1. The move to demonitise in India-what does it mean, can we learn from it what are the implications what are the pros and cons?
According to wikipaedia,
“The demonetisation of ₹500 and ₹1000 banknotes was a step taken by the Government of India on 8 November 2016, ceasing the usage of all ₹500 and ₹1000 banknotes of the Mahatma Gandhi Seriesas a form of legal tender in India from 9 November 2016.[1]
The announcement was made by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in an unscheduled live televised address to the nation at 20:15 Indian Standard Time (IST) the same day.[2][3] In the announcement, Modi declared circulation of all ₹500 and ₹1000 banknotes of the Mahatma Gandhi Series as invalid and announced the issuance of new ₹500 and ₹2000 banknotes of the Mahatma Gandhi New Series in exchange for the old banknotes.
The banknote denominations of ₹100, ₹50, ₹20, ₹10 and ₹5 of the Mahatma Gandhi Series continued to remain as legal tender and were unaffected by the policy. The demonetisation was done in an effort to stop counterfeiting of the current banknotes allegedly used for funding terrorism, as well as a crack down on black money in the country.[4][5] The move is also aimed at reducing corruption, drug menace and smuggling.[6][7]
What are your views?
2. The American elections and what does it mean for us? What are the lessons we need to learn from the directions that are being taken by the world not least America?
According to reports on the internet, around 40% of American voters chose not to vote because they were not happy with either of the two candidates. Are they sorry they did not vote?
3. #Fees must fall what does it mean for South Africa and after the December lull what can we anticipate in the New Year? Wits School of business report states,
“During the course of 2015-2016, the frustrations resulting from vast socioeconomic inequalities found [and is still finding] an outlet in the national student protests for free higher education in South Africa. Under the banner of “#FeesMustFall”, multiple layers of advantage and disadvantage, of access and non-access, of inclusion and exclusion became apparent –prompting for the need of a much deeper understanding of South Africans’ lived realities of socioeconomic inequalities, as well as the obstacles and aids to social mobility,” the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, who conducted the survey, said.
The survey is an annual measure of public opinion on national unity reconciliation conducted by the non-governmental institution, which was established in 2000 in the wake of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to ensure that the lessons of South Africa’s successful transition to democracy remain fundamental principles central to government and society as the country moves forward.
The survey was conducted by randomly selecting households across the country with a sample of 2 219 respondents adequately representing the adult population of the country.
Findings regarding perceptions of having the required education to achieve personal goals show differences among racial groups, with 77% of white respondents, 56% of Indian respondents, 42.4% of black respondents and only 29.8% of coloured respondents feeling that they have the education they need to achieve their goals.
Any ideas on how we can intervene in this situation? Are you worried about the future of your children? Saw any interesting articles? Please write in and let us know your views.