Swapnil wins third bronze medal for India

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Swapnil Kusale created history by winning the bronze medal in the men's 50m 3 - 3-position shooting at the Chateauroux Olympics. The feat marked India's first medal in the event.

 

Initial struggles and recovery

Struggling initially in his first kneeling shot with a 9.6, Kusale managed to stay focused by focusing on his breathing to stay calm. By the end of the first two stages, he was in 5th place but was determined to make a mark.

 

Standing position breakthrough

In the decisive standing position, Kusale started with a 9.5 but bounced back with consistent shots in the 10 ring. His competitors, Jiri Privartsky and John Herman Hegg, faltered, allowing Kusale to grab the bronze medal.

 

Celebrations and legacy

Although narrowly missing out on silver, Kusale's bronze was a great achievement. His smile as he celebrated while wrapped in the tricolour symbolised his new status as an icon in Indian sporting history.

 

States can sub-classify SCs for quota

A 7-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud ruled by a 6:1 majority that states can sub-classify Scheduled Castes (SCs) from the Presidential List to provide preferential treatment in public employment and education.

 

Ensuring substantive equality

Citing a previous 9-judge bench verdict in the Indira Sawhney case, Chief Justice Chandrachud said that when the social status among SC groups is not comparable, the principle of sub-classification applies to SCs to achieve substantive equality.

 

Debate on creamy layer principle

The 4 judges suggested that the government should apply the creamy layer principle to SCs and STs as it does to the OBC category, to exclude affluent individuals from reservations and ensure that benefits reach the underprivileged.

 

Dissenting opinion

Justice Bela Trivedi dissented, arguing that states do not have the power to modify the Presidential list of Scheduled Castes.

 

Legal basis

The judgment was a response to a 2020 reference about the constitutionality of certain reservation acts and was based on Articles 15(4) and 16(5) of the Constitution, which addressed the need for inter-group equality among Scheduled Castes.

 

Controlling gestational diabetes is crucial for the future of mother and child

The Delhi Declaration, a pioneering document focused on the prevention of diabetes, particularly gestational diabetes (GDM), was unveiled at the 18th Annual Conference of the Pregnancy Study Group India (DIPSI) 2024, held in New Delhi in March.

 

Understanding and addressing GDM

GDM, characterized by glucose intolerance during pregnancy, increases the risk of type 2 diabetes in mothers and obesity and insulin resistance in their children. Early identification and management are crucial.

 

Innovative screening and treatment

The Delhi Declaration promotes a government-approved single-test procedure, developed by DIPSI, for early detection of glucose intolerance.

 

Recommendations include medical nutrition therapy and metformin for women with high postpartum blood sugar levels to ensure euglycemia.

 

Call to action for healthcare professionals

The manifesto urges healthcare professionals to focus on early screening at 8 weeks of pregnancy and maintaining maternal glucose levels below 110 mg/dL. It also emphasises on fetal programming to prevent NCDs in future generations.

 

Future agenda

DIPSI 2024 aims to increase social media advocacy, improve postpartum compliance and reduce discrimination, striving for a diabetes-free generation through early prevention and intervention.

 

India's per capita income to be a quarter of US levels in 75 years

 

Long road to income equality

Despite being the fastest growing major economy, India is expected to take 75 years to reach a per capita income level of a quarter of the US, according to a World Bank report.

 

India is one of over 100 countries, including China, that are at risk of falling into the 'middle income trap'.

 

Difficulties in achieving developed status

The 'World Development Report 2024' mentions Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambition to transform India into a developed economy by 2047. The report suggests that achieving this in 50 years, as Korea did in 25 years, will be a significant challenge.

 

Outdated economic strategies

The World Bank criticised several middle-income countries for relying on outdated investment strategies. Chief economist Indermeet Gill warned that without a new approach, these countries risk falling behind in economic progress.

 

Middle-income trap

Countries such as China, India, Brazil and South Africa face considerable obstacles in reaching high-income status. The report identifies a 'middle-income trap' equivalent to about 10% of U.S. GDP per capita, currently around $8,000.

 

Need for new approach

With 108 middle-income countries contributing more than 40% of global GDP, the World Bank has called for a new approach to address the growing need for a developing economy, with growing populations and the environmental concerns.