27-30/Jan/23 IAS Special Daily
सामान्य अध्ययन - 1
विषय: भारतीय संस्कृति प्राचीन से आधुनिक काल तक कला रूपों, साहित्य और वास्तुकला के प्रमुख पहलुओं को कवर करेगी।
1. शाहजहाँ के अधीन स्थापत्य विकास पर विशेष बल देते हुए विभिन्न मुगल बादशाहों के अधीन मुगल वास्तुकला के विकास का पता लगाइए। (250 शब्द)
प्रश्न की मुख्य मांग:
परिवर्तन के प्रमुख तत्वों की पहचान करके विभिन्न मुगल शासकों के अधीन मुगल वास्तुकला के क्रमिक विकास के बारे में लिखना।
उत्तर की संरचना:
परिचय:
संक्षेप में मुगल स्थापत्य कला की भव्यता और उनकी अपनी विशिष्ट शैली के उदय के बारे में लिखिए।
शरीर:
शरीर में, उदाहरण के साथ वास्तुकला, सौंदर्य जागरूकता की विभिन्न शैलियों के विकास का पता लगाएं। बाबर और हुमायूँ - अधिक प्रगति नहीं हुई है लेकिन निर्मित के कुछ उदाहरण देते हैं।
अकबर - एक बहुत ही विशिष्ट शैली का उदय हुआ। आगरा में स्मारकों में बंगाल और गुजरात की शैलियों का प्रारंभिक उपयोग। फिर फतेहपुर सीकरी और दिल्ली में स्मारकों पर एक विशिष्ट शैली। जहांगीर - उदाहरण के साथ जोड़े गए नए फीचर और देखे गए बदलावों का उल्लेख करें।
शाहजहाँ - इस बारे में लिखिए कि किस प्रकार मुगल वास्तुकला उसके अधीन अपनी पराकाष्ठा पर पहुँची। उदाहरणों के साथ विशिष्ट विशेषताएं। औरंगज़ेब - किस प्रकार उनके शासनकाल को कला के लिए कम संरक्षण के साथ चिह्नित किया गया है लेकिन फिर भी कुछ इमारतों का निर्माण किया गया।
निष्कर्ष:
भारतीय कला और स्थापत्य कला में मुगल शासकों के योगदान का संक्षेप में वर्णन कीजिए।
विषय: सामाजिक अधिकारिता
2. विकलांग व्यक्तियों के जीवन में सुधार सुनिश्चित करने के लिए बेहतर उपलब्धता और सहायक सहायता तक पहुंच सर्वोत्कृष्ट है। चर्चा करना। (250 शब्द)
निर्देशक शब्द:
चर्चा करें - यह एक व्यापक निर्देश है - आपको संबंधित मुद्दों के विवरण के माध्यम से उनमें से प्रत्येक की जांच करके कागज पर बहस करनी चाहिए। आपको तर्क के पक्ष और विपक्ष दोनों के लिए कारण बताना होगा।
उत्तर की संरचना:
परिचय:
भारत में विकलांग व्यक्तियों के संबंध में आंकड़े देकर प्रारंभ करें।
शरीर:
सर्वप्रथम उन विभिन्न मुद्दों के बारे में लिखें जिनका सामान्य जीवन शैली सुनिश्चित करने में विकलांग व्यक्तियों को सामना करना पड़ता है। इस संबंध में उठाए गए विभिन्न कदमों का उल्लेख कीजिए।
इसके बाद, इस अंतर के बारे में लिखें कि सहायक सहायता विकलांग व्यक्तियों के जीवन में क्या बदलाव ला सकती है।
निष्कर्ष:
विकलांग व्यक्तियों के सशक्तिकरण को सुनिश्चित करने के लिए आगे के तरीकों का उल्लेख करते हुए निष्कर्ष निकालें।
विषय: शहरीकरण, उनकी समस्याएं और उनके उपाय।
3. भारत में पानी की खपत और संरक्षण की बढ़ती मांगों को संबोधित करने के साथ-साथ स्वच्छ पानी और स्वच्छता सुनिश्चित करने में सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य इंजीनियरिंग की भूमिका का विश्लेषण करें। (250 शब्द)
प्रश्न की मुख्य मांग:
हमारे विकासात्मक उद्देश्यों को प्राप्त करने में सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य इंजीनियरिंग की भूमिका के बारे में लिखना।
निर्देशक शब्द:
विश्लेषण करें - जब विश्लेषण करने के लिए कहा जाए, तो आपको विषय की संरचना या प्रकृति को घटक भागों में अलग करके व्यवस्थित रूप से जांचना चाहिए और उन्हें सारांश में प्रस्तुत करना चाहिए।
उत्तर की संरचना:
परिचय:
सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य/पर्यावरण इंजीनियरिंग विज्ञान के दायरे के बारे में संक्षेप में लिखकर शुरुआत करें।
शरीर:
सबसे पहले, इस बात पर प्रकाश डालें कि सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य/पर्यावरण इंजीनियरिंग विज्ञान स्वच्छ जल और स्वच्छता सुनिश्चित करने में एक भूमिका निभाएगा। उदाहरणों के साथ सिद्ध कीजिए।
इसके बाद, पानी की बढ़ती माँगों को पूरा करने में सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य/पर्यावरण इंजीनियरिंग विज्ञान की भूमिका के बारे में लिखें। इसे प्राप्त करने के उपायों का उल्लेख कीजिए।
आगे, लोक स्वास्थ्य अभियांत्रिकी के अन्य लाभों के बारे में लिखिए।
निष्कर्ष:
संक्षेप में निष्कर्ष निकालिए।
सामान्य अध्ययन – 2
विषय: सरकार की नीतियां और विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में विकास के लिए हस्तक्षेप और उनके डिजाइन और कार्यान्वयन से उत्पन्न होने वाले मुद्दे।
4. 2030 तक सतत विकास लक्ष्यों (SDGs) को प्राप्त करने की दिशा में भारत के प्रयासों का आलोचनात्मक विश्लेषण करें। लक्ष्यों को पूरा करने के लिए किस दिशा में सुधार की आवश्यकता है? (250 शब्द)
प्रश्न की मुख्य मांग:
एसडीजी के संबंध में भारत के प्रदर्शन और लक्ष्य को प्राप्त करने के लिए आवश्यक परिवर्तनों के बारे में लिखना।
निर्देशक शब्द:
समालोचनात्मक विश्लेषण - जब विश्लेषण करने के लिए कहा जाता है, तो आपको विषय की संरचना या प्रकृति को घटक भागों में अलग करके व्यवस्थित रूप से जांचना चाहिए और उन्हें सारांश में प्रस्तुत करना चाहिए। जब किसी निर्देश के आगे 'गंभीर' लगाया जाता है, तो व्यक्ति को विषय के अच्छे और बुरे को देखने और विषय पर संतुलित निर्णय देने की आवश्यकता होती है।
उत्तर की संरचना:
परिचय:
2030 तक हासिल किए जाने वाले 17 सतत विकास लक्ष्यों (एसडीजी) के बारे में संदर्भ देते हुए शुरुआत करें।
