Oct 2, 2016 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Emotion & Success – Inspirational & Educative Articles

Emotion & Success: How often have you heard that a person who is emotionally unstable has reached the peak of success and fulfilment in life? There has been no instance, not even a fluke of nature that has succeeded without possessing a balanced emotional state. Very few people mention or talk about the enormous importance of possessing a balanced state of mind in order to reach any goal. Success is not excitement, it is not a passion, it is not even hard work; success is a prolonged emotional struggle to reach to a certain goal. Succeeding in conquering your emotions ensures success in everything else. In fact there is no other form of success, other than understanding and mastering your own emotions. Be it martial arts, music, dance, education, relationships, sports or any other field; mastering one’s emotions is the greatest of challenges and the one who conquers it will eventually taste success. The professions we choose are simply a matter of social conditioning; how we apply our emotions to what we have chosen to do is what determines whether we succeed or fail. More often than not we don’t have a choice of what to do; but almost always we have a choice of how to do. How we approach a task is where one individual gets separated. This is where the understanding and strength of your emotions come into picture. So what is this emotion? Emotion is your response to failure; it is your response to set back; it is your response to rejection; it is your response to mistakes; it is your response to deceive and deception; emotion is how you respond to a thousand and one obstacles that are thrown in your path. You are what you have overcome in life. The emotional strength you have built over a long period of rejection and ridicule that has forged your character and spirit is your only identity. Scratch the surface of a human soul and what you will find is emotion. Emotion is the true identity of an individual. Emotion is what you hide from the world and your emotion is what you will eventually reach to. All our destinations are simply the emotional state that we already possess. Understanding our emotions is the most important step in knowing oneself. Observing our response to difficult and challenging situations gives a clear idea of our emotional balance and make up. Our emotions are not tested when everything is smooth and fine; only when we face the ups and downs of life challenges our true emotional character comes out. So, are you a kind of person who crumbles when faced with failure; do you hate rejections; are you afraid of new challenges; are you scared of walking your own path; do you constantly need motivation and guidance; do you get lost without support. All these questions will give you an answer about your emotional strength. It is never too late to start working on your emotions. Master your emotions to master yourself and your destiny. “The articles are a copyright of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.” Read more such articles– Click Here

Oct 1, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 1st October, 2016

Archives   IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 1st October, 2016   ENVIRONMENT/S & T   TOPIC: General Studies 3 Environment and Ecology, Bio diversity - Conservation, environmental degradation, environmental impact assessment, Environment versus Development Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers 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.   GM Mustard Issue   What is a GM crop? A GM or transgenic crop is a plant that has a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology. For example, a GM crop can contain a gene(s) that has been artificially inserted instead of the plant acquiring it through pollination. The resulting plant is said to be “genetically modified” although in reality all crops have been “genetically modified” from their original wild state by domestication, selection, and controlled breeding over long periods of time   Why GM Mustard in news? Recently GEAC i.e the government has deferred a decision on allowing commercial cultivation of Mustard DMH-11, a transgenic crop developed by Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants at Delhi University. GM mustard (DMH11) is the first food crop to have applied for commercialisation after the indefinite ban on the GM brinjal by the Jairam Ramesh-led environment ministry in 2010. Picture Credit: http://www.hindustantimes.com/rf/image_size_800x600/HT/p2/2016/02/08/Pictures/govt-may-support-gm-mustard-ht-delhi_6196d8cc-ce52-11e5-94bd-a06a76346e8f.jpg What is GM Mustard? DMH-11 is a Genetically Modified (GM) mustard hybrid. Hybrids are normally obtained by crossing 2 genetically diverse plants from the same species. The 1st-generation offspring resulting from it has higher yields than what either of the parents is individually capable of giving. But there is no natural hybridization system in mustard, unlike in, say, cotton, maize or tomato. This is because its flowers contain both the female (pistil) and male (stamen) reproductive organs, making the plant naturally self-pollinating. What scientist has done is to create a viable hybridization system in mustard using GM technology. The resulting GM mustard hybrid, it is claimed, gives 25-30% more yield than the best varieties such as 'Varuna' currently grown in the country. Scientists at the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) in Delhi University, however, showed that this problem could be addressed by crossing Indian mustard cultivars with juncea lines of East European origin like 'Early Heera' and 'Donskaja'. The combination of the 2 divergent gene pools enhanced the crossing options; the resultant F1 progeny were found to exhibit significant heterosis. What is a controversy about GM Mustard? Many scientist claim that at a time when sustainable farming and low-input agriculture are becoming the buzzwords, it is surprising that agricultural scientists continue to recommend crop varieties that will end up doing more harm to the environment and crop fields. GM mustard will require almost double the quantity of fertiliser and water. Other health concerns of GM Hybrid Mustard include: allergenicity; gene transfer, especially of antibiotic-resistant genes, from GM foods to cells or bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract; and ‘out crossing’, or the movement of genes from GM plants to conventional crops, posing indirect threats to food safety and security. GM mustard can affect honeybees directly and indirectly through effecting flowering and pollen production. Protease inhibitors have proved detrimental to the longevity and behaviour of bees. Regulatory weakness - The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, which is responsible for approving large-scale releases and commercialisation of GMOs, functions under the Ministry of Environment and Forests and is not entirely independent. The case of the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation that supervises and clears research activities and also small-scale field trials is even starker. It is part of the Department of Biotechnology, whose primary task is to promote biotechnology. DBT therefore is the promoter as well as the regulator. On several occasions, developers of transgenic crops have also been members of regulatory committees.   Should India Ban GM Crops? GM technology has already been commercialized in India through Bt cotton, which is also based on incorporation of foreign genes derived from a soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis.country's cotton production has gone up more than 2½ times since Bt hybrids were first planted in 2002. Nor has any evidence emerged really of Bt cotton causing any adverse human or animal health effects. While the likes of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Philippines and Vietnam are adopting GM technology to improve crop yields and reduce input costs, we are still questioning its potential not on the basis of scientific evidence, but using emotional arguments. Bangladesh was the 1st country to approve the commercial planting of Bt brinjal in late-2013, after being disallowed by India. Bt brinjal has been harvested over 2 seasons, with farmers deriving better marketable yields and incomes from its successful commercialization.   Conclusion In a current environment where climatic change would have negative effects on yield of many major crops which could seriously undermine food security, GM crops are the way forward. However at the same time to convince the opponents of GM crops to allow commercialization of GM crops we need a strong regulatory framework. What is therefore needed is an independent biotechnology regulatory authority, a single organization that will replace the multiple committees - at least six - that are part of the current regulatory structure. This authority would deal with the use of all GMOs in agriculture, pharmaceutical and biodiversity sector. Connecting the dots: Write a critical note on the genetically modified crops and food production scenario in India with special focus on related policies. Write a brief note on genetically modified crops and how they differ from hybrid crops. What are the possible challenges and benefits of GM crops? Discuss the controversy regarding GM Mustard in India. Critically examine whether India should ban GM crops?   NATIONAL   TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector or Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.   Challenges to financial inclusion Ensuring financial inclusion in India is a challenge where nearly one-fourth of population is illiterate and below the poverty line. The two indicators, poverty and illiteracy, vary widely between different States in India. Rural poverty is above 30% of population in places such as Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Manipur. Rural poverty can be attributed to lower farm income, lack of sustainable livelihood, lack of skills, under employment and unemployment. In such circumstances, there is utmost need of financial inclusion. But, impractical goals and their blanket implementation fails to achieve its worth. Fraud due to illiteracy Though India has literacy rate of 73% but some states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have literacy rate ranges between 62-70%. The banks have devised a way to address limitations arising out of illiteracy by ensuring biometric access to bank accounts. However, Aadhar seeding implies that numericals still have to be to be punched into the machine to operate an account. As all the numerals are in English, only the banker or the business correspondent (BC) can punch in the Aadhaar number. Also, the messages received on phone are also in English and thus, an illiterate person has to seek someone’s assistance to understand and interpret the message. In each of the above cases, the privacy of an individual’s bank balance is breached. This makes the illiterates, females and elderly vulnerable to malpractices. There are also stories that enterprising BCs give the same Personal Identification Number (PIN) to all the residents in a single village to ensure ease of business. This gives a chance of once again compromising the privacy of the beneficiaries as well as embarrassment to officials when direct benefit transfers through bank accounts are implemented on a larger scale. In addition, it has to be also examined that despite extensive efforts from authorities, PMJDY has underperformed. One of the reason could be the product offered. A recurring deposit suits the salaried income group more than people in informal sector whose incomes are uncertain, seasonal and unplanned. Thus, a financial inclusion strategy sensitive to regional, demographic and gender related factors, needs to be carefully crafted.   Accounts have to be operational When PMJDY was announced, mainly public sector banks (PSBs) rose to the occasion in ensuring that every unbanked household had a bank account. With an unparalleled feat in financial inclusion of achieving 25 crore PMJDAs, the PSBs should also shoulder the responsibility to ensure that these bank accounts are operational. However, it has to be noted that before PMJDA, total accounts on books of commercial banks were around 1 lakh crore. With incoming of such huge numbers of bank accounts but the limited resources with banking sector, the attention of bankers shifted from their principal activity of mobilising resources and lending to reliable borrowers. To ensure that the banking industry is robust and existing banking assets safe, the next challenge is to monitor existing borrower accounts. Regulatory authorities There are number of regulatory authorities that have a role to play in financial inclusion — Reserve Bank, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Securities and Exchange Board of India, Small Industries and Development Bank of India, and MUDRA bank. But, there is a need to fix responsibility on a single regulatory authority to ensure that JDAs are operational. In this context, NABARD has an extensive presence across the country and was formed for the purpose of development of agriculture and rural areas. Thus, NABARD should be made the nodal and accountable agency for financial inclusion. Though it might not have the existing capacity to accept the challenge but can certainly be prepared in a phased manner in next few years. It has now been investing in modernising, and infusing technology in cooperative institutions.   Conclusion Is interest rate the most important factor to borrow money and in larger picture, for financial inclusion? Not Exactly- Here’s why The moneylenders still account for 30% of total banking business. Despite persistent efforts by institutions in formal sector moneylenders still flourish in the financial market. During chanakya, the interest rate structure was risk weighted and banking business flourished even then— traders were generally charged 60% per annum, if goods passed through forest then 120%, and sea-borne cargo at 24%. Then in modern times, if interest rates matter, then the reason for people going to moneylenders despite a network of banks, cooperatives, MFIs and SHGs, has to be acquired through grassroot level research. Traditionally, financial inclusion meant opening new bank branches in rural and unbanked areas. But now, it should be taken now in broader sense which includes taking formal financial services across India and adapting technology to cater needs of the grass-root level beneficiaries. Connecting the dots: What is financial inclusion? What steps are taken by government to escalate the process? Critically examine the government schemes to achieve financial inclusion.   Related articles: The path named Financial Inclusion TLP 2015 MUST READ Uri as inflection point Hindu   Not So Clean Indian Express   The die is cast- India and Pakistan Indian Express   Perils of Gandhiplomacy Indian Express   Women prefer contesting polls on reserved seats, especially panchayat level elections Indian Express   What is the ideal distance between two ports? Livemint   India likely to speed up hydropower projects on rivers flowing into Pakistan Livemint

