BUY NOW PAY LATER (BNPL) 2023 – PROS AND CONS

Theme: What is Buy Now Pay Later(BNPL)? Buy now, pay later (BNPL) services can help you finance purchases over time, but you can incur fees if you miss payments. These fees can make your purchase more expensive than originally planned. It’s important to use the buy now, pay later services with a plan for how you will pay your installments before you click “buy.” BNPL payments are expected to grow by 22.9% on an annual basis to reach US$14,289.4 million in 2023. The BNPL payment industry in India has recorded strong growth over the last four quarters, supported by increased e-commerce penetration. The medium to long-term growth story of the BNPL industry in India remains strong. Buy now pay later services in India are about to cross USD 7000 million in 2022-23. 22% of consumers in India buy goods using BNPL services. The 26 to 35 age group is the primary segment of the BNPL market in India. India BNPL Market Share Analysis by Key Players: Simpl ZestMoney LazyPay Capital Float PineLabs Paytm Postpaid OlaMoney Postpaid Amazon Pay Later Flipkart Pay Later Buy now, pay later Pros: It’s no secret that buy now, pay later services have risen dramatically in popularity. The volume of BNPL loans from five leading service providers increased by 97% between 2019 and 2023, according to a report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. People love the opportunity to pay according to their schedule, use the service for online or in-store purchases, and receive cheap or free credit. Some pros to using buy now, pay later include: 1. Split-up Payments- The main advantage of BNPL services is the ability to break down payments into manageable chunks. You don’t need to have all the cash in your pocket that day when making the big purchase. Most buy now, pay later services split the cost across multiple payments spaced two to four weeks apart. This payment lock is often used with bi-weekly payroll plans to help replenish your bank account before the next payment. 2. 0% Financing  – If you pay your BNPL on time, you will generally not pay any interest, and pay users later. If you want to cancel the payment without paying any service charges or interfacing 0% of the money have the appeal of making the BNPL scheme works well. 3. Get finance without credit cards – Some buy now, pay later services don’t check your credit before approving you. For those who are new to lending or rebuilding their credit, BNPL can offer feasible financing options. Cons of Buy Now, Pay Later: Just because it makes spending easier, buy now, pay later isn’t necessarily safer for your finances. Using buy now, pay later services can open users up to financial risks that may not be worth the convenience in the end. Some BNPL cons include: 1. Fees and Interest If you miss a BNPL payment, you may be charged late fees or interest on your unpaid balance. Depending on the amount charged by the BNPL lender and how these fees are structured, they can add up quickly. Buy now, pay later services can also turn your account over to a collection agency. Besides accruing more fees and interest during this timeframe, your credit score could also be put in danger. 2. Possible Overdrafts Frequent, automatically scheduled payments could increase the potential for bank account overdrafts if you aren’t careful. If you set BNPL payments to draft from your checking account automatically, it’s important to remember the schedule and make sure enough funds are in your account. Add these dates to your calendar and make sure you leave enough after each paycheck deposit to meet the next payment date so you avoid late payments. 3. Easy to Overextend Finances One of the biggest dangers of using BNPL services is that it can be easy to overextend your finances. Only looking at the cost of each payment may make it difficult to register the full cost of the item. Especially when you make several purchases with buy now, pay later arrangements, bills can rack up—and be challenging to juggle. 4. Miss Out on Rewards If you typically shop with a credit card but are considering using buy now, or pay later for a purchase, remember that you’ll forgo your rewards and other credit card benefits. BNPL services typically do not have a reward structure like credit cards. You also won’t get other credit card benefits, like purchase protection. There are workarounds, like paying off your buy now, pay later bill with a credit card to get rewards points, but this may be overly complicated for some shoppers and could end up costing you more if you can’t pay your full credit card bill. Alternatives to Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL): Credit Cards Personal loans Store Financing Deals Delayed purchases Conclusion: Thus, Buy Now, pay later (BNPL) is a type of short-term financing that allows consumers to make purchases and pay for them over time, usually with no interest. Before buying a product choosing a plan is the most important step. BNPL can be useful but it can also render you with an amount shortage. Plan and act for better administration.    

