◆ The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Artemis 1 moon mission was postponed after the crew could not get the rocket’s engines to the proper temperature range required to start the engines at lift-off.
Artemis-1 mission
◆ NASA’s Artemis mission is touted as the next generation of lunar exploration, and is named after the twin sister of Apollo from Greek mythology.
◆ Artemis is also the goddess of the moon.
◆ It is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will enable human exploration to the Moon and Mars.
◆ With the Artemis programme, NASA aims to land humans on the moon by 2024, and it also plans to land the first woman and first person of colour on the moon.
◆ NASA will establish an Artemis Base Camp on the surface and a gateway (the lunar outpost around the Moon) in lunar orbit to aid exploration by robots and astronauts.
◆ The gateway is a critical component of NASA’s sustainable lunar operations and will serve as a multi-purpose outpost orbiting the moon.
Team ULF
National Water Award (NWA)
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In News
4th NWA launched for nomination.
About Awards
NWA is given for exemplary work in the field of water resource management. The first National Water Award was launched in 2018, by the Jal Shakti Ministry. It aims to fulfil the government’s vision of ‘Jal Samridh Bharat’
Under the 3rd NWA
Best state: Uttar Pradesh followed by Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
Best District category: Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh) and Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar (Punjab)
Other schemes for water conservation: Catch the Rain, Jal Kranti Abhiyan (Jal Gram Scheme to develop two model villages in the water-deficient region), MGNREGA for water conservation, National Water Mission (increase water use efficiency by 20%), NITI Aayog Composite Water Management Index, Jal Jeevan Mission (for Piped drinking water)
Team ULF
Gist of Yojana Magazine :- January 2022
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Chapter 1 :- India as a Space Power (भारत एक अंतरिक्ष शक्ति के रूप में)
Introduction:
परिचय:
◆ Space and satellites are becoming increasingly important. With a large number of space assets, India has emerged as a major player in the global space competition.
◆ INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research) was founded in 1962 under the Department of Atomic Energy by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the “father of Indian space programme,” Vikram Sarabhai.
◆ Agriculture, communications, remote sensing, resource mapping, imaging, navigation, education, weather forecasting, cyclone prediction, and disaster management are all uses that Indian satellites provide.
◆ There is an increasing reliance on space for economic and technical progress, national security, and military operations, as well as a need to protect space assets.
◆ IRNSS: The ‘Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System’ (IRNSS) was launched by India to provide precise position information service in India and the region extending up to 1500 km beyond its border with a position precision of better than 20 metres.
◆ 2017 Draft Space Activities Bill: The bill’s goal is to promote and govern India’s space operations. It focuses on fostering private-sector participation under the direction and approval of the government through the Department of Space.
◆ Defense Space Agency (DSA): The Defense Space Agency is a tri-service organization. The agency is in charge of India’s space-warfare and satellite intelligence assets.
◆ NSIL (New Space India Limited): It was founded in 2019 as a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Space. Its mission is to market space-related products and services developed by India’s space programme to international clients.
◆ Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe): It is an independent nodal entity within the Department of Space responsible for authorising NGPEs to participate in space activities and use DOS-owned facilities, as well as prioritising the launch manifest.
भारतीयराष्ट्रीयअंतरिक्षसंवर्धनऔरप्राधिकरणकेंद्र (IN-SPACe): यहअंतरिक्षविभागकेभीतरएकस्वतंत्रनोडलइकाईहैजोअंतरिक्षगतिविधियोंमेंभागलेनेऔर DOS केस्वामित्ववालीसुविधाओंकाउपयोगकरनेकेलिए NGPE कोअधिकृतकरनेकेसाथ–साथलॉन्चमैनिफेस्टकोप्राथमिकतादेनेकेलिएजिम्मेदारहै।
Challenges :
चुनौतियों :
◆ National security concerns: Government worries over knowledge sharing, launch methods, and satellite capabilities have led to a reluctance to allow private actors in the market due to the security concerns.
◆ Delay in Processes: Many approval processes take a long time to complete. Approvals take around a year and a half. This comes at a time when the next three to four years are critical for the sector’s growth.
◆ Conflicts of interest: The ISRO is directly controlled by the Department of Space (DOS), which is under the Prime Minister’s Office. ISRO also has a business branch called Antrix, which markets ISRO’s space products and technologies to a global audience.
◆ Concerns with Licensing: Another regulatory worry is the licensing structure for satellite earth station gateways, which needs to be transformed to make it easier for any satellite operator to set one up. It will boost both satellite capacity and increased spending.
◆ Innovation Challenge: Another challenge is promoting indigenous innovation. In the new global climate, the challenge for the country is to continue to benefit from this innovation.
◆ Private companies are given incentives to develop satellites or test rockets, lowering costs and increasing incentives for enterprises to build operational spacecraft.
◆ ISRO would assist the private sector in attracting both domestic and foreign direct investment by offering access to its satellite technology, facilities, and orbital slots (FDI)
◆ To carry forward the government’s intention to liberalise the space sector and allow more private players to use ISRO facilities for developing, launching, and deploying a variety of applications, the government should take appropriate measures as soon as possible to enable the private sector to ensure that India remains at the forefront of the global space industry.
◆ Its contemporary expression is more a strategic opposition to market-driven capitalism as well as Marxian and socialist frameworks rather than an alternative economic system.
◆ They see foreign capital, big companies and multilateral trade agreements as inherently depraved concepts designed to control and profit from developing and poor nations.
◆ A key requirement of the swadeshi philosophy is a selfless human being operating in a swadeshi socio-economic environment, instead of people driven by incentive and deterrence.
◆ Swadeshi can be defined in a variety of ways, ranging from the completely acceptable and wonderful support of Indian industry to the complete exclusion of foreign, particularly English, goods. It was an anti-British political campaign.
◆ Creating more robust food communities and networks.
अधिकमजबूतखाद्यसमुदायऔरनेटवर्कबनाना।
◆ Allowing the democratization of food within communities.
समुदायोंकेभीतरभोजनकेलोकतंत्रीकरणकीअनुमतिदेना।
Chapter 3 :- Global Agricultural Powerhouse (वैश्विक कृषि पावरहाउस)
India as an Agricultural Powerhouse of the World:
विश्व के कृषि महाशक्ति के रूप में भारत :
◆ Agriculture accounts for barely 15% of India’s $2.9 trillion economy, which is increasing at a sluggish 1.5-2 percent per year.
भारतकी 2.9 ट्रिलियनडॉलरकीअर्थव्यवस्थामेंकृषिकाहिस्साबमुश्किल 15% है, जोप्रतिवर्ष 1.5-2 प्रतिशतकीधीमीगतिसेबढ़रहाहै।
◆ With only 2.4 percent and 4 percent of global land and water resources, India effectively feeds and manages approximately 18 percent of the world’s population.
◆ Agricultural and land reforms, progressive and inclusive policies, and the use of Science and Technology at the ground level have pushed up agricultural product productivity, production, and quality at a remarkable rate.
◆ Indian agriculture faces a tremendous challenge in bringing new technologies and practices to a large number of farmers and integrating them with modern input-output marketplaces.
◆ There’s also the issue of pollution created by pesticides and chemical fertilizers. The effects of nitrogen pollution on global warming are also significant.
◆ India has undergone a historic agricultural revolution, transforming the country from a chronic reliance on grain imports to a global agricultural powerhouse and net food exporter. Step-by-step efforts must be made to move India closer to self-sufficiency in these crops, thereby enhancing the country’s food security.
◆ Since 1947, India’s economic journey has seen its share of ups and downs. India, once referred to as a “third world country,” a designation for poor developing countries that has since become obsolete, is now one of the world’s largest economies.
◆ Economic transformation is a long-term process of shifting labour and other resources from lower- to higher-productivity activities both within and across sectors, resulting in more diversified and complex productive activities.
◆ During the 1990s, the process of liberalization that began in the mid-1980s to make the Indian economy more accessible to trade and external flows picked up speed. The goal was to increase the efficiency of the Indian economy by lowering trade obstacles like import tariffs.
◆ India is becoming a major manufacturer of pharmaceuticals and conducts research to develop new drugs. Engineering and electrical machinery products have also progressed to become global benchmarks.
◆ New areas such as information technology and telecommunications have changed the landscape in the services industry, opening up new options such as e-commerce and startups. India’s IT prowess is well-known around the world.
◆ Traditional service industries have also grown, with financial services, tourism and hospitality, and retail all transforming in different ways, adapting to technology, and gaining market share.
◆ The pace of reform remains rapid, with important reforms including the historic Goods and Services Tax, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, and Ease of Doing Business reforms, among others, being implemented. All of them are expected to contribute to an ever-expanding and dynamic economy, as well as promote additional economic growth. The year 2022, when India celebrates 75 years of independence, is the new milestone on which the country has set its sights.
Chapter 5 :- Infrastructure: History and Challenges (बुनियादी ढांचा: इतिहास और चुनौतियां)
Infrastructure in India :
भारतमेंआधारभूतसंरचना :
◆ India’s economic progress is still hampered by a lack of infrastructure. Given the government’s financial limits, private finance for infrastructure provisioning via public-private partnerships has become critical.
◆ In recent years, India’s infrastructure industry has made significant growth. Infrastructure development is critical for India’s economic development because the country’s future growth potential is vast.
◆ Eight powerful industrialists offered the ‘Bombay Plan,’ which envisions a large public sector with State intervention and laws to protect local businesses.
◆ The Planning Commission was established in 1950 to oversee all aspects of planning, including resource allocation, implementation, and evaluation of five-year plans. These were centralised economic and social development plans.
◆ With the support of the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom (UK), and West Germany, hydroelectric power plants and five steel plants were built in Bhilai, Durgapur, and Rourkela, respectively.
◆ During the Fourth Plan (1969– 1974), the nationalization of 14 public sector banks was a key event that had a significant impact on the Indian economy and infrastructure.
Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016
रियल एस्टेट (विनियमन और विकास) अधिनियम, 2016
The Real Estate Regulation (RERA) Act in India was passed to curb malpractices of promoters and builders and to protect buyers’ interest. RERA is directed towards successful and effective implementation of real estate laws in the country.
भारत में रियल एस्टेट रेगुलेशन (RERA) अधिनियम को प्रमोटरों और बिल्डरों के कदाचार को रोकने और खरीदारों के हितों की रक्षा के लिए पारित किया गया था। रेरा देश में रियल एस्टेट कानूनों के सफल और प्रभावी कार्यान्वयन की दिशा में निर्देशित है।
Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) is a sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U). The main objective of the scheme is to offer ease of living and provide access to dignified / planned housing to urban poor.
अफोर्डेबल रेंटल हाउसिंग कॉम्प्लेक्स (एआरएचसी) प्रधानमंत्री आवास योजना – शहरी (पीएमएवाई-यू) के तहत एक उप-योजना है। योजना का मुख्य उद्देश्य आसान जीवनयापन प्रदान करना और शहरी गरीबों को सम्मानजनक / नियोजित आवास प्रदान करना है।
Urban Mass Rapid Transport
अर्बन मास रैपिड ट्रांसपोर्ट
Mass Rapid Transport System, MRTS has emerged as one of the most effective means of mobility for the citizens in tier-1 and tier-2 cities and Metro has been a major player.
मास रैपिड ट्रांसपोर्ट सिस्टम, एमआरटीएस स्तर 1 और स्तर 2 शहरों में नागरिकों के लिए गतिशीलता के सबसे प्रभावी साधनों में से एक के रूप में उभरा है और मेट्रो एक प्रमुख खिलाड़ी रहा है।
Infrastructure in India: Challenges
भारतमेंबुनियादीढांचा: चुनौतियां
◆ High population and economic expansion put strain on existing infrastructure, causing bottlenecks. Transportation, electricity, communication, and sanitation are just a few of the fundamental services that will need to be expanded to fulfil the demands of an ever-increasing population. Poor infrastructure will cause GDP bottlenecks, poverty, and raise the cost of key services.
◆ Dadasaheb Phalke, known as the “Father of Indian Cinema,” released the first full-length feature film, “Raja Harishchandra,” in 1913.
दादासाहेबफाल्के, जिन्हें “भारतीयसिनेमाकेजनक” केरूपमेंजानाजाताहै, ने 1913 मेंपहलीपूर्णलंबाईवालीफीचरफिल्म, “राजाहरिश्चंद्र” जारीकी।
◆ In 1914, Raja Harischandra was the first Indian film to be shown in London.
1914 में, राजाहरिश्चंद्रलंदनमेंप्रदर्शितहोनेवालीपहलीभारतीयफिल्मथी।
◆ From the 1940s to the 1960s, Indian filmmakers refer to the period following the end of the British Raj as “The Golden Era.”
1940 से 1960 केदशकतक, भारतीयफिल्मनिर्माताब्रिटिशराजकेअंतकेबादकीअवधिको “स्वर्णयुग” कहतेहैं।
Evolution of Indian Cinema:
भारतीयसिनेमाकाविकास:
Significant Events
विशेष घटनाएँ
Description
विवरण
Indian Cinematograph Act 1918
भारतीय छायांकन अधिनियम 1918
The Cinematograph Act of 1918 made it essential for exhibitors to obtain a license from local civil authorities before screening a picture, and all films screened in India were subjected to censorship.
1918 के सिनेमैटोग्राफ अधिनियम ने प्रदर्शकों के लिए एक तस्वीर की स्क्रीनिंग से पहले स्थानीय नागरिक अधिकारियों से लाइसेंस प्राप्त करना आवश्यक बना दिया, और भारत में प्रदर्शित सभी फिल्मों को सेंसरशिप के अधीन कर दिया गया।
Indian Cinematograph Committee
भारतीय छायांकन समिति
In 1927, the Indian Cinematograph Committee was formed to “examine the adequacy of censorship as well as the allegedly immoral influence of cinematograph pictures.”
1927 में, भारतीय सिनेमैटोग्राफ समिति का गठन “सेंसरशिप की पर्याप्तता के साथ-साथ सिनेमैटोग्राफ चित्रों के कथित अनैतिक प्रभाव की जांच” करने के लिए किया गया था।
First International Film Festival 1952
पहला अंतर्राष्ट्रीय फिल्म महोत्सव 1952
The Films Division of the Government of India organised the first edition of IFFI, which was held under the patronage of India’s first Prime Minister.
भारत सरकार के फिल्म प्रभाग ने IFFI के पहले संस्करण का आयोजन किया, जो भारत के पहले प्रधान मंत्री के संरक्षण में आयोजित किया गया था।
Film Society Movement फिल्म समाज आंदोलन
The Film Society Movement began in the 1950s with the goal of raising awareness of cinema as an art form.
सिनेमा के बारे में एक कला के रूप में जागरूकता बढ़ाने के लक्ष्य के साथ 1950 के दशक में फिल्म सोसाइटी आंदोलन शुरू हुआ
Chapter 7 :- Role of Media (मीडिया की भूमिका)
Introduction:
परिचय:
◆ The media serves an important role in democracies such as India, where it is regarded as the society’s fourth pillar. Media is a powerful medium of communication; it aids in the transmission of knowledge, the debunking of erroneous beliefs, and the correction of inaccurate or obsolete information.
◆ Political Interference: Corporate and political power has suffocated huge segments of the media, both print and visual, resulting in vested interests and the destruction of freedom.
◆ Sedition Charges: Section 124a of the Indian Penal Code, which makes sedition punishable by life imprisonment, puts journalists’ independence in jeopardy. As a result, journalists are afraid to work freely.
◆ Concerns with paid and Fake News: Paid news, advertorials, and fake news all pose a danger to free and unbiased journalism. All of this encourages favoritism and makes it difficult to report objectively.
◆ Censorship: The suppression of speech, public communication, or other information is referred to as censorship. Through strict norms and laws, various efforts are undertaken to control and contain the media.
◆ The media should be objective and free of propaganda. It should give the public a balanced picture. The media informs and educates the public on national and worldwide political and other human realities that occur in daily life.
Chapter 8 :- Reforming Caste in New India (नए भारत में जाति सुधार)
Introduction:
परिचय:
◆ Historically, the caste system has formed the social and economic framework for the life of the people in India. In its essential form, the caste system is based on separation, division of labor, and hierarchy where civil, cultural, and economic rights for each caste are fixed.
◆ The system implies “forced exclusion” of one caste from the rights of other castes. Exclusion and discrimination in civil, cultural, and economic sphere, is therefore, internal to the system and a necessary outcome of its governing principles.
Post-independent State Policies and Interventions :
स्वतंत्रता के बाद की राज्य नीतियां और हस्तक्षेप :
◆ The nature of caste-based exclusion is described as “living mode exclusion” in political participation and exclusion and disadvantage in social and economic opportunities.
◆ In the absence of legal provisions for affirmative action policy, the State has been using ‘general programmes’ for the inclusion, uplift, and empowerment of the SCs in the economic, educational, and social spheres.
◆ Compensatory Measures: To overcome the multiple deprivations inherited due to exclusion in the past and to bring them on par with others involving land reforms and political representation
◆ Protective Measures: Recognising violence and caste-based discrimination meted out to Dalit communities; the Protection of Civil Rights Act (PCRA) and the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act (SC/ST POA) were promulgated to protect and prevent violence on them.
◆ Promotional Measures: In order to address continuing discrimination and promote their active participation in the growth and development of the country, reservation in education, employment, and special economic provisions have been set in place.
◆ Marriages: Most Indian marriages are arranged by parents. Several factors were considered by them for finding the ideal spouse. Out of which, one’s caste is a significant factor.
◆ Need to Strengthen Affirmative Action like Reservation.
आरक्षणजैसीसकारात्मककार्रवाईकोमजबूतकरनेकीजरूरतहै।
Conclusion:
निष्कर्ष:
◆ To conclude, group formation is common and natural to human beings, and hence, special efforts and interventions need to be taken to oversee that they do not turn negative based on prejudices, stereotypes, and protection of privileges be promoted both at the state and civil society levels. International mechanisms and solidarity can support both state and civil society in taking them forward.
Chapter 9 :- Preparing Future Leaders (भविष्य के नेताओं की तैयारी)
Introduction :
परिचय :
◆ The most crucial part of our country’s development is skill development. India has a large ‘demographic dividend,’ which implies it has a lot of potential to supply trained personnel to the market.
हमारेदेशकेविकासकासबसेमहत्वपूर्णहिस्साकौशलविकासहै।भारतमेंएकबड़ा ‘जनसांख्यिकीयलाभांश‘ है, जिसकाअर्थहैकिइसमेंप्रशिक्षितकर्मियोंकोबाजारमेंआपूर्तिकरनेकीकाफीसंभावनाएंहैं।
What is Skill Development ?
कौशलविकासक्याहै ?
◆ Skill development is the process of recognising your skill gaps and making sure you fill them.
Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (“SANKALP”)
आजीविका संवर्धन के लिए कौशल अधिग्रहण और ज्ञान जागरूकता (“संकल्प”)
SANKALP Scheme is a World Bank loan assisted programme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
संकल्प योजना कौशल विकास और उद्यमिता मंत्रालय (एमएसडीई) का एक विश्व बैंक ऋण सहायता प्राप्त कार्यक्रम है।
SANKALP is a supporting programme to skill training schemes which focuses inter-alia on improvement of quality, strengthening of institutions and inclusion of weaker sections in skill training.
संकल्प कौशल प्रशिक्षण योजनाओं के लिए एक सहायक कार्यक्रम है जो अन्य बातों के साथ-साथ गुणवत्ता में सुधार, संस्थानों को मजबूत करने और कौशल प्रशिक्षण में कमजोर वर्गों को शामिल करने पर केंद्रित है।
National Skill Development Mission
राष्ट्रीय कौशल विकास मिशन
The National Skill Development Mission was launched to create convergence across sectors and States in terms of skill training activities.
कौशल प्रशिक्षण गतिविधियों के संदर्भ में सभी क्षेत्रों और राज्यों में अभिसरण बनाने के लिए राष्ट्रीय कौशल विकास मिशन शुरू किया गया था।
National Skill Development Mission expedites decision making across sectors to achieve skilling at scale with speed and standards.
राष्ट्रीय कौशल विकास मिशन गति और मानकों के साथ बड़े पैमाने पर कौशल हासिल करने के लिए सभी क्षेत्रों में निर्णय लेने में तेजी लाता है।
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
प्रधानमंत्री कौशल विकास योजना
This is the flagship scheme for skill training of youth PMKVY implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
यह कौशल विकास और उद्यमिता मंत्रालय द्वारा कार्यान्वित युवा PMKVY के कौशल प्रशिक्षण के लिए प्रमुख योजना है।
PMKVY is a skill training scheme that was started to offer industry-related skills to about 10 million young Indians
PMKVY एक कौशल प्रशिक्षण योजना है जिसे लगभग 10 मिलियन युवा भारतीयों को उद्योग से संबंधित कौशल प्रदान करने के लिए शुरू किया गया था
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)
दीन दयाल उपाध्याय ग्रामीण कौशल्या योजना (डीडीयू-जीकेवाई)
DDU-GKY is a part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
डीडीयू-जीकेवाई राष्ट्रीय ग्रामीण आजीविका मिशन (एनआरएलएम) का एक हिस्सा है।
It is tasked with the dual objectives of adding diversity to the incomes of rural poor families and cater to the career aspirations of rural youth.
इसे ग्रामीण गरीब परिवारों की आय में विविधता जोड़ने और ग्रामीण युवाओं की करियर आकांक्षाओं को पूरा करने के दोहरे उद्देश्यों के साथ काम सौंपा गया है।
Challenges to skill development in India :
भारतमेंकौशलविकासकीचुनौतियाँ :
◆ Lack of mobility: People involved in skill development still have a fairly traditional outlook. The task of enrolling pupils in vocational education and training has become incredibly difficult.
◆ Lack of Infrastructural: Given the high demand for qualified labour, the current infrastructure facilities offered in educational institutions across the country are insufficient.
◆ Lack of Training: There are a limited number of highly qualified and professional trainers accessible. To take on greater duties, the faculty must be motivated and skilled.
◆ Lack of Scalability: –Any model that is to be effective requires a large amount of support from a variety of stakeholders. As a result of the lack of corporate buy-in, such projects are progressing slowly.
◆ Misalignment of skills: There are numerous challenges relating to the skills required by business and the skills provided by educational and training institutions. The skill sets given by educational and training institutes do not always meet the needs of employers.
◆ Identifying future employment prospects and segmenting them according to the demand and feasibility of training applicants is the first step in skill development.
◆ Making better connections between the many players in the process, as well as setting essential deliverables and a clear chain of accountability, will aid in the effectiveness of such training programmes.
◆ As India strives to be one of the world’s most successful economic growth stories in the twenty-first century, it is critical that it ensures that its rapidly expanding workforce is capable of dealing with oncoming shocks and finding acceptable employment. And, rather than waiting until tomorrow, today is the time to address India’s problem of untrained workers and correct its skilling projects.
◆ With the aim of improving the security of passengers travelling by Indian Railways, RPF has launched a Pan-India Operation under the code name “Operation Yatri Suraksha”.
◆ As part of this initiative, several steps are being taken to provide foolproof security to passengers i.e. Train Escorting, visible presence on stations, Surveillance through CCTV, Surveillance on active criminals, collection of intelligence about the criminals and action thereupon, identifying black spots and crime prone trains/sections and enhancing security thereat among others to formulate an actionable strategy to reduce crime against passengers.
◆ During the drive, 365 suspects were nabbed by RPF personnel and were handed over to the concerned GRPs for legal action based on which 322 cases of Passenger Crime i.e. theft of Passenger Belongings, Drugging, Robbery, Chain Snatching etc. were detected.
◆ Stolen property of passengers worth more than Rs. 1 Crore was recovered either from the possession of these criminals or in course of investigation of these offences.
◆ The Sachar Committee was a seven-member High Level Committee in India established in March 2005 by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
सच्चर समिति मार्च 2005 में तत्कालीन प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह द्वारा स्थापित भारत में सात सदस्यीय उच्च स्तरीय समिति थी।
◆ The committee was headed by former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Rajinder Sachar to study the social, economic and educational condition of Muslims in India.
भारत में मुसलमानों की सामाजिक, आर्थिक और शैक्षिक स्थिति का अध्ययन करने के लिए समिति की अध्यक्षता दिल्ली उच्च न्यायालय के पूर्व मुख्य न्यायाधीश राजिंदर सच्चर ने की थी।
◆ The committee submitted its report in 2006 and the report was available in public domain on 30 November 2006.
समिति ने 2006 में अपनी रिपोर्ट प्रस्तुत की और रिपोर्ट 30 नवंबर 2006 को सार्वजनिक कार्यक्षेत्र में उपलब्ध थी।
◆ The 403-page report had suggestions and solutions for the inclusive development of the Muslims in India.
403 पन्नों की रिपोर्ट में भारत में मुसलमानों के समावेशी विकास के लिए सुझाव और समाधान थे।
Background
पृष्ठभूमि
◆ In 2004, the Congress Party returned to power in India after having been in opposition for eight years, an unprecedented length of time for a party which had ruled the country for forty four out of fifty-seven years between 1947 and 2004.
2004 में, कांग्रेस पार्टी आठ साल तक विपक्ष में रहने के बाद भारत में सत्ता में लौटी, 1947 और 2004 के बीच सत्तावन वर्षों में से चौवालीस वर्षों तक देश पर शासन करने वाली पार्टी के लिए अभूतपूर्व समय।
◆ It returned to power as head of a coalition, winning 145/543 seats in the Lok Sabha
यह एक गठबंधन के प्रमुख के रूप में सत्ता में लौटी, लोकसभा में 145/543 सीटें जीतकर।
इसकी एक पहल भारत के मुस्लिम समुदाय की नवीनतम सामाजिक, आर्थिक और शैक्षिक स्थितियों पर एक रिपोर्ट की आयोग थी।
◆ Aim of the committee: To examine the socio-economic and educational status of the Muslim community in India. The availability of data on religion was useful in highlighting the relative deprivation of minorities.
समिति का उद्देश्य: भारत में मुस्लिम समुदाय की सामाजिक-आर्थिक और शैक्षिक स्थिति की जांच करना। अल्पसंख्यकों के सापेक्ष अभाव को उजागर करने में धर्म संबंधी आंकड़ों की उपलब्धता उपयोगी थी।
● The report highlighted a range of disabilities faced by the community.
रिपोर्ट ने समुदाय द्वारा सामना की जाने वाली कई तरह की अक्षमताओं पर प्रकाश डाला।
● It placed Indian Muslims below Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in backwardness.
इसने भारतीय मुसलमानों को अनुसूचित जातियों और अनुसूचित जनजातियों के नीचे पिछड़ेपन में रखा।
● It highlighted the huge mismatch between the percentage of Muslims in the population and in decision-making positions such as the IAS and IPS,
इसने जनसंख्या में मुसलमानों के प्रतिशत और आईएएस और आईपीएस जैसे निर्णय लेने वाले पदों के बीच भारी बेमेल को उजागर किया।
● It highlighted poor representation of the community in the police.
इसने पुलिस में समुदाय के खराब प्रतिनिधित्व को उजागर किया।
◆ Sex Ratio: The sex ratio among Muslims remained better than that of India overall in both 2001 and 2011, and the percentage of Muslims living in urban centers too remained higher than the national average in both Censuses.
लिंग अनुपात: मुसलमानों में लिंगानुपात 2001 और 2011 दोनों में समग्र रूप से भारत की तुलना में बेहतर रहा, और शहरी केंद्रों में रहने वाले मुसलमानों का प्रतिशत भी दोनों जनगणनाओं में राष्ट्रीय औसत से अधिक रहा।
◆ Civil Services: It highlighted that the percentage of Muslims in the IAS and IPS as 3% and 4% respectively.
सिविल सेवा: इसने इस बात पर प्रकाश डाला कि आईएएस और आईपीएस में मुसलमानों का प्रतिशत क्रमशः 3% और 4% है।
समिति, जिसे तत्कालीन प्रधान मंत्री मनमोहन सिंह द्वारा नियुक्त किया गया था, की अध्यक्षता दिल्ली उच्च न्यायालय के पूर्व मुख्य न्यायाधीश राजिंदर सच्चर के साथ-साथ छह अन्य सदस्यों ने की थी।
◆ The committee prepared a 403-page report, titled “Social, Economic and Educational Status of the Muslim Community of India: A Report”, and presented it to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, on 30 November 2006, 20 months after obtaining the terms of reference from the Prime Minister’s Office.
समिति ने “भारत के मुस्लिम समुदाय की सामाजिक, आर्थिक और शैक्षिक स्थिति: एक रिपोर्ट” शीर्षक से एक 403-पृष्ठ की रिपोर्ट तैयार की, और इसे 30 नवंबर 2006, प्रधान मंत्री कार्यालय से संदर्भ की शर्तें प्राप्त करने के 20 महीने बाद भारतीय संसद के निचले सदन, लोकसभा में प्रस्तुत किया।
◆ This report highlighted issues facing the Muslim community and their representation in Indian public life.
इस रिपोर्ट ने मुस्लिम समुदाय के सामने आने वाले मुद्दों और भारतीय सार्वजनिक जीवन में उनके प्रतिनिधित्व पर प्रकाश डाला।
◆ The report made observations on the high birthrate in the Muslim community in comparison to Hindus: the committee estimated that the Muslim proportion will stabilize at between 17% and 21% of the Indian population by 2100.
रिपोर्ट ने हिंदुओं की तुलना में मुस्लिम समुदाय में उच्च जन्म दर पर टिप्पणी की: समिति ने अनुमान लगाया कि मुस्लिम अनुपात 2100 तक भारतीय आबादी के 17% और 21% के बीच स्थिर हो जाएगा।
◆ The Sachar Committee highlighted and presented its suggestions on how to remove impediments those preventing Indian Muslims from fully participating in the economic, political, and social mainstream of Indian life.
