Tag: Indias

‘Big news’ is India’s population growth is below replacement level: UN expert

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United Nations: While India’s population at 1.4 billion has surpassed that of China’s, the “latest big news” is that the population growth is below the replacement fertility rate in India and it has a “window of opportunity”, according to Rachel Snow, the lead demographer of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
The continued trajectory for India is that while the young population entering the reproductive phase will boost overall fertility, “given the fertility pattern already evident, we can start to anticipate the decline, the plateauing and decline”, she said on Wednesday.
The replacement fertility rate is the average number of children a woman must have to keep the population steady and it is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

The replacement fertility rate for India is 2, with wide variations within the country — between 1.6 for Punjab and West Bengal, and 3 for Bihar among the large states, according to Indian government data.
“You’ve got this big bulge of young people entering both reproductive years which means fertility will keep growing, but (also) entering the age of life for working,” she said, giving India a “window of opportunity”.
The question for India is that with this “window of opportunity”, will it be “able to mobilise the necessary investments in education and job creation, in gender equality, so that there will be an opportunity for that large population to indeed yield a dividend for the economy”, she said.
Snow gave the example of the Asian Tigers — mainly Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore — that had a tremendous spurt in economic growth, which also led to better living standards.
“In the 70s and 80s, the Asian Tigers had an extraordinary economic growth because there was major investment in the health, education, the well being of that cohort of young people who then were able to boost the economy.”

The challenges for India, she said, are “there’s so many people that are in the informal labour market. Again, educational standards are highly uneven — if you go north to south, south to north in India, we see tremendous diversity within such a large country”.
Snow was briefing reporters about the UNFPA’s annual report, which is titled, “8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities: The Case for Rights and Choices”.
She said that the population issue should not be seen solely in terms of numbers and goals, but the as to how women are able to freely make their own reproductive choices.
She said that 44 per cent of partnered women and girls do not have the right to make decisions on having children or not.
About 257 million women do not have access to safe, reliable contraception, she added.
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#Big #news #Indias #population #growth #replacement #level #expert
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 20, 2023
U.N.: India’s population will be world’s largest by mid-year

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The U.N. said in a report that India will have about 2.9 million people more than China sometime in the middle of this year. India will have an estimated 1.4286 billion people against mainland China’s 1.4257 billion at that time, according to U.N. projections. Demographers say the limits of population data make it impossible to calculate an exact date.
China has had the world’s largest population since at least 1950, the year the United Nations began issuing population data. Both China and India have more than 1.4 billion people, and combined they make up more than a third of the world’s 8 billion people.
Not long ago, India wasn’t expected to become the most populous until later this decade. But the timing has been sped up by a drop in China’s fertility rate, with families having fewer children.
Today, China has an aging population with stagnant growth despite the government retreating from its one-child policy seven years ago.
In contrast, India has a much younger population, a higher fertility rate, and has seen a decrease in infant mortality over the last three decades. Still, the country’s fertility rate has been steadily falling, from over five births per woman in 1960 to just over two in 2020, according to World Bank data.
Experts say India’s growth could see an expanding labor force that can fuel growth in the country for decades to come. But they warn it could just as swiftly become a demographic liability if the growing number of young people in India are not adequately employed.
The report surveyed 1,007 Indians, 63% of whom said economic issues were their top concern when thinking about population change, followed by worries about the environment, health and human rights.
“The Indian survey findings suggest that population anxieties have seeped into large portions of the general public. Yet, population numbers should not trigger anxiety or create alarm,” Andrea Wojnar, the United Nations Population Fund’s representative for India, said in a statement. She added that they should be seen as a symbol of progress and development “if individual rights and choices are being upheld.”

The hope is that India’s soaring number of working age people will give it a “demographic dividend,” or the potential for economic growth when a country’s young, working age population is larger than its share of older people who are beyond their working years. That is what helped China become an economic and global heavyweight, even as its number of working age adults is now falling.
On Wednesday, China responded to news of the U.N. report, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin saying “a country’s demographic dividend depends not only on quantity but also on quality.”
“The population is important, so is talent. … China’s demographic dividend has not disappeared, the talent dividend is taking place and development momentum remains strong,” Wang said at a briefing.
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#U.N #Indias #population #worlds #largest #midyear
( With inputs from : www.politico.com )

April 19, 2023
Biopic ‘Sumo Didi’ follows story of India’s only female Sumo wrestler, Hetal Dave