Green Growth – The New India 2023

Theme: Green growth is one of the seven top priorities of the Union Budget 2023-24 for ushering green industrial and economic transition, environmentally friendly agriculture and sustainable energy in the country. It will also generate a large number of green jobs. The seven “Saptarishi” priorities-inclusive development, reaching the last mile, infrastructure and investment, potential, youth power, the financial sector, and green growth, are the major themes of the Union Budget, 2023. In the budget speech, the Finance Minister emphasized the words “green” and “sustainable” numerous times. She suggested that during Amrit Kaal, green growth might be revolutionary. The fundamental objective of green growth strategies is to make sure that natural resources can sustainably fulfil their maximum economic potential. What is Green Growth? In essence, ‘Green Growth’ refers to an economic growth plan that places a significant emphasis on sustainable development while minimizing harmful environmental effects. Out of 180 countries, India was placed 169th in the Environment Performance Index of 2022. Rankings were determined by factors like waste management, air quality, biodiversity & habitat, fisheries, ecosystem services, and climate change. India is the fifth-largest economy in the world, although it performed worse than many other smaller economies on the ranking. India’s Initiative to Promote Green Growth: The vision for “LiFE,” or Lifestyle for Environment, set forward by the prime minister aims to inspire a trend towards living sustainably. To lead the world into a green industrial and economic transition, India is vigorously pursuing the “panchamrit” and net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. Additionally, India is putting into practice numerous policies and programmes for the effective use of energy across various economic sectors, including green buildings, green equipment, green farming, green mobility, and green fuels. Large-scale green job opportunities are facilitated by these green growth initiatives, which also contribute to diminishing the economy’s carbon intensity. Green growth policies are an integral part of the structural reforms needed to foster strong, more sustainable, and inclusive growth. They help in several aspects of growth- Enhancing productivity by creating incentives for greater efficiency in the use of natural resources, reducing waste and energy consumption, unlocking opportunities for innovation and value creation, and allocating resources to the highest value use. Boosting investor confidence through greater predictability in how governments deal with major environmental issues. Opening up new markets by stimulating demand for green goods, services, and technologies. Contributing to fiscal consolidation by mobilizing revenues through green taxes and the elimination of environmentally harmful subsidies. These measures can also help to generate or free up resources for anti-poverty programs in such areas as water supply and sanitation, or other pro-poor investments. Reducing risks of negative shocks to growth due to resource bottlenecks, as well as damaging and potentially irreversible environmental impacts. India’s Green Growth Strategy Green growth, from green credits to green energy to green mobility to green farming, was among the seven main priorities that the latest budget announced. Indian green growth and energy transmission are outlined on three pillars: Increasing the production of renewable energy Reducing the use of fossil fuel in the economy Rapidly moving towards a gas-based economy in the country Measures like ethanol blending, PM KUSUM Yojana, incentives for solar manufacturing, rooftop solar scheme, coal gasification, and battery storage in the Budgets of the past few years underlined the strategy. Government Initiatives for Green Growth Some of the other major initiatives driving India’s green growth are: PM KUSUM PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) Scheme is aimed at ensuring energy security for farmers in India. It is honouring India’s commitment to increase the share of installed capacity of electric power from non-fossil-fuel sources to 40% by 2030 as part of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). The scheme was launched in 2019 with 3 components: Component-A: For Setting up 10,000 MW of Decentralized Grid Connected Renewable Energy Power Plants on barren land. Component-B: For Installation of 17.50 Lakh stand-alone solar agriculture pumps. Component-C: For Solarisation of 10 Lakh Grid Connected Agriculture Pumps. Gobardhan Yojana India has the potential of producing 10 thousand million cubic meters of biogas from Gobar (cow dung) and 1.5 lakhs cubic meters of gas which can contribute up to 8% to the city gas distribution in the country. Gobardhan Yojana launched in 2018, is an important component of India’s biofuel strategy. In this budget, the government has announced plans to set up 500 new waste-to-wealth plants under the Gobardhan Yojana. The Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBAR-DHAN) scheme is implemented under the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin-Phase 2, by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Jal Shakti ministry. Conclusion India has huge potential to lead the world when it comes to technology for Green Energy and it can forward, the cause of global good apart from generating Green Jobs. The budget 2023-24 also identifies 100 projects to improve last-mile connectivity for industries like coal and ports, as well as activities that would not be considered green growth.

Innovation vs Invention – Which is strong?

Theme: Invention is the creation of a new product or service that has the potential to generate revenue, while innovation is the modification of the existing products or services for delivering better customer satisfaction and hence deriving greater benefits. The above parallel drawn makes it clear that invention lays the foundation for innovation to follow and both are primary requirements for the smooth functioning of a company. The decision for innovation or invention in a company is based on the existing products and services of the competitors. What is Invention? The invention can be described as the introduction of a new product line, device or ideology that is based on study and experimentation. Companies get inventions registered in their own name by virtue of patents. Patents reserve the right of ownership of the invention with its inventor for a particular period of time, hence ensuring that the invention is not misused. Inventions have unexpected results: Inventions are described as taking a jump into what is unknown. It possesses a high risk of having unknown effects and substantial results because no one can correctly forecast the outcome.   Inventions should be the leading priority: For an invention to produce excellent results it is necessary that no one else has come up with the same or similar idea in that particular period of time. Invention is the building block for innovation: Innovation is often referred to as putting an invention to use. For e.g. the discovery of the Electric Dynamo by Michael Faraday highlighted the practical use of electricity which was invented and known even before.   4 Greatest Inventions in the Past Decade: 1. ​Google Assistant – The Assistant, established on the Google Home smart speaker, Google telephones, and other gadgets, converses with humans often by voice. At your command, it could compose messages, make calendar reminders, or test the net for solutions to questions–now and again with a dose of humour–and can immediately translate spoken words into 27 unique languages. 2. SpaceX’s Reusable Rocket – A Falcon 9 launch costs approximately $62 million, or $2,500 in line with a pound of shipment–one area of what it prices a decade ago–which has helped make the area accessible to startups. And it could also be available in handy if, you recognize, we ever want to abandon Earth totally and flow civilization to Mars. 3. iPad – The iPad has offered 400 million units to this point and spawned competitors from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Samsung, and Google. Today, ipads have emerged as essential gadgets for the enterprise. 4. The ​Self-Driving Car – Most of the fundamental vehicle manufacturers, plus trip-hailing corporations like Uber and Lyft, have since accompanied match, and these days, passengers can hail driverless cabs being beta examined in cities like Phoenix and Pittsburgh. With gadgets imaginative and prescient and a few wonderful synthetic intelligence, the technology guarantees to make the roads a whole lot more secure, resulting in keeping with fewer deaths, according to the maximum constructive estimates.   What is Innovation? Innovation can be described as a value addition to a product line, device or ideology by altering its basics for delivering greater value to the customer and survive in a persistently innovating environment. Innovation requires extensive study and research, the result of which should be superior to the competitors. Thus innovation is a complex process. Innovation attracts the best talent: Talented people will work in an organization that provides them with greater opportunities. A company that is established as innovative will be their first priority. Innovation requires a variety of skills: Before making any changes in the existing product line, a company has to analyse its profitability, which requires a host of skills including marketing, and planning. Innovation gives technical advantage: A constantly developing firm will have full access to the current technologies and thus will always be able to have the first mover advantage and hence deliver value to the customers. Examples: Apple – When Steve Jobs returned in 1997, he lead Apple to the apogee of achievement through amazing innovations like the iPhone, iPad and lots of different innovations. Augmented Reality – Augmented reality, in which virtual snapshots are overlaid onto stay pictures to deliver records in actual time, has been around for a while. Only these days, but, following the advent of more powerful computing hardware and the creation of an open-source video tracking software program library referred to as ARToolKit that the generation has certainly taken off. Blockchain – The simplest clarification of blockchain is that it is an incorruptible manner to file transactions between events – a shared virtual ledger that parties can handiest upload to and this is transparent to all contributors of a peer-to-peer community in which the blockchain is logged and stored. Digital assistants – One of the biggest trends in the latest years has been the digital assistant, which can now be found in normal client devices like door locks, light bulbs, and kitchen home equipment. The key piece of a generation that has helped make all this possible is the digital assistant. Tokenization – If you have got ever used the chip embedded in a credit or debit card to make a fee through tapping in place of swiping, then you definitely have benefited from the heightened protection of tokenization. Conclusion: Invention requires innovation to build and deliver a world-standard product that can be accepted by society. Each one is dependent on another, thus both serve to be the key factors in shaping dreams into reality.  

