Dec 19, 2017 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 19th December 2017

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 19th December 2017 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Making right to health a fundamental right Part of: Mains GS Paper II- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health Key pointers: A right to health under which people are entitled to avail health protection services free of cost should be in place on the lines of the right to education, according to a private member bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha. An amendment in the Constitution by introducing a new article 21 B for making right to health a fundamental right has been proposed. The state shall provide a system of health protection to all citizens, including prevention, treatment and control of diseases and access to essential medicines, the bill proposes. It states that all citizens should also have access to basic health services, emergency medical treatment and mental healthcare. The bill seeks to secure the above objectives with the state earmarking not less than 8 per cent of the annual financial statement for healthcare. Central focus: The government expenditure on health is only 1.4 per cent of the GDP. The public health infrastructure is inadequate and unequally distributed. The Draft National Health Policy, 2015, takes note of the fact that over 63 million people are faced with poverty every year due to healthcare costs alone as there is no financial protection for the vast majority of healthcare needs. Background: The right to health is also internationally recognised as a fundamental human right. It is also included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, of which India is a signatory. Private members bills can be introduced by any member of Parliament but have little possibility of getting the parliamentary nod. Article link: Click here Mishap Prevention System in Railways Part of: Mains GS Paper III- Infrastructure Key pointers: The Indian Railways has cleared a Rs 12,000-crore proposal to equip electric locomotives with the latest European train protection system. The system- European Train Control System (ETCS) Level-II will help drivers - or pilots -- to prevent rail mishaps. The ETCS Level-II system will be used on the entire 9,054 km-long Golden Quadrilateral route connecting the four metros to make it a fully accident-free corridor. Currently, the Railways has a basic automatic train protection system based on the ETCS Level-I specification to provide a back-up to loco pilots on a limited stretch. Disadvantage of the ETCS Level-I is overcome in ETCS Level-II, which ensures that the status of the signal ahead is continuously available in the loco through a wireless radio medium using a GSM-R (Global System for Mobile Communication-Railways) network. Article link: Click here Very high Out-of-pocket Expenditure on health impoverishing many Part of: Mains GS Paper II- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health Key pointers: Out of pocket medical expenses make up about 62% of all healthcare costs in India, as per Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). This is extremely high and leads to impoverishment of patients. In comparison, out of pocket hospital expenses in developed countries such as the U.S. and the U.K. is 20% and in BRICS countries about 20-25%. There is a need to create health insurance products that were simple and intelligible to customers, provided coverage to the aged and infirm and those suffering from chronic ailments, brought down distribution costs, and ensured that there was no profiteering to the detriment of the insured. Article link: Click here India's growth rate projections Part of: Mains GS Paper III- Indian Economy Key pointers: The UN, in its latest report, projected India’s growth rate to be 7.2 per cent in 2018 and 7.4 per cent in 2019. The annual ‘World Economic Situation Prospects’ report, released recentlys, said the GDP growth for India in 2017 is projected to be 6.7 per cent. India can achieve an eight per cent growth rate for the next two decades . 2017 has been a year of major economic reforms in India: There has been deregulation and further liberalisation of the policies regarding foreign direct investment. Demonatisation The policy reforms are positive, it now needs to be implemented effectively. Next series of reforms should be: Promote investment. Improve the living condition of its population. Article link: Click here (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. General Studies 3: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Hidden Indian Scientists Background: Many of the greatest scientists that independent India has produced are little known in their own homeland. Amal Kumar Raychaudhuri in cosmology, G.N. Ramachandran in protein crystal structures, and C.K. Majumdar and Dipan Ghosh who extended the quantum Heisenberg spin model. These are household names in the international scientific field, but are little promoted by the Indian scientific establishment, even neglected in graduate teaching. Issues: India has numerous well-funded institutions designed to produce high-quality scientific research, but many eminent Indian scientists think the resulting research is mostly mediocre. Relatively small amount of world-class research produced emerges despite the national scientific establishment. The resistance to a U.S.-returned scientist at times, ensures that the system remained largely unchanged. The system is run by scientists-turned-bureaucrats, who have absorbed the culture of government. Dependent on political patronage for continued funding, these leaders groom loyalists and yes-men rather than cutting-edge researchers (and women are scarce). This has led to an insider culture, reproducing privileges rather than promoting excellence. India’s scientific institutions are a blind spot in the state’s modernisation project. Owing to a conscious decision at the time of independence, research institutions, which house a numerically small elite, get most of the funding while universities focus mainly on teaching and get very little. Research and teaching are segregated, and both suffer as a result. Experimental science “is very poor in India”. To succeed, experiments require at least two conditions: guarantees of long-term funding and scientists’ collaboration with each other. Funding varies with the political climate: there will be money to buy equipment but no certainty that resources will flow for all the years needed to ensure significant results. And collaboration is lacking among scientists. Bureaucrats no longer active in cutting-edge research regard themselves as capable of judging working scientists, dispensing with principles of peer review. Conclusion: With globalisation, it is easier to notice the growing contrast between the fame diaspora scientists achieve in the West, and the challenges their counterparts face in their own countries. India’s problem is hardly unique. Durable institutions and cultures of innovation are not widespread in the Global South. But India is the most successful of all the nations in the Global South, with a more affluent diaspora than virtually any other country. There is need of a wider discussion about the career of Indian science, acknowledging internationally celebrated scientific accomplishments, and asking why they were ignored for so long. Connecting the dots: Many of the greatest scientists that independent India has produced are little known in their own homeland despite being household names in the international fora. Discuss the reasons behind. With globalisation, it is easier to notice the growing contrast between the fame diaspora scientists achieve in the West, and the challenges their counterparts face in countries like India. Critically analyze. NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 3 Awareness in the fields of IT, computers, Challenges to internal security through communication networks, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention. Linkages of organized crime with terrorism. General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Important aspects of governance Making India Cyber secure In news: India is the fifth most vulnerable country in the world in terms of cybersecurity breaches, according to the Internal Security Threat Report of 2017 by Symantec. Till June 2017, 27,482 cybersecurity threats had been reported in the country, according to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team’s report. As this is a 23% increase from 2014 figures, it coincides with rapid growth and innovation in the ICT sector. Rapid growth and innovation in the ICT sector: India is one of the key players in the digital and knowledge-based economy, holding more than a 50% share of the world’s outsourcing market. Pioneering and technology-inspired programmes such as Aadhaar, MyGov, Government e-Market, DigiLocker, Bharat Net, Startup India, Skill India and Smart Cities are propelling India towards technological competence and transformation. India is already the third largest hub for technology-driven startups in the world. India's Information and Communications Technology sector is estimated to reach the $225 billion landmark by 2020. Innovation in technology, enhanced connectivity, and increasing integration in commerce and governance also makes India vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks. Ransomware attacks: These have been the most common in the last few years Definition: Ransomware is a type of software that threatens to publish a person’s data or block it unless a ransom is paid. Example- Apart from WannaCry and Petya, other Ransomware attacks that made news globally were Locky, Cerber, Bucbi, SharkRaaS, CryptXXX and SamSam. In India, in May 2017, a data breach at the food delivery App, Zomato, led to personal information of about 17 million users being stolen and put for sale on the Darknet. The company had to negotiate with the hacker in order to get it taken down. Similarly, hackers stole data from 57 million Uber riders and drivers. Uber paid the hackers $100,000 to keep the data breach a secret. The attacks aren’t limited to mobile phones and e-Pads. All devices, including televisions that use Android, are also potentially vulnerable. A number of viruses, malware and cryptoworms are also being developed in the JavaScript, which gives the attackers cross-platform options. Recognizing the issue: The government has announced that it will award a grant worth Rs. 5 crore to startups working on innovations in the field of cybersecurity. The second Global Cybersecurity Index, released by the International Telecommunication Union in July, which measured the commitment of nations to cybersecurity, found that India ranked 23 out of 165 nations. Way forward: India needs to quickly frame an appropriate and updated cybersecurity policy, create adequate infrastructure, and foster closer collaboration between all those involved to ensure a safe cyberspace. There must be enhanced cooperation among nations and a global call to action is required for all United Nations member nations to not attack the core of the Internet even when in a state of war. More than ever before, there is a need for a Geneva-like Convention to agree on some high-level recommendations among nations to keep the Internet safe, open, universal and interoperable. Conclusion: Given the huge number of online users and continued efforts on affordable access, cybersecurity needs to be integrated in every aspect of policy and planning. Connecting the dots: India is the fifth most vulnerable country in the world in terms of cybersecurity breaches. In this light discuss the need of integrating cybersecurity in every aspect of policy and planning and of enhancing cooperation among nations. MUST READ Rebuild the trust Indian Express Aadhaar and Inefficiency Indian Express Food Security: Time to move to cash transfers Livemint Engaging with assertive China Livemint India's jobless growth is a myth Livemint    

Dec 19, 2017 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2017 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 105]

UPSC Quiz- 2017 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 105] Archives Q.1) The Kangri is earthenware filled with glowing embers and encased in pretty handmade wicker baskets and is carried as a personal warmer. Kangri making is practiced in which of the following states? Jammu and Kashmir Himachal Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh Sikkim Q.2) Which of the following is correctly matched?                Invasive Species                       Native Papaya Mealy Bug                           Central America Cotton Mealybug                             Papua New Guinea Select the correct code: 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements about Methylglyoxal High levels of methylglyoxal targets proteins and DNA and modify them in such a way that they are non-functional Methylglyoxal is highly toxic in all organisms including humans at higher concentrations Due to increased blood glucose levels, methylglyoxal has higher concentrations in diabetics Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.4) Consider the following statements about ‘Kolleru Lake’ It is the largest brackish water lake in India It spans in two states Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following statements about Great White Pelican It is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on Migratory Species India is one of the breeding ground for the species It is listed an ‘vulnerable’ under IUCN List Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above To Download the Solution – Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Dec 18, 2017 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 18th December 2017

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 18th December 2017 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Tuirial Hydro Electric Power Project Part of: Mains GS Paper III- Infrastructure  Key pointers: A 60 MW Tuirial Hydro Electric Power Project (HEPP) has been constructed in Mizoram. It has been constructed as a Central Sector Project and implemented by North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), under the administrative control of the Ministry of Power. This is the biggest power project located in Mizoram and will feed the entire energy to be generated to home State. The State’s current power demand is 87 MW and this is being met by the mini power projects and Central sector projects. Article link: click here Fixed dose combination- Issue fixed by SC Part of: Mains GS Paper II- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Key pointers: The Supreme Court in its verdict on fixed dose combination medicines paved the way for greater transparency in the approvals of these medicines. As per the SC's order the government can order a drug off the market shelf if it is found to be unsafe, without having the issue first examined by the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB). The government can take a product off the market if there are reports that it has been banned in other countries or there are reports within the country that the product was unsafe. The pharmaceutical industry that had stressed on the need for DTAB’s evaluation before an FDC was banned. FDC: A fixed dose combination (FDC) medicine involves more than one ingredient bundled into a product, and the market place has seen sometimes five to seven drugs being combined into a single product. Background: Rampant introduction of irrational FDCs not only exposes the patients to unnecessary risk of adverse drug reactions but also creates health problem in larger groups of people. Most of these FDCs are available in India as over-the-counter products. In an attempt to address the issue, the Centre had the Kokate committee look into it. The panel had termed 963 FDCs “irrational”, posing health threats. The government finally banned 344 FDCs last year. But with pharmaceutical companies arguing against the order, the case landed up at the Supreme Court. Article link: Click here Exercise Ekuverin Part of: Mains GS Paper II- India and its neighbours Key pointers: India and the Maldives carried out Exercise Ekuverin, their eighth annual joint military training event, in Belagavi, Maldives. The focus of the exercise is to acquaint both armies with each other’s operating procedures in the backdrop of counter-insurgency/counter-terrorism operations in an urban or semi-urban environment under the U.N. charter. The exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability between the two armies as the contingents hone their tactical and technical skills. Starting 2009, Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force have been holding Exercise Ekuverin, meaning ‘friends’ in the Maldivian language, in their countries on alternate years. Article link: Click here (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL 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 General Studies 1: Social empowerment Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. Criminalising triple talaq: Justified or not? In news: The Centre has proposed to make instant triple talaq an offence punishable with three-year imprisonment and a fine. The proposed Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, has provisions for maintenance or subsistence allowance to the wife and children in the event of triple talaq being pronounced. Background: By a three-two majority, the Supreme Court has declared that the practice of talaq-e-biddat, or instant divorce of a Muslim woman by uttering the word ‘talaq’ thrice, is illegal and unenforceable. While two judges in the majority said the practice was arbitrary and, therefore, unconstitutional, the third judge ruled that it was illegal because it was contrary to Islamic tenets. Issue: It is an unnecessary attempt to convert a civil wrong into a criminal act. Disagreements in marriage are normally civil matters and injustice to one party, not constituting violence, is best treated as a civil offence. State can step in to resolve differences and ensure equitable terms of disengagement. Criminalising divorce, even an illegal one, would be overreach. Instant triple talaq is viewed as sinful and improper by a large section of the community itself. Therefore, there can be no dispute about the need to protect Muslim women against the practice. But it is also well established that criminalising something does not have any deterrent effect on its practice. There is no need for a fresh criminal provision when existing laws, under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code or provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, already allow the prosecution of a husband for inflicting physical or mental cruelty, emotional and economic abuse, and for deprivation of financial resources. Regardless of whether instant talaq would fall under any of the forms of cruelty or domestic violence under PWDA Act, criminalising it risks defeating the objective of preserving the husband’s legal obligations, and the payment of maintenance. Irrespective of the government’s intent three years in prison of the convicted husband will end up penalising the already aggrieved wife and children too. The draconian punishment cannot but aggravate the already acute insecurity and alienation of the Indian Muslim community — its womenfolk included — under the current regime. Given the widely acknowledged anti-Muslim bias in a section of the Indian police, there is no guarantee that the new law will not be used against Muslim men. Way forward: The Centre would should reconsider its draft and limit its scope to providing relief to women, instead of creating a new offence out of a civil matter. The fine amount under consideration can be awarded as maintenance or subsistence allowance. In the best interests of justice to Muslim women it is better to invoke a secular law that already exists: Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005. Parliament should pass a law unambiguously stating that the very utterance of the words “talaq, talaq, talaq” would amount to “domestic violence” as defined in the PWDVA. The PWDVA was conceived as a law that ensures speedy relief — ideally within three months — to an aggrieved woman: Right to stay in the marital home, protection against violence, right to maintenance etc. Provided the free services of a government-appointed “protection officer” under PWDA would save Muslim women money on hiring a lawyer. Government must consult all stakeholders, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan. Some Muslim women groups would prefer codification of Muslim personal law rather than piecemeal legislation. Conclusion: The right approach would be to launch a massive campaign across India to publicise the Supreme Court judgment. Criminalising acts that do not result in the commission of crimes will be legally untenable. Connecting the dots: Criminalising triple talaq is not justified. Critically analyze. Also read: Triple Talaq case: the judicial intervention GOVERNANCE TOPIC: General Studies 2: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability and institutional and other measures. Party reform in India Introduction: In India there is no real movement towards democratisation of parties; the selection of candidates, Chief Ministers and office-bearers of party units is usually left to the discretion of a handful of leaders who take decisions behind closed doors. India’s success in consolidating a democratic system of government has paradoxically forestalled pressure for party reform. Taken as a whole, the electoral process is more representative but political parties look a lot like oligarchies. Most parties are subservient to one supreme leader. Political parties still refuse to lay down settled and predictable procedures for almost everything they do, from the selection of candidates to the framing of a manifesto. The question of party reform is a pressing one in India. Issues: The lack of institutionalisation and, partly as a consequence, democratisation. The biggest weakness of parties is that they are leader-centric and most leaders are unwilling to institutionalise procedures for the selection of candidates and increase the participation of members in party functioning. As a rule, strong leaders rarely support institutionalisation because it constrains their discretion and personal power. The lack of internal democracy in the party. The practice of adhering to the principle of dynastic succession in contrast to the rise of party workers to top echelons. Quite a few political families have sprung up in the recent past, and more are mushrooming. Nearly all parties are centralised in their decision-making and have been run from the top down in terms of distribution of party tickets, selection of Chief Ministers and State party leaders, and party finance. Winning elections has become the only role a party envisages for itself. The privileging of elections at the expense of other aspects of the democratic process implies that parties are inattentive to the need for constant organisational change and renewal. The opacity of political financing, necessitates ‘unhindered top-down control’ and ‘absolute loyalty down the line’. As party funds are raised and controlled centrally, it weakens the State units and rank and file vis-à-vis the central leadership on a range of issues including leadership selection and nominations for elections. It also discourages democratisation as this would limit their power to accumulate wealth or amass a fortune or promote personal power at the expense of public interest. Fallout: In the absence of intra-party democracy and a well-defined process for the distribution of tickets to candidates before polls, political parties hand over tickets to ‘winnable’ candidates, leading to the presence of criminals in the Parliament. The lack of intra-party democracy has also contributed to the growing nepotism in political parties. For the MPs in the 15th Lok Sabha, there is a direct relationship between age and links to a political family. Leader-centric political parties are detrimental to the political system as it impedes the growth of broad-based non-sectarian parties. Need of Intraparty democracy: It is the political parties that form the government, man the Parliament and run the governance of the country. It is therefore, necessary to introduce internal democracy, financial transparency and accountability in the working of the political parties. A political party which does not respect democratic principles in its internal working cannot be exposed to respect those principles in the governance of the country. It is the political parties whose governments deliver ‘good governance’ through bureaucracy and legislative mechanisms. Political parties play a central role in the functioning of India’s vibrant democracy. Given their centrality, it is imperative that their functioning be subject to some regulation or public scrutiny. It is to ensure that the institution is truly free, fair and untainted as envisaged in our Constitution for a representative democracy. Global example: Evidence from other democracies shows a trend towards greater intraparty democracy, decentralisation and transparency within parties. In Germany parties are required to meet certain conditions in nominating their candidates to party posts. They have to be chosen by a direct secret vote at both constituency and federal levels. In the U.S., laws were enacted that required the use of secret ballots in intraparty elections. The British Labour Party, the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, the Democratic Party in the U.S. and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada have all seen movements by party activists and by the rank and file to reduce the power of entrenched party elites. Way forward: A number of committees set up to suggest electoral political reforms have recommended introduction of intra-party democracy mechanisms in recruitment of members and candidates; elections for important party posts such as secretary, treasurer and president; consultations with party members on deciding party agenda; fund raising and spending and providing opportunities for young politicians to climb hierarchy ranks. The 170th report of the Law Commission of India on reform of electoral laws, dedicated an entire chapter on the necessity of providing laws relating to internal democracy within parties. It states, The report from the National Commission for Review of Working of Constitution recommends that there should be a comprehensive legislation, regulating the registration and functioning of political parties or alliances of parties in India. Conclusion: It is imperative that political parties undertake party reforms and ensure intra-party democracy. This would not only attract the youth toward politics in India and thus new energy but also strengthen overall democracy. Connecting the dots: Lack of inner party democracy and institutionalization is a serious issue with political parties in India. Discuss. 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Dec 18, 2017 AIR

All India Radio (AIR) : India Bangladesh Bilateral Relations

India Bangladesh Bilateral Relations ARCHIVES Search 23rd October 2017 here http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests In news: India and Bangladesh have moved further to consolidate their ties when External Affairs Minister of India returned after attending Joint Consultative Commission, a machinery under which the two countries hold the consultations. 15 projects have been finalised and have been worked out during this period. This is a period of re-consolidation where importance should be given to implementation and not announcement to any new projects because a lot of agreements have been signed during the visit of PM Haseena and PM Modi before. This is a period of consolidation, of looking at the implementation of procedures and also a period of expansion in terms of certain things that have been already started like infrastructure projects, railway connectivity and energy. Collaboration in energy Energy is a emerging as a major factor in the bilateral relationship because both sides are dependent on imported energy.  Both sides needs energy for faster growth of their economies and both countries are growing by more than 6% in their GDP. Hence, energy is a major player to increase and improve ties between both countries. Bharat Petroleum does the refining in collaboration Bangladesh at the Numaligarh refinery and the oil and gas come from India. It helps Bangladesh in a big way as India is a major exporter of petroleum products like high speed diesel.  Bangladesh needs a lot of high speed diesel for their riverine craft, the barges and the boats. It is done in Numaligarh in Assam because it is nearest to the northern Bangladeshi ports. Now there is a plan to build a pipeline so that to deliver that high speed diesel and other petroleum products, so logistics from there can be done easily internally within Bangladesh by barges, by trucks or whatever mode they have. There is a proposal for the LNG terminals along the coast line in Bangladesh so that these terminals can easily import oil, liquefy gas and then re-gasify it and then supply to various industries and households. The Palatana power production in Tripura is a very bright example of India-Bangladesh joint venture. When the gas in Tripura was first found, there was an idea to request Bangladesh to build a pipeline. There was exploration in Myanmar also where gas was found. And thus there was an idea to build gas pipeline between these 3 countries Myanmar, Bangladesh and India but that didn’t happen. However, it was researched that supplying gas to other parts of country would be expensive, so it was decided to be converted into electricity and then send it to neighbouring states and countries. At present, the total export of electricity to the west and the east is around 700 MWs which is expected to go up. Water sharing Issues about water-sharing is still a concern but it has to be sorted out at the earliest. India is an upper riparian country and Bangladesh is a lower riparian. Both countries share about 54 rivers and there is an element of anxiety in Bangladesh about if they will get adequate water but it is no longer about sharing water of just one river. Now it is about management of the whole issue as it is done with Nepal and Bhutan. However, China is not very encouraging in terms of sharing data or in terms of coming forward with water sharing as an arrangement. The water sharing issue is seasonal as there is too much water in one season and too little in another season. So there is an imbalance in the availability of water in different seasons. It is equally important to manage the agricultural practices in both side which use large amounts of water in the main season when there is less water, especially for water hungry crops like rice cultivation. Trade balancing Bilateral trade is another issue and there is a huge gap between what Bangladesh imports and exports. In 2016, India exported 5.4 billion and Bangladesh exported 689 million. This can be tackled by making Bangladeshi goods tariff free, giving free customs and free entry into the Indian market and raise their exports to India. It is true that Bangladesh is small to India, both in terms of the size and economy. Not too many things are manufactured by Bangladesh that can be exported to the Indian market except for garments. But India is also a garment producer so there is a competition there rather than complementarity. So they are competing thus making it very difficult for trade balance to be addressed by just one or 2 commodities or one or 2 lines of goods. The trade should be constantly encouraged despite trade balance being tilted immensely. For example, though India has huge trade deficit with China but it still carries on as it is aware of its needs. Similarly, Bangladesh also needs goods from India and should focus on increasing trade dynamics to support each other mutually. Chinese influence There is no doubt that China is encroaching into the Indian neighbourhood in a big way through projects, through incurring their influence via other things including arm sales or selling submarines to Bangladesh. China now regards itself the global power and wants to increase its influence. However, it also regards India as a competitor to some extend and has tried to ensure that the smaller countries will try to balance India v/s China to get benefits from both sides and has to win over them. Security of the nations Security cooperation is very important and is growing its importance because of the radicalisation and its attacks on both countries. Bangladesh has gone through a very bad patch in terms of radicalisation as a new kind of terrorism where young people from educated families have been radicalise to an extend that they can conduct an independent attack. Thus, it is important to look at social media to stop radicalisation. Bangladesh has to be made a strong democratic republic where extremism is not able to find any foothold. Another is Rakhine state problem of Myanmar where influx of Rohingyas is worrisome for India and Bangladesh. Both the countries have to find out ways to not let its security get compromised, especially from threats coming across borders. Connectivity There have been talks of restoration of pre-1965 links encompassing road, rail, water and coastal shipping links to increase connectivity between the two countries. Conclusion India has been a reliable development partner and the development has been all in competency. At present, 8 million dollars’ worth of line of credit is committed to Bangladesh which is the highest that India has given to any country. So there is commitment in terms of money as well as doing projects on the ground which would affect the lives of the people at the same time. Also read The Big Picture – Takeaways from Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s India Visit Connecting the dots: India-Bangladesh share a healthy relationship which encourages competition as well as complimentary behaviour. Analyse.

Dec 18, 2017 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2017 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 104]

UPSC Quiz- 2017 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 104] Archives Q.1) Cabinet recently approved Agreement with UNESCO on establishment of International Training Centre for Operational Oceanography. It will be located in Mumbai Mangaluru Kochi Hyderabad Q.2) Consider the following statements about Pavagada Solar Park Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI) is the implementing agency It is located in Maharashtra Selected the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements about ‘Ilkal saree’ It has been accorded Geographical Indication (GI) tag It is completely woven out of cotton It uses Kasuti form of embroidery Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.4) ‘Exercise Ekuverin’ is a bilateral military exercise between India and Maldives Sri Lanka Cambodia Vietnam Q.5) Consider the following statements about ‘Bioluminescence’ It is the production and emission of light by a living organism The principal chemical reaction in bioluminescence involves the luciferin and the luciferase 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

Dec 18, 2017

IASbaba’s Bimonthly Gist of Frontline and IDSA-Edition 2

ARCHIVES   Hello Friends,  Continuing our effort towards right guidance and quality coverage to assist you in all possible ways, we are glad to introduce this new initiative where Frontline, IDSA and Economic and Political Weekly (EPW) will be covered considering the relevance of UPSC Examination. This initiative will help you in Essay, Sociology and PSIR Optional as well. This is the 2nd edition of Frontline/IDSA- Bimonthly Magazine. Hope you all like it 🙂 DOWNLOAD THE MAGAZINE

