithic graves found on Nagarjunasagar dam bed – (Indian culture)
- In a rare archaeological find, the Department of Archaeology and Museums officials have found about 200 megalithic burial sites on the Nagarjunasagar reservoir bed.
- The officials said people lived there between 1,000 BC and 2nd Century AD and they could have used the area located exactly under Nagarjunasagar reservoir bed as their community burial site.
ISRO to help put railway safety back on track – (Science and Technology)
- The Indian Railways will join hands with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to get online satellite imagery for improving safety and enhancing efficiency.
- The technology involves GPS (Global Positioning System), GIS, and remote sensing.
- The official said geospatial services would be available from satellite-assisted navigational support through the GPS-aided geo-augmented navigation (GAGAN) system of ISRO.
Floating test range for missile defence system – (Defence)
- India is building a unique floating testing range — a huge ship — to overcome the limitations imposed by the land mass for carrying out missile tests of varying ranges for the two-tier ballistic missile defence (BMD) system to protect important cities.
- The system seeks to engage and destroy incoming enemy missiles at different altitudes in the endo- and exo-atmospheres.
Us’, ‘them’ and an elusive peace – (Security)
- Meiteis, in their demand for an ILP, consider the migration of tribals as a sign of integration and do not oppose it. What they are critical of and apprehensive about are the ‘outsiders’.
- The violence in Manipur is linked to unrestrained demographic pressure by ‘outsiders’ and the cry for an Inner Line Permit system. The role of vested interests and inter-community tensions have exacerbated this.
Always crashing in the same car – (Economics)
- China is losing out on exports because the export market itself has shrunk. Those who consider this a positive sign for ‘Make in India’ are being naive.
- There are two ways in which economies of emerging markets could get coupled with the world economy: trade and finance. China adopted the first method, while India choose the second.
- At the heart of the crisis of finance are issues of distribution of income and wealth. In a system with antagonistic classes of workers, capitalists, rentiers and the state contesting for a share in the pie, their shares are determined by their relative bargaining strength.
From city of remembrance to city of hope – (Security)
- The rising tide of nationalism in East Asia reveals that memories of regional conflicts are deep-seated, overshadowing the remorse over Hiroshima.
- The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has failed to have an impact on reduction in nuclear weapons. The fact that the five Permanent Members of the UNSC are the only recognised nuclear states has diminished its position significantly.
The gag on Greenpeace – (Governance)
- The non-governmental organisation (NGO) stands accused of concealing and mixing foreign contributions with local contributions. The latest step by the Ministry of Home Affairs simply cancelling Greenpeace’s registration was but an expected next stage in the chain of events leading to a gag that is meant to choke.
- The obvious assumption is that without funds Greenpeace in India will not be able to function. This has come even as a petition from Greenpeace seeking release of funds to pay its staff, and alleging arbitrariness in the government’s action, is before the Delhi High Court.
- The action taken under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) — which many NGOs say is a bad application of a poorly drafted piece of legislation — means Greenpeace will not be able to receive any foreign donations.
India set for take-off, says economist – (Economics)
- India is on the cusp of a take-off and “we must not miss this opportunity,” former Chief Economic Adviser in the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government and the World Bank’s Washington-based Chief Economist Kaushik Basu told Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- While 10 per cent growth seems unlikely, sustained 8 per cent per annum growth is possible and this will transform the nation in 20 years, with per capita income breaching the $10,000 mark, he said.