From September 28 to 30, the Indian Armed forces will observe ‘Parakram Parv’, a significant event that marks the second anniversary of surgical strikes against terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC). This commemorative occasion will witness its main event organized at India Gate Lawns, Rajpath, New Delhi.
In line with this, 53 other locations in 51 cities nationwide will simultaneously showcase events, throwing light on the fearlessness and courage of Indian Armed Forces, with a special focus on highlighting the prowess of Special Forces.
Bru Refugees: Waiting for Repatriation
The deadline for the repatriation of Bru refugees from relief camps in Tripura has recently passed, yet many families are still awaiting their turn to return to their homeland in Mizoram. An agreement has been signed by the Home Ministry with the government bodies of Mizoram and Tripura along with the Mizoram Bru Displaced People’s Forum. This agreement is seen as a culmination of a lengthy 21-year wait for over 32,000 Bru tribals who were displaced from Mizoram and have been residing in Tripura.
Bru (or Reang) Tribals are inhabitants of certain Northeastern states. In Mizoram, they are predominantly found in Mamit and Kolasib districts. Their exile can be traced back to 1995, following a clash between Mizos and Brus, which led to a demand for their removal from the state’s electoral rolls.
Indian Ranking in Human Capital
Based on its investments in education and healthcare, India secures the 158th rank worldwide according to the first-ever scientific study that ranks countries on their levels of human capital, conducted by The Lancet. Sudan is slightly ahead, placed at 157th position, while Namibia follows India positioned at 159th. Finland has topped the rankings with the U.S. and China securing 27th and 44th positions respectively.
The study indicates that India moved up to 158th position in 2016 from 162nd in 1990. However, it points to a lag in the country’s progress concerning health and education of the workforce, which could have potential long-term detrimental impact on the Indian economy.
Understanding Human Capital
Human capital encompasses the attributes of a population that alongside physical capital such as infrastructure, equipment and other tangible assets contribute to economic productivity. It can be considered as an amalgamation of education levels, training, skills, and health in a population. These factors combined contribute significantly to the growth and development of the economy.