May 14, 2019 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 14th May 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 14th May 2019 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) China – US Trade War Part of: GS Mains II and III – International affairs; Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests; Economy and related issues In news: China said it would raise tariffs on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods from June 1. The announcement comes as a retaliation for the latest round of U.S. tariff hikes and Trump adminstration's plans to target almost all Chinese imports. S. President had also ordered the start of a process to impose new duties on another $300 billion worth of Chinese items. Do you know? China imports fewer U.S. products such as agricultural products and energy, Boeing orders and service trade. Impact: The conflict is seen as a significant threat to global economic growth. The US-China trade war has been a great source of uncertainty for financial markets over the past year. Uncertainty has weighed on investor confidence around the world, and has contributed to losses. The IMF warned a full-blown trade war would weaken the global economy. In news: FCRA Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III - Economy In news: The Union Home Ministry de-registered the Infosys Foundation from the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, after a request in June 2016 following an amendment to the Act. In May 2016, the Government amended the FCRA Act with retrospective effect from 2010. Do you know? The Foreign Contribution Regulations Act or FCRA is a law enacted by Parliament to regulate foreign contribution (especially monetary donation) provided by certain individuals or associations to NGOs and others within India. The act, in its consolidating form, was originally passed in 1976 and majorly modified in 2010. The government has used the act over the years to freeze bank accounts of certain NGOs who it found were affecting India's national interest for wrong purposes. The Home ministry cancelled the registration of several US-based NGOs after it was found that they were diverting the money received into funding protests at Tamil Nadu’s Kudankulam against a nuclear power plant, an Indo-Russian joint venture. Impact: As per the FCRA Act 2010, all NGOs are required to be registered under the Act to receive foreign funding. According to terms stipulated in the FCRA, an organisation cannot receive foreign funding unless it is registered under the 2010 Act, except when it gets government approval for a specific project. Pooram Festival Part of: GS Prelims and Mains I - Indian culture and heritage; Art Forms In news: Thousands of people gathered to witness the grand opening of the famed Thrissur Pooram, considered as the mother of all temple festivals. ‘Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran’, the controversial elephant which was earlier denied permission to take part in the festivities by the authorities on health grounds, ‘opened’ the annual festival at the ancient Vadakkumnathan temple here. Marking the ritual heralding of Pooram, Ramachandran, the tallest elephant of the state, pushed open the southern entrance of the shrine. The Thrissur Pooram falls on May 13 this year. The main event of the annual ‘pooram’ begins with the 10.5 foot tall elephant pushing open the gate of the temple, with the idol of ‘neithilakkavilamma’ atop it. Key points: About Thrissur Pooram: It is an annual Hindu temple festival held in Kerala, India. It is held at the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur every year on the Pooram day – the day when the moon rises with the Pooram star in the Malayalam Calendar month of Medam. It is the largest and most famous of all poorams. ‘MANAV: Human Atlas Initiative’ Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III - Science and Technology In news: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) launched ‘MANAV: Human Atlas Initiative’, a project for mapping every tissue of the human body to help understand better the roles of tissues and cells linked to various diseases. The Human Atlas Initiative aims at creating a database network of all tissues in the human body from the available scientific literature. The student community, who will be the backbone on assimilating the information, will be trained and imparted with skills to perform annotation and curation of information that will ultimately form the online network. Do you know? DBT has invested Rs 13 crore shared between two institutions in Pune – National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) and Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER), Pune. Besides, Persistent Systems Limited has co-funded the project and is developing the platform, and has contributed Rs 7 crore. It is a project that involves scientific skill development for annotation, science outreach along with handling big data. The programme will involve gaining better biological insights through physiological and molecular mapping, develop disease models through predictive computing and have a wholistic analysis and finally drug discovery. CTBTO invites India to be an observer Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II - International Organization In news: The executive secretary of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) has invited India to be an observer in the CTBT. Being an observer would give India access to data from the International Monitoring System — a network which when complete will consist of 337 facilities (321 monitoring stations and 16 radionuclide labs) located in 89 countries. This system can detect even small nuclear explosions using seismology, hydroacoustics, infrasound and radionuclide technology. Important Value Additions: Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) CTBTO is the preparatory commission which establishes global verification regime to monitor compliance with the CTBT. The verification regime includes a global network of 330 plus monitoring facilities using seismic, hydroaucostic, infrasound and radionuclide technologies. Over 330 stations in 89 countries have been built to monitor for signs of nuclear explosions around the globe round the clock. International Monitoring System (IMS) The International Monitoring System (IMS) monitors the Earth’s crust, listens the atmosphere and oceans and sniffs the air for traces of radioactivity. The monitoring system produces data that have many applications, from disaster early warning to scientific research on the Earth’s inner structures, climate change or meteors, to name just a few of the potential uses. It is also making contributions to the nuclear safety field. After the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, CTBTO data provided timely information on the radioactive emissions from the crippled plant and their global dispersion. DNA database coming up for Indian rhino Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III - Environment and Biodiversity; Conservation of Animals In news: The Union Environment Ministry has embarked on a project to create DNA profiles of all rhinos in the country. By 2021, the project’s deadline, the Indian rhino could be the first wild animal species in India to have all its members DNA-sequenced. The project’s proponents include World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India) and the Centre-funded Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The exercise would be useful in curbing poaching and gathering evidence in wildlife crimes involving rhinos. Do you know? There are about 2,600 rhinos in India, with more than 90% of the population concentrated in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park. The project is a subset of the Centre’s larger, ongoing rhino conservation programme. Since the 1980s, the government has been trying to move a significant number of rhinos out of Kaziranga in the interest of the species’ conservation, threats from poaching and challenges to their habitat. Outside Kaziranga, there are about 200 rhinos in West Bengal, 40 in Uttar Pradesh and 1 in Bihar. There are three species of rhinos, of which only one — the Indian rhino — is found in the country. The rhinos were once abundant and well-distributed in the country. However poaching reduced its numbers to about “200 wild animals by the end of the 20th century”. In news: Strait of Hormuz It is a strait between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and is one of the world's most strategically important choke points. On the north coast lies Iran, and on the south coast the United Arab Emirates and Musandam, an exclave of Oman. (MAINS FOCUS) ECONOMY TOPIC: General studies 2 and 