Jan 16, 2017 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 99]

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 99] Click here to get all the Tests– Archives Q.1) World Employment and Social Outlook report is released by World Bank International Labour Organisation World Economic Forum United Nations Development Programme Q.2) Consider the following statements about European Southern Observatory (ESO) The ESO Headquarters is located in Garching, near Munich, Germany United Kingdom is not a member state of ESO Which of the following statements is/are correct? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2  Q.3) Which of the following statements is/are correct? Alpha Centauri is the closest star system to the Solar System It consists of three stars: the pair Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B together with a small and faint red dwarf named Proxima Centauri Select the correct code Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements about Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) The AWC is part of the International Waterbird Census (IWC) of Wetlands International It is carried out simultaneously in 27 countries once a year Which of the following statements is/are correct? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2  Q.5) Which of the following cities will host world’s first ‘Gender Literature Festival’? Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata None of the above Download the Solution- Click here All the best IASbaba

Jan 16, 2017 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 14th January, 2017

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 14th January 2017 Archives HEALTH REFORMS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TOPIC: General Studies 2 Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Healthcare Data – Challenges and Reforms Introduction Apart from the increasing burden of communicable and non communicable diseases in India, another major challenge that needs to be taken care of is the quality of health sector data. Health sector data in India is not of top notch quality and even suffers from consistency in terms of periodicity and coverage. There is also a major mismatch between the type of information available and what is required by various stakeholders in the health sector such as planners, scientists and researchers. Government officials in India accept that data collection system needs to be completely revamped. More cohesion has to be present because different data sources lead to different conclusions. Even data from national level surveys such as the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4 and data under National Rural Health Mission suffer from inconsistency. Healthcare Data Challenges According to research and studies it has been observed that major gaps in the area of health sector data are as follows. Challenges and problems which need to be addressed are as follows: Lack of data at the sub-State or the district level which makes planning for targeted interventions at the grass root level difficult. Data collection at irregular intervals makes it tough to incorporate changes and reforms in the policy on a mid-term basis. Incomplete data is a problem which increases the burden in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. Especially when data is incomplete in hospitals and health facilities in the smaller towns and districts it becomes difficult to get best results from policies. The need for information to pass through multiple levels increases chances of discrepancies and delays. Absence of health-care data from the private sector is a major problem especially at a time when 70 per cent of the health expenditure is related to private sector facilities. Addressing the Challenges As data quality is one of the prime concerns, there is a need to establish an independent quality control body that monitors the quality of available data vis-a-vis the utility of the data. To ensure credibility and reliability of data systemic reforms are a must. An important area that needs to be addressed is the need to match the reason for data collection with the manner in which it is collected. Personal professional targets and window dressing of figures should not be considered as the purpose of data collection. Human resource development, capacity building and training of the enumerators of large-scale surveys will go a long way in improving the quality of data. Irrespective of the organisation conducting surveys and creating policies, definitions for various health indicators need to be standardised across surveys. Routine capturing of disaggregated data, without duplication is essential for reducing the efforts of data producers and ensuring results with higher efficiency. Data should be collected in a manner that makes it useful for decision making, This can be done through proper training as well. Conclusion In addition to the above solutions we need to ensure that good quality data is also used by the people in an effective manner. Data quality is improving but the same is not being used by stakeholders. This low utilization of data reduces the encouragement and motivation to improve the data quality. Good quality data is quite crucial for efficient allocation of our limited resources and evidence-based, informed health policies require efficient data. Generating and maintaining high standards of data is essential for making health-care accessible and available to all. Connecting the dots: Health sector suffers majorly in terms of data collection and management. Discuss the problems in the area of healthcare data and suggest measures to overcome the same. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TOPIC: General Studies 3 Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Can India become a science and technology powerhouse? In the recent Indian Science Congress held in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh (earlier this month), Prime minister Narendra Modi pledged to place India among the top three countries in the world in the field of science and technology (S&T) by 2030. Though an ambitious goal, getting even part-way there is going to take some doing. Reason: India performs below its potential on just about every indicator of scientific progress and achievement there is: be it the amount of public and private funding earmarked for research, the number of prestigious awards won by Indian scientists working in Indian institutions, the number of patents registered in the names of Indians or the number of articles published in well-known peer-reviewed journals. India has a long civilizational history of scientific achievement. But today the list of Indian scientists who have won the world’s most prestigious award, the Nobel, begins and ends with C.V. Raman. The longer list of Indian-origin and Indian-born winners has 16 mentions—but that also only highlights the large-scale systemic failures that extend across institutions and manifest at all levels. Advantage India: At the Nobel Prize Series Exhibition (which was held recently at Science City in Ahmedabad), several Nobel laureates opined that India has a great potential to be a scientific power and consider investing more in basic & fundamental researches. What should India do to become a science and technology powerhouse? Successive status of education reports have highlighted how educational outcomes among Indian school students are falling at an alarming rate.  