December 13, 2021

Urban Local Bodies Need Financial Autonomy

With the country facing the brunt of COVID-19 second wave, the administrative fault lines are once again evident and an efficient grass root level governance seems to be the need of the hour. Amidst the raging daily caseload and the […]
December 9, 2021

How an Intelligent Local Tech-Ecosystem Can Overcome Developmental Constraints: A Grab Super App Case Study

In Brief:  India’s developmental goals and its global warming related developmental constraints can both be met through a citizen-centric tech ecosystem approach, along the lines of the hugely successful Grab super app. Despite being at the forefront of the technological […]
December 1, 2021

Vaccine exports from India pick up again as Omicron variant of the coronavirus spreads

NEW DELHI – Covid-19 vaccine exports from India – home to the world’s largest vaccine-manufacturing industry – are gathering pace amid concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Bharat Biotech announced on Monday (Nov 29) that it […]
November 17, 2021

COVID-19 & Women Labour Force Participation Paradox in India

Introduction The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is an unparalleled tragedy in human history which has already killed more than 3.7 million people and brought economies world over to near recession.  Covid-19 saw India’s GDP per capita taking a nosedive as unemployment […]
October 19, 2021

COVID-19 pandemic: A test for Indian Federalism

Introduction In 1946, during the Constituent Assembly Debates, one of the central questions was whether the states should be given autonomy to promote decentralisation or it should come from a firm central authority. The pro-strong center supporters were well aware […]
October 19, 2021

‘BIG THREE’ in the Covid era

The raging coronavirus pandemic has necessitated concentrated efforts to contain the spread of the virus, leading to ‘covidisation’ of the health system.  The diagnostic repurposing and redirection of funding, human resources, and infrastructure has led to neglect of other diseases. […]
June 23, 2021

Intellectual Property Right Waiver: A False Good Idea?

Economist Joseph Stiglitz believes that the difference between developing and developed countries stems not only from resource gaps but also from knowledge gaps. Middle-and-low-income countries have low levels of innovation and patenting, and thus struggle with the affordability of life-saving […]