THE GO FIRST CRISIS 2023

What is the Go First crisis? Theme: Go First is the latest airline in the Indian aviation sector that has hit turbulence. The budgeted carrier has filed for bankruptcy-the second Indian airline to declare bankruptcy in four years. In 2019, Jet Airways filed for bankruptcy. Go First’s total debt to financial creditors was ₹65.21 billion as of 28th April 2023. The airline owes over ₹2,600 crores (approximately) to various aircraft lessors. Go First’s lessors include SMBC Aviation, CDB Aviation’s GY Aviation Leasing, Jackson Square Aviation, and BOC Aviation. Go First is blaming its engine suppliers Pratt and Whitney for the current crisis. Go First said that P&W supplied faulty engines which halted their flights, resulting in direct losses to the carrier. Go First also cited data to justify its claim. Grounded aircraft “due to Pratt and Whitney’s faulty engines” surged from 7% (in December 2019) to 50% (2022 December), costing ₹108 billion in lost revenues ad additional expenses. Why Go First crisis could increase the cost of air travel in India? The demand for air travel in India, which is the world’s third-largest aviation market, has seen a massive spike after the Covid-19 pandemic, and airlines operating in the country are falling short of aircraft to meet the demand. As of now, Indian carriers have around 700 planes, and most of the commercial aircraft in the country are operated through a sale and lease-back model. The Go First episode, however, has triggered a sense of panic among lessors who have been left in the lurch. Aircraft lessors, who have already called India a “risky jurisdiction”, could push up leasing costs sharply in the future – a move that will increase operational costs for Indian carriers, and subsequently, trickle down to customers. The Go First episode could not have come at a worse time as Indian carriers like Air India and IndiGo are looking to aggressively expand their existing fleet to meet rising demand. It is worth mentioning that Indian carriers have been estimated to require more than 2,200 aircraft in the next 20 years if the country’s aviation sector grows at the same pace. Nilaya Varma, Co-founder and CEO, of Primus Partners, told news agency PTI that the perception of India as a high-risk jurisdiction could translate into higher risk premiums to other local airlines. Latest news about the Go-first Airlines crisis and its causes Go-first Airlines, like many other airlines, has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some of the latest news and causes of the crisis: 1. Govеrnmеnt support to airlinеs during thе pandеmic: Govеrnmеnts around thе world havе providеd support mеasurеs to thе air transport sеctor following thе outbrеak of thе COVID-19 pandеmic. Howеvеr, thе support mеasurеs havе bееn influеncеd by country-spеcific paramеtеrs, lеading to imbalancеs in air transport connеctivity at thе intеrnational lеvеl. 2. Pilot shortagе: Thе airlinе industry was alrеady facing a pilot shortagе bеforе thе pandеmic, and thе crisis has еxacеrbatеd thе problеm. Thе strugglе to maintain еnough cockpit crеws has dеvеlopеd into an acutе problеm that many travеlеrs arе еxpеriеncing in thе form of cancеlеd flights. Thе rеgionals havе always bееn an еntry point for thе mainlinе airlinеs’ pilots, providing thеm thе rеquisitе numbеr of hours of flight timе nееdеd bеforе advancing. 3. Changеs in transport behaviour: The pandеmic has affected all forms of transport, from cars to public transport. Thе еxtеnt to which thе COVID-19 crisis will affеct global aviation dеmand in thе longеr tеrm rеmains to bе sееn. Modеlling by thе Intеrnational Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) suggests thе short-tеrm (within 12 months) impact will bе a sеvеrе drop in passеngеrs undеr most scеnario. 4. Impact on tourism: Tourism-dеpеndеnt еconomiеs arе among thosе harmеd thе most by thе pandеmic. Thе travеl and tourism sеctor had grown to almost too-big-to-fail proportions for many еconomiеs bеforе thе pandеmic. Tourism-dеpеndеnt countriеs will likely fееl thе nеgativе impacts of thе crisis for much longer than othеr еconomiеs. Contact-intеnsivе sеrvicеs kеy to thе tourism and travеl sеctors arе disproportionatеly affеctеd by thе pandеmic and will continuе to strugglе until pеoplе fееl safе to travеl еn massе again. 5. Ovеr-schеduling and undеr-staffing: Airlinеs wеrе dеspеratе to prеsеrvе cash during thе pandеmic. Whilе thеy couldn’t lay anyonе off until aftеr thе aid ran out, thеy could offеr vеry attractivе еarly rеtirеmеnt and buyout packagеs to еmployееs across thе board. Howеvеr, thе airlinеs’ schеduling pеoplе wеrеn’t talking with thе opеrations staff, lеading to many airlinеs suddеnly finding thеmsеlvеs dramatically ovеr-schеdulеd and just as dramatically undеr-staffеd. 6. Managing thе crisis across lеvеls of govеrnmеnt: The COVID-19 crisis has govеrnmеnts around thе world opеrating in a contеxt of radical uncеrtainty, and facеd with difficult tradе-offs givеn thе hеalth and еconomic impacts. Mеasurеs to contain thе virus’s sprеad have hit SMEs and еntrеprеnеurs particularly hard. Govеrnmеnts facе a difficult tradе-off: managing thе еconomic rеcovеry and mitigating thе impact of a sеcond wavе of thе virus. Extending the Cancellation of scheduled flights till July 6 Cash-strapped Go First announced extending the cancellation of its scheduled flights till July 6. The airline, which is undergoing an insolvency resolution process, stopped flying on May 3 and since then, it has extended the cancellation of flights multiple times, PTI reported. The company has applied for immediate resolution and revival of operations. Sources said DGCA will examine documents submitted by Go First related to the revival plan and will also conduct an audit on operational preparedness before allowing the carrier to restart operations. Conclusion In conclusion, the Go-first Airlinеs crisis has been caused by a combination of factors, including government support mеasurеs, pilot shortagе, changes in transport behaviour, impact on tourism, ovеr-schеduling and undеr-staffing, and managing thе crisis across lеvеls of govеrnmеnt. Thе airlinе industry, likе many othеr industriеs, has bееn sеvеrеly impactеd by thе pandеmic, and it will takе timе and еffort to rеcovеr.

