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TLP Mains Answer Writing

SYNOPSIS [16th August,2021] Day 156: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE SYNOPSIS [16th August,2021] Day 156: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)   1. How are global IT giants like Google and Facebook affecting the lives of common Indians? Illustrate.   Approach  Introduce with what has been the penetration level of these sites in life of an Indian with contextualising the demand of question.In next part mention the positive benefits these tech companies have brought in India and balance it with the counter view on how it has also deteriorated the conditions in some aspects.In conclusion write what steps the government and tech giants needs to take for better public confidence in these technologies. Introduction: There has been a phenomenal increase in the use of online social media (OSM) services in India, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.These services and the tech giants which control them have affected Indians in every domain from messaging, thinking, employment, marriages, women empowerment to issues such as cybercrime, fake news, political influence.Therefore in past decade the social media had has a prominent effect on lives of Indians. Body Giving expression to one’s thought – There was a time when one had to submit his/her article and, if lucky, wait for Sunday edition of newspapers to print it. Now anyone can anytime express his/her view online. Common man can become director, actor and producer of online programs on platforms like YouTube.  Connecting with people – for cultural, economic, political reason has become easy. Networking has helped common people in seeking jobs, advertisement etc. Tools like Google translator has helped in increasing interaction among people.It has also hepled guides in tourism sector to better serve their customers. Gender sensitization through online movements and campaigns like #Metoo movement, “Beti Bacao, Beti Padhao” Andolan. These movements have led to empowerment among girls and women to raise their voice against injustice and seek remedies for the wrong done. E-learning is revolutionising education sector. Students can self-learn from the online platforms. The platforms such as SWAYAM and JIGYASA helped many students to learn in lockdowns. E-commerce – has increased choices of goods and services for common man.This has connected the retailer to the end consumer thus benefiting consumer in terms of prices and retailers in increasing their customers base.Further in pandemic the online e-commerce hired 1 lakh new employees which was helpful in times of high unemployment. E- governance – has been made possible due to easy access of internet, facilitated by some IT giants. The National e governance plan and later the rechristened e Kranti mission has made digitisation as part of every Indian with services such a aadhar, pancard, driving licenses, crop loans being provided online. Local language content : social media has given a forum for local languages to proliferate in literature, movies, arts and education.The innovation in language interfaces by facebook and google has brought local languages in mainstream. Crises management : In the times of crises social media has been useful to gather help and formulate a streamlined response.It has been used for crowdfunding at times of floods, to notify safety to relatives, to relay information regarding needs after disaster and to voice angst against government for delayed response. For example: Covid 19 has brought importance of  social media in prominence with use in disseminating message of social distancing, educating about the virus and removing vaccine hesitancy. However, there have been many negative impacts as well –  Privacy of people is constantly under threat. It was alleged in Cambridge Analytica case that data of common people were collected from Facebook – a social media platform, to do ‘election engineering’. This could affect the democratic system at large. There is a constant threat of malware attack and damage to the devices.There have been attacks on Canara bank and SBI cards in past were the customers were defrauded.This causes hesitancy in citizens to use digital banking and other digital services. Fake news emanating from IT giants platforms has affected the moral compass of common man. It also leans to illegal and immoral activities like mob lynching.Further in times of covid 19 fake news related to vaccines has led to vaccine hesitancy which has wide repercussions for people at large. Cyber bullying and trolling has affected many especially women. The cases where recently many women’s particularly from minorities were abused and trolled with the anonymity is hazardous for women as individually on psychological level and morally as a nation. Internet addiction, game addiction etc had caused damage among young generation. Certain online game like ‘Blue Whale’ has caused death of youths.  Tendency of Individualism, isolation, depression etc are increasing. The reduced social interaction can affect the social capital at large. Conclusion Need of the hour is create awareness among masses to use these platforms wisely to tap maximum benefits from them. Self-regulations from the side of IT Giants to detect and remove fake news to content that may cause violence must be taken up. Platform like Facebook and WhatsApp has taken steps in this direction, but more pro-action steps are requires to serve the interest of common man.The new IT guidelines with the focus of tech giants on curbing fake news will both be beneficial for a digitally empowered citizenry .Further the quick implementation of the Data protection law in India and localisation of data is necessary for ensuring privacy. 2. Examine the significance of sports as a soft power. What steps are required to be taken to make India a sporting superpower?   Approach  Introduce on how sports can be an effective medium of diplomacy.In next part write how it has been a medium in past history with various examples.In next part mention what are the steps needed to make India a sports powerhouse.In conclusion write why its important for India to be a superpower in sports. Introduction  Sport is a universal phenomenon, transcending linguistic, national, and cultural boundaries. As such, it can facilitate communication across cultures. At its best, sports diplomacy harnesses this aspect of sport for a variety of diplomatic ends: women’s empowerment, intercultural understanding, non-violence education, and more.Many nations have used Sports to pursue their goals such as USA and USSR at the height of cold war, China during 2008 Beijing Olympics. Body  Significance of sports as soft power Highlight National achievement : The olympics at Beijing in 2008 highlighted how China has emerged from a third world country to a country which is more assertive and confident.Similarly the way Qatar is preparing itself to host the FIFA World Cup of 2022 shows the prestige of games to display a country’s power. Spread of values : The sports men with their own conduct and the host country with its hospitality enhances the interests in other people towards a nation.The American values of individualism ,equality and egalitarianism are displayed when their athletes from LGBT community wins medal with applause and acceptance from the nation and world. Display of power : The tremendous efforts required to host an international games highlights the power commanded by a nation, Similarly the number of medals won by a nation highlights the progress made by the nation . Reduces violence and promotes bonhomie : Athletes have ever been used as source of diplomacy between two warring nations before actual government to government relations pickup.For example Cricket has played a role of bringing India – Pakistan together to build people to people relations and also bring leaders together. Food and culture : The food habits and customs of nations gets exchanged in sports which leads to spread of cohesiveness.The olympics of Australia and Las Vegas brought the food habits from these countries to other nations. Relative competence: It creates a health competition among the nations. Therefore the nations such as Russia, USA, Britain, Japan China who have projected sports as soft power tool to persuade other nations of its dominance have commanded global respect and influence.This makes sports an important aspect to focus for India to project it as soft power. Steps to make India Sporting Superpower: Investment in infrastructure at grassroots level :The budding sportspersons in our country do not have access to the best infrastructure. To be able to compete at the top level, we need to have more stadiums and basic infrastructure. For instance, the introduction of astroturf, a more advanced, expensive outfield, inflicted a death blow on Indian hockey players who dominated every Olympics in hockey till then. This is because due to the lack of basic infrastructure, Indian hockey fields could not replicate it. Budding sportswomen and men should have access to equipment. For example, professional robots can help master the skills in table tennis. At the same time, the available infrastructure is mismanaged and not marketed properly. Look at the Commonwealth games stadium near Akshardham which is lying vacant for most part of the year. Commercialisation :There is a serious setback in the country when it comes to commercialising sports. We can take inspiration from how Reliance is commercialising football, by launching Indian Sports League and bringing top companies and great players together to create interest in the sport, like , Roberto Carlos, Nicolas Anelka, Elano Blumer and Marco Materazzi. Mahesh Bhupati’s ITPL immensely boosted tennis with players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Maria Sharapova playing for Indian Tennis League, and in 2017, U-17 FIFA Football World Cup is expected to boost the market significantly with its extensive international media coverage. Inducting players in governing bodies : We need to ensure that only former players enter sports governing bodies, as they have a clear idea of the problems faced by players and know the best ways to solve them. Additionally, we need good administrators to market and manage sports. Let us take cognisance of how Anil Kumble changed the scene of Karnataka cricket by introducing young faces into the team and providing budding fast bowlers Like Vinay Kumar, S. Arvind to the Indian cricket team. Taking care of players after retirement :Sportsmen have a very short shelf life. Once they retire, many of them struggle even for basic survival. We must think of a pension system to support the players who have played at a certain level. We also need to create enough avenues where they can share their skills and earn a livelihood. In their retired life, players can become great coaches for future legends and help bring out their talent. An academy must be created to train former players into coaches. We already see the former players like badminton maverick Prakash Padukone doing an excellent job of training potential sportstars. Curriculum : Additionally, sports must be included in mainstream curriculum and given its due importance.Teach sports at schools and universities level to make study understand importance of sports. Develop a sports culture : India seriously lacks a sports culture. We, as a country, have never valued sports in the same light as academics. In the face of exams, we stop practice sessions. While parents are not to be blamed for this, there is a vicious circle around us, which we must shatter for good. We need to develop a sports culture in our ecosystem that will produce more internationally respected stars like Usain Bolt, Micheal Phelps, and Rafael Nadal. Decentralise the Sports Authority of India : The over centralisation in competition and recruitment have led to corruption and favouritism.This structure needs to be remodelled  for effective outcome. Make authorities accountable: There should not be permanent heads and non players who head the sports bodies.Its time to recruit professionals at each level and create a structure of accountability to ensure success is being measured and rewarded  Recently government of India has taken various steps such as to setup sports universities, launching of Khelo India program and olympic podium schemes to better serve the athletes. Conclusion India’s performance at recent olympics although historical in the metrics of medals won but still falters to the potential which a country of billion citizen possess.Further it reflects how India lacks sports as a soft power in its diplomatic basket.Therefore to pursue foreign diplomacy, display nations might and attain a status of superpower in sports India needs to invest more in its athletes, infrastructure and overall governance concerning the sports in India. 3. The PM Ujjwala Yojana lays the basis for a fundamental material transformation at the bottom of the pyramid. Elucidate.  Approach  Introduce with what is PM Ujjwala yojna and mention its recent revamp.In next part write how it has transformed the bottom pyramid which includes children, women, SC,ST, etc.In next part write some of the issues which it is facing with a way forward for effective implementation. Introduction  The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a government scheme launched in 2016 by government India. The scheme originally envisaged the distribution of 50 million LPG connections to women below the poverty line.This was done to bring effective change directly at the bottom of pyramid trough direct intervention.This scheme has been further expanded to attain the target of 80 million connections. Body  PM Ujjwala and the transformation of bottom of pyramid: Its implementation has resulted in significant increase in national LPG coverage, in general and Eastern States, in particular.This has reduced the harmful inhalation of toxic gases to  poor population, especially to the children and women’s of the household. The scheme has resulted in mass coverage of rural poor households and 48% of the beneficiaries are SC/STs.This has ensured that the hitherto deprived population who were out of the coverage are no longer deprived of the modern technologies which most of the elites have adopted decades back. Those beneficiaries, who could not afford to make upfront payment under this scheme for purchase of gas stove and refilling of cylinder, were provided loan facility by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).Thus the handholding of the citizens is done to bring them into the mainstream. It is significant to mention that under the PMUY, the average per capita consumption is 3.28. This should be seen as a positive change in the lives of these households which were long dependent on the traditional cooking fuels and methods. LPG Panchayats were formed to promote learning through peer group interaction - Kuch Seekhein, Kuch Sikhayein, where apart from experience sharing, it also aims at safe and sustained usage of LPG.This has increased the participation of the women’s in panchayats and created the sense of self governance in villages. PMUY implementation has been appreciated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and termed it as a decisive intervention to check the indoor health pollution being faced by the women of the country. It has provided employment to rural population especially the most deprived trough setting up new distribution agencies,this has increased the overall consumption expenditure of rural population. It has improved the health of vast population and also elongated the life expectancy as per the WHO surveys. It has created a sense of empowerment in women’s and SC/ST with entitlements being in their name.They have gained confidence in public life.Further it have increased government  to public relations ,which will serve to reduce alienation in poor population. Challenges the PM Ujjwala Yojna is facing : Low Consumption of Refills: :Encouraging the sustained usage of LPG remains a big challenge, and low consumption of refills hindered recovery of outstanding loans disbursed under the scheme.The annual average refill consumption on 31th December 2018 was only 3.21. System Anomalies: There are deficiencies such as the issuance of connections to unintended beneficiaries, and problems with the software of the state-run oil marketing companies for identifying intended beneficiaries and inadequacies in the deduplication process. Way forward  The scheme should be extended to poor households in urban and semi-urban slum areas. There is a need for achieving a higher LPG coverage of the population by providing connections to households that do not have LPG. Entering Aadhaar numbers of all adult family members of existing as well as new beneficiaries to make deduplication effective and appropriate measures in distributors’ software to restrict issuance to ineligible beneficiaries. TLP Synopsis Day 156 PDF

