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IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 26th November 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 26th November 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Self-defence: Kerala village set to become first local body to train all its women Part of: GS Mains II – Social issue; Women empowerment; Government schemes and policies In news: Kangazha village in Kottayam (Kerala) is set to earn the distinction of having all its women aged 10-60 trained in self-defence — a first for any local body. Launched as part of the Nirbhaya scheme in April 2017, the project has so far covered over 7,800 women and is slated to include the remaining 2,000-odd soon. Kerala state had also earned distinction because of its unique of community service model – Kudumbashree About Kudumbashree Launched by Government of Kerala in 1998, it was envisioned as a part of the People’s Plan Campaign and local self-governance, with women at the centre of it. Aim: To wipe out absolute poverty from state through concerned community action under the leadership of local self-government Employee has right to resign, says Supreme Court Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Role of Judiciary; Fundamental Rights; Polity In news: To resign is a right of an employee and he cannot be forced to continue, the Supreme Court has said in a recent order. An employee cannot be compelled to serve in case he is not willing “until and unless there is some stipulation in the rules or in the terms of appointment or disciplinary proceedings is pending or contemplated which is sought to be avoided by resigning from the services.” Tiger Reserves/National Parks in news: Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and Bhitarkanika National Park Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Biodiversity; Animal conservation; Protected Areas In news: Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is a protected area in Uttar Pradesh. It comprises the Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. The protected area is home for tigers, leopards, Asiatic black bears, sloth bears, Swamp deer, rhinoceros, elephants, cheetal, hog deer, barking deer, sambar, wild boar and hispid hare. It shares the north-eastern boundary with Nepal and hence Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and border security agency Sashastra Seema Bal have joined hands to provide security to Dudhwa forests and its rich wildlife. In news: Bhitarkanika National Park Bhitarkanika National Park : : Odisha The Bhitarkanika National Park is one of the largest habitats of endangered estuarine crocodiles in the country . It is a prominent heronry (breeding ground for migratory birds) of the State. About Saltwater crocodile The saltwater crocodile, also known as the estuarine crocodile,  is the largest of all living reptiles, as well as the largest riparian predator in the world. As its name implies, this species of crocodile can live in marine environments, but usually resides in saline and brackish mangrove swamps, estuaries, deltas, lagoons, and lower stretches of rivers. They have the broadest distribution of any modern crocodile, ranging from the eastern coast of India throughout most of Southeast Asia and northern Australia. IUCN status: Least Concerned Do you know? In India, the BNP, the Sundarbans and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are the prime habitats of the saltwater crocodile. Andaman & Nicobar Islands: home to a tenth of India’s fauna species Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Biodiversity; Animal conservation; Protected Areas In news: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, which comprises only 0.25% of country’s geographical area, has 11,009 species, according to a publication by the Zoological Survey of India. Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has for the first time come up with a database of all faunal species found on the island, putting the number at 11,009. ZSI report highlighted that - tourism, illegal construction and mining are posing a threat to the islands’ biodiversity, which is already vulnerable to volatile climatic factors. Do you know? The Narcondam hornbill, its habitat restricted to a lone island; the Nicobar megapode, a bird that builds nests on the ground; the Nicobar treeshrew, a small mole-like mammal; the Long-tailed Nicobar macaque, and the Andaman day gecko, are among the 1,067 endemic faunal species found only on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and nowhere else. The population of the islands, which includes six particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) — Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, Sentinelese, Nicobarese and Shompens — is not more than 4 lakh. In a recent development, the Government of India relaxed the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) norms for some foreign nationalities notified under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, to visit 29 of its inhabited islands, till December 31, 2022. This has triggered further concerns of increased anthropogenic pressures over the islands’ ecosystem. Of the ten species of marine fauna found on the islands, the dugong/sea cow, and the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, are both classified as Vulnerable under the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species. Among the 46 terrestrial mammalian species found, three species have been categorised as Critically Endangered — Andaman shrew (Crocidura andamanensis), Jenkin’s shrew (C. jenkinsi) and Nicobar shrew (C. nicobarica). Five species are listed as Endangered, nine species as Vulnerable, and one species as Near Threatened, according to the IUCN. Among birds, endemism is quite high, with 36 among 344 species of birds found only on the islands. Many of these bird species are placed in the IUCN Red List of threatened species under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA). Another unique feature of the islands’ ecosystem is its marine faunal diversity, which includes coral reefs and its associated fauna. In all, 555 species of scleractinian corals (hard or stony corals) are found in the island ecosystem, all which are placed under Schedule I of the WPA. Animal in news: Amur falcon Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Biodiversity; Animal conservation About: Amur falcon is a small raptor of the falcon family. It breeds in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China before migrating in large flocks across India and over the Arabian Sea to winter in Southern Africa. The raptor (bird of prey) — the size of a pigeon — makes its home in Nagaland, flying a staggering 22,000 km from there to South Africa, then onto Mongolia and back to Nagaland. The bird has one of the longest and most fascinating migratory paths in the avian world. The falcon breeds in south-eastern Siberia and north-eastern China, where the Amur River divides the Russian Far East and China. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/10/29/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_07/1a7c222d_2490893_101_mr.jpg Do you know? It is a small raptor, of the size of a pigeon. It covers one of the largest migratory distances from Mongolia and Russia to South Africa. It is not a critically endangered species and is found in large numbers. However, due to indiscriminate killing, their numbers are rapidly coming down. It is considered as a delicacy in Nagaland and widely hunted and sold in the local market. The Centre decided to develop Doyang Lake in Nagaland, famous as a roosting site for longest travelling raptors Amur Falcons, as an eco-tourism spot for bird-watchers. Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Disaster Management; International bodies In news: Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) for Africa and Asia, a 45-nation international organisation on disaster warning, has termed ‘Titli’, the severe cyclonic storm that devastated Odisha in October, as ‘rarest cyclone’. The UN-registered organisation said: Considering the history of cyclone tracks, no synthetic track projection captures the Titli type of cyclones. The forecast information available lacks actionable early warning information such as no indication of occurrence of secondary hazards, including landslides far away from the coasts. The RIMES has recommended that a detailed risk assessment has to be carried out for Odisha to understand the risks in the light of the Titli devastation. Do you know? Earlier, India Meteorological Department had called the formation of Titli as a ‘rarest of rare’ occurrence. Important value additions About Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) The RIMES is an intergovernmental body registered under United Nations. It was established registered with UN in 2009. It is owned and managed by 45 collaborating countries in Asia Pacific and Africa Region. India is chairman of the body. It operates from its regional early warning centre located at campus of Asian Institute of Technology in Pathumthani, Thailand. It has evolved from efforts of countries in Africa and Asia in aftermath of 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. RIMES caters to differential needs and demands of its Member States by enhancing capacities for end-to-end multi-hazard early warning, in particular: Hazard monitoring, detection, analysis, prediction, and forecasting Risk assessment Potential impact analysis Generation of tailored risk information at different time scales Risk communication Application of tailored risk information in decision-making Miscellaneous: Vetiver – also called as ‘the wonder grass’ of Tamil Nadu   Vetiver has gained popularity in the State for its wide range of applications in the pharma and cosmetic industries, besides anti-soil erosion properties. It has huge global demand in the aromatic industry. The grass is popular for its quality to combat soil erosion and absorb carbon dioxide, thus erasing carbon footprints. Vetiver is ideal for the long coastline, as it is suited for sandy soil. Its moisture retention property makes vetiver a natural choice for soil conservation and replenishment of ground water. It is ideal for dry land cultivation using organic farming practices. Another quality of vetiver is that it is an anti-depressant. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 2 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests Looking beyond the optics: India – Vietnam relations Introduction President Ram Nath Kovind visited Vietnam. Vietnam is a close ‘ally’ of India for over 70 years, and not limited to official diplomatic ties. Vietnam is critical for India’s foreign policy at the regional and systemic levels. There is a need to understand how Vietnam has calibrated its domestic and foreign policy shifts and where India’s relevance can fit into these policy changes. Growing Vietnam Vietnam's Doi Moi policy, a political and economic renewal campaign started in 1986. Since then Vietnam has made dramatic strides. Today it is a rapidly growing, regional economic giant, showing both dynamism and pragmatism in its calculations. While earlier it imported agricultural products, today it is a major exporter. Agricultural competence has furthered Vietnam’s entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The Vietnam National Assembly ratified the CPTPP, asserting its growing economic impact globally, with exports increasing to approximately $240 billion for the year 2018. Membership to the CPTPP will boost Vietnam’s economic growth, from 6.8 % in 2017-18, by a further 1.1% to 3.5% by 2030. India is focused on furthering cooperation with Vietnam in agriculture and innovation-based sectors, pushing the potential for increasing bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2020. Common ground of health An area of potential convergence for both Vietnam and India is health care. The National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam highlighted the importance of linking economic growth to universal health care, whereby 80% population would be covered by health insurance. India too has been focusing on the need to deliver accessible and affordable health insurance to weaker sections of society. With Indonesia ratifying the India-ASEAN Services agreement, India is a step closer to signing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, bringing India to the forefront of the services sector globally. A potential area of convergence in the realm of health care through joint public-private partnership agreements can be explored by the two countries. Vietnam's foreign policy Internationally, Vietnam’s foreign policy is characterised by ‘multidirectionalism’, which addresses regional asymmetries of the power balance by engaging across a broad spectrum of states to achieve its interests. Asymmetrical power structure in the region, offset by the rise of China, is bringing regional and extra-regional states together to address the shifts in the normative order. Within this context, Vietnam even normalised relations with the U.S., its former opponent. Security concerns Today there is increasing commonality of security concerns between Vietnam and its ASEAN partners — as well as with Australia, India, Japan and the U.S., particularly in the areas of maritime security and adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. India also referred ‘rules based order in the Indo-Pacific’, reiterating India’s own concerns over troubled maritime spaces. The two countries have planned a bilateral level maritime security dialogue in early 2019. Focus on sub-regionalism As ASEAN continues to focus on its centrality in the region, there will undoubtedly be shifts in how smaller members of ASEAN perceive the centrifugal forces of China’s rise. Vietnam has helped to mitigate these by focussing on both sub-regionalism and regionalism as the core of its priorities. India too looks at both sub-regionalism and regionalism as priority avenues to pursue its foreign policy. The India-Vietnam Joint Statement of March 2018 reiterates the focus given to sub-regionalism and the Mekong Ganga Cooperation framework. Another area is emerging in the CLV, or Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam growth triangle sub-regional cooperation, bringing these three countries together. Way forward India and Vietnam can jointly explore the potential for enhancing capacity building and providing technical assistance and training within sub-regional groupings. In the ‘cooperation model’, India offers providing choices and opportunities for its friends. This model highlights India’s willingness to address issues on which increasing synergies need to evolve. One such area where convergence is likely, but has been held back due to individual preference, is the $500 million line of credit offered to Vietnam. Both India and Vietnam possess the capacity to find compatibility in areas promoting defence cooperation and infrastructure simultaneously. Vietnam’s role as country coordinator for India in ASEAN will come to a close in 2018. While the ties have progressed under the Look East and Act East Policies, going forward they need to factor in pragmatism, helping relations to move forward. Connecting the dots: Vietnam is crucial to India’s Look East Policy. Critically comment. (MAINS FOCUS) SOCIETY/TRIBAL ISSUE TOPIC:General studies 1&3 Geography and society (Tribes, vulnerable sections of the society) Health and related issues Tourism Do not disturb this Andaman Island Introduction ‘Civilisation’ has destroyed the aboriginals of Andaman & Nicobar. The death of an interloper on North Sentinel Island underlines the threat to the 55,000-yr-old sovereignty of the Islands’ last tribe standing. After 12 years, the Sentinelese have again rejected external contact in the most emphatic way possible. [caption id="attachment_44402" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Map locating North Sentinel Island where an American missionary killed by a tribe if hunter-gathers on Wednesday.[/caption] https://images.indianexpress.com/2018/11/north-sentinel-island-759.jpg Free in spirit and faith Chau apparently went to preach Christianity to the Sentinelese. Missionaries have been historically unwelcome in the Andamans, and the tribes of the Islands have resisted every occupation force with bows and arrows. The Great Andamanese fought the Battle of Aberdeen against the British in 1859, and were enslaved and eventually killed in large numbers. The seafaring Onge were forced to make room for the settlers. The forest-dwelling Jarawa fiercely resisted outsiders until the late 1990s. The reclusive Sentinelese still hold their tiny fort. All remain animistic in faith. Missionaries had greater success on the Nicobar Islands to the south, which lie on the ancient marine trade route between Europe and the Far East. Evangelists started to approach the Nicobar tribes from the 15th century onward, and a Christian movement eventually succeeded on the Islands during the final decades of British occupation. An island of isolation The Nicobar tribes are Mongoloid; the Andaman tribes, including the Sentinelese, are Negrito — evidence for the Homo sapiens migration from East Africa some 70,000 years ago. The Sentinelese are a pre-Neolithic people who have inhabited North Sentinel Island for an estimated 55,000 years without contact with the outside world. They are short statured possibly due to the “island effect” that causes genetic limitation over time. The Sentinelese and other aboriginal tribes of the archipelago are protected under The Andaman and Nicobar (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956. Due to their isolation, it is unlikely the Sentinelese have immunity against even common diseases. Immunity and declining population A large chunk of the population of the 10 Great Andamanese tribes was wiped out after the indigenous peoples caught syphilis, measles, and influenza on an epidemic scale following contact with the early settlers. Between 1998 and 2004, when the Jarawa started to respond to the state, all government hospitals bordering their reserve opened special wards to treat them for infections. The Sentinelese remained hostile from the time efforts began to reach out to them in 1967. The government gave up in the mid-1990s, and in order to safeguard their health and sovereignty, decided that no one could enter a 5-km buffer zone around their island, which was already out of bounds. Commerce vs caution Under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a “Restricted Area” in which foreigners with a restricted area permit (RAP) can stay on 13 islands, and make day visits to another 11. But in recent years, the Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Andaman Association of Tour Operators have pressed to have the RAP restrictions relaxed. In August 2018, the Home Ministry dropped the RAP requirement for visiting 29 inhabited islands until 2022, even though separate approvals continue to be required for visiting Reserve Forests, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Tribal Reserves. Following criticism that the move compromised the safety of the tribes and ecology of the islands, the UT Administration clarified that Indian nationals would continue to require a pass issued by the Deputy Commissioner for entering a tribal reserve, and foreigners would need prior approval from the Principal Secretary (Tribal Welfare). Cost of exposure Fewer than 50 Great Andamanese are alive today. In 2010, Boa, the last of the Bo, a Great Andamanese tribe, died — taking with her the knowledge and language of her people. A few months earlier, another ancient language, Khora, had passed with Boa’s neighbour Boro. In December 2008, at least 15 Onge men died after drinking from a plastic container that had washed up on Dugong Creek. The Onge, who now number fewer than 100, have abandoned hunting-gathering and depend entirely on government help. From 2004 onward, the 400-odd surviving Jarawa began to retreat into the forest, closing the window of their willing interaction with the world. But the highway continues to bring the world and sexual exploitation, substance abuse and disease — into their shrinking sanctuary. The Sentinelese have been the exception, protected by coral reefs that make landing on their island dangerous, and by the tribe’s unwavering hostility towards outsiders. Conclusion In December 2014, the A&N administration announced a change of policy from “hands off” to “hands off but eyes on” to protect the Sentinelese. Chau’s tragedy underlines the need to re-examine security and tighten vigil around North Sentinel Island. While the “island effect” may eventually wipe out the tiny tribal populations