सच्चर समिति ने भारतीय मुसलमानों को भारतीय जीवन की आर्थिक, राजनीतिक और सामाजिक मुख्यधारा में पूरी तरह से भाग लेने से रोकने वाली बाधाओं को दूर करने के तरीके पर प्रकाश डाला और अपने सुझाव प्रस्तुत किए।
◆ The report was the first of its kind to reveal the “backwardness” (a term used in Indian academic and legal discourse for historically dispossessed or economically vulnerable communities, not meant to be pejorative) of Indian Muslims.
रिपोर्ट भारतीय मुसलमानों के “पिछड़ेपन” (ऐतिहासिक रूप से वंचित या आर्थिक रूप से कमजोर समुदायों के लिए भारतीय शैक्षणिक और कानूनी प्रवचन में इस्तेमाल किया जाने वाला शब्द, अपमानजनक नहीं होने का मतलब) को प्रकट करने वाली अपनी तरह की पहली थी।
◆ An issue highlighted was that while Muslims constitute 14% of the Indian population, they only comprise 2.5% of the Indian bureaucracy. The Sachar Committee concluded that the conditions facing Indian Muslims was below that of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
एक मुद्दा उजागर किया गया था कि जहां मुस्लिम भारतीय आबादी का 14% हिस्सा हैं, वे भारतीय नौकरशाही का केवल 2.5% हिस्सा हैं। सच्चर समिति ने निष्कर्ष निकाला कि भारतीय मुसलमानों की स्थिति अनुसूचित जातियों और अनुसूचित जनजातियों से कम थी।
◆ The Sachar Committee Report brought the issue of Muslim Indian inequality to national attention, sparking a discussion that is still ongoing.
सच्चर समिति की रिपोर्ट ने मुस्लिम भारतीय असमानता के मुद्दे को राष्ट्रीय ध्यान में लाया, एक चर्चा को जन्म दिया जो अभी भी जारी है।
◆ The Committee recommended setting up an Equal Opportunity Commission to provide a legal mechanism to address discrimination complaints, including in matters such as housing.
समिति ने आवास जैसे मामलों सहित भेदभाव की शिकायतों को दूर करने के लिए एक कानूनी तंत्र प्रदान करने के लिए एक समान अवसर आयोग की स्थापना की सिफारिश की।
◆ In response to the Committee’s findings, Finance Minister P.Chidambaram proposed an increase to the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation‘s (NMDFC) budget, citing new duties and expanded outreach that the institution would take on to implement the Committee’s recommendations.
समिति के निष्कर्षों के जवाब में, वित्त मंत्री पी. चिदंबरम ने राष्ट्रीय अल्पसंख्यक विकास और वित्त निगम (एनएमडीएफसी) के बजट में वृद्धि का प्रस्ताव दिया, जिसमें नए कर्तव्यों और विस्तारित आउटरीच का हवाला दिया गया था कि संस्था समिति की सिफारिशों को लागू करने के लिए आगे बढ़ेगी।
सच्चर समिति ने 2001 की जनगणना के आंकड़ों का इस्तेमाल किया। भारतीय रिजर्व बैंक, राष्ट्रीय कृषि और ग्रामीण विकास बैंक, भारतीय लघु उद्योग विकास बैंक, राष्ट्रीय अल्पसंख्यक विकास और वित्त निगम, और राष्ट्रीय पिछड़ा वर्ग वित्त और विकास निगम जैसे विभिन्न स्रोतों से बैंकिंग डेटा प्राप्त हुआ था।
◆ Corroborative data was also obtained from government commissions and organisations such as the National Commission for Backward Classes, the State Backward Classes Commission, and the National Council of Educational Research and Training. Finally, data from other sources, including ministries, departments, public sector undertakings, universities, and colleges were used in preparing this report
राष्ट्रीय पिछड़ा वर्ग आयोग, राज्य पिछड़ा वर्ग आयोग और राष्ट्रीय शैक्षिक अनुसंधान और प्रशिक्षण परिषद जैसे सरकारी आयोगों और संगठनों से भी पुष्टिकारक डेटा प्राप्त किया गया था। अंत में, इस रिपोर्ट को तैयार करने में मंत्रालयों, विभागों, सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र के उपक्रमों, विश्वविद्यालयों और कॉलेजों सहित अन्य स्रोतों के डेटा का उपयोग किया गया।
Criticism
आलोचना
◆ In November 2013, Gujarat government contended before the Supreme Court that the Rajinder Sachar Committee was “unconstitutional,” and that it only sought to help Muslims.
नवंबर 2013 में, गुजरात सरकार ने सुप्रीम कोर्ट के समक्ष तर्क दिया कि राजिंदर सच्चर समिति “असंवैधानिक” थी और उसने केवल मुसलमानों की मदद करने की मांग की थी।
◆ It has strongly criticized the manner in which the PMO set up the Sachar Committee in 2005 to survey the socio-economic conditions of Muslims, while “ignoring” other religious minorities.
इसने अन्य धार्मिक अल्पसंख्यकों की “अनदेखी” करते हुए मुसलमानों की सामाजिक-आर्थिक स्थितियों का सर्वेक्षण करने के लिए 2005 में जिस तरह से पीएमओ ने सच्चर समिति की स्थापना की, उसकी कड़ी आलोचना की है।
◆ This affidavit was filed in response to the Centre’s stand that the scheme was valid and that the Modi Government was to blame for the deteriorating condition of Muslims in Gujarat
यह हलफनामा केंद्र के रुख के जवाब में दायर किया गया था कि यह योजना वैध थी और गुजरात में मुसलमानों की बिगड़ती स्थिति के लिए मोदी सरकार को दोषी ठहराया गया था।
Team ULF
Chapter :03 National Policy on Disaster Management 2009
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Approach:
दृष्टिकोण:
● A holistic and integrated approach will be evolved towards disaster management with emphasis on building strategic partnerships at various levels. The themes underpinning the policy are:
विभिन्न स्तरों पर रणनीतिक साझेदारी के निर्माण पर जोर देते हुए आपदा प्रबंधन की दिशा में एक समग्र और एकीकृत दृष्टिकोण विकसित किया जाएगा। नीति को रेखांकित करने वाले विषय हैं:
◆ Community based Disaster Management , including last mile integration of the policy, plans and execution.
नीति, योजनाओं और क्रियान्वयन के अंतिम छोर तक एकीकरण सहित समुदाय आधारित आपदा प्रबंधन।
◆ Capacity development in all spheres.
सभी क्षेत्रों में क्षमता विकास।
◆ Consolidation of past initiatives and best practices.
पिछली पहलों और सर्वोत्तम प्रथाओं का समेकन।
◆ Cooperation with agencies at National and International levels.
राष्ट्रीय और अंतर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर एजेंसियों के साथ सहयोग।
◆ Multi-sectoral synergy.
बहु-क्षेत्रीय तालमेल।
Objectives:
उद्देश्य:
The objectives of the National Policy on Disaster Management are:
आपदा प्रबंधन पर राष्ट्रीय नीति के उद्देश्य हैं:
◆ Promoting a culture of prevention, preparedness and resilience at all levels through knowledge, innovation and education.
ज्ञान, नवाचार और शिक्षा के माध्यम से सभी स्तरों पर रोकथाम, तैयारी और लचीलापन की संस्कृति को बढ़ावा देना।
◆ Encouraging mitigation measures based on technology, traditional wisdom and environmental sustainability.
प्रौद्योगिकी, पारंपरिक ज्ञान और पर्यावरणीय स्थिरता पर आधारित शमन उपायों को प्रोत्साहित करना।
◆\Mainstreaming disaster management into the developmental planning process.
विकास योजना प्रक्रिया में आपदा प्रबंधन को मुख्यधारा में लाना।
◆ Establishing institutional and techno- legal frameworks to create an enabling regulatory environment and a compliance regime.
एक सक्षम नियामक वातावरण और एक अनुपालन व्यवस्था बनाने के लिए संस्थागत और तकनीकी-कानूनी ढांचे की स्थापना करना।
◆ Ensuring efficient mechanism for identification, assessment and monitoring of disaster risks.
आपदा जोखिमों की पहचान, आकलन और निगरानी के लिए कुशल तंत्र सुनिश्चित करना।
◆ Developing contemporary forecasting and early warning systems backed by responsive and fail-safe communication with information technology support.
सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी समर्थन के साथ उत्तरदायी और असफल-सुरक्षित संचार द्वारा समर्थित समकालीन पूर्वानुमान और प्रारंभिक चेतावनी प्रणाली विकसित करना।
◆ Ensuring efficient response and relief with a caring approach towards the needs of the vulnerable sections of the society.
समाज के कमजोर वर्गों की जरूरतों के प्रति देखभाल के दृष्टिकोण के साथ कुशल प्रतिक्रिया और राहत सुनिश्चित करना।
◆ Undertaking reconstruction as an opportunity to build disaster resilient structures and habitat for ensuring safer living.
सुरक्षित जीवन सुनिश्चित करने के लिए आपदा प्रतिरोधी संरचनाओं और आवास के निर्माण के अवसर के रूप में पुनर्निर्माण का कार्य करना।
◆ Promoting a productive and proactive partnership with the media for disaster management.
आपदा प्रबंधन के लिए मीडिया के साथ उत्पादक और सक्रिय भागीदारी को बढ़ावा देना।
Issues:
मुद्दे:
◆ Lack of updation and outdated in nature
अद्यतनीकरण का अभाव और प्रकृति में पुराना
◆ Lack of coordinated and coherent approach in policy formulation.
नीति निर्माण में समन्वित और सुसंगत दृष्टिकोण का अभाव।
◆ Policy formulated in 2009, so it does not cover recent and emerging disasters such as cold waves and heat waves.
2009 में तैयार की गई नीति, इसलिए यह हाल की और उभरती आपदाओं जैसे शीत लहरों और गर्मी की लहरों को कवर नहीं करती है।
◆ Policy does not recognize climate refugees which results from climate change.
◆ नीति जलवायु परिवर्तन के परिणामस्वरूप होने वाले जलवायु शरणार्थियों को मान्यता नहीं देती है।
Team ULF
Chapter :02 Role of Technology in Disaster and Management
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National Disaster Management Services (NDMS):
राष्ट्रीयआपदाप्रबंधनसेवाएं (NSMS):
◆ NDMS is conceived by NDMA in 2015-16 for setting up of Very Small Aperture Terminal Network Connecting Ministry of Home Affairs, NDMA, NDRF, all state/UTs headquarters and 81 vulnerable districts.
◆ The scope of this pilot project is to provide the failsafe communication infrastructure and technical support for Emergency Operation Centre’s operations across the country.
◆ The project includes conducting workshops and imparting training for the capacity building of functionaries on the usage of communication equipment’s covered in this project.
◆ NDMA has taken this initiative for 50 important cities and 1 district in seismic zone IV and V.
NDMAनेभूकंपीयक्षेत्र IV और V में 50 महत्वपूर्णशहरोंऔर 1 जिलेकेलिएयहपहलकीहै।
◆ The project will be implemented by International Institute of Information Technology. The indexing will be useful for comparing overall risk across large number of cities and also in prioritization of cities to implement appropriate disaster mitigation measures.
◆ This system integrates technologies such as digital mobile radio, location based alert systems, remotely operated siren systems and universal gateways.
◆ The system helps in disseminating warning communication simultaneously from the state, district and block levels in different forms like messages, voice, siren, etc.
◆ Odisha State Disaster Mitigation Authority (OSDMA) in collaboration with Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) has developed a web and smartphone-based platform called “SATARK” (System for Assessing, Tracking and Alerting Disaster Risk Information based on Dynamic Risk Knowledge). The application is developed to provide real time watch, alert and warning information for different hazards like heat wave, lightning, agriculture risk (drought), flood monitoring, ocean state information and tsunami risk, earthquake monitoring, cyclone/storm surge for improved disaster management.
◆ Odisha is the first state in the country that has implemented an Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS). This aims at establishing a foolproof communication system to address the existing gap of disseminating disaster warning from the state, district and block levels to communities. It covers 1205 villages in 22 blocks of six coastal districts of the state which are prone to multifarious hydro-meteorological disasters like cyclones, floods and tsunamis.
◆ During disasters also satellites provides direct view of disaster affected areas, communication networks, identification of possible shelter areas etc.
Examples:RESOURCESAT, South Asia Satellite, RISAT, INSAT 3D. India also use Terra and Aqua Satellites of NASA for forest fires detection along RISAT.
Drones and Social Media
ड्रोनऔरसोशलमीडिया
◆ In 2015, the social media platform, Twitter, was used by a number of government groups and people to share vital information (helpline phone numbers, train schedules, relief counters, weather forecasts, etc) about the Chennai floods on Twitter.
2015 में, ट्विटरपरचेन्नईबाढ़केबारेमेंमहत्वपूर्णजानकारी (हेल्पलाइनफोननंबर, ट्रेनशेड्यूल, राहतकाउंटर, मौसमपूर्वानुमान, आदि) साझाकरनेकेलिएकईसरकारीसमूहोंऔरलोगोंद्वारासोशलमीडियाप्लेटफॉर्म, ट्विटरकाउपयोगकियागयाथा।
◆ This became a test case for Twitter, and showed government agencies on how social media platforms could be leveraged for effective communication related to natural disasters.
◆ During the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, drones were used to locate missing people and scan the terrain to provide relevant updated information to the authorities.
◆ Recently, students from IIT Madras developed an AI-enabled drone that can help authorities provide vital information on people trapped in disaster-hit areas.
◆ Social Media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram offer various features like Marking Safety of people, identification of safe areas, pin pointing stranded people.
◆ Tamil Nadu has built a web GIS based system called TNSMART. This application, which is developed in collaboration with ISRO, has modules related to thresholds, hazard forecast, disaster impact forecast, advisory, response planning, etc.
◆ Similarly, Karnataka has a GPS enabled system for near real-time monitoring and communication of disasters in the state. In India, the Government has encouraged the use of digital technologies in ensuring help during disasters. For example, the Digital India Action Group (DIAG) recently released a white paper on using IoT for effective disaster management.
◆ Internet has the potential to reach the millions of people even in the remotest corner of the country within considerable time. Nowadays internet is provided through satellite technology, thus it provides round the clock connectivity even during disasters.
◆ Reach of internet can be used to identify stranded people, most affected areas, dissemination of information, awareness generation, crowdsourcing etc.
इंटरनेट की पहुंच का उपयोग फंसे हुए लोगों, सबसे अधिक प्रभावित क्षेत्रों, सूचना के प्रसार, जागरूकता पैदा करने, क्राउडसोर्सिंग आदि की पहचान करने के लिए किया जा सकता है।
Team ULF
Chapter : 01 Disaster and Hazards
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◆ United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) defines disaster as “a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society at any scale due to hazardous events interacting with conditions of exposure, vulnerability and capacity, leading to one or more of the following: human, material, economic and environmental losses and impacts.” (UNISDR 2016).
आपदा जोखिम न्यूनीकरण के लिए संयुक्त राष्ट्र कार्यालय (UNISDR) आपदा को “किसी भी पैमाने पर किसी समुदाय या समाज के कामकाज में एक गंभीर व्यवधान के रूप में परिभाषित करता है, जो जोखिम, भेद्यता और क्षमता की स्थितियों के साथ बातचीत करने वाली खतरनाक घटनाओं के कारण होता है, जिसके कारण एक या अधिक निम्नलिखित: मानव, सामग्री, आर्थिक और पर्यावरणीय नुकसान और प्रभाव।” (यूएनआईएसडीआर 2016)
The Disaster Management Act 2005 uses the following definition for disaster:
आपदा प्रबंधन अधिनियम 2005 आपदा के लिए निम्नलिखित परिभाषा का उपयोग करता है:
◆ Disaster” means a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or manmade causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area.”
आपदा” का अर्थ किसी भी क्षेत्र में प्राकृतिक या मानव निर्मित कारणों से, या दुर्घटना या लापरवाही से होने वाली किसी भी आपदा, दुर्घटना, आपदा या गंभीर घटना से है, जिसके परिणामस्वरूप जीवन की पर्याप्त हानि या मानव पीड़ा या क्षति, और संपत्ति, या क्षति का विनाश होता है। पर्यावरण के लिए, या उसका क्षरण, और इस तरह की प्रकृति या परिमाण का है जो प्रभावित क्षेत्र के समुदाय की मुकाबला करने की क्षमता से परे है। ”
Hazard
खतरा
◆ A hazard is a threat, a future source of danger with a potential to cause damage to:
एक खतरा एक खतरा है, भविष्य में खतरे का एक स्रोत है जिसके नुकसान की संभावना है:
● Property: Damage to property, economic loss, loss of livelihood and status
संपत्ति: संपत्ति को नुकसान, आर्थिक नुकसान, आजीविका और स्थिति की हानि
● Environment: Loss of flora and fauna, pollution, loss of biodiversity.
पर्यावरण: वनस्पतियों और जीवों की हानि, प्रदूषण, जैव विविधता की हानि।
Difference between hazards and disasters
खतरों और आपदाओं के बीच अंतर
Disaster (आपदा)
Hazard (खतरा)
Disaster is an event that occurs suddenly/unexpectedly in most cases and disrupts the normal course of life in affected area. It results in loss or damage to life, property or environment. This Loss is beyond the coping capacity of local affected population/society. And therefore requires external help.
आपदा एक ऐसी घटना है जो ज्यादातर मामलों में अचानक/अप्रत्याशित रूप से घटित होती है और प्रभावित क्षेत्र में जीवन के सामान्य पाठ्यक्रम को बाधित करती है। इसके परिणामस्वरूप जीवन, संपत्ति या पर्यावरण की हानि या क्षति होती है। यह नुकसान स्थानीय प्रभावित आबादी/समाज की क्षमता से बाहर है। और इसलिए बाहरी मदद की आवश्यकता है।
Hazard is an event that has potential for causing injury/ loss of life or damage to property/environment.
खतरा एक ऐसी घटना है जिसमें चोट/जान की हानि या संपत्ति/पर्यावरण को नुकसान होने की संभावना होती है।
Important terms used in disaster management:
आपदा प्रबंधन में प्रयुक्त महत्वपूर्ण शब्द:
◆ Hazards: A phenomenon which may cause injury or loss of life, damage to property, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.
खतरे: एक घटना जो चोट या जीवन की हानि, संपत्ति को नुकसान, सामाजिक और आर्थिक व्यवधान या पर्यावरणीय गिरावट का कारण बन सकती है।
◆ Vulnerability: The potential for loss to an individual, community or place because of a disaster that is affected by geographical as well as social conditions.
सुभेद्यता: भौगोलिक और सामाजिक परिस्थितियों से प्रभावित किसी आपदा के कारण किसी व्यक्ति, समुदाय या स्थान को नुकसान की संभावना।
◆ Community: People who live together in a village or urban areas, which can be identified as local group with a common way of life.
समुदाय: वे लोग जो एक गाँव या शहरी क्षेत्रों में एक साथ रहते हैं, जिन्हें एक सामान्य जीवन शैली वाले स्थानीय समूह के रूप में पहचाना जा सकता है।
◆ First Responders: Group of people who are immediately affected by a disaster, and are the first to respond and help to cope with it, before government or relief agencies can rush to the area.
पहले प्रतिक्रियाकर्ता: लोगों का समूह जो किसी आपदा से तुरंत प्रभावित होते हैं, और सरकार या राहत एजेंसियों के क्षेत्र में पहुंचने से पहले सबसे पहले प्रतिक्रिया करते हैं और इससे निपटने में मदद करते हैं।
Team ULF
SC Quashes Jharkhand Decision to Grant 100% Quota to locals in Govt Jobs
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Why In News खबरों में क्यों
◆ The Supreme Court quashed the Jharkhand government’s 2016 decision to grant 100% reservation to locals of 13 scheduled areas in public jobs and upheld a high court decision that had termed the government decision discriminatory and impermissible.
सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने सार्वजनिक नौकरियों में 13 अनुसूचित क्षेत्रों के स्थानीय लोगों को 100% आरक्षण देने के झारखंड सरकार के 2016 के फैसले को खारिज कर दिया और उच्च न्यायालय के एक फैसले को बरकरार रखा जिसने सरकार के फैसले को भेदभावपूर्ण और अस्वीकार्य करार दिया था।
◆ Observation by SC-“‘The citizens have equal rights, and the total exclusion of others by creating an opportunity for one class is not contemplated by the founding fathers of the Constitution of India”
अनुसूचित जाति द्वारा अवलोकन- “नागरिकों के समान अधिकार हैं, और एक वर्ग के लिए अवसर पैदा करके दूसरों के कुल बहिष्कार पर भारत के संविधान के संस्थापक पिता द्वारा विचार नहीं किया गया है”
◆ The Issue: Jharkhand Government in 2016 granted 100% reservations to locals of 13 scheduled areas in public jobs. Previously State HC had termed the decision discriminatory and impermissible.
मुद्दा: झारखंड सरकार ने 2016 में सार्वजनिक नौकरियों में 13 अनुसूचित क्षेत्रों के स्थानीय लोगों को 100% आरक्षण दिया। पहले राज्य HC ने निर्णय को भेदभावपूर्ण और अनुचित करार दिया था।
◆ Rights violated: The move is unconstitutional and ultra vires Articles 14, 16(2), 16(3) and 35 of the Constitution of India.
अधिकारों का उल्लंघन: यह कदम असंवैधानिक है और भारत के संविधान के अनुच्छेद 14, 16(2), 16(3) और 35 के विपरीत है।
◆ For reservation outer limit is 50% as specified in the Indra Sawhney case, 1992.
आरक्षण के लिए बाहरी सीमा 50% है जैसा कि इंद्रा साहनी मामले, 1992 में निर्दिष्ट है।
◆ Previous Case: The top court relied on the constitution bench judgment of 2020 related to a 100% quota in jobs in Andhra Pradesh.
पिछला मामला: शीर्ष अदालत ने आंध्र प्रदेश में नौकरियों में 100% कोटा से संबंधित 2020 के संविधान पीठ के फैसले पर भरोसा किया।
◆ Power of Governor over scheduled areas: The power of the governor is pari passu with the legislative power of Parliament and the State. The power of the Governor does not supersede the fundamental rights guaranteed under Part III of the Constitution.
अनुसूचित क्षेत्रों पर राज्यपाल की शक्ति: राज्यपाल की शक्ति संसद और राज्य की विधायी शक्ति के समान है। राज्यपाल की शक्ति संविधान के भाग III के तहत गारंटीकृत मौलिक अधिकारों का अधिक्रमण नहीं करती है।
Team ULF
Creation of Districts
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Why in News
खबरों में क्यों
The West Bengal cabinet has approved the creation of seven new districts in the state. This will take the number of districts in West Bengal to 30 from the existing 23.
पश्चिम बंगाल कैबिनेट ने राज्य में सात नए जिलों के निर्माण को मंजूरी दी है। इससे पश्चिम बंगाल में जिलों की संख्या मौजूदा 23 से बढ़कर 30 हो जाएगी।
List of New districts
नए जिलों की सूची
◆ A new Sundarban district will be carved out of South 24-Parganas district
दक्षिण 24-परगना जिले को मिलाकर एक नया सुंदरवन जिला बनाया जाएगा
◆ Two new districts will be created out of North 24-Parganas district — Ichhamati in Bongaon subdivision and a yet unnamed district in Basirhat;
उत्तर 24-परगना जिले से दो नए जिले बनाए जाएंगे – बोंगांव उपखंड में इछामती और बशीरहाट में एक अभी तक अज्ञात जिला;
◆ Ranaghat, a city and municipality in Nadia district, will become the fourth new district
नदिया जिले का एक शहर और नगर पालिका राणाघाट चौथा नया जिला बनेगा
◆ A new district of Bishnupur will be carved out of the existing Bankura district; and
मौजूदा बांकुरा जिले से बिष्णुपुर का एक नया जिला बनाया जाएगा; तथा
◆ Two new districts of Baharampur and Jangipur will be created out of Murshidabad district.
मुर्शिदाबाद जिले से दो नए जिले बहरामपुर और जंगीपुर बनाए जाएंगे।
Do you know ? क्या आप जानते हैं ?
◆ States keep creating new districts from time to time as smaller units would make governance easier and would benefit the people by bringing the government and the administration closer to them.
राज्य समय-समय पर नए जिले बनाते रहते हैं क्योंकि छोटी इकाइयाँ शासन को आसान बनाती हैं और सरकार और प्रशासन को उनके करीब लाकर लोगों को लाभ पहुँचाती हैं।
◆ This power of creating or scrapping districts, or changing their boundaries lies with the state governments, who can pass a law in the Assembly or simply issue an order and notify it in the gazette. The Centre does not have a say in the matter.
जिलों को बनाने या खत्म करने, या उनकी सीमाओं को बदलने की यह शक्ति राज्य सरकारों के पास है, जो विधानसभा में एक कानून पारित कर सकती हैं या केवल एक आदेश जारी कर सकती हैं और इसे राजपत्र में अधिसूचित कर सकती हैं। इस मामले में केंद्र की कोई बात नहीं है।
Team ULF
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)
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Why in news खबरों में क्यों
The outbreak of lumpy skin disease in Rajasthan has resulted in the death of more than 1,200 bovines.
राजस्थान में ढेलेदार त्वचा रोग के प्रकोप के कारण 1,200 से अधिक गोवंश की मृत्यु हो चुकी है।
Key Points about Lumpy Skin Disease ढेलेदार त्वचा रोग के बारे में मुख्य बातें
◆ It is caused by poxvirus Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV)
यह पॉक्सवायरस ढेलेदार त्वचा रोग वायरस (LSDV) के कारण होता है।
◆ It was first seen as an epidemic in Zambia in 1929.
इसे पहली बार 1929 में जाम्बिया में महामारी के रूप में देखा गया था।
◆ It was first reported in Asia and the Pacific region in 2019.
यह पहली बार 2019 में एशिया और प्रशांत क्षेत्र में रिपोर्ट किया गया था।
◆ Symptoms – Fever , Fluids excretion from eyes and nose , dribbling of salvia and blisters on the body.
लक्षण – बुखार, आंखों और नाक से तरल पदार्थ का निकलना, साल्विया का टपकना और शरीर पर छाले।
◆ Cattles are vaccinated against LSD under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme of India .
भारत के पशुधन स्वास्थ्य और रोग नियंत्रण कार्यक्रम के तहत मवेशियों को LSD के खिलाफ टीका लगाया जाता है।
Team ULF
World Most Durable Hydrogen Fuel Cell
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Why In News खबरों में क्यों
◆ A new hydrogen fuel cell has been developed by scientists at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Not only is it the world’s most durable to date, but it is also more cost-effective, paving the way for a wider application of green energy in the pursuit of a carbon-neutral world.
हांगकांग विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी विश्वविद्यालय (HKUST) के वैज्ञानिकों द्वारा एक नया हाइड्रोजन ईंधन सेल विकसित किया गया है। यह न केवल दुनिया का अब तक का सबसे टिकाऊ है, बल्कि यह अधिक लागत प्रभावी भी है, जिससे कार्बन-तटस्थ दुनिया की खोज में हरित ऊर्जा के व्यापक अनुप्रयोग का मार्ग प्रशस्त होता है।
Hydrogen fuel cells हाइड्रोजन ईंधन सेल
◆ They generate power efficiently by converting hydrogen and oxygen into electricity.
वे हाइड्रोजन और ऑक्सीजन को बिजली में परिवर्तित करके कुशलतापूर्वक बिजली उत्पन्न करते हैं।
◆ Zero carbon dioxide, particulate matter and other air pollutants are emitted in the process.
इस प्रक्रिया में शून्य कार्बन डाइऑक्साइड, पार्टिकुलेट मैटर और अन्य वायु प्रदूषक उत्सर्जित होते हैं।
◆ Hydrogen fuel cells are not yet widely commercialized, despite they have several environmental benefits. This is so, because power generation capabilities of hydrogen fuel cell depend on an electrocatalyst. The electrocatalyst earlier comprised of very expensive and rare metal platinum.
कई पर्यावरणीय लाभ होने के बावजूद हाइड्रोजन ईंधन कोशिकाओं का अभी तक व्यापक रूप से व्यावसायीकरण नहीं हुआ है। ऐसा इसलिए है, क्योंकि हाइड्रोजन ईंधन सेल की बिजली उत्पादन क्षमता इलेक्ट्रोकैटलिस्ट पर निर्भर करती है। इलेक्ट्रोकैटलिस्ट में पहले बहुत महंगा और दुर्लभ धातु प्लैटिनम शामिल था।
◆ Thus, researchers have tried to develop its alternatives by replacing platinum with more common and inexpensive materials such as iron, nitrogen or carbon.
इस प्रकार, शोधकर्ताओं ने प्लैटिनम को अधिक सामान्य और सस्ती सामग्री जैसे लोहा, नाइट्रोजन या कार्बन के साथ बदलकर इसके विकल्प विकसित करने का प्रयास किया है।
◆ However, these alternative materials have either been proven inefficient in power generation or had poor durability.
हालांकि, ये वैकल्पिक सामग्रियां या तो बिजली उत्पादन में अक्षम साबित हुई हैं या इनमें खराब स्थायित्व है।
About Discovery आविष्कार के बारे में
◆ This formula will reduce the proportion of platinum used by 80%. It will also set a record with respect to durability level of cell.
यह फॉर्मूला इस्तेमाल किए गए प्लैटिनम के अनुपात को 80% तक कम कर देगा। यह सेल के टिकाऊपन स्तर के संबंध में एक कीर्तिमान भी स्थापित करेगा।
◆ The new cell managed to maintain platinum catalytic activity at 97% after 100,000 cycles of accelerated stress test, as against the current catalyst whose performance reduced by 50% in 30,000 cycles. No performance decay was reported in new fuel cell, after operating for 200 hours.
नया सेल त्वरित तनाव परीक्षण के 100,000 चक्रों के बाद प्लैटिनम उत्प्रेरक गतिविधि को 97% पर बनाए रखने में कामयाब रहा, जबकि वर्तमान उत्प्रेरक के प्रदर्शन में 30,000 चक्रों में 50% की कमी आई है। 200 घंटे के संचालन के बाद, नए ईंधन सेल में कोई प्रदर्शन क्षय की सूचना नहीं मिली।
Team ULF
India First International Bullion Exchange
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In News
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the headquarters building of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) in GIFT City, Gandhinagar.