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 16th August 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Hydrogen Blending with Natural Gas Part of: GS Prelims and GS- III -   In news National Thermal Power Corporation Pvt. Ltd. has invited a global ‘expression of interest’ to set up a pilot project on hydrogen blending with natural gas. NTPC Ltd. Is India’s largest power producer and a central PSU under the Ministry of Power. This pilot will be the first of its kind in India and would explore the viability of decarbonising India’s natural gas grid. It would be later taken up at a commercial scale across India. What is Hydrogen Blending? Hydrogen energy is a viable solution for reducing society’s dependence on fossil fuels and decarbonizing a number of energy sectors.  One of the measure to phase hydrogen into the energy sector is though natural gas/hydrogen (NG/H2) blending.  As the name would suggest, NG/H2 blending integrates concentrations of hydrogen into existing natural gas pipelines in order to reduce the carbon intensity of the methane.  This blending carries the hydrogen and natural gas mix to the intended location. The blending of natural gas and hydrogen is currently in its early stages of development.  What is Green Hydrogen? The sources and processes by which hydrogen is derived, are categorised by colour tabs.  Hydrogen produced from fossil fuels is called grey hydrogen; this constitutes the bulk of the hydrogen produced today.  Hydrogen generated from fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage options is called blue hydrogen;  Hydrogen generated entirely from renewable power sources is called green hydrogen. Electricity generated from renewable energy is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. News Source: TH PM Gati Shakti Master Plan Part of: GS Prelims and GS - II - Policies and Interventions In news On India’s 75th Independence Day, the Prime Minister announced that the Centre will launch ‘PM Gati Shakti Master Plan’. He also set a target of making India energy independent by 2047 by replace petroleum with other forms of energy and announced a National Hydrogen Mission, noting the country spends Rs 12 trillion on energy imports every year. What is Gati Shakti Master Plan? It is a Rs. 100 lakh-crore project for developing ‘holistic infrastructure’. The plan is aimed at easier interconnectivity between road, rail, air and waterways to reduce travel time and improve industrial productivity. The push for infrastructure is in line with the government’s efforts to step up capital expenditure in infrastructure to promote economic growth. What are the focus areas of the project? The project will be a source of employment opportunities for the youth in future. Infrastructure development has the ability to create a multiplier effect with every rupee invested, yielding much higher returns. It will help raise the global profile of local manufacturers and help them compete with their counterparts worldwide.  It also raises possibilities of new future economic zones. It is also help to increase both manufacturing and exports.  News Source: IE ‘Karez’ system of irrigation Part of: Prelims and GS - III - Methods of agriculture In news Karez, being one of the types of water management and irrigation systems in Afghanistan, is under threat under the resurgent Taliban rule. What is a Qanat / Karez? This system of underground vertical shafts in a gently sloping tunnel is built from an upland aquifer to ground level. They are energy efficient and green since they use the force of gravity rather than any machines running on fuel. It has its origins in Persia and later spread to Arab and Turkic lands.  The entire system is a planning and execution of the forces of a watershed.  The wastewater is never mixed with drinking water.  Water in them does not evaporate and is also filtered till it comes to the surface.  There is no depletion of the aquifer since excessive use is impossible.  Its maintenance is also low-cost. The first Karez system in India was built in the city of Bidar of Karnataka during the reign of Bahamani Sultan Ahmad Shah Wali (1422-1436), who shifted the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar. News Source: DTE Afghanistan & Threat to Karez Afghanistan, a semi-arid country, is losing its northern and central mountain glaciers due to climate change. These glaciers provide meltwater to people, especially in rural areas through Surface water or canals, underground water or borewells and Qanat / Karez. The Karez system has the potential to solve problems of water in Southern and southwestern regions of Afghanistan as there is no other water source.  Some 9,370 Karezes are operating in 19 Afghan provinces with the majority of them concentrated on the eastern, southern and western flanks of the Hindu Kush mountains. These are part of the ‘Pashtun Crescent’, the heartland of the Pashtuns, the main ethnic group in the Taliban and the country’s largest ethnicity.  Several Karezes have been destroyed in the more than 40 years of war in Afghanistan since the Soviet invasion in December 1979.  SonChiraiya Part of: GS Prelims and GS- III - Economy In news Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launched ‘SonChiraiya’ (A brand and logo)- for marketing of urban Self-Help Group (SHG) products. About Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY–NULM), under the aegis of MoHUA, has focussed on equipping the urban poor women with adequate skills and opportunities, and to enable them to promote sustainable micro enterprises.  It mobilises women from urban poor households into SHGs and their federations to create a support system for these women.  Over 5.7 lakh SHGs have been formed across various States/ UTs with almost 60 lakh members.  Many of these SHGs are engaged in livelihood activities, producing goods such as handicrafts, textiles, toys, eatables and so on which are sold on leading e-commerce websites. Innovative methods of online training for SHGs have been ensured to enable them to smoothly operate on e-portals. SonChiraiya initiative (A brand and logo) will certainly prove as a step towards increased visibility and global access for the products made by urban SHG women.  With this logo, the Ministry expects to link many more such SHG members, with a variety of professionally packaged, hand-crafted ethnic products, reaching the doorsteps of the customers globally (News from PIB) Four more Ramsar Sites Part of: GS Prelims  In news: Four more wetlands from India get recognition from the Ramsar Secretariat as Ramsar sites.  These sites are:  Thol and Wadhwana from Gujarat Sultanpur and Bhindawas from Haryana. While Haryana gets its first Ramsar sites, Gujarat gets three more after Nalsarovar which was declared in 2012. With this addition, the number of Ramsar sites in India are 46 and the surface area covered by these sites is now 1,083,322 hectares. The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change would be working closely with the State Wetland Authorities to ensure the wise use of these sites. Ramsar list The Ramsar list is a list of wetland sites that are deemed to be of "international importance" under the Ramsar Convention, 1971 (India is a signatory to it) The list aim “to develop and maintain an international network of wetlands which are important for the conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining human life through the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes and benefits”. Wetlands Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season.  Water saturation (hydrology) largely determines how the soil develops and the types of plant and animal communities living in and on the soil. Wetlands provide a wide range of important resources and ecosystem services such as food, water, fibre, groundwater recharge, water purification, flood moderation, erosion control and climate regulation.  They are, in fact, are a major source of water and our main supply of freshwater comes from an array of wetlands which help soak rainfall and recharge groundwater. News Source:  PIB "CSIR Aroma Mission Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS-II- Government Schemes In news: "CSIR Aroma Mission: Transforming Lives Through S&T" Webinar was held on the eve of the 75th Independence Day. Jammu & Kashmir heralds the ‘Purple Revolution’ of India by taking a lead in the lavender cultivation in almost all the 20 districts of the Union Territory. CSIR Aroma Mission The CSIR Aroma Mission is envisaged to bring transformative change in the aroma sector through desired interventions in the areas of agriculture, processing and product development for fuelling the growth of aroma industry and rural employment. The mission will promote the cultivation of aromatic crops for essential oils that are in great demand by aroma industry.  It is expected to enable Indian farmers and aroma industry to become global leaders in the production and export of some other essential oils on the pattern of menthol mint.  This is expected to provide substantial benefits to the farmers in achieving higher profits, utilization of waste lands and protection of their crops from wild and grazing animals. CSIR’s Aroma Mission is generating new avenues of self-livelihood and entrepreneurship and has generated rural employment of farmers, spurred entrepreneurship in aromatic oils and other aromatic products manufacturing, and lowered the import of essential and aromatic oils. Today, with CSIR’s Aroma Mission, important medicinal and aromatic plants are being cultivated in 6,000 hectares of land.  The Mission has generated 10 to 12 lakh man-days of rural employment and more than 500 tonnes of essential oil worth Rs.60 crores was produced during the last two years. About Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)  Established in 1942, CSIR is the largest research and development (R&D) organisation in India.  It operates as an autonomous body through the Societies Registration Act, 1860. CSIR is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology  CSIR has a pan-India presence and has a dynamic network of 38 national laboratories, 39 outreach centres, 3 Innovation Complexes and 5 units. CSIR covers a wide spectrum of streams – from radio and space physics, oceanography, geophysics, chemicals, drugs, genomics, biotechnology and nanotechnology to mining, aeronautics, instrumentation, environmental engineering and information technology. It provides significant technological intervention in many areas with regard to societal efforts which include the environment, health, drinking water, food, housing, energy, farm and non-farm sectors. News Source:  PIB (Mains Focus) ENVIRONMENT/ GOVERNANCE GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors. GS-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation  IPCC’s report on Climate Change & India In news: IPCC in its latest report released on August 9 stated that human activities were unequivocally the principal driver of changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere, in other words, of climate change. What is the key message from IPCC’s Technical report? The report asserts, leaving nothing to doubt, that the contribution of GHG emissions from various activities is the scientific basis for global warming and climate change.  