As October ends, winds begin to sweep through North India, and the country prepares for its annual struggle with worsening air pollution. We have just experienced an October that has been wetter than normal, with higher temperatures as well. Historically, October is associated with retrieving monsoon and a phenomenon of ‘October Heat’ which signals the […]
Observed on October 29 every year, the International Day of Care and Support draws attention to the efforts, challenges, and vital role of caregivers across the world. Care work includes both paid and unpaid labor that supports individuals, families, and entire communities through acts of service, such as raising children, assisting the elderly, helping persons […]
Introduction The introduction of mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility under Section 135 of the Companies Act in 2013 marked a significant shift in India’s approach to corporate accountability. After nearly a decade of implementation, data from the National CSR Portal reveals distinct patterns in spending trends, sectoral allocations, and geographic distribution that merit examination. Aggregate CSR […]
A brief background and need The 2015 Paris Agreement recognized the idea of a “Just Transition”—a concept that has become central to how countries think about moving toward a low-carbon, sustainable future. At its core, the Just Transition means making sure this shift away from carbon-heavy energy sources to greener alternatives is fair and inclusive. It […]
Harvesting the Sun Twice: Can Agrivoltaics Transform India’s Agriculture and Energy Sectors? The global agrivoltaics market is witnessing a significant surge, projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 11%[1]. Pioneered by countries like China, Japan, and Germany, agrivoltaics is emerging as a promising solution to the dual challenge of food […]
Over the years, the participation of women in Indian politics has increased significantly. However, it has yet to translate into a significant representation of women. While there have been pronouncements by the political parties of voluntary reservation for women in seats, nothing much has happened. The women’s reservation bill is still being debated and […]
India has a comprehensive guideline on Bio-Medical Waste (BMW) management, which has evolved over the years, culminating in the Bio-Medical Waste Rules 2016. There have been few amendments to the rules, specifically during the Covid. Despite the guidelines, BMW management still poses some challenges. There are specific challenges at two levels. One is the non-adherence […]
For development sector researchers, interactions with people across communities and geographies are an intrinsic component of research studies. It offers us a chance to gain their perspective, understand their needs and inform decisions that could improve their lives. Yet, anyone who has collected data in a development research setting would, at some point, have encountered […]
As part of a qualitative study, I recently got the opportunity to conduct a Focus Group Discussion with some Women Kirana Entrepreneurs in one of the districts of U.P. While talking to these women was certainly inspirational, some of the conversations we touched upon were thought-provoking for me. We had discussions centered around their experiences […]
“Plan for the future because that’s where you are going to spend the rest of your life.”- Mark Twain. There is a strong resonance of the quote when it comes to handling the exigency the world is facing to address nutritional needs along with ensuring environmental conservation. Today on World Food Day, it is imperative […]
This year’s International Literacy Day is celebrated worldwide under the theme, “Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces”. This provides us with an opportunity to rethink the fundamental importance of literacy learning spaces to ensure quality, equitable, and inclusive education for all (UNESCO 2022). In this fast-paced transformation era, education and skilling are crucial to the progress of […]
When you hear the word teacher, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Well, my mind immediately conjures up images of saree-clad women brandishing a wooden ruler in a frightful manner, subject-specific classroom instructions, experiments, examinations and results, and of course, memories of some of the teachers who have helped me beyond […]
Yesterday while strolling in my neighbourhood, I came across a partially torn notice stuck on the door of one of the confectionery stores in my neighbourhood. The notice read that single use plastic is being banned in India with effect from 1st July, 2022. On the spot, I did some calculation in my head and […]
Air pollution is a silent killer. According to the World Health Organization, about 99% of the population breathes in polluted air. For India, this is even worse because India’s 1.4 billion people, which is nearly 100 percent of the population, are exposed to poor quality air. There is no city in India that does not fall […]
Why Gender Equality? Gender equality is defined as a concept where both the genders have equal opportunities, rights, and conditions to realize their full potential and contribute to their personal development and societal well-being. Achieving gender equality has now become a global priority since it was first incepted in the 1900s. It is primarily linked […]
The Climate Crisis is a code red for humanity We need to take action before it’s too late India is one of the most vulnerable countries towards climate change We’ve been reading and discussing how the climate crisis is a major problem for a country like India. It’s not just environmentally disruptive but also socio-economically; […]
Data has been the catchword across different industries over the last two decades. “Data is the new oil” is a phrase apparently coined by British Mathematician and Data Scientist, Clive Humby and backed up by different global publications. And it is true, raw data may not seem much on its own but once synthesized it provides crucial insights […]
In India, 2.21% of the population is affected by some form of disability. The World Bank, however, pegs this figure to be anywhere between 5%-15%. Of those who are disabled, nearly 50% are young (20-59 years), with disability in movement being the predominant form of disability. Conventionally, disabilities that are more perceptible, such as visual […]
Digital technologies have advanced more rapidly than any innovation in the past- reaching around 50 percent of the developing world’s population in only two decades. India itself has been on a digital-first trajectory for a few years. With recent developments in technology and an increase in smartphone penetration, the way we address issues in the […]
With a vaccine in motion to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, the nation gears up to overcome the developmental challenges posed by the pandemic and lockdown; quick studies are already providing the Government the starting mark. Since March 2020 decades of hard work in improving education outcomes have faced the most serious challenge as schools shut […]
I recently got a chance to visit the city of Varanasi for a project. Along with a colleague of mine, I had to conduct a couple of qualitative interviews with NGOs who primarily worked on the issue of forced labor. We had to talk to the beneficiaries of those NGOs as well. I was thrilled […]
The year 2020 has defied all apriori conceptions of normal, changing every aspect of life. Given the recurrent lockdowns, restrictions on travel, social distancing protocols, and the general inhibition to step out in the public realm; almost no sphere of the personal and professional world has remained the same. Social research is among the many […]