Sep 30, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 30th September, 2016

Archives   IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 30th September, 2016   ENVIRONMENT/NATIONAL   TOPIC: General Studies 3 Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests   Ratifying the climate change pact: Is it too early? India announced to ratify the Paris agreement on October 2 to show its support for need to contain the rising global warming and the challenges emerging thereafter. However, until G20 in early September 2016, India was not expected to ratify the climate change agreement. Is sudden such change a hasty decision? India has agreed to ratify the Paris Agreement—which aims to contain the increase in earth’s temperature to 2 degrees Celsius, and if possible 1.5 degrees Celsius, above pre-industrial levels. Paris agreement materialized at the 21st Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It requires 55 countries accounting for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions to ratify it in order for it to come into force. Why sudden announcement? India was so far slow in committing to the Paris agreement. But, it realised that the ratification threshold is likely to be achieved in October without India’s support where it ranks third in global emissions. Thus, there could arise a possibility thereafter that India be casted as an obstructionist and hence it understandably changed the track. But, is it early? India has to be wary at the negotiating table as — Too much focus on incremental pollution by developing countries shifts the public attention away from the historical damage done by the developed countries during their years of rapid economic growth. The per capita carbon footprint of India is still very low by global standards. India needs coal as part of its energy mix right now, until new technologies emerge. No doubt, by retaining the “common but differentiated responsibilities” clause in the Paris Agreement, the world has acknowledged Indian concerns. However, this is not enough. Doing away with the distinction between developing and developed nations dilutes the differentiation principle which had put the onus on developed countries to take greater responsibility for reducing emissions. But, undue pressure is already being exerted on India as one of the largest polluters of the world. Though third in terms of total emissions, it ranks 140th globally in terms of per capita emissions. India and climate change The large coastline of India is susceptible to rising sea levels. The population is also suffering from the visible consequences of climate change, such as heat waves, pollution and failed monsoons. Hence, India could not argue for its right to development beyond a point. Therefore, in a calculated move, it embraced the cause of climate change but with a caveat—the availability of global finance and performance of other nations. This decision puts onus now on developed countries to fund and transfer technology to developing nations, besides making efforts to meet their domestic commitments.   India and INDC India’s strategy for combating climate change and achieving INDC targets is a multi-pronged one. It aims at modifying the energy mix to a more sustainable, efficient and renewable one. Its plan to expand solar capacity to 100 GW by 2022 from 8 GW in 2016 is expected to make up almost 48% of the renewable energy capacity. The International Solar Alliance and the recently unveiled plan to subsidize domestic manufacturers will help but can only be sustained by a higher inflow of funds for solar projects. The rest of the renewable energy capacity would be developed through a mixture of wind power, hydropower, biomass, waste to energy and nuclear power. Nuclear energy will form less than 4% of these clean energy commitments. Though it is unlikely that India’s non-membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group will significantly affect its plans, the membership could have enhanced it. However, the issue of renewable energy being less competitive still persists. A significant challenge to these plans are fall in oil prices, which increases the opportunity cost of expansion of alternative energy sources. India uses Piguovian taxes as against cap and trade system proposed by countries such as China, to limit emissions. India is also making efforts to bring down current greenhouse gas levels through the development of carbon sinks. But this is a difficult task considering the land-scarcity problem. Conclusion The 14th Finance Commission made forest cover one of the criteria for devolution of funds from the Centre to incentivize states to engage in afforestation activities. This is expected to increase in carbon sinks A 33-35% reduction in emission targets is not an unattainable one. But it requires persistent efforts from both the global community and the Indian government. The Paris agreement will become operational post 2020 after the retirement of Kyoto protocol. Till then, India can use the intervening years to frame the rules and create the institutions that will govern the Paris Agreement. Connecting the dots: What is Paris agreement on climate change? How can India contribute in mitigating climate change effect without compromising on its development prospects?   Related articles: Anthropogenic Climate Change @ Bonn Walking into an ecological wilderness Paris climate agreement SOCIAL ISSUE/INTERNATIONAL TREATY TOPIC: General Studies 2 Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and betterment of these vulnerable sections. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.   Marrakesh Treaty and Accessible Books Consortium Summary of the Marrakesh Treaty The Marrakesh Treaty was adopted on June 27, 2013 in Marrakesh and it forms part of the body of international copyright treaties administered by WIPO. It has a clear humanitarian and social development dimension and its main goal is to create a set of mandatory limitations and exceptions for the benefit of the blind, visually impaired, and otherwise print disabled (VIPs). Today is an important day for blind and other print-disabled people across the globe, as it marks the entry of Marrakesh Treaty come into force. Objectives of Marrakesh Treaty or so-called ‘Books for Blind’ treaty: The main goal of Marrakesh Treaty is to create a set of mandatory limitations and exceptions for the benefit of the blind, visually impaired and otherwise print disabled (VIPs). It addresses the “book famine” by requiring its contracting parties to adopt national law provisions that permit the reproduction, distribution and making available of published works in accessible formats - such as Braille - to VIPs and to permit exchange of these works across borders by organizations that serve those beneficiaries. According to the World Health Organisation, some 285 million people worldwide live with visual impairments. Meanwhile, the World Blind Union estimates that children who are blind have a less than 10 per cent chance of going to school — a situation that could be improved if schools had ready access to texts adapted for use by visually impaired children. It will facilitate access to published works for the millions of blind, visually impaired and otherwise print disabled persons in India. It would go a long way in establishing equal rights and opportunities for education and employment for them.   India and Marrakesh Treaty India became the first country to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled on 30th June, 2014. As mentioned above, the Treaty will facilitate import of accessible format copies from the member states by the Indian authorized entities such as educational institutions, libraries and other such institutions working for the benefit of visually impaired persons. This will also facilitate translation of imported accessible format copies and export of accessible format copies in Indian languages. The Indian Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012 is in harmony with the Marrakesh Treaty. With access to information and educational materials, blindness need no longer be a barrier to learning, employment and full participation in society. India has not delayed in readying itself to ensure the Marrakesh Treaty benefits its people. For example, the ‘Accessible India Campaign’ has provided a nationwide flagship campaign for universal access for people with disabilities. And India has begun implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty through a multi-stakeholder approach, which includes collaboration among key players such as government ministries, local champions like the DAISY Forum of India, and the private sector. This led to the launch in August of India’s largest collection of online accessible books called “Sugamya Pustakalaya”, which counts 2,00,000 volumes.   Accessible Books Consortium (ABC) The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), a United Nations organisation based in Geneva, administers the Marrakesh Treaty and leads an alliance of private and public partners known as the Accessible Books Consortium (ABC), which was established in June 2014 to support the goals of the treaty. The ABC has established a centralised electronic multilingual catalogue of accessible books produced by libraries for the blind around the world. Through the ABC Book Service, which is free, organisations serving the print-disabled can supplement their collections of accessible books from their counterparts in other countries. The ABC Book Service can assist in preventing the same book from being produced in accessible formats by more than one library, thereby avoiding duplication. It is hoped that Sugamya Pustakalaya will soon become a member of the ABC Book Service, thereby joining an international library-to-library service managed by WIPO in Geneva. ABC is continuing to establish projects in India, including by training publishers, libraries and NGOs in the production of accessible books, as well as providing funding to produce educational materials in accessible formats. Without these materials, students either cannot access their curriculum or are dependent on books being read aloud to them. ABC has also established training and technical assistance projects in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. ABC plans to extend its capacity-building programmes to Africa and Latin America, helping ensure that these transformative uses of technology can boost access to books for people who are blind or print-disabled around the world. Conclusion: Today, as the Marrakesh Treaty takes effect in India and elsewhere, India’s multi-stakeholder approach provides an excellent model for other countries to follow. So far, 22 countries have joined the Marrakesh Treaty, but many more are needed: each new nation that joins brings along not only a population in need, but a wealth of printed matter that can more easily be made accessible in other countries. WIPO looks forward to many more countries implementing the Marrakesh Treaty so that print-disabled people around the world can benefit from the new avenues to access now available to Indians. Connecting the dots: Discuss the significance and objectives of the Marrakesh VIP Treaty. Examine why India’s role in its implementation is hailed as model for other countries to follow. List the salient features of Marrakesh treaty for visually challenged. Examine the role of Accessible Books Consortium (ABC).   MUST READ Seeds of discontent? Hindu   A silence that’s deafening Hindu   Gentle Paternalism Indian Express   A low priority called health Indian Express   Surgical strikes: What is it? Why is it important? Indian Express   Integrating with the global economy Livemint   Surgical strikes: India crosses LoC, Rubicon Livemint   The litmus test of economic reforms Business Line

Sep 29, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 29th September, 2016

