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Why Leprosy has Resurfaced in India

(The editorial is based on the article “Why leprosy has resurfaced in India” which appeared in Down To Earth for 28th February 2019. In...

04 Mar 2019 News Editorials
Haryana

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			'title' => 'Why Leprosy has Resurfaced in India',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;Why leprosy has resurfaced in India&rdquo; which appeared in Down To Earth for 28th February 2019. In this article, we will discuss the reasons behind the recurrence of leprosy in India.)</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Leprosy, which was declared eradicated in India one-and-a-half decades ago, has re-emerged in different states with high intensity.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/187drishti_ias_leprossy%20(1).jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/187drishti_ias_leprossy (1).jpg" width="495" height="393" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Indeed, 'elimination' was confused with 'eradication'.</strong> According to WHO, &lsquo;elimination&rsquo; implies a prevalence rate of less than one case per 10,000; whereas 'eradication' means to reach zero level &mdash; a condition where no infection remains, and there is no possibility of further transmission.</p>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Globally, the <strong>difference between the expected and observed numbers of new cases of leprosy is more than 2.6 million.</strong> This number is expected to increase to over 4 million by 2020.</li>
<li><strong>India has the highest number of new leprosy cases in the world</strong>, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.</li>
<li>Every year, over 200,000 such cases are detected globally and <strong>India accounts for more than half of these, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).</strong></li>
<li>In the past two-and-a-half years, <strong>India accounted for 60% of the global total of new leprosy cases.</strong></li>
<li>In a recent report, the Central Leprosy Division, which comes under the Union Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare, revealed that 135,485 new cases were detected only in 2017, which means that <strong>in every four minutes, one person is diagnosed with leprosy in India.</strong> This is nowhere close to elimination.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Leprosy Facts</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by a bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae.</li>
<li>M. <g class="gr_ gr_112 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="112" data-gr-id="112">leprae</g> multiplies slowly and the incubation period of the disease, on average, is 5 years. In some cases, symptoms may occur within 1 year but can also take as long as 20 years to occur.</li>
<li>The disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and also the eyes.</li>
<li>Leprosy is curable with multidrug therapy (MDT).</li>
<li>Although not highly infectious, leprosy is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases.</li>
<li>Untreated, leprosy can cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Reasons for Recurrence</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Declaration of the elimination of leprosy in the year 2005 is criticized as an immature decision by the government, which led policymakers and people to believe that the disease has been eradicated completely.</strong></li>
<li>The declaration of elimination diluted efforts of health workers, who were helping in identifying cases in rural areas. As a result, <strong>efforts to fight against the disease at different levels were also reduced to a great extent.</strong></li>
<li>After the declaration of the leprosy elimination status, the leprosy programme was shifted to the National Health Mission.</li>
<li>Indeed, new detections occurred due to major changes in the <strong>National Leprosy Elimination Programme (NLEP)</strong> and the Global Leprosy Programme.</li>
<li>Efforts made under these programmes led to the discovery of child leprosy, apart from other new cases. <strong>Many of such cases were found due to late diagnosis as well.</strong></li>
<li>The major cause of hidden cases is low voluntary reporting in the community due to a <strong>lack of awareness as well as stigma and discrimination.</strong> The extent of stigma and discrimination is evident by the fact that 200,000 people are residing in about 750 leprosy colonies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Leprosy colonies are the places where people affected by leprosy lived or were sent.</li>
<li>Leper colonies or houses became widespread in the Middle Ages, particularly in Europe and India, and often run by monastic orders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of awareness, myths, socio-cultural beliefs,</strong> and the stigma attached to leprosy are perhaps the most pressing problems before public health activists today.</li>
<li>Doctors and health workers at the primary health care level are sometimes unable to detect silent neuritis <em>(inflammation of a nerve accompanied by pain and sometimes loss of function)</em>, atypical presentations, or reactions at early stages.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The health ministry, along with other institutions should work to fight leprosy, should start formulating new strategies to deal with the huge volume of cases.</strong></li>
<li>The government <strong>needs a clear strategy</strong> and implementation plan to address the problem and achieve real eradication of leprosy.</li>
<li><strong>The strengthening of the public health system</strong> at the ground level is necessary to handle this issue in areas where a large number of cases are being reported.</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_99 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="99" data-gr-id="99">Awareness</g><strong> campaign that deals with stigma and discrimination</strong> are also necessary so that those infected come forward for treatment and don&rsquo;t feel left out.</li>
<li>After achieving the target of elimination at all levels, the <strong>emphasis must shift to more policy level changes</strong> and the sustaining of quality of services.</li>
<li>The <strong>government needs to take proactive steps</strong> to modify or repeal leprosy laws or to eliminate discrimination against persons affected by leprosy.</li>
<li>A multi-stakeholder partnership is of utmost importance to ensure that leprosy remains on the health agenda as long as it is necessary.</li>
<li><strong>The government, NGOs and private agencies need to work together in a coordinated fashion.</strong> Continued training of medical officers, nurses, physiotherapists, and paramedical workers about quality diagnosis and treatment of leprosy must also be given prime focus.</li>
<li><strong>Those who have been cured at an early stage and can work often need to given opportunities to learn skills and trades that would enable them to keep working.</strong></li>
<li>T<strong>hey also can be assisted with links to financial institutions and special bank loans</strong> which would enable them to start a livelihood initiative on their own.</li>
</ul>
<p>Leprosy is one of the most misunderstood diseases of the world; it poses some unique challenges in its control and elimination. Careful examination of the theoretical and practical approaches of the past can provide vital insights for the future. To reduce the burden, it is important to develop a holistic and multi-pronged approach that includes key policy changes, a public education campaign, sustainable livelihood programmes, skill training workshops and bringing in other medical stakeholders to generate employment, identify interventions to dispel stigma and mainstream the affected people.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government Policies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC) (specific for high endemic districts);</li>
<li>Focussed Leprosy Campaign (for hot spots i.e., rural and urban areas where Grade II disability is detected)</li>
<li>Special plan for hard to reach areas.</li>
<li>Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign for awareness, Grade II disability case investigation.</li>
<li>Post Exposure chemoprophylaxis administration to the contacts of cases detected in LCDC districts etc.</li>
<li>ASHA based Surveillance for Leprosy Suspects (ABSULS) has been introduced during 2017-18 to enhance early case reporting.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/leprosy-health-gs-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">All about Leprosy&nbsp;</a></p>
<p><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-fight-against-leprosy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fight Against Leprosy</a></p>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-leprosy-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Leprosy Day</a></p>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-questions-leprosy-free-tag-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leprosy Free Tag of India</a></p>',
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		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Haryana',
			'catname' => 'Know Your State',
			'desc' => '<div class="border-bg">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana was carved out of Punjab on 1<sup>st</sup> November 1966, as the 17<sup>th</sup> Indian state.</li>
<li>There are diverse interpretations about the origin of the name of Haryana. In ancient time, this region was known as Brahmavarta, Aryavarta and Brahomoupdesa.</li>
<li>These names are based on the emergence of Brahma-Lord on the land of Haryana ; the abode of Aryas and home of the preachings of vedic cultures and other rites.</li>
<li>Its other names Bahudhanyaka and Bahudhana suggest Haryana as the land of plentiful grains and immense riches.</li>
<li>Haryana is located in the northwest India between 27 degree 39' N to 30 degree 35' N latitude and between 74 degree 28' E to 77 degree 36' E longitude and with an altitude between 700-3600 ft above sea level.</li>
<li>The capital of Haryana, Chandigarh, is shared by its neighboring state of Punjab, designed by Swiss born French architect, Le Corbusier.</li>
<li>At 44,212 sq km, Haryana covers 1.34% of India's geographical area.</li>
<li>In 2016- 17, Haryana reported a per capita income of 1,80,174 per annum as compared to the national average of 1,03,818.</li>
<li>Haryana has 6 administrative divisions - Ambala, Rohtak, Gurgaon, Hisar, Karnal and Faridabad.</li>
<li>22 districts<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/689drishti_ias_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/689drishti_ias_image4.jpg" style="float: right;" width="416" height="508" /></a></li>
<li>72 sub-divisions</li>
<li>93 revenue tehsils</li>
<li>50 sub-tehsils</li>
<li>140 community development blocks</li>
<li>154 cities and towns</li>
<li>7356* villages and 6212 villages panchayats.</li>
<li>Capital: Chandigarh</li>
<li>Governor: Sh. Satyadeo Narain Arya</li>
<li>Chief Minister: Sh. Manohar Lal Khattar</li>
<li>Chief Secretary: Sh. Depinder Singh Dhesi</li>
<li>Haryana Legislative Assembly Speaker : Kanwar Pal</li>
<li>Vidhan Sabha seats: 90</li>
<li>Lok Sabha seats: 10</li>
<li>Rajya Sabha seats: 05</li>
<li>High Court : Punjab and Haryana High court (Chandigarh)</li>
<li>Chief Justice : Justice Krishna Murari</li>
<li>State Animal: Black Buck</li>
<li>State Bird: Black Francolin</li>
<li>State Tree: Peepal</li>
<li>State Flower: Lotus</li>
<li>First Governor : Sh. Dharma Vira</li>
<li>First Chief Minister: Sh. Pt. Bhagwat Dayal Sharma</li>
</ul>
<p>*According to Census 2011, Haryana has 6841 Villages.</p>
</div>
<h3>Formation of Haryana</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The area included in the present state of Haryana was ceded to the British East India Company in 1803.</li>
<li>In 1832 it was transferred to the then North-Western Provinces of British India, and in 1858 Haryana became a part of Punjab.</li>
<li>Due to the repressive policy of the British Government, no significant development was made in the region in the sphere of education, trades, industry, means of communication and irrigation. Consequently it remained backward throughout the 19th century.</li>
<li>The union between Haryana and Punjab was awkward, largely because of religious and linguistic differences between the two regions: Punjabi-speaking Sikhs of Punjab vis-&agrave;-vis Hindi-speaking Hindus of Haryana.</li>
<li>With the change of capital from Calcutta to Delhi on December 12,1911, the Haryana region was further isolated.</li>
<li>In 1920&rsquo;s, certain changes in Delhi district were suggested by the Muslim League and people of the region to Sir J.P. Thomson, the Commissioner of Delhi.</li>
<li>In 1928, all parties conference at Delhi again made a demand for extension of the boundaries of Delhi.</li>
<li>Further, the agitation for a separate state of Haryana was led by Lala Lajpat Rai and Asaf Ali, both prominent figures in the Indian national movement, as well as by Neki Ram Sharma, who headed a committee to cultivate the concept of an autonomous state.</li>
<li>At the Second Round Table Conference in 1931, Sir Geoffrey Corbert, Financial Commissioner of the then Punjab Government and Secretary of the Indian Delegation to the Round Table Conference,suggested the reorganisation of the Punjab boundaries and the separation of the Ambala Division from Punjab.</li>
<li>In 1932, Deshbandhu Gupta stated that "Hindi speaking region had never been a part of Punjab. It was essential for the development of this region to separate it from Punjab and form a new State by uniting with it certain adjoining parts of Delhi,Rajasthan and of the U.P.</li>
<li>The demand of the creation of the Greater Delhi or Vishal Haryana was actively supported by several leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Moti Lal Nehru, Asaf Ali, Sir Chhotu Ram and Pt. Thakur Dass Bhargava.</li>
<li>Haryana remained part of Punjab after the independence in 1947, but the demand for separate states&mdash;supported by both Hindus and Sikhs&mdash;continued, undiminished. Indeed, the movement gained momentum, reaching its fullest intensity in the early 1960s.</li>
<li>Finally, with the passage of the Punjab Reorganization Act (and in accordance with the earlier recommendations of the States Reorganization Commission), Haryana was separated from Punjab in 1966 to become the 17th state of India on the recommendation of the Sardar Hukam Singh Parliamentary Committee.</li>
<li>The formation of this committee was announced in the Parliament on 23 September 1965. On 23 April, 1966, acting on the recommendation of the Hukam Singh Committee, the Indian government set up the Shah Commission under the chairmanship of Justice J. C. Shah, to divide and set up the boundaries of Punjab and Haryana giving consideration to the language spoken by the people.</li>
<li>The commission gave its report on 31 May, 1966. According to this report the then districts of Hisar, Mahendragarh, Gurgaon, Rohtak, and Karnal were to be a part of the new state of Haryana. Further, the Tehsils of Jind (district Sangrur), Narwana (district Sangrur), Naraingarh, Ambala and Jagadhri were also to be included.</li>
<li>The city of Chandigarh, and a Punjabi speaking area of district Rupnagar were made a union territory serving as the capital of both Punjab a nd Haryana.</li>
<li>According to the Rajiv-Longowal Accord, Chandigarh was to be transferred to the state of Punjab in 1986, but the transfer was delayed and it has not been executed so far.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Population and Population density, Area, Literacy</h3>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #cf931b;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Description</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #cf931b;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>2011</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #cf931b;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>2001</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Approximate Population</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">2.53 Crores</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">2.11 Crore</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Actual Population</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">25,351,462</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">21,144,564</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Male</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">13,494,734</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">11,363,953</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Female</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">11,856,728</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">9,780,611</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Population Growth</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">19.90%</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">28.06%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Percentage of total Population</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">&nbsp;2.09%</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">2.06%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Urban Population Percentage</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">34.79%</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">28.92%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Rural Population Percentage</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">65.21%</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">71.08%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Sex Ratio</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">879</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">861</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Child Sex Ratio</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">834</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">819</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Density/km2</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">573</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">478</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Density/mi2</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">1,485</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">1,239</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Area(Km2)</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">44,212</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">44,212</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Area mi2</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">17,070</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">17,070</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Total Child Population (0-6 Age)</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">3,380,721</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">3,335,537</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Male Population (0-6 Age)</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">1,843,109</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">1,833,655</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Female Population (0-6 Age)</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">1,537,612</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">1,501,882</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Literacy</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">75.55%</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">67.91%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Male Literacy</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">&nbsp;84.06%</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">78.49%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Female Literacy</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">65.94%</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">55.73%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Total Literate</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">16,598,988</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">12,093,677</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Male Literate</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">9,794,067</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">7,480,209</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Female Literate</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">6,804,921</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">4,613,468</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>History of Haryana</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ancient</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The earliest reference to Haryana found in Chahamana Inscription describing Arnoraja as carrying arms into Haritanaka that is Haryana. The territorial designation Hariala mentioned in the Skandapurana also stands for the same region.</li>
<li>Excavations of various archeological sites in Haryana, like Naurangabad and Mitathal in Bhiwani, Kunal in Fatehabad, Agroha and Rakhigarhi in Hisar, Sites in Rukhi (Rohtak) and Banawali in Sirsa have evidence of pre-Harappan and Harappan culture.</li>
<li>Haryana is the region where, along the banks of the River Saraswati, the Vedic Civilization began and matured.</li>
<li>It was here that the Vedas were written, as the Aryans chanted their sacred Mantras. Replete with myths and legends, Haryana's 5000 year old history is steeped in glory.</li>
<li>B.B. Lal was the first to bring to light archaeological evidence for the pre-Buddha history of the region with his discovery of the Painted Grey Ware at Kurukshetra, Pehowa, Amin, Panipat, etc. He has associated this pottery with the Aryans of the Mahabharata period.</li>
<li>These places are mentioned in the Mahabharata as Prithudaka (Pehowa), Tilprastha (Tilput), Panprastha (Panipat) and Sonprastha (Sonipat).</li>
<li>It was here that Lord Krishna preached Bhagavad-Gita at the start of the battle of Mahabharat and Ved Vyas wrote Mahabharata in Sanskrit.</li>
<li>Before the Mahabharat war, a battle of ten kings took place in the Kurukshetra region in the Saraswati valley. But it was the Mahabharat War, approximately in 900 BC, which gave the region worldwide fame.</li>
<li>Haryana has been the scene of many wars because of it being "The Gateway of North India". As years rolled by, successive streams of Huns, Turks and the Afghans invaded India and decisive battles were fought on this land.</li>
<li>After the downfall of the Gupta empire in the middle of 6th century AD north India was again split into several kingdoms. The Huns established their supremacy over the Punjab. It was after this period that one of the greatest King of ancient India, Harshvardhan began his rule. He became the King of Thanesar (Kurukshetra) in 606 AD, and later went on to rule the most of north India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Medieval</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After Harsha death, the kingdom of his clansmen, the Pratiharas ruled over a vast region for quite a while from Harsha's adopted capital of Kannauj.</li>
<li>The region was strategically important for the rulers of North India even though Thanesar was no more as central as Kannauj.</li>
<li>Prithviraj Chauhan established forts in Haryana at Taraori and Hansi in the 12th century. But Muhammad Ghori has conquered these areas in the Second Battle of Tarain( 1192) after defeating him.</li>
<li>After his death, the Delhi Sultanate was established, that ruled much of India for several centuries.</li>
<li>The earliest reference to 'Hariana' occurs in a Sanskrit inscription dated 1328 AD kept in Delhi Museum, which refers to this region as The heaven on earth, indicating that it was fertile and relatively peaceful at that time.</li>
<li>Palam Baoli Inscription of the time of Balban (A.D. 1280) provides its variant name as Hariyanaka.</li>
<li>Firoz Shah Tughlaq established a fort at Hisar in 1354 to further fortify the region, and also constructed canals or rajwahas as they were referred to in the Indo-Persian history.</li>
<li>The three famous battles of Panipat took place near the modern town of Panipat.</li>
<li>The first battle took place on 21 April 1526, where Babur, the ruler of Kabul defeated Ibrahim Lodi of the Delhi Sultanate, through the use of field artillery.</li>
<li>In the Second battle of Panipat (November 5, 1556), Akbar's forces defeated Hem Chandra Vikramaditya also called Hemu, who belonged to Rewari in Haryana and who had won 22 battles during 1553-1556 before acceding to Delhi throne.</li>
<li>Third Battle of Panipat took place on 14 January 1761, between the Afghan warlord Ahmad Shah Abdali and the Marathas under Sadashivrao Bhau of Pune. Ahmad Shah won decisively in this battle.</li>
<li>After the Third Battle of Panipat, the Marathas lost courage to go to their native place but many of the families resided at various places in Haryana like Kaithal, Assaundh, Karnal, Hansi, Bhiwani etc.</li>
<li>Suraj Mal was encouraged by the defeat of Marathas in the 3rd Battle of Panipat and sent his son Jawahar Singh to attack on Musavi Khan, the Mughal faujdar of Gurgaon and Rohtak. Along with areas under Musavi Khan, Suraj Mal also conquered the territories of Pataudi, Rewari and Bahadurgarh.</li>
<li>These incidents, on the other hand, alarmed Najibud-daula who attacked Suraj Mal and killed him in a battle near the river Hinden on December 25, 1763. His death was a great loss to the Jats in particular and Hindus in general.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 16.0302%; height: 19px; background-color: #1881cc;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Principalities</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 23.9857%; height: 19px; background-color: #1881cc;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Founder</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 16.0302%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Kaithal</td>
<td style="width: 23.9857%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Yudhisthira</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 16.0302%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Thanesar</td>
<td style="width: 23.9857%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Mith Singh</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 16.0302%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Ladwa</td>
<td style="width: 23.9857%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Sahib Singh and Gurdit Singh</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 16.0302%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Kunjpura</td>
<td style="width: 23.9857%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Nijabat Khan</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Modern</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The period of instability in Haryana was ended by the establishment of the rule of East India company in 1803. But the people of Haryana did not accept the new masters and revolted against the Britishers irrespective of caste and religion.</li>
<li>The Sikh chiefs of Ambala, Karnal and Thanesar were the first to oppose the company rule.</li>
<li>The Muslim Bhatti Rajputs of the western Haryana organized under the leadership of Zabita Khan of Sirsa and Rania and Khan Bahadur Khan of Fatehabad against Britishers.</li>
<li>In November, 1809 Col. Adams was sent with a big contingent to attacked Fatehabad, Sirsa and Rania and emerged victorious in all the battles during expedition.</li>
<li>The Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-49) was fought between the Sikh Empire and the British East India Company and resulted in the Battle of Gujrat on 21 February 1849, at which the British defeated the Sikhs. As a result of this, on 2 April 1849 they declared Punjab as a new province of British India. This included most of Haryana, while the rest was ruled by the princely states of Loharu, Nabha, Jind and Patiala.</li>
<li>The state of Thanesar was confiscated by Britishers in 1850 and most of Sikh chiefs reduced to the position of ordinary Jagirdars. Then the British resorted to the methods of annexation and consolidation.</li>
<li>The bugle of the first war of independence in 1857 was sounded first by the people of Haryana at Ambala on 10th May, 1857, about nine hours before the outbreak at Meerut.</li>
<li>Rao Tula Ram in Ahirwal, Gaffur Ali and Harsukh Rai in Palwal, Dhanu Singh in Faridabad, Nahar Singh in Ballabhgarh etc. were the important leaders of revolt in Haryana.</li>
<li>Many battles were fought by the rulers of the states and by the farmers also, sometimes defeating the British army. Some most important battles were fought at Sirsa, Sonipat,</li>
<li>Rohtak and Hissar. In Sirsa the famous battle of Chormar was fought.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Factors Responsible for Revolt of 1857 in Haryana</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The time honoured institutions like the village communities and panchayats were abolished by the British. Their destruction brought social instability and people felt insecure and unhappy.</li>
<li>Britishers broke the backbone of the farmers by imposing heavy revenues and cesses. The poor farmers could not pay the revenue which their village headmen had agreed to pay under compulsion, they had to visit jail four to five times in a matter of few years.</li>
<li>The mode of collection of land tax was extortionate as the assessment was oppressive which greatly demoralized the people and shattered the peasant's economy. This oppressive policy compelled many of the peasants to desert their lands and houses. They nursed a grudge against the new masters, the British.</li>
<li>The judicial set-up was also repressive, arbitrary and expensive. There was no proper check on the judges as bribery and corruption among the judges were prevalent.</li>
<li>The attack and interference in the religion (dharam) also caused some resentment.</li>
<li>Christian missionaries campaigns of conversion to Christianity was perturbed hundreds of Hindus and Muslims who condemned and criticised the attitude of the Government.</li>
<li>The British lapsed many estates like Rania, Kaithal, Chhachhrauli, Ladwa and Thanesar, under the Doctrine of Lapse. Which created insecurity and dissatisfaction among the chiefs.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>After 1857, the repressive policy of the British Government continued and no significant development was made in the region. The political consciousness began during the last phase of 19th century with the establishment of Indian National Congress.</li>
<li>In the first session of All India Congress at Bombay in 1885, Haryana was represented by young pleaders of Ambala, Lala Murlidhar and Munshi Jawala Prashad. The Congress party activities were boosted in the region after joining of Lala Lajpat Rai, who started his law practice in Hisar.</li>
<li>Like other provinces, the then Haryana witnessed a series of oppressive acts of Lord Curzon. Bal Mukund Gupta, prominent Hindi writer of Haryana compared Curzon shahi with Nadir Shahi.</li>
<li>After the partition of Bengal, Swadeshi Movement gained momentum. The people were motivated to take up the cause of Swadeshi in big towns of Haryana. A Swadeshi Company was established at Ambala City under the aegis of Lala Murlidhar in which Beni Prasad and Lala Dwarka Das also took part.</li>
<li>Lord Minto became the new Viceroy of India after Curzon who increased the economic hardships. Some legislation like the Punjab Limitation Act, 1904; the Transfer of Property Act, 1904 and the Punjab pre-emption Act, 1905 were passed to weaken the position of money-lenders. It generated political discontent, especially among the Hindu commercial castes.</li>
<li>Lala Lajpat Rai and Sardar Ajit Singh were arrested at Lahore and deported without trial in the middle of 1907 because of their opposition to these acts. On account of the arrest of Lala Lajpat Rai, a revolutionary movement began in Haryana.</li>
<li>During the first World War in 1914, India being a part of the British empire was also dragged into the war activities. The people of Haryana helped the Government by providing recruits and by contributing money and material.</li>
<li>At the international level in those days, Ghaddar movement gained momentum. Kanshi Ram of Ambala district was one of the architects of the Ghadar party in San Francisco with Lala Hardayal. As per historians view, Kanshi Ram was the first Haryanvi martyr in this phase of freedom movement.</li>
<li>Pt. Neki Ram Sharma of Haryana, evinced keen interest in Home Rule Agitation. After his arrest in July, 1918, during a public meeting at Birla Mandir Dharamshala in Delhi, the Home Rule Agitation petered out in Haryana.</li>
<li>In 1917 the Congress Party Committee was established at Rohtak and Chaudhary Chhotu Ram and Babu Shyam Lal were appointed as its president and secretary, respectively. In 1918 Congress session of Delhi, Pt. Neki Ram Sharma and Chaudhary Peeru Singh and Lala Daulat Ram participated in this session from Haryana.</li>
<li>On March 30, 1919, Mahatma Gandhi called for a hartal all over India. The whole of the Haryana State responded to the call and hartals were observed in Karnal, Rewari, Hodal, Rohtak, Sonipat etc.</li>
<li>The Punjab atrocities, discontentment over the Khilafat issue and the report of the Disorders Inquiry Committee on 26th May, 1920 had completely shaken the faith of the people. In Haryana, the impact of the Non-Cooperation Movement was very intensive and it had succeeded in creating an atmosphere of hostility against the Government. The movement was very intense in Ambala district of Haryana.</li>
<li>The Congress had not participated in the general elections of 1920. The dissidents, Chhotu Ram and Lal Chand, however, contested the elections and won. This resulted the emergence of Swarajists Party on sound footing. A branch of Swarajist Party was formed at Rohtak under the leadership of Sri Ram Sharma, whose local paper, the Haryana Tilak came to be regarded as the organ of the Congress in this region.</li>
<li>On 30th October, 1928, Lala Lajpat Rai was assaulted by the police when he was leading a peaceful procession against all white men &lsquo;&rsquo;Simon Commission&rsquo;&rsquo;, which resulted in his death. His death created a widespread resentment throughout the country including Haryana region. Pt. Neki Ram Sharma held the commission responsible for Lala Lajpat Rai's death.</li>
<li>During this time, branches of Naujawan Bharat Sabha were also set up in Haryana at Ambala, Karnal, Rohtak and Hissar. Its activities in Haryana were limited and could not become as significant as it was in Punjab. Its leaders in Haryana were more or less pro-Congress.</li>
<li>In Haryana on 8th and 9th March, 1929, Punjab Provincial Political Conference was held at Rohtak which was attended by Moti Lal Nehru and Jawaharlal Nehru.Dr. Satyapal presided over the session. In the conference significant resolutions on Nehru Report and remission of land revenue were passed.</li>
<li>At Lahore session of Indian National Congress in 1929, for the first time the resolution of Complete Independence was passed. In Haryana there was bonfire of foreign cloth took place at Sonipat, people went about in Prabhat pheris in the morning singing national and patriotic songs and poems. The mutiny week was also celebrated in the region.</li>
<li>During the beginning of 1940 when the Second World War was in full swing, a Ahir company of Hyderabad Regiment raised a armed revolt under Zahir Khan. All these army men belonged to Haryana and they were under the spell of Arya Samaj and Congress party which was spearheading in the National Movement.</li>
<li>The British Government arrested Ch. Devi Lal, Ram Dayal, Hukum Chand, Madan Gopal, Sahib Ram, Lekh Ram, Jan Muhammad and Pt. Pat Ram Verma for raising their voice in favour of Quit India Movement and other freedom activities. Chaudhary Devi Lal (former Deputy Prime Minister) and Shri Mool Chand Jain are known as legendary freedom fighters from Haryana.</li>
<li>The people of Haryana played a notable role by joining themselves as members of Indian National Army, raised by Hon'ble Subhash Chandra Bose. Its main object was to wage war against the British. They believed in organized revolt. The INA was formed with the battle cry "Dilli chalo".</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Deen Bandhu Sir Chhotu Ram</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Chaudhary Chhotu Ram was one of the most prominent politician in Punjab before independence. He was an ideologue of the Jat peasantry and a champion of its interests.</li>
<li>He was born on 24 November 1881 in Garhi Sampla in Rohtak district of Haryana and associated with organizations that represented peasant interests like the Zamindar League and the Unionist Party after resigning from the Congress in 1920.</li>
<li>He founded the Unionist Party with Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan, which represented a coalition between Hindu farmers in the eastern part of the province and feudal Muslim landlords in the west.</li>
<li>He held the revenue portfolio in the then Unionist Party Government in Punjab and worked a lot to improve the economic status of the peasants through numerous legislative measures which are often termed as Golden Laws.</li>
<li>He was a visionary man and most probably the first leader who mooted the idea of Green Revolution. The Bhakra-Nangal dam project was also signed by him in November 1944 with the king of Bilaspur but the project got delayed and finally completed in 1963.</li>
<li>He also led a massive recruitment drive for the army during World War I in modern Haryana region and during World War II across pre-partition Punjab.</li>
<li>His support of the British war effort (during world war II) is often seen as a controversial step as the Congress had given a call not to provide any help to the British. He actively promoted recruitment of Jats in particular and other farming class youth in general in the army as he felt that it was economically beneficial to these communities.</li>
<li>The recurring theme of his campaigns was India's independence after the war. He said: <em>"My hope is that after this war Hindustan will be free. And it will be free in a real sense".</em></li>
<li>He was in opposition to the concept of Pakistan and formed a separate group of thirteen members in the Punjab Assembly when most Muslim Unionists joined the Muslim League. His death brought about the demise of the Unionist Party.</li>
<li>On October 9, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled his 64-foot-tall statue at Sampla.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Religion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Religious composition of Haryana: Hindus (87.46%), Muslims (7.03%), Sikhs (4.91%), Jain (0.21%), Christian (0.20%) and Buddhist (0.03%).</li>
<li>In the state Sirsa district has the largest Sikh population, Mewat/Nuh district has largest Muslim population and Ambala district has largest Christian population.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Language</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Hindi was the official language of Haryana till 2010 and it is spoken by the majority of the population (87.31%). Accepting a long-pending demand, the Haryana government notified Punjabi in 2010 as the state's second language. The Haryana Official Language Act, 1969 gave official status to English Language.</li>
<li>Haryana has 70% rural population who primarily speak Haryanvi dialect of Hindi, as well as other related dialects, such as Bagri and Mewati.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Geography</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana is a landlocked state in the North Western region of India and consists 1.34% of the total geographical area of country.</li>
<li>It is surrounded by Himachal Pradesh from North, Rajasthan from South, U.P and Delhi from East and Punjab from North West.</li>
<li>Area wise the largest district of Haryana is Sirsa while Faridabad is the smallest district.</li>
<li>Haryana has four main geographical features:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Yamuna-Ghaggar plain forming the largest part of the state.</li>
<li>Shivalik Hills to the northeast in foothills of Himalayas.</li>
<li>Semi-desert dry sandy plain to the south-west.</li>
<li>Aravali Hills in the south.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 13px;">
<td style="width: 88.6237%; height: 13px; text-align: center; background-color: #419103;" colspan="5"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Important Rivers and Dams of Haryana</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>S.N</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Name</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Origin</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Tributaries</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Dam</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">1</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Ghaggar</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Shivalik Hills</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Markanda, Kaushalaya</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Ottu Barrage in Sirsa</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">2</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Markanda</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Shivalik Hills</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Begna</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Barrage at Jalbehra in Kurukshetra</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">3</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Tangri</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Shivalik Hills</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Many seasonal streams</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">&mdash;</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">4</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Choutang</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Shivalik Hills</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Seasonal streams</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">&mdash;</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 18px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 18px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">5</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 18px; background-color: #b5f089;">Dohan</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 18px; background-color: #b5f089;">Aravali Hills</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 18px; background-color: #b5f089;">Seasonal Streams</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 18px; background-color: #b5f089;">Hamidpur Check Dam</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">6</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Krishnavati</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Aravali Hills</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Season Aravali Streams</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Norana Check Dam, Rajasthan</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">7</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Yamuna</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Bandarpunch Glacier, Uttarakhand</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Somb, Thapana, Sahibi</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Hathnikund Barrage</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">8</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Sahibi</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Aravali Hills</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Sota, Kotkasim, Indori</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Masani</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Major canals</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Western and Eastern Yamuna Canal</strong> is the oldest canal of the state which emerges from the Tajewala barrage. These branches feed water, for irrigation purposes, to the land areas of Karnal, Panipat, Sonepat, Jind and Rohtak districts.</li>
<li><strong>Gurgaon Canal</strong> has been drawn at the Okhla barrage from the Yamuna.</li>
<li><strong>Bhakra Canal</strong> has been drawn form Sutlej river near Nangal. The fields of Sirsa, Rohtak and Hissar districts are supplied water through this canal.</li>
<li><strong>Bhiwani Canal</strong> is a small canal, drawn out of Bhakra Canal it passed through district of Bhiwani.</li>
<li><strong>Jawahar Lal Canal</strong> has also been drawn from Bhakra Canal and passes through Mahendragarh.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sutlej &ndash; Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal Controversy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SYL is a 214 km long water canal proposed to connect the Sutlej River in Punjab to Yamuna in Haryana at Palla village, near Delhi. Its 122 kilometre stretch falls under Punjab and the remaining 92 kilometre is in Haryana.</li>
<li>A sum of Rs. 100 crore has been announced by Haryana government for completion of SYL in budget 2018-19.</li>
<li>Besides transfer of water for irrigation needs, two hydel power projects are also proposed on SYL, it can also be used for shipping purposes.</li>
<li>It comes under the Bhakra- Beas Management Board (BBMB) which was constituted under a central legislation i.e. the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.</li>
<li>Construction of SYL was started in 1984 and a major part of the canal was completed in the Punjab territory in 1990s itself, only a small part is left to be completed.</li>
<li>Controversies about the SYL Canal can be traced back to the mid-1960s, started after the reorganisation of Punjab. When the state was bifurcated, the sharing of the river water also became a bone of contention.</li>
<li>According to 1976 deal, centre allocated 3.5 MAF of water to Haryana, 3.5 MAF to Punjab, 8 MAF to Rajasthan and 0.2 MAF to Delhi. Due to the opposition of Punjab to the deal, Haryana has approached the Supreme Court in 1979.</li>
<li>In 1980&rsquo;s, Indira Gandhi intervened and as a result Punjab government withdrew its suit from the Supreme Court. But Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has continued to oppose the canal. The foundation stone of the canal was laid on April 8, 1982, by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at Kapoori village, in Patiala.</li>
<li>At that time militancy in Punjab was at its peak and the labourers working there were attacked, as a result the construction of SYL was halted.</li>
<li>Rajiv - Longowal Accord of 1985 i.e the Punjab Accord tried to solve the issue but with little success. Justice V Balakrishna Eradi tribunal was also set up to specify the quantum of Ravi-Baes waters to be shared among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.</li>
<li>In 2002, the Supreme Court directed the Punjab government to continue digging for the project. In 2004, Punjab state passed the &lsquo;&rsquo;Punjab Termination of Agreement Act&rsquo;&rsquo;, to de-notify the land acquired for the project. It annuls the 1981 Indira Gandhi award and subsequent agreements relating to the distribution of Ravi- Beas waters.</li>
<li>The validity of the law was questioned, as it was in direct confrontation to a Supreme Court judgement.</li>
<li>More recently in 2016, the Supreme Court took up the matter for hearing. At the same time Punjab legislature passed another bill i.e the Punjab Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal (Rehabilitation and Re-vesting of Proprietary Rights), to restore the land acquired for the canal back to the farmers.</li>
<li>The Supreme Court has ordered status quo on the bill but Punjab government is defending it by citing that under Article 143, the Supreme Court has only advisory functions, and hence cannot pass an assumptive interim order.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Climate</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana is extremely hot in summer at around 45 &deg;C (113 &deg;F) and mild in winter. The hottest months are May and June and the coldest are December and January.</li>
<li>The district of Karnal, Ambala and a portion of Kurukshetra district lying under the climatic type Cwa, Sirsa and Hisar district has got climatic type Bwh. The rest of the State belongs to the climatic type Bsh.</li>
<li>The year is divided into four seasons. The winter season from November to March is followed by summer season from April to June. The period from July to middle of September constitutes the south-west monsoon season and the period from the latter half of September to October forms the post-monsoon period.</li>
<li>Winter prevails over the entire State during the period from November to March and is generally very unpleasant due to biting cold. In this season a series of western disturbances affect the climate of the State. In the summer months from April to June, weather is very dry and uncomfortable.</li>
<li>The maximum rainfall is 216 cms and the minimum rainfall ranges from 25 to 38 cms.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Soil</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Soil is formed almost entirely of alluvium, the state is situated towards the depressions of the rivers Ganges and Indus.</li>
