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Concept Note: Restructuring, Revamping and Rebuilding Independent India
No full textThe concept note emphasizes the significance of sustainable development, which balances economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion for both current and future generations. Central to this vision is education, particularly in the context of India’s New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This policy serves as a transformative framework aimed at delivering holistic, interdisciplinary, and flexible education while nurturing critical thinking and innovation. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 4 on quality education, the NEP integrates environmental education, promotes inclusive opportunities for marginalized groups, and addresses gender disparities, ensuring that no segment of society is left behind.
Further, the NEP emphasizes vocational training, entrepreneurship, and skill development to prepare a workforce equipped for the demands of a rapidly evolving, digital, and sustainable economy. By fostering eco-conscious practices in schools and advocating for universal access to education through digital platforms and foundational literacy programs, the policy strives to reduce social inequalities and empower individuals. The note underscores that quality education is crucial for sustainable development as it enables people to meaningfully participate in democratic processes, tackle global challenges, and drive inclusive, eco-friendly economic growth
National Education Policy and challenges of Armed Conflict: An Analytical Study
Full text linkEducation is the foundation for holistic development. It enables people to expand their horizons and enhance their chances in life by obtaining knowledge and skills through education. Additionally, improving people\u27s talents fosters economic growth, the alleviation of poverty, and the advancement of science and technology. Conflict adversely affects education which has devastating consequences. Naxal violence in India usually results in a lower level of basic skill acquisition among school children (Global Monitoring Report Team. 2011)1. To achieve that, a variety of strategies are employed, including the destruction of schools the reduction of government non-military expenditures, poor teaching quality, absence of women volunteers, depressed labor markets and social networks, destroyed assets, mortality, morbidity, and displacement, child soldiering, and widespread insecurity (Ministry of Human Resource Development,2019)2. As NEP is a modern-day necessity, nationwide earlier upgradation in education had objectives However, the problem varies about armed conflicted areas from the rest of the socio-demographic areas which challenges the government to effective formulation and implementation of NEP. The paper objectifies to analyze the effectiveness of safeguarding education through NEP in armed conflict-prone areas. The methodology of the study is analytical research. The study is purposively based on the naxal armed-prone areas of Chhattisgarh, the study uses qualitative and quantitative secondary data for analysis. Furthermore, this paper makes an important contribution to research on armed conflict and education to contribute to the understanding of the issue of armed conflict and the effectiveness of the NEP. The paper also seeks to inform policy-makers, educators, and other stakeholders on the importance of education policies in conflict-affected areas. The study provides a significant visualization of how the NEP effectively mitigated and curbed armed conflict. It questions the effective implementation and adaptability of NEP and how the outcomes of armed conflict on education hamper the early blocks of development of children
U.S.-China Trade Deal Signals Thaw in Rare Earths Dispute, Hints at Broader Global Trade Ambitions
Full text linkSignaling a turning point in U.S.-China trade relations, China announced on June 27, 2025, that it would approve the export of rare earth elements (REEs) to the United States, marking a breakthrough in the ongoing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. The announcement, which followed weeks of intense negotiations, came hours after U.S. officials confirmed that a deal had been reached to ease restrictions on these critical materials, essential for everything from consumer electronics to advanced military equipment. The agreement represents a step toward stabilizing the fraught economic relationship between Washington and Beijing, while also hinting at broader U.S. trade ambitions, including a potential major deal with India
Promotion of Entrepreneurship through Women-run Self-Help Groups
Full text linkSelf-help groups (SHGs), predominantly led by women, are anticipated to play a pivotal role in advancing gender equality, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and poverty alleviation within rural areas. Recognising this potential, both the Indian government and various state governments have implemented an array of policy interventions and initiatives over the years to promote livelihood generation and micro-entrepreneurship through SHGs. These initiatives encompass programs such as the SHG-Bank Linkage Programme by NABARD, DAY-NRLM, and various skill training programs. Despite the prevalence of SHGs actively involved in providing microfinance to their members, a significant number of SHG members do not engage in commercial activities, either collectively or individually. This reluctance persists despite the ongoing efforts made through policy interventions. This paper identifies the factors that motivate SHG members to embark on entrepreneurial endeavours and establishes correlations between these factors and the growth of SHGs. Researchers employed a mixed research methodology, conducting a survey among SHG members in the Narsinghpur district of Madhya Pradesh and conducting a policy analysis to identify existing gaps.