Archives   IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 29th September, 2016   DEFENCE/SECURITY   TOPIC: General Studies 3 Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism. Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security. General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations.   Solving the Pakistan puzzle Recent Uri attack by Pakistan-based terror groups has revived again the long-standing debates in the country: How to deal with its troublesome neighbour, Pakistan? Whether our ruling party’s policy towards Pakistan is coherent? Let us deal with the (2) first – Whether our ruling party’s policy towards Pakistan is coherent? Analysts have alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s policy towards Pakistan is incoherent - characterised by a consistent lack of nuanced understanding of the art of diplomacy, and the costs of war. A detailed analysis of the ruling party’s Pakistan policy reveals an inherent desire for quick returns from what is arguably India’s most difficult bilateral challenge. While New Delhi does not have an imaginative Pakistan policy, Islamabad is clearly an unreliable neighbour. Islamabad continues to be unwilling to check in its anti-India rhetoric, keep its promises on basic bilateral courtesies, and stop the terror masterminds from plotting and waging their covert wars against India. Pakistan needs to show some seriousness if it is keen on improving the relationship — it can’t be a one-way street. How to deal with its troublesome neighbour, Pakistan? There is relentless clamour for a military retaliation against Pakistan, however, Indian strategic community (which includes retired commanders of the Indian military) has viewed that military option or coercion may not be a feasible option vis-à-vis Pakistan, for a variety of reasons. A military response against Pakistan including on the terrorism front would invite massive damage on our country. Policy-makers need to carefully consider if they want to risk a potential nuclear exchange in response to a terror strike. Hence the unacceptable costs of winning a war with Pakistan should persuade us to think beyond the military option and look for other strategies of dealing with it. “War,” after all, “is not an act of senseless passion.” - Clausewitz If we rule out the coercive options, how do we then deal with a Pakistan that is seemingly uninterested in winding down its terror machinery against India? Doing nothing can’t be a policy either, although that has been the preferred option all this while. The way ahead: New Delhi needs to view and deal with Pakistan within its larger grand strategic scheme. Quick-fix solutions and like-responses will only get us into an ugly dogfight with Pakistan which are not in consonance with India’s global ambitions and developmental goals. In the grand strategic scheme of things, Pakistan is an irritant, not a strategic threat: so treat it like it, and focus on the real strategic threats. ‘India can survive’ reality - however unpopular it might sound and however painful they are, the reality is that we can, as a nation and state, survive these attacks. Every terrorist attack directed against India continues to weaken the Pakistani state and nation: its sovereignty, economy and character. Pakistan’s 28-year-long Kashmir campaign has not only not managed to wrest Kashmir from India, it is today on the verge of self-destruction primarily due to its misguided Kashmir policy. It is time we learn to defend ourselves better Better equipment for our forces, a better fence on the Line of Control and the International Border, more army-Border Security Force deployment on the vulnerable areas of the fence, and by adopting more efficient and technologically sophisticated border management practices. Uri is a traditional infiltration route and there was intelligence about a possible strike. It is the failure of Government too. Uri attack and Kashmir dispute has shown that India needs a long-term strategic policy on cross border terrorism as well as have a comprehensive national policy to deal with domestic militancy. The modernisation of India’s military has been slow, denying it the ability to stage precision operations. Moreover, the Central government has cut funding for police modernisation, and the intelligence services are short-staffed — denying it the capacity to soak up retaliatory blows. In addition, the army should analyse the reason for such incidents and lacunas present. Dealing with Pakistan Engaging a hydra-headed Pakistan requires creative statecraft and for this New Delhi needs to think outside the traditional modes of diplomacy. The most important actor that matters in Pakistan’s policy towards India is the Pakistan Army. It is important to note that Pakistan’s Army is driven by strategic choices and politico-economic rationale which the decision-makers in New Delhi need to analyse and understand, and then reach out to the generals in Pakistan accordingly. New Delhi needs to engage the ‘enemy’, the Pakistan Army, by perhaps opening discreet negotiations with it. It’s time to convey the message directly and address Rawalpindi’s pay-off structure. India needs more nuance and guile (subtle difference in speech/expression and deceitful intelligence) in engaging stakeholders in Pakistan’s power structure. Address Kashmir issue in first place If Kashmir is what forms the sole important reason for Pakistan’s proxy war against India, India should first successfully deal and address Kashmir in the first place. So far as Kashmir is on the boil, Pakistan will not give up on its claims. It will inevitably try and take advantage of the situation there. Therefore, India can and should effectively deal with Kashmir which will necessarily weaken Pakistan’s Kashmir claims.   Conclusion: Instead of blaming the Kashmir unrest on Pakistan, India should quell the anger/agitation in the Kashmir Valley. So far, New Delhi’s policies have been a failure on both fronts. Every time we link Pakistan to Kashmir by blaming Islamabad for the protests in the Valley, we are only helping Pakistan’s Kashmir cause. The argument here is not that Pakistan is not engaged in a proxy war in Kashmir, but that the government’s intellectual and political inability to pacify Kashmir should not be excused using the Pakistan bogey. It is time that the ruling party’s incoherent Pakistan policy needs more nuance and guile (subtle difference in speech/expression and deceitful intelligence) in engaging stakeholders in Pakistan’s power structure. It would be useful for the ruling government to take on board Chanakya’s perceptive advice in Arthasasthra: “A ruler with loyal people accomplishes his task even with a little help because of their cooperation.” Connecting the dots: Despite the relentless clamour for a military reprisal against Pakistan, thinking beyond the military option and looking for other strategies of dealing with Pakistan is right policy option. Do you agree? Substantiate your view. India and Pakistan relations were already nose-diving and Uri attack has further worsened the situation. How should India react? Critically analyse. What in your opinion will be the suitable policy options to solve the Pakistan puzzle?   INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests   India-Russia: Time to rebuild the ties With conduct of joint exercise between Russia-Pakistan, it raised concerns over India’s relation with Russia. Now the time has ripen to address the common concerns of both countries and revive India’s old friendship with Russia for better global positioning. Under President Putin, Russia has shown assertiveness in international affairs. It has taken a clear position on opposing Western intervention and militarist regime-change policies in Iraq and Libya and now in Syria. Russia has used counter-force in the fight against the Islamic State in backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It retook the province of Crimea that it had gifted Ukraine in 1954 due to (Soviet) historical reasons. This invited unilateral sanctions on Russia from the U.S. and the European Union. Because of troubled relation with west, Russia became a strategic partner of China as they have significant convergence of interests. India and Russia- Still stable relation? There are real and perceived shifts in Indian armament policies where Russia dominated for years. Now, India as an emerging power has developed strategic partnership with USA. It has also opened up to France, Israel and USA who are gradually edging out the Russians in some sectors. It is disheartening that Russia-India trade has not grown to great heights despite the encouragement of both states. Yet, India has been supportive of Russian positions and has a careful and calibrated response to all Russian actions — in Chechnya, Syria, Ukraine and elsewhere. On the other hand, Russians have dutifully supported Indian position on Kashmir and also share Indian concern on terrorism. Russia has continued with deep collaborations by providing sensitive technologies, military equipment, nuclear power engines and energy partnership to India. Yet, as Russia is dependent on arms and energy exports, it is constantly looking for new market. Pakistan is an option and planned exercises were an extension of this search.   Russia’s Chinese concerns Being a multipolar world where countries are building multiple alliances, there is constant interdependency, contradictions, compromises and pressures. It is perceived that USA is trying to ‘contain’ China, yet China managed to get its yuan accepted as world currency by the International Monetary Fund. It also designated the New York branch of Bank of China as the clearing house for the Chinese official currency, the renminbi. Thus, china is leveraging its economy and relationships to build a hegemony (G-2) with the U.S. where both can share international financial domination. This has risen concerns with Russia about the Chinese dominating Russian markets, exploiting Russian resources, and not backing Russian security concerns. One Belt, One Road has plans to develop huge new linkages and develop trade routes. For this, China is alluring many countries, including Russia and its satellite state Pakistan. Thus, Russia has concerns about Central Asia vis-à-vis China and Pakistan. Encashing on such circumstances, India has to rebuild on its strengths and common concerns with the Russia by revitalising their earlier agreement on sharing intelligence for a joint strategy on terrorism. India is concerned with state-sponsored terrorism from Pakistan while Russia is concerned with direct and indirect backing given by states to terror groups in West Asia and Central Asia. Thus, India will have to be forthright in condemning the states that on the pretext of regime change or local geopolitics, they are allowing the growth of terror groups in West Asia. Balancing the old with new India and Russia share anxiety over terrorism and common position and concerns on Afghanistan. However, in a setback to their policy of isolating all terrorists, it saw compromise and rehabilitation of mujahideen “butcher of Kabul” and India hater Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, by Afghanistan. This deal which was backed and welcomed by USA and Pakistan, is step towards label of ‘good taliban’. Hence, India and Russia together have to converge on anti-terrorism strategy and bring about some positive outcome. Also, India now needs to deepen its scientific and technological relations with Russia. The Russia-India investments in the oil and gas sector and exports to third countries need to be energised and joint manufacturing needs to be planned. This is required because often agreements are signed amidst bilateral rhetoric and are not sufficiently followed up. India and Russia are engaged in several multilateral efforts that are greatly favoured by Russia such as the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The upcoming BRICS meet will give a great opportunity for the leaders of these countries to further deepen their engagements. On the other side, it is necessary to take into considerations the recent developments where India signed logistics agreements with USA which can eventually give them access to Indian naval bases. But, India and Russia still don’t have that arrangement. However, India has assured that this access will not jeopardise Russian interests considering growing U.S.-Russia hostility.   RIC alliance Russia had proposed a Russia-India-China (RIC) forum. But India is hesitant about this because of the unresolved issues with China. For this, India should put forward the argument that if China can have compromises and contradictions with the U.S., then why not with India? Thus, India should use creative means to build an RIC alliance and make stones in the way a stepping stone for larger role at global forum. Pakistan factor India should always remember that US will have dual approach to India and Pakistan because it needs both However, Russia will not have dual approach and will support India. Thus, India has to actively ensure that and not take this strategic partnership for granted. Russia is an all-weather friend Though it might appear that there is some strategic shift with regards to Russia, but in reality, it has been pushed into that position. It knows that India is still its most reliable ally. With India, it has no conflict of interest or anxiety as it does about others. In the creation of multipolar international system, India has played a constructive role. This has benefited both India and Russia, as well as china. Thus, India and Russia need to be active strategic and economic allies to retain it. However, constant efforts for the same will be the key. Conclusion India has to now move on in the international system. In some areas it is moving forward but in some it is going backwards. India’s foreign policy is only an extension of its domestic politics. Thus, India has to fix its domestic issues to further social cohesion and make special efforts to build bridges between communities. India’s domestic politics has to move towards inclusive democracy, non-militarism, rights and the rule of law. This will give it an edge in the international system and any dilution would damage it deeply. Indian foreign policy should focus on its strengths of working with the global South, opposing militarist interventions, building norms and depending on multilateralism. Thus, it has to leverage the multilateralism for its best interests. Connecting the dots: Discuss significant developments between India and Russia since India’s independence. Why Russia is considered India’s strategic and stable ally? Evaluate citing few specific instances. India’s outreach to multiple nations to increase its defence capabilities should not undermine its relation with Russia. Critically analyse the fallout of decreasing India-Russia relationship.   MUST READ No option but to talk Hindu   India’s climate future at stake Hindu   SAARC minus one Indian Express   Why politics in trade is a bad deal Indian Express   Khairlanji, then and now Indian Express   Revenge for Uri attack? We already have it Indian Express   Going beyond awareness building Livemint   Riding the next wave of globalization: Policy priorities for India Livemint   Smart Cities: Slum dwellers squeezed out of India’s ambitious plan Livemint   Water games are a murky business Business Line

