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The Representation of the People Act : Part I

Introduction The holding of free and fair elections is the sine-qua-non of democracy. To ensure the conduct of elections in free, fair and in an...

03 Feb 2020 Paper 2
Union Budget 2020-21: Economy

Why in News The Union Minister of Finance has presented the Budget 2020-21. Given below are the important macroeconomic indicators and proposed...

03 Feb 2020 News Analysis
Inquiry into Study on Bats and Bat-Hunters

Why in News The government has ordered an inquiry into a study conducted in Nagaland by researchers from China, US, and India on bats and humans...

03 Feb 2020 News Analysis
Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020

This article is based on “A deliverance: On pregnancy termination Bill” which was published in The Hindu on 31/01/2020. It talks about...

03 Feb 2020 News Editorials
Rakhigarhi to be Developed as an Iconic Site

Why in News Union Budget (2020-21) has proposed to develop Rakhigarhi (Hisar district,Haryana) as an iconic site. 4 other archaeological sites in...

03 Feb 2020 News Analysis
Waterholes Revival in Bandipur Tiger Reserve

Why in News Prolonged monsoon and unseasonal rains have helped to rejuvenate the waterholes in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka. Key...

03 Feb 2020 News Analysis
Chola Dynasty Port- Poompuhar

Why in News The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched ‘Project Digital Poompuhar’ to recreate the Chola Dynasty port...

03 Feb 2020 News Analysis
World Wetlands Day

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03 Feb 2020 News Analysis
Flame-Throated Bulbul

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03 Feb 2020 News Analysis
Economic Survey 2019-20: Key Figures

GDP growth pegged at 6-6.5% for 2020-21, up from 5% in 2019-20. The Survey also said that India’s GDP growth is not overstated. Government...

01 Feb 2020 News Analysis
National Consultation on the Review of Beijing+25

Why in News To mark 25 years of the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action, Ministry of Women & Child Development, the National Commission...

01 Feb 2020 News Analysis
Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary

Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Western Ghats of Karnataka (Udupi & Shimoga districts). The Western Ghats are on India’s...

01 Feb 2020 News Analysis
Economic Survey 2019-20: Highlights

Why in News The Economic Survey 2019-20 has been tabled in the Parliament by the Union Minister for Finance. The theme of Economic Survey 2019-20...

01 Feb 2020 News Analysis
Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV

This article is based on “A sneeze, a global cold and testing times for China” which was published in The Hindu on 01/02/2020. It talks...

01 Feb 2020 News Editorials
Agrochemical Spraying through Drones Illegal

Why in News Recently, the Union Government has clarified that drone-spraying is illegal as per the Insecticides Act, 1968. This clarification has...

01 Feb 2020 News Analysis
Fundamental Rights and OCI Cardholders

Why in News Recently, the Union government has told the Delhi High Court that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders do not enjoy fundamental...

01 Feb 2020 News Analysis
Global Forum on Childhood Pneumonia

Why in News World’s first conference on Childhood Pneumonia was held in Barcelona (Spain) to make it part of the global health...

01 Feb 2020 News Analysis
Agri Export Policy

Why in News Recently, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) along with State Government of Andhra...

01 Feb 2020 News Analysis
Multilateralism and Asia

This article is based on A multilateral alternative, by Asia which was published in The Hindu on 09/01/2020. It evaluates the new multilateral...

31 Jan 2020 News Editorials
Martyr’s Day

Why in News Prime Minister of India paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 72nd Death Anniversary at Gandhi Smriti, New Delhi. Martyr’s Day...

