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Creative Guidance – Beautiful Mind – Inspirational Educative Articles

Beautiful Mind: We are more critical and rude to ourselves than to anybody else. Just for a moment pause and reflect on how you treat yourself; your mind, your body and your life. You will not be surprised to find out that you don’t treat yourself as well as you can. If there is any one person to whom you have been the rudest, it has to be you. The reason for this is that your entire focus is on the outside. If your entire life is an attempt to impress someone else, how can you do things that resonate with your inner being? If you are constantly trying to adjust yourself to everything that is happening around you, when will you have time for yourself? The rudest thing you can do to yourself is not to listen to your inner voice. The rudest thing you can do is ignore your basic needs of happiness, peace, contentment, and simply get lost in a mad race to achieve something. Yes, we all have a purpose in life. We all have to move towards certain goals and desires, but this does not mean that we ignore ourselves in the process. Unless you make your mind and your body your priority, everything else you achieve in life is useless. Just to give an example; if you tell yourself that for the next few years, you will work towards attaining to a certain goal and then you will take some time off for yourself to exercise and take care of your body, just at the moment of saying this, you have become extremely rude to yourself. If you decide to postpone taking care of your body, the body will come back to disturb you in ways you cannot even imagine. This is just one example to help us understand our priorities. This is also true with our mind. If we are not spending enough time working on our minds to understand it, eventually our mind will become our biggest disturbance. The first priority has to be the mind and body. Only a healthy mind and body can move towards achieving its goals. What is the point in losing your mind and body in the process of finding something outside of you? Fortunately, the younger generations is now a lot more health conscious. They are at least willing to take care of their bodies. Although this might be to impress someone else, it still helps. The whole problem is with the mind. Very few people take time off to assess the situation of their minds. Very few people reflect on their thinking, attitude and behavior. Very few people pay attention to their minds. This is the root cause of stress, anxiety, fear, worry, frustration and depression. When we ignore our minds, we simply become a bundle of problems. Let us take some time to understand our minds. Let us spend some quiet time every day to simply sit and watch our thought process. Let us make it habit to be with ourselves quietly for a few moments each day. This will tremendously help in understand our minds and dealing with it accordingly. A mind that is clear, sharp and without negativity can achieve anything. Only a beautiful mind can experience a beautiful life. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.”

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 1st September 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 1st September 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Law Commission on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Part of: GS Mains I and II – Indian Polity; Issues affecting secularism and integrity of the nation In news: Law Commission of India views on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) UCC is “neither necessary nor desirable at this stage. Secularism cannot contradict the plurality prevalent in the country. In other words, ‘Cultural diversity cannot be compromised to the extent that our urge for uniformity itself becomes a reason for threat to the territorial integrity of the nation’. Diversity, both religious and regional, should not get subsumed under the louder voice of the majority. At the same time, discriminatory practices within a religion should not hide behind the cloak of that faith to gain legitimacy. https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/09/01/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_01/1fff480e_2359702_101_mr.jpg Do you know? Uniform civil code is the ongoing point of debate within Indian mandate to replace personal laws based on the scriptures and customs of each major religious community in India with a common set of rules governing every citizen. Article 44 of the Directive Principles expects the state to apply these while formulating policies for the country. Apart from being an important issue regarding secularism in India & fundamental right to practice religion contained in Article 25, it became one of the most controversial topics in contemporary politics during the Shah Bano case in 1985 (dealing with Triple Talaq issue). Although Article 44 of the Indian Constitution guarantees UCC to all citizens,the debate arouse when the question of making certain laws applicable to all citizens without abridging the fundamental right of right to practice religious functions. India-Pakistan issues: Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) meeting Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and its neighbourhood- relations In news: India and Pakistan concluded the 115th meeting of the India-Pakistan Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) in Lahore. India has invited Pakistan to visit sites of the Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnal hydro-electric projects on the Chenab. As per the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960, technical discussions were held on implementation of various hydroelectric projects including Pakal Dul (1000 MW) and Lower Kalnai (48 MW) in Jammu and Kashmir. For fast recap on Indus Water Treaty – refer the link https://iasbaba.com/2018/08/iasbabas-daily-current-affairs-prelims-mains-focus-28th-august-2018/ Person in news: Bharat Vatwani and Sonam Wangchuk receives 2018 Ramon Magsaysay Awards In news: Two Indians, Bharat Vatwani and Sonam Wangchuk, receive Ramon Magsaysay awards. Ramon Magsaysay Award, is often referred to as Asian version of the Nobel Prize. Cambodian activist Youk Chhang, Filipino Howard Dee, Vietnam’s Vo Thi Hoang Yen and East Timor’s Maria de Lourdes Martins Cruz were also honoured for their work at a ceremony in Manila. All of them have worked for the poor or those who have suffered violence. Do you know? Sonam Wangchuk, a 51-year-old educational reformer from Ladakh, widely regarded as the inspiration for Aamir Khan’s character, Phunsuk Wangdu in the film ‘3 Idiots,’ received the award. The other is Bharat Vatwani, a psychiatrist who works for mentally ill street people in Mumbai. Mr. Vatwani has dedicated his life to rescuing mentally ill people from the streets and providing them with shelter and treatment through his Shraddha Rehabilitaion Foundation. Miscellaneous Census 2021 to collect OBC data, use maps/geo-referencing at the time of house listing GDP grows 8.2% in April-June: The Indian economy grew 8.2% — the highest in two years — in the April-June quarter, driven by robust growth in the manufacturing, construction and farm sectors. Vodafone, Idea merge; overtake Bharti (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 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, Indian diaspora. India and the U.S. — it’s complicated Introduction The first round of the India-U.S. 2+2 talks at the level of External Affairs Minister and Defence Minister from India and their US counterparts, is scheduled for September 6 in Delhi. Significance of 2+2 dialogue It is a significant development but one that appears perfectly logical when seen against the two-decade-old trend line of India-U.S. relations. The trend line has not been smooth but the trajectory definitively reflects a growing strategic engagement. From estranged democracies, India and U.S. can worst be described today as prickly partners. The emerging strategic convergence Three factors have contributed to the emerging strategic convergence. First, the end of the Cold War provided an opportunity to both countries to review their relationship in the light of changing global and regional realities. Second, with the opening of the Indian economy, the American private sector began to look at India with greater interest. Trade grew and today stands at more than $120 billion a year with an ambitious target of touching $500 billion in five years. If U.S. foreign direct investment in India is more than $20 billion, Indian companies too have invested $15 billion in the U.S., reflecting a sustained mutual interest. The third factor is the political coming of age of the three-million-strong Indian diaspora. Its influence can be seen in the bipartisan composition of the India Caucus in the U.S. Congress and the Senate Friends of India group. The U.S. is used to dealing with allies and adversaries. India is neither, and is also determined to safeguard its strategic autonomy. Developing a habit of talking to each other as equal partners has been a learning experience for India and the U.S. Both countries also consider themselves to be ‘exceptional’, the U.S. as among the oldest democracies and India as the largest. Indians become wary of the U.S.’s attempts to drive unequal bargains, and Americans find the Indian approach rigid and sanctimonious. Growing defence cooperation: Evolution The parallel tracks of dialogue began in the 1990s. The strategic dialogue covering nuclear issues shifted gears following the nuclear tests of 1998 and imposition of sanctions by the U.S. The over a dozen rounds of talks between both the countries during 1998-2000 marked the most intense dialogue between the two countries. It helped change perceptions leading to the gradual lifting of sanctions. The next phase was the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership steered by the then National Security Advisers, Brajesh Mishra and Condoleezza Rice. The momentum received a new impulse, thanks to the warmth between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George W. Bush, eventually leading to the conclusion of the India-U.S. bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2008. The defence dialogue began in 1995 with the setting up of the Defence Policy Group at the level of the Defence Secretary and his Pentagon counterpart and three Steering Groups to develop exchanges between the Services. A decade later, this was formalised and enlarged into the India-U.S. Defence Framework Agreement which was renewed for 10 years in 2015. Today, the U.S. is the country with which India undertakes the largest number of military exercises which have gradually evolved in scale and complexity. During the Cold War, more than three-fourths of India’s defence equipment was of Soviet origin. This gradually began to change, and in recent years, the U.S. and Israel emerged as major suppliers. The Indian Air Force went in for C-130J Hercules and the C-17 Globemaster aircraft, along with Apache attack helicopters and Chinook heavy lift helicopters. The Indian Navy acquired a troop carrier ship and the P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft. An agreement for 24 multi-role helicopters for the Indian Navy is expected soon. The Indian Army went in for the M-777 howitzers and artillery radars. From a total of less than $400 million of defence acquisitions during 1947-2005, the U.S. has signed defence contracts of over $15 billion since. During the Obama administration, the US Defence Secretary understood that a defence supply relationship needed to be backed by technology sharing and joint development and came up with the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTII). To get around export control licensing and other bureaucratic hurdles, an India Rapid Reaction Cell in the Pentagon was set up. In 2016, India was designated as a ‘Major Defence Partner’ country. Another step forward in the middle of this year was the inclusion of India in the Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1) category, putting it on a par with allies in terms of technology access. The U.S. proposed its standard logistics support agreement text in 2003 which was finally concluded in 2016, after it was made into an India-specific text. It facilitates logistics supplies during port visits and joint exercises and does not contain any obligations for joint activity or any basing arrangements. The India-specific Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), is likely to be signed. With the possibility of acquiring armed Sea Guardian drones, COMCASA was necessary to ensure optimal use. Obligations and challenges Acquiring U.S. high technology comes with its own set of obligations in terms of ensuring its security. These take the form of various undertakings often described as foundational agreements. Two difficult issues loom large and the 2+2 offers an opportunity for addressing these. The first is the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) enacted last year which enables the U.S. government to sanction countries that engage in ‘significant transactions’ with Russian military and intelligence entities. The proposed purchase of the S-400 missile defence system would attract CAATSA sanctions. A waiver provision has now been introduced to cover India, Indonesia and Vietnam. The second relates to U.S. sanctions on Iran after its unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Iranian crude imports have grown significantly in recent years and India also stepped up its involvement in developing Chabahar port. Conclusion: Creative thinking will be needed in the 2+2 dialogue to overcome these challenges, which should also ensure that there are no nasty surprises and difficult issues are settled through quiet diplomacy. In order to realise the Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region (2015), both countries will have to nurture the habit of talking and working together to diminish some of the prickliness in the partnership. Connecting the dots: Give an overview of India – US defence and strategic relations. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TOPIC: General Studies 2 Indian Constitution- significant provisions Functions and responsibilities of the government Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability,. The sedition debate: Section 124-A of IPC Introduction: Controversial Section 124-A of IPC, regarding sedition, is being hotly debated. Whether such draconian provision deserves a place in the statute of a modern democracy like India? About Section 124-A and Criticism on it Rulers everywhere tend to treat trenchant criticism as attempts to excite disaffection and disloyalty. That is perhaps the only reason that Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code, enacted under colonial rule, remains on the statute book. The foremost objection to the provision on sedition is that its definition remains too wide. ‘Overbroad’ definitions typically cover both what is innocuous and what is harmful. Under the present law, strong criticism against government policies and personalities, slogans voicing disapprobation of leaders and stinging depictions of an unresponsive or insensitive regime are all likely to be treated as ‘seditious’, and not merely those that overtly threaten public order or constitute actual incitement to violence. In fact, so mindless have some prosecutions been in recent years that the core principle enunciated by the Supreme Court — that the incitement to violence or tendency to create public disorder are the essential ingredients of the offence — has been forgotten. However, as long as sedition is seen as a reasonable restriction on free speech on the ground of preserving public order, it will be difficult to contain its mischief. Misuse of Section 124-A There have been repeated instances of its misuse. Regimes at the Centre and the States have often been shown in poor light after they invoked the section against activists, detractors, writers and even cartoonists. Since Independence, many have seen the irony of retaining a provision that was used extensively to suppress the freedom struggle. Despite all this, Section 124-A has tenaciously survived all attempts by successive generations to reconsider it, if not repeal it altogether. In particular, it has raised the pertinent question: how far is it justified for India to retain an offence introduced by the British to suppress the freedom struggle, when Britain itself abolished it 10 years ago? Law Commissions' observations The Law Commission, for the third time in five decades, is now in the process of revisiting the section. Its consultation paper calls for a thorough reconsideration and presents the various issues related to it before the public for a national debate. In an earlier report in 1968, the Law Commission had rejected the idea of repealing the section. In 1971, the panel wanted the scope of the section to be expanded to cover the Constitution, the legislature and the judiciary, in addition to the government to be established by law, as institutions against which ‘disaffection’ should not be tolerated. The only dilution it mooted was to modify the wide gap between the two jail terms prescribed in the section (either three years or life) and fix the maximum sanction at seven years’ rigorous imprisonment with fine. Conclusion There can only be two ways of undoing the harm it does to citizens’ fundamental rights: Either it can be amended so that there is a much narrower definition of what constitutes sedition, or the far better course is to do away with it altogether. Connecting the dots: Do you think that difference between dissent and sedition is diminishing day by day? Critically comment. (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) Uniform Civil Code has been in discussion for quite sometime. Uniform Civil Code refers to the body of laws governing rights and duties pertaining to property and personal matters like marriage, divorce, adoption and inheritance. Which of the following Statements are correct about UCC? Article 45 of DPSP of the Constitution of India speaks about the Uniform Civil Code. It is based on Gandhian Philosophy. Select the code from below: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements: The State shall endeavour to secure for all the citizens a Uniform Civil Code. The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or equal protection of the laws. Equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of public employment. Which of the above given provisions reveal the secular character of the Indian State? 1 only 1 and 2 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.3) Consider the following statements with regard to Ramon Magsaysay Award Bharat Vatwani and Sonam Wangchuk are among six who have been declared winners of 2018 Ramon Magsaysay Award. The award was established in 1957 in the memory of British Prime Minister Raman Magsaysay, who started Communal Award during 1930s. Choose the correct answer: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnal hydro-electric projects, which are in news recently, is over – Chenab river Sutlej river Beas river Jhelum river MUST READ India and the U.S. — it’s complicated The Hindu Story of a leaking ship The Hindu Nowhere to hide The Hindu Not a question of cash Indian Express Chanakya In Our Times Indian Express

RSTV Video

RSTV- India-Pak Indus Matters

India-Pak Indus Matters Archives TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests In News: India and Pakistan are holding crucial talks over various aspects of the Indus Waters Treaty. This is the first engagement between the two nations since Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan took office. Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) – Signed by India and Pakistan in 1960 Under the treaty, India has full use of the three “eastern” rivers (Beas, Ravi, Sutlej), while Pakistan has control over the three “western” rivers (Indus, Chenab, Jhelum), although India is given rights to use these partially as well for certain purposes. The biggest sticking point in negotiating the treaty in the 1950s was the conditions under which India could use the hydro-electric potential of the Chenab and the Jhelum before the rivers reached Pakistan. The principle incorporated into the IWT was that, indeed, India could develop this potential, but only under a set of well-defined limitations on the amount of manipulable storage which could be created by India in the process, thus assuring Pakistan that India would not have the ability to manipulate either the timing or the quantities of the flows reaching Pakistan. 1990s: A difference arose about the Baglihar Dam being built by India on the Chenab. Pakistan claimed that low gates installed for flushing sediments violated the specifications of the treaty and endangered Pakistan’s water security because it gave India a capacity to manipulate the timing of flows into Pakistan. 2010: Pakistan took a new case, that of the Kishenganga hydro-electric project on the Jhelum river, to the International Court of Arbitration. On December 20, 2013, the court issued its final judgment which comprised of two elements — Was India within its rights to build the project and was India able to insert low gates – India was allowed to proceed. While it might be convenient for India to build low gates and practise sediment flushing, this was not the only way to manage sediments, and that convenience for India had to be balanced against the threat this would pose to Pakistan’s water security. Mandated a small, constant release which was less than 10% of what Pakistan claimed to be necessary – representing an appropriate balance between the needs of the environment and India’s right to power generation Challenges & Solutions: Climate change-induced glacier melting in the Himalayas threatens future water supply in the Indus basin. There is increasing global warming, but the rise in temperature in the Himalayas has been much higher than the global average. Thus, harnessing the Indus river system sustainably is a crucial issue for improving human development and contributing to regional peace and security in South Asia. While India and Pakistan remain the largest stakeholders due to the size and volume of the waters and vis-à-vis their usage, Afghanistan (a small area due to Kabul river) and China - as Indus and Sutlej originate in Tibet - too are part of the basin. The river system in the basin includes: Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Swat, Chitral, Gilgit, Hunza, Shigar, Shyok, Indus, Shingo, Astor, Jhelum, Chenab and Kabul. The Indus Basin epitomises a grand challenge due to its high poverty rates, high groundwater extraction, increased environmental degradation and risk of floods and droughts due to climate change. There is a need for integrated development of the basin as there are possibilities of building more storage facilities across the Indus and its tributaries to ensure better use of the scarce water. Water projects can be situated at optimum locations, notwithstanding geographic divisions along political lines. For appropriate and competent management of Indus systems, it is necessary to explore establishing an effective and independent river basin organisation, involving all the four riparian sates, which will have the capability of taking decisions on its own and remain out of the political control of any national government. Conclusion: India needs to take the opportunity to work for a comprehensive and integrated form of basin management, the benefit sharing of the Indus river system will not be limited only to water resources; it can have other peace-enhancing effects and significantly contribute to regional peace, security and development. Connecting the Dots: Why was the Indus Water Treaty in news recently? Do you think the treaty is unfair to India? Critically examine. The Indus Water Treaty remains a major irritant in Indo-Pak relations. Do you agree? Examine the issue and associated developments in the recent past. Refer below: Map for practice

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 31st August 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 31st August 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Fourth BIMSTEC summit: Kathmandu Declaration Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – International Relations; India and its neighbourhood relations In news: The 4th BIMSTEC Summit was concluded in Kathmandu (Nepal). Theme 2018: 'Towards a Peaceful Prosperous, and Sustainable Bay of Bengal Region'. 18-point Kathmandu Declaration was signed. Signed MoU on Establishment of BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection. Current chair of BIMSTEC - Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli Chairmanship of the next (5th) BIMSTEC Summit - Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena Kathmandu Declaration Stress on ending poverty from the region by 2030 (in line with UN SDGs) Common ties - agricultural technology exchange, fight against terrorism, gradual reduction of the impact of climate change, increase trade and investment, and ease the visa processing for the people of BIMSTEC member states. Importance of multidimensional connectivity as a key enabler to economic integration for shared prosperity of the region. Importance of trade and investment. Highlights of PM Modi’s speech PM Modi reiterated India’s commitment to enhance its National Knowledge Network in BIMSTEC countries BIMSTEC countries invited to participate in the International Buddhist Conclave 2020 (will be hosted by India) as the Guests of Honor. Establishment of the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies at Nalanda University. About BIMSTEC It was formed in 1997 (Bangkok Declaration) It is an international regional organisation It consists of seven countries from South Asia and South East Asia – lying in littoral and adjacent areas of Bay of Bengal constituting contiguous regional unity. South Asia — Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka South East Asia — Myanmar and Thailand BIMSTEC has also established a platform for intra-regional cooperation between SAARC and ASEAN members. The region is a meeting point for India’s Neighbourhood First, Act East policies. Animal in news: Nilgiri tahr National Park at news: Mukurthi National Park Part of: Prelims – Environment and Biodiversity; Animal Conservation In news: Recent census has revealed that the population of the Nilgiri tahr at the Mukurthi National Park has grown by an impressive 18% in the last two years, from 480 to 568. Mukurthi National Park (MNP) is protected area located in the western corner of the Nilgiris Plateau west of Ootacamund hill station in the northwest corner of Tamil Nadu state in the Western Ghats mountain range of South India. Key pointers: IUCN Status: Endangered The present distribution of the Nilgiri tahr is limited to approximately 5% of the Western Ghats in southern India, in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in southern India. It is found only in high altitudes in India’s Western Ghats The endangered wild goat could lose approximately 60% of its habitat, starting from the 2030s. (due to Climate change) Largest of the 3 tahr species State animal of Tamil nadu. Threats – habitat loss, overgrazing, illegal hunting High water discharge from China threatens Arunachal Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – India and its neighbourhood relations; Disaster management In news: High discharge of water from China, the highest in 50 years, is threatening to submerge at least 12 villages along the river Siang in Arunachal Pradesh. Recently there have been incidents of “unusually high” discharge of water – (Reason) due to sudden release of water from man-made barriers or a natural dam that was formed due to landslides caused by major earthquakes in the Tibetan region of China in November 2017. The government needs to come up with effective anti-erosion measures besides talking to China for ensuring safety of downstream areas in India. There is a lot of concern at the international, national and local levels about the geologically and strategically important Siang that impacts Bangladesh too. Do you know? Yarlung Tsangpo River is the longest river of Tibet Autonomous Region, China. It is the upper stream of the Brahmaputra River. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/08/31/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_07/4d10b784_2357441_101_mr.jpg Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Education reforms In news: Centre comes up with new annual ranking method for higher educational institutions, based on how they fare in terms of innovation. Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) - will be formally launched on October 15, the birth anniversary of former President APJ Abdul Kalam. The first results will be declared on February 28, 2019, which is also Science Day. ARIIA will work parallel to the overall ranking of institutions captured by the annual National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). ARIIA will focus on: budget expenses and revenues generated; facilitating access to advance centres; ideas of entrepreneurship; innovation ecosystems supported through teaching and learning; and innovative solutions to improve governance of the institution. Do you know? There is slight distinction between Research and Innovation – ‘research produces new knowledge while innovation puts that knowledge to use’. 2013 Bir Singh versus Delhi Jal Board case: SC Reservation issue Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Reservation and Social issue In news: Bir Singh versus Delhi Jal Board case deals with legal question whether a Scheduled Caste person from a State would be accorded the same concessions in employment in another State. A five-judge Constitution Bench led by Justice Ranjan Gogoi held that “a person belonging to a Scheduled Caste in one State cannot be deemed to be a Scheduled Caste person in relation to any other State to which he migrates for the purpose of employment or education.” Do you know? As per the constitutional provisions (Article 341), the President of India shall prepare the list of such castes and tribes for the first time, in consultation with Governors of States. Parliament has been authorised to make subsequent modifications in such lists as and when required. It means the list of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will not be same for all states but differ from state to state depending upon social and educational backwardness of such castes and communities. The Scheduled Caste order, 1950, issued by the Government of India states and certain castes belonging to only Hindu and Sikh religion are designated as Scheduled Castes. Thus, there are no Scheduled Castes outside these two religions. The Order was amended in 1990 to accommodate the neo-Buddhists. However, the untouchable convertees to Islam and Christianity continue to remain outside its purview. Constitution provisions dealing with Scheduled Castes: Article 15 of the Constitution says the State shall not discriminate on the basis of caste, religion, race, or place of birth. The above article seeks to check the social isolation and restrictions from visiting common public places that Scheduled Castes were often historically, and still are, subjected to across India. Article 16 of the Constitution also assures equal opportunity to all citizens for employment in any office under the State, including in promotions, without any discrimination based on caste. Apart from this, Article 46 of the Constitution also states that the State shall promote the educational and economic interests of weaker sections, namely “Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.” The Constitution also provides for a proportionate reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in educational institutions and public offices under the State. Article 243D provides for reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Panchayats in the same proportion as the population of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes in the village. Article 243T promises the same proportionate reservation of seats in Municipalities. Article 330 promises reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha, once more, on a proportional basis to the total population of SC/STs to overall population. Article 335 assures that the claims of members of the SC/ST community [to these seats], while ensuring the efficiency of administration, shall be taken into consideration while making appointments to services and posts in connection with the State. Article 338 establishes the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes. Article 340 gives the President the power to appoint a commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes, the difficulties they face, and make recommendations on steps to be taken to improve their condition. This was the article under which the Mandal Commission was formed. Article 341 – (discussed already above) The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment publishes a state-wise list of castes that fall into the schedule, and only those people carrying certificates of caste from the listed states qualify for the protections afforded to members of the SC community. Miscellaneous Russia, China set to launch joint military exercises - Vostok 2018 drills. Mongolia will be the third country participating in the drills. Uber intends to launch ‘Uber Elevate’ – air taxis. Uber had named Dallas and Los Angeles as its first two launch cities in the U.S.. SoftBank-backed company is considering India, along with countries like Japan and France, to be a part of its futuristic dream. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 Development processes- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations institutional and other stakeholders Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. Speeding up the adoption process: On the Juvenile Justice Amendment Bill of 2018 Introduction In India, adoption procedure between child and the family is done by courts. But courts in India are under the burden of heavy work load. To bring about an alternative procedure parliament is considering amendment bill to juvenile Justice Act, 2015. The Juvenile Justice Act of 2015: The Juvenile Justice Act of 2015 introduces comprehensive provisions for children in conflict with the law and children in need of care and protection. It was enacted keeping in view the standards prescribed in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the United Nations Millennium Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice, 1985 (the Beijing Rules), the United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty (1990), the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Inter-country Adoption (1993) and other related international instruments. Chapter 8 of this Act deals with adoption. Subsection (1) of Section 56 of the Act says “adoption shall be resorted to for ensuring right to family for the orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children.” Section 63 of the Act states that the adoption is final on the issuance of the adoption order by the court Subsection (2) of Section 61 of the Act provides that “the adoption proceedings shall be held in camera and the case shall be disposed of by the court within a period of two months from the date of filing the adoption.” Need for Amendment to the Act: Early this January, the Supreme Court observed that the “future of the country depends on our children”. An affidavit filed by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights shows that of 203 special adoption agencies audited, merely eight deserved positive reviews. It has been observed that there is an inordinate delay in issuing adoption orders by the courts due to the heavy workload. As of July 20, 2018, there are 629 cases for adoption pending in various courts across the country. Due to delay in the issuing of adoption orders by the courts, children continue to stay in childcare institutions, even after getting a family. Proposed Amendment: The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill of 2018 seeks to remedy the situation. In the best interest of the child, it proposes to amend the Juvenile Justice Act to empower the District Magistrate, instead of the court, to issue adoption orders. This would ensure timely processing of adoption cases and provide orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children with familial care and protection. Do you know? Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is a statutory body of Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India. It functions as the nodal body for adoption of Indian children and is mandated to monitor and regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions. CARA is designated as the Central Authority to deal with inter-country adoptions in accordance with the provisions of the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993, ratified by Government of India in 2003. CARA primarily deals with adoption of orphan, abandoned and surrendered children through its associated /recognised adoption agencies. Conclusion: Timely proceeding of adoption cases would provide needy childern with desrving families. It will be in line with the SC observation; “future of the country depends on our children”. Connecting the dots: Explain in brief the Child adoption procedure in India. Do you think it should be made simpler? Give some suggestions to include street children and beggars into this network. ECONOMY/S&T TOPIC:General Studies 3 Agriculture; issues and related constraints e-technology in the aid of farmers Big data for farmers Introduction Aadhaar card became an instrument of large scale and precise service delivery to the masses. On the similar lines government should consider to expand the applicability of Soil Health Card, to fulfil its commitment of doubling the farmers income by 2022. Background: When the Government of India introduced the Multipurpose National ID Card (MNIC) scheme in the early 2000s, it had a limited scope. The MNIC was meant to be an ID card to “verify the citizenship of Indians and secure our borders”. In six years, the project was able to provide ID cards to a mere 12 lakh people. Then came Aadhaar, a paradigm shift, which re-imagined what a country can do with an ID system at scale — from targeting government subsidies to driving start-up business models. Aadhaar is today universal, transforming service delivery and spurring innovation. Can we think of a similar paradigm shift in the Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme? The SHC scheme, that was introduced in 2015, intended that every farmer receive a health card for their soils that tells them the status of the nutrients in it, and, as a result, guide them about the fertilisers they should apply to maximise their yields. The entire government agriculture extension and research system galvanised itself, collected samples, analysed them for 12 soil chemical parameters, recommended fertiliser dosages and printed these on the SHCs, which were given to farmers. The scheme delivered on the basic promise — as of June, 2.53 crore samples had been collected, and SHCs distributed to 10.74 crore farmers. The well-intentioned scheme is falling short at three levels: First, operational challenges plague the system. The current “census” approach, where soil samples are collected from every 2×2 hectare parcel of land in irrigated areas (10×10 hectare in dry areas), and transported en masse for analysis in a dated network of wet chemistry labs, has put tremendous strain on the system, and the quality of soil analysis has suffered. Studies conducted have shown a low correlation between the results generated by the SHC scheme and those generated by gold standard labs. For instance, a Harvard study in Gujarat last year found accuracy issues in 300 of the 800 plots tested. On the field, such stories abound. Second, the scheme’s current design It oversimplifies the nutrient recommendations — for example, if the health card shows that a farmer’s soil is deficient in zinc, it recommends topping up zinc. However, increasingly, research is showing that a crop’s “yield response” to a nutrient is far more complex than this. It is determined not only by the deficiency of that nutrient, but also other variables — rainfall, production practices, the presence of other nutrients, soil acidity, and temperature, to name a few. The correct yield response can be