Sep 29, 2016 AIR

All India Radio - Launch of INSAT 3DR

ARCHIVES   Launch of INSAT 3DR   Search 9th September 2016 here http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx 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.   ISRO successfully launched a GSLV-Mark II rocket carrying an advanced weather satellite-INSAT3DR to a geostationary transfer orbit around earth, from Sriharikota.   INSAT 3DR It is advanced meteorological or weather observation satellite built by India to provide variety of inputs essential for accurate weather forecasting. It is equipped with three payloads- multi spectral imager, sounder and weather data relay transponder. INSAT 3DR also carries a satellite aided search and rescue transponder that picks up and relays alert signals originating from distressed beacons of maritime, aviation and land based users. The INSAT-3DR joins KALPANA-1 and INSAT-3D meteorological satellites currently orbiting in space.   Significance India’s capability in meteorological satellites has been good since 1980s. INSAT 3DR is advanced version of earlier weather satellites which will replace the earlier data by a fresh set of data thus making it more accurate. The atmospheric infrared sounder prepares a vertical profile of temperature and moisture, thus creating a 3-D spatial distribution of these weather data. Such a picture helps in a much-improved analysis of weather phenomena and results in better forecasts. India is an agricultural economy and thus good amount of agricultural inputs are required based on satellite technology for agricultural purposes. Sea-surface temperature is also measured by these satellites. It is essentially required by the fishing industry because these sorts of temperature inputs allow them to know the better areas in the sea for catching fish. More accurate information will help India’s strong fishing industry. It can recce of weather during low visibility period and during night. In night time, fog and very slow clouds usually come over the horizon and satellites systems are not able to monitor these as they did not have that sort of sensor capability. INSAT 3DR has higher sensors which allow them to monitor fog and low visibility. Need of INSAT 3DR Original satellite INSAT-3D launched in 2013 has a ten year life and has completed about three years. But some reduction in efficiency is expected after it reaches its half-life. Since it is the mainstay of India’s space-based capabilities, it is important to have an additional satellite in place, not only to add to the information but also to ensure that there is no disruption in services if something happens to the original satellite. INSAT-3DR would be India’s fallback satellite. The next satellite in this series, INSAT-3DS, is also being prepared and is expected to be launched in about two years’ time. History of India’s launch services India started launching satellites by using its indigenously developed launching system since 1980. Rohini satellite launched during 1980 by SLV-3 rocket was the first time India successfully launched a rocket out in space with indigenous system. Subsequently, India developed two launch systems- PSLV and ASLV. ASLV was used for specific launches however PSLV over the years as emerged as India’s one of the most reliable workhorse. However, PSLV has certain amount of limitation as far as launch mass is concerned. It can take 2 tons or lesser tons of satellite into space. Hence, there was a need to develop a launcher which will allow ISRO to launch heavier satellites. Thus, India started with its GSLV programme. Today, ISRO has achieved to place a weather satellite that weighs 2211kgs, which has made ISRO capable and in league of elite nations who have the capacity to launch heavier satellites. GSLV The operational aviation of India’s heavier rocket GSLV Mark II opens up more launch service revenue opportunities. The GSLV will operate in a different satellite launch segment. Now ISRO is looking at various avenues to earn foreign exchange using this rocket. Right now ISRO has operationalised mark II which allows satellites of 2-2.5 ton but the ambition is to carry 4+ ton satellites because India’s all communication satellites are more than 4 tons which have been launched by French agency Arianespace. Thus, the development of GSLV Mark III is the future goal. When India will develop GSLV Mark III, it is assumed that the cost of launching will be halved of what ISRO is currently paying. This was 10th flight of India’s GSLV F05 carrying INSAT 3DR which has again demonstrated India’s space capabilities. It is the first operational flight carrying an indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage (CUS). Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) PSLV launch vehicle has 4 stages- 1st stage has solid propellant, 2nd stage has liquid propellant, 3rd is solid stage and 4th is again liquid stage. But by using only solid and liquid propellants, India was not in a position to create more amount of thrust which is required to launch a heavier satellite. This is the reason GSLV was developed where the first stage is solid followed by liquid stage and 3rd stage is a cryogenic stage. The cryogenic stage allows the operators to launch heavier satellites with more thrust. ISRO’s INSAT 3DR will be placed 36000 km above earth surface. Hence, such heavy satellites to be place at such height require a heavy thrust generation which is possible with cryogenic engine. Political history of cryogenic engine Cryogenic technology: It is a low temperature physics which uses oxygen and hydrogen. These gases liquefy at minus 180 to 250 degree Celsius temperature. It is a very crucial technology to master. In early 1990s, the Russian agencies offered this technology to India. However in those days, India was under the sanctions regime and missile technology control regime (MTCR) never allowed the Russians to transfer this technology to India. So President of Russia Boris Yeltsin was put under political pressure by USA and the technology was refused to India. India was offered final cryogenic engines for 6-7 missions. Out of this, 50% failures which India has faced, certain failures are because of Russian engine. Hence, it decided to indigenously develop cryogenic engine. India took slightly more time to master the technology but now it appears that India has mastered the technology as last two launches were by indigenously built cryogenic engines. How are the launches carried out? There are many labs of ISRO which work on certain aspects of particular technology. Subsequently, all these labs join hands together and finally a satellite is put in place. Along with ISRO labs, there are few private industries which are also associated with ISRO. They are also involved towards development of these technologies and satellites as they are also involved in manufacturing of component level thigs. Thus, there is a combination of public and private sector which essentially makes a possibility to launch a satellite. Avenues in India for higher studies and research Aerospace engineering is in a nascent stage in India. In India, ISRO is the only employer for such engineers. So the opportunities are currently limited but they are increasing as private industry is also motivated to enter this area. Commercial launch market ISRO is a research and development organisation and not a production organisation, but the lack of greater industry participation has resulted in it being unable to launch more satellites in a year using the GSLV. Unlike in the case of the PSLV where industry participation is around 80%, it is only about half in the case of the GSLV. Thus, efforts are underway with a target of two GSLV launches in a year by 2018-2019. India has made significant progress with PSLV which has launched 74 satellites till now. With operationalising of GSLV tech, India can earn more revenue as India will earn positon to launch heavy satellites also. GSLV Mark III is expected to be launched by end of 2016. Its success will make ISRO truly independent and also gain tremendously through cheaper launches. Future projects GSLV will be used to send second mission to moon- Chandrayaan-2 and also to MARS mission. Chandrayaan-2 is complex mission than first one. First mission had only a satellite launch which was floating around the moon and taking observations, but the second mission has a proposal to launch rover and lander where the robotic system will be put on the moon surface to take observations. It will weigh more so it will require strong rocket and subsequently in 2020 when India will undertake mars mission, again GSLV rocket will be used. Connecting the dots: ISRO’s achievements have been gracing the news every few months. Discuss the importance of ISRO as India’s space agency and also a commercial institution.   Related articles: All India Radio – Launch of PSLV C-34 Journey of Indian Space Program ISRO tests indigenous cryogenic engine

