Over the next few years, India is likely to witness launch of around 20 to 25 student satellites that are specifically dedicated to environment and development in the coming decade. In last one year alone four student satellites were launched into space.

“The Government of India will set up a financial aid fund for the poor suffering from life threatening diseases. In its first year, the government has allocated approximately US$20 .392m to the fund known as Delhi Aroyaga Kosh (DAK). This initial investment will be deposited at a nationalized bank. In its second year, financial aid will be given from the interest earned on the initial allocated amount. Eligible applicants for funds will be people living below the poverty line, those who have an Antodya ration card, or those who make up to INR100,000 (~US$2,000) per year.

"Nearly 45 million people saw their incomes rise above US$1 .25 (INR 56) per day in the two decades ending 2010. A report based on a survey of more than 15,000 Indian households by the India Development Foundation finds that: ‘There is significant correlation in both India and Bangladesh between the presence of microfinance and the movement out of poverty in the rural areas of both the countries, especially in the early years.’”

Implications from IFTF:

“The Supreme Court of India gave private Delhi hospitals the mandate to administer free treatment to poor patients referred to them by government institutions. This arrangement would be in effect until private hospitals and the government are able to form a common policy on free treatment to poor patients. Until the policy is put in place, the Court has ordered hospitals to maintain a separate account of incurred expenses of treating poor patients. The Court has also asked private hospitals to submit proposals on free treatment immediately.”

Implications from IFTF:

“In 2010, India made one of its goals crystal-clear: the country wants a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Ahead of a possible restructuring of the council, India has announced that it will loan and fund infrastructure projects in economically poor, resource-rich countries in Asia and Africa. The goal would be to strengthen international relations. India is already involved in capacity-building in many of these countries.”

Implications from IFTF:

“Funded with Dr. B P Agrawal’s first World Bank Development Marketplace Award, Aakash Ganga (AG), or River from Sky, is a rainwater harvesting system currently installed in six drought‐prone villages in Rajasthan, the driest state in India.

“On 1 April 2010, the 2011 National Census began, covering India’s 1.2 billion-strong population in one single database. The census plans to include data on household access to treated drinking water.

“The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation in India plans to introduce satellite mapping to discover new slum settlements and prevent their illegal spread. The geographical information system (GIS) will help it analyze slum communities, providing them basic amenities, and relocate them to other suitable areas. This is a step forward towards the target of a slum-free free India in the next five years. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will collaborate on the project.

“India’s urban population will increase from 300 million to 800 million in the next 50 years, according to the Indian Institute of Human Settlements. The institute plans to start a university devoted to urbanization and settlement issues with a view to build a body of specially educated professionals to manage this urbanization.

“The proposed university is likely to be located in Bangalore and will offer a four‐year Bachelor’s program and a two‐year Master’s program in Urban Practice.”

Implications from IFTF:

A local government in India has decided to provide financial assistance to fringe employment opportunities in the hopes of increasing overall employment.

“The government of Assam has launched an employment scheme to provide financial assistance and better employment opportunities to weavers, farmers, and unemployed youths in the Indian state. Under the ‘Chief Minister’s Special Employment Programme 2010-11,’ loans worth US $24.3m were distributed to 93 joint liability groups. The state government is considering providing financial assistance in the form of self-help groups (SHGs).”