Covid-19: From bad to worse for women workers
Context: The COVID-19 pandemic has destroyed millions of livelihoods and led to a sudden and large increase in poverty and a massive disruption of the labour market in India. Women workers, in particular, have borne a disproportionate burden. As the country meets the challenge of the second wave of the pandemic, it is crucial to […]
Covid-19: Vulnerable tribes infected
Context: Many members of eight different Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) got infected in the second wave of Covid-19 in Odisha. The infected PVTGs include the Bonda tribe of Malkangiri hills and Dongaria Kondh tribe of Niyamgiri hills. Relevance: GS-I: Indian Society, GS-II: Social Justice (Health related issues) Dimensions of the Article: Particularly Vulnerable Tribal […]
Back in the shortage economy: Covid-19 Impact
Context: We have been witnessing shortages of almost everything needed to treat COVID-19 patients: hospital beds, drugs, ventilators and, above all, oxygen. India is once again the focus of global attention, as it was in the mid-1960s when two consecutive years of drought resulted in a severe shortage of food. Relevance: GS-III: Indian Economy (Economic […]
India variant of Covid Concerns and Classification
Context: The World Health Organisation classified a coronavirus variant first identified in India as a “global variant of concern”. This variant called B.1.617 was classified as a variant under investigation (VUI) by authorities in the UK earlier in May 2021 and it has already spread to more than 17 countries. Relevance: GS-III: Science and Technology […]
On judicial intervention during COVID-19 crisis
Context: Judicial intervention in response to the Union government’s flailing response to the health crisis has reached its apotheosis with the Supreme Court order forming a 12-member national task force for the effective and transparent allocation of medical oxygen to the States and Union Territories “on a scientific, rational and equitable basis”. Relevance: GS-II: Polity […]
Tribes in Anamalai reserve unaware of COVID-19
Context: Residents of two tribal settlements within the limits of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR), around 100 km off Coimbatore city, were gearing up for the annual festival of their local deity, Vairapattan. The Kattupatti and Kuzhipatti settlements of Pulayar community have barely heard of the acronym COVID-19. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Conservation […]
U.S. to support IP waiver for COVID-19 vaccines
Context: The United States will support an initiative at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to waive Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) protection for COVID-19 vaccines. The news will support the increased production of vaccines globally as countries, including India, continue to reel under the impact of the pandemic. The initiative was first floated by […]
A COVID blot on India’s foreign policy canvas
Context: The second wave of COVID-19 and its agonising consequences, prompting the country to accept foreign aid after a gap of 17 years, is bound to have far-reaching strategic implications for India. As a direct consequence of the pandemic, India’s claim to regional primacy and leadership will take a major hit, its ‘leading power’ aspirations […]
Covid impact: Avg. monthly income for workers drops
Context: According to ‘State of Working India 2021: One Year of Covid-19’, a report brought out annually by Azim Premji University’s Centre for Sustainable Employment, Bengaluru – the COVID-19 pandemic has substantially increased informality in employment, leading to a decline in earnings for the majority of workers, and consequent increase in poverty in the country. […]
RBI steps in to ease COVID-19 burden
Context: With India’s economic recovery threatened by the COVID-19 second wave, the Reserve Bank of India stepped in with measures aimed at alleviating any financing constraints for healthcare infrastructure and services, as well as small borrowers who may be facing distress due to a sudden spike in health expenditure. Relevance: GS-III: Indian Economy (Growth and […]