Latest news with #Ahluwalia
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Need to revitalise agri research institutes: Montek Singh Ahluwalia
Last Updated: New Delhi, Aug 6 (PTI) Former Deputy Chairman of erstwhile Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Wednesday emphasised on the need of revitalising India's agricultural research institutes and said they need more funds and autonomy. Speaking at the launch of a book on agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan, Ahluwalia also said that the successive governments subsidised fertiliser to a completely ridiculous level. 'Revitalise our agricultural research centres…..We (India's agricultural research institutes) were the leaders, we are not now," the eminent economist said. Ahluwalia said India's agricultural research institutes need more funds and autonomy. Referring to the period before the Green Revolution in India, he said, 'International perception of India was that it's a gone case". Ahluwalia said even the Planning Commission was not in favour of allowing Swaminathan to import new varieties of seeds from abroad to increase productivity but the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi overruled the Planning Commission. He said Swaminathan had extensive contacts with international agricultural scientists, which today's agricultural scientists of the country lack. 'We are moving into an uncertain world, and challenges are multi- dimensional… we need to persuade farmers to reduce excess use of fertilisers," Ahluwalia said. Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, fondly addressed as 'MS' by his friends and colleagues, made the stellar contribution of making the nation foodgrain surplus, ending dependency on American wheat imports. Swaminathan batted for 'evergreen revolution' to ensure food and nutrition security for all, alongside the sustainability of global food systems. Notably, he played a significant role in changing the trajectory of the agriculture sector when farmers were dependent on archaic farming techniques. Born in Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu on August 7, 1925 to Dr M K Sambasivan and Parvati Thangammai, he passed away in Chennai at the age of 98 on September 28, 2023. PTI BKS HVA view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 22:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Coalition of willing needs to emerge to prevent WTO from sinking: Experts
A broad coalition of the willing, comprising economies large and small, developed and developing, need to work together to prevent the World Trade Organisation (WTO) from sinking. This was the consensus of a group of experts speaking at a webinar on WTO reform organised by public policy research and advocacy group CUTS International. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India , pointed out that if countriesand blocs which command a large proportion of world trade are entering into WTO-violative preferential deals with the United States of America (US), it does not bode well for the Multilateral Trading System (MTS). Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category MBA others Product Management Operations Management Design Thinking healthcare PGDM Leadership Public Policy Artificial Intelligence Others Digital Marketing Technology CXO Data Science MCA Data Science Degree Management Finance Healthcare Data Analytics Cybersecurity Project Management Skills you'll gain: Financial Management Team Leadership & Collaboration Financial Reporting & Analysis Advocacy Strategies for Leadership Duration: 18 Months UMass Global Master of Business Administration (MBA) Starts on May 13, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Analytical Skills Financial Literacy Leadership and Management Skills Strategic Thinking Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Online MBA Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Ahluwalia said that the only costs to the present US approachof aggressive trade unilateralism can come from its rejection by others, which does not seem to be happening. While Ahluwalia said that the disintegration of the rules-based MTS was deeply disturbing, he also noted that not too many tears are being shed on the departure from the foundational non-discrimination principle of Most-Favoured Nation (MFN). 'Major developing countries need to tie-up with their major markets in a rule-based environment. What this would look like remains the open question', he said. Pradeep S. Mehta, Secretary General, CUTS International and NGO Adviser to the DG, WTO, highlighted that despite its many problems, the WTO system has been a historical success. He added that, 'WTO remains relevant for global trade, and especially for developing countries. The WTO is worth fighting for'. He suggested that the need of the hour is to cultivate a positive narrative around the centrality of the WTO in the global trade architecture, and spur a coalition of both developed and developing countries to lead reform efforts. Mehta reiterated that the WTO is a global public good, and as such, no one country has greater stake in an effective multilateral trading system than any other. A well-functioning WTO is in the interest of all trading nations, and especially in the interest of developing countries. Rajesh Aggarwal, Visiting Professor, ICRIER and former Chief of Trade Policy, ITC, Geneva, presented a paper on WTO reform. He emphasised that it was time for developing countries at the WTO to stop merely defending their turf and instead take the lead in shaping the WTO's future. Aggarwal added that bold engagement, proactive leadership, and a reimagining of developing countries' role in global trade governance is the need of the hour. He cited the August 2003 pre-Cancun WTO Ministerial 'G20 coalition on agriculture', steered by Argentina, Brazil, India, China, Indonesia and South Africa as an example of the influence a developing country coalition can have in reshaping the WTO discussions and narrative. Aggarwal called for a similar spirit of alignment among major developing countries today, which goes beyond merely protecting self-interest and instead advances rule-shaping at the WTO. He presented several points on which meaningful dialogue needs to be initiated among developing countries which could lead to a common position on WTO reform, including special and differential treatment and plurilateral agreements. Victor do Prado, former Director of the Council and Trade Negotiations Committee at the WTO, now Sr Fellow CEBRI, Brazil said that any discussion on WTO reform needs to be based on a clear understanding of the prevailing global trade context. He stressed that before discussing any reform proposals, a fundamental question which needs to be asked is – who will lead the reform of the WTO? This requires a country that inspires the trust of the others, and a recognition that it serves the interests of the system. Do Prado opined that no individual country may be able to take up this mantle at the moment, and a group of countries may be better placed to do so. He underlined that such an effort would require a group of countries irrespective of development status to join forces on the major systemic issues at the WTO, but said that such concerted action driven by a common purpose remains a long shot. Trudi Hartzenberg, Executive Director, Trade Law Centre , Cape Town, South Africa, called for a rethinking and recasting of the MTS which is fit for new realities today. She provided several insights on South Africa's engagement with the WTO over the years – from an ambitious trade liberalisation programme when it joined the WTO, as part of its larger reintegration in the global economy after a long period of isolation, to co-leading today, along with India, the contestation of plurilateral-type arrangements at the WTO. Hartzenberg underlined that although South Africa remains a very active participant at the WTO, it has not been a supporter of embracing new realities and emerging requirements for pragmatic trade governance. South Africa remains a key proponent of trade multilateralism, but one which goes back to a previous context and a previous era – one which may not have kept pace with the demands of modern trade governance. Xiankun Lu, former senior trade diplomat of China and CEO of Friends of Multilateralism Group (FMG), Geneva, stressed that compromises based on dialogue and discussion will be key to developing countries working together at the WTO. He cautioned that if developing countries do not play an active role in shaping WTO reform, their role in crafting the future of the WTO will be marginalised and they will actually be contributing to further pulling down the WTO's edifice. Lu suggested that middle-grounders, including both developed and developing countries, will need to step up and take leadership in pursuing WTO reform, and the larger players need to then engage with the emerging configurations. Within these, developing countries can try and develop common positions and proposals on specific reform aspects. Notably, many voiced reservations about the prospects of repeating a 2003 agricultural G20 coalition moment, pointing out that the driving interests are very different today. There are major differences among these developing countries on systemic issues like plurilaterals and the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA). It was repeatedly emphasised that the agricultural G20 coalition remains an exception. Developing countries are no longer working together, in fact they are quite often working against each other. Shaanti Shamdasani, President, S. ASEAN International Advocacy & Consultancy, Jakarta called for a massive overhaul of WTO mechanisms in all areas, and carefully assessing what suits the future of the WTO and what doesn't. Shamdasani declared that the old ecosystem within which the WTO was flourishing has now receded, and technology-driven developments have moved so far ahead that the WTO has been left behind. She pointed to the need to focus on the elements that will bring WTO relevance in both current and future needs. Ujal Bhatia, former Chairman of the WTO Appellate Bodyand India's Ambassador to the WTO, said that it is important to first diagnose why the WTO is in crisis, before we start fixing it. He lamented that even on major disruptions like the US unilateral tariffs, the WTO has not been able to hold meaningful discussions. Bhatia reiterated that the existential systemic challenges at the WTO are affecting all members interested in preserving the rules-based order, and it should not be seen as a developing versus developed country issue. He called for the canvas of discussion to be widened to all countries which are interested in preserving the rules-based trading order. Bhatia further opined that if a group of WTO members can come together to draft a Work Programme which addresses the concerns of the entire membership, there will be increasing buy-in. The credibility of such a coalition would depend upon its degree of inclusivity, he said. Over 60 participants from around the world attended the webinar.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
I'm a dermatologist — 3 'universal' skincare staples I always recommend for anti-aging
Instead of "doing 100 different things," these science-backed anti-wrinkle serums, creams and moisturizers are worth adding to your cart. Anti-aging skincare won't turn back the clock, but using the right products can help slow down the passage of time. Skincare aficionados often tout the benefits of wrinkle creams, plumping serums and youth-preserving eye creams, but according to Dr. Renita Ahluwalia, the lead Dermatologist at the Canadian Dermatology & Plastic Surgery Centre, a pared-back skincare regimen is oftentimes the way to go. So many skincare products, anti-aging and otherwise, are "not backed by science," Ahluwalia tells Yahoo Canada. There is "no evidence" that they work. If you're going to spend the money on skincare, "invest in things that are backed by science and are good quality." Instead of "doing 100 different things" and over-complicating your routine, Ahluwalia recommends three products that are "universal to everyone:" Sunscreen, vitamin C serum and retinol. Sunscreen "I'm always surprised when [dermatology patients] want to try different treatments, but they're not wearing sunscreen every day." Forgoing daily sunscreen is a "very poor return" on your beauty investments, Ahluwalia says. The majority of photoaging comes from sun damage and exposure, so sunscreen is a "non-negotiable." The average woman spends nearly $1,000 on beauty each year. But if you're not applying daily sunscreen, "you're not going to get the results" you want. Skipping sunscreen and lying in tanning beds are some of the biggest skincare mistakes people make, Ahluwalia warns. If you want healthy skin, never leave your home without applying "at least an SPF 30." "If you have issues with pigmentation in your skin, which a lot of us do, especially as we get older, I usually like a mineral-tinted sunscreen because the tint contains iron oxide, which is a visible light filter," she says. Vitamin C serum Another staple in your skincare routine should be a "really good" vitamin C serum. A well-formulated vitamin C serum "can really improve your skin's ability to neutralize free radicals, so it boosts your sunscreen and protects your skin, kind of like an environmental shield," Ahluwalia says. If you're in the market for a vitamin C serum, Ahluwalia suggests looking for those that have undergone the most studies and meet a threshold called the "Duke Parameters." The Duke Parameters dictate that a vitamin C serum should contain pure L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), have an acidic pH between 2.0 and 3.5, and be at a concentration of 10 to 20 per cent. Why? These parameters mean the serum will be the "most effective" and penetrate the skin the best. Ahluwalia recommends: Vichy LiftActiv 15% Vitamin C Serum Ahluwalia recommends: La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C12 Serum Retinol "I always recommend a retinol or something in the retinoid family, whether it's prescription grade or cosmeceutical," Ahluwalia tells Yahoo Canada. "Something that suits a patient's skin type to maximize results because retinols are one of the most studied ingredients in dermatology; they do a lot of different things. They help increase cell turnover. They help with collagen stimulation. They help with fine lines and wrinkles. They can help with pigmentation." Many medical-grade retinol products are covered by prescription drug plans, which, if you can tolerate them, is a great, more affordable option than a lot of in-store alternatives. However, if you want to avoid prescriptions, Ahluwalia recommends steering clear of derivatives and opting for "pure" retinol formulations instead. "Neutrogena has some nice options," she says. "They have capsules and they have an overnight cream." Ahluwalia recommends: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Serum Capsules Ahluwalia recommends: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair 0.3% Retinol Pro+ Night Cream Avoid these common skincare mistakes One of the most common blunders Ahluwalia sees in her practice is overcomplicated skincare routines. "You want to use products that are tailored toward your skin type," she says. "Going with trends is not the right thing to do. Invest in good quality products that work and invest in procedures that work because that's going to give you long-term benefits for the skin." In addition to skipping sunscreen and using tanning beds, Ahluwalia recommends avoiding manicures that are cured with UV light. "They're very damaging to the skin," she says. Instead of skipping your manicure entirely, she recommends manicures that are "cured with LED light or just a regular manicure or dip nails."
Fashion Network
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
London Fashion Week provisional schedule features more labels for SS26 edition
Of the all-important big names that fashion weeks need to create buzz, Burberry, Erdem, Roksanda, Simone Rocha and Emilia Wickstead will return this time. And the smaller labels for which London is known will include Ahluwalia, Richard Quinn, Marques'Almeida, Paolo Carzana, Bora Aksu, Di Petsa, Mark Fast, Harris Reed, Labrum London, Patrick McDowell, Chopova Lowena and Tove. Stalwarts such as Ashish, Paul Costelloe will be there while Temperley London, Malone Souliers and Stephen Jones will stage presentations. Conner Ives, who usually only shows in February, will show in September for the first time and Talia Byre will show at LFW for the very first time too. Other interesting appearances will include the eBay Endless Runway, plus H&M&180: The London Issue. After Weir said she wanted to decentralise LFW, the City Wide Celebration is returning. This is a consumer-facing series of experiences and activities during September in London as well as in Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle. As mentioned, the event will happen just after Manchester Fashion Week makes a comeback after a 10-year hiatus. It will take place over three days from 9-11 September and will include both 'established brands and emerging designers', although the schedule hasn't yet been announced.
Fashion Network
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
London Fashion Week provisional schedule features more labels for SS26 edition
Of the all-important big names that fashion weeks need to create buzz, Burberry, Erdem, Roksanda, Simone Rocha and Emilia Wickstead will return this time. And the smaller labels for which London is known will include Ahluwalia, Richard Quinn, Marques'Almeida, Paolo Carzana, Bora Aksu, Di Petsa, Mark Fast, Harris Reed, Labrum London, Patrick McDowell, Chopova Lowena and Tove. Stalwarts such as Ashish, Paul Costelloe will be there while Temperley London, Malone Souliers and Stephen Jones will stage presentations. Conner Ives, who usually only shows in February, will show in September for the first time and Talia Byre will show at LFW for the very first time too. Other interesting appearances will include the eBay Endless Runway, plus H&M&180: The London Issue. After Weir said she wanted to decentralise LFW, the City Wide Celebration is returning. This is a consumer-facing series of experiences and activities during September in London as well as in Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle. As mentioned, the event will happen just after Manchester Fashion Week makes a comeback after a 10-year hiatus. It will take place over three days from 9-11 September and will include both 'established brands and emerging designers', although the schedule hasn't yet been announced.
