Droupadi Murmu Creates History

With Droupadi Murmu going to occupy the highest office of the country, India has made yet another great stride towards empowerment of the apparently most downtrodden section of society that she belongs to. Her irresistible rise is also an inspiration for all those constituting in crores, aspiring to do something big in life, and are somewhere in the process of nation building.

Ever since the Narendra Modi-led government came into power at the Centre, several pre-conceived and established social, political and cultural notions have been shaken with an indefatigably driven zeal to build the nation and society. By altering the established framework of governance and bringing far-reaching changes like never before, this development has also debunked the latent and hierarchical narratives of the Indian society.

Droupadi Murmu’s elevation to the top job has reaffirmed the idea of honouring the neglected sections of society by strengthening the bond between different communities for national unity and social harmony. What may have been unthinkable for the majority of the family-led parties ruling the political firmament for decades, has come to reality. Murmu is not just a lady belonging to the tribal community, rather she represents a strong community that fought even against the oppressive British government for their motherland.

Now putting the community on an equal footing with mainstream Indian society, the development has much more powerful political, social and cultural connotations, which promise to demolish a discriminatory tribal versus non-tribal binary constructed long before first by British colonial rulers and later bolstered by successive political establishments in several parts of the country.

In the last 8 years, a number of efforts and initiatives have been taken to bridge the physical gaps between different regions and communities, especially with the north-eastern and other such neglected zones of the country. This presidential election is an emotional move to bring around 8.2% of the population and about 10.42 crore in number as per the 2011 Census, closer to the heart of the country. At the same time, this outreach to tribal is also inspired by the notion of acknowledging diversity with their individuality being equally respected with long-term cultural and social dividends well beyond the more immediate political and electoral gains.

Global Warming, Global Warning from Europe

Climate change is now killing people, their livelihood, ecosystem, biodiversity, houses, businesses and livestock in developed countries also. A whole host of European countries like Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Greece and a few others are recording highest ever temperatures in their history. On 19th July, Britain broke its record for highest temperature with 40.3 degrees Celsius and France recorded 40.5 degree Celsius. Temperatures hit 47 degree Celsius in Portugal last week amid the harshest heat wave, searing swaths of Europe. In several other countries of the continent too, temperatures are hovering around 40 degree Celsius and causing unprecedented problems to the people, who otherwise are accustomed to living in temperate conditions. Extreme heat is proving to be deadly especially for the vulnerable group of people like elderly, small children, those with preexisting medical conditions and the people with little or no access to cooling. Portugal has reported over one thousand deaths due to the heat-wave till date.

In Europe, people normally don’t need an AC as the temperature remains moderate even during summer, hence they are unprepared for the onslaught of extreme heat conditions. For example, in Britain, estimatedly only about 3% of homes have AC. In that case, the tormenting heat wave causes much trouble to the people, particularly when it remains high during night, depriving them of much need respite. In the wake of extreme heat conditions, Britain triggered a national emergency alert with met scientists blaming climate change and wildfires for the situation. The situations become much worrying as meteorologists predict hotter days ahead with frequent episodes of extreme weather conditions as wildfires start very easily and spread rapidly when conditions are hotter.

Massive wild fires in France, Greece, Portugal, Spain and in some parts of Britain, have already destroyed thousands of hectares of land, forcing thousands of residents to flee to safer places. Extreme heat conditions are displacing people in thousands in southern France, Spain, Portugal and other countries with at least 28,000 evacuated in France alone. Efforts are on to quell the fire, however, the burning blazes are too difficult to be controlled, putting even several apartments on the highest state of alert. Soaring temperatures are causing grass fires in several countries and cities including London, one of the financial capitals of the world. In certain parts of Britain, people have been asked not to travel unless absolutely necessary as the extreme heat has started disturbing rail, air and bus services and disrupting power supplies also. Flights from London were temporarily disrupted and diverted after searing temperatures caused a small section of the runway to lift.