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Mumbai: The upcoming biopic titled ‘Sumo Didi’ will tell the story of India’s only professional female sumo wrestler Hetal Dave, and will star Shriyam Bhagnani as its lead. The teaser of the film featuring actress Shriyam showcases her in a tough and determined character, grappling with ropes as she trains for her part of a sumo wrestler.
The film, which also stars Nitesh Pandey, Chaitanya Sharma, and Raghav Dhir, has been helmed by Jayant Rohatgi.
For Shriyam Bhagnani, portraying the character of Hetal Dave, is a “great honour”. She said, “Preparing for this role has been both demanding and rewarding, and I am thankful for the chance to embody such a courageous and influential figure on screen. I hope that our film will inspire women of all ages to chase their dreams and never give up, no matter the challenges they face”.

Hetal Dave, the inspiration behind the series, made history as India’s first and only female sumo wrestler, and in 2008, she even made it into the Limca Book of Records. She has represented India in various international championships, including Poland, Finland, Estonia, and Taiwan. In the 2009 World Games, she placed fifth in the women’s middleweight category.
Sumo wrestling is not among the recognized sports in India, even then Dave has represented India in several competitions, and has recorded her name in the world’s 150 fearless women.
Shriyam further mentioned, “For me, this is a grand debut, and I recognise the weight of the significant responsibility I am undertaking, quite literally. As a biopic based on a real-life individual, I consider it my greatest responsibility to portray Hetal Mam’s journey accurately in Sumo Didi. It’s my sincere desire to do justice to her story and legacy through my performance in the film”.
As per sources, Shriyam underwent several months of rigorous physical training to transform herself for the role, collaborating with celebrity trainer Sahil Rasheed to build muscle mass and enhance her athleticism. To achieve a more authentic appearance, the actress has also gained a considerable amount of weight.
The film, produced by Jio Studios, will be released soon.

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#Biopic #Sumo #Didi #story #Indias #female #Sumo #wrestler #Hetal #Dave
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 18, 2023
JK Officials Win India’s Highest Civil Service Honour

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SRINAGAR: Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, CEO Mission Youth J&K and Secretary to the Government, along with DC Baramulla Dr Syed Sehrish Asghar, have been chosen to receive the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, which is India’s highest honor in civil services. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has congratulated both Dr Choudhary and Dr Asghar on their accomplishment.
Shahid has become the first person to win the PM award for the third time, thanks to his innovative work with Mission Youth, which has put J&K at the forefront.
Meanwhile, Sehrish received the award for excelling in the Aspirational Districts category, specifically for her work in Baramulla district. The key achievements of Baramulla’s Aspirational District Programme that led to the Deputy Commissioner’s recognition include the creation of Birth Waiting Wards in Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres, diagnostic service upgrades at all delivery points, and the distribution of Poshan Tracker Tabs to all Anganwadi workers.
The Deputy Commissioner provided farmers with support through various measures such as plant protection, nursery strengthening, robust root stocks, and quality planning material.
Additionally, a marketing facility was established in Sopore, the second largest Fruit Mandi in Asia. In the district, Severe Acute Malnutrition rates dropped from 3% to 0.01% and Moderate Acute Malnutrition rates reduced from 11.93% to 0.039%. To address the critical health sector gap, a two-year paramedical diploma course has been launched for 300 students in the border area. Lastly, 56,215 PM Jan Dhan Yojana accounts have been opened in Baramulla district as part of the financial inclusion initiative.

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#Officials #Win #Indias #Highest #Civil #Service #Honour

( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

April 18, 2023
Disinformation being spread to stop India’s progress towards becoming ‘vishwaguru’: Bhagwat

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Mumbai: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said misconceptions and distorted information were being spread about India to slow down its progress towards becoming a ‘vishwaguru’.
Speaking at a function in Mumbai, Bhagwat said such misconceptions were spread about the country post 1857 (after the First War of Independence) but such elements got a befitting reply from Swami Vivekanand.
These misconceptions were being spread to slow down our progress as “nobody in the world can argue with us on the basis of logic,” he added.

