For millennia, agriculture has not just been an occupation but a cornerstone of life in India, where farmers hold an honoured status as "Annadata," or providers of food. This deep cultural respect underscores their vital role in sustaining the nation's population...
The income gap between Hindu and Muslim families is decreasing rapidly. This difference between the families of both the communities has reduced by 87% in 7 years and is only Rs 250, which was Rs 1917 per month in 2016.........
Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic introduced the work-from-home routine, Ramesh Sharma (name changed on request), a corporate professional living in Delhi, started spending more on his food and groceries. Sharma, 45, has always been particular about the quality of his diet. But now, he buys more organic groceries and cold-pressed cooking oils and juices even though they are costlier and add to the general inflation in his food and grocery bill. Meanwhile, domestic worker Kusum is scouting for a second-hand refrigerator for her family of five. After multiple repairs, her fridge stopped working this summer. Kusum’s husband is a driver, but they don’t have Rs 10,000 for a new fridge. Her budget: Rs 3,000-4,000 for a second-hand one. With rising expenses, buying new appliances remains a dream.
The informal sector faced a severe blow during the second wave of the pandemic, leading to a reduction in the number of units and workers. However, a gradual recovery was observed after the July quarter of 2021, according to the findings of an official survey reported by TOI. The annual survey of unincorporated sector enterprises (ASUSE) revealed the resilience of the informal sector, with the total number of establishments increasing from 5.8 crore in 2021-22 to 6.5 crore in 2022-23, marking a growth of nearly 5.9%.
Inequality reduced in urban and rural India from 2011-12 to 2022-23, as shown by the Household Consumption Expenditure survey. The Gini coefficient declined, indicating decreased income inequality...