<li>It is a broad level plain standing nearly on the watershed between the basins of the two rivers. It is a vast ground of moist land. In the whole of the region except the flood plains of the Yamuna and the Ghaggar, the alluvium is of the old type containing sand, clay, silt and hard calcareous concentrations about the size of nuts known as 'Kankars'.</li>
<li>In the Khaddar the deposits of the alluvium are of the recent type. They consist of coarse sand and some silt, regularly deposited by the rivers and small mountain streams of the Indo-Gangetic watershed.</li>
<li>In the south-western part, a great deal of wind-blown sand has been piled up in the form of sand dunes. These dunes are sometimes many metres high. The alluvium is covered by sand, making the region as arid and unproductive as a desert.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Important Lakes of Haryana</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Badkhal Lake</strong> is situated near Faridabad in Haryana, about 32 kilometers from Delhi. Fringed by the hills of the Aravalli Range it is a man-made embankment. Owing to unchecked mining in neighbouring areas, the lake has now totally dried up. Close to Badkhal Lake, is the Peacock Lake, which is another picturesque spot. It is an important biodiversity area contiguous to Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary within the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor.</li>
<li><strong>Brahma Sarovar Lake</strong> is one of Asia's largest man-made pond. It is 3600 ft long, 1500 ft broad and 45 ft deep. Brahma stands for Lord Brahma, the creator of universe in Hinduism, and Sarovar in Hindi means 'pond'. The pond is named such because myths say that Lord Brahma created the universe from the land of Kurukshetra, after performing a huge yagya. A giant black stone chariot of Lord Krishna and Arjuna is located in its premises. The ghats of the sarovar are named after the most prominent characters of the Mahabharata.</li>
<li><strong>Karna Lake</strong> is a manmade lake in Karnal city of Haryana.</li>
<li><strong>Sannihit Sarovar,</strong> believed to be the permanent abode of Lord Vishnu, is situated at a distance of 3 kms from Kurukshetra on Pehowa Road. It is supposed that entire range of Tirthas assembles here on the day of Amavasya and as per the legends, if a man performs Shradhs at the time of solar eclipse and takes bath in this tank, he acquires the fruit of 1000 Ashwamedh sacrifices. Sikh Gurus too have visited this holy place from time to time.</li>
<li><strong>Surajkund Lake</strong> also known as 'Lake of the Sun', is an artificial Kund built in the backdrop of the Aravalli hills near Faridabad. It is said to have been built by the Suraj Pal, King of Tomar dynasty in the 10th century.</li>
<li><strong>Tilyar Lake,</strong> situated 42 Kms from Delhi, is located in Rohtak District of Haryana.</li>
<li><strong>Blue Bird Lake</strong> is a resident and endangered migratory fowl wetland habitat, lake and exercise area in the Hisar city of Haryana. It is close to Deer Park and Shatavar Vatika Herbal Park of Hisar.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Flora and Fauna of State</strong></p>
<p><em>Forests</em></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana is rich in various kinds of flora. In the state there is a general type of flora but some pockets of the region give a special types of herbs and bushes. There are hardly any hilly tracts in Haryana except a few in Panchkula district-its sub-montane area and the range of Aravalli chain in Gurgaon, Rewari, Faridabad and Mahendragarh districts.</li>
<li>In Panchkula, the hilly areas are generally devoid of vegetation other than rough scrub, and the low bleak hills are of little use except as grazing grounds. The tract around Kalesar and Morni, however, is more valuable.</li>
<li>Formed almost entirely of alluvium, the state is situated towards the depressions of the rivers, Ganges and Indus.It is vast ground of moist land. So, under the situations, flora also differs.</li>
<li>Thorny, dry, deciduous forest and thorny shrubs can be found all over the state. During the monsoon, a carpet of grass covers the hills. Mulberry, eucalyptus, pine, kikar, shisham and babul are some of the trees found here.</li>
<li>Forest cover in the state is near 3.6% of the total geographical area of Haryana while total forest and tree Cover is 6.79%. Forest Cover in the state in 2017 was 1588 km2 and the Tree Cover in the state was 1415 km2. In 2016-17, 18,412 hectares were brought under tree cover by planting 14.1 million seedlings.</li>
<li>Panchkula district has maximum forest cover while Palwal district has minimum forest cover.</li>
</ul>
<p><em>Wildlife</em></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In olden times, lions and tigers were not uncommon in the state. The Nardak area of the then Karnal district was once a favourite spot of the Mughal emperors for hunting lions and tigers.These species have completely disappeared now.</li>
<li>The species of fauna found in the state of Haryana include black buck, nilgai, panther, fox, mongoose, jackal and wild dog. Apart from this more than 450 species of birds are also found.</li>
<li>Haryana has two national parks, eight wildlife sanctuaries, two wildlife conservation areas, five animal and bird breeding centers, one deer park and three zoos, all of which are managed by the Haryana Forest Department of the Government of Haryana.</li>
</ul>
<p><em>National parks of Haryana</em></p>
<p>The Forests Department of Haryana maintains 2 National parks:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sultanpur National Park (142.52 hectares),</strong> 25 km from Gurugram, is a bird paradise for bird watchers. It is famous for its migratory as well as resident birds. Migratory species reach here after covering incredible distance, since their home land in Europe, Siberia and Central Asia becomes uninhabitable due to cold temperature, snow covered ground and frozen lakes. Migratory birds start arriving in the park in September.</li>
<li><strong>Kalesar National Park (4682.32 hectares),</strong> 15 km from Yamunanagar, has got lot of significance in terms of biodiversity and ecological stability in this part of the country. In terms of biodiversity, it is store house of numerous medicinal plants. It houses many threatened animals like Leopard, Ghoral, Barking deer, Sambar, Chital, Python, King Cobra, Monitor lizard etc. Occasionally, Tigers and Elephants visit this park from Rajaji National Park situated in Uttarakhand.</li>
</ul>
<p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Wildlife Sanctuaries of Haryana</span></em></p>
<p>The Forests Department, Haryana of the Government of Haryana maintains the following Wildlife Sanctuaries:</p>
<ol>
<li>Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, Jhajjar</li>
<li>Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary, Jhajjar</li>
<li>Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rewari</li>
<li>Chhilchhila Wildlife Sanctuary, Kurukshetra</li>
<li>Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary, Yamunanagar</li>
<li>Abubshahar Wildlife Sanctuary, Sirsa</li>
<li>Khol Hi-Raitan Wildlife Sanctuary, Panchkula</li>
<li>Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary, Panchkula</li>
</ol>
<p><em>Animal &amp; Bird Breeding Centers of Haryana</em></p>
<p>The Forests Department of Haryana runs the following breeding centres in the state:</p>
<ol>
<li>Chinkara Breeding Centre, Kairu, Bhiwani</li>
<li>Crocodile Breeding Centre, Bhor Saidan, Kurukshetra</li>
<li>Peacock &amp; Chinkara Breeding Centre, Jhabua, Rewari</li>
<li>Pheasant Breeding Centre, Morni, Panchkula</li>
<li>Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre, Pinjore</li>
</ol>
<p><em>Conservation Reserves</em></p>
<ol>
<li>Saraswati Conservation Reserve, Kaithal</li>
<li>Bir Bara Ban Conservation Reserve, Jind</li>
</ol>
<p>*The Forests Department of the Government of Haryana runs Deer Park located next to Hisar Airport.</p>
<h3>Culture</h3>
<p><strong>Fairs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Surajkund International Crafts Mela</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is celebrated at, Surajkund, District Faridabad</li>
<li>The Mela is organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority &amp; Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs.</li>
<li>A large number of renowned national and international folk artistes and cultural groups present day performances at both the Chaupals, the open-air theatres, located in the Mela premises. In 2013, the fair was upgraded to an international level and in 2015, a record number of 20 countries participated in the Mela.</li>
<li>For the 33rd Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2019, the state of Maharashtra has been chosen to be the Theme State. Thailand is the Partner Nation Country for the Year 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gopal-Mochan Fair</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In Ambala, the most famous fair is held at Gopal-Mochan near Bilaspur in Jagadhri tehsil. There is a sacred tank of the same name in the place.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Masani Fair</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Haryana's most famous fair is held in honour of the goddess of smallpox, Masani whose temple is in Gurgaon village.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Festivals</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Gugga Naumi</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is a religious festival, celebrated all over Haryana. It is connected with snake-worship and observed in August-September.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gangore</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a festival that dedicated to goddess of abundance i.e. Gauri. Celebrated every year in Chet or March month, this festival is specially meant for young girls who pray for good husbands. In this festival people take out processions carrying the idol of Gangore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lohri</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lohri is celebrated in the state of Haryana just before the day of Makar Sankranti. For the community of Punjabis the festival of Lohri is a very special festival.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Baisakhi</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The festival of Baisakhi is a very important one for the Punjabis in the state of Haryana and is celebrated with joyous music and dancing.</li>
<li>It falls every year on 13th April and once in 36 years it falls on 14th April. It was on this particular day that the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa in the year 1699.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Teej</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This festival is celebrated on Sawan Sudi. It is celebrated to welcome the season of monsoon. After the first showers of rainy season, a small insect called Teej in the state of Haryana comes out from the earth&rsquo;s soil.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pinjore Heritage Festival</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It takes place at Pinjore, a small town located at a distance of 20 kilometers from Chandigarh. It is home of some of the best terraced gardens in the country. These gardens were planned by Fidai Khan during the reign of Jahangir.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Arts and crafts of Haryana</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Art and craft of Haryana mainly covers the range of pottery, embroidery and weaving. Colourful Phulkari dupatta of Haryana is famous in India and abroad.</li>
<li>Art and craft of Haryana also include sculpture and murals both of Persian and Mughal style. Woven furniture, artistic sheet metal work, wooden bead making, zari &amp; tilla jutti (leather footwear), lace work, bone carving, wood carving are some of the artistic craft that Haryana is known for.</li>
<li>Panipat in Haryana is famous for its handloom tradition, especially rugs and upholstery fabric that is the reason why it is known as a major textile town in India.</li>
<li>Haryana is famous for two types of woven furniture Mudhas (round stools) and chairs made of sarkanda (a reed) from Farukh Nagar and Pidhis from Sonipat which are essentially wooden stools with seat woven in cotton threads or sutli.</li>
<li>One of the interesting items made at Jhajjar is pitcher made from clay. Interestingly, the clay gives a sweet taste to the water stored in the pitcher.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Dance Forms</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dhamal</strong> is a dance form, whose origin goes back to the days of the Mahabharata. The Dhamal dance is especially popular in the areas around Gurgaon, inhabited by Ahirs. In the beginning of the dance, the player gives the first long note, then Dhol, Tasha, Nagara, pick up the beat and the dance begins. Some of the dancers carry large Daphs in their hands. These are edged with frills of brightly coloured fabric, others carry sticks ('Shuntis') of medium length, wrapped in tinsel and tasseled at both ends.</li>
<li><strong>Daph</strong> is another form of seasonal dance of farmers depicting the joyful emotions on a good harvest and advent of Spring. It is a sort of community dance. The "Daph", the one sided drum and the sound of the ornaments worn by the women offer the music.</li>
<li><strong>Phag</strong> dance done basically in the lunar month of Phalgun seeks to celebrate the colourful festival of Holi. The dancers come together to the sound of 'Tasha', 'Nagara' and 'Dhol'. The men come running &amp; singing the traditional songs of 'Phalgun', followed by women carrying 'Koraras', the knotted lengths of cloths. They run about the men hitting with the 'Koraras' while men defend themselves as best as they can with 'Shuntis'.</li>
<li><strong>Ghoomar</strong> is marked by circular movements of the dancers, Ghoomar is generally performed by the girls of the areas bordering Rajasthan. The dancers form a circle, and move about clapping and singing, while tempo of the dance is accelerated. The accompanying songs are full of satire and humour and refer to contemporary events, while the dancers twirl around in pairs.</li>
<li><strong>Jhumar</strong> dance is named after an ornament called as "Jhumar" commonly worn on forehead by young married women is exclusively danced by women. It is otherwise known as 'Hariyanvi Gidda'. Dressed in colourful costumes, the ladies dance in gay abandon singing and clapping with the beats of 'dholak' and 'thali' while gracefully moving in a circle.</li>
<li><strong>Loor</strong> is performed by girls during the month of 'Phalguna' (pring), and is so named because the word 'Loor' means girl in the Bangar area of Haryana. Performed during the Holi festival, this dance marks the spring season and the sowing of the Rabi crops. The song is generally in the form of questions and answers.</li>
<li><strong>Gugga dance</strong> is performed by Gugga (a saint) devotees, they dance and sing around his grave to show their devotion. The Gugga is exclusively a male dance, performed in procession taken out in memory of saint Gugga.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Music</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana is a state of rich musical tradition and even some places have even been named after ragas, for example Charkhi Dadri district has many villages named as Todi, Asaveri, Jaisri, Malakoshna, Hindola, Bhairavi etc.</li>
<li>Mainly two main forms of music exist here i.e. Classical Folk Music and Desi Folk Music. They take the form of a verse and pangs of parting of lovers, valor and bravery, harvest and happiness. The folk music of Haryana has been spread by the Bhats, Saangis and Jogis.</li>
<li>The desi Haryanvi music is used for celebrating community bonhomie to sing seasonal songs, ballads, ceremonial songs and related religious legendary tales such as Puran Bhagat. Ahirs also use melodic Raag Pilu on a scale using seven semitones.</li>
<li>Kissa folklores of bravery and love such as Nihal De Sultan, Leelo- Chaman, Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, Jai Singh etc. are some of the most popular folklores. Ragini are folk theatrical performance of Haryana. This form of theater were popularised by Lakhmi Chand and Mehar Singh.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Musical Accompaniments</strong></p>
<p>Many traditional instruments like Sarangi, Harmonium, Chimta, Dhadd, Dholak, Manjeera, Khartal, Damaru, Duggi, Daf, Bansuri, Been, Ghungroo, Dhak, Gharha(by adding rubber cover on top of the pitcher), Thali (beaten with a stick to make music) and Shankha are used to make music here.</p>
<p><strong>Haryanvi Films</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana has a flourishing film Industry . When Chandrawal was released in March 1984, it created a stir in the film industry.</li>
<li>Apart from this Laddo, Chandro, Lal Rang are other famous films of Haryana.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Food</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is the saying famous in Haryana, Desaan main des Haryana, jit dudh dahi ka khaana, which means "Among places is Haryana, where the staple food is milk and yoghurt "</li>
<li>The home made butter is popularly known as nooni or tindi in the state. Bajra Ki Khichdi is a famous delicacy, which is prepared with millet porridge and eaten with Kadi or Ghee.</li>
<li>The desserts contain Gajar ka Halwa, Kheer and Rabri made from wheat flour and buttermilk.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Economy</h3>
<p><strong>Budget 2018-19</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to advance estimates, GSDP of Haryana for 2018-19 at current prices has been estimated at Rs.7.07 lakh crore, contributing <strong>3.75 per cent</strong> to the all- India GDP of Rs. 188.41 lakh crore.</li>
<li>The state budget has been pegged at<strong> Rs 1,32,165.99 crore,</strong> an increase of 14.73 per cent over outlay budget estimate.</li>
</ul>
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<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Fiscal deficit of State for 2018-19 recorded as <strong>2.90%</strong> while Revenue deficit is <strong>1.20%</strong>.</li>
<li>Haryana GSDP growth rate is stood at <strong>8.2%</strong> while National GDP growth rate is <strong>7.2%</strong> for 2018-19.</li>
<li><strong>No fresh taxes</strong> have been proposed and the existing rates of taxes have been left untouched.</li>
<li>Rs 46,562 crore have been allocated to the schemes pertaining to <strong>17 Sustainable Development Goals</strong> (SDGs) being implemented in the state.</li>
<li>Notification of <strong>Bio-Energy Policy-2018</strong> to promote biomass energy projects in the state, targeting production of <strong>150 MW by 2022</strong>. The government also plans to bring about a scheme to provide solar water pumping systems to farmers to meet their irrigation needs. Under this scheme, farmers would be provided 2 HP and 5HP solar water pumping systems with 75 per cent State Subsidy and 25 per cent user share.</li>
<li>The government has announced a <strong>price of Rs 340 per quintal for sugarcane</strong> this year, which is once again the highest in the country. For the first time, a subsidy of Rs 16 per quintal was given to facilitate the payment of sugarcane arrears to the farmers during 2017-18.</li>
<li>The state government has initiated <strong>Bhavantar Bharpayee Yojana</strong> for four horticulture crops- Potato, tomato, onion and Cauliflower, in order to ensure that every farmer recovers at least the cost of cultivation, in the eventuality of drop in market prices.</li>
<li>To maximise the quantity of crops, the state government has registered farmers under the <strong>e-kharid Portal</strong> through which they will get to know the Minimum Support Price of their produce. A record procurement of 2.7 lakh tonnes was made in case of mustard and 1.80 lakh million tonnes of bajra this year.</li>
<li>Work has been initiated for setting up new <strong>thematic market</strong> by the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board, e.g. <strong>&ldquo;State of the Art&rdquo; integrated Apple Market at Pinjore,</strong> wholesale market for <strong>spices at Sirsa and Kundli,</strong> and wholesale market for <strong>flowers at Gurgaon</strong>.</li>
<li>The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 12,000 per acre for the crop damage caused by natural calamity.</li>
<li>Under the <strong>&lsquo;Horticulture Vision&rsquo;,</strong> the state government aims to double the area under horticulture from the present 8.17 per cent to 15 per cent and triple the produce in the state by 2030. In this direction, the Horticulture Department has formed 96 Farmer Producer Organisations covering 34,219 farmers, who will be provided with the requisite infrastructure of pack houses and given training in agriculture business operations.</li>
<li>In order to provide socio-economic security to the livestock owners of the state, the <strong>Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Livestock Insurance scheme</strong> has been launched in 2018-19.</li>
<li>With a view to tackle the <strong>menace of stray bulls</strong> in the state, the state government finalized the procurement of 2 lakh sexed semen for artificial insemination of crossbred and indigenous cattle.</li>
<li><strong>20<sup>th</sup> Livestock Census</strong> has been started for the first time in digital form, from the last week of January 2019. A Departmental app is also being started along with the Government of India app, to record the detailed information on each animal with its photo through <strong>&ldquo;Har Pashu Ka Gyan&rdquo;</strong> mobile application using electronic tablets.</li>
<li>Under the <strong>&ldquo;Pashu Sanjivni Sewa&rdquo;,</strong> on call mobile veterinary services at the doorstep of farmers, would be provided initially in three districts, (Jind, Yamunanagar, Mewat) as a pilot project and the same would eventually be extended in the entire State.</li>
<li><strong>Haryana Fishery Resource Development Authority</strong> has been established for the development of waterlogged areas in Charkhi Dadri, Jind and Jhajjar districts. This will enhance the income of fish farmers by utilizing the 16,000 identified waterlogged areas.</li>
<li>Under the <strong>&lsquo;Assistance to Milk Cooperatives&rsquo;</strong> scheme, the state government has provided assistance to purchase 700 Automatic Milk Collection Units/Data Processor Milk Collection Units, to village level milk cooperative societies with the objective to increase transparency and efficiency of milk collection as well as expanding it.</li>
<li><strong>Aviation hub</strong> and aerospace/defence manufacturing park has been proposed at Hisar.</li>
<li>There is also proposal to set up a <strong>science city</strong> and site of Aravali biodiversity park, Nathupur village in Gurugram is being finalised for it. A <strong>sub-regional science centre</strong> will also be set up at <strong>Ambala</strong>.</li>
<li>Rs 100 crore have also been allocated for completion of the construction of SYL canal.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Agriculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>About 70% of Haryana residents are engaged in agriculture. Wheat and rice are the major crops. Haryana is self-sufficient in food production and the second largest contributor to India's central pool of food grains.</li>
<li>Haryana contributed significantly to the Green Revolution in India in the 1970s that made the country self-sufficient in food production.</li>
<li>The state has also significantly contributed to the field of agricultural education in the country. Asia's one of the biggest agricultural University - Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University is located at Hisar , which has already made a significant contribution in ushering 'Green Revolution'.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Dairy Farming</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Dairy farming is also an essential part of the rural economy. Haryana has a livestock population of 98.97 lakh. Milk and milk products form an essential part of the local diet. Haryana, with 660 grams of availability of milk per capita per day, ranks at number two in the country as against the national average of 232 grams.</li>
<li>There is a vast network of milk societies that support the dairy industry.</li>
<li>The <strong>National Dairy Research Institute at Karnal,</strong> and the <strong>Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes at Hisar</strong> are instrumental in development of new breeds of cattle and propagation of these breeds through embryo transfer technology.</li>
<li>The <strong>Murrah breed of water buffalo</strong> from Haryana is world-famous for its milk production and termed as <strong>'Black Gold'</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Industry</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Gurgaon city is emerging as one of the major hub for the Information Technology and Automobile industry. India now has over 50% market share in the world&rsquo;s IT outsourcing industry, and most of that work happens from Gurgaon. The total global and domestic outsourcing market opportunity for India is expected to grow three-fold from $500bn in 2008 to $1.5tn by 2020, according to India Brand Equity, a foundation set up by the government.</li>
<li>Two of the biggest automobile and two wheeler manufacturer Maruti udyog and Hero are in Gurgaon. Haryana is a preferred destination for auto majors and auto-component manufacturers. The state is host to many large automotive players. The state produces two-thirds of passenger cars, 50 percent of tractors, 60 percent of motorcycles and 50 per cent of the refrigerators manufactured in the country. Automobiles and auto component exports from Haryana were around US$ 1.39 billion in FY18.</li>
<li>The <strong>Panipat Refinery (IOCL)</strong> situated at Panipat is the second largest refinery in south Asia.</li>
<li>There are numerous manufacturing companies in the region. These include Hindustan National Glass, Maruti Udyog Limited, Escorts Group, Hero Moto Corp, Alcatel, Sony, Whirlpool India, Bharti Telecom, Liberty Shoes etc. In addition there are more than 80,000 small-scale industrial units in the state which cumulatively bring in a substantial income for the state and its people.</li>
<li>Yamunanagar district has a paper mill BILT.</li>
<li>Faridabad is another big industrial part of Haryana. It is home to hundreds of large scale companies like Orient fans (C.K.Birla Group), JCB India Limited, Nirigemes, Agri</li>
<li>Machinery Group (Escorts Group), Yamaha Motor India Pvt. Ltd.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/674drishti_ias_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/674drishti_ias_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Sports in Haryana</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana is the leading state in sports as well. It's players like Sushil Kumar has won the two successive Olympic medals in 2008 ( Bronze Medal) and 2012 (Silver Medal).</li>
<li>Haryana women player Sakshi Malik has won Bronze Medal in 2016 Olympic in freestyle wrestling and she has become the first woman in India who has won Olympic medal in wrestling.</li>
<li>Haryana Sports Policy and Rewards played a major role in the upliftment of sports in the state.</li>
<li>According to new sports policy, substantially increased award money is being given to national and international Players.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Tourism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana has set up a number of tourist complexes, motels and camping sites to promote tourism. Haryana has one of the most successful tourist development programs led by Haryana Tourism department. The tourist complexes are named after Birds found in Haryana. Some of these places have dormitories and all of them have restaurants. Hotel Rajhans (Surajkund) is on the Delhi Agra highway, Karna Lake (Karnal), Skylark, Parakeet and Kingfisher (Ambala) are on Delhi-Chandigarh highway. Yadavindra Gardens at Pinjore, on the Chandigarh Shimla road are a must see.</li>
<li>Kurukshetra is a great pilgrimage for Hindus and tourists from all over visit the venue of Mahabharat war and the birthplace of the Bhagavad Gita. Building on its, historical and cultural traditions, it has developed in to a modern city having the Brahma Sarovar, Sri Krishna Museum and the Science Museum (Panorama).</li>
<li>The Delhi-Alwar highway boasts of a unique hilly attraction Sohna, in Gurgaon district. Standing on the Aravali Hills, Sohna looks out at a wide panoramic view of the plains below it.</li>
<li>Panchkula district has the Morni Hills - <strong>the only hill station of Haryana,</strong> is a charming and peaceful place to rest and savor the nature.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Research Institution of Repute</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar</li>
<li>National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal</li>
<li>National Brain Research Centre, Gurgaon</li>
<li>Directorate Of Wheat Research, Karnal</li>
<li>National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Haryana Government Schemes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Apni Beti Apna Dhan</li>
<li>Ladli Scheme</li>
<li>State Level Awards for Improvement in Sex Ratio to the districts, Haryana</li>
<li>Ch. Devi Lal. Rashtriya Uttan Aivam Parivar Kalyan Yojna &ldquo;Devi Rupak&rdquo;</li>
<li>Mukhya Mantri Vivah Shagun Yojna</li>
<li>Housing scheme for Scheduled Castes and Denotified Tribes</li>
<li>Dr. Ambedkar Medhavi Chhattar Sansodhit Yojna</li>
<li>Financial Assistance for Higher Competitive entrance examinations to SC/BC candidates through private institutions.</li>
<li>Creation of Employment Generation Opportunities by setting up Employment Oriented Institutes/Training Programmes.</li>
<li>Scheme of Hostels For Other Backward Classes (OBCs) Boys And Girls</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues and Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana has the worst child sex ratio( 834) and sex ratio( 879) according to census 2011.</li>
<li>Crime rate against women is very high in the state. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2016 has indicated that Haryana has acquired the top spot among all states in terms of gang rapes.</li>
<li>Due to high rate of foeticide and resultant lack of females in Haryana there is widespread practice of trafficking women from the poorer region of India.</li>
<li>Though Haryana is leading agricultural state in India , there are emerging challenges , like water table has gone down drastically, due to excessive and irrational fertilizer use and agriculture has almost become non-profitable due to high input cost.</li>
<li>The groundwater level in Haryana, a major paddy producer in the country, has dropped by more than 50% in the past four decades. According to official information, in 1974 the groundwater was available at 9.19 metre (m) and in 2016, it has gone down to 18.66m, recording a decline up to 9.47m. In fact, this is the state&rsquo;s average, as in many districts the groundwater level has gone down up to 46m.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Haryana : Unknown Facts</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>First mobile court of Haryana (2007):</strong> Mewat/Nuh</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s first high-tech Anganwadi:</strong> Hasanpur (Sonipat)</li>
<li><strong>Haryana Backward Classes Commission:</strong> Established on 7 September 1990</li>
<li><strong>First Chairman of Haryana Backward Classes Commission:</strong> Justice Gurnam Singh</li>
<li><strong>Haryana Institute of Rural Development:</strong> Nilokheri (Karnal)</li>
<li><strong>Potato Technology Training Centre:</strong> Nilokheri (Karnal)</li>
<li><strong>Gandhi of Haryana:</strong> Mulchand Jain (Gohana, Sonipat)</li>
<li><strong>First Gram Secretariat of Haryana:</strong> Haibatpur (Jind)</li>
<li><strong>Kalanidhi Magazine (1965):</strong> Kurukshetra University</li>
<li><strong>Sandalwood of Haryana:</strong> Khejri (Jati)</li>
<li><strong>Gaya city of Haryana:</strong> Pehowa (Kurukshetra)</li>
<li><strong>Harsh Ka Tila:</strong> Thanesar (Kurukshetra)</li>
<li><strong>Anjana Mata Ka Tila:</strong> Kaithal</li>
<li><strong>First Agro Mall of Haryana:</strong> Rohtak</li>
<li><strong>Shree Baba Tara Ji:</strong> Sirsa</li>
<li><strong>Dadi Sati Mandir:</strong> Kumhariya (Sirsa)</li>
<li><strong>Dera Jagmalwali (Sirsa):</strong> Sant GurBaksh Singh</li>
<li><strong>Namdhari Dera:</strong> Jiwan Nagar, Sirsa</li>
<li><strong>Sardar Singh:</strong> Hockey player (Rania, Sirsa)</li>
<li><strong>Rania ka Kila:</strong> Bhairon Singh</li>
<li><strong>War Heroes Memorial Stadium:</strong> Ambala</li>
<li><strong>Abu Ali Qalandar Tomb:</strong> Panipat</li>
<li><strong>Longest flyover of Haryana:</strong> Panipat</li>
<li><strong>Idea of &lsquo;Selfie with Daughter&rsquo;:</strong> Sunil Jangal (Bibipur, Jind)</li>
<li><strong>Lake mentioned in &ldquo;Baburnama&rdquo;:</strong> Kotla lake (Nuh)</li>
<li><strong>Chitta Temple:</strong> Yamunanagar</li>
<li><strong>Hemu:</strong> Kutubpur (Rewari)</li>
<li><strong>London of Ahirwal:</strong> Rewari</li>
<li><strong>Rani ki Dyodhi:</strong> Rewari</li>
<li><strong>Carnor Darwaza:</strong> Rewari</li>
<li><strong>Rampura Mahal:</strong> Rewari</li>
<li><strong>History of Rewari:</strong> "Abhir Kuldeepika&rsquo;"</li>
<li><strong>Largest Cloth Market of Northern India:</strong> Shori Market (Rohtak)</li>
<li><strong>Tmb of Pranpir Badshah</strong>: Hisar</li>
<li><strong>St. Thomas Church:</strong> Hisar</li>
<li><strong>St. James Church:</strong> Karnal</li>
<li><strong>Mausam Khatri (Wrestler):</strong> Panchi Village (Sonipat)</li>
<li><strong>Fauji Mehar Singh:</strong> Barona village (Sonipat)</li>
<li><strong>First Cotton Mill of Haryana:</strong> Fatehabad (1963)</li>
<li><strong>Castle of Ibrahim Ali Khan:</strong> Designed by Henz</li>
<li><strong>Babatpur village (Gurugram):</strong> Selected under Digital India Programme</li>
<li><strong>Baba Gaibi Sahib Temple:</strong> Narwana (Jind)</li>
<li><strong>Mini Haridwar of Haryana:</strong> Pandu-Pindara (Jind)</li>
<li><strong>Baba Jeet Giri Temple:</strong> Kakrod (Jind)</li>
<li><strong>Uchana:</strong> Established by Dahad Singh Sheokand</li>
<li><strong>Niracha Dham:</strong> Beri (Jhajjar)</li>
<li><strong>Archaeological Museum:</strong> Jhajjar</li>
<li><strong>Nabh Chhor:</strong> Evening newspaper published from Hisar</li>
<li><strong>Postal service in Ambala:</strong> Launched by Lord Canning in 1860</li>
<li><strong>Mata Parkash Kaur Welfare Centre for Persons with Speech &amp; Hearing Impairment:</strong> Karnal</li>
<li><strong>St. James Church Tower (1806):</strong> Karnal</li>
<li><strong>Nirmal Kutiya:</strong> Karnal</li>
<li><strong>Gandhi Memorial Hall:</strong> Karnal</li>
<li><strong>First One Stop Centre for distress women:</strong> Karnal</li>
<li><strong>First Post Office Passport Centre of Haryana:</strong> Karnal</li>
<li><strong>Google boy:</strong> Kautilya Pandit</li>
<li><strong>Maharishi Balmiki Sanskrit University:</strong> Mundri (Kaithal)</li>
<li><strong>Peer Naubahar:</strong> Guhla (Kaithal)</li>
<li><strong>Bhai Uday Singh:</strong> Last Emperor of Kaithal</li>
<li><strong>Kos Minars:</strong> Sher Shah Suri</li>
<li><strong>Devi Temple of Panipat:</strong> Built by Marathas</li>
<li><strong>Gandhi Museum:</strong> Palwal</li>
<li><strong>Tomb of Roshan Chirag:</strong> Palwal</li>
<li><strong>Shaheed Minar:</strong> Hathin (Palwal)</li>
<li><strong>Odh Tribe:</strong> Hodal</li>
<li><strong>Sunil Lanba:</strong> Amarpur village (Palwal)</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/know-your-state/haryana'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Policy Watch - DNA Technology-Use & Application',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d_5rTcdgBkM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Recently, Lok Sabha has passed DNA Technology (Use and Application Bill), 2019. This bill allows the use of DNA Technology for establishing the identity of persons in matters of crime, parentage disputes, immigration and transplantation of human organs.</p>
<h3>Provisions of the Bill</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill regulates DNA testing for identification of persons under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.</li>
<li><strong>The Bill allows for DNA testing in certain civil matters as well.</strong> This includes matters such as parentage disputes; issues related to ancestry, immigration, assisted reproductive technologies, transplantation of human organs, and for the establishment of individual identity.</li>
<li>Written consent is required for DNA samples to be collected, processed and included in the database except for those <strong>who have committed crimes with punishment of seven years.</strong></li>
<li><strong>DNA Regulatory Board:</strong> This Bill envisages the establishment of DNA Regulatory Board that will set standards for the proper storage of DNA samples collected. It will be chaired by Secretary of Government of India, Department of Biotechnology.</li>
<li><strong>Any laboratory that conducts DNA testing and analysis to establish the identity of an individual</strong> (in respect of matters listed in the Schedule) is required to obtain accreditation from the DNA Regulatory Board.</li>
<li><strong>DNA Databanks will be created at national and regional levels.</strong> DNA laboratories will have to share DNA data prepared by them with DNA Data Banks.</li>
<li>In criminal cases, the laboratory is required to return the biological sample to the investigating officer after depositing the DNA profile with the DNA Data Banks. In all other cases, the laboratory will destroy the sample and inform the concerned person.</li>
<li><strong>Punishment:</strong> The penalty for various <g class="gr_ gr_59 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="59" data-gr-id="59">offences</g> such as unauthorized disclosure of information from the Data Bank or obtaining information from the Data Bank without authorization is imprisonment up to three years and fine of up to One Lakh Rupees.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>DNA Technology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is a set of instructions found in a cell. These instructions are necessary for the growth and development of an organism.</li>
<li>The DNA of a person is unique, and variation in the sequence of DNA can be used to match individuals and identify them.</li>
<li>A DNA test is an ultimate test for deciding the cases on parentage, inheritance, unidentified bodies and thus also useful in identifying victims of natural and man-made disasters.</li>
<li>Use of DNA Technology in criminal investigations was first started in the U.K. in 1984.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In India, the first conviction with the help of DNA Technology was made in Rajiv Gandhi&rsquo;s murder case.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Inadequate Resources:</strong> Currently, laboratories are able to assess only one or two samples at a time. This results in delayed investigations.</li>
<li><strong>Shortage of such investigator</strong>s who either are trained forensic scientists or know the art of collecting and preserving the requisite DNA sample.</li>
<li><strong>The possibility of misuse of DNA samples:</strong> Through DNA, not only the identity of a person can be known but also other characteristics like if she/he is suffering from any disease etc. There is a possibility that people having access to DNA samples, blackmail the person who has submitted his/her DNA sample.</li>
<li><strong>Single Use:</strong> Bill envisages the use of a DNA sample for a particular specified purpose only. For any other purpose, the DNA sample will have to be processed again.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Laboratories need to be modernized</strong> so that around 40 to 50 samples can be processed at the same time. This will help in the quick resolution of various cases and thus will strengthen India&rsquo;s Justice Delivery System.</li>
<li><strong>Use of DNA cannot be restricted to a particular purpose.</strong> A series of situations may arise that can demand usage of a DNA sample again and again.</li>
<li><strong>Effective implementation of the provisions mentioned in the bill</strong> is required to ensure the proper storage and usage of DNA bills. Privacy of individuals anyhow cannot be compromised.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-dna-technology-use-application'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved <strong>Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan- Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana</strong>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The scheme will be supported financially by Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to Second Generation (2G) Integrated Bioethanol Projects using lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstock.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Key Terms</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Viability Gap Funding (VGF)</strong> means a grant one-time or deferred, provided to support infrastructure projects that are economically justified but fall short of financial viability.</li>
<li><strong>Lignocellulosic biomass</strong> (or LC biomass) refers to plant biomass that is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. For examples: cereal straw, bagasse, forest residues, and purpose-grown energy crops such as vegetative grasses.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Features</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The objective of the scheme is to <strong>create an ecosystem for setting up commercial projects</strong> and boost to <strong>Research and Development in 2G Ethanol sector.</strong></li>
<li>Under the scheme funds have been allocated for supporting 12 Commercial projects, 10 Demonstration Projects:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Phase-I (2018-19 to 2022-23)</strong> 6 Commercial and 5 demonstration projects will be supported.</li>
<li><strong>Phase-II (2018-19 to 2022-23)</strong> Remaining 6 Commercial and 5 demonstration projects will be&nbsp;supported.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ethanol produced by the scheme beneficiaries <strong>will be mandatorily supplied to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs)</strong> to further enhance the blending percentage under Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP).</li>
<li><strong>Centre for High Technology (CHT), a technical body under the aegis of MoP&amp;NG, will be the implementation Agency for the scheme.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Benefits</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This scheme is<strong> promoting Second Generation (2G) Biofuels Technology</strong> <strong>moving away from food crops used in First Generation(1G)</strong> to feedstocks, nonfood crops agricultural residues or waste.</li>
<li>Making progressive <strong>Blending/Substitution of fossil fuels for achieving Green House Gas emission reduction targets.</strong></li>
<li>Stopping burning of biomass/ crop residues &amp; improve the health of citizens and improving farmer income.</li>
<li>Creating Employment opportunities in 2G Ethanol projects and Biomass supply chain.</li>
<li>Contributing towards Swacch Bharat Mission by disposing of non&shy;food biofuel feedstocks such as waste biomass and urban waste.</li>
<li>Development of Second Generation Biomass to Ethanol technologies in the country by promoting Research &amp; Development.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The government of India launched Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme in 2003 for undertaking blending of ethanol in Petrol to address environmental concerns due to fossil fuel burning,&nbsp; provide remuneration to farmers, subsidize crude imports and achieve forex savings.</strong></li>
<li>Presently, EBP is being run in 21 States and 4 UTs of the country. Under the EBP programme, OMCs (Oil Marketing Companies) are to blend up to 10% of ethanol in Petrol.</li>
<li>Despite efforts of the Government such as higher ethanol prices and simplification of ethanol purchase system, the highest ever ethanol procurement stands around 150 crore liters during Ethanol supply year 2017-18 which is hardly sufficient for around 4.22% blending on Pan India basis.</li>
<li>To enhance blending up to 10% of ethanol in Petrol, an alternate route viz. Second Generation (2G) Ethanol from biomass and other wastes is being explored by MoP&amp;NG to bridge the supply gap for EBP programme.</li>
<li><strong>Therefore, "Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana" is being launched as a tool to create 2G Ethanol capacity in the country and attract investments in this new sector.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Biofuels</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Biofuels are fuels manufactured from biomass. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Biomass resources are the biodegradable fraction of products, wastes, and residues from agriculture, forestry <g class="gr_ gr_114 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="114" data-gr-id="114">and</g> related industries as well as the biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal wastes.</span></li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="height: 544px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 1036px; height: 19px; background-color: #f0e80e; text-align: center;" colspan="3">BIOFUELS</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 129px; height: 19px;">GENERATION</td>
<td style="width: 458px; height: 19px;">CHARACTERISTICS</td>
<td style="width: 449px; height: 19px;">REMARKS</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 129px; height: 92px; vertical-align: top;">FIRST</td>
<td style="width: 458px; height: 92px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Produced </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">from&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">food crops like maize,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">corn, sugar cane, rapeseed,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">palm, and soybean into&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">ethanol and biodiesel,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">using a similar process to&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">that used in beer and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">wine-making.</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 449px; height: 92px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Impose significant costs on </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">food security by demanding&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">a share of staple crops, traditionally&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">used solely for food and feed. R</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">esulting in a conflict between fuel&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">and food security. At the same&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">time, lift the price of staple crops</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 129px; height: 67px; vertical-align: top;">SECOND</td>
<td style="width: 458px; height: 67px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Produced from non-food&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">crops and organic&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">agricultural waste, which&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">contain cellulose.</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 449px; height: 67px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Grasses like switchgrass, non-edible&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">oil seeds like Jatropha,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">castor seed can be transformed into&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">biofuels.</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 71px;">
<td style="width: 129px; height: 51px; vertical-align: top;">THIRD</td>
<td style="width: 458px; height: 51px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Derived from algae.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Also known as green&nbsp;</span>hydrocarbons</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 449px; height: 51px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The list of fuels that can be derived from algae <g class="gr_ gr_109 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="109" data-gr-id="109">includes:</g> Bio-diesel, Ethanol, and Jet-fuel.</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 129px; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">FOURTH</td>
