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Asian Development Outlook 2021: ADB

Why in News According to the report Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2021, the second wave of Covid-19 can put India’s economic recovery at...

03 May 2021 News Analysis
India-Japan Relations

This article is based on "The Rising Sun in India-Japan Relation" which was published in The Hindu on 29/04/2021. It talks about the evolving...

01 May 2021 News Editorials
International Labour Day

Why in News Every year 1st May is observed as May Day and is also known as International Labour Day worldwide. The day is observed as an occasion...

01 May 2021 News Analysis
Positron: The Antimatter Counterpart of the Electrons

Why in News Researchers from the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, have resolved the mystery of the antimatter counterpart of the electrons...

01 May 2021 News Analysis
Delhi Air Pollution

Why in News Recently, according to the SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research) system, Delhi’s air quality...

01 May 2021 News Analysis
Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan Border Tension

Why in News Recently, a ceasefire on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan appeared to be holding after a day of intense fighting between the...

01 May 2021 News Analysis
The Broken Sanitation System of India

This article is based on “The Dirty Truth” which was published in the Indian Express on 29/04/2021. It talks about how the pandemic has...

30 Apr 2021 News Editorials
The Global Forest Goals Report 2021: UN Report

Why in News According to the United Nations’ Global Forest Goals Report 2021, Covid-19 pandemic has aggravated the challenges faced by...

30 Apr 2021 News Analysis
MACS 1407: Variety of Soybean

Why in News Recently, Indian Scientists have developed a high-yielding and pest-resistant variety of soybean, called MACS 1407. Scientists from...

30 Apr 2021 News Analysis
China’s Permanent Space Station

Why in News Recently, China launched an unmanned module of its permanent space station that it plans to complete by the end of 2022. The module,...

30 Apr 2021 News Analysis
Immunisation Agenda 2030

Why in News Recently, the United Nations and other agencies have launched the Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030) during the World Immunisation...

30 Apr 2021 News Analysis
Corporate Social Responsibility Expenditure

Why in News Experts are calling on the government to ease CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) regulations to allow corporate expenditure on...

30 Apr 2021 News Analysis
Tejas Adds Python-5 Air to Air Missile Capability

Why in News Recently, India’s Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas has added capability of firing Israeli-origin Python-5 air-to-air missile...

30 Apr 2021 News Analysis
Universal Social Welfare

This article is based on “Making social welfare universal” which was published in The Hindu on 29/04/2021. It talks about the need for...

29 Apr 2021 News Editorials
Post-Brexit Trade Treaty Ratified

Why in News The European Parliament has ratified the post-Brexit trade deal between the European Union and the United Kingdom (UK). The...

29 Apr 2021 News Analysis
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund

Why in News Agriculture Infrastructure Fund has crossed the eight thousand crore mark. The investment will give a boost to several agricultural...

29 Apr 2021 News Analysis
Antimicrobial Resistance: Threat to Global Health Security

Why in News Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global problem to which the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic may further contribute. With...

29 Apr 2021 News Analysis
Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021

Why in News The Government of National Capital Territory (GNCT) of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021, which gives primacy to the Lieutenant Governor (L-G)...

29 Apr 2021 News Analysis
Assam Earthquake

Why in News Recently, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale jolted Assam and other parts of Northeast. According to the...

29 Apr 2021 News Analysis
Women & Financial Inclusion

This article is based on “Women are key to financial inclusion” which was published in The Hindustan Times on 24/04/2021. It talks about...

