Mar 28, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

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

Archives   IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 28th March, 2016   NATIONAL   TOPIC:   General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance-applications, models, successes, limitations and potential   Updating Aadhar for better privacy Aadhaar Project: An ambitious project that seeks to provide unique identification numbers to each individual in a country of over a billion people, collecting demographic and biometric information in the process   Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016: To provide for “efficient, transparent, and targeted delivery of subsidies, benefits and services” Privacy with Aadhaar— The issue is related here with the fundamental view of how data are to be accessed and used Perspective behind UID’s design should assume the worst, and try to prevent linking of databases by third parties, or unintended usage If not, it could lead to not only an abstract violation of privacy but also very specific and troubling asymmetries in commercial transactions and citizen empowerment/rights, including through profiling Aadhar Bill says— Provision of privacy protection Use limitation— it can only be used for the purpose for which the user gives consent Collection limitation— no information other than demographic (name, address, date of birth, sex and, optionally, email id/ mobile number) and biometric (photo, fingerprint and iris scan) will be collected. No other personal information of an individual will be in the Aadhaar database Access and Rectification— the user can access his own information and has an obligation to rectify it if it needs updating No demographic information or identity information received from the Unique Identification Authority of India can be displayed publicly   Only exception to certain confidentiality (but not security) obligations is national security: Provided an order to disclose information is issued either (limited time period)- By a court or By a joint secretary or Higher officer, and Vetted by a high-powered committee headed by the cabinet secretary -No core biometric information can be shared is a principle without exception — people saying that core biometric information will be shared are wrong because Clause 29(1) is not overridden by Clause 33(2) -Bill includes stringent penalties, including imprisonment for breach of privacy and other violations What if we could have a UID that was never inter-linkable across users, but yet at the same time uniquely linked to the person through biometrics? Possible through a base UID (like we have today) plus modifications per user (if not per use); would use a one-way hash that would be irreversible so that the longer number or code couldn’t reveal the base UID number Benefits: A corporation or other user could not create a linked database for profiling — they would all have different UID+ numbers To even get the UID+, the cryptographic process could be restricted to authorised users; thus, preventing the UID from becoming a casual identifier Connecting the Dots: What do you mean by Digital Colonization? What are the steps that India can take to overcome the danger of digital colonisation? Related Articles: The Aadhaar Revolution   INTERNATIONAL   TOPIC:   General Studies 2 India and its neighborhood- relations Bilateral, regional , global groupings and agreement involving India and affecting its interest Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.   India- Nepal: No zero sums in this great game Nepal is celebrating the outcome of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s China visit as a major landmark in the evolution of its foreign policy.  It is driven by two objectives: One is domestic, of consolidating the Oli regime’s support from the ‘nationalist’ constituency that stands for reducing dependence on India and keeping Madhes and Janjatis marginalized in Nepali polity. The other is of sending a strong message to India that Nepal has a viable option in mobilizing support from China to counter any pressure generated from the southern neighbor. Both objectives had been triggered by India’s support for the Madhes agitation against a discriminatory constitution adopted in September 2015. India’s support had resulted in restricted supply of essential goods to Nepal for nearly six months, causing unprecedented hardship to Nepal’s people and generating strong anti-India sentiments among the country’s hill communities.   Are there any historical occasions showing Nepal getting inclined towards china to secure the regime? Recall King Mahendra’s use of the China card when he had pitted himself against democratic forces seeking and securing Indian support during the early 1960s. A desperate King Mahendra had then breached the Himalayan barrier by making China build a road between Kathmandu and Kodari. He flouted the India-Nepal Treaty of 1950 by soliciting Chinese support as a security protector of Nepal. His successors, King Birendra and King Gyanendra, made similar moves during 1988-89 and 2005-06, respectively, when faced with popular struggles against their authoritarian governance. There is a set pattern of the Kathmandu regime flashing the China card whenever it runs into difficulties with its own people and India lends support to the Nepali people’s cause. Struggling popular democratic forces of Nepal sought and secured Indian support on these occasions. The underlying thread in all these royal moves was to whip up anti-India nationalism, garner external/Chinese support and erode traditional ties with India to ensure regime security.   What are the fields in which MOU were signed between Nepal and China? Transit and trade Rail and road connectivity and infrastructure Energy exploration and storage Banking Scholarships and training.   How do these agreements appear from Nepal’s perspective? Agreements are projected as historic and unprecedented, particularly those related to transit through China and rail and road connectivity between Nepal and China. This, in principle, breaks Nepal’s complete dependence on India for all its imports. On close look, these agreements appear to be higher on symbolism than on substantial commitments for delivery. Take, for instance, the agreement on transit through China where China has agreed to provide the Tianjin seaport for transit of Nepali goods imported from third countries.   MOU’s without firm commitment: Nepal’s infrastructure in its northern region to connect with the proposed Tianjin transit facility is still not in place, and will take effort and investment to be operational. This facility would come in handy in the event of a complete blockade of transit routes from India for Nepal, but in such a situation, carrying perishable and essential goods like foodstuffs and petroleum products will cost Nepal heavily in time and money. Under the present MoU on rail connectivity, Chinese commitments are for feasibility studies and technical support only. Only by 2020, as per the current Chinese plans, will this line be brought nearer the Nepal border within Tibet.  No firm commitment yet on how it will then be extended within Nepal linking Kathmandu with Pokhara and Lumbini as proposed by the Nepali side. Also in building this link, the track will have to scale mountains as high as 6,000 m, either through tunnels or winding channels, involving heavy costs, time and effort.   What is the probable outcome of Tibet-Nepal rail connectivity which seems to be political issue for the China? Besides the constraints of costs and terrain, rail connectivity between Tibet and Nepal is also a political issue for the Chinese authorities. They have to decide on the extent to which Tibet can be opened up to the outside world through land connection. The proposed rail could not only facilitate the flight of disaffected Tibetans to Nepal, but also bring in Nepalese and other foreigners into Tibet.   What is china’s approach in accommodating Nepal in to One belt, one road initiative? South Asia is a vital link in the Chinese OBOR plan. It is a region that borders on China’s vulnerable periphery of Xinjiang and Tibet. Its 1.6 billion people, growing steadily by 4-5 per cent on average, constitute a huge economic opportunity that China cannot ignore. China has been both calculating and careful in accommodating the Nepali agenda. It has bound Nepal to “synergize” its “development planning, formulate appropriate bilateral cooperation programmes and carry out major projects under the framework of the Belt and Road initiative Nepal’s infrastructure and connectivity projects will have to be subjected to Chinese ‘One Belt, One Road’ (OBOR) Nepal will also have to facilitate and encourage Chinese investment. Most of the Chinese commitments are loans, of which only 25 per cent will be interest free. As China’s dwindling growth rate and growing debt/GDP ratio does not allow China to write free cheques any longer. Nepal must also be aware of the unease and discomfort that countries like Sri Lanka and Myanmar experienced in their deepening economic engagement with China. China’s economic projects invariably come with strategic underpinnings and heavy debt burden. China also does not want to ruffle Indian feathers on Nepal as India, besides other considerations, is a much bigger and promising market for Chinese products and services as compared to Nepal.   What could be India’s probable reaction to Nepal’s so-called flashing of the China card? India need not press the panic button or employ knee-jerk and ill-conceived diplomatic moves as it did in response to Nepal’s constitution and the Madhesi agitation Nor should it make an unethical compromise with Kathmandu on the legitimate interests of Madhesis and other marginalized groups. Resorting to pushing for a Hindu state agenda and revival of the monarchy in Nepal to contain Chinese influence will prove counter-productive. India has to sit up and take a serious note of the Chinese push into South Asia, which is not simply limited to Nepal but covers all other neighbours as well.   Way ahead: India has to deal with its immediate neighbours with prudence and sensitivity and ensure that they are not alienated. There is scope also for exploring the possibility of making calibrated use of the region’s infrastructure development under OBOR. Internal and trans-border connectivity of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh or even Pakistan may in fact facilitate such economic integration to the long-term advantage of India as well. At the same time India has to guard its vital strategic space and interests, as well as those of its neighbours that China may seek to erode under the cover of its regional economic engagement.   Connecting the dots: What is China’s approach in accommodating Nepal in to ‘One belt, one road’ initiative? What could be India’s probable reaction to Nepal’s so-called flashing of the China card? discuss   Related Articles: India-Nepal Relationship and Issues http://iasbaba.com/2015/09/iasbabas-daily-current-affairs-28th-29th-september-2015/ http://iasbaba.com/2015/10/iasbabas-daily-current-affairs-11th-12th-october-2015/ http://iasbaba.com/2015/08/iasbabas-daily-current-affairs-4th-august-2015/   MUST READ Hasty cure for a familiar malady -President’s Rule in Uttarakhand Hindu   Pay consumers to take back e-waste Hindu Related Articles: E-waste Management in India Solid Waste Management: Waste not, want not   Did climate change cause those floods? Hindu   Steep fall in oil prices takes a toll on remittances- Indian expatriates sent home $15.8 billion during the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the lowest in 18 quarters Live Mint Indian Express   Can gains in the poverty battle be sustained?- Government estimates show a steep decline in poverty from 37.2% in 2004-05 to 21.9% in 2011-12. What can be done to continue the process? Live Mint   How external directors can support growth in family-owned SMEs- Outside board members can be particularly effective at coaching and guiding owners to address mental barriers to grow Live Mint MIND MAPS   1. Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal (Part 2)