The situation in institutions of higher education is hardly any better, with many elite institutions struggling to compete globally. In the QS World University Rankings 2016-17, only two Indian institutions ranked among the top 200 universities in the world: Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (rank 152) and Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (rank 185). Research institutions also suffer from government interference and lack of funding which, among other problems, makes them unattractive to rising talent that prefers greener pastures abroad. Therefore, there is an urgent need for foundational work on the overall education system. The government should focus on improving science education at the school level. Scientists could help develop course modules and scientific social responsibility, wherein premier laboratories and research institutions could partner with nearby schools and colleges to create an environment that supports scientific education and innovation, should be encouraged. The government should focus on strengthening the links between S&T and industry. If done right, this could potentially bring in the resources necessary to boost Indian science. Currently, much of the funding comes from the government while private-sector investment (in the form of research and development centres, for example) is below par. Overall, despite talk since the late 1980s of increasing S&T investments from the public and private sector to 2% of GDP (gross domestic product), the figure still hovers at around 0.9%. In comparison, South Korea leads the race, investing 3% of its GDP in S&T, while Japan follows close behind. Another example is tiny Israel, which has not only nurtured a flourishing S&T ecosystem but leveraged its security challenges to build a robust defence industry. In India, it will be interesting to see if the Modi government’s flagship scheme to boost domestic manufacturing and its consequent efforts to woo foreign capital (specifically in defence) can do something similar. Evolution of Science and Technology policy framework in India In recent years, the Indian Government has implemented several fellowship schemes to nurture human capacity for advanced research in the country. The period between 2010-20 has been declared as the “Decade of Innovation” by the nation and the need for the establishment of National Innovation Council has been emphasised. To fuel the growth innovation in science and technology STI (Science, Technology and Innovation) Policy 2013 was formed. In 2008, Government launched Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) scheme, through which the Government awarded 2,150 research fellowships for doctoral research and 270 faculty awards for post doctoral researchers. Following the Government’s initiatives, the number of researchers per million people has gone up from 140 during 2004–06 to 160 in 2010 As of December 2016, India and Israel announced plans to support R&D programs in science and technology sector, with an investment of USD1 million, by both nations. Science Technology and Innovation Policy 2013 The key elements of the STI policy are: Developing synergies between science, technology and innovation Providing a fresh perspective on innovation in an Indian context Charting a high-technology path for creating a science, research and innovation system in India Promoting proliferation of scientific temper among all sections of the society Enhancing skill for applications of science among the young from all social strata Making careers in science, research and innovation attractive to the brightest students Establishing world class R&D infrastructure for gaining global leadership in some select frontier areas of science Positioning India among the top five global scientific powers by 2020 Encouraging private sector to invest in research and development in Science & Technology. Setting up of large scale R&D facilities via PPP mode. Setting up of regulatory framework for sharing IPRs between inventors and investors. Migrating R&D outputs into commercial applications by replicating hitherto successful models as well as establishing new structures Facilitating S&T-based high-risk innovations through new mechanisms Triggering changes in the mindset and value systems to recognise, respect and reward performances that create wealth from S&T derived knowledge Increasing R&D spending to 2.4 per cent of GDP by 2034 KEY GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES The Government of India has taken various steps to generate interest and promote investments in the Science & Technology sector 12th Five-Year Plan (2012–17) Key focal points include: Creation of major national facilities under partnerships Programmes for centre-state technology partnership Building educators for science teaching Investments into mega science for creation of R&D infrastructure within India and abroad under partnerships Creation of proper institutional framework in science & technology institutions to enhance R&D activities National knowledge network A state-of-the-art multi-gigabit (multiples of 10 Gbps) pan-India network is planned to link some 5,000 nodes in India It will be the sole vehicle for international connectivity in future National Innovation Council 2010–2020 has been declared the Decade of Innovation to stimulate innovations and produce solutions for societal needs such as healthcare, energy, infrastructure, water and transportation Improving Academia Innovation universities would be set up as public private partnerships to develop new hubs of education, research and innovation The Educational market in India has the potential of reaching USD150 billion by FY17 with the increasing demand for quality education National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) Key focal points include: Aims at promoting scientific thinking. Communicating science & technology to masses using digital media, folk media and digital media. Focus on training in science and technology communication, incentive programmes, production & dissemination of S & T software, development and research in S&T. Important initiatives under NCSTC include Mathematics Awareness Resources & Initiatives (MARI), campaigns over Year of Scientific Awareness, the National Science Day, the National Children’s Science Congress, Science Express, etc. Big Data Initiative (2016) An innovative R&D perspective to promote big data science, technology and applications within the country. Aims at developing core generic technologies, tools and algorithms for wide applications in industries, government and academia. Extraction of useful knowledge hidden in in-size data repositories. Understanding the current status of industry in terms of policy framework, distinct players providing services across sectors, market size, SWOT of industry, etc. Connecting the dots: Do you think India can become a science and technology powerhouse in the near future? Making India a top destination for science and technology will require getting the basics right. Elucidate. MUST READ Pay heed to Urjit Patel Hindu Reserved Bank of India Indian Express No proof required: Towards an Income Tax Revolution Put the onus on teachers Indian Express Put the onus on teachers  Indian Express Factory job boost for US, India’s adverse sex ratio and roots of post-truth world Live Mint   Nurture farm sector for inclusive growth Business Line   Big Data for the next green revolution Business Line MINDMAPS China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)  