“We are going to be a vishwaguru in the next 20-30 years. For that, we need to prepare at least two generations who will experience the change,” Bhagwat said.
India had achieved a lot over the years but distorted information was being spread globally, to counter which the country needs to prepare it generations and also to attract “good people in the world towards us”, Bhagwat said.
“Post 1857, some misconceptions were spread against us. It was Swami Vivekanand who gave a befitting reply to those who looked down upon us,” said the RSS chief.
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#Disinformation #spread #stop #Indias #progress #vishwaguru #Bhagwat
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 9, 2023
Misconceptions hindering India’s progress towards vishwaguru status: RSS chief

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Mumbai: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said misconceptions and distorted information were being spread about India to slow down its progress towards becoming a ‘vishwaguru’.
Speaking at a function in Mumbai, Bhagwat said such misconceptions were spread about the country post 1857 (after the First War of Independence) but such elements got a befitting reply from Swami Vivekanand.
These misconceptions were being spread to slow down our progress as “nobody in the world can argue with us on the basis of logic,” he added.

“We are going to be a vishwaguru in the next 20-30 years. For that, we need to prepare at least two generations who will experience the change,” Bhagwat said.
India had achieved a lot over the years but distorted information was being spread globally, to counter which the country needs to prepare it generations and also to attract “good people in the world towards us”, Bhagwat said.
“Post 1857, some misconceptions were spread against us. It was Swami Vivekanand who gave a befitting reply to those who looked down upon us,” said the RSS chief.
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#Misconceptions #hindering #Indias #progress #vishwaguru #status #RSS #chief
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 9, 2023
9 percent of India’s electricity to come from nuclear sources by 2047: Jitendra Singh

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New Delhi: India will get 9 percent of its electricity from nuclear sources by 2047, the centenary year of the country’s independence, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Sunday.
The Science and Technology minister made these remarks after reviewing the functioning of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai.
Singh said the rising share of nuclear power in India’s energy basket would help it get closer to the commitment of achieving the net zero target by 2070.

He said the Department of Atomic Energy has been given the target of achieving 20 gigawatts (GW) capacity of nuclear power generation by 2030, which will make India the third-largest producer of atomic energy in the world after the US and France.
Singh said the credit for this rapid stride goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who took the decision of approving 10 reactors in a fleet mode in a single order and also allowed nuclear installations to be developed under joint ventures with PSUs.
India has the sixth-highest number of functional nuclear reactors in the world and the second-highest number of reactors, including those under construction.
During 2021-22, nuclear power reactors generated 47,112 million units of electricity, about 3.15 per cent of the total electricity generated in the country, Singh had told Lok Sabha last week.
The present installed nuclear power capacity is set to increase from 6,780 megawatts (MW) to 22,480 MW by 2031 on progressive completion of projects under construction and accorded sanction, Singh had said.

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#percent #Indias #electricity #nuclear #sources #Jitendra #Singh
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 9, 2023
India’s foreign exchange reserves decline

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Mumbai: India’s foreign exchange reserves fell to USD 578.45 billion as of March 31, down from USD 578.78 billion a week earlier, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s Weekly Statistical Supplement released on Friday.
During the prior week that ended on March 24, they rose sharply USD 5.977 billion to USD 578.778 billion, hitting an over eight-month high.
According to RBI’s latest data, India’s foreign currency assets, the biggest component of the forex reserves, fell by USD 4.38 billion to USD 509.691 billion.

Gold reserves during the latest week fell by USD 279 million to USD 45.200 billion.
At the beginning of 2022, the overall forex reserves were at about USD 633 billion. Much of the decline can be attributed to RBI’s recent intervention and a rise in the cost of imported goods.
In October 2021, the country’s foreign exchange reserves touched an all-time high of about USD 645 billion. Earlier, the forex reserves had been intermittently falling for months largely because of the RBI’s intervention in the market to defend the depreciating rupee against a surging US dollar.
Typically, the RBI, from time to time, intervenes in the market through liquidity management, including through the selling of dollars, with a view to preventing a steep depreciation in the rupee.
The RBI closely monitors the foreign exchange markets and intervenes only to maintain orderly market conditions by containing excessive volatility in the exchange rate, without reference to any pre-determined target level or band.