Mar 28, 2016 PIB

IASbaba Press Information Bureau (PIB)- 21st March to 27th March, 2016

ARCHIVES   GS-1 Exhibition ‘Threads of Continuity: Zoroastrian Life and Culture’ (Topic: Indian Culture from ancient to modern times) About- Inauguration of exhibition ‘Threads of Continuity: Zoroastrian Life and Culture’ at Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts in Delhi.   Exhibition-        Represents a philosophy of life, an ethos which has come down in an unbroken thread from the Bronze Age. Product of almost 2 decades of field work and recordings by Parzor, gives equal weight to Iran and India - Zarthushti life and Parsi life.   GS-2 Self regulatory code for industry (Topic: Consumer protection)  Aim- To protect the rights of consumers against misleading advertisements, fake and counterfeit products Effective redressal of consumer complaints Partnership between-Department of Consumer Affairs with Industry Association to implement six points’ agenda Partnership covers three priority areas- Redressal of consumer grievances Enhancement of consumer awareness Protection and action against misleading advertisements, fake and counterfeit products.   MoU covers- Collaborative programmes on developing and implementing a self-regulated code of fair business practices Establishing a Consumer Affairs division/vertical within the Industry Body Initiating advocacy action against unfair trade practices and preventing fake, counterfeit and sub-standard products and services and adoption of voluntary standards by Industry members. Earmarking of CSR funds for consumer awareness and protection activities, Partnering with the National Consumer Helpline and State Consumer Helplines for grievance redressal Launching joint consumer awareness, education and training programmes under the “Jago Grahak Jago” will also be part of the agenda. Joint Working Group will monitor the implementation of agenda.   Atal Pension Yojana (APY) amended (Topic: Government schemes, changes and its implementation) About- Government has decided to give an option to the spouse of the subscriber to continue contributing to APY account of the subscriber, for the remaining vesting period, till the original subscriber would have attained the age of 60 years.   Present provision- Handing-over lump-sum amount to spouse on the premature death (death before 60 years of age) of the subscriber. Changes made- Spouse of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the same pension amount as that of the subscriber until the death of the spouse. After the death of both the subscriber and the spouse, the nominee of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the pension wealth, as accumulated till age of 60 years of the subscriber. APY- To address the longevity risks among the workers in unorganised sector and to encourage the workers in unorganised sector to voluntarily save for their retirement, the Government had launched a new initiative called Atal Pension Yojana (APY) with effect from 1st June, 2015. Each subscriber, on completion of 60 years of age, will get the guaranteed minimum monthly pension, or higher monthly pension, if the investment returns are higher than the assumed returns for minimum guaranteed pension, over the period of contribution. After the subscriber’s death, the spouse of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the same pension amount as that of the subscriber until the death of the spouse. After the death of both the subscriber and the spouse, the nominee of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the pension wealth, as accumulated till age of 60 years of the subscriber. In exceptional circumstances, that is, in the event of the death of beneficiary or specified illness, as mentioned in the PFRDA (Exit and withdrawals under the National Pension System) Regulations, 2015, before the age of 60 years, the accumulated pension wealth till date would be given to the nominee or the subscriber as the case may be.   New initiatives to combat TB (Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources) About- Government of India stands committed to accelerating its efforts to combat tuberculosis in the country. Launched- Bedaquiline – new anti-TB drug for Drug Resistant TB as part of the RNTCP Drug is a new anti-TB drug for treatment of MDR-TB. New class of drug is a diarylquinoline that specifically targets Mycobacterial ATP synthase, an enzyme essential for supply of energy to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and most other mycobacteria. Drug is indicated for use in the treatment of drug-resistant Also inducted over 500 Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) machines in the programme. CBNAAT is a revolutionary rapid molecular test which detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin drug resistance, simultaneously. Launched the ‘Third line ART programme for People Living with HIV’. Life-saving third line ART costs nearly Rs. 1.18 lakh per patient per year. Providing these free would not only safe lives but improve socioeconomic conditions of the patients. Initiative brings India’s ART programme at par with programmes in the developed countries.   Health Ministry launches Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources) About- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), here today. Longitudinal Ageing Study- Largest survey of its kind. Survey more than 60,000elderly over 25 years plan Survey will provide scientifically validated data on various issues of the elderly. Contribute greatly to the newly launched the National Programme for Health Care for the Elderly (NPHCE) and the social and economic security programmes planned to be initiated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE). Help in expanding the scope of health and social security policy and programmes for older population In collaboration- International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai with Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and University of Southern California (USC), USA is undertaking the “The Longitudinal Ageing Study in India” under the aegis of the Ministry of Union Health and Family Welfare.   Jointly funded by- Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the United States’ National Institute on Ageing, and the United Nations Population Fund-India Population ageing- Taking place in nearly all the countries of the world. Global share of older people aged 60 years or over increased from 9.2 percent in 1990 to 11.7 percent in 2013 and will continue to grow as a proportion of the world population, reaching 21.1 percent by 2050. Presently, about two thirds of the world’s older persons live in developing countries. By 2050, nearly 8 in 10 of the world’s older population will live in the less developed regions. Global ageing can be seen as a symbol of- Medical, social, and economic advances and also has major health, social and economic consequences Represents a significant policy challenge Population ageing threatens to topple existing insurance and pension systems and create health system overload; therefore calls for review of existing models of healthcare, familial and social support. Phenomenon of global population ageing has the potential to fundamentally alter disease burdens, economies and trade, and human migration. India’s Scenario- According to the 2011 census, the 60+ population accounted for 8.6% of India’s total population or 103.84 million elderly. With currently 1.3 billion people, India is projected to become the world’s most populous country within a decade. Several forces driving India’s population growth and changing age structure, including an upward trend in life expectancy. Between 2011 and 2050, the number of oldest old people of age 75 and above is expected to increase by 340%. Importance of the study- Provide valuable data on their health needs, and issues faced by them given the changing social structures, and help us to draw policy tools to address their issues Provide guidance to move forward in designing schemes for the elderly Lay the foundation for other studies on social justice issues also. Study will help design policies to mainstream the elderly, to reduce their vulnerabilities and enhance access to various services. Will investigate various health structures, and impact of social determinants on health of the elderly Also help in framing evidence-based policy.   National AROGYA Fair (Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources) About- National level AROGYA Fair organized by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India in association with Goa State Government and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) began in Goa.   AROGYA Fair-                                   On the occasion, the Union Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH, also released the Yoga Protocol for the second International Day of Yoga falling on 21st June, 2016. India has entered into an agreement with World Health Organization to popularize this traditional system of medicine across the world. India has also signed an MoU with America for a Joint Research under AYUSH in the field of Cancer Union Government contemplates to open one AYUSH Hospital in every district of the country. AYUSH Ministry has also plans to establish an All India Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy and a unit of each in Goa in the near future. Aim- To create awareness among the members of the public about the efficiency of the AYUSH systems Cost-effectiveness and the availability of herbs and plants used for prevention and treatment of common ailments at their doorstep through various mass media channels to achieve the objective of Health for all.   Launch of Rotavirus vaccine as part of Universal Immunization Programme (Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources) About- Launch of the Rotavirus vaccine as part of the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) of the country. New milestone towards expanding the coverage of full immunization in the country aimed at reducing child mortality Aim- To reduce morbidity and mortality in children. Strengthening routine immunization is an essential investment in India’s children and will ensure a healthy future of the country. Rotavirus- One of the leading causes of severe diarrhoea and death among children less than five years of age, and that every year nearly 80,000 to one lakh children die in the country due to Rotavirus diarrhoea, and about 9 lakh children are admitted to hospital due to episodes of severe diarrhoea with 32.7 lakh cases of OPD Rotavirus vaccine will enable to directly address the problem of diarrheal death Vaccine is being introduced initially in four states viz– Andhra Pradesh Haryana Himachal Pradesh Odisha (will be expanded to the entire country in a phased manner) Rotavirus Vaccine to reduce out of pocket expenditure in addition to saving hundreds of lives as it is a very cost effective measure. Four new vaccines are being introduced as part of UIP including- Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), Rotavirus vaccine, Measles, Rubella (MR) vaccine, Adult Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine. With these new vaccines, India’s UIP will provide free vaccines against 12 life threatening diseases, to 27 million children annually, the largest birth cohort in the world.   World Bank support to Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) (Topic:  Government schemes and its implementation) About- Union Cabinet has given its approval to the US $ 1,500 million project of World Bank Support to Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) [(SBM(G)]. Project provides- Incentivising States on the basis of their performance in the existing SBM-G. Incentivisation of States was approved by the Cabinet while approving the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) on 24th September, 2014. Current approval provides for the mechanism of such incentivisation through World Bank credit. Performance of the States will be gauged through certain performance indicators, called the Disbursement-Linked Indicators (DLIs) which are- Reduction in the prevalence of open defecation: Funds under this result area shall be released to the States on the basis of reduction in prevalence of open defecation amongst rural households in the State, compared to the previous year Sustaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in Villages: Funds under this result area, shall be released on the basis of estimated population residing in ODF villages Increase in percentage of rural population served by improved Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM): Funds under this DL1 will be based on the population served with acceptable level of SLWM services. States will pass on a substantial portion (more than 95 percent) of the Performance Incentive Grant Funds received from the MOWS, to the appropriate implementing levels of districts, Blocks, GPs etc. End-use of the incentive grants will be limited to activities pertaining to the sanitation sector. Accelerate efforts to achieve sustained outcomes in sanitation by 2019. Incentive framework introduced through the project will reorient efforts of States towards the SBM(G) 'outcomes' such as reduction in open defecation, sustainable achievement of open defecation - free (ODF) villages and improvement in solid and liquid waste management (SLWM). Put in place a robust and credible independent verification system for annual measurement of improvement in rural sanitation. Support the SBM(G) programme in achievement of its objectives of attaining open defecation- free and clean environment. Since poor sanitation is related to ill-health, malnutrition, poor education and poverty; achievement of SBM(G) objectives will have a beneficial effect on all of these. Ensure a better quality of life for the rural population.   