Sep 29, 2016 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 29]

Click here to get all the Tests– Archives Q.1) Where are Senkaku Islands located? Tasman Sea South China Sea East China Sea Bering Sea Q.2) Recently Kigali was in news concerning a summit to discuss amendments to the Montreal Protocol to support phasing out or replacement of ozone-depleting substances. Where is it located? Senegal Angola Rwanda Uganda Q.3) Tulbul navigation project is between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh None of the above Q.4) Which of the following airports is Asia-Pacific’s only airport to achieve a carbon neutral status Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport – Mumbai Indira Gandhi International Airport – Delhi Kempegowda International Airport – Bengaluru Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport - Ahmedabad  Q.5) Consider the following statements about National SC/ST Hub which will be launched on 8th October 2016 in Ludhiana: National SC/ST Hub is under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It is a one-stop e-portal solution through which various services starting from student application, application receipt, processing, sanction and disbursal of various scholarships to SC/ST Students are enabled. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect? 1 only 2 only Both None Download the Solution- Click here All the best IASbaba

Sep 28, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 28th September, 2016

Archives   IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 28th September, 2016   NATIONAL   TOPIC: General Studies 1 Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism   Urban middle class and politics India has 32% urban population which is expected to double by 2050. Its middle class is projected to cross one billion as early as 2025. Earlier, the middle class found that it was too small to count on its own steam and too rootless to be able to influence increasingly localised politics. As a result, the urban middle-class largely lost interest in politics. But recently, a steady rise was witnessed in urban middle class participation in politics in last decade during the historic India Against Corruption Movement. This gave rise to India’s first major class-based urban political party- the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) In recent history, the 2014 Lok Sabha elections saw that beyond large cities, middle classes vote more than the poor. Their participation played a major role in incumbent government’s electoral success in 2014. Middle class participation is likely to increase in future given the demographic shift towards greater urbanisation and rise in incomes. Middle class mobilisation It is often perceived that middle class exerts its citizenship through activism in civil society, while electoral politics is the domain of the poor. Hence, many popular and scholarly accounts of the urban middle class emphasise its disdain (aloofness) for electoral politics. Yet, certain sections of the middle class are active in party politics— from Resident Welfare Association’s (RWA) candidates in municipal polls to active parties like AAP and Lok Satta. So, there seems to be a conflicting observations which questions what sections of middle class contest elections or who are instead active in civil society. A research in Delhi between 2006-14 suggests that the nature of middle class mobilisation depends on two factors: Its perceived electoral potential- sections of middle class that are perceived as electorally significant by the political establishment are likely to engage with the state as voters. Its pre-existing networks within the state The middle class may voice their complaints through occasional protests but mostly, they resolve their conflicts through existing institutional channels.   Response to alienation A vast section of the middle class, especially in unauthorised parts of the city, relies on the state for public services. Lokniti data reveals that the middle class displays greater interest in elections as compared to both the rich and the urban poor. The political parties view the middle class as an important constituency. They canvass middle class voters even more than slum residents. The reason is that the slum dwellers are being pushed to the outskirts and the middle class is beginning to constitute a larger share of the voters. However, on the other hand, electoral alienation of middle class generates two different kinds of political mobilisation. Through informal networks Through formal networks Informal channel There are sections of middle class, mostly higher professionals or part of the managerial class, who have informal networks within higher reaches of state, either in political party or bureaucracy. Thus, they tend to operate outside formal politics. Though they utilise their networks, they associate political parties with clientelism and patronage and, as a result, are suspicious of electoral politics. They emphasise on ‘formal rules’ and ‘bureaucratic channels’ which makes them hostile to informal residents, or those people who live in unplanned settlements and engaged in unregistered occupations. The 90% of the PIL filed by middle class neighbourhood associations in Delhi between 2000-07 were related to issues concerning encroachment on public land. Thus, this section of middle class mobilises almost exclusively in civil society through the media and digital technologies. Hence, the understanding of the new middle class is largely informed by this small section of the middle class that exerts a disproportional influence on the media and the public discourse. Formal channels Some middle class groups which are not considered electorally significant, lack networks within the state. They can neither voice their concerns effectively nor have the option to exit formal politics completely. This section of the middle class seeks to become part of the state machinery through electoral channels. Candidates supported by middle class RWAs in a number of local municipal elections across Indian cities are a good example. These trends in middle class political mobilisation have further intensified as a result of broader changes in state-society relations due to economic liberalisation. This middle class expansion, due to economic growth, has generated greater demands for improving public services. At the same time, privatisation of public services and fiscal decentralisation have led to greater availability of financial resources at the local level. The combination of the two factors has made local politics more contentious.   Conclusion Hence, middle class mobilisation is, at least in part, motivated by dissatisfaction in the quality of governance and public service delivery in a context of increasing state resources. The transition from activism in the civil society to the electoral sphere was a means for middle class groups to assume a more direct control over the distribution of public resources. Sections of the middle class that are alienated from electoral politics are most likely to mobilise in the civil society. This is reflected through protests against a number of specific policy issues like target corruption in public life. These protests aim to influence public policy by remaining outside the realm of formal politics. Civil society activism transitions to electoral mobilisation when it fails to influence policy. These two logics of middle class mobilisation will have a transformative impact on the nature of Indian politics as India continues to rapidly urbanise. From a broader perspective, these modes of middle class political engagement reflect the ability of the state to accommodate the expanding middle class in the political process, either through electoral channels or through the bureaucracy. If the expansion of political participation among socially underprivileged groups characterised the nineties as the ‘second democratic upsurge,’ it stands to reason that growing urban middle class participation could constitute India’s third democratic upsurge in the years to come. Connecting the dots: The Indian urban society is experiencing a change in the participation of middle class in active politics/civil society activities. What will be the impact of such change? Discuss “The political parties no longer focus only on the rural and poor sections of society.” Evaluate the sentence in light of growing urban middle class activism in politics. Can the urban middle class change the electoral results in next 10 years? Critically examine.   MUST READ A story to two caste struggles Hindu   It is time for a uniform asylum law Hindu   A case for accepting the WTO ruling Hindu   A Lawless Law- Preventive Detention Indian Express   Cities at crossroads: Can’t sweep it under the carpet Indian Express   Recalling agreements and disagreements:- Indo-Pak pacts that hold Indian Express   Rethinking the case for structural reforms Livemint   The return of fiscal policy Livemint   Is Indian business immune to parliamentary questioning? Livemint   Elevating India’s innovation mission Livemint

Sep 28, 2016 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 28]

Click here to get all the Tests– Archives Q.1) Which of the following is/are mammals? Pika Armadillo Pangolin All of the above Q.2) Project Iceworm is A UN project to protect Greenland ice sheets A top-secret United States Army program during the Cold War to build a network of mobile nuclear missile launch sites under the Greenland ice sheet A project in response to the April 1912 sinking of the Titanic None of the above  Q.3) FARC rebels are from which of the following countries? Colombia Venezuela Suriname Cuba Q.4) India has been ranked 39th among the 138 countries in the 2016-17 Global Competitiveness Index (GCI). It is released by World Trade Organisation World Economic Forum UNCTAD International Monetary Fund  Q.5) Which of the following statement is/are correct? PSLV is designed mainly to deliver the “earth observation” or “remote- sensing” satellites in LEO GSLV is designed mainly to deliver the “communication- satellites” in GEO An orbit is called sun-synchronous when the angle between the line joining the centre of the Earth and the satellite and the Sun is constant throughout the orbit Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is in the range of 600- 900 Km altitude whereas Geo-synchronous Earth orbit (GEO) is about 36000 Km altitude Choose the appropriate code: 1 and 2 3 and 4 1, 2 and 4 All of the above Download the Solution- Click here All the best IASbaba

Sep 28, 2016 RSTV Video

The Big Picture - Forces in Siachen: Should there be a Re-Think?