28 Apr 2021 News Editorials

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			'title' => 'Asian Development Outlook 2021: ADB',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the report <strong>Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2021,</strong> the <strong>second wave of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Covid-19</a> can put India&rsquo;s economic recovery at &ldquo;risk&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ADO</strong> is <strong>a series of annual economic reports on the Developing Member Countries</strong> (DMCs) of the <strong>Asian Development Bank (ADB).</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>GDP Projections:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>For India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will rebound strongly by 11% in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22</strong> due to continued economic recovery boosted by increased public investment, vaccine rollout, and a surge in domestic demand.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s <strong>economic growth to moderate to 7% in FY 2022-23.</strong></li>
<li>The economy <strong>is expected to have contracted by 8% in FY 2020-21</strong> in line with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-emerged-out-of-technical-recession" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>government&rsquo;s second advance estimate.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>For Developing Asia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>economic growth is set to rebound to 7.3% in 2021-22.</strong> This follows <strong>a 0.2% contraction last year.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Developing Asia</strong> comprises <strong>46 members of ADB list</strong> on the basis of geographic group. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These include<strong> new industrialized economies, countries</strong> in <strong>Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia</strong> and the Pacific.</li>
<li><strong>India</strong> is also<strong> part of Developing Asia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Pandemic</strong> remains the <strong>biggest risk</strong> for the region (Developing Asia) as potential delays in vaccine rollouts or significant new outbreaks could undermine growth.</li>
<li>Increasing<strong> geopolitical tensions, production bottlenecks, financial turmoil</strong> from tightening financial conditions, and long-term scarring like <strong>learning losses due to school closures</strong> are among other risk factors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Costs of Pandemic-induced School Closures:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Countries are <strong>using distance learning,</strong> but this is<strong> only partially effective</strong> as <strong>many students lack access to computers and the internet.</strong></li>
<li>These disruptions<strong> will affect the skills</strong> students acquire and, eventually, <strong>their productivity </strong>and <strong>earnings as future workers.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Learning losses</strong> range from<strong> 8% of a year of learning in the Pacific,</strong> where schools have mostly stayed open, to<strong> 55% in South Asia,</strong> where school closures have been longest.</li>
<li>The<strong> present value of students&rsquo; future earning reductions</strong> is estimated at USD 1.25 trillion for developing Asia, equivalent to 5.4% of the region&rsquo;s GDP in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Analysis for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Increased <strong>government expenditure on health care, water, and sanitation </strong>will<strong> strengthen the country&rsquo;s resilience against future pandemics.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Private investment</strong> is expected to pick up on improving sentiment and risk appetite, as well as <strong>accommodative credit conditions</strong> (i.e. making money less expensive to borrow and encouraging more spending).</li>
<li><strong>Domestic demand</strong> is expected to remain the <strong>main driver of growth.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A faster <strong>vaccine rollout</strong> will <strong>boost urban demand</strong> for services, while the <strong>rural demand will be boosted by robust agriculture growth</strong> and continued government support to farmers by expanding irrigation, improving value chains, and increasing farm loan limits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The government&rsquo;s push to the<strong> manufacturing sector</strong> through the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/expansion-of-production-linked-incentive-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>production-linked incentive scheme</strong></a> will expand domestic production and help integrate domestic manufacturing with global supply chains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gross Domestic Product</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gdp-decreases-to-11-year-low" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GDP</strong> </a>is <strong>a measure of economic activity</strong> in a country. It is the<strong> total value of a country&rsquo;s annual output of goods and services.</strong> It gives the economic output from the consumers&rsquo; side.</li>
<li>GDP = Private consumption + Gross investment + Government investment + Government spending + (exports-imports)</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Asian Development Bank</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ADB</strong> is a<strong> regional development bank established in 1966.</strong></li>
<li>It has <strong>68 members. India is a founding member.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>49 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It <strong>aims</strong> to promote social and economic development in Asia and the Pacific.</li>
<li>As of 31st December 2019, <strong>ADB&rsquo;s five largest shareholders</strong> are <strong>Japan</strong> and the <strong>United States</strong> (each with 15.6% of total shares), the People&rsquo;s Republic of<strong> China</strong> (6.4%), <strong>India</strong> (6.3%), and<strong> Australia</strong> (5.8%).</li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered in Manila, Philippines.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/economy/india-s-second-covid-19-wave-could-put-its-economic-recovery-at-risk-adb-76753#:~:text=The%20ongoing%20'second%20wave'%20the,Asian%20Development%20Bank%20(ADB).&amp;text=India's%20gross%20domestic%20product%20(GDP,7%20per%20cent%20in%202022." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'India-Japan Relations',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-rising-sun-in-india-japan-relations/article34453087.ece"> "The Rising Sun in India-Japan Relation"</a> which was published in The Hindu on 29/04/2021. It talks about the evolving nature of India-Japan relationship.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the new Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga met with the new United States President. Bothe the leaders have set the agenda for the wider Indo-Pacific engagement.</p>
<p>The backdrop of this meeting is the need to address China&rsquo;s aggressive outlook in territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas as well as in the Taiwan Strait.</p>
<p>Moreover, in the aftermath of the successful Quad Summit, both parties expressed their continued support for the four-nation grouping of the United States, India, Australia and Japan.</p>
<p>Given that the Japanese Prime Minister plans to visit India as soon as the situation permits following the Covid-19 pandemic, his dealings with the U.S. are a preview of what India can expect from Japan.</p>
<h3>Highlight of the US-Japan Meet</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the summit level meeting, both sides affirmed the centrality of their treaty alliance, for long a source of stability in East Asia, and pledged to stand up to China in key regional flashpoints such as the disputed Senkaku Islands and Taiwan.</li>
<li>Further, reflecting on the changed nature of conflict, both sides acknowledged the importance of extended deterrence vis-&agrave;-vis China through cooperation on cybersecurity and space technology.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Discussions also touched upon Chinese ambitions to dominate the development of new age technologies such as 5G and quantum computing.</li>
<li>Given China&rsquo;s recent pledge to invest a mammoth $1.4 trillion in emerging technologies, both sides pledged to close the gap by announcing a Competitiveness and Resilience Partnership, or CoRe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both sides have also signalled their intent to continue the Trump-era policy of pressure on China to reform economic practices such as &ldquo;violations of intellectual property rights, forced technology transfer, excess capacity issues, and the use of trade distorting industrial subsidies&rdquo;</li>
<li>Both powers also reiterated their vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific that respects the rule of law, freedom of navigation, democratic norms and the use of peaceful means to settle disputes.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What can Be expected in Upcoming India-Japan Meet</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Balancing China:</strong> A continuation of the balancing security policy against China that began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe in 2014, can be expected as a major priority.</li>
<li><strong>Collaboration in Frontier Technologies:</strong> During the Shinzo Abe years, India and Japan put together a digital research and innovation partnership that ran the gamut of technologies from AI and 5G to the Internet of Things and space research.</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong> Economic ties and infrastructure development are likely to be top drawer items on the agendas of New Delhi and Tokyo.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Japan is likely to reaffirm support for key manufacturing initiatives such as &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo;.</li>
<li>Further, India will be keen to secure continued infrastructure investments in the strategically vital connectivity projects currently under way in the Northeast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Evolving Multilateralism:</strong> The Suga-Modi Summit would undoubtedly devote much attention to evolving a joint strategy towards key third countries and multilateral bodies. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In years past, New Delhi and Tokyo have collaborated to build infrastructure in Iran and Africa, provide vital aid to Myanmar &amp; Sri Lanka and hammer out a common Association of Southeast Asian Nations outreach policy in an attempt to counter China&rsquo;s growing influence in these corners of the globe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prompting Free and Open Indo-Pacific:</strong> Further, no meeting would be complete without an affirmation of India and Japan&rsquo;s support for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and continued willingness to work with the Quad, which is fast emerging as a central pillar of the security strategies of both nations</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Resolving Data Localisation Issues:</strong> India and Japan should attempt to resolve disagreements over India&rsquo;s insistence on data localisation and continued reluctance to accede to global cybersecurity agreements such as the Budapest Convention</li>
<li><strong>Expediating Economic Convergence:</strong> While Japan has poured in around $34 billion in investments into the Indian economy over the course of the last two decades.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Japan is only India&rsquo;s 12th largest trading partner, and trade volumes between the two stand at just a fifth of the value of India-China bilateral trade.</li>
<li>Thus both sides should envisage expediating the economic convergence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Shinzo Abe, in his book, Utsukushii Kuni E (Toward a Beautiful Country), expressed his hope that it would not be a surprise if in another 10 years, Japan-India relations overtake Japan-U.S. and Japan-China relations.</p>
<p>Thus far, New India has every reason to believe that Japan&rsquo;s Yoshihide Suga is willing to make that dream a reality.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffffc;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>It would not be a surprise if in another 10 years, Japan-India relations overtake Japan-U.S. and Japan-China relations. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-japan-relations'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'International Labour Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Every year 1<sup>st</sup> May is observed as May Day and is also known as<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-workers-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Labour Day worldwide.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The day is observed as an occasion to <strong>commemorate the contributions of labourers and the working class.</strong></li>
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Labour Organization</strong></a>, a United Nations agency, works towards setting international labour standards.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>History and Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>United States:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Labour Day<strong> has its origins in the labour union movement in the United States</strong> in the 19<sup>th</sup> Century.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the <strong>USA and Canada celebrate Labour day on the first Monday of September, every year.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Labour day was designated as a day in support of workers by trade unions and socialist groups in the memory of the <strong>Haymarket affair of 1886 in Chicago, USA.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Haymarket Affair</strong> was a peaceful rally in support of workers which led to a violent clash with the police, leading to severe casualties. Those who died were hailed as &ldquo;Haymarket Martyrs&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Workers&rsquo; rights violations, straining work hours, poor working conditions, low wages and child labour were the issues highlighted in the protest.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Europe:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>May Day was <strong>first celebrated on 1<sup>st</sup> May, 1890,</strong> after it was declared by the first <strong>International Congress of Socialist Parties</strong> in Europe in July 1889.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>USSR:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Soviet Union and the Eastern bloc nations <strong>started celebrating the Labour day after the Russian Revolution, 1917.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>New ideologies such as <strong>Marxism and Socialism</strong> inspired many socialist and communist groups and they attracted peasants and workers and made them an integral part of national movement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The first Labour&rsquo;s Day was celebrated in 1923 in Chennai. This day was observed by the <strong>Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.</strong></li>
<li>On this day, communist leader <strong>Malayapuram Singaravelu Chettiar</strong> asked the government that 1<sup>st</sup> May should be considered as a national holiday to symbolise the efforts and work of the workers.</li>
<li>This day is also known as Kamgar Divas, Kamgar Din and Antarrashtriya Shramik Divas in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Constitutional Provisions Related to Labour</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian constitution provides numerous safeguards for the protection of labour rights. These safeguards are in the<strong> form of fundamental rights and the Directive principle of State policy.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 14</strong> commands the State to <strong>treat any person equally before the law.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article (19) (1) (c)</strong> grants citizens the <strong>right to form associations or unions.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 21</strong> promises <strong>protection of life and personal liberty.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 23 prohibits forced labour.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 24 prohibits employment of children below the age of fourteen years.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 39(a)</strong> provides that the State shall<strong> secure to its citizens equal right to an adequate means of livelihood.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 41</strong> provides that within the limits of its economic capacity the State <strong>shall secure for the Right to work and education.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 42</strong> instructs the State to make provisions for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.</li>
<li><strong>Article 43</strong> orders the State to secure a<strong> living wage, decent conditions of work and social and cultural opportunities</strong> to all workers through legislation or economic organisation.</li>
<li><strong>Article 43A</strong> provides for the <strong>participation of workers in Management of Industries through legislation.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Legal Provisions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Parliament has passed<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-the-labour-code-bills" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 3 labour code bills</strong> </a>aimed at labour welfare reforms covering more than 50 crores organized and unorganized workers in the country.</li>
<li>These three Bills are<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/right-code-for-labour" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Social Security Code, 2020.</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-occupational-safety-health-and-working-conditions-code-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Code on Occupational Safety, Health &amp; Working Conditions Code, 2020</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/labour-reforms-1#:~:text=Key%20Points,to%20furnish%20a%20standing%20order." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Relations Code, 2020</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/may-day-2021-know-history-and-significance-of-labour-day-101619837183763.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: HT</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-labour-day'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Positron: The Antimatter Counterpart of the Electrons',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Researchers from the <strong>Raman Research Institute (RRI),</strong> Bengaluru, have resolved the mystery of the antimatter counterpart of the electrons called <strong>Positron and Positron Excess Phenomenon.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RRI is an autonomous institution of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-foundation-day-of-dst" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Department of Science and Technology.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Anti-Matter</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Antimatter is the<strong> opposite of normal matter.</strong> More specifically, the sub-atomic particles of antimatter have properties opposite those of normal matter.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Matter</strong> is made up of atoms, which are the basic units of chemical elements such as hydrogen, helium or oxygen.</li>
<li><strong>Atoms</strong> are the basic units of matter and the defining structure of elements. atoms are made up of three particles:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Protons, Neutrons and Electrons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619868921_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619868921_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Positron</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Positron is a<strong> subatomic particle whose mass is the same as that of an electron and numerically equal but positively charged particle.</strong> The positron was discovered in 1932.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Positron Excess:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The excess number of high energy particles of the antimatter counterpart of the electrons, called <strong>positrons have intrigued scientists for long.</strong></li>
<li>Over the years astronomers have <strong>observed positrons having an energy of more than 10 giga-electron volts, or 10 GeV.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For an estimate, this is the energy of a <strong>positively charged electron accelerated across a 10,000,000,000 volt battery.</strong> Positrons with energy more than 300 GeV, however, are lower in comparison to what astronomers expect.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This behaviour of positrons between 10 and 300 GeV is what astronomers call the <strong>&lsquo;positron excess&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>RRIs Study:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/milky-way-s-violent-birth-decoded" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Milky Way</strong></a> consists of <strong>giant clouds of molecular hydrogen.</strong> They are the seats of the formation of <strong>new stars</strong> and can be as massive as<strong> 10 million times the Sun&rsquo;s mass.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They can extend up to <strong>600 light-years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Cosmic rays, produced in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-upsc-prelims-supernova-blast" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>supernovae</strong></a> explosions propagate through these clouds before they reach the Earth. <strong>Cosmic rays interact with molecular hydrogen and can give rise to other cosmic rays.</strong></li>
<li>As they propagate through these clouds, they<strong> decay from their original forms and intermix, lose their energy by energising the clouds, and may also get re-energised.</strong></li>
<li>RRI studied all these astrophysical processes via a<strong> code it set up on the computer, using a publicly available code.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>RRIs Code:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The code <strong>considers 1638 molecular hydrogen clouds in the Milky Way</strong> that other astronomers have observed across different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum.</li>
<li>RRI followed a comprehensive catalogue which <strong>consists of ten molecular clouds in the immediate neighbourhood of our Sun.</strong></li>
<li>These galactic clouds <strong>provide the astronomers a crucial input</strong> that is the number of giga-electron volt cosmic rays. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These help them <strong>determine the excess number of positrons that reach the Earth.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The computer code was successfully able to<strong> reproduce the observed number of positrons at giga-electron volt energies.</strong></li>
<li>Not only the positron excess, the computer code accurately <strong>reproduces the spectra of protons, antiprotons, boron, carbon, and all other components of cosmic rays.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>RRIs Proposal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cosmic rays<strong> while propagating through the Milky Way galaxy interact with matter producing other cosmic rays,</strong> primarily electrons and positrons.</li>
<li>All mechanisms via which cosmic rays interact with the molecular clouds to show that <strong>nearby molecular clouds can be a viable contributor to the positron excess phenomenon.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cosmic Rays</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Cosmic rays are <strong>atom fragments that rain down on the Earth from outside of the solar system.</strong> They blaze at the speed of light and have been blamed for electronics problems in satellites and other machinery. They were Discovered in 1912.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Light-Year</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The light-year is a unit of length used to express astronomical distances and is equivalent to about <strong>9.46 trillion kilometres.</strong></li>
<li>As defined by the International Astronomical Union, a light-year is <strong>the distance that light travels in vacuum in one Julian year.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1715111" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/positron-the-antimatter-counterpart-of-the-electrons'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Delhi Air Pollution',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, according to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/safar#:~:text=The%20System%20of%20Air%20Quality,air%20quality%20of%20the%20city." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research)</strong> </a>system, Delhi&rsquo;s air quality deteriorated from &lsquo;moderate&rsquo; to &lsquo;poor&rsquo; and &lsquo;very poor&rsquo;.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Causes of Deteriorating Air Quality:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Delhi&rsquo;s air <strong>typically worsens in October-November</strong> and improves by March-April. Current weather conditions are not unfavourable, unlike in winter.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>During winter, cool and calm weather traps and spikes daily pollution, particularly in north Indian cities located in the <strong>Indo Gangetic Plain.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Hence, apart from <strong>local emissions</strong>, the deterioration in air quality is <strong>being attributed to an increase in fire counts, mostly due to burning of wheat crop stubble in northern India.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>most crucial reasons</strong> for the alarming levels of air pollution in Delhi include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>City&rsquo;s landlocked geographical location.</li>
<li>Crop burning in neighbouring states (Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan).</li>
<li>Vehicular emissions.</li>
<li>Industrial pollution.</li>
<li>Large-scale construction activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Deteriorating air quality is worrying amid an increasing number of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19)</strong></a> cases and deaths.</li>
<li>In the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-air-quality-report-2020#:~:text=Delhi%20has%20been%20listed%20as,capital%20city%20in%20the%20world." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Air Quality report 2020</strong></a>, Delhi has been listed as the <strong>10<sup>th</sup> most</strong> <strong>polluted city and the top polluted capital city in the world.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, it <strong>shows a boost in Delhi&rsquo;s air quality by approximately 15%</strong> from 2019 to 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In July 2020, <strong>Greenpeace (non-governmental organisation)</strong> found out that of the 28 global cities studied, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/greenpeace-analysis-on-economic-cost-of-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Delhi bore the highest economic cost of air pollution</strong></a> with an estimated loss of 24,000 lives in the first half of 2020 despite a strict Covid-19 lockdown.</li>
<li>Long-term exposure to outdoor and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indoor-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>household (indoor) air pollution</strong></a> contributed to over 1.67 million annual deaths from stroke, heart attack, diabetes, lung cancer, chronic lung <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-injection-for-type-2-diabetes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>diseases</strong></a>, and <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-tackling-infant-mortality" target="_blank" rel="noopener">neonatal diseases</a></strong>, in India in 2019 <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-global-air-2020-hei" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(State of Global Air 2020)</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Measures Taken:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Subsidy to farmers for buying <strong>Turbo Happy Seeder (THS)</strong> which is a machine mounted on a tractor that cuts and uproots the stubble, in order to <strong>reduce stubble burning.</strong></li>
<li>The introduction of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bs-vi-emission-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BS-VI vehicles</strong></a>, push for <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/electric-vehicles-evs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>electric vehicles</strong></a> (EVs), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/health-emergency-in-new-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Odd-Even</strong></a> as an emergency measure and construction of the <strong>Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways</strong> to reduce vehicular pollution.</li>
<li>Implementation of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/grap-to-be-enforced-in-delhi-ncr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Graded Response Action Plan</a> (GRAP).</strong> It is a set of curbs triggered in phases as the air quality deteriorates, which is typical of the October-November period.</li>
<li>Development of the <strong>National Air Quality Index (AQI)</strong> for public information under the aegis of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Central Pollution Control Board</a> (CPCB).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SAFAR is a national initiative <strong>introduced by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)</strong> to measure the air quality of a metropolitan city, by measuring the overall pollution level and the location-specific air quality of the city.</li>
<li>The system is<strong> indigenously developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)</strong>, <strong>Pune</strong> and is <strong>operationalized by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-fani" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Meteorological Department (IMD).</a></strong></li>
<li>The ultimate objective of the project is to increase awareness among the general public regarding the air quality in their city so that appropriate mitigation measures and systematic action can be taken up.</li>
<li>SAFAR is a<strong>n integral part of India&rsquo;s first Air Quality Early Warning System</strong> operational in Delhi.</li>
<li>It <strong>monitors all weather parameters</strong> like temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction, UV radiation, and solar radiation.</li>
<li><strong>Pollutants Monitored:</strong> PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, and Mercury.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The wheat season is not followed by intensive farm fires, unlike paddy harvesting, as managing wheat stubble is comparatively easy and wheat straw is processed into cattle feed by most farmers.</li>
<li>So instead of focusing on farm fires, Delhi should look at local emissions to control the air pollution.</li>
<li>Breathing clean air is a fundamental right of every Indian citizen. Therefore, human health must become a priority when it comes to tackling air pollution.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/air/delhi-air-in-trouble-again-should-farm-fires-be-in-focus-76758#:~:text=Published%3A%20Friday%2030%20April%202021,on%20Thursday%20(April%2029).&amp;text=Hence%2C%20apart%20from%20local%20emissions,crop%20stubble%20in%20no" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/delhi-air-pollution-1'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan Border Tension',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a<strong> ceasefire on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan</strong> appeared to be holding after a day of intense<strong> fighting between the two countries</strong> that has killed about 40 people and wounded about 175.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Kyrgyzstan</strong> and <strong>Tajikistan</strong> belong to the central asia region. Other countries of the region are Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.</li>
</ul>
<h3><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619874178_image1%20- Copy.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619874178_image1 - Copy.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both nations have<strong> claimed the area around the water supply facility in Kok-Tash, a dispute dating back decades</strong> to when <strong>they were both part of the Soviet Union.</strong></li>
<li>The current configuration of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border is the<strong> product of Soviet mapmakers</strong> drawing the dividing lines for Soviet republics, after the <strong>Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) collapsed in late 1991.</strong></li>
<li>The meandering boundary between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is particularly tense as over a third of its<strong> 1,000-km length is disputed. Restrictions on access to land and water</strong> that communities regard as theirs have often <strong>led to deadly clashes in the past.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International Response:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Russia and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong> </a>(EU) welcomed the ceasefire deal and emphasised the <strong>need for a lasting and peaceful solution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Central Asia for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Political:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has a very wide array of interests in Central Asia covering <strong>security, energy, economic opportunities etc.</strong></li>
<li>Security, stability and prosperity of Central Asia is<strong> imperative for peace and economic development of India.</strong></li>
<li>Central Asia serves as a <strong>land bridge between Asia and Europe, making it geopolitically axial for India.</strong></li>
<li>Both <strong>India and Central Asian Republics (CARs) share many commonalities and perceptions</strong> on various regional and world issues and can play a crucial role in providing regional stability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The region is<strong> rich in natural resources</strong> such as petroleum, natural gas, antimony, aluminum, gold, silver, coal and uranium which<strong> can be best utilized by Indian energy requirements.</strong></li>
<li>Central Asia has<strong> huge cultivable areas lying barren</strong> and without being put to any productive use, offering enormous opportunity for cultivation of pulses.</li>
<li>CARs are fast getting linked to the global market for production, supplies of raw materials and services. They are also increasingly getting integrated into the<strong> East-West Trans-Eurasian transit economic corridors.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India intends<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/push-for-chabahar-port-in-instc-corridor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> expansion of International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC)</strong></a> to Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will act as a vital gateway to access Eurasian markets and optimally operationalize its use, requiring a Central Asian state joining the project as a direct stakeholder.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-central-asia-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India-Central Asia Dialogue</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has proposed setting up of &lsquo;India-Central Asia Development Group&rsquo; to take forward development partnership between India &amp; Central Asian countries.</li>