Implementation of the rural housing scheme of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana — Gramin to achieve Housing for All by 2022 (Topic: Government schemes and its implementation)   About- Union Cabinet has given its approval for the implementation of the rural housing scheme of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin. Scheme- Financial assistance is provided for construction of pucca house to all houseless and households living in dilapidated houses. Implementation strategy and targets-   Identification of Beneficiaries: Will be done by using information from Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) ensuring total transparency and objectivity Agency- Gram Sabha using participatory process Cost of unit assistance:  To be shared between Central and State Governments in the ratio 60:40 in plain areas 90:10 for North Eastern and hilly states Funds: will be transferred electronically directly to the account of the beneficiary Beneficiary- Entitled to 90 days of unskilled labour from MGNREGA, this will be ensured through a server linkage between PMAY and MGNREGA Facilitated to avail loan of up to Rs.70,000/- for construction of the house Initiatives: Housing- Locally appropriate designs while incorporating features to address the natural calamities common to the region Shortage of masons: To be addressed by providing training for masons To meet the additional requirement of building materials: Manufacture of bricks using cement stabilised earth or fly ash will be taken up under MGNREGA Intensive capacity building exercise for all the stake holders. Support will be provided at district and block levels for technical facilitationand addressing quality issues in house construction. A National Technical Support Agency will be set up to provide technical support to the Centre and States to facilitate construction of the houses targeted and to ensure their quality.    Memorandum of Understanding between India and United Arab Emirates (Topic: Bilateral, regional and global grouping and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interest) About- Union Cabinet gave its ex-post facto approval for MoU between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) It is to- Mobilise long term investment into the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). Objective of NIIF- To maximize economic impact mainly through infrastructure development in commercially viable projects, both greenfield and brownfield, including stalled projects, NIIF would solicit equity participation from strategic anchor partners.   MoU- Help establish a transparent and high-level framework and collaboration platform under which both countries intend to explore ways to facilitate and expand the participation of UAE's investment institutions in appropriate infrastructure projects and institutions in India including NIIF, in a manner consistent with the established investment criteria and standards in a mutually agreed manner. Joint working group comprising of the concerned representatives of both parties would take forward cooperation under this MOU and to discuss and agree the terms, principles and criteria jointly.   Memorandum of Understanding between India and Lithuania (Topic: Bilateral, regional and global grouping and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interest) About-Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between India and Lithuania for cooperation in the field of agriculture.   MoU- Cooperation in the fields of agriculture production including horticulture, post-harvest management, organic farming, cold chain development and agro processing industry, animal husbandry, dairying and aquaculture etc. Cooperation between the two countries shall be undertaken through biennial work plan to be drawn up mutually to give effect to the objectives of the instant MoU Help in-                                    Capacity building, Knowledge exchange between scientists and technicians, Exchange of genetic resources, Development of appropriate technologies and farm practices for enhancing agriculture productivity at farmer's field   India to accede to the Ashgabat Agreement  (Topic: Bilateral, regional and global grouping and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interest) About- Union Cabinet has given its approval for India to accede to the Ashgabat Agreement, an international transport and transit corridor facilitating transportation of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf. Ashgabat Agreement- Oman, Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are founding members. Kazakhstan has also joined this arrangement subsequently. Accession to the Agreement would enable India to utilise this existing transport and transit corridor to facilitate trade and commercial interaction with the Eurasian region Would synchronise with our efforts to implement the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) for enhanced connectivity. India’s intention to accede to the Ashgabat Agreement would now be conveyed to the Depository State (Turkmenistan). India would become party to the Agreement upon consent of the founding members.   GS-3 New Environment Standards for Gensets Notified  (Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment) About- Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has notified new environment standards for Gensets running on Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) / Natural Gas (NG), Diesel with LPG / NG and Petrol with LPG / NG operated in various cities / towns in the country. Aim- To control air and noise pollution emanating from the operation of Gensets Recommended by- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) after consultations with industries and other stakeholders Standards for Gensets- Running on LPG / NG, or in combination with diesel/petrol have been notified for the first time. In all, the three fuel modes of operation a three-tier classification has been adopted Control the air and noise emission profile across different category of Gensets and would be revisited in 4-5 years once air and noise emission quality data and technological details pertaining to Gensets are available. Standards have mandated certification for Gensets in terms of ‘Type approval’ and ‘Conformity of Production’ for air emission as well as noise emission. Manufacturers are required to obtain the certification for engine products by empanelled agencies which will help in regulating the unorganised sector thereby help in curbing the illegal import of Gensets in the country, which were observed to have higher air and noise emission values. Ministry had also notified improved environmental standards for Thermal Power Plants TPPs) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants and Sugar Industries (CETPs).   Environment Ministry Notifies E-Waste Management Rules, 2016  (Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment)  About-Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 in supersession of the e-waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011. E-Waste Rules- Norms have been made more stringent and reflect the government’s commitment to environmental governance. Include Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and other mercury containing lamps, as well as other such equipment Bring the producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), along with targets. Producers have been made responsible for collection of E-waste and for its exchange. Various producers can have a separate Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) and ensure collection of E-waste, as well as its disposal in an environmentally sound manner. Role of State Governments has been also introduced to ensure safety, health and skill development of the workers involved in dismantling and recycling operations. Provision of penalty for violation of rules has been introduced. Process of dismantling and recycling has been simplified through one system of authorization and that the Central Pollution Control Board will give the single authorization throughout the country. Toxic constituents present in E-waste and their disposal mechanism affect human health and lead to various diseases, transportation of E-waste has been made more stringent. Refer: http://iasbaba.com/2015/11/iasbabas-daily-current-affairs-7th-9th-november-2015/ http://iasbaba.com/2016/03/iasbabas-daily-current-affairs-24th-march-2016/   India Russia cooperation in the field of Disaster Management  (Topic: Disaster and disaster management) About- India-Russia Joint Commission meeting was held to discuss bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Bilateral cooperation- Two countries are linked by geography, history and culture and the linkages in the field of disaster management have continued to grow beyond boundaries. During the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction during March last year in Sendai, Japan had agreed to enhance ongoing cooperation in dealing with emergency situation, natural disasters, research and training. Country is committed for convergence of disaster risk reduction with developmental programmes and disaster management is not an issue of disaster alone rather it has now become more of development issue. Cooperation in the areas such as controlling floods, minimizing its consequences as well as collaboration in capacity building has been rightly highlighted in our Joint Implementation Plan. Signing of the Joint Implementation Plan, the two countries will acquire new character with enhanced levels of cooperation in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction. Output of this deliberation will pave way for the comprehensive and structured cooperation to build capacities of the first responder and other allied forces.   North East Business Summit – 2016  (Topic: Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development and employment) About- Preparation of North East Business Summit, 2016 to be organized by the Ministry in Manipur from April 7-9.2016 in collaboration with Govt. of Manipur Participants from- All the North Eastern States and concerned Ministries of the Government of India are expected to attend the summit. Representatives from the private sector along with Indian Chambers of Commerce (ICC) will also attend. Stakeholders in the field of Trade and Commerce, MSME, Horticulture, Flori Culture and food processing industry have been invited for the summit. Participants from handicrafts, handlooms and Ministry of Tourism have also been invited. Business Summit To explore the possibility of trade and Commerce with ASEAN countries under Act East Policy of the Government. Give a platform to all potential investors in different sectors such as Food Processing, Horticulture, Tourism, Handloom and Handicraft, Startups, Entrepreneurship etc., To have a better understanding about the investment environment & potential of North East.   Indo- Indonesia Joint Training Exercise Garuda Shakti IV/2016 Concludes (Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organised crime with terrorism) About- Indo - Indonesia Joint Training Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI IV/ 2016 concluded. Aim- To build and promote positive relations between the armies of India and Indonesia Joint Exercise- Contributed towards enhancing the ability of both the armies to undertake joint tactical level operations in Counter Insurgency environment under the United Nations Charter. Training comprised of tactical drills wherein the troops of both armies trained jointly sharing each other's experience in Counter Insurgency operations. Cross training phase was meshed with games and sports to enhance interaction and develop camaraderie. Training culminated in a three day joint training exercise and lessons drawn were consolidated for incorporation in the next edition. Exercise finally concluded with the closing ceremony wherein outstanding performers were awarded and cultural programmes showcasing the rich culture and heritage of both the countries were displayed. Conduct of the joint training exercise ensured greater cooperation and coordination in the employability of a joint platoon group of Indian and Indonesian Army for Counter Insurgency operations in an International environment. Exercise is also a milestone in ensuring the cordial relations between the two great nations in Asia.  

