Today’s Articles for The Hindu Daily Digest
Editorials For Discussion
1. The importance of India and Europe walking in step
GS-II-INTERNATIONAL RELATION ▶️ INDIA-EUROPE
Their shared values and strategic compulsions can lead to a partnership of conviction and result in a more stable and equitable world.
2. Women, STEM careers and a more receptive industry
GS-II-SOCIAL JUSTICE ▶️ EDUCATION ▶️WOMEN EDUCATION
World Youth Skills Day is a reminder that industry is losing out by not investing in STEM careers for India’s women.
3. Scientists find pheromone that causes locusts to swarm and a way to block it
GS-III-ENVIRONMENT
In a new proof of concept, researchers from the Institute of Zoology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing have shown that it’s possible to manipulate pheromones released by locusts to prevent them from swarming or engaging in group behaviour that leads to the feeding frenzy.
4. Why is corporate investment lagging behind?
GS-III-ECONOMICS ▶️ INVESTMENT
Investment, first and foremost, depends on the demand for the goods it produces. It does not, and cannot, have a life of its own. The situation is particularly grave when the economy is in a downturn/slowdown because demand is down
THE GIST
GDP can be measured in different ways. From the income side, the GDP is a sum of workers’ wages and capitalists’ profits and, from the expenditure/demand side, a sum of workers’ consumption and capitalists’ investment.
Investment will follow if there is a revival in process; it cannot lead the revival under conditions of slowdown. Investment cannot be made for the sake of investment.
As for the incentive to finance investment through lower interest rates or liquidity, both of which the RBI has been trying, it is like putting the cart before the horse. Capitalists would take loans only if they believe they will profit from such investment to pay the loans back.
Short News
1. Abuse of right to free speech increasing on social media, says SC
2. MGNREGS attendance system being manipulated, Centre tells States; monitoring measures proposed
3. Inflation continues to cool as food prices, crude rates dip
Retail inflation at a 77-month low of 2.1% in June as food inflation falls for the eighth consecutive month; wholesale inflation eases after 20 months aided by drop in crude oil prices; food inflation likely to remain contained going forward, says expert