He also launched the India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX), India’s first International Bullion Exchange in GIFT-IFSC.
He also launched the NSE IFSC-SGX Connect.
About GIFT City, IFSCA
GIFT city (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) was envisaged as an integrated hub for financial and technology services not just for India but for the world.
IFSCA is the unified regulator for the development and regulation of financial products, financial services and financial institutions in International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) in India.
The building has been conceptualised as an iconic structure, reflective of the growing prominence and stature of GIFT-IFSC as a leading International Financial Centre.
IIBX
IIBX will facilitate efficient price discovery with the assurance of responsible sourcing and quality, apart from giving impetus to the financialisation of gold in India.
It will empower India to gain its rightful place in the global bullion market and serve the global value chain with integrity and quality.
IIBX also re-enforces the commitment of the Government of India towards enabling India to be able to influence global bullion prices as a principal consumer.
NSE IFSC-SGX
NSE IFSC-SGX Connect is a framework between NSE’s subsidiary in the GIFT International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX).
Under Connect, all orders on NIFTY derivatives placed by members of Singapore Exchange will be routed to and matched on the NSE-IFSC order matching and trading platform.
Broker-Dealers from India and across international jurisdictions are expected to participate in large numbers for trading derivatives through Connect.
Team ULF
Mandal Commission Case
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Introduction
परिचय
A Nine Judge Bench of the Supreme Court has laid down in Indra Sawhney ‘s Case ( Popularly known as Mandal Commission Case ) regarding reservation in Government employment that :
सर्वोच्च न्यायालय की नौ न्यायाधीशों की पीठ ने सरकारी नौकरी में आरक्षण के संबंध में इंद्रा साहनी के मामले (जिसे मंडल आयोग मामले के नाम से जाना जाता है) में निर्धारित किया है कि:
Key Points
प्रमुख बिंदु
◆ The Mandal Commission, officially known as the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission (SEBC), was set up on 1st January 1979 by the Indian Government under the then Prime Minister Morarji Desai. The Commission was chaired by an Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal .
मंडल आयोग, जिसे आधिकारिक तौर पर सामाजिक और शैक्षिक रूप से पिछड़ा वर्ग आयोग (SEBC) के रूप में जाना जाता है, इसकी स्थापना 1 जनवरी 1979 को तत्कालीन प्रधानमंत्री मोरारजी देसाई के अधीन भारत सरकार द्वारा की गई थी। आयोग की अध्यक्षता एक बिंदेश्वरी प्रसाद मंडल ने की थी।
◆ The chief mandate of the Mandal Commission was to identify the socially or educationally backward classes of India and to consider reservations as a means to address caste inequality and discrimination. The Commission submitted its report to the President on 31st December 1980.
मंडल आयोग का मुख्य उद्देश्य भारत के सामाजिक या शैक्षणिक रूप से पिछड़े वर्गों की पहचान करना और आरक्षण को जातिगत असमानता और भेदभाव को दूर करने के साधन के रूप में मानना था। आयोग ने 31 दिसंबर 1980 को अपनी रिपोर्ट राष्ट्रपति को सौंपी।
◆ Under Article 16(4) provisions can be made in favour of the backward classes in the matter of employment by Executive orders also.
अनुच्छेद 16(4) के अंतर्गत कार्यपालक आदेश द्वारा भी रोजगार के मामले में पिछड़े वर्गों के पक्ष में प्रावधान किये जा सकते हैं।
◆ Backwards Class of citizens is not defined in the Constitution. A caste may also constitute a class.
नागरिकों के पिछड़े वर्ग को संविधान में परिभाषित नहीं किया गया है। एक जाति भी एक वर्ग का गठन कर सकती है।
◆ The backwardness contemplated by Article 16(4) is mainly social . It need not be both social and educational.
अनुच्छेद 16(4) में वर्णित पिछड़ापन मुख्यतः सामाजिक है। यह सामाजिक और शैक्षिक दोनों नहीं होना चाहिए।
◆ Income or the extent of property can be taken as a measure of social advancement and on that basis the ‘ creamy layer ‘ of a given caste can be excluded.
आय या संपत्ति की सीमा को सामाजिक उन्नति के उपाय के रूप में लिया जा सकता है और उस आधार पर किसी जाति के ‘क्रीमी लेयर’ को बाहर रखा जा सकता है।
◆ The reservations contemplated in Article 16(4) is confined to initial appointment only and cannot extend to providing reservations in promotion.
अनुच्छेद 16(4) में उल्लिखित आरक्षण केवल प्रारंभिक नियुक्ति तक ही सीमित है और पदोन्नति में आरक्षण प्रदान करने तक सीमित नहीं है।
◆ The commission developed 11 criteria to identify the backward classes who were called “Other Backward Classes” or OBCs. The criteria are classified as social, economic and educational.
आयोग ने पिछड़े वर्गों की पहचान करने के लिए 11 मानदंड विकसित किए जिन्हें “अन्य पिछड़ा वर्ग” या ओबीसी कहा जाता था। मानदंडों को सामाजिक, आर्थिक और शैक्षिक के रूप में वर्गीकृत किया गया है।
Social Indicators
सामाजिक संकेतक
◆ Castes or classes considered socially backward by others.
जातियाँ या वर्ग दूसरों द्वारा सामाजिक रूप से पिछड़े माने जाते हैं।
◆ Castes or classes that relied on manual labour for their livelihood.
जातियाँ या वर्ग जो अपनी आजीविका के लिए शारीरिक श्रम पर निर्भर थे।
Educational Indicators
शैक्षिक संकेतक
◆ Castes or classes where the number of children between the ages of 5 and 15 who never attended school is at least 25% more than the state average.
ऐसी जातियाँ या वर्ग जहाँ 5 से 15 वर्ष के बीच के ऐसे बच्चों की संख्या जो कभी स्कूल नहीं गए, राज्य के औसत से कम से कम 25% अधिक है।
◆ Castes or classes when the rate of student dropout between the ages of 5 and 15 is at least 25% more than the state average.
जातियाँ या वर्ग जब 5 से 15 वर्ष की आयु के बीच छात्र छोड़ने की दर राज्य के औसत से कम से कम 25% अधिक हो।
◆ Castes or classes amongst whom the proportion of matriculates is at least 25% less than the state average.
जातियाँ या वर्ग जिनमें मैट्रिक पास का अनुपात राज्य के औसत से कम से कम 25% कम है।
Economic Indicators
आर्थिक संकेतक
◆ Castes or classes where the average value of family assets is at least 25% less than the state average.
जातियाँ या वर्ग जहाँ पारिवारिक संपत्ति का औसत मूल्य राज्य के औसत से कम से कम 25% कम हो।
◆ Castes or classes where the number of families living in kutcha houses is at least 25% more than the state average.
जातियाँ या वर्ग जहाँ कच्चे घरों में रहने वाले परिवारों की संख्या राज्य के औसत से कम से कम 25% अधिक है।
◆ Castes or classes where the number of households having taken consumption loans is at least 25% more than the state average.
जातियाँ या वर्ग जहाँ उपभोग ऋण लेने वाले परिवारों की संख्या राज्य के औसत से कम से कम 25% अधिक है।
◆ At least 10% males and 25% females more than the state average got married below the age of 17 years in rural areas.
राज्य के औसत से कम से कम 10% पुरुषों और 25% महिलाओं की शादी ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में 17 साल से कम उम्र में हुई।
◆ At least 5% males and 10% of females more than the state average got married below the age of 17 years in urban areas.
शहरी क्षेत्रों में राज्य के औसत से कम से कम 5% पुरुषों और 10% महिलाओं की शादी 17 साल से कम उम्र में हुई
◆ Castes/classes where participation of women in work is at least 25% more than the state average.
जातियाँ/वर्ग जहाँ कार्य में महिलाओं की भागीदारी राज्य के औसत से कम से कम 25% अधिक हो।
Conclusion
निष्कर्ष
◆ Implementation of Mandal commission recommendations empowered communities. But the current architecture of reservations needs a review, with the aim of creating a just, inclusive and equal society,
मंडल आयोग की सिफारिशों को लागू करने से समुदायों को अधिकार मिला। लेकिन एक न्यायपूर्ण, समावेशी और समान समाज बनाने के उद्देश्य से आरक्षण की वर्तमान संरचना की समीक्षा की आवश्यकता है।
ULF Mains Questions for Answer Writing Practice
Q.1 The policy of reservation is the best way to achieve social justice in Indian society”. Critically discuss.(250 Words)
आरक्षण की नीति भारतीय समाज में सामाजिक न्याय प्राप्त करने का सबसे अच्छा तरीका है।” आलोचनात्मक चर्चा करें। (250 शब्द)
Team ULF
The famed white onion of Alibag in Maharashtra’s Raigad district was given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag
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In News
The famed white onion of Alibag in Maharashtra’s Raigad district was given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag bringing worldwide recognition to its unique sweet taste, no-tears factor, as well as its medicinal properties.
White Onion
A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory.
Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin.
About GI Tag
The registration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of 10 years.
It can be renewed from time to time for a further period of 10 years each.
In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force with effect in September 2003. The first product in India to be accorded with GI tag was Darjeeling tea in the year 2004-05.
The soil of Alibaug taluka has low sulphur content. The NABL-approved lab test report mentions low pungency, sweet taste, ‘no tear’ factor, low pyruvic acid, high protein, fat & fibre, etc.
Team ULF
Tamil Nadu Government announces breakfast Scheme for state – run schools
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In News
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M K Stalin, announced that the state government is all set to roll out a breakfast scheme for state-run school children of Classes 1 to 5.
Breakfast Scheme
The Tamil Nadu government will implement the ‘Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme’ at 1,545 government primary schools to benefit 1.14 lakh children in classes 1 to 5.
This is claimed to be the first of its kind initiative in India to ensure nutrition.
The scheme will be implemented this current fiscal year at a cost of ₹33.56 crore.
Breakfast consisting of a meal with sambar and vegetables will be provided to children in all working schools.
Every student is to be provided 150-500 gram breakfast with sambar with vegetables.
On two days, the breakfast will be made of millets.
Team ULF
PM Shri Schools
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In News
Union Education Ministry is planning to set up “PM Shri Schools”.
PM Shri Schools
PM Shri Schools will be the laboratory of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
They will be fully equipped to prepare students for the future.
Features
It could imbibe 5+3+3+4 (to replace the 10+2 schooling system) approach of NEP covering pre-school to secondary, emphasis on ECCE, teacher training & adult education.
There will be an integration of skill development with school education and prioritising learning in mother tongue which are steps for preparing global citizens of the 21st century.
Since the NEP 2020 also increases the span of the Right to Education Act, it will now cover ages 3 to 18.
5+3+4 System
As per the new school education system of 5+3+3+4 outlined in NEP 2020, children will spend 5 years in the Foundational stage, 3 years in the Preparatory stage, 3 years in the Middle stage, and 4 years in the Secondary stage.
The division of stages has been made in line with the kind of cognitive development stages that a child goes through early childhood, school years, and secondary stage.
Team ULF
Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar”
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In News
This year on 17th September 2022, the Government of India along with other voluntary organizations, and the local society will run a cleanliness campaign “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar” along India’s entire coastline.
About Campaign
This campaign will include Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Indian Coast Guard, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) along with other social organizations and educational institutions.
This campaign will see massive public participation both physically and virtually, mainly to make awareness about reducing the marine litter, minimal use of plastics, segregation at source and waste management.
It will be the first-of-its-kind and longest running coastal cleanup campaign in the world with highest number of people participating in it.
The participation of common man will convey the message of “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar” for the prosperity of not only coastal areas but also other parts of the country.
A mobile app “Eco Mitram” has been launched to spread awareness about the campaign and also for the common people for voluntary registration for the beach cleaning activity on the 17thSeptember 2022.
Through this campaign, a mass behavioural change among the masses is intended by raising awareness about how plastic usage is destroying our marine life.
A 75 days long campaign will be launched from 03rd July 2022 to raise awareness about “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar” culminating on “International Coastal Cleanup Day” on 17thSeptember 2022.
Globally, “International Coastal Clean Up Day” is celebrated on the third Saturday of September, every year.
India’s coastline of more than 7,500 km reflects our vast ocean resources. Most importantly, the Indian Ocean is the only ocean named after a country, that is, India.
Commonwealth Games 2022: Mirabai Chanu wins India’s first gold medal
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Daughter of India, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has won India’s first Gold Medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in the Women’s 49Kg weightlifting category. She aggregated a total of 201kg (88kg+113kg) to stamp her authority in the competition and achieve a Commonwealth Games record in the process. The silver went to Mauritius’ Marie Hanitra Roilya Ranaivosoa (172kg) and the bronze to Canada’s Hannah Kaminski (171 kg).
Last year, Chanu won a silver medal in the 49kg category of Women’s weightlifting event at the Tokyo Olympics. And with that, she became the first Indian weightlifter to win a silver medal in Olympics. Chanu also become the second Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic medal after Karnam Malleswari bagged bronze in the 69kg category at the 2000 Sydney Games when the weightlifting arena was opened to women for the first time.
Gati Shakti Sanchar Portal
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Join ULF Social Media Platform for Regular Updates & Free Study Material
In 2021 the Government launched the ambitious Gati Shakti Scheme or National Master Plan for multi modal connectivity . To coordinated planning and execution for infrastructure project to bring down logistics costs. Recently , Gati Shakti Portal has launched.
About Gati Shakti Sanchar Portal
Launched on :- 14th May 2022
Launched by :- Department of Telecommunications
Objective :- To speed up and centralize the approvals for installations of towers laying the fibre wires and boosting of the upcoming 5G rollout.
Gati Shakti Master Plan
Road ways capacity to be increased
Railways transport cargo capacity to be increased
Renewable capacity to be increased to 225 GW by FY 25
4G connectivity for villages by FY 22
Transmission network to be increased to 4,54,200 circuit Km.
Around 200 new airports heliports and water aerodromes to be envisioned.
2021 में सरकार ने मल्टी मोडल कनेक्टिविटी के लिए महत्वाकांक्षी गति शक्ति योजना या राष्ट्रीय मास्टर प्लान शुरू किया। रसद लागत को कम करने के लिए बुनियादी ढांचा परियोजना के लिए समन्वित योजना और निष्पादन के लिए। हाल ही में, गति शक्ति पोर्टल लॉन्च किया गया है
गति शक्ति संचार पोर्टल के बारे में
लॉन्च किया गया :- 14 मई 2022
द्वारा लॉन्च किया गया :- दूरसंचार विभाग
उद्देश्य :- फाइबर तारों को बिछाने वाले टावरों की स्थापना और आगामी 5G रोलआउट को बढ़ावा देने के लिए अनुमोदन में तेजी लाने और केंद्रीकृत करने के लिए।
गति शक्ति मास्टर प्लान
सड़क मार्ग की क्षमता बढ़ाई जाए
रेलवे परिवहन कार्गो क्षमता बढ़ाई जाएगी
अक्षय क्षमता को वित्त वर्ष 25 तक बढ़ाकर 225 गीगावाट किया जाएगा
वित्तीय वर्ष 22 तक गांवों के लिए 4जी कनेक्टिविटी
ट्रांसमिशन नेटवर्क को बढ़ाकर 4,54,200 सर्किट किलोमीटर किया जाएगा।
करीब 200 नए हवाईअड्डे हेलीपोर्ट और वाटर एयरोड्रोम की कल्पना की जाएगी।
30th June 2022 – The Hindu Newspaper Analysis
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30th June 2022 :- The Hindu Newspaper Analysis
Page 1: Govt. hikes GST for household items
Tax hikes will kick in for over two dozen goods and services, ranging from unbranded food items, curd and buttermilk to low cost hotels, cheques and maps, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council decided.
Page 6: The anti-defection law — political facts, legal fiction
The practice of legislators from changing political parties during their term continues unabated in Indian legislatures despite the Tenth Schedule having been inserted into the Constitution in 1985.
Commonly known as the ‘anti-defection law’, it was meant to arrest the practice of legislators from changing political affiliations during their term in office.
The second paragraph of the Tenth Schedule allows for disqualification of an elected member of a House if such member belonging to any political party has voluntarily given up membership of their party, or if they vote in the House against such party’s whip.
Paragraph 4 creates an exception for mergers between political parties by introducing three crucial concepts — that of the “original political party”, the “legislature party”, and “deemed merger”.
A “legislature party” means the group consisting of all elected members of a House for the time being belonging to one political party, whereas an “original political party” means the political party to which a member belongs.
Interestingly, Paragraph 4 does not clarify whether the original political party refers to the party at the national level or the regional level, despite the fact that that is how the Election Commission of India recognises political parties.
Paragraph 4 suggests that a merger can take place only when an original party merges with another political party, and at least two-thirds of the members of the legislature party have agreed to this merger. It is only when these two conditions are satisfied that a group of elected members can claim exemption from disqualification on grounds of merger.
The second sub-paragraph (of Paragraph 4) says that a party shall be “deemed” to have merged with another party if, and only if, not less than two-thirds of the members of the legislature party concerned have agreed to such merger.
Paragraph 4 seems to be creating a “legal fiction” so as to indicate that a merger of two-third members of a legislature party can be deemed to be a merger of political parties, even if there is no actual merger of the original political party with another party.
The merger exception was created to save instances of the principled coming together of political groups from disqualification under the anti-defection law, and to strike a compromise between the right of dissent and party discipline. ∙ Defection gets easier in smaller legislative assemblies, where even a sole member can account for two-thirds of the legislature party’s strength to cross the floor without attracting disqualification.
Law Commission in 1999 and the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution ((NCRWC) in 2002 recommended for deletion of Paragraph 4 from Tenth Schedule.
Page 7: The Indian challenge in Afghanistan
India’s record as a ‘first responder’ is improving by the day as 24 hours after a massive earthquake hit Afghanistan, the Indian Air Force moved in with tonnes of relief. That is impressive.
Stressing “historical and civilizational relationship ties” with the Afghan people, Delhi announced the arrival of a technical team to “closely monitor and coordinate the efforts of various stakeholders” for the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance. This followed the arrival of a delegation led by a senior official to Afghanistan.
India has around 400 projects in all the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. With the Taliban offering protection to foreign embassies, and acting quickly in the recent gurdwara bombing, it is possible that the Indian effort will continue unimpeded. It is also important to remember that the Taliban have never actively been anti-India. Difficulties in implementation are more likely to arise from intra-Afghan tensions rather than any hostility to India.
Page 7: A direct approach to conservation
Incentives for biodiversity protection and sustainable use include biodiversity-relevant taxes, fees, levies, tradeable permits, and Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES). Through these economic instruments, governments can affect both public and private financing flows for biodiversity. Mobilisation of biodiversity finance through pesticide levies, admission fees to natural parks, hunting and fishing permit fees, and the trade-in energy-saving certificates has gained governmental support and political will, but the mobilisation of private and public finance for PES has lacked luster.
People who can help provide the desired ecosystem service are rewarded based on their actions, or the quantity and quality of the services themselves.
PES presents a unique scope for incentivising local land stewards to manage threatened ecosystems. It has the potential to achieve the dual goals of conservation and poverty alleviation towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. This places PES as one of the pivotal economic instruments for conservation.
However, PES has not achieved much attention either in the research or policy mandate in the Indian subcontinent. This is in sharp contrast to the successful implementation of PES in Latin American and African countries.
Limitations include a solid institutional mechanism capable of simultaneous transfer of funds from buyers to suppliers, monitoring through investment in local capacity building, cost efficiency, the scope for development benefits, and maintaining the sustainability of funds.
The OECD (2019) Biodiversity: Finance and the Economic and Business Case for Action highlighted the importance of evaluating financial instruments’ performance in attaining biodiversity goals.
A global initiative such as the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative to mobilise private sector finance to benefit people and the environment would help maintain the funds. The cheapest way to receive anything you desire is to pay for it directly. This would allow the country to effectuate the nation’s commitments to achieving the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Page 8: How Turkey made peace with Sweden and Finland joining NATO
NATO announced the signing of a MoU between Turkey, Finland and Sweden which has led to Turkey vocalising its support for the inclusion of both the nations in NATO.
The key provisions of the MoU include the following three points: a joint commitment between Turkey, Finland, and Sweden to counter terrorism; addressing the pending extradition of terror suspects through a bilateral legal framework, and investigating and interdicting “any financing and recruitment activities of the PKK and all other terrorist organisations.”
Finland and Sweden assured that “their respective national regulatory frameworks for arms exports enable new commitments to Allies”. Both countries also promised to stand against disinformation and to fully commit to EU’s CSDP (Common Security and Defence Policy) and Turkey’s participation in the PESCO (Permanent Structured Co-operation) Project on Military Mobility.
Turkey, after negotiations, agreed to withdraw its opposition for the following reasons. First, Finland and Sweden should promise to address counter-terrorism provisions within their countries. Finland has committed to modify its criminal code, and Sweden has assured to implement the new “Terrorist Offenses Act” from July 1. Second, Turkey had raised concerns about Finland and Sweden being home to Kurdish activists and militant organisations. Finland and Sweden have now agreed to execute the pending “deportations or extraditions” of listed ‘terror’ suspects made by Turkey. Third, lifting the arms embargo. There has been no clear definition about the category of weapons, but Finland and Sweden will remove the arms embargo against Turkey. Since Finland and Sweden have addressed all the above primary concerns of Turkey, Ankara has decided to withdraw its opposition to Helsinki and Stockholm.Turkey wanted the two countries to lift embargoes on weapons deliveries they imposed in response to Turkey’s 2019 military incursion into Syria.
Russia shares a 1,340 kilometre long border with Finland. Sweden, though it does not share a land border, shares the Baltic Sea with Russia. The land/sea borders with Russia place both countries under direct threat from the Kremlin.
Since 1948, Finland, Sweden and Russia have maintained economic cooperation, but the relations always remained strained due to the Cold War and Finland’s neutrality principle. If Sweden and Finland join NATO, it means an enlarged presence of the latter around the west and north of Russia. This would go against the very objective of Moscow interfering in Ukraine — maintaining Russian influence in its immediate neighbourhood.
Both Sweden and Finland are part of the Arctic States; Russia currently holds the Arctic Council chair and will remain the chair until 2023.
What does this mean for NATO?
First, strengthening the alliance. Both Finland and Sweden which have followed the non-alignment principle have broken from their natural rule and decided to join NATO. This does not only mean guarantee of security against Russia but it also gives NATO the power to engage.
Second, NATO will gain strategic ground to counter Russia. The addition of more allies means a steady expansion of the NATO towards the East, through which it will now be able to exercise its military operations both on land and in the Baltic Sea, where Russia holds a strategic position.
NATO will now also be able to position its weapon systems — further its combat formation and plan its attack techniques to power up deterrence and defence.
In 1997, NATO initiated the rapprochement in order to build bridges with Russia. However, with Russia annexing the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and launching a war in Ukraine, NATO’s rapprochement efforts came to an end.
Third, a secured Euro-Atlantic. NATO presence in the region will securitise and safeguard the Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which were earlier at risk due to their close proximity to Russia and Russian attacks. This will not only help Ukraine win the war but will also enable NATO to bring in advanced weapons such as fifth-generation aircraft, technological weapon systems and strong political institutions across the allied countries.
The European Union and Washington both recognise the (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) PKK as a terrorist organisation because of the brutal tactics it employed during a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state.
Page 10: ISRO set to launch three satellites today
Indian Space Research Organisation’s second dedicated commercial mission of NewSpace India Ltd., began.
The PSLV-C53, the 55th flight of ISRO’s workhorse launch vehicle, will carry on board three satellites from Singapore.
The satellites — DS-EO, a Singaporean Earth Observation Satellite, NeuSAR, Singapore’s first small commercial satellite carrying a SAR payload, and SCOOB-I satellite from the Nanyang Technological University — will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
Page 10: India-Australia defence talks in Dehradun
Armies of India and Australia held the ninth Army to Army Staff Talks in Dehradun which were focused on joint military exercises, training cooperation and preparing a roadmap for enhanced defence cooperation.
Talks were held at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and both sides reviewed the road map for activities promoting defence cooperation like training courses between both the Armies, cadet exchange programmes between pre-commission training academies, bilateral ex Austra hind, subject matter expert exchange in niche domains, functional and high level visits, interaction between think tanks, virtual interactions in field of medical and doctrinal exchanges.
Page 12: Speeding major cause of death: Lancet study
Steps taken to check vehicle speed on roads in India could alone have the biggest impact on ensuring road safety.
Interventions focusing on four key risk factors such as speeding, drunk driving, non-use of crash helmets and seat belts could prevent 25% to 40% of the 13.5 lakh fatal road injuries worldwide every year.
According to the Road Transport and Highway Ministry’s 2020 report, speeding accounted for 69.3% of deaths, non-wearing of helmets resulted in 30.1% deaths and non-use of seat belts caused 11.5% of deaths.
Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are the eighth leading cause of death globally for all ages and the first cause in the 5-29 years age group.
The second decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 sets an ambitious target of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030 and the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister aims to halve the numbers for India by 2024.
Page 12: ‘G-20 summit expected to be in Delhi’
India is expected to host the G-20 summit in Delhi, while a number of States, including Jammu and Kashmir and north eastern States, have been asked to suggest venues for about 100 “preparatory” meetings expected to be held between December 2022 and November 2023 during India’s G-20 presidency.
Page 12 : 63,000 farm co-ops to be digitized
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a proposal to digitise around 63,000 primary agricultural credit societies (PACS).
PACS are the smallest unit in the cooperative sector and their computerisation will prove to be a boon for it.
In this digital age, the decision of computerisation of PACS will increase their transparency, reliability and efficiency, and will also facilitate the accounting of multipurpose PACS.
Each PACS will get around ₹4 lakh to upgrade its capacity and even old accounting records will be digitised and linked to a cloud based software.
Page 13: U.S. to bolster its military in Europe
U.S. is enhancing its military presence in Europe for the long haul to bolster regional security after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. ∙ U.S. is establishing a permanent headquarters in Poland, sending two additional F-35 fighter jet squadrons to the United Kingdom and will send more air defence and other capabilities to Germany and Italy.
Page 13: In a first, NATO lays out ‘challenges’ from China
NATO, for the first time in its guiding blueprint, said China’s might challenges the alliance and Beijing’s closer ties to Moscow went against Western interests.
The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values,” NATO’s strategic concept published at a summit in Madrid said.
NATO accused China of targeting NATO members with its “malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric”.
NATO’s guiding document — updated for the first time since 2010 — said Russia was the “most significant and direct threat to allies’ security” after its invasion of Ukraine.
Page 14: Rupee weakens past 79 on dollar buying by FPIs, oil firms
The rupee has continued to move on the downhill journey since the beginning of the year, amid a backdrop of heavy foreign fund outflows from the domestic markets, strength in the safe-haven dollar towards two-decade highs, and firming crude oil prices.
Strong long-term fundamentals, political stability, and a large pile of forex reserves are likely to provide a cushion to the Indian rupee.
The Indian rupee has been adversely affected mainly by the FIIs pulling out funds from the equity market, rising crude prices, the deteriorating trade balance and dollar strengthening.
Page 14: ‘GST hike for pumpsets will affect farm sector’
The increase in GST rates for pumpsets to 18% from 12%, as recommended by the GST Council, will hit the agriculture sector. ∙ The average minimum cost of an agriculture pumpset is ₹40,000, excluding GST. With the increase in GST from 12% to 18%, a farmer, who is the customer of the pumpset, would have to pay₹2,400 more only towards GST.
With this increase, the difference in cost between a branded pumpset and a locally-assembled one would widen and farmers would prefer to go for alternatives that would cost lower, he said. The assembled pumpsets would not have energy efficiency rating and increase in use of such pumpsets would indirectly result in electricity losses.
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29th June 2022 – The Hindu Newspaper Analysis
Page 1: G7 to cap Russia’s income from oil sales
Leaders of the world’s wealthiest democracies struck a united stance to support Ukraine for “as long as it takes” as Russia’s invasion grinds on, and said they would explore far-reaching steps to cap Kremlin income from oil sales that are financing the war.
The leaders also agreed on a ban on imports of Russian gold and to step up aid to countries hit with food shortages by the blockade on Ukraine grain shipments through the Black Sea.
Page 8: The essence of time
In 1992 (Kilhoto Hollohan vs Zachillhu), a Constitution Bench, while upholding the validity of the anti-defection law, held that the Speaker’s decision was subject to judicial review, albeit on limited grounds. It also made it clear that this should take place after a final decision, and there can be no interim order, except if there is an interim disqualification or suspension.
Page 8: Remembering the ‘Plan Man’ of India
June 29, is national ‘Statistics Day’, in ‘recognition of the contributions made by Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis’, the ‘Plan Man’ of India; it is also his birthday. It was P.C. Mahalanobis, who established a strong statistical culture in India and nourished it diligently through his lifelong endeavours.
Mahalanobis certainly believed data to be instrumental in efficient planning for national and human development. Planning in the newly independent nation in the 1950s was largely based on the data obtained from various surveys.
Tagore treated Mahalanobis as a close confidant, despite an age gap of 32 years, and they shared a three decades long friendship. ∙ Seventeen-year-old Mahalanobis first met Tagore at Santiniketan in 1910.
In 1919, when Tagore had written a public letter to Lord Chelmsford, the Viceroy of India, protesting the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and renouncing knighthood, he asked Mahalanobis to read it first. Mahalanobis accompanied Tagore on many of his international visits, mostly in the 1920s.
Mahalanobis wrote a series of essays titled ‘Rabindra Parichay’ (‘Introduction to Rabindra’) for the prestigious Bengali magazine, Probashi. He also wrote a book, Rabindranath Tagore’s Visit to Canada in 1929. When Tagore met Einstein in 1930, Mahalanobis was also with him.