in the archipelago, allowing their sanctuaries to be invaded by outsiders will only hasten that process. As President Pranab Mukherjee said in 2014, it is the job of the Indian state “to protect them in their own environment and in their own circumstances”. Connecting the dots: What is "island effect"? Critically examine the causes of declining tribal population on Anaman and Nicobar islands. (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) ‘Kudumbashree’ is the women empowerment and poverty eradication program conceived by which of the following states? Kerala Tamil Nadu Karnataka Telangana Q.2) Consider the following statements about Bhitarkanika National Park It is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites It is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) The salt-water crocodile is found along the: Eastern coast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Western coast and Lakshadweep islands Gulf of Kutch and Gulf of Khambhat along with some areas near Gulf of Mannar All the Above Q.4) Consider the following statements regarding Bhitarkanika National Park It is surrounded by Gahirmatha Beach It is known for salt water crocodiles It is located in the mouth of Mahanadi Delta Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 2 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.5) Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary are located in – Odisha Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh West Bengal Q.6) Amur falcons has one of the longest and most fascinating migratory paths in the avian kingdom. Consider the following statements regarding Amur falcons: It is one of the largest raptor species. It migrates from Mongolia to South Africa via India. It is amongst the critically endangered species and very few left in wild. It considered a delicacy in Nagaland and widely hunted during their short stay in India. Select the correct statements from above: 1 and 3 2 and 4 3 only All of the above Q.7) Doyang Lake, famous as a roosting site for longest travelling raptors Amur Falcons is located in which state? Nagaland Manipur Meghalaya Arunachal Pradesh Q.8) Consider the following statements about RIMES (Regional Integrated Multi-hazard Early Warning System for Asia and Africa) It is an international and intergovernmental institution, owned and managed by its Member States, for the generation and application of early warning information It provides regional tsunami watch within the framework of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.9) Which of the following mammals is also known as the ‘Sea Cow’? Walrus Hippopotamus Dugong Seal Q.10) Dugongs are found predominantly in Sundarbans Bay of Bengal Gulf of Mannar Gulf of Khambhath MUST READ Ten years after the Mumbai attack The Hindu Along the new Silk Roads The Hindu Touchstone of the Republic The Hindu Securing India Indian Express The Katowice test Indian Express Constructing A City Indian Express 26/11 anniversary: Conquering without fighting Indian Express 26/11 10th anniversary: From terror to hope Indian Express Incentivizing private sector R&D in India Livemint

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 116]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 116] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Quadricycles’ It cannot be used for personal use according to the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 It is being promoted as a replacement to the three-wheeler auto-rickshaws Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Hansen’s disease’ It is a bacterial disease It affects the skin and nerves which can lead to physical deformity and disability if left untreated Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Apep’, which was recently in news. It is capable of producing a gamma-ray burst It is named after the serpentine Egyptian god of chaos Select the correct code: 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Mountain gorilla’ It is native to South East Asia It is listed as critically endangered under the IUCN Red list Select the correct code: 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) ‘Rothschild’s giraffe’ is listed as ________ under IUCN Red List Endangered Near Threatened Vulnerable Extinct To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 24th November 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 24th November 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) India to study drugs derived from marijuana Part of: GS Mains II and III – Health issues; Research and Development; Science and Technology In news: Three major science administrators in India — the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Indian Council for Medical Research and the Department of Biotechnolgy — are getting together to promote research in herbal drugs, some of which involve deriving new drugs from marijuana. Researchers to test whether strains of marijuana could be effective in the treatment of breast cancer, sickle-cell anaemia, among others. The studies into the therapeutic potential of marijuana is part of a larger governmental thrust to making new drugs derived from herbs and plants that find mention in Ayurvedic and other traditional-medicine knowledge systems. Chandrayaan-2 lunar lander Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Science and Technology; Space Missions In news: We have read that Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has postponed Chandrayaan-2, India’s second mission to moon to January 2019. Chandrayaan-2 is India’s most challenging and India’s second mission to Moon. It is advanced version of previous Chandrayaan-1 mission (launched in 2008) which only involved orbiting around moon, Chandrayaan-2 is much complicated mission as it involves an orbiter, lander and rover. Lunar lander faces crucial test – Chandrayaan-2’s landing sensors will be tested at a special site in Karnataka. The test on ground, called the Lander Sensor Performance Test or LSPT, will be conducted at ISRO’s new R&D campus in Chitradurga district, Karnataka. The lander is being developed and tested by the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/11/24/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_05/90a97420_2547149_101_mr.jpg 30th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – International Relations; Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India's Interests In news: 30th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit took place in Papua New Guinea. For the first time since its inception APEC has failed to release a joint communique due to lack of consensus among the members over trade and security issues. All 20 countries except China agreed to the joint statement. Lack of consensus between China and the US US targeted China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and called it as “constricting belt” and a “One-way Road”. US also warned smaller countries to be cautious of “debt-trap” by China and said not to accept debt which compromise sovereignty. China defended BRI and said that there is no geo-political agenda behind it and it is not an exclusive club closed to non-members, nor is it a trap. China targeted US policy of “America First” and said that erecting barriers and cutting ties is a short-sighted approach doomed to fail. The U.S.-China discord at APEC highlighted the dangers of their trade war, trade war between the US and China could cripple the Pacific Rim economy. Do you know? Due to the tariff war International Monetary Fund has downgraded its global growth outlook for 2018 and 2019. If this continues, global supply chains will be impacted, and shrinking trade volumes may cause companies to seek out new trading routes and partners. About APEC It was established in 1989 and has 21 members. (India is not a Member) APEC is the premier Asia-Pacific economic forum. Primary goal of APEC is to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. India has requested membership in APEC, and received initial support from the United States, Japan, Australia and Papua New Guinea. Officials have decided not to allow India to join as India does not border the Pacific Ocean, which all current members do. India was invited to be an observer for the first time in November 2011. Statute in Braille to mark Constitution Day In news: The Constitution will be made available in Braille for the first time ahead of the Constitution Day on November 26. In a joint project undertaken by The Buddhist Association for the Blind along with Saavi Foundation and Swagat Thorat, who started India’s first Braille newsletter Sparshdnyan, the Constitution will be made available in five parts in Braille for the benefit of visually challenged individuals. Miscellaneous Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati will audit its workforce, a long-pending exercise that was recommended by the Sam Pitroda Committee in 2014. The last time the Prasar Bharati made recruitments was in 1996. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL/SECURITY TOPIC:General studies 3 Security challenges and their management in border areas Aligning the triad: On India’s nuclear deterrence Introduction INS Arihant, India’s first indigenously developed nuclear submarine, returned to the Indian shores on Monday after successfully completing its first deterrence patrol. The submarine is a vital cog in India’s quest in attaining a minimum deterrent nuclear ‘triad’ – the ability to fire nuclear-tipped missiles from land, air and sea. Do you know? What is the composition of INS Arihant? INS Arihant is a 6,000-tonne submarine with a length of 110 meters and a breadth of 11 meters. The vessel will be able to carry 12 Sagarika K 15 submarine launched ballistic missiles that have a range of over 700 km. INS Arihant will be the first SSBN-type submarine in the Navy. It has also been reported that its sister vessel, the INS Aridhaman, is nearing completion. What is SSBN type submarine? Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarines (SSBNs) are powered by a nuclear reactor and as a result, they can function submerged for months without having to surface. This feature allows them to travel further and with greater stealth. They are different from conventional SSK submarines, which use a diesel-electric engine as their power source, and have to surface daily to get oxygen for fuel combustion. Missing Link in INS Arihant Induction of INS Arihant does not complete Nuclear Triad. INS Arihant would have to develop further capabilities to act as a nuclear deterrent. The range of nuclear tipped ballistic missile is insufficient to reach key targets in China and Pakistan. Further, to target enemy countries, it would have to go closer to the waters of enemy countries where it increases the chances of being detected and targeted. To ensure seamless and continuous presence, India needs 4 such submarines whose production and maintenance is extremely expensive. Impact on Strategic Stability Induction of INS Arihant enhances maritime competition in the region, modernise naval fleet and seek to have enhanced presence in the region. Further, INS Arihant’s aggressive posture may lead to confusion and minor conflicts which may escalate into a full-fledged war. Thus, there is a security dilemma involved considering that whatever actions a country takes to secure itself could actually end up making itself more unsecure. For example, Pakistan could develop or purchase similar nuclear submarines with active help of China which may lead to increased instability in the region. Similarly, China’s Belt and Road Initiative may lead to revival of QUAD Security dialogue between India, USA, Japan and Australia. Command and Control There are concerns regarding command and control of the use of nuclear triads especially those under water. The naval leg is essentially under the military custody and control. There will be no civilian presence on board an Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN). The captain of SSBN will be under Strategic Forces Command under military control who can launch nuclear missile on orders from political authority. However, the article mentions that there is no fool proof mechanism to ensure misuse of nuclear missile which can escalate into a regional war in the South Asian Region. Way forward INS Arihant makes a robust nuclear deterrence, but also changes deterrence stability in South Asian Region. Nuclear Triad comprises of capability of nuclear strike from land, air and under-water. It is suggested to reduce investment in land and air strike capability and to increase under-water strike capability. USA and USSR in 1972 signed an agreement named “Incidents at Sea Agreement” which aimed to avoid confusion and accidents at sea and also to avoid escalation into full fledged war. India, Pakistan and China should enter into a similar agreement to avoid escalation of war in the region. Connecting the dots: In the light of India’s nuclear triad, critically examine the state of India’s nuclear deterrence. NATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 2 Constitution: Governor, Special status to J&K Unlawful dissolution: On J&K Assembly Introduction Jammu and Kashmir was under Governor's Rule since June 2018 as per the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir. The Governor of Jammu and Kashmir has dissolved the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly citing "extensive horse-trading" and the "impossibility" of forming a stable government by coming together of political parties with "opposing political ideologies" for dissolving the assembly. His move paves the way for fresh elections in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. But decision to dissolve J&K assembly is being criticised. Criticism of dissolution As indicated in Rameshwar Prasad(2006), a Governor cannot shut out post-poll alliances altogether as one of the ways in which a popular government may be formed. The court had also said unsubstantiated claims of horse-trading or corruption in efforts at government formation cannot be cited as reasons to dissolve the Assembly. Further, it said it was the Governor’s duty to explore the possibility of forming a popular government, and that he could not dissolve the House solely to prevent a combination from staking its claim. Do you know? About Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Governor of Jammu and Kashmir derives his powers and authority from the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir. The Governor of Jammu and Kashmir shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. The Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President. The Governor may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office. Governor shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office. No person shall be eligible for appointment as Governor unless he is a citizen of India and has completed the age of thirty years. The Governor shall, before entering upon his office, make and subscribe in the presence of the Chief Justice of the High Court or, in his absence, the senior most Judge of that Court available, an oath or affirmation. Council of Ministers aid and advise the Governor of J&K as per Section 35 of J&K Constitution. Section 35(2) - All functions of the Governor except those under sections 36, 38 and 92 shall be exercised by him only on the advice of the Council of Ministers. Where Governor of J&K may have discretion Section 36 - Appointment of Ministers; The Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. Section 38 - Deputy Ministers; The Governor may on the advice of the Chief Minister appoint from amongst the members of either House of Legislature such number of Deputy Ministers as may be necessary. Section 92 - Provisions in case of failure of constitutional machinery in the State Conclusion J&K’s relationship with the Centre is rooted in constitutional safeguards as well as in the participation of its major parties in electoral politics and parliamentary democracy. For political stability in the sensitive State it should be ensured that democratic processes are strengthened. The potential for political instability in the future should not be cited as a reason to scuttle emerging alliances. Connecting the dots: Explain briefly, appointment, powers and functions of J&K governor. (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) Consider the following statements about ‘Chandrayaan-1’ It is a remote sensing lunar satellite It had a mass of 1,380 kg at launch Presence of frozen water deposits on the Moon’s Polar Regions was confirmed by NASA using data collected from ‘Chandrayaan -1’ Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.2) U.R. Rao Satellite Centre is located in - Bangalore Thiruvananathapuram Sriharikota Pune Q.3) ‘Asian Premium’ is associated with which of the following organisations? OPEC SCO ASEAN APEC Q.4) Consider the following about APEC: India is a permanent member of APEC APEC includes three official observers namely ASEAN, the Pacific Islands Forum and the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council. APEC currently has 21 members, including most countries with a coastline on the Pacific Ocean Which of the given statements is/are correct? 1 and 3 2 and 3 1 and 3 1, 2 and 3 MUST READ Not by ordinance The Hindu   Looking beyond the optics The Hindu Ground Zero | Stopping the virus — muddled science, poor public health communication mar India’s response to Zika outbreak The Hindu  No Platform For Violence Indian Express Turning their back on modernity Indian Express  Away from the spectacle Indian Express

Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Breathing Meditation – Inspirational Educative Articles

Breathing Meditation: With the breath is the perfect place to just be in the moment. If you can observe your breath, just quietly feel the breath flow in and out of your body, then you are one hundred percent in meditation. When you observe your breath, your meditation is just the way it is supposed to be. You cannot intensify it any further. The reason why you need intensifying methods is that you keep missing the breath, you keep moving around it. But if you can truly watch your breath, then that is it. That is the ultimate path. When you begin to meditate, you need methods upon which to focus. Those are the methods that we are talking about: How to choose your distraction, be in the distraction, and come back. Let us say you are meditating using a visual distraction such as a candle flame or a picture. A day will come when you will be getting distracted and then one thought, a recollection of that visual distraction, will bring you back to the breath. There will come a moment when you will not even need that anchor. Every time the mind wants to go out, it will just come back to the breath. It will see the futility in going out because the moment it goes anywhere you just pull it back. The mind will think, Okay, there is no need to go anywhere because she is not going to let me go. And if I try to go, she is just going to come back to the breath again. This is why we need to meditate for long periods of time—to train the mind to stay with the breath and not wander off in whichever direction it desires. You will stop observing your thoughts completely and just be with the breath. In that moment you will have completely gotten the control back from the mind to the body. From there you will start going deeper and deeper as your body merges into the surrounding environment. It is a long process which happens gradually. For now, just see how to be with the breath without thinking, without a thought. Just be with the breath and keep practicing. One day it will happen. The breath is the best anchor: it is with you all the time, and you do not have to worry about forgetting it or keeping up with it. You can practice watching the breath throughout the day, so it becomes the perfect anchor. The deeper you go, the more you will realize that breath is not air; there is nothing there. It is just a rhythm of life that is happening. It is really not air that you are taking; it is just a rhythm, and through this rhythm you can eventually step into the state of meditation and bliss. That is all the breath is. It is not that complicated. It is a very simple process, but it is very deeply connected to your thoughts, emotions, and everything. Every creature of existence breathes, which means it is a universal process. So, to begin with, try to stay with your breath as much as you can, knowing that if your mind does take you away, you can come back at any moment. Being with the breath is the beginning steps for a new meditator as well as the tried and tested steps of an experienced meditator. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.”