The new benefits in linking of Aadhaar and Pan Card 2023

Theme:  Linking Aadhaar and PAN cards in India is a good sized step closer to transparency, fraud prevention, and streamlined monetary methods, leveraging unique identity numbers to establish and affirm individual identities. It strengthens governance, simplifies profits tax filing, reduces reproduction identities, and improves the targeted delivery of subsidies and benefits. The deadline to link PAN with Aadhaar is June 30, 2023. It was extended from the previous deadline of March 31, 2023, by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) via a press release dated March 28, 2023. Benefits of linking Aadhar and PAN Card: Reduction in duplicate and fake identities: Over 1.38 billion Aadhaar numbers have been issued in India, covering a vast majority of the population. Linking Aadhaar and PAN helps in identifying and eliminating duplicate and fake identities, ensuring that each individual has a unique identification number. It enhances the integrity of the identification system and reduces the chances of fraudulent activities. Streamlined income tax filing: According to the Income Tax Department, over 315 million PAN cards were issued in India. Linking Aadhaar and PAN simplifies the income tax submitting system. It enables the automatic pre-filling of personal and financial information whilst filing tax returns, lowering mistakes and saving time for taxpayers. Pre-stuffed details consist of name, date of birth, and different applicable facts from Aadhaar. Elimination of multiple PAN cards: Prior to linking Aadhaar and PAN, people must possess a couple of PAN cards, which facilitated tax evasion and different fraudulent activities. Linking Aadhaar and PAN helps in figuring out instances wherein individuals have more than one PAN card and facilitate the removal of such duplicates. This step strengthens the tax system and ensures that individuals have the handiest PAN card associated with their Aadhaar. Enhanced accuracy in financial transactions: Linking Aadhaar and PAN aids in improving the accuracy of economic transactions. It permits higher tracking and reporting of monetary sports, lowering the chances of discrepancies or irregularities. This is specifically critical for high-amount transactions because it adds a further layer of verification and reduces the scope for illegal monetary transactions. Efficient verification process: Linking Aadhaar and PAN permits quicker and extra efficient verification of individuals throughout diverse transactions. It simplifies tactics inclusive of opening financial institution debts, making use of loans, or making high-value transactions. The linkage reduces the effort and time required for verification, making the method extra seamless and handy for individuals. Targeted delivery of government subsidies: The linkage between Aadhaar and PAN facilitates the government in correctly handing over subsidies, advantages, and social welfare schemes to eligible people. By validating the identification and earnings statistics through Aadhaar and PAN, the authorities can make sure that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries, reducing leakages and improving the effectiveness of welfare programs. Enhanced financial inclusion: Linking Aadhaar and PAN promotes economic inclusion by permitting people without PAN cards to be part of the formal economic system It lets them get access to banking services, report taxes, and interact in transparent financial transactions. This inclusion is particularly crucial for individuals from marginalized sections of society, empowering them with vital financial tools and opportunities. Enhanced transparency in government transactions: The linkage of Aadhaar and PAN has enabled more transparency in government transactions. It enables the tracking of economic activities related to government schemes, subsidies, and prices. By cross-verifying the Aadhaar and PAN details, the government can ensure that the budget is accomplishing the meant beneficiaries and hit upon any irregularities. Why is it important to link? By linking Aadhaar and PAN, the Income tax department gains access to an audit trail of all transactions, making the Aadhaar card an essential document for all transactions. You will not be able to file an ITR unless your Aadhaar-PAN is linked. Once linked, ITR filing will be simplified because there will be no need to submit receipts or e-signature. The usage of an Aadhaar card has greatly reduced the requirement for other documents. Aadhaar card serves the purpose of identity proof and address proof. Transactions can be tracked after linking, which helps to prevent fraud and curb tax evasion. Conclusion Lastly, the Aadhaar-PAN linkage has contributed to improved governance and anti-corruption measures by means of improving transparency in government transactions and reducing ghost beneficiaries and leakages. Overall, the Aadhaar-PAN linkage has been a crucial step in the direction of constructing a more potent and more efficient monetary and identification machine in India.    