शरीर:
सबसे पहले, महत्वपूर्ण एसडीजी का संक्षेप में उल्लेख करें और उन्हें प्राप्त करने के लिए किए गए विभिन्न उपायों के बारे में लिखें।
इसके बाद, 2030 तक विभिन्न एसडीजी हासिल करने की दिशा में भारत के प्रदर्शन का मूल्यांकन करें और कमियों का उल्लेख करें।
इसके बाद, 2030 तक एसजीडी प्राप्त करना सुनिश्चित करने के लिए आवश्यक विभिन्न पाठ्यक्रम सुधारों के बारे में लिखें।
निष्कर्ष:
आगे की राह के साथ समाप्त करें।
सामान्य अध्ययन - 3
विषय: भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था और संसाधनों, विकास, विकास और रोजगार की योजना, गतिशीलता से संबंधित मुद्दे।
5. आला बैंकिंग से भारतीय वित्तीय क्षेत्र को वैश्विक और भारतीय मूल के कुछ विशिष्ट और विशिष्ट खिलाड़ी मिलेंगे और विशिष्ट क्षेत्रों पर ध्यान केंद्रित होगा, जिससे उद्योगों के साथ-साथ बैंकिंग क्षेत्र को अधिक प्रतिस्पर्धी और नवीन बनने में मदद मिलेगी। विस्तार में बताना। (250 शब्द)
प्रश्न की मुख्य मांग:
आला बैंकिंग, इसकी सफलताओं और भारत की बैंकिंग प्रणाली के संबंध में सीमाओं को लिखने के लिए।
निर्देशक शब्द:
विस्तृत करें - एक विस्तृत विवरण दें कि यह कैसे और क्यों हुआ, या संदर्भ क्या है। जहां भी उपयुक्त हो, आपको प्रमुख शब्दों को परिभाषित करना चाहिए और संबंधित तथ्यों के साथ उनकी पुष्टि करनी चाहिए।
उत्तर की संरचना:
परिचय:
आला बैंकों को परिभाषित करके प्रारंभ करें।
शरीर:
सबसे पहले, आला बैंकों की कुछ विशेषताओं का उल्लेख करें।
इसके बाद, भारत के मैक्रो-इकोनॉमिक सेट अप में विशिष्ट बैंकों द्वारा प्रदान किए जाने वाले विभिन्न लाभों के बारे में लिखें।
इसके बाद, भारतीय व्यवस्था में आला बैंकों की सफलताओं और सीमाओं का मूल्यांकन करें।
निष्कर्ष:
सीमाओं को पार करने के लिए आगे का रास्ता लिखकर निष्कर्ष निकालें।
विषय: आईटी, अंतरिक्ष, कंप्यूटर, रोबोटिक्स, नैनो-प्रौद्योगिकी, जैव प्रौद्योगिकी और बौद्धिक संपदा अधिकारों से संबंधित मुद्दों के क्षेत्र में जागरूकता।
6. उद्योग 4.0 के भारत पर पड़ने वाले प्रभाव की जांच करें। उद्योग 4.0 के कारण लाभों को अधिकतम करने और हानियों को कम करने के लिए आवश्यक उपायों का सुझाव दें। (250 शब्द)
निर्देशक शब्द:
जांच करें - जब 'जांच' करने के लिए कहा जाता है, तो हमें विषय (सामग्री शब्द) की विस्तार से जांच करनी चाहिए, उसका निरीक्षण करना चाहिए, उसकी जांच करनी चाहिए और संबंधित विषय से संबंधित प्रमुख तथ्यों और मुद्दों को स्थापित करना चाहिए। ऐसा करते समय हमें यह स्पष्ट करना चाहिए कि ये तथ्य और मुद्दे क्यों महत्वपूर्ण हैं और उनके निहितार्थ क्या हैं।
उत्तर की संरचना:
परिचय:
संक्षेप में उद्योग 4.0 को परिभाषित करके प्रारंभ करें।
शरीर:
सबसे पहले, भारत पर उद्योग 4.0 के सकारात्मक प्रभाव के बारे में लिखें - वृद्धि, विकास, शासन आदि।
इसके बाद, भारत पर उद्योग 4.0 के नकारात्मक प्रभाव के बारे में लिखें - बेरोजगारी, साइबर सुरक्षा, निम्न प्रौद्योगिकी एकीकरण आदि।
इसके बाद, उन विभिन्न चरणों के बारे में लिखें जो उद्योग 4.0 के कारण लाभों को अधिकतम करने और हानियों को कम करने के लिए आवश्यक हैं।
निष्कर्ष:
चिंताओं को दूर करने के लिए आगे बढ़ने का तरीका लिखकर निष्कर्ष निकालें।
सामान्य अध्ययन – 4
विषय: शासन में सत्यनिष्ठा: लोक सेवा की अवधारणा; शासन और सत्यनिष्ठा का दार्शनिक आधार;
7. भ्रष्टाचार विश्वास को मिटाता है, लोकतंत्र को कमजोर करता है, आर्थिक विकास को बाधित करता है और असमानता, गरीबी, सामाजिक विभाजन और पर्यावरण संकट को और बढ़ाता है। विश्लेषण। (150 शब्द)
उत्तर की संरचना:
परिचय:
भ्रष्टाचार को परिभाषित करके शुरू करें।
शरीर:
सबसे पहले, उन कारकों के बारे में लिखें जो भ्रष्टाचार को बढ़ावा देते हैं - अवसर लागत, मुआवज़ा, भ्रष्टाचार की स्वीकृति आदि। विभिन्न आयामों पर इसके प्रभाव के बारे में लिखें। उदाहरण देकर सिद्ध कीजिए,
अगला, कपटपूर्ण भ्रष्टाचार के चक्र को तोड़ने के लिए विभिन्न उपायों का सुझाव दें।
निष्कर्ष:
सारांश
GS Paper 2
India’s groundwater governance is in better shape
Source: The post is based on the article “India’s groundwater governance is in better shape” published in The Hindu on 28th January 2023.
Syllabus: GS1- Economic geography. GS2- Government policies and interventions
Relevance: Regulation and management of groundwater resources.
News: The article explains the facts and statistics about groundwater in India.
What are some facts and statistics about groundwater resources in India?
India has nearly 18% of the world’s population. It occupies about 2.4% of the total geographical area and consumes 4% of the total water resources.
A World Bank report says that India is the largest groundwater user. A rapidly growing economy and population are straining the country’s groundwater resources.
India has distinct and varying hydro-geological settings. Groundwater is the backbone of India’s agriculture and drinking water security. It meets nearly 80% of the country’s drinking water and two-thirds of its irrigation needs. Groundwater is pivotal to India’s water security.