For the survey, a stratified random sampling technique was employed to identify specific SHG members within predefined strata. The research team conducted interviews of SHG members engaged in entrepreneurial activities and SHGs not engaged in any entrepreneurial activity. Statistical tools such as correlation coefficients were applied to analyse the survey data. Subsequently, the research findings were scrutinised to formulate recommendations for policy interventions aimed at more effectively promoting entrepreneurship among rural women
A Study of Start-up Policy and Performance of Government Programmes in the State of Gujarat
Full text linkIndia accounts for more than 7 per cent of Global GDP in terms of PPP and about 4 per cent in nominal terms. India has adopted a number of measures that promote faster economic growth and equitable distribution of resources. One such measure is the Startup Policy. It is a flagship program of the Government of India to boost the startup culture in India. In line with the efforts of the Union Government, State Governments are also implementing various policies for startups.
The state of Gujarat in India has been recognized as one of the leading states in the country for its proactive approach towards fostering a favorable environment for startups. Gujarat is home to more than 8 thousand startups registered, with more than two billion in financial support and more than 180 incubators, and a Centre of Innovation. This paper aims to comprehensively analyse Gujarat\u27s startup policy and evaluate government programs\u27 performance in supporting startup initiatives. The findings reveal that Gujarat has implemented a robust startup policy framework with a range of incentives, including financial support, incubation facilities, and regulatory reforms, to promote the growth of startups. The study further evaluates the performance of government programs designed to support startups in Gujarat across different sectors
National Education Policy 2020: A Critical Analysis of Language in Education in India
Full text linkEducation is the foundation for holistic development. It enables people to expand their horizons and enhance their chances in life by obtaining knowledge and skills through education. Additionally, improving people\u27s talents fosters economic growth, the alleviation of poverty, and the advancement of science and technology. Conflict adversely affects education which has devastating consequences. Naxal violence in India usually results in a lower level of basic skill acquisition among school children (Global Monitoring Report Team. 2011)1. To achieve that, a variety of strategies are employed, including the destruction of schools the reduction of government non-military expenditures, poor teaching quality, absence of women volunteers, depressed labor markets and social networks, destroyed assets, mortality, morbidity, and displacement, child soldiering, and widespread insecurity (Ministry of Human Resource Development,2019)2. As NEP is a modern-day necessity, nationwide earlier upgradation in education had objectives However, the problem varies about armed conflicted areas from the rest of the socio-demographic areas which challenges the government to effective formulation and implementation of NEP. The paper objectifies to analyze the effectiveness of safeguarding education through NEP in armed conflict-prone areas. The methodology of the study is analytical research. The study is purposively based on the naxal armed-prone areas of Chhattisgarh, the study uses qualitative and quantitative secondary data for analysis. Furthermore, this paper makes an important contribution to research on armed conflict and education to contribute to the understanding of the issue of armed conflict and the effectiveness of the NEP. The paper also seeks to inform policy-makers, educators, and other stakeholders on the importance of education policies in conflict-affected areas. The study provides a significant visualization of how the NEP effectively mitigated and curbed armed conflict. It questions the effective implementation and adaptability of NEP and how the outcomes of armed conflict on education hamper the early blocks of development of children
Sustainable Energy: Assessing the Opportunities & Challenges for City Gas Distribution in Maharashtra
Full text linkThe research aims to evaluate the potential opportunities and challenges associated with the expansion of City Gas Distribution (CGD) in Maharashtra, India, with a particular emphasis on sustainable energy. As one of the nations’ most populous and industrialized states, Maharashtra faces rising energy demand and environmental issues. This study\u27s primary objective is to identify the key factors that influence the viability and usefulness of CGD expansion in promoting sustainable energy practices in urban areas. The research will initiate with a comprehensive review of the currently available research and policy frameworks regarding CGD expansion, sustainable energy, and urban development in Maharashtra. Data will be summarized through an extensive and in-depth study of the resources. The evaluation will include several essential factors, such as the availability and accessibility of energy resources, the existing infrastructure, technological capabilities, regulatory frameworks, financial incentives, and market dynamics. In addition, the study will investigate the potential environmental and socioeconomic benefits of CGD expansion, including reduced carbon emissions, improved air quality, and increased energy security.