THE NEW VANDE BHARAT EXPRESS 2023

Theme: The Vande Bharat project, previously known as Train 18, is a completely ‘Make-In-India’ initiative. It’s fully electric and runs without a locomotive. The evolution of electric trains in India has been a remarkable journey, marked by significant advancements and milestones. The first Vande Bharat Express was launched on February 2019, connecting Delhi, Allahabad and Kanpur. Then, a Vande Bharat Express was launched on January 2023 in Vishakapatnam, connecting Secunderabad.  In this Article let us explore this lavish train and its salient features. The Vande Bharat Express: The Vande Bharat Express can run up to a maximum speed of 160 mph and has travel classes like Shatabdi Train but with better facilities. It aims to provide a totally new travel experience to passengers. Speed, Safety and Service are the hallmarks of this train. Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai. The Railways Production unit has been the force behind an utterly in-house design and manufacture, computer modelling and working with many suppliers for system integration in just 18 months.   Objectives behind Vande Bharat Express: This train has been introduced to upgrade maintenance technologies and methodologies and achieve improvement in productivity and performance of all Railway assets and manpower in which inter-alia would cover reliability, availability, utilization and efficiency. Currently, the eight Vande Bharat Express Trains are running on the following routes: 1. New Delhi – Shri Vaishno Devi Mata, Katra 2. New Delhi – Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 3. Gandhinagar Capital – Ahmedabad – Mumbai Central 4. Amb Andaura – New Delhi 5. Mysuru – Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MGR Chennai Central 6. Nagpur, Maharashtra – Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh 7. Howrah – New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal 8. Secunderabad, Telangana – Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh The culmination of the ‘Make in India’ effort of Indian Railways: In maintaining with the Prime Minister’s plan of “Make in India”, the principal systems of the train have been designed and built in India. The train matches worldwide standards in overall performance; gives safety and passenger consolation costs much less than imaginable, and has the capacity to be a changer inside the rail commercial enterprise. Vision for a New India Vande Bharat Express is the next predominant leap for Indian Railways regarding speed and convenience. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that during the 75 weeks of the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, 75 Vande Bharat trains would connect each corner of the country. Enhanced Safety: The Vande Bharat 2.0 trains have the KAVACH (Train Collision Avoidance System) for enhanced safety in operations. There will be improved security with four emergency windows added in every coach. There will be four platform side cameras including rearview cameras outside the coach instead of two earlier. The new coaches have Level-II safety integration certification for better train control. The Vande Bharat 2.0 will also have better fire safety measures with an Aerosol based fire detection and suppression system in all electrical cubicles and toilets. There will be superior floodproofing for under-slung electrical equipment to withstand floods up to 650 mm in height as compared to 400 mm earlier. The train will also have four emergency lighting in every coach in case of electric failure. Improved Amenities for Passengers: There will be enhanced riding comfort for passengers at a 3.5 riding index. The new Vande Bharat will also have 32-inch LCD TVs in place of the earlier 24-inch TVs. There will be a passenger information and communication system in Vande Bharat 2.0. 15 per cent more energy efficient ACs with dust-free clean air cooling of traction motor will make travel more comfortable. Side recliner seat facility which is being provided to Executive Class passengers, will now be made available for all classes. The Executive Coaches have the added feature of 180-degree rotating seats. The train will also have bio-vacuum toilets with touch-free amenities. The trains will also have wifi content on demand. Other Enhancements: The Vande Bharat 2.0 will have finer heat ventilation and air-conditioning control through a higher efficiency compressor, with an Ultra Violet (UV) lamp for a germ-free supply of air. The train’s time to reach 160 KMPH will be 140 seconds, compared to 145 seconds earlier. There will be driver-guard communication with a voice recording facility. There will be a change of formation with a non-driving trailer coach in the middle for better acceleration and deceleration. The train will have better ventilation for traction motors for better reliability. There will also be two signal exchange lights on the coaches for the exchange of signals with the wayside stations. Features and Amenities in Vande Bharat Express: The Vande Bharat Express train has an intelligent braking system which enables better acceleration and deceleration. All coaches are equipped with automatic doors; GPS-based audio-visual passenger information system, on-board hotspot Wi-Fi for entertainment purposes, and very comfortable seating. The executive class also has rotating chairs. All toilets are bio-vacuum type. The lighting is dual mode, viz. diffused for general illumination and personal for every seat. Every coach has a pantry with facilities to serve hot meals, hot and cold beverages. The insulation is meant to keep heat and noise to very low levels for additional passenger comfort.  The Vande Bharat Express has 16 air-conditioned coaches of which two are executive class coaches. The total seating capacity is 1,128 passengers. Conclusion: From this extraordinary railway system, we can understand that the Indian Government has put more effort towards proving the ‘Make in India’ campaign true. Indian Railway system always proves to be the best among all the sectors present in the country.