What are the steps taken by the government for protecting groundwater resources?
Jal Shakti Ministry was created by merging the erstwhile Ministries of Water Resources with Drinking Water and Sanitation. This was to give impetus to the management of water resources with special focus on demand and supply management.
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan was launched for community participation in the management of water resources through asset creation, rainwater harvesting and extensive awareness campaigns.
Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY): It looks to inculcate behavioural change through incentivisation. The goal is “participatory groundwater management”.
National Project on Aquifer Management (NAQUIM): It envisages the mapping of subsurface aquifers to help gather authentic data and enable informed decision-making. Around 24 lakh square kms of the country has been mapped. Region-wise aquifer management plans are being prepared and shared with States.
Monitoring stations: There are around 65,025 monitoring stations in India. The numbers are set to go beyond 84,000. The focus will be on identified high groundwater extracting industrial and urban clusters and groundwater stressed regions.
Samples from fixed locations are obtained to check for the presence of heavy and trace metals.
Dynamic groundwater assessments will be done annually now and a groundwater estimation committee formed to revise the assessment methodology.
A software, ‘India-Groundwater Resource Estimation System (IN-GRES)’, has also been developed.
What are the impacts of steps taken by the government for protecting groundwater resources?
The groundwater resource assessment report 2022 shows a brighter future for groundwater situations in the country as the initiatives taken by various governments have begun yielding results.
According to the latest assessment, there has been a 3% reduction in the number of ‘overexploited’ groundwater units and a 4% increase in the number of ‘safe’ category units as compared to 2017.
There was an improvement in groundwater conditions in 909 units. The assessment also showed a reduction in annual extraction. Overall extraction saw a declining trend of about 3.25% since 2017.
Around 9.37 BCM of additional groundwater potential was created through artificial water conservation structures.
The government’s interventions for creating a positive impact on the overall groundwater scenario in India reflect the spirit of cooperative federalism.
What is the way forward to ensure sustainable management of groundwater resources?
India will need adequate groundwater resources to manage anthropogenic pressures.
It is important to ensure source sustainability to provide safe drinking water to all rural households by 2024, under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Communities will have to manage their groundwater resources in a better way with the help of various government agencies and non-governmental organisations.
In the context of climate change, more efforts must be made to find solutions that are essential for sustainable development.
Steps must be taken to make India a water surplus nation, thus fulfilling the objective of a key United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, of water for all.
Why we need to focus on mental health
Source: The post is based on the article “Why we need to focus on mental health” published in The Indian Express on 28th January 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- Issues related to the development and management of health
Relevance: Issues related to mental health
News: The article explains the prevalence of mental health and its impacts.
What are some facts and statistics related to mental health?
Suicide rates in India are amongst the highest when compared to other countries at the same socio-economic level. According to WHO, India’s suicide rate in 2019 was at 12.9 per 1,00,000 population.
Suicide has become the leading cause of death among those aged 15–29 in India.
Across the world, the prevalence of some mental health disorders is consistently higher among women as compared to men.
The pandemic has further exacerbated the problem. According to a study published in Lancet, it might have increased the prevalence of depression by 28% and anxiety by 26% globally between 2020 and 2021. The large increases have been noted among younger age groups.
How social media is exacerbating stress and mental ill health for young people?
Social media detracts from face-to-face relationships, which are healthier.
It reduces investment in meaningful activities. It erodes self-esteem through unfavourable social comparison.
What are the impacts of poor mental health?
It is a leading cause of disability globally. It is closely linked to poverty in a vicious cycle of disadvantage. People living in poverty are at greater risk of experiencing mental health conditions.
On the other hand, people experiencing severe mental health conditions are more likely to fall into poverty through loss of employment and increased health expenditure.
Stigma and discrimination often further undermine their social support structures. This reinforces the vicious cycle of poverty and mental ill-health.
What are issues related to the treatment of mental health?
Currently, only 20-30% of people with mental illnesses receive adequate treatment. One major reason for such a wide treatment gap is the problem of inadequate resources.
Less than 2% of the government health budget is devoted to mental health issues.
There is a severe shortage of mental health professionals. According to one estimate, the number of psychiatrists in the country is less than those in New York City.
What is the way forward to overcome the challenges related to mental health?
We need a “whole-of-society” approach for the mental health of our people. This should be based on the following four pillars-
Remove deep stigma around mental health issues: It prevents patients from seeking timely treatment and makes them feel shameful, isolated and weak.
Make mental health an integral part of the public health programme: This will reduce stress, promote a healthy lifestyle, screen and identify high-risk groups and strengthen mental health interventions like counselling services.
Special emphasis will need to be given to schools. In addition, we should pay special attention to groups that are highly vulnerable to mental health issues such as victims of domestic or sexual violence, unemployed youth.
Create a strong infrastructure for mental health care and treatment: Substantial investments will be needed to address the gaps in the mental health infrastructure and human resources.
Mental health services should be made affordable: All government health assurance schemes, including Ayushman Bharat, should cover the widest possible range of mental health conditions.
Similarly, the list of essential medicines includes only a limited number of WHO-prescribed mental health medications.
A comprehensive review of these policies will be needed to ensure that financial and other barriers do not prevent people from using services or push them into poverty.
GS Paper 3
Regional RBIs: The case for baby RBIs
Source: The post is based on the article “The case for baby RBIs” published in the Business Standard on 28th January 2023.
Syllabus: GS3- Indian economy and mobilisation of resources
Relevance: Issues relating to monetary policy
News: The article explains the possibility of regional RBIs for India.
What is the need for regional RBIs in India?
The administration, the legislature, the judiciary, and a host of other institutions have state-level bodies. All also perform a regulatory role. This can be applied to India’s monetary authority, the RBI.
Despite its admirable competence and proven track record, the RBI is perhaps not working as expected. The task before it is simply too large. India has become very big on all economic parameters.
RBI doesn’t have the capacity to supervise an economy that’s growing so fast and becoming larger by the year.
There exists variation in regional inflation rates. The all-India inflation number is just too broad to be useful. It misses the considerable inter-state variation. It fails to capture things like urban-rural divergence within the same state.
The US has 12 Federal Reserve Banks, whose 24 branches constitute the Federal Reserve System. Each of these operates within the boundaries of its own designated area.
A key aspect of the US state Feds is to represent the region in the Federal Reserve System. For this, they possess a deep understanding of the regional economy.
RBI also has 25 regional offices. It is twice more than twice the number of the US Reserve Banks. But these aren’t independent entities. They are branches with a vertical hierarchy.
Becoming The Global Factory: How To Nail It This Time
Source: The post is based on an article “Becoming The Global Factory: How To Nail It This Time” published in The Times of India on 28th January 2023.
Syllabus: GS 3 – Indian Economy
Relevance: About the factors leading the improvement in the Indian economy
News: India has seen economic growth in recent years and received $84 billion in foreign direct investment despite declining global demands, pandemic and war.
