Indian agriculture has focused primarily on maximising crop output levels over the last six decades or so, with limited or negligible attention to post-harvest management. As a result, development of efficient value chains for agricultural commodities remains muted, while that for by-products and crop residue is nearly non-existent. Furthermore, with increased pressure on the land to produce more crops in a year, it has become a practice to treat crop residue as waste and burn it for quick disposal.
The Gender Impact Studies Center (GISC) at IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi conducted a Three-Day Immersive Online Certificate Training Course on ‘Feminism: Fundamentals, Facets and Future’ from February 23rd to 25th, 2023.
The course, spread over three-consecutive days, introduced the participants to the origins and trajectory of feminism, its contemporary and European aspects, intersectional feminism, feminist theory in India, and the intersection of law and feminism.
A Panel Discussion on Supreme Court Verdict on Same-Sex Union: Navigating its Impact, Implications and Future Ahead was conducted by the Gender Impact Studies Center (GISC), IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi on October 30, 2023.
Technology is essential to border management. But, as the events of October 7 show, a delicate balance between its use and the presence of troops is needed.
Israel-Hamas Conflict
Even as the Israel-Hamas crisis shows no signs of de-escalating, the ease with which the much-touted Israeli border defence systems fell apart on October 7 continues to challenge observers and practitioners as they seek a better understanding of what really happened. In one swoop, Hamas took down the technology-driven, modern, expensive, and high-end fencing systems called the “Iron Wall”, which the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) had set up along 65 km of their border with Gaza in 2021, to fend off infiltration.
In a sign of chinks in President Xi Jinping’s armour, there is, of late, turbulence in China’s political landscape. This is in sharp contrast to the signals of solidarity and unity put out a year ago at the 20th Communist Party Congress. While Xi jettisoned rival political factions in the all-powerful 7-member Politburo Standing Committee and the 24-member Politburo, there is definitely a push back, as can be seen from the fact that Xi has forced two of his close confidants out of office. china
There is a line up of visitors to the region with their own agendas. Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz are racing to support Israel but with a subtle caveat as the UNSG cries hoarse for opening up of humanitarian corridors and access of medical and humanitarian supplies to the besieged Gaza residents. While the casualties and crisis is deepening by the minute and humanitarian conscience is provoking introspection and perhaps hardening of attitudes and resolve on both sides, rationality is mostly a casualty, observes Amb. Anil Trigunayat, a former Indian Ambassador to Jordan, Libya and Malta, and a West Asia expert.
