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Dear Reader,
For nations today, control over semiconductor production is both a technological necessity and a geopolitical imperative. While the US historically dominated the sector, Taiwan and South Korea now lead the charge. In recent years, China has made astonishing strides in semiconductors and is rapidly challenging the big three.
This Chinese challenge has persuaded the US that the global supply of semiconductors should not be dependent on any particular country and that the supply chains of these crucial chips have to be diversified. It is in this context that India joined the fray through the India Semiconductor Mission launched in 2021 with a massive Rs 76,000 crore outlay. In a thoughtful analysis, The India Forum delves into the geopolitical challenges that animates India's quest.
India shut down internet access to its citizens for 7,000 hours in 2023, of which 5,000 hours were in Manipur. On September 15, the state government announced a five-day shutdown in five districts of the Imphal Valley, ostensibly due to concerns that "anti-social" elements may incite hate and violence.
However, critics denounced the measures as a bid to clamp down and censor legitimate public dissent. They underline that the state's attempt to institutionalise specific 'undertakings' by users that they will not 'misuse' the internet is against the law and personal liberty. MediaNama brings us the issues.
The gig economy in India has been growing rapidly, with an estimate of the Niti Ayog putting the numbers employed at 77 lakhs, which is projected to increase to 2.35 crore in five years. However, many gig workers face inconsistent income and inadequate pay – relying heavily on complex algorithms that are often opaque and skewed against the worker. This is apart from no, or inadequate, insurance coverage, poor working conditions, including lack of restrooms and compromised safety.
While states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Rajasthan have legislated laws to regulate the sector, TrueCopy Think points out that the Kerala government has yet to provide legislative coverage for the workers despite umpteen commitments to do so. The story looks at what must be done to ensure workers get a fair gig, including passing the Kerala State Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2024.
The Haryana government has, in recent years, been upbeat about its "transformation" of the state's education system, including a move to launch 4,035 smart classrooms in government schools. However, an investigation by Article 14 on the state of the education system in Haryana belies the government's claims.
A visit to about half a dozen schools in Nuh—an "aspirational district"— revealed an abysmal state of affairs—crumbling buildings, classrooms bursting at the seams, dilapidated toilets, and teachers forced to buy water for their wards. In 2023, by the state government's own admission, over Rs 14,500 of funds meant for education were unutilised over the last decade. Over 1,000 schools for boys and more than 500 for girls lacked toilets, and over 8,000 schools awaited classrooms.
For more such stories from the grantees this week, please read on.
Warmly,
Sunil Rajshekhar
IPSMF
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