Mar 26, 2016 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – What is NLP? – Inspirational & Educative Articles

What is NLP?NLP stands for Neuro Linguistic Programming. As the name suggests it is a way of effecting change in individuals by using the power of language and our thinking process.NLP was co-founded by Richard Bandler through a unique process of modeling. Bandler started observing people and began to recognize patterns for each behavior. Through an elaborate and painful process of recording and documenting these behaviors, NLP was born.Currently, NLP is taught as a system of change and inner transformation in almost all the developed countries of the world. NLP is used to heal psychological problems, induce states of success and happiness, change behavioral patterns and more.The language that we use to talk to others, and more importantly the language we use to talk to ourselves affects our behavior and our understanding of life. NLP uses the power of communication and subconscious commands to effect change.You can explore this fascinating new field of psychology to bring about the necessary changes required in your living, learning and experiencing. NLP is a distilled form of psychology in a way that you will not need years to understand how the mind works.In a matter of few months, you will be able to master the methods and techniques necessary to bring about the desired changes. You can use NLP to improve your learning abilities, enhance your creativity, acquire emotional balance, and do a lot more than what is normally possible.Currently, NLP is being used effectively in the fields of Sports, Learning, Healing, Success, Wellbeing and a lot more. NLP can open the doors for your personal efficiency, success and happiness. It can pave the way for a better you.Richard Bandler’s NLP is taught in India by their authorized trainers. You can undergo a 7 day Basic NLP Practitioner course and a 7 Day NLP Master Practitioner course to be certified as an NLP Practitioner. The certificate is issued by the society of NLP – USA.Before exploring this field seriously, you can begin by reading a few books from this fascinating new science. Richard Bandler’s ‘Frogs to Princes’ gives an amazing introduction to the field of NLP. You can also read his ‘Trance Formations’. You can also try ‘Awaken the Giant Within’ by Anthony Robbins.NLP has single handedly emerged as the most effective system of transformation. It has left traditional psychology far behind to establish itself as the future of problem solving and behavioral change. A student will most certainly stand to benefit from the learning strategies and systems developed through NLP.“The articles are a copyright of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.”Read more such articles– Click Here

Mar 26, 2016 AIR

All India Radio - US – Cuba Relations:

ARCHIVES   AIR debate : US – CUBA RELATIONS:   Recently US president Barak Obama became the first US president to visit Cuba in 88 years. It is a visit for great significance for US, Cuba and for the surrounding regions. With new wave of optimism in the US – Cuba relations, the trade embargo and various other sanctions that were imposed by US on Cuba can see a phase of developments involving both the parties. History of US – Cuba relations: The tumultuous U.S.-Cuba relationship has its roots in the Cold War. In 1959, Fidel Castro and a group of revolutionaries seized power in Havana, overthrowing Fulgencio Batista. Despite misgivings about Castro's communist political ideology, the United States recognized his government. However, as Castro's regime increased trade with the Soviet Union, nationalized U.S.-owned properties, and hiked taxes on American imports, the United States responded with escalating economic retaliation. After slashing Cuban sugar imports, Washington instituted a ban on nearly all exports to Cuba, which President John F. Kennedy expanded into a full economic embargo that included stringent travel restrictions. In 1961 the United States severed diplomatic ties with Cuba and began pursuing covert operations to overthrow the Castro regime. The 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, a botched CIA-backed attempt to topple the government, fuelled Cuban mistrust and nationalism, leading to a secret agreement allowing the Soviet Union to build a missile base on the island. The United States discovered those plans in October of 1962, setting off a fourteen-day standoff. U.S. ships imposed a naval quarantine around the island, and Kennedy demanded the destruction of the missile sites. The Cuban Missile Crisis ended with an agreement that the sites would be dismantled if the United States pledged not to invade Cuba; the United States also secretly agreed to remove nuclear missiles from Turkey. Post Obama visit following changes are expected to happen: Improved trade. Improved communication networks: Cuba has an Internet penetration of about five percent – one of the lowest rates in the world, now telecommunications providers will be allowed to establish the necessary mechanisms, including infrastructure, in Cuba to provide commercial telecommunications and internet services. However there are still “profound” differences over Cuba’s human rights situation and the decades-old, crippling U.S. economic embargo on the island. This will resolve over time in a US – Cuba relationship. Benefits for India: India-Cuba relations have been traditionally warm and friendly. India was amongst the first countries to recognize Cuba after the 1959 Revolution. Both countries have maintained close contacts with each other in various international fora, such as the UN, NAM, WTO, etc. India supports resolutions in the UN General Assembly calling for lifting of US sanctions against Cuba. Cuba shares India's views on democratizing UN and expansion of the UN Security Council. It also holds the reform of the UN Security Council as central to the overall reform process. Cuba supports India's inclusion as a permanent member in the restructured UN Security Council. With US being strategic partner to India, and the renewed US Cuba relations are in the best interest of people of India and US. Click here and search for Spotlight / News Analysis on 20th March 2016

Mar 26, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 26th March, 2016

ArchivesIASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 26th March, 2016NATIONAL TOPIC:   General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation; Governance IssuesGeneral Studies 3: Inclusive growth; InfrastructureOn paper, electrified villages — in reality, darknessDeendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti YojanaBackground: Rural electrification is the process of bringing electrical powerto rural and remote areas. Electricity is used not only for lighting and household purposes, but it also allows for mechanization of many farming operations, such as threshing, milking, and hoisting grain for storage. In areas facing labor shortages, this allows for greater productivity at reduced cost The Centre claims to be fulfilling the Prime Minister’s plan for full rural electrification. But a close check of its own real-time data shows that the gap between official claims and ground reality is stark. Haldu Khata, a village in Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh, is one of the 7,008 villages that the government claims to have “electrified” in the last year, under the Modi government’s flagship scheme of rural electrification, Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana. Recent analysis of rural electrification data shows that the number of villages said to be electrified in the last year is exaggerated. Note that a village is considered electrified if public places in the village and 10 per cent of its households have access to electricity.What is Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana all about (DUGJY)? The flagship scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an aim to provide 24×7 uninterrupted electricity supply to each rural household across the country by 2022. It focuses on feeder separation for rural households and agricultural purpose and also seeks to strengthen the distribution and sub-transmission infrastructure, including metering at all levels in rural areas. What are the major components of this scheme ?Major components of the new scheme: strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution network feeder separation metering at all levels including at input points feeders and distribution transformers. it also seeks to strengthen Micro grid and off grid distribution network of rural electrification.Funds: The scheme has budgetary outlay of 76,000 crore rupees for implementation of the projects of which Union Government will provide grant of 63,000 crore rupees. It should be noted that, this scheme replaces Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY). What are the ways in which the process is made transparent to public? To make the process transparent, real-time data on villages being electrified has been made available to the public through a mobile app and a Web dashboard called GARV. The platform was launched in October 2015. Alongside, 309 Gram Vidyut Abhiyantas (GVAs) were deployed by the government to monitor the electrification process and enter the data on the GARV application. Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), the nodal agency for rural electrification which functions under the aegis of the Ministry of PowerDiscrepancies: One major source of discrepancy is regarding those villages where the GVA has noted that the village is un-electrified, yet it is counted as electrified on the app. This perhaps could be one of the reasons leading to the inflated number, If there is a pole and distribution line visible in an area then  it will be termed electrified but presence of electrical infrastructure doesn’t automatically translate into electrification. Hindrances not allowing for real time update: Power lines were set up in the village but they were stolen before they could be charged. Work not yet started in certain village located in remote location due to no road connectivity; Situated on mountains; naxalite affected area etc. but still these villages have been considered electrified Village declared electrified by discom [power distribution company] but GVA yet to visit the village for verification. This indicates that villages have been declared as electrified without waiting for the government’s own representative’s verification, rendering the monitoring system redundant. And further, if the GVA marks it as un-electrified after visiting, the status is not updated from ‘electrified’ to ‘un-electrified’. Social and economic benefits of rural electrification: Allow activities to occur after daylight hours, including education. In impoverished and undeveloped areas, small amounts of electricity can free large amounts of human time and labor. In the poorest areas, people carry water and fuel by hand, their food storage may be limited, and their activity is limited to daylight hours. Reduce isolation through telecoms Improve safety with the implementation of street lighting, lit road signs. Improve healthcare by electrifying remote rural clinics. Reduces the need for candles and kerosene lamps and improves indoor air quality. Improve productivity, through the use of electricity for irrigation, crop processing, and other activities. Way ahead: Identify the bottle necks which are hindering real time update on to the GARV mobile app and press Gram Vidyut Abhiyantas (GVAs) in to swift action to monitor the progress and update the same. In line with ‘Smart city’ project ‘Smart village’ project must be devised on mission mode to self suffice a village with its own electricity generation with the help of Solar power . Connecting the dots: Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana is new light at the end of the tunnel to dispel darkness for rural areas. CommentECONOMICSTOPIC:   General Studies 3: Agriculture; Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraintsGeneral Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementationA silent horticulture 'revolution' Horticulture and the closely associated horticultural sciences are critical elements of modern society in most developed countries and in many developing countries around the world. The contributions of horticultural crops, and their related industries, to society at large are very considerable. Today, the production of horticulture, is now larger than that of food-grains. Horticultural output has surged by nearly 70 per cent - from around 167 million tonnes in 2004-05 to over 283 million tonnes in 2014-15Agricultural Census 2010-11— Over 87 per cent of the total vegetables and 90 per cent of fruits are grown by small landholders Growth of horticultural output is estimated at around seven per cent a year in the past decade The acreage under horticulture has grown by around two per cent a year Horticultural production has either continued to grow or dip only marginally even during bad monsoon years, including the drought years of 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2015 The overall share of horticulture in the agriculture sector's gross domestic product (agricultural GDP) has grown to over 30 per cent even though it accounts for only 17 per cent of farm land. Horticultural Statistics at a Glance – 2015Covered diverse aspects such as area, production, productivity, growth trends, percentage share, value of output and so on for major horticultural cropsLaunched-Coordinated Programme on Horticulture Assessment and Management using geoiNformatics(CHAMAN) in September, 2014 Scientific methodologies of Remote Sensing and Sample Survey is being used for assessment of area and production of major horticulture cropsHorticulture Area and Production Information System (HAPIS) launched in February, 2015 a web portal for online submission of district level data pertaining to area and production of horticulture cropsContributions Provision of safe, healthy and nutritious food Provision of many essential vitamins and minerals (consumers achieve a balanced diet) Contributions to economies through export-related activities Provides employment and the sustainability of service provision Overall wealth generation through the activities of those involved with production, processing, marketing, servicing, and related sectorsThe RevolutionDiversification: Given the farmers an opportunity to diversify from food and other crops to horticultureLabour: Cultivation of horticultural crops is highly labour-intensive and, therefore, suits small cultivators who can manage it largely with family labourIrrigation: A sizable chunk of land has been brought under horticultural crops is irrigated (around 73 per cent of land producing the eight main vegetables- onion, potato, tomato, okra, cauliflower, cabbage, brinjal and tapioca)Constraints Lack of market support Paucity of post-harvest produce management chain from farm to fork Lack of uniform price-mechanism/credit: Does not get reasonable returns for their produce because of higher prices due to existence of multiplicity of intermediaries in horticultural marketing Distress sales and mass destruction of the produce in a bid to contain losses Benefits of high prices do not generally accrue to the growers Sizable part of horticultural output is wasted due to improper post-harvest handling and want of processing facilities Increased competition from other countries for horticultural products in the international market Unfavourable global trade/regulatory regime and other market requirementsWay Ahead: Modern horticulture requires investments for the construction of micro-irrigation systems, green houses and, grading and packaging of the produce Better access to cheap institutional finance Adequate marketing support Expansion of the fruits and vegetable processing industry with backwards linkages with farmers can help in value-addition and waste reduction of the horticultural produce, thus, ensuring higher returns to growers Creation of price stabilisation fund need to be used to prevent wide price fluctuations which often hurt both producers and consumersIASbaba’s Views: Government needs to work upon basic need for research on horticultural crops and challenges, that have increased in complexity given current consumer demands for affordability, safety and continuity of supply; increasing needs to achieve sustainable practices; and the need to deal with challenges arising from a more variable climate, the loss of productive soils through urban encroachment, and the loss of low-cost labour. Research is also urgently needed to resolve issues such as the development of drought tolerant crops, the management of crops under managed water deficits, dealing with increased salinity, and the use of low quality water. The concepts of sustainability of horticultural crops should relate both to the use of resources, such as water and nutrients, in a manner which considers future needs, and the responsible use of compounds such as pesticides which will not compromise the quality of the environment (or the safety of the produce that is produced)Connecting the Dots: Discuss the various constraints plaguing the ‘horticulture industry’ of India along with specific solutions to plug the loopholes Discuss the upstream and downstream requirements for the supply-chain management of the horticulture products.MIND MAPS1. Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal - Part 1(Part 2 will be posted on Monday)

