The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 26th May 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Headline’ schemes, but T.N.’s women deserve better

Why in News?

Women in Tamil Nadu have long been pillars of strength in their homes, workplaces, and communities. Yet, despite their resilience, many lack adequate systemic support. While the state has introduced several women-focused schemes with much publicity, the gap between promises and tangible outcomes remains wide. Bureaucratic inefficiencies, delays, and exclusions have limited the transformative potential of these initiatives, leaving many women with more symbolic gestures than real benefits.

Key Schemes and Their Challenges

• Applications Received: Approximately 2.06 crore women applied.
• Applications Approved (as of March 2024): Only 1.06 crore approved.
• Exclusions: Nearly 1 crore women, primarily from rural and vulnerable backgrounds, were excluded.
• Reasons for Exclusion: Stringent documentation requirements and administrative obstacles.
• Regional Issues: In districts like Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram, women faced rejections due to discrepancies in ration cards or land records. Over 9.24 lakh women filed appeals, reflecting widespread frustration (source: October 11, 2023 report).
• Delays: Even approved applicants experienced delays in fund disbursement, undermining the scheme's promise of timely support.

Public Transport Initiatives for Women

Free Bus Travel Scheme:

• Intended Benefit: Cost savings for women commuters.
• Challenges:
  • Overcrowded buses.
  • Reduced service frequency in tier-2 and tier-3 towns.
  • Insufficient safety measures.
  • Lack of women conductors, marshals, or last-mile connectivity solutions.

Continuity vs. Innovation in Welfare Programs

• Amma Baby Care Kits: Continues without significant updates or expansion.
• Subsidies & Microcredit for Women-led Self-Help Groups: Reduced funding has weakened the entrepreneurial ecosystem for women.

The Gap Between Policy and Implementation

While schemes are launched with enthusiasm, their success hinges on effective execution. Symbolic gestures and political fanfare do not translate into meaningful change without consistent delivery. The difference between rhetoric and reality lies in systems that prioritize accessibility and accountability.

Successful Initiatives Driving Empowerment

Tamil Nadu has several enduring programs that demonstrate the power of well-executed initiatives:

Cradle Baby Scheme:

• Launched in the early 1990s to combat female infanticide.
• Impact: Reduced female infanticide by over 75% between 1992 and 2011 in districts like Salem, Dharmapuri, and Madurai (Source: Tamil Nadu Department of Social Welfare).

All-Women Police Stations:

• Over 222 stations operational by 2021.
• Provide safe and empathetic access to justice.

50% Reservation for Women in Local Bodies:

• Empowered thousands of women to serve as panchayat presidents, councillors, and community leaders.
• Strengthened women’s influence over local budgets and decision-making.

Thalikku Thangam Initiative:

• Offers financial aid and gold for low-income women at marriage (₹25,000 + 8 grams of gold for high school graduates; ₹50,000 for graduates).

Amma Free Bicycle Scheme:

• Provides bicycles to rural schoolgirls, reducing dropout rates by improving access to education.

Everyday Support for Working Women

• Amma Canteens: Offer affordable, nutritious meals to ease daily burdens.
• Household Appliances: Subsidized appliances enhance comfort, safety, and independence for families.

Measuring True Success

The success of women-centric schemes is not in the number of programs launched but in their tangible impact on lives. Empowerment is reflected in:

• Healthier children.
• Safer communities.
• Confident women leaders.
• Girls pursuing education with ambition, free from fear.

The Path Forward

To bridge the gap between intent and impact, Tamil Nadu must prioritize:

• Efficient Systems: Streamlined processes to reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
• Inclusive Access: Services that reach all women, especially the most marginalized.
• Sustained Respect: Policies that honor women’s dignity beyond symbolic gestures.

Conclusion

Tamil Nadu’s women-focused schemes reflect a commitment to empowerment, but their impact is diminished by administrative barriers, delays, and exclusions. True progress lies in consistent delivery, measurable outcomes, and systems that uplift women’s health, safety, leadership, and opportunities. Empowerment is not achieved through headlines but through lives transformed with dignity and respect.

Time for a new India-Africa digital compact

Why is it News?

A fresh India-Africa digital agreement, grounded in principles of mutual respect, co-development, and enduring partnerships, has the potential to serve as a scalable model for enhancing digital inclusion across the African continent.