Jan 15, 2017 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Power of Meditation – Inspirational & Educative Articles

Power of Meditation: For young and enthusiastic individuals who have a desire to understand themselves and the world around; for those who have a desire to perfect their lives through the fine tuning of their mental and physical faculties; for those who want to reach to the pinnacle of their possibilities, meditation is a god sent gift. Unlike the contrary belief that meditation is for those who have serious mental or physical health issues, usually prescribed by a doctor, the truth remains that meditation is for everybody, especially for the creative, young adventurous minds. Everything you want to accomplish in the world can happen only through your personal will and action. Everything you want to create on the outside will have its beginning on the inside. What you are within the depths of your mind and heart is what you can offer to the world. The world more often than not is complicated and unsupportive to your personal dreams and desires. It takes enormous strength of character and determination to put forth your best self amidst of discouraging and disheartening situations of life. The only thing you can rely on in times of need is your own inner strength. Building this inner strength happens through the process of meditation. Meditation is a marvellous science of looking into the depths of your dreams, desires, fears, emotions and all other thought processes so that you can eventually make sense of them and learn to use it to your advantage. Meditation is quite literally a torch of the soul. Using this tool you can enter the deep dark recesses of your complicated self to explore and see for yourself what you are made of. The more you are able to use this faculty, the more you will be able to understand and enlighten yourself. Work, Study, Family, Relationships, Social Responsibility, Success, Peace, Relaxation and a host of other various dimensions of life can be illuminated using the power of meditation. No wonder it has been passed down over thousands of years in spite of all the social, economic and cultural transformations and disruptions happening all around us. Just like any other tool of science, meditation works only when we spend some time understanding how it works. Meditation is not specific to any religion, custom or tradition; as long as you have a breath to watch, you can meditate. There a lot of cool things you can do on the outside to keep your mind occupied, but only meditation can keep you cool from the inside. Give it a try, you will not be disappointed. “The articles are a copyright of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.”

