‘GREEN SHOOTS’
    Date :09-Jul-2020

Time and Tide_1 &nbs
 
 
NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer Mr. Amitabh Kant sees ‘green shoots’ appearing on the economic horizon, indicating that the national economy will bounce back, no matter the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the past four months. It is true that the comprehensive lock-down imposed has destroyed a large range of jobs and has pushed many an enterprise into oblivion. Many sectors of the industrial spectrum have faced terrible financial crunch, affecting the national economy all the more. Despite this, the bail-out package of massive size has pumped a lot of money into the economy, creating an assurance of revival. Mr. Amitabh Kant has said that he is beginning to see the ‘green shoots’ of a new hope in the economy, indicating that the process of recovery has begun. A similar hope has been expressed by many other leaders of the economy including some in the private sector. Of course, the process will be slow and will have a few difficulties, too. Yet, the very fact that the revival is visible in the distance, is something that brings cheer to the larger society. May this prediction come true in every sense.
 
ONE MORE STEP
 
THE directive of the honourable Supreme Court to start giving permanent commission to women officers of the Armed Forces within one, is one more step to a higher degree of women’s empowerment. Women are already serving on Short Service Commission in the Armed Forces, and there should be no hitch in granting them permanent commission to capable candidates desirous of continuing in the career. It has been seen the world over that women prove to be as good as men even in Armed Forces, standing equal to the challenge in all situations. It was obvious that a day would not be too far when the women started enjoying better status in the other male-dominated domain. In recent times, many women officers have found themselves rising the ladder of promotions to the highest ranks -- of Lt. General, for example. That strengthens the case for permanent commission of women in Short Service Commission as well. That will help the Armed Forces reduce the gap between demand and supply of officers. There is little doubt that in the next few weeks, a new picture of officer-cadre with women in permanent commission would emerge.