Environmentalists across the globe say, the crushing heat is largely being caused by climate change, which is fairly coupled by the wild fire in some parts of the globe. The air mass responsible for this extreme situation in Europe, is said have been originated in northwest Africa with a heat dome and an area of low pressure. Successive researches also show that certain heat extremes would not have been possible if we had taken the required initiatives well in time. Human caused climate change is now costing us dearly. Warmer temperatures over time change weather patterns and disrupt the usual balance of nature, besides posing many risks to human beings by increasing heat related illnesses, making it difficult to work and move around. Climate changes also seriously affect other forms of life on the Earth. Major parts of the globe are now seeing more hot days and heat waves with 2020 being one of the hottest years on record. Hence, it is now or never for us to wake up to the environmental realities.

Doubling of Farmers’ Income

It is heartening that Narendra Modi government’s persistent efforts for the farmers are now yielding desired results. On the back of a plethora of ambitious and encouraging government policies like easy availability of fertilizers, crop insurance schemes, easy access to credit, increased focus on cash crops, encouragement to agri-entrepreneurship, farm loan waiver to the distressed farmers, kisan credit card scheme and others, the farm sector now appears to be undergoing a tectonic shift. Compared to financial year 2017-18, farmer’s income has doubled in fiscal 2021-22 for certain crops in some states. Even in remaining states, the income of the farmers grew in the range of 1.3 to 1.7 times during last five years.

The minimum support price (MSP) increasing by 1.5 to 2.3 times since 2014 and becoming increasingly aligned with market linked prices, has contributed significantly in ensuring the passage of higher prices to farmers. Moreover, setting the floor price benchmark for multiple crop varieties, which are 23 presently, also sufficiently inspire farmers to move over to the crop varies which promise better yield. A significant jump in farm and non-farm income of farmers is helping a number of rural people imbibing entrepreneurial spirit in their efforts. Aspirational districts programme has also been a huge success in respect of self help group financing in last four years, assisting needy farmer to access required resources for their cultivation.

The Kisan Credit Card scheme (KCC) is doing a great job in bringing a large number of farmers under the formal credit mechanism. Presently, KCC loans are available to farmers engaged in crop husbandry, animal husbandry and other allied activities for both the short term and long term. The government of India is also implementing an interest subvention scheme for short term crop loans through KCC, under which, short term loans up to Rs. 3 lakhs are given to the farmers at concessional rate of 7% and additional 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI) makes the effective rate of interest at 4%.

Driven by government policies, the exports of agricultural and processed food products rose by 14 percent in the first three months of the current Financial Year 2022-23 compared to the corresponding period of FY 22. India’s agricultural products exports grew by 19.92% during 2021-22 to touch USD 50.21 billion.

A research report by SBI has clearly shown that the farm sector is currently in the throes of a significant structural shift. However, farmers engaged in cash crop cultivation saw their income increase at a significantly higher rate, compared to those engaged in cultivation of non-cash crops. For example, the income of farmers cultivating soybean in Maharashtra and cotton in Karnataka became double during this period. While, allied/non-farm income also showed a significant rise of 1.4-1.8 times in the majority of states. The 77th National Sample Survey corroborated that the source of farmer income has become increasingly diverse apart from crops.

However, since 2014, out of about 37 million eligible farmers, only around 50% of farmers received the amount of loan waiver till March 2022. Notably, in some of the states more than 90% of farmers received the debt waiver amount. SBI is of the view that farm loan waivers by states have failed to provide relief to the intended recipients, sabotaged credit discipline in certain geographies and made banks wary of further lending.

Global Politicians of Indian Origin

Now, with Rishi Sunak emerging as the frontrunner to succeed Boris Johnson as the conservative party leader and next Prime Minister of Britain, the fast growing stature and importance of Indian diaspora on foreign lands, has once again come in rave discussion, capturing the flying imagination of many. Sunak, has already won two rounds of votes of party MPs for the position, attracting heavyweight support from former cabinet colleagues. His policy of ‘whatever it takes’ to help the people through pandemic as Chancellor of the country, won him immense support from people and party. Earlier, UK home secretary Priti Patel also attracted much of the attention, besides several parliamentarians dominating the political horizon of many countries.