The New Digital India 2023

Theme: Digital India is a flagship program released by means of the Government of India in 2015 with the goal of transforming India right into a digitally empowered society and expert economic system. The application ambitions to offer virtual infrastructure, digital literacy, and digital offerings to all residents of India. The program has been a success in bridging the virtual divide in India and has introduced a digital revolution in the Country.   In this weblog, we can know about the diverse factors of Digital India, its effect on the country, and the demanding situations faced in its implementation. Digital Infrastructure: Digital India aims to provide a secure and reliable virtual infrastructure that connects every part of the country. The program pursuits to provide excessive-speed net connectivity to all citizens, which include the ones in rural areas.  The BharatNet assignment was released in 2011 to attach 0.25 million panchayats through an optical fibre (one hundred MBPS) and join India’s villages.  The venture’s objective is to provide high-speed net connectivity to all villages in India. The authorities have additionally launched numerous schemes beneath its Digital India campaign to attach complete India. The program has been successful in providing internet connectivity to far regions of the country. Here are some recent data points on the Digital India campaign: The total internet connections in India increased from 25.15 crores to 85 crores in June 2023, which constitutes a growth of 231%. A project called ‘The BharatNet’ aims to connect all 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats of the country through a high-speed network potential. India’s GDP would have reached around $1 trillion by 2025, with respect to a report by economic analysts. Carbon emissions will be addressed by cloud computing and assist in improving mobility and flexibility. The country is digitally empowered in the area of technology and is a global success story only because of the Digital India landscape. The biggest YouTube audience is bagged by India globally and an average of 8.48 gigabytes per month are consumed by smartphone users. The digital revolution in India is holding on to economic growth and it is expected to deal with poverty, scarcity and illiteracy is great means.  The government and the private sector are moving rapidly shifting themselves into high-speed networks to promote highly technically sustainable platforms to people in India. The digital experts are so confident that the Bharat Net project will surely benefit people in rural areas and promote good welfare.  Digital Services: Digital India’s goal is to offer government schemes and services to residents via digital systems. The system targets to provide virtual services consisting of e-governance, e-fitness, e-education, and e-trade to all citizens.  The software has been a success in supplying virtual services to citizens, which has minimized travel and pollutants. The authorities have released numerous schemes such as the National Digital Literacy Mission and the Digital Saksharta Abhiyan to provide virtual literacy to citizens. Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion: Digital India has performed a pivotal role in promoting virtual payments and making sure financial inclusion for the masses. With projects like Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), and Aadhaar-enabled charge structures, the government has facilitated stable and convenient transactions, permitting citizens to include a cashless economic system.  The Jan Dhan Yojana, coupled with online banking services, has ensured that even the unbanked population can get sufficient economic services.  This shift towards online payments has now the handiest progressed efficiency and transparency and has reduced the dependence on cash and eliminated formal financial inclusion. E-Governance for Efficient Services: Digital India has introduced a substantial shift in the manner authorities’ services are delivered to citizens.  Through the implementation of diverse e-governance initiatives, which include the Digital Locker, e-Hospital, and MyGov, the authorities have streamlined administrative strategies and made them more accessible to the general public.  Online platforms and mobile applications have simplified tasks which include applying for passports, submitting tax returns, and having access to essential files.  This has not only saved time and resources but also reduced corruption and stepped forward transparency in the machine, leading to greater responsibility. Challenges Faced: The implementation of Digital India has faced several traumatic conditions. The Digital India plan has faced challenges which include a loss of infrastructure, a loss of digital literacy among citizens, and a lack of a proper budget. The plan has additionally confronted demanding situations collectively with a loss of coordination amongst precise authorities departments and a lack of knowledge among citizens about the advantages of digital services. The daily internet speed, as well as the Wi-Fi hotspots, are slow as compared to other developed nations. Most of the small and medium-scale industries have to struggle a lot for adapting to the new modern technology. Limited capability of entry-level smartphones for smooth internet access. In the successful implementation of the Digital India Programme, there are many roadblocks like digital illiteracy, poor infrastructure, low internet speed, connectivity issues, lack of coordination among various departments, issues pertaining to taxation etc. The biggest challenge faced by the Digital India programme is slow and delayed infrastructure development. Conclusion: Digital India is a flagship program released by the Government of India to convert India into a digitally empowered society and information financial system. The program has promoted virtual literacy amongst citizens, which has brought approximately an increase in the use of digital systems and services. However, this system has faced numerous challenges, and the authorities are working to address those weak conditions to make certain the achievement of the program.  

Has education in India 2023 become an easy business?

Theme: In recent years, education in India has changed dramatically. With the proliferation of private educational institutions and the rising cost of education, a query arises: has education become a business? This article takes a deeper take look at various elements of education in India, analyzing high-price systems, the extent of education, and whether or not the quality of education justifies the excessive cost. Privatization: Education in India is Known for its wealthy historical past of teachers and pupils, India has wide and numerous training systems. From ancient seats of learning like Takshashila and Nalanda to the many universities and schools today, education has always played a vital role in Indian society. However, with the introduction of privatization, the educational landscape changed dramatically. Many private educational institutions charge huge fees, especially for professional courses such as engineering and medicine. In some cases, this money can go far beyond the reach of a middle-class family. This trend raises concerns about accessibility and inclusion, as only the privileged can afford such an amount for education. Some notable examples of increased fees include: Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS Pilani), charges about Rs 5 lakh annually for technical education. The Manipal Academy of Higher Education, which is known for its medical programs, charges about Rs 22 lakh per annum for MBBS courses. Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune, requires an annual fee of about Rs 18 lakhs for its MBA programme. Standard of Education in India: As the cost of education in India rises, questions are frequently raised about the quality of education delivered. Despite the high cost, it is important to assess whether institutions are delivering the quality of education they promise. In some cases, institutions with higher fee structures may be less accessible to students in terms of faculty expertise, infrastructure, or research opportunities. Furthermore, focused learning and reliance on outdated teaching methods can hinder students’ acquisition of critical thinking and practical skills. The education system should place more emphasis on holistic experiential learning to prepare students for real-world challenges. Is education in India worth the fee structure? The evergreen question that arises is whether the standard of education justifies excessive prices for more academic career opportunities. While it’s genuine that better education can open doors to higher professional prospects, the remarkable charges enhance issues about affordability and equal possibility for students from different backgrounds. It is important for educational institutions to make certain that their costs are commensurate with the services and opportunities supplied to students. Transparency and duty in payment systems will construct self-assurance among college students and their parents. Additionally, there must be more entry to scholarships, offers, and other financial aid options, so that deserving students from all backgrounds can get the right of entry to high-quality education.   Why has education in India become a business? Growth of the Private Education Sector: The non-public training region in India has grown tremendously through the years. According to a document by the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the non-public education market in India is worth around $91.7 billion and 2025 is predicted to reach $158.2 billion. This improvement is in part indicative of enhancing business-mindedness in education. Improvement in coaching institutes: The increasing demand for competitive exam training has brought about the rise of many education institutes throughout the country. These institutes charge excessive fees for their services and they target college students who need admission to prestigious schools and universities. This scenario emphasizes the commercialization of education. Private Higher Education in India: In current years, there has been an increase in the wide variety of private universities and schools in India. Many of these establishments function as for-profit groups and rate college students’ excessive education fees. This privatization of schooling shows the business side of them. Education loans and finance: With the excessive value of education in India, students and their parents frequently rely on education loans to finance their studies. Banks and financial establishments offer educational loans at various interest quotes, making education financial funding and emphasizing its commercial nature. The high fee of training: The cost of education maintains an upward thrust in India. According to the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, the expenditure on training increased to Rs 94,224 crore in 2023. This growth in expenditure indicates the financial system of importance in the educational career. In 2023-24, the Ministry of Education has been allocated Rs 1,12,899 crore. This is an increase of 13% over revised estimates for 2022-23. The Department of School Education and Literacy has been allocated Rs 68,805 crore (61% of the Ministry’s expenditure). Consequences of business-minded education in India: Here are five consequences of education being treated as a business: Socio-financial segregation: The commercialization of education exacerbates socio-economic segregation by making first-class education unaffordable for marginalized groups, developing unequal possibilities and perpetuating social inequality. Education as a commodity: Treating education as a commodity destroys its intrinsic price as a way of personal and social development, decreasing it to a commercial change with monetary earnings. Pressure on students: The formal technique of education places notable pressure on students to do well academically, main to pressure, causing intellectual health problems and a focus on exam-centred learning. Learning-centred and examination-orientated methods: Many educational institutions get a huge lump of money and only train students to attend exams and do not provide practical examples to achieve better. Access to Quality Education: Commercialization limits the right of entry to excellent education for those who cannot have enough money, perpetuates educational inequality and impedes social mobility. Conclusion: There is no doubt that education in India has become a lucrative business, with ever-increasing fee structures and the rise of private educational institutions Although there is a need to recognize the importance of a sustainable budget, steps must be taken to ensure that education is inclusive and accessible to all. For a career-oriented mindset, the focus should be on students’ holistic development and prioritizing future success. A balanced approach can help us achieve a coherent view

Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan 2023 – New Self Reliant India

  Theme:  Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is the mission started by the Government of India on 13th May 2020, towards making India Self-reliant. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi announced an economic package of INR 20 lakh crore as aid to support the country in the times of pandemic. It is focused on 5 components – Economy, Infrastructure, Systems, Vibrant Demography and Demand. Atmanirbhar (Self-Reliant) Country:  A self-reliant nation need not take any necessary measures. On the other hand, it will want to produce and process more such products that it can knowingly produce at a lower cost and higher demand worldwide. At the same time, it cannot rely permanently on countries that dump their substandard products and undermine the importing country’s technological development To benefit from scale, availability of natural and skilled people, expertise in manufacturing & processing products in the country, and attitude to judge domestic global needs, always helps countries let them decide whether to manufacture goods or import useful or essential goods. Atmanirbhar Bharat: What does it mean for India?  Being self-reliant, India has been planning to revive its small-scale industries that earlier contributed to high economic growth but are no longer viable as some countries like China dumped their inferior products in the Indian market so at a lower price – the way small businesses Thousands of scale cottage businesses are getting off track. Income generation from agriculture, the backbone of India, also needs to be boosted, so that India retains its rural Indian grid and allows the cycles of economic growth to continue to turn rapidly. India initially suffered greatly from the coronavirus health crisis because it was surprised by the sudden spread of the virus from China. There was a shortage of masks, gloves, sanitisers and PPE kits for militant doctors to treat the infected. No country could help in this global epidemic because they were all suffering from the same problem. India then stood firm and demonstrated its ability to supply medicines to the United States and other countries suffering from Covid-1 India is facing a self-reliant COVID-19 situation. India has repurposed automotive industries to collaborate in life-saving ventilation. From producing zero personal protective equipment (PPE) before March 2020, today India has developed a capacity to manufacture 2 lakh PPE kits per day, which is also growing steadily.   How India Achieves Self-Reliance in Any Situation? Examples The sudden development of the PPE industry in India is the best example of India gradually turning into a self-reliant country. It has received the biggest fund of ₹21,000 crores from the IIT Alumni Council to support the Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission. The PPE enterprise in India drastically made ₹7,000 crores (US$980 million) in just two months (March to May 2023). The Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission? Pillars and Goals Atmanirbhar Bharat (Atmanirbhar Bharat) is the vision of Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India who has a formidable plan to make India a self-reliant nation. Starting with an initiative evolved by way of Suchak, he launched the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ or ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission’ on 12 May 2020 while he introduced the finances for the coronavirus pandemic. There were many government decisions such as amending the definition of MSMEs, growing non-public region participation in diverse sectors and growing FDI within the defence quarter as part of the Self-Reliant India scheme and many tasks which include potential technology. The increase of India’s Protective Equipment Sector (PPE) zone from 0 to 2000 portions per day is the best example of Self-Reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat). 5 Pillars of Atmanirbhar Bharat India has 5 Pillars to Focus Upon to achieve the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission and plans to focus on each of them: Growth of Economy Infrastructure Development System Vibrant Demography Demand Increase Plan to achieve the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat? 5 Phase Strategy India proposes to build a self-reliant India in the five phases below Phase-I: Growth of Businesses including MSMEs Phase-II: Well-Being of the Poor, including Migrants and Farmers Phase III: Agriculture Growth Phase-IV: New Horizons of Growth Phase-V: Government Reforms and Enablers ​Rs. 20 Lakh Crore Package to Revive Indian Economy With the plan to restore the Indian economy and make India self-reliant, the Indian Prime Minister announced huge finance of Rs. 20 lakh crore – equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP. The budget is supposed to guide MSMEs, and agriculture and is to be dispensed in 5 phases mentioned above. To date, India has had the maximum intense closed society within the globe with very little financial support for the weaker sections of the economy. The size of the package deal reflects the preference to compensate migrant workers and their families for their plight. MSMEs, Agriculture and other key sectors are the pillars of the Self-Reliant India Mission. The country has put together a rescue plan of approximately 13% of its GDP. Conclusion: At the present juncture, when we need both growth and jobs, there can be no second thoughts about the industrial revolution. A well-thought industrial policy can change the ecosystem which can transform India into a global manufacturing hub with competitive pricing, and innovation, and make the country an attractive investment destination.  