31 Jan 2020 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'The Representation of the People Act : Part I',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The holding of <strong>free and fair elections</strong> is the sine-qua-non of democracy. To ensure the conduct of elections in free, fair and in an impartial manner, the constitution-makers incorporated <strong>Part XV (Articles.324-329)</strong> in the constitution and empowered Parliament to make laws to regulate the electoral process.</li>
<li><strong>The</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/election-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Election Commission of India (ECI)</strong></a> is the watchdog of<strong> free</strong> and <strong>fair elections</strong> in the country and <strong>Article 324</strong> of the Constitution provides for its establishment.</li>
<li>In this context, the Parliament has enacted the Representation of the People Act <strong>(RPA)</strong>, 1950 and Representation of the People Act,1951.</li>
<li>In this TTP, we will cover RPA, 1950 followed by the TTP on RPA, 1951 and other aspects related to both the acts.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Universal suffrage:</strong> After independence, there was a need to hold <strong>general elections</strong> to elect a truly representative government on the basis of<strong> universal adult suffrage.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 325</strong> of the constitution ensures <strong>universal suffrage</strong> and provides that no person be ineligible for inclusion in, or to claim to be included in a special, electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Universal Adult Suffrage</strong></p>
<p>Universal adult suffrage is the right to vote of all adult citizens, regardless of wealth, income, gender, social status, race, or ethnicity, subject only to minor exceptions.</p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Election Commission of India (ECI):</strong> The ECI as an<strong> independent constitutional authority</strong> was therefore brought into force from <strong>November 26<sup>th</sup>, 1949.</strong></li>
<li><strong>The Acts:</strong> To provide a <strong>legal framework</strong> for the conduct of elections, Parliament passed the <strong>Representation of the People Act, 1950, Representation of the People Act, 1951</strong> and <strong>Delimitation Commission Act of 2002.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Delimitation:</strong> For the purpose of<strong> first general elections</strong> to the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas, the <strong>first delimitation order</strong> was issued by the President,<strong> in consultation with ECI</strong> and with the approval of Parliament in August 1951.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Key Provisions</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lays down procedures for <strong>delimitation of constituencies.</strong></li>
<li>Provides for the<strong> allocation of seats</strong> in the House of the People and in the Legislative Assemblies and Legislative Councils of States.</li>
<li>Lays procedure for the <strong>preparation of electoral rolls</strong> and the manner of filling seats.</li>
<li>Lays down the <strong>qualification of voters.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Delimiting Constituencies</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>President</strong> of India has been conferred the power to<strong> amend</strong> orders delimiting constituencies, <strong>only after consulting the ECI.</strong></li>
<li>In Lok Sabha, there is a reservation of seats for <strong>Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.</strong></li>
<li>The ECI has the power to determine the constituencies to be reserved for scheduled tribes in the states of Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Delimitation Commission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under <strong>Article 82</strong> of the Constitution, the Parliament by law enacts a <strong>Delimitation Act after every census.</strong></li>
<li>After coming into force the commencement of the Act, the Central Government constitutes a <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/delimitation-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Delimitation Commission.</strong> </a></li>
<li>This Delimitation Commission demarcates the boundaries of the Parliamentary Constituencies as per provisions of the Delimitation Act.</li>
<li>The<strong> present delimitation</strong> of constituencies has been done on the basis of the <strong>2001 census</strong> figures under the provisions of <strong>Delimitation Act, 2002.</strong></li>
<li>Notwithstanding the above, the Constitution of India was specifically amended in 2002 <strong>not to have delimitation of constituencies till the first census after 2026.</strong> Thus, the present Constituencies carved out on the basis of the 2001 census shall continue to be in operation till the first census after 2026.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Allocation of seats:</strong> As far as possible, every state gets representation in the<strong> Lok Sabha</strong> in <strong>proportion to its population</strong> as per census figures.</li>
<li><strong>Electoral Rolls</strong></li>
<li>The 1950 Act permits the registration of persons in electoral rolls who are <strong>ordinarily resident</strong> in a constituency and persons<strong> holding:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Service</strong> qualification such as a member of <strong>armed forces, member of the armed police force of a state,</strong> serving outside the state, or central government employees posted outside India.</li>
<li><strong>Certain offices in India</strong> declared by the President in consultation with ECI.</li>
<li>The wives of such persons are also deemed to be ordinarily residing in India. There is a proposal for making some provisions <strong>gender-neutral</strong> by replacing the term &lsquo;wife&rsquo; with &lsquo;spouse&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Each state to have a CEO nominated or designated by the ECI in <strong>consultation with the state government </strong>to<strong> supervise</strong> the election work in the State/ UTs.</li>
<li>The ECI also nominates or designates an officer of the state as the <strong>District Election Officer (DEO)</strong> in consultation with the state government <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The DEO works under the overall superintendence and control of the CEO.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ERO is responsible for the<strong> preparation of the electoral roll</strong> for each constituency (parliamentary/assembly).</li>
<li>An appeal against the order of the ERO during the update of the electoral rolls now lies with<strong> District Magistrate.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Returning Officer(RO)</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>RO is responsible for the conduct of the election in <strong>a constituency</strong> and <strong>returns an elected candidate.</strong></li>
<li>The ECI nominates or designates an officer of the government or local authority as the RO in <strong>consultation with the state government.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Power to make rules</strong> under the act is conferred to the Central <strong>government,</strong> which can exercise this power in <strong>consultation with the ECI.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Civil Courts</strong> have also been <strong>barred</strong> to question the legality of any action of the<strong> ERO</strong> regarding <strong>revision of electoral rolls.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Voting Rights:</strong> In 2010, voting rights were extended to citizens of India living abroad.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>RPA, 1950 Schedules</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The First Schedule:</strong> Allocation of seats in the House of the People</li>
<li><strong>The Second Schedule:</strong> Total number of seats in the Legislative Assemblies</li>
<li><strong>The Third Schedule:</strong> Allocation of seats in the Legislative Councils</li>
<li><strong>The Fourth Schedule:</strong> Local authorities for purposes of elections to Legislative Councils<br /><br /><br /><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/the-representation-of-the-people-act-part-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener">For Part II - Click Here</a></li>
</ul>
</div>',
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		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Union Budget 2020-21: Economy',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Minister of Finance has presented the Budget 2020-21. Given below are the important <strong>macroeconomic indicators</strong> and proposed <strong>changes in taxation in India.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Macroeconomic Indicators</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Nominal growth of GDP -</strong> 10% (2020-21). Nominal GDP is an assessment of economic production in an economy that includes current prices in its calculation.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fiscal deficit</strong></a> - 3.8% of GDP (2019-20), 3.5% of GDP (2020-21). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The estimation for the FY20 was at 3.3%, thereby <strong>deviating from the target set in the fiscal path.</strong></li>
<li>The Government has made use of <strong>Section 4 of the FRBM (Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management) Act</strong> which provides a trigger mechanism for a <strong>deviation from the estimated fiscal deficit</strong> on account of structural reforms in the economy with unanticipated fiscal implications.</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong> The increase in deficit estimate is mainly on account of the shortfall in revenue collection. The government on its part has lowered its expenditure on many of the heads. For example, food subsidy in the budget estimate 2019-20 was over ₹1.84 lakh crore, which has been lowered to ₹1.08 lakh crore in the revised estimate</li>
<li><strong>Fiscal deficit, by definition,</strong> is the difference between a government's revenue receipts plus non-debt capital receipts (NDCR) and its total expenditure.</li>
<li>Fiscal deficit occurs when a government collects lesser money - in terms of personal and corporate taxes, GST, market loans and NDCR (money received from sale of old assets) etc. - than it spends, on items such as central sector schemes, salaries of employees, subsidies, payments to states and so on.</li>
<li>According to the <strong>Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act</strong> in India, the recommended<strong> fiscal deficit should be 3% of GDP.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Revenue deficit-</strong> 2.7% of GDP (2020-21). By definition, revenue deficit is the excess of revenue expenditure over revenue receipts.</li>
<li><strong>Size of Economy:</strong> India is now the <strong>fifth largest economy</strong> of the world in terms of GDP.</li>
<li><strong>Growth and Inflation:&nbsp;</strong>7.4% average growth clocked during 2014-19 with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/return-of-inflation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>inflation</strong></a> averaging around 4.5%.</li>
<li><strong>Poverty alleviation:</strong> 271 million people raised out of poverty during 2006-16.</li>
<li><strong>FDI:</strong> India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/revised-fdi-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Foreign Direct Investment</strong></a> <strong>elevated</strong> to US$ 284 billion during 2014-19 from US$ 190 billion during 2009-14.</li>
<li><strong>Central Government debt reduced</strong> to 48.7% of GDP (March 2019) from 52.2% (March 2014).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Two cross-cutting developments:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Proliferation of technologies</strong> (Analytics, Machine Learning, robotics, Bioinformatics and Artificial Intelligence).</li>
<li><strong>Highest ever number of people in the productive age group</strong> (15-65 years) in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/j-k-and-15th-finance-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>15<sup>th</sup> Finance Commission</strong></a> has<strong> cut state share of central taxes to the states</strong> by one percentage point to 41%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/article-370-and-35-a-revoked" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>newly formed Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh,</strong></a> which will get funds from the Centre&rsquo;s share, which means <strong>devolution will be for 28 states compared to 29 earlier.</strong></li>
<li>42% was recommended by the 14<sup>th</sup> Finance Commission</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Changes in Taxation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) removed.</strong> Instead of companies paying DDT on the dividend they give out, the <strong>dividend income will now be added to the taxable income of the recipient,</strong> and taxed at the applicable rate.</li>
<li><strong>Income Tax</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>New tax slabs and lower income tax rates. Around 70 of the existing exemptions and deductions to be removed in the new simplified regime.</li>
<li>New tax regime to be optional - an individual may continue to pay tax as per the old regime and avail deductions and exemptions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580727931_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Corporate Tax:</strong> Concessional corporate tax rate of <strong>15% to new domestic companies in manufacturing and power sector.</strong></li>
<li><strong>5% health cess</strong> to be imposed on imports of medical equipment given these are made significantly in India.</li>
<li>Issuance of <strong>Unique Registration Number</strong> to all charity institutions for easy tax compliance.</li>
<li><strong>&lsquo;Vivad Se Vishwas&rsquo;</strong> scheme, with a deadline of 30<sup>th</sup> June, 2020, to reduce litigations in direct taxes.</li>
<li><strong>100% tax exemption</strong> to the interest, dividend and capital gains income on investment made in infrastructure and priority sectors before 31<sup>st</sup> March, 2024 with a minimum lock-in period of 3 years by the Sovereign Wealth Fund of foreign governments.</li>
</ul>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Inquiry into Study on Bats and Bat-Hunters',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The government has ordered an inquiry into a study conducted in <strong>Nagaland</strong> by researchers from <strong>China, US,</strong> and <strong>India</strong> on <strong>bats</strong> and <strong>humans</strong> carrying <strong>antibodies to deadly viruses like Ebola.</strong></li>
<li>The study is investigated for how the scientists were allowed <strong>to access live samples of bats and bat hunters (humans) without due permission.</strong></li>
<li>The inquiry comes at a time when people worldwide are grappling with the spread of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>novel coronavirus (nCoV)</strong></a> from China.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bats</strong> are <strong>harvested</strong> in an<strong> annual ritual</strong> by a <strong>Naga Tribe</strong> in <strong>Nagaland.</strong> The study conducted research on <strong>individuals who participated in the ritual.</strong></li>
<li>The Nagaland<strong> study</strong> suggests bats in <strong>South Asia</strong> act as a <strong>reservoir host</strong> of a diverse range of <strong>filoviruses,</strong> and <strong>filovirus spillover</strong> occurs through <strong>human exposure to these bats.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Spillover effect</strong> means the virus seems to have moved from bats to humans in one event and after this moved from one human to another.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Filovirus</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Filoviruses belong to a virus family called<strong> Filoviridae.</strong></li>
<li>Filovirus is a<strong> filamentous RNA virus</strong> of a genus which causes <strong>severe hemorrhagic fever</strong> in <strong>humans</strong> and <strong>nonhuman primates.</strong></li>
<li>3 genera of this virus family have been identified: <strong>Cuevavirus, Marburgvirus and Ebolavirus.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Northeast India is</strong> a region with<strong> no historical record of Ebola virus.</strong> But, this study has<strong> found the presence of filovirus</strong> (ex. <strong>ebolavirus, marburg virus</strong>) reactive <strong>antibodies</strong> in <strong>both human (ex. bat hunters)</strong> and <strong>bat populations</strong> implying <strong>zoonotic spread</strong></li>
<li>However, the potential <strong>virus</strong> present in bats may <strong>not</strong> be an exact copy of the virus responsible for various outbreaks.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Diseases Linked to Bats</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>All bats can carry viruses. Many high-profile <strong>epidemics</strong> have been traced to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nipah-virus-and-fruit-bat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>bats</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)</strong> antibodies were found in insectivorous bats.</li>
<li><strong>Ebola</strong> antibodies were found in Hammer-headed fruit bat.</li>
<li><strong>Indian Flying Fox,</strong> hosts over 50 viruses.</li>
<li><strong>Rabies</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>With around 1,200 species, bats comprise 20% of the earth&rsquo;s mammalian diversity.</li>
<li>Long periods of flying raises the <strong>temperatures of bats, boosting their immune responses</strong> and helps them survive the microbes&rsquo; pathogenic effects.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Given the widespread challenges form the newly discovered viruses, it must be ensured that all medical studies in the country adhere to strict norms.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/study-on-bats-and-bat-hunters-of-nagaland-come-under-the-scanner/article30722099.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/inquiry-into-study-on-bats-and-bat-hunters'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/a-deliverance-the-hindu-editorial-on-pregnancy-termination-bill/article30695656.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;A deliverance: On pregnancy termination Bill&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 31/01/2020. It talks about the implications of extending the termination of pregnancy period from 20 weeks to 24 weeks.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the <strong>Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) (Amendment) Bill, 2020.</strong> The Bill seeks to extend the termination of pregnancy period from 20 weeks to 24 weeks, making it easier for women to safely and legally terminate an unwanted pregnancy.</p>
<h3>What is the Need for the Amendment?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Currently, women seeking to terminate the pregnancy beyond 20 weeks have to face the cumbersome legal recourse. <strong>This denies the reproductive rights of women</strong> (as abortion is considered an important aspect of the reproductive health of women).</li>
<li>Obstetricians argue that this has <strong>also spurred a cottage industry</strong> (kind of informal industry) of places providing unsafe abortion services, even leading to the death of the mother.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As a result, a 2015 study in the <strong>India Journal of Medical Ethics noted that 10-13% of maternal deaths in India are due to unsafe abortions.</strong> This makes unsafe abortions to be the <strong>third-highest cause of maternal deaths in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to <strong>Section 3 (2) of the MTP Act, 1971</strong> a pregnancy may be terminated by a registered medical practitioner:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Where the length of the pregnancy <strong>does not exceed twelve weeks,</strong> or</li>
<li>Where the length of the pregnancy <strong>exceeds twelve weeks but does not exceed twenty weeks</strong>. In this case, the abortion will take place, if not less than two registered medical practitioners are of opinion, that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve a <strong>risk to the life of the pregnant woman</strong> (her physical or mental health); or there is a substantial risk that if the <strong>child</strong> were born, it would suffer from some physical or mental abnormalities to be seriously handicapped.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>This delays the decision-making process for termination of pregnancy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>One of the criticisms of the MTP Act, 1971 was that it failed to keep pace with advances in medical technology that allow for the removal of a foetus at a relatively advanced state of pregnancy.</li>
<li>The original law states that, if a <strong>minor</strong> wants to terminate her pregnancy, written consent from the guardian is required. The proposed law has excluded this provision.</li>
<li>Thereby, the extension of limit would ease the process for these women, allowing the mainstream system itself to take care of them, delivering quality medical attention.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Proposed Features of the Bill</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill seeks to amend <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-bill-to-raise-upper-limit-for-abortion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Bill proposes the requirement of the opinion of <strong>one</strong> registered medical practitioner (instead of two or more) for termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation (foetal development period from the time of conception until birth).</li>
<li>It introduces the requirement of the opinion of <strong>two</strong> registered medical practitioners<strong> for termination of pregnancy </strong>of <strong>20-24 weeks of gestation.</strong></li>
<li>It has also enhanced the gestation limit for<strong> &lsquo;special categories&rsquo; of women</strong> which includes survivors of rape, victims of incest and other vulnerable women like differently-abled women and <strong>minors.</strong></li>
<li>It also states that the <strong>&ldquo;name and other particulars of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated shall not be revealed&rdquo;,</strong> except to a person authorised in any law that is currently in force.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:&nbsp;</strong>Before 1971, <strong>abortion was criminalized under Section 312</strong> of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, describing it as <strong>intentionally 'causing miscarriage'.</strong></p>
</div>
<h3>Intended Benefits of this Extension</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A number of <strong>foetus abnormalities are detected after the 20<sup>th</sup> week,</strong> often turning a wanted pregnancy into an unwanted one.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Usually, the foetal anomaly scan is done during the 20<sup>th</sup>-21<sup>st</sup> week of pregnancy. If there is a delay in doing this scan, and it reveals a lethal anomaly in the foetus, 20 weeks period is limiting.</li>
<li>This extension would allow termination of pregnancy in cases where some anomaly in the foetus is reported after 20 weeks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The law will <strong>help the rape victims, ill and under-age women</strong> to terminate the unwanted pregnancy lawfully.</li>
<li>Significantly, the Bill also<strong> applies to unmarried women</strong> and therefore, relaxes one of the regressive clauses of the 1971 Act, i.e., single women couldn&rsquo;t cite contraceptive failure as a reason for seeking an abortion.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Allowing unmarried women to medically terminate pregnancies and a provision to protect the privacy of the person seeking an abortion will bestow reproductive rights to the women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related to the Extension</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A key aspect of the legality governing abortions has always been the <strong>&lsquo;viability&rsquo; of the foetus.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Viability implies the period from which a foetus is capable of living outside the womb.</li>
<li>As technology improves, with infrastructure up-gradation, and with skilful professionals driving medical care, this &lsquo;viability&rsquo; naturally improves.</li>
<li>Currently, viability is usually placed at about seven months (28 weeks) but may occur earlier, even at 24 weeks.</li>
<li>Thus, late termination of pregnancy <strong>may get in conflict with the viability of the foetus.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> preference for a male child</strong> keeps sex determination centres in business in spite of their illegal status. There are concerns that a more liberal abortion law can aggravate this state-of-affairs.</li>
<li>According to 2017 data, 59 countries allowed elective abortions, of which <strong>only seven permitted the procedure after 20 weeks</strong> like Canada, China, the Netherlands, North Korea, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Though Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 is a step in the right direction, the government needs to ensure that all norms and standardised protocols in clinical practice to facilitate abortions are followed in health care institutions across the country.</p>
<p>Along with that, the question of abortion needs to be decided on the basis of human rights, the principles of solid science, and in step with advancements in technology.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffacf;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br /><br />Discuss how Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 strives to provide reproductive rights to women in India.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/medical-termination-of-pregnancy-amendment-bill-2020'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Rakhigarhi to be Developed as an Iconic Site',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Union Budget (2020-21) has proposed to develop <strong>Rakhigarhi</strong> (Hisar district,Haryana) as an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iconic-tourist-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>iconic site.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>4 other archaeological sites in <strong>Hastinapur</strong> (Uttar Pradesh), <strong>Shivsagar</strong> (Assam), <strong>Dholavira</strong> (Gujarat) and <strong>Adichanallur</strong> in (Tamil Nadu) will also be developed as iconic sites with onsite museums.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Rakhigarhi</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indus-valley-civilization-s-independent-origin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rakhigarhi</strong></a> is the largest Harappan site in the<strong> Indian subcontinent.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Other large sites of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/indus-valley-civilization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Harappan civilization</strong></a> on Indian sub-continent are <strong>Harappa, Mohenjodaro </strong>and<strong> Ganveriwala </strong>in<strong> Pakistan </strong>and<strong> Dholavira (Gujarat)</strong> in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>At Rakhigarhi, the excavations are being done to <strong>trace its beginnings</strong> and to study its <strong>gradual evolution</strong> from <strong>6000 BCE (Pre-Harappan phase)</strong> to <strong>2500 BCE.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The site was excavated by <strong>Amarendra Nath</strong> of ASI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Major Findings at the Site</h3>
<p><strong>Settlements</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The archaeological excavations revealed <strong>the mature Harappan phase</strong> represented by planned township having <strong>mud-brick</strong> as well as <strong>burnt-brick</strong> houses with a <strong>proper drainage system.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Seals and Pottery</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <strong>cylindrical seal</strong> with <strong>5 Harappan characters</strong> on one side and a symbol of an <strong>alligator</strong> on the other is an <strong>important</strong> find from this site.</li>
<li>The ceramic industry represented by <strong>red ware,</strong> which included<strong> dish-on-stand,</strong> vase, <strong>perforated jar</strong> among others.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Other Antiquities</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Blades; terracotta and shell bangles, beads of <strong>semi precious stones,</strong> and <strong>copper objects;</strong> animal figurines, <strong>toy cart</strong> frame and wheel of terracotta; bone points; inscribed <strong>steatite seals and sealings</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Rituals and Burials</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Animal sacrificial pit</strong> lined with mud-brick and <strong>triangular</strong> and <strong>circular fire altars</strong> on the mud floor have also been excavated that signifies the ritual system of Harappans.</li>
<li>The excavations have yielded a few extended burials, which certainly belong to a very late stage, maybe the medieval times.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Recent findings</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, a study of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indus-valley-civilization-s-independent-origin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DNA</strong></a> from <strong>skeletal remains</strong> excavated from the Harappan cemetery at Rakhigarhi found that the people in <strong>the Harappan Civilization have an independent origin.</strong></li>
<li>This study <strong>negates</strong> the theory of the Harappans having Steppe pastoral or ancient <strong>Iranian farmer ancestry.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Harappan Civilization</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is also known as<strong> Indus Valley Civilization.</strong></li>
<li>It flourished around 2,500 BC, in the western part of South Asia, in contemporary Pakistan and Western India.</li>
<li>The Indus Valley was home to the largest of the four ancient urban civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, and China.</li>
<li>In the 1920s, the Archaeological Department of India carried out excavations in the Indus valley wherein the ruins of the two old cities, viz. Mohenjodaro and Harappa were unearthed.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/haryanas-harappan-site-to-create-jobs/article30722211.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/rakhigarhi-to-be-developed-as-an-iconic-site'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Waterholes Revival in Bandipur Tiger Reserve',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Prolonged monsoon and unseasonal rains have helped to rejuvenate the waterholes in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There are <strong>370 big and small waterholes</strong> (a <strong>depression</strong> in which water collects from where animals usually drink) in Bandipur and <strong>85% of them are full.</strong></li>
<li>At Bandipur, majority of waterholes dry up by <strong>February and March</strong> leading to severe water stress situation for animals. But this year, it is expected that the depletion of water levels will take a little longer.</li>
<li>Also, in the areas of water stress, <strong>37 solar-powered borewells</strong> have been arranged that will function to replenish the waterholes periodically to further minimise the water scarcity.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Bandipur Tiger Reserve</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Established in:</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/joint-effort-to-conserve-wildlife-at-bandipur" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bandipur Tiger Reserve</strong></a> was established in <strong>1973</strong> under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/status-of-conservation-of-tigers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Project Tiger</strong></a>. In <strong>1985,</strong> by including adjacent areas from <strong>Venugopala Wildlife Park,</strong> it was enlarged and named as <strong>Bandipur National Park.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Location:</strong> The Tiger Reserve is situated in <strong>two contiguous districts (Mysore and Chamarajanagar) of Karnataka</strong> and is located at the tri-junction area of the States of<strong> Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.</strong> It forms a part of <strong>Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Ecological Diversity:</strong> Bandipur Tiger Reserve lies in one of the <strong>richest biodiversity areas</strong> of the country. It is surrounded by <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Mudumalai Tiger Reserve</strong> in the South,</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-8th-january-2019-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary</strong></a> in the South-west &amp;</li>
<li>The<strong> Kabini Reservoir</strong> separates the Bandipur and <strong>Nagarahole Tiger Reserve</strong> on the North-west.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biodiversity:</strong> The Reserve is endowed with rich floral and faunal diversity and is recognized as one of the <strong>Mega Biodiversity Areas</strong> in the country. The <strong>Tiger and the Elephants</strong> are the <strong>flagship (iconic or symbolic species</strong> for a defined habitat, issue, campaign or environmental cause) <strong>and umbrella</strong> (species selected for making <strong>conservation-related decisions</strong>) species for the conservation of all the biota that this ecosystem represents.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bandipur along with Nagarahole, Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam &amp; Wayanad constitutes the <strong>single largest Wild population of Tigers in the world</strong>. This landscape comprises of<strong> 21% of the total forested area</strong> of the Western Ghats and holds <strong>one-eighth</strong> of the world's Tiger population <strong>(one-fourth</strong> of India&rsquo;s Tiger population).</li>
<li>This Landscape is also home to the <strong>single largest Asian Elephant population in the world</strong> and is part of the <strong>Mysore Elephant Reserve (MER).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rivers:</strong> The park is located between the <strong>Kabini river in the north</strong> and the<strong> Moyar river in the south.</strong> The <strong>Nugu river runs</strong> through the park. The highest point in the park is on a hill called <strong>Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580721200_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580721200_image3.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/karnataka/prolonged-monsoon-revives-waterholes-in-bandipur/article30720908.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/waterholes-revival-in-bandipur-tiger-reserve'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Chola Dynasty Port- Poompuhar',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched <strong>&lsquo;Project Digital Poompuhar&rsquo;</strong> to recreate the <strong>Chola Dynasty port</strong> city (Poompuhar) in <strong>Tamil Nadu.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The reconstruction of Poompuhar is a part of <strong>DST&rsquo;s Indian Digital Heritage (IDH) project.</strong> An exhibition of its first project<strong> &lsquo;Digital Hampi&rsquo;</strong> is currently on display at the National Museum.</li>
<li>The Poompuhar project is a part of the <strong>second phase of IDH.</strong> The second phase will focus on the heritage sites that are currently underwater in Gujarat (eg. Dwarka) and Tamil Nadu.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>History:</strong> <a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580721922_1580717138_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580721922_1580717138_image4.jpg" width="308" height="268" style="float: right;" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Poompuhar is mentioned in works of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/sangam-age-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sangam Tamil literature</strong></a> which refers to the city located 30 km from the existing Poompuhar town in southern Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li>The port city flourished in inter-continental trade but shifted with time. Finally, it was re-established at the present location at the <strong>mouth of the river Cauvery</strong> around <strong>3,000 years ago.</strong></li>
<li>The shifts took place due to the continuous &ldquo;kadalkol&rdquo; or rising sea levels and the submergence of the deltas,</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Previous Studies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian Remote Sensing Satellites showed that the city was established initially in the Cauvery Delta about 30km away from the present Poompuhar town around 15,000 years ago.</li>
<li>It had discovered a <strong>harbour-like structure</strong> as well as sea walls and probably a bridge in the region.</li>
<li>The study also provided insights about the life history and the social, cultural as well as technological evolution of Poompuhar. It also revealed the <strong>age of Poompuhar</strong> from <strong>3000 years to 15,000 to 20,000 years.</strong></li>
<li>Despite several studies on Tamil literature, archaeology, underwater exploration and geosciences, the exact location of initial establishment of Poompuhar, its age, later shifts and the reasons and periods of its extinction, remained unresolved.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Project Digital Poompuhar</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The project involves underwater surveys and photography by remotely operated vehicles and remote sensing-based geodynamic studies to bring out comprehensive information on the time series evolution and extinction.</li>
<li>It also involves the visualisation of geodynamic processes of the last 20,000 years like land subsidence, sea-level rise, Cauvery&rsquo;s migration, floods, tsunami, cyclones and erosion.</li>
<li>The study is also expected to provide scientific information not only on the life history of Poompuhar and the socio-cultural evolution but also the science and technological evolution and the disaster history of this region,</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Digital Heritage Initiative</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India Digital Heritage is an initiative by the <strong>Department of Science and Technology</strong> in the areas of technology and humanities for digital documentation and interpretation of our tangible and intangible heritage.</li>
<li>The project highlights art, architecture and cultural legacy of the world heritage site <strong>Hampi in Karnataka,</strong> the medieval capital of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/krishnapatnam-port" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Vijayanagara dynasty.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Cholas</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Cholas controlled the central and northern parts of Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li>Their core area of the rule was the Kaveri delta, later known as Cholamandalam.Their capital was Uraiyur (near Tiruchirapalli town) and Puhar or Kaviripattinam was an alternative royal residence and chief port town.</li>
<li><strong>Tiger</strong> was their <strong>emblem.</strong></li>
<li>The Cholas also maintained an <strong>efficient navy.</strong></li>
<li><strong>King Karikala</strong> was a famous king of the Sangam Cholas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many Sangam poems mention the <strong>Battle of Venni where he defeated the confederacy of Cheras, Pandyas and eleven minor chieftains.</strong></li>
<li>Trade and commerce flourished during his reign.</li>
<li>He founded the <strong>port city of Puhar (identical with Kaveripattinam)</strong> and constructed 160 km of an embankment along the Kaveri River.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tamil-nadu-port-poompuhar-chola-dynasty-6248053/" 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/chola-dynasty-port-poompuhar'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'World Wetlands Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-wetlands-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Wetlands Day</strong></a> is celebrated every year on the 2<sup>nd</sup> of February. This day marks the date of the adoption of the <strong>Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971</strong> in the <strong>Iranian city of Ramsar.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>theme</strong> for 2020 is <strong>&lsquo;Wetlands and Biodiversity&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>It was<strong> first celebrated in 1997.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Wetlands</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wetlands-restoration" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wetlands</strong> </a>are ecosystems saturated with water, either <strong>seasonally or permanently.</strong> They include mangroves, marshes, rivers, lakes, deltas, floodplains and flooded forests, rice-fields, coral reefs, marine areas no deeper than 6 metres at low tide, as well as <strong>human-made wetlands</strong> such as waste-water treatment ponds and reservoirs.</li>
<li>Though they cover only around <strong>6% of the Earth&rsquo;s land</strong> surface, <strong>40% of all plant and animal species</strong> live or breed in wetlands.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of Wetlands</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Wetlands are a critical part of our natural environment. They <strong>mitigate floods, protect coastlines </strong>and<strong> build community resilience to disasters, reduce the impacts of floods, absorb pollutants</strong> and<strong> improve water quality.</strong></li>
<li>Wetlands are critical to human and planet life. More than 1 billion people depend on them for a living and 40% of the world&rsquo;s species live and breed in wetlands.</li>
<li>They are a <strong>vital source for food, raw materials, genetic resources for medicines, </strong>and<strong> hydropower.</strong></li>
<li><strong>30%</strong> of land-based<strong> carbon</strong> is stored in <strong>peatland.</strong></li>
<li>They play an important <strong>role in transport, tourism and the cultural and spiritual well-being of people.</strong></li>
<li>Many wetlands are areas of natural beauty and many are important to <strong>Aboriginal people.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Threats</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As per the <strong>IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services)&rsquo;s</strong> global assessment wetlands are the <strong>most threatened ecosystem.</strong></li>
<li>Wetlands are <strong>disappearing 3 times faster than forests</strong> due to human activities and global warming.</li>
<li>According to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-heritage-week-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO</strong></a>, the threat to wetlands will have an <strong>adverse impact on 40% of the world&rsquo;s flora and fauna</strong> that live or breed in wetlands.</li>
<li><strong>Major threats:</strong> Agriculture, development, pollution and climate change.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>IPBES</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IPBES is an <strong>independent intergovernmental</strong> body established to strengthen the <strong>science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services</strong> for the <strong>conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity,</strong> long-term human well-being and sustainable development.</li>
<li>It was established in <strong>Panama City (US),</strong> in April <strong>2012.</strong></li>
<li>It is<strong> not</strong> a United Nations body.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Status of Wetlands in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the Ramsar Convention declared <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/addition-to-ramsar-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>10 wetlands</strong> </a>from India as Ramsar sites taking the total number of Ramsar Sites in the country to <strong>37.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Wetlands declared as Ramsar sites are protected under strict guidelines of the convention.</li>
<li>There are currently over<strong> 2,300 Ramsar Sites around the world.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has over 7 lakh wetlands, covering<strong> 4.5%</strong> of the country&rsquo;s <strong>area,</strong> yet<strong> none</strong> of the wetlands has been notified under domestic laws.</li>
<li>Wetlands are regulated under the <strong>Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.</strong></li>
<li>The 2010 version of the Rules provided for a <strong>Central Wetland Regulatory Authority,</strong> but new Rules of 2017 replaced it with <strong>state-level bodies</strong> and created a <strong>National Wetland Committee,</strong> which functions in an<strong> advisory role.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The newer regulations<strong> removed</strong> some items from the definition of &ldquo;wetlands&rdquo; including <strong>backwaters, lagoons, creeks, and estuaries.</strong></li>
<li>Under the 2017 regulations process to identify the wetlands has been <strong>delegated to the States.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/why-wetlands-matter-to-world-and-india-6248015/" 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/world-wetlands-day-1'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Flame-Throated Bulbul',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The flame-throated bulbul, also called the <strong>Rubigula (State bird of Goa)</strong>, has been chosen as the <strong>mascot of the 36<sup>th</sup> National Games.</strong></li>
<li>The 36<sup>th</sup> National Games will be held between October 20 and November 4 in the year 2020.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Flame-Throated Bulbul</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Flame-throated Bulbul is <strong>endemic to southern peninsular India</strong> where it is locally distributed in southern Andhra Pradesh, eastern Karnataka, Goa, Orissa, eastern Kerala and northern Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li>The Flame-throated Bulbul prefer habitats like rocky, scrub-covered hills mostly in the Eastern Ghats and central peninsular India but also in some places in the Western Ghats.</li>
<li>IUCN status: <strong>Least Concern</strong></li>
<li>India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972</strong></a>: It is a <strong>Schedule &ndash; IV bird.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Schedules under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580716054_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580716054_image2.png" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide absolute protection -</strong> offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties.</li>
<li>Species listed in <strong>Schedule III and Schedule IV</strong> are also protected, but the penalties are much lower.</li>
<li><strong>Schedule V</strong> includes the animals which may be hunted.</li>
<li>The specified <strong>endemic plants in Schedule VI</strong> are prohibited from cultivation and planting.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sport/new-mascot-for-national-games-flame-throated-bulbul/article30724107.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/flame-throated-bulbul'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Economic Survey 2019-20: Key Figures',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580556305_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580556305_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>GDP growth</strong> pegged at 6-6.5% for 2020-21, up from 5% in 2019-20. The Survey also said that India&rsquo;s GDP growth is not overstated.</li>
<li><strong>Government Expenditure</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Survey called for <strong>rationalization of non-committed revenue</strong> expenditures<strong> like subsidies</strong> as a considerable proportion of revenue expenditure like interest payments, wages and salaries and pensions is committed.</li>
<li>However, the Survey has also <strong>warned against cutting capital expenditure.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Share of formal employment increased</strong> from 17.9% in 2011-12 to 22.8% in 2017-18 reflecting formalization in the economy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2018, India witnessed an increase of about 80 % in the creation of new firms in comparison to 2014. As per World Bank&rsquo;s data on Entrepreneurship, India ranks third in the number of new firms created.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inflation declines</strong> sharply from 3.2% in April 2019 to 2.6% in December 2019, reflecting weakening of demand pressure in the economy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It needs to be noted that when demand surpasses supply, it leads to higher prices i.e. Demand pull inflation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Balance of Payments (BoP)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Balance of Payments position improved to USD 433.7 billion in September 2019 because of narrowing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/current-account-deficit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Current Account Deficit (CAD)</strong></a> which is 1.5% of GDP in the first half of 2019-20.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foreign Direct Investment:</strong> Net FDI inflows remained buoyant attracting USD 24.4 billion in the first eight months of 2019-20, much higher than the corresponding period of 2018-19.</li>
<li><strong>Remittances</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Net overseas remittances in the first half of 2019-20 were more than 50% of total receivables in 2018-19, standing at USD 38.4 billion.</li>
<li>As per World Bank report of 2019, India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-diaspora-largest-in-the-world-un-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>17.5 million diaspora</strong> </a>made it the top remittance-recipient country in 2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Merchandise Trade</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s merchandise trade balance<strong> improved</strong> from 2009-14 to 2014-19, although most of the improvement in the latter period was due to<strong> more than 50% decline in crude prices in 2016-17.</strong></li>
<li>India&rsquo;s top five trading partners continue to be USA, China, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Performance of Key Sectors</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Industrial Sector:</strong> As per <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/contraction-in-index-of-industrial-production" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Index of Industrial Production (IIP)</strong></a>, the sector registered a growth of 0.6% in 2019-20 (April-November) as compared to 5.0 % during 2018-19 (April-November).</li>
<li><strong>Service Sector:</strong> The Services Sector accounted for about 55% of the economy and Gross Value Added (GVA) growth, two-thirds of total FDI inflows into India and about 38% of the total exports.</li>
<li><strong>Agriculture sector</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The share of agriculture and allied sectors in the total GVA of the country has been continuously declining on account of relatively higher growth performance of non-agricultural sectors, a natural outcome of development process. Also, livestock income has become an important secondary source of income for millions of rural families.</li>
<li>Agricultural productivity is also constrained by lower level of mechanization in agriculture which is about 40 % in India, much lower than China (59.5 %) and Brazil (75 %).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ease of Doing Business:</strong> Suggestions for Improving Rank in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ease of Doing Business</strong></a> (Rank 63 in 2019)<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Close coordination</strong> between the Logistics division of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Ministry of Shipping and the different port authorities.</li>
<li>Individual sectors such as tourism or manufacturing require a more targeted approach that maps out the regulatory and process bottlenecks for each segment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-survey-2019-20-key-figures'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'National Consultation on the Review of Beijing+25',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>To mark 25 years of the adoption of the Beijing <strong>Platform for Action, Ministry of Women &amp; Child Development,</strong> the <strong>National Commission for Women (NCW)</strong> and <strong>UN Women</strong> organized a <strong>National Consultation on the Review of Beijing+25</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Consultation</strong> brings on board <strong>all</strong> stakeholders (civil society, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/inequality-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>women</strong></a> and youth etc.) to implement actions that <strong>remove</strong> the most <strong>visible barriers to <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-gender-equality-versus-religious-practices" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gender equality</a>.</strong></li>
<li>2020 marks the<strong> 25<sup>th</sup></strong> anniversary of the <strong>4<sup>th</sup> World Conference</strong> <strong>on Women (WCW)</strong> and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). Hence, it is referred to as Beijing + 25.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:&nbsp;</strong>To assess <strong>progress</strong> and <strong>challenges</strong> to the implementation of the <strong>Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in India</strong> over the past 5 years.</li>
<li>The issue of gender equality has also been highlighted by the <strong>Economic Survey 2019-20</strong> and points out that in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), <strong>India lags behind</strong> in <strong>Zero Hunger (SDG 2)</strong> and <strong>Gender Equality (SDG 5).</strong> Similarly, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sdg-india-index-by-niti-ayog" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SDG India Index by NITI Aayog</strong></a> raised the same concerns in achieving gender equality. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has been ranked 112<sup>th</sup> among 153 countries in the annual <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-gender-gap-index-2020-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Gender Gap Index</strong></a> for 2020, published by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Economic Forum (WEF).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent government schemes to achieve gender equality:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Beti Bachao Beti Padhao</li>
<li>Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana</li>
<li>Scheme for Adolescent Girls</li>
<li>National Nutrition Mission (NNM)</li>
<li>Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>World Conferences on Women</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United Nations has organized 4 world conferences on women.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mexico City,1975</li>
<li>Copenhagen,1980</li>
<li>Nairobi,1985</li>
<li>Beijing,1995</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The 1995 <strong>4<sup>th</sup> World Conference on Women (WCW),</strong> held in <strong>Beijing,</strong> was one of the largest ever gatherings of the United Nations, and a critical<strong> turning point</strong> in the world&rsquo;s focus on<strong> gender equality</strong> and the <strong>empowerment of women.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It marked a significant turning point for the global agenda for gender equality. The <strong>Beijing Declaration</strong> was adopted unanimously the UN at the end of the 4<sup>th</sup> <strong>WCW.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Beijing Declaration</strong> is an agenda for women&rsquo;s empowerment and considered the key global policy document on gender equality.</li>
<li>It sets strategic objectives and actions for the advancement of women and the achievement of gender equality in 12 critical areas of concern like women and health, women in power and decision-making, the girl-child, women and the environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1601327" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-consultation-on-the-review-of-beijing-25'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the <strong>Western Ghats</strong> of Karnataka (Udupi &amp; Shimoga districts). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Western Ghats are on India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kailash-mansarovar-in-tentative-list-of-world-heritage-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Heritage sites list.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is named after the Someshwara temple located within the sanctuary.</li>
<li>The sanctuary is mostly made up of <strong>evergreen forests, semi-evergreen</strong> and <strong>moist deciduous</strong> forests.</li>
<li>It is situated very close to the <strong>Kudremukh National Park.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Sitanadi river</strong> flows through the sanctuary.</li>
<li>Some <strong>Endangered</strong> species are found viz; <strong>Lion Tailed Macaque,</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tiger-census-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tiger</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-20th-july-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dhole (wild dog)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Lion-tailed Macaque</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is <strong>endemic</strong> to the <strong>Western Ghats</strong> in the states of <strong>Karnataka, Kerala</strong> and <strong>Tamil Nadu.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Although the species has a relatively wide range, its area of occupancy is small and severely fragmented.</li>
<li>Primarily <strong>diurnal arboreal,</strong> it prefers the upper canopy of primary <strong>tropical evergreen</strong> rainforest.</li>
<li>It <strong>can</strong> also be found in <strong>monsoon forests</strong> in hilly country and in disturbed forest.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protected areas:</strong> <img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580554938_drishtiias_lion_tailed.jpg" style="float: right;" width="448" height="224" /><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Kudremukh</strong> National Park (Karnataka)</li>
<li><strong>Periyar</strong> National Park (Kerala)</li>
<li><strong>Silent Valley</strong> National Park (Kerala)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Habitat loss and degradation -</strong> deforestation, agriculture, logging leads to a <strong>scarcity of the fruit</strong> on which the <strong>Macaque</strong> feed, which is particularly devastating. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Creation of exotic plantations such as tea, eucalyptus and coffee.</li>
<li>Hunting</li>
<li>Pet trade</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation and Protection:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IUCN Red list: <strong>Endangered.</strong></li>
<li>It is listed in <strong>Appendix I </strong>of<strong> CITES.</strong></li>
<li>It is protected under <strong>Schedule I,</strong> Part I, of the <strong>Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/toddler-falls-off-moving-van-in-agumbe-ghat/article30705983.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/someshwara-wildlife-sanctuary'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Economic Survey 2019-20: Highlights',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Economic Survey 2019-20 has been tabled in the Parliament by the Union Minister for Finance.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> theme</strong> of Economic Survey 2019-20 is "<strong>India&rsquo;s aspiration of #[email protected] with its theme of #WealthCreation".</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Economic Survey</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Economic Survey is a report that the government presents on the state of the<strong> economy in the past one year,</strong> the <strong>key challenges</strong> it anticipates, and <strong>their possible solutions.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a crucial document as it provides a detailed, official version of the government&rsquo;s take on the country&rsquo;s economic condition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The document is prepared by the <strong>Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA)</strong> under the guidance of the <strong>Chief Economic Adviser (CEA), currently Dr Krishnamurthy Subramanian.</strong></li>
<li>It needs to be noted that the <strong>government is not constitutionally bound to present the Economic Survey or to follow the recommendations</strong> that are made in it.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580555297_83336709_1685176408288824_5558162768831447040_o.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580555297_83336709_1685176408288824_5558162768831447040_o.jpg" width="337" height="337" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Wealth Creation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Survey makes an attempt to craft a framework of policies that can foster wealth creation in India, which in turn, would set the economy firmly on an upward growth trajectory.</li>
<li>The Survey identifies several levers for furthering Wealth Creation, which are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Grassroot Entrepreneurs:</strong> Entrepreneurship as a strategy to fuel productivity growth and wealth creation.</li>
<li><strong>Competitive Market:</strong> Promote 'pro-business' policies that unleash the power of competitive markets to generate wealth as against 'pro-crony' policies that may favour incumbent private interests.</li>
<li><strong>Remove anachronistic government interventions:</strong> Eliminate policies that undermine markets through government intervention, even where it is not necessary.</li>
<li><strong>Assemble in India:</strong> Integrate <em>'Assemble in India' into 'Make in India'</em> to focus on labour intensive exports and thereby create jobs at a large scale. India should focus on other labour intensive sectors such as textile, clothing, footwear and toys.</li>
<li><strong>Banking:</strong> Efficiently scale up the banking sector to become proportionate to the Indian economy and track the health of the shadow banking sector (NBFCs).</li>
<li><strong>Privatization:</strong> Use privatization to foster efficiency and thus bolster the case for aggressive disinvestment of CPSEs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Market Enables Wealth Creation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Survey lays stress on the importance of bringing an openness in the market that leads to wealth creation, in turn, boosting the economic activity through increased investment.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s historical dominance on the global economy is the result of <strong>two factors: &lsquo;Invisible Hand of Market&rsquo;</strong> and<strong> &lsquo;Trust&rsquo;. E.g.</strong> Indian economy returned to high growth trajectory post economic liberalisation.</li>
<li><strong>Trust is a public good that increases with use.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Thalinomics</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Survey makes an attempt to relate economics to the common person using something that an individual encounters every day - a plate of food i.e a Thali.</li>
<li>Affordability of Thalis vis-&agrave;-vis a day&rsquo;s pay of a worker has improved over time, indicating improved welfare of the common person.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-survey-2019-20-highlights'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-sneeze-a-global-cold-and-testing-times-for-china/article30706280.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>This article is based on &ldquo;A sneeze, a global cold and testing times for China&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 01/02/2020. It talks about the spread of Coronavirus.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, a new virus belonging to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coronavirus family</strong></a> (now named <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/novel-strain-of-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV</strong></a>) has claimed over 200 lives in China and the numbers infected have touched 10,000 confirmed cases. As the outbreak continues to spread outside China, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong></a> has declared it a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/public-health-emergency-of-international-concern" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Health Emergency of International Concern</strong></a> (global emergency).</p>
<p>Under the global emergency, all countries should be prepared for containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracing and prevention of the onward spread of 2019-nCoVinfection, and to share full data with WHO.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A PHEIC is defined in the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) as, &ldquo;an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response&rdquo;. This definition implies a situation that is:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Serious, sudden, unusual or unexpected;</li>
<li>Carries implications for public health beyond the affected State&rsquo;s national border; and</li>
<li>May require immediate international action.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The declaration of PHEIC would lead to boosting public health measures, funding and resources to prevent and reduce global spread.</strong></li>
<li>The WHO has declared five global emergencies in the past decade, including the Ebola epidemic.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>What is the novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Normally, coronavirus is a large family of viruses that are often the <strong>source of respiratory infections, including the common cold.</strong></li>
<li>Most of the <strong>viruses are common among animals,</strong> but sometimes, an animal-based coronavirus mutates and successfully finds a human host.</li>
<li>According to the <strong>World Health Organization,</strong> during previous outbreaks due to other coronaviruses, <strong>human-to-human transmission</strong> occurred through droplets or objects making contact, suggesting that the transmission mode of the 2019-nCoV can be identical.</li>
<li><strong>Manifested symptoms</strong> may include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Antibiotics do not work against such viral pneumonia and there are no vaccines against them.</li>
<li>More significant is the new understanding that the virus is contagious even during incubation, that is even before a patient exhibits any symptoms. This characteristic amplifies transmissibility.</li>
<li>Due to this, travel bans across China are initiated and the literal isolation of Wuhan (the place where the novel coronavirus outbreak took place) has been done.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV: A Man Made Disaster</h3>
<p>The relationship between <strong>zoonotic pathogens &mdash;</strong> those of animal origin &mdash; and global pandemics is not new. In the last five years alone, the world has faced outbreaks of dreaded viruses such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ebola-global-health-emergency" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ebola</strong></a>, <strong>MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ) </strong>and now<strong> Novel coronavirus.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that globally, about a billion cases of illness and millions of deaths occur every year from <strong>zoonoses,</strong> i.e, diseases and infections naturally transmitted between people and vertebrate animals.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Some 60% of emerging infectious diseases globally are zoonoses. Of the over 30 new human pathogens detected over the last three decades, 75% originated in animals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>According to WHO, wherever there is close mixing of humans and animals, especially the unregulated handling of blood and other body products, as happens for example in China&rsquo;s animal markets, there are greater chances of transmission of a virus from animals to humans, and its mutation to adapt to the human body.</strong></li>
<li>Animal markets are breeding grounds because there is free interchange of pathogens between species and mutations.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The novel coronavirus is being compared with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in 2002-03 which infected around 8,000 patients and claimed nearly 800 lives.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SARS is also a zoonotic case, part of the coronavirus family with clues pointing to horseshoe bats in China as the likely source.</li>
<li>The first incidents were reported in Guangdong province in November 2002.</li>
<li>It was the first case of a coronavirus family virus developing lethal pathogenicity together with high transmission.</li>
<li>The global economic loss due to SARS was estimated at between $30-$100 billion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ebola outbreak in Africa:</strong> There it was wild chimpanzees who had the disease. It came into humans after these were killed and consumed.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Impact on India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has declared <strong>one positive case</strong> of a novel coronavirus patient in Kerala.</li>
<li>Since India and Nepal share an open border, the coronavirus<strong> cases being reported in Nepal</strong> is a sign of grave concern for India.</li>
<li>However, the way, Kerala government dealt with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nipah-outbreak-in-kerala" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nipah virus outbreak</strong></a> in May 2018 was a remarkable feat. This can be replicated in case <strong>Novel coronavirus spreads across India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nipah is also zoonotic and made the jump from fruit bats to humans. Though there were 17 deaths in India, effective quarantine measures by local authorities prevented the spread.</li>
<li>The State health machinery and local administration (without waiting for instructions from Union government) responded with alacrity with many put under observation. This proactivity prevented the spread of the virus and Kerala was declared Nipah-free within a month.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Infectious diseases including those of the zoonotic variety are on the rise in India. In addition, regions in India suffer from seasonal outbreaks of dengue, malaria and influenza strains. In this context:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>nation-wide disease surveillance programme</strong> needs to be strengthened.</li>
<li>Given the growth potential of India&rsquo;s biotech sector, it is time to put in place a robust <strong>public-private partnership model</strong> that can transform the health services sector in the country, covering disease surveillance, diagnostic kit availability and accelerated vaccine development.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #000d85; background-color: #e0ffe3;"><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br /><br />Discuss whether the frequent viral outbreaks can be termed as man-made disasters.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Agrochemical Spraying through Drones Illegal',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Government has clarified that drone-spraying is illegal as per the <strong>Insecticides Act, 1968.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This clarification has come after environmentalists highlighted that the usage of drones for agrochemical spraying has increased and has the potential to create problems.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Insecticide Act, 1968 does not allow aerial spraying. As per its provisions, <strong>aerial application of pesticides</strong> needs <strong>approval or permission</strong> from the <strong>Central Insecticides Board (CIB).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the CIB has not granted any approval or permission in the past for the use of drones to spray pesticides.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Aerial spraying<strong> impacts a larger area</strong> while <strong>decreasing the efficacy</strong> on the target pests.</li>
<li>Drones and unmanned remote-controlled machines can be harmful tools for spraying chemicals.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is <strong>no scientific validity</strong> that<strong> drones help in precision spraying.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Adverse weather and wind conditions can result in drifting</strong> of the fine hazardous chemical beyond the range of application.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Kasargod in Kerala</strong> faced the negative consequences of aerial spraying of <strong>Endosulfan (a pesticide)</strong> for over 25 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Insecticides Board</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was <strong>established under Section 4 of the Insecticides Act, 1968</strong> and it works under the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers&rsquo; Welfare.</strong></li>
<li>It advises the central government and state governments on technical matters arising out of the administration of the act and to carry out the other functions assigned to it. <strong>Advice is given on:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The risks to human being or animals involved in the use of insecticides/pesticides and the safety measures necessary to prevent such risk.</li>
<li>The manufacturing, sale, storage, transport and distribution of insecticides/pesticides with a view to ensure safety to human beings or animals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Kasargod Incident</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Over 20 years of aerial spraying on cashew plantations and on other crops in Kerala left many people especially children with <strong>mental and physical disorders</strong> like deformities and other health complications.</li>
<li>The health effects of the chemical include <strong>neurotoxicity, late sexual maturity, physical deformities, poisoning,</strong> among others.</li>
<li>Studies established linkages between aerial spraying of the pesticide and the growing health disorders in Kasaragod district.</li>
<li>In<strong> 2011,</strong> the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a> <strong>banned</strong> its production and distribution of Endosulfan.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/crop-dusting-using-drones-is-illegal-says-centre/article30706526.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/agrochemical-spraying-through-drones-illegal'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Fundamental Rights and OCI Cardholders',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union government has told the Delhi High Court that <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/overseas-citizenship-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Overseas Citizen of India</strong></a> <strong>(OCI)</strong> cardholders <strong>do not enjoy fundamental rights</strong> guaranteed by the Constitution, including the right to freedom of speech and expression.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This response was to a plea seeking information under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper4/right-to-information-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.</strong></a></li>
<li>The plea also sought exemption for overseas citizens from seeking permission under the <strong>Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 (FCRA)</strong> to make donations to religious and charitable institutions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the plea, the right to make donations to religious institutions and the fundamental right to freedom of religion are guaranteed by the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Government has not specifically replied on the question of the right to practice religion in India. However, it says no fundamental rights are applicable to the OCIs.</li>
<li>According to the government, OCI cardholders have merely been granted statutory rights under<strong> the</strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/citizenship-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Citizenship Act, 1955.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Centre held that the right to freedom of speech and expression is a statutory right and not a fundamental or a constitutional right for the OCI cardholders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Central Government grants limited rights through<strong> the Citizenship Act (Conferment of rights on overseas citizens of India).</strong> Therefore, it depends on the policies of the government what rights are granted to the OCIs.</li>
<li>Centre&rsquo;s response contradicts earlier <strong>Delhi High Court ruling in 2018,</strong> where it held that OCI cardholders have the right to enjoy the fundamental rights of equality and freedom of speech and expression like other Indian citizens.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>2018, the Delhi High Court</strong> had said that an overseas citizen <strong>can exercise fundamental rights guaranteed to &ldquo;natural persons&rdquo;</strong> under the constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Supreme Court</a>,</strong> in multiple cases, has held that the Right to Information is enshrined in <strong>Article 19(1)(a),</strong> that is granted to citizens and <strong>Article 21,</strong> which is guaranteed to all natural persons.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Article 19(1)(a)- Freedom of speech and expression:</strong> It provides every citizen with the right to express one&rsquo;s views, opinions, beliefs, and convictions freely by word of mouth, writing, printing, picturing or in any other manner.</p>
<p><strong>Article 21:</strong> It declares that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law. This right is<strong> available to both citizens and non-citizens.</strong></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fundamental-rights-not-for-oci-card-holders-govt-to-hc-6245108/" 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/fundamental-rights-and-oci-cardholders'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Global Forum on Childhood Pneumonia',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>World&rsquo;s first conference on Childhood Pneumonia was held in <strong>Barcelona (Spain)</strong> to make it part of the global health agenda.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Despite being the biggest infectious killer of children, pneumonia remains a <strong>neglected disease</strong> both nationally and globally.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Every 39 seconds, a child under-5 dies from it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Global Forum on Childhood Pneumonia is an initiative of 9 leading health and children&rsquo;s organisations including <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unicef-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNICEF</strong></a>, <strong>Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation,</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pneumococcal-conjugate-vaccine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gavi</strong> </a>among others.</li>
<li>The<strong> theme</strong> of the conference is<strong> &lsquo;Fighting for Breath&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Pneumonia</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Pneumonia is an <strong>acute respiratory infection</strong> of the <strong>lungs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Cause:</strong> It doesn&rsquo;t have one single cause &ndash; it can develop from <strong>either bacteria, viruses or fungi</strong> in the air.</li>
<li><strong>Vaccine:</strong> Pneumonia caused by <strong>bacteria</strong> is easily preventable with vaccines. 3 doses of the primary vaccine <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pneumococcal-conjugate-vaccine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)</strong> </a>to prevent it are recommended. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A new vaccine for one of the main viral causes of pneumonia is under development.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is planning for the nationwide rollout of PCV under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/intensified-mission-indradhanush-best-practice-in-the-world-bmj" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vulnerability:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Children whose <strong>immune systems</strong> are <strong>immature</strong> (i.e. newborns) or <strong>weakened</strong> &ndash; such as by undernourishment, or diseases like HIV &ndash; are <strong>more vulnerable</strong> to pneumonia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Spread:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pneumonia is <strong>contagious</strong> and can be spread through coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread through fluids, like blood during childbirth, or from contaminated surfaces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/under-5-girls-face-high-morality-in-india-un" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Child mortality</strong></a>: The death of children under the age of 5.</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-tackling-infant-mortality" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Infant mortality</strong></a>: The death of children under the age of 1.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Preventable:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The poorest children are most at risk because of<strong> high rates of malnutrition, low vaccine coverage </strong>and<strong> limited access to correct diagnosis </strong>and<strong> timely treatment.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Almost all</strong> of the deaths from childhood pneumonia are <strong>preventable through vaccination, adequate nutrition, reducing risk factors like air pollution</strong> (which makes the lungs more vulnerable to infection),<strong> using good hygiene practices </strong>and <strong>treatable </strong>with <strong>low-cost antibiotics </strong>and<strong> oxygen,</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pneumonia-and-diarrhoea-progress-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Outdoor air pollution</strong></a> contributes to nearly 18% or nearly 1 in 5 pneumonia deaths among children under 5.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exclusive Breastfeeding:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Exclusive breastfeeding during the<strong> first 6 months</strong> of a child's life can lead to a<strong> 23% reduction</strong> in pneumonia incidence.</li>
<li>Infants who aren&rsquo;t breastfed are <strong>15 times</strong> more likely to <strong>die</strong> from pneumonia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Incidence:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Global:</strong> Together, the<strong> Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria and Pakistan</strong> account for <strong>more than half of all deaths</strong> due to pneumonia among children under 5.</li>
<li><strong>India:</strong> Annually, <strong>14% of under-5 deaths</strong> in India happen due to pneumonia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/14-per-cent-of-indias-under-five-deaths-due-to-pneumonia-report-6241777/" 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/global-forum-on-childhood-pneumonia'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Agri Export Policy',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)</strong></a> along with State Government of Andhra Pradesh has dispatched the<strong> first shipment</strong> of high-quality bananas from Anantpur in Andhra Pradesh to Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) in Mumbai for<strong> exports to international markets.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The long-distance affects the viability of export shipments <strong>due to high transport costs and quality losses.</strong> Hence, this time efforts were made for reducing the transit time by using <strong>refrigerated rail containers</strong> (freight transport that is refrigerated for the transportation of temperature-sensitive cargo).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Agri Export Policy</h3>
<p>Keeping in mind the significant Indian agriculture holds, Government of India introduced Agri Export Policy in 2018.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Double Exports:</strong> To double <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agriculture-export-policy-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>agricultural exports</strong></a> from the present $30 billion to $60 billion by 2022 and reach $100 billion in the next few years thereafter, with a stable trade policy regime.</li>
<li><strong>Diversification:</strong> To <strong>diversify</strong> the export basket, and boost high value and value-added agricultural exports including focus on perishables.</li>
<li><strong>Non-Traditional Agri Products Promotion:</strong> To promote novel, indigenous, organic, ethnic, traditional and non-traditional Agri products exports.</li>
<li><strong>Market Access:</strong> To provide an <strong>institutional mechanism</strong> for pursuing market access, tackling barriers and deal with sanitary and phytosanitary issues.</li>
<li><strong>Global Integration:</strong> To strive to double India&rsquo;s share in world agri-exports by integrating with global value chain at the earliest.</li>
<li><strong>Benefit Farmers:</strong> Enable farmers to get benefit of export opportunities in the overseas market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vision:</strong> Harness export potential of Indian agriculture, through suitable policy instruments, to make India a global power in agriculture and raise farmers income.</li>
<li><strong>Elements:</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580540213_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580540213_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1601353" 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/agri-export-policy'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Multilateralism and Asia',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-multilateral-alternative-by-asia/article30517073.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>A multilateral alternative, by Asia</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 09/01/2020. It evaluates the new multilateral world order that is being evolved by Asian powers i.e. India and China. It has indicated that the contours of the new order, with India and China as key players, should not be seen through a western prism. Indo-China with their civilization values hold promise to usher a new era of development based on the Asian values of discipline, hard work, frugality, educational achievement, balancing individual and societal needs, and deference to authority. It distinguishes between multilateral world order dominated by western powers and the recent emergence of Asian powers while indicating an inherent value system.</p>
</div>
<h3>The Asian Century?</h3>
<p>The Asian Century refers to the dominant role that Asia is expected to play in the 21st century due to its burgeoning economy and demographic trends. The concept of the Asian Century gained credence following the rapid economic growth of China and India since the 1980s, which propelled both of them to the ranks of the world's largest economies. After a gap of 200 years, Asian economies are again larger than the rest of the world combined. Indo-China is working hard to resolve its border issues which may provide the multilateral alternative to a world divided by values (Asian values), and no longer by ideology.</p>
<h3>Need For Asian Values</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Asian values are set of values promoted since the late 20<sup>th</sup> century by some Asian political leaders and intellectuals as a conscious alternative to Western political values such as human rights, democracy, and capitalism. Advocates of Asian values typically claimed that the <strong>rapid development of many East Asian economies in the post-World War II period was due to the shared culture of their societies.</strong> They also asserted that Western political values were unsuited to East Asia because they fostered excessive individualism and legalism, which threatened to undermine the social order and destroy economic dynamism. <strong>Among Asian values that were frequently cited were discipline, hard work, frugality, educational achievement, balancing individual and societal needs, and deference to authority.</strong> Critics of Asian values disputed their role in economic growth and argued that they were being used to protect the interests of East Asia&rsquo;s authoritarian elites.</li>
<li>Western labels (western prism) do not explain the actions of civilizational states like China and India. The two countries are responding to unique national problems with a new development paradigm and view of the world order. Both implicitly question Western ideas and institutions as they seek their legitimate space in setting global rules. They have different, rather than <strong>divergent, approaches with convergent goals.</strong> As there are inherent fundamental differences between the Asian and western values a new multilateral world order led by Asian values would be starkly different as compared to the multilateral world order which was until recently led solely by the western countries and their value system.</li>
<li>In western world <strong>competition is always seen as a Zero-sum game,</strong> that&rsquo;s the reason why the western world has always seen the rise of new economic power as a threat to their dominance. This zero-sum approach has pushed the western countries to counter the rise of new power and it has also forced them to enter into many security alliances and conflict zones.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Asian Giants Challenging Western Power Construct</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nearly after two centuries, the combined GDP of Asian economies has become larger than the rest of the world, this fact indicates the arrival of the Asian century and the rise of the Asian powers. They have emerged to global economics scale by capitalizing upon technology, their human resources and more importantly their civilizational values.</li>
<li>Western institutions are collapsing and many multilateral platforms are becoming dysfunctional. The emergence of bilateral trade negotiations, failed climate talks, inability to check conflict vulnerability, forced inclusion of intellectual property rights, etc. are some of the issues which are raising concerns about the ability to cater the need of the present world. In these situations, Indo-China have got the opportunities to rebuild them with Asian vision.</li>
<li>Recent initiatives like multilateral Belt and Road Initiative (BRI; 2013) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (2014), launched by China challenge the global governance paradigm. Likewise in 2015, emerging India established the International Solar Alliance, laying out a distinct global sustainable development framework.</li>
<li>The United States has already recognized the &lsquo;Asian Century&rsquo; bypassing multilateralism and direct dealings with China, India the Indo-Pacific construct are some examples of it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>New Framework for Global Governance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Current global governance arrangements favor flexibility over rigidity, prefer voluntary measures to binding rules and privilege partnerships over individual actions. Along with that individual empowerment, increasing awareness of human security, institutional complexity, international power shifts, and the liberal world political paradigm will define the future of global governance. Initiatives like Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have the potential to redefine this new mode of governance.</li>
<li>China with the launch of BRI has a head start over India in laying out a new multilateralism based on &ldquo;common interests&rdquo; as different from agreed goals of a negotiated treaty. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It optimizes, not maximize, financial returns with countries having an effective veto by remaining outside.</li>
<li>Half of future BRI funding is expected from multinational corporations and multilateral banks, adding to their stake in solving difficulties, making it more inclusive.</li>
<li>It also provides a strategic framework for new global institution building as its scope is as wide as multilateral treaties.</li>
<li>Apart from that China is developing block chain-based financial infrastructure in BRI countries and exploring an international block-chain currency for digital settlements without relying on the dollar, thus reducing U.S. leverage and reducing the hegemony of western economic power.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion: Embodying Asian Values</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The emergence of Asian powers cannot rule out the importance of the U.S. It is evident that the U.S., China, and India will retain their civilizational models into the future. In Asia, differences will center on overlapping priorities - <strong>Security (the U.S.&rsquo;s efforts to maintain hegemony), economic (China&rsquo;s emphasis on connectivity, markets, and growth) and equitable sustainable development (India-led framework of digital infrastructure designed as a public good).</strong></li>
<li>Countries having similar conditions like India are looking for its vision of a digital, cooperative, sustainable multilateral strategic framework to complement the frameworks of the other two powers. Early concrete moves for their simultaneous rise, are in the global interest and will be a win-win situation for all.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffbd6;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br /><br />Asia is providing the multilateral alternative to a world divided by values, and no longer by ideology. What defines &lsquo;Asian Values&rsquo; and how they are different from western values?</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/multilateralism-and-asia'
		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Martyr’s Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Prime Minister of India paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his <strong>72<sup>nd</sup> Death Anniversary</strong> at Gandhi Smriti, New Delhi.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Martyr&rsquo;s Day is observed on <strong>30<sup>th</sup> January</strong> every year in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi and his contributions to the nation.</li>
<li><strong>23<sup>rd</sup> March</strong> is also observed as Martyr's Day to pay tribute to three revolutionaries of India namely <strong>Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Mahatma Gandhi<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580462053_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580462053_image3.jpg" style="float: right;" width="200" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on <strong>October 2, 1869</strong>, at <strong>Porbandar in Gujarat</strong> and died on <strong>January 30, 1948,</strong> at <strong>Gandhi Smriti, New Delhi.</strong></li>
<li>He was assassinated by <strong>Nathuram Godse</strong> in the Birla House during his evening prayers.</li>
<li>He was a lawyer, politician, social activist, writer and became the leader of the nationalist movement against the British rule of India.</li>
<li>He is considered the <strong>Father of the Nation.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper4/gandhian-ideologies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gandhi and his ideologies</strong></a> played an important role in liberating India from the British.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1601067" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'title' => 'The Representation of the People Act : Part I',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The holding of <strong>free and fair elections</strong> is the sine-qua-non of democracy. To ensure the conduct of elections in free, fair and in an impartial manner, the constitution-makers incorporated <strong>Part XV (Articles.324-329)</strong> in the constitution and empowered Parliament to make laws to regulate the electoral process.</li>
<li><strong>The</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/election-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Election Commission of India (ECI)</strong></a> is the watchdog of<strong> free</strong> and <strong>fair elections</strong> in the country and <strong>Article 324</strong> of the Constitution provides for its establishment.</li>
<li>In this context, the Parliament has enacted the Representation of the People Act <strong>(RPA)</strong>, 1950 and Representation of the People Act,1951.</li>
<li>In this TTP, we will cover RPA, 1950 followed by the TTP on RPA, 1951 and other aspects related to both the acts.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Universal suffrage:</strong> After independence, there was a need to hold <strong>general elections</strong> to elect a truly representative government on the basis of<strong> universal adult suffrage.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 325</strong> of the constitution ensures <strong>universal suffrage</strong> and provides that no person be ineligible for inclusion in, or to claim to be included in a special, electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Universal Adult Suffrage</strong></p>
<p>Universal adult suffrage is the right to vote of all adult citizens, regardless of wealth, income, gender, social status, race, or ethnicity, subject only to minor exceptions.</p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Election Commission of India (ECI):</strong> The ECI as an<strong> independent constitutional authority</strong> was therefore brought into force from <strong>November 26<sup>th</sup>, 1949.</strong></li>
<li><strong>The Acts:</strong> To provide a <strong>legal framework</strong> for the conduct of elections, Parliament passed the <strong>Representation of the People Act, 1950, Representation of the People Act, 1951</strong> and <strong>Delimitation Commission Act of 2002.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Delimitation:</strong> For the purpose of<strong> first general elections</strong> to the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas, the <strong>first delimitation order</strong> was issued by the President,<strong> in consultation with ECI</strong> and with the approval of Parliament in August 1951.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Key Provisions</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lays down procedures for <strong>delimitation of constituencies.</strong></li>
<li>Provides for the<strong> allocation of seats</strong> in the House of the People and in the Legislative Assemblies and Legislative Councils of States.</li>
<li>Lays procedure for the <strong>preparation of electoral rolls</strong> and the manner of filling seats.</li>
<li>Lays down the <strong>qualification of voters.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Delimiting Constituencies</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>President</strong> of India has been conferred the power to<strong> amend</strong> orders delimiting constituencies, <strong>only after consulting the ECI.</strong></li>
<li>In Lok Sabha, there is a reservation of seats for <strong>Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.</strong></li>
<li>The ECI has the power to determine the constituencies to be reserved for scheduled tribes in the states of Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Delimitation Commission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under <strong>Article 82</strong> of the Constitution, the Parliament by law enacts a <strong>Delimitation Act after every census.</strong></li>
<li>After coming into force the commencement of the Act, the Central Government constitutes a <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/delimitation-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Delimitation Commission.</strong> </a></li>
<li>This Delimitation Commission demarcates the boundaries of the Parliamentary Constituencies as per provisions of the Delimitation Act.</li>
<li>The<strong> present delimitation</strong> of constituencies has been done on the basis of the <strong>2001 census</strong> figures under the provisions of <strong>Delimitation Act, 2002.</strong></li>
<li>Notwithstanding the above, the Constitution of India was specifically amended in 2002 <strong>not to have delimitation of constituencies till the first census after 2026.</strong> Thus, the present Constituencies carved out on the basis of the 2001 census shall continue to be in operation till the first census after 2026.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Allocation of seats:</strong> As far as possible, every state gets representation in the<strong> Lok Sabha</strong> in <strong>proportion to its population</strong> as per census figures.</li>
<li><strong>Electoral Rolls</strong></li>
<li>The 1950 Act permits the registration of persons in electoral rolls who are <strong>ordinarily resident</strong> in a constituency and persons<strong> holding:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Service</strong> qualification such as a member of <strong>armed forces, member of the armed police force of a state,</strong> serving outside the state, or central government employees posted outside India.</li>
<li><strong>Certain offices in India</strong> declared by the President in consultation with ECI.</li>
<li>The wives of such persons are also deemed to be ordinarily residing in India. There is a proposal for making some provisions <strong>gender-neutral</strong> by replacing the term &lsquo;wife&rsquo; with &lsquo;spouse&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Each state to have a CEO nominated or designated by the ECI in <strong>consultation with the state government </strong>to<strong> supervise</strong> the election work in the State/ UTs.</li>
<li>The ECI also nominates or designates an officer of the state as the <strong>District Election Officer (DEO)</strong> in consultation with the state government <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The DEO works under the overall superintendence and control of the CEO.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ERO is responsible for the<strong> preparation of the electoral roll</strong> for each constituency (parliamentary/assembly).</li>
<li>An appeal against the order of the ERO during the update of the electoral rolls now lies with<strong> District Magistrate.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Returning Officer(RO)</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>RO is responsible for the conduct of the election in <strong>a constituency</strong> and <strong>returns an elected candidate.</strong></li>
<li>The ECI nominates or designates an officer of the government or local authority as the RO in <strong>consultation with the state government.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Power to make rules</strong> under the act is conferred to the Central <strong>government,</strong> which can exercise this power in <strong>consultation with the ECI.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Civil Courts</strong> have also been <strong>barred</strong> to question the legality of any action of the<strong> ERO</strong> regarding <strong>revision of electoral rolls.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Voting Rights:</strong> In 2010, voting rights were extended to citizens of India living abroad.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>RPA, 1950 Schedules</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The First Schedule:</strong> Allocation of seats in the House of the People</li>
<li><strong>The Second Schedule:</strong> Total number of seats in the Legislative Assemblies</li>
<li><strong>The Third Schedule:</strong> Allocation of seats in the Legislative Councils</li>
<li><strong>The Fourth Schedule:</strong> Local authorities for purposes of elections to Legislative Councils<br /><br /><br /><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/the-representation-of-the-people-act-part-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener">For Part II - Click Here</a></li>
</ul>
</div>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Union Budget 2020-21: Economy',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Minister of Finance has presented the Budget 2020-21. Given below are the important <strong>macroeconomic indicators</strong> and proposed <strong>changes in taxation in India.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Macroeconomic Indicators</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Nominal growth of GDP -</strong> 10% (2020-21). Nominal GDP is an assessment of economic production in an economy that includes current prices in its calculation.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fiscal deficit</strong></a> - 3.8% of GDP (2019-20), 3.5% of GDP (2020-21). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The estimation for the FY20 was at 3.3%, thereby <strong>deviating from the target set in the fiscal path.</strong></li>
<li>The Government has made use of <strong>Section 4 of the FRBM (Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management) Act</strong> which provides a trigger mechanism for a <strong>deviation from the estimated fiscal deficit</strong> on account of structural reforms in the economy with unanticipated fiscal implications.</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong> The increase in deficit estimate is mainly on account of the shortfall in revenue collection. The government on its part has lowered its expenditure on many of the heads. For example, food subsidy in the budget estimate 2019-20 was over ₹1.84 lakh crore, which has been lowered to ₹1.08 lakh crore in the revised estimate</li>
<li><strong>Fiscal deficit, by definition,</strong> is the difference between a government's revenue receipts plus non-debt capital receipts (NDCR) and its total expenditure.</li>
<li>Fiscal deficit occurs when a government collects lesser money - in terms of personal and corporate taxes, GST, market loans and NDCR (money received from sale of old assets) etc. - than it spends, on items such as central sector schemes, salaries of employees, subsidies, payments to states and so on.</li>
<li>According to the <strong>Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act</strong> in India, the recommended<strong> fiscal deficit should be 3% of GDP.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Revenue deficit-</strong> 2.7% of GDP (2020-21). By definition, revenue deficit is the excess of revenue expenditure over revenue receipts.</li>
<li><strong>Size of Economy:</strong> India is now the <strong>fifth largest economy</strong> of the world in terms of GDP.</li>
<li><strong>Growth and Inflation:&nbsp;</strong>7.4% average growth clocked during 2014-19 with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/return-of-inflation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>inflation</strong></a> averaging around 4.5%.</li>
<li><strong>Poverty alleviation:</strong> 271 million people raised out of poverty during 2006-16.</li>
<li><strong>FDI:</strong> India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/revised-fdi-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Foreign Direct Investment</strong></a> <strong>elevated</strong> to US$ 284 billion during 2014-19 from US$ 190 billion during 2009-14.</li>
<li><strong>Central Government debt reduced</strong> to 48.7% of GDP (March 2019) from 52.2% (March 2014).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Two cross-cutting developments:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Proliferation of technologies</strong> (Analytics, Machine Learning, robotics, Bioinformatics and Artificial Intelligence).</li>
<li><strong>Highest ever number of people in the productive age group</strong> (15-65 years) in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/j-k-and-15th-finance-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>15<sup>th</sup> Finance Commission</strong></a> has<strong> cut state share of central taxes to the states</strong> by one percentage point to 41%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/article-370-and-35-a-revoked" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>newly formed Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh,</strong></a> which will get funds from the Centre&rsquo;s share, which means <strong>devolution will be for 28 states compared to 29 earlier.</strong></li>
<li>42% was recommended by the 14<sup>th</sup> Finance Commission</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Changes in Taxation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) removed.</strong> Instead of companies paying DDT on the dividend they give out, the <strong>dividend income will now be added to the taxable income of the recipient,</strong> and taxed at the applicable rate.</li>
<li><strong>Income Tax</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>New tax slabs and lower income tax rates. Around 70 of the existing exemptions and deductions to be removed in the new simplified regime.</li>
<li>New tax regime to be optional - an individual may continue to pay tax as per the old regime and avail deductions and exemptions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580727931_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Corporate Tax:</strong> Concessional corporate tax rate of <strong>15% to new domestic companies in manufacturing and power sector.</strong></li>
<li><strong>5% health cess</strong> to be imposed on imports of medical equipment given these are made significantly in India.</li>
<li>Issuance of <strong>Unique Registration Number</strong> to all charity institutions for easy tax compliance.</li>
<li><strong>&lsquo;Vivad Se Vishwas&rsquo;</strong> scheme, with a deadline of 30<sup>th</sup> June, 2020, to reduce litigations in direct taxes.</li>
<li><strong>100% tax exemption</strong> to the interest, dividend and capital gains income on investment made in infrastructure and priority sectors before 31<sup>st</sup> March, 2024 with a minimum lock-in period of 3 years by the Sovereign Wealth Fund of foreign governments.</li>
</ul>',
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	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Inquiry into Study on Bats and Bat-Hunters',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The government has ordered an inquiry into a study conducted in <strong>Nagaland</strong> by researchers from <strong>China, US,</strong> and <strong>India</strong> on <strong>bats</strong> and <strong>humans</strong> carrying <strong>antibodies to deadly viruses like Ebola.</strong></li>
<li>The study is investigated for how the scientists were allowed <strong>to access live samples of bats and bat hunters (humans) without due permission.</strong></li>
<li>The inquiry comes at a time when people worldwide are grappling with the spread of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>novel coronavirus (nCoV)</strong></a> from China.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bats</strong> are <strong>harvested</strong> in an<strong> annual ritual</strong> by a <strong>Naga Tribe</strong> in <strong>Nagaland.</strong> The study conducted research on <strong>individuals who participated in the ritual.</strong></li>
<li>The Nagaland<strong> study</strong> suggests bats in <strong>South Asia</strong> act as a <strong>reservoir host</strong> of a diverse range of <strong>filoviruses,</strong> and <strong>filovirus spillover</strong> occurs through <strong>human exposure to these bats.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Spillover effect</strong> means the virus seems to have moved from bats to humans in one event and after this moved from one human to another.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Filovirus</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Filoviruses belong to a virus family called<strong> Filoviridae.</strong></li>
<li>Filovirus is a<strong> filamentous RNA virus</strong> of a genus which causes <strong>severe hemorrhagic fever</strong> in <strong>humans</strong> and <strong>nonhuman primates.</strong></li>
<li>3 genera of this virus family have been identified: <strong>Cuevavirus, Marburgvirus and Ebolavirus.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Northeast India is</strong> a region with<strong> no historical record of Ebola virus.</strong> But, this study has<strong> found the presence of filovirus</strong> (ex. <strong>ebolavirus, marburg virus</strong>) reactive <strong>antibodies</strong> in <strong>both human (ex. bat hunters)</strong> and <strong>bat populations</strong> implying <strong>zoonotic spread</strong></li>
<li>However, the potential <strong>virus</strong> present in bats may <strong>not</strong> be an exact copy of the virus responsible for various outbreaks.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Diseases Linked to Bats</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>All bats can carry viruses. Many high-profile <strong>epidemics</strong> have been traced to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nipah-virus-and-fruit-bat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>bats</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)</strong> antibodies were found in insectivorous bats.</li>
<li><strong>Ebola</strong> antibodies were found in Hammer-headed fruit bat.</li>
<li><strong>Indian Flying Fox,</strong> hosts over 50 viruses.</li>
<li><strong>Rabies</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>With around 1,200 species, bats comprise 20% of the earth&rsquo;s mammalian diversity.</li>
<li>Long periods of flying raises the <strong>temperatures of bats, boosting their immune responses</strong> and helps them survive the microbes&rsquo; pathogenic effects.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Given the widespread challenges form the newly discovered viruses, it must be ensured that all medical studies in the country adhere to strict norms.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/study-on-bats-and-bat-hunters-of-nagaland-come-under-the-scanner/article30722099.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/a-deliverance-the-hindu-editorial-on-pregnancy-termination-bill/article30695656.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;A deliverance: On pregnancy termination Bill&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 31/01/2020. It talks about the implications of extending the termination of pregnancy period from 20 weeks to 24 weeks.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the <strong>Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) (Amendment) Bill, 2020.</strong> The Bill seeks to extend the termination of pregnancy period from 20 weeks to 24 weeks, making it easier for women to safely and legally terminate an unwanted pregnancy.</p>
<h3>What is the Need for the Amendment?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Currently, women seeking to terminate the pregnancy beyond 20 weeks have to face the cumbersome legal recourse. <strong>This denies the reproductive rights of women</strong> (as abortion is considered an important aspect of the reproductive health of women).</li>
<li>Obstetricians argue that this has <strong>also spurred a cottage industry</strong> (kind of informal industry) of places providing unsafe abortion services, even leading to the death of the mother.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As a result, a 2015 study in the <strong>India Journal of Medical Ethics noted that 10-13% of maternal deaths in India are due to unsafe abortions.</strong> This makes unsafe abortions to be the <strong>third-highest cause of maternal deaths in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to <strong>Section 3 (2) of the MTP Act, 1971</strong> a pregnancy may be terminated by a registered medical practitioner:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Where the length of the pregnancy <strong>does not exceed twelve weeks,</strong> or</li>
<li>Where the length of the pregnancy <strong>exceeds twelve weeks but does not exceed twenty weeks</strong>. In this case, the abortion will take place, if not less than two registered medical practitioners are of opinion, that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve a <strong>risk to the life of the pregnant woman</strong> (her physical or mental health); or there is a substantial risk that if the <strong>child</strong> were born, it would suffer from some physical or mental abnormalities to be seriously handicapped.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>This delays the decision-making process for termination of pregnancy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>One of the criticisms of the MTP Act, 1971 was that it failed to keep pace with advances in medical technology that allow for the removal of a foetus at a relatively advanced state of pregnancy.</li>
<li>The original law states that, if a <strong>minor</strong> wants to terminate her pregnancy, written consent from the guardian is required. The proposed law has excluded this provision.</li>
<li>Thereby, the extension of limit would ease the process for these women, allowing the mainstream system itself to take care of them, delivering quality medical attention.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Proposed Features of the Bill</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill seeks to amend <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-bill-to-raise-upper-limit-for-abortion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Bill proposes the requirement of the opinion of <strong>one</strong> registered medical practitioner (instead of two or more) for termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation (foetal development period from the time of conception until birth).</li>
<li>It introduces the requirement of the opinion of <strong>two</strong> registered medical practitioners<strong> for termination of pregnancy </strong>of <strong>20-24 weeks of gestation.</strong></li>
<li>It has also enhanced the gestation limit for<strong> &lsquo;special categories&rsquo; of women</strong> which includes survivors of rape, victims of incest and other vulnerable women like differently-abled women and <strong>minors.</strong></li>
<li>It also states that the <strong>&ldquo;name and other particulars of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated shall not be revealed&rdquo;,</strong> except to a person authorised in any law that is currently in force.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:&nbsp;</strong>Before 1971, <strong>abortion was criminalized under Section 312</strong> of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, describing it as <strong>intentionally 'causing miscarriage'.</strong></p>
</div>
<h3>Intended Benefits of this Extension</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A number of <strong>foetus abnormalities are detected after the 20<sup>th</sup> week,</strong> often turning a wanted pregnancy into an unwanted one.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Usually, the foetal anomaly scan is done during the 20<sup>th</sup>-21<sup>st</sup> week of pregnancy. If there is a delay in doing this scan, and it reveals a lethal anomaly in the foetus, 20 weeks period is limiting.</li>
<li>This extension would allow termination of pregnancy in cases where some anomaly in the foetus is reported after 20 weeks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The law will <strong>help the rape victims, ill and under-age women</strong> to terminate the unwanted pregnancy lawfully.</li>
<li>Significantly, the Bill also<strong> applies to unmarried women</strong> and therefore, relaxes one of the regressive clauses of the 1971 Act, i.e., single women couldn&rsquo;t cite contraceptive failure as a reason for seeking an abortion.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Allowing unmarried women to medically terminate pregnancies and a provision to protect the privacy of the person seeking an abortion will bestow reproductive rights to the women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related to the Extension</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A key aspect of the legality governing abortions has always been the <strong>&lsquo;viability&rsquo; of the foetus.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Viability implies the period from which a foetus is capable of living outside the womb.</li>
<li>As technology improves, with infrastructure up-gradation, and with skilful professionals driving medical care, this &lsquo;viability&rsquo; naturally improves.</li>
<li>Currently, viability is usually placed at about seven months (28 weeks) but may occur earlier, even at 24 weeks.</li>
<li>Thus, late termination of pregnancy <strong>may get in conflict with the viability of the foetus.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> preference for a male child</strong> keeps sex determination centres in business in spite of their illegal status. There are concerns that a more liberal abortion law can aggravate this state-of-affairs.</li>
<li>According to 2017 data, 59 countries allowed elective abortions, of which <strong>only seven permitted the procedure after 20 weeks</strong> like Canada, China, the Netherlands, North Korea, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Though Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 is a step in the right direction, the government needs to ensure that all norms and standardised protocols in clinical practice to facilitate abortions are followed in health care institutions across the country.</p>
<p>Along with that, the question of abortion needs to be decided on the basis of human rights, the principles of solid science, and in step with advancements in technology.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffacf;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br /><br />Discuss how Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 strives to provide reproductive rights to women in India.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/medical-termination-of-pregnancy-amendment-bill-2020'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Rakhigarhi to be Developed as an Iconic Site',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Union Budget (2020-21) has proposed to develop <strong>Rakhigarhi</strong> (Hisar district,Haryana) as an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iconic-tourist-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>iconic site.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>4 other archaeological sites in <strong>Hastinapur</strong> (Uttar Pradesh), <strong>Shivsagar</strong> (Assam), <strong>Dholavira</strong> (Gujarat) and <strong>Adichanallur</strong> in (Tamil Nadu) will also be developed as iconic sites with onsite museums.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Rakhigarhi</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indus-valley-civilization-s-independent-origin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rakhigarhi</strong></a> is the largest Harappan site in the<strong> Indian subcontinent.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Other large sites of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/indus-valley-civilization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Harappan civilization</strong></a> on Indian sub-continent are <strong>Harappa, Mohenjodaro </strong>and<strong> Ganveriwala </strong>in<strong> Pakistan </strong>and<strong> Dholavira (Gujarat)</strong> in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>At Rakhigarhi, the excavations are being done to <strong>trace its beginnings</strong> and to study its <strong>gradual evolution</strong> from <strong>6000 BCE (Pre-Harappan phase)</strong> to <strong>2500 BCE.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The site was excavated by <strong>Amarendra Nath</strong> of ASI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Major Findings at the Site</h3>
<p><strong>Settlements</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The archaeological excavations revealed <strong>the mature Harappan phase</strong> represented by planned township having <strong>mud-brick</strong> as well as <strong>burnt-brick</strong> houses with a <strong>proper drainage system.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Seals and Pottery</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <strong>cylindrical seal</strong> with <strong>5 Harappan characters</strong> on one side and a symbol of an <strong>alligator</strong> on the other is an <strong>important</strong> find from this site.</li>
<li>The ceramic industry represented by <strong>red ware,</strong> which included<strong> dish-on-stand,</strong> vase, <strong>perforated jar</strong> among others.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Other Antiquities</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Blades; terracotta and shell bangles, beads of <strong>semi precious stones,</strong> and <strong>copper objects;</strong> animal figurines, <strong>toy cart</strong> frame and wheel of terracotta; bone points; inscribed <strong>steatite seals and sealings</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Rituals and Burials</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Animal sacrificial pit</strong> lined with mud-brick and <strong>triangular</strong> and <strong>circular fire altars</strong> on the mud floor have also been excavated that signifies the ritual system of Harappans.</li>
<li>The excavations have yielded a few extended burials, which certainly belong to a very late stage, maybe the medieval times.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Recent findings</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, a study of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indus-valley-civilization-s-independent-origin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DNA</strong></a> from <strong>skeletal remains</strong> excavated from the Harappan cemetery at Rakhigarhi found that the people in <strong>the Harappan Civilization have an independent origin.</strong></li>
<li>This study <strong>negates</strong> the theory of the Harappans having Steppe pastoral or ancient <strong>Iranian farmer ancestry.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Harappan Civilization</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is also known as<strong> Indus Valley Civilization.</strong></li>
<li>It flourished around 2,500 BC, in the western part of South Asia, in contemporary Pakistan and Western India.</li>
<li>The Indus Valley was home to the largest of the four ancient urban civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, and China.</li>
<li>In the 1920s, the Archaeological Department of India carried out excavations in the Indus valley wherein the ruins of the two old cities, viz. Mohenjodaro and Harappa were unearthed.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/haryanas-harappan-site-to-create-jobs/article30722211.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/rakhigarhi-to-be-developed-as-an-iconic-site'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Waterholes Revival in Bandipur Tiger Reserve',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Prolonged monsoon and unseasonal rains have helped to rejuvenate the waterholes in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There are <strong>370 big and small waterholes</strong> (a <strong>depression</strong> in which water collects from where animals usually drink) in Bandipur and <strong>85% of them are full.</strong></li>
<li>At Bandipur, majority of waterholes dry up by <strong>February and March</strong> leading to severe water stress situation for animals. But this year, it is expected that the depletion of water levels will take a little longer.</li>
<li>Also, in the areas of water stress, <strong>37 solar-powered borewells</strong> have been arranged that will function to replenish the waterholes periodically to further minimise the water scarcity.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Bandipur Tiger Reserve</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Established in:</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/joint-effort-to-conserve-wildlife-at-bandipur" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bandipur Tiger Reserve</strong></a> was established in <strong>1973</strong> under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/status-of-conservation-of-tigers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Project Tiger</strong></a>. In <strong>1985,</strong> by including adjacent areas from <strong>Venugopala Wildlife Park,</strong> it was enlarged and named as <strong>Bandipur National Park.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Location:</strong> The Tiger Reserve is situated in <strong>two contiguous districts (Mysore and Chamarajanagar) of Karnataka</strong> and is located at the tri-junction area of the States of<strong> Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.</strong> It forms a part of <strong>Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Ecological Diversity:</strong> Bandipur Tiger Reserve lies in one of the <strong>richest biodiversity areas</strong> of the country. It is surrounded by <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Mudumalai Tiger Reserve</strong> in the South,</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-8th-january-2019-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary</strong></a> in the South-west &amp;</li>
<li>The<strong> Kabini Reservoir</strong> separates the Bandipur and <strong>Nagarahole Tiger Reserve</strong> on the North-west.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biodiversity:</strong> The Reserve is endowed with rich floral and faunal diversity and is recognized as one of the <strong>Mega Biodiversity Areas</strong> in the country. The <strong>Tiger and the Elephants</strong> are the <strong>flagship (iconic or symbolic species</strong> for a defined habitat, issue, campaign or environmental cause) <strong>and umbrella</strong> (species selected for making <strong>conservation-related decisions</strong>) species for the conservation of all the biota that this ecosystem represents.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bandipur along with Nagarahole, Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam &amp; Wayanad constitutes the <strong>single largest Wild population of Tigers in the world</strong>. This landscape comprises of<strong> 21% of the total forested area</strong> of the Western Ghats and holds <strong>one-eighth</strong> of the world's Tiger population <strong>(one-fourth</strong> of India&rsquo;s Tiger population).</li>
<li>This Landscape is also home to the <strong>single largest Asian Elephant population in the world</strong> and is part of the <strong>Mysore Elephant Reserve (MER).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rivers:</strong> The park is located between the <strong>Kabini river in the north</strong> and the<strong> Moyar river in the south.</strong> The <strong>Nugu river runs</strong> through the park. The highest point in the park is on a hill called <strong>Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580721200_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580721200_image3.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/karnataka/prolonged-monsoon-revives-waterholes-in-bandipur/article30720908.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/waterholes-revival-in-bandipur-tiger-reserve'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Chola Dynasty Port- Poompuhar',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched <strong>&lsquo;Project Digital Poompuhar&rsquo;</strong> to recreate the <strong>Chola Dynasty port</strong> city (Poompuhar) in <strong>Tamil Nadu.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The reconstruction of Poompuhar is a part of <strong>DST&rsquo;s Indian Digital Heritage (IDH) project.</strong> An exhibition of its first project<strong> &lsquo;Digital Hampi&rsquo;</strong> is currently on display at the National Museum.</li>
<li>The Poompuhar project is a part of the <strong>second phase of IDH.</strong> The second phase will focus on the heritage sites that are currently underwater in Gujarat (eg. Dwarka) and Tamil Nadu.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>History:</strong> <a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580721922_1580717138_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580721922_1580717138_image4.jpg" width="308" height="268" style="float: right;" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Poompuhar is mentioned in works of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/sangam-age-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sangam Tamil literature</strong></a> which refers to the city located 30 km from the existing Poompuhar town in southern Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li>The port city flourished in inter-continental trade but shifted with time. Finally, it was re-established at the present location at the <strong>mouth of the river Cauvery</strong> around <strong>3,000 years ago.</strong></li>
<li>The shifts took place due to the continuous &ldquo;kadalkol&rdquo; or rising sea levels and the submergence of the deltas,</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Previous Studies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian Remote Sensing Satellites showed that the city was established initially in the Cauvery Delta about 30km away from the present Poompuhar town around 15,000 years ago.</li>
<li>It had discovered a <strong>harbour-like structure</strong> as well as sea walls and probably a bridge in the region.</li>
<li>The study also provided insights about the life history and the social, cultural as well as technological evolution of Poompuhar. It also revealed the <strong>age of Poompuhar</strong> from <strong>3000 years to 15,000 to 20,000 years.</strong></li>
<li>Despite several studies on Tamil literature, archaeology, underwater exploration and geosciences, the exact location of initial establishment of Poompuhar, its age, later shifts and the reasons and periods of its extinction, remained unresolved.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Project Digital Poompuhar</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The project involves underwater surveys and photography by remotely operated vehicles and remote sensing-based geodynamic studies to bring out comprehensive information on the time series evolution and extinction.</li>
<li>It also involves the visualisation of geodynamic processes of the last 20,000 years like land subsidence, sea-level rise, Cauvery&rsquo;s migration, floods, tsunami, cyclones and erosion.</li>
<li>The study is also expected to provide scientific information not only on the life history of Poompuhar and the socio-cultural evolution but also the science and technological evolution and the disaster history of this region,</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Digital Heritage Initiative</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India Digital Heritage is an initiative by the <strong>Department of Science and Technology</strong> in the areas of technology and humanities for digital documentation and interpretation of our tangible and intangible heritage.</li>
<li>The project highlights art, architecture and cultural legacy of the world heritage site <strong>Hampi in Karnataka,</strong> the medieval capital of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/krishnapatnam-port" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Vijayanagara dynasty.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Cholas</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Cholas controlled the central and northern parts of Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li>Their core area of the rule was the Kaveri delta, later known as Cholamandalam.Their capital was Uraiyur (near Tiruchirapalli town) and Puhar or Kaviripattinam was an alternative royal residence and chief port town.</li>
<li><strong>Tiger</strong> was their <strong>emblem.</strong></li>
<li>The Cholas also maintained an <strong>efficient navy.</strong></li>
<li><strong>King Karikala</strong> was a famous king of the Sangam Cholas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many Sangam poems mention the <strong>Battle of Venni where he defeated the confederacy of Cheras, Pandyas and eleven minor chieftains.</strong></li>
<li>Trade and commerce flourished during his reign.</li>
<li>He founded the <strong>port city of Puhar (identical with Kaveripattinam)</strong> and constructed 160 km of an embankment along the Kaveri River.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tamil-nadu-port-poompuhar-chola-dynasty-6248053/" 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/chola-dynasty-port-poompuhar'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'World Wetlands Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-wetlands-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Wetlands Day</strong></a> is celebrated every year on the 2<sup>nd</sup> of February. This day marks the date of the adoption of the <strong>Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971</strong> in the <strong>Iranian city of Ramsar.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>theme</strong> for 2020 is <strong>&lsquo;Wetlands and Biodiversity&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>It was<strong> first celebrated in 1997.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Wetlands</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wetlands-restoration" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wetlands</strong> </a>are ecosystems saturated with water, either <strong>seasonally or permanently.</strong> They include mangroves, marshes, rivers, lakes, deltas, floodplains and flooded forests, rice-fields, coral reefs, marine areas no deeper than 6 metres at low tide, as well as <strong>human-made wetlands</strong> such as waste-water treatment ponds and reservoirs.</li>
<li>Though they cover only around <strong>6% of the Earth&rsquo;s land</strong> surface, <strong>40% of all plant and animal species</strong> live or breed in wetlands.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of Wetlands</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Wetlands are a critical part of our natural environment. They <strong>mitigate floods, protect coastlines </strong>and<strong> build community resilience to disasters, reduce the impacts of floods, absorb pollutants</strong> and<strong> improve water quality.</strong></li>
<li>Wetlands are critical to human and planet life. More than 1 billion people depend on them for a living and 40% of the world&rsquo;s species live and breed in wetlands.</li>
<li>They are a <strong>vital source for food, raw materials, genetic resources for medicines, </strong>and<strong> hydropower.</strong></li>
<li><strong>30%</strong> of land-based<strong> carbon</strong> is stored in <strong>peatland.</strong></li>
<li>They play an important <strong>role in transport, tourism and the cultural and spiritual well-being of people.</strong></li>
<li>Many wetlands are areas of natural beauty and many are important to <strong>Aboriginal people.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Threats</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As per the <strong>IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services)&rsquo;s</strong> global assessment wetlands are the <strong>most threatened ecosystem.</strong></li>
<li>Wetlands are <strong>disappearing 3 times faster than forests</strong> due to human activities and global warming.</li>
<li>According to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-heritage-week-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO</strong></a>, the threat to wetlands will have an <strong>adverse impact on 40% of the world&rsquo;s flora and fauna</strong> that live or breed in wetlands.</li>
<li><strong>Major threats:</strong> Agriculture, development, pollution and climate change.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>IPBES</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IPBES is an <strong>independent intergovernmental</strong> body established to strengthen the <strong>science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services</strong> for the <strong>conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity,</strong> long-term human well-being and sustainable development.</li>
<li>It was established in <strong>Panama City (US),</strong> in April <strong>2012.</strong></li>
<li>It is<strong> not</strong> a United Nations body.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Status of Wetlands in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the Ramsar Convention declared <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/addition-to-ramsar-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>10 wetlands</strong> </a>from India as Ramsar sites taking the total number of Ramsar Sites in the country to <strong>37.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Wetlands declared as Ramsar sites are protected under strict guidelines of the convention.</li>
<li>There are currently over<strong> 2,300 Ramsar Sites around the world.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has over 7 lakh wetlands, covering<strong> 4.5%</strong> of the country&rsquo;s <strong>area,</strong> yet<strong> none</strong> of the wetlands has been notified under domestic laws.</li>
<li>Wetlands are regulated under the <strong>Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.</strong></li>
<li>The 2010 version of the Rules provided for a <strong>Central Wetland Regulatory Authority,</strong> but new Rules of 2017 replaced it with <strong>state-level bodies</strong> and created a <strong>National Wetland Committee,</strong> which functions in an<strong> advisory role.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The newer regulations<strong> removed</strong> some items from the definition of &ldquo;wetlands&rdquo; including <strong>backwaters, lagoons, creeks, and estuaries.</strong></li>
<li>Under the 2017 regulations process to identify the wetlands has been <strong>delegated to the States.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/why-wetlands-matter-to-world-and-india-6248015/" 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/world-wetlands-day-1'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Flame-Throated Bulbul',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The flame-throated bulbul, also called the <strong>Rubigula (State bird of Goa)</strong>, has been chosen as the <strong>mascot of the 36<sup>th</sup> National Games.</strong></li>
<li>The 36<sup>th</sup> National Games will be held between October 20 and November 4 in the year 2020.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Flame-Throated Bulbul</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Flame-throated Bulbul is <strong>endemic to southern peninsular India</strong> where it is locally distributed in southern Andhra Pradesh, eastern Karnataka, Goa, Orissa, eastern Kerala and northern Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li>The Flame-throated Bulbul prefer habitats like rocky, scrub-covered hills mostly in the Eastern Ghats and central peninsular India but also in some places in the Western Ghats.</li>
<li>IUCN status: <strong>Least Concern</strong></li>
<li>India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972</strong></a>: It is a <strong>Schedule &ndash; IV bird.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Schedules under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580716054_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580716054_image2.png" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide absolute protection -</strong> offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties.</li>
<li>Species listed in <strong>Schedule III and Schedule IV</strong> are also protected, but the penalties are much lower.</li>
<li><strong>Schedule V</strong> includes the animals which may be hunted.</li>
<li>The specified <strong>endemic plants in Schedule VI</strong> are prohibited from cultivation and planting.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sport/new-mascot-for-national-games-flame-throated-bulbul/article30724107.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/flame-throated-bulbul'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Economic Survey 2019-20: Key Figures',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580556305_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580556305_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>GDP growth</strong> pegged at 6-6.5% for 2020-21, up from 5% in 2019-20. The Survey also said that India&rsquo;s GDP growth is not overstated.</li>
<li><strong>Government Expenditure</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Survey called for <strong>rationalization of non-committed revenue</strong> expenditures<strong> like subsidies</strong> as a considerable proportion of revenue expenditure like interest payments, wages and salaries and pensions is committed.</li>
<li>However, the Survey has also <strong>warned against cutting capital expenditure.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Share of formal employment increased</strong> from 17.9% in 2011-12 to 22.8% in 2017-18 reflecting formalization in the economy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2018, India witnessed an increase of about 80 % in the creation of new firms in comparison to 2014. As per World Bank&rsquo;s data on Entrepreneurship, India ranks third in the number of new firms created.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inflation declines</strong> sharply from 3.2% in April 2019 to 2.6% in December 2019, reflecting weakening of demand pressure in the economy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It needs to be noted that when demand surpasses supply, it leads to higher prices i.e. Demand pull inflation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Balance of Payments (BoP)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Balance of Payments position improved to USD 433.7 billion in September 2019 because of narrowing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/current-account-deficit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Current Account Deficit (CAD)</strong></a> which is 1.5% of GDP in the first half of 2019-20.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foreign Direct Investment:</strong> Net FDI inflows remained buoyant attracting USD 24.4 billion in the first eight months of 2019-20, much higher than the corresponding period of 2018-19.</li>
<li><strong>Remittances</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Net overseas remittances in the first half of 2019-20 were more than 50% of total receivables in 2018-19, standing at USD 38.4 billion.</li>
<li>As per World Bank report of 2019, India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-diaspora-largest-in-the-world-un-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>17.5 million diaspora</strong> </a>made it the top remittance-recipient country in 2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Merchandise Trade</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s merchandise trade balance<strong> improved</strong> from 2009-14 to 2014-19, although most of the improvement in the latter period was due to<strong> more than 50% decline in crude prices in 2016-17.</strong></li>
<li>India&rsquo;s top five trading partners continue to be USA, China, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Performance of Key Sectors</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Industrial Sector:</strong> As per <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/contraction-in-index-of-industrial-production" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Index of Industrial Production (IIP)</strong></a>, the sector registered a growth of 0.6% in 2019-20 (April-November) as compared to 5.0 % during 2018-19 (April-November).</li>
<li><strong>Service Sector:</strong> The Services Sector accounted for about 55% of the economy and Gross Value Added (GVA) growth, two-thirds of total FDI inflows into India and about 38% of the total exports.</li>
<li><strong>Agriculture sector</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The share of agriculture and allied sectors in the total GVA of the country has been continuously declining on account of relatively higher growth performance of non-agricultural sectors, a natural outcome of development process. Also, livestock income has become an important secondary source of income for millions of rural families.</li>
<li>Agricultural productivity is also constrained by lower level of mechanization in agriculture which is about 40 % in India, much lower than China (59.5 %) and Brazil (75 %).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ease of Doing Business:</strong> Suggestions for Improving Rank in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ease of Doing Business</strong></a> (Rank 63 in 2019)<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Close coordination</strong> between the Logistics division of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Ministry of Shipping and the different port authorities.</li>
<li>Individual sectors such as tourism or manufacturing require a more targeted approach that maps out the regulatory and process bottlenecks for each segment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-survey-2019-20-key-figures'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'National Consultation on the Review of Beijing+25',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>To mark 25 years of the adoption of the Beijing <strong>Platform for Action, Ministry of Women &amp; Child Development,</strong> the <strong>National Commission for Women (NCW)</strong> and <strong>UN Women</strong> organized a <strong>National Consultation on the Review of Beijing+25</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Consultation</strong> brings on board <strong>all</strong> stakeholders (civil society, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/inequality-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>women</strong></a> and youth etc.) to implement actions that <strong>remove</strong> the most <strong>visible barriers to <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-gender-equality-versus-religious-practices" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gender equality</a>.</strong></li>
<li>2020 marks the<strong> 25<sup>th</sup></strong> anniversary of the <strong>4<sup>th</sup> World Conference</strong> <strong>on Women (WCW)</strong> and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). Hence, it is referred to as Beijing + 25.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:&nbsp;</strong>To assess <strong>progress</strong> and <strong>challenges</strong> to the implementation of the <strong>Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in India</strong> over the past 5 years.</li>
<li>The issue of gender equality has also been highlighted by the <strong>Economic Survey 2019-20</strong> and points out that in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), <strong>India lags behind</strong> in <strong>Zero Hunger (SDG 2)</strong> and <strong>Gender Equality (SDG 5).</strong> Similarly, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sdg-india-index-by-niti-ayog" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SDG India Index by NITI Aayog</strong></a> raised the same concerns in achieving gender equality. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has been ranked 112<sup>th</sup> among 153 countries in the annual <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-gender-gap-index-2020-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Gender Gap Index</strong></a> for 2020, published by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Economic Forum (WEF).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent government schemes to achieve gender equality:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Beti Bachao Beti Padhao</li>
<li>Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana</li>
<li>Scheme for Adolescent Girls</li>
<li>National Nutrition Mission (NNM)</li>
<li>Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>World Conferences on Women</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United Nations has organized 4 world conferences on women.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mexico City,1975</li>
<li>Copenhagen,1980</li>
<li>Nairobi,1985</li>
<li>Beijing,1995</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The 1995 <strong>4<sup>th</sup> World Conference on Women (WCW),</strong> held in <strong>Beijing,</strong> was one of the largest ever gatherings of the United Nations, and a critical<strong> turning point</strong> in the world&rsquo;s focus on<strong> gender equality</strong> and the <strong>empowerment of women.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It marked a significant turning point for the global agenda for gender equality. The <strong>Beijing Declaration</strong> was adopted unanimously the UN at the end of the 4<sup>th</sup> <strong>WCW.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Beijing Declaration</strong> is an agenda for women&rsquo;s empowerment and considered the key global policy document on gender equality.</li>
<li>It sets strategic objectives and actions for the advancement of women and the achievement of gender equality in 12 critical areas of concern like women and health, women in power and decision-making, the girl-child, women and the environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1601327" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-consultation-on-the-review-of-beijing-25'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the <strong>Western Ghats</strong> of Karnataka (Udupi &amp; Shimoga districts). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Western Ghats are on India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kailash-mansarovar-in-tentative-list-of-world-heritage-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Heritage sites list.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is named after the Someshwara temple located within the sanctuary.</li>
<li>The sanctuary is mostly made up of <strong>evergreen forests, semi-evergreen</strong> and <strong>moist deciduous</strong> forests.</li>
<li>It is situated very close to the <strong>Kudremukh National Park.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Sitanadi river</strong> flows through the sanctuary.</li>
<li>Some <strong>Endangered</strong> species are found viz; <strong>Lion Tailed Macaque,</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tiger-census-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tiger</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-20th-july-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dhole (wild dog)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Lion-tailed Macaque</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is <strong>endemic</strong> to the <strong>Western Ghats</strong> in the states of <strong>Karnataka, Kerala</strong> and <strong>Tamil Nadu.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Although the species has a relatively wide range, its area of occupancy is small and severely fragmented.</li>
<li>Primarily <strong>diurnal arboreal,</strong> it prefers the upper canopy of primary <strong>tropical evergreen</strong> rainforest.</li>
<li>It <strong>can</strong> also be found in <strong>monsoon forests</strong> in hilly country and in disturbed forest.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protected areas:</strong> <img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580554938_drishtiias_lion_tailed.jpg" style="float: right;" width="448" height="224" /><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Kudremukh</strong> National Park (Karnataka)</li>
<li><strong>Periyar</strong> National Park (Kerala)</li>
<li><strong>Silent Valley</strong> National Park (Kerala)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Habitat loss and degradation -</strong> deforestation, agriculture, logging leads to a <strong>scarcity of the fruit</strong> on which the <strong>Macaque</strong> feed, which is particularly devastating. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Creation of exotic plantations such as tea, eucalyptus and coffee.</li>
<li>Hunting</li>
<li>Pet trade</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation and Protection:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IUCN Red list: <strong>Endangered.</strong></li>
<li>It is listed in <strong>Appendix I </strong>of<strong> CITES.</strong></li>
<li>It is protected under <strong>Schedule I,</strong> Part I, of the <strong>Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/toddler-falls-off-moving-van-in-agumbe-ghat/article30705983.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/someshwara-wildlife-sanctuary'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Economic Survey 2019-20: Highlights',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Economic Survey 2019-20 has been tabled in the Parliament by the Union Minister for Finance.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> theme</strong> of Economic Survey 2019-20 is "<strong>India&rsquo;s aspiration of #[email protected] with its theme of #WealthCreation".</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Economic Survey</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Economic Survey is a report that the government presents on the state of the<strong> economy in the past one year,</strong> the <strong>key challenges</strong> it anticipates, and <strong>their possible solutions.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a crucial document as it provides a detailed, official version of the government&rsquo;s take on the country&rsquo;s economic condition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The document is prepared by the <strong>Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA)</strong> under the guidance of the <strong>Chief Economic Adviser (CEA), currently Dr Krishnamurthy Subramanian.</strong></li>
<li>It needs to be noted that the <strong>government is not constitutionally bound to present the Economic Survey or to follow the recommendations</strong> that are made in it.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580555297_83336709_1685176408288824_5558162768831447040_o.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580555297_83336709_1685176408288824_5558162768831447040_o.jpg" width="337" height="337" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Wealth Creation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Survey makes an attempt to craft a framework of policies that can foster wealth creation in India, which in turn, would set the economy firmly on an upward growth trajectory.</li>
<li>The Survey identifies several levers for furthering Wealth Creation, which are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Grassroot Entrepreneurs:</strong> Entrepreneurship as a strategy to fuel productivity growth and wealth creation.</li>
<li><strong>Competitive Market:</strong> Promote 'pro-business' policies that unleash the power of competitive markets to generate wealth as against 'pro-crony' policies that may favour incumbent private interests.</li>
<li><strong>Remove anachronistic government interventions:</strong> Eliminate policies that undermine markets through government intervention, even where it is not necessary.</li>
<li><strong>Assemble in India:</strong> Integrate <em>'Assemble in India' into 'Make in India'</em> to focus on labour intensive exports and thereby create jobs at a large scale. India should focus on other labour intensive sectors such as textile, clothing, footwear and toys.</li>
<li><strong>Banking:</strong> Efficiently scale up the banking sector to become proportionate to the Indian economy and track the health of the shadow banking sector (NBFCs).</li>
<li><strong>Privatization:</strong> Use privatization to foster efficiency and thus bolster the case for aggressive disinvestment of CPSEs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Market Enables Wealth Creation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Survey lays stress on the importance of bringing an openness in the market that leads to wealth creation, in turn, boosting the economic activity through increased investment.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s historical dominance on the global economy is the result of <strong>two factors: &lsquo;Invisible Hand of Market&rsquo;</strong> and<strong> &lsquo;Trust&rsquo;. E.g.</strong> Indian economy returned to high growth trajectory post economic liberalisation.</li>
<li><strong>Trust is a public good that increases with use.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Thalinomics</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Survey makes an attempt to relate economics to the common person using something that an individual encounters every day - a plate of food i.e a Thali.</li>
<li>Affordability of Thalis vis-&agrave;-vis a day&rsquo;s pay of a worker has improved over time, indicating improved welfare of the common person.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-survey-2019-20-highlights'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-sneeze-a-global-cold-and-testing-times-for-china/article30706280.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>This article is based on &ldquo;A sneeze, a global cold and testing times for China&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 01/02/2020. It talks about the spread of Coronavirus.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, a new virus belonging to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coronavirus family</strong></a> (now named <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/novel-strain-of-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV</strong></a>) has claimed over 200 lives in China and the numbers infected have touched 10,000 confirmed cases. As the outbreak continues to spread outside China, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong></a> has declared it a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/public-health-emergency-of-international-concern" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Health Emergency of International Concern</strong></a> (global emergency).</p>
<p>Under the global emergency, all countries should be prepared for containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracing and prevention of the onward spread of 2019-nCoVinfection, and to share full data with WHO.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A PHEIC is defined in the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) as, &ldquo;an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response&rdquo;. This definition implies a situation that is:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Serious, sudden, unusual or unexpected;</li>
<li>Carries implications for public health beyond the affected State&rsquo;s national border; and</li>
<li>May require immediate international action.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The declaration of PHEIC would lead to boosting public health measures, funding and resources to prevent and reduce global spread.</strong></li>
<li>The WHO has declared five global emergencies in the past decade, including the Ebola epidemic.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>What is the novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Normally, coronavirus is a large family of viruses that are often the <strong>source of respiratory infections, including the common cold.</strong></li>
<li>Most of the <strong>viruses are common among animals,</strong> but sometimes, an animal-based coronavirus mutates and successfully finds a human host.</li>
<li>According to the <strong>World Health Organization,</strong> during previous outbreaks due to other coronaviruses, <strong>human-to-human transmission</strong> occurred through droplets or objects making contact, suggesting that the transmission mode of the 2019-nCoV can be identical.</li>
<li><strong>Manifested symptoms</strong> may include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Antibiotics do not work against such viral pneumonia and there are no vaccines against them.</li>
<li>More significant is the new understanding that the virus is contagious even during incubation, that is even before a patient exhibits any symptoms. This characteristic amplifies transmissibility.</li>
<li>Due to this, travel bans across China are initiated and the literal isolation of Wuhan (the place where the novel coronavirus outbreak took place) has been done.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV: A Man Made Disaster</h3>
<p>The relationship between <strong>zoonotic pathogens &mdash;</strong> those of animal origin &mdash; and global pandemics is not new. In the last five years alone, the world has faced outbreaks of dreaded viruses such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ebola-global-health-emergency" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ebola</strong></a>, <strong>MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ) </strong>and now<strong> Novel coronavirus.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that globally, about a billion cases of illness and millions of deaths occur every year from <strong>zoonoses,</strong> i.e, diseases and infections naturally transmitted between people and vertebrate animals.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Some 60% of emerging infectious diseases globally are zoonoses. Of the over 30 new human pathogens detected over the last three decades, 75% originated in animals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>According to WHO, wherever there is close mixing of humans and animals, especially the unregulated handling of blood and other body products, as happens for example in China&rsquo;s animal markets, there are greater chances of transmission of a virus from animals to humans, and its mutation to adapt to the human body.</strong></li>
<li>Animal markets are breeding grounds because there is free interchange of pathogens between species and mutations.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The novel coronavirus is being compared with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in 2002-03 which infected around 8,000 patients and claimed nearly 800 lives.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SARS is also a zoonotic case, part of the coronavirus family with clues pointing to horseshoe bats in China as the likely source.</li>
<li>The first incidents were reported in Guangdong province in November 2002.</li>
<li>It was the first case of a coronavirus family virus developing lethal pathogenicity together with high transmission.</li>
<li>The global economic loss due to SARS was estimated at between $30-$100 billion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ebola outbreak in Africa:</strong> There it was wild chimpanzees who had the disease. It came into humans after these were killed and consumed.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Impact on India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has declared <strong>one positive case</strong> of a novel coronavirus patient in Kerala.</li>
<li>Since India and Nepal share an open border, the coronavirus<strong> cases being reported in Nepal</strong> is a sign of grave concern for India.</li>
<li>However, the way, Kerala government dealt with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nipah-outbreak-in-kerala" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nipah virus outbreak</strong></a> in May 2018 was a remarkable feat. This can be replicated in case <strong>Novel coronavirus spreads across India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nipah is also zoonotic and made the jump from fruit bats to humans. Though there were 17 deaths in India, effective quarantine measures by local authorities prevented the spread.</li>
<li>The State health machinery and local administration (without waiting for instructions from Union government) responded with alacrity with many put under observation. This proactivity prevented the spread of the virus and Kerala was declared Nipah-free within a month.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Infectious diseases including those of the zoonotic variety are on the rise in India. In addition, regions in India suffer from seasonal outbreaks of dengue, malaria and influenza strains. In this context:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>nation-wide disease surveillance programme</strong> needs to be strengthened.</li>
<li>Given the growth potential of India&rsquo;s biotech sector, it is time to put in place a robust <strong>public-private partnership model</strong> that can transform the health services sector in the country, covering disease surveillance, diagnostic kit availability and accelerated vaccine development.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #000d85; background-color: #e0ffe3;"><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br /><br />Discuss whether the frequent viral outbreaks can be termed as man-made disasters.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Agrochemical Spraying through Drones Illegal',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Government has clarified that drone-spraying is illegal as per the <strong>Insecticides Act, 1968.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This clarification has come after environmentalists highlighted that the usage of drones for agrochemical spraying has increased and has the potential to create problems.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Insecticide Act, 1968 does not allow aerial spraying. As per its provisions, <strong>aerial application of pesticides</strong> needs <strong>approval or permission</strong> from the <strong>Central Insecticides Board (CIB).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the CIB has not granted any approval or permission in the past for the use of drones to spray pesticides.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Aerial spraying<strong> impacts a larger area</strong> while <strong>decreasing the efficacy</strong> on the target pests.</li>
<li>Drones and unmanned remote-controlled machines can be harmful tools for spraying chemicals.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is <strong>no scientific validity</strong> that<strong> drones help in precision spraying.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Adverse weather and wind conditions can result in drifting</strong> of the fine hazardous chemical beyond the range of application.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Kasargod in Kerala</strong> faced the negative consequences of aerial spraying of <strong>Endosulfan (a pesticide)</strong> for over 25 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Insecticides Board</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was <strong>established under Section 4 of the Insecticides Act, 1968</strong> and it works under the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers&rsquo; Welfare.</strong></li>
<li>It advises the central government and state governments on technical matters arising out of the administration of the act and to carry out the other functions assigned to it. <strong>Advice is given on:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The risks to human being or animals involved in the use of insecticides/pesticides and the safety measures necessary to prevent such risk.</li>
<li>The manufacturing, sale, storage, transport and distribution of insecticides/pesticides with a view to ensure safety to human beings or animals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Kasargod Incident</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Over 20 years of aerial spraying on cashew plantations and on other crops in Kerala left many people especially children with <strong>mental and physical disorders</strong> like deformities and other health complications.</li>
<li>The health effects of the chemical include <strong>neurotoxicity, late sexual maturity, physical deformities, poisoning,</strong> among others.</li>
<li>Studies established linkages between aerial spraying of the pesticide and the growing health disorders in Kasaragod district.</li>
<li>In<strong> 2011,</strong> the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a> <strong>banned</strong> its production and distribution of Endosulfan.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/crop-dusting-using-drones-is-illegal-says-centre/article30706526.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/agrochemical-spraying-through-drones-illegal'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Fundamental Rights and OCI Cardholders',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union government has told the Delhi High Court that <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/overseas-citizenship-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Overseas Citizen of India</strong></a> <strong>(OCI)</strong> cardholders <strong>do not enjoy fundamental rights</strong> guaranteed by the Constitution, including the right to freedom of speech and expression.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This response was to a plea seeking information under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper4/right-to-information-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.</strong></a></li>
<li>The plea also sought exemption for overseas citizens from seeking permission under the <strong>Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 (FCRA)</strong> to make donations to religious and charitable institutions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the plea, the right to make donations to religious institutions and the fundamental right to freedom of religion are guaranteed by the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Government has not specifically replied on the question of the right to practice religion in India. However, it says no fundamental rights are applicable to the OCIs.</li>
<li>According to the government, OCI cardholders have merely been granted statutory rights under<strong> the</strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/citizenship-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Citizenship Act, 1955.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Centre held that the right to freedom of speech and expression is a statutory right and not a fundamental or a constitutional right for the OCI cardholders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Central Government grants limited rights through<strong> the Citizenship Act (Conferment of rights on overseas citizens of India).</strong> Therefore, it depends on the policies of the government what rights are granted to the OCIs.</li>
<li>Centre&rsquo;s response contradicts earlier <strong>Delhi High Court ruling in 2018,</strong> where it held that OCI cardholders have the right to enjoy the fundamental rights of equality and freedom of speech and expression like other Indian citizens.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>2018, the Delhi High Court</strong> had said that an overseas citizen <strong>can exercise fundamental rights guaranteed to &ldquo;natural persons&rdquo;</strong> under the constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Supreme Court</a>,</strong> in multiple cases, has held that the Right to Information is enshrined in <strong>Article 19(1)(a),</strong> that is granted to citizens and <strong>Article 21,</strong> which is guaranteed to all natural persons.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Article 19(1)(a)- Freedom of speech and expression:</strong> It provides every citizen with the right to express one&rsquo;s views, opinions, beliefs, and convictions freely by word of mouth, writing, printing, picturing or in any other manner.</p>
<p><strong>Article 21:</strong> It declares that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law. This right is<strong> available to both citizens and non-citizens.</strong></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fundamental-rights-not-for-oci-card-holders-govt-to-hc-6245108/" 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/fundamental-rights-and-oci-cardholders'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Global Forum on Childhood Pneumonia',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>World&rsquo;s first conference on Childhood Pneumonia was held in <strong>Barcelona (Spain)</strong> to make it part of the global health agenda.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Despite being the biggest infectious killer of children, pneumonia remains a <strong>neglected disease</strong> both nationally and globally.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Every 39 seconds, a child under-5 dies from it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Global Forum on Childhood Pneumonia is an initiative of 9 leading health and children&rsquo;s organisations including <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unicef-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNICEF</strong></a>, <strong>Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation,</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pneumococcal-conjugate-vaccine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gavi</strong> </a>among others.</li>
<li>The<strong> theme</strong> of the conference is<strong> &lsquo;Fighting for Breath&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Pneumonia</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Pneumonia is an <strong>acute respiratory infection</strong> of the <strong>lungs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Cause:</strong> It doesn&rsquo;t have one single cause &ndash; it can develop from <strong>either bacteria, viruses or fungi</strong> in the air.</li>
<li><strong>Vaccine:</strong> Pneumonia caused by <strong>bacteria</strong> is easily preventable with vaccines. 3 doses of the primary vaccine <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pneumococcal-conjugate-vaccine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)</strong> </a>to prevent it are recommended. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A new vaccine for one of the main viral causes of pneumonia is under development.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is planning for the nationwide rollout of PCV under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/intensified-mission-indradhanush-best-practice-in-the-world-bmj" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vulnerability:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Children whose <strong>immune systems</strong> are <strong>immature</strong> (i.e. newborns) or <strong>weakened</strong> &ndash; such as by undernourishment, or diseases like HIV &ndash; are <strong>more vulnerable</strong> to pneumonia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Spread:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pneumonia is <strong>contagious</strong> and can be spread through coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread through fluids, like blood during childbirth, or from contaminated surfaces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/under-5-girls-face-high-morality-in-india-un" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Child mortality</strong></a>: The death of children under the age of 5.</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-tackling-infant-mortality" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Infant mortality</strong></a>: The death of children under the age of 1.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Preventable:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The poorest children are most at risk because of<strong> high rates of malnutrition, low vaccine coverage </strong>and<strong> limited access to correct diagnosis </strong>and<strong> timely treatment.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Almost all</strong> of the deaths from childhood pneumonia are <strong>preventable through vaccination, adequate nutrition, reducing risk factors like air pollution</strong> (which makes the lungs more vulnerable to infection),<strong> using good hygiene practices </strong>and <strong>treatable </strong>with <strong>low-cost antibiotics </strong>and<strong> oxygen,</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pneumonia-and-diarrhoea-progress-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Outdoor air pollution</strong></a> contributes to nearly 18% or nearly 1 in 5 pneumonia deaths among children under 5.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exclusive Breastfeeding:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Exclusive breastfeeding during the<strong> first 6 months</strong> of a child's life can lead to a<strong> 23% reduction</strong> in pneumonia incidence.</li>
<li>Infants who aren&rsquo;t breastfed are <strong>15 times</strong> more likely to <strong>die</strong> from pneumonia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Incidence:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Global:</strong> Together, the<strong> Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria and Pakistan</strong> account for <strong>more than half of all deaths</strong> due to pneumonia among children under 5.</li>
<li><strong>India:</strong> Annually, <strong>14% of under-5 deaths</strong> in India happen due to pneumonia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/14-per-cent-of-indias-under-five-deaths-due-to-pneumonia-report-6241777/" 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/global-forum-on-childhood-pneumonia'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Agri Export Policy',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)</strong></a> along with State Government of Andhra Pradesh has dispatched the<strong> first shipment</strong> of high-quality bananas from Anantpur in Andhra Pradesh to Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) in Mumbai for<strong> exports to international markets.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The long-distance affects the viability of export shipments <strong>due to high transport costs and quality losses.</strong> Hence, this time efforts were made for reducing the transit time by using <strong>refrigerated rail containers</strong> (freight transport that is refrigerated for the transportation of temperature-sensitive cargo).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Agri Export Policy</h3>
<p>Keeping in mind the significant Indian agriculture holds, Government of India introduced Agri Export Policy in 2018.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Double Exports:</strong> To double <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agriculture-export-policy-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>agricultural exports</strong></a> from the present $30 billion to $60 billion by 2022 and reach $100 billion in the next few years thereafter, with a stable trade policy regime.</li>
<li><strong>Diversification:</strong> To <strong>diversify</strong> the export basket, and boost high value and value-added agricultural exports including focus on perishables.</li>
<li><strong>Non-Traditional Agri Products Promotion:</strong> To promote novel, indigenous, organic, ethnic, traditional and non-traditional Agri products exports.</li>
<li><strong>Market Access:</strong> To provide an <strong>institutional mechanism</strong> for pursuing market access, tackling barriers and deal with sanitary and phytosanitary issues.</li>
<li><strong>Global Integration:</strong> To strive to double India&rsquo;s share in world agri-exports by integrating with global value chain at the earliest.</li>
<li><strong>Benefit Farmers:</strong> Enable farmers to get benefit of export opportunities in the overseas market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vision:</strong> Harness export potential of Indian agriculture, through suitable policy instruments, to make India a global power in agriculture and raise farmers income.</li>
<li><strong>Elements:</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580540213_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580540213_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1601353" 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/agri-export-policy'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Multilateralism and Asia',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-multilateral-alternative-by-asia/article30517073.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>A multilateral alternative, by Asia</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 09/01/2020. It evaluates the new multilateral world order that is being evolved by Asian powers i.e. India and China. It has indicated that the contours of the new order, with India and China as key players, should not be seen through a western prism. Indo-China with their civilization values hold promise to usher a new era of development based on the Asian values of discipline, hard work, frugality, educational achievement, balancing individual and societal needs, and deference to authority. It distinguishes between multilateral world order dominated by western powers and the recent emergence of Asian powers while indicating an inherent value system.</p>
</div>
<h3>The Asian Century?</h3>
<p>The Asian Century refers to the dominant role that Asia is expected to play in the 21st century due to its burgeoning economy and demographic trends. The concept of the Asian Century gained credence following the rapid economic growth of China and India since the 1980s, which propelled both of them to the ranks of the world's largest economies. After a gap of 200 years, Asian economies are again larger than the rest of the world combined. Indo-China is working hard to resolve its border issues which may provide the multilateral alternative to a world divided by values (Asian values), and no longer by ideology.</p>
<h3>Need For Asian Values</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Asian values are set of values promoted since the late 20<sup>th</sup> century by some Asian political leaders and intellectuals as a conscious alternative to Western political values such as human rights, democracy, and capitalism. Advocates of Asian values typically claimed that the <strong>rapid development of many East Asian economies in the post-World War II period was due to the shared culture of their societies.</strong> They also asserted that Western political values were unsuited to East Asia because they fostered excessive individualism and legalism, which threatened to undermine the social order and destroy economic dynamism. <strong>Among Asian values that were frequently cited were discipline, hard work, frugality, educational achievement, balancing individual and societal needs, and deference to authority.</strong> Critics of Asian values disputed their role in economic growth and argued that they were being used to protect the interests of East Asia&rsquo;s authoritarian elites.</li>
<li>Western labels (western prism) do not explain the actions of civilizational states like China and India. The two countries are responding to unique national problems with a new development paradigm and view of the world order. Both implicitly question Western ideas and institutions as they seek their legitimate space in setting global rules. They have different, rather than <strong>divergent, approaches with convergent goals.</strong> As there are inherent fundamental differences between the Asian and western values a new multilateral world order led by Asian values would be starkly different as compared to the multilateral world order which was until recently led solely by the western countries and their value system.</li>
<li>In western world <strong>competition is always seen as a Zero-sum game,</strong> that&rsquo;s the reason why the western world has always seen the rise of new economic power as a threat to their dominance. This zero-sum approach has pushed the western countries to counter the rise of new power and it has also forced them to enter into many security alliances and conflict zones.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Asian Giants Challenging Western Power Construct</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nearly after two centuries, the combined GDP of Asian economies has become larger than the rest of the world, this fact indicates the arrival of the Asian century and the rise of the Asian powers. They have emerged to global economics scale by capitalizing upon technology, their human resources and more importantly their civilizational values.</li>
<li>Western institutions are collapsing and many multilateral platforms are becoming dysfunctional. The emergence of bilateral trade negotiations, failed climate talks, inability to check conflict vulnerability, forced inclusion of intellectual property rights, etc. are some of the issues which are raising concerns about the ability to cater the need of the present world. In these situations, Indo-China have got the opportunities to rebuild them with Asian vision.</li>
<li>Recent initiatives like multilateral Belt and Road Initiative (BRI; 2013) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (2014), launched by China challenge the global governance paradigm. Likewise in 2015, emerging India established the International Solar Alliance, laying out a distinct global sustainable development framework.</li>
<li>The United States has already recognized the &lsquo;Asian Century&rsquo; bypassing multilateralism and direct dealings with China, India the Indo-Pacific construct are some examples of it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>New Framework for Global Governance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Current global governance arrangements favor flexibility over rigidity, prefer voluntary measures to binding rules and privilege partnerships over individual actions. Along with that individual empowerment, increasing awareness of human security, institutional complexity, international power shifts, and the liberal world political paradigm will define the future of global governance. Initiatives like Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have the potential to redefine this new mode of governance.</li>
<li>China with the launch of BRI has a head start over India in laying out a new multilateralism based on &ldquo;common interests&rdquo; as different from agreed goals of a negotiated treaty. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It optimizes, not maximize, financial returns with countries having an effective veto by remaining outside.</li>
<li>Half of future BRI funding is expected from multinational corporations and multilateral banks, adding to their stake in solving difficulties, making it more inclusive.</li>
<li>It also provides a strategic framework for new global institution building as its scope is as wide as multilateral treaties.</li>
<li>Apart from that China is developing block chain-based financial infrastructure in BRI countries and exploring an international block-chain currency for digital settlements without relying on the dollar, thus reducing U.S. leverage and reducing the hegemony of western economic power.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion: Embodying Asian Values</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The emergence of Asian powers cannot rule out the importance of the U.S. It is evident that the U.S., China, and India will retain their civilizational models into the future. In Asia, differences will center on overlapping priorities - <strong>Security (the U.S.&rsquo;s efforts to maintain hegemony), economic (China&rsquo;s emphasis on connectivity, markets, and growth) and equitable sustainable development (India-led framework of digital infrastructure designed as a public good).</strong></li>
<li>Countries having similar conditions like India are looking for its vision of a digital, cooperative, sustainable multilateral strategic framework to complement the frameworks of the other two powers. Early concrete moves for their simultaneous rise, are in the global interest and will be a win-win situation for all.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffbd6;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br /><br />Asia is providing the multilateral alternative to a world divided by values, and no longer by ideology. What defines &lsquo;Asian Values&rsquo; and how they are different from western values?</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/multilateralism-and-asia'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Martyr’s Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Prime Minister of India paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his <strong>72<sup>nd</sup> Death Anniversary</strong> at Gandhi Smriti, New Delhi.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Martyr&rsquo;s Day is observed on <strong>30<sup>th</sup> January</strong> every year in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi and his contributions to the nation.</li>
<li><strong>23<sup>rd</sup> March</strong> is also observed as Martyr's Day to pay tribute to three revolutionaries of India namely <strong>Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Mahatma Gandhi<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580462053_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1580462053_image3.jpg" style="float: right;" width="200" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on <strong>October 2, 1869</strong>, at <strong>Porbandar in Gujarat</strong> and died on <strong>January 30, 1948,</strong> at <strong>Gandhi Smriti, New Delhi.</strong></li>
<li>He was assassinated by <strong>Nathuram Godse</strong> in the Birla House during his evening prayers.</li>
<li>He was a lawyer, politician, social activist, writer and became the leader of the nationalist movement against the British rule of India.</li>
<li>He is considered the <strong>Father of the Nation.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper4/gandhian-ideologies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gandhi and his ideologies</strong></a> played an important role in liberating India from the British.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1601067" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp, line 100
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
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Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
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Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
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