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India’s Food Processing Industry

This article is based on “Hungry for more” which was published in Business Standard on 16/04/2020. It talks about challenges and steps...

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Rupee Slips Due to Covid-19

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			'title' => 'India’s Food Processing Industry',
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<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/hungry-for-more-120041600068_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Hungry for more&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in Business Standard on 16/04/2020. It talks about challenges and steps to be taken in India&rsquo;s food processing Industry.</p>
</div>
<p>Worldwide government&rsquo;s have imposed social distancing and lockdown in order to deal with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-covid-19-on-global-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>. This lockdown scenario has highlighted the importance of processed food, especially in the urban areas.</p>
<p>Irrespective of the current crisis, the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-processing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> food processing industry (FPI)</strong></a> is always of enormous significance as it provides vital linkages and synergies among all the sectors of the economy viz. Primary (agriculture), Secondary (industry) and Tertiary (Transportation of goods, R &amp; D in Agro processing).</p>
<p>Food processing provides an opportunity to utilise excess production efficiently. Not just from an agricultural growth perspective, but it is also important for reducing food wastage as it increases shelf life and enhances quality.</p>
<p>Thus, food processing has become an integral part of the food supply chain in the global economy, and India has also seen growth in this sector in the last few years.</p>
<p>FPI is recognised as the <strong>&lsquo;Sunrise Industry'</strong> in India. However, the industry faces a lot of challenges.</p>
<h3>Challenges Faced by Food Processing Industry In India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Supply and Demand Side Bottlenecks</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Small and dispersed marketable surplus due to fragmented holdings, low farm productivity due to lack of mechanization, high seasonality, perishability and lack of proper intermediation (supply chain) result in lack of availability of raw material. This in turn, impedes food processing and its exports.</li>
<li>Demand of processed food is mainly restricted to urban areas of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure Bottlenecks</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>More than 30% of the produce from farm gate is lost due to inadequate cold chain infrastructure.</li>
<li>The NITI Aayog cited a study that estimated annual post-harvest losses close to Rs 90,000 crore.</li>
<li>Lack of all weather roads and connectivity make supply erratic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Informalization in Food Processing Industry</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The food processing industry has a high concentration of unorganised segments, representing almost 75% across all product categories. Thus, causes the inefficiencies in the existing production system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Deficiencies in the Regulatory Environment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are numerous laws, under the jurisdiction of different ministries and departments, which govern food safety and packaging.</li>
<li>The multiplicity of legislation and administrative delays leads to contradictions in food safety specifications and guidelines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Low-Value Exports:</strong> Further, most processing in India can be classified as primary processing, which has lower value-addition compared to secondary processing.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this, despite India being one of the largest producers of agricultural commodities in the world, agricultural exports as a share of GDP are fairly low in India relative to the rest of the world.</li>
<li>The same proportion is around 4% for Brazil, 7% for Argentina, 9% for Thailand, while for India it is just 2%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Besides these, issues like mounting cost of finance, lack of skilled and trained manpower, inadequate quality control and packaging units and high taxes and duties, thwart development of FPI.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>Processing can be delineated into primary and secondary processing.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rice, sugar, edible oil and flour mills are examples of primary processing.</li>
<li>Secondary processing includes the processing of fruits and vegetables, dairy, bakery, chocolates and other items.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Hand-Holding Approach</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Government should adopt a hand-holding approach by establishing risk sharing mechanisms, fiscal incentives and partnership models for creation of infrastructure for logistics, storage and processing.</li>
<li>In this context, the government has launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-kisan-sampada-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana</strong></a>, aimed at bridging the infrastructure gap.</li>
<li>Also, <strong>100% foreign direct investment in food processing</strong> units has been allowed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Streamlining the Regulatory Structure:</strong> There is a need to foster development of backward linkages crucial for securing scale and economic viability by evolving conducive regulatory framework for contract and corporate farming and encouraging commodity clusters and intensive livestock rearing.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Strategy for New India @ 75</strong> recommends that states take the lead in passing<strong> Model Contract Farming Act, 2018.</strong></li>
<li>Remove impediments of multiple departments and laws in seeking approvals by bringing them under a <strong>single window.</strong></li>
<li>Ensure <strong>proper agricultural marketing reforms e.g. by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agriculture-produce-to-agriculture-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">uniform implementation of the APMC act.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>According to the Model Contract Farming Act, 2018, the contract will specify the quantity, quality and price of produce being supplied. This would shield farmers from price volatility, subject to quality commitments.</p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Human Resource Development</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Skilling is required at two levels. First at the farm gate in promoting agricultural best practices and second, in processing activities.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-skills-study" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)</strong></a> estimated the need to skill 17.8 million persons in the food processing industry by 2022.</li>
<li>In this pursuit, industry, academia and government should put in combined efforts for development of specialized institutes and courses in food packaging, processing, bio-technology, and such allied fields.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promoting Village-Level Procurement:</strong> The NITI Aayog, in the <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/strategy-for-new-india-at-75" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Strategy for New India @ 75 document,</strong></a> recommended village-level procurement centres for perishables such as fruits, vegetables and dairy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, the upgrading of 22,000 rural haats into <strong>Gramin Agriculture Markets (GrAMS),</strong> announced in the 2018-19 Budget, was a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The need today is to treat food processing as part of the overall food sector and provide all the facilities, exemptions, and concessions as available to agriculture and related activities. Food processing industry will not only serve the nutritional needs of <strong>New India</strong> but it will also act as an important link in doubling the farmer&rsquo;s income.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587041352_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587041352_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e1eefa;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>How India can utilize the untapped potential of the Food Processing Industry?</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture - Virtual Courts and Way forward',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hxAajGWQgL8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>In the wake of Coronavirus Pandemic, the Supreme Court (SC) has passed directions for all courts across the country to extensively use video-conferencing for judicial proceedings. The Supreme Court exercised its plenary power under <strong>Article 142</strong> to direct all high courts to frame a mechanism for use of technology during the pandemic.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SC, is moving towards technological advancement for its functioning and is conducting hearings through video conferencing since March 25, to maintain social distancing.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Virtual Courts</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Virtual Courts is a concept aimed at <strong>eliminating the presence of litigants or lawyers in the court</strong> and adjudication of the case online.</li>
<li>An e-court or Electronic Court means a location in which matters of law are adjudicated upon, in the presence of qualified Judge(s) and which has a well-developed technical infrastructure.</li>
<li>The e-courts are different from the computerised courts which have been in place since the 1990s.</li>
<li>The working of e-courts requires an Online environment and an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enabled infrastructure.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would be beneficial for both improving the court processes and rendering citizen-centric services.</li>
<li>e-Courts are aimed to make legal processes easier and more user friendly.</li>
<li>Litigants can view the status of their case online through various channels created for service delivery.</li>
<li>Litigants can file the plaint electronically through e-Filing and also pay the Court Fees or Fine online through.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>e-Courts Project</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The e-Courts project was conceptualized on the basis of the &ldquo;National Policy and Action Plan for Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Indian Judiciary &ndash; 2005&rdquo; submitted by e-Committee, Supreme Court of India with a vision to transform the Indian Judiciary by ICT enablement of Courts.</li>
<li>The e-Courts Mission Mode Project, is a pan-India Project, monitored and funded by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, for the District Courts across the country.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Objectives of the Project</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To provide efficient &amp; time-bound citizen-centric services delivery as detailed in e-Court Project Litigant's Charter.</li>
<li>To develop, install &amp; implement decision support systems in courts.</li>
<li>To automate the processes to provide transparency and accessibility of information to its stakeholders.</li>
<li>To enhance judicial productivity, both qualitatively &amp; quantitatively, to make the justice delivery system affordable, accessible, cost-effective, predictable, reliable and transparent.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Advantages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The expansion of E-courts will ensure easy <strong>access to justice at affordable courts</strong> to all sections of society.</li>
<li>The experience of an e-court will be <strong>much more personalised and private</strong> as opposed to theatrics involving public-speech based system.</li>
<li>The proliferation of e-courts<strong> will make litigation faster,</strong> given that required logistics are provided.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India, there is a massive backlog of cases in every court. As of April 2018, there were over three crore cases pending across the Supreme Court, the High Courts, and the subordinate courts (including district courts).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The judiciary system in India with the help of e-courts can overcome the challenges and <strong>make the service delivery mechanism transparent and cost-efficient.</strong></li>
<li>The e-courts will also benefit the judicial system and will provide <strong>flexible retrieval of stored information.</strong> This will allow judges to view the proceedings of a previous case or to retrieve other important documents at the click of a button.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Data sharing between different courts and various departments will also be made easy as everything would be available online under the integrated system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<p>In the present circumstances, the virtual courts may seem a necessity, however, it goes without saying that at present there are a whole lot of glitches and shortcomings in its execution.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The e-filling process is riddled with endless <strong>complications.</strong></li>
<li>e-Courts will also prove to be <strong>cost-intensive</strong> as setting up state of the art e-courts will require the deployment of new-age technology.</li>
<li><strong>Hacking and cybersecurity:</strong> On the top of technology, cyber-security will be a huge concern too. The government has initiated remedial steps to address this problem and formulated the Cyber Security Strategy but it is more on the side of prescribed guidelines alone. The practical and actual implementation of the same remains to be seen.</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure:</strong> Challenges can erupt due to insufficient infrastructure and <strong>non-availability of electricity and internet connectivity</strong> in most of the Talukas/villages.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Electricity connection is a must along with internet connectivity and computers to ensure justice reaches every section equally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Maintaining e-courts record:</strong> The paralegal staff is not well equipped and trained to effectively handle document or record evidence, and make them readily accessible to the litigant, to the council as well as to the court.</li>
<li>Other issues might involve the litigant&rsquo;s lack of confidence in the process due to lack of proximity.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To address the aforementioned challenges, the first and foremost step is to <strong>draw up a policy for encouraging the setting up of e-courts.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is critical to draw up a well-defined and pre-decided policy framework as it can help in laying a concrete roadmap and direction to the e-courts scheme of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Another important step is the <strong>need to upgrade the present state of infrastructure.</strong> The government needs to identify and develop the infrastructure that would be required to support the e-court project.</li>
<li>One aspect that needs to be focussed on is the <strong>deployment of a robust security system</strong> that provides secure access to case information for appropriate parties. The security of e-courts infrastructure and system is of paramount importance.</li>
<li>Also, a<strong> user-friendly e-courts mechanism,</strong> which is simple and easily accessible by the common public will encourage litigants to use such facilities in India.</li>
<li>The government must make <strong>dedicated efforts in the training of personnel to maintain all the e-data.</strong> These include maintaining proper records of e-file minute entries, notification, service, summons, warrants, bail orders, order copies, e-filing etc. for ready references.</li>
<li><strong>Conducting training sessions to familiarise the Judges with the e-courts framework</strong> and procedure can give a huge impetus to the successful running of e-courts.</li>
<li><strong>Creating awareness around e-courts</strong> through talks and seminars can help bring to light the facilities and the ease that e-courts can facilitate.</li>
</ul>
<p>As technology is here to stay, therefore, finding mechanisms to make it better will be the step in the right direction.</p>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Rupee Slips Due to Covid-19',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The rupee slipped 17 paise against the dollar on 15<sup>th</sup> April, 2020, amid <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-global-economic-disruption" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>heightened uncertainty over the economy</strong></a> as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> pandemic continues to spread.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The rupee closed at a record low of 76.44 against the dollar on 15<sup>th</sup> April, 2020. Rupee was 76.27 against dollar on the previous day.</li>
<li>However, <strong>the dollar index</strong> was trading 0.3% higher at 99.19. The U.S. Dollar Index (USDX) is an index (or measure) of the value of the United States dollar <strong>relative to a basket of foreign currencies.</strong></li>
<li>It can be noted that the rupee has <strong>weakened about 7% against the dollar in 2020</strong> and has hit a record intraday low of 76.55. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This implies that the <strong>rupee has become less valuable with respect to the dollar, implying depreciation</strong> of the rupee.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to some experts, the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</a> has not intervened strongly in the market to stop rupee depreciation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They expect the RBI to intervene once the rupee breaches the 77 to a dollar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In its macroeconomic review , RBI had said if the rupee depreciates 5% from the baseline (i.e. Rs 75 per dollar), inflation could rise by 20 basis points (bps) while <strong>the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gdp-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gross Domestic Product (GDP)</a> growth could be higher by about 15 bps via increased net exports.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Currency Depreciation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Currency depreciation is a <strong>fall in the value of a currency in a floating exchange rate system.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In a floating exchange rate system,<strong> market forces (based on demand and supply of a currency)</strong> determine the value of a currency.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rupee depreciation</strong> means that rupee has become <strong>less valuable with respect to dollar.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It means that the rupee is now <strong>weaker</strong> than what it used to be earlier.</li>
<li><strong>For example:</strong> $1 used to equal to Rs.70, now $1 is equal to Rs. 76, implying that the rupee has depreciated relative to the dollar i.e. it takes more rupees to purchase a dollar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Some of the factors that influence the value of a currency:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Inflation</li>
<li>Interest rates</li>
<li>Trade deficit</li>
<li>Macroeconomic policies</li>
<li>Equity market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Currency depreciation <strong>increases a country&rsquo;s export activity as its products and services become cheaper to buy.</strong></li>
<li>The Reserve Bank of India intervenes in the currency market to support the rupee as a <strong>weak domestic unit can increase a country&rsquo;s import bill.</strong></li>
<li>There are a <strong>variety of methods</strong> by which RBI intervenes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can intervene directly in the currency market by<strong> buying and selling dollars.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If the RBI wishes to increase the rupee value, then it can sell dollars and when it needs to bring down rupee value, it can buy dollars.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The central bank can also influence the value of rupee by the way of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/repo-rate-unchanged" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>monetary policy.</strong> </a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>RBI can adjust the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-s-covid-19-economic-relief-package" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>repo rate</strong></a> (the rate at which RBI lends to banks) and the liquidity ratio (the portion of money banks are required to invest in government bonds) to control rupee.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/rupee-slips-17-paise-closes-at-record-low-on-virus-spread/article31351465.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'India to Receive Normal Monsoon: IMD',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-warming-trends" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD)</strong></a> has observed that India will likely have a <strong>normal monsoon,</strong> with a <strong>chance of above normal rain</strong> in August and September, 2020.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Every year,</strong> the <strong>IMD issues a two-stage forecast.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>first one in April</strong> and the <strong>second one in the last week of May,</strong> which is a <strong>more detailed forecast</strong> and also illustrates how the monsoon will spread over the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Forecast</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>June-September rainfall</strong> accounts for <strong>75% of the country&rsquo;s annual rainfall.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Quantitatively, the monsoon seasonal rainfall is likely to be 100% of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/statement-on-climate-of-india-during-2019-imd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Long Period Average</strong></a> (LPA) with a model error of &plusmn; 5%.</li>
<li>The LPA of the season rainfall over the country as a whole for the period 1961-2010 is 88 cm. IMD has <strong>officially redefined the definition of &lsquo;normal&rsquo; rainfall and reduced it by 1 cm to 88 cms.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-ocean-dipole-and-the-south-west-monsoon" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indian Ocean Dipole,</strong></a> a temperature anomaly in the ocean that can increase monsoon rain, is also <strong>expected to be in a &ldquo;neutral&rdquo; state</strong> during the monsoon.</li>
<li>According to the statistical model, there is a <strong>41% forecast probability of a normal monsoon.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The expectation of excess rain comes from a forecast by the <strong>dynamical model,</strong> according to which, there is a <strong>high probability (70%)</strong> for the<strong> rainfall</strong> to be<strong> above normal to excess.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Comparison to 2019 Forecast</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In April, 2019, the IMD said that the monsoon would be <strong>near normal</strong> or a<strong> slightly below normal.</strong></li>
<li>However,<strong> India ended up with excess rainfall,</strong> or the <strong>maximum rainfall in a quarter century,</strong> largely owing to torrential rain in August and September from the unusual warming in the Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Models for Forecasting</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dynamical Model:</strong> It is also called the <strong>Monsoon Mission Coupled Forecast System.</strong> It relies on the<strong> supercomputers, mathematically simulating the physics of the ocean and the atmosphere.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This model is better at forecasting the state of the weather a week or two in advance and is not yet considered reliable by meteorologists in forecasting the monsoon.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Statistical Model:</strong> It takes into <strong>consideration the global weather models</strong> pointing to <strong>negligible chances of El Nino,</strong> a warming of the central equatorial Pacific which is associated with the drying up of monsoon rain. The <strong>IMD relies on this model.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>any given year,</strong> there is a <strong>33% chance of a normal monsoon</strong> that&rsquo;s why there is <strong>high confidence that the monsoon in 2020 would be normal.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>El Ni&ntilde;o</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under <strong>normal conditions,</strong> the <strong>west tropical Pacific is warmer than its eastern basin.</strong> The warmer area of the ocean is also a<strong> source for convection</strong> and is associated with <strong>cloudiness and rainfall.</strong></li>
<li>During El Nino years, the <strong>warmth shifts to Central and East Tropical Pacific</strong> and along with it, cloudiness and rainfall.</li>
<li>El Nino has been <strong>found to impact almost half the world triggering droughts in Australia, India, southern Africa and floods in Peru, Ecuador, the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Colorado River basin.</strong></li>
<li>However, there has been <strong>no direct correlation between the ENSO</strong> (El Nino Southern Oscillation) events and the monsoon established yet.</li>
<li><strong>Other acronyms related to El Nino:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Southern Oscillation Index</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It gives an <strong>indication of the development and intensity of El Nino or La Nina.</strong></li>
<li>The SOI is <strong>calculated on the basis of the atmospheric pressure differences</strong> between the <strong>South Pacific Ocean </strong>and <strong>Australia</strong>.</li>
<li>Sustained <strong>positive SOI values</strong> are indicative of <strong>La Nina</strong> conditions while<strong> negative values</strong> suggest <strong>El Nino</strong> conditions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>El Nino Southern Oscillation</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It refers to the <strong>oscillation between the El Nino and the La Nina.</strong></li>
<li>ENSO <strong>shifts irregularly back and forth between El Nino and La Ni&ntilde;a every two to seven years.</strong></li>
<li>Each phase triggers predictable disruptions of temperature, precipitation and winds disrupting large-scale air movements in the tropics, triggering a cascade of global side effects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-to-receive-normal-monsoon-in-2020-forecasts-imd/article31350804.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-to-receive-normal-monsoon-imd'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Measures to Deal with Economic Hardship',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, prominent economists Amartya Sen, Raghuram Rajan and Abhijit Banerjee have raised concerns and also suggested measures to deal with economic hardships created by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 lockdown.</strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Risk of Defiance of Lockdown Orders:</strong> In the scenario of extended lockdown, a huge number of <strong>people will be pushed into dire poverty or even starvation</strong> by the combination of the <strong>loss of their livelihoods</strong> and<strong> interruptions in the standard delivery mechanisms.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This opens up the risk of <strong>large-scale defiance of lockdown orders.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reassurance to People:</strong> The government needs to reassure people that it does care and their minimum well-being will be secure. Moreover, the government has the resources to do this.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The stocks of food at the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-corporation-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Corporation of India</strong></a> stood at 77 million tons in March 2020, more than<strong> three times the &ldquo;buffer stock norms&rdquo;.</strong> This is also likely to grow over the next few weeks as the<strong> Rabi crop comes in.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extend PDS Beyond 3 Months:</strong> Although the government has offered a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-economic-relief-package" target="_blank" rel="noopener">supplementary Public Distribution System</a> (PDS) provision of 5 kg/person/month for the coming three months.</strong> However, it is likely that three months will not be enough, since even if the lockdown ends soon, the process of reopening the economy will take time.</li>
<li><strong>Multidimensional Challenges:</strong> The starvation is just one of the worries, the <strong>unexpected loss of income and savings can have serious consequences. E.g.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Farmers need money to buy seeds and fertilizer for the next planting season.</li>
<li>Shopkeepers need to fill their shelves again.</li>
<li>Many others have to repay the loan that is already due.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Improvement Needed:</strong> The government has partly recognized this in the<strong> cash transfers it has promised to certain groups</strong> under <strong>Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package</strong> but the amounts are both small and narrowly targeted.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Food Corporation of India (FCI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>FCI is a <strong>Public Sector Undertaking,</strong> under the <strong>Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.</strong></li>
<li>It was established as a<strong> statutory body</strong> in 1965 under the <strong>Food Corporations Act 1964.</strong> It was established against the backdrop of a major shortage of grains, especially wheat.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Public distribution system (PDS)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>PDS is an Indian food Security System</strong> established <strong>under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.</strong></li>
<li>PDS evolved as a<strong> system of management of scarcity</strong> through distribution of food grains at affordable prices.</li>
<li>PDS is operated under the <strong>joint responsibility of the Central and the State Governments.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Central Government,</strong> through Food Corporation of India (FCI), has assumed the responsibility for <strong>procurement, storage, transportation and bulk allocation</strong> of food grains to the State Governments.</li>
<li>The <strong>operational responsibilities</strong> including allocation within the State, identification of eligible families,<strong> issue of Ration Cards</strong> and supervision of the functioning of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) etc., rest with the <strong>State Governments.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under the PDS, presently the commodities namely <strong>wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene</strong> are being allocated to the States/UTs for distribution. Some States/UTs also distribute additional items of mass consumption through the PDS outlets such as pulses, edible oils, iodized salt, spices, etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Issues Involved</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Exclusionary PDS:</strong> A substantial fraction (over 10 crore) of <strong>the poor are excluded from the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/public-distribution-system-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PDS</a> rolls,</strong> for one reason or another (such as identification barriers to get a ration card), and the supplementary provision (of 5 kg/person/month for the coming three months) only applies to those who are already on it.</li>
<li><strong>Reliance on Outdated Data:</strong> The exclusion in the Public Distribution System is because of <strong>outdated 2011 census data</strong> being used to calculate State-wise <strong>National Food Security Act (NFSA) coverage.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the NFSA, the PDS is supposed to cover 75% of the population in rural areas and 50% of the population in urban areas, which <strong>works out to 67% of the total population,</strong> using the rural-urban population ratio in 2011.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s population was about 121 crore in 2011 and so PDS covered approximately 80 crore people. However, applying the 67% ratio to a projected population of 137 crore for 2020, PDS coverage today should be around 92 crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issue of Pending Applications:</strong> Many <strong>State governments are reluctant to issue new ration cards beyond the numbers</strong> that will be provided for by the Central quota.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, there are about seven lakh pending applications for ration cards in Jharkhand, because the State government stopped issuing new ration cards several years ago to avoid exceeding the numbers provided for by the Central government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Giving away some of the existing stock,</strong> at a time of emergency created by Covid-19 would make perfect sense and it should not be portrayed as costly.</li>
<li>The government should <strong>use every means</strong> at its disposal to make sure that no one is starving. This includes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Expanding</strong> the PDS.</li>
<li>Setting up <strong>public canteens for migrants</strong> and others who are away from home.</li>
<li>Sending the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mid-day-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>equivalent of the school meal to the homes</strong> </a>of the children who are now stuck at home (as kerala is already doing).</li>
<li>Making use of reputed local NGOs that often have a reach among the most marginalized that exceeds that of the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sending 5000 rupees to the Jan Dhan accounts</strong> of the identified poor households. The poors can be identified by the idea of using the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/demand-for-mgnrega-work-increased" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MGNREGA</strong></a> rolls from 2019, plus those covered by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jan Arogya</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-18th-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ujjwala Yojana.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Issuing temporary ration cards &mdash;</strong> perhaps for six months &mdash; with minimal checks to everyone who wants ration cards.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/coronavirus-india-lockdown-economy-amartya-sen-raghuram-rajan-abhijit-banerjee-6364521/" 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/measures-to-deal-with-economic-hardship'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'NGOs to Update on Covid-19 Fight Every Month',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has <strong>asked all <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-governmental-organizations-ngos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs)</a> with foreign contribution licences</strong> to update the government on their efforts towards containing the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> outbreak every month.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NGOs receiving funds from overseas <strong>under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010,</strong> have to report their Covid-19 related activities by the 15<sup>th</sup> of every month.</li>
<li>This was the MHA&rsquo;s second request to NGOs in controlling the spread of the novel coronavirus.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier <strong>MHA had requested NGOs to aid and supplement</strong> the efforts of the government and local administration in fighting the spread of Covid-19.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The MHA had indicated the broad areas in which the NGOs could offer support, which included<strong> setting up community kitchens</strong> for migrants and the homeless, and <strong>providing shelter to homeless</strong> daily wage workers and the unemployed poor.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The request for assistance from NGOs comes after a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/fcra-and-dissent" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>concerted government crackdown on the social sector</strong></a>, which led to <strong>significant fall in overseas funding for NGOs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Over the last five years, the MHA has deregistered as many as 14,500 NGOs, and has, over the last three years, cancelled the foreign contribution licences of over 6,600 nonprofits for violations of the provisions of the FCRA.</li>
<li>According to the government, FCRA-registered NGOs had received a total Rs 2,244.77 crore in 2018-19 (as on November 28) as compared to Rs 16,902.41 crore in 2017-18.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Non-Governmental Organisations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Worldwide, the term <strong>&lsquo;NGO&rsquo;</strong> is used to describe a body that<strong> is neither part of a government nor a conventional for-profit business organisation.</strong></li>
<li>NGOs are groups of ordinary citizens that are involved in a wide range of activities that may have <strong>charitable, social, political, religious or other interests.</strong></li>
<li>NGOs are helpful in implementing <strong>government schemes at the grassroots.</strong></li>
<li>In India, <strong>NGOs can be registered</strong> under a plethora of Acts such as the <strong>Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860, Religious Endowments Act, 1863, Indian Trusts Act,</strong> etc.</li>
<li>India has possibly <strong>the largest number of active NGOs</strong> in the world, a study commissioned by the government put the number of NGOs in 2009 at 33 lakh.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>That was one <strong>NGO for less than 400 Indians,</strong> and many times the number of primary schools and primary health centres.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Ministries such as Health and Family Welfare, Human Resource Department, etc provide funding to a handful of NGOs.</li>
<li>NGOs also receive funds from abroad, if they are registered with the Home Ministry under the <strong>Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Without this, no NGO can receive cash or anything of value<strong> higher than Rs 25,000.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Foreign funding of voluntary organizations in India is regulated under FCRA act and is implemented by the <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>The Acts ensures that the recipients of foreign contributions adhere to the stated <strong>purpose for which such contribution has been obtained.</strong></li>
<li>Under the Act, organisations are required to<strong> register themselves every five years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-india-ngo-6364564/" 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/ngos-to-update-on-covid-19-fight-every-month'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Personal Protective Equipment for Sanitation Workers',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC)</strong> has issued advisory to <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/panchayati-raj-institution-pri" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>municipalities, panchayats</strong></a> urging them to ensure that all sanitation workers are provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to remain safe during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>novel coronavirus pandemic</strong></a>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>All local bodies were asked to put in place a standard operating procedure for the safety of sanitation staff.</li>
<li>There should be mandatory orientation for sanitation workers on Covid-19, social distancing norms and precautionary measures.</li>
<li>The local bodies were asked to provide equipment, including masks, gloves, gumboots and jackets, as well as soaps and hand sanitisers for helping maintain hygiene.</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Safai Karamcharis Finance &amp; Development Corporation (NSKFDC) is a wholly owned Government of India Undertaking under the <strong>Ministry of Social Justice &amp; Empowerment.</strong></li>
<li>It was set up in 1997 as a <strong>&ldquo;Not for Profit&rdquo;</strong> Company under <strong>Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956</strong> (now Section 8 of Companies Act 2013).</li>
<li>It is an apex Corporation for the all round <strong>socio-economic upliftment of the Safai Karamcharis, Scavengers and their dependents</strong> throughout India, through various<strong> loan and non-loan based schemes.</strong></li>
<li>NSKFDC is also playing a vital role in elimination of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/manual-scavenging-in-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>manual scavenging</strong></a> - the worst surviving <strong>symbol of untouchability.</strong></li>
<li>NSKFDC has been designated as the Nodal Agency for implementation of the Central Sector Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice &amp; Empowerment.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 provides an alternative to those who want to promote charity without creating a Trust or a Society for the purpose. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can be noted that<strong> non-profit companies are established under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013</strong> which broadly is <strong>similar to Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It allows the formation of a company existing as a legal entity in its own right, separate from the person promoting it.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However any company under this section must <strong>necessarily re-invest any and all income towards promoting the said object or charity.</strong></li>
<li>In essence, unlike a regular company, where owners and shareholders can make profits or receive dividends, no money gets out of a Section 25 company.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits under Section 25:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Exempt from <strong>statutory requirements of minimum paid-up capital.</strong></li>
<li>They are much easier to run than Trusts and Societies, as board meetings require a <strong>smaller quorum</strong> and requirements for calling such meetings are less rigid.</li>
<li>It is easier to increase the number of directors.</li>
<li>It is easier for people donating money to join or leave or transfer shares to others.</li>
<li>Such a company is obliged to fulfill <strong>far less stringent book-keeping</strong> and auditing requirements as against a regular company. These enjoy <strong>significant tax benefits.</strong> Such companies are also exempt from stamp duty payments.</li>
<li>Depending on how it is registered under the Income-Tax Act, companies could benefit from <strong>income-tax exemptions,</strong> or from the provision wherein people donating money to these companies receive income deductions in their income-tax liability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/local-bodies-told-to-give-personal-protective-equipment-to-sanitation-workers/article31342186.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/personal-protective-equipment-for-sanitation-workers'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'China in South China Sea',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p><strong>This article is based on <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/ChanakyaCode/south-china-sea-vietnam-approaches-un-against-china/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;South China Sea: Vietnam approaches UN against China&rdquo;</a></strong> which was published in Times of India on 15/04/2020. It talks about China&rsquo;s assertiveness and the corresponding disputes in the South China Sea.</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Maritime Asia</strong> has emerged as a <strong>new geopolitical frame of reference</strong> in recent years as the nations of Asia evolve into major trading and resource-consuming powers with economic growth dependent on seaborne trade.</p>
<p>However, China has been aggressively expanding its maritime influence, which can be seen through its activities in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South China Sea (SCS).</strong></a></p>
<p>The sinking of Vietnamese fishing boat (in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exclusive Economic Zone</strong></a> of Vietnam) by a Chinese ship near the Paracel Islands is the recent act of aggression in the region. Earlier, China unilaterally refused to follow the ruling on SCS given by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-tribunal-rejects-claims-against-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016.</strong></a></p>
<p>These Chinese assertions in the South China Sea and its hegemonic ambitions have become a cause of concern for peace and stability in the region.</p>
<h3>Significance of South China Sea</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Geo-Strategic Location</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The geographic location of the SCS is strategically important. As it links the Indian Ocean to the Pacific and is a critical shipping channel</li>
<li>According to <strong>the United Nations Conference on Trade And Development (UNCTAD), one-third of the global shipping</strong> passes through it, carrying trillions of trade.</li>
<li>Roughly two thirds of South Korea&rsquo;s energy supplies, nearly 60% of Japan&rsquo;s and Taiwan&rsquo;s energy supplies, and 80% of China&rsquo;s crude oil imports come through the South China Sea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rich Energy Reserves</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SCS is believed to have <strong>huge oil and gas reserves</strong> beneath its seabed.</li>
<li>According to the World Bank, the South China Sea holds proven oil reserves of at least seven billion barrels and an estimated 900 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Choke Point</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Strait of Malacca connects Indian Ocean to the South China Sea</strong> and is 900 km in length and is also a prominent trade route between East Asia and West Asia-Europe.</li>
<li>The <strong>Strait of Malacca</strong> is a choke point, it is always in interest of great powers to control such a strategic location. Thus, due to the presence of this choke point, SCS assumes much importance for China and other regional countries.</li>
<li>In context of naval diplomacy, it is a geopolitical term used to signify an international strait whose control could potentially affect commercial transit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586953256_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586953256_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="591" height="319" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fishery Resources</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Fishing in the South China Sea is a big business.</li>
<li>According to some estimates up to 10 % of the world&rsquo;s ocean-caught fish come from the region. However the fish stocks in the area are depleted and regional countries are using fishing bans as a means of asserting their sovereignty claims.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>South China Dispute</h3>
<p><strong>Encroaching EEZ of Other Countries</strong></p>
<p>In 1947, China took control of some islets in the South China Sea occupied by Japan in <strong>World War&ndash;II.</strong> Since 1953, China has been claiming almost the entire South China Sea, reflected in a map created with a <strong>9-dash line</strong> to show them as a part of China.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 2016, the <strong>Philippines had filed an arbitration case in the Permanent Court of Arbitration,</strong> seeking to strike down China&rsquo;s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The tribunal issued a decision finding that there is<strong> no legal basis</strong> to claim &ldquo;historic rights&rdquo; to islands in the South China Sea and the <strong>9-dash line is inconsistent</strong> with Convention on the Law of the Sea.</li>
<li>However, China refused to abide by the judgement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>China has asserted a <strong>maritime claim (based on historic rights)</strong> to a large part of the South China Sea that is not consistent with <strong>international law.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The SCS has more than a dozen overlapping EEZ in accordance with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea</strong></a> <strong>(UNCLOS- an international treaty that sets out important maritime rules).</strong></li>
<li>As per UNCLOS, countries in their EEZ can explore oil, mineral resources, living and non-living natural resources including resources under the sea, seabed and subsoil.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Building Great Wall of Sand</strong></p>
<p>There are many interconnected disputes over who is in charge of the various islands, rocks, shoals and reefs scattered throughout the South China Sea waters.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Paracel Islands</strong> are claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. The <strong>Spratly Islands</strong> are claimed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei and Philippines. The Scarborough Shoal is claimed by Philippines, China and Taiwan.</li>
<li>Further, since 2010, China has been converting uninhabited islets into artificial islets to bring it under UNCLOS (examples would include Haven Reef, Johnson South Reef and Fiery Cross Reef).</li>
<li>China has been changing the size and structure of the reefs by modifying their physical land features. It has also established airstrips on Parcel and Spratly.</li>
<li>Chinese fishing fleets are &ldquo;engaged in paramilitary work on behalf of the state rather than the commercial enterprise of fishing.</li>
<li>The US is very critical of this building of artificial islands and terms these actions of China as building a <strong>&lsquo;great wall of sand&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586953282_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586953282_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>India's Stand</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has maintained that it is not a party to the SCS dispute and its presence in the SCS is <strong>not to contain China but for its own economic interests</strong>, especially that of its energy security needs.</li>
<li>However, China&rsquo;s increasing ability to decide and expand its role in the South China Sea has compelled India to reevaluate its approach on the issue.</li>
<li>As a key element of the Act East Policy, India has started internationalizing disputes in the Indo-Pacific region to psychological pressure on irritants (the recent mentions of South China Sea dispute in bilateral statements between India-USA and India-France is a testimony to the fact).</li>
<li>Further, India is aggressively using the soft tool of Buddhist legacy to reclaim the unique historical leverage to make a strong bond with the Southeast Asian region.</li>
<li>India has also deployed its navy with Vietnam in the South China Sea for protection of sea lanes of communication (SLOC), denying China any space for assertion.</li>
<li>Also, India is part of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad initiative</strong></a> (India, US, Japan, Australia) and lynchpin of Indo-Pacific narrative. These initiatives are viewed as a containment strategy by China.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Today&rsquo;s world comprises extensive interconnections of countries and people. Any particular conflict, therefore, has the potential to have a ripple effect on countries and institutions other than the direct stakeholders. China must realise that it cannot continue with its bullying tactics and win trust of its neighbours and respect from the International Community.It is therefore desirable that all the countries of this region should abide by rule based international order and peaceful coexistence.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffbdb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>China&rsquo;s aggressive posture in the South China Sea poses a strategic threat for India. Analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/china-in-south-china-sea'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'World Economic Outlook Report: IMF',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong></a> has released its <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-growth-forecast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Economic Outlook (WEO) report</a>.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> is having a severe effect on the world economy. As countries implement necessary <strong>quarantines and social distancing</strong> practices to contain Covid-19, the world has been put in a <strong>Great Lockdown.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is expected to cause a -<strong>3% change (i.e., a contraction) in global output in 2020,</strong> which is much <strong>worse than the 2008-09 financial crises.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Case of India:</strong> India&rsquo;s growth is <strong>expected to dip to 1.9% in 2020 and rebound to 7.4% in 2021.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s growth projection for 2020 is <strong>3.9% less than what was projected for the country</strong> in the January update to the WEO while its rebound in 2021 is 0.9 % higher than the January projection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Growth Projections:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Emerging Asia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Emerging Asia is projected to be the only region that <strong>grows in 2020, at a rate of 1.0% -</strong> still more than 5 percentage points below the previous decade&rsquo;s average.</li>
<li>In China, where the coronavirus&rsquo;s impacts were first recorded this year, first quarter economic activity could have contracted by 8% year on year. <strong>China is projected to grow at 1.2% in 2020 and 9.2% in 2021.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from<strong> India&rsquo;s modest 1.9% in 2020, Indonesia is expected to grow at 0.5%,&nbsp;</strong>while <strong>others in the region experience contractions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advanced economies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Advanced economies will have an <strong>output change of -6.1% (i.e., a contraction) in 2020</strong> followed by 4.5% in 2021.</li>
<li>The <strong>U.S. is projected to contract by 5.9%</strong> in 2020 and grow by 4.7% 2021.</li>
<li>The <strong>Euro area, will contract by 7.5%</strong> in 2020 and grow by 4.7% 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact on Global GDP:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The cumulative loss to global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/base-year-for-gdp-calculations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gross Domestic Product (GDP)</strong></a> over 2020 and 2021 from the pandemic crisis could be around <strong>9 trillion dollars,</strong> greater than the economies of Japan and Germany, combined.</li>
<li>Assuming that the pandemic fades in the second half of this year, with containment efforts gradually easing up, the <strong>world economy is projected to grow at 5.8% in 2020</strong> as economic activity normalizes, aided by policy.</li>
<li>If the pandemic does not recede in the second half of 2020, global GDP would<strong> fall an additional 3% in 2020.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measures to combat the impact:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Policymakers have to make targeted fiscal, monetary and financial sector interventions</strong> to support impacted households and businesses.</li>
<li>Fiscal measures <strong>should be two-fold:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Cushioning the impact on the most-exposed households and businesses</li>
<li>Reducing firm closures , i.e., preserving economic relationships.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Monetary stimulus</strong> by large central banks and liquidity facilities to reduce systemic stress will help limit the shock, positioning the economy for a better recovery.</li>
<li><strong>Strong multilateral cooperation</strong> is essential to overcome the effects of the pandemic, including to help financially constrained countries facing twin health and funding shocks, and for channeling aid to countries with weak healthcare systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Monetary Fund</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IMF is an organization working to <strong>foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty</strong> around the world.</li>
<li>Created in <strong>1945,</strong> the IMF is governed by and accountable to the <strong>189 countries</strong> that make up its near-global membership.India Joined on December 27, 1945.</li>
<li>The IMF's primary purpose is to ensure the stability of the international monetary system&mdash;the system of exchange rates and international payments that enables countries (and their citizens) to transact with each other. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Fund's mandate was updated in 2012 to include<strong> all macroeconomic and financial sector issues</strong> that bear on global stability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>World Economic Outlook</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>WEO is a survey by the IMF that is usually published <strong>twice a year in the months of April and October.</strong></li>
<li>It analyzes and predicts <strong>global economic developments</strong> during the near and medium term.</li>
<li>In response to the growing demand for more frequent forecast updates, the WEO Update is published in January and July between the two main WEO publications released usually in April and October.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/coronavirus-imf-projects-19-growth-for-india-in-2020/article31340201.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/world-economic-outlook-report-imf'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<p>The mandate of the Ministry is empowerment of the socially, educationally and economically marginalised sections of the society including Scheduled Castes, other Backward Class, Senior Citizens, Victims of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Transgender Persons, Beggars, Denotified and Nomadic Tribes (DNTs), Economically Backward Classes (EBCs) and Economically Weaker Section (EWS).</p>
<h3>Important Schemes and Policies</h3>
<p><strong>National Survey on Extent and Pattern of substance (Drugs) Abuse in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS has completed the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of substance (Drugs) Abuse in India.</li>
<li>National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) for 2018-25 has also been prepared and implemented, which aims at <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-fighting-drug-menace" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>reduction of adverse consequences of drug abuse</strong></a> through a multipronged strategy involving education, de-addiction and rehabilitation of affected individuals and their families.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-day-against-drug-abuse-and-illicit-trafficking" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking</strong></a> was observed on 26<sup>th</sup> June 2019.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The central sector scheme is being implemented for identification, counseling, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts through voluntary and other eligible organizations.</li>
<li>Under this Scheme, financial assistance is provided to NGOs/Voluntary organizations and other eligible agencies for setting-up/running Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCAs).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Article 47</strong> of the Constitution provides that the State shall endeavor to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health.</li>
<li>India is a signatory to three United Nations Conventions, namely:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961;</li>
<li>Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971; and</li>
<li>Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DEPwD was created in order to give focused attention to Policy issues and meaningful thrust to the activities aimed at welfare and empowerment of the Persons with Disabilities.</li>
<li>It acts as a <strong>Nodal Agency</strong> for matters pertaining to disability and Persons with Disabilities including effecting closer coordination among different stakeholders: related Central Ministries, State/UT Governments, NGOs etc. in matters pertaining to disability.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Day of Persons with Disabilities</strong> </a>was celebrated worldwide on 3rd December 2019.</li>
<li>India is a signatory of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/disability-summit-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities</strong> </a>(UNCRPD). It ratified this Convention in 2007.</li>
<li>India submitted its First Country Report on<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/status-on-implementation-of-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Status of Disability in India</strong> </a>in November 2015. The UN Committee on CRPD in its 22nd Session took up India&rsquo;s First Country Report for consideration during 2<sup>nd</sup> &amp; 3<sup>rd</sup> September 2019 at UNHRC, Geneva.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Article 41</strong> of the Constitution states that State shall make effective provision for securing right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, within the limits of its economic capacity and development.</li>
<li>The subject of &lsquo;relief of the disabled and unemployable&rsquo; is specified in the state list of the Seventh schedule of the constitution.</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/issues-related-to-persons-with-disability" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more on issues related to people with disabilities.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Important Legislations</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-transgender-persons-protection-of-rights-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Brings greater accountability on the part of the Central Government and State Governments/Union Territories Administrations for issues concerning Transgender persons.</li>
<li>Will benefit a large number of transgender persons, mitigate the stigma, discrimination and abuse against this marginalized section and bring them into the mainstream of society.</li>
<li>Can lead to greater inclusiveness and can make the transgender persons productive members of the society.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586951952_Image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586951952_Image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="584" height="360" /></a></p>
<h3>Important Facts</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-17th-april-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Vayoshreshtha Samman</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The President of India presented the &ldquo;Vayoshreshtha Samman&rdquo; to the eminent senior citizens and institutions in recognition of their services towards the cause of the elderly persons, to mark the &ldquo;International Day of Older Persons&rdquo; (October 1).</li>
<li>The Vayoshreshtha Samman was instituted in the year 2005 and was upgraded to the status of National Awards in the year 2013.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Centre for Disability Sports</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Government has approved setting up of a <strong>Centre for Disability Sports at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh</strong> with a view to provide contemporary training facilities for Divyang Sportspersons at par with leading countries in the world.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>World Mental Health Day</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-mental-health-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Mental Health Day</strong> </a>was observed on 10<sup>th</sup> October 2019.</li>
<li>The theme of World Mental Health Day-2019 is &lsquo;Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-social-justice-and-empowerment'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Test Positivity Rate',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></a> (ICMR) has observed that the <strong>test positivity rate</strong> had <strong>not changed substantially</strong> over the last one to two months, <strong>maintaining between 3% and 5%.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Test Positivity Rate:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>proportion of positive cases among all tests done.</strong></li>
<li>It is taken to be a useful indicator if a substantial section of suspected cases has been tested.</li>
<li>It is <strong>one among the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/science-of-covid-19-spread" target="_blank" rel="noopener">measures for assessing the spread of an infection.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>From data on tests for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> and positive cases between 18<sup>th</sup> March and 13<sup>th</sup> April, it emerges that the test positivity rate in India has been between 1.1% and 4.3% (ratios based on cumulative counts until any date).</li>
<li>If <strong>more people are tested</strong> and the <strong>positivity rate remains the same,</strong> it&rsquo;s a <strong>clue that the infection is where it was and is not expanding.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A sudden spike in the infection spread would be an alarming concern.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586947514_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586947514_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="750" caption="false" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>apex body</strong> in India for the <strong>formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.</strong></li>
<li>Its mandate is to conduct, coordinate and implement medical research for the benefit of the society, translating medical innovations into products/processes and introducing them into the public health system.</li>
<li>It is <strong>funded by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/coronavirus-positive-cases-among-tests-trends-and-an-outlier-6362854/" 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/test-positivity-rate'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Recovery Curve and Case Rate Curve',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The recovery rate of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> patients in<strong> India aligns closely with the curve of confirmed cases,</strong> with a <strong>lag of two weeks,</strong> according to an examination of absolute numbers of the cases.</p>
<h3>Key Points<img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586946527_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" /></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For making the<strong> global comparison,</strong> data from the <strong>Johns Hopkins University database</strong> was used.</li>
<li>Mapping the <strong>global number of Covid-19 patients who recovered</strong> largely mimics the<strong> global case load,</strong> with a<strong> 14-day lag.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the <strong>high recovery rate does not take into account the severity of the disease</strong> during the recovery process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Indian graph shows that the <strong>mortality rate in India is lower than global rates,</strong> so far.</li>
<li>The graph for global rates shows the <strong>overall recovery rate as significantly flatter than the caseload.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> cases worldwide are growing</strong> exponentially but the global recovery rate has begun to fall flat.</li>
<li>Globally, there is <strong>considerable research on the mortality of Covid-19</strong> but there is <strong>less literature to help understand the patterns of recovery.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Science of the Curves:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two curves would <strong>align exactly</strong> if <strong>everyone who fell sick on Day 1 recovered 14 days later.</strong></li>
<li>Any <strong>discrepancy</strong> between the two lines is either <strong>due to people who fell sick and died,</strong> or <strong>people who recovered earlier or later than the mean period of 14 days.</strong></li>
<li>People who recover before 14 days and the people who recover after 14 days, almost balance out each other and do not hamper the curve.</li>
<li>This <strong>leaves only accounting for those who die.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is probably why the recovered curve is lower than the infected curve in the global figure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recovery Time for Covid-19</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is <strong>no established recovery time</strong> of Covid-19 patients.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Recovery</strong> is measured by a <strong>patient no longer showing symptoms</strong> and<strong> having two consecutive negative tests for the virus at least one day apart.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to an early <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation</strong> </a>(WHO) report, <strong>mild cases</strong> have a recovery time of <strong>roughly two weeks</strong> and<strong> severe cases</strong> have the recovery time of somewhere <strong>between three to six weeks.</strong></li>
<li>However,<strong> countries measure recovery differently.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>number of the global recoveries</strong> will inevitably be an <strong>estimate</strong> in the <strong>absence of global recovery rates by the WHO </strong>and<strong> uniform methods of reporting recoveries.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/coronavirus-recovery-curve-aligned-with-case-rate-with-a-2-week-lag-6362963/" 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/recovery-curve-and-case-rate-curve'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Sahyog App: Survey of India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Survey of India (SoI) has developed<strong> an e-platform</strong> that will collect geotagged information on the nation&rsquo;s critical infrastructure in order to help the <strong>Government and public health agencies take critical decisions</strong> in response to the current <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/science-of-covid-19-spread" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic situation.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To support this platform, a <strong>mobile application called Sahyog</strong> has also been created. This app will help collect location specific data with the help of community workers.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Survey of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the National Survey and Mapping Organization of the country <strong>under the Department of Science &amp; Technology.</strong></li>
<li>It was <strong>established in 1767</strong> and is the <strong>oldest scientific department</strong> of the Government of India.</li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered</strong> at <strong>Dehradun, Uttarakhand.</strong></li>
<li>The Survey of India acts as adviser to the Government of India on all survey matters, viz Geodesy, Photogrammetry, Mapping and Map Reproduction.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Geodesy</strong> is the science of accurately measuring and understanding the Earth's geometric shape, orientation in space and gravity field.</li>
<li><strong>Photogrammetry</strong> is the science of making measurements from photographs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Swift Solution:</strong> Data collection by formal land survey is a lengthy and time taking process but the <strong>mobile app can help crowdsource data quickly.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Complement Arogya Setu App:</strong> This will<strong> complement</strong> the recently launched <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/privacy-concern-over-aarogya-setu-app" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Aarogya Setu App</strong></a> that helps trace the contacts of those who may have been infected by Covid-19.</li>
<li><strong>Relevant Information:</strong> Information regarding biomedical waste disposals, containment areas, available hospitals for Covid-19 cases, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/antibody-kits-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research)</strong></a> testing laboratories and quarantine camps will be integrated on this platform with their latitudinal and longitudinal parameters. This could be customised to a variety of <strong>&lsquo;Covid-related applications&rsquo;</strong> such as healthcare facilities, infection clusters and disaster management</li>
<li><strong>Data Localisation:</strong> Data collected using Sahyog application will be used for creating various applications for everyone&rsquo;s usage and would facilitate building a dataset that remains inside India.</li>
<li><strong>Support System:</strong> The data fed by the volunteers working on the ground such as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-mission-and-janani-suraksha-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist)</strong> </a><strong>and Anganwadi workers</strong> will lead to a good support system for the government and doctors on ground.</li>
<li><strong>Health Delivery System:</strong> This will<strong> strengthen the public health delivery system</strong> of the central and state governments by providing necessary information support to workers dealing with the challenges of health, socio-economic distress and livelihood changes.</li>
<li><strong>Integration on Single Platform:</strong> A lot of geospatial data about locations of fire services, banquet halls etc. is already present with the Government which was not <strong>integrated in a single platform.</strong> This is a step in that direction.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Privacy:</strong> Arogya Setu and applications like Sahyog that link to it, could infringe privacy as there<strong> wasn&rsquo;t clarity on how the data would be shared</strong> between the two applications.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Clarity:</strong> Arogya Setu&rsquo;s terms of use were unclear on several aspects including how long data would be stored and what would happen to it after the pandemic has ceased.</li>
<li><strong>Effectiveness:</strong> Additionally, there is also a<strong> question of proportionality,</strong> i.e. in India, compared to its population, smartphone users are very less which means very few people will be able to download the app.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-survey-of-india-maps-to-bolster-arogya-setu-app/article31340638.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/sahyog-app-survey-of-india'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'ASEAN Summit',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Vietnam</strong> chaired the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)</strong></a> <strong>summit held online.</strong> The discussions pertained to the <strong>impact of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> on southeast Asia.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Leaders from China, Japan and South Korea joined the summit.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ASEAN leaders have warned of the crippling economic cost of Covid-19 and called for trade routes to reopen to protect jobs and food supplies, as well as the stockpiling of medical equipment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Covid-19 has ruined the region's tourism and export-reliant economies.</li>
<li>Vietnam has urged Southeast Asian leaders to set up an <strong>emergency fund to tackle the coronavirus.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Existing Fears on the impact of Covid-19 on the Region:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Limited testing in Indonesia has resulted in the lower number of cases -- and under 400 deaths -- for a country of 260 million.</li>
<li>Health systems from Myanmar to Laos are widely believed to be missing the true scale of infections.</li>
<li>A <strong>recent surge in cases in Singapore</strong> has raised fears the pandemic could rebound in places which had batted back the initial outbreak.</li>
<li>The Thai economy, the second largest in ASEAN, is <strong>expected to shrink by</strong> 5.3% in 2020 -- a 22-year low -- with millions left jobless.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Association of Southeast Asian Nations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ASEAN is a <strong>regional grouping</strong> that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation.</li>
<li>It was established on <strong>8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand,</strong> with the signing of the <strong>ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration)</strong> by the founding fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.</li>
<li><strong>Ten members:</strong> Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.</li>
<li><strong>Chairmanship of ASEAN rotates annually,</strong> based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.</li>
<li>ASEAN countries have a<strong> total population of 650 million people and a combined <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/base-year-for-gdp-calculations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gross Domestic Product (GDP)</a> of $2.8 trillion.</strong></li>
<li>The group has played a central role in Asian economic integration, signing six free-trade agreements with other regional economies and helping spearhead negotiations for what could be the world&rsquo;s largest free trade pact.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586943231_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586943231_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/hanoi-april-14-2020-afp/article31342988.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/asean-summit-2'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'NIC and Covid-19 ',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rojgaar-sangi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Informatics Centre (NIC)</strong></a>, traffic on the websites of the <strong>Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare</strong> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</strong></a> has gone up significantly as people looked for information about <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19.</strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Citizens look up to a source of <strong>genuine information</strong> on the pandemic.</li>
<li>Various State centres of the NIC are working with the <strong>State governments to develop tracking and management portals</strong> to help the State and the district administration to combat the pandemic.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is done on similar lines of those already launched in <strong>Kerala and Meghalaya.</strong></li>
<li><strong>For example, Covid-19 Jagratha:</strong> This portal was launched in Kerala.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a one stop platform for the public to avail emergency services and information related to Covid-19 and ensures transparency and quality in public services and welfare measures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NIC also highlighted some of the challenges of Work From Home(WFH) such as:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Configuration Challenges:</strong> Configuring <strong>Virtual Private Network (VPN)</strong> access &mdash; core to enabling government employees to work from their homes &mdash; to a large number of employees in a span of three or four days.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A VPN provides <strong>online privacy and anonymity</strong> by creating a private network from a public internet connection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limited Manpower:</strong> Given most of the members at NIC were also working from home, executing change at different levels was difficult with a<strong> limited manpower.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Logistical Constraints: Availability of laptops or a home desktop</strong> for every resource was another challenge.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Apart from increased traffic on ICMR's and Health Ministry's website, <strong>NIC&rsquo;s videoconferencing service</strong> is also being extensively used due to social distancing norms.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The videoconferencing service used by government officials, including the <strong>President and the Prime Minister, besides Union Ministers, Governors and Chief Ministers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Informatics Centre</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NIC provides <strong>network backbone and e-Governance</strong> support to the Central Government, State Governments and UT Administrations.</li>
<li>NIC has been closely associated with the Government in different aspects of Governance besides establishing a <strong>Nationwide State-of-the-Art information and communication technology (ICT) Infrastructure.</strong></li>
<li>it has also built a large number of digital solutions to support the government at various levels, making the <strong>last-mile delivery of government services to the citizens a reality.</strong></li>
<li>It is under the aegis of the <strong>Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology</strong></li>
<li>It was established in 1976 and is located in New Delhi.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-hits-to-health-ministry-icmr-websites-soar/article31342239.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/nic-and-covid-19'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Covid-19 Impact on Measles Immunization Program',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations (UN)</strong></a>, due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, <strong>measles immunisation campaigns have been delayed</strong> in 24 countries and will be canceled in 13 other countries.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The reason being that the <strong>healthcare workers are required to deal with the pandemic</strong> in countries where healthcare systems are inadequate.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>coronavirus pandemic,</strong> which has necessitated many prevention measures including strict lockdowns, <strong>has kept infants from getting routine immunisation services</strong> from some other diseases such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-polio-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>polio</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/yellow-fever-vaccine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>yellow fever</strong></a> and cholera.</li>
<li>Countries including Mexico, Bolivia, Lebanon, Nepal and Chile are among others who have delayed their immunisation campaigns.</li>
<li>Some of the <strong>countries currently amid measles outbreak</strong> include Nigeria, Ukraine, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kazakhstan among others.</li>
<li>According to a report in the journal Nature, the <strong>reproduction number for measles,</strong> which is the number of people who get infected by an individual who has the disease, <strong>is somewhere between 12-18,</strong> which <strong>makes measles the most contagious virus known.</strong></li>
<li>According to the<strong> World Health Organization (WHO),</strong> mass immunisation drives and routine vaccination for children are the key public health strategies against the Measles. Therefore, delaying the campaigns affects these strategies, potentially putting the life of thousands of children at risk.</li>
<li>The WHO released an <strong>interim guideline</strong> for carrying out immunisation activities during Covid-19 on 26<sup>th</sup> March, 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It says if immunisation activities are negatively impacted during the pandemic, respective countries will need to design strategies for delivering &ldquo;catch-up&rdquo; vaccines after the outbreak subsides. Implementing this will require strategies to <strong>track and follow-up with individuals who missed getting vaccinated,</strong> assessing immunity gaps and re-establishing community demand.</li>
<li>Further, it has advised that <strong>mass immunisation campaigns</strong> be <strong>&ldquo;temporarily suspended&rdquo;</strong> in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and that countries should monitor the necessity of delaying these campaigns at regular intervals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Measles</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-measles-cases-up-by-300-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Measles</strong></a> is a <strong>highly contagious viral disease</strong> and despite the availability of a vaccine against it, it remains to be a<strong> leading cause of death among young children globally.</strong></li>
<li>The disease is <strong>transmitted via droplets</strong> released from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons.</li>
<li>The <strong>initial symptoms</strong> occur <strong>10-12 days after contracting the infection</strong> and include high fever, a runny nose, bloodshot eyes and the appearance of white spots on the inside of the mouth.</li>
<li><strong>Some of the most serious complications</strong> arising out of the disease include <strong>blindness, encephalitis (brain swelling), severe diarrhea, dehydration and severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia.</strong></li>
<li>The disease is <strong>common in parts of Africa and Asia</strong> and is more likely among poorly nourished children, especially those who are <strong>deficient in vitamin A.</strong></li>
<li>Measles <strong>claimed 140,000 lives in 2018,</strong> mostly of children and babies.</li>
<li>The <strong>measles vaccine has been in use since the 1960s.</strong> It is safe, effective and inexpensive.</li>
<li>As per the WHO, reaching all children with 2 doses of measles vaccine, either alone, or in a measles-rubella (MR), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) combination, should be the standard for all national immunization programmes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>India, </strong>the first dose of measles vaccine was introduced in the 1990s.</li>
<li>India introduced the second dose from 2010 onwards. India was one of the last countries to add a second dose of measles vaccine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2019,<strong> Sri Lanka</strong> became the fifth country in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/measles-and-rubella-in-south-east-asia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>WHO southeast Asia region to eliminate measles.</strong></a> The other countries in the region which have eliminated measles in their geographical area are <strong>Bhutan, Maldives, DPR Korea and Timor-Leste.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-covid-19-is-affecting-the-immunisation-campaigns-for-measles-other-diseases-6362473/" 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/covid-19-impact-on-measles-immunization-program'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Poona Pact 1932',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/ambedkar-and-the-poona-pact/article31333684.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Ambedkar and the Poona Pact&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 14/04/2020. It talks about the significance of Poona Pact 1932.</p>
</div>
<p>In 1932, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dr-b-r-ambedkar-s-129th-birth-anniversary" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>B.R. Ambedkar</strong> </a>negotiated the Poona Pact with Mahatma Gandhi. The background to the Poona Pact was the Communal Award of August 1932 which provided a separate electorate for depressed classes.</p>
<p>The pact signifies a solution derived by amalgamating two different ideologies <strong>(Ambedkar: Political Approach and Gandhi: Social Approach),</strong> striving to achieve a common goal for upliftment of one of most vulnerable sections of the Indian society.</p>
<h3>Background of the Poona Pact</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>On August 16, 1932, the <strong>British Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald,</strong> announced the <strong>Communal Award</strong> which provided for <strong>separate electorates</strong> for the <strong>&lsquo;Depressed Classes&rsquo;,</strong> the Muslims, the Europeans, the Sikhs, the Anglo-Indians and the Indian-based Christians.</li>
<li>The Award of 1932 was built on the notion of separate electorates that the British government had already put in place through the <strong>Morley-Minto Reforms (1909)</strong> and the <strong>Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919).</strong></li>
<li>Under a separate electorates system, each community was allocated a number of seats in the legislatures and <strong>only members from these communities would be eligible to vote to elect a representative of the same community to legislative assemblies.</strong></li>
<li>Mahatma Gandhi was <strong>bitterly opposed</strong> to the communal award, as the award in<strong> continuum of constant efforts</strong> of the British imperialists to divide Indian people into a number of <strong>special-interest groups and to weaken the national movement.</strong></li>
<li>Initially, <strong>Ambedkar was in favour of the award,</strong> as according to him political solutions like separate electorate would work for upliftment of depressed classes.</li>
<li>However, after the series of negotiations both Gandhiji and Ambedkar agreed to a solution called Poona Pact and thereby withdrawing separate electorate for depressed classes.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of Poona Pact</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Representation Of Depressed Classes:</strong> In a settlement negotiated with Mahatma Gandhi, Ambedkar agreed for depressed class candidates to be elected by a<strong> joint electorate.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, nearly twice as many seats (147) were reserved for the depressed classes in the legislature than what had been allotted under the Communal Award.</li>
<li>In addition, the Poona Pact assured a fair representation of the depressed classes in the public services while earmarking a portion of the educational grant for their uplift.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Poona Pact was an <strong>emphatic acceptance</strong> by upper-class Hindus that the depressed classes constituted the most discriminated sections of Indian society.</li>
<li>It was also conceded that <strong>something concrete had to be done</strong> to give depressed classes a <strong>political voice.</strong></li>
<li>The pact made the entire country morally responsible for the uplift of the depressed classes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As the concessions agreed to in the Poona Pact were<strong> precursors to the world&rsquo;s largest affirmative programme (reservation in legislature, public services and educational institutions)</strong> launched much later in independent India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Most of all the pact made the depressed classes a<strong> formidable political force</strong> for the first time in Indian history.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Madan Mohan Malaviya signed it on behalf of Gandhi.</li>
<li>Instead of the 80 seats given by the British, the depressed classes got 147 seats.</li>
<li>The Communal Award was based on the findings of the Indian Franchise Committee, called the Lothian Committee.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Gandhi And Ambedkar: Difference in Approach</h3>
<p>Both the leaders were critical of ills pertaining to the caste system and committed to the upliftment of depressed classes. However, both differ in the approach.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ambedkar was in favour of <strong>annihilation of the caste system</strong> as it was beyond reforms.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gandhi did not support the abolition of the caste system or Varnashrama order. He was in favour of <strong>bringing behavioural change</strong> in the society regarding the ills of the caste system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to Ambedkar, the caste question is a<strong> political issue and wanted a political solution for upliftment of depressed classes.</strong> Ambedkar insisted that a<strong> political democracy was meaningless</strong> if the so-called depressed classes were not equal participants in it.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to Gandhi <strong>caste issue is a social one.</strong> He wanted to reform it by<strong> changing the hearts and minds of people.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Ambedkar preferred a <strong>rights-based approach</strong> while Gandhi&rsquo;s approach was through <strong>faith and spirituality.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>That's why Ambedkar's referred depressed classes as <strong>dalits</strong> (to give them a political identity), on the other hand Gandhi called depressed classes as <strong>Harijan</strong> (to sensitize upper caste for plight of depressed classes by invoking spirituality).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The Poona Pact has changed the Indian Political history and the destiny of millions of Dalits across the country. However, social stigma attached to the caste system still remains in the Indian society. Therefore, in order to establish an egalitarian society in true sense, <a href="/to-the-points/paper4/gandhian-ideologies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gandhian Philosophy</strong></a> and <strong>Ambedkar&rsquo;s notion of Social Democracy</strong> is much more relevant than ever before.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586865271_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586865271_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e3ecff;">
<p><span style="color: #800000;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the significance of Poona Pact 1932 in bringing upliftment for depressed classes.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/poona-pact-1932'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'US Approves Sale of Military Hardware',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>US State Department has approved the sale of missiles and torpedoes worth $155 million to India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The sale of <strong>10 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air launched missiles</strong> is estimated to cost USD 92 million.</li>
<li>The sale of <strong>16 MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes</strong> and <strong>3 MK 54 Exercise Torpedoes</strong> are estimated to cost $63 million.</li>
<li>Indian Government has requested the US for these military hardware.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India intends to utilize MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes on its <strong>P-8I aircraft.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The MK 54 Lightweight Torpedo would provide the capability to conduct <strong>anti-submarine warfare missions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Harpoon missile system would be integrated into the P-8I aircraft to conduct <strong>anti-surface warfare missions</strong> in defense of critical sea lanes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will also enhance interoperability with the United States and other allied forces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Harpoon Block II Missile</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is capable of <strong>executing both land-strike and anti-ship missions.</strong></li>
<li>To strike targets on land and ships in port, the missile uses GPS-aided inertial navigation to hit a designated target aimpoint.</li>
<li>It can be used against a wide <strong>variety of land-based targets,</strong> including coastal defense sites, surface-to-air missile sites, exposed aircraft, port/industrial facilities and ships in port.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>MK 54 Torpedoes</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Torpedo is a cigar-shaped, self-propelled underwater missile, launched from a submarine, surface vessel, or airplane and designed for exploding upon contact with the hulls of surface vessels and submarines.</li>
<li>The MK 54 uses sophisticated processing algorithms to analyze the information, edit out false targets or countermeasures, and then pursue identified threats.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>P-8I Aircraft</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The P-8I aircraft is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft that Boeing company developed as a replacement for the US Navy&rsquo;s ageing P-3 fleet.</li>
<li>With a maximum speed of 907 kmph and an operating range of over 1,200 nautical miles, the P-8Is <strong>detect threats and neutralize them</strong> if required, far before they come anywhere near Indian shores.</li>
<li><strong>Indian Navy became the first international customer for the P-8 aircraft</strong> with the conclusion of the nearly US $ 2.1 billion contract on 01 Jan 2009 for a total of eight aircraft. The<strong> P-8s Indian variant is referred to as P-8I.</strong></li>
<li>The aircraft are <strong>based at INS Rajali.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-approves-sale-of-missile-torpedoes-worth-155-million-to-india-6361621/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source : IE</strong></a></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-approves-sale-of-military-hardware'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'World Heritage Sites in India',
			'catname' => 'Paper 1',
			'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by UNESCO for its special cultural or physical significance. The list of World Heritage Sites is maintained by the international <strong>'World Heritage Programme',</strong> administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.</li>
<li>The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.</li>
<li>This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.</li>
<li>India has 38 world heritage sites that include 30 Cultural properties, 7 Natural properties and 1 mixed site.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lOzxUVCCSug" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was founded in 1945 to develop the &ldquo;intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind&rdquo; as a means of building lasting peace.</li>
<li>It is located in Paris, France.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Cultural Sites in India (30)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Agra Fort (1983)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>16<sup>th</sup>-century Mughal monument</li>
<li>Fortress of red sandstone</li>
<li>It comprises the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ajanta-and-ellora-caves" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ajanta Caves (1983)</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863024_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863024_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar (2016)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Remains of a monastic and scholastic institution dating from the 3<sup>rd</sup> century BCE to the 13<sup>th</sup> century CE.</li>
<li>Includes stupas, shrines, viharas (residential and educational buildings) and important artworks in stucco, stone and metal.</li>
<li>Considered to be the most ancient university of the Indian Subcontinent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the oldest Buddhist sanctuary in existence and was a major Buddhist centre in India until the 12<sup>th</sup> century A.D.</li>
<li>Consists of monolithic pillars, palaces, temples and monasteries) all in different states of conservation most of which date back to the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 1<sup>st</sup> centuries B.C.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Prehistoric (chalcolithic) sites, a hill fortress of early Hindu capital, and remains of the 16<sup>th</sup>-century capital of the state of Gujarat.</li>
<li>Also includes, among other vestiges, fortifications, palaces, religious buildings, residential precincts, agricultural structures and water installations, from the 8<sup>th</sup> to 14<sup>th</sup> centuries.</li>
<li>The Kalikamata Temple on top of Pavagadh Hill is considered to be an important shrine, attracting large numbers of pilgrims throughout the year.</li>
<li>The site is the only complete and unchanged Islamic pre-Mughal city.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture. The building, designed by the British architect F. W. Stevens, became the symbol of Bombay as the &lsquo;Gothic City&rsquo; and the major international mercantile port of India. The terminal was built over 10 years, starting in 1878, according to a High Victorian Gothic design based on late medieval Italian models. Its remarkable stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric ground plan are close to traditional Indian palace architecture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The churches and convents of Goa, particularly the Basilica of Bom Jesus indicate commencement of evangelization in Asia.</li>
<li>The Basilica of Bom Jesus also houses the sacred tomb of St. Francis Xavier.</li>
<li>These monuments are well known for spreading- Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque art in major parts of Asia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Elephanta Caves (1987)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Located at Elephanta island or island of Gharapuri(literally- &lsquo;City of Caves&rsquo;) in the Sea of Oman, close to Mumbai.</li>
<li>Contains a collection of rock art connected to the Shaivite cult.</li>
<li>It is a vital symbol of the greatness of Indian art, especially the huge high reliefs in the main cave.</li>
<li>They were constructed around the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ajanta-and-ellora-caves" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ellora Caves</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Fatehpur Sikri (1986)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Built during the second half of the 16<sup>th</sup> century by Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri or &lsquo;The City of Victory,&rsquo; also served as the capital of the Mughal empire for a short time period.</li>
<li>It contains an array of monuments and temples, including one of the largest mosques in India- the Jama Masjid.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Great Living Chola Temples (1987, 2004)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Built by kings of the Chola empire, these temples manifest the precision and perfection of the Cholas in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting.</li>
<li>This site includes three 11<sup>th</sup> and 12<sup>th</sup>- century temples: Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.</li>
<li>The Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram built by Rajendra the First in 1035 and the Airavatesvara Temple built by Rajaraja the Second, feature vimana (sanctum tower) of 53m and 24m respectively.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/consecration-at-the-brihadisvara-temple" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brihadisvara and Airavatesvara temple</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863069_Image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863069_Image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This site was the last capital of the kingdom of Vijaynagar.</li>
<li>These Dravidian temples and palaces were built by rulers of Vijaynagar between the 14<sup>th</sup> and 16<sup>th</sup> centuries.</li>
<li>In 1565, the city was captured by Deccan Muslim Confederacy and pillaged for a period of 6 months, before being abandoned.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863101_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863101_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This group of monuments was founded by Pallava kings in the 7<sup>th</sup> and 8<sup>th</sup> centuries along the Coromandel coast of Bay of Bengal.</li>
<li>These temples boast of intricate and unique architectural styles in the form of- rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries) and giant open-air reliefs such as- &lsquo;Descent of the Ganges.&rsquo;</li>
<li>It also encloses the temple of Rivage, with thousands of sculptures dedicated to the glory of Shiva.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pattadakal in Karnataka showcases a unique blend of architectural forms from northern and southern India, achieved under the Chalukya dynasty during the 7<sup>th</sup> and 8<sup>th</sup> centuries.</li>
<li>It comprises nine Hindu temples as well as a Jain sanctuary including the Temple of Virupaksha, a masterpiece built in c.740 by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate her husband&rsquo;s victory.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This site includes six majestic forts situated in Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Jaisalmer, Jaipur and Jhalawar, all situated in the state of Rajasthan.</li>
<li>The magnificent and stalwart exterior of the forts manifests the lifestyle and nature of the Rajput rule over this land from 8<sup>th</sup> to 18<sup>th</sup> centuries.</li>
<li>These fortifications enclose urban centres, palaces, trading centres and temples, where various forms of art and culture flourished.</li>
<li>Some of the urban centres, as well as most of the temples and other sacred places, have survived as the forts used natural resources such as- hills, deserts, forests etc for protection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Historic City of Ahmedabad (2017)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Located on the eastern bank of Sabarmati river, this city was founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah in the 15<sup>th</sup> century. It also served as the capital of the state of Gujarat for centuries.</li>
<li>This city is a testimony to the harmonious existence of diverse religions on this land, exhibited by its architecture which includes the famous Bhadra citadel accompanied by various mosques, tombs as well as numerous Hindu and Jain temples.</li>
<li>The urban fabric consists of densely- packed traditional houses (pols) in gated traditional streets (puras).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Humayun&rsquo;s Tomb, Delhi (1993)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Built-in 1570, it has long-standing cultural significance because it was the first garden-tomb to be constructed in India.</li>
<li>This tomb was the inspiration behind several architectural innovations including the Taj Mahal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-heritage-site-certificate-to-jaipur" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jaipur City, Rajasthan</strong></a> (2019)</li>
<li><strong>Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These temples were built during the Chandella dynasty, which reached at its pinnacle between 950 and 1050.</li>
<li>Only 20 temples remain, belonging to two different religions namely-Hinduism and Jainism, including the famous Temple of Kandariya decorated with intricately and beautifully carved sculptures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This temple was earlier built by Emperor Asoka in the 3<sup>rd</sup> century B.C.However, the present structure dates back to the 5<sup>th</sup> or 6<sup>th</sup> centuries.</li>
<li>It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick and considered to be one of the four sacred sites associated with the life of Gautama Buddha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mountain Railways of India (1999, 2005, 2008)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This site includes three railways:</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-heritage-committee-s-concerns" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Darjeeling Himalayan Railway</strong></a></li>
<li>Nilgiri Mountain Railway: This line, started in 1891 and completed till 1908, is a 46-km long metre-gauge single-track railway in Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kalka-shimla-heritage-route" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kalka Shimla Railway</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863129_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863129_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Qutub Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Qutub Minar was built in red sandstone in the early 13<sup>th</sup> century, in Delhi.</li>
<li>It is 72.5 m high, with diameters of 14.32 m and 2.75 m at its base and peak respectively.</li>
<li>The tower is surrounded by various aesthetically-pleasing treasures, for instance- the Alai Darwaza built-in 1311 as well as two mosques including the Quwwatu&rsquo;l-Islam, the oldest mosque in northern India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen&rsquo;s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Situated on the banks of Saraswati river, this stepwell was built as a memorial to a king.</li>
<li>Stepwells are considered to be easily accessible underground water resources and storage systems, which have been constructed in the Indian subcontinent since the 3<sup>rd</sup> millennium B.C.</li>
<li>This stepwell flaunts the Maru-Gurjara architectural style, designed in the form of an inverted temple to emphasize the sanctity of water and is endowed with more than thousand sculptures depicting a combination of religious, mythological and secular imagery.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Red Fort Complex (2007)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This was built as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad, the capital of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and is named after its immense walls of red sandstone.</li>
<li>The Red Fort Complex in entirety, includes the Red Fort as well as Salimgarh fort built-in 1546 by Islam Shah Suri.</li>
<li>Red Fort is a reflection of the acme of Mughal architectural innovation and craftsmanship. The planning of the palace is based on Islamic prototypes, but each structure mirrors architectural elements derived from a combination of Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions.</li>
<li>The row of pavilions are connected by a continuous water channel known as Nahr-i-Behisht (Stream of Paradise).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These shelters are located within the foothills of Vindhya range, on the southern edge of the central Indian plateau.</li>
<li>Unearthed in the form of five clusters of natural rock shelters exhibiting paintings that date back to the Mesolithic, and other periods succeeding it.</li>
<li>The cultural traditions of the inhabitants in surrounding areas are very similar to those displayed in the paintings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper1/konark-temple" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sun Temple, Konarak (1984)</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863169_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863169_image5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asi-plan-to-conserve-taj-mahal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Taj Mahal (1983)</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (2016)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This transnational serial property includes 17 sites spread across 7 countries stands as a testimony of a new form of architectural expression weaved with modern traditions.</li>
<li>These sites, in totality, propagate ideals of the Modern movement and are also considered as a significant response to fundamental issues of architecture and society in the 20<sup>th</sup> century.</li>
<li>Complexe du Capitole, Chandigarh, The Museum of Western Art in Tokyo (Japan), the House of Dr Curutchet in La Plata (Argentina), Unit&eacute; d&rsquo;habitation in Marseille (France) etc, are some of the well-known sites included in this property.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Built in the early 18<sup>th</sup> century, Jantar Mantar is designed to observe astronomical positions with the naked eye. A set of 20 main instruments are installed in this site to make accurate observations.</li>
<li>It is a manifestation of astronomical skills and knowledge, dating back to the Mughal times.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This site includes a collection of public buildings designed in Victorian Neo-Gothic style in the 19<sup>th</sup> century and Art Deco style in the 20<sup>th</sup> century.</li>
<li>Both the styles are intermingled with Indian architectural elements. For instance- The buildings designed in Victorian Neo-Gothic styles are endowed with balconies and verandas. Similarly, the Indo- Deco is a term used to describe the style emerged after adding Indian elements to Art Deco imagery and architecture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Natural Sites in India (7)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Located in western part of Himalayan mountains in the state of Himachal Pradesh, this Park is well known for its high alpine peaks, alpine meadows and riverine forests.</li>
<li>It also encloses glacial and snow meltwater sources of several rivers as well as the catchment area.</li>
<li>It is a biodiversity hotspot with 25 types of forests inhabited by myriads of faunal species, several of which are threatened.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wetland-bird-census-at-kaziranga-national-park" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kaziranga National Park (1985)</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Keoladeo National Park (1985)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This wetland is located in the state of Rajasthan and served as a duck shooting reserve till the end of 19<sup>th</sup> century. However, soon enough the hunting ceased and the area was declared a national park in 1982.</li>
<li>This National Park is home to 375 bird species and various other life forms. It also serves as a wintering ground to Palaearctic migratory waterfowl, critically endangered Siberian Crane as well as to globally threatened- Greater Spotted Eagle and Imperial Eagle.</li>
<li>It is acclaimed for its resident population of non-migratory breeding birds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is a biodiversity hotspot located in Assam. It is a part of Manas Tiger Reserve and sprawls alongside Manas river.</li>
<li>A range of forested hills, alluvial grasslands and tropical evergreen forests are responsible for the breathtaking beauty and serene environment of the site.</li>
<li>It also provides a habitable environment to a range of endangered species such as- tiger, greater one-horned rhino, swamp deer, pygmy hog and Bengal florican.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both of these National Parks are exceptionally beautiful high-altitude West Himalayan landscapes and fall within the boundaries of the state of Uttarakhand.</li>
<li>Nanda Devi National Park boasts rugged and high-mountain wilderness and is dominated by India&rsquo;s second-highest mountain-the peak of Nanda Devi. The Valley of Flowers, in contrast, flaunts aesthetically pleasing meadows of alpine flowers.</li>
<li>Numerous kinds of floral and faunal species reside in these parks, along with a significant population of globally threatened species including- Snow leopard, Himalayan Musk Deer etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/preservation-of-sundarban" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sundarban National Park (1987)</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Western Ghats (2012)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Western Ghats consist of a chain of mountains running parallel to India&rsquo;s Western Coast and passing from the states of Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.</li>
<li>They cover an immense area in a 1600 km long stretch and are interrupted only once by a 30km Palghat gap at around 11 degrees North.</li>
<li>They also influence the Indian monsoon weather patterns that mediate the warm tropical climate of the region and act as a barrier to rain-laden monsoon winds that sweep in from the south-west.</li>
<li>Western Ghats are also home to tropical evergreen forests, as well as to 325 globally threatened species.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Mixed Site in India (1)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1513" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Khangchendzonga National Park</strong></a> (2016)
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Located in Sikkim, this National Park is dominated by the world's third-highest peak, Mount Khangchendzonga.</li>
<li>The Park comprises steep-sided valleys, snow-</li>
<li>clad mountains and various lakes and glaciers including the 26km long Zemu glacier, located around the base of Mount Khangchendzonga.</li>
<li>It covers almost 25% of the state of Sikkim and ensures a habitable environment to various endemic as well as threatened, plant and animal species.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/khangchendzonga-to-be-included-in-the-world-network-of-biosphere-reserves" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cultural Significance of Khangchendzonga National Park</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india'
		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Retail Inflation Dropped',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the <strong>Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO)</strong>, the <strong>retail <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/return-of-inflation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inflation</a> in March 2020 dropped to 5.91%</strong> due to decrease in demand and lowered food prices.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Retail inflation (or CPI-based inflation) decreased to 5.91%</strong> in March 2020 from 6.58% in February 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The retail inflation rate was based on 66% of the usual price quotations as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>nationwide lockdown</strong></a> to counter <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong> </a>had led to suspension of fieldwork for price collection after March 19,2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> inflation rate in March 2020 remained within the Reserve Bank of India&rsquo;s (RBI&rsquo;s) medium-term target of 4&plusmn;2%</strong> for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inflation-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This was due to suppressed demand, especially for non-essential items, as the lockdown was imposed towards the end of March,2020.</li>
<li>This<strong> inflation range (4% within a band of +/- 2%) was recommended by the committee headed by Urjit Patel</strong> in 2014.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fuel and Light segment:</strong> The inflation rose to 6.59% from 6.36% in February 2020.</li>
<li><strong>Food inflation moderated to 8.76%</strong> from 10.81% in March 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The food price inflation of various items like vegetables, spices, pulses continue to be in double digits.</li>
<li>Pressure is expected due to the shortages witnessed in different centres with mandi arrivals being affected due to lockdown.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to economists, inflation is expected to be brought down by <strong>low energy prices and subdued economic activity.</strong> However, the food price inflation of 8.7% will tend to increase. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is expected that the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> undertakes further repo <strong>rate cuts,</strong> though inflation may not remain the primary deciding factor in view of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-covid-19-outbreak" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> other economic impact due to Covid-19.</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/repo-rate-unchanged-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Repo Rate</strong></a> is the rate at which the RBI lends money to commercial banks in the event of any shortfall of funds.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When RBI increases the repo rate, this acts as a disincentive for banks to borrow from the central bank. This ultimately reduces the money supply in the economy and thus helps in arresting inflation.</li>
<li>The RBI reduces the repo rate in the event of a fall in inflationary pressures. Ideally, a low repo rate should translate into low-cost loans for general masses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Inflation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Inflation refers to the <strong>rise in the prices of most goods and services</strong> of daily or common use, such as food, clothing, housing, recreation, transport, consumer staples, etc.</li>
<li>Inflation measures the average price change in a basket of commodities and services over time.</li>
<li>Inflation is indicative of the decrease in the purchasing power of a unit of a country&rsquo;s currency. This could ultimately lead to a deceleration in economic growth.</li>
<li>However, a <strong>moderate level of inflation is required in the economy</strong> to ensure that production is promoted.</li>
<li>In India, the <strong>Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation</strong> measures inflation.</li>
<li>In India, inflation is primarily measured by two main indices &mdash; <strong>WPI (Wholesale Price Index) and CPI (Consumer Price Index)</strong> which measure wholesale and retail-level price changes, respectively. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The CPI calculates the difference in the price of commodities and services such as food, medical care, education, electronics etc, which Indian consumers buy for use.</li>
<li>The CPI has five sub-groups including food and beverages, fuel and light, housing and clothing, bedding and footwear.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The National Statistical Office</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NSO is the <strong>central statistical agency of the Government</strong> mandated under the <strong>Statistical Services Act</strong> 1980 under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</li>
<li>It is responsible for the development of arrangements for <strong>providing statistical information services</strong> to meet the needs of the Government and other users for information on which to base policy, planning, monitoring and management decisions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The services include collecting, compiling and disseminating official statistical information.</li>
<li>All business operations in NSO are done in compliance with <strong>international standards, procedures and best practices.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/march-retail-inflation-eases-to-5-91-on-muted-demand-low-food-prices-6361201/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source : IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'India’s Food Processing Industry',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/hungry-for-more-120041600068_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Hungry for more&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in Business Standard on 16/04/2020. It talks about challenges and steps to be taken in India&rsquo;s food processing Industry.</p>
</div>
<p>Worldwide government&rsquo;s have imposed social distancing and lockdown in order to deal with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-covid-19-on-global-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>. This lockdown scenario has highlighted the importance of processed food, especially in the urban areas.</p>
<p>Irrespective of the current crisis, the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-processing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> food processing industry (FPI)</strong></a> is always of enormous significance as it provides vital linkages and synergies among all the sectors of the economy viz. Primary (agriculture), Secondary (industry) and Tertiary (Transportation of goods, R &amp; D in Agro processing).</p>
<p>Food processing provides an opportunity to utilise excess production efficiently. Not just from an agricultural growth perspective, but it is also important for reducing food wastage as it increases shelf life and enhances quality.</p>
<p>Thus, food processing has become an integral part of the food supply chain in the global economy, and India has also seen growth in this sector in the last few years.</p>
<p>FPI is recognised as the <strong>&lsquo;Sunrise Industry'</strong> in India. However, the industry faces a lot of challenges.</p>
<h3>Challenges Faced by Food Processing Industry In India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Supply and Demand Side Bottlenecks</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Small and dispersed marketable surplus due to fragmented holdings, low farm productivity due to lack of mechanization, high seasonality, perishability and lack of proper intermediation (supply chain) result in lack of availability of raw material. This in turn, impedes food processing and its exports.</li>
<li>Demand of processed food is mainly restricted to urban areas of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure Bottlenecks</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>More than 30% of the produce from farm gate is lost due to inadequate cold chain infrastructure.</li>
<li>The NITI Aayog cited a study that estimated annual post-harvest losses close to Rs 90,000 crore.</li>
<li>Lack of all weather roads and connectivity make supply erratic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Informalization in Food Processing Industry</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The food processing industry has a high concentration of unorganised segments, representing almost 75% across all product categories. Thus, causes the inefficiencies in the existing production system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Deficiencies in the Regulatory Environment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are numerous laws, under the jurisdiction of different ministries and departments, which govern food safety and packaging.</li>
<li>The multiplicity of legislation and administrative delays leads to contradictions in food safety specifications and guidelines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Low-Value Exports:</strong> Further, most processing in India can be classified as primary processing, which has lower value-addition compared to secondary processing.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this, despite India being one of the largest producers of agricultural commodities in the world, agricultural exports as a share of GDP are fairly low in India relative to the rest of the world.</li>
<li>The same proportion is around 4% for Brazil, 7% for Argentina, 9% for Thailand, while for India it is just 2%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Besides these, issues like mounting cost of finance, lack of skilled and trained manpower, inadequate quality control and packaging units and high taxes and duties, thwart development of FPI.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>Processing can be delineated into primary and secondary processing.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rice, sugar, edible oil and flour mills are examples of primary processing.</li>
<li>Secondary processing includes the processing of fruits and vegetables, dairy, bakery, chocolates and other items.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Hand-Holding Approach</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Government should adopt a hand-holding approach by establishing risk sharing mechanisms, fiscal incentives and partnership models for creation of infrastructure for logistics, storage and processing.</li>
<li>In this context, the government has launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-kisan-sampada-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana</strong></a>, aimed at bridging the infrastructure gap.</li>
<li>Also, <strong>100% foreign direct investment in food processing</strong> units has been allowed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Streamlining the Regulatory Structure:</strong> There is a need to foster development of backward linkages crucial for securing scale and economic viability by evolving conducive regulatory framework for contract and corporate farming and encouraging commodity clusters and intensive livestock rearing.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Strategy for New India @ 75</strong> recommends that states take the lead in passing<strong> Model Contract Farming Act, 2018.</strong></li>
<li>Remove impediments of multiple departments and laws in seeking approvals by bringing them under a <strong>single window.</strong></li>
<li>Ensure <strong>proper agricultural marketing reforms e.g. by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agriculture-produce-to-agriculture-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">uniform implementation of the APMC act.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>According to the Model Contract Farming Act, 2018, the contract will specify the quantity, quality and price of produce being supplied. This would shield farmers from price volatility, subject to quality commitments.</p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Human Resource Development</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Skilling is required at two levels. First at the farm gate in promoting agricultural best practices and second, in processing activities.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-skills-study" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)</strong></a> estimated the need to skill 17.8 million persons in the food processing industry by 2022.</li>
<li>In this pursuit, industry, academia and government should put in combined efforts for development of specialized institutes and courses in food packaging, processing, bio-technology, and such allied fields.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promoting Village-Level Procurement:</strong> The NITI Aayog, in the <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/strategy-for-new-india-at-75" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Strategy for New India @ 75 document,</strong></a> recommended village-level procurement centres for perishables such as fruits, vegetables and dairy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, the upgrading of 22,000 rural haats into <strong>Gramin Agriculture Markets (GrAMS),</strong> announced in the 2018-19 Budget, was a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The need today is to treat food processing as part of the overall food sector and provide all the facilities, exemptions, and concessions as available to agriculture and related activities. Food processing industry will not only serve the nutritional needs of <strong>New India</strong> but it will also act as an important link in doubling the farmer&rsquo;s income.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587041352_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587041352_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e1eefa;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>How India can utilize the untapped potential of the Food Processing Industry?</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture - Virtual Courts and Way forward',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hxAajGWQgL8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>In the wake of Coronavirus Pandemic, the Supreme Court (SC) has passed directions for all courts across the country to extensively use video-conferencing for judicial proceedings. The Supreme Court exercised its plenary power under <strong>Article 142</strong> to direct all high courts to frame a mechanism for use of technology during the pandemic.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SC, is moving towards technological advancement for its functioning and is conducting hearings through video conferencing since March 25, to maintain social distancing.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Virtual Courts</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Virtual Courts is a concept aimed at <strong>eliminating the presence of litigants or lawyers in the court</strong> and adjudication of the case online.</li>
<li>An e-court or Electronic Court means a location in which matters of law are adjudicated upon, in the presence of qualified Judge(s) and which has a well-developed technical infrastructure.</li>
<li>The e-courts are different from the computerised courts which have been in place since the 1990s.</li>
<li>The working of e-courts requires an Online environment and an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enabled infrastructure.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would be beneficial for both improving the court processes and rendering citizen-centric services.</li>
<li>e-Courts are aimed to make legal processes easier and more user friendly.</li>
<li>Litigants can view the status of their case online through various channels created for service delivery.</li>
<li>Litigants can file the plaint electronically through e-Filing and also pay the Court Fees or Fine online through.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>e-Courts Project</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The e-Courts project was conceptualized on the basis of the &ldquo;National Policy and Action Plan for Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Indian Judiciary &ndash; 2005&rdquo; submitted by e-Committee, Supreme Court of India with a vision to transform the Indian Judiciary by ICT enablement of Courts.</li>
<li>The e-Courts Mission Mode Project, is a pan-India Project, monitored and funded by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, for the District Courts across the country.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Objectives of the Project</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To provide efficient &amp; time-bound citizen-centric services delivery as detailed in e-Court Project Litigant's Charter.</li>
<li>To develop, install &amp; implement decision support systems in courts.</li>
<li>To automate the processes to provide transparency and accessibility of information to its stakeholders.</li>
<li>To enhance judicial productivity, both qualitatively &amp; quantitatively, to make the justice delivery system affordable, accessible, cost-effective, predictable, reliable and transparent.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Advantages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The expansion of E-courts will ensure easy <strong>access to justice at affordable courts</strong> to all sections of society.</li>
<li>The experience of an e-court will be <strong>much more personalised and private</strong> as opposed to theatrics involving public-speech based system.</li>
<li>The proliferation of e-courts<strong> will make litigation faster,</strong> given that required logistics are provided.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India, there is a massive backlog of cases in every court. As of April 2018, there were over three crore cases pending across the Supreme Court, the High Courts, and the subordinate courts (including district courts).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The judiciary system in India with the help of e-courts can overcome the challenges and <strong>make the service delivery mechanism transparent and cost-efficient.</strong></li>
<li>The e-courts will also benefit the judicial system and will provide <strong>flexible retrieval of stored information.</strong> This will allow judges to view the proceedings of a previous case or to retrieve other important documents at the click of a button.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Data sharing between different courts and various departments will also be made easy as everything would be available online under the integrated system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<p>In the present circumstances, the virtual courts may seem a necessity, however, it goes without saying that at present there are a whole lot of glitches and shortcomings in its execution.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The e-filling process is riddled with endless <strong>complications.</strong></li>
<li>e-Courts will also prove to be <strong>cost-intensive</strong> as setting up state of the art e-courts will require the deployment of new-age technology.</li>
<li><strong>Hacking and cybersecurity:</strong> On the top of technology, cyber-security will be a huge concern too. The government has initiated remedial steps to address this problem and formulated the Cyber Security Strategy but it is more on the side of prescribed guidelines alone. The practical and actual implementation of the same remains to be seen.</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure:</strong> Challenges can erupt due to insufficient infrastructure and <strong>non-availability of electricity and internet connectivity</strong> in most of the Talukas/villages.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Electricity connection is a must along with internet connectivity and computers to ensure justice reaches every section equally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Maintaining e-courts record:</strong> The paralegal staff is not well equipped and trained to effectively handle document or record evidence, and make them readily accessible to the litigant, to the council as well as to the court.</li>
<li>Other issues might involve the litigant&rsquo;s lack of confidence in the process due to lack of proximity.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To address the aforementioned challenges, the first and foremost step is to <strong>draw up a policy for encouraging the setting up of e-courts.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is critical to draw up a well-defined and pre-decided policy framework as it can help in laying a concrete roadmap and direction to the e-courts scheme of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Another important step is the <strong>need to upgrade the present state of infrastructure.</strong> The government needs to identify and develop the infrastructure that would be required to support the e-court project.</li>
<li>One aspect that needs to be focussed on is the <strong>deployment of a robust security system</strong> that provides secure access to case information for appropriate parties. The security of e-courts infrastructure and system is of paramount importance.</li>
<li>Also, a<strong> user-friendly e-courts mechanism,</strong> which is simple and easily accessible by the common public will encourage litigants to use such facilities in India.</li>
<li>The government must make <strong>dedicated efforts in the training of personnel to maintain all the e-data.</strong> These include maintaining proper records of e-file minute entries, notification, service, summons, warrants, bail orders, order copies, e-filing etc. for ready references.</li>
<li><strong>Conducting training sessions to familiarise the Judges with the e-courts framework</strong> and procedure can give a huge impetus to the successful running of e-courts.</li>
<li><strong>Creating awareness around e-courts</strong> through talks and seminars can help bring to light the facilities and the ease that e-courts can facilitate.</li>
</ul>
<p>As technology is here to stay, therefore, finding mechanisms to make it better will be the step in the right direction.</p>',
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	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Rupee Slips Due to Covid-19',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The rupee slipped 17 paise against the dollar on 15<sup>th</sup> April, 2020, amid <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-global-economic-disruption" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>heightened uncertainty over the economy</strong></a> as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> pandemic continues to spread.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The rupee closed at a record low of 76.44 against the dollar on 15<sup>th</sup> April, 2020. Rupee was 76.27 against dollar on the previous day.</li>
<li>However, <strong>the dollar index</strong> was trading 0.3% higher at 99.19. The U.S. Dollar Index (USDX) is an index (or measure) of the value of the United States dollar <strong>relative to a basket of foreign currencies.</strong></li>
<li>It can be noted that the rupee has <strong>weakened about 7% against the dollar in 2020</strong> and has hit a record intraday low of 76.55. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This implies that the <strong>rupee has become less valuable with respect to the dollar, implying depreciation</strong> of the rupee.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to some experts, the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</a> has not intervened strongly in the market to stop rupee depreciation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They expect the RBI to intervene once the rupee breaches the 77 to a dollar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In its macroeconomic review , RBI had said if the rupee depreciates 5% from the baseline (i.e. Rs 75 per dollar), inflation could rise by 20 basis points (bps) while <strong>the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gdp-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gross Domestic Product (GDP)</a> growth could be higher by about 15 bps via increased net exports.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Currency Depreciation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Currency depreciation is a <strong>fall in the value of a currency in a floating exchange rate system.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In a floating exchange rate system,<strong> market forces (based on demand and supply of a currency)</strong> determine the value of a currency.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rupee depreciation</strong> means that rupee has become <strong>less valuable with respect to dollar.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It means that the rupee is now <strong>weaker</strong> than what it used to be earlier.</li>
<li><strong>For example:</strong> $1 used to equal to Rs.70, now $1 is equal to Rs. 76, implying that the rupee has depreciated relative to the dollar i.e. it takes more rupees to purchase a dollar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Some of the factors that influence the value of a currency:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Inflation</li>
<li>Interest rates</li>
<li>Trade deficit</li>
<li>Macroeconomic policies</li>
<li>Equity market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Currency depreciation <strong>increases a country&rsquo;s export activity as its products and services become cheaper to buy.</strong></li>
<li>The Reserve Bank of India intervenes in the currency market to support the rupee as a <strong>weak domestic unit can increase a country&rsquo;s import bill.</strong></li>
<li>There are a <strong>variety of methods</strong> by which RBI intervenes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can intervene directly in the currency market by<strong> buying and selling dollars.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If the RBI wishes to increase the rupee value, then it can sell dollars and when it needs to bring down rupee value, it can buy dollars.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The central bank can also influence the value of rupee by the way of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/repo-rate-unchanged" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>monetary policy.</strong> </a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>RBI can adjust the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-s-covid-19-economic-relief-package" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>repo rate</strong></a> (the rate at which RBI lends to banks) and the liquidity ratio (the portion of money banks are required to invest in government bonds) to control rupee.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/rupee-slips-17-paise-closes-at-record-low-on-virus-spread/article31351465.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/rupee-slips-due-to-covid-19'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'India to Receive Normal Monsoon: IMD',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-warming-trends" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD)</strong></a> has observed that India will likely have a <strong>normal monsoon,</strong> with a <strong>chance of above normal rain</strong> in August and September, 2020.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Every year,</strong> the <strong>IMD issues a two-stage forecast.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>first one in April</strong> and the <strong>second one in the last week of May,</strong> which is a <strong>more detailed forecast</strong> and also illustrates how the monsoon will spread over the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Forecast</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>June-September rainfall</strong> accounts for <strong>75% of the country&rsquo;s annual rainfall.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Quantitatively, the monsoon seasonal rainfall is likely to be 100% of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/statement-on-climate-of-india-during-2019-imd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Long Period Average</strong></a> (LPA) with a model error of &plusmn; 5%.</li>
<li>The LPA of the season rainfall over the country as a whole for the period 1961-2010 is 88 cm. IMD has <strong>officially redefined the definition of &lsquo;normal&rsquo; rainfall and reduced it by 1 cm to 88 cms.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-ocean-dipole-and-the-south-west-monsoon" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indian Ocean Dipole,</strong></a> a temperature anomaly in the ocean that can increase monsoon rain, is also <strong>expected to be in a &ldquo;neutral&rdquo; state</strong> during the monsoon.</li>
<li>According to the statistical model, there is a <strong>41% forecast probability of a normal monsoon.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The expectation of excess rain comes from a forecast by the <strong>dynamical model,</strong> according to which, there is a <strong>high probability (70%)</strong> for the<strong> rainfall</strong> to be<strong> above normal to excess.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Comparison to 2019 Forecast</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In April, 2019, the IMD said that the monsoon would be <strong>near normal</strong> or a<strong> slightly below normal.</strong></li>
<li>However,<strong> India ended up with excess rainfall,</strong> or the <strong>maximum rainfall in a quarter century,</strong> largely owing to torrential rain in August and September from the unusual warming in the Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Models for Forecasting</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dynamical Model:</strong> It is also called the <strong>Monsoon Mission Coupled Forecast System.</strong> It relies on the<strong> supercomputers, mathematically simulating the physics of the ocean and the atmosphere.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This model is better at forecasting the state of the weather a week or two in advance and is not yet considered reliable by meteorologists in forecasting the monsoon.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Statistical Model:</strong> It takes into <strong>consideration the global weather models</strong> pointing to <strong>negligible chances of El Nino,</strong> a warming of the central equatorial Pacific which is associated with the drying up of monsoon rain. The <strong>IMD relies on this model.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>any given year,</strong> there is a <strong>33% chance of a normal monsoon</strong> that&rsquo;s why there is <strong>high confidence that the monsoon in 2020 would be normal.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>El Ni&ntilde;o</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under <strong>normal conditions,</strong> the <strong>west tropical Pacific is warmer than its eastern basin.</strong> The warmer area of the ocean is also a<strong> source for convection</strong> and is associated with <strong>cloudiness and rainfall.</strong></li>
<li>During El Nino years, the <strong>warmth shifts to Central and East Tropical Pacific</strong> and along with it, cloudiness and rainfall.</li>
<li>El Nino has been <strong>found to impact almost half the world triggering droughts in Australia, India, southern Africa and floods in Peru, Ecuador, the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Colorado River basin.</strong></li>
<li>However, there has been <strong>no direct correlation between the ENSO</strong> (El Nino Southern Oscillation) events and the monsoon established yet.</li>
<li><strong>Other acronyms related to El Nino:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Southern Oscillation Index</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It gives an <strong>indication of the development and intensity of El Nino or La Nina.</strong></li>
<li>The SOI is <strong>calculated on the basis of the atmospheric pressure differences</strong> between the <strong>South Pacific Ocean </strong>and <strong>Australia</strong>.</li>
<li>Sustained <strong>positive SOI values</strong> are indicative of <strong>La Nina</strong> conditions while<strong> negative values</strong> suggest <strong>El Nino</strong> conditions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>El Nino Southern Oscillation</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It refers to the <strong>oscillation between the El Nino and the La Nina.</strong></li>
<li>ENSO <strong>shifts irregularly back and forth between El Nino and La Ni&ntilde;a every two to seven years.</strong></li>
<li>Each phase triggers predictable disruptions of temperature, precipitation and winds disrupting large-scale air movements in the tropics, triggering a cascade of global side effects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-to-receive-normal-monsoon-in-2020-forecasts-imd/article31350804.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-to-receive-normal-monsoon-imd'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Measures to Deal with Economic Hardship',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, prominent economists Amartya Sen, Raghuram Rajan and Abhijit Banerjee have raised concerns and also suggested measures to deal with economic hardships created by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 lockdown.</strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Risk of Defiance of Lockdown Orders:</strong> In the scenario of extended lockdown, a huge number of <strong>people will be pushed into dire poverty or even starvation</strong> by the combination of the <strong>loss of their livelihoods</strong> and<strong> interruptions in the standard delivery mechanisms.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This opens up the risk of <strong>large-scale defiance of lockdown orders.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reassurance to People:</strong> The government needs to reassure people that it does care and their minimum well-being will be secure. Moreover, the government has the resources to do this.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The stocks of food at the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-corporation-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Corporation of India</strong></a> stood at 77 million tons in March 2020, more than<strong> three times the &ldquo;buffer stock norms&rdquo;.</strong> This is also likely to grow over the next few weeks as the<strong> Rabi crop comes in.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extend PDS Beyond 3 Months:</strong> Although the government has offered a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-economic-relief-package" target="_blank" rel="noopener">supplementary Public Distribution System</a> (PDS) provision of 5 kg/person/month for the coming three months.</strong> However, it is likely that three months will not be enough, since even if the lockdown ends soon, the process of reopening the economy will take time.</li>
<li><strong>Multidimensional Challenges:</strong> The starvation is just one of the worries, the <strong>unexpected loss of income and savings can have serious consequences. E.g.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Farmers need money to buy seeds and fertilizer for the next planting season.</li>
<li>Shopkeepers need to fill their shelves again.</li>
<li>Many others have to repay the loan that is already due.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Improvement Needed:</strong> The government has partly recognized this in the<strong> cash transfers it has promised to certain groups</strong> under <strong>Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package</strong> but the amounts are both small and narrowly targeted.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Food Corporation of India (FCI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>FCI is a <strong>Public Sector Undertaking,</strong> under the <strong>Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.</strong></li>
<li>It was established as a<strong> statutory body</strong> in 1965 under the <strong>Food Corporations Act 1964.</strong> It was established against the backdrop of a major shortage of grains, especially wheat.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Public distribution system (PDS)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>PDS is an Indian food Security System</strong> established <strong>under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.</strong></li>
<li>PDS evolved as a<strong> system of management of scarcity</strong> through distribution of food grains at affordable prices.</li>
<li>PDS is operated under the <strong>joint responsibility of the Central and the State Governments.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Central Government,</strong> through Food Corporation of India (FCI), has assumed the responsibility for <strong>procurement, storage, transportation and bulk allocation</strong> of food grains to the State Governments.</li>
<li>The <strong>operational responsibilities</strong> including allocation within the State, identification of eligible families,<strong> issue of Ration Cards</strong> and supervision of the functioning of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) etc., rest with the <strong>State Governments.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under the PDS, presently the commodities namely <strong>wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene</strong> are being allocated to the States/UTs for distribution. Some States/UTs also distribute additional items of mass consumption through the PDS outlets such as pulses, edible oils, iodized salt, spices, etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Issues Involved</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Exclusionary PDS:</strong> A substantial fraction (over 10 crore) of <strong>the poor are excluded from the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/public-distribution-system-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PDS</a> rolls,</strong> for one reason or another (such as identification barriers to get a ration card), and the supplementary provision (of 5 kg/person/month for the coming three months) only applies to those who are already on it.</li>
<li><strong>Reliance on Outdated Data:</strong> The exclusion in the Public Distribution System is because of <strong>outdated 2011 census data</strong> being used to calculate State-wise <strong>National Food Security Act (NFSA) coverage.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the NFSA, the PDS is supposed to cover 75% of the population in rural areas and 50% of the population in urban areas, which <strong>works out to 67% of the total population,</strong> using the rural-urban population ratio in 2011.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s population was about 121 crore in 2011 and so PDS covered approximately 80 crore people. However, applying the 67% ratio to a projected population of 137 crore for 2020, PDS coverage today should be around 92 crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issue of Pending Applications:</strong> Many <strong>State governments are reluctant to issue new ration cards beyond the numbers</strong> that will be provided for by the Central quota.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, there are about seven lakh pending applications for ration cards in Jharkhand, because the State government stopped issuing new ration cards several years ago to avoid exceeding the numbers provided for by the Central government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Giving away some of the existing stock,</strong> at a time of emergency created by Covid-19 would make perfect sense and it should not be portrayed as costly.</li>
<li>The government should <strong>use every means</strong> at its disposal to make sure that no one is starving. This includes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Expanding</strong> the PDS.</li>
<li>Setting up <strong>public canteens for migrants</strong> and others who are away from home.</li>
<li>Sending the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mid-day-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>equivalent of the school meal to the homes</strong> </a>of the children who are now stuck at home (as kerala is already doing).</li>
<li>Making use of reputed local NGOs that often have a reach among the most marginalized that exceeds that of the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sending 5000 rupees to the Jan Dhan accounts</strong> of the identified poor households. The poors can be identified by the idea of using the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/demand-for-mgnrega-work-increased" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MGNREGA</strong></a> rolls from 2019, plus those covered by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jan Arogya</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-18th-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ujjwala Yojana.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Issuing temporary ration cards &mdash;</strong> perhaps for six months &mdash; with minimal checks to everyone who wants ration cards.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/coronavirus-india-lockdown-economy-amartya-sen-raghuram-rajan-abhijit-banerjee-6364521/" 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/measures-to-deal-with-economic-hardship'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'NGOs to Update on Covid-19 Fight Every Month',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has <strong>asked all <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-governmental-organizations-ngos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs)</a> with foreign contribution licences</strong> to update the government on their efforts towards containing the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> outbreak every month.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NGOs receiving funds from overseas <strong>under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010,</strong> have to report their Covid-19 related activities by the 15<sup>th</sup> of every month.</li>
<li>This was the MHA&rsquo;s second request to NGOs in controlling the spread of the novel coronavirus.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier <strong>MHA had requested NGOs to aid and supplement</strong> the efforts of the government and local administration in fighting the spread of Covid-19.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The MHA had indicated the broad areas in which the NGOs could offer support, which included<strong> setting up community kitchens</strong> for migrants and the homeless, and <strong>providing shelter to homeless</strong> daily wage workers and the unemployed poor.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The request for assistance from NGOs comes after a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/fcra-and-dissent" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>concerted government crackdown on the social sector</strong></a>, which led to <strong>significant fall in overseas funding for NGOs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Over the last five years, the MHA has deregistered as many as 14,500 NGOs, and has, over the last three years, cancelled the foreign contribution licences of over 6,600 nonprofits for violations of the provisions of the FCRA.</li>
<li>According to the government, FCRA-registered NGOs had received a total Rs 2,244.77 crore in 2018-19 (as on November 28) as compared to Rs 16,902.41 crore in 2017-18.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Non-Governmental Organisations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Worldwide, the term <strong>&lsquo;NGO&rsquo;</strong> is used to describe a body that<strong> is neither part of a government nor a conventional for-profit business organisation.</strong></li>
<li>NGOs are groups of ordinary citizens that are involved in a wide range of activities that may have <strong>charitable, social, political, religious or other interests.</strong></li>
<li>NGOs are helpful in implementing <strong>government schemes at the grassroots.</strong></li>
<li>In India, <strong>NGOs can be registered</strong> under a plethora of Acts such as the <strong>Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860, Religious Endowments Act, 1863, Indian Trusts Act,</strong> etc.</li>
<li>India has possibly <strong>the largest number of active NGOs</strong> in the world, a study commissioned by the government put the number of NGOs in 2009 at 33 lakh.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>That was one <strong>NGO for less than 400 Indians,</strong> and many times the number of primary schools and primary health centres.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Ministries such as Health and Family Welfare, Human Resource Department, etc provide funding to a handful of NGOs.</li>
<li>NGOs also receive funds from abroad, if they are registered with the Home Ministry under the <strong>Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Without this, no NGO can receive cash or anything of value<strong> higher than Rs 25,000.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Foreign funding of voluntary organizations in India is regulated under FCRA act and is implemented by the <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>The Acts ensures that the recipients of foreign contributions adhere to the stated <strong>purpose for which such contribution has been obtained.</strong></li>
<li>Under the Act, organisations are required to<strong> register themselves every five years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-india-ngo-6364564/" 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/ngos-to-update-on-covid-19-fight-every-month'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Personal Protective Equipment for Sanitation Workers',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC)</strong> has issued advisory to <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/panchayati-raj-institution-pri" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>municipalities, panchayats</strong></a> urging them to ensure that all sanitation workers are provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to remain safe during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>novel coronavirus pandemic</strong></a>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>All local bodies were asked to put in place a standard operating procedure for the safety of sanitation staff.</li>
<li>There should be mandatory orientation for sanitation workers on Covid-19, social distancing norms and precautionary measures.</li>
<li>The local bodies were asked to provide equipment, including masks, gloves, gumboots and jackets, as well as soaps and hand sanitisers for helping maintain hygiene.</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Safai Karamcharis Finance &amp; Development Corporation (NSKFDC) is a wholly owned Government of India Undertaking under the <strong>Ministry of Social Justice &amp; Empowerment.</strong></li>
<li>It was set up in 1997 as a <strong>&ldquo;Not for Profit&rdquo;</strong> Company under <strong>Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956</strong> (now Section 8 of Companies Act 2013).</li>
<li>It is an apex Corporation for the all round <strong>socio-economic upliftment of the Safai Karamcharis, Scavengers and their dependents</strong> throughout India, through various<strong> loan and non-loan based schemes.</strong></li>
<li>NSKFDC is also playing a vital role in elimination of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/manual-scavenging-in-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>manual scavenging</strong></a> - the worst surviving <strong>symbol of untouchability.</strong></li>
<li>NSKFDC has been designated as the Nodal Agency for implementation of the Central Sector Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice &amp; Empowerment.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 provides an alternative to those who want to promote charity without creating a Trust or a Society for the purpose. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can be noted that<strong> non-profit companies are established under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013</strong> which broadly is <strong>similar to Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It allows the formation of a company existing as a legal entity in its own right, separate from the person promoting it.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However any company under this section must <strong>necessarily re-invest any and all income towards promoting the said object or charity.</strong></li>
<li>In essence, unlike a regular company, where owners and shareholders can make profits or receive dividends, no money gets out of a Section 25 company.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits under Section 25:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Exempt from <strong>statutory requirements of minimum paid-up capital.</strong></li>
<li>They are much easier to run than Trusts and Societies, as board meetings require a <strong>smaller quorum</strong> and requirements for calling such meetings are less rigid.</li>
<li>It is easier to increase the number of directors.</li>
<li>It is easier for people donating money to join or leave or transfer shares to others.</li>
<li>Such a company is obliged to fulfill <strong>far less stringent book-keeping</strong> and auditing requirements as against a regular company. These enjoy <strong>significant tax benefits.</strong> Such companies are also exempt from stamp duty payments.</li>
<li>Depending on how it is registered under the Income-Tax Act, companies could benefit from <strong>income-tax exemptions,</strong> or from the provision wherein people donating money to these companies receive income deductions in their income-tax liability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/local-bodies-told-to-give-personal-protective-equipment-to-sanitation-workers/article31342186.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/personal-protective-equipment-for-sanitation-workers'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'China in South China Sea',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p><strong>This article is based on <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/ChanakyaCode/south-china-sea-vietnam-approaches-un-against-china/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;South China Sea: Vietnam approaches UN against China&rdquo;</a></strong> which was published in Times of India on 15/04/2020. It talks about China&rsquo;s assertiveness and the corresponding disputes in the South China Sea.</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Maritime Asia</strong> has emerged as a <strong>new geopolitical frame of reference</strong> in recent years as the nations of Asia evolve into major trading and resource-consuming powers with economic growth dependent on seaborne trade.</p>
<p>However, China has been aggressively expanding its maritime influence, which can be seen through its activities in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South China Sea (SCS).</strong></a></p>
<p>The sinking of Vietnamese fishing boat (in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exclusive Economic Zone</strong></a> of Vietnam) by a Chinese ship near the Paracel Islands is the recent act of aggression in the region. Earlier, China unilaterally refused to follow the ruling on SCS given by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-tribunal-rejects-claims-against-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016.</strong></a></p>
<p>These Chinese assertions in the South China Sea and its hegemonic ambitions have become a cause of concern for peace and stability in the region.</p>
<h3>Significance of South China Sea</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Geo-Strategic Location</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The geographic location of the SCS is strategically important. As it links the Indian Ocean to the Pacific and is a critical shipping channel</li>
<li>According to <strong>the United Nations Conference on Trade And Development (UNCTAD), one-third of the global shipping</strong> passes through it, carrying trillions of trade.</li>
<li>Roughly two thirds of South Korea&rsquo;s energy supplies, nearly 60% of Japan&rsquo;s and Taiwan&rsquo;s energy supplies, and 80% of China&rsquo;s crude oil imports come through the South China Sea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rich Energy Reserves</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SCS is believed to have <strong>huge oil and gas reserves</strong> beneath its seabed.</li>
<li>According to the World Bank, the South China Sea holds proven oil reserves of at least seven billion barrels and an estimated 900 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Choke Point</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Strait of Malacca connects Indian Ocean to the South China Sea</strong> and is 900 km in length and is also a prominent trade route between East Asia and West Asia-Europe.</li>
<li>The <strong>Strait of Malacca</strong> is a choke point, it is always in interest of great powers to control such a strategic location. Thus, due to the presence of this choke point, SCS assumes much importance for China and other regional countries.</li>
<li>In context of naval diplomacy, it is a geopolitical term used to signify an international strait whose control could potentially affect commercial transit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586953256_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586953256_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="591" height="319" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fishery Resources</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Fishing in the South China Sea is a big business.</li>
<li>According to some estimates up to 10 % of the world&rsquo;s ocean-caught fish come from the region. However the fish stocks in the area are depleted and regional countries are using fishing bans as a means of asserting their sovereignty claims.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>South China Dispute</h3>
<p><strong>Encroaching EEZ of Other Countries</strong></p>
<p>In 1947, China took control of some islets in the South China Sea occupied by Japan in <strong>World War&ndash;II.</strong> Since 1953, China has been claiming almost the entire South China Sea, reflected in a map created with a <strong>9-dash line</strong> to show them as a part of China.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 2016, the <strong>Philippines had filed an arbitration case in the Permanent Court of Arbitration,</strong> seeking to strike down China&rsquo;s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The tribunal issued a decision finding that there is<strong> no legal basis</strong> to claim &ldquo;historic rights&rdquo; to islands in the South China Sea and the <strong>9-dash line is inconsistent</strong> with Convention on the Law of the Sea.</li>
<li>However, China refused to abide by the judgement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>China has asserted a <strong>maritime claim (based on historic rights)</strong> to a large part of the South China Sea that is not consistent with <strong>international law.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The SCS has more than a dozen overlapping EEZ in accordance with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea</strong></a> <strong>(UNCLOS- an international treaty that sets out important maritime rules).</strong></li>
<li>As per UNCLOS, countries in their EEZ can explore oil, mineral resources, living and non-living natural resources including resources under the sea, seabed and subsoil.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Building Great Wall of Sand</strong></p>
<p>There are many interconnected disputes over who is in charge of the various islands, rocks, shoals and reefs scattered throughout the South China Sea waters.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Paracel Islands</strong> are claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. The <strong>Spratly Islands</strong> are claimed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei and Philippines. The Scarborough Shoal is claimed by Philippines, China and Taiwan.</li>
<li>Further, since 2010, China has been converting uninhabited islets into artificial islets to bring it under UNCLOS (examples would include Haven Reef, Johnson South Reef and Fiery Cross Reef).</li>
<li>China has been changing the size and structure of the reefs by modifying their physical land features. It has also established airstrips on Parcel and Spratly.</li>
<li>Chinese fishing fleets are &ldquo;engaged in paramilitary work on behalf of the state rather than the commercial enterprise of fishing.</li>
<li>The US is very critical of this building of artificial islands and terms these actions of China as building a <strong>&lsquo;great wall of sand&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586953282_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586953282_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>India's Stand</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has maintained that it is not a party to the SCS dispute and its presence in the SCS is <strong>not to contain China but for its own economic interests</strong>, especially that of its energy security needs.</li>
<li>However, China&rsquo;s increasing ability to decide and expand its role in the South China Sea has compelled India to reevaluate its approach on the issue.</li>
<li>As a key element of the Act East Policy, India has started internationalizing disputes in the Indo-Pacific region to psychological pressure on irritants (the recent mentions of South China Sea dispute in bilateral statements between India-USA and India-France is a testimony to the fact).</li>
<li>Further, India is aggressively using the soft tool of Buddhist legacy to reclaim the unique historical leverage to make a strong bond with the Southeast Asian region.</li>
<li>India has also deployed its navy with Vietnam in the South China Sea for protection of sea lanes of communication (SLOC), denying China any space for assertion.</li>
<li>Also, India is part of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad initiative</strong></a> (India, US, Japan, Australia) and lynchpin of Indo-Pacific narrative. These initiatives are viewed as a containment strategy by China.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Today&rsquo;s world comprises extensive interconnections of countries and people. Any particular conflict, therefore, has the potential to have a ripple effect on countries and institutions other than the direct stakeholders. China must realise that it cannot continue with its bullying tactics and win trust of its neighbours and respect from the International Community.It is therefore desirable that all the countries of this region should abide by rule based international order and peaceful coexistence.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffbdb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>China&rsquo;s aggressive posture in the South China Sea poses a strategic threat for India. Analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/china-in-south-china-sea'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'World Economic Outlook Report: IMF',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong></a> has released its <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-growth-forecast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Economic Outlook (WEO) report</a>.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> is having a severe effect on the world economy. As countries implement necessary <strong>quarantines and social distancing</strong> practices to contain Covid-19, the world has been put in a <strong>Great Lockdown.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is expected to cause a -<strong>3% change (i.e., a contraction) in global output in 2020,</strong> which is much <strong>worse than the 2008-09 financial crises.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Case of India:</strong> India&rsquo;s growth is <strong>expected to dip to 1.9% in 2020 and rebound to 7.4% in 2021.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s growth projection for 2020 is <strong>3.9% less than what was projected for the country</strong> in the January update to the WEO while its rebound in 2021 is 0.9 % higher than the January projection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Growth Projections:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Emerging Asia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Emerging Asia is projected to be the only region that <strong>grows in 2020, at a rate of 1.0% -</strong> still more than 5 percentage points below the previous decade&rsquo;s average.</li>
<li>In China, where the coronavirus&rsquo;s impacts were first recorded this year, first quarter economic activity could have contracted by 8% year on year. <strong>China is projected to grow at 1.2% in 2020 and 9.2% in 2021.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from<strong> India&rsquo;s modest 1.9% in 2020, Indonesia is expected to grow at 0.5%,&nbsp;</strong>while <strong>others in the region experience contractions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advanced economies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Advanced economies will have an <strong>output change of -6.1% (i.e., a contraction) in 2020</strong> followed by 4.5% in 2021.</li>
<li>The <strong>U.S. is projected to contract by 5.9%</strong> in 2020 and grow by 4.7% 2021.</li>
<li>The <strong>Euro area, will contract by 7.5%</strong> in 2020 and grow by 4.7% 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact on Global GDP:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The cumulative loss to global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/base-year-for-gdp-calculations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gross Domestic Product (GDP)</strong></a> over 2020 and 2021 from the pandemic crisis could be around <strong>9 trillion dollars,</strong> greater than the economies of Japan and Germany, combined.</li>
<li>Assuming that the pandemic fades in the second half of this year, with containment efforts gradually easing up, the <strong>world economy is projected to grow at 5.8% in 2020</strong> as economic activity normalizes, aided by policy.</li>
<li>If the pandemic does not recede in the second half of 2020, global GDP would<strong> fall an additional 3% in 2020.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measures to combat the impact:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Policymakers have to make targeted fiscal, monetary and financial sector interventions</strong> to support impacted households and businesses.</li>
<li>Fiscal measures <strong>should be two-fold:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Cushioning the impact on the most-exposed households and businesses</li>
<li>Reducing firm closures , i.e., preserving economic relationships.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Monetary stimulus</strong> by large central banks and liquidity facilities to reduce systemic stress will help limit the shock, positioning the economy for a better recovery.</li>
<li><strong>Strong multilateral cooperation</strong> is essential to overcome the effects of the pandemic, including to help financially constrained countries facing twin health and funding shocks, and for channeling aid to countries with weak healthcare systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Monetary Fund</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IMF is an organization working to <strong>foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty</strong> around the world.</li>
<li>Created in <strong>1945,</strong> the IMF is governed by and accountable to the <strong>189 countries</strong> that make up its near-global membership.India Joined on December 27, 1945.</li>
<li>The IMF's primary purpose is to ensure the stability of the international monetary system&mdash;the system of exchange rates and international payments that enables countries (and their citizens) to transact with each other. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Fund's mandate was updated in 2012 to include<strong> all macroeconomic and financial sector issues</strong> that bear on global stability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>World Economic Outlook</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>WEO is a survey by the IMF that is usually published <strong>twice a year in the months of April and October.</strong></li>
<li>It analyzes and predicts <strong>global economic developments</strong> during the near and medium term.</li>
<li>In response to the growing demand for more frequent forecast updates, the WEO Update is published in January and July between the two main WEO publications released usually in April and October.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/coronavirus-imf-projects-19-growth-for-india-in-2020/article31340201.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/world-economic-outlook-report-imf'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<p>The mandate of the Ministry is empowerment of the socially, educationally and economically marginalised sections of the society including Scheduled Castes, other Backward Class, Senior Citizens, Victims of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Transgender Persons, Beggars, Denotified and Nomadic Tribes (DNTs), Economically Backward Classes (EBCs) and Economically Weaker Section (EWS).</p>
<h3>Important Schemes and Policies</h3>
<p><strong>National Survey on Extent and Pattern of substance (Drugs) Abuse in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS has completed the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of substance (Drugs) Abuse in India.</li>
<li>National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) for 2018-25 has also been prepared and implemented, which aims at <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-fighting-drug-menace" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>reduction of adverse consequences of drug abuse</strong></a> through a multipronged strategy involving education, de-addiction and rehabilitation of affected individuals and their families.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-day-against-drug-abuse-and-illicit-trafficking" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking</strong></a> was observed on 26<sup>th</sup> June 2019.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The central sector scheme is being implemented for identification, counseling, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts through voluntary and other eligible organizations.</li>
<li>Under this Scheme, financial assistance is provided to NGOs/Voluntary organizations and other eligible agencies for setting-up/running Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCAs).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Article 47</strong> of the Constitution provides that the State shall endeavor to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health.</li>
<li>India is a signatory to three United Nations Conventions, namely:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961;</li>
<li>Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971; and</li>
<li>Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DEPwD was created in order to give focused attention to Policy issues and meaningful thrust to the activities aimed at welfare and empowerment of the Persons with Disabilities.</li>
<li>It acts as a <strong>Nodal Agency</strong> for matters pertaining to disability and Persons with Disabilities including effecting closer coordination among different stakeholders: related Central Ministries, State/UT Governments, NGOs etc. in matters pertaining to disability.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Day of Persons with Disabilities</strong> </a>was celebrated worldwide on 3rd December 2019.</li>
<li>India is a signatory of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/disability-summit-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities</strong> </a>(UNCRPD). It ratified this Convention in 2007.</li>
<li>India submitted its First Country Report on<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/status-on-implementation-of-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Status of Disability in India</strong> </a>in November 2015. The UN Committee on CRPD in its 22nd Session took up India&rsquo;s First Country Report for consideration during 2<sup>nd</sup> &amp; 3<sup>rd</sup> September 2019 at UNHRC, Geneva.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Article 41</strong> of the Constitution states that State shall make effective provision for securing right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, within the limits of its economic capacity and development.</li>
<li>The subject of &lsquo;relief of the disabled and unemployable&rsquo; is specified in the state list of the Seventh schedule of the constitution.</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/issues-related-to-persons-with-disability" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more on issues related to people with disabilities.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Important Legislations</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-transgender-persons-protection-of-rights-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Brings greater accountability on the part of the Central Government and State Governments/Union Territories Administrations for issues concerning Transgender persons.</li>
<li>Will benefit a large number of transgender persons, mitigate the stigma, discrimination and abuse against this marginalized section and bring them into the mainstream of society.</li>
<li>Can lead to greater inclusiveness and can make the transgender persons productive members of the society.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586951952_Image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586951952_Image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="584" height="360" /></a></p>
<h3>Important Facts</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-17th-april-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Vayoshreshtha Samman</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The President of India presented the &ldquo;Vayoshreshtha Samman&rdquo; to the eminent senior citizens and institutions in recognition of their services towards the cause of the elderly persons, to mark the &ldquo;International Day of Older Persons&rdquo; (October 1).</li>
<li>The Vayoshreshtha Samman was instituted in the year 2005 and was upgraded to the status of National Awards in the year 2013.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Centre for Disability Sports</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Government has approved setting up of a <strong>Centre for Disability Sports at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh</strong> with a view to provide contemporary training facilities for Divyang Sportspersons at par with leading countries in the world.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>World Mental Health Day</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-mental-health-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Mental Health Day</strong> </a>was observed on 10<sup>th</sup> October 2019.</li>
<li>The theme of World Mental Health Day-2019 is &lsquo;Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-social-justice-and-empowerment'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Test Positivity Rate',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></a> (ICMR) has observed that the <strong>test positivity rate</strong> had <strong>not changed substantially</strong> over the last one to two months, <strong>maintaining between 3% and 5%.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Test Positivity Rate:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>proportion of positive cases among all tests done.</strong></li>
<li>It is taken to be a useful indicator if a substantial section of suspected cases has been tested.</li>
<li>It is <strong>one among the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/science-of-covid-19-spread" target="_blank" rel="noopener">measures for assessing the spread of an infection.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>From data on tests for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> and positive cases between 18<sup>th</sup> March and 13<sup>th</sup> April, it emerges that the test positivity rate in India has been between 1.1% and 4.3% (ratios based on cumulative counts until any date).</li>
<li>If <strong>more people are tested</strong> and the <strong>positivity rate remains the same,</strong> it&rsquo;s a <strong>clue that the infection is where it was and is not expanding.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A sudden spike in the infection spread would be an alarming concern.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586947514_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586947514_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="750" caption="false" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>apex body</strong> in India for the <strong>formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.</strong></li>
<li>Its mandate is to conduct, coordinate and implement medical research for the benefit of the society, translating medical innovations into products/processes and introducing them into the public health system.</li>
<li>It is <strong>funded by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/coronavirus-positive-cases-among-tests-trends-and-an-outlier-6362854/" 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/test-positivity-rate'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Recovery Curve and Case Rate Curve',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The recovery rate of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> patients in<strong> India aligns closely with the curve of confirmed cases,</strong> with a <strong>lag of two weeks,</strong> according to an examination of absolute numbers of the cases.</p>
<h3>Key Points<img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586946527_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" /></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For making the<strong> global comparison,</strong> data from the <strong>Johns Hopkins University database</strong> was used.</li>
<li>Mapping the <strong>global number of Covid-19 patients who recovered</strong> largely mimics the<strong> global case load,</strong> with a<strong> 14-day lag.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the <strong>high recovery rate does not take into account the severity of the disease</strong> during the recovery process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Indian graph shows that the <strong>mortality rate in India is lower than global rates,</strong> so far.</li>
<li>The graph for global rates shows the <strong>overall recovery rate as significantly flatter than the caseload.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> cases worldwide are growing</strong> exponentially but the global recovery rate has begun to fall flat.</li>
<li>Globally, there is <strong>considerable research on the mortality of Covid-19</strong> but there is <strong>less literature to help understand the patterns of recovery.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Science of the Curves:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two curves would <strong>align exactly</strong> if <strong>everyone who fell sick on Day 1 recovered 14 days later.</strong></li>
<li>Any <strong>discrepancy</strong> between the two lines is either <strong>due to people who fell sick and died,</strong> or <strong>people who recovered earlier or later than the mean period of 14 days.</strong></li>
<li>People who recover before 14 days and the people who recover after 14 days, almost balance out each other and do not hamper the curve.</li>
<li>This <strong>leaves only accounting for those who die.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is probably why the recovered curve is lower than the infected curve in the global figure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recovery Time for Covid-19</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is <strong>no established recovery time</strong> of Covid-19 patients.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Recovery</strong> is measured by a <strong>patient no longer showing symptoms</strong> and<strong> having two consecutive negative tests for the virus at least one day apart.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to an early <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation</strong> </a>(WHO) report, <strong>mild cases</strong> have a recovery time of <strong>roughly two weeks</strong> and<strong> severe cases</strong> have the recovery time of somewhere <strong>between three to six weeks.</strong></li>
<li>However,<strong> countries measure recovery differently.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>number of the global recoveries</strong> will inevitably be an <strong>estimate</strong> in the <strong>absence of global recovery rates by the WHO </strong>and<strong> uniform methods of reporting recoveries.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/coronavirus-recovery-curve-aligned-with-case-rate-with-a-2-week-lag-6362963/" 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/recovery-curve-and-case-rate-curve'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Sahyog App: Survey of India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Survey of India (SoI) has developed<strong> an e-platform</strong> that will collect geotagged information on the nation&rsquo;s critical infrastructure in order to help the <strong>Government and public health agencies take critical decisions</strong> in response to the current <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/science-of-covid-19-spread" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic situation.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To support this platform, a <strong>mobile application called Sahyog</strong> has also been created. This app will help collect location specific data with the help of community workers.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Survey of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the National Survey and Mapping Organization of the country <strong>under the Department of Science &amp; Technology.</strong></li>
<li>It was <strong>established in 1767</strong> and is the <strong>oldest scientific department</strong> of the Government of India.</li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered</strong> at <strong>Dehradun, Uttarakhand.</strong></li>
<li>The Survey of India acts as adviser to the Government of India on all survey matters, viz Geodesy, Photogrammetry, Mapping and Map Reproduction.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Geodesy</strong> is the science of accurately measuring and understanding the Earth's geometric shape, orientation in space and gravity field.</li>
<li><strong>Photogrammetry</strong> is the science of making measurements from photographs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Swift Solution:</strong> Data collection by formal land survey is a lengthy and time taking process but the <strong>mobile app can help crowdsource data quickly.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Complement Arogya Setu App:</strong> This will<strong> complement</strong> the recently launched <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/privacy-concern-over-aarogya-setu-app" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Aarogya Setu App</strong></a> that helps trace the contacts of those who may have been infected by Covid-19.</li>
<li><strong>Relevant Information:</strong> Information regarding biomedical waste disposals, containment areas, available hospitals for Covid-19 cases, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/antibody-kits-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research)</strong></a> testing laboratories and quarantine camps will be integrated on this platform with their latitudinal and longitudinal parameters. This could be customised to a variety of <strong>&lsquo;Covid-related applications&rsquo;</strong> such as healthcare facilities, infection clusters and disaster management</li>
<li><strong>Data Localisation:</strong> Data collected using Sahyog application will be used for creating various applications for everyone&rsquo;s usage and would facilitate building a dataset that remains inside India.</li>
<li><strong>Support System:</strong> The data fed by the volunteers working on the ground such as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-mission-and-janani-suraksha-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist)</strong> </a><strong>and Anganwadi workers</strong> will lead to a good support system for the government and doctors on ground.</li>
<li><strong>Health Delivery System:</strong> This will<strong> strengthen the public health delivery system</strong> of the central and state governments by providing necessary information support to workers dealing with the challenges of health, socio-economic distress and livelihood changes.</li>
<li><strong>Integration on Single Platform:</strong> A lot of geospatial data about locations of fire services, banquet halls etc. is already present with the Government which was not <strong>integrated in a single platform.</strong> This is a step in that direction.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Privacy:</strong> Arogya Setu and applications like Sahyog that link to it, could infringe privacy as there<strong> wasn&rsquo;t clarity on how the data would be shared</strong> between the two applications.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Clarity:</strong> Arogya Setu&rsquo;s terms of use were unclear on several aspects including how long data would be stored and what would happen to it after the pandemic has ceased.</li>
<li><strong>Effectiveness:</strong> Additionally, there is also a<strong> question of proportionality,</strong> i.e. in India, compared to its population, smartphone users are very less which means very few people will be able to download the app.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-survey-of-india-maps-to-bolster-arogya-setu-app/article31340638.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/sahyog-app-survey-of-india'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'ASEAN Summit',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Vietnam</strong> chaired the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)</strong></a> <strong>summit held online.</strong> The discussions pertained to the <strong>impact of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> on southeast Asia.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Leaders from China, Japan and South Korea joined the summit.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ASEAN leaders have warned of the crippling economic cost of Covid-19 and called for trade routes to reopen to protect jobs and food supplies, as well as the stockpiling of medical equipment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Covid-19 has ruined the region's tourism and export-reliant economies.</li>
<li>Vietnam has urged Southeast Asian leaders to set up an <strong>emergency fund to tackle the coronavirus.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Existing Fears on the impact of Covid-19 on the Region:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Limited testing in Indonesia has resulted in the lower number of cases -- and under 400 deaths -- for a country of 260 million.</li>
<li>Health systems from Myanmar to Laos are widely believed to be missing the true scale of infections.</li>
<li>A <strong>recent surge in cases in Singapore</strong> has raised fears the pandemic could rebound in places which had batted back the initial outbreak.</li>
<li>The Thai economy, the second largest in ASEAN, is <strong>expected to shrink by</strong> 5.3% in 2020 -- a 22-year low -- with millions left jobless.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Association of Southeast Asian Nations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ASEAN is a <strong>regional grouping</strong> that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation.</li>
<li>It was established on <strong>8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand,</strong> with the signing of the <strong>ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration)</strong> by the founding fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.</li>
<li><strong>Ten members:</strong> Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.</li>
<li><strong>Chairmanship of ASEAN rotates annually,</strong> based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.</li>
<li>ASEAN countries have a<strong> total population of 650 million people and a combined <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/base-year-for-gdp-calculations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gross Domestic Product (GDP)</a> of $2.8 trillion.</strong></li>
<li>The group has played a central role in Asian economic integration, signing six free-trade agreements with other regional economies and helping spearhead negotiations for what could be the world&rsquo;s largest free trade pact.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586943231_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586943231_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/hanoi-april-14-2020-afp/article31342988.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/asean-summit-2'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'NIC and Covid-19 ',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rojgaar-sangi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Informatics Centre (NIC)</strong></a>, traffic on the websites of the <strong>Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare</strong> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</strong></a> has gone up significantly as people looked for information about <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19.</strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Citizens look up to a source of <strong>genuine information</strong> on the pandemic.</li>
<li>Various State centres of the NIC are working with the <strong>State governments to develop tracking and management portals</strong> to help the State and the district administration to combat the pandemic.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is done on similar lines of those already launched in <strong>Kerala and Meghalaya.</strong></li>
<li><strong>For example, Covid-19 Jagratha:</strong> This portal was launched in Kerala.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a one stop platform for the public to avail emergency services and information related to Covid-19 and ensures transparency and quality in public services and welfare measures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NIC also highlighted some of the challenges of Work From Home(WFH) such as:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Configuration Challenges:</strong> Configuring <strong>Virtual Private Network (VPN)</strong> access &mdash; core to enabling government employees to work from their homes &mdash; to a large number of employees in a span of three or four days.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A VPN provides <strong>online privacy and anonymity</strong> by creating a private network from a public internet connection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limited Manpower:</strong> Given most of the members at NIC were also working from home, executing change at different levels was difficult with a<strong> limited manpower.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Logistical Constraints: Availability of laptops or a home desktop</strong> for every resource was another challenge.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Apart from increased traffic on ICMR's and Health Ministry's website, <strong>NIC&rsquo;s videoconferencing service</strong> is also being extensively used due to social distancing norms.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The videoconferencing service used by government officials, including the <strong>President and the Prime Minister, besides Union Ministers, Governors and Chief Ministers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Informatics Centre</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NIC provides <strong>network backbone and e-Governance</strong> support to the Central Government, State Governments and UT Administrations.</li>
<li>NIC has been closely associated with the Government in different aspects of Governance besides establishing a <strong>Nationwide State-of-the-Art information and communication technology (ICT) Infrastructure.</strong></li>
<li>it has also built a large number of digital solutions to support the government at various levels, making the <strong>last-mile delivery of government services to the citizens a reality.</strong></li>
<li>It is under the aegis of the <strong>Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology</strong></li>
<li>It was established in 1976 and is located in New Delhi.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-hits-to-health-ministry-icmr-websites-soar/article31342239.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/nic-and-covid-19'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Covid-19 Impact on Measles Immunization Program',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations (UN)</strong></a>, due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, <strong>measles immunisation campaigns have been delayed</strong> in 24 countries and will be canceled in 13 other countries.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The reason being that the <strong>healthcare workers are required to deal with the pandemic</strong> in countries where healthcare systems are inadequate.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>coronavirus pandemic,</strong> which has necessitated many prevention measures including strict lockdowns, <strong>has kept infants from getting routine immunisation services</strong> from some other diseases such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-polio-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>polio</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/yellow-fever-vaccine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>yellow fever</strong></a> and cholera.</li>
<li>Countries including Mexico, Bolivia, Lebanon, Nepal and Chile are among others who have delayed their immunisation campaigns.</li>
<li>Some of the <strong>countries currently amid measles outbreak</strong> include Nigeria, Ukraine, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kazakhstan among others.</li>
<li>According to a report in the journal Nature, the <strong>reproduction number for measles,</strong> which is the number of people who get infected by an individual who has the disease, <strong>is somewhere between 12-18,</strong> which <strong>makes measles the most contagious virus known.</strong></li>
<li>According to the<strong> World Health Organization (WHO),</strong> mass immunisation drives and routine vaccination for children are the key public health strategies against the Measles. Therefore, delaying the campaigns affects these strategies, potentially putting the life of thousands of children at risk.</li>
<li>The WHO released an <strong>interim guideline</strong> for carrying out immunisation activities during Covid-19 on 26<sup>th</sup> March, 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It says if immunisation activities are negatively impacted during the pandemic, respective countries will need to design strategies for delivering &ldquo;catch-up&rdquo; vaccines after the outbreak subsides. Implementing this will require strategies to <strong>track and follow-up with individuals who missed getting vaccinated,</strong> assessing immunity gaps and re-establishing community demand.</li>
<li>Further, it has advised that <strong>mass immunisation campaigns</strong> be <strong>&ldquo;temporarily suspended&rdquo;</strong> in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and that countries should monitor the necessity of delaying these campaigns at regular intervals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Measles</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-measles-cases-up-by-300-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Measles</strong></a> is a <strong>highly contagious viral disease</strong> and despite the availability of a vaccine against it, it remains to be a<strong> leading cause of death among young children globally.</strong></li>
<li>The disease is <strong>transmitted via droplets</strong> released from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons.</li>
<li>The <strong>initial symptoms</strong> occur <strong>10-12 days after contracting the infection</strong> and include high fever, a runny nose, bloodshot eyes and the appearance of white spots on the inside of the mouth.</li>
<li><strong>Some of the most serious complications</strong> arising out of the disease include <strong>blindness, encephalitis (brain swelling), severe diarrhea, dehydration and severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia.</strong></li>
<li>The disease is <strong>common in parts of Africa and Asia</strong> and is more likely among poorly nourished children, especially those who are <strong>deficient in vitamin A.</strong></li>
<li>Measles <strong>claimed 140,000 lives in 2018,</strong> mostly of children and babies.</li>
<li>The <strong>measles vaccine has been in use since the 1960s.</strong> It is safe, effective and inexpensive.</li>
<li>As per the WHO, reaching all children with 2 doses of measles vaccine, either alone, or in a measles-rubella (MR), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) combination, should be the standard for all national immunization programmes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>India, </strong>the first dose of measles vaccine was introduced in the 1990s.</li>
<li>India introduced the second dose from 2010 onwards. India was one of the last countries to add a second dose of measles vaccine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2019,<strong> Sri Lanka</strong> became the fifth country in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/measles-and-rubella-in-south-east-asia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>WHO southeast Asia region to eliminate measles.</strong></a> The other countries in the region which have eliminated measles in their geographical area are <strong>Bhutan, Maldives, DPR Korea and Timor-Leste.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-covid-19-is-affecting-the-immunisation-campaigns-for-measles-other-diseases-6362473/" 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/covid-19-impact-on-measles-immunization-program'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Poona Pact 1932',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/ambedkar-and-the-poona-pact/article31333684.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Ambedkar and the Poona Pact&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 14/04/2020. It talks about the significance of Poona Pact 1932.</p>
</div>
<p>In 1932, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dr-b-r-ambedkar-s-129th-birth-anniversary" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>B.R. Ambedkar</strong> </a>negotiated the Poona Pact with Mahatma Gandhi. The background to the Poona Pact was the Communal Award of August 1932 which provided a separate electorate for depressed classes.</p>
<p>The pact signifies a solution derived by amalgamating two different ideologies <strong>(Ambedkar: Political Approach and Gandhi: Social Approach),</strong> striving to achieve a common goal for upliftment of one of most vulnerable sections of the Indian society.</p>
<h3>Background of the Poona Pact</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>On August 16, 1932, the <strong>British Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald,</strong> announced the <strong>Communal Award</strong> which provided for <strong>separate electorates</strong> for the <strong>&lsquo;Depressed Classes&rsquo;,</strong> the Muslims, the Europeans, the Sikhs, the Anglo-Indians and the Indian-based Christians.</li>
<li>The Award of 1932 was built on the notion of separate electorates that the British government had already put in place through the <strong>Morley-Minto Reforms (1909)</strong> and the <strong>Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919).</strong></li>
<li>Under a separate electorates system, each community was allocated a number of seats in the legislatures and <strong>only members from these communities would be eligible to vote to elect a representative of the same community to legislative assemblies.</strong></li>
<li>Mahatma Gandhi was <strong>bitterly opposed</strong> to the communal award, as the award in<strong> continuum of constant efforts</strong> of the British imperialists to divide Indian people into a number of <strong>special-interest groups and to weaken the national movement.</strong></li>
<li>Initially, <strong>Ambedkar was in favour of the award,</strong> as according to him political solutions like separate electorate would work for upliftment of depressed classes.</li>
<li>However, after the series of negotiations both Gandhiji and Ambedkar agreed to a solution called Poona Pact and thereby withdrawing separate electorate for depressed classes.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of Poona Pact</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Representation Of Depressed Classes:</strong> In a settlement negotiated with Mahatma Gandhi, Ambedkar agreed for depressed class candidates to be elected by a<strong> joint electorate.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, nearly twice as many seats (147) were reserved for the depressed classes in the legislature than what had been allotted under the Communal Award.</li>
<li>In addition, the Poona Pact assured a fair representation of the depressed classes in the public services while earmarking a portion of the educational grant for their uplift.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Poona Pact was an <strong>emphatic acceptance</strong> by upper-class Hindus that the depressed classes constituted the most discriminated sections of Indian society.</li>
<li>It was also conceded that <strong>something concrete had to be done</strong> to give depressed classes a <strong>political voice.</strong></li>
<li>The pact made the entire country morally responsible for the uplift of the depressed classes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As the concessions agreed to in the Poona Pact were<strong> precursors to the world&rsquo;s largest affirmative programme (reservation in legislature, public services and educational institutions)</strong> launched much later in independent India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Most of all the pact made the depressed classes a<strong> formidable political force</strong> for the first time in Indian history.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Madan Mohan Malaviya signed it on behalf of Gandhi.</li>
<li>Instead of the 80 seats given by the British, the depressed classes got 147 seats.</li>
<li>The Communal Award was based on the findings of the Indian Franchise Committee, called the Lothian Committee.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Gandhi And Ambedkar: Difference in Approach</h3>
<p>Both the leaders were critical of ills pertaining to the caste system and committed to the upliftment of depressed classes. However, both differ in the approach.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ambedkar was in favour of <strong>annihilation of the caste system</strong> as it was beyond reforms.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gandhi did not support the abolition of the caste system or Varnashrama order. He was in favour of <strong>bringing behavioural change</strong> in the society regarding the ills of the caste system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to Ambedkar, the caste question is a<strong> political issue and wanted a political solution for upliftment of depressed classes.</strong> Ambedkar insisted that a<strong> political democracy was meaningless</strong> if the so-called depressed classes were not equal participants in it.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to Gandhi <strong>caste issue is a social one.</strong> He wanted to reform it by<strong> changing the hearts and minds of people.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Ambedkar preferred a <strong>rights-based approach</strong> while Gandhi&rsquo;s approach was through <strong>faith and spirituality.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>That's why Ambedkar's referred depressed classes as <strong>dalits</strong> (to give them a political identity), on the other hand Gandhi called depressed classes as <strong>Harijan</strong> (to sensitize upper caste for plight of depressed classes by invoking spirituality).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The Poona Pact has changed the Indian Political history and the destiny of millions of Dalits across the country. However, social stigma attached to the caste system still remains in the Indian society. Therefore, in order to establish an egalitarian society in true sense, <a href="/to-the-points/paper4/gandhian-ideologies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gandhian Philosophy</strong></a> and <strong>Ambedkar&rsquo;s notion of Social Democracy</strong> is much more relevant than ever before.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586865271_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586865271_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e3ecff;">
<p><span style="color: #800000;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the significance of Poona Pact 1932 in bringing upliftment for depressed classes.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/poona-pact-1932'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'US Approves Sale of Military Hardware',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>US State Department has approved the sale of missiles and torpedoes worth $155 million to India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The sale of <strong>10 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air launched missiles</strong> is estimated to cost USD 92 million.</li>
<li>The sale of <strong>16 MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes</strong> and <strong>3 MK 54 Exercise Torpedoes</strong> are estimated to cost $63 million.</li>
<li>Indian Government has requested the US for these military hardware.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India intends to utilize MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes on its <strong>P-8I aircraft.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The MK 54 Lightweight Torpedo would provide the capability to conduct <strong>anti-submarine warfare missions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Harpoon missile system would be integrated into the P-8I aircraft to conduct <strong>anti-surface warfare missions</strong> in defense of critical sea lanes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will also enhance interoperability with the United States and other allied forces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Harpoon Block II Missile</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is capable of <strong>executing both land-strike and anti-ship missions.</strong></li>
<li>To strike targets on land and ships in port, the missile uses GPS-aided inertial navigation to hit a designated target aimpoint.</li>
<li>It can be used against a wide <strong>variety of land-based targets,</strong> including coastal defense sites, surface-to-air missile sites, exposed aircraft, port/industrial facilities and ships in port.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>MK 54 Torpedoes</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Torpedo is a cigar-shaped, self-propelled underwater missile, launched from a submarine, surface vessel, or airplane and designed for exploding upon contact with the hulls of surface vessels and submarines.</li>
<li>The MK 54 uses sophisticated processing algorithms to analyze the information, edit out false targets or countermeasures, and then pursue identified threats.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>P-8I Aircraft</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The P-8I aircraft is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft that Boeing company developed as a replacement for the US Navy&rsquo;s ageing P-3 fleet.</li>
<li>With a maximum speed of 907 kmph and an operating range of over 1,200 nautical miles, the P-8Is <strong>detect threats and neutralize them</strong> if required, far before they come anywhere near Indian shores.</li>
<li><strong>Indian Navy became the first international customer for the P-8 aircraft</strong> with the conclusion of the nearly US $ 2.1 billion contract on 01 Jan 2009 for a total of eight aircraft. The<strong> P-8s Indian variant is referred to as P-8I.</strong></li>
<li>The aircraft are <strong>based at INS Rajali.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-approves-sale-of-missile-torpedoes-worth-155-million-to-india-6361621/" 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/us-approves-sale-of-military-hardware'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'World Heritage Sites in India',
		'catname' => 'Paper 1',
		'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by UNESCO for its special cultural or physical significance. The list of World Heritage Sites is maintained by the international <strong>'World Heritage Programme',</strong> administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.</li>
<li>The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.</li>
<li>This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.</li>
<li>India has 38 world heritage sites that include 30 Cultural properties, 7 Natural properties and 1 mixed site.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lOzxUVCCSug" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was founded in 1945 to develop the &ldquo;intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind&rdquo; as a means of building lasting peace.</li>
<li>It is located in Paris, France.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Cultural Sites in India (30)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Agra Fort (1983)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>16<sup>th</sup>-century Mughal monument</li>
<li>Fortress of red sandstone</li>
<li>It comprises the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ajanta-and-ellora-caves" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ajanta Caves (1983)</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863024_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863024_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar (2016)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Remains of a monastic and scholastic institution dating from the 3<sup>rd</sup> century BCE to the 13<sup>th</sup> century CE.</li>
<li>Includes stupas, shrines, viharas (residential and educational buildings) and important artworks in stucco, stone and metal.</li>
<li>Considered to be the most ancient university of the Indian Subcontinent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the oldest Buddhist sanctuary in existence and was a major Buddhist centre in India until the 12<sup>th</sup> century A.D.</li>
<li>Consists of monolithic pillars, palaces, temples and monasteries) all in different states of conservation most of which date back to the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 1<sup>st</sup> centuries B.C.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Prehistoric (chalcolithic) sites, a hill fortress of early Hindu capital, and remains of the 16<sup>th</sup>-century capital of the state of Gujarat.</li>
<li>Also includes, among other vestiges, fortifications, palaces, religious buildings, residential precincts, agricultural structures and water installations, from the 8<sup>th</sup> to 14<sup>th</sup> centuries.</li>
<li>The Kalikamata Temple on top of Pavagadh Hill is considered to be an important shrine, attracting large numbers of pilgrims throughout the year.</li>
<li>The site is the only complete and unchanged Islamic pre-Mughal city.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture. The building, designed by the British architect F. W. Stevens, became the symbol of Bombay as the &lsquo;Gothic City&rsquo; and the major international mercantile port of India. The terminal was built over 10 years, starting in 1878, according to a High Victorian Gothic design based on late medieval Italian models. Its remarkable stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric ground plan are close to traditional Indian palace architecture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The churches and convents of Goa, particularly the Basilica of Bom Jesus indicate commencement of evangelization in Asia.</li>
<li>The Basilica of Bom Jesus also houses the sacred tomb of St. Francis Xavier.</li>
<li>These monuments are well known for spreading- Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque art in major parts of Asia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Elephanta Caves (1987)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Located at Elephanta island or island of Gharapuri(literally- &lsquo;City of Caves&rsquo;) in the Sea of Oman, close to Mumbai.</li>
<li>Contains a collection of rock art connected to the Shaivite cult.</li>
<li>It is a vital symbol of the greatness of Indian art, especially the huge high reliefs in the main cave.</li>
<li>They were constructed around the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ajanta-and-ellora-caves" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ellora Caves</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Fatehpur Sikri (1986)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Built during the second half of the 16<sup>th</sup> century by Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri or &lsquo;The City of Victory,&rsquo; also served as the capital of the Mughal empire for a short time period.</li>
<li>It contains an array of monuments and temples, including one of the largest mosques in India- the Jama Masjid.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Great Living Chola Temples (1987, 2004)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Built by kings of the Chola empire, these temples manifest the precision and perfection of the Cholas in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting.</li>
<li>This site includes three 11<sup>th</sup> and 12<sup>th</sup>- century temples: Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.</li>
<li>The Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram built by Rajendra the First in 1035 and the Airavatesvara Temple built by Rajaraja the Second, feature vimana (sanctum tower) of 53m and 24m respectively.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/consecration-at-the-brihadisvara-temple" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brihadisvara and Airavatesvara temple</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863069_Image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863069_Image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This site was the last capital of the kingdom of Vijaynagar.</li>
<li>These Dravidian temples and palaces were built by rulers of Vijaynagar between the 14<sup>th</sup> and 16<sup>th</sup> centuries.</li>
<li>In 1565, the city was captured by Deccan Muslim Confederacy and pillaged for a period of 6 months, before being abandoned.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863101_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863101_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This group of monuments was founded by Pallava kings in the 7<sup>th</sup> and 8<sup>th</sup> centuries along the Coromandel coast of Bay of Bengal.</li>
<li>These temples boast of intricate and unique architectural styles in the form of- rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries) and giant open-air reliefs such as- &lsquo;Descent of the Ganges.&rsquo;</li>
<li>It also encloses the temple of Rivage, with thousands of sculptures dedicated to the glory of Shiva.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pattadakal in Karnataka showcases a unique blend of architectural forms from northern and southern India, achieved under the Chalukya dynasty during the 7<sup>th</sup> and 8<sup>th</sup> centuries.</li>
<li>It comprises nine Hindu temples as well as a Jain sanctuary including the Temple of Virupaksha, a masterpiece built in c.740 by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate her husband&rsquo;s victory.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This site includes six majestic forts situated in Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Jaisalmer, Jaipur and Jhalawar, all situated in the state of Rajasthan.</li>
<li>The magnificent and stalwart exterior of the forts manifests the lifestyle and nature of the Rajput rule over this land from 8<sup>th</sup> to 18<sup>th</sup> centuries.</li>
<li>These fortifications enclose urban centres, palaces, trading centres and temples, where various forms of art and culture flourished.</li>
<li>Some of the urban centres, as well as most of the temples and other sacred places, have survived as the forts used natural resources such as- hills, deserts, forests etc for protection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Historic City of Ahmedabad (2017)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Located on the eastern bank of Sabarmati river, this city was founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah in the 15<sup>th</sup> century. It also served as the capital of the state of Gujarat for centuries.</li>
<li>This city is a testimony to the harmonious existence of diverse religions on this land, exhibited by its architecture which includes the famous Bhadra citadel accompanied by various mosques, tombs as well as numerous Hindu and Jain temples.</li>
<li>The urban fabric consists of densely- packed traditional houses (pols) in gated traditional streets (puras).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Humayun&rsquo;s Tomb, Delhi (1993)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Built-in 1570, it has long-standing cultural significance because it was the first garden-tomb to be constructed in India.</li>
<li>This tomb was the inspiration behind several architectural innovations including the Taj Mahal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-heritage-site-certificate-to-jaipur" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jaipur City, Rajasthan</strong></a> (2019)</li>
<li><strong>Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These temples were built during the Chandella dynasty, which reached at its pinnacle between 950 and 1050.</li>
<li>Only 20 temples remain, belonging to two different religions namely-Hinduism and Jainism, including the famous Temple of Kandariya decorated with intricately and beautifully carved sculptures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This temple was earlier built by Emperor Asoka in the 3<sup>rd</sup> century B.C.However, the present structure dates back to the 5<sup>th</sup> or 6<sup>th</sup> centuries.</li>
<li>It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick and considered to be one of the four sacred sites associated with the life of Gautama Buddha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mountain Railways of India (1999, 2005, 2008)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This site includes three railways:</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-heritage-committee-s-concerns" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Darjeeling Himalayan Railway</strong></a></li>
<li>Nilgiri Mountain Railway: This line, started in 1891 and completed till 1908, is a 46-km long metre-gauge single-track railway in Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kalka-shimla-heritage-route" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kalka Shimla Railway</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863129_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863129_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Qutub Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Qutub Minar was built in red sandstone in the early 13<sup>th</sup> century, in Delhi.</li>
<li>It is 72.5 m high, with diameters of 14.32 m and 2.75 m at its base and peak respectively.</li>
<li>The tower is surrounded by various aesthetically-pleasing treasures, for instance- the Alai Darwaza built-in 1311 as well as two mosques including the Quwwatu&rsquo;l-Islam, the oldest mosque in northern India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen&rsquo;s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Situated on the banks of Saraswati river, this stepwell was built as a memorial to a king.</li>
<li>Stepwells are considered to be easily accessible underground water resources and storage systems, which have been constructed in the Indian subcontinent since the 3<sup>rd</sup> millennium B.C.</li>
<li>This stepwell flaunts the Maru-Gurjara architectural style, designed in the form of an inverted temple to emphasize the sanctity of water and is endowed with more than thousand sculptures depicting a combination of religious, mythological and secular imagery.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Red Fort Complex (2007)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This was built as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad, the capital of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and is named after its immense walls of red sandstone.</li>
<li>The Red Fort Complex in entirety, includes the Red Fort as well as Salimgarh fort built-in 1546 by Islam Shah Suri.</li>
<li>Red Fort is a reflection of the acme of Mughal architectural innovation and craftsmanship. The planning of the palace is based on Islamic prototypes, but each structure mirrors architectural elements derived from a combination of Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions.</li>
<li>The row of pavilions are connected by a continuous water channel known as Nahr-i-Behisht (Stream of Paradise).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These shelters are located within the foothills of Vindhya range, on the southern edge of the central Indian plateau.</li>
<li>Unearthed in the form of five clusters of natural rock shelters exhibiting paintings that date back to the Mesolithic, and other periods succeeding it.</li>
<li>The cultural traditions of the inhabitants in surrounding areas are very similar to those displayed in the paintings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper1/konark-temple" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sun Temple, Konarak (1984)</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863169_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586863169_image5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asi-plan-to-conserve-taj-mahal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Taj Mahal (1983)</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (2016)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This transnational serial property includes 17 sites spread across 7 countries stands as a testimony of a new form of architectural expression weaved with modern traditions.</li>
<li>These sites, in totality, propagate ideals of the Modern movement and are also considered as a significant response to fundamental issues of architecture and society in the 20<sup>th</sup> century.</li>
<li>Complexe du Capitole, Chandigarh, The Museum of Western Art in Tokyo (Japan), the House of Dr Curutchet in La Plata (Argentina), Unit&eacute; d&rsquo;habitation in Marseille (France) etc, are some of the well-known sites included in this property.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Built in the early 18<sup>th</sup> century, Jantar Mantar is designed to observe astronomical positions with the naked eye. A set of 20 main instruments are installed in this site to make accurate observations.</li>
<li>It is a manifestation of astronomical skills and knowledge, dating back to the Mughal times.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This site includes a collection of public buildings designed in Victorian Neo-Gothic style in the 19<sup>th</sup> century and Art Deco style in the 20<sup>th</sup> century.</li>
<li>Both the styles are intermingled with Indian architectural elements. For instance- The buildings designed in Victorian Neo-Gothic styles are endowed with balconies and verandas. Similarly, the Indo- Deco is a term used to describe the style emerged after adding Indian elements to Art Deco imagery and architecture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Natural Sites in India (7)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Located in western part of Himalayan mountains in the state of Himachal Pradesh, this Park is well known for its high alpine peaks, alpine meadows and riverine forests.</li>
<li>It also encloses glacial and snow meltwater sources of several rivers as well as the catchment area.</li>
<li>It is a biodiversity hotspot with 25 types of forests inhabited by myriads of faunal species, several of which are threatened.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wetland-bird-census-at-kaziranga-national-park" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kaziranga National Park (1985)</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Keoladeo National Park (1985)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This wetland is located in the state of Rajasthan and served as a duck shooting reserve till the end of 19<sup>th</sup> century. However, soon enough the hunting ceased and the area was declared a national park in 1982.</li>
<li>This National Park is home to 375 bird species and various other life forms. It also serves as a wintering ground to Palaearctic migratory waterfowl, critically endangered Siberian Crane as well as to globally threatened- Greater Spotted Eagle and Imperial Eagle.</li>
<li>It is acclaimed for its resident population of non-migratory breeding birds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is a biodiversity hotspot located in Assam. It is a part of Manas Tiger Reserve and sprawls alongside Manas river.</li>
<li>A range of forested hills, alluvial grasslands and tropical evergreen forests are responsible for the breathtaking beauty and serene environment of the site.</li>
<li>It also provides a habitable environment to a range of endangered species such as- tiger, greater one-horned rhino, swamp deer, pygmy hog and Bengal florican.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both of these National Parks are exceptionally beautiful high-altitude West Himalayan landscapes and fall within the boundaries of the state of Uttarakhand.</li>
<li>Nanda Devi National Park boasts rugged and high-mountain wilderness and is dominated by India&rsquo;s second-highest mountain-the peak of Nanda Devi. The Valley of Flowers, in contrast, flaunts aesthetically pleasing meadows of alpine flowers.</li>
<li>Numerous kinds of floral and faunal species reside in these parks, along with a significant population of globally threatened species including- Snow leopard, Himalayan Musk Deer etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/preservation-of-sundarban" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sundarban National Park (1987)</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Western Ghats (2012)</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Western Ghats consist of a chain of mountains running parallel to India&rsquo;s Western Coast and passing from the states of Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.</li>
<li>They cover an immense area in a 1600 km long stretch and are interrupted only once by a 30km Palghat gap at around 11 degrees North.</li>
<li>They also influence the Indian monsoon weather patterns that mediate the warm tropical climate of the region and act as a barrier to rain-laden monsoon winds that sweep in from the south-west.</li>
<li>Western Ghats are also home to tropical evergreen forests, as well as to 325 globally threatened species.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Mixed Site in India (1)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1513" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Khangchendzonga National Park</strong></a> (2016)
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Located in Sikkim, this National Park is dominated by the world's third-highest peak, Mount Khangchendzonga.</li>
<li>The Park comprises steep-sided valleys, snow-</li>
<li>clad mountains and various lakes and glaciers including the 26km long Zemu glacier, located around the base of Mount Khangchendzonga.</li>
<li>It covers almost 25% of the state of Sikkim and ensures a habitable environment to various endemic as well as threatened, plant and animal species.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/khangchendzonga-to-be-included-in-the-world-network-of-biosphere-reserves" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cultural Significance of Khangchendzonga National Park</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Retail Inflation Dropped',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the <strong>Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO)</strong>, the <strong>retail <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/return-of-inflation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inflation</a> in March 2020 dropped to 5.91%</strong> due to decrease in demand and lowered food prices.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Retail inflation (or CPI-based inflation) decreased to 5.91%</strong> in March 2020 from 6.58% in February 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The retail inflation rate was based on 66% of the usual price quotations as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>nationwide lockdown</strong></a> to counter <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong> </a>had led to suspension of fieldwork for price collection after March 19,2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> inflation rate in March 2020 remained within the Reserve Bank of India&rsquo;s (RBI&rsquo;s) medium-term target of 4&plusmn;2%</strong> for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inflation-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This was due to suppressed demand, especially for non-essential items, as the lockdown was imposed towards the end of March,2020.</li>
<li>This<strong> inflation range (4% within a band of +/- 2%) was recommended by the committee headed by Urjit Patel</strong> in 2014.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fuel and Light segment:</strong> The inflation rose to 6.59% from 6.36% in February 2020.</li>
<li><strong>Food inflation moderated to 8.76%</strong> from 10.81% in March 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The food price inflation of various items like vegetables, spices, pulses continue to be in double digits.</li>
<li>Pressure is expected due to the shortages witnessed in different centres with mandi arrivals being affected due to lockdown.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to economists, inflation is expected to be brought down by <strong>low energy prices and subdued economic activity.</strong> However, the food price inflation of 8.7% will tend to increase. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is expected that the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> undertakes further repo <strong>rate cuts,</strong> though inflation may not remain the primary deciding factor in view of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-covid-19-outbreak" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> other economic impact due to Covid-19.</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/repo-rate-unchanged-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Repo Rate</strong></a> is the rate at which the RBI lends money to commercial banks in the event of any shortfall of funds.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When RBI increases the repo rate, this acts as a disincentive for banks to borrow from the central bank. This ultimately reduces the money supply in the economy and thus helps in arresting inflation.</li>
<li>The RBI reduces the repo rate in the event of a fall in inflationary pressures. Ideally, a low repo rate should translate into low-cost loans for general masses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Inflation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Inflation refers to the <strong>rise in the prices of most goods and services</strong> of daily or common use, such as food, clothing, housing, recreation, transport, consumer staples, etc.</li>
<li>Inflation measures the average price change in a basket of commodities and services over time.</li>
<li>Inflation is indicative of the decrease in the purchasing power of a unit of a country&rsquo;s currency. This could ultimately lead to a deceleration in economic growth.</li>
<li>However, a <strong>moderate level of inflation is required in the economy</strong> to ensure that production is promoted.</li>
<li>In India, the <strong>Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation</strong> measures inflation.</li>
<li>In India, inflation is primarily measured by two main indices &mdash; <strong>WPI (Wholesale Price Index) and CPI (Consumer Price Index)</strong> which measure wholesale and retail-level price changes, respectively. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The CPI calculates the difference in the price of commodities and services such as food, medical care, education, electronics etc, which Indian consumers buy for use.</li>
<li>The CPI has five sub-groups including food and beverages, fuel and light, housing and clothing, bedding and footwear.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The National Statistical Office</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NSO is the <strong>central statistical agency of the Government</strong> mandated under the <strong>Statistical Services Act</strong> 1980 under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</li>
<li>It is responsible for the development of arrangements for <strong>providing statistical information services</strong> to meet the needs of the Government and other users for information on which to base policy, planning, monitoring and management decisions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The services include collecting, compiling and disseminating official statistical information.</li>
<li>All business operations in NSO are done in compliance with <strong>international standards, procedures and best practices.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/march-retail-inflation-eases-to-5-91-on-muted-demand-low-food-prices-6361201/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source : IE</strong></a></p>',
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