These actions include the burning of fossil fuels for energy and transport, emissions from agriculture and waste, and energy profiles of buildings.  Compared with the period 1850-1900, the increase in global surface temperature for the decade 2011-2020 is estimated to be 1.09°C, an indication of how much the world has warmed.  The report devotes itself to assessing what impacts would accrue to various dimensions of the planet, such as land, oceans, mountains, polar regions, glaciers and water cycle, under different emissions scenarios.  Even in the best case scenario, the global surface temperature increase averaged between 2081 and 2100 could be 1.0°C to 1.8°C, while in a high emissions scenario, it could go to a searing 3.3°C to 5.7°C.  Since the original pledges of the Paris Agreement are insufficient to keep warming to well below 2°C, deep and early cuts to greenhouse gas emissions are necessary 2015 Paris Agreement: World should act to limit warming compared to levels that existed before the industrial revolution to well below 2°C, and preferably 1.5°C. What will be the effect of continued global warming? A warmer world is estimated to have a big impact on extremes of temperature and rainfall with implications for human health, ecosystem survival and sustainable economic activity.  The report says it is “virtually certain that hot extremes (including heatwaves) have become more frequent and more intense across most land regions” as witnessed since the 1950s, while cold extremes (including cold waves) “have become less frequent and less severe”.  Scientific confidence is now high that human-induced climate change is the main driver of these changes. There are other impacts too.  Climate change has contributed to increases in agricultural and ecological droughts in some regions due to increased land evapotranspiration, the report says.  Enhanced warming is expected to amplify thawing of permafrost (subsurface soil in the polar regions that remains below freezing point year-round), and loss of seasonal snow cover, of land ice and of Arctic sea ice.  Under scenarios of rising CO2 emissions, two of the big carbon sinks on the planet — the oceans and land — may become less effective at slowing the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere.  Continued warming would influence the global water cycle, further intensifying it, with consequences for its variability, global monsoon precipitation and the severity of wet and dry events. What could be the consequences for India? India’s major concerns are centred around the health of the annual monsoon, the fate of Himalayan glaciers, heating over land, floods, droughts and overall impact on people’s well-being, agriculture and food production.  Here, the report says with medium confidence that “heatwaves and humid heat stress will be more intense and frequent during the 21st century”  Also, both annual and summer monsoon rainfall will rise, with a higher degree of variability between years.  It is important to note that over South Asia, among other regions, aerosol emissions notably from human activity had a cooling influence during the 20th century, which in turn counteracted increases in monsoon rainfall produced by warming. That aerosol effect could be overcome by persistent warming, leading to future high levels of rainfall.  Snow volumes are forecast to decrease in most regions of the Hindu Kush Himalaya during the 21st century and the snowline elevations to go up while glacier volumes are likely to decline, with greater mass loss in scenarios of higher CO2 emissions. Conclusion World should take note of the report and understand the gravity of the situation. It has to come to consensus on deeper and early cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, going beyond the Paris Accord. Connecting the dots: Paris Climate Deal: India’s Progress, Pandemic and Challenges (All INDIA RADIO- SPOTLIGHT) Discussion on Jal Jeevan Mission - Har Ghar Jal, 03 Aug https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztfy-IoBbSU GOVERNANCE/ ECONOMY GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. GS-3: Indian Economy & Challenges Jal Jeevan Mission: Har Ghar Jal The On 15th August, 2019, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi had announced Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to provide safe piped drinking water to every rural household in the country by 2024.  The total cost of this mission is estimated to be around Rs. 3.6 lakh crores; out of this the share of the center is around Rs. 2.08 lakh crores.  The Jal Jeevan mission The vision of the mission is to ensure that every rural household has drinking water supply in adequate quantity of prescribed quality on regular and long-term basis at affordable service delivery charges leading to improvement in living standards of rural communities. The Jal Jeevan Mission will be based on a community approach to water and will include extensive Information, Education and communication as a key component of the mission. The programme will also implement source sustainability measures as mandatory elements, such as recharge and reuse through grey water management, water conservation, rain water harvesting. Achievements of the mission so far: The Jal Jeevan Mission was introduced with the objective of improving the quality of life and wellbeing of the people.  The country has made significant achievements under the Jal Jeevan Mission, despite the challenge of the Covid pandemic during the last almost sixteen months. There are about 74 districts in the country where tap water has been provided to every household. Besides, in more than one lakh villages and about 55 thousand panchayats 100 percent target has been achieved under Jal Jeevan Mission. It has been less than two years since the mission was introduced, but in this short time, more than 4 crore households have been provided with tap water connections.  If we compare the current situation with 15th August 2019, there were roughly 19.12 crore households and out of that only 3.23 crores were getting tap water supply which is less than 17% of the total households.  But, today around 7.87 crores of households out of approximately 41.2 crore households, are getting tap water.  Not only the households but the schools, Anganwadis, and public toilets are also getting water and as of now more than 67 percent of schools have tap water connections, more than 60.9 percent of the anganwadis, and more than 68.8 percent primary health care centres (PHCs) and gram panchayats have tap water supply.  The focus is also on the Japanese encephalitis affected areas, and quality affected habitations as well and the mission is doing great in these areas as well. Functioning of the mission: Jal Jeevan Mission adopts an end-to-end approach which implies that not only taking care of water resources is important but taking care of water conservation, augmentation of existing water resources, and then providing tap water supply is also very important. If more tap water is provided to the household, then naturally the amount of greywater or used water will be more. So, Jal Jeevan Mission has made greywater treatment and its reuse in forestry, agriculture, horticulture, or in the local industries one of the essential components of the mission.  Therefore, all three aspects are taken care of under the Jal Jeevan Mission.:  The source of water and its sustainability,  The operation maintenance and providing tap water supply to each and every household, and The treatment of the greywater or used water,  There is a Water Quality Management Information System as well which is a dedicated one-stop information portal that provides information about the quality of water. Jal Jeevan Mission emphasizes that each local village should be able to test the quality of water not only at the source but also at the delivery points.  For that purpose, the National Jal Jeevan Mission with the help of states is giving training to at least five women in one village, implying out of the 6 lakh villages, 30 lakh women will be trained. So far, 6 lakh women have been trained and they are assigned the task of testing the tap water quality which they get at their village level. Focus is now being given to getting the 2023 water quality labs in the country accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). All these labs are now open to the public at a very nominal cost. Now, the public can go there and test the tap water quality supplied to them. Challenges involved: Bigger states have bigger challenges. In water scheme though focus is village level scheme but many times support is not available very close to the villages. So, for that, there is provision of multi village scheme. Example is Rajasthan. Also, in the Ganga belt, water quality issues are present in the form of impurity (arsenic, sulfur, etc.) contamination or other water quality issues and hence, providing water to households in these areas does take time. But the states have taken this mission very seriously and they are doing their best to provide water to each household. Way Forward: Be it at the water conservation level, or greywater treatment, or the operation and maintenance level, all the level require the community involvement as the main focus of the Jal Jeevan Mission is the community. Therefore, without community involvement it is not possible to successfully achieve the target.  Earlier, all the programs were basically engineering-based programs so, most of the stress was on creating engineering water infrastructure.  But this time, the emphasis is on service delivery not on infrastructure creation. Service delivery has its own challenges such as supplying adequate water, maintaining the sources, etc. Hence, all these aspects should be taken care of. The empowerment of capacity building of the local village communities is very important. With the involvement of not only Ph.D. engineers but also the local people, the challenges will be met. Can you answer this question now? “The Jal Jeevan Mission will improve the quality of life and wellbeing of the people”. Critically discuss the achievement of Jal Jeevan mission.  (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1 Gati Shakti Master Plan announced by India’s Prime Minister on the eve of 75th Independence Day is associated with which of the following? Anti-Tank Missile Development Infrastructure Women’s safety Mechanisation of agriculture Q.2 The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY–NULM) scheme has two components; one for urban India and other for rural India. Consider the following statements regarding the same: The Urban component named as Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana will be implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The rural component named as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture.. Select the correct statements: 1 only 2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  Q.3 Karez, which is under threat, is one of the types of water management and irrigation systems in which of the following country? Turkmenistan Afghnaistan Lebanon Turkey  ANSWERS FOR 14th August 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 B 2 B 3 D Must Read On rise of Taliban and options for India: The Hindu On Green Financing: Financial Express On Urbanisation and Flooding: Hindustan Express