Mahalanobis established the Statistical Laboratory within the Baker Laboratory at Presidency College. Tagore also visited the Statistical Laboratory several times. In fact, it was Tagore who coined the Bengali word, ‘Rashibijnan’ for ‘Statistics’.
In 1933, Mahalanobis founded Sankhyā, the Indian Journal of Statistics.
Mahalanobis, of course, helped Tagore immensely in his dream project — the founding of Visva Bharati. He not only served as a joint secretary of Visva Bharati for 10 years from the beginning but he was also a member of the governing body, executive council, academic council, and the agricultural board.
There is little denying that data, in general, is on an ever expanding pathway and is growing exponentially. Attempts such as transforming the Planning Commission to NITI Aayog or merging the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) with the Central Statistical Office (CSO) to form the National Statistical Office (NSO) may not be enough though. One certainly misses a person of the stature of Mahalanobis at the helm of the system. Also, the Mahalanobis-type innovation, dedication, and diligence are dearly missed.
Page 9: Bring the shine back on government jobs
In 2019, an Indian citizen died of suicide every hour due to joblessness, poverty or bankruptcy, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.
The problem is two-fold. First, vacancies in the government are not being filled at a sufficient pace. There were over 60 lakh vacancies in the government across all levels in July 2021.
Second, where vacancies are being filled, they are notably skewed towards contractual jobs. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that a contractual employee for a government department was not a government servant.
Instead of expanding contractual employment, we should seek to bolster public services. For the past few decades, we have been under-investing in public goods — as witnessed by the COVID-19 crisis, our healthcare system simply does not have the capacity to provide adequate healthcare support to citizens under normal conditions, let alone a pandemic. Expanding public service provisioning will also lead to the creation of good quality jobs, along with skilled labour, offering us social stability. A push for enhancing public health would lead to the creation of societal assets.
Consider renewable power generation. There is significant potential for job creation (for example, in rooftop solar power generation, manufacturing of solar panel modules and end-use servicing). Meanwhile, on the waste management front, there is significant scope for expanding waste-water treatment capacity, with the building and management of treatment plants for sewer waste and faecal sludge treatment plants leading to generation of jobs.
A push for adopting electric vehicles and encouraging green mobility would require significant manpower, leading to the generation of ‘green jobs’. In addition, we must continue to encourage urban farming, with significant job potential in permaculture, gardening and nursery management.
Reforms advocated by the Administrative Reforms Commission should be our initial step. This is the time to build capacity for an efficient civil service that can meet today’s challenges – providing a corruption-free welfare system, running a modern economy and providing increasingly better public goods. Improved public service delivery, through better compensation, should be our ethos.
Page 9: A problematic provision
In States with bicameral legislatures, seats in the Legislative Council are filled following an indirect election in which members of the Legislative Assembly cast votes.
Section 62(5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which prevent MLAs from casting their votes. In the past, the Supreme Court has observed that the intent of this provision is to maintain the integrity of elections by excluding ‘persons with criminal background’ from participating in them.
However, Section 62(5) does not use conviction as the yardstick for disenfranchisement; it uses confinement. As a result, undertrial prisoners (who constitute over 75% of India’s nearly 5 lakh prisoners) cannot vote. Neither can persons detained in civil prison for failing to repay a debt. But remarkably, a person who has been convicted for a criminal offence and has managed to secure bail can vote.
Indeed, it appears that as a result of a poor choice of words, an otherwise well-intentioned law has snatched away the right to vote from an undertrial who is presumed to be innocent and from a civil offender, but has granted it to a criminal convict (out on bail) whose guilt has been determined.
Section 62(5) in direct collision with Article 14 of the Constitution (equality before the law to all persons). Whenever a law treats two groups of persons unequally, it must satisfy a set of basic tests under Article 14 to be valid: the distinction created by the law must be based on coherent differences between the two groups of persons, and these differences must have a rational link with the objective that the law seeks to achieve.
As alternatives, the provision could have disenfranchised persons convicted of certain heinous offences or those sentenced for a minimum duration.
Through the MLAs’ votes, the residents of their constituencies indirectly exercise their franchise in the election to the Vidhan Parishad. By preventing MLA from casting their votes, the court has inadvertently stripped all their constituents of their franchise.
The apex court must re-examine the issue in the totality of its circumstances and Parliament must replace the provision with a tightly worded version disenfranchising only certain classes of prisoners.
Page 10: China’s interventions in the Horn of Africa
China has been investing across the African continent throughout the last decade. While the emphasis has been on investments and raw materials but with the first “China-Horn of Africa Peace, Governance and Development Conference”, it took a turn.
This is the first time China aims “to play a role in the area of security”. China’s focus on the Horn is a part of its focus on Africa. ∙ China’s three objectives in Africa: controlling the pandemic, implementing a Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) outcomes, and upholding common interests while fighting hegemonic politics.
The FOCAC promotes China’s role in the infrastructural and societal development of the Horn. In the 2021 forum, the entire region of the Horn participated and four resolutions were adopted: the Dakar Action Plan, the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035, the Sino-African Declaration on Climate Change and the Declaration of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of FOCAC.
Beijing has also initiated the “2035 vision for China-Africa cooperation”; it aims to transform the health sector, alleviate poverty, promote trade and investments, and expand digital innovation. The vision also focuses on green development, capacity building, improving people-to-people exchanges and facilitating peace and security in the continent.
China’s interests are related to four major areas: infrastructural projects, financial assistance, natural resources and maritime interests.
China is also interested in minerals such as gold, iron-ore, precious stones, chemicals, oil and natural gas in Ethiopia. South Sudan, a source for petroleum products, has had continued Beijing investment in the industry since the latter’s initial entry in 1995.
China’s first and only military base outside its mainland is in Djibouti. U.S. has speculated that China wishes to build another military base in Kenya and Tanzania, thereby increasing its military presence in the region.
Africa has been keen on interacting with China. Despite the wariness surrounding China’s projects in Africa, the governments have mostly been welcoming.
Peace and stability is a mutual requirement for China and Africa. For Africa, Chinese investments could lead to stable environments which could help the countries achieve their peace and development objectives. For China, conflict in the region comes at a heavy cost.
China’s move towards peace in Africa indicates a shift in its principle of non-intervention. It is China’s message that its presence in the continent has a larger objective and is not likely to be limited to the Horn of Africa. This includes an aim to project itself as a global leader and boost its international status.
Page 10: The G7 plan to counter the Belt and Road initiative
U.S. along with his G7 allies unveiled the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), announcing the collective mobilisation of $600 billion by 2027 to deliver “game-changing” and “transparent” infrastructure projects to developing and middle-income countries.
The PGII is being seen as the G7’s counter to China’s multi-trillion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to build connectivity, infrastructure, and trade projects in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
All PGII projects will be driven by “four priority pillars that will define the second half of the 21st century”. Tackling the climate crisis and ensuring global energy security, bolstering digital information and ICT networks, promoting gender equality and equity, and lastly, to build and upgrade the global health infrastructure.
A PGII project has been announced in India. On the other hand, India has stayed away from China’s BRI, being wary of Beijing’s aim to increase its influence in the Indian Ocean Region.
The U.S., along with G7 partners the U.K., Japan, France, Canada, Germany, Italy, and the European Union (EU), had in 2021 announced the launch of the Build Back Better World (B3W) with the aim of narrowing the $40 trillion infrastructure gap in the developing world. PGII is therefore, a relaunch of Mr. Biden’s B3W plan.
PGII as a “values-driven, high-impact, and transparent infrastructure partnership to meet the enormous infrastructure needs of low and middle-income countries and support the United States’ and its allies’ economic and national security interests”.
The G7 members aim to collectively mobilise $600 billion by 2027 to invest in sustainable and quality infrastructure projects in developing countries, including India, and strengthen global supply chains.
First, the G7 grouping aims to tackle the climate crisis and ensure global energy security through clean energy supply chains. Second, the projects will focus on bolstering digital information and communications technology (ICT) networks facilitating technologies such as 5G and 6G internet connectivity and cybersecurity. Third, the projects aim to advance gender equality and equity, and lastly, to build and upgrade global health infrastructure.
The Belt and Road project was started to revive connectivity, trade, and infrastructure along what was China’s ancient Silk Road. China had announced a two-pronged approach of building a Silk Road Economic Belt on Land and a maritime 21st century Silk Road. The project initially aimed to strengthen connectivity with Southeast Asia but later expanded to South and Central Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
Under the PGII, large private capital will be also mobilised while China’s BRI is majorly state-funded.
While G7 leaders emphasised ‘transparency’ as the cornerstone of PGII projects, the BRI has faced criticism for making countries sign confidential tenders for extending massive loans, leaving countries indebted to China.
Page 11: GST reform needs a new grand bargain
The States gave up their right to collect sales tax and sundry taxes, and the Centre gave up excise and services tax. The consent of the States was secured by a promise of reimbursing any shortfall in tax revenues for a period of five years. However, as the economy battles a pandemic and recession, it seems that the States have been told that they are on their own to meet shortfall in revenues.
This is wrong on many counts. First, the States do not have recourse to multiple options that the Centre has. Second, the Centre can anyway command much lower rates of borrowing from the markets. Third, in terms of aggregate public sector borrowing, it does not matter for the debt markets whether it is the States or the Centre that is increasing their indebtedness. Fourth, fighting this recession through increased fiscal stimulus is the Centre’s domain. Fifth this causes a serious dent in the trust built up between the Centre and States.
The nationwide GST promised frictionless commerce across State borders, buoyant and leakproof tax compliance, and removal of inefficiencies like the cascade of “tax on tax”.
The reimbursement was to be funded by a special cess called the GST compensation cess. The promised reimbursement was to fill the gap for an assured 14% year on year tax growth for five years, and it was generous to a fault. Neither the national aggregate nor any of the major States had this record for the previous five years.
A low moderate single rate of 12% encourages better compliance, reduces the need to do arbitrary classification and discretion, reduces litigation and will lead to buoyancy in collection.
Even after 28 years of the 73rd and 74th Amendments, the local governments do not have the promised transfer of funds, functions and functionaries. These local bodies face increased responsibility of providing government services especially in view of increased urbanisation and decentralisation. Of the 12% GST, 10% should be equally shared between the States and the Centre, and 2% must be earmarked exclusively for the urban and rural local bodies, which ensures some basic revenue autonomy to them. The actual distribution across panchayats, districts and cities would be given by respective State Finance Commissions.
GST is a crucial and long-term structural reform which can address the fiscal needs of the future, strike the right and desired balance to achieve co-operative federalism and also lead to enhanced economic growth. The current design and implementation has failed to deliver on that promise. A new grand bargain is needed.
Page 14: Coast Guard squadron in Porbandar
The Coast Guard commissioned the 835 Squadron (CG) of indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter-Mk- IIIs at the air enclave in Porbandar.
The ALH helicopters have been indigenously manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL).
They feature state-of-the-art equipment, including advanced radar and electro-optical sensors, the Shakti engine, a full glass cockpit, a high-intensity searchlight, advanced communication systems, an automatic identification system and search and rescue (SAR) homer.
The features enable them to undertake maritime reconnaissance as well as carry out SAR at extended ranges even while operating from ships during both day and night.
The aircraft has the ability to switch roles from an offensive platform with heavy machine gun to that of a benign one carrying a medical intensive care unit to facilitate transfer of critically ill patients.
Team ULF
29 जून 2022 – द हिंदू समाचार पत्र विश्लेषण
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28 जून 2022 – द हिंदू समाचार पत्र विश्लेषण
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28 जून 2022 – द हिंदू समाचार पत्र विश्लेषण
पृष्ठ 1: ‘भारत का गिग कार्यबल 2030 तक 2.35 करोड़ तक पहुंच जाएगा
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28th June 2022 – The Hindu Newspaper Analysis
Page 1: ‘India’s gig workforce to reach 2.35 crore. by 2030’
The Centre’s policy think tank NITI Aayog has recommended steps to provide social security, including paid leave, occupational disease and accident insurance, support during irregularity of work and pension plans for the country’s gig workforce, which is expected to grow to 2.35 crore by 2029-30.
India requires a framework that balances the flexibility offered by platforms while also ensuring social security of workers. The consequent platformisation of work has given rise to a new classification of labour — platform labour — falling outside of the purview of the traditional dichotomy of formal and informal labour.
The report broadly classifies gig workers into platform and non platform-based workers. While platform workers are those whose work is based on online software applications or digital platforms, non-platform gig workers are generally casual wage workers and own-account workers in the conventional sectors, working part time or full time.
The report noted that at present, about 47% of gig work is in medium-skilled jobs, about 22% in high-skilled, and about 31% in low-skilled jobs, and the trend shows the concentration of workers in medium- skilled jobs is declining and that of the low skilled and high-skilled is increasing.
By 2029-30, gig workers are expected to form 6.7% of the non agricultural workforce or 4.1% of the total livelihood workforce in India.
The think tank has also recommended introducing a ‘Platform India initiative’ on the lines of the ‘Startup India initiative’.
Note :- Talaq-e-Hasan is a form of ‘triple talaq’ by which a Muslim man can divorce his wife by pronouncing ‘talaq’ at three separate intervals — the gap being least one month or one menstrual cycle. Bigamous marriage has been made punishable among Christians by Christian Marriage Act, 1872, amongst Parsis by Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936, and amongst Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains by Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
Page 6: States, freebies and the costs of fiscal profligacy
Ideally, governments should use borrowed money to invest in physical and social infrastructure that will generate higher growth, and thereby higher revenues in the future so that the debt pays for itself. On the other hand, if governments spend the loan money on populist giveaways that generate no additional revenue, the growing debt burden will eventually implode and end in tears.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) had in fact pointed out that in respect of some States ‘if extra-budgetary borrowings are taken into account, the liabilities of the government are way above what is acknowledged in the official books’.
The obvious motivation for States in expanding freebies is to use the exchequer to build vote banks. A certain amount of spending on transfer payments to provide safety nets to the most vulnerable segments of the population is not only desirable but even necessary.
The problem arises when such transfer payments become the main plank of discretionary expenditure, the spending is financed by debt, and the debt is concealed to circumvent the FRBM targets.
The more States spend on transfer payments, the less they have for spending on physical infrastructure such as, for example, power and roads, and on social infrastructure such as education and health, which can potentially improve growth and generate jobs.
In theory, the first line of defence has to be the legislature, in particular the Opposition, whose responsibility it is to keep the Government in line. But given the perils of our vigorous democracy, the Opposition does not dare speak up for fear of forfeiting vote banks that are at the end of these freebies.
Another constitutional check is the CAG audit which should enforce transparency and accountability. In practice, it has lost its teeth since audit reports necessarily come with a lag, by when political interest has typically shifted to other hot button issues.
The amount States borrow collectively every year is comparable in size to the Centre’s borrowing which implies that their fiscal stance has as much impact on our macroeconomic stability as does that of the Centre.
FRBM Acts of the Centre as well as States need to be amended to enforce a more complete disclosure of the liabilities on their exchequers. Even under the current FRBM provisions, governments are mandated to disclose their contingent liabilities, but that disclosure is restricted to liabilities for which they have extended an explicit guarantee. The provision should be expanded to cover all liabilities whose servicing obligation falls on the Budget, or could potentially fall on the Budget, regardless of any guarantee.
Under the Constitution, States are required to take the Centre’s permission when they borrow. The Centre should not hesitate to impose conditionalities on wayward States when it accords such a permission.
Constitution of India which allows the President to declare financial emergency in any State if s/he is satisfied that financial stability is threatened. This Brahmastra has never been invoked so far for fear that this will turn into a political weapon of mass destruction. But the provision is there in the Constitution for a reason.
Page 7: From higher to hire education
University Grants Commission has relaxed the norms and standards for setting up open universities. In particular, land requirement has been reduced from 40 acres to just five acres. This is likely to open the floodgates for private open universities.
Simultaneously, more universities are being enabled to offer courses in the distance, open and online mode, mostly in collaboration with EdTech startups and unicorns.
Higher education is now getting delivered by for-profit entities, in contravention of the long-held belief that education at all levels must be provided on a not-for-profit basis.
The idea of providing higher educational opportunities in a non formal mode is not new. Most mainstream universities in India have been allowing students, particularly women and working people, to learn on their own and take university exams as private candidates. Many have performed quite well.
Information Communication and Entertainment technologies, augmented and virtual realities, artificial intelligence and machine learning are being touted as technologies with immense possibilities for transforming the delivery of education.
Two years of COVID-19-compelled online education seems to have convinced them that in future, education, particularly higher education, will transform into a virtual space.
No wonder even the strongest proponents of online and virtual education feel that such programmes be subjected to stricter oversight, tighter regulations, and rigorous processes to ensure high standards and robust quality control.
Given the fact that the quality of higher education is inversely proportional to the intensity of regulation, designing and developing an efficient and effective regulatory mechanism often proves more challenging than imagined.
The open and distance mode of learning, including the latest model based on digital and virtual delivery, often finds favour with the government due to cost considerations. It is, however, wrong to assume that these are economical and cost-effective. To be effective, they not only require massive capital investment in infrastructure, but also demand a significantly higher recurring expenses on content development and their continuous updating and upgradation.
Digital delivery and technology integration in education may undoubtedly serve a useful purpose. Technology can be effectively leveraged as a quality-enhancement tool. It would, however, be a blunder to regard technology-mediated teaching learning as an alternative to face-to-face education. Technology can supplement and not substitute teachers.
No world-class universities, including those with a high degree of technology integration in their teaching and learning processes, are planning to cut down their faculty cost or their number any time soon. On the contrary, they envision hiring more of them to attain greater excellence.
Page 7: Modi’s two summits: UAE trumps G7
India is a ‘special invitee’ at the 48th G7 Summit at Schloss Elmou in Germany.
If the U.S. is exempted, no G7 country comes close to the UAE as India’s trading partner, exports market, Indian diaspora base and their inward remittances. Foreign Direct Investment data, the UAE invested more in India in 2021 than Germany and France combined.
Unlike the UAE, none of the G7 countries has yet signed a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India. Their bilateral trade grew by 68% in 2021-22, growing to a new record.
As the UAE collects petrodollars, India, the world’s fastest growing major economy, could be a lucrative market for investments in areas such as petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, renewables, infrastructure, manufacturing, logistics, start-ups, etc.
The two sides can collaborate for the eventual reconstruction of the war-ravaged regional countries such as Yemen, Syria, Somalia, Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan. In the bilateral political domain, the two sides have cooperated efficiently on security and anti terrorism, but they need to do more to fight money laundering and the flow of illicit narcotics.
India, the UAE’s second-largest trading partner, and largest source of tourists and manpower, can be a useful ally.
Note :- Today, a huge market for clean energy technologies is emerging in India. G7 countries can invest in research, innovation, and manufacturing in this field. The scale that India can provide for every new technology can make that technology affordable for the whole world
Page 9: When defection is a mere detour for an MLA
The most prominent case of political defection was that of Haryana’s Gaya Lal, originally an independent MLA who, in 1967, juggled between the Congress and Janata Party for two weeks. The recurrence of this phenomenon led to the 1985 Anti Defection Law.
The Anti-Defection Law provided a safeguard for defections made on genuine ideological differences. It accepted “split” within a party if at least one-third of the members of the legislative party defect, and allowed the formation of a new party or “merger” with other political party if not less than two-thirds of the party’s members commit to it. The 91st Constitutional Amendment introduced in 2003 deleted the provision allowing split. ∙ The Karnataka byelection results have widely put to display the ineffectiveness of the Anti-Defection Law.
Legislation empowers the presiding officer of the House (i.e. the Speaker) to decide on complaints of defection under no time constraint. The law originally protected the Speaker’s decision from judicial review. However, this safeguard was struck down in Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillhu and Others (1992). While the SC upheld the Speaker’s discretionary power, it underscored that the Speaker functioned as a tribunal under the anti-defection law, thereby making her/his decisions subject to judicial review. This judgment enabled judiciary to become the watchdog of the anti defection law, instead of the Speaker, who increasingly had become a political character contrary to the expected neutral constitutional role.
The 91st Amendment also barred the appointment of defectors as Ministers until their disqualification period is over or they are re elected, whichever is earlier. But, obviously, such laws have not put to rest the trend of defections.
Defection can only be stopped by extending the disqualification period from re-contesting and appointment to Chairmanships/Ministries to at least six years. The minimum period limit of six years is needed to ensure that the defectors are not allowed to enter the election fray for least one election cycle, which is five years.
Page 12: World Bank approves $250-mn loan to boost India’s road safety
The World Bank has approved a $250 million loan to support the Government of India’s road safety programme for seven States under which a single accident reporting number will be set up to better manage post-crash events.
The India State Support Programme for Road Safety, financed by the World Bank, will be implemented in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
The project will also establish a national harmonised crash database system in order to analyse accidents and use that to construct better and safer roads. The project will also provide incentives to States to leverage private funding through public private partnership (PPP) concessions and pilot initiatives.
Page 12: India, EU resume FTA negotiations
India and the European Union (EU) resumed negotiations, after a gap of over eight years, for a comprehensive free trade agreement, a move aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two regions.
India had started negotiations for a trade pact with the EU in 2007, but the talks stalled in 2013 as both sides failed to reach an agreement on key issues.
Page 12: Sikar in Rajasthan tops school grading index at district level
Ministry of Education’s Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D) for 2019 has been released.
It studied 83 indicators grouped in six categories. These categories are outcomes, effective classroom transaction, infrastructure facilities and student’s entitlements, school safety and child protection, digital learning and governance process.
The PGI-D grades the districts into 10 grades with the highest achievable grade being ‘Daksh’, which is for districts scoring more than 90% of the total points in that category or overall.
‘Utkarsh’ category is for districts with score between 81-90%, followed by ‘Ati-Uttam’ (71-80%), ‘Uttam’ (61-70%), ‘Prachesta-I’ (51-60%), ‘Prachesta-II’ (41-50%) and ‘Pracheshta III’ (31-40%).
The lowest grade in PGI-D is called ‘Akanshi-3’ which is for scores up to 10% of the total points.
There are 12 States and Union Territories which do not have even a single district in the ‘Ati-uttam’ and ‘Uttam’ categories and these include seven of the eight States from the North East region.
Page 14: NATO to raise response force from 40,000 to 3 lakh troops
NATO will increase the strength of its rapid reaction force nearly eightfold to 3,00,000 troops as part of its response to an “era of strategic competition.
In NATO’s new strategic concept, the alliance is also expected to address for the first time the security challenges posed by China.
Page 14: G7 vows support for Kyiv ‘as long as it takes’
The Group of Seven most industrialised countries vowed enduring support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
Team ULF
27th June 2022 – The Hindu Newspaper Analysis
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27th June 2022 – The Hindu Newspaper Analysis
27th June 2022 – The Hindu Newspaper Analysis
Page 1: ‘China upgraded firepower on LAC’
Vastly expanded troop accommodation within 100 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector, long-range artillery and rocket systems, upgraded air defence systems, expanded runways and hardened blast pens to house fighter aircraft — these are some of the major upgrades undertaken by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on its side in the past two years since the stand-off in the eastern Ladakh began.
They have also set up captive solar energy and small hydel power projects all along the LAC. This enhances their winter sustenance capability manifold.
Note :- Amaranthus refers to a wide variety of leafy vegetables including Kirkire Soppu and Dantina Soppu, highly nutritious and still consumed but in a limited quantity it has economic benefits too and farmers can have multiple harvest to supplement their income. Amaranthus was an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, B and C, and an incredible source of vitamin K and the crop offered the most nutrition per calorie than most foods.
Page 8: Regressive, inhumane
When a democracy rolls back a constitutional right that has been in place for almost half a century, it must consider itself in deep peril.
Supreme Court of US withdrew from women anywhere in the country their right to reproductive and bodily autonomy.
States can now decide whether to ban abortion, and at what stage in a pregnancy and under what circumstances. The fight over abortion has been the U.S.’s most passionately waged ideological battle.
The decision has in effect divided the U.S. territorially — States where women have the right to abortion, and those where they do not. Where they do not, women with unplanned or unwanted pregnancies, including possibly in some jurisdictions those that endanger the mother’s life or are a result of rape or incest, may have no option but to seek medical assistance in other States. This needs resources and support structures, and many women will be left with no option other than clandestine, unsafe abortions nearer home.
Chillingly, there is fear that miscarriages could be subject to criminal investigations.
Page 8: Making sense of New Delhi’s Taliban rapprochement
The Pakistan-led coalition’s success and luck in toppling a United States-supported constitutional order in Afghanistan has brought to surface unexpected developments.
Just hours after the Taliban’s takeover, in 2021, India was the first country to immediately ban all Afghans travelling to India, including students and patients with a valid Indian visa.
India chose to abstain from the UN Security Council’s calling on the Taliban to open girl schools and continues to remain silent about a worsening situation in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is a security-centric concern, in particular, the nexus of Islamic militancy, illicit drugs and proxy warfare. India is a primary target for this alliance. The Taliban’s victory realised two important ideological and strategic goals of militant Islamists and their Pakistani patron: establishing a “pure Islamic Government” in the Heart of Asia and securing Pakistan’s “Strategic Depth”. ∙ Mahmud Ghaznavi was the first to recruit tribal warriors from today’s Afghanistan/Pakistan border region to attack and plunder India more than 1,000 years ago.
In its first war against India in 1948, Pakistan mobilised a tribal army to attack India.
The U.S.’s peace agreement with the Taliban ended the U.S.’s half-hearted and confused hostility with the Taliban. It did not however terminate other drivers of the Afghan conflict.
The Taliban have excluded all non-Taliban Pashtuns from public space, there are also systematic violations of the human rights of the non-Pashtun communities which amount to crime against humanity, and ethnic cleansing which borders on genocide.
An “India First” policy seems to drive Delhi’s Taliban rapprochement. If so, it will destroy a central pillar of India’s foreign and security policy, the dismantling of the region’s “terrorist infrastructure”.
Notwithstanding India’s strategic hesitancy and caution during the last two decades in Afghanistan, it attained two important benchmarks of becoming an ideational and trustworthy partner.
Afghanistan needs a strong UN mandate, including a UN-led political transition process supported by a UN peace keeping/making force. India can lend its support to such endeavours which are worthy of its character, ambition and Afghanistan’s needs.
Page 9: Bringing MSMEs into global value chains
Micro-, small and medium enterprises (MSME) actually account for over 99% of businesses. MSMEs are the largest employer in India outside of agriculture, employing over 11.1 crore people, or 45% of all workers.
It is no exaggeration to call MSMEs – privately owned enterprise with less than RS 50 crore in investments in plant and machinery and turnover below Rs 250 crore – the backbone of the Indian economy.
The disruption of the pandemic severely impacted MSMEs, especially those in the services sector.
Their small size and lack of access to resources meant that many were only beginning to mount a fragile recovery just when renewed war, supply shocks and soaring fuel, food and fertilizer prices presented a host of new threats. And all of this comes against the backdrop of the ongoing climate crisis, the greatest disruption multiplier of all.
While some MSMEs operate at the highest industry standards, most do not meet today’s standards on productivity, environmental sustainability, and health and safety of workers. This is further exacerbated by the high degree of informality in the sector, with many enterprises unregistered, and both employers and workers are lacking awareness of and commitment to comply with labour and environmental laws. As a result, informal enterprises cannot access formal MSME support and financing nor participate in global value chains that require full compliance with all applicable regulations.
The Government of India has rightly identified the development of the country’s MSME ecosystem as a top priority for achieving Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). India’s ambitious “Make in India” campaign aims to catapult the country up the manufacturing value chain to position itself as a global manufacturing hub. Initiatives such as the production linked incentives (PLI) schemes and the recently launched zero effect zero defect (ZED) certification are helping to promote and boost the sector.
Agencies such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, IFAD and others are working with MSMEs as they navigate a rapidly changing post-pandemic economic landscape shaped by large-scale transitions, chiefly digitalisation, greening and the reorganisation of value chains.
Therefore, there is a need for replicable digital solutions adapted for MSMEs, including digital enhancements for machinery and equipment currently in use. Government initiatives such as the Digital Saksham and the interlinking of the Udyam, e-Shram, National Career Service (NCS), and Atmanirbhar Skilled Employee Employer Mapping (ASEEM) portals show the promise of targeted digitalisation schemes.
The Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is also creating opportunities for self-employment and micro enterprises.
ILO, together with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and corporates, is supporting MSMEs in creating and retaining jobs, with over 150 MSMEs having improved productivity, aligned to international standards and integrated into global supply chains, and the Start and Improve Your Business programme.
To fully unlock emerging opportunities in the rapidly changing global value chain ecosystem and maximise the demographic dividend, MSME owners need to further commit to formalising their businesses, investing in improved productivity, compliance and most of all, decent work and jobs for India’s aspiring youth.
Page 9: How Hanoi and New Delhi are fortifying defence ties
The furtherance of India’s Act East Policy, maritime multilateralism, maritime security outreach and the building of stronger networks across the Indo-Pacific are some of the key elements which have made New Delhi and Hanoi natural partners. The two countries recently deepened bilateral cooperation with the singing of the Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030.
The Joint Vision Statement is aimed at boosting the scope and scale of the existing defence cooperation between the two nations.
The two sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Mutual Logistics Support. This is the first agreement of its kind that Hanoi has entered into with any other country and elevates the standing of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) which Hanoi shares with New Delhi since 2016 (along with only Russia and China).
Because of the volume of maritime trade that passes through sea lanes of communication in the Indo-Pacific and potential as well as estimated energy reserves in these waters, maritime cooperation between countries in the region have expanded exponentially. Undoubtedly, for India and Vietnam too, the maritime domain in particular has occupied a central focus. Both countries find convergence in their approaches towards the maintenance of stability and security of the Indo-Pacific which has translated into diplomatic and political support in the context of developments within the region.
Defence partnership between the two countries has been growing steadily following the singing of the Defence Protocol in 2000 and today covers extensive navy-to-navy cooperation spanning the exchange of intelligence, production and logistical support for Vietnam’s defence requirements, development of naval facilities such as Nha Trang, defence dialogues, high-level visits and the supply of warships and cruise missiles.
Vietnam has and continues to be one of the most vocal countries with respect to China’s periodic transgressions in the South China Sea. In India, Vietnam has found an equally uncompromising partner when it comes to the question of violations of freedom of navigation and threats to sovereign maritime territorial rights as enshrined under international maritime law.
Both countries have expanded areas of collaboration and are supportive of each other’s individual and multilateral involvements within the rubric of the Indo-Pacific.
Page 10: Indian laws on abortions
In the 1960s, in the wake of a high number of induced abortions taking place, the Union government ordered the constitution of the Shantilal Shah Committee to deliberate on the legalisation of abortion in the country.
In order to reduce maternal mortality owing to unsafe abortions, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act was brought into force in 1971. This law is an exception to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) provisions of 312 and 313 and sets out the rules of how and when a medical abortion can be carried out.
Under Section 312 of the IPC, a person who “voluntarily causes a woman with child to miscarry” is liable for punishment, attracting a jail term of up to three years or fine or both, unless it was done in good faith where the purpose was to save the life of the pregnant woman.
Section 313 of the IPC states that a person who causes the miscarriage without the consent of the pregnant woman, whether or not she is the in the advanced stages of her pregnancy, shall be punished with life imprisonment or a jail term that could extend to 10 years, as well as a fine.
Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021, abortion is permitted after medical opinion under stipulated circumstances. The 2021 Act increased the upper limit of the gestation period to which a woman can seek a medical abortion to 24 weeks from 20 weeks permitted in the 1971 Act. But this renewed upper limit can only be exercised in specific cases.
Gestational age, calculated in weeks, is the medical term to describe how far along the pregnancy is and is measured from the first day of the woman’s last menstruation or period.
Another major amendment was that MTP could not be accessed on the opinion of a single registered medical practitioner up to 20 weeks of the gestational age. From 20 weeks up to 24 weeks, the opinion of two registered medical practitioners is required.
Under the 2021 Act, medical termination of pregnancy is permitted if it is backed by medical opinion and is being sought for at least one of the following reasons — (1) If the continuation of pregnancy would involve a risk to the life of the pregnant woman (2) If its continuation would result in grave injury to the woman’s physical or mental health (3) In the case of a substantial risk that if the child was born, it would suffer from serious physical or mental abnormality.
The pregnancy can be terminated upto 24 weeks of gestational age after the opinion of two registered medical practitioners under these conditions — (1) If the woman is either a survivor of sexual assault or rape or incest (2) If she is a minor (3) If her marital status has changed during the ongoing pregnancy (i.e. either widowhood or divorce) (4) If she has major physical disabilities or is mentally ill (5) On the grounds of foetal malformation incompatible with life or if the child is born, it would be seriously handicapped (6) If the woman is in humanitarian settings or disaster, or emergency situations as declared by the government.
Besides, if the pregnancy has to be terminated beyond the 24- week gestational age, it can only be done on the grounds of foetal abnormalities if a four-member Medical Board, as set up in each State under the Act, gives permission to do so.
The law, notwithstanding any of the above conditions, also provides that where it is immediately necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, abortion can be carried out at any time by a single registered medical practitioner.
Unmarried women can also access abortion under the above mentioned conditions, because it does not mention the requirement of spousal consent. If the woman is a minor, however, the consent of a guardian is required.
Despite the fact that existing laws do not permit unconditional abortion in the country, in the landmark 2017 Right to Privacy judgement in the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India and others, the Supreme Court had held that the decision by a pregnant person on whether to continue a pregnancy or not is part of such a person’s right to privacy as well and, therefore, the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The MTP Act requires abortion to be performed only by doctors with specialisation in gynaecology or obstetrics. However, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s 2019-20 report on Rural Health Statistics indicates that there is a 70% shortage of obstetrician-gynaecologists in rural India.
As the law does not permit abortion at will, critics say that it pushes women to access illicit abortions under unsafe conditions.
Page 11: Implications of India’s new VPN rules
India’s cybersecurity agency passed a rule mandating Virtual Private Network (VPN) providers to record and keep their customers’ logs for 180 days. It also asked these firms to collect and store customer data for up to five years. It further mandated that any cybercrime recorded must be reported to the CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team) within six hours of the crime.
In response to the CERT-In rules, VPN providers are either moving its servers out of the country or will shut down their physical servers in India and cater to users in India through virtual servers located outside India.
CERT-In directions are applicable to data centres, virtual private server (VPS) providers, cloud service providers, virtual asset service providers, virtual asset exchange providers, custodian wallet providers and government organisations. Firms that provide Internet proxy-like services through VPN technologies also come under the ambit of the new rule. Corporate entities are not under the scanner.
VPN suppliers leaving India is not good for its burgeoning IT sector. Taking such radical action that highly impacts the privacy of millions of people in India will most likely be counterproductive and strongly damage the IT sector’s growth in the country.
A virtual server is a simulated server environment built on an actual physical server. It recreates the functionality of a dedicated physical server. The virtual twin functions like a physical server that runs software and uses resources of the physical server. Multiple virtual servers can run on a single physical server.
Virtual servers are also said to offer higher security than a physical server infrastructure as the operating system and applications are enclosed in a virtual machine. This helps contain security attacks and malicious behaviour inside the virtual machine.
Virtual servers are also useful in testing and debugging applications in different operating systems and versions without having to manually install and run them in several physical machines. Software developers can create, run, and test new software applications on a virtual server without taking processing power away from other users.
Page 13: ‘Restoration of trust between States and Centre essential for GST system’
Restoration of trust between the States and the Centre is essential for the smooth continuation of the GST system.Indian States are extremely diverse economically, apart from being politically diverse. GST was a misfit in India.
There are three issues that form the backdrop of the GST Council meeting. First is the complete breakdown of trust between the States and the Centre. Second is the Supreme Court order that said the Council’s decisions are not binding on the States. Third is the lapsing of the revenue guarantee, which the Centre had promised the States for five years.
The pandemic exposed GST’s deficiencies. Had there been no GST, the States could have managed the situation better through their resource mobilisation and allocation. They ended up fighting with the Centre.
Restoration of trust is the most fundamental challenge. In order to reverse the centralising direction of governance, the Centre should consider giving States powers of direct taxation that they have only in agriculture.
Page 15: G7 proposes $600-bn global infra plan to rival China
The G7 group announced an attempt to compete with China’s formidable Belt and Road Initiative by raising $600 billion for global infrastructure programmes in poor countries.
It aims to fill a huge gap left as communist China uses its economic clout to stretch diplomatic tentacles into the furthest reaches of the world.
U.S. to bring $200 billion to the table, with the rest of the G7 another $400 billion by 2027.
To give a positive, powerful investment impulse to the world, to show our partners in the developing world that they have a choice.
Unlike China’s state-run BRI initiative, the proposed G7 funding would depend largely on private companies being willing to commit to massive investments and is therefore not guaranteed.
Page 16: Decrypting the crypto myth
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are generally perceived as assets, currencies or both.
Cryptocurrencies are computer-managed ledger entries that can function as money if someone is willing to value these entries as money and use them in transactions.
The benefits boasted by Bitcoin (the most prominent cryptocurrency) promoters are anonymity and security. ∙ Bitcoin is promoted as a financial asset which can be used as a storehouse of value analogous to gold.
For a currency to be a viable medium of exchange, the primary requirement is for it to be relatively stable in value. Bitcoin has spectacularly failed in this respect.
Gold, in comparison with Bitcoin, has been able to hold its own. Gold has been a mainstay in human society for millennia. However, like Bitcoin, it also derives a significant portion of value from the price people place on it.
Bitcoin proponents’ claim of supposed anonymity and untraceability has been falsified in multiple instances in which governments have tracked criminal activity and recovered stolen Bitcoins.
Most of the small-time investors lured into buying and holding cryptocurrencies are those looking to profit from the massive surge in Bitcoin price by more than 400% from the year 2020-21.
When one sees their peers make money, it is hard to resist the urge to mimic their actions. The accompanying effect of faulty decision-making is called an ‘information cascade’.
An information cascade causes people to value the judgment and actions of others in contrast to their own.
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Team ULF
27 जून 2022 – द हिंदू समाचार पत्र विश्लेषण
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27 जून 2022 – द हिंदू समाचार पत्र विश्लेषण
नियमित अपडेट और मुफ्त अध्ययन सामग्री के लिए अभी ULF सोशल मीडिया प्लेटफॉर्म से जुड़ें
27 जून 2022 – द हिंदू समाचार पत्र विश्लेषण
पृष्ठ 1: ‘चीन ने LAC पर उन्नत की मारक क्षमता’
पश्चिमी क्षेत्र में वास्तविक नियंत्रण रेखा (LAC) से 100 किमी के भीतर विशाल विस्तारित सैन्य आवास, लंबी दूरी की तोपखाने और रॉकेट सिस्टम, उन्नत वायु रक्षा प्रणाली, विस्तारित रनवे और लड़ाकू विमानों को रखने के लिए कठोर ब्लास्ट पेन – ये कुछ ऐसे हैं पूर्वी लद्दाख में गतिरोध शुरू होने के बाद से पिछले दो वर्षों में चीनी पीपल्स लिबरेशन आर्मी द्वारा अपनी ओर से किए गए प्रमुख उन्नयन।
उन्होंने LAC के साथ-साथ कैप्टिव सौर ऊर्जा और छोटी जल विद्युत परियोजनाएं भी स्थापित की हैं। यह उनकी सर्दियों की जीविका क्षमता को कई गुना बढ़ा देता है।
नोट :- ऐमारैंथस किरकिरे सोप्पू और डेंटिना सोप्पू सहित पत्तेदार सब्जियों की एक विस्तृत विविधता को संदर्भित करता है, अत्यधिक पौष्टिक और अभी भी खपत है लेकिन सीमित मात्रा में इसके आर्थिक लाभ भी हैं और किसान अपनी आय के पूरक के लिए कई फसल ले सकते हैं। ऐमारैंथस कैल्शियम, मैग्नीशियम, पोटेशियम, विटामिन ए, बी और सी का एक उत्कृष्ट स्रोत था, और विटामिन के का एक अविश्वसनीय स्रोत था और फसल ने अधिकांश खाद्य पदार्थों की तुलना में प्रति कैलोरी सबसे अधिक पोषण प्रदान किया।
पृष्ठ 8: प्रतिगामी, अमानवीय
जब कोई लोकतंत्र किसी संवैधानिक अधिकार को वापस ले लेता है जो लगभग आधी सदी से मौजूद है, तो उसे अपने आप को गहरे संकट में समझना चाहिए।
अमेरिका के सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने देश में कहीं भी महिलाओं से प्रजनन और शारीरिक स्वायत्तता का अधिकार वापस ले लिया।
राज्य अब यह तय कर सकते हैं कि गर्भपात पर प्रतिबंध लगाना है या गर्भावस्था में किस स्तर पर और किन परिस्थितियों में। गर्भपात पर लड़ाई अमेरिका की सबसे जुनूनी वैचारिक लड़ाई रही है।
निर्णय ने वास्तव में U.S को क्षेत्रीय रूप से विभाजित कर दिया है – ऐसे राज्य जहां महिलाओं को गर्भपात का अधिकार है, और जहां वे नहीं करते हैं। जहां वे नहीं करती हैं, अनियोजित या अवांछित गर्भधारण वाली महिलाएं, जिनमें संभवतः कुछ अधिकार क्षेत्र शामिल हैं जो मां के जीवन को खतरे में डालते हैं या बलात्कार या अनाचार का परिणाम हैं, उनके पास अन्य राज्यों में चिकित्सा सहायता लेने के अलावा कोई विकल्प नहीं हो सकता है। इसके लिए संसाधनों और समर्थन संरचनाओं की आवश्यकता है, और कई महिलाओं के पास घर के पास गुप्त, असुरक्षित गर्भपात के अलावा कोई विकल्प नहीं होगा।
यह डर है कि गर्भपात आपराधिक जांच के अधीन हो सकता है।
ILO, फेडरेशन ऑफ इंडियन चैंबर्स ऑफ कॉमर्स एंड इंडस्ट्री (FICCI) और कॉरपोरेट्स के साथ, MSMEs को रोजगार सृजित करने और बनाए रखने में सहायता कर रहा है, जिसमें 150 से अधिक MSMEs ने उत्पादकता में सुधार किया है, अंतरराष्ट्रीय मानकों के अनुरूप और वैश्विक आपूर्ति श्रृंखलाओं में एकीकृत किया है, और स्टार्ट और अपने व्यवसाय कार्यक्रम में सुधार करें।
तेजी से बदलते वैश्विक मूल्य श्रृंखला पारिस्थितिकी तंत्र में उभरते अवसरों को पूरी तरह से अनलॉक करने और जनसांख्यिकीय लाभांश को अधिकतम करने के लिए, मालिकों को अपने व्यवसायों को औपचारिक रूप देने, बेहतर उत्पादकता, अनुपालन और सबसे बढ़कर, भारत के इच्छुक युवाओं के लिए अच्छे काम और नौकरियों में निवेश करने के लिए प्रतिबद्ध होना चाहिए।
पृष्ठ 9: कैसे हनोई और नई दिल्ली रक्षा संबंधों को मजबूत कर रहे हैं
भारत की एक्ट ईस्ट नीति को आगे बढ़ाना, समुद्री बहुपक्षवाद, समुद्री सुरक्षा पहुंच और हिंद-प्रशांत में मजबूत नेटवर्क का निर्माण कुछ प्रमुख तत्व हैं जिन्होंने नई दिल्ली और हनोई को प्राकृतिक भागीदार बनाया है। दोनों देशों ने हाल ही में 2030 की दिशा में भारत-वियतनाम रक्षा साझेदारी पर संयुक्त विजन स्टेटमेंट के गायन के साथ द्विपक्षीय सहयोग को गहरा किया है।
संयुक्त विजन स्टेटमेंट का उद्देश्य दोनों देशों के बीच मौजूदा रक्षा सहयोग के दायरे और पैमाने को बढ़ावा देना है।
दोनों पक्षों ने आपसी रसद सहायता पर एक समझौता ज्ञापन (एमओयू) पर भी हस्ताक्षर किए। यह अपनी तरह का पहला समझौता है जो हनोई ने किसी अन्य देश के साथ किया है और व्यापक रणनीतिक साझेदारी (सीएसपी) की स्थिति को बढ़ाता है जिसे हनोई 2016 से नई दिल्ली के साथ साझा करता है (केवल रूस और चीन के साथ)।
भारत-प्रशांत में संचार के समुद्री मार्गों से गुजरने वाले समुद्री व्यापार की मात्रा और इन जल में संभावित और साथ ही अनुमानित ऊर्जा भंडार के कारण, इस क्षेत्र के देशों के बीच समुद्री सहयोग में तेजी से विस्तार हुआ है। निस्संदेह, भारत और वियतनाम के लिए भी, विशेष रूप से समुद्री क्षेत्र ने एक केंद्रीय फोकस पर कब्जा कर लिया है। दोनों देश हिंद-प्रशांत की स्थिरता और सुरक्षा को बनाए रखने की दिशा में अपने दृष्टिकोण में अभिसरण पाते हैं, जिसने इस क्षेत्र के भीतर विकास के संदर्भ में राजनयिक और राजनीतिक समर्थन में अनुवाद किया है।
2000 में रक्षा प्रोटोकॉल के गायन के बाद दोनों देशों के बीच रक्षा साझेदारी लगातार बढ़ रही है और आज वियतनाम की रक्षा आवश्यकताओं के लिए खुफिया, उत्पादन और सैन्य समर्थन के आदान-प्रदान, नौसेना सुविधाओं के विकास जैसे व्यापक नौसेना-से-नौसेना सहयोग को शामिल किया गया है। न्हा ट्रांग, रक्षा संवाद, उच्च स्तरीय दौरे और युद्धपोतों और क्रूज मिसाइलों की आपूर्ति।
दक्षिण चीन सागर में चीन के आवधिक उल्लंघनों के संबंध में वियतनाम सबसे मुखर देशों में से एक है और जारी है। भारत में, वियतनाम को समान रूप से समझौता न करने वाला भागीदार मिल गया है, जब यह नौवहन की स्वतंत्रता के उल्लंघन और अंतरराष्ट्रीय समुद्री कानून के तहत निहित संप्रभु समुद्री क्षेत्रीय अधिकारों के लिए खतरों के सवाल पर आता है।
दोनों देशों ने सहयोग के क्षेत्रों का विस्तार किया है और हिंद-प्रशांत क्षेत्र में एक-दूसरे की व्यक्तिगत और बहुपक्षीय भागीदारी के समर्थक हैं।
पृष्ठ 10: गर्भपात पर भारतीय कानून
1960 के दशक में, बड़ी संख्या में प्रेरित गर्भपात होने के मद्देनजर, केंद्र सरकार ने देश में गर्भपात के वैधीकरण पर विचार-विमर्श करने के लिए शांतिलाल शाह समिति के गठन का आदेश दिया।
असुरक्षित गर्भपात के कारण मातृ मृत्यु दर को कम करने के लिए, 1971 में मेडिकल टर्मिनेशन ऑफ प्रेग्नेंसी (एमटीपी) अधिनियम लागू किया गया था। यह कानून भारतीय दंड संहिता (आईपीसी) के 312 और 313 के प्रावधानों का अपवाद है और नियमों को निर्धारित करता है। चिकित्सा गर्भपात कैसे और कब किया जा सकता है।
आईपीसी की धारा 312 के तहत, एक व्यक्ति जो “स्वेच्छा से बच्चे के साथ एक महिला का गर्भपात करवाता है” सजा के लिए उत्तरदायी है, तीन * साल तक की जेल की सजा या जुर्माना या दोनों हो सकता है, जब तक कि यह अच्छे विश्वास में नहीं किया गया था जहां उद्देश्य था ताकि गर्भवती महिला की जान बचाई जा सके।
आईपीसी की धारा 313 में कहा गया है कि जो व्यक्ति गर्भवती महिला की सहमति के बिना गर्भपात का कारण बनता है, चाहे वह अपनी गर्भावस्था के अंतिम चरण में हो या नहीं, उसे आजीवन कारावास या जेल की सजा जो 10 तक हो सकती है, से दंडित किया जाएगा। साल, साथ ही जुर्माना।
मेडिकल टर्मिनेशन ऑफ प्रेग्नेंसी (संशोधन) अधिनियम, 2021 के तहत, निर्धारित परिस्थितियों में चिकित्सकीय राय के बाद गर्भपात की अनुमति है। 2021 के अधिनियम ने गर्भावधि अवधि की ऊपरी सीमा को बढ़ा दिया, जिसके लिए एक महिला 1971 के अधिनियम में अनुमत 20 सप्ताह से 24 सप्ताह तक चिकित्सकीय गर्भपात की मांग कर सकती है। लेकिन इस नवीनीकृत ऊपरी सीमा का प्रयोग केवल विशिष्ट मामलों में ही किया जा सकता है।
गर्भकालीन आयु, हफ्तों में गणना की जाती है, यह वर्णन करने के लिए चिकित्सा शब्द है कि गर्भावस्था कितनी दूर है और इसे महिला के आखिरी माहवारी या अवधि के पहले दिन से मापा जाता है।
एक अन्य प्रमुख संशोधन यह था कि गर्भावधि उम्र के 20 सप्ताह तक एक पंजीकृत चिकित्सक की राय पर एमटीपी तक नहीं पहुंचा जा सकता था। 20 सप्ताह से 24 सप्ताह तक दो पंजीकृत चिकित्सकों की राय आवश्यक है।
2021 के अधिनियम के तहत, गर्भावस्था की चिकित्सा समाप्ति की अनुमति दी जाती है यदि यह चिकित्सकीय राय द्वारा समर्थित है और निम्नलिखित कारणों में से कम से कम एक की मांग की जा रही है – (1) यदि गर्भावस्था को जारी रखने से गर्भवती महिला के जीवन को खतरा होगा (2) यदि इसे जारी रखने से महिला के शारीरिक या मानसिक स्वास्थ्य को गंभीर चोट पहुँचती है (3) पर्याप्त जोखिम के मामले में कि यदि बच्चा पैदा हुआ है, तो वह गंभीर शारीरिक या मानसिक असामान्यता से पीड़ित होगा।
इन शर्तों के तहत दो पंजीकृत चिकित्सकों की राय के बाद गर्भकालीन आयु के 24 सप्ताह तक गर्भावस्था को समाप्त किया जा सकता है – (1) यदि महिला या तो यौन उत्पीड़न या बलात्कार या अनाचार की उत्तरजीवी है (2) यदि वह नाबालिग है (3 ) यदि चल रही गर्भावस्था के दौरान उसकी वैवाहिक स्थिति बदल गई है (अर्थात विधवापन या तलाक) यह गंभीर रूप से विकलांग होगा (6) यदि महिला मानवीय सेटिंग्स या आपदा, या सरकार द्वारा घोषित आपातकालीन स्थितियों में है।
इसके अलावा, यदि गर्भावस्था को 24 सप्ताह की गर्भकालीन आयु से परे समाप्त करना है, तो यह केवल भ्रूण की असामान्यताओं के आधार पर किया जा सकता है, यदि अधिनियम के तहत इसलिए प्रत्येक राज्य में स्थापित चार सदस्यीय मेडिकल बोर्ड, ऐसा करने की अनुमति देता है।
कानून, उपरोक्त शर्तों में से किसी के होते हुए भी, यह भी प्रावधान करता है कि जहां गर्भवती महिला के जीवन को बचाने के लिए तत्काल आवश्यक हो, गर्भपात किसी भी समय एक पंजीकृत चिकित्सक द्वारा किया जा सकता है।
अविवाहित महिलाएं भी उपरोक्त शर्तों के तहत गर्भपात तक पहुंच सकती हैं, क्योंकि इसमें पति-पत्नी की सहमति की आवश्यकता का उल्लेख नहीं है। हालांकि, अगर महिला नाबालिग है, तो अभिभावक की सहमति आवश्यक है।
इस तथ्य के बावजूद कि मौजूदा कानून देश में बिना शर्त गर्भपात की अनुमति नहीं देते हैं, 2017 में जस्टिस के.एस. पुट्टस्वामी बनाम भारत संघ और अन्य, सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने माना था कि गर्भवती व्यक्ति द्वारा गर्भावस्था जारी रखने या न करने का निर्णय ऐसे व्यक्ति के निजता के अधिकार का भी हिस्सा है और इसलिए, जीवन और व्यक्तिगत का अधिकार संविधान के अनुच्छेद 21 के तहत स्वतंत्रता।
MTP अधिनियम में केवल स्त्री रोग या प्रसूति में विशेषज्ञता वाले डॉक्टरों द्वारा गर्भपात करने की आवश्यकता है। हालांकि, ग्रामीण स्वास्थ्य सांख्यिकी पर स्वास्थ्य और परिवार कल्याण मंत्रालय की 2019-20 की रिपोर्ट बताती है कि ग्रामीण भारत में प्रसूति-स्त्री रोग विशेषज्ञों की 70% कमी है।
जैसा कि कानून इच्छा पर गर्भपात की अनुमति नहीं देता है, आलोचकों का कहना है कि यह महिलाओं को असुरक्षित परिस्थितियों में अवैध गर्भपात का उपयोग करने के लिए प्रेरित करता है।
पृष्ठ 11: भारत के नए वीपीएन नियमों के निहितार्थ
भारत की साइबर सुरक्षा एजेंसी ने वर्चुअल प्राइवेट नेटवर्क (वीपीएन) प्रदाताओं को 180 दिनों के लिए अपने ग्राहकों के लॉग रिकॉर्ड करने और रखने के लिए एक नियम पारित किया। इसने इन फर्मों को पांच साल तक ग्राहक डेटा एकत्र करने और संग्रहीत करने के लिए भी कहा। यह आगे अनिवार्य है कि दर्ज किए गए किसी भी साइबर अपराध को अपराध के छह घंटे के भीतर सीईआरटी-इन (कंप्यूटर इमरजेंसी रिस्पांस टीम) को सूचित किया जाना चाहिए।
सीईआरटी-इन नियमों के जवाब में, वीपीएन प्रदाता या तो अपने सर्वर को देश से बाहर ले जा रहे हैं या भारत में अपने भौतिक सर्वर बंद कर देंगे और भारत के बाहर स्थित वर्चुअल सर्वर के माध्यम से भारत में उपयोगकर्ताओं को पूरा करेंगे।
सीईआरटी-इन निर्देश डेटा केंद्रों, वर्चुअल प्राइवेट सर्वर (वीपीएस) प्रदाताओं, क्लाउड सेवा प्रदाताओं, वर्चुअल एसेट सेवा प्रदाताओं, वर्चुअल एसेट एक्सचेंज प्रदाताओं, कस्टोडियन वॉलेट प्रदाताओं और सरकारी संगठनों पर लागू होते हैं। वीपीएन प्रौद्योगिकियों के माध्यम से इंटरनेट प्रॉक्सी जैसी सेवाएं प्रदान करने वाली फर्में भी नए नियम के दायरे में आती हैं। कॉर्पोरेट संस्थाएं जांच के दायरे में नहीं हैं।
भारत छोड़कर वीपीएन आपूर्तिकर्ता अपने बढ़ते आईटी क्षेत्र के लिए अच्छा नहीं है। ऐसी कट्टरपंथी कार्रवाई करना जो भारत में लाखों लोगों की गोपनीयता को अत्यधिक प्रभावित करती है, सबसे अधिक संभावना है कि यह प्रतिकूल होगा और देश में आईटी क्षेत्र के विकास को जोरदार नुकसान पहुंचाएगा।
वर्चुअल सर्वर एक वास्तविक भौतिक सर्वर पर निर्मित एक नकली सर्वर वातावरण है। यह एक समर्पित भौतिक सर्वर की कार्यक्षमता को फिर से बनाता है। वर्चुअल ट्विन एक भौतिक सर्वर की तरह कार्य करता है जो सॉफ्टवेयर चलाता है और भौतिक सर्वर के संसाधनों का उपयोग करता है। एकाधिक वर्चुअल सर्वर एक भौतिक सर्वर पर चल सकते हैं।
वर्चुअल सर्वर को भौतिक सर्वर इन्फ्रास्ट्रक्चर की तुलना में उच्च सुरक्षा प्रदान करने के लिए भी कहा जाता है क्योंकि ऑपरेटिंग सिस्टम और एप्लिकेशन वर्चुअल मशीन में संलग्न होते हैं। यह वर्चुअल मशीन के अंदर सुरक्षा हमलों और दुर्भावनापूर्ण व्यवहार को रोकने में मदद करता है।
वर्चुअल सर्वर विभिन्न ऑपरेटिंग सिस्टमों और संस्करणों में अनुप्रयोगों के परीक्षण और डिबगिंग में भी उपयोगी होते हैं, उन्हें कई भौतिक मशीनों में मैन्युअल रूप से स्थापित और चलाने के बिना। सॉफ़्टवेयर डेवलपर वर्चुअल सर्वर पर नए सॉफ़्टवेयर एप्लिकेशन बना सकते हैं, चला सकते हैं और परीक्षण कर सकते हैं, अन्य उपयोगकर्ताओं से प्रोसेसिंग पावर को दूर किए बिना।
पृष्ठ 13: ‘राज्यों और केंद्र के बीच विश्वास की बहाली जीएसटी प्रणाली के लिए जरूरी’
जीएसटी प्रणाली को सुचारू रूप से जारी रखने के लिए राज्यों और केंद्र के बीच विश्वास की बहाली आवश्यक है। राजनीतिक रूप से विविध होने के अलावा, भारतीय राज्य आर्थिक रूप से अत्यंत विविध हैं। भारत में जीएसटी एक मिसफिट था।
जीएसटी परिषद की बैठक की पृष्ठभूमि में तीन मुद्दे हैं। पहला राज्यों और केंद्र के बीच विश्वास का पूर्ण टूटना है। दूसरा सुप्रीम कोर्ट का आदेश है जिसमें कहा गया है कि परिषद के फैसले राज्यों पर बाध्यकारी नहीं हैं। तीसरा है राजस्व गारंटी का व्यपगत होना, जो केंद्र ने राज्यों को पांच साल के लिए देने का वादा किया था।
महामारी ने जीएसटी की कमियों को उजागर कर दिया। यदि जीएसटी नहीं होता, तो राज्य अपने संसाधन जुटाने और आवंटन के माध्यम से स्थिति को बेहतर ढंग से प्रबंधित कर सकते थे। उन्होंने केंद्र के साथ लड़ाई समाप्त कर दी।
विश्वास की बहाली सबसे बुनियादी चुनौती है। शासन के केंद्रीकरण की दिशा को उलटने के लिए, केंद्र को राज्यों को प्रत्यक्ष कराधान की शक्तियां देने पर विचार करना चाहिए जो उनके पास केवल कृषि में हैं।
पृष्ठ 15: जी7 ने चीन को टक्कर देने के लिए 600 अरब डॉलर की वैश्विक बुनियादी ढांचा योजना का प्रस्ताव रखा
G7 समूह ने गरीब देशों में वैश्विक बुनियादी ढांचा कार्यक्रमों के लिए 600 बिलियन डॉलर जुटाकर चीन की दुर्जेय बेल्ट एंड रोड पहल के साथ प्रतिस्पर्धा करने के प्रयास की घोषणा की।
इसका उद्देश्य बचे हुए एक बड़े अंतर को भरना है क्योंकि कम्युनिस्ट चीन अपने आर्थिक दबदबे का उपयोग राजनयिक जाल को दुनिया के सबसे दूर तक पहुंचाने के लिए करता है।
यू.एस. $200 बिलियन को तालिका में लाने के लिए, शेष G7 के साथ 2027 तक $400 बिलियन।
दुनिया को एक सकारात्मक, शक्तिशाली निवेश आवेग देने के लिए, विकासशील देशों में हमारे भागीदारों को यह दिखाने के लिए कि उनके पास एक विकल्प है।
चीन की सरकारी बीआरआई पहल के विपरीत, प्रस्तावित जी7 फंडिंग काफी हद तक निजी कंपनियों पर निर्भर करेगी कि वे बड़े पैमाने पर निवेश करने के लिए तैयार हैं और इसलिए इसकी गारंटी नहीं है।
पृष्ठ 16: क्रिप्टो मिथक को डिक्रिप्ट करना
बिटकॉइन और अन्य क्रिप्टोकरेंसी को आम तौर पर संपत्ति, मुद्रा या दोनों के रूप में माना जाता है।
क्रिप्टोक्यूरेंसी कंप्यूटर-प्रबंधित खाता बही प्रविष्टियाँ हैं जो धन के रूप में कार्य कर सकती हैं यदि कोई व्यक्ति इन प्रविष्टियों को धन के रूप में मूल्य देने और लेनदेन में उनका उपयोग करने के लिए तैयार है।
बिटकॉइन (सबसे प्रमुख क्रिप्टोक्यूरेंसी) प्रमोटरों द्वारा दावा किए गए लाभ गुमनामी और सुरक्षा हैं। बिटकॉइन को एक वित्तीय संपत्ति के रूप में प्रचारित किया जाता है जिसका उपयोग सोने के समान मूल्य के भंडार के रूप में किया जा सकता है।
एक मुद्रा के लिए विनिमय का एक व्यवहार्य माध्यम होने के लिए, प्राथमिक आवश्यकता इसके लिए मूल्य में अपेक्षाकृत स्थिर होना है। इस संबंध में बिटकॉइन शानदार रूप से विफल रहा है।
बिटकॉइन की तुलना में सोना अपनी पकड़ बनाए रखने में सफल रहा है। सहस्राब्दियों से मानव समाज में सोना एक मुख्य आधार रहा है। हालांकि, बिटकॉइन की तरह, यह भी लोगों द्वारा उस पर रखी गई कीमत से मूल्य का एक महत्वपूर्ण हिस्सा प्राप्त करता है।
बिटकॉइन समर्थकों के कथित गुमनामी और अप्राप्यता के दावे को कई उदाहरणों में गलत साबित किया गया है जिसमें सरकारों ने आपराधिक गतिविधि पर नज़र रखी है और चोरी हुए बिटकॉइन बरामद किए हैं।
अधिकांश छोटे-छोटे निवेशक क्रिप्टोकरेंसी खरीदने और रखने का लालच देते हैं, जो वर्ष 2020-21 से बिटकॉइन की कीमत में 400% से अधिक की भारी वृद्धि से लाभ की तलाश में हैं।
जब कोई अपने साथियों को पैसा कमाते देखता है, तो उनके कार्यों की नकल करने की इच्छा का विरोध करना कठिन होता है। दोषपूर्ण निर्णय लेने के साथ-साथ प्रभाव को ‘सूचना झरना’ कहा जाता है।
एक सूचना कैस्केड लोगों को अपने स्वयं के विपरीत दूसरों के निर्णय और कार्यों को महत्व देता है।
धन्यवाद
NCERT Class 9 History Notes by ULF
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Biosphere reserves are sites established by countries and recognized under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science.The programme of Biosphere Reserve was initiated by UNESCO in 1971. The purpose of the formation of the biosphere reserve is to conserve in situ all forms of life, along with its support system, in its totality, so that it could serve as a referral system for monitoring and evaluating changes in natural ecosystems. The first biosphere reserve of the world was established in 1979, since then the network of biosphere reserves has increased to 631 in 119 countries across the world
Presently, there are 18 notified biosphere reserves in India.