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 23rd November 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 23rd November 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) India, Pak. commit to Kartarpur corridor Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and its neighbours; International Relations In news: India and Pakistan agreed to build the Kartarpur Sahib corridor for Sikh pilgrims to visit the Gurdwara in Kartarpur (Pakistan) Both the countries exchanged letters committing to build the required infrastructure for visa-free direct travel by Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan’s Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara. November 2019 marks 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Do you know? India had first proposed the Kartarpur Sahib corridor in 1999 when the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took a bus ride to Lahore. 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. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/11/23/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_01/88722918_2544650_101_mr.jpg 9th round of City Gas Distribution(CGD) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – Government schemes and policies; Environment and Ecology; Pollution In news: Prime Minister laid the foundation stone to mark the commencement of work for 9th round of City Gas Distribution(CGD). Major aim is to move towards a gas based economy and promote the usage of environment friendly clean fuel i.e. natural gas as a fuel/feedstock across the country. Presently the share of gas in the country’s energy mix is just over 6% and the aim is to reach the 15% figure, while the world average is 24%. Do you know? The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has initiated the process of new CGD bidding round covering 124 districts in 14 States to increase the potential coverage to about 53% of the country’s area covering 70% of country’s population. CGD will help in supporting governments various clean energy initiatives of the Union Government like Ethanol Blending, Compressed Biogas plants, increased LPG coverage and introduction of BS-6 fuels for automobiles. Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS) and National Facility for Airborne Research (NFAR) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – Government schemes and policies; Environment and Ecology; Pollution In news: The Government has approved continuation of the nine sub-schemes of the umbrella scheme "Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS)" during 2017-2020. The scheme will be implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. ACROSS scheme pertains to the atmospheric science programs of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and addresses different aspects of weather and climate services, which includes warnings for cyclone, storm surges, heat waves, thunderstorms etc. The ACROSS scheme consists of nine sub-programmes which are multi disciplinary and multi institutional in nature and will be implemented in an integrated manner through IMD, HIM, NCMRWF and INCOIS. Government has also approved establishment of National Facility for Airborne Research (NFAR). The  scheme  will   provide  improved  weather,   climate  and   ocean   forecast  and services, thereby ensuring transfer of commensurate benefits to the various services like Public weather service, disaster management, Agro-meteorological Services, Aviation services, Environmental monitoring services, Hydro-meteorological services, climate services, tourism, pilgrimage, power generation, water management, Sports & adventure etc. (MAINS FOCUS) AGRICULTURE TOPIC:General studies 3 Agriculture and related issues Infrastructure: irrigation facilities Disaster management Drought warning Introduction After two years of relatively good rains, large parts of Maharashtra (especially the Marathwada region and the adjoining districts of Jalgaon, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Sholapur, Amravati and Yavatmal), North Gujarat, Saurashtra, Kutch and North Karnataka are reeling under drought. Farmers' distress this year What is different this time is that it has been induced by the southwest monsoon’s failure in the second half of the season. The rains were, in fact, quite good in most of these areas during June-July. The monsoon’s timely arrival led to the area sown under kharif crops being more or less normal. Farmers were, however, caught unaware by the extended dry spell from August, when their already planted crops were in the late vegetative growth stage. These farmers are in no position to plant a rabi crop; there’s hardly any soil and subsoil moisture left to allow that. What would worry them more is providing water and fodder to their cattle and buffaloes. Farmers already burdened by successive years of low crop realisations and the more recent spike in the cost of diesel, fertiliser and pesticides. Drought: When, and how, does a state govt declare one? While the word ‘drought’ usually brings to mind a period of unusually dry weather, crop damage and water supply shortages, there are guidelines in place for a state government for declaring a drought in a state or area. A manual published by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2016 suggests a three-step approach. The first step is to look at two mandatory indicators — rainfall deviation and dry spell. Depending on the extent of deviation, and whether or not there is a dry spell, the manual specifies various situations that may or may not be considered a drought trigger. The second step is to look at four impact indicators — agriculture, vegetation indices based on remote sensing, soil moisture, and hydrology. Each impact can be assessed on the basis of various indices. If all three chosen indicators are in the ‘severe’ category, it amounts to severe drought; and if two of the three chosen impact indicators are in the ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’ class, it amounts to moderate drought. The third step comes in after both previous triggers have been set off. States will conduct sample survey for ground truthing, in order to make a final determination of drought. The finding of field verification exercise will be the final basis for judging the intensity of drought as ‘severe’ or ‘moderate’. Once a drought is determined, the state government needs to issue a notification specifying the geographical extent. The notification is valid for six months, unless de-notified earlier. Way forward For the governments at the Centre and in the concerned states, the most sensible option is to act fast. Maharashtra has claimed that more than half of its talukas are already facing “drought-like” conditions. There is no reason to delay sending Central teams to ascertain the ground situation and officially declare drought. Rabi season drought may be a somewhat rare phenomenon, but its impact on crop production and supply of water and fodder is no less, extending to the following summer. Preparation for starting fodder camps, taking up MGNREGA works or making direct benefit transfers to the most vulnerable families should start sooner than later. Connecting the dots: How drought is declared in a state? Briefly explain the procedure. What are the reasons behind frequent droughts in comparatively more developed states of Maharashtra and Gujarat? NATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 2  Elections: various types of voting system The Maine example: The preferential voting system Introduction The recently concluded mid-term elections in the U.S. received a lot of attention as the opposition Democrats managed to decisively bring about a “blue wave” to capture the House of Representatives. The preferential voting system The electoral system used exclusively in Maine in House polls features not just a choice of the candidates, but also a preferential ranking of them. A voter can choose just one candidate, but also rank candidates in an order of preference. If a candidate wins 50% of the mandate plus one vote, she is declared the winner. But if the candidate falls short of this threshold, the candidates are ranked again based on their second choices. And if this still falls below the threshold, the contest moves on to the third round, and so on. Nobel laureate Amartya Sen had lauded the preferential voting system before it was implemented in Maine, as the ordered voting allows for a true majority choice to emerge, both in the form of the candidate chosen as well as the reflection of the views of the majority, unlike the simple first-past-the-post (FPTP) system. First-past-the-post (FPTP) system In the FPTP system, the leading candidate can win an election despite winning a minority of the votes. This happened in the U.S. in 2016, when Donald Trump won the presidency despite winning less than 50% of the vote, thanks largely due to the nature of the electoral college, but also due to third candidates acting as spoilers in several seats in swing States. India too follows an FPTP system. In several States with a high number of effective parties in particular (U.P. and Bihar, for instance), parties which secure less than 50% of the vote tend to win substantive majorities. In the past, this was mitigated at the Central level by the need for coalitions — even if the leading party in the election fell short in vote share terms, it had to get the support of regional parties to go past the halfway mark in seat terms. This rendered the system a truly representative one. In 2014, however, the NDA won the majority of seats despite a vote share of only 38.5% and little accretion of outside support after the election. Conclusion Even if the preferential voting system is more complicated than the FPTP system, it is worth considering as a just alternative in the longer term. Connecting the dots: The preferential voting system ensures a truly representative winner. Critically examine the suitability of this voting system in India. (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) Consider the following statements regarding Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara: This corridor was firstly proposed by Pakistan in 2015. Pilgrimages between India and Pakistan are governed by the 1974 Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the below statements about Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS) scheme: The scheme will provide improved weather, climate and ocean forecast and services. It will be implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under Ministry of Home Affairs. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) First Past the post system (FPPS) of election system is currently in use in India. Which of the following statements are correct regarding FPPS? A candidate who first crosses more than 50% of votes wins the election. This process is used in Lok Sabha, Legislative Assembly and Presidential elections in India. Select the code from following: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements with reference to the systems of election Every constituency elects one representative Voters Vote for a Party Voters vote for a Candidate Every party gets seats in the legislature in proportion to the percentage of votes it secures Candidate who wins the election may not secure majority of the votes cast Which of the above statement/s is/are not a feature of Proportional System of election? 1 and 2 only 1, 2 and 4 only 1, 3 and 5 only 1, 2 and 5 only Q.5) Which among the following is not true in regard to First Past the Post (FPTP) system and Proportional Representation (PR) system? In India all key representatives, except President and Vice President are elected via FPTP system. FPTP allows voters to choose between people rather than between parties. PR ensures that smaller parties get representation in the legislature PR encourages new parties to emerge and more women and minorities to contest for political power. MUST READ  Aligning the triad: On India’s nuclear deterrence The Hindu Get the model right: on state-sponsored insurance The Hindu  Gandhi opposed Partition The Hindu Spirituality vs Terror Indian Express  The power of political push Indian Express  Failing the Maoists’ victims Indian Express

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 22nd November 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 22nd November 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Jammu and Kashmir Governor dissolved the State Assembly Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Indian Polity; Centre State Relations In news: Jammu and Kashmir Governor passed an order in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Section 53 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir to dissolve the Legislative Assembly. Powers invoked by the Governor on the basis of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir Section 92 has provisions in case of failure of constitutional machinery in the State Section 53(2)(b) provides for the dissolution of the Assembly Powers of Governor of other States (i.e., except Jammu and Kashmir) Governor can dissolve the legislative assembly if the chief minister advices him to do following a vote of no confidence. Now, it is up to the Governor what he/she would like to do. Governor, on his/her discretion can recommend the president about the failure of the constitutional machinery in the state. If there is NO political party with a clear cut majority in the assembly, Governor on his/her discretion can appoint anybody as chief minister. Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary in news: Point Calimere Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Protected areas; Conservation of biodiversity In news: After Cyclone Gaja struck, the wildlife sanctuary looks like a deserted war zone, hundreds of birds have died, trees have been uprooted or their branches broken or defoliated. The Point Calimere sanctuary, covering 1728.81 hectares, is home to 564 flowering plants, 198 medicinal plants, 14 types of mammals, 18 reptiles and nine amphibians. About Pt Calimere It is a protected area in Tamil Nadu. The flagship species of the sanctuary is the near threatened blackbuck antelope, one of the four antelope species in India (Chinkara, Chausingha and Nilgai being the other three) and the most numerous large animal in the sanctuary. This site has recorded the second largest congregation of migratory waterbirds in India, with a peak population in excess of 100,000, representing 103 species. Great flamingo, Painted Stork, Little Stint, Seagull and Brown-headed gull are normally found in the sanctuary. For more: https://iasbaba.com/2018/11/iasbabas-daily-current-affairs-prelims-mains-focus-14th-november-2018/ U.S. citizen killed by Andaman tribals In news: U.S. citizen was killed by Andaman tribals when he tried to enter the North Sentinel Island (one of the Andaman Islands). Do you know? Access to North Sentinel Island and its buffer zone is strictly restricted under the Protection of Aboriginal Tribe (Regulation), 1956 and Regulations under Indian Forest Act, 1927. Photographing or filming the tribe members is also an offence. The rules were amended later to enhance penalties. But restricted area permits were relaxed for some islands recently. Who are these Sentinelese? The Sentinelese, a negrito tribe who live on the North Sentinel Island of the Andamans, have not faced incursions and remain hostile to outsiders. The inhabitants are connected to the Jarawa on the basis of physical, as well as linguistic similarities, researchers say. Based on carbon dating of kitchen middens by the Anthropological Survey of India, Sentinelese presence was confirmed in the islands to 2,000 years ago. Genome studies indicate that the Andaman tribes could have been on the islands even 30,000 years ago. The Sentinelese have been fiercely hostile to outside contact. But in 1991 they accepted some coconuts from a team of Indian anthropologists and administrators. Some researchers argue that the Sentinelese have been mostly left alone even from colonial times, unlike other tribes such as the Onges, Jarawas and Great Andamanese, because the land they occupy has little commercial attraction. How many are there? From 1901 to 1921 they were estimated to be 117 people. In 1931, the number dropped to 50, a figure used for the 1961 Census too. In 1991 their head count was put at 23. Census 2001 counted 39 inhabitants. Virtual climate summit Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Ecology; Climate Change; Global warming In news: World leaders to participate in an innovative climate change summit that will take place entirely online so it is carbon neutral. The Virtual Climate Summit is the brainchild of Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, whose low-lying Pacific island nation will drown beneath rising seas if global warming continues unabated. It will be the first global political meeting to be held online. The virtual summit’s main aim is to encourage the international community to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The latest round of UN climate talks, COP24, will open in the southern Polish city of Katowice on December 2 with the aim of reinvigorating the Paris agreement. Animal in news: Ortolan Bunting Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Ecology;In news: ‘First photo’ of Ortolan Bunting in India is out; the bird was photographed near Mangaluru. ‘Ortolan Bunting’ - breeds from Mongolia to Europe and migrates to Africa via the Middle East. IUCN status: “Least Concern” category Miscellaneous e-registration must for jobs in 18 countries – Passport holders with “non-Emigration Check Required (non-ECR)” status will soon have to get themselves registered with the Ministry of External Affairs before taking up jobs abroad. Person in news: Kim Jong-yang of South Korea has been chosen as Interpol chief Rabab: is a lute-like musical instrument originating from central Afghanistan. The rubab is mainly used by Pashtun, Tajik, Turkish, Kashmiri, Baluch, Azerbaijani, and Iranian Kurdish classical musicians. Rubab is one of the national musical instruments of Afghanistan. It is considered to be one of the Kashmir’s folk music. The word ‘rabab’ comes from rooh (soul) and bab (expression). It should stir the soul. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 2, 3 and 4 Constitution, Issues related to Governance, judiciary Indian economy: Industrialization Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; Case Studies on above issues Amid institutional decline Introduction There has been observed a decline in the working of various government institutions over time. This decline is partly fuelled by the wrong policies undertaken by the government and partly because of the impact of such decision making. Examples of institutions in decline The involvement of the government in the decision making process of the investigative agencies such as CBI has undermined their independence and autonomy. Further, there are growing differences between RBI and the government on numberof fundamental issues. In this regard, the RBI’s deputy Governor has warned that there could be serious consequences if there is erosion in the autonomy of the RBI. The Election Commission was under a cloud over the announcement of election dates, action taken against some Delhi legislators and the functioning of electronic voting machines. The ongoing #MeToo movement has exposed the sordid goings-on in large swathes of the media and the entertainment industry. Then there is the attempt to introduce Civil Service Rules in Central universities, an attempt to erode the autonomy of academics. The crisis in the banking system and the huge non-performing assets that overrun their balance sheets impact the viability of the financial system. The functioning of the judiciary itself has been a cause for concern. The list of institutions in decline is long. The decline of institutions in India is not recent. The present and past: two case studies Demonetization In 2016, demonetization brought out the centralisation of power and a lack of consultation with important sections of the government. The RBI and the banks were marginalised. The chaos prevailed for months and about 99% of the money came back into the system, thus defeating the very purpose of carrying out this draconian measure. Those with black money escaped and those who had never seen black money were put to great hardship. Mess in CBI Political interference in the agency and corruption among its ranks have been talked about but are hard to prove. The Supreme Court, in 2013, even called the agency a ‘caged parrot’ but this was not concrete enough. The political Opposition when feeling the heat of various investigations has always accused the agency of being its ‘master’s voice’. The intervention by the Supreme Court in the CBI issue places a question mark on the independence of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the functioning of the government as a whole in making key appointments in the CBI. Further, the credibility of institutions has come under doubts due to lack of transparency in the appointment process and lack of proper investigation of politically sensitive cases. The dilemma The ‘committed bureaucracy’ is an idea floated during the Emergency. The issue is: Committed to whom? To the national interest or to the rulers? Another dilemma is, can a dishonest system be managed honestly? Impacts of institutional decline The rule of law is being subverted and illegality being committed on a large scale. Growth of the black economy is a measure of illegality. It has gone up from 4-5% of GDP in 1955-56 to the present level of 62%. It has become ‘systematic and systemic’ and eroded institutional functioning all across the board. This has damaged institutions. The fight against widespread graft in the country has been set back. Do you know? A.V. Dicey’s Rule of Law Supremacy of the law (Absence of arbitrary power) Equality before the law Individual Liberties The Supreme Court in Bachan Singh Vs. State of Punjab emphasizes that Rule of law excludes arbitrariness and unreasonableness. Conclusion Institutions provide the framework for individuals and systems to function. Their breakdown leads to a breakdown of societal functioning — democracy is weakened, the sense of justice is eroded and the Opposition is sought to be suppressed. If institutions are strong, they are respected and it becomes difficult to manipulate them. It enables the honest to survive. In strong institutions, individual corruption is an aberration but when they weaken, it becomes generalised. It leads to individualisation, illegality becomes acceptable and the collective interest suffers. Thus, there is need for adherence to the rule of law and need to restore the institutional integrity and its independent functioning. There is need for committed bureaucracy which should work in favour of national interest. Connecting the dots: It is difficult to manage a dishonest system honestly. Critically comment. INTERNATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 2 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests When giants clash: on the US-China discord Introduction The APEC Summit was recently concluded without any form a joint statement from the member countries due to conflict of opinion between US led countries and China led camp of countries. Do you know? About APEC: The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific. Purpose: It aims to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration. APEC Functioning: APEC ensures that goods, services, investment and people move easilyacross borders. Members facilitate this trade through faster customs procedures at borders; more favorable business climates behind the border; and aligning regulations and standards across the region.APEC's initiative to synchronize regulatory systems is a key step to integrating the Asia- Pacific economy. US-China rivalry in APEC: The on-going global trade war between China & US has split the APEC member countries between American and Chinese camps. US has accused China of using unfair trade practices and has been pressuring China to improve access to its markets, grant IPR to American companies, cut back on industrial subsides and reduce the American trade deficit with China. China intends for greater role of BRI among APEC member countries which is not supported by US and has opposed the protectionist measures undertaken by US and its imposition of tariffs on Chinese imports. Impacts of US-China rivalry If this continues, eventually global supply chains may be hit, and shrinking trade volumes may cause companies to seek out new trading routes and partners. Institutionally, multilateral rule-making bodies such as the WTO may lose their authority, and an interlocking system of bilateral trade treaties and punitive sanctions networks may substitute the consensus-based approach that was forged so painstakingly after World War II. Asia will be at the heart of this war of attrition because strategic control of its high-value maritime trading routes is the key to China’s dreams of global trade dominance. Conclusion After the APEC summit the world is still poised on the edge of the trade war vortex. The forthcoming G20 meeting in Argentina offers an opportunity to pull back from the brink. Connecting the dots: Analyse the impacts of US-China trade war on global rule and consensus based trade approach. (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) Consider the following statements about Polavaram Project It implements Godavari-Krishna link under National River Linking Project It has been accorded national project status by the central government The dam is across the Krishna River Which of the following statements are correct? 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.2) Consider the following about Rubab: It is a flute-like musical instrument originating from central Afghanistan. It is a traditional dance form of eastern Indian states of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha. It is a bowed, short-necked string instrument from India as well as Nepal which is used in Hindustani classical music. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 None of the above Q.3) Consider the below statements about the dissolution of Lok Sabha: When Lok sabha is dissolved, all business including bills, motions, resolutions, notices, petitions and so on pending before it or its committees lapse. A bill passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha does not lapses. A bill pending in the Rajya Sabha but not passed by the Lok Sabha does not lapse. Which of the above statements are correct? 1 and 2 1 and 3 2 and 3 All of the above Q.4) Which of the following tribes is not found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands? Jarawas Onges Sentinelese Cholanaikayan MUST READ War without end? On the attack on Kabul The Hindu  The post and the person: on strengthening the ECOLOGY The Hindu  Getting justice for Asia Bibi The Hindu  No check, little balance Indian Express Partnership With A Difference Indian Express Violence, theirs and ours Indian Express  Two patriarchies Indian Express  New labour for new India Indian Express  

RSTV Video

RSTV - Sri Lanka Crisis Deepens

Sri Lanka Crisis Deepens Archives In News: Sri Lanka’s parliament passed a no-confidence motion against newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, presenting a standoff with the opposition and throwing the country deeper into turmoil. Deputies from Rajapaksa’s party rejected the voice vote as illegal, saying it wasn’t scheduled and that the pro-China former strongman would remain in office. First, President Maithripala Sirisena dismisses Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe, who was his choice. Then he installs as Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the former President and someone whom Sirisena had defeated in the most recent election. Sirisena realised that Wickramasinghe was popular, so he dissolved Parliament but the Supreme Court ruled it illegal. Sirisena still did not want to call Parliament. The Speaker refused to obey. The outgoing Prime Minister knew he could win a vote of confidence and Rajapaksa could not win. Then Sirisena promised elections in January. Parliament was summoned by the Speaker. Rajapaksa lost the confidence vote. Can we call it a Constitutional crisis? Sirisena’s decisions are unlikely to pass the test of the courts since the constitution explicitly bars early dissolution of the House unless two-thirds of its members vote for it. However, events are moving at a pace that may make it impossible to restore status quo even if the court overrules the president’s decisions. Whatever be the judicial outcome, the ongoing chaos threatens to push Sri Lanka back to a state of political uncertainty that it cannot afford. Though it has been a decade since the war in the north ended, there has been limited progress on the resolution of issues that nearly split the country on ethnic lines. The sudden developments in Sri Lanka have thrown into uncertainty the few steps that the country finally took this year to address post-war issues of transitional justice and rehabilitation, which it had committed to at the UN Human Rights Council in 2015. As President, Rajapaksa had invited UN censure for not doing enough on this front. Instead, after winning the war against the LTTE in 2009, he unleashed a majoritarian triumphalism that dashed all hopes for reconciliation. Difference between the Constitution of India and Sri Lanka Sri Lanka, which had a Constitution like India’s, changed it to one more like the French Constitution, where the President chooses the Prime Minister who has to command confidence of Parliament. But there is no way to remove the President. The consequences of Sirisena’s decision go beyond a mere change of regime; it may lead to a reversal of the structural changes in the polity achieved since 2015. Conclusion South Asia has been the home of religions preaching nonviolence but its politics has been very violent. There have been regional disputes, competing nationhoods as well as communal conflicts. India has asked that democratic values and constitutional process be respected. This is due to the fact that further chaos could derail Colombo’s slow progress towards rebuilding its economy and healing the wounds of the civil war. Afterall, a peaceful neighbour is always beneficial for a country like India. Connecting the Dots: How does Sri Lanka feature in India’s strategic roadmap for the future?  What concerns does India have with respect to China’s increasing influence in Sri Lanka? Examine.

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 115]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 115] Archives Q.1) ‘Bhudhaar’, an initiative launched by Andhra Pradesh is related to Medical Insurance Crop Insurance Land Registrations Subsidised Electricity Q.2) The place called ‘Lusaka’ was recently in news. Where is it located? South East Asia Central Asia Northern Africa None of the above Q.3) ‘Battle of Aberdeen’ is associated with Natives of the Andaman Islands Natives of the Lakshadweep Islands Rohingyas of Myanmar Matuas of Bengal Q.4) ‘Virtual Climate Summit’, is the brainchild of Denmark Sweden Norway Marshall Islands Q.5) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF)’ It was formed to increase the accountability of industrialized nations for the consequences of global climate change. It was founded by the Maldives during the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

RSTV Video

RSTV - Regulating Private Hospitals

Regulating Private Hospitals Archives TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. In News: The Delhi government’s Health Department will re-examine the draft policy framed by a committee to regularize the functioning of private hospitals in the capital, to understand the ‘rationale’ behind some of the suggestions. Why the Panel: The draft advisory was prepared on the basis of recommendations by a nine-member expert panel, headed by Director-General of Health Services Kirti Bhushan. The panel was formed on December 13 last year, after a family alleged medical negligence a private hospital for wrongly declaring a baby dead. Thoughts on the Draft Policy: Senior officials in the department are not satisfied with the draft policy and want the committee to work again on the entire report. On May 28, the Delhi government had proposed regulations restricting private hospitals and nursing homes from marking up prices of medicines and consumables over 50 percent of their procurement price. The draft was placed in the public domain for 30 days and suggestions were invited. The draft advisory suggested that private hospitals can charge patients the maximum retail price for medicines under the National List of Essential Medicines, 2015, as their prices have already been capped. The draft was ideally to be submitted by the end of June. It is already delayed by four months now. Instances of suspected medical negligence and exorbitant bills are not unusual. Some make it to the headlines, others don’t. While the step taken by the Delhi Government could have important signalling value perhaps, the problem needs a systemic and sustained solution. Basic tenets of regulating private healthcare: No payment at the point of service Governments as the primary spenders in healthcare Robust primary care system Regulation of prices of drugs and diagnostics Some health cover for every citizen In India, this is probably the highest barrier currently — public spending on health is less than 1% of GDP, and per capita public health spend is about $15, less than in Bhutan, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. The National Medical Commission Bill, 2016 proposes to address the issue of medical ethics through some key features – Firstly, it emphasises the need for developing a competency-based dynamic curriculum in consultation with stakeholders such that medical graduates not only have appropriate knowledge and skills, but also values and ethics for providing health care. Secondly, it proposes to establish the Board for Medical Registration which will also be responsible for prescribing the standards of professional conduct and framing a Code of Ethics for medical practitioners. Need to understand the dynamics of the game Address Information Asymmetry: Citizens need to be empowered so that they understand their rights and the recourse available to them should something go wrong. It is important to appreciate that healthcare is in any case plagued by tremendous information asymmetry. Patients as buyers of healthcare services and doctors as providers are definitely not equal players. Patients and their families often have little choice but to assume that their doctor knows best. It is, therefore, imperative that citizens are educated about diseases, possible complications and approximate treatment costs. Self-regulation: Best way froward While we can put in place external checks and balances, the need for the medical profession to self-regulate and adhere to the highest ethical standards cannot be underscored enough. States need to Step Up While the Central government needs to relook at the Clinical Establishments Act of 2010, (that though adopted by 14 states stands unimplemented) state governments must seize the moment and bring in regulations along the lines of, or bettering upon, what West Bengal and Karnataka have recently done. Karnataka legislated the constitution of empowered grievance redressal mechanisms at district levels; mandated hospitals to display prices for procedures; and ensure observance of a patient’s charter. Such patient-centric laws are urgently required. There is an equal urgency to building the institutional capacity to enforce them – Setting of protocols Computerisation of every patient interaction Supervision on real time basis An uncompromising approach to non-adherence of conditions need to go along with legal frameworks Such an environment protects both doctors — of whom a majority want to do good — and patients, from the greed of hospital investors and managers. We need to focus on building a strong public health system. It is not an either/or but given India’s dual disease burden and the fact that 50 per cent of deaths are now due to non-communicable diseases, we need to do more to keep people healthy and reduce the need for costly hospital treatment. Connecting the Dots: Suspending hospital licences is not a sustainable solution to a complex problem. Do you agree? Justify

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 114]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 114] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements The epistemology of Vaiśeṣika school of Hinduism accepted only two reliable means to knowledge - perception and inference Samkhya is the ancient school of Indian materialism Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) ‘Green Growth Equity Fund’ is a joint fund between BRICS Countries Quad Countries Member of International Solar Alliance None of the above Q.3) Consider the following statements about Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) It is an intergovernmental, binding, permanent framework and a structured process to gradually deepen defence cooperation within European Union framework It is formed to counter the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) 'Project C.A.T’ is A trap-neuter-return initiative for community cats in Mumbai A project aimed at conserving the wild tiger population, by Discovery Communications and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) A concept for a unmanned single-stage reusable spaceplane capable of horizontal take-off and landing by HAL None of the above Q.5) ‘Aghanashini Lion Tailed Macaque Conservation Reserve’ is located in Kerala Karnataka Tamil Nadu Goa To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba