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Credibility of Nuclear Deterrence

This article is based on Bringing nuclear risks back into popular imagination which was published in The Hindu on 10/08/2020. This article deals...

11 Aug 2020 News Editorials
UGC on University Exams

Why in News The University Grants Commission (UGC) objected to Maharashtra and Delhi governments employing the Disaster Management Act, 2005 to...

11 Aug 2020 News Analysis
PMJAY Affected by Lockdowns

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11 Aug 2020 News Analysis
Biofuel Day

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11 Aug 2020 News Analysis
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K.V. Kamath Committee on Restructuring of Loans

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The Big Picture: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Languages, Culture & Values

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Balancing Development With Environment

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10 Aug 2020 News Analysis
30 Years of Mandal Commission

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Report on Future of News in India: Vidhi

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Why in News The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) celebrated its 33rd Foundation Day on 6th August 2020 and...

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Food System Vision 2050 Prize: Rockefeller Foundation

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08 Aug 2020 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'Credibility of Nuclear Deterrence',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/bringing-nuclear-risks-back-into-popular-imagination/article32311140.ece?utm_source=rss_feed&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=rss_syndication" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bringing nuclear risks back into popular imagination</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 10/08/2020. This article deals with the pros &amp; cons of nuclear deterrence and new challenges to the doctrine.</p>
</div>
<p>6<sup>th</sup> August 2020 marked the 75 year of humanitarian crisis that was caused by the dropping of a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan by the United States of America.</p>
<p>It has been 75 years since then, the world hasn&rsquo;t seen the use of nuclear bombs. Many security experts all around the globe attribute this stability and world peace, to the <strong>Nuclear Deterrence Doctrine.</strong> Moreover, after the end of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong></a> the possibility of a nuclear war has been further diminished.</p>
<p>However, technological and other geopolitical development, in present times, has raised concerns about the efficacy of Nuclear Deterrence doctrine.</p>
<p>Therefore, the need of the hour is the revival of public debate on the humanitarian cost of Nuclear war or accident and elimination for nuclear arsenal.</p>
<h3>What is Nuclear Deterrence?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nuclear Deterrence is a military doctrine according to which the possibility that a country will use the nuclear weapons it possesses in retaliation will deter an enemy from attacking.</li>
<li>This doctrine is based on the underlying philosophy that Nuclear weapons are so destructive that no country would use them, because such use would cause massive humanitarian crisis and no political leader would be willing to risk the possible death of millions of their citizens.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Advantages of Nuclear Deterrence</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Nuclear Weapons, As a deterrent to Global Conflict:</strong> The threat of being overpowered or having mutually-assured destruction is enough to prevent the world&rsquo;s superpowers from escalating a conflict to the point that a military confrontation becomes necessary.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Deterrence enthusiasts claim that nuclear weapons do not just protect countries against use of nuclear weapons by others, but even prevent war and promote stability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enhances Bargaining Power of a Country:</strong> Nuclear weapons gives a geo-strategic advantage to countries.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example North Korea has independently developed this technology, giving it a seat at the negotiation table with the USA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increased Scope of Weapons Maneuverability:</strong> Nuclear weapons can be launched from Land, Water and Air.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This provides much flexibility to Nuclear weapons as their conventional counterparts. This versatility is a definite advantage when considering the scope of deterrence doctrine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Disadvantages of Nuclear Deterrence</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Doesn&rsquo;t Stall Warfare at Small Scale:</strong> Nuclear weapons have not been shown to prevent small scale/guerrilla warfare. As there is always a possibility of escalation of conflict, the chance of Nuclear Warfare can not be eliminated.</li>
<li><strong>Unequal Advantage:</strong> With the unequal distribution of nuclear capabilities in today's world, certain nations are at an immediate advantage over other countries.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since 1945, the United States, the Soviet Union/Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, Israel, India, Pakistan, and North Korea have armed themselves with nuclear weapons that have much more destructive power in comparison to those that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Not Applicable Against Non-State Actors:</strong> Nuclear deterrence does not protect against nuclear terrorists, who are not tied down by a specific nation.</li>
<li><strong>No Guarantee of World Peace:</strong> There is no assurance of peace even both the conflicting countries may possess nuclear weapons.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The most famous of these cases is the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>New Challenges To Nuclear Deterrence Doctrine</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Emergence of the New Cold War:</strong> As the world has entered into the phase of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>new</strong> <strong>Cold War</strong></a> between US and China, the chances of nuclear conflict has again resurfaced.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, as nuclear capabilities grow and inter-state trust diminishes, chances of stumbling into nuclear war are high.</li>
<li>Among the risks of nuclear use, there is a likelihood is that of inadvertent escalation due to miscalculation or misperceptions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Emergence of Rogue States:</strong> Rogue nation or state regarded as breaking international law and posing a threat to the security of other nations.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to possession of Nuclear weapons with North Korea, many countries perceive it as a rogue state.</li>
<li>Also, countries with nuclear weapons may deploy them through proxies or non-state actors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chance of Limited Nuclear War:</strong> Limited nuclear war is defined as war in which each side exercises restraint in the use of nuclear weapons, employing only a limited number of weapons on selected targets.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Selected targets could include enemy forces, command and control centers or particular sites of strategic importance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technological Advancement: <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Industrial revolution 4.0</a></strong> has blurred the lines between conventional and nuclear delivery. For example:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Advancing capabilities of cyberattacks on nuclear command and control.</li>
<li>Induction of hypersonic missiles capable of high speed and manoeuvrability, has made it impossible to intercept nuclear weapons once they are launched.</li>
<li>Incorporation of artificial intelligence in nuclear decision making are new developments that threaten to create unknown risks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks have shown the scale of massive human tragedy and long-term repercussions for food &amp; water availability, agricultural output, climate change, migration, etc.</p>
<p>In order to get nations to understand this, there is a need to compel nations to rationalise their weapon requirements; force them to find ways of reducing nuclear risks; and gradually pave the path towards elimination of nuclear weapons. This could be most effectively done through use of Creative media.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597156189_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597156189_pasted image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="635" height="435" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f0f1fa;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Amid technological and other geopolitical development, discuss the viability of nuclear deterrence as an instrument of world peace.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jtVdurynQJs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/balancing-priorities-the-hindu-editorial-on-development-and-environment/article32311128.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Balancing priorities: On development and environment&rdquo;</strong></a> published in The Hindu on August 10<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Watch this on our Youtube channel now.</p>',
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		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'UGC on University Exams',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ukieri-ugc-higher-education-leadership-development-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>University Grants Commission (UGC)</strong></a> objected to Maharashtra and Delhi governments employing the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-disaster-management-authority-ndma-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Disaster Management Act, 2005</strong></a> to cancel the examinations of students amid the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> pandemic.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UGC had directed that final year examinations of Universities must be conducted by September-end in online or offline mode. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The UGC<strong> Guidelines on Examinations and Academic Calendar for Universities in view of Covid-19 Pandemic</strong> were recently revised.</li>
<li>The new guidelines allow students to opt for <strong>offline or online or the &ldquo;blended&rdquo;</strong> manner in which students can alternate between online and physical modes of attending the exams.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Hower, many States/UTs like Delhi, Maharashtra and Punjab announced cancellation of these examinations<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While <strong>Delhi</strong> has cited &lsquo;the reality of digital divide as a reason for scrapping university final year examination&rsquo;, states like <strong>Maharashtra</strong> have used Disaster Management Act for the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The UGC is calling <strong>&lsquo;cancellation of examination&rsquo;</strong> a populist move which may undermine the future of higher education in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arguments For Conducting Examination:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UGC argued that the conduct of examinations was entirely within the domain of the UGC which is a <strong>statutory body,</strong> as per the <strong>UGC Act.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>University Grants Commission Act, 1956</strong> makes provision for the co-ordination and determination of standards in Universities and for that purpose, provides for establishment of UGC.</li>
<li>Under this Act, the <strong>determination and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination and research in Universities</strong> fall under the ambit of power and functions of UGC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Higher education is on the<strong> concurrent list.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>42<sup>nd</sup> amendment Act, 1976</strong> shifted Education from State list to Concurrent List, empowering both the central and state government to make rules on Education.</li>
<li>Therefore,<strong> UGC and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiatives-of-aicte" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education)</a></strong> directives have to be implemented in this case.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>AICTE</strong> is the statutory body and the national-level council for technical education in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As the UGC said, <strong>the courts of law have a limited role</strong> in framing policy on academic issues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitations of Conducting Examinations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As<strong> the teaching-learning process has been hampered</strong> by the Covid-19 pandemic, the basis of assessment of learning by the students has been negated in the first hand.</li>
<li>Many universities are not technically prepared for taking examinations in the online mode.</li>
<li>The<strong> reliance on written, subjective-type exams</strong> for the evaluation of students is an archaic model of education which has been done away by many prestigious colleges around the globe, like the Oxford, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) or National Law Universities.</li>
<li>At a time when the country is struggling with a global health and economic crisis, the pressure of exams may <strong>negatively impact the physical and mental well-being</strong> of the student.</li>
<li><strong>Inequality of internet access</strong> among the student fraternity, a lack of adequate <strong>online study material,</strong> and grievances of <strong>students with disabilities</strong> are also some of the shortcomings of taking examinations at this juncture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>central</strong> and <strong>the state governments</strong> should <strong>act in partnership</strong> to devise rules and regulations in order to impart quality education and create human resources with superior mental ability and adaptability.</li>
<li>The education system must move <strong>beyond numerically-defined academic success</strong> and should take into account development of critical thinking, comparative and analytical modalities of instruction and meaningful, engaging classroom discussion and participation.</li>
<li>It is clear in the light of this pandemic that <strong>bridging the digital divide</strong> in India is crucial for education to reach the last mile. Campaigns like <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital India</strong> </a>can go a long way to end this inequality of access to the internet.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/covid-19-ugc-objects-in-supreme-court-to-maharashtra-and-delhi-cancelling-exams/article32315313.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'PMJAY Affected by Lockdowns',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the <strong>&ldquo;Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) Policy Brief (8): PMJAY Under Lockdown: Evidence on Utilization Trends&rsquo;&rsquo;,</strong> the <strong>nationwide lockdown</strong> has had a significant negative impact on inpatient care utilisation under the scheme.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The analysis covers<strong> 22 weeks of data, from 1<sup>st</sup> January to 2<sup>nd</sup> June 2020.</strong> The national lockdown started on 25<sup>th</sup> March and was significantly relaxed as of 1st June.</li>
<li>The analysis is based on claims <strong>data drawn from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PMJAY</a> Transaction Management System</strong> (TMS) and the <strong>main indicator of claim volumes</strong> (utilization) is <strong>non-rejected pre-authorisation requests.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It offers a sum insured of <strong>Rs. 5 lakh per family for secondary care</strong> (which doesn&rsquo;t involve a super-specialist) as well as<strong> tertiary care</strong> (which involves a super-specialist).</li>
<li>It is an<strong> entitlement-based scheme</strong> that targets the beneficiaries as identified by the latest <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-census-challenges-importance#:~:text=While%20the%20Socio%2DEconomic%20Caste,the%20family%20will%20be%20collected." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Socio-Economic Caste Census</strong></a> <strong>(SECC) data.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Once identified by the database, the beneficiary is considered insured and can walk into any empanelled hospital.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The insurance cost is <strong>shared by the centre and the state mostly in the ratio of 60:40.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Packaged rates</strong> are the rates which include everything so that each product or service is not charged for separately.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These rates also mention the number of average days of hospitalization for a medical procedure and supporting documents that are needed.</li>
<li>These are flexible but the hospitals can&rsquo;t charge the beneficiary more once fixed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>National Health Authority</strong> (NHA) has been constituted as an <strong>autonomous entity under the Society Registration Act, 1860</strong> for effective implementation of PMJAY in alliance with state governments.</li>
<li>The <strong>State Health Agency</strong> (SHA) is the <strong>apex body of the State Government</strong> responsible for the implementation of PMJAY in a State.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Demographic groups,</strong> women, younger and older populations (under 20 and over 60) <strong>reduced their utilisation</strong> by more than men, young adults or the middle-aged.</li>
<li>Among <strong>procedures, planned surgeries such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aspirin-to-prevent-cataract" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cataract</a> operations and joint replacements suffered a decline</strong> of over 90%, while hemodialysis (also known as dialysis which is a process of purifying the blood) declined by only 20%.</li>
<li>Overall, <strong>average weekly claim volumes</strong> in 10 weeks of lockdown <strong>were 51% lower</strong> than the weekly average observed during the 12 weeks prior to the lockdown.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>steepest decline</strong> (over 75%) was registered in<strong> Assam,</strong> followed by <strong>Maharashtra and Bihar,</strong> while much <strong>smaller declines</strong> (about 25% or less) were observed in <strong>Uttarakhand, Punjab and Kerala.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There was a <strong>small but perceptible shift in PMJAY utilisation from the public to private hospitals.</strong></li>
<li>Significant declines were noticed in <strong>admissions for child delivery and oncology</strong> (study and treatment of tumours).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> utilisation of neo-natal packages declined by 24%.</strong></li>
<li>There was a slight<strong> shift from public to private hospitals for neonatal care</strong> and the<strong> largest declines</strong> have been observed in the public sector in<strong> Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>64% decline in oncology volumes</strong> across India was concentrated in a few States.</li>
<li>In the<strong> public sector,</strong> which plays a smaller role in oncology care under PMJAY, there was a <strong>90% decline in claims in Maharashtra</strong> and a <strong>65% decline in Tamil Nadu.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>While <strong>access to medical facilities was one of the few exceptions</strong> to stay-at-home orders during the lockdown, <strong>care-seeking behaviours and healthcare provision</strong> were nevertheless<strong> significantly affected,</strong> due to the following<strong> reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>On the Supply Side:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hospitals may be<strong> preoccupied with Covid-19 preparations or caseloads,</strong> resulting in fewer resources for non-Covid-19 cases.</li>
<li>This may be particularly relevant in public hospitals, which have been the primary focus of the policy response and could extend to activities such as submitting pre-authorisation requests or claims documents as required under PMJAY.</li>
<li><strong>Private hospitals may reduce services out of fear</strong> among health workers that they will become infected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On the Demand Side:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>PMJAY beneficiaries might <strong>delay or forego treatment due to fear of infection</strong> at a hospital.</li>
<li>They may not be able to reach hospitals due to <strong>public transport shutdowns and mobility constraints.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>economic crisis</strong> may affect financial considerations related to seeking care.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Health experts have highlighted that <strong>ensuring the least possible impact on key health programmes</strong> will be an ongoing challenge which needs <strong>continued close monitoring.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/inpatient-care-utilisation-under-pmjay-badly-hit-by-lockdown-analysis/article32318739.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Biofuel Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-biofuel-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Biofuel Day</strong></a> is observed on <strong>10<sup>th</sup> August every year.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Theme for 2020: <em>&ldquo;Biofuels towards Atmanirbhar Bharat&rdquo;.</em> </strong></li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To <strong>create awareness</strong> about the importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels and to <strong>highlight</strong> the various efforts made by the Government in the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biofuels-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biofuel</strong></a> sector.</li>
<li><strong>Celebrated by:</strong> Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas <strong>since 2015.</strong></li>
<li>Biofuels programme is also in synergy with Government of India&rsquo;s initiative of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Govt Initiatives to Promote Biofuels</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Biofuel:</strong> Any hydrocarbon fuel that is produced from an organic matter (living or once living material) in a short period of time (days, weeks, or even months) is considered a biofuel.</li>
<li><strong>Blending of biofuels: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/Government-Allows-Ethanol-Extraction-for-Blending-from-Foodgrains." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme</a></strong>, Administrative price mechanism for ethanol, Simplifying the procurement procedures by <strong>Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs),</strong> amending the provisions of Industries (Development &amp; Regulation) Act, 1951 etc are some of the initiatives taken to <strong>promote blending of biofuels.</strong></li>
<li>Researchers at the <strong>International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)</strong> are developing a method to use <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/biofuel-from-microorganisms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cyanobacterium for biofuel production.</strong></a></li>
<li>Recently, the<strong> Central government</strong> has also allowed the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/conversion-of-surplus-rice-to-ethanol" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>conversion of surplus rice to ethanol.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Initiatives by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Development of 2G Ethanol and transfer of the technology to <strong>OMCs.</strong></li>
<li>Development of Indigenous Cellulolytic Enzyme for the production of biofuels.</li>
<li>Strengthened the international collaboration to accelerate innovation in Sustainable Biofuel through multilateral programs like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aim-icrest-niti-aayog" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) </strong></a>and<strong> Biofuture Platform.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-ji-van-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana</a>, 2019:</strong> The objective of the scheme is to create an ecosystem for setting up commercial projects and to boost Research and Development in 2G Ethanol sector</li>
<li><strong>GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) DHAN scheme, 2018:</strong> It focuses on managing and converting cattle dung and solid waste in farms to useful compost,biogas and bio-CNG, thus keeping villages clean and increasing the income of rural households. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was launched under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/scheme-for-used-cooking-oil" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Repurpose Used Cooking Oil</a> (RUCO):</strong> It was launched by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-safety-and-standards-authority-of-india-fssai" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)</strong> </a>aims for an ecosystem that will enable the collection and conversion of used cooking oil to biodiesel.</li>
<li><strong>National Policy on Biofuels, 2018:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Policy categorises biofuels as "Basic Biofuels" viz. <strong>First Generation (1G) bioethanol &amp; biodiesel and "Advanced Biofuels"- Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)</strong> to drop-in fuels, Third Generation (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG etc. to enable extension of appropriate financial and fiscal incentives under each category.</li>
<li>It expands the scope of raw material for ethanol production by allowing use of sugarcane juice, sugar containing materials like sugar beet, sweet sorghum, starch containing materials like corn, cassava, damaged food grains like wheat,broken rice, rotten potatoes, unfit for human consumption for ethanol production.</li>
<li>The Policy allows <strong>use of surplus food grains for production of ethanol</strong> for blending with petrol with the approval of National Biofuel Coordination Committee.</li>
<li>With a thrust on<strong> Advanced Biofuels,</strong> the Policy indicates a viability gap funding scheme for <strong>2G ethanol Bio refineries</strong> of Rs. 5000 crore in 6 years in addition to additional tax incentives, higher purchase price as compared to 1G biofuels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597137699_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597137699_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Promotion of the use of biofuels in transportation in the countries like India will help in <strong>reducing the crude import bill.</strong></li>
<li>India being a large agricultural economy, there is a large amount of agricultural residues available, therefore the scope of producing Biofuels is immense in the country. Biofuels can help in rural and agricultural development in the form of new cash crops.</li>
<li>Efforts for producing sustainable biofuels should be made by ensuring use of wastelands and municipal wastes that get generated in cities. A properly designed and implemented biofuel solution can provide both food and energy.</li>
<li>A community-based biodiesel distribution programme that benefits local economies, from the farmers growing the feedstock to local businesses producing and distributing the fuel to the end consumer, will be a welcome step.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1644755" 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/biofuel-day-2'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Sunspots',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A massive <strong>Sunspot group &lsquo;AR2770&rsquo;,</strong> which was detected recently, has <strong>emitted minor space flares.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These flares have<strong> not caused any major impact on the Earth.</strong> However, these have <strong>led to minor waves of ionization</strong> to ripple through the <strong>Earth&rsquo;s upper atmosphere.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597133991_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597133991_image3.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sunspots:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sunspots (some as large as 50,000 km in diameter) are areas that <strong>appear dark on the surface of the Sun (photosphere).</strong> They appear dark because they are <strong>cooler than other parts of the Sun&rsquo;s surface.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the temperature of a sunspot is still very hot &mdash;around 6,500 degrees Fahrenheit.</li>
<li><strong>Photosphere</strong> is a visible surface of the Sun, from which is emitted most of the Sun&rsquo;s light that reaches Earth directly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They are relatively cool because they <strong>form at areas where magnetic fields are particularly strong.</strong> These magnetic fields are so strong that they keep some of the heat within the Sun from reaching the surface.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597134012_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597134012_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Magnetic field in such areas is about <strong>2,500 times stronger than Earth&rsquo;s.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They typically<strong> consist of a dark region</strong> called the<strong> &lsquo;umbra&rsquo;,</strong> which is <strong>surrounded by a lighter region</strong> called the<strong> &lsquo;penumbra&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>In every <strong>solar cycle,</strong> the <strong>number of Sunspots increases and decreases.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>current solar cycle,</strong> which<strong> began in 2008,</strong> is in its <strong>&lsquo;solar minimum&rsquo;</strong> phase, when the number of Sunspots and solar flares is at a routine low.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Solar Flares:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>magnetic field lines near sunspots often tangle, cross, and reorganize.</strong> This can cause a<strong> sudden explosion of energy called a solar flare.</strong></li>
<li>The solar flare explosion&rsquo;s energy can be <strong>equivalent</strong> to a trillion <strong>&lsquo;Little boy&rsquo; <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/75th-anniversary-of-hiroshima-bombing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.</a></strong></li>
<li>Solar flares release a lot of radiation into space. Solar flares, when powerful enough, <strong>can disrupt satellite and radio transmission on the Earth,</strong> and more severe ones can cause<strong> &lsquo;geomagnetic storms&rsquo;</strong> that can <strong>damage transformers in power grids.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A geomagnetic storm is a <strong>major disturbance of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/1-d-simulation-code-to-study-earth-s-magnetosphere" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Earth&rsquo;s magnetosphere</a></strong> that occurs when there is a very efficient <strong>exchange of energy from the solar wind into the space surrounding Earth.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Magnetosphere is a region around the Earth dominated by the Earth&rsquo;s magnetic field.</li>
<li>It protects the Earth from solar and cosmic radiation as well as erosion of the atmosphere by the solar wind - the constant flow of charged particles streaming off the Sun.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Solar flares are sometimes accompanied by a<strong> Coronal Mass Ejection (CME).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>CMEs are huge bubbles of radiation and particles from the <strong>Sun&rsquo;s Corona (outermost region of the Sun&rsquo;s atmosphere).</strong> They explode into space at very high speed when the Sun&rsquo;s magnetic field lines suddenly reorganize.</li>
<li>They can trigger intense light in the sky on Earth, called<strong> auroras.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Some of the energy and small particles travel down the magnetic field lines at the north and south poles into Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere.</li>
<li>There, the particles<strong> interact with gases in the atmosphere resulting in beautiful displays of light in the sky.</strong> Oxygen gives off green and red light. Nitrogen glows blue and purple.</li>
<li>The aurora in Earth&rsquo;s northern atmosphere is called an <strong>aurora borealis or northern lights.&nbsp;</strong>It&rsquo;s southern counterpart is called an <strong>aurora australis or the southern lights.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597134039_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597134039_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="500" height="283" /></strong></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Solar Cycle</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Sun is a huge ball of electrically-charged hot gas. This charged gas moves, generating a powerful magnetic field. The Sun's magnetic field goes through a cycle, called the solar cycle.</li>
<li><strong>Every 11 years or so,</strong> the Sun's magnetic field completely flips. This means that the Sun's north and south poles switch places. Then it takes about another 11 years for the Sun&rsquo;s north and south poles to flip back again.</li>
<li>The <strong>solar cycle affects activity on the surface of the Sun, such as sunspots</strong> which are caused by the Sun's magnetic fields. As the magnetic fields change, so does the amount of activity on the Sun's surface.</li>
<li>One way to track the solar cycle is by counting the number of sunspots. <strong>The beginning of a solar cycle is a solar minimum, or when the Sun has the least sunspots.</strong> Over time, solar activity&mdash;and the number of sunspots&mdash;increases.</li>
<li>The <strong>middle of the solar cycle is the solar maximum,</strong> or when the Sun has the most sunspots. As the cycle ends, it fades back to the solar minimum and then a new cycle begins.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-are-sunspots-and-why-they-occasionally-spark-worry-6548800/" 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/sunspots'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'K.V. Kamath Committee on Restructuring of Loans',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3 style="padding-left: 30px;">Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> has set up a committee headed by <strong>K.V. Kamath on restructuring of loans</strong> impacted by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> The Committee is tasked to <strong>recommend parameters for one-time restructuring of corporate loans.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Committee will formulate sector-specific resolution plans for all accounts with total loan exposure of Rs.1,500 crore and above.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Deadline:</strong> It will <strong>submit its recommendations to RBI in 30 days.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> In the recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/monetary-policy-report-rbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Monetary Policy report</strong></a>, RBI has allowed banks to restructure loans <strong>to reduce the rising stress on incomes and balance sheets</strong> of large corporates, <strong>Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)</strong> as well as individuals.</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong> A large number of firms that otherwise maintain a good track record are facing the challenge as their debt burden is becoming disproportionate, relative to their cash flow generation abilities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can potentially impact their long-term viability and pose significant financial stability risks if it becomes widespread. It may also lead to an increase in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/warning-of-higher-npas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Performing Assets.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility: Only those borrowers will be eligible for restructuring whose accounts were classified as standard and not in default for more than 30 days</strong> with any lending institution as on 1<sup>st</sup> March, 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All <strong>other accounts</strong> will be considered for restructuring under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbis-debt-resolution-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prudential Framework</strong></a> issued by the RBI in 2019, or the relevant instructions as applicable to specific categories of lending institutions where the prudential framework is not applicable.</li>
<li>The restructuring efforts <strong>may or may not include a moratorium on instalment repayments.</strong> RBI has left the decision of moratorium on banks, with an eye on averting such loans from slipping into non-performing assets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/review-choice-of-kamath-as-head-of-panel/article32320261.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/k-v-kamath-committee-on-restructuring-of-loans'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Languages, Culture & Values',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3YxlHJa5L30" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Introduction</h3>
<p>Recently the cabinet approved the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>new education policy 2020</strong></a> to bring large-scale transformational reforms in the education sector in both School And Higher Education. The new education policy has come after a gap of 34 years it stipulates to overhaul the existing education system.</p>
<p>Among highlights of the new education policy 2020 is the decision to make mother tongue as the medium of instruction up to 5<sup>th</sup> class. The objective is to create a long-term impact on nation building. It may also create a profound effect on the ongoing process of human resource development and to help students establish social and cultural relationships with the environment they are living in.</p>
<h3>Benefits of Introducing the Mother Tongue in Primary Education</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Creating space for other activities:</strong> The burden of learning a new language in childhood would be avoided creating space to pursue other spheres of knowledge or learning other skills.</li>
<li><strong>Fulfilling the constitutional obligation:</strong> Article 350A of the Constitution of India provides that it shall be the endeavour of every state and of every local authority within the state to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children especially to those belonging to linguistic minority groups</li>
<li><strong>Developing a sense of pride:</strong> Learning in mother tongue could Infuse a sense of ownership and pride in one's own culture and heritage in primary school children.</li>
<li><strong>Complements the three language formula:</strong> Introducing <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/2020-08-07" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>mother tongue</strong></a> at primary level sets a strong base to learn other languages at the higher level of education. It could help in promoting multilingualism and national harmony.</li>
<li><strong>Rescuing the extinction of languages:</strong> Among the world's 4000, 10% of languages which face the threat of extinction in the next 50 years are being spoken in India.</li>
<li><strong>Developing competencies:</strong> UNESCO World conference on arts and cultural education highlighted that awareness and expressions are one of the eight three competencies that should develop in a child. These competencies would be more easily developed in children by building linguistic capacities in mother tongue</li>
<li><strong>Promotion of vernacular languages:</strong> There is multiplicity of the mother tongues in India. Promotion of regional languages at primary has been the underlying principle of nearly all the education policies in the past.</li>
<li><strong>Comfortability in learning:</strong> A child is comfortable with the mother tongue, so at the primary level it is the best option as a medium of instruction to enable him understand the world around him/her.</li>
<li><strong>Achieving Sustainable Goals:</strong> Embedded in the SDGs on hunger, health, education and justice are targets on early learning which holistic education at primary level could cater to.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kothari commission on regional languages</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The energetic development of Indian languages and literature is a sine qua non for educational and cultural development.</li>
<li>It is necessary to release the creative energies of the people.</li>
<li>Standards of education will not improve, knowledge will spread to the people, and the gulf between the intelligentsia and the masses will be narrowed.</li>
<li>Steps should now be taken to adopt them as media of education at the university stage.</li>
<li>The primary aim should be to promote multilingualism and national harmony.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Three-Language Formula (National Policy on Education, 1968)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>First language:</strong> It will be the mother tongue or regional language.</li>
<li><strong>Second language:</strong> In Hindi speaking states, it will be other modern Indian languages or English. In non-Hindi speaking states, it will be Hindi or English.</li>
<li><strong>Third Language:</strong> In Hindi speaking states, it will be English or a modern Indian language. In the non-Hindi speaking state, it will be English or a modern Indian language.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Sustainable Development Goals and NEP 2020</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In order to catalyse the transformation that the world seeks to achieve by 2030, the United Nations framed Global Strategy for Women&rsquo;s, Children&rsquo;s and Adolescents&rsquo; Health 2016 &ndash; 2030.</li>
<li><strong>SDG-4</strong> is the education goal. It aims to &ldquo;ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.&rdquo;</li>
<li>It seeks to energise investment in early childhood development.</li>
<li>With transformation of primary education, NEP 2020 would achieve targets that outline an agenda for early childhood development in SDG 2030.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Issues in Implementation of NEP</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Requires mobilising adequate manpower to streamline all the stakeholders in transforming primary school education.</li>
<li>Inadequate integration of arts in language curriculum at primary level of schooling.</li>
<li>Over emphasis on intelligence quotient (which measures intelligence) which sidelines the focus on emotional quotient and spiritual quotient for holistic development of children.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way forward</h3>
<p>The best way to achieve the aims of making mother tongue as a medium of instruction in primary school is efficient implementation. It encompasses</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Setting up institutions in states to publish standard books in the regional languages.</li>
<li>Appointing teachers adept in their mother tongue.</li>
<li>Initiating pedagogy based on vernacular languages in teachers training programs.</li>
<li>Involving parents in the teaching and learning process because they are the source of first language learning experience for the child.</li>
<li>Use of technology to create learning tools in vernacular languages.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Hence, introduction of vernacular languages in primary education as per provisions of National Education Policy 2020 is a step in the right direction. It needs to be implemented in a holistic manner by involving all the stakeholders (school, parents, society and governments) to overcome the impending challenges.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Fact:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>42<sup>nd</sup> Constitutional Amendment</strong> moved education from the State List to the Concurrent List furthering increasing its scope for improvement.</li>
<li>The <strong>86<sup>th</sup> Constitutional Amendment</strong> by which education was made a Fundamental Right- one that made it the duty of government to provide education for all irrespective of their backgrounds.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-national-education-policy-nep-2020-languages-culture-values'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Balancing Development With Environment',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/how-to-pay-for-the-stimulus/article32279610.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>How to pay for the stimulus</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 10/08/2020. It discusses the need for balancing economic development with environmental protection.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the landslide in Idukki district of Kerala has claimed nearly 50 lives and rendered several homeless, this follows from a continuing spell of heavy rains in Kerala. Due to climate change, such hazards are increasingly becoming very common in other parts of India. Moreover, the impact of climate change is not limited to landslides, but it also results in devastating floods co-existing along with long dry spells and loss of biodiversity.</p>
<p>However, the man-made changes and natural exploitation for economic growth are the major contributors to climate change and its effects. This is due to the underlying thought that development policies promote economic well being, while environmental policies have been seen to be restricting it.</p>
<p>Thus, for sake of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sustainable development</strong></a>, there is a need to balance economic development with environmental protection.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Impact of Human Activity on Environment</strong></p>
<p>According to an UN-backed report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>1 million animal and plant species are currently threatened with extinction from human activity.</li>
<li>Urban areas have more than doubled since 1992 at the expense of forests and wetlands.</li>
<li>Fertilizer has produced more than 400 dead zones in the oceans, equalling an area greater than the size of the United Kingdom.</li>
<li>Also, the global population is projected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. In this pretext, intensive agriculture, overfishing, energy production and the extraction of raw materials will significantly alter three-quarters of Earth&rsquo;s land and over half of the oceans.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Economic Factors Affecting Environmental Sustainability</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lack of Environmental Compliance:</strong> Neglect of environmental principles is a key reason why natural hazards end up causing a significant number of avoidable casualties.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Any exercise to scientifically ascertain the risk from natural hazards to a region are barely implemented in the right spirit.</li>
<li>Unregulated quarrying and the unscientific cutting of slopes into hills aggravates the risk of soil erosion and subsequently increases the risk of landslides.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ill-effects of Subsidies:</strong> In pursuit of providing welfare to vulnerable sections of society, the government has provided a bulk of subsidies. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, subsidised nature of services like energy and electricity leads to their overuse and undermines environmental sustainability.</li>
<li>Further, subsidies also undermine the revenue base and limit the government&rsquo;s capacity to invest in new, cleaner technologies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>No Cost to Environmental Resources:</strong> Access to natural resources is entirely open and no individual user bears the full cost of environmental degradation and resources are consequently overused.</li>
<li><strong>Complexity of Population Dynamics:</strong> Increasing population tends to exacerbate the linkages between underdevelopment and environmental degradation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, poverty generates significant incentives to raise large families and stimulate migrations, which makes urban areas environmentally unsustainable.</li>
<li>Both outcomes increase pressure on resources and consequently worsen environmental quality, diminish productivity and reinforce poverty.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agenda 21 - UNCED's blueprint for sustainable development</strong></a> - gives high priority to the implementation of"win-win" policies that exploit the complementarity between poverty reduction, economic efficiency and sound environmental management. Following interventions can be taken to implement this vision.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Feminization of Development:</strong> Wide range of investments like expanding educational opportunities for women and, improving water supply and sanitation services, may lead to the highest returns for development and the environment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will also increase synergies between poverty alleviation and environmental protection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prudent Economic Policies:</strong> Economic policies such as rationalization of price subsidies, the clarification of property rights, facilitation of technology transfer may help in achieving environmental sustainability.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Rationalising subsidies will save money, improves efficiency and can significantly lower pollution.</li>
<li>Also, open access to environmental resources needs to be replaced with some ordered system of use or ownership rights. Community ownership of resources can result in sound environmental stewardship, particularly where it is based on customary social practices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge:</strong> Regions and countries can benefit from the knowledge of indigenous people and their understanding of large ecosystems.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, Governance, including customary institutions and management systems should involve indigenous peoples and local communities to safeguard nature and understand climate change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conserving Biodiversity:</strong> The linkage of biodiversity and environmental sustainability highlights the critical need to integrate biodiversity considerations in global decision-making.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Development remains the greatest pursuit as well as a challenge, faced by humanity. However, despite the unprecedented economic and social progress that has been made over the last century, poverty, famine and environmental degradation still persist on a global scale.</p>
<p>Moreover, environmental deterioration and climate change have started to show irrevocable damages to the developmental progress made so far. Thus, development goals must be pursued without breaching environment regulations.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597063367_image%200.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597063367_image 0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="550" height="996" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #feffe0;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;Balancing economic development and environmental protection requires a refocusing of economic activity - not towards producing less, but producing differently&rdquo;. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/balancing-development-with-environment'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Electric Vehicles Policy 2020: Delhi',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Delhi government has notified the<strong> Electric Vehicles (EV) Policy 2020.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It lays the maximum emphasis on replacement of two-wheelers, public transport and shared vehicles and goods-carriers instead of private four-wheelers, with <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/electric-vehicles-evs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electric Vehicles</strong></a> (EVs).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It envisions the <strong>replacement of the existing auto rickshaws and State-run buses with e-autos and e-buses</strong> respectively. It will also ensure that <strong>delivery-based services</strong> operating in the city are powered by e-mobility.</li>
<li>It talks about<strong> increasing road tax for fuel-based vehicles,</strong> at least in the luxury segment and imposing in certain parts of the city a congestion fee that EVs will be exempt from.</li>
<li>It has a<strong> &lsquo;scrapping incentive&rsquo;</strong> for those people who want to make the switch, allowing them to exchange an old fuel-based vehicle while purchasing a new EV, further reducing its cost.</li>
<li>The government will also <strong>offer low-interest rate loans</strong> to people interested in buying commercial EVs.</li>
<li>The policy also offers <strong>subsidies and road tax and registration fee waivers,</strong> for EVs bought in the capital.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>At present, road tax ranges from 4% to 10% of the cost of the vehicle, while the registration fee could cost up to Rs. 3,000.</li>
<li>In addition, a subsidy of Rs. 5,000 per kWh of the battery capacity up to Rs. 30,000 will be given on the purchase of each EV.</li>
<li>For the first 1,000 e-cars or electric four-wheelers, a subsidy of Rs. 10,000 per kWh will be given, capped at Rs. 1,50,000 per vehicle.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These <strong>grants will be in addition to the subsidies offered by the Union government</strong> under its <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fame-ii-1#:~:text=The%20phase%202%20of%20FAME,2022%20for%20FAME%202%20scheme.&amp;text=The%20government%20will%20offer%20incentives,be%20used%20for%20commercial%20purposes." target="_blank" rel="noopener">FAME India Phase 2</a> scheme</strong>, which offers similar incentives, especially on the purchase of electric two-wheelers and electric heavy passenger and goods vehicles.</li>
<li>A<strong> State EV</strong> fund will be set up, encompassing all the expenditure of the EV Policy. A <strong>State Electric Vehicle Board</strong> will be constituted for effective implementation of the policy and managing the fund. Besides, a<strong> dedicated EV Cell</strong> will also be constituted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aims:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To<strong> reduce<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/tackling-the-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> air pollution</a></strong> and to<strong> kick-start the economy by spurring demand.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Delhi experiences a public health emergency every winter due to the rise in air pollution, which has become a recurrent annual crisis.</li>
<li>During the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>induced <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdowns</strong></a>, the capital witnessed a drastic <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-lockdown-improved-air-quality" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reduction in the PM10 and PM2.5 levels</a></strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To address both <strong>problems of the high cost of purchase</strong> and the <strong>lack of sufficient charging infrastructure.</strong></li>
<li>To register <strong>at least 5,00,000 EVs in Delhi</strong> in the <strong>next five years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Delivery-based and Ride-hailing Services:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ride-hailing service providers will be <strong>allowed to operate electric two-wheeler taxis</strong> subject to operating within the guidelines to be issued by the Transport Department.</li>
<li>It is expected that the incentives provided by the policy would <strong>encourage delivery service providers</strong> related to food delivery,<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/e-commerce-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> e-commerce</strong></a> logistics providers and couriers to switch to using electric two-wheelers.</li>
<li>All delivery service providers shall be <strong>expected to convert 50%</strong> of their fleet operating in Delhi to electric <strong>by 31<sup>st</sup> March 2023</strong> and <strong>100% by 31<sup>st</sup> March 2025.</strong></li>
<li>Delivery service providers who <strong>commit to achieving these targets will be eligible for financing support</strong> from the Delhi Finance Corporation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Autorickshaws:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Incentives</strong> will be provided related to the purchase<strong> (Rs. 30,000 per vehicle)</strong> and use of new electric autos.</li>
<li>An <strong>open permit system</strong> will be put in place to<strong> provide permits on a first-come, first-served basis</strong> to those with valid light motor vehicle driving licences and a Public Service Vehicle badge.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The open permit system for e-autos shall be subject to the cap on the maximum number of autos if the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a> will direct so in future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There will be<strong> no cap on permits issued to e-autos in Delhi</strong> since they are <strong>zero-emission vehicles and can be very effective in ensuring clean,</strong> last-mile connectivity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Currently, there is a cap on the number of CNG-run auto rickshaws, allowed to ply in the city.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Buses:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy envisions that <strong>half of the State-run buses to be procured over the next three years will be pure electric buses.</strong></li>
<li>It will start doing so with the <strong>induction of 1,000 pure electric buses by 2020.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Government Initiatives on EVs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Government has set a <strong>target of EV making up 30% of new sales of cars and two-wheelers by 2030.</strong></li>
<li>To build a sustainable EV ecosystem, initiatives like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-electric-mobility-mission-2020#:~:text=Under%20its%20National%20Electric%20Mobility,electric%20vehicles%20in%20the%20country." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Electric Mobility Mission Plan</strong></a> (NEMMP) and <strong>Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &amp;) Electric Vehicles in India</strong> (FAME India) have been launched.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>NEMMP</strong> was launched in<strong> 2013</strong> with an aim to <strong>achieve national fuel security</strong> by promoting hybrid and EVs in the country. There is an ambitious target to achieve 6-7 million sales of hybrid and EVs year on year from 2020 onwards.</li>
<li><strong>FAME India</strong> was launched in <strong>2015</strong> with the objective to support hybrid/EV market development and manufacturing ecosystem. The scheme has 4 focus areas viz. technology development, demand creation, pilot projects and charging infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Organisations like <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), Department of Heavy Industry, <strong>Automotive Research Association of India</strong> are devising design and manufacturing standards of EVs, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSEs) and charging infrastructure to smoothen the advent of in-house production of EVs.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Affordable, accessible, inclusive and safe mobility solutions</strong> are primary strategic levers for rapid economic development and improving<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-living-index#:~:text='Ease%20of%20Living'%20as%20a,opportunities%2C%20economic%20dynamism%20or%20safety." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Ease of Living&rsquo;.</strong></a></li>
<li>Establishing the right coordination among <strong>three pillars of EV industry</strong> viz. <strong>urban planning, transportation and power sectors</strong> will assist in systematic adoption of EVs.</li>
<li>EVs are a <strong>rapidly growing sunrise sector</strong> which can give a push to &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india#:~:text=On%20September%2025%2C%202014%2C%20the,surpassing%20the%20U.S.%20and%20China." 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/electric-vehicles-policy-2020-delhi'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Quit India Movement',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>On 8<sup>th</sup> Aug 2020, India completed 78 years of <strong>Quit India Movement</strong> also known as <strong>August Kranti.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Taking inspiration from the Quit India Movement, the Prime Minister gave a call for the <strong>revival of its spirit</strong> of the Quit India Movement by coining a new slogan <strong><em>karenge aur karake rahenge</em></strong> in place of Gandhi&rsquo;s slogan of <em>karo ya maro</em> (Do or Die).</li>
<li>The aim of this slogan is to achieve the goal of building a <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/strategy-for-new-india-at-75" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;New India&rdquo;</strong></a> by<strong> 2022.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> On 8<sup>th</sup> August 1942, <a href="/to-the-points/paper4/gandhian-ideologies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi</strong></a> gave a clarion call to end the British rule and launched the <strong>Quit India Movement</strong> at the session of the<strong> All-India Congress Committee in Mumbai.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gandhiji gave the call <strong>&ldquo;Do or Die&rdquo;</strong>&nbsp;in his speech delivered at the<strong> Gowalia Tank Maidan,</strong> now popularly known as August Kranti Maidan.</li>
<li><strong>Aruna Asaf Ali</strong> popularly known as the 'Grand Old Lady' of the Independence Movement is known for hoisting the Indian flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai during the Quit India Movement.</li>
<li>The slogan &lsquo;Quit India&rsquo; was coined by <strong>Yusuf Meherally,</strong> a socialist and trade unionist who also served as Mayor of Mumbai.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Meherally had also coined the slogan &ldquo;Simon Go Back&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> immediate cause</strong> for the movement was the<strong> collapse of Cripps Mission.</strong></li>
<li>The British assumption of unconditional support from India to British in <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-war-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World War II</strong></a> was not taken well by the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/important-indian-national-congress-sessions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian National Congress</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The anti-British sentiments and demand for full-independence had gained popularity among indian masses.</li>
<li>The two decades of mass movement which were being conducted on a much more radical tone under the leadership of the various associated and affiliated bodies of the Congress, like <strong>All India Kisan Sabha, Forward Bloc</strong> etc. had already <strong>prepared the ground</strong> for the movement.</li>
<li>There were <strong>militant outbursts</strong> happening at several places in the country which got channelized with the Quit India Movement.</li>
<li>The <strong>economy was also in shatters</strong> as a result of World War II.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Demands</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The demand was to end the British rule in India with immediate effect to get the cooperation of Indians in World War-II against fascism.</li>
<li>There was a demand to form a <strong>provisional government</strong> after the withdrawal of the Britishers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Phases:</strong> The movement had three phases<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>First Phase</strong> urban revolt, marked by strikes, boy&shy;cott and picketing, which were quickly suppressed. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There were <strong>strikes and demonstrations</strong> all over the country and workers provided the support by not working in the factories.</li>
<li>Gandhiji was soon imprisoned at <strong>Aga Khan Palace in Pune</strong> and almost all leaders were arrested.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the <strong>second phase,</strong> the focus shifted to the <strong>countryside,</strong> which witnessed a major <strong>peasant rebellion,</strong> marked by <strong>destruction of communication sys&shy;tems,</strong> such as railway tracks and stations, telegraph wires and poles,<strong> attacks</strong> on government buildings or any other visible symbol of colo&shy;nial authority.</li>
<li>The<strong> last phase</strong> witnessed the formation of <strong>national governments or parallel governments</strong> isolated pockets (Ballia, Tamluk, Satara etc.)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Spontaneous Violence:</strong> The movement saw <strong>violence</strong> at some places which was not premeditated.</li>
<li><strong>Future Leaders:</strong> Underground activities were taken by leaders that included <strong>Ram Manohar Lohia, J.P. Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Biju Patnaik, Sucheta Kriplani,</strong> etc which later emerged as prominent leaders.</li>
<li><strong>Women Participation:</strong> Women took active participation in the movement. Female leaders like <strong>Usha Mehta</strong> helped set up an underground radio station which led to the awakening about the movement.</li>
<li><strong>Support:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Muslim League, the Communist Party of India and the Hindu Mahasabha did not support the movement.</strong> The Indian bureaucracy also did not support the movement.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The League was not in favour of the British leaving India without partitioning the country first.</li>
<li>The Communist party supported the British since they were allied with the Soviet Union.</li>
<li>The <strong>Hindu Mahasabha</strong> openly opposed the call for the <strong>Quit India Movement</strong> and boycotted it officially under the apprehension that the movement would create internal disorder and will endanger internal security during the war.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Meanwhile, Subhas Chandra Bose, organised the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/subhash-chandra-bose" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian National Army</strong></a> and the Azad Hind government from outside the country.</li>
<li>As <strong>C Rajagopalachari</strong> was not in favour of complete independence, he resigned from the INC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cripps Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Japanese aggression</strong> in South-East Asia, keenness of British Government to secure the<strong> full participation of India in the war,</strong> mounting<strong> pressure from China and the United States,</strong> as well as from the <strong>Labour Party</strong> in Britain, led British Prime Minister <strong>Winston Churchill</strong> to send Cripps Mission to India in <strong>March 1942.</strong></li>
<li>Under Stafford Cripps, the mission was sent to <strong>resolve the Indian question of a new constitution and self-government.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Main proposals</strong> of the mission were:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An Indian Union with a <strong>dominion status</strong> would be set up; it would be free to decide its relations with the Commonwealth and free to participate in the United Nations and other international bodies.</li>
<li><strong>A constituent assembly</strong> would be convened after the war to frame a new constitution.</li>
<li>Members of the assembly<strong> partly elected</strong> by the provincial assemblies and partly nominated by the princes.</li>
<li>Any province not willing to accept the constitution would be given<strong> &lsquo;the same full status as the Indian Union&rsquo;, -</strong> designed to appease the Muslim League&rsquo;s call for Pakistan.</li>
<li>The constitution making body and the British Government would negotiate a <strong>treaty to effect the transfer of power</strong> and to safeguard racial and religious minorities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Indian National Congress, however, was not satisfied as its <strong>demand for immediate complete independence had been rejected.</strong></li>
<li>Mahatma Gandhi said that Cripps' offer of Dominion Status after the war was a <strong>"post-dated cheque drawn on a failing bank&rsquo;&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Outcomes</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Quit India movement was<strong> violently suppressed</strong> by the British &ndash; people were shot, lathi-charged, villages burnt and enormous fines imposed.</li>
<li>Over 100000 people were arrested and the <strong>government resorted to violence</strong> in order to crush the agitation.</li>
<li>The Britishers declared the <strong>INC</strong> to be an <strong>unlawful association.</strong></li>
<li>New leaders like<strong> Aruna Asaf Ali</strong> emerged out of the vacuum of leadership.</li>
<li>While the Quit India campaign was <strong>crushed in 1944,</strong> with the British refusing to grant immediate independence, saying it could happen only after the war had ended, they came to the important realization that<strong> India was ungovernable in the long run</strong> due to the cost of World War II.</li>
<li>It changed the <strong>nature of political negotiations with British</strong> the, ultimately paving the way for<strong> India's independence.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-quit-india-movement-gave-a-new-direction-to-indias-freedom-struggle-6547701/" 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/quit-india-movement-1'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'GCC Backs UN Arms Embargo on Iran',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-11th-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong></a> (GCC) has sent a letter to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1#:~:text=Its%20primary%20responsibility%20is%20to,China%20and%20the%20United%20Kingdom." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Security Council</strong></a> (UNSC) backing an <strong>extension of its arms embargo on Iran,</strong> just two months before it is set to expire.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a<strong> political and economic alliance</strong> of countries in the Arabian Peninsula.</li>
<li>It was <strong>established in 1981</strong> to foster socioeconomic, security, and cultural cooperation.</li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong> Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All these member countries of the GCC come under the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/persian-gulf-region" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Persian Gulf Region</a></strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597052484_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597052484_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="550" height="423" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The GCC has<strong> alleged that Iran had not ceased or desisted from armed interventions</strong> in neighbouring countries, directly and through organisations and movements armed and trained by Iran.</li>
<li><strong>Allegation on Iran:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UN, the USA and other armament experts have accused Iran of <strong>providing arms to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ceasefire-in-yemen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yemen&rsquo;s Houthi rebels.</a></strong></li>
<li>Iran <strong>allegedly arms Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon and Syria</strong> and also provides <strong>weapons to Shiite militias in Iraq </strong>and<strong> terrorist groups in Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.</strong></li>
<li>The letter also mentioned <strong>Iran&rsquo;s shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane </strong>and its <strong>navy accidentally killing 19 sailors</strong> in a missile strike during an exercise.</li>
<li>Iran also is <strong>suspected of launching an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/saudi-aramco-drone-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">attack on Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s oil industry</a></strong> in September 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arms Embargo:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>2010,</strong> the<strong> UN banned Iran from purchasing foreign-made weapons</strong> like fighter jets, tanks and warships amid tensions over Iran&rsquo;s nuclear program.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The embargo <strong>blocked Iran from replacing its ageing equipment,</strong> much of which had been purchased before the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/40-years-of-islamic-revolution-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1979 Islamic Revolution.</a></strong></li>
<li>An earlier embargo had <strong>targeted Iranian arms exports.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>2015,</strong> under <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-cuts-iranian-oil-imports-ahead-of-us-sanctions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iran&rsquo;s nuclear deal</a></strong> <strong>(Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), </strong>the <strong>UN agreed to end the arms embargo in October 2020.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In <strong>2018,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-reimposes-sanctions-on-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USA unilaterally withdrew from the deal</strong></a> as a part of the maximum pressure campaign to hurt Iran&rsquo;s already ailing economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Internal Conflict in GCC:</strong> Even though the GCC has offered a unified statement, it <strong>remains affected by internal conflict</strong> among the member nations. For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icj-on-qatar-blockade" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Qatar crisis</strong></a>, which saw Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates cut diplomatic ties with Qatar and launch a boycott of the nation beginning in 2017.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Qatar has had good relations with Iran</strong> and has used its airspace while sharing a vast offshore oil and gas field with Tehran (Iran&rsquo;s capital).</li>
<li>Qatar is <strong>home to the massive Al-Udeid Air Base</strong> and the forward headquarters of the USA military&rsquo;s Central Command.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/arab-world-s-longest-serving-ruler-passes-away" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oman</a></strong> also has had <strong>close ties to Iran</strong> and has served as an<strong> interlocutor between Tehran and the West.</strong></li>
<li>On the other hand, <strong>Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are suspicious of Iran</strong> and accuse it of stirring up dissent among Shiite populations in the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Iran&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Iran has <strong>denied the various accusations</strong> of its involvement in arms supply.</li>
<li>Iran has <strong>condemned the GCC letter</strong> and called it an irresponsible statement that serves the USA&rsquo;s interests.</li>
<li>It has also <strong>criticized the GCC countries for being &ldquo;among the largest arms buyers in the region and the world,&rdquo;</strong> even amidst the economic downturn caused by the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> </strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/six-gulf-arab-countries-un-arms-embargo-iran-6548202/" 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/gcc-backs-un-arms-embargo-on-iran'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Andaman and Nicobar Islands to be Maritime and Startup Hub',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Prime Minister has declared that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/andaman-nicobar-islands-rich-faunal-diversity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Andaman and Nicobar islands</strong></a> will be developed as a <strong>"maritime and startup hub".</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <strong>transhipment hub</strong> has been proposed in the Andaman and Nicobar islands.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <strong>transshipment</strong> is when cargo or a container is moved from one vessel to another while in transit to its final destination.</li>
<li>It will be built in South Bay, Great Nicobar Island, to provide Indian shippers an alternative to the <strong>Colombo (Sri Lanka), Singapore and Port Klang (Malaysia) transshipment ports.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>12 islands of the archipelago have been selected for <strong>high-impact projects</strong> with an emphasis on boosting trade of<strong> sea-based, organic and coconut-based products</strong> of the region.</li>
<li>A <strong>submarine cable project</strong> has been launched in the islands to make it digitally independent.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>2300 Km of submarine optical fibres cable (OFC) have been laid down</li>
<li>The fibre will connect chennai and port blair and seven other islands- <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-27th-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Swaraj Deep</strong></a> <strong>(Havelock)</strong>, Long island etc.</li>
<li>The connectivity project was funded by the Centre through the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/challenges-in-telecom-sector-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Universal Service Obligation Fund</strong></a> under the Ministry of Communications.</li>
<li>It was executed by <strong>Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited</strong> (BSNL) and <strong>Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL)</strong> was the technical consultant.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In addition, <strong>Port Blair airport</strong> is to be <strong>expanded</strong> and some of the islands will be also <strong>connected with seaplanes.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2015, the government had announced an ambitious,<strong> Rs 10,000 crore economic plan</strong> to transform the Andaman and Nicobar Islands into the<strong> country’s first maritime hub.</strong></li>
<li>This included infrastructure construction, protection of the original<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-citizen-killed-by-tribals-in-andaman" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Jarawa inhabitants</strong></a> and boosting the<strong> tourism potential.</strong></li>
<li>Earlier, India had also invited <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-investors-to-develop-islands" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>global investors to develop</strong></a> the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands.</li>
<li>The Union Government constituted the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/island-development-agency-ida" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Island Development Agency</strong></a> on 1<sup>st</sup> June, 2017 for the development of islands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597047862_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597047862_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Benefits</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Governance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Better connectivity in the region will facilitate the delivery of <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/e-governance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>e-governance</strong></a> services such as <strong>telemedicine</strong> and<strong> tele-education,</strong> as a part of<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Digital India</strong> </a>initiative.</li>
<li>The region will play an important role in his government's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>self-reliant India</strong></a> project.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Small enterprises, Business Process Outsourcing Services and other medium and large enterprises will also benefit from better connectivity and opportunities in <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/e-commerce-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>e-commerce</strong></a>,<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This can be leveraged to promote the government’s <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-start-up-india-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Startup India</a></strong> initiative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The internet costs will also come down and it will give a boost to<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/tourism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> tourism</strong></a> and the <strong>local economy.</strong></li>
<li>The building of a transshipment hub will be critical for<strong> India’s trade</strong> and help the group of islands become an important centre of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/blue-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>blue economy</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic:</strong> <a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597049683_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597049683_image2.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The islands are critical for<strong> India's security</strong> because of their <strong>strategic location</strong> in the <strong>Indian Ocean Region (IOR).</strong> Better infrastructure and connectivity will help India enhance its <strong>military and naval strength</strong> in the islands.</li>
<li>The islands are home to India's only tri-services command, the<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/andaman-and-nicobar-command-anc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC)</strong></a> which is strategically important, more so, on the backdrop of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chinese aggression</strong></a> in the region.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Earlier this year, China was accused by Vietnam of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/china-in-south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sinking its sea</strong></a> in its <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Exclusive Economic Zone.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International Relations:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will also help India to build better economic relations with<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> ASEAN</strong></a> region.</li>
<li>The importance of the islands has increased in light of India's <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>'Act East'</strong></a> policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Submarine Communications Cable</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a cable <strong>laid on the seabed</strong> between land-based stations to transmit <strong>telecommunication signals</strong> across stretches of ocean and sea.</li>
<li>The optical fibre elements are typically coated with <strong>plastic layers</strong> and contained in a <strong>protective tube</strong> suitable for the environment where the cable will be deployed.</li>
<li>Compared to satellites, using internet connection through submarine cables is more <strong>reliable, cost efficient</strong> and <strong>of large capacity.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>USOF ensures that there is universal <strong>non-discriminatory access to quality ICT services</strong> at economically efficient prices to people in rural and remote areas.</li>
<li>It was created under the Department of Telecommunications in <strong>2002.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>non-lapsable fund,</strong> i.e., the unspent amount under a targeted financial year does not lapse and is accrued for next years’ spending.</li>
<li>All credits to this fund require<strong> parliamentary approval</strong> and it has statutory <strong>support</strong> under<strong> Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>Provision of reliable, robust, and high-speed telecom and broadband facilities in these islands will be a landmark achievement from the viewpoint of consumers, as well as for strategic and governance reasons.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andaman-and-nicobar-going-to-be-maritime-and-startup-hub-modi/article32310549.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/andaman-and-nicobar-islands-to-be-maritime-and-startup-hub'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => '30 Years of Mandal Commission',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/the-mandal-moment/story-O52OimsoY0VVzYtJxLtz9K.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The Mandal Moment&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on 07/08/2020. It talks about the historical background and aftermath of the implementation of Mandal commission recommendations.</p>
</div>
<p>Thirty years ago, on August 7, 1990, the then prime minister V.P. Singh made a historic decision that changed Indian politics and way of ensuring social justice. The then government decided to implement the recommendations of the Mandal Commission, and open up reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs</p>
<p>He announced that OBCs would get 27% reservation in jobs in central government services and public sector units. This was perhaps the world largest affirmative action programme.</p>
<p>The decision changed the narrative of Caste that had been the basis of unbridled torture and ostracisation into the instrument of social justice. However, it also opened up a Pandora&rsquo;s Box, leading to widespread opposition and vote bank politics.</p>
<h3>Historical Background of OBC Reservation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Establishing First Backward Class Commission:</strong> In January 1953, the JL Nehru government had set up the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/constitutional-status-for-national-commission-for-backward-classes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>First Backward Class Commission</strong></a> under the chairmanship of social reformer <strong>Kaka Kalelkar.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The commission submitted its report in March 1955, listing 2,399 backward castes or communities, with 837 of them classified as &lsquo;most backwards&rsquo;.</li>
<li>However, the report was never implemented.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Establishing Second Backward Class Commission:</strong> On January 1, 1979, the Morarji Desai government chose Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal, a former chief minister of Bihar, to head the Second Backward Class Commission. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mandal submitted his report two years later, on December 31, 1980.</li>
<li>However, by then, the Morarji Desai government had fallen and Indira Gandhi came to power and the issue remained in the deep freeze for about a decade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation of Mandal Commission:</strong> In 1990, the then Prime Minister V P Singh announced in the Parliament that the recommendations of the Mandal Commission would be implemented. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The announcement witnessed violent protests all over India, especially in northern and western India, and many students immolated themselves in protest and a few of them died as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indira Sawhney Case</strong>: Following the severe opposition the issue of OBC reservation reached the Supreme Court in 1992. This case is known as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reservation-review-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Indira Sawhney Judgment&rsquo;</strong></a> or Mandal Case.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Supreme Court upheld the 27% reservation for OBCs but also stated that the only caste was not an indicator of social and educational backwardness.</li>
<li>Also, to ensure that benefits of the recommendations of the Mandal Commission percolated down to the most backward communities, the creamy layer criteria was invoked.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Aftermath of Mandal Commission</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Opposition to Mandal Commission:</strong> It faced mainly opposition on two grounds, that reservation would compromise the merit and can the reservation be given on economic lines. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, it revolves around vote-bank politics which defeats the original purpose of reservation policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defeating the Intended Goal of Reservation Policy:</strong> In order to fulfil populists demands, political parties continued to expand reservation to the extent that communities who are well-off, avail reservation quotas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This has undermined the entire purpose of reservation, envisaged as a tool to address historic injustice, and made it an exercise in power distribution and employment generation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unequal Benefits and Creation of Political Divide:</strong> According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/extension-to-obc-sub-categorisation-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rohini Commission</strong></a>, out of almost 6,000 castes and communities in the OBCs, only 40 such communities had gotten 50% of reservation benefits for admission in central educational institutions and recruitment to the civil services.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This has led to a political divide and demands for sub-categorisation, a process currently underway.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cause of Social Disharmony:</strong> The policy of reservation has caused the resentment of those communities which did not have a share in the reservation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>In pursuit of social justice, the Mandal Commission recommendations were implemented. However, only half of the recommendations of the commission were implemented. The commission held that reservations along all financial assistance will remain mere palliatives unless the problem of backwardness is tackled at its root. Thus, it recommended land redistribution and change in relations of production.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Making Agriculture Economically Viable:</strong> As the small landholders, tenants, agricultural labour, impoverished village artisans, unskilled workers, forms the bulk of the OBCs community. Therefore, it is imperative to make agriculture (the backbone of the rural economy) economically viable.</li>
<li><strong>Reviving Private Investment to Lessen Demand for Reservation:</strong> There is a need to revive private sector manufacturing. This will attract youth towards lucrative employment avenues in the private sector and hence, there will be less demand for jobs in the public sector and reservation.</li>
<li><strong>Review of Reservation Policy:</strong> Reservation has remained a powerful tool of affirmative action. However, after nearly 75 years of independence, India&rsquo;s socio-economic polity has transformed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, strong political will is required to review the reservation policy and establish an egalitarian society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Implementation of Mandal commission recommendations empowered communities. But the current architecture of reservations needs a review, with the aim of creating a just, inclusive and equal society, without pandering to populist movements.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffee3;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;The policy of reservation is the best way to achieve social justice in Indian society&rdquo;. Critically discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PexXb2y4svU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/cartographic-challenge-the-hindu-editorial-on-pakistans-new-map/article32289396.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Cartographic challenge&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on August 7<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/30-years-of-mandal-commission'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Landslide near Eravikulam National Park',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-conference-on-landslides-risk-reduction-and-resilience" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>landslides</strong></a> have been reported at the <strong>Nayamakkad tea estate</strong> at Pettimudy which is located about <strong>30 km from Munnar,</strong> adjacent to the <strong>Eravikulam National Park (ENP), Kerala.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Features of ENP:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is located in the <strong>High Ranges (Kannan Devan Hills) of the Southern Western Ghats</strong> in the Devikulam Taluk of<strong> Idukki District, Kerala.</strong></li>
<li>It spreads over an area of<strong> 97 square km</strong> and hosts<strong> South India's highest peak, Anamudi</strong> (2695 m), in its southern area.</li>
<li>The <strong>Rajamalai region</strong> of the park stays open to the public for <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/tourism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>tourism</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>History:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Government of Kerala acquired the area from the Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company under the <strong>Kannan Devan Hill Produce (Resumption of lands) Act 1971.</strong></li>
<li>It was declared as <strong>Eravikulam-Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary in 1975</strong> and was elevated to the status of a <strong>National Park in 1978.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Topography:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The main body of the park comprises a <strong>high rolling plateau</strong> (plateau at different elevation or with varying heights) <strong>with a base elevation of about 2000 m</strong> from mean sea level.</li>
<li>Three major types of <strong>plant communities</strong> found in the park are: <strong>Grasslands, Shrub Land and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exotic-trees-eating-up-western-ghats-grasslands" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shola Forests</a></strong> (mosaic of montane evergreen forests and grasslands).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The park represents the <strong>largest and least disturbed stretch of unique Montane Shola-Grassland vegetation</strong> in the Western Ghats.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flora:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It houses the special <strong>Neelakurinji flowers</strong> <em>(Strobilanthes kunthianam)</em> that<strong> bloom once every 12 years</strong> and the next sighting is expected to be in 2030.</li>
<li>Apart from that, it has rare terrestrial and epiphytic orchids, wild balsams, etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An epiphyte is an organism that <strong>grows on the surface of a plant</strong> and <strong>derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water or from debris</strong> accumulating around it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fauna:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The park holds the <strong>largest viable population of the endangered</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nilgiri-tahr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nilgiri Tahr</strong></a> <em>(Nilgiritragus hylocrius).</em></li>
<li>It has other little known fauna such as Nilgiri Marten, Ruddy Mongoose, Small Clawed Otter, Dusky Striped Squirrel, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>regionally important</strong> as a<strong> catchment area for both east</strong> (tributaries of River Pambar) and <strong>west</strong> (tributaries of River <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mullaperiyar-dam#:~:text=The%20Periyar%20River%20is%20the,stream%20bed%20all%20year%20round." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Periyar</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/athirapally-hydel-electric-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chalakkudy</strong></a>)<strong> flowing rivers.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Locally,</strong> it is important for<strong> maintaining the climate and providing drinking water</strong> to the surrounding estates and for<strong> irrigation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Proximity:</strong> The park is in continuity with the neighboring<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/butterfly-survey" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary</strong></a>, Anamudi Shola National Park, Pampadum Shola National Park, Kurinjimala Sanctuary and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/species-rich-forests-offer-stable-carbon-capture" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Anamalai Tiger Reserve.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596883099_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596883099_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="655" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Landslides<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596883081_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596883081_image4.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="283" height="250" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A landslide is defined as the <strong>movement of a mass of rock, debris or earth down a slope.</strong> Landslides are a type of <strong>mass wasting</strong> (a geomorphic process) which denotes any down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity.</li>
<li><strong>Causes:</strong> Slow weathering of rocks as well as soil erosion, earthquakes and volcanic activity.</li>
<li>Continent-wise, <strong>Asia suffers the maximum damages/losses</strong> due to landslides and within that, <strong>South-Asian nations are the worst sufferers including India</strong> which is one of the worst affected by landslides.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/many-killed-in-munnar-mishap/article32291655.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/landslide-near-eravikulam-national-park'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Day 20',
			'catname' => '60 days refresher',
			'desc' => '<h2 style="text-align: center;">Modern History-3 (Freedom struggle- Post Gandhian Era)</h2>
<p>Questions from modern history remain a very important topic for UPSC. A lot of questions have been asked over the years. Topics like the <strong>Rowlatt Act, Quit India Movement, Cripps Mission Indian National Congress sessions</strong> are asked repeatedly. Mostly, static questions on this topic are asked. One should go through any standard textbook.</p>
<p><strong><a href="/images/pdf/NCERT-Class-12-History-Part-1%20(1).pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Class XII History Textbook Theme-I</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="/images/pdf/NCERT-Class-12-History-Part-2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Class XII History Textbook Theme-II</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="/images/pdf/NCERT-Class-12-History-Part-3.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Class XII History Textbook Theme-III</strong></a></p>
<h2>Gandhian Phase of Freedom Struggle</h2>
<p>Q. With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements: (2019)</p>
<ol>
<li>Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the system of &lsquo;indentured labour&rsquo;.</li>
<li>In Lord Chelmsford&rsquo;s &lsquo;War Conference&rsquo;, Mahatma Gandhi did not support the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War.</li>
<li>Consequent upon the breaking of Salt Law by Indian people, the Indian National Congress was declared illegal by the colonial rulers.</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above are correct?</p>
<p>(a) 1 and 2 only</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(b) 1 and 3 only</strong> </span></p>
<p>(c) 2 and 3 only</p>
<p>(d) 1, 2 and 3</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha? (2018)</p>
<p>(a) Active all-India participation of lawyers, students and women in the National Movement</p>
<p>(b) Active involvement of Dalit and Tribal communities of India in the National Movement</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) Joining of peasant unrest to India&rsquo;s National Movement</strong> </span></p>
<p>(d) Drastic decrease in the cultivation of plantation crop</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, mainly because (2012)</p>
<p>(a) Round Table Conference failed to satisfy Indian political aspirations</p>
<p>(b) Congress and Muslim League had differences of opinion</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) Ramsay Macdonald announced the Communal Award</strong> </span></p>
<p>(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. What was the reason for Mahatma Gandhi to organize a satyagraha on behalf of the peasants of Kheda? (2011)</p>
<ol>
<li>The Administration did not suspend the land revenue collection in spite of a drought.</li>
<li>The Administration proposed to introduce Permanent Settlement in Gujarat.</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above is/are correct?</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(a) 1 only</span> </strong></p>
<p>(b) 2 only</p>
<p>(c) Both 1 and 2</p>
<p>(d) Neither 1 nor 2</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With which one of the following movements is the slogan &ldquo;Do or Die&rdquo; associated? (2009)</p>
<p>(a) Swadeshi Movement</p>
<p>(b) Non-Cooperation Movement</p>
<p>(c) Civil Disobedience Movement</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(d) Quit India Movement</strong></span></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Which one of the following began with the Dandi March? (2009)</p>
<p>(a) Home Rule Movement</p>
<p>(b) Non-Cooperation Movement</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) Civil Disobedience Movement</strong> </span></p>
<p>(d) Quit India Movement</p>
<h2>Indian National Congress Sessions</h2>
<p>Q. Which one of the following movements has contributed to a split in the Indian National Congress resulting in the emergence of &lsquo;moderates&rsquo; and &lsquo;extremists&rsquo;? (2015)</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(a) Swadeshi Movement</strong> </span></p>
<p>(b) Quit India Movement</p>
<p>(c) Non-Cooperation Movement</p>
<p>(d) Civil Disobedience Movement</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Consider the following statements: (2015)</p>
<ol>
<li>The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Sarojini Naidu.</li>
<li>The first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress was Badruddin Tyabji.</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above is/are correct?</p>
<p>(a) 1 only</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(b) 2 only</strong> </span></p>
<p>(c) Both 1 and 2</p>
<p>(d) Neither 1 nor 2</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the (2014)</p>
<p>(a) attainment of Self-Government was declared as the objective of the Congress</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(b) attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress</span> </strong></p>
<p>(c) Non-Cooperation Movement was launched</p>
<p>(d) decision to participate in the Round Table Conference in London was taken</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history, because (2012)</p>
<ol>
<li>the Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence</li>
<li>the rift between the extremists and moderates was resolved in that Session</li>
<li>a resolution was passed rejecting the two nation theory in that Session</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above is/are correct?</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(a) 1 only</strong> </span></p>
<p>(b) 2 and 3</p>
<p>(c) 1 and 3</p>
<p>(d) None of the above</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. For the Karachi Session of Indian National Congress in 1931 presided over by Sardar Patel, who drafted the Resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Programme? (2010)</p>
<p>(a) Mahatma Gandhi</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(b) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru</span> </strong></p>
<p>(c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad</p>
<p>(d) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar</p>
<h2>Road Towards Independence</h2>
<p>Q. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events: (2017)</p>
<ol>
<li>Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy</li>
<li>Quit India Movement launched</li>
<li>Second Round Table Conference</li>
</ol>
<p>What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events?</p>
<p>(a) 1 &ndash; 2&ndash; 3</p>
<p>(b) 2 &ndash; 1 &ndash; 3</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(c) 3 &ndash; 2 &ndash; 1</span> </strong></p>
<p>(d) 3 &ndash; 1 &ndash; 2</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War (2016)</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">(a) India should be granted complete independence</p>
<p>(b) India should be partitioned into two before granting independence</p>
<p>(c) India should be made a republic with the condition that she will join the Commonwealth</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(d) India should be given Dominion status</span></strong></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to the Cabinet Mission, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)</p>
<ol>
<li>It recommended a federal government.</li>
<li>It enlarged the powers of the Indian courts.</li>
<li>It provided for more Indians in the ICS.</li>
</ol>
<p>Select the correct answer using the code given below:</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(a) 1 only</span></strong></p>
<p>(b) 2 and 3</p>
<p>(c) 1 and 3</p>
<p>(d) None</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. The people of India agitated against the arrival of Simon Commission because (2013)</p>
<p>(a) Indians never wanted the review of the working of the Act of 1919</p>
<p>(b) Simon Commission recommended the abolition of Dyarchy (Diarchy) in the Provinces</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) there was no Indian member in the Simon Commission</strong></span></p>
<p>(d) the Simon Commission suggested the partition of the country</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Quit India Movement was launched in response to (2013)</p>
<p>(a) Cabinet Mission Plan</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(b) Cripps Proposals</strong></span></p>
<p>(c) Simon Commission Report</p>
<p>(d) Wavell Plan</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. The Congress ministries resigned in the seven provinces in 1939, because (2012)</p>
<p>(a) the Congress could not form ministries in the other four provinces</p>
<p>(b) emergence of a left wing in the Congress made the working of the ministries impossible</p>
<p>(c) there were widespread communal disturbances in their provinces</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct</strong></span></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to the period of Indian freedom struggle, which of the following was/were recommended by the Nehru report? (2011)</p>
<ol>
<li>Complete Independence for India.</li>
<li>Joint electorates for reservation of seats for minorities.</li>
<li>Provision of Fundamental Rights for the people of India in the Constitution.</li>
</ol>
<p>Select the correct answer using the codes given below:</p>
<p>(a) 1 only</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(b) 2 and 3 only</strong></span></p>
<p>(c) 1 and 3 only</p>
<p>(d) 1, 2 and 3</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Which one of the following observations is not true about the Quit India Movement of 1942? (2011)</p>
<p>(a) It was a nonviolent movement</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(b) It was led by Mahatma Gandhi</strong></span></p>
<p>(c) It was a spontaneous movement</p>
<p>(d) It did not attract the labour class in general</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Who among the following were official Congress negotiators with Cripps Mission? (2010)</p>
<p>(a) Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel</p>
<p>(b) Acharya J.B. Kripalani and C. Rajagopalachari</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) Pandit Nehru and Maulana Azad</strong></span></p>
<p>(d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Rafi Ahmed Kidwai</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to Simon Commission&rsquo;s recommendations, which one of the following statements is correct? (2010)</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(a) It recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible government in the provinces</span></strong></p>
<p>(b) It proposed the setting up of inter-provincial council under the Home Department</p>
<p>(c) It suggested the abolition of bicameral legislature at the Centre</p>
<p>(d) It recommended the creation of Indian Police Service with a provision for increased pay and allowances for British recruits as compared to Indian recruits</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. After the Quit India Movement, C. Rajagopalachari issued a pamphlet entitled &ldquo;The Way Out&rdquo;. Which one of the following was a proposal in this pamphlet? (2010)</p>
<p>(a) The establishment of a &ldquo;War Advisory Council&rdquo; composed of representatives of British India and the Indian States</p>
<p>(b) Reconstitution of the Central Executive Council in such a way that all its members, except the Governor General and the Commander-in-Chief should be Indian leaders</p>
<p>(c) Fresh elections to the Central and Provincial Legislatures to be held at the end of 1945 and the Constitution making body to be convened as soon as possible</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(d) A solution for the constitutional deadlock</strong></span></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. In the &lsquo;Individual Satyagraha&rsquo;, Vinoba Bhave was chosen as the first Satyagrahi. Who was the second? (2009)</p>
<p>(a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(b) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru</strong></span></p>
<p>(c) C. Rajagopalachari</p>
<p>(d) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Consider the following statements: (2009) The Cripps Proposals include the provision for</p>
<ol>
<li>Full independence for India.</li>
<li>Creation of a Constitution-making body.</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above is/are correct?</p>
<p>(a) 1 only</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(b) 2 only</span></strong></p>
<p>(c) Both 1 and 2</p>
<p>(d) Neither 1 nor 2</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Who of the following Prime Ministers sent Cripps Mission to India? (2009)</p>
<p>(a) James Ramsay MacDonald</p>
<p>(b) Stanley Baldwin</p>
<p>(c) Neville Chamberlain</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(d) Winston Churchill</span></strong></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. In the Federation established by the Government of India Act of 1935, residuary powers were given to the (2018)</p>
<p>(a) Federal Legislature</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(b) Governor General</span></strong></p>
<p>(c) Provincial Legislature</p>
<p>(d) Provincial Governors</p>
<h2>Important British Legislation</h2>
<p>Q. The Trade Disputes Act of 1929 provided for (2017)</p>
<p>(a) the participation of workers in the management of industries.</p>
<p>(b) arbitrary powers to the management to quell industrial disputes.</p>
<p>(c) an intervention by the British Court in the event of a trade dispute.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(d) a system of tribunals and a ban on strikes.</span></strong></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)</p>
<ol>
<li>The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommendations of the &lsquo;Sedition Committee&rsquo;.</li>
<li>In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize the Home Rule League.</li>
<li>Demonstrations against the arrival of Simon Commission coincided with Rowlatt Satyagraha.</li>
</ol>
<p>Select the correct answer using the code given below:</p>
<p>(a) 1 only</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(b) 1 and 2 only</span></strong></p>
<p>(c) 2 and 3 only</p>
<p>(d) 1, 2 and 3</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. The Rowlatt Act aimed at (2012)</p>
<p>(a) compulsory economic support to war efforts</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(b) imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial</span></strong></p>
<p>(c) suppression of the Khilafat Movement</p>
<p>(d) imposition of restrictions on freedom of the press</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. During the Indian Freedom Struggle, why did Rowlatt Act arouse popular indignation? (2009)</p>
<p>(a) It curtailed the freedom of religion</p>
<p>(b) It suppressed the Indian traditional education</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(c) It authorized the government to imprison people without trial</span></strong></p>
<p>(d) It curbed the trade union activities</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Who was the Viceroy of India when the Rowlatt Act was passed? (2008)</p>
<p>(a) Lord Irwin</p>
<p>(b) Lord Reading</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(c) Lord Chelmsford</span></strong></p>
<p>(d) Lord Wavell</p>
<h2>Various Movement and Organisation</h2>
<p>Q. Consider the following pairs: Movement/ Leader Organization (2016)</p>
<ol>
<li>All India Anti- : Mahatma Gandhi Untouchability League</li>
<li>All India Kisan Sabha : Swami Sahajanand Saraswati</li>
<li>Self-Respect Movement : E.V. Ramaswami Naicker</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?</p>
<p>(a) 1 only</p>
<p>(b) 1 and 2 only</p>
<p>(c) 2 and 3 only</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(d) 1, 2 and 3</span></strong></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. In 1920, which of the following changed its name to &ldquo;Swarajya Sabha&rdquo;? (2018)</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(a) All India Home Rule League</span></strong></p>
<p>(b) Hindu Mahasabha</p>
<p>(c) South Indian Liberal Federation</p>
<p>(d) The Servants of India Society</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for (2011)</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(a) Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement</span></strong></p>
<p>(b) Participating in the Second Round Table Conference</p>
<p>(c) Leading a contingent of Indian National Army</p>
<p>(d) Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Who of the following founded the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association? (2009)</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(a) Mahatma Gandhi</span></strong></p>
<p>(b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel</p>
<p>(c) N.M. Joshi</p>
<p>(d) J.B. Kripalani</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. During the Indian Freedom Struggle, who of the following raised an army called &lsquo;Free Indian Legion&rsquo;? (2008)</p>
<p>(a) Lala Hardayal</p>
<p>(b) Rashbehari Bose</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(c) Subhas Chandra Bose</span></strong></p>
<p>(d) V.D. Savarkar</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to educational institutions during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs: (2018)</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 35.0318%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;">&nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Institution</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.9682%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;"><strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Founder</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 35.0318%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;">1. Sanskrit College</td>
<td style="width: 64.9682%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;">&mdash;&nbsp; William Jones at Benaras</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 35.0318%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;">2. Calcutta Madarsa</td>
<td style="width: 64.9682%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;">&mdash;&nbsp; Warren Hastings</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 35.0318%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;">3. Fort William College</td>
<td style="width: 64.9682%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;">&mdash;&nbsp; Arthur Wellesley</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?</p>
<p>(a) 1 and 2</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(b) 2 only</span></strong></p>
<p>(c) 1 and 3</p>
<p>(d) 3 only</p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/60-days-refresher-programme/day-20'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Anganwadi Services',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Right to Food Campaign</strong> has given a memorandum to the Minister for Women and Child Development to resume<strong> provision of hot-cooked meals and ensure implementation of anganwadi services.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Recommendations:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The memorandum suggested that <strong>anganwadi services</strong> (like community-managed growth monitoring, supplementary nutrition, <strong>immunisation,</strong> etc.) should be delivered either within the <strong>day care centres</strong> or <strong>at the houses of the beneficiaries.</strong></li>
<li>It also recommended a<strong> comprehensive package of cooked food and dry rations.</strong></li>
<li>It also sought <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/personal-protective-equipment-for-sanitation-workers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">protective gear</a> for frontline health workers</strong> such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-institute-of-health-family-welfare" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)</strong></a> and anganwadi workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> Following the nationwide <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a> on March 25, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/malnutrition-in-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS)</strong></a> implemented at anganwadis was <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/meal-scheme-hit-due-to-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>discontinued</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It impacted nearly 14 lakh anganwadis and over 8 crore beneficiaries (children under six years and pregnant women and lactating mothers)</li>
<li>The Ministry of Women and Child Development asked State governments and Union Territories to extend <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>food security</strong></a> allowance to each beneficiary.</li>
<li>According to the POSHAN COVID-19 Monitoring report for India compiled in June 2020, by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unicef-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNICEF</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/food-crisis-amid-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Food Programme</strong></a> and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a>, 10 of the 14 most populous States<strong> did not conduct community management of acutely malnourished children </strong>and<strong> eight States were unable to measure growth parameters of children under six years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Right to Food</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Right to Food is recognized as a part of <strong>Right to Life and Personal Liberty (Article 21)</strong> by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nhrc-on-public-s-rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Human Rights Commission.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>The Directive Principles of the State Policy </strong>in<strong> Article 39a,</strong> requires the State to direct its policies towards securing that all its citizens have the right to an adequate means of livelihood.</li>
<li><strong>The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013,</strong> gives the right to food but it is not universal. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It legally entitles up to <strong>75%</strong> of the rural population and <strong>50%</strong> of the urban population to receive subsidized food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In<strong> People's Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India &amp; Others</strong> case (2001), the Supreme Court explicitly established a constitutional human <strong>right to food</strong> and determined a <strong>basic nutritional floor</strong> for India's impoverished millions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Anganwadi</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Anganwadi is a <strong>centrally sponsored scheme</strong> implemented by the States / UTs which serves as a rural child and maternal care centre in India.</li>
<li>It was started by the Government of India In 1975 as part of <strong>the Integrated Child Development Services program</strong> to combat<strong> child hunger and malnutrition.</strong></li>
<li>Anganwadi centres provide a package of six services: <strong>supplementary nutrition, pre-school non-formal education, immunisation, health check-up, nutrition and health education, </strong>and<strong> referral services.</strong></li>
<li>The beneficiaries under the Anganwadi Services Scheme are identified on the basis of <strong>Aadhaar.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>At a time when India is battling with Covid-19 it must take into consideration the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-report-on-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-children" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>impact of the pandemic on children</strong> </a>and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/higher-food-prices-and-nutrition-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>higher food prices in pandemic</strong></a>, and ensure accessibility to nutrition, growth monitoring and health services to every beneficiary.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/higher-food-prices-and-nutrition-security" 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/anganwadi-services'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Report on Future of News in India: Vidhi',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy (Delhi based independent think-tank) released a report examining the <strong>future of news in India.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The worsening economic health of print journalism threatens its ability to credibly inform the public and act as an institutional check upon power.</li>
<li>The environment of digital news operates in a vacuum of regulation. The emergence of a <strong>post-truth paradigm in public communications</strong> and the <strong>widespread proliferation of misinformation</strong> are barriers to realising the benefits of digital news distribution.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Post-truth includes</strong> circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recommendations:</strong> The report has drawn a roadmap of legal reforms to facilitate the transition of high-quality print journalism into the era of digital communications in a manner that benefits the public good.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Checking the Dominance of Online Advertising Platforms:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>advertisement-revenue model</strong> for digital news may be displaying indications of market failure. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In an advertising-revenue model, the online companies publish free content that drives hundreds, thousands or millions of visitors to the site on a monthly basis. Advertisers pay the online companies to get in front of these visitors, this helps Businesses generate their revenue from the fees advertisers pay for this access.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To orient the market for digital news towards the public good, the <strong>role and practices of online advertising platforms must be systematically studied by a specialised authority.</strong></li>
<li>The report has recommended the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/competition-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Competition Commission of India</strong> </a>to investigate the dominance of online advertising platforms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enacting Comprehensive Measures to Address Misinformation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It suggests a range of legislative, co-regulatory and voluntary measures which provide an integrated framework to prevent the spread of misinformation and enhance reader literacy. Example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Development of industry standards to identify misinformation.</li>
<li>Use of analytics to identify patterns of misinformation, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Appropriate Responsibilities on Digital News Entities:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The report calls to fill the legal vacuum for digital news in a manner which is sensitive to the nuances of online discourse.</li>
<li>It recommends granting limited powers to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/press-council-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Press Council of India</strong></a>, in conjunction with a voluntary registration procedure and the development of a brief, accessible <strong>code of conduct</strong> as a mechanism for the imposition of <strong>editorial responsibility.</strong></li>
<li>The role of online platforms in the distribution of news should be addressed through targeted interventions based on the design aspects of such platforms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596880652_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596880652_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="628" height="576" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/probe-dominance-of-online-advertising-platforms-says-report-on-the-future-of-digital-news/article32298509.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Loya Jirga: Grand Assembly of Afghanistan',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a three-day <strong>Loya Jirga-grand assembly</strong> has been called in Afghanistan to decide on freeing about 400 Taliban fighters convicted for serious crimes including murder and abductions.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Loya Jirga</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>mass national gathering</strong> that brings together representatives from the various ethnic, religious, and tribal communities in Afghanistan.</li>
<li>It is a highly respected <strong>centuries-old consultative body</strong> that has been <strong>convened at times of national crisis or to settle national issues.</strong></li>
<li>According to the Afghan Constitution, a Loya Jirga is considered the <strong>highest expression</strong> of the Afghan people. It is <strong>not an official decision-making body</strong> and its <strong>decisions are not legally binding.</strong></li>
<li>However, the Loya Jirga's decision is seen as final, with the president and parliament expected to respect the ruling.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Need for Convening Loya Jirga:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Loya Jirga has been convened after the Afghanistan President refused to release the Taliban prisoners. This threatened the <strong>derailment of intra-Afghan talks,</strong> tentatively scheduled for 10<sup>th</sup> August 2020 in Doha. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Taliban has also threatened of more bloodshed if the prisoners are not released.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The USA believes that the talks between the Afghanistan government and Taliban will lead to reduction of violence and direct talks, resulting in a peace agreement and an end to the war in Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The prisoner exchanges are part of the agreements signed by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-taliban-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USA and Taliban</strong></a> and the USA and Afghanistan government in February 2020.</li>
<li>However, these were delayed for several months, and the intra-Afghan talks that were scheduled on 10<sup>th</sup> March had to be put off. Few argue that the<strong> current Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani is deliberately delaying peace talks</strong> with the Taliban to retain power because it is speculated that <strong>negotiations could seek a neutral interim government that</strong> may cost Mr.Ghani his post.</li>
<li>The USA announced to withdraw its forces and reduced its strength to about 8000, after pushing for the Afghanistan government to release the Taliban prisoners, and for the Taliban to release Afghan soldiers and civilians in its custody.</li>
<li>Over the past few weeks, the USA government has been keen to speed up the Taliban-Afghan reconciliation process, with an eye on the November 2020 Presidential elections.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Interests in Afghanistan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has a <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indias-role-in-afghanistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>major stake</strong></a> in the stability of Afghanistan. India has invested considerable resources in Afghanistan's development.<strong> E.g.</strong> the <strong>Afghan Parliament, the Zaranj-Delaram Highway,</strong> Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam<strong> (Salma Dam)</strong> among others.</li>
<li>India favours the continuation of the current Afghanistan government in power, which it considers a strategic asset vis-&agrave;-vis Pakistan.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An increased political and military role for the Taliban and the expansion of its territorial control should be of great concern to India since the Taliban is widely believed to be a prot&eacute;g&eacute; of Pakistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Afghanistan is the gateway to Central Asia.</li>
<li>Withdrawal of US troops could result in the breeding of the fertile ground for various anti-India terrorist outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish-e-Mohammed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596880173_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596880173_pasted image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India should support any genuine peace process in Afghanistan. However, the peace process in Afghanistan is <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-taliban-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>one-sided and pushed by the U.S.A. and Pakistan.</strong></a></li>
<li>India should not recognise or publicly engage the Taliban until it recognises the Afghanistan government.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/loya-jirga-to-decide-on-prisoner-release-begins/article32298599.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'TRIFED’s Digitisation Drive',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed#:~:text=The%20Tribal%20Cooperative%20Marketing%20Development,of%20Ministry%20of%20Tribal%20Affairs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India</strong></a> (TRIFED) celebrated its<strong> 33<sup>rd</sup> Foundation Day on 6<sup>th</sup> August 2020</strong> and launched its own virtual office on the same day.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Virtual Office:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has <strong>81 online workstations and 100 additional converging State and agency workstations</strong> that will help the team members of TRIFED in working with their partners across the country on mission-mode towards bringing the tribal people closer to mainstream development.</li>
<li>To gauge the level of employee engagement and streamline their efforts, an <strong>Employee Engagement and Work Distribution Matrix</strong> with Dashboard Links has also been launched.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, <strong>every aspect</strong> like shopping, banking, working, etc. has gone <strong>online</strong> and it has been observed that the trend has increased even after relaxations of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdowns</strong></a>.</li>
<li>All these organisational initiatives are a part of TRIFED&rsquo;s ambitious <strong>all-encompassing digitisation drive </strong>to<strong> promote tribal commerce </strong>and<strong> map and link its village-based tribal producers and artisans to national and international markets</strong> by setting up<strong> state of art e-platforms</strong> benchmarked to international standards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Formation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>TRIFED came into existence in <strong>1987</strong> as the<strong> national nodal agency</strong> under the aegis of the <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>It was registered under the then <strong>Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>started its operations in 1988</strong> with its <strong>head office in New Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> Socio-economic development of tribal people, promotion of economic welfare, empowerment of tribal people with knowledge, tools and information and their capacity building.</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong> It mainly undertakes two functions which are <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/msp-hiked-for-minor-forest-produce#:~:text=MFP%2Drich%20districts.-,Minor%20Forest%20Produce%20(MFP),live%20in%20or%20near%20forests." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minor Forest Produce</strong> </a>(MFP) Development and Retail Marketing and Development.</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives and Involvement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It started the<strong> procurement and marketing of tribal art and craft items</strong> through its<strong> first retail outlet</strong> called <strong>TRIBES INDIA</strong> in New Delhi in <strong>1999.</strong></li>
<li>It has organised the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/van-dhan-internship-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Van Dhan Internship Programme</strong></a>, to enhance the output of the <strong>Van Dhan Yojana.</strong></li>
<li>It has also launched a transformational <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tech-for-tribals-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tech For Tribals program</strong></a> in partnership with <strong>Institutes of National Importance</strong> (INIs) to develop Tribal entrepreneurship.</li>
<li><strong>TRIFOOD Scheme</strong> is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Food Processing Industry, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED and it <strong>promotes value addition to</strong> MFP.</li>
<li><strong>Mechanism for Marketing of MFP through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minimum Support Price</a> (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP</strong> was<strong> implemented in 2013</strong> to<strong> ensure fair returns to forest dwelling <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes#:~:text=However%2C%20Article%20366(25),the%20purposes%20of%20this%20Constitution.%E2%80%9D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheduled Tribes</a></strong> (STs) and other traditional forest dwellers.</li>
<li>It has organized a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/webinar-on-covid-19-response-by-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Webinar on Covid-19 Response</strong></a> in collaboration with the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unicef-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Children&rsquo;s Fund</strong></a> (UNICEF) and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation</strong></a> (WHO).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The webinar was organised for virtual training of TRIFED Trainers and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/self-help-groups-shgs#:~:text=Self%2DHelp%20Groups%20(SHGs),to%20collectively%20perform%20common%20purpose." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Self Help Groups</strong> </a>(SHGs) on basic orientation on Covid-19 response and key preventive measures to ensure that tribal gatherers carry on their work safely.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1644087" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Food System Vision 2050 Prize: Rockefeller Foundation',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Rockefeller Foundation has selected Naandi Foundation</strong> (a Hyderabad based non-profit organisation), as one of the<strong> top 10 &lsquo;Visionaries&rsquo;</strong> in the world for the <strong>Food System Vision 2050 Prize.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Naandi was recognised for its<strong> Arakunomics model.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Food System Vision Prize:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was launched by the<strong> USA-based &lsquo;The Rockefeller Foundation&rsquo;,</strong> in partnership with the other two organisations - SecondMuse and OpenIDEO- in 2019.</li>
<li>It is an invitation for organizations across the globe to <strong>develop a Vision of the regenerative and nourishing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/food-systems" target="_blank" rel="noopener">food system</a> that they aspire to create by the year 2050.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Food System Vision</strong> is a story about the future that addresses the<strong> following six interconnected themes:</strong> Environment, Diets, Economics, Culture, Technology and Policy.</li>
<li>The notion is that by transforming food systems, following <strong>challenges can be addressed:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A global population approaching 10 billion,</li>
<li>Greenhouse gasses changing the climate,</li>
<li>Pollution poisoning soil, air, and water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>USD 2 million will be distributed to the Top Visionaries,</strong> who will be eligible to receive a prize of <strong>USD 2,00,000 each.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Naandi Foundation (Arakunomics):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The organisation was recognised for the application of <strong>Arakunomics</strong> model in regions of <strong>Araku</strong> (Andhra Pradesh), <strong>Wardha</strong> (Maharashtra) and<strong> New Delhi,</strong> leading to the Food Vision 2050 that follows an <strong>&ldquo;ABCDEFGH&rdquo;</strong> framework centring on: <strong>A</strong>griculture, <strong>B</strong>iology, <strong>C</strong>ompost, <strong>D</strong>ecentralised decision-making, <strong>E</strong>ntrepreneurs, <strong>F</strong>amilies, <strong>G</strong>lobal Markets, and <strong>&lsquo;H</strong>eadstands (implying innovation)&rsquo;.</li>
<li>Arakunomics is a new integrated<strong> economic model</strong> that ensures profits for farmers, quality for consumers through <strong>regenerative agriculture.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is based on work with tribal farmers in Araku for nearly 20 years.</li>
<li>This economic model is a tribute to the tribal farmers of Araku region for the world class coffee produced and launched in Paris in 2017, as well as for the high carbon landscape transformation they did in over 955 villages, thereby planting 25 million trees.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Arakunomics success in Araku led to Naandi replicating the model to support the livelihoods of farming communities in the villages of <strong>Wardha &ndash; infamous for agrarian distress,</strong> as well as later in <strong>New Delhi,</strong> as part of an <strong>Urban Farms Co programme.</strong></li>
<li>Naandi hopes to expand its &ldquo;food-print&rdquo; by creating thousands of farm livelihoods by transforming their agriculture over one million acres spread across India.</li>
<li>Rockefeller Foundation will release USD 1,50,000 at present and the balance USD 50,000 after a three-month accelerator programme that is intended to help Naandi realise its vision.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Regenerative Agriculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>&ldquo;Regenerative Agriculture&rdquo; describes farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits,<strong> reverse climate change</strong> by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity &ndash; resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle.</li>
<li>The key to regenerative agriculture is that it <strong>not only &ldquo;does no harm&rdquo; to the land but actually improves it,</strong> using technologies that regenerate and revitalize the soil and the environment.</li>
<li>Regenerative agriculture leads to healthy soil, capable of producing high quality, nutrient dense food while simultaneously improving, rather than degrading land, and ultimately leading to productive farms and healthy communities and economies.</li>
<li>It is dynamic and holistic, incorporating<strong> permaculture</strong> (sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural ecosystems) and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/organic-food-regulatory-system-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>organic farming practices</strong></a>, including conservation tillage, cover crops, crop rotation, composting, mobile animal shelters and pasture cropping, to increase food production, farmers&rsquo; income and especially, topsoil.</li>
<li>It has been promoted <strong>to counter loss of the world&rsquo;s fertile soil and biodiversity,</strong> along with the loss of indigenous seeds and knowledge.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/food-vision-2050-prize-for-naandi-foundation/article32298507.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Credibility of Nuclear Deterrence',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/bringing-nuclear-risks-back-into-popular-imagination/article32311140.ece?utm_source=rss_feed&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=rss_syndication" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bringing nuclear risks back into popular imagination</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 10/08/2020. This article deals with the pros &amp; cons of nuclear deterrence and new challenges to the doctrine.</p>
</div>
<p>6<sup>th</sup> August 2020 marked the 75 year of humanitarian crisis that was caused by the dropping of a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan by the United States of America.</p>
<p>It has been 75 years since then, the world hasn&rsquo;t seen the use of nuclear bombs. Many security experts all around the globe attribute this stability and world peace, to the <strong>Nuclear Deterrence Doctrine.</strong> Moreover, after the end of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong></a> the possibility of a nuclear war has been further diminished.</p>
<p>However, technological and other geopolitical development, in present times, has raised concerns about the efficacy of Nuclear Deterrence doctrine.</p>
<p>Therefore, the need of the hour is the revival of public debate on the humanitarian cost of Nuclear war or accident and elimination for nuclear arsenal.</p>
<h3>What is Nuclear Deterrence?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nuclear Deterrence is a military doctrine according to which the possibility that a country will use the nuclear weapons it possesses in retaliation will deter an enemy from attacking.</li>
<li>This doctrine is based on the underlying philosophy that Nuclear weapons are so destructive that no country would use them, because such use would cause massive humanitarian crisis and no political leader would be willing to risk the possible death of millions of their citizens.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Advantages of Nuclear Deterrence</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Nuclear Weapons, As a deterrent to Global Conflict:</strong> The threat of being overpowered or having mutually-assured destruction is enough to prevent the world&rsquo;s superpowers from escalating a conflict to the point that a military confrontation becomes necessary.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Deterrence enthusiasts claim that nuclear weapons do not just protect countries against use of nuclear weapons by others, but even prevent war and promote stability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enhances Bargaining Power of a Country:</strong> Nuclear weapons gives a geo-strategic advantage to countries.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example North Korea has independently developed this technology, giving it a seat at the negotiation table with the USA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increased Scope of Weapons Maneuverability:</strong> Nuclear weapons can be launched from Land, Water and Air.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This provides much flexibility to Nuclear weapons as their conventional counterparts. This versatility is a definite advantage when considering the scope of deterrence doctrine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Disadvantages of Nuclear Deterrence</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Doesn&rsquo;t Stall Warfare at Small Scale:</strong> Nuclear weapons have not been shown to prevent small scale/guerrilla warfare. As there is always a possibility of escalation of conflict, the chance of Nuclear Warfare can not be eliminated.</li>
<li><strong>Unequal Advantage:</strong> With the unequal distribution of nuclear capabilities in today's world, certain nations are at an immediate advantage over other countries.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since 1945, the United States, the Soviet Union/Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, Israel, India, Pakistan, and North Korea have armed themselves with nuclear weapons that have much more destructive power in comparison to those that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Not Applicable Against Non-State Actors:</strong> Nuclear deterrence does not protect against nuclear terrorists, who are not tied down by a specific nation.</li>
<li><strong>No Guarantee of World Peace:</strong> There is no assurance of peace even both the conflicting countries may possess nuclear weapons.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The most famous of these cases is the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>New Challenges To Nuclear Deterrence Doctrine</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Emergence of the New Cold War:</strong> As the world has entered into the phase of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>new</strong> <strong>Cold War</strong></a> between US and China, the chances of nuclear conflict has again resurfaced.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, as nuclear capabilities grow and inter-state trust diminishes, chances of stumbling into nuclear war are high.</li>
<li>Among the risks of nuclear use, there is a likelihood is that of inadvertent escalation due to miscalculation or misperceptions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Emergence of Rogue States:</strong> Rogue nation or state regarded as breaking international law and posing a threat to the security of other nations.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to possession of Nuclear weapons with North Korea, many countries perceive it as a rogue state.</li>
<li>Also, countries with nuclear weapons may deploy them through proxies or non-state actors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chance of Limited Nuclear War:</strong> Limited nuclear war is defined as war in which each side exercises restraint in the use of nuclear weapons, employing only a limited number of weapons on selected targets.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Selected targets could include enemy forces, command and control centers or particular sites of strategic importance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technological Advancement: <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Industrial revolution 4.0</a></strong> has blurred the lines between conventional and nuclear delivery. For example:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Advancing capabilities of cyberattacks on nuclear command and control.</li>
<li>Induction of hypersonic missiles capable of high speed and manoeuvrability, has made it impossible to intercept nuclear weapons once they are launched.</li>
<li>Incorporation of artificial intelligence in nuclear decision making are new developments that threaten to create unknown risks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks have shown the scale of massive human tragedy and long-term repercussions for food &amp; water availability, agricultural output, climate change, migration, etc.</p>
<p>In order to get nations to understand this, there is a need to compel nations to rationalise their weapon requirements; force them to find ways of reducing nuclear risks; and gradually pave the path towards elimination of nuclear weapons. This could be most effectively done through use of Creative media.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597156189_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597156189_pasted image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="635" height="435" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f0f1fa;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Amid technological and other geopolitical development, discuss the viability of nuclear deterrence as an instrument of world peace.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jtVdurynQJs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/balancing-priorities-the-hindu-editorial-on-development-and-environment/article32311128.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Balancing priorities: On development and environment&rdquo;</strong></a> published in The Hindu on August 10<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Watch this on our Youtube channel now.</p>',
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	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'UGC on University Exams',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ukieri-ugc-higher-education-leadership-development-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>University Grants Commission (UGC)</strong></a> objected to Maharashtra and Delhi governments employing the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-disaster-management-authority-ndma-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Disaster Management Act, 2005</strong></a> to cancel the examinations of students amid the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> pandemic.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UGC had directed that final year examinations of Universities must be conducted by September-end in online or offline mode. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The UGC<strong> Guidelines on Examinations and Academic Calendar for Universities in view of Covid-19 Pandemic</strong> were recently revised.</li>
<li>The new guidelines allow students to opt for <strong>offline or online or the &ldquo;blended&rdquo;</strong> manner in which students can alternate between online and physical modes of attending the exams.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Hower, many States/UTs like Delhi, Maharashtra and Punjab announced cancellation of these examinations<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While <strong>Delhi</strong> has cited &lsquo;the reality of digital divide as a reason for scrapping university final year examination&rsquo;, states like <strong>Maharashtra</strong> have used Disaster Management Act for the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The UGC is calling <strong>&lsquo;cancellation of examination&rsquo;</strong> a populist move which may undermine the future of higher education in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arguments For Conducting Examination:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UGC argued that the conduct of examinations was entirely within the domain of the UGC which is a <strong>statutory body,</strong> as per the <strong>UGC Act.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>University Grants Commission Act, 1956</strong> makes provision for the co-ordination and determination of standards in Universities and for that purpose, provides for establishment of UGC.</li>
<li>Under this Act, the <strong>determination and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination and research in Universities</strong> fall under the ambit of power and functions of UGC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Higher education is on the<strong> concurrent list.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>42<sup>nd</sup> amendment Act, 1976</strong> shifted Education from State list to Concurrent List, empowering both the central and state government to make rules on Education.</li>
<li>Therefore,<strong> UGC and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiatives-of-aicte" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education)</a></strong> directives have to be implemented in this case.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>AICTE</strong> is the statutory body and the national-level council for technical education in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As the UGC said, <strong>the courts of law have a limited role</strong> in framing policy on academic issues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitations of Conducting Examinations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As<strong> the teaching-learning process has been hampered</strong> by the Covid-19 pandemic, the basis of assessment of learning by the students has been negated in the first hand.</li>
<li>Many universities are not technically prepared for taking examinations in the online mode.</li>
<li>The<strong> reliance on written, subjective-type exams</strong> for the evaluation of students is an archaic model of education which has been done away by many prestigious colleges around the globe, like the Oxford, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) or National Law Universities.</li>
<li>At a time when the country is struggling with a global health and economic crisis, the pressure of exams may <strong>negatively impact the physical and mental well-being</strong> of the student.</li>
<li><strong>Inequality of internet access</strong> among the student fraternity, a lack of adequate <strong>online study material,</strong> and grievances of <strong>students with disabilities</strong> are also some of the shortcomings of taking examinations at this juncture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>central</strong> and <strong>the state governments</strong> should <strong>act in partnership</strong> to devise rules and regulations in order to impart quality education and create human resources with superior mental ability and adaptability.</li>
<li>The education system must move <strong>beyond numerically-defined academic success</strong> and should take into account development of critical thinking, comparative and analytical modalities of instruction and meaningful, engaging classroom discussion and participation.</li>
<li>It is clear in the light of this pandemic that <strong>bridging the digital divide</strong> in India is crucial for education to reach the last mile. Campaigns like <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital India</strong> </a>can go a long way to end this inequality of access to the internet.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/covid-19-ugc-objects-in-supreme-court-to-maharashtra-and-delhi-cancelling-exams/article32315313.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'PMJAY Affected by Lockdowns',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the <strong>&ldquo;Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) Policy Brief (8): PMJAY Under Lockdown: Evidence on Utilization Trends&rsquo;&rsquo;,</strong> the <strong>nationwide lockdown</strong> has had a significant negative impact on inpatient care utilisation under the scheme.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The analysis covers<strong> 22 weeks of data, from 1<sup>st</sup> January to 2<sup>nd</sup> June 2020.</strong> The national lockdown started on 25<sup>th</sup> March and was significantly relaxed as of 1st June.</li>
<li>The analysis is based on claims <strong>data drawn from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PMJAY</a> Transaction Management System</strong> (TMS) and the <strong>main indicator of claim volumes</strong> (utilization) is <strong>non-rejected pre-authorisation requests.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It offers a sum insured of <strong>Rs. 5 lakh per family for secondary care</strong> (which doesn&rsquo;t involve a super-specialist) as well as<strong> tertiary care</strong> (which involves a super-specialist).</li>
<li>It is an<strong> entitlement-based scheme</strong> that targets the beneficiaries as identified by the latest <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-census-challenges-importance#:~:text=While%20the%20Socio%2DEconomic%20Caste,the%20family%20will%20be%20collected." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Socio-Economic Caste Census</strong></a> <strong>(SECC) data.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Once identified by the database, the beneficiary is considered insured and can walk into any empanelled hospital.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The insurance cost is <strong>shared by the centre and the state mostly in the ratio of 60:40.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Packaged rates</strong> are the rates which include everything so that each product or service is not charged for separately.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These rates also mention the number of average days of hospitalization for a medical procedure and supporting documents that are needed.</li>
<li>These are flexible but the hospitals can&rsquo;t charge the beneficiary more once fixed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>National Health Authority</strong> (NHA) has been constituted as an <strong>autonomous entity under the Society Registration Act, 1860</strong> for effective implementation of PMJAY in alliance with state governments.</li>
<li>The <strong>State Health Agency</strong> (SHA) is the <strong>apex body of the State Government</strong> responsible for the implementation of PMJAY in a State.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Demographic groups,</strong> women, younger and older populations (under 20 and over 60) <strong>reduced their utilisation</strong> by more than men, young adults or the middle-aged.</li>
<li>Among <strong>procedures, planned surgeries such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aspirin-to-prevent-cataract" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cataract</a> operations and joint replacements suffered a decline</strong> of over 90%, while hemodialysis (also known as dialysis which is a process of purifying the blood) declined by only 20%.</li>
<li>Overall, <strong>average weekly claim volumes</strong> in 10 weeks of lockdown <strong>were 51% lower</strong> than the weekly average observed during the 12 weeks prior to the lockdown.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>steepest decline</strong> (over 75%) was registered in<strong> Assam,</strong> followed by <strong>Maharashtra and Bihar,</strong> while much <strong>smaller declines</strong> (about 25% or less) were observed in <strong>Uttarakhand, Punjab and Kerala.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There was a <strong>small but perceptible shift in PMJAY utilisation from the public to private hospitals.</strong></li>
<li>Significant declines were noticed in <strong>admissions for child delivery and oncology</strong> (study and treatment of tumours).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> utilisation of neo-natal packages declined by 24%.</strong></li>
<li>There was a slight<strong> shift from public to private hospitals for neonatal care</strong> and the<strong> largest declines</strong> have been observed in the public sector in<strong> Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>64% decline in oncology volumes</strong> across India was concentrated in a few States.</li>
<li>In the<strong> public sector,</strong> which plays a smaller role in oncology care under PMJAY, there was a <strong>90% decline in claims in Maharashtra</strong> and a <strong>65% decline in Tamil Nadu.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>While <strong>access to medical facilities was one of the few exceptions</strong> to stay-at-home orders during the lockdown, <strong>care-seeking behaviours and healthcare provision</strong> were nevertheless<strong> significantly affected,</strong> due to the following<strong> reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>On the Supply Side:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hospitals may be<strong> preoccupied with Covid-19 preparations or caseloads,</strong> resulting in fewer resources for non-Covid-19 cases.</li>
<li>This may be particularly relevant in public hospitals, which have been the primary focus of the policy response and could extend to activities such as submitting pre-authorisation requests or claims documents as required under PMJAY.</li>
<li><strong>Private hospitals may reduce services out of fear</strong> among health workers that they will become infected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On the Demand Side:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>PMJAY beneficiaries might <strong>delay or forego treatment due to fear of infection</strong> at a hospital.</li>
<li>They may not be able to reach hospitals due to <strong>public transport shutdowns and mobility constraints.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>economic crisis</strong> may affect financial considerations related to seeking care.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Health experts have highlighted that <strong>ensuring the least possible impact on key health programmes</strong> will be an ongoing challenge which needs <strong>continued close monitoring.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/inpatient-care-utilisation-under-pmjay-badly-hit-by-lockdown-analysis/article32318739.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Biofuel Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-biofuel-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Biofuel Day</strong></a> is observed on <strong>10<sup>th</sup> August every year.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Theme for 2020: <em>&ldquo;Biofuels towards Atmanirbhar Bharat&rdquo;.</em> </strong></li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To <strong>create awareness</strong> about the importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels and to <strong>highlight</strong> the various efforts made by the Government in the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biofuels-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biofuel</strong></a> sector.</li>
<li><strong>Celebrated by:</strong> Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas <strong>since 2015.</strong></li>
<li>Biofuels programme is also in synergy with Government of India&rsquo;s initiative of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Govt Initiatives to Promote Biofuels</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Biofuel:</strong> Any hydrocarbon fuel that is produced from an organic matter (living or once living material) in a short period of time (days, weeks, or even months) is considered a biofuel.</li>
<li><strong>Blending of biofuels: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/Government-Allows-Ethanol-Extraction-for-Blending-from-Foodgrains." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme</a></strong>, Administrative price mechanism for ethanol, Simplifying the procurement procedures by <strong>Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs),</strong> amending the provisions of Industries (Development &amp; Regulation) Act, 1951 etc are some of the initiatives taken to <strong>promote blending of biofuels.</strong></li>
<li>Researchers at the <strong>International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)</strong> are developing a method to use <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/biofuel-from-microorganisms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cyanobacterium for biofuel production.</strong></a></li>
<li>Recently, the<strong> Central government</strong> has also allowed the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/conversion-of-surplus-rice-to-ethanol" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>conversion of surplus rice to ethanol.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Initiatives by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Development of 2G Ethanol and transfer of the technology to <strong>OMCs.</strong></li>
<li>Development of Indigenous Cellulolytic Enzyme for the production of biofuels.</li>
<li>Strengthened the international collaboration to accelerate innovation in Sustainable Biofuel through multilateral programs like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aim-icrest-niti-aayog" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) </strong></a>and<strong> Biofuture Platform.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-ji-van-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana</a>, 2019:</strong> The objective of the scheme is to create an ecosystem for setting up commercial projects and to boost Research and Development in 2G Ethanol sector</li>
<li><strong>GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) DHAN scheme, 2018:</strong> It focuses on managing and converting cattle dung and solid waste in farms to useful compost,biogas and bio-CNG, thus keeping villages clean and increasing the income of rural households. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was launched under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/scheme-for-used-cooking-oil" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Repurpose Used Cooking Oil</a> (RUCO):</strong> It was launched by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-safety-and-standards-authority-of-india-fssai" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)</strong> </a>aims for an ecosystem that will enable the collection and conversion of used cooking oil to biodiesel.</li>
<li><strong>National Policy on Biofuels, 2018:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Policy categorises biofuels as "Basic Biofuels" viz. <strong>First Generation (1G) bioethanol &amp; biodiesel and "Advanced Biofuels"- Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)</strong> to drop-in fuels, Third Generation (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG etc. to enable extension of appropriate financial and fiscal incentives under each category.</li>
<li>It expands the scope of raw material for ethanol production by allowing use of sugarcane juice, sugar containing materials like sugar beet, sweet sorghum, starch containing materials like corn, cassava, damaged food grains like wheat,broken rice, rotten potatoes, unfit for human consumption for ethanol production.</li>
<li>The Policy allows <strong>use of surplus food grains for production of ethanol</strong> for blending with petrol with the approval of National Biofuel Coordination Committee.</li>
<li>With a thrust on<strong> Advanced Biofuels,</strong> the Policy indicates a viability gap funding scheme for <strong>2G ethanol Bio refineries</strong> of Rs. 5000 crore in 6 years in addition to additional tax incentives, higher purchase price as compared to 1G biofuels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597137699_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597137699_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Promotion of the use of biofuels in transportation in the countries like India will help in <strong>reducing the crude import bill.</strong></li>
<li>India being a large agricultural economy, there is a large amount of agricultural residues available, therefore the scope of producing Biofuels is immense in the country. Biofuels can help in rural and agricultural development in the form of new cash crops.</li>
<li>Efforts for producing sustainable biofuels should be made by ensuring use of wastelands and municipal wastes that get generated in cities. A properly designed and implemented biofuel solution can provide both food and energy.</li>
<li>A community-based biodiesel distribution programme that benefits local economies, from the farmers growing the feedstock to local businesses producing and distributing the fuel to the end consumer, will be a welcome step.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1644755" 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/biofuel-day-2'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Sunspots',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A massive <strong>Sunspot group &lsquo;AR2770&rsquo;,</strong> which was detected recently, has <strong>emitted minor space flares.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These flares have<strong> not caused any major impact on the Earth.</strong> However, these have <strong>led to minor waves of ionization</strong> to ripple through the <strong>Earth&rsquo;s upper atmosphere.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597133991_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597133991_image3.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sunspots:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sunspots (some as large as 50,000 km in diameter) are areas that <strong>appear dark on the surface of the Sun (photosphere).</strong> They appear dark because they are <strong>cooler than other parts of the Sun&rsquo;s surface.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the temperature of a sunspot is still very hot &mdash;around 6,500 degrees Fahrenheit.</li>
<li><strong>Photosphere</strong> is a visible surface of the Sun, from which is emitted most of the Sun&rsquo;s light that reaches Earth directly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They are relatively cool because they <strong>form at areas where magnetic fields are particularly strong.</strong> These magnetic fields are so strong that they keep some of the heat within the Sun from reaching the surface.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597134012_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597134012_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Magnetic field in such areas is about <strong>2,500 times stronger than Earth&rsquo;s.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They typically<strong> consist of a dark region</strong> called the<strong> &lsquo;umbra&rsquo;,</strong> which is <strong>surrounded by a lighter region</strong> called the<strong> &lsquo;penumbra&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>In every <strong>solar cycle,</strong> the <strong>number of Sunspots increases and decreases.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>current solar cycle,</strong> which<strong> began in 2008,</strong> is in its <strong>&lsquo;solar minimum&rsquo;</strong> phase, when the number of Sunspots and solar flares is at a routine low.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Solar Flares:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>magnetic field lines near sunspots often tangle, cross, and reorganize.</strong> This can cause a<strong> sudden explosion of energy called a solar flare.</strong></li>
<li>The solar flare explosion&rsquo;s energy can be <strong>equivalent</strong> to a trillion <strong>&lsquo;Little boy&rsquo; <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/75th-anniversary-of-hiroshima-bombing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.</a></strong></li>
<li>Solar flares release a lot of radiation into space. Solar flares, when powerful enough, <strong>can disrupt satellite and radio transmission on the Earth,</strong> and more severe ones can cause<strong> &lsquo;geomagnetic storms&rsquo;</strong> that can <strong>damage transformers in power grids.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A geomagnetic storm is a <strong>major disturbance of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/1-d-simulation-code-to-study-earth-s-magnetosphere" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Earth&rsquo;s magnetosphere</a></strong> that occurs when there is a very efficient <strong>exchange of energy from the solar wind into the space surrounding Earth.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Magnetosphere is a region around the Earth dominated by the Earth&rsquo;s magnetic field.</li>
<li>It protects the Earth from solar and cosmic radiation as well as erosion of the atmosphere by the solar wind - the constant flow of charged particles streaming off the Sun.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Solar flares are sometimes accompanied by a<strong> Coronal Mass Ejection (CME).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>CMEs are huge bubbles of radiation and particles from the <strong>Sun&rsquo;s Corona (outermost region of the Sun&rsquo;s atmosphere).</strong> They explode into space at very high speed when the Sun&rsquo;s magnetic field lines suddenly reorganize.</li>
<li>They can trigger intense light in the sky on Earth, called<strong> auroras.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Some of the energy and small particles travel down the magnetic field lines at the north and south poles into Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere.</li>
<li>There, the particles<strong> interact with gases in the atmosphere resulting in beautiful displays of light in the sky.</strong> Oxygen gives off green and red light. Nitrogen glows blue and purple.</li>
<li>The aurora in Earth&rsquo;s northern atmosphere is called an <strong>aurora borealis or northern lights.&nbsp;</strong>It&rsquo;s southern counterpart is called an <strong>aurora australis or the southern lights.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597134039_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597134039_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="500" height="283" /></strong></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Solar Cycle</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Sun is a huge ball of electrically-charged hot gas. This charged gas moves, generating a powerful magnetic field. The Sun's magnetic field goes through a cycle, called the solar cycle.</li>
<li><strong>Every 11 years or so,</strong> the Sun's magnetic field completely flips. This means that the Sun's north and south poles switch places. Then it takes about another 11 years for the Sun&rsquo;s north and south poles to flip back again.</li>
<li>The <strong>solar cycle affects activity on the surface of the Sun, such as sunspots</strong> which are caused by the Sun's magnetic fields. As the magnetic fields change, so does the amount of activity on the Sun's surface.</li>
<li>One way to track the solar cycle is by counting the number of sunspots. <strong>The beginning of a solar cycle is a solar minimum, or when the Sun has the least sunspots.</strong> Over time, solar activity&mdash;and the number of sunspots&mdash;increases.</li>
<li>The <strong>middle of the solar cycle is the solar maximum,</strong> or when the Sun has the most sunspots. As the cycle ends, it fades back to the solar minimum and then a new cycle begins.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-are-sunspots-and-why-they-occasionally-spark-worry-6548800/" 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/sunspots'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'K.V. Kamath Committee on Restructuring of Loans',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3 style="padding-left: 30px;">Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> has set up a committee headed by <strong>K.V. Kamath on restructuring of loans</strong> impacted by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> The Committee is tasked to <strong>recommend parameters for one-time restructuring of corporate loans.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Committee will formulate sector-specific resolution plans for all accounts with total loan exposure of Rs.1,500 crore and above.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Deadline:</strong> It will <strong>submit its recommendations to RBI in 30 days.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> In the recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/monetary-policy-report-rbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Monetary Policy report</strong></a>, RBI has allowed banks to restructure loans <strong>to reduce the rising stress on incomes and balance sheets</strong> of large corporates, <strong>Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)</strong> as well as individuals.</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong> A large number of firms that otherwise maintain a good track record are facing the challenge as their debt burden is becoming disproportionate, relative to their cash flow generation abilities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can potentially impact their long-term viability and pose significant financial stability risks if it becomes widespread. It may also lead to an increase in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/warning-of-higher-npas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Performing Assets.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility: Only those borrowers will be eligible for restructuring whose accounts were classified as standard and not in default for more than 30 days</strong> with any lending institution as on 1<sup>st</sup> March, 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All <strong>other accounts</strong> will be considered for restructuring under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbis-debt-resolution-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prudential Framework</strong></a> issued by the RBI in 2019, or the relevant instructions as applicable to specific categories of lending institutions where the prudential framework is not applicable.</li>
<li>The restructuring efforts <strong>may or may not include a moratorium on instalment repayments.</strong> RBI has left the decision of moratorium on banks, with an eye on averting such loans from slipping into non-performing assets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/review-choice-of-kamath-as-head-of-panel/article32320261.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/k-v-kamath-committee-on-restructuring-of-loans'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Languages, Culture & Values',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3YxlHJa5L30" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Introduction</h3>
<p>Recently the cabinet approved the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>new education policy 2020</strong></a> to bring large-scale transformational reforms in the education sector in both School And Higher Education. The new education policy has come after a gap of 34 years it stipulates to overhaul the existing education system.</p>
<p>Among highlights of the new education policy 2020 is the decision to make mother tongue as the medium of instruction up to 5<sup>th</sup> class. The objective is to create a long-term impact on nation building. It may also create a profound effect on the ongoing process of human resource development and to help students establish social and cultural relationships with the environment they are living in.</p>
<h3>Benefits of Introducing the Mother Tongue in Primary Education</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Creating space for other activities:</strong> The burden of learning a new language in childhood would be avoided creating space to pursue other spheres of knowledge or learning other skills.</li>
<li><strong>Fulfilling the constitutional obligation:</strong> Article 350A of the Constitution of India provides that it shall be the endeavour of every state and of every local authority within the state to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children especially to those belonging to linguistic minority groups</li>
<li><strong>Developing a sense of pride:</strong> Learning in mother tongue could Infuse a sense of ownership and pride in one's own culture and heritage in primary school children.</li>
<li><strong>Complements the three language formula:</strong> Introducing <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/2020-08-07" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>mother tongue</strong></a> at primary level sets a strong base to learn other languages at the higher level of education. It could help in promoting multilingualism and national harmony.</li>
<li><strong>Rescuing the extinction of languages:</strong> Among the world's 4000, 10% of languages which face the threat of extinction in the next 50 years are being spoken in India.</li>
<li><strong>Developing competencies:</strong> UNESCO World conference on arts and cultural education highlighted that awareness and expressions are one of the eight three competencies that should develop in a child. These competencies would be more easily developed in children by building linguistic capacities in mother tongue</li>
<li><strong>Promotion of vernacular languages:</strong> There is multiplicity of the mother tongues in India. Promotion of regional languages at primary has been the underlying principle of nearly all the education policies in the past.</li>
<li><strong>Comfortability in learning:</strong> A child is comfortable with the mother tongue, so at the primary level it is the best option as a medium of instruction to enable him understand the world around him/her.</li>
<li><strong>Achieving Sustainable Goals:</strong> Embedded in the SDGs on hunger, health, education and justice are targets on early learning which holistic education at primary level could cater to.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kothari commission on regional languages</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The energetic development of Indian languages and literature is a sine qua non for educational and cultural development.</li>
<li>It is necessary to release the creative energies of the people.</li>
<li>Standards of education will not improve, knowledge will spread to the people, and the gulf between the intelligentsia and the masses will be narrowed.</li>
<li>Steps should now be taken to adopt them as media of education at the university stage.</li>
<li>The primary aim should be to promote multilingualism and national harmony.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Three-Language Formula (National Policy on Education, 1968)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>First language:</strong> It will be the mother tongue or regional language.</li>
<li><strong>Second language:</strong> In Hindi speaking states, it will be other modern Indian languages or English. In non-Hindi speaking states, it will be Hindi or English.</li>
<li><strong>Third Language:</strong> In Hindi speaking states, it will be English or a modern Indian language. In the non-Hindi speaking state, it will be English or a modern Indian language.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Sustainable Development Goals and NEP 2020</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In order to catalyse the transformation that the world seeks to achieve by 2030, the United Nations framed Global Strategy for Women&rsquo;s, Children&rsquo;s and Adolescents&rsquo; Health 2016 &ndash; 2030.</li>
<li><strong>SDG-4</strong> is the education goal. It aims to &ldquo;ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.&rdquo;</li>
<li>It seeks to energise investment in early childhood development.</li>
<li>With transformation of primary education, NEP 2020 would achieve targets that outline an agenda for early childhood development in SDG 2030.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Issues in Implementation of NEP</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Requires mobilising adequate manpower to streamline all the stakeholders in transforming primary school education.</li>
<li>Inadequate integration of arts in language curriculum at primary level of schooling.</li>
<li>Over emphasis on intelligence quotient (which measures intelligence) which sidelines the focus on emotional quotient and spiritual quotient for holistic development of children.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way forward</h3>
<p>The best way to achieve the aims of making mother tongue as a medium of instruction in primary school is efficient implementation. It encompasses</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Setting up institutions in states to publish standard books in the regional languages.</li>
<li>Appointing teachers adept in their mother tongue.</li>
<li>Initiating pedagogy based on vernacular languages in teachers training programs.</li>
<li>Involving parents in the teaching and learning process because they are the source of first language learning experience for the child.</li>
<li>Use of technology to create learning tools in vernacular languages.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Hence, introduction of vernacular languages in primary education as per provisions of National Education Policy 2020 is a step in the right direction. It needs to be implemented in a holistic manner by involving all the stakeholders (school, parents, society and governments) to overcome the impending challenges.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Fact:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>42<sup>nd</sup> Constitutional Amendment</strong> moved education from the State List to the Concurrent List furthering increasing its scope for improvement.</li>
<li>The <strong>86<sup>th</sup> Constitutional Amendment</strong> by which education was made a Fundamental Right- one that made it the duty of government to provide education for all irrespective of their backgrounds.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-national-education-policy-nep-2020-languages-culture-values'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Balancing Development With Environment',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/how-to-pay-for-the-stimulus/article32279610.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>How to pay for the stimulus</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 10/08/2020. It discusses the need for balancing economic development with environmental protection.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the landslide in Idukki district of Kerala has claimed nearly 50 lives and rendered several homeless, this follows from a continuing spell of heavy rains in Kerala. Due to climate change, such hazards are increasingly becoming very common in other parts of India. Moreover, the impact of climate change is not limited to landslides, but it also results in devastating floods co-existing along with long dry spells and loss of biodiversity.</p>
<p>However, the man-made changes and natural exploitation for economic growth are the major contributors to climate change and its effects. This is due to the underlying thought that development policies promote economic well being, while environmental policies have been seen to be restricting it.</p>
<p>Thus, for sake of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sustainable development</strong></a>, there is a need to balance economic development with environmental protection.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Impact of Human Activity on Environment</strong></p>
<p>According to an UN-backed report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>1 million animal and plant species are currently threatened with extinction from human activity.</li>
<li>Urban areas have more than doubled since 1992 at the expense of forests and wetlands.</li>
<li>Fertilizer has produced more than 400 dead zones in the oceans, equalling an area greater than the size of the United Kingdom.</li>
<li>Also, the global population is projected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. In this pretext, intensive agriculture, overfishing, energy production and the extraction of raw materials will significantly alter three-quarters of Earth&rsquo;s land and over half of the oceans.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Economic Factors Affecting Environmental Sustainability</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lack of Environmental Compliance:</strong> Neglect of environmental principles is a key reason why natural hazards end up causing a significant number of avoidable casualties.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Any exercise to scientifically ascertain the risk from natural hazards to a region are barely implemented in the right spirit.</li>
<li>Unregulated quarrying and the unscientific cutting of slopes into hills aggravates the risk of soil erosion and subsequently increases the risk of landslides.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ill-effects of Subsidies:</strong> In pursuit of providing welfare to vulnerable sections of society, the government has provided a bulk of subsidies. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, subsidised nature of services like energy and electricity leads to their overuse and undermines environmental sustainability.</li>
<li>Further, subsidies also undermine the revenue base and limit the government&rsquo;s capacity to invest in new, cleaner technologies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>No Cost to Environmental Resources:</strong> Access to natural resources is entirely open and no individual user bears the full cost of environmental degradation and resources are consequently overused.</li>
<li><strong>Complexity of Population Dynamics:</strong> Increasing population tends to exacerbate the linkages between underdevelopment and environmental degradation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, poverty generates significant incentives to raise large families and stimulate migrations, which makes urban areas environmentally unsustainable.</li>
<li>Both outcomes increase pressure on resources and consequently worsen environmental quality, diminish productivity and reinforce poverty.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agenda 21 - UNCED's blueprint for sustainable development</strong></a> - gives high priority to the implementation of"win-win" policies that exploit the complementarity between poverty reduction, economic efficiency and sound environmental management. Following interventions can be taken to implement this vision.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Feminization of Development:</strong> Wide range of investments like expanding educational opportunities for women and, improving water supply and sanitation services, may lead to the highest returns for development and the environment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will also increase synergies between poverty alleviation and environmental protection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prudent Economic Policies:</strong> Economic policies such as rationalization of price subsidies, the clarification of property rights, facilitation of technology transfer may help in achieving environmental sustainability.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Rationalising subsidies will save money, improves efficiency and can significantly lower pollution.</li>
<li>Also, open access to environmental resources needs to be replaced with some ordered system of use or ownership rights. Community ownership of resources can result in sound environmental stewardship, particularly where it is based on customary social practices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge:</strong> Regions and countries can benefit from the knowledge of indigenous people and their understanding of large ecosystems.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, Governance, including customary institutions and management systems should involve indigenous peoples and local communities to safeguard nature and understand climate change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conserving Biodiversity:</strong> The linkage of biodiversity and environmental sustainability highlights the critical need to integrate biodiversity considerations in global decision-making.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Development remains the greatest pursuit as well as a challenge, faced by humanity. However, despite the unprecedented economic and social progress that has been made over the last century, poverty, famine and environmental degradation still persist on a global scale.</p>
<p>Moreover, environmental deterioration and climate change have started to show irrevocable damages to the developmental progress made so far. Thus, development goals must be pursued without breaching environment regulations.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597063367_image%200.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597063367_image 0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="550" height="996" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #feffe0;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;Balancing economic development and environmental protection requires a refocusing of economic activity - not towards producing less, but producing differently&rdquo;. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/balancing-development-with-environment'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Electric Vehicles Policy 2020: Delhi',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Delhi government has notified the<strong> Electric Vehicles (EV) Policy 2020.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It lays the maximum emphasis on replacement of two-wheelers, public transport and shared vehicles and goods-carriers instead of private four-wheelers, with <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/electric-vehicles-evs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electric Vehicles</strong></a> (EVs).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It envisions the <strong>replacement of the existing auto rickshaws and State-run buses with e-autos and e-buses</strong> respectively. It will also ensure that <strong>delivery-based services</strong> operating in the city are powered by e-mobility.</li>
<li>It talks about<strong> increasing road tax for fuel-based vehicles,</strong> at least in the luxury segment and imposing in certain parts of the city a congestion fee that EVs will be exempt from.</li>
<li>It has a<strong> &lsquo;scrapping incentive&rsquo;</strong> for those people who want to make the switch, allowing them to exchange an old fuel-based vehicle while purchasing a new EV, further reducing its cost.</li>
<li>The government will also <strong>offer low-interest rate loans</strong> to people interested in buying commercial EVs.</li>
<li>The policy also offers <strong>subsidies and road tax and registration fee waivers,</strong> for EVs bought in the capital.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>At present, road tax ranges from 4% to 10% of the cost of the vehicle, while the registration fee could cost up to Rs. 3,000.</li>
<li>In addition, a subsidy of Rs. 5,000 per kWh of the battery capacity up to Rs. 30,000 will be given on the purchase of each EV.</li>
<li>For the first 1,000 e-cars or electric four-wheelers, a subsidy of Rs. 10,000 per kWh will be given, capped at Rs. 1,50,000 per vehicle.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These <strong>grants will be in addition to the subsidies offered by the Union government</strong> under its <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fame-ii-1#:~:text=The%20phase%202%20of%20FAME,2022%20for%20FAME%202%20scheme.&amp;text=The%20government%20will%20offer%20incentives,be%20used%20for%20commercial%20purposes." target="_blank" rel="noopener">FAME India Phase 2</a> scheme</strong>, which offers similar incentives, especially on the purchase of electric two-wheelers and electric heavy passenger and goods vehicles.</li>
<li>A<strong> State EV</strong> fund will be set up, encompassing all the expenditure of the EV Policy. A <strong>State Electric Vehicle Board</strong> will be constituted for effective implementation of the policy and managing the fund. Besides, a<strong> dedicated EV Cell</strong> will also be constituted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aims:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To<strong> reduce<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/tackling-the-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> air pollution</a></strong> and to<strong> kick-start the economy by spurring demand.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Delhi experiences a public health emergency every winter due to the rise in air pollution, which has become a recurrent annual crisis.</li>
<li>During the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>induced <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdowns</strong></a>, the capital witnessed a drastic <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-lockdown-improved-air-quality" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reduction in the PM10 and PM2.5 levels</a></strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To address both <strong>problems of the high cost of purchase</strong> and the <strong>lack of sufficient charging infrastructure.</strong></li>
<li>To register <strong>at least 5,00,000 EVs in Delhi</strong> in the <strong>next five years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Delivery-based and Ride-hailing Services:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ride-hailing service providers will be <strong>allowed to operate electric two-wheeler taxis</strong> subject to operating within the guidelines to be issued by the Transport Department.</li>
<li>It is expected that the incentives provided by the policy would <strong>encourage delivery service providers</strong> related to food delivery,<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/e-commerce-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> e-commerce</strong></a> logistics providers and couriers to switch to using electric two-wheelers.</li>
<li>All delivery service providers shall be <strong>expected to convert 50%</strong> of their fleet operating in Delhi to electric <strong>by 31<sup>st</sup> March 2023</strong> and <strong>100% by 31<sup>st</sup> March 2025.</strong></li>
<li>Delivery service providers who <strong>commit to achieving these targets will be eligible for financing support</strong> from the Delhi Finance Corporation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Autorickshaws:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Incentives</strong> will be provided related to the purchase<strong> (Rs. 30,000 per vehicle)</strong> and use of new electric autos.</li>
<li>An <strong>open permit system</strong> will be put in place to<strong> provide permits on a first-come, first-served basis</strong> to those with valid light motor vehicle driving licences and a Public Service Vehicle badge.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The open permit system for e-autos shall be subject to the cap on the maximum number of autos if the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a> will direct so in future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There will be<strong> no cap on permits issued to e-autos in Delhi</strong> since they are <strong>zero-emission vehicles and can be very effective in ensuring clean,</strong> last-mile connectivity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Currently, there is a cap on the number of CNG-run auto rickshaws, allowed to ply in the city.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Buses:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy envisions that <strong>half of the State-run buses to be procured over the next three years will be pure electric buses.</strong></li>
<li>It will start doing so with the <strong>induction of 1,000 pure electric buses by 2020.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Government Initiatives on EVs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Government has set a <strong>target of EV making up 30% of new sales of cars and two-wheelers by 2030.</strong></li>
<li>To build a sustainable EV ecosystem, initiatives like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-electric-mobility-mission-2020#:~:text=Under%20its%20National%20Electric%20Mobility,electric%20vehicles%20in%20the%20country." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Electric Mobility Mission Plan</strong></a> (NEMMP) and <strong>Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &amp;) Electric Vehicles in India</strong> (FAME India) have been launched.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>NEMMP</strong> was launched in<strong> 2013</strong> with an aim to <strong>achieve national fuel security</strong> by promoting hybrid and EVs in the country. There is an ambitious target to achieve 6-7 million sales of hybrid and EVs year on year from 2020 onwards.</li>
<li><strong>FAME India</strong> was launched in <strong>2015</strong> with the objective to support hybrid/EV market development and manufacturing ecosystem. The scheme has 4 focus areas viz. technology development, demand creation, pilot projects and charging infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Organisations like <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), Department of Heavy Industry, <strong>Automotive Research Association of India</strong> are devising design and manufacturing standards of EVs, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSEs) and charging infrastructure to smoothen the advent of in-house production of EVs.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Affordable, accessible, inclusive and safe mobility solutions</strong> are primary strategic levers for rapid economic development and improving<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-living-index#:~:text='Ease%20of%20Living'%20as%20a,opportunities%2C%20economic%20dynamism%20or%20safety." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Ease of Living&rsquo;.</strong></a></li>
<li>Establishing the right coordination among <strong>three pillars of EV industry</strong> viz. <strong>urban planning, transportation and power sectors</strong> will assist in systematic adoption of EVs.</li>
<li>EVs are a <strong>rapidly growing sunrise sector</strong> which can give a push to &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india#:~:text=On%20September%2025%2C%202014%2C%20the,surpassing%20the%20U.S.%20and%20China." 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/electric-vehicles-policy-2020-delhi'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Quit India Movement',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>On 8<sup>th</sup> Aug 2020, India completed 78 years of <strong>Quit India Movement</strong> also known as <strong>August Kranti.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Taking inspiration from the Quit India Movement, the Prime Minister gave a call for the <strong>revival of its spirit</strong> of the Quit India Movement by coining a new slogan <strong><em>karenge aur karake rahenge</em></strong> in place of Gandhi&rsquo;s slogan of <em>karo ya maro</em> (Do or Die).</li>
<li>The aim of this slogan is to achieve the goal of building a <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/strategy-for-new-india-at-75" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;New India&rdquo;</strong></a> by<strong> 2022.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> On 8<sup>th</sup> August 1942, <a href="/to-the-points/paper4/gandhian-ideologies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi</strong></a> gave a clarion call to end the British rule and launched the <strong>Quit India Movement</strong> at the session of the<strong> All-India Congress Committee in Mumbai.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gandhiji gave the call <strong>&ldquo;Do or Die&rdquo;</strong>&nbsp;in his speech delivered at the<strong> Gowalia Tank Maidan,</strong> now popularly known as August Kranti Maidan.</li>
<li><strong>Aruna Asaf Ali</strong> popularly known as the 'Grand Old Lady' of the Independence Movement is known for hoisting the Indian flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai during the Quit India Movement.</li>
<li>The slogan &lsquo;Quit India&rsquo; was coined by <strong>Yusuf Meherally,</strong> a socialist and trade unionist who also served as Mayor of Mumbai.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Meherally had also coined the slogan &ldquo;Simon Go Back&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> immediate cause</strong> for the movement was the<strong> collapse of Cripps Mission.</strong></li>
<li>The British assumption of unconditional support from India to British in <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-war-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World War II</strong></a> was not taken well by the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/important-indian-national-congress-sessions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian National Congress</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The anti-British sentiments and demand for full-independence had gained popularity among indian masses.</li>
<li>The two decades of mass movement which were being conducted on a much more radical tone under the leadership of the various associated and affiliated bodies of the Congress, like <strong>All India Kisan Sabha, Forward Bloc</strong> etc. had already <strong>prepared the ground</strong> for the movement.</li>
<li>There were <strong>militant outbursts</strong> happening at several places in the country which got channelized with the Quit India Movement.</li>
<li>The <strong>economy was also in shatters</strong> as a result of World War II.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Demands</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The demand was to end the British rule in India with immediate effect to get the cooperation of Indians in World War-II against fascism.</li>
<li>There was a demand to form a <strong>provisional government</strong> after the withdrawal of the Britishers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Phases:</strong> The movement had three phases<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>First Phase</strong> urban revolt, marked by strikes, boy&shy;cott and picketing, which were quickly suppressed. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There were <strong>strikes and demonstrations</strong> all over the country and workers provided the support by not working in the factories.</li>
<li>Gandhiji was soon imprisoned at <strong>Aga Khan Palace in Pune</strong> and almost all leaders were arrested.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the <strong>second phase,</strong> the focus shifted to the <strong>countryside,</strong> which witnessed a major <strong>peasant rebellion,</strong> marked by <strong>destruction of communication sys&shy;tems,</strong> such as railway tracks and stations, telegraph wires and poles,<strong> attacks</strong> on government buildings or any other visible symbol of colo&shy;nial authority.</li>
<li>The<strong> last phase</strong> witnessed the formation of <strong>national governments or parallel governments</strong> isolated pockets (Ballia, Tamluk, Satara etc.)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Spontaneous Violence:</strong> The movement saw <strong>violence</strong> at some places which was not premeditated.</li>
<li><strong>Future Leaders:</strong> Underground activities were taken by leaders that included <strong>Ram Manohar Lohia, J.P. Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Biju Patnaik, Sucheta Kriplani,</strong> etc which later emerged as prominent leaders.</li>
<li><strong>Women Participation:</strong> Women took active participation in the movement. Female leaders like <strong>Usha Mehta</strong> helped set up an underground radio station which led to the awakening about the movement.</li>
<li><strong>Support:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Muslim League, the Communist Party of India and the Hindu Mahasabha did not support the movement.</strong> The Indian bureaucracy also did not support the movement.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The League was not in favour of the British leaving India without partitioning the country first.</li>
<li>The Communist party supported the British since they were allied with the Soviet Union.</li>
<li>The <strong>Hindu Mahasabha</strong> openly opposed the call for the <strong>Quit India Movement</strong> and boycotted it officially under the apprehension that the movement would create internal disorder and will endanger internal security during the war.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Meanwhile, Subhas Chandra Bose, organised the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/subhash-chandra-bose" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian National Army</strong></a> and the Azad Hind government from outside the country.</li>
<li>As <strong>C Rajagopalachari</strong> was not in favour of complete independence, he resigned from the INC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cripps Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Japanese aggression</strong> in South-East Asia, keenness of British Government to secure the<strong> full participation of India in the war,</strong> mounting<strong> pressure from China and the United States,</strong> as well as from the <strong>Labour Party</strong> in Britain, led British Prime Minister <strong>Winston Churchill</strong> to send Cripps Mission to India in <strong>March 1942.</strong></li>
<li>Under Stafford Cripps, the mission was sent to <strong>resolve the Indian question of a new constitution and self-government.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Main proposals</strong> of the mission were:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An Indian Union with a <strong>dominion status</strong> would be set up; it would be free to decide its relations with the Commonwealth and free to participate in the United Nations and other international bodies.</li>
<li><strong>A constituent assembly</strong> would be convened after the war to frame a new constitution.</li>
<li>Members of the assembly<strong> partly elected</strong> by the provincial assemblies and partly nominated by the princes.</li>
<li>Any province not willing to accept the constitution would be given<strong> &lsquo;the same full status as the Indian Union&rsquo;, -</strong> designed to appease the Muslim League&rsquo;s call for Pakistan.</li>
<li>The constitution making body and the British Government would negotiate a <strong>treaty to effect the transfer of power</strong> and to safeguard racial and religious minorities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Indian National Congress, however, was not satisfied as its <strong>demand for immediate complete independence had been rejected.</strong></li>
<li>Mahatma Gandhi said that Cripps' offer of Dominion Status after the war was a <strong>"post-dated cheque drawn on a failing bank&rsquo;&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Outcomes</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Quit India movement was<strong> violently suppressed</strong> by the British &ndash; people were shot, lathi-charged, villages burnt and enormous fines imposed.</li>
<li>Over 100000 people were arrested and the <strong>government resorted to violence</strong> in order to crush the agitation.</li>
<li>The Britishers declared the <strong>INC</strong> to be an <strong>unlawful association.</strong></li>
<li>New leaders like<strong> Aruna Asaf Ali</strong> emerged out of the vacuum of leadership.</li>
<li>While the Quit India campaign was <strong>crushed in 1944,</strong> with the British refusing to grant immediate independence, saying it could happen only after the war had ended, they came to the important realization that<strong> India was ungovernable in the long run</strong> due to the cost of World War II.</li>
<li>It changed the <strong>nature of political negotiations with British</strong> the, ultimately paving the way for<strong> India's independence.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-quit-india-movement-gave-a-new-direction-to-indias-freedom-struggle-6547701/" 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/quit-india-movement-1'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'GCC Backs UN Arms Embargo on Iran',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-11th-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong></a> (GCC) has sent a letter to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1#:~:text=Its%20primary%20responsibility%20is%20to,China%20and%20the%20United%20Kingdom." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Security Council</strong></a> (UNSC) backing an <strong>extension of its arms embargo on Iran,</strong> just two months before it is set to expire.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a<strong> political and economic alliance</strong> of countries in the Arabian Peninsula.</li>
<li>It was <strong>established in 1981</strong> to foster socioeconomic, security, and cultural cooperation.</li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong> Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All these member countries of the GCC come under the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/persian-gulf-region" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Persian Gulf Region</a></strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597052484_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597052484_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="550" height="423" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The GCC has<strong> alleged that Iran had not ceased or desisted from armed interventions</strong> in neighbouring countries, directly and through organisations and movements armed and trained by Iran.</li>
<li><strong>Allegation on Iran:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UN, the USA and other armament experts have accused Iran of <strong>providing arms to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ceasefire-in-yemen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yemen&rsquo;s Houthi rebels.</a></strong></li>
<li>Iran <strong>allegedly arms Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon and Syria</strong> and also provides <strong>weapons to Shiite militias in Iraq </strong>and<strong> terrorist groups in Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.</strong></li>
<li>The letter also mentioned <strong>Iran&rsquo;s shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane </strong>and its <strong>navy accidentally killing 19 sailors</strong> in a missile strike during an exercise.</li>
<li>Iran also is <strong>suspected of launching an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/saudi-aramco-drone-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">attack on Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s oil industry</a></strong> in September 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arms Embargo:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>2010,</strong> the<strong> UN banned Iran from purchasing foreign-made weapons</strong> like fighter jets, tanks and warships amid tensions over Iran&rsquo;s nuclear program.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The embargo <strong>blocked Iran from replacing its ageing equipment,</strong> much of which had been purchased before the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/40-years-of-islamic-revolution-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1979 Islamic Revolution.</a></strong></li>
<li>An earlier embargo had <strong>targeted Iranian arms exports.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>2015,</strong> under <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-cuts-iranian-oil-imports-ahead-of-us-sanctions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iran&rsquo;s nuclear deal</a></strong> <strong>(Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), </strong>the <strong>UN agreed to end the arms embargo in October 2020.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In <strong>2018,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-reimposes-sanctions-on-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USA unilaterally withdrew from the deal</strong></a> as a part of the maximum pressure campaign to hurt Iran&rsquo;s already ailing economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Internal Conflict in GCC:</strong> Even though the GCC has offered a unified statement, it <strong>remains affected by internal conflict</strong> among the member nations. For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icj-on-qatar-blockade" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Qatar crisis</strong></a>, which saw Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates cut diplomatic ties with Qatar and launch a boycott of the nation beginning in 2017.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Qatar has had good relations with Iran</strong> and has used its airspace while sharing a vast offshore oil and gas field with Tehran (Iran&rsquo;s capital).</li>
<li>Qatar is <strong>home to the massive Al-Udeid Air Base</strong> and the forward headquarters of the USA military&rsquo;s Central Command.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/arab-world-s-longest-serving-ruler-passes-away" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oman</a></strong> also has had <strong>close ties to Iran</strong> and has served as an<strong> interlocutor between Tehran and the West.</strong></li>
<li>On the other hand, <strong>Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are suspicious of Iran</strong> and accuse it of stirring up dissent among Shiite populations in the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Iran&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Iran has <strong>denied the various accusations</strong> of its involvement in arms supply.</li>
<li>Iran has <strong>condemned the GCC letter</strong> and called it an irresponsible statement that serves the USA&rsquo;s interests.</li>
<li>It has also <strong>criticized the GCC countries for being &ldquo;among the largest arms buyers in the region and the world,&rdquo;</strong> even amidst the economic downturn caused by the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> </strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/six-gulf-arab-countries-un-arms-embargo-iran-6548202/" 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/gcc-backs-un-arms-embargo-on-iran'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Andaman and Nicobar Islands to be Maritime and Startup Hub',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Prime Minister has declared that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/andaman-nicobar-islands-rich-faunal-diversity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Andaman and Nicobar islands</strong></a> will be developed as a <strong>"maritime and startup hub".</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <strong>transhipment hub</strong> has been proposed in the Andaman and Nicobar islands.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <strong>transshipment</strong> is when cargo or a container is moved from one vessel to another while in transit to its final destination.</li>
<li>It will be built in South Bay, Great Nicobar Island, to provide Indian shippers an alternative to the <strong>Colombo (Sri Lanka), Singapore and Port Klang (Malaysia) transshipment ports.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>12 islands of the archipelago have been selected for <strong>high-impact projects</strong> with an emphasis on boosting trade of<strong> sea-based, organic and coconut-based products</strong> of the region.</li>
<li>A <strong>submarine cable project</strong> has been launched in the islands to make it digitally independent.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>2300 Km of submarine optical fibres cable (OFC) have been laid down</li>
<li>The fibre will connect chennai and port blair and seven other islands- <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-27th-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Swaraj Deep</strong></a> <strong>(Havelock)</strong>, Long island etc.</li>
<li>The connectivity project was funded by the Centre through the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/challenges-in-telecom-sector-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Universal Service Obligation Fund</strong></a> under the Ministry of Communications.</li>
<li>It was executed by <strong>Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited</strong> (BSNL) and <strong>Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL)</strong> was the technical consultant.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In addition, <strong>Port Blair airport</strong> is to be <strong>expanded</strong> and some of the islands will be also <strong>connected with seaplanes.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2015, the government had announced an ambitious,<strong> Rs 10,000 crore economic plan</strong> to transform the Andaman and Nicobar Islands into the<strong> country’s first maritime hub.</strong></li>
<li>This included infrastructure construction, protection of the original<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-citizen-killed-by-tribals-in-andaman" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Jarawa inhabitants</strong></a> and boosting the<strong> tourism potential.</strong></li>
<li>Earlier, India had also invited <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-investors-to-develop-islands" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>global investors to develop</strong></a> the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands.</li>
<li>The Union Government constituted the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/island-development-agency-ida" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Island Development Agency</strong></a> on 1<sup>st</sup> June, 2017 for the development of islands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597047862_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597047862_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Benefits</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Governance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Better connectivity in the region will facilitate the delivery of <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/e-governance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>e-governance</strong></a> services such as <strong>telemedicine</strong> and<strong> tele-education,</strong> as a part of<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Digital India</strong> </a>initiative.</li>
<li>The region will play an important role in his government's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>self-reliant India</strong></a> project.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Small enterprises, Business Process Outsourcing Services and other medium and large enterprises will also benefit from better connectivity and opportunities in <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/e-commerce-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>e-commerce</strong></a>,<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This can be leveraged to promote the government’s <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-start-up-india-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Startup India</a></strong> initiative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The internet costs will also come down and it will give a boost to<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/tourism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> tourism</strong></a> and the <strong>local economy.</strong></li>
<li>The building of a transshipment hub will be critical for<strong> India’s trade</strong> and help the group of islands become an important centre of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/blue-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>blue economy</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic:</strong> <a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597049683_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597049683_image2.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The islands are critical for<strong> India's security</strong> because of their <strong>strategic location</strong> in the <strong>Indian Ocean Region (IOR).</strong> Better infrastructure and connectivity will help India enhance its <strong>military and naval strength</strong> in the islands.</li>
<li>The islands are home to India's only tri-services command, the<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/andaman-and-nicobar-command-anc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC)</strong></a> which is strategically important, more so, on the backdrop of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chinese aggression</strong></a> in the region.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Earlier this year, China was accused by Vietnam of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/china-in-south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sinking its sea</strong></a> in its <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Exclusive Economic Zone.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International Relations:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will also help India to build better economic relations with<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> ASEAN</strong></a> region.</li>
<li>The importance of the islands has increased in light of India's <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>'Act East'</strong></a> policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Submarine Communications Cable</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a cable <strong>laid on the seabed</strong> between land-based stations to transmit <strong>telecommunication signals</strong> across stretches of ocean and sea.</li>
<li>The optical fibre elements are typically coated with <strong>plastic layers</strong> and contained in a <strong>protective tube</strong> suitable for the environment where the cable will be deployed.</li>
<li>Compared to satellites, using internet connection through submarine cables is more <strong>reliable, cost efficient</strong> and <strong>of large capacity.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>USOF ensures that there is universal <strong>non-discriminatory access to quality ICT services</strong> at economically efficient prices to people in rural and remote areas.</li>
<li>It was created under the Department of Telecommunications in <strong>2002.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>non-lapsable fund,</strong> i.e., the unspent amount under a targeted financial year does not lapse and is accrued for next years’ spending.</li>
<li>All credits to this fund require<strong> parliamentary approval</strong> and it has statutory <strong>support</strong> under<strong> Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>Provision of reliable, robust, and high-speed telecom and broadband facilities in these islands will be a landmark achievement from the viewpoint of consumers, as well as for strategic and governance reasons.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andaman-and-nicobar-going-to-be-maritime-and-startup-hub-modi/article32310549.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/andaman-and-nicobar-islands-to-be-maritime-and-startup-hub'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => '30 Years of Mandal Commission',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/the-mandal-moment/story-O52OimsoY0VVzYtJxLtz9K.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The Mandal Moment&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on 07/08/2020. It talks about the historical background and aftermath of the implementation of Mandal commission recommendations.</p>
</div>
<p>Thirty years ago, on August 7, 1990, the then prime minister V.P. Singh made a historic decision that changed Indian politics and way of ensuring social justice. The then government decided to implement the recommendations of the Mandal Commission, and open up reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs</p>
<p>He announced that OBCs would get 27% reservation in jobs in central government services and public sector units. This was perhaps the world largest affirmative action programme.</p>
<p>The decision changed the narrative of Caste that had been the basis of unbridled torture and ostracisation into the instrument of social justice. However, it also opened up a Pandora&rsquo;s Box, leading to widespread opposition and vote bank politics.</p>
<h3>Historical Background of OBC Reservation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Establishing First Backward Class Commission:</strong> In January 1953, the JL Nehru government had set up the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/constitutional-status-for-national-commission-for-backward-classes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>First Backward Class Commission</strong></a> under the chairmanship of social reformer <strong>Kaka Kalelkar.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The commission submitted its report in March 1955, listing 2,399 backward castes or communities, with 837 of them classified as &lsquo;most backwards&rsquo;.</li>
<li>However, the report was never implemented.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Establishing Second Backward Class Commission:</strong> On January 1, 1979, the Morarji Desai government chose Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal, a former chief minister of Bihar, to head the Second Backward Class Commission. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mandal submitted his report two years later, on December 31, 1980.</li>
<li>However, by then, the Morarji Desai government had fallen and Indira Gandhi came to power and the issue remained in the deep freeze for about a decade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation of Mandal Commission:</strong> In 1990, the then Prime Minister V P Singh announced in the Parliament that the recommendations of the Mandal Commission would be implemented. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The announcement witnessed violent protests all over India, especially in northern and western India, and many students immolated themselves in protest and a few of them died as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indira Sawhney Case</strong>: Following the severe opposition the issue of OBC reservation reached the Supreme Court in 1992. This case is known as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reservation-review-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Indira Sawhney Judgment&rsquo;</strong></a> or Mandal Case.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Supreme Court upheld the 27% reservation for OBCs but also stated that the only caste was not an indicator of social and educational backwardness.</li>
<li>Also, to ensure that benefits of the recommendations of the Mandal Commission percolated down to the most backward communities, the creamy layer criteria was invoked.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Aftermath of Mandal Commission</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Opposition to Mandal Commission:</strong> It faced mainly opposition on two grounds, that reservation would compromise the merit and can the reservation be given on economic lines. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, it revolves around vote-bank politics which defeats the original purpose of reservation policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defeating the Intended Goal of Reservation Policy:</strong> In order to fulfil populists demands, political parties continued to expand reservation to the extent that communities who are well-off, avail reservation quotas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This has undermined the entire purpose of reservation, envisaged as a tool to address historic injustice, and made it an exercise in power distribution and employment generation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unequal Benefits and Creation of Political Divide:</strong> According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/extension-to-obc-sub-categorisation-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rohini Commission</strong></a>, out of almost 6,000 castes and communities in the OBCs, only 40 such communities had gotten 50% of reservation benefits for admission in central educational institutions and recruitment to the civil services.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This has led to a political divide and demands for sub-categorisation, a process currently underway.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cause of Social Disharmony:</strong> The policy of reservation has caused the resentment of those communities which did not have a share in the reservation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>In pursuit of social justice, the Mandal Commission recommendations were implemented. However, only half of the recommendations of the commission were implemented. The commission held that reservations along all financial assistance will remain mere palliatives unless the problem of backwardness is tackled at its root. Thus, it recommended land redistribution and change in relations of production.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Making Agriculture Economically Viable:</strong> As the small landholders, tenants, agricultural labour, impoverished village artisans, unskilled workers, forms the bulk of the OBCs community. Therefore, it is imperative to make agriculture (the backbone of the rural economy) economically viable.</li>
<li><strong>Reviving Private Investment to Lessen Demand for Reservation:</strong> There is a need to revive private sector manufacturing. This will attract youth towards lucrative employment avenues in the private sector and hence, there will be less demand for jobs in the public sector and reservation.</li>
<li><strong>Review of Reservation Policy:</strong> Reservation has remained a powerful tool of affirmative action. However, after nearly 75 years of independence, India&rsquo;s socio-economic polity has transformed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, strong political will is required to review the reservation policy and establish an egalitarian society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Implementation of Mandal commission recommendations empowered communities. But the current architecture of reservations needs a review, with the aim of creating a just, inclusive and equal society, without pandering to populist movements.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffee3;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;The policy of reservation is the best way to achieve social justice in Indian society&rdquo;. Critically discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PexXb2y4svU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/cartographic-challenge-the-hindu-editorial-on-pakistans-new-map/article32289396.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Cartographic challenge&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on August 7<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/30-years-of-mandal-commission'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Landslide near Eravikulam National Park',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-conference-on-landslides-risk-reduction-and-resilience" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>landslides</strong></a> have been reported at the <strong>Nayamakkad tea estate</strong> at Pettimudy which is located about <strong>30 km from Munnar,</strong> adjacent to the <strong>Eravikulam National Park (ENP), Kerala.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Features of ENP:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is located in the <strong>High Ranges (Kannan Devan Hills) of the Southern Western Ghats</strong> in the Devikulam Taluk of<strong> Idukki District, Kerala.</strong></li>
<li>It spreads over an area of<strong> 97 square km</strong> and hosts<strong> South India's highest peak, Anamudi</strong> (2695 m), in its southern area.</li>
<li>The <strong>Rajamalai region</strong> of the park stays open to the public for <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/tourism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>tourism</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>History:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Government of Kerala acquired the area from the Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company under the <strong>Kannan Devan Hill Produce (Resumption of lands) Act 1971.</strong></li>
<li>It was declared as <strong>Eravikulam-Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary in 1975</strong> and was elevated to the status of a <strong>National Park in 1978.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Topography:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The main body of the park comprises a <strong>high rolling plateau</strong> (plateau at different elevation or with varying heights) <strong>with a base elevation of about 2000 m</strong> from mean sea level.</li>
<li>Three major types of <strong>plant communities</strong> found in the park are: <strong>Grasslands, Shrub Land and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exotic-trees-eating-up-western-ghats-grasslands" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shola Forests</a></strong> (mosaic of montane evergreen forests and grasslands).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The park represents the <strong>largest and least disturbed stretch of unique Montane Shola-Grassland vegetation</strong> in the Western Ghats.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flora:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It houses the special <strong>Neelakurinji flowers</strong> <em>(Strobilanthes kunthianam)</em> that<strong> bloom once every 12 years</strong> and the next sighting is expected to be in 2030.</li>
<li>Apart from that, it has rare terrestrial and epiphytic orchids, wild balsams, etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An epiphyte is an organism that <strong>grows on the surface of a plant</strong> and <strong>derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water or from debris</strong> accumulating around it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fauna:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The park holds the <strong>largest viable population of the endangered</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nilgiri-tahr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nilgiri Tahr</strong></a> <em>(Nilgiritragus hylocrius).</em></li>
<li>It has other little known fauna such as Nilgiri Marten, Ruddy Mongoose, Small Clawed Otter, Dusky Striped Squirrel, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>regionally important</strong> as a<strong> catchment area for both east</strong> (tributaries of River Pambar) and <strong>west</strong> (tributaries of River <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mullaperiyar-dam#:~:text=The%20Periyar%20River%20is%20the,stream%20bed%20all%20year%20round." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Periyar</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/athirapally-hydel-electric-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chalakkudy</strong></a>)<strong> flowing rivers.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Locally,</strong> it is important for<strong> maintaining the climate and providing drinking water</strong> to the surrounding estates and for<strong> irrigation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Proximity:</strong> The park is in continuity with the neighboring<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/butterfly-survey" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary</strong></a>, Anamudi Shola National Park, Pampadum Shola National Park, Kurinjimala Sanctuary and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/species-rich-forests-offer-stable-carbon-capture" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Anamalai Tiger Reserve.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596883099_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596883099_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="655" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Landslides<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596883081_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596883081_image4.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="283" height="250" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A landslide is defined as the <strong>movement of a mass of rock, debris or earth down a slope.</strong> Landslides are a type of <strong>mass wasting</strong> (a geomorphic process) which denotes any down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity.</li>
<li><strong>Causes:</strong> Slow weathering of rocks as well as soil erosion, earthquakes and volcanic activity.</li>
<li>Continent-wise, <strong>Asia suffers the maximum damages/losses</strong> due to landslides and within that, <strong>South-Asian nations are the worst sufferers including India</strong> which is one of the worst affected by landslides.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/many-killed-in-munnar-mishap/article32291655.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/landslide-near-eravikulam-national-park'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Day 20',
		'catname' => '60 days refresher',
		'desc' => '<h2 style="text-align: center;">Modern History-3 (Freedom struggle- Post Gandhian Era)</h2>
<p>Questions from modern history remain a very important topic for UPSC. A lot of questions have been asked over the years. Topics like the <strong>Rowlatt Act, Quit India Movement, Cripps Mission Indian National Congress sessions</strong> are asked repeatedly. Mostly, static questions on this topic are asked. One should go through any standard textbook.</p>
<p><strong><a href="/images/pdf/NCERT-Class-12-History-Part-1%20(1).pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Class XII History Textbook Theme-I</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="/images/pdf/NCERT-Class-12-History-Part-2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Class XII History Textbook Theme-II</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="/images/pdf/NCERT-Class-12-History-Part-3.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Class XII History Textbook Theme-III</strong></a></p>
<h2>Gandhian Phase of Freedom Struggle</h2>
<p>Q. With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements: (2019)</p>
<ol>
<li>Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the system of &lsquo;indentured labour&rsquo;.</li>
<li>In Lord Chelmsford&rsquo;s &lsquo;War Conference&rsquo;, Mahatma Gandhi did not support the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War.</li>
<li>Consequent upon the breaking of Salt Law by Indian people, the Indian National Congress was declared illegal by the colonial rulers.</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above are correct?</p>
<p>(a) 1 and 2 only</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(b) 1 and 3 only</strong> </span></p>
<p>(c) 2 and 3 only</p>
<p>(d) 1, 2 and 3</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha? (2018)</p>
<p>(a) Active all-India participation of lawyers, students and women in the National Movement</p>
<p>(b) Active involvement of Dalit and Tribal communities of India in the National Movement</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) Joining of peasant unrest to India&rsquo;s National Movement</strong> </span></p>
<p>(d) Drastic decrease in the cultivation of plantation crop</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, mainly because (2012)</p>
<p>(a) Round Table Conference failed to satisfy Indian political aspirations</p>
<p>(b) Congress and Muslim League had differences of opinion</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) Ramsay Macdonald announced the Communal Award</strong> </span></p>
<p>(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. What was the reason for Mahatma Gandhi to organize a satyagraha on behalf of the peasants of Kheda? (2011)</p>
<ol>
<li>The Administration did not suspend the land revenue collection in spite of a drought.</li>
<li>The Administration proposed to introduce Permanent Settlement in Gujarat.</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above is/are correct?</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(a) 1 only</span> </strong></p>
<p>(b) 2 only</p>
<p>(c) Both 1 and 2</p>
<p>(d) Neither 1 nor 2</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With which one of the following movements is the slogan &ldquo;Do or Die&rdquo; associated? (2009)</p>
<p>(a) Swadeshi Movement</p>
<p>(b) Non-Cooperation Movement</p>
<p>(c) Civil Disobedience Movement</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(d) Quit India Movement</strong></span></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Which one of the following began with the Dandi March? (2009)</p>
<p>(a) Home Rule Movement</p>
<p>(b) Non-Cooperation Movement</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) Civil Disobedience Movement</strong> </span></p>
<p>(d) Quit India Movement</p>
<h2>Indian National Congress Sessions</h2>
<p>Q. Which one of the following movements has contributed to a split in the Indian National Congress resulting in the emergence of &lsquo;moderates&rsquo; and &lsquo;extremists&rsquo;? (2015)</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(a) Swadeshi Movement</strong> </span></p>
<p>(b) Quit India Movement</p>
<p>(c) Non-Cooperation Movement</p>
<p>(d) Civil Disobedience Movement</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Consider the following statements: (2015)</p>
<ol>
<li>The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Sarojini Naidu.</li>
<li>The first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress was Badruddin Tyabji.</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above is/are correct?</p>
<p>(a) 1 only</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(b) 2 only</strong> </span></p>
<p>(c) Both 1 and 2</p>
<p>(d) Neither 1 nor 2</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the (2014)</p>
<p>(a) attainment of Self-Government was declared as the objective of the Congress</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(b) attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress</span> </strong></p>
<p>(c) Non-Cooperation Movement was launched</p>
<p>(d) decision to participate in the Round Table Conference in London was taken</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history, because (2012)</p>
<ol>
<li>the Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence</li>
<li>the rift between the extremists and moderates was resolved in that Session</li>
<li>a resolution was passed rejecting the two nation theory in that Session</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above is/are correct?</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(a) 1 only</strong> </span></p>
<p>(b) 2 and 3</p>
<p>(c) 1 and 3</p>
<p>(d) None of the above</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. For the Karachi Session of Indian National Congress in 1931 presided over by Sardar Patel, who drafted the Resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Programme? (2010)</p>
<p>(a) Mahatma Gandhi</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(b) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru</span> </strong></p>
<p>(c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad</p>
<p>(d) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar</p>
<h2>Road Towards Independence</h2>
<p>Q. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events: (2017)</p>
<ol>
<li>Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy</li>
<li>Quit India Movement launched</li>
<li>Second Round Table Conference</li>
</ol>
<p>What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events?</p>
<p>(a) 1 &ndash; 2&ndash; 3</p>
<p>(b) 2 &ndash; 1 &ndash; 3</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(c) 3 &ndash; 2 &ndash; 1</span> </strong></p>
<p>(d) 3 &ndash; 1 &ndash; 2</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War (2016)</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">(a) India should be granted complete independence</p>
<p>(b) India should be partitioned into two before granting independence</p>
<p>(c) India should be made a republic with the condition that she will join the Commonwealth</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(d) India should be given Dominion status</span></strong></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to the Cabinet Mission, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)</p>
<ol>
<li>It recommended a federal government.</li>
<li>It enlarged the powers of the Indian courts.</li>
<li>It provided for more Indians in the ICS.</li>
</ol>
<p>Select the correct answer using the code given below:</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(a) 1 only</span></strong></p>
<p>(b) 2 and 3</p>
<p>(c) 1 and 3</p>
<p>(d) None</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. The people of India agitated against the arrival of Simon Commission because (2013)</p>
<p>(a) Indians never wanted the review of the working of the Act of 1919</p>
<p>(b) Simon Commission recommended the abolition of Dyarchy (Diarchy) in the Provinces</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) there was no Indian member in the Simon Commission</strong></span></p>
<p>(d) the Simon Commission suggested the partition of the country</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Quit India Movement was launched in response to (2013)</p>
<p>(a) Cabinet Mission Plan</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(b) Cripps Proposals</strong></span></p>
<p>(c) Simon Commission Report</p>
<p>(d) Wavell Plan</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. The Congress ministries resigned in the seven provinces in 1939, because (2012)</p>
<p>(a) the Congress could not form ministries in the other four provinces</p>
<p>(b) emergence of a left wing in the Congress made the working of the ministries impossible</p>
<p>(c) there were widespread communal disturbances in their provinces</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct</strong></span></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to the period of Indian freedom struggle, which of the following was/were recommended by the Nehru report? (2011)</p>
<ol>
<li>Complete Independence for India.</li>
<li>Joint electorates for reservation of seats for minorities.</li>
<li>Provision of Fundamental Rights for the people of India in the Constitution.</li>
</ol>
<p>Select the correct answer using the codes given below:</p>
<p>(a) 1 only</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(b) 2 and 3 only</strong></span></p>
<p>(c) 1 and 3 only</p>
<p>(d) 1, 2 and 3</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Which one of the following observations is not true about the Quit India Movement of 1942? (2011)</p>
<p>(a) It was a nonviolent movement</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(b) It was led by Mahatma Gandhi</strong></span></p>
<p>(c) It was a spontaneous movement</p>
<p>(d) It did not attract the labour class in general</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Who among the following were official Congress negotiators with Cripps Mission? (2010)</p>
<p>(a) Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel</p>
<p>(b) Acharya J.B. Kripalani and C. Rajagopalachari</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) Pandit Nehru and Maulana Azad</strong></span></p>
<p>(d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Rafi Ahmed Kidwai</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to Simon Commission&rsquo;s recommendations, which one of the following statements is correct? (2010)</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(a) It recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible government in the provinces</span></strong></p>
<p>(b) It proposed the setting up of inter-provincial council under the Home Department</p>
<p>(c) It suggested the abolition of bicameral legislature at the Centre</p>
<p>(d) It recommended the creation of Indian Police Service with a provision for increased pay and allowances for British recruits as compared to Indian recruits</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. After the Quit India Movement, C. Rajagopalachari issued a pamphlet entitled &ldquo;The Way Out&rdquo;. Which one of the following was a proposal in this pamphlet? (2010)</p>
<p>(a) The establishment of a &ldquo;War Advisory Council&rdquo; composed of representatives of British India and the Indian States</p>
<p>(b) Reconstitution of the Central Executive Council in such a way that all its members, except the Governor General and the Commander-in-Chief should be Indian leaders</p>
<p>(c) Fresh elections to the Central and Provincial Legislatures to be held at the end of 1945 and the Constitution making body to be convened as soon as possible</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(d) A solution for the constitutional deadlock</strong></span></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. In the &lsquo;Individual Satyagraha&rsquo;, Vinoba Bhave was chosen as the first Satyagrahi. Who was the second? (2009)</p>
<p>(a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(b) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru</strong></span></p>
<p>(c) C. Rajagopalachari</p>
<p>(d) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Consider the following statements: (2009) The Cripps Proposals include the provision for</p>
<ol>
<li>Full independence for India.</li>
<li>Creation of a Constitution-making body.</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above is/are correct?</p>
<p>(a) 1 only</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(b) 2 only</span></strong></p>
<p>(c) Both 1 and 2</p>
<p>(d) Neither 1 nor 2</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Who of the following Prime Ministers sent Cripps Mission to India? (2009)</p>
<p>(a) James Ramsay MacDonald</p>
<p>(b) Stanley Baldwin</p>
<p>(c) Neville Chamberlain</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(d) Winston Churchill</span></strong></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. In the Federation established by the Government of India Act of 1935, residuary powers were given to the (2018)</p>
<p>(a) Federal Legislature</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(b) Governor General</span></strong></p>
<p>(c) Provincial Legislature</p>
<p>(d) Provincial Governors</p>
<h2>Important British Legislation</h2>
<p>Q. The Trade Disputes Act of 1929 provided for (2017)</p>
<p>(a) the participation of workers in the management of industries.</p>
<p>(b) arbitrary powers to the management to quell industrial disputes.</p>
<p>(c) an intervention by the British Court in the event of a trade dispute.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(d) a system of tribunals and a ban on strikes.</span></strong></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)</p>
<ol>
<li>The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommendations of the &lsquo;Sedition Committee&rsquo;.</li>
<li>In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize the Home Rule League.</li>
<li>Demonstrations against the arrival of Simon Commission coincided with Rowlatt Satyagraha.</li>
</ol>
<p>Select the correct answer using the code given below:</p>
<p>(a) 1 only</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(b) 1 and 2 only</span></strong></p>
<p>(c) 2 and 3 only</p>
<p>(d) 1, 2 and 3</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. The Rowlatt Act aimed at (2012)</p>
<p>(a) compulsory economic support to war efforts</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(b) imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial</span></strong></p>
<p>(c) suppression of the Khilafat Movement</p>
<p>(d) imposition of restrictions on freedom of the press</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. During the Indian Freedom Struggle, why did Rowlatt Act arouse popular indignation? (2009)</p>
<p>(a) It curtailed the freedom of religion</p>
<p>(b) It suppressed the Indian traditional education</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(c) It authorized the government to imprison people without trial</span></strong></p>
<p>(d) It curbed the trade union activities</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Who was the Viceroy of India when the Rowlatt Act was passed? (2008)</p>
<p>(a) Lord Irwin</p>
<p>(b) Lord Reading</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(c) Lord Chelmsford</span></strong></p>
<p>(d) Lord Wavell</p>
<h2>Various Movement and Organisation</h2>
<p>Q. Consider the following pairs: Movement/ Leader Organization (2016)</p>
<ol>
<li>All India Anti- : Mahatma Gandhi Untouchability League</li>
<li>All India Kisan Sabha : Swami Sahajanand Saraswati</li>
<li>Self-Respect Movement : E.V. Ramaswami Naicker</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?</p>
<p>(a) 1 only</p>
<p>(b) 1 and 2 only</p>
<p>(c) 2 and 3 only</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(d) 1, 2 and 3</span></strong></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. In 1920, which of the following changed its name to &ldquo;Swarajya Sabha&rdquo;? (2018)</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(a) All India Home Rule League</span></strong></p>
<p>(b) Hindu Mahasabha</p>
<p>(c) South Indian Liberal Federation</p>
<p>(d) The Servants of India Society</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for (2011)</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(a) Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement</span></strong></p>
<p>(b) Participating in the Second Round Table Conference</p>
<p>(c) Leading a contingent of Indian National Army</p>
<p>(d) Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Who of the following founded the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association? (2009)</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(a) Mahatma Gandhi</span></strong></p>
<p>(b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel</p>
<p>(c) N.M. Joshi</p>
<p>(d) J.B. Kripalani</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. During the Indian Freedom Struggle, who of the following raised an army called &lsquo;Free Indian Legion&rsquo;? (2008)</p>
<p>(a) Lala Hardayal</p>
<p>(b) Rashbehari Bose</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(c) Subhas Chandra Bose</span></strong></p>
<p>(d) V.D. Savarkar</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to educational institutions during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs: (2018)</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 35.0318%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;">&nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Institution</strong></td>
<td style="width: 64.9682%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;"><strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Founder</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 35.0318%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;">1. Sanskrit College</td>
<td style="width: 64.9682%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;">&mdash;&nbsp; William Jones at Benaras</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 35.0318%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;">2. Calcutta Madarsa</td>
<td style="width: 64.9682%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;">&mdash;&nbsp; Warren Hastings</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 35.0318%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;">3. Fort William College</td>
<td style="width: 64.9682%; height: 19px; border-style: hidden;">&mdash;&nbsp; Arthur Wellesley</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?</p>
<p>(a) 1 and 2</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(b) 2 only</span></strong></p>
<p>(c) 1 and 3</p>
<p>(d) 3 only</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/60-days-refresher-programme/day-20'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Anganwadi Services',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Right to Food Campaign</strong> has given a memorandum to the Minister for Women and Child Development to resume<strong> provision of hot-cooked meals and ensure implementation of anganwadi services.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Recommendations:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The memorandum suggested that <strong>anganwadi services</strong> (like community-managed growth monitoring, supplementary nutrition, <strong>immunisation,</strong> etc.) should be delivered either within the <strong>day care centres</strong> or <strong>at the houses of the beneficiaries.</strong></li>
<li>It also recommended a<strong> comprehensive package of cooked food and dry rations.</strong></li>
<li>It also sought <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/personal-protective-equipment-for-sanitation-workers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">protective gear</a> for frontline health workers</strong> such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-institute-of-health-family-welfare" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)</strong></a> and anganwadi workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> Following the nationwide <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a> on March 25, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/malnutrition-in-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS)</strong></a> implemented at anganwadis was <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/meal-scheme-hit-due-to-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>discontinued</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It impacted nearly 14 lakh anganwadis and over 8 crore beneficiaries (children under six years and pregnant women and lactating mothers)</li>
<li>The Ministry of Women and Child Development asked State governments and Union Territories to extend <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>food security</strong></a> allowance to each beneficiary.</li>
<li>According to the POSHAN COVID-19 Monitoring report for India compiled in June 2020, by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unicef-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNICEF</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/food-crisis-amid-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Food Programme</strong></a> and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a>, 10 of the 14 most populous States<strong> did not conduct community management of acutely malnourished children </strong>and<strong> eight States were unable to measure growth parameters of children under six years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Right to Food</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Right to Food is recognized as a part of <strong>Right to Life and Personal Liberty (Article 21)</strong> by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nhrc-on-public-s-rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Human Rights Commission.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>The Directive Principles of the State Policy </strong>in<strong> Article 39a,</strong> requires the State to direct its policies towards securing that all its citizens have the right to an adequate means of livelihood.</li>
<li><strong>The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013,</strong> gives the right to food but it is not universal. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It legally entitles up to <strong>75%</strong> of the rural population and <strong>50%</strong> of the urban population to receive subsidized food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In<strong> People's Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India &amp; Others</strong> case (2001), the Supreme Court explicitly established a constitutional human <strong>right to food</strong> and determined a <strong>basic nutritional floor</strong> for India's impoverished millions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Anganwadi</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Anganwadi is a <strong>centrally sponsored scheme</strong> implemented by the States / UTs which serves as a rural child and maternal care centre in India.</li>
<li>It was started by the Government of India In 1975 as part of <strong>the Integrated Child Development Services program</strong> to combat<strong> child hunger and malnutrition.</strong></li>
<li>Anganwadi centres provide a package of six services: <strong>supplementary nutrition, pre-school non-formal education, immunisation, health check-up, nutrition and health education, </strong>and<strong> referral services.</strong></li>
<li>The beneficiaries under the Anganwadi Services Scheme are identified on the basis of <strong>Aadhaar.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>At a time when India is battling with Covid-19 it must take into consideration the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-report-on-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-children" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>impact of the pandemic on children</strong> </a>and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/higher-food-prices-and-nutrition-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>higher food prices in pandemic</strong></a>, and ensure accessibility to nutrition, growth monitoring and health services to every beneficiary.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/higher-food-prices-and-nutrition-security" 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/anganwadi-services'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Report on Future of News in India: Vidhi',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy (Delhi based independent think-tank) released a report examining the <strong>future of news in India.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The worsening economic health of print journalism threatens its ability to credibly inform the public and act as an institutional check upon power.</li>
<li>The environment of digital news operates in a vacuum of regulation. The emergence of a <strong>post-truth paradigm in public communications</strong> and the <strong>widespread proliferation of misinformation</strong> are barriers to realising the benefits of digital news distribution.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Post-truth includes</strong> circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recommendations:</strong> The report has drawn a roadmap of legal reforms to facilitate the transition of high-quality print journalism into the era of digital communications in a manner that benefits the public good.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Checking the Dominance of Online Advertising Platforms:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>advertisement-revenue model</strong> for digital news may be displaying indications of market failure. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In an advertising-revenue model, the online companies publish free content that drives hundreds, thousands or millions of visitors to the site on a monthly basis. Advertisers pay the online companies to get in front of these visitors, this helps Businesses generate their revenue from the fees advertisers pay for this access.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To orient the market for digital news towards the public good, the <strong>role and practices of online advertising platforms must be systematically studied by a specialised authority.</strong></li>
<li>The report has recommended the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/competition-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Competition Commission of India</strong> </a>to investigate the dominance of online advertising platforms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enacting Comprehensive Measures to Address Misinformation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It suggests a range of legislative, co-regulatory and voluntary measures which provide an integrated framework to prevent the spread of misinformation and enhance reader literacy. Example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Development of industry standards to identify misinformation.</li>
<li>Use of analytics to identify patterns of misinformation, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Appropriate Responsibilities on Digital News Entities:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The report calls to fill the legal vacuum for digital news in a manner which is sensitive to the nuances of online discourse.</li>
<li>It recommends granting limited powers to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/press-council-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Press Council of India</strong></a>, in conjunction with a voluntary registration procedure and the development of a brief, accessible <strong>code of conduct</strong> as a mechanism for the imposition of <strong>editorial responsibility.</strong></li>
<li>The role of online platforms in the distribution of news should be addressed through targeted interventions based on the design aspects of such platforms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596880652_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596880652_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="628" height="576" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/probe-dominance-of-online-advertising-platforms-says-report-on-the-future-of-digital-news/article32298509.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/report-on-future-of-news-in-india-vidhi'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Loya Jirga: Grand Assembly of Afghanistan',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a three-day <strong>Loya Jirga-grand assembly</strong> has been called in Afghanistan to decide on freeing about 400 Taliban fighters convicted for serious crimes including murder and abductions.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Loya Jirga</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>mass national gathering</strong> that brings together representatives from the various ethnic, religious, and tribal communities in Afghanistan.</li>
<li>It is a highly respected <strong>centuries-old consultative body</strong> that has been <strong>convened at times of national crisis or to settle national issues.</strong></li>
<li>According to the Afghan Constitution, a Loya Jirga is considered the <strong>highest expression</strong> of the Afghan people. It is <strong>not an official decision-making body</strong> and its <strong>decisions are not legally binding.</strong></li>
<li>However, the Loya Jirga's decision is seen as final, with the president and parliament expected to respect the ruling.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Need for Convening Loya Jirga:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Loya Jirga has been convened after the Afghanistan President refused to release the Taliban prisoners. This threatened the <strong>derailment of intra-Afghan talks,</strong> tentatively scheduled for 10<sup>th</sup> August 2020 in Doha. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Taliban has also threatened of more bloodshed if the prisoners are not released.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The USA believes that the talks between the Afghanistan government and Taliban will lead to reduction of violence and direct talks, resulting in a peace agreement and an end to the war in Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The prisoner exchanges are part of the agreements signed by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-taliban-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USA and Taliban</strong></a> and the USA and Afghanistan government in February 2020.</li>
<li>However, these were delayed for several months, and the intra-Afghan talks that were scheduled on 10<sup>th</sup> March had to be put off. Few argue that the<strong> current Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani is deliberately delaying peace talks</strong> with the Taliban to retain power because it is speculated that <strong>negotiations could seek a neutral interim government that</strong> may cost Mr.Ghani his post.</li>
<li>The USA announced to withdraw its forces and reduced its strength to about 8000, after pushing for the Afghanistan government to release the Taliban prisoners, and for the Taliban to release Afghan soldiers and civilians in its custody.</li>
<li>Over the past few weeks, the USA government has been keen to speed up the Taliban-Afghan reconciliation process, with an eye on the November 2020 Presidential elections.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Interests in Afghanistan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has a <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indias-role-in-afghanistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>major stake</strong></a> in the stability of Afghanistan. India has invested considerable resources in Afghanistan's development.<strong> E.g.</strong> the <strong>Afghan Parliament, the Zaranj-Delaram Highway,</strong> Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam<strong> (Salma Dam)</strong> among others.</li>
<li>India favours the continuation of the current Afghanistan government in power, which it considers a strategic asset vis-&agrave;-vis Pakistan.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An increased political and military role for the Taliban and the expansion of its territorial control should be of great concern to India since the Taliban is widely believed to be a prot&eacute;g&eacute; of Pakistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Afghanistan is the gateway to Central Asia.</li>
<li>Withdrawal of US troops could result in the breeding of the fertile ground for various anti-India terrorist outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish-e-Mohammed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596880173_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596880173_pasted image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India should support any genuine peace process in Afghanistan. However, the peace process in Afghanistan is <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-taliban-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>one-sided and pushed by the U.S.A. and Pakistan.</strong></a></li>
<li>India should not recognise or publicly engage the Taliban until it recognises the Afghanistan government.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/loya-jirga-to-decide-on-prisoner-release-begins/article32298599.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/loya-jirga-grand-assembly-of-afghanistan'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'TRIFED’s Digitisation Drive',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed#:~:text=The%20Tribal%20Cooperative%20Marketing%20Development,of%20Ministry%20of%20Tribal%20Affairs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India</strong></a> (TRIFED) celebrated its<strong> 33<sup>rd</sup> Foundation Day on 6<sup>th</sup> August 2020</strong> and launched its own virtual office on the same day.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Virtual Office:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has <strong>81 online workstations and 100 additional converging State and agency workstations</strong> that will help the team members of TRIFED in working with their partners across the country on mission-mode towards bringing the tribal people closer to mainstream development.</li>
<li>To gauge the level of employee engagement and streamline their efforts, an <strong>Employee Engagement and Work Distribution Matrix</strong> with Dashboard Links has also been launched.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, <strong>every aspect</strong> like shopping, banking, working, etc. has gone <strong>online</strong> and it has been observed that the trend has increased even after relaxations of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdowns</strong></a>.</li>
<li>All these organisational initiatives are a part of TRIFED&rsquo;s ambitious <strong>all-encompassing digitisation drive </strong>to<strong> promote tribal commerce </strong>and<strong> map and link its village-based tribal producers and artisans to national and international markets</strong> by setting up<strong> state of art e-platforms</strong> benchmarked to international standards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Formation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>TRIFED came into existence in <strong>1987</strong> as the<strong> national nodal agency</strong> under the aegis of the <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>It was registered under the then <strong>Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>started its operations in 1988</strong> with its <strong>head office in New Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> Socio-economic development of tribal people, promotion of economic welfare, empowerment of tribal people with knowledge, tools and information and their capacity building.</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong> It mainly undertakes two functions which are <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/msp-hiked-for-minor-forest-produce#:~:text=MFP%2Drich%20districts.-,Minor%20Forest%20Produce%20(MFP),live%20in%20or%20near%20forests." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minor Forest Produce</strong> </a>(MFP) Development and Retail Marketing and Development.</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives and Involvement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It started the<strong> procurement and marketing of tribal art and craft items</strong> through its<strong> first retail outlet</strong> called <strong>TRIBES INDIA</strong> in New Delhi in <strong>1999.</strong></li>
<li>It has organised the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/van-dhan-internship-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Van Dhan Internship Programme</strong></a>, to enhance the output of the <strong>Van Dhan Yojana.</strong></li>
<li>It has also launched a transformational <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tech-for-tribals-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tech For Tribals program</strong></a> in partnership with <strong>Institutes of National Importance</strong> (INIs) to develop Tribal entrepreneurship.</li>
<li><strong>TRIFOOD Scheme</strong> is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Food Processing Industry, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED and it <strong>promotes value addition to</strong> MFP.</li>
<li><strong>Mechanism for Marketing of MFP through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minimum Support Price</a> (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP</strong> was<strong> implemented in 2013</strong> to<strong> ensure fair returns to forest dwelling <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes#:~:text=However%2C%20Article%20366(25),the%20purposes%20of%20this%20Constitution.%E2%80%9D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheduled Tribes</a></strong> (STs) and other traditional forest dwellers.</li>
<li>It has organized a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/webinar-on-covid-19-response-by-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Webinar on Covid-19 Response</strong></a> in collaboration with the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unicef-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Children&rsquo;s Fund</strong></a> (UNICEF) and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation</strong></a> (WHO).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The webinar was organised for virtual training of TRIFED Trainers and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/self-help-groups-shgs#:~:text=Self%2DHelp%20Groups%20(SHGs),to%20collectively%20perform%20common%20purpose." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Self Help Groups</strong> </a>(SHGs) on basic orientation on Covid-19 response and key preventive measures to ensure that tribal gatherers carry on their work safely.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1644087" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
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	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Food System Vision 2050 Prize: Rockefeller Foundation',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Rockefeller Foundation has selected Naandi Foundation</strong> (a Hyderabad based non-profit organisation), as one of the<strong> top 10 &lsquo;Visionaries&rsquo;</strong> in the world for the <strong>Food System Vision 2050 Prize.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Naandi was recognised for its<strong> Arakunomics model.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Food System Vision Prize:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was launched by the<strong> USA-based &lsquo;The Rockefeller Foundation&rsquo;,</strong> in partnership with the other two organisations - SecondMuse and OpenIDEO- in 2019.</li>
<li>It is an invitation for organizations across the globe to <strong>develop a Vision of the regenerative and nourishing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/food-systems" target="_blank" rel="noopener">food system</a> that they aspire to create by the year 2050.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Food System Vision</strong> is a story about the future that addresses the<strong> following six interconnected themes:</strong> Environment, Diets, Economics, Culture, Technology and Policy.</li>
<li>The notion is that by transforming food systems, following <strong>challenges can be addressed:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A global population approaching 10 billion,</li>
<li>Greenhouse gasses changing the climate,</li>
<li>Pollution poisoning soil, air, and water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>USD 2 million will be distributed to the Top Visionaries,</strong> who will be eligible to receive a prize of <strong>USD 2,00,000 each.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Naandi Foundation (Arakunomics):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The organisation was recognised for the application of <strong>Arakunomics</strong> model in regions of <strong>Araku</strong> (Andhra Pradesh), <strong>Wardha</strong> (Maharashtra) and<strong> New Delhi,</strong> leading to the Food Vision 2050 that follows an <strong>&ldquo;ABCDEFGH&rdquo;</strong> framework centring on: <strong>A</strong>griculture, <strong>B</strong>iology, <strong>C</strong>ompost, <strong>D</strong>ecentralised decision-making, <strong>E</strong>ntrepreneurs, <strong>F</strong>amilies, <strong>G</strong>lobal Markets, and <strong>&lsquo;H</strong>eadstands (implying innovation)&rsquo;.</li>
<li>Arakunomics is a new integrated<strong> economic model</strong> that ensures profits for farmers, quality for consumers through <strong>regenerative agriculture.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is based on work with tribal farmers in Araku for nearly 20 years.</li>
<li>This economic model is a tribute to the tribal farmers of Araku region for the world class coffee produced and launched in Paris in 2017, as well as for the high carbon landscape transformation they did in over 955 villages, thereby planting 25 million trees.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Arakunomics success in Araku led to Naandi replicating the model to support the livelihoods of farming communities in the villages of <strong>Wardha &ndash; infamous for agrarian distress,</strong> as well as later in <strong>New Delhi,</strong> as part of an <strong>Urban Farms Co programme.</strong></li>
<li>Naandi hopes to expand its &ldquo;food-print&rdquo; by creating thousands of farm livelihoods by transforming their agriculture over one million acres spread across India.</li>
<li>Rockefeller Foundation will release USD 1,50,000 at present and the balance USD 50,000 after a three-month accelerator programme that is intended to help Naandi realise its vision.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Regenerative Agriculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>&ldquo;Regenerative Agriculture&rdquo; describes farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits,<strong> reverse climate change</strong> by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity &ndash; resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle.</li>
<li>The key to regenerative agriculture is that it <strong>not only &ldquo;does no harm&rdquo; to the land but actually improves it,</strong> using technologies that regenerate and revitalize the soil and the environment.</li>
<li>Regenerative agriculture leads to healthy soil, capable of producing high quality, nutrient dense food while simultaneously improving, rather than degrading land, and ultimately leading to productive farms and healthy communities and economies.</li>
<li>It is dynamic and holistic, incorporating<strong> permaculture</strong> (sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural ecosystems) and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/organic-food-regulatory-system-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>organic farming practices</strong></a>, including conservation tillage, cover crops, crop rotation, composting, mobile animal shelters and pasture cropping, to increase food production, farmers&rsquo; income and especially, topsoil.</li>
<li>It has been promoted <strong>to counter loss of the world&rsquo;s fertile soil and biodiversity,</strong> along with the loss of indigenous seeds and knowledge.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/food-vision-2050-prize-for-naandi-foundation/article32298507.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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Cake\View\View::render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 765
Cake\Controller\Controller::render() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 623
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 125
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 93

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