PDF ! https://t.me/ThinkingPaletteIAS || " Video at ! https://youtube.

com/@sahilthinkingpalette
Food Inflation

Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) is a measure of change in retail prices of food products
consumed by a defined population group in a given area with reference to a base year.

The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI)
started releasing Consumer Food Price Indices (CFPI) for three categories -rural, urban and
combined - separately on an all India basis with effect from May, 2014.

Like Consumer Price Index (CPI), the CFPI is also calculated on a monthly basis.

The base year presently used is 2012. The CSO revised the Base Year of the CPI and CFPI from
2010=100 to 2012=100 with effect from the release of indices for the month of January 2015.

The latest Consumer Food Price Index accelerated by 36 basis points to 8.66%. Vegetable prices
continued to remain the biggest concern, with the third-heaviest food category in the food and
beverages sub group of the CPI registering 30.3% inflation year-on-year.

Among vegetables, the potato-onion-tomato triumvirate, which is the most-widely consumed group
nationwide and constitutes more than a third of the weight in the category, led the charge.

Clearly, the government’s supply side measures, including a three-month-old ban on export of
onions, has had little impact on cooling prices of these politically sensitive food inputs.

Onion output in the 2023-24 horticulture crop year is seen more than 15.6% lower than last year and
production of potato is projected to log an almost 2% deficit.

The water storage data from the Central Water Commission, showing live storage at 150 reservoirs
across the country as on March 14 at 40% of capacity, and trailing both the 10-year average and the
year-earlier levels, also does not portend well for summer-sown crops.

Inflation has to be restrained to its target for growth to be inclusive and sustained.” Policymakers
have their task cut out if the economy is to avoid a summer of discontent as the country heads to
the polls.
PDF ! https://t.me/ThinkingPaletteIAS || " Video at ! https://youtube.com/@sahilthinkingpalette
Looking to the future on St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated annually on March 17th, honoring St. Patrick, the patron saint of
Ireland. This day commemorates St. Patrick's death in the 5th century and has evolved from a
religious observance to a broader celebration of Irish culture and heritage.

- Context: The article commemorates St. Patrick's Day 2024, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties
between Ireland and India. It celebrates the shared history of struggle against colonial oppression,
the establishment of modern republics, and the evolving partnership in trade, education, and
people-to-people connections. St. Patrick's Day is highlighted as a global celebration of Irish
heritage and values.

- Core Issue:
- Global Conflicts: The article reflects on the challenges of celebrating amidst global conflicts,
including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Hamas attack on Israel. Ireland's stance is clear,
advocating for accountability, humanitarian law, and support for civilians in Gaza.
- Ireland's Historical Struggles: Ireland's past experiences with famine, poverty, and conflict have
shaped its global outlook, emphasizing resilience and empathy.
- Youth and Innovation: Young people's role in addressing the climate emergency, demanding
respect for international law, and contributing to a rules-based order is emphasized. Ireland's
success in attracting global companies and investment is attributed to its young, talented workforce
and its commitment to innovation and enterprise.

- Way Forward/Suggestions:
- The article suggests leveraging the energy and innovation of the youth to tackle global
challenges, promoting sustainable development, and upholding human rights.
- It underscores the importance of Ireland's position in the global community, recognizing its high
ranking in the UN Human Development Index as both a privilege and a responsibility to advocate for
progress and equality.
- The bilateral relationship with India is celebrated, with Indian students and residents in Ireland
highlighted as vital contributors to Irish society and symbols of the enduring partnership between
the two nations.

- "We live in each other’s shadow" (Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireannn na Daoine) - This old Irish
saying encapsulates the spirit of mutual support and partnership that the article advocates for,
especially in the context of the relationship between Ireland and India and the global community at
large.
PDF ! https://t.me/ThinkingPaletteIAS || " Video at ! https://youtube.com/@sahilthinkingpalette
It’s ‘Ra-Ra-Ras-Putin’ in the Russian election

- Context: The article discusses the Russian presidential election of 2024, where Vladimir Putin is
running for a fifth term after constitutional amendments in 2020 allowed him to reset his
presidential terms. This election highlights the absence of serious opposition, with Putin's victory
seen as a foregone conclusion, raising questions about the state of democracy and political
competition in Russia.

- Core Issue:
- Election Dynamics: Putin's uncontested dominance in the election, with only nominal opponents,
underscores a tightly controlled political system. The barring of serious opposition figures like
Boris Nadezhdin and the death of Alexei Navalny under suspicious circumstances highlight the
limitations on political dissent.

- Public Opinion and War: Despite high approval ratings for Putin and the military's actions in
Ukraine, there is an undercurrent of war fatigue among the Russian population. The narrative
around the war has shifted from fighting "Nazism" in Ukraine to a broader confrontation with the
West, reflecting changing goals and justifications.

- Putin's Popularity: The resilience of the Russian economy amidst Western sanctions, attributed to
Putin's policies of "Military Keynesianism," has bolstered his support base. Additionally, the
portrayal of the war in Ukraine as a defense against Western cultural hegemony resonates with a
significant segment of the Russian populace.

- Political Culture and Autocracy: The enduring control of Putin over Russian politics is facilitated
by a network of elites reliant on his favor for their survival. This complex system of loyalty
underscores the dual nature of Russia's social contract between the state and its citizens, and
between the state and its elites.

- Way Forward/Suggestions
- The article suggests a nuanced understanding of Russia's political system and culture,
cautioning against oversimplified explanations for its autocratic tendencies. It points to the
historical and geopolitical factors that contribute to the current political landscape.

- Emphasizing the importance of recognizing the multifaceted nature of Russian society and
politics, the article implies that any meaningful analysis must take into account the diverse
influences and perspectives within Russia, including its European and Asian identities.

- The resilience of Russia in the face of external pressures and its efforts to rally anti-Western
sentiment globally underline the need for a careful and informed approach to international relations
with Russia, moving beyond binary perceptions of democratic versus authoritarian systems.

Churchill's description of Russia as a “riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma,” highlighting

the complexity of understanding Russia's internal dynamics and its place in the world.

Evaluate the role of opposition in maintaining a democratic framework. In the context of the
Russian presidential election of 2024, discuss the challenges faced by opposition figures and the
implications for political dissent and democracy in authoritarian states
PDF ! https://t.me/ThinkingPaletteIAS || " Video at ! https://youtube.com/@sahilthinkingpalette
Railways plans to develop multi-modal transport hubs

The Indian Railways will create mega railway terminals with multi-modal connectivity in aspirational
cities with a population of more than 10 lakh across the country. The programme is part of the
infrastructure being developed for Prime Minister’s ‘Viksit Bharat’ initiative.

The Railway Ministry has also taken up enhancement of passenger experience on a mission mode.
With the proliferation of Vande Bharat Express trains across the country, the Railway Board has
taken up the task of enhancing the travel experience of passengers through improved cleanliness
of coaches and properly maintained amenities on railway premises.