Dec 18, 2017 Yojana

YOJANA & KURUKSHETRA Magazine: NOVEMBER 2017

Friends, Here we are with the NOVEMBER 2017, edition of Yojana and Kurukshetra. Mind Maps 1. Click Here 2. Click Here Yojana/Kurukshetra: NOVEMBER 2017 - Download

Dec 18, 2017 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Creativity Vs Competition – Inspirational & Educative Articles

Creativity Vs Competition: Competition has become such a common facet of life that it almost seems like we have accepted competition as the most fundamental driving force of excellence. It seems like we have stopped looking for other better ways of bringing out the best in us. Competing seems to be the only way to success. Competition is not all that bad. It helps us to sharpen our abilities and stay in tune with what is happening around us. Competition gives us the necessary motivation to work hard and move towards our goals. It provides the necessary yardstick to measure our progress. However competition negatively affects one of the most important features of success; it affects creativity. Competition rarely nurtures creativity. The very idea of competition puts the mind in a negative state. In competition, the mind becomes fearful and hence less creative. One of the most important requirements of creativity is an uncluttered and fearless mind. Competition might help us to stay focused but it does not help us to stay relaxed and come up with creative solutions. Creativity is not just about coming up with a brilliant idea once in a while to solve a problem. Creativity is a way of responding to daily challenges of life. Only a creative mind can look at challenges from a fresh perspective and come up with necessary innovative solutions. Creativity cannot be nurtured from a competitive state of mind. This requires a more individualistic approach; an approach of confidence and clarity that is far from being influenced by a competitive mindset. Clearly, creativity is a better alternative to competition. Competition can be used only where it is necessary; to assess ones progress. Creativity should be the foundation of all actions and improvements. A relaxed and focused mind can easily tap into this creative state. Competition is all about comparing your actions to others. Creativity is a way of nurturing the best of what is within you. While creativity helps you to assess your strengths and weaknesses in a much more effective way, completion takes your focus away from it. In competition the focus is on something external that is beyond your control. In creativity, the focus is on you. While focused on you, it becomes much easier to make the necessary changes to move towards your goals. Creativity is undoubtedly a better approach for reaching your goals. “The articles are a copyright of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.”      

