What to Read in The Hindu Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1: ​​Time for a new India-Africa digital compact

Context

A new India–Africa digital compact, based on mutual respect, co-development, and long-term partnerships, can become a scalable model to boost digital inclusion across the continent.

Introduction

Africa Day (May 25) celebrates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963. It stands for the continent’s continued efforts towards unity, independence, and development. To move forward into a new phase of growth, the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030) puts digital innovation at the centre of its plans. It highlights the importance of governments using digital tools to speed up social and economic development.

• The changing global landscapeis influencing India’s development diplomacy in Africa.
• For many years, India combined government-led fundingwith socially driven solutions, such as:
  • Technical trainingand capacity-building programs
  • Infrastructure projectssupported by concessional loans
• Now, social enterprisesthat offer low-cost, high-impact innovations are also becoming key players in India’s Africa engagement.
• This marks a shift towards more inclusiveand flexible partnerships.

A digital partnership

India’s New Digital Development Approach in Africa

Shift in Development Strategy

• India is entering a new phaseof development cooperation with Africa.
• The focus is now on integrated, technology-driven partnerships.
• Builds on early efforts like the Pan-African e-Network (2009)offering:
  • Tele-medicineand tele-education
  • Via satelliteand fibre-optic systems
  • Executed by Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd (TCIL)

Building on India’s DPI Success

Indian DPI Systems	Purpose
Aadhaar	Digital identity
UPI	Unified Payments Interface
CoWIN	Vaccine management & tracking
DIKSHA	Digital learning platform

• India aims to share and co-develop digital solutionsto:
  • Solve governancechallenges
  • Improve service delivery
• Aligned with African efforts like:
  • Smart Africa Alliance
  • Policy and Regulatory Initiative for Digital Africa

India–Africa Digital Collaborations: Key Cases

Year	Country	Partnership Highlights
2021	Togo	MoU with IIIT-Bangalore to develop Modular Open-Source ID platform
2023	Zambia	MoU with Centre for DPI at IIIT-B to support Smart Zambia Initiative
2024	Namibia	Pact with NPCI to create a UPI-like instant payment system
2024	Ghana	Integration of India’s UPI system to enable faster digital payments

• These show a growing interest in India’s DPI modelknown for:
  • Affordability
  • Scalability
  • Open-source design

The Competitive Digital Landscape in Africa

• African countries select digital partners based on their ability to:
  • Meet local digital needs
  • Offer cost-effective solutions

Major Players in Africa’s Digital Space	Key Strengths
China	Infrastructure funding, low-cost adoption via state-backed finance
European Union & USA	Tech transfer, investment, and governance focus
India	DPI as digital public good, open-source, adaptable to local contexts

Strategic Moves: IIT Madras – Zanzibar Campus

• First overseas campus of IIT Madrasestablished in Zanzibar.
• Offers programs in:
  • Data Science
  • Artificial Intelligence
• Funded with help from Indian private sector(scholarships, infrastructure).
• Aims to:
  • Build technical capacity
  • Support Africa’s digital infrastructure
  • Align tech with socio-economic development

Challenges to Africa’s Digital Transformation

• Africa faces the world’s largest digital divide, driven by:
  • High costof data and digital devices
  • Rural–urban gapin internet connectivity
  • Persistent gender gapin digital access and literacy
• Digital infrastructure growthis limited by:
  • Unreliable energy supplyin many countries
  • Need for sustainable powerand grid expansion

Key Digital Barriers	Details
Cost of Access	Expensive internet and smartphones
Connectivity Gaps	Poor rural networks, strong urban bias
Gender Disparity	Women have lower digital access and literacy
Power Constraints	Weak electricity grids hinder tech infrastructure

Progress in Digital Governance

• Despite challenges, digital foundations are improving:
  • 85% of African countrieshave digital-capable national ID systems
  • 70%+ collect biometric datafor identification and services
• This forms a base for interoperable and inclusive digital platforms

Digital Progress Indicators	Status
National digital ID systems	Present in 85% of countries
Biometric authentication	Used in over 70%

The Way Forward: India–Africa Digital Compact

• A new India–Africa digital partnershipcould be based on:
  • Mutual respect
  • Co-development
  • Long-term institutional collaboration
• Focus: building scalable, inclusive, and locally adapteddigital systems
• Opportunity: Combine India’s DPI expertisewith Africa’s growing digital base to close the divide and support sustainable development.

