The number of social innovators and entrepreneurs has considerably increased recently in India. The idea of social entrepreneurship, which aspires to provide novel solutions for the world`s most critical social issues, is now receiving more attention. Challenges like overworked healthcare, long-term unemployment, education and skill development, lack of access to necessities lik
In April 2021, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed a six-member committee headed by a former Executive Director of RBI to comprehensively review the functioning of Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs) and suggest suitable measures to enhance their role play in absorbing stressed assets of the system. After holding 25 meetings, internal and external, over a period of nearly five months an
Iconic Indians: 75 Extraordinary Individuals Who Inspired the Country By Sanjeev Sanyal and Rajesh Singh Rupa Publications, 360 pages, Rs 695 As India completes 75 years of Independence, this book offers shor
Things don’t turn up in this world, as former US president James A. Garfield once said, until someone turns them up. This is all the more so, when one considers the hidden gems that are waiting to be discovered. The world is full of talented young people who need just a nudge to provide that spark that will make them shine. Among all countries, India has the greatest percentage of people
Tourism is a huge part of global culture nowadays and is also one of the biggest sources of revenue across the world. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), in 2019, the tourism industry contributed $8.9 trillion or 10.3% to the global GDP. The industry witnessed a massive lull in 2020 due to the pandemic, leading to a fall of 50.4%; however, demonstrating great resilience, t
There is this popular saying that epics are never told, but always retold. Ramayana is one such epic and needs no introduction. Its plot is grounded in sacrifice and the end brings out hope that the good always wins. But how is a centuries-old tale of the prince of Ayodhya still relevant for today’s generation? A play, ‘Ram Shravan Manan’ which was staged at Shri Ram Centre, M
Left-wing extremism is in existence right from India’s independence, but it became prominent in 1967 under the name of Naxalism. The nomenclature of this movement has changed from time to time and place to place depending upon the leadership. Before 2014 more than 15 states were facing this problem with different degrees of intensity. Following determined efforts by prime minister Narendr
Work on the first metro in Mumbai started in 1998 and it became operational in 2014. The second metro became partly operational in 2022; it is expected to become fully operational in another year. The most prestigious (and controversial) of them all, the third line which is underground, is expected to be operational – first part in 2024 and second part by next year, according to the MMRDA
“Had I known my entitlements and support programme provided by the government for widows, I wouldn’t have to be on the mercy of my relatives and lead a deplorable and undignified life for years. There are many like me who could not break the vicious circle of social and economic challenges due to lack of information.”—Saleeman, a village woman. Co
‘A market structure characterized by a single seller, which exerts a stronghold over others in the marketplace.’ Monopolies have existed since markets were created, and they present inherent dangers to the free market. Today, century-old legislation governs digital monopolies. However, limiting vast data-centric corporations like Big Tech to classical business models such as railway
I recently met a music label owner of yesteryears who produces a movie once in five years. We were at a dinner and were discussing the recent trend of the OTT getting an upper hand in movie-making. He was not at all worried about it; rather he was happy with the development. He shamelessly told me: “Apna paisa toh OTT platform de deta hain. Theatre release toh sirf P&A nikal ne ke liy
Several Indians want to go out and many foreigners intend to come in India and stay here. The good reasons for their desire to come to India include: India is gold mine of opportunities to improve, studies, medical and health purposes, employment, business and religion. There are also bad reasons. India is considered safe haven for fake currency notes, drugs transiting, illegal weapons smugglin
Revadi (sweetmeat) or more popular word, ‘freebies’, has been dominating headlines recently. A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in Supreme Court to bar all political parties from making such promises. In response, one leading political party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has filed their objection to the PIL stating that schemes for the socio-economic welfare of the deservin
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the entire digital landscape globally and compelled people, policy-makers and organizations to digitize their methods of reflections and operations. An analysis by UNCTAD [https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/dtlinf2020d1_en.pdf] points out that
India is the fifth-largest automotive market in the world and will have about 400 million customers in need of mobility solutions by 2030. With the government emphasizing an accelerated transition to EV and providing lucrative benefits for companies and customers alike, the Indian electric mobility demands have grown. With more than 16 million units sold in 2021, India is the wo
How many times a day do you flush the toilet? This number is probably between five and eight times for an average person. How many times a day do you spare a thought towards what happens to the human waste after you flush it away? The answer to this is likely to be close to zero for most people. While citizens with access to piped sewer networks rarely have a reason to worry abo
From obtaining an electricity connection to a driver`s licence, ration card, or old-age allowance, delivery of government schemes and services is an aspect of governance that impacts citizens at various points throughout their lives. The Haryana state government provides over 600 such schemes and services. However, lack of awareness, ambiguity around eligibility, complicated application process
While many countries have been chasing to reach the carbon neutral status, only a few seem to be living up to their pledges as of now. The famous ’Paris Agreement’ of 2015 was glorified and celebrated that finally 196 countries have united with an intent to mitigate and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. Developed countries, home to 18% of the global population, are responsible fo
UPI has become an integral part of our daily lives now. We use it to buy groceries, we use it to send money to friends and family, we use it to purchase tickets, book shows, pay the cab driver, and a whole host of other things due to the ease and availability of such a platform at our fingertips. The best part is that it doesn`t even require typing in the bank details; just a QR code or a phone
The hospitality industry is one of the areas which were hit worst due to the Corona pandemic. Even then, the operators as well as owners in this field deserve congratulations for successfully overcoming the unimaginable impact of the pandemic. The fact that not only the industry has survived the crisis but is also hopeful of resuming all pre-pandemic activities with vigour indicates strong spir