Introduction

• Africa Day, celebrated on May 25, commemorates the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963 and symbolizes the continent's ongoing pursuit of unity, independence, and development.
• The African Union's Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030) places digital innovation at the forefront of its agenda, emphasizing the role of digital tools in accelerating social and economic progress.
• The shifting global landscape is reshaping India's development diplomacy in Africa, moving from government-led funding and socially driven solutions to include social enterprises offering low-cost, impactful innovations.
• This evolution signifies a transition towards more inclusive and flexible partnerships in India's engagement with Africa.

A Digital Partnership

India’s New Digital Development Approach in Africa

Shift in Development Strategy

• India is entering a new phase of development cooperation with Africa, focusing on integrated, technology-driven partnerships.
• This approach builds on earlier initiatives like the Pan-African e-Network (2009) that provided tele-medicine and tele-education services through satellite and fibre-optic systems, executed by Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd (TCIL).

Building on India’s DPI Success

• India aims to share and co-develop digital solutions in Africa, drawing from its successful Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) systems such as:
• Aadhaar:. digital identity system.
• UPI (Unified Payments Interface):. digital payment system.
• CoWIN:. vaccine management and tracking system.
• DIKSHA:. digital learning platform.

These efforts align with African initiatives like the Smart Africa Alliance and the Policy and Regulatory Initiative for Digital Africa, aiming to address governance challenges and improve service delivery.

India–Africa Digital Collaborations: Key Cases

The Competitive Digital Landscape in Africa

African countries are increasingly selective in choosing digital partners, prioritizing those who can meet local digital needs and provide cost-effective solutions.

Major Players in Africa’s Digital Space

Strategic Moves: IIT Madras – Zanzibar Campus

• The establishment of the first overseas campus of IIT Madras in Zanzibar marks a strategic move to enhance technical capacity in Africa.
• The campus offers programs in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, funded with support from the Indian private sector through scholarships and infrastructure development.
• This initiative aims to build technical expertise and support the development of digital infrastructure in Africa, aligning technological advancements with socio-economic development goals.

Challenges to Africa’s Digital Transformation

• Africa faces significant challenges in its digital transformation journey, primarily due to:
• High Costs: The expense of data and digital devices remains a major barrier, limiting access for many.
• Connectivity Gaps: There is a stark rural-urban divide in internet connectivity, with rural areas experiencing poor access.
• Gender Disparities:. persistent gender gap in digital access and literacy further exacerbates the divide, hindering equitable access to digital resources.
• Power Constraints: The growth of digital infrastructure is hampered by unreliable energy supplies in many countries, necessitating sustainable power solutions and grid expansion.

Key Digital Barriers

• Cost of Access: The high prices of internet services and smartphones restrict access to digital technologies.
• Connectivity Gaps: There is a significant gap in internet connectivity, particularly in rural areas, while urban areas have better access.
• Gender Disparity: Women face lower levels of digital access and literacy, contributing to the gender gap in digital participation.
• Power Constraints: Weak electricity grids in many countries hinder the development of robust digital infrastructure.

Progress in Digital Governance

• Despite the challenges, there is progress in digital governance across Africa:
• Digital National ID Systems: 85% of African countries have implemented digital-capable national ID systems.
• Biometric Data Collection: Over 70% of countries collect biometric data for identification and service delivery.

These advancements lay the groundwork for developing interoperable and inclusive digital platforms that can enhance service delivery and governance.

Digital Progress Indicators

• National digital ID systems: Present in 85% of countries, providing a foundation for digital governance.
• Biometric authentication: Used in over 70% of countries, enhancing security and service delivery.

The Way Forward: India–Africa Digital Compact

• A potential India-Africa digital partnership could focus on:
• Mutual Respect: Building relationships based on equality and respect.
• Co-Development: Working together to develop solutions that meet local needs.
• Long-Term Collaboration: Establishing enduring institutional partnerships for sustainable development.
• Scalable and Inclusive Systems: Creating digital systems that are scalable, inclusive, and adapted to local contexts.
• Leveraging Expertise: Combining India’s DPI expertise with Africa’s growing digital infrastructure to bridge the digital divide and support sustainable development.

Conclusion

• Africa's digital transformation, rooted in unity and self-reliance, is gaining traction through strategic partnerships.
• India's approach, focusing on technology-driven public goods, offers scalable and inclusive solutions to address governance and service delivery challenges in Africa.
• Despite ongoing digital divides and energy infrastructure issues, the progress made lays a strong foundation for future advancements.
• A forward-looking India-Africa digital compact has the potential to foster a more equitable, connected, and resilient future for the continent.