There is a long list of more than two dozen heads of state and heads of government of the sovereign countries who are of full or partial Indian origin. Large countries like US, Canada and other have several Indians, who have ascended to top leadership positions in the government they are representing now including Kamala Devi Harris being current vice president of the United States or the former first Indian origin Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar. According to the Ministry of External Affairs report, there are more than 3 crore NRIs and OCIs residing outside India with around 200+ Indian origin people already serving in their most significant capacity in 15 countries.

Every year around 25 lakhs Indians migrate overseas, reflecting the full multiplicity of the rich Indian social, ethnic, religious and cultural diversity of the land of their origin. India has always been sensitive to the emotions of the diaspora and vice-e-versa. Acting in true spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the diaspora also bridge in the crevices for wider well being and prosperity.
The current government at the Centre launched a scheme called ‘Know India Program’ in 2016 for diaspora engagement, which helps familiarize Indian-origin youth with their Indian roots and contemporary India. The way Indian Government has been trying to reach out to the people of Indian origin in last eight years and opening up of a new range of opportunities for emerging generations, has inspired them to also explore new avenues and sectors of mutually beneficial interactions, which include investment in India, transfer of skills and technologies and charitable works.

Indian diaspora is one of the richest minorities in many developed countries, lobbying for favourable terms regarding India’s interests out of their love for their country of origin. For example, US has around 4.2 million people of Indian origin and they are the most educated and richest minority. According to the World Bank, the estimated U.S. 87 billion dollar in official remittances was received in India in 2021, which is the world’s largest such flow and amounted to nearly 15% of all such global transfers. People of Indian origin started migrating overseas in large numbers in the 19th century. This migration was driven by the economic compulsions of the colonial powers. Initially, Indians spread to African, Southeast Asia, Fiji and the Caribbean in response to the enormous demand for cheap labour arising immediately after the abolition of slavery in 1833-1834 by the British and then migrated in the midst of the 20th century in search of better life and livelihood to countries like US, UK and others.

Coming back to Rishi Sunak’s race for the Prime Ministership, the road ahead still looks full of thorns and will be closely watched by the political observers as frontrunners in the past stumbled in the end. The new PM is expected to be announced on 5 September. Whoever wins the race, it will be the most diverse and representative leadership contest in UK history.

EdTech and Education of Technology

The whole period of COVID-19 outbreak was a turning point for the entire globe making the third decade of the 21st century probably the most crucial one in terms of smartly and efficiently shifting to a tech-based living and learning. The clarity regarding the connection between technology and education lies in understanding three factors i.e. Learning with AI/ML etc., learning about AI, and preparing for AI. It can be said that the very pace at which these three factors get implemented in a nation is also the rate at which that country is progressing in building AI infrastructure.

AI/ML, Virtual Reality, Supercomputing, IoT, Bigdata, Cloud computing, use of robotics, etc. can enable automation, personalised learning, predictive analysis, deep behavorial insights, smart infrastructure, identification of damaging data patterns, tech-oriented understanding and logical thinking, and a lot more. This type of setup is so powerful that it can fill the cognitive gaps between the social, creative and logical aspects of the human brain as it showcases how the theories convert into practical applications.

The more advanced complex AI tools in the form of supercomputers form another significant sector as far as technological prowess is concerned. To further enhance its capacity in the domain, India launched the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) in 2015. Under NSM, the plan was to connect R&D institutions and academic institutions in the country using a supercomputing grid with more than 70 high performance computing facilities. Increased focus here made India’s fastest and largest supercomputer PARAM-Siddhi AI and supercomputer MIHIR secure the 62nd & 146th spot respectively in the list of World’s top 500 Supercomputers in 2020. The first three positions were captured by Japan and the United States. Many other kinds of computing like Neuromorphic computing, quantum computing, reversible computing, Atomtronics, etc. are becoming a matter of interest to many scholars and researchers, as the government around the globe consider and study the scope of spending more on R&D and institutionalization.