Mar 26, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 25th March, 2016

Archives   IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 25th March, 2016   NATIONAL   TOPIC:   General Studies 1: Women related issues General Studies 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector or Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources 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   Contraception—a woman’s burden Dismissal of the rat-poison theory: Issue: On November 8, 2014, Dr. R.K. Gupta, a surgeon at Bilaspur District Hospital, conducted laparoscopic tubectomies on 83 women in the space of 90 minutes in an abandoned building Background    -- (Read only if interested, else this part can be skipped) Medical Negligence Gupta had spent approximately three-four minutes per patient Had not followed infection control protocols The drugs Ibuprofen and Ciprocin, prescribed to the victims as post-operative care, were laced with rat poison (State Health Department claimed) Sixteen months after a mass sterilisation camp conducted by the government of Chhattisgarh resulted in 13 deaths and 65 injuries, viscera reports — from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Ramanthapur, Hyderabad, and from the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kolkata, to go with an earlier one from the State Forensic Science Laboratory in Raipur — have dismissed the ‘rat poison’ theory Stress of targets: upon government doctors is immense Every district in Chhattisgarh was given a sterilisation target to meet, in violation of Union Health Ministry norms Doctors in Bilaspur had an ‘ELA’ (Expected Level of Achievement) of 3,000 sterilisations and 3,000 Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) insertions within a fortnight For Takhatpurnagar panchayat, the doctors had to sterilise 300 women or risk losing the budget for the next year. The legal death— Targets are not allowed in India but these programmes have ELAs, basically an estimation of how many women need family planning assistance While the Centre’s policy uses the right language, there is no effort made to ensure than lower-level staff understand it   Can death be compensated— The Chhattisgarh government gave Rs.4 lakh each to the families of the dead women; those injured received Rs.50,000 each A fixed deposit of Rs.2 lakh was opened for children of the women who had died and the State government announced that it would “adopt” the children of all affected families. Reality—Neither of it has happened Fault: The surgical staff had used the same hand gloves, injections, syringes, sutures on all the 83 women, resulting in life-threatening infections The premises where the tubectomies were conducted had not been disinfected properly Gupta used only one laparoscope, without disinfecting it after each use   Reality of India’s family planning programme — History: Achieved notoriety during the Emergency years (1975-77) when a compulsory sterilisation programme to limit population growth was introduced by the Indira Gandhi government. On paper: The policy might have evolved but the programme still continues to be driven by targets, threats and coercion   Onus of family planning: It is on the woman, indicating the difference in numbers of female and male sterilization procedures performed Male sterilization: Medically and financially more viable Usually done through vasectomy, is reversible- The vas deferens is easily accessible under local anaesthesia as it rests just under the skin The procedure can be performed quickly and a man can walk away from the operation table While 0.2 percent of the hundred-odd men surveyed reported using condoms, none of them reported undergoing vasectomy; Not a single man, who was a part of the sample in the National Family Health Survey, had opted for vasectomy in 2015 Besides patriarchy, misconceptions around vasectomy including loss of sexual potency are to be largely blamed Five decades ago- Vasectomy was more prevalent; but today, as C-sections were fewer many women today who opt for C-section deliveries also opt to undergo tubectomy   Female sterilization: Data from the latest National Family Health Survey collected between February 23 and May 9, 2015 shows 53.7 percent of women surveyed, reported undergoing sterilization through tubectomy The procedure is irreversible as cut fallopian tubes cannot be reconnected The procedure carries some risk of injury to nearby organs like bowels and bladder. State offers men from BPL families Rs. 1,300 for undergoing vasectomy in a bid to make it attractive. While the number of men responding is visibly small, the incentive of Rs. 850 to a woman for tubectomy has large takers, lending credence to theories that sterilization in India is coercive   Step towards modernizing the system— Government is introducing injectable contraceptives free of charge in government facilities. The World Health Organization recommends their use without restriction for women of childbearing age For Indian women — often worn out, anaemic and at higher risk of death because they bear children young and often — urgently need methods to delay or space pregnancies Court forwarded the matter to India’s Drug Technical Advisory Board, which in 1995 allowed private use to continue but recommended against offering them in government clinics. The decision was not revisited for 20 years, even as use of the method became widespread in neighbouring Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Opponents contend that: Activist groups filed cases with the country’s Supreme Court seeking to ban the drugs, contending that they had not been proved safe and could be used coercively. India’s health infrastructure is too weak to regulate use of the drugs, monitor side effects or ensure that patients have given informed consent India’s government spends just over 1 percent of its gross domestic product on public health, compared with around 3 percent in Russia and China and 8 percent in the United States.   Easy-To-Use IUD Inserter It is more than 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. While IUDs have proven to be safe and effective immediately after childbirth, they can be complicated to insert Special training is required, as is careful sterilization, and some equipment may be unavailable in various places.   Connecting the Dots: Men do not take the responsibility of family planning even when it should be equally shared. Critically examine.   INTERNATIONAL   TOPIC:   General studies 2 India and its neighborhood- relations Bilateral, regional , global groupings and agreement involving India and affecting its interest Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.   Milestones on Beijing’s OBOR plan In tune with its economic rise, China has taken a conscious decision to cement its place as a “great power” on the global stage. Chinese aspirations have followed the careful crafting of a “grand strategy” designed to best ensure China’s peaceful rise. The core of this strategy is Eurasia and its instrumentality is the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative. With an economically dynamic China as its nucleus and in partnership with resource-rich Russia, China has decided to knit the rest of Eurasia with roads, railways, cyber-connected hubs, smart cities, and industrial parks. With the financial reins of the initiative firmly in grasp through the $40-billion Silk Road fund and the 57-nation Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), China has begun the journey to generate “new growth engines” along all the flanks of the new Silk Road.   Is it China which recognized Eurasia as the gateway to achieve global influence for the first time? The Chinese are not the first to recognize Eurasia as the gateway to achieve global influence. In his 1904 seminal article to the Royal Geographical Society titled “The geographical pivot of history”, Halford John Mackinder zeroed in on the area from the Volga to the Yangtze and from the Himalayas to the Arctic as the heartland of what he called the “World Island”. Those who ruled the heartland commanded the “World Island” comprising Asia, Europe and Africa.   Grand Strategy employed: Instead of pursuing the blood and iron path of former colonial powers, they are trying to achieve a great power status through a cooperative and collegiate approach by combining financial and economic heft with eastern soft power attributes. China will not play the bully. Rather, China will abide by the purposes and principles of the UN charter; and China will not engage in zero sum games. Rather it will pursue win-win cooperation with all the countries of the world.   Growing ties with Europe The OBOR initiative has provided China significant maneuvering space to spread throughout and shake up Europe’s post-war architecture premised on the U.S.-led Atlantic Alliance. The Chinese managed to draw Europe, which has been unable to extricate itself from the pitfalls of the 2008 financial crisis, into the OBOR paradigm through the formation of the AIIB. China’s growing ties with Europe, amplified by Beijing’s membership of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as “the highlight of Chinese diplomacy in 2015” as well as a symbol of an emerging multi-polar world.   Obstacles in Asia-Pacific: The crises in the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea, where the interests of China and the U.S. collide, are areas of a tense geopolitical tug of war in the Pacific. It is in the Asia-Pacific that China confronts the U.S., which is reinforcing six decades of “Pax Pacifica” through “Pivot to Asia” doctrine. South China Sea has become an open contest for the exercise of hegemony in the Asia-Pacific between the U.S. and China, a state of open war following a contest between an established and an emerging power.   Need of the hour: Peace treaty with Korean Peninsula to rope them in to OBOR initiative On the Korean Peninsula, the Chinese are unequivocal in advocating denuclearization, but also insist that Pyongyang’s nuclear disarmament must be tied up with the signing of a formal peace treaty between North and South Korea.  Can such denuclearization have positive outcomes for china and to the world? China fully backed Russia in disarming Syria of chemical weapons. This proved critical in averting a likely “regime change” in Damascus. The nuclear deal with Iran, in which both Russia and China played a major part, not only removed the chances of a military attack but also opened the door for Iran’s integration with the Eurasian core through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the OBOR initiative. Connecting the dots: One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative of China is more of Win-win game than zero-sum game. Comment   Related Articles:  Storm on the South China Sea Bringing India’s growth online   MUST READ   History in Havana- Barack Obama and Raul Castro end Cold War's last front Hindu Business Standard   Towards a law for Good Samaritans Hindu   Brazil In Deep Crisis- Impeachment motion against Dilma Rousseff is just one strand of the upheaval. Indian Express   Cigarettes aren’t India’s real tobacco problem- Most Indians who smoke, smoke a much cheaper, unfiltered product called a bidi: shredded tobacco wrapped in a ‘tendu,’ or ebony, leaf and tied with a string Live Mint   Pakistan’s paranoia over connectivity- If Pakistan persists in its obstructionist agenda, it would find itself marginalized in the larger South Asian dynamic Live Mint Related Articles: Pakistan has crippled SAARC: time to reassess   Towards a new order in Internet governance- After Edward Snowden’s revelations, a US-dominated system is unfeasible Live Mint Related Articles: The colonised Internet: Why the Internet isn’t just free yet?   MIND MAPS   1. Cash Starved - Urban & Rural Local Bodies  