Rapid Revision (RaRe) Series for UPSC

[Day 78]: UPSC PRELIMS 2021- Rapid Revision (RaRe) Series

Highlights/Features of Rapid Revision (RaRe) Series:  It is a FREE initiative! Program Duration - 120 Days (31st May, 2021 to 27th September, 2021). 1. Dedicated Portal for Focused Preparation There will be a separate dedicated portal to help you stay focused and keep your preparation streamlined for the next 120 Days. The Registration link for the dedicated portal is given at the end of the post. 2. 120 Days Integrated (Prelims + Mains) Time Table This year’s RaRe Series will include Integrated Revision Plan (IRP) where we will be syncing your mains and prelims syllabus together over next 120 Days. The Revision Plan is designed by integrating IASbaba's famous flagship initiatives - 60 Day Plan and TLP Mains Answer Writing. 3. Daily RaRe Series (RRS) Videos on High Probable Topics (Monday - Friday) In video discussions, special focus is given to topics which have high probability to appear in UPSC Prelims Question Paper. Each session will be of 20 mins to 30 mins, which would cover rapid revision of 10 high probable topics (both static and current affairs) important for Prelims Exam this year according to the schedule. 4. Daily Prelims MCQs from Static (Monday - Friday) Daily Static Quiz will cover all the topics of static subjects – Polity, History, Geography, Economics, Environment and Science and technology. 10 questions will be posted daily and these questions are framed from the topics mentioned in the schedule and in the RaRe videos. It will ensure timely and streamlined revision of your static subjects. Note: Should be integrated with the 60 Days Plan 2021. This will expose you to diverse questions from the same topics. 5. Daily Current Affairs MCQs (Monday - Saturday) Daily 5 Current Affairs questions, based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, would be published from Monday to Saturday. Note: Current Affairs questions covered in the 60 Days Plan and Daily Quiz Monthly Compilations should be covered retrospectively. 6. Daily CSAT Quiz (Monday - Friday) CSAT has been an achilles heel for many aspirants. Daily 5 CSAT Questions will be published. 7. Daily Mains Answer Writing (Monday - Friday) GS Mains will be covered along with Prelims in an integrated manner. Daily three Mains questions will be covered syllabus-wise according to the topics mentioned in the schedule. In total, it covers 250+ Mains Questions along with synopsis. 8. Brainstorming on Ethics & Essay (BEE) (Saturday & Sunday) Each week, Sunil Oberoi Sir (Retd. IAS) will take 3 sessions, two for Essay and one for Ethics. The two sessions earmarked for Essay will have a topic-based discussion where he will discuss the approach to write issue-based and philosophical essays. The topics will be picked from previous year question papers of UPSC and TLP initiative of IASbaba. 9. Full Mocks 3 GS Paper 1 Full Mocks will be provided along the lines of UPSC Prelims. 3 CSAT Paper 2 Full Mocks will be provided so that you are not overwhelmed during the D-Day. 10. Rapid Revision (RaRe) Notes Right material plays important role in clearing the exam and Rapid Revision (RaRe) Notes will have Prelims specific subject-wise refined notes. The main objective is to help students revise most important topics and that too within a very short limited time frame. Day-78 of RaRe Series - Click here To Register - Click here For complete details of the RaRe Series -  Click here

TLP Mains Answer Writing

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies Paper 1 Questions [16th August,2021] – Day 156

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Friends, Welcome to IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies Paper 1 Questions [16th August,2021] – Day 156 TLP (Phase 1) just got over on 8th May (Saturday) and we are extremely thankful for your active participation to make this program a success. Well, though TLP (Phase 1) got over, ‘Picture abhi baaqi hai mere dost’. There is a surprise for you. Since prelims is bound to get delayed once again this year, its not wise to leave the writing practice just now. Hence, we are extending the TLP program  We will be posting 3 questions per day (Monday to Friday). The questions will be based on Current Affairs, so that you don’t have to invest your time separately on exclusively mains oriented topics. So, keep practicing and keep improving. To Know More about TLP  -> CLICK HERE For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Note: Click on Each Question (Link), it will open in a new tab and then Answer respective questions! 1. How are global IT giants like Google and Facebook affecting the lives of common Indians? Illustrate. (10 Marks) गूगल और फेसबुक जैसे वैश्विक आईटी दिग्गज आम भारतीयों के जीवन को कैसे प्रभावित कर रहे हैं? उदाहरण देकर स्पष्ट करें। 2. Examine the significance of sports as a soft power. What steps are required to be taken to make India a sporting superpower? (10 Marks) सॉफ्ट पावर के रूप में खेलों के महत्व का परीक्षण कीजिए। भारत को एक खेल महाशक्ति बनाने के लिए क्या कदम उठाने की आवश्यकता है? 3. The PM Ujjwala Yojana lays the basis for a fundamental material transformation at the bottom of the pyramid. Elucidate. (15 Marks) प्रधान मंत्री उज्ज्वला योजना पिरामिड के निचले भाग में एक मौलिक भौतिक परिवर्तन का आधार रखती है। स्पष्ट करें। AWARE ( Answer Writing REdefined) Series - 7 Steps to Master Answer Writing Skills by Mohan Sir - CLICK HERE P.S: The review from IASbaba will happen from the time the question is posted till 10 pm every day. We would also encourage peer reviews. So friends get actively involved and start reviewing each other's answers. This will keep the entire community motivated. All the Best :)

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 16th August 2021

For Previous Daily Quiz (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” Important Note: Don't forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today's test :) After completing the 5 questions, click on 'View Questions' to check your score, time taken, and solutions. To take the Test - Click Here

