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Press Information Bureau (PIB) IAS UPSC – 23rd October to 27th October – 2019

Press Information Bureau (PIB) IAS UPSC – 23rd to 27th October, 2019 ARCHIVES GS-2 Cabinet approves  Proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and St. Vincent & the Grenadines on cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine It will lead to promotion and propagation of Traditional Systems of Medicine in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.  Activities mentioned in the MoU will boost the importance of AYUSH Systems of Medicine in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.  As a consequence of the MoU, exchange of experts for training of the practitioners and Scientists undertaking collaborative research in Traditional Systems of Medicine are expected to lead to new innovations in drug development and practice of Traditional Medicine. Proposal for Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation between India and the United States of America Agreement will open a new chapter in bilateral relations as both sides will leverage complementary strengths spurred by a significant convergence of mutual interests in science and technology. The Agreement would provide an opportunity to promote ‘high quality’ and ‘high impact’ research and innovation partnerships as well as broadening and expanding relationships between the extensive scientific and technological communities. MoU between India and Kuwait in the field of accounting, finance and audit knowledge base ICAI has a strong membership base of over 6000 members in the Middle East region and the contemplated MoU for providing assistance to KAAA, Kuwait shall benefit the ICAI members in the region and would provide an additional impetus to the prospects of the ICAI Members. The aim of the MoU is to work together to develop a mutually beneficial relationship for the best interest of ICAI members, students and their organizations. New World Bank Project to Support Climate Resilient Agriculture for 125,000 Small holder Farmers in Odisha (Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests) The Government of India, Government of Odisha and the World Bank signed a US$165 million loan agreement to support smallholder farmers strengthen the resilience of their production systems as well as diversify and improve the marketing of their produce, for increased income. The Odisha Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture  Will be implemented in rural areas vulnerable to droughts and largely dependent on rain-fed agriculture It will benefit about 125,000 smallholder farmer households from 15 districts of Odisha managing 128,000 ha of agricultural land.  The project will strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers against adverse climate by improving access to resilient seed varieties and production technologies, diversifying towards more climate-resilient crops, and improving access to better water management and irrigation services. The project will Support the rehabilitation of 532 water tanks - expected to irrigate 91,435 ha Promote productivity improvements at the farm level Support farmers to reduce the current emphasis on food grains (especially paddy and wheat) Increase the share of high-value and more nutritious products like fruits and vegetables Provide marketing support to farmers who are able to generate a marketable surplus The project will also support aquaculture in rehabilitated tanks, help farmers access affordable and quality fingerlings, and disseminate improved aquaculture practices and post-harvest management. Why? In recent years, climate variability has seriously affected agriculture in Odisha, where farming is largely dominated by farmers with landholdings of less than two hectares. More and more agricultural areas are coming under the ambit of extreme weather events. Since 2009, the frequency of droughts in the state has increased from 1 in 5 years to 1 in 2 years. Today, about 70 percent of total cultivated area is prone to droughts compared to 40 percent in the 1970s. In fact, since 2013, floods are now devastating areas beyond the traditional flood zone. Drier areas are projected to become drier, while wetter areas will become wetter. Agriculture is also a major source of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in Odisha, responsible for about 25 percent of the GHG emissions in the state. Kais Saied sworn-in as President of Tunisia (Topic: India and its neighbourhood) Kais Saied has been sworn in as Tunisia's new president. The 61-year-old law professor has no prior political experience, never held office and barely ran a campaign. Saied sealed a resounding victory in a runoff election on October 13, largely buoyed by a groundswell of support from young voters. Expectations Must strengthen the protection of human rights in the country Urgently put an end to abuses in the name of security, including the abusive use of emergency measures – Since November 2015, Tunisia’s authorities have used a 1978 presidential decree to impose a continuous state of emergency. The decree, which grants the executive branch sweeping powers to suspend the right to freedom of expression, assembly, association and movement has been repeatedly used to impose emergency measures in an often arbitrary, discriminatory and disproportionate manner, leading to a range of human rights violations. This decree has also been criticized for being overly vague, as it lacks judicial and constitutional oversight, and for the fact it can be renewed indefinitely. Commit to implementation of the recommendations of the transitional justice commission, elect the remaining members of the constitutional court and maintain the moratorium on the death penalty – Although no executions have been carried out in Tunisia since 1991, courts continue to hand out death sentences, particularly in counter-terrorism cases. Tunisia: Key Details A country in the Maghreb region of North Africa Tunisia's name is derived from its capital city, Tunis, which is located on its northeast coast. Its northernmost point, Cape Angela, is the northernmost point on the African continent.  Geographically, Tunisia contains the eastern end of the Atlas Mountains, and the northern reaches of the Sahara desert. It is bordered by  Algeria to the west and southwest Libya to the southeast The Mediterranean Sea to the north and east GS-3 First National Protocol to Enumerate Snow Leopard Population in India Launched (Topic: Conservation) Snow Leopard enumeration of the Nation, which is the first of its kind, has been developed by scientific experts in association with the Snow Leopard States/UTs namely, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunanchal Pradesh Will contribute to global ‘Population Assessment of the World’s Snow Leopard’s (PAWS) initiative Snow Leopard is found in 12 countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. 23rd October: International Snow Leopard Day Project Snow Leopard is an initiative which aims to safeguard and conserve India’s unique natural heritage of high altitude wildlife populations and their habitats by promoting conservation via participatory policies and actions. Why:  Threatened by poaching for their fur - body parts used for traditional Chinese medicine Habitat destruction by infrastructure developments and climate change Hostility from communities because of its attacks on livestock No clear knowledge about its population health, in remote habitat in the alpine zones of the Himalayas and trans-Himalayas. Status: Listed in Schedule I under Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 Appendix I of Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix I Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) In September 2017, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had downgraded conservation status of snow leopard to “vulnerable” from “endangered”.  National Heritage Animal of Pakistan and Afghanistan State animal of Himachal Pradesh Inhabits alpine and subalpine zones at elevations from 3,000 to 4,500 m (9,800 to 14,800 ft) It is vital that the momentum of conservation should not be lost merely on account of the technicality. The existing conservation must be strengthened by enlarging protected areas in all the range countries. Studies on the leopard’s vulnerability have to be intensified. The task of monitoring its entire habitat of high mountains must speeded up. The reasons for hunting livestock must be dound out to insulate the owners from losses. They should be encouraged to move away from traditional pastoral grazing. Incompatible activities such as mining and human interference in their habitats should be kept out. Note:  India’s success in tiger population - with 2967 tigers i.e. 77 per cent of world’s tiger population residing in the country, wherein 26000 cameras were used to enumerate the near exact number. India is also home to 500 plus lions, 30000 plus elephants, 2500 plus single-horned rhinos. SECURE Himalaya: Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funded the project on conservation of high altitude biodiversity and reducing the dependency of local communities on the natural ecosystem. This project is now operational in four snow leopard range states, namely, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim. Prelims Oriented News 25th October: Ayurveda day India ranks 63rd in World Bank’s Doing Business Report India improves rank by 14 positions; India has improved its rank in 7 out of 10 indicators and has moved closer to international best practices (Distance to Frontier score).Significant improvements have been registered in ‘Resolving Insolvency’, 'Dealing with Construction Permits', ‘Registering Property’, ‘Trading across Boards’ and ‘Paying Taxes’ indicators. India's leap of14 ranks in the Ease of Doing Business ranking is significant considering that there has been continuous improvement since 2015 and for the third consecutive year India is amongst the top 10 improvers. As a result of continued efforts by the Government, India has improved its rank by 79positions in last five years [2014-19]. The Doing Business assessment provides objective measures of business regulations and their enforcement across 190 economies on ten parameters affecting a business through its life cycle. The DBR ranks countries on the basis of Distance to Frontier (DTF), a score that shows the gap of an economy to the global best practice. This year, India’s DTF score improved to 71.0 from 67.23 in the previous year. DHRUV, Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme: Seeks to enrich skills and knowledge of talented children Under the DHRUV programme, talented students from science and performing arts from schools across India are brought together and mentored by experts to enhance their knowledge and skills.  IIT Delhi in association with Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, NCERT, Sangeet Natak Academy, SPIC-MACAY and Center for Cultural Resources and Training, Delhi are involved in honing the innovative and creative skills of the students. Launch of Spatial Planning Application ‘Gram Manchitra’: A Geo Spatial based decision support system for the panchayats. The panchayats can utilize this App to plan, develop and monitor developmental activities on real time basis. India signs the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Agreement with Pakistan: The Agreement is intended to facilitate pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur through Kartarpur Sahib Corridor The main issue that has been a point of discussion is the insistence of Pakistan to levy US Dollars 20 as service charge per pilgrim per visit. India has consistently urged Pakistan to not levy any fee on the pilgrims. However, in the interest of the pilgrims and timely operationalization of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor before the 550th Prakash Purb, India has agreed to sign the Agreement today. While the Agreement has been signed, Government of India continues to urge this issue with the Government of Pakistan to reconsider its insistence on levying the fee. India remains ready to amend the Agreement accordingly. India continues to pursue the issue of all-weather connectivity through the corridor. In this context, Government of India has built the bridge on Indian side and a temporary service road as an interim arrangement. It is expected that Pakistan will fulfil the assurance that it would build the bridge on their side at the earliest. National Corporate Social Responsibility Awards (NCSRA): The Awards have been instituted in 2017 subsequent to the recommendations of the High Level Committee on CSR. Objectives: a) Increase competition in various categories of companies to infuse excellence in their CSR activities b) Encourage companies to spend the entire amount i.e. eligible CSR spend c) Recognise the impact, innovation, usage of technology, gender and environment issues, sustainability, scalability and replicability of CSR activities. d) Channelize CSR activities of corporate so that the benefits of their activities reach the marginalised sections of society and in remote areas of the country Quotes The Vice President Shri M Venkaiah Naidu  India needs a scientific renaissance and cultural revitalization as both science and culture were essential for any civilization to flourish.   Theatre and art should be part of our school curriculum. Stressing the need to create the right conditions in schools, colleges and Universities for the spirit of excellence and innovation to thrive, Shri Naidu said that greater emphasis should be laid on quality education. Observing that education should be holistic and propel children to move from narrow confines of competition to the limitless world of collaboration, he pointed out that the world we live in today is facing challenges from poverty to climate change. Collective synergy and creative energy of our youngsters are needed to overcome these formidable obstacles. Indian diaspora plays a crucial part in India’s aspiration to be an inclusive, equitable and prosperous nation Indian ‘Diaspora’ forms the 4th ‘D’ in the quartet of ‘D’s that was propelling India forward, the first three being Democracy, Demand and Demographic Dividend.

