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Last Mile Challenges To Financial Inclusion

This article is based on “Not by digital alone” which was published in The Indian Express on 06/01/2021. It talks about the last mile...

07 Jan 2021 News Editorials
Longitudinal Ageing Study of India

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has released the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) Wave-1 Report on the...

07 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Air Pollution and Pregnancy Losses: Lancet Report

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06 Jan 2021 News Editorials
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Solidarity and Stability Deal: Gulf Countries

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The Big Picture: The Demands of Farmers

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Governor: An Agent of the Centre?

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School Bag Policy 2020

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COVISHIELD and COVAXIN Approved for Restricted Use

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05 Jan 2021 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'Last Mile Challenges To Financial Inclusion',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
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<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/how-over-reliance-on-tech-worsens-financial-exclusion-in-rural-india-7134424/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Not by digital alone&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 06/01/2021. It talks about the last mile challenges to financial inclusion in India.</p>
</div>
<p>Being a welfare state, one of the prime objectives of government policy in India has been to enable financial inclusion and to reduce abject poverty through interventionist public policies. One such approach is the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-advisory-on-direct-benefit-transfer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) initiative.</strong></a></p>
<p>Various government programmes such as maternity entitlements, student scholarships, and wages for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mgnrega-and-migrant-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MGNREGA</strong></a> workers fall under the DBT initiative where the money is transferred to the respective beneficiaries&rsquo; bank accounts.</p>
<p>However, the beneficiaries face many hurdles in accessing their money. For example, in rural areas, beneficiaries have to travel miles and wait for several hours to make one banking transaction.</p>
<p>These hurdles are broadly referred to as <strong>&ldquo;last mile challenges''</strong>. These challenges have widened the distance between the rights holder and their entitlements, which must be urgently resolved.</p>
<h3>Last Mile Challenges &amp; Their Impact</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Digital Exclusions:</strong> A recently published KPMG report found that India&rsquo;s Internet usage is the lowest of the BRICS nations. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Similarly, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-quality-of-life-index-2020-surfshark" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital Quality of Life (DQL) Index 2020</strong></a> reflects the dismal performance of India in digital parameters.</li>
<li>Moreover, digital illiteracy, innumeracy, and unfamiliarity with technology hinder the digital product&rsquo;s full uptake.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unfamiliarity With DBT:</strong> Beneficiaries of DBT do not know what to do when their payments get rejected, often due to technical reasons such as incorrect account numbers and incorrect Aadhaar mapping with bank accounts. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>More importantly, the workers/beneficiaries have rarely been consulted regarding their preferred mode of transacting.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Breeding of Corruption:</strong> The digital exclusion and unfamiliarity of beneficiaries with DBT, has created new forms of corruption.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This was evidenced in the massive scholarship scam in Jharkhand, where many poor students were deprived of their scholarships owing to a nexus of intermediaries, government officials, banking correspondents and others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inadequate Rural Banking:</strong> There are just 14.6 bank branches per 1 lakh adults in India. It is sparser in rural India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, rural banks are short-staffed and tend to get overcrowded.</li>
<li>Accessing banks in rural areas leads to loss of one wage day for the worker. Also, people have to spend money on transportation to access the bank to withdraw their payments/subsidies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unsuccessful Banking Correspondent Model:</strong> More than a decade after the first regulations on the Business Correspondent (BC) Model were issued in 2006, banks and other financial service providers are struggling to establish a viable and sustainable business case for branchless banking.</li>
<li><strong>Accountability Issue:</strong> The lack of accountability and absence of grievance redressal continue to impact all DBT programmes.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Expanding Scope of Social Justice:</strong> Understanding social justice should be broadened by including the right to access own money in a timely and transparent manner. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, these rights should be protected through strengthening grievance redressal processes and setting accountability norms for all payment intermediaries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Providing More Choices:</strong> Universalization of Aadhar Enabled Payment System will enable Aadhar Enabled Bank Account holders to carry out seamless financial transactions.</li>
<li><strong>Establishing a Code of Conduct for BC Model:</strong> Banks should develop standard rules and formulate a code of conduct to develop effective monitoring and supervision of banking correspondents.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Geotagging and GPS mapping of agent locations to search agent points will also enable better monitoring and supervision.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uber Model:</strong> There is a need to explore the possibility to adopt the &ldquo;Uber&rdquo; model to handle cash-in/cash-out (CICO), by enabling customers to act as CICO points. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will reduce dependence on agents and allow them to go beyond CICO.</li>
<li>On the other hand, customers would be able to transact beyond a stationary and limited agent network.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promoting Digital Literacy:</strong> Digital literacy is the lynchpin of triggering a revolution in India&rsquo;s financial inclusion and doorstep delivery models.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, <a href="/pdf/1607550498-conference-on-digital-cashless-economy.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)</strong></a> is a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>There is a clear need for a fresh perspective by re-imagining some key aspects of DBT initiative. It requires that all stakeholders, including the government, regulators, service providers, industry bodies, and others, need to catalyse radical changes in the way the &lsquo;last mile&rsquo; functions at present.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #f51d1d; background-color: #fff9cf;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>In rural India, over-reliance on digital technology has worsened financial exclusion. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m5eqIEUgN64" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/india-at-the-horse-shoe-table/story-KZexjyZVCTyCJKnoDIuqCN.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;India at the horseshoe table&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on January 6th, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Longitudinal Ageing Study of India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare</strong> has released the <strong>Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) Wave-1 Report</strong> on the virtual platform.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About LASI:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a full scale <strong>national survey of scientific investigation of the health, economic, and social determinants and consequences of population ageing</strong> in India. It was <strong>commissioned in 2016.</strong></li>
<li>It is India&rsquo;s <strong>first and the world&rsquo;s largest ever survey that provides a longitudinal database</strong> for designing policies and programmes <strong>for the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/elderly-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">older population</a></strong> in the broad domains of social, health, and economic well-being.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Agencies Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>National Programme for Health Care of Elderly,</strong> Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare has undertaken the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India, through <strong>International Institute for Population Sciences,</strong> (IIPS), <strong>Mumbai</strong> in collaboration with <strong>Harvard School of Public Health, University of Southern California, USA, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-world-population-2019-unfpa#:~:text=According%20to%20State%20of%20World,annual%20growth%20rate%20of%20China." target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Population Fund</a> (UNFPA)</strong> and <strong>National Institute on Ageing.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coverage:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>first national wave of the LASI (Wave 1)</strong> covered a <strong>baseline sample of 72,250</strong> individuals <strong>aged 45 and above and their spouses</strong>, including elderly persons aged <strong>60</strong> and above and oldest-old persons aged <strong>75</strong> and above from all States and Union Territories (UTs) of India (excluding Sikkim).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Methodology:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It collects detailed data on health and biomarkers together with information on family and social network, income, assets, and consumption.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In medicine, a biomarker is a <strong>measurable indicator of the severity or presence of some disease state</strong>. More generally a biomarker is anything that can be used <strong>as an indicator of a particular disease</strong> state or some other physiological state of an organism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the 2011 census, the <strong>60+ population accounted for 8.6% of India&rsquo;s population,</strong> accounting for <strong>103 million elderly people.</strong></li>
<li>Growing at around <strong>3% annually</strong>, the number of elderly people will rise to <strong>319 million in 2050.</strong></li>
<li><strong>75%</strong> of the elderly people suffer from one or the other <strong>chronic disease. 40%</strong> of the elderly people have <strong>one or the other disability</strong> and <strong>20%</strong> have issues related to <strong>mental health.</strong></li>
<li>The self-reported prevalence of diagnosed <strong>cardiovascular diseases</strong> (CVDs) is <strong>28%</strong> among older adults aged <strong>45 and above.</strong></li>
<li>The prevalence of <strong>multi-morbidity conditions</strong> among the elderly age <strong>60 and above</strong> is <strong>much higher in the states/UTs</strong> of Kerala (52%), Chandigarh (41%), Lakshadweep (40%), Goa (39%) and Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands (38%). The prevalence of <strong>single morbidity and multi-morbidity</strong> conditions increases with age.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The evidence from LASI will be used to further strengthen and broaden the <strong>scope of the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly</strong> and also help in establishing a range of preventive and health care programmes for the older population and most vulnerable among them.</li>
<li>The study holds significance in light of the ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> pandemic with the elderly and persons with <strong>comorbidities</strong> being at the highest risk of contracting the disease.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Comorbidity</strong> simply means <strong>more than one illness or disease occurring in one person at the same time</strong> and <strong>multimorbidity means more than two illnesses</strong> or diseases occurring in the same person at the same time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Programme for Health Care of Elderly</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The programme is being implemented under the <strong>Non-Communicable Disease</strong> (NCD) flexible pool within the overarching umbrella of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-mission-and-janani-suraksha-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Health Mission</strong></a> for Districts and below in the States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vision:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To provide <strong>accessible, affordable, and high-quality long-term, comprehensive and dedicated care services</strong> to an Ageing population.</li>
<li>Creating a new <strong>&ldquo;architecture&rdquo;</strong> for Ageing.</li>
<li>To build a framework to create an enabling environment for <strong>&ldquo;a Society for all Ages&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>To promote the concept of <strong>Active and Healthy Ageing.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Funding Pattern:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Centre bears 75% of the total budget and the State Government contributes <strong>25%</strong> of the budget, for activities up to district level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligible Beneficiary:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All elderly People (above 60 Years) in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types of Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Free, Specialized health care facilities exclusively for the elderly people through the State health delivery system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1686552" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source:PIB</a></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/longitudinal-ageing-study-of-india'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Air Pollution and Pregnancy Losses: Lancet Report',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to recent study <strong>poor air quality is associated</strong> with a considerable proportion of <strong>pregnancy loss in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>first study to estimate the effect of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/air-pollution-concerted-efforts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">air pollution</a> on pregnancy loss</strong> across the region.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Study:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They created a model to <strong>examine how exposure to PM 2.5 increased women&rsquo;s risk of pregnancy loss</strong>, calculating risk for each 10 &micro;g/m&sup3; increased in PM 2.5 after <strong>adjusting for maternal age, temperature and humidity, seasonal variation, and long-term trends</strong> in pregnancy loss.</li>
<li>Each <strong>increase in 10 &micro;g/m&sup3;</strong> was estimated to <strong>increase a mother&rsquo;s risk of pregnancy loss by 3%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The increase in <strong>risk was greater for mothers from rural areas or those who became pregnant at an older age</strong>, compared to younger mothers from urban areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Area Specific Report:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Of the pregnancy loss cases, <strong>77% were from India</strong>, 12% from Pakistan, and 11% from Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The study was <strong>unable to distinguish between natural pregnancy loss and abortions</strong>, which may have led to an underestimation of the effect of air pollution on natural pregnancy loss.</li>
<li>There was <strong>under-reporting</strong> of pregnancy losses because of <strong>stigma</strong> or <strong>ignoring very early pregnancy losses.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Air Pollution</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Air pollution refers to any <strong>physical, chemical, or biological change in the air</strong>. It is the contamination of air by harmful gases, dust, and smoke which <strong>affects plants, animals, and humans drastically.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Air Pollutants:</strong> Pollutants are the substances which cause pollution. <strong>Types:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Primary:</strong> The pollutants that directly cause air pollution or the pollutants that are formed and <strong>emitted directly from particular sources</strong>. Examples are <strong>particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur oxide.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Secondary:</strong> The pollutants formed by the intermingling and reaction of primary pollutants are known as secondary pollutants. Examples are <strong>ozone and secondary organic aerosol (haze).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes of Air Pollution:</strong> Major sources of air pollution are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indoor <strong>burning of fossil fuels, woods and other biomass</strong> to cook, heat and light homes.</li>
<li><strong>Industry</strong>, including power generation such as coal-fired plants and diesel generators.</li>
<li><strong>Transport</strong>, especially <strong>vehicles</strong> with diesel engines.</li>
<li><strong>Agriculture</strong>, including livestock, which produces methane and ammonia, rice paddies, which produce methane, and the burning of agricultural waste.</li>
<li>Open <strong>waste burning</strong> and organic waste in landfills.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Air Pollution on Human Health:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-global-air-2020-hei" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>State of Global Air 2020 (SoGA 2020)</strong></a> released by the <strong>Health Effects Institute (HEI):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>High PM contributed to the deaths of more than 1,16,000 Indian infants who did not survive their first month.</li>
<li>More than half of these deaths were associated with outdoor PM2.5 and others were linked to the use of solid fuels such as charcoal, wood, and animal dung for cooking.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/malnutrition-and-disease-burden" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2017 Global Burden of Disease report</strong></a> published by the <strong>Lancet Planetary Health journal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India, which accounts for 18% of the global population, recorded 26% of the global premature deaths and disease burden due to air pollution.</li>
<li><strong>One in every eight deaths in India (2017)</strong> could be attributed to air pollution, which now contributes to more disease burden than smoking.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Household air pollution causes about <strong>3.8 million premature deaths</strong> each year.</li>
<li>Air quality has become a <strong>serious health issue</strong> because the pollutants enter deep inside the lungs and the lungs capacity to purify blood gets reduced which affects the person&rsquo;s growth, mental ability and the working capacity especially for <strong>children, pregnant women and elderly people.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In children, it is associated with <strong>low birth weight, asthma, childhood <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-cancer-awareness-day#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20World%20Health,2018%20against%209.5%20million%20globally." target="_blank" rel="noopener">cancers</a>, obesity, poor lung development and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-autism-awareness-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">autism</a></strong>, among others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Initiatives to Control Air Pollution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/commission-for-air-quality-management-in-the-ncr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas</a>:</strong> It coordinates efforts of state governments to curb air pollution, and will lay down the parameters of air quality for the region.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/only-bs-vi-vehicles-to-be-sold-from-april-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bharat Stage (BS) VI norms</a>:</strong> These are emission control standards put in place by the government to keep a check on air pollution.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dashboard-for-monitoring-air-quality" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dashboard for Monitoring Air Quality</a>:</strong> It is a <strong>National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP)</strong> based dashboard, built on data from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/health-emergency-in-new-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Pollution Control Board</strong></a>&rsquo;s <strong>National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (NAAQM)</strong> Network which was started in 1984-85 and covers 344 cities/towns in 29 states and 6 UTs.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/govt-launches-mission-to-fight-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Clean Air Programme</a>:</strong>&nbsp;Launched in 2019, it is a comprehensive pan-India air pollution abatement scheme for 102 cities.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/safar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Air Quality Index (AQI)</a>:</strong> It focuses on health effects one might experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-lists-cities-with-no-clean-up-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Ambient Air Quality Standards</a>:</strong> They are the standards for ambient air quality with reference to various identified pollutants notified by the Central Pollution Control Board under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites#:~:text=It%20was%20entrusted%20with%20the,of%20Pollution)%20Act%2C%201981.&amp;text=to%20promote%20cleanliness%20of%20streams,and%20abatement%20of%20water%20pollution." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong><a href="/summary-of-important-reports/breathe-an-action-plan-for-combating-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Breathe</a>:</strong> It is a 15 point action plan to fight air pollution by <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/niti-aayog-reconstituted" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NITI Aayog</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)</a>:</strong> It aims at providing clean-cooking fuel to the poor households and bringing in qualitative charges in the living standards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Climate and Clean Air Coalition:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Launched in <strong>2019</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>voluntary partnership</strong> of governments, intergovernmental organizations, businesses, scientific institutions and civil society organizations <strong>committed to protecting the climate and improving air quality through actions to reduce short-lived climate pollutants.</strong></li>
<li><strong>India is a member</strong> of the coalition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nation</a>s</strong> <strong>Clean Air Initiative:</strong> It calls on national and subnational governments to commit to achieving air quality that is safe for citizens, and to align climate change and air pollution policies by 2030.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/air-pollution-concerted-efforts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Health Organization (WHO)&rsquo;s 4 Pillar Strategy</a></strong>: WHO adopted a resolution (2015) to address the adverse health effects of air pollution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>PM (Particulate Matter) 2.5</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>PM 2.5 is an atmospheric particulate matter of diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometres, which is around 3% the diameter of a human hair.</li>
<li>It causes respiratory problems and also reduces visibility. It is an endocrine disruptor that can affect insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, thus contributing to diabetes.</li>
<li>It can only be detected with the help of an electron microscope because of them being very small.</li>
<li>Sources of fine particles include all types of <strong>combustion activities</strong> (motor vehicles, power plants, wood burning, etc.) and certain <strong>industrial processes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a need to urgently confront air pollution and strengthen health systems. The short-term respite from air pollution that most big cities in the world experienced was because of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lockdown</a> measures and not a permanent fix</strong>.</li>
<li>Also there is a need to <strong>increase public awareness on air pollution. Educate and inform people about what they can do to reduce air pollution</strong>. Put out public health messages on the metro, buses, billboards, and radio to help change public behaviour.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/south-asia-air-pollution-pregnancy-loss/" 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/air-pollution-and-pregnancy-losses-lancet-report'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Rastriya Kamdhenu Aayog',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<h3></h3>
<h3><span style="font-size: 14px;">Recently, the <strong>Rastriya Kamdhenu Aayog</strong> has announced <strong>&lsquo;Kamdhenu Gau-Vigyan Prachar-Prasar Exam&rsquo;</strong> with an aim to &ldquo;infuse curiosity&rdquo; among people about the importance of cows, and to &ldquo;sensitise and educate&rdquo; them about the bovine species.</span></h3>
<h3></h3>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Rastriya Kamdhenu Aayog</strong> is an agency under the <strong>Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &amp; Dairying)</strong> established for the protection of cows.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li>
<li>It has been constituted to organize animal husbandry on <strong>modern and scientific lines</strong> and to take steps for preserving and improving breeds, and prohibiting the slaughter of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There are 50 well-defined breeds of cattle and 17 breeds of buffaloes in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is a <strong>high-powered permanent body</strong> to formulate policies and to provide directions for the implementation of schemes related to cattle so as to lay more emphasis on livelihood generation for small &amp; marginal farmers, women and youth entrepreneurs.</li>
<li>It functions as an integral part of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rashtriya-gokul-mission#:~:text=Government%20has%20sanctioned%20funds%20under,in%20remaining%2017%20Gokul%20grams."><strong>Rashtriya Gokul Mission</strong></a>.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Rashtriya Gokul Mission was initiated by Government of India in December 2014 with the aim of development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds, genetic upgradation of bovine population and enhancing milk production and productivity of bovines thereby making milk production more remunerative to the farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/emotions-to-earthquakes-einstein-waves-a-govt-bodys-cattle-class-7136043/">Source: IE</a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rastriya-kamdhenu-aayog'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Helping Hand to Sri Lanka',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>An India-funded <strong>free ambulance service</strong> is playing a vital role in Sri Lanka&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> response.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610014882_07.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610014882_07.png" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India provided a <strong>grant of 7.56 million USD</strong> for the <strong>Suwa Seriya</strong> [vehicle or journey for good health] <strong>service</strong> which was launched in 2016, on a pilot basis. Later, this was extended throughout the country with additional grants from India.</li>
<li><strong>India also helped with Capacity Building:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Training and refresher programmes for <strong>Sri Lankan emergency medical technicians</strong> which further <strong>generated employment</strong> for the local population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is India&rsquo;s <strong>second largest grant project to Sri Lanka</strong> after the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-sri-lanka-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>housing project</strong></a> of more than <strong>60,000 houses</strong>, with a nearly 400 million USD grant.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India Sri Lanka Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Geopolitical Significance of SriLanka:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sri Lanka&rsquo;s location in the <strong>Indian Ocean region</strong> has been of strategic geopolitical relevance to several major powers.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China&rsquo;s <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/19-11-2019/print" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>string of pearl&rsquo;s strategy</strong></a> is aimed at encircling India to establish dominance in the Indian Ocean.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China is building state of the art gigantic modern ports all along the Indian Ocean and to the south of it, in Gwadar (Pakistan), Chittagong (Bangladesh, Kyauk Phru (Myanmar) and <strong>Hambantota (Sri Lanka)</strong>. Thus Sri Lanka is vital for China&rsquo;s <strong>String of Pearls strategy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Sri Lanka has a list of <strong>highly strategic ports</strong> located among <strong>busiest sea lanes of communication.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/printpdf/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Reserve Bank of India</strong></a> (RBI) has signed an agreement for extending a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-signs-currency-swap-for-sri-lanka" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USD 400 million currency swap</strong></a> facility to Sri Lanka to boost the foreign reserves and ensure financial stability of the country, which is badly hit by Covid-19 pandemic.</li>
<li>Political relations between India and Sri Lanka have been marked by <strong>high-level exchanges of visits at regular intervals.</strong></li>
<li>Sri Lanka is a member of regional groupings like <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bimstec-guests-of-honour" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BIMSTEC</strong></a> (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAARC</strong></a> in which India plays a leading role.</li>
<li>India and Sri Lanka conduct <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-mitra-shakti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>joint Military (Mitra Shakti)</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/slinex-20-india-sri-lanka-naval-maritime-exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Naval (SLINEX)</strong></a> exercises.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Commercial Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sri Lanka is one of India&rsquo;s <strong>largest trading partners among the SAARC countries.</strong> India in turn is Sri Lanka&rsquo;s <strong>largest trade partner globally</strong>.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s exports to Sri Lanka amounted to 5.3 billion USD in 2015-17 whereas its imports from the country were at 743 million USD.</li>
<li>Trade between the two countries grew particularly rapidly after the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-sri-lanka-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement</strong></a> which came into force in March 2000.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural and Educational Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo actively promotes awareness of Indian culture by offering classes in <strong>Indian music, dance, Hindi and Yoga</strong>. Every year, cultural troupes from both countries exchange visits.</li>
<li>The <strong>India-Sri Lanka Foundation</strong>, set up in December 1998 as an <strong>intergovernmental initiative</strong>, also aims towards enhancement of scientific, technical, educational and cultural cooperation through civil society exchanges and enhancing contact between the younger generations of the two countries.</li>
<li>The People of Indian Origin (PIOs) comprise <strong>Sindhis, Borahs, Gujaratis, Memons, Parsis, Malayalis and Telugu</strong> speaking persons who have settled down in Sri Lanka (most of them after partition) and are engaged in various business ventures.</li>
<li>In April 2019, India and Sri Lanka also concluded agreement on <strong>countering Drug and Human trafficking.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues and Conflicts</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>China Factor:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sri Lanka also handed over the <strong>strategic port of Hambantota</strong>, which is expected to play a key role in <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/obor-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China&rsquo;s Belt and Road Initiative</strong></a><strong>, to China on a 99-year lease.</strong></li>
<li>China has also supplied arms as well as provided huge loans to Sri Lanka for its development.</li>
<li>The two countries have signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement which is Sri Lanka&rsquo;s first nuclear partnership with any country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fishermen issue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Given the proximity of the territorial waters of both countries, especially in the <strong>Palk Straits</strong> and the <strong>Gulf of Mannar</strong>, incidents of straying of fishermen are common.</li>
<li>Fishermen often <strong>risk their lives</strong> and cross in to Srilankan rather than return empty-handed, but the Sri Lankan Navy is on alert, and have either arrested or destroyed fishing nets and vessels of those who have crossed the line.</li>
<li>The 4<sup>th</sup> meeting under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-sri-lanka-joint-working-group-on-fisheries#:~:text=India%20and%20Sri%20Lanka%20agreed,solution%20to%20the%20fishermen%20issue." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Joint Working Group</strong></a> (JWG) on fisheries was held recently between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India and Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka as the mechanism to help find a permanent solution to the fishermen issue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/an-indian-gift-helps-sri-lankas-covid-19-fight/article33503867.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source:TH</a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/helping-hand-to-sri-lanka'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Anubhava Mantapa in Basavakalyan: Karnataka',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Chief Minister of Karnataka has laid the foundation stone for the <strong>&lsquo;New Anubhava Mantapa&rsquo; in Basavakalyan</strong>, the place where <strong>12<sup>th</sup> century poet-philosopher <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basava-jayanthi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Basaveshwara</a></strong> lived for most of his life.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the New Anubhava Mantapa:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will be a six-floor structure in the midst of the 7.5-acre plot and <strong>represent various principles of Basaveshwara&rsquo;s philosophy.</strong></li>
<li>It will <strong>showcase the 12<sup>th</sup> Century Anubhava Mantapa</strong> (often referred to as the <strong>&ldquo;first Parliament of the world&rdquo;</strong>) established by Basaveshwara in Basavakalyan where philosophers and social reformers held debates.</li>
<li>The building will adopt the <strong>Kalyana <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chalukyan-rulers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chalukya</a> style of architecture.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Later Chalukyas, popularly known as the Chalukyas of Kalyan or Kalyani Chalukyas form an integral part of ancient Karnataka history of early medieval period. Kalyan Chalukya rulers patronised temple construction, dance and music, as their predecessors did.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The grand structure <strong>supported by 770 pillars</strong> will have an auditorium with a seating capacity of 770 people. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is believed that <strong>770 Sharanas</strong> (followers of Basaveshwara) led the <strong>Vachana reformist movement</strong> in the 12th Century.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>On its top, the structure would have a <strong>Shiva Linga placed on a large pedestal.</strong></li>
<li>The project also envisages <strong>state-of-the-art robotic system</strong>, open-air theatre, <strong>modern water conservation system</strong>, terrace garden, library, research centre, prayer hall, yoga centre and so on.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Basaveshwara:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Brief Profile:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Basaveshwara (1134-1168)</strong> was an Indian philosopher, social reformer and statesman who attempted to create a casteless society and fought against caste and religious discrimination.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610013023_06.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610013023_06.png" width="250" caption="false" style="float: right;" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Basava Jayanthi</strong> is an <strong>annual event</strong> celebrated in the honour of the birth of Vishwaguru Basaveshwara.</li>
<li>He was <strong>born in Bagevadi</strong> (of undivided Bijapur district in Karnataka).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/center-refuses-to-recognize-lingayat-as-separate-religion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>tradition of Lingayatism</strong></a> is known to have been founded by him.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Philosophy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>His spiritual discipline was based on the <strong>principles of Arivu (true knowledge), Achara (right conduct), and Anubhava (divine experience)</strong> and it brought social, religious and economical revolution in the 12th century.</li>
<li>This path <strong>advocates a holistic approach of Lingangayoga</strong> (union with the divine). This comprehensive discipline encompasses <strong>bhakti (devotion), jnana (knowledge), and kriye (action)</strong> in a well balanced manner.</li>
<li>He <strong>went to Kalyana (now called Basavakalyan)</strong> probably in the year A.D. 1154. His achievements in the short span of twelve or thirteen years of his stay at Kalyana are striking. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Gates of Dharma were thrown open to all</strong> without any barriers of caste, creed or sex (<strong>Kalyana Rajya</strong> - Welfare State).</li>
<li>He <strong>established the Anubhava Mantapa</strong>, which was a common forum for all to discuss the prevailing problems of socio, economic and political strata including religious and spiritual principles along with personal problems. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Thus, it was the <strong>first and foremost Parliament of India</strong>, where Sharanas sat together and discussed the socialistic principles of a Democratic set up.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>He gave <strong>two more very important socio-economic principles</strong>. They are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Kayaka (Divine work):</strong> According to this, every individual of the society should take up the job of his choice and perform it with all sincerity.</li>
<li><strong>Dasoha (Equal distribution):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There must be an equal income for equal work.</li>
<li>The worker (Kayakajeevi) may lead his day-today life by his hard earned income. But he should not preserve the money or property for tomorrow. He must utilise the</li>
<li>surplus money for the society and poors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vachana Reformist Movement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The main aim of the <strong>Vachana (poetry)</strong> movement, led by Basaveshwara in 12th century, was welfare of all.</li>
<li>It <strong>attempted to address class, caste and to some extent gender issues</strong> in a given societal milieu.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/yediyurappa-lays-foundation-stone-for-new-anubhava-mantapa-at-basavakalyan/article33514139.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/anubhava-mantapa-in-basavakalyan-karnataka'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Sulfur Dioxide Emission Norms Delayed',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Power</strong> has <strong>proposed pushing back the deadlines for adoption of new emission norms by coal-fired power plants</strong>, stating "an unworkable time schedule" would burden utilities and lead to an increase in power tariffs.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India initially had set a <strong>2017 deadline</strong> for <strong>thermal power plants</strong> to comply with <strong>emissions standards for installing Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) units</strong> that cut emissions of toxic sulphur dioxide.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This was <strong>later changed to varying deadlines for different regions, ending in 2022.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FED):</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Removal of Sulfur Dioxide</strong> is called as Flue-gas Desulphurization (FGD).</li>
<li>It seeks to remove gaseous pollutants viz. SO<sub>2</sub> from exhaust flue gases generated in furnaces, boilers, and other industrial processes due to thermal processing, treatment, and combustion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Proposal of the Ministry of Power:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has proposed<strong> a "graded action plan,"</strong> whereby areas where plants are located would be graded according to the severity of pollution, with <strong>Region 1 referring to critically polluted areas</strong>, and <strong>Region 5 being the least polluted.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Strict control of emissions</strong> shall be required in such key areas for thermal power stations categorised under <strong>Region 1</strong>.</li>
<li>Plants in <strong>Region 2</strong> could begin to <strong>take action one year after those in Region 1.</strong></li>
<li>Presently <strong>no action</strong> is required for power plants that are situated under <strong>Region 3, 4 &amp; 5.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the Ministry, the target should be to maintain <strong>uniform ambient air quality</strong> across the country and <strong>not uniform emission norms</strong> for thermal power plants.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This could avoid immediate increase in power price in various relatively clean areas of the country (and) avoid unnecessary burden on power utilities/consumers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sulfur Dioxide Pollution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Source:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The largest source of SO<sub>2</sub> in the atmosphere is the<strong> burning of fossil fuels</strong> by power plants and other industrial facilities.</li>
<li>Smaller sources of SO<sub>2&nbsp;</sub>emissions include: industrial processes such as extracting metal from ore; <strong>natural sources such as volcanoes</strong>; and locomotives, ships and other vehicles and heavy equipment that burn fuel with a high sulfur content.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong> SO<sub>2</sub> can affect both <strong>health and the environment.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Short-term exposures</strong> to SO<sub>2</sub> can <strong>harm the human respiratory system</strong> and make breathing difficult. People with asthma, particularly children, are sensitive to these effects of SO<sub>2</sub>.</li>
<li>SO<sub>2</sub> emissions that lead to high concentrations of SO<sub>2</sub> in the air generally also lead to the <strong>formation of other sulfur oxides (SOx)</strong>. SOx can react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form small particles. These particles <strong>contribute to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dashboard-for-monitoring-air-quality" target="_blank" rel="noopener">particulate matter (PM)</a> pollution.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Small particles may penetrate deeply into the lungs and in sufficient quantities can contribute to health problems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Case:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s sulphur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) emissions <strong>recorded a significant decline of approximately 6% in 2019 compared to 2018</strong>, the steepest drop in four years, according to a report from Greenpeace India and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, India remained the <strong>largest emitter of SO<sub>2</sub>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>2015</strong>, the <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&amp;CC)</strong> <strong>introduced Sulfur Dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) emission limits for coal power stations.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/safar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Air Quality sub-index</strong> </a>has been evolved for <strong>eight pollutants</strong> (PM10, PM2.5, NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub>, CO, O<sub>3</sub>, NH<sub>3</sub>, and Pb) for which short-term (upto 24-hours) <strong>National Ambient Air Quality Standards</strong> are prescribed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/indias-power-ministry-proposes-pushing-back-emission-norms-deadline/article33495403.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/sulfur-dioxide-emission-norms-delayed'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Changing World Order, India & UNSC',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-elected-united-nations-security-council-7132965/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;India&rsquo;s UNSC opportunity&rdquo;</a> which was published in The Indian Express on 05/01/2021. It talks about the changing world order and new challenges and how India should leverage its <strong>two-year tenure of Non-Permanent Membership at UNSC.</strong></p>
</div>
<p>Since the end of the Cold War, India has entered the<a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/22-09-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations Security Council (UNSC)</strong></a> for the third time. However, the current world order is very different from India&rsquo;s earlier stints in UNSC viz. 1991-92 and 2011-12.</p>
<p>The challenge emanating from the current world order is whether a peaceful consensus can bring about the redistribution of power between various superpowers.</p>
<p>In this context, India should leverage this two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of UNSC, to promote national interests and global peace.</p>
<h3>Changing World Order in the Recent Times</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>New Cold-War:</strong> With the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991</strong></a>, the world order turned from being bi-polar to unipolar. However, the current world order is without a systemic equilibrium, which is essential to the maintenance of international stability.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is due to the emergence of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>New Cold War</strong></a> between US &amp; China, which amounts to a struggle for a new distribution of power&mdash;political, economic and military.</li>
<li>Moreover, the differences between the US, China and Russia have become intractable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Retrenchment of US:</strong> The prominent feature of the current world order is the US&rsquo;s retrenchment from global affairs. This can be reflected by the withdrawal of the US the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-renewed-support-for-paris-agreement#:~:text=Paris%20Agreement%20(also%20known%20as,to%20deal%20with%20climate%20change." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Climate deal</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-blocking-sites-access-iaea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>JCPOA</strong></a>, etc.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This retrenchment has led to a severe blow to multilateralism and globalisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indo-Pacific as a New Sub-System:</strong> The rise of China has been redrawing the balance of power in the South-China Sea. This has led to countries like US, India, Japan, etc., colluding in framing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/europe-in-indo-pacific" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific as a new sub-system in international affairs.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indo-Pacific refers to the Indian and the Pacific Oceans between the east coast of Africa and the American west coast and their several littoral countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Declining Role of UN:</strong> The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the UN&rsquo;s main executive body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the veto powers possessed by the UNSC&rsquo;s five permanent members are used as an instrument to shore up their geopolitical interests, regardless of the disastrous consequences for the victims of armed conflict as can be seen in Syria, Iraq, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Current Challenges For Indian Foreign Policy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aggressive China:</strong> At the end of the Cold War, India ought to strengthen cooperation with China on the multilateral front with a view that it would also help generate the conditions for resolving the boundary dispute and expand the areas of bilateral cooperation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this strategy has been proved counter-effective as China now has assumed an aggressive posture towards India. It can be seen in recent Galwan Valley Clashes.</li>
<li>Moreover, China protects Pakistan from the international pressures that India has sought to mobilise at various fora.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Compromising Non-Alignment:</strong> To counter China, India has colluded with like-minded countries, forming Quad grouping (US, India, Japan, Australia).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this convergence with the US has tarnished India&rsquo;s image of non-alignment and deteriorated relations with traditional partners like Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward: Leveraging Non-Permanent Membership</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Becoming Part of the Great Game</strong>: The UNSC offers room for sustained diplomatic interaction between the major powers, minimising tensions and creating new opportunities for cooperation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Much like the US and USSR that cooperated on nuclear proliferation issues at the height of the Cold War, the US and China could explore potential common ground even amidst their broad-based confrontation.</li>
<li>In this context, India can carve out a larger role for itself amid renewed great power rivalry.</li>
<li>Further, as India now joins the UNSC amid a continuing military standoff, India can now expose the Chinese aggression in the Ladakh region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UNSC Reforms:</strong> Making the UNSC more &ldquo;representative&rdquo; has been one of India&rsquo;s demands since the end of the Cold War.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, India should continue its partnership with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G4 (Brazil, Germany and Japan)</strong> </a>countries to expand the UNSC and become a permanent member.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Deepening International Collaboration:</strong> The engagement with peace and security issues at the UNSC will allow India to strengthen its new coalitions such as the Quad.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, India could also use the UNSC tenure to deepen collaboration with its European partners like France and Germany in the security arena.</li>
<li>India must also sustain an intensive dialogue with Russia on all international issues, notwithstanding Russia&rsquo;s worsening problems with the West and closer ties to China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Engaging With Global South:</strong> India needs to revitalise its engagement with its traditional partners in the &ldquo;global south&rdquo; by articulating their peace and security concerns in the UNSC. In this context, two sub-groups of the global south should be of particular interest.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Small Island States:</strong> The numerous small island states worldwide face existential challenges from global warming and rising sea levels.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They also struggle to exercise control over their large maritime estates.</li>
<li>Supporting the sovereignty and survivability of the island states is a crucial political task for India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Africa:</strong> Nearly half of UNSC meetings, 60% of its documents, and 70% of its resolutions are about peace and security in Africa.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The continent has three seats in the UNSC (Kenya, Niger and Tunisia) and there is regular consultation between the UNSC and the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU).</li>
<li>The UNSC tenure is a good moment for India to intensify India&rsquo;s engagement on peace and security issues in Africa at bilateral, regional and global levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India&rsquo;s foreign policy approach has also shifted from the reactive to the proactive. That, in turn, should make India&rsquo;s new stint at the UNSC more purposeful and pragmatic.</p>
<p>Purposefulness is about tightly integrating its UNSC engagement with India&rsquo;s broader national goals. Pragmatism demands adapting to the changed conditions at the UNSC and avoiding overly ambitious goals.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffdf2;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>In the context of changing world order and new challenges, India&rsquo;s foreign policy should leverage India&rsquo;s new stint at the UNSC more purposefully and pragmatically. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9d7n87-WiNg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/black-and-grey-on-pakistans-actions-against-terrorists/article33496043.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Black and grey: On Pakistan's actions against terrorists&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on January 5<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/changing-world-order-india-unsc'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Judicial Review',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Supreme Court</a> (SC)</strong> refused to treat the <strong>Central Vista project</strong> as a unique one requiring greater or heightened <strong>judicial review.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>SC</strong> said the <strong>government</strong> was <strong>&ldquo;entitled to commit errors or achieve successes&rdquo;</strong> in <strong>policy matters</strong> without the court&rsquo;s interference <strong>as long as it follows constitutional principles.</strong></li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/Central-Vista-redevelopment-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Vista project</strong></a> of New Delhi includes <strong>Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, North</strong> and <strong>South Block, India Gate, National Archives</strong> among others.</li>
<li>The Indian Constitution <strong>adopted the Judicial Review</strong> on <strong>lines of the American Constitution.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Judicial Review:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a type of <strong>court proceeding</strong> in which a judge <strong>reviews the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public body.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In other words, judicial reviews are a <strong>challenge to the way in which a decision has been made</strong>, rather than the rights and wrongs of the conclusion reached.</li>
<li><strong>Concepts of Law:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Procedure Established by Law:</strong> It means that a law enacted by the legislature or the concerned body is valid only if the correct procedure has been followed to the letter.</li>
<li><strong>Due Process of Law:</strong> It is a doctrine that not only checks if there is a law to deprive the life and personal liberty of a person but also ensures that the law is made fair and just.</li>
<li>India follows <strong>Procedure Established by Law.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is the <strong>power exerted by the courts of a country to examine the actions of the legislatures, executive and administrative arms of government and to ensure that such actions conform to the provisions of the nation&rsquo;s Constitution.</strong></li>
<li>Judicial review has <strong>two important functions, like, of legitimizing government action</strong> and <strong>the protection of constitution against any undue encroachment by the gov&shy;ernment.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Judicial review is considered a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-structure-of-constitution#:~:text=Origin%3A%20The%20basic%20structure%20theory,fundamental%20features%E2%80%9D%20of%20their%20Constitution." target="_blank" rel="noopener">basic structure of the constitution</a> (<a href="/printpdf/major-constitutional-amendments-part-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Indira Gandhi vs Raj Narain Case</em></a> 1975)</strong>.</li>
<li>Judicial review is also called the <strong>interpretational and observer roles of the Indian judiciary.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Suo Moto cases</strong> and the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/public-interest-litigation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Interest Litigation (PIL)</strong></a>, with the discontinuation of the principle of Locus Standi, have <strong>allowed the judiciary to intervene in many public issues</strong>, even when there is no complaint from the aggrieved party.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types of Judicial Review:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reviews of Legislative Actions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This review implies the power to ensure that <strong>laws passed by the legislature are in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Review of Administrative Actions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is a tool for <strong>enforcing constitutional discipline</strong> over administrative agencies while exercising their powers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Review of Judicial Decisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This review is used to correct or make any change in previous decisions by the judiciary itself.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Judicial Review:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is essential for maintaining the <strong>supremacy of the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li>It is essential for <strong>checking</strong> the possible <strong>misuse of power</strong> by the legislature and executive.</li>
<li>It <strong>protects the rights</strong> of the people.</li>
<li>It <strong>maintains</strong> the federal <strong>balance</strong>.</li>
<li>It is essential for securing the <strong>independence of the judiciary</strong>.</li>
<li>It <strong>prevents tyranny</strong> of executives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Problems with Judicial Review:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <strong>limits the functioning of the government.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>violates the limit of power set to be exercised by the constitution</strong> when it overrides any existing law.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In India, a <strong>separation of functions rather than of powers is followed.</strong></li>
<li>The concept of separation of powers is not adhered to strictly. However, a system of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/checks-balances-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>checks and balances</strong></a> have been put in place in such a manner that the judiciary has the power to strike down any <strong>unconstitutional laws passed by the legislature.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The judicial opinions of the judges once taken for any case becomes the standard for ruling other cases.</li>
<li>Judicial review can harm the public at large as the judgment may be <strong>influenced by personal or selfish motives.</strong></li>
<li>Repeated interventions of courts can <strong>diminish the faith of the people in the integrity, quality, and efficiency of the government.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Constitutional Provisions for Judicial Review</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is no direct and express provision in the constitution empowering the courts to invalidate laws, but <strong>the constitution has imposed definite limitations upon each of the organs, the transgression of which would make the law void.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>court is entrusted with the task of deciding whether any of the consti&shy;tutional limitations has been transgressed or not.</strong></li>
<li>Some provisions in the constitution supporting the process of judicial review are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 372 (1)</strong> establishes the judicial review of the pre-constitution legislation.</li>
<li><strong>Article 13</strong> declares that any law which contravenes any of the provisions of the part of Funda&shy;mental Rights shall be void.</li>
<li><strong>Articles 32 and 226</strong> entrusts the roles of the protector and guarantor of fundamental rights to the Supreme and High Courts.</li>
<li><strong>Article 251 and 254</strong> states that in case of inconsistency between union and state laws, the state law shall be void.</li>
<li><strong>Article 246 (3)</strong> ensures the state legislature&rsquo;s exclusive powers on matters pertaining to the State List.</li>
<li><strong>Article 245</strong> states that the powers of both Parliament and State legislatures are subject to the provisions of the constitution.</li>
<li><strong>Articles 131-136</strong> entrusts the court with the power to adjudicate disputes between individuals, between individuals and the state, between the states and the union; but the court may be required to interpret the provisions of the constitution and the interpretation given by the Supreme Court becomes the law honoured by all courts of the land.</li>
<li><strong>Article 137</strong> gives a special power to the SC to review any judgment pronounced or order made by it. An order passed in a criminal case can be reviewed and set aside only if there are errors apparent on the record.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With the power of judicial review, the courts <strong>act as a custodian of the fundamental rights.</strong></li>
<li>With the growing functions of the modern state, <strong>judicial intervention in the process of making administrative decisions and executing them has also increased.</strong></li>
<li>When the judiciary surpasses the line of the powers set for it in the name of judicial activism, it could be rightly said that the judiciary then <strong>begins to invalidate the concept of separation of powers set out in the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Making laws is the function and duty of the legislature</strong>, to fill the gap of laws and to implement them in a proper manner is responsibility of the executive. So that the only work remaining for the judiciary is interpretations. Only a <strong>fine equilibrium between these government bodies can sustain the constitutional values.</strong></li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/judicial-review-1'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Conflict Over Nile',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt have recently agreed to resume negotiations to resolve their <strong>decade-long complex dispute</strong> over the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/grand-ethiopian-renaissance-dam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Grand Renaissance Dam</strong> </a>hydropower project in the Horn of Africa.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Horn of Africa is the <strong>easternmost extension of African land</strong> and includes the region that is home to the countries of <strong>Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia,</strong> whose cultures have been linked throughout their long history.</li>
<li>The Grand Renaissance Dam is being constructed by<strong> Ethiopia on the river Nile.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609926506_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609926506_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Conflict:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The Nile, Africa&rsquo;s longest river,</strong> has been at the center of a decade-long complex dispute involving several countries that are dependent on the river&rsquo;s waters.</li>
<li><strong>Grand Renaissance Dam:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This 145-meter-tall (475-foot-tall) hydropower project, started by<strong> Ethiopia</strong> is the cause of conflict.</li>
<li>Given the <strong>dam&rsquo;s location on the Blue Nile tributary,</strong> it would <strong>allow Ethiopia to gain control</strong> of the flow of the river&rsquo;s waters.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Blue Nile is a tributary of the Nile river and it carries about two-thirds of the river's water volume and most of the silt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>At the forefront of this <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/egypt-ethiopia-conflict-on-gerd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>dispute are Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Dam&rsquo;s Importance for Ethiopia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ethiopia believes this dam will generate approximately<strong> 6,000 megawatts</strong> of electricity which will<strong> support its industrial growth.</strong></li>
<li>It can also <strong>export surplus electricity</strong> to neighbouring regions to generate revenue.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Neighbouring countries like <strong>Kenya, Sudan, Eritrea and South Sudan</strong> also suffer from <strong>electricity shortages</strong> and they can also <strong>benefit from the hydropower project</strong> if Ethiopia decides to sell electricity to them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Egypt&rsquo;s Concern:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Egypt lies <strong>downstream</strong> and is concerned that Ethiopia&rsquo;s control over the water could result in <strong>lower water levels within its own borders.</strong></li>
<li>Egypt depends on the Nile for approximately 97% of its drinking water and irrigation supplies.</li>
<li>The dam would jeopardise<strong> food and water security</strong> and <strong>livelihoods</strong> of ordinary Egyptian citizens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sudan&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sudan too is concerned that if Ethiopia were to gain control over the river, it would affect the <strong>water levels Sudan receives.</strong></li>
<li>Sudan is likely to<strong> benefit from the power generated</strong> by the dam.</li>
<li>The<strong> regulated flow of the river will save Sudan</strong> from serious flooding in August and September. Thus it has proposed joint management of the dam.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Current Situation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The latest round of talks between<strong> Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt</strong> occurred with<strong> South Africa</strong> observing the proceedings in its role as the current head of the<a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/09-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> African Union&rsquo;s</strong> </a>rotating council, in addition to other international observers.</li>
<li>Despite previous talks, the point of contention hasn&rsquo;t changed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Nile River</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The River Nile is in Africa. It originates in <strong>Burundi, south of the equator,</strong> and flows northward through northeastern Africa, eventually flowing through Egypt and finally draining into the <strong>Mediterranean Sea.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Source:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The source of the Nile is sometimes considered to be <strong>Lake Victoria,</strong> but the lake itself has feeder rivers of considerable size like the<strong> Kagera River.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Nile River is considered as one of the<strong> longest rivers</strong> in the world.</li>
<li>The Nile has a length of about <strong>6,695 kilometers</strong> (4,160 miles).</li>
<li>The Nile basin is huge and includes parts of <strong>Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo (Kinshasa), Kenya.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Nile River</strong> forms an <strong>arcuate delta</strong> as it empties into the Mediterranean Sea. Deltas with<strong> triangular or fan-shape</strong> are called<strong> arcuate (arc-like) deltas.</strong></li>
<li>The Nile is formed by three principal streams: <strong>the Blue Nile, the Atbara, and the White Nile.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609926533_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609926533_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="320" height="586" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To solve the <strong>conflict peacefully, mediation and facilitation</strong> by the neighbouring countries and the international bodies are necessary.</li>
<li>In case, the attempt to resolve the conflict does not work out by facilitating negotiations between the conflict parties, then<strong> a compensation method</strong> can be adopted which would need the countries to compensate each others&rsquo; losses.</li>
<li>All countries involved in the issue <strong>need to peacefully resolve the issue</strong> so that they can <strong>reap the advantages</strong> of the dam and <strong>their peace and security</strong> is restored again.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/ethiopias-dam-on-river-nile-is-triggering-water-conflict-in-east-africa-7133441/" 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/conflict-over-nile'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Yakshagana',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently a Yakshagana artiste died while performing on stage.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609921754_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609921754_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="435" height="653" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form of <strong>Karnataka.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>temple art</strong> form that depicts mythological stories and Puranas.</li>
<li>It is performed with massive headgears, elaborate facial make-up and vibrant costumes and ornaments.</li>
<li>Usually recited in Kannada, it is also performed in <strong>Malayalam</strong> as well as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tulu-language" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tulu (the dialect of south Karnataka).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tulu is a <strong>Dravidian language</strong> whose speakers are concentrated in the region of Tulu Nadu, which comprises the districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi in Karnataka and the northern part of Kasaragod district of Kerala.</li>
<li>The oldest available inscriptions in Tulu are from the period between 14<sup>th</sup> to 15<sup>th</sup> century AD.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is performed with percussion instruments like chenda, maddalam, jagatta or chengila (cymbals) and chakratala or elathalam (small cymbals).</li>
<li>The most popular <strong>episodes are from the Mahabharata</strong> i.e. Draupadi swayamvar, Subhadra vivah, etc. and <strong>from Ramayana</strong> i.e. Rajyabhishek, Lav-Kush yuddh, etc.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #0a0a3b;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Theatre Forms</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #0a0a3b;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>State</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #0a0a3b;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Theme</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 51px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 51px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Nautanki</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 51px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Uttar Pradesh</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 51px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Often draws on <strong>romantic Persian literature</strong> for its themes.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Tamasha</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Maharashtra</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Evolved from the folk forms such as gondhal, jagran and kirtan.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Bhavai</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Gujarat</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;"><strong>Subtle social criticism</strong> laced with humour.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Jatra</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">West Bengal/Orissa and eastern Bihar</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Originated in Bengal as a result of the <strong>Bhakti movement.</strong> Initially known as Krishna jatra due to Chaitanya&rsquo;s (spiritual founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism) influence.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Koodiyattam</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Kerala</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;"><strong>Oldest traditional theatre forms</strong> of India, it follows the performative principles of the ancient tradition of Sanskrit theatre. In 2001, Koodiyattam was officially recognized by <strong>UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage</strong> of Humanity.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">
<p>Mudiyettu</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Kerala</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Traditional ritual theatre and folk dance drama from Kerala that enacts the mythological tale of a <strong>battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika.</strong> The ritual is a part of the bhagavathi or bhadrakali cult.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Bhaona</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Assam</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">A creation of Srimanta Sankardeva (an Assamese saint-scholar), these plays were written in <strong>Brajavali, a unique Assamese-Maithili mixed language,</strong> and are primarily centered on <strong>Hindu deity, Krishna.</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0; height: 19px;">Maach</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0; height: 19px;">Madhya Pradesh</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0; height: 19px;">It is a sung folk theatre that has a semi sacred character, blending religious and secular themes.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 35px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0; height: 35px;">Bhand Pather</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0; height: 35px;">Kashmir</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0; height: 35px;"><strong>Satire, wit and parody</strong> are commonly used in this folk drama that incorporates local mythological legends and contemporary social commentary.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><br /><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/yakshagana-artiste-dies-while-performing-on-stage/article33499319.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: The Hindu</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/yakshagana-4'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Solidarity and Stability Deal: Gulf Countries',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Gulf states signed a<strong> &lsquo;solidarity and stability&rsquo;</strong> deal at the 41<sup>st</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gulf-cooperation-council-and-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong></a> <strong>(GCC) summit</strong> held in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609920965_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609920965_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sanctions on Qatar:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In June 2017, Saudi Arabia and its allies, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt severed ties with Qatar and imposed a naval, air and land blockade on the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Qatar was <strong>charged to be too close to Iran</strong> and backed radical Islamist groups.</li>
<li>The country was <strong>alleged to support and fund terror</strong> through its support of Iran and <strong>Muslim Brotherhood</strong> (a Sunni Islamist political group <strong>outlawed by both Saudi Arabia and the UAE).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Solidarity and Stability Deal:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Members of the<strong> GCC</strong> signed a deal in<strong> Al&shy;Ula, Saudi Arabia</strong> to remove all the sanctions over Qatar and<strong> re-open</strong> their<strong> land, sea and air borders to Qatar.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman,<strong> Qatar,</strong> Saudi Arabia and UAE are the members of <strong>GCC.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To unite efforts to promote the Gulf region and to confront challenges that surround them, especially the threats posed by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-steps-up-uranium-enrichment#:~:text=Under%20the%20deal%2C%20Iran%20agreed,reactor%20fuel%20and%20nuclear%20weapons." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Iranian regime&rsquo;s nuclear and ballistic missile programme</strong></a> and its <strong>plans for sabotage and destruction.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>GCC is a <strong>political, economic, social, and regional organisation</strong> which was<strong> established by an agreement concluded in 1981</strong> among Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE in view of their special relations, geographic proximity, similar political systems based on Islamic beliefs, joint destiny and common objectives.</li>
<li>The structure of the GCC consists of the <strong>Supreme Council (the highest authority), the Ministerial Council and the Secretariat General.</strong> The Secretariat is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Relation with Gulf Region</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India and GCC:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The economic and political relationship of India with the GCC has improved in recent years.</li>
<li>The friendly relation has been reflected in the<strong> bilateral trade</strong> of around USD 121 billion and <strong>remittances</strong> of USD 49 billion from a workforce of over nine million.</li>
<li>GCC suppliers account for around <strong>34% of India&rsquo;s crude imports.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India and Iran:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has always <strong>shared a friendly relationship with Iran.</strong> But the India-Iran relation faces one of the most complex phases at all times due to the USA&rsquo;s pressure which has politico-economic impacts.</li>
<li>In May 2018, the USA abandoned the nuclear deal <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-blocking-sites-access-iaea#:~:text=Iran%20Nuclear%20Program%20and%20JCPOA&amp;text=The%20deal%20was%20named%20as,parlance%20as%20Iran%20Nuclear%20Deal.&amp;text=The%20agreement%20allowed%20Iran%20to,reactor%20fuel%20and%20nuclear%20weapons." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action)</strong> </a>and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bigger-picture-of-usas-action-against-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>reinstated economic sanctions against Iran.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India and Qatar:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-qatar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s External Affairs Minister met the top leaders of Qatar</strong></a> and discussed strengthening the economic and security cooperation between the two countries.</li>
<li>India shares a <strong>friendly relation with Qatar</strong> and even at the time of sanctions on Qatar, India maintained a cordial relation with the oil rich nation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Overall Role in the Region:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has <strong>avoided involvement in local or regional disputes</strong> in the region, since Indian interests do not entail power projection but necessitate <strong>peace and regional stability.</strong></li>
<li>The Gulf is among India&rsquo;s <strong>top trading partners.</strong> The <strong>deepening energy interdependence</strong> is marked by growing volumes of energy imports into India. There is also the prospect of substantive investments from the Gulf into the <strong>Indian hydrocarbon sector.</strong></li>
<li>The number of Indian <strong>migrant workers in the region</strong> stands at more than <strong>7 million.</strong></li>
<li>The expansion of the political engagement has been matched by the <strong>growing security cooperation, especially on counter-terrorism.</strong></li>
<li>India and its Gulf partners are also <strong>taking tentative steps towards defence cooperation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example participation of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and others in<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/naval-exercise-milan-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> India&rsquo;s mega multilateral Milan Exercise.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Gulf region has historical, political, economic, strategic and cultural significance for India. <strong>India-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) can provide a boost to the relations.</strong></li>
<li>It has been assessed that Saudi Arabia is a fading power whereas UAE, Qatar and Iran are emerging as the new regional leaders. <strong>Oman and Iraq will have to struggle to retain their sovereign identities.</strong></li>
<li>Thus, <strong>Indian interests would be best served</strong> if the <strong>stability in the region</strong> is ensured through cooperative security since the alternative, of competitive security options, cannot ensure durable peace.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/solidarity-and-stability-deal-gulf-countries'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture: The Demands of Farmers',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TM_cpDR0S90" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Farmers have been protesting for over months and have congregated on the periphery of the National Capital.</li>
<li>They have blocked roads to Delhi and remain firm on their demand to repeal the recently passed <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/agricultural-reforms#:~:text=The%20Government%20with%20the%20aim,three%20important%20legislation%20from%20Parliament.&amp;text=The%20Farmers%20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>farm laws</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Despite the government&rsquo;s assurance given to the farmers that the new laws are for their benefit, they still fear that their livelihood will be severely affected.</li>
<li>The major demands of farmers include completely rolling back the three farm laws along with ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) on the crop products.</li>
<li>Farmer unions had also intensified their agitation against the farm laws by calling for 'Bharat Bandh' to show their discontentment with amendments to the agricultural legislations being proposed by the government.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Farmers&rsquo; Demands</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Repealing the farm laws:</strong> The first and foremost demand of the protesting farmers&rsquo; organisations is the repeal of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/agricultural-reforms#:~:text=The%20Government%20with%20the%20aim,three%20important%20legislation%20from%20Parliament.&amp;text=The%20Farmers%20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>three new agricultural laws</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Minimum support price:</strong> The second demand of farmers is the guarantee of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price-for-crops" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minimum Support Price (MSP)</strong></a> to ensure procurement of crops at a suitable price.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Farmers are also demanding to get a written assurance in the form of a Bill for the continuation MSP and conventional food grain procurement system.</li>
<li>The Farmers&rsquo; organisations want the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agriculture-produce-to-agriculture-marketinghttps://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agriculture-produce-to-agriculture-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>APMC</strong></a> or the Mandi System to be protected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Electricity (Amendment) Bill:</strong> The third demand of farmers is the withdrawal of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/electricity-amendment-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electricity (Amendment) Bill</strong></a>, as they feel that they won&rsquo;t get free electricity due to this.</li>
<li><strong>Stubble burning:</strong> The farmers&rsquo; fourth demand is to end the fine and jail sentence for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/stubble-burning-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>stubble burning</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Swaminathan Commission:</strong> The Farmers are demanding MSP as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Swaminathan Commission Report states that the government should raise the MSP to at least 50% more than the weighted average cost of production. <strong>It is also known as the C2+ 50% formula.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It includes the imputed cost of capital and the rent on the land (called &lsquo;C2&rsquo; ) to give farmers 50% returns.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Are the Demands Justified?</h3>
<p><strong>Arguments in Against</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>MSP is an incentive not a right:</strong> Even though the MSP might be beneficial for a section of the farmers only, the cost of MSP itself is very high for the country as a whole.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>MSP was given to the farmers as an incentive to prevent them from exploitation, it cannot be mandated as a right.</li>
<li>It is an artificially high price which hurts the population who does not cultivate these crops but is poor; e.g. landless labourers, small &amp; marginal farmers in villages who are also the net buyers of the food grains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The law does not dismantle the APMC system:</strong> The APMCs are not going to shut down and will continue to be available as an alternate option for the sale of farmers&rsquo; produce.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government has only given the farmers the freedom to sell out of the APMCs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Contract farming:</strong> Contract farming already exists in parts of the country. Large scale informal contract farming is already happening in West Bengal and around Delhi.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The law simply recognises contract farming, makes it legal and provides mechanism protection for the farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Allowing stubble burning:</strong> The farmers, who burn stubble, are conscious of going to jail if they continue burning the stubble as the law provides for a fine up to Rs. 1 crore or jail of up to five years or both.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite the raging need for laws against pollution, this demand of the farmers is utterly saddening.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Arguments in Favour</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Corporatisation of agriculture is against the farmers&rsquo; welfare:</strong> The global experience across agricultural markets demonstrates that corporatisation of agriculture without a concomitant security net in the form of an assured payment guarantee to the farmers results in the exploitation of farmers at the hands of big business.</li>
<li><strong>Threat for small and marginal farmers:</strong> This poses a significant challenge to Small and Marginal Farmers which constitute 86% of our agricultural class.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The present laws alter the bargaining landscape in favour of the corporate players.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dispute resolution mechanism:</strong> The new farm laws expressly exclude the jurisdiction of the civil court, leaving the farmers remediless and with no independent medium of dispute redressal mechanism.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The farmers shall be given the right to take their stand to the court.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gradual decline of APMC mandis:</strong> The farm laws open the field to an alternate set of markets/private yards, where the buyer will have no statutory obligation to pay the MSP.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since the markets/private yards will not be charged any market fee/levy and the agricultural sector will see the gradual shifting of trade from the APMC mandis to these private yards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Agriculture is a state subject:</strong> The Union Government has by-passed the federal structure by legislating on subjects that exclusively fall within the domain of the state government under the state list of the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/30-09-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Seventh Schedule of the Constitution</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Choosing a middle ground:</strong> The government is not going to repeal all the three laws while the farmers are adamant about their protest for repealing the laws. The need here is to adopt a middle path.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There must be some negotiations between the two, while the government is accepting the genuine demands, the farmers should also agree to some of the former&rsquo;s terms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Complete information about the rights:</strong> What farmers need is complete information of their rights and duties and connectivity which needs to be provided by central as well as state governments.</li>
<li><strong>Landless labourers:</strong> The landless labourers are often left out of welfare policies, while they are the majority of rural areas. More policies should be more focussed upon the landless labourers.</li>
<li><strong>People&rsquo;s suggestion:</strong> It is important to take the suggestions of all the stakeholders before passing a new bill especially in the world's largest democratic country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The farmers are an integral part in the formation of the country, their interests must be preserved and their issues must be looked and worked upon. In this case, adopting a middle path is the best and wisest way forward.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-the-demands-of-farmers'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Governor: An Agent of the Centre?',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/maximum-governor-on-governors-role/article33496044.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Maximum Governor: On Governor's role&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 05/01/2021. It talks about the controversial position of the governor as an agent of the central government.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/governor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Governor</strong></a> of Kerala refused to convene a special session of the Kerala Assembly that was intended to discuss the ongoing farmer protest in New Delhi.</p>
<p>This conduct is comparable to the many actions of governors of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, etc., that led to unwarranted interference of centre in states&rsquo; politics. These states happen to be ruled by the political parties governed by the opposition parties at the centre.</p>
<p>Such instances portray the negative image of the state governors as an agent of the centre. The Governor&rsquo;s office&rsquo;s misuse to undermine duly elected State governments undermines democratic processes and compromises one of the Basic Structure doctrine elements, i.e. federalism.</p>
<h3>Governor: Acting As Agent of Centre &amp; It&rsquo;s Effect</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Source: Article 163</strong> of Indian Constitution states that the Governor should exercise his functions based on the <strong>state&rsquo;s Council of Ministers&rsquo; aid and advice</strong>, except it is required to exercise his functions at his discretion.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, Article 163 acts as a source of the discretionary power of the governor.</li>
<li>As the union government nominates the governor, the combined effect with Article 163 provides the scope centre meddling in the state&rsquo;s affairs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nature of Intervention:</strong> The present controversies have been around issues like:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Selecting the Chief Minister,</li>
<li>Determining the timing for proving legislative majority,</li>
<li>Demanding information about day-to-day administration,</li>
<li>Giving assent to bills or reserving bills for the President,</li>
<li>Frequent use of Article 356 for removing state governments run by opposition parties based on the governor&rsquo;s recommendation.</li>
<li>Commenting adversely on specific policies of the state government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Effect:</strong> The encroachment upon the legislature&rsquo;s powers and the elected government amounts to an abuse of Governor&rsquo;s authority as a nominal head under the Constitution.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Various wrongdoings of the centre through the governor&rsquo;s office damage India&rsquo;s essential federal structure and the democratic process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Envisaged Role of Governor</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Taking Clues From Constituent Assembly Debates:</strong> On analysing the constituent assembly debates, it can be inferred that the constituent assembly envisaged creating &lsquo;responsible government&rsquo; in the states as much as at the centre.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to <strong>Dr Ambedkar</strong>, &ldquo;I have no doubt in my mind that discretionary power is in no sense a negation of responsible government. It is not a general clause giving the governor power to disregard the advice of his ministers in any matter in which he finds he ought to disregard.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Taking Clues From Constitution:</strong> As the states were indeed sovereign within their own domain, the discretionary power, beyond the specific situations mentioned in the constitution, does not enable a governor to override the state government.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, selecting a chief minister of his choice or creating/utilising opportunities for defections to change the party in power cannot be a governor&rsquo;s job.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Taking Clues from Various Committees on Centre-States Relation:</strong> In the last few decades, various committees were appointed to understand the governor&rsquo;s role in India&rsquo;s federal democratic setup.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These committees made extremely valuable recommendations to make the governor&rsquo;s office the <strong>&ldquo;linchpin of the state&rsquo;s constitutional apparatus.&rdquo;</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg"><strong>Note:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Various Committees on Centre-States Relations
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Administrative Reforms Commission of 1968,</li>
<li>The Rajamannar Committee of 1969,</li>
<li>Committee of Governors of 1971,</li>
<li>The Sarkaria commission of 1988,</li>
<li>Punchhi Commission, 2007.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Governor&rsquo;s Discretion Should Be Only Her Discretion:</strong> For the smooth functioning of a democratic government, it is equally essential that the governor must act judiciously, impartially and efficiently while exercising his discretion and personal judgment.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As the Sarkaria Commission put it, the governor&rsquo;s task <strong>&ldquo;is to see that a government is formed and not to try to form a government,&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening of Federalism:</strong> In order to check misuse of the office of governor, there is a need to strengthen federal setup in India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this regard, the Inter-State council and the role of Rajya Sabha as the chamber of federalism must be strengthened.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reform the Method of Appointment of Governor:</strong> In order to end the monopoly of the centre in selecting its &lsquo;own man&rsquo; as governor, the appointment can be made from a panel prepared by the state legislature and actual appointing authority should be the Inter-state Council, not the central government.</li>
<li><strong>Code of Conduct for Governor:</strong> In order to enable the governor to successfully discharge his functions under the centre and states governments should agree on a 'Code of Conduct'.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This 'Code of Conduct' should lay down certain 'norms and principles' which should guide the exercise of the governor's 'discretion' and his powers which he is entitled to use and exercise on his judgment.</li>
<li>In this context, the inspiration for such a code can be derived from the various recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission on centre-states relations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The governor&rsquo;s role is not merely an agent of the centre sitting in state capitals; he is the lynchpin of India&rsquo;s federalism and democracy at the state&rsquo;s level. Therefore, the governor&rsquo;s role is indispensable for the successful working of constitutional democracy, and he must withhold the virtue of impartiality.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ed1c1c; background-color: #fffde3;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The governor&rsquo;s role and powers have been a controversial issue in Indian politics. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oL-X94-ne3c" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/a-tortuous-recovery-the-hindu-editorial-on-record-gst-inflows/article33488173.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;A tortuous recovery: On record GST inflows&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on January 4<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/governor-an-agent-of-the-centre'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'School Bag Policy 2020',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Directorate of Education has issued a circular asking schools to follow the new<strong> &lsquo;School Bag Policy, 2020&rsquo;</strong> released by the <strong>National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Circular:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>School teachers should inform the students in advance about the books and notebooks to be brought to school on a particular day and frequently check their bags to<strong> ensure that they are not carrying unnecessary material.</strong></li>
<li>It is the duty and the responsibility of the school management to provide<strong> quality potable water in sufficient quantities</strong> to all the students in the school so that they do not need to carry water bottles from their homes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the School Bag Policy 2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <strong>lays down the guidelines on homework and weight of school bags</strong> for classes I to XII.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>School bags</strong> should <strong>not be more than 10% of the bodyweight of students</strong> across classes I to X and there should be <strong>no bags in pre-primary students.</strong></li>
<li>It recommends <strong>no homework up to class II</strong> and a maximum of two hours per week for classes III to V, one hour a day for classes VI to VIII and two hours a day for classes IX and above.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Policy will <strong>also require schools to introduce infrastructural changes</strong> as students will not be able to carry many books daily. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The schools <strong>need to provide lockers</strong> right from preschool to senior secondary to enable children to leave books in school and carry home only what is required.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It adds that the <strong>teachers</strong> should take the <strong>responsibility</strong> of <strong>checking the weight</strong> of school bags of the students <strong>every three months on a day selected for the whole class</strong> and any information about heavy bags should be <strong>communicated to the parents.</strong></li>
<li>It adds that files and<strong> thin/light exercise</strong> books should be preferred to<strong> thick/heavy ones.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Problems of heavy school bags:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The heavy school bag has <strong>severe/adverse physical effects on growing children</strong> which can cause damage to their<strong> vertebral column</strong> and <strong>knees.</strong></li>
<li>A heavy backpack can pull on the neck muscles contributing to headache, shoulder pain, lower back pain and neck and arm pain.</li>
<li>The <strong>posture of the body</strong> also gets affected to a great extent which in the long term develops imbalances in the body and <strong>affects the health of the nervous system.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NCERT</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is <strong>an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education (MoE)</strong> which is responsible for:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ensuring <strong>qualitative improvement in school education</strong> by undertaking and promoting research in areas related to school education.</li>
<li><strong>Prepare and publish model textbooks,</strong> supplementary material.</li>
<li>Develop and <strong>disseminate innovative educational techniques</strong> and practices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Act as a<strong> nodal agency</strong> for achieving the goals of <strong>Universalization of Elementary Education.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/doe-circular-asks-teachers-to-check-weight-of-school-bags/article33497012.ece#:~:text=The%20weight%20of%20the%20school,for%20Classes%20XI%20and%20XII." 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/school-bag-policy-2020'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Sagarmala Seaplane Services',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways</strong> is starting the ambitious Project of <strong>Sagarmala Seaplane Services (SSPS)</strong> with potential airline operators.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A seaplane is a <strong>fixed-wing aeroplane</strong> designed for taking off and landing on water.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mechanism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project is being initiated under a <strong>Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) framework</strong> through prospective airline operators.</li>
<li><strong>SPV</strong> is a legal object formed for a <strong>specifically-defined singular purpose.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Project Implementation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project execution and implementation would be through <strong>Sagarmala Development Company Ltd (SDCL),</strong> which is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.</li>
<li>Airline operators will be invited to form a SPV with SDCL.</li>
<li>The routes may be operated under the government&rsquo;s subsidised <a href="/pdf/1590974875-udan-4-0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ude desh ka aam nagrik (UDAN) scheme.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Location:</strong> Several destinations are envisaged for seaplane operations:</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609847051_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609847051_image5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="624" height="351" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Benefits and Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The seaplanes services will be a game-changer providing a <strong>supplementary means of faster and comfortable transportation across the nation.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from providing air connectivity to various remote religious/tourist places, it will <strong>boost tourism for domestic and international holiday makers.</strong></li>
<li>It will<strong> save travel time</strong> and<strong> stimulate localized short distance travelling</strong> especially in the hilly regions or across the rivers/lakes etc.</li>
<li>It will provide<strong> infrastructure enhancements</strong> at the places of operations.</li>
<li>It will <strong>generate employment opportunities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Previous Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One such Seaplane Service is already in operation between <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-first-seaplane-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kevadia and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad</strong></a> which was inaugurated in October 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg"><strong>Sagarmala Programme</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Sagarmala Programme was<strong> approved by the Union Cabinet in 2015</strong> which aims at holistic port infrastructure development along the 7,516-km long coastline through modernisation, mechanisation and computerisation.</li>
<li>Under this port-led development framework, the government hopes to increase its cargo traffic three-fold.</li>
<li>It also includes the establishment of rail/road linkages with the port terminals, thus providing last-mile connectivity to ports; development of linkages with new regions, enhanced multi-modal connectivity including rail, inland water, coastal and road services.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1685966" 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/sagarmala-seaplane-services'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Iran Steps Up Uranium Enrichment',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Iran has<strong> resumed enriching uranium up to 20%</strong> in <strong>violation of the 2015 nuclear deal</strong> and also seized a<strong> South Korean-flagged tanker</strong> near the <strong>crucial Strait of Hormuz.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Meanwhile, the <strong>USA</strong> has decided to keep <strong>nuclear powered aircraft carrier Nimitz</strong> in the Gulf region in the wake of threats from Iran.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Uranium Enrichment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Natural uranium</strong> consists of two different isotopes - nearly<strong> 99% U-238</strong> and<strong> only around 0.7% of U-235.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>U-235 is a fissile material</strong> that can sustain a chain reaction in a nuclear reactor.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enrichment process increases the proportion of U-235</strong> through the <strong>process of isotope separation</strong> (U-238 is separated from U-235).</li>
<li>For <strong>nuclear weapons,</strong> enrichment is required upto <strong>90% or more</strong> which is known as <strong>Highly Enriched Uranium</strong>/weapons-grade uranium.</li>
<li>For<strong> nuclear reactors,</strong> enrichment is required upto<strong> 3-4%</strong> which is known as Low Enriched Uranium/reactor-grade uranium.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>2015 Nuclear Deal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>2015,</strong> Iran with the<strong> P5+1 group of world powers - the USA, UK, France, China, Russia, and Germany</strong> agreed on a long-term deal on its nuclear programme.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The deal was named as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-blocking-sites-access-iaea#:~:text=Iran%20Nuclear%20Program%20and%20JCPOA&amp;text=The%20deal%20was%20named%20as,parlance%20as%20Iran%20Nuclear%20Deal.&amp;text=The%20agreement%20allowed%20Iran%20to,reactor%20fuel%20and%20nuclear%20weapons." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)</strong> </a>and in common parlance as Iran Nuclear Deal.</li>
<li>Under the deal, <strong>Iran agreed to curb its nuclear activity</strong> in<strong> return for the lifting of sanctions and access to global trade.</strong></li>
<li>The agreement <strong>allowed</strong> Iran to<strong> accumulate small amounts of uranium for research</strong> but it<strong> banned the enrichment of uranium,</strong> which is used to make reactor fuel and nuclear weapons.</li>
<li>Iran was also <strong>required to redesign a heavy-water reactor</strong> being built, whose spent fuel would contain plutonium suitable for a bomb and to allow international inspections.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>May 2018,</strong> the <strong>USA abandoned the deal</strong> criticising it as flawed and reinstated and tightened its sanctions.</li>
<li>Since sanctions were tightened, <strong>Iran has been steadily breaking some of its commitments</strong> to pressure the remaining signatories to find a way to provide sanctions relief.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The dual incidents come amid heightened<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bigger-picture-of-usas-action-against-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> tensions between Iran and the USA.</strong></a></li>
<li>Enrichment could shorten Iran's time it would take to develop a<strong> nuclear bomb.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Israel criticised Iran&rsquo;s</strong> enrichment decision.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Iran&rsquo;s decision to begin enriching to 20% purity a decade ago nearly <strong>triggered an Israeli strike targeting its nuclear facilities,</strong> tensions that only abated with the <strong>2015 nuclear deal.</strong></li>
<li>A resumption of 20% enrichment (at <strong>fordow facility</strong>) could see that <strong>brinkmanship</strong> return as that level of purity is<strong> only a technical step away from weapons grade levels of 90%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Brinkmanship</strong> is the art or practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, especially in politics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Previously the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/63rd-general-conference-of-iaea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)</strong></a> expressed serious concerns over Iran's blocking of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-blocking-sites-access-iaea#:~:text=Iran%20Nuclear%20Program%20and%20JCPOA&amp;text=The%20deal%20was%20named%20as,parlance%20as%20Iran%20Nuclear%20Deal.&amp;text=The%20agreement%20allowed%20Iran%20to,reactor%20fuel%20and%20nuclear%20weapons." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>inspections of two suspect locations of Uranium enrichment for more than four months.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Strait of Hormuz</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609843869_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609843869_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Geographic Location:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the waterway <strong>separating Iran and Oman,</strong> linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.</li>
<li>On the north coast lies Iran, and on the south are the UAE and Musandam, an enclave of Oman.</li>
<li>The Strait is<strong> 21 miles wide</strong> at its narrowest point, but the<strong> shipping lane is just two miles wide</strong> in either direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Strait of Hormuz is <strong>one of the world&rsquo;s most strategically important choke points.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Two-thirds of the oil and half the<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-natural-gas-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Liquefied Natural Gas</a> (LNG) Indian imports</strong> come through the strait between Iran and Oman.</li>
<li>As much as<strong> 18 million barrels of oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz every day,</strong> accounting for one-third of the global oil trade.</li>
<li>A <strong>third of the world&rsquo;s LNG trade</strong> also passes through the strait.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues in the Strait:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The strait of Hormuz plays a vital geopolitical role to the point where the<strong> US Fifth Fleet guards this strait.</strong></li>
<li>During the recent years, Iran has threatened the safe passage of oil tankers in this strait.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>All countries part of the 2015 deal should engage constructively and resolve all issues peacefully and through dialogue.</li>
<li>Both the USA and Iran must act with strategic restraint as any crisis in West Asia will not only affect the region as a whole but will have a detrimental impact on global affairs as well.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/iran-says-it-begins-20-uranium-enrichment-amid-us-tensions/article33493313.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/iran-steps-up-uranium-enrichment'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'State of the Climate Report 2020: IMD',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the <strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD)&rsquo;s State of the Climate Report,</strong> the <strong>year 2020 was the eighth warmest since</strong> India started keeping records in<strong> 1901.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The State of the Climate Report <strong>looks at temperature and rainfall trends annually.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Eighth Warmest Year 2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Average Temperature:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>During the year, the annual average temperature in the country was <strong>0.29 degree Celsius (&deg;C) above normal</strong> (29-year average from 1981-2010).</li>
<li>However, it was <strong>much lower than 2016</strong> (+0.71 degrees Celsius), which<strong> remains the warmest ever year</strong> the country has recorded since 1901.</li>
<li>Such temperature trends were reported <strong>despite the cooling effect of La Nina,</strong> a global weather pattern that prevailed in 2020 and is linked to substantially below normal temperatures in winter.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>La Nina typically has a cooling effect on global temperatures, but this is now <strong>offset by global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions.</strong></li>
<li>As a result, <strong>La Nina years now are warmer than years with El Ni&ntilde;o events of the past.</strong></li>
<li>El Nino and La Nina are the <strong>extreme phases of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/subdued-northeast-monsoon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">El Ni&ntilde;o and the Southern Oscillation (ENSO)</a> cycle.</strong></li>
<li><strong>ENSO</strong> is a periodic fluctuation in sea surface temperature and the air pressure of the overlying atmosphere across the equatorial Pacific Ocean. It has a major influence on weather and climate patterns such as heavy rains, floods and drought.</li>
<li><strong>El Ni&ntilde;o has a warming influence</strong> on global temperatures, whilst<strong> La Nina has the opposite effect.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Comparison to Global Average Temperature:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India's nearly 0.3 degree rise was<strong> less than the average global temperature rise of 1.2 degree</strong> (January to October, as per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/provisional-report-on-the-state-of-the-global-climate-2020-wmo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Meteorological Organisation&rsquo;s State of the Global Climate</strong></a>).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Warmest Years over India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>eight warmest years</strong> on record in order were:<strong> 2016</strong> (+ 0.71 degree C) <strong>&gt; 2009</strong> (+0.55 degree C) <strong>&gt; 2017</strong> (+0.541 degree C)<strong>&gt; 2010</strong> (+0.539 degrees C) <strong>&gt; 2015</strong> (+0.42 degree C)<strong>&gt; 2018</strong> (+0.41 degree C)<strong>&gt; 2019</strong> (+0.36 degree C)<strong>&gt; 2020</strong> (+0.29 degree C).</li>
<li>The <strong>past decade (2011-2020) was the warmest on record.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extreme Weather Events:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Extremely heavy rain, floods, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cold-wave-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cold waves</strong></a> and thunderstorms led to significant loss of lives and properties.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to the report <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/extreme-climate-events-ceew" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Preparing India for Extreme Climate Events&rdquo; released by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)</strong></a>, over 75% of districts in India are hotspots of extreme climate events.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uttar Pradesh and Bihar reported the highest casualties</strong> due to cold waves, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/report-on-lightning-strikes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lightning</strong></a> and thunder last year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Data on Tropical Storms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Globally, the <strong>Atlantic Ocean experienced one of the most active years,</strong> with over 30 tropical storms originating here.</li>
<li>The <strong>Indian Ocean</strong> region - the<strong> Arabian Sea</strong> and the <strong>Bay of Bengal, together reported five cyclones - <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-amphan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amphan</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-nisarga" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nisarga</a>, Gati, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-nivar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nivar</a> and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-burevi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Burevi.</a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Of these,<strong> Nisarga &amp; Gati formed over Arabian Sea,</strong> while the remaining 3 cyclones formed over the Bay of Bengal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Data on Rainfall:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The annual rainfall over the country in 2020 was <strong>109% of the Long Period Average (LPA)</strong> calculated for the period of 1961-2010.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India Meteorological Department</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IMD was<strong> established in 1875.</strong></li>
<li>It is an agency of the <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences</strong> of the Government of India.</li>
<li>It is the principal agency <strong>responsible for</strong> meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/2020-8th-warmest-year-in-india-in-121-years-imd-7132668/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Indian Pangolin',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Odisha Forest department has stressed the need for <strong>stricter monitoring of social media platforms</strong> to<strong> check <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-pangolin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pangolin</a> poaching and trading.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609834182_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609834182_image1.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="275" height="183" /></strong></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pangolins are<strong> scaly anteater mammals</strong> and they have<strong> large, protective keratin scales covering their skin.</strong> They are the only known mammals with this feature.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Diet:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Insectivore- Pangolins are <strong>nocturnal, and their diet consists of mainly ants and termites,</strong> which they capture using their long tongues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Out of the eight species of pangolin, the <strong>Indian Pangolin</strong> <em>(Manis crassicaudata)</em> and the <strong>Chinese Pangolin</strong> <em>(Manis pentadactyla)</em> are <strong>found in India.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Difference:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Indian Pangolin is a large anteater covered by 11-13 rows of scales on the back.</li>
<li>A terminal scale is also present on the lower side of the tail of the Indian Pangolin, which is absent in the Chinese Pangolin.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Indian Pangolin:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is widely distributed in India, except the arid region, high Himalayas and the North-East.</li>
<li>The species is also found in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chinese Pangolin:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is found in the Himalayan foothills in Eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Northern India, North-East Bangladesh and through Southern China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threats to Pangolins in India: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Hunting and poaching</strong> for local consumptive use (e.g. as a protein source and traditional medicine) and international trade for its meat and scales in East and South East Asian countries, particularly China and Vietnam.</li>
<li>They are believed to be the world&rsquo;s most trafficked mammal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-conservation-of-migratory-species" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wildlife Protection Act, 1972</strong></a>: Schedule I</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IUCN Red List</strong></a>: Endangered</li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CITES</strong></a>: Appendix I</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/track-social-media-to-check-pangolin-poaching/article33496812.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'COVISHIELD and COVAXIN Approved for Restricted Use',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/no-clinical-trials-in-india-for-new-drugs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Drugs Controller General of India&rsquo;s (DCGI)</strong></a> approved <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-iii-clinical-trials-of-covishield" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVISHIELD</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covaxin-approved-for-human-clinical-trials" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVAXIN</strong></a> vaccines for <strong>restricted use</strong> against <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> in the country.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>COVISHIELD, COVAXIN</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pfizer-s-covid-19-vaccine-candidate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BNT162b2</strong></a> applied to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-notification-for-medical-implants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)</strong></a>, seeking<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/emergency-use-approval-covid-19-vaccines" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> emergency use approval.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Type of Approval:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both vaccines have received a<strong> restricted use approval</strong> in an <strong>emergency situation.</strong></li>
<li>This means the <strong>vaccines have been approved</strong> for use <strong>despite the companies not having completed <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-iii-clinical-trials-of-covishield" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clinical trials.</a></strong></li>
<li>This approval is, however, subject to regular submission of<strong> safety, efficacy and immunogenicity data</strong> from their ongoing trials.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>immunogenicity</strong> of a vaccine is its ability to prompt an immune response.</li>
<li>The efficacy, in this case, is a measure of its ability to bring down the number of symptomatic Covid-19 cases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason for the Emergency Approval:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Given the pandemic, the government wanted a <strong>vaccine ready to use at the earliest.</strong></li>
<li>Another growing concern is the <strong>mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus</strong> in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mutated-novel-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>countries like the UK</strong> </a>which are now starting to spread to other parts of the world, including India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>COVISHIELD:</strong> It is the name given to an <strong>Oxford-AstraZeneca</strong> Covid-19 vaccine candidate which is technically referred to as <strong>AZD1222 or ChAdOx 1 nCoV19.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Produced By:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a version of the vaccine<strong> developed by the University of Oxford</strong> in collaboration with <strong>Swedish-British drugmaker AstraZeneca.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Serum Institute of India (SII)</strong> is the manufacturing partner in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constituents and Action:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is <strong>based on a weakened version of a common cold virus</strong> or the adenovirus that is found in chimpanzees.</li>
<li>This viral vector <strong>contains the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein</strong> (protrusions) present on the outer surface of the virus that help it bind with the human cell.</li>
<li>The <strong>body&rsquo;s immune system</strong> is supposed to <strong>recognise this protein</strong> as a threat, and work on <strong>building antibodies against it.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It had triggered an immune response in humans against the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/novel-strain-of-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> novel coronavirus</strong> </a>in early trials and is considered to be one of the global frontrunners for the Covid-19 vaccine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>COVAXIN:</strong> It is India&rsquo;s only indigenous <strong>Covid-19</strong> vaccine.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Produced By:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Developed by<strong> Bharat Biotech,</strong> Hyderabad in collaboration with the<strong> Indian Council of Medical Research&rsquo;s National Institute of Virology,</strong> Pune</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constituents and Action:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is an<strong> inactivated vaccine</strong> which is <strong>developed by inactivating (killing) the live microorganisms</strong> that cause the disease.</li>
<li>This <strong>destroys the ability of the pathogen to replicate,</strong> but keeps it intact so that the immune system can still recognise it and produce an immune response.</li>
<li>It is expected to <strong>target more than just the spike protein.</strong></li>
<li>It also<strong> aims to develop an immune response to the nucleocapsid protein</strong> (the shell of the virus that encloses its genetic material).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>COVAXIN</strong> is more likely to work against newer variants of the virus, <strong>including the UK variant,</strong> as it contains <strong>immunogens (epitopes)</strong> from other genes in addition to those from Spike protein.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Immunogen</strong> is a stimulus that produces a humoral or cell-mediated immune response, whereas antigens are any substance that binds specifically to an antibody.</li>
<li>All immunogens are antigens, but all antigens may not be immunogens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Approval of <strong>COVAXIN</strong> ensures India has an additional vaccine shield especially against potential <strong>mutant strains</strong> in a dynamic pandemic situation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609833450_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609833450_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="456" height="582" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/covid-vaccine-approval-dcgi-coronavirus-emergency-use-covaxin-7131577/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Last Mile Challenges To Financial Inclusion',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/how-over-reliance-on-tech-worsens-financial-exclusion-in-rural-india-7134424/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Not by digital alone&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 06/01/2021. It talks about the last mile challenges to financial inclusion in India.</p>
</div>
<p>Being a welfare state, one of the prime objectives of government policy in India has been to enable financial inclusion and to reduce abject poverty through interventionist public policies. One such approach is the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-advisory-on-direct-benefit-transfer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) initiative.</strong></a></p>
<p>Various government programmes such as maternity entitlements, student scholarships, and wages for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mgnrega-and-migrant-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MGNREGA</strong></a> workers fall under the DBT initiative where the money is transferred to the respective beneficiaries&rsquo; bank accounts.</p>
<p>However, the beneficiaries face many hurdles in accessing their money. For example, in rural areas, beneficiaries have to travel miles and wait for several hours to make one banking transaction.</p>
<p>These hurdles are broadly referred to as <strong>&ldquo;last mile challenges''</strong>. These challenges have widened the distance between the rights holder and their entitlements, which must be urgently resolved.</p>
<h3>Last Mile Challenges &amp; Their Impact</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Digital Exclusions:</strong> A recently published KPMG report found that India&rsquo;s Internet usage is the lowest of the BRICS nations. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Similarly, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-quality-of-life-index-2020-surfshark" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital Quality of Life (DQL) Index 2020</strong></a> reflects the dismal performance of India in digital parameters.</li>
<li>Moreover, digital illiteracy, innumeracy, and unfamiliarity with technology hinder the digital product&rsquo;s full uptake.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unfamiliarity With DBT:</strong> Beneficiaries of DBT do not know what to do when their payments get rejected, often due to technical reasons such as incorrect account numbers and incorrect Aadhaar mapping with bank accounts. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>More importantly, the workers/beneficiaries have rarely been consulted regarding their preferred mode of transacting.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Breeding of Corruption:</strong> The digital exclusion and unfamiliarity of beneficiaries with DBT, has created new forms of corruption.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This was evidenced in the massive scholarship scam in Jharkhand, where many poor students were deprived of their scholarships owing to a nexus of intermediaries, government officials, banking correspondents and others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inadequate Rural Banking:</strong> There are just 14.6 bank branches per 1 lakh adults in India. It is sparser in rural India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, rural banks are short-staffed and tend to get overcrowded.</li>
<li>Accessing banks in rural areas leads to loss of one wage day for the worker. Also, people have to spend money on transportation to access the bank to withdraw their payments/subsidies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unsuccessful Banking Correspondent Model:</strong> More than a decade after the first regulations on the Business Correspondent (BC) Model were issued in 2006, banks and other financial service providers are struggling to establish a viable and sustainable business case for branchless banking.</li>
<li><strong>Accountability Issue:</strong> The lack of accountability and absence of grievance redressal continue to impact all DBT programmes.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Expanding Scope of Social Justice:</strong> Understanding social justice should be broadened by including the right to access own money in a timely and transparent manner. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, these rights should be protected through strengthening grievance redressal processes and setting accountability norms for all payment intermediaries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Providing More Choices:</strong> Universalization of Aadhar Enabled Payment System will enable Aadhar Enabled Bank Account holders to carry out seamless financial transactions.</li>
<li><strong>Establishing a Code of Conduct for BC Model:</strong> Banks should develop standard rules and formulate a code of conduct to develop effective monitoring and supervision of banking correspondents.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Geotagging and GPS mapping of agent locations to search agent points will also enable better monitoring and supervision.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uber Model:</strong> There is a need to explore the possibility to adopt the &ldquo;Uber&rdquo; model to handle cash-in/cash-out (CICO), by enabling customers to act as CICO points. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will reduce dependence on agents and allow them to go beyond CICO.</li>
<li>On the other hand, customers would be able to transact beyond a stationary and limited agent network.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promoting Digital Literacy:</strong> Digital literacy is the lynchpin of triggering a revolution in India&rsquo;s financial inclusion and doorstep delivery models.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, <a href="/pdf/1607550498-conference-on-digital-cashless-economy.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)</strong></a> is a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>There is a clear need for a fresh perspective by re-imagining some key aspects of DBT initiative. It requires that all stakeholders, including the government, regulators, service providers, industry bodies, and others, need to catalyse radical changes in the way the &lsquo;last mile&rsquo; functions at present.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #f51d1d; background-color: #fff9cf;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>In rural India, over-reliance on digital technology has worsened financial exclusion. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m5eqIEUgN64" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/india-at-the-horse-shoe-table/story-KZexjyZVCTyCJKnoDIuqCN.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;India at the horseshoe table&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on January 6th, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Longitudinal Ageing Study of India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare</strong> has released the <strong>Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) Wave-1 Report</strong> on the virtual platform.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About LASI:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a full scale <strong>national survey of scientific investigation of the health, economic, and social determinants and consequences of population ageing</strong> in India. It was <strong>commissioned in 2016.</strong></li>
<li>It is India&rsquo;s <strong>first and the world&rsquo;s largest ever survey that provides a longitudinal database</strong> for designing policies and programmes <strong>for the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/elderly-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">older population</a></strong> in the broad domains of social, health, and economic well-being.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Agencies Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>National Programme for Health Care of Elderly,</strong> Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare has undertaken the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India, through <strong>International Institute for Population Sciences,</strong> (IIPS), <strong>Mumbai</strong> in collaboration with <strong>Harvard School of Public Health, University of Southern California, USA, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-world-population-2019-unfpa#:~:text=According%20to%20State%20of%20World,annual%20growth%20rate%20of%20China." target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Population Fund</a> (UNFPA)</strong> and <strong>National Institute on Ageing.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coverage:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>first national wave of the LASI (Wave 1)</strong> covered a <strong>baseline sample of 72,250</strong> individuals <strong>aged 45 and above and their spouses</strong>, including elderly persons aged <strong>60</strong> and above and oldest-old persons aged <strong>75</strong> and above from all States and Union Territories (UTs) of India (excluding Sikkim).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Methodology:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It collects detailed data on health and biomarkers together with information on family and social network, income, assets, and consumption.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In medicine, a biomarker is a <strong>measurable indicator of the severity or presence of some disease state</strong>. More generally a biomarker is anything that can be used <strong>as an indicator of a particular disease</strong> state or some other physiological state of an organism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the 2011 census, the <strong>60+ population accounted for 8.6% of India&rsquo;s population,</strong> accounting for <strong>103 million elderly people.</strong></li>
<li>Growing at around <strong>3% annually</strong>, the number of elderly people will rise to <strong>319 million in 2050.</strong></li>
<li><strong>75%</strong> of the elderly people suffer from one or the other <strong>chronic disease. 40%</strong> of the elderly people have <strong>one or the other disability</strong> and <strong>20%</strong> have issues related to <strong>mental health.</strong></li>
<li>The self-reported prevalence of diagnosed <strong>cardiovascular diseases</strong> (CVDs) is <strong>28%</strong> among older adults aged <strong>45 and above.</strong></li>
<li>The prevalence of <strong>multi-morbidity conditions</strong> among the elderly age <strong>60 and above</strong> is <strong>much higher in the states/UTs</strong> of Kerala (52%), Chandigarh (41%), Lakshadweep (40%), Goa (39%) and Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands (38%). The prevalence of <strong>single morbidity and multi-morbidity</strong> conditions increases with age.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The evidence from LASI will be used to further strengthen and broaden the <strong>scope of the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly</strong> and also help in establishing a range of preventive and health care programmes for the older population and most vulnerable among them.</li>
<li>The study holds significance in light of the ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> pandemic with the elderly and persons with <strong>comorbidities</strong> being at the highest risk of contracting the disease.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Comorbidity</strong> simply means <strong>more than one illness or disease occurring in one person at the same time</strong> and <strong>multimorbidity means more than two illnesses</strong> or diseases occurring in the same person at the same time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Programme for Health Care of Elderly</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The programme is being implemented under the <strong>Non-Communicable Disease</strong> (NCD) flexible pool within the overarching umbrella of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-mission-and-janani-suraksha-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Health Mission</strong></a> for Districts and below in the States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vision:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To provide <strong>accessible, affordable, and high-quality long-term, comprehensive and dedicated care services</strong> to an Ageing population.</li>
<li>Creating a new <strong>&ldquo;architecture&rdquo;</strong> for Ageing.</li>
<li>To build a framework to create an enabling environment for <strong>&ldquo;a Society for all Ages&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>To promote the concept of <strong>Active and Healthy Ageing.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Funding Pattern:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Centre bears 75% of the total budget and the State Government contributes <strong>25%</strong> of the budget, for activities up to district level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligible Beneficiary:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All elderly People (above 60 Years) in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types of Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Free, Specialized health care facilities exclusively for the elderly people through the State health delivery system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1686552" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source:PIB</a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/longitudinal-ageing-study-of-india'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Air Pollution and Pregnancy Losses: Lancet Report',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to recent study <strong>poor air quality is associated</strong> with a considerable proportion of <strong>pregnancy loss in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>first study to estimate the effect of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/air-pollution-concerted-efforts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">air pollution</a> on pregnancy loss</strong> across the region.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Study:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They created a model to <strong>examine how exposure to PM 2.5 increased women&rsquo;s risk of pregnancy loss</strong>, calculating risk for each 10 &micro;g/m&sup3; increased in PM 2.5 after <strong>adjusting for maternal age, temperature and humidity, seasonal variation, and long-term trends</strong> in pregnancy loss.</li>
<li>Each <strong>increase in 10 &micro;g/m&sup3;</strong> was estimated to <strong>increase a mother&rsquo;s risk of pregnancy loss by 3%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The increase in <strong>risk was greater for mothers from rural areas or those who became pregnant at an older age</strong>, compared to younger mothers from urban areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Area Specific Report:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Of the pregnancy loss cases, <strong>77% were from India</strong>, 12% from Pakistan, and 11% from Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The study was <strong>unable to distinguish between natural pregnancy loss and abortions</strong>, which may have led to an underestimation of the effect of air pollution on natural pregnancy loss.</li>
<li>There was <strong>under-reporting</strong> of pregnancy losses because of <strong>stigma</strong> or <strong>ignoring very early pregnancy losses.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Air Pollution</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Air pollution refers to any <strong>physical, chemical, or biological change in the air</strong>. It is the contamination of air by harmful gases, dust, and smoke which <strong>affects plants, animals, and humans drastically.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Air Pollutants:</strong> Pollutants are the substances which cause pollution. <strong>Types:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Primary:</strong> The pollutants that directly cause air pollution or the pollutants that are formed and <strong>emitted directly from particular sources</strong>. Examples are <strong>particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur oxide.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Secondary:</strong> The pollutants formed by the intermingling and reaction of primary pollutants are known as secondary pollutants. Examples are <strong>ozone and secondary organic aerosol (haze).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes of Air Pollution:</strong> Major sources of air pollution are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indoor <strong>burning of fossil fuels, woods and other biomass</strong> to cook, heat and light homes.</li>
<li><strong>Industry</strong>, including power generation such as coal-fired plants and diesel generators.</li>
<li><strong>Transport</strong>, especially <strong>vehicles</strong> with diesel engines.</li>
<li><strong>Agriculture</strong>, including livestock, which produces methane and ammonia, rice paddies, which produce methane, and the burning of agricultural waste.</li>
<li>Open <strong>waste burning</strong> and organic waste in landfills.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Air Pollution on Human Health:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-global-air-2020-hei" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>State of Global Air 2020 (SoGA 2020)</strong></a> released by the <strong>Health Effects Institute (HEI):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>High PM contributed to the deaths of more than 1,16,000 Indian infants who did not survive their first month.</li>
<li>More than half of these deaths were associated with outdoor PM2.5 and others were linked to the use of solid fuels such as charcoal, wood, and animal dung for cooking.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/malnutrition-and-disease-burden" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2017 Global Burden of Disease report</strong></a> published by the <strong>Lancet Planetary Health journal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India, which accounts for 18% of the global population, recorded 26% of the global premature deaths and disease burden due to air pollution.</li>
<li><strong>One in every eight deