-The Hindu ‘Commercial release of the seed is a socio-political issue’ “The commercial release of genetically modified mustard wasn’t merely a scientific issue but a ‘socio-political one’ that required the understanding of a wide section of society,” K. VijayRaghavan, 64, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) said in an interview. He was formerly Secretary, DepARTment of Biotechnology, that had funded the development of the seed. While the transgenic plant has been cleared for commercial cultivation...

-The Hindu There is no way the country can reap its demographic dividend without fixing vocational education Salvaging the Indian demographic dividend must be a key pART of India’s growth story. In 2016, the Government of India formed the Sharada Prasad Committee to rationalise the Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), which are employer bodies mostly promoted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Confederation of Indian Industry and other...

-The Indian Express Verdict on living wills does not take into account socioeconomic realities. A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India has legalised passive euthanasia and permitted the “living will”. A person making such a will can state that medical support be withdrawn when he or she becomes terminally ill. The verdict has been hailed for its far-reaching impact on Indian society. Though the five judges differed on the matter,...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed surprise at Delhi police officers acting as special executive magistrates (SEMs) who have allegedly reject bonds arbitrarily to imprison protesters or those facing proceedings for involvement in scuffles. Hearing a PIL by advocate Aldansih Rein complaining about arbitrary exercise of powers by SEMs, a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said, "I have been in the legal profession and...

-The Indian Express The two mills together have already crushed over 9.40 lakh tonnes (lt) of cane in the ongoing 2017-18 sugar season (October-September), but managing director Bajirao Tukaram Pawase expects the final figure to cross 12 lt. Aurangabad / Jalna (Maharashtra): March is over, yet crushing operations at the SamARTh cooperative sugar factory’s two units in Jalna district’s Ambad and Ghansawangi talukas are still in full swing. The two mills together...