Dec 16, 2017 PIB

IASbaba PIB Weekly : Press Information Bureau – 10th Dec to 15th Dec, 2017

IASbaba Press Information Bureau 10th to 15th December, 2017 ARCHIVES GS-2 Launch of NIC-CERT (Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources) Why: As part of its Digital India initiatives, the Government has introduced a lot of its services online. Although this has made services very accessible to the citizens, it has also exposed them to the threats and vulnerabilities which are an inherent part of cyberspace. Therefore,it necessitates the requirement to upscale the existing security infrastructure. Objective: Creating a comprehensive framework that integrates world class security components and inbuilt threat intelligence for detection, prevention and incident response. Using the tools the team will correlate events that would help in generating a canvas of the attack surface and identify the vulnerabilities and possible exploits. The gathered intelligence assimilated with the knowledge of the open web would give the CERT the ability prevent and predict attacks. NIC’s PAN-India connectivity and reach is one of its key strengths and this coupled with its enhanced ability to detect and prevent attacks would collectively upscale the Government’s ability to protect its data. Launch of LaQshya| लक्ष्य’’ - Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative (Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources) What: Safe Delivery Mobile Application for health workers who manage normal and complicated deliveries in the peripheral areas Goal: Reduce preventable maternal and new-born mortality, morbidity and stillbirths associated with the care around delivery in Labour room and Maternity OT and ensure respectful maternity care. Improving the quality of care in Labour rooms especially on the day of birth, is central to maternal and neonatal survival. LaQshya is expected to improve the quality of care that is being provided to the pregnant mother in the Labour Room and Maternity Operation Theatres, thereby preventing the undesirable adverse outcomes associated with childbirth. Safe Delivery Application mHealth tool that can be used for health workers who manage normal and complicated deliveries in the peripheral areas. The application has Clinical Instruction films on key obstetric procedures which can help the health workers translate their learnt skills into practice. It can play a pivotal role in training, post training reinforcement, mentoring and demonstration. Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Ensuring that everyone has access to the health care they need without suffering financial hardship. It has been called “the single most powerful concept that public health has to offer”. In December 2012, the United Nations passed a landmark resolution endorsing universal health coverage. In September 2015, the achievement of UHC was enshrined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a key target to be reached by 2030. UHC Day, first commemorated on 12 December 2014, marks the anniversary of the landmark UN resolution. India and Morocco sign agreements for cooperation in Water Resources, Road and Marine Sectors (Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations) The two countries also signed and exchanged the following MoUs /Agreements MoU on cooperation in the field of Water Resources; Agreement to establish cooperation between Indian Maritime University (IMU) and Higher Institute of Maritime Studies (ISEM) of Morocco; Framework Agreement for Cooperation in Training between the National Ports Agency (NPA) of Morocco and the Indian Maritime University (IMU); and Cooperation Framework Agreement between the Institute of Training in Engines and Road Maintenance of Morocco (IFEER) and Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE) Cabinet approves Signing of MoU between India and Colombia in the field of agriculture and fisheries The MoU provides for cooperation in the following fields of agriculture and Fisheries: Innovative agricultural practices/approaches, New agricultural mechanizations, Successful models of agricultural marketing To develop projects in association with agricultural companies for production of seed, Innovative production models and value generation processes in horticulture(vegetables, fruits and flowers), Exchange of information/exchange visits of SPS experts, Jatropha and Karaya Cooperation in research in oil seeds and oil palm Marine Industrial Fishing, Aqua-culture and Research & Training in the field of Fisheries, Small and large ruminants (cattle, sheep, goat) and pigs productivity, diseases and diagnostics and Pork processing and value addition.  Agreement with UNESCO on establishment of International Training Centre for Operational Oceanography in Hyderabad (Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests) To establish a training centre towards development of capacity for the countries on the Indian Ocean Rim (IOR), African countries bordering the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, small island countries under the framework of UNESCO. The operational oceanography is an activity of conducting systematic oceanographic studies towards providing information services to various sectors viz. fisherman, disaster management, shipping, ports, coastal states, navy, coast guard, environment, offshore industries for conducting their day-to- day operations. Benefits – Will provide an opportunity for India to emerge as a leading country in the Indian Ocean Help India to forge cooperation and improve engagement among the counties of the Indian Ocean, including South Asian and African states bordering the Indian Ocean. The establishment of the centre would respond to the worldwide increasing need to build technical and management capacity to address marine and coastal sustainability issues and prepare the region for and react efficiently to marine natural hazards. Contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal-14 (SDG 14) related to building marine scientific research capacity in geographical area of the Centre responsibility which will also fulfill the commitments to support Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries. Improve skill of students and other participants which will increase the employment opportunities within and outside India. Increase ancillary development leading to employment generation in India Please Note: 60 MW Tuitial Hydroelectric Power Project: Mizoram SAGAR - Security and Growth for All in the Region Green Alternative initiative – a roadmap to make Nigeria self-sufficient in agriculture and a major exporter of agricultural products National Energy Conservation Day: 14th December, 2017 By Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under Ministry of Power Aim: To demonstrate India’s achievements in energy efficiency and conservation, while working for its ambition of holistic development as part of the nation’s overall effort towards climate change mitigation BEE recognizes and encourages endeavours of industries in reducing energy consumption by felicitating them with National Energy Conservation Awards. 5. Human Rights Day observed on 10 December every year commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. India is a signatory to several of the core international human rights and International Labour Organizations conventions. 6. Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD): Located at Sriperimbudur (Tamilnadu), it is a premier institution for training, research, extension and outreach initiatives on youth issues. RGNIYD has been declared as an “Institute of National Importance” through enactment of RGNIYD Act, 2012. Brought out the India Youth Development Index and Report 2017 which is a pioneering attempt made by the Institute in 2010 and followed it up with the India Youth Development Index in 2017  

Dec 16, 2017 MindMaps

IASbaba’s MINDMAP : Issue – WTO's Declaration on Gender Equality and India

IASbaba’s MINDMAP : Issue – WTO's Declaration on Gender Equality and India Archives NOTE – Instructions to download Mind Maps/Images Right Click on the image and ‘Open in a new tab’ Remove/Delete the resolution part from the URl. Eg. “-1024×869” and Press Enter/Load Again Afterwards the URL will look something like this – “iasbaba.com/…./…/..-IASbaba.jpg” Right Click and Save As/Download (You’ll get the maximum resolution)