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Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar

As part of the Indian Navy's Overseas Deployment, four indigenously built ships of the Indian Navy are visiting the ports at Dar es Salaam and...

18 Oct 2019 News Analysis
Global Tuberculosis Report 2019: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently released its 2019 edition of the Global Tuberculosis (TB) Report. The report provides a...

18 Oct 2019 News Analysis
EX-EASTERN BRIDGE-V

Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in the joint bilateral exercise EX EASTERN BRIDGE V with Royal Air Force Oman (RAFO). The exercise is...

18 Oct 2019 News Analysis
India-US Relationship

This article is based on “The operative word must be bilateralism” which was published in The Hindu on 17/11/2019. It talks about the...

17 Oct 2019 News Editorials
e-Governance

e-Governance can be defined as the application of information and communication technology (ICT) for providing government services, exchange of...

17 Oct 2019 Paper 2
Tulagi Island

A Beijing-based company which has close ties to the Chinese Communist Party has secured exclusive development rights for the entire island of...

17 Oct 2019 News Analysis
Rangdum Monastery

The Archaeological Survey of India is planning to declare the Rangdum Monastery located in Ladakh (Kargil district) as a monument of national...

17 Oct 2019 News Analysis
20th Livestock Census

Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has released the 20th Livestock Census report recently. The release provides key results...

17 Oct 2019 News Analysis
Cost Dynamics of Electricity Production

The editorial is based on the article “A cost-effective way to power generation” which appeared in The Hindu on 16 October 2019. The...

16 Oct 2019 News Editorials
Global Hunger Index-2019

In the recently released Global Hunger Index (GHI) Report-2019, India was ranked at 102nd position out of 117 countries. The report is an annual...

16 Oct 2019 News Analysis
Microbial Fuel Cells

Recently, at a London Zoo, a fern started taking its own selfies. The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) scientists had laid the groundwork with the...

16 Oct 2019 News Analysis
Third India Energy Forum

Recently, the India Ministerial Dialogue was held at 3rd India Energy Forum by CERAWeek in New Delhi. The Indian, as well as regional energy...

16 Oct 2019 News Analysis
China-Nepal-India Triangulation

This article is based on “Xi’s Security Diplomacy” that was published in The Indian Express on 15/10/2019. It talks about how...

15 Oct 2019 News Editorials
International Labour Organization

The International Labour Organization (ILO) celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019. It is the only tripartite U.N. agency. It brings together...

15 Oct 2019 International Institutions
World Standards Day

14 October is celebrated as World Standards Day for paying tribute to the collaborative efforts of thousands of experts worldwide who develop the...

15 Oct 2019 News Analysis
Nobel Prize in Physics 2019

The Nobel Prize for Physics has been awarded to James Peebles for theoretical discoveries in physical cosmology, and Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz...

15 Oct 2019 News Analysis
Nobel Prize for Peace 2019

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2019 has been awarded to Abiy Ahmed Ali, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia for his decisive initiative to resolve the border...

15 Oct 2019 News Analysis
Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019

The 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been jointly awarded to John B Goodenough, M Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino for the development of...

15 Oct 2019 News Analysis
India-Netherlands

Recently, the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Netherlands visited India to give an impetus to the bilateral ties shared by the two nations. Key...

15 Oct 2019 News Analysis
The Big Picture: DTH v/s OTT

According to a recent report by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the average active subscriber base of DTH services has seen a...

15 Oct 2019 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions

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			'title' => 'Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>As part of the Indian Navy's Overseas Deployment, <strong>four indigenously built ships</strong> of the Indian Navy are visiting the ports at <strong>Dar es Salaam</strong> and <strong>Zanzibar</strong> located in Tanzania.</p>
<h3>Zanzibar<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571386584_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571386584_image3.jpg" width="311" height="220" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Zanzibar an island in the Indian Ocean, is located <strong>off the coast of east-central Africa.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>1964</strong> Zanzibar, Pemba Island and some other smaller islands joined to form the <strong>United Republic of Tanzania.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is located on the Indian Ocean trade routes making it accessible to both traders and colonists from Arabia, South Asia, and the African mainland.</li>
<li>Zanzibar and Pemba are believed to have once formed part of the <strong>African continent.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The raised sands and sandstones with varied residual deposits are found on Zanzibar and Pemba islands which are similar to the alluvial deposits present on the African mainland</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Dar es Salaam</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>largest city and economic capital of Tanzania.</strong></li>
<li>It is located in a bay off the <strong>Indian Ocean coast.</strong></li>
<li>The city has developed into the <strong>economic importance of the entire East African region.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1588010" 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/dar-es-salaam-and-zanzibar'
		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Global Tuberculosis Report 2019: WHO',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>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 recently released its <strong>2019 edition of the Global Tuberculosis (TB) Report.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the TB epidemic and progress in the response at global, regional and country levels for India.</li>
<li>WHO has been publishing <strong>global TB report every year since 1997.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Findings<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571386206_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571386206_image4.jpg" width="408" height="316" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agreement-with-the-world-bank-to-eliminate-tb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>TB</strong></a> <strong>remains the top infectious killer</strong> in the world claiming over 4,000 lives a day.</li>
<li><strong>Number of TB Cases:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Geographically, most TB cases in 2018 were in the WHO regions of South-East Asia (44%), Africa (24%) and the Western Pacific (18%).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>High TB Burden Countries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Eight countries that accounted for <strong>two thirds of the global total include India</strong> (27%), China (9%) and Indonesia (8%).</li>
<li>The above countries are also in <strong>WHO&rsquo;s list of 30 high TB burden countries</strong> that accounted for 87% of the world&rsquo;s cases in 2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>MultiDrug Resistant TB:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2018, there were about half a million new cases of rifampicin-resistant TB (of which 78% had multidrug resistant TB).</li>
<li>The <strong>three countries with the largest share of the global burden were India (27%),</strong> China (14%) and the Russian Federation (9%).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>TB Diagnosis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Globally, 7.0 million new cases of TB were notified in 2018 &ndash; an increase from 6.4 million in 2017.</li>
<li>Most of the increase in global notifications of TB cases since 2013 is <strong>explained by trends in India and Indonesia,</strong> the two countries that rank first and third worldwide in terms of estimated incident cases per year.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In India, notifications of new cases rose from 1.2 million to 2.0 million between 2013 and 2018 (+60%).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite increases in TB notifications, there is <strong>still a large gap</strong> between the number of new cases reported (7.0 million) and the estimated 10.0 million incident cases in 2018.</li>
<li>This gap is due to a combination of <strong>underreporting of detected cases</strong> and <strong>underdiagnosis</strong> (i.e. people with TB do not access health care or are not diagnosed when they do).</li>
<li><strong>Ten countries accounted for about 80% of the gap, with India (25%),</strong> Nigeria (12%), Indonesia (10%) and the Philippines (8%) accounting for more than half of the total.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>TB Treatment Outcomes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The latest treatment outcome data for new cases of TB show a global treatment <strong>success rate of 85%</strong> in 2017, an increase from 81% in 2016. The <strong>improvement was mainly due to progress in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financing for TB Prevention:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Funding for the provision of TB prevention, diagnostic and treatment services has doubled since 2006.</li>
<li><strong>In India, domestic funding quadrupled between 2016 and 2019.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Annual financing for TB prevention and care and for TB research needs to approximately double.</li>
<li><strong>Access to TB care</strong> and preventive treatment needs to be expanded.</li>
<li>Substantial costs faced by TB patients and their households should be mitigated.</li>
<li>Multisectoral action on the broader determinants of the TB epidemic needs to be intensified.</li>
<li><strong>Intensified research and development</strong> is required to meet the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agreement-with-the-world-bank-to-eliminate-tb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)</strong></a> and End TB Strategy targets set for 2030.</li>
<li>The End TB Strategy milestones for 2020 and 2025 can only be achieved if TB diagnosis, treatment and prevention services are provided within the context of progress towards <strong>Universal Health Coverage (UHC).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>UHC means that everyone can obtain the health services they need without suffering financial hardship.</li>
<li>SDG Target 3.8 is to achieve UHC by 2030.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>WHO End TB Strategy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The strategy <strong>aims to end the global TB epidemic,</strong> with targets to reduce TB deaths by 95% and to cut new cases by 90% between 2015 and 2035, and to ensure that no family is burdened with catastrophic expenses due to TB.</li>
<li>It <strong>sets interim milestones</strong> for 2020, 2025, and 2030.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/tb-cases-see-decrease-in-india/article29728676.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/global-tuberculosis-report-2019-who'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'EX-EASTERN BRIDGE-V',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in the joint bilateral exercise <strong>EX EASTERN BRIDGE V</strong> with Royal Air Force Oman (RAFO).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The exercise is being held at the <strong>Air Force Base Masirah, Oman.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>About Exercise</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IAF contingent comprises of MiG-29 and C-17 aircraft. It would be the first time that MIG-29 fighter aircraft will be participating in an International Exercise outside India.</li>
<li>The last <strong>EX EASTERN BRIDGE-IV</strong> exercise was conducted in 2017 at Jamnagar, India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The exercise will enhance interoperability during mutual cooperation between two Air Force.</li>
<li>The exercise will also promote exchange of experience and operational knowledge, and will promote professional interaction.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Other Exercises Between India and Oman</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Naseem Al-Bahr</strong> is the <strong>naval exercise</strong> conducted between both the countries.</li>
<li><strong>AL Nagah</strong> is the joint bilateral exercise between the armies of two countries.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571382198_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571382198_image1.jpg" width="465" height="329" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1588360" 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/ex-eastern-bridge-v'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'India-US Relationship',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on &ldquo;<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-operative-word-must-be-bilateralism/article29717045.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The operative word must be bilateralism</a>&rdquo; which was published in The Hindu on 17/11/2019. It talks about the changing nature of the India-U.S. relationship.</p>
</div>
<p>Global politics is changing rapidly and it has its effects on global relationships as well. Now the focus of the nations have shifted to <strong>unilateralism, protectionism and isolationism</strong> from <strong>peace, joint cooperation, multilateralism and liberalism</strong> usually propogated by institutions such as the <strong>United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and the International Court of Justice</strong>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Global politics is disturbed by the disruptions caused by the<strong> trade war between the US-China and Brexit</strong> impacting other nations&rsquo; relations with them and with each other. India also stands at a crossroads in terms of its foreign policy approach in these turbulent times.</li>
<li>India has to make<strong> crucial decisions</strong> in such times to sustain and the options available are-<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Continue with the <strong>time-tested stable policy of non-alignment and strategic autonomy</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Follow unilateralism and be a permanent treaty ally</strong> of one of the superpowers.</li>
<li>Forge new relations and explore fresh territories by <strong>adopting the strategy of multi-alignment and transactional autonomy</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Relationship Dynamics</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It can be elaborated into three main categories-<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Good Phase</strong>- It is linked to the historic terms like the <strong>U.S. civil nuclear deal</strong>, the ongoing <strong>defence cooperation and the signing of &ldquo;Foundational Defence Agreements&rdquo;</strong> which are the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-us-2-plus-2-talks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA)</a>, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA) etc.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Bad Phase</strong>- It is linked with the current trade challenges, the <strong>U.S.&rsquo;s hyphenation of India with China in its trade war</strong> and its <strong>call for the removal of the &lsquo;developing country&rsquo; tag assigned by the WTO.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Ugly Phase</strong>- It was when the <strong>U.S. sent its fleet towards India to assist Pakistan during the 1971 war.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The good outweighs the other two but a <strong>sense of scepticism</strong> remains because of<strong> India&rsquo;s multilateral outreach</strong>, especially with respect to the procurement of defence material from Russia and Indian military&rsquo;s presence in Afghanistan.</li>
<li>India also needs to remain mindful of the <strong>unpredictability and inherent contradictions in U.S. foreign policy</strong> and, at the same time, <strong>capitalise on U.S. &lsquo;isolationism and retrenchment&rsquo;</strong> by maintaining its time-tested policy of non-alignment and strategic autonomy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Contradictions in the U.S.&rsquo;s Outlook</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The recent<strong> abandonment of Kurds,</strong> who assisted the Americans in fighting the Islamic State,<strong> by Trump administration</strong> should be kept in mind by the other nations. India must be prepared, in case U.S. suddenly withdraws its forces from Afghanistan, which could lead to a complete takeover by the Taliban, with <strong>potential repercussions on India&rsquo;s northern front</strong>.</li>
<li>With respect to <strong>Pakistan, U.S.&rsquo;s policies seems very unclear and confusing</strong> often creating misleading information. For example, the ever changing views of the U.S. on Pakistan like calling it a<strong> &ldquo;friend who he does not need&rdquo;</strong> to a <strong>&ldquo;friend in need&rdquo;</strong> even after being aware of Pakistan&rsquo;s ties with terrorism.</li>
<li>U.S. <strong>campaigned for Iran&rsquo;s nuclear deal in 2015</strong>, then <strong>withdrew</strong> itself from the accord in <strong>2018</strong> and has <strong>now adopted a blanket sanction policy with relation to any nation dealing in oil transactions with Iran</strong>.</li>
<li>India needs to be careful because of all such examples and <strong>U.S.&rsquo;s expectations from India to forego its age-old friendship with Russia</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Possible Solutions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India must ensure that <strong>India-U.S. bilateralism survives the ill effects of unilateralism</strong> without compromising India&rsquo;s friendly position.</li>
<li>U.S. needs to realise that <strong>India cannot keep distance from the globalisation, regional alliances and emerging trade opportunitie</strong>s. However, at the same time it can be assured that <strong>India will never take sides hurting U.S. interests</strong> while taking real strategic and economic bilateral decisions.</li>
<li>India should not feel distracted and <strong>focus on multi-alignment</strong> both with the U.S. and Russia, especially in terms of getting a waiver <strong>under the Countering America&rsquo;s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act in purchasing the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-rocky-road-for-strategic-partners" target="_blank" rel="noopener">S-400 missile system</a> from Russia</strong>.</li>
<li>On the <strong>trade front</strong>, India can be an <strong>effective supplier rather than being an outsourcing hub if compared to China</strong>. <strong>Strategically</strong> also, the U.S. views India as a platform to <strong>contain China&rsquo;s hegemony</strong>. India sees it as an <strong>opportunity for economic expansion</strong>, with the U.S. being an equal partner.</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s cautious pragmatism along with assertiveness needs to be factored into the decision-making process of both India and the USA. Both need to forge a <strong>broad-based and productive political partnership</strong> for that.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the official right of the sovereign nation-states to make <strong>formal ties and bonds based on mutual interdependence</strong>.</li>
<li>India and the U.S. should <strong>strengthen their relationship on global and regional levels</strong> and look for <strong>issues of common interest</strong> which can provide enormous opportunities for both countries to work closely in <strong>reshaping the global political order</strong>.</li>
<li>Both nations have the <strong>potential to grow together without comprising India&rsquo;s situation due to unilateralism</strong> by benefitting of mutual interests and understanding each other better.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #f7f2d2; border-color: #05739e;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 961px;"><em>Drishti Mains Question<br /><br /></em>Analyse India-USA relationships with reference to the rapidly changing global politics.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-us-relationship'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'e-Governance',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>e-Governance can be defined as the application of information and communication technology (ICT) for providing government services, exchange of information, transactions, integration of previously existing services and information portals.</li>
<li>The &ldquo;e&rdquo; in e-Governance stands for &lsquo;electronic&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
<p>The <strong>Council of Europe</strong> referred to e-Governance as:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The use of electronic technologies in three areas of public action:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>relations between the public authorities and civil society</li>
<li>the functioning of the public authorities at all stages of the democratic process (electronic democracy)</li>
<li>the provision of public services (electronic public services)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reasons for Opting e-Governance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Governance per se has become very complex</li>
<li>Increase in citizens&rsquo; expectations from the government</li>
</ul>
<h3>Different Connotations of e-Governance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>e-Administration:</strong> The use of ICTs to modernize the state; the creation of data repositories for Management Information System (MIS) and computerization of records (land, health etc).</li>
<li><strong>e-Services:</strong> The emphasis here is to bring the state closer to the citizens. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For Examples: Provision of online services.</li>
<li>e-administration and e-services together constitute what is largely termed as e-government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>e-Governance:</strong> The use of IT to improve the ability of the government to address the needs of society. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It includes the publishing of policy and program-related information to transact with citizens.</li>
<li>It extends beyond the provision of online services and covers the use of IT for strategic planning and reaching the development goals of the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>e-Democracy:</strong> The use of IT to facilitate the ability of all sections of society to participate in the governance of the state. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Emphasis is on bringing transparency, accountability, and participation of people.</li>
<li>It includes online disclosures of policies, online grievance redressal, e-referendums etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Origin</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>e-Governance originated in India during the 1970s with a focus on in-house government applications in the areas of defence, economic monitoring, planning and deployment of ICT to manage data intensive functions related to elections, census, tax administration etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Initial Steps Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The establishment of the&nbsp;<strong>Department of Electronics in 1970</strong> was the first major step towards e-governance in India as it brought &lsquo;information&rsquo; and its communication to focus.</li>
<li><strong>National Informatics Centre (NIC) established in 1977,</strong> launched the <strong>District Information System</strong> program to computerize all district offices in the country</li>
<li>The main thrust for e-governance was provided by the launching of <strong>NICNET in 1987</strong> &ndash; the national satellite-based computer network.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Objectives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Better service delivery to citizens.</li>
<li>Ushering in transparency and accountability.</li>
<li>Empowering people through information.</li>
<li>Improve efficiency within Government i.e between centre-state or inter-states.</li>
<li>Improve interface with business and industry.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Pillars of e-Governance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>People</li>
<li>Process</li>
<li>Technology</li>
<li>Resources</li>
</ul>
<h3>Types of Interaction in e-Governance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>G2G i.e. Government to Government</li>
<li>G2C i.e. Government to Citizen</li>
<li>G2B i.e. Government to Business</li>
<li>G2E i.e. Government to Employees</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314210_drishti_ias_e-Governance_1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314210_drishti_ias_e-Governance_1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Initiatives Taken for e-Governance in India</h3>
<table border="1" style="height: 260px; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #fceded; border-color: #ff0000;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; text-align: center; height: 19px;"><strong>S.No.</strong></td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 19px;"><strong>Program</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 19px;"><strong>Details</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 35px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; height: 35px; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;">1.</td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 35px; vertical-align: top;"><strong>Bhoomi Project (Karnataka): Online Delivery of Land Records</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 35px; vertical-align: top;">Bhoomi is a self-sustainable e-Governance project for the computerized delivery of 20 million rural land records to 6.7 million farmers of Karnataka.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 111px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; height: 111px; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;">2.</td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 111px; vertical-align: top;"><strong>KHAJANE (Karnataka): End-to-end automation of Government Treasury System</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 111px; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>&lsquo;Government-to-Government (G2G) e-Governance initiative of the Karnataka State Government.</li>
<li>It has been implemented mainly to eliminate systemic deficiencies in the manual treasury system and for the efficient management of state finances.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;">3.</td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;"><strong>e-Seva (Andhra Pradesh)</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Designed to provide &lsquo;Government to Citizen&rsquo; and &lsquo;e-Business to Citizen&rsquo; services.</li>
<li>All the services are delivered online to consumers /citizens by connecting them to the respective government departments and providing online information at the point of service delivery.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project has become very popular among the citizens especially for the payment of utility bills.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;">4.</td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;"><strong>e-Courts</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice.</li>
<li>The Mission Mode Project (MMP) aims at utilizing technology for improved provisioning of judicial services to citizens.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;">5.</td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;"><strong>e-District</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched by the Department of Information Technology.</li>
<li>The MMP aims at delivery of high volume, citizen-centric services at the District level such as the issue of birth/death certificate, income and caste certificates, old age and widow pension, etc.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;">6.</td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;"><strong>MCA21</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.</li>
<li>The project aims to provide electronic services to the Companies registered under the Companies Act.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Various online facilities offered includes allocation and change of name, incorporation, online payment of registration charges, change in address of registered office, viewing of public records and other related services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;">7.</td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;"><strong>e-Office</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms &amp; Public Grievances.</li>
<li>The MMP aims at significantly improving the operational efficiency of the Government by transitioning to a "Less Paper Office".</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Digital India Initiatives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an umbrella program to prepare India for a knowledge-based transformation.</li>
<li>It weaves together a large number of ideas and thoughts into a single comprehensive vision so that each of them is seen as part of a larger goal.</li>
<li>It has been launched by the <strong>Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity)</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Vision Areas</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Digital infrastructure as Utility to Every Citizen</li>
<li>Governance and services on demand</li>
<li>Digital empowerment of citizens</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314257_drishti_ias_e-Governance_3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314257_drishti_ias_e-Governance_3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="574" height="323" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Various Initiatives Under Digital India Initiatives</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>MyGov:</strong> It aims to establish a link between Government and Citizens towards meeting the goal of good governance. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It encourages citizens as well as people abroad to participate in various activities i.e. 'Do', 'Discuss', 'Poll', 'Talk', &lsquo;Blog&rsquo;, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>DigiLocker:</strong> It serves as a platform to enable citizens to securely store and share their documents with service providers who can directly access them electronically.</li>
<li><strong>e-Hospital-Online Registration Framework (ORF):</strong> It is an initiative to facilitate the patients to take online OPD appointments with government hospitals. This framework also covers patient care, laboratory services and medical record management.</li>
<li><strong>National Scholarships Portal (NSP):</strong> It provides a centralized platform for application and disbursement of scholarship to students under any scholarship scheme.</li>
<li><strong>DARPAN:</strong> It is an online tool that can be used to monitor and analyze the implementation of critical and high priority projects of the State. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It facilitates presentation of real time data on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of selected schemes/projects to the senior functionaries of the State Government as well as district administration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation):</strong> It has been aimed at starting a culture of Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is also a robust system for bringing e-transparency and e-accountability with real-time presence and exchange among the key stakeholders.</li>
<li>It was launched in 2015.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Common Services Centres 2.0 (CSC 2.0):</strong> It is being implemented to develop and provide support to the use of information technology in rural areas of the country. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The CSCs are Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enabled kiosks with broadband connectivity to provide various Governments, private and social services at the doorstep of the citizen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mobile Seva:</strong> It provides government services to the people through mobile phones and tablets.</li>
<li><strong>Jeevan Pramaan:</strong> It is an Aadhaar based Biometric Authentication System for Pensioners.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The system provides authenticity to Digital Life Certificate without the necessity of the pensioner being present in person before his/ her Pension Dispensing Authority (PDA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Centre of Geo-informatics (NCoG):</strong> Under this project, Geographic Information System (GIS) platform for sharing, collaboration, location based analytics and decision support system for Departments has been developed.</li>
<li><strong>National e-Governance Plan (NeGP):</strong> It takes a holistic view of e-Governance initiatives across the country, integrating them into a collective vision and a shared cause. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It comprises of <strong>31 Mission Mode Projects,</strong> approved in <strong>2006</strong>, but later it was integrated into Digital India Program.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>e-Kranti: National e-Governance Plan 2.0</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an essential pillar of the Digital India initiative.</li>
<li>It was approved in 2015 with the vision of <strong>&ldquo;Transforming e-Governance for Transforming Governance&rdquo;</strong>.</li>
<li>There are 44 Mission Mode Projects under e-Kranti, which are at various stages of implementation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Thrust Areas of e-Kranti</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>e-Education:</strong> All schools will be connected to broadband. Free WiFi will be provided in all secondary and higher secondary schools (coverage would be around 250,000 schools). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>PMGDISHA: Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan </strong>aims to make six crore people in rural India digitally literate.</li>
<li><strong>SWAYAM:</strong> It includes Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) for leveraging e-Education. It provides for a&nbsp;<span>platform that facilitates hosting of all the courses, taught in classrooms from Class 9 till post-graduation to be accessed by anyone, anywhere at any time.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>e-Healthcare:</strong> e-Healthcare would cover online medical consultation, online medical records, online medicine supply, pan-India exchange for patient information, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Farmers:</strong> This would facilitate farmers to get real-time price information, online ordering of inputs and online cash, loan, and relief payment with mobile banking.</li>
<li><strong>Security:</strong> Mobile-based emergency services and disaster-related services would be provided to citizens on a real-time basis so as to take precautionary measures well in time and minimize loss of lives and properties.</li>
<li><strong>Financial Inclusion:</strong> Financial inclusion shall be strengthened using mobile banking, Micro-ATM program, and CSCs/ Post Offices.</li>
<li><strong>Justice:</strong> Interoperable Criminal Justice System shall be strengthened by leveraging several related applications, i.e. e-Courts, e-Police, e-Jails, and e-Prosecution.</li>
<li><strong>Planning:</strong> National GIS Mission Mode Project would be implemented to facilitate GIS-based decision making for project planning, conceptualization, design, and development.</li>
<li><strong>Cyber Security:</strong> <strong>National Cyber Security Co-ordination Centre</strong> has been set up to ensure a safe and secure cyber-space within the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Benefits/ Outcomes of E-Governance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Enhanced Transparency and Accountability.</li>
<li>Expanded reach of Governance.</li>
<li>Improved Public Administration.</li>
<li>Enables Environment for Promoting Economic development.</li>
<li>Improved service delivery in the form of better access to information and quality services to citizens.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314339_drishti_ias_e-Governance_2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314339_drishti_ias_e-Governance_2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Challenges to E-Governance</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314361_drishti_ias_e-Governance_4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314361_drishti_ias_e-Governance_4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="691" height="559" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Infrastructure</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lack of basic infrastructural facilities like electricity, internet, etc. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Initiatives like <strong>BharatNet</strong> and <strong>Saubhagya</strong> are steps taken in this regard.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cost</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>e-Governance measures are costly affairs and require huge public expenditure.</li>
<li>In developing countries like India, the cost of projects is one of the major impediments in the implementation of e-Governance initiatives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Privacy and Security</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recent spark in data leak cases has threatened the peoples&rsquo; faith in e-governance. Therefore, the implementation of e-governance projects must have security standards and protocols for safeguarding the interest of all classes of masses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital Divide</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Huge gap between users and non-users of e-govt. services.</li>
<li>The digital divide takes form in rich-poor, male-female, urban-rural etc segments of the population.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The gap needs to be narrowed down, then only the benefits of e-governance would be utilized equally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>A hybrid approach</strong> needs to be adopted for enhancing interoperability among e-governance applications which will encompass a centralized approach for document management, knowledge management, file management, grievance management etc.</li>
<li>The e-governance initiatives in rural areas should be taken by <strong>identifying</strong> <strong>and analyzing the grassroots realities</strong>.</li>
<li>The government should also focus on <strong>devising appropriate, feasible, distinct and effective capacity building mechanisms</strong> for various stakeholders viz bureaucrats, rural masses, urban masses, elected representatives, etc.</li>
<li>Cloud computing is also becoming a big force to enhance the delivery of services related to e-governance. Cloud computing is not only a tool for cost reduction but also helps in enabling new services, improving the education system and creating new jobs/ opportunities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Meghraj- GI Cloud is a step in the right direction.</strong> The focus of this initiative is to accelerate the delivery of e-services in the country while optimizing ICT spending of the Government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>e-Governance through regional languages is appreciable for the nations like India where people from several linguistic backgrounds are the participants.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>e-Governance is getting momentum in India, but public awareness and the digital divide are important issues to be addressed.</li>
<li>The success of e-Governance measures largely depends on the availability of high-speed internet, and the nation-wide roll-out of 5G technology in the near future will strengthen our resolve.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/e-governance-1'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Tulagi Island',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571301703_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571301703_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="526" height="266" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p>A <strong>Beijing</strong>-based company which has close ties to the Chinese Communist Party has secured<strong> exclusive development rights</strong> for the entire<strong> island of Tulagi</strong> and its surroundings.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has been reported that a secretive deal was signed in the month of September 2019 with the provincial government in the Solomon Islands, for the same.</li>
<li><strong>Tulagi</strong> is an island within the <strong>Solomon Islands,</strong> which are located in the<strong> South Pacific, directly between Australia and the U.S.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was the administrative seat (from 1893) of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate until it was destroyed by the Japanese (1942) during World War II.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The move has <strong>alarmed U.S. officials</strong> who see the island chains of the South Pacific as crucial to keep China in check and protect important sea routes.</li>
<li>The agreement includes provisions for a fishery base, an operations centre, and the building or enhancement of the airport.</li>
<li>China is also pushing to <strong>end the region&rsquo;s status as a diplomatic stronghold for Taiwan.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/solomon-islands-and-taiwan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Solomons cut ties to Taiwan</strong></a> and allied with Beijing just a few days before the Tulagi deal. A second Pacific nation, <strong>Kiribati, followed suit</strong> the same week.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/china-leases-an-entire-pacific-island-for-75-years/article29721219.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/tulagi-island'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Rangdum Monastery',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Archaeological Survey of India is planning to declare the <strong>Rangdum Monastery</strong> located in Ladakh (Kargil district) as a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/monuments-of-national-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>monument of national importance.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The move aims to look into the opportunities for <strong>expansion of tourism</strong> in the Ladakh region in the backdrop of the decision to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/article-370-and-35-a-revoked" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>split Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Central government is looking at bringing more monuments present in this region under its direct protection and therefore it made this monastery <strong>a Centrally-protected</strong> site.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571301320_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571301320_image1.jpg" width="284" height="213" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Rangdum Monastery</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>18<sup>th</sup> century</strong> built monastery that is situated at an altitude of 4,031 m. at the head of the <strong>Suru Valley,</strong> in Ladakh.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Suru Valley is drained by the <strong>Suru River</strong> which is a tributary of the <strong>Indus River.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Rangdum Monastery is a <strong>Tibetan Buddhist monastery</strong> belonging to the <strong>Gelugpa sect.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ASI is the <strong>premier organization</strong> for the archaeological research, scientific analysis, excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and preservation of protected monuments.</li>
<li>It is an attached office under the <strong>Department of Culture, Ministry of Culture.</strong></li>
<li>ASI was founded in <strong>1861</strong> by <strong>Alexander Cunningham-</strong> the first Director-General of ASI.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rangdum-monastery-in-kargil-likely-to-become-a-monument-of-national-importance/article29713654.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/rangdum-monastery'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => '20th Livestock Census',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has released the <strong>20<sup>th</sup> Livestock Census report</strong> recently.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The release provides key results reflecting the aggregate counts of various species as well as its comparison with the previous census.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571300887_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571300887_image2.jpg" width="432" height="285" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> total Livestock population</strong> is 535.78 million in the country showing an <strong>increase of 4.6% over Livestock Census-2012.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>West Bengal</strong> observed the <strong>highest increase of 23%,</strong> followed by <strong>Telangana (22%).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> total number of cattle</strong> in the country has shown<strong> an increase of 0.8 %.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The increase is mainly driven by a <strong>sharp increase in cross-bred cattle</strong> and <strong>higher female indigenous cattle</strong> population.</li>
<li><strong>Uttar Pradesh</strong> has observed a <strong>maximum decrease in cattle population</strong> though the state has taken several steps to save cattle.</li>
<li><strong>West Bengal</strong> has seen the <strong>highest rise of 15%</strong> in cattle population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The population of the <strong>total exotic/crossbred cattle</strong> has <strong>increased by 27%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cross-bred animals contributed around <strong>28% to India&rsquo;s total milk production in 2018-19.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>milch population</strong> of exotic and crossbred cattle such as <strong>Jersey or Holsteins</strong> shows higher milk yields and thus farmers prefer animals yielding more milk.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A <strong>decline of 6%</strong> in the total <strong>indigenous cattle</strong> population has been observed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s indigenous cattle numbers <strong>continue to decline,</strong> notwithstanding the government&rsquo;s efforts to promote conservation of desi breeds through the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rashtriya-gokul-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM).</strong></a></li>
<li>The <strong>sharpest fall</strong> has been observed in the states (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan,Maharashtra, etc.) with <strong>tough cow slaughter laws.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> total milch animals</strong> have shown an <strong>increase of 6%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to higher yields, foreign breeds constitute more than half the population of milch animals.</li>
<li>The <strong>more the number of animals that produce milk,</strong> the more would be <strong>pressure on land</strong> and fiercer would be <strong>competition between man and animals for survival.</strong></li>
<li>The figures show that nearly 75% of total cattle in the country are female (cows)-- a clear sign of dairy farmers' preferences for milk-producing cattle. This also gained momentum in the past couple of years due to the government's assistance in terms of providing sex-sorted artificial insemination (AI), with semen of high-yielding bulls, free of cost at farmers' doorstep.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>backyard poultry</strong> has <strong>increased by around 46%</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The sharp increase in backyard poultry is a <strong>significant change</strong> in the<strong> rural landscape</strong> which shows a sign of <strong>poverty alleviation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Total <strong>Bovine population</strong> (Cattle, Buffalo, Mithun and Yak) has shown an <strong>increase of about 1%.</strong></li>
<li>The population of sheep, goat and Mithun <strong>grew in double digits</strong> while the count of horses and ponies, pigs, camels, donkeys, mules and yaks <strong>declined.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>The Livestock Census</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Livestock Census has been conducted in the country periodically since <strong>1919-20.</strong> Since then it has been conducted <strong>once every 5 years.</strong></li>
<li>It covers all domesticated animals and their headcounts.</li>
<li>So far 19 such censuses have been conducted by the <strong>Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying,</strong> in participation with State Governments and UT Administrations.</li>
<li>The household-level data through online transmission from the field has been used for the first time in 20th Livestock Census.</li>
<li>The census is beneficial not just for policymakers but also for agriculturists, traders, entrepreneurs, dairying industry and masses in general.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1588304" 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/20th-livestock-census'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Cost Dynamics of Electricity Production',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>The editorial is based on the article <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-cost-effective-way-to-power-generation/article29693826.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;A cost-effective way to power generation&rdquo;</strong></a> which appeared in <strong>The Hindu</strong> on <strong>16 October 2019.</strong> The article is based on various aspects of declining cost of power generation in the country, especially renewable energy.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, Indian Prime Minister while addressing 74<sup>th</sup> session of United Nation General Assembly strongly focused on increasing global renewable energy capacity.</p>
<p>In the past few years, India has been aggressively expanding its power generation capacity. India has an installed capacity of 358 GW, which is four times of what it was in 1997-98.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s per-capita energy consumption is about <strong>one-third</strong> of the global average. Though India accounts for around 18% of the world&rsquo;s population, it uses only around<strong> 6%</strong> of the world&rsquo;s primary energy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s per capita energy consumption equals <strong>0.6 tonnes of oil equivalent (toe)</strong> as compared to the <strong>global per capita average of 1.8 toe.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Energy Installation Bag</h3>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 35px;">
<td style="width: 20.2356%; height: 35px; text-align: center;"><strong>Source</strong></td>
<td style="width: 27.928%; height: 35px; text-align: center;"><strong>Installed Capacity (March 2019)</strong></td>
<td style="width: 33.7889%; height: 35px; text-align: center;"><strong>Percentage of Total Installed Capacity</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 20.2356%; height: 19px;">Thermal Energy</td>
<td style="width: 27.928%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">200.7 GW</td>
<td style="width: 33.7889%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<p style="text-align: center;">56%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 20.2356%; height: 19px;"><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-indias-wind-energy-potential" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hydel Energy</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 27.928%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">45.39 GW</td>
<td style="width: 33.7889%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">13%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 20.2356%; height: 19px;"><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/solar-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Solar Energy</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 27.928%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">28.18</td>
<td style="width: 33.7889%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">7.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 20.2356%; height: 19px;">Wind Energy</td>
<td style="width: 27.928%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">35.63</td>
<td style="width: 33.7889%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">10%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 20.2356%; height: 19px;"><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/india-s-prospects-as-a-nuclear-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nuclear Energy</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 27.928%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">6.7 GW</td>
<td style="width: 33.7889%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3><br />India&rsquo;s Energy Targets</h3>
<p>Under the Paris Agreement, India has declared its <strong>INDC target</strong> of about 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030. India embarks on an ambitious journey to achieve <strong>renewable energy capacity of 175 GW by 2022</strong> and 500 GW by 2030. By 2022, India plans to achieve the following renewable energy targets:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Solar Energy: 100 GW</li>
<li>Wind Energy: 60 GW</li>
<li>Biomass Energy: 10 GW</li>
</ul>
<p>It also plans to have 15 GW of nuclear energy and 72 GW of hydel energy by 2027.</p>
<h3>Major Factor that Determine Cost in Power Generation</h3>
<p><strong>Fixed Cost</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Land:</strong> Land forms the major part of fixed investment in power generation which regionally varies and depends on government and pooling policies.</li>
<li><strong>Building and Construction Cost of Power Station:</strong> The capital cost of building central station generators vary from region to region, largely as a function of labor costs and "regulatory costs," which include things like obtaining siting permits, environmental approvals, and so on.</li>
<li><strong>Transmission and Distribution System:</strong> The electricity transmission and distribution systems that deliver electricity have maintenance costs, which include repairing damage to the systems from accidents or extreme weather conditions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Varying Cost</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fuel:</strong> Fuel costs can vary, especially during periods of high demand. High electricity demand can increase demand for fuel, such as natural gas, which can result in higher prices for the fuel and, in turn, higher costs to generate electricity.</li>
<li><strong>Regulations:</strong> In some states, public service/utility commissions fully regulate prices, while other states have a combination of unregulated prices (for generators) and regulated prices (for transmission and distribution).</li>
<li><strong>Weather conditions:</strong> Rain and snow provide water for low-cost hydropower generation. Wind can provide low-cost electricity generation from wind turbines when wind speeds are favorable. However, extreme temperatures can increase the demand for electricity, especially for cooling, and demand can drive prices up.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reasons for Declining Cost of Energy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Advances in technology</strong> have resulted in the construction of larger power plants, indicating economies of scale.</li>
<li><strong>Increasing share of private sector investment</strong> which is far more cost effective than public investment.</li>
<li><strong>Competitive tariff-based bidding</strong> of solar project that Solar Energy Corporation of India, State and Central Government have undertaken through reverse auctioning.</li>
<li>The <strong>subsidies and incentives</strong> provided by the Government under <strong>National Solar Mission</strong> have been instrumental in reducing cost and adoption of solar energy.</li>
<li>Historically, land acquisition has always been a problem in India and is a major reason for cost escalation in infrastructure projects.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Solar Park Policy</strong> introduced guidelines that lead state governments to identify suitable large tracts of land with appropriate insolation levels, and prioritise the use of government waste/non-agricultural land in order to speed up acquisition process for setting up solar park.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571229846_pasted%20image 0.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571229846_pasted image 0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="472" height="381" /></a></p>
<h3>What next can be done to reduce the cost further?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Project Size and Cost</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Infrastructure projects have an inverse relationship between size and unit cost. The average cost per MW for a <strong>thermal plant is about 25% lower</strong> than that of a solar plant. Thermal plants are of huge capacity and on average it would take 18 solar or wind plants to generate the same quantity of power as one thermal plant. Therefore, large solar and wind plants are to be constructed in the future to shift toward non-fossilized clean energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Project Ownership</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Over the last two decades, 63% of the total planned generation capacity has come from the private sector, and investment were more pronounced in solar and wind energy sector.</li>
<li>Private sector plants have an average cost of 12-34% lower cost per MW for all categories except solar. Therefore, creating additional capacity in existing plant at lower cost can play a big role in keeping electricity tariffs low.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As India continues to ramp up capacity, it is imperative to create generation assets with the lowest unit cost by optimizing plant capacities and encouraging private sector investment.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 100%; height: 19px; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #efffe8;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Inputs</strong></em></span><br /><br />Briefly outline the underlying causes for declining cost of electricity production in recent times. Also suggest policy measures to reduce the cost further.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/cost-dynamics-of-electricity-production'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Global Hunger Index-2019',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>In the recently released <strong>Global Hunger Index (GHI) Report-2019,</strong> India was ranked at <strong>102<sup>nd</sup> position</strong> out of <strong>117</strong> countries.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report is an <strong>annual publication</strong> that is jointly prepared by the <strong>Concern Worldwide</strong> (an Irish agency) and the <strong>Welt Hunger Hilfe</strong> (a German organization).</li>
<li>The report is based on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-hunger-index-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>four GHI indicators</strong></a> namely, undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Findings<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571219571_drishti_ias_Global%20Hunger Index-2019.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571219571_drishti_ias_Global Hunger Index-2019.jpg" style="float: right;" width="378" height="351" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s rank has slipped from 95<sup>th</sup> position (in 2010) to 102<sup>nd</sup> (in 2019). Over a longer-term duration, the fall in India&rsquo;s rank is sharper, i.e, from 83<sup>rd</sup> out of 113 countries in 2000 to 102<sup>nd</sup> out of 117 in 2019.</li>
<li>According to the report, India&rsquo;s child wasting rate was extremely high at <strong>20.8%&nbsp;</strong>- the <strong>highest</strong> for any country.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Child wasting refers to the share of children under the age of five who are wasted, i.e, they have <strong>low weight with respect to their height</strong>, reflecting acute undernutrition.</li>
<li>The share of wasting among children in India marked a steep rise from 16.5% in the 2008-2012 to 20.8% in 2014-2018.</li>
<li>According to <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)</a>, child wasting is a strong predictor of mortality&nbsp;among children (under 5 yrs. of age).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has <strong>demonstrated an improvement</strong> in other indicators that includes, under-5 mortality rate, prevalence of stunting among children, and prevalence of undernourishment owing to inadequate food.</li>
<li>The report also took note of <strong>open defecation</strong> in India as an impacting factor for health. It pointed out that as of 2015&ndash;2016, 90% of Indian households used an improved drinking water source while 39% of households had no sanitation facilities.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Open defecation jeopardizes the population&rsquo;s health and severely impacts children&rsquo;s growth and their ability to absorb nutrients.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-takes-the-low-rung-ranked-102-in-hunger-index-of-117-countries-119101501494_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source: BS</a></p>
<p></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-hunger-index-2019'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Microbial Fuel Cells',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, at a London Zoo, a fern started taking its own selfies. The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) scientists had laid the groundwork with the aim of using plants to power camera traps and sensors in the wild.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This was achieved by installing the microbial fuel cells in <strong>Pete</strong> (a maidenhair fern).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Microbial fuel cells</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a device that converts <strong>chemical</strong> <strong>energy to electrical energy</strong> by the action of microorganisms.</li>
<li>It is a bio-electrochemical system that uses bacteria as the catalyst to oxidize organic and inorganic matter, and consequently, generate electric current out of it.</li>
<li>It has applications in various fields such as power generation systems, bio-recovery, waste-water treatment, etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Plants naturally deposit biomatter as they grow which in turn feeds the natural bacteria present in the soil. This creates energy that can be harnessed by fuel cells and used to power a wide range of vital conservation tools remotely including sensors, monitoring platforms, and camera traps.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/microbial-fuel-cells-technology-that-enabled-a-fern-to-take-its-own-selfies-6071048/" 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/microbial-fuel-cells'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Third India Energy Forum',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, the <strong>India Ministerial Dialogue</strong> was held at <strong>3<sup>rd</sup> India Energy Forum</strong> by <strong>CERAWeek</strong> in New Delhi.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Indian, as well as regional energy companies, institutions, and governments, participated at the forum held under the patronage <strong>of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As India is experiencing the <strong>fastest growth in energy consumption</strong> among all large economies, the country will be the <strong>key driver of global energy demand</strong> in the coming decades.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To meet the huge demand for energy, India would be implementing a <strong>healthy mix of all commercially viable energy sources.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India plans its course of the <strong>energy transition in a responsible manner</strong> which would greatly influence<strong> global energy transition.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>shares of renewables in electricity capacity</strong> has significantly <strong>gone up</strong> now to 22% from around 10% in 2014-15.</li>
<li>The <strong>ethanol blending percentage has risen</strong> from 0.67% in 2012-13 to now close to 6%.</li>
<li>Also, <strong>more than 95%</strong> of households now have <strong>access to LPG,</strong> making their kitchens smoke-free.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Three critical transitions to be addressed in the Indian energy sector are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mobility</li>
<li>Urbanization</li>
<li>Power generation</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s per capita consumption of coal is about 1/10<sup>th</sup></strong> of that of the <strong>United States</strong> but still, India aims to use cleaner technology for <strong>low- carbon energy future.</strong></li>
<li>In addition to the above initiatives, India is planning to transform itself into <strong>Gas Economy.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Natural Gas offers an option of a balancing fuel, as it has proven capability to complement renewables.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The contribution of modern technologies, efficiency in production has been recognized for transforming the landscape towards <strong>climate justice, and a sustainable future.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>CERAWeek</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CERAWeek by IHS Markit has become the world&rsquo;s premier energy event.</li>
<li>In 1983, Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) was founded in Cambridge.</li>
<li>Each year, CERA clients gathered for a few days in Houston, Texas to attend the executive conference where they gained insight into the energy future while connecting with their peers. Over time, the program was expanded to five days of informative sessions and networking opportunities&mdash;and named CERAWeek.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1588128" 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/third-india-energy-forum'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'China-Nepal-India Triangulation',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/china-nepal-xi-jinping-international-relations-security-diplomacy-6069020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Xi&rsquo;s Security Diplomacy&rdquo;</strong></a> that was published in The Indian Express on 15/10/2019. It talks about how China-Nepal convergence can affect India&rsquo;s interest.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, China's President Xi Jinping made a significant visit to Nepal, becoming the first Chinese President in over 20 years to visit the Himalayan country.</p>
<p>The visit seeks to accelerate the development of an ambitious trans-Himalayan corridor between China&rsquo;s Tibet and Nepal <strong>(China Nepal Economic Corridor).</strong> However, it is China's <strong>security diplomacy</strong> that is more of a concern for India.</p>
<h3>&ldquo;Security Diplomacy&rdquo; of China</h3>
<p>Nepal&rsquo;s northern border with China lies entirely with Tibet, China sees security cooperation with Nepal as critical in controlling the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/60-years-of-1959-tibetan-uprising" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tibetan matters.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In this pursuit, China is following<strong> security diplomacy vis-&agrave;-vis Nepal</strong> (distinct from defense diplomacy).</li>
<li><strong>Security diplomacy vs Defense diplomacy</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Security diplomacy seeks to expand engagement between the two countries, <strong>not just in fields related to military engagement</strong> but also to the police forces, intelligence agencies, border management organisations and law-enforcement authorities of the two nations.</li>
<li>In the case of neighbouring countries, security diplomacy leads to the dynamic interaction between internal political stability and the situation across the frontiers.</li>
<li><strong>Defence diplomacy</strong> may include military exchanges, military sales, joint exercises, humanitarian disasters response training etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Chinese President visit also envisages signing of the <strong>Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters</strong> and an early conclusion of the <strong>Treaty on Extradition.</strong></li>
<li>China also promised to enhance the capacities of Nepal&rsquo;s law enforcement agencies.</li>
</ul>
<h3>China Nepal Economic Corridor</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 2017, Nepal signed up to <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI),</a></strong> that sought to create highways, airports and other infrastructure in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Through <strong>China Nepal Economic Corridor,</strong> Nepal seeks to end Indian dominance over its trade routes by increasing connectivity with China.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Earlier China proposed a trilateral <strong>India-Nepal-China economic corridor,</strong> which sought to provide multidimensional connectivity through the Himalayas.</li>
<li>However, <strong>India rejected this proposal</strong> on account of $50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as it passes through the disputed territory of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s concern is that,</strong> given the <strong>difference in the strategic weight</strong> of China and Nepal, <strong>security diplomacy can be used as a tool by China</strong> to interfere in the internal affairs of Nepal.</li>
<li>Since <strong>Nepal acts as a buffer state for India,</strong> seeing it slip into China's sphere of influence, will not be in India's strategic interest.</li>
<li>Also, China&rsquo;s interest in &ldquo;security diplomacy&rdquo; is not limited to Nepal.</li>
<li><strong>China Nepal Economic Corridor</strong> can lead to <strong>China dumping consumer goods</strong> through Nepal which will worsen India&rsquo; trade balance with China further.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>China's deep pockets</strong> make it difficult for India to control the expansion of China's influence in India's neighbourhood.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, it is perhaps better to rethink about refusing the Chinese offer to build infrastructure in India which can help India&rsquo;s overall trade and investment.</li>
<li>In this context, India can bargain with China about opening up its services for Indian IT workers and have freer access to Chinese markets for Indian goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India must not deny every Chinese investment in infrastructure because of CPEC.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India must <strong>revise</strong> its stance on <strong>India-Nepal-China economic corridor.</strong></li>
<li>The corridor provides a likelihood of greater tourism and people to people contact which is important for bridging the trust deficit that exists today between India and China.</li>
<li>It will also lead to the rapid development of one of the poorest regions in the world which lie in Nepal and parts of northern and northeastern India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Nepal has sought to increase connectivity with China since a blockade along its border with India resulted in several months of acute shortage of fuel and medicine in 2015 and 2016.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Though India has all the right of such blockade, however,<strong> India must refrain</strong> from such blockades as it <strong>affects India's credibility</strong> in eyes of Nepali citizens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>India should act as a bridge rather than a blockade in realizing Nepal's dream of becoming a land-linked country from a land-locked one.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fcfceb;"><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br /><br />India's continuous refrain from strategic convergence with China might not prove to be a good strategy. Analyse in the context of China-Nepal-India Triangulation.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/china-nepal-india-triangulation'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'International Labour Organization',
			'catname' => 'International Institutions',
			'desc' => '<p>The <strong>International Labour Organization (ILO)</strong> celebrated its 100<sup>th</sup> anniversary in 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the only <strong>tripartite U.N. agency.</strong> It brings together <strong>governments, employers and workers</strong> of <strong>187 member States,</strong> to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.</li>
</ul>
<h3>History of the ILO</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Established in 1919 by the <strong>Treaty of Versailles</strong> as an affiliated agency of the<strong> League of Nations.</strong></li>
<li>Became the first affiliated <strong>specialized agency</strong> of the <strong>United Nations in 1946.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Geneva, Switzerland</li>
<li><strong>Founding Mission:</strong> social justice is essential to universal and lasting peace.</li>
<li>Promotes internationally recognized human and labour rights.</li>
<li>Received the<strong> Nobel Peace Prize</strong> in 1969.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For improving peace among classes</li>
<li>Pursuing decent work and justice for workers</li>
<li>Providing technical assistance to other developing nations</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The organization has played a key role in <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ensuring labour rights during the Great Depression</li>
<li>Decolonization process</li>
<li>The creation of Solidarność ( trade union) in Poland</li>
<li>The victory over apartheid in South Africa</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Today it is providing substantial support in the building of an ethical and productive framework for fair globalization.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong> The basis of the ILO is the <strong>tripartite principle,</strong> i.e. the negotiations within the organization are held between the representatives of governments, trade unions, and member-states&rsquo; employers.</p>
</div>
<h3>Structure of ILO</h3>
<p>The ILO accomplishes its work through three main bodies which comprise governments', employers' and workers' representatives:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>International Labour Conference:</strong> it sets the International labour standards and the broad policies of the ILO. It meets annually in Geneva. It is often referred to as an <strong>International Parliament of Labour.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is also a forum for discussion of key social and labour questions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Governing Body:</strong> it is the <strong>executive council</strong> of the ILO. It meets three times a year in Geneva. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It takes policy decisions of ILO and establishes the programme and the budget, which it then submits to the Conference for adoption.</li>
<li>The work of the Governing Body and the Office is aided by <strong>tripartite committees</strong> covering major industries.</li>
<li>It is also supported by committees of experts on such matters as vocational training, management development, occupational safety and health, industrial relations, workers&rsquo; education, and special problems of women and young workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International Labour Office:</strong> it is the permanent secretariat of the International Labour Organization. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the focal point for ILO&rsquo;s overall activities, which it prepares under the scrutiny of the Governing Body and under the leadership of the Director-General.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regional meetings</strong> of the ILO member States are held periodically to examine matters of special interest to the regions concerned.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Functions of the ILO</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Creation of <strong>coordinated policies and programs,</strong> directed at solving social and labour issues.</li>
<li><strong>Adoption of international labour standards</strong> in the form of conventions and recommendations and control over their implementation.</li>
<li><strong>Assistance to member-states</strong> in solving social and labour problems.</li>
<li><strong>Human rights protection</strong> (the right to work, freedom of association, collective negotiations, protection against forced labour, protection against discrimination, etc.).</li>
<li><strong>Research and publication</strong> of works on social and labour issues.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Objectives of the ILO</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To promote and realize standards and fundamental principles and rights at work.</li>
<li>To create greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent employment.</li>
<li>To enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all.</li>
<li>To strengthen tripartism and social dialogue.</li>
</ul>
<h3>International Labour Standards</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ILO sets international labour standards with conventions, which are ratified by member states. These are <strong>non-binding.</strong></li>
<li>Conventions are drawn up with input from governments, workers&rsquo; and employers&rsquo; groups at the ILO and are adopted by the <strong>International Labour Conference.</strong></li>
<li>In ratifying an ILO convention, a member state <strong>accepts it as a legally binding instrument.</strong> Many countries use conventions as a tool to bring national laws in line with international standards.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Decent Work Agenda</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As part of its mission, the ILO aims to achieve decent work for all by promoting social dialogue, social protection and employment creation, as well as respect for international labour standards.</li>
<li>The ILO provides technical support to more than 100 countries to help achieve these aims, with the support of development partners.</li>
</ul>
<h3>ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was adopted in 1998, the Declaration commits member states to respect and promote <strong>eight fundamental principles and rights</strong> in four categories, whether or not they have ratified the relevant conventions. They are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Freedom of Association and The Right to collective bargaining (Conventions 87 and 98)</li>
<li>Elimination of forced or compulsory labour (Conventions No. 29 and No. 105)</li>
<li>Abolition of child labour (Conventions No. 138 and No. 182)</li>
<li>Elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation (Conventions No. 100 and No. 111)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Core Conventions of the ILO</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The eight fundamental conventions form an integral part of the <strong>United Nations Human Rights Framework,</strong> and their ratification is an important sign of member States&rsquo; commitment to human rights.</li>
<li>Overall, 135 member States have ratified all eight fundamental conventions. Unfortunately, 48 member states (out of 183 member States), including member states with the highest populations, have yet to complete ratification of all eight conventions.</li>
<li>The <strong>eight-core conventions of the ILO</strong> are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Forced Labour Convention (No. 29)</li>
<li>Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No.105)</li>
<li>Equal Remuneration Convention (No.100)</li>
<li>Discrimination (Employment Occupation) Convention (No.111)</li>
<li>Minimum Age Convention (No.138)</li>
<li>Worst forms of Child Labour Convention (No.182)</li>
<li>Freedom of Association and Protection of Right to Organised Convention (No.87)</li>
<li>Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention (No.98)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The eight conventions, taken together, are more relevant today in the face of <strong>global economic</strong> and other challenges impinging on the welfare and livelihood of workers in all regions. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indeed, they are part and parcel of the overarching architecture for the universality of human rights, offering protection to all, and responding closely to the quest for social justice in a globalized setting.</li>
<li>They are catalytic to the UN system, the international community and local communities as a whole.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India and ILO</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is a founding member of the ILO and it has been a permanent member of the ILO Governing Body since 1922.</li>
<li>In India, the first ILO Office was started in 1928. The decades of productive partnership between the ILO and its constituents has mutual trust and respect as underlying principles and is grounded in building sustained institutional capacities and strengthening capacities of partners.</li>
<li>India has ratified six out of the <strong>eight-core/fundamental ILO conventions.</strong> These conventions are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Forced Labour Convention (No. 29)</li>
<li>Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No.105)</li>
<li>Equal Remuneration Convention (No.100)</li>
<li>Discrimination (Employment Occupation) Convention (No.111)</li>
<li>Minimum Age Convention (No.138)</li>
<li>Worst forms of Child Labour Convention (No.182)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has <strong>not ratified</strong> the two core/fundamental conventions, namely <strong>Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87)</strong> and <strong>Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The main reason for non-ratification of ILO conventions No.87 &amp; 98 is due to certain restrictions imposed on the government servants.</li>
<li>The ratification of these conventions would involve granting of certain rights that are prohibited under the statutory rules, for the government employees, namely, the right to strike, to openly criticize government policies, to freely accept a financial contribution, to freely join foreign organizations etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Trade Unions at the ILO</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Trade unions play a crucial role in developing policy at the ILO, Worker group representation is drawn from national trade union confederations.</li>
<li>The <strong>Bureau for Workers' Activities</strong> at the secretariat is dedicated to strengthening independent and democratic trade unions so they can better defend workers&rsquo; rights and interests.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The ILO&rsquo;s supervisory role</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ILO monitors the implementation of ILO conventions ratified by member states. This is done through:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Committee of Experts</strong> on the Application of conventions and Recommendations.</li>
<li>The International Labour Conference&rsquo;s <strong>Tripartite Committee</strong> on the Application of conventions and Recommendations.</li>
<li>Member states are also required to send reports on the progress of the implementation of the conventions they have ratified.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Complaints</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ILO registers complaints against entities that are violating international rules; however, <strong>it does not impose sanctions on governments.</strong></li>
<li>Complaints can be filed against member states for not complying with ILO conventions they have ratified.</li>
<li>Complaints can be from another member state which has signed the same convention, a delegate to the International Labour Conference or the ILO's Governing Body.</li>
</ul>
<h3>ILO&rsquo;s Global Commission on the Future of Work</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The formation of an ILO <strong>Global Commission on the Future of Work</strong> marks the second stage in the ILO Future of Work Initiative.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was co-chaired by <strong>South African President Cyril Ramaphosa</strong> and<strong> Swedish Prime Minister, Stefan L&ouml;fven.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The commission outlines a vision for a human-centred agenda that is based on investing in people&rsquo;s capabilities, institutions of work and decent and sustainable work.</li>
<li>Its has undertaken an in-depth examination of the future of work that can provide the analytical basis for the delivery of social justice in the 21<sup>st</sup> century.</li>
<li>It outlines the<strong> challenges caused by new technology, climate change and demography</strong> and calls for a collective global response to the disruptions they are causing in the world of work.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Artificial intelligence, automation and robotics will lead to job losses, as skills become obsolete.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The key recommendations are:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>A universal labour guarantee</strong> that protects the fundamental rights of workers&rsquo;, an adequate living wage, limits on hours of work and safe and healthy workplaces.</li>
<li><strong>Guaranteed social protection</strong> from birth to old age that supports people&rsquo;s needs over the life cycle.</li>
<li>A universal entitlement to lifelong learning that enables people to skill, reskill and upskill.</li>
<li><strong>Managing technological change</strong> to boost decent work, including an international governance system for digital labour platforms.</li>
<li><strong>Greater investments</strong> in the care, green and rural economies.</li>
<li>A transformative and measurable agenda for <strong>gender equality.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Reshaping business incentives</strong> to encourage long-term investments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'World Standards Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p><strong>14 October</strong> is celebrated as <strong>World Standards Day</strong> for paying tribute to the collaborative efforts of thousands of experts worldwide who develop the voluntary technical agreements that are published as <strong>International Standards.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is being officially celebrated since <strong>1970.</strong></li>
<li>It is an<strong> annual</strong> event.</li>
<li>The theme for 2019 is <strong>&lsquo;Video Standards Create a Global Stage&rsquo; &mdash;</strong> about standardizing the video compression technologies as mobile phones and other electronic devices related to video production is estimated to be 80% of all internet traffic by 2020.</li>
<li>In India, it is celebrated by the <strong>Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>BIS also highlighted the road map for<strong> &lsquo;One Nation One Standard&rsquo;</strong> for India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bureau of Indian Standards</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BIS is the National Standard Body of India for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods.</li>
<li>BIS has been providing traceability and tangibility benefits to the national economy in a number of ways by:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Providing safe reliable quality goods.</li>
<li>Minimizing health hazards to consumers.</li>
<li>Promoting exports and imports substitute.</li>
<li>Control over the proliferation of varieties etc through standardization, certification, and testing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1588021" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-standards-day'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Nobel Prize in Physics 2019',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Nobel Prize for Physics has been awarded to <strong>James Peebles for theoretical discoveries in physical cosmology,</strong> and <strong>Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz for discovering an exoplanet orbiting a solar-type star.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>James Peebles: Theoretical discoveries in physical cosmology</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Peebles developed a theoretical framework about the <strong>cosmos and its billions of galaxies and galaxy clusters</strong> since the mid-1960s.</li>
<li>The importance of the <strong>cosmic radiation</strong> during birth of the Big Bang was realized by him.</li>
<li>James Peebles also interpreted traces from the <strong>infancy of the universe and discovered new physical processes.</strong></li>
<li>The results showed a universe whose just <strong>five percent of content is known,</strong> the matter which constitutes stars, planets, trees &ndash; and us.<strong> The rest, 95 per cent, is unknown dark matter and dark energy.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is a mystery and a challenge to modern physics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571130815_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571130815_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="660" height="487" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz : Discovery of an exoplanet orbiting a solar-type star.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was the <strong>first discovery</strong> of an <strong>exoplanet</strong> (a planet outside our solar system, orbiting a solar-type star in our home galaxy, the Milky Way).</li>
<li>The discovery of <strong>exoplanet 51 Pegasi b,</strong> started a <strong>&ldquo;revolution in astronomy&rdquo;.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>51 Pegasi b is a <strong>gaseous ball comparable with Jupiter.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Ever since<strong> 4,000 exoplanets</strong> have been <strong>found in the Milky Way Galaxy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/james-peebles-michel-mayor-and-didier-queloz-get-nobel-prize-for-physics/article29617873.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/nobel-prize-in-physics-2019'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Nobel Prize for Peace 2019',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Nobel Peace Prize for 2019 has been awarded to<strong> Abiy Ahmed Ali, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia </strong>for<strong> his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict</strong> with neighboring <strong>Eritrea.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Abiy Ahmed Ali, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia ended 20 years war with neighboring Eritrea.</li>
<li>The two countries resumed trade, diplomatic, and travel ties and started &ldquo;a new era of peace and friendship&rdquo; in the war-bloodied Horn of Africa.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Historical Background of the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 1993, <strong>Eritrea broke from its federation with Ethiopia,</strong> becoming an independent country that was located strategically at the mouth of the Red Sea on the Horn of Africa.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Independence was the outcome of a <strong>30-year war by Eritrean liberation fighters against Ethiopia,</strong> which had annexed the small multiethnic territory to its north in 1962.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Just over five years after Independence, however, war broke out between the two countries over the control of <strong>Badme &mdash;</strong> a border town of no apparent significance.</li>
<li>As the conflict evolved into a major refugee crisis, thousands of Eritreans fled to Europe.</li>
<li>In <strong>June 2000,</strong> the two countries signed an Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, followed by a <strong>Peace Agreement.</strong></li>
<li>The above agreement formally <strong>ended the war</strong> and established a <strong>Boundary Commission</strong> to settle the dispute.</li>
<li>The Commission gave its<strong> &ldquo;final and binding&rdquo;</strong> ruling in <strong>2002</strong> and <strong>Badme was awarded to Eritrea.</strong></li>
<li>However, <strong>Ethiopia refused to accept the decision</strong> and the border issues kept erupting in clashes.</li>
<li>The Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed <strong>broke</strong> the nearly <strong>two-decade stalemate,</strong> announcing that Ethiopia would abide by the <strong>full terms of the 2000 agreement.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571127596_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571127596_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="756" height="426" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Peace between Ethiopia-Eritrea</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ethiopia is landlocked, and through the years of the war with Eritrea, had been dependent heavily on Djibouti for access to the Gulf of Aden and onward to the Arabian Sea.</li>
<li>The peace deal with Eritrea opened up Eritrean ports for Ethiopian use to balance its reliance on Djibouti.</li>
<li>On the other hand, Eritrea sank steadily into economic stagnation and social and diplomatic isolation due to continuous war with Ethiopia.</li>
<li>Eritrea also faced accusations from the UN Human Rights Commission for repeatedly human rights violations in the country.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/ethiopian-pm-abiy-ahmed-wins-2019-nobel-peace-prize-6064282/" 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/nobel-prize-for-peace-2019'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been jointly awarded to <strong>John B Goodenough, M Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino</strong> for the development of <strong>lithium-ion batteries.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Through their work, this year&rsquo;s Chemistry Laureates have laid the foundation of a wireless, fossil fuel-free society.</li>
<li>In the early 1970s, <strong>Dr. Whittingham</strong> developed the <strong>first functional lithium battery.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Dr. Goodenough doubled the lithium battery&rsquo;s potential,</strong> creating the right conditions for a vastly more powerful and useful battery.</li>
<li><strong>Dr. Yoshino</strong> succeeded in <strong>eliminating pure lithium</strong> from the battery, instead<strong> basing it wholly on lithium ions,</strong> which are safer than pure lithium. This made the battery workable in practice.</li>
<li>The result was a lightweight, hardwearing battery that could be charged hundreds of times before its performance deteriorated. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The advantage of lithium-ion batteries is that they are not based upon chemical reactions that break down the electrodes, but upon lithium ions flowing back and forth between the anode and cathode.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The lithium-ion batteries have reshaped energy storage and transformed cars, mobile phones and many other devices in an increasingly portable and electronic world.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571127068_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571127068_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="585" height="457" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/three-scientists-share-chemistry-nobel-for-developing-lithium-ion-batteries/article29625933.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/nobel-prize-in-chemistry-2019'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'India-Netherlands',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, the King and Queen of the <strong>Kingdom of Netherlands</strong> visited India to give an impetus to the bilateral ties shared by the two nations.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571126098_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571126098_image2.jpg" width="324" height="229" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Economic partnership</strong> between India &amp; Netherlands is a <strong>key pillar</strong> of the bilateral ties. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Netherlands is <strong>India&rsquo;s 4<sup>th</sup> largest trading partner</strong> in the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a>. And is also <strong>one of the leading investor nation</strong> in India.</li>
<li>The Dutch companies (in India) have a global name in the fields of agriculture, water management, port development, waste management, and urban planning.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Historical Relations:</strong> Indo-Dutch relations can be traced back to more than 400 years when the <strong>first Dutch EIC</strong> got established in India (in around 17<sup>th</sup> century AD). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The official relations between the two nations were established in the year 1947 which, since then, have been<strong> cordial and friendly.</strong></li>
<li>The two countries also share common ideals of <strong>democracy, pluralism and the rule of law.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Relations:</strong> The Netherlands currently is home to the <strong>largest Indian community</strong> on the European mainland. The growing Indian <strong>student and professional community</strong> in the Netherlands is making the cultural knot stronger and the technological partnership deeper.</li>
<li><strong>Significance of Netherlands to India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Netherlands&rsquo; has supported India&rsquo;s membership to the different <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/npt-must-for-india-s-entry-into-nsg-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Export Control Regimes</strong></a> and India&rsquo;s claim to a <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-un-security-council-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>permanent seat in the UN Security Council.</strong></a></li>
<li>India and the Netherlands share common concerns with regard to contemporary challenges that include <strong>climate action, cyber-security, and terrorism.</strong></li>
<li>Smart Cities, green energy, start-ups, smart solutions, and new-age products are bringing the two nations closer. India is keen to share and learn from the Netherlands on the <strong>river rejuvenation.</strong></li>
<li><strong>LOTUS:</strong> During the recent visit, a joint launch of the second phase of the <strong>Local Treatment of Urban Sewage Streams for the Healthy Reuse (LOTUS-HR)</strong> program was done by the <strong>Union Minister for Science &amp; Technology</strong> for the treatment of sewage water.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The project was <strong>initiated in July 2017</strong> and aims to manifest a novel holistic <strong>waste-water management approach</strong> that will produce clean water, which could henceforth be reused for various purposes.</li>
<li>The LOTUS-HR project is jointly supported by the <strong>Department of Biotechnology</strong> and the <strong>Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research /STW.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>WETLAB:</strong> It is a <strong>design challenge</strong> that is jointly supported by the Department of Biotechnology-Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council<strong> (DBT-BIRAC)</strong> and Netherlands Enterprise Agency.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It provides a <strong>unique learning and networking platform</strong> for young professionals and students to <strong>think differently for innovative ideas</strong> to solve India&rsquo;s urban water challenges and contribute to cleaning up of India&rsquo;s rivers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1588090" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture: DTH v/s OTT',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vpuefxybx3E" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to a recent report by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/telecom-firms-oppose-trai%E2%80%99s-public-wi-fi-model" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Telecom Regulatory Authority of India</strong> </a><strong>(TRAI),</strong> the<strong> average active subscriber base of DTH services</strong> has seen a <strong>sharp decline of 25 percent</strong> in this quarter <strong>coming down to 54.26 million in April to June quarter in comparison to 72.44 million in January to March</strong> this year.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reasons for fall in DTH subscribers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This<strong> coincides with the new DTH tariff regime implemented from 1st April.</strong> The decline in subscriber base highlights the challenges faced by DTH operators during the transition to new tariff regime.</li>
<li>Meanwhile the <strong>rise of OTT services also seems to have impacted the DTH subscription</strong> numbers. With high competition in the segment , OTT service providers give consumers a combination of both attractive content and subscription package. However regulation for OTT platforms continues to remain a contentious issue with the govt mulling over it's options .</li>
<li>A recent survey suggests that <strong>almost 55% Indians prefer OTT over DTH services and almost 87% of Indians use mobile to watch</strong> videos these days.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571124607_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571124607_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="600" height="334" /></a></p>
<h3>The differences and similarities</h3>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;">DTH</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;">OTT</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DTH is an acronym for <strong>&lsquo;Direct To Home&rsquo;</strong> service. It is a <strong>digital satellite service</strong> that provides <strong>television</strong> viewing services directly to subscribers through satellite transmission anywhere in the country.</li>
<li>The <strong>signals are digital</strong> by nature and are <strong>received directly from the satellite.</strong></li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An <strong>&lsquo;Over The Top&rsquo;</strong> media service is any <strong>online content provider</strong> that offers streaming media as a standalone product. The term is commonly applied to <strong>video-on-demand platforms,</strong> but also refers to <strong>audio streaming, messaging services, or internet-based voice calling solutions.</strong></li>
<li>It needs <strong>access to the internet</strong> and <strong>smartphones, tablets, laptop/computers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>content</strong> and the <strong>context</strong> of DTH and OTT are completely different. OTT platforms are very<strong> personal</strong> whereas DTH connections are <strong>more social</strong> in nature.</li>
<li>They <strong>complement each other as well</strong> like the OTT platforms suggest about the material available on DTH <strong>by advertisements.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Are DTH service providers really declining?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The information about the <strong>reduction of 25% is not entirely correct</strong> because TRAI has <strong>changed the method of computation,</strong> worked out the numbers in a new and more accurate way by which some phantom figures have been removed. So the loss of subscribers is not that huge.</li>
<li>The <strong>price factor and the tariffs of OTT platforms have not really gone down to the extent of wiping out DTH</strong> or reducing the subscribers significantly.</li>
<li><strong>New tariff order has changed the bills empowering consumers to pay only for what they want to watch.</strong> The bills will be different for users depending upon their personalised usage rate so there might be complaints from <strong>some users, paying more bills</strong> than the others who have <strong>reduced bills</strong> due to their smaller watch list. So it is not fair to say that all the bills have gone up.</li>
<li><strong>Bundling or packages of channels</strong> makes it easy for the consumer to choose because selecting content to watch with minimal tariff is an extremely difficult exercise. It is not fully developed plan but the sector is working on it.</li>
<li>It is about the <strong>customers preferences</strong> also about what and how they want to watch and on which platform. There will <strong>always be a place for the conventional broadcast tv</strong> and there will be a <strong>space for newer options like OTT platforms</strong> as well.</li>
<li>Just like DTH came and overtook the Cable Connections, the OTT is taking over the DTH now. That is why a lot of <strong>DTH service providers are teaming up with the OTT platforms to sustain themselves.</strong></li>
<li><strong>TRAI has taken measures by making an app</strong> to help consumers choose channel combinations and minimise their bills. It is working even further in the field to help customers in every way possible because no business will flourish if the customers are dissatisfied and not taken care of.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why are OTT platforms overtaking DTH service providers?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>convenience and ease with which OTT platforms can be watched</strong> makes it more attractive. Mobile phones can be carried anywhere and the user can watch anything of the choice anywhere, anytime given the data availability.</li>
<li>The <strong>cost of data services have gone down drastically</strong> in the last few years which has raised the number of average users including the rural areas as well.</li>
<li>OTT platforms seem a<strong> better option in comparison to high tariffs and the tedious process of choosing the channel combinations</strong> in the DTH.</li>
<li>Because of the availability of internet and ease of carrying smartphones, tablets or laptops, there is <strong>consumption irrespective of relatively higher charges</strong> for OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime <strong>which shows people&rsquo;s demand and interest</strong> in them.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Can OTT platforms completely overtake DTH service providers?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As far as the battle between the DTH and OTT is concerned, we should remember that these are<strong> technologies which allow similar products to be consumed in different ways.</strong> It is<strong> fair that the consumer has the choice to select</strong> what works for him or her the best.</li>
<li>Whether OTT will take over DTH market or not, it depends on various factors. One of them is the <strong>dependency on the internet connection in OTT platforms</strong> which is still <strong>uneven and not accessible</strong> to more than half the people of India.</li>
<li><strong>Roughly two-third of India does not actively use the internet</strong> so OTT choices become very limited. So the whole idea of OTT taking over DTH or cable connections is a<strong> little premature.</strong></li>
<li>Even <strong>DTH has not taken over the cable because there are significant active players</strong> in the market with huge fibre deployed all over the country. So they should not be considered dead instead they are coming back into the market. For example-JIO fibre.</li>
<li>It is necessary to <strong>recognise the diversity of the devices which is good for the consumer.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Future of OTT platforms in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>OTT is going to be on rise</strong> for sure. <strong>Internet penetration levels are not stagnant</strong> and<strong> increasing day by day</strong> with the help of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital India</strong></a> and broadband programmes taking it to far flung areas.</li>
<li>The <strong>ease in information collection</strong> and<strong> more importantly the trust towards the phones</strong> show that the base of OTT is going to increase further.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>question of convenience where quality is improving with more young people getting involved</strong> with the OTT platforms. <strong>Indian youth is the biggest consumer of it and India&rsquo;s online video demand is close to China&rsquo;s and has surpassed the UK and the USA.</strong> According to <strong>KPMG Report, India will have more than 500 million subscribers on all OTT platforms by 2023.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>streaming speed is far better</strong> than before and will grow even more in the future under the schemes like Digital India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Regulatory Aspects</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The challenge in regulating the OTT is that it is a <strong>part of the internet and very difficult to separate from the larger internet.</strong> Regulators face the challenge of how to separate it out and then regulate it from the broader internet which is impossible.</li>
<li>Law is very clear regarding the regulations. OTT providers are governed by the <strong>Information Technology Act, 2000 Section 79</strong> where the intermediate liabilities lie. So the OTT providers do not have to get involved in the inception, transmission and reception of the content which make them not liable for the content.</li>
<li>Regulators now<strong> focus on smaller issues which are specific to Indian context</strong> only. Our<strong> licence services are very heavily regulated</strong> so the <strong>issue is not the regulation but reduction in the high level regulations</strong> of the Telecom service in order to empower everyone to choose their ways of consumption.</li>
<li>Clear ways under the <strong>Information Technology</strong> <strong>Act</strong> are mentioned to deal with the content after it is made available to the OTT platforms.</li>
<li>A lot of <strong>streamlining needs to be done</strong> for OTT platforms.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Information Technology Act, 2000</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The act regulates use of computers, computer systems, computer networks and also data and information in electronic format.</li>
<li>The act lists down among other things, following as offences:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tampering with computer source documents.</li>
<li>Hacking with computer system</li>
<li>Act of cyber terrorism i.e. accessing a protected system with the intention of threatening the unity, integrity, sovereignty or security of country.</li>
<li>Cheating using computer resource etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Section 79 of Information Technology Act, 2000</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It exempts intermediaries from liability in certain instances. It states that intermediaries will not be liable for any third party information, data or communication link made available by them.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The need for <strong>transparency</strong> on the OTT platforms is a very important, especially for an industry that touches so many people and with <strong>limited regulations</strong> on it, because it is an <strong>entertainment platform mainly</strong> and this will further <strong>provide choices</strong> to the consumers.</li>
<li>Over time there will be a <strong>level playing field, based on market dynamics,</strong> rather than forcing it through a regulator for support, pricing and directions, with harmony between all the old, new and emerging multimedia platforms.</li>
</ul>',
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		'title' => 'Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>As part of the Indian Navy's Overseas Deployment, <strong>four indigenously built ships</strong> of the Indian Navy are visiting the ports at <strong>Dar es Salaam</strong> and <strong>Zanzibar</strong> located in Tanzania.</p>
<h3>Zanzibar<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571386584_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571386584_image3.jpg" width="311" height="220" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Zanzibar an island in the Indian Ocean, is located <strong>off the coast of east-central Africa.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>1964</strong> Zanzibar, Pemba Island and some other smaller islands joined to form the <strong>United Republic of Tanzania.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is located on the Indian Ocean trade routes making it accessible to both traders and colonists from Arabia, South Asia, and the African mainland.</li>
<li>Zanzibar and Pemba are believed to have once formed part of the <strong>African continent.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The raised sands and sandstones with varied residual deposits are found on Zanzibar and Pemba islands which are similar to the alluvial deposits present on the African mainland</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Dar es Salaam</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>largest city and economic capital of Tanzania.</strong></li>
<li>It is located in a bay off the <strong>Indian Ocean coast.</strong></li>
<li>The city has developed into the <strong>economic importance of the entire East African region.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1588010" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dar-es-salaam-and-zanzibar'
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Global Tuberculosis Report 2019: WHO',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>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 recently released its <strong>2019 edition of the Global Tuberculosis (TB) Report.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the TB epidemic and progress in the response at global, regional and country levels for India.</li>
<li>WHO has been publishing <strong>global TB report every year since 1997.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Findings<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571386206_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571386206_image4.jpg" width="408" height="316" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agreement-with-the-world-bank-to-eliminate-tb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>TB</strong></a> <strong>remains the top infectious killer</strong> in the world claiming over 4,000 lives a day.</li>
<li><strong>Number of TB Cases:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Geographically, most TB cases in 2018 were in the WHO regions of South-East Asia (44%), Africa (24%) and the Western Pacific (18%).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>High TB Burden Countries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Eight countries that accounted for <strong>two thirds of the global total include India</strong> (27%), China (9%) and Indonesia (8%).</li>
<li>The above countries are also in <strong>WHO&rsquo;s list of 30 high TB burden countries</strong> that accounted for 87% of the world&rsquo;s cases in 2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>MultiDrug Resistant TB:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2018, there were about half a million new cases of rifampicin-resistant TB (of which 78% had multidrug resistant TB).</li>
<li>The <strong>three countries with the largest share of the global burden were India (27%),</strong> China (14%) and the Russian Federation (9%).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>TB Diagnosis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Globally, 7.0 million new cases of TB were notified in 2018 &ndash; an increase from 6.4 million in 2017.</li>
<li>Most of the increase in global notifications of TB cases since 2013 is <strong>explained by trends in India and Indonesia,</strong> the two countries that rank first and third worldwide in terms of estimated incident cases per year.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In India, notifications of new cases rose from 1.2 million to 2.0 million between 2013 and 2018 (+60%).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite increases in TB notifications, there is <strong>still a large gap</strong> between the number of new cases reported (7.0 million) and the estimated 10.0 million incident cases in 2018.</li>
<li>This gap is due to a combination of <strong>underreporting of detected cases</strong> and <strong>underdiagnosis</strong> (i.e. people with TB do not access health care or are not diagnosed when they do).</li>
<li><strong>Ten countries accounted for about 80% of the gap, with India (25%),</strong> Nigeria (12%), Indonesia (10%) and the Philippines (8%) accounting for more than half of the total.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>TB Treatment Outcomes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The latest treatment outcome data for new cases of TB show a global treatment <strong>success rate of 85%</strong> in 2017, an increase from 81% in 2016. The <strong>improvement was mainly due to progress in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financing for TB Prevention:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Funding for the provision of TB prevention, diagnostic and treatment services has doubled since 2006.</li>
<li><strong>In India, domestic funding quadrupled between 2016 and 2019.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Annual financing for TB prevention and care and for TB research needs to approximately double.</li>
<li><strong>Access to TB care</strong> and preventive treatment needs to be expanded.</li>
<li>Substantial costs faced by TB patients and their households should be mitigated.</li>
<li>Multisectoral action on the broader determinants of the TB epidemic needs to be intensified.</li>
<li><strong>Intensified research and development</strong> is required to meet the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agreement-with-the-world-bank-to-eliminate-tb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)</strong></a> and End TB Strategy targets set for 2030.</li>
<li>The End TB Strategy milestones for 2020 and 2025 can only be achieved if TB diagnosis, treatment and prevention services are provided within the context of progress towards <strong>Universal Health Coverage (UHC).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>UHC means that everyone can obtain the health services they need without suffering financial hardship.</li>
<li>SDG Target 3.8 is to achieve UHC by 2030.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>WHO End TB Strategy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The strategy <strong>aims to end the global TB epidemic,</strong> with targets to reduce TB deaths by 95% and to cut new cases by 90% between 2015 and 2035, and to ensure that no family is burdened with catastrophic expenses due to TB.</li>
<li>It <strong>sets interim milestones</strong> for 2020, 2025, and 2030.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/tb-cases-see-decrease-in-india/article29728676.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'EX-EASTERN BRIDGE-V',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in the joint bilateral exercise <strong>EX EASTERN BRIDGE V</strong> with Royal Air Force Oman (RAFO).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The exercise is being held at the <strong>Air Force Base Masirah, Oman.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>About Exercise</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IAF contingent comprises of MiG-29 and C-17 aircraft. It would be the first time that MIG-29 fighter aircraft will be participating in an International Exercise outside India.</li>
<li>The last <strong>EX EASTERN BRIDGE-IV</strong> exercise was conducted in 2017 at Jamnagar, India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The exercise will enhance interoperability during mutual cooperation between two Air Force.</li>
<li>The exercise will also promote exchange of experience and operational knowledge, and will promote professional interaction.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Other Exercises Between India and Oman</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Naseem Al-Bahr</strong> is the <strong>naval exercise</strong> conducted between both the countries.</li>
<li><strong>AL Nagah</strong> is the joint bilateral exercise between the armies of two countries.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571382198_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571382198_image1.jpg" width="465" height="329" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1588360" 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/ex-eastern-bridge-v'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'India-US Relationship',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on &ldquo;<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-operative-word-must-be-bilateralism/article29717045.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The operative word must be bilateralism</a>&rdquo; which was published in The Hindu on 17/11/2019. It talks about the changing nature of the India-U.S. relationship.</p>
</div>
<p>Global politics is changing rapidly and it has its effects on global relationships as well. Now the focus of the nations have shifted to <strong>unilateralism, protectionism and isolationism</strong> from <strong>peace, joint cooperation, multilateralism and liberalism</strong> usually propogated by institutions such as the <strong>United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and the International Court of Justice</strong>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Global politics is disturbed by the disruptions caused by the<strong> trade war between the US-China and Brexit</strong> impacting other nations&rsquo; relations with them and with each other. India also stands at a crossroads in terms of its foreign policy approach in these turbulent times.</li>
<li>India has to make<strong> crucial decisions</strong> in such times to sustain and the options available are-<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Continue with the <strong>time-tested stable policy of non-alignment and strategic autonomy</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Follow unilateralism and be a permanent treaty ally</strong> of one of the superpowers.</li>
<li>Forge new relations and explore fresh territories by <strong>adopting the strategy of multi-alignment and transactional autonomy</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Relationship Dynamics</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It can be elaborated into three main categories-<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Good Phase</strong>- It is linked to the historic terms like the <strong>U.S. civil nuclear deal</strong>, the ongoing <strong>defence cooperation and the signing of &ldquo;Foundational Defence Agreements&rdquo;</strong> which are the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-us-2-plus-2-talks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA)</a>, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA) etc.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Bad Phase</strong>- It is linked with the current trade challenges, the <strong>U.S.&rsquo;s hyphenation of India with China in its trade war</strong> and its <strong>call for the removal of the &lsquo;developing country&rsquo; tag assigned by the WTO.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Ugly Phase</strong>- It was when the <strong>U.S. sent its fleet towards India to assist Pakistan during the 1971 war.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The good outweighs the other two but a <strong>sense of scepticism</strong> remains because of<strong> India&rsquo;s multilateral outreach</strong>, especially with respect to the procurement of defence material from Russia and Indian military&rsquo;s presence in Afghanistan.</li>
<li>India also needs to remain mindful of the <strong>unpredictability and inherent contradictions in U.S. foreign policy</strong> and, at the same time, <strong>capitalise on U.S. &lsquo;isolationism and retrenchment&rsquo;</strong> by maintaining its time-tested policy of non-alignment and strategic autonomy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Contradictions in the U.S.&rsquo;s Outlook</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The recent<strong> abandonment of Kurds,</strong> who assisted the Americans in fighting the Islamic State,<strong> by Trump administration</strong> should be kept in mind by the other nations. India must be prepared, in case U.S. suddenly withdraws its forces from Afghanistan, which could lead to a complete takeover by the Taliban, with <strong>potential repercussions on India&rsquo;s northern front</strong>.</li>
<li>With respect to <strong>Pakistan, U.S.&rsquo;s policies seems very unclear and confusing</strong> often creating misleading information. For example, the ever changing views of the U.S. on Pakistan like calling it a<strong> &ldquo;friend who he does not need&rdquo;</strong> to a <strong>&ldquo;friend in need&rdquo;</strong> even after being aware of Pakistan&rsquo;s ties with terrorism.</li>
<li>U.S. <strong>campaigned for Iran&rsquo;s nuclear deal in 2015</strong>, then <strong>withdrew</strong> itself from the accord in <strong>2018</strong> and has <strong>now adopted a blanket sanction policy with relation to any nation dealing in oil transactions with Iran</strong>.</li>
<li>India needs to be careful because of all such examples and <strong>U.S.&rsquo;s expectations from India to forego its age-old friendship with Russia</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Possible Solutions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India must ensure that <strong>India-U.S. bilateralism survives the ill effects of unilateralism</strong> without compromising India&rsquo;s friendly position.</li>
<li>U.S. needs to realise that <strong>India cannot keep distance from the globalisation, regional alliances and emerging trade opportunitie</strong>s. However, at the same time it can be assured that <strong>India will never take sides hurting U.S. interests</strong> while taking real strategic and economic bilateral decisions.</li>
<li>India should not feel distracted and <strong>focus on multi-alignment</strong> both with the U.S. and Russia, especially in terms of getting a waiver <strong>under the Countering America&rsquo;s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act in purchasing the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-rocky-road-for-strategic-partners" target="_blank" rel="noopener">S-400 missile system</a> from Russia</strong>.</li>
<li>On the <strong>trade front</strong>, India can be an <strong>effective supplier rather than being an outsourcing hub if compared to China</strong>. <strong>Strategically</strong> also, the U.S. views India as a platform to <strong>contain China&rsquo;s hegemony</strong>. India sees it as an <strong>opportunity for economic expansion</strong>, with the U.S. being an equal partner.</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s cautious pragmatism along with assertiveness needs to be factored into the decision-making process of both India and the USA. Both need to forge a <strong>broad-based and productive political partnership</strong> for that.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the official right of the sovereign nation-states to make <strong>formal ties and bonds based on mutual interdependence</strong>.</li>
<li>India and the U.S. should <strong>strengthen their relationship on global and regional levels</strong> and look for <strong>issues of common interest</strong> which can provide enormous opportunities for both countries to work closely in <strong>reshaping the global political order</strong>.</li>
<li>Both nations have the <strong>potential to grow together without comprising India&rsquo;s situation due to unilateralism</strong> by benefitting of mutual interests and understanding each other better.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #f7f2d2; border-color: #05739e;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 961px;"><em>Drishti Mains Question<br /><br /></em>Analyse India-USA relationships with reference to the rapidly changing global politics.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-us-relationship'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'e-Governance',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>e-Governance can be defined as the application of information and communication technology (ICT) for providing government services, exchange of information, transactions, integration of previously existing services and information portals.</li>
<li>The &ldquo;e&rdquo; in e-Governance stands for &lsquo;electronic&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