<td style="width: 458px; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Produce sustainable&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">energy as well as capture&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">and store CO<sub>2</sub> by&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">converting biomass&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">materials, which have&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">absorbed CO<sub>2</sub> while&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">growing, into fuel.</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 449px; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At all stages of production, the CO2&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">is captured using various processes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rather than simply being carbon&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">neutral, the fourth generation&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">biofuel production is carbon&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">negative, since it &lsquo;locks&rsquo; away more&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">carbon than it produces and also&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">lowers CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">substituting fossil fuels.</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></h3>
<p><strong>Key Advantages of Biofuel</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Renewable Energy source.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Non-toxic &amp; Biodegradable.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Contains no sulfur that causes acid rain.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Environment friendly-less emissions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Has rural employment potential.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-ji-van-yojana'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'India Attended OIC Summit',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, India's External Affairs <g class="gr_ gr_91 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="91" data-gr-id="91">minister</g> (EAM) attended <strong>46th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)</strong> held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India was invited by the host UAE as the "Guest of Honour&rdquo; to attend the inaugural session of the OIC.</li>
<li>Even though Pakistan is a founding member of OIC. It absented itself during the session.</li>
<li>
<p><strong>2019 is the 50th anniversary of OIC.</strong></p>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s address at OIC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>At the summit, EAM has said that the fight is against terrorism and not a confrontation with any religion.</li>
<li>Without naming Pakistan, EAM said countries that provided shelter and funding to terrorists must be asked to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorist camps and stop providing funding and shelter to terror organizations based in their countries.</li>
<li>EAM also said that India is home to&nbsp;more than 185 million Muslims and they practice their respective beliefs and live in harmony with each other and with their non-Muslim brethren.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong><g class="gr_ gr_67 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="67" data-gr-id="67"><g class="gr_ gr_65 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="65" data-gr-id="65">Organisation</g></g> of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The OIC was formed in 1969 after a summit in Rabat, the Kingdom of Morocco on 25 September 1969 following the fire in Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.</li>
<li>The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is among the largest inter-governmental organizations in the world.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The term<strong> intergovernmental organization (IGO)</strong> refers to an entity created by treaty, involving two or more nations, to work in good faith, on issues of common interest. In the absence of a treaty, an IGO does not exist in the legal sense.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has 57 member states and 12 observers including the United Nations.</li>
<li>The Organization is the collective voice of the Muslim world. It endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.</li>
<li>The OIC members constitute more than one-fourth of the members of the United Nations, and nearly a quarter of humanity. It is an organization, that has a key role in shaping our world.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Significance of Invitation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The invitation to address the OIC can be seen as a<strong> major diplomatic victory as this is the first time that an Indian EAM was invited.</strong></li>
<li>This can be seen as a part of <strong>India's efforts to isolate Pakistan diplomatically.</strong></li>
<li>In 1969, the invite to then union minister Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was withdrawn at Pakistan's insistence.</li>
<li>The official announcement by the UAE mentioned, that the invitation to India was extended in recognition of India's global political stature as well as its time-honored and deep-rooted cultural and historical legacy and its important Islamic component.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Critical analysis of India attending OIC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is a secular country, regardless of all the religions here, <strong>India does not prefer religion above nationality.</strong> Thus, the government must carefully consider its engagement with OIC.</li>
<li>The major basis of the OIC is of the <strong>Muslim Brotherhood and that Muslims everywhere can be clubbed together because of their faith.</strong> <strong>But, India does not support such a philosophy of a collective identity based on religion.</strong> Thus, if India decides to engage with OIC it should be on the basis of our national interest not on account of religion.</li>
<li>There are issues with respect to<strong> OIC's stands on Kashmir in past.</strong> Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-bombs-jaish-e-muhammad-camp-in-pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>OIC has condemned Indian Airforce strikes in Pakistan.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>OIC stand on Kashmir</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The 45th session had a very strong statement on Kashmir which "condemned" India and supported third-party intervention and self-determination. The statement also called the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani as "extra-judicial" and called the elections in Kashmir "farcical".</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In past decades, <strong>India had to spend lots of diplomatic capital to counter OIC's stands at many international organizations.</strong> By attending it, we are validating the same organization.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong> Diplomatic capital&nbsp;</strong>refers to the trust, goodwill, and influence which a diplomat, or a state represented by its diplomats, has within international diplomacy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/an-opening-in-abu-dhabi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More about India and OIC</a>&nbsp;</strong><strong></strong></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-attended-oic-summit'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Important Fact For Prelims (2nd March 2019)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>7<sup>th</sup> Guinness Book of World Record</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently the <strong>Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD)</strong>, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has created <strong>&ldquo;7<sup>th</sup> Guinness Book of World Record&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The record was created for implanting<strong> &lsquo;Modern Artificial Limbs (Legs)&rsquo; on 260 Divyangjans within eight hours.</strong></li>
<li>It can be noted that the DEPwD has<strong> already created Six World Records</strong> in other categories.</li>
<li>This was announced by the Union Minister of Social Justice &amp; Empowerment on the occasion of National Conference on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/regional-conference-on-deendayal-disabled-rehabilitation-scheme-ddrs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)&rdquo;.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Conference was organised by the <strong>Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.</strong></li>
<li>The objective of the conference was to sensitize the stakeholders of the scheme i.e. Programme Implementing Agencies (PIAs), District level officers &amp; State Government officers.</li>
<li>Recently the <strong>second edition of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-28-february-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Sign Language dictionary</a> was launched by Indian Sign Language Research and training Center ( ISLRTC)</strong> for the hearing impaired Divyangjans.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Construction Technology India-2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the Prime Minister of India has inaugurated <strong>Construction Technology India -2019 conference.</strong></li>
<li>The aim of the conference is to identify <strong>proven, innovative &amp; globally established technologies</strong> for use in the Indian context.</li>
<li>The conference is being organized as a <strong>component of the Global Housing Technology Challenge.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global Housing Technology Challenge</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Global Housing Technology Challenge &ndash; India is an initiative by<strong> Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Govt. of India,</strong> with an aim to identify, evaluate and shortlist a basket of proven &amp; potential innovative technologies from across the globe and subsequently mainstream them in the Indian construction sector that is sustainable, green, disaster resilient.</li>
<li>GHTC-India has the following<strong> three components:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Component 1</strong> - Conduct of EXPO-Cum-Conference</li>
<li><strong>Component 2</strong> - Identifying Proven Demonstrable Technologies: Inducting suitable established technologies from across the globe to the Indian market through shortlisting and actual construction of<strong> Light House Projects.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The selected sites for<strong> lighthouse projects</strong> will be used as an<strong> &lsquo;open laboratory&rsquo;</strong> for live demonstration and will receive due attention from academia, practitioners, policy makers (Central/ State) and media apart from felicitation/ recognition in Grand Expo-cum-Conference.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Component 3 -</strong> Establishment of <strong>Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators India (ASHA-India)</strong> for Indian technologies which have potential but not market ready yet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) &ndash; PMAY-U- Housing For All</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>PMAY (U) is a Mission to provide <strong>housing for all by 2022</strong> and is being implemented f<strong>rom June 2015 by Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation.</strong></li>
<li>It provides <strong>central assistance to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)</strong> and other implementing agencies through States/UTs for in-situ Rehabilitation of existing slum dwellers.</li>
<li>The scheme emphasises on using land as a resource with private participation, Credit Linked Subsidy, Affordable Housing in Partnership and Subsidy for beneficiary-led individual house construction/enhancement.</li>
<li>PMAY-U targets the construction of<strong> 1 Crore housing units by 2022.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Poshan Pakhwada</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Minister for Women and Child Development has announced that the Government will celebrate&nbsp;<strong>&lsquo;Poshan Pakhwada&rsquo; from 8th to 22nd March 2019 across the Country.</strong></li>
<li>The celebrations will mark the <strong>first anniversary of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/poshan-abhiyaan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">POSHAN Abhiyaan</a> on 8th March (International Women&rsquo;s Day),</strong> 2019 by organising Poshan Pakhwada across the Country.</li>
<li>The Poshan Pakhwada will be celebrated on <strong>lines of &lsquo;Poshan Maah&rsquo; held</strong> in the month of <strong>September, 2018.</strong></li>
<li>Following activities will be undertaken during the observance of Poshan Pakhwada:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Poshan Melas, Rally on nutrition at all level, Session on nutrition at schools, Self help group meetings, anaemia camps, etc.</li>
<li>Further Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities through mass media, and Social Media will be carried out.</li>
<li>Social Media Campaign Hashtag <strong>#PoshanPakhwada</strong> through media partners and team of Swasth Bharat Preraks would be carried out for maximum reach.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-2nd-march-2019'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Blue Revolution that Will be',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;Blue revolution that will be&rdquo; which appeared in the Indian Express for 2nd March 2019. In this article, we will discuss the issues related <g class="gr_ gr_153 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="153" data-gr-id="153">with</g> fisheries in India.)</p>
</div>
<p><strong>The &lsquo;fisheries and aquaculture sector&lsquo; is recognized as the sunshine sector in Indian agriculture.</strong> It stimulates the growth of the number of subsidiary industries and is the source of livelihood for a large section of the economically backward population, especially fishermen, of the country. It helps in increasing food supply, generating adequate employment opportunities and raising the nutritional level. I<strong>t has a huge export potential and is a big source of foreign exchange earnings for the country.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fisheries are the primary source of livelihood for several communities.</strong> In order to meet the ever-increasing demand for animal protein, global fish production should touch 196 million tonnes by 2025 &mdash; it currently stands at 171 million tonnes.</li>
<li><strong>A concentrated effort by an independent department could help the government achieve its objective of doubling farmers&rsquo; income</strong>, provided its policies to address the challenge of sustainability.</li>
<li><strong>India is the world&rsquo;s second-largest fish producer with exports worth more than Rs 47,000 crore.</strong></li>
<li>Fisheries are the c<strong>ountry&rsquo;s single-largest agriculture export</strong>, with a growth rate of 6-10 % in the past five years.</li>
<li>Its significance is underscored by the fact that the growth rate of the farm sector in the same period is around 2.5%.</li>
<li><strong>India has a marine fisher population of 3.5 million; 10.5 million people are engaged in inland fishery and fish farming.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s fisheries sector faces the challenge of sustainability.</strong> The Food and Agriculture Organisation&rsquo;s State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture reports note that nearly 90% of the marine fish stocks have either been fully-exploited, or over-fished or depleted to an extent that recovery may not be biologically possible.</li>
<li><strong>The productivity is low</strong> &mdash; in terms of per fisher, per boat and per farm. In Norway, a fisherman/farmer catches/produces 250 kg per day while the Indian average is four to five kg.</li>
<li>Marine capture fishery comprises largely of small fishermen who operate traditional boats &mdash; either non-motorised vessels or boats with a basic outboard motor. <strong>These vessels cannot operate beyond nearshore waters.</strong></li>
<li><strong>High-value species such as tuna cannot be caught by fishermen who use these vessels.</strong> This means that while the near-shore coastal waters are highly overfished, the high-value fish stock proliferates in the deep seas.</li>
<li><strong>The fisheries sector is in its nascent stage; the fiscal and policy support not well developed;</strong> significant cost disadvantages on account of import dependence of raw materials which negates the low <g class="gr_ gr_105 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="105" data-gr-id="105">labour</g> cost advantages too.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Harnessing the resources related to the fisheries sector</strong> will bring immense benefits to fishing communities.</li>
<li><strong>The new National Policy on Marine Fisheries</strong> talks of introducing deep-sea fishing vessels and assisting fishing communities to convert their vessels and gears for the waters beyond.</li>
<li>T<strong>he policy envisages intensive fish farming</strong> through increased stocking of seed, better feed quality and diversification of species. Innovative practices such as recirculatory aquaculture system aim to realize the goal of more crop per drop. As a result, the productivity of freshwater fish farms has gone up.</li>
<li><strong>More area should be brought under fish farming.</strong> The government has invested in hatcheries to meet the ever-increasing demand for good quality fish seed. The expansion of aquaculture can increase this demand exponentially. Future policies must prioritize seed production in order to attain self-sufficiency in the sector.</li>
<li>The introduction of <strong>cage culture in reservoirs and other open water bodies can also increase the output.</strong> This new practice gives freedom to fishermen from the risk of traversing dangerous rivers and restricted reservoirs.</li>
<li><strong>Government should fill the large infrastructure gaps in fisheries sector</strong> in the country through developing infrastructure projects such as fishing harbours/ fish landing centres, fish seed farms, fish feed mills/plants, setting up of disease diagnostic and aquatic quarantine facilities, creation of cold chain infrastructure facilities such as ice plants, cold storage, fish transport facilities, fish processing units, fish markets, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Regular stocking of reservoirs and other water bodies can be done to increase in fish catch</strong>. Open sea cage culture is at a pilot stage and the initial trials have given promising results. This may prove another game changer.</li>
<li><strong>There should be an increased investment for the Blue Revolution to supplement the fisheries sector.</strong></li>
<li>The new fisheries department is expected to give undivided attention to creating and strengthening infrastructure facilities in marine and inland fisheries and give a boost to aquaculture and post-harvest activities.</li>
<li><strong>Comprehensive fisheries education and research should be promoted.</strong></li>
<li>The country should be producing more than 15 million tonnes of fish by the end of 2019. It should be on its way to becoming a hub for sustainable fish production.</li>
</ul>
<p>There is a need to be cautious of falling prey to the temptation of introducing large-scale industrial fishing. <strong>We must factor in the sustainability challenges and acknowledge that fishing is a primary livelihood activity for a large number of communities and individuals.</strong> The policies framed by the new department should aim at enhancing productivity, better returns, and increased incomes.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Blue revolution</strong></p>
<p>The Blue Revolution, launched by the central government, focuses on creating an enabling environment for integrated and holistic development and management of fisheries for the socio-economic development of the fishers and fish farmers.</p>
<p>The scheme has the following components:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and its activities.</li>
<li>Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture.</li>
<li>Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Operations.</li>
<li>Strengthening of Database &amp; Geographical Information System of the Fisheries Sector.</li>
<li>Institutional Arrangement for Fisheries Sector.</li>
<li>Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) and other need-based Interventions.</li>
<li>National Scheme on Welfare of Fishermen.</li>
</ul>
<p>The scheme aims to enhance the fish production from 107.95 lakh tonnes in 2015-16 to about 150 lakh tonnes by the end of the financial year 2019-20.</p>
<p>It is also expected to augment the export earnings with a focus on increased benefit flow to the fishers and fish farmers to attain the target of doubling their income.</p>
<p>The government has launched Mission Fingerling to achieve the Blue Revolution.</p>
<p>The government has identified 20 States based on their potential and other relevant factors to strengthen the Fish Seed infrastructure in the country.</p>
<p>The program will facilitate the establishment of hatcheries and Fingerling rearing pond to ensure fish production.</p>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/blue-revolution-that-will-be'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'An Opening in Abu Dhabi',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;An opening in Abu Dhabi&rdquo; which appeared in the Indian Express for 1st March 2019. In this article, we will discuss the significance of Indian participation in <g class="gr_ gr_104 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="104" data-gr-id="104">OIC</g> session as Guest of Honour.)</p>
</div>
<p>The 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), is being held in Abu Dhabi. This is the f<strong>irst time after its inception in the past 50 years, that India has been invited to any OIC meeting as a guest of honor.</strong></p>
<p>The host member, <strong>United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strongly defended the decision to invite India</strong> as a guest of <g class="gr_ gr_92 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="92" data-gr-id="92">honour</g> to the meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers, despite Pakistan&rsquo;s strong objection and <g class="gr_ gr_91 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="91" data-gr-id="91">threat</g> to boycott the event.</p>
<p>The first-time invitation to India to be a &lsquo;Guest of Honour&rsquo; at the plenary, especially at a time of heightened tensions with Pakistan following the Pulwama terrorist attack, is a <strong>significant diplomatic victory for New Delhi.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Engagement with OIC reflects the recent shift in India&rsquo;s foreign policy to have amicable ties with apparent adversaries</strong> &mdash; Saudi Arabia and Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, Egypt and Turkey as well as Israel and Palestine.</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>A majority of the OIC member states are countries that have a majority Muslim population.</strong></li>
<li>However, some states such as Russia and Thailand that have a significant minority Muslim population are also present at the forum as observer states.</li>
<li><strong>While India is a country with one of the largest Muslim populations in the world,</strong> so far, New Delhi has never been able to join the OIC in any capacity. The news of India joining OIC as the guest of honor is significantly reflects upon its <g class="gr_ gr_97 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="97" data-gr-id="97">relation</g> with Pakistan.</li>
<li>In the past, the conservative Arab monarchies were happy to turn a blind eye to the dangers of encouraging political Islam and condoning the Pakistan army&rsquo;s support for terror and religious extremism in South Asia.</li>
<li>The threat from religious <g class="gr_ gr_95 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="95" data-gr-id="95">destabilisation</g> to the Arab monarchies like Saudi Arabia and the UAE along with traditional republics like Egypt has created a new framework for India&rsquo;s engagement with the Muslim world and the Middle East.</li>
<li>P<strong>akistan had threatened to boycott the meeting if the invitation to India was not withdrawn. It claimed that Turkey was also opposed to Swaraj&rsquo;s speech at the plenary. However, Turkey has backed Bangladesh in demanding OIC reforms to seek India&rsquo;s participation.</strong></li>
<li>At present, Pakistan has skipped the inaugural function in opposition of India participating as Guest of Honour.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong><g class="gr_ gr_94 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="94" data-gr-id="94"><g class="gr_ gr_93 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="93" data-gr-id="93">Organisation</g></g> of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations with a membership of 57 states spread over four continents.</li>
<li>It endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.</li>
<li>The Organization was established upon a decision of the historical summit which took place in Rabat, <g class="gr_ gr_84 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="84" data-gr-id="84">Kingdom</g> of Morocco on 12th Rajab 1389 Hijra (25 September 1969) following the criminal arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem.</li>
<li>It has 57 member states and 12 observers including <g class="gr_ gr_87 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="87" data-gr-id="87">United</g> Nations.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3><g class="gr_ gr_98 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="98" data-gr-id="98">Significance</g> of the Invitation (India-OIC relations)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Invitation for India is a welcome recognition of the presence of 185 million Muslims in India</strong> and of their contribution to its pluralistic ethos, and of India&rsquo;s contribution to the Islamic world.</li>
<li><strong>The OIC&rsquo;s invitation to India coincides with the recent visit of the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammad Bin Salman, to Pakistan and India.</strong> Reportedly, the crown prince advocated restraint on a host of issues plaguing India-Pakistan relations.</li>
<li>In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack earlier this month, the role of Saudi Arabia in defusing tensions between the two countries has been termed significant. It&rsquo;s very much possible that the Saudi crown prince may have played an important role in setting up a backchannel effort between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama attack.</li>
<li><strong>The OIC offers a platform for Pakistan and India to play out their respective positions on a number of thorny issues and in the process involve the forum for de-escalation purposes.</strong></li>
<li>With Pakistan making all efforts to win over Riyadh&rsquo;s and the wider Gulf region&rsquo;s financial and diplomatic support, criticizing the decision to invite New Delhi would not sit well with Islamabad&rsquo;s interests.</li>
<li>Both India and the member countries of OIC have shared an interest in blunting the edge of religious extremism and terrorism.</li>
<li>Equally important has been the region&rsquo;s growing economic and energy interdependence with India, which is emerging as the world&rsquo;s third-largest economy and one of the biggest hydrocarbon importers and <g class="gr_ gr_89 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="89" data-gr-id="89">labour</g> exporters.</li>
<li>As the region&rsquo;s geopolitics enters a turbulent period, the potential for India as a military partner is also coming into view.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges within OIC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Like the NAM and the Arab League, OIC has always struggled to overcome the multiple political contradictions within it.</strong> While the OIC raises concerns about Muslim minorities in non-member states, it could never take up the problems that Shia or Sunni minorities face in countries across the Middle East.</li>
<li><strong>Few OIC member states have the time and energy to argue with Islamabad over the merits of the formulations on India</strong> that it brings to the OIC table. Some of New Delhi's friends are trying to block some of Pakistan&rsquo;s anti-India excesses at the OIC<g class="gr_ gr_103 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="103" data-gr-id="103">.But</g>, things change accordingly.</li>
<li><strong>Like Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) again, the OIC is a toothless tiger</strong> when it comes to dealing with squabbles among member states. Since everyone has a veto on what is said, nothing serious can be said, let alone done, about the many serious disputes between the member states that are now shaping the Middle East.</li>
<li>Except for the Islamic identity, there are very few cohesive factors that bind the member countries to each other.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>With better engagement with the Arab countries, India should aim to</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>expand areas of mutually beneficial cooperation,</li>
<li>minimize areas of misperception or divergence of interests, and</li>
<li>maximize advantages that may accrue to India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has good reason to be pleased that Pakistan can no longer veto India&rsquo;s engagement with critical states of the Middle East. For the emerging forces of political moderation and social modernization in the Middle East, India is a more attractive partner than Pakistan.</li>
<li><strong>However, India has to carefully balance its strategy towards the Islamic world by openly form stronger and better diplomatic ties with an overtly religion-based organization.</strong></li>
<li>But here is a paradox: In embracing OIC, an overtly religion-based organization, Delhi reduces the salience of faith in India&rsquo;s strategy towards the Islamic world.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/an-opening-in-abu-dhabi'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Important Fact For Prelims (1st March 2019)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize Ceremony</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Winners of Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for the years 2016, 2017, and 2018 were awarded in New Delhi on the occasion of National Science Day, 28th February.</li>
<li>Out of total 34 winners, there was only one woman awardee Aditi Sen who got felicitated for her work in &ldquo;quantum information and communication, including the formulation of a computable entanglement measure and a novel density-matrix recursion method&rdquo;.</li>
<li>Ganesan Venkatasubramanian was awarded for his work towards the psychiatric disorder Schizophrenia is among the wiinners.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The award is named after the Founder-Director of the Council of Scientific &amp; Industrial Research (CSIR) India, the late Dr (Sir) Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar and is known as the &lsquo;Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prize for Science and Technology&rsquo;.</li>
<li>The Prize is given each year by CSIR in the fields namely, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth, Atmosphere, Engineering Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Medical Sciences, and&nbsp;Physical Sciences.</li>
<li>It is the most coveted national recognition bestowed upon young scientists and engineers to <g class="gr_ gr_106 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="106" data-gr-id="106">honour</g> their research and developmental work in India.</li>
<li>Any citizen of India engaged in research in any field of science and technology up to the age of 45 years is eligible for the prize. Overseas citizen of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) working in India are also eligible.</li>
<li>The prize is awarded on the basis of contributions made through work done in India only during the five years preceding the year of the prize.</li>
<li>The prize comprises a citation, a plaque, and a cash award of Rs. 5 lakh. In addition, recipients also get Rs. 15,000 per month up to the age of 65 years.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Scheme for developing Knitwear Sector</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Minister of Textiles has launched a comprehensive scheme for development of Knitting and Knitwear Sector under PowerTex India.</li>
<li>The Ministry has approved a combined Standing Finance Component (SFC) of PowerTex India Scheme and Knitwear Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 487.07 crores. Out of this, Rs. 47.72 crore is for Knitwear for the period of 2018-19 and 2019-20.</li>
<li>The main components of <g class="gr_ gr_130 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="130" data-gr-id="130">scheme</g> are as follow:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Creation of new service centers on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model by industries and associations in the knitting and knitwear clusters.</li>
<li>Modernization and upgradation of existing power loom service Centers (PSCs) and institutions run by Textile Research Associations (TRAs) and Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) Association in knitting and knitwear clusters.</li>
<li>Facilitation, IT, awareness<g class="gr_ gr_108 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="108" data-gr-id="108">,studies</g>, surveys, market development and publicity for knitting and knitwear units.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>PowerTex India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>PowerTex India was launched in 2017 by the Ministry of Textile.</li>
<li>It is a three-year all-inclusive scheme focused on the development of country&rsquo;s Powerloom Sector.</li>
<li>The scheme embraces branding, subsidies, new markets, new research and development in power loom textiles, and also welfare schemes for the powerloom workers.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Key components include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In-situ Upgradation of Plain Powerlooms</li>
<li>Group Workshed Scheme (GWS)</li>
<li>Yarn Bank Scheme</li>
<li>Common Facility Centre (CFC)</li>
<li>Pradhan Mantri Credit Scheme for Powerloom Weavers</li>
<li>Solar Energy Scheme for Powerlooms</li>
<li>Facilitation, IT, Awareness, Market Development and Publicity for Powerloom Schemes</li>
<li>Tex Venture Capital Fund</li>
<li>Grant-in-Aid and Modernisation &amp; Upgradation of Powerloom Service Centres (PSCs).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>SC Stays its Eviction Order</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Supreme Court has stayed its order directing the eviction of lakhs of Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers whose claims for forest land rights have been rejected under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006.</li>
<li>The Bench accepted the Central Government&rsquo;s appeal which said that there is need to further delve into whether due process was followed by gram sabhas and States' authorities under the FRA before the claims for forest rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and other traditional forest dwellers (OTFD) were finally rejected.</li>
<li>The SC has now given the States four months' time to file affidavits responding to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-28-february-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>concerns raised by the Centre.</strong></a></li>
<li>Apart from this, the SC also raised concern over <g class="gr_ gr_126 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="126" data-gr-id="126">absence</g> of any mechanism in place in the States or in the Centre to review the rejection orders.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Panel on Offshore Rupee Market</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has formed <g class="gr_ gr_131 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="131" data-gr-id="131">a eight</g>- member task force on the offshore rupee market.</li>
<li>It will be headed by former Deputy Governor Usha Thorat and would submit its report by the end of June 2019.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Terms of Reference (TOR)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Assess the causes behind the development of the offshore Rupee market.</li>
<li>Study the effects of the offshore markets on the Rupee exchange rate and market liquidity in the domestic market.</li>
<li>Recommend measures to address concerns, if any, arising out of offshore Rupee trading.</li>
<li>Propose measures to generate incentives for non-residents to access the domestic market.</li>
<li>Examine the role, if any, International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) can play in addressing these concerns.</li>
<li>Any other relevant issue(s) the Task Force considers relevant to the context.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Hanoi Summit 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the United States (US) and North Korea held a summit in<strong> Hanoi, Vietnam</strong></li>
<li>This was the <strong>second summit</strong> between the US and North Korea after the Singapore Summit in June 2018.</li>
<li>The talks between the US and North Korea ended <strong>abruptly without any conclusion and no declaration was signed.</strong></li>
<li>Reason for failure of talks was that North Korea had demanded complete relief from economic sanctions in exchange for only partial denuclearization. But, the US wants North Korea to give up all its weapons.</li>
<li>During the<strong> Singapore Summit in 2018, the US and North Korea have signed an agreement committing to the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.</strong></li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-1st-march-2019'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'National Small Savings Fund',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Union Government may <strong>borrow more funds</strong> from the <strong>National Small Savings Fund (NSSF)</strong> than budgeted for financial year 2019-20 to cover its fiscal deficit requirements.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It can be noted that the government in past few years has <strong>increased its reliance</strong> on the borrowings from the NSSF.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Although the <strong>target of 21% for FY-20 is marginally down from 22.4% in FY19, it is significantly higher than 3% in FY15.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The move will <strong>ease pressure on the benchmark 10-year Government securities yield</strong> and keep the cost of government borrowings through extra budgetary resources (EBR) via public sector undertakings (PSUs) low.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, it is to be noted that the <strong>cost of borrowings from NSSF is higher than that for market borrowings.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The states, who were the prime borrowers from this fund earlier, are now relying more on market borrowings (state development loans) to meet their funding needs as per the<strong> recommendations of the 14th Finance commission.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The exclusion of States and Union Territories except Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Delhi (UT) and Madhya Pradesh from National Small Savings from April 2016 has<strong> created more room for borrowings by the centre and PSUs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Small Savings Fund</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Small Savings Fund (NSSF) in the <strong>Public Account of India was established in 1999.</strong></li>
<li>The Fund is administered by the <strong>Government of India, Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) under National Small Savings Fund (Custody and Investment) Rules, 2001,</strong> framed by the President under <strong>Article 283(1) of the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li>The objective of NSSF is to de-link small savings transactions from the Consolidated Fund of India and ensure their operation in a transparent and self-sustaining manner.</li>
<li>Since NSSF operates in the public account, its transactions do not impact the fiscal deficit of the Centre directly.</li>
<li>Small savings instruments can be classified under<strong> three heads:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Postal deposits</strong> (comprising savings account, recurring deposits, time deposits of varying maturities and monthly income scheme),</li>
<li><strong>Savings certificates like:</strong> National Small Savings Certificate(NSC) and Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP)</li>
<li><strong>Social security schemes like:</strong> Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Senior Citizens&lsquo; Savings Scheme(SCSS)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-small-savings-fund'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'India-Nepal Relations',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/132Drishti_ias_India-Nepal-Relations.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/132Drishti_ias_India-Nepal-Relations.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper2/india-nepal-relations-mindmap'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'India-Nepal Relations',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently Cabinet approved ₹1236 crore investments for <strong>Arun-3 hydro project</strong>.</li>
<li>The project will provide surplus power to India's strengthening economic linkages with Nepal.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Historical Ties</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nepal is an important neighbour of India and occupies special significance in its foreign policy because of the geographic, historical, cultural and economic linkages/ties that span centuries.</li>
<li>India and Nepal share similar ties in terms of Hinduism and Buddhism with Buddha&rsquo;s birthplace Lumbini located in present day Nepal.</li>
<li>The two countries not only share an open border and unhindered movement of people, but they also have close bonds through marriages and familial ties, popularly known as <strong>Roti-Beti ka Rishta</strong>.</li>
<li>The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations that exist between India and Nepal.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The treaty talks about reciprocal treatment of Indian and Nepali citizens in the two countries, in residence, property, business and movement.</li>
<li>It also establishes national treatment for both Indian and Nepalese businesses (ie once imported, foreign goods would be treated no differently than domestic goods).</li>
<li>It also gives Nepal access to weaponry from India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Importance of Nepal<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578479566_image39.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578479566_image39.jpg" style="float: right;" width="330" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nepal shares border with 5 Indian states- Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim and Bihar. Hence an important point of cultural and economic exchange.</li>
<li>Importance for India can be studied from two different angles: a) their strategic importance for India&rsquo;s national security; and b) their place in India&rsquo;s role perception in international politics.</li>
<li>Nepal is right in the middle of India&rsquo;s &lsquo;Himalayan frontiers&rsquo;, and along with Bhutan it acts as northern &lsquo;borderland&rsquo; flanks and acts as buffer states against any possible aggression from China.</li>
<li>Rivers originating in Nepal feed the perennial river systems of India in terms of ecology and hydropower potential.</li>
<li>Many Hindu and Buddhist religious sites are in Nepal making it an important pilgrim site for large number of Indians.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Areas of Cooperation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Trade and economy</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is Nepal&rsquo;s largest trade partner and the largest source of foreign investments, besides providing transit for almost the entire third country trade of Nepal.</li>
<li>Indian firms engage in manufacturing, services (banking, insurance, dry port), power sector and tourism industries etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nepal being a landlocked country, it is surrounded by India from three sides and one side is open towards Tibet which has very limited vehicular access.</li>
<li>India-Nepal has undertaken various connectivity programs to enhance people-to-people linkages and promote economic growth and development.</li>
<li>MOUs have been signed between both the governments for laying electric rail track linking Kathmandu with Raxaul in India.</li>
<li>India is looking to develop the inland waterways for the movement of cargo, within the framework of trade and transit arrangements, providing additional access to sea for Nepal calling it linking Sagarmath (Mt. Everest) with Sagar (Indian Ocean).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Development Assistance</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Government of India provides development assistance to Nepal, focusing on creation of infrastructure at the grass-root level.</li>
<li>The areas assistance include infrastructure, health, water resources, and education and rural &amp; community development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bilateral defence cooperation includes assistance to Nepalese Army in its modernization through provision of equipment and training.</li>
<li>The Gorkha Regiments of the Indian Army are raised partly by recruitment from hill districts of Nepal.</li>
<li>India from 2011, every year undertakes joint military exercise with Nepal known as Surya Kiran.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There have been initiatives to promote people-to-people contacts in the area of art &amp; culture, academics and media with different local bodies of Nepal.</li>
<li>India has signed three sister-city agreements for twinning of Kathmandu-Varanasi, Lumbini-Bodhgaya and Janakpur-Ayodhya.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Humanitarian Assistance</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nepal lies in sensitive ecological fragile zone which is prone to earthquakes, floods causing massive damage to both life and money, whereby it remains the biggest recipient of India&rsquo;s humanitarian assistance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Huge number of Indians lives in Nepal, these include businessmen, traders, doctors, engineers and labourers (including seasonal/migratory in the construction sector).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multilateral Partnership</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Nepal shares multiple multilateral forums such as BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal), BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) NAM, and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Internal Security is a major concern for India; Indo-Nepal border is virtually open and lightly policed which is exploited by terrorist outfits and insurgent groups from North Eastern part of India eg. supply of trained cadres, fake Indian currency.</li>
<li>Overtime trust deficit has widened between India-Nepal because of the Indian reputation for delaying implementation of various projects.</li>
<li>Nepal over the years has witnessed chronic political instability, including a 10-year violent insurgency, damaging Nepal&rsquo;s development and economy.</li>
<li>There is anti-India feeling among certain ethnic groups in Nepal which emanates from the perception that India indulges too much in Nepal and tinkers with their political sovereignty.</li>
<li>The establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China and its growing influence in Nepal has resulted in declining traditional leverage of India in Nepal.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both the countries are affected due to the misuse of open border by internal and external forces, the responsibility of border management and regulation depends on both.</li>
<li>India should provide an alternative narrative for India-Nepal ties, one that takes into account longstanding people-to-people ties and cultural connect.</li>
<li>India should focus on fructifying the potential of hydropower cooperation, which has remained untapped largely due to differing perceptions.</li>
<li>India should maintain the policy of keeping away from internal affairs of Nepal, meanwhile in the spirit of friendship India should guide the nation towards more inclusive rhetoric.</li>
<li>With its immense strategic relevance in the Indian context as Indian security concern, stable and secure Nepal is one requisite which India can&rsquo;t afford to overlook.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/india-nepal-relations'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'In Depth - International Mother Language Day',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/96ShLRyVIC4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Every year, <strong>The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) celebrates 21st February as International Mother Language Day to promote mother tongue-based multilingual education.</strong> The day is also a reminder of how language connects us, empowers us and helps us to communicate our feelings to others.</p>
<p>The world has over 7,000 languages whereas<strong> India alone has about 22 officially recognized languages, 1635 mother tongues, and 234 identifiable mother tongues.</strong></p>
<h3>International Mother Language Day</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>UNESCO declared 21st February as International Mother Language Day</strong> in 1999 and World has been celebrating the same since 2000. The day also commemorates a long struggle by Bangladesh to protect its mother language Bangla.</li>
<li>The resolution to mark 21st February as the International Mother Language Day was suggested by Rafiqul Islam, a Bangladeshi living in Canada. He proposed the said date to commemorate the 1952 killings in Dhaka during the Bangla Language Movement.</li>
<li><strong>The initiative was aimed at preserving and promoting mother languages.</strong> The aim was to protect the diverse culture and intellectual heritage of different regions of the world.</li>
<li><strong>This year the day was celebrated as International Year of Indigenous Languages.</strong> The aim is to raise awareness regarding the consequences of losing indigenous languages, across the world.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>According to the UN, every two weeks, a language disappears and the world</strong> loses an entire cultural and intellectual heritage.</li>
<li><strong>At least 43% of the estimated 6000 languages spoken in the world are endangered.</strong></li>
<li>Only a few hundred languages have been genuinely given a place in education systems and public domain. Also, 40% of the global population does not have access to education in a language they speak or understand.</li>
<li><strong>Less than a hundred languages are used in the digital world.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from globalization, rush for learning foreign languages for better job opportunities is a major reason behind the disappearance of mother languages.</li>
<li>W<strong>hen languages disappear, the world loses a rich tapestry of cultural identity.</strong> Opportunities, traditions, memory, unique modes of thinking and expression, valuable resources for ensuring a better future also get lost.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Importance of Mother Languages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mother tongue is the very first language that one hears,</strong> understands and gets familiar with. Thus, it plays important role in shaping feelings, emotions and thought processes.</li>
<li>Use of mother language <strong>helps one in getting comfortable with his/her cultural identity.</strong></li>
<li>Maintaining mother languages is necessary for preserving cultural heritage and identity.</li>
<li>Dissemination of mother languages encourages linguistic diversity, thus inspires solidarity based on understanding, tolerance, and dialogue.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>With the help of technology, every mother language can be maintained.</strong> Google&rsquo;s Project Navlekha in India is an example. The project is aimed at increasing the online content in Indian local languages.</li>
<li><strong>People should be made aware of the professional viability of pursuing degrees in native languages.</strong> With a degree in a native language, one can take up professions like Language Expert, Translators, and Tourist-Guide etc.</li>
<li>Also to maintain any native language, it is necessary that it is spoken. Use of native languages at homes, schools, and offices should be encouraged.</li>
<li>E.g. The Upper House of India has an arrangement for interpretation of 22 languages i.e. members are encouraged to speak in their native languages.</li>
<li><strong>Countries like France, Germany, Italy, China have developed their mother languages as a powerful medium.</strong> Other countries need to learn from these to preserve their cultural and linguistic identity.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bangla Language Movement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>When Pakistan was created, its two regions West Pakistan and East Pakistan (Bangladesh) were entirely different in culture and language.</li>
<li>In 1948, Pakistan Government declared Urdu as the only national language. People of East Pakistan protested as their mother language was Bangla. They demanded Bangla to be at least one of the national languages in addition to Urdu.</li>
<li>To crush the protest, the then Pakistan Government banned all public meetings and rallies. Defying orders, students of Dhaka University continued to arrange massive rallies and meetings.</li>
<li>In 1952, police opened fire on rallies, killing 4 student protestors and injuring many others. The protest continued and in 1956, Pakistan was forced to grant official status to Bangla.</li>
<li>Every year on 21st February, Bangladeshis visit the Shaheed Minar (Dhaka) to <g class="gr_ gr_232 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="232" data-gr-id="232">honour</g> the Martyrs and those who fought for the cause.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-international-mother-language-day'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Geneva Convention for Prisoner of Wars',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>In response to Indian action against terrorists camp in Balakot, Pakistani Airforce attacked Indian military installations.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In this engagement, India lost one MiG 21. The pilot is missing in action and Pakistan has claimed that he is in their custody.</li>
<li>India has cited the <strong>Geneva Conventions, 1949</strong> while demanding the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan, who is in Pakistan's custody.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Geneva Convention</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>What are the Geneva Conventions?</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 1949 Geneva Conventions are a set of international treaties that ensure that warring parties conduct themselves in a humane way with non-combatants such as civilians and medical personnel, as well as with combatants who are no longer actively engaged in fighting, such as prisoners of war (POW), and wounded or sick soldiers.</li>
<li><strong>All countries are signatories to the Geneva Conventions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Does the captured pilot count as a prisoner of war?</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The provisions of the conventions apply in<strong> peacetime situations, in declared wars, and in conflicts that are not recognized as war by one or more of the parties.</strong></li>
<li>India has said its airstrikes were a &ldquo;non-military&rdquo; intelligence-led operation &mdash; both sides are bound by the Geneva Conventions. <strong>This means the IAF officer is a prisoner of war, and his treatment has to be in accordance with the provisions for PoWs under the Geneva Conventions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>What are the provisions for PoWs?</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The convention is very exhaustive and <strong>deals with every kind of situation that may arise for a captive and captor, including the place of internment, religious needs, recreation, financial resources, the kinds of work that captors can make PoWs do, the treatment of captured officers, and the repatriation of prisoners.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Any unlawful act or omission by the Detaining Power causing death or seriously endangering the health of a prisoner of war in its custody is prohibited and will be regarded as a serious breach of the present Convention.</strong></li>
<li>In particular, <strong>no prisoner of war may be subjected to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind which are not justified by the medical, dental or hospital treatment of the prisoner concerned</strong> and carried out in his interest.</li>
<li>Likewise, prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>What rights is a PoW entitled to?</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Article 14 of the Convention lays down that PoWs are &ldquo;entitled to in all circumstances to respect for their persons and their <g class="gr_ gr_72 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="72" data-gr-id="72">honour</g>&rdquo;.</li>
<li><strong>In captivity, a PoW must not be forced to provide information of any kind under &ldquo;physical or mental torture, nor any other form of coercion&rdquo;.</strong> Refusal to answer questions should not invite punishment. A PoW must be protected from exposure to fighting.<strong> Use of PoWs as hostages or human shields is prohibited, and a PoW has to be given the same access to safety and evacuation facilities as those affiliated to the detaining power.</strong></li>
<li>Access to health facilities, prayer, recreation, and exercise are also written into the Convention. The detaining power has to facilitate correspondence between the PoW and his family&nbsp;and must ensure that this is done without delays. A PoW is also entitled to receive books or care packages from the outside world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>What do the provisions say about the release of prisoners?</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Parties to the conflict &ldquo;are bound to send back&rdquo; or repatriate PoWs, regardless of rank, who are seriously wounded or sick, after having cared for them until they are fit to travel&rdquo;. The conflicting parties are expected to write into any agreement they may reach to end hostilities the expeditious return of PoWs. Parties to the conflict can also arrive at special arrangements for the improvement of the conditions of the internment of PoWs, or for their release and repatriation.</li>
<li>At the end of the 1971 war, India had more than 80,000 Pakistani troops who had surrendered to the Indian Army after the liberation of Dhaka. India agreed to release them under the Shimla Agreement of 1972.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In such situations, who monitors whether the Geneva Conventions are being followed?</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Geneva Conventions have a system of &ldquo;Protecting Powers&rdquo; who ensure that the provisions of the conventions are being followed by the parties in a conflict.</strong> In theory, each side must designate states that are not the party to the conflict as their &ldquo;Protecting Powers&rdquo;. <strong>In practice, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) usually plays this role.</strong></li>
<li>During the Kargil War, Pakistan returned Flt Lt Nachiketa, who was captured after ejecting from his burning Mi27, after keeping him for eight days. This was after intense diplomatic efforts by the Vajpayee government and by ICRC. Another PoW, Squadron Ldr Ajay Ahuja, was killed in captivity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/geneva-convention-for-prisoner-of-wars'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'SHREYAS Scheme',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently the <strong>Ministry of Human Resource Development</strong> has launched the <strong>&ldquo;Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS)&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The objective of scheme is to provide&nbsp;<strong>industry apprenticeship opportunities</strong> to the general graduates exiting in April 2019 through the <strong>National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)</strong></li>
<li>It aims to <strong>enhance the employability of Indian youth</strong> by providing <strong>&lsquo;on the job work exposure&rsquo;</strong> and earning of stipend.</li>
<li>The scheme is for students in <strong>degree courses, primarily non-technical</strong>, to introduce employable skills into their learning, promote apprenticeship as integral to education.</li>
<li>SHREYAS portal will enable educational institutions and industry to log in and provide their respective demand and supply of apprenticeship. The matching of students with apprenticeship avenues will take place as per pre-specified eligibility criteria.</li>
<li>These courses will be available to them from Academic year April-May, 2019. More than 40 higher educational institutions have already been tied up for taking up embedded apprenticeship courses.</li>
<li>The scheme would be operationalised by coordination of <strong>Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Ministry of Labour.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) was launched on<strong>19<sup>th</sup> August 2016</strong> to promote apprenticeship training and increase the engagement of apprentices.</li>
<li>NAPS has replaced <strong>Apprentice Protsahan Yojna (APY).</strong></li>
<li>The scheme has the following <strong>two components:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reimbursement of 25% of prescribed stipend</strong> subject to a maximum of Rs. 1500/- per month per apprentice by the Government of India to all employers who engage apprentices.</li>
<li><strong>Reimbursement of cost of basic training</strong> ( upto a limit of Rs. 7500/- for a maximum of 500 hours/3 months) by the Government of India to Basic Training Providers (BTPs) in respect of apprentices who come directly for apprenticeship training without any formal training</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Objectives of the Scheme</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To <strong>improve employability of students</strong> by introducing employment relevance into the learning process of the higher education system</li>
<li>To forge a <strong>close functional link between education and industry/service sectors</strong> on a sustainable basis.</li>
<li>To provide <strong>skills which are in demand,</strong> to the students in a dynamic manner.</li>
<li>To establish an <strong>&lsquo;earn while you learn&rsquo; system</strong> into higher education.</li>
<li>To help business/industry in securing<strong> good quality manpower.</strong></li>
<li>To link student community with employment facilitating efforts of the Government.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Stakeholders</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Institutions:</strong> The higher education institutions would explain the scheme along with various options to the students who are in the final year, and elicit their interest in participation.</li>
<li><strong>Sector Skill Councils (SSCs):</strong> SSCs would identify industries for apprenticeship, and would also conduct assessment leading to certification. Whereas the certification is not a guarantee for placement, it is expected to vastly enhance a candidate&rsquo;s choice of securing employment.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sector Skill Councils</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sector Skill Councils are set up <strong>as autonomous industry-led bodies by&nbsp;National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)</strong>, which are responsible for the defining the skilling needs, concept, processes, certification, and accreditation of their respective industry sectors in accordance with National Skill Qualification Framework.</li>
<li>They create Occupational Standards and Qualification bodies, develop competency framework, conduct Train the Trainer Programs, conduct skill gap studies and Assess and Certify trainees on the curriculum aligned to National Occupational Standards developed by them.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE):</strong> MSDE would not only monitor the programme, progress of the apprentices, but would finance the programme by disbursing the claims from the business enterprises towards stipend reimbursement as per the NAPS.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ongoing efforts of the SSCs would be monitored by MSDE, which would also periodically introduce new SSCs into the SHREYAS fold. The entire programme would progress with dynamic interface &amp; information sharing between MHRD and MSDE.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/shreyas-scheme'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Important Fact For Prelims (28th February 2019)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>National Science Day</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>28<sup>th</sup> of February</strong> is celebrated as <strong>National Science Day in India.</strong></li>
<li>On this day in<strong> 1928, Sir C V Raman discovered a phenomenon of scattering of photons which was later known as &lsquo;Raman Effect&rsquo; after his name</strong><g class="gr_ gr_117 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="117" data-gr-id="117">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_117 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="117" data-gr-id="117">I</g>n 1930, he received<strong> Nobel Prize</strong> for this remarkable discovery. This was the<strong> first Nobel Prize for India</strong> in the field of Science.</li>
<li>The theme for the <strong>National Science Day 2019 is &ldquo;Science for people and people for science&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Raman Effect</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Raman effect is the <strong>inelastic scattering of a photon</strong> by molecules which are excited to higher vibrational or rotational energy levels. It is also called <strong>Raman scattering.</strong></li>
<li>The Raman effect forms the<strong> basis for Raman spectroscopy</strong> which is used by chemists and physicists to gain information about materials.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Khelo India App</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Khelo India app helps <strong>create awareness about sports and fitness</strong>, especially among youngsters.</li>
<li>The emphasis is on developing the<strong> sporting ecosystem in India</strong> and turning the country into a global sporting superpower in the years to come.</li>
<li>Khelo India App is <strong>developed</strong> by the <strong>Sports Authority of India</strong><g class="gr_ gr_202 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="202" data-gr-id="202">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_202 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="202" data-gr-id="202">Th</g>e App has three features which will help identify potential champions among children, across the country.</li>
<li>The first section gives information about the basic rules and regulations of<strong> 18 sports disciplines</strong><g class="gr_ gr_224 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="224" data-gr-id="224">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_224 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="224" data-gr-id="224">Th</g>e second section includes data of sporting facilities across the country<g class="gr_ gr_232 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="232" data-gr-id="232">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_232 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="232" data-gr-id="232">Th</g>e third section has eight tests which can be taken to ascertain a young athlete's level of fitness.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Sign Language Dictionary</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the government has released <g class="gr_ gr_89 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="89" data-gr-id="89">second</g><strong> edition of the Indian Sign Language dictionary,</strong> which aims to give deaf people the constitutional <strong>right to speech and opportunity of freedom of expression (Article 19)</strong> and also bringing them into the mainstream of the society.</li>
<li>The <strong>first edition of the dictionary</strong> was launched with<strong> 3,000 words on March 23, 2018</strong><g class="gr_ gr_277 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="277" data-gr-id="277">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_277 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="277" data-gr-id="277">Wit</g>h the second edition, the dictionary now comprises 6,000 Hindi and English words and their corresponding graphic representation under the<strong> categories of academic, legal, medical, technical and everyday terms</strong><g class="gr_ gr_290 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="290" data-gr-id="290">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_290 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="290" data-gr-id="290">Th</g>e dictionary has been developed by the <strong>Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment</strong><g class="gr_ gr_305 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="305" data-gr-id="305">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_305 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="305" data-gr-id="305">Accordin</g>g to Census 2011, there are 50.71 lakh hearing impaired persons in India and most of them use Indian Sign Language to communicate.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Sign Language Research and <g class="gr_ gr_91 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="91" data-gr-id="91">training</g> Center ( ISLRTC) is an<strong> autonomous organization</strong> under the administrative and financial control of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities(Divyangjan) Ministry of Social Justice &amp; Empowerment, Government of India.</li>
<li>ISLRTC was established on <strong>26<sup>th</sup> of September, 2015 in accordance with the provisions of Societies Registration Act,1860.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Modify Eviction Order: Centre urges SC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Centre has urged the Supreme Court to<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/without-land-or-recourse-scheduled-tribes-and-other-traditional-forest-dwellers-recognition-of-forest-rights-act-2006" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> modify its recent order</strong></a> directing the eviction of thousands of Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other traditional forest dwellers whose claims for forest land rights have been <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/forest-dwellers-face-eviction" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>rejected under the Forest Rights Act of 2006.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Centre said that the claims of lakhs of forest-dwelling STs and other traditional forest dwellers were rejected by the States <strong>without observing due process of law.</strong> Following were the arguments of Centre:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The forest land claims of these tribes and forest dwellers, who live from the forest, are mostly rejected by the States. Being poor and illiterate people who live in remote areas, they do not know the appropriate procedure for filing claims<g class="gr_ gr_429 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="429" data-gr-id="429">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_429 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="429" data-gr-id="429">Th</g>e gram sabhas, which initiate the verification of their claims, are low on awareness about how to deal with these claims.</li>
<li>The rejection orders are not even communicated to the forest-dwelling STs and communities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Apatani Tribes in Arunachal Pradesh</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Aaptani <g class="gr_ gr_495 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="495" data-gr-id="495">are</g> a tribal group of people living in the<strong> Ziro valley in Arunachal Pradesh.</strong></li>
<li>They speak a local language called<strong> Tani and worship the sun and the moon</strong><g class="gr_ gr_508 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="508" data-gr-id="508">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_508 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="508" data-gr-id="508">The</g>y follow a<strong> sustainable social forestry system.</strong></li>
<li>They celebrate major festivals &ndash; Dree with prayers for a bumper harvest and prosperity of all humankind and Myoko to celebrate Friendship<g class="gr_ gr_525 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="525" data-gr-id="525">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_525 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="525" data-gr-id="525">Th</g>e Apatanis <strong>practice aquaculture along with rice farming</strong> on their plots. Rice-fish culture in the valley is a unique practice in the state, where two crops of rice (Mipya and Emoh) and one crop of fish (Ngihi) are raised together.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Academy Award-2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the 91st Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best films of 2018.</li>
<li>It took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-28-february-2019'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Not yet Ready to Exit from Coal Plants',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;Not yet ready to exit from coal plants&rdquo; which appeared in BusinessLine for 27th February 2019. In this article, we will discuss India&rsquo;s growing dependency on coal in spite of push for renewable energy.)</p>
</div>
<p>In the last five years, there has been a slow but growing international consensus around the withdrawal of financial capital from the coal industry. Cleaner alternatives are being encouraged in its place, given the global imperative of climate change mitigation, and the local benefits of improved public health.</p>
<p>Large sovereign wealth funds, as well as multinational aid agencies like the World Bank, have undertaken this exercise by announcing their exit from coal financing. While coal-based generators in the West were already on the back-foot because of rising regulatory costs, most of the coal expansion has come from Asia, particularly India and China.</p>
<p>With India embarks on an ambitious journey to achieve renewable energy capacity of 175 gigawatts(GW) by 2022, questions have been raised on the relevance of coal in the present context.</p>
<h3>Dependence on Coal</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With all this hype about renewables, <strong>today, 81% of power generation is dependent on coal.</strong></li>
<li>According to analysts,<strong> renewable energy sources and coal will coexist</strong>, as the availability of coal is abundant in India and it can provide affordable power to propel India&rsquo;s growth and light every household.</li>
<li>In India,<strong> coal has always been thought of as the raw material for power.</strong> Because the demand from the power sector was much more than the availability of coal in the last 10 years, no serious thought has gone into any other use for coal.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Increasing Dependency</h3>
<p><strong>Reasons</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Coal-based power generation is not a singular industry;</strong> it is a network of upstream miners, machinery manufacturers, transporters, engineering consultants, plant operators, and consuming utilities.</li>
<li><strong>These industries not only collectively employ many people,</strong> but are also part of an ecosystem which has been running smoothly for decades.</li>
<li><strong>Coal plants have much higher intermittent O&amp;M costs, and as regulations, particularly around fly-ash disposal, stack emissions, and effluent waste-water treatment, have become stricter over the last few decades, O&amp;M costs have increased.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Coal-use Patterns and Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Many Asian countries are continuing to expand their thermal coal-based power generation fleet,</strong> despite the falling costs of renewables. India is no exception.</li>
<li><strong>Coal plants in India, have traditionally not attempted to reduce costs in the areas of regulations</strong> which have not been effectively monitored or implemented by the State Pollution Control Boards (PCBs).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the face of a competitive, regulated power market, and increasing financial pressures due to an increasingly hostile investment environment, Indian generators have few incentives to comply with regulations.</li>
<li>With the<strong> Ministry of Power extending the timelines to comply with emission standards for thermal plants</strong>, we can see how little momentum there is in the system for regulatory compliance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s power regulators have failed to regularly update prices</strong> to accommodate these increases in operational costs due to regulation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These costs must be taken into account well in advance if power regulators want to give generators the right signals to invest in CO2 scrubbers, flue-gas desulphurization technology (FGD), fly-ash management, and more.</li>
<li>Expansion in power generation in India has largely been financed by the state; almost all coal power plants in India are constructed through massive debt financing from state-owned banks, regardless of whether the promoter is a state-owned enterprise or private company.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>International investment in coal generation assets in India has also not been much, so coal divestment from India does not witness a massive withdrawal of capital from the sector itself.</li>
<li>Contemporary reasons for the financial crunch faced by the coal generators:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>cancellation of coal blocks by the Supreme Court,</li>
<li>the bankruptcy of <g class="gr_ gr_80 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="80" data-gr-id="80">discoms</g>,</li>
<li>logistical problems leading to coal stock shortages,</li>
<li>and a myopic coal import ban.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As a number of power generators have been classified as non-performing or have gone into bankruptcy, the industry calls for better and long term investment which cannot be provided by the state-owned banks in the country at the moment.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Creative Financing</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Creative, targeted financing proposals should be brought in to India</strong> to address the power sector&rsquo;s burgeoning problems and increase the capacity of renewable energy generation.</li>
<li><strong>Manufacturers of plant machinery should approach large generators</strong> to negotiate the application of integrated control systems to old plants for the efficiency gains.</li>
<li>Multinational infrastructure investment banks should align with Indian engineering consultants to float proposals to finance CO2 scrubbers and other kinds of stack emissions management in power plants.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Also, the alignment should stress upon the public sharing of the information on the stack emissions from these plants.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Clean coal as an idea has huge potential in India because of the age and inefficiency of some of our plants.</strong></li>
<li>Given the short to medium term inevitability of coal-dependence, the potential gains to implementing clean coal are massive. This would include steps like more careful material management, managing coal dust, and stack emissions, and ensuring that plant effluents do not mix with local water supplies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>A good example is how the city of Stockholm was partially powered by an urban power plant, Vasteras, which supplemented hydropower and provided standby and peaking capacity when required.</strong></li>
<li>This plant not only had negligible effects on urban air pollution but, in fact, ran cleanly for more than half a century until being slowly phased out.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Although the idea of withdrawing financial support from the coal industry is well-intentioned, the blunt instrument of divestment may actually exacerbate transition problems in coal-heavy countries.</li>
<li><strong>The transition from traditional coal-based power generation to the renewables should be pivoted in a direction which achieves the goals which are universally accepted at this point</strong> &mdash; reduced air pollution and climate change mitigation.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/not-yet-ready-to-exit-from-coal-plants'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Indian Diaspora',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
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		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Smart Farming in a Warm World',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;Smart farming in a warm world&rdquo; which appeared in The Hindu for 27th February 2019. In this article, we will discuss the effects of climate change on agriculture and a way forward.)</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Climate change has the potential to hurt everyone, but one particularly vulnerable group is farmers.</strong> Agriculture, especially in India, depends on favorable weather conditions; so climate change-induced temperature rises can significantly hurt farm productivity. Consequently, a farmer&rsquo;s ability to adapt to temperature changes becomes crucial.</p>
<p>Global demand for food is on the rise due to population growth. Moreover, developing world is adding more protein to their diets. <strong>The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other projects that global agricultural production must double by 2050 to close the gap between food supply and demand.</strong></p>
<p><strong>No industry is more dependent on predictable weather and climate patterns than agriculture.</strong> Volatile climate changes create enormous challenges in meeting the needs of the world&rsquo;s growing population. Yet farmers are acutely divided over climate change.</p>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>With patchy rains, crop failures become common.</strong> There is hardly any greenery in many villages, making it difficult for farmers to even maintain cattle.</li>
<li><strong>Quick adaptation for new changes is hard</strong>, with farmers varying and mixing crops across seasons, along with heavy investments in borewells, tractors, and threshers.</li>
<li><strong>Because of continuous crop failures, farmers are increasingly abandoning their lands</strong> and heading to nearby towns to find work as laborers.</li>
<li>Though India is fortunate to have the monsoon, it is also uniquely vulnerable to rising temperatures, <strong>with the country ranked 14th on the Global Climate Risk Index 2019.</strong></li>
<li>India has over 120 million hectares of land suffering from some form of degradation. This has consequences, especially for marginal farmers.</li>
<li><strong>According to one estimate, they may face a 24-58% decline in household income and 12-33% rise</strong> in household poverty through exacerbated droughts.</li>
<li>With rain-fed agriculture practiced in over 67% of our total crop area, weather variability can lead to heavy costs, especially for coarse grains (which are mostly grown in rain-fed areas).</li>
<li><strong>A predicted 70% decline in summer rains by 2050 would devastate Indian agriculture.</strong></li>
<li>Within 80 years, our Kharif season could face a significant rise in average temperatures (0.7-3.3&deg;C) with rainfall concomitantly impacted, and potentially leading to a 22% decline in wheat yield in the rabi season, while rice yield could decline by 15%.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Solutions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Promotion of conservation farming and dryland agriculture,</strong> with each village provided with timely rainfall forecasts, along with weather-based forewarning regarding crop pests and epidemics in various seasons, is necessary.</li>
<li><strong>Agricultural research programmes need to refocus on dryland research,</strong> with the adoption of drought-tolerant breeds that could reduce production risks by up to 50%.</li>
<li><strong>A mandate to change planting dates, particularly for wheat, should be considered</strong>, which could reduce climate change-induced damage by 60-75%, by one estimate.</li>
<li><strong>There needs to be an increase in insurance coverage and the supply of credit</strong>. Insurance coverage should be expanded to cover all crops, while interest rates need to be subsidized, through government support and an expanded Rural Insurance Development Fund. The recently announced basic income policy by the government is a welcome step as well.</li>
<li><strong>A push for actual on-ground implementation</strong> of compensatory afforestation is required.</li>
<li>To check the effects of climate change there is a need to preserve our forest resources.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For this,<strong> restructuring of Indian Forest Services</strong>, in order to make it equivalent to the police and the army, albeit in the environmental domain can be done.</li>
<li><strong>State-of-the-art training to its personnel must be provided</strong>, and specialization should be encouraged in wildlife, tourism, and protection for new recruits.</li>
<li><strong>Deputations from other services will no longer do</strong>; this needs to remain a specialized service. Wildlife heritage towns should be given more attention &mdash; cities like Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur, Chikmagalur, and Jabalpur, which are adjacent to national parks and sanctuaries, need to be converted into green smart cities with upgraded waste recycling processes.</li>
<li><strong>The Van Dhan Yojana, as adopted by the State government in Rajasthan, can be scaled up</strong> towards building a green mission to save our non-protected forests (outside the existing national parks and sanctuaries).</li>
<li><strong>Wildlife tourism must also be encouraged</strong>, particularly through public-private partnerships, to help increase conserved areas while making a difference to backward districts.</li>
<li><strong>The impact of climate change will affect India&rsquo;s food security while reducing fodder supplies for our livestock.</strong> Prudent investments and policy reform can help make India resilient to climate change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Any adaptation to ongoing climate change will require climate justice, which involves policy reforms that can help make India resilient to climate change.</strong> This can be induced by expansion of joint research and development partnerships (like the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center), pairing India&rsquo;s emerging smart cities with green cities in the West.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Climate Smart Agriculture</strong></p>
<p>Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is an integrated approach to managing landscapes&mdash;cropland, livestock, forests, and fisheries--that address the interlinked challenges of food security and climate change.</p>
<p><strong>CSA aims to simultaneously achieve three outcomes:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Increased productivity: Produce more food to improve food and nutrition security and boost the incomes of 75 percent of the world&rsquo;s poor who live in rural areas and mainly rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.</li>
<li>Enhanced resilience: Reduce vulnerability to drought, pests, disease, and other shocks; and improve capacity to adapt and grow in the face of longer-term stresses like shortened seasons and erratic weather patterns.</li>
<li>Reduced emissions: Pursue lower emissions for each calorie or kilo of food produced, avoid deforestation from agriculture and identify ways to suck carbon out of the atmosphere.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="/interaction/viewtopic.php?f=45&amp;t=961" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read more&hellip;.</a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'India Bombs Jaish-e-Muhammad Camp in Pakistan',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Twelve days after the Pulwama attack, in an aerial surgical strike, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has bombed the Jaish-e-Mohammad&rsquo;s (JeM) terror-training camp in Balakot in the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The operation was carried out by 12 Mirage-2000 fighter jets, after intelligence inputs that the said JeM facility is crowded with 200-325 terrorists.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Statement</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has said that the <strong>strike was based on hard intelligence inputs</strong> about the presence of terrorists in the camp.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By calling it an intelligence-led operation, the government was trying to send a message to the global audience that the airstrikes were not done at some arbitrarily chosen place but were part of a well-considered action.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India said that strike was <strong>&ldquo;non-military preemptive action&rdquo;</strong> was important for two reasons:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By calling it non-military, India wanted to reassure everyone that <strong>it is not an act against the Pakistani military.</strong></li>
<li>The words &ldquo;preemptive action&rdquo; were to suggest that the <strong>airstrike was not an act of revenge or retribution but an act of self-defense</strong> to prevent a likely terror attack in the future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>International Response</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has received <strong>support for its air strike from several countries like Australia and France.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The countries <strong>recognized India&rsquo;s right to self-defense,</strong> and asked Pakistan to put an end to operations of terrorist groups established on its territory<g class="gr_ gr_105 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation multiReplace" id="105" data-gr-id="105">,.</g></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The US said that India and Pakistan <strong>should exercise restraint,</strong> and avoid escalation at any cost and avoid further military activity.</li>
<li>The British government called on India and Pakistan to <strong>pursue diplomatic solutions.</strong></li>
<li>China has said that the two countries <strong>should keep restraint</strong> and do more to improve bilateral relations.</li>
<li>With the exception of the<strong> Organisation of Islamic Cooperation</strong>, there has been no global criticism of India&rsquo;s statement on the strikes.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Analysis</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Indian Air Force&rsquo;s strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammad terror training camp in Pakistan&rsquo;s Balakot <strong>delivers a robust but calibrated message that India can strike deep inside Pakistan for its self-defense.</strong></li>
<li>Airstrikes by the Indian Air Force <strong>establishes a new threshold between the two nuclear neighbors</strong> for an Indian response to a terror attack.</li>
<li>This was the <strong>first time Indian fighter jets have crossed Line of Control, since 1971.</strong> Even during the Kargil war in 1999, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had drawn a red line over the IAF crossing the LoC, to avoid international recrimination.</li>
<li>Along with these surgical strikes, India is also working diplomatically to isolate Pakistan.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unsc-condemns-pulwama-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN Security Council has condemned the Pulwama Attack.</a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-4th-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pakistan has been listed in the Financial Action Task Forces (FATF) greylist.</a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-revokes-mfn-status-to-pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India has also withdrawn Most Favoured Nation Status of Pakistan.</a></li>
<li>India has also taken Pakistan to International Court of Justice against death sentence given to Indian citizen Kulbhushan Jadhav.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>What is a Surgical Strike</strong>?</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A surgical strike is a<strong> swift and targeted attack on a specific target</strong> that aims to neutralize them while ensuring minimum collateral damage to the surrounding areas and civilians.</li>
<li>India has conducted surgical strikes in <strong>2015 in Myanmar against the insurgent groups</strong> and in<strong> 2016 in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir against terror launch pads</strong> along the line of control.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How is it carried out?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These attacks can be carried out via air raids, airdropping special operations teams or a ground operation.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The significance of Surgical Strike</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Neutralization of targets with surgical strikes also prevents escalation to a full-blown war.</li>
<li>Surgical strikes are part of<strong> India&rsquo;s Cold Start doctrine</strong> and have proved effective in foiling infiltration bid by terrorist groups across the LoC.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Cold Start Doctrine</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The &lsquo;Cold Start&rsquo; doctrine of the Indian Armed Forces envisages swift deployment of troops on the western border within days if a situation of a full-blown war arises.</strong></li>
<li>This doctrine aims to allow Indian forces to conduct sustained attacks while preventing a nuclear retaliation from Pakistan. The operation would be carried out by a unified battle group involving various branches of India&rsquo;s military.</li>
<li><strong>The Cold Start doctrine sought to prepare the army in such a manner that offensive operations could be undertaken within 48 hours of the orders being issued, enabling the Indian troops to take their Pakistani counterparts by surprise.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pakistan has denied that the Indian strike caused any damage on the ground.</strong> This may obviate the need for retaliatory strikes, or if Pakistan responds this could escalate the situation with a military response.</li>
<li>Pakistan could also make a break from its past, and begin to shut down the terror camps on its soil, which would win friends internationally and ensure peace in the region.</li>
<li>Surgical strikes are not a one-stop solution, uprooting terrorism will require sustained efforts on by India diplomatically at the global level, which also includes the adoption of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/at-unga-india-call-for-early-adoption-of-ccit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Systems Used</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mirage-2000</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a French multirole, single-engine fourth-generation jet fighter manufactured by Dassault Aviation. It was designed in the late 1970s.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>SPICE 2000</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SPICE stands for &lsquo;Smart, Precise Impact and Cost-Effective&rsquo; a kit which converts a conventional bomb into a smart munition and is manufactured by Rafael of Israel. The &lsquo;2000&rsquo; refers to a bomb of 2,000 pounds (about 1,000 kg).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Crystal Maze Mk2</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Crystal Maze Mk2 also called AGM 142 Popeye is a precision-guided munition (PGM).</li>
<li>The PGM enable the aircraft to release them from stand-off distances while staying away from harm&rsquo;s way and the munitions glide to the target once launched.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NETRA AEW&amp;C</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The IAF also deployed the Israeli Phalcon and indigenous Netra early warning aircraft to monitor the mission &mdash; to direct the aircraft</li>
<li>IAF also used a Heron long-range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle that was used for monitoring and assessment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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		'title' => 'Why Leprosy has Resurfaced in India',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;Why leprosy has resurfaced in India&rdquo; which appeared in Down To Earth for 28th February 2019. In this article, we will discuss the reasons behind the recurrence of leprosy in India.)</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Leprosy, which was declared eradicated in India one-and-a-half decades ago, has re-emerged in different states with high intensity.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/187drishti_ias_leprossy%20(1).jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/187drishti_ias_leprossy (1).jpg" width="495" height="393" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Indeed, 'elimination' was confused with 'eradication'.</strong> According to WHO, &lsquo;elimination&rsquo; implies a prevalence rate of less than one case per 10,000; whereas 'eradication' means to reach zero level &mdash; a condition where no infection remains, and there is no possibility of further transmission.</p>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Globally, the <strong>difference between the expected and observed numbers of new cases of leprosy is more than 2.6 million.</strong> This number is expected to increase to over 4 million by 2020.</li>
<li><strong>India has the highest number of new leprosy cases in the world</strong>, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.</li>
<li>Every year, over 200,000 such cases are detected globally and <strong>India accounts for more than half of these, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).</strong></li>
<li>In the past two-and-a-half years, <strong>India accounted for 60% of the global total of new leprosy cases.</strong></li>
<li>In a recent report, the Central Leprosy Division, which comes under the Union Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare, revealed that 135,485 new cases were detected only in 2017, which means that <strong>in every four minutes, one person is diagnosed with leprosy in India.</strong> This is nowhere close to elimination.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Leprosy Facts</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by a bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae.</li>
<li>M. <g class="gr_ gr_112 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="112" data-gr-id="112">leprae</g> multiplies slowly and the incubation period of the disease, on average, is 5 years. In some cases, symptoms may occur within 1 year but can also take as long as 20 years to occur.</li>
<li>The disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and also the eyes.</li>
<li>Leprosy is curable with multidrug therapy (MDT).</li>
<li>Although not highly infectious, leprosy is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases.</li>
<li>Untreated, leprosy can cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Reasons for Recurrence</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Declaration of the elimination of leprosy in the year 2005 is criticized as an immature decision by the government, which led policymakers and people to believe that the disease has been eradicated completely.</strong></li>
<li>The declaration of elimination diluted efforts of health workers, who were helping in identifying cases in rural areas. As a result, <strong>efforts to fight against the disease at different levels were also reduced to a great extent.</strong></li>
<li>After the declaration of the leprosy elimination status, the leprosy programme was shifted to the National Health Mission.</li>
<li>Indeed, new detections occurred due to major changes in the <strong>National Leprosy Elimination Programme (NLEP)</strong> and the Global Leprosy Programme.</li>
<li>Efforts made under these programmes led to the discovery of child leprosy, apart from other new cases. <strong>Many of such cases were found due to late diagnosis as well.</strong></li>
<li>The major cause of hidden cases is low voluntary reporting in the community due to a <strong>lack of awareness as well as stigma and discrimination.</strong> The extent of stigma and discrimination is evident by the fact that 200,000 people are residing in about 750 leprosy colonies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Leprosy colonies are the places where people affected by leprosy lived or were sent.</li>
<li>Leper colonies or houses became widespread in the Middle Ages, particularly in Europe and India, and often run by monastic orders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of awareness, myths, socio-cultural beliefs,</strong> and the stigma attached to leprosy are perhaps the most pressing problems before public health activists today.</li>
<li>Doctors and health workers at the primary health care level are sometimes unable to detect silent neuritis <em>(inflammation of a nerve accompanied by pain and sometimes loss of function)</em>, atypical presentations, or reactions at early stages.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The health ministry, along with other institutions should work to fight leprosy, should start formulating new strategies to deal with the huge volume of cases.</strong></li>
<li>The government <strong>needs a clear strategy</strong> and implementation plan to address the problem and achieve real eradication of leprosy.</li>
<li><strong>The strengthening of the public health system</strong> at the ground level is necessary to handle this issue in areas where a large number of cases are being reported.</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_99 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="99" data-gr-id="99">Awareness</g><strong> campaign that deals with stigma and discrimination</strong> are also necessary so that those infected come forward for treatment and don&rsquo;t feel left out.</li>
<li>After achieving the target of elimination at all levels, the <strong>emphasis must shift to more policy level changes</strong> and the sustaining of quality of services.</li>
<li>The <strong>government needs to take proactive steps</strong> to modify or repeal leprosy laws or to eliminate discrimination against persons affected by leprosy.</li>
<li>A multi-stakeholder partnership is of utmost importance to ensure that leprosy remains on the health agenda as long as it is necessary.</li>
<li><strong>The government, NGOs and private agencies need to work together in a coordinated fashion.</strong> Continued training of medical officers, nurses, physiotherapists, and paramedical workers about quality diagnosis and treatment of leprosy must also be given prime focus.</li>
<li><strong>Those who have been cured at an early stage and can work often need to given opportunities to learn skills and trades that would enable them to keep working.</strong></li>
<li>T<strong>hey also can be assisted with links to financial institutions and special bank loans</strong> which would enable them to start a livelihood initiative on their own.</li>
</ul>
<p>Leprosy is one of the most misunderstood diseases of the world; it poses some unique challenges in its control and elimination. Careful examination of the theoretical and practical approaches of the past can provide vital insights for the future. To reduce the burden, it is important to develop a holistic and multi-pronged approach that includes key policy changes, a public education campaign, sustainable livelihood programmes, skill training workshops and bringing in other medical stakeholders to generate employment, identify interventions to dispel stigma and mainstream the affected people.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government Policies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC) (specific for high endemic districts);</li>
<li>Focussed Leprosy Campaign (for hot spots i.e., rural and urban areas where Grade II disability is detected)</li>
<li>Special plan for hard to reach areas.</li>
<li>Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign for awareness, Grade II disability case investigation.</li>
<li>Post Exposure chemoprophylaxis administration to the contacts of cases detected in LCDC districts etc.</li>
<li>ASHA based Surveillance for Leprosy Suspects (ABSULS) has been introduced during 2017-18 to enhance early case reporting.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/leprosy-health-gs-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">All about Leprosy&nbsp;</a></p>
<p><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-fight-against-leprosy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fight Against Leprosy</a></p>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-leprosy-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Leprosy Day</a></p>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-questions-leprosy-free-tag-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leprosy Free Tag of India</a></p>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Haryana',
		'catname' => 'Know Your State',
		'desc' => '<div class="border-bg">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana was carved out of Punjab on 1<sup>st</sup> November 1966, as the 17<sup>th</sup> Indian state.</li>
<li>There are diverse interpretations about the origin of the name of Haryana. In ancient time, this region was known as Brahmavarta, Aryavarta and Brahomoupdesa.</li>
<li>These names are based on the emergence of Brahma-Lord on the land of Haryana ; the abode of Aryas and home of the preachings of vedic cultures and other rites.</li>
<li>Its other names Bahudhanyaka and Bahudhana suggest Haryana as the land of plentiful grains and immense riches.</li>
<li>Haryana is located in the northwest India between 27 degree 39' N to 30 degree 35' N latitude and between 74 degree 28' E to 77 degree 36' E longitude and with an altitude between 700-3600 ft above sea level.</li>
<li>The capital of Haryana, Chandigarh, is shared by its neighboring state of Punjab, designed by Swiss born French architect, Le Corbusier.</li>
<li>At 44,212 sq km, Haryana covers 1.34% of India's geographical area.</li>
<li>In 2016- 17, Haryana reported a per capita income of 1,80,174 per annum as compared to the national average of 1,03,818.</li>
<li>Haryana has 6 administrative divisions - Ambala, Rohtak, Gurgaon, Hisar, Karnal and Faridabad.</li>
<li>22 districts<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/689drishti_ias_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/689drishti_ias_image4.jpg" style="float: right;" width="416" height="508" /></a></li>
<li>72 sub-divisions</li>
<li>93 revenue tehsils</li>
<li>50 sub-tehsils</li>
<li>140 community development blocks</li>
<li>154 cities and towns</li>
<li>7356* villages and 6212 villages panchayats.</li>
<li>Capital: Chandigarh</li>
<li>Governor: Sh. Satyadeo Narain Arya</li>
<li>Chief Minister: Sh. Manohar Lal Khattar</li>
<li>Chief Secretary: Sh. Depinder Singh Dhesi</li>
<li>Haryana Legislative Assembly Speaker : Kanwar Pal</li>
<li>Vidhan Sabha seats: 90</li>
<li>Lok Sabha seats: 10</li>
<li>Rajya Sabha seats: 05</li>
<li>High Court : Punjab and Haryana High court (Chandigarh)</li>
<li>Chief Justice : Justice Krishna Murari</li>
<li>State Animal: Black Buck</li>
<li>State Bird: Black Francolin</li>
<li>State Tree: Peepal</li>
<li>State Flower: Lotus</li>
<li>First Governor : Sh. Dharma Vira</li>
<li>First Chief Minister: Sh. Pt. Bhagwat Dayal Sharma</li>
</ul>
<p>*According to Census 2011, Haryana has 6841 Villages.</p>
</div>
<h3>Formation of Haryana</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The area included in the present state of Haryana was ceded to the British East India Company in 1803.</li>
<li>In 1832 it was transferred to the then North-Western Provinces of British India, and in 1858 Haryana became a part of Punjab.</li>
<li>Due to the repressive policy of the British Government, no significant development was made in the region in the sphere of education, trades, industry, means of communication and irrigation. Consequently it remained backward throughout the 19th century.</li>
<li>The union between Haryana and Punjab was awkward, largely because of religious and linguistic differences between the two regions: Punjabi-speaking Sikhs of Punjab vis-&agrave;-vis Hindi-speaking Hindus of Haryana.</li>
<li>With the change of capital from Calcutta to Delhi on December 12,1911, the Haryana region was further isolated.</li>
<li>In 1920&rsquo;s, certain changes in Delhi district were suggested by the Muslim League and people of the region to Sir J.P. Thomson, the Commissioner of Delhi.</li>
<li>In 1928, all parties conference at Delhi again made a demand for extension of the boundaries of Delhi.</li>
<li>Further, the agitation for a separate state of Haryana was led by Lala Lajpat Rai and Asaf Ali, both prominent figures in the Indian national movement, as well as by Neki Ram Sharma, who headed a committee to cultivate the concept of an autonomous state.</li>
<li>At the Second Round Table Conference in 1931, Sir Geoffrey Corbert, Financial Commissioner of the then Punjab Government and Secretary of the Indian Delegation to the Round Table Conference,suggested the reorganisation of the Punjab boundaries and the separation of the Ambala Division from Punjab.</li>
<li>In 1932, Deshbandhu Gupta stated that "Hindi speaking region had never been a part of Punjab. It was essential for the development of this region to separate it from Punjab and form a new State by uniting with it certain adjoining parts of Delhi,Rajasthan and of the U.P.</li>
<li>The demand of the creation of the Greater Delhi or Vishal Haryana was actively supported by several leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Moti Lal Nehru, Asaf Ali, Sir Chhotu Ram and Pt. Thakur Dass Bhargava.</li>
<li>Haryana remained part of Punjab after the independence in 1947, but the demand for separate states&mdash;supported by both Hindus and Sikhs&mdash;continued, undiminished. Indeed, the movement gained momentum, reaching its fullest intensity in the early 1960s.</li>
<li>Finally, with the passage of the Punjab Reorganization Act (and in accordance with the earlier recommendations of the States Reorganization Commission), Haryana was separated from Punjab in 1966 to become the 17th state of India on the recommendation of the Sardar Hukam Singh Parliamentary Committee.</li>
<li>The formation of this committee was announced in the Parliament on 23 September 1965. On 23 April, 1966, acting on the recommendation of the Hukam Singh Committee, the Indian government set up the Shah Commission under the chairmanship of Justice J. C. Shah, to divide and set up the boundaries of Punjab and Haryana giving consideration to the language spoken by the people.</li>
<li>The commission gave its report on 31 May, 1966. According to this report the then districts of Hisar, Mahendragarh, Gurgaon, Rohtak, and Karnal were to be a part of the new state of Haryana. Further, the Tehsils of Jind (district Sangrur), Narwana (district Sangrur), Naraingarh, Ambala and Jagadhri were also to be included.</li>
<li>The city of Chandigarh, and a Punjabi speaking area of district Rupnagar were made a union territory serving as the capital of both Punjab a nd Haryana.</li>
<li>According to the Rajiv-Longowal Accord, Chandigarh was to be transferred to the state of Punjab in 1986, but the transfer was delayed and it has not been executed so far.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Population and Population density, Area, Literacy</h3>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #cf931b;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Description</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #cf931b;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>2011</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #cf931b;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>2001</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Approximate Population</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">2.53 Crores</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">2.11 Crore</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Actual Population</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">25,351,462</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">21,144,564</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Male</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">13,494,734</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">11,363,953</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Female</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">11,856,728</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">9,780,611</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Population Growth</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">19.90%</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">28.06%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Percentage of total Population</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">&nbsp;2.09%</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">2.06%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Urban Population Percentage</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">34.79%</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">28.92%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Rural Population Percentage</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">65.21%</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">71.08%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Sex Ratio</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">879</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">861</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Child Sex Ratio</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">834</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">819</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Density/km2</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">573</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">478</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Density/mi2</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">1,485</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">1,239</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Area(Km2)</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">44,212</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">44,212</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Area mi2</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">17,070</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">17,070</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Total Child Population (0-6 Age)</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">3,380,721</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">3,335,537</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Male Population (0-6 Age)</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">1,843,109</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">1,833,655</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Female Population (0-6 Age)</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">1,537,612</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">1,501,882</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Literacy</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">75.55%</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">67.91%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Male Literacy</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">&nbsp;84.06%</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">78.49%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Female Literacy</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">65.94%</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">55.73%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Total Literate</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">16,598,988</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">12,093,677</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Male Literate</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">9,794,067</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">7,480,209</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 28.2418%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">Female Literate</td>
<td style="width: 13.3651%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">6,804,921</td>
<td style="width: 12.0489%; height: 19px; background-color: #fadea5;">4,613,468</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>History of Haryana</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ancient</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The earliest reference to Haryana found in Chahamana Inscription describing Arnoraja as carrying arms into Haritanaka that is Haryana. The territorial designation Hariala mentioned in the Skandapurana also stands for the same region.</li>
<li>Excavations of various archeological sites in Haryana, like Naurangabad and Mitathal in Bhiwani, Kunal in Fatehabad, Agroha and Rakhigarhi in Hisar, Sites in Rukhi (Rohtak) and Banawali in Sirsa have evidence of pre-Harappan and Harappan culture.</li>
<li>Haryana is the region where, along the banks of the River Saraswati, the Vedic Civilization began and matured.</li>
<li>It was here that the Vedas were written, as the Aryans chanted their sacred Mantras. Replete with myths and legends, Haryana's 5000 year old history is steeped in glory.</li>
<li>B.B. Lal was the first to bring to light archaeological evidence for the pre-Buddha history of the region with his discovery of the Painted Grey Ware at Kurukshetra, Pehowa, Amin, Panipat, etc. He has associated this pottery with the Aryans of the Mahabharata period.</li>
<li>These places are mentioned in the Mahabharata as Prithudaka (Pehowa), Tilprastha (Tilput), Panprastha (Panipat) and Sonprastha (Sonipat).</li>
<li>It was here that Lord Krishna preached Bhagavad-Gita at the start of the battle of Mahabharat and Ved Vyas wrote Mahabharata in Sanskrit.</li>
<li>Before the Mahabharat war, a battle of ten kings took place in the Kurukshetra region in the Saraswati valley. But it was the Mahabharat War, approximately in 900 BC, which gave the region worldwide fame.</li>
<li>Haryana has been the scene of many wars because of it being "The Gateway of North India". As years rolled by, successive streams of Huns, Turks and the Afghans invaded India and decisive battles were fought on this land.</li>
<li>After the downfall of the Gupta empire in the middle of 6th century AD north India was again split into several kingdoms. The Huns established their supremacy over the Punjab. It was after this period that one of the greatest King of ancient India, Harshvardhan began his rule. He became the King of Thanesar (Kurukshetra) in 606 AD, and later went on to rule the most of north India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Medieval</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After Harsha death, the kingdom of his clansmen, the Pratiharas ruled over a vast region for quite a while from Harsha's adopted capital of Kannauj.</li>
<li>The region was strategically important for the rulers of North India even though Thanesar was no more as central as Kannauj.</li>
<li>Prithviraj Chauhan established forts in Haryana at Taraori and Hansi in the 12th century. But Muhammad Ghori has conquered these areas in the Second Battle of Tarain( 1192) after defeating him.</li>
<li>After his death, the Delhi Sultanate was established, that ruled much of India for several centuries.</li>
<li>The earliest reference to 'Hariana' occurs in a Sanskrit inscription dated 1328 AD kept in Delhi Museum, which refers to this region as The heaven on earth, indicating that it was fertile and relatively peaceful at that time.</li>
<li>Palam Baoli Inscription of the time of Balban (A.D. 1280) provides its variant name as Hariyanaka.</li>
<li>Firoz Shah Tughlaq established a fort at Hisar in 1354 to further fortify the region, and also constructed canals or rajwahas as they were referred to in the Indo-Persian history.</li>
<li>The three famous battles of Panipat took place near the modern town of Panipat.</li>
<li>The first battle took place on 21 April 1526, where Babur, the ruler of Kabul defeated Ibrahim Lodi of the Delhi Sultanate, through the use of field artillery.</li>
<li>In the Second battle of Panipat (November 5, 1556), Akbar's forces defeated Hem Chandra Vikramaditya also called Hemu, who belonged to Rewari in Haryana and who had won 22 battles during 1553-1556 before acceding to Delhi throne.</li>
<li>Third Battle of Panipat took place on 14 January 1761, between the Afghan warlord Ahmad Shah Abdali and the Marathas under Sadashivrao Bhau of Pune. Ahmad Shah won decisively in this battle.</li>
<li>After the Third Battle of Panipat, the Marathas lost courage to go to their native place but many of the families resided at various places in Haryana like Kaithal, Assaundh, Karnal, Hansi, Bhiwani etc.</li>
<li>Suraj Mal was encouraged by the defeat of Marathas in the 3rd Battle of Panipat and sent his son Jawahar Singh to attack on Musavi Khan, the Mughal faujdar of Gurgaon and Rohtak. Along with areas under Musavi Khan, Suraj Mal also conquered the territories of Pataudi, Rewari and Bahadurgarh.</li>
<li>These incidents, on the other hand, alarmed Najibud-daula who attacked Suraj Mal and killed him in a battle near the river Hinden on December 25, 1763. His death was a great loss to the Jats in particular and Hindus in general.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 16.0302%; height: 19px; background-color: #1881cc;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Principalities</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 23.9857%; height: 19px; background-color: #1881cc;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Founder</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 16.0302%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Kaithal</td>
<td style="width: 23.9857%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Yudhisthira</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 16.0302%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Thanesar</td>
<td style="width: 23.9857%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Mith Singh</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 16.0302%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Ladwa</td>
<td style="width: 23.9857%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Sahib Singh and Gurdit Singh</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 16.0302%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Kunjpura</td>
<td style="width: 23.9857%; height: 19px; background-color: #a8d6f7;">Nijabat Khan</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Modern</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The period of instability in Haryana was ended by the establishment of the rule of East India company in 1803. But the people of Haryana did not accept the new masters and revolted against the Britishers irrespective of caste and religion.</li>
<li>The Sikh chiefs of Ambala, Karnal and Thanesar were the first to oppose the company rule.</li>
<li>The Muslim Bhatti Rajputs of the western Haryana organized under the leadership of Zabita Khan of Sirsa and Rania and Khan Bahadur Khan of Fatehabad against Britishers.</li>
<li>In November, 1809 Col. Adams was sent with a big contingent to attacked Fatehabad, Sirsa and Rania and emerged victorious in all the battles during expedition.</li>
<li>The Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-49) was fought between the Sikh Empire and the British East India Company and resulted in the Battle of Gujrat on 21 February 1849, at which the British defeated the Sikhs. As a result of this, on 2 April 1849 they declared Punjab as a new province of British India. This included most of Haryana, while the rest was ruled by the princely states of Loharu, Nabha, Jind and Patiala.</li>
<li>The state of Thanesar was confiscated by Britishers in 1850 and most of Sikh chiefs reduced to the position of ordinary Jagirdars. Then the British resorted to the methods of annexation and consolidation.</li>
<li>The bugle of the first war of independence in 1857 was sounded first by the people of Haryana at Ambala on 10th May, 1857, about nine hours before the outbreak at Meerut.</li>
<li>Rao Tula Ram in Ahirwal, Gaffur Ali and Harsukh Rai in Palwal, Dhanu Singh in Faridabad, Nahar Singh in Ballabhgarh etc. were the important leaders of revolt in Haryana.</li>
<li>Many battles were fought by the rulers of the states and by the farmers also, sometimes defeating the British army. Some most important battles were fought at Sirsa, Sonipat,</li>
<li>Rohtak and Hissar. In Sirsa the famous battle of Chormar was fought.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Factors Responsible for Revolt of 1857 in Haryana</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The time honoured institutions like the village communities and panchayats were abolished by the British. Their destruction brought social instability and people felt insecure and unhappy.</li>
<li>Britishers broke the backbone of the farmers by imposing heavy revenues and cesses. The poor farmers could not pay the revenue which their village headmen had agreed to pay under compulsion, they had to visit jail four to five times in a matter of few years.</li>
<li>The mode of collection of land tax was extortionate as the assessment was oppressive which greatly demoralized the people and shattered the peasant's economy. This oppressive policy compelled many of the peasants to desert their lands and houses. They nursed a grudge against the new masters, the British.</li>
<li>The judicial set-up was also repressive, arbitrary and expensive. There was no proper check on the judges as bribery and corruption among the judges were prevalent.</li>
<li>The attack and interference in the religion (dharam) also caused some resentment.</li>
<li>Christian missionaries campaigns of conversion to Christianity was perturbed hundreds of Hindus and Muslims who condemned and criticised the attitude of the Government.</li>
<li>The British lapsed many estates like Rania, Kaithal, Chhachhrauli, Ladwa and Thanesar, under the Doctrine of Lapse. Which created insecurity and dissatisfaction among the chiefs.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>After 1857, the repressive policy of the British Government continued and no significant development was made in the region. The political consciousness began during the last phase of 19th century with the establishment of Indian National Congress.</li>
<li>In the first session of All India Congress at Bombay in 1885, Haryana was represented by young pleaders of Ambala, Lala Murlidhar and Munshi Jawala Prashad. The Congress party activities were boosted in the region after joining of Lala Lajpat Rai, who started his law practice in Hisar.</li>
<li>Like other provinces, the then Haryana witnessed a series of oppressive acts of Lord Curzon. Bal Mukund Gupta, prominent Hindi writer of Haryana compared Curzon shahi with Nadir Shahi.</li>
<li>After the partition of Bengal, Swadeshi Movement gained momentum. The people were motivated to take up the cause of Swadeshi in big towns of Haryana. A Swadeshi Company was established at Ambala City under the aegis of Lala Murlidhar in which Beni Prasad and Lala Dwarka Das also took part.</li>
<li>Lord Minto became the new Viceroy of India after Curzon who increased the economic hardships. Some legislation like the Punjab Limitation Act, 1904; the Transfer of Property Act, 1904 and the Punjab pre-emption Act, 1905 were passed to weaken the position of money-lenders. It generated political discontent, especially among the Hindu commercial castes.</li>
<li>Lala Lajpat Rai and Sardar Ajit Singh were arrested at Lahore and deported without trial in the middle of 1907 because of their opposition to these acts. On account of the arrest of Lala Lajpat Rai, a revolutionary movement began in Haryana.</li>
<li>During the first World War in 1914, India being a part of the British empire was also dragged into the war activities. The people of Haryana helped the Government by providing recruits and by contributing money and material.</li>
<li>At the international level in those days, Ghaddar movement gained momentum. Kanshi Ram of Ambala district was one of the architects of the Ghadar party in San Francisco with Lala Hardayal. As per historians view, Kanshi Ram was the first Haryanvi martyr in this phase of freedom movement.</li>
<li>Pt. Neki Ram Sharma of Haryana, evinced keen interest in Home Rule Agitation. After his arrest in July, 1918, during a public meeting at Birla Mandir Dharamshala in Delhi, the Home Rule Agitation petered out in Haryana.</li>
<li>In 1917 the Congress Party Committee was established at Rohtak and Chaudhary Chhotu Ram and Babu Shyam Lal were appointed as its president and secretary, respectively. In 1918 Congress session of Delhi, Pt. Neki Ram Sharma and Chaudhary Peeru Singh and Lala Daulat Ram participated in this session from Haryana.</li>
<li>On March 30, 1919, Mahatma Gandhi called for a hartal all over India. The whole of the Haryana State responded to the call and hartals were observed in Karnal, Rewari, Hodal, Rohtak, Sonipat etc.</li>
<li>The Punjab atrocities, discontentment over the Khilafat issue and the report of the Disorders Inquiry Committee on 26th May, 1920 had completely shaken the faith of the people. In Haryana, the impact of the Non-Cooperation Movement was very intensive and it had succeeded in creating an atmosphere of hostility against the Government. The movement was very intense in Ambala district of Haryana.</li>
<li>The Congress had not participated in the general elections of 1920. The dissidents, Chhotu Ram and Lal Chand, however, contested the elections and won. This resulted the emergence of Swarajists Party on sound footing. A branch of Swarajist Party was formed at Rohtak under the leadership of Sri Ram Sharma, whose local paper, the Haryana Tilak came to be regarded as the organ of the Congress in this region.</li>
<li>On 30th October, 1928, Lala Lajpat Rai was assaulted by the police when he was leading a peaceful procession against all white men &lsquo;&rsquo;Simon Commission&rsquo;&rsquo;, which resulted in his death. His death created a widespread resentment throughout the country including Haryana region. Pt. Neki Ram Sharma held the commission responsible for Lala Lajpat Rai's death.</li>
<li>During this time, branches of Naujawan Bharat Sabha were also set up in Haryana at Ambala, Karnal, Rohtak and Hissar. Its activities in Haryana were limited and could not become as significant as it was in Punjab. Its leaders in Haryana were more or less pro-Congress.</li>
<li>In Haryana on 8th and 9th March, 1929, Punjab Provincial Political Conference was held at Rohtak which was attended by Moti Lal Nehru and Jawaharlal Nehru.Dr. Satyapal presided over the session. In the conference significant resolutions on Nehru Report and remission of land revenue were passed.</li>
<li>At Lahore session of Indian National Congress in 1929, for the first time the resolution of Complete Independence was passed. In Haryana there was bonfire of foreign cloth took place at Sonipat, people went about in Prabhat pheris in the morning singing national and patriotic songs and poems. The mutiny week was also celebrated in the region.</li>
<li>During the beginning of 1940 when the Second World War was in full swing, a Ahir company of Hyderabad Regiment raised a armed revolt under Zahir Khan. All these army men belonged to Haryana and they were under the spell of Arya Samaj and Congress party which was spearheading in the National Movement.</li>
<li>The British Government arrested Ch. Devi Lal, Ram Dayal, Hukum Chand, Madan Gopal, Sahib Ram, Lekh Ram, Jan Muhammad and Pt. Pat Ram Verma for raising their voice in favour of Quit India Movement and other freedom activities. Chaudhary Devi Lal (former Deputy Prime Minister) and Shri Mool Chand Jain are known as legendary freedom fighters from Haryana.</li>
<li>The people of Haryana played a notable role by joining themselves as members of Indian National Army, raised by Hon'ble Subhash Chandra Bose. Its main object was to wage war against the British. They believed in organized revolt. The INA was formed with the battle cry "Dilli chalo".</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Deen Bandhu Sir Chhotu Ram</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Chaudhary Chhotu Ram was one of the most prominent politician in Punjab before independence. He was an ideologue of the Jat peasantry and a champion of its interests.</li>
<li>He was born on 24 November 1881 in Garhi Sampla in Rohtak district of Haryana and associated with organizations that represented peasant interests like the Zamindar League and the Unionist Party after resigning from the Congress in 1920.</li>
<li>He founded the Unionist Party with Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan, which represented a coalition between Hindu farmers in the eastern part of the province and feudal Muslim landlords in the west.</li>
<li>He held the revenue portfolio in the then Unionist Party Government in Punjab and worked a lot to improve the economic status of the peasants through numerous legislative measures which are often termed as Golden Laws.</li>
<li>He was a visionary man and most probably the first leader who mooted the idea of Green Revolution. The Bhakra-Nangal dam project was also signed by him in November 1944 with the king of Bilaspur but the project got delayed and finally completed in 1963.</li>
<li>He also led a massive recruitment drive for the army during World War I in modern Haryana region and during World War II across pre-partition Punjab.</li>
<li>His support of the British war effort (during world war II) is often seen as a controversial step as the Congress had given a call not to provide any help to the British. He actively promoted recruitment of Jats in particular and other farming class youth in general in the army as he felt that it was economically beneficial to these communities.</li>
<li>The recurring theme of his campaigns was India's independence after the war. He said: <em>"My hope is that after this war Hindustan will be free. And it will be free in a real sense".</em></li>
<li>He was in opposition to the concept of Pakistan and formed a separate group of thirteen members in the Punjab Assembly when most Muslim Unionists joined the Muslim League. His death brought about the demise of the Unionist Party.</li>
<li>On October 9, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled his 64-foot-tall statue at Sampla.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Religion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Religious composition of Haryana: Hindus (87.46%), Muslims (7.03%), Sikhs (4.91%), Jain (0.21%), Christian (0.20%) and Buddhist (0.03%).</li>
<li>In the state Sirsa district has the largest Sikh population, Mewat/Nuh district has largest Muslim population and Ambala district has largest Christian population.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Language</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Hindi was the official language of Haryana till 2010 and it is spoken by the majority of the population (87.31%). Accepting a long-pending demand, the Haryana government notified Punjabi in 2010 as the state's second language. The Haryana Official Language Act, 1969 gave official status to English Language.</li>
<li>Haryana has 70% rural population who primarily speak Haryanvi dialect of Hindi, as well as other related dialects, such as Bagri and Mewati.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Geography</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana is a landlocked state in the North Western region of India and consists 1.34% of the total geographical area of country.</li>
<li>It is surrounded by Himachal Pradesh from North, Rajasthan from South, U.P and Delhi from East and Punjab from North West.</li>
<li>Area wise the largest district of Haryana is Sirsa while Faridabad is the smallest district.</li>
<li>Haryana has four main geographical features:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Yamuna-Ghaggar plain forming the largest part of the state.</li>
<li>Shivalik Hills to the northeast in foothills of Himalayas.</li>
<li>Semi-desert dry sandy plain to the south-west.</li>
<li>Aravali Hills in the south.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 13px;">
<td style="width: 88.6237%; height: 13px; text-align: center; background-color: #419103;" colspan="5"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Important Rivers and Dams of Haryana</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>S.N</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Name</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Origin</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Tributaries</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Dam</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">1</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Ghaggar</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Shivalik Hills</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Markanda, Kaushalaya</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Ottu Barrage in Sirsa</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">2</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Markanda</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Shivalik Hills</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Begna</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Barrage at Jalbehra in Kurukshetra</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">3</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Tangri</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Shivalik Hills</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Many seasonal streams</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">&mdash;</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">4</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Choutang</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Shivalik Hills</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Seasonal streams</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">&mdash;</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 18px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 18px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">5</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 18px; background-color: #b5f089;">Dohan</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 18px; background-color: #b5f089;">Aravali Hills</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 18px; background-color: #b5f089;">Seasonal Streams</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 18px; background-color: #b5f089;">Hamidpur Check Dam</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">6</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Krishnavati</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Aravali Hills</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Season Aravali Streams</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Norana Check Dam, Rajasthan</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">7</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Yamuna</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Bandarpunch Glacier, Uttarakhand</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Somb, Thapana, Sahibi</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Hathnikund Barrage</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 5.52108%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #b5f089;">8</td>
<td style="width: 10.8513%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Sahibi</td>
<td style="width: 23.9777%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Aravali Hills</td>
<td style="width: 25.6483%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Sota, Kotkasim, Indori</td>
<td style="width: 22.6253%; height: 19px; background-color: #b5f089;">Masani</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Major canals</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Western and Eastern Yamuna Canal</strong> is the oldest canal of the state which emerges from the Tajewala barrage. These branches feed water, for irrigation purposes, to the land areas of Karnal, Panipat, Sonepat, Jind and Rohtak districts.</li>
<li><strong>Gurgaon Canal</strong> has been drawn at the Okhla barrage from the Yamuna.</li>
<li><strong>Bhakra Canal</strong> has been drawn form Sutlej river near Nangal. The fields of Sirsa, Rohtak and Hissar districts are supplied water through this canal.</li>
<li><strong>Bhiwani Canal</strong> is a small canal, drawn out of Bhakra Canal it passed through district of Bhiwani.</li>
<li><strong>Jawahar Lal Canal</strong> has also been drawn from Bhakra Canal and passes through Mahendragarh.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sutlej &ndash; Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal Controversy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SYL is a 214 km long water canal proposed to connect the Sutlej River in Punjab to Yamuna in Haryana at Palla village, near Delhi. Its 122 kilometre stretch falls under Punjab and the remaining 92 kilometre is in Haryana.</li>
<li>A sum of Rs. 100 crore has been announced by Haryana government for completion of SYL in budget 2018-19.</li>
<li>Besides transfer of water for irrigation needs, two hydel power projects are also proposed on SYL, it can also be used for shipping purposes.</li>
<li>It comes under the Bhakra- Beas Management Board (BBMB) which was constituted under a central legislation i.e. the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.</li>
<li>Construction of SYL was started in 1984 and a major part of the canal was completed in the Punjab territory in 1990s itself, only a small part is left to be completed.</li>
<li>Controversies about the SYL Canal can be traced back to the mid-1960s, started after the reorganisation of Punjab. When the state was bifurcated, the sharing of the river water also became a bone of contention.</li>
<li>According to 1976 deal, centre allocated 3.5 MAF of water to Haryana, 3.5 MAF to Punjab, 8 MAF to Rajasthan and 0.2 MAF to Delhi. Due to the opposition of Punjab to the deal, Haryana has approached the Supreme Court in 1979.</li>
<li>In 1980&rsquo;s, Indira Gandhi intervened and as a result Punjab government withdrew its suit from the Supreme Court. But Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has continued to oppose the canal. The foundation stone of the canal was laid on April 8, 1982, by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at Kapoori village, in Patiala.</li>
<li>At that time militancy in Punjab was at its peak and the labourers working there were attacked, as a result the construction of SYL was halted.</li>
<li>Rajiv - Longowal Accord of 1985 i.e the Punjab Accord tried to solve the issue but with little success. Justice V Balakrishna Eradi tribunal was also set up to specify the quantum of Ravi-Baes waters to be shared among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.</li>
<li>In 2002, the Supreme Court directed the Punjab government to continue digging for the project. In 2004, Punjab state passed the &lsquo;&rsquo;Punjab Termination of Agreement Act&rsquo;&rsquo;, to de-notify the land acquired for the project. It annuls the 1981 Indira Gandhi award and subsequent agreements relating to the distribution of Ravi- Beas waters.</li>
<li>The validity of the law was questioned, as it was in direct confrontation to a Supreme Court judgement.</li>
<li>More recently in 2016, the Supreme Court took up the matter for hearing. At the same time Punjab legislature passed another bill i.e the Punjab Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal (Rehabilitation and Re-vesting of Proprietary Rights), to restore the land acquired for the canal back to the farmers.</li>
<li>The Supreme Court has ordered status quo on the bill but Punjab government is defending it by citing that under Article 143, the Supreme Court has only advisory functions, and hence cannot pass an assumptive interim order.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Climate</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana is extremely hot in summer at around 45 &deg;C (113 &deg;F) and mild in winter. The hottest months are May and June and the coldest are December and January.</li>
<li>The district of Karnal, Ambala and a portion of Kurukshetra district lying under the climatic type Cwa, Sirsa and Hisar district has got climatic type Bwh. The rest of the State belongs to the climatic type Bsh.</li>
<li>The year is divided into four seasons. The winter season from November to March is followed by summer season from April to June. The period from July to middle of September constitutes the south-west monsoon season and the period from the latter half of September to October forms the post-monsoon period.</li>
<li>Winter prevails over the entire State during the period from November to March and is generally very unpleasant due to biting cold. In this season a series of western disturbances affect the climate of the State. In the summer months from April to June, weather is very dry and uncomfortable.</li>
<li>The maximum rainfall is 216 cms and the minimum rainfall ranges from 25 to 38 cms.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Soil</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Soil is formed almost entirely of alluvium, the state is situated towards the depressions of the rivers Ganges and Indus.</li>
<li>It is a broad level plain standing nearly on the watershed between the basins of the two rivers. It is a vast ground of moist land. In the whole of the region except the flood plains of the Yamuna and the Ghaggar, the alluvium is of the old type containing sand, clay, silt and hard calcareous concentrations about the size of nuts known as 'Kankars'.</li>
<li>In the Khaddar the deposits of the alluvium are of the recent type. They consist of coarse sand and some silt, regularly deposited by the rivers and small mountain streams of the Indo-Gangetic watershed.</li>
<li>In the south-western part, a great deal of wind-blown sand has been piled up in the form of sand dunes. These dunes are sometimes many metres high. The alluvium is covered by sand, making the region as arid and unproductive as a desert.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Important Lakes of Haryana</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Badkhal Lake</strong> is situated near Faridabad in Haryana, about 32 kilometers from Delhi. Fringed by the hills of the Aravalli Range it is a man-made embankment. Owing to unchecked mining in neighbouring areas, the lake has now totally dried up. Close to Badkhal Lake, is the Peacock Lake, which is another picturesque spot. It is an important biodiversity area contiguous to Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary within the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor.</li>
<li><strong>Brahma Sarovar Lake</strong> is one of Asia's largest man-made pond. It is 3600 ft long, 1500 ft broad and 45 ft deep. Brahma stands for Lord Brahma, the creator of universe in Hinduism, and Sarovar in Hindi means 'pond'. The pond is named such because myths say that Lord Brahma created the universe from the land of Kurukshetra, after performing a huge yagya. A giant black stone chariot of Lord Krishna and Arjuna is located in its premises. The ghats of the sarovar are named after the most prominent characters of the Mahabharata.</li>
<li><strong>Karna Lake</strong> is a manmade lake in Karnal city of Haryana.</li>
<li><strong>Sannihit Sarovar,</strong> believed to be the permanent abode of Lord Vishnu, is situated at a distance of 3 kms from Kurukshetra on Pehowa Road. It is supposed that entire range of Tirthas assembles here on the day of Amavasya and as per the legends, if a man performs Shradhs at the time of solar eclipse and takes bath in this tank, he acquires the fruit of 1000 Ashwamedh sacrifices. Sikh Gurus too have visited this holy place from time to time.</li>
<li><strong>Surajkund Lake</strong> also known as 'Lake of the Sun', is an artificial Kund built in the backdrop of the Aravalli hills near Faridabad. It is said to have been built by the Suraj Pal, King of Tomar dynasty in the 10th century.</li>
<li><strong>Tilyar Lake,</strong> situated 42 Kms from Delhi, is located in Rohtak District of Haryana.</li>
<li><strong>Blue Bird Lake</strong> is a resident and endangered migratory fowl wetland habitat, lake and exercise area in the Hisar city of Haryana. It is close to Deer Park and Shatavar Vatika Herbal Park of Hisar.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Flora and Fauna of State</strong></p>
<p><em>Forests</em></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana is rich in various kinds of flora. In the state there is a general type of flora but some pockets of the region give a special types of herbs and bushes. There are hardly any hilly tracts in Haryana except a few in Panchkula district-its sub-montane area and the range of Aravalli chain in Gurgaon, Rewari, Faridabad and Mahendragarh districts.</li>
<li>In Panchkula, the hilly areas are generally devoid of vegetation other than rough scrub, and the low bleak hills are of little use except as grazing grounds. The tract around Kalesar and Morni, however, is more valuable.</li>
<li>Formed almost entirely of alluvium, the state is situated towards the depressions of the rivers, Ganges and Indus.It is vast ground of moist land. So, under the situations, flora also differs.</li>
<li>Thorny, dry, deciduous forest and thorny shrubs can be found all over the state. During the monsoon, a carpet of grass covers the hills. Mulberry, eucalyptus, pine, kikar, shisham and babul are some of the trees found here.</li>
<li>Forest cover in the state is near 3.6% of the total geographical area of Haryana while total forest and tree Cover is 6.79%. Forest Cover in the state in 2017 was 1588 km2 and the Tree Cover in the state was 1415 km2. In 2016-17, 18,412 hectares were brought under tree cover by planting 14.1 million seedlings.</li>
<li>Panchkula district has maximum forest cover while Palwal district has minimum forest cover.</li>
</ul>
<p><em>Wildlife</em></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In olden times, lions and tigers were not uncommon in the state. The Nardak area of the then Karnal district was once a favourite spot of the Mughal emperors for hunting lions and tigers.These species have completely disappeared now.</li>
<li>The species of fauna found in the state of Haryana include black buck, nilgai, panther, fox, mongoose, jackal and wild dog. Apart from this more than 450 species of birds are also found.</li>
<li>Haryana has two national parks, eight wildlife sanctuaries, two wildlife conservation areas, five animal and bird breeding centers, one deer park and three zoos, all of which are managed by the Haryana Forest Department of the Government of Haryana.</li>
</ul>
<p><em>National parks of Haryana</em></p>
<p>The Forests Department of Haryana maintains 2 National parks:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sultanpur National Park (142.52 hectares),</strong> 25 km from Gurugram, is a bird paradise for bird watchers. It is famous for its migratory as well as resident birds. Migratory species reach here after covering incredible distance, since their home land in Europe, Siberia and Central Asia becomes uninhabitable due to cold temperature, snow covered ground and frozen lakes. Migratory birds start arriving in the park in September.</li>
<li><strong>Kalesar National Park (4682.32 hectares),</strong> 15 km from Yamunanagar, has got lot of significance in terms of biodiversity and ecological stability in this part of the country. In terms of biodiversity, it is store house of numerous medicinal plants. It houses many threatened animals like Leopard, Ghoral, Barking deer, Sambar, Chital, Python, King Cobra, Monitor lizard etc. Occasionally, Tigers and Elephants visit this park from Rajaji National Park situated in Uttarakhand.</li>
</ul>
<p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Wildlife Sanctuaries of Haryana</span></em></p>
<p>The Forests Department, Haryana of the Government of Haryana maintains the following Wildlife Sanctuaries:</p>
<ol>
<li>Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, Jhajjar</li>
<li>Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary, Jhajjar</li>
<li>Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rewari</li>
<li>Chhilchhila Wildlife Sanctuary, Kurukshetra</li>
<li>Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary, Yamunanagar</li>
<li>Abubshahar Wildlife Sanctuary, Sirsa</li>
<li>Khol Hi-Raitan Wildlife Sanctuary, Panchkula</li>
<li>Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary, Panchkula</li>
</ol>
<p><em>Animal &amp; Bird Breeding Centers of Haryana</em></p>
<p>The Forests Department of Haryana runs the following breeding centres in the state:</p>
<ol>
<li>Chinkara Breeding Centre, Kairu, Bhiwani</li>
<li>Crocodile Breeding Centre, Bhor Saidan, Kurukshetra</li>
<li>Peacock &amp; Chinkara Breeding Centre, Jhabua, Rewari</li>
<li>Pheasant Breeding Centre, Morni, Panchkula</li>
<li>Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre, Pinjore</li>
</ol>
<p><em>Conservation Reserves</em></p>
<ol>
<li>Saraswati Conservation Reserve, Kaithal</li>
<li>Bir Bara Ban Conservation Reserve, Jind</li>
</ol>
<p>*The Forests Department of the Government of Haryana runs Deer Park located next to Hisar Airport.</p>
<h3>Culture</h3>
<p><strong>Fairs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Surajkund International Crafts Mela</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is celebrated at, Surajkund, District Faridabad</li>
<li>The Mela is organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority &amp; Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs.</li>
<li>A large number of renowned national and international folk artistes and cultural groups present day performances at both the Chaupals, the open-air theatres, located in the Mela premises. In 2013, the fair was upgraded to an international level and in 2015, a record number of 20 countries participated in the Mela.</li>
<li>For the 33rd Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2019, the state of Maharashtra has been chosen to be the Theme State. Thailand is the Partner Nation Country for the Year 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gopal-Mochan Fair</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In Ambala, the most famous fair is held at Gopal-Mochan near Bilaspur in Jagadhri tehsil. There is a sacred tank of the same name in the place.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Masani Fair</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Haryana's most famous fair is held in honour of the goddess of smallpox, Masani whose temple is in Gurgaon village.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Festivals</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Gugga Naumi</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is a religious festival, celebrated all over Haryana. It is connected with snake-worship and observed in August-September.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gangore</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a festival that dedicated to goddess of abundance i.e. Gauri. Celebrated every year in Chet or March month, this festival is specially meant for young girls who pray for good husbands. In this festival people take out processions carrying the idol of Gangore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lohri</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lohri is celebrated in the state of Haryana just before the day of Makar Sankranti. For the community of Punjabis the festival of Lohri is a very special festival.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Baisakhi</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The festival of Baisakhi is a very important one for the Punjabis in the state of Haryana and is celebrated with joyous music and dancing.</li>
<li>It falls every year on 13th April and once in 36 years it falls on 14th April. It was on this particular day that the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa in the year 1699.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Teej</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This festival is celebrated on Sawan Sudi. It is celebrated to welcome the season of monsoon. After the first showers of rainy season, a small insect called Teej in the state of Haryana comes out from the earth&rsquo;s soil.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pinjore Heritage Festival</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It takes place at Pinjore, a small town located at a distance of 20 kilometers from Chandigarh. It is home of some of the best terraced gardens in the country. These gardens were planned by Fidai Khan during the reign of Jahangir.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Arts and crafts of Haryana</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Art and craft of Haryana mainly covers the range of pottery, embroidery and weaving. Colourful Phulkari dupatta of Haryana is famous in India and abroad.</li>
<li>Art and craft of Haryana also include sculpture and murals both of Persian and Mughal style. Woven furniture, artistic sheet metal work, wooden bead making, zari &amp; tilla jutti (leather footwear), lace work, bone carving, wood carving are some of the artistic craft that Haryana is known for.</li>
<li>Panipat in Haryana is famous for its handloom tradition, especially rugs and upholstery fabric that is the reason why it is known as a major textile town in India.</li>
<li>Haryana is famous for two types of woven furniture Mudhas (round stools) and chairs made of sarkanda (a reed) from Farukh Nagar and Pidhis from Sonipat which are essentially wooden stools with seat woven in cotton threads or sutli.</li>
<li>One of the interesting items made at Jhajjar is pitcher made from clay. Interestingly, the clay gives a sweet taste to the water stored in the pitcher.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Dance Forms</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dhamal</strong> is a dance form, whose origin goes back to the days of the Mahabharata. The Dhamal dance is especially popular in the areas around Gurgaon, inhabited by Ahirs. In the beginning of the dance, the player gives the first long note, then Dhol, Tasha, Nagara, pick up the beat and the dance begins. Some of the dancers carry large Daphs in their hands. These are edged with frills of brightly coloured fabric, others carry sticks ('Shuntis') of medium length, wrapped in tinsel and tasseled at both ends.</li>
<li><strong>Daph</strong> is another form of seasonal dance of farmers depicting the joyful emotions on a good harvest and advent of Spring. It is a sort of community dance. The "Daph", the one sided drum and the sound of the ornaments worn by the women offer the music.</li>
<li><strong>Phag</strong> dance done basically in the lunar month of Phalgun seeks to celebrate the colourful festival of Holi. The dancers come together to the sound of 'Tasha', 'Nagara' and 'Dhol'. The men come running &amp; singing the traditional songs of 'Phalgun', followed by women carrying 'Koraras', the knotted lengths of cloths. They run about the men hitting with the 'Koraras' while men defend themselves as best as they can with 'Shuntis'.</li>
<li><strong>Ghoomar</strong> is marked by circular movements of the dancers, Ghoomar is generally performed by the girls of the areas bordering Rajasthan. The dancers form a circle, and move about clapping and singing, while tempo of the dance is accelerated. The accompanying songs are full of satire and humour and refer to contemporary events, while the dancers twirl around in pairs.</li>
<li><strong>Jhumar</strong> dance is named after an ornament called as "Jhumar" commonly worn on forehead by young married women is exclusively danced by women. It is otherwise known as 'Hariyanvi Gidda'. Dressed in colourful costumes, the ladies dance in gay abandon singing and clapping with the beats of 'dholak' and 'thali' while gracefully moving in a circle.</li>
<li><strong>Loor</strong> is performed by girls during the month of 'Phalguna' (pring), and is so named because the word 'Loor' means girl in the Bangar area of Haryana. Performed during the Holi festival, this dance marks the spring season and the sowing of the Rabi crops. The song is generally in the form of questions and answers.</li>
<li><strong>Gugga dance</strong> is performed by Gugga (a saint) devotees, they dance and sing around his grave to show their devotion. The Gugga is exclusively a male dance, performed in procession taken out in memory of saint Gugga.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Music</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana is a state of rich musical tradition and even some places have even been named after ragas, for example Charkhi Dadri district has many villages named as Todi, Asaveri, Jaisri, Malakoshna, Hindola, Bhairavi etc.</li>
<li>Mainly two main forms of music exist here i.e. Classical Folk Music and Desi Folk Music. They take the form of a verse and pangs of parting of lovers, valor and bravery, harvest and happiness. The folk music of Haryana has been spread by the Bhats, Saangis and Jogis.</li>
<li>The desi Haryanvi music is used for celebrating community bonhomie to sing seasonal songs, ballads, ceremonial songs and related religious legendary tales such as Puran Bhagat. Ahirs also use melodic Raag Pilu on a scale using seven semitones.</li>
<li>Kissa folklores of bravery and love such as Nihal De Sultan, Leelo- Chaman, Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, Jai Singh etc. are some of the most popular folklores. Ragini are folk theatrical performance of Haryana. This form of theater were popularised by Lakhmi Chand and Mehar Singh.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Musical Accompaniments</strong></p>
<p>Many traditional instruments like Sarangi, Harmonium, Chimta, Dhadd, Dholak, Manjeera, Khartal, Damaru, Duggi, Daf, Bansuri, Been, Ghungroo, Dhak, Gharha(by adding rubber cover on top of the pitcher), Thali (beaten with a stick to make music) and Shankha are used to make music here.</p>
<p><strong>Haryanvi Films</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana has a flourishing film Industry . When Chandrawal was released in March 1984, it created a stir in the film industry.</li>
<li>Apart from this Laddo, Chandro, Lal Rang are other famous films of Haryana.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Food</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is the saying famous in Haryana, Desaan main des Haryana, jit dudh dahi ka khaana, which means "Among places is Haryana, where the staple food is milk and yoghurt "</li>
<li>The home made butter is popularly known as nooni or tindi in the state. Bajra Ki Khichdi is a famous delicacy, which is prepared with millet porridge and eaten with Kadi or Ghee.</li>
<li>The desserts contain Gajar ka Halwa, Kheer and Rabri made from wheat flour and buttermilk.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Economy</h3>
<p><strong>Budget 2018-19</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to advance estimates, GSDP of Haryana for 2018-19 at current prices has been estimated at Rs.7.07 lakh crore, contributing <strong>3.75 per cent</strong> to the all- India GDP of Rs. 188.41 lakh crore.</li>
<li>The state budget has been pegged at<strong> Rs 1,32,165.99 crore,</strong> an increase of 14.73 per cent over outlay budget estimate.</li>
</ul>
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<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Fiscal deficit of State for 2018-19 recorded as <strong>2.90%</strong> while Revenue deficit is <strong>1.20%</strong>.</li>
<li>Haryana GSDP growth rate is stood at <strong>8.2%</strong> while National GDP growth rate is <strong>7.2%</strong> for 2018-19.</li>
<li><strong>No fresh taxes</strong> have been proposed and the existing rates of taxes have been left untouched.</li>
<li>Rs 46,562 crore have been allocated to the schemes pertaining to <strong>17 Sustainable Development Goals</strong> (SDGs) being implemented in the state.</li>
<li>Notification of <strong>Bio-Energy Policy-2018</strong> to promote biomass energy projects in the state, targeting production of <strong>150 MW by 2022</strong>. The government also plans to bring about a scheme to provide solar water pumping systems to farmers to meet their irrigation needs. Under this scheme, farmers would be provided 2 HP and 5HP solar water pumping systems with 75 per cent State Subsidy and 25 per cent user share.</li>
<li>The government has announced a <strong>price of Rs 340 per quintal for sugarcane</strong> this year, which is once again the highest in the country. For the first time, a subsidy of Rs 16 per quintal was given to facilitate the payment of sugarcane arrears to the farmers during 2017-18.</li>
<li>The state government has initiated <strong>Bhavantar Bharpayee Yojana</strong> for four horticulture crops- Potato, tomato, onion and Cauliflower, in order to ensure that every farmer recovers at least the cost of cultivation, in the eventuality of drop in market prices.</li>
<li>To maximise the quantity of crops, the state government has registered farmers under the <strong>e-kharid Portal</strong> through which they will get to know the Minimum Support Price of their produce. A record procurement of 2.7 lakh tonnes was made in case of mustard and 1.80 lakh million tonnes of bajra this year.</li>
<li>Work has been initiated for setting up new <strong>thematic market</strong> by the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board, e.g. <strong>&ldquo;State of the Art&rdquo; integrated Apple Market at Pinjore,</strong> wholesale market for <strong>spices at Sirsa and Kundli,</strong> and wholesale market for <strong>flowers at Gurgaon</strong>.</li>
<li>The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 12,000 per acre for the crop damage caused by natural calamity.</li>
<li>Under the <strong>&lsquo;Horticulture Vision&rsquo;,</strong> the state government aims to double the area under horticulture from the present 8.17 per cent to 15 per cent and triple the produce in the state by 2030. In this direction, the Horticulture Department has formed 96 Farmer Producer Organisations covering 34,219 farmers, who will be provided with the requisite infrastructure of pack houses and given training in agriculture business operations.</li>
<li>In order to provide socio-economic security to the livestock owners of the state, the <strong>Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Livestock Insurance scheme</strong> has been launched in 2018-19.</li>
<li>With a view to tackle the <strong>menace of stray bulls</strong> in the state, the state government finalized the procurement of 2 lakh sexed semen for artificial insemination of crossbred and indigenous cattle.</li>
<li><strong>20<sup>th</sup> Livestock Census</strong> has been started for the first time in digital form, from the last week of January 2019. A Departmental app is also being started along with the Government of India app, to record the detailed information on each animal with its photo through <strong>&ldquo;Har Pashu Ka Gyan&rdquo;</strong> mobile application using electronic tablets.</li>
<li>Under the <strong>&ldquo;Pashu Sanjivni Sewa&rdquo;,</strong> on call mobile veterinary services at the doorstep of farmers, would be provided initially in three districts, (Jind, Yamunanagar, Mewat) as a pilot project and the same would eventually be extended in the entire State.</li>
<li><strong>Haryana Fishery Resource Development Authority</strong> has been established for the development of waterlogged areas in Charkhi Dadri, Jind and Jhajjar districts. This will enhance the income of fish farmers by utilizing the 16,000 identified waterlogged areas.</li>
<li>Under the <strong>&lsquo;Assistance to Milk Cooperatives&rsquo;</strong> scheme, the state government has provided assistance to purchase 700 Automatic Milk Collection Units/Data Processor Milk Collection Units, to village level milk cooperative societies with the objective to increase transparency and efficiency of milk collection as well as expanding it.</li>
<li><strong>Aviation hub</strong> and aerospace/defence manufacturing park has been proposed at Hisar.</li>
<li>There is also proposal to set up a <strong>science city</strong> and site of Aravali biodiversity park, Nathupur village in Gurugram is being finalised for it. A <strong>sub-regional science centre</strong> will also be set up at <strong>Ambala</strong>.</li>
<li>Rs 100 crore have also been allocated for completion of the construction of SYL canal.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Agriculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>About 70% of Haryana residents are engaged in agriculture. Wheat and rice are the major crops. Haryana is self-sufficient in food production and the second largest contributor to India's central pool of food grains.</li>
<li>Haryana contributed significantly to the Green Revolution in India in the 1970s that made the country self-sufficient in food production.</li>
<li>The state has also significantly contributed to the field of agricultural education in the country. Asia's one of the biggest agricultural University - Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University is located at Hisar , which has already made a significant contribution in ushering 'Green Revolution'.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Dairy Farming</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Dairy farming is also an essential part of the rural economy. Haryana has a livestock population of 98.97 lakh. Milk and milk products form an essential part of the local diet. Haryana, with 660 grams of availability of milk per capita per day, ranks at number two in the country as against the national average of 232 grams.</li>
<li>There is a vast network of milk societies that support the dairy industry.</li>
<li>The <strong>National Dairy Research Institute at Karnal,</strong> and the <strong>Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes at Hisar</strong> are instrumental in development of new breeds of cattle and propagation of these breeds through embryo transfer technology.</li>
<li>The <strong>Murrah breed of water buffalo</strong> from Haryana is world-famous for its milk production and termed as <strong>'Black Gold'</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Industry</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Gurgaon city is emerging as one of the major hub for the Information Technology and Automobile industry. India now has over 50% market share in the world&rsquo;s IT outsourcing industry, and most of that work happens from Gurgaon. The total global and domestic outsourcing market opportunity for India is expected to grow three-fold from $500bn in 2008 to $1.5tn by 2020, according to India Brand Equity, a foundation set up by the government.</li>
<li>Two of the biggest automobile and two wheeler manufacturer Maruti udyog and Hero are in Gurgaon. Haryana is a preferred destination for auto majors and auto-component manufacturers. The state is host to many large automotive players. The state produces two-thirds of passenger cars, 50 percent of tractors, 60 percent of motorcycles and 50 per cent of the refrigerators manufactured in the country. Automobiles and auto component exports from Haryana were around US$ 1.39 billion in FY18.</li>
<li>The <strong>Panipat Refinery (IOCL)</strong> situated at Panipat is the second largest refinery in south Asia.</li>
<li>There are numerous manufacturing companies in the region. These include Hindustan National Glass, Maruti Udyog Limited, Escorts Group, Hero Moto Corp, Alcatel, Sony, Whirlpool India, Bharti Telecom, Liberty Shoes etc. In addition there are more than 80,000 small-scale industrial units in the state which cumulatively bring in a substantial income for the state and its people.</li>
<li>Yamunanagar district has a paper mill BILT.</li>
<li>Faridabad is another big industrial part of Haryana. It is home to hundreds of large scale companies like Orient fans (C.K.Birla Group), JCB India Limited, Nirigemes, Agri</li>
<li>Machinery Group (Escorts Group), Yamaha Motor India Pvt. Ltd.</li>
</ul>
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<p><strong>Sports in Haryana</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana is the leading state in sports as well. It's players like Sushil Kumar has won the two successive Olympic medals in 2008 ( Bronze Medal) and 2012 (Silver Medal).</li>
<li>Haryana women player Sakshi Malik has won Bronze Medal in 2016 Olympic in freestyle wrestling and she has become the first woman in India who has won Olympic medal in wrestling.</li>
<li>Haryana Sports Policy and Rewards played a major role in the upliftment of sports in the state.</li>
<li>According to new sports policy, substantially increased award money is being given to national and international Players.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Tourism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana has set up a number of tourist complexes, motels and camping sites to promote tourism. Haryana has one of the most successful tourist development programs led by Haryana Tourism department. The tourist complexes are named after Birds found in Haryana. Some of these places have dormitories and all of them have restaurants. Hotel Rajhans (Surajkund) is on the Delhi Agra highway, Karna Lake (Karnal), Skylark, Parakeet and Kingfisher (Ambala) are on Delhi-Chandigarh highway. Yadavindra Gardens at Pinjore, on the Chandigarh Shimla road are a must see.</li>
<li>Kurukshetra is a great pilgrimage for Hindus and tourists from all over visit the venue of Mahabharat war and the birthplace of the Bhagavad Gita. Building on its, historical and cultural traditions, it has developed in to a modern city having the Brahma Sarovar, Sri Krishna Museum and the Science Museum (Panorama).</li>
<li>The Delhi-Alwar highway boasts of a unique hilly attraction Sohna, in Gurgaon district. Standing on the Aravali Hills, Sohna looks out at a wide panoramic view of the plains below it.</li>
<li>Panchkula district has the Morni Hills - <strong>the only hill station of Haryana,</strong> is a charming and peaceful place to rest and savor the nature.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Research Institution of Repute</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar</li>
<li>National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal</li>
<li>National Brain Research Centre, Gurgaon</li>
<li>Directorate Of Wheat Research, Karnal</li>
<li>National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Haryana Government Schemes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Apni Beti Apna Dhan</li>
<li>Ladli Scheme</li>
<li>State Level Awards for Improvement in Sex Ratio to the districts, Haryana</li>
<li>Ch. Devi Lal. Rashtriya Uttan Aivam Parivar Kalyan Yojna &ldquo;Devi Rupak&rdquo;</li>
<li>Mukhya Mantri Vivah Shagun Yojna</li>
<li>Housing scheme for Scheduled Castes and Denotified Tribes</li>
<li>Dr. Ambedkar Medhavi Chhattar Sansodhit Yojna</li>
<li>Financial Assistance for Higher Competitive entrance examinations to SC/BC candidates through private institutions.</li>
<li>Creation of Employment Generation Opportunities by setting up Employment Oriented Institutes/Training Programmes.</li>
<li>Scheme of Hostels For Other Backward Classes (OBCs) Boys And Girls</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues and Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Haryana has the worst child sex ratio( 834) and sex ratio( 879) according to census 2011.</li>
<li>Crime rate against women is very high in the state. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2016 has indicated that Haryana has acquired the top spot among all states in terms of gang rapes.</li>
<li>Due to high rate of foeticide and resultant lack of females in Haryana there is widespread practice of trafficking women from the poorer region of India.</li>
<li>Though Haryana is leading agricultural state in India , there are emerging challenges , like water table has gone down drastically, due to excessive and irrational fertilizer use and agriculture has almost become non-profitable due to high input cost.</li>
<li>The groundwater level in Haryana, a major paddy producer in the country, has dropped by more than 50% in the past four decades. According to official information, in 1974 the groundwater was available at 9.19 metre (m) and in 2016, it has gone down to 18.66m, recording a decline up to 9.47m. In fact, this is the state&rsquo;s average, as in many districts the groundwater level has gone down up to 46m.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Haryana : Unknown Facts</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>First mobile court of Haryana (2007):</strong> Mewat/Nuh</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s first high-tech Anganwadi:</strong> Hasanpur (Sonipat)</li>
<li><strong>Haryana Backward Classes Commission:</strong> Established on 7 September 1990</li>
<li><strong>First Chairman of Haryana Backward Classes Commission:</strong> Justice Gurnam Singh</li>
<li><strong>Haryana Institute of Rural Development:</strong> Nilokheri (Karnal)</li>
<li><strong>Potato Technology Training Centre:</strong> Nilokheri (Karnal)</li>
<li><strong>Gandhi of Haryana:</strong> Mulchand Jain (Gohana, Sonipat)</li>
<li><strong>First Gram Secretariat of Haryana:</strong> Haibatpur (Jind)</li>
<li><strong>Kalanidhi Magazine (1965):</strong> Kurukshetra University</li>
<li><strong>Sandalwood of Haryana:</strong> Khejri (Jati)</li>
<li><strong>Gaya city of Haryana:</strong> Pehowa (Kurukshetra)</li>
<li><strong>Harsh Ka Tila:</strong> Thanesar (Kurukshetra)</li>
<li><strong>Anjana Mata Ka Tila:</strong> Kaithal</li>
<li><strong>First Agro Mall of Haryana:</strong> Rohtak</li>
<li><strong>Shree Baba Tara Ji:</strong> Sirsa</li>
<li><strong>Dadi Sati Mandir:</strong> Kumhariya (Sirsa)</li>
<li><strong>Dera Jagmalwali (Sirsa):</strong> Sant GurBaksh Singh</li>
<li><strong>Namdhari Dera:</strong> Jiwan Nagar, Sirsa</li>
<li><strong>Sardar Singh:</strong> Hockey player (Rania, Sirsa)</li>
<li><strong>Rania ka Kila:</strong> Bhairon Singh</li>
<li><strong>War Heroes Memorial Stadium:</strong> Ambala</li>
<li><strong>Abu Ali Qalandar Tomb:</strong> Panipat</li>
<li><strong>Longest flyover of Haryana:</strong> Panipat</li>
<li><strong>Idea of &lsquo;Selfie with Daughter&rsquo;:</strong> Sunil Jangal (Bibipur, Jind)</li>
<li><strong>Lake mentioned in &ldquo;Baburnama&rdquo;:</strong> Kotla lake (Nuh)</li>
<li><strong>Chitta Temple:</strong> Yamunanagar</li>
<li><strong>Hemu:</strong> Kutubpur (Rewari)</li>
<li><strong>London of Ahirwal:</strong> Rewari</li>
<li><strong>Rani ki Dyodhi:</strong> Rewari</li>
<li><strong>Carnor Darwaza:</strong> Rewari</li>
<li><strong>Rampura Mahal:</strong> Rewari</li>
<li><strong>History of Rewari:</strong> "Abhir Kuldeepika&rsquo;"</li>
<li><strong>Largest Cloth Market of Northern India:</strong> Shori Market (Rohtak)</li>
<li><strong>Tmb of Pranpir Badshah</strong>: Hisar</li>
<li><strong>St. Thomas Church:</strong> Hisar</li>
<li><strong>St. James Church:</strong> Karnal</li>
<li><strong>Mausam Khatri (Wrestler):</strong> Panchi Village (Sonipat)</li>
<li><strong>Fauji Mehar Singh:</strong> Barona village (Sonipat)</li>
<li><strong>First Cotton Mill of Haryana:</strong> Fatehabad (1963)</li>
<li><strong>Castle of Ibrahim Ali Khan:</strong> Designed by Henz</li>
<li><strong>Babatpur village (Gurugram):</strong> Selected under Digital India Programme</li>
<li><strong>Baba Gaibi Sahib Temple:</strong> Narwana (Jind)</li>
<li><strong>Mini Haridwar of Haryana:</strong> Pandu-Pindara (Jind)</li>
<li><strong>Baba Jeet Giri Temple:</strong> Kakrod (Jind)</li>
<li><strong>Uchana:</strong> Established by Dahad Singh Sheokand</li>
<li><strong>Niracha Dham:</strong> Beri (Jhajjar)</li>
<li><strong>Archaeological Museum:</strong> Jhajjar</li>
<li><strong>Nabh Chhor:</strong> Evening newspaper published from Hisar</li>
<li><strong>Postal service in Ambala:</strong> Launched by Lord Canning in 1860</li>
<li><strong>Mata Parkash Kaur Welfare Centre for Persons with Speech &amp; Hearing Impairment:</strong> Karnal</li>
<li><strong>St. James Church Tower (1806):</strong> Karnal</li>
<li><strong>Nirmal Kutiya:</strong> Karnal</li>
<li><strong>Gandhi Memorial Hall:</strong> Karnal</li>
<li><strong>First One Stop Centre for distress women:</strong> Karnal</li>
<li><strong>First Post Office Passport Centre of Haryana:</strong> Karnal</li>
<li><strong>Google boy:</strong> Kautilya Pandit</li>
<li><strong>Maharishi Balmiki Sanskrit University:</strong> Mundri (Kaithal)</li>
<li><strong>Peer Naubahar:</strong> Guhla (Kaithal)</li>
<li><strong>Bhai Uday Singh:</strong> Last Emperor of Kaithal</li>
<li><strong>Kos Minars:</strong> Sher Shah Suri</li>
<li><strong>Devi Temple of Panipat:</strong> Built by Marathas</li>
<li><strong>Gandhi Museum:</strong> Palwal</li>
<li><strong>Tomb of Roshan Chirag:</strong> Palwal</li>
<li><strong>Shaheed Minar:</strong> Hathin (Palwal)</li>
<li><strong>Odh Tribe:</strong> Hodal</li>
<li><strong>Sunil Lanba:</strong> Amarpur village (Palwal)</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/know-your-state/haryana'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Policy Watch - DNA Technology-Use & Application',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d_5rTcdgBkM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Recently, Lok Sabha has passed DNA Technology (Use and Application Bill), 2019. This bill allows the use of DNA Technology for establishing the identity of persons in matters of crime, parentage disputes, immigration and transplantation of human organs.</p>
<h3>Provisions of the Bill</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill regulates DNA testing for identification of persons under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.</li>
<li><strong>The Bill allows for DNA testing in certain civil matters as well.</strong> This includes matters such as parentage disputes; issues related to ancestry, immigration, assisted reproductive technologies, transplantation of human organs, and for the establishment of individual identity.</li>
<li>Written consent is required for DNA samples to be collected, processed and included in the database except for those <strong>who have committed crimes with punishment of seven years.</strong></li>
<li><strong>DNA Regulatory Board:</strong> This Bill envisages the establishment of DNA Regulatory Board that will set standards for the proper storage of DNA samples collected. It will be chaired by Secretary of Government of India, Department of Biotechnology.</li>
<li><strong>Any laboratory that conducts DNA testing and analysis to establish the identity of an individual</strong> (in respect of matters listed in the Schedule) is required to obtain accreditation from the DNA Regulatory Board.</li>
<li><strong>DNA Databanks will be created at national and regional levels.</strong> DNA laboratories will have to share DNA data prepared by them with DNA Data Banks.</li>
<li>In criminal cases, the laboratory is required to return the biological sample to the investigating officer after depositing the DNA profile with the DNA Data Banks. In all other cases, the laboratory will destroy the sample and inform the concerned person.</li>
<li><strong>Punishment:</strong> The penalty for various <g class="gr_ gr_59 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="59" data-gr-id="59">offences</g> such as unauthorized disclosure of information from the Data Bank or obtaining information from the Data Bank without authorization is imprisonment up to three years and fine of up to One Lakh Rupees.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>DNA Technology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is a set of instructions found in a cell. These instructions are necessary for the growth and development of an organism.</li>
<li>The DNA of a person is unique, and variation in the sequence of DNA can be used to match individuals and identify them.</li>
<li>A DNA test is an ultimate test for deciding the cases on parentage, inheritance, unidentified bodies and thus also useful in identifying victims of natural and man-made disasters.</li>
<li>Use of DNA Technology in criminal investigations was first started in the U.K. in 1984.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In India, the first conviction with the help of DNA Technology was made in Rajiv Gandhi&rsquo;s murder case.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Inadequate Resources:</strong> Currently, laboratories are able to assess only one or two samples at a time. This results in delayed investigations.</li>
<li><strong>Shortage of such investigator</strong>s who either are trained forensic scientists or know the art of collecting and preserving the requisite DNA sample.</li>
<li><strong>The possibility of misuse of DNA samples:</strong> Through DNA, not only the identity of a person can be known but also other characteristics like if she/he is suffering from any disease etc. There is a possibility that people having access to DNA samples, blackmail the person who has submitted his/her DNA sample.</li>
<li><strong>Single Use:</strong> Bill envisages the use of a DNA sample for a particular specified purpose only. For any other purpose, the DNA sample will have to be processed again.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Laboratories need to be modernized</strong> so that around 40 to 50 samples can be processed at the same time. This will help in the quick resolution of various cases and thus will strengthen India&rsquo;s Justice Delivery System.</li>
<li><strong>Use of DNA cannot be restricted to a particular purpose.</strong> A series of situations may arise that can demand usage of a DNA sample again and again.</li>
<li><strong>Effective implementation of the provisions mentioned in the bill</strong> is required to ensure the proper storage and usage of DNA bills. Privacy of individuals anyhow cannot be compromised.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-dna-technology-use-application'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved <strong>Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan- Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana</strong>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The scheme will be supported financially by Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to Second Generation (2G) Integrated Bioethanol Projects using lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstock.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Key Terms</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Viability Gap Funding (VGF)</strong> means a grant one-time or deferred, provided to support infrastructure projects that are economically justified but fall short of financial viability.</li>
<li><strong>Lignocellulosic biomass</strong> (or LC biomass) refers to plant biomass that is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. For examples: cereal straw, bagasse, forest residues, and purpose-grown energy crops such as vegetative grasses.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Features</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The objective of the scheme is to <strong>create an ecosystem for setting up commercial projects</strong> and boost to <strong>Research and Development in 2G Ethanol sector.</strong></li>
<li>Under the scheme funds have been allocated for supporting 12 Commercial projects, 10 Demonstration Projects:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Phase-I (2018-19 to 2022-23)</strong> 6 Commercial and 5 demonstration projects will be supported.</li>
<li><strong>Phase-II (2018-19 to 2022-23)</strong> Remaining 6 Commercial and 5 demonstration projects will be&nbsp;supported.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ethanol produced by the scheme beneficiaries <strong>will be mandatorily supplied to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs)</strong> to further enhance the blending percentage under Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP).</li>
<li><strong>Centre for High Technology (CHT), a technical body under the aegis of MoP&amp;NG, will be the implementation Agency for the scheme.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Benefits</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This scheme is<strong> promoting Second Generation (2G) Biofuels Technology</strong> <strong>moving away from food crops used in First Generation(1G)</strong> to feedstocks, nonfood crops agricultural residues or waste.</li>
<li>Making progressive <strong>Blending/Substitution of fossil fuels for achieving Green House Gas emission reduction targets.</strong></li>
<li>Stopping burning of biomass/ crop residues &amp; improve the health of citizens and improving farmer income.</li>
<li>Creating Employment opportunities in 2G Ethanol projects and Biomass supply chain.</li>
<li>Contributing towards Swacch Bharat Mission by disposing of non&shy;food biofuel feedstocks such as waste biomass and urban waste.</li>
<li>Development of Second Generation Biomass to Ethanol technologies in the country by promoting Research &amp; Development.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The government of India launched Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme in 2003 for undertaking blending of ethanol in Petrol to address environmental concerns due to fossil fuel burning,&nbsp; provide remuneration to farmers, subsidize crude imports and achieve forex savings.</strong></li>
<li>Presently, EBP is being run in 21 States and 4 UTs of the country. Under the EBP programme, OMCs (Oil Marketing Companies) are to blend up to 10% of ethanol in Petrol.</li>
<li>Despite efforts of the Government such as higher ethanol prices and simplification of ethanol purchase system, the highest ever ethanol procurement stands around 150 crore liters during Ethanol supply year 2017-18 which is hardly sufficient for around 4.22% blending on Pan India basis.</li>
<li>To enhance blending up to 10% of ethanol in Petrol, an alternate route viz. Second Generation (2G) Ethanol from biomass and other wastes is being explored by MoP&amp;NG to bridge the supply gap for EBP programme.</li>
<li><strong>Therefore, "Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana" is being launched as a tool to create 2G Ethanol capacity in the country and attract investments in this new sector.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Biofuels</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Biofuels are fuels manufactured from biomass. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Biomass resources are the biodegradable fraction of products, wastes, and residues from agriculture, forestry <g class="gr_ gr_114 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="114" data-gr-id="114">and</g> related industries as well as the biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal wastes.</span></li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="height: 544px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 1036px; height: 19px; background-color: #f0e80e; text-align: center;" colspan="3">BIOFUELS</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 129px; height: 19px;">GENERATION</td>
<td style="width: 458px; height: 19px;">CHARACTERISTICS</td>
<td style="width: 449px; height: 19px;">REMARKS</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 129px; height: 92px; vertical-align: top;">FIRST</td>
<td style="width: 458px; height: 92px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Produced </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">from&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">food crops like maize,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">corn, sugar cane, rapeseed,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">palm, and soybean into&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">ethanol and biodiesel,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">using a similar process to&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">that used in beer and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">wine-making.</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 449px; height: 92px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Impose significant costs on </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">food security by demanding&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">a share of staple crops, traditionally&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">used solely for food and feed. R</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">esulting in a conflict between fuel&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">and food security. At the same&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">time, lift the price of staple crops</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 129px; height: 67px; vertical-align: top;">SECOND</td>
<td style="width: 458px; height: 67px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Produced from non-food&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">crops and organic&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">agricultural waste, which&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">contain cellulose.</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 449px; height: 67px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Grasses like switchgrass, non-edible&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">oil seeds like Jatropha,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">castor seed can be transformed into&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">biofuels.</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 71px;">
<td style="width: 129px; height: 51px; vertical-align: top;">THIRD</td>
<td style="width: 458px; height: 51px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Derived from algae.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Also known as green&nbsp;</span>hydrocarbons</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 449px; height: 51px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The list of fuels that can be derived from algae <g class="gr_ gr_109 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="109" data-gr-id="109">includes:</g> Bio-diesel, Ethanol, and Jet-fuel.</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 129px; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">FOURTH</td>
<td style="width: 458px; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Produce sustainable&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">energy as well as capture&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">and store CO<sub>2</sub> by&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">converting biomass&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">materials, which have&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">absorbed CO<sub>2</sub> while&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">growing, into fuel.</span></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 449px; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At all stages of production, the CO2&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">is captured using various processes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rather than simply being carbon&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">neutral, the fourth generation&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">biofuel production is carbon&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">negative, since it &lsquo;locks&rsquo; away more&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">carbon than it produces and also&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">lowers CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">substituting fossil fuels.</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></h3>
<p><strong>Key Advantages of Biofuel</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Renewable Energy source.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Non-toxic &amp; Biodegradable.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Contains no sulfur that causes acid rain.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Environment friendly-less emissions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Has rural employment potential.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-ji-van-yojana'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'India Attended OIC Summit',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, India's External Affairs <g class="gr_ gr_91 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="91" data-gr-id="91">minister</g> (EAM) attended <strong>46th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)</strong> held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India was invited by the host UAE as the "Guest of Honour&rdquo; to attend the inaugural session of the OIC.</li>
<li>Even though Pakistan is a founding member of OIC. It absented itself during the session.</li>
<li>
<p><strong>2019 is the 50th anniversary of OIC.</strong></p>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s address at OIC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>At the summit, EAM has said that the fight is against terrorism and not a confrontation with any religion.</li>
<li>Without naming Pakistan, EAM said countries that provided shelter and funding to terrorists must be asked to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorist camps and stop providing funding and shelter to terror organizations based in their countries.</li>
<li>EAM also said that India is home to&nbsp;more than 185 million Muslims and they practice their respective beliefs and live in harmony with each other and with their non-Muslim brethren.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong><g class="gr_ gr_67 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="67" data-gr-id="67"><g class="gr_ gr_65 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="65" data-gr-id="65">Organisation</g></g> of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The OIC was formed in 1969 after a summit in Rabat, the Kingdom of Morocco on 25 September 1969 following the fire in Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.</li>
<li>The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is among the largest inter-governmental organizations in the world.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The term<strong> intergovernmental organization (IGO)</strong> refers to an entity created by treaty, involving two or more nations, to work in good faith, on issues of common interest. In the absence of a treaty, an IGO does not exist in the legal sense.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has 57 member states and 12 observers including the United Nations.</li>
<li>The Organization is the collective voice of the Muslim world. It endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.</li>
<li>The OIC members constitute more than one-fourth of the members of the United Nations, and nearly a quarter of humanity. It is an organization, that has a key role in shaping our world.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Significance of Invitation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The invitation to address the OIC can be seen as a<strong> major diplomatic victory as this is the first time that an Indian EAM was invited.</strong></li>
<li>This can be seen as a part of <strong>India's efforts to isolate Pakistan diplomatically.</strong></li>
<li>In 1969, the invite to then union minister Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was withdrawn at Pakistan's insistence.</li>
<li>The official announcement by the UAE mentioned, that the invitation to India was extended in recognition of India's global political stature as well as its time-honored and deep-rooted cultural and historical legacy and its important Islamic component.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Critical analysis of India attending OIC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is a secular country, regardless of all the religions here, <strong>India does not prefer religion above nationality.</strong> Thus, the government must carefully consider its engagement with OIC.</li>
<li>The major basis of the OIC is of the <strong>Muslim Brotherhood and that Muslims everywhere can be clubbed together because of their faith.</strong> <strong>But, India does not support such a philosophy of a collective identity based on religion.</strong> Thus, if India decides to engage with OIC it should be on the basis of our national interest not on account of religion.</li>
<li>There are issues with respect to<strong> OIC's stands on Kashmir in past.</strong> Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-bombs-jaish-e-muhammad-camp-in-pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>OIC has condemned Indian Airforce strikes in Pakistan.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>OIC stand on Kashmir</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The 45th session had a very strong statement on Kashmir which "condemned" India and supported third-party intervention and self-determination. The statement also called the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani as "extra-judicial" and called the elections in Kashmir "farcical".</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In past decades, <strong>India had to spend lots of diplomatic capital to counter OIC's stands at many international organizations.</strong> By attending it, we are validating the same organization.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong> Diplomatic capital&nbsp;</strong>refers to the trust, goodwill, and influence which a diplomat, or a state represented by its diplomats, has within international diplomacy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/an-opening-in-abu-dhabi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More about India and OIC</a>&nbsp;</strong><strong></strong></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-attended-oic-summit'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Important Fact For Prelims (2nd March 2019)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>7<sup>th</sup> Guinness Book of World Record</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently the <strong>Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD)</strong>, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has created <strong>&ldquo;7<sup>th</sup> Guinness Book of World Record&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The record was created for implanting<strong> &lsquo;Modern Artificial Limbs (Legs)&rsquo; on 260 Divyangjans within eight hours.</strong></li>
<li>It can be noted that the DEPwD has<strong> already created Six World Records</strong> in other categories.</li>
<li>This was announced by the Union Minister of Social Justice &amp; Empowerment on the occasion of National Conference on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/regional-conference-on-deendayal-disabled-rehabilitation-scheme-ddrs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)&rdquo;.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Conference was organised by the <strong>Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.</strong></li>
<li>The objective of the conference was to sensitize the stakeholders of the scheme i.e. Programme Implementing Agencies (PIAs), District level officers &amp; State Government officers.</li>
<li>Recently the <strong>second edition of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-28-february-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Sign Language dictionary</a> was launched by Indian Sign Language Research and training Center ( ISLRTC)</strong> for the hearing impaired Divyangjans.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Construction Technology India-2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the Prime Minister of India has inaugurated <strong>Construction Technology India -2019 conference.</strong></li>
<li>The aim of the conference is to identify <strong>proven, innovative &amp; globally established technologies</strong> for use in the Indian context.</li>
<li>The conference is being organized as a <strong>component of the Global Housing Technology Challenge.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global Housing Technology Challenge</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Global Housing Technology Challenge &ndash; India is an initiative by<strong> Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Govt. of India,</strong> with an aim to identify, evaluate and shortlist a basket of proven &amp; potential innovative technologies from across the globe and subsequently mainstream them in the Indian construction sector that is sustainable, green, disaster resilient.</li>
<li>GHTC-India has the following<strong> three components:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Component 1</strong> - Conduct of EXPO-Cum-Conference</li>
<li><strong>Component 2</strong> - Identifying Proven Demonstrable Technologies: Inducting suitable established technologies from across the globe to the Indian market through shortlisting and actual construction of<strong> Light House Projects.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The selected sites for<strong> lighthouse projects</strong> will be used as an<strong> &lsquo;open laboratory&rsquo;</strong> for live demonstration and will receive due attention from academia, practitioners, policy makers (Central/ State) and media apart from felicitation/ recognition in Grand Expo-cum-Conference.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Component 3 -</strong> Establishment of <strong>Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators India (ASHA-India)</strong> for Indian technologies which have potential but not market ready yet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) &ndash; PMAY-U- Housing For All</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>PMAY (U) is a Mission to provide <strong>housing for all by 2022</strong> and is being implemented f<strong>rom June 2015 by Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation.</strong></li>
<li>It provides <strong>central assistance to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)</strong> and other implementing agencies through States/UTs for in-situ Rehabilitation of existing slum dwellers.</li>
<li>The scheme emphasises on using land as a resource with private participation, Credit Linked Subsidy, Affordable Housing in Partnership and Subsidy for beneficiary-led individual house construction/enhancement.</li>
<li>PMAY-U targets the construction of<strong> 1 Crore housing units by 2022.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Poshan Pakhwada</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Minister for Women and Child Development has announced that the Government will celebrate&nbsp;<strong>&lsquo;Poshan Pakhwada&rsquo; from 8th to 22nd March 2019 across the Country.</strong></li>
<li>The celebrations will mark the <strong>first anniversary of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/poshan-abhiyaan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">POSHAN Abhiyaan</a> on 8th March (International Women&rsquo;s Day),</strong> 2019 by organising Poshan Pakhwada across the Country.</li>
<li>The Poshan Pakhwada will be celebrated on <strong>lines of &lsquo;Poshan Maah&rsquo; held</strong> in the month of <strong>September, 2018.</strong></li>
<li>Following activities will be undertaken during the observance of Poshan Pakhwada:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Poshan Melas, Rally on nutrition at all level, Session on nutrition at schools, Self help group meetings, anaemia camps, etc.</li>
<li>Further Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities through mass media, and Social Media will be carried out.</li>
<li>Social Media Campaign Hashtag <strong>#PoshanPakhwada</strong> through media partners and team of Swasth Bharat Preraks would be carried out for maximum reach.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-2nd-march-2019'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Blue Revolution that Will be',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;Blue revolution that will be&rdquo; which appeared in the Indian Express for 2nd March 2019. In this article, we will discuss the issues related <g class="gr_ gr_153 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="153" data-gr-id="153">with</g> fisheries in India.)</p>
</div>
<p><strong>The &lsquo;fisheries and aquaculture sector&lsquo; is recognized as the sunshine sector in Indian agriculture.</strong> It stimulates the growth of the number of subsidiary industries and is the source of livelihood for a large section of the economically backward population, especially fishermen, of the country. It helps in increasing food supply, generating adequate employment opportunities and raising the nutritional level. I<strong>t has a huge export potential and is a big source of foreign exchange earnings for the country.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fisheries are the primary source of livelihood for several communities.</strong> In order to meet the ever-increasing demand for animal protein, global fish production should touch 196 million tonnes by 2025 &mdash; it currently stands at 171 million tonnes.</li>
<li><strong>A concentrated effort by an independent department could help the government achieve its objective of doubling farmers&rsquo; income</strong>, provided its policies to address the challenge of sustainability.</li>
<li><strong>India is the world&rsquo;s second-largest fish producer with exports worth more than Rs 47,000 crore.</strong></li>
<li>Fisheries are the c<strong>ountry&rsquo;s single-largest agriculture export</strong>, with a growth rate of 6-10 % in the past five years.</li>
<li>Its significance is underscored by the fact that the growth rate of the farm sector in the same period is around 2.5%.</li>
<li><strong>India has a marine fisher population of 3.5 million; 10.5 million people are engaged in inland fishery and fish farming.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s fisheries sector faces the challenge of sustainability.</strong> The Food and Agriculture Organisation&rsquo;s State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture reports note that nearly 90% of the marine fish stocks have either been fully-exploited, or over-fished or depleted to an extent that recovery may not be biologically possible.</li>
<li><strong>The productivity is low</strong> &mdash; in terms of per fisher, per boat and per farm. In Norway, a fisherman/farmer catches/produces 250 kg per day while the Indian average is four to five kg.</li>
<li>Marine capture fishery comprises largely of small fishermen who operate traditional boats &mdash; either non-motorised vessels or boats with a basic outboard motor. <strong>These vessels cannot operate beyond nearshore waters.</strong></li>
<li><strong>High-value species such as tuna cannot be caught by fishermen who use these vessels.</strong> This means that while the near-shore coastal waters are highly overfished, the high-value fish stock proliferates in the deep seas.</li>
<li><strong>The fisheries sector is in its nascent stage; the fiscal and policy support not well developed;</strong> significant cost disadvantages on account of import dependence of raw materials which negates the low <g class="gr_ gr_105 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="105" data-gr-id="105">labour</g> cost advantages too.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Harnessing the resources related to the fisheries sector</strong> will bring immense benefits to fishing communities.</li>
<li><strong>The new National Policy on Marine Fisheries</strong> talks of introducing deep-sea fishing vessels and assisting fishing communities to convert their vessels and gears for the waters beyond.</li>
<li>T<strong>he policy envisages intensive fish farming</strong> through increased stocking of seed, better feed quality and diversification of species. Innovative practices such as recirculatory aquaculture system aim to realize the goal of more crop per drop. As a result, the productivity of freshwater fish farms has gone up.</li>
<li><strong>More area should be brought under fish farming.</strong> The government has invested in hatcheries to meet the ever-increasing demand for good quality fish seed. The expansion of aquaculture can increase this demand exponentially. Future policies must prioritize seed production in order to attain self-sufficiency in the sector.</li>
<li>The introduction of <strong>cage culture in reservoirs and other open water bodies can also increase the output.</strong> This new practice gives freedom to fishermen from the risk of traversing dangerous rivers and restricted reservoirs.</li>
<li><strong>Government should fill the large infrastructure gaps in fisheries sector</strong> in the country through developing infrastructure projects such as fishing harbours/ fish landing centres, fish seed farms, fish feed mills/plants, setting up of disease diagnostic and aquatic quarantine facilities, creation of cold chain infrastructure facilities such as ice plants, cold storage, fish transport facilities, fish processing units, fish markets, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Regular stocking of reservoirs and other water bodies can be done to increase in fish catch</strong>. Open sea cage culture is at a pilot stage and the initial trials have given promising results. This may prove another game changer.</li>
<li><strong>There should be an increased investment for the Blue Revolution to supplement the fisheries sector.</strong></li>
<li>The new fisheries department is expected to give undivided attention to creating and strengthening infrastructure facilities in marine and inland fisheries and give a boost to aquaculture and post-harvest activities.</li>
<li><strong>Comprehensive fisheries education and research should be promoted.</strong></li>
<li>The country should be producing more than 15 million tonnes of fish by the end of 2019. It should be on its way to becoming a hub for sustainable fish production.</li>
</ul>
<p>There is a need to be cautious of falling prey to the temptation of introducing large-scale industrial fishing. <strong>We must factor in the sustainability challenges and acknowledge that fishing is a primary livelihood activity for a large number of communities and individuals.</strong> The policies framed by the new department should aim at enhancing productivity, better returns, and increased incomes.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Blue revolution</strong></p>
<p>The Blue Revolution, launched by the central government, focuses on creating an enabling environment for integrated and holistic development and management of fisheries for the socio-economic development of the fishers and fish farmers.</p>
<p>The scheme has the following components:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and its activities.</li>
<li>Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture.</li>
<li>Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Operations.</li>
<li>Strengthening of Database &amp; Geographical Information System of the Fisheries Sector.</li>
<li>Institutional Arrangement for Fisheries Sector.</li>
<li>Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) and other need-based Interventions.</li>
<li>National Scheme on Welfare of Fishermen.</li>
</ul>
<p>The scheme aims to enhance the fish production from 107.95 lakh tonnes in 2015-16 to about 150 lakh tonnes by the end of the financial year 2019-20.</p>
<p>It is also expected to augment the export earnings with a focus on increased benefit flow to the fishers and fish farmers to attain the target of doubling their income.</p>
<p>The government has launched Mission Fingerling to achieve the Blue Revolution.</p>
<p>The government has identified 20 States based on their potential and other relevant factors to strengthen the Fish Seed infrastructure in the country.</p>
<p>The program will facilitate the establishment of hatcheries and Fingerling rearing pond to ensure fish production.</p>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/blue-revolution-that-will-be'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'An Opening in Abu Dhabi',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;An opening in Abu Dhabi&rdquo; which appeared in the Indian Express for 1st March 2019. In this article, we will discuss the significance of Indian participation in <g class="gr_ gr_104 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="104" data-gr-id="104">OIC</g> session as Guest of Honour.)</p>
</div>
<p>The 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), is being held in Abu Dhabi. This is the f<strong>irst time after its inception in the past 50 years, that India has been invited to any OIC meeting as a guest of honor.</strong></p>
<p>The host member, <strong>United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strongly defended the decision to invite India</strong> as a guest of <g class="gr_ gr_92 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="92" data-gr-id="92">honour</g> to the meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers, despite Pakistan&rsquo;s strong objection and <g class="gr_ gr_91 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="91" data-gr-id="91">threat</g> to boycott the event.</p>
<p>The first-time invitation to India to be a &lsquo;Guest of Honour&rsquo; at the plenary, especially at a time of heightened tensions with Pakistan following the Pulwama terrorist attack, is a <strong>significant diplomatic victory for New Delhi.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Engagement with OIC reflects the recent shift in India&rsquo;s foreign policy to have amicable ties with apparent adversaries</strong> &mdash; Saudi Arabia and Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, Egypt and Turkey as well as Israel and Palestine.</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>A majority of the OIC member states are countries that have a majority Muslim population.</strong></li>
<li>However, some states such as Russia and Thailand that have a significant minority Muslim population are also present at the forum as observer states.</li>
<li><strong>While India is a country with one of the largest Muslim populations in the world,</strong> so far, New Delhi has never been able to join the OIC in any capacity. The news of India joining OIC as the guest of honor is significantly reflects upon its <g class="gr_ gr_97 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="97" data-gr-id="97">relation</g> with Pakistan.</li>
<li>In the past, the conservative Arab monarchies were happy to turn a blind eye to the dangers of encouraging political Islam and condoning the Pakistan army&rsquo;s support for terror and religious extremism in South Asia.</li>
<li>The threat from religious <g class="gr_ gr_95 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="95" data-gr-id="95">destabilisation</g> to the Arab monarchies like Saudi Arabia and the UAE along with traditional republics like Egypt has created a new framework for India&rsquo;s engagement with the Muslim world and the Middle East.</li>
<li>P<strong>akistan had threatened to boycott the meeting if the invitation to India was not withdrawn. It claimed that Turkey was also opposed to Swaraj&rsquo;s speech at the plenary. However, Turkey has backed Bangladesh in demanding OIC reforms to seek India&rsquo;s participation.</strong></li>
<li>At present, Pakistan has skipped the inaugural function in opposition of India participating as Guest of Honour.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong><g class="gr_ gr_94 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="94" data-gr-id="94"><g class="gr_ gr_93 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="93" data-gr-id="93">Organisation</g></g> of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations with a membership of 57 states spread over four continents.</li>
<li>It endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.</li>
<li>The Organization was established upon a decision of the historical summit which took place in Rabat, <g class="gr_ gr_84 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="84" data-gr-id="84">Kingdom</g> of Morocco on 12th Rajab 1389 Hijra (25 September 1969) following the criminal arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem.</li>
<li>It has 57 member states and 12 observers including <g class="gr_ gr_87 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="87" data-gr-id="87">United</g> Nations.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3><g class="gr_ gr_98 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="98" data-gr-id="98">Significance</g> of the Invitation (India-OIC relations)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Invitation for India is a welcome recognition of the presence of 185 million Muslims in India</strong> and of their contribution to its pluralistic ethos, and of India&rsquo;s contribution to the Islamic world.</li>
<li><strong>The OIC&rsquo;s invitation to India coincides with the recent visit of the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammad Bin Salman, to Pakistan and India.</strong> Reportedly, the crown prince advocated restraint on a host of issues plaguing India-Pakistan relations.</li>
<li>In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack earlier this month, the role of Saudi Arabia in defusing tensions between the two countries has been termed significant. It&rsquo;s very much possible that the Saudi crown prince may have played an important role in setting up a backchannel effort between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama attack.</li>
<li><strong>The OIC offers a platform for Pakistan and India to play out their respective positions on a number of thorny issues and in the process involve the forum for de-escalation purposes.</strong></li>
<li>With Pakistan making all efforts to win over Riyadh&rsquo;s and the wider Gulf region&rsquo;s financial and diplomatic support, criticizing the decision to invite New Delhi would not sit well with Islamabad&rsquo;s interests.</li>
<li>Both India and the member countries of OIC have shared an interest in blunting the edge of religious extremism and terrorism.</li>
<li>Equally important has been the region&rsquo;s growing economic and energy interdependence with India, which is emerging as the world&rsquo;s third-largest economy and one of the biggest hydrocarbon importers and <g class="gr_ gr_89 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="89" data-gr-id="89">labour</g> exporters.</li>
<li>As the region&rsquo;s geopolitics enters a turbulent period, the potential for India as a military partner is also coming into view.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges within OIC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Like the NAM and the Arab League, OIC has always struggled to overcome the multiple political contradictions within it.</strong> While the OIC raises concerns about Muslim minorities in non-member states, it could never take up the problems that Shia or Sunni minorities face in countries across the Middle East.</li>
<li><strong>Few OIC member states have the time and energy to argue with Islamabad over the merits of the formulations on India</strong> that it brings to the OIC table. Some of New Delhi's friends are trying to block some of Pakistan&rsquo;s anti-India excesses at the OIC<g class="gr_ gr_103 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="103" data-gr-id="103">.But</g>, things change accordingly.</li>
<li><strong>Like Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) again, the OIC is a toothless tiger</strong> when it comes to dealing with squabbles among member states. Since everyone has a veto on what is said, nothing serious can be said, let alone done, about the many serious disputes between the member states that are now shaping the Middle East.</li>
<li>Except for the Islamic identity, there are very few cohesive factors that bind the member countries to each other.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>With better engagement with the Arab countries, India should aim to</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>expand areas of mutually beneficial cooperation,</li>
<li>minimize areas of misperception or divergence of interests, and</li>
<li>maximize advantages that may accrue to India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has good reason to be pleased that Pakistan can no longer veto India&rsquo;s engagement with critical states of the Middle East. For the emerging forces of political moderation and social modernization in the Middle East, India is a more attractive partner than Pakistan.</li>
<li><strong>However, India has to carefully balance its strategy towards the Islamic world by openly form stronger and better diplomatic ties with an overtly religion-based organization.</strong></li>
<li>But here is a paradox: In embracing OIC, an overtly religion-based organization, Delhi reduces the salience of faith in India&rsquo;s strategy towards the Islamic world.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/an-opening-in-abu-dhabi'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Important Fact For Prelims (1st March 2019)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize Ceremony</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Winners of Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for the years 2016, 2017, and 2018 were awarded in New Delhi on the occasion of National Science Day, 28th February.</li>
<li>Out of total 34 winners, there was only one woman awardee Aditi Sen who got felicitated for her work in &ldquo;quantum information and communication, including the formulation of a computable entanglement measure and a novel density-matrix recursion method&rdquo;.</li>
<li>Ganesan Venkatasubramanian was awarded for his work towards the psychiatric disorder Schizophrenia is among the wiinners.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The award is named after the Founder-Director of the Council of Scientific &amp; Industrial Research (CSIR) India, the late Dr (Sir) Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar and is known as the &lsquo;Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prize for Science and Technology&rsquo;.</li>
<li>The Prize is given each year by CSIR in the fields namely, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth, Atmosphere, Engineering Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Medical Sciences, and&nbsp;Physical Sciences.</li>
<li>It is the most coveted national recognition bestowed upon young scientists and engineers to <g class="gr_ gr_106 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="106" data-gr-id="106">honour</g> their research and developmental work in India.</li>
<li>Any citizen of India engaged in research in any field of science and technology up to the age of 45 years is eligible for the prize. Overseas citizen of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) working in India are also eligible.</li>
<li>The prize is awarded on the basis of contributions made through work done in India only during the five years preceding the year of the prize.</li>
<li>The prize comprises a citation, a plaque, and a cash award of Rs. 5 lakh. In addition, recipients also get Rs. 15,000 per month up to the age of 65 years.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Scheme for developing Knitwear Sector</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Minister of Textiles has launched a comprehensive scheme for development of Knitting and Knitwear Sector under PowerTex India.</li>
<li>The Ministry has approved a combined Standing Finance Component (SFC) of PowerTex India Scheme and Knitwear Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 487.07 crores. Out of this, Rs. 47.72 crore is for Knitwear for the period of 2018-19 and 2019-20.</li>
<li>The main components of <g class="gr_ gr_130 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="130" data-gr-id="130">scheme</g> are as follow:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Creation of new service centers on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model by industries and associations in the knitting and knitwear clusters.</li>
<li>Modernization and upgradation of existing power loom service Centers (PSCs) and institutions run by Textile Research Associations (TRAs) and Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) Association in knitting and knitwear clusters.</li>
<li>Facilitation, IT, awareness<g class="gr_ gr_108 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="108" data-gr-id="108">,studies</g>, surveys, market development and publicity for knitting and knitwear units.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>PowerTex India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>PowerTex India was launched in 2017 by the Ministry of Textile.</li>
<li>It is a three-year all-inclusive scheme focused on the development of country&rsquo;s Powerloom Sector.</li>
<li>The scheme embraces branding, subsidies, new markets, new research and development in power loom textiles, and also welfare schemes for the powerloom workers.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Key components include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In-situ Upgradation of Plain Powerlooms</li>
<li>Group Workshed Scheme (GWS)</li>
<li>Yarn Bank Scheme</li>
<li>Common Facility Centre (CFC)</li>
<li>Pradhan Mantri Credit Scheme for Powerloom Weavers</li>
<li>Solar Energy Scheme for Powerlooms</li>
<li>Facilitation, IT, Awareness, Market Development and Publicity for Powerloom Schemes</li>
<li>Tex Venture Capital Fund</li>
<li>Grant-in-Aid and Modernisation &amp; Upgradation of Powerloom Service Centres (PSCs).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>SC Stays its Eviction Order</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Supreme Court has stayed its order directing the eviction of lakhs of Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers whose claims for forest land rights have been rejected under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006.</li>
<li>The Bench accepted the Central Government&rsquo;s appeal which said that there is need to further delve into whether due process was followed by gram sabhas and States' authorities under the FRA before the claims for forest rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and other traditional forest dwellers (OTFD) were finally rejected.</li>
<li>The SC has now given the States four months' time to file affidavits responding to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-28-february-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>concerns raised by the Centre.</strong></a></li>
<li>Apart from this, the SC also raised concern over <g class="gr_ gr_126 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="126" data-gr-id="126">absence</g> of any mechanism in place in the States or in the Centre to review the rejection orders.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Panel on Offshore Rupee Market</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has formed <g class="gr_ gr_131 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="131" data-gr-id="131">a eight</g>- member task force on the offshore rupee market.</li>
<li>It will be headed by former Deputy Governor Usha Thorat and would submit its report by the end of June 2019.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Terms of Reference (TOR)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Assess the causes behind the development of the offshore Rupee market.</li>
<li>Study the effects of the offshore markets on the Rupee exchange rate and market liquidity in the domestic market.</li>
<li>Recommend measures to address concerns, if any, arising out of offshore Rupee trading.</li>
<li>Propose measures to generate incentives for non-residents to access the domestic market.</li>
<li>Examine the role, if any, International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) can play in addressing these concerns.</li>
<li>Any other relevant issue(s) the Task Force considers relevant to the context.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Hanoi Summit 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the United States (US) and North Korea held a summit in<strong> Hanoi, Vietnam</strong></li>
<li>This was the <strong>second summit</strong> between the US and North Korea after the Singapore Summit in June 2018.</li>
<li>The talks between the US and North Korea ended <strong>abruptly without any conclusion and no declaration was signed.</strong></li>
<li>Reason for failure of talks was that North Korea had demanded complete relief from economic sanctions in exchange for only partial denuclearization. But, the US wants North Korea to give up all its weapons.</li>
<li>During the<strong> Singapore Summit in 2018, the US and North Korea have signed an agreement committing to the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.</strong></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-1st-march-2019'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'National Small Savings Fund',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Union Government may <strong>borrow more funds</strong> from the <strong>National Small Savings Fund (NSSF)</strong> than budgeted for financial year 2019-20 to cover its fiscal deficit requirements.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It can be noted that the government in past few years has <strong>increased its reliance</strong> on the borrowings from the NSSF.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Although the <strong>target of 21% for FY-20 is marginally down from 22.4% in FY19, it is significantly higher than 3% in FY15.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The move will <strong>ease pressure on the benchmark 10-year Government securities yield</strong> and keep the cost of government borrowings through extra budgetary resources (EBR) via public sector undertakings (PSUs) low.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, it is to be noted that the <strong>cost of borrowings from NSSF is higher than that for market borrowings.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The states, who were the prime borrowers from this fund earlier, are now relying more on market borrowings (state development loans) to meet their funding needs as per the<strong> recommendations of the 14th Finance commission.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The exclusion of States and Union Territories except Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Delhi (UT) and Madhya Pradesh from National Small Savings from April 2016 has<strong> created more room for borrowings by the centre and PSUs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Small Savings Fund</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Small Savings Fund (NSSF) in the <strong>Public Account of India was established in 1999.</strong></li>
<li>The Fund is administered by the <strong>Government of India, Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) under National Small Savings Fund (Custody and Investment) Rules, 2001,</strong> framed by the President under <strong>Article 283(1) of the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li>The objective of NSSF is to de-link small savings transactions from the Consolidated Fund of India and ensure their operation in a transparent and self-sustaining manner.</li>
<li>Since NSSF operates in the public account, its transactions do not impact the fiscal deficit of the Centre directly.</li>
<li>Small savings instruments can be classified under<strong> three heads:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Postal deposits</strong> (comprising savings account, recurring deposits, time deposits of varying maturities and monthly income scheme),</li>
<li><strong>Savings certificates like:</strong> National Small Savings Certificate(NSC) and Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP)</li>
<li><strong>Social security schemes like:</strong> Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Senior Citizens&lsquo; Savings Scheme(SCSS)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-small-savings-fund'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'India-Nepal Relations',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/132Drishti_ias_India-Nepal-Relations.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/132Drishti_ias_India-Nepal-Relations.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper2/india-nepal-relations-mindmap'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'India-Nepal Relations',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently Cabinet approved ₹1236 crore investments for <strong>Arun-3 hydro project</strong>.</li>
<li>The project will provide surplus power to India's strengthening economic linkages with Nepal.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Historical Ties</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nepal is an important neighbour of India and occupies special significance in its foreign policy because of the geographic, historical, cultural and economic linkages/ties that span centuries.</li>
<li>India and Nepal share similar ties in terms of Hinduism and Buddhism with Buddha&rsquo;s birthplace Lumbini located in present day Nepal.</li>
<li>The two countries not only share an open border and unhindered movement of people, but they also have close bonds through marriages and familial ties, popularly known as <strong>Roti-Beti ka Rishta</strong>.</li>
<li>The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations that exist between India and Nepal.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The treaty talks about reciprocal treatment of Indian and Nepali citizens in the two countries, in residence, property, business and movement.</li>
<li>It also establishes national treatment for both Indian and Nepalese businesses (ie once imported, foreign goods would be treated no differently than domestic goods).</li>
<li>It also gives Nepal access to weaponry from India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Importance of Nepal<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578479566_image39.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578479566_image39.jpg" style="float: right;" width="330" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nepal shares border with 5 Indian states- Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim and Bihar. Hence an important point of cultural and economic exchange.</li>
<li>Importance for India can be studied from two different angles: a) their strategic importance for India&rsquo;s national security; and b) their place in India&rsquo;s role perception in international politics.</li>
<li>Nepal is right in the middle of India&rsquo;s &lsquo;Himalayan frontiers&rsquo;, and along with Bhutan it acts as northern &lsquo;borderland&rsquo; flanks and acts as buffer states against any possible aggression from China.</li>
<li>Rivers originating in Nepal feed the perennial river systems of India in terms of ecology and hydropower potential.</li>
<li>Many Hindu and Buddhist religious sites are in Nepal making it an important pilgrim site for large number of Indians.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Areas of Cooperation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Trade and economy</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is Nepal&rsquo;s largest trade partner and the largest source of foreign investments, besides providing transit for almost the entire third country trade of Nepal.</li>
<li>Indian firms engage in manufacturing, services (banking, insurance, dry port), power sector and tourism industries etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nepal being a landlocked country, it is surrounded by India from three sides and one side is open towards Tibet which has very limited vehicular access.</li>
<li>India-Nepal has undertaken various connectivity programs to enhance people-to-people linkages and promote economic growth and development.</li>
<li>MOUs have been signed between both the governments for laying electric rail track linking Kathmandu with Raxaul in India.</li>
<li>India is looking to develop the inland waterways for the movement of cargo, within the framework of trade and transit arrangements, providing additional access to sea for Nepal calling it linking Sagarmath (Mt. Everest) with Sagar (Indian Ocean).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Development Assistance</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Government of India provides development assistance to Nepal, focusing on creation of infrastructure at the grass-root level.</li>
<li>The areas assistance include infrastructure, health, water resources, and education and rural &amp; community development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bilateral defence cooperation includes assistance to Nepalese Army in its modernization through provision of equipment and training.</li>
<li>The Gorkha Regiments of the Indian Army are raised partly by recruitment from hill districts of Nepal.</li>
<li>India from 2011, every year undertakes joint military exercise with Nepal known as Surya Kiran.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There have been initiatives to promote people-to-people contacts in the area of art &amp; culture, academics and media with different local bodies of Nepal.</li>
<li>India has signed three sister-city agreements for twinning of Kathmandu-Varanasi, Lumbini-Bodhgaya and Janakpur-Ayodhya.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Humanitarian Assistance</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nepal lies in sensitive ecological fragile zone which is prone to earthquakes, floods causing massive damage to both life and money, whereby it remains the biggest recipient of India&rsquo;s humanitarian assistance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Huge number of Indians lives in Nepal, these include businessmen, traders, doctors, engineers and labourers (including seasonal/migratory in the construction sector).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multilateral Partnership</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Nepal shares multiple multilateral forums such as BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal), BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) NAM, and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Internal Security is a major concern for India; Indo-Nepal border is virtually open and lightly policed which is exploited by terrorist outfits and insurgent groups from North Eastern part of India eg. supply of trained cadres, fake Indian currency.</li>
<li>Overtime trust deficit has widened between India-Nepal because of the Indian reputation for delaying implementation of various projects.</li>
<li>Nepal over the years has witnessed chronic political instability, including a 10-year violent insurgency, damaging Nepal&rsquo;s development and economy.</li>
<li>There is anti-India feeling among certain ethnic groups in Nepal which emanates from the perception that India indulges too much in Nepal and tinkers with their political sovereignty.</li>
<li>The establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China and its growing influence in Nepal has resulted in declining traditional leverage of India in Nepal.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both the countries are affected due to the misuse of open border by internal and external forces, the responsibility of border management and regulation depends on both.</li>
<li>India should provide an alternative narrative for India-Nepal ties, one that takes into account longstanding people-to-people ties and cultural connect.</li>
<li>India should focus on fructifying the potential of hydropower cooperation, which has remained untapped largely due to differing perceptions.</li>
<li>India should maintain the policy of keeping away from internal affairs of Nepal, meanwhile in the spirit of friendship India should guide the nation towards more inclusive rhetoric.</li>
<li>With its immense strategic relevance in the Indian context as Indian security concern, stable and secure Nepal is one requisite which India can&rsquo;t afford to overlook.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/india-nepal-relations'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'In Depth - International Mother Language Day',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/96ShLRyVIC4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Every year, <strong>The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) celebrates 21st February as International Mother Language Day to promote mother tongue-based multilingual education.</strong> The day is also a reminder of how language connects us, empowers us and helps us to communicate our feelings to others.</p>
<p>The world has over 7,000 languages whereas<strong> India alone has about 22 officially recognized languages, 1635 mother tongues, and 234 identifiable mother tongues.</strong></p>
<h3>International Mother Language Day</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>UNESCO declared 21st February as International Mother Language Day</strong> in 1999 and World has been celebrating the same since 2000. The day also commemorates a long struggle by Bangladesh to protect its mother language Bangla.</li>
<li>The resolution to mark 21st February as the International Mother Language Day was suggested by Rafiqul Islam, a Bangladeshi living in Canada. He proposed the said date to commemorate the 1952 killings in Dhaka during the Bangla Language Movement.</li>
<li><strong>The initiative was aimed at preserving and promoting mother languages.</strong> The aim was to protect the diverse culture and intellectual heritage of different regions of the world.</li>
<li><strong>This year the day was celebrated as International Year of Indigenous Languages.</strong> The aim is to raise awareness regarding the consequences of losing indigenous languages, across the world.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>According to the UN, every two weeks, a language disappears and the world</strong> loses an entire cultural and intellectual heritage.</li>
<li><strong>At least 43% of the estimated 6000 languages spoken in the world are endangered.</strong></li>
<li>Only a few hundred languages have been genuinely given a place in education systems and public domain. Also, 40% of the global population does not have access to education in a language they speak or understand.</li>
<li><strong>Less than a hundred languages are used in the digital world.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from globalization, rush for learning foreign languages for better job opportunities is a major reason behind the disappearance of mother languages.</li>
<li>W<strong>hen languages disappear, the world loses a rich tapestry of cultural identity.</strong> Opportunities, traditions, memory, unique modes of thinking and expression, valuable resources for ensuring a better future also get lost.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Importance of Mother Languages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mother tongue is the very first language that one hears,</strong> understands and gets familiar with. Thus, it plays important role in shaping feelings, emotions and thought processes.</li>
<li>Use of mother language <strong>helps one in getting comfortable with his/her cultural identity.</strong></li>
<li>Maintaining mother languages is necessary for preserving cultural heritage and identity.</li>
<li>Dissemination of mother languages encourages linguistic diversity, thus inspires solidarity based on understanding, tolerance, and dialogue.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>With the help of technology, every mother language can be maintained.</strong> Google&rsquo;s Project Navlekha in India is an example. The project is aimed at increasing the online content in Indian local languages.</li>
<li><strong>People should be made aware of the professional viability of pursuing degrees in native languages.</strong> With a degree in a native language, one can take up professions like Language Expert, Translators, and Tourist-Guide etc.</li>
<li>Also to maintain any native language, it is necessary that it is spoken. Use of native languages at homes, schools, and offices should be encouraged.</li>
<li>E.g. The Upper House of India has an arrangement for interpretation of 22 languages i.e. members are encouraged to speak in their native languages.</li>
<li><strong>Countries like France, Germany, Italy, China have developed their mother languages as a powerful medium.</strong> Other countries need to learn from these to preserve their cultural and linguistic identity.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bangla Language Movement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>When Pakistan was created, its two regions West Pakistan and East Pakistan (Bangladesh) were entirely different in culture and language.</li>
<li>In 1948, Pakistan Government declared Urdu as the only national language. People of East Pakistan protested as their mother language was Bangla. They demanded Bangla to be at least one of the national languages in addition to Urdu.</li>
<li>To crush the protest, the then Pakistan Government banned all public meetings and rallies. Defying orders, students of Dhaka University continued to arrange massive rallies and meetings.</li>
<li>In 1952, police opened fire on rallies, killing 4 student protestors and injuring many others. The protest continued and in 1956, Pakistan was forced to grant official status to Bangla.</li>
<li>Every year on 21st February, Bangladeshis visit the Shaheed Minar (Dhaka) to <g class="gr_ gr_232 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="232" data-gr-id="232">honour</g> the Martyrs and those who fought for the cause.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-international-mother-language-day'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Geneva Convention for Prisoner of Wars',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>In response to Indian action against terrorists camp in Balakot, Pakistani Airforce attacked Indian military installations.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In this engagement, India lost one MiG 21. The pilot is missing in action and Pakistan has claimed that he is in their custody.</li>
<li>India has cited the <strong>Geneva Conventions, 1949</strong> while demanding the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan, who is in Pakistan's custody.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Geneva Convention</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>What are the Geneva Conventions?</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 1949 Geneva Conventions are a set of international treaties that ensure that warring parties conduct themselves in a humane way with non-combatants such as civilians and medical personnel, as well as with combatants who are no longer actively engaged in fighting, such as prisoners of war (POW), and wounded or sick soldiers.</li>
<li><strong>All countries are signatories to the Geneva Conventions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Does the captured pilot count as a prisoner of war?</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The provisions of the conventions apply in<strong> peacetime situations, in declared wars, and in conflicts that are not recognized as war by one or more of the parties.</strong></li>
<li>India has said its airstrikes were a &ldquo;non-military&rdquo; intelligence-led operation &mdash; both sides are bound by the Geneva Conventions. <strong>This means the IAF officer is a prisoner of war, and his treatment has to be in accordance with the provisions for PoWs under the Geneva Conventions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>What are the provisions for PoWs?</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The convention is very exhaustive and <strong>deals with every kind of situation that may arise for a captive and captor, including the place of internment, religious needs, recreation, financial resources, the kinds of work that captors can make PoWs do, the treatment of captured officers, and the repatriation of prisoners.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Any unlawful act or omission by the Detaining Power causing death or seriously endangering the health of a prisoner of war in its custody is prohibited and will be regarded as a serious breach of the present Convention.</strong></li>
<li>In particular, <strong>no prisoner of war may be subjected to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind which are not justified by the medical, dental or hospital treatment of the prisoner concerned</strong> and carried out in his interest.</li>
<li>Likewise, prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>What rights is a PoW entitled to?</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Article 14 of the Convention lays down that PoWs are &ldquo;entitled to in all circumstances to respect for their persons and their <g class="gr_ gr_72 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="72" data-gr-id="72">honour</g>&rdquo;.</li>
<li><strong>In captivity, a PoW must not be forced to provide information of any kind under &ldquo;physical or mental torture, nor any other form of coercion&rdquo;.</strong> Refusal to answer questions should not invite punishment. A PoW must be protected from exposure to fighting.<strong> Use of PoWs as hostages or human shields is prohibited, and a PoW has to be given the same access to safety and evacuation facilities as those affiliated to the detaining power.</strong></li>
<li>Access to health facilities, prayer, recreation, and exercise are also written into the Convention. The detaining power has to facilitate correspondence between the PoW and his family&nbsp;and must ensure that this is done without delays. A PoW is also entitled to receive books or care packages from the outside world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>What do the provisions say about the release of prisoners?</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Parties to the conflict &ldquo;are bound to send back&rdquo; or repatriate PoWs, regardless of rank, who are seriously wounded or sick, after having cared for them until they are fit to travel&rdquo;. The conflicting parties are expected to write into any agreement they may reach to end hostilities the expeditious return of PoWs. Parties to the conflict can also arrive at special arrangements for the improvement of the conditions of the internment of PoWs, or for their release and repatriation.</li>
<li>At the end of the 1971 war, India had more than 80,000 Pakistani troops who had surrendered to the Indian Army after the liberation of Dhaka. India agreed to release them under the Shimla Agreement of 1972.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In such situations, who monitors whether the Geneva Conventions are being followed?</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Geneva Conventions have a system of &ldquo;Protecting Powers&rdquo; who ensure that the provisions of the conventions are being followed by the parties in a conflict.</strong> In theory, each side must designate states that are not the party to the conflict as their &ldquo;Protecting Powers&rdquo;. <strong>In practice, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) usually plays this role.</strong></li>
<li>During the Kargil War, Pakistan returned Flt Lt Nachiketa, who was captured after ejecting from his burning Mi27, after keeping him for eight days. This was after intense diplomatic efforts by the Vajpayee government and by ICRC. Another PoW, Squadron Ldr Ajay Ahuja, was killed in captivity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/geneva-convention-for-prisoner-of-wars'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'SHREYAS Scheme',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently the <strong>Ministry of Human Resource Development</strong> has launched the <strong>&ldquo;Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS)&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The objective of scheme is to provide&nbsp;<strong>industry apprenticeship opportunities</strong> to the general graduates exiting in April 2019 through the <strong>National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)</strong></li>
<li>It aims to <strong>enhance the employability of Indian youth</strong> by providing <strong>&lsquo;on the job work exposure&rsquo;</strong> and earning of stipend.</li>
<li>The scheme is for students in <strong>degree courses, primarily non-technical</strong>, to introduce employable skills into their learning, promote apprenticeship as integral to education.</li>
<li>SHREYAS portal will enable educational institutions and industry to log in and provide their respective demand and supply of apprenticeship. The matching of students with apprenticeship avenues will take place as per pre-specified eligibility criteria.</li>
<li>These courses will be available to them from Academic year April-May, 2019. More than 40 higher educational institutions have already been tied up for taking up embedded apprenticeship courses.</li>
<li>The scheme would be operationalised by coordination of <strong>Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Ministry of Labour.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) was launched on<strong>19<sup>th</sup> August 2016</strong> to promote apprenticeship training and increase the engagement of apprentices.</li>
<li>NAPS has replaced <strong>Apprentice Protsahan Yojna (APY).</strong></li>
<li>The scheme has the following <strong>two components:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reimbursement of 25% of prescribed stipend</strong> subject to a maximum of Rs. 1500/- per month per apprentice by the Government of India to all employers who engage apprentices.</li>
<li><strong>Reimbursement of cost of basic training</strong> ( upto a limit of Rs. 7500/- for a maximum of 500 hours/3 months) by the Government of India to Basic Training Providers (BTPs) in respect of apprentices who come directly for apprenticeship training without any formal training</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Objectives of the Scheme</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To <strong>improve employability of students</strong> by introducing employment relevance into the learning process of the higher education system</li>
<li>To forge a <strong>close functional link between education and industry/service sectors</strong> on a sustainable basis.</li>
<li>To provide <strong>skills which are in demand,</strong> to the students in a dynamic manner.</li>
<li>To establish an <strong>&lsquo;earn while you learn&rsquo; system</strong> into higher education.</li>
<li>To help business/industry in securing<strong> good quality manpower.</strong></li>
<li>To link student community with employment facilitating efforts of the Government.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Stakeholders</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Institutions:</strong> The higher education institutions would explain the scheme along with various options to the students who are in the final year, and elicit their interest in participation.</li>
<li><strong>Sector Skill Councils (SSCs):</strong> SSCs would identify industries for apprenticeship, and would also conduct assessment leading to certification. Whereas the certification is not a guarantee for placement, it is expected to vastly enhance a candidate&rsquo;s choice of securing employment.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sector Skill Councils</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sector Skill Councils are set up <strong>as autonomous industry-led bodies by&nbsp;National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)</strong>, which are responsible for the defining the skilling needs, concept, processes, certification, and accreditation of their respective industry sectors in accordance with National Skill Qualification Framework.</li>
<li>They create Occupational Standards and Qualification bodies, develop competency framework, conduct Train the Trainer Programs, conduct skill gap studies and Assess and Certify trainees on the curriculum aligned to National Occupational Standards developed by them.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE):</strong> MSDE would not only monitor the programme, progress of the apprentices, but would finance the programme by disbursing the claims from the business enterprises towards stipend reimbursement as per the NAPS.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ongoing efforts of the SSCs would be monitored by MSDE, which would also periodically introduce new SSCs into the SHREYAS fold. The entire programme would progress with dynamic interface &amp; information sharing between MHRD and MSDE.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/shreyas-scheme'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Important Fact For Prelims (28th February 2019)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>National Science Day</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>28<sup>th</sup> of February</strong> is celebrated as <strong>National Science Day in India.</strong></li>
<li>On this day in<strong> 1928, Sir C V Raman discovered a phenomenon of scattering of photons which was later known as &lsquo;Raman Effect&rsquo; after his name</strong><g class="gr_ gr_117 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="117" data-gr-id="117">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_117 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="117" data-gr-id="117">I</g>n 1930, he received<strong> Nobel Prize</strong> for this remarkable discovery. This was the<strong> first Nobel Prize for India</strong> in the field of Science.</li>
<li>The theme for the <strong>National Science Day 2019 is &ldquo;Science for people and people for science&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Raman Effect</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Raman effect is the <strong>inelastic scattering of a photon</strong> by molecules which are excited to higher vibrational or rotational energy levels. It is also called <strong>Raman scattering.</strong></li>
<li>The Raman effect forms the<strong> basis for Raman spectroscopy</strong> which is used by chemists and physicists to gain information about materials.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Khelo India App</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Khelo India app helps <strong>create awareness about sports and fitness</strong>, especially among youngsters.</li>
<li>The emphasis is on developing the<strong> sporting ecosystem in India</strong> and turning the country into a global sporting superpower in the years to come.</li>
<li>Khelo India App is <strong>developed</strong> by the <strong>Sports Authority of India</strong><g class="gr_ gr_202 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="202" data-gr-id="202">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_202 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="202" data-gr-id="202">Th</g>e App has three features which will help identify potential champions among children, across the country.</li>
<li>The first section gives information about the basic rules and regulations of<strong> 18 sports disciplines</strong><g class="gr_ gr_224 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="224" data-gr-id="224">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_224 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="224" data-gr-id="224">Th</g>e second section includes data of sporting facilities across the country<g class="gr_ gr_232 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="232" data-gr-id="232">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_232 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="232" data-gr-id="232">Th</g>e third section has eight tests which can be taken to ascertain a young athlete's level of fitness.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Sign Language Dictionary</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the government has released <g class="gr_ gr_89 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="89" data-gr-id="89">second</g><strong> edition of the Indian Sign Language dictionary,</strong> which aims to give deaf people the constitutional <strong>right to speech and opportunity of freedom of expression (Article 19)</strong> and also bringing them into the mainstream of the society.</li>
<li>The <strong>first edition of the dictionary</strong> was launched with<strong> 3,000 words on March 23, 2018</strong><g class="gr_ gr_277 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="277" data-gr-id="277">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_277 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="277" data-gr-id="277">Wit</g>h the second edition, the dictionary now comprises 6,000 Hindi and English words and their corresponding graphic representation under the<strong> categories of academic, legal, medical, technical and everyday terms</strong><g class="gr_ gr_290 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="290" data-gr-id="290">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_290 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="290" data-gr-id="290">Th</g>e dictionary has been developed by the <strong>Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment</strong><g class="gr_ gr_305 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="305" data-gr-id="305">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_305 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="305" data-gr-id="305">Accordin</g>g to Census 2011, there are 50.71 lakh hearing impaired persons in India and most of them use Indian Sign Language to communicate.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Sign Language Research and <g class="gr_ gr_91 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="91" data-gr-id="91">training</g> Center ( ISLRTC) is an<strong> autonomous organization</strong> under the administrative and financial control of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities(Divyangjan) Ministry of Social Justice &amp; Empowerment, Government of India.</li>
<li>ISLRTC was established on <strong>26<sup>th</sup> of September, 2015 in accordance with the provisions of Societies Registration Act,1860.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Modify Eviction Order: Centre urges SC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Centre has urged the Supreme Court to<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/without-land-or-recourse-scheduled-tribes-and-other-traditional-forest-dwellers-recognition-of-forest-rights-act-2006" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> modify its recent order</strong></a> directing the eviction of thousands of Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other traditional forest dwellers whose claims for forest land rights have been <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/forest-dwellers-face-eviction" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>rejected under the Forest Rights Act of 2006.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Centre said that the claims of lakhs of forest-dwelling STs and other traditional forest dwellers were rejected by the States <strong>without observing due process of law.</strong> Following were the arguments of Centre:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The forest land claims of these tribes and forest dwellers, who live from the forest, are mostly rejected by the States. Being poor and illiterate people who live in remote areas, they do not know the appropriate procedure for filing claims<g class="gr_ gr_429 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="429" data-gr-id="429">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_429 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="429" data-gr-id="429">Th</g>e gram sabhas, which initiate the verification of their claims, are low on awareness about how to deal with these claims.</li>
<li>The rejection orders are not even communicated to the forest-dwelling STs and communities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Apatani Tribes in Arunachal Pradesh</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Aaptani <g class="gr_ gr_495 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="495" data-gr-id="495">are</g> a tribal group of people living in the<strong> Ziro valley in Arunachal Pradesh.</strong></li>
<li>They speak a local language called<strong> Tani and worship the sun and the moon</strong><g class="gr_ gr_508 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="508" data-gr-id="508">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_508 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="508" data-gr-id="508">The</g>y follow a<strong> sustainable social forestry system.</strong></li>
<li>They celebrate major festivals &ndash; Dree with prayers for a bumper harvest and prosperity of all humankind and Myoko to celebrate Friendship<g class="gr_ gr_525 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="525" data-gr-id="525">.</g></li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_525 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="525" data-gr-id="525">Th</g>e Apatanis <strong>practice aquaculture along with rice farming</strong> on their plots. Rice-fish culture in the valley is a unique practice in the state, where two crops of rice (Mipya and Emoh) and one crop of fish (Ngihi) are raised together.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Academy Award-2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the 91st Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best films of 2018.</li>
<li>It took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-28-february-2019'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Not yet Ready to Exit from Coal Plants',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;Not yet ready to exit from coal plants&rdquo; which appeared in BusinessLine for 27th February 2019. In this article, we will discuss India&rsquo;s growing dependency on coal in spite of push for renewable energy.)</p>
</div>
<p>In the last five years, there has been a slow but growing international consensus around the withdrawal of financial capital from the coal industry. Cleaner alternatives are being encouraged in its place, given the global imperative of climate change mitigation, and the local benefits of improved public health.</p>
<p>Large sovereign wealth funds, as well as multinational aid agencies like the World Bank, have undertaken this exercise by announcing their exit from coal financing. While coal-based generators in the West were already on the back-foot because of rising regulatory costs, most of the coal expansion has come from Asia, particularly India and China.</p>
<p>With India embarks on an ambitious journey to achieve renewable energy capacity of 175 gigawatts(GW) by 2022, questions have been raised on the relevance of coal in the present context.</p>
<h3>Dependence on Coal</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With all this hype about renewables, <strong>today, 81% of power generation is dependent on coal.</strong></li>
<li>According to analysts,<strong> renewable energy sources and coal will coexist</strong>, as the availability of coal is abundant in India and it can provide affordable power to propel India&rsquo;s growth and light every household.</li>
<li>In India,<strong> coal has always been thought of as the raw material for power.</strong> Because the demand from the power sector was much more than the availability of coal in the last 10 years, no serious thought has gone into any other use for coal.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Increasing Dependency</h3>
<p><strong>Reasons</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Coal-based power generation is not a singular industry;</strong> it is a network of upstream miners, machinery manufacturers, transporters, engineering consultants, plant operators, and consuming utilities.</li>
<li><strong>These industries not only collectively employ many people,</strong> but are also part of an ecosystem which has been running smoothly for decades.</li>
<li><strong>Coal plants have much higher intermittent O&amp;M costs, and as regulations, particularly around fly-ash disposal, stack emissions, and effluent waste-water treatment, have become stricter over the last few decades, O&amp;M costs have increased.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Coal-use Patterns and Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Many Asian countries are continuing to expand their thermal coal-based power generation fleet,</strong> despite the falling costs of renewables. India is no exception.</li>
<li><strong>Coal plants in India, have traditionally not attempted to reduce costs in the areas of regulations</strong> which have not been effectively monitored or implemented by the State Pollution Control Boards (PCBs).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the face of a competitive, regulated power market, and increasing financial pressures due to an increasingly hostile investment environment, Indian generators have few incentives to comply with regulations.</li>
<li>With the<strong> Ministry of Power extending the timelines to comply with emission standards for thermal plants</strong>, we can see how little momentum there is in the system for regulatory compliance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s power regulators have failed to regularly update prices</strong> to accommodate these increases in operational costs due to regulation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These costs must be taken into account well in advance if power regulators want to give generators the right signals to invest in CO2 scrubbers, flue-gas desulphurization technology (FGD), fly-ash management, and more.</li>
<li>Expansion in power generation in India has largely been financed by the state; almost all coal power plants in India are constructed through massive debt financing from state-owned banks, regardless of whether the promoter is a state-owned enterprise or private company.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>International investment in coal generation assets in India has also not been much, so coal divestment from India does not witness a massive withdrawal of capital from the sector itself.</li>
<li>Contemporary reasons for the financial crunch faced by the coal generators:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>cancellation of coal blocks by the Supreme Court,</li>
<li>the bankruptcy of <g class="gr_ gr_80 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="80" data-gr-id="80">discoms</g>,</li>
<li>logistical problems leading to coal stock shortages,</li>
<li>and a myopic coal import ban.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As a number of power generators have been classified as non-performing or have gone into bankruptcy, the industry calls for better and long term investment which cannot be provided by the state-owned banks in the country at the moment.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Creative Financing</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Creative, targeted financing proposals should be brought in to India</strong> to address the power sector&rsquo;s burgeoning problems and increase the capacity of renewable energy generation.</li>
<li><strong>Manufacturers of plant machinery should approach large generators</strong> to negotiate the application of integrated control systems to old plants for the efficiency gains.</li>
<li>Multinational infrastructure investment banks should align with Indian engineering consultants to float proposals to finance CO2 scrubbers and other kinds of stack emissions management in power plants.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Also, the alignment should stress upon the public sharing of the information on the stack emissions from these plants.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Clean coal as an idea has huge potential in India because of the age and inefficiency of some of our plants.</strong></li>
<li>Given the short to medium term inevitability of coal-dependence, the potential gains to implementing clean coal are massive. This would include steps like more careful material management, managing coal dust, and stack emissions, and ensuring that plant effluents do not mix with local water supplies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>A good example is how the city of Stockholm was partially powered by an urban power plant, Vasteras, which supplemented hydropower and provided standby and peaking capacity when required.</strong></li>
<li>This plant not only had negligible effects on urban air pollution but, in fact, ran cleanly for more than half a century until being slowly phased out.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Although the idea of withdrawing financial support from the coal industry is well-intentioned, the blunt instrument of divestment may actually exacerbate transition problems in coal-heavy countries.</li>
<li><strong>The transition from traditional coal-based power generation to the renewables should be pivoted in a direction which achieves the goals which are universally accepted at this point</strong> &mdash; reduced air pollution and climate change mitigation.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/not-yet-ready-to-exit-from-coal-plants'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Indian Diaspora',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/553Drishti_ias_Indian-diaspora.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/553Drishti_ias_Indian-diaspora.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper2/indian-diaspora-mindmap'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Smart Farming in a Warm World',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;Smart farming in a warm world&rdquo; which appeared in The Hindu for 27th February 2019. In this article, we will discuss the effects of climate change on agriculture and a way forward.)</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Climate change has the potential to hurt everyone, but one particularly vulnerable group is farmers.</strong> Agriculture, especially in India, depends on favorable weather conditions; so climate change-induced temperature rises can significantly hurt farm productivity. Consequently, a farmer&rsquo;s ability to adapt to temperature changes becomes crucial.</p>
<p>Global demand for food is on the rise due to population growth. Moreover, developing world is adding more protein to their diets. <strong>The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other projects that global agricultural production must double by 2050 to close the gap between food supply and demand.</strong></p>
<p><strong>No industry is more dependent on predictable weather and climate patterns than agriculture.</strong> Volatile climate changes create enormous challenges in meeting the needs of the world&rsquo;s growing population. Yet farmers are acutely divided over climate change.</p>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>With patchy rains, crop failures become common.</strong> There is hardly any greenery in many villages, making it difficult for farmers to even maintain cattle.</li>
<li><strong>Quick adaptation for new changes is hard</strong>, with farmers varying and mixing crops across seasons, along with heavy investments in borewells, tractors, and threshers.</li>
<li><strong>Because of continuous crop failures, farmers are increasingly abandoning their lands</strong> and heading to nearby towns to find work as laborers.</li>
<li>Though India is fortunate to have the monsoon, it is also uniquely vulnerable to rising temperatures, <strong>with the country ranked 14th on the Global Climate Risk Index 2019.</strong></li>
<li>India has over 120 million hectares of land suffering from some form of degradation. This has consequences, especially for marginal farmers.</li>
<li><strong>According to one estimate, they may face a 24-58% decline in household income and 12-33% rise</strong> in household poverty through exacerbated droughts.</li>
<li>With rain-fed agriculture practiced in over 67% of our total crop area, weather variability can lead to heavy costs, especially for coarse grains (which are mostly grown in rain-fed areas).</li>
<li><strong>A predicted 70% decline in summer rains by 2050 would devastate Indian agriculture.</strong></li>
<li>Within 80 years, our Kharif season could face a significant rise in average temperatures (0.7-3.3&deg;C) with rainfall concomitantly impacted, and potentially leading to a 22% decline in wheat yield in the rabi season, while rice yield could decline by 15%.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Solutions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Promotion of conservation farming and dryland agriculture,</strong> with each village provided with timely rainfall forecasts, along with weather-based forewarning regarding crop pests and epidemics in various seasons, is necessary.</li>
<li><strong>Agricultural research programmes need to refocus on dryland research,</strong> with the adoption of drought-tolerant breeds that could reduce production risks by up to 50%.</li>
<li><strong>A mandate to change planting dates, particularly for wheat, should be considered</strong>, which could reduce climate change-induced damage by 60-75%, by one estimate.</li>
<li><strong>There needs to be an increase in insurance coverage and the supply of credit</strong>. Insurance coverage should be expanded to cover all crops, while interest rates need to be subsidized, through government support and an expanded Rural Insurance Development Fund. The recently announced basic income policy by the government is a welcome step as well.</li>
<li><strong>A push for actual on-ground implementation</strong> of compensatory afforestation is required.</li>
<li>To check the effects of climate change there is a need to preserve our forest resources.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For this,<strong> restructuring of Indian Forest Services</strong>, in order to make it equivalent to the police and the army, albeit in the environmental domain can be done.</li>
<li><strong>State-of-the-art training to its personnel must be provided</strong>, and specialization should be encouraged in wildlife, tourism, and protection for new recruits.</li>
<li><strong>Deputations from other services will no longer do</strong>; this needs to remain a specialized service. Wildlife heritage towns should be given more attention &mdash; cities like Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur, Chikmagalur, and Jabalpur, which are adjacent to national parks and sanctuaries, need to be converted into green smart cities with upgraded waste recycling processes.</li>
<li><strong>The Van Dhan Yojana, as adopted by the State government in Rajasthan, can be scaled up</strong> towards building a green mission to save our non-protected forests (outside the existing national parks and sanctuaries).</li>
<li><strong>Wildlife tourism must also be encouraged</strong>, particularly through public-private partnerships, to help increase conserved areas while making a difference to backward districts.</li>
<li><strong>The impact of climate change will affect India&rsquo;s food security while reducing fodder supplies for our livestock.</strong> Prudent investments and policy reform can help make India resilient to climate change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Any adaptation to ongoing climate change will require climate justice, which involves policy reforms that can help make India resilient to climate change.</strong> This can be induced by expansion of joint research and development partnerships (like the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center), pairing India&rsquo;s emerging smart cities with green cities in the West.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Climate Smart Agriculture</strong></p>
<p>Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is an integrated approach to managing landscapes&mdash;cropland, livestock, forests, and fisheries--that address the interlinked challenges of food security and climate change.</p>
<p><strong>CSA aims to simultaneously achieve three outcomes:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Increased productivity: Produce more food to improve food and nutrition security and boost the incomes of 75 percent of the world&rsquo;s poor who live in rural areas and mainly rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.</li>
<li>Enhanced resilience: Reduce vulnerability to drought, pests, disease, and other shocks; and improve capacity to adapt and grow in the face of longer-term stresses like shortened seasons and erratic weather patterns.</li>
<li>Reduced emissions: Pursue lower emissions for each calorie or kilo of food produced, avoid deforestation from agriculture and identify ways to suck carbon out of the atmosphere.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="/interaction/viewtopic.php?f=45&amp;t=961" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read more&hellip;.</a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/smart-farming-in-a-warm-world'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'India Bombs Jaish-e-Muhammad Camp in Pakistan',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Twelve days after the Pulwama attack, in an aerial surgical strike, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has bombed the Jaish-e-Mohammad&rsquo;s (JeM) terror-training camp in Balakot in the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The operation was carried out by 12 Mirage-2000 fighter jets, after intelligence inputs that the said JeM facility is crowded with 200-325 terrorists.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Statement</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has said that the <strong>strike was based on hard intelligence inputs</strong> about the presence of terrorists in the camp.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By calling it an intelligence-led operation, the government was trying to send a message to the global audience that the airstrikes were not done at some arbitrarily chosen place but were part of a well-considered action.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India said that strike was <strong>&ldquo;non-military preemptive action&rdquo;</strong> was important for two reasons:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By calling it non-military, India wanted to reassure everyone that <strong>it is not an act against the Pakistani military.</strong></li>
<li>The words &ldquo;preemptive action&rdquo; were to suggest that the <strong>airstrike was not an act of revenge or retribution but an act of self-defense</strong> to prevent a likely terror attack in the future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>International Response</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has received <strong>support for its air strike from several countries like Australia and France.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The countries <strong>recognized India&rsquo;s right to self-defense,</strong> and asked Pakistan to put an end to operations of terrorist groups established on its territory<g class="gr_ gr_105 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation multiReplace" id="105" data-gr-id="105">,.</g></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The US said that India and Pakistan <strong>should exercise restraint,</strong> and avoid escalation at any cost and avoid further military activity.</li>
<li>The British government called on India and Pakistan to <strong>pursue diplomatic solutions.</strong></li>
<li>China has said that the two countries <strong>should keep restraint</strong> and do more to improve bilateral relations.</li>
<li>With the exception of the<strong> Organisation of Islamic Cooperation</strong>, there has been no global criticism of India&rsquo;s statement on the strikes.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Analysis</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Indian Air Force&rsquo;s strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammad terror training camp in Pakistan&rsquo;s Balakot <strong>delivers a robust but calibrated message that India can strike deep inside Pakistan for its self-defense.</strong></li>
<li>Airstrikes by the Indian Air Force <strong>establishes a new threshold between the two nuclear neighbors</strong> for an Indian response to a terror attack.</li>
<li>This was the <strong>first time Indian fighter jets have crossed Line of Control, since 1971.</strong> Even during the Kargil war in 1999, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had drawn a red line over the IAF crossing the LoC, to avoid international recrimination.</li>
<li>Along with these surgical strikes, India is also working diplomatically to isolate Pakistan.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unsc-condemns-pulwama-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN Security Council has condemned the Pulwama Attack.</a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-4th-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pakistan has been listed in the Financial Action Task Forces (FATF) greylist.</a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-revokes-mfn-status-to-pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India has also withdrawn Most Favoured Nation Status of Pakistan.</a></li>
<li>India has also taken Pakistan to International Court of Justice against death sentence given to Indian citizen Kulbhushan Jadhav.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>What is a Surgical Strike</strong>?</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A surgical strike is a<strong> swift and targeted attack on a specific target</strong> that aims to neutralize them while ensuring minimum collateral damage to the surrounding areas and civilians.</li>
<li>India has conducted surgical strikes in <strong>2015 in Myanmar against the insurgent groups</strong> and in<strong> 2016 in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir against terror launch pads</strong> along the line of control.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How is it carried out?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These attacks can be carried out via air raids, airdropping special operations teams or a ground operation.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The significance of Surgical Strike</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Neutralization of targets with surgical strikes also prevents escalation to a full-blown war.</li>
<li>Surgical strikes are part of<strong> India&rsquo;s Cold Start doctrine</strong> and have proved effective in foiling infiltration bid by terrorist groups across the LoC.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Cold Start Doctrine</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The &lsquo;Cold Start&rsquo; doctrine of the Indian Armed Forces envisages swift deployment of troops on the western border within days if a situation of a full-blown war arises.</strong></li>
<li>This doctrine aims to allow Indian forces to conduct sustained attacks while preventing a nuclear retaliation from Pakistan. The operation would be carried out by a unified battle group involving various branches of India&rsquo;s military.</li>
<li><strong>The Cold Start doctrine sought to prepare the army in such a manner that offensive operations could be undertaken within 48 hours of the orders being issued, enabling the Indian troops to take their Pakistani counterparts by surprise.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pakistan has denied that the Indian strike caused any damage on the ground.</strong> This may obviate the need for retaliatory strikes, or if Pakistan responds this could escalate the situation with a military response.</li>
<li>Pakistan could also make a break from its past, and begin to shut down the terror camps on its soil, which would win friends internationally and ensure peace in the region.</li>
<li>Surgical strikes are not a one-stop solution, uprooting terrorism will require sustained efforts on by India diplomatically at the global level, which also includes the adoption of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/at-unga-india-call-for-early-adoption-of-ccit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Systems Used</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mirage-2000</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a French multirole, single-engine fourth-generation jet fighter manufactured by Dassault Aviation. It was designed in the late 1970s.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>SPICE 2000</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SPICE stands for &lsquo;Smart, Precise Impact and Cost-Effective&rsquo; a kit which converts a conventional bomb into a smart munition and is manufactured by Rafael of Israel. The &lsquo;2000&rsquo; refers to a bomb of 2,000 pounds (about 1,000 kg).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Crystal Maze Mk2</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Crystal Maze Mk2 also called AGM 142 Popeye is a precision-guided munition (PGM).</li>
<li>The PGM enable the aircraft to release them from stand-off distances while staying away from harm&rsquo;s way and the munitions glide to the target once launched.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NETRA AEW&amp;C</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The IAF also deployed the Israeli Phalcon and indigenous Netra early warning aircraft to monitor the mission &mdash; to direct the aircraft</li>
<li>IAF also used a Heron long-range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle that was used for monitoring and assessment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
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