Archives     Forces in Siachen: Should there be a Re-Think?   TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations General Studies 3 Security challenges and their management in border areas   In February 2016, an avalanche in Siachen glacier took lives of 10 soldiers of Indian army. Thousands of Indian and Pakistani soldiers have died in adverse conditions in this region. High expenditure of maintaining troops is another issue. The debate on demilitarisation of zone has time and again come up, especially when such tragedies strike. Though over a period of time, improved habitat, improved equipment and better training has reduced number of casualties related to weather and terrain, yet it still remains to be analysed if military and material investment for strategic occupation in Siachen justify loss of lives of soldiers. Why Siachen was militarised? The 1949 Karachi agreement had demarcated the border (LoC) but when they reached the map point NJ 9842, both sides realised that beyond that point the area was not suitable for human habitation. So they gave up and said that the land from there ran northwards. The Simla agreement of 1972 did not even mention the issue. Pakistan took advantage of that ambiguity and started sending foreign expeditions since 1951 by giving passes and virtually telling the world that they owned the area. The first Indian expedition went in 1981 which is when India realised that Pakistan was already showing its presence. In 1984, under Operation Meghdoot, Indian army captured the entire Siachen glacier which forms a part of Kashmir. India gained the advantage of sitting at a higher position on a strategically important terrain just one week before Pakistan could.  http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110601/ind4.jpg Strategic importance Siachen is part of Jammu and Kashmir which acceded to India in 1947. Occupation of Saltoro is therefore occupation of Indian Territory by the Indian Army and hence non-negotiable. The Saltoro Ridge is a crucial mountainous stretch which acts as a watershed. It overlooks the area of Gilgit–Baltistan of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) that is under dispute with Pakistan and also the illegally ceded Shaksgam valley to China. It guards the routes leading to Ladakh. Solving Siachen De-militarising?- No India maintains cautious approach post Kargil war. There is trust deficit between both countries and thus demilitarising remains a far off option for now. Though India has established its position in 1984, Pakistan have never given up. Geography favours Pakistan in terms of access as the topography is more amenable. However, the fact that Jammu and Kashmir remains unresolved and closeness between China and Pakistan in the area is well known, India cannot give Pakistan the position of superiority in tactical sense and rather India has to debate and negotiate from the position of strength. There can be discussions and dialogues between two countries for demilitarising the area but at the same time India should not vacate from Siachen before Pakistan authenticates India’s position of Siachen glacier. Before 1984 Siachen was not strategic as Pakistan did not attempt to stake its claim directly on an area which was left voluntarily unclaimed by both countries. Also, China had not shown the same degree of interest in the cluster. Now with ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’ scheme, China is showing increased keenness in the area. The soldiers have to ultimately face the most challenging situation in rough terrains. Hence a peace deal is always sought. However, such deals logically explain their worth when the other party has sense of responsibility. Apart from Indus water treaty which benefits Pakistan, it has honoured no other treaty with India. With the talks of technological advancement, with electronic surveillance, it can be known if there is an intrusion. But dealing with Pakistan has always shown lack of trust due to its terror export to India and involvement in internal matters. Whenever a composite dialogue is to be happened, there are terrorist attacks which derail the peace talks. (26/11 and Pathankot attacks) However, during tragic incidences, both countries offer helping hands. But these initiations don’t lead to political settlement. What happens with troops on LoC is different matter than what happens on a political front. To have a political settlement, there needs to be a political understanding, a diplomacy where both countries engage each other through talks. This is not possible when efforts for peace talks are disrupted with terror strikes. De-militarising?- Yes “India’s military occupation of Saltoro passes in spring 1984 was meant only to deter the Pakistanis from getting there first. The Indian Army had no plans for permanent occupation. At the end of the day, the Siachen conflict was a mistake.” – Lt Gen ML Chibber in June 1990 Not so strategic- Indian Army’s elevated ground position on the Saltoro ridge that gives a great deal of strategic advantage is more myth than reality. Senior commanders of the Indian Army have in the past made precisely such an argument that Siachen does not have any strategic significance and it is all invention. China threat- Any perceived threat from China of military interference in areas surrounding Siachen glacier through Karakoram Range and Soltoro ridgeline is not possible as it is militarily unsustainable and also a logistical nightmare. A new enemy- More than war, weather is inducing more fatalities. Nature has become more adverse with global warming impact. The glaciers are equally effected with increased melting of snow and thus creating a greater challenge for soldiers patrolling the areas. Not just India, but Pakistan has also lost a large number of soldiers in Siachen. In 2012, 129 Pakistani soldiers died in massive avalanche. Siachen peace- A Low hanging fruit? India and Pakistan came close to signing the agreement to solve Siachen issue in 1992 but the differences about authenticating the ground positions led to breakdown of agreement. This reflects the degree of mistrust between two countries. If there has to be an agreement, both the countries have to have assurance that neither side will try to pre-empt the other in re-establishing control over the territory. Initially the issue was discussed at DGMO level in 1989-90 and has also been discussed at part of CBMs in foreign secretary level composite dialogue. However, with Pakistan’s frequent examples of breaking trusts, India will no longer trade its national security on basis of trust. Hence, Siachen is still not the low hanging fruit on the basis of which India and Pakistan can broker peace. Conclusion- is a peaceful solution possible? Strategic territories are critical for national security and hence the armed forces have the duty to protect it. Siachen is considered strategically important and thus India has to own and protect it. However, efforts should be invested in further identifying the out of box solutions to assess if it is safe to make the area free from military interference. Siachen Peace Park- During former PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Siachen basecamp in 2005, he suggested of turning entire Siachen region into a peace park. Taking the idea further, it can be turned into an international destination for glacial research and other scientific experiments. This will also act as deterrent against any potential Pakistani attempts at occupying the territory, it could also check the Chinese activities in the greater Karakoram region. Identifying the current position: Bothe countries should authenticate the current positions at the glacier and make way for further dialogues. 1992 understanding can be again resorted to. Connecting the dots: Critically examine the factors leading to and probable impact of demilitarisation of Siachen zone.   Refer: HOT-2016 TLP-2016

Sep 27, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 27th September, 2016