Jan 14, 2017 AIR

All India Radio - First International Agrobiodiversity Congress

First International Agrobiodiversity Congress ARCHIVES Search 6th November here http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 3 Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Background The 1st International Agrobiodiversity Congress – IAC 2016 – saw delegates from 60 countries in New Delhi to initiate and encourage a dialogue among relevant stakeholders – including farmers – to better understand everyone’s role in agrobiodiversity management and the conservation of genetic resources. India is one of the most diverse countries in the world as though it takes up only 2.4% of the world's land area, yet it harbours 7-8% of all recorded species, including over 45,000 species of plants and 91,000 species of animals (CBD, 2014). Agricultural Biodiversity Or Agrobiodiversity is the foundation of sustainable agricultural development and is an essential natural resource to ensure current and future food and nutrition security. As the world faces challenges such as global malnutrition, climate change, increasing agricultural productivity, reducing risk and increasing shrinking food security, there is a need for the conservation and use of precious resources as they provide essential raw materials for agricultural systems and peoples’ livelihoods. Significance of conference Earlier also there used to be such kind of conference but this time the Government of India is trying to promote ecological and sustainable agriculture to improve the farmers’ income. It is important because there is immense prevalence of mono-cropping and loss of diversity in several places, particularly in wake of green revolution in India, which is harming the agricultural biodiversity. Now the government is trying to revive the polyculture, organic farming and also protect the biodiversity. This conference will go long way as ecological and biodiversity balance is very important. Risk reduction: here should be mixed farming and diversified agriculture so that risk of monocrop farming is reduced. If there is loss of one crop, other crops will support. Better livelihood: Mono-cropping cannot ensure enough income or access to good livelihood or food security. Mixed farming is best guarantee for it. There is need to show more inclination towards promotion of blue revolution as fish production has increased in last few years, but now the growth rate has become slow. India has tremendous potential in marine as well as inland fisheries. So for both, there exists potential in places where there is good rainfall. Even if it is a small pond, it can become a good source of income. Keeping such prospective in mind, GOI has emphasised in MGNERGA too that there should be new ponds and tanks created. They emerge not only as a source of irrigation but also fish culture. Also, it has been emphasising on how to increase demand in fisheries through innovations, value additions and marketing. Change of focus The modern agriculture weakness lies in the fact that there was too much focus on green revolution. But now, serious issue exists with it as there is excessive use of chemical fertiliser, pesticides which erodes soil health, sustainably of agriculture thereby affecting food safety. Hence, more than required emphasis on green revolution has created some kind of imbalance over agro-economy and social issues. In overall scenario, the food grain production was the focus, particularly the cereals- rice and wheat were the focus of green revolution. But that way, India was heading towards some kind of mono-cropping. The total contribution of food grains in the total value of output for agriculture commodities is only 20-25% despite the fact that more than 50% of the area is under food grains. If 22 million hectares is there, it should contribute quiet significantly, means more than 25% of the total output. But it majority comes from fruits and vegetables. So, only cereals have not to be grown, but fruits and vegetables have to be also encouraged. Now the government is thinking of diversifying in favour of pulses. This will create a diversified agricultural basket, bringing in sustainability in agro-economy. In addition, there should be encouragement to poultry and animal husbandry. Today it contributes about 28-29% of total agricultural output. When compared, inspite of so much area under food grains production, it contributes only 25%. But with just 4-5% land under fodder, there is 28% of the total output. Thus, there can be efforts made to harness that potential for the benefit of farmers and country. Diversification of agriculture- there is no MSP for any crop except 24 commodities which includes rice, wheat, maize, jowar, bajra. But it is effectively implemented only for rice and wheat. Now the present government is giving lot of emphasis on pulses by encouraging farmers to grow it, fixing higher MSP, procuring them through centralised distribution through retail outlet, cooperatives or PDS. Such a change in focus areas will augment more diversification in agriculture. Knowledge sharing Such conferences also open up avenues for discussion and knowledge sharing as there is interaction with experts from various countries. Knowledge is critical input in any system, particularly for technological innovation, higher productivity or higher yield. Many things are happening globally. So, global technology can be shared and then it can be adapted to the local suitable conditions. It helps in improving productivity and income and reducing cost. If cost of production is low, then with lower of investment surplus, the profit can be significant. It can also contribute in enhancing farmer’s knowledge about soil conservation and irrigation process. Drip and sprinkler irrigation was learnt from Israel which used it for their fruits and vegetables. Sustainable agriculture or sustainable livelihood for the small and marginal farmers depends on key knowledge and inputs. Traditional wisdom of farming should be integrated with modern science for sustainable results. Traditionally Indian farmers were growing mixed crops. That is how farmers reduced their risks, increased income and with low cost of production, they had good livelihood. Currently, after green revolution, Indian agriculture is moving towards mono-cropping and monoculture and it has created lot of problems in terms of soil erosion and water depletion. Now again there is awareness and emphasis from central government on mixed farming, organic farming, integrated pest management and wide reach of soil health card. All these initiatives give out a message that the government is now up for ecological farming and protection of biodiversity. This will lead to minimisation of farmer’s risk in agriculture, improved income, maintenance of soil health and be environment friendly. Contribution of states The role of states is equally important when dealing with agriculture as it is part of state list. But whenever it comes to farmer’s welfare, the debate in media and other circle is basically focussed on role of central government and MSP. Here, both central and state government have important role to play. Central government is focussing on critical schemes which will have impact on farmers’ income and sustainability of agriculture. For ex agriculture insurance- it is a central scheme where some percentage of premium is borne by the state. But in some cases it is found that states are not coming forward. Thus, if state governments are really serious about improving the condition of farmer, they must relook their policies and undertake initiatives in improving farmers’ welfare. Conclusion More awareness can be created by dedicating years to farming. UN declared 2014 as Year of Family Farming. Here focus was that small farms and use of family labour can improve their food security and livelihood and go for sustainable agriculture. That created lot of awareness globally. Government of India’s priorities are very clear in terms of agrobiodiversity, organic farming, improving soil health, farmers’ income etc. Thus there is a hope for a better agricultural growth. Connecting the dots: What is agrobiodiversity? How can India sustain its agriculture diversity and agricultural growth with agrobiodiversity-Evaluate.  