This shows that India has huge potential to attract additional FDI in the real sectors.
How is India in a better economic position?
Implemented systematic changes: India is in a better position now because of numerous systematic changes made by India in telecommunications, power, infrastructure and talent. India also has a huge educated population with most of them being youth.
Increasing Per Capita Income: According to a report by Morgan Stanley, the number of households earning over $35,000/year will increase fivefold in the next decade, reaching over 25 million.
This will increase the GDP to more than $7. 5 trillion by 2031 and an 11% annual compounding of market capitalisation to $10 trillion over the next decade.
Increase in manufacturing: India is transitioning from being a global office to a global factory in the manufacturing sector. The combination of data and technology will help India in leading the world.
India is currently the fifth largest economy in the world and is on track to surpass Japan in the next five years and be on a par with Germany.
Growth of the banking sector: The improvement in the banking network in the country has improved the flow of funds and given a boost to the number of bank accounts. The bank account has increased from 43 per 1,000 people in 1972 to about 1,600 per 1,000 now.
Other Initiatives: Such as Production-Linked Incentives, the China Plus One strategy and plans like Gati Shakti have given a boost to the overall economy of the nation and have ensured ease of doing business in India.
Increase in FIIs: India has also been the destination for large Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and it is witnessing a rise in sales of homes, automobiles and credit card spending across the country.
However, challenges such as geopolitical disruptions and rising energy and commodity costs exist in India, but these can be mitigated by bringing up policies and eliminating obsolete laws and regulations.
Question From The Homeless In Hills
Source: The post is based on an article “Question From The Homeless In Hills” published in The Times of India on 28th January 2023.
Syllabus: GS 3 – Disaster Management
Relevance: problems related to land subsidence in Uttarakhand
News: The land subsidence of Joshimath has been caused due to the failure of the government as well as the judiciary. Moreover, it is not only Joshimath but there are other places also in Uttarakhand where the problem exists.
How has the judiciary failed in preventing natural calamities in Uttarakhand?
There were three such instances where timely action by the judiciary could have prevented the current Joshimath crisis.
Kedarnath flood, 2013: The Supreme Court in suo moto petition ordered that no further clearances should be granted to any hydroelectric power project in Uttarakhand. The court also constituted an expert body to study the impact of hydroelectric power projects on the environmental degradation of Kedarnath.
Justice Radhakrishnan committee found that under-construction and existing projects had aggravated the 2013 disaster and it recommended the cancellation of 23 out of 24 proposed HEPs in Uttarakhand.
However, later another bench ordered the reconsideration of six of the proposed 24 projects. These six projects also got clearance from MoEF, ultimately leading to the environmental crisis in Uttarakhand.
Case of widening Chardhaam route, 2018: The PIL petitioners argued that widening the route would lead to the cutting of the mountains and trees. This can cause landslides. SC took cognisance and ordered in 2020 that a narrower Intermediate Width would be implemented.
However, in 2021 a new SC bench ordered the implementation of the Double Lane project in Uttarakhand.
Rishi Ganga flood, 2021: After the flood, locals filed a PIL in the Uttarakhand High Court praying for the cancellation of the Rishiganga and Tapovan-Vishnugad HEPs, along with rehabilitation of Raini village. However, the court rejected the petitions and even fined the petitioners.
Now, after the Joshimath land subsidence problems caused by the construction of HEP. Hence, the failure of the government and judiciary to address the issue resulted in the Joshimath crisis.
GS Paper 1
A ‘Holocaust education’ for India to create a just present
Source: The post is based on the article “A ‘Holocaust education’ for India to create a just present” published in The Hindu on 27th January 2023.
Syllabus: GS 1 – World History
Relevance: learnings from the Holocaust
News: 27th January is remembered as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Six million Jews were murdered by Nazi-Germany in the Holocaust.
What can we learn from the Holocaust?
The Holocaust gives us the message that there is a need to respect human rights, have patience and respect others from different societies, race, sex, etc.
It is an example of the consequences of hate crimes and antisemitism that made their way into the mainstream. Antisemitism becomes more dangerous when used for power-related purposes or during crisis and uncertainty.
Today, the world is struggling with inequality, intolerance, and injustice in many places. Economic, cultural, religious and ethnic issues lead to division, hate crimes and violence in many parts of the globe.
Moreover, there has also been an increase in the number of antisemitic incidents against Jews all around the world.
Therefore, education about the Holocaust is necessary to understand the factors that led to the eradication of human rights and democratic values.
It can also help to understand circumstances that can cause increase in hate speech, violence, and even mass killing.
With this view, UNESCO has the initiative known as the International Program on Holocaust and Genocide Education (IPHGE). It is a step in the direction of fostering reparative justice.
The programme teaches the youth values, prepare them to address future challenges such as critical thinking, empathy, tolerance, and respect for human rights.
How does India view the Holocaust?
The Holocaust in India is just a historical event and India has not been able to connect emotionally with the event.
Therefore, it is necessary to educate the youth all around the world including India about the Holocaust to help them to analyse the past injustices and create a just present.
The blurred lines between gaming and gambling
Source: The post is based on the article “The blurred lines between gaming and gambling” published in The Hindu on 27th January 2023.
Syllabus: GS 2 – Governance
Relevance: concerns associated with the online gaming industry
News: Some online gaming such as rummy and poker involves financial risks. Despite this, they are not considered as gambling.
What are the issues with games like poker and rummy?
Poker and rummy are some of the online games which involve financial risks, i.e., users either can win or lose money in it. These games are called online gambling apps in parts of the world.
However, in India, these games are known as Real Money Gaming or RMG.
The reasons are that these gaming platforms say that rummy and poker are ‘games of skill’ and therefore don’t fall into the category of betting and gambling.
The Constitution gives States the power to regulate betting and gambling. Since these games are considered as RMG, it becomes difficult for the state to regulate it.
Further, even courts have held that playing games such as poker and rummy requires and rewards application of mind and doesn’t constitute gambling.
What efforts have been taken by the government to regulate such online games?
Tamil Nadu has attempted to define and restrict these platforms by enacting a law to restrict online gaming. However, the effort at prohibition was struck down by the Madras High Court.
Last year, the Union Home Department held a consultation with the stakeholders of online game industry but the submissions were not made public.
Further, the Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology has said that any game that allows or permits gambling is dangerous.
However, the draft that regulates online gaming only contains safeguards for such platforms instead of regulating it.
What can be the way ahead?
In order to come up with proper regulatory measures for online gaming, it’s necessary to provide what constitutes the real money gaming industry and what not. Then only, it would become easier to regulate gambling apps.
A chink in the Indo-Pak ice
Source: This post is created based on the article “A chink in the Indo-Pak ice”, published in Business Standard on 27th January 2023.
Syllabus Topic – GS Paper 2 – International relations – India and its neighborhood
News: Lately, India- Pakistan relations have taken a positive turn after years of stagnancy.
What are the developments?
Why is there a positive turn in attitude of Pakistani leadership?
What are the challenges that still remains?
- First, every time after giving a speech favourable towards India, Pakistani leaders go back to their old tracks. This time as well, Pak PM backtracked and later said talks could take place only when India reversed its decision to end special status on Kashmir. There is very feeble possibility of restoration of article 370.
- Second, In the past as well, efforts of talks have been made by India. In 2001, PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and military dictator Pervez Musharraf over Kashmir met in Agra. In 2015, PM Modi made a surprise visit to Pakistan to greet Nawaz Sharif on his birthday. However, after both the instances, frequency of cross-border terrorism increased.
- Third, Pakistani govt. or its military have not yet responded to the invitation.
Japan to flush Fukushima wastewater
Source: This post is created based on the article “Japan to flush Fukushima wastewater”, published in The Hindu on 27th January 2023.
Syllabus Topic – GS Paper 3 – Environmental Pollution
News: Japan is expected to start flushing 1.25 million tonnes of wastewater from the embattled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean this year.
The 2011 earthquake of 9 magnitude, damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. radioactive materials leaked from the plant and made its surrounding land uninhabitable.
The water that Japan wants to flush was used to cool the reactors and contains radioactive isotopes.
What are the justifications by the government?
Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which operates the Fukushima facility, has said that it has treated the water to remove most radioactive isotopes. The water is expected to be far above safety standards.
Nuclear plants around the world regularly release water containing trace amounts of radionuclides into large water bodies.
There is no known threshold below which radiation can be considered safe.
What are the concerns?
Isotopes of ruthenium and plutonium could not be removed entirely by the TEPCO’s treatment procedure. These isotopes could stay in the ocean and marine creatures for a longer period of time.
Experts expect the affected water to poison the fish.
Any discharge of radioactive materials will increase the risk of cancer and other known health impacts to those who are exposed,
What are the other options for Japan?
Japanese government can’t store the water for longer, because tritium’s half-life is 12-13 years. The affect of other radioactive materials will also reduce within this period.
Fukushima facility has been declared uninhabitable, so permanent tanks to hold the water can be built here, each with a capacity of 1,000 metre cube.
Fighting The Big G – on big tech’s anti-competitive practices
Source– The post is based on the article “Fighting The Big G” published in The Times of India on 27th January 2023.
Syllabus: GS3- Awareness in the field of IT
Relevance– Regulation of digital ecosystem
News– The article explains the issue of dominant position and anti-competitive practices of big digital players in the digital space. It also explains the change in business model by Google in India due to SC decision on Competition Commission of India’s rulings.
How is Google changing its business model in India?
The change was triggered by the Supreme Court asking Google to comply with the Competition Commission of India’s rulings.
In the new model, instead of creating a bouquet of apps, smartphone makers can license individual apps from Google. Also, its search engine will not necessarily be the default setting.
How the Google business model is facing regulatory crackdown across the world?
South Korea’s parliament in 2021 passed a bill imposing curbs on the proprietary billing system of Google and Apple.
The EU in May will enforce a new law called the Digital Markets Act. It will prevent “gatekeepers” from engaging in anti-competitive behaviour. It will no longer be business as usual for the Android OS ecosystem.
Why substantial change in business approach of big digital companies is unlikely to happen in near future?
The walled garden approach that ensured Android’s dominance is based on a complex model of cross-subsidies.
Google’s huge user base comes from offering free services such as a search engine and email. This user base is then monetised for advertising revenue. Even third party apps cannot all wish away Google.
Application Programming Interfaces offered by Google allow app developers to utilise a number of its services. It reduces development costs for third party app developers. This web of cross-subsidies cannot be disentangled overnight.
What is the right way to establish fair competition in digital space?
The regulatory crackdown on the Android ecosystem is necessary to open the door to more competition. It may not happen overnight but the process is underway.
The digital world’s economies of scope require a new set of tools.
Invent In India – on defence indigenisation in India
Source– The post is based on the article “Invent In India” published in The Times of India on 27th January 2023.
Syllabus: GS3- Security
Relevance– Defence reforms and modernisation
News– The article explains the need for defence indigenisation in India. It also explains the steps needed to be taken for defence indigenisation.
Why is there a need for strong focus upon defence indigenisation in India?
India’s neighbourhood isn’t a peaceful one. It has to be militarily strong, and indigenisation is the best way to do that.
India has largely relied on foreign defence platforms over the years. About 60% of India’s defence hardware is of Russian origin. The Ukraine war has thoroughly exposed this Russian arsenal.
GoI’s indigenisation move is a good start. However, the country is still confronted with gaps in indigenous development capabilities for high-tech platforms. For example, even the import content for the indigenous Tejas fighter continues to be around 50%.
What is the way forward for defence indigenisation in India?
The focus now ought to be on increasing the level of indigenisation. That can happen only through improving the quality of R&D.
Civilian and defence R&D can create a mutually reinforcing technology ecosystem. Many of the world’s widely used products and services have military-civilian dual applications.
The internet, space rockets, GPS and radar are merely the most famous examples.
Drones are the latest example of military research changing civilian life. Defence research has even had an enormous impact on healthcare.
There is a need for fiscal support for domestic weapons systems.
GoI must help create a network of big companies for manufacturing weapons, technology entrepreneurs to experiment with new tech and academia for talented young researchers.
In Good Faith: Pranam vs Pramana — why faith and science must co-exist
Source– The post is based on the article “In Good Faith: Pranam vs Pramana — why faith and science must co-exist” published in The Indian Express on 27th January 2023.
Syllabus: GS4- Ethics and human interface
Relevance– Conflict between values of scientific approach and faith
News– The article explains the difference between faith and science. It also explains how scientific understanding is being undermined today. It also suggests the way forward for harmonious coexistence between faith and science.
What is the difference between Pranam and Pramana?
Pranam– It is derived from Sanskrit with “pra” meaning “forward” while “ānama” means “bending or stretching”. Together, pranama means “bending, bowing in front”.
Pranam is a common Hindu traditional custom of greeting a person where one often bows to a superior person. Bowing to an eminent person and God is considered as a show of faith in them. It denotes faith, tradition, and dogma-based decisions.
Pramana– It is also a Sanskrit word, meaning “proof”. It refers to the concept of objectivity and science. It is the means that can lead to knowledge.
Three of the pramanas, which are almost universally accepted are pratyakṣa (eyewitness or personal experience), anumāna (logical inference), śabda (expert opinion).
What is the difference between science and faith?
In a science-based society, people have the freedom to question things, and seek answers. Then, they can choose their way forward based on their own understanding.They are free to exchange notes and learn from each other. But this is not the case with faith.
The other important difference pertains to acceptance of change. Faith and dogma are constants and do not accept questioning.
As new discoveries occur, our understanding is updated. It is quite possible for scientifically appropriate thinking to change with update.
We can take the example of the health sector. Our attitudes towards menstruation is a case in point. Rather than treating it as a biological phenomenon, a lot of semi-religious customs have been built around it. They adversely affect a girl’s health.
Most parents and teachers are very uncomfortable discussing human biology with children. This is also reflected in health issues around childbirth, breastfeeding, and contraception.
The approach to promote traditional medicine reflects this fault line. There are conflicts between promoting traditional medicine just because it is our tradition, and insisting that it be subjected to the rigours of modern science.
How is scientific understanding being undermined?
Today, evidence based thinking is under threat. The overload of information and our inability to process them appropriately has resulted in faith being promoted in the presence of abundant information.
Evidence is manufactured to suit one’s point of view. Rejecting scientific institutions and scientists wholly is unfair.
The current Covid-19 pandemic provided a fertile ground for promoting faith and questioning science. Today, the teaching of science itself has become a ritual. It is more of rote learning than understanding.
What is the way forward for society?
Faith will always have a place in any society but should not be at the cost of science.
It is also important for faith-based organisations to understand the limitations of faith and not undermine the importance of science in daily life.
There is a need to learn to coexist by understanding the need for both for our societal wellbeing. Both need to be promoted but not at the expense of the other.
Teachers or parents should encourage children to ask questions and not only memorise theorems and formulae like mantras. Health professionals must also learn to not belittle faith.
Platforms for constant dialogue and harmonious coexistence between these two critical pillars of a society are needed in the current times.
India and Egypt relationship
Source– The post is based on the article “Sisi’s visit as Republic Day chief guest: India’s Egypt opportunity” and “Delhi to Cairo” published in The Indian Express on 27th January 2023.
News– The article explains the historical aspects of the bilateral relationship between India and Egypt.
Sisi visited India as Chief Guest of this year’s Republic Day. This is the first time that an Egyptian President has been accorded this honour.
What are the historical aspects of the bilateral relationship between India and Egypt?
The history of contacts between India and Egypt can be traced back to at least the time of Emperor Asoka.
In modern times, Mahatma Gandhi and the Egyptian revolutionary Saad Zaghloul shared common goals on independence from British colonial rule.
The two nations made a joint announcement of establishment of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level three days after India became free.
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was a close friend of President Gamal Nasser, and India and Egypt signed a friendship treaty in 1955.
In 1961, Nehru and Nasser, along with Yugoslavia’s President Tito, Indonesia’s President Sukarno established the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi, P V Narasimha Rao, I K Gujral, and Dr Manmohan Singh visited Egypt in 1985, 1995, 1997, and 2009 respectively.
Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak came to India in 1982, 1983, and 2008. After the 2011 revolution, President Mohamed Morsi visited India in March 2013.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Cairo in August 2015, a little over a year after Sisi took charge in June 2014.
PM Modi met Sisi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015. Egyptian leader Sisi visited India in September 2016. The joint statement identified political-security cooperation, economic engagement and scientific collaboration, and cultural and people-people ties as the basis of a new partnership for a new era.
What is the importance of Egypt?
Egypt is the most populous country in West Asia. It occupies a crucial geo-strategic location.
12% of global trade passes through the Suez Canal. It is a key player in the region.
Egypt is a link state between West Asia and North Africa. It is seen by the West as a force for stability in a region affected by al Qaeda, IS and other Islamists.
What are points of convergence in their relationship?
Friend in Muslim world– Egypt has a special place in the Islamic world. It is home to the great university of Al Azhar, widely seen as the most respected seat of learning for Sunni Islam.
India views Sisi’s Egypt as a moderate Islamic voice among Muslim-majority countries and friend within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
From the beginning, Sisi has been tough on Islamic religious extremism.
Stand on terrorism– President Sisi during the visit said that India and Egypt were worried about the spread of terrorism around the world.He called it the “most serious security threat” to humanity.
Modi said that the two countries agreed that concerted action is necessary to end cross-border terrorism.
Economic– It is a major market for India and can act as a gateway to both Europe and Africa. It also has bilateral trade pacts with important West Asian and African nations.
Recently, India agreed to export 1,80,000 tons of wheat to Egypt when it was facing a food crisis.
Geopolitical-The two countries are founding members of the NAM.
Like India, Egypt has tried to remain neutral in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The geopolitical landscape in West Asia has been transformed, with 9/11, Arab Spring revolts, rise of ISIS and Abrahamic Accords following in quick succession over 20 years.
India’s own strategic, security and economic priorities in West Asia have changed. These are bringing India closer to Israel, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. India now partners the UAE, Israel and the US in a “quad of the Middle East”.
What are the issues that can have an impact on the bilateral relationship?
Weak economy of Egypt– It was impacted by the collapse of tourism during the pandemic. The Russia-Ukraine war has impacted its supply of food. Almost 80% of Egypt’s grain came from these two countries. Inflation is at a five-year high of 21%.
China factor– China’s bilateral trade with Egypt is double that of India’s $7.26 billion in 2021-22. Sisi has been wooing Chinese investments. He has travelled to China as many as seven times in the last eight years.
What is the status of defence and security cooperation between the two countries?
The two countries are looking at deepening defence and security cooperation.
The two Air Forces collaborated on the development of fighter aircraft in the 1960s. Both the IAF and Egyptian air force fly the French Rafale fighter jets.
New Delhi wants to supply India-made defence equipment such as the LCA Tejas to Egypt.
A pact was signed when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Cairo last year. The two countries have decided to also participate in exercises and cooperate in training.
What were the important developments during the recent visit?
The joint statement outlined the elements of a “new partnership for a new era”. The relationship was elevated to a “strategic partnership”.
The strategic partnership will have broadly four elements: political, defence, and security; economic engagement; scientific and academic collaboration; cultural and people-to-people contacts.
India’s first mission to study the sun to begin by June-July
Source: The post is based on the article “India’s first mission to study the sun to begin by June-July” published in The Hindu on 27th January 2023
What is the News?
The Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) is planning to launch the Aditya-L1 mission by June or July 2023.
What is Aditya L1?
Aditya-L1 is the first Indian space mission to observe the Sun and the solar corona.
Objective of the mission: To study solar upper atmospheric (chromosphere and corona) dynamics and understand the physics of the solar corona and its heating mechanism.
The mission will be launched to the L1 orbit (which is the first Lagrangian point of the Sun-Earth system).L1 orbit allows Aditya-L1 to look at the Sun continuously.
Payloads: Aditya-L1 has seven payloads in total, of which the primary payload is the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph(VELC).The other six payloads are being developed by the ISRO and other scientific institutions.
What is Visible Emission Line Coronagraph(VELC)?
VELC is the largest payload to be carried on board the Aditya-L1.It is designed and fabricated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru.
Purpose: It is an internally occulted solar coronagraph capable of simultaneous imaging, spectroscopy and spectro-polarimetry close to the solar limb.