TLP Mains Answer Writing

SYNOPSIS [13th August,2021] Day 155: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE SYNOPSIS [13th August,2021] Day 155: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)   1. What is the mandate of the National Investigation Agency (NIA)? Do you think India’s federal polity creates a hinderance in the effective working of the NIA?   Approach  Introduce with when  and why was National Investigation Agency formed.In body part write what are the mandates of NIA and then provide arguments on how the states hinder its efficient functioning but balance it with what are the reasons for states to act un this manner.In conclusion take a balanced and reform oriented stand. Introduction After 26/11 Mumbai attack, there was felt a need for an apex investigation agency at federal level which will be like FBI for investigating crimes which have a pan India effect.Therefore they National Investigation Agency ,NIA was constituted by the NIA Act, 2008 for the investigation and prosecution of offences affecting the national security, sovereignty and integrity of the nation. Body Mandate of the National Investigation Agency The cases are assigned to the NIA by the Central Government in accordance with section VI of the NIA Act, 2008.The investigation of the cases is done by the Agency independently. After investigation, the cases are placed before the NIA Special Court. For prosecuting the accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) and certain other scheduled offences, the Agency seeks the sanction of the Central Government.The sanction is granted under the UAPA based on the report of the‘Authority’ constituted under section 45 (2) of the UAPA. It is empowered to deal with terror-related crimes across states without special permission from the states. To investigate serious offences related to terrorist activities affecting the sovereignty, security and integrity of the Country.For example : NIA had investigated the Pulwama attack case,which was a terrorist attack. To investigate terror crimes relating to Indians and Indian interests abroad. For example NIA investigated issues of radicalisation which was being used to lure Indian citizens for war in Syria. To investigate and prosecute offences against atomic and nuclear facilities. The NIA (Amendment) Act, 2019 gave additional mandate to NIA to investigate the offences related to Human trafficking, Offences related to counterfeit currency or banknotes, Manufacture or sale of prohibited arms, Cyber-terrorism, and Offences under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908. Federalism and NIA Issue with division of power: Although ‘national security’ security comes under central list and criminal laws come under concurrent list, NIA directing police forces does not go well with sates as maintenance of public order and police forces come under state list. Politicization: It has been repeatedly seen that the functioning of the investigation and prosecution agencies depend on political mandate. This raises serious doubts on the credibility on national institutions.The different government at state and centre create hindrances in efficient working of NIA. Undue Delay:  NIA act does not compel state government to provide report on a Scheduled Offence to Central government in a short or fixed interval, this may cause undue delays. Issues of state governments  Firstly, the heavy politicisation of the intelligence agencies has allowed the ruling parties, both at the centre and the states, to use the agencies to pry on or harass the leaders of opposition parties. Allegation have been made, for example, that the NIA has been used for political purposes to probe the blasts in 2006 in Malegaon and the bombing of the Samjhauta Express in 2007. Secondly, the scepticism springs from the alleged biases in the security agencies against the minority communities and allegations of the agencies’ involvement in human rights violations, particularly during CT operations.  Conclusion Although such a powerful central agency may appear to contravene the federal spirit, it is a necessary step from the perspective of countering terrorism.India is among the countries that are most affected by terrorist violence. Therefore both centre and states should work together for better working of the National Investigation Agency.For that there is an urgent need to make the agency autonomous, professional and impartial in its investigation. 2. What is NATGRID? Examine its significance for India’s internal security? Why hasn’t the NATGRID project really taken off? Analyse.  Approach  Introduce with what is the role of NATGRID and when was it created. In body mention the significance of such agency for nation.In next part write what are the issues which are hindering its adoption.In conclusion make an affirmative argument for such an agency in India. Introduction The National Intelligence Grid or NATGRID is the integrated intelligence master database structure for counter-terrorism purpose connecting databases of various core security agencies under Government of India collecting comprehensive patterns procured from 21 different organizations that can be readily accessed by security agencies round the clock. NATGRID came into existence after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.  Body Recently, the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) to access the centralised online database on FIRs and stolen vehicles. Significance of NATGRID for India’s internal security NATGRID is a post Mumbai 26/11 attack measure. It aims to mitigate a vital deficiency- lack of real time information, which was considered to be one of the major hurdles in detecting terror activities. NATGRID will become a secure centralised database to stream sensitive information from 21 sets of data sources such as banks, credit cards, visa, immigration and train and air travel details, as well as from various intelligence agencies. It will utilise technologies like Big Data and analytics to study and analyse the huge amounts of data from various intelligence and enforcement agencies to help track suspected terrorists and prevent terrorist attacks. It will connect, in different phases, data providing organisations and users besides developing a legal structure through which information can be accessed by the law enforcement agencies. The database would be accessible to authorised persons from 11 agencies on a case-to-case basis, and only for professional investigations into suspected cases of terrorism. Unlike the NCTC and the NIA which are central organisations, the NATGRID is essentially a tool that enables security agencies to locate and obtain relevant information on terror suspects from pooled data of various organisations and services in the country. It will help identify, capture and prosecute terrorists and help preempt terrorist plots. Issues which are hindering its take off: NATGRID is facing opposition on charges of possible violations of privacy and leakage of confidential personal information. Its efficacy in preventing terror has also been questioned given that no state agency or police force has access to its database thus reducing chances of immediate, effective action. According to few experts, digital databases such as NATGRID can be misused. Over the last two decades, the very digital tools that terrorists use have also become great weapons to fight the ideologies of violence. The ambitious National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) project wants to link social media accounts to the huge database of records related to immigration entry and exit, banking and telephone details among others. The Snowden files have already revealed the widespread misuse in recent years of surveillance capabilities to compromise individual privacy and even violate national sovereignty. Conclusion A robust and secure NATGRID is of the vital interest to the nation. Issues related to privacy and access can be addressed by strict regulatory and authentication norms or by introducing a privacy law regarding that. But considering the present situation it is important that the data with various agencies must be integrated to check terror, corruption, black money and other crimes. 3. What is the mandate of the National Security Guard (NSG)? What makes NSG an elite security agency? Discuss.  Approach  Introduce with when and why NSG was formed.In next part write what aret its mandates and why it is an elite security agency.In conclusion summarise its role and give future direction. Introduction The National Security Guard (NSG) is an elite counter-terrorism unit under the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It was founded on 22 September 1986 under the National Security Guard Act, 1986, following Operation Blue Star, the Golden Temple attack and the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, "for combating terrorist activities and protect states against internal disturbances. Recently the force had neutralised terrorist in Pathankot attack. Body Mandate of National Security Guard: NSG’s primary mandate is to “engage and neutralize terrorist threats in specific situations and to undertake counter hijacking and hostage rescue missions.” Initial duties of the NSG were limited in scope.  In 1986-87, the scope was expanded to include “VVIP security, anti-sabotage checks at venues of VVIP public meetings and anti-hijack duties in international and domestic flights.” It is for this reason that NSG is considered India’s premier counter-terrorist force. The force undertakes unilateral missions as well as assists the central paramilitary forces. The expansion of their duties delegated to the NSG the role of Sky Marshals on select domestic and international flights.  The Guards are further responsible for the mitigation of threats to vital and sensitive installations, including India’s nuclear facilities. While the force has expanded its regional reach after the 26/11 attacks, the main area of operation remains New Delhi. In addition to the offensive operational role, the Guards also play a defensive security role. This is nowhere more evident than the use of SRG personnel for VVIP protection. NSG commando protection is reserved individuals deemed most at risk. This includes people who are provided the Z+ security cover, the highest protection cover of the Indian government. VVIP protection is carried out by SRG personnel and constitutes one of the biggest drains on the NSG.  Additionally, NSG personnel are also deployed to provide security on special occasions such as the Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations and during visits by heads of states. Other capabilities and duties of the NSG include bomb disposal, creation and management of bomb data centers, and training of local, state, and federal police personnel in NSG core capabilities and specialties.  A good example of this is NSG’s role in training the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu & Kashmir police. The inability of the conventional Indian Army to execute specialized missions and the limited strength of the NSG resulted in the establishment of the SOG. By most accounts, the force has performed well and it considered to have relived NSG and other units in certain areas. Elite Security Force: Deputationist force: Multi service recruitment through Indian Army, Central armed police force and state police force with world class zero error force standards.  International Standard: The NSG was modeled on the pattern of the SAS of United Kingdom and GSG-9 of Germany.  Task oriented force: Counter terrorism and anti-hijacking has been the main focus for the NSG. The diversion of NSG to VIP protection removed recently.  Specialized Training: Rigorous training ensure all  personnel of the Force are extremely physically fit, perfect in shooting skills, have the requisite technical skills and are highly motivated, aggressive and mentally alert at all times. Foreign collaboration: The National Security Guard has conducted international exchanges and joint training with foreign Special Forces, including those from Germany, Russia, United States, France, Israel and Australia. However, there were questions over lack of terrain information to NSG in different geographies led to delay in conclusion of operation in Pathankot Attack. There are also issues with the intelligence and coordination among stakeholders in counter-terror operation.  Conclusion A Force like the NSG is indispensable in view of the growing terrorist violence in different forms. In future, the dependence on the NSG is likely to increase with long term comprehensive policy against terrorism.There is a need to create more centres in the growing threat of terrorism.   TLP Synopsis Day 155 PDF

Motivational Articles

[MI-STORIES]MOTIVATIONAL AND INSPIRATIONAL STORIES - Wait for the brick!

For Previous Story -> CLICK HERE Inspirational Stories: Here is the story for this week from the new series of Inspirational and Motivational stories. One of the oldest known forms of communication is story telling. There is something primordial within us that loves stories and their tremendous impact. In this series, we aim to bring you the best of real-life stories that can inspire and motivate you. Stories always try to teach us something useful. It is one of the best ways of learning from other's mistakes and avoiding our own. Although each story has its own moral, in the comments section you can share your opinion on the moral of the story. If you are able to see something that others might have missed, you can share it for the benefit of all. Apart from just reading these awesome stories, you can also share some of the stories that have inspired you. If we find the story appropriate and useful, we will share it with all. More importantly, read these stories every week without a miss, and stay inspired.   So Here is the story for this week - Wait for the brick!   A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag’s side door! He slammed on the brakes and drove the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car, shouting, “What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That’s a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?” The young boy was apologetic. “Please mister … please, I’m sorry… I didn’t know what else to do,” he pleaded. “I threw the brick because no one else would stop…” With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. “It’s my brother,” he said. “He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can’t lift him up.” Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, “Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He’s hurt and he’s too heavy for me.” Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out his fancy handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. “Thank you and may God bless you,” the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the little boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: Don’t go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!

Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Desire is a Ghost – Inspirational Educative Articles

Desire is a Ghost: You can only accommodate one thing on your plate at a time: You can either have peace or you can have your desires. Once this becomes clear: I cannot accommodate both. This is life. When I’m desiring, I’m just desire. I am no being, I am no mind, I am just a desire. Desire has no existential root. A desire is a ghost. It has no home, it is trying to find something, and it is just floating around. That’s what a desire is. So when you are desiring, you’re not you. You’re just a ghost. How can you find peace and certainty when you’re a ghost? The very definition of ghost is that you are not there; you’re not a being. I’m a human being, I’m not a ghost, because I have some basis in existence, in reality; I have a body, I have a mind. You are a ghost because you don’t have anything real. You are just a desire floating around. Fundamentally, you have to come to the conclusion that peace is very physical, it’s a real thing. Once you understand that it’s a real thing, then you have to make a choice: What do I want this moment? I’m not even saying that you have to only be desiring for peace. But at this point in time your desires have taken over you so completely that you’re not even able to accommodate peace, even for a few minutes in a day. If you tell your mind, for ten minutes just stop desiring and be peaceful, your mind goes crazy because it has identified itself with its desires. Once that identification breaks, once you realize that desiring is happening to you, you are acknowledging it and you don’t have to become that desire. You can have control over it. You can choose. So that’s what gaining control is. To say, For the next ten minutes I want peace, which means I cannot have any desires. So just sit and drop your desires and try to find that peace. It’ll take a few days, it might take a few months, it might take a few years, it doesn’t matter. Eventually, you will get to a point where those ten minutes will be yours and yours alone. That is what we are searching for. We’re searching for that one minute where we have full control over our lives, which means we have full control over our thought process. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Nirvana Foundation and IASBABA.”

