Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is the latest initiative by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA Government to provide 8 years of quality education to all children in the age group of 6-14 years. The programme seeks to bridge gender and social gaps with active participation of the community. It also aims at mobilising resources—human, financial and institutional—necessary for achieving the goal of Universalisation of Elementary Education (UEE). The...

Digital Revolution   Throughout the 20th century, the pace of technological advancement has increased dramatically. The digital revolution, now upon us, is expected to take giant strides in the 21st century. Companies are manufacturing audio and video sets communications and Information Technology (IT) products for the consumer and professional markets. Companies have developed a wide product portfolio which includes goods that have become integral part of modern lifestyles—from magnetic tape and...

Judicial Accountability The sturdy pillar of Judiciary is shaking. Once thought to be incorruptible. Indian Judiciary has, of late, faced many allegations and charges of misusing the enviable pedestal they occupy in our country. This, is perhaps, what prompted the Chief Justice of India, Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan to quietly shoot off letters in August to the CJIs of all the High Courts in the country to give practical meaning to...

Food Security in India The right to food is the right of every person. Eve] individual must have regular access to sufficient, nutritional adequate and culturally acceptable food for an active and beak’ life. At present, this is a major developmental challenge India. We cannot feel proud of our achievements in differed areas until this basic need of each individual is met. About 21 per cent of the population was undernourished...

Ballistic Missile Defence Program   The Indian Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Program is an initiative to develop and deploy a multilayered Ballistic missile defence system to protect India from missile attacks. Introduced in light of the ballistic missile threat from Pakistan and China, it is a two-tiered system consisting of two interceptor missiles, namely Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) missile for high altitude interception, and the Advanced Air De-fence (AAD) Missile for...

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act was passed by the India parliament on 4 August 2009 which describes the modalities of the provision of free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 in India under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2009, seeks to provide...

Global Economic Meltdown   In mid-Sept. 2008, the world witnessed unprecedented financial crisis which shook the whole US economy and brought it virtually to the brink of collapse. The crisis sent the financial and capital markets the world over into jitters. Most of the stock markets lost nearly 10-15 per cent within a span of three days. The turmoil was so dangerous that the Russian authorities closed markets for a few...