This very fact also explains the growth of ed-tech as a sector globally in terms of both investment and opportunities. A recent data collected by the newly-formed Indian EdTech Consortium (IEC), under the aegis of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), showed that the Indian edtech sector has generated over 75,000 jobs for the Indian workforce in the past five years. The consortium also claimed that over 50,000 professionals are currently part of the ed-tech ecosystem. These kind of new opportunities will very relevantly get superimposed on to the readiness that is being ensured through strong policy change in Indian education system via NEP 2020.

A lot of developments have been taking place in India to further the ed-tech domain. The National Education Alliance for Technology (NEAT), which is being implemented by AICTE, aims to act as a bridge between edtech companies, academic institutions and students. The initiative was taken after a Ministry of Education review noted that learning tools developed by edtech platforms that can supplement classroom teaching need to be made more accessible. So far, the government has roped in 58 edtech companies to the NEAT portal. A comprehensive initiative called PM e-VIDYA was also launched in the country which unifies all efforts related to digital/online/on-air education to enable multi-mode access to education. This will benefit nearly 25 crore school going children across the country as it offers remote learning, SWAYAM online courses, one earmarked TV channel per class from 1 to 12, extensive use of Radio, Community radio and CBSE Podcast via Shiksha Vani, special e-content for visually and hearing impaired, and a lot other provisions. Expansion of the ‘one class, one TV channel’ program (from 12 TV channels to a total of 200 channels) was also announced in the Budget this year. This will enable all states to provide supplementary education for classes in regional languages for classes 1 to 12. Government is also trying to make available High-quality E content in all spoken languages for delivery via internet mobile phones, TV and through radio and digital teachers.

Academia and industry collaboration needs

Cultivating a skilled workforce becomes a rock solid pillar for the country’s progressive economy. In this fast-pacing competitive world, fresh young minds, ready to enter the industry, should be trained for the future, i.e., instilling creative thinking in sync with academic knowledge. As we are preparing for the future, this is where we should increasingly leverage research advances along with technical expertise.

Hence, academic-industry collaboration is fast becoming a rage all across the globe, especially in developing economies like India, as the gap between education system and industries’ expectations has widened in the last few decades. Unmindful of what industries needed or the existing trends were, academics rather focused on just providing education, whether it is science, humanities, technical, professional and others. This is the reason why successive market research on technical and professional education by industry bodies like ASSOCHAM paint a grim and gloomy picture of what is being provided to the students in the name of technical and professional education.

Now it is increasingly recognized across the globe that close interface between academia and industry not only prepares students as per the changing needs and aspirations of the industry, but also promotes innovation and growth. A partnership between educational institutions and industry prove to be instrumental in advancing research and development, besides creating a skilled workforce which companies need.

Most of the time, industry is prone to innovating new ways, processes and technologies to reap rich benefits and broaden economic horizons and activities, however majority of the institutions get accustomed to working on a set pattern, which keep them away from the fast changing realities of the industry. The western world recognized this fact very early that the task of commercializing creative ideas lies with the industry and it is possible only when academia has close collaboration with the economic activities going on in the market.

In the present times of knowledge economy, it is a critical requirement to have such an interface. Close interactions among universities, research institutions and private companies also help prepare the students for the required work, which also saves precious time spent on training the new recruits upon joining a company or industry.

The constantly changing paradigms and complexities of the industry, business, technical processes and people, necessitate that these two come closer for greater benefit of both. A productive collaboration between these two is critical for the knowledge economy and, for that, the curriculum for schools, colleges, universities and all technical and professional courses should also be designed in such a way that ensures that the education imparted should lead to creation of expertise and skills that the industry needs. And fortunately, the New Education Policy (NEP) is set to help in this direction.