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 14th August 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) AB-PMJAY and COVID treatment Part of: GS Prelims and GS- II - Health  In news Under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), the Union government’s health insurance scheme, approximately 20.32 la7kh COVID-19 tests and 7.08 lakh treatments were authorised from April 2020 to July 2021. The cover allowed beneficiaries to avail free testing and treatment across all empanelled hospitals — both public and private. Besides this, State governments were provided with the flexibility of modifying the Ayushman packages as per the local requirements.  About Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)  This scheme is a Centrally sponsored scheme with some Central sector components. PMJAY offers a sum insured of 5 lakh per family for secondary care (which doesn’t involve a super specialist) as well as tertiary care.  For the beneficiaries, this is a free scheme. It is an entitlement-based scheme that targets the beneficiaries as identified by latest Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data. Individuals can walk into any empanelled hospital that can process cashless payments. Once identified by the database, the beneficiary is considered insured. The insurance cost is shared by the centre and the state mostly in the ratio of 60:40. There are about 1,400 packaged rates for various medical procedures under the scheme. These packaged rates also mention the number of average days of hospitalization for a medical procedure and supporting documents that are needed. Under no circumstances can hospitals charge the beneficiary. The scheme also has prescribed a daily limit for medical management. National Health Agency has been constituted as an autonomous entity under the Society Registration Act, 1860 for effective implementation of PMJAY in alliance with state governments. This includes formulation of PMJAY policies, development of operational guidelines, implementation mechanisms, coordination with state governments, monitoring and oversight of PMJAY amongst other. News Source: TH Sovereign Right to Taxation Part of: Prelims and GS - III - Fiscal policy In news Recently, the Government of India introduced The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in the Lok Sabha which seeks to withdraw tax demands made using a 2012 retrospective legislation to tax the indirect transfer of Indian assets. The government has stressed the need to establish its sovereign right to taxation. What is Sovereignty?  Sovereignty, in political theory, means the ultimate overseer, or authority, in the decision-making process of the state and in the maintenance of order. The term was originally understood to mean the equivalent of supreme power. Constitutional Sovereignty implies that the constitution is sovereign and supreme. Sovereign Right to Taxation in India In India, the Constitution gives the government the right to levy taxes on individuals and organisations, but makes it clear that no one has the right to levy or charge taxes except by the authority of law. Any tax being charged has to be backed by a law passed by the legislature or Parliament (Article 265). Taxation in India Tax is a pecuniary burden laid upon individuals or property owners to support the government, a payment exacted by legislative Authority.  A tax is not a voluntary payment or donation, but an enforced contribution.  Taxes in India come under a three-tier system based on the Central, State and local governments.  The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution puts separate heads of taxation under the Union and State list. There is no separate head under the Concurrent list, meaning Union and the States have no concurrent power of taxation News Source: IE Open Acreage Licensing Programme Part of: GS Prelims and GS- III - Infrastructure In news In an attempt to boost domestic hydrocarbon production, the petroleum and natural ministry launched the sixth bid round under the liberal Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP). Earlier, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the Policy framework on reforms in the exploration and licensing sector for enhancing domestic exploration and production of oil and gas. About Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) The Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) replacing the erstwhile New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) was approved in March 2016.  The Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) along with the National Data Repository (NDR) were launched in June 2017 as the key drivers to accelerate the Exploration and Production (E&P) activities in India. Under OALP, companies are allowed to carve out areas they want to explore oil and gas in. Companies can put in an expression of interest (EOI) for any area throughout the year but such interests are accumulated thrice in a year.  The areas sought are then offered for bidding. This policy is different from the past where the government identified areas and offered them for bidding. What is Need of the Policy?  India is one of the fastest growing major economies in the world.  It is the third largest consumer of petroleum products after the US and China. India is heavily dependent on import of crude oil to meet its energy needs. Net imports of crude oil have increased from 111.50 metric tons during 2006-07 to 202.85 metric tons during 2015-16. In this backdrop, India has set a target to reduce dependence on crude oil imports by 10% by 2022. What are the Benefits involved?  Increase in Exploration Removal of Red-Tapism News Source: PIB (News from PIB) Vehicle Scrappage Policy  Part of: GS Prelims  In news: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Vehicle Scrappage Policy in India on Friday, 13 August, at the Gujarat Investor Summit and requested youths and start-ups to join the programme. What is the policy? Personal vehicles older than 20 years and commercial vehicles older than 15 years will have to undergo a fitness test at government registered ‘automated fitness centres’. Vehicles that fail to pass the test will be declared as ‘end-of-life vehicles’ meaning that they would have to be recycled. Thus, paving the way for older vehicles to be scrapped.  In case, the vehicles pass the test, the owners will have to pay a hefty fee for re-registration that would be hiked to around eight times for personal vehicles, and around 20 times for commercial vehicles. The policy is a “waste-to-wealth mission and an important part of the circular economy that will reduce pollution in our cities and also reflect the government's commitment towards rapid development.  The policy will also bring investments worth more than Rs 10,000 crore and, in the process, create employment opportunities for thousands of youngsters. News Source:  PIB Operation Blue Freedom Part of: GS Prelims  In news: Recently, The Government of India has permitted a team of people with disabilities to scale Siachen Glacier. The team of people with disabilities trained by ‘Team CLAW’ a team of Armed Forces veterans. The selected people with disabilities from across the country will undertake an expedition till Kumar Post (Siachen Glacier) to create a new World Record for the largest team of people with disabilities to reach the world’s highest battlefield. The successful execution of this pioneering expedition, ‘Operation Blue Freedom’, shall firmly place India on the global stage as a leader in empowering Divyangjan and set a benchmark for other nations to emulate.  News Source:  PIB (Mains Focus) SECURITY/ ECONOMY GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors. GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. An Indian sail to navigate the maritime environment In news: PM Modi’s address on August 9 at the UNSC High-Level Open Debate on “Enhancing Maritime Security: A Case For International Cooperation”. He described the oceans as a common heritage for humankind and a lifeline for the future of the planet. Need for Maritime Security With a long coastline and large island chains spread across the Indian Ocean, India has a natural seaward orientation, with key sea lanes of communication coursing through its surrounding seas. 90% of global trade is conducted on the high seas, for the simple reason that it continues to be the most cost effective mode of transport. Disruption of sea lanes of communication has National and global economic repercussions.  Freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce are key to the spread of prosperity. India’s natural interests stretch across both the Indian and Pacific Oceans as reflected in its inclusive Indo-Pacific vision. During the debate, PM Modi outlined 5 principles needed for global maritime security. The principles are  Removing barriers from legitimate maritime trade,  Encouraging responsible maritime connectivity,  Settling maritime disputes through peaceful means and on the basis of international law,  Jointly facing natural disasters and maritime threats created by non-state actors. Preserving the maritime environment and resources. Primacy of UNCLOS As President of the UN Security Council for the month of August, India’s leadership in the debate on maritime security, that too at the level of the Prime Minister, has strengthened its credentials as a key stake-holder in the maritime commons.  The Presidential Statement issued on the occasion highlights the commitment of the UN Security Council to international law.  