3 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. The risk of India slipping into a middle-income trap  Context: The warning by Rathin Roy, a member of an economic panel advising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that India could be headed for a “structural crisis" has sparked a debate on whether the economy’s days of high single-digit growth rates are a thing of the past. The “middle-income trap": It is a scenario where middle-income groups in an economy who have been shouldering the domestic consumption story so far by purchasing cars, automobiles and air-conditioners, etc., gradually stop doing so on account of loss of confidence or fear of income loss. India’s growth has mostly been driven by demand generated by 100 million-odd people at the top of the country’s socio-economic pyramid. But that demand has begun to exhaust itself, and so India could slip into a “middle-income trap". This is a risk that emerging economies are said to be vulnerable to. As a country runs out of new sources of growth after an initial burst of rapid expansion, it finds itself unable to break into a higher-income league. In India right now, the relatively weak offtake of everything, from cars and apartments to suds and toothbrushes, points to a slowdown in consumption. Fall in private consumption, muted rise in fixed investment and sluggish exports have led to slowdown in the econom The World Bank's lower middle income range for countries is defined as per capita gross national income (GNI) of between $996 and $3,895. As per 2017 figures, the income of an average Indian was in the vicinity of $1,795, which placed the country well below the halfway mark. The risk runs deeper; the possibility that India will remain stuck at the middle income range has now started appearing more real. Reason behind: Wealth inequality and the hierarchical distribution of income in developing countries has long been identified as a growth barrier. The greater the gaps between strata, by this analysis, the slower the upward mobility of families that are at lower levels. Such economies typically experience lopsided expansion, with the positive fallout of an economic boom on top often failing to reach those below. Sustaining growth requires the mass mobilization of financial as well as human resources, and if inequality is acute, the latter tend to come up short. This phenomenon is exemplified by Brazil and South Africa, among a few others. These countries increased their economic output at a fast clip for several years at a stretch, but large sections of their population did not see their lives get better. They got left behind. India appears to have undergone something similar. Way ahead: The best insurance against the risk of slipping into a middle-income trap, however, would be to address mobility restraints at lower levels of the socio-economic pyramid. Improving the quality of healthcare, education and skill development for the deprived masses is much required. Policymakers must not use the trap story as an excuse for poor near-term growth. The country should do all it can for a badly needed uptick. Conclusion: Not taking action now would mean India will never be another China or South Korea but could begin replicating basket cases like South Africa or Brazil where large swathes of poor population are powering not growth, but crime. Failure at this stage could leave India stagnant in a lower middle-income bracket. If this is to be an “Asian century", India must stay in the reckoning. Connecting the dots: What do you understand by the term ‘middle income trap’? Do you think the risk of India slipping into the trap is real? Highlight the reasons behind. INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 2  International Relations Policies of developed and developing countries and their impact on India’s interests The Global ‘War on Terror’: Not a right approach to fight terrorism Introduction: The world needs to be united on the issue of terrorism and resolve contradiction. The brutal attacks on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka, for which the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility, have reignited discussion on the global ‘War on Terror’. The attacks in Sri Lanka underline the many cracks in the concept of a global ‘War on Terror’, and raise questions on what it has achieved. The Global ‘War on Terror’: The term was coined by former U.S. President George W. Bush after the September 11 attacks in 2001. It is an international military campaign that was launched by the US government after the 9/11 attacks. Issue: The original mission that the War on Terror was named for is floundering. Not only has the coalition of about 60 countries that sent troops and offered logistical support failed to end terrorism in Afghanistan, it appears it is preparing to hand the country back to the oppressive Taliban regime that it defeated in December 2001. This, despite the fact there is no guarantee that the terror groups living in safe havens in Pakistan will not also have the run of Afghanistan once the coalition pulls out. 46 nations joined to defeat Saddam Hussein in Iraq in 2003, and 19 were a part of a coalition that ousted Muammar Qaddafi from power in Libya in 2011. The U.S. and allied countries were sidetracked by the ‘Arab Spring’ in 2011, which led them to bolster anti-Bashar al-Assad groups in Syria. This eventually paved the way for the IS to establish a ‘Caliphate’ in territories in Syria and Iraq. The next coalition was formed to fight the terror of the IS. The number of global terror attacks per year went up from 1,000 in 2004 to 17,000 in 2014. It is clear that the countries in question — Afghanistan, Syria, Libya and Iraq — are far from free of the spectre of terrorism. Rather than helping fight pan-Islamist terror groups, the War on Terror appears to help the IS and al-Qaeda more, giving them a footprint far bigger than their actual abilities. This helps them recruit and radicalise Muslim youth from around the globe, and allows them to own terrorists around the world as their own. Approaches to fighting terror: Changing the narrative of a “fight for Islam” is required. According to the Global Terrorism Database, of the 81 terror attacks in which more than 100 were killed (high casualty) since 2001, more than 70 were carried out in Islamic or Muslim-majority countries. The War on Terror thus appears to be a concept propagated mostly by pan-Islamist groups and extremists of other religions as a motive for terror attacks. Governments in countries affected by terrorism must not subscribe to this narrative blindly. It is necessary for countries fighting terrorism to learn more closely from their differences, rather than try to generalise from experience. Example 1: Comparing European states like the U.K., France and Belgium, where hundreds of immigrant Muslims have enlisted for the IS, to South Asian states like India, where Muslim populations are indigenous and only a few dozen are believed to have left for Syria, is akin to comparing apples and oranges. The world community must address contradictions in the War on Terror. For 20 years, the world has failed to agree on a common definition of terrorism at the United Nations. This has held up the passage of the Indian-sponsored proposal for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Contradictions examples- Example 1- Despite the fact that Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar has been targeting Indians incessantly for years, China allowed his UN Security Council designation as a global terrorist only after mentions of his attacks in India were removed. Example 2- The U.S. is focused on billing Iran the “world’s biggest state sponsor of terrorism”, while states like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan that have funded and sheltered Islamist terror groups are still treated as “frontline allies” on terror. Conclusion: Despite all their resources and expertise, the alliance of the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand that share global intelligence was unable to see the impending threat in Sri Lanka. Unless the world is truly united on the issue and resolves such contradictions, the global War on Terror will only be as strong as its weakest link. Connecting the dots: The world needs to be united on the issue of terrorism and resolve contradiction. Comment. MUST READ Private, public and political morality The Hindu Redactive pricing audit and the GAGs duties The Hindu INS Viraat controversy threatens to disturb equipoise in civil-military relations Indian Express The Gwadar warning Indian Express Coordination as a hurdle for the #MeToo movement Livemint Geostrategic concerns complicate US China trade Livemint

