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Year: 2016

  • Thought for food: Coco(a) Bonds and Dosa Economics!

    Economics just became a whole lot more edible this week. It all started rather unexpectedly, with a student asking the RBI governor why dosas have become more expensive despite the disinflation phenomenon in India. Pat came the answer.

    It’s not the dosa, stupid. It’s the tawa! It’s the tawa that has retained its price and reluctance to change the tawa technology has cost us, dear. Pun intended. And it doesn’t quite end there, does it? The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the earth. And the hand that rules the ladle, rules the worth.

    Simple! Labour prices have skyrocketed, so much so that they nullify the reductions we get from ingredients. Ahem, not that we are getting too many reductions from those ingredients there. Important to note that the dosa is primarily made from urad dal, after all.

    The statement from the Guv created quite a furore. The RBI has issued a new guideline saying that all future governors should necessarily be good cooks and have to know all ingredients going into major food dishes. The Bhumata Ranragini Brigade is now actively considering marching into the inner sanctum of the RBI saying they always knew that women would make better governors.

    The RBI has launched a new Big Dosa Index to counter the very popular Big Mac Index as the Indian contribution to quick-fix inflation gauges. The CSO, ruffled at being sidelined, cleverly pointed out that since dosas are only sold on retail, the BDI can only be seen to be a quick gauge of CPI movements and is hence, an incomplete index. The RBI reacted sharply by also announcing the creation of a Tawa-Index to understand wholesale price movements.

    Startup India has announced a new VC funding line to whoever gets new technology for creating dosas. It’s expected that support to this line of credit will be declared in the upcoming Budget through the Tawa Hatao, Dosa Bachao Yojana.

    Commercial banks now know what it takes to reduce their NPAs. Risk rating on the over-the-counter food service business units has gone down drastically since they are seen to be the only guys who can continue to charge high and make high profits, no matter what the inflation numbers. The new base rate or PLR will be termed the DLR, the Dosa Lending Rate.

    On a more international front, Deutche Bank made headlines with its coco(a) bonds ratings taking a beating from S&P. “Their standard is very poor,” said an RBI spokesperson. “We always knew that this cocoa business is very risky. Had they listened properly to the Hon Governor, they would have issued Dosa bonds. That is the only way ahead.” The Chinese are also thinking of replacing Dim Sum Bonds, which have in letter and spirit become Dim Sum since the devaluation, with Dosa bonds.

    In the meanwhile, the FM was fairly terrorised when he was asked to host the halwa ceremony. Despite the fact that no student interaction was allowed at all, he made sure that he knew the halwa recipe by heart before meeting the media. For good measure, he also learnt the prices of rawa, sugar and ghee, all by heart.

    Rumour is that after getting to know the phenomenal prices of ghee and dry fruits, he wants to create a halwa cess to fund such colossal expense programmes. It is estimated that this single move will move the fiscal deficit from 3.9 per cent to the magic number 3.6 per cent. The RBI governor is happy. Dosas sure work!

  • Request to Civils Daily Fertinity

    Can you explains all the Missiles of India, they capacity, technology and abduction by which forces of India?

  • What is Struggle?

    Hello,

    After our last post (The no-nonsense guide to motivation), we received 120+ emails from students/ aspirants (and some parents) baring their heart open over the struggles of coming to terms with failure and dejection. We respect your privacy (and won’t bare out names) but we couldn’t help but notice that the common themes around those letters were concerns regarding leaving a job, impending research work, lack of confidence, struggles with uncertainties.

    Most of all, everyone wrote about their struggle. Struggle – a word which we inevitably equate with failure.

    While most of the gurus and teachers focus on how to things correctly, so that you don’t screw up, we would like to take a moment and explore this phenomena of struggle and how you can best attempt to come out of it (after you have screwed up).

    Honeymoon Period = Start of your preparation

    This is the point where you start questioning yourself:

    • Where did I go wrong?
    • Why didn’t my results come out as I had thought they would?
    • Am I even good enough to continue?

    The Struggle is when you wonder why you started the preparation in the first place

    • The Struggle is when your parents ask you why you don’t quit and you don’t know the answer
    • The Struggle is when everyone starts doubting your abilities and you start to think that may be right
    • The Struggle is when self doubt becomes self hatred
    • The Struggle is when people start sympathising with you and no one would come out in open and confront you
    • The Struggle is when you want the pain to stop but it won’t
    • The Struggle is when you think of taking a timeout for some fresh air but everything just stifles you
    • The Struggle is when you are surrounded by people who did not qualify and you are all alone. No company is comfort. The Struggle has no mercy
    • You are in the land of broken promises and crushed dreams

    “The Struggle is not failure, but it causes failure. Especially if you are weak. Always if you are weak.”

    But the struggle is where greatness comes from

    “When you are in the Struggle, nothing is easy and nothing feels right. You have dropped into the abyss and you may never get out.” – The Hard Thing About Hard Things

  • Understanding the refugee crisis and lessons for India

    Know about some basic terminologies used in this context

    Refugee: A refugee is someone who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution or natural disaster.

    Asylum: It is a protection granted by a state to someone who has left their home country as a political refugee.

    Migrant: A person who choose to leave their home state, principally in search of a better life. It is a voluntary choice and not a involuntary act. They do not enjoy any protection under international law.

    Special Status of Refugees

    They enjoy certain special protections under the law:

    • Safety from being deported to the country where they face persecution
    • Protection of basic human rights without radical or religious discrimination or of national origin
    • Access to fair and efficient asylum procedures
    • Provision of administrative assistance

    Know the Refugees: Statistics & Countries

    According to International Organisation for Migration, 3.5 lakh migrants and refugees have tried to cross the Mediterranean sea into Europe. Almost 2500 died in Mediterranean sea during first half of 2015.

    Refugees are mostly from West Asia comprising of war-torn countries like Syria, Iraq and Libya. West Asia was used by the political powers in Europe and US to serve their political interest in the name of supporting pro-democratic forces, ending in promoting radical groups and thus destabilizing it.

    The unending civil conflict in Afghanistan and decline in socio-economic conditions in Pakistan has further fueled the crisis.

    Why refugees are migrating to Europe?

    First of all, Europe is economically prosperous, socially secure and presence of better immigration laws makes it a perfect destination for refugees.

    But, it is not alone the brighter side of Europe, but the adverse condition in the home country, which are outside the control of common people, leading to mass migration.

    Refugee vs. Migrant debate in Europe

    This comes in the backdrop of UN forecast that about 3000 people per day will try to reach Europe in the next few months, which has worried European policy makers. The European powers had increased patrolling around the Mediterranean sea and security in the border areas.

    • Europe is portraying the refugees as economic migrants i.e. those who are in search of better life
    • They consider the influx of people as a threat to standard of living and social structure of Europe
    • The main reason for such portrayal is that migrants do not enjoy any protection and privileges under international law, while refugees do

     

    Lessons for India: Need for a coherent domestic asylum policy

    India is neither a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention nor it has a domestic asylum framework/National Asylum law. Interestingly, none of South Asian countries are signatories to the refugee convention.

    Reason: There is a fear that if govt. does any of the above, it might lead to influx of refugees. Already, it is finding difficulty in tackling illegal migration from Bangladesh.

    However, India has repeatedly stated its commitment to protect refugees. The country has also signed a number of international conventions that have a bearing on its obligation to refugees. Some of legal rights are available to refugees as well. For instance, RTE applies to all children in India, including refugees. Refugees can take the benefit of govt. health services, justice system, etc.

    Future

    Germany has shown some solidarity with the refugees by granting asylum to 8 lakh people. However, France and Britain have shown signs of reluctance and resorted to tightening of asylum rules. The failure to reach a consensus on the refugees, will lead to the guilty of not being able to live up to European values.

     

    Published with inputs from Pushpendra

  • What is a good coaching for economics (GS) in delhi?

    Did anyone go to kalinga IAS or Ramesh Singh?

  • A No-Nonsense Motivation Blog for IAS Aspirants

    This looong post is for everyone who could not make it to the list. Most importantly for those among you who really, really, really believed that they had a rock solid chance this year but UPSC still treated them like a spurned lover.

    This was originally intended to be a major motivational blockbuster blog. Trust us, we had even googled some of the oft quoted-recycled gyaan to get your attention and prep you up on a steroid enriched diet for the next year but, but, but… when has artificial motivation ever sustained? Never.

    The aim of this write up is to help you take a step back from all this commotion of success and failure and create a room to think. Let go of all the overwhelming niceties & consolations which your friends and families may shower at you (because they care and fear for your sanity). Although, we would advise you try and be nice to them and not air any of the “quotes written in blue” as a retort but let it pass over. This is not the time to resign to fate. Not just yet.

    The way of the samurai

     

    In his classic treatise on the philosophy behind the Samurai code of “Bushido,” entitled Hagakure, and often billed as “The Book of the Samurai,” retired Samurai-turned-monk Yamamoto Tsunetomo wrote that “the way of the samurai is found in death.”

    He admonished young warriors to calmly accept that death would occur on the battlefield, regardless of the efforts of the individual. Despite this, the samurai trained in earnest for battlefield effectiveness from youth onward. It didn’t matter that you calmly accepted that you were going to die, you still trained hard to be as lethal as humanly possible.

     

    If you have been sincere with your mains’ attempt, chances are that you would have directly or indirectly been a part of one such group.

     

    If you happen to identify with the guy on the middle or the left, there are high chances that you already know that you were not playing your “A game” at the mains this year. Your setback is understandable but you will soon be able to analyse your attempts and improve on your scores next year. Unless…. unless of course the scenario is this – 

    You are the guy on the right, who had done most of the things under his/ her control to optimise for high scores – demolished the GS papers comprehensively, quoted philosophers par excellence in the ethics paper and made sure that the optional papers rival the doctoral thesis of the examiner BUT STILL GOT DITCHED BY UPSC.

    And if this were not enough, your two buddies who up until now were not even sure of a respectable exit, qualify for the interview! That’s a classic case of what a famous american slang refers to as –

    SNAFU = Situation normal all fucked up

     

    If you are at this stage (or have been at it at some point or the other in life), you would agree that no amount of palliatives, niceties, wishes can really help you come out of the zone. You feel betrayed by some weird version of justice which you do not understand.

    You probably would have left a decent job and decided to pursue UPSC (among other choices of MBA, startups) OR made a promise to your parents and those around that you will sit out sincerely for an year for this prestigious exam OR other more equally compelling sacrifices and it’s understandable that you might feel angry for you did not sign up for this.

    Let yourself be. Release your emotions. Don’t put on an artificial smile (but be aware that it is a slippery slope and you need to pull yourself right back up).

    Try and be with people who can empathise with you and not sympathise.

    Preparing for UPSC is like running a marathon. And as with all good runners, with time and patience, you tend to understand yourself better. No other exam in the world expects you to open up your faculties to such gigantic amount of information and force you to process them at a speed which can put a reasonably outdated Intel processor to shame (that is still a lot to compare with you know!)

    By now, you would have developed a fair bit of liking to some subjects, appreciation for some finer aspects of life, possibly a bent of mind for public policy making, well nurtured interest in social sector landscape or a penchant for long distance hiking (or something equally exciting).

    Go to that island in your thoughts now. Remove yourself from the commotion. The shit has hit the fan here and you need to change a room till someone cleans it up!

     

    You are not alone in this dilemma

     

    This is the time that you need to be a master of your senses rather than a slave of emotional waves. Answer the big question for yourself. Keep mum but think hard.

     

    Civilsdaily is not an online coaching portal. We are sure that you are aware of that fact. We are dedicated to the cause of providing news with context and making content approachable to everyone BUT we do believe that many among you have the potential to dent the social fabric of our country in your own unique ways. Go ahead, identify the your angst and your driver and take the plunge.

    If you feel like talking to us, drop a mail at hello@civilsdaily.com

    If you think this long post was worth your time, do share it with your friends who may benefit reading from it.

     

    Want to read more?

  • Need more explains on International relations. How many more are in same need?

    Hello CD! I’ve a request personally. I would really appreciate if you people write more explains on international relations. That’s one thing we always need to be updated. For a first timer like me its quite difficult to maintain proper notes on international relations, I mean what exactly is important, how should one extract information from newspapers for this. Its one paper where many score low. Last month you guys wrote about China pak equation on OROB, that was brilliant. Helped me very much with crisp facts and enough information. Please write more such explains on international relations topics. It’ll help us a lot after prelims. Please consider this. Thanks in advance.

  • request

    sir please provide this application for the windows mobile too, up to my it is one of the best source of konwledge..

  • LSTV | Public Forum | India – Nepal Ties

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx2rVJ-8Q0M

     

    Context: PM K.P. Oli’s 6 days B/L visit to India

    Q. What is the significance of this visit?

    • 1. This will be his first B/L visit since assuming office, immense symbolic value in the sense that Nepal values relationship with India.
    • 2. The visit comes in the backdrop of Madhesis ending their crippling protests and blockade that had soured the bilateral ties. It would be thus aimed at bringing ties back on track.

    Q. What was the reason for blockade?

    Madhesis living in plains area adjoining open border with India felt the constitution of Nepal gave them a raw deal.

    Some important points of contention were-

    • 1. Most important is demarcation of federal provinces. MAdhesi demand is for 1 Madhesh 1 pradesh but what they got in return was gerrymandering of provinces.
    • 2. Madhesis sought representation on the basis of population but in interim constitution population weightage was diluted in favour of area.
    • 3. They demanded more seats on the basis of proportional representation but got lesser seats under it.
    • 4. only citizens by descent will be entitled to hold the posts of President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and other top posts. It will discriminate against Madhesis who have acquired citizenship by birth or naturalisation.
    • 5.Foreign woman married to Nepali citizen will not acquire automatic citizenship.  Again against the interest of Madhesis.

    In effect hitherto marginalized Madhesi community was not given its due under the democratic set up. to pressurize the ruling elite, they blockaded the trade routes.

    Q. In this internal political battle, why was India blamed?

    • Nepali nationalism is based on anti Indianism and ruling elites have used it to hide their own inadequacies.
    • Nepal charges that India is tacitly supporting Madhesis in blockade while we have always maintained that it is an internal issue which has to be politically resolved.
    • we have conveyed our concerns which were needed to be conveyed for any conflict in tarai spills over into India across the open border.

    Q. So why has protest been called off now? Have Madhesis achieved their aims?

    Sustaining protest for such a long time is very difficult. So a combination of factors led to withdrawal of blockade

    • 1. Passing of  2 constitution amendment bills which addresses two key demands of the Madhesis – proportionate representation and seat allocation in the Parliament on the basis of population.
    • 2. Fatigue
    • 3. Internal divisions in Madhesi morcha
    • 4. Willingness of govt to concede more demands

    But it’s only a temporary lull. Key demand of demarcation of federal provinces has to be met, otherwise movement will resurrect.

    Whole Madhesh is radically politicized like never before.

    Q. In this whole episode, India Nepal ties have taken a beating. What did India do wrong?

    As earlier stated, Nepali nationalism is based on anti Indianism.

    With the advantage of  hindsight it can be said that, sending of foreign secretary just before promulgation of constitution was a wrong move. It gave lever to Nepal to tell the world that India is behaving like a big brother, interfering in internal affairs while on the Indian side critics claimed New Delhi was sleeping till then.

    Overall India did not do much wrong. It conveyed its concerns which were needed to be conveyed.

    Q. What’s the way forward? How can India respond without being seen as intrusive? What about China card that Nepal plays?

    India needs to stay course. Any trouble in Tarai is not in our long term interest, we need to convince Nepal with back channel diplomacy that it’s in their own interest.

    China card is past its expiry date. Nepal can not fight geography. At the same time we need to be mindful of  Nepali sensitivities.

    Q. Finally what is expected from the visit?

    1. 2 MOUs operationalising 1b$ of credit already announced and 1b$ for earthquake assistance.

    2. Hopefully genuine honest stock taking exercise will be done and relationship will be put on even keel.

  • CROP INSURANCE

    What does terms like capping,area approach,notified crop etc mean wrt crop insurance?