More relevantly, it emphasises the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the legal framework governing all maritime activity. Conclusion India’s natural interests stretch across both the Indian and Pacific Oceans as reflected in its inclusive Indo-Pacific vision. No doubt, India’s initiative will further the prospects for a stable and enduring maritime environment. Connecting the dots: Vision SAGAR Sagarmala Project Genome Mapping in Indian Ocean Deep Ocean Mission AGRICULTURE/ SCIENCE & TECH/ GOVERNANCE GS-2: Issues of food security; Technology missions  GS-3: Science & Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.  GS-:2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors GM soy meal import In news Union government has decided to allow the import of crushed genetically modified (GM) soybean, which is a major ingredient of poultry feed.  A GM or transgenic crop is a plant that has a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology. Need for the decision The poultry industry has been crushed by multiple disasters over the last year and a half.  In January 2020, a false rumour that COVID-19 could be spread by eating chicken meat led to a crash in demand  A year later, avian flu cases led to another crash, followed by a crippling rise in the prices of poultry feed. Rise in soybean process in domestic Indian market had led to the skyrocketing of input costs which led to increase in prices of chicken products in the retail market. Therefore, the demand for import of GM Soya seeds. About Soy meal and its GM variant Soy meal is left over after oil is extracted from the bean.  It is the main protein ingredient in the feed, especially for broilers (any chicken that is bred and raised specifically for meat production).  It constitutes 25% of poultry feed and maize constitutes 60%. Roundup Ready Soybeans (RR soybeans) are genetically engineered soybeans that have had their DNA altered to allow them to withstand the herbicide glyphosate (the active ingredient in Monsanto's herbicide Roundup).  They are also known as "glyphosate tolerant" soybeans.  What is the Status of GM Soyseeds in India? India allows the import of GM soybean and canola oil. Import of GM soya bean seeds has not been approved in India. Concerns: Environmental activists have raised concerns about the permission given for something derived from a genetically modified plant to enter the human food chain because India’s regulatory system has not yet approved GM foods. The Coalition for a GM-Free India, which includes consumer rights groups and sustainable farming groups, termed the decision “highly objectionable and legally untenable (reputable)”.  It noted that the 1989 rules of the Environment Protection Act applied not just to GM organisms, but also products and substances thereof. It is also feared that import of GM soya bean will affect the Indian soya bean industry by contaminating non-GM varieties. Do You Know? The only GM crop approved for cultivation in India is BT cotton. Talks are on to allow Htbt Cotton. Bt Cotton has alien genes from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that allows the crop to develop a protein toxic to the common pest pink bollworm. In India, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), under Environment Ministry, is the apex body that allows for commercial release of GM crops. Use of the unapproved GM variant can attract a jail term of 5 years and fine of Rs. 1 lakh under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the authorised body to regulate the imported crops in India. Connecting the dots: GM Seeds: The debate & the sowing season World’s First Genetically Modified Rubber: Assam India’s Cotton Story: Part 1 and Part 2 (RSTV Debate) RSTV 3rd Aug 2021: The Big Picture: Changes in general insurance business bill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7bxosINH14 ECONOMY/ GOVERNANCE GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. GS-3: Indian Economy & Challenges Changes in general insurance business bill  The Union Lok Sabha on Monday passed the General Insurance Business (Nationalization) Amendment Bill, 2021 that seeks to amend the General Insurance Business (Nationalization) Act, 1972.  The Act was enacted to nationalize all private companies undertaking general insurance business in India.  The Bill seeks to provide for a greater private sector participation in the public sector insurance companies regulated under the Act.  The 1972 Act requires that shareholding of the central government in the specified insurers must be at least 51%. The 2021 Amendment Bill removes this provision.  Besides, there are certain other amendments as well related to change in the definition of general insurance business, transfer of control from the govt, and liabilities of directors. What is the General Insurance Business (Nationalization) Amendment Bill, 2021? The amendment mainly seeks to remove the requirement of a minimum of 51 per cent shareholding of the government in the four subsidiary companies of the General Insurance Company, which are the National Insurance Company, the New India Assurance Company, the Oriental Insurance Company Limited and the United India Insurance Company. As per the Bill, amendments had become necessary to attract larger private participation in public sector insurance companies, enhance penetration of insurance sector and to provide social protection by securing interests of policyholders. Bill has also changed the definition of general insurance business and transferred the power of appointing majority of directors of specified insurer & power over its management or policy decision from the government. The objectives and reasons for the Bill are to provide for greater private participation in public sector insurance companies, increase insurance access, better the social protection and interests of policyholders, and contribute to the rapid growth of the economy. For this, it became necessary to amend some of the provisions of the Act. Significance of the Bill This bill was passed in line with government’s ambitious privatization agenda. In the budget speech for 2021-2022, finance minister announced privatization drive including two public sector banks and one general insurance company.  Accordingly, among four public sector general insurance companies namely, National Insurance Company Limited, Oriental Insurance Company Limited, New India Assurance Company Limited and United India Insurance Company Limited; government will dilute its shareholding in one company name of which is yet to be finalized. The bill seeks at enhancing insurance penetration and social protection and better secure the interests of the policyholders. It also aims at contributing to the faster growth of the economy. Opposition to the Bill The opposition showed concern as the bill seeks to remove the requirement that the Government should not hold less than 51% of equity capital, it also calls for greater private participation in public sector insurance companies. The bill was termed as anti-people and anti-national legislation by the Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary, who spoke briefly on the bill amid the protests in Lok Sabha. Its also being said that privatizing decades old institution will lead to concentrating it into hands of capitalist. Transfer of control from the government The Bill provides that the Act will not apply to the specified insurers from the date on which the central government relinquishes control of the insurer.   Control means: (i) the power to appoint a majority of directors of a specified insurer, or (ii) to have power over its management or policy decisions.  The Act empowers the central government to notify the terms and conditions of service of employees of the specified insurers.  The Bill provides that schemes formulated by the central government in this regard will be deemed to have been adopted by the insurer.   The board of directors of the insurer may change these schemes or frame new policies.  Further, powers of the central government under such schemes (framed under the Act) will be transferred to the board of directors of the insurer. Liabilities of directors The Bill specifies that a director of a specified insurer, who is not a whole-time director, will be held liable only for certain acts.  These include acts which have been committed:  With his knowledge, attributable through board processes, and  With his consent or connivance or where he had not acted diligently. Gaining the trust of people on privatizing  Its mindset issue: People have more faith in govt owned companies, who see govt as a savior, but after Private companies come with good ideas eventually people will shift to them. Can you answer this question now? Critically discuss the General Insurance Business (Nationalization) Amendment Bill, 2021.  (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1 Consider the following statements regarding PM-JAY: PMJAY offers a sum insured of 5 lakh per family for tertiary care only.  National Health Agency is the implementing body for the scheme. Select the correct statements: 1 only 2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  Q.2 Consider the following statements: The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), under Science and Technology Ministry, is the apex body that allows for commercial release of GM crops.  Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the authorised body to regulate the imported crops in India. Select the correct statements: 1 only 2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  Q.3 Which of the following Schedule of the Constitution deals with Union list, State list and concurrent list?  Sixth Schedule Fifth Schedule First Schedule Seventh Schedule  ANSWERS FOR 13th August 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 A 2 C 3 D Must Read On Inter-State border disputes: Times of India On Human Development Product: Indian Express

TLP Mains Answer Writing

SYNOPSIS [12th August,2021] Day 154: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE SYNOPSIS [12th August,2021] Day 154: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)   1. Do you think patriarchy as a dominant social feature has got diluted in the 21st century India? Critically examine.  Approach  Define the term patriarchy and contextualise to both India and 21st century.Further first argue in what spheres have the patriarchy diluted and then give the empirical evidences to counter the first assumption.In conclusion write an optimistic and hopeful conclusion. Introduction: Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power, predominate in the roles of political leadership, moral authority, special privilege and control of the property. Men are also centre and authoritative figure in the domain of the family. Patriarchy has been one of the dominant features of Indian society from ancient times.The nature and hold of patriarchy over women’s life has changed with time.The 21st century has brought many opportunities among women in social, economic and political spheres for women which were until now restricted to them. Body Patriarchy as a dominant social feature has got diluted in the 21st century India: Women movements have earned many rights to women in India.The movements like Chipko andolan, Anti -arrack movement,Protests against dowry shows how women have embraced the political movements which were not allowed them in previous times. Women’s share in non-traditional employment has increased. 11.7% of India’s pilots are women (global average ~ 3%).Therefore women are not confined to the household works but participates productively in society. Women’s recruitment in combat operation in army has now been planned.This was one of the last frontier which was predominantly male dominated but Supreme court have allowed qualified entry of women in armed forces. Due to nuclear families male and female both have an equal say in the decisions of the home.In traditional society only the ‘Karta’ who was male was the head and took decisions. The choices of clothes especially the reduction in phenomena of  ‘Ghoonghat’ and ‘Burkha’ shows how women have been empowered to do away with traditional male formulated guidelines. Increasingly women being educated and empowered are reporting crimes such as rape, sexual harassment, domestic violence, etc which were until now considered a reason for stigmatisation. Women have occupied highest institutions of power such as first femal president Prathiba Patil, First female prime minister Indira Gandhi and varioes women chief ministers who have ruled efficiently and have shown that gender is not a hindrance. Women priests are being appointed in temples.This domain which has remained exclusive domain of mens have also been breached recently with decision of Tamilnadu government to appoint women priests. Women have dominated sports such as in badminton P.V Sindhu won consecutive medals at olympics, Mary Kom has received record eight boxing medals, Sania Mirza has been a successful tennis player.This points towards women taking new roles different from traditional domain. The Bollywood industry which was dominated by male stars and male oriented scripts are now making movies with women as central figure and women issues being highlighted.Movies such as Padman, Toilet, Thappad is indicative of this change. Women’s movements, like #Metoo movement, have been very successful in recent times. There has been support by media and male members of the society. This signals shift in patriarchal mindset. All these steps in family, economy, polity and culture has reduced the hold of patriarchy when compared to medieval and ancient times.But still on many accounts Indian society is male dominated. Patriarchy as a dominant social feature is still intact in the 21st century India A quantitative picture of patriarchy can be gauged by Global Gender Gap Index, in which India ranks 140th /156 in 2021 report.This shows how dismal the performance of India have been to empower women. In Literacy rate  female  have 65 % literacy rate while Men have 80 % as per 2011 census.This shows how women are facing various obstructions to attain education. In property female in India hardly hold less than 10% of the property titles.Exan when they are half of the population.It shows how systematic patriarchy is not allowing women’s land titles which can give them independent agency. Son meta preference  has led to either female foeticide which indicates nagative attiitude towards female.They are still seen as burden , Paraya dhan, which is further exacerbated by traditional systems and rituals of dowry, Kanyadan, Child marriage as an institution is still thriving in India ,especially in rural parts.This reduces body growth of girls,make them anaemic and further leads to improper psychological development  Female labour force participation rate ~ 26% (Niti Aayog).This indicates how women are mainly confined to traditional roles of mother, daughter, wife.Further the care giving and child raising is predominantly done by females. Participation in Parliament has remained dismal even after 74 years of Independence.This shows how males have dominated corridors of power from the legislatures to posts of party chiefs. With further globalisation and increase in inequality women have been forced in pornographic industry.Further to satisfy the male gaze the Bollywood has invented’Item Numbers ‘.This objectifies women’s bodies and takes agency away from them. Dowry deaths, honour killings, witch craft killings, stereotyping particular roles of nurses, teachers have had bad effect on overall women empowerment.This shows how patriarchy hold sway even in public sphere. Conclusion Law is a powerful instrument to bring social change however its efficacy is dependent upon the ability to implement the law by state authorities.Therefore there is need for all the stakeholders such as state, civil society, judiciary, corporate sector to implement a comprehensive gender sensitive policy which will bring women in parity with men in all spheres of life in India.This will not only benefit females which constitute half of the population but the whole nation, as B.R Ambedkar has once said that the progress of nation can be gauged by condition of its women. 2. Examine the factors that can be attributed to the rising divorce rates in India.  Approach  Introduce with how institution of marriage is sacred and then contextualise with the notion of divorce.In next part mention what are the reasons for rise in divorce.In conclusion mention specifically on how divorce is still a very negligible part in India as compared to world. Introduction Marriage is an act of sacrament in India. And, ending this marriage on whatsoever ground is still not considered normal. Yet, in recent decades we can see an increase in the divorce rate in India. The increasing divorce rate is related to various social aspects. The report titled "Progress of the World’s Women 2019-2020 by United Nations : Families in a Changing World" highlighted that rate of divorce has doubled over the past decade in India. Body Women’s independence. The status of women has changed over the years. They are no longer mere housewives. Women today are financially, socially, physically, and mentally independent. This comes in the way of an age-old mentality where women’s only role was to nurture families. Thus when traditionally women’s suffered abuse and violence the new age empowered women are able to end the toxic marriages.  Trauma. This includes both, physical and mental trauma. Physical abuse by men on their wives is an age-old problem. We won’t say, there aren’t any cases of physical abuse on men. But generally speaking, women are exploited by their husbands for ages. Domestic violence is a major reason for increasing divorce cases. Mental trauma is less spoken of but it definitely leads to marriage failure. The educated and modern cohort is okay with working women. But they are not okay with shared responsibilities when it comes to household chores. Working women are expected to manage jobs, families, children effectively without any helping hand from husbands. Hence, women walk out of such marriages that are mentally traumatic. Relations with in-laws. Nearly 68% of married couple stays with the parents. As they say, marriage in India is with families. While the families can help sustain a marriage, they also are the root cause of divorce in many cases. The degrading relations within laws often lead to divorce. The most common cause being the relation between mother in law and daughter in law. Dominance. As mentioned earlier, women these days are financially, mentally, physically, and socially independent. Women must have a choice and voice in their relationship. But, dominance still exists. The man of the family still takes all the major decisions. Be it for childcare, spending, relationship, or others. Hence, when a woman feels overpowered they walk out of marriage. The same scenario applies to men. A manipulative hold of wives would often lead to divorce. Modern marriages seek equality. And, when that is not the case, marriages dissolve. Adultery. Affairs outside marriage are quite common. Earlier, women use to let go of their husband’s affairs because they were Dependent on them. Besides, society wasn’t accepting of divorcee women back then. Not much has changed even today. Though, partners these days would mutually end the marriage instead of stretching it. Lack of communication. Many modern marriages fail just because both the partner grows distant with time. Daily life takes a toll on the quality of marriage. Communication stops and instead of resolving the issues, partners end the marriage. As they say, communication is more important than love in marriage. Those who know it, preserve it. Infertility Many marriages end in divorce due to infertility of either couples. Conclusion India’s divorce rate stood at 1% in 2020, according to a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. While the absolute number of divorces has gone up from 1 in 1,000 to 13 in 1,000 over the last decade or so, India still remains at the top of the list of countries with the lowest divorce rates.Therefore even tough the rate is increasing in absolute numbers the traditional Indian family system is still resilient and thriving. 3. Do you think the 1991 reforms missed banking and finance? What reforms would you recommend to fill the gaps? Discuss.  Approach  Mention what is economic reform and contextualise to demand of the question on how banking and finance were left out in 1991 reforms.In next part write how has this neglect affected India.In last part write what kind of reforms are needed and are being announced by government recently.MaKe a summary oriented conclusion  Introduction  The term ‘economic reform’ typically denotes the removal of restrictions that governments impose on economic activity.In India this was done in 1990s to obtain a qualified loan from IMF and to revive Indian economy.India’s liberalisation of trade and industry in 1991 was a serious reform that gave spurt to growth. But it was fundamentally incomplete as it left the most critical aspect of banking out of its fold. Body Economic reforms of 1991  The economic reforms started in India in 1991, were primarily meant a removal of restrictions on sections of the economy, like on industry. Until 1991, a firm could not produce in India unless a specific license was obtained by it for that particular good, and for the quantity it could produce.  In trade no one could import goods and services unless they obtained a license from the Ministry of Commerce for — the product, the quantity, and the import destination. These restrictions, which did not permit people to start producing something if they wished to, even if they followed all the laws and regulations such as those pertaining to labour or pollution, were based on the government’s estimates of how much it thought a certain amount of the product ought to be produced. The restrictions clearly meant that these additional cars would not be produced, jobs would not be created, investment would not happen and exports would not take place.  Liberalisation in 1991 changed that ‘licence raj’ by simply removing the restriction that you could not produce without permit. Lack of Banking reforms and its impact The restriction on banking that only the government could own banks continued even after July 1991. This led to limitations on new entrepreneurs in having access to resources. The pool of capital that banks were able to mobilise remained limited due to the mobilisation capacity of public sector banks.This was a bit like telling the industry that only existing industries could expand more.  This had clearly not worked as the inefficiency built into existing factors didn’t go away simply because they were allowed to produce more. The lack of innovation and low productivity had continued. With the entry of new banks restricted even after 1991, resource mobilisation remained limited. This hit the potential newcomers most. Existing banks had a preference for their traditional customers, further helping the incumbents to borrow more. They were also already better off because they could raise money in stock markets by selling their shares. When foreign investors were allowed into India later, they could buy these shares and so existing large Indian companies were able to raise both domestic and foreign equity. Even when foreign direct investment (FDI) was allowed, government regulation mostly allowed foreigners to invest in joint ventures (JVs) with Indian companies, and later if they wanted to set up another venture independently, or with another Indian company, they needed permission of the original Indian JV partner. All these came together to work well for existing companies. The restrictions on Indian finance, FDI policy and restrictions on banking continued to tilt the balance in favour of the same companies that had dominated India for a long time. While some old private banks existed, they were very small. Some new private banks were allowed later, but the sector was largely PSU dominated and continued working with the mindset of central planning. The culture of pleasing bosses coupled with little competence or incentives to push for lending to new and innovative projects didn’t change. Banking regulator Reserve Bank of India and the government too continued with the old central planning system in banking by telling banks to lend a certain percentage to “priority sectors”, as defined by the government, and another certain percentage to the government and so on Reforms needed in Banking and finance: Big Banks The Narasimham Committee Report (1991), emphasised that India should have three or four large commercial banks, with domestic and international presence, along with foreign banks. The second tier may comprise several mid-size lenders, including niche banks, with economy-wide presence. In accordance with these recommendations, the government has already merged a few PSBs, initiated steps towards setting up of DFI, Bad Bank, etc. Need for Differentiated Banks Though the universal banking model has been widely preferred, there is a need for niche banking to cater to the specific and varied requirements of different customers and borrowers. Essentially, these specialised banks would ease the access to finance in areas such as RAM (retail, agriculture, MSMEs). Further, the proposed DFI/niche banks may be established as specialised banks to have access to low-cost public deposits and for better asset-liability management. Blockchain Banking Risk management can be more specific and the neo-banks can leverage the technology to further (digital) financial inclusion and finance higher growth of aspirational/new India. In this context, technologies like Blockchain can be implemented in Indian Banking. Blockchain technology will allow prudential supervision and control over the banks may be easier. Mitigating Moral Hazard Till date, failure of public sector banks has been a rare phenomenon and the hidden sovereign guarantee is the main reason for superior public confidence in the banks. However, with the privatisation drive of PSBs, this may not be always true. Therefore, fifth generation banking reforms should focus on the need for higher individual deposit insurance and effective orderly resolution regimes to mitigate moral hazard and systemic risks with least cost to the public exchequer. ESG Framework Differentiated Banks also may be encouraged to get listed on a recognised stock exchange and adhere to ESG (Environment, Social Responsibility, and Governance) framework to create value for their stakeholders in the long run. Empowering Banks The government should tighten the loose ends by allowing them to build diversified loan portfolios, establishing sector-wise regulators, bestowing more powers to deal effectively with wilful defaulters. There is also a need to pave the way for the corporate bond market (shift from bank-led economy) to create a responsive banking system in a dynamic real economy. Conclusion Present scenario calls for a paradigm shift in the banking sector to improve its resilience and maintain financial stability. In this context, the government has recently announced new banking reforms, involving the establishment of a Development Finance Institution (DFI) for infrastructure, creation of a Bad Bank, and privatisation of public sector banks (PSBs) to ease its burden in terms of mobilising additional capital.This with governance reforms will go a long way to fill the void left by banking reforms in 1991. TLP Synopsis Day 154 PDF

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