February 2014

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 28 feb 2014

After years of research, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Tata Motors Ltd (TML), has developed hydrogen powered bus which is similar to CNG-type vehicle and has cylinders with high pressured hydrogen at the top. It utilizes fuel cell technology with hydrogen as fuel. According to ISRO's V. Gnana Gandhi, the technical head of the project, the bus is a zero pollution vehicle as the product of cold combustion is water and has the potential to transform the future of transportation in India. Read on...

The Economic Times: ISRO, Tata Motors develop India's first fuel cell bus
Author: NA

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 25 feb 2014

American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), representing more than 100,000 medical professionals, is developing programs to contribute and improve the healthcare in India. According to AAPI president Dr. Jayesh Shah, the plan is underway to collaborate with government and launch Swasthya India platform to utilize the expertise of the Indian origin doctors for better healthcare to India's population. In a recent meeting with various stakeholders of the Indian healthcare system, the priorities that were discussed include - improving overall quality standards and accreditation process for hospitals; standardization of protocols and strong audit and tracking system; improved collaboration between hospitals and academic institutions; promote medical research. Read on...

PharmaBiz: American physicians of Indian origin extend support to improve healthcare quality in India
Author: Joseph Alexander

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 19 feb 2014

Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) on their website mentions that according to Frost & Sullivan, Indian healthcare industry (hospitals, medical infrastructure, medical devices, clinical trials, outsourcing, telemedicine, health insurance and medical equipment) is expected to grow to US$ 160 billion by 2017 from US$ 79 billion in 2012. As the demand for quality healthcare grows, private equity funds are raising capital to invest in Indian healthcare companies. Bain & Co. report says that US$ 1.3 billion of risk capital was invested in healthcare businesses in 2012. Moreover according to Venture Intelligence there were 25 deals totaling US$ 351.5 million in the first half of 2013. Read on...

The Economic Times: Private Equity ups investment spend in India's Healthcare sector
Author: Biswarup Gooptu

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 16 feb 2014

In the article, Udit Misra interviews Amartya Sen on his recently published book with Jean Dreze, 'An Uncertain Glory: India and Its Contradictions'. Amartya Sen mentions his views on the evolution of the democratic response to various issues, like corruption, crime against women etc. According to him, people by participating in protests demonstrated their concerns for fellow human beings while government's show of urgency in initiating the procedures to bring criminals to justice in response to the protests and agitation is a significant positive development. But there is a lot more that is to be done to protect the vulnerable and the poor in the Indian society. The other points he brought to notice include - his opposition to the Licence Raj; Left vs Right in the Indian politics while most people are neither of the two; importance of human capital with emphasis on education and healthcare; secularism and secular leadership mentioning the successful example of Lee Kwan Yew of Singapore; short-term approach of the government while dealing with economic growth and providing concession to businesses; insists on need for developing an educated and healthy workforce for sustainable economic development; different opinion on NREGA as compared to Jean Dreze and suggests more expenditure on education and skills development then expenditure on employment; favors Kerala's model of human development with substantial spending on education and healthcare over the years and as a result becoming one of the richest Indian state. Read on...

Forbes: Amartya Sen: 'You need an educated, healthy workforce to sustain economic development'
Author: Udit Misra

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 06 feb 2014

Open and distance learning (ODL) system in India is not new and first started in 1962. Over the years it has grown and now more than 4 million students (22%) are enrolled in higher education through ODL mode. The regulatory mechanism of ODL system was governed by DEC (Distance Education Council) established by IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open Univeristy) in 1991. Madhav Menon Committee, constituted in August 2010 by MHRD (Ministry of Human Resource and Development) to suggest measures for effective and efficient regulation of distance education, questioned DEC's authority as the apex regulator on the basis of 'conflict of interest' (DEC being under the control of IGNOU), lack of adequate manpower and technological support. Based on the findings and recommendations of Madhav Menon Committee, MHRD and IGNOU dissolved DEC by an order in May 2013 and transferred the regulatory authority for ODL system to UGC (University Grants Commission) and AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education). Article provides detailed historical evolution of ODL system in India and the current regulatory dynamics. Moreover it suggests that more sustained reforms in this area are required to safeguard the interests of millions of students and there is need for 'independent' and 'effective' regulator for better coordination and consensus on important policy matters. The quality of ODL system has to be enhanced and upgraded. Moreover to attract more students into the ODL system, use of latest educational technologies should also be considered. Read on...

The Financial Express: The future of distance education in India
Authors: Rajat Mukherjee, Rupesh Mishra

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