<p>The <strong>Council of Europe</strong> referred to e-Governance as:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The use of electronic technologies in three areas of public action:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>relations between the public authorities and civil society</li>
<li>the functioning of the public authorities at all stages of the democratic process (electronic democracy)</li>
<li>the provision of public services (electronic public services)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reasons for Opting e-Governance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Governance per se has become very complex</li>
<li>Increase in citizens&rsquo; expectations from the government</li>
</ul>
<h3>Different Connotations of e-Governance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>e-Administration:</strong> The use of ICTs to modernize the state; the creation of data repositories for Management Information System (MIS) and computerization of records (land, health etc).</li>
<li><strong>e-Services:</strong> The emphasis here is to bring the state closer to the citizens. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For Examples: Provision of online services.</li>
<li>e-administration and e-services together constitute what is largely termed as e-government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>e-Governance:</strong> The use of IT to improve the ability of the government to address the needs of society. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It includes the publishing of policy and program-related information to transact with citizens.</li>
<li>It extends beyond the provision of online services and covers the use of IT for strategic planning and reaching the development goals of the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>e-Democracy:</strong> The use of IT to facilitate the ability of all sections of society to participate in the governance of the state. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Emphasis is on bringing transparency, accountability, and participation of people.</li>
<li>It includes online disclosures of policies, online grievance redressal, e-referendums etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Origin</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>e-Governance originated in India during the 1970s with a focus on in-house government applications in the areas of defence, economic monitoring, planning and deployment of ICT to manage data intensive functions related to elections, census, tax administration etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Initial Steps Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The establishment of the&nbsp;<strong>Department of Electronics in 1970</strong> was the first major step towards e-governance in India as it brought &lsquo;information&rsquo; and its communication to focus.</li>
<li><strong>National Informatics Centre (NIC) established in 1977,</strong> launched the <strong>District Information System</strong> program to computerize all district offices in the country</li>
<li>The main thrust for e-governance was provided by the launching of <strong>NICNET in 1987</strong> &ndash; the national satellite-based computer network.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Objectives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Better service delivery to citizens.</li>
<li>Ushering in transparency and accountability.</li>
<li>Empowering people through information.</li>
<li>Improve efficiency within Government i.e between centre-state or inter-states.</li>
<li>Improve interface with business and industry.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Pillars of e-Governance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>People</li>
<li>Process</li>
<li>Technology</li>
<li>Resources</li>
</ul>
<h3>Types of Interaction in e-Governance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>G2G i.e. Government to Government</li>
<li>G2C i.e. Government to Citizen</li>
<li>G2B i.e. Government to Business</li>
<li>G2E i.e. Government to Employees</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314210_drishti_ias_e-Governance_1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314210_drishti_ias_e-Governance_1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Initiatives Taken for e-Governance in India</h3>
<table border="1" style="height: 260px; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #fceded; border-color: #ff0000;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; text-align: center; height: 19px;"><strong>S.No.</strong></td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 19px;"><strong>Program</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 19px;"><strong>Details</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 35px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; height: 35px; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;">1.</td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 35px; vertical-align: top;"><strong>Bhoomi Project (Karnataka): Online Delivery of Land Records</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 35px; vertical-align: top;">Bhoomi is a self-sustainable e-Governance project for the computerized delivery of 20 million rural land records to 6.7 million farmers of Karnataka.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 111px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; height: 111px; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;">2.</td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 111px; vertical-align: top;"><strong>KHAJANE (Karnataka): End-to-end automation of Government Treasury System</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 111px; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>&lsquo;Government-to-Government (G2G) e-Governance initiative of the Karnataka State Government.</li>
<li>It has been implemented mainly to eliminate systemic deficiencies in the manual treasury system and for the efficient management of state finances.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;">3.</td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;"><strong>e-Seva (Andhra Pradesh)</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Designed to provide &lsquo;Government to Citizen&rsquo; and &lsquo;e-Business to Citizen&rsquo; services.</li>
<li>All the services are delivered online to consumers /citizens by connecting them to the respective government departments and providing online information at the point of service delivery.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project has become very popular among the citizens especially for the payment of utility bills.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;">4.</td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;"><strong>e-Courts</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice.</li>
<li>The Mission Mode Project (MMP) aims at utilizing technology for improved provisioning of judicial services to citizens.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;">5.</td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;"><strong>e-District</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched by the Department of Information Technology.</li>
<li>The MMP aims at delivery of high volume, citizen-centric services at the District level such as the issue of birth/death certificate, income and caste certificates, old age and widow pension, etc.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;">6.</td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;"><strong>MCA21</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.</li>
<li>The project aims to provide electronic services to the Companies registered under the Companies Act.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Various online facilities offered includes allocation and change of name, incorporation, online payment of registration charges, change in address of registered office, viewing of public records and other related services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.16971%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;">7.</td>
<td style="width: 28.2543%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;"><strong>e-Office</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.5759%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms &amp; Public Grievances.</li>
<li>The MMP aims at significantly improving the operational efficiency of the Government by transitioning to a "Less Paper Office".</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Digital India Initiatives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an umbrella program to prepare India for a knowledge-based transformation.</li>
<li>It weaves together a large number of ideas and thoughts into a single comprehensive vision so that each of them is seen as part of a larger goal.</li>
<li>It has been launched by the <strong>Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity)</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Vision Areas</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Digital infrastructure as Utility to Every Citizen</li>
<li>Governance and services on demand</li>
<li>Digital empowerment of citizens</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314257_drishti_ias_e-Governance_3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314257_drishti_ias_e-Governance_3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="574" height="323" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Various Initiatives Under Digital India Initiatives</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>MyGov:</strong> It aims to establish a link between Government and Citizens towards meeting the goal of good governance. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It encourages citizens as well as people abroad to participate in various activities i.e. 'Do', 'Discuss', 'Poll', 'Talk', &lsquo;Blog&rsquo;, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>DigiLocker:</strong> It serves as a platform to enable citizens to securely store and share their documents with service providers who can directly access them electronically.</li>
<li><strong>e-Hospital-Online Registration Framework (ORF):</strong> It is an initiative to facilitate the patients to take online OPD appointments with government hospitals. This framework also covers patient care, laboratory services and medical record management.</li>
<li><strong>National Scholarships Portal (NSP):</strong> It provides a centralized platform for application and disbursement of scholarship to students under any scholarship scheme.</li>
<li><strong>DARPAN:</strong> It is an online tool that can be used to monitor and analyze the implementation of critical and high priority projects of the State. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It facilitates presentation of real time data on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of selected schemes/projects to the senior functionaries of the State Government as well as district administration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation):</strong> It has been aimed at starting a culture of Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is also a robust system for bringing e-transparency and e-accountability with real-time presence and exchange among the key stakeholders.</li>
<li>It was launched in 2015.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Common Services Centres 2.0 (CSC 2.0):</strong> It is being implemented to develop and provide support to the use of information technology in rural areas of the country. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The CSCs are Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enabled kiosks with broadband connectivity to provide various Governments, private and social services at the doorstep of the citizen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mobile Seva:</strong> It provides government services to the people through mobile phones and tablets.</li>
<li><strong>Jeevan Pramaan:</strong> It is an Aadhaar based Biometric Authentication System for Pensioners.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The system provides authenticity to Digital Life Certificate without the necessity of the pensioner being present in person before his/ her Pension Dispensing Authority (PDA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Centre of Geo-informatics (NCoG):</strong> Under this project, Geographic Information System (GIS) platform for sharing, collaboration, location based analytics and decision support system for Departments has been developed.</li>
<li><strong>National e-Governance Plan (NeGP):</strong> It takes a holistic view of e-Governance initiatives across the country, integrating them into a collective vision and a shared cause. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It comprises of <strong>31 Mission Mode Projects,</strong> approved in <strong>2006</strong>, but later it was integrated into Digital India Program.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>e-Kranti: National e-Governance Plan 2.0</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an essential pillar of the Digital India initiative.</li>
<li>It was approved in 2015 with the vision of <strong>&ldquo;Transforming e-Governance for Transforming Governance&rdquo;</strong>.</li>
<li>There are 44 Mission Mode Projects under e-Kranti, which are at various stages of implementation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Thrust Areas of e-Kranti</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>e-Education:</strong> All schools will be connected to broadband. Free WiFi will be provided in all secondary and higher secondary schools (coverage would be around 250,000 schools). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>PMGDISHA: Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan </strong>aims to make six crore people in rural India digitally literate.</li>
<li><strong>SWAYAM:</strong> It includes Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) for leveraging e-Education. It provides for a&nbsp;<span>platform that facilitates hosting of all the courses, taught in classrooms from Class 9 till post-graduation to be accessed by anyone, anywhere at any time.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>e-Healthcare:</strong> e-Healthcare would cover online medical consultation, online medical records, online medicine supply, pan-India exchange for patient information, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Farmers:</strong> This would facilitate farmers to get real-time price information, online ordering of inputs and online cash, loan, and relief payment with mobile banking.</li>
<li><strong>Security:</strong> Mobile-based emergency services and disaster-related services would be provided to citizens on a real-time basis so as to take precautionary measures well in time and minimize loss of lives and properties.</li>
<li><strong>Financial Inclusion:</strong> Financial inclusion shall be strengthened using mobile banking, Micro-ATM program, and CSCs/ Post Offices.</li>
<li><strong>Justice:</strong> Interoperable Criminal Justice System shall be strengthened by leveraging several related applications, i.e. e-Courts, e-Police, e-Jails, and e-Prosecution.</li>
<li><strong>Planning:</strong> National GIS Mission Mode Project would be implemented to facilitate GIS-based decision making for project planning, conceptualization, design, and development.</li>
<li><strong>Cyber Security:</strong> <strong>National Cyber Security Co-ordination Centre</strong> has been set up to ensure a safe and secure cyber-space within the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Benefits/ Outcomes of E-Governance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Enhanced Transparency and Accountability.</li>
<li>Expanded reach of Governance.</li>
<li>Improved Public Administration.</li>
<li>Enables Environment for Promoting Economic development.</li>
<li>Improved service delivery in the form of better access to information and quality services to citizens.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314339_drishti_ias_e-Governance_2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314339_drishti_ias_e-Governance_2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Challenges to E-Governance</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314361_drishti_ias_e-Governance_4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571314361_drishti_ias_e-Governance_4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="691" height="559" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Infrastructure</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lack of basic infrastructural facilities like electricity, internet, etc. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Initiatives like <strong>BharatNet</strong> and <strong>Saubhagya</strong> are steps taken in this regard.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cost</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>e-Governance measures are costly affairs and require huge public expenditure.</li>
<li>In developing countries like India, the cost of projects is one of the major impediments in the implementation of e-Governance initiatives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Privacy and Security</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recent spark in data leak cases has threatened the peoples&rsquo; faith in e-governance. Therefore, the implementation of e-governance projects must have security standards and protocols for safeguarding the interest of all classes of masses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital Divide</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Huge gap between users and non-users of e-govt. services.</li>
<li>The digital divide takes form in rich-poor, male-female, urban-rural etc segments of the population.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The gap needs to be narrowed down, then only the benefits of e-governance would be utilized equally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>A hybrid approach</strong> needs to be adopted for enhancing interoperability among e-governance applications which will encompass a centralized approach for document management, knowledge management, file management, grievance management etc.</li>
<li>The e-governance initiatives in rural areas should be taken by <strong>identifying</strong> <strong>and analyzing the grassroots realities</strong>.</li>
<li>The government should also focus on <strong>devising appropriate, feasible, distinct and effective capacity building mechanisms</strong> for various stakeholders viz bureaucrats, rural masses, urban masses, elected representatives, etc.</li>
<li>Cloud computing is also becoming a big force to enhance the delivery of services related to e-governance. Cloud computing is not only a tool for cost reduction but also helps in enabling new services, improving the education system and creating new jobs/ opportunities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Meghraj- GI Cloud is a step in the right direction.</strong> The focus of this initiative is to accelerate the delivery of e-services in the country while optimizing ICT spending of the Government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>e-Governance through regional languages is appreciable for the nations like India where people from several linguistic backgrounds are the participants.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>e-Governance is getting momentum in India, but public awareness and the digital divide are important issues to be addressed.</li>
<li>The success of e-Governance measures largely depends on the availability of high-speed internet, and the nation-wide roll-out of 5G technology in the near future will strengthen our resolve.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/e-governance-1'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Tulagi Island',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571301703_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571301703_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="526" height="266" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p>A <strong>Beijing</strong>-based company which has close ties to the Chinese Communist Party has secured<strong> exclusive development rights</strong> for the entire<strong> island of Tulagi</strong> and its surroundings.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has been reported that a secretive deal was signed in the month of September 2019 with the provincial government in the Solomon Islands, for the same.</li>
<li><strong>Tulagi</strong> is an island within the <strong>Solomon Islands,</strong> which are located in the<strong> South Pacific, directly between Australia and the U.S.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was the administrative seat (from 1893) of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate until it was destroyed by the Japanese (1942) during World War II.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The move has <strong>alarmed U.S. officials</strong> who see the island chains of the South Pacific as crucial to keep China in check and protect important sea routes.</li>
<li>The agreement includes provisions for a fishery base, an operations centre, and the building or enhancement of the airport.</li>
<li>China is also pushing to <strong>end the region&rsquo;s status as a diplomatic stronghold for Taiwan.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/solomon-islands-and-taiwan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Solomons cut ties to Taiwan</strong></a> and allied with Beijing just a few days before the Tulagi deal. A second Pacific nation, <strong>Kiribati, followed suit</strong> the same week.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/china-leases-an-entire-pacific-island-for-75-years/article29721219.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/tulagi-island'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Rangdum Monastery',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Archaeological Survey of India is planning to declare the <strong>Rangdum Monastery</strong> located in Ladakh (Kargil district) as a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/monuments-of-national-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>monument of national importance.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The move aims to look into the opportunities for <strong>expansion of tourism</strong> in the Ladakh region in the backdrop of the decision to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/article-370-and-35-a-revoked" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>split Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Central government is looking at bringing more monuments present in this region under its direct protection and therefore it made this monastery <strong>a Centrally-protected</strong> site.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571301320_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571301320_image1.jpg" width="284" height="213" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Rangdum Monastery</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>18<sup>th</sup> century</strong> built monastery that is situated at an altitude of 4,031 m. at the head of the <strong>Suru Valley,</strong> in Ladakh.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Suru Valley is drained by the <strong>Suru River</strong> which is a tributary of the <strong>Indus River.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Rangdum Monastery is a <strong>Tibetan Buddhist monastery</strong> belonging to the <strong>Gelugpa sect.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ASI is the <strong>premier organization</strong> for the archaeological research, scientific analysis, excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and preservation of protected monuments.</li>
<li>It is an attached office under the <strong>Department of Culture, Ministry of Culture.</strong></li>
<li>ASI was founded in <strong>1861</strong> by <strong>Alexander Cunningham-</strong> the first Director-General of ASI.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rangdum-monastery-in-kargil-likely-to-become-a-monument-of-national-importance/article29713654.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/rangdum-monastery'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => '20th Livestock Census',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has released the <strong>20<sup>th</sup> Livestock Census report</strong> recently.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The release provides key results reflecting the aggregate counts of various species as well as its comparison with the previous census.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571300887_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571300887_image2.jpg" width="432" height="285" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> total Livestock population</strong> is 535.78 million in the country showing an <strong>increase of 4.6% over Livestock Census-2012.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>West Bengal</strong> observed the <strong>highest increase of 23%,</strong> followed by <strong>Telangana (22%).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> total number of cattle</strong> in the country has shown<strong> an increase of 0.8 %.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The increase is mainly driven by a <strong>sharp increase in cross-bred cattle</strong> and <strong>higher female indigenous cattle</strong> population.</li>
<li><strong>Uttar Pradesh</strong> has observed a <strong>maximum decrease in cattle population</strong> though the state has taken several steps to save cattle.</li>
<li><strong>West Bengal</strong> has seen the <strong>highest rise of 15%</strong> in cattle population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The population of the <strong>total exotic/crossbred cattle</strong> has <strong>increased by 27%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cross-bred animals contributed around <strong>28% to India&rsquo;s total milk production in 2018-19.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>milch population</strong> of exotic and crossbred cattle such as <strong>Jersey or Holsteins</strong> shows higher milk yields and thus farmers prefer animals yielding more milk.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A <strong>decline of 6%</strong> in the total <strong>indigenous cattle</strong> population has been observed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s indigenous cattle numbers <strong>continue to decline,</strong> notwithstanding the government&rsquo;s efforts to promote conservation of desi breeds through the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rashtriya-gokul-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM).</strong></a></li>
<li>The <strong>sharpest fall</strong> has been observed in the states (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan,Maharashtra, etc.) with <strong>tough cow slaughter laws.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> total milch animals</strong> have shown an <strong>increase of 6%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to higher yields, foreign breeds constitute more than half the population of milch animals.</li>
<li>The <strong>more the number of animals that produce milk,</strong> the more would be <strong>pressure on land</strong> and fiercer would be <strong>competition between man and animals for survival.</strong></li>
<li>The figures show that nearly 75% of total cattle in the country are female (cows)-- a clear sign of dairy farmers' preferences for milk-producing cattle. This also gained momentum in the past couple of years due to the government's assistance in terms of providing sex-sorted artificial insemination (AI), with semen of high-yielding bulls, free of cost at farmers' doorstep.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>backyard poultry</strong> has <strong>increased by around 46%</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The sharp increase in backyard poultry is a <strong>significant change</strong> in the<strong> rural landscape</strong> which shows a sign of <strong>poverty alleviation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Total <strong>Bovine population</strong> (Cattle, Buffalo, Mithun and Yak) has shown an <strong>increase of about 1%.</strong></li>
<li>The population of sheep, goat and Mithun <strong>grew in double digits</strong> while the count of horses and ponies, pigs, camels, donkeys, mules and yaks <strong>declined.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>The Livestock Census</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Livestock Census has been conducted in the country periodically since <strong>1919-20.</strong> Since then it has been conducted <strong>once every 5 years.</strong></li>
<li>It covers all domesticated animals and their headcounts.</li>
<li>So far 19 such censuses have been conducted by the <strong>Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying,</strong> in participation with State Governments and UT Administrations.</li>
<li>The household-level data through online transmission from the field has been used for the first time in 20th Livestock Census.</li>
<li>The census is beneficial not just for policymakers but also for agriculturists, traders, entrepreneurs, dairying industry and masses in general.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1588304" 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/20th-livestock-census'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Cost Dynamics of Electricity Production',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>The editorial is based on the article <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-cost-effective-way-to-power-generation/article29693826.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;A cost-effective way to power generation&rdquo;</strong></a> which appeared in <strong>The Hindu</strong> on <strong>16 October 2019.</strong> The article is based on various aspects of declining cost of power generation in the country, especially renewable energy.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, Indian Prime Minister while addressing 74<sup>th</sup> session of United Nation General Assembly strongly focused on increasing global renewable energy capacity.</p>
<p>In the past few years, India has been aggressively expanding its power generation capacity. India has an installed capacity of 358 GW, which is four times of what it was in 1997-98.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s per-capita energy consumption is about <strong>one-third</strong> of the global average. Though India accounts for around 18% of the world&rsquo;s population, it uses only around<strong> 6%</strong> of the world&rsquo;s primary energy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s per capita energy consumption equals <strong>0.6 tonnes of oil equivalent (toe)</strong> as compared to the <strong>global per capita average of 1.8 toe.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Energy Installation Bag</h3>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 35px;">
<td style="width: 20.2356%; height: 35px; text-align: center;"><strong>Source</strong></td>
<td style="width: 27.928%; height: 35px; text-align: center;"><strong>Installed Capacity (March 2019)</strong></td>
<td style="width: 33.7889%; height: 35px; text-align: center;"><strong>Percentage of Total Installed Capacity</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 20.2356%; height: 19px;">Thermal Energy</td>
<td style="width: 27.928%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">200.7 GW</td>
<td style="width: 33.7889%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<p style="text-align: center;">56%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 20.2356%; height: 19px;"><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-indias-wind-energy-potential" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hydel Energy</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 27.928%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">45.39 GW</td>
<td style="width: 33.7889%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">13%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 20.2356%; height: 19px;"><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/solar-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Solar Energy</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 27.928%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">28.18</td>
<td style="width: 33.7889%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">7.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 20.2356%; height: 19px;">Wind Energy</td>
<td style="width: 27.928%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">35.63</td>
<td style="width: 33.7889%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">10%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 20.2356%; height: 19px;"><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/india-s-prospects-as-a-nuclear-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nuclear Energy</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 27.928%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">6.7 GW</td>
<td style="width: 33.7889%; height: 19px; text-align: center;">2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3><br />India&rsquo;s Energy Targets</h3>
<p>Under the Paris Agreement, India has declared its <strong>INDC target</strong> of about 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030. India embarks on an ambitious journey to achieve <strong>renewable energy capacity of 175 GW by 2022</strong> and 500 GW by 2030. By 2022, India plans to achieve the following renewable energy targets:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Solar Energy: 100 GW</li>
<li>Wind Energy: 60 GW</li>
<li>Biomass Energy: 10 GW</li>
</ul>
<p>It also plans to have 15 GW of nuclear energy and 72 GW of hydel energy by 2027.</p>
<h3>Major Factor that Determine Cost in Power Generation</h3>
<p><strong>Fixed Cost</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Land:</strong> Land forms the major part of fixed investment in power generation which regionally varies and depends on government and pooling policies.</li>
<li><strong>Building and Construction Cost of Power Station:</strong> The capital cost of building central station generators vary from region to region, largely as a function of labor costs and "regulatory costs," which include things like obtaining siting permits, environmental approvals, and so on.</li>
<li><strong>Transmission and Distribution System:</strong> The electricity transmission and distribution systems that deliver electricity have maintenance costs, which include repairing damage to the systems from accidents or extreme weather conditions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Varying Cost</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fuel:</strong> Fuel costs can vary, especially during periods of high demand. High electricity demand can increase demand for fuel, such as natural gas, which can result in higher prices for the fuel and, in turn, higher costs to generate electricity.</li>
<li><strong>Regulations:</strong> In some states, public service/utility commissions fully regulate prices, while other states have a combination of unregulated prices (for generators) and regulated prices (for transmission and distribution).</li>
<li><strong>Weather conditions:</strong> Rain and snow provide water for low-cost hydropower generation. Wind can provide low-cost electricity generation from wind turbines when wind speeds are favorable. However, extreme temperatures can increase the demand for electricity, especially for cooling, and demand can drive prices up.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reasons for Declining Cost of Energy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Advances in technology</strong> have resulted in the construction of larger power plants, indicating economies of scale.</li>
<li><strong>Increasing share of private sector investment</strong> which is far more cost effective than public investment.</li>
<li><strong>Competitive tariff-based bidding</strong> of solar project that Solar Energy Corporation of India, State and Central Government have undertaken through reverse auctioning.</li>
<li>The <strong>subsidies and incentives</strong> provided by the Government under <strong>National Solar Mission</strong> have been instrumental in reducing cost and adoption of solar energy.</li>
<li>Historically, land acquisition has always been a problem in India and is a major reason for cost escalation in infrastructure projects.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Solar Park Policy</strong> introduced guidelines that lead state governments to identify suitable large tracts of land with appropriate insolation levels, and prioritise the use of government waste/non-agricultural land in order to speed up acquisition process for setting up solar park.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571229846_pasted%20image 0.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571229846_pasted image 0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="472" height="381" /></a></p>
<h3>What next can be done to reduce the cost further?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Project Size and Cost</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Infrastructure projects have an inverse relationship between size and unit cost. The average cost per MW for a <strong>thermal plant is about 25% lower</strong> than that of a solar plant. Thermal plants are of huge capacity and on average it would take 18 solar or wind plants to generate the same quantity of power as one thermal plant. Therefore, large solar and wind plants are to be constructed in the future to shift toward non-fossilized clean energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Project Ownership</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Over the last two decades, 63% of the total planned generation capacity has come from the private sector, and investment were more pronounced in solar and wind energy sector.</li>
<li>Private sector plants have an average cost of 12-34% lower cost per MW for all categories except solar. Therefore, creating additional capacity in existing plant at lower cost can play a big role in keeping electricity tariffs low.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As India continues to ramp up capacity, it is imperative to create generation assets with the lowest unit cost by optimizing plant capacities and encouraging private sector investment.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 100%; height: 19px; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #efffe8;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Inputs</strong></em></span><br /><br />Briefly outline the underlying causes for declining cost of electricity production in recent times. Also suggest policy measures to reduce the cost further.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/cost-dynamics-of-electricity-production'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Global Hunger Index-2019',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>In the recently released <strong>Global Hunger Index (GHI) Report-2019,</strong> India was ranked at <strong>102<sup>nd</sup> position</strong> out of <strong>117</strong> countries.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report is an <strong>annual publication</strong> that is jointly prepared by the <strong>Concern Worldwide</strong> (an Irish agency) and the <strong>Welt Hunger Hilfe</strong> (a German organization).</li>
<li>The report is based on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-hunger-index-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>four GHI indicators</strong></a> namely, undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Findings<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571219571_drishti_ias_Global%20Hunger Index-2019.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571219571_drishti_ias_Global Hunger Index-2019.jpg" style="float: right;" width="378" height="351" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s rank has slipped from 95<sup>th</sup> position (in 2010) to 102<sup>nd</sup> (in 2019). Over a longer-term duration, the fall in India&rsquo;s rank is sharper, i.e, from 83<sup>rd</sup> out of 113 countries in 2000 to 102<sup>nd</sup> out of 117 in 2019.</li>
<li>According to the report, India&rsquo;s child wasting rate was extremely high at <strong>20.8%&nbsp;</strong>- the <strong>highest</strong> for any country.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Child wasting refers to the share of children under the age of five who are wasted, i.e, they have <strong>low weight with respect to their height</strong>, reflecting acute undernutrition.</li>
<li>The share of wasting among children in India marked a steep rise from 16.5% in the 2008-2012 to 20.8% in 2014-2018.</li>
<li>According to <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)</a>, child wasting is a strong predictor of mortality&nbsp;among children (under 5 yrs. of age).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has <strong>demonstrated an improvement</strong> in other indicators that includes, under-5 mortality rate, prevalence of stunting among children, and prevalence of undernourishment owing to inadequate food.</li>
<li>The report also took note of <strong>open defecation</strong> in India as an impacting factor for health. It pointed out that as of 2015&ndash;2016, 90% of Indian households used an improved drinking water source while 39% of households had no sanitation facilities.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Open defecation jeopardizes the population&rsquo;s health and severely impacts children&rsquo;s growth and their ability to absorb nutrients.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-takes-the-low-rung-ranked-102-in-hunger-index-of-117-countries-119101501494_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source: BS</a></p>
<p></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-hunger-index-2019'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Microbial Fuel Cells',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, at a London Zoo, a fern started taking its own selfies. The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) scientists had laid the groundwork with the aim of using plants to power camera traps and sensors in the wild.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This was achieved by installing the microbial fuel cells in <strong>Pete</strong> (a maidenhair fern).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Microbial fuel cells</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a device that converts <strong>chemical</strong> <strong>energy to electrical energy</strong> by the action of microorganisms.</li>
<li>It is a bio-electrochemical system that uses bacteria as the catalyst to oxidize organic and inorganic matter, and consequently, generate electric current out of it.</li>
<li>It has applications in various fields such as power generation systems, bio-recovery, waste-water treatment, etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Plants naturally deposit biomatter as they grow which in turn feeds the natural bacteria present in the soil. This creates energy that can be harnessed by fuel cells and used to power a wide range of vital conservation tools remotely including sensors, monitoring platforms, and camera traps.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/microbial-fuel-cells-technology-that-enabled-a-fern-to-take-its-own-selfies-6071048/" 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/microbial-fuel-cells'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Third India Energy Forum',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, the <strong>India Ministerial Dialogue</strong> was held at <strong>3<sup>rd</sup> India Energy Forum</strong> by <strong>CERAWeek</strong> in New Delhi.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Indian, as well as regional energy companies, institutions, and governments, participated at the forum held under the patronage <strong>of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As India is experiencing the <strong>fastest growth in energy consumption</strong> among all large economies, the country will be the <strong>key driver of global energy demand</strong> in the coming decades.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To meet the huge demand for energy, India would be implementing a <strong>healthy mix of all commercially viable energy sources.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India plans its course of the <strong>energy transition in a responsible manner</strong> which would greatly influence<strong> global energy transition.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>shares of renewables in electricity capacity</strong> has significantly <strong>gone up</strong> now to 22% from around 10% in 2014-15.</li>
<li>The <strong>ethanol blending percentage has risen</strong> from 0.67% in 2012-13 to now close to 6%.</li>
<li>Also, <strong>more than 95%</strong> of households now have <strong>access to LPG,</strong> making their kitchens smoke-free.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Three critical transitions to be addressed in the Indian energy sector are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mobility</li>
<li>Urbanization</li>
<li>Power generation</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s per capita consumption of coal is about 1/10<sup>th</sup></strong> of that of the <strong>United States</strong> but still, India aims to use cleaner technology for <strong>low- carbon energy future.</strong></li>
<li>In addition to the above initiatives, India is planning to transform itself into <strong>Gas Economy.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Natural Gas offers an option of a balancing fuel, as it has proven capability to complement renewables.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The contribution of modern technologies, efficiency in production has been recognized for transforming the landscape towards <strong>climate justice, and a sustainable future.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>CERAWeek</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CERAWeek by IHS Markit has become the world&rsquo;s premier energy event.</li>
<li>In 1983, Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) was founded in Cambridge.</li>
<li>Each year, CERA clients gathered for a few days in Houston, Texas to attend the executive conference where they gained insight into the energy future while connecting with their peers. Over time, the program was expanded to five days of informative sessions and networking opportunities&mdash;and named CERAWeek.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1588128" 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/third-india-energy-forum'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'China-Nepal-India Triangulation',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/china-nepal-xi-jinping-international-relations-security-diplomacy-6069020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Xi&rsquo;s Security Diplomacy&rdquo;</strong></a> that was published in The Indian Express on 15/10/2019. It talks about how China-Nepal convergence can affect India&rsquo;s interest.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, China's President Xi Jinping made a significant visit to Nepal, becoming the first Chinese President in over 20 years to visit the Himalayan country.</p>
<p>The visit seeks to accelerate the development of an ambitious trans-Himalayan corridor between China&rsquo;s Tibet and Nepal <strong>(China Nepal Economic Corridor).</strong> However, it is China's <strong>security diplomacy</strong> that is more of a concern for India.</p>
<h3>&ldquo;Security Diplomacy&rdquo; of China</h3>
<p>Nepal&rsquo;s northern border with China lies entirely with Tibet, China sees security cooperation with Nepal as critical in controlling the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/60-years-of-1959-tibetan-uprising" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tibetan matters.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In this pursuit, China is following<strong> security diplomacy vis-&agrave;-vis Nepal</strong> (distinct from defense diplomacy).</li>
<li><strong>Security diplomacy vs Defense diplomacy</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Security diplomacy seeks to expand engagement between the two countries, <strong>not just in fields related to military engagement</strong> but also to the police forces, intelligence agencies, border management organisations and law-enforcement authorities of the two nations.</li>
<li>In the case of neighbouring countries, security diplomacy leads to the dynamic interaction between internal political stability and the situation across the frontiers.</li>
<li><strong>Defence diplomacy</strong> may include military exchanges, military sales, joint exercises, humanitarian disasters response training etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Chinese President visit also envisages signing of the <strong>Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters</strong> and an early conclusion of the <strong>Treaty on Extradition.</strong></li>
<li>China also promised to enhance the capacities of Nepal&rsquo;s law enforcement agencies.</li>
</ul>
<h3>China Nepal Economic Corridor</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 2017, Nepal signed up to <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI),</a></strong> that sought to create highways, airports and other infrastructure in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Through <strong>China Nepal Economic Corridor,</strong> Nepal seeks to end Indian dominance over its trade routes by increasing connectivity with China.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Earlier China proposed a trilateral <strong>India-Nepal-China economic corridor,</strong> which sought to provide multidimensional connectivity through the Himalayas.</li>
<li>However, <strong>India rejected this proposal</strong> on account of $50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as it passes through the disputed territory of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s concern is that,</strong> given the <strong>difference in the strategic weight</strong> of China and Nepal, <strong>security diplomacy can be used as a tool by China</strong> to interfere in the internal affairs of Nepal.</li>
<li>Since <strong>Nepal acts as a buffer state for India,</strong> seeing it slip into China's sphere of influence, will not be in India's strategic interest.</li>
<li>Also, China&rsquo;s interest in &ldquo;security diplomacy&rdquo; is not limited to Nepal.</li>
<li><strong>China Nepal Economic Corridor</strong> can lead to <strong>China dumping consumer goods</strong> through Nepal which will worsen India&rsquo; trade balance with China further.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>China's deep pockets</strong> make it difficult for India to control the expansion of China's influence in India's neighbourhood.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, it is perhaps better to rethink about refusing the Chinese offer to build infrastructure in India which can help India&rsquo;s overall trade and investment.</li>
<li>In this context, India can bargain with China about opening up its services for Indian IT workers and have freer access to Chinese markets for Indian goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India must not deny every Chinese investment in infrastructure because of CPEC.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India must <strong>revise</strong> its stance on <strong>India-Nepal-China economic corridor.</strong></li>
<li>The corridor provides a likelihood of greater tourism and people to people contact which is important for bridging the trust deficit that exists today between India and China.</li>
<li>It will also lead to the rapid development of one of the poorest regions in the world which lie in Nepal and parts of northern and northeastern India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Nepal has sought to increase connectivity with China since a blockade along its border with India resulted in several months of acute shortage of fuel and medicine in 2015 and 2016.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Though India has all the right of such blockade, however,<strong> India must refrain</strong> from such blockades as it <strong>affects India's credibility</strong> in eyes of Nepali citizens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>India should act as a bridge rather than a blockade in realizing Nepal's dream of becoming a land-linked country from a land-locked one.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fcfceb;"><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br /><br />India's continuous refrain from strategic convergence with China might not prove to be a good strategy. Analyse in the context of China-Nepal-India Triangulation.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/china-nepal-india-triangulation'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'International Labour Organization',
		'catname' => 'International Institutions',
		'desc' => '<p>The <strong>International Labour Organization (ILO)</strong> celebrated its 100<sup>th</sup> anniversary in 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the only <strong>tripartite U.N. agency.</strong> It brings together <strong>governments, employers and workers</strong> of <strong>187 member States,</strong> to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.</li>
</ul>
<h3>History of the ILO</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Established in 1919 by the <strong>Treaty of Versailles</strong> as an affiliated agency of the<strong> League of Nations.</strong></li>
<li>Became the first affiliated <strong>specialized agency</strong> of the <strong>United Nations in 1946.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Geneva, Switzerland</li>
<li><strong>Founding Mission:</strong> social justice is essential to universal and lasting peace.</li>
<li>Promotes internationally recognized human and labour rights.</li>
<li>Received the<strong> Nobel Peace Prize</strong> in 1969.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For improving peace among classes</li>
<li>Pursuing decent work and justice for workers</li>
<li>Providing technical assistance to other developing nations</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The organization has played a key role in <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ensuring labour rights during the Great Depression</li>
<li>Decolonization process</li>
<li>The creation of Solidarność ( trade union) in Poland</li>
<li>The victory over apartheid in South Africa</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Today it is providing substantial support in the building of an ethical and productive framework for fair globalization.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong> The basis of the ILO is the <strong>tripartite principle,</strong> i.e. the negotiations within the organization are held between the representatives of governments, trade unions, and member-states&rsquo; employers.</p>
</div>
<h3>Structure of ILO</h3>
<p>The ILO accomplishes its work through three main bodies which comprise governments', employers' and workers' representatives:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>International Labour Conference:</strong> it sets the International labour standards and the broad policies of the ILO. It meets annually in Geneva. It is often referred to as an <strong>International Parliament of Labour.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is also a forum for discussion of key social and labour questions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Governing Body:</strong> it is the <strong>executive council</strong> of the ILO. It meets three times a year in Geneva. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It takes policy decisions of ILO and establishes the programme and the budget, which it then submits to the Conference for adoption.</li>
<li>The work of the Governing Body and the Office is aided by <strong>tripartite committees</strong> covering major industries.</li>
<li>It is also supported by committees of experts on such matters as vocational training, management development, occupational safety and health, industrial relations, workers&rsquo; education, and special problems of women and young workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International Labour Office:</strong> it is the permanent secretariat of the International Labour Organization. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the focal point for ILO&rsquo;s overall activities, which it prepares under the scrutiny of the Governing Body and under the leadership of the Director-General.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regional meetings</strong> of the ILO member States are held periodically to examine matters of special interest to the regions concerned.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Functions of the ILO</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Creation of <strong>coordinated policies and programs,</strong> directed at solving social and labour issues.</li>
<li><strong>Adoption of international labour standards</strong> in the form of conventions and recommendations and control over their implementation.</li>
<li><strong>Assistance to member-states</strong> in solving social and labour problems.</li>
<li><strong>Human rights protection</strong> (the right to work, freedom of association, collective negotiations, protection against forced labour, protection against discrimination, etc.).</li>
<li><strong>Research and publication</strong> of works on social and labour issues.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Objectives of the ILO</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To promote and realize standards and fundamental principles and rights at work.</li>
<li>To create greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent employment.</li>
<li>To enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all.</li>
<li>To strengthen tripartism and social dialogue.</li>
</ul>
<h3>International Labour Standards</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ILO sets international labour standards with conventions, which are ratified by member states. These are <strong>non-binding.</strong></li>
<li>Conventions are drawn up with input from governments, workers&rsquo; and employers&rsquo; groups at the ILO and are adopted by the <strong>International Labour Conference.</strong></li>
<li>In ratifying an ILO convention, a member state <strong>accepts it as a legally binding instrument.</strong> Many countries use conventions as a tool to bring national laws in line with international standards.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Decent Work Agenda</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As part of its mission, the ILO aims to achieve decent work for all by promoting social dialogue, social protection and employment creation, as well as respect for international labour standards.</li>
<li>The ILO provides technical support to more than 100 countries to help achieve these aims, with the support of development partners.</li>
</ul>
<h3>ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was adopted in 1998, the Declaration commits member states to respect and promote <strong>eight fundamental principles and rights</strong> in four categories, whether or not they have ratified the relevant conventions. They are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Freedom of Association and The Right to collective bargaining (Conventions 87 and 98)</li>
<li>Elimination of forced or compulsory labour (Conventions No. 29 and No. 105)</li>
<li>Abolition of child labour (Conventions No. 138 and No. 182)</li>
<li>Elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation (Conventions No. 100 and No. 111)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Core Conventions of the ILO</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The eight fundamental conventions form an integral part of the <strong>United Nations Human Rights Framework,</strong> and their ratification is an important sign of member States&rsquo; commitment to human rights.</li>
<li>Overall, 135 member States have ratified all eight fundamental conventions. Unfortunately, 48 member states (out of 183 member States), including member states with the highest populations, have yet to complete ratification of all eight conventions.</li>
<li>The <strong>eight-core conventions of the ILO</strong> are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Forced Labour Convention (No. 29)</li>
<li>Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No.105)</li>
<li>Equal Remuneration Convention (No.100)</li>
<li>Discrimination (Employment Occupation) Convention (No.111)</li>
<li>Minimum Age Convention (No.138)</li>
<li>Worst forms of Child Labour Convention (No.182)</li>
<li>Freedom of Association and Protection of Right to Organised Convention (No.87)</li>
<li>Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention (No.98)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The eight conventions, taken together, are more relevant today in the face of <strong>global economic</strong> and other challenges impinging on the welfare and livelihood of workers in all regions. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indeed, they are part and parcel of the overarching architecture for the universality of human rights, offering protection to all, and responding closely to the quest for social justice in a globalized setting.</li>
<li>They are catalytic to the UN system, the international community and local communities as a whole.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India and ILO</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is a founding member of the ILO and it has been a permanent member of the ILO Governing Body since 1922.</li>
<li>In India, the first ILO Office was started in 1928. The decades of productive partnership between the ILO and its constituents has mutual trust and respect as underlying principles and is grounded in building sustained institutional capacities and strengthening capacities of partners.</li>
<li>India has ratified six out of the <strong>eight-core/fundamental ILO conventions.</strong> These conventions are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Forced Labour Convention (No. 29)</li>
<li>Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No.105)</li>
<li>Equal Remuneration Convention (No.100)</li>
<li>Discrimination (Employment Occupation) Convention (No.111)</li>
<li>Minimum Age Convention (No.138)</li>
<li>Worst forms of Child Labour Convention (No.182)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has <strong>not ratified</strong> the two core/fundamental conventions, namely <strong>Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87)</strong> and <strong>Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The main reason for non-ratification of ILO conventions No.87 &amp; 98 is due to certain restrictions imposed on the government servants.</li>
<li>The ratification of these conventions would involve granting of certain rights that are prohibited under the statutory rules, for the government employees, namely, the right to strike, to openly criticize government policies, to freely accept a financial contribution, to freely join foreign organizations etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Trade Unions at the ILO</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Trade unions play a crucial role in developing policy at the ILO, Worker group representation is drawn from national trade union confederations.</li>
<li>The <strong>Bureau for Workers' Activities</strong> at the secretariat is dedicated to strengthening independent and democratic trade unions so they can better defend workers&rsquo; rights and interests.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The ILO&rsquo;s supervisory role</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ILO monitors the implementation of ILO conventions ratified by member states. This is done through:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Committee of Experts</strong> on the Application of conventions and Recommendations.</li>
<li>The International Labour Conference&rsquo;s <strong>Tripartite Committee</strong> on the Application of conventions and Recommendations.</li>
<li>Member states are also required to send reports on the progress of the implementation of the conventions they have ratified.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Complaints</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ILO registers complaints against entities that are violating international rules; however, <strong>it does not impose sanctions on governments.</strong></li>
<li>Complaints can be filed against member states for not complying with ILO conventions they have ratified.</li>
<li>Complaints can be from another member state which has signed the same convention, a delegate to the International Labour Conference or the ILO's Governing Body.</li>
</ul>
<h3>ILO&rsquo;s Global Commission on the Future of Work</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The formation of an ILO <strong>Global Commission on the Future of Work</strong> marks the second stage in the ILO Future of Work Initiative.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was co-chaired by <strong>South African President Cyril Ramaphosa</strong> and<strong> Swedish Prime Minister, Stefan L&ouml;fven.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The commission outlines a vision for a human-centred agenda that is based on investing in people&rsquo;s capabilities, institutions of work and decent and sustainable work.</li>
<li>Its has undertaken an in-depth examination of the future of work that can provide the analytical basis for the delivery of social justice in the 21<sup>st</sup> century.</li>
<li>It outlines the<strong> challenges caused by new technology, climate change and demography</strong> and calls for a collective global response to the disruptions they are causing in the world of work.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Artificial intelligence, automation and robotics will lead to job losses, as skills become obsolete.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The key recommendations are:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>A universal labour guarantee</strong> that protects the fundamental rights of workers&rsquo;, an adequate living wage, limits on hours of work and safe and healthy workplaces.</li>
<li><strong>Guaranteed social protection</strong> from birth to old age that supports people&rsquo;s needs over the life cycle.</li>
<li>A universal entitlement to lifelong learning that enables people to skill, reskill and upskill.</li>
<li><strong>Managing technological change</strong> to boost decent work, including an international governance system for digital labour platforms.</li>
<li><strong>Greater investments</strong> in the care, green and rural economies.</li>
<li>A transformative and measurable agenda for <strong>gender equality.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Reshaping business incentives</strong> to encourage long-term investments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'World Standards Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p><strong>14 October</strong> is celebrated as <strong>World Standards Day</strong> for paying tribute to the collaborative efforts of thousands of experts worldwide who develop the voluntary technical agreements that are published as <strong>International Standards.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is being officially celebrated since <strong>1970.</strong></li>
<li>It is an<strong> annual</strong> event.</li>
<li>The theme for 2019 is <strong>&lsquo;Video Standards Create a Global Stage&rsquo; &mdash;</strong> about standardizing the video compression technologies as mobile phones and other electronic devices related to video production is estimated to be 80% of all internet traffic by 2020.</li>
<li>In India, it is celebrated by the <strong>Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>BIS also highlighted the road map for<strong> &lsquo;One Nation One Standard&rsquo;</strong> for India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bureau of Indian Standards</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BIS is the National Standard Body of India for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods.</li>
<li>BIS has been providing traceability and tangibility benefits to the national economy in a number of ways by:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Providing safe reliable quality goods.</li>
<li>Minimizing health hazards to consumers.</li>
<li>Promoting exports and imports substitute.</li>
<li>Control over the proliferation of varieties etc through standardization, certification, and testing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1588021" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-standards-day'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Nobel Prize in Physics 2019',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Nobel Prize for Physics has been awarded to <strong>James Peebles for theoretical discoveries in physical cosmology,</strong> and <strong>Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz for discovering an exoplanet orbiting a solar-type star.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>James Peebles: Theoretical discoveries in physical cosmology</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Peebles developed a theoretical framework about the <strong>cosmos and its billions of galaxies and galaxy clusters</strong> since the mid-1960s.</li>
<li>The importance of the <strong>cosmic radiation</strong> during birth of the Big Bang was realized by him.</li>
<li>James Peebles also interpreted traces from the <strong>infancy of the universe and discovered new physical processes.</strong></li>
<li>The results showed a universe whose just <strong>five percent of content is known,</strong> the matter which constitutes stars, planets, trees &ndash; and us.<strong> The rest, 95 per cent, is unknown dark matter and dark energy.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is a mystery and a challenge to modern physics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571130815_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571130815_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="660" height="487" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz : Discovery of an exoplanet orbiting a solar-type star.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was the <strong>first discovery</strong> of an <strong>exoplanet</strong> (a planet outside our solar system, orbiting a solar-type star in our home galaxy, the Milky Way).</li>
<li>The discovery of <strong>exoplanet 51 Pegasi b,</strong> started a <strong>&ldquo;revolution in astronomy&rdquo;.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>51 Pegasi b is a <strong>gaseous ball comparable with Jupiter.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Ever since<strong> 4,000 exoplanets</strong> have been <strong>found in the Milky Way Galaxy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/james-peebles-michel-mayor-and-didier-queloz-get-nobel-prize-for-physics/article29617873.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/nobel-prize-in-physics-2019'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Nobel Prize for Peace 2019',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Nobel Peace Prize for 2019 has been awarded to<strong> Abiy Ahmed Ali, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia </strong>for<strong> his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict</strong> with neighboring <strong>Eritrea.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Abiy Ahmed Ali, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia ended 20 years war with neighboring Eritrea.</li>
<li>The two countries resumed trade, diplomatic, and travel ties and started &ldquo;a new era of peace and friendship&rdquo; in the war-bloodied Horn of Africa.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Historical Background of the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 1993, <strong>Eritrea broke from its federation with Ethiopia,</strong> becoming an independent country that was located strategically at the mouth of the Red Sea on the Horn of Africa.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Independence was the outcome of a <strong>30-year war by Eritrean liberation fighters against Ethiopia,</strong> which had annexed the small multiethnic territory to its north in 1962.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Just over five years after Independence, however, war broke out between the two countries over the control of <strong>Badme &mdash;</strong> a border town of no apparent significance.</li>
<li>As the conflict evolved into a major refugee crisis, thousands of Eritreans fled to Europe.</li>
<li>In <strong>June 2000,</strong> the two countries signed an Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, followed by a <strong>Peace Agreement.</strong></li>
<li>The above agreement formally <strong>ended the war</strong> and established a <strong>Boundary Commission</strong> to settle the dispute.</li>
<li>The Commission gave its<strong> &ldquo;final and binding&rdquo;</strong> ruling in <strong>2002</strong> and <strong>Badme was awarded to Eritrea.</strong></li>
<li>However, <strong>Ethiopia refused to accept the decision</strong> and the border issues kept erupting in clashes.</li>
<li>The Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed <strong>broke</strong> the nearly <strong>two-decade stalemate,</strong> announcing that Ethiopia would abide by the <strong>full terms of the 2000 agreement.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571127596_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571127596_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="756" height="426" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Peace between Ethiopia-Eritrea</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ethiopia is landlocked, and through the years of the war with Eritrea, had been dependent heavily on Djibouti for access to the Gulf of Aden and onward to the Arabian Sea.</li>
<li>The peace deal with Eritrea opened up Eritrean ports for Ethiopian use to balance its reliance on Djibouti.</li>
<li>On the other hand, Eritrea sank steadily into economic stagnation and social and diplomatic isolation due to continuous war with Ethiopia.</li>
<li>Eritrea also faced accusations from the UN Human Rights Commission for repeatedly human rights violations in the country.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/ethiopian-pm-abiy-ahmed-wins-2019-nobel-peace-prize-6064282/" 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/nobel-prize-for-peace-2019'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been jointly awarded to <strong>John B Goodenough, M Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino</strong> for the development of <strong>lithium-ion batteries.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Through their work, this year&rsquo;s Chemistry Laureates have laid the foundation of a wireless, fossil fuel-free society.</li>
<li>In the early 1970s, <strong>Dr. Whittingham</strong> developed the <strong>first functional lithium battery.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Dr. Goodenough doubled the lithium battery&rsquo;s potential,</strong> creating the right conditions for a vastly more powerful and useful battery.</li>
<li><strong>Dr. Yoshino</strong> succeeded in <strong>eliminating pure lithium</strong> from the battery, instead<strong> basing it wholly on lithium ions,</strong> which are safer than pure lithium. This made the battery workable in practice.</li>
<li>The result was a lightweight, hardwearing battery that could be charged hundreds of times before its performance deteriorated. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The advantage of lithium-ion batteries is that they are not based upon chemical reactions that break down the electrodes, but upon lithium ions flowing back and forth between the anode and cathode.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The lithium-ion batteries have reshaped energy storage and transformed cars, mobile phones and many other devices in an increasingly portable and electronic world.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571127068_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571127068_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="585" height="457" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/three-scientists-share-chemistry-nobel-for-developing-lithium-ion-batteries/article29625933.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/nobel-prize-in-chemistry-2019'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'India-Netherlands',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, the King and Queen of the <strong>Kingdom of Netherlands</strong> visited India to give an impetus to the bilateral ties shared by the two nations.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571126098_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571126098_image2.jpg" width="324" height="229" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Economic partnership</strong> between India &amp; Netherlands is a <strong>key pillar</strong> of the bilateral ties. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Netherlands is <strong>India&rsquo;s 4<sup>th</sup> largest trading partner</strong> in the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a>. And is also <strong>one of the leading investor nation</strong> in India.</li>
<li>The Dutch companies (in India) have a global name in the fields of agriculture, water management, port development, waste management, and urban planning.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Historical Relations:</strong> Indo-Dutch relations can be traced back to more than 400 years when the <strong>first Dutch EIC</strong> got established in India (in around 17<sup>th</sup> century AD). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The official relations between the two nations were established in the year 1947 which, since then, have been<strong> cordial and friendly.</strong></li>
<li>The two countries also share common ideals of <strong>democracy, pluralism and the rule of law.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Relations:</strong> The Netherlands currently is home to the <strong>largest Indian community</strong> on the European mainland. The growing Indian <strong>student and professional community</strong> in the Netherlands is making the cultural knot stronger and the technological partnership deeper.</li>
<li><strong>Significance of Netherlands to India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Netherlands&rsquo; has supported India&rsquo;s membership to the different <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/npt-must-for-india-s-entry-into-nsg-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Export Control Regimes</strong></a> and India&rsquo;s claim to a <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-un-security-council-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>permanent seat in the UN Security Council.</strong></a></li>
<li>India and the Netherlands share common concerns with regard to contemporary challenges that include <strong>climate action, cyber-security, and terrorism.</strong></li>
<li>Smart Cities, green energy, start-ups, smart solutions, and new-age products are bringing the two nations closer. India is keen to share and learn from the Netherlands on the <strong>river rejuvenation.</strong></li>
<li><strong>LOTUS:</strong> During the recent visit, a joint launch of the second phase of the <strong>Local Treatment of Urban Sewage Streams for the Healthy Reuse (LOTUS-HR)</strong> program was done by the <strong>Union Minister for Science &amp; Technology</strong> for the treatment of sewage water.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The project was <strong>initiated in July 2017</strong> and aims to manifest a novel holistic <strong>waste-water management approach</strong> that will produce clean water, which could henceforth be reused for various purposes.</li>
<li>The LOTUS-HR project is jointly supported by the <strong>Department of Biotechnology</strong> and the <strong>Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research /STW.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>WETLAB:</strong> It is a <strong>design challenge</strong> that is jointly supported by the Department of Biotechnology-Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council<strong> (DBT-BIRAC)</strong> and Netherlands Enterprise Agency.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It provides a <strong>unique learning and networking platform</strong> for young professionals and students to <strong>think differently for innovative ideas</strong> to solve India&rsquo;s urban water challenges and contribute to cleaning up of India&rsquo;s rivers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1588090" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-netherlands'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: DTH v/s OTT',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vpuefxybx3E" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to a recent report by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/telecom-firms-oppose-trai%E2%80%99s-public-wi-fi-model" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Telecom Regulatory Authority of India</strong> </a><strong>(TRAI),</strong> the<strong> average active subscriber base of DTH services</strong> has seen a <strong>sharp decline of 25 percent</strong> in this quarter <strong>coming down to 54.26 million in April to June quarter in comparison to 72.44 million in January to March</strong> this year.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reasons for fall in DTH subscribers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This<strong> coincides with the new DTH tariff regime implemented from 1st April.</strong> The decline in subscriber base highlights the challenges faced by DTH operators during the transition to new tariff regime.</li>
<li>Meanwhile the <strong>rise of OTT services also seems to have impacted the DTH subscription</strong> numbers. With high competition in the segment , OTT service providers give consumers a combination of both attractive content and subscription package. However regulation for OTT platforms continues to remain a contentious issue with the govt mulling over it's options .</li>
<li>A recent survey suggests that <strong>almost 55% Indians prefer OTT over DTH services and almost 87% of Indians use mobile to watch</strong> videos these days.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571124607_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571124607_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="600" height="334" /></a></p>
<h3>The differences and similarities</h3>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;">DTH</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;">OTT</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DTH is an acronym for <strong>&lsquo;Direct To Home&rsquo;</strong> service. It is a <strong>digital satellite service</strong> that provides <strong>television</strong> viewing services directly to subscribers through satellite transmission anywhere in the country.</li>
<li>The <strong>signals are digital</strong> by nature and are <strong>received directly from the satellite.</strong></li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An <strong>&lsquo;Over The Top&rsquo;</strong> media service is any <strong>online content provider</strong> that offers streaming media as a standalone product. The term is commonly applied to <strong>video-on-demand platforms,</strong> but also refers to <strong>audio streaming, messaging services, or internet-based voice calling solutions.</strong></li>
<li>It needs <strong>access to the internet</strong> and <strong>smartphones, tablets, laptop/computers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>content</strong> and the <strong>context</strong> of DTH and OTT are completely different. OTT platforms are very<strong> personal</strong> whereas DTH connections are <strong>more social</strong> in nature.</li>
<li>They <strong>complement each other as well</strong> like the OTT platforms suggest about the material available on DTH <strong>by advertisements.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Are DTH service providers really declining?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The information about the <strong>reduction of 25% is not entirely correct</strong> because TRAI has <strong>changed the method of computation,</strong> worked out the numbers in a new and more accurate way by which some phantom figures have been removed. So the loss of subscribers is not that huge.</li>
<li>The <strong>price factor and the tariffs of OTT platforms have not really gone down to the extent of wiping out DTH</strong> or reducing the subscribers significantly.</li>
<li><strong>New tariff order has changed the bills empowering consumers to pay only for what they want to watch.</strong> The bills will be different for users depending upon their personalised usage rate so there might be complaints from <strong>some users, paying more bills</strong> than the others who have <strong>reduced bills</strong> due to their smaller watch list. So it is not fair to say that all the bills have gone up.</li>
<li><strong>Bundling or packages of channels</strong> makes it easy for the consumer to choose because selecting content to watch with minimal tariff is an extremely difficult exercise. It is not fully developed plan but the sector is working on it.</li>
<li>It is about the <strong>customers preferences</strong> also about what and how they want to watch and on which platform. There will <strong>always be a place for the conventional broadcast tv</strong> and there will be a <strong>space for newer options like OTT platforms</strong> as well.</li>
<li>Just like DTH came and overtook the Cable Connections, the OTT is taking over the DTH now. That is why a lot of <strong>DTH service providers are teaming up with the OTT platforms to sustain themselves.</strong></li>
<li><strong>TRAI has taken measures by making an app</strong> to help consumers choose channel combinations and minimise their bills. It is working even further in the field to help customers in every way possible because no business will flourish if the customers are dissatisfied and not taken care of.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why are OTT platforms overtaking DTH service providers?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>convenience and ease with which OTT platforms can be watched</strong> makes it more attractive. Mobile phones can be carried anywhere and the user can watch anything of the choice anywhere, anytime given the data availability.</li>
<li>The <strong>cost of data services have gone down drastically</strong> in the last few years which has raised the number of average users including the rural areas as well.</li>
<li>OTT platforms seem a<strong> better option in comparison to high tariffs and the tedious process of choosing the channel combinations</strong> in the DTH.</li>
<li>Because of the availability of internet and ease of carrying smartphones, tablets or laptops, there is <strong>consumption irrespective of relatively higher charges</strong> for OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime <strong>which shows people&rsquo;s demand and interest</strong> in them.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Can OTT platforms completely overtake DTH service providers?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As far as the battle between the DTH and OTT is concerned, we should remember that these are<strong> technologies which allow similar products to be consumed in different ways.</strong> It is<strong> fair that the consumer has the choice to select</strong> what works for him or her the best.</li>
<li>Whether OTT will take over DTH market or not, it depends on various factors. One of them is the <strong>dependency on the internet connection in OTT platforms</strong> which is still <strong>uneven and not accessible</strong> to more than half the people of India.</li>
<li><strong>Roughly two-third of India does not actively use the internet</strong> so OTT choices become very limited. So the whole idea of OTT taking over DTH or cable connections is a<strong> little premature.</strong></li>
<li>Even <strong>DTH has not taken over the cable because there are significant active players</strong> in the market with huge fibre deployed all over the country. So they should not be considered dead instead they are coming back into the market. For example-JIO fibre.</li>
<li>It is necessary to <strong>recognise the diversity of the devices which is good for the consumer.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Future of OTT platforms in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>OTT is going to be on rise</strong> for sure. <strong>Internet penetration levels are not stagnant</strong> and<strong> increasing day by day</strong> with the help of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital India</strong></a> and broadband programmes taking it to far flung areas.</li>
<li>The <strong>ease in information collection</strong> and<strong> more importantly the trust towards the phones</strong> show that the base of OTT is going to increase further.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>question of convenience where quality is improving with more young people getting involved</strong> with the OTT platforms. <strong>Indian youth is the biggest consumer of it and India&rsquo;s online video demand is close to China&rsquo;s and has surpassed the UK and the USA.</strong> According to <strong>KPMG Report, India will have more than 500 million subscribers on all OTT platforms by 2023.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>streaming speed is far better</strong> than before and will grow even more in the future under the schemes like Digital India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Regulatory Aspects</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The challenge in regulating the OTT is that it is a <strong>part of the internet and very difficult to separate from the larger internet.</strong> Regulators face the challenge of how to separate it out and then regulate it from the broader internet which is impossible.</li>
<li>Law is very clear regarding the regulations. OTT providers are governed by the <strong>Information Technology Act, 2000 Section 79</strong> where the intermediate liabilities lie. So the OTT providers do not have to get involved in the inception, transmission and reception of the content which make them not liable for the content.</li>
<li>Regulators now<strong> focus on smaller issues which are specific to Indian context</strong> only. Our<strong> licence services are very heavily regulated</strong> so the <strong>issue is not the regulation but reduction in the high level regulations</strong> of the Telecom service in order to empower everyone to choose their ways of consumption.</li>
<li>Clear ways under the <strong>Information Technology</strong> <strong>Act</strong> are mentioned to deal with the content after it is made available to the OTT platforms.</li>
<li>A lot of <strong>streamlining needs to be done</strong> for OTT platforms.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Information Technology Act, 2000</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The act regulates use of computers, computer systems, computer networks and also data and information in electronic format.</li>
<li>The act lists down among other things, following as offences:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tampering with computer source documents.</li>
<li>Hacking with computer system</li>
<li>Act of cyber terrorism i.e. accessing a protected system with the intention of threatening the unity, integrity, sovereignty or security of country.</li>
<li>Cheating using computer resource etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Section 79 of Information Technology Act, 2000</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It exempts intermediaries from liability in certain instances. It states that intermediaries will not be liable for any third party information, data or communication link made available by them.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The need for <strong>transparency</strong> on the OTT platforms is a very important, especially for an industry that touches so many people and with <strong>limited regulations</strong> on it, because it is an <strong>entertainment platform mainly</strong> and this will further <strong>provide choices</strong> to the consumers.</li>
<li>Over time there will be a <strong>level playing field, based on market dynamics,</strong> rather than forcing it through a regulator for support, pricing and directions, with harmony between all the old, new and emerging multimedia platforms.</li>
</ul>',
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		'articles.publishon' => 'datetime',
		'publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles__posturl' => 'string',
		'articles.posturl' => 'string',
		'posturl' => 'string',
		'articles__metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles.metatitle' => 'string',
		'metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles__metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles.metadescription' => 'string',
		'metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles__metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles.metakeyword' => 'text',
		'metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles__status' => 'integer',
		'articles.status' => 'integer',
		'status' => 'integer',
		'articles__sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles.sort_order' => 'integer',
		'sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles__addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.addedby' => 'integer',
		'addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.updatedby' => 'integer',
		'updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.added' => 'timestamp',
		'added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.modified' => 'timestamp',
		'modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles.whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_comments' => 'integer',
		'display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles__pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles.pdf_name' => 'string',
		'pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles__display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_archive' => 'integer',
		'display_archive' => 'integer'
	],
	'decorators' => (int) 0,
	'executed' => false,
	'hydrate' => true,
	'buffered' => true,
	'formatters' => (int) 0,
	'mapReducers' => (int) 0,
	'contain' => [],
	'matching' => [],
	'extraOptions' => [],
	'repository' => object(App\Model\Table\ArticlesTable) {}

}
$page = (int) 150
$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 277
$title = 'Search'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
$i = (int) 2017
$selected = ''
$m = (int) 13
$month = 'December'

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

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