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Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th October 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th October 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Kudankulam Power Plant Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III - Energy In News Hours after a cybersecurity expert claimed on Twitter that the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant’s (KKNPP) domain controller-level access could have been compromised, government has categorically denied it Cyberattack on the unit was not possible as its systems were all standalone and forms an isolated network.  Kudankulam and other Indian nuclear power plants, control systems were not connected to an outside cyber network and Internet Government revealed that a cybersecurity audit was conducted recently after a futile attempt to hack the NPCIL’s isolated network was made. When an Iranian nuclear power plant came under suspected cyberattack in 2012 (Stuxnet virus), Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) took all precautionary measures though it had already put in place an isolated network Anti-Trust Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III - Economy In News The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has ordered a detailed investigation into online travel booking companies Make My Trip and Goibibo and hospitality provider OYO This order is based on complaints by members of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) alleging deep-discounting, payment issues and cheating by these firms. CCI said there was a prima-facie case to investigate MMT-Go and OYO for alleged violation of the provisions of Section 3(4) of the Competition Act — pertaining to anti-competitive pacts and Section 4 of the Act (relating to abuse of dominant position). Competition commission of India (CCI) A statutory body established under the provisions of The Competition Act, 2002. It consists of  a Chairperson and 6 Members appointed by the Central Government. Its mandate is implement provisions of The Competition Act, 2002 which – prohibits anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant position by enterprises regulates mergers and acquisition (M&A) which can have an adverse effect on competition within India. Flood risk Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III –Disaster Management In News New study has shown that in India, 36 million people would face annual flooding by 2050 and 44 million by 2100 if emissions continue to rise unabated. Nearly 21 million are expected to be living below the High Tide Line, the boundary that marks the farthest to which the sea reaches into the land at high tide. Globally nearly 110 million people live on land below the current high tide lines and 250 million on land below annual flood levels Current climate studies say that climate change has caused global mean sea level to rise by 11-16 cm in the 20th century and is expected to by as much as 2 m by the end of this century. As the tideline rises higher than the ground people call home, nations will increasingly confront questions about whether, how much, and how long coastal defences can protect them [caption id="attachment_51973" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th October 2019[/caption] https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2019/10/30/CNI/Chennai/TH/5_07/ffdce3b2_3288051_101_mr.jpg Government to work on relief package for Telecom sector Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III - Economy In News The government has constituted a Committee of Secretaries (CoS), headed by Cabinet Secretary to work out a relief package for the telecom sector. This may help mitigate the impact of the more than ₹1.4 lakh crore that the telcos may need to pay the exchequer following a recent Supreme Court order. The Supreme Court upheld the government’s position on including revenue from non-telecommunication businesses in calculating the annual adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of telecom companies, a share of which is paid as licence and spectrum fee to the exchequer.  Following the order, the telcos may have to pay the government ₹1.42 lakh crore within three months. CoS will review various demands made by the industry, including deferment of spectrum auction payment due for the next two years, reduction in spectrum usage charges and the Universal Service Obligation Fund levy. Stress in Telecom Sector The industry’s debt currently stands at about ₹4 lakh crore The gross revenue of the industry had fallen between 2017-18 and 2018-19, the source said the price of data for the customer at an average of ₹8 per GB is perhaps the lowest in the world. The average revenue per user per month has declined from ₹174 in 2014-15 to ₹113 in 2018-19. Bharti Airtel’s liability stands at about ₹42,000 crore while Vodafone Idea may have to shell out about ₹40,000 crore Modern Humans came from Botswana Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains I - History In News Modern humans emerged 2,00,000 years ago in a region of northern Botswana, scientists have found.  While it has long been known that modern humans — Homo sapiens — originated in Africa, scientists have until now been unable to pinpoint the precise location of our species’ birthplace.  A team analysed DNA samples from 200 Khoesan people to arrive at the conclusion. [caption id="attachment_51972" align="aligncenter" width="446"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th October 2019[/caption] https://www.sciencemag.org/sites/default/files/styles/inline__699w__no_aspect/public/homeland-map_1280p.jpg?itok=pOgvW40e Bhaona Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains I- Culture In News Assamese Bhaona to make an English debut in Abu Dhabi Bhaona — a mythology-based theatrical performance - a 500-year old traditional Assamese art form propagated by Vaishnavite saint and reformer Sankardeva. It is for the first time that Bhaona would be presented in English for an international audienceto popularise the Vaishnava theatrical performance for global art connoisseurs, and familiarise them with Assamese culture and traditions Sankardeva needed to connect with his Assamese masses, who did not expect the divine characters of his plays to speak in the common man’s language. So he created the Brajavali, a literary language limited to theatrical usage Do You Know? Sattriya is one of the eight Indian Classical dance traditions. The dance was introduced in 15th Century by a great Vaishnava Saint MahapurushShankardev in Assam. It was primarily a monastery dance and later on evolved as a distinctive dance form and spread across Assam. It has been for centuries, nurtured and preserved with great commitment by the Sattras i.e. Vaishnava maths or monasteries. Because of its religious character and association with the Sattras, this dance style has been aptly named Sattriya. Mountain gorillas  Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II - Conservation In News Rainforest protection and dedicated veterinarians have helped the mountain gorilla population bounce back in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Alarmed by rising rates of poaching and deforestation in central Africa, experts predicted the species could go extinct by 2000. Instead, a concerted and sustained conservation campaign has averted the worst and the number of mountain gorillas – a subspecies of eastern gorillas – has risen from 680 a decade ago to just over 1,000 today Switzerland-based International Union for Conservation of Nature changed the status of mountain gorillas from "critically endangered" to "endangered," an improved if still-fragile designation. It involved “extreme conservation," which has entailed monitoring every single gorilla in the rainforest, periodically giving them veterinary care and funding forest protection by sending money into communities that might otherwise resent not being able to convert the woods into cropland. Do You Know? Gorillas share about 98% of human DNA Gorillas are actually languid primates that eat only plants and insects, and live in fairly stable, extended family groups.  Their strength and chest-thumping displays are generally reserved for contests between male rivals. (MAINS FOCUS) ECONOMY TOPIC: General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. Randomised control trials (RCT) (Part 2) Context: Three randomistas, Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer, were awarded the 2019 Nobel prize in Economics for their ‘randomised control trials’ (RCT)-based studies on poverty worldwide. Development economics has drastically changed during the last two decades , due to the extensive use of ‘randomised control trials’ (RCT). [caption id="attachment_51974" align="aligncenter" width="453"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th October 2019[/caption] Img :https://www.ebmconsult.com/content/images/Stats/Randomized%20Control%20Trial%20Deisgn.png RCTs Evolution: RCTs can be traced back in the 16th century.  The statistical foundation of RCT was developed by British statistician Sir Ronald Fisher, about 100 years ago In 1995, statisticians Marvin Zelen and Lee-Jen Wei illustrated a clinical trial to evaluate the hypothesis that the antiretroviral therapy AZT reduces the risk of maternal-to-infant HIV transmission. Drawing an inference, despite heterogeneity among the patients, was possible due to randomisation.  RCT got its importance in clinical trials since the 1960s, currently any clinical trials without RCT were being considered almost useless. RCT was not applied to social sciences then . RCTs in Social sciences: RCTs in Social scientists is interesting, doable, and effective. Nature of social science slowly converted from ‘non-experimental’ to ‘experimental’. Many applications of RCTs took place in social policy-making during the 1960-90s, The ‘randomistas’ took control of development economics since the mid-1990s. Nearly 1,000 RCTs were conducted by Noble laureates 2019 and their colleagues in 83 countries such as India, Kenya and Indonesia. Case study: Finland’s Basic Income experiment Finland’s Basic Income experiment (2017-18), where 2,000 unemployed Finns between ages 25-58 were randomly selected across the country, and were paid €560 a month instead of basic unemployment benefits.  Results from the first year data didn’t have any significant effect on the subjects’ employment, in comparison with the control group comprising individuals who were not selected for the experimental group Significance: Randomisation makes different treatment groups comparable and also helps to estimate the error associated in the inference. Unless randomisation is done, most of the standard statistical analyses and inference procedures become meaningless.  