predicted from a model with data on the above parameters, a system that the scheme currently does not use. The simplistic recommendation based on deficiency of that nutrient alone is often sub-optimal, and can exacerbate the farmer’s problem, rather than solve it. Third, the scheme underestimates its own potential Because of its large-scale collection of soil data, it sees little use outside of filling out a physical card. This vast repository of data, painstakingly aggregated from millions of samples, remains largely isolated from researchers, start-ups and even state governments. These shortcomings, however, present a remarkable opportunity for Indian agriculture. What if? (Way forward) What if we could move to a sampling-based soil information system that reduces the need for the tens of millions of samples that strain our lab capacity, and produces better results four times faster, at half the cost? What if we could develop predictive models using big data to provide recommendations to farmers that account for all the factors that affect a crop’s yield response? What if we could go beyond health cards the way we went beyond mere identity cards with Aadhaar and re-imagine how to structure and use the vast repositories of agriculture-related data that currently reside within silos — soil, rainfall, cropping patterns, temperature, irrigation? Can we make these datasets available through an open API platform? Integrating SHC with other stake holders It could help start-ups to combine soil health card data with rainfall and irrigation data and deliver precision irrigation advisories to our farmers on their mobile phones. Fertiliser companies, building upon such a platform, leveraging soils data, weather data, and farmer demand patterns, can shape the distribution of fertiliser blends in different districts. Such a platform can catalyse a wave of innovations in agriculture, in much the same way as IndiaStack has done in financial services. Some examples: application big data in agriculture In data starved Tanzania, a version of such a platform already exists — the Africa Soil Information Service uses machine learning to bring together various pieces of data (soil, climate, production practices) to enable the government and fertiliser companies determine what blended fertilisers could improve soil nutrition. In India, states like Andhra Pradesh and Bihar have begun to go down this path. Andhra Pradesh, for example, is currently bringing together years’ worth of cropping pattern data, precipitation data, temperature readings, irrigation information and SHC data, and combining them with farmer production practices to determine what impact different nutrients have on yield. As a first step, this will act as a decision support system to do more targeted extension, and produce more customised fertiliser blends. Eventually, it can be used to offer recommendations to farmers to help improve yields. Conclusion: Stories of farm distress make headlines almost every day. Farm data and intelligent digital platforms that build on the SHC programme and leverage big data analytics can be a solution. Incorporating all factors that affect crop yields into Soil Health Cards will make them a comprehensive guide for farmers. Connecting the dots: What are the causes of agriculture stagnation and farmers’ distress in India? Suggest some solutions for making “doubling the farmers’ income by 2022” possible. (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: 4th BIMSTEC Summit and International Buddhist Conclave was held in Nepal. 2018 Theme is 'Towards a Peaceful Prosperous, and Sustainable Bay of Bengal Region'. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements: BIMSTEC was formed in 1997 (Bangkok Declaration) It consists of all countries from South Asia and South East Asia Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Mukurthi National Park was in news recently. The national park is located in - Tamil Nadu Kerala Arunachal Pradesh Odisha Q.4) Consider the following statements about ‘Nilgiri Tahr’ It is widely distributed along the Western Ghats from Gujarat to Tamil Nadu It is listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following statements with reference to the Siang River Brahmaputra River is called Siang in China. The river is called Padma in Bangladesh. Kanchenjunga Mountain is the highest elevation of the river basin. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Only 1 1 and 2 Only 3 2 and 3 Q.6) 2013 Bir Singh versus Delhi Jal Board case deals with - Landmark judgment which declared that Preamble is part of the Constitution. Landmark judgment which played the most significant role towards the transformation of the judicial view on Article 21 of the Constitution of India so as to imply many more fundamental rights from article 21. Legal question whether a Scheduled Caste person from a State would be accorded the same concessions in employment in another State. Enforcement of the fundamental rights of working women under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India. Q.7) Consider the following statements: Only Hindu and Sikh religion are designated as Scheduled Castes in India. Untouchable convertees to Islam and Christianity continue to remain outside its purview. Article 340 gives the President the power to appoint a commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 and 2 1 and 3 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 MUST READ Pride and foreign aid The Hindu  The shale gas challenge The Hindu  Has India finally arrived on the sporting stage? The Hindu Inventing the Urban Naxal Indian Express Misreading the GDP report Indian Express

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 56]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 56] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements about ‘Pacific Ridley turtles’ They have a circumtropical distribution, living in tropical and warm waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans The Coast of Odisha is one of the largest mass nesting site for these turtles Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements about ‘ICESat-2’ It is part of NASA's Earth Observing System It will measure vegetation canopy height as a basis for estimating large-scale biomass and biomass change Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements The non-attainment cities are those that have fallen short of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for over five years. These cities as part of the National Clean Air Campaign (NCAP) need to implement measures aimed at mitigating air pollution. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) ‘Wolbachia’ was in news recently. What is it? It is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria It is a navigation satellite program being developed by the European Union It is a drug being developed under the ‘Horizon 2020’ It is a new moth species Q.5) Which of the following countries does NOT have Adriatic Sea as a boundary? Macedonia Albania Montenegro Croatia To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 30th August 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 30th August 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) O-SMART Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Disaster Management; Science and Technology In news: India is set to get more disaster warning systems along its coasts.  The new systems will keep an eye out for tsunamis and storm surges. O-SMART (Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources Modelling and Science) - is being piloted by the Union earth sciences ministry. Objectives: O-SMART will provide economic benefits to a number of user communities in the coastal and ocean sectors, namely, fisheries, offshore industry, coastal States, defence, shipping, ports, etc. Other key missions – strengthening of Ocean Services for fishermen, setting up marine observatories for monitoring marine pollution, setting up Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant (OTEC) in Kavaratti, acquiring two coastal research vessels, continuation of ocean survey and exploration of minerals and living resources, technology development for Deep Ocean Mining and manned submersibles; and the setting up six desalination plants in Lakshadweep. Do you know? India already has a tsunami warning system in place. Implementation of O-SMART will help in addressing issues relating to Sustainable Development Goal-14, which aims to conserve use of oceans, marine resources for sustainable development.   This scheme (O-SMART) also provide necessary scientific and technological background required for implementation of various aspects of Blue Economy. Exercise Peace Mission 2018 Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – International organization; Multilateral organization; International Relations; Security In news: Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Peace Mission 2018 Exercise was held in Chebarkul, Russia. Military contingents of the all eight SCO member nations (China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, India and Pakistan) participated in this Exercise. The Peace Mission Exercise focused on anti-terror operations. Do you know? This was the 5th edition of SCO Peace Mission Exercise. India participated for the first time. The Russian Army has the major participation of 1700 personnel followed by China with 700 & India with 200 personnel. Pakistan contingent comprised of 110 members. The SCO Peace Mission Exercise takes place every two years. The previous editions of this exercise were mainly limited to Central Asian nations. But due to the entry of India and Pakistan (in June 2017), SCO’s counter-terrorism mission now has been expanded to South Asia. Rajiv Gauba Committee on incidents of lynching Part of: GS Mains III – Internal Security; Violence In news: Panel headed by Rajiv Gauba has submitted its report on measures to check incidents of lynching. According to the report, In May and June, more than 20 people were lynched based on fake posts or rumours floating on various social media platforms. Social media platforms needed to act in a “time-bound” manner. Social media platforms should be made accountable for not blocking malicious posts and videos when brought to their notice and an “FIR could be lodged against their country heads” for not complying with government orders and they could be prosecuted under law. Creation of a portal where people can report such videos and content and that will be forwarded by the National Crime Records Bureau [the nodal body] to the States concerned for appropriate action. Officer in each district at the level of Superintendent of Police and special task force to be set up to gather intelligence, and closely monitor social media contents to prevent mob attacks on people on the suspicion of being child-lifters or cattle smugglers. Miscellaneous: A survey by BARC India has found that 95% of homes in the five southern States have a TV. As per the Broadcast India (BI) 2018 Survey, the number of individuals owning television sets in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala is 259 million, an increase of 8% from 2016. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests Challenges at BIMSTEC Introduction The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit in Kathmandu, will be another milestone for India after the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit hosted by it in 2016, as the grouping has gradually emerged as a key vehicle to take forward India’s regional, strategic and economic interests. Stagnation of SAARC Stagnation of SAARC limited both, the scope of India’s growing economic aspirations as well as the role it could play in improving regional governance. At the 18th SAARC Summit in Kathmandu, in 2014, India proposed the SAARC Motor Vehicles Agreement. However, this could not progress due to resistance from Pakistan. This compelled Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) to sign the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement in 2015. Pakistan also opted out of the ambitious SAARC Satellite project proposed by India, leading to a change in its name to the South Asia Satellite. There is a tendency in some quarters to see India’s interests in BIMSTEC as part of its strategy to isolate Pakistan and position BIMSTEC as an alternative to SAARC. The above instances suggest otherwise. Why BIMSTEC? The main motivation for India to push BIMSTEC is thus not Pakistan; rather, it is in the country’s interest to ensure that the region does not lag behind and that an unstable neighbourhood does not drag its growth. India’s desire to link South Asia to the economically dynamic Southeast Asia is also part of this strategy. The rationale behind making the BIMSTEC mechanism work is to reassure South Asia that the region can work together to achieve common goals with India playing its due role. Do you know? The BIMSTEC is a regional organization comprising States lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal constituting a contiguous regional unity. This sub-regional organization came into being on 6 June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration. It constitutes seven Member States: five deriving from South Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and two from Southeast Asia, including Myanmar and Thailand. The BIMSTEC region is home to around 1.5 billion people which constitute around 22% of the global population with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of 2.7 trillion economy. A few challenges There will be challenges for India from both within and outside. These will pose policy dilemmas. India is currently the largest contributor to the BIMSTEC secretariat’s budget. India’s annual contribution was Rs. 2 crore (or 32% of the total secretariat budget) for 2017-18. With the secretariat planning to strengthen its capacity by increasing human resources and the number of officials representing each member state, India may need to consider allocating more resources. India’s generosity would be a key test of its commitment to the subregional grouping. Another issue would be for India to counter the impression that BIMSTEC is an India-dominated bloc, a problem that it faced for a long time in SAARC. In reality, the suspicion was mutual in SAARC — while India was wary of the smaller neighbours ‘ganging up’ against it, the smaller neighbours were worried that closer integration might lead to India’s domination. The China question Another strategic challenge for India is that China has long desired to be part of the SAARC grouping. Some SAARC members also have their own interests in bringing China into the equation: they want it to balance India’s dominance. China has observer status in SAARC. When this was given, it only increased the demand to make China a full member of SAARC. Way forward India will have to carefully navigate the emerging regional geopolitics, as many of the elements that made SAARC hostage to political rivalry and turned it into a defunct mechanism can re-emerge in BIMSTEC. Today, most of the smaller neighbours are more willing to engage so as to benefit from India’s economic rise. Nonetheless, for internal political reasons, the same issue may re-emerge and pose hurdles in the progress of BIMSTEC. To moderate such suspicions, India will need to show sensitivity to the concerns of smaller neighbours. Connecting the dots: For India, BIMSTEC is a desirable alternative to SAARC. Comment. Note:  To know more, click here More About BIMSTEC ENVIRONMENT/ECOLOGY TOPIC:General Studies 3 Climate Change Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Disaster Management A people’s campaign to rebuild Kerala Introduction The material loss due to the Kerala floods has been estimated at Rs. 26,000 crore, but beyond this there has been an immense loss of natural, human, and social capital for which no estimates are available. The immediate task in the State is relief and rehabilitation, but it is crucial to simultaneously identify the root causes of the havoc. The root causes There is no doubt that the short-sighted attempts in building man-made capital (buildings in hilly forests, encroachments on wetlands and rivers, and stone quarries) while ignoring the attendant degradation of natural, human and social capital have played a significant role in exacerbating the problem. The root causes prevail throughout the Western Ghats and, indeed, the rest of the country. The first is the flouting of laws that have been established to safeguard natural capital. The Shah Commission inquiring into illegal mining in Goa observes that mining beyond permissible limits has caused serious damage to water resources, agriculture and biodiversity. The Second, ignoring serious degradation of human capital in terms of health and employment. In the case of the Plachimada panchayat in Palakkad district, overuse and pollution of water resources by the Coca Cola factory has resulted in losses to the tune of Rs. 160 crore. Third, scientific knowledge and advice has been continually disregarded. In the case of the proposed Athirappilly hydroelectric project, an analysis by the River Research Centre showed that the project document had seriously overestimated the availability of water. Fourth, there has been serious erosion of social capital. For instance, Anoop Vellolippil, a staunch anti-quarry activist engaging in a peaceful demonstration, was killed by those allegedly employed by quarry owners. The right of local communities It must be acknowledged that it is local communities that have a genuine stake in the health of their ecosystems and an understanding of the working of the same. The current system of protecting natural resources through negative incentives in the hands of a coercive and corrupt bureaucracy must give way to positive incentives that can be monitored in a transparent fashion by all concerned citizens. Gadgil panel proposes several such incentives — for example, payment of conservation service charges for protecting important elements of biodiversity such as sacred groves (called Sarpa Kavus in Kerala), and payment towards soil carbon enrichment by switching to organic farming. Way forward The government must reassure its people that it will no longer continue the policies of development and conservation by exclusion, and that it will respect the right of local communities to decide what kind of development they want and what kind of conservation measures they would like to see put in place. The government must implement the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments in letter and spirit. It must empower local bodies at the ward, gram panchayat, and town and city levels to prepare reports on the status of the environment and to decide on how a substantial portion of the budget should be spent on the basis of these reports. It must set up Biodiversity Management Committees of citizens and empower them to document the status of the local ecosystems and biodiversity resources, and regulate their use. They must be given powers to levy collection charges for access to biodiversity as well as to intellectual property relating to community knowledge. In particular, it must accord the Biodiversity Management Committees a central place in the preparation of environmental impact assessments and ensure that these assessments begin to reflect the true state of affairs instead of being the uniformly fraudulent documents that are being submitted today. It must fully implement the Forest Rights Act and empower not only tribal, but all traditional forest dwellers to control, manage and market non-timber forest produce. It must stop distortion and suppression of all environment and development-related information and begin uploading information suo-moto on websites, as the Right to Information Act demands. It must initiate building a public and transparent database on environmental parameters drawing on the environment status reports, People’s Biodiversity Registers, community forest management working schemes, and environmental education projects undertaken by students. Equipped with this information and all pertinent documents such as from the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, the Kasturirangan Committee, and the Oommen V. Oommen Committee, the State government should ask local bodies about the levels of ecological sensitivity in different parts of the landscape on the basis of topography, hydrology, land use and vegetation, regardless of ownership of the land. The local bodies should provide suggestions on appropriate management regimes for regions of different levels of sensitivity. The government should begin to proactively use modern technologies, including smartphones, in a user-friendly manner so that all the inputs from the various local bodies are transparently available to all citizens. Citizens can then assist in the task of integrating all this information and come up with appropriate conservation and development plans that are properly fine-tuned to locality- and time-specific ecological and social conditions. Conclusion A new approach is needed that enhances the sum total of man-made, natural, human and social capital. This will be a broad-based inclusive approach to conservation and development, and will be in the spirit of the People’s Plan Campaign of the 1990s in Kerala, which was spearheaded by the State Finance Minister, Thomas Isaac. There is need to renew the spirit of the People’s Plan Campaign rather than seek to bury it. Only then can the people rebuild nature and society and assure for themselves a sustainable and safe future. If such a progressive approach was embraced, then we will be much better equipped in the years to come to moderate, if not fully prevent, the kind of havoc that visited Kerala recently. Connecting the dots: Briefly analyse the role of local communities in environment protection and disaster management. (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 about O-SMART: It is a mission to promote millet cultivation ‘as we move towards climate-smart agriculture in the wake of frequent droughts’. The mission is being piloted by the Union earth sciences ministry. Implementation of O-SMART will help in addressing issues relating to Sustainable Development Goal-14 Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 and 2 1 and 3 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.2) Exercise Peace Mission 2018 is concerned with which of the following? BRICS SCO India and Russia UN Q.3) Which of the following statements are correct regarding Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS)? It is a permanent organ of BRICS It serves to promote cooperation against the three evils of terrorism, separatism and extremism. Select the code from following: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Which of the following countries is not member of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)? Kazakhstan India Tajikistan Afghanistan Q.5) Which of the following countries is not a member of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)? Myanmar Maldives Afghanistan Bhutan MUST READ The crackdown on civil society The Hindu How not to do an environmental assessment The Hindu Worse than Emergency Indian Express In Bad Faith: One year after the triple talaq ruling, SC verdict is debated for the wrong reasons Indian Express How Johnson and Johnson hip implants system went wrong Indian Express TADA to UAPA, what India’s terror laws say Indian Express

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 55]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 55] Archives Q.1) ‘Project Swarn’ is concerned with Enhanced passenger experience Railway Safety Installation of Rooftop Solar Panels on Trains Freight Transport Q.2) Consider the following statements about ‘Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana’ It has been launched to plug gaps of Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) & Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) It provides LED bulbs to domestic consumers with a target to replace 77 crore incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) The term, ‘Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR)’ is associated with Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) Interconnection Usage Charge (IUC) Goods and Services Tax (GST) Open Skies Treaty Q.4) Which of the following statements with respect to ‘PRAGATI‘ is/are correct? It is aimed at addressing common man’s grievances, and simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India as well as projects flagged by State Governments It involves Digital data management, video-conferencing and geo-spatial technology Both (a) and (b) Neither (a) nor (b) Q.5) Consider the following statements about ‘SAMEEP’ It is an outreach mission that aims to take Indian foreign policy and its global engagements to students across country It is a mandatory programme for MEA officials of ranks undersecretary and above to go back to any school or college in their hometown or to their alma mater 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

AIR

All India Radio (AIR) : Rural Sanitation and Swacchh Bharat

Rural Sanitation and Swacchh Bharat ARCHIVES Listen to the Spotlight here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes In News: WHO thumbs up for Swachh Bharat’s rural component. It is estimated that the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G) will result in preventing more than three lakh deaths due to diarrhoea and protein-energy malnutrition between 2014-October 2019. India’s rural sanitation coverage escalated to 89.07% till August 2. Under the SBM-G, 19 States and Union Territories were declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) and 7.9 crore toilets were built, while 421 districts were declared ODF. Also, more than 4.9 lakh villages in the country were declared ODF. Before the initiation of SBM-G, unsafe sanitation caused 199 million cases of diarrhoea annually. Swachh Bharat Mission: The first sanitation programme in the country to measure outcomes (ODF) instead of output (toilets) alone. The SBM's emphasis on behavior change in rural sanitation at the grassroots also leads to rigorous verification and sustainability of the benefits accrued to rural communities under the progress made. The SBM is a people's movement, a true jan andolan, and it is this people's participation that has led to the success being witnessed under the Mission. The Mission is on track to achieve an ODF India by October 2019. Has the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Brought a Paradigm Shift in Rural Sanitation? Efforts towards a ‘Swachh Bharat’ Commitment: A commitment has come from the highest level of government, with the prime minister himself doing “shramdan” for the construction of a twin pit toilet in a village in Varanasi. Behaviour Change: For the first time, the government is focusing on triggering a collective behaviour change on a large scale instead of merely on the construction of toilets. Even the management information system of the government is counting communities and districts that have become open defecation free (ODF); earlier it was only counting the number of toilets. Ensuring dignity of individuals: The large majority of our female citizens in rural India, no longer have to suffer the indignity of having to go out into the open to defecate. It marks a sea change in the dignity of their daily life. Speed of Construction: The speed with which toilets are being constructed has also gained momentum. Sustainability: There is a renewed focus on verification and sustainability of ODF status by monitoring toilet use. Human Resources: Money has been allocated on a scale hitherto unheard of to hire the staff needed to mobilise communities around sanitation. Half a million ‘Swachhagrahis’ have been deployed in villages and districts. There has occurred an empanelment of key resource centres at the national level for capacity building on collective behaviour change. Awareness: There is focus on senior male members of households to sensitise them through collective behaviour change (through Darwaza Band campaign). Use of social media for creating awareness is also happening. ‘Swachhata Preraks’ have been deployed in each district to support the district magistrates directly. Training of district officials is creating a new momentum. Waste Management: There is a new focus on ODF plus, i.e. solid and liquid waste management. This is done with a view to incentivise sustainability of ODF status. Special sustainability funds and fund allocation to states on performance is also ongoing. Challenges More work is needed for the disabled – designing and building appropriate toilets for them. There is also the need for high-quality CLTS facilitators. Masons may also need refresher training focusing on the benefits of twin-pits. Strengthening of the supply chain is needed to ensure rapid availability of materials for toilet construction, through the establishment of supply-chain specific committees at district, block and gram panchayat level. Changing mindsets remains a challenge: acceptance of twin-pit toilets is still a problem. People in rural areas still think that a twin-pit is a government toilet for poor people. More information, education and communication (IEC) is needed to advocate that it is safe and scientific, easily built, costs less, is easy to empty and that the waste can be used as manure. Majority of the IEC funds have remained unutilised. Government officials are using coercive methods to stop open defecation to achieve targets. This is not behaviour change. Constant efforts are needed to correct a centuries-old problem in India. India’s subsidy programme creates unique problems. Major problems resulting from a subsidy-driven programme are: Constructing toilets without collective behaviour change; malpractices, low quality and inappropriate construction; lack of ownership and partial usage of toilets, with some household members continuing open defecation; leaving out of the disabled; declarations of ODF to meet targets when the reality lags far behind. The Way Ahead: The success of such cleanliness programmes cannot be measured through factors like waste disposal and no open defecation alone; its role in reducing epidemic outbreak is equally important. Epidemics, particularly vector-borne epidemics (like malaria and dengue) and water-borne epidemics (like cholera and hepatitis) are considered by public health experts to be the most important determinant of cleanliness of the environment vis a vis its impact on the health of the community. Hence, an effective cleanliness drive should be impactful enough to reduce the number of epidemics reported from within the community. There is a need to persuade religious leaders especially men, to abandon open defecation. They can be asked to communicate the same to the villagers. This has resulted in quicker understanding and the involvement of religious leaders in triggering exercises has mobilised the whole community. Usage of twin-pit technology need to be encouraged as it is a “complete treatment plant” in itself. In contrast to a septic tank, the total cost of a twin-pit toilet is no more than Rs 12, 000, and it does not need to be emptied – since its contents become ordinary manure once left to dry for a year. Connecting the Dots: ‘Swachta and health are complementary to each other and therefore a horizontal approach to link the two is vital.’ Discuss. The Swachcha Bharat mission is not only a cleanliness campaign but also a socio-economic movement. Elaborate. Note: Swachh Survekshan: Undertaken by the Quality Council of India to check the progress and impact of SBA. The parameters of evaluation included Waste collection (sweeping and transportation) Municipal solid waste processing and disposal Open defecation and toilets Capacity building and information Education and behaviour change

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 29th August 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 29th August 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Audit of child shelters ‘frightening’ Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Social/Welfare issue; Child issue In news: National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is carrying out an audit of child care institutions and other bodies such as children homes, open shelters, observation homes, special homes, places of safety, specialised adoption agencies and fit facilities under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and Model Rules. The audit is being conducted in compliance with a Supreme Court order on May 5, 2017. Preliminary contents of a social audit conducted by the NPCR highlighted that – Out of a total of 2,874 children’s homes surveyed, only 54 institutions could be given positive reviews. Out of 185 shelter homes audited across the country, only 19 had “all the records of a child that they are supposed to maintain.” Of the 203 special adoption agencies, only eight deserved positive reviews. Similarly, only 16% of the 172 observation homes had all the required records of the children, like case histories and who are residing there. Again, out of 80 special homes/place of safety only 13% have the complete set of records. Important Value Additions: About NCPCR NCPCR is a statutory body set up in 2007 under Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. 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. India’s most polluted: 30% have no clean up plan Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Pollution In news: There are concerns as good numbers of India’s most polluted cities have failed to clean up their act. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had asked polluted cities (or ‘non-attainment’ cities) to implement 42 measures aimed at mitigating air pollution - as part of the National Clean Air Campaign (NCAP). These included steps such as implementing control and mitigation measures related to vehicular emissions, re-suspension of road dust and other fugitive emissions, bio-mass, municipal solid waste burning, industrial pollution, and construction and demolition activities. However, prominent non-attainment cities such as Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Nagpur and Jaipur are yet to submit their plans. Do you know? The non-attainment cities are those that have fallen short of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for over five years. Recently, World Health Organisation said that Delhi and Varanasi were among 14 Indian cities that figured in a global list of the 20 most polluted cities in terms of PM2.5 levels. Other Indian cities with very high levels of PM2.5 particulates were Kanpur, Faridabad, Gaya, Patna, Lucknow, Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Patiala and Jodhpur, followed by Ali Subah Al-Salem in Kuwait and some cities in China and Mongolia. Objective of NCAP The NCAP aspires to overcome the deficits of the ongoing government initiatives targeted towards air pollution control. It lays down a comprehensive strategy framework for enhanced management of air quality. Augmentation of existing air quality monitoring network by increasing number of existing manual and continuous monitoring stations, introducing rural monitoring stations, identifying alternative technology for real-time monitoring network and augmenting capabilities of existing monitoring stations to measure PM2.5 concentration, are  integral components of the strategy framework. Kudumbashree: a fine model of community service Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – Self Help Groups; Role of SHGs; Disaster Management In news: Workers of the women empowerment programme (Kudumbashree) have so far cleaned more than 1.1 lakh flood-hit houses in Kerala. The gesture can be described as a fine model of community service by the self-help group in post-disaster reconstruction. Important Value Additions About Kudumbashree Launched by: Government of Kerala in 1998 Aim: To wipe out absolute poverty from state through concerned community action under the leadership of local self-government Organization: Largest women empowering projects in the country; it covers 50 percent of the households in Kerala. A government agency having a budget and paid staff and is responsible to the department of local self-governments. Manned space mission before 75th I-Day: ISRO chief Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Science and Technology In news: Gaganyaan - India’s ambitious manned spaceflight mission ISRO aims to launch three Indians into space by an Indian rocket (before the 75th Independence Day). Do you know? ISRO began work on the manned mission in 2004 and some of these technologies have been demonstrated successfully through various tests — Space Capsule Recovery Experiment, Crew module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment and Pad Abort Test. The total programme is expected to cost less than ₹10,000 crore. Miscellaneous: Rudrasagar - is an artificial lake about 50 km from Agartala (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests Pieces of the Asian dream: India, China and Asia-pacific Introduction: When the U.S. and China are caught up in geopolitical rivalry in the Asia-Pacific, all eyes are towards India, and strategic positioning India is gearing itself. In Singapore, India proclaimed her ambitions to garner influence in the Indo-Pacific region by increasing engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), developing friendship with China, maintaining cordial ties with Russia, pursuing interests with Australia and engaging more with the U.S. Tug of power The tug of power between India and China continues to impact sea lanes and chokepoints, with these two Asian giants pursuing interests in the littoral states spread across the Indo-Pacific. While India pursues influence through heightened diplomatic, bilateral and military engagement, China has started to garner influence through hard investments in cash-strapped littoral nations suffering from massive infrastructural deficits. China in Asia Pacific The influence of China on certain ASEAN states like Cambodia has been such that during the 2016 ASEAN ministerial meeting, it refused to endorse the joint communiqué if it referred to the international court ruling against Beijing. China is today Cambodia’s largest provider of foreign aid and has invested in dams, oilfields, highways, textile operations and mines. Philippines have been seeking for harmonious relations with China, especially after 2016, when U.S. legislators blocked the sale of about 26,000 M4 rifles. Beijing provided rifles and guns to the Philippines police to fight against extremists in the city of Marawi. ASEAN’s trade with China far surpasses that with India, and Chinese foreign direct investment in ASEAN is nine times higher than India’s. China’s heavy investments in ASEAN nations have brought these nations closer into its orbit of influence to the point where despite an international ruling against its activities in the South China Sea (SCS), the ASEAN as a bloc agreed to cooperate with China on a Code of Conduct instead of pursuing the international ruling. China’s multibillion dollar investments in Sri Lankan ports and cities have inched the country much closer to China, and last year Sri Lanka handed over its Hambantota port to China, on a 99-year lease. Under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has over the years promised billions to littoral states in the Indian Ocean Region to build a series of ports, something resource-constrained India will find difficult to match. India in Asia Pacific The overt-assertiveness of China has driven many countries in East and Southeast Asia to seek friendship with India, and today Indonesia and Singapore are looking to bolster relations with India. ASEAN has a cultural affinity with India with its shared religious diversity, ancient ties and a sizeable Indian diaspora in countries like Singapore and Malaysia. After the U.S., India enjoys global soft power through its art, literature, music, dance and cinema. India is perceived by many in East Asia as a friendly democracy, making the country a safe ally to have in the long run. Japan has significantly increased its engagement with India and the two countries enjoy robust military ties. India and Australia have initiated the ‘2+2’ dialogue signalling Canberra’s interest in deepening a maritime security partnership with India. Although India enjoys cordial relationship with all ASEAN nations, it is unlikely that diplomatic hobnobbing alone will help garner the grouping’s support for its Indo-Pacific strategy against China’s raw cash power and growing military presence. India also has so far failed to provide any concrete plans for its immediate neighbourhood in South Asia, with countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka demonstrating interest in partnering with China. Souring of relations with Nepal due to the 2015 fuel blockade and failed strategic interventions in Sri Lanka have both undermined India’s regional leadership. Recent thaw So far, in this year, from the informal summit at Wuhan in April to Prime Minister Modi’s keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in china, a reset of India china relations has been observed. At the SCO Summit, China renewed its agreement with India on sharing data on the cross-border flow of waters from the Brahmaputra during the flood season. The two countries signed a protocol that would enable all varieties of rice exports from India to China, a demand India has been pressing for quite some time to rectify its adverse balance of payments against China. Mr. Xi has also suggested a trade target of $100 billion by 2020, signalling a gradual thaw in relations. Way forward With China, India can strike a better strategic bargain compared to the smaller states in the region. It would be difficult for China to take forward the BRI without participation from India, which has reservations on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). By demonstrating a willingness to join the BRI, India can positively influence China to re-evaluate the details of the CPEC. With a strategic partnership with China, India can better pursue its own regional groupings like the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) initiative. Since India can’t match China’s resource spending, strategic understanding with China can help streamline regional connectivity projects and help India gain influence in the region. India have to develop a strategy to leverage its soft power in South, East and Southeast Asia and optimise its military power to effectively counter China’s cash and hard power. Conclusion: India is clearly seeking its rightful place in the league of nations by outlining its geopolitical role, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. With the limited resources, India’s ambitions will have to play out against a resourceful and assertive China. Connecting the dots: Briefly provide an overview of the geopolitical realities of Asia Pacific and different stakeholders involved, which makes it necessary for India to showcase her diplomatic skills. NATIONAL TOPIC: Paper 1: Essay General Studies 2 Indian Constitution; Fundamental rights Functioning of Judiciary Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors The final frontier of populism? Judiciary and Majoritarianism Introduction Crucial constitutional questions are being fought in the highest courts in the world’s largest democracies. If a baker refuses to make a wedding cake for a same sex couple citing his religious beliefs, is that an exercise of religious liberty or a case of discrimination against homosexuals? The Colorado Civil Rights Commission in the U.S. ruled it was a case of discrimination. The U.S. Supreme Court reversed the Colorado commission’s order. The Indian Supreme Court is seized of the conflict between a religious belief and charges of discrimination in a case on Sabarimala, the Kerala temple where women of a particular age are not allowed entry. When questions such as these come up in the context of executive or legislative action or inaction, it becomes the task of the judiciary to test them against the Constitution. There is a long-running debate on how the judiciary should interpret the Constitution. One school of thought, the originalists, believes that the constitutional text ought to be given the original meaning or intent that it would have at the time it was written. The evolutionists believe that the Constitution is a living document and the meaning of its text changes over time, as social attitudes change, and that the judges should interpret it accordingly. (Covered in detail: 28 August 2018 DNA) Tensions in a democracy Judges are not impervious to public opinion but they are not meant to be its slaves either. They do not need to win popular votes. This one layer of insulation from instant public opinion enables the judiciary to be the guardian of the fundamental values of the society, which too change but over a longer period of time. The tensions between the legislative or executive branches and the judiciary are unavoidable, and to some extent desirable, in a democracy. Varying degrees of judicial review provide a way to negotiate a balance between public opinion and values in democratic societies. In India, the judiciary can review even constitutional amendments. When a society is in the midst of conflict over its elemental values, such tensions become more fraught. The legislative and executive branches are quicker in responding to people’s will and often, shaping it. India also has seen such phase, when the judiciary resisted progressive legislative measures such as land reforms in the early years of the republic. Those tensions continued all the way until an equilibrium was reached, with the Supreme Court establishing the concept of the basic structure of the Constitution in the 1970s. At the core of the tensions between the judiciary and the more political branches was the search for a balance between justice and liberty, a perennial source of conflict in a democracy. Conclusion: The turbulence within the Indian judiciary and in its relations with the political executive and the legislature could also be seen in the context of the ongoing populist project to reshape the country. It is one thing to expect the judiciary to be aware of evolving notions of rights and justice in a society, but quite another to demand the remaking of the judiciary in accordance with a majoritarian agenda. A judiciary dismissive of the popular will could disrupt the balance of power among the branches; but a judiciary subservient to majoritarianism will certainly undermine democracy. Connecting the dots: Do you think populism in democracy affects judiciary? Elucidate. (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) With regard to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Consider the following statements. As defined by the commission, child includes those up to the age of 18 years. Chairperson of the commission is ex-officio member of National Human Rights Commission Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 None Q.2) 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.3) Air quality of Indian cities is a major concern these days. Which of the following pollutants are considered in India to make the Air Quality Index? Carbon di Oxide PM 2.5 Ozone Lead Select the code from following: 2 only 2, 3 and 4 1, 2 and 3 All of the above Q.4) Consider the following statements about National Air Quality Monitoring Programme: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been executing a nationwide Programme of ambient air quality monitoring known as National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP). Annual average concentration of SOx levels are within the prescribed National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The NAAQS has undertaken 5 pollutants only. Which if the statements given above is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 1 and 3 only 2 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 MUST READ Stagnation post-summit The Hindu Listen to the deluge Indian Express Cities at crossroads: No more cover-ups Indian Express Gender 5.0 Indian Express

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 28th August 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 28th August 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) India and Pakistan: Indus treaty talks Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and its neighbourhood- relations In news: India, Pakistan will hold two-day discussions on Indus Water Treaty and related issues. The Pakistani side will reiterate its objections over two water-storage and hydroelectric projects being built by India during the talks. Pakistan would raise its concerns over the 1000-MW Pakal Dul and the 48-MW Lower Kalnai hydroelectric projects on the Chenab river. Do you know? The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank and signed by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and former Pakistan President Ayub Khan, administers how the waters of the Indus River and its tributaries that flow in both the countries will be utilised. The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) deals with river Indus and its five tributaries, which are classified in 2 categories: Eastern rivers: Sutlej, Beas and Ravi Western rivers: Jhelum, Chenab and Indus According to treaty, All the water of eastern rivers shall be available for unrestricted use in India. India should let unrestricted flow of water from western rivers to Pakistan. The treaty says that India can use the water in western rivers in “non-consumptive” needs (such as irrigation, storage and even for electricity production). The treaty allocates 80% of water from the six-river Indus water system to Pakistan. A Permanent Indus Commission was set up as a bilateral commission to implement and manage the Treaty. Though Indus originates from Tibet, China has been kept out of the Treaty. Female genital mutilation Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Social issue; Religious reforms; Health issue About: Female genital mutilation (FGM) includes procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM is in news after a group of Dawoodi Bohra women who were subject to FGM, recently began speaking about it publicly. Bohra community describes it as khatna, khafz, or female circumcision - is the ritual cutting or removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. The practice is found in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and within communities from countries in which FGM is common. FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15. The procedure has no health benefits for girls and women. FGM is often motivated by beliefs about what is considered acceptable sexual behaviour. It aims to ensure premarital virginity and marital fidelity. Practitioners often believe the practice has religious support. Procedures can cause severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths. FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women. Do you know? WHO strongly urges health professionals not to perform such procedures. In 1997, WHO issued a joint statement against the practice of FGM together with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). In 2008, WHO together with 9 other United Nations partners, issued a statement on the elimination of FGM to support increased advocacy for its abandonment, called: “Eliminating female genital mutilation: an interagency statement”. In December 2012, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the elimination of female genital mutilation. Supreme Court’s views on FGM practice: FGM leaves permanent emotional and mental scars in a young girl. Constitution does not allow a person to cause injury to another. The practice needs to be tested in the light of constitutional morality and just because something is “essential to religion”, does not mean it is above constitutional morality. If we do not go by the Constitution, then morality is left to the mob. The people on the streets will say what is moral and what is immoral. A.P. emerging as electronics hub Part of: GS Mains III – Indian Economy; Infrastructure In news: Foxconn and Holitech, a leading Chinese manufacturer of compact camera modules supplying exclusively to smart phone maker Xiaomi, inks pact with Andhra Pradesh to establish unit at Tirupati. AP Minister is heading to China, scouting for more investments in the electronics manufacturing sector. AP government’s objective is to make the State a hub for electronics manufacturing but not limit the scope to mobile phones. It targets to meet the requirement of even the defence establishments. P. government has also roped in Reliance Jio to set up its mobile phone and set-top box making unit near Tirupati in 125 acres. Flextronics, a major player in designing, assembling and testing of printed circuit boards, is setting up its unit in the electronics manufacturing cluster at Tirupati. Online registration of drones must from Dec. 1 Part of: GS Mains III – Security; Science and Technology In news: Drones, their operators and pilots will have to be mandatorily registered on aviation regulator DGCA’s online portal, effective December 1. Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) have been divided into five categories – nano (less than 250gm), micro (between 250 gm and 2kg), small (between 2 and 25 kg) and large (more than 150 kg). Users will have to go online to seek a unique identification number for each drone as well as an operator’s permit licence. They will have to provide details of flight path to be undertaken for every flight. However, nano drones are exempt from all these pre-requisites. Do you know? Drones are barred from being flown near airports, international border, coastline, Parliament, Secretariat complex in State capitals, military installations and eco sensitive zones. Small and large drones can fly up to a maximum height of 400 feet. Nano drones must not fly beyond 50 feet and micro drones must be within 200 feet from ground level. ‘Jaipur Foot’ camp in Vietnam Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and the world; International Relations In news: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj inaugurated the ‘Jaipur Foot’ camp in Vietnam (free India-made prosthetic limb to 500 Vietnamese beneficiaries). The initiative aims at deepening India’s strategic cooperation with Vietnam and Cambodia — the key countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. Myanmar Army had ‘genocidal intent’: UN Report Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – International Relations; Role of International organizations In news: UN report highlights the following – Myanmar’s military carried out mass killings and gang rapes of Muslim Rohingya with “genocidal intent”. Commander-in-Chief and five generals should be prosecuted for the gravest crimes under international law. Report calls for the UN Security Council to set up an ad hoc tribunal to try suspects or refer them to the International Criminal Court in the Hague. It calls for targeted sanctions against individuals most responsible for crimes. The report also criticised Facebook for allowing the world’s biggest social media network to be used to incite violence and hatred. Iran asks UN to act against ‘economic strangulation’ by U.S. Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II  - International Relations In news: Iran demanded the UN’s top court to suspend U.S. nuclear-linked sanctions against Tehran, accusing Washington of plotting its “economic strangulation”. The Islamic Republic launched a suit at the International Court of Justice over U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to reimpose the sanctions that had been lifted in a 2015 accord. The sanctions target financial transactions and imports of raw materials, cars and aircraft among other things. A second wave of punitive measures is due to hit Iran, targeting its vital energy sector including oil exports. Miscellaneous: Tribe in news: Khasi tribe : : Meghalaya Oil from jatropha seeds (Biofuel) was blended with aviation turbine fuel - propelled the country’s first ever bio jet fuel-powered flight. International standards permit a blend rate of up to 50% biofuel with ATF. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 1 Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. Role of women and women's organization Social empowerment General Studies 2 Indian Constitution; Fundamental rights Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Ways to read the Constitution Introduction: The arguments before the Supreme Court around the entry of women of a certain age to the Sabarimala temple in Kerala raise issues about religious freedom, gender equality and also constitutional interpretation. In support of the petitioners Ban is against freedom of religion, right to equality and right against discrimination. The petitioners have argued that discrimination based on biological reasons is not permissible going by the constitutional scheme. A specific argument made in the court, based on Article 17, it was argued that the exclusion is a form of ‘untouchability’ since the exclusion is solely based on notions of purity and impurity. Argumennts against petition: The Devaswom Board and others in support of the ban have cited it as an age-old custom. It forms a part of ‘essential religious practice’ of worshippers under Article 25 of the Constitution. It was also urged that matters such as who can or cannot enter the temple are covered under the rights to administer and manage religious institutions, under Article 26. Argument under Article 17 was resisted on the contention that the prohibition of untouchability was historically intended only to protect the interests of the backward classes. The claim is that the makers of the Constitution never envisioned including women within the ambit of untouchability. A specific acknowledgment Article 17 is emphatic in its wording: “Untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising out of untouchability shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.” It is peculiar since it abolishes a social practice in any form. All the other provisions in the same chapter lay down substantive fundamental rights. In spite of the specific equality and anti-discrimination guarantees in the Constitution, Article 17 is inserted to specifically acknowledge and remove the social stigma associated with certain castes. It was enacted in an attempt to eradicate historical inequality. Two approaches for interpretation of constitution The first approach — the ‘original intent’ This approach is based on the intent of the framers of the Constitution when they drafted the text. For example, an originalist will adopt a certain understanding of a constitutional right — say, the right to same-sex relationships under the right to liberty promised under Article 21 only if she is convinced that the drafters intended that. She may argue that the framers never thought of such a situation and, therefore, a same-sex couple cannot have a constitutional right under Article 21. A similar argument has been made in the debates in India on homosexuality. Article 15 enjoins the state from discriminating on grounds such as religion, caste and sex. By relying on the originalist approach, it was asserted that the makers of the Constitution meant the word ‘sex’ under Article 15 only in the binary sense of ‘male and female’. Over time, originalism as a method of constitutional interpretation has been subject to serious criticism for being too rigid and inflexible. The Canadian Supreme Court, while rejecting originalism, said that such a method would mean that “...the rights, freedoms and values embodied in the Charter in effect become frozen in time to the moment of adoption with little or no possibility of growth, development and adjustment to changing societal needs.” The second approach — the ‘living tree’ doctrine It involves understanding the Constitution to be an evolving and organic instrument. For the living tree theorists, it matters little what the intentions were at the time of Constitution making. What matters the most is how the Constitution can be interpreted to contain rights in their broadest realm. The moral reading of the Constitution, propounded by Ronald Dworkin, also complements the living tree approach. Dworkin says in Freedom’s Law that “according to the moral reading, these clauses must be understood in the way their language most naturally suggests: they refer to abstract moral principles and incorporate these by reference, as limits on government’s power.” Originalism in India: an evaluation The ‘living tree’ approach — being an alternative and a finer reading of the Constitution — supports a broader interpretation of Article 17. Even if the framers of the Constitution intended this provision to address a specific category of discrimination, the constitutional court can adopt an interpretation to include women under Article 17. Women have been kept out of Sabarimala because of menstruation. As a distinct class, they are being discriminated against. If certain castes are considered ‘impure’ because of their social status, menstruating women are considered to be so because of their gender. The criteria are different but the effect of exclusion is common. It seems that such an interpretation does not do any violence to the language and content of Article 17, but only emancipates it. The treatment which homosexuals experience today is similar in kind to that which ‘untouchables’ experienced and which prompted the adoption of Article 17, in that the treatment of homosexuals likewise flows from their social status. This is a case where discrimination is based solely on sexual orientation. Conclusion Therefore, in essence, the Sabarimala case is a test case not only for freedom of religion and women’s rights but also for constitutional interpretation. It presents to the court an exemplary opportunity for an alternative reading of the Constitution. If the court indeed reads Article 17 to have a wider meaning, it will signal a new era of transformative constitutionalism in Indian jurisprudence. Connecting the dots: Sabrimala case; a test for Indian jurisprudence. Comment INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations Dragon in the room: India – China relations Introduction: A year after the resolution of the gravest border crisis in recent times between India and China at Doklam, there are signs that things between the two Asian neighbours are finally moving back to normal. Post Doklam developments: The march towards normalcy started with the SCO summit last September and got an impetus with the informal summit between Indian Prime Minister and Chinese President in Wuhan in April. With the visit of Chinese Defence Minister to Delhi, and his discussions with his Indian counterpart, the two countries seem to have arrived at a path which will minimise chances of a major conflict and prevent differences from becoming disputes. General’s delegation comprised top officials from the Central Military Commission, the highest military decision-making body, and the Western Theatre Command, which is responsible for the entire Chinese border with India. Both countries have decided to expand the engagement between the armed forces relating to training, joint exercises and other professional interactions. Both sides have also decided to work towards a new bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence exchanges and cooperation to replace the earlier MoU signed in 2006. Bothe the countries agreed to work towards full implementation of the on-going confidence-building measures along the disputed border, a lesson from the Doklam crisis. This is based on the strategic guidance provided to the two militaries after the Wuhan summit, and will involve working out SOPs and mechanisms to avoid tensions between soldiers on the disputed border. This will be achieved by having greater interaction at lower levels — at unit and brigade level — an idea which came from the Chinese. Officials will now work out a standard protocol for these meetings, which should then allow the two sides to deal with Doklam-like situations with restraint and maturity. Way forward India and China have still not been able to operationalize a hotline between the two armies, even as Indian attempts to upgrade border infrastructure continue to raise Chinese hackles. Reports suggest that Chinese soldiers continue to occupy parts of Doklam, and the ghost of 1962 continues to drive India’s mistrust of China. Beijing has also been courting India’s neighbours in South Asia, thereby diminishing India’s area of influence and causing anxieties in Delhi. But the biggest elephant — or dragon — in the room is the disputed border between India and China, which shows no signs of resolution even after scores of rounds of talks between diplomats of the two countries. The two Asian neighbours need to find a way to move forward on the border dispute if, as PM Modi put it, India-China relations are to be a factor of stability in the world. Connecting the dots: Explain in brief the history of territorial disputes between India and China. Also give an insight into recent Doklam standoff and its aftermath. (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 within 24 hours. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) Which of the following statements are correct regarding the river Indus? Indus has the second largest drainage basin in India after Ganga. It originates in Tibet near Mansarover lake. Satluj, Chenab, Beas, Ravi and Jhelum are its right bank tributaries. Select the code from below: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.2) Indus Water Treaty is considered to be one of the most successful river water sharing treaties of the World. Which of the following are correct provisions of IWT? The water of Jhelum and Chenab is allocated to Pakistan and water of Ravi, Beas and Satluj is allocated to India. India is allowed to use 20% water of Indus. The Disputes regarding water sharing and breaching of treaty are World Bank. Select the code from below: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.3) Consider the following statements It is the largest tributary of Indus. It is also known as Chandrabhaga. It flows for more than 1000km before entering into Pakistan. Choose the river which best suits the above statements Jhelum Chenab Satluj Beas Q.4) Consider the following statements regarding the Eastern Hills and mountains Khasi hills and Mizo hills are part of Patkai Range. Khasi hills are also known as Lushai hills in local language. Phawngpui or ‘Blue Mountain’ is the highest point of Mizo hills. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.5) Cherrapunji and Mawsynram of Meghalaya which receives highest rainfall are in Garo hills Khasi Hills Jaintia Hills None of the above Q.6) Which of the following statements are NOT correct regarding the ‘International Criminal Court’ (ICC)? It is primary Judicial Branch of The United Nations. It has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. India became first country ever to leave the ICC. Select the code from below: 1 and 2 2 only 1 and 3 All of the above MUST READ   Rescue, relief and renewal The Hindu Restoring dignity: on stigma attached to leprosy The Hindu How dams can control floods The Hindu   Toxic silence The Hindu Fact Fighting Indian Express Supporting farmers, the middle way Indian Express Raja Mandala: Privatising the Afghan war Indian Express

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