Search

Search list matched with tags “class”

Worldwide Closure of Educational Institutions due to COVID-19

Why in News According to the estimates of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) the COVID-19 outbreak has...

23 Mar 2020 News Analysis
India-France Joint Patrolling

Why in News For the first time, India and France conducted joint patrols from the Reunion Island. The patrol was conducted in the month of...

23 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Issues In Higher Education Institutions In India

This article is based on “Need for re-orientation” which was published in The Hindu on 20/03/2020. It talks about issues in higher...

21 Mar 2020 News Editorials
UN World Happiness Report- 2020

Why in News The Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations released the World Happiness Report on 20th March, 2020. March...

21 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Tech For Tribals: TRIFED

Why in News Recently, the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) has launched a transformational “Tech For...

21 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Annual Refresher Programme In Teaching (ARPIT)

Why in News Recently, the Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) informed Parliament about the Annual Refresher Programme In Teaching...

21 Mar 2020 News Analysis
House Sparrow

Why in News Every year March 20 is observed as the 'World Sparrow Day' to raise awareness about the bird. The Day was first celebrated in...

21 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Whiteflies Resistant Variety of Cotton

Why in News Recently, the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow has developed a whiteflies-resistant variety of...

21 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Mid Day Meal

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has asked state governments to provide Mid Day Meals (MDM) or food security...

21 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Huntington Disease

Why in News A team of scientists from the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune studied the HTT gene in fruit flies. Mutations in the HTT...

21 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Giving More Tooth To Human Rights Commissions

This article is based on “Giving Human Rights Commissions more teeth” which was published in The Hindu on 20/03/2020. It talks about...

20 Mar 2020 News Editorials
Inclusive Growth

Introduction Inclusive growth means economic growth that creates employment opportunities and helps in reducing poverty. It means having access...

20 Mar 2020 Paper 3
Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme

Why in News Recently, the Union Minister of Minority Affairs shared information about the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the...

20 Mar 2020 News Analysis
National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme

The National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM) is being implemented by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). NAQUIM envisages...

20 Mar 2020 News Analysis
India: 3rd Largest Producer of Electricity

Why in News As per the Key World Energy Statistics 2019, India is the 3rd largest producer of electricity in the world. India was 106th in...

20 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Role of Lipids in Infectious Diseases

Why in News Researchers at IIT-Bombay are using biologically active lipid molecules as chemical biology tools to understand their biological...

20 Mar 2020 News Analysis
GreenCo Rating System

The Green Companies (GreenCo) Rating System has been developed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The system evaluates the companies...

20 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Revival Of SAARC

This article is based on “Drawing together”, “From virtual conferencing to real leadership”, “India has done well to...

19 Mar 2020 News Editorials
APEDA signs MoU with SFAC

Why in News Recently, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has signed an Memorandum of Understanding...

19 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Procurement of Indigenous Tejas Fighter Aircraft

Why in News Recently, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved procurement of 83 of the more advanced Mk1A version of the Tejas...

19 Mar 2020 News Analysis

Warning (2): count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable [ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp, line 100]

Code Context


<?php if(count($updates)>0){?>
  <div class="updates">

$viewFile = '/var/www/drishtiias.com/public_html/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp'
$dataForView = [
	'progress' => [],
	'bookmarks' => [],
	'notes' => [],
	'mynote' => [],
	'topdata' => [
		(int) 0 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {},
		(int) 1 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {},
		(int) 2 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {},
		(int) 3 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {}
	],
	'searchdata' => [],
	'searchlist' => [
		(int) 0 => [
			'title' => 'Worldwide Closure of Educational Institutions due to COVID-19',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the estimates of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> outbreak has pulled almost <strong>half (49.22%) the world&rsquo;s student population out of schools and universities.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNESCO has also observed that 107 countries have announced a temporary closure of educational institutions, <strong>impacting 86.17 crore children and youth.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>COVID-19</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The World Health Organisation (WHO) has named the new coronavirus disease as <strong>&lsquo;COVID-19&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The new name is taken from the words <strong>"corona", "virus" and "disease", with 2019</strong> representing the year when it emerged (the outbreak was reported to the WHO on 31<sup>st</sup> December, 2019).</li>
<li>The word coronavirus refers to the <strong>group of viruses it belongs to,</strong> rather than the latest strain. The latest strain has been designated &lsquo;Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)&rsquo; by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.</li>
<li>The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also declared COVID-19 as a <strong>pandemic.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the WHO, a pandemic is declared when a new disease for which people do not have immunity spreads around the world beyond expectations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a> recommends school closure (including preschool and higher education) as one of the <strong>&ldquo;Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs)&rdquo;</strong> for mitigating influenza pandemics.</li>
<li>Nonpharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) are actions, <strong>apart from getting vaccinated and taking medicine,</strong> that people and communities can take to help slow the spread of illnesses like pandemic influenza (flu).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The main reason for keeping educational institutions closed is that children and young people can be <strong>vectors of transmission.</strong></li>
<li>There are also <strong>high contact rates</strong> in schools which could result in the spread of the virus.</li>
<li>The school closures during a pandemic are expected to <strong>break the chains of transmission</strong> of COVID-19 in turn it will <strong>reduce the number of confirmed cases, avoiding stressing healthcare systems.</strong></li>
<li>It will also help to <strong>delay possible transmission</strong> and will also allow <strong>more time to develop a vaccine.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Costs Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The closure of education institutions <strong>not only disrupts learning but also has a direct economic cost.</strong></li>
<li>Because when schools close, families would have<strong> to find childcare.</strong></li>
<li>While some may manage to look after children without missing work, many parents will <strong>end up skipping work.</strong> Those lost work hours are a cost to the economy.</li>
<li>A study published in the BMC Public Health journal in April 2008 suggested that a <strong>12-week closure of schools in the UK</strong> during an influenza pandemic could<strong> cost about 0.2-1% of the country&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gdp-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gross Domestic Product (GDP).</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disadvantages:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Loss of Nutrition:</strong> When schools close, children&rsquo;s<strong> nutrition is compromised.</strong> This is already evident in India, where the closure of schools has disrupted the supply of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mid-day-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>midday meals.</strong> </a></li>
<li><strong>Access to Internet:</strong> As schools and universities move towards learning online to make up for lost time, students from low-income families <strong>risk falling behind</strong> as they<strong> don&rsquo;t have access to technology or stable Internet connections.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Issues with Distance Learning:</strong> The parents of first-generation learners in schools are often <strong>unprepared for distance learning and home-schooling.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measures:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Countries are adopting <strong>distance learning solutions</strong> to ensure continuity of education.</li>
<li>The UNESCO has set up <strong>a COVID-19 task force</strong> to advise countries in regular virtual meetings with Education Ministers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Scenario</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In India, the closure of schools started towards the end of the academic year. Hence, as of now, it <strong>hasn&rsquo;t caused any significant learning loss.</strong></li>
<li>The Ministry of Human Resource Development has decided to encourage schools and universities to make full use of <strong>existing e-learning portals.</strong></li>
<li>These e-learning portals include the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/massive-open-online-courses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/two-new-initiatives-of-ministry-of-human-resource-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>platform SWAYAM</strong></a>, and the free DTH channel Swayam Prabha, which telecasts educational videos prepared by the NCERT.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)</strong> is a free Web-based distance learning program that is designed for the participation of large numbers of geographically dispersed students.</li>
<li><strong>SWAYAM platform</strong> is indigenously developed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) with the help of Microsoft.It is designed to achieve the three cardinal principles of Education Policy viz.access, equity and quality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>UNESCO</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded in<strong> 1945</strong> to develop the &ldquo;intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind&rdquo; as a means of building lasting peace.</li>
<li>It is located in<strong> Paris (France).</strong></li>
<li>It develops educational tools to help people live as global citizens free of hate and intolerance.</li>
<li>It also aims to promote cultural heritage and the equal dignity of all cultures with strengthening bonds among nations.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/coronavirus-outbreak-schools-shut-cbse-exams-india-vaccine-6322877/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/worldwide-closure-of-educational-institutions-due-to-covid-19'
		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'India-France Joint Patrolling',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>For the first time, India and France conducted joint patrols from the Reunion Island.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The patrol was conducted in the month of February by a<strong> P-8I aircraft</strong> with French Navy personnel onboard.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg" p=""><strong>P-8I aircraft</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Boeing&rsquo;s P-8A Poseidon</strong> is designed for long-range Anti-Submarine warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.</li>
<li>The <strong>P-8s Indian variant</strong> is referred to as <strong>P-8I.</strong></li>
<li>Of a total of 12 ordered aircrafts, India has received eight, making the Indian Navy's P-8 fleet the second largest in the world. Another four aircrafts are on-schedule to be delivered in 2020.</li>
<li>The P-8I is not just responsible for coastal patrolling but is also used for other critical missions like search-and-rescue, anti-piracy, and supporting operations of other arms of the military.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Currently, under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/what-is-indias-neighbourhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Neighbourhood First&rsquo; policy</strong></a> and broader maritime cooperation, the Indian Navy undertakes joint <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)</strong></a> surveillance with Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius and <strong>Coordinated Patrols (CORPATs)</strong> with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia.</li>
<li>The objectives of the CORPATs are to ensure effective implementation of <strong>United Nations Conventions on Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>UNCLOS specifies regulations regarding protection and conservation of natural resources, conservation of marine environment, prevention and suppression of illegal, unregulated fishing activity, drug trafficking, piracy, exchange of information in prevention of smuggling, illegal immigration and conduct of search and rescue operations at sea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> joint patrolling with France</strong> shows India&rsquo;s intent to engage with friendly foreign partners in expanding its footprint in the Indian Ocean, focusing on the stretch between the East African coastline and the Malacca straits.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has recently become an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-as-an-observer-at-ioc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>observer to the Indian Ocean Commission.</strong> </a>It consists of Reunion as one of its members.</li>
<li>India has<strong> so far carried out CORPATs only with maritime neighbours</strong> and had <strong>rejected a similar offer by the US in 2016.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India- France Defence Relations<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1584949934_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1584949934_image1.png" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>France is the first country to deploy a Liaison Officer at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/information-fusion-centre-of-indian-navy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Navy&rsquo;s Information Fusion Centre (IFC-IOR)</strong> </a>as part of efforts to improve Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).</li>
<li>France has steadily emerged as a major strategic partner for India with big ticket defence deals and increased military to military engagement.</li>
<li>The Indian navy is currently inducting<strong> French Scorpene conventional submarines,</strong> being built in India under technology transfer, and the Indian Air Force will soon get the first batch of its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/87th-air-force-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>36 Rafale fighter jets.</strong></a></li>
<li>India is working with France to develop strategic and economic partnership involving Madagascar, Reunion Islands-Comoros so as to balance the growing influence of China in that part of the Indian Ocean Region.</li>
<li>Defence Exercises between India and France:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Varuna &ndash; Naval exercise</strong></li>
<li><strong>Garuda &ndash; Air exercise</strong></li>
<li><strong>Shakti &ndash; Army exercise</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg" p=""><strong>Note:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Gagan Shakti</strong> is conducted by the <strong>Indian Air Force</strong> to showcase its air dominance over the entire extended area of the Indian Ocean Region. It includes all terrain operations &ndash; desert, high altitude, maritime scenarios and special operations &ndash; in real time with specific focus on key areas like aerial combat, air to surface combat, paratrooper assault and medical evacuation.</li>
<li><strong>Garuda Shakti</strong> is the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-maitree" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> joint military exercise</strong></a> between<strong> India and Indonesia.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Mitra Shakti</strong> is the joint military exercise between <strong>India and Sri Lanka.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Reunion Island</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>R&eacute;union is a <strong>French overseas department</strong> and overseas region in the western Indian Ocean. It is located about 420 miles (680 km) east of Madagascar and 110 miles (180 km) southwest of Mauritius.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1584949981_image2.gif" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></strong></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/in-a-first-india-france-conduct-joint-patrols-from-reunion-island/article31129323.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-france-joint-patrolling'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Issues In Higher Education Institutions In India',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/need-for-re-orientation/article31111260.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Need for re-orientation&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 20/03/2020. It talks about issues in higher education institutions in India.</p>
</div>
<p>After more than 70 years of independence, India's higher education system has still not been developed fully. It is evidenced by its poor performance in institutional rankings (not a single Indian university in top 100 universities of the world), the poor employment status of its students, poor track record in receiving national awards and recognition, poor share in research funding and so on.</p>
<p>Moreover, the status of state public universities that produce over 90% of the graduates in India is more dismal.</p>
<h3>Commonly stated reasons for these observations are</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Enrollment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the All-India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report 2018-19, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Higher education in India is only 26.3%, which is quite low as compared to the developed as well as, other developing countries.</li>
<li>With the increase of enrollments at the school level, the supply of higher education institutes is insufficient to meet the growing demand in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Quality:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ensuring quality in higher education is amongst the foremost challenges being faced in India today.</li>
<li>However, the Government is continuously focusing on quality education. Still, a large number of colleges and universities in India are unable to meet the minimum requirements laid down by the UGC and our universities are not in a position to mark their place among the top universities of the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political Interference:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Increasing interference of politicians in the management of higher education jeopardises the autonomy of HEIs.</li>
<li>Also, students organise campaigns, forget their own objectives and begin to develop their careers in politics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Poor Infrastructure and Facilities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Poor infrastructure is another challenge to the higher education system of India, particularly the institutes run by the public sector suffer from poor physical facilities and infrastructure.</li>
<li>Faculty shortages and the inability of the state educational system to attract and retain well-qualified teachers have been posing challenges to quality education for many years.</li>
<li>Large numbers of NET/PhD candidates are unemployed even though there are a lot of vacancies in higher education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inadequate Research:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is inadequate focus on research in higher education institutes.</li>
<li>There are insufficient resources and facilities, as well as limited numbers of quality faculty to advise students.</li>
<li>Most of the research scholars are without fellowships or not getting their fellowships on time which directly or indirectly affects their research. Moreover, Indian Higher education institutions are poorly connected to research centres and to industries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Poor Governance Structure:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Management of Indian education faces challenges of over-centralization, bureaucratic structures and lack of accountability, transparency, and professionalism.</li>
<li>As a result of the increase in the number of affiliated colleges and students, the burden of administrative functions of universities has significantly increased and the core focus on academics and research is diluted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reason for a more dismal performance in state-level universities.</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The above-stated issues are faced by both central and state's higher education institutions (HEIs), but the state is handicapped at one more front.</li>
<li>Central government HEIs are hardly ever short of funding and patronage has been ensured by the Central government and its arms; national-level parties, industries and businesses; and the national elite and the intelligentsia. This appears to be the key factor for the better performance of Central government HEIs.</li>
<li>However, similar arrangements have never been built between the State universities and State governments, State-level political parties and organisations, industry and businesses; and the elite and the intelligentsia. This may be because:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The aims, goals, methods and priorities of these institutions are pretty much the same as those of the Central institutions.</li>
<li>The only real value adds that the State universities are doing for the State and its people seems to be that of enabling a few lakhs to become graduates every year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Revamping State HEIs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In order to receive much more funding and support from the State system, State universities would have to commit to delivering lots more to the State and its people where they are located.</li>
<li>They must come up with a new vision and programmes specifically addressing the needs of the State, its industry, economy and society, and on the basis of it make the State-level players commit to providing full ownership and support to them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foreign Collaboration:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Government must promote collaboration between Indian higher education institutes and top international institutes and also generate linkages between national research laboratories and research centres of top institutions for better quality and collaborative research.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multidisciplinary Approach:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There should be a multidisciplinary approach in higher education so that students' knowledge may not be restricted only up to their own subjects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>HEIs in both public and private must be away from political affiliations, provided with good infrastructure and facilities.</li>
</ul>
<p>Higher education in India has expanded very rapidly in the last seven decades after independence yet it's accessibility and quality both remain a concern. If India wants economic gains and development to percolate at the grassroots level, it needs to invest in education on a priority basis.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f7e9e1;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the issues faced by Higher Education Institutions in India and suggest some measures to resolve them.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/issues-in-higher-education-institutions-in-india'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'UN World Happiness Report- 2020',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Sustainable Development Solutions Network</strong> for the United Nations released the World Happiness Report on 20<sup>th</sup> March, 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>March 20 was designated as the <strong>World Happiness Day by the UN General Assembly in 2012.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>About the World Happiness Report</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The World Happiness Report ranks <strong>156 countries</strong> by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be.</li>
<li>The <strong>rankings are based on polling</strong> (Gallup World Poll) which looks at<strong> six variables:</strong> GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption.</li>
<li>The 2020 Report <strong>for the first time ranked cities</strong> around the world by their subjective well-being and looked into how the social, urban and natural environments combine to affect happiness.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Highlights From the Report</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Top Performers</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Finland</strong> is ranked as the world&rsquo;s happiest nation for the third consecutive year.</li>
<li><strong>Nordic states dominated the top 10,</strong> along with countries such as Switzerland, New Zealand and Austria.</li>
<li>Luxembourg edged into the 10<sup>th</sup> spot for the first time this year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Worst Performers</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The countries at the bottom are those afflicted by<strong> violent conflicts and extreme poverty,</strong> with Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Afghanistan classified as the world&rsquo;s least happy nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Performance</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India, previously ranked at 140 dropped to 144.</strong></li>
<li>Its rank is way lower than its neighbours. Nepal is ranked 92, Pakistan is at 66, Bangladesh at 107 and Sri Lanka at 130.</li>
<li>India is a <strong>new entrant</strong> to the bottom-fifteen group.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sustainable Development Solutions Network</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SDSN, launched in 2012, mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical problem solving for the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)</strong></a> <strong>and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cop24" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Paris Climate Agreement.</a></strong></li>
<li>It was established under the auspices of the <strong>United Nations Secretary-General.</strong></li>
<li>The SDSN and the Bertelsmann Stiftung have been <strong>publishing the annual SDG Index &amp; Dashboards Global Report since 2016.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/finland-is-again-worlds-happiest/article31124323.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SOURCE: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-world-happiness-report-2020'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Tech For Tribals: TRIFED',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)</strong></a> has launched a transformational <strong>&ldquo;Tech For Tribals&rdquo; program</strong> in partnership with Institutes of National Importance (INIs) to develop Tribal entrepreneurship.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Tech For Tribals</strong> program aims to <strong>transform 5 crore Tribal Entrepreneurs</strong> by<strong> capacity building and imparting entrepreneurship skills to tribal forest produce gatherers</strong> enrolled under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/van-dhan-internship-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY).</strong></a></li>
<li>The program will ensure higher success rate of the Tribal Entrepreneurs by enabling and empowering them to run their business with marketable products with quality certifications.</li>
<li>Under the program <strong>trainees will undergo a 30 days training program</strong> over six weeks comprising 120 sessions. The<strong> Partner institutions will develop course contents relevant to Entrepreneurship in Value Addition and Processing of Forest Produces.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The course curriculum will include Achievement Motivation and positive psychology, Entrepreneurial Competencies, capacity utilization, Product positioning - Grading / Sorting, Branding, Packaging, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>TRIFED</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) came into existence in 1987. It is a national-level apex organization functioning <strong>under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>objective of TRIFED is socio-economic development of tribal people in the country by way of marketing development of the tribal products</strong> such as metal craft, tribal textiles, pottery, tribal paintings and pottery on which the tribals depend heavily for a major portion of their income.</li>
<li>TRIFED acts as a facilitator and service provider for tribes to sell their product.</li>
<li>The approach by TRIFED aims to empower tribal people with knowledge, tools and pool of information so that they can undertake their operations in a more systematic and scientific manner.</li>
<li>It also involves capacity building of the tribal people through sensitization, formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and imparting training to them for undertaking a particular activity.</li>
<li>TRIFED has its Head Office located in <strong>New Delhi</strong> and has a network of 13 Regional Offices located at various places in the country.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=200549" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tech-for-tribals-trifed'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Annual Refresher Programme In Teaching (ARPIT)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) informed Parliament about <strong>the Annual Refresher Programme In Teaching (ARPIT).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>37,199 teachers</strong> were trained in <strong>2018-19</strong> under this program whereas in<strong> 2019-20, 1,46,919 teachers</strong> were trained.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an initiative for <strong>online professional development of 15 lakh higher education faculty</strong> using the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/massive-open-online-courses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)</strong></a> platform <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/two-new-initiatives-of-ministry-of-human-resource-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SWAYAM.</strong></a></li>
<li>For implementing ARPIT, 75 discipline-specific institutions have been identified and notified as <strong>National Resource Centres (NRCs).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NRCs prepare online training material with focus on latest developments in a discipline, new &amp; emerging trends, pedagogical improvements and methodologies for transacting revised curriculum.</li>
<li>NRCs are located in a mixed range of institutions such as, Central Universities, IISc, IUCAA, IITs, IISERs, NITs, State Universities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The training materials are uploaded and made available through SWAYAM. NRC also publishes the list of the faculty who have been certified.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Massive Open Online Course</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>MOOC is a <strong>free Web-based distance learning program</strong> that is designed for the participation of large numbers of geographically dispersed students. The government has launched SWAYAM platform for <strong>open online courses.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>SWAYAM</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SWAYAM platform is <strong>indigenously developed</strong> by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) with the help of Microsoft.</li>
<li>It is designed to achieve the three cardinal principles of Education Policy viz.access, equity and quality.</li>
<li>The objective of this effort is to take the best teaching learning resources to all, including the most disadvantaged.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607331" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/annual-refresher-programme-in-teaching-arpit'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'House Sparrow',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Every year <strong>March 20</strong> is observed as the<strong> 'World Sparrow Day'</strong> to raise awareness about the bird.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Day was <strong>first celebrated in 2010.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1584776227_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1584776227_image2.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="259" height="194" /></a></strong></li>
<li>The initiative was started by the <strong>'Nature Forever Society (NFS)' of India.</strong></li>
<li>In India, <strong>House Sparrow</strong> is found throughout the country, up to the Assam valley and lower parts of the Assam hills. Towards the eastern Himalayas, the species is replaced by the <strong>Eurasian tree sparrow.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points Related to House Sparrow</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Scientific Name- Passer domesticus</strong></li>
<li><strong>Conservation Status-</strong> Least Concern on the Red List of The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).</li>
<li><strong>Habitat and Distribution</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The house sparrow is widespread across the world, inhabiting every continent,<strong> except Antarctica, China and Japan.</strong> It is native to <strong>Eurasia and North Africa.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is the <strong>State bird of Bihar and Delhi.</strong></li>
<li>It is known to stay<strong> close to human habitations,</strong> and is therefore among the most commonly found bird species in urban cities.</li>
<li>Some of the <strong>causes for decline in its population</strong> are as follow: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Unfriendly architecture of our homes.</li>
<li>The use of chemical fertilisers in crops.</li>
<li>Noise pollution.</li>
<li>Exhaust fumes from vehicles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1607296" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SOURCE: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/house-sparrow'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Whiteflies Resistant Variety of Cotton',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow has developed a <strong>whiteflies-resistant variety of cotton.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Whiteflies are <strong>one of the top ten devastating pests in the world</strong> that damage more than 2000 plant species and also function as <strong>vectors for some 200-plant viruses.</strong></li>
<li>Cotton is one of the worst-hit crops by whiteflies. As<strong> two-third of the cotton crop</strong> was <strong>destroyed</strong> by the<strong> whiteflies in Punjab in 2015.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Need for Development :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Even though <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bt-cotton-in-india-problems-and-solutions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bt cotton</strong></a> is also genetically-modified cotton and present in the market for farmers usage, it is resistant to two pests only and not resistant to whiteflies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constituents :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The leaf extract of an<strong> edible fern Tectaria Macrodonta</strong> causes <strong>toxicity to the whitefly.</strong></li>
<li>It works against whiteflies but is safe for application on the crop plants and provides protection from them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When whiteflies feed on doses of insecticidal protein of Tectaria Macrodonta, it interferes with the <strong>life cycle of insects.</strong></li>
<li>The whiteflies suffer from very poor egg-laying, abnormal eggs, nymph and larval development, and the poor overall growth of the fly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Target and Non-target Insects:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Tectaria Macrodonta is found to be <strong>in-effective on non-target insects.</strong></li>
<li>Thus, it clearly shows that the protein is <strong>specifically toxic to whitefly </strong>and<strong> does not cause any harmful effect on other beneficial insects like butterflies and honeybees.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tectaria Macrodonta<img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1584775946_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tectaria Macrodonta is<strong> native</strong> to<strong> tropical areas of Asia</strong> and <strong>commonly found in Western Ghats of India.</strong></li>
<li>The fern is known to be used in salads in Nepal and as a concoction for gastric disorders in many regions of Asia</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Botanical Research Institute</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) &ndash; is amongst one of the constituent research institutes of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)</strong></a>, New Delhi.</li>
<li>It undertakes basic and applied research on various aspects of plant science, including documentation, systematics, conservation, prospection, and genetic improvement.</li>
<li>It emphasises on under-exploited, non-traditional, and wild plant genetic resources of the country for sustainable development and human welfare.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607288" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/whiteflies-resistant-variety-of-cotton'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Mid Day Meal',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has asked state governments to provide <strong>Mid Day Meals (MDM) or food security allowance</strong> whichever is feasible, to all eligible children till schools are closed due to COVID-19.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Kerala is already providing hot-cooked meals to students at home.</li>
<li>The schools across the country have been closed to contain the transmission of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19 outbreak.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ministry&rsquo;s order came after the Supreme Court issued notices to all state governments to explain how they would ensure the midday meals reach the vulnerable while schools stay shut.</li>
<li>According to the <strong>MDM Rules 2015,</strong> when meals cannot be provided to students on account of unavailability of foodgrains, cooking cost,or due to any other reason, the state government is expected to provide a <strong>food security allowance to each child consisting of foodgrains and cooking cost entitlement.</strong></li>
<li>The MDM rules 2015, provide that:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The place of serving meals to the children shall be school only.</li>
<li>If the Mid-Day Meal is not provided in school on any school day due to non-availability of food grains or any other reason, the State Government shall pay <strong>food security allowance</strong> by 15<sup>th</sup> of the succeeding month.</li>
<li>The meal shall be prepared in accordance with the Mid Day Meal guidelines issued by the Central Government from time to time.</li>
<li>Procuring <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-27th-september-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>AGMARK</strong></a> quality items for preparation of midday meals, tasting of meals by two or three adult members of the school management committee, including at least one teacher, before serving to children.</li>
<li>The School Management Committee mandated under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/Implementation-of-Section-12-1c-of-the-RTE-Act-A-Progress-Report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009</strong></a> shall also monitor implementation of the Mid-day meal Scheme.</li>
<li>The <strong>State Steering-cum Monitoring Committee (SSMC)</strong> shall oversee the implementation of the scheme including establishment of a mechanism for maintenance of nutritional standards and quality of meals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Mid Day Meal Scheme</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The MDM Scheme comes under the Ministry of HRD.</li>
<li>It was launched in the year 1995 as a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-to-hike-monthly-pensions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>centrally sponsored scheme.</strong></a></li>
<li>The scheme provides that every child within the age group of<strong> six to fourteen years</strong> studying in <strong>classes I to VIII</strong> who enrolls and attends the school, shall be provided <strong>hot</strong> <strong>cooked meal</strong> having nutritional standards of 450 calories and 12 gm of protein for primary (I- V class) and 700 calories and 20 gm protein for upper primary (VI-VIII class), free of charge every day except on school holidays.</li>
<li>The scheme covers all <strong>government and government aided schools</strong> and also Madarsa and Maqtabs supported under the <strong>Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an overarching programme launched in 2018 for the school education sector extending from pre-school to class 12.</li>
<li>It has been prepared with the broader goal of improving school effectiveness measured in terms of equal opportunities for schooling and equitable learning outcomes.</li>
<li>It subsumed the three schemes of <strong>Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) </strong>and<strong> Teacher Education (TE).</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/coronavirus-give-mid-day-meals-or-food-security-allowance-centre-tells-states-6324681/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mid-day-meal'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Huntington Disease',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A team of scientists from the <strong>National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS),</strong> <strong>Pune</strong> studied the HTT gene in <strong>fruit flies.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mutations in the HTT gene</strong> (also called Huntington or HD gene) cause Huntington <strong>Disease</strong> (HD).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Huntington Disease</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Huntington Disease (HD) is a <strong>progressive genetic disorder</strong> which affects the <strong>brain.</strong></li>
<li>It causes uncontrolled movements, impaired coordination of balance and movement, a decline in cognitive abilities, difficulty in concentrating and memory lapses, mood swings and personality changes.</li>
<li>The <strong>HTT genes</strong> are involved in the <strong>production of a protein called huntingtin.</strong> They provide the instruction for making the protein.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mutated genes provide faulty instructions leading to production of abnormal huntingtin proteins and formation of clumps.</li>
<li>These clumps disrupt the normal functioning of the brain cells, which eventually leads to death of neurons in the brain, resulting in Huntington disease.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>No cure exists,</strong> but drugs, physiotherapy and talk therapy can help manage some symptoms.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the study on fruit flies, it was observed that the pathogenic Huntingtin protein causes a decrease in the overall protein production in cells.</li>
<li>The Huntingtin clumps collect together (sequester) molecules of another protein called <strong>Orb2,</strong> which is also involved in the process of protein formation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Orb2 protein is <strong>crucial for maintenance of memory in fruit flies.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In humans, a<strong> family of proteins called CPEB</strong> is equivalent to the Orb2 protein in fruit flies.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further studies found that the CPEB proteins are also sequestered by the pathogenic Huntingtin clumps, similar to the Orb2 protein molecules.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The study, thus, becomes relevant to and valuable in understanding HD in humans.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Centre for Cell Science</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a national level, biotechnology, tissue engineering and tissue banking research center located at <strong>Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune.</strong></li>
<li>It is one of the premier research centers in India, which works on cell-culture, cell-repository, immunology, chromatin-remodelling.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1607298" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/huntington-disease'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Giving More Tooth To Human Rights Commissions',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/giving-human-rights-commissions-more-teeth/article31111463.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Giving Human Rights Commissions more teeth&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 20/03/2020. It talks about issues pertaining to Human Rights commissions.</p>
</div>
<p>In 1993, the UN General Assembly adopted the <strong>Paris Principles on Human Rights.</strong> This led to the constitution of national human rights institutions in almost every country. In this pursuit, the Indian Parliament enacted the <strong>Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (PHR Act).</strong></p>
<p>The Act created a <strong>National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and also, Human Rights Commissions at the levels of the various States.</strong> The National and State Human Rights Commissions are examples of <strong>&ldquo;fourth branch institutions&rdquo;</strong> (other three branches&mdash; the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary). However, the functioning of the Human Rights Commissions has come under scrutiny and criticism, on account of<strong> lack of autonomy and political interference.</strong></p>
<p>Moreover, the Supreme Court called the NHRC as<strong> "Toothless Tiger".</strong> This is because the recommendations tendered by the NHRC and other state bodies are not binding on the respective governments.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Fourth Branch Institutions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Democracy is sustained through the distribution of power between three &ldquo;branches&rdquo; &mdash; the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary, with each branch acting as a check and a balance upon the others.</li>
<li>However, the complexity of governance and administration in the modern world has necessitated the existence of a set of independent bodies, which are charged with performing vital functions of oversight.</li>
<li>These independent bodies are termed as fourth branch institutions.</li>
<li>Some of these bodies are constitutional bodies, for example, the Election Commission and the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. While others have been established under law, for example, the Information Commission under the Right to Information Act, and Human Rights Commissions under the Protection of Human Rights Act.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Issues Pertaining to NHRC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Political Interference:</strong> The selection committee tasked with appointing the chairperson and the members to the Commission is dominated by the representatives of the State itself.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It consists of the prime minister, home minister, Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Deputy-Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Thus, this creates a conflict of interest.</li>
<li>Further, the criteria to assess candidates is also not specified</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Autonomy:</strong> Police officials investigating for the NHRC are sent on deputation by their forces.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Their allegiance lies with their home cadre to which they return after their tenure at the Commission is over.</li>
<li>This conflict of interest restricts the scope of their work, as they often are charged with investigating abuse of power by law enforcement personnel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non-Binding Recommendations of NHRC: Section 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act</strong> empowers the Human Rights Commission to<strong> &ldquo;recommend&rdquo;</strong> to the concerned government to take appropriate actions.</li>
<li><strong>Restricted Jurisdiction:</strong> NHRC is not empowered to act when human rights violations through private parties take place.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, human rights commissions cannot investigate any human rights violation, if the complaint was made more than one year after the incident.</li>
<li>No cases of Human Rights violation can be investigated by NHRC in case the violation is reported against armed forces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of Human Rights Commission</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The PHR Act defines Human Rights as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India.</li>
<li>In this context, the Human Rights Commissions aims to ensure the full realisation of the constitutional commitment to protecting human rights and act as protector for citizens against arbitrary state action.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The first step in strengthening the Human rights framework in India, the recommendations of NHRC can be made binding. This can be done by:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Creative Interpretation of Law:</strong> The term &ldquo;recommend&rdquo; in section 18 of PHR Act should not be viewed in literal terms.</li>
<li>For example, the Supreme Court ( in order to maintain judicial independence) has held, that <strong>&ldquo;consultation&rdquo;</strong> with the Chief Justice for judicial appointments (as set out under the Article 124 of Indian Constitution) be read as<strong> &ldquo;concurrence&rdquo;</strong> of the Chief Justice (this is the basis for the collegium system).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Equal Footing As Another Quasi Judicial Bodies:</strong> The Human Rights Commission has the powers of a civil court, and proceedings before it are deemed to be judicial proceedings. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This provides strong reasons for human rights commissions to be treated as <strong>quasi-judicial,</strong> and like other tribunals, their recommendations should be binding upon the state (unless challenged).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Independent Cadre:</strong> Human rights commissions should be provided with their independent cadre of staff with appropriate experience, so that they can function autonomously.</li>
<li><strong>Behavioral change:</strong> There is a need for promotion of a culture of human rights. Human rights education can be made part of school curriculum.</li>
<li>The Supreme Court, in the past, in order to uphold the spirit of the constitution has creatively interpreted the powers of various fourth branch institutions in cases of ambiguity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, the Supreme Court laid down detailed guidelines to ensure the independence of the Central Bureau of Investigation; various judgments have endorsed and strengthened the powers of the Election Commission to compulsorily obtain relevant details of candidates, despite having no express power to do so.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffbe3;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the various issues faced by National and State Human Rights Commissions in India.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/giving-more-tooth-to-human-rights-commissions'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Inclusive Growth',
			'catname' => 'Paper 3',
			'desc' => '<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Inclusive growth means economic growth that creates employment opportunities and helps in reducing poverty.</li>
<li>It means having access to essential services in health and education by the poor. It includes providing equality of opportunity, empowering people through education and skill development.</li>
<li>It also encompasses a growth process that is environment friendly growth, aims for good governance and helps in creation of a gender sensitive society.</li>
<li>As per OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), inclusive growth is economic growth that is distributed fairly across society and creates opportunities for all.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Elements of Inclusive Growth</h3>
<p><strong>Skill Development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Harnessing the demographic dividend will depend upon the employability of the working age population, their health, education, vocational training and skills. Skill development plays a key role here.</li>
<li>India is facing a dual challenge in skill development:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First, there is a paucity of highly trained workforce</li>
<li>Second, there is non-employment of conventionally trained youths</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the Economic Survey 2017, over 30% of youth in India are NEET (Not in education, employment or training).</li>
<li>Similarly, UNICEF 2019 reports stats that at least 47% of Indian youth are not on track to have the education and skills necessary for employment in 2030.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Financial Inclusion</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Financial Inclusion is the process of ensuring access to financial services to vulnerable groups at affordable costs.</li>
<li>Financial inclusion is necessary for inclusive growth as it leads to the culture of saving, which initiates a virtuous cycle of economic development.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Technological Advancement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The world is moving towards an era of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/frontier-technologies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Revolution 4.0.</strong></a> These technological advancements have capabilities to both decrease or increase the inequality depending on the way these are being used.</li>
<li>Several initiatives have been taken by the government, eg. Digital India Mission, so that a digitally literate population can leverage technology for endless possibilities.</li>
<li>Technology can help to combat other challenges too, eg:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Agriculture-</strong> Modern technology can help in making an agro-value chain from farmer to consumer more efficient and competitive.</li>
<li><strong>Manufacturing-</strong> Technology can resolve the problems of finance, procuring raw materials, land, and linkages with the user market. GST was made possible only with the help of sound technology.</li>
<li><strong>Education-</strong> Innovative digital technologies can create new forms of adaptive and peer learning, increasing access to trainers and mentors, providing useful data in real-time.</li>
<li><strong>Health-</strong> Technologies could transform the delivery of public health services - extend care through remote health services</li>
<li><strong>Governance-</strong> Technology can cut down delays, corruption, and inefficiency in the delivery of a public service</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Economic Growth</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is among the fastest-growing major economies in the world. However, currently Indian economy is facing slowdown due to both cyclic and structural challenges.</li>
<li>However, the target of becoming a $ 5 trillion economy by 2024-25 can allow India to reduce inequality, increase social expenditure and provide employment to all.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Social Development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It means the empowerment of all marginalised sections of the population like SC/ST/OBC/Minorities, women and transgenders.</li>
<li>Empowerment can be done by improving institutions of the social structure i.e. hospitals especially primary care in the rural areas, schools, universities, etc.</li>
<li>Investment in social structures will not only boost growth (by fiscal stimulus) but will also create a healthy and capable generation to handle future work.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges in Achieving Inclusive Growth</h3>
<p><strong>Poverty</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As per the <strong>Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2018,</strong> India lifted 271 million people between 2005-06 and 2015-16, with the poorest regions, groups, and children, reducing poverty fastest. India demonstrates the clearest pro-poor pattern at the sub-national level.</li>
<li>Still, despite the massive gains, 373 million Indians continue to experience acute deprivations. Additionally, 8.8% of the population lives in severe multidimensional poverty and 19.3% of the population are vulnerable to multidimensional poverty.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Unemployment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/periodic-labour-force-survey-plfs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) of NSSO,</strong></a> the unemployment rate among the urban workforce was 7.8%, while the unemployment rate for the rural workforce was 5.3% totaling the total unemployment rate at 6.1%.</li>
<li>The quality and quantity of employment in India are low due to illiteracy and due to over-dependence on agriculture.</li>
<li>The quality of employment is a problem as more than 80% of people work in the informal sector without any social security.</li>
<li>Low job growth is due to the following factors:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Low investment</li>
<li>Low capital utilization in industry</li>
<li>Low agriculture growth</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Agriculture Backwardness</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Around 44% of people in India have agriculture-related employment but its contribution to the Indian GDP is only 16.5% which lead to widespread poverty</li>
<li>Issues in agriculture are as follows:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Declining per capita land availability</li>
<li>A slow reduction in the share of employment</li>
<li>Low labour productivity</li>
<li>Decline in agriculture yield due to climate change, land degradation and unavailability of water</li>
<li>Disparities in growth across regions and crops</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Issues with Social Development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Social development is one of the key concerns for inclusive growth. But it is facing some problems such as:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Significant regional, social and gender disparities</li>
<li>Low level and slow growth in public expenditure particularly in health and education</li>
<li>The poor quality delivery system</li>
<li>Social indicators are much lower for OBC, SC, ST, and Muslims</li>
<li>Malnutrition among the children - <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-hunger-index-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India ranks 102<sup>nd</sup> in Global Hunger Index</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Regional Disparities</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Regional disparities are a major concern for India. Factors like the caste system, gap between rich and poor etc. contribute to the regional disparities which create a system where some specific groups hold more privileges over others.</li>
<li>Some of the regional disparities problems are as follow:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In terms of literacy rate, Kerala is the most literate state with 93.1% literacy, on the other hand, literacy rate of Bihar is only 63.82%</li>
<li>In terms of per capita income, Goa's per capita income is Rs 4,67,998 in 2018 while per capita income of Bihar is just one-tenth of that ie Rs 43,822</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Measuring Inclusive Growth</h3>
<p><strong>Inclusive Development Index (IDI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the Inclusive Development Index (IDI) compiled by the World Economic Forum (WEF), India ranked 62nd out of 74 emerging countries and was among the least inclusive countries in Group of 20 (G-20) countries.</li>
<li>The IDI is based on the idea that most people base their country&rsquo;s growth not on GDP but by their own standard of living.</li>
<li>It gives a measure of inequality based on three parameters: :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Growth and development</li>
<li>Inclusion</li>
<li>Inter-generational equity and sustainability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India also did not make it to the top 10 most inclusive emerging and developing economies, where its neighbours Nepal, China and Sri Lanka made a mark.</li>
<li>India performed its best in terms of &ldquo;intergenerational equity and sustainability&rdquo;, ranking 44<sup>th</sup>, for which credit can be attributed to its demographic dividend.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Social Progress Index (SPI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an aggregate index of social and environmental indicators which includes the following:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Basic human need</li>
<li>Foundation of well being</li>
<li>Opportunity</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Limitation of other indices:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>GDP: It does not include non-market activities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Excludes factors like environment, equality, etc</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Gini Coefficient:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Only income inequalities are included and other inequalities like social inequality, equality of opportunities, etc are ignored.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Gross Happiness Index:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ignores gender neutrality, education, etc</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>HDI:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The unequal distribution of wealth is ignored.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Benefits of SPI:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SPI measures the outcomes of the government measures rather than money spent. It also takes account of efficiency by which money spent by the government has been used.</li>
<li>It is more comprehensive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global Slavery Index</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is released by the Walk Free Foundation of Australia.</li>
<li>Modern Slavery means a situation where one person has taken away another person's freedom, to control their body so that they can be exploited.</li>
<li>Factors responsible for modern slavery:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Absence of rights</li>
<li>Lack of physical safety</li>
<li>Access to necessities such as health care, education, food, etc</li>
<li>Pattern of migration</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Government actions to reduce modern slavery:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has worked in the right direction by criminalizing trafficking, slavery, forced labor, child prostitution, and child marriage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Measures Taken India to Achieve Inclusive Growth</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Several schemes are being implemented by the government for inclusive growth which includes the following:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act Scheme (MGNREGA)</li>
<li>Prime Minister&rsquo;s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)</li>
<li>Mudra Bank scheme</li>
<li>Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)</li>
<li>Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)</li>
<li>Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA)</li>
<li>National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)</li>
<li>Bharat Nirman</li>
<li>Swachh Bharat Mission</li>
<li>Mission Ayushman</li>
<li>Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Government is working with NGOs and International groupings in policy making eg:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>DISHA Project is being implemented in partnership with UNDP for creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for women in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>NITI Aayog's Strategy for New India @75 has the following objectives for the inclusive growth:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To have a rapid growth, which reaches 9-10% by 2022-23, which is inclusive, clean, sustained and formalized.</li>
<li>To Leverage technology for inclusive, sustainable and participatory development by 2022-23.</li>
<li>To have an inclusive development in the cities to ensure that urban poor and slum dwellers including recent migrants can avail city services.</li>
<li>To make schools more inclusive by addressing the barriers related to the physical environment (e.g. accessible toilets), admission procedures as well as curriculum design.</li>
<li>To make higher education more inclusive for the most vulnerable groups.</li>
<li>To provide quality ambulatory services for an inclusive package of diagnostic, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care, close to the people.</li>
<li>To prepare an inclusive policy framework with citizens at the center</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>World Economic Forum has suggested 3 practical ways by which countries can boost social inclusion as well as economic growth:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First, <strong>countries should increase public and private investment in their citizens&rsquo; capabilities,</strong> which is the most important way they can durably lift their rate of productivity growth.</li>
<li>Second, governments, together with employers&rsquo; and workers&rsquo; organizations, <strong>should upgrade national rules and institutions relating to work.</strong> These influence the quantity and distribution of job opportunities and compensation, and thus the level of purchasing power and aggregate demand within the economy.</li>
<li>Third, <strong>countries should increase public and private investment in labor-intensive economic sectors</strong> that generate wider benefits for society. These include sustainable water, energy, digital, and transport infrastructure, care sectors, the rural economy, and education and training.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian government along with the state governments and local governments should continue to focus on eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development in order to improve the lives of India's people.</li>
<li>Through innovative partnerships with an international organization, civil societies, and private companies, inclusive and equitable growth can be targeted.</li>
<li>Inclusive growth will help in the empowerment of vulnerable and marginalized populations, improve livelihoods, and augment skill-building for women.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper3/inclusive-growth-1'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Union Minister of Minority Affairs</strong> shared information about the <strong>Prime Minister&rsquo;s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities (PM&rsquo;s New 15 PP),</strong> in the Lok Sabha.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>PM&rsquo;s New 15 PP is an <strong>overarching programme covering various schemes/initiatives</strong> of the participating Ministries/Departments and is <strong>implemented throughout the country.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>ensure that the benefits of various government schemes for the underprivileged reach the disadvantaged sections of the minority communities.</strong></li>
<li>It also provides that, wherever possible, <strong>15% of targets and outlays under various schemes should be earmarked for minorities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>performance</strong> of schemes/initiatives is <strong>continuously evaluated</strong> by the concerned Ministries/Departments.</li>
<li><strong>In the context of the PM&rsquo;s New 15 PP, Substantial <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/no-state-wise-minority-classification-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">minority</a> population,</strong> has been used for identification of districts which are relatively backward.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Districts with <strong>at least 25% of the total population belonging to minority communities</strong> have been identified as the <strong>Minority Concentration Districts (MCDs)</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The programme has four objectives</strong> further divided into focus areas with schemes under them. These are as follows:</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>A. Enhancing Opportunities for Education</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">1. Equitable availability of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/malnutrition-in-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Integrated Child Development Services</strong></a> <strong>(ICDS)</strong> Services</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">2. Improving access to School Education</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"><strong>a.&nbsp;<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/samagra-shiksha" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.</a></strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"><strong>b. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme, etc.</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">3. Greater resources for teaching Urdu by Central assistance for recruitment and posting of Urdu language teachers.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">4. Modernizing Madarsa Education</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">a. Central Plan Scheme of Area Intensive and Madarsa Modernization Programme.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">5. Scholarships for meritorious students from minority communities.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">6. Improving educational infrastructure through the Maulana Azad Education Foundation.</p>
<p><strong>B. Equitable Share in Economic Activities and Employment</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>7. Self-Employment</strong> and Wage Employment for the poor</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"><strong>a. Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana</strong> (SGSY).</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">b. Swarn Jayanti Shahari Rojgar Yojana (SJSRY).</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">c. Sampurna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY).</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>8. Upgradation of skills</strong> through technical training</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">a. Locate technical institutions in areas predominantly inhabited by minority communities and upgrade them to <strong>&lsquo;Centres of Excellence&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>9. Enhanced credit support</strong> for economic activities</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"><strong>a. Strengthening the National Minorities Development &amp; Finance Corporation</strong> (NMDFC).</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">b. Ensuring an appropriate percentage of the priority sector lending targeted for the minority communities.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">10. Recruitment to <strong>State and Central Services</strong></p>
<p><strong>C. Improving the Conditions of Living of Minorities</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">11. Equitable share in <strong>rural housing</strong> scheme</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"><strong>a. Indira Awaas Yojana</strong> (IAY)</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">12. Improvement in <strong>condition of slums</strong> inhabited by minority communities</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"><strong>a. Integrated Housing &amp; Slum Development Programme</strong> (IHSDP)</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"><strong>b.<a href="/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-26th-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation</a> (AMRUT)</strong> which was earlier Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).</p>
<p><strong>D. Prevention and Control of Communal Riots</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">13. Prevention of communal incidents</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">a. Posting of efficient, impartial and secular record in communally sensitive and riot prone areas.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">14. Prosecution for communal offences</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">15. Rehabilitation of victims of communal riots</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Minorities</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and Zoroastrians (Parsis)</strong> have been notified as minority communities under <strong>Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The term<strong> "minority" is not defined in the Indian Constitution.</strong> However, the Constitution<strong> recognises only religious and linguistic</strong> minorities.</li>
<li><strong>Article 29:</strong> It provides that any section of the citizens residing in any part of India having a <strong>distinct language, script or culture</strong> of its own, shall have the <strong>right to conserve the same.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 30:</strong> Under the article, all minorities shall have the <strong>right to establish and administer educational institutions</strong> of their choice.</li>
<li>Article 350-B: Originally, the Constitution of India did not make any provision with respect to the<strong> Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities.</strong> But, the <strong>Seventh Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956</strong> inserted Article 350-B in the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Parliamentary Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/no-state-wise-minority-classification-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It defines a minority as &ldquo;a community notified as such by the Central government.''</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607147" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/prime-minister-s-15-point-programme'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM) is being implemented by the <strong>Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).</strong></li>
<li>NAQUIM envisages <strong>mapping of aquifers</strong> (water bearing formations), their <strong>characterization</strong> and <strong>development of Aquifer Management Plans </strong>to<strong> facilitate <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/india-s-water-crisis-every-drop-counts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sustainable management of groundwater</a> resources.</strong></li>
<li>NAQUIM was initiated as a part of the <strong>Ground Water Management and Regulation Scheme</strong> to delineate and characterize the aquifers to develop plans for ground water management.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Aquifers</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The rocks in which groundwater is stored are called aquifers. They are typically made up of gravel, sand, sandstone or limestone.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Ground Water Management and Regulation Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-to-hike-monthly-pensions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Sector Scheme</strong></a> of the <strong>Department&nbsp;of Water Resources, River Development &amp; Ganga Rejuvenation.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Central Ground Water Board</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a subordinate office of the <strong>Ministry of Water Resources</strong> and is the <strong>National Apex Agency</strong> entrusted with the responsibilities of providing scientific inputs for management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, augmentation and regulation of groundwater resources of the country.</li>
<li>It was <strong>established in 1970</strong> by renaming the Exploratory Tubewells Organization under the Ministry of Agriculture and later on <strong>merged</strong> with the Groundwater Wing of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-navy-signs-mou-with-geological-survey-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geological Survey of India</strong> </a>during <strong>1972.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607172" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-aquifer-mapping-and-management-programme'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'India: 3rd Largest Producer of Electricity',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As per <strong>the Key World Energy Statistics 2019,</strong> India is the 3<sup>rd</sup> largest producer of electricity in the world.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India was 106<sup>th</sup> in terms of per capita consumption in 2017.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With a generation of 1,497 Terawatt-hour (TWh), India is the third largest producer and the third largest consumer of electricity in the world after the US and China.</li>
<li>Although power generation has grown more than 100-fold since independence, growth in demand has been even higher due to accelerating economic activity.</li>
<li>Electricity is also one of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/index-of-industrial-production-iip" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>eight core industries</strong></a> of India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Electricity use and access are strongly correlated with economic development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Government Initiatives</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Saubhagya Scheme:</strong> The 'Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana' was launched by the Government of India with the aim of providing electricity access to <strong>over 40 million families</strong> in the country.</li>
<li><strong>The Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana:</strong> UDAY was launched by the Ministry of Power to help turn around the poor financial situation of state discoms. It also envisages development of renewable energy sector and availability of <strong>24*7 Power For All at an affordable price.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA):</strong> It aims to promote efficient lighting, enhance awareness on using efficient equipment which reduce electricity bills and help preserve the environment. The project is spearheaded by the <strong>Energy Efficiency Services Limited.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Energy Agency</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The IEA was<strong> created in 1974</strong> to help coordinate a collective response to major disruptions in the supply of oil.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was established in the wake of the 1973 (set up in 1974) oil crisis after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/qatar-quits-opec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>OPEC</strong></a> cartel had shocked the world with a steep increase in oil prices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is made up of <strong>30 member countries.</strong> It also includes 8 association countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India became an associate member</strong> of International Energy Agency in 2017.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is an<strong> autonomous inter-governmental organisation</strong> within the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oecds-forecast-for-global-economy-in-2060" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)</strong></a> framework, headed by its Executive Director.</li>
<li>The IEA has four main areas of focus, i.e. 4Es:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Energy security,</li>
<li>Economic development,</li>
<li>Environmental awareness and</li>
<li>Engagement worldwide.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is headquartered in <strong>Paris, France.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key World Energy Statistics</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>KWES is published by the<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-strategic-petroleum-reserve" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Energy Agency.</strong></a></li>
<li>It is an introduction to energy statistics, providing top-level numbers across the energy mix, from supply and demand, to prices and research budgets, including outlooks, energy indicators and definitions.</li>
<li>It is part of the IEA's annual edition of the world&rsquo;s most comprehensive series of energy databases and data services, which include World Energy Statistics and Balances and the full range of fuel information data services.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607174" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-3rd-largest-producer-of-electricity'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Role of Lipids in Infectious Diseases',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Researchers at IIT-Bombay are using biologically active lipid molecules as chemical biology tools to understand their biological disease-causing function.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Researchers are using <strong>lipids from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/successful-trails-in-treating-drug-resistant-tb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mycobacteria tuberculosis (Mtb).</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Lipids</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lipids are molecules that contain <strong>hydrocarbons</strong> and make up the building blocks of the structure and function of living cells.</li>
<li>They are responsible for maintaining the <strong>integrity of our cell membrane, which allows nutrients and drugs to pass through the cell.</strong></li>
<li>They play a major role in <strong>altering properties</strong> of the cell membrane.</li>
<li>During infection and in diseases, the lipids are breached and membranes are harnessed by pathogens for their survival and infection</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The role of lipids in critical mechanisms involved in host-pathogen interplay is being explored.</li>
<li>The mechanism of action of Mtb lipids on human host membrane and related cellular events represents a golden opportunity to deepen the understanding of the function of Mtb lipids in membrane-dictated bacterial survival, pathogenesis, and drug resistance.</li>
<li>Scientists are also investigating the role of Mtb lipids in drug-membrane interactions, underscored by the fact that lipids critically dictate the molecular interactions of drugs with membranes influencing drug diffusion, partitioning, and accumulation.</li>
<li>Membrane structures specific to mycobacterial lipids have also been developed which can act as &lsquo;cell-free&rsquo; platforms for <strong>anti-tubercular (relating to TB) drug interactions.</strong> They would help in:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Investigating antibiotic interactions with mycobacterial (causative agent of Tuberculosis) specific membranes for <strong>future antibiotic design.</strong></li>
<li>Shaping the <strong>effectiveness</strong> of already existing anti-TB drug molecules and fostering development of new ones.</li>
<li>Investigation of host <strong>cellular pathways</strong> rewired by pathogenic factors and elucidate possible <strong>therapeutic targets in Tuberculosis.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607152" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/role-of-lipids-in-infectious-diseases'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'GreenCo Rating System',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Green Companies (GreenCo) Rating System has been developed by the <strong>Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).</strong></li>
<li>The system evaluates the companies on <strong>10 broad green parameters,</strong> including GreenHouse Gases (GHG) reduction, renewable energy use etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Accordingly, <strong>ratings</strong> are provided which remain valid for <strong>three years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is the <strong>"first of its kind in the world"</strong> holistic framework that evaluates companies on the environmental friendliness of their activities using a <strong>life cycle approach.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The life cycle approach considers product design, materials used, procurement, vendor management, logistics, packaging, manufacturing, distribution, product use, disposal and recycling.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Its <strong>mission is to facilitate</strong> Indian industry to make a substantial improvement in their environmental performance thereby saving both natural and financial resources.</li>
<li>It has been acknowledged in India's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/conference-of-the-parties-cop-24" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)</strong> </a>document, submitted to the <strong>United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)</strong> in 2015, as a proactive voluntary action of Indian industry/ private sector towards combating climate change.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CII is a <strong>non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization.</strong> It was founded in 1895.</li>
<li>It works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India, partnering industry, Government, and civil society, through advisory and consultative processes.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1606973" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/greenco-rating-system'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Revival Of SAARC',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/coronavirus-india-saarc-6317511/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Drawing together&rdquo;</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/from-virtual-conferencing-to-real-leadership/article31085140.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;From virtual conferencing to real leadership&rdquo;</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/india-has-done-well-to-revive-saarc-opinion/story-ax17bHXpQHzfgEPK7AaDHP.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;India has done well to revive SAARC&rdquo;</strong></a>. It talks of India's regional efforts that can lead to the revival of SAARC.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, Prime Minister of India proposed to set up a <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC)</a> Emergency Fund</strong> ($10 million) and formation of a <strong>Rapid Response Team</strong> (of doctors, specialists, testing equipment and attendant infrastructure) in order to combat <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19.</strong></a></p>
<p>Though, this initiative may or may not fully succeed in eradicating the epidemic, in a densely-populated South Asia which has very poor public health awareness and infrastructure. However, this may have prompted the reactivation and revival of the SAARC.</p>
<h3>Problems faced by SAARC nations vis-a-vis Coronavirus</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Maldives and Sri Lanka highlighted the massive economic impact of the dramatic decline of tourism that is a major source of revenue and employment.</li>
<li>Land-locked Afghanistan is struggling to cope with the open border with virus-infected Iran and Pakistan&rsquo;s decision to close the border through which much of the nation&rsquo;s trade flows occur.</li>
<li>Apart from this, many SAARC countries share borders with China, the place where the virus originated.</li>
<li>Also, the population density in Indian subcontinent is very high, so there are more chances of rapid transmission of infection.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Idea of SAARC</h3>
<p>In 1980's the idea of SAARC was initiated by General Zia Ur Rehman of Bangladesh, which resulted in the first summit of the seven leaders of the region in 1985. Later, Afghanistan joined in 2007. However, in the nearly 35 years of its existence, SAARC has not lived up to its promise of regional integration.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>South Asia is the world&rsquo;s least integrated region; less than 5% of the trade of SAARC countries is within.</li>
<li>A South Asian Free Trade Zone, which was agreed on in 2006, has not been materialised yet.</li>
<li>The 19th SAARC summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in November 2016, was postponed after the terrorist attacks in Uri; none has been held since then.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why SAARC failed?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Most of the smaller states and external players believe that the India-Pakistan conflict has undermined SAARC.</li>
<li>The reasons for a dysfunctional SAARC:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bilateral issues cannot be discussed in SAARC but since the organisation relies on the principle of unanimity for all major decisions, Pakistan has often vetoed the major initiatives proposed at SAARC. For example, <strong>SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement proposed at Kathmandu summit, 2014.</strong></li>
<li>For India, Pakistan&rsquo;s use of terror as an instrument of foreign policy has made normal business impossible.</li>
<li>Dispute between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the Durand line, is also a reason.</li>
<li>Also, India&rsquo;s economic position vis-a vis other SAARC countries, creates an impression of India being a big brother rather than a strategic partner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Trust in Indo-Pakistan relations:</strong> After the deadly terror attack on the Indian security forces at Uri in 2016, India refused to engage with the SAARC.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since then, the SAARC has become almost marginal to the regions' collective consciousness and other organisations such as the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/drishti-specials-important-international-bimstec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)</strong></a> came into the forefront.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Should India continue to neglect SAARC over BIMSTEC?</h3>
<p>The two organisations&mdash;SAARC and BIMSTEC&mdash;focus on geographically overlapping regions. However, this does not make them equal alternatives.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SAARC is a purely regional organisation, whereas BIMSTEC is interregional and connects both South Asia and ASEAN. BIMSTEC provides SAARC countries a unique opportunity to connect with ASEAN.</li>
<li>Further, the scope of BIMSTEC has been undermined by China.Thailand and Myanmar are now economically and strategically closer to China. Apart from it, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also have extensive economic engagement with China and are struggling to work out balancing strategies between India and China.</li>
<li>The revival of SAARC will also facilitate India&rsquo;s neighbourhood policy in meeting the challenge of regional strategic encroachment by China through its Belt and Road Initiative.</li>
<li>Thus, insofar as their regions of interest overlap, SAARC and BIMSTEC complement each other in terms of functions and goals. . The success of BIMSTEC does not render SAARC pointless; it only adds a new chapter in regional cooperation in South Asia.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>BIMSTEC vs SAARC</strong></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100.416%; height: 261px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="height: 19px; width: 100px;"><strong>SAARC</strong></td>
<td style="height: 19px; width: 100px;"><strong>BIMSTEC</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;">
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 49px; width: 100px;" rowspan="6">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A regional organisation looking into integrating South Asia.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 49px; width: 100px;" rowspan="6">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Interregional organisation connecting South Asia and SouthEast Asia.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"></tr>
<tr style="height: 28px;"></tr>
<tr style="height: 45px;">
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Established in 1985; a product of the Cold War era.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Established in 1997 in the post-Cold War.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 45px;">
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Member countries suffer from mistrust and suspicion.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Members maintain reasonably friendly relations.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 45px;">
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Suffers from regional politics.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Member countries share strategic trust amongst each other.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 45px;">
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 28px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Asymmetric power balance.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 28px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Balancing of power with the presence of Thailand and India on the bloc.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 45px;">
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 27px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Intra-regional trade only 5%</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 27px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Intra-regional trade has increased by around 6% in a decade</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The tragedy of Covid-19 may provide an opportunity for India to demonstrate its compassionate face to secure a region at peace with itself. This emergency fund is a step in reviving SAARC which has been dysfunctional till now, is a reiteration of India&rsquo;s prompt and decisive support to the neighbours at the time of facing natural disasters. However, the dream of New South Asia requires much more diplomatic and political will.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f0edd3;">
<p><em><strong><span style="color: #003366;">Drishti Mains Question</span></strong></em></p>
<p>The success of BIMSTEC does not overshadow the role of SAARC in contemporary international relations. Critically analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revival-of-saarc'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'APEDA signs MoU with SFAC',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority</a> (APEDA)</strong> has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-producer-bodies-need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium</a> (SFAC)</strong> to bring in better synergy in the agricultural activities.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>APEDA has been in dialog with SFAC for <strong>linking of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), farmers&rsquo; cooperatives to the export value chain</strong> through quality production as per the requirement of importing countries.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agri-export-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agri Export Policy</strong></a> announced by Government of India with <strong>Farmers&rsquo; Centric Approach</strong> suggests for developing product specific clusters in the country to help improve productivity and quality of the varieties of crops with special involvement of FPOs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FPOs are an <strong>institutional innovation</strong> to help small holders to reduce cost of produce by procuring necessary inputs in bulk at wholesale rates, aggregation of produce and bulk transport reducing marketing cost etc. and extend their reach to modern technology and distant markets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Policy also aims at<strong> addressing the obstacles faced by FPOs</strong> through organisations like SFAC to expand its network.</li>
<li>The <strong>joint collaboration</strong> will enable SFAC and APEDA to reach a large farmer base for improving the production base of agri products <strong>quantitatively and qualitatively.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will maintain the consistency of supply and establish an image of quality suppliers in the International market leading to increase in export volume and value, contributing indirectly to doubling of farmers&rsquo; income.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an<strong> authority established under an act of Parliament</strong> and under the administrative control of the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry,</strong> Government of India.</li>
<li>It has been mandated with the <strong>responsibility of export promotion and development of the scheduled products</strong> viz. fruits, vegetables, meat products, dairy products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages etc.</li>
<li>APEDA has also been entrusted with the <strong>responsibility to monitor import of sugar.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>autonomous society promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers&rsquo; Welfare.</strong></li>
<li>It is a pioneer in <strong>organising small and marginal farmers</strong> as Farmers Interest Groups, Farmers Producers Organisation (FPOs) and Farmers Producers Company for endowing them with bargaining power and economies of scale.</li>
<li>It provides a <strong>platform for increased accessibility and cheaper availability of agricultural inputs</strong> to small and marginal farmers and in establishing forward and backward linkages in supply chain management.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1606913" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/apeda-signs-mou-with-sfac'
		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Procurement of Indigenous Tejas Fighter Aircraft',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved procurement of 83 of the more <strong>advanced Mk1A version of the Tejas aircraft.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The procurement will be a major <strong>boost to 'Make in India'</strong> as the aircraft is indigenously designed, developed and manufactured.</li>
<li>The DAC has also approved an amendment to the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016.</li>
<li>This will bring about more <strong>transparency in costs and compress the timelines</strong> for negotiation of the contract.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tejas</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tejas is a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/advanced-medium-combat-aircraft" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Light Combat Aircraft.</strong></a></li>
<li>It is<strong> indigenously-designed</strong> by Aircraft Development Agency (ADA) under the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)</strong></a> and <strong>manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Defence Acquisition Council</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DAC is the <strong>highest decision-making body</strong> in the Defence Ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the <strong>three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) and the Indian Coast Guard.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Minister of Defence</strong> is the <strong>Chairman</strong> of the Council.</li>
<li>It was formed, after the Group of Ministers <strong>recommendations on 'Reforming the National Security System', in 2001, post Kargil War (1999).</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1606941" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/procurement-of-indigenous-tejas-fighter-aircraft'
		]
	],
	'updates' => object(Cake\ORM\Query) {

		'(help)' => 'This is a Query object, to get the results execute or iterate it.',
		'sql' => 'SELECT articles.article_id AS `articles__article_id`, articles.category_id AS `articles__category_id`, articles.title AS `articles__title`, articles.description AS `articles__description`, articles.shortdescription AS `articles__shortdescription`, articles.featuredimage AS `articles__featuredimage`, articles.tag_id AS `articles__tag_id`, articles.secondary_tag AS `articles__secondary_tag`, articles.type AS `articles__type`, articles.publishon AS `articles__publishon`, articles.posturl AS `articles__posturl`, articles.metatitle AS `articles__metatitle`, articles.metadescription AS `articles__metadescription`, articles.metakeyword AS `articles__metakeyword`, articles.status AS `articles__status`, articles.sort_order AS `articles__sort_order`, articles.addedby AS `articles__addedby`, articles.updatedby AS `articles__updatedby`, articles.added AS `articles__added`, articles.modified AS `articles__modified`, articles.whatsnewid AS `articles__whatsnewid`, articles.display_printpdf AS `articles__display_printpdf`, articles.display_comments AS `articles__display_comments`, articles.pdf_name AS `articles__pdf_name`, articles.display_archive AS `articles__display_archive` FROM articles articles WHERE status = :c0 ORDER BY publishon desc LIMIT 10',
		'params' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'defaultTypes' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'decorators' => (int) 0,
		'executed' => false,
		'hydrate' => true,
		'buffered' => true,
		'formatters' => (int) 0,
		'mapReducers' => (int) 0,
		'contain' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'matching' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'extraOptions' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'repository' => object(App\Model\Table\ArticlesTable) {}
	
	},
	'page' => (int) 109,
	'search' => 'class',
	'totalPages' => (float) 286,
	'title' => 'Search'
]
$progress = []
$bookmarks = []
$notes = []
$mynote = []
$topdata = [
	(int) 0 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/estore/test-series-en/upsc-mains-english/sociology-optional-mains-online-en',
		'title' => 'Sociology Mains Test Series 2020 - Join Now',
		'type' => (int) 1,
		'date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {},
		'[new]' => false,
		'[accessible]' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[repository]' => 'news'
	
	},
	(int) 1 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/estore/test-series-en/upsc-prelims-english/prelims-test-series-2021-online',
		'title' => 'Prelims Test Series 2021 (Online) - Join Now',
		'type' => (int) 1,
		'date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {},
		'[new]' => false,
		'[accessible]' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[repository]' => 'news'
	
	},
	(int) 2 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'url' => 'https://bit.ly/drishtibooks',
		'title' => 'Get Drishti Publications books & magazines on Amazon - click here!',
		'type' => (int) 1,
		'date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {},
		'[new]' => false,
		'[accessible]' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[repository]' => 'news'
	
	},
	(int) 3 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'url' => 'https://bit.ly/joindrishti',
		'title' => 'Click here for Online Inquiry form to join Drishti IAS programmes',
		'type' => (int) 1,
		'date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {},
		'[new]' => false,
		'[accessible]' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[repository]' => 'news'
	
	}
]
$searchdata = []
$searchlist = [
	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Worldwide Closure of Educational Institutions due to COVID-19',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the estimates of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> outbreak has pulled almost <strong>half (49.22%) the world&rsquo;s student population out of schools and universities.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNESCO has also observed that 107 countries have announced a temporary closure of educational institutions, <strong>impacting 86.17 crore children and youth.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>COVID-19</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The World Health Organisation (WHO) has named the new coronavirus disease as <strong>&lsquo;COVID-19&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The new name is taken from the words <strong>"corona", "virus" and "disease", with 2019</strong> representing the year when it emerged (the outbreak was reported to the WHO on 31<sup>st</sup> December, 2019).</li>
<li>The word coronavirus refers to the <strong>group of viruses it belongs to,</strong> rather than the latest strain. The latest strain has been designated &lsquo;Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)&rsquo; by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.</li>
<li>The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also declared COVID-19 as a <strong>pandemic.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the WHO, a pandemic is declared when a new disease for which people do not have immunity spreads around the world beyond expectations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a> recommends school closure (including preschool and higher education) as one of the <strong>&ldquo;Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs)&rdquo;</strong> for mitigating influenza pandemics.</li>
<li>Nonpharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) are actions, <strong>apart from getting vaccinated and taking medicine,</strong> that people and communities can take to help slow the spread of illnesses like pandemic influenza (flu).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The main reason for keeping educational institutions closed is that children and young people can be <strong>vectors of transmission.</strong></li>
<li>There are also <strong>high contact rates</strong> in schools which could result in the spread of the virus.</li>
<li>The school closures during a pandemic are expected to <strong>break the chains of transmission</strong> of COVID-19 in turn it will <strong>reduce the number of confirmed cases, avoiding stressing healthcare systems.</strong></li>
<li>It will also help to <strong>delay possible transmission</strong> and will also allow <strong>more time to develop a vaccine.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Costs Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The closure of education institutions <strong>not only disrupts learning but also has a direct economic cost.</strong></li>
<li>Because when schools close, families would have<strong> to find childcare.</strong></li>
<li>While some may manage to look after children without missing work, many parents will <strong>end up skipping work.</strong> Those lost work hours are a cost to the economy.</li>
<li>A study published in the BMC Public Health journal in April 2008 suggested that a <strong>12-week closure of schools in the UK</strong> during an influenza pandemic could<strong> cost about 0.2-1% of the country&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gdp-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gross Domestic Product (GDP).</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disadvantages:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Loss of Nutrition:</strong> When schools close, children&rsquo;s<strong> nutrition is compromised.</strong> This is already evident in India, where the closure of schools has disrupted the supply of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mid-day-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>midday meals.</strong> </a></li>
<li><strong>Access to Internet:</strong> As schools and universities move towards learning online to make up for lost time, students from low-income families <strong>risk falling behind</strong> as they<strong> don&rsquo;t have access to technology or stable Internet connections.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Issues with Distance Learning:</strong> The parents of first-generation learners in schools are often <strong>unprepared for distance learning and home-schooling.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measures:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Countries are adopting <strong>distance learning solutions</strong> to ensure continuity of education.</li>
<li>The UNESCO has set up <strong>a COVID-19 task force</strong> to advise countries in regular virtual meetings with Education Ministers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Scenario</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In India, the closure of schools started towards the end of the academic year. Hence, as of now, it <strong>hasn&rsquo;t caused any significant learning loss.</strong></li>
<li>The Ministry of Human Resource Development has decided to encourage schools and universities to make full use of <strong>existing e-learning portals.</strong></li>
<li>These e-learning portals include the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/massive-open-online-courses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/two-new-initiatives-of-ministry-of-human-resource-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>platform SWAYAM</strong></a>, and the free DTH channel Swayam Prabha, which telecasts educational videos prepared by the NCERT.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)</strong> is a free Web-based distance learning program that is designed for the participation of large numbers of geographically dispersed students.</li>
<li><strong>SWAYAM platform</strong> is indigenously developed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) with the help of Microsoft.It is designed to achieve the three cardinal principles of Education Policy viz.access, equity and quality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>UNESCO</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded in<strong> 1945</strong> to develop the &ldquo;intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind&rdquo; as a means of building lasting peace.</li>
<li>It is located in<strong> Paris (France).</strong></li>
<li>It develops educational tools to help people live as global citizens free of hate and intolerance.</li>
<li>It also aims to promote cultural heritage and the equal dignity of all cultures with strengthening bonds among nations.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/coronavirus-outbreak-schools-shut-cbse-exams-india-vaccine-6322877/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/worldwide-closure-of-educational-institutions-due-to-covid-19'
	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'India-France Joint Patrolling',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>For the first time, India and France conducted joint patrols from the Reunion Island.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The patrol was conducted in the month of February by a<strong> P-8I aircraft</strong> with French Navy personnel onboard.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg" p=""><strong>P-8I aircraft</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Boeing&rsquo;s P-8A Poseidon</strong> is designed for long-range Anti-Submarine warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.</li>
<li>The <strong>P-8s Indian variant</strong> is referred to as <strong>P-8I.</strong></li>
<li>Of a total of 12 ordered aircrafts, India has received eight, making the Indian Navy's P-8 fleet the second largest in the world. Another four aircrafts are on-schedule to be delivered in 2020.</li>
<li>The P-8I is not just responsible for coastal patrolling but is also used for other critical missions like search-and-rescue, anti-piracy, and supporting operations of other arms of the military.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Currently, under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/what-is-indias-neighbourhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Neighbourhood First&rsquo; policy</strong></a> and broader maritime cooperation, the Indian Navy undertakes joint <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)</strong></a> surveillance with Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius and <strong>Coordinated Patrols (CORPATs)</strong> with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia.</li>
<li>The objectives of the CORPATs are to ensure effective implementation of <strong>United Nations Conventions on Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>UNCLOS specifies regulations regarding protection and conservation of natural resources, conservation of marine environment, prevention and suppression of illegal, unregulated fishing activity, drug trafficking, piracy, exchange of information in prevention of smuggling, illegal immigration and conduct of search and rescue operations at sea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> joint patrolling with France</strong> shows India&rsquo;s intent to engage with friendly foreign partners in expanding its footprint in the Indian Ocean, focusing on the stretch between the East African coastline and the Malacca straits.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has recently become an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-as-an-observer-at-ioc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>observer to the Indian Ocean Commission.</strong> </a>It consists of Reunion as one of its members.</li>
<li>India has<strong> so far carried out CORPATs only with maritime neighbours</strong> and had <strong>rejected a similar offer by the US in 2016.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India- France Defence Relations<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1584949934_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1584949934_image1.png" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>France is the first country to deploy a Liaison Officer at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/information-fusion-centre-of-indian-navy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Navy&rsquo;s Information Fusion Centre (IFC-IOR)</strong> </a>as part of efforts to improve Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).</li>
<li>France has steadily emerged as a major strategic partner for India with big ticket defence deals and increased military to military engagement.</li>
<li>The Indian navy is currently inducting<strong> French Scorpene conventional submarines,</strong> being built in India under technology transfer, and the Indian Air Force will soon get the first batch of its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/87th-air-force-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>36 Rafale fighter jets.</strong></a></li>
<li>India is working with France to develop strategic and economic partnership involving Madagascar, Reunion Islands-Comoros so as to balance the growing influence of China in that part of the Indian Ocean Region.</li>
<li>Defence Exercises between India and France:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Varuna &ndash; Naval exercise</strong></li>
<li><strong>Garuda &ndash; Air exercise</strong></li>
<li><strong>Shakti &ndash; Army exercise</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg" p=""><strong>Note:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Gagan Shakti</strong> is conducted by the <strong>Indian Air Force</strong> to showcase its air dominance over the entire extended area of the Indian Ocean Region. It includes all terrain operations &ndash; desert, high altitude, maritime scenarios and special operations &ndash; in real time with specific focus on key areas like aerial combat, air to surface combat, paratrooper assault and medical evacuation.</li>
<li><strong>Garuda Shakti</strong> is the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-maitree" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> joint military exercise</strong></a> between<strong> India and Indonesia.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Mitra Shakti</strong> is the joint military exercise between <strong>India and Sri Lanka.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Reunion Island</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>R&eacute;union is a <strong>French overseas department</strong> and overseas region in the western Indian Ocean. It is located about 420 miles (680 km) east of Madagascar and 110 miles (180 km) southwest of Mauritius.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1584949981_image2.gif" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></strong></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/in-a-first-india-france-conduct-joint-patrols-from-reunion-island/article31129323.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-france-joint-patrolling'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Issues In Higher Education Institutions In India',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/need-for-re-orientation/article31111260.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Need for re-orientation&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 20/03/2020. It talks about issues in higher education institutions in India.</p>
</div>
<p>After more than 70 years of independence, India's higher education system has still not been developed fully. It is evidenced by its poor performance in institutional rankings (not a single Indian university in top 100 universities of the world), the poor employment status of its students, poor track record in receiving national awards and recognition, poor share in research funding and so on.</p>
<p>Moreover, the status of state public universities that produce over 90% of the graduates in India is more dismal.</p>
<h3>Commonly stated reasons for these observations are</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Enrollment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the All-India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report 2018-19, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Higher education in India is only 26.3%, which is quite low as compared to the developed as well as, other developing countries.</li>
<li>With the increase of enrollments at the school level, the supply of higher education institutes is insufficient to meet the growing demand in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Quality:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ensuring quality in higher education is amongst the foremost challenges being faced in India today.</li>
<li>However, the Government is continuously focusing on quality education. Still, a large number of colleges and universities in India are unable to meet the minimum requirements laid down by the UGC and our universities are not in a position to mark their place among the top universities of the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political Interference:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Increasing interference of politicians in the management of higher education jeopardises the autonomy of HEIs.</li>
<li>Also, students organise campaigns, forget their own objectives and begin to develop their careers in politics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Poor Infrastructure and Facilities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Poor infrastructure is another challenge to the higher education system of India, particularly the institutes run by the public sector suffer from poor physical facilities and infrastructure.</li>
<li>Faculty shortages and the inability of the state educational system to attract and retain well-qualified teachers have been posing challenges to quality education for many years.</li>
<li>Large numbers of NET/PhD candidates are unemployed even though there are a lot of vacancies in higher education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inadequate Research:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is inadequate focus on research in higher education institutes.</li>
<li>There are insufficient resources and facilities, as well as limited numbers of quality faculty to advise students.</li>
<li>Most of the research scholars are without fellowships or not getting their fellowships on time which directly or indirectly affects their research. Moreover, Indian Higher education institutions are poorly connected to research centres and to industries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Poor Governance Structure:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Management of Indian education faces challenges of over-centralization, bureaucratic structures and lack of accountability, transparency, and professionalism.</li>
<li>As a result of the increase in the number of affiliated colleges and students, the burden of administrative functions of universities has significantly increased and the core focus on academics and research is diluted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reason for a more dismal performance in state-level universities.</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The above-stated issues are faced by both central and state's higher education institutions (HEIs), but the state is handicapped at one more front.</li>
<li>Central government HEIs are hardly ever short of funding and patronage has been ensured by the Central government and its arms; national-level parties, industries and businesses; and the national elite and the intelligentsia. This appears to be the key factor for the better performance of Central government HEIs.</li>
<li>However, similar arrangements have never been built between the State universities and State governments, State-level political parties and organisations, industry and businesses; and the elite and the intelligentsia. This may be because:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The aims, goals, methods and priorities of these institutions are pretty much the same as those of the Central institutions.</li>
<li>The only real value adds that the State universities are doing for the State and its people seems to be that of enabling a few lakhs to become graduates every year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Revamping State HEIs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In order to receive much more funding and support from the State system, State universities would have to commit to delivering lots more to the State and its people where they are located.</li>
<li>They must come up with a new vision and programmes specifically addressing the needs of the State, its industry, economy and society, and on the basis of it make the State-level players commit to providing full ownership and support to them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foreign Collaboration:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Government must promote collaboration between Indian higher education institutes and top international institutes and also generate linkages between national research laboratories and research centres of top institutions for better quality and collaborative research.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multidisciplinary Approach:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There should be a multidisciplinary approach in higher education so that students' knowledge may not be restricted only up to their own subjects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>HEIs in both public and private must be away from political affiliations, provided with good infrastructure and facilities.</li>
</ul>
<p>Higher education in India has expanded very rapidly in the last seven decades after independence yet it's accessibility and quality both remain a concern. If India wants economic gains and development to percolate at the grassroots level, it needs to invest in education on a priority basis.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f7e9e1;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the issues faced by Higher Education Institutions in India and suggest some measures to resolve them.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/issues-in-higher-education-institutions-in-india'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'UN World Happiness Report- 2020',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Sustainable Development Solutions Network</strong> for the United Nations released the World Happiness Report on 20<sup>th</sup> March, 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>March 20 was designated as the <strong>World Happiness Day by the UN General Assembly in 2012.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>About the World Happiness Report</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The World Happiness Report ranks <strong>156 countries</strong> by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be.</li>
<li>The <strong>rankings are based on polling</strong> (Gallup World Poll) which looks at<strong> six variables:</strong> GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption.</li>
<li>The 2020 Report <strong>for the first time ranked cities</strong> around the world by their subjective well-being and looked into how the social, urban and natural environments combine to affect happiness.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Highlights From the Report</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Top Performers</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Finland</strong> is ranked as the world&rsquo;s happiest nation for the third consecutive year.</li>
<li><strong>Nordic states dominated the top 10,</strong> along with countries such as Switzerland, New Zealand and Austria.</li>
<li>Luxembourg edged into the 10<sup>th</sup> spot for the first time this year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Worst Performers</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The countries at the bottom are those afflicted by<strong> violent conflicts and extreme poverty,</strong> with Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Afghanistan classified as the world&rsquo;s least happy nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Performance</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India, previously ranked at 140 dropped to 144.</strong></li>
<li>Its rank is way lower than its neighbours. Nepal is ranked 92, Pakistan is at 66, Bangladesh at 107 and Sri Lanka at 130.</li>
<li>India is a <strong>new entrant</strong> to the bottom-fifteen group.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sustainable Development Solutions Network</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SDSN, launched in 2012, mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical problem solving for the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)</strong></a> <strong>and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cop24" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Paris Climate Agreement.</a></strong></li>
<li>It was established under the auspices of the <strong>United Nations Secretary-General.</strong></li>
<li>The SDSN and the Bertelsmann Stiftung have been <strong>publishing the annual SDG Index &amp; Dashboards Global Report since 2016.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/finland-is-again-worlds-happiest/article31124323.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SOURCE: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-world-happiness-report-2020'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Tech For Tribals: TRIFED',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)</strong></a> has launched a transformational <strong>&ldquo;Tech For Tribals&rdquo; program</strong> in partnership with Institutes of National Importance (INIs) to develop Tribal entrepreneurship.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Tech For Tribals</strong> program aims to <strong>transform 5 crore Tribal Entrepreneurs</strong> by<strong> capacity building and imparting entrepreneurship skills to tribal forest produce gatherers</strong> enrolled under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/van-dhan-internship-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY).</strong></a></li>
<li>The program will ensure higher success rate of the Tribal Entrepreneurs by enabling and empowering them to run their business with marketable products with quality certifications.</li>
<li>Under the program <strong>trainees will undergo a 30 days training program</strong> over six weeks comprising 120 sessions. The<strong> Partner institutions will develop course contents relevant to Entrepreneurship in Value Addition and Processing of Forest Produces.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The course curriculum will include Achievement Motivation and positive psychology, Entrepreneurial Competencies, capacity utilization, Product positioning - Grading / Sorting, Branding, Packaging, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>TRIFED</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) came into existence in 1987. It is a national-level apex organization functioning <strong>under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>objective of TRIFED is socio-economic development of tribal people in the country by way of marketing development of the tribal products</strong> such as metal craft, tribal textiles, pottery, tribal paintings and pottery on which the tribals depend heavily for a major portion of their income.</li>
<li>TRIFED acts as a facilitator and service provider for tribes to sell their product.</li>
<li>The approach by TRIFED aims to empower tribal people with knowledge, tools and pool of information so that they can undertake their operations in a more systematic and scientific manner.</li>
<li>It also involves capacity building of the tribal people through sensitization, formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and imparting training to them for undertaking a particular activity.</li>
<li>TRIFED has its Head Office located in <strong>New Delhi</strong> and has a network of 13 Regional Offices located at various places in the country.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=200549" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tech-for-tribals-trifed'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Annual Refresher Programme In Teaching (ARPIT)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) informed Parliament about <strong>the Annual Refresher Programme In Teaching (ARPIT).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>37,199 teachers</strong> were trained in <strong>2018-19</strong> under this program whereas in<strong> 2019-20, 1,46,919 teachers</strong> were trained.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an initiative for <strong>online professional development of 15 lakh higher education faculty</strong> using the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/massive-open-online-courses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)</strong></a> platform <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/two-new-initiatives-of-ministry-of-human-resource-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SWAYAM.</strong></a></li>
<li>For implementing ARPIT, 75 discipline-specific institutions have been identified and notified as <strong>National Resource Centres (NRCs).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NRCs prepare online training material with focus on latest developments in a discipline, new &amp; emerging trends, pedagogical improvements and methodologies for transacting revised curriculum.</li>
<li>NRCs are located in a mixed range of institutions such as, Central Universities, IISc, IUCAA, IITs, IISERs, NITs, State Universities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The training materials are uploaded and made available through SWAYAM. NRC also publishes the list of the faculty who have been certified.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Massive Open Online Course</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>MOOC is a <strong>free Web-based distance learning program</strong> that is designed for the participation of large numbers of geographically dispersed students. The government has launched SWAYAM platform for <strong>open online courses.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>SWAYAM</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SWAYAM platform is <strong>indigenously developed</strong> by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) with the help of Microsoft.</li>
<li>It is designed to achieve the three cardinal principles of Education Policy viz.access, equity and quality.</li>
<li>The objective of this effort is to take the best teaching learning resources to all, including the most disadvantaged.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607331" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/annual-refresher-programme-in-teaching-arpit'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'House Sparrow',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Every year <strong>March 20</strong> is observed as the<strong> 'World Sparrow Day'</strong> to raise awareness about the bird.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Day was <strong>first celebrated in 2010.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1584776227_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1584776227_image2.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="259" height="194" /></a></strong></li>
<li>The initiative was started by the <strong>'Nature Forever Society (NFS)' of India.</strong></li>
<li>In India, <strong>House Sparrow</strong> is found throughout the country, up to the Assam valley and lower parts of the Assam hills. Towards the eastern Himalayas, the species is replaced by the <strong>Eurasian tree sparrow.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points Related to House Sparrow</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Scientific Name- Passer domesticus</strong></li>
<li><strong>Conservation Status-</strong> Least Concern on the Red List of The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).</li>
<li><strong>Habitat and Distribution</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The house sparrow is widespread across the world, inhabiting every continent,<strong> except Antarctica, China and Japan.</strong> It is native to <strong>Eurasia and North Africa.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is the <strong>State bird of Bihar and Delhi.</strong></li>
<li>It is known to stay<strong> close to human habitations,</strong> and is therefore among the most commonly found bird species in urban cities.</li>
<li>Some of the <strong>causes for decline in its population</strong> are as follow: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Unfriendly architecture of our homes.</li>
<li>The use of chemical fertilisers in crops.</li>
<li>Noise pollution.</li>
<li>Exhaust fumes from vehicles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1607296" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SOURCE: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/house-sparrow'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Whiteflies Resistant Variety of Cotton',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow has developed a <strong>whiteflies-resistant variety of cotton.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Whiteflies are <strong>one of the top ten devastating pests in the world</strong> that damage more than 2000 plant species and also function as <strong>vectors for some 200-plant viruses.</strong></li>
<li>Cotton is one of the worst-hit crops by whiteflies. As<strong> two-third of the cotton crop</strong> was <strong>destroyed</strong> by the<strong> whiteflies in Punjab in 2015.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Need for Development :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Even though <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bt-cotton-in-india-problems-and-solutions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bt cotton</strong></a> is also genetically-modified cotton and present in the market for farmers usage, it is resistant to two pests only and not resistant to whiteflies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constituents :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The leaf extract of an<strong> edible fern Tectaria Macrodonta</strong> causes <strong>toxicity to the whitefly.</strong></li>
<li>It works against whiteflies but is safe for application on the crop plants and provides protection from them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When whiteflies feed on doses of insecticidal protein of Tectaria Macrodonta, it interferes with the <strong>life cycle of insects.</strong></li>
<li>The whiteflies suffer from very poor egg-laying, abnormal eggs, nymph and larval development, and the poor overall growth of the fly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Target and Non-target Insects:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Tectaria Macrodonta is found to be <strong>in-effective on non-target insects.</strong></li>
<li>Thus, it clearly shows that the protein is <strong>specifically toxic to whitefly </strong>and<strong> does not cause any harmful effect on other beneficial insects like butterflies and honeybees.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tectaria Macrodonta<img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1584775946_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tectaria Macrodonta is<strong> native</strong> to<strong> tropical areas of Asia</strong> and <strong>commonly found in Western Ghats of India.</strong></li>
<li>The fern is known to be used in salads in Nepal and as a concoction for gastric disorders in many regions of Asia</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Botanical Research Institute</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) &ndash; is amongst one of the constituent research institutes of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)</strong></a>, New Delhi.</li>
<li>It undertakes basic and applied research on various aspects of plant science, including documentation, systematics, conservation, prospection, and genetic improvement.</li>
<li>It emphasises on under-exploited, non-traditional, and wild plant genetic resources of the country for sustainable development and human welfare.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607288" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/whiteflies-resistant-variety-of-cotton'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Mid Day Meal',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has asked state governments to provide <strong>Mid Day Meals (MDM) or food security allowance</strong> whichever is feasible, to all eligible children till schools are closed due to COVID-19.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Kerala is already providing hot-cooked meals to students at home.</li>
<li>The schools across the country have been closed to contain the transmission of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19 outbreak.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ministry&rsquo;s order came after the Supreme Court issued notices to all state governments to explain how they would ensure the midday meals reach the vulnerable while schools stay shut.</li>
<li>According to the <strong>MDM Rules 2015,</strong> when meals cannot be provided to students on account of unavailability of foodgrains, cooking cost,or due to any other reason, the state government is expected to provide a <strong>food security allowance to each child consisting of foodgrains and cooking cost entitlement.</strong></li>
<li>The MDM rules 2015, provide that:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The place of serving meals to the children shall be school only.</li>
<li>If the Mid-Day Meal is not provided in school on any school day due to non-availability of food grains or any other reason, the State Government shall pay <strong>food security allowance</strong> by 15<sup>th</sup> of the succeeding month.</li>
<li>The meal shall be prepared in accordance with the Mid Day Meal guidelines issued by the Central Government from time to time.</li>
<li>Procuring <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-27th-september-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>AGMARK</strong></a> quality items for preparation of midday meals, tasting of meals by two or three adult members of the school management committee, including at least one teacher, before serving to children.</li>
<li>The School Management Committee mandated under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/Implementation-of-Section-12-1c-of-the-RTE-Act-A-Progress-Report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009</strong></a> shall also monitor implementation of the Mid-day meal Scheme.</li>
<li>The <strong>State Steering-cum Monitoring Committee (SSMC)</strong> shall oversee the implementation of the scheme including establishment of a mechanism for maintenance of nutritional standards and quality of meals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Mid Day Meal Scheme</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The MDM Scheme comes under the Ministry of HRD.</li>
<li>It was launched in the year 1995 as a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-to-hike-monthly-pensions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>centrally sponsored scheme.</strong></a></li>
<li>The scheme provides that every child within the age group of<strong> six to fourteen years</strong> studying in <strong>classes I to VIII</strong> who enrolls and attends the school, shall be provided <strong>hot</strong> <strong>cooked meal</strong> having nutritional standards of 450 calories and 12 gm of protein for primary (I- V class) and 700 calories and 20 gm protein for upper primary (VI-VIII class), free of charge every day except on school holidays.</li>
<li>The scheme covers all <strong>government and government aided schools</strong> and also Madarsa and Maqtabs supported under the <strong>Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an overarching programme launched in 2018 for the school education sector extending from pre-school to class 12.</li>
<li>It has been prepared with the broader goal of improving school effectiveness measured in terms of equal opportunities for schooling and equitable learning outcomes.</li>
<li>It subsumed the three schemes of <strong>Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) </strong>and<strong> Teacher Education (TE).</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/coronavirus-give-mid-day-meals-or-food-security-allowance-centre-tells-states-6324681/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mid-day-meal'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Huntington Disease',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A team of scientists from the <strong>National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS),</strong> <strong>Pune</strong> studied the HTT gene in <strong>fruit flies.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mutations in the HTT gene</strong> (also called Huntington or HD gene) cause Huntington <strong>Disease</strong> (HD).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Huntington Disease</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Huntington Disease (HD) is a <strong>progressive genetic disorder</strong> which affects the <strong>brain.</strong></li>
<li>It causes uncontrolled movements, impaired coordination of balance and movement, a decline in cognitive abilities, difficulty in concentrating and memory lapses, mood swings and personality changes.</li>
<li>The <strong>HTT genes</strong> are involved in the <strong>production of a protein called huntingtin.</strong> They provide the instruction for making the protein.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mutated genes provide faulty instructions leading to production of abnormal huntingtin proteins and formation of clumps.</li>
<li>These clumps disrupt the normal functioning of the brain cells, which eventually leads to death of neurons in the brain, resulting in Huntington disease.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>No cure exists,</strong> but drugs, physiotherapy and talk therapy can help manage some symptoms.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the study on fruit flies, it was observed that the pathogenic Huntingtin protein causes a decrease in the overall protein production in cells.</li>
<li>The Huntingtin clumps collect together (sequester) molecules of another protein called <strong>Orb2,</strong> which is also involved in the process of protein formation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Orb2 protein is <strong>crucial for maintenance of memory in fruit flies.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In humans, a<strong> family of proteins called CPEB</strong> is equivalent to the Orb2 protein in fruit flies.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further studies found that the CPEB proteins are also sequestered by the pathogenic Huntingtin clumps, similar to the Orb2 protein molecules.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The study, thus, becomes relevant to and valuable in understanding HD in humans.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Centre for Cell Science</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a national level, biotechnology, tissue engineering and tissue banking research center located at <strong>Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune.</strong></li>
<li>It is one of the premier research centers in India, which works on cell-culture, cell-repository, immunology, chromatin-remodelling.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1607298" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/huntington-disease'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Giving More Tooth To Human Rights Commissions',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/giving-human-rights-commissions-more-teeth/article31111463.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Giving Human Rights Commissions more teeth&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 20/03/2020. It talks about issues pertaining to Human Rights commissions.</p>
</div>
<p>In 1993, the UN General Assembly adopted the <strong>Paris Principles on Human Rights.</strong> This led to the constitution of national human rights institutions in almost every country. In this pursuit, the Indian Parliament enacted the <strong>Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (PHR Act).</strong></p>
<p>The Act created a <strong>National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and also, Human Rights Commissions at the levels of the various States.</strong> The National and State Human Rights Commissions are examples of <strong>&ldquo;fourth branch institutions&rdquo;</strong> (other three branches&mdash; the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary). However, the functioning of the Human Rights Commissions has come under scrutiny and criticism, on account of<strong> lack of autonomy and political interference.</strong></p>
<p>Moreover, the Supreme Court called the NHRC as<strong> "Toothless Tiger".</strong> This is because the recommendations tendered by the NHRC and other state bodies are not binding on the respective governments.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Fourth Branch Institutions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Democracy is sustained through the distribution of power between three &ldquo;branches&rdquo; &mdash; the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary, with each branch acting as a check and a balance upon the others.</li>
<li>However, the complexity of governance and administration in the modern world has necessitated the existence of a set of independent bodies, which are charged with performing vital functions of oversight.</li>
<li>These independent bodies are termed as fourth branch institutions.</li>
<li>Some of these bodies are constitutional bodies, for example, the Election Commission and the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. While others have been established under law, for example, the Information Commission under the Right to Information Act, and Human Rights Commissions under the Protection of Human Rights Act.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Issues Pertaining to NHRC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Political Interference:</strong> The selection committee tasked with appointing the chairperson and the members to the Commission is dominated by the representatives of the State itself.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It consists of the prime minister, home minister, Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Deputy-Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Thus, this creates a conflict of interest.</li>
<li>Further, the criteria to assess candidates is also not specified</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Autonomy:</strong> Police officials investigating for the NHRC are sent on deputation by their forces.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Their allegiance lies with their home cadre to which they return after their tenure at the Commission is over.</li>
<li>This conflict of interest restricts the scope of their work, as they often are charged with investigating abuse of power by law enforcement personnel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non-Binding Recommendations of NHRC: Section 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act</strong> empowers the Human Rights Commission to<strong> &ldquo;recommend&rdquo;</strong> to the concerned government to take appropriate actions.</li>
<li><strong>Restricted Jurisdiction:</strong> NHRC is not empowered to act when human rights violations through private parties take place.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, human rights commissions cannot investigate any human rights violation, if the complaint was made more than one year after the incident.</li>
<li>No cases of Human Rights violation can be investigated by NHRC in case the violation is reported against armed forces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of Human Rights Commission</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The PHR Act defines Human Rights as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India.</li>
<li>In this context, the Human Rights Commissions aims to ensure the full realisation of the constitutional commitment to protecting human rights and act as protector for citizens against arbitrary state action.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The first step in strengthening the Human rights framework in India, the recommendations of NHRC can be made binding. This can be done by:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Creative Interpretation of Law:</strong> The term &ldquo;recommend&rdquo; in section 18 of PHR Act should not be viewed in literal terms.</li>
<li>For example, the Supreme Court ( in order to maintain judicial independence) has held, that <strong>&ldquo;consultation&rdquo;</strong> with the Chief Justice for judicial appointments (as set out under the Article 124 of Indian Constitution) be read as<strong> &ldquo;concurrence&rdquo;</strong> of the Chief Justice (this is the basis for the collegium system).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Equal Footing As Another Quasi Judicial Bodies:</strong> The Human Rights Commission has the powers of a civil court, and proceedings before it are deemed to be judicial proceedings. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This provides strong reasons for human rights commissions to be treated as <strong>quasi-judicial,</strong> and like other tribunals, their recommendations should be binding upon the state (unless challenged).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Independent Cadre:</strong> Human rights commissions should be provided with their independent cadre of staff with appropriate experience, so that they can function autonomously.</li>
<li><strong>Behavioral change:</strong> There is a need for promotion of a culture of human rights. Human rights education can be made part of school curriculum.</li>
<li>The Supreme Court, in the past, in order to uphold the spirit of the constitution has creatively interpreted the powers of various fourth branch institutions in cases of ambiguity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, the Supreme Court laid down detailed guidelines to ensure the independence of the Central Bureau of Investigation; various judgments have endorsed and strengthened the powers of the Election Commission to compulsorily obtain relevant details of candidates, despite having no express power to do so.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffbe3;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the various issues faced by National and State Human Rights Commissions in India.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/giving-more-tooth-to-human-rights-commissions'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Inclusive Growth',
		'catname' => 'Paper 3',
		'desc' => '<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Inclusive growth means economic growth that creates employment opportunities and helps in reducing poverty.</li>
<li>It means having access to essential services in health and education by the poor. It includes providing equality of opportunity, empowering people through education and skill development.</li>
<li>It also encompasses a growth process that is environment friendly growth, aims for good governance and helps in creation of a gender sensitive society.</li>
<li>As per OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), inclusive growth is economic growth that is distributed fairly across society and creates opportunities for all.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Elements of Inclusive Growth</h3>
<p><strong>Skill Development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Harnessing the demographic dividend will depend upon the employability of the working age population, their health, education, vocational training and skills. Skill development plays a key role here.</li>
<li>India is facing a dual challenge in skill development:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First, there is a paucity of highly trained workforce</li>
<li>Second, there is non-employment of conventionally trained youths</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the Economic Survey 2017, over 30% of youth in India are NEET (Not in education, employment or training).</li>
<li>Similarly, UNICEF 2019 reports stats that at least 47% of Indian youth are not on track to have the education and skills necessary for employment in 2030.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Financial Inclusion</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Financial Inclusion is the process of ensuring access to financial services to vulnerable groups at affordable costs.</li>
<li>Financial inclusion is necessary for inclusive growth as it leads to the culture of saving, which initiates a virtuous cycle of economic development.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Technological Advancement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The world is moving towards an era of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/frontier-technologies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Revolution 4.0.</strong></a> These technological advancements have capabilities to both decrease or increase the inequality depending on the way these are being used.</li>
<li>Several initiatives have been taken by the government, eg. Digital India Mission, so that a digitally literate population can leverage technology for endless possibilities.</li>
<li>Technology can help to combat other challenges too, eg:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Agriculture-</strong> Modern technology can help in making an agro-value chain from farmer to consumer more efficient and competitive.</li>
<li><strong>Manufacturing-</strong> Technology can resolve the problems of finance, procuring raw materials, land, and linkages with the user market. GST was made possible only with the help of sound technology.</li>
<li><strong>Education-</strong> Innovative digital technologies can create new forms of adaptive and peer learning, increasing access to trainers and mentors, providing useful data in real-time.</li>
<li><strong>Health-</strong> Technologies could transform the delivery of public health services - extend care through remote health services</li>
<li><strong>Governance-</strong> Technology can cut down delays, corruption, and inefficiency in the delivery of a public service</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Economic Growth</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is among the fastest-growing major economies in the world. However, currently Indian economy is facing slowdown due to both cyclic and structural challenges.</li>
<li>However, the target of becoming a $ 5 trillion economy by 2024-25 can allow India to reduce inequality, increase social expenditure and provide employment to all.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Social Development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It means the empowerment of all marginalised sections of the population like SC/ST/OBC/Minorities, women and transgenders.</li>
<li>Empowerment can be done by improving institutions of the social structure i.e. hospitals especially primary care in the rural areas, schools, universities, etc.</li>
<li>Investment in social structures will not only boost growth (by fiscal stimulus) but will also create a healthy and capable generation to handle future work.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges in Achieving Inclusive Growth</h3>
<p><strong>Poverty</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As per the <strong>Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2018,</strong> India lifted 271 million people between 2005-06 and 2015-16, with the poorest regions, groups, and children, reducing poverty fastest. India demonstrates the clearest pro-poor pattern at the sub-national level.</li>
<li>Still, despite the massive gains, 373 million Indians continue to experience acute deprivations. Additionally, 8.8% of the population lives in severe multidimensional poverty and 19.3% of the population are vulnerable to multidimensional poverty.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Unemployment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/periodic-labour-force-survey-plfs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) of NSSO,</strong></a> the unemployment rate among the urban workforce was 7.8%, while the unemployment rate for the rural workforce was 5.3% totaling the total unemployment rate at 6.1%.</li>
<li>The quality and quantity of employment in India are low due to illiteracy and due to over-dependence on agriculture.</li>
<li>The quality of employment is a problem as more than 80% of people work in the informal sector without any social security.</li>
<li>Low job growth is due to the following factors:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Low investment</li>
<li>Low capital utilization in industry</li>
<li>Low agriculture growth</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Agriculture Backwardness</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Around 44% of people in India have agriculture-related employment but its contribution to the Indian GDP is only 16.5% which lead to widespread poverty</li>
<li>Issues in agriculture are as follows:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Declining per capita land availability</li>
<li>A slow reduction in the share of employment</li>
<li>Low labour productivity</li>
<li>Decline in agriculture yield due to climate change, land degradation and unavailability of water</li>
<li>Disparities in growth across regions and crops</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Issues with Social Development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Social development is one of the key concerns for inclusive growth. But it is facing some problems such as:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Significant regional, social and gender disparities</li>
<li>Low level and slow growth in public expenditure particularly in health and education</li>
<li>The poor quality delivery system</li>
<li>Social indicators are much lower for OBC, SC, ST, and Muslims</li>
<li>Malnutrition among the children - <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-hunger-index-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India ranks 102<sup>nd</sup> in Global Hunger Index</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Regional Disparities</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Regional disparities are a major concern for India. Factors like the caste system, gap between rich and poor etc. contribute to the regional disparities which create a system where some specific groups hold more privileges over others.</li>
<li>Some of the regional disparities problems are as follow:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In terms of literacy rate, Kerala is the most literate state with 93.1% literacy, on the other hand, literacy rate of Bihar is only 63.82%</li>
<li>In terms of per capita income, Goa's per capita income is Rs 4,67,998 in 2018 while per capita income of Bihar is just one-tenth of that ie Rs 43,822</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Measuring Inclusive Growth</h3>
<p><strong>Inclusive Development Index (IDI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the Inclusive Development Index (IDI) compiled by the World Economic Forum (WEF), India ranked 62nd out of 74 emerging countries and was among the least inclusive countries in Group of 20 (G-20) countries.</li>
<li>The IDI is based on the idea that most people base their country&rsquo;s growth not on GDP but by their own standard of living.</li>
<li>It gives a measure of inequality based on three parameters: :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Growth and development</li>
<li>Inclusion</li>
<li>Inter-generational equity and sustainability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India also did not make it to the top 10 most inclusive emerging and developing economies, where its neighbours Nepal, China and Sri Lanka made a mark.</li>
<li>India performed its best in terms of &ldquo;intergenerational equity and sustainability&rdquo;, ranking 44<sup>th</sup>, for which credit can be attributed to its demographic dividend.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Social Progress Index (SPI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an aggregate index of social and environmental indicators which includes the following:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Basic human need</li>
<li>Foundation of well being</li>
<li>Opportunity</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Limitation of other indices:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>GDP: It does not include non-market activities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Excludes factors like environment, equality, etc</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Gini Coefficient:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Only income inequalities are included and other inequalities like social inequality, equality of opportunities, etc are ignored.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Gross Happiness Index:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ignores gender neutrality, education, etc</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>HDI:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The unequal distribution of wealth is ignored.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Benefits of SPI:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SPI measures the outcomes of the government measures rather than money spent. It also takes account of efficiency by which money spent by the government has been used.</li>
<li>It is more comprehensive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global Slavery Index</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is released by the Walk Free Foundation of Australia.</li>
<li>Modern Slavery means a situation where one person has taken away another person's freedom, to control their body so that they can be exploited.</li>
<li>Factors responsible for modern slavery:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Absence of rights</li>
<li>Lack of physical safety</li>
<li>Access to necessities such as health care, education, food, etc</li>
<li>Pattern of migration</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Government actions to reduce modern slavery:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has worked in the right direction by criminalizing trafficking, slavery, forced labor, child prostitution, and child marriage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Measures Taken India to Achieve Inclusive Growth</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Several schemes are being implemented by the government for inclusive growth which includes the following:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act Scheme (MGNREGA)</li>
<li>Prime Minister&rsquo;s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)</li>
<li>Mudra Bank scheme</li>
<li>Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)</li>
<li>Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)</li>
<li>Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA)</li>
<li>National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)</li>
<li>Bharat Nirman</li>
<li>Swachh Bharat Mission</li>
<li>Mission Ayushman</li>
<li>Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Government is working with NGOs and International groupings in policy making eg:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>DISHA Project is being implemented in partnership with UNDP for creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for women in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>NITI Aayog's Strategy for New India @75 has the following objectives for the inclusive growth:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To have a rapid growth, which reaches 9-10% by 2022-23, which is inclusive, clean, sustained and formalized.</li>
<li>To Leverage technology for inclusive, sustainable and participatory development by 2022-23.</li>
<li>To have an inclusive development in the cities to ensure that urban poor and slum dwellers including recent migrants can avail city services.</li>
<li>To make schools more inclusive by addressing the barriers related to the physical environment (e.g. accessible toilets), admission procedures as well as curriculum design.</li>
<li>To make higher education more inclusive for the most vulnerable groups.</li>
<li>To provide quality ambulatory services for an inclusive package of diagnostic, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care, close to the people.</li>
<li>To prepare an inclusive policy framework with citizens at the center</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>World Economic Forum has suggested 3 practical ways by which countries can boost social inclusion as well as economic growth:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First, <strong>countries should increase public and private investment in their citizens&rsquo; capabilities,</strong> which is the most important way they can durably lift their rate of productivity growth.</li>
<li>Second, governments, together with employers&rsquo; and workers&rsquo; organizations, <strong>should upgrade national rules and institutions relating to work.</strong> These influence the quantity and distribution of job opportunities and compensation, and thus the level of purchasing power and aggregate demand within the economy.</li>
<li>Third, <strong>countries should increase public and private investment in labor-intensive economic sectors</strong> that generate wider benefits for society. These include sustainable water, energy, digital, and transport infrastructure, care sectors, the rural economy, and education and training.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian government along with the state governments and local governments should continue to focus on eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development in order to improve the lives of India's people.</li>
<li>Through innovative partnerships with an international organization, civil societies, and private companies, inclusive and equitable growth can be targeted.</li>
<li>Inclusive growth will help in the empowerment of vulnerable and marginalized populations, improve livelihoods, and augment skill-building for women.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper3/inclusive-growth-1'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Union Minister of Minority Affairs</strong> shared information about the <strong>Prime Minister&rsquo;s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities (PM&rsquo;s New 15 PP),</strong> in the Lok Sabha.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>PM&rsquo;s New 15 PP is an <strong>overarching programme covering various schemes/initiatives</strong> of the participating Ministries/Departments and is <strong>implemented throughout the country.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>ensure that the benefits of various government schemes for the underprivileged reach the disadvantaged sections of the minority communities.</strong></li>
<li>It also provides that, wherever possible, <strong>15% of targets and outlays under various schemes should be earmarked for minorities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>performance</strong> of schemes/initiatives is <strong>continuously evaluated</strong> by the concerned Ministries/Departments.</li>
<li><strong>In the context of the PM&rsquo;s New 15 PP, Substantial <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/no-state-wise-minority-classification-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">minority</a> population,</strong> has been used for identification of districts which are relatively backward.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Districts with <strong>at least 25% of the total population belonging to minority communities</strong> have been identified as the <strong>Minority Concentration Districts (MCDs)</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The programme has four objectives</strong> further divided into focus areas with schemes under them. These are as follows:</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>A. Enhancing Opportunities for Education</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">1. Equitable availability of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/malnutrition-in-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Integrated Child Development Services</strong></a> <strong>(ICDS)</strong> Services</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">2. Improving access to School Education</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"><strong>a.&nbsp;<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/samagra-shiksha" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.</a></strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"><strong>b. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme, etc.</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">3. Greater resources for teaching Urdu by Central assistance for recruitment and posting of Urdu language teachers.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">4. Modernizing Madarsa Education</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">a. Central Plan Scheme of Area Intensive and Madarsa Modernization Programme.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">5. Scholarships for meritorious students from minority communities.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">6. Improving educational infrastructure through the Maulana Azad Education Foundation.</p>
<p><strong>B. Equitable Share in Economic Activities and Employment</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>7. Self-Employment</strong> and Wage Employment for the poor</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"><strong>a. Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana</strong> (SGSY).</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">b. Swarn Jayanti Shahari Rojgar Yojana (SJSRY).</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">c. Sampurna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY).</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>8. Upgradation of skills</strong> through technical training</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">a. Locate technical institutions in areas predominantly inhabited by minority communities and upgrade them to <strong>&lsquo;Centres of Excellence&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>9. Enhanced credit support</strong> for economic activities</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"><strong>a. Strengthening the National Minorities Development &amp; Finance Corporation</strong> (NMDFC).</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">b. Ensuring an appropriate percentage of the priority sector lending targeted for the minority communities.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">10. Recruitment to <strong>State and Central Services</strong></p>
<p><strong>C. Improving the Conditions of Living of Minorities</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">11. Equitable share in <strong>rural housing</strong> scheme</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"><strong>a. Indira Awaas Yojana</strong> (IAY)</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">12. Improvement in <strong>condition of slums</strong> inhabited by minority communities</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"><strong>a. Integrated Housing &amp; Slum Development Programme</strong> (IHSDP)</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"><strong>b.<a href="/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-26th-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation</a> (AMRUT)</strong> which was earlier Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).</p>
<p><strong>D. Prevention and Control of Communal Riots</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">13. Prevention of communal incidents</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">a. Posting of efficient, impartial and secular record in communally sensitive and riot prone areas.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">14. Prosecution for communal offences</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">15. Rehabilitation of victims of communal riots</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Minorities</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and Zoroastrians (Parsis)</strong> have been notified as minority communities under <strong>Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The term<strong> "minority" is not defined in the Indian Constitution.</strong> However, the Constitution<strong> recognises only religious and linguistic</strong> minorities.</li>
<li><strong>Article 29:</strong> It provides that any section of the citizens residing in any part of India having a <strong>distinct language, script or culture</strong> of its own, shall have the <strong>right to conserve the same.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 30:</strong> Under the article, all minorities shall have the <strong>right to establish and administer educational institutions</strong> of their choice.</li>
<li>Article 350-B: Originally, the Constitution of India did not make any provision with respect to the<strong> Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities.</strong> But, the <strong>Seventh Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956</strong> inserted Article 350-B in the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Parliamentary Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/no-state-wise-minority-classification-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It defines a minority as &ldquo;a community notified as such by the Central government.''</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607147" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/prime-minister-s-15-point-programme'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM) is being implemented by the <strong>Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).</strong></li>
<li>NAQUIM envisages <strong>mapping of aquifers</strong> (water bearing formations), their <strong>characterization</strong> and <strong>development of Aquifer Management Plans </strong>to<strong> facilitate <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/india-s-water-crisis-every-drop-counts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sustainable management of groundwater</a> resources.</strong></li>
<li>NAQUIM was initiated as a part of the <strong>Ground Water Management and Regulation Scheme</strong> to delineate and characterize the aquifers to develop plans for ground water management.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Aquifers</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The rocks in which groundwater is stored are called aquifers. They are typically made up of gravel, sand, sandstone or limestone.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Ground Water Management and Regulation Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-to-hike-monthly-pensions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Sector Scheme</strong></a> of the <strong>Department&nbsp;of Water Resources, River Development &amp; Ganga Rejuvenation.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Central Ground Water Board</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a subordinate office of the <strong>Ministry of Water Resources</strong> and is the <strong>National Apex Agency</strong> entrusted with the responsibilities of providing scientific inputs for management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, augmentation and regulation of groundwater resources of the country.</li>
<li>It was <strong>established in 1970</strong> by renaming the Exploratory Tubewells Organization under the Ministry of Agriculture and later on <strong>merged</strong> with the Groundwater Wing of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-navy-signs-mou-with-geological-survey-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geological Survey of India</strong> </a>during <strong>1972.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607172" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-aquifer-mapping-and-management-programme'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'India: 3rd Largest Producer of Electricity',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As per <strong>the Key World Energy Statistics 2019,</strong> India is the 3<sup>rd</sup> largest producer of electricity in the world.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India was 106<sup>th</sup> in terms of per capita consumption in 2017.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With a generation of 1,497 Terawatt-hour (TWh), India is the third largest producer and the third largest consumer of electricity in the world after the US and China.</li>
<li>Although power generation has grown more than 100-fold since independence, growth in demand has been even higher due to accelerating economic activity.</li>
<li>Electricity is also one of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/index-of-industrial-production-iip" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>eight core industries</strong></a> of India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Electricity use and access are strongly correlated with economic development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Government Initiatives</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Saubhagya Scheme:</strong> The 'Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana' was launched by the Government of India with the aim of providing electricity access to <strong>over 40 million families</strong> in the country.</li>
<li><strong>The Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana:</strong> UDAY was launched by the Ministry of Power to help turn around the poor financial situation of state discoms. It also envisages development of renewable energy sector and availability of <strong>24*7 Power For All at an affordable price.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA):</strong> It aims to promote efficient lighting, enhance awareness on using efficient equipment which reduce electricity bills and help preserve the environment. The project is spearheaded by the <strong>Energy Efficiency Services Limited.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Energy Agency</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The IEA was<strong> created in 1974</strong> to help coordinate a collective response to major disruptions in the supply of oil.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was established in the wake of the 1973 (set up in 1974) oil crisis after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/qatar-quits-opec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>OPEC</strong></a> cartel had shocked the world with a steep increase in oil prices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is made up of <strong>30 member countries.</strong> It also includes 8 association countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India became an associate member</strong> of International Energy Agency in 2017.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is an<strong> autonomous inter-governmental organisation</strong> within the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oecds-forecast-for-global-economy-in-2060" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)</strong></a> framework, headed by its Executive Director.</li>
<li>The IEA has four main areas of focus, i.e. 4Es:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Energy security,</li>
<li>Economic development,</li>
<li>Environmental awareness and</li>
<li>Engagement worldwide.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is headquartered in <strong>Paris, France.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key World Energy Statistics</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>KWES is published by the<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-strategic-petroleum-reserve" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Energy Agency.</strong></a></li>
<li>It is an introduction to energy statistics, providing top-level numbers across the energy mix, from supply and demand, to prices and research budgets, including outlooks, energy indicators and definitions.</li>
<li>It is part of the IEA's annual edition of the world&rsquo;s most comprehensive series of energy databases and data services, which include World Energy Statistics and Balances and the full range of fuel information data services.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607174" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-3rd-largest-producer-of-electricity'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Role of Lipids in Infectious Diseases',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Researchers at IIT-Bombay are using biologically active lipid molecules as chemical biology tools to understand their biological disease-causing function.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Researchers are using <strong>lipids from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/successful-trails-in-treating-drug-resistant-tb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mycobacteria tuberculosis (Mtb).</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Lipids</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lipids are molecules that contain <strong>hydrocarbons</strong> and make up the building blocks of the structure and function of living cells.</li>
<li>They are responsible for maintaining the <strong>integrity of our cell membrane, which allows nutrients and drugs to pass through the cell.</strong></li>
<li>They play a major role in <strong>altering properties</strong> of the cell membrane.</li>
<li>During infection and in diseases, the lipids are breached and membranes are harnessed by pathogens for their survival and infection</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The role of lipids in critical mechanisms involved in host-pathogen interplay is being explored.</li>
<li>The mechanism of action of Mtb lipids on human host membrane and related cellular events represents a golden opportunity to deepen the understanding of the function of Mtb lipids in membrane-dictated bacterial survival, pathogenesis, and drug resistance.</li>
<li>Scientists are also investigating the role of Mtb lipids in drug-membrane interactions, underscored by the fact that lipids critically dictate the molecular interactions of drugs with membranes influencing drug diffusion, partitioning, and accumulation.</li>
<li>Membrane structures specific to mycobacterial lipids have also been developed which can act as &lsquo;cell-free&rsquo; platforms for <strong>anti-tubercular (relating to TB) drug interactions.</strong> They would help in:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Investigating antibiotic interactions with mycobacterial (causative agent of Tuberculosis) specific membranes for <strong>future antibiotic design.</strong></li>
<li>Shaping the <strong>effectiveness</strong> of already existing anti-TB drug molecules and fostering development of new ones.</li>
<li>Investigation of host <strong>cellular pathways</strong> rewired by pathogenic factors and elucidate possible <strong>therapeutic targets in Tuberculosis.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607152" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/role-of-lipids-in-infectious-diseases'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'GreenCo Rating System',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Green Companies (GreenCo) Rating System has been developed by the <strong>Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).</strong></li>
<li>The system evaluates the companies on <strong>10 broad green parameters,</strong> including GreenHouse Gases (GHG) reduction, renewable energy use etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Accordingly, <strong>ratings</strong> are provided which remain valid for <strong>three years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is the <strong>"first of its kind in the world"</strong> holistic framework that evaluates companies on the environmental friendliness of their activities using a <strong>life cycle approach.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The life cycle approach considers product design, materials used, procurement, vendor management, logistics, packaging, manufacturing, distribution, product use, disposal and recycling.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Its <strong>mission is to facilitate</strong> Indian industry to make a substantial improvement in their environmental performance thereby saving both natural and financial resources.</li>
<li>It has been acknowledged in India's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/conference-of-the-parties-cop-24" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)</strong> </a>document, submitted to the <strong>United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)</strong> in 2015, as a proactive voluntary action of Indian industry/ private sector towards combating climate change.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CII is a <strong>non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization.</strong> It was founded in 1895.</li>
<li>It works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India, partnering industry, Government, and civil society, through advisory and consultative processes.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1606973" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/greenco-rating-system'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Revival Of SAARC',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/coronavirus-india-saarc-6317511/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Drawing together&rdquo;</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/from-virtual-conferencing-to-real-leadership/article31085140.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;From virtual conferencing to real leadership&rdquo;</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/india-has-done-well-to-revive-saarc-opinion/story-ax17bHXpQHzfgEPK7AaDHP.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;India has done well to revive SAARC&rdquo;</strong></a>. It talks of India's regional efforts that can lead to the revival of SAARC.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, Prime Minister of India proposed to set up a <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC)</a> Emergency Fund</strong> ($10 million) and formation of a <strong>Rapid Response Team</strong> (of doctors, specialists, testing equipment and attendant infrastructure) in order to combat <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19.</strong></a></p>
<p>Though, this initiative may or may not fully succeed in eradicating the epidemic, in a densely-populated South Asia which has very poor public health awareness and infrastructure. However, this may have prompted the reactivation and revival of the SAARC.</p>
<h3>Problems faced by SAARC nations vis-a-vis Coronavirus</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Maldives and Sri Lanka highlighted the massive economic impact of the dramatic decline of tourism that is a major source of revenue and employment.</li>
<li>Land-locked Afghanistan is struggling to cope with the open border with virus-infected Iran and Pakistan&rsquo;s decision to close the border through which much of the nation&rsquo;s trade flows occur.</li>
<li>Apart from this, many SAARC countries share borders with China, the place where the virus originated.</li>
<li>Also, the population density in Indian subcontinent is very high, so there are more chances of rapid transmission of infection.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Idea of SAARC</h3>
<p>In 1980's the idea of SAARC was initiated by General Zia Ur Rehman of Bangladesh, which resulted in the first summit of the seven leaders of the region in 1985. Later, Afghanistan joined in 2007. However, in the nearly 35 years of its existence, SAARC has not lived up to its promise of regional integration.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>South Asia is the world&rsquo;s least integrated region; less than 5% of the trade of SAARC countries is within.</li>
<li>A South Asian Free Trade Zone, which was agreed on in 2006, has not been materialised yet.</li>
<li>The 19th SAARC summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in November 2016, was postponed after the terrorist attacks in Uri; none has been held since then.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why SAARC failed?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Most of the smaller states and external players believe that the India-Pakistan conflict has undermined SAARC.</li>
<li>The reasons for a dysfunctional SAARC:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bilateral issues cannot be discussed in SAARC but since the organisation relies on the principle of unanimity for all major decisions, Pakistan has often vetoed the major initiatives proposed at SAARC. For example, <strong>SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement proposed at Kathmandu summit, 2014.</strong></li>
<li>For India, Pakistan&rsquo;s use of terror as an instrument of foreign policy has made normal business impossible.</li>
<li>Dispute between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the Durand line, is also a reason.</li>
<li>Also, India&rsquo;s economic position vis-a vis other SAARC countries, creates an impression of India being a big brother rather than a strategic partner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Trust in Indo-Pakistan relations:</strong> After the deadly terror attack on the Indian security forces at Uri in 2016, India refused to engage with the SAARC.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since then, the SAARC has become almost marginal to the regions' collective consciousness and other organisations such as the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/drishti-specials-important-international-bimstec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)</strong></a> came into the forefront.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Should India continue to neglect SAARC over BIMSTEC?</h3>
<p>The two organisations&mdash;SAARC and BIMSTEC&mdash;focus on geographically overlapping regions. However, this does not make them equal alternatives.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SAARC is a purely regional organisation, whereas BIMSTEC is interregional and connects both South Asia and ASEAN. BIMSTEC provides SAARC countries a unique opportunity to connect with ASEAN.</li>
<li>Further, the scope of BIMSTEC has been undermined by China.Thailand and Myanmar are now economically and strategically closer to China. Apart from it, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also have extensive economic engagement with China and are struggling to work out balancing strategies between India and China.</li>
<li>The revival of SAARC will also facilitate India&rsquo;s neighbourhood policy in meeting the challenge of regional strategic encroachment by China through its Belt and Road Initiative.</li>
<li>Thus, insofar as their regions of interest overlap, SAARC and BIMSTEC complement each other in terms of functions and goals. . The success of BIMSTEC does not render SAARC pointless; it only adds a new chapter in regional cooperation in South Asia.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>BIMSTEC vs SAARC</strong></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100.416%; height: 261px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="height: 19px; width: 100px;"><strong>SAARC</strong></td>
<td style="height: 19px; width: 100px;"><strong>BIMSTEC</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;">
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 49px; width: 100px;" rowspan="6">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A regional organisation looking into integrating South Asia.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 49px; width: 100px;" rowspan="6">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Interregional organisation connecting South Asia and SouthEast Asia.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"></tr>
<tr style="height: 28px;"></tr>
<tr style="height: 45px;">
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Established in 1985; a product of the Cold War era.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Established in 1997 in the post-Cold War.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 45px;">
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Member countries suffer from mistrust and suspicion.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Members maintain reasonably friendly relations.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 45px;">
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Suffers from regional politics.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Member countries share strategic trust amongst each other.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 45px;">
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 28px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Asymmetric power balance.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 28px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Balancing of power with the presence of Thailand and India on the bloc.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 45px;">
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 27px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Intra-regional trade only 5%</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 27px; width: 100px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Intra-regional trade has increased by around 6% in a decade</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The tragedy of Covid-19 may provide an opportunity for India to demonstrate its compassionate face to secure a region at peace with itself. This emergency fund is a step in reviving SAARC which has been dysfunctional till now, is a reiteration of India&rsquo;s prompt and decisive support to the neighbours at the time of facing natural disasters. However, the dream of New South Asia requires much more diplomatic and political will.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f0edd3;">
<p><em><strong><span style="color: #003366;">Drishti Mains Question</span></strong></em></p>
<p>The success of BIMSTEC does not overshadow the role of SAARC in contemporary international relations. Critically analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revival-of-saarc'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'APEDA signs MoU with SFAC',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority</a> (APEDA)</strong> has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-producer-bodies-need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium</a> (SFAC)</strong> to bring in better synergy in the agricultural activities.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>APEDA has been in dialog with SFAC for <strong>linking of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), farmers&rsquo; cooperatives to the export value chain</strong> through quality production as per the requirement of importing countries.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agri-export-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agri Export Policy</strong></a> announced by Government of India with <strong>Farmers&rsquo; Centric Approach</strong> suggests for developing product specific clusters in the country to help improve productivity and quality of the varieties of crops with special involvement of FPOs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FPOs are an <strong>institutional innovation</strong> to help small holders to reduce cost of produce by procuring necessary inputs in bulk at wholesale rates, aggregation of produce and bulk transport reducing marketing cost etc. and extend their reach to modern technology and distant markets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Policy also aims at<strong> addressing the obstacles faced by FPOs</strong> through organisations like SFAC to expand its network.</li>
<li>The <strong>joint collaboration</strong> will enable SFAC and APEDA to reach a large farmer base for improving the production base of agri products <strong>quantitatively and qualitatively.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will maintain the consistency of supply and establish an image of quality suppliers in the International market leading to increase in export volume and value, contributing indirectly to doubling of farmers&rsquo; income.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an<strong> authority established under an act of Parliament</strong> and under the administrative control of the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry,</strong> Government of India.</li>
<li>It has been mandated with the <strong>responsibility of export promotion and development of the scheduled products</strong> viz. fruits, vegetables, meat products, dairy products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages etc.</li>
<li>APEDA has also been entrusted with the <strong>responsibility to monitor import of sugar.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>autonomous society promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers&rsquo; Welfare.</strong></li>
<li>It is a pioneer in <strong>organising small and marginal farmers</strong> as Farmers Interest Groups, Farmers Producers Organisation (FPOs) and Farmers Producers Company for endowing them with bargaining power and economies of scale.</li>
<li>It provides a <strong>platform for increased accessibility and cheaper availability of agricultural inputs</strong> to small and marginal farmers and in establishing forward and backward linkages in supply chain management.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1606913" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/apeda-signs-mou-with-sfac'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Procurement of Indigenous Tejas Fighter Aircraft',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved procurement of 83 of the more <strong>advanced Mk1A version of the Tejas aircraft.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The procurement will be a major <strong>boost to 'Make in India'</strong> as the aircraft is indigenously designed, developed and manufactured.</li>
<li>The DAC has also approved an amendment to the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016.</li>
<li>This will bring about more <strong>transparency in costs and compress the timelines</strong> for negotiation of the contract.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tejas</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tejas is a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/advanced-medium-combat-aircraft" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Light Combat Aircraft.</strong></a></li>
<li>It is<strong> indigenously-designed</strong> by Aircraft Development Agency (ADA) under the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)</strong></a> and <strong>manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Defence Acquisition Council</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DAC is the <strong>highest decision-making body</strong> in the Defence Ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the <strong>three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) and the Indian Coast Guard.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Minister of Defence</strong> is the <strong>Chairman</strong> of the Council.</li>
<li>It was formed, after the Group of Ministers <strong>recommendations on 'Reforming the National Security System', in 2001, post Kargil War (1999).</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1606941" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/procurement-of-indigenous-tejas-fighter-aircraft'
	]
]
$updates = object(Cake\ORM\Query) {

	'(help)' => 'This is a Query object, to get the results execute or iterate it.',
	'sql' => 'SELECT articles.article_id AS `articles__article_id`, articles.category_id AS `articles__category_id`, articles.title AS `articles__title`, articles.description AS `articles__description`, articles.shortdescription AS `articles__shortdescription`, articles.featuredimage AS `articles__featuredimage`, articles.tag_id AS `articles__tag_id`, articles.secondary_tag AS `articles__secondary_tag`, articles.type AS `articles__type`, articles.publishon AS `articles__publishon`, articles.posturl AS `articles__posturl`, articles.metatitle AS `articles__metatitle`, articles.metadescription AS `articles__metadescription`, articles.metakeyword AS `articles__metakeyword`, articles.status AS `articles__status`, articles.sort_order AS `articles__sort_order`, articles.addedby AS `articles__addedby`, articles.updatedby AS `articles__updatedby`, articles.added AS `articles__added`, articles.modified AS `articles__modified`, articles.whatsnewid AS `articles__whatsnewid`, articles.display_printpdf AS `articles__display_printpdf`, articles.display_comments AS `articles__display_comments`, articles.pdf_name AS `articles__pdf_name`, articles.display_archive AS `articles__display_archive` FROM articles articles WHERE status = :c0 ORDER BY publishon desc LIMIT 10',
	'params' => [
		':c0' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		]
	],
	'defaultTypes' => [
		'articles__article_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.article_id' => 'integer',
		'article_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__category_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.category_id' => 'integer',
		'category_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__title' => 'string',
		'articles.title' => 'string',
		'title' => 'string',
		'articles__description' => 'text',
		'articles.description' => 'text',
		'description' => 'text',
		'articles__shortdescription' => 'string',
		'articles.shortdescription' => 'string',
		'shortdescription' => 'string',
		'articles__featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles.featuredimage' => 'string',
		'featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles__tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.tag_id' => 'integer',
		'tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles.secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles__type' => 'integer',
		'articles.type' => 'integer',
		'type' => 'integer',
		'articles__publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles.publishon' => 'datetime',
		'publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles__posturl' => 'string',
		'articles.posturl' => 'string',
		'posturl' => 'string',
		'articles__metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles.metatitle' => 'string',
		'metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles__metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles.metadescription' => 'string',
		'metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles__metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles.metakeyword' => 'text',
		'metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles__status' => 'integer',
		'articles.status' => 'integer',
		'status' => 'integer',
		'articles__sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles.sort_order' => 'integer',
		'sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles__addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.addedby' => 'integer',
		'addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.updatedby' => 'integer',
		'updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.added' => 'timestamp',
		'added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.modified' => 'timestamp',
		'modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles.whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_comments' => 'integer',
		'display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles__pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles.pdf_name' => 'string',
		'pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles__display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_archive' => 'integer',
		'display_archive' => 'integer'
	],
	'decorators' => (int) 0,
	'executed' => false,
	'hydrate' => true,
	'buffered' => true,
	'formatters' => (int) 0,
	'mapReducers' => (int) 0,
	'contain' => [],
	'matching' => [],
	'extraOptions' => [],
	'repository' => object(App\Model\Table\ArticlesTable) {}

}
$page = (int) 109
$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 286
$title = 'Search'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
$i = (int) 2017
$selected = ''
$m = (int) 13
$month = 'December'

include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp, line 100
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/articlebox.ctp, line 5
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Search/index.ctp, line 85
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 765
Cake\Controller\Controller::render() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 623
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 125
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 93

Achievers Corner

Prelims

Mains & Interview

Current Affairs

Drishti Specials

Free Downloads

Test Series

Videos

Search

Search list matched with tags “class”