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Mission Sagar

Why in News India has sent Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari, carrying food items and medical assistance teams, to countries in the southern Indian...

11 May 2020 News Analysis
Financial Inclusion

This article is based on “Financial Inclusion and Digital India: A Critical Assessment” which was published in The Economic and...

09 May 2020 News Editorials
Year End Review 2019- Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

Important Schemes and Policies National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) Program Provides for collection of user fee through FASTags based on...

09 May 2020 Paper 2
New Road to Kailash Mansarovar

Why in News Recently, the Defence Minister of India has inaugurated a new 80-km road in Uttarakhand connecting the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and...

09 May 2020 News Analysis
Financial Help by AIIB to India

Why in News Recently, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved US$ 500 million for ‘Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health...

09 May 2020 News Analysis
Relevance of the Consol Bonds amid Covid-19

Why in News The Covid-19 pandemic and consequential national lockdown in the country has laid a grave impact on the Indian economy. Considering...

09 May 2020 News Analysis
Rabindranath Tagore

Why in News The Prime Minister of India paid tributes to Rabindranath Tagore on his 159th Jayanti on 7th May, 2020. Key Points Rabindranath Tagore...

09 May 2020 News Analysis
Olive Ridley Turtles

Why in News Mass hatching of Olive Ridley turtles has begun at Odisha’s Rushikulya rookery (near Ganjam district). The coast of Odisha in...

09 May 2020 News Analysis
World Red Cross Day

Why in News Recently, the World Red Cross Day was celebrated by the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS). Key Points World Red Cross day is observed...

09 May 2020 News Analysis
Surge-type Glaciers

Why in News Scientists from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun have found a seasonal advancement in 220 surging or surge-type...

08 May 2020 News Analysis
In-Depth: Epidemic Diseases Act

Coronavirus infection in India is continuously rising. The states are in a battle mode to control the spread of the virus. There has been a...

08 May 2020 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
Modifications in PMRF Scheme

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Human Resources and Development has carried out various amendments in the Prime Minister’s Research...

08 May 2020 News Analysis
India’s Role In Multilateral World Order

This article is based on “Resuscitating multilateralism with India’s help” which was published in The Hindu on 07/05/2020. It...

08 May 2020 News Editorials
Luhman 16: Binary Brown Dwarf System

Why in News Recently, a group of astrophysicists have found that the closest known brown dwarf, Luhman 16A which shows signs of cloud bands similar...

08 May 2020 News Analysis
Comparison of Measures Against Covid-19

Why in News The Oxford University has created a Stringency Index which shows how strict a country’s measures were and at what stage of the...

08 May 2020 News Analysis
Construction of Rath Yatra Chariots Allowed

Why in News The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has allowed the construction of chariots for the annual Rath Yatra at Jagannath Puri in Odisha. It...

08 May 2020 News Analysis
Black Panther in Netravali Sanctuary

Why in News A black panther was spotted in Goa’s Netravali Sanctuary. While the area is a known habitat of tigers, this is for the first...

08 May 2020 News Analysis
Vizag Gas Leak

Why in News Recently, a gas leak has affected five villages in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The source of the gas leak was a styrene plant...

08 May 2020 News Analysis
FCI Reforms

This article is based on “A grain stockist with a role still relevant” which was published in The Hindu on 05/05/2020. It talks about...

07 May 2020 News Editorials
Development of the Nanomaterials Based Supercapacitors

Why in News Recently, a group of researchers (including a recipient of the INSPIRE Faculty Award) have made significant achievements in developing...

07 May 2020 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'Mission Sagar',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India has sent <strong>Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari,</strong> carrying food items and medical assistance teams, to countries in the southern Indian Ocean to deal with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> as part of a <strong>"Mission Sagar"</strong> initiative.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The countries including <strong>Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles</strong> had requested India for assistance in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles</strong> along with <strong>La Réunion</strong> are part of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-as-an-observer-at-ioc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Commission</strong></a>.<strong> India has recently become an observer</strong> to the Commission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This is the <strong>first time that a single assistance mission is covering all island countries of the western Indian Ocean</strong> in one go — <strong>except Sri Lanka,</strong> for which a second set of medicines have been airlifted.</li>
<li>The assistance<strong> is in line with India’s role as the first responder in the Indian Ocean region.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with her neighbouring countries and further strengthens the existing bond.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The deployment is also in consonance with the Prime Minister's vision of <strong>Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).</strong></li>
<li>Under the Mission, India will <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Deploy <strong>Medical Assistance Teams</strong> in Mauritius and Comoros, helping their Governments deal with Covid emergency and in case of Comoros, with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sharp-drop-in-dengue-cases-in%20-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>dengue fever</strong></a> also.</li>
<li>Deliver <strong>consignments of Covid related essential medicines</strong> to Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles and about 600 tonnes of food items to Maldives. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In addition, in case of Mauritius, a<strong> special consignment of Ayurvedic medicines</strong> is also being sent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The consignments also include <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-revokes-ban-on-export-of-hydroxychloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hydroxychloroquine tablets.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>SAGAR</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)</strong> was launched in 2015. It is India’s strategic vision for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).</li>
<li>Through SAGAR, India seeks to deepen<strong> economic and security cooperation</strong> with its maritime neighbours and assist in building their <strong>maritime security capabilities.</strong></li>
<li>Further, India seeks to safeguard its <strong>national interests</strong> and ensure Indian Ocean region to become<strong> inclusive, collaborative and respect international law.</strong></li>
<li>The key relevance of SAGAR emerges when seen in conjunction with India’s other policies impacting the maritime domain like <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Act East Policy</strong></a>,<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-09th-october-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Project Sagarmala</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-7th-august-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Project Mausam</strong></a>,<strong> India as ‘net security provider’, focus on</strong> <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/blue-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Blue Economy</strong></a> etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=203932" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Financial Inclusion',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.epw.in/engage/article/financial-inclusion-and-digital-india-critical" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Financial Inclusion and Digital India: A Critical Assessment&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Economic and Political Weekly on 29/04/2020. It talks about impact and challenges pertaining to financial inclusion.</p>
</div>
<p>Financial inclusion may be defined as the process of ensuring access to financial services and timely and adequate credit where needed by vulnerable groups such as weaker sections and low income groups at an affordable cost.</p>
<p>In a diverse country like India, financial inclusion is a critical part of the development process. Since independence, the combined efforts of successive governments, regulatory institutions, and the civil society have helped in increasing the financial-inclusion net in the country.</p>
<p>The state of financial inclusion has improved considerably over time. However, the financial inclusion<strong> hasn&rsquo;t reached the poorest of the poor</strong> and there exist many bottlenecks and challenges which need immediate attention.</p>
<p>Thus, there exists both a great need and the potential to tap into the unbanked population and bring them into the financial net.</p>
<h3>Financial Inclusion Initiatives</h3>
<p><strong>Jan Dhan-Aadhar-Mobile (JAM) Trinity</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The combination of Aadhaar, PMJDY, and a surge in mobile communication has reshaped the way citizens access government services.</li>
<li>As per the estimates in March 2020, the total number of beneficiaries under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-6th-september-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jan Dhan scheme</strong> </a>have been more than 380 million.</li>
<li>By significantly changing the concept of individual identity, Aadhaar has not only brought about a secure and easily verifiable system but also easy to obtain as well to help in the financial inclusion process.</li>
<li>The government has also launched many flagship schemes to promote financial inclusion and provide financial security to empower the poor and unbanked in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These include the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mudra-scheme-and-employment" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana</strong></a>, <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-start-up-india-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stand-Up India Scheme</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/woes-of-migrants-amid-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana</a></strong>, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, and Atal Pension Yojana.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Expansion of financial services in Rural and Semi-Urban Areas</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) have taken initiatives to promote financial inclusion in rural areas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These include the opening of bank branches in remote areas.</li>
<li>Issuing Kisan Credit Cards (KCC)</li>
<li>Linkage of self-help groups (SHGs) with banks.</li>
<li>Increasing the number of automated teller machines (ATMs)</li>
<li>Business correspondents model of Banking, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Promotion of Digital Payments</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With the strengthening of the <strong>Unified Payment Interface (UPI)</strong> by NPCI, digital payments have been made secure, compared to the past.</li>
<li>The Aadhar-enabled payment system (AEPS) enables an Aadhar enabled bank account (AEBA) to be used at any place and at any time, using micro ATMs.</li>
<li>The payment system has been made more accessible due to offline transaction-enabling platforms, like <strong>Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)</strong>, which makes it possible to use mobile banking services without internet, even on a basic mobile handset.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Enhancing Financial Literacy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Reserve Bank of India has undertaken a project titled <strong>"Project Financial Literacy".</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Objective of the project is to disseminate information regarding the central bank and general banking concepts to various target groups, including, school and college going children, women, rural and urban poor, defence personnel and senior citizens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pocket Money</strong> is Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM&rsquo;s) flagship programme aimed at increasing financial literacy among school students. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The objective is to help school students understand the value of money and the importance of saving, investing and financial planning.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Financial Inclusion: Success Story</h3>
<p><strong>Increased Access to Banks</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the World Bank&rsquo;s Global Financial Inclusion Database or Global Findex report (2017), 80% Indian adults have a bank account against the 53% estimated in 2014.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Findex 2017 report also estimates that 77% Indian women have bank accounts, against 43% in 2014.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Multiplier Effect</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These initiatives have brought about major changes to increase the last-mile connectivity of financial services to its people.</li>
<li>By providing access to financial resources to underprivileged and marginalised sections of society, financial inclusion has the potential to reduce poverty, create jobs, among others.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Enhancing Active Participation of Citizenry</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earlier, private institutions did not engage with the poor as customers on a significant scale.</li>
<li>This has now changed, and there has been an active participation of the private players (payment banks like paytm, airtel money and jio money), as they have also realised that bringing the poor into the financial net is beneficial to their business models as well.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Integration of Financial Services</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The convergence of JAM trinity with the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme has largely been successful.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this, there has been a significant improvement in terms of targeted and accurate payments.</li>
<li>It has also helped in weeding out duplication of entries, and bringing down the reliance on cash mode of payments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Non-Universal Access to Bank Accounts</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bank accounts are a gateway to all financial services. But, according to a report by the World Bank, about 190 million adults in India do not have a bank account, making India the world&rsquo;s second largest nation in terms of unbanked population after China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital Divide</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The most common barriers to the adoption of digital technology which may promote financial inclusion:</li>
<li>Non-availability of suitable financial products</li>
<li>Lack of skills among the stakeholders to use digital services</li>
<li>Infrastructural issues</li>
<li>Low-income consumers who are not able to afford the technology required to access digital services</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implement Deficit</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For instance, the Jan Dhan scheme has resulted in the opening of many dormant accounts which never saw actual banking transactions.</li>
<li>All such activities incur costs on the institutions, and thus, huge operative costs only proved to be detrimental to the actual objective.</li>
<li>To avoid these counterproductive outcomes, it is important that all stakeholders participate in such programmes with proper intent and not just for the sake of it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Informal and Cash-Dominated Economy</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is the heavily dominated cash economy, this poses a challenge for digital payment adoption.</li>
<li>Also, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), about 81% of the employed persons in India work in the informal sector.</li>
<li>The combination of a huge informal sector along with a high dependence on cash mode of transaction poses an impediment to digital financial inclusion</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gender Gap in Financial Inclusion</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the 2017 Global Findex database, 83% of males above 15 years of age in India held accounts at a financial institution in 2017 compared to 77% females.</li>
<li>This is attributed to socio-economic factors, including the availability of mobile handset and internet data facility being higher among men than women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Credit Penetration</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One of the main constraints in providing credit to low-income households and informal businesses is the lack of information available with formal creditors to determine their credit worthiness. This results in a high cost of credit.</li>
<li>Due to this, in 2016, the number of loan accounts per 1,000 adults was 154 in India. This is quite low when compared to similarly placed economies like BRICS nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps to be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reviving Banking Correspondent Model</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Given the infeasibility of locating branches in every nook and corner of the country, bank correspondents are used to reach out to prospective clients. However, an inadequate compensation structure makes correspondent banking unattractive.</li>
<li>Thus, there is a need to create better monetary incentives for banking correspondents as well as to provide them better training.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Leveraging JAM Trinity</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Technology should be used to improve the assessment of credit-worthiness for households and informal businesses.</li>
<li>With the adoption of appropriate technology a new data-sharing framework (using Jan Dhan and Aadhaar platforms), to enable easier access to credit, with adequate safeguards for maintaining data privacy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need For Data Protection Regime</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In addition to greater digitization, there is also a need to strengthen cyber security and data protection regime in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Leveraging Differentiated Banks</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Differentiated Banks like Payment banks and small finance banks can be leveraged to scale up payments systems in underserved areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promoting USSD for Rural Areas</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Payments through the USSD channel should be promoted (by reimbursing the charges incurred in the USSD process), as they have an advantage over the internet in that it can also cover a large proportion of non-smartphone users.</li>
<li>In India, USSD can be particularly useful in rural areas where some segments still do not have reliable access to the internet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>For the success of financial inclusion in India, there has to be a multidimensional approach through which existing digital platforms, infrastructure, human resources, and policy frameworks are strengthened and new technological innovations should be promoted.</p>
<p>If adequate measures are taken to tide over the existing problems, financial inclusion has the potential to amplify the benefits of economic growth to the poor.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589025674_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589025674_image1.jpg" caption="false" width="768" height="721" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
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<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #faffeb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Financial inclusion is one of the most important cornerstones of an economy. Discuss its implications and challenges faced by India in the path of financial inclusion.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UF7ixCcKiHA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/toxic-disaster-the-hindu-editorial-on-visakhapatnam-gas-leak/article31529093.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Toxic disaster&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on May 8th, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube Channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/financial-inclusion-4'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Year End Review 2019- Ministry of Road Transport & Highways',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<h3>Important Schemes and Policies</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-transactions-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) Program</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Provides for collection of user fee through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/all-about-the-fastag" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FASTags based on RFID technology.</strong> </a></li>
<li>In order to save fuel, time and pollution and to ensure seamless movement of traffic, it has been decided to enable all lanes in Fee Plazas for electronic toll collection program through FASTags.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NETC was <strong>developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)</strong> in 2016 for electronic toll collection at toll plazas using FASTag.</li>
<li>FASTag is a device that employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly while the vehicle is in motion.</li>
<li>FASTag (RFID Tag) is affixed on the windscreen of the vehicle and enables a customer to make the toll payments directly from the account which is linked to FASTag.</li>
<li>RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tagging is a system that uses small radio frequency detection devices for identification and tracking purposes.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/integrated-road-accident-database-irad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Integrated Road Accident Database</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A State Support Programme aimed at incentivising the States to improve their road safety performance is proposed to be launched to reduce the overall fatalities by road accidents by 25% by 2024.</li>
<li>With a view to accurately recording the accident details so that timely corrective action is undertaken a Geo-Tagged accident data collection programme would be launched under the project &ldquo;Integrated Road Accident Database (IRAD)&rdquo;.</li>
<li>IT based road safety infrastructure would be erected on all the four lane and above Highways. Incidence management systems shall also be provided on all such Highways.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-motor-vehicles-bill-for-road-safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is the principal instrument through which road transport is regulated in the country.</strong> It has been amended by the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, passed by the Parliament in August 2019.</li>
<li>The Act will bring reforms in the area of Road Safety, bring citizen facilitation, transparency, and reduce corruption with the help of information technology and removing intermediaries.</li>
<li>The Act will strengthen public transport, safeguard and protect Good Samaritan and reform the insurance and compensation regime.</li>
<li>It will allow innovation and new technologies such as driverless vehicles, to be tested in live environment and increase efficiency in research.</li>
<li>The Act will facilitate Divyang by allowing motor vehicles to be converted to adapted vehicles with post-facto approval and facilitating licence to drive adapted vehicles.</li>
<li>The provisions of compensation and post &ndash; accident treatment have been amended and measures will be taken provide cashless treatment for accident victims.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Road Safety Initiatives in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Road Safety Policy</strong> outlines various policy measures such as promoting awareness, establishing a road safety information database, encouraging safer road infrastructure including application of intelligent transport, enforcement of safety laws etc.</li>
<li><strong>National Road Safety Council</strong> as the apex body to take policy decisions in matters of road safety.</li>
<li>A dashboard for road accident data, through which people can access related data and other information both state-wise and the national averages, has been introduced.</li>
<li><strong>VAHAN</strong> (an ICT-based solution for vehicle registration) and<strong> SARATHI</strong> (for licencing) apps have been launched to curb malpractices in issuing licences and vehicle registration.</li>
<li><strong>Setu Bharatam Programme</strong> to make all national highways free of railway crossings by 2019.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-road-transport-highways'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'New Road to Kailash Mansarovar',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Defence Minister of India</strong> has inaugurated a new <strong>80-km road in Uttarakhand</strong> connecting the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/disputed-territories-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Line of Actual Control</strong></a> (LAC) and opening a new route for <strong>Kailash Mansarovar yatra</strong> via<strong> Lipulekh Pass (China border)</strong>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is scheduled to be completed by December 2022 and will significantly reduce the travel time for pilgrims.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Link Road is named as the <strong>Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra Route</strong> under which the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bro-opens-rohtang-pass" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Border Roads Organisation</strong></a> (BRO) achieved road connectivity from <strong>Dharchula (Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand) to Lipulekh.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lipulekh Pass also known as <strong>Lipu-Lekh Pass/Qiangla or Tri-Corner</strong> is a high altitude mountain pass situated in the <strong>western Himalayas</strong> with a height of 5,334 metre or 17,500 feet.</li>
<li>It is an <strong>International mountain pass</strong> between <strong>India, China and Nepal.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The road was made under directions of the<strong> China Study Group</strong> (CSG) and is funded by <strong>Indo-China Border Road</strong> (ICBR).</li>
<li>It was approved by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-committees-formed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cabinet Committee</strong></a> <strong>on Security</strong> (CCS) in <strong>2005.</strong></li>
<li>The last 5-km of the road could not be finished due to a <strong>temporary ban</strong> placed on the <strong>last-mile connectivity</strong> in 2016 by the <strong>Director General Military Operations,</strong> which is yet to be lifted.</li>
<li><strong>Advantages:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the<strong> shortest and cheapest route</strong> with just <strong>one-fifth distance</strong> of road travel as compared to other old routes. The other route is via Sikkim.</li>
<li>There is<strong> no air travel involved</strong> and the <strong>majority of the travel (84%) is in India</strong> and only 16% in China compared to other routes where 80% road travel is in China.</li>
<li>Except for a 5-km trek, <strong>whole travel will be on vehicles</strong> reducing the 5-day trek to 2- days road travel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kailash Mansarovar</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To Hindus it is the <strong>earthly embodiment</strong> of the dominant mountain of heaven, Meru, and the residence of <strong>Lord Shiva</strong> and his consort Goddess Parvati.</li>
<li>The Kailash range&rsquo;s supreme peak lies in the <strong>Chinese-occupied Tibet</strong> at the height of <strong>6,675 meters.</strong></li>
<li>The pilgrimage to <strong>Kailash</strong> and to the sacred <strong>Mansarover</strong> lake that lies 30 km to its south, is run exclusively by a government organization, the <strong>Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam</strong> (KMVN).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The organization works in collaboration with the Government of India&rsquo;s Ministry of External Affairs and the Government of China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rajnath-singh-inaugurates-new-road-to-kailash-mansarovar/article31533372.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/new-road-to-kailash-mansarovar'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Financial Help by AIIB to India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1622145" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)</strong></a> has approved <strong>US$ 500 million</strong> for <strong>&lsquo;Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project&rsquo;</strong> initiated by India.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The project is expected to help India to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and strengthen its public health preparedness.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project intends to<strong> slow down and limit the spread</strong> of Covid-19 in India.</li>
<li>It includes an immediate support for enhancement of disease detection capacities, oxygen delivery systems and medicines among others.</li>
<li>The project also strives to strengthen India&rsquo;s<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/integrated-disease-surveillance-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP)</strong></a> and the capacity to effectively <strong>manage future disease outbreaks.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>IDSP aims to strengthen/maintain decentralized laboratory based and IT enabled disease surveillance systems for epidemic prone diseases to monitor disease trends.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It also aims to develop capacity and systems <strong>to detect existing and emerging <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/zoonotic-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener">zoonoses</a> </strong>and upgrade viral research and diagnostic laboratories for testing and research.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As around <strong>75% of new infectious diseases</strong> begin with <strong>human-to-animal contacts.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Beneficiaries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project will cover all States and Union Territories across India and address the needs of infected people, at-risk populations, medical and emergency personnel and service providers, medical and testing facilities, and national and animal health agencies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Finances:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project is being financed by the World Bank and AIIB in the amount of $1.5 billion, of which $1.0 billion will be provided by the World Bank and $500 million will be provided by AIIB.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will be implemented by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-mission-and-janani-suraksha-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Health Mission (NHM)</strong></a>, the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-centre-for-disease-control-ncdc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)</a></strong> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NHM was launched by the government of India in 2013 subsuming the National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban Health Mission.</li>
<li>NCDC functions as the nodal agency in the country for disease surveillance facilitating prevention and control of communicable diseases under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.</li>
<li>ICMR is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a <strong>multilateral development bank</strong> with a mission to improve <strong>social and economic</strong> outcomes in<strong> Asia.</strong></li>
<li>It is established by the AIIB<strong> Articles of Agreement</strong> (entered into force Dec. 25, 2015) which is a multilateral treaty. The Parties (57 founding members) to agreement comprise the Membership of the Bank.</li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered</strong> in <strong>Beijing</strong> and began its operations in January 2016.</li>
<li><strong>India</strong> joined AIIB in <strong>2016</strong> as a <strong>regional member</strong> of the Bank.</li>
<li>The members of the Bank have now grown to 102 approved members worldwide.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, fourteen of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/virtual-g20-leaders-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G-20 nations</strong></a> are AIIB members including France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>By investing in sustainable infrastructure and other productive sectors in Asia and beyond, it connects people, services and markets that over time will impact the lives of billions and build a better future.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1622145" 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/financial-help-by-aiib-to-india'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Relevance of the Consol Bonds amid Covid-19',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> and consequential national lockdown in the country has laid a grave impact on the Indian economy.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Considering the above scenario, the <strong>large stimulus needs to be introduced</strong> by the government to pull back the economy where the required stimulus will exceed the current revenue receipts of the government.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> stimulus</strong> refers to attempts to use monetary or fiscal policy (or stabilization policy in general) to stimulate the economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Thus, an introduction of a<strong> Consol Bond</strong> is one of the solutions for the government to fund the stimulus.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Background</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/union-budget-2020-21-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Budget (2020)</a> </strong>before the pandemic, India projected a <strong>deficit of Rs.7.96-lakh crore.</strong></li>
<li>Further, the financial deficit is expected to <strong>increase</strong> by a wide margin due to <strong>revenue shrinkage</strong> from the coming depression accompanied by a <strong>lack of disinvestment.</strong></li>
<li>Though, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-economic-relief-package" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the government and RBI have announced various economic measures</strong> </a>to deal with the economic impact of nationwide lockdown but these measures are considered to be inadequate.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In addition to the planned expenditure, the government needs to spend nearly Rs.5-lakh crore and Rs.6-lakh crore as stimulus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Consol Bonds</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Consol bond (also known as <strong>perpetual bond</strong>) is a <strong>fixed income security with no maturity date.</strong></li>
<li>It is often considered a<strong> type of equity, rather than debt.</strong></li>
<li>The major benefit of these bonds is that they <strong>pay a steady stream of interest</strong> payments forever. However, <strong>these bonds can be redeemed at issuer's discretion.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Notable Existence of Consol Bonds in the History:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The console bonds were majorly used by the British government during <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-war-I-centenary" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World War-I.</strong></a></li>
<li>The bonds were issued in <strong>1917</strong> as the British government sought to raise more money to finance the ongoing cost of World War-I.</li>
<li>In 2014, the British government, a century after the start of World War-I, paid out 10% of the total outstanding Consol bond debt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Consol Bonds and Current Indian Economic Scenario</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Consol Bonds Instead of PM-CARES:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The introduction of the Consol bonds would have been a better solution for the government if people would have invested in consol bonds instead of making donations to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-cares-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM-CARES.</strong></a> It could have made <strong>citizens as active participants</strong> in handling the economic scenario of the country.</li>
<li>Unlike PM-CARES, the proceeds of the bonds could have been used to <strong>fulfil the various essential medical as well as economic requirements</strong> of the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>One of the Available Solutions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The fall of real estate and given the lack of safe havens outside of gold, the bond would offer a dual benefit as a <strong>risk free investment for retail investors.</strong></li>
<li>An <strong>attractive coupon rate for the bond or tax rebates</strong> can also be an incentive for investors.</li>
<li>The government can consider a phased redemption of these bonds after the economy is put back on a path of high growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-war-like-state-and-a-bond-to-the-rescue/article31521062.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/relevance-of-the-consol-bonds-amid-covid-19'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Rabindranath Tagore',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Prime Minister of India paid tributes to <strong>Rabindranath Tagore on his 159<sup>th</sup> Jayanti on 7<sup>th</sup> May, 2020.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589014438_Quotation-drishti_ias_Rabindranath-Tagore.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img width="551" height="265" class="content-img" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589014438_Quotation-drishti_ias_Rabindranath-Tagore.jpg" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Rabindranath Tagore</strong> was born in Calcutta on May 7, 1861. He was also <strong>referred to as &lsquo;Gurudev&rsquo;, &lsquo;Kabiguru&rsquo;, and &lsquo;Biswakabi&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Regarded as the <strong>outstanding creative artist of modern India</strong> and hailed by W.B Yeats, Rabindranath Tagore was a <strong>Bengali poet, novelist, and painter,</strong> who was highly influential in introducing Indian culture to the west.</li>
<li>Rabindranath was an exceptional<strong> literary figure</strong> and a renowned<strong> polymath</strong> who singlehandedly reshaped the region's literature and music.</li>
<li>In 1913 Rabindranath Tagore was <strong>awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature</strong> for his work on <strong>Gitanjali.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He was the<strong> first non-European to receive the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prizes-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nobel Prize</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 1915 Tagore was <strong>awarded knighthood</strong> by the British King George V. In 1919, following the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jallianwala-bagh-massacre-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jallianwalla Bagh massacre</a></strong> he renounced his Knighthood.</li>
<li>Besides all his literary achievements <strong>he was also a philosopher and educationist</strong> who in 1921 <strong>established the Vishwa-Bharati University,</strong> a university that challenged conventional education.</li>
<li>Rabindranath Tagore was a good friend of <strong>Mahatma Gandhi</strong> and is <strong>said to have given him the title of Mahatma.</strong></li>
<li>Tagore had always stressed that <strong>unity in diversity</strong> is the only possible way for India&rsquo;s national integration.</li>
<li>He not only gave the<strong> national anthems for two countries, India and Bangladesh,</strong> but also <strong>inspired a Ceylonese student of his,</strong> to pen and compose the <strong>national anthem of Sri Lanka.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=202893" 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/rabindranath-tagore'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Olive Ridley Turtles',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Mass hatching of Olive Ridley turtles has begun at Odisha&rsquo;s Rushikulya rookery (near Ganjam district).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>coast of Odisha in India is the largest mass nesting site for the Olive-ridley,</strong> followed by the coasts of Mexico and Costa Rica.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589008914_image.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589008914_image.png" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Features:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Olive ridley turtles are the<strong> smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles</strong> found in the world.</li>
<li>These turtles are <strong>carnivores</strong> and get their name from their olive colored carapace.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong> They are <strong>found in warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Migration:</strong> They migrate thousands of kilometers between feeding and mating grounds in the course of a year.</li>
<li><strong>Arribada (Mass Nesting):</strong> They are best<strong> known for their unique mass nesting called Arribada,</strong> where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They lay their eggs over a period of five to seven days in conical nests about one and a half feet deep which they dig with their hind flippers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They are extensively<strong> poached for their meat, shell and leather, and their eggs.</strong></li>
<li>However, the most severe threat they face is the <strong>accidental killing through entanglement in trawl nets</strong> and <strong>gill nets due to uncontrolled fishing</strong> during their mating season around nesting beaches.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection Status:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>IUCN Red List:</strong> Vulnerable</li>
<li><strong>CITES:</strong> Appendix I</li>
<li>Indian <strong>Wildlife (Protection) Act,</strong> 1972: Schedule I</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Step Taken for Conservation:</strong> To reduce accidental killing in India, the Odisha government has made it mandatory for <strong>trawls to use Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs),</strong> a net specially designed with an exit cover which allows the turtles to escape while retaining the catch.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mass-hatching-of-olive-ridley-turtles-begins-at-odishas-rushikulya-rookery/article31538323.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/olive-ridley-turtles-4'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'World Red Cross Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the World Red Cross Day was celebrated by the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>World Red Cross day is observed on <strong>May 8 on the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant,</strong> who was the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Henry Dunant was also the<strong> recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The main aim of the Red Cross Society is basically to inspire, initiate and encourage all kinds of humanitarian activities under all times and circumstances.</li>
<li><strong>Programmes</strong> conducted by the Red Cross Society can be broadly <strong>categorised into four parts</strong> including the promotion of humanitarian principles and values; disaster response; disaster preparedness; and health and care.</li>
<li>The Red Cross Society is<strong> based on 7 principles</strong> namely, humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary, unity and universality.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Red Cross Society</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IRCS is a<strong> voluntary humanitarian organization</strong> to protect human life and health with the help of its network of over 1100 branches throughout India.</li>
<li>It was <strong>established in 1920</strong> and has completed its 100 years of existence.</li>
<li>It is a<strong> part of</strong> the largest independent humanitarian organisation in the world, the <strong>International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.</strong></li>
<li>Its <strong>mission</strong> is to provide relief at the time of disasters/emergencies and also promotes healthcare facilities among vulnerable people and communities.</li>
<li>The <strong>President of India</strong> is the President and the <strong>Union Health Minister</strong> is the Chairman of the Society.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1622157" 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/world-red-cross-day'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Surge-type Glaciers',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Scientists from the <strong>Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology</strong> (WIHG), Dehradun have found a <strong>seasonal advancement</strong> in 220 <strong>surging</strong> or <strong>surge-type glaciers</strong> in the <strong>Karakoram Range of Ladakh.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>WIHG is an <strong>autonomous institute</strong> under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Surging or Surge-type glaciers are a certain type of glaciers that have <strong>shown advancement in volume and length</strong> over a period of time.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such glaciers <strong>go against the normal trend of considerable reduction in volume and length</strong> of most glaciers in the Himalaya in recent decades.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Surging glaciers <strong>represent 40%</strong> of the<strong> total glaciated area</strong> of the <strong>Karakoram range.</strong></li>
<li>Surging glaciers <strong>do not flow at a constant speed,</strong> rather are subjected to <strong>cyclical flow instabilities.</strong></li>
<li>The oscillation of such glaciers have been broadly classified into two phases:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Active (Surge) Phase-</strong> brief (months to years) rapid flow.</li>
<li><strong>Quiescent Phase-</strong> lengthy (tens to hundreds of years) slow flow or stagnation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was inferred that<strong> surge during winter</strong> is more controlled because there is low amount of meltwater which flows unsteadily underneath the glaciers.</li>
<li>The surging <strong>stops in summer</strong> because of the channelised flow of the melted water.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of Studying Surging Glaciers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Surging glaciers <strong>can lead to the destruction</strong> of villages, roads and bridges.</li>
<li>They can also <strong>advance across a river valley</strong> and <strong>form an ice-dammed lake.</strong> These lakes can form<strong> catastrophic outburst floods.</strong></li>
<li>Therefore, <strong>monitoring</strong> of glacier surges, ice-dammed lake formation and drainage is of <strong>paramount importance.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Glaciers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Masses of ice moving as sheets</strong> over the land <strong>(continental glacier</strong> or<strong> piedmont glacier</strong> if a vast sheet of ice is spread over the plains at the foot of mountains) or as <strong>linear flows down the slopes</strong> of mountains in<strong> broad trough-like valleys</strong> (mountain and valley glaciers) are called <strong>glaciers.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> movement</strong> of glaciers is <strong>slow</strong> unlike water flow ranging from a few centimetres to a few meters per day. Glaciers move basically because of the <strong>force of gravity.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Erosion</strong> by glaciers is <strong>tremendous</strong> because of<strong> friction caused by sheer weight of the ice.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The material plucked from the land by glaciers (usually large-sized angular blocks and fragments) get dragged along the floors or sides of the valleys and cause great <strong>damage through abrasion and plucking.</strong></li>
<li>Glaciers can cause <strong>significant damage to even un-weathered rocks</strong> and can reduce high mountains into low hills and plains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As glaciers continue to move, debris gets removed, <strong>divides get lowered</strong> and <strong>eventually the slope is reduced</strong> to such an extent that <strong>glaciers stop moving,</strong> leaving only a mass of low hills and vast outwash plains along with other depositional features.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/surge-type-glaciers'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'In-Depth: Epidemic Diseases Act',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ViB7D9uKOkU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>Coronavirus infection in India is continuously rising. The states are in a battle mode to control the spread of the virus. There has been a lockdown across the country and all the events postponed.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>All states and Union Territories have been directed to invoke provisions of Section 2 of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/states-to-be-asked-to-invoke-epidemic-disease-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897</strong></a>, so that Health Ministry advisories are enforceable.</li>
<li>The Epidemic Diseases Act consists of four sections and aims to provide for better prevention of the spread of Dangerous Epidemic Diseases.</li>
<li>It is routinely enforced across the country for dealing with the outbreak of diseases such as swine flu, dengue, and cholera.</li>
<li>The colonial-era Act empowers the state governments to take special measures and prescribe regulations in an epidemic.</li>
<li>It is a state act and not a central act.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/epidemic-diseases-act-1897" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Epidemic Diseases Act</strong></a> aims to provide for the better prevention of the spread of dangerous epidemic diseases.</li>
<li>Under the Act, temporary provisions or regulations can be made to be observed by the public to tackle or prevent the outbreak of a disease.</li>
<li>The Act contains four sections.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Section 1:</strong> Describes the title and extent of the Act
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It extends to the whole of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Section 2:</strong> Powers to take special measures
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It empowers the state governments to tackle special measures and formulate regulations to contain the outbreak.</li>
<li>the State may prescribe regulations for the inspection of persons traveling by railway or otherwise, and the segregation, in hospital, temporary accommodation of persons suspected by the inspecting officers to be infected.</li>
<li><strong>Section 2A</strong> of the Act empowers the central government to take steps to prevent the spread of an epidemic.</li>
<li>Health is a State subject, but by invoking Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, advisories and directions of the Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare will be enforceable.</li>
<li>It allows the government to inspect any ship arriving or leaving any post and the power to detain any person intending to sail or arriving in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Section 3:</strong> Penalty for Disobedience
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The penalties for disobeying any regulation or order made under the Act are according to <strong>section 188 of the Indian Penal Code</strong> (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Section 4:</strong> Legal Protection to Implementing Officers:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It gives legal protection to the implementing officers acting under the Act.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Whoever knowing that, by an order promulgated by a public serv&shy;ant lawfully empowered to promulgate such order, disobeys such direction, shall, if such disobedience causes or tends to cause obstruction, annoyance or injury, or risk of obstruction, annoyance or injury, to any person lawfully employed,
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>be punished with simple impris&shy;onment for a term which may extend to one month or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, or with both;</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>And if such disobedience causes or trends to cause danger to human life, health or safety, or causes or tends to cause a riot or affray, shall
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Background</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Epidemic Diseases Bill was tabled on January 28, 1897, during an outbreak of <strong>bubonic plague</strong> in Mumbai (then Bombay).</li>
<li>The existing laws were deemed insufficient to deal with various matters such as &ldquo;overcrowded houses, neglected latrines and huts, accumulations of filth, insanitary cowsheds and stables, and the disposal of house refuse.</li>
<li>The Bill called for special powers for governments of Indian provinces and local bodies, including to check passengers off trains and sea routes.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Amendment to the Act</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ordinance-to-protect-health-workers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cabinet amended the Act through an ordinance</strong></a> stating that commission or abetment of acts of violence against healthcare service personnel shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of three months to five years, and with fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh.</li>
<li>In case of causing grievous hurt, imprisonment shall be for a term of six months to seven years and a fine of Rs1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Enforcement of the Act in the Recent Past</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is not the first time that this Act has been invoked in India.</li>
<li>In 2009, to tackle the swine flu outbreak in Pune, Section 2 powers were used to open screening centers in civic hospitals across the city, and swine flu was declared a notifiable disease.</li>
<li>In 2015 to deal with Malaria and Dengue in Chandigarh the Act was implemented and collecting officers were instructed to issue challans of Rs 500 to offenders.</li>
<li>In 2018 the District Collector of Vadodara issued a notification under the Act, declaring Khedkarmsiya village as Cholera affected after 31 persons complained of the disease.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Epidemics Worldwide</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An epidemic is the rapid spread of disease to a large number of people in a given population within a short period of time. Throughout history, there have been a number of epidemics having a lasting impact on societies.</li>
<li>These are highly communicable diseases that spread through the population in a very short time.</li>
<li>These diseases can be viral, bacterial or other health events like obesity.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Plague of Justinian</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>t is one of the oldest recorded incidents of plague in history.</li>
<li>It afflicted the Byzantine Empire, and especially its capital, Constantinople, between 541-542 A.D.</li>
<li>It recorded the highest number of lives lost in an epidemic in human history with over 100 million people dying, nearly half of the world&rsquo;s population then.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Black Plague</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Black Death, also known as the Pestilence and the Plague, was one of the most fatal pandemics.</li>
<li>It mostly affected Europe in 1346-1350 A.D.</li>
<li>Up to 50 million people died in Eurasia and North Africa from the plague that began in Asia and was carried across the world by rats covered with infected fleas.</li>
<li>It killed 60% of Europe&rsquo;s population</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>HIV AIDS</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The longest-lasting epidemic to date is HIV AIDS which began in 1960 and is still prevalent.</li>
<li>The world became aware of this epidemic only in the 1980s.</li>
<li>Medicine for the treatment of HIV AIDS was not available until 1987.</li>
<li>The Virus is particularly aggressive in Sub-Saharan Africa with 69% of the global infections. Major reasons for the spread being poor economic conditions and little or no sex education.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Other Major Epidemics</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Spanish Flu of 1918 claimed 20 million lives.</li>
<li>Modern Plague (1894-1903) claimed 10 million lives.</li>
<li>Asian Flu (1957-1958) resulted in the death of 2 million people.</li>
<li>The 6<sup>th</sup> Cholera pandemic (1899-1923) resulted in the deaths of 1.5 million people.</li>
<li>The Russian flu (1889-1890) killed 1 million people.</li>
<li>The Hong Kong Flu (1968-1969) killed 1 million people.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps Taken</h3>
<p><strong>Indian Response</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Twenty-one Italian tourists and three Indian tour operators were sent to an ITBP quarantine facility in Delhi after being air-lifted from Wuhan, China for suspected coronavirus exposure.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The batch of 112 evacuees, who were quarantined at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police's Chhawla Quarantine Facility in New Delhi, tested negative in a coronavirus test.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Video Conference of SAARC Leaders:</strong> Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/video-conference-of-saarc-leaders-on-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>virtual leadership summit</strong></a> through the video meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The video conference led to the creation of the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund based on a voluntary contribution from all SAARC members.</li>
<li>Further, $10 million has been extended by India as a contribution to the fund.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global Response</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The COVID-19 outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO on 30<sup>th</sup> January 2020.</li>
<li>According to recommendations by the World Health Organization, the diagnosis of COVID-19 must be confirmed by the Real Time- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCRT-PCR) or gene sequencing for respiratory or blood specimens, as the key indicator for hospitalisation.</li>
<li>$15 million dollars has been released from the UN&rsquo;s Central Emergency Fund to help fund global efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, particularly vulnerable countries with weak health care systems.</li>
<li>Vaccines are being developed.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-epidemic-diseases-act'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Modifications in PMRF Scheme',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Human Resources and Development has carried out various amendments in the <strong>Prime Minister&rsquo;s Research Fellowship Scheme</strong> to boost research in the country.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Prime Minister&rsquo;s Research Fellowship (PMRF) Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In order <strong>to attract meritorious students into research,</strong> Government of India, in 2018 launched Prime Minister&rsquo;s Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme, which offers <strong>direct admission to such students in the Ph.D programmes</strong> in various higher educational institutions in the country.</li>
<li>The scheme is <strong>aimed at attracting the talent pool of the country to doctoral (Ph.D.) programmes</strong> for carrying out <strong>research in cutting edge science and technology domains, with focus on national priorities.</strong></li>
<li>The institutes which can offer PMRF include <strong>all the IITs, IISERs, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru and some of the top Central Universities/NITs</strong> that offer science and/or technology degrees.</li>
<li>A fellowship of Rs.70,000/- per month for the first two years, Rs.75,000/- per month for the 3<sup>rd</sup> year, and Rs.80,000/- per month in the 4<sup>th</sup> and 5<sup>th</sup> year is provided under the scheme.</li>
<li>Apart from this, a<strong> research grant of Rs. 2 lakh per year</strong> is provided to each of the Fellows for a period of 5 years to cover their academic contingency expenses and for foreign/national travel expenses.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Amendments</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Now, students from <strong>any recognized university can apply for the fellowship.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier the fellowship scheme was open only for students from <strong>Central Universities, IITs, IISc, NITs, IISERs, IIEST and IIITs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The requirement of GATE score has also been reduced from 750 to 600.</li>
<li>As per new guidelines there will be<strong> two channels</strong> of entries i.e <strong>direct entry</strong> and <strong>lateral entry.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In lateral entry, the students, <strong>who are pursuing PhD in PMRF granting institutions,</strong> and have completed 12 months or 24 months as per certain requirements, can also apply to become fellow under the scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>National Institute of Technologies (NITs) which appear in top 25 institutions in the National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking can also become PMRF Granting institution.</li>
<li>To boost research a <strong>dedicated Division is being created</strong> in the MHRD with the name of<strong> "Research and Innovation Division".</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This division will be headed by a director who will be coordinating research work of various institutions coming under MHRD.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1621794" 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/modifications-in-pmrf-scheme'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'India’s Role In Multilateral World Order',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/resuscitating-multilateralism-with-indias-help/article31521059.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Resuscitating multilateralism with India&rsquo;s help&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 07/05/2020. It talks about India&rsquo;s role in the revival of declining multilateralism.</p>
</div>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-globalization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong> </a>has highlighted the varying nature of the challenges faced by the world. First, these challenges are <strong>cross-national</strong> in character. They respect no national boundaries and are not amenable to national solutions only. Second, these challenges are <strong>cross-domain</strong> in nature, with strong feedback loops. A disruption in one domain often cascades into parallel disruptions in other domains.</p>
<p>The intersection of cross-national and cross-domain challenges demand multilateral approaches to reach out any solution. However, there has been an upsurge in narrow nationalism, an assertion of parochial interests over the pursuit of global (shared) interests, and a fostering of competition among states rather than embracing collaboration. Thus, multilateralism is possibly at its weakest today.</p>
<p>In this context, Indian Prime Minister remarks that the world is facing a huge challenge in the form of Covid-19 and the way to combat this pandemic is through the resolution of <strong>&lsquo;Collaborate to Create&rsquo;.</strong> Thus, the current pandemic may be an opportunity for India to help revive multilateralism.</p>
<h3>Issues Pertaining to Multilateralism</h3>
<p><strong>Increasing Incidences of Lawfare</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It means the misuse of existing International and national laws by several countries (via forced technology requirements, intellectual property rights violations, and subsidies), to gain an unfair advantage over other countries. For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Paralysis of the World Trade Organization (WTO), due to the tussle between the developed and developing world.</li>
<li>The imposition of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bigger-picture-of-usas-action-against-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>extraterritorial sanction (under CAATSA) by the US</strong></a> has affected development in developing economies like India and China.</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/trade-war-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The trade war between the US and China</strong> </a>has challenged the existing global trade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Dual Use of Global Supply Chain</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Some of the developed countries have jurisdiction and control over global supply chains. Due to growing convergence between commercial interests with strategic goals, these supply chains enables them to have vast extraterritorial influence and has created new power asymmetries. For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China through BRI</strong> </a>is enhancing its role in global economic governance.</li>
<li>The internet has become a distributed system of surveillance.</li>
<li>There are fears pertaining to dual-use (commercial viability and military application) of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Revolution 4.0.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Lack of Global Framework</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The global community has not been able to come on a single platform or frame a Global Agenda on issues related to terrorism, Climate Change, cybersecurity etc.</li>
<li>Also, due to the lack of any global public health framework, Covid-19 has spread into a pandemic.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Role in Reviving Multilateralism</h3>
<p><strong>Shift from Non-Alignment to Multi-Alignment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the Post cold war era, Indian foreign policy has moved from a policy of non-alignment (policy of being neutral with US and USSR blocs) to the policy of Multi-alignment (India is having friendly relations with almost all great powers and developing world).</li>
<li>Multi-alignment is the very essence of India&rsquo;s foreign policy and the economic policy of India today.</li>
<li>This presents an opportunity for India to become a global mediator and help in developing a framework on Global Issues.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Role in International Activism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is a key G-20 member country and the world&rsquo;s fifth-largest economy (and 3rd largest on purchasing power parity) with a long tradition of international activism and promotion of rule-based multilateralism.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s foreign policy is based on the ethos of <strong>&ldquo;Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam&rdquo;</strong> and Good Samaritan. In pursuance of this:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s long-standing commitment to multilateralism can be reflected in the call for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-permanent-seat-in-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>U.N. system reforms.</strong></a></li>
<li>India has taken the lead in promoting various multilateral initiatives like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></a>, proposing <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CCIT for combating terrorism</strong></a>, <strong><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/07-01-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asia-Africa Growth corridor.</a> </strong></li>
<li>India is the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-pharma-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pharmacy to the world</strong> </a>(world&rsquo;s largest producer and exporter of cost-effective generic drugs).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Collaborating with Like-minded Countries</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Working together with a group of countries from the developed and developing countries could further amplify India&rsquo;s voice.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Here, India could work closely with the <strong>Alliance for Multilateralism</strong> (an initiative launched by Germany and France) to shape both the alliance itself and the reform agenda at large.</li>
<li>India must redouble its efforts, along with partners such as the USA, to push for a multi-stakeholder model of internet governance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Alliance for Multilateralism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The &ldquo;Alliance for Multilateralism&rdquo; launched by the French and German Foreign Ministers is an informal network of countries united to promote a rules-based multilateral order for international stability and peace and addressing common challenges.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Alliance aims to renew the global commitment to stabilize the rules-based international order, uphold its principles and adapt it, where necessary.</li>
<li>It aims to protect and preserve international norms, agreements and institutions that are under pressure or in peril.</li>
<li>It seeks to pursue a more proactive agenda in policy areas that lack effective governance and where new challenges require collective action.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Decoupling From China: Opportunity for India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>China has been the factory to the world, but global investors have been seeking a gradual decoupling from China. This is due to the increasing cost of production and the trust deficit in China after Covid-19 pandemic.</li>
<li>This provides India with an opportunity to become the world's manufacturing hub and stable economic power. This will help India in assuming leadership roles and maintaining a stable global economic system.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Despite hardships, India can, and must, take the lead in bringing the world together to practice a new multilateralism that places the common interests of humanity above narrow national interests. In this context, India has taken initiatives to develop a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revival-of-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>joint response in bringing SAARC together to fight the pandemic</strong></a>. This neighbourhood collaboration should be a model for the world.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588937602_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588937602_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="800" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e6edff;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>India is uniquely placed in global politics to take up the leadership role in the framing of a new multilateral world order. Analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PrzWZY_GRMI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/back-home-the-hindu-editorial-on-return-of-indian-expatriates/article31521031.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Back home: On return of Indian expatriates&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 07/05/2020. Now watch this on our Youtube Channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-role-in-multilateral-world-order'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Luhman 16: Binary Brown Dwarf System',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a group of astrophysicists have found that the <strong>closest known brown dwarf, Luhman 16A</strong> which shows signs <strong>of cloud bands</strong> similar to those seen on Jupiter and Saturn.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They used the <strong>technique of polarimetry</strong> to determine the properties of atmospheric clouds outside of the solar system.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Polarimetry</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The concept of polarimetry technique was put forth by Indian astrophysicist Sujan Sengupta, that the <strong>light emitted by a cloudy brown dwarf, or reflected off an extrasolar planet, will be polarised.</strong></li>
<li>Polarimetry is the study of polarization. Polarization is a property of light that represents the direction that the light wave oscillates.</li>
<li>When light is reflected off of particles it can favor a certain angle of polarization. By <strong>measuring the preferred polarization of light</strong> from a distant system, astronomers can deduce the <strong>presence of clouds.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in case of Luhman 16A, the researchers have found the actual structure of the clouds (not only their presence).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The polarimetry technique isn't limited to brown dwarfs. It can also be applied to exoplanets orbiting distant stars, or even stars. However, light from brown dwarfs is ideal for the study.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Luhman 16</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Luhman 16A</strong> is part of a <strong>binary system (Luhman 16)</strong> containing a second brown dwarf, <strong>Luhman 16B.</strong> This pair of brown dwarfs Luhman 16A and Luhman 16B <strong>orbit each other.</strong></li>
<li>It is situated at a distance of about<strong> 6.5 light years</strong> from the Sun and the <strong>third closest system to the Sun after Alpha Centauri and Barnard&rsquo;s star.</strong></li>
<li>Despite the fact that Luhman 16A and 16B have similar masses and temperatures and presumably formed at the same time,<strong> they show markedly different weather.</strong></li>
<li>Luhman 16B shows <strong>no sign of stationary cloud bands,</strong> instead showing evidence of more <strong>irregular, patchy clouds.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Luhman 16B, therefore, has <strong>noticeable brightness variations</strong> as a result of its cloudy features, unlike Luhman 16A which has less brightness variation due to a band of clouds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Understanding the cloud system over a brown dwarf<strong> can shed light on the pressure, temperature and climate</strong> on the surface of the celestial body.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Brown Dwarfs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Brown dwarfs are also called <strong>failed stars,</strong> because <strong>their masses are heavier than planets but lighter than stars.</strong></li>
<li>Due to their small masses, they are unable to <strong>sustain fusion of their hydrogen</strong> to produce energy.</li>
<li>It is believed that some of the more massive brown <strong>dwarfs fuse deuterium or lithium and glow faintly.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Binary Stars System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Binary stars are two stars orbiting a<strong> common center of mass</strong>.</li>
<li>The brighter star is officially classified as the <strong>primary star,</strong> while the dimmer of the two is the <strong>secondary star.</strong> In cases where the stars are of equal brightness, the designation given by the discoverer is respected.</li>
<li>They are very important in astrophysics because <strong>calculations of their orbits allow the masses of their component stars to be directly determined,</strong> which in turn allows other stellar parameters, such as radius and density, to be indirectly estimated.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/band-like-clouds-seen-over-suns-neighbour/article31529668.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/luhman-16-binary-brown-dwarf-system'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Comparison of Measures Against Covid-19',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Oxford University has created a <strong>Stringency Index</strong> which shows how strict a country&rsquo;s measures were and at what stage of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19</strong> </a>spread, it enforced these.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India</strong> enforced <strong>one of the strongest lockdowns at an early phase</strong> of case growth.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Stringency Index</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Government Response Stringency Index</strong> is a composite measure based on various response indicators including school and workplace closures, stay-at-home policies and travel bans, rescaled to a<strong> value from 0 to 100.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A<strong> higher index score</strong> indicates a <strong>higher level of stringency</strong> (100 = strictest response).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is among the metrics used by the <strong>Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker</strong> (OxCGRT).</li>
<li>The Tracker has a team of 100 Oxford community members who update a database of 17 indicators of government response.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Index has found that India has one of the strongest lockdown measures in the world, at a <strong>100 score</strong> since 22<sup>nd</sup> March, when the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>nationwide lockdown</strong> </a>was first imposed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phased-easing-of-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">slightly relaxed</a> </strong>on 20<sup>th</sup> April after the government eased norms for certain workplaces in regions outside the <strong>red zones</strong> (zones with increasing rate of active cases).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Other countries with a 100 score are <strong>Honduras, Argentina, Jordan, Libya, Sri Lanka, Serbia and Rwanda.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Death Curve and Stringency Score:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Index also provides an overlay of countries&rsquo; death curve and their stringency score.</li>
<li>Eighteen countries were<strong> compared for the highest death count at the strongest measures.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Italy, Spain or France saw their deaths just begin to flatten as they reached their highest stringency</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s death curve saw a little or no change after it put stronger measures.</li>
<li>In the UK, the US and India, the death curve has not flattened even after imposition of the strictest measures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Comparison:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India called its<strong> strict lockdown at a much earlier point on its case and death curves</strong> when compared to other countries with similar or higher case load.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While imposing lockdown, India had around 320 cases while others had more than 500 cases.</li>
<li>By 22<sup>nd</sup> March, India saw only 4 deaths while others saw more deaths.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Spain called for its strictest measures later in its case and death count than all others.</li>
<li><strong>Sweden</strong> has had the <strong>most liberal measures</strong> in this set and<strong> Iran</strong> the <strong>second most liberal.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Response on WHO&rsquo;s Recommendations</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The researchers also examined if countries meet four of the six <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization&rsquo;s</strong></a> (WHO) recommendations for relaxing physical distancing measures. The<strong> four of them</strong> are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Control transmission to a level the healthcare system can manage.</li>
<li>The healthcare system can detect and isolate all cases (not just serious ones).</li>
<li>Manage transfer to and from high-risk transmission zones.</li>
<li>Community engagement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was found that <strong>no countries meet the four measured recommendations,</strong> but 20 are close.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India scored 0.7</strong> (below Australia, Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea) because it scored 0 for controlling its cases.</li>
<li>The <strong>highest scorers</strong> on this index, at <strong>0.9,</strong> were<strong> Iceland, Hong Kong, Croatia and Trinidad &amp; Tobago.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/coronavirus-india-lockdown-vs-global-lockdown-covid-19-deaths-cases-cure-6399181/" 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/comparison-of-measures-against-covid-19'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Construction of Rath Yatra Chariots Allowed',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has allowed the construction of chariots for the annual Rath Yatra at Jagannath Puri in Odisha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has also said that the complete segregation of the construction site should be ensured and <strong>social-distancing norms be followed.</strong></li>
<li>The Rath Yatra is expected to be held on 23<sup>rd</sup> June 2020.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Jagannath Rath Yatra</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ratha Jatra, also called as <strong>Chariot Festival,</strong> is a Hindu festival associated with <strong>Lord Jagannath</strong> held at <strong>Puri, Odisha.</strong></li>
<li>The festival is celebrated on the<strong> 2<sup>nd</sup> day </strong>of <strong>Shukla Paksha of Ashadh,</strong> the third month, according to the traditional Oriya calendar.</li>
<li>It is a<strong> 9 day-long event</strong> and marks the <strong>return of Lord Krishna to Vrindavan</strong> with his brother <strong>Balabhadra</strong> and sister<strong> Subhadra</strong> to <strong>Gundicha Temple</strong> via Mausi Maa Temple (maternal aunt's home) near Saradha Bali, Puri.</li>
<li>During the festival, the three holy chariots carrying idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balaram (Balabhadra) and sister Subhadra are pulled by thousands of devotees from India and abroad.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Jagannath Temple</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The temple is believed to be constructed in the 12<sup>th</sup> century by <strong>King Anatavarman Chodaganga Deva </strong>of the<strong> Eastern Ganga Dynasty.</strong></li>
<li>Jagannath Puri temple is called <strong>&lsquo;Yamanika Tirtha&rsquo;</strong> where, according to the Hindu beliefs, the power of &lsquo;Yama&rsquo;, the god of death has been nullified in Puri due to the presence of Lord Jagannath.</li>
<li>This temple was called the<strong> &ldquo;White Pagoda&rdquo;</strong> and is a <strong>part of Char Dham</strong> pilgrimages (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram).</li>
<li>There are four gates to the temple- Eastern &lsquo;Singhdwara&rsquo; which is the main gate with two crouching lions, Southern &lsquo;Ashwadwara&rsquo;, Western 'Vyaghra Dwara and Northern &lsquo;Hastidwara&rsquo;. There is a carving of each form at each gate.</li>
<li>In front of the entrance stands the Aruna stambha or sun pillar, which was originally at the <strong>Sun Temple in Konark.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588923570_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588923570_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/construction-of-rath-yatra-chariots-allowed-home-ministry/article31529370.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/construction-of-rath-yatra-chariots-allowed'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Black Panther in Netravali Sanctuary',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A <strong>black panther</strong> was spotted in <strong>Goa&rsquo;s Netravali Sanctuary.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>While the area is a known habitat of tigers, this is for the first time a black panther has been captured on camera in the sanctuary.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Black Panther<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588923091_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588923091_image3.jpg" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A black panther is the <strong>melanistic colour variant of any Panthera,</strong> particularly of the<strong> leopard in Asia and Africa,</strong> and the <strong>jaguar in the Americas.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Melanism is the<strong> increased development of the dark-colored pigment melanin</strong> in the skin or hair.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is as shy as a normal leopard and very difficult to detect. It is mostly found in densely forested areas of southern India.</li>
<li><strong>Areas where black panther has been spotted earlier:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala)</li>
<li>Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve and Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka)</li>
<li>Achanakmar Tiger Reserve (Chhattisgarh)</li>
<li>Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (Goa)</li>
<li>Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is located in<strong> South Eastern Goa</strong> and constitutes one of the vital corridors of the Western Ghats.</li>
<li>It is bounded by <strong>Cotigao wildlife sanctuary</strong> on the eastern side and <strong>Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park</strong> on the northern side.</li>
<li><strong>Netravali or Neturli</strong> is an important tributary of <strong>River Zuari,</strong> which originates in the sanctuary.</li>
<li>It has two important waterfalls namely, <strong>Savari</strong> and <strong>Mainapi.</strong></li>
<li>Forests mostly consist of <strong>moist deciduous vegetation</strong> interspersed with evergreen and semi-evergreen habitat.</li>
<li><strong>Fauna:</strong> Leopard, Giant Squirrel, Mouse Deer, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon and Ceylon Frogmouth.</li>
<li><strong>Other Protected Areas in Goa:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary</li>
<li>Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary</li>
<li>Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary</li>
<li>Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary</li>
<li>Mollem National Park</li>
<li>Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/goa/black-panther-spotted-in-goa-sanctuary-6398693/" 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/black-panther-in-netravali-sanctuary'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Vizag Gas Leak',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a gas leak has affected five villages in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The source of the gas leak was a<strong> styrene plant</strong> owned by South Korean electronics giant LG located in the area.</li>
<li>The possible reason for gas leak is<strong> stagnation and changes in temperature</strong> inside the storage tank that could have resulted in <strong>auto polymerization</strong> (chemical reaction) <strong>and vapourisation</strong> of the styrene.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Styrene</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Styrene is an <strong>organic compound</strong> with the formula <strong>C<sub>8</sub>H<sub>8</sub>.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>derivative of benzene (C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>6</sub>).</strong></li>
<li>It is stored in factories as a liquid, but evaporates easily, and has to be kept at temperatures under 20&deg;C.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sources:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Styrene is found in vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, and in natural foods like fruits and vegetables.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uses:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a flammable liquid that is used in the manufacturing of polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber, and latex.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Risk of Exposure:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Short Term Exposure:</strong> It can result in respiratory problems, irritation in the eyes, irritation in the mucous membrane, and gastrointestinal issues.</li>
<li><strong>Long-Term Exposure:</strong> It could drastically affect the central nervous system and lead to other related problems like peripheral neuropathy. It could also lead to cancer and depression in some cases. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, there is no sufficient evidence of an association between styrene exposure and an increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>State of Chemical Disaster Risk in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-disaster-management-authority-ndma-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)</strong></a>, in the recent past, over 130 significant chemical accidents have been reported in the country.</li>
<li>Further, there are thousands of registered hazardous factories and unorganised sectors dealing with numerous ranges of hazardous material posing serious and complex levels of disaster risks.</li>
<li>There are over 1861 <strong>Major Accident Hazard (MAH) units</strong> spread across 301 districts and 25 states and three Union Territories in all zones of the country. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Major Accident is defined as an incident involving loss of life inside or outside the site or ten or more injuries.</li>
<li>Further it also involves the release of toxic chemical or explosion or fire of spillage of hazardous chemical resulting in &lsquo;on-site&rsquo; or &lsquo;off-site&rsquo; emergencies leading to adverse effects to the environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Laws to Protect Against Chemical Disasters in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Laws Before and During Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At the time of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bhopal-gas-tragedy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bhopal gas tragedy</strong></a>, the <strong>Indian Penal Code (IPC) was the only</strong> relevant law specifying criminal liability for such incidents.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Laws After Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bhopal Gas Leak (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985 :</strong> It gives powers to the central government to secure the claims arising out of or connected with the Bhopal gas tragedy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under the provisions of this Act, such claims are dealt with speedily and equitably.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Environment Protection Act, 1986:</strong> It gives powers to the central government to undertake measures for improving the environment and set standards and inspect industrial units.</li>