May 14, 2019 RSTV Video

RSTV IAS UPSC – Chabahar Port & US Sanctions

Chabahar Port & US Sanctions Archives TOPIC: General studies 2 India and its neighborhood- relations, International relations Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. In News: The strategic Chabahar port project, being developed by India in Iran, is a separate exception and will not be impacted by US President Donald Trump's decision not to renew exemptions that let eight countries including India to buy Iranian oil without facing tough American sanctions. The United States has said Chabahar is exempted from sanctions to help Afghanistan’s economic development and facilitate India’s investment in the port. This exception relates to reconstruction assistance and economic development for Afghanistan. These activities are vital for the ongoing support of Afghanistan's growth and humanitarian relief The effort to build up Afghanistan's economy is also aimed at reducing Kabul's dependence on foreign aid and putting a major dent in the illicit opium trade that has been a major source of revenue for the Taliban insurgency. Iran is India's third-largest oil supplier behind Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Iran supplied 18.4 million tonnes of crude oil during April 2017 and January 2018 (first 10 months of 2017-18 fiscal). What US wants from Iran? Iran should totally give up its right to enrich uranium and close down all nuclear facilities including those engaged in research for peaceful purposes. Iran should curtail and eradicate its ballistic missile programme and radically change its west-Asia policy to fall in line with American preferences in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. However, Iran has stood up to unprecedented sanctions for four decades and remained unbowed. What are the potential issues? Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has a track record of using Iran’s air and sea ports to smuggle goods. If the past is precedent, the regime may redirect the funds generated by trade at Chabahar to its weapons programs and regional proxies. The IRGC’s ubiquitous role in the Iranian economy, combined with its well-documented history of sanctions evasion, requires India to monitor the port rigorously. If all else fails – United States can The United States can aid India’s effort in monitoring the port. For instance, Washington can provide export control and cargo inspection expertise to help New Delhi detect possible Iranian subversion. The Trump administration can also pressure India by requiring Indian companies to place funds in escrow accounts in order to make sure they can pay U.S. fines if they fail to comply with sanctions. Likewise, the Trump administration can require India to issue certifications that no IRGC affiliates are active in Chabahar. Though the U.S. would have limited means to verify or enforce such certifications independently, the requirement would force India to go on the record. In so doing, it would give Washington a political basis to take even harsher measures to pressure New Delhi, if all else fails. For example, America could threaten to revoke the Chabahar project’s exemption, thereby exposing New Delhi to U.S. secondary sanctions. America could also rescind the waiver it gave India that allows it to keep importing 300,000 barrels per day of Iranian crude despite U.S. sanctions. Chabahar Port: Crucial gateway for India’s objectives About Chabahar Port Located on the Makran coast South-eastern coast of Iran It is relatively underdeveloped free trade and industrial zone (compared to the sprawling port of Bandar Abbas further west) For India, Chabahar is of strategic importance for two reasons: First, it is the nearest port to India on the Iranian coast, which provides access to the resources and markets of Afghanistan and Central Asia. Second, it is located 76 nautical miles (less than 150km) west of the Pakistani port of Gwadar, being developed by China; this makes it ideal for keeping track of Chinese or Pakistani military activity based out of Gwadar. (See fig: http://www.joc.com/sites/default/files/resize/field_feature_image/chabahar-400×299.JPG) Conclusion: Chabahar port holds significant economic promise for India, the United States, and the region. But the lack of adequate safeguards to protect the port from IRGC activity may undermine not only U.S. sanctions on Iran, but also the U.S.-India relationship. Washington and New Delhi should work together to prevent such an outcome. Connecting the Dots: The signing of the much anticipated bilateral pact with Iran for the development of Chabahar port is a significant step towards securing India’s strategic and economic interests. Comment. How can India ensure that its relations with the US and Iran, and particularly its energy interests are not affected? Suggest. How do global sanctions operate? How does it affect India’s interests? Comment in the light of US sanctions against Iran.

May 14, 2019 PIB

Press Information Bureau (PIB) IAS UPSC – 6th May to 12th May - 2019

Press Information Bureau (PIB) IAS UPSC – 6th May to 12th May – 2019 ARCHIVES Prelims Oriented News Vietnam’s Capital: Honoi Chintan Baithak: A meeting with the stakeholders of Renewable Energy (RE) sector 9th National Voters' Day: 25th January 2019 Celebrated all over the country on January 25th every year since 2011 to mark the Foundation day of Election Commission of India (January 25, 1950) Purpose: Encourage, facilitate and maximize the enrolment What are Bye-elections? By-elections are elections conducted to fill elected offices that have become vacant between general elections. This may happen due to Resignation Death or dismissal of the person holding the office until then What are Snap Elections? A snap election is an election called earlier than expected. Generally it refers to an election in a parliamentary system that is called when it is not required either by law or convention, usually to capitalize on a unique electoral opportunity or to decide a pressing issue. It differs from a recall election in that it is initiated by politicians (usually the head of government or ruling party) rather than voters, and from a by-election in that the winners will serve an entire term as opposed to the remainder of an already established term. Since the power to call snap elections usually lies with the incumbent, they usually result in increased majorities for the party already in power having been called at an advantageous time. However, snap elections can also backfire on the incumbent and resulting in a decreased majority or even the opposition winning or gaining power. As a result of the latter cases there have been occasions in which the consequences have been the implementation of fixed term elections. India CEO Forum on Climate Change Organized by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) A pioneering initiative of the government, inviting industry representatives, exchanged views on climate change issues and discussed opportunities to collaborate in regard to fulfilling India’s national as well as international climate change commitments. India and U.S. Hold Bilateral Trade Meeting Bilateral trade in Goods and Services registering a growth of 12.6% from $ 126 billion in 2017 to $142 billion in 2018 US Trade Winds Indo-Pacific Business Forum and Mission initiative 2019: The forum will bring together distributors, representatives and partners and enable them to increase sales by taking part in business-to-business meetings US - India SME Forum: The new bilateral private sector led Small Business Interaction initiative that would pave the way for collaboration and partnership between the U.S. and Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the areas of manufacturing and services. Initiatives by Commerce Ministry to Boost Trade with African Countries Statistics India’s total trade with the African region during 2017-18 was USD 62.69 billion (8.15% of India’s total trade with the World). India’s share of exports to African countries as a percentage of India’s total exports to the world was of the order of 8.21% in 2017-18.   Africa region’s share in India’s total imports from the World accounted for 8.12% in 2017-18. As per the latest available estimates, the current strength of the Indian Diaspora in the African countries is 2.8 million out of those 2.5 million are PIOs and rest 220967 are NRIs. Total overseas Indians are 30.83 million of which 17.83 million are PIOs and 13 million are NRIs. (Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, 2016). Indian Diaspora in Africa constitutes 9.11% of the total Diaspora of India. Opportunities for India It has the world’s largest land mass, 54 countries, a population growing to be almost equivalent to that of India, huge mineral resources, oil wealth, a youthful population, falling poverty levels and increasing consumption patterns. Africa has a huge demand for new business models for market entry, stable market access, entrepreneurship and investments in transport, telecom, tourism, financial services, real estate and construction. The major issues highlighted by the Indian Business Community in these 11 countries are: Improving the Line of Credit system and developing a facility for an affordable and competitive funding. Setting up of Indian Banks/financial institutions in Africa Enhanced Buyers’ Credit facility for promotion of trade between the two regions Reviewing and liberalizing visa policies from both sides Need for direct flights between the India and African countries Exploring the possibility of rupee trade to address the issue of shortage of dollars in region. Creation of common database of buyer-suppliers in the two regions for facilitating matchmaking for enhancement of bilateral trade. Development of a robust trade dispute settlement mechanism More frequent and structured country/sector specific trade exhibitions in Africa Establishment of country chapters of FICCI or CII in Africa Frequent visits of policy makers, chamber of commerce and investors for familiarization with local business and investment regime for informed decisions WTO Ministerial Meeting of Developing Countries Participants: Sixteen developing countries, Six Least Developed Countries (LDC)(Argentina, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Brazil, Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, China, Egypt, Guatemala, Guyana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Malawi, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, Uganda)and DG Purpose: To sort out issues related to multilateral rule-based-trading system by bringing together the developing countries and Least Developed Countries on a single platform and work together to address these issues. In the recent past, there have been increasing unilateral measures and counter measures by members, deadlock in key areas of negotiations and the impasse in the Appellate Body, which threaten the very existence of Dispute Settlement Mechanism of the WTO and impact the position of the WTO as an effective multilateral organisation. The current situation has given rise to demands from various quarters to reform the WTO. This meeting also provides an opportunity to the developing countries and LDCs to build consensus on how to move forward on the WTO reforms, while preserving the fundamentals of the multilateral trading system enshrined in the WTO. The deliberations will aim at getting a direction on how to constructively engage on various issues in the WTO, both institutional and negotiating, in the run up to the Twelfth Ministerial Conference of the WTO to be held in Kazakhstan in June 2020. 20th Conference of Regional Heads of Customs Administration (RHCA) of Asia Pacific Region of the World Customs Organisation (WCO)  India hosted this Conference in its capacity as Vice-Chair of the Asia Pacific Region of WCO which it assumed on 1st July, 2018 for a two-year period. Purpose: The Conference took stock of the progress made in carrying forward the programmes and initiatives of WCO to promote, facilitate and secure cross-border trade in the Region and the capacity building and technical assistance required by Member Administrations to achieve these goals. Discussions on: The strategic priorities of the Asia Pacific Region Deliberated on the work programs of the Vice-Chair, ROCB & RILO Security related issues Trade facilitation E-commerce Performance measurement Trusted trader programmes Emerging technological and logistical challenges in the fields of trade facilitation and Customs Administrations The Conference also facilitated Bilateral Meetings between the Member States. India and China sign protocol for Export of Indian Chilli Meal Both sides appreciated each other’s concerns and agreed to resolve market access issues expeditiously in order to achieve the vision of the leaders of both India and China by promoting a more balanced trade. Protocols signed between India and China on Agricultural Commodities Mango Grapes Bitter Gourd Basmati rice & Non-Basmati Rice Rapeseed meal Fish meal/ Fish oil Tobacco Leaves Chilli Meal Launch of Fourth Scorpene Class Submarine – VELA Part of the ongoing ‘Make In India’ programme, which is being actively implemented by the Department of Defence Production (MoD) The submarine was towed to Mumbai Port Trust, for separation from the pontoon, after which she will undergo rigorous trials and tests, both in harbour and at sea before delivery to the Indian Navy. The Scorpene class of submarines can undertake multifarious tasks typically undertaken by any modern submarine which include anti-surface as well as anti-submarine warfare.

May 13, 2019 AIR

All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Awareness about Autism

Awareness about Autism ARCHIVES Search 16th April, 2019 Public Speak here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General studies 2 Health World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD): 2nd April Theme: ‘Assistive Technologies, Active Participation’ About one in every 160 children has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as per the World Health Organisation (WHO). In India alone, one in 68 children is reportedly diagnosed with ASD, and yet not many people are aware of the mental condition. For the uninitiated, autism is a serious developmental disorder that impacts the nervous system and affects one’s cognitive, emotional and physical health. It results in challenges associated with social skills and communication, both speech and non-verbal. Autism has many sub-types, with each autistic person having his or her unique strengths and challenges. In India, autism is generally misdiagnosed and misunderstood due to the low awareness and misconceptions surrounding it. The diagnosis of children with autism is done late, which results in challenging treatment, and the cure seems to be impossible. ASD is seen to occur more often in boys than in girls. The exact cause of autism and the other ASDs is still not known. Studies indicate that autism is heritable. A lifelong and chronic disorder, it’s treatable but not curable by modern medicine. The severity of symptoms varies significantly among children with ASD. Lack of Awareness leads to failure in early diagnosis Despite the high prevalence of autism spectrum disorder all around the world, the healthcare options, and technologies that are available to manage this neurodevelopmental disorder barely reach half of all the population diagnosed with this condition. Moreover, the lack of information about ASD also leads to delayed diagnosis, which poses a huge challenge to the patients and their caregivers. If a child is showing repetitive behavior, is self-abusing or biting or head-banging, it should be taken as the first signs of autism. The development of child will be normal but the social engagement of the child will be delayed. In some cases the deformity or slow growth of muscles could be your prime sign of autism, coupled with no social engagement. Children with autism start speaking later than other children and their interaction with other similar-aged children is on the lower side. In some cases, autism may co-occur with genetic conditions and about 20-30 per cent of children with autism may develop epilepsy as they reach adulthood. What are the red flag symptoms? Very early indicators that require evaluation by an expert include: Delayed babbling or pointing by age of 1 No single meaningful word by 16 months, or two-word phrases by the age of 2 Delayed or no response to name Loss of language or social skills Poor eye contact Excessive lining up of toys or objects No smiling or social responsiveness Restricted interest like playing with cars, spinning, using gadgets Repetitive movements like hand flapping, posturing If the child plugs their ears when they hear high pitched noises like mixer, vacuum cleaner, pressure cooker whistle Difficulty in chewing, and fussy eating with some food texture like meat, soya or paneer The Diagnosis While there is no single blood test to diagnose autism, the doctor needs to look into certain disorders in which children have similar features in addition to other signs of that disorder, like Tuberous sclerosis, Landau-kleffner syndrome (a form of epilepsy), other childhood epilepsies, some metabolic and genetic disease to diagnose further. The doctor will conduct some blood tests, hearing assessment, or EEG depending upon the presenting features and assessment. Treatment Options Medication: Several groups of medications like atypical anti-psychotics and mood stabilisers are used to treat behavioral problems such as temper tantrums and aggression associated with ASD. Psychotherapy: Behavioural therapy has been found to be most helpful in treating children with ASD. Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) and Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) focus on language development, social skills and appropriate behaviours. These are all supportive and skill building forms of therapy designed to help children with ASD.

May 13, 2019 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 13th May 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 13th May 2019 Archives (MAINS FOCUS) GEOGRAPHY/ENVIRONMENT TOPIC: General studies 1 and 3 Urbanisation and its impacts Policy interventions and issues arising out of their design and implementation Environment conservation; Community-led conservation Protecting forest fringes Context: India is among the fastest urbanising major countries and forest-rich nations of the world. The current trend of fast-paced, spatial urban expansion will pose a severe sustainability challenge in coming years, as the proximity between forests and the cities is increasing. Across India, many more critical wildlife habitats and biodiversity areas are going to face a direct impact from cities in the near term. Do you know? In major cities such as Gurugram, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Bengaluru, forests have already faced the brunt of encroachments, roads and highways, local extinction of wildlife, contamination of water bodies, and disturbances originating from the urban neighbourhoods. Dense neighbourhoods have expanded up to the fringe of the forest – for example, Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai, Bannerghatta in Bengaluru, and the Guindy National Park in Chennai. How to address these challenges? Effective implementation of urban programmes such as ‘Smart Cities’. The policy makers should include some of the below provisions to tackle such challenges in the new draft Forest Policy, 2018. City-forest cooperation and notifying eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) around protected areas. Inter-departmental collaboration of the forest departments, urban bodies and civil society. Urban masterplans must recognise land use at forest fringes, according to ESZ guidelines. Cities should secure wildlife corridors and ‘green belts’ that connect urban forests with a wider natural landscape. Most importantly, urban residents need to create social fences by strongly advocating for forests in their cities. Conclusion: Urban planners and city administrators have ignored the fact that forests are natural shock-absorbers that provide green relief to our grey cities, shield them from the effects of climate change, and aid in urban issues such as air pollution, scarcity of drinking water, flood control and ‘heat islands’. Prioritising forest-city proximity will put the onus on cities to incorporate nature in their design. Integrating forests with urban planning and governance provides an opportunity to shape cities that not only cater to citizens, but also have the citizens actively involved in shaping the city’s future. Connecting the dots: Many critical wildlife habitats and biodiversity areas are facing direct impact from cities and fast-paced, spatial urban expansion. Suggest and discuss what measures are necessary to address such sustainability challenges. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TOPIC: General studies 3 Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Artificial Intelligence and its disastrous consequences Introduction: Artificial Intelligence (AI) or AI-powered robots are going to take over our lives one day. They are going to run our factories, diagnose our illnesses, drive our cars, provide enjoyable company and even sex for the lonely, and replace large numbers of us in our jobs. But if these AI gigs mess up, whom can we sue and ask for damages? Case study 1: Stock investment AI program Hong Kong tycoon Samathur Li Kin-kan is suing the man who sold him on a stock investment AI program that lost Li a lot of money. A supercomputer, K1, would search real-time news and social media to gauge investor sentiment and predict US stock futures, then instruct a broker to execute trades. Li is now suing Tyndaris Company for allegedly exaggerating what the supercomputer could do. However, Tyndaris denies the charges. Several global fund management companies have started using AI in the last few years. However, there can also be totally out-of-the-blue incidents. Markets are often irrational, and move on the basis of rumours or “market sentiment". AI programs make their decisions by studying history, past patterns and expect these to continue. If there are no obvious similar events in their databases, they would be stumped. Case study 2: AI in healthcare In 2018, a major healthcare AI vendor's internal documents were leaked. It revealed that the computer's algorithms had produced erroneous and unsafe cancer treatment recommendations in multiple cases. Increasingly, doctors are relying on sophisticated algorithms to make healthcare recommendations—a practice dubbed “black box medicine.” But even the most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) can get it wrong. Machine-learning algorithms are designed by humans, after all, and trained on data sets that have been collected and selected by humans, who are capable of bias and mistakes. In healthcare, those mistakes can be costly—and even fatal. Conclusion: AI is set to make deep inroads to every field. AI is now an independent decision-making entity, much like a person whose parents have only paid for a basic education and lifetime unlimited internet access. It has a ton of legal implications. Even regulation raises a whole set of serious issues. How can governments regulate and ensure the quality of medical AI?  For sure, human laws are currently ill-equipped to handle. Connecting the dots: “With great power comes great responsibility. Technology is in itself just a tool; what matters is how we use it.” Discuss in the context of AI. Can Artificial Intelligence become a potential threat to economy? Examine. What do you mean by Artificial Intelligence? Discuss its potential benefits and associated risks. Also highlight the challenges in adoption of AI in Indian context. MUST READ Of shells, companies and GDP The Hindu The War on Terror is in peril The Hindu After Fani Financial Express The relocation of state capitals could boost India’s economy Lievmint The middle income trap that India must avert Lievmint

May 13, 2019 RSTV Video

RSTV IAS UPSC – Pepsico v/s Potato Farmers

Pepsico v/s Potato Farmers Archives 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; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections In News: A variety of potatoes developed by FMCG giant Pepsico’s India division has triggered a patent-infringement battle in the country. The snacks and beverages major has sued a few farmers in Gujarat for growing potatoes which the company uses to make its Lay’s chips. The MNC had sought Rs 1 crore each from four farmers for cultivating the FC5 potato variety. The particular potato requires lower moisture content as it is used to make snacks as potato chips. In an Ahmedabad commercial court, the company claimed it is the registered breeder of FC5 under India’s Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act. PepsiCo has been developing and registering a variety of potatoes in India since the production of Lay’s took a hit in 2008. The overall supply of potatoes was hit that year due to crop failure in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Punjab. The company currently works with 24,000 farmers across the country in states like West Bengal, Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Haryana, and Chhattisgarh. The Potato Conundrum The variety The patent is for the potato plant variety FL-2027 (commercial name FC-5). Pepsi’s North America subsidiary Frito-Lay has the patent until October 2023. For India, PIH has patented FC-5 until January 2031 under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001. The allegation & defence PIH, which has a buyback agreement with Gujarat farmers, accused the 11 farmers — three of whom earlier had contracts with the company — of illegally growing, producing and selling the variety “without permission of PIH”. One of the accused farmers had said the agreement was that PIH would collect potatoes of diameter greater than 45 mm, and that farmers had been storing smaller potatoes for sowing next year. Four other farmers, who were slapped with Rs 1.05 crore lawsuits, said they got registered seeds from known groups and farmer communities and had been sowing these for the last four years or so, and had no contractual agreement with anyone. They said they learnt they were growing a registered variety only when they got a court notice on April 11. Link: https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/pepsi-backs-off-in-row-with-potato-farmers-1556802023315.html Activists’ view In the days that followed the lawsuits, activists, farmer unions and other organisations cited Section 39(1)(iv) of the PPV&FR Act in defence of the farmers. The section states: “Notwithstanding Anything contained in this Act — a farmer shall be deemed to be entitled to save, use, sow, resow, exchange, share or sell his farm produce including seed of a variety protected under this Act in the same manner as he was entitled before the coming into the force of this Act, provided that the farmer shall not be entitled to sell branded seed of a variety protected under this Act.” Organisations said the Act was tailored to give farmers free access to seeds. Cases & announcement A court in Deesa, Banaskantha, had appointed court commissioners to investigate the premises of two farmers as well as two cold storages. In Aravalli, a court had issued a summons notice to five farmers. In Ahmedabad, the commercial court had extended an ex-parte ad-interim injunction on four Sabarkantha farmers until June 12, barring them from growing or selling FC-5. On Wednesday, the Gujarat government reportedly held out-of-court settlement talks with the company, which eventually announced the withdrawal of cases. It has withdrawn six cases against nine of the farmers, and its officials will meet state government authorities Friday to discuss an arrangement. The corporate giant's offer had two terms. One, farmers should stop growing the registered potato variety and surrender their existing stocks. And if they wished to continue, they must enter PepsiCo's collaborative farming programme where they buy seeds from the company and sell the produce back to it. A misguided action? PepsiCo may be concerned about competitors using its patented potato variety, but targeting the weakest element in the chain, the small farmer, may not be the best remedy. For the first time in India, a group of farmers has been sued over intellectual property rights violation. The stakes are high since it will set a precedent, but to begin with, PepsiCo seems to have filed the case with an inaccurate understanding of existing Indian laws. By seeking damages of over ₹1 crore from each of them—a sum they are unlikely to earn even in a lifetime—it may have committed a cardinal sin, that too in the middle of a general election. To gather evidence, the company carried out a sting operation by hiring detective agencies to pose as buyers who lured growers by offering them a higher price, farmer groups have alleged. According to them, PepsiCo should have collected evidence to nail its competitor, instead of suing farmers. Farm activists have also argued that while the potato variety was introduced in India in 2011, it was only registered five years later in 2016; therefore, it is natural that it spread among farmers who are not under any contractual arrangement with the company. Conclusion: There should be absolutely no compromise on farmers' rights and seed sovereignty. The state government should make the Act as the basis of any settlement, if at all, and anything less than that is unacceptable. It would have failed all the farmers in India and not just the sued farmers if it succumbs to corporate lobbying. The government should put into place clear mechanisms to avoid a repetition of this episode in future. For this, all Certificates of Registration should explicitly state that such a Certificate and any rights associated with it are conditional to certain other sections of Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers Rights (PPV&FR) Act 2001. Loopholes in the PPVFR Act must be plugged. They are being misused by some in the seed industry to avoid paying royalties or to sell seed that is not approved by regulators. Also, it is worth understanding that farmers cannot throw away the undersize potatoes of varieties (including protected ones) which the contract buyers reject. They will save some for own use; the rest they will sell for consumption or as seed. Such sales are kosher, because the contract buyers got the right of first refusal. Update: PepsiCo withdraws lawsuit against 4 Indian potato farmers Note: UPOV — International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants — is an organisation that works to promote new plant varieties. India is not a part of this Union because of the conflicting laws in place which protects the interest of breeders as well as farmers under The Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers Right Act, 2001. India had designed a sui generis law in compliance with the WTO’s TRIPS Agreement (Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights), which is the PPV&FR Act, 2001. Under this statute, farmers’ apriori rights with regard to seeds and planting material have been clearly protected under Section 39 of the said Act.

