From the Center

“Diseases in India can be tackled only with an equity plan,” remarked Dr. Nerges Mistry from the Foundation of Medical Research, an expert speaker invited for the orientation program organized by the Columbia Global Centers | Mumbai on April 8, 2019 for nursing students from the Columbia School of Nursing.  The students were beginning a six-week global clinical practicum to care for patients with infectious diseases at the Bel-Air Hospital in Panchgani and St. Philomena’s Hospital in Bengaluru.

Female enrollment in higher education rose to an all-time high of over 47 percent, according to a 2018 Government of India report.  Yet, “the closing gender gap hides ongoing gender inequalities,” noted Dr. Leena Pujari, Head of the Department of Sociology at K. C. College, Mumbai, citing the persistence of gender-based discrimination, harassment and violence that impedes academic institutions from becoming inclusive, respectful and nurturing spaces for all. 

In pursuit of becoming a clean energy-driven economy, India pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by a third by 2030 and ensure that 40% of its electricity comes from non-fossil fuel-based sources.  While ambitious targets are a good start, one gap in particular if addressed, would help India leapfrog quickly – innovation in energy storage or specifically, in batteries.