Archives   IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 27th September, 2016   INTERNATIONAL   TOPIC: General Studies 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment Government budgeting General Studies 2 Bilateral and regional groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries of India’s interests   Tax Notoriety  Historical and contemporary perceptions of tax have characterized it as a necessary extraction, a penalty. A likely fallout of this statutory burden is that there is an innate urge to either mitigate the liability or even eliminate it. Tax avoidance is when a lawful mitigation of tax burden takes place. Tax evasion is where a seepage in the boundaries set by fiscal laws is discovered, and which is then used to escape the tax net to a great extent or altogether. The genesis of tax notoriety is where prima faciethe tax mitigation exercise appears legitimate, but in reality, it may be an abusive tax avoidance strategy which may lead to very low payment or no payment of taxes. Corporate taxes imposed on multinational corporations (MNCs) are major sources of revenue for most economies. Corporate tax payers shifting their tax liabilities from a high tax jurisdiction to a low- or no-tax jurisdiction, massive revenue losses are imminent for the fiscal jurisdiction where the taxes should have been ideally paid. With some creative accounting techniques and existing loopholes in different fiscal jurisdictions across the world, tax evasion has emerged as a global woe in the last few decades.   Countermeasures Various countermeasures have been deployed by states, either at an individual level or as members of different economic groups. The north and south have come together and there is a conscious attempt to tackle the reckless acts of base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS). The BEPS action plan is a step in that direction where the developing and the developed have jointly worked on strategies to curb the exploitation of gaps and mismatches in tax rules, which can be used to artificially shift profits to low- or no-tax locations. Since a majority of corporate entities in such jurisdictions have little or no economic activity and are mere subterfuges (tricks), it is all the more critical to identify and penalize such entities. Some jurisdictions have also taken the initiative of revising or updating their existing Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) to plug the existing loopholes. Another important instrument of tackling tax notoriety is the Tax Information Exchange Agreements. These bilateral agreements act as information bridges between different fiscal jurisdictions and they aid in the establishment of tax transparency. Despite some major limitations, various fiscal jurisdictions have already gone ahead with signing such agreements. Further, novel techniques such as the Diverted Profits Tax, popularly known as the Google Tax, are providing more salvo to the tax administrators in tackling aggressive tax planning. Apple’s Case in Ireland A colossal decision by the European Commission has taken the fight against “aggressive tax planning” by corporations to a new turf altogether. In a nutshell, the subject matter of this dispute was the selective treatment, a sweet deal, granted by Ireland to Apple Ireland. Apple Ireland recorded a €16 billion profit in 2011, but the effective tax rate on the same amount was just 0.05% in same period. In 2014, the rate in effect declined to 0.005% in 2014 even as the profits grew. These corporate tax rates are significantly lower than the corporate tax rates applicable in any other EU member state. Thus, the European Commission has questioned this entire special tax arrangement extended by Ireland to Apple on grounds of illegal state aid and failure to reflect economic reality. This retrospective action against Apple focusses on compensating Ireland for a loss of revenue in at least the last decade. Then again, it is also a clear message to all EU member states not to slacken their taxes excessively and maintain diligence when entering into special arrangements with MNCs. Conclusion Though the Commission’s decisions would appear to undo the wrong done to the EU member states by the tax-avoiding MNCs, the decisions are not seeing a meek acceptance at the hands of the concerned states and the defaulting corporations. There is an alarming trend adding to tax notoriety wherein the states are coming to the aid of the defaulting MNCs and both are in harmony against any possible regulatory measures by the concerned authorities. Thus, it seems clear that the tax defaulters and tax administrators are in no mood of granting respite to each other. The sensational duel between prolific tax notoriety and amplified tax vigilance continues. Connecting the dots: “The perceptions of tax have characterized it as a necessary extraction, a penalty.” In context of Indian Tax laws how far the statement is correct. Critically analyze   NATIONAL   TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability   Simultaneous conduct of elections and its impact on democracy and governance Conducting of simultaneous elections has been discussed for few years now. From TV debates to online public consultation, the decision is expected to tilt in favour of simultaneous elections. But will this practice be actually beneficial to Indian democracy? The beginning of the debate India witnessed simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas till 1967 till it got derailed due to dissolution of some Assemblies after the imposition of Central rule under Article 356 of the Constitution. Law commission in 170th report in 1999 had also supported the idea of ‘one election once in five years for the Lok Sabha and all Legislative Assemblies’. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice’s report in December 2015 said that several structural changes will need to be done in case a decision is made to conduct simultaneous election, including the possibility of Constitutional Amendments to Articles 83, 172, 85 and 174 to streamline the process. The debate has now gained momentum for conducting simultaneous elections with President and PM reiterating the need for electoral reforms for strengthening democracy. The upcoming elections are Lok Sabha-2019, Assembly elections in 5 states- 2017, in 13 states- 2018, 1 state in 2020 and remaining in 2021. Simultaneous elections are beneficial It will lighten the financial strain on the government/Election Commission machinery. Law commission report (1999) pegged it at about 4500 crores. It will avoid repeated enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) which interferes with normal policy implementation and governance in the state. Thus, it will bring stability in governance. It will have impact on functioning of essential services. The campaigns and rallies cause traffic problems as well as loss of productivity. From competitiveness and productivity viewpoint, simultaneous elections reduce the type of manpower and resource deployment necessary for the conduct of elections. Thus, the administrative strain on election machinery is expected to ease. But, there are substantial arguments against the conduct of simultaneous elections   The cost of conducting elections The elections in India see huge spending of money by candidates, political parties and government (ECI). There is cap on how much a candidate can spend on his campaign. But still, more than permitted is spent as candidates believe that it would help them reach out more voters, thereby increasing their chance to win. However, the question of cost which has been considered more frequently in the debate, talks about reduction in expenditure of government and not candidates and political parties which has more impact on electoral outcome. There is no doubt that limited number of elections will result in lesser government expenditure. But, elections are lifeblood of democracy. A seemingly possibility to impose simultaneous elections shows that monetary concerns are more important than democratic principles which is not a good practice. Improving performance Another argument for favouring simultaneous elections is that it is for better governance. Due to multiple election schedule, the MCC prevented the government from new projects which ultimately slowed down development work. However, to solve this issue, it is more feasible to change the rules of MCC which allows government functioning for a reasonable period (in force when elections are notified and not when elections are announced). Not many know but there is a provision that government can consult ECI about policy decisions. If the ECI is assured that such decisions will not affect electoral outcome, such decisions get a go-ahead. In a normal course, the MCC will be applicable to the election state only. Then there is no reason with government to stall projects in other states or centre unless it affects electoral outcome in the election state. Undermining federal structure India has a federal structure and a multi-party democracy where elections are held for State Assemblies and the Lok Sabha separately. ‘One country, One election’ is misleading. This slogan overlooks that though India is one country, the constitution also recognises existence of 29 States which have their own constitutional status in matters of elections and government formation. “One country” does have “one election”, and that is for the Lok Sabha. The envisaged practice of having central, state and also panchanyat elections together is a step in direction away from federal state that the constitution desires. The voters have increased voting choices when elections at state and central level are held at different time. This distinction gets somewhat blurred when voters are made to vote for electing two types of government at the same time, at the same polling booth, and on the same day. Evidence shows that there is a tendency among the voters to vote for the same party both for electing the State government as well as the Central government. Since 1989 elections, there have been 31 instances of holding simultaneous elections for State Assemblies and the Lok Sabha. In 24 elections, the major political parties polled almost a similar proportion of votes both for the Assembly and the Lok Sabha. In 7 states only, the choice of voters was different (For different government at centre and state). During the same period, when in many States the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections were held at different times, the electoral outcome (votes polled by different parties) of the two elections has been different. Conclusion Though ECI supports the idea, it has warned of ‘’several logistical and financial challenges that have to be overcome before it can prepare to hold state and central elections together.’’ The challenge is significant because all political parties have to be on board to and pass a constitutional amendment to this effect. There can be a possibility that an incumbent government falls without completing its terms or there is a creation of a hung assembly. In such cases, the mechanism to be followed has to be yet evolved. Though there are talks in favour of simultaneous elections becoming a reality, there is a possibility it might go against the political diversity which is essential for addressing the social diversity of India. Connecting the dots: Critically analyse the effect of simultaneous elections in India. Simultaneous elections is not possible because of changing times, socio-economic conditions and increasing voter base and education. Discuss Government has multiple mediums to save money. Taking risk with the conduct of simultaneous elections with primary rationale being reduced financial strain may boomerang. Evaluate.   Related articles: Are simultaneous elections to Panchayat, Assembly and Lok Sabha feasible? 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