Chethan Dharmanand

The indispensability of agriculture to the Indian economy is a well-established reality. However, the farmers still languish for want of genuine welfare. A measly average income of Rs 10,218/month, as estimated by NSSO (2019), for rural households is barely any welfare.

The Russian invasion and the West’s reaction has strained the world economy through food shortages. A ‘grey rhino event’ -- a prominent, high-impact threat, but ignored -- has unfolded. Before the war, Russia and Ukraine used to account for about 30% of the world’s wheat exports. With these exports disrupted, wheat prices have risen 40% in a single month.

India took a leap in 2020 by introducing the most needed New Education Policy when the entire world was recouping from the pandemic. Many stakeholders welcomed its intent, content and implementation strategies. It was heralded as a game-changer but the recent acquisition of an Edutech firm (a firm that utilises information technology to facilitate education), has brought back the debate on the efficacy of NEP on child wellbeing.