MAKING THE PRIVATE SECTOR CARE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
As the battle against COVID-19 continues in India, it is unclear how well prepared the healthcare system is in dealing with the pandemic. There exist resource constraints at both the Central and State governments and it is clear that government hospitals alone will not be able to manage the fallout. Moreover, even within the government […]
TABLIGHI JAMAAT: ITS PURPOSE, HOW IT RUNS
Over 200 have tested positive for COVID-19 from among 4,000-odd who had gathered in Delhi’s Markaz Nizamuddin, the headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat. What is Tablighi Jamaat? Tablighi Jamaat, which literally means a society for spreading the faith, is a Sunni Islamic missionary movement. The proselytising movement aims to reach out to ordinary Muslims and […]
THE BATTLE TO SET OIL PRICES: RUSSIA’S MOVE TO REJECT PRODUCTION CUTS
Even as the world grapples with COVID-19 pandemic, the energy war has started to precipitate the global oil prices to lower levels. Why the prices are falling? Because the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its alliance partners failed to reach any consensus on cutting back production that would enable prices to remain […]
STILL NO BULLSEYE, IN VOLUME AND VALUE: ON DEFENCE EXPORTS AND DEFENCE IMPORTS
According to a report released by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) for the period between 2009-13 and 2014-18, Indian defence imports fell even as exports increased. This is good for a nation that has had the record of being one of the biggest importers of Defence equipment. 2 Factors responsible for this shift ‘Make […]
EXPLAINED: WHAT IS BEING SPRAYED ON MIGRANTS, AND IS IT SAFE?
In several places including Barreili of UP and Delhi, migrant workers travelling to their home states, or their belongings, were sprayed with a disinfectant, apparently to sanitise them. The chemical in the spray was a sodium hypochlorite solution. Sodium hypochlorite is commonly used as a bleaching agent, and also to sanitise swimming pools. Is the […]
EXPLAINED: BRITISH-ERA LAW INVOKED IN PANCHKULA TO CURTAIL MOVEMENT
In March end, authorities in Panchkula invoked an otherwise redundant British-era law, titled the “Punjab Village and Small Towns Act”, to curtail people’s movement during the lockdown. What is the law? The law was first enacted in 1918 in erstwhile Punjab to make provisions for nightly patrol duty by inhabitants of small villages and towns […]
Current Affairs for UPSC IAS Exam – 17 April 2020
Contents Golden Temple sees a big dip in offerings World’s gaze may shift from China to Make in India India eyes record food production China may have conducted Nuclear test: U.S. More time to renew policies, Insurers’ may be adversely impacted: IRDAI GOLDEN TEMPLE SEES A BIG DIP IN OFFERINGS Focus: GS-I Art and Culture […]
ANALYSIS| HOW PANDEMICS HAVE CHANGED THE WORLD
Introduction to influence of Pandemics in history Pandemics have had great influence in shaping human society and politics throughout history. From the Justinian Plague of sixth century to the Spanish flu of last century, pandemics have triggered the collapse of empires, weakened pre-eminent powers and institutions, created social upheaval and brought down wars. Justinian Plague […]
DISINFECTANT TUNNELS CAN CAUSE HARM
Why in news? The use of a “disinfectant tunnel”, in which sodium hypochlorite is sprayed to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), may give a false sense of security and cause harmful side effects, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has said. The Punjab Health Department had, on April 13, issued […]
11,077 FREED FROM PRISONS, SAYS NALSA
Why in news? The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has said that around 11,077 undertrials have been released from prisons nationwide as part of the mission to decongest jails following the COVID-19 pandemic. NALSA said it had been providing assistance to prisoners who were eligible to be released on parole or interim bail under the […]