Latest news with #JanaChaitanyaVedika
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
India's GDP rank misleading amid stark social inequalities: Jana Chaitanya Vedika
Despite India becoming the fourth largest economy in the world, the country lags significantly in key human development indicators, said leaders of the Jana Chaitanya Vedika (JCV). Addressing the media here on Tuesday, former MLC K.S. Lakshmana Rao, JCV State president Vallamreddy Lakshmana Reddy, and economist Prof. D.A.R. Subramanyam criticised the celebration of the country's GDP growth while poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment remain acute. 'India ranks 130th in Human Development Index and 105th in Global Hunger Index,' Prof. Subramanyam said. He highlighted growing economic inequality, with the top 1% controlling 22% of national income, while the bottom 50% share only 13%. He noted that India's national debt rose from ₹2,865 crore in 1950 to ₹185 lakh crore by March 2025. The speakers urged governments to prioritise social equity, education, and employment over empty economic optics.
Hans India
28-04-2025
- Science
- Hans India
Conocarpus is a climate ally, not a threat: Experts
Tirupati: Amid rising misinformation about the Conocarpus plant, environmentalists are intensifying efforts to educate the public on its ecological benefits. Speaking at a press conference organised by Jana Chaitanya Vedika in Tirupati on Sunday, environmental expert Prof K Bayyapu Reddy strongly defended the species, urging citizens to protect rather than vilify it. Conocarpusfrom Yemen has thrived across several countries. Prof Reddy highlighted the plant's potential as a powerful tool against climate change, citing its ability to absorb large quantities of carbon dioxide, release abundant oxygen. He pointed out that many everyday crops like tomatoes, potatoes, and coffee were also introduced from abroad. He noted that Bengaluru institutes have thousands of Conocarpustrees,but no student complained any health issue. He further dismissed fears about the plant's roots damaging infrastructure, citing the example of Guntur, where Conocarpus trees planted along road dividers grew without causing any structural damage. Responding to few claims, he explained that its dense foliage makes it unsuitable for nesting but does not repel avian life. Prof Reddy called for the formation of a scientific committee comprising environmentalists, scientists, and doctors to study and publicise the true environmental impact of Conocarpus. Jana Chaitanya Vedika State President Vallamreddy Lakshmana Reddy stressed the urgent need to improve India's low tree-to-person ratio and supported research confirming Conocarpus's remarkable carbon absorption capacity. The organisation announced plans to launch awareness campaigns. The event was attended by several notable personalities, including chartered accountant E Phalguna Kumar, former APCOST Member Secretary and geologist Prof TV Krishna Reddy, and National BC Front Convener KML Narasimha.
New Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Former IAS officer calls for urgent poll reforms in Andhra
VIJAYAWADA: Highlighting the erosion of democratic values in India, retired IAS officer Dr P.V. Ramesh on Wednesday called for sweeping electoral reforms to ensure fair and transparent elections. Speaking at a media meet on election reforms organised by Jana Chaitanya Vedika in Hyderabad, Ramesh criticised the influence of caste, religion, region, money, and liquor on electoral outcomes. He suggested imposing President's Rule three months ahead of elections to facilitate impartial conduct. Ramesh pointed out that while 151 out of 200 countries globally claim democratic status, 75 per cent of their populations remain excluded from true democratic participation. In India, he said, political parties are irresponsibly offering freebies without considering fiscal implications, merely to secure votes. He further warned that party tickets increasingly go to individuals wielding financial or muscle power, turning legislative institutions into platforms for the privileged, thereby undermining democratic principles. Echoing these concerns, Jana Chaitanya Vedika State President Vallamreddy Lakshmana Reddy lamented the rising role of money in elections, particularly in Southern states. He noted that despite over four crore voters in Andhra Pradesh, electoral contests remain concentrated among about 500 politically influential families.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Elections in India have ceased to be free and fair, says A.P. former Special Chief Secretary
Claiming that democracy in India is gradually weakening, Andhra Pradesh former Special Chief Secretary P.V. Ramesh has emphasised the need for electoral reforms. 'Elections have ceased to be free and fair as they are being vitiated by caste, religion, regional issues, money and inducements like liquor,' he observed while speaking at a media interaction organised by the Jana Chaitanya Vedika here on Wednesday (April 23, 2025). 'Of the nearly 200 countries, 151 are democracies but they are not participative as 75% of the people have no say in the systems of governance there. In India, political parties are behaving irresponsibly by announcing freebies in poll manifestos without considering their implications for the budgets of the respective governments, thereby garnering votes through enticements,' he said. He asserted that major political parties were fielding only wealthy candidates in the elections for obvious reasons, and those with criminal background were winning the elections. 'This is nothing but a mockery of democracy,' he said. Mr. Ramesh stressed the need to adopt proportional representation as parties having less than 33% of the total votes polled were able to come to power, and warned of the consequences of the selection of Election Commissioners by the ruling party. He suggested that President's Rule be imposed three months before the elections to give a free hand to the Election Commission so that there would be no political interference in the conduct of elections. Delimitation exercise JCV State president V. Lakshman Reddy said the money power in elections had increased significantly in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. He pointed out that the Southern States might lose 30 Lok Sabha seats if the Central government went ahead with the delimitation of constituencies.