Significance: No other solar coronagraph in space has the ability to image the solar corona as close to the solar disk as VELC can.It can image it as close as 1.05 times the solar radius.It can also do imaging, spectroscopy, and polarimetry at the same time, and can take observations at a very high resolution or level of detail and many times a second.
Monuments of National Importance: The Urgent Need for Rationalization
Source: The post is based on the article “Monuments of National Importance: The Urgent Need for Rationalization” published in TOI on 27th January 2023
What is the News?
The Economic Advisory Council (EAC) to the Prime Minister has released a report titled ‘Monuments of National Importance: The Urgent Need for Rationalization’.
What are the key findings and recommendations of the report?
Too many Monuments of National Importance(MNI): India currently has 3,693 monuments of national importance(MNI) and their protection and upkeep is the responsibility of the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI).
However, a large number of MNI seem not to have national importance or historical or cultural significance.The report estimates that around a quarter of the current list of 3,695 MNI may not have ‘national importance’ per se.
For instance, around 75 graves and cemeteries of British officers and soldiers that have neither architectural significance nor historical or cultural importance are on the list.
Missing Monuments: As many as 24 “untraceable” monuments are still being considered as monuments of national importance(MNI).
– The report cited a 2013 audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General, which declared 92 monuments as “missing” after a first-of-its-kind physical verification exercise undertaken after Independence.
Inadequate Funds to upkeep monuments: The funds allocated for the upkeep and maintenance of many of these centrally protected monuments are inadequate and geographically skewed.
Additionally, there is imbalance in the state-wise distribution of funds.In 2019-20, Delhi, which has 173 MNI, received Rs 18.5 crore; on the other hand, Uttar Pradesh with 745 monuments was allocated just Rs 15.95 crore.
This imbalance is further compounded by the fact that the revenue collected at MNI through ticketing, photography, filming etc does not go to the ASI or the Ministry of Culture.
No definition of monument of national importance: The major problem plaguing the identification and preservation of monuments of national importance lies in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act,1958.
Neither the Act nor the National Policy for Conservation (2014) have defined what the term ‘national importance’ means.
The Act also does not have a substantive process/ criteria prescribed for identifying a monument as a monument of national importance.In absence of well-defined principles, the selection of monuments of national importance seems to be arbitrary.
What are the recommendations given by the report?
Firstly, the report underlined the urgent need to rationalise India’s list of monuments of national importance and recommended that the ASI should evolve substantive criteria and a detailed procedure for declaring monuments to be of national importance.
Secondly, ASI should publish a book of notifications with detailed information about each MNI’s provenance, hand over protection and upkeep of monuments of local importance to respective states and denotify to the extent possible, all standalone antiquities like cannons and statues.
Thirdly, allocation of funds for the preservation of MNI should be increased and ASI should retain the proceeds generated from revenue streams like tickets, events, fees and other sources.
Bharat Parv 2023 inaugurated at Red Fort lawns
Source: The post is based on the article “Bharat Parv 2023 inaugurated at Red Fort lawns” published in PIB on 26th January 2023
What is the News?
The six – day mega event “Bharat Parv” was inaugurated today at Red Fort Lawns.
What is Bharat Parv?
Organized by: Ministry of Tourism
Purpose: To showcase the cuisine and culture of different states of India.
The festival is held annually at the end of January.
Significance: Bharat Parv brings together the vibrant rich culture of Bharat with participation by over 30 States/UTs & 20 Central ministries at this historical place.
It fulfills the spirit of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat as artists, handicrafts, and food stalls from all over India are present here.
Bharat Parv this year is promoting Millets and is also showcasing the achievements of different ministries.
States fall short of target to improve forest cover, quality
Source: The post is based on the article “States fall short of target to improve forest cover, quality” published in The Hindu on 27th January 2023
What is the News?
India is lagging behind in the targets to increase the number and quality of tree- and forest-cover plantations set in the Green India Mission.
What is the National Mission for a Green India(GIM)?
It is one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.
Aim: To protect, restore and enhance India’s forest cover and respond to climate change.
Target: The target under the Mission is 10 million hectares (mha) of forest and non-forest lands for increasing the forest and tree cover and improving the quality of existing forests.
– Improving tree cover is critical to sequester carbon and bolster India’s carbon stocks as part of its international commitments to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
What has been the progress on the targets under the Green India Mission?
From 2015-16 to 2021-22, the Centre had approved a target of increasing tree and forest cover by 53,377 hectares and improving the quality of the degraded forest by 1,66,656 ha.
However, as of December 2022, tree/forest cover had increased by 26,287 hectares and forest quality improved by only 1,02,096 hectares.
The States with a significant shortfall in tree cover include Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala.
What does the India State of Forest Report-2021 says on Forest Cover?
As per the India State of Forest Report-2021, forest and tree cover in the country has increased by 2,261 square kilometers since the last assessment in 2019.
India’s total forest and tree cover was 80.9 million hectares, which accounted for 24.62% of the geographical area of the country.
The report said 17 States and Union Territories had more than 33% of their area under forest cover.
Madhya Pradesh had the largest forest cover, followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
The top five States in terms of forest cover as a percentage of their total geographical area were Mizoram (84.53%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.33%), Meghalaya (76%), Manipur (74.34%) and Nagaland (73.9%).
Union Health Minister unveils world’s first intranasal COVID19 vaccine, iNNCOVACC
Source: The post is based on the article “Union Health Minister unveils world’s first intranasal COVID19 vaccine, iNNCOVACC” published in PIB on 26th January 2023
What is the News?
The Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare has unveiled the iNNCOVACC COVID19 vaccine.
What is iNNCOVAC?
iNNCOVACC is the world’s first intranasal COVID19 vaccine to receive approval for the primary 2-dose schedule and as a heterologous booster dose.
Developed by: Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) in collaboration with Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance(BIRAC).
What is ZyCoV-D?
It is the world’s first and India’s indigenously developed DNA based vaccine for Covid-19 to be administered in humans including children and adults 12 years and above.
Developed by: Zydus Cadila in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology in the Ministry of Science & Technology under ‘Mission Covid Suraksha’ through BIRAC.
China has exploited tribal alienation along India-Myanmar border
Source: The post is based on the article “China has exploited tribal alienation along India-Myanmar border” published in The Hindu on 25th January 2023
What is the News?
Indian Police Service(IPS) officers have presented three papers on China at the annual All India Conference of Directors-General and Inspectors-General of Police.
What are the key highlights from these documents on China?
China trying to create instability in the North east: India shares a 1,643-km long border with Myanmar that passes through four States: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
Given the historical and cultural linkages between people on both sides, the border is relatively porous, and there is a free movement regime in place under which locals can move up to 16 km on either side of the border.
Efforts taken by both India and Myanmar to fence the border have been protested by tribal communities on both sides, who fear that the demarcation would lead to them losing their land and forest access to the other side.