Biosphere Reserves in India (as on Dec, 2023)
S. No.
Name
Date of Notification
Area (in km2)
Location (State)
1
Nilgiri
01.09.1986
5520 (Core 1240 & Buffer 4280)
Part of Wayanad, Nagarhole, Bandipur and Madumalai, Nilambur, Silent Valley and Siruvani hills (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka).
2
Nanda Devi
18.01.1988
5860.69 (Core 712.12, Buffer 5,148.570) & T. 546.34)
Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar districts (Uttarakhand).
3
Nokrek
01.09.1988
820 (Core 47.48 & Buffer 227.92, Transition Zone 544.60)
Part of Garo hills (Meghalaya).
4
Great Nicobar
06.01.1989
885 (Core 705 & Buffer 180)
Southern most islands of Andaman And Nicobar (A&N Islands).
5
Gulf of Mannar
18.02.1989
10,500 km2 Total Gulf area (area of Islands 5.55 km2)
Indian part of Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka (Tamil Nadu).
6
Manas
14.03.1989
2837 (Core 391 & Buffer 2,446)
Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamprup and Darang districts (Assam)
7
Sunderbans
29.03.1989
9630 (Core 1700 & Buffer 7900)
Part of delta of Ganges and Brahamaputra river system (West Bengal).
8
Simlipal
21.06.1994
4374 (Core 845, Buffer 2129 & Transition 1400
Part of Mayurbhanj district (Orissa).
9
Dibru-Saikhowa
28.07.1997
765 (Core 340 & Buffer 425)
Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia Districts (Assam)
10
Dehang-Dibang
02.09.1998
5111.50 (Core 4094.80 &Buffer 1016.70)
Part of Siang and Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.
11
Pachmarhi
03.03.1999
4926
Parts of Betul, Hoshangabad and Chindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh.
12
Khangchendzonga
07.02.2000
2619.92 (Core 1819.34 & Buffer 835.92)
Parts of Khangchendzonga hills and Sikkim.
13
Agasthyamalai
12.11.2001
1828
Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries and their adjoining areas in Kerala.
14
Achanakamar – Amarkantak
30.3.2005
3835.51 (Core 551.55 & Buffer 3283.86)
Covers parts of Anupur and Dindori districts of M.P. and parts of Bilaspur districts of Chhattishgarh State.
15
Kachchh
29.01.2008
12,454 km2
Part of Kachchh, Rajkot, Surendra Nagar and Patan Civil Districts of Gujarat State
16
Cold Desert
28.08.2009
7770
Pin Valley National Park and surroundings; Chandratal and Sarchu&Kibber Wildlife Sancturary in Himachal Pradesh
17
Seshachalam Hills
20.09.2010
4755.997
Seshachalam Hill Ranges covering parts of Chittoor and Kadapa districts of Andhra Pradesh
18
Panna
25.08.2011
2998.98
Part of Panna and Chhattarpur districts in Madhya Pradesh
Prime Minister and also in-charge of: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy; Department of Space; All important policy issues; and All other portfolios not allocated to any Minister.
Cabinet Ministers
1
Shri Raj Nath Singh
Minister of Defence.
2
Shri Amit Shah
Minister of Home Affairs; and Minister of Cooperation.
3
Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari
Minister of Road Transport and Highways.
4
Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda
Minister of Health and Family Welfare; and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
5
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; and Minister of Rural Development.
6
Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
Minister of Finance; and Minister of Corporate Affairs.
7
Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
Minister of External Affairs.
8
Shri Manohar Lal
Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs; and Minister of Power.
9
Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy
Minister of Heavy Industries; and Minister of Steel.
10
Shri Piyush Goyal
Minister of Commerce and Industry.
11
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
Minister of Education.
12
Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi
Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
13
Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh
Minister of Panchayati Raj; and Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
14
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal
Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
15
Dr. Virendra Kumar
Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.
16
Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu
Minister of Civil Aviation.
17
Shri Pralhad Joshi
Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Minister of New and Renewable Energy.
18
Shri Jual Oram
Minister of Tribal Affairs.
19
Shri Giriraj Singh
Minister of Textiles.
20
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw
Minister of Railways; Minister of Information and Broadcasting; and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology.
21
Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia
Minister of Communications; and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region.
22
Shri Bhupender Yadav
Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
23
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Minister of Culture; and Minister of Tourism.
24
Smt. Annpurna Devi
Minister of Women and Child Development
25
Shri Kiren Rijiju
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs; and Minister of Minority Affairs.
26
Shri Hardeep Singh Puri
Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas
27
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
Minister of Labour and Employment; and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
28
Shri G. Kishan Reddy
Minister of Coal; and Minister of Mines.
29
Shri Chirag Paswan
Minister of Food Processing Industries.
30
Shri C R Patil
Minister of Jal Shakti.
Ministers of State (Independent Charge)
1
Rao Inderjit Singh
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Planning; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture.
2
Dr. Jitendra Singh
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy; and Minister of State in the Department of Space.
3
Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
4
Shri Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Ayush; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
5
Shri Jayant Chaudhary
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Education.
Ministers of State
1
Shri Jitin Prasada
Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
2
Shri Shripad Yesso Naik
Minister of State in the Ministry of Power; and Minister of State in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
3
Shri Pankaj Chaudhary
Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance.
4
Shri Krishan Pal
Minister of State in the Ministry of Cooperation.
5
Shri Ramdas Athawale
Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
6
Shri Ram Nath Thakur
Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
7
Shri Nityanand Rai
Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
8
Smt. Anupriya Patel
Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
9
Shri V. Somanna
Minister of State in the Ministry of Jal Shakti; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways.
10
Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani
Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications.
11
Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel
Minister of State in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
12
Sushri Shobha Karandlaje
Minister of State in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
13
Shri Kirtivardhan Singh
Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; and Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs.
14
Shri B. L. Verma
Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
15
Shri Shantanu Thakur
Minister of State in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
16
Shri Suresh Gopi
Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism.
17
Dr. L. Murugan
Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
18
Shri Ajay Tamta
Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
19
Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar
Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
20
Shri Kamlesh Paswan
Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development.
21
Shri Bhagirath Choudhary
Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
22
Shri Satish Chandra Dubey
Minister of State in the Ministry of Coal; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Mines.
23
Shri Sanjay Seth
Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence.
24
Shri Ravneet Singh
Minister of State in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways.
25
Shri Durgadas Uikey
Minister of State in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
26
Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse
Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
27
Shri Sukanta Majumdar
Minister of State in the Ministry of Education; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
28
Smt. Savitri Thakur
Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
29
Shri Tokhan Sahu
Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
30
Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary
Minister of State in the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
31
Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma
Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel.
32
Shri Harsh Malhotra
Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
33
Smt. Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya
Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
34
Shri Murlidhar Mohol
Minister of State in the Ministry of Cooperation; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
35
Shri George Kurian
Minister of State in the Ministry of Minority Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
36
Shri Pabitra Margherita
Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Textiles.
Prime Minister
Awards and Honours 2024
|
Awards and Honours 2024 : Jan 2024 – May 2024
May 2024
Awardee
Awards
Dr. Bina Modi
‘Outstanding Contribution to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)’
Dr. Purnima Devi Barman
Whitley Gold Award
ProPublica, Lookout Santa Cruz,and Hannah Dreier of NYT
2024 Pulitzers
Bhavi Mehta
9th Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize
Pawan Sindhi
Global Pride of Sindhi Award
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan
Doctor of Science in Health Sciences
Cmde Hemant Khatri
PSU Samarpan Award
Chandrakant Satija
Global Excellence Award 2024
Ruskin Bond
Sahitya Akademi Fellowship
IN-SPACe
Geospatial World Forum Leadership Award
Jenny Erpenbeck
International Booker Prize 2024
Shrinivas R Kulkarni
Shaw Prize
Sunjay Sudhir and Satish Kumar Sivan
5th Minister of Foreign Affairs Excellence Awards
Cmde Hemant Khatri
‘PSU Samarpan Award
Chidanand S Naik
‘La Cinef’ Award
Arti
Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award
NHPC Ltd
‘The Economic Times HR World Future Ready Organization Award
Anasuya Sengupta
Best Actress Award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival
Major Radhika Sen,
United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award
REC Limited
‘Sustainability Champion – Editor’s Choice Award
April 2024
Awardee
Awards
REC Limited
SKOCH ESG Award 2024
Dr.Karthik Kommuri
National Fame Awards 2024
Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar
‘On the Spot Unit Citation’
SJVN Limited, Dr. Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, Vinayak Pai, Gautam Suri,GAIL (India) Limited
15th CIDC Vishwakarma Awards
Aleksei Navalny and Yulia Navalnaya
Freedom Prize of the Media
Mamta G. Sagar
World Literary Prize
John L. “Jack” Swigert Jr.
Space Exploration
Shri. Dhirendra Kumar Sanyal
Sagar Samman Varun Award
Captain Kamal Kant Choudhary
Sagar Samman Award for Excellence
Captain Subir Saha and Captain OM Dutta
Sagar Samman Award for Gallantry
Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital
‘Best Scientific Poster
Avantika Vandanapu
‘South Asian Person of the Year’
Dr. Gagandeep Kang
John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award 2024
For any music to be created, one needs to have some semblance of music instruments.
There are four major traditional categories of musical instruments depending upon the type of instruments that are included in it. They are:
Awanad/Avanaddha Vadya
These are the membranophone instruments as they contain an outer membrane, which is beaten to take out particular musical sounds. These are also known as percussion instruments as one has to strike them to generate musical sound.
They generally have one or two faces covered with skin. The most ancient amongst this class are the Bhumi Dundubhi or the earth drum.
Generally, the musical instruments included in this category are Tabla, Drum, Dhol, Congo, Mridangam, etc.
While the Tabla is usually the accompaniment of most Hindustani classical vocals, the Mridangam is the instrument that accompanies the Carnatic musical performances
Sushira Vadya
These are the aerophones, i.e. this category includes all the wind instruments. Most common instruments include Bansuri (flute), Shehnai, Pungi, Ninkirns, etc.
Bansuri (flute): Common wind instrument.
Shehnai: Double reeded wind instrument, oldest in India; associated with Ustad Bismillah Khan as the ‘Shehnai King’.
Pungi: Another wind instrument.
Ninkirns: Also included in this category.
Flute: Known since the Vedic period, initially called Nadi or Tunava; iconic due to Lord Krishna’s association with it.
Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia: Renowned flutist in India.
Ghana Vadya
It is the genre of the non-drum percussion instruments that do not require any tuning. They are also called the Idiophone instruments. The most popular examples of Ghana Vadya are Manjira, Jaltarang, Kanch-tarang, Ghungroo, Ghatam (earthern ware pot drum), Khartal, etc
Manjira: Small brass cymbal used in religious ceremonies, dated back to the Harappan Civilization.
Jaltarang: Water-filled porcelain bowls played with sticks.
Kanch-tarang: Glass bangles used for percussion.
Ghungroo: Small bells worn on ankles, used in dance.
Ghatam: Earthenware pot drum.
Khartal: Wooden clappers used in folk music.
The function of these instruments is to maintain rhythm and time with the accompanying song or performance.
Tata Vadya
These are the Chordophones or the string instruments that function best when their sound is modified by hand. There are three major types of tata instruments:
(a) Bowed: The instruments where the sound is drawn from drawing a bow across the strings. For example, Sarangi, Esraj/Dilruba and Violin. (b) Plectral: The instruments where the strings are plucked by the fingers or by a plectrum of wire or horn. For example, Sitar, Veena, Tanpura, Guitar, etc. (c) Those instruments that are struck by small hammer or a pair of sticks. For example, Gotuvadyam and Swaramandal. India has produced several outstanding artists in the field of tata instruments.
The Bhangash family are considered to be the pioneers of Sarod in the 20th century. There are several Gharanas for playing Sitar, for example, Jaipur, Varanasi, Etawah (Imaad Khani) Gharanas. The Veena, which is one of the most ancient and revered instrument that belongs to Goddess Saraswati, also belongs to this category of musical instruments.
Keyboard Instruments
They are musical instruments played using keyboards. Check out the following list of keyboard instruments.
Piano
Harmonium
Celeste
Pipe organ
Accordion
Claviola
Harpsichord
Organ
Synthesiser
Harmonica
Santoor :It is a 100 strings instrument and is a traditional instrument of Jammu and Kashmir from ancient times. Sufiana kalam music is accompanied by Santoor
FOLK MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Chordophones
1. Tumbi: It is played during Bhangra in Punjab. 2. Ektara or Tun Tuna: It is a one-stringed instrument played by wandering monks. 3. Dotara: two-stringed instrument used by Bauls 4. Chikara: bowed instrument used in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. 5. Dilruba or Esraj: accompanying instrument used in Punjab and during Rabindra sangeet in Eastern India. 6. Onavillu: From Kerala and is made of bamboo. 7. Sarinda: Important tribal instrument and is used by Santhals in Eastern India and also used in Rajasthan and Assam. It is like Sarangi.
Aerophones
1. Pungi or Been: It is used by snake charmers. It is made up of dried bottle gourd and two bamboo sticks. 2. Algoza: It is a double flute and is a popular folk instrument of North West India, especially Punjab. 3. Tangmuri: It is a folk instrument of Khasi hill people of Meghalaya. 4. Titti: It is like a bagpiper, made of goat skin. It is made in South India especially Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. 5. Mashak: An important folk instrument of Garhwal region in Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. 6. Gogona: It is made up of bamboo, used in Bihu festival in Assam.
Membranophones
1. Ghumot: It is like a drum and is played during Ganesh festival in Goa. 2. Idakka: It is like Damru and is from Kerala. 3. Udukai: It is a hour-glass shaped instrument like damru from Tamil Nadu. 4. Sambal: It is like drum. It is played with sticks in Konkan region of Maharashtra. 5. Tamak: It is an important instrument of Santhal tribe and is a two headed drum. It is beaten with drum sticks. 6. Diggi: It is a folk drum from Ghariya village of Uttar Pradesh.
Idiophones
1. Chimta: evolved from fire tongs, used in Punjab. 2. Gharha: These are earthern pots, used in folk music of Punjab 3. Andelu: It is used in Burra-Katha. It is a pair of hollow metal rings.
List of 60+ Musical Instrument Names
Piano
Flute
Veena
Drums
Mridangam
Violin
Guitar
Triangle
Trumpet
Saxophone
Mouth organ
Cello
Xylophone
Clap box
Electric guitar
Bass guitar
Bugle
Harp
Harmonium
Oboe
Maracas
Cymbal
Accordion
Bongo drums
Bell
French horn
Banjo
Conga drums
Keyboard
Gong
Pipe organ
Comet
Tambourine
Trombone
Ukulele
Electronic drums
Drum pad
Clarinet
Harmonica
Tuba
Bass drum
Snare drum
Euphonium
Piccolo
Lute
Marimba
Bassoon
Cornet
Celesta
Spinet
Oud
Yueqin
Dholak
Tabla
Damru
Sarangi
Sitar
Gu-zheng
Ektara
Shehnai
Sarod
Pungi
Gramophone
Tubular chimes
List of Important Musical Instruments and their Exponents
Musical instruments are uniquely related to each other. All over the world we have seen various maestros outrightly blow our minds through their musical performances. Let us help you to know about some of the most important musical instruments and their exponents through this table below:
Flute is a wind instrument, and makes sound through air vibrations.
TR Mahalingam, Hariprasad Chaurasiya, N. Ramani, Pannalal Ghosh
Tabla
Similar to drums, Tabla is a common percussion instrument played in Asia.
Zakir Hussain, Sabir Khan, Allah Rakha, Pt Kishan Maharaj, Sandeep Das, Ustaad Shafaat Ahmad Khan, Pt Jnan Prakash Ghosh
Sitar
Used in Hindustani classical music, Sitar is a plucked string instrument.
Ustad Vilayat Khan, Pt Ravi Shankar, Shujaat Hussain Khan, Shahid Parvez Khan, Anushka Shankar, Nikhil Banerjee, Mustaq Ali Khan, Budhaditya Mukherjee
Guitar
A six-stringed frettled instrument, guitar is a famous international string instrument.
Braj Bhushan Kabra
Bharat Ratna Recipients
Recipient
Year
Instrument
M.S. Subbulakshmi
1998
Vocalist (Carnatic)
Pt Ravi Shankar
1999
Sitar
Bismillah Khan
2001
Shehnai
Pt Bhimsen Joshi
2009
Vocalist (Hindustani)
MUSIC IN THE FAMILY
Father-Son/Daughter Associated with Musical Instruments
Allah Rakha and Zakir Hussain: Ustad Allah Rakha (1919-2000) was a renowned tabla player. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1977 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1982. Ustad Zakir Hussain (B. 1951) is his eldest son and also a well-known tabla player. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023. He was also awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1990, Fellowship of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, Ratna Sadsya in 2018.
Allauddin Khan and Ali Akbar Khan: Baba Allauddin Khan (1862 – 1972) was a renowned sarod player and a multi-instrumentalist. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1958 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1971. His son Ali Akbar Khan (1922 – 2009) was also a well-known sarod player. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1967 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1989.
Ravi Shankar and Anoushka Shankar: Ravi Shankar (1920 – 2012) was a renowned sitar player. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1999, Padma Vibhushan in 1981, Padma Bhushan in 1967, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1962 and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1975. His daughter Anoushka Shankar (b. 1981) is also a well-known sitar player. She has been nominated for the Grammy Award several times and is the recipient of many other international honours.
Lalgudi Jayaraman and Lalgudi GJR Krishnan: Lalgudi Gopala Jayaraman (1930 – 2013) was a renowned violinist of Carnatic style. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1972 and the Padma Bhushan in 2001. He became a fellow of the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2010. His son Lalgudi Gopala Jayaraman Radhakrishnan (b. 1960) is also a well-known violinist. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 2015. It is noteworthy that his sister, Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi is also a renowned violinist and they both perform together on many occasions.
MUSIC IN THE FAMILY
Brothers Associated with Music
Rajan and Sajan Mishra: They were brothers and singers of the khyal style of Indian classical music. They were awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2007 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, jointly in 1998. Rajan Mishra died in 2021 during the Covid pandemic.
Nasir Moinuddin Dagar and Nasir Aminuddin Dagar: They were Hindustani classical dhrupad singers. Nasir Moinuddin Dagar passed away in 1966. His younger brother Nasir Aminuddin was awarded the Padma Bhushan in in 1986 and Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1985. He passed away in 2000.
Ramakant Gundecha and Umakant Gundecha: The Gundecha brothers were Indian classical singers of the dhrupad genre of the Dagar vani from 1985 to 2019. They were awarded the Padma Shri 2012 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 2017. Ramakant Gundecha passed away in 2019.
Ganesh Rajagopalan and Kumaresh Rajagopalan: They are an Indian duo of violinists in the Carnatic style of classical music. They were awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2018 for Carnatic Instrumental Music.
Subhan Kasim and Subhan Babu: The Kasim-Babu brothers from Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh are well-known players of Nadaswaram, a traditional classical instrument of South India. They were awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2018.
Newspapers and their Founders
|
Newspapers and their Founders
Newspaper/Periodical
Started / Edited by
Bengal Gazette (Jan 1780) (India’s first newspaper)
J.A.Hickey
India Gazette (Nov 1780)
B. Messink and Peter Reed
Madras Courier (1785) (First newspaper of Madras)
Richard Johnson
Mirat-ul-Akbar (1821) (1st Persian Newspaper)
Raja Rammohan Roy
Sambad Kaumudi (1821)
Raja Rammohan Roy
Bombay Samachar (1822)
Fardunjee Marzban
Jam-e-Jahan Numa (1822) (1st Urdu newspaper of India)
Harihar Datta
Udant Martand (1826) (1st Hindi Weekly)
Jugal Kishore Shukla
Samachar Sudhavarshan (1854) (1st Hindi Daily)
Shyam Sundar Sen
The Pioneer (1865)
George Allen
Amrita Bazar Patrika (1868)
Sisir Ghosh and Motilal Ghosh
The Statesman (1875)
Robert Knight
Anand Bazar Patrika (1876)
Tushar Kanti and Sisir Ghosh
The Hindu (1878)
M. Veeraraghavacharyar & 5 others
Maharatta, Kesari (1881)
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
The Tribune (1881)
Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia
Voice of India (1882)
Dadabhai Naoroji
Malayala Manorama (1890)
Kandthil Varghese Mappilai
Prabudha Bharat (1896)
Swami Vivekanand
Indian Opinion (1904)(in South Africa)
Mahatma Gandhi
Bande Mataram (1905)
Bipin Chandra Pal
Jugantar Patrika (1906)
Bhupendranath Datta, Abhinash Bhattacharya and Barinder Kumar Ghosh
Bombay Chronicle (1910)
Ferozshah Mehta
Hitavada (1911)
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
New India (1914) and The Commonweal
Annie Besant
Navjeevan (1919), Young India (1919), Harijan (1933)
Mahatma Gandhi
The Independent (1919)
Motilal Nehru
The Leader (1919)
Madan Mohan Malviya
Mooknayak (1920)
BR Ambedkar
Mathrubhoomi (1923)
KP Kesava Menon
Hindustan Times (1924)
Sundar Singh Lyallpuri
Free Press Journal (1928)
Swaminathan Sadanand
The Indian Express (1932)
Ramnath Goenka
National Herald (1938)
Jawaharlal Nehru
Arya Gazette
Lala Lajpat Rai
Esays in Indian Economics
MG Ranade
Samachar Chandrika
Bhabani Charan Bandopadhyay
Swadeshabhimani
Vakkom Moulavi
Din Mitra
Mukundrao Patil
Bengalee
Surendranath Banerjee
The Socialist
S.A. Dange
Navayug
Muzaffar Ahmed
Inquilab
Ghulam Hussain
Free Hindusthan
Taraknath Das
Indian Puppetry
|
Indian Puppetry
Introduction
Ancient Art Form: Puppetry is one of the ancient forms of entertainment.
Captivating Experience: The element of a puppet being controlled by a master makes it a captivating experience.
Cost-Effective: The low cost of animation and production of a performance makes puppetry popular among freelance artists.
Artistic Freedom: This form of entertainment provides unrestricted freedom to the artist in design, color, and movement.
Ingenious Invention: Puppetry is considered one of the most ingenious inventions of mankind.
Indian Origin
Historical Significance:
Puppetry has long been of interest in India for both entertainment and educational purposes.
Excavation sites at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro have yielded puppets with sockets, indicating the presence of puppetry as an art form during those times.
References to marionette theatre date back to around 500 BC.
Written references to puppetry are found in the Tamil classic Silappadikaram (1st and 2nd century BC) and the Mahabharata.
Philosophical Importance:
In the Bhagavad Geeta, God is described as a puppeteer controlling the universe with three strings: Satta, Raja, and Tama.
In Indian theatre, the narrator is called Sutradhar, or the ‘holder of strings’.
Cultural and Artistic Diversity:
Various puppetry traditions have developed across India, each with distinct forms of puppets.
Stories from mythology, folklore, and local legends are commonly adopted.
Puppetry incorporates elements of painting, sculpture, music, dance, and drama, creating a unique artistic expression.
Challenges:
The lack of a devoted audience and financial insecurity has led to a decline in the art form in modern times.
Categories of Puppetry in India:
Puppetry in India can be broadly classified into four categories.
A brief outline of each with some prominent examples are given as follows:
String Puppets
Features of String Puppets:
Miniature Figures: The puppets are generally eight to nine inch miniature figures chiselled out of wood.
Painting: Oil paint is used to initially paint the wood and add facial features such as eyes, lips, and nose.
Limb Creation: Small wooden pipes are created with the body to form the limbs.
Dressing: The body is covered with colorful miniature dresses that are stitched.
Accessories: Miniature jewelry and other accessories are attached to give it a lifelike feel.
String Control: Strings are attached to small holes in the hands, head, and back of the body, which are then controlled by the puppeteer.
Popular Examples of String Puppetry in India:
Kathputli: Traditional string puppetry from Rajasthan.
Bommalattam: Puppet shows from Tamil Nadu.
Gombeyatta: String puppetry from Karnataka.
Kundhei: Marionettes from Odisha.
Kathputli
Name Origin: Derived from ‘kath’ meaning wood and ‘putli’ meaning doll.
Appearance: Puppets are covered in bright traditionalRajasthani dress.
Music: Shows are accompanied by dramatic folk music.
Unique Feature: Puppets lack legs.
String Attachment: Strings are attached to the fingers of the puppeteer.
Kundhei
Origin: String puppets of Odisha.
Material: Made of light wood.
Appearance: Dressed in long skirts.
Flexibility: Puppets have more joints, providing the puppeteer with greater flexibility.
String Attachment: Strings are attached to a triangular prop.
Cultural Influence: Shows exhibit a marked influence of Odissi dance.
Gombeyatta
Traditional Puppet Show of Karnataka:
Styling and Design: Based on various characters of the Yakshagana Theatres.
Unique Feature: Utilizes more than one puppeteer to manipulate the puppets.
Bommalattam
Region: Indigenous to Tamil Nadu.
Combination of Techniques: Combines features of rod and string puppetry.
String Attachment: Strings are attached to an iron ring worn by the puppeteer on the head.
Size and Weight: Bommalattam puppets are the largest and heaviest marionettes in India, with some as large as 4.5 ft in height and weighing up to 10 kg.
Theatre Stages: Bommalattam theatre has four distinct stages:
Vinayak Puja
Komali
Amanattam
Pusenkanattam
Shadow Puppetry in India:
Rich Tradition: Shadow puppetry has a long and enduring tradition in India.
Material: Puppets are flat figures cut out of leather.
Painting: Figures are painted identically on both sides of the leather.
Performance Setup: Puppets are placed on a white screen with light falling from behind, creating a shadow on the screen.
Manipulation: Figures are manipulated to create telling imagery through silhouettes on the blank screen.
Popular Examples of Shadow Puppetry:
Tholu Bommalata: Andhra Pradesh.
Togalu Gombeyata: Karnataka.
Ravanchhaya: Odisha.
Tholpavakoothu: Kerala.
National Parks in India
|
National Parks in India
Introduction
India’s first national park in India was established in 1936 as “Jim Corbett National Park”. By 1970 Indian only had five national parks, In 1972 India enacted the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Project Tiger to safeguard the habitats of conservation- reliant species. Further federal legislation was introduced in the 1980s.