May 13, 2019 PIB

Press Information Bureau (PIB) IAS UPSC – 22nd April to 5th May - 2019

Press Information Bureau (PIB) IAS UPSC – 22nd April to 5th May – 2019 ARCHIVES Be Prelims Ready Elections in India Under representation of people’s act: Canvassing (asking public for favourable vote) near the polling booth is a cognizable offense – police can arrest without court permission. No person can publicize election matter through TV, radio etc. 48 hours before the conclusion of polls. Under RPA act, EC is empowered to cancel/countermand polling in case of bribery, muscle power, booth rigging etc. malpractices. It doesn’t need to consult/seek permission from governor or any other authority in such cases. Section 33: Candidate can contest from two Constituencies. Section 70: He has to give up one seat, if he wins both. Indelible Ink: Silver nitrate on skin = Reacts with the salt present on skin and forms silver chloride Not soluble in water, and cannot be washed off with soap, water, alcohol, nail polish removal etc. First president to cast his vote: KR Narayan (1998) Lok Sabha Election cost is borne by: Union government Cost of Law & Order maintenance during election is borne by: State governments Use of form 20 in the elections: To check polling station wise result Right to vote and to be elected in India is a: Constitutional Right Appointed by the President, the Prime Minister is by convention supported by the party or political alliance having a majority of seats in the Lok Sabha or lower house of parliament. BHAVIK (EVM) were first used in the 1997 election and became the only method of voting in 2004. The EVMs save time and report results. NOTA On 27 September 2013, the Supreme Court of India judged that citizens have the right to a negative vote by exercising a "None of the above" (NOTA) option. This was the result of petitioning from the Electoral Commission and the People's Union for Civil Liberties from 2009. Absentee voting: No provision in India VVPAT Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines are used during election process to verify that the vote polled by a voter goes to the correct candidate. VVPATs are a second line of verification particularly and are particularly useful in the time when allegations around Electronic Voting Machines’ tampering crop up. Parties have been making regular demands for VVPATs to be used during elections after alleging EVMs may not be completely secure and tamper proof. VVPAT system gives instant feedback to the voter showing that the vote polled has in fact been allotted against the candidate chosen. The introduction: Swamy case – In 2013, in the Subramanian Swamy case, the Supreme Court held that the paper trail through VVPAT of votes cast was an indispensable requirement of free and fair elections. It was the SC which pushed EC into introducing the VVPATs in the first place. Supreme Court had faced stiff opposition from the Election Commission while bringing in VVPATs. Working procedure of VVPATs After a voter presses the button on the EVM against the chosen candidate, the VVPAT prints a slip containing name of the candidate and the election symbol and drops it automatically into a sealed box. The machines give the chance for the voter to verify their vote. The machine is placed in a glass case in a way that only the voter can see it. The slip is displayed to the voter for seven seconds after which the VVPAT machine cuts it and drops in into the storage box with a beep. The machines can be accessed, though, by the polling officials and not by the voter. The Election Commission of India has not conceded to any allegation that the EVMs used for polling can be tampered with. However, VVPATs have been used in some elections in a bid to counter all allegation of tampering. The Supreme Court of India, meanwhile, has for long held a supportive and extra cautious stand when it comes to voting. It had directed the EC in 2013 to introduce VVPAT in Lok Sabha Elections 2014 to improve voter confidence and ensuring transparency of voting. It was used in some phases but not in the entire polling process. Must Read Articles: EC’s new norms laudable Importance of Voting Model Code of Conduct Role of Judiciary in ensuring Free and Fair Election Elections and Women Card State financing for fair and transparent poll funding Election Reporting by Indian Media   Mindmaps: Electoral Bonds Electoral Reforms Qualifications for elections   Cyclone ‘FANI’ In news: Odisha state government evacuated over 11 lakh people from low-lying areas in 15 districts. The administration of coastal states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are bracing up to tackle the “extremely severe cyclone”. Tropical Cyclones Formation Tropical cyclones form over oceans with surface temperatures above 26°C as strong low pressure systems that can reach diameters of more than 500 km. Evaporation of immense amounts of water vapour under these high temperature conditions and the related condensation aloft provide ample energy for the cyclone dynamics, leading to high wind speed and extreme precipitation. These usual natural phenomena are occurring more frequently than usual due to various anthropogenic and changing natural factors. Nature and Particulars: It is a weather system of low pressure, originating in the tropics within a single air mass, but may move into temperate waters if water temperature is high enough to sustain it. Tropical cyclone gets its energy from latent heat of condensation. The energy in an average hurricane may be equivalent to more than 10,000 atomic bomb, the size of Nagasaki bomb. These storms range in size from a few kilometres to several hundred kilometres in diameter. In the middle is an eye that can be as large as 65km across. The total area involved may be as much as 52000 sq km. the tropical cyclones originate between 10o and 25o latitudes in both the hemispheres. Conditions conducive for tropical cyclone: A source of warm, moist air derived from tropical oceans with sea surface temperature normally near to or in excess of 27 °C Winds near the ocean surface blowing from different directions converging and causing air to rise and storm clouds to form Winds which do not vary greatly with height – known as low wind shear. This allows the storm clouds to rise vertically to high levels; Presence of Coriolis force, provides energy to rotate or curve in anti-clockwise (in the northern hemisphere) or clockwise (in the southern hemisphere) How was Titli Cyclone different from usual cyclones? Indian Meteorological Department declared Titli cyclone a rarest of the rare occurrence and categorised it as ‘very severe cyclone’. Wind speed of normal tropical cyclone ranges around 118-120 km per hour. But Wind speed of Titli Cyclone was around 150 km per hour, which is rare occurrence. Reoccurrence or re-emergence: Usually cyclones die after landfall. But Titli Cyclone reemerged again after landfall on Odisha coast. Turned in Northeastern direction: Usually cyclones die after landfall, but Titli took a Northeast turn and continued. These are some of the reasons because of which Titli Cyclone has been declared as rare occurrence. Temperate Cyclones Temperate cyclones are atmospheric disturbances with low-pressure centres occurring in the in the middle latitudes. The polar fronts created due to contrasting air masses (warm tropical air mass & cold, dense polar air mass) are responsible for the origin and development of temperate cyclones. Temperate cyclones are associated with blizzards in North America and western disturbances in India. Different parts of temperate cyclones are associated with varying weather conditions because of different types of air masses and varying temperature conditions. Warm Frontal Precipitation: With the arrival of warm front of the cyclone heavy showers begin with nimbostratus clouds. Warm air rises slowly along the front. Hence the precipitation is slow, gradual but of long duration. Warm sector: Sky becomes cloudless and clear but there may be some occasional drizzles. There is sudden rise in air temperature and increase in the specific humidity of the air but air pressure decreases remarkably. Cold front: With the arrival of cold front temperature decreases. As cold air pushes the warm air upward, sky is again covered with clouds which soon start precipitation. Cold frontal precipitation: Since warm air is forcibly lifted upwards sky becomes overcast with cumulonimbus clouds. Heavy downpour with thunder and lightning. Precipitation is of short duration. Cold sector: Sharp fall in temperature. Sky becomes cloudless and hence clear. How do Cyclones get their names? World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has a process in which countries give a list of name suggestions from time to time. Countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan and Thailand submit a list of names to the regional tropical cyclone committee for the cyclones developing in the North Indian Ocean. All the eight countries have suggested eight names for naming future cyclones. The name Fani for this cyclone was suggested by Bangladesh. Fani means snake. Cyclone Titli which caused damage in Andhra Pradesh and parts of Odisha last year was named by Pakistan. Cyclone Ockhi hit Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu in 2017. It was named by Thailand. The next cyclone will be named Vayu.  Colour coded weather warning system Yellow level weather alerts To notify those who are at risk because of their location and/or activity, and to allow them to take preventative action For weather conditions that do not pose an immediate threat to the general population, but only to those exposed to risk by nature of their location and/or activity. Orange level Indicates the weather conditions which have the capacity to impact significantly on people in the affected areas All recipients in the affected areas should prepare themselves in an appropriate way for the anticipated conditions. Red level Severe weather warnings (a comparatively rare event) implies that recipients take action to protect themselves and/or their properties. This is usually done by moving their families out of the danger zone temporarily (evacuation), by staying indoors or by other specific actions aimed at mitigating the effects of the weather conditions. It is in the case of a red weather alert that we could see serious disruption to public transport, road closures and school closures. Pabuk Cyclone: In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where a ‘yellow alert’ was issued Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) It is an international and intergovernmental institution, owned and managed by its Member States, for the generation and application of early warning information. RIMES evolved from the efforts of countries in Africa and Asia, in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, to establish a regional early warning system within a multi-hazard framework for the generation and communication of early warning information, and capacity building for preparedness and response to trans-boundary hazards. RIMES was established on 30 April 2009, and was registered with the United Nations on 1 July 2009. RIMES operates from its regional early warning center located at the campus of the Asian Institute of Technology in Pathumthani, Thailand. RIMES caters to differential needs and demands of its Member States by enhancing capacities for end-to-end multi-hazard early warning, in particular: Hazard monitoring, detection, analysis, prediction, and forecasting Risk assessment Potential impact analysis Generation of tailored risk information at different time scales Risk communication Application of tailored risk information in decision-making Who currently chairs the RIMES Council: India National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) NCRMP was started by the Ministry of Home Affairs to mitigate vulnerability to the cyclone and hazards prone coastal communities. After the formation of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), management of the project was transferred to NDMA in September, 2006. NCRMP-I covers States of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. NCRMP-II covers States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and West Bengal. The project is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs through National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and executed by the respective State Disaster Management Authorities at the State level. The project is partly funded by the World Bank. Objectives of NCRMP The overall objective of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (‘NCRMP’) is to minimize vulnerability to cyclones and make people and infrastructure disaster resilient in harmony with conservation of the coastal eco-system in the cyclone hazard prone States and Union Territories of India. Solve: What makes coastal India more susceptible to tropical cyclones? Discuss. Also examine the strategies to mitigate tropical cyclones.   Note: Indian Automative Industry: Sunshine industry in India contributing to over 7.5% to country's GDP Creation of new automotive test centres in the country under NATRIP project, is an important step forward by the Government to support the need of the automotive industry in the backdrop of tightening regulatory framework and technology shift driven by market forces. ICAT is an important element of the automotive sector, with its world-class infrastructure and domain expertise providing services in development, testing, validation and homologation. ICAT’s vision is to emerge as a leading R&D centre in Asia, working together with the automotive industry in developing state-of-the-art technologies.