<li>This group will help India to expand its footprints in the resource-rich region amid China&rsquo;s massive inroads and to fight terror effectively, including in Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-Kyrgyzstan</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Political:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has enjoyed <strong>strong bilateral ties with Kyrgyzstan since 1991.</strong></li>
<li>India was <strong>one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Kyrgyzstan in 1992.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Culture &amp; Economic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Since 1992, the two countries have many agreements,</strong> including on Culture, Trade and Economic Cooperation, Civil Aviation, Investment Promotion and Protection, Avoidance of Double Taxation, Consular Convention etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Military:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2011, the joint<strong> &lsquo;Khanjar&rsquo;</strong> series of exercises was started.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Diaspora:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In Kyrgyzstan, about<strong> 9,000 Indian students</strong> are studying medicine in various medical institutions in the country. Also,<strong> there are many businessmen living in Kyrgyzstan</strong> who are involved in trade and several other services there.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Strategic: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Kyrgyz leaderships have been <strong>largely supportive of India&rsquo;s stand on Kashmir.</strong></li>
<li>They also support India&rsquo;s bid for a permanent seat at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Security Council</strong></a> (UNSC).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-Tajikistan</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Political:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Tajikistan elevated bilateral relations to the level of a<strong> Strategic Partnership in 2012.</strong></li>
<li>Tajikistan supported India&rsquo;s membership to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sco-summit-2#:~:text=the%20SCO%20region.-,Shanghai%20Cooperation%20Organisation,entered%20into%20force%20in%202003." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)</strong> </a>and also permanent membership of an expanded UNSC.</li>
<li>India supported Tajikistan's accession to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organization</strong></a> in 2013.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Culture &amp; Economic:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Trade between two sides is <strong>not to expectations despite efforts from both countries, due to more transit time and lack of readily accessible trade routes.</strong></li>
<li>Despite limitations, trade in food processing, mining, pharmaceuticals, textiles, skill development, science &amp; technology, Information Technology, culture and tourism are continued between two countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Assistance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India delivered<strong> major food assistance</strong> in 2001-02. To overcome a crisis caused by an unprecedented harsh winter in January-February <strong>2008, India gave a grant of USD 2 million</strong> (USD 1 million as cash assistance and USD 1 million in kind, such as power cables, generators and pump sets).</li>
<li>India provided<strong> 2 million doses of oral polio vaccine</strong> through the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unicef-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations Children&rsquo;s Fund (UNICEF)</strong> </a>in November 2010.</li>
<li>In March 2018, India gifted <strong>10 Russian-made ambulances</strong> to various regions of Tajikistan drawing substantial media coverage and appreciation from high offices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Diaspora:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> total number of Indians is estimated at about 1550,</strong> out of which more than 1250 are students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Geography has placed central asia at the nexus of crucial political and economic transformations for centuries. With the actualization of the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Belt and Road Initiative</a>, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/connect-central-asia-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s Connect Central Asia policy</a>,</strong> and the EU&rsquo;s new Central Asia strategy, the 21st century could possibly be the most decisive period for the region.</li>
<li>Stemming from its historic cultural and economic bonds,<strong> India is now well placed to take a more active role in the development of the region.</strong> India&rsquo;s growing global visibility and key contributions to multilateral forums like the SCO have catapulted India from an observer into a critical stakeholder in the region.</li>
<li>As India looks beyond its borders,<strong> Central Asia provides India with the right platform to leverage its political, economic and cultural connections to play a leading role in Eurasia.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/kyrgyzstan-tajikistan-seek-to-ease-cross-border-tensions/article34452732.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kyrgyzstan-tajikistan-border-tension'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'The Broken Sanitation System of India',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-pandemic-has-exposed-indias-dirty-truth-a-broken-sanitation-system-7292937/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;The Dirty Truth&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in the Indian Express on 29/04/2021. It talks about how the pandemic has worsened the already deteriorating sanitation system of India and what are the measures that need to be taken.</p>
</div>
<p>The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed India&rsquo;s broken system of sanitation. Newly-built &ldquo;dry latrines&rdquo; and &ldquo;hanging toilets&rdquo; in rural India are the result of the lockdowns of 2020-21.</p>
<p>Despite the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/manual-scavenging-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013</strong></a>, and a strict ban on dry latrines, about 46,000 new dry latrines were built during the pandemic only.</p>
<p>The primary reason for the construction of these illegal toilets is that sanitary toilets have become hotbeds of disease.</p>
<p>The lockdowns, being imposed again due to the second wave of Covid-19, have multiplied the sanitation struggle in India, so much so that people are fearing the outcome of using the public toilets every day.</p>
<h3>Present Scenario of India&rsquo;s Sanitation System</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>State-Wise Condition:</strong> Small pits filled with human excrement near construction sites in Uttar Pradesh highlight the re-emergence open-defecation pattern in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>West Bengal,</strong> more toilets are found to be constructed as &ldquo;raised beds with small holes&rdquo; at the centre, known as <strong>hanging toilets,</strong> built by families who do not want to use sanitary toilets as they are always filled with excrement and faeces.</li>
<li>In<strong> Delhi,</strong> the extension of Ghazipur, Bhalswa and Okhla landfills serve as a big defecation ground for nearby communities.</li>
<li>In <strong>Tamil Nadu,</strong> locals claim that unused toilets often become playgrounds for wild animals and snakes, just as in<strong> Goa.</strong></li>
<li>In<strong> Madhya Pradesh</strong> and<strong> Rajasthan,</strong> the toilets in villages have become &ldquo;death traps&rdquo; because of the usage of substandard material for construction.</li>
<li>In <strong>Mizoram,</strong> there is a prevalence of unique <strong>&ldquo;tree house&rdquo; toilets</strong> which are like the hanging toilets, but three times higher. Excrement keeps getting filled in open pits on the ground throughout the day.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Toilets in Rural India:</strong> Sanitary toilet usage has declined in rural India due to the Covid-19. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently, more than six lakh toilets in rural India have acute water shortage.</li>
<li>Around 1,20,000 toilets have no water supply and thousands of toilets are completely abandoned, with collapsing roofs, water pipes in poor shape and soggy, broken doors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Open Defecation:</strong> As toilet usage becomes a problem, another trend is the four-fold increase in open defecation in rural India with defecation sites being close to garbage dumps and local water bodies. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These dumps contain a large number of used masks, PPE kits and effluents.</li>
<li>The pandemic has also forced India&rsquo;s sanitation workers to discard plastic bags filled with excrement and infected COVID-19 gear found on the periphery of community toilets even in the remotest areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Manual Scavenging:</strong> According to the <strong>National Commission of Safai Karamcharis (NCSK),</strong> a total of 53,598 people (29,923 in U.P. alone) had been identified as engaged in manual scavenging after surveys in 2013 and 2018.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tamil Nadu reported the highest number of deaths due to manual scavenging.</li>
<li>Gujarat has the highest number of cases where the compensation amount was not paid for deaths due to manual scavenging, followed by Maharashtra.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biomedical Waste Generation:</strong> According to a Central Pollution Control Board report, released in November 2020, India generated around 33,000 tonnes of Covid-19 biomedical waste between April and November. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Before the pandemic, regular biomedical waste generation in India was at 610 MT per day, but now, the waste has gone up to 765.5 MT per day.</li>
<li><strong>Maharashtra has been the biggest contributor to biomedical waste</strong> including Uttar Pradesh and Delhi among the top 10 waste generators.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gender-Based Sanitation Insecurity:</strong> There is a disproportionate burden faced by women regarding shortage of or the non-availability of sanitation facilities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Women face threats to their life and feel unsafe while seeking a toilet facility or while going out for open defecation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This leads to the consumption of less food and water by the women to minimize the need to exit the home to use toilets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps to be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Re-Evaluating the State of Toilets:</strong> The dependence on unimproved water sources in rural India even within sanitary toilets increases the need to re-evaluate the obsession with toilet construction in India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The maintenance systems need to be tackled immediately which can be done by re-surveying the state of the toilets that were built more than 5 years ago..</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reforms for Sanitation Labours:</strong> The sanitation system needs to go hand in hand with the water system, combined with an assessment of sanitation behaviour and sanitation labour reforms in India, at every single step.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bringing the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiatives-to-eliminate-manual-scavenging" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2020</strong></a> into force and completely eradicate manual scavenging in order to mechanise the scavenging and prevent further deaths due to the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eradication of Dry Latrines and Hanging Toilets:</strong> The usage of both dry latrines and hanging toilets puts the communities around them at high risk of illness, beyond Covid-19. Therefore, both the construction and usage of these units needs to be eradicated.</li>
<li><strong>Biomedical Waste Management:</strong> It is imperative to define Covid-19 waste, identify different types of waste generators and launch a large-scale campaign for awareness related to PPE usage.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Urban local bodies must provide separate waste bins, and push citizens to segregate waste at source.</li>
<li>The government must also augment the capacities of biomedical treatment units with appropriate monitoring strategies and work with all stakeholders such as doctors, innovators and medical items and equipment manufacturers to come up with a plan to reduce the waste burden.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring Behaviour Change:</strong> Information, education, and communication, which aims at behavior change of the masses towards toilets and other sanitation facilities specially for women.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>With no escape from COVID-19, the toilet traditions have highlighted major loopholes in India&rsquo;s sanitation system, where the focus is majorly on building new infrastructure rather than surveying the existing ones.</p>
<p>The government shall stringently respond to the problem of open defecation, manual scavenging and lack of toilet and sanitation facilities for women.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffffa;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;The notion of Open-Defecation Free India will not be fulfilled by the effort of an individual but requires a collaborative approach of the government and public requiring welfare policies and a change in the mindset go hand in hand&rdquo;. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-broken-sanitation-system-of-india'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'The Global Forest Goals Report 2021: UN Report',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the U<strong>nited Nations&rsquo; Global Forest Goals Report 2021, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a></strong> pandemic has <strong>aggravated the challenges faced by countries in managing their forests.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Report has been prepared by the <strong>Department of Economic and Social Affairs</strong> of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations.</strong></a> It provides an initial overview of progress of Goals and targets contained within the<strong> United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2030.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Findings of the Report:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Covid-19 leading to Systemic Vulnerabilities and Inequalities:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>More than just a health crisis, <strong>Covid-19 is driving losses of lives and livelihoods</strong>, extreme poverty, inequality, and food insecurity, and it has put the &lsquo;Future We Want&rsquo; further out of reach.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19 on Global Output:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is estimated that world gross product <strong>fell by an estimated 4.3% in 2020.</strong> It is the <strong>sharpest contraction</strong> of global output <strong>since the Great Depression.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Covid-19 is Threatening the Lifeline that Forests Provide:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An <strong>estimated 1.6 billion people, or 25% of the global population, rely on forests</strong> for their subsistence <strong>needs, livelihoods, employment, and income.</strong></li>
<li>Of the extreme poor in rural areas, 40% live in forest and savannah areas, and approximately 20% of the global population, especially women, children, landless farmers, and other vulnerable segments of society look to forests to meet their food and income needs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19 on Forest Dependent Population:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>On the <strong>economic front</strong>, forest-dependent populations have <strong>faced job loss, reduced income</strong>, <strong>diminished access to markets and information</strong>, and for many women and youth, <strong>a contraction in seasonal employment.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Socially</strong>, many of these populations are already <strong>marginalized and vulnerable groups</strong>, such as indigenous peoples, least able to access critical socio-economic safety nets.</li>
<li>Many forest dependent populations, especially those in remote or hard to reach places, have faced <strong>difficulties accessing healthcare</strong> or find that government assistance programmes and basic services are disrupted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increased Pressure on Forest:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Pandemic driven health and socio-economic outcomes have increased pressure on forests.</li>
<li>To ease their growing vulnerability, many indigenous peoples and local communities, as well as returning migrants and urban workers,<strong> have retreated deeper into the woods to seek food, fuel, shelter, and protection from the risks of Covid-</strong>19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biodiversity Crisis:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Among its many findings, the <strong>&lsquo;Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services&rsquo;</strong> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-report-on-species-extinction#:~:text=The%20Intergovernmental%20Science%2DPolicy%20Platform,risk%20of%20extinction%20within%20decades." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)</strong></a> highlighted that <strong>one million species were at risk of extinction</strong> and that 100 million hectares of tropical forest were lost from 1980 to 2000.</li>
<li>At the same time, <strong>climate change is jeopardizing the resilience of forest ecosystems</strong> and their ability to support ecosystem services worldwide.</li>
<li>Though forests offer nature-based solutions to overcome these concurrent global challenges, they have also never been more at risk.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The resilient recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic along with responses to the climate and biodiversity crises <strong>must be rooted in the world&rsquo;s forests.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Forests and forest-dependent people are both a casualty and an important part of the solution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sustainably resourced and managed forests</strong> can bolster employment, disaster risk reduction, food security and social safety nets, for starters.</li>
<li>Forest <strong>can also protect biodiversity and advance both climate mitigation and adaptation.</strong></li>
<li>With regard to global health, safeguarding and restoring forests are among the environmental actions that <strong>can reduce the risk of future zoonotic disease outbreaks.</strong></li>
<li>The report called for a future course of action that included <strong>greater sustainability and a greener and more inclusive economy</strong> to tackle the threats of Covid-19, climate change and the biodiversity crisis faced by forests.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Status of World Forest</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Total Forest Area:</strong> According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/deforestation-rate-declined" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 (FRA 2020)</strong></a> report, the <strong>world&rsquo;s total forest area is 4.06 billion hectares (bha)</strong>, which is 31% of the total land area. This area is equivalent to 0.52 hectares per person.</li>
<li><strong>Top Countries in Forest Cover</strong>&mdash;the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America and China constituted more than 54% of the world&rsquo;s forests.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Forest in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/india-state-of-forest-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India State of Forest Report, 2019,</strong></a> the <strong>Total Forest and Tree cover is 24.56%</strong> of the geographical area of the country.</li>
<li><strong>Forest Cover (Area-wise):</strong> Madhya Pradesh&gt; Arunachal Pradesh&gt; Chhattisgarh&gt; Odisha&gt; Maharashtra.</li>
<li><strong>National Forest Policy of India, 1988</strong> envisages a goal of achieving 33% of the geographical area of the country under forest and tree cover.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017&ndash;2030</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 was created with a mission to promote sustainable forest management and enhance the contribution of forests and trees to the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3#:~:text=To%20bring%20sustainable%20development%20in,over%20the%20next%2015%20years." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.</strong></a></li>
<li>The agreement on the first-ever UN Strategic Plan for Forests was <strong>forged at a special session of the UN Forum on Forests held in January 2017</strong> and provides an ambitious vision for global forests in 2030.</li>
<li><strong>Goals and Targets:</strong> It features <strong>a set of six Global Forest Goals and 26 associated targets</strong> to be reached by 2030, which are <strong>voluntary and universal.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It includes a target to increase forest area by <strong>3% worldwide by 2030</strong>, signifying an increase of 120 million hectares, an area over twice the size of France.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It builds on the vision of the 2030 Agenda and recognizes that real change requires decisive, collective action, within and beyond the UN System.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619783660_Image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619783660_Image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/covid-19-has-aggravated-challenges-to-manage-forests-un-report-76718%23:~:text%3DPublished%253A%2520Wednesday%252028%2520April%25202021%26text%3DThe%2520novel%2520coronavirus%2520disease%2520(COVID,of%2520people%2520during%2520the%2520pandemic.&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1619785106757000&amp;usg=AOvVaw02J4jZUdvZPAXsQuTFlLTl" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong></strong></a></p>
</div>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/covid-19-has-aggravated-challenges-to-manage-forests-un-report-76718#:~:text=Published%3A%20Wednesday%2028%20April%202021&amp;text=The%20novel%20coronavirus%20disease%20(COVID,of%20people%20during%20the%20pandemic." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source: DTE</a></strong></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-global-forest-goals-report-2021-un-report'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'MACS 1407: Variety of Soybean',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Indian Scientists</strong> have developed <strong>a high-yielding and pest-resistant variety of soybean</strong>, called <strong>MACS 1407.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Scientists from <strong>MACS- Agharkar Research Institute, Pune</strong>, in collaboration with <strong>Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi</strong> have developed it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>MACS 1407:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Using the conventional cross breeding technique, scientists developed <strong>MACS 1407</strong> which gives <strong>39 quintals per hectare</strong> making it <strong>a high yielding variety.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>requires an average 43 days for 50% flowering</strong> and takes 104 days to mature from the date of sowing.</li>
<li>It has white coloured flowers, yellow seeds and black hilum. Its seeds have <strong>19.81% oil content, 41% protein content and show good germinability.</strong></li>
<li>Its thick stem, higher pod insertion (7 cm) from ground, and resistance to pod shattering make it suitable even for <strong>mechanical harvesting.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>suitable for rain-fed conditions of north- east India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is suitable for cultivation in the states of Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and North-Eastern states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Variety is also <strong>resistant to major insect-pests</strong> like girdle beetle, leaf miner, leaf roller, stem fly, aphids, white fly and defoliators.</li>
<li>Its seeds will be made available to farmers for sowing during the <strong>2022 <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kharif season</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is highly adaptive to sowing from <strong>20 June to 5 July</strong> without any yield loss. This makes it <strong>resistant to the vagaries of Monsoon</strong> as compared to other varieties.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>2019, India produced around 90 million tons of soybean</strong>, widely cultivated as oil seeds as well as a cheap source of protein for animal feed and many packaged meals and is striving to be among the world&rsquo;s major producers of soybean.</li>
<li>High-yielding, disease resistant varieties of the legume can help achieve this target.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kharif Season</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Crops are <strong>sown</strong> from <strong>June to July</strong> and <strong>Harvesting</strong> is done in between <strong>September-October.</strong></li>
<li>Crops are: Rice, maize, jowar, bajra, tur, moong, urad, cotton, jute, groundnut, soyabean etc.</li>
<li>States are: Assam, West Bengal, coastal regions of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Rabi Season</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Crops are <strong>sown</strong> from <strong>October to December</strong> and <strong>Harvesting</strong> is done in between <strong>April-June.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Crops are:</strong> Wheat, barley, peas, gram, mustard etc.</li>
<li><strong>States are:</strong> Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Zaid Season</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In between the rabi and the kharif seasons, there is <strong>a short season during the summer months</strong> known as the Zaid season.</li>
<li>Crops are: watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, vegetables and fodder crops.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1714852" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/macs-1407-variety-of-soybean'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'China’s Permanent Space Station',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, China<strong> launched an unmanned module of its permanent space station that it plans to complete by the end of 2022.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The module, named <strong>"Tianhe"</strong>, or <strong>"Harmony of the Heavens"</strong>, was launched on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/long-march-5b-rocket-by-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Long March 5B</strong></a>, China's largest carrier rocket.</li>
<li><strong>India</strong> has also set its <strong>eye on building its own space station in <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/types-of-orbit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">low earth orbit</a></strong> to conduct microgravity experiments in space in 5 to 7 years.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> only space station</strong> currently in orbit is the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/long-march-5b-rocket-by-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Space Station</a> (ISS)</strong>, from which <strong>China is excluded.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>space station is a spacecraft</strong> capable of supporting crew members, designed to remain in space for an extended period of time and for other spacecraft to dock.</li>
<li>The<strong> ISS is backed by</strong> the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China has been a late starter</strong> when it comes to space exploration. It was only in 2003 that it sent its first astronaut into orbit, making it the third country to do so, after the Soviet Union and the US.</li>
<li>So far, China has sent two previous space stations into orbit. The<strong> Tiangong-1</strong> and <strong>Tiangong-2</strong> were <strong>trial stations</strong> though, simple modules that allowed only relatively short stays by astronauts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Space Station:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>new, 66-tonne, multi-module Tiangong station</strong> is set to be <strong>operational for at least 10 years.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Tianhe is one of three main components of</strong> what would be <strong>China&rsquo;s first self-developed space station</strong>, rivalling the only other station in service &ndash; the ISS.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>forms the main living quarters for three crew members</strong> in the Chinese space station.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Tianhe launch is the <strong>first of 11 missions</strong> needed to complete the space station, which will<strong> orbit Earth at an altitude of 340 to 450 km.</strong></li>
<li>In the later missions, China will launch the <strong>two other core modules, four manned spacecraft</strong> and <strong>four cargo spacecraft.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance for China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>For Ramping up Space Programme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China<strong> aims to become a major space power by 2030.</strong> It has ramped up its space programme with visits to the moon, the launch of an uncrewed probe to Mars and the construction of its own space station.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>ISS is about to expire by 2024:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In contrast, the fate of the ageing ISS &ndash; in orbit for more than two decades &ndash; remains uncertain. The <strong>project is set to expire in 2024</strong>, barring funding from its partners. Russia has said recently that it would quit the project<strong> from 2025.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Russia&rsquo;s Deepening Ties with China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Russia is deepening ties with China in space as <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/russia-accused-of-testing-anti-satellite-weapon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tensions with the US</a> rise.</strong> It has <strong>slammed the US-led Artemis moon exploration</strong> <strong>programme</strong> and instead chosen to join China in setting up <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-lunar-research-station-russia-and-china#:~:text=China%20and%20Russia%20have%20agreed,cooperation%20between%20the%20two%20countries." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>a lunar research outpost</strong></a> in the coming years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Missions of China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chang-e-5-mission-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chang&rsquo;e-5 (Moon)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tianwen-1-china-s-mars-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tianwen-1 (Mars)</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619775032_image%201.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619775032_image 1.jpg" width="350" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/china-launches-key-module-of-space-station-planned-for-2022/article34437716.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-permanent-space-station'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Immunisation Agenda 2030 ',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> and other agencies have launched the<strong> Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030)</strong> during the <strong>World Immunisation Week.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It will contribute to achieving the <strong>UN-mandated <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Development Goals</a></strong> <strong>specifically SDG 3 i.e. Good Health and Well being.</strong></li>
<li>Covid-19 pandemic has <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-halts-global-vaccination-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>affected routine immunization globally.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It sets an ambitious, overarching global vision and <strong>strategy for vaccines and immunization for the decade 2021&ndash;2030.</strong></li>
<li>The IA2030 is <strong>based on learnings from Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP). </strong>It<strong> aims to address the unmet targets of the GVAP</strong> that were initially to be fulfilled as part of the global immunisation strategy of the <strong>&lsquo;Decade of vaccines&rsquo; (2011&ndash;2020).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>GVAP</strong> was developed to help realize the vision of the<strong> Decade of Vaccines</strong>, that all individuals and communities enjoy lives free from vaccine preventable diseases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is <strong>based on a conceptual framework of seven strategic priorities</strong>, to ensure that immunization fully contributes to stronger<strong> primary health care</strong> and attainment of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/universal-health-coverage-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>universal health coverage.</strong></a></li>
<li>It is underpinned by<strong> four core principles:</strong> it puts people in the centre, is led by countries, implemented through broad partnerships, and driven by data.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619773939_pasted%20image 1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619773939_pasted image 1.png" width="600" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Targets of IA2030:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As part of this new immunisation programme, global agencies like the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Health Organization (WHO)</a></strong>,<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unicef-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> UNICEF</strong></a> and others have set a target of <strong>avoiding 50 million vaccine-preventable infections in this decade.</strong></li>
<li>It also intends <strong>to reduce the number of zero-dose children by 50%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Zero-dose children</strong> are those who have received no vaccines through immunisation programmes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To achieve <strong>90% coverage for essential vaccines</strong> given in childhood and adolescence.</li>
<li>To complete <strong>500 national or subnational introductions of new or under-utilized vaccines</strong> - such as those for <strong><a href="/printpdf/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a></strong>,&nbsp;<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rotavirus-vaccination-drive" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rotavirus</a></strong>, or human papillomavirus (HPV).</li>
<li>The UN agencies aim to ensure through IA2030 that the <strong>benefits of immunisation are shared equitably among and within countries.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Priority Section of the Population:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The new programme will focus on a <strong>&lsquo;bottoms-up&rsquo; approach</strong>, in contrast to the GVAP that followed a &lsquo;top-down&rsquo; one.</li>