An area, whether within a sanctuary or not, can be notified by the state government to be constituted as a National Park, by reason of its ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, or zoological association or importance, needed to for the purpose of protecting & propagating or developing wildlife therein or its environment. No human activity is permitted inside the national park except for the ones permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the state under the conditions given in CHAPTER IV, WPA 1972. There are 106 existing national parks in India covering an area of 44,402.95 km2.
List of National Parks (As on July, 2023)
Name of State
No. of PAs
Name of Protected Area
Year of Creation
Area
(in km2)
Andhra Pradesh
1
Papikonda
2008
1012.8588
2
Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram)
2005
2.3952
3
Sri Venkateswara
1989
353.62
Arunachal Pradesh
1
Mouling
1986
483.00
2
Namdapha
1983
1807.82
Assam
1
Dibru-Saikhowa
1999
340.00
2
Dihing Patkai
2021
234.26
3
Kaziranga
1974
889.51
4
Manas
1990
500.00
5
Nameri
1998
200.00
6
Rajiv Gandhi (Orang)
1999
78.81
7
Raimona
2021
422.00
Bihar
1
Valmiki
1989
335.65
Chhattisgarh
1
Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay)
1981
1440.71
2
Indravati (Kutru)
1982
1258.37
3
Kanger Valley
1982
200.00
Goa
1
Mollem
1992
107.00
Gujarat
1
Blackbuck (Velavadar)
1976
34.53
2
Gir
1975
258.71
3
Marine (Gulf of Kachchh)
1982
162.89
4
Vansda
1979
23.99
Haryana
1
Kalesar
2003
46.82
2
Sultanpur
1989
1.43
Himachal Pradesh
1
Great Himalayan
1984
754.40
2
Inderkilla
2010
94.00
3
Khirganga
2010
705.00
4
Pin Valley
1987
675.00
5
Col. Sherjung Simbalbara
2010
27.88
Jharkhand
1
Betla
1986
226.33
Karnataka
1
Anshi
1987
417.34
2
Bandipur
1974
872.24
3
Bannerghatta
1974
260.51
4
Kudremukh
1987
600.57
5
Nagarahole (Rajiv Gandhi)
1988
643.39
Kerala
1
Anamudi Shola
2003
7.50
2
Eravikulam
1978
97.00
3
Mathikettan Shola
2003
12.82
4
Pambadum Shola
2003
1.32
5
Periyar
1982
350.00
6
Silent Valley
1984
89.52
Madhya Pradesh
1
Bandhavgarh
1968
448.842
2
Dinosaur Fossils
2011
0.897
3
Fossil
1983
0.27
4
Pench
1975
292.857
5
Kanha
1955
941.793
6
Kuno
2018
748.761
7
Madhav
1959
375.23
8
Panna
1981
542.66
9
Sanjay
1981
464.643
10
Satpura
1981
528.729
11
Van Vihar
1979
4.452
Maharashtra
1
Chandoli
2004
317.67
2
Gugamal
1975
361.28
3
Nawegaon
1975
133.88
4
Pench (Jawaharlal Nehru)
1975
257.26
5
Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli)
1983
86.96
6
Tadoba
1955
116.55
Manipur
1
Keibul-Lamjao
1977
40.00
2
Shiroi
1982
100.00
Meghalaya
1
Balphakram
1986
220.00
2
Nokrek Ridge
1997
47.48
Mizoram
1
Murlen
2003
100.00
2
Phawngpui (Blue Mountain)
1997
50.00
Nagaland
1
Intanki
1993
202.02
Odisha
1
Bhitarkanika
1988
145.00
2
Simlipal
1980
845.70
Rajasthan
1
Desert
1992
3162.00
2
Keoladeo Ghana
1981
28.73
3
Mukundra Hills
2006
200.54
4
Ranthambhore
1980
282.00
5
Sariska
1992
273.80
Sikkim
1
Khangchendzonga
1977
1784.00
Tamil Nadu
1
Guindy
1976
2.7057
2
Gulf of Mannar Marine
1980
526.02
3
Indira Gandhi (Annamalai)
1989
117.10
4
Mudumalai
1990
103.23
5
Mukurthi
1990
78.46
Telangana
1
Kasu Brahmananda Reddy
1994
1.425
2
Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali
1994
14.59
3
Mrugavani
1994
3.60
Tripura
1
Clouded Leopard
2007
5.08
2
Bison (Rajbari)
2007
31.63
Uttar Pradesh
1
Dudhwa
1977
490.00
Uttarakhand
1
Corbett
1936
520.82
2
Gangotri
1989
2390.02
3
Govind
1990
472.08
4
Nanda Devi
1982
624.60
5
Rajaji
1983
820.00
6
Valley of Flowers
1982
87.50
West Bengal
1
Buxa
1992
117.10
2
Gorumara
1992
79.45
3
Jaldapara
2014
216.34
4
Neora Valley
1986
159.8917
5
Singalila
1986
78.60
6
Sunderban
1984
1330.10
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
1
Campbell Bay
1992
426.23
2
Galathea Bay
1992
110.00
3
Mahatama Gandhi Marine (Wandoor)
1983
281.50
4
Mount Harriett
1987
46.62
5
Rani Jhansi Marine
1996
320.06
6
Saddle Peak
1987
32.54
Jammu & Kashmir
1
City Forest (Salim Ali)
1992
9.07
2
Dachigam
1981
141.00
3
Kazinag
2000
90.88
4
Kishtwar High Altitute
1981
2191.50
Ladakh
1
Hemis
1981
3350.00
Source: MoEFCC & State Forest Departments
Ramsar Wetland Sites in India
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Ramsar Wetland Sites (As on June, 2024)
What is RAMSAR Wetland Sites
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value.
What is the Ramsar Convention?
It is an intergovernmental treaty, adopted on 2nd February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the southern shore of the Caspian Sea
In India, it came into force on 1st February 1982, under which wetlands of international importance are declared as Ramsar sites.
World Wetlands Day (WWD):
It is celebrated across the globe to commemorate the adoption of this international agreement on wetlands on 2nd February 1971.
The theme of World Wetland Day, 2024 is ‘Wetlands and Human Wellbeing’ which underscores the critical role wetlands play in enhancing our lives.
It highlights how wetlands contribute to flood protection, clean water, biodiversity and recreational opportunities, all of which are essential for human health and prosperity.
Ramsar sites are one of the major protected areas in the world.
There are currently over 2500 Ramsar sites in the world covering an area of 257,106,360 hectares.
World’s First Ramsar site was identified in 1974, which was the Cobourg Peninsula in Australia.
The United Kingdom has the world’s largest number of Ramsar Sites i.e. 175.
February 2 is celebrated as International Wetlands Day, as the Ramsar Convention was signed on February 2, 1971.
The Ramsar Convention works with the collaboration of the following organizations:
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Birdlife International.
International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
Wetlands International.
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)
WWF International
To research any of the Ramsar sites, one can check the Ramsar Sites Information Service (RSIS)
The number of contracting parties for the Ramsar Convention as of October 2019 is 171.
The Ramsar sites are maintained in the Montreux Record to track any major ecological changes that might affect any of the wetland sites positively or in a reverse way.
RAMSAR WETLANDS SITES (As on June, 2024)
S. No.
State Location
Name of Site
Date of Declaration
Area
1
Andhra Pradesh
Kolleru Lake
19.8.2002
901.00
2
Assam
Deepor Beel
19.8.2002
40.00
3
Bihar
Kabartal Wetland
21.07.2020
26.20
4
Goa
Nanda Lake
06.08.2022
0.42
5
Gujarat
Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary
13.04.2021
5.12
6
Gujarat
Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
24.09.2012
120.00
7
Gujarat
Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
05.04.2021
6.99
8
Gujarat
Wadhvana Wetland
05.04.2021
6.30
9
Haryana
Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
25.05.2021
4.12
10
Haryana
Sultanpur National Park
25.05.2021
1.43
11
Himachal Pradesh
Chandertal Wetland
8.11.2005
0.49
12
Himachal Pradesh
Pong Dam Lake
19.8.2002
156.62
13
Himachal Pradesh
Renuka Wetland
8.11.2005
0.20
14
Jammu and Kashmir
Hokera Wetland
8.11.2005
13.75
15
Jammu and Kashmir
Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve
13.08.2022
8.02
16
Jammu and Kashmir
Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve
13.08.2022
16.75
17
Jammu and Kashmir
Surinsar-Mansar Lakes
8.11.2005
3.50
18
Jammu and Kashmir
Wular Lake
23.3.1990
189.00
19
Karnataka
Aghanashini Estuary
31.01.2024
48.01
20
Karnataka
Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve
31.01.2024
0.98
21
Karnataka
Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve
31.01.2024
0.54
22
Karnataka
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
15.02.2022
5.18
23
Kerala
Asthamudi Wetland
19.8.2002
61.40
24
Kerala
Sasthamkotta Lake
19.8.2002
3.73
25
Kerala
Vembanad Kol Wetland
19.8.2002
1512.50
26
Ladakh
Tso Kar Wetland Complex
17.11.2020
95.77
27
Ladakh
Tsomoriri Lake
19.8.2002
120.00
28
Madhya Pradesh
Bhoj Wetlands
19.8.2002
32.01
29
Madhya Pradesh
Sakhya Sagar
01.07.2022
2.48
30
Madhya Pradesh
Sirpur Wetland
01.07.2022
1.61
31
Madhya Pradesh
Yashwant Sagar
13.08.2022
8.23
32
Maharashtra
Lonar Lake
22.7.2020
4.27
33
Maharashtra
Nandur Madhameshwar
21.6.2019
14.37
34
Maharashtra
Thane Creek
13.08.2022
65.21
35
Manipur
Loktak Lake
23.3.1990
266.00
36
Mizoram
Pala Wetland
31.08.2021
18.50
37
Odisha
Ansupa Lake
13.08.2022
2.31
38
Odisha
Bhitarkanika Mangroves
19.8.2002
650.00
39
Odisha
Chilka Lake
1.10.1981
1165.00
40
Odisha
Hirakud Reservoir
13.08.2022
654.00
41
Odisha
Satkosia Gorge
10.12.2021
981.97
42
Odisha
Tampara Lake
13.08.2022
3.00
43
Punjab
Beas Conservation Reserve
26.9.2019
64.29
44
Punjab
Harike Lake
23.3.1990
41.00
45
Punjab
Kanjli Lake
22.1.2002
1.83
46
Punjab
Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve
26.9.2019
3.44
47
Punjab
Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary
26.9.2019
1.16
48
Punjab
Ropar Lake
22.1.2002
13.65
49
Rajasthan
Keoladeo Ghana NP
1.10.1981
28.73
50
Rajasthan
Sambhar Lake
23.3.1990
240.00
51
Tamil Nadu
Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary
13.08.2022
2.60
52
Tamil Nadu
Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve
04.08.2022
526.72
53
Tamil Nadu
Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary
13.08.2022
0.97
54
Tamil Nadu
Karaivetti Bird sanctuary
31.01.2024
4.53
55
Tamil Nadu
Karikili Bird Sanctuary
04.08.2022
0.58
56
Tamil Nadu
Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary
11.08.2021
0.72
57
Tamil Nadu
Longwood Shola Reserve Forest
31.01.2024
1.16
58
Tamil Nadu
Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest
04.08.2022
12.48
59
Tamil Nadu
Pichavaram Mangrove
04.08.2022
14.79
60
Tamil Nadu
Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary
19.8.2002
385.00
61
Tamil Nadu
Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex
13.08.2022
0.94
62
Tamil Nadu
Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary
04.08.2022
0.44
63
Tamil Nadu
Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary
13.08.2022
1.13
64
Tamil Nadu
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
04.08.2022
0.40
65
Tamil Nadu
Vellode Bird Sanctuary
04.08.2022
0.77
66
Tamil Nadu
Vembannur Wetland Complex
04.08.2022
0.20
67
Tripura
Rudrasagar Lake
8.11.2005
2.40
68
Uttar Pradesh
Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary
29.06.2021
28.94
69
Uttar Pradesh
Haiderpur Wetland
8.12.2021
69.08
70
Uttar Pradesh
Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
19.9.2019
2.25
71
Uttar Pradesh
Parvati Agra Bird Sanctuary
2.12.2019
7.22
72
Uttar Pradesh
Saman Bird Sanctuary
2.12.2019
5.26
73
Uttar Pradesh
Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
3.10.2019
7.99
74
Uttar Pradesh
Sandi Bird Sanctuary
26.9.2019
3.09
75
Uttar Pradesh
Sarsai Nawar Jheel
19.9.2019
1.61
76
Uttar Pradesh
Sur Sarovar
21.8.2020
4.31
77
Uttar Pradesh
Upper Ganga River
8.11.2005
265.90
78
Uttarakhand
Asan Conservation Reserve
21.7.2020
4.44
79
West Bengal
East Kolkata Wetlands
19.8.2002
125.00
80
West Bengal
Sunderbans Wetland
30.1.2019
4230.00
81
Bihar
Nagi bird sanctuaries
5.6.2024
Recently designated Ramsar site
82
Bihar
Nakti bird sanctuaries
5.6.2024
Recently designated Ramsar site
Source: MoEFCC & State Forest Departments
Folk Paintings in India
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Folk Paintings in India
Madhubani Paintings
Traditionally done by the women of villages around Madhubani town (Bihar)
Also called Mithila Paintings
Common themes usually drawn from Hindu religious motifs
Includes depictions of Krishna, Rama, Durga, Lakshmi, and Shiv
The paintings depict auspicious occasions like birth, marriage, and festivals
Flowers, trees, animals, etc., are used to fill gaps in the painting
Traditionally painted on walls using rice paste and vegetable colors on a base of cow dung and mud
The base has evolved to include handmade paper, cloth, and canvas
Paintings are two-dimensional due to lack of shading
Common features include:
Double line border
Bold use of colors
Ornate floral patterns
Exaggerated facial features
Believed to have originated during the period of the Ramayana
King of Mithila instructed people to paint walls and floors for the marriage of Sita and Rama
Skill passed down through generations, primarily among women
Gained recognition in 1970 when the President of India honored Jagdamba Devi
Other famous painters include Baua Devi, Bharti Dayal, Ganga Devi, Mahasundari Devi, and Sita Devi
Art has received GI (geographical indication) status due to its confinement to a specific geographical area
Calendars in India
|
Calendars in India
Introduction
A calendar is a system for organizing days for social, religious, commercial, or administrative purposes.
It typically includes periods such as days, weeks, months, and years.
A date designates a single, specific day within such a system.
A calendar can also refer to a physical record (often paper) of such a system.
In India, various systems have been used at different times to mark the beginning of a new year. These systems belong to one of the following three types:
Solar System
Lunar System
Luni-Solar System
These systems are based on astronomical years, following the movement of celestial bodies:
Solar Year
Represents the time taken by the Earth to revolve around the Sun, passing through a point of the ecliptic (solstice or equinox).
Consists of 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds.
Maintains a close correspondence between the year and the seasons.
Has 12 months in total.
Lunar Year
Consists of 12 months or lunations.
Each lunation is a synodic month measured by the period between two successive full moons or new moons.
Since a lunar month varies from 29.26 to 29.80 days, the lunar year is 354 days, 11 days shorter than the solar year.
This difference is adjusted by intercalation or suppression, adding an intercalary month (Adhik Masa) every 2 years and 6 months.
Luni-Solar Year
The year is calculated by the solar cycle and the months by the lunar divisions, as in Hindu calendars.
Adjustments between the solar and lunar cycles are made by intercalation and suppression of days and months.
Various months within these systems:
Solar Month
The solar year has 12 months named after the twelve zodiac signs (Rashis or mansions):
Mesha (Aries)
Vrishabham (Taurus)
Mithuna, the pairs (Gemini)
Karka, the crab (Cancer)
Simha, the lion (Leo)
Kanya, the maiden (Virgo)
Tula, the scales (Libra)
Vrischika, the scorpion (Scorpio)
Dhanus, the bow (Sagittarius)
Makara, the sea monster (Capricorn)
Kumbha, the water pot (Aquarius)
Mina, the fish (Pisces)
Awards & Honours
|
Awards & Honours
Introduction
Awards and honours are given both at individual and group level as a token of appreciation or recognition for an extraordinary work. Government of India gives several honours every year to those who have achieved outstanding merit in their field.
Awards Given by Government of India
Bharat Ratna
The title “Bharat Ratna” literally means “Jewel of India.”
It is the highest civilian award bestowed by the Republic of India.
Bharat Ratna is awarded to exceptional individuals who have performed in the highest order.
The award was first given in 1954.
Originally, it was awarded for outstanding achievements in art, science, literature, and public service.
In December 2011, the criteria were expanded to include “any field of human endeavour.”
The Prime Minister of India makes recommendations to the President of India for the award.
The President can choose not more than three individuals in a particular year for the award.
Awardees receive a peepal-leaf shaped medal and a certificate (sanad), but no monetary award.
According to the Indian Order of Precedence, Bharat Ratna awardees are ranked seventh.
The award cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient’s name, as per Article 18(1) of the Constitution.
Editorials & Articles : 5 June 2024
|
Editorials & Articles : 5 June 2024
Decoding the Lok Sabha Election Verdict 2024
Why in News?
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA is set to form the government at the Centre for the third consecutive term.
But what would usually be termed a clear victory, feels like a defeat for the BJP after the opposition INDIA bloc’s impressive performance in the elections for the 18th Lok Sabha.
What’s in Today’s Article?
Which Party Won How Many Seats
Analysing the Lok Sabha Election Results 2024
What will be the Changes on the Nature and Working of 18th Lok Sabha/ Other Institutions?
Impact of Coalition Politics at the Centre
Which Party Won How Many Seats:
The BJP won in 240 seats (with a vote share of 36.56%), falling short of the 272-majority mark and less than the 303 and 282 seats it had won in 2019 and 2014, respectively.
With support from key allies N Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), which won 16 and 12 seats in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, respectively, the NDA crossed the halfway mark.
The Congress, which is part of the opposition INDIA bloc, won 99 seats (with a vote share of 21.19%) compared to 52 it won in 2019.
The Samajwadi Party kept the INDIA bloc’s morale high in UP with 37 seats and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won 29 seats in West Bengal, higher than its 2019 tally of 22.
The BJP-led NDA had anticipated and the exit polls had predicted a landslide victory, but that was not what happened.
Analysing the Lok Sabha Election Results 2024:
Return of Coalition politics at the Centre:
In the last 10 years, a single political party (BJP) led a majority government at the Centre, crossing the halfway mark in the Lok Sabha elections of 2014 and 2019.
Now, it will have to depend on its pre-poll allies, the top four being the TDP, JD(U), Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and LJP (Ram Vilas) led by Chirag Paswan.
Rise of regional leaders and impact on regional politics:
From the North to the South, East to West, regional leaders have re-emerged to exert influence in the national polity.
The verdict in Maharashtra suggests that the people have stood by Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray, who suffered BJP-supported splits in their parties. The state goes to Assembly polls later this year in October.
Recalibration of power balance, among BJP-RSS and within BJP:
Given that the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 were centred around PM Narendra Modi, with a high-decibel ‘Modi ki guarantee’ campaign, the burden of a lower tally will inevitably fall on him.
BJP-RSS relations during the NDA government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi had been starkly different.
RSS, the ideological parent of the BJP, which works quietly on the ground for the party, may start participating in government affairs along with setting political agenda for BJP.
What will be the Changes on the Nature and Working of 18th Lok Sabha/ Other Institutions?
The opposition benches will have a much larger voice:
The lower numbers of the BJP will mean greater representation for Lok Sabha members from the opposition in various Parliamentary panels such as the Standing Committees and Select Committees.
As speaking time on an issue is divided in proportion to the strength of parties in Lok Sabha, the INDIA bloc will be allotted almost 26 minutes for an hour for discussion on a particular issue.
It will promote adequate debate and discussion on an issue in Lok Sabha and prevent routing of legislation as a Money Bill.
Federalism will matter more: The opposition views the frequently used slogan “double-engine sarkar” to win support in state Assembly elections as an attack on federalism – a fundamental principle of the Constitution.
Greater accountability:
A coalition provides more room for institutions to innovate and resist the political executive’s top-down policies, improves checks and balances, and oxygenates the ecosystem.
Hence, accountability is likely to increase in all institutions from the judiciary to the auditor, from financial regulators to the election watchdog, and even the investigative agencies.
Impact of Coalition Politics at the Centre:
Dealing with partners:
Now, BJP will have to listen to its allies, because they will be key to the stability of the government at the Centre.
The new and old allies will seek Cabinet berths, which could impinge on the BJP-led government’s flexibility in policy-making especially on the issues such as
Uniform Civil Code,
Delimitation of constituencies,
Judicial reforms, and
One-Nation, One-Election
In short, the party will have to devise mechanisms to accommodate the sensitivities of other parties with their own ethos and ideologies.
Structural reforms:
Coalitions have performed better when it comes to structural reforms, which have always required time for all parties involved to be convinced.
For example, the BJP (over the last 10 years), despite enjoying an absolute majority in Lok Sabha,
Failed to push through legislation on land and farms.
The four labour codes passed by Parliament in 2019 and 2020 have remained on the back burner.
Two lakh plus NOTA votes in Indore
Why in news?
BJP’s Shankar Lalwani won in Indore with a massive margin of 10.09 lakh votes, receiving 12,26,751 votes. His nearest competitor was NOTA, with 2,18,674 votes. This result is the highest number of NOTA votes ever recorded in any constituency. The previous record was 51,660 NOTA votes in Gopalganj, Bihar, in 2019.
What’s in today’s article?
NOTA and its introduction in Indian election
Situation where NOTA receives the highest number of votes
NOTA and its introduction in Indian election
About
NOTA stands for “None of the Above.”
It is an option provided to voters in Indian elections, allowing them to indicate disapproval of all candidates listed on the ballot.
This choice enables voters to exercise their right to vote without endorsing any of the contesting candidates.
Introduction in Indian election
In September 2013, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to introduce the NOTA option to protect voter secrecy.
This decision followed a 2004 petition by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL).
PUCL argued that the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, violated voter secrecy, as the Presiding Officer recorded the details of those who chose not to vote.
The central government contended that the right to vote is a statutory right, and only those who voted had a right to secrecy.
However, the Supreme Court held that voter secrecy must be maintained whether a vote is cast or not.
The court emphasized that secrecy is crucial for free and fair elections, and no public interest is served by revealing a voter’s choice or identity.
The Supreme Court observed that with EVMs, it is evident if a voter chooses not to vote, as the machine remains silent.
In 2001, the ECI recommended to the Ministry of Law and Justice the introduction of a NOTA option in EVMs and ballot papers.
This was recommended to protect voter secrecy and allow voters to express dissent against candidates, reducing bogus voting.
Accepting this reasoning, the court directed the ECI to install a NOTA button in EVMs.
This move aims to make political parties field candidates with integrity, reflecting the will of the people.
What happens if NOTA receives the highest number of votes in a constituency?
NOTA has no legal consequence
Experts highlighted that NOTA has no legal consequence—if NOTA receives the most votes, the second-highest candidate wins.
While this hasn’t occurred in Lok Sabha elections, results like Indore’s suggest it is possible.
Matter under Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a petition to declare elections null and void if NOTA wins.
Shiv Khera, founder of the Country First Foundation, filed this petition in April 2024, seeking ECI guidelines to ensure uniform implementation of NOTA with consequences for candidates failing to surpass NOTA.
The petition highlights examples from Maharashtra, Haryana, Puducherry, Delhi, and Chandigarh, where the State Election Commission treats NOTA as a “Fictional Electoral Candidate” in local elections.
If NOTA receives more votes than any individual candidate, fresh elections are held.
Arguments put forward by the petition
The petition argues that the ECI should implement similar rules for all elections where NOTA wins a majority.
It claims that since its 2013 introduction, NOTA has not increased voter participation or improved candidate quality.
It describes NOTA as a “potent weapon” needing more impact to pressure political parties.
It also suggests that candidates receiving fewer votes than NOTA should be barred from contesting elections for five years and urges the Supreme Court to direct the ECI to frame such rules.
SEBI Forms Panel for Reviewing Economic Structure of Corporations
Why in the News?
The SEBI has set up a committee to review the ownership and economic structure of clearing corporations and suggest measures to ensure that clearing corporations function as resilient, independent, and neutral risk managers.
What’s in Today’s Article?
About SEBI (Establishment, Purpose, Powers)
News Summary
About Clearing Corporations (Meaning, Functions, etc.)
About Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI):
The SEBI is a statutory regulatory body established by the Government of India in 1992. It was given statutory powers through the SEBI Act, 1992.
Objective: To regulate the securities market in India and protect the interests of investors in securities.
Why Was SEBI Formed?
SEBI was established to keep a check on unfair and malpractices and protect the investors from such malpractices.
The organization was created to meet the requirements of the following three groups:
Issuers: SEBI works toward providing a marketplace to the investors where they can efficiently and fairly raise their funds.
Intermediaries: SEBI works towards providing a professional and competitive market to the intermediaries
Investors: SEBI protects and supplies accurate information to investors.
Powers of SEBI:
Quasi-judicial powers:
In case of frauds and unethical practices pertaining to the securities market, SEBI has the power to pass judgments.
The said power facilitates to maintain transparency, accountability and fairness in the securities market.
Quasi-executive powers:
SEBI has the power to examine the Book of Accounts and other vital documents to identify or gather evidence against violations.
If it finds one violating the regulations, the regulatory body has the power to impose rules, pass judgements and take legal actions against violators.
Quasi-legislative powers:
To protect the interest of investors, the authoritative body has been entrusted with the power to formulate suitable rules and regulations.
Such rules tend to encompass the listing obligations, insider trading regulations and essential disclosure requirements.
The body formulates such rules and regulation to get rid of malpractices that are prevalent in the securities market.
Usha Thorat committee to review the ownership and economic structure of clearing corporations:
The SEBI has set up an ad-hoc committee chaired by Usha Thorat, former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Objectives of the Committee:
To review the ownership and economic structure of clearing corporations and
Suggest measures to ensure that clearing corporations function as resilient, independent, and neutral risk managers.
With regards to ownership structure, the committee will examine the feasibility, and broadening the list of eligible investors, who are allowed to take shareholding in a clearing corporation.
The committee will then suggest categories of investors who can acquire stakes in such corporations.
The committee has been formed due to the substantial growth of Indian securities markets in recent years and the importance of clearing corporations as central risk management institutions.
What is a Clearing Corporation?
A Clearing Corporation is a financial institution that acts as an intermediary between buyers and sellers in financial markets to ensure the smooth and efficient settlement of transactions.
Here are its main functions and features:
Intermediary Role: It stands between the two parties in a transaction, becoming the buyer to every seller and the seller to every buyer. This process is called “novation.”
Guaranteeing Settlement: By guaranteeing the completion of transactions, it reduces the risk of counterparty default. If one party fails to fulfil their part of the deal, the Clearing Corporation steps in to ensure the transaction is completed.
Clearing and Settlement: It facilitates the process of clearing (matching and confirming trade details) and settlement (transferring funds and securities between parties).
Risk Management: It manages various risks associated with trading, including market risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk, by maintaining collateral and using various risk mitigation techniques.
Margin Requirements: To protect against potential losses, it requires traders to deposit margins (collateral) which can be adjusted based on market conditions and the trader’s risk profile.
Transparency and Efficiency: It enhances market transparency and efficiency by standardizing procedures, improving liquidity, and ensuring that all trades are settled in a timely manner.
Regulatory Oversight: Clearing Corporations are regulated by SEBI to ensure they operate in a sound and stable manner, safeguarding the interests of all market participants.
Example: Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL)
Coalition government and economic reforms in India
Why in news?
The NDA has won a historic third term at the Centre, but the BJP fell short of the 272-seat majority, necessitating a coalition government.
Previously, the BJP’s majority in the last two Lok Sabhas marked the first time since economic reforms began (in 1991) that a single party had a majority mandate. This was expected to positively impact India’s economic reform trajectory.
What’s in today’s article?
Coalition Governments and Economic Reforms Since 1991
Notable reforms brought by the previous coalition governments
Coalition Governments and Weak Economic Reforms Since 1991
Since 1991, India’s shift from a planned economy to an open economy saw all governments being coalition-based, with the leading party never achieving the majority mark of 272.
As per the Montek Singh Ahluwalia (former Deputy Chairman of the erstwhile Planning Commission), this inherent weakness resulted in a “strong consensus for weak reforms“.
While there was general agreement on the need for economic reforms, coalition parties often diverged on the specifics, leading to diluted reform measures.
Can a coalition government derail India’s economic reforms trajectory?
This is not true in Indian context as many notable reforms were brought by the previous coalition governments.
Coalition govt and economic reform – strong consensus for weak reforms
Coalition govts in India have historically faced challenges in implementing strong economic reforms due to differing priorities among coalition partners.
Diverse Interests
Coalition partners often have varied political and economic agendas, leading to compromises and diluted reforms.
This can slow down or alter the trajectory of economic reforms.
Consensus Building
While coalition governments can foster broader consensus, the need to appease various factions might lead to weaker reform measures.
Achieving a unified stance on complex economic issues becomes difficult.
Policy Stability
Frequent changes in coalition partners or internal disagreements can lead to policy instability, affecting investor confidence and long-term economic planning.
Other perspective on coalition govt and economic reforms
The past decade under PM Narendra Modi aimed to resolve the weaknesses of coalition governments, ensuring policy stability and boosting investor confidence.
Significant reforms such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code were introduced.
However, these goals were not fully achieved.
The government faced challenges, including failing to reform land acquisition and repealing farm reforms after widespread protests.
The demonetisation announcement also caused significant economic uncertainty.
Conclusion
Hence, the statement that coalition government will necessarily derail India’s economic reforms trajectory is not true in general.
If one looks back at India’s economic history since 1991, it becomes clear that coalition governments have undertaken some of the boldest and most visionary reforms that laid the foundation for India’s resurgence.
While a coalition government can pose challenges to the economic reform trajectory, effective leadership, clear communication, and strategic compromises can mitigate these risks and maintain reform momentum.