Is democracy hampering India’s progress – 2023?

Theme: Democracy, as an ideology, has been termed as an essential pillar of progress and development internationally. In the case of India, the world’s biggest democracy, the role of democratic governance in fostering development has been a challenge to debate.  This article targets to know about the complicated relationship between democracy and India’s progress by analyzing examples and records.   Pros of Democracy: Democracy as a Unifying Force: India’s democratic system has been instrumental in promoting social cohesion by presenting a platform for diverse voices to be heard and represented.  The ideas of equality, freedom, and recognition of personal rights embedded in democratic beliefs make a contribution to fostering a feeling of inclusiveness and shared identification. The Constitution of India, with its emphasis on secularism, has played a pivotal role in retaining social harmony with the aid of imparting equal rights and protection to all citizens, no matter their faith or ethnicity.   Stability and Governance: One of the important thing advantages of democracy are its capability to make certain balance and proper governance. India’s democratic system has successfully navigated several demanding situations, inclusive of non-secular and ethnic diversity, making sure stability and social cohesion.  India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has proven regular growth through the years, attaining approximately $2.8 trillion in recent times. This increase may be attributed, in component, to the stability supplied via India’s democratic governance. Inclusive Development: Democracy gives a sturdy emphasis on inclusivity, ensuring that the benefits of development are shared throughout society. India’s democratic device has played an essential position in empowering marginalized groups and fostering social justice via affirmative movement guidelines and illustration in decision-making bodies. According to the World Bank, the poverty in India has substantially declined through the years, from 45% in 1994 to around 21% in 2023. This development can be attributed, in element, to democratic guidelines geared toward inclusive improvement. Accountability and Transparency: The Right to Information (RTI) Act in India allows residents to access authorities’ statistics and records, promoting transparency and maintaining public officers responsible. This regulation has been instrumental in exposing corruption scandals and empowering residents to demand better governance. According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, India has witnessed upgrades in its corruption ranking, shifting from 78th place to 75th place in 7 years. This high-quality trend indicates the effect of democratic measures in curtailing corruption. Democracy and Women’s Empowerment in India India’s democratic framework has furnished a platform for ladies to voice their concerns, call for the same rights, and take part in choice-making tactics.  Democracy’s emphasis on equality, justice, and illustration has paved the way for widespread advancements in women’s empowerment. The implementation of constitutional provisions, together with reservations for women in local governance (Panchayati Raj establishments), has led to accelerated political participation and illustration of women in grassroots selection-making.   Challenges in Democracy: While democracy has surely contributed to India’s progress, it is not without demanding situations.  The democratic method may be sluggish, hindering timely choice-making. Additionally, factors such as electoral populism, political polarization, and inefficient implementation of rules can impede development. The implementation of huge-scale infrastructure tasks in India has regularly faced delays because of bureaucratic hurdles and criminal complexities.  The World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index ranks India 63rd out of 190 nations, indicating the need for persevered reforms to improve the business surroundings and accelerate progress. Example: Although China is not a democratic country, its fast monetary boom, infrastructure improvement, and dominance in manufacturing and worldwide trade have contributed to its popularity as a more potent economic system as compared to India. One of the large demanding situations in democracies is the growing polarization of political parties and ideologies. When specific factions come to be deeply divided, it is able to cause gridlock, prevent consensus-building, and make it hard to address issues. Polarization can also make a contribution to a lack of consideration in democratic institutions and approaches, undermining the general democratic device. Corruption poses a vast chance to democracy. When public officials interact with corrupt practices, it erodes public trust, diverts resources from public welfare, and unfollows the regulation. Additionally, a loss of transparency and duty can weaken democratic institutions and avoid the powerful functioning of democratic methods. Persistent socioeconomic inequalities can stress democratic structures. When there are large disparities in wealth, training, and opportunities, certain segments of the population can also feel marginalized or excluded from the democratic manner. This can lead to social unrest, political instability, and challenges to the democratic establishments. Conclusion: The courting between democracy and India’s development is complex and multifaceted. While democracy is a crucial element in fostering balance and inclusivity. It is essential to strike a balance between democratic principles and uniform governance to make certain sustained progress. India’s adventure in the direction of progress will require ongoing reforms, institutional strengthening, and energetic citizen participation. By addressing the demanding situations and leveraging the blessings of democratic governance, India can keep its course closer to prosperity and inclusive improvement.