China is exploiting this sense of alienation and insecurity among tribal communities along the India-Myanmar border in order to “cause insurgency and instability” in northeast India.
Historical link between the northeast insurgents and China: Based on intelligence inputs, there exists a historical link between the northeast insurgents and China. The arms acquired from China are smuggled through Thailand, Bangladesh and Sino-Myanmar borders into the northeastern States.
Investment in Neighboring countries: China is investing huge amounts of money in the neighboring countries of India mainly Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka in the name of infrastructure development and other financial assistance.
Without exception, India’s neighboring countries have described China as a crucial development partner, either as a funder or in providing technological and logistical support.
However, the economic element is increasingly intertwined with political, government and people-to-people aspects of these relationships.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created opportunities for China to work directly with these countries in new ways such as the provision of medical equipment, biomedical expertise and capital for coronavirus-related needs.
Hence, these developments demonstrate that China’s presence in Southeast and South Asia is no longer predominantly economic but involves a greater, multidimensional effort to enhance its posture and further its long term strategic interests in the region.
The moral and intellectual crises in economic policies
Source: The post is based on the article “The moral and intellectual crises in economic policies” published in The Hindu on 28th January 2023.
Syllabus: GS3- Indian economy: growth, development and employment
Relevance: Paradoxes of GDP growth
News: The article explains the intellectual and moral crisis affecting the Indian economy.
What is the crisis of employment in India?
Job creation has not kept pace with the demand for jobs. Moreover, most jobs don’t pay enough and have no social security. The paradigm of economic growth and globalisation followed by Indian governments is a cause of the problem.
There is less employment because the organised manufacturing and service sectors are also employing fewer people per unit of capital in order to improve their own labour productivity.
The Indian economy’s problem is the large size of its informal sector and the small scale of its enterprises. Employment in the formal sector is also becoming informal with outsourcing, contract employment, and gig work.
Young men need jobs too. Increasing numbers of young and underemployed males are leading to more crime and violence, and sexual assaults of women in Indian cities.
Concepts of “economies of scale” are changing to “economies of scope”, and enterprise forms from concentrated to dispersed units.
How women’s participation in the workforce is not conducive to the employment scenario in India?
As per economists, more women in the workforce will lead to faster growth.
This distorted view of the economy ignores reality. More Indian women have been working outside their homes to earn money than in any other country perhaps.
They are working in a) large numbers on farms, as caregivers and domestic workers, and weavers and producers of handicrafts in small enterprises, b) as teachers and as Anganwadi and ASHAs providing essential services to communities. The essential services that women provide to society are not considered productive work for the economy.
They are being pulled into the limited jobs provided by the formal economy. Pushing more women into the formal economy will improve the “female participation rate” in the formal economy and may add to GDP too.
However, it will not solve the basic problem related to the lack of enough good jobs in formal sectors of India’s economy for the young population.
Why is the overemphasis on the growth of GDP not good for society and nature?
The paradigm of “growth, growth, growth” treats human society and nature as a means to goals of producing more wealth for investors and more GDP.
According to this paradigm of growth, the human needs for safety, health and sufficient income of workers only increase the cost of doing business. These are not concerns of the investors. The state must take care of them.
What is the way forward for economic policy?
Growth of GDP is not the purpose of human civilization.
India’s leaders must find a path to reach “poorna swaraj” related to social, political, and economic freedoms for all Indians.
Economic growth must create equal opportunities for all to learn and earn with dignity and not harm the natural environment that sustains all life.
A new paradigm of economic science and policy is required.
Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)
The Indus Waters Treaty, and why India has issued notice to Pakistan seeking changes
Source: The post is based on the following articles
“The Indus Waters Treaty, and why India has issued notice to Pakistan seeking changes” published in Indian Express on 28th January 2023
“River Bends – Pakistan should stop subverting the Indus Water Treaty” published in The Times of India on 28th January 2023
What is the News?
India has issued a notice to Pakistan seeking modification of the more than six-decade-old Indus Waters Treaty(IWT) that governs the sharing of waters of six rivers in the Indus system between the two countries.
What is the dispute over the hydel projects?
The notice appears to be a fallout of a longstanding dispute over two hydroelectric power projects that India is constructing – the Kishanganga hydroelectric project on the Kishanganga river, a tributary of Jhelum and Ratle Hydroelectric Plant on the Chenab.
Pakistan has raised objections to these projects, and dispute resolution mechanisms under the Treaty have been invoked multiple times. But a full resolution has not been reached.
In 2015, Pakistan asked that a Neutral Expert should be appointed to examine its technical objections to the Hydel projects.
But in 2016, Pakistan retracted the request and approached the World Bank seeking the constitution of a Court of Arbitration under the relevant dispute redressal provisions of the Treaty.
Instead of responding to Pakistan’s request for a Court of Arbitration, India moved a separate application asking for the appointment of a Neutral Expert. India had argued that Pakistan’s request for a Court of Arbitration violated the graded mechanism of dispute resolution in the Treaty.
What exactly is the dispute resolution mechanism under the treaty?
The dispute redressal mechanism provided under the treaty is a graded mechanism.
There are three possible steps to decide on objections raised by either side: 1) working within the “Permanent Indus Commission” (PIC) of the Indian and Pakistani delegation of water experts that meet regularly, 2) consulting a World Bank-appointed neutral expert or 3) setting up a court process to adjudicate the case through the World Bank and the Permanent Court of Arbitrage(PCA).
India has held that each step must be fully exhausted before both sides agree to move on to the next step. Pakistan had moved on without waiting for India’s concurrence.
Why has India sent notice to Pakistan?
The immediate trigger for India to send the notice to Pakistan was to address the issue of two parallel mechanisms for a solution to the differences over the Hydel projects.
Under the pact, any difference needs to be resolved under a three-stage approach. However, in the case of the Kishenganga and Ratle Hydro Electric Projects, the World Bank started two concurrent dispute redressal processes at the insistence of Pakistan, which India felt was a breach of the IWT.
Hence, under such circumstances, India has issued a “notice of modification” of the Indus Water Treaty.
However, an amendment or modification can happen only through a duly ratified Treaty concluded for that purpose between the two governments. Pakistan is under no obligation to agree to India’s proposal.
As of now, it is not clear what happens if Pakistan does not respond to India’s notice within the 90-day period.
12 cheetahs from South Africa to arrive in India by February-end
Source: The post is based on the article “12 cheetahs from South Africa to arrive in India by February-end” published in The Hindu on 28th January 2023
What is the News?
India and South Africa have signed an agreement to translocate 12 cheetahs to India.
About Cheetah’s Reintroduction Programme
In India, the Cheetah’s population got completely wiped out in the early 1950s, mainly due to over-hunting and habitat loss.
Under the ‘Action Plan for Reintroduction of Cheetah in India’, cheetahs will be brought from African countries to various national parks over the next few years.