Notable reforms brought by the previous coalition governments
P V Narasimha Rao Government: Economic Liberalization
Economic Reforms: The minority government led by P V Narasimha Rao initiated major economic reforms, discarding centralized planning, and opening the Indian economy to global competition by removing the license-permit raj.
Global Integration: India became a member of the World Trade Organisation during this period.
Deve Gowda Government: The “Dream Budget”
Tax Reforms: Finance Minister P Chidambaram introduced the “dream budget,” which cut tax rates for personal income tax, corporate taxes, and customs duties, fostering trust in Indian taxpayers.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government: Fiscal and Infrastructure Reforms
Fiscal Responsibility: The NDA government under Vajpayee implemented the Fiscal Responsibility & Budget Management (FRBM) law, limiting government borrowing and promoting fiscal discipline.
Disinvestment and Infrastructure: The government advanced disinvestment of loss-making PSUs and boosted rural infrastructure with the PM Gram Sadak Yojana.
Information Technology Act: The 2000 Act laid the foundation for India’s thriving e-commerce sector.
Manmohan Singh Government: Rights-Based Reforms
Education Reforms: The UPA government built on the Vajpayee-era Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan by enacting the Right to Education Act.
Transparency and Welfare: Key reforms included the Right to Information Act, the Right to Food, and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MG-NREGA).
Economic and Technological Advances: Singh’s government deregulated fuel prices, initiated direct benefit transfers, and worked on Aadhaar and GST implementation.
Headlines of the Day 05-06-2024
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Headlines of the Day 05-06-2024
The Hindu, PIB, Indian Express, AIR
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Syllabus
Netherlands turns third largest export destination
According to the story in Bharata’s Natya Shastra, Lord Brahma created a fifth Veda called Natya Veda at the request of the Gods, combining aspects of the four Vedas.
Pathya (words) from Rig Veda
Abhinaya (gestures) from Yajur Veda
Geet (music) from Sam Veda
Rasa (emotions) from Atharva Veda
Natya is an amalgamation of dance, drama, and music.
The divine importance of dance in Indian cultural tradition is highlighted by:
Shiva’s tandava dance, symbolizing the cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction.
The feminine response of Parvati.
Indian mythology contains numerous examples of dance forms and expressions.
Community dancing engravings at Bhimbetka and the Bronze dancing girl sculpture from the Harappan Civilization underscore the social significance of dance.
The first formal mention of dance is found in Bharata’s Natyashastra, a comprehensive and vivid treatise on Indian classical dance.
Natyashastra was likely compiled between 200 BC and 200 AD.
The text details:
Techniques
Postures
Emotions
Ornaments
Stage
Audience
Bharata Muni describes dance as the ‘complete art,’ encompassing all other art forms such as music, sculpture, poetry, and drama.
Aspects of Dance
According to Natya Shastra, there are two basic aspects of Indian classical dance:
Lasya: Denotes grace, bhava, rasa, and abhinaya; symbolic of the feminine features of dance.
Tandava: Symbolic of the male aspects of dance, emphasizing rhythm and movement.
As per Abhinaya Darpan (5th–4th century BC), Nandikeshwara’s famous treatise on dance, an act is broken into three basic elements:
Nritta: Refers to basic dance steps performed rhythmically but devoid of any expression or mood.
Natya: Means dramatic representations and refers to the story elaborated through the dance recital.
Nritya: Refers to the sentiment and emotions evoked through dance, including mime and different methods of expression like mudras.
Nandikeshwara further elaborates the Nayaka-Nayika Bhav, where:
The eternal deity is seen as the hero (Nayaka).
The devotee performing the dance is the heroine (Nayika).
There are nine rasas or emotions expressed through the dance :
Shringara for love
Roudra for anger
Bibhatsa for disgust
Veera for heroism
Shaant for peace and tranquillity
Haasya for laughter and comedy
Karuna for tragedy
Bhayanak for horror
Adbhuta for wonder
These moods and expressions are emoted through the use of mudras – a combination of hand gestures and body postures. There are 108 fundamental mudras, a combination of which is used to depict a particular emotion.
Indian Classical Dance Forms
Distinct styles of dance have evolved in different regions of India, each with specific nuances.
All these dance forms are governed by the basic rules and guidelines laid down in the Natya Shastra.
The principal rule is that true transfer of knowledge can only come through a guru.
The guru imparts knowledge of different traditions (sampradayas) to the disciple.
This ‘guru-shishya parampara’ forms the core of Indian classical art forms.
According to Sangeet Natak Akademi, there are eight classical dance forms in India:
Bharatnatyam
Kuchipudi
Kathakali
Mohiniattam
Odissi
Manipuri
Kathak
Sattriya
8 Classical Dances of India
Classical Dance Form
State of Origin
Bharatanatyam
Tamil Nadu
Kathak
Uttar Pradesh
Kathakali
Kerala
Odissi
Odisha
Manipuri
Manipur
Kuchipudi
Andhra Pradesh
Mohiniyattam
Kerala
Sattriya
Assam
Bharatnatyam
Bharatnatyam is the oldest among all classical dance forms.
The name derives from Bharata Muni and ‘natyam’ which means dance in Tamil.
Other scholars ascribe the name ‘Bharata’ to ‘Bhava’, ‘Raga’, and ‘Taal’.
The origins of Bharatnatyam can be traced back to ‘Sadir’, the solo dance performance of temple dancers (devadasis) in Tamil Nadu.
It was also referred to as ‘Dashiattam’.
With the decline of the Devadasi system, the art nearly became extinct.
Efforts by E. Krishna Iyer, a prominent freedom fighter, revived Bharatnatyam.
Originally performed by solo female dancers, it has become increasingly popular among male and group artists as well.
Rukmini Devi Arundale, another famous proponent, is remembered for giving global recognition to Bharatnatyam.
In the early 19th century, four dance teachers of Thanjavur defined the elements of a Bharatanatyam recital:
Alarippu: An invocatory piece with basic dance postures and rhythmic syllables, meant to seek the blessings of God.
Jatiswaram: The Nritta component, devoid of expressions, including different poses and movements.
Shabdam: The dramatic element with expressed words, including abhinaya in the song, generally praising the glory of God.
Varnam: The Nritya component, a combination of dance and emotions, the most important part of the performance, synchronized with tala and raag to express the story.
Padam: Mastery over the abhinaya (expression) of the spiritual message, with light music and emotional dance.
Jawali: Short love-lyrics performed at a faster tempo.
Thillana: The concluding stage, comprising pure dance (Nritta) with exuberant movement and intricate rhythmic variations.
The four Thanjavur teachers, known as the ‘Tanjore quartet’, are Chinnaiah, Ponniah, Vadivelu, and Shivanandam.
Under them, Bharatnatyam also came to be known as Tanjore Natyam.
Bharatnatyam is often referred to as the ‘fire dance’ due to its resemblance to a dancing flame.
Equal emphasis is given to both Tandava and Lasya aspects of dance, with major emphasis on ‘mudras’.
One of the principal mudras is ‘Katakamukha Hasta’, where three fingers are joined to symbolize ‘Om’.
In a Bharatanatyam recital, the knees are mostly bent, and the weight is equally distributed across both feet.
Characterized by the ‘Ekcharya lasyam’ style, in which one dancer plays many different roles.
Originally performed by a group of actors called Kusselavas, who traveled from village to village.
Kuchipudi derives its name from the village of Kusselavapuri or Kuchelapuram in Andhra Pradesh.
In the 17th century, Siddhendra Yogi formalized and systematized the tradition:
He authored ‘Bhama Kalapam’ and many other plays.
With the advent of Vaishnavism, Kuchipudi became a monopoly of male Brahmins and was performed at temples.
Stories of Bhagavat Purana became central themes of the recitals.
The dancers came to be known as Bhagavathalus.
The dance form gained prominence under the patronage of the Vijayanagara and Golconda rulers.
It remained confined to villages and obscure until the 20th century.
Balasaraswati and Ragini Devi revived the dance form in the 20th century.
Lakshminarayan Sastri introduced new practices such as solo recitals and female participation in the early 20th century.
Some of the features of Kuchipudi dance are:
Kuchipudi involves difficult foot movements and is generally a team performance.
Most Kuchipudi recitals are based on stories from the Bhagavata Purana but have a secular theme with a predominance of Shringara rasa.
Each principal character introduces itself on stage with a “daaru,” a small composition of dance and song, choreographed for character revelation.
The dance involves all three components of classical dances: Nritta, Natya, and Nritya.
It is similar to Bharatnatyam but has its own distinct features.
The performance includes:
Sollakath or Patakshara: The Nritta part, involving body movements.
Kavutvams: The Nritya part, involving extensive acrobatics, which may also be performed as Nritta.
Kuchipudi dance style is a manifestation of the earthly elements in the human body.
In a Kuchipudi recital, the dancer may also take on the role of a singer, making it a dance-drama performance.
Both Lasya and Tandava elements are important in Kuchipudi.
Apart from group performances, there are popular solo elements in Kuchipudi:
Manduk Shabdam: Tells the story of a frog.
Tarangam: The dancer performs on the edges of a brass plate while balancing a pot of water on the head or a set of diyas.
Jala Chitra Nrityam: The dancer draws pictures on the floor with toes while dancing.
A Kuchipudi recital is generally accompanied by Carnatic music, with Violin and Mridangam being the principal instruments.
The recital is in the Telugu language.
Famous proponents include Radha Reddy and Raja Reddy, Yamini Krishnamurthy, and Indrani Rahman.
Kathakali
In the temples of Kerala, two forms of dance-drama, Ramanattam and Krishnattam, evolved under the patronage of feudal lords, narrating episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
These folk drama traditions later became the source of Kathakali.
The name Kathakali is derived from ‘Katha’ (story) and ‘Kali’ (drama).
Kathakali is closely related to Koodiyattam (Sanskrit drama tradition) and ancient martial-arts performances.
It is a wonderful combination of music, dance, and drama.
With the breakdown of the feudal setup, Kathakali began declining as an art form.
Kathakali was revived in the 1930s by the famous Malayali poet V. N. Menon under the patronage of Mukunda Raja.
Some of the features of Kathakali dance are:
Kathakali is generally an all-male troupe performance.
There is minimal use of props in the Kathakali recital.
Very elaborate facial makeup and headgear are used for different characters.
Significance of Colors:
Green: Nobility, divinity, and virtue.
Red patches beside the nose: Royalty.
Black: Evil and wickedness.
Yellow: Saints and women.
Completely red-painted face: Evil.
White beard: Beings with higher consciousness and divinity.
Performance Elements:
Involves both dance and drama, which cannot be clearly separated.
Most recitals depict the eternal conflict between good and evil, drawing themes from epics and puranas.
Known as the ‘ballad of the east’.
Language and Music:
The language used for Kathakali songs is Manipravalam, a mixture of Malayalam and Sanskrit.
Music is crucial for conveying the drama to viewers, with different compositions adding depth to the performance.
Gestures and Expressions:
Gestures are central to the performance, with a focus on representing rasas through eye and eyebrow movements.
Nine important facial expressions, called ‘Navarasas,’ are taught to convey different emotions.
Extensive hand gestures are used, requiring strenuous training.
Performance Setting:
Generally performed in open-air theatres covered with coarse mats or temple premises, with lush green trees of Kerala as a backdrop.
A brass lamp is used for lighting.
The arrival of dawn, accompanied by continuous drum sounds (chhenda and maddala), marks the beginning and end of a recital.
Symbolism:
Kathakali symbolizes the element of sky or ether.
Famous Proponents:
Guru Kunchu Kurup
Gopi Nath
Kottakal Sivaraman
Rita Ganguly
Mohiniattam
Name and Origin:
Mohiniattam means ‘Dance of an Enchantress’ (‘Mohini’ meaning beautiful woman and ‘attam’ meaning dance).
It is essentially a solo dance performance by women.
Development and Prominence:
Further developed by Vadivelu in the 19th century.
Gained prominence under the rulers of Travancore in Kerala.
Notable patronage by Swathi Thirunal, the Travancore ruler in the 19th century.
Revival:
Fell into obscurity before being revived by the famous Malayali poet V. N. Menon and Kalyani Amma.
Some of the features of Mohiniattam are:
Dance Style:
Mohiniattam combines the grace and elegance of Bharatnatyam with the vigor of Kathakali.
Footwork is gentle, with a marked absence of thumping footsteps.
Themes and Narrative:
Generally narrates stories related to the feminine dance of Vishnu.
Nritta and Nritya:
Mohiniattam has its own Nritta (pure dance) and Nritya (expressive dance) aspects like other classical dances.
Dominant Aspect:
The Lasya aspect (beauty and grace) is dominant in Mohiniyattam, making it mainly performed by female dancers.
Accompaniments:
The dance is accompanied by music and songs.
Costume and Attire:
Costume is of special importance, with white and off-white being principal colors and gold-colored brocade designs.
There is no elaborate facial makeup; instead, the dancer wears a leather strap with bells (Ghungroo) on her ankles.
Symbolism:
Mohiniattam symbolizes the element of air in its performance.
Basic Movements:
‘Atavakul or Atavus’ comprises the collection of 40 basic dance movements.
Musical Instruments:
Instruments used include cymbals, veena, drums, flute, etc.
Famous Proponents:
Sunanda Nair
Kalamandalam Kshemavathy
Madhuri Amma
Jayaprabha Menon
Odissi
Origin and Early Examples:
Odissi dance finds some of its earliest examples in the caves of Udayagiri-Khandagiri.
The dance form derives its name from ‘Odra nritya’ mentioned in the Natya Shastra.
Early Practitioners and Patronage:
Initially practiced by the ‘maharis’ (temple dancers) and patronized by Jain King Kheravela.
Changes with Vaishnavism:
With the advent of Vaishnavism, the Mahari system became defunct.
Young boys were then recruited and dressed as females to continue the art form, known as ‘Gotipuas’.
Royal Court Practice:
Another variant, ‘Nartala’, continued to be practiced at royal courts during this period.
In the mid-20th century, Odissi gained international acclaim due to the efforts of Charles Fabri and Indrani Rahman.
Some of the features of Odissi are:
Similarities with Bharatnatyam:
Uses Mudras (hand gestures) and postures to express emotions.
Distinctive Postures:
Tribhanga: The three-bended form of the body is innate to Odissi.
Chowk: Posture with hands spread out, depicting masculinity.
Movement and Expression:
Lower body remains largely static; movement is focused on the torso.
Hand gestures play a crucial role in conveying expressions during Nritya (expressive dance) part.
Artistic Representation:
Odissi is known for its gracefulness, sensuality, and beauty.
Dancers create intricate geometrical shapes and patterns with the body, earning it the name ‘mobile sculpture’.
Elements of Odissi:
Mangalacharan: Beginning with an offering of a flower to mother earth.
Batu nritya: Includes Tribhanga and Chowk postures.
Pallavi: Involves facial expressions and representation of the song.
Tharijham: Pure dance segment before the conclusion.
Conclusion: Includes joyous movements in Moksha and Trikhanda majura, where the performer takes leave.
Accompaniments:
Odissi is accompanied by Hindustani classical music.
Instruments include Manjira (Cymbals), Pakhawaj (Drums), Sitar, Flute, etc.
Symbolism:
Symbolizes the element of water in its performance.
Attire:
Woman dancers wear an elaborate hairstyle, silver jewelry, long necklace, etc.
Famous proponents: Guru Pankaj Charan Das, Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra, Sonal Mansingh, Sharon Lowen (USA), Anandini Dasi (Argentina).
Manipuri
Mythological Origin:
Manipuri dance finds its mythological origin in the celestial dance of Shiva and Parvati in the valleys of Manipur, accompanied by local ‘Gandharvas’.
Prominence with Vaishnavism:
Gained prominence with the advent of Vaishnavism in the 15th century.
Krishna became the central theme of this dance form.It is performed generally by females
Revival Efforts:
Raja Bhag Chandra of Manipur in the 18th century attempted to revive Manipuri dance.
Rabindranath Tagore brought the dance form back into the limelight when he introduced it in Shantiniketan, West Bengal.
Some of the features of Manipuri dance are as follows:
Emphasis on Devotion:
Manipuri dance emphasizes devotion rather than sensuality.
Costume and Veiling:
Dancers wear unique long skirts.
Faces are covered with a thin veil; facial expression is less emphasized.
Dance Style:
Incorporates both Tandava (vigorous) and Lasya (graceful), with emphasis on Lasya.
Movement and Postures:
Gentle movements of hands and feet are important.
Focus on slow and gracious movements, knee positions are significant.
Mudra:
Nagabandha Mudra: Important posture where the body is connected through curves resembling the shape of ‘8’.
Themes:
Ras Leela: Recurring theme depicting the love story of Radha and Krishna.
Musical Instruments:
Pung: Drum, intricately used in the recital.
Also accompanied by flute, Khartals (wood clappers), dhols, etc.
Compositions of Jayadeva and Chandidas are extensively used.
Influences:
Thang-Ta and Sankirtana: Other Manipuri art forms that influence Manipuri dance.
Famous proponents: Jhaveri sisters- Nayana, Suverna, Ranjana and Darshana, Guru Bipin Singha, N Madhabi Devi, etc
Kathak
Origin and Name:
Kathak traces its origins from the Ras Leela of Brajbhoomi, a region associated with Lord Krishna’s legends.
The name ‘Kathak‘ is derived from ‘Kathika‘, the story-tellers who recited verses from epics accompanied by gestures and music.
Kathak is the traditional dance form of Uttar Pradesh.
The classical style of Kathak was revived by Lady Leela Sokhey in the 20th century.
Some of the features of Kathak are:
Development of Gharanas:
Lucknow Gharana: Reached its peak under Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, focusing on expression and grace.
Jaipur Gharana: Initiated by Bhanuji, emphasizes fluency, speed, and long rhythmic patterns.
Raigarh Gharana: Developed under Raja Chakradhar Singh, unique for its emphasis on percussion music.
Banaras Gharana: Developed under Janakiprasad, emphasizes floor work and symmetry.
Characteristics of Kathak:
Characterized by intricate footwork and pirouettes.
Elements of a Kathak Recital:
Ananda: Introductory item for the dancer’s entry.
Thaat: Soft and varied movements.
Todas and Tukdas: Small pieces of fast rhythm.
Jugalbandi: Competitive play between dancer and tabla player.
Padhant: Recitation of complicated bols (rhythmic syllables).
Tarana: Similar to thillana, pure rhythmic movements before the end.
Kramalaya: Concluding piece with intricate and fast footwork.
Gat bhaav: Dance without music or chanting, outlining mythological episodes.
Musical Accompaniment:
Kathak is generally accompanied by dhrupad music.
Taranas, thumris, and ghazals were introduced during the Mughal period.
Famous Proponents:
Birju Maharaj, Lacchu Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Damayanti Joshi, etc.
Sattriya
Introduction by Sankaradeva:
Sattriya dance was introduced in its modern form by the Vaishnava Saint Sankaradeva in the 15th century AD in Assam.
Derivation of Name:
The dance form derives its name from the Vaishnava monasteries known as ‘Sattras’, where it was primarily practiced.
Ancient Roots:
Finds mention in the ancient text ‘Natya Shastra’ of sage Bharat Muni.
Inspiration from Bhakti Movement:
Inspired by the Bhakti Movement, emphasizing devotion and spiritual themes.
Some of the features of Sattriya dance include:
Amalgamation of Dance Forms:
Sattriya dance originated as an amalgamation of various dance forms prevalent in Assam, including Ojapali and Devdasi traditions.
Devotional Focus:
Sattriya recitals focus on expressing devotion and narrating mythological stories of Vishnu.
Inclusion of Dance Elements:
Includes Nritta (pure dance), Nritya (expressive dance), and Natya (dramatic aspects).
Performance by Male Monks:
Generally performed in groups by male monks known as ‘Bhokots’ as part of daily rituals or festivals.
Accompanying Instruments:
Major accompanying instruments include Khol (drum), Cymbals (Manjira), and Flute. Songs are composed as ‘Borgeets’ by Shankaradeva.
Emphasis on Rhythm and Postures:
Great emphasis on rhythmic syllables, dance postures, and footwork, combining both Lasya (graceful) and Tandava (vigorous) elements.
Rules of Hand Gestures and Footwork:
Strictly laid down rules govern hand gestures and footwork, playing a crucial role in Sattriya dance tradition.
Costumes:
Male dancers wear Dhoti and ‘Paguri’ (turban), while females wear traditional Assamese jewellery, ‘Ghuri’, ‘Chador’ made of Pat silk, and waist cloth.
Evolution into Modern Streams:
In modern times, Sattriya dance has evolved into two streams: Gayan-Bhayanar Nach and Kharmanar Nach.
Ankia Naat and Bhaona:
Ankia Naat, a type of Sattriya, involves musical drama originally written in Assamese-Maithili mix language called Brajavali.Bhaona is another similar form based on stories of Lord Krishna.
Please Note: Till now, Sangeet Natak Akademi has recognised eight classical dance forms whereas the Ministry of Culture has recognised nine classical dance forms including Chhau.
Editorials & Articles : 3 June 2024
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Editorials & Articles : 3 June 2024
Counting the postal ballot
Postal Ballot
Postal voting (absentee voting): Electors cast ballots by mail instead of at a polling station.
Useful for: Individuals unable to vote in person due to various reasons (e.g., away from home constituency, disability, essential services on election day).
Eligibility for Postal Voting
Service voters: Members of armed forces, paramilitary forces, and government employees on election duty away from home.
Absentee voters: Individuals away from home constituency for work, illness, or disability.
Electors on election duty: Government officials and polling staff at different stations.
Electors under preventive detention: Individuals detained under preventive custody orders during election period.
During Covid pandemic:
Extended to those infected or suspected to be infected with coronavirus.
Initially recommended for those above 65 years, but not implemented due to practicality.
Eligibility age adjusted back to 80 years in August 2023 and then raised to 85 years in March 2024.
Background: Counting the Postal Ballot
Till 2019 LS elections: Counting of postal ballots first, EVM counting 30 minutes later, and EVM counting couldn’t finish before postal ballots were fully counted.
Guidelines tweaked after 2019 LS election:
Increase in postal ballots due to ETPBS and mandatory VVPAT slip counting.
EVM counting now starts 30 minutes after postal ballot counting and continues regardless of postal ballot count stage.
Rule for mandatory re-counting revised: Only invalid postal ballots re-verified if margin less than number of rejected ballots.
Postal Ballot – Statistics
2019 LS elections: 22.71 lakh postal ballots received (0.37% of total 60.76 crore valid votes).
Expected increase in postal ballots for current elections.
Concerns Raised by Opposition Parties on New Guidelines
Rule 54A of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961: Returning officers shall first deal with postal ballot papers.
India has become chair of the Colombo Process for the first time since its inception in 2003.
Regional Consultative Process:
Provides a platform for consultations on overseas employment and contractual labour for Asian countries of origin.
Serves as a forum for exchanging best practices on overseas employment.
Membership:
Comprises 12 Member States of Asia (countries of origin of migrant workers).
Members: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
India has been a member since the inception in 2003.
Objectives:
Share experiences, lessons learned, and best practices in labour migration management.
Consult on issues faced by migrants, countries of origin, and countries of destination; propose practical solutions for the well-being of overseas workers.
Optimize development benefits from organized overseas employment and enhance dialogues with countries of destination.
Review and monitor the implementation of recommendations and identify further steps of action.
Decision-Making:
Non-binding and by consensus.
Coordination:
Coordinated through the Permanent Missions of Member States at the United Nations in Geneva.
Governed by Ministerial Consultations where recommendations and action plans are discussed and adopted by Ministers of participating countries.
Technical Support:
Provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) since inception, serving as the Secretariat.
Thematic Area Working Groups (TAWGs):
Skills and Qualification Recognition (chaired by Sri Lanka)
Fostering Ethical Recruitment (chaired by Bangladesh)
Pre-Departure Orientation and Empowerment (chaired by the Philippines)
Remittances (chaired by Pakistan)
Labour Market Analysis (chaired by Thailand)
Editorials & Articles : 1 June 2024
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Editorials & Articles : 1 June 2024
Why India Has Been Questioned at the WTO For Its Rice Export Policy
Background and Context:
Canada, Brazil, Australia, and the UK have raised concerns at the WTO regarding India’s rice export policy.
They seek clarification on whether India prevented its rice exporters from participating in UN World Food Program (WFP) tenders earlier this year for broken rice supplies to countries like Cameroon, Togo, and Algeria.
These countries question whether India’s actions contradict its commitment to exempt humanitarian food purchases from export restrictions, as agreed upon at the WTO.
UN World Food Programme (WFP):
Established in 1961, WFP is the largest humanitarian organization focused on hunger and food security.
It aims to eradicate hunger globally through food assistance during emergencies and nutrition improvement initiatives.
Relies on donations to fund its operations from governments, corporations, and individuals.
India’s Rice Exports:
India is the largest global rice exporter, holding a 45% share of the world rice market.
Imposed a 20% export duty on white rice in September 2022, extended to parboiled rice in August 2023 to control domestic prices.
The export ban exempts basmati rice, which accounts for nearly half of India’s rice exports.
Since the ban, India has selectively exported rice to strategic partners and countries in need.
World Food Programme’s Tenders for Rice:
Many African nations heavily rely on rice imports from India.
Togo imported 88% of its rice from India last year; Benin and Senegal also import significant amounts.
WFP sought 200,000 tonnes of rice from India in August 2024 due to global food insecurity exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war.
Countries’ Response to India’s Rice Ban:
Countries at the WTO’s agriculture committee meeting noted a significant decline in India’s rice exports in 2023-24 due to restrictions.
They argue that if India indeed barred participation in WFP tenders, it would violate WTO commitments exempting humanitarian food purchases from export restrictions.
India has acknowledged the queries but has not provided immediate answers, stating it will respond soon.
This situation highlights international concerns regarding India’s rice export policies, especially concerning humanitarian aid through organizations like the WFP, and raises questions about compliance with WTO agreements.
ED arrests dark web drug vendor
Recent Incident:
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested a resident of Uttarakhand under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act for allegedly operating an international drug trafficking group.
The accused utilized the dark web to distribute fentanyl and other dangerous drugs to regions including all 50 states of the USA, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean.
Dark Web Overview:
Definition: A secretive part of the internet accessed via encrypted channels like Tor, known as the darknet.
Operational Mechanics:
Uses Tor (The Onion Router) for anonymity and protection against surveillance.
Access requires specialized browsers like Tor, Freenet, I2P, or Tails, ensuring user anonymity by routing web requests through proxy servers.
Comparison with Deep Web:
Both are inaccessible via standard search engines.
Deep web content requires specific URLs, whereas dark web content demands decryption keys and access rights.
Uses and Misuses:
Illegal Activities: Facilitates trade in contraband such as drugs, weapons, and illicit content due to anonymity and encrypted transactions, often involving cryptocurrencies.
Ethical Uses: Supports privacy for legal activities like confidential business transactions, journalism, and activism.
Law Enforcement Use: Utilized by authorities for threat intelligence, monitoring cyber threats, and identifying illegal activities.
Legal Status in India:
Accessing the dark web itself is legal, but illegal activities conducted through it (e.g., child pornography, drug trafficking) are punishable.
Regulatory challenges stem from encryption, anonymity, and trans-border nature, complicating law enforcement efforts.
Regulatory Challenges:
Encryption and Anonymity: Difficulties in monitoring and regulating due to strong encryption and financial transactions in cryptocurrencies.
Cross-border Issues: International cooperation needed to address transnational crimes facilitated by the dark web.
Proposed Measures:
VPN Regulation: Consider restrictions or registration requirements for VPNs to control dark web access.
Technology Development: Invest in new encryption tools and foster public-private partnerships for cybersecurity.
International Cooperation: Enhance multilateral exchanges to combat cross-border challenges.
Policy Considerations: Debate on adopting measures akin to China’s Great Firewall to restrict Tor traffic and mitigate darknet crime.
This incident underscores ongoing challenges and debates surrounding the dark web, balancing privacy rights with combating illegal activities facilitated through anonymous online platforms.
Heatwaves are becoming more deadly
Heatwave Impact:
Large parts of India experiencing an unusually intense and prolonged heatwave with record-breaking temperatures.
Recent days have seen fatalities due to heatstroke reported in states like Delhi, Bihar, Odisha, and Gujarat, including deaths among election personnel.
Heatwave Definition and Criteria:
Defined as abnormally high temperatures exceeding normal maximums, posing fatal risks to human health.
Criteria include temperature thresholds like 40°C for plains and 30°C for hilly regions, with severe heatwaves defined by significant temperature departures.
Factors Contributing to Intensity:
Rising Humidity: Increased humidity exacerbates heat stress, particularly in warm-humid and moderate climate zones.
Urban Heat Island Effect: Expansion of built-up areas contributes to urban heat islands, raising night temperatures and reducing cooling effects of green cover.
Night Temperature Rise: Urbanization and concrete heat retention elevate night temperatures, impacting heatwave resilience.
Threats Posed by Heatwaves:
Human Health: Leading cause of weather-related deaths, with risks including heatstroke, cardiovascular, respiratory, and kidney diseases.
Air Quality: Increased ozone production and air pollution from heightened air conditioning use during heatwaves.
Agricultural Impact: Crop and livestock damage due to high temperatures and reduced nighttime cooling.
Energy Challenges: Higher electricity demand for cooling strains transmission systems and affects power plant efficiency.
Building Resilience Strategies:
Community Preparedness: Establishing heat preparedness plans, cooling centers, and workplace heat stress standards.
Urban Planning: Implementing cool roofs, green roofs, and tree planting to mitigate urban heat islands.
Energy Efficiency: Promoting energy-efficient practices to reduce strain on electricity grids during heatwaves.
This heatwave underscores the critical need for proactive measures to protect vulnerable populations and enhance resilience against extreme heat events exacerbated by climate change.
Headlines of the Day 01-06-2024
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Headlines of the Day 01-06-2024
The Hindu, PIB, Indian Express, AIR
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Donald Trump becomes first former U.S. President convicted of felony crimes
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