Category Centres

World Wetlands Day- 2nd February: A call for Wetland Protection and Restoration

Every year on February 2nd, the world observes World Wetlands Day. This day marks a pivotal moment for the international community as on this day in 1971, the “Ramsar Convention on Wetlands” was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar providing a worldwide forum on emphasizing and spreading awareness on the significant role that wetlands play in maintaining the ecosystem, biodiversity, controlling the circulation of water, acting as reservoirs, and helping civilizations to flourish.

India’s Compliance with International Frameworks on Workplace Sexual Violence: A Global Comparison and Policy Roadmap

Workplace sexual violence remains a major global issue, impacting women’s safety, dignity, and economic participation. Studies indicate that 1 in 3 women worldwide face workplace harassment (ILO, 2022). According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in 2022, India has over 419 reported cases, equating to about 35 incidents per month. International frameworks like ILO Convention 190 (2019), CEDAW (1979), and the Beijing Platform for Action (1995) set global standards for addressing this issue.

National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT), 2020

Toys bring society's culture, values and ethos to life. Toys hold a significant place in Indian culture in nurturing the lives of children, being used for both entertainment and educational purposes. To revive this cultural tradition and legacy, efforts are being made to bring back and promote traditional Indian toys as symbols of Indian cultural and educational values, highlighting the traditional artisanal skills. 

Weakened Sexual Assault Verdicts Undermine Both Gender Justice and Economic Progress

It is welcome that a Supreme Court bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih have stayed the order of Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra of the Allahabad High Court that had downgraded the criminal offence of attempt to rape determined by a lower court to a lesser charge of assault or use of criminal force with intent to disrobe, and aggravated sexual assault. This matters not just for gender justice, and social justice (the accused and the victim are from different castes separated by a power differential), but also for India’s economic prospects.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs: Empowering India’s Diverse Fabric 

The Ministry of Minority Affairs isn’t just a bureaucracy, it’s a lifeline for India’s 300 million minorities, stitching them into the nation’s growth story. From scholarships lifting dropout kids to PMJVK building schools, it’s made strides—literacy’s up, jobs are sprouting. Yet, state delays, thin funds, and political noise hobble its pace.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005: A Cornerstone of Rural Development

There’s a huge potential for the expansion of the MGNREGA scheme, especially in regions that have been underserved. The involvement of panchayats and community groups is instrumental in the execution of the scheme’s projects on the ground by identifying local needs and grievances. It’s crucial to ensure that the benefits reach those who need them the most. Although MGNREGA is unlikely to succeed without sustained political commitment and public pressure, its enactment has been a remarkable achievement. 

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