<li>It will give priority to populations that are <strong>not currently being reached, particularly the most marginalised communities, those living in fragile and conflict-affected settings and mobile populations</strong>, such as those moving across borders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Initiatives on Immunization:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/intensified-mission-indradhanush-3-0-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 3.0 scheme</strong></a> has been rolled out to cover children and pregnant women who missed routine immunisation during the Covid-19 pandemic.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Immunization Programme in India was introduced in 1978 as &lsquo;Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In 1985, the Programme was modified as <strong>&lsquo;Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is also the <strong>major supplier to</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gavi-covax-facility" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVAX</strong></a>, a global initiative aimed at equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines led by UNICEF, Gavi (The Vaccine Alliance) , the World Health Organization, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and others.</li>
<li>India also began its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-vaccine-diplomacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;Vaccine Maitri&rsquo;</a> to supply Covid vaccine to different nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>World Immunisation Week</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>World Immunization Week is celebrated <strong>every year in the last week of April.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>aims to promote the use of vaccines</strong> to protect people of all ages against disease.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Immunisation</strong> describes the process whereby people are protected against illness caused by infection with microorganisms (formally called pathogens). The term <strong>vaccine refers to the material used for immunisation.</strong></li>
<li>Immunization is a success story for global health and development, saving millions of lives every year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The theme for 2021 is <strong>&ldquo;Vaccines bring us closer&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/health/who-unicef-target-to-avoid-50-million-vaccine-preventable-infections-this-decade-76707" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/immunisation-agenda-2030'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Corporate Social Responsibility Expenditure',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Experts are calling</strong> on the government <strong>to ease CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) regulations</strong> to allow corporate <strong>expenditure on vaccinations for employees</strong> and <strong>treatment of employees</strong> suffering from Covid to be<strong> covered</strong> under spending for <strong>CSR.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under <strong>current CSR norms,&nbsp;</strong>companies are <strong>not permitted</strong> to count<strong> expenditure</strong> incurred <strong>exclusively</strong> for the <strong>welfare of employees</strong> as part of their <strong>mandatory CSR expenditure.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Meaning:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The term "Corporate Social Responsibility" in general can be referred to as <strong>a corporate initiative to assess and take responsibility for the company's effects on the environment</strong> and impact on social welfare.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Governance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In India, the concept of CSR is <strong>governed by clause 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is the<strong> first country in the world to mandate CSR spending</strong> along with a framework to identify potential CSR activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>CSR provisions</strong> within the Act is<strong> applicable to companies with an annual turnover of 1,000 crore and more, or a net worth of Rs. 500 crore and more, or a net profit of Rs. 5 crore and more.</strong></li>
<li>The Act <strong>requires companies to set up a CSR committee</strong> which shall recommend a Corporate Social Responsibility Policy to the Board of Directors and also monitor the same from time to time.</li>
<li>The Act <strong>encourages companies to spend 2% of their average net profit in the previous three years on CSR activities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>CSR Activities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>indicative activities,</strong> which can be undertaken by a company under CSR, have been <strong>specified under Schedule VII of the Act.</strong> The activities include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Eradicating extreme hunger and poverty,</li>
<li>Promotion of education, gender equality and empowering women,</li>
<li>Combating <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/hiv-new-hope" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome</strong></a> and other diseases,</li>
<li>Ensuring environmental sustainability;</li>
<li>Contribution to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-cares-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prime Minister's National Relief Fund</strong></a> or any other fund set up by the Central Government for socio-economic development and relief and funds for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, minorities and women etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Injeti Srinivas Committee:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/injeti-srinivas-committee-report-on-csr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>High Level Committee on CSR</strong></a> was formed in 2018 under the Chairmanship of Injeti Srinivas.</li>
<li>The <strong>main recommendations</strong> included making CSR expenditure tax deductible, allowing the carry-forward of unspent balance for a period of 3-5 years, and aligning Schedule VII of the Companies Act with the <a href="/pdf/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Sustainable Development Goals</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Development:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2020, the <strong>Ministry of Corporate Affairs allowed companies to spend CSR funds on Covid-19 relief,</strong> including preventive healthcare and sanitation and on research and development of Covid drugs, vaccines and medical devices.</li>
<li>The<strong> ambit was expanded further this year</strong> to include awareness or public outreach programmes on Covid-19 vaccination and setting up of makeshift hospitals and temporary Covid care facilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits of Further Easing CSR Norms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Role in Vaccination Drive:</strong> Approximately, Rs. 10,000 crore is available with listed companies annually for spending on CSR activities. If the eligible unlisted companies are taken into account, the available sum may be larger. This can be handy in supplementing the expenditure of the Centre and States on vaccination.</li>
<li><strong>Rural Population can be reachable:</strong> Many of these companies have a presence in rural areas.This will ensure that the drive goes beyond the large cities and reach the rural population too.</li>
<li><strong>Benefit of Allowing Corporate Expenditure on Vaccinations for Employees under CSR:</strong> This will boost vaccinations for unorganised labour in the manufacturing sector and will benefit the overburdened healthcare system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/csr-industry-seeks-inclusion-of-spends-on-jabs-staff-welfare-7296118/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-expenditure'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Tejas Adds Python-5 Air to Air Missile Capability',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India&rsquo;s Indigenous <strong>Light Combat Aircraft Tejas</strong> has added capability of firing <strong>Israeli-origin Python-5 air-to-air missile (AAM)</strong> after concluding successful tests.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The same set of tests were also aimed to validate the enhanced capability of the already integrated Israeli-origin <strong>Derby beyond visual range AAM</strong> on Tejas.</li>
<li>The tests were conducted by <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Python-5 Missile:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has been <strong>developed by the Israeli defence company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.</strong> It is the <strong>newest member of the Python family.</strong></li>
<li>This <strong>fifth generation air-to-air missile</strong> provides the pilot engaging an enemy aircraft with a revolutionary full sphere launch capability.</li>
<li>It can be <strong>launched from very short to beyond-visual ranges</strong> with greater kill probability, excellent resistance to countermeasures, irrespective of evasive target manoeuvers or deployment of countermeasures.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>dual use missile suitable for air-to-air and surface-to-air missions.</strong></li>
<li>It is powered by a solid propellant <strong>rocket engine.</strong> The propulsion system provides a <strong>speed of Mach 4</strong> and an operational<strong> range of more than 20 km.</strong></li>
<li>It is also equipped with<strong> lock-on-before launch (LOBL)</strong> and <strong>lock-on-after launch (LOAL) capabilities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Light Combat Aircraft Tejas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lca-tejas-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tejas</strong></a> is a <strong>single engined, light weight, highly agile, multi-role supersonic fighter.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> indigenously-developed aircraft</strong> has been <strong>manufactured at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)</strong> and <strong>designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)</strong> for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.</li>
<li>It is <strong>designed to carry</strong> a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface, precision-guided, weapons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Beyond Visual Range AAM</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A beyond-visual-range missile (BVR) is an air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) that is <strong>capable of engaging at ranges of 37 km or beyond.</strong> This range has been achieved using dual pulse rocket motors or booster rocket motors and ramjet sustainer motors.</li>
<li>In addition to the range capability, the missile is also capable of tracking its target at this range or of acquiring the target in flight.</li>
<li>Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) technology enables the fighter-pilots to shoot precisely at the enemy targets which are beyond their visual range.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/astra-missile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Astra missile</strong></a> works on BVRAAM.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1714563" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tejas-adds-python-5-air-to-air-missile-capability'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Universal Social Welfare',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/making-social-welfare-universal/article34433217.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Making social welfare universal&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on 29/04/2021. It talks about the need for universal social welfare architecture in India.</p>
</div>
<p>India is one of the largest welfare states in the world and yet, with atrocities caused by Covid-19, the state failed to provide social welfare to most of its vulnerable citizens. Presently owing to the pandemic, India is witnessing multiple crises: a crumbling health infrastructure, mass inter- and intra-migration and food insecurity.</p>
<p>Moreover, the extenuating circumstances brought by the second wave of the pandemic has pushed an estimated 75 million people into poverty and brought even the middle and upper-class citizens to their knees.</p>
<p>The pandemic has thus revealed that leveraging our existing schemes and providing universal social security is of utmost importance. This will help absorb the impact of external shocks on our vulnerable populations.</p>
<h3>What is the Social Security/Welfare System?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Labour Organisation (ILO)</strong></a>, Social Security is a comprehensive approach designed to prevent deprivation, give assurance to the individual of a basic minimum income for himself and his dependents and to protect the individual from any uncertainties.</li>
<li>It is also comprised of two elements, namely:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Right to a Standard of Living adequate for the health and well-being, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services.</li>
<li>Right to Income Security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond any person&rsquo;s control.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Need For Universal Social Welfare</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Majority of Workforce is in Unorganised Sector:</strong> The organised sector workers constitute less than 10% of all workers in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This leaves more than 90% of the workforce without job security, labour rights and post-retirement provisions.</li>
<li>Also, in a dynamic market-economy, workers will lose jobs at a faster pace with technological changes. Thus, workers need to keep learning to stay productively employed.</li>
<li>However, in spite of great attention given to skills development in the last 15 years, the results are not very encouraging.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Illness Is Universal, But Healthcare Is Not:</strong> Economic capital, in the absence of social capital, has proven to be insufficient in accessing healthcare facilities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, Out-of-pocket health expenses create barriers to seeking healthcare and can push marginal households into poverty, form as much as nearly 90% of private expenditure on health.</li>
<li>Also Covid-19 has highlighted the urgency for providing universal free health care. It has demonstrated that private health care can be afforded only by the wealthy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inadequate Expenditure on Social Security:</strong> India has a broad aim of social protection programs, but the overall public expenditure on social protection (excluding public healthcare) is only approx. 1.5% of the GDP, lower than many middle-income countries across the world.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the country has over 500 direct benefit transfer schemes for which various Central, State, and Line departments are responsible. However, these schemes have not reached those in need.</li>
<li>Moreover, existing schemes are fractionalised across various departments and sub-schemes. This causes problems beginning with data collection to last-mile delivery.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Intended Benefits:</strong> Having a universal system would improve the ease of application by consolidating the data of all eligible beneficiaries under one database.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For instance, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) is one scheme that can be strengthened into universal social security. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It already consolidates the public distribution system (PDS), the provision of gas cylinders, and wages for the MGNREGS.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Having a universal scheme would take away this access/exclusion barrier.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, PDS can be linked to a universal identification card such as the Aadhaar or voter card, in the absence of a ration card.</li>
<li>Making other schemes/welfare provisions like education, maternity benefits, disability benefits etc. also universal would ensure a better standard of living for the people.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Case Study: Universal Social Welfare Model</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An example of such a social protection scheme is the Poor Law System in Ireland.</li>
<li>In the 19th century, Ireland, a country that was staggering under the weight of poverty and famine, introduced the Poor Law System to provide relief that was financed by local property taxes.</li>
<li>These laws were notable for not only providing timely assistance but maintaining the dignity and respectability of the poor while doing so.</li>
<li>They were not designed as hand-outs but as necessary responses to a time of economic crisis.</li>
<li>Today, the social welfare system in Ireland has evolved into a four-fold apparatus that promises social insurance, social assistance, universal schemes, and extra benefits/supplements.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Emulating Pulse Polio Universal Immunisation Programme:</strong> We have seen an example of a universal healthcare programme that India ran successfully &mdash; the Pulse Polio Universal Immunisation Programme. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2014, India was declared polio-free. It took a dedicated effort over a number of years.</li>
<li>With the advancements in knowledge and technology, a universal coverage of social welfare is possible in a shorter time frame.</li>
<li>The implementation can be eased through a focus on data digitisation, data-driven decision-making and collaboration across government departments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Building on Existing Systems:</strong> The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) is one scheme that can be strengthened into universal social security. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It already consolidates the public distribution system (PDS), the provision of gas cylinders, and wages for the MGNREGS.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Urban MGNREGA:</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mgnrega-and-migrant-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MGNREGA</strong></a> has proved its utility by providing employment to millions of workers who have reverse migrated.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, there is a case for extending this programme to urban areas with municipal bodies being given the responsibility for providing a fixed no of days work to all those seeking it.</li>
<li>Municipal bodies have a range of work to get done, such as improving sanitation, minor repairs, in which they could productively use labour.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Providing Universal Health Coverage:</strong> There is a need to establish the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ayushman Bharat-National Health Agency</strong></a> at all levels of governance for management of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, there is a need to review and iron out the challenges with the business model of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-1st-november-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jan Aushadhi stores</strong></a> to ensure that they can function as self-sustaining entities and scale up rapidly across the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>International experience also emphasizes the need to move away from a one-size-fits-all model by allowing sub-national governments greater flexibility as political economy, labor markets, demographic attributes and risk profiles vary by location.</p>
<p>Hence, or establishing an universal social protection architecture, India should enable local governments to design, plan and deliver a core basket of benefits within a nationally defined policy framework and budget.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fcfcf0;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for establishing an universal social protection architecture in India.Justify.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/universal-social-welfare'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Post-Brexit Trade Treaty Ratified',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<strong> European Parliament has ratified the post-Brexit trade deal</strong> between the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a> and the United Kingdom (UK).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>EU&ndash;UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA)</strong> is a free trade agreement signed in December 2020, between the EU, the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the United Kingdom (UK).</li>
<li>The deal was ratified nearly five years after Britain decided to leave the European Union. It has<strong> already been ratified by the UK Parliament.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Provisionally Enacted:</strong> This deal was<strong> provisionally enacted in January 2020</strong> in order to minimize trade disruptions between the EU and the UK. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Provisional approval was set to expire on 30<sup>th</sup> April 2021, so the European Parliament&rsquo;s ratification ensures that the flow of trade between the EU and the UK will continue uninterrupted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Key Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Level Playing Field:</strong> It essentially means that in order to trade with the EU&rsquo;s single market, the UK will have to follow the same rules and regulations to ensure that it does not have an unfair advantage over other EU businesses.</li>
<li><strong>Rules of Governance:</strong> These will dictate how any deal is enforced as well as the penalties that will be imposed if one party violates the terms of a mutually-approved agreement.</li>
<li><strong>Fishing Rights:</strong> The agreement gives free access to EU fleets to fish in UK waters, including up to six miles off the shoreline for a five-year transition period. At the end of the transition, everything will return to normal arrangements and the UK will have full control over its waters.</li>
<li><strong>Framework for Policing:</strong> It also provides for a framework governing law enforcement matters, which will allow UK and EU policing agencies to coordinate in the future.</li>
<li>Agreement addresses other key aspects of international trade, including<strong> intellectual property protections and road transportation provisions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitations:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The important sectors of the UK economy, such as <strong>legal and financial services, were left unaddressed.</strong></li>
<li>Currently, legal and financial service companies based in the UK are subject to the same restrictions as other firms outside of the EU.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The United Kingdom is an island nation in northwestern Europe.</li>
<li>It is made up of<strong> England, Scotland, Wales </strong>and<strong> Northern Ireland.</strong></li>
<li>The United Kingdom <strong>borders one European Union member state: Ireland.</strong></li>
<li>Relations between the EU and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) date back to the foundation of the European Communities (EU predecessor) in 1957.</li>
<li>The UK was a member state of the European Union after joining it in 1973, until it became the first country to voluntarily end its membership on 31st January 2020 after a referendum was held in 2016.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>North Ireland Issue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Geographically, Northern Ireland is part of Ireland. Politically, it&rsquo;s part of the UK.</li>
<li>Northern Ireland is the<strong> only part of the UK that has a border with an EU nation,</strong> Ireland. It has been called the &ldquo;problem child&rdquo; of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brexit-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brexit.</strong></a></li>
<li>An open Irish border, over which people and goods flow freely, underpins the peace process, allowing people in Northern Ireland to feel at home in both Ireland and the UK.</li>
<li>The insistence of Britain&rsquo;s government on a &ldquo;hard Brexit&rdquo; that took the country out of the EU&rsquo;s economic order meant the creation of new barriers and checks on trade.</li>
<li>Both Britain and the EU agreed that the border could not be in Ireland because of the risk that would pose to the peace process. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The alternative was to put it, metaphorically, in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.</li>
<li>That arrangement has alarmed British unionists, who say it weakens Northern Ireland&rsquo;s place in the UK and could bolster calls for Irish reunification.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619696552_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619696552_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="500" height="500" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/eu-parliament-approves-post-brexit-trade-treaty/article34429036.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/post-brexit-trade-treaty-ratified'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Agriculture Infrastructure Fund',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Agriculture Infrastructure Fund has crossed the eight thousand crore mark. The investment will give a boost to several agricultural projects which will unlock value for farmers across the country.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/reforming-centrally-sponsored-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>central sector scheme</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To provide <strong>medium - long term debt financing facility</strong> for investment in viable projects<strong> for post-harvest management Infrastructure</strong> and community farming assets.</li>
<li>The funds will be provided for setting up of cold stores and chains, warehousing, grading and packaging units, e-marketing points linked to e-trading platforms, besides PPP projects for crop aggregation sponsored by central/state/local bodies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Duration:</strong> Financial Year<strong> 2020 to 2029.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Eligible Beneficiaries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They are<strong> Farmers, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/linking-farmers-with-futures-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FPOs</a>, PACS,</strong> Marketing Cooperative Societies, SHGs, Joint Liability Groups (JLG), Multipurpose Cooperative Societies, Agri-entrepreneurs, Start-ups, and Central/State agency or Local Body sponsored Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financial Support: Rs. 1 Lakh Crore will be provided by banks and financial institutions as loans</strong> to eligible beneficiaries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Moratorium for repayment may vary subject to minimum of 6 months and maximum of 2 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Interest Subvention:</strong> Loans will have interest subvention of 3% per annum up to a limit of Rs. 2 crore. This subvention will be available for a maximum period of seven years.</li>
<li><strong>CGTMSE Scheme:</strong> A credit guarantee coverage will be available for eligible borrowers from the scheme under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pmegp-and-cgtmse" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme</strong> </a>for a loan up to Rs. 2 crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Sector Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These schemes are 100% funded by the Central government.</li>
<li>Implemented by the Central Government machinery.</li>
<li>Formulated on subjects mainly from the Union List.</li>
<li>E.g.: Bharatnet, Namami Gange-National Ganga Plan, etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1714482" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agriculture-infrastructure-fund-1'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Antimicrobial Resistance: Threat to Global Health Security',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global problem</strong> to which the ongoing <a href="/hindi/tags/covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> pandemic <strong>may further contribute.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With <strong>resources deployed away from antimicrobial stewardship,</strong> evidence of <strong>substantial preemptive antibiotic use in Covid-19 patients</strong> and indirectly, with <strong>deteriorating economic conditions</strong> fuelling poverty potentially impacting on levels of resistance, AMR threat remains significant.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Antimicrobial Resistance (Meaning):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Antimicrobial resistance is the<strong> resistance acquired by any microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasite, etc.) against antimicrobial drugs</strong> (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics) that are used to treat infections.</li>
<li>As a result, <strong>standard treatments become ineffective,</strong> infections persist and may spread to others.</li>
<li><strong>Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance</strong> are sometimes referred to as <strong>&ldquo;superbugs&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Basis of Antimicrobial Resistance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Some bacteria due to the presence of resistance genes</strong> are intrinsically resistant and therefore survive on being exposed to antibiotics.</li>
<li>Bacteria <strong>can also acquire resistance.</strong> This can happen in<strong> two ways:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>By <strong>sharing and transferring resistance genes</strong> present in the rest of the population, or</li>
<li>By<strong> genetic mutations</strong> that help the bacteria survive antibiotic exposure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>misuse of antimicrobials in medicine</strong> and inappropriate use<strong> in agriculture.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Contamination around pharmaceutical manufacturing sites</strong> where untreated waste releases large amounts of active antimicrobials into the environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>AMR is <strong>already responsible for up to 7,00,000 deaths a year.</strong></li>
<li>A <strong>threat to prevention and treatment of infections -</strong> medical procedures such as organ transplantation, cancer chemotherapy, diabetes management and major surgery (for example, caesarean sections or hip replacements) become very risky.</li>
<li><strong>Increases the cost of healthcare</strong> with lengthier stays in hospitals, additional tests and use of more expensive drugs.</li>
<li>It is <strong>putting the gains of the Millennium Development Goals at risk</strong> and <strong>endangers achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.</strong></li>
<li><strong>No new classes of antibiotics</strong> have made it to the market in the last three decades, largely<strong> on account of inadequate incentives</strong> for their development and production.</li>
<li>Without urgent action, we are<strong> heading to antibiotic apocalypse &ndash;</strong> a future without antibiotics, with bacteria becoming completely resistant to treatment and when common infections and minor injuries could once again kill.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>AMR in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India, with its combination of<strong> large population,</strong> rising incomes that facilitate <strong>purchase of antibiotics,</strong> high <strong>burden of infectious diseases</strong> and easy over-the-counter access to antibiotics, is an important locus for the generation of resistance genes.</li>
<li>The multi-drug resistance determinant, <strong>New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1),</strong> emerged from this region to spread globally.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Africa, Europe and other parts of Asia have also been affected by multi-drug resistant typhoid originating from South Asia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In India, <strong>over 56,000 newborn deaths each year</strong> due to sepsis are caused by organisms that are resistant to first line antibiotics.</li>
<li>India has undertaken<strong> many activities</strong> like<strong> Mission Indradhanush &mdash;</strong> to address low vaccination coverage &mdash; strengthened micro-planning and additional mechanisms to improve monitoring and accountability.</li>
<li>The Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare (MoHFW) <strong>identified AMR as one of the top 10 priorities</strong> for the ministry&rsquo;s collaborative work with the World Health Organisation (WHO).</li>
<li>India has also launched the <strong>National Action Plan on AMR resistance 2017-2021.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Since microbes will inevitably continue to evolve and become resistant even to new antimicrobials, we need <strong>sustained investments and global coordination</strong> to detect and combat new resistant strains on an ongoing basis.</li>
<li><strong>Efforts to control prescription of antimicrobials should be accompanied by efforts to educate consumers</strong> to reduce inappropriate demand, issue standard treatment guidelines that would empower providers to stand up to such demands, as well as provide point-of-care diagnostics to aid clinical decision-making.</li>
<li>In addition to developing new antimicrobials,<strong> infection-control measures</strong> can reduce antibiotic use. It is critical to ensure that all those who need an antimicrobial have access to it.</li>
<li>To track the spread of resistance in microbes, <strong>surveillance measures</strong> to identify these organisms need to expand beyond hospitals and encompass livestock, wastewater and farm run-offs.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/antimicrobial-resistance-the-silent-threat/article34434231.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/antimicrobial-resistance-threat-to-global-health-security'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Government of National Capital Territory (GNCT) of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021</strong>, which gives <strong>primacy to the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) over the elected government</strong> in the city, has <strong>come into force.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Provisions of the GNCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act 2021:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <strong>amended the Sections 21, 24, 33 and 44 of the 1991 Act.</strong></li>
<li>States that the <strong>&ldquo;government&rdquo;</strong> in the National Capital Territory of Delhi <strong>meant the Lieutenant-Governor</strong> of Delhi.</li>
<li>It <strong>gives discretionary powers to the L-G</strong> even in matters where the Legislative Assembly of Delhi is empowered to make laws.</li>
<li>It <strong>seeks to ensure that the L-G is &ldquo;necessarily granted an opportunity&rdquo;</strong> to give her or his opinion before any decision taken by the Council of Ministers (or the Delhi Cabinet) is implemented.</li>
<li>It <strong>bars the Assembly or its committees from making rules</strong> to take up matters concerning day-to-day administration, or to conduct inquiries in relation to administrative decisions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Criticism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The latest amendment will <strong>greatly reduce the efficiency and timeliness of the Delhi government</strong> by making it imperative for it to hold consultations with the L-G even when a situation demands urgent action.</li>
<li>Significantly, the <strong>L-G is not obliged to give his opinion to the State government within a time frame.</strong> Critics argue that the L-G could politically exploit these unbridled powers to hamper the government&rsquo;s administrative work and thus turn the political tides against the incumbent if he so desires.</li>