Jan 14, 2017 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 13th January, 2017

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 13th January 2017 Archives GEOGRAPHY TOPIC: General Studies 1 Urbanization, their problems and their remedies Restructuring India’s Urban Strategy Introduction The present government in India has urbanisation and development of cities on top of its agenda. The same is visible from the policies focussing on the same such as Smart Cities Mission, mass rapid transit systems such as the metro services being developed and waste management etc. However, the policy makers also need to understand that urban areas are not all about concrete structures but more about the kind of lifestyle that is given to the people and the objective should be to make the lives of people better. The culture of cities should emerge out of local desires and needs of the local population.  Commercial, cultural and professional attributes should define the nature of the development of cities. Challenges for Urbanisation in India In contemporary times, India is faced with a few challenges that it needs to overcome for achieving sustainable urbanisation. These challenges are: In the recent past, even though funds have been available, cities have been unable to expand road networks and metro lines as per growing demand. Uncontrolled growth of population has made plans for public facilities ineffective. For example: Delhi Metro has increased the number of coaches, the frequency of trains, the size of stations and the length of platforms but still it struggles to accommodate the rising population. Increased vehicular pressure has led to congestion on roads and clogged networks. Migration is on a continuous rise with a Mumbai witnessing an influx of 4,000 families per week. Real estate businesses are building high-end luxury homes but cities still lack basic infrastructure for the public. A majority share of some cities are not recognised or do not qualify for being eligible to be a part of the planning process. Populist measure and bureaucratic tendencies are another hurdle in the way to urbanisation as per citizen needs. Re-thinking for India No doubt Indian government is aptly focussing on cities and urban infrastructure in the light of increasing pressure and migration still certain things need to be kept in mind while we rethink our strategy with respect to the cities. Indian cities are highly heterogeneous so the conventional approaches to their mega size may not work as in case of world cities such as Rome and Shanghai. Small towns such as Meerut which are part rural, part cantonment and are also essential to maintaining commercial links to surrounding villages are the cities which need most of the attention from government policies. India needs to devise a development strategy for smaller towns. This will be a shift from the conventional approach. Policies for these towns must take into account new forms of public housing, regulate bye-laws that restrict commuting and delineate public space over private commerce. So as the focus on smaller towns grows, simultaneously larger towns need to be relieved of the burden of new citizens. Instead of long distance connectivity steps should be taken to include pedestrianisation, conversion to mixed-use streets, reduction of commercial activity and an eradication of gated neighbourhoods. Residential areas should be promoted where all people live together and encourage a sense of community and inclusion. This will also help in eroding differences of ethnicity, profession, caste, social and economic position. Behavioural and attitudinal changes have to be brought about amongst the citizens for all the above non conventional methods to be successful. The Western model of urbanisation is not the best one that India should be following. Way Forward The new cities are going to witness a new kind of population group which will not be restricted to one place. The mobility of the people will be very high. Bureaucracy will have an enabling role to play in terms of migration but will not be defining the strategies for urbanisation. In this contemporary set up, traditional structures of justice and legislature not hold prime importance and people with private needs will take up an important role in the society. India will definitely need to work towards smart cities and include digitisation as a part of urban policies like Stockholm and Berlin but it will not be the only and the most comprehensive solution for India.  Considering the high number of migratory citizens and pedestrians, India should follow cities such as Lagos or Cairo rather than European or Chinese cities. Connecting the dots India needs to rethink on its strategy towards urbanisation. Give reasons for the need to restructure the strategy and suggest a non conventional strategy best suited for India based on international examples.   SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TOPIC: General Studies 3 Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. New digital reigns in human life 2017 will be the coming of age of the tech-enhanced human. Though it is difficult to predict a profound new trend in a one-year time frame, but this evolution promises to bring a fundamental shift with long-term implications for organisations, individuals and economies. Tech enhancement should be seen through a framework of three ‘A’s — assistance, augmentation and automation. These have been quietly gaining momentum over the last couple of years which are now expected to go mainstream in 2017. For example, the digital assistants powered by artificial intelligence have been in vogue for quite a time. From SIRI in iPhones and iPADs to Cortana in Microsoft Windows 10 devices, artificial intelligence has made inroads into everyday lives of human beings in a subtle but significant manner. Artificial Intelligence (AI)- an area of computer science that emphasises the creation of intelligent machines that work and react like humans such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages. The three A’s Assistance The automated software applications or platforms, from the basic Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) to the sophisticated virtual assistants of today, assisting human users with search and retrieval related intelligence are getting better. With the enhancement in their capabilities, their demand and usage will also spike. According to a research organisation, there will be 1.8 billion consumer users of virtual assistants worldwide by 2021 and 843 million enterprise users. Whether it is google assistance or Amazon’s Alexa, they work alongside humans and complement their skills, thereby easing the tasks quietly. Augmentation It enhances the human core capabilities by providing specifically contextual support that is required to do a task. The way doctors are working with IBM Watson is a great example of augmentation. IBM Watson- it has deep cognitive computing skills which assimilates vast amounts of patient information and interprets them reducing time for doctors to make their diagnoses. Automation By taking a step forward from assistance and augmentation, automation all together removes the need for human effort. It is not complimentary to human skills but is a substitute bringing in agility to tasks which is very necessary today. But automation need not necessarily always mean job losses, especially in areas where significant judgement calls are needed. For example, self-driving cars. There are different approaches taken by industry in tech enhancement. In retail, consumer decisions are becoming more assisted, the supply chains are becoming more augmented. In healthcare sector, at the patient end there is assistance in the form of chatbots and virtual platforms, while at the provider end there is augmentation (diagnosis) as well as automation (surgery). India and Artificial intelligence Policymakers in India have to take into account the growing opportunities related to artificial intelligence. PM’s flagship initiatives — Make in India, Skill India, Digital India — will be impacted by the recent advances in artificial intelligence, making it imperative for Indian policymakers to take both an immediate and a long-term view. The private sector has been working rigorously in this field to provide maximum support to human beings. The government should also propel more and more research in this area. The AI can be used in many ways: The farmer’s smartphone will not only track weather forecast but also perhaps advise him on the next best action to take if the weather turns inclement. A smart fishing app will learn from the past performance of fishing trips on the high seas to guide Indian fishermen on improving their catch. A clever tax collection app will help the government detect sophisticated methods of tax evasion while a subsidy app will better target benefits to those who need them the most thereby helping plug leakages. Even for national security strategy, India can use the machine intelligence in the ways Pentagon’s DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) model uses which collaborates defence research with private sector and universities in order to create dual-purpose technologies. The proposed National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) platform, which would link citizen databases, might be a good start for creating a machine intelligence-based platform with both national security and civilian benefits. For this, there is a need to make radical recommendations through National Education Policy on alternative models of education that would be suitable to an AI-powered economy of future. Though, the issue of job creation will arise as technology will work with humans, but job prospects depends on the kind of technology used. Augmentation will not lead to job losses while automation might replace human labour. Also, there might be economic impact of tech enhancement on individuals and institutions as labour cost advantage will slowly vanish, particularly in emerging economies. Hence, India may see losses in job creation or provision if not adapting the emerging trends. Conclusion It is difficult for India to replicate China’s manufacturing strategy from the 1980s, hence, India has no option but to develop a new economic strategy that relies on technological innovation. The ‘fourth industrial revolution’ offers new possibilities to deal with the twin national security challenges — cross-border terrorism from Pakistan and the growing gap in conventional military capabilities with China. Flagship initiatives like Make In India, Skill India should become simulators for research and innovation in artificial intelligence. Thus, the recent advances in AI are a wake up call to Indian policymakers to spur AI-based innovation and AI-ready infrastructure in preparing India’s jobs and skills markets. Connecting the dots: The manufacturing export driven economy is now a passé. India should augment its scientific capacities in artificial intelligence for a robust growth. Do you agree? Critically examine. MUST READ Strategic partnership. Really? Hindu   Niti Aayog calls for review of RTE Act Hindu   No pass marks Indian Express   Project Of Defiance Indian Express   Give credit Indian Express   Improving India’s scientific capabilities Livemint   India’s job challenge requires collective action Livemint   No debate on healthcare in India Livemint   Tax policy in the time of demonetisation Business Line   No frills please, focus on the core Business Line MINDMAP Universal Basic Income