Based on its findings, this research will contribute to an in-depth understanding of the opportunities and challenges for CGD expansion in Maharashtra, with a particular focus on sustainable energy. The results will assist policymakers, energy planners, and industry stakeholders in formulating effective strategies and policies to promote the widespread adoption of CGD, thereby facilitating the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy practices in urban areas
Colombia’s Tragic Downward Security Spiral
Full text linkDuring the middle of May 2025, I had the opportunity to travel to Bogota, Colombia, to give addresses to the country’s National War College and the New Granada Military University, and to interact with senior Colombian security and defense personnel regarding the challenges facing the country. The trip was particularly meaningful for me, insofar as my own work on Latin American security issues since the late 1990s has coincided with Colombia’s transformation from a country whose governance was once crumbling from the mutually reinforcing scourges of drug corruption and guerilla violence, to Colombia becoming the region’s foremost security success story, U.S. partner, and exporter of security to its neighbors.
Colombia’s dramatic success during that period makes particularly tragic the reversals in the decade since Colombia signed a flawed agreement with the FARC, accelerated by the socioeconomic shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the disastrous “total peace” efforts of the nation’s current administration of Gustavo Petro. Highlighting how sharply Colombia’s security situation has eroded in recent years, my visit coincided with a rash of targeted assassinations, called “Plan Pistola” (the “pistol plan”), because it was reminiscent of the assassinations employed in the 1990s against the state as a tool of terror by Colombian narco strongman Pablo Escobar. By May 2025, Plan Pistola assassinations had taken the lives of 27 police and security officials across the country. In recent months there have further been a rash of attacks using hand grenades across Bogota
Decoding the Underlying Sustainability Messages: A Rhetoric Analysis of documentary film- All that Breathes
Full text linkThis paper investigates the persuasive potential of documentary filmmaking in transmitting sustainability messages by assessing the contribution of the documentary All That Breathes to the United Nations\u27 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 11, and 13. The film, directed by Shaunak Sen, investigates the effects of air pollution on black kites and people in Delhi, India, emphasizing the interconnectivity of health, urban sustainability, and climate action. The study uses a rhetorical analysis framework, to assess the film\u27s alignment with the SDGs, concentrating on rhetorical devices, narrative structure, and visual and audio approaches. The findings show that the film successfully integrates emotional appeals, logical reasoning, and credibility, proving its ability to inspire environmental consciousness and positive change in conservation activities. This study adds to the expanding corpus of research on the function of documentaries in advancing sustainable development by highlighting the Significance of community involvement and group efforts in tackling health, urban sustainability, and climate change issues
India’s Power Sector Reforms and State Action: The Impact of the UJALA Yojana on Manufacturing, Energy Efficiency, and Environment
Full text linkIndia, as a rapidly growing nation, has a large energy market that represents the hopes and ambitions of over one billion people. Energy conservation is crucial for sustainable development and India has implemented large-scale energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. This research paper centers its attention on the most extensive self-funded domestic LED bulb initiative globally, the UJALA Yojana (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All), under which over 368 million LED bulbs were distributed in last eight years. This scheme is a prime example of India’s state action for the power sector reforms. Even though UJALA yojana has seen varied implementation across states, reflecting significant gaps and challenges but reports suggest a fairly even distribution of the scheme in rural areas. The study evaluates the impact of the Ujala Yojana on Energy Efficiency, it’s impact on Indian LED bulbs manufacturing industry, and its impact on contributing to India’s climate goals. However, the study also finds that there is still a lack of awareness and information among some households about the benefits of energy-efficient lighting and that states and Discoms must engage more actively in the design and planning of energy efficiency and demand-side management schemes for the greater benefits of programmes like UJALA