<li>It is <strong>against the spirit of &lsquo;Federalism.&rdquo;</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Union Government&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is in <strong>keeping with the Supreme Court&rsquo;s July 2018 ruling</strong> on the ambit of powers of the L-G and the Delhi government following several headliner controversies between the two.</li>
<li>The purported fair objectives of the Act, include <strong>enhancing public accountability and easing out technical ambiguities</strong> related to everyday administration.</li>
<li>This will <strong>increase administrative efficiency of Delhi</strong> and will <strong>ensure better relationship between the executive and the legislator.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Enactment of GNCTD Act:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>GNCTD Act was enacted in 1991</strong> to <strong>&ldquo;supplement provisions of the Constitution</strong> relating to the Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers for the National Capital Territory of Delhi&rdquo;.</li>
<li>It <strong>enabled the process of an elected government in Delhi.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Supreme Court had in the past appreciated the 1991 developments</strong>, stating that the real purpose behind the <strong>Constitution (69<sup>th</sup> Amendment) Act, 1991</strong> is to establish a democratic set-up and representative form of government wherein the majority has a right to embody their opinions in laws and policies pertaining to the NCT of Delhi subject to the limitations imposed by the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>69<sup>th</sup> Amendment Act, 1992</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It <strong>added two new Articles 239AA and 239AB</strong> under which the Union Territory of Delhi has been given a special status.</li>
<li><strong>Article 239AA</strong> provides that the Union Territory of Delhi be called the National Capital Territory of Delhi and its administrator shall be known as Lt. Governor.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It also <strong>creates a legislative assembly for Delhi</strong> which can make laws on subjects under the State List and Concurrent List <strong>except on these matters:</strong> public order, land, and police.</li>
<li>It also <strong>provides for a Council of Ministers for Delhi</strong> consisting of not more than 10% of the total number of members in the assembly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 239AB</strong> provides that the <strong>President may by order suspend the operation of any provision of Article 239AA</strong> or of all or any of the provisions of any law made in pursuance of that article. This provision <strong>resembles Article 356 (President&rsquo;s Rule).</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Point of Friction:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, over the years, there was <strong>friction between the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor (L-G)</strong> over power-sharing.</li>
<li>The focal point of these conflicts was that <strong>in case of a difference between the L-G and the Council of Ministers on any matter,</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>matter was to be referred to the President</strong> by the L-G for his decision,</li>
<li>And <strong>pending such a decision</strong> the <strong>L-G was empowered to take any action</strong> on the matter as he deemed right.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Judgement of the Supreme Court:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the <em><strong>Government of NCT of Delhi vs Union of India and Another in 2018</strong></em> case, the SC held that:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>government was not under obligation to seek the concurrence of the L-G</strong> on its decisions and</li>
<li>That <strong>any differences between them should be resolved keeping in view the constitutional primacy of representative government</strong> and cooperative federalism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Essentially, the SC judgment <strong>made it extremely difficult for the L-G to refer such matters to the President.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/centre-notifies-gnct-act-that-gives-more-powers-to-delhi-l-g/article34428245.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-of-nct-of-delhi-amendment-act-2021'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Assam Earthquake',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a powerful earthquake <strong>measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale</strong> jolted Assam and other parts of Northeast.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <strong>National Centre for Seismology (NCS)</strong> report, the tremors have been attributed to <strong>Kopili Fault zone closer to Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NCS is the <strong>nodal agency</strong> <strong>of the Government of India for monitoring earthquake activity in the country.</strong> It comes under the <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>HFT, also known as the <strong>Main Frontal Thrust (MFT)</strong>, is a geological fault along the boundary of the <strong>Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Kopili Fault Zone:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Kopili fault zone is a 300 km long and 50 km wide lineament (linear feature) extending from the <strong>western part of Manipur up to the tri-junction of Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.</strong></li>
<li>The area is seismically very active falling in the highest <strong>Seismic Hazard zone V</strong> associated with collisional tectonics where <strong>Indian plate subducts beneath the Eurasian Plate.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Subduction is a geological process in which one crustal plate is forced below the edge of another.</li>
<li>Squeezed between the subduction and collision zones of the Himalayan belt and Sumatran belt, the North East is highly prone to earthquake occurrences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fault:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A fault is a fracture along which the blocks of crust on either side have moved relative to one another parallel to the fracture.</li>
<li>When an earthquake occurs, the rock on one side of the fault slips with respect to the other.</li>
<li>The fault surface can be <strong>vertical, horizontal, or at some angle to the surface of the earth.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619689044_image%201.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619689044_image 1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Tectonic Plates:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/tectonic-plates" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>tectonic plate</strong></a> (also called lithospheric plate) is a massive, irregularly-shaped slab of solid rock, generally composed of both continental and oceanic lithosphere.</li>
<li>A tectonic plate may be a continental plate or an oceanic plate, depending on which of the two occupies the larger portion of the plate.</li>
<li>The Pacific plate is largely an oceanic plate whereas the Eurasian plate is a continental plate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Earthquake</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An earthquake in simple words is the shaking of the earth. It is a natural event. It is caused due to release of energy, which generates waves that travel in all directions.</li>
<li>The vibrations called <strong>seismic waves</strong> are generated from earthquakes that travel through the Earth and are recorded on instruments called seismographs.</li>
<li>The location below the earth&rsquo;s surface where the earthquake starts is called the <strong>hypocenter,</strong> and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the <strong>epicenter.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper1/earthquake-4#:~:text=Fault%20Zones%3A,the%20friction%20locks%20them%20together." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Types of Earthquake</a>:</strong> Fault Zones, Tectonic Earthquakes, Volcanic Earthquake, Human Induced Earthquakes.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Seismic Hazard Map of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is one of the highly earthquake affected countries because of the presence of technically active young fold mountains - Himalaya.</li>
<li>India has been divided into <strong>four seismic zones (II, III, IV, and V)</strong> based on scientific inputs relating to seismicity, earthquakes occurred in the past and tectonic setup of the region.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Previously, earthquake zones were divided into five zones with respect to the severity of the earthquakes but the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bureau-of-indian-standards-bis-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bureau of Indian Standards</strong></a> (BIS) grouped the country into four seismic zones by unifying the first two zones.</li>
<li>BIS is the official agency for publishing the seismic hazard maps and codes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619689133_image%202.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619689133_image 2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Seismic Zone II:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Area with minor damage earthquakes corresponding to intensities V to VI of MM scale (MM-Modified Mercalli Intensity scale).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Zone III:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moderate damage corresponding to intensity VII of MM scale.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Zone IV:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Major damage corresponding to intensity VII and higher of MM scale.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Zone V:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Area determined by pro seismically of certain major fault systems and is seismically the most active region.</li>
<li>Earthquake zone V is the most vulnerable to earthquakes, where historically some of the country&rsquo;s most powerful shocks have occurred.</li>
<li>Earthquakes with magnitudes in excess of 7.0 have occured in these areas, and have had intensities higher than IX.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-in-assam-earthquake-reminder-of-seismic-hazard-along-hft-faultline-7292770/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/assam-earthquake'
		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Women & Financial Inclusion',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/women-are-key-to-financial-inclusion-101619276163691.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> &ldquo;Women are key to financial inclusion&rdquo;</a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on 24/04/2021. It talks about gender-based barriers to financial inclusion.</p>
</div>
<p>Increasing access to and use of quality financial products and services is essential to inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction. Given this, increasing women&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/financial-inclusion-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>financial inclusion</strong></a> is important as women disproportionately experience poverty, unequal divisions of labor and a lack of control over economic resources</p>
<p>The effective implementation of Aadhaar-based eKYC collection and authentication lowered barriers of entry to the formal financial system. It has allowed the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/financial-inclusion-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity</strong> </a>to lay the foundation to bring 230 million unserved and underserved women into the formal financial services ecosystem.</p>
<p>However, despite digital technologies and government initiatives, hurdles to increase the financial inclusion for women have not been eliminated.</p>
<h3>Women &amp; Financial Inclusion Linkage</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Building Financial Resilience:</strong> Women are decision-makers for spending and savings in most low-income households. They are thus more committed and disciplined savers than men.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many research documents have shown that when given the opportunity, women save and by doing so build financial resilience.</li>
<li>Thus, it is economically viable for banks to target women, while contributing to such social good.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Social Capital:</strong> Women&rsquo;s engagement with financial institutions and their ability to access participation in work and credit from such institutions can increase their social capital. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, empowering 230 million women Jan Dhan customers financially leads to the potential upliftment of 920 million lives, at an average family of four.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Critical For Women&rsquo;s Empowerment and Poverty Reduction:</strong> Providing low-income women with effective and affordable financial tools to save and borrow money, make and receive payments, and manage risk is critical to both women&rsquo;s empowerment and poverty reduction.</li>
<li><strong>Gender Gap in Financial Inclusion:</strong> According to the 2017 Global Findex database, 83% of males above 15 years of age in India held accounts at a financial institution in 2017 compared to 77% females.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is attributed to socio-economic factors, including the availability of mobile handset and internet data facility being higher among men than women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Gender-Based Barriers to Financial Inclusion</h3>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; background-color: #10172b; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Demand Side Barriers</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; background-color: #10172b; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Supply Side Barriers</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; background-color: #10172b; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Legal &amp; Regulatory Barriers</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 45px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lack of bargaining power within the household</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Reduced mobility due to time constraints or social norms</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Account opening requirements that disadvantage women</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 40px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 40px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Concentration in lower-paying economic activities</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 40px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lack of gender-specific policies and practices for product design and marketing</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 40px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Barriers to obtaining formal identification</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 43px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 43px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Competing demands on women&rsquo;s time related to unpaid domestic work</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 43px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Inappropriate distribution channels</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 43px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Legal barriers to owning and inheriting property and other collateral</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 45px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lack of assets for collateral</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lower rates of digital inclusion</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lack of gender-inclusive credit reporting systems</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3><br />Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Gender-Disaggregated Data:</strong> Financial service providers need to deploy strategies that focus on the Jan Dhan women segment by using sex-disaggregated data. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For instance, target and communicate with women and design products and processes to be women-centric.</li>
<li>At a policy-level, collecting and analysing gender-disaggregated data is vital for the creation of products and services for low-income women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In-design Changes:</strong> The design tweaks that take into account the specific needs and preferences of women can enhance their access to financial products, as well as the impact of those products on women&rsquo;s ability to make investments and smooth consumption in the face of income shocks.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Financial Products which allow women greater degrees of control and privacy surrounding their incomes and spending decisions appear to be particularly promising.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enhancing Financial Literacy:</strong> Providing financial literacy remains the key for universalisation of financial inclusion.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, the Reserve Bank of India has undertaken a project titled Project Financial Literacy.</li>
<li>The objective of the project is to disseminate information regarding the central bank and general banking concepts to various target groups, including, school and college going children, women, rural and urban poor, defence personnel and senior citizens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The government&rsquo;s continued focus on women and their inclusion in the financial sector can have a transformative impact in boosting household economic resilience, expanding women&rsquo;s access to credit and work opportunities, aiding empowerment and equity.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fcfcf0;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Despite digital technologies and government initiatives, hurdles to increase the financial inclusion for women have not been eliminated. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Asian Development Outlook 2021: ADB',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the report <strong>Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2021,</strong> the <strong>second wave of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Covid-19</a> can put India&rsquo;s economic recovery at &ldquo;risk&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ADO</strong> is <strong>a series of annual economic reports on the Developing Member Countries</strong> (DMCs) of the <strong>Asian Development Bank (ADB).</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>GDP Projections:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>For India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will rebound strongly by 11% in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22</strong> due to continued economic recovery boosted by increased public investment, vaccine rollout, and a surge in domestic demand.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s <strong>economic growth to moderate to 7% in FY 2022-23.</strong></li>
<li>The economy <strong>is expected to have contracted by 8% in FY 2020-21</strong> in line with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-emerged-out-of-technical-recession" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>government&rsquo;s second advance estimate.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>For Developing Asia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>economic growth is set to rebound to 7.3% in 2021-22.</strong> This follows <strong>a 0.2% contraction last year.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Developing Asia</strong> comprises <strong>46 members of ADB list</strong> on the basis of geographic group. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These include<strong> new industrialized economies, countries</strong> in <strong>Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia</strong> and the Pacific.</li>
<li><strong>India</strong> is also<strong> part of Developing Asia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Pandemic</strong> remains the <strong>biggest risk</strong> for the region (Developing Asia) as potential delays in vaccine rollouts or significant new outbreaks could undermine growth.</li>
<li>Increasing<strong> geopolitical tensions, production bottlenecks, financial turmoil</strong> from tightening financial conditions, and long-term scarring like <strong>learning losses due to school closures</strong> are among other risk factors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Costs of Pandemic-induced School Closures:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Countries are <strong>using distance learning,</strong> but this is<strong> only partially effective</strong> as <strong>many students lack access to computers and the internet.</strong></li>
<li>These disruptions<strong> will affect the skills</strong> students acquire and, eventually, <strong>their productivity </strong>and <strong>earnings as future workers.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Learning losses</strong> range from<strong> 8% of a year of learning in the Pacific,</strong> where schools have mostly stayed open, to<strong> 55% in South Asia,</strong> where school closures have been longest.</li>
<li>The<strong> present value of students&rsquo; future earning reductions</strong> is estimated at USD 1.25 trillion for developing Asia, equivalent to 5.4% of the region&rsquo;s GDP in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Analysis for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Increased <strong>government expenditure on health care, water, and sanitation </strong>will<strong> strengthen the country&rsquo;s resilience against future pandemics.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Private investment</strong> is expected to pick up on improving sentiment and risk appetite, as well as <strong>accommodative credit conditions</strong> (i.e. making money less expensive to borrow and encouraging more spending).</li>
<li><strong>Domestic demand</strong> is expected to remain the <strong>main driver of growth.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A faster <strong>vaccine rollout</strong> will <strong>boost urban demand</strong> for services, while the <strong>rural demand will be boosted by robust agriculture growth</strong> and continued government support to farmers by expanding irrigation, improving value chains, and increasing farm loan limits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The government&rsquo;s push to the<strong> manufacturing sector</strong> through the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/expansion-of-production-linked-incentive-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>production-linked incentive scheme</strong></a> will expand domestic production and help integrate domestic manufacturing with global supply chains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gross Domestic Product</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gdp-decreases-to-11-year-low" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GDP</strong> </a>is <strong>a measure of economic activity</strong> in a country. It is the<strong> total value of a country&rsquo;s annual output of goods and services.</strong> It gives the economic output from the consumers&rsquo; side.</li>
<li>GDP = Private consumption + Gross investment + Government investment + Government spending + (exports-imports)</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Asian Development Bank</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ADB</strong> is a<strong> regional development bank established in 1966.</strong></li>
<li>It has <strong>68 members. India is a founding member.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>49 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It <strong>aims</strong> to promote social and economic development in Asia and the Pacific.</li>
<li>As of 31st December 2019, <strong>ADB&rsquo;s five largest shareholders</strong> are <strong>Japan</strong> and the <strong>United States</strong> (each with 15.6% of total shares), the People&rsquo;s Republic of<strong> China</strong> (6.4%), <strong>India</strong> (6.3%), and<strong> Australia</strong> (5.8%).</li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered in Manila, Philippines.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/economy/india-s-second-covid-19-wave-could-put-its-economic-recovery-at-risk-adb-76753#:~:text=The%20ongoing%20'second%20wave'%20the,Asian%20Development%20Bank%20(ADB).&amp;text=India's%20gross%20domestic%20product%20(GDP,7%20per%20cent%20in%202022." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'India-Japan Relations',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-rising-sun-in-india-japan-relations/article34453087.ece"> "The Rising Sun in India-Japan Relation"</a> which was published in The Hindu on 29/04/2021. It talks about the evolving nature of India-Japan relationship.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the new Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga met with the new United States President. Bothe the leaders have set the agenda for the wider Indo-Pacific engagement.</p>
<p>The backdrop of this meeting is the need to address China&rsquo;s aggressive outlook in territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas as well as in the Taiwan Strait.</p>
<p>Moreover, in the aftermath of the successful Quad Summit, both parties expressed their continued support for the four-nation grouping of the United States, India, Australia and Japan.</p>
<p>Given that the Japanese Prime Minister plans to visit India as soon as the situation permits following the Covid-19 pandemic, his dealings with the U.S. are a preview of what India can expect from Japan.</p>
<h3>Highlight of the US-Japan Meet</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the summit level meeting, both sides affirmed the centrality of their treaty alliance, for long a source of stability in East Asia, and pledged to stand up to China in key regional flashpoints such as the disputed Senkaku Islands and Taiwan.</li>
<li>Further, reflecting on the changed nature of conflict, both sides acknowledged the importance of extended deterrence vis-&agrave;-vis China through cooperation on cybersecurity and space technology.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Discussions also touched upon Chinese ambitions to dominate the development of new age technologies such as 5G and quantum computing.</li>
<li>Given China&rsquo;s recent pledge to invest a mammoth $1.4 trillion in emerging technologies, both sides pledged to close the gap by announcing a Competitiveness and Resilience Partnership, or CoRe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both sides have also signalled their intent to continue the Trump-era policy of pressure on China to reform economic practices such as &ldquo;violations of intellectual property rights, forced technology transfer, excess capacity issues, and the use of trade distorting industrial subsidies&rdquo;</li>
<li>Both powers also reiterated their vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific that respects the rule of law, freedom of navigation, democratic norms and the use of peaceful means to settle disputes.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What can Be expected in Upcoming India-Japan Meet</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Balancing China:</strong> A continuation of the balancing security policy against China that began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe in 2014, can be expected as a major priority.</li>
<li><strong>Collaboration in Frontier Technologies:</strong> During the Shinzo Abe years, India and Japan put together a digital research and innovation partnership that ran the gamut of technologies from AI and 5G to the Internet of Things and space research.</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong> Economic ties and infrastructure development are likely to be top drawer items on the agendas of New Delhi and Tokyo.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Japan is likely to reaffirm support for key manufacturing initiatives such as &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo;.</li>
<li>Further, India will be keen to secure continued infrastructure investments in the strategically vital connectivity projects currently under way in the Northeast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Evolving Multilateralism:</strong> The Suga-Modi Summit would undoubtedly devote much attention to evolving a joint strategy towards key third countries and multilateral bodies. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In years past, New Delhi and Tokyo have collaborated to build infrastructure in Iran and Africa, provide vital aid to Myanmar &amp; Sri Lanka and hammer out a common Association of Southeast Asian Nations outreach policy in an attempt to counter China&rsquo;s growing influence in these corners of the globe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prompting Free and Open Indo-Pacific:</strong> Further, no meeting would be complete without an affirmation of India and Japan&rsquo;s support for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and continued willingness to work with the Quad, which is fast emerging as a central pillar of the security strategies of both nations</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Resolving Data Localisation Issues:</strong> India and Japan should attempt to resolve disagreements over India&rsquo;s insistence on data localisation and continued reluctance to accede to global cybersecurity agreements such as the Budapest Convention</li>
<li><strong>Expediating Economic Convergence:</strong> While Japan has poured in around $34 billion in investments into the Indian economy over the course of the last two decades.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Japan is only India&rsquo;s 12th largest trading partner, and trade volumes between the two stand at just a fifth of the value of India-China bilateral trade.</li>
<li>Thus both sides should envisage expediating the economic convergence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Shinzo Abe, in his book, Utsukushii Kuni E (Toward a Beautiful Country), expressed his hope that it would not be a surprise if in another 10 years, Japan-India relations overtake Japan-U.S. and Japan-China relations.</p>
<p>Thus far, New India has every reason to believe that Japan&rsquo;s Yoshihide Suga is willing to make that dream a reality.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffffc;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>It would not be a surprise if in another 10 years, Japan-India relations overtake Japan-U.S. and Japan-China relations. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
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	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'International Labour Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Every year 1<sup>st</sup> May is observed as May Day and is also known as<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-workers-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Labour Day worldwide.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The day is observed as an occasion to <strong>commemorate the contributions of labourers and the working class.</strong></li>
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Labour Organization</strong></a>, a United Nations agency, works towards setting international labour standards.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>History and Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>United States:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Labour Day<strong> has its origins in the labour union movement in the United States</strong> in the 19<sup>th</sup> Century.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the <strong>USA and Canada celebrate Labour day on the first Monday of September, every year.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Labour day was designated as a day in support of workers by trade unions and socialist groups in the memory of the <strong>Haymarket affair of 1886 in Chicago, USA.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Haymarket Affair</strong> was a peaceful rally in support of workers which led to a violent clash with the police, leading to severe casualties. Those who died were hailed as &ldquo;Haymarket Martyrs&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Workers&rsquo; rights violations, straining work hours, poor working conditions, low wages and child labour were the issues highlighted in the protest.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Europe:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>May Day was <strong>first celebrated on 1<sup>st</sup> May, 1890,</strong> after it was declared by the first <strong>International Congress of Socialist Parties</strong> in Europe in July 1889.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>USSR:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Soviet Union and the Eastern bloc nations <strong>started celebrating the Labour day after the Russian Revolution, 1917.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>New ideologies such as <strong>Marxism and Socialism</strong> inspired many socialist and communist groups and they attracted peasants and workers and made them an integral part of national movement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The first Labour&rsquo;s Day was celebrated in 1923 in Chennai. This day was observed by the <strong>Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.</strong></li>
<li>On this day, communist leader <strong>Malayapuram Singaravelu Chettiar</strong> asked the government that 1<sup>st</sup> May should be considered as a national holiday to symbolise the efforts and work of the workers.</li>
<li>This day is also known as Kamgar Divas, Kamgar Din and Antarrashtriya Shramik Divas in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Constitutional Provisions Related to Labour</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian constitution provides numerous safeguards for the protection of labour rights. These safeguards are in the<strong> form of fundamental rights and the Directive principle of State policy.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 14</strong> commands the State to <strong>treat any person equally before the law.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article (19) (1) (c)</strong> grants citizens the <strong>right to form associations or unions.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 21</strong> promises <strong>protection of life and personal liberty.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 23 prohibits forced labour.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 24 prohibits employment of children below the age of fourteen years.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 39(a)</strong> provides that the State shall<strong> secure to its citizens equal right to an adequate means of livelihood.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 41</strong> provides that within the limits of its economic capacity the State <strong>shall secure for the Right to work and education.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 42</strong> instructs the State to make provisions for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.</li>
<li><strong>Article 43</strong> orders the State to secure a<strong> living wage, decent conditions of work and social and cultural opportunities</strong> to all workers through legislation or economic organisation.</li>
<li><strong>Article 43A</strong> provides for the <strong>participation of workers in Management of Industries through legislation.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Legal Provisions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Parliament has passed<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-the-labour-code-bills" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 3 labour code bills</strong> </a>aimed at labour welfare reforms covering more than 50 crores organized and unorganized workers in the country.</li>
<li>These three Bills are<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/right-code-for-labour" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Social Security Code, 2020.</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-occupational-safety-health-and-working-conditions-code-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Code on Occupational Safety, Health &amp; Working Conditions Code, 2020</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/labour-reforms-1#:~:text=Key%20Points,to%20furnish%20a%20standing%20order." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Relations Code, 2020</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/may-day-2021-know-history-and-significance-of-labour-day-101619837183763.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: HT</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-labour-day'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Positron: The Antimatter Counterpart of the Electrons',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Researchers from the <strong>Raman Research Institute (RRI),</strong> Bengaluru, have resolved the mystery of the antimatter counterpart of the electrons called <strong>Positron and Positron Excess Phenomenon.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RRI is an autonomous institution of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-foundation-day-of-dst" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Department of Science and Technology.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Anti-Matter</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Antimatter is the<strong> opposite of normal matter.</strong> More specifically, the sub-atomic particles of antimatter have properties opposite those of normal matter.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Matter</strong> is made up of atoms, which are the basic units of chemical elements such as hydrogen, helium or oxygen.</li>
<li><strong>Atoms</strong> are the basic units of matter and the defining structure of elements. atoms are made up of three particles:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Protons, Neutrons and Electrons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619868921_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619868921_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Positron</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Positron is a<strong> subatomic particle whose mass is the same as that of an electron and numerically equal but positively charged particle.</strong> The positron was discovered in 1932.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Positron Excess:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The excess number of high energy particles of the antimatter counterpart of the electrons, called <strong>positrons have intrigued scientists for long.</strong></li>
<li>Over the years astronomers have <strong>observed positrons having an energy of more than 10 giga-electron volts, or 10 GeV.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For an estimate, this is the energy of a <strong>positively charged electron accelerated across a 10,000,000,000 volt battery.</strong> Positrons with energy more than 300 GeV, however, are lower in comparison to what astronomers expect.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This behaviour of positrons between 10 and 300 GeV is what astronomers call the <strong>&lsquo;positron excess&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>RRIs Study:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/milky-way-s-violent-birth-decoded" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Milky Way</strong></a> consists of <strong>giant clouds of molecular hydrogen.</strong> They are the seats of the formation of <strong>new stars</strong> and can be as massive as<strong> 10 million times the Sun&rsquo;s mass.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They can extend up to <strong>600 light-years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Cosmic rays, produced in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-upsc-prelims-supernova-blast" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>supernovae</strong></a> explosions propagate through these clouds before they reach the Earth. <strong>Cosmic rays interact with molecular hydrogen and can give rise to other cosmic rays.</strong></li>
<li>As they propagate through these clouds, they<strong> decay from their original forms and intermix, lose their energy by energising the clouds, and may also get re-energised.</strong></li>
<li>RRI studied all these astrophysical processes via a<strong> code it set up on the computer, using a publicly available code.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>RRIs Code:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The code <strong>considers 1638 molecular hydrogen clouds in the Milky Way</strong> that other astronomers have observed across different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum.</li>
<li>RRI followed a comprehensive catalogue which <strong>consists of ten molecular clouds in the immediate neighbourhood of our Sun.</strong></li>
<li>These galactic clouds <strong>provide the astronomers a crucial input</strong> that is the number of giga-electron volt cosmic rays. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These help them <strong>determine the excess number of positrons that reach the Earth.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The computer code was successfully able to<strong> reproduce the observed number of positrons at giga-electron volt energies.</strong></li>
<li>Not only the positron excess, the computer code accurately <strong>reproduces the spectra of protons, antiprotons, boron, carbon, and all other components of cosmic rays.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>RRIs Proposal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cosmic rays<strong> while propagating through the Milky Way galaxy interact with matter producing other cosmic rays,</strong> primarily electrons and positrons.</li>
<li>All mechanisms via which cosmic rays interact with the molecular clouds to show that <strong>nearby molecular clouds can be a viable contributor to the positron excess phenomenon.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cosmic Rays</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Cosmic rays are <strong>atom fragments that rain down on the Earth from outside of the solar system.</strong> They blaze at the speed of light and have been blamed for electronics problems in satellites and other machinery. They were Discovered in 1912.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Light-Year</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The light-year is a unit of length used to express astronomical distances and is equivalent to about <strong>9.46 trillion kilometres.</strong></li>
<li>As defined by the International Astronomical Union, a light-year is <strong>the distance that light travels in vacuum in one Julian year.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1715111" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/positron-the-antimatter-counterpart-of-the-electrons'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Delhi Air Pollution',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, according to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/safar#:~:text=The%20System%20of%20Air%20Quality,air%20quality%20of%20the%20city." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research)</strong> </a>system, Delhi&rsquo;s air quality deteriorated from &lsquo;moderate&rsquo; to &lsquo;poor&rsquo; and &lsquo;very poor&rsquo;.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Causes of Deteriorating Air Quality:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Delhi&rsquo;s air <strong>typically worsens in October-November</strong> and improves by March-April. Current weather conditions are not unfavourable, unlike in winter.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>During winter, cool and calm weather traps and spikes daily pollution, particularly in north Indian cities located in the <strong>Indo Gangetic Plain.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Hence, apart from <strong>local emissions</strong>, the deterioration in air quality is <strong>being attributed to an increase in fire counts, mostly due to burning of wheat crop stubble in northern India.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>most crucial reasons</strong> for the alarming levels of air pollution in Delhi include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>City&rsquo;s landlocked geographical location.</li>
<li>Crop burning in neighbouring states (Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan).</li>
<li>Vehicular emissions.</li>
<li>Industrial pollution.</li>
<li>Large-scale construction activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Deteriorating air quality is worrying amid an increasing number of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19)</strong></a> cases and deaths.</li>
<li>In the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-air-quality-report-2020#:~:text=Delhi%20has%20been%20listed%20as,capital%20city%20in%20the%20world." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Air Quality report 2020</strong></a>, Delhi has been listed as the <strong>10<sup>th</sup> most</strong> <strong>polluted city and the top polluted capital city in the world.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, it <strong>shows a boost in Delhi&rsquo;s air quality by approximately 15%</strong> from 2019 to 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In July 2020, <strong>Greenpeace (non-governmental organisation)</strong> found out that of the 28 global cities studied, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/greenpeace-analysis-on-economic-cost-of-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Delhi bore the highest economic cost of air pollution</strong></a> with an estimated loss of 24,000 lives in the first half of 2020 despite a strict Covid-19 lockdown.</li>
<li>Long-term exposure to outdoor and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indoor-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>household (indoor) air pollution</strong></a> contributed to over 1.67 million annual deaths from stroke, heart attack, diabetes, lung cancer, chronic lung <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-injection-for-type-2-diabetes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>diseases</strong></a>, and <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-tackling-infant-mortality" target="_blank" rel="noopener">neonatal diseases</a></strong>, in India in 2019 <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-global-air-2020-hei" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(State of Global Air 2020)</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Measures Taken:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Subsidy to farmers for buying <strong>Turbo Happy Seeder (THS)</strong> which is a machine mounted on a tractor that cuts and uproots the stubble, in order to <strong>reduce stubble burning.</strong></li>
<li>The introduction of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bs-vi-emission-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BS-VI vehicles</strong></a>, push for <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/electric-vehicles-evs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>electric vehicles</strong></a> (EVs), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/health-emergency-in-new-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Odd-Even</strong></a> as an emergency measure and construction of the <strong>Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways</strong> to reduce vehicular pollution.</li>
<li>Implementation of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/grap-to-be-enforced-in-delhi-ncr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Graded Response Action Plan</a> (GRAP).</strong> It is a set of curbs triggered in phases as the air quality deteriorates, which is typical of the October-November period.</li>
<li>Development of the <strong>National Air Quality Index (AQI)</strong> for public information under the aegis of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Central Pollution Control Board</a> (CPCB).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SAFAR is a national initiative <strong>introduced by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)</strong> to measure the air quality of a metropolitan city, by measuring the overall pollution level and the location-specific air quality of the city.</li>
<li>The system is<strong> indigenously developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)</strong>, <strong>Pune</strong> and is <strong>operationalized by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-fani" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Meteorological Department (IMD).</a></strong></li>
<li>The ultimate objective of the project is to increase awareness among the general public regarding the air quality in their city so that appropriate mitigation measures and systematic action can be taken up.</li>
<li>SAFAR is a<strong>n integral part of India&rsquo;s first Air Quality Early Warning System</strong> operational in Delhi.</li>
<li>It <strong>monitors all weather parameters</strong> like temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction, UV radiation, and solar radiation.</li>
<li><strong>Pollutants Monitored:</strong> PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, and Mercury.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The wheat season is not followed by intensive farm fires, unlike paddy harvesting, as managing wheat stubble is comparatively easy and wheat straw is processed into cattle feed by most farmers.</li>
<li>So instead of focusing on farm fires, Delhi should look at local emissions to control the air pollution.</li>
<li>Breathing clean air is a fundamental right of every Indian citizen. Therefore, human health must become a priority when it comes to tackling air pollution.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/air/delhi-air-in-trouble-again-should-farm-fires-be-in-focus-76758#:~:text=Published%3A%20Friday%2030%20April%202021,on%20Thursday%20(April%2029).&amp;text=Hence%2C%20apart%20from%20local%20emissions,crop%20stubble%20in%20no" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/delhi-air-pollution-1'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan Border Tension',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a<strong> ceasefire on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan</strong> appeared to be holding after a day of intense<strong> fighting between the two countries</strong> that has killed about 40 people and wounded about 175.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Kyrgyzstan</strong> and <strong>Tajikistan</strong> belong to the central asia region. Other countries of the region are Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.</li>
</ul>
<h3><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619874178_image1%20- Copy.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619874178_image1 - Copy.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both nations have<strong> claimed the area around the water supply facility in Kok-Tash, a dispute dating back decades</strong> to when <strong>they were both part of the Soviet Union.</strong></li>
<li>The current configuration of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border is the<strong> product of Soviet mapmakers</strong> drawing the dividing lines for Soviet republics, after the <strong>Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) collapsed in late 1991.</strong></li>
<li>The meandering boundary between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is particularly tense as over a third of its<strong> 1,000-km length is disputed. Restrictions on access to land and water</strong> that communities regard as theirs have often <strong>led to deadly clashes in the past.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International Response:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Russia and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong> </a>(EU) welcomed the ceasefire deal and emphasised the <strong>need for a lasting and peaceful solution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Central Asia for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Political:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has a very wide array of interests in Central Asia covering <strong>security, energy, economic opportunities etc.</strong></li>
<li>Security, stability and prosperity of Central Asia is<strong> imperative for peace and economic development of India.</strong></li>
<li>Central Asia serves as a <strong>land bridge between Asia and Europe, making it geopolitically axial for India.</strong></li>
<li>Both <strong>India and Central Asian Republics (CARs) share many commonalities and perceptions</strong> on various regional and world issues and can play a crucial role in providing regional stability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The region is<strong> rich in natural resources</strong> such as petroleum, natural gas, antimony, aluminum, gold, silver, coal and uranium which<strong> can be best utilized by Indian energy requirements.</strong></li>
<li>Central Asia has<strong> huge cultivable areas lying barren</strong> and without being put to any productive use, offering enormous opportunity for cultivation of pulses.</li>
<li>CARs are fast getting linked to the global market for production, supplies of raw materials and services. They are also increasingly getting integrated into the<strong> East-West Trans-Eurasian transit economic corridors.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India intends<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/push-for-chabahar-port-in-instc-corridor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> expansion of International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC)</strong></a> to Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will act as a vital gateway to access Eurasian markets and optimally operationalize its use, requiring a Central Asian state joining the project as a direct stakeholder.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-central-asia-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India-Central Asia Dialogue</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has proposed setting up of &lsquo;India-Central Asia Development Group&rsquo; to take forward development partnership between India &amp; Central Asian countries.</li>
<li>This group will help India to expand its footprints in the resource-rich region amid China&rsquo;s massive inroads and to fight terror effectively, including in Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-Kyrgyzstan</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Political:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has enjoyed <strong>strong bilateral ties with Kyrgyzstan since 1991.</strong></li>
<li>India was <strong>one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Kyrgyzstan in 1992.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Culture &amp; Economic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Since 1992, the two countries have many agreements,</strong> including on Culture, Trade and Economic Cooperation, Civil Aviation, Investment Promotion and Protection, Avoidance of Double Taxation, Consular Convention etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Military:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2011, the joint<strong> &lsquo;Khanjar&rsquo;</strong> series of exercises was started.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Diaspora:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In Kyrgyzstan, about<strong> 9,000 Indian students</strong> are studying medicine in various medical institutions in the country. Also,<strong> there are many businessmen living in Kyrgyzstan</strong> who are involved in trade and several other services there.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Strategic: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Kyrgyz leaderships have been <strong>largely supportive of India&rsquo;s stand on Kashmir.</strong></li>
<li>They also support India&rsquo;s bid for a permanent seat at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Security Council</strong></a> (UNSC).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-Tajikistan</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Political:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Tajikistan elevated bilateral relations to the level of a<strong> Strategic Partnership in 2012.</strong></li>
<li>Tajikistan supported India&rsquo;s membership to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sco-summit-2#:~:text=the%20SCO%20region.-,Shanghai%20Cooperation%20Organisation,entered%20into%20force%20in%202003." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)</strong> </a>and also permanent membership of an expanded UNSC.</li>
<li>India supported Tajikistan's accession to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organization</strong></a> in 2013.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Culture &amp; Economic:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Trade between two sides is <strong>not to expectations despite efforts from both countries, due to more transit time and lack of readily accessible trade routes.</strong></li>
<li>Despite limitations, trade in food processing, mining, pharmaceuticals, textiles, skill development, science &amp; technology, Information Technology, culture and tourism are continued between two countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Assistance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India delivered<strong> major food assistance</strong> in 2001-02. To overcome a crisis caused by an unprecedented harsh winter in January-February <strong>2008, India gave a grant of USD 2 million</strong> (USD 1 million as cash assistance and USD 1 million in kind, such as power cables, generators and pump sets).</li>
<li>India provided<strong> 2 million doses of oral polio vaccine</strong> through the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unicef-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations Children&rsquo;s Fund (UNICEF)</strong> </a>in November 2010.</li>
<li>In March 2018, India gifted <strong>10 Russian-made ambulances</strong> to various regions of Tajikistan drawing substantial media coverage and appreciation from high offices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Diaspora:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> total number of Indians is estimated at about 1550,</strong> out of which more than 1250 are students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Geography has placed central asia at the nexus of crucial political and economic transformations for centuries. With the actualization of the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Belt and Road Initiative</a>, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/connect-central-asia-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s Connect Central Asia policy</a>,</strong> and the EU&rsquo;s new Central Asia strategy, the 21st century could possibly be the most decisive period for the region.</li>
<li>Stemming from its historic cultural and economic bonds,<strong> India is now well placed to take a more active role in the development of the region.</strong> India&rsquo;s growing global visibility and key contributions to multilateral forums like the SCO have catapulted India from an observer into a critical stakeholder in the region.</li>
<li>As India looks beyond its borders,<strong> Central Asia provides India with the right platform to leverage its political, economic and cultural connections to play a leading role in Eurasia.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/kyrgyzstan-tajikistan-seek-to-ease-cross-border-tensions/article34452732.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kyrgyzstan-tajikistan-border-tension'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'The Broken Sanitation System of India',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-pandemic-has-exposed-indias-dirty-truth-a-broken-sanitation-system-7292937/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;The Dirty Truth&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in the Indian Express on 29/04/2021. It talks about how the pandemic has worsened the already deteriorating sanitation system of India and what are the measures that need to be taken.</p>
</div>
<p>The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed India&rsquo;s broken system of sanitation. Newly-built &ldquo;dry latrines&rdquo; and &ldquo;hanging toilets&rdquo; in rural India are the result of the lockdowns of 2020-21.</p>
<p>Despite the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/manual-scavenging-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013</strong></a>, and a strict ban on dry latrines, about 46,000 new dry latrines were built during the pandemic only.</p>
<p>The primary reason for the construction of these illegal toilets is that sanitary toilets have become hotbeds of disease.</p>
<p>The lockdowns, being imposed again due to the second wave of Covid-19, have multiplied the sanitation struggle in India, so much so that people are fearing the outcome of using the public toilets every day.</p>
<h3>Present Scenario of India&rsquo;s Sanitation System</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>State-Wise Condition:</strong> Small pits filled with human excrement near construction sites in Uttar Pradesh highlight the re-emergence open-defecation pattern in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>West Bengal,</strong> more toilets are found to be constructed as &ldquo;raised beds with small holes&rdquo; at the centre, known as <strong>hanging toilets,</strong> built by families who do not want to use sanitary toilets as they are always filled with excrement and faeces.</li>
<li>In<strong> Delhi,</strong> the extension of Ghazipur, Bhalswa and Okhla landfills serve as a big defecation ground for nearby communities.</li>
<li>In <strong>Tamil Nadu,</strong> locals claim that unused toilets often become playgrounds for wild animals and snakes, just as in<strong> Goa.</strong></li>
<li>In<strong> Madhya Pradesh</strong> and<strong> Rajasthan,</strong> the toilets in villages have become &ldquo;death traps&rdquo; because of the usage of substandard material for construction.</li>
<li>In <strong>Mizoram,</strong> there is a prevalence of unique <strong>&ldquo;tree house&rdquo; toilets</strong> which are like the hanging toilets, but three times higher. Excrement keeps getting filled in open pits on the ground throughout the day.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Toilets in Rural India:</strong> Sanitary toilet usage has declined in rural India due to the Covid-19. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently, more than six lakh toilets in rural India have acute water shortage.</li>
<li>Around 1,20,000 toilets have no water supply and thousands of toilets are completely abandoned, with collapsing roofs, water pipes in poor shape and soggy, broken doors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Open Defecation:</strong> As toilet usage becomes a problem, another trend is the four-fold increase in open defecation in rural India with defecation sites being close to garbage dumps and local water bodies. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These dumps contain a large number of used masks, PPE kits and effluents.</li>
<li>The pandemic has also forced India&rsquo;s sanitation workers to discard plastic bags filled with excrement and infected COVID-19 gear found on the periphery of community toilets even in the remotest areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Manual Scavenging:</strong> According to the <strong>National Commission of Safai Karamcharis (NCSK),</strong> a total of 53,598 people (29,923 in U.P. alone) had been identified as engaged in manual scavenging after surveys in 2013 and 2018.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tamil Nadu reported the highest number of deaths due to manual scavenging.</li>
<li>Gujarat has the highest number of cases where the compensation amount was not paid for deaths due to manual scavenging, followed by Maharashtra.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biomedical Waste Generation:</strong> According to a Central Pollution Control Board report, released in November 2020, India generated around 33,000 tonnes of Covid-19 biomedical waste between April and November. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Before the pandemic, regular biomedical waste generation in India was at 610 MT per day, but now, the waste has gone up to 765.5 MT per day.</li>
<li><strong>Maharashtra has been the biggest contributor to biomedical waste</strong> including Uttar Pradesh and Delhi among the top 10 waste generators.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gender-Based Sanitation Insecurity:</strong> There is a disproportionate burden faced by women regarding shortage of or the non-availability of sanitation facilities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Women face threats to their life and feel unsafe while seeking a toilet facility or while going out for open defecation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This leads to the consumption of less food and water by the women to minimize the need to exit the home to use toilets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps to be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Re-Evaluating the State of Toilets:</strong> The dependence on unimproved water sources in rural India even within sanitary toilets increases the need to re-evaluate the obsession with toilet construction in India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The maintenance systems need to be tackled immediately which can be done by re-surveying the state of the toilets that were built more than 5 years ago..</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reforms for Sanitation Labours:</strong> The sanitation system needs to go hand in hand with the water system, combined with an assessment of sanitation behaviour and sanitation labour reforms in India, at every single step.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bringing the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiatives-to-eliminate-manual-scavenging" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2020</strong></a> into force and completely eradicate manual scavenging in order to mechanise the scavenging and prevent further deaths due to the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eradication of Dry Latrines and Hanging Toilets:</strong> The usage of both dry latrines and hanging toilets puts the communities around them at high risk of illness, beyond Covid-19. Therefore, both the construction and usage of these units needs to be eradicated.</li>
<li><strong>Biomedical Waste Management:</strong> It is imperative to define Covid-19 waste, identify different types of waste generators and launch a large-scale campaign for awareness related to PPE usage.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Urban local bodies must provide separate waste bins, and push citizens to segregate waste at source.</li>
<li>The government must also augment the capacities of biomedical treatment units with appropriate monitoring strategies and work with all stakeholders such as doctors, innovators and medical items and equipment manufacturers to come up with a plan to reduce the waste burden.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring Behaviour Change:</strong> Information, education, and communication, which aims at behavior change of the masses towards toilets and other sanitation facilities specially for women.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>With no escape from COVID-19, the toilet traditions have highlighted major loopholes in India&rsquo;s sanitation system, where the focus is majorly on building new infrastructure rather than surveying the existing ones.</p>
<p>The government shall stringently respond to the problem of open defecation, manual scavenging and lack of toilet and sanitation facilities for women.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffffa;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;The notion of Open-Defecation Free India will not be fulfilled by the effort of an individual but requires a collaborative approach of the government and public requiring welfare policies and a change in the mindset go hand in hand&rdquo;. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-broken-sanitation-system-of-india'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'The Global Forest Goals Report 2021: UN Report',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the U<strong>nited Nations&rsquo; Global Forest Goals Report 2021, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a></strong> pandemic has <strong>aggravated the challenges faced by countries in managing their forests.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Report has been prepared by the <strong>Department of Economic and Social Affairs</strong> of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations.</strong></a> It provides an initial overview of progress of Goals and targets contained within the<strong> United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2030.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Findings of the Report:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Covid-19 leading to Systemic Vulnerabilities and Inequalities:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>More than just a health crisis, <strong>Covid-19 is driving losses of lives and livelihoods</strong>, extreme poverty, inequality, and food insecurity, and it has put the &lsquo;Future We Want&rsquo; further out of reach.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19 on Global Output:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is estimated that world gross product <strong>fell by an estimated 4.3% in 2020.</strong> It is the <strong>sharpest contraction</strong> of global output <strong>since the Great Depression.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Covid-19 is Threatening the Lifeline that Forests Provide:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An <strong>estimated 1.6 billion people, or 25% of the global population, rely on forests</strong> for their subsistence <strong>needs, livelihoods, employment, and income.</strong></li>
<li>Of the extreme poor in rural areas, 40% live in forest and savannah areas, and approximately 20% of the global population, especially women, children, landless farmers, and other vulnerable segments of society look to forests to meet their food and income needs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19 on Forest Dependent Population:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>On the <strong>economic front</strong>, forest-dependent populations have <strong>faced job loss, reduced income</strong>, <strong>diminished access to markets and information</strong>, and for many women and youth, <strong>a contraction in seasonal employment.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Socially</strong>, many of these populations are already <strong>marginalized and vulnerable groups</strong>, such as indigenous peoples, least able to access critical socio-economic safety nets.</li>
<li>Many forest dependent populations, especially those in remote or hard to reach places, have faced <strong>difficulties accessing healthcare</strong> or find that government assistance programmes and basic services are disrupted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increased Pressure on Forest:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Pandemic driven health and socio-economic outcomes have increased pressure on forests.</li>
<li>To ease their growing vulnerability, many indigenous peoples and local communities, as well as returning migrants and urban workers,<strong> have retreated deeper into the woods to seek food, fuel, shelter, and protection from the risks of Covid-</strong>19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biodiversity Crisis:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Among its many findings, the <strong>&lsquo;Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services&rsquo;</strong> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-report-on-species-extinction#:~:text=The%20Intergovernmental%20Science%2DPolicy%20Platform,risk%20of%20extinction%20within%20decades." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)</strong></a> highlighted that <strong>one million species were at risk of extinction</strong> and that 100 million hectares of tropical forest were lost from 1980 to 2000.</li>
<li>At the same time, <strong>climate change is jeopardizing the resilience of forest ecosystems</strong> and their ability to support ecosystem services worldwide.</li>
<li>Though forests offer nature-based solutions to overcome these concurrent global challenges, they have also never been more at risk.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The resilient recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic along with responses to the climate and biodiversity crises <strong>must be rooted in the world&rsquo;s forests.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Forests and forest-dependent people are both a casualty and an important part of the solution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sustainably resourced and managed forests</strong> can bolster employment, disaster risk reduction, food security and social safety nets, for starters.</li>
<li>Forest <strong>can also protect biodiversity and advance both climate mitigation and adaptation.</strong></li>
<li>With regard to global health, safeguarding and restoring forests are among the environmental actions that <strong>can reduce the risk of future zoonotic disease outbreaks.</strong></li>
<li>The report called for a future course of action that included <strong>greater sustainability and a greener and more inclusive economy</strong> to tackle the threats of Covid-19, climate change and the biodiversity crisis faced by forests.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Status of World Forest</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Total Forest Area:</strong> According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/deforestation-rate-declined" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 (FRA 2020)</strong></a> report, the <strong>world&rsquo;s total forest area is 4.06 billion hectares (bha)</strong>, which is 31% of the total land area. This area is equivalent to 0.52 hectares per person.</li>
<li><strong>Top Countries in Forest Cover</strong>&mdash;the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America and China constituted more than 54% of the world&rsquo;s forests.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Forest in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/india-state-of-forest-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India State of Forest Report, 2019,</strong></a> the <strong>Total Forest and Tree cover is 24.56%</strong> of the geographical area of the country.</li>
<li><strong>Forest Cover (Area-wise):</strong> Madhya Pradesh&gt; Arunachal Pradesh&gt; Chhattisgarh&gt; Odisha&gt; Maharashtra.</li>
<li><strong>National Forest Policy of India, 1988</strong> envisages a goal of achieving 33% of the geographical area of the country under forest and tree cover.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017&ndash;2030</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 was created with a mission to promote sustainable forest management and enhance the contribution of forests and trees to the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3#:~:text=To%20bring%20sustainable%20development%20in,over%20the%20next%2015%20years." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.</strong></a></li>
<li>The agreement on the first-ever UN Strategic Plan for Forests was <strong>forged at a special session of the UN Forum on Forests held in January 2017</strong> and provides an ambitious vision for global forests in 2030.</li>
<li><strong>Goals and Targets:</strong> It features <strong>a set of six Global Forest Goals and 26 associated targets</strong> to be reached by 2030, which are <strong>voluntary and universal.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It includes a target to increase forest area by <strong>3% worldwide by 2030</strong>, signifying an increase of 120 million hectares, an area over twice the size of France.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It builds on the vision of the 2030 Agenda and recognizes that real change requires decisive, collective action, within and beyond the UN System.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619783660_Image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619783660_Image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/covid-19-has-aggravated-challenges-to-manage-forests-un-report-76718%23:~:text%3DPublished%253A%2520Wednesday%252028%2520April%25202021%26text%3DThe%2520novel%2520coronavirus%2520disease%2520(COVID,of%2520people%2520during%2520the%2520pandemic.&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1619785106757000&amp;usg=AOvVaw02J4jZUdvZPAXsQuTFlLTl" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong></strong></a></p>
</div>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/covid-19-has-aggravated-challenges-to-manage-forests-un-report-76718#:~:text=Published%3A%20Wednesday%2028%20April%202021&amp;text=The%20novel%20coronavirus%20disease%20(COVID,of%20people%20during%20the%20pandemic." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source: DTE</a></strong></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-global-forest-goals-report-2021-un-report'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'MACS 1407: Variety of Soybean',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Indian Scientists</strong> have developed <strong>a high-yielding and pest-resistant variety of soybean</strong>, called <strong>MACS 1407.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Scientists from <strong>MACS- Agharkar Research Institute, Pune</strong>, in collaboration with <strong>Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi</strong> have developed it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>MACS 1407:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Using the conventional cross breeding technique, scientists developed <strong>MACS 1407</strong> which gives <strong>39 quintals per hectare</strong> making it <strong>a high yielding variety.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>requires an average 43 days for 50% flowering</strong> and takes 104 days to mature from the date of sowing.</li>
<li>It has white coloured flowers, yellow seeds and black hilum. Its seeds have <strong>19.81% oil content, 41% protein content and show good germinability.</strong></li>
<li>Its thick stem, higher pod insertion (7 cm) from ground, and resistance to pod shattering make it suitable even for <strong>mechanical harvesting.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>suitable for rain-fed conditions of north- east India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is suitable for cultivation in the states of Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and North-Eastern states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Variety is also <strong>resistant to major insect-pests</strong> like girdle beetle, leaf miner, leaf roller, stem fly, aphids, white fly and defoliators.</li>
<li>Its seeds will be made available to farmers for sowing during the <strong>2022 <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kharif season</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is highly adaptive to sowing from <strong>20 June to 5 July</strong> without any yield loss. This makes it <strong>resistant to the vagaries of Monsoon</strong> as compared to other varieties.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>2019, India produced around 90 million tons of soybean</strong>, widely cultivated as oil seeds as well as a cheap source of protein for animal feed and many packaged meals and is striving to be among the world&rsquo;s major producers of soybean.</li>
<li>High-yielding, disease resistant varieties of the legume can help achieve this target.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kharif Season</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Crops are <strong>sown</strong> from <strong>June to July</strong> and <strong>Harvesting</strong> is done in between <strong>September-October.</strong></li>
<li>Crops are: Rice, maize, jowar, bajra, tur, moong, urad, cotton, jute, groundnut, soyabean etc.</li>
<li>States are: Assam, West Bengal, coastal regions of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Rabi Season</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Crops are <strong>sown</strong> from <strong>October to December</strong> and <strong>Harvesting</strong> is done in between <strong>April-June.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Crops are:</strong> Wheat, barley, peas, gram, mustard etc.</li>
<li><strong>States are:</strong> Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Zaid Season</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In between the rabi and the kharif seasons, there is <strong>a short season during the summer months</strong> known as the Zaid season.</li>
<li>Crops are: watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, vegetables and fodder crops.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1714852" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/macs-1407-variety-of-soybean'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'China’s Permanent Space Station',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, China<strong> launched an unmanned module of its permanent space station that it plans to complete by the end of 2022.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The module, named <strong>"Tianhe"</strong>, or <strong>"Harmony of the Heavens"</strong>, was launched on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/long-march-5b-rocket-by-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Long March 5B</strong></a>, China's largest carrier rocket.</li>
<li><strong>India</strong> has also set its <strong>eye on building its own space station in <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/types-of-orbit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">low earth orbit</a></strong> to conduct microgravity experiments in space in 5 to 7 years.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> only space station</strong> currently in orbit is the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/long-march-5b-rocket-by-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Space Station</a> (ISS)</strong>, from which <strong>China is excluded.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>space station is a spacecraft</strong> capable of supporting crew members, designed to remain in space for an extended period of time and for other spacecraft to dock.</li>
<li>The<strong> ISS is backed by</strong> the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China has been a late starter</strong> when it comes to space exploration. It was only in 2003 that it sent its first astronaut into orbit, making it the third country to do so, after the Soviet Union and the US.</li>
<li>So far, China has sent two previous space stations into orbit. The<strong> Tiangong-1</strong> and <strong>Tiangong-2</strong> were <strong>trial stations</strong> though, simple modules that allowed only relatively short stays by astronauts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Space Station:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>new, 66-tonne, multi-module Tiangong station</strong> is set to be <strong>operational for at least 10 years.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Tianhe is one of three main components of</strong> what would be <strong>China&rsquo;s first self-developed space station</strong>, rivalling the only other station in service &ndash; the ISS.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>forms the main living quarters for three crew members</strong> in the Chinese space station.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Tianhe launch is the <strong>first of 11 missions</strong> needed to complete the space station, which will<strong> orbit Earth at an altitude of 340 to 450 km.</strong></li>
<li>In the later missions, China will launch the <strong>two other core modules, four manned spacecraft</strong> and <strong>four cargo spacecraft.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance for China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>For Ramping up Space Programme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China<strong> aims to become a major space power by 2030.</strong> It has ramped up its space programme with visits to the moon, the launch of an uncrewed probe to Mars and the construction of its own space station.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>ISS is about to expire by 2024:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In contrast, the fate of the ageing ISS &ndash; in orbit for more than two decades &ndash; remains uncertain. The <strong>project is set to expire in 2024</strong>, barring funding from its partners. Russia has said recently that it would quit the project<strong> from 2025.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Russia&rsquo;s Deepening Ties with China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Russia is deepening ties with China in space as <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/russia-accused-of-testing-anti-satellite-weapon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tensions with the US</a> rise.</strong> It has <strong>slammed the US-led Artemis moon exploration</strong> <strong>programme</strong> and instead chosen to join China in setting up <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-lunar-research-station-russia-and-china#:~:text=China%20and%20Russia%20have%20agreed,cooperation%20between%20the%20two%20countries." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>a lunar research outpost</strong></a> in the coming years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Missions of China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chang-e-5-mission-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chang&rsquo;e-5 (Moon)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tianwen-1-china-s-mars-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tianwen-1 (Mars)</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619775032_image%201.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619775032_image 1.jpg" width="350" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/china-launches-key-module-of-space-station-planned-for-2022/article34437716.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-permanent-space-station'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Immunisation Agenda 2030 ',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> and other agencies have launched the<strong> Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030)</strong> during the <strong>World Immunisation Week.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It will contribute to achieving the <strong>UN-mandated <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Development Goals</a></strong> <strong>specifically SDG 3 i.e. Good Health and Well being.</strong></li>
<li>Covid-19 pandemic has <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-halts-global-vaccination-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>affected routine immunization globally.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It sets an ambitious, overarching global vision and <strong>strategy for vaccines and immunization for the decade 2021&ndash;2030.</strong></li>
<li>The IA2030 is <strong>based on learnings from Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP). </strong>It<strong> aims to address the unmet targets of the GVAP</strong> that were initially to be fulfilled as part of the global immunisation strategy of the <strong>&lsquo;Decade of vaccines&rsquo; (2011&ndash;2020).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>GVAP</strong> was developed to help realize the vision of the<strong> Decade of Vaccines</strong>, that all individuals and communities enjoy lives free from vaccine preventable diseases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is <strong>based on a conceptual framework of seven strategic priorities</strong>, to ensure that immunization fully contributes to stronger<strong> primary health care</strong> and attainment of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/universal-health-coverage-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>universal health coverage.</strong></a></li>
<li>It is underpinned by<strong> four core principles:</strong> it puts people in the centre, is led by countries, implemented through broad partnerships, and driven by data.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619773939_pasted%20image 1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619773939_pasted image 1.png" width="600" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Targets of IA2030:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As part of this new immunisation programme, global agencies like the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Health Organization (WHO)</a></strong>,<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unicef-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> UNICEF</strong></a> and others have set a target of <strong>avoiding 50 million vaccine-preventable infections in this decade.</strong></li>
<li>It also intends <strong>to reduce the number of zero-dose children by 50%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Zero-dose children</strong> are those who have received no vaccines through immunisation programmes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To achieve <strong>90% coverage for essential vaccines</strong> given in childhood and adolescence.</li>
<li>To complete <strong>500 national or subnational introductions of new or under-utilized vaccines</strong> - such as those for <strong><a href="/printpdf/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a></strong>,&nbsp;<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rotavirus-vaccination-drive" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rotavirus</a></strong>, or human papillomavirus (HPV).</li>
<li>The UN agencies aim to ensure through IA2030 that the <strong>benefits of immunisation are shared equitably among and within countries.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Priority Section of the Population:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The new programme will focus on a <strong>&lsquo;bottoms-up&rsquo; approach</strong>, in contrast to the GVAP that followed a &lsquo;top-down&rsquo; one.</li>
<li>It will give priority to populations that are <strong>not currently being reached, particularly the most marginalised communities, those living in fragile and conflict-affected settings and mobile populations</strong>, such as those moving across borders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Initiatives on Immunization:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/intensified-mission-indradhanush-3-0-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 3.0 scheme</strong></a> has been rolled out to cover children and pregnant women who missed routine immunisation during the Covid-19 pandemic.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Immunization Programme in India was introduced in 1978 as &lsquo;Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In 1985, the Programme was modified as <strong>&lsquo;Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is also the <strong>major supplier to</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gavi-covax-facility" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVAX</strong></a>, a global initiative aimed at equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines led by UNICEF, Gavi (The Vaccine Alliance) , the World Health Organization, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and others.</li>
<li>India also began its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-vaccine-diplomacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;Vaccine Maitri&rsquo;</a> to supply Covid vaccine to different nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>World Immunisation Week</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>World Immunization Week is celebrated <strong>every year in the last week of April.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>aims to promote the use of vaccines</strong> to protect people of all ages against disease.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Immunisation</strong> describes the process whereby people are protected against illness caused by infection with microorganisms (formally called pathogens). The term <strong>vaccine refers to the material used for immunisation.</strong></li>
<li>Immunization is a success story for global health and development, saving millions of lives every year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The theme for 2021 is <strong>&ldquo;Vaccines bring us closer&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/health/who-unicef-target-to-avoid-50-million-vaccine-preventable-infections-this-decade-76707" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/immunisation-agenda-2030'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Corporate Social Responsibility Expenditure',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Experts are calling</strong> on the government <strong>to ease CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) regulations</strong> to allow corporate <strong>expenditure on vaccinations for employees</strong> and <strong>treatment of employees</strong> suffering from Covid to be<strong> covered</strong> under spending for <strong>CSR.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under <strong>current CSR norms,&nbsp;</strong>companies are <strong>not permitted</strong> to count<strong> expenditure</strong> incurred <strong>exclusively</strong> for the <strong>welfare of employees</strong> as part of their <strong>mandatory CSR expenditure.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Meaning:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The term "Corporate Social Responsibility" in general can be referred to as <strong>a corporate initiative to assess and take responsibility for the company's effects on the environment</strong> and impact on social welfare.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Governance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In India, the concept of CSR is <strong>governed by clause 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is the<strong> first country in the world to mandate CSR spending</strong> along with a framework to identify potential CSR activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>CSR provisions</strong> within the Act is<strong> applicable to companies with an annual turnover of 1,000 crore and more, or a net worth of Rs. 500 crore and more, or a net profit of Rs. 5 crore and more.</strong></li>
<li>The Act <strong>requires companies to set up a CSR committee</strong> which shall recommend a Corporate Social Responsibility Policy to the Board of Directors and also monitor the same from time to time.</li>
<li>The Act <strong>encourages companies to spend 2% of their average net profit in the previous three years on CSR activities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>CSR Activities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>indicative activities,</strong> which can be undertaken by a company under CSR, have been <strong>specified under Schedule VII of the Act.</strong> The activities include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Eradicating extreme hunger and poverty,</li>
<li>Promotion of education, gender equality and empowering women,</li>
<li>Combating <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/hiv-new-hope" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome</strong></a> and other diseases,</li>
<li>Ensuring environmental sustainability;</li>
<li>Contribution to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-cares-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prime Minister's National Relief Fund</strong></a> or any other fund set up by the Central Government for socio-economic development and relief and funds for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, minorities and women etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Injeti Srinivas Committee:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/injeti-srinivas-committee-report-on-csr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>High Level Committee on CSR</strong></a> was formed in 2018 under the Chairmanship of Injeti Srinivas.</li>
<li>The <strong>main recommendations</strong> included making CSR expenditure tax deductible, allowing the carry-forward of unspent balance for a period of 3-5 years, and aligning Schedule VII of the Companies Act with the <a href="/pdf/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Sustainable Development Goals</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Development:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2020, the <strong>Ministry of Corporate Affairs allowed companies to spend CSR funds on Covid-19 relief,</strong> including preventive healthcare and sanitation and on research and development of Covid drugs, vaccines and medical devices.</li>
<li>The<strong> ambit was expanded further this year</strong> to include awareness or public outreach programmes on Covid-19 vaccination and setting up of makeshift hospitals and temporary Covid care facilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits of Further Easing CSR Norms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Role in Vaccination Drive:</strong> Approximately, Rs. 10,000 crore is available with listed companies annually for spending on CSR activities. If the eligible unlisted companies are taken into account, the available sum may be larger. This can be handy in supplementing the expenditure of the Centre and States on vaccination.</li>
<li><strong>Rural Population can be reachable:</strong> Many of these companies have a presence in rural areas.This will ensure that the drive goes beyond the large cities and reach the rural population too.</li>
<li><strong>Benefit of Allowing Corporate Expenditure on Vaccinations for Employees under CSR:</strong> This will boost vaccinations for unorganised labour in the manufacturing sector and will benefit the overburdened healthcare system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/csr-industry-seeks-inclusion-of-spends-on-jabs-staff-welfare-7296118/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-expenditure'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Tejas Adds Python-5 Air to Air Missile Capability',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India&rsquo;s Indigenous <strong>Light Combat Aircraft Tejas</strong> has added capability of firing <strong>Israeli-origin Python-5 air-to-air missile (AAM)</strong> after concluding successful tests.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The same set of tests were also aimed to validate the enhanced capability of the already integrated Israeli-origin <strong>Derby beyond visual range AAM</strong> on Tejas.</li>
<li>The tests were conducted by <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Python-5 Missile:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has been <strong>developed by the Israeli defence company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.</strong> It is the <strong>newest member of the Python family.</strong></li>
<li>This <strong>fifth generation air-to-air missile</strong> provides the pilot engaging an enemy aircraft with a revolutionary full sphere launch capability.</li>
<li>It can be <strong>launched from very short to beyond-visual ranges</strong> with greater kill probability, excellent resistance to countermeasures, irrespective of evasive target manoeuvers or deployment of countermeasures.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>dual use missile suitable for air-to-air and surface-to-air missions.</strong></li>
<li>It is powered by a solid propellant <strong>rocket engine.</strong> The propulsion system provides a <strong>speed of Mach 4</strong> and an operational<strong> range of more than 20 km.</strong></li>
<li>It is also equipped with<strong> lock-on-before launch (LOBL)</strong> and <strong>lock-on-after launch (LOAL) capabilities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Light Combat Aircraft Tejas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lca-tejas-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tejas</strong></a> is a <strong>single engined, light weight, highly agile, multi-role supersonic fighter.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> indigenously-developed aircraft</strong> has been <strong>manufactured at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)</strong> and <strong>designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)</strong> for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.</li>
<li>It is <strong>designed to carry</strong> a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface, precision-guided, weapons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Beyond Visual Range AAM</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A beyond-visual-range missile (BVR) is an air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) that is <strong>capable of engaging at ranges of 37 km or beyond.</strong> This range has been achieved using dual pulse rocket motors or booster rocket motors and ramjet sustainer motors.</li>
<li>In addition to the range capability, the missile is also capable of tracking its target at this range or of acquiring the target in flight.</li>
<li>Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) technology enables the fighter-pilots to shoot precisely at the enemy targets which are beyond their visual range.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/astra-missile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Astra missile</strong></a> works on BVRAAM.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1714563" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tejas-adds-python-5-air-to-air-missile-capability'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Universal Social Welfare',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/making-social-welfare-universal/article34433217.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Making social welfare universal&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on 29/04/2021. It talks about the need for universal social welfare architecture in India.</p>
</div>
<p>India is one of the largest welfare states in the world and yet, with atrocities caused by Covid-19, the state failed to provide social welfare to most of its vulnerable citizens. Presently owing to the pandemic, India is witnessing multiple crises: a crumbling health infrastructure, mass inter- and intra-migration and food insecurity.</p>
<p>Moreover, the extenuating circumstances brought by the second wave of the pandemic has pushed an estimated 75 million people into poverty and brought even the middle and upper-class citizens to their knees.</p>
<p>The pandemic has thus revealed that leveraging our existing schemes and providing universal social security is of utmost importance. This will help absorb the impact of external shocks on our vulnerable populations.</p>
<h3>What is the Social Security/Welfare System?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Labour Organisation (ILO)</strong></a>, Social Security is a comprehensive approach designed to prevent deprivation, give assurance to the individual of a basic minimum income for himself and his dependents and to protect the individual from any uncertainties.</li>
<li>It is also comprised of two elements, namely:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Right to a Standard of Living adequate for the health and well-being, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services.</li>
<li>Right to Income Security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond any person&rsquo;s control.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Need For Universal Social Welfare</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Majority of Workforce is in Unorganised Sector:</strong> The organised sector workers constitute less than 10% of all workers in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This leaves more than 90% of the workforce without job security, labour rights and post-retirement provisions.</li>
<li>Also, in a dynamic market-economy, workers will lose jobs at a faster pace with technological changes. Thus, workers need to keep learning to stay productively employed.</li>
<li>However, in spite of great attention given to skills development in the last 15 years, the results are not very encouraging.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Illness Is Universal, But Healthcare Is Not:</strong> Economic capital, in the absence of social capital, has proven to be insufficient in accessing healthcare facilities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, Out-of-pocket health expenses create barriers to seeking healthcare and can push marginal households into poverty, form as much as nearly 90% of private expenditure on health.</li>
<li>Also Covid-19 has highlighted the urgency for providing universal free health care. It has demonstrated that private health care can be afforded only by the wealthy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inadequate Expenditure on Social Security:</strong> India has a broad aim of social protection programs, but the overall public expenditure on social protection (excluding public healthcare) is only approx. 1.5% of the GDP, lower than many middle-income countries across the world.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the country has over 500 direct benefit transfer schemes for which various Central, State, and Line departments are responsible. However, these schemes have not reached those in need.</li>
<li>Moreover, existing schemes are fractionalised across various departments and sub-schemes. This causes problems beginning with data collection to last-mile delivery.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Intended Benefits:</strong> Having a universal system would improve the ease of application by consolidating the data of all eligible beneficiaries under one database.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For instance, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) is one scheme that can be strengthened into universal social security. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It already consolidates the public distribution system (PDS), the provision of gas cylinders, and wages for the MGNREGS.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Having a universal scheme would take away this access/exclusion barrier.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, PDS can be linked to a universal identification card such as the Aadhaar or voter card, in the absence of a ration card.</li>
<li>Making other schemes/welfare provisions like education, maternity benefits, disability benefits etc. also universal would ensure a better standard of living for the people.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Case Study: Universal Social Welfare Model</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An example of such a social protection scheme is the Poor Law System in Ireland.</li>
<li>In the 19th century, Ireland, a country that was staggering under the weight of poverty and famine, introduced the Poor Law System to provide relief that was financed by local property taxes.</li>
<li>These laws were notable for not only providing timely assistance but maintaining the dignity and respectability of the poor while doing so.</li>
<li>They were not designed as hand-outs but as necessary responses to a time of economic crisis.</li>
<li>Today, the social welfare system in Ireland has evolved into a four-fold apparatus that promises social insurance, social assistance, universal schemes, and extra benefits/supplements.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Emulating Pulse Polio Universal Immunisation Programme:</strong> We have seen an example of a universal healthcare programme that India ran successfully &mdash; the Pulse Polio Universal Immunisation Programme. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2014, India was declared polio-free. It took a dedicated effort over a number of years.</li>
<li>With the advancements in knowledge and technology, a universal coverage of social welfare is possible in a shorter time frame.</li>
<li>The implementation can be eased through a focus on data digitisation, data-driven decision-making and collaboration across government departments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Building on Existing Systems:</strong> The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) is one scheme that can be strengthened into universal social security. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It already consolidates the public distribution system (PDS), the provision of gas cylinders, and wages for the MGNREGS.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Urban MGNREGA:</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mgnrega-and-migrant-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MGNREGA</strong></a> has proved its utility by providing employment to millions of workers who have reverse migrated.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, there is a case for extending this programme to urban areas with municipal bodies being given the responsibility for providing a fixed no of days work to all those seeking it.</li>
<li>Municipal bodies have a range of work to get done, such as improving sanitation, minor repairs, in which they could productively use labour.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Providing Universal Health Coverage:</strong> There is a need to establish the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ayushman Bharat-National Health Agency</strong></a> at all levels of governance for management of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, there is a need to review and iron out the challenges with the business model of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-1st-november-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jan Aushadhi stores</strong></a> to ensure that they can function as self-sustaining entities and scale up rapidly across the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>International experience also emphasizes the need to move away from a one-size-fits-all model by allowing sub-national governments greater flexibility as political economy, labor markets, demographic attributes and risk profiles vary by location.</p>
<p>Hence, or establishing an universal social protection architecture, India should enable local governments to design, plan and deliver a core basket of benefits within a nationally defined policy framework and budget.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fcfcf0;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for establishing an universal social protection architecture in India.Justify.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/universal-social-welfare'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Post-Brexit Trade Treaty Ratified',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<strong> European Parliament has ratified the post-Brexit trade deal</strong> between the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a> and the United Kingdom (UK).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>EU&ndash;UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA)</strong> is a free trade agreement signed in December 2020, between the EU, the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the United Kingdom (UK).</li>
<li>The deal was ratified nearly five years after Britain decided to leave the European Union. It has<strong> already been ratified by the UK Parliament.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Provisionally Enacted:</strong> This deal was<strong> provisionally enacted in January 2020</strong> in order to minimize trade disruptions between the EU and the UK. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Provisional approval was set to expire on 30<sup>th</sup> April 2021, so the European Parliament&rsquo;s ratification ensures that the flow of trade between the EU and the UK will continue uninterrupted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Key Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Level Playing Field:</strong> It essentially means that in order to trade with the EU&rsquo;s single market, the UK will have to follow the same rules and regulations to ensure that it does not have an unfair advantage over other EU businesses.</li>
<li><strong>Rules of Governance:</strong> These will dictate how any deal is enforced as well as the penalties that will be imposed if one party violates the terms of a mutually-approved agreement.</li>
<li><strong>Fishing Rights:</strong> The agreement gives free access to EU fleets to fish in UK waters, including up to six miles off the shoreline for a five-year transition period. At the end of the transition, everything will return to normal arrangements and the UK will have full control over its waters.</li>
<li><strong>Framework for Policing:</strong> It also provides for a framework governing law enforcement matters, which will allow UK and EU policing agencies to coordinate in the future.</li>
<li>Agreement addresses other key aspects of international trade, including<strong> intellectual property protections and road transportation provisions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitations:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The important sectors of the UK economy, such as <strong>legal and financial services, were left unaddressed.</strong></li>
<li>Currently, legal and financial service companies based in the UK are subject to the same restrictions as other firms outside of the EU.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The United Kingdom is an island nation in northwestern Europe.</li>
<li>It is made up of<strong> England, Scotland, Wales </strong>and<strong> Northern Ireland.</strong></li>
<li>The United Kingdom <strong>borders one European Union member state: Ireland.</strong></li>
<li>Relations between the EU and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) date back to the foundation of the European Communities (EU predecessor) in 1957.</li>
<li>The UK was a member state of the European Union after joining it in 1973, until it became the first country to voluntarily end its membership on 31st January 2020 after a referendum was held in 2016.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>North Ireland Issue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Geographically, Northern Ireland is part of Ireland. Politically, it&rsquo;s part of the UK.</li>
<li>Northern Ireland is the<strong> only part of the UK that has a border with an EU nation,</strong> Ireland. It has been called the &ldquo;problem child&rdquo; of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brexit-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brexit.</strong></a></li>
<li>An open Irish border, over which people and goods flow freely, underpins the peace process, allowing people in Northern Ireland to feel at home in both Ireland and the UK.</li>
<li>The insistence of Britain&rsquo;s government on a &ldquo;hard Brexit&rdquo; that took the country out of the EU&rsquo;s economic order meant the creation of new barriers and checks on trade.</li>
<li>Both Britain and the EU agreed that the border could not be in Ireland because of the risk that would pose to the peace process. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The alternative was to put it, metaphorically, in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.</li>
<li>That arrangement has alarmed British unionists, who say it weakens Northern Ireland&rsquo;s place in the UK and could bolster calls for Irish reunification.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619696552_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619696552_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="500" height="500" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/eu-parliament-approves-post-brexit-trade-treaty/article34429036.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/post-brexit-trade-treaty-ratified'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Agriculture Infrastructure Fund',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Agriculture Infrastructure Fund has crossed the eight thousand crore mark. The investment will give a boost to several agricultural projects which will unlock value for farmers across the country.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/reforming-centrally-sponsored-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>central sector scheme</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To provide <strong>medium - long term debt financing facility</strong> for investment in viable projects<strong> for post-harvest management Infrastructure</strong> and community farming assets.</li>
<li>The funds will be provided for setting up of cold stores and chains, warehousing, grading and packaging units, e-marketing points linked to e-trading platforms, besides PPP projects for crop aggregation sponsored by central/state/local bodies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Duration:</strong> Financial Year<strong> 2020 to 2029.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Eligible Beneficiaries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They are<strong> Farmers, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/linking-farmers-with-futures-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FPOs</a>, PACS,</strong> Marketing Cooperative Societies, SHGs, Joint Liability Groups (JLG), Multipurpose Cooperative Societies, Agri-entrepreneurs, Start-ups, and Central/State agency or Local Body sponsored Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financial Support: Rs. 1 Lakh Crore will be provided by banks and financial institutions as loans</strong> to eligible beneficiaries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Moratorium for repayment may vary subject to minimum of 6 months and maximum of 2 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Interest Subvention:</strong> Loans will have interest subvention of 3% per annum up to a limit of Rs. 2 crore. This subvention will be available for a maximum period of seven years.</li>
<li><strong>CGTMSE Scheme:</strong> A credit guarantee coverage will be available for eligible borrowers from the scheme under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pmegp-and-cgtmse" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme</strong> </a>for a loan up to Rs. 2 crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Sector Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These schemes are 100% funded by the Central government.</li>
<li>Implemented by the Central Government machinery.</li>
<li>Formulated on subjects mainly from the Union List.</li>
<li>E.g.: Bharatnet, Namami Gange-National Ganga Plan, etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1714482" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agriculture-infrastructure-fund-1'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Antimicrobial Resistance: Threat to Global Health Security',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global problem</strong> to which the ongoing <a href="/hindi/tags/covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> pandemic <strong>may further contribute.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With <strong>resources deployed away from antimicrobial stewardship,</strong> evidence of <strong>substantial preemptive antibiotic use in Covid-19 patients</strong> and indirectly, with <strong>deteriorating economic conditions</strong> fuelling poverty potentially impacting on levels of resistance, AMR threat remains significant.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Antimicrobial Resistance (Meaning):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Antimicrobial resistance is the<strong> resistance acquired by any microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasite, etc.) against antimicrobial drugs</strong> (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics) that are used to treat infections.</li>
<li>As a result, <strong>standard treatments become ineffective,</strong> infections persist and may spread to others.</li>
<li><strong>Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance</strong> are sometimes referred to as <strong>&ldquo;superbugs&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Basis of Antimicrobial Resistance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Some bacteria due to the presence of resistance genes</strong> are intrinsically resistant and therefore survive on being exposed to antibiotics.</li>
<li>Bacteria <strong>can also acquire resistance.</strong> This can happen in<strong> two ways:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>By <strong>sharing and transferring resistance genes</strong> present in the rest of the population, or</li>
<li>By<strong> genetic mutations</strong> that help the bacteria survive antibiotic exposure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>misuse of antimicrobials in medicine</strong> and inappropriate use<strong> in agriculture.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Contamination around pharmaceutical manufacturing sites</strong> where untreated waste releases large amounts of active antimicrobials into the environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>AMR is <strong>already responsible for up to 7,00,000 deaths a year.</strong></li>
<li>A <strong>threat to prevention and treatment of infections -</strong> medical procedures such as organ transplantation, cancer chemotherapy, diabetes management and major surgery (for example, caesarean sections or hip replacements) become very risky.</li>
<li><strong>Increases the cost of healthcare</strong> with lengthier stays in hospitals, additional tests and use of more expensive drugs.</li>
<li>It is <strong>putting the gains of the Millennium Development Goals at risk</strong> and <strong>endangers achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.</strong></li>
<li><strong>No new classes of antibiotics</strong> have made it to the market in the last three decades, largely<strong> on account of inadequate incentives</strong> for their development and production.</li>
<li>Without urgent action, we are<strong> heading to antibiotic apocalypse &ndash;</strong> a future without antibiotics, with bacteria becoming completely resistant to treatment and when common infections and minor injuries could once again kill.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>AMR in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India, with its combination of<strong> large population,</strong> rising incomes that facilitate <strong>purchase of antibiotics,</strong> high <strong>burden of infectious diseases</strong> and easy over-the-counter access to antibiotics, is an important locus for the generation of resistance genes.</li>
<li>The multi-drug resistance determinant, <strong>New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1),</strong> emerged from this region to spread globally.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Africa, Europe and other parts of Asia have also been affected by multi-drug resistant typhoid originating from South Asia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In India, <strong>over 56,000 newborn deaths each year</strong> due to sepsis are caused by organisms that are resistant to first line antibiotics.</li>
<li>India has undertaken<strong> many activities</strong> like<strong> Mission Indradhanush &mdash;</strong> to address low vaccination coverage &mdash; strengthened micro-planning and additional mechanisms to improve monitoring and accountability.</li>
<li>The Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare (MoHFW) <strong>identified AMR as one of the top 10 priorities</strong> for the ministry&rsquo;s collaborative work with the World Health Organisation (WHO).</li>
<li>India has also launched the <strong>National Action Plan on AMR resistance 2017-2021.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Since microbes will inevitably continue to evolve and become resistant even to new antimicrobials, we need <strong>sustained investments and global coordination</strong> to detect and combat new resistant strains on an ongoing basis.</li>
<li><strong>Efforts to control prescription of antimicrobials should be accompanied by efforts to educate consumers</strong> to reduce inappropriate demand, issue standard treatment guidelines that would empower providers to stand up to such demands, as well as provide point-of-care diagnostics to aid clinical decision-making.</li>
<li>In addition to developing new antimicrobials,<strong> infection-control measures</strong> can reduce antibiotic use. It is critical to ensure that all those who need an antimicrobial have access to it.</li>
<li>To track the spread of resistance in microbes, <strong>surveillance measures</strong> to identify these organisms need to expand beyond hospitals and encompass livestock, wastewater and farm run-offs.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/antimicrobial-resistance-the-silent-threat/article34434231.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/antimicrobial-resistance-threat-to-global-health-security'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Government of National Capital Territory (GNCT) of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021</strong>, which gives <strong>primacy to the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) over the elected government</strong> in the city, has <strong>come into force.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Provisions of the GNCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act 2021:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <strong>amended the Sections 21, 24, 33 and 44 of the 1991 Act.</strong></li>
<li>States that the <strong>&ldquo;government&rdquo;</strong> in the National Capital Territory of Delhi <strong>meant the Lieutenant-Governor</strong> of Delhi.</li>
<li>It <strong>gives discretionary powers to the L-G</strong> even in matters where the Legislative Assembly of Delhi is empowered to make laws.</li>
<li>It <strong>seeks to ensure that the L-G is &ldquo;necessarily granted an opportunity&rdquo;</strong> to give her or his opinion before any decision taken by the Council of Ministers (or the Delhi Cabinet) is implemented.</li>
<li>It <strong>bars the Assembly or its committees from making rules</strong> to take up matters concerning day-to-day administration, or to conduct inquiries in relation to administrative decisions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Criticism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The latest amendment will <strong>greatly reduce the efficiency and timeliness of the Delhi government</strong> by making it imperative for it to hold consultations with the L-G even when a situation demands urgent action.</li>
<li>Significantly, the <strong>L-G is not obliged to give his opinion to the State government within a time frame.</strong> Critics argue that the L-G could politically exploit these unbridled powers to hamper the government&rsquo;s administrative work and thus turn the political tides against the incumbent if he so desires.</li>
<li>It is <strong>against the spirit of &lsquo;Federalism.&rdquo;</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Union Government&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is in <strong>keeping with the Supreme Court&rsquo;s July 2018 ruling</strong> on the ambit of powers of the L-G and the Delhi government following several headliner controversies between the two.</li>
<li>The purported fair objectives of the Act, include <strong>enhancing public accountability and easing out technical ambiguities</strong> related to everyday administration.</li>
<li>This will <strong>increase administrative efficiency of Delhi</strong> and will <strong>ensure better relationship between the executive and the legislator.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Enactment of GNCTD Act:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>GNCTD Act was enacted in 1991</strong> to <strong>&ldquo;supplement provisions of the Constitution</strong> relating to the Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers for the National Capital Territory of Delhi&rdquo;.</li>
<li>It <strong>enabled the process of an elected government in Delhi.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Supreme Court had in the past appreciated the 1991 developments</strong>, stating that the real purpose behind the <strong>Constitution (69<sup>th</sup> Amendment) Act, 1991</strong> is to establish a democratic set-up and representative form of government wherein the majority has a right to embody their opinions in laws and policies pertaining to the NCT of Delhi subject to the limitations imposed by the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>69<sup>th</sup> Amendment Act, 1992</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It <strong>added two new Articles 239AA and 239AB</strong> under which the Union Territory of Delhi has been given a special status.</li>
<li><strong>Article 239AA</strong> provides that the Union Territory of Delhi be called the National Capital Territory of Delhi and its administrator shall be known as Lt. Governor.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It also <strong>creates a legislative assembly for Delhi</strong> which can make laws on subjects under the State List and Concurrent List <strong>except on these matters:</strong> public order, land, and police.</li>
<li>It also <strong>provides for a Council of Ministers for Delhi</strong> consisting of not more than 10% of the total number of members in the assembly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 239AB</strong> provides that the <strong>President may by order suspend the operation of any provision of Article 239AA</strong> or of all or any of the provisions of any law made in pursuance of that article. This provision <strong>resembles Article 356 (President&rsquo;s Rule).</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Point of Friction:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, over the years, there was <strong>friction between the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor (L-G)</strong> over power-sharing.</li>
<li>The focal point of these conflicts was that <strong>in case of a difference between the L-G and the Council of Ministers on any matter,</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>matter was to be referred to the President</strong> by the L-G for his decision,</li>
<li>And <strong>pending such a decision</strong> the <strong>L-G was empowered to take any action</strong> on the matter as he deemed right.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Judgement of the Supreme Court:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the <em><strong>Government of NCT of Delhi vs Union of India and Another in 2018</strong></em> case, the SC held that:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>government was not under obligation to seek the concurrence of the L-G</strong> on its decisions and</li>
<li>That <strong>any differences between them should be resolved keeping in view the constitutional primacy of representative government</strong> and cooperative federalism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Essentially, the SC judgment <strong>made it extremely difficult for the L-G to refer such matters to the President.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/centre-notifies-gnct-act-that-gives-more-powers-to-delhi-l-g/article34428245.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-of-nct-of-delhi-amendment-act-2021'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Assam Earthquake',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a powerful earthquake <strong>measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale</strong> jolted Assam and other parts of Northeast.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <strong>National Centre for Seismology (NCS)</strong> report, the tremors have been attributed to <strong>Kopili Fault zone closer to Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NCS is the <strong>nodal agency</strong> <strong>of the Government of India for monitoring earthquake activity in the country.</strong> It comes under the <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>HFT, also known as the <strong>Main Frontal Thrust (MFT)</strong>, is a geological fault along the boundary of the <strong>Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Kopili Fault Zone:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Kopili fault zone is a 300 km long and 50 km wide lineament (linear feature) extending from the <strong>western part of Manipur up to the tri-junction of Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.</strong></li>
<li>The area is seismically very active falling in the highest <strong>Seismic Hazard zone V</strong> associated with collisional tectonics where <strong>Indian plate subducts beneath the Eurasian Plate.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Subduction is a geological process in which one crustal plate is forced below the edge of another.</li>
<li>Squeezed between the subduction and collision zones of the Himalayan belt and Sumatran belt, the North East is highly prone to earthquake occurrences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fault:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A fault is a fracture along which the blocks of crust on either side have moved relative to one another parallel to the fracture.</li>
<li>When an earthquake occurs, the rock on one side of the fault slips with respect to the other.</li>
<li>The fault surface can be <strong>vertical, horizontal, or at some angle to the surface of the earth.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619689044_image%201.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619689044_image 1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Tectonic Plates:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/tectonic-plates" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>tectonic plate</strong></a> (also called lithospheric plate) is a massive, irregularly-shaped slab of solid rock, generally composed of both continental and oceanic lithosphere.</li>
<li>A tectonic plate may be a continental plate or an oceanic plate, depending on which of the two occupies the larger portion of the plate.</li>
<li>The Pacific plate is largely an oceanic plate whereas the Eurasian plate is a continental plate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Earthquake</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An earthquake in simple words is the shaking of the earth. It is a natural event. It is caused due to release of energy, which generates waves that travel in all directions.</li>
<li>The vibrations called <strong>seismic waves</strong> are generated from earthquakes that travel through the Earth and are recorded on instruments called seismographs.</li>
<li>The location below the earth&rsquo;s surface where the earthquake starts is called the <strong>hypocenter,</strong> and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the <strong>epicenter.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper1/earthquake-4#:~:text=Fault%20Zones%3A,the%20friction%20locks%20them%20together." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Types of Earthquake</a>:</strong> Fault Zones, Tectonic Earthquakes, Volcanic Earthquake, Human Induced Earthquakes.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Seismic Hazard Map of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is one of the highly earthquake affected countries because of the presence of technically active young fold mountains - Himalaya.</li>
<li>India has been divided into <strong>four seismic zones (II, III, IV, and V)</strong> based on scientific inputs relating to seismicity, earthquakes occurred in the past and tectonic setup of the region.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Previously, earthquake zones were divided into five zones with respect to the severity of the earthquakes but the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bureau-of-indian-standards-bis-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bureau of Indian Standards</strong></a> (BIS) grouped the country into four seismic zones by unifying the first two zones.</li>
<li>BIS is the official agency for publishing the seismic hazard maps and codes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619689133_image%202.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619689133_image 2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Seismic Zone II:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Area with minor damage earthquakes corresponding to intensities V to VI of MM scale (MM-Modified Mercalli Intensity scale).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Zone III:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moderate damage corresponding to intensity VII of MM scale.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Zone IV:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Major damage corresponding to intensity VII and higher of MM scale.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Zone V:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Area determined by pro seismically of certain major fault systems and is seismically the most active region.</li>
<li>Earthquake zone V is the most vulnerable to earthquakes, where historically some of the country&rsquo;s most powerful shocks have occurred.</li>
<li>Earthquakes with magnitudes in excess of 7.0 have occured in these areas, and have had intensities higher than IX.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-in-assam-earthquake-reminder-of-seismic-hazard-along-hft-faultline-7292770/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/assam-earthquake'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Women & Financial Inclusion',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/women-are-key-to-financial-inclusion-101619276163691.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> &ldquo;Women are key to financial inclusion&rdquo;</a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on 24/04/2021. It talks about gender-based barriers to financial inclusion.</p>
</div>
<p>Increasing access to and use of quality financial products and services is essential to inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction. Given this, increasing women&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/financial-inclusion-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>financial inclusion</strong></a> is important as women disproportionately experience poverty, unequal divisions of labor and a lack of control over economic resources</p>
<p>The effective implementation of Aadhaar-based eKYC collection and authentication lowered barriers of entry to the formal financial system. It has allowed the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/financial-inclusion-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity</strong> </a>to lay the foundation to bring 230 million unserved and underserved women into the formal financial services ecosystem.</p>
<p>However, despite digital technologies and government initiatives, hurdles to increase the financial inclusion for women have not been eliminated.</p>
<h3>Women &amp; Financial Inclusion Linkage</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Building Financial Resilience:</strong> Women are decision-makers for spending and savings in most low-income households. They are thus more committed and disciplined savers than men.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many research documents have shown that when given the opportunity, women save and by doing so build financial resilience.</li>
<li>Thus, it is economically viable for banks to target women, while contributing to such social good.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Social Capital:</strong> Women&rsquo;s engagement with financial institutions and their ability to access participation in work and credit from such institutions can increase their social capital. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, empowering 230 million women Jan Dhan customers financially leads to the potential upliftment of 920 million lives, at an average family of four.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Critical For Women&rsquo;s Empowerment and Poverty Reduction:</strong> Providing low-income women with effective and affordable financial tools to save and borrow money, make and receive payments, and manage risk is critical to both women&rsquo;s empowerment and poverty reduction.</li>
<li><strong>Gender Gap in Financial Inclusion:</strong> According to the 2017 Global Findex database, 83% of males above 15 years of age in India held accounts at a financial institution in 2017 compared to 77% females.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is attributed to socio-economic factors, including the availability of mobile handset and internet data facility being higher among men than women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Gender-Based Barriers to Financial Inclusion</h3>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; background-color: #10172b; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Demand Side Barriers</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; background-color: #10172b; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Supply Side Barriers</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; background-color: #10172b; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Legal &amp; Regulatory Barriers</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 45px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lack of bargaining power within the household</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Reduced mobility due to time constraints or social norms</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Account opening requirements that disadvantage women</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 40px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 40px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Concentration in lower-paying economic activities</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 40px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lack of gender-specific policies and practices for product design and marketing</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 40px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Barriers to obtaining formal identification</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 43px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 43px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Competing demands on women&rsquo;s time related to unpaid domestic work</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 43px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Inappropriate distribution channels</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 43px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Legal barriers to owning and inheriting property and other collateral</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 45px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lack of assets for collateral</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lower rates of digital inclusion</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; height: 45px; background-color: #f7f5ff;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lack of gender-inclusive credit reporting systems</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3><br />Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Gender-Disaggregated Data:</strong> Financial service providers need to deploy strategies that focus on the Jan Dhan women segment by using sex-disaggregated data. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For instance, target and communicate with women and design products and processes to be women-centric.</li>
<li>At a policy-level, collecting and analysing gender-disaggregated data is vital for the creation of products and services for low-income women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In-design Changes:</strong> The design tweaks that take into account the specific needs and preferences of women can enhance their access to financial products, as well as the impact of those products on women&rsquo;s ability to make investments and smooth consumption in the face of income shocks.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Financial Products which allow women greater degrees of control and privacy surrounding their incomes and spending decisions appear to be particularly promising.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enhancing Financial Literacy:</strong> Providing financial literacy remains the key for universalisation of financial inclusion.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, the Reserve Bank of India has undertaken a project titled Project Financial Literacy.</li>
<li>The objective of the project is to disseminate information regarding the central bank and general banking concepts to various target groups, including, school and college going children, women, rural and urban poor, defence personnel and senior citizens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The government&rsquo;s continued focus on women and their inclusion in the financial sector can have a transformative impact in boosting household economic resilience, expanding women&rsquo;s access to credit and work opportunities, aiding empowerment and equity.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fcfcf0;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Despite digital technologies and government initiatives, hurdles to increase the financial inclusion for women have not been eliminated. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
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