Mar 25, 2016 AIR

All India Radio - Challenges in Eradicating TB

ARCHIVES   CHALLENGES IN ERADICATING TB   March 24th is celebrated as world tuberculosis day. With tuberculosis affecting significant amount (19 lakh patients per year, 3 lakh deaths) for Indian population it is a reminder on this day that tuberculosis is an ongoing fight that needs resolve and efforts to reduce and gradual elimination. The article highlights the challenges in eradicating TB from India. Recently health minister launched two vaccines known as Bed aquiline – new anti-TB drug for Drug Resistant TB as part of the RNTCP. The drug is a new anti-TB drug for treatment of MDR-TB. It will be extremely important for people who are currently undergoing last line of drugs. The minister also inducted over 500 Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) machines in the programme. The CBNAAT is a revolutionary rapid molecular test which detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin drug resistance, simultaneously. It is a remarkable jump in diagnostic technology. It is a highly sensitive diagnostic tool and can be used in remote and rural areas without sophisticated infrastructure or specialized training. Multi drug resistant tuberculosis is the most common TB found in India. It is the condition where first line of drugs used for treatment fails to respond. Inadequate prescription by doctors and inadequate follow up of proper prescription by patients is aggravating the problem. This issue can be solved by early pick of people having TB symptoms and put them on appropriate first line of drugs and there by eliminate it in first instance. It is unfortunate that national TB programme has failed in identifying the people who show early symptoms and inadequate follow up action post first line of treatment. This needs to improve. The role of private sector in minimising the incidents of TB is high. Strict guidelines need to be followed to report cases of TB to government and private hospitals needs to be penalised for failure to report early TB cases to government. All kinds of technology needs to be put in place to ensure easy access to diagnosis of TB, recent miss call initiative by health ministry that helps for early diagnosis of TB is a welcome step in this regard. There needs to be an awareness program that let people know as to what constitutes early symptoms of TB. Immediate measures should follow from then on for effective treatment of TB. Click here and search for Spotlight/ News Analysis on 21st march 2016.

