Voter targeting is enabled by collecting personal data, including online shopping history, likes, shares and comments. The use of such personal information for political messaging can help spread misplaced fears of potential attacks on what people hold dear. Democracies need better privacy laws.
Freedom Gazette
Patriarchal gender norms underlie honour killings and love jihad. Girls and young women in India continue to be deprived of their free and full choice on whom and when to marry. This abuse of women's rights is a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The number of lawmakers facing criminal charges has increased significantly in recent years. The Supreme Court has tried to counter this in many ways, including by asking parties to publicise the criminal records of their candidates. But why do voters actively vote for criminal candidates?
In 2019, the Indian government ordered an internet shutdown a whopping 103 times on various occasions. Multiple High Courts, most recently in Uttar Pradesh and Assam, have ruled that internet shutdowns violate fundamental rights. Yet, in Jammu and Kashmir, there has been no respite. Why?
International students can play an important role in increasing India's foreign policy influence. International students often carry a favourable image of the host country back to their home country. China has recognised this opportunity but India's New Education Policy has entirely ignored it.
The proposed amendment to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971 aims to give women safe, protected and choice-based abortions. But on closer examination, the Bill fails to be as progressive as it wants to be. Women still haven’t been given complete autonomy over their bodies.
Increase in temperature impacts physiological and cognitive capabilities. According to ILO estimates, 2 percent of the world's total working hours are going to be lost due to hot weather by 2030. India would lose 5.8 percent of its working hours and as many as 34 million jobs.
With climate change and increased demand for energy, the world needs a solution quickly. Nuclear energy is a good option if used in the right way. Contrary to public perception, nuclear energy is actually the safest energy source in the world and more economically viable than solar and wind.
During COVID-19, larger centralised rice mills have been shut down due to transportation restrictions and lack of diesel. But smaller decentralised rice mills have been running and keeping farmers alive. There are many lessons for rural development from this experience.
The Indian healthcare system centralises all major responsibilities on doctors, which has resulted in lackadaisical care, improper diagnosis and improper communication with patients. This is especially painful for elderly patients. Luckily, a solution exists - and it's from the Netherlands.