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Electoral Bonds: Decoding democracy’s enigmatic currency

The Supreme Court declared the Electoral Bonds (EB) scheme unconstitutional on February 15 and ordered the Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide the names of individuals and business entities that have contributed the specified sum to political parties. This decision has sparked renewed discussions surrounding electoral bonds in India`s political and social spheres. The opponents point

Political party funding: Why transparency is the key

On February 15, the five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court declared the government`s electoral bond scheme as unconstitutional. It also struck down amendments the government had made to facilitate passage of EBs wherein the Finance Act 2017 made amendments to the Representation of the People’s Act, 1951, the Income Tax Act, 1961 and the Companies Act, 2013. The

India holds mirror to US over CAA

When it comes to the internal matters of India, particularly those that have elevated sensitive values, the US, despite being a close ally, has developed a habit of producing sound bites which are not liked by New Delhi, yet they are intentionally made to keep the world’s largest democracy on toes.   This was clearly seen in the context of the Citizenship (Amendment) Ac

Reducing malnutrition numbers

When I sit and look back at data-driven policy, it makes me content and makes me uncomfortable at the same time. Content? Why? Because data would ultimately help me target the problem in a better manner, design solutions in a manner that is relevant. However, reducing a human being to just numbers, whether it be eyeing only for 2.6 kg birth (as 2.5 is low birth weight) or reducing severe acute

US presidential elections: A clash of the titans

The issues of the order of immigration, healthcare, abortion rights or otherwise along with the American economy and the American contributions to the twin wars have impacted the general narrative of the US Elections. This time around, the age factor of incumbent President Joe Biden is also in play as he crosses the 81-year mark vis-à-vis his chief rival, Donald Trump’s 77 years. T

Ctrl+Alt+Heal: Women’s wellness revolution with digital health

We have been taught since childhood that "health is wealth” and “if health is gone, everything is gone”. Indeed, health is one of the main markers of overall wellbeing of any country, and plays a significant role in various development indices like the multidimensional poverty index and the human development index. India’s commitment to the Sustainable Development G

Interim Budget and frontier technology: Sab ka Vikas, Sab ki Technology

The world is at the cusp of a revolution based on Industry 4.0 and green technologies, including AI, big data, IoT, EVs, solar power, etc., which offer developing countries the opportunity to leapfrog into economic prosperity. However, India’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) still stands at a meagre 0.66% of GDP (Economic Survey 2022), with woefully low participation from the private

How Assam is leading the way for economic transformation

The idea of decentralized planning, particularly in the Indian context, has been a recurring theme for decades. Despite its acknowledged importance, the implementation of decentralized planning has faced a number of challenges. These include issues such as devolution of powers, transfer of resources, and ad-hoc decision-making. Despite ongoing efforts, the journey towards effective decentralize

Cyber security audits: A case for institutional support

Ever since the internet started being used for commercial purposes, cyber security audits have become a routine requirement.  Considering that this change is fairly recent, these audits too are quite new. Audits, however, have been in existence in the finance world since time immemorial. These financial audits are fairly standard and have a set process both in terms of form and delivery. H

Budgeting for healthcare, the key factor for Viksit Bharat

The unveiling of the interim union budget 2024 has underscored significant strides in the healthcare sector, accentuating its pivotal role in the nation’s well-being. With the goal to make India a Viksit Bharat by 2047, increased allocations to Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM) Ayushman Bharat, extension of healthcare coverage to ASHA and Anganwadi wor

Interim budget: What various sectors, taxpayers can expect

As the fiscal year concludes, heightened expectations surround the upcoming interim budget, which serves as a precursor to the comprehensive budget. This interim budget is anticipated to address key sectors and initiate reforms that align with the vision of achieving a trillion-dollar economy envisaged by prime minister Narendra Modi. In this article, we delve into the expected budgetary measur

Interim Budget 2024: What to expect?

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting the Budget for FY2024-25 on February 1, 2024. Since this is an election year, the finance minister will table a “vote-on account” through an interim budget, while the task of presenting the full budget for FY25 shall be of the new government after the general elections. The last interim budget, presented by the i

Lord Ram in the 21st century

India is celebrating the reinstating of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, his birthplace, after almost 500 years of politico-legal struggle. At the same time, politics is inevitable in a modern democracy; ironically, the matter of religion in public life for the majority population threads between the expression of faith and the exploitation of belief. The act remains the same; it changes th

Empowering Minds: The changing face of education through CSR initiatives in India

In India, education serves as a powerful catalyst for individual progress and societal advancement, especially in rural areas where access to quality education remains a challenge. A 2021 survey ranking India at 32nd place globally in the education index underscores the pressing need for initiatives that bridge this gap. This article delves into the pivotal role Corporate Social Responsibility

Get. Set. Goal

In one of my sessions, I asked the participants, “Do you have goals in life?” What do you presume would have been the answer? Almost everyone raised their hands. Then I asked, “Have you written down those goals?” Now only a few hands went up. Once again, I quizzed, “How many of you are carrying your goal list with you right now?” And there was only one hand u

The Pannun affair: Why India-US ties are undergoing stress check

It is nearly two weeks since FBI director Christopher Wray landed in New Delhi and held talks with CBI director Praveen Sood and NIA chief Dinkar Gupta on the alleged killing of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US citizen and wanted terrorist in India. Close on the heels of the FBI director’s visit, five Indian-origin US lawmakers warned India that its relations with America would suffer a &ldq

‘Bon Voyage’ through the Arctic: Exploring new horizons for India

India`s tryst with trade through the Arctic regions, including the Northern Sea Routes (NSR), has become an impact-making endeavor recently. The Arctic of yore is now a pivot – point of geopolitics, of climate change discussions, and for economic opportunities; 40% of oil and gas reserves said to be here – for equitable sustainable development goal. Murmansk, known as the capital ci

Mumbai traffic: Let’s use some simple math

Two level of roads not enough, BMC to have triple traffic jams through underground junctions There is no shortage of short-sighted traffic experts who believe that creating more vertical space (either above or below the level) in already overcrowded and congested cities will be counterproductive henceforth. The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed that

The Effect of Mindfulness Practice on Adolescents: A Pilot Study

[On the occasion of the International Stress Awareness Week, Oct 30-Nov 3, Governance Now had carried an excerpt from a study on Occupation Stress Among Middle-Aged in India. Here is an excerpt from another research paper on a similar and important topic

Occupational Stress Among Middle-Aged Professionals in India

[On the occasion of the International Stress Awareness Week, Oct 30- Nov 3, here is an excerpt from a research paper published in ‘Annals of Neurosciences’, which focuses on an important segment of society – middle-aged professionals – and their major concern – occupational stress.] For the full paper, readers are invited to go to:

Visionary Talk: Amitabh Gupta, Pune Police Commissioner with Kailashnath Adhikari, MD, Governance Now


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