Gold Chain

 After the disintegration of erstwhile USSR Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and China grouping popularly known as Shanghai five emerged in 1996 as a result of series of border demarcation and dimilitarisation discussions which the four former Soviet Republics held with China to ensure peace,security and stability in the region. Following the entry of Uzbekistan to the Organisation in 2001Shanghai five was renamed as Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).The SCO charter was signed in 2002 and came into force in 2003. India was accorded observer status  in 2005.Realising India's potential to act as the balancing power in a region dominated by China, Russia supported India's entry to SCO,in turn as expected China sponsored membership to Pakistan as a counter strategy and accordingly both India and Pakistan became members in 2017.Iran is set become the 9th  permanent member of the Organisation in 2023. The organisation has emerged as one of the largest transregio...

 While economic growth is generally slowing down across the globe the problem is all the more acute  across Europe impacted by fundamental deterioration of real incomes and standard of living of the people at large. European union leaders mainly attribute Russian Ukraine war for many of the problems facing the continent which is heavily dependent on energy supplies from Russia. Major Euro Zone economies of Germany, France, Italy and Spain saw that their growth forecast for 2023 has been downgraded by IMF. Similarly in the United Kingdom decline in growth is also characterized high inflation above 10% first time in 40 years as households struggle with soaring energy prices. Experts forecast that  while Britain is contending with additional pressures from Brexit, soaring energy costs, supply chain disruptions, shortages of workers and drought, it may  result in a lengthy recession.The energy crisis tops the pile of  priorities across Europe.Already 14% families of...

 When Deepika's body was taken to the funeral pyre various incidents and events of their four decades of married life came to Dr.Sundaram's mind.Deepika had been an extremely down to earth woman with out any hatred towards anybody caring both affluent and deprived alike in her own plain way.After the snatching away of their beloved daughters by fate both Sundaram and Deepika were leading a low profile life. Dr.Sundaram restricted his hospital practice to morning session only. Mean time by September 2016 Deepika  developed severe pain and discomfort in the stomach. Suspecting something serious Sundharam took her to an Oncologist for consultation and his suspicion became true and moderate growth of tumour was detected in the stomach .She had undergone treatment including chemotherapy and after eight months she  gradually recovered and their life became almost normal. Unfortunately in 2018 again she felt some discomfort and when consulted they diagnosed reappearance of tumou...

 According to National Statistical Office(NSO )estimates the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of  India at constant prices (2011-12) increased to 13.5% in the April-June quarter of 2022 compared to the same period last year as against Reserve Bank of India's projected growth of  16.2 %, mainly due to revival of consumption, recovery of the service sector and the low base of last year. While Gross Value Added (GVA) at base prices grew at 12.7%" in the same quarter nominal GDP was up at 26.7% largely echoing the inflationary pressures in the economy.Keeping the two pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 out, Q1 real GDP growth in 2022-23 is only 3.8 % higher than in the equivalent quarter of 2019-20 .It is to be noted that output in the eight broad sectors that constituted GVA expanded with public administration, other services and defence growing 26.3%. Service sectors like electricity, gas, water and other utility services increased from 13.8% to 14.7% growth in Q1 2022-23. Financia...