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#Indias #foreign #exchange #reserves #decline
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 8, 2023
India’s Tipping Point – The view from inside 7 Racecourse Road

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Can anyone pinpoint the precise date on which India embarked on its economic reforms that enabled the country to transform from a USD 266 billion economy to a nearly USD 3 trillion engine of growth? A new book -India’s Tipping Point by a spokesperson of former prime minister Narasimha Rao fixes this date as July 24, 1991. Because, on the evening of this date the one-month-old government headed by Rao, regarded as a ‘weak’ prime minister unexpectedly abolished the Industries Development and Regulation Act 1951. This Law was the mother of all laws and regulations that gave the power to government to control all economic activities. “The abolition of this Act in more ways than one represented a change in the political, official, and national mindset. While August 15, 1947, placed India on the global political map, July 24, 1991, out it on the international economic map. The innate Indian entrepreneurship and spirit of innovation, were unshackled, significantly contributing to the rewriting of India’s destiny”, writes the author of this book S. Narendra. The book coincides with Narasimha Rao’s centennial anniversary.
Were the 1991 Indian economic reforms undertaken under the pressure of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that extended to the government to avert a financial crisis? The answer is an emphatic ‘No’. The IMF did not even hint that the government should abolish IDRA and dismantle both the foundation and the superstructure of what was called ‘the Licence-Permit raj’ that prevailed for nearly 40 years after India became a free Republic.
The people born since 1991 may be less aware of India’s dire economic and political situation when a new government took office. Prime Minister Narasimha Rao headed a minority government. During the recent parliamentary election, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had been assassinated. Two previous governments had collapsed after short tenures. The prevailing political instability offered no hope of India coming out of the political mess combined with an economic crisis. Militancy and violence had peaked in the states of Punjab and J&K. There was social and political unrest in several parts of India. India’s external environment was in flux, due to the break-up of the Soviet Union and unprecedented internal political changes in Europe. The international oil prices had risen, worsening India’s economic woes. Both within the ruling Congress party and the opposition consisting of BJP, left parties, and influential sections of the Indian business were opposed to economic reforms. Rao government was criticized by the latter as having compromised India’s sovereignty. He responded by presciently asserting that the reforms would go to make India an engine of growth in Asia and the world economy.

Narendra’s book is an insider account of the working of the government that had embarked on changing India’s approach to the economy and the internal politics of the times. It attempts to answer several questions which had been aired in those years-Was Rao an economic reformer? Did he slow down the pace of changes? Is Narasimha Rao legacy limited to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya and stood accused as contributed to the destruction of the Masjid because he was ‘indecisive’? A few major scandals and scams (Harshad Mehta Stock market scam) broke out, damaging his government’s image as corrupt. What was the prime minister’s approach to them?
The book Tipping Pont interestingly offers an account of the way prime minister Rao leveraged his economic reforms to subtly transform India’s foreign policy giving it greater economic content which remarkably changed the perception of India abroad. Further, the first time there is an account of how the former prime minister brought normalcy in the militancy-ridden J&K. The chapter on ‘Was Narasimha Rao an economic reformer? tries to put on record his extensive new initiatives to change the economic structure of India and makes for boring reading. What is interesting is that the author offers an explanation for making his finance minister Dr Manmohan Singh the face of his economic policy, rarely claiming credit for himself.
The readers may or may not agree with Narendra’s version of the development and events dealt with in the book. However, it could serve as a source for political historians researching into a critical period in India’s recent history.
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#Indias #Tipping #Point #view #Racecourse #Road

( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 5, 2023
SL President requests India’s help to integrate IT in country’s civil service

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Colombo: The head of Indian Institute of Good Governance shared India’s experience to improve the performance of civil service using information technology with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who expressed interest in replicating this in his country.
The President met Bharat Lal, Director General of the Indian Institute of Good Governance, who visited Sri Lanka to discuss potential ways to enhance the country’s civil service and improve government institution performance by implementing effective monitoring measures.
At the meeting at the President’s official residence on Saturday, Lal “shared
how India was successful in integrating information technology into civil service”, the President Media Division (PMD) stated.

“India’s success in incorporating information technology into public service delivery, has resulted in significant progress and cost savings,” he told the Sri Lankan head of state.
During the discussion, President Wickremesinghe urged Lal’s assistance in establishing a University of Governance and Public Policy in Sri Lanka.
On Friday, launching a master plan to digitalise the country’s economy by 2030, the President vowed to build a digitalised modern Sri Lanka by digitalising the government sector. He said that a Committee of Cabinet Ministers would be set up to ensure that the government sector digitalisation would be done speedily.
He said that it is a duty of the government to accelerate the digitalisation.
During the Saturday discussion with President Wickremesinghe, Lal was accompanied by Indian High Commissioner in Colombo, Gopal Baglay.

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#President #requests #Indias #integrate #countrys #civil #service
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 2, 2023