Jan 13, 2017 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 98]

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 98] Click here to get all the Tests– Archives Q.1) Recently, a place called ‘Aswan’ was in news. It is located in which of the following countries? Morocco Egypt Algeria Armenia Q.2) The Global Risks Report is published by World Economic forum World Bank United Nations Security Council None of the above Q.3) Consider the following statements about Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) It is an array of thirty fully steerable parabolic radio telescopes of 45 metre diameter, observing at metre wavelengths, located near Pune It is operated by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, a part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai Which of the following statements is/are correct? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2  Q.4) Consider the following statements about India INX The India INX is located in the country's first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), which is located in Mumbai India INX will be the fastest international exchange in the world in terms of order response time, with a median trade speed of four microseconds The exchange can trade securities and products other than Indian rupees Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.5) Shekatkar panel is concerned with which of the following ministries? Ministry of Finance Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Mistry of Defence Download the Solution- Click here All the best IASbaba

Jan 13, 2017 AIR

All India Radio - India’s Efforts to Reduce Disaster Risks

India’s Efforts to Reduce Disaster Risks ARCHIVES Search 3rd November here http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 3 Disaster and disaster management. Over last 20 years, more than 8,50,000 people have died from disasters in Asia Pacific. It is also seen that disasters keep striking in one way or other. In times of disasters, it is the leadership by people that propel better outcomes. What is Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Risk Management? Disaster by itself is something which upsets the normal routine and it is not easy to come back to. Disaster Risk Reduction: If the society and the people are made resilient to disaster, then automatically there is a reduction in disaster. Disaster Risk Management: The risk of disaster is reduced by proper disaster management systems. It could be either by preventing or being prepared by disasters or building up the capacity of people to face disasters so that the damage caused by disasters is minimal or nil. PM Modi recently inaugurated the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Management. This is the first major inter-governmental event after the adoption of the Sendai framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. PM came up with 10 point agenda for the people and he said that disaster risk reduction has a pivotal role in supporting adaption to climate change as well as sustainable development. PM’s 10 point agenda All development sectors must imbibe the principles of disaster risk management. Work towards risk coverage for all-starting from poor households to SMEs to multi-national corporations to nation states. Encourage greater involvement and leadership of women in disaster risk management. Invest in risk mapping globally. For mapping risks related to hazards like earthquakes India has accepted standards and parameters. Leverage technology to enhance the efficiency of our disaster risk management efforts. Develop a network of universities to work on disaster issues. Utilise the opportunities provided by social media and mobile technologies. Build on local capacity and initiative. Opportunity to learn from a disaster must not be wasted. After every disaster there are papers on lessons that are rarely applied. Bring about greater cohesion in international response to disasters. The all-inclusive agenda presents a holistic approach to disaster risk management and addresses a whole range of issues, from community preparedness to use of technology and international cooperation. Disaster Management in India Cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes or floods, though the magnitude of disasters may have increased, the losses are probably getting reduced as there has been some improvement in management of disasters. During disasters 30-40 years ago, the army was called for disaster management or for relief management. But it was more of adhoc measure at that time. Now it is a well-planned integrated system. World over there has been lot of development in disaster management. India also has put in place the National Disaster Management Authority with a Disaster Management Act, 2005. Along with it, there are State Disaster Management Authorities too in almost all the states with respective State Disaster Management Acts and Rules. This shows that disaster management arrangements have been well organised at the national level and state level. Now there are efforts being made to take it down to community level, panchayats and other grassroots levels. All the districts have been already involved in this exercise. People have to be integrated, resources have to be integrated and managed well and other activities have to be also performed as a part of disaster risk reduction planning.  The disasters are not going to end, so everyone has to be well prepared. The first National Disaster Management Plan, 2016 aims to make India disaster resilient and significantly reduce the loss of lives and assets. India has now Indian Ocean tsunami warning system. Also, India is far more prepared to tackle with heavy cyclones with minimal destruction and damage to life and property. Earlier, there were only talks about disaster reliefs or responding to a disaster. But now there are talks on disaster risk reduction. So it’s a sea change in thoughts and approach to it. This has come over by very good system of disaster management. Disaster challenges In 1999-2000, the nodal ministry for National Disaster Management was Ministry Of Agriculture as the disasters were limited to famines and draughts.  Later, one of the recommendations was that it should be shifted to Ministry of Home as lot of manpower, police force and other rescue forces, resources are required as the nature of disasters also included manmade disasters. Now the focus is changing to holistic management of disasters. Today there is National Disaster Response Force under Ministry of Home and Indian Army is also well integrated into local disaster management along with district administration level. This is a sea change in the progress that India is making in this way. Expanding the scope of disaster risk reduction Development of all sectors must imbibe the principles of disaster risk management which will ensure the development of projects such as airports, roads, canals, hospitals, schools, bridges are built with appropriate standards. Disaster management has to be dovetailed into developmental sectors. Today, even the building codes have changed and become better. They have become area specific now depending upon earthquake zone or flood zone. It is fairly significant as of late there has been awareness among people too. When they go to buy a house, they ask if the building is earthquake resistant or not. Earlier, when fire took place due to total lack of any sort of safety regulations, people considered it fate or negligence. But now, when a fire incidences take place, there is hue and cry about why the safety standards are not being followed. Media coverage of lack of fire safety at important buildings raises more awareness as well as forces the owners to comply. Thus, bringing this safety concept of prevention of disasters is very important and people are showing their awareness about following of the prescribed infrastructural standards. A modern disaster challenge is the growing urbanisation where there are clusters of people living in concentrated neighbourhoods. Unplanned growth and development of population and congestion of unauthorised buildings is increasing. They block the passage of fire safety which leads to more complications during disaster relief process. Hence, urbanisation should be planned in holistic manner where multiple dimensions are factored into for better development. There is a need for better insurance coverage as insuring oneself against disaster is the basic concept of disaster management and insurance. When the house is insured and it follows all the safety standards, the insurance premium will be less and insurers will also ensure that whatever insurance is being made, follows proper safety norms. Hence, there will be incentives for being prepared. There are multiple insurances like crop insurance, life insurance, medical insurance and it has to be understood that insurance is to reduce the risk in the event of disaster. There will be a possibility to return to normal life very soon with help of insurance. So insurance is a good disaster risk reduction technique. Risk mapping – there have been uniform parameters for measuring earthquakes and India has mapped specific zones. Thus, there is now a need for such globally accepted standards for chemical hazards, forest fires, cyclones, floods. India has developed seismic maps, cyclone prediction maps, wind maps, hazard prone area map. Along with mapping, there has been immense growth in technology that helps generate computer simulations to identify the intensity of damage. There is also real time data information which has become a very good tool in disaster risk reduction. Use of satellites-. The technology and resources, put in use through satellites are useful in giving early warning, mapping and meteorology data, globally. This makes it important from point of view of international cooperation. Use of social media and mobile technology to inform people about potential risk in case of cyclone or other tragedies has been increasing. In all disaster management methods, warning systems will be very crucial. Along with technology, how to inform at the last point should definitely use social media. Community participation- Along with warning, it is awareness generation amongst the known as well as potentially disaster-affected community. This will build the capacity of disaster preparedness through community involvement. The first responders will be able to give the information and help to each other. International recognition- International competition of documentary films that record the disaster events can be held, UN can bring about a common logo and branding under which all those helping with relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction get international response. Cooperation, knowledge network, involvement of universities, research specific areas, linking at international level can be undertaken. Connecting the dots: What is the difference between Disaster Management and Disaster Risk Reduction? Analyse India’s preparedness in tackling probable disasters within its boundaries.  

Jan 12, 2017 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 12th January, 2017

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 12th January 2017 Archives INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. Review of India’s Asian Strategy Introduction Nations which have an important role to play in shaping international relations have restructured their foreign policies, both with respect to defence and economy, as per the needs of the evolving geopolitics. Countries such as the U.S., China and Russia have responded well to this evolution but India still does not have a clear strategy with which it can take advantage of the basket of opportunities arising in Asia. Indian Evolution Almost three centuries ago India was the richest country dominating the world economy with textile exports. However, lapses in our policies and certain decisions in those years allowed the British to rule upon us. As a result of the colonisation, India was exploited for the benefit of countries progressing as a result of the Industrial Revolution. As a result of the above, India has never been able to secure a similar global standing as it did three centuries ago. Chinese economy is now five times that of India and soon to be the largest in the world. India has all the capabilities and the demography to overtake China by 2050. However, the same can be achieved with sound policies, national and international, and channelizing the resources in the best way in the right direction. India’s Challenges India’s ‘Look East Policy’ has not helped India with material gains other than agreements including the sale of coastal patrolling vessel to Vietnam. On the west, India is parking high stakes in the Chabahar port. However, India suffers a major constraint in terms finances when compared to China. Even though India has made huge investments in Afghanistan, still global groupings have kept India out of the political discussions in Afghanistan. In South Asia, Bhutan is probably the only nation which is exclusively under India’s sphere of influence. NITI Aayog has not developed any roadmap for India to become a $10- trillion economy by 2032. India is also lacking a clear national viewpoint on the uncertainties, challenges and opportunities in terms of technological innovation reshaping global politics, economy and society. There has been an excessive and constant emphasis on the military strategies in dealing with other countries and blaming Pakistan for terrorism. This energy needs to be devoted towards trade and economic strategies. India is also isolated with respect to its approach towards the OBOR. India is the only nation in continental Asia which has not agreed to be a part of the OBOR. Emergence of China The re-emergence of China has limited the ability of the U.S. in setting the global agenda and preventing the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank by asking Europe to keep out. China is making huge investment in infrastructure creation as seen in the case of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The amount of resources China is devoting has led to almost nations in continental Asia agreeing to be a part of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative. Chinese investment has also attracted nations such as Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar. Russia and Central Asian nations are also linking their infrastructure development to the OBOR thus getting the much needed access to warm water ports. China is focussing on connectivity, the OBOR, infrastructure, new institutions and integrated markets. The massive investment has given a vision of shared prosperity. Changes in USA Policy In the post World War 2 era, U.S. dominated global geopolitics on three rules with coercive power: Global trade with dispute settlement; Global security system resting on alliances; and Deliberations in the United Nations based on a division between donors and recipients. USA has now realised the need for change in policy from confrontation to creation of spheres of influence. The chances of confrontation with respect to economy and trade are very less now. There is a greater need for integration of economies. US, Russia and China relations are expected to get better since digital flows are now adding more wealth to the global economy. The upcoming president in USA also recognises the need for building military superiority based on technological leadership. As a result, it is expected to recognise the growth and leadership potential of China. With the focus on spheres of influence, USA has also brought about changes in its policy. It has recognised India as a major defence partner and also provided Pakistan with nearly $1 billion in military assistance on conditional basis. Action Steps for India India needs to focus on GDP growth and economic development rather than other challenges such as NSG membership and Pakistan. These problems will be resolved with economic progress. India should also cooperate rather than confront and integrate with the OBOR initiative. India should add a ‘Digital Sustainable Asia’ component to OBOR. This is one area where India’s leadership potential can be tapped. OBOR should also be seen as a chance to strengthen democracy. India has to balance cross-border terrorism with cross-border water flows and focus on greater reliance on endogenous cyber security and missiles. Connecting the dots India has failed to make the best of the advantages it enjoyed over the past few decades. Discuss the reasons for India’s failure in capitalising on its own potential. Also discuss a strategy in terms of Asian geopolitics that India needs to adopt to become a regional leader.   ENVIRONMENT TOPIC: General Studies 2 Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Traditional Solutions to solve water crisis If water is not managed well now, by 2030, global demand for water is expected to exceed sustainable resources by 40%. The World Bank estimates that water scarcity will be further worsened by climate change and by 2050 it could cause a 6% decline in the GDP of some countries. Thus, water scarcity provides greatest cause for a paradigm shift in the global economy in how natural resources are used. In the world, Asia is the real epicentre of this accelerating water crisis where the per capita availability of fresh water is 2,816 cubic meters, less than half the global average of 6,079 cubic meters. India and water Though it is surrounded by water on three sides, it is facing acute water shortages in majority of its regions throughout the year barring monsoon season (if the rains are good). The hot climate is drying up lakes and rivers, while rapid urbanisation and water pollution are putting enormous pressure on the quantity and quality of surface and ground water. Inspite of modern technologies available, the agricultural system still depends primarily on rainfall. It has been recently observed how a bad monsoon season can wreck havoc on the national economy. Hence, it is now needed to revisit the past where water management was community led and water stress was never translated into water scarcity, despite lack of rainfall. Turning to traditional water management systems India had a rich heritage of elaborate traditional technologies and modes of social organisation that ensured adequate and reliable supply of water even in arid regions. Here, dire water scarcity did not lead to fierce competition, but rather in having most intense and creative forms of cooperation. This further led to give three dimensional result — sustained eco-systems, creation of sustainable local economies and support to social norms and technical skills. But today, many of these old community-based systems of watershed management and storage have declined as water is transformed from a sacred gift to just a ‘resource’ that could be privatised and/or controlled by governments. Basis of water management Storing every drop of rain water where it falls in ways that sustain the larger eco-system instead of building economic systems that depend on exogenous waters for either survival or economic growth. Creating water management systems as per the inherent dynamic of the specific ecosystem. Cultivation of social norms and cultural practices rather than state policies enforced through policing. This will ensure sustainable agriculture and production systems across generations. But today, the traditional systems are considered ‘incompatible’ with the modern society because it could support only subsistence economies and are not conducive to ‘growth’. However, these have been untrue arguments as water scarcity brought innovation in preserving water and not water-fights. Some well known traditional water management techniques are: Jhalara- they are stepwells which collect the subterranean seepage of an upstream reservoir or a lake. Talab/Bandi- Natural or manmade reservoirs that store water for household consumption and drinking purposes Taanka- it is a store water for household consumption and drinking purposes where rainwater from rooftops, courtyards or artificially prepared catchments flows into underground pit. Johads- are small earthen check dams that capture and store rainwater. Kunds- saucer-shaped catchment area that gently slope towards the central circular underground well. Baoli- secular stepwell structures from which everyone could draw water. Baolis on trade routes were often frequented as resting places. Kuhls- Surface water channels found in the mountainous regions where they carry glacial waters from rivers and streams into the fields. Bamboo drip irrigation- an ingenious system of efficient water management that has been practised for over two centuries in northeast India. Here, water from perennial springs is diverted to the terrace fields using varying sizes and shapes of bamboo pipes. Eri (Tank) system- Eri acts as flood-control system, prevent soil erosion and wastage of runoff during periods of heavy rainfall, and also recharge the groundwater. These methods are tried and tested, simple and eco-friendly for most part and still currently used by many communities in different parts of India. Conclusion Though local watershed management is supported by government policy, it tends to be overwhelmed by large projects that add more directly to GDP growth. This should however not deter water soldiers to stop waging war against water-misusers. Over the last quarter of a century, a wide variety of civil society and academic interventions in India have attempted to revive the traditional systems on which premodern societies based their relationship with water. Policies and laws must ensure that the public and private sectors together map the wider impacts of water use on the environment. Policy should be built upon the findings of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) report on how to “decouple” water and GDP growth. This means that ways should be found for economy to grow without a corresponding increase in pressure on environment. Government, private sector, civil societies and local communities must work together through a participatory decision making method to nurture a futuristic systems of water management where water is an equitable shared entity despite is scarce nature. The traditional water management system provide means to secure water in ever looming threat of water crisis, which can be modified as per existing environment. Connecting the dots: Water conservation is another name for conservation of ecosystem. In light of the statement, critically examine if traditional water management systems can be used in modern times. 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Jan 12, 2017 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 97]

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 97] Click here to get all the Tests– Archives Q.1) River Falgu flows in which of the following states? Uttarakhand Bihar Himachal Pradesh None of the above Q.2) Orang National Park is located in Assam Manipur Mizoram Nagaland Q.3) Consider the following statements about General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR) It contains provision allowing the government to prospectively tax overseas deals involving local assets. It will come into effect from 1 April 2017 (assessment year 2018-19) Which of the following statements is/are correct? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2  Q.4) Which of the following statements concerning Waqf is/are correct? It is a permanent dedication of movable or immovable properties for religious, pious or charitable purposes as recognized by Muslim Law, given by philanthropists Central Waqf Council, India is an Indian statutory body established in 1964 by the Government of India under Waqf Act, 1954 (now a sub section the Waqf Act, 1995) A campaign has been launched by Ministry of Minority Affairs, National Waqf Development Corporation (NAWADCO) and Central Waqf Council to utilise the Waqf properties for socio-economic-educational empowerment of minority communities specially Muslims All of the above  Q.5) The Speaker can ask a member of the House to stop speaking and let another member speak. This phenomenon is known as decorum crossing the floor interpellation yielding the floor Download the Solution- Click here All the best IASbaba

Jan 11, 2017 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 11th January, 2017

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 11th January 2017 Archives INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TOPIC: General Studies 2 Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests India Africa Relationship – Kenya Focus Introduction India has worked hard on maintaining a cordial relationship with Africa and its nations. Both the previous and the present government have done sufficiently well in this regard. The present government boasts of holding the India-Africa Forum Summit in 2015 and political outreach to Africa through visits by the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister to numerous countries in 2016. Kenya is one of India’s most important African partners and is currently a participant at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. The leader of Kenya reciprocating a visit by the Indian counterparts sends out positive signals and creates a lot of hope as well. India and the East Africa The East African Community (EAC) comprises of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan. It has emerged as a very efficient Regional Economic Community with China as the major source of investment. It is now building a single market and wants to set up a monetary union. Indian government and corporates need a well drafted trade and industrial cooperation strategy to upgrade existing links with the EAC. India has to balance its relationship with nations such as Tanzania and Kenya who are traditional rivals. Kenya has now established closer ties with Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi as “the coalition of the willing”. India enjoys friendly and cooperative relations with all EAC members. It should make the best of this cordial relationship and ensure it can get maximum benefits from this opportunity. Potential of India Kenya Partnership India and Kenya may give a push to deepening bilateral ties with focus on strengthening economic cooperation and bilateral trade. Indian companies should try to be active in this competitive market. Kenya has been an important destination for Indian investments. More viable sectors such as energy, pharmaceuticals, textiles, agriculture and financial services provide a higher potential. Major Indian corporates such as Tatas, Reliance, Essar, Kirloskars and Dr. Reddy’s, are already flourishing in Kenya. Indian government must approve additional Line of Credit in strategic areas such as education and health to secure mutual interests. India’s Future Policy India and African nations such as Kenya have a common agenda of counterterrorism and peace in the respective backyards. With a lot of mutual admiration to guide the relationship India should consider incorporating the following in its policy towards African nations: With a lot uncertainty regarding the policy of USA, India should ensure that it gives adequate attention towards this region and play the role of a world leader. India needs to adopt a patient approach because issues such as UN reform, counterterrorism, climate change and international solar alliance will take long to show results. India must concentrate on actions that strengthen its economic cooperation with select African countries. India has to tackle competition among Asian nations for getting close to Kenya. Kenya has developed close relations with China under its Look East Policy. Japan and India could partner in key infrastructure development projects in Kenya and the surrounding regions with innovative models. The next summit with Africa has been scheduled to 2020 instead of 2018. This could hamper the progress of this relationship. Hence, India should consider ministerial review meetings in 2018 and build upon this relationship. Nairobi, with its excellent location and conference facilities, could be an ideal choice and Mr. Kenyatta a willing partner. Connecting the dots India and African nations have a history of cordial relations. Discuss the potential of partnership between India and various African countries. Also throw light on the challenges that India could face in strengthening this partnership. Related article: Africa, a land of opportunity The Big Picture – India-Africa Ties: Where are they Heading?   HEALTH TOPIC: General Studies 2 Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Child nutrition- making India healthy There is a public health crisis looming in India in form of widespread maternal and child undernutrition. One-third of Indian women (of reproductive age) are undernourished. Around 60 million children (under five years of age) are either stunted (low height-for-age) or wasted (low weight-for-height). Women and adolescent girls face the added burden of societal discrimination which is manifested through unequal access to food, healthcare and resources. As a result, about 42% of Indian women are underweight when they begin pregnancy—compared to about 15% in African countries. What does it convey? With such poor ground level realities, it shows that India has been unable to address its long-pending issue of malnutrition and giving priority to early life-cycle investments. Despite knowing the universal fact that healthy child develops from a healthy womb, 50% of growth failure in first two years of child begins from the womb due to poor maternal nutrition. India needs a targeted intervention policy of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life (from conception to the two-year post-natal period) where the child and mother are given all the necessary nutrients in adequate amount. Understanding undernutrition Undernutrition occurs when the body doesn't get enough nutrients which can cause physical or mental disability. Lack of nutrition is not only a health risk but also and economic risk. Undernutrition is one of the leading causes of child mortality. Close to 70% of children between the age of six months and five years in India suffer from anaemia, which, if left untreated, increases susceptibility to illness, raising morbidity. Undernutrition also has adverse, irreversible consequences for a child’s cognitive and physical development. Adding to the challenges, there is wide spread disparities between states in mother and child’s nutritional status. Stunting under age 5: Uttar Pradesh has 50% whereas Kerala has 19% These disparities have been aggravated further with the budgetary realignments after the 14th Finance Commission. It has been observed that Central allocations to the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) declined almost 10%, from Rs. 15,502 crore in 2015-16 to Rs. 14,000 crore in 2016-17. Solution to this Policy makers can work upon few areas which can eliminate the existence of undernutrition in India: Early life intervention The child’s development begins from mother’s womb. The government should rigorously carry out the regular pre-natal check up drive through ASHA or ANMs to ensure that they have balanced diet as well as go for institutional delivery. Post-natal care should be monitored where the first 1,000 days of a child’s life are crucial for reducing a child’s susceptibility to infections, and breaking the link between undernutrition, disease and mortality, should be targeted. Direct and indirect interventions If there is direct nutrition intervention by government, the stunting can be reduced by 20%. Direct Nutrition Interventions are the set of proven nutrition specific interventions that have immediate and direct impact on nutrition status. It also targets the immediate causes of malnutrition. Here, nutrition interventions may include vitamin A and zinc supplementation, deworming for children, iron folic acid supplements for pregnant women etc. Indirect interventions such as access to water, sanitation and hygiene will attempt to tackle to remaining 80%. Schemes such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan should be used to leverage policy complementarities with household sanitation and encourage behavioural change through social messaging and hold information-education-communication activities for pregnant and lactating mothers. Right to nutrition There is a need for universal, rights-based nutrition services delivery which shall overcome disparities across gender, communities and geographical regions. For example, ICDS supplementary nutrition programme: Food reaches barely 20% of children in Uttar Pradesh, but over 90% of children in Odisha. This proves that policy is fine, the implementation inefficiency leads to lack of outreach. Restructuring ICDS ICDS is a welfare programme which provides food, preschool education, and primary healthcare to children under 6 years of age and their mothers. These services are provided from Anganwadi centres established mainly in rural areas and staffed with frontline workers. However, the results have not matched expectations. Restructuring should be done to target and strengthen last-mile delivery. The reforms should include standardizing the nutritional component of supplementary food, prioritizing educational outreach, and investing in anganwadi centres and workers. Field studies have established links between provision of school meals and improved learning outcomes for children. Additionally, food fortification of staples (including wheat, flour, rice and edible oils) represents a cost-effective and scalable solution to enhance nutrient intake. Standards for food fortification should be established and guidelines changed to promote the use of fortified inputs in ICDS-provided hot cooked meals. PPP method can be used to leverage technological solutions for scaling up food fortification initiatives, and complement the government’s outreach efforts through mass awareness and education campaigns in communities. Nodal body The government efforts and interventions should be carried out through a nodal government body which will have responsibility for meeting time-bound nutrition targets, and coordinating multi-sectoral programmes, including the ICDS, the National Rural Health Mission, the midday meal scheme, and the public distribution system. Conclusion It has to be realised that economic growth is not the panacea for all public health problems. The ambitious economic figures are weighing down the need of prioritising nutrition of the citizens, especially the current and forthcoming generations. Hence, For India to harness its long-term demographic dividends, it has to proactively involve itself in primary health care institution where it prioritises nutrition in its health agenda and reforms the institutional framework through which interventions are delivered. Connecting the dots: What is undernutrition? How is the economy affected by it? 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