Earlier social experiments lacked randomisation and that might be one reason that statisticians such as Sir Ronald Fisher were unwilling to employ statistics in social experiments. Criticisms: In order to conduct RCTs, the broader problem is being sliced into smaller ones, and any dilution of the scientific method leaves the conclusions questionable. Connecting the dots: “RCT or no RCT” may not be just a policy decision to economics; it is the question of shifting the paradigm. justify Also read: Part 1 : https://iasbaba.com/2019/10/daily-current-affairs-ias-upsc-prelims-and-mains-exam-18th-october-2019/#Randomized_controlled_trial ECONOMY TOPIC: General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Employment in India Context: Since the results of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2017-18 became public — they showed that unemployment in India was at a 45-year high — there has been vigorous public debate about the true state of unemployment in the country. What fuelled debate? Long delays in the availability of past employment data, even though PLFS tracks employment annually. Highlights of survey:  6.1% of India’s labour force, and 17.8% of young people (15-29 years) in the labour force are unemployed. proportion of the workforce engaged in regular wage/salaried jobs increased by 5 percentage points between 2011-12 (when the last NSSO employment unemployment survey was conducted) and 2017-18. The overall workforce declined by 4 percentage points between 2011-12 and 2017-18). Regular workers increased only by one percentage point to 8% over the same period. India still lags far behind developing economies such as China (53.1%), Brazil (67.7%) and South Africa (84.8%) in the share of salaried or regular jobs. [caption id="attachment_51975" align="aligncenter" width="365"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th October 2019[/caption] Img :https://images.indianexpress.com/2019/10/jobs1.jpg?w=481&h=497&imflag=true Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)suggested : Instead of focusing on unemployment, it focuses only on the “employment” data.  It does so by looking at three comparable surveys conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) — the Employment-Unemployment Surveys (EUS) of 2004-05 and 2011-12, and the PLFS of 2017-18. Mapping of Unemployment: The NSSO surveys divide the entire population into three categories.  Category 1 consists of people who were involved in economic activity (or work) during the reference period of the survey. These individuals are labelled as “Employed” — and Category 1 can be subdivided into categories such as self-employed, salaried employees, and casual labourers. Category 2 consists of people who were not engaged in any economic activity during the reference period of the survey, but were looking for work if work was available. These individuals are labelled as “Unemployed”. Category 3 constitutes people who are neither engaged in work nor available for it. This category — labelled as “Not in the labour force” — would have a large number of people, including those who have retired, those studying, those unable to work due to disability, and those attending “only” to domestic duties. Img: https://images.indianexpress.com/2019/10/jobs-2.jpg?w=546&h=572&imflag=true Connecting the dots:  Has the rise of the organised sector led to an increase in contractual employment? Analyse (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note:  Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1)Bhaona, an India performing artis predominant in which region/state of India? Gujarat Ladakh Assam None of the above Q.2)Consider the following statements Gorillas share about 98% of human DNA Gorillas are actually languid primates that eat only plants and insects, and live in fairly stable, extended family groups.  Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3)Consider the following statements about Competition Commission of India (CCI) It is a quasi-judicial body. It is responsible for enforcing Competition Act, 2002 throughout India. It works to protect the interests of consumers. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 and 2 1 and 3 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.4)Consider the following statements about Sattriya Sattriya is one of the eight Indian Classical dance traditions.  The dance was introduced in 15th Century by a great Vaishnava Saint MahapurushShankardev in Ladakh. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5)Consider the following statements Current climate studies say that climate change has caused global mean sea level to rise by 11-16 cm in the 20th century and is expected to by as much as 2 m by the end of this century. In India, 36 million people would face annual flooding by 2050 and 44 million by 2100 if emissions continue to rise unabated. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 MUST READ Legal pluralism in personal law The Hindu Opening of Kartarpur corridor will show us it is possible to leave behind the past, walk to the future IE We need a timebound mechanism to transition to a clearer land titling system IE Bulk purchase of drugs, not price control ET Raise the limit for deposit insurance ET

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Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 29th October 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 29th October 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Second round of Smart Cities, AMRUT may roll out in 2020 Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains I – Urban Development In News AMRUT, a five-year scheme, started in June 2015. Many of its water and sewage management projects would get completed towards the end of the scheme — June 2020 In AMRUT scheme, there were 500 cities and the criteria was a population of 1,00,000, which gave a coverage of nearly 65% of urban population. The remaining 35% of the urban population will be covered under the AMRUT-2. The Smart Cities Mission covers 100 cities with a total population of 9,96,30,069 with projects worth a ₹2,05,018 crore and is a project designed till 2022 Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) AMRUT adopts a project approach to ensure basic infrastructure services relating to water supply, sewerage, storm water drains, transport and development of green spaces and parks with special provision for meeting the needs of children. Implementation of this mission will be linked to promotion of urban reforms such as e-governance, constitution of professional municipal cadre, devolving funds and functions to urban local bodies, review of building bye-laws, improvement in assessment and collection of municipal taxes, credit rating of urban local bodies, energy and water audit and citizen-centric urban planning in cities other than the 100 smart cities. Under this project, 10% of the budget allocation will be given to states/union territories as incentive based on achievement of reforms during the previous year Smart city Mission Launched on 25 June 2015, Smart Cities Mission’s objective is to strengthen urban infrastructure through application of smart solutions and provide a better quality of life to citizens. This will be implemented through an ‘area based’ approach consisting of retrofitting, redevelopment, pan-city initiatives and development of new cities. Under retrofitting, deficiencies in an identified area will be addressed through necessary interventions. Pan-city components could be interventions like Intelligent Transport Solutionsthat benefits all residents by reducing the commuting time. Smart city aspirants will be selected through a process of competition and with effective citizen participation ending the ‘top down’ approachand leading to ‘people centric’ urban development. IK ONKAR Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains I - Culture In News In a unique gesture to mark 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, Air India has depicted Sikh religious symbol 'Ik Onkar' on the tail of one of its aircraft. The national carrier has put the symbol on its Boeing 787 aircraft which will fly on October 31 from Amritsar to Stansted, UK. Ek Onkar means "God is One". The symbol is an emblem of the Sikh religion and is found on Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) around the world. The gesture is unique as the national carrier has never depicted any religious symbol on its planes DOXXING Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III –Issues related to Cyber In News A court in Hong Kong has issued a temporary order, banning the practice of ‘doxxing’ A common dictionary definition of doxxing (also spelt as ‘doxing’) is to publicly identify or publish private information about someone, especially with the intention of punishing or taking revenge. The intention was to identify and stigmatise, and attempt to force a change in the behaviour of the targeted individual through these intimidatory tactics. While it was employed widely against members of the neo-Nazi white supremacist crowd who seemed open and bold about their racism, its potential for use — and misuse — by a range of people and groups was apparent. In Hong Kong, protesters have been releasing information about police officers and their families, thereby opening them up to targeted violence or harassment and abuse, either physically or online. Doxxing has emerged as one of the major tactics employed by pro-democracy protesters who have been carrying out relentless, sometimes violent, demonstrations that the administration has found impossible to suppress for over four months now. Manipur, Arunachal wants to be kept out of Naga peace deal Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II – Federalism In News Arunachal Pradesh has echoed Manipur in demanding to be kept out of any “territorial changes” that might be incorporated in the settlement of the Naga political problem. The Central government has been discussing with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) as well as a rival conglomerate named Naga National Political Groups for the “final solution” on the peace accord by October 31 NSCN-IM’s vision of Nagalim or Greater Nagaland would entail redrawing of boundaries to bring all Naga-inhabited areas in the Northeast under one administrative umbrella. The NSCN-IM’s map of Nagalim spreads over 1,03,473 sq km beyond the 16,527 sq km area of Nagaland. It includes much of eastern Arunachal. The outfit, as well as rival factions, claim these areas, primarily Changlang, Longding and Tirap districts are dominated by Nagas. Naga Framework Agreement, 2015 On Aug 3, 2015, latest agreement was signed with NSCN (Isak-Muivah)and other Naga armed groups such as NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) with the Union government. (however, NSCN (Khaplang) was excluded) Idea of a pan-Naga Hoho(a proposed statutory body as part of the Framework Agreement) that will enjoy independent executive and budgetary powers to look after the welfare of Naga inhabited areas outside Nagaland was mooted to bring long lasting solution to Naga peace process The biggest breakthrough is that the NSCN (I-M), and other Naga armed groups such as NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) have agreed to give up violence and resolve all issues peacefully. For background on Naga issue refer - https://iasbaba.com/2016/07/iasbabas-daily-current-affairs-6th-july-2016/ Nurture the Future Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III - Governance In News The Centre’s first-ever common foundation course Aarambh (Beginning) for 2019 batch probationer civil servants has begun at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat Along with training and seminars by experts, the government has also launched a new initiative under which each official will guide a local youth from villages near the Statue of Unity, which is located in a tribal area along the Narmada river. Under the mentorship programme Nurture the Future, close to 500 civil service officials will be divided into teams to visit villages near Kevadia and each official will take a youth under his wing and provide career and professional guidance The initiative will ensure a better and brighter future for the youth living in remote and rural areas. Over the next five years, the initiative is expected to cover nearly one lakh youth throughout the country as part of the foundation course of probationers who have just passed the civil services exam and joined the country’s elite bureaucracy. Weavers will soon sell products directly online Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III - Economy In News Handloom weavers in Andhra Pradesh are going to get the much-needed impetus as the Department of Handloom and Textiles(H&T) is all set to launch three initiatives that directly connect weavers to customers via popular online and offline garment