Conclusion

Africa’s digital journey, rooted in unity and self-reliance, is gaining momentum through strategic partnerships. India’s technology-driven, public-good approach offers Africa scalable, inclusive solutions to tackle governance and service gaps. Despite persistent digital divides and energy challenges, the foundation is strong. A forward-looking India–Africa digital compact can power a more equitable, connected, and resilient future for the continent.

 

Editorial 2: ​‘Headline’ schemes, but T.N.’s women deserve better

Context               

Many women-focused schemes have been started, but women in the State experience more appearance than real benefits.

Introduction

In Tamil Nadu, women have consistently been leaders — in their homes, the workforce, and increasingly in public life. However, despite their strength, many still lack sufficient support from systems that often prioritize appearance over genuine assistance. In recent years, numerous women-centered schemes have been launched. On paper, these announcements have attracted significant attention. But in homes and communities throughout the State, the reality has fallen short of the promises. Delays, exclusions, and bureaucratic hurdles have reduced the effectiveness of what could have been transformative changes.

Schemes and hurdles

Monthly Income Support Scheme for Women Heads of Households

Aspect	Details
Applications received	Nearly 2.06 crore women applied
Applications approved (as of March 2024)	Only 1.06 crore approved
Women excluded	Nearly 1 crore, mostly from vulnerable and rural backgrounds
Reasons for exclusion	Rigid documentation rules and administrative hurdles

• In districts like Tiruvannamalaiand Villupuram:
  • Women waited in long queuesonly to be rejected due to ration card or land record discrepancies.
• Appeals filed:
  • Over 24 lakh womenhave formally appealed their rejection, highlighting widespread frustration and unmet expectations (source: report from October 11, 2023).
• Even for approved applications:
  • Delays in disbursementreported across multiple regions, weakening the promise of timely and dignified support.

Public Transport Initiatives for Women

Scheme	Reality on Ground
Free bus travel for women	Savings exist on paper but many commuters face issues such as:
	– Overcrowded services
	– Reduced bus frequency in tier-2 and tier-3 towns
	– Lack of safety measures
	– Absence of women conductors, marshals, and last-mile connectivity

Continuity vs Innovation in Women’s Welfare Programs

Program	Current Status
Amma Baby Care Kits	Program continues but lacks expansion or updates
Subsidies & Microcredit for Women-led Self-Help Groups	Budget cuts in recent years have reduced support, shrinking the entrepreneurship ecosystem

The Gap Between Policy Design and Delivery

• Many schemesare announced with fanfare, but real impact depends on effective implementation and follow-through.
• The differencebetween symbolic politics and sincere governance is critical — launches do not change lives; delivery

Successful and Enduring Models of Empowerment in Tamil Nadu

Scheme/Initiative	Impact and Details
Cradle Baby Scheme	– Started in the early 1990s to combat female infanticide
	– In districts like Salem, Dharmapuri, Madurai
	– Female infanticide dropped by over 75% between 1992-2011 (Data from Tamil Nadu Department of Social Welfare)
All-Women Police Stations	– Created for safety and sensitive justice
	– By 2021, over 222 stations operational across the State
	– Demonstrates institutional innovation driven by empathy and purpose
50% Reservation for Women in Local Bodies	– Enabled thousands of women to become panchayat presidents, councillors, and community leaders
	– Women now influence decisions, budgets, and futures
“Thalikku Thangam” Initiative	– Financial assistance and gold to women from low-income families at marriage
	– ₹25,000 + 8 grams of gold for high school graduates, ₹50,000 for graduates
Amma Free Bicycle Scheme	– Provided rural schoolgirls with bicycles to improve access to education
	– Helped reduce school dropout rates by enabling safer and quicker travel

Everyday Interventions Supporting Working Women

• Amma Canteens: Affordable and nutritious food to ease daily burdens.
• Supply of essential household appliances: Enablers of comfort, safety, and independencefor families.

Success lies in evidence on the ground

• Successis not about the number of schemes announced but about how many lives are improved.
• Empowermentis not found in headlines but in:
  • Healthier babies
  • Safer streets
  • Confident women leaders
  • Girls growing with ambition, not fear

The Way Forward for Tamil Nadu

• The focus must move beyond slogansand statistics.
• Women want:
  • Systems that work
  • Services that reach everyone
  • Respect that lasts
• They deserve nothing less.

Conclusion

Tamil Nadu’s numerous women-centric schemes highlight good intent but fall short in execution due to delays, exclusions, and administrative barriers. True empowerment requires effective systems, consistent delivery, and genuine respect. Success is measured not by announcements but by real, lasting improvements in women’s lives—health, safety, leadership, and opportunity—ensuring dignity beyond mere symbolism.