The Hindu Editorial Analysis | 13th November '21

Table of Contents

Overshadowed

COVID-19 vaccination campaign for adults
The WHO says more than 22 million infants globally, including India, may have missed the first dose of the measles vaccine – Measles-Containing Vaccine 1 (MCV1).
The WHO findings were published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It says 24 measles vaccination campaigns in 23 countries were postponed last year because of the COVID-19 lockdown.
The “10 countries with the highest numbers of infants not receiving MCV1 were Nigeria (3.3 million), India (2.6 million), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1.5 million), Ethiopia (1.4 million), Indonesia (1.1 million), Pakistan (1.0 million), Angola (0.7 million), the Philippines (0.6 million), Brazil (0.6 million) and Afghanistan (0.4 million); accounting for nearly two thirds (59 per cent) of the global total”.
The WHO calculates apart from the 22-odd million infants, at least “93 million persons did not receive MCV because of COVID-19-related postponements”.
Considering the gap in measles immunisation, a national survey is called for to assess any immediate risk for measles transmission and outbreaks in the country.

The numbers game | TH

The 26th United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) in Glasgow, Scotland
Prior to the summit, there was a frantic attempt by leaders of western countries, to have most countries agree on a mid-century net zero goal, or when emissions dip to near zero or are balanced out by taking out an equivalent from the atmosphere.
While China has indicated a 2060 net zero year, India surprisingly agreed to a net zero year of 2070 as well as more initiatives by 2030 to move towards having a significantly larger share of its energy needs met by renewable energy.
The target year 2070 is far from 2050, by when scientific consensus says, emissions must decline to zero for earth to have a fighting chance to keep temperatures at manageable levels.
So India, now the third highest emitter of carbon dioxide, giving itself a 50-year deadline will unlikely help prevent temperatures from rising beyond the danger mark.
However, India has also indicated that for its 2030 goals, it needs a trillion dollars, by 2030, from developed countries.
India, it must be remembered, is a $2 trillion economy and expects to be a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25 and close to $10 trillion by 2030.
Developing countries were collectively promised, nearly a decade ago, $100 billion annually until 2020 and only a small fraction has been realised.
In spite of the risks it poses, the climate crisis is yet to get political resonance in India.
Unless it appears on electoral platforms, the push away from fossil fuel will not happen; and India might not have a realistic chance at adapting to disasters at minimal cost.

Rajeshwari’s Shoulders | ToI

E Rajeshwari lifting an unconscious man onto her shoulders and then carrying him to a vehicle for transfer to a hospital (where he later passed away).
We are all reminded of the wastefulness of women’s under-representation in India’s police forces when there is clear and convincing evidence on their importance in improving policing.
In a recent Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the importance of women security personnel in instilling a sense of confidence among the people, and also noted that between 2014 to 2020 – years he has been in office – the number of women in police grew from 1.05 lakh to 2.15 lakh.
At the IPS level, women comprised 20% of the recruitment in 2020, nudging up by two percentage points compared to 2014.
Their meagre numbers mean that policewomen are still battling the mindset that considers them second-class at “real” policing work.
For their presence to make the optimal institutional difference, every state should set and meet clear targets for recruitment every year.
May there be many more Rajeshwaris.

Skål! To More Merry Business | ET

From Monday to Friday, November 8-12, I have been travelling across Sweden, in tow with key actors from the Sweden-India partnership — ‘Team Sweden’, as we like to call ourselves — for the four-city roadshow, Time for India.
The India trajectory is on the right path and rising, and in Stockholm, Luleå, Gothenburg and Malmö, we met with companies and decisions-makers to discuss trade and investment, and facilitate further business collaboration between our two countries at a series of breakfast seminars.

The aim was to highlight the many opportunities available for Swedish companies in India and for Indian companies in Sweden.
Covid-19 pandemic – companies around the world – are faced with the need to adapt their manufacturing and supply chain strategies.
There is a need to diversify production to reduce risks.
In this context, many find India to be strategically well-placed to become an important hub for manufacturing.
The Business Climate Survey for Swedish Companies in India 2021 (bit.ly/3oglQAu) released in September is very encouraging.
A clear majority of Swedish companies view the business climate in India as favourable.
There are plans of close to $1 billion (₹7,432 crore) in investments in the next two years by Swedish companies.
Swedish business presence in India is broad, in sectors as diverse as information and communications technology (ICT), automotive, energy, retail and life sciences.
Large Swedish companies have been manufacturing here for more than 100 years.
There are now small startups that are expanding their operations in the Indian market, particularly in services.
More than 220 Swedish companies are currently present in India, employing over 2 lakh people directly and 2.2 million indirectly.
There is also an increasing number of Indian companies in Sweden, especially in the IT sector, with further potential for increased investments.
Interestingly, in 2019-20, the largest group of migrants moving to Sweden were Indian.
Sweden and India collaborate closely in a joint innovation partnership, through which we address global challenges sustainably through innovation.
The commitment to this strategic partnership was reinforced when the two PMs met virtually this March.
The mandate from them, and subsequently from our commerce ministers, is very clear: to increase opportunities, employment and the flow of goods and services between our countries.
Sweden has repeatedly been ranked as the most innovative country in the EU.
Recent green Swedish initiatives include the production of the world’s first fossil-free steel and large-scale green battery manufacturing.
They have together launched the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT), with an aim to lower carbon emissions in heavy industries like steel and cement.
Sweden is also part of the India-led International Solar Alliance (ISA), which aims to bring together a group of nations to endorse clean energy, sustainable environment, public transport and climate, of which the US is the latest entry.
Swedish companies in India provide clean air solutions, recyclable products and sustainable transportation to the Indian market.
The India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre in Jodhpur is a recent example of how we can encourage innovative solutions by bringing together startups and healthcare delivery stakeholders.
The Sweden-India Transport, Innovation and Safety Partnership (SITIS) comprises companies, universities and research institutes that lead in the safety area.
The India-Sweden Innovations Accelerator (ISIA) builds bridges between Swedish and Indian companies on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
This Sweden-India partnership can only be deepened.

NEWS

PM Modi launches two innovative customer centric initiatives of RBI; says, digital transactions in India jumped 19 times in last 7 years
FM Nirmala Sitharaman to interact with CMs, State FMs on Monday
FDI in India growing rapidly over last few years: Piyush Goyal
UP Defence Industrial Corridor will play crucial role in fulfilling govt’s dream of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, says Rajnath Singh

President Kovind to give away National Sports Awards 2021 today
India’s Covid vaccination coverage crosses 111.35 Crore mark
25 states/UTs reduced VAT on petrol and diesel so far, says Centre
Home Minister Amit Shah reaches Varanasi on two day tour of Uttar Pradesh
At least 12 wounded in blast at Afghanistan Mosque
Number of forcibly displaced person has exceeded 84 million globally this year: UN

Answer

Q.) Name the fintech company whose initial share sale was fully subscribed in the final hours of the issue period on Wednesday?