CURRENT AFFAIRS

India’s school education landscape is facing daunting challenges as even before the Covid-19 pandemic, one in two children lacked basic reading proficiency at the age of 10.

Privatisation of the public sector, including banks, has been part of the wish list of economic reforms since 1991 and it was at the core of the ‘Washington Consensus’. 

The LGBTQ+ community in India is still a stigmatised and invisible minority, a fact that is alarmingly incompatible with the country’s living, liberal and inclusive Constitution.

The massive increase in numbers of COVID-19 infections with the second wave affects pregnant mothers.

The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic could be slowly receding with a decline in the official estimates of daily infections and deaths. 

Access to technology has become crucial in Covid-19 pandemic, to ensure public health and safety.

The pandemic-related lockdowns have been particularly difficult for children, parents, teachers and the elderly.

Bangladesh bettering India’s average income statistics must be a reason for Indians to introspect. The kind of growth path India takes has led to India sliding in the sustainable development goals index as well as in the per capita income rankings.

Death registration is already quite low in India which is further  complicated by  COVID-19 pandemic. But understanding the causes of death is essential for health sector planning and optimal allocation of health resources.

As frontline warriors fighting COVID-19 wearing mainly masks and gloves as the only protective gear have been exposed to great risk.