May 12, 2019 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Staying Relaxed – Inspirational Educative Articles

Staying Relaxed: Very few things are as important as staying relaxed in today’s fast, complex and confusing world. It is very easy to get lost in the constant noise of daily living and forget that the best of who we are comes from a relaxed, calm and composed state of mind. Nothing significant has ever been achieved from a disturbed and agitated state of mind. Relaxation is the key to harnessing the best part of our selves. When we are relaxed, we think clearly, solve problems, act rationally and handle great challenges. On the contrary when we are agitated and disturbed, we more often than not mess up something. How often has this happened in your life when you have done something stupid in a disturbed state of mind and then regretted doing it? Similarly how often have you been able to solve problems and handle situations better when you are in a calm and relaxed state of mind? It is very important to understand that we human beings are products of our emotional states. Nothing determines our course of life more than how we act during different states of our minds. Knowing and understanding the constantly changing nature of our mind will help us deal with it better. There is absolutely no disputing the benefits of having calm and relaxed personality. So, how do we cultivate the habit of staying relaxed? How do we deal with our fast paced modern lifestyle? How do we bring relaxation into our lives? What exactly we can do to relax? First and foremost, the secret of relaxation is learning how to stay in the present moment. Mental disturbance and agitation is simply a result of our mind racing either into the past or into the future. When we are constantly oscillating between the past the future, mental disturbance is a natural consequence. Learning how to focus on the present moment is one of the greatest skills you can develop in order to stay calm and relaxed. Here are a few tips you can use: Be mindful of what is happening around you all the time. This will ensure that you are not being surprised and disturbed. When you are aware of what is happening around you, you will be in more control of your life. Take responsibility for your actions. Instead of indulging in a blame game, accept responsibility and make the necessary changes. When you are in a disturbed state of mind, do not make any important decisions. Learn how to identify disturbed state of mind and slowly transform it into a neutral and then positive experience. Deal with your mind slowly and gradually. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Inner-Revolution and IASBABA.”

May 11, 2019 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 11th May 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 11th May 2019 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Gujarat facing massive water crisis Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Ecology; Conservation In news: Gujarat is facing a massive water crisis due to rising mercury levels and severe heat wave. Water scarcity is acute especially in Saurashtra region, Kutch, North Gujarat and parts of tribal pockets in central and South Gujarat. Gujarat is in the midst of a major water shortage. Except river Narmada, all other water bodies and dams have negligible water. Navy joins exercises in South China Sea Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – International affairs; Security/Defence In news: Navy ships INS Kolkata and Shakti carried out Group Sail with the naval ships of Japan, the Philippines and the U.S. in the South China Sea (SCS) from May 3-9. The Group Sail exercise showcased India’s commitment to operating with like-minded nations to ensure safe maritime environment through enhanced interoperability. The coordinated “group sail” included Indian guided missile destroyer INS Kolkata and fleet tanker INS Shakti, American destroyer USS Williams P Lawrence, Japanese helicopter carrier JMSDF Izumo and destroyer JMSDF Murasame and Philippines frigate BRP Andres Bonifaci. Do you know? Indian Navy warships INS Kolkata and tanker INS Shakti had took part in the Chinese international fleet review. (was held at Qingdao, China on April 23) They later took part in the Phase I of the maritime security field training exercise under the aegis of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) from May 1 to 3 off South Korea. India to add 3 million tech jobs by 2023 In news: According to Indian Staffing Federation (ISF), the apex body for the ‘flexi’ working industry – Indian tech industry will add another three million new jobs in the next five years. With the additions, the size of the country’s tech army will be 7 million by 2023. All these new jobs would come up in digital technology areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, Internet of things (IOT), data science, analytics, big data, blockchain and augmented reality. Jobs would also be created in newer technology areas that are presently unknown but are expected to emerge and evolve in the next few years. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL/WELFARE 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; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections PepsiCo versus potato growing farmers Context: Multi-billion dollar conglomerate PepsiCo had sued 11 farmers, asking them to pay ₹1.05 crore each as damages for ‘infringing its rights’ by growing the potato variety used in its Lays chips. Farmers groups had launched a campaign calling for government intervention. According to the farmer groups, the law allows them to grow and sell any variety of crop or even seed as long as they don’t sell branded seed of registered varieties, and warned that the case could set a precedent for other crops. After pressure from farmers’ groups, PepsiCo has decided to withdraw cases against about 10 farmers in Gujarat and Rajasthan who were allegedly cultivating its FC-5 variety — registered by it under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act 2001 (PPVFRA) — for their own use. PepsiCo’s Case The patent is for the potato plant variety FL-2027 (commercial name FC-5). Pepsi’s North America subsidiary Frito-Lay has the patent until October 2023. For India, PepsiCo India Holdings (PIH) has patented FC-5 until January 2031 under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR;) Act, 2001. PIH, which has a buyback agreement with Gujarat farmers, accused the 11 farmers — three of whom earlier had contracts with the company — of illegally growing, producing and selling the variety “without permission of PIH”. The agreement was that PIH would collect potatoes of diameter greater than 45 mm from the farmers who had contracts with the company. However, random farmers got registered seeds from known groups and farmer communities. They had been sowing these for the last four years or so, and had no contractual agreement with anyone. They learnt they were growing a registered variety only when they got a court notice on April 11. Current status According to Section 39 of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act 2001 (PPVFRA), “A farmer shall be deemed to be entitled to save, use, sow, resow, exchange, share or sell his farm produce including seed of a variety protected under this Act in the same manner as he was entitled before the coming into force of this Act: Provided that the farmer shall not be entitled to sell branded seed of a variety protected under this Act.” (However, the seeds in case, were not sold as branded seeds.) Section 42 says: “A right established under this Act shall not be deemed to be infringed by a farmer who at the time of such infringement was not aware of the existence of such right.” (This makes any claim of damages tenuous.) Indian PPV & FRA law is aimed at facilitating the growth of the seed industry, ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds, as well as securing the livelihood and plant varieties of the farmers. Conclusion: Therefore, it was apparent that PepsiCo never had a strong legal case against farmers growing its registered potato variety without entering into a contract. The government should put into place clear mechanisms to avoid a repetition of this episode in future. There should be absolutely no compromise on farmers’ rights and seed sovereignty. INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 2   International Relations Policies of developed and developing countries and their impact on India’s interests New clouds over the Persian Gulf: Iran threatens to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal Introduction Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced that Iran will withdraw partially from the landmark nuclear deal of 2015. Iran’s decision to reduce its commitments to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known as the P5+1 agreement, comes as a reaction to the U.S.’s attempts in recent weeks to reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero. Why the issue? The issue started after US President Donald Trump pulled out from the nuclear deal negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama. Iran had the option of walking out too. But it did not. Iran had hoped that the European powers as well as Russia and China might help limit the effects of America’s renewed hostility. Europeans had criticised the US withdrawal, affirmed that Iran was in compliance with the nuclear agreement, and offered to sustain economic engagement with Iran if Tehran stayed true to the deal. China and Russia had also criticised the US decision as unilateral and arbitrary. Trump administration went on to re-impose sanctions on Iran. Now, Iran is demanding the remaining signatories of the deal — the U.K., China, France, Germany and Russia — to ease the restrictions on its banking and oil sectors in the next 60 days. In case the five endorsers of the deal decide not to act in favour of Iran, the authorities of Tehran will remove the caps on uranium enrichment levels and resume work on the Arak nuclear facility. Impacts: Iran’s partial withdrawal from the nuclear agreement is aimed at convincing US's allies in Europe as well as its competitors that time is running out to save the deal. Iran’s plans are very clear, and they put an end to long and laborious multilateral negotiations which put strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in return for lifting most international sanctions. By resuming its uranium enrichment operations, Iran could be taking a huge risk, putting at danger its diplomatic relations with Europe and playing the game of the Trump administration that has been taking a hard line against Tehran. Consequently, Iran might be economically isolated, but the message coming out from Russia is that Iran is not alone. US sanctions against Iran will certainly result in the development of cooperation between Russia and Iran, but also with countries like Turkey which are important to American foreign policy. US sanctions are likely to hit the earnings of Iran’s major metals companies, which will have immediate impact on the Iranian government’s revenues and also will deteriorate the balance sheets of Iran’s heavily indebted metals and mining companies. This situation will be followed by mass unemployment, especially among blue-collar workers employed by state-owned enterprises who form the backbone of Iran’s economy. For Donald Trump and his aides, the outcome of their confrontation with Iran is clearly to deprive the Iranian regime of the funds it can use to impose its hegemony around West Asia, but also to put pressure on the everyday life of Iranian citizens. Troubled times are ahead for Iran, West Asia and the global market. Connecting the dots: Rivalries and tensions between the US and Iran could throw some challenges to India’s dealings in West Asia. Analyse. Discuss the likely causes and impacts of Iran pulling out of historic 2015 nuclear deal or P5+1 agreement. MUST READ Resolving India’s banking crisis The Hindu Picking up the pieces after Cyclone Fani The Hindu  A confession in Iran Indian Express Making contract farming suitable for farmers Financial Express

May 11, 2019 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance: Book Review – The feeling of what happens – Antonio Damasio

The Feeling of What Happens: Antonio Damasio is a brilliant writer who explores the intricate and complex topic of consciousness in this fascinating and revealing book. What is the source of consciousness? How does brain create consciousness? What is the nature of perception and when do we acquire the sense of self? are some of the topics he explores. Antonio Damasio is a professor of neuroscience who studies brain and consciousness. This is an intriguing and engaging book which goes deep into the fundamental questions of thought, emotions, feelings and consciousness. There is so much happening inside us that has to be illuminated. This book illuminates several dimensions of life. It takes years of study and hard work to unravel the mysteries of the mind. Antonio’s experience as a neuroscientist gives him a unique advantage of exploring the nature of the mind first hand. He has shared his experiential learning here for the benefit of all. Read and enjoy this beautiful book.