business platforms. The initiatives are aimed at ending the middlemen system that has been depriving weavers of basic earnings and sustainability, and passing on the benefit from the sale of the product to the weaver Government already tied up with e-commerce site Yes Poho which is selling Uppada and Kalamkari saris. Yes Poho talks to weavers directly and middlemen and even the AP State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society (APCO) have no role to play here. For sale of saris and fabric through showrooms other than APCO’s stores, the H&T Department is going to tie up with Fab India who will procure the saris from weavers directly and sell them in their stores across the country and abroad. The APCO has also entered into an agreement with e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart for sale of 400 types of handloom products like saris, towels and blankets on their platforms. Kyarr Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains I - Geoghraphy In News Supercyclone ‘Kyarr’ in the Arabian Sea has moved westwards and away from India’s coast, Heavy Rainfall to very heavy rainfall very likely in Kerala & Mahe is expected. With raging wind speeds of 220-230 kmph gusting to 250 kmph, the Category-4 Kyarr is thought to be the biggest Arabian Sea storm in at least a decade. Indian Ocean Dipole, a natural climate pattern, has given a boost to tropical cyclones in the western portion of the basin this year. It’s currently in a positive phase, which creates a warm reservoir of water in the Arabian Sea and elsewhere. Cyclones feed off of this warm water, and it generally spurs more areas of thunderstorms that can be spun up into cyclones. It has been a landmark year for cyclones in the North Indian Ocean. In fact, it has been the Indian Ocean’s most energetic cyclone season on record. Thus far, 2019 Accumulated Cyclone Energy, or “ACE,” has hit 53.9 units. ACE is a measure of how much kinetic energy a cyclone is dishing out through its winds.The average year-to-date ACE for the North Indian Ocean is no more than 10 units.the previous seasonal record was 46.1 ACE units in 2007. Two-child policy Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains I - Society In News All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) – political party in Assam- has opposed the Assam government’s two-child policy for job eligibility In September 2017, the Assam Assembly had passed the 'Population and Women Empowerment Policy of Assam' that specified that job candidates with two children only would be eligible for government employment and the existing government staff were to strictly follow the two children family norm The policy will come into effect from January 1st, 2021 India, Saudi to form strategic council Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II–International Relations In News India and Saudi Arabia are set to sign an agreement for creating a bilateral strategic partnership council during the official visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Riyadh The council will include multiple sections involving the External Affairs Ministry and NITI Aayog and counterpart organisations from Saudi Arabia. The council will be led by Mr. Modi and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. PM Modi’s visit will be used to showcase that Saudi-India ties are determined by long-term strategic considerations like India’s energy security and desire to ensure stability in the Gulf region Kashmir unlikely to get any attention from Saudi rulers as the visit is expected to boost the Crown Prince’s global stature which suffered after Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was brutally killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. PM Modi will deliver address at Future Investment Forum organised by the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Saudi Arabia, the kingdom’s public investment fund The forum is popularly known as the ‘Davos in the Desert’ and has been hosted by Riyadh since 2017 to project the kingdom as the future investment hub in the region. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests 18th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit (Part-2) Context The 18th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit held in Baku, Azerbaijan between October 25 and October 26, 2019T his will be second time in row PM Modi is missing in NAM summit Earlier skipped the 17th Margarita NAM Summit, 2017 in Venezuela too wherein India was represented by the then Vice-President Mr. Hamid Ansari. This time again the country will be represented by the Vice President of the country Mr. V. Naidu. India and NAM: The term "Non-Alignment" was coined by V K Menon in his speech at UN in 1953 India played an important role in multilateral movements of colonies and newly independent countries that wanted join the Non-Aligned Movement. Non-Aligned movement was the "formula" devised by Nehru and other leaders of the newly independent countries of the third world to "guard" their independence "in face of complex international situation demanding allegiance to either of the two warring superpowers" The  principles of “Panchsheel” serves as the basis of the Non-Aligned Movement. Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty Mutual non-aggression Mutual non-interference in domestic affairs Equality and mutual benefit Peaceful co-existence Significance:                       NAM Brought India large international prestige among newly independent states India used nonalignment to establish itself as a leader of the newly independent world in multilateral organisations as the United Nations (UN) and the Nonaligned Movement. Crux: The signing of the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation between India and the Soviet Union in 1971 tarnished India’s image as a nonaligned nation India's involvement in the internal affairs of its neighbours in the 1970s and 1980s tarnished India’s image as a nonaligned nation NAM and India in 21st century India continues to practice the policy of non-alignment which allows it to maintain national sovereignty while still receiving economic and military assistance when needed. Non-alignment has propelled India to achieve one of their main strategic objectives: non-dependence. In recent years India has used this policy to its advantage in order to strengthen external partnerships and seek out material needs when necessary, while still ensuring that India as a country is able to pursue its own foreign policy goals. Conclusion: Given the present impasse in international relations with little leeway for game-changing initiatives, India will do well to move away from being a camp follower of one of the emerging poles to create our own fourth pole. Connecting the dots: India must seek nonaligned partnerships which can work together outside the influence of the U.S., China and Russia. Analyse. INTERNAL SECURITY TOPIC: General Studies 3 Linkages between development and spread of extremism. Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security. Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention NAGA Peace talks Context: The deadline set by the Centre for wrapping up the Naga peace talks is on October 31 The Centre’s interlocutor and now Nagaland’s Governor, R N Ravi, has stressed some key issues remain unresolved with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), or NSCN(I-M). Pic: http://images.newindianexpress.com/uploads/user/imagelibrary/2018/8/3/w900X450/Nagaland_map.jpg Background: The ethnic conflict in Nagaland, is an ongoing conflict fought between the ethnic Nagas and the governments of India and Myanmar. Nagaland inhabited by the Nagas is located at the tri-junction border of India on the West and South, north and Myanmar on the East. "National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang)", which wants an independent "greater Nagaland" to include territory now in Myanmar, based on ethnicity; and the "Naga National Council (Adino)". The question of "Naga Sovereignty" was put to plebiscite on 16 May 1951. Historian Benjamin Zachariah, ″It was in the north-east of India that the Nehruvian vision took on its most brutal and violent forms.″ The Indian Government conceded a separate Naga state within the Indian Union in 1960 and the state was inaugurated in 1963. Rebel groups have operated in Nagaland : Naga National Council under Angami Zapu Phizo. Naga National Council (Adino) – NNC (Adino): led by the daughter of Naga rebel A.Z. Phizo. National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah): want to establish a ‘Greater Nagaland’ (‘Nagalim’ or the People’s Republic of Nagaland) based on Mao Tse Tung’s model. National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang): formed goal is to establish a ‘greater Nagaland’ based on ethnicity, comprising the Naga-dominated areas within India, and contiguous areas in Myanmar. Pic: https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-f72266ce1f485983cd489d1072b5b2e0.webp Current status: In 2015, the Centre signed a framework agreement with the NSCN(I-M). Prime Minister Narendra Modi described this as a “historic agreement” towards settling the “oldest insurgency” in India. This set the stage for the ongoing peace talks. In 2017, six other Naga armed outfits under the banned of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) joined the talks. Currently , Muivah remains the senior-most Naga rebel leader. Isak died in 2016. In the NSCN(-K), its leader Khaplang died in 2018 Framework agreement: The government has not yet spelt out the details in public. Following the agreement, the government had said “The Government of India recognised the unique history, culture and position of the Nagas and their sentiments and aspirations. The NSCN understood and appreciated the Indian political system and governance.” Current status 2018: The accord being finalised “does not change the boundary of states; Provides autonomous Naga territorial councils for Arunachal and Manipur; A common cultural body for Nagas across states; Specific institutions for state’s development, integration, rehabilitation of non-state Naga militia The removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act”. Other issues: The government and the NSCN(I-M) have failed to agree on issues relating to a separate Naga flag and a constitution. NSCN(I-M) has said it will not budge from the demand for the flag and the constitution — and that it is looking for a lasting solution. Connecting the dots: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur are wary of the NSCN-IM’s concept of Nagalim or Greater Nagaland that could lead to a redrawing of their boundaries. Analyse. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note:  Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1)DOXXING oftenseen in news is related to which of the following areas? Evergreening of Patents Military exercises with focus on counter-terror operations Publishing private information about someone None of the above   Q.2)Consider the following statements about Future Investment Forum It is organised by the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Saudi Arabia, the kingdom’s public investment fund The forum is popularly known as the ‘Davos in the Desert’and has been hosted by Riyadh since 2017 to project the kingdom as the future investment hub in the region. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3)Consider the following statements about India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Council The council will include only the External Affairs Ministry and Defence Ministry and their counterparts from Saudi Arabia. The council will be led by Indian Prime Minister and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia-King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4)Consider the following statements about Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) Itis a measure of how much kinetic energy a cyclone is dishing out through its winds. The average ACE for the North Indian Ocean is no more than 40 units. Thus far, 2019 Accumulated Cyclone Energy has hit 53.9 units. The previous seasonal record was 46.1 ACE units in 2007. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1,2 and 3 MUST READ Death of a terrorist: On Baghdadi's killing The Hindu The power of ordinary people The Hindu  Settling the Ayodhya case once and for all The Hindu The many gaps in NCRB data The Hindu

Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Embracing Creativity – Inspirational Educative Articles

Embracing Creativity: Creativity is not just an isolated department of life; it is the core of life. The very process of living is a creative endeavor. Creativity cannot happen without you, and this is very important to understand. It is your mind that has the ability to imagine, create thoughts, and generate emotions. When you project the inherent nature of your mind outward, it becomes creativity. In this sense, everyone is creative. It’s not as if you can say, “Oh, I don’t want to be creative. I’ll just go on living my life the way I’m living it. I don’t have to worry about it.” When you are right in the middle of life, creativity is inevitable. Why would you ever desire to avoid it? You are here to express yourself, and in that expression, your life can become complete and meaningful. Should you decide not to express yourself, a part of you will never reach its highest potential, and you will always feel a sense of incompletion in your life. You have to embrace creativity as a part of your life. If you don’t, your life will seem dull and boring and you will be constantly searching for deeper meaning. Without creativity, new scientific inquiry would have been impossible, and the greatest of scientific minds like Albert Einstein, would have never walked among us. In fact, Einstein attributed his scientific acumen, more than anything else, to his ability to imagine. It was his imagination that allowed him to see the universe in a new way. Most people know Einstein as a great scientist, but very few people know that he was a great dreamer. Notably, Einstein himself said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited to all we know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there will ever be, to know and understand.” Imagination can easily be confused with thinking, but there is an ocean of difference between the two. While thinking is simply a process of regurgitating information that you have already gained, imagination is a process of probing the unchartered realms of your mind. Einstein was able to walk a very different path from all the other physicists of his time because he valued imagination more than thinking. The birthplace of imagination is the silent and still depths of your mind. Without silence and stillness, imagination is impossible. Thinking can happen in a confused and chaotic mind, but imagination requires a quiet and still mind. Since meditation can help you to access your inner silence and stillness, it is the greatest nurturer of creativity. In reality, meditation is to creativity what tilling the soil is to gardening. In order for the garden to flourish, you need to remove the weeds and create the conditions for growth. In order for creativity to flourish, you must get rid of unwanted and excessive thinking and find the zone of inner silence and stillness. If you don’t allow yourself any space for inner silence and stillness, creativity will simply have no room to take root and grow. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Meditation Farm and IASBABA.”

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 26th October 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 26th October 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) RTI RULES Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II–RTI In News The Ministry of Personnel notified the Right to Information (Term of Office, Salaries, Allowances and Other Terms and Conditions of Service of Chief Information Commissioner, Information Commissioners and State Information Commissioners) Rules, 2019. The rules have reduced the tenure of Information Commissioners from five years to three. The Chief Information Commissioner’s salary has been fixed at Rs2.5 lakh and an Information Commissioner’s at Rs 2.25 lakh. It gives the government the discretion to decide on “conditions of service” for which no express provisions are made in the rules. According to activists, the rules had been drafted and promulgated in completely surreptitious manner which is in violation of the procedures laid down in the Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy of 2014. The policy requires all draft rules to be placed in the public domain for comments/suggestions of people. The draft was not available in the public domain and no consultations were held with members of the public. The changes would affect the independence of ‘Information Commissions who will function like caged parrots.’ PMO tells States to address stubble burning issue Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III - Environment In News The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has instructed Punjab and Haryana to address the issue of stubble burning.  Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister chaired a meeting with members of a task force that oversees implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) According to assessment by weather forecast agency SAFAR, the impact of stubble burning from Haryana & Punjab is “moderate but gradually increasing.”  Experts had earlier said that this weekend is particularly crucial for air quality due to Diwali which will see bursting of crackers as well as heightened traffic. The GRAP Task Force recommended that hot mix plants, stone-crushers and construction activities that generate dust are prohibited from October 26 to 30 in Delhi and its satellite towns What is graded response action plan (GRAP)? The plan was prepared by the Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), which held meetings with stakeholders from all states over several months. A graded response lays down stratified actions that are required to be taken as and when the concentration of pollutants reaches a certain level. This plan will be putting into action a number of anti-pollution measures and there will be specific actions for each category — moderate to poor, very poor, severe and emergency. The measures include stoppage in the running of diesel sets, a three-fourfold increase in the parking rates, enhanced bus and metro services, and newspapers, TV and radio stations alerts on a daily basis with advice to people with respiratory and cardiac problems. Also, air in moderate-to-poor category will involve periodical mechanised sweeping of roads, deployment of traffic police for smooth flow of traffic at identified choke areas and strict enforcement of pollution norms at brick kilns and industrial complexes. IndiGen initiative Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III –Science & Technology In News The IndiGen initiative was undertaken by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in April 2019, which was implemented by the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi and CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad. CSIR has conducted Whole Genome Sequencing of 1,008 Indians from different populations across the country under the IndiGen Genome project. This has enabled benchmarking the scalability of genome sequencing and computational analysis at population scale in a defined timeline. The ability to decode the genetic blueprint of humans through whole genome sequencing will be a major driver for biomedical science. The aim of the exercise was twofold: to test if it’s possible to rapidly and reliably scan several genomes and advise people on health risks that are manifest in their gene and to understand the variation and frequency of certain genes that are known to be linked to disease. The outcomes of the IndiGen will have applications in a number of areas including predictive and preventive medicine with faster and efficient diagnosis of rare genetic diseases. About Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) It is an autonomous body and the largest research and development (R&D) organisation in India – running 37 laboratories and 39 field stations or extension centres. Although it is mainly funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, it operates as an autonomous body registered under the Registration of Societies Act, 1860. The research and development activities of CSIR includes aerospace engineering, Structural engineering, ocean sciences, Life sciences, metallurgy, chemicals, mining, food, petroleum, leather, and environment. Brazil intends to allow Indians without visas Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II – International Relations In News Brazil is working to implement a policy to facilitate a faster entry for Indian travellers into the country,  This is intended to boost people to people contact between the two countries and increase foreign investment into Brazil Brazil has already ended visa requirements for the citizens of U.S., Canada, Japan and Australia. The announcement from Brazil came ahead of the upcoming BRICS summit that will be held in Brazil which is expected to boost intra-BRICS ties. SYCAMORE Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III – Science & Technology In News Google announced that its quantum computer – Sycamore- has achieved a breakthrough called quantum supremacy in computing. what is quantum supremacy? It describes the point where quantum computers can do things that classical computers cannot.  In Google’s case, researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara have claimed to have developed a processor that took 200 seconds to do a calculation that would have taken a classical computer 10,000 years. what is a quantum computer? Traditional computers work on the basis of the laws of classical physics, specifically by utilising the flow of electricity. A quantum computer, on the other hand, seeks to exploit the laws that govern the behaviour of atoms and subatomic particles.  A classical computer processes information. Bits of information are stored as either 0 or 1. Every string of such digits (bitstrings) represents a unique character or instruction; for example, 01100001 represents the lowercase “a”. In a quantum computer, information is stored in quantum bits, or qubits. And a qubit can be both 0 and 1 at the same time. Unlike classical physics, in which an object can exist in one place at one time, quantum physics looks at the probabilities of an object being at different points. Existence in multiple states is called superposition, and the relationships among these states is called entanglement. (MAINS FOCUS) POLITY TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests 18th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit (Part-1) Context The 18th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit held in Baku, Azerbaijan between October 25 and October 26, 2019T his will be second time in row PM Modi is missing in NAM summit  Earlier skipped the 17th Margarita NAM Summit, 2017 in Venezuela too wherein India was represented by the then Vice-President Mr. Hamid Ansari.  This time again the country will be represented by the Vice President of the country Mr. V. Naidu. [caption id="attachment_51804" align="aligncenter" width="555"] IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 26th October 2019[/caption] Img: https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/indiatoday/images/story/201901/nonaligned_movement.jpeg?wSE3nTP7UvBer2nTciKuexZQA0U1u50R NAM: The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is a forum of 120 developing world states that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc(USA or USSR).  After the United Nations, it is the largest grouping of states worldwide Agreed at the Bandung Conference in 1955 Established in 1961 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia through an initiative of the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito. Now consists of nearly two-thirds of the UN members and 55% of the world population. Purpose: To ensure "the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries" in their "struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, and all forms of foreign aggression, occupation, domination, interference or hegemony as well as against great power and bloc politics." (Havana declaration ,Fidel castro) During cold war: Many of the Non-Aligned Movement's members were closely aligned with one or another of the superpowers  the movement  maintained unity throughout the Cold War. Several conflicts between members threatened the movement.  After cold war: NAM focused on developing multilateral ties and connections as well as unity among the developing nations of the world India and Non Alignment: India played vital role in the multilateral movements of colonies and newly independent countries that wanted to join  the Non-Aligned Movement.  India's policy was neither negative nor positive.  Diplomacy, size and its economic miracle turned India into one of the leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement and upholder of the Third World solidarity Connecting the dots: The role of the Non-Alignment Movement in world affairs had suffered greatly due to the theatre of internecine conflicts among the third World countries who spearheaded it. Elucidate. IR TOPIC: General Studies 2 Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Russian intervention in Syrian civil war Context Russian military police have arrived in Syria, under an accord between Turkey and Russia which halted Turkey's military incursion into northeast Syria. The deal, by Presidents Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin, requires that Russian military police and Syrian border guards remove all Kurdish YPG militia from the Turkish border. Turkey regards the YPG as a terrorist group aligned with Kurdish militants who have waged an insurgency in southeast Turkey since 1984. [caption id="attachment_51805" align="aligncenter" width="453"] IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 26th October 2019[/caption] Img: https://www.worldatlas.com/img/areamap/ebaac62ad98375890050b695082ce11b.gif Russian intervention in Syria: The Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War began in September 2015, after an official request by the Syrian government for military aid against rebel groups. Initially involved air strikes against targets against Syrian opposition militant groups opposed to the Syrian government, including the Syrian National Coalition, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), al-Nusra Front (al-Qaeda in Syria) and the Army of Conquest. Russian special operations forces and military advisors were stationed in Syria. Russia′s goals : Fighting terrorist organisations such as the Islamic State,  Helping the Syrian government retake territory from various anti-government groups that are labelled by the United States as ″moderate opposition″,  To roll back U.S. influence.  In 2015, Russian president Vladimir Putin defined Russia′s goal in Syria as "stabilising the legitimate power in Syria and creating the conditions for political compromise". Significance: Recapture of Palmyra from the Islamic State in March 2016, Retaking the major city of Aleppo in December 2016, Breaking the three-year-long siege of Deir ez-Zor  Criticisms: Russian air strikes killed acivilians, including children.  Russian attacks have killed more civilians than either the Islamic State or the Syrian Army. The intervention polarized international observers.  International community:  Countries with close diplomatic and economic ties to Russia, including China, Egypt, Iraq and Belarus, have generally supported the intervention Governments close to the US were usually contrary denouncing Russia for its role in the war and accusing the state of complicity in the Syrian regime's alleged war crimes.  Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have alleged Russia is committing war crimes and deliberately targeting civilians. The United States government has condemned the intervention and imposed economic sanctions against Russia for supporting the Syrian government  United Nations have condemned the Russian intervention and accused Russia of war crimes. India’s response: India over decades has advocated policy of non interference in internal affairs of a sovereign nation. India suggested for dialogue and negotiations, and on the basis of the principles of the UN Charter and in accordance with international law Connecting the dots: India over decades has advocated policy of non interference in internal affairs of a sovereign nation. Justify (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note:  Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1)IndiGen initiative is undertaken by which body/organisation? DRDO Ministry of Skill Development CSIR None of the above Q.2)Consider the following statements about Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) It is an autonomous body registered under the Registration of Societies Act, 1860. The research and development activities of CSIR includes aerospace engineering, Structural engineering, ocean sciences, Life sciences, metallurgy, chemicals, mining, food, petroleum, leather, and environment. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3)SYCAMORE often seen in news is related to which of the following area? Cyber ransomware New vaccine to treat Malaria Quantum Computing None of the above Q.4)Consider the following statements about BRICS The first BRIC Summit took place in 2009 in Russia During the Sixth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza (2014) the leaders signed the Agreement establishing the New Development Bank (NDB). Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 MUST READ A delayed imperative: On BSNL-MTNL merger The Hindu Cutting risk: On India’s anti-polio drive The Hindu India’s big foreign policy shake-up The Hindu When the abstract destroys the physical being The Hindu

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RSTV IAS UPSC – Livestock Census 2019

Livestock Census 2019 Archives TOPIC: General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment In News: The provisional data of the 20th Livestock Census released by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying showed that the livestock population increased by 4.6 per cent, from 512.06 million in 2012. The total number for livestock was pegged at around 536 million. Conducted periodically since 1919-20 The census shows a further decline in the indigenous cattle population.  It also shows that the cow belt of the country has shifted eastwards with West Bengal emerging as a state with the largest cattle population, leaving behind Uttar Pradesh. For the latest round of census, more than 80,000 personnel were in the field collecting data from more than 27 crore households and non-households using tablets. According to the official statement, this was a unique attempt to digitise household level data transmitted directly from the field. Released by: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying What is the livestock census? Under the livestock census, various species of animals possessed by households, household enterprises or non-household enterprises and institutions are counted at site — both in rural and urban areas. In other words, it covers all domesticated animals in a given period of time. India has been conducting livestock censuses periodically since 1919-20. This is the 20th one, started in October 2018. The last livestock census was conducted in 2012. Key results and changes since the last census The population of cows in the country has risen by 18 per cent in the last seven years, while that of oxen dipped by 30 per cent. A spectacular 16.8 per cent increase in the poultry population in the country to 851.81 million, mainly on account of a 46 per cent rise in backyard poultry birds, whose numbers have gone up to 317 million. Assam had registered the largest (71.63%) growth in poultry population. The number of female cattle is 145.12 million, which is 18 per cent over the 122.98 million in 2012. The number of male cattle, on the other hand, dropped to 47.4 million as against 67.92 million in 2012. Significantly the male to female cattle ratio in the 2019 survey dropped to 1:3 from 1:1.8 in the 2012 livestock survey. There is a 6 per cent decline in the total number of indigenous cattle over the previous census. On the contrary, the population of total exotic/crossbred cattle has increased by 26.9 per cent in 2019 as compared to previous census. Due to continuous fall in productivity, indigenous breeds of cattle have become liabilities for farmers, forcing them to desert the unproductive cows. Farmers find other animals such as buffaloes, goats and sheep much more productive.  Unlike cows, if these animals become unproductive, they can be sold and slaughtered for further processing. Experts believe this could have long term health and environmental impacts because the milk of indigenous breed has higher nutritional value than that of crossbreeds.  Moreover, there is a danger of losing these indigenous breeds, which have been developed and sustained by generations from time immemorial. As compared to the previous census, the percentage of sheep and goats has increased whereas the percentage of cattle, buffaloes and pigs has marginally declined. State Report Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of livestock of 67.8 million (68.7 million in 2012) Rajasthan: 56.8 million (57.7 million) Madhya Pradesh: 40.6 million (36.3 million) West Bengal: 37.4 million (30.3 million) Significance of livestock rearing The livestock species play very important economic, social and cultural roles or functions for rural households once they contribute to improve income and wellbeing of the farm family. Livestock has an important contribution for food supply of rural and urban areas and contributes to the family nutrition, supplying animal protein. Cry of Distress: The NSSO Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households (2013) shows that 52% of farming households are indebted, with rates as high as 89-92% in some States. The distress is mainly due to lack of compensation during drought and disasters, the failures of the crop insurance scheme, and the deficit due to prices falling below the announced Minimum Support Prices. Diversification of sources of income for farmers is one of the few suggested solutions. Here, livestock plays an important role for a distress farmer. Labour: A distress farmer cannot afford mechanised farming. For him cattle provide the service of labour. They help in very crude form of mechanised farming for small and marginal farmers. Reliable source of income: Unlike farm crops, livestock do not easily suffer from monsoon failure or such other natural calamity. They continue to provide milk, eggs, etc. in almost all weather conditions. Every part of livestock carries economic importance such as leather, wool, meat, etc. Reduces input cost: Dung and other remnants of livestock act as green manure, a substitute to fertilisers. They also help in weed control without using chemicals or others costly and hazardous methods. An asset: Livestock are important asset for a distress farmer which can be encashed at any moment and may help him to come out of debt trap. Nutritional security: For a distressed farmer’s family, food provided by livestock is the only source of nutrition required for survival. However, we face issues like – Poor Quality breeds Shrinking pasteur land Low productivity of dairy- which could be improved by using scientific method There is a huge deficit of good quality fodder Spread of disease among the cattle There is an excessive number of unproductive animals which compete with productive dairy animals in the utilisation of available feeds and fodder. Late maturity, in most of the Indian cattle breeds, is a common problem. The calving interval is on the increase resulting in a reduction in efficiency of animal performance. Veterinary health care centres are located in far off places. The ratio between cattle population and veterinary institution is wider, resulting in inadequate health services to animals. (Foot and Mouth disease) Many cattle owners do not provide proper shelter to their cattles leaving them exposed to extreme climatic conditions. Unsanitary conditions of cattle shed and milking yards, leads to mastitis conditions Lack of proper farmer-industry connectivity A low number of APEDA-approved abattoir High export duty on raw salted hides Lack of R&D in the sector Way forward A national breeding policy is needed to upgrade the best performing indigenous breeds. Buffalo breeding ought to be given more attention, while poultry breeding should be focused on conservation. State governments should be encouraged to participate in national breeding policy implementation. Geographical information system-based analysis must be utilised to map production systems. Animal health care should become a priority, with greater investment in preventive health care. Private investment must also be encouraged. The government needs to create better incentive structures for investment in livestock. State governments should sponsor research and assessment of the market, along with highlighting investment potential. Conclusion:  The growth in the livestock sector is demand-driven, inclusive and pro-poor. The extent to which the potential of livestock can be harnessed would depend on how technology, institutions, policies and financial support address the constraints of the sector.  The growth of the livestock sector would have more effect on poverty reduction and will contribute to Doubling farmer income by 2022. Note: Salient features of National Livestock mission Sustainable growth and development of livestock sector, including poultry Increasing availability of fodder and feed to substantially reduce the demand –supply gap through measures which include more area coverage under quality fodder seeds, technology promotion, extension, post – harvest management and processing in consonance with diverse agro -climatic condition. Accelerating production of quality fodder and fodder seeds through effective seed production chain (Nucleus – Breeder –Foundation – Certified-Truthfully labelled, etc.) with active involvement of farmers and in collaboration with the dairy / farmers cooperatives, seed corporations, and private sector enterprises. Establishing convergence and synergy among ongoing Plan programmes and stakeholders for sustainable livestock development. Promoting applied research in prioritized areas of concern in animal nutrition and livestock production. Capacity building of state functionaries and livestock owners through strengthened extension machinery to provide quality extension service to farmers. Promoting skill based training and dissemination of technologies for reducing cost of production, and improving production of livestock sector Promoting initiatives for conservation and genetic upgradation of indigenous breeds of livestock (except bovines which are being covered under another scheme of the Ministry) in collaboration with farmers / farmers’ groups / cooperatives, etc. Encouraging formation of groups of farmers and cooperatives / producers’ companies of small and marginal farmers / livestock owners. Promoting innovative pilot projects and mainstreaming of successful pilots relating to livestock sector. Providing infrastructure and linkage for marketing, processing and value addition, as forward linkage for the farmer’s enterprises. Promoting risk management measures including livestock insurance for farmers. Promoting activities to control and prevent animal diseases, environmental pollution, promoting efforts towards food safety and quality, and supply of quality hides and skins through timely recovery of carcasses. Encouraging community participation on sustainable practices related to animal husbandry, involvement of community in breed conservation and creation of resource map for the states. Must read: Mindmap Connecting the Dots: Livestock wealth is central to rural economy In India. Discuss the importance of livestock as a means of sustainable rural development. Also discuss the salient features of the National Livestock Mission. Suggest a roadmap to tap India’s real potential in the livestock sector. Identify key focus areas to achieve the same.  Dairy farming can’t sustain itself without a vibrant livestock processing industry. Comment. For the rural economy, animal rearing can become a cushion in times of distress. Don you agree? Substantiate.

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Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 25th October 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 25th October 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) KARTARPUR SAHIB CORRIDOR AGREEMENT Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II–International Relations In News India and Pakistan signed an agreement to operationalise the Kartarpur corridor that will facilitate pilgrims from India to visit the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. The corridor is being built to connect Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak, to commemorate his 550th birth anniversary celebrations on November 12. Indian pilgrims of all faiths and persons of Indian origin can use the corridor. The travel will be Visa Free; Pilgrims need to carry only a valid passport The Pakistan side has assured India to make sufficient provision for ‘Langar’ and distribution of ‘Prasad’. However, there has been no progress on resolving the disagreement over a $20 fee that Pakistan intends to levy on each traveller. Pilgrims would be allowed to carry kirpans (dagger), one of the five articles of faith worn by Sikhs. Pic: https://images.indianexpress.com/2018/11/kartarpur1.jpg A.P. likely had a flourishing port 2,000 years ago Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains I – Culture In News The first round of excavation at the site near the banks of the Swarnamukhi river in Andhra Pradesh’s Gottiprolu, about 80 km from Tirupati and Nellore,unearthed a huge settlement surrounded by a brick enclosure (fortified settlement) A maritime trade centre based out of a fortified settlement may have had a trade guild with its own army to protect its interests around 2,000 years ago, according to Archaeological Survey of India officials involved in the excavation of the site. The excavation unearthed brick-built structures in elliptical, circular and rectangular shapes. The size of bricks (43 to 48 cm) can be compared to those in the Satavahana/Ikshvaku period structures in the Krishna valley, according to the ASI. This means the site may date back to 2nd century to 1st century BCE. A four-armed 2-metre tall sculpture of Vishnu was unearthed at the site that can be dated back to the Pallava period (8th Century CE), looking at its features like head gear and drapery. The excavation also unearthed a series of broken terracotta pipes that fit into each other, pointing towards a form of drainage. ASI had excavated about 10% of the site and would start on the second round of excavations in November or December, when more evidence was likely to be unearthed. Commission for Protection of Child Rights Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II - Polity In News  The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights wants the Department of Primary and Secondary Education to ban schools from assigning homework to students in classes I to V. This proposal is made on the grounds that the move will ease the pressure on young minds. Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 provided for establishment of Commissions for Protection of Child rights both at National level and State level. About National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) NCPCR is country’s apex child rights body. Objective of this commission is to protect, promote and defend the child rights in India including the rights adopted in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children, 1989, ratified by India in 1992. The Chairperson of NCPCR should be a person of eminence who has done outstanding work on promoting the child rights. The Commission’s Mandate is to ensure that all Laws, Policies, Programmes, and Administrative Mechanisms are in consonance with the Child Rights perspective as enshrined in the Constitution of India and also the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Do you know? The Child is defined as a person in the 0 to 18 years age group. DOING BUSINESS REPORT 2020 Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III –Economy In News The World Bank released its latest Doing Business Report (DBR, 2020). India ranks at 63rd among 190 countries, moved 14 places from the previous year (77th rank in 2018). The DBR ranks countries on the basis of Distance to Frontier (DTF), a score that shows the gap of an economy to the global best practice. This year, India’s DTF score improved to 71.0 from 67.23 in the previous year. The report assess improvement in ease of doing business environment in Delhi and Mumbai. In the last 5 years, India’s ranking has improved 79 places - to 63 in 2019 from 142 in 2014. Significant improvements have been registered in ‘Resolving Insolvency’, 'Dealing with Construction Permits', ‘Registering Property’, ‘Trading across Boards’ and ‘Paying Taxes’ indicators Recovery rate under resolving insolvency has improved significantly from 26.5% to 71.6%. The time taken for resolving insolvency has also come down significantly from 4.3 years to 1.6 years. India continues to maintain its first position among South Asian countries. It was 6th in 2014. Jailed Uighur intellectual wins EU rights award Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II – Human rights In News The European Parliament has awarded the Sakharov Prize for human rights to Uighur intellectual Ilham Tohti, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment in China for “separatism”. The outspoken former Professor of economics at a Beijing university was sentenced in 2014. By awarding this prize, European Parliament strongly urge the Chinese government to release Tohti and calls for the respect of minority rights in China Who are Uighurs? The Uighurs are a minority Turkic ethnic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the general region of Central and East Asia. The Uighurs have been recognized as native to only one region, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China 2 out of 3 wild poliovirus strains have been eradicated Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III - Health In News In an announcement by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on World Polio Day (October 24), an independent commission of experts declared that wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3) has been eradicated worldwide. This follows the eradication of smallpox and wild poliovirus type 2. Efforts are being taken to eliminate the wild poliovirus type 1. This virus remains in circulation in just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. There are three individual and immunologically distinct wild poliovirus strains: wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), wild poliovirus type 2 (WPV2) and wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3). Symptomatically, all three strains are identical, in that they cause irreversible paralysis or even death. But there are genetic and virological differences, which make these three strains three separate viruses that must each be eradicated individually. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented. Polio vaccine, given multiple times, can protect a child for life. Two polio vaccines, are used throughout the world to provide immunity to poliovirus. One uses inactivated (dead) poliovirus and the other uses attenuated (weakened) poliovirus. (MAINS FOCUS) ECONOMY TOPIC: General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment World Bank's ease of doing business ranking (India 63rd Rank) Context: India hiked 14 places to the 63rd position on the World Bank's ease of doing business ranking India is  among the top 10 performers on the list for the third time in a row New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong topped World Bank applauded the reform efforts undertaken by the India in its report India is the first country of its type to jump this year by 14 position. Pic: https://static.toiimg.com/img/71732579/Master.jpg Journey from 140 to 63: In 2014 India was at 140th. 100th position in 2018 77th position in 2019 63rd now Policies that helped : 'Make in India' campaign focused on attracting foreign investment, boosting the private sector (manufacturing in particular) and increasing the country's overall competitiveness In 2015, the government's goal was to join the 50 top Rank in the ease of doing business ranking by 2020. successful implementation of the Insolvency And Bankruptcy Code(Before the implementation of the reform, it was very burdensome for secured creditors to seize companies in default of their loans) Improvements were registered in starting business(start up India scheme), dealing with construction permits and trading across borders. Govt made starting a business easier by abolishing filing fees for the SPICe (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating a Company Electronically) company incorporation form, electronic memorandum of association, and articles of association Trading across borders made easier by enabling post clearance audits, integrating trade stakeholders in a single electronic platform, upgrading port infrastructures, and enhancing the electronic submission of documents. Ease of doing business report: The report was introduced in 2003 by world bank to provide an assessment of objective measures of business regulations and their enforcement across 190 economies on ten parameters affecting a business through its life cycle Starting a business Dealing with construction permits Getting electricity Registering property Getting credit Protecting investors Paying taxes Trading across borders Enforcing contracts Resolving insolvency Implications: First, the Doing Business indicators provide a snapshot of a country’s red tape; they have no pretension of providing a comprehensive picture of the investment climate. As the World Bank makes clear, the indicators are not designed to comment on macroeconomic indicators or prospects for growth. Second, there exists a wide divergence between de jure and de facto realities in most economies. What firms actually encounter “on the ground” is perhaps more important, but there are limitations to our ability to measure and interpret those experiences without bias. The Way Ahead: While we can truly be proud of the extent of India’s macro-policy reforms, it is time we started to focus on the micro-policies of enforcement. Top down macro reforms can only be effective if they are twinned with bottom-up micro reforms. Unless the day-to-day experience of doing business improves, we will continue to under-perform relative to our true potential. To secure changes in the remaining areas will require not just new laws and online systems but deepening the ongoing investment in the capacity of states and their institutions to implement change and transform the framework of incentives and regulation facing the private sector. India’s focus on ‘doing business’ at the state level may well be the platform that sustains the country’s reform trajectory for the future Conclusion: The Ease of doing business rankings thus, should not be seen as the ultimate marker of the ruling party’s reform success. Likewise, investors who are considering the prospects for investment in India should recognize what the rankings do and do not tell us. While India has made tremendous progress in various categories, it is the depth of these reforms which needs to be worked in the next few years to bring up India into the Top 50 ranking. Connecting the dots: The change in Ease of doing business ranking is fully acknowledged by the growth in Foreign Direct Investment into India. Analyse. Mind map Pic: https://iasbaba.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ease-of-Doing-Business.jpg INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2: India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora. Operationalisation of the Kartarpur Corridor Context India and Pakistan signed agreement on Kartarpur corridor. The agreement relates to the modalities for operationalisation of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor at Zero Point, International Boundary, Dera Baba Nanak. Indian pilgrims of all faiths and persons of Indian origin can use the corridor and the travel will be Visa Free Pilgrims need to carry only a valid passport and the Corridor is open from dawn to dusk Pilgrims travelling in the morning will have to return on the same day. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/11/23/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_01/88722918_2544650_101_mr.jpg Current status: Currently pilgrims from India have to take a bus to Lahore to get to Kartarpur, which is a 125 km journey although people on the Indian side of the border can physically see Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on the Pakistani side. An elevated platform has also been constructed for the same on the Indian side, where people use binoculars to get a good view Concern: Under the agreement, Pakistan will charge a very nominal USD 20 from every Indian Sikh pilgrim for a single trip India continues to urge this issue with the Government of Pakistan to reconsider its insistence on levying the fee. Indian pilgrims who enter Pakistan through the Kartarpur corridor will not be allowed to visit other gurdwaras in the Punjab province of that country. They would have to go via the normal route, after applying for a visa, and paying the requisite fees. Concerns about the pilgrims being exposed to the propaganda of pro-Khalistan elements.   Pic: http://www.samacharnama.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/kartarpur-corridor-map-1.png Why levy? Pakistan has spent about Rs 1,000 crore on the Kartarpur corridor infrastructure. It would be providing langar to the pilgrims who visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. It would also be providing e-rickshaws to ferry the pilgrims from Dera Baba Nanak on the Indian side. The fee has triggered a political controversy within India, and Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has called the fee a “jazia” tax on pilgrims. Gurdwara in Kartarpur The gurdwara in Kartarpur is located on the bank of river Ravi in Pakistan It is about four km from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine, and about 120 km northeast of Lahore It was here that Guru Nanak assembled a Sikh community and lived for 18 years until his death in 1539 The shrine is visible from the Indian side, as Pakistani authorities generally trim the elephant grass that would otherwise obstruct the view Indian Sikhs gather in large numbers for darshan from the Indian side, and binoculars are installed at Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak The gurdwara was opened to pilgrims after repairs and restoration in 1999, and Sikh jathas have been visiting the shrine regularly ever since Sikh jathas from India travel to Pakistan on four occasions every year- for Baishakhi, the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev, the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev. Significance First proposed in 1999 by the prime ministers of India and Pakistan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif, respectively, as part of the Delhi–Lahore Bus diplomacy Implemented as an integrated development project with Government of India funding. The development comes ahead of the 550th Prakash Purab or 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in 2019. Until now, most Indian devotees have had to contend with a darshan using binoculars installed at Dera Baba Nanak Sahib. This can be considered a big development since despite the India-Pakistan deadlock in talks, both India and Pakistan have been able to form a consensus on the issue. Way forward: India must work to secure its border from the threat even as it opens the gates for thousands of pilgrims to travel to Pakistan. National security must get priority there must be an effort by all stakeholders in India — the Centre, the State government and the leadership of the BJP, the Akalis and the Congress — to resist scoring political points against one another. Modalities and technical issues, such as on the numbers, eligibility and identity proof required for the trip to Kartarpur Sahib, should be ironed out by both governments. India must negotiate with the Government of Pakistan to reconsider its insistence on levying the fee. Conclusion: It will be unfortunate if Pakistan uses the Kartarpur Corridor to fish in troubled waters and cause instability for its political ends Connecting the dots: Security concerns are high-priority, but blocking work on the corridor is not right. Justify. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note:  Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1)Uighur problem sometimes seen in the news is predominantly related to which of the following country? Afghanistan Iran Yemen China Q.2)Consider the following statements Wild poliovirus type 2 and type 3 has been eliminated world wide Wild Polio Virus Type 1 virus remains in circulation in just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 and 2 1 and 3 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.3)Consider the following statements with reference to the National commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) It is a statutory body established under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. It defines a Child as a person in the 0 to 18 years age group. The commission works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Women & Child Development. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 and 2 1 and 3 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.4)Consider the following statements about Doing Business report (DBR) It is released by International Monetary Fund The DBR ranks countries on the basis of Distance to Frontier (DTF), a score that shows the gap of an economy to the global best practice. The report assess improvement in ease of doing business environment in all Capital cities of States of India. Which of the statements given above are incorrect? 1 and 2 1 and 3 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 MUST READ Good report card: On ease of doing business The Hindu Two elections and a dent to a jingoistic edifice The Hindu Putin takes centre stage in Syria The Hindu Legislation against mob lynching must be accompanied by effective policing Indian Express

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