Mar 24, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 24th March, 2016

Archives   IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 24th March, 2016   SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY TOPIC:   General Studies 1:Urbanization, their problems and their remedies. General Studies 2:Governance Issues General Studies 3:Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation   E-waste Management in India Industrial revolution followed by the advances in information technology during the last century has radically changed people's lifestyle. Although this development has helped the human race, mismanagement has led to new problems of contamination and pollution. With nearly 1.7 million tonnes of e-waste reportedly produced in India in 2014 and increasing annually at between four and five per cent, a variety of experts have warned of its dangers to the environment as well as health. This is because defunct laptops, phone and other electronic goods are usually broken down by hand for precious metals and hacked down manually or crudely burnt. The residue is frequently thrown in rivers, drains and/or disposed in solid waste dumps that over time can contribute to degraded land and water quality as well neurological and skin diseases, genetic defects and cancer in the workers who deal with them The technical prowess acquired during the last century has posed a new challenge in the management of wastes. Thus, proper management is necessary while disposing or recycling e­waste. Waste minimization in industries involves adopting: Inventory management: Proper control over the materials used in the manufacturing process is an important way to reduce waste generation (Freeman, 1989)- By reducing both The quantity of hazardous materials used in the process Amount of excess raw materials in stock Can be done in two ways- Establishing material-purchase review and control procedures Inventory tracking system (only the needed quantity of a material is ordered) Production-process modification: Changes to be made during the production process (more efficient use of input materials) Three-fold— Improved operating and maintenance procedures- by reviewing current operational procedures or lack of procedures and examination of the production process for ways to improve its efficiency Instituting standard operation procedures Strict maintenance program stressing on corrective maintenance Employee-training program (correct operating and handling procedures, proper equipment use, recommended maintenance and inspection schedules, correct process control specifications and proper management of waste materials) Material change- minor process adjustments or extensive new process equipment Process-equipment modification: To take advantage of better production techniques To process materials more efficiently producing less waste Reduces the number of rejected or off-specification products Volume reduction: techniques that remove the hazardous portion of a waste from a non-hazardous portion Categories: Source segregation and Waste concentration Recovery and reuse: Could eliminate waste disposal costs, reduce raw material costs and provide income from a saleable waste Waste recovery: on-site, or at an off-site recovery facility, or through inter industry exchange   India: Manufacturers to set up collection centres for e-waste Manufacturers of electrical and electronic items will have to Set up "collection centres" to take back the e-waste generated through their products Ensure that the e-waste, including hazardous electronic parts, thus collected is properly recycled E-waste management rules (2011) Had bound manufacturers by extended producer responsibility (EPR) to channelize the hazardous e-waste to registered recyclers Issue: Lack of clarity on who was responsible for collecting such waste led to loose implementation of EPR rules Steps taken: The new rules have plugged a number of loopholes by addressing the specific responsibilities of various stakeholders. But, implementation will be the key. Separate authorisation letters from the respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), which were necessary for setting up such collection centres earlier; have now been done away with The complicated process, which had been cited by manufacturers as an excuse for low compliance, has now given way to a collection mechanism that also allows buying back waste from consumers Various producers can have a separate Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) and ensure collection of e-waste as well as its disposal in an environmentally sound manner. Manufacturers have also been asked to submit detailed EPR plans whereby 30 per cent of the waste generated by them has to be collected back during the first two years, followed by 40 per cent in the third and fourth years and so on, to 70 per cent during the seventh year onwards. A provision of penalty for violation of rules has been introduced and states have also been brought into the picture with the rules authorising industry departments to ensure space is allocated for recycling plants. State labour departments have been asked to register workers involved in dismantling and recycling at such facilities, to ensure the safety of these workers by monitoring their health. CFL and other mercury lamps have been brought within the ambit of the e-waste management rules 2016, a “Deposit Refund Scheme” has been introduced under which the producer of any computer, mobile phone or other electronic product will have to persuade consumers to return the products after usage for a small sum (The 2016 rules are in supersession of the e-waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011) IASbaba’s Views: Government— Governments should set up regulatory agencies in each district, which are vested with the responsibility of co-ordinating and consolidating the regulatory functions of the various government authorities regarding hazardous substances Governments must encourage research into the development and standard of hazardous waste management, environmental monitoring and the regulation of hazardous waste-disposal. Governments should enforce strict regulations and heavy fines levied on industries, which do not practice waste prevention and recovery in the production facilities. Polluter pays principle and extended producer responsibility should be adopted. Governments should encourage and support NGOs and other organizations to involve actively in solving the nation's e-waste problems. Industries: Generators of wastes should take responsibility to determine the output characteristics of wastes and if hazardous, should provide management options. All personnel involved in handling e-waste in industries including those at the policy, management, control and operational levels, should be properly qualified and trained. Companies can and should adopt waste minimization techniques ("reverse production" system) that designs infrastructure to recover and reuse every material contained within e-wastes metals Citizens: While buying electronic products opt for those that: are made with fewer toxic constituents use recycled content and are energy efficient are designed for easy upgrading or disassembly utilize minimal packaging and offer leasing or take back options have been certified by regulatory authorities Customers should opt for upgrading their computers or other electronic items to the  latest versions rather than buying new equipment. Connecting the Dots: Is India a signatory to the Basel Convention? What are the fundamental aims of the Basel Convention and in light of the recent spell of ‘climate change’, how can developed countries be torchbearers of good e-waste management skills? It is imperative that developing countries and India in particular wake up to the monopoly of the developed countries and set up appropriate management measures to prevent the hazards and mishaps due to mismanagement of e-wastes. Critically examine   INTERNATIONAL TOPIC:   General studies 2 Bilateral, regional , global groupings and agreement involving India and affecting its interest 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   Building new alliances with BRICS Background: India’s assumption of the presidency of BRICS (the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa grouping) recently comes at a time when many are questioning the group’s existence. The economic health of the group is patchy and the contemporary political trajectories of its members are, to put it mildly, pulling in different directions. At this juncture there is a need for India to take a long view on the purpose of BRICS and the space it creates for India within the contemporary international order.   BRICS: BRICS is the acronym for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The grouping was originally known as "BRIC" before the inclusion of South Africa in 2011 The BRICS members are all developing or newly industrialised countries, but they are distinguished by their large, fast-growing economies and significant influence on regional and global affairs; all five are G-20 members The five nations have a combined nominal GDPof US$16.039 trillion, equivalent to approximately 20% of the gross world product, and an estimated US$4 trillion in combined foreign reserves Bilateral relations among BRICS nations have mainly been conducted on the basis of non-interference, equality, and mutual benefit    Significance and Relevance of BRICS: The main reason for co-operation to start among the BRICs nation was the financial crises of 2008. The crises raised scepticism on the dollar-dominated monetary system. Already United States involvement in protracted wars in Afghanistan and Iraq was being questioned. The 2008 financial crises further challenged the legitimacy of US/western dominated Bretton Woods institutions (World Bank & IMF) The United States was squarely blamed for the crises. The loose monetary policy followed by then Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and the irresponsible lending practices coupled with lack of regulation was seen as root cause of the crises While the United States and European economies suffered in wake of the financial crises, the BRICS economies showed resilience to a certain extent. BRICS saw this as an opportune moment to correct imbalances in the global economic governance as result of which the Bretton Woods institutions remained dominated by the US and Western Europe. More importantly, the BRICs managed to push for institutional reform which led to International Monetary Fund (IMF) quota reform in 2010. Thus the financial crises had momentarily reduced western legitimacy and briefly let the BRICs countries become “agenda setters” in multilateral institutions The BRICs called for the reform of multilateral institutions in order that they reflect the structural changes in the world economy and the increasingly central role that emerging markets now play. BRICS continues to be a relevant group in its own right. It remains a coalition of emerging economies that will challenge western dominated discourses in some forums and hence provide an alternative idea of global governance. BRIC economies will surpass the G-6 economies (the United States, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, France and Italy) by 2050 in US dollar terms. Therefore, originally the BRICs were meant to be a purely economic category bounded by the strength of their fast-paced economic growth. It was never thought to be a political category. India’s role as a leader in BRICS: BRICS is not a trading bloc or an economic union nor is it a political coalition — given the divergent geopolitical trajectories of each country. Brazil, India and South Africa broadly orient themselves towards the liberal end of the political spectrum. China pursues a trajectory that will, sooner than later, put it on a collision course with the U.S., even as it leverages the Atlantic economies in the medium term for its economic growth. Russia has once again begun to be perceived by NATO as an all-out threat, and not just a “frenemy”. From an Indian perspective, BRICS is a strategic geo-economic alliance that seeks to move the narrative emerging from the Bretton Woods institutions towards alternative models of development and governance — through the sheer weight of the incongruent collective. BRICS should be an integral part of India’s grand strategy, and a vehicle in India’s journey from being a norm taker to a norm shaper. The bloc offers India greater bargaining space as India seeks to gain more prominence in institutions of global governance, and shape them in the liberal international tradition with a southern ethos. For instance, India trades more with the global South than the global North. It is the only member of BRICS that is likely to foster an open and rule-based economic architecture with the global South. It is uniquely poised to do so, thanks to New Delhi’s leadership role among the G77 and G33 groupings at the World Trade Organization and the UN BRICS gives India the room to continue being an important player in the liberal international order while being part of a group which, for the old guard, could potentially emerge as the single most important reason for its dramatic reform. As with the AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank), India should not hesitate to join or create other BRICS initiatives that may have strategic implications for global trade, finance, cyberspace, and the larger economic system. Indeed, the U.S. and other European powers should encourage it.   Internal contradiction and competition: Firstly, all these countries aspire to be regional powers and hence at some point will compete with each other. Secondly, they have different political systems with Brazil, India and South Africa being democracies while Russia and China having authoritarian characteristics. Thirdly, Brazil and Russia are commodity exporting countries and thus benefit from high commodity prices while India and China are commodity importers that benefit from low commodity prices. Fourthly, China and India have outstanding territorial issues to resolve and India looks suspicious to any institution that has Chinese domination. Similarly, Russia looks suspiciously at China’s interest in its sparsely populated far eastern of Siberia. Lastly, China economically dominates the BRICS and majority BRICS trade is concentrated with China. Therefore China gives economic muscle and bargaining power to BRICS. However, China has is deeply connected with United States economically as Chinese prosperity is tied to US (and European economic growth), hence that limits its capability to challenge the status quo. Therefore, competition will exist among the member states of this grouping.   Factors that will bolster co-operation among BRICS members: Firstly, the common need among developing countries to construct economic order that reflects current situation will drive the BRICS on for conjuring up their efforts towards global economic governance. In this matter, the idea of development bank and CRA are defining and will have a huge geo-economic and geopolitical impact. (Note: BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) is a framework for the provision of support through liquidity and precautionary instruments in response to actual or potential short-term balance of payments pressures) Secondly, the BRICS alternative idea in the landscape of global governance will attract support from other countries. Thirdly, the expansion of BRICS interaction to other sector will make it more strong partnership. Fourthly, the common interest for economic growth will drive co-operation among BRICS countries. Lastly, Chinese support to BRICS will make sure that group remains a force to reckon with in the future. Therefore BRICS is likely to remain an effective multilateral forum in a multi-polar international order.   Way ahead: BRICS should be an integral part of India’s grand strategy, and a vehicle in India’s journey from being a norm taker to a norm shaper. The bloc offers India greater bargaining space as India seeks to gain more prominence in institutions of global governance, and shape them in the liberal international tradition with a southern ethos. Atlantic powers need to recognize that India’s role within BRICS is a bulwark against such impulses, and encourage its leadership in similar plurilateral forums. Connecting the dots: Is BRICS an effective Multilateral Forum in a Multi-polar International Order?   MUST READ When the state becomes the nation Hindu   The message in the Brussels attack Hindu   One nation, one culture- To become a nation, you don’t need one language or one religion. You need a shared value system. Is this a dangerous notion? Indian Express   When nature strikes- Disaster-conscious planning as part of the urban agenda is helping India better prepare for natural calamities Indian Express   National TB programme: New medicine to help drug-resistant patients- Bedaquiline, which is a drug for Multi-Drug Resistant TB, is being introduced at six identified tertiary care centres across India. Indian Express   India in final stage of talks with UAE for strategic crude oil storage tie-up- Around two-thirds of the storage will be available to India for free for strategic use Business Standard MIND MAPS   1. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

Mar 24, 2016 RSTV Video

The Big Picture - Will Reservation in Private Sector Stem Naxalism?

ArchivesThe Big Picture - Will Reservation in Private Sector Stem Naxalism?The issue of reservation is debated more oftenly in this country. The reservation in jobs for SC, ST, & OBC has come through constitutional amendments. However since independence in one form or the other the issue of providing reservation in private sector has been in news. With minister in the present government pressing for private sector reservation, the issue is back to haunt us. The article deals with the issues regarding private sector reservation.The policy focus of the government should be on increasing the employability growth rate along with its output and GDP growth rate. There needs to have an industrial policy that focuses on growth of jobs in general. This needs to be supplemented by ensuring quality education and increasing the employability factor through various skill development programs for all marginalised sections of the society.Marginalised groups (SC ST and OBC) who are major receivers of government funded public education; quality of such education is a big question mark. Government needs to invest in ensuring quality public education to these marginalised groups so that there employability factor is improved in par with other well off communities.Privatisation and disinvestment in public sectors are taking away major chunk of jobs; government needs to search for alternative avenues to compensate for such job loss. In this context it is necessary for government to take affirmative action in the spirit of constitution. Perhaps a sound industrial policy for private sector that focuses on job growth can be incorporated.Over time the size of the state needs to increase as the size of its population grows. Expanding the state capacity to deliver services will necessarily improve the onslaught of marginalised sections into public sector jobs. This will improve the situation.With recent schemes of government like Stand up India, MUDRA, MSME procurement of products/inputs from marginalised communities, improving capital accessibility to weaker communities by diluting collateral requirements etc are few innovative steps in this regard in bringing marginalised communities in to entrepreneurial domain.The issue of Naxalism and private sector is a misnomer. As pointed out by various reports naxalism is the result of state deprivation that not just involves jobs but issues like development, injustice, exploitation, lack of infrastructure etc. However the issue needs to be dealt in a sensible way so as to address all the outstanding issues associated with Naxalism.Finally government needs to think of out of box solutions (Skilling, encouraging entrepreneurship) to address issues relating to youth and marginalised groups. With India being the youngest country in the world, the onus on government in ensuring justice to all sections is huge. Youth and its nexus with extremism also cannot be ignored. Government needs to take sensible steps in this regard so that potential of our demographic dividend can be used to create a miracle and not disaster!

Mar 23, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 23rd March, 2016

ArchivesIASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 23rd March, 2016SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYTOPIC:  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.  Awareness in the fields of IT, ComputersThe colonised Internet: Why the Internet isn’t just free yet?ICANN: Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers; U.S.-based body that runs the Internet’s central directory and coordinates its key technical functionsIssue: ICANN’s oversight moving from the U.S. government to a multi-stakeholder groupMulti-stakeholder group: elects ICANN’s board of directors, transforming ICANN into an independent organisation, with no external oversight Consists of some sub-groups each with different technical governance roles, and different kinds of openness to non-members (strong in-group culture and ideology, and various kinds of meritocracies) Dominated by the industry, which can pay for participants of ‘high quality’, with staying power (for the endless email discussions that could culminate in ‘decisions’), and who are well-versed in the U.S. corporate lingo (ICANN’s board- real decision-making body)An important step towards making ICANN a genuinely global organisation?Steps to understand the implications: what changes, what does not change, and what may even change for the worseWhat happens if the proposal is accepted by the U.S. government—Present-day ICANN: A contractor carrying out some tasks, of which the substantive authority vests with the U.S. governmentThe U.S. government will now be divested of this authority, and ICANN will become an independent body in managing its domain names-related policy work, and the Internet’s root zone file, containing information about Internet names and numbers, addresses, which are copied and replicated by other servers the world overWhat doesn’t change-Problem that non-U.S. actors have with the U.S. control over ICANN: is that it can unilaterally interfere with the ICANN’s policy process, and the Internet’s root server (containing the authoritative root zone file)Post transition-it will no longer be able to do so with a direct fiat to ICANNJudicial, executive and legislative powers held by the U.S. government over ICANN as an American organisation: Remain unchangedThe exceptional situations: The U.S. President has various kinds of emergency powers regarding key infrastructure, which is likely to extend to ICANN and the root server Office of Foreign Assets Control-has seized foreign assets in the U.S. on the flimsiest of geopolitical grounds; a country’s domain name, like .in, in the root server can be considered as its asset inside the U.S Federal Communications Commission: Might at will seek jurisdiction over ICANN-managed critical Internet resources (declared Internet service as a public utility) S. legislature can make any kind of law affecting any aspect of ICANN and the root server Judiciary: A few adult content companies have legally challenged the ICANN-mandated .xxx domain name. A U.S. court has taken the case on file, thus exercising its jurisdiction over an ICANN policy decision. If the court strikes down this decision, it will immediately unravel ICANN’s pretensions of global legitimacy. With the new round of generic top level domains (gTLDs) whereby every big company is encouraged to get its own domain name, like .abcd, it is only a matter of time before a U.S. court comes up with such a decision. Say, a U.S. pharmaceutical company claims in a U.S. court that an Indian generic drug manufacturer is infringing its patents globally, and therefore its assets, including its gTLD, in the U.S., must be seized. The U.S. court, if it agrees, can direct both ICANN to suspend the domain name and the root server operator to delete it from the root file.Jurisdiction issue The second phase of the group that developed its proposal have been looking into this issue (main issue to be resolved for any real change and progress) The U.S. government and the board repeatedly put up redlines whenever there were structural proposals that could ensure a greater latitude within the system to embrace change (‘community’ being eager to keep the U.S. government pleased) Not a democratic way of decision-making but ‘community’ remains most interested to have power fully transferred to itself This might lead to a situation wherein ICANN’s oversight will shift to a group that has a narrow base and thus, the concerned industry’s narrow interests will entirely take over, with no restraints.IASbaba’s Views: There is a strong need to get ICANN incorporated under international law, with host country immunities for an international organisation Though ICANN is choosing to be highly accommodative, but with an independent status finally settled, it is likely to get much more unabashed in its narrow self-interest-based and commercial pursuits, disregarding global public interest. Therefore, there is also a need to come under international jurisdiction with a well-formulated external oversightConnecting the Dots: Do citizens have rights with respect to digital space? If yes, enumerate them.INTERNATIONALTOPIC:   General studies 2 India and its neighborhood- relations Bilateral, regional , global groupings and agreement involving India and affecting its interest 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.Pakistan has crippled SAARC: time to reassessBackground: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and geopolitical organization of eight countries that are primarily located in South Asia or the Indian subcontinent. The SAARC Secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal. SAARC nations comprise 3% of the world's area and contain 21% (around 1.7 billion) of the world's total population and around 9.12% of the global economy as of 2015. An idea for such a grouping was first mooted by former Bangladeshi president Ziaur Rahman in 1980. The first Saarc summit was held in 1985 with seven heads of states (of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives) in attendance. Afghanistan was inducted as the eighth full member in 2007. The 18th SAARC Summit was held in Kathmandu from 26–27 November 2014. The next summit (2016) will be held in Islamabad (Pakistan) SAARC’S Aim: To promote welfare economics, collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia, and to accelerate socio-cultural development in the region. SAARC’S  Stats: Region accounts for 2% of world trade and 1.7% of world FDI (foreign direct investment). Intra-regional trade is less than 6% of our global trade and intra-regional FDI accounts for only 3% of total FDI inflows In contrast, the share of intra-regional trade for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)—to which SAARC is often compared—is close to 25%. Intra-regional FDI accounts for 18% of the net FDI inflows in the ASEAN region. India’s recent initiatives to revive vitality: India occupies a unique position in the South Asian region. By the virtue of its size, location and economic potential, India assumes a natural leadership role in the region. SAARC satellite that will have applications in areas such as health, education, disaster response, weather forecasting and communications. SAARC-wide knowledge network to connect students and academic communities, and a Saarc annual disaster management exercise. The cumulative impact of these developments would resuscitate the SAARC back into action and vitality. Why there is not much of progress in spite of such initiatives? Reason for the lack of progress is that Pakistan pursuing its bilateral goals vis-à-vis India has become an obstacle in the path of greater connectivity and interdependence, preventing from attaining its full potential. Despite the signing of a South Asian Free Trade Agreement in 2004 and the SAARC Agreement on Trade in Services in 2010, there is incomplete implementation of the same. Are Inner currents between India and Pakistan affecting SAARC progress? At the Kathmandu summit in November 2014, Pakistan’s delegation scuttled the SAARC Motor Vehicles Agreement and the Saarc Regional Railways Agreement. Following this, India pitched in and took the lead by getting the motor vehicles agreement signed in June 2015 under a sub-regional framework, BBIN, involving the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal The red line for Pakistan—Rawalpindi in particular—has been the connectivity between India and Afghanistan. India has no direct connectivity to Afghanistan due to the illegal occupation of a portion of Kashmir by Pakistan. Given Pakistan’s refusal to provide an overland transit route despite repeated exhortations from both India and Afghanistan, Indian goods access the land-locked country though Iran. Recent investment by China as much as $46 billion in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Pakistan is unlikely to recognize the necessity of establishing connectivity with the rest of the Indian subcontinent Upon that Pakistan believes SAARC will always be dominated by India; it has hence also pushed for China’s entry as a full member into the grouping. Thus SAARC is bound to remain a perpetual victim of inner currents between India and Pakistan. BBIN-MVA: Pushing Regional Integration through Sub-regional Cooperation In a major bid to strengthen sub-regional cooperation, four SAARC permanent members – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) – signed the historic Motor Vehicle Agreement (BBIN-MVA) in Bhutan for the ‘Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic’ amongst them. The main objective of the agreement is to provide seamless people-to-people contact and enhance economic interaction by facilitating cross border movement of people and goods. Way ahead: It will be wise of other nations to go ahead with securing connectivity projects without waiting for Pakistan to become active any further such as BBIN-MVA. India’s initiative on BBIN is a step in the right direction. A patchwork of bilateral free trade agreements, connectivity projects and sub-regional agreements such as the one secured by BBIN is the way to go forward. India and Pakistan need to compartmentalize the differences and move forward on common ground to make cooperation a success.Connecting the dots: Should India continue to invest in SAARC given Pakistan’s attempts to scupper it? Discuss. MUST READLPG for every Indian householdHindu A pivotal shift to CubaHinduBhagat Singh’s Nationalism- It was very different from the version that prevails on his 85th death anniversaryIndian ExpressHinduWise counsel needed in UttarakhandHindu Automating the ration shops- Only Chhattisgarh and Odisha have shown extraordinary success in making public distribution system work efficiently and equitablyLive Mint MIND MAPS1. Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan: Technology in Agriculture