<li><strong>The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991:</strong> It is an insurance meant to provide relief to persons affected by accidents that occur while handling hazardous substances.</li>
<li><strong>The National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997:</strong> Under this Act, the National Environment Appellate Authority can hear appeals regarding the restriction of areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</li>
<li><strong>National Green Tribunal, 2010:</strong> It provided for the establishment of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal</strong></a> for effective and expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection and conservation of forests.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to PRS legislative, any incident similar to the Bhopal gas tragedy will be tried in the National Green Tribunal and most likely under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</li>
<li>If an offence is committed by a company then every person directly in charge and responsible will be deemed guilty, unless he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such an offence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/vizag-gas-leak-bhopal-tragedy-india-chemical-disasters-laws-6398912/" 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/vizag-gas-leak'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'FCI Reforms',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-grain-stockist-with-a-role-still-relevant/article31504557.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;A grain stockist with a role still relevant&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 05/05/2020. It talks about issues and solutions pertaining to the Food Corporation of India (FCI).</p>
</div>
<p><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-corporation-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Corporation of India (FCI)</strong></a> was set up under the Food Corporations Act 1964, at the forefront of India&rsquo;s quest of self-sufficiency in rice and wheat following the Green Revolution, managing procurement and stocking grain that supported a vast Public Distribution System (PDS).</p>
<p>Thus, it has played a critical role in ensuring food security in India and acted as a lifeline for millions of vulnerable across the country.</p>
<p>Today, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, it holds the key to warding off a looming crisis of hunger and starvation, especially in the wake of the migrant crisis and poverty induced by the pandemic.</p>
<p>However, several issues pertaining to FCI make its operations highly inefficient (as every year foodgrains procured by FCI gets rotten) and pushes up the annual food subsidy bill.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>FCI has primary duty to undertake purchase, store, transport, distribute and sell food grains and other foodstuffs.</p>
<p>FCI was mandated with three basic objectives:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ensuring food security of the nation by maintaining satisfactory levels of operational buffer stocks of food grains.</li>
<li>Distribution of food grains throughout the country for the Public Distribution System.</li>
<li>Effective Price Support Operations for safeguarding the interest of farmers</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Issues Pertaining to FCI</h3>
<p><strong>Open-Ended Procurement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>FCI conducts &ldquo;Open-ended procurement&rdquo; which means the Government will buy (at <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/msp-agrarian-crisis-and-reform" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minimum Support Price-MSP</strong></a>) any quantity of wheat and rice from any farmer who comes forward to sell.</li>
<li>Due to this, FCI has huge grain stocks which far exceed buffer-stock norms.</li>
<li>Also, some of the reasons for these excess stocks are export bans.</li>
<li>Due to this, FCI&rsquo;s mounting debts have increased to an estimated ₹2.55 lakh crore by March 2020.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Storage Crisis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>FCI lacks necessary warehousing infrastructure and robust procurement mechanisms.<br />Due to lack of adequate storage facilities, huge quantities of food grains get wasted.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>First in First out principle (FIFO)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>FCI follows a first in, first out principle (FIFO) principle that mandates that grain that has been procured earlier needs to be distributed first to ensure that older stocks are liquidated, both across years and even within a particular year. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is time for the FCI to suspend this strategy, if it has not already, that enables movement that costs least time, money and effort.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Lack of Proactive Liquidation Policy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The current system of liquidation of excess stocks through the <strong>Open Market Sale Scheme</strong> (Domestic) or through export markets is extremely ad-hoc and slow.</li>
<li>FCI doesn&rsquo;t get a good price most of the time, as predetermined price (reserve price) is often less than the acquisition cost/economic cost of grains for FCI and it ends up making a loss in the sale.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a pressing need for implementing <strong>Shanta Kumar Committee recommendations.</strong> For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It recommended that FCI should hand over all procurement operations of wheat and rice to the states (having sufficient experience and reasonable infrastructure for procurement). In this context, the central government can incentivise states to follow <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-corporation-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Decentralized Procurement Scheme (DCP).</strong></a></li>
<li>FCI should accept only the surplus (after deducting the needs of the states under NFSA) from these state governments to be moved to deficit states like Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam etc.</li>
<li>FCI should outsource its stocking operations to various agencies such as Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), State Warehousing Corporation (SWC), Private Sector under Private Entrepreneur Guarantee (PEG) scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There is a need for a transparent liquidation policy that should automatically come into effect whenever FCI is faced with surplus stocks over buffer norms.</li>
<li>The vibrant network of self-help groups formed under the <strong>National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM)</strong> can be tasked with the last-mile distribution of food aid other than the PDS.</li>
<li><strong>Farmer producer organisations (FPOs)</strong> have been at the forefront of rebuilding the inefficient supply chains. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The FCI along with the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED), is well placed to rope in expertise to manage the logistics to support supply chain management.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>These holistic reforms in FCI may help in transforming the food security-oriented crisis management into a stable security system to ensure availability, accessibility and affordability of food grains to all people at all times so that no one, nowhere and at no time should go hungry.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588853661_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588853661_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="800" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e8f5ff;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the role played by Food Corporation of India regarding food security. Also highlight the challenges faced by it.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HZQX1pevp14" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/dangerous-drift-on-encounter-with-terrorists-near-handwara/article31512624.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Dangerous Drift&rdquo;</strong> </a>published in The Hindu on 06/05/2020. Now watch this on our YouTube channel.</p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Development of the Nanomaterials Based Supercapacitors',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a group of researchers (including a recipient of the <strong>INSPIRE Faculty Award</strong>) have made significant achievements in <strong>developing nanomaterials based supercapacitors to achieve high energy density and power density of supercapacitors.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Energy density</strong> is the amount of energy that can be stored in a given mass of a substance or system, i.e. a measure of storage of energy.</li>
<li><strong>Power density</strong> is the amount of power (time rate of energy transfer) per unit volume, i.e. a measure of release of energy.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Energy: Batteries, Capacitors and Supercapacitors</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Like batteries, Capacitors are also used to <strong>store energy.</strong> While batteries rely on chemical reactions, capacitors use static electricity (electrostatics) to store energy.</li>
<li><strong>Capacitors have many advantages over batteries:</strong> they weigh less, generally don't contain harmful chemicals or toxic metals, and they can be charged and discharged many times. However, they cannot store the same amount of electrical energy as batteries.</li>
<li>Supercapacitors, also known as EDLC (electric double-layer capacitor) or Ultracapacitors, differ from regular capacitors in that they <strong>can store a huge amount of energy.</strong></li>
<li>Batteries have a<strong> higher energy density (they store more energy per unit mass)</strong> but supercapacitors have a <strong>higher power density (they can release energy more quickly).</strong> This property makes supercapacitors particularly suitable for <strong>storing and releasing large amounts of power relatively quickly.</strong></li>
<li>Supercapacitors deliver <strong>quick bursts of energy during peak power demands</strong> and then quickly store energy and capture excess power that's otherwise lost. In the example of an electric car, a supercapacitor can provide needed power for acceleration, while a battery provides range and recharges the supercapacitor between surges.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Nanomaterials Based Supercapacitors:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The researchers have been working on<strong> carbon (Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene) nanomaterials</strong> based supercapacitors to achieve <strong>high energy density and power density of supercapacitors.</strong></li>
<li>High energy density of supercapacitors suggests that constant current can be withdrawn for a longer duration without recharging. Hence automobiles can run longer distances without charging.</li>
<li>Thus, researchers have developed a <strong>reduced graphene oxide (rGO)</strong> at a moderate temperature of 100&deg;C with high capacitance performance. It is cost-effective and suitable for commercial purposes.</li>
<li>The focus on energy devices paves the way for the development of<strong> cost-effective and efficient devices, which can be used for energy storage application.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Optoelectronic Applications of Nanomaterials:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Optoelectronics is the study and application of electronic devices and systems that source, detect and control light, usually considered a sub-field of photonics.</li>
<li>The researchers are developing novel nanostructures of carbon for Surface-Enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Surface-Enhanced Raman spectroscopy or surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a surface-sensitive technique that <strong>enhances <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-28-february-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Raman scattering</a> by molecules adsorbed on rough metal</strong> surfaces or by nanostructures such as plasmonic-magnetic silica nanotubes.</li>
<li>The enhancement factor can be as much as 10<sup>10</sup> to 10<sup>11</sup>, which means the technique may even detect a single molecule.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The SERS can help detect harmful molecules present in water at ultra-low concentrations.</li>
<li>The findings make way for materials which can be used as <strong>advanced photodetectors</strong> and also be used as <strong>optical sensors for water pollution control.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)</strong> intends to attract talent to study science at an early age, and to help the country build the required critical resource pool for strengthening and expanding the Science and Technology base with long term foresight.</li>
<li>It is an India specific model for attracting talent with an aptitude for research and innovation, for a career in Basic &amp; Natural sciences.</li>
<li>The scheme has been developed by the <strong>Department of Science &amp; Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology</strong> and <strong>approved in 2008.</strong></li>
<li>INSPIRE Scheme has included three programs and five components.The three programmes are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent (SEATS):</strong> It aims to attract talented youth to study science by providing INSPIRE Award of Rs 5000 to one million young learners of the age group 10-15 years.</li>
<li><strong>Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE):</strong> It aims to enhance rates of attachment of talented youth to undertake higher education in science intensive programmes, by providing scholarships and mentorship.</li>
<li><strong>Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC):</strong> It aims to attract, attach, retain and nourish talented young scientific Human Resource for strengthening the R&amp;D foundation and base.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588845897_image1.JPG" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588845897_image1.JPG" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1621513" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'title' => 'Mission Sagar',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India has sent <strong>Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari,</strong> carrying food items and medical assistance teams, to countries in the southern Indian Ocean to deal with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> as part of a <strong>"Mission Sagar"</strong> initiative.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The countries including <strong>Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles</strong> had requested India for assistance in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles</strong> along with <strong>La Réunion</strong> are part of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-as-an-observer-at-ioc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Commission</strong></a>.<strong> India has recently become an observer</strong> to the Commission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This is the <strong>first time that a single assistance mission is covering all island countries of the western Indian Ocean</strong> in one go — <strong>except Sri Lanka,</strong> for which a second set of medicines have been airlifted.</li>
<li>The assistance<strong> is in line with India’s role as the first responder in the Indian Ocean region.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with her neighbouring countries and further strengthens the existing bond.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The deployment is also in consonance with the Prime Minister's vision of <strong>Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).</strong></li>
<li>Under the Mission, India will <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Deploy <strong>Medical Assistance Teams</strong> in Mauritius and Comoros, helping their Governments deal with Covid emergency and in case of Comoros, with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sharp-drop-in-dengue-cases-in%20-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>dengue fever</strong></a> also.</li>
<li>Deliver <strong>consignments of Covid related essential medicines</strong> to Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles and about 600 tonnes of food items to Maldives. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In addition, in case of Mauritius, a<strong> special consignment of Ayurvedic medicines</strong> is also being sent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The consignments also include <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-revokes-ban-on-export-of-hydroxychloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hydroxychloroquine tablets.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>SAGAR</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)</strong> was launched in 2015. It is India’s strategic vision for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).</li>
<li>Through SAGAR, India seeks to deepen<strong> economic and security cooperation</strong> with its maritime neighbours and assist in building their <strong>maritime security capabilities.</strong></li>
<li>Further, India seeks to safeguard its <strong>national interests</strong> and ensure Indian Ocean region to become<strong> inclusive, collaborative and respect international law.</strong></li>
<li>The key relevance of SAGAR emerges when seen in conjunction with India’s other policies impacting the maritime domain like <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Act East Policy</strong></a>,<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-09th-october-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Project Sagarmala</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-7th-august-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Project Mausam</strong></a>,<strong> India as ‘net security provider’, focus on</strong> <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/blue-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Blue Economy</strong></a> etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=203932" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Financial Inclusion',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.epw.in/engage/article/financial-inclusion-and-digital-india-critical" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Financial Inclusion and Digital India: A Critical Assessment&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Economic and Political Weekly on 29/04/2020. It talks about impact and challenges pertaining to financial inclusion.</p>
</div>
<p>Financial inclusion may be defined as the process of ensuring access to financial services and timely and adequate credit where needed by vulnerable groups such as weaker sections and low income groups at an affordable cost.</p>
<p>In a diverse country like India, financial inclusion is a critical part of the development process. Since independence, the combined efforts of successive governments, regulatory institutions, and the civil society have helped in increasing the financial-inclusion net in the country.</p>
<p>The state of financial inclusion has improved considerably over time. However, the financial inclusion<strong> hasn&rsquo;t reached the poorest of the poor</strong> and there exist many bottlenecks and challenges which need immediate attention.</p>
<p>Thus, there exists both a great need and the potential to tap into the unbanked population and bring them into the financial net.</p>
<h3>Financial Inclusion Initiatives</h3>
<p><strong>Jan Dhan-Aadhar-Mobile (JAM) Trinity</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The combination of Aadhaar, PMJDY, and a surge in mobile communication has reshaped the way citizens access government services.</li>
<li>As per the estimates in March 2020, the total number of beneficiaries under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-6th-september-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jan Dhan scheme</strong> </a>have been more than 380 million.</li>
<li>By significantly changing the concept of individual identity, Aadhaar has not only brought about a secure and easily verifiable system but also easy to obtain as well to help in the financial inclusion process.</li>
<li>The government has also launched many flagship schemes to promote financial inclusion and provide financial security to empower the poor and unbanked in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These include the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mudra-scheme-and-employment" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana</strong></a>, <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-start-up-india-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stand-Up India Scheme</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/woes-of-migrants-amid-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana</a></strong>, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, and Atal Pension Yojana.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Expansion of financial services in Rural and Semi-Urban Areas</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) have taken initiatives to promote financial inclusion in rural areas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These include the opening of bank branches in remote areas.</li>
<li>Issuing Kisan Credit Cards (KCC)</li>
<li>Linkage of self-help groups (SHGs) with banks.</li>
<li>Increasing the number of automated teller machines (ATMs)</li>
<li>Business correspondents model of Banking, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Promotion of Digital Payments</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With the strengthening of the <strong>Unified Payment Interface (UPI)</strong> by NPCI, digital payments have been made secure, compared to the past.</li>
<li>The Aadhar-enabled payment system (AEPS) enables an Aadhar enabled bank account (AEBA) to be used at any place and at any time, using micro ATMs.</li>
<li>The payment system has been made more accessible due to offline transaction-enabling platforms, like <strong>Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)</strong>, which makes it possible to use mobile banking services without internet, even on a basic mobile handset.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Enhancing Financial Literacy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Reserve Bank of India has undertaken a project titled <strong>"Project Financial Literacy".</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Objective of the project is to disseminate information regarding the central bank and general banking concepts to various target groups, including, school and college going children, women, rural and urban poor, defence personnel and senior citizens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pocket Money</strong> is Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM&rsquo;s) flagship programme aimed at increasing financial literacy among school students. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The objective is to help school students understand the value of money and the importance of saving, investing and financial planning.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Financial Inclusion: Success Story</h3>
<p><strong>Increased Access to Banks</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the World Bank&rsquo;s Global Financial Inclusion Database or Global Findex report (2017), 80% Indian adults have a bank account against the 53% estimated in 2014.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Findex 2017 report also estimates that 77% Indian women have bank accounts, against 43% in 2014.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Multiplier Effect</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These initiatives have brought about major changes to increase the last-mile connectivity of financial services to its people.</li>
<li>By providing access to financial resources to underprivileged and marginalised sections of society, financial inclusion has the potential to reduce poverty, create jobs, among others.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Enhancing Active Participation of Citizenry</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earlier, private institutions did not engage with the poor as customers on a significant scale.</li>
<li>This has now changed, and there has been an active participation of the private players (payment banks like paytm, airtel money and jio money), as they have also realised that bringing the poor into the financial net is beneficial to their business models as well.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Integration of Financial Services</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The convergence of JAM trinity with the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme has largely been successful.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this, there has been a significant improvement in terms of targeted and accurate payments.</li>
<li>It has also helped in weeding out duplication of entries, and bringing down the reliance on cash mode of payments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Non-Universal Access to Bank Accounts</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bank accounts are a gateway to all financial services. But, according to a report by the World Bank, about 190 million adults in India do not have a bank account, making India the world&rsquo;s second largest nation in terms of unbanked population after China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital Divide</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The most common barriers to the adoption of digital technology which may promote financial inclusion:</li>
<li>Non-availability of suitable financial products</li>
<li>Lack of skills among the stakeholders to use digital services</li>
<li>Infrastructural issues</li>
<li>Low-income consumers who are not able to afford the technology required to access digital services</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implement Deficit</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For instance, the Jan Dhan scheme has resulted in the opening of many dormant accounts which never saw actual banking transactions.</li>
<li>All such activities incur costs on the institutions, and thus, huge operative costs only proved to be detrimental to the actual objective.</li>
<li>To avoid these counterproductive outcomes, it is important that all stakeholders participate in such programmes with proper intent and not just for the sake of it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Informal and Cash-Dominated Economy</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is the heavily dominated cash economy, this poses a challenge for digital payment adoption.</li>
<li>Also, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), about 81% of the employed persons in India work in the informal sector.</li>
<li>The combination of a huge informal sector along with a high dependence on cash mode of transaction poses an impediment to digital financial inclusion</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gender Gap in Financial Inclusion</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the 2017 Global Findex database, 83% of males above 15 years of age in India held accounts at a financial institution in 2017 compared to 77% females.</li>
<li>This is attributed to socio-economic factors, including the availability of mobile handset and internet data facility being higher among men than women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Credit Penetration</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One of the main constraints in providing credit to low-income households and informal businesses is the lack of information available with formal creditors to determine their credit worthiness. This results in a high cost of credit.</li>
<li>Due to this, in 2016, the number of loan accounts per 1,000 adults was 154 in India. This is quite low when compared to similarly placed economies like BRICS nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps to be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reviving Banking Correspondent Model</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Given the infeasibility of locating branches in every nook and corner of the country, bank correspondents are used to reach out to prospective clients. However, an inadequate compensation structure makes correspondent banking unattractive.</li>
<li>Thus, there is a need to create better monetary incentives for banking correspondents as well as to provide them better training.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Leveraging JAM Trinity</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Technology should be used to improve the assessment of credit-worthiness for households and informal businesses.</li>
<li>With the adoption of appropriate technology a new data-sharing framework (using Jan Dhan and Aadhaar platforms), to enable easier access to credit, with adequate safeguards for maintaining data privacy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need For Data Protection Regime</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In addition to greater digitization, there is also a need to strengthen cyber security and data protection regime in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Leveraging Differentiated Banks</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Differentiated Banks like Payment banks and small finance banks can be leveraged to scale up payments systems in underserved areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promoting USSD for Rural Areas</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Payments through the USSD channel should be promoted (by reimbursing the charges incurred in the USSD process), as they have an advantage over the internet in that it can also cover a large proportion of non-smartphone users.</li>
<li>In India, USSD can be particularly useful in rural areas where some segments still do not have reliable access to the internet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>For the success of financial inclusion in India, there has to be a multidimensional approach through which existing digital platforms, infrastructure, human resources, and policy frameworks are strengthened and new technological innovations should be promoted.</p>
<p>If adequate measures are taken to tide over the existing problems, financial inclusion has the potential to amplify the benefits of economic growth to the poor.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589025674_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589025674_image1.jpg" caption="false" width="768" height="721" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #faffeb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Financial inclusion is one of the most important cornerstones of an economy. Discuss its implications and challenges faced by India in the path of financial inclusion.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UF7ixCcKiHA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/toxic-disaster-the-hindu-editorial-on-visakhapatnam-gas-leak/article31529093.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Toxic disaster&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on May 8th, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube Channel.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/financial-inclusion-4'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Year End Review 2019- Ministry of Road Transport & Highways',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<h3>Important Schemes and Policies</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-transactions-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) Program</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Provides for collection of user fee through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/all-about-the-fastag" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FASTags based on RFID technology.</strong> </a></li>
<li>In order to save fuel, time and pollution and to ensure seamless movement of traffic, it has been decided to enable all lanes in Fee Plazas for electronic toll collection program through FASTags.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NETC was <strong>developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)</strong> in 2016 for electronic toll collection at toll plazas using FASTag.</li>
<li>FASTag is a device that employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly while the vehicle is in motion.</li>
<li>FASTag (RFID Tag) is affixed on the windscreen of the vehicle and enables a customer to make the toll payments directly from the account which is linked to FASTag.</li>
<li>RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tagging is a system that uses small radio frequency detection devices for identification and tracking purposes.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/integrated-road-accident-database-irad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Integrated Road Accident Database</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A State Support Programme aimed at incentivising the States to improve their road safety performance is proposed to be launched to reduce the overall fatalities by road accidents by 25% by 2024.</li>
<li>With a view to accurately recording the accident details so that timely corrective action is undertaken a Geo-Tagged accident data collection programme would be launched under the project &ldquo;Integrated Road Accident Database (IRAD)&rdquo;.</li>
<li>IT based road safety infrastructure would be erected on all the four lane and above Highways. Incidence management systems shall also be provided on all such Highways.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-motor-vehicles-bill-for-road-safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is the principal instrument through which road transport is regulated in the country.</strong> It has been amended by the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, passed by the Parliament in August 2019.</li>
<li>The Act will bring reforms in the area of Road Safety, bring citizen facilitation, transparency, and reduce corruption with the help of information technology and removing intermediaries.</li>
<li>The Act will strengthen public transport, safeguard and protect Good Samaritan and reform the insurance and compensation regime.</li>
<li>It will allow innovation and new technologies such as driverless vehicles, to be tested in live environment and increase efficiency in research.</li>
<li>The Act will facilitate Divyang by allowing motor vehicles to be converted to adapted vehicles with post-facto approval and facilitating licence to drive adapted vehicles.</li>
<li>The provisions of compensation and post &ndash; accident treatment have been amended and measures will be taken provide cashless treatment for accident victims.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Road Safety Initiatives in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Road Safety Policy</strong> outlines various policy measures such as promoting awareness, establishing a road safety information database, encouraging safer road infrastructure including application of intelligent transport, enforcement of safety laws etc.</li>
<li><strong>National Road Safety Council</strong> as the apex body to take policy decisions in matters of road safety.</li>
<li>A dashboard for road accident data, through which people can access related data and other information both state-wise and the national averages, has been introduced.</li>
<li><strong>VAHAN</strong> (an ICT-based solution for vehicle registration) and<strong> SARATHI</strong> (for licencing) apps have been launched to curb malpractices in issuing licences and vehicle registration.</li>
<li><strong>Setu Bharatam Programme</strong> to make all national highways free of railway crossings by 2019.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-road-transport-highways'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'New Road to Kailash Mansarovar',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Defence Minister of India</strong> has inaugurated a new <strong>80-km road in Uttarakhand</strong> connecting the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/disputed-territories-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Line of Actual Control</strong></a> (LAC) and opening a new route for <strong>Kailash Mansarovar yatra</strong> via<strong> Lipulekh Pass (China border)</strong>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is scheduled to be completed by December 2022 and will significantly reduce the travel time for pilgrims.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Link Road is named as the <strong>Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra Route</strong> under which the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bro-opens-rohtang-pass" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Border Roads Organisation</strong></a> (BRO) achieved road connectivity from <strong>Dharchula (Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand) to Lipulekh.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lipulekh Pass also known as <strong>Lipu-Lekh Pass/Qiangla or Tri-Corner</strong> is a high altitude mountain pass situated in the <strong>western Himalayas</strong> with a height of 5,334 metre or 17,500 feet.</li>
<li>It is an <strong>International mountain pass</strong> between <strong>India, China and Nepal.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The road was made under directions of the<strong> China Study Group</strong> (CSG) and is funded by <strong>Indo-China Border Road</strong> (ICBR).</li>
<li>It was approved by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-committees-formed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cabinet Committee</strong></a> <strong>on Security</strong> (CCS) in <strong>2005.</strong></li>
<li>The last 5-km of the road could not be finished due to a <strong>temporary ban</strong> placed on the <strong>last-mile connectivity</strong> in 2016 by the <strong>Director General Military Operations,</strong> which is yet to be lifted.</li>
<li><strong>Advantages:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the<strong> shortest and cheapest route</strong> with just <strong>one-fifth distance</strong> of road travel as compared to other old routes. The other route is via Sikkim.</li>
<li>There is<strong> no air travel involved</strong> and the <strong>majority of the travel (84%) is in India</strong> and only 16% in China compared to other routes where 80% road travel is in China.</li>
<li>Except for a 5-km trek, <strong>whole travel will be on vehicles</strong> reducing the 5-day trek to 2- days road travel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kailash Mansarovar</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To Hindus it is the <strong>earthly embodiment</strong> of the dominant mountain of heaven, Meru, and the residence of <strong>Lord Shiva</strong> and his consort Goddess Parvati.</li>
<li>The Kailash range&rsquo;s supreme peak lies in the <strong>Chinese-occupied Tibet</strong> at the height of <strong>6,675 meters.</strong></li>
<li>The pilgrimage to <strong>Kailash</strong> and to the sacred <strong>Mansarover</strong> lake that lies 30 km to its south, is run exclusively by a government organization, the <strong>Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam</strong> (KMVN).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The organization works in collaboration with the Government of India&rsquo;s Ministry of External Affairs and the Government of China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rajnath-singh-inaugurates-new-road-to-kailash-mansarovar/article31533372.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/new-road-to-kailash-mansarovar'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Financial Help by AIIB to India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1622145" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)</strong></a> has approved <strong>US$ 500 million</strong> for <strong>&lsquo;Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project&rsquo;</strong> initiated by India.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The project is expected to help India to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and strengthen its public health preparedness.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project intends to<strong> slow down and limit the spread</strong> of Covid-19 in India.</li>
<li>It includes an immediate support for enhancement of disease detection capacities, oxygen delivery systems and medicines among others.</li>
<li>The project also strives to strengthen India&rsquo;s<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/integrated-disease-surveillance-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP)</strong></a> and the capacity to effectively <strong>manage future disease outbreaks.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>IDSP aims to strengthen/maintain decentralized laboratory based and IT enabled disease surveillance systems for epidemic prone diseases to monitor disease trends.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It also aims to develop capacity and systems <strong>to detect existing and emerging <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/zoonotic-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener">zoonoses</a> </strong>and upgrade viral research and diagnostic laboratories for testing and research.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As around <strong>75% of new infectious diseases</strong> begin with <strong>human-to-animal contacts.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Beneficiaries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project will cover all States and Union Territories across India and address the needs of infected people, at-risk populations, medical and emergency personnel and service providers, medical and testing facilities, and national and animal health agencies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Finances:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project is being financed by the World Bank and AIIB in the amount of $1.5 billion, of which $1.0 billion will be provided by the World Bank and $500 million will be provided by AIIB.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will be implemented by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-mission-and-janani-suraksha-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Health Mission (NHM)</strong></a>, the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-centre-for-disease-control-ncdc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)</a></strong> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NHM was launched by the government of India in 2013 subsuming the National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban Health Mission.</li>
<li>NCDC functions as the nodal agency in the country for disease surveillance facilitating prevention and control of communicable diseases under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.</li>
<li>ICMR is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a <strong>multilateral development bank</strong> with a mission to improve <strong>social and economic</strong> outcomes in<strong> Asia.</strong></li>
<li>It is established by the AIIB<strong> Articles of Agreement</strong> (entered into force Dec. 25, 2015) which is a multilateral treaty. The Parties (57 founding members) to agreement comprise the Membership of the Bank.</li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered</strong> in <strong>Beijing</strong> and began its operations in January 2016.</li>
<li><strong>India</strong> joined AIIB in <strong>2016</strong> as a <strong>regional member</strong> of the Bank.</li>
<li>The members of the Bank have now grown to 102 approved members worldwide.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, fourteen of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/virtual-g20-leaders-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G-20 nations</strong></a> are AIIB members including France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>By investing in sustainable infrastructure and other productive sectors in Asia and beyond, it connects people, services and markets that over time will impact the lives of billions and build a better future.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1622145" 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/financial-help-by-aiib-to-india'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Relevance of the Consol Bonds amid Covid-19',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> and consequential national lockdown in the country has laid a grave impact on the Indian economy.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Considering the above scenario, the <strong>large stimulus needs to be introduced</strong> by the government to pull back the economy where the required stimulus will exceed the current revenue receipts of the government.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> stimulus</strong> refers to attempts to use monetary or fiscal policy (or stabilization policy in general) to stimulate the economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Thus, an introduction of a<strong> Consol Bond</strong> is one of the solutions for the government to fund the stimulus.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Background</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/union-budget-2020-21-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Budget (2020)</a> </strong>before the pandemic, India projected a <strong>deficit of Rs.7.96-lakh crore.</strong></li>
<li>Further, the financial deficit is expected to <strong>increase</strong> by a wide margin due to <strong>revenue shrinkage</strong> from the coming depression accompanied by a <strong>lack of disinvestment.</strong></li>
<li>Though, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-economic-relief-package" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the government and RBI have announced various economic measures</strong> </a>to deal with the economic impact of nationwide lockdown but these measures are considered to be inadequate.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In addition to the planned expenditure, the government needs to spend nearly Rs.5-lakh crore and Rs.6-lakh crore as stimulus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Consol Bonds</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Consol bond (also known as <strong>perpetual bond</strong>) is a <strong>fixed income security with no maturity date.</strong></li>
<li>It is often considered a<strong> type of equity, rather than debt.</strong></li>
<li>The major benefit of these bonds is that they <strong>pay a steady stream of interest</strong> payments forever. However, <strong>these bonds can be redeemed at issuer's discretion.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Notable Existence of Consol Bonds in the History:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The console bonds were majorly used by the British government during <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-war-I-centenary" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World War-I.</strong></a></li>
<li>The bonds were issued in <strong>1917</strong> as the British government sought to raise more money to finance the ongoing cost of World War-I.</li>
<li>In 2014, the British government, a century after the start of World War-I, paid out 10% of the total outstanding Consol bond debt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Consol Bonds and Current Indian Economic Scenario</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Consol Bonds Instead of PM-CARES:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The introduction of the Consol bonds would have been a better solution for the government if people would have invested in consol bonds instead of making donations to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-cares-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM-CARES.</strong></a> It could have made <strong>citizens as active participants</strong> in handling the economic scenario of the country.</li>
<li>Unlike PM-CARES, the proceeds of the bonds could have been used to <strong>fulfil the various essential medical as well as economic requirements</strong> of the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>One of the Available Solutions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The fall of real estate and given the lack of safe havens outside of gold, the bond would offer a dual benefit as a <strong>risk free investment for retail investors.</strong></li>
<li>An <strong>attractive coupon rate for the bond or tax rebates</strong> can also be an incentive for investors.</li>
<li>The government can consider a phased redemption of these bonds after the economy is put back on a path of high growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-war-like-state-and-a-bond-to-the-rescue/article31521062.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/relevance-of-the-consol-bonds-amid-covid-19'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Rabindranath Tagore',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Prime Minister of India paid tributes to <strong>Rabindranath Tagore on his 159<sup>th</sup> Jayanti on 7<sup>th</sup> May, 2020.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589014438_Quotation-drishti_ias_Rabindranath-Tagore.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img width="551" height="265" class="content-img" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589014438_Quotation-drishti_ias_Rabindranath-Tagore.jpg" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Rabindranath Tagore</strong> was born in Calcutta on May 7, 1861. He was also <strong>referred to as &lsquo;Gurudev&rsquo;, &lsquo;Kabiguru&rsquo;, and &lsquo;Biswakabi&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Regarded as the <strong>outstanding creative artist of modern India</strong> and hailed by W.B Yeats, Rabindranath Tagore was a <strong>Bengali poet, novelist, and painter,</strong> who was highly influential in introducing Indian culture to the west.</li>
<li>Rabindranath was an exceptional<strong> literary figure</strong> and a renowned<strong> polymath</strong> who singlehandedly reshaped the region's literature and music.</li>
<li>In 1913 Rabindranath Tagore was <strong>awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature</strong> for his work on <strong>Gitanjali.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He was the<strong> first non-European to receive the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prizes-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nobel Prize</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 1915 Tagore was <strong>awarded knighthood</strong> by the British King George V. In 1919, following the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jallianwala-bagh-massacre-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jallianwalla Bagh massacre</a></strong> he renounced his Knighthood.</li>
<li>Besides all his literary achievements <strong>he was also a philosopher and educationist</strong> who in 1921 <strong>established the Vishwa-Bharati University,</strong> a university that challenged conventional education.</li>
<li>Rabindranath Tagore was a good friend of <strong>Mahatma Gandhi</strong> and is <strong>said to have given him the title of Mahatma.</strong></li>
<li>Tagore had always stressed that <strong>unity in diversity</strong> is the only possible way for India&rsquo;s national integration.</li>
<li>He not only gave the<strong> national anthems for two countries, India and Bangladesh,</strong> but also <strong>inspired a Ceylonese student of his,</strong> to pen and compose the <strong>national anthem of Sri Lanka.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=202893" 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/rabindranath-tagore'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Olive Ridley Turtles',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Mass hatching of Olive Ridley turtles has begun at Odisha&rsquo;s Rushikulya rookery (near Ganjam district).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>coast of Odisha in India is the largest mass nesting site for the Olive-ridley,</strong> followed by the coasts of Mexico and Costa Rica.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589008914_image.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589008914_image.png" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Features:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Olive ridley turtles are the<strong> smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles</strong> found in the world.</li>
<li>These turtles are <strong>carnivores</strong> and get their name from their olive colored carapace.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong> They are <strong>found in warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Migration:</strong> They migrate thousands of kilometers between feeding and mating grounds in the course of a year.</li>
<li><strong>Arribada (Mass Nesting):</strong> They are best<strong> known for their unique mass nesting called Arribada,</strong> where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They lay their eggs over a period of five to seven days in conical nests about one and a half feet deep which they dig with their hind flippers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They are extensively<strong> poached for their meat, shell and leather, and their eggs.</strong></li>
<li>However, the most severe threat they face is the <strong>accidental killing through entanglement in trawl nets</strong> and <strong>gill nets due to uncontrolled fishing</strong> during their mating season around nesting beaches.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection Status:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>IUCN Red List:</strong> Vulnerable</li>
<li><strong>CITES:</strong> Appendix I</li>
<li>Indian <strong>Wildlife (Protection) Act,</strong> 1972: Schedule I</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Step Taken for Conservation:</strong> To reduce accidental killing in India, the Odisha government has made it mandatory for <strong>trawls to use Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs),</strong> a net specially designed with an exit cover which allows the turtles to escape while retaining the catch.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mass-hatching-of-olive-ridley-turtles-begins-at-odishas-rushikulya-rookery/article31538323.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/olive-ridley-turtles-4'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'World Red Cross Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the World Red Cross Day was celebrated by the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>World Red Cross day is observed on <strong>May 8 on the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant,</strong> who was the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Henry Dunant was also the<strong> recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The main aim of the Red Cross Society is basically to inspire, initiate and encourage all kinds of humanitarian activities under all times and circumstances.</li>
<li><strong>Programmes</strong> conducted by the Red Cross Society can be broadly <strong>categorised into four parts</strong> including the promotion of humanitarian principles and values; disaster response; disaster preparedness; and health and care.</li>
<li>The Red Cross Society is<strong> based on 7 principles</strong> namely, humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary, unity and universality.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Red Cross Society</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IRCS is a<strong> voluntary humanitarian organization</strong> to protect human life and health with the help of its network of over 1100 branches throughout India.</li>
<li>It was <strong>established in 1920</strong> and has completed its 100 years of existence.</li>
<li>It is a<strong> part of</strong> the largest independent humanitarian organisation in the world, the <strong>International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.</strong></li>
<li>Its <strong>mission</strong> is to provide relief at the time of disasters/emergencies and also promotes healthcare facilities among vulnerable people and communities.</li>
<li>The <strong>President of India</strong> is the President and the <strong>Union Health Minister</strong> is the Chairman of the Society.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1622157" 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/world-red-cross-day'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Surge-type Glaciers',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Scientists from the <strong>Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology</strong> (WIHG), Dehradun have found a <strong>seasonal advancement</strong> in 220 <strong>surging</strong> or <strong>surge-type glaciers</strong> in the <strong>Karakoram Range of Ladakh.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>WIHG is an <strong>autonomous institute</strong> under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Surging or Surge-type glaciers are a certain type of glaciers that have <strong>shown advancement in volume and length</strong> over a period of time.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such glaciers <strong>go against the normal trend of considerable reduction in volume and length</strong> of most glaciers in the Himalaya in recent decades.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Surging glaciers <strong>represent 40%</strong> of the<strong> total glaciated area</strong> of the <strong>Karakoram range.</strong></li>
<li>Surging glaciers <strong>do not flow at a constant speed,</strong> rather are subjected to <strong>cyclical flow instabilities.</strong></li>
<li>The oscillation of such glaciers have been broadly classified into two phases:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Active (Surge) Phase-</strong> brief (months to years) rapid flow.</li>
<li><strong>Quiescent Phase-</strong> lengthy (tens to hundreds of years) slow flow or stagnation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was inferred that<strong> surge during winter</strong> is more controlled because there is low amount of meltwater which flows unsteadily underneath the glaciers.</li>
<li>The surging <strong>stops in summer</strong> because of the channelised flow of the melted water.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of Studying Surging Glaciers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Surging glaciers <strong>can lead to the destruction</strong> of villages, roads and bridges.</li>
<li>They can also <strong>advance across a river valley</strong> and <strong>form an ice-dammed lake.</strong> These lakes can form<strong> catastrophic outburst floods.</strong></li>
<li>Therefore, <strong>monitoring</strong> of glacier surges, ice-dammed lake formation and drainage is of <strong>paramount importance.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Glaciers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Masses of ice moving as sheets</strong> over the land <strong>(continental glacier</strong> or<strong> piedmont glacier</strong> if a vast sheet of ice is spread over the plains at the foot of mountains) or as <strong>linear flows down the slopes</strong> of mountains in<strong> broad trough-like valleys</strong> (mountain and valley glaciers) are called <strong>glaciers.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> movement</strong> of glaciers is <strong>slow</strong> unlike water flow ranging from a few centimetres to a few meters per day. Glaciers move basically because of the <strong>force of gravity.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Erosion</strong> by glaciers is <strong>tremendous</strong> because of<strong> friction caused by sheer weight of the ice.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The material plucked from the land by glaciers (usually large-sized angular blocks and fragments) get dragged along the floors or sides of the valleys and cause great <strong>damage through abrasion and plucking.</strong></li>
<li>Glaciers can cause <strong>significant damage to even un-weathered rocks</strong> and can reduce high mountains into low hills and plains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As glaciers continue to move, debris gets removed, <strong>divides get lowered</strong> and <strong>eventually the slope is reduced</strong> to such an extent that <strong>glaciers stop moving,</strong> leaving only a mass of low hills and vast outwash plains along with other depositional features.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/surge-type-glaciers'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'In-Depth: Epidemic Diseases Act',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ViB7D9uKOkU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>Coronavirus infection in India is continuously rising. The states are in a battle mode to control the spread of the virus. There has been a lockdown across the country and all the events postponed.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>All states and Union Territories have been directed to invoke provisions of Section 2 of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/states-to-be-asked-to-invoke-epidemic-disease-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897</strong></a>, so that Health Ministry advisories are enforceable.</li>
<li>The Epidemic Diseases Act consists of four sections and aims to provide for better prevention of the spread of Dangerous Epidemic Diseases.</li>
<li>It is routinely enforced across the country for dealing with the outbreak of diseases such as swine flu, dengue, and cholera.</li>
<li>The colonial-era Act empowers the state governments to take special measures and prescribe regulations in an epidemic.</li>
<li>It is a state act and not a central act.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/epidemic-diseases-act-1897" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Epidemic Diseases Act</strong></a> aims to provide for the better prevention of the spread of dangerous epidemic diseases.</li>
<li>Under the Act, temporary provisions or regulations can be made to be observed by the public to tackle or prevent the outbreak of a disease.</li>
<li>The Act contains four sections.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Section 1:</strong> Describes the title and extent of the Act
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It extends to the whole of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Section 2:</strong> Powers to take special measures
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It empowers the state governments to tackle special measures and formulate regulations to contain the outbreak.</li>
<li>the State may prescribe regulations for the inspection of persons traveling by railway or otherwise, and the segregation, in hospital, temporary accommodation of persons suspected by the inspecting officers to be infected.</li>
<li><strong>Section 2A</strong> of the Act empowers the central government to take steps to prevent the spread of an epidemic.</li>
<li>Health is a State subject, but by invoking Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, advisories and directions of the Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare will be enforceable.</li>
<li>It allows the government to inspect any ship arriving or leaving any post and the power to detain any person intending to sail or arriving in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Section 3:</strong> Penalty for Disobedience
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The penalties for disobeying any regulation or order made under the Act are according to <strong>section 188 of the Indian Penal Code</strong> (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Section 4:</strong> Legal Protection to Implementing Officers:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It gives legal protection to the implementing officers acting under the Act.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Whoever knowing that, by an order promulgated by a public serv&shy;ant lawfully empowered to promulgate such order, disobeys such direction, shall, if such disobedience causes or tends to cause obstruction, annoyance or injury, or risk of obstruction, annoyance or injury, to any person lawfully employed,
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>be punished with simple impris&shy;onment for a term which may extend to one month or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, or with both;</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>And if such disobedience causes or trends to cause danger to human life, health or safety, or causes or tends to cause a riot or affray, shall
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Background</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Epidemic Diseases Bill was tabled on January 28, 1897, during an outbreak of <strong>bubonic plague</strong> in Mumbai (then Bombay).</li>
<li>The existing laws were deemed insufficient to deal with various matters such as &ldquo;overcrowded houses, neglected latrines and huts, accumulations of filth, insanitary cowsheds and stables, and the disposal of house refuse.</li>
<li>The Bill called for special powers for governments of Indian provinces and local bodies, including to check passengers off trains and sea routes.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Amendment to the Act</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ordinance-to-protect-health-workers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cabinet amended the Act through an ordinance</strong></a> stating that commission or abetment of acts of violence against healthcare service personnel shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of three months to five years, and with fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh.</li>
<li>In case of causing grievous hurt, imprisonment shall be for a term of six months to seven years and a fine of Rs1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Enforcement of the Act in the Recent Past</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is not the first time that this Act has been invoked in India.</li>
<li>In 2009, to tackle the swine flu outbreak in Pune, Section 2 powers were used to open screening centers in civic hospitals across the city, and swine flu was declared a notifiable disease.</li>
<li>In 2015 to deal with Malaria and Dengue in Chandigarh the Act was implemented and collecting officers were instructed to issue challans of Rs 500 to offenders.</li>
<li>In 2018 the District Collector of Vadodara issued a notification under the Act, declaring Khedkarmsiya village as Cholera affected after 31 persons complained of the disease.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Epidemics Worldwide</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An epidemic is the rapid spread of disease to a large number of people in a given population within a short period of time. Throughout history, there have been a number of epidemics having a lasting impact on societies.</li>
<li>These are highly communicable diseases that spread through the population in a very short time.</li>
<li>These diseases can be viral, bacterial or other health events like obesity.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Plague of Justinian</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>t is one of the oldest recorded incidents of plague in history.</li>
<li>It afflicted the Byzantine Empire, and especially its capital, Constantinople, between 541-542 A.D.</li>
<li>It recorded the highest number of lives lost in an epidemic in human history with over 100 million people dying, nearly half of the world&rsquo;s population then.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Black Plague</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Black Death, also known as the Pestilence and the Plague, was one of the most fatal pandemics.</li>
<li>It mostly affected Europe in 1346-1350 A.D.</li>
<li>Up to 50 million people died in Eurasia and North Africa from the plague that began in Asia and was carried across the world by rats covered with infected fleas.</li>
<li>It killed 60% of Europe&rsquo;s population</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>HIV AIDS</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The longest-lasting epidemic to date is HIV AIDS which began in 1960 and is still prevalent.</li>
<li>The world became aware of this epidemic only in the 1980s.</li>
<li>Medicine for the treatment of HIV AIDS was not available until 1987.</li>
<li>The Virus is particularly aggressive in Sub-Saharan Africa with 69% of the global infections. Major reasons for the spread being poor economic conditions and little or no sex education.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Other Major Epidemics</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Spanish Flu of 1918 claimed 20 million lives.</li>
<li>Modern Plague (1894-1903) claimed 10 million lives.</li>
<li>Asian Flu (1957-1958) resulted in the death of 2 million people.</li>
<li>The 6<sup>th</sup> Cholera pandemic (1899-1923) resulted in the deaths of 1.5 million people.</li>
<li>The Russian flu (1889-1890) killed 1 million people.</li>
<li>The Hong Kong Flu (1968-1969) killed 1 million people.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps Taken</h3>
<p><strong>Indian Response</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Twenty-one Italian tourists and three Indian tour operators were sent to an ITBP quarantine facility in Delhi after being air-lifted from Wuhan, China for suspected coronavirus exposure.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The batch of 112 evacuees, who were quarantined at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police's Chhawla Quarantine Facility in New Delhi, tested negative in a coronavirus test.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Video Conference of SAARC Leaders:</strong> Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/video-conference-of-saarc-leaders-on-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>virtual leadership summit</strong></a> through the video meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The video conference led to the creation of the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund based on a voluntary contribution from all SAARC members.</li>
<li>Further, $10 million has been extended by India as a contribution to the fund.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global Response</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The COVID-19 outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO on 30<sup>th</sup> January 2020.</li>
<li>According to recommendations by the World Health Organization, the diagnosis of COVID-19 must be confirmed by the Real Time- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCRT-PCR) or gene sequencing for respiratory or blood specimens, as the key indicator for hospitalisation.</li>
<li>$15 million dollars has been released from the UN&rsquo;s Central Emergency Fund to help fund global efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, particularly vulnerable countries with weak health care systems.</li>
<li>Vaccines are being developed.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-epidemic-diseases-act'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Modifications in PMRF Scheme',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Human Resources and Development has carried out various amendments in the <strong>Prime Minister&rsquo;s Research Fellowship Scheme</strong> to boost research in the country.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Prime Minister&rsquo;s Research Fellowship (PMRF) Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In order <strong>to attract meritorious students into research,</strong> Government of India, in 2018 launched Prime Minister&rsquo;s Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme, which offers <strong>direct admission to such students in the Ph.D programmes</strong> in various higher educational institutions in the country.</li>
<li>The scheme is <strong>aimed at attracting the talent pool of the country to doctoral (Ph.D.) programmes</strong> for carrying out <strong>research in cutting edge science and technology domains, with focus on national priorities.</strong></li>
<li>The institutes which can offer PMRF include <strong>all the IITs, IISERs, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru and some of the top Central Universities/NITs</strong> that offer science and/or technology degrees.</li>
<li>A fellowship of Rs.70,000/- per month for the first two years, Rs.75,000/- per month for the 3<sup>rd</sup> year, and Rs.80,000/- per month in the 4<sup>th</sup> and 5<sup>th</sup> year is provided under the scheme.</li>
<li>Apart from this, a<strong> research grant of Rs. 2 lakh per year</strong> is provided to each of the Fellows for a period of 5 years to cover their academic contingency expenses and for foreign/national travel expenses.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Amendments</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Now, students from <strong>any recognized university can apply for the fellowship.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier the fellowship scheme was open only for students from <strong>Central Universities, IITs, IISc, NITs, IISERs, IIEST and IIITs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The requirement of GATE score has also been reduced from 750 to 600.</li>
<li>As per new guidelines there will be<strong> two channels</strong> of entries i.e <strong>direct entry</strong> and <strong>lateral entry.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In lateral entry, the students, <strong>who are pursuing PhD in PMRF granting institutions,</strong> and have completed 12 months or 24 months as per certain requirements, can also apply to become fellow under the scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>National Institute of Technologies (NITs) which appear in top 25 institutions in the National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking can also become PMRF Granting institution.</li>
<li>To boost research a <strong>dedicated Division is being created</strong> in the MHRD with the name of<strong> "Research and Innovation Division".</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This division will be headed by a director who will be coordinating research work of various institutions coming under MHRD.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1621794" 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/modifications-in-pmrf-scheme'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'India’s Role In Multilateral World Order',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/resuscitating-multilateralism-with-indias-help/article31521059.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Resuscitating multilateralism with India&rsquo;s help&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 07/05/2020. It talks about India&rsquo;s role in the revival of declining multilateralism.</p>
</div>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-globalization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong> </a>has highlighted the varying nature of the challenges faced by the world. First, these challenges are <strong>cross-national</strong> in character. They respect no national boundaries and are not amenable to national solutions only. Second, these challenges are <strong>cross-domain</strong> in nature, with strong feedback loops. A disruption in one domain often cascades into parallel disruptions in other domains.</p>
<p>The intersection of cross-national and cross-domain challenges demand multilateral approaches to reach out any solution. However, there has been an upsurge in narrow nationalism, an assertion of parochial interests over the pursuit of global (shared) interests, and a fostering of competition among states rather than embracing collaboration. Thus, multilateralism is possibly at its weakest today.</p>
<p>In this context, Indian Prime Minister remarks that the world is facing a huge challenge in the form of Covid-19 and the way to combat this pandemic is through the resolution of <strong>&lsquo;Collaborate to Create&rsquo;.</strong> Thus, the current pandemic may be an opportunity for India to help revive multilateralism.</p>
<h3>Issues Pertaining to Multilateralism</h3>
<p><strong>Increasing Incidences of Lawfare</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It means the misuse of existing International and national laws by several countries (via forced technology requirements, intellectual property rights violations, and subsidies), to gain an unfair advantage over other countries. For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Paralysis of the World Trade Organization (WTO), due to the tussle between the developed and developing world.</li>
<li>The imposition of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bigger-picture-of-usas-action-against-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>extraterritorial sanction (under CAATSA) by the US</strong></a> has affected development in developing economies like India and China.</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/trade-war-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The trade war between the US and China</strong> </a>has challenged the existing global trade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Dual Use of Global Supply Chain</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Some of the developed countries have jurisdiction and control over global supply chains. Due to growing convergence between commercial interests with strategic goals, these supply chains enables them to have vast extraterritorial influence and has created new power asymmetries. For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China through BRI</strong> </a>is enhancing its role in global economic governance.</li>
<li>The internet has become a distributed system of surveillance.</li>
<li>There are fears pertaining to dual-use (commercial viability and military application) of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Revolution 4.0.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Lack of Global Framework</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The global community has not been able to come on a single platform or frame a Global Agenda on issues related to terrorism, Climate Change, cybersecurity etc.</li>
<li>Also, due to the lack of any global public health framework, Covid-19 has spread into a pandemic.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Role in Reviving Multilateralism</h3>
<p><strong>Shift from Non-Alignment to Multi-Alignment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the Post cold war era, Indian foreign policy has moved from a policy of non-alignment (policy of being neutral with US and USSR blocs) to the policy of Multi-alignment (India is having friendly relations with almost all great powers and developing world).</li>
<li>Multi-alignment is the very essence of India&rsquo;s foreign policy and the economic policy of India today.</li>
<li>This presents an opportunity for India to become a global mediator and help in developing a framework on Global Issues.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Role in International Activism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is a key G-20 member country and the world&rsquo;s fifth-largest economy (and 3rd largest on purchasing power parity) with a long tradition of international activism and promotion of rule-based multilateralism.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s foreign policy is based on the ethos of <strong>&ldquo;Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam&rdquo;</strong> and Good Samaritan. In pursuance of this:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s long-standing commitment to multilateralism can be reflected in the call for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-permanent-seat-in-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>U.N. system reforms.</strong></a></li>
<li>India has taken the lead in promoting various multilateral initiatives like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></a>, proposing <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CCIT for combating terrorism</strong></a>, <strong><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/07-01-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asia-Africa Growth corridor.</a> </strong></li>
<li>India is the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-pharma-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pharmacy to the world</strong> </a>(world&rsquo;s largest producer and exporter of cost-effective generic drugs).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Collaborating with Like-minded Countries</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Working together with a group of countries from the developed and developing countries could further amplify India&rsquo;s voice.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Here, India could work closely with the <strong>Alliance for Multilateralism</strong> (an initiative launched by Germany and France) to shape both the alliance itself and the reform agenda at large.</li>
<li>India must redouble its efforts, along with partners such as the USA, to push for a multi-stakeholder model of internet governance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Alliance for Multilateralism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The &ldquo;Alliance for Multilateralism&rdquo; launched by the French and German Foreign Ministers is an informal network of countries united to promote a rules-based multilateral order for international stability and peace and addressing common challenges.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Alliance aims to renew the global commitment to stabilize the rules-based international order, uphold its principles and adapt it, where necessary.</li>
<li>It aims to protect and preserve international norms, agreements and institutions that are under pressure or in peril.</li>
<li>It seeks to pursue a more proactive agenda in policy areas that lack effective governance and where new challenges require collective action.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Decoupling From China: Opportunity for India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>China has been the factory to the world, but global investors have been seeking a gradual decoupling from China. This is due to the increasing cost of production and the trust deficit in China after Covid-19 pandemic.</li>
<li>This provides India with an opportunity to become the world's manufacturing hub and stable economic power. This will help India in assuming leadership roles and maintaining a stable global economic system.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Despite hardships, India can, and must, take the lead in bringing the world together to practice a new multilateralism that places the common interests of humanity above narrow national interests. In this context, India has taken initiatives to develop a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revival-of-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>joint response in bringing SAARC together to fight the pandemic</strong></a>. This neighbourhood collaboration should be a model for the world.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588937602_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588937602_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="800" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e6edff;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>India is uniquely placed in global politics to take up the leadership role in the framing of a new multilateral world order. Analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PrzWZY_GRMI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/back-home-the-hindu-editorial-on-return-of-indian-expatriates/article31521031.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Back home: On return of Indian expatriates&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 07/05/2020. Now watch this on our Youtube Channel.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-role-in-multilateral-world-order'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Luhman 16: Binary Brown Dwarf System',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a group of astrophysicists have found that the <strong>closest known brown dwarf, Luhman 16A</strong> which shows signs <strong>of cloud bands</strong> similar to those seen on Jupiter and Saturn.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They used the <strong>technique of polarimetry</strong> to determine the properties of atmospheric clouds outside of the solar system.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Polarimetry</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The concept of polarimetry technique was put forth by Indian astrophysicist Sujan Sengupta, that the <strong>light emitted by a cloudy brown dwarf, or reflected off an extrasolar planet, will be polarised.</strong></li>
<li>Polarimetry is the study of polarization. Polarization is a property of light that represents the direction that the light wave oscillates.</li>
<li>When light is reflected off of particles it can favor a certain angle of polarization. By <strong>measuring the preferred polarization of light</strong> from a distant system, astronomers can deduce the <strong>presence of clouds.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in case of Luhman 16A, the researchers have found the actual structure of the clouds (not only their presence).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The polarimetry technique isn't limited to brown dwarfs. It can also be applied to exoplanets orbiting distant stars, or even stars. However, light from brown dwarfs is ideal for the study.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Luhman 16</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Luhman 16A</strong> is part of a <strong>binary system (Luhman 16)</strong> containing a second brown dwarf, <strong>Luhman 16B.</strong> This pair of brown dwarfs Luhman 16A and Luhman 16B <strong>orbit each other.</strong></li>
<li>It is situated at a distance of about<strong> 6.5 light years</strong> from the Sun and the <strong>third closest system to the Sun after Alpha Centauri and Barnard&rsquo;s star.</strong></li>
<li>Despite the fact that Luhman 16A and 16B have similar masses and temperatures and presumably formed at the same time,<strong> they show markedly different weather.</strong></li>
<li>Luhman 16B shows <strong>no sign of stationary cloud bands,</strong> instead showing evidence of more <strong>irregular, patchy clouds.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Luhman 16B, therefore, has <strong>noticeable brightness variations</strong> as a result of its cloudy features, unlike Luhman 16A which has less brightness variation due to a band of clouds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Understanding the cloud system over a brown dwarf<strong> can shed light on the pressure, temperature and climate</strong> on the surface of the celestial body.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Brown Dwarfs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Brown dwarfs are also called <strong>failed stars,</strong> because <strong>their masses are heavier than planets but lighter than stars.</strong></li>
<li>Due to their small masses, they are unable to <strong>sustain fusion of their hydrogen</strong> to produce energy.</li>
<li>It is believed that some of the more massive brown <strong>dwarfs fuse deuterium or lithium and glow faintly.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Binary Stars System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Binary stars are two stars orbiting a<strong> common center of mass</strong>.</li>
<li>The brighter star is officially classified as the <strong>primary star,</strong> while the dimmer of the two is the <strong>secondary star.</strong> In cases where the stars are of equal brightness, the designation given by the discoverer is respected.</li>
<li>They are very important in astrophysics because <strong>calculations of their orbits allow the masses of their component stars to be directly determined,</strong> which in turn allows other stellar parameters, such as radius and density, to be indirectly estimated.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/band-like-clouds-seen-over-suns-neighbour/article31529668.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/luhman-16-binary-brown-dwarf-system'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Comparison of Measures Against Covid-19',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Oxford University has created a <strong>Stringency Index</strong> which shows how strict a country&rsquo;s measures were and at what stage of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19</strong> </a>spread, it enforced these.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India</strong> enforced <strong>one of the strongest lockdowns at an early phase</strong> of case growth.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Stringency Index</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Government Response Stringency Index</strong> is a composite measure based on various response indicators including school and workplace closures, stay-at-home policies and travel bans, rescaled to a<strong> value from 0 to 100.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A<strong> higher index score</strong> indicates a <strong>higher level of stringency</strong> (100 = strictest response).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is among the metrics used by the <strong>Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker</strong> (OxCGRT).</li>
<li>The Tracker has a team of 100 Oxford community members who update a database of 17 indicators of government response.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Index has found that India has one of the strongest lockdown measures in the world, at a <strong>100 score</strong> since 22<sup>nd</sup> March, when the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>nationwide lockdown</strong> </a>was first imposed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phased-easing-of-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">slightly relaxed</a> </strong>on 20<sup>th</sup> April after the government eased norms for certain workplaces in regions outside the <strong>red zones</strong> (zones with increasing rate of active cases).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Other countries with a 100 score are <strong>Honduras, Argentina, Jordan, Libya, Sri Lanka, Serbia and Rwanda.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Death Curve and Stringency Score:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Index also provides an overlay of countries&rsquo; death curve and their stringency score.</li>
<li>Eighteen countries were<strong> compared for the highest death count at the strongest measures.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Italy, Spain or France saw their deaths just begin to flatten as they reached their highest stringency</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s death curve saw a little or no change after it put stronger measures.</li>
<li>In the UK, the US and India, the death curve has not flattened even after imposition of the strictest measures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Comparison:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India called its<strong> strict lockdown at a much earlier point on its case and death curves</strong> when compared to other countries with similar or higher case load.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While imposing lockdown, India had around 320 cases while others had more than 500 cases.</li>
<li>By 22<sup>nd</sup> March, India saw only 4 deaths while others saw more deaths.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Spain called for its strictest measures later in its case and death count than all others.</li>
<li><strong>Sweden</strong> has had the <strong>most liberal measures</strong> in this set and<strong> Iran</strong> the <strong>second most liberal.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Response on WHO&rsquo;s Recommendations</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The researchers also examined if countries meet four of the six <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization&rsquo;s</strong></a> (WHO) recommendations for relaxing physical distancing measures. The<strong> four of them</strong> are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Control transmission to a level the healthcare system can manage.</li>
<li>The healthcare system can detect and isolate all cases (not just serious ones).</li>
<li>Manage transfer to and from high-risk transmission zones.</li>
<li>Community engagement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was found that <strong>no countries meet the four measured recommendations,</strong> but 20 are close.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India scored 0.7</strong> (below Australia, Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea) because it scored 0 for controlling its cases.</li>
<li>The <strong>highest scorers</strong> on this index, at <strong>0.9,</strong> were<strong> Iceland, Hong Kong, Croatia and Trinidad &amp; Tobago.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/coronavirus-india-lockdown-vs-global-lockdown-covid-19-deaths-cases-cure-6399181/" 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/comparison-of-measures-against-covid-19'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Construction of Rath Yatra Chariots Allowed',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has allowed the construction of chariots for the annual Rath Yatra at Jagannath Puri in Odisha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has also said that the complete segregation of the construction site should be ensured and <strong>social-distancing norms be followed.</strong></li>
<li>The Rath Yatra is expected to be held on 23<sup>rd</sup> June 2020.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Jagannath Rath Yatra</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ratha Jatra, also called as <strong>Chariot Festival,</strong> is a Hindu festival associated with <strong>Lord Jagannath</strong> held at <strong>Puri, Odisha.</strong></li>
<li>The festival is celebrated on the<strong> 2<sup>nd</sup> day </strong>of <strong>Shukla Paksha of Ashadh,</strong> the third month, according to the traditional Oriya calendar.</li>
<li>It is a<strong> 9 day-long event</strong> and marks the <strong>return of Lord Krishna to Vrindavan</strong> with his brother <strong>Balabhadra</strong> and sister<strong> Subhadra</strong> to <strong>Gundicha Temple</strong> via Mausi Maa Temple (maternal aunt's home) near Saradha Bali, Puri.</li>
<li>During the festival, the three holy chariots carrying idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balaram (Balabhadra) and sister Subhadra are pulled by thousands of devotees from India and abroad.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Jagannath Temple</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The temple is believed to be constructed in the 12<sup>th</sup> century by <strong>King Anatavarman Chodaganga Deva </strong>of the<strong> Eastern Ganga Dynasty.</strong></li>
<li>Jagannath Puri temple is called <strong>&lsquo;Yamanika Tirtha&rsquo;</strong> where, according to the Hindu beliefs, the power of &lsquo;Yama&rsquo;, the god of death has been nullified in Puri due to the presence of Lord Jagannath.</li>
<li>This temple was called the<strong> &ldquo;White Pagoda&rdquo;</strong> and is a <strong>part of Char Dham</strong> pilgrimages (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram).</li>
<li>There are four gates to the temple- Eastern &lsquo;Singhdwara&rsquo; which is the main gate with two crouching lions, Southern &lsquo;Ashwadwara&rsquo;, Western 'Vyaghra Dwara and Northern &lsquo;Hastidwara&rsquo;. There is a carving of each form at each gate.</li>
<li>In front of the entrance stands the Aruna stambha or sun pillar, which was originally at the <strong>Sun Temple in Konark.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588923570_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588923570_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/construction-of-rath-yatra-chariots-allowed-home-ministry/article31529370.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/construction-of-rath-yatra-chariots-allowed'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Black Panther in Netravali Sanctuary',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A <strong>black panther</strong> was spotted in <strong>Goa&rsquo;s Netravali Sanctuary.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>While the area is a known habitat of tigers, this is for the first time a black panther has been captured on camera in the sanctuary.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Black Panther<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588923091_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588923091_image3.jpg" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A black panther is the <strong>melanistic colour variant of any Panthera,</strong> particularly of the<strong> leopard in Asia and Africa,</strong> and the <strong>jaguar in the Americas.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Melanism is the<strong> increased development of the dark-colored pigment melanin</strong> in the skin or hair.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is as shy as a normal leopard and very difficult to detect. It is mostly found in densely forested areas of southern India.</li>
<li><strong>Areas where black panther has been spotted earlier:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala)</li>
<li>Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve and Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka)</li>
<li>Achanakmar Tiger Reserve (Chhattisgarh)</li>
<li>Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (Goa)</li>
<li>Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is located in<strong> South Eastern Goa</strong> and constitutes one of the vital corridors of the Western Ghats.</li>
<li>It is bounded by <strong>Cotigao wildlife sanctuary</strong> on the eastern side and <strong>Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park</strong> on the northern side.</li>
<li><strong>Netravali or Neturli</strong> is an important tributary of <strong>River Zuari,</strong> which originates in the sanctuary.</li>
<li>It has two important waterfalls namely, <strong>Savari</strong> and <strong>Mainapi.</strong></li>
<li>Forests mostly consist of <strong>moist deciduous vegetation</strong> interspersed with evergreen and semi-evergreen habitat.</li>
<li><strong>Fauna:</strong> Leopard, Giant Squirrel, Mouse Deer, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon and Ceylon Frogmouth.</li>
<li><strong>Other Protected Areas in Goa:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary</li>
<li>Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary</li>
<li>Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary</li>
<li>Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary</li>
<li>Mollem National Park</li>
<li>Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/goa/black-panther-spotted-in-goa-sanctuary-6398693/" 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/black-panther-in-netravali-sanctuary'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Vizag Gas Leak',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a gas leak has affected five villages in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The source of the gas leak was a<strong> styrene plant</strong> owned by South Korean electronics giant LG located in the area.</li>
<li>The possible reason for gas leak is<strong> stagnation and changes in temperature</strong> inside the storage tank that could have resulted in <strong>auto polymerization</strong> (chemical reaction) <strong>and vapourisation</strong> of the styrene.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Styrene</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Styrene is an <strong>organic compound</strong> with the formula <strong>C<sub>8</sub>H<sub>8</sub>.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>derivative of benzene (C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>6</sub>).</strong></li>
<li>It is stored in factories as a liquid, but evaporates easily, and has to be kept at temperatures under 20&deg;C.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sources:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Styrene is found in vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, and in natural foods like fruits and vegetables.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uses:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a flammable liquid that is used in the manufacturing of polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber, and latex.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Risk of Exposure:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Short Term Exposure:</strong> It can result in respiratory problems, irritation in the eyes, irritation in the mucous membrane, and gastrointestinal issues.</li>
<li><strong>Long-Term Exposure:</strong> It could drastically affect the central nervous system and lead to other related problems like peripheral neuropathy. It could also lead to cancer and depression in some cases. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, there is no sufficient evidence of an association between styrene exposure and an increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>State of Chemical Disaster Risk in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-disaster-management-authority-ndma-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)</strong></a>, in the recent past, over 130 significant chemical accidents have been reported in the country.</li>
<li>Further, there are thousands of registered hazardous factories and unorganised sectors dealing with numerous ranges of hazardous material posing serious and complex levels of disaster risks.</li>
<li>There are over 1861 <strong>Major Accident Hazard (MAH) units</strong> spread across 301 districts and 25 states and three Union Territories in all zones of the country. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Major Accident is defined as an incident involving loss of life inside or outside the site or ten or more injuries.</li>
<li>Further it also involves the release of toxic chemical or explosion or fire of spillage of hazardous chemical resulting in &lsquo;on-site&rsquo; or &lsquo;off-site&rsquo; emergencies leading to adverse effects to the environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Laws to Protect Against Chemical Disasters in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Laws Before and During Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At the time of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bhopal-gas-tragedy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bhopal gas tragedy</strong></a>, the <strong>Indian Penal Code (IPC) was the only</strong> relevant law specifying criminal liability for such incidents.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Laws After Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bhopal Gas Leak (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985 :</strong> It gives powers to the central government to secure the claims arising out of or connected with the Bhopal gas tragedy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under the provisions of this Act, such claims are dealt with speedily and equitably.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Environment Protection Act, 1986:</strong> It gives powers to the central government to undertake measures for improving the environment and set standards and inspect industrial units.</li>
<li><strong>The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991:</strong> It is an insurance meant to provide relief to persons affected by accidents that occur while handling hazardous substances.</li>
<li><strong>The National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997:</strong> Under this Act, the National Environment Appellate Authority can hear appeals regarding the restriction of areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</li>
<li><strong>National Green Tribunal, 2010:</strong> It provided for the establishment of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal</strong></a> for effective and expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection and conservation of forests.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to PRS legislative, any incident similar to the Bhopal gas tragedy will be tried in the National Green Tribunal and most likely under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</li>
<li>If an offence is committed by a company then every person directly in charge and responsible will be deemed guilty, unless he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such an offence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/vizag-gas-leak-bhopal-tragedy-india-chemical-disasters-laws-6398912/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vizag-gas-leak'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'FCI Reforms',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-grain-stockist-with-a-role-still-relevant/article31504557.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;A grain stockist with a role still relevant&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 05/05/2020. It talks about issues and solutions pertaining to the Food Corporation of India (FCI).</p>
</div>
<p><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-corporation-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Corporation of India (FCI)</strong></a> was set up under the Food Corporations Act 1964, at the forefront of India&rsquo;s quest of self-sufficiency in rice and wheat following the Green Revolution, managing procurement and stocking grain that supported a vast Public Distribution System (PDS).</p>
<p>Thus, it has played a critical role in ensuring food security in India and acted as a lifeline for millions of vulnerable across the country.</p>
<p>Today, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, it holds the key to warding off a looming crisis of hunger and starvation, especially in the wake of the migrant crisis and poverty induced by the pandemic.</p>
<p>However, several issues pertaining to FCI make its operations highly inefficient (as every year foodgrains procured by FCI gets rotten) and pushes up the annual food subsidy bill.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>FCI has primary duty to undertake purchase, store, transport, distribute and sell food grains and other foodstuffs.</p>
<p>FCI was mandated with three basic objectives:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ensuring food security of the nation by maintaining satisfactory levels of operational buffer stocks of food grains.</li>
<li>Distribution of food grains throughout the country for the Public Distribution System.</li>
<li>Effective Price Support Operations for safeguarding the interest of farmers</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Issues Pertaining to FCI</h3>
<p><strong>Open-Ended Procurement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>FCI conducts &ldquo;Open-ended procurement&rdquo; which means the Government will buy (at <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/msp-agrarian-crisis-and-reform" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minimum Support Price-MSP</strong></a>) any quantity of wheat and rice from any farmer who comes forward to sell.</li>
<li>Due to this, FCI has huge grain stocks which far exceed buffer-stock norms.</li>
<li>Also, some of the reasons for these excess stocks are export bans.</li>
<li>Due to this, FCI&rsquo;s mounting debts have increased to an estimated ₹2.55 lakh crore by March 2020.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Storage Crisis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>FCI lacks necessary warehousing infrastructure and robust procurement mechanisms.<br />Due to lack of adequate storage facilities, huge quantities of food grains get wasted.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>First in First out principle (FIFO)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>FCI follows a first in, first out principle (FIFO) principle that mandates that grain that has been procured earlier needs to be distributed first to ensure that older stocks are liquidated, both across years and even within a particular year. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is time for the FCI to suspend this strategy, if it has not already, that enables movement that costs least time, money and effort.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Lack of Proactive Liquidation Policy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The current system of liquidation of excess stocks through the <strong>Open Market Sale Scheme</strong> (Domestic) or through export markets is extremely ad-hoc and slow.</li>
<li>FCI doesn&rsquo;t get a good price most of the time, as predetermined price (reserve price) is often less than the acquisition cost/economic cost of grains for FCI and it ends up making a loss in the sale.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a pressing need for implementing <strong>Shanta Kumar Committee recommendations.</strong> For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It recommended that FCI should hand over all procurement operations of wheat and rice to the states (having sufficient experience and reasonable infrastructure for procurement). In this context, the central government can incentivise states to follow <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-corporation-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Decentralized Procurement Scheme (DCP).</strong></a></li>
<li>FCI should accept only the surplus (after deducting the needs of the states under NFSA) from these state governments to be moved to deficit states like Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam etc.</li>
<li>FCI should outsource its stocking operations to various agencies such as Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), State Warehousing Corporation (SWC), Private Sector under Private Entrepreneur Guarantee (PEG) scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There is a need for a transparent liquidation policy that should automatically come into effect whenever FCI is faced with surplus stocks over buffer norms.</li>
<li>The vibrant network of self-help groups formed under the <strong>National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM)</strong> can be tasked with the last-mile distribution of food aid other than the PDS.</li>
<li><strong>Farmer producer organisations (FPOs)</strong> have been at the forefront of rebuilding the inefficient supply chains. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The FCI along with the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED), is well placed to rope in expertise to manage the logistics to support supply chain management.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>These holistic reforms in FCI may help in transforming the food security-oriented crisis management into a stable security system to ensure availability, accessibility and affordability of food grains to all people at all times so that no one, nowhere and at no time should go hungry.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588853661_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588853661_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="800" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e8f5ff;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the role played by Food Corporation of India regarding food security. Also highlight the challenges faced by it.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HZQX1pevp14" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/dangerous-drift-on-encounter-with-terrorists-near-handwara/article31512624.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Dangerous Drift&rdquo;</strong> </a>published in The Hindu on 06/05/2020. Now watch this on our YouTube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Development of the Nanomaterials Based Supercapacitors',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a group of researchers (including a recipient of the <strong>INSPIRE Faculty Award</strong>) have made significant achievements in <strong>developing nanomaterials based supercapacitors to achieve high energy density and power density of supercapacitors.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Energy density</strong> is the amount of energy that can be stored in a given mass of a substance or system, i.e. a measure of storage of energy.</li>
<li><strong>Power density</strong> is the amount of power (time rate of energy transfer) per unit volume, i.e. a measure of release of energy.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Energy: Batteries, Capacitors and Supercapacitors</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Like batteries, Capacitors are also used to <strong>store energy.</strong> While batteries rely on chemical reactions, capacitors use static electricity (electrostatics) to store energy.</li>
<li><strong>Capacitors have many advantages over batteries:</strong> they weigh less, generally don't contain harmful chemicals or toxic metals, and they can be charged and discharged many times. However, they cannot store the same amount of electrical energy as batteries.</li>
<li>Supercapacitors, also known as EDLC (electric double-layer capacitor) or Ultracapacitors, differ from regular capacitors in that they <strong>can store a huge amount of energy.</strong></li>
<li>Batteries have a<strong> higher energy density (they store more energy per unit mass)</strong> but supercapacitors have a <strong>higher power density (they can release energy more quickly).</strong> This property makes supercapacitors particularly suitable for <strong>storing and releasing large amounts of power relatively quickly.</strong></li>
<li>Supercapacitors deliver <strong>quick bursts of energy during peak power demands</strong> and then quickly store energy and capture excess power that's otherwise lost. In the example of an electric car, a supercapacitor can provide needed power for acceleration, while a battery provides range and recharges the supercapacitor between surges.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Nanomaterials Based Supercapacitors:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The researchers have been working on<strong> carbon (Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene) nanomaterials</strong> based supercapacitors to achieve <strong>high energy density and power density of supercapacitors.</strong></li>
<li>High energy density of supercapacitors suggests that constant current can be withdrawn for a longer duration without recharging. Hence automobiles can run longer distances without charging.</li>
<li>Thus, researchers have developed a <strong>reduced graphene oxide (rGO)</strong> at a moderate temperature of 100&deg;C with high capacitance performance. It is cost-effective and suitable for commercial purposes.</li>
<li>The focus on energy devices paves the way for the development of<strong> cost-effective and efficient devices, which can be used for energy storage application.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Optoelectronic Applications of Nanomaterials:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Optoelectronics is the study and application of electronic devices and systems that source, detect and control light, usually considered a sub-field of photonics.</li>
<li>The researchers are developing novel nanostructures of carbon for Surface-Enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Surface-Enhanced Raman spectroscopy or surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a surface-sensitive technique that <strong>enhances <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-28-february-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Raman scattering</a> by molecules adsorbed on rough metal</strong> surfaces or by nanostructures such as plasmonic-magnetic silica nanotubes.</li>
<li>The enhancement factor can be as much as 10<sup>10</sup> to 10<sup>11</sup>, which means the technique may even detect a single molecule.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The SERS can help detect harmful molecules present in water at ultra-low concentrations.</li>
<li>The findings make way for materials which can be used as <strong>advanced photodetectors</strong> and also be used as <strong>optical sensors for water pollution control.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)</strong> intends to attract talent to study science at an early age, and to help the country build the required critical resource pool for strengthening and expanding the Science and Technology base with long term foresight.</li>
<li>It is an India specific model for attracting talent with an aptitude for research and innovation, for a career in Basic &amp; Natural sciences.</li>
<li>The scheme has been developed by the <strong>Department of Science &amp; Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology</strong> and <strong>approved in 2008.</strong></li>
<li>INSPIRE Scheme has included three programs and five components.The three programmes are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent (SEATS):</strong> It aims to attract talented youth to study science by providing INSPIRE Award of Rs 5000 to one million young learners of the age group 10-15 years.</li>
<li><strong>Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE):</strong> It aims to enhance rates of attachment of talented youth to undertake higher education in science intensive programmes, by providing scholarships and mentorship.</li>
<li><strong>Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC):</strong> It aims to attract, attach, retain and nourish talented young scientific Human Resource for strengthening the R&amp;D foundation and base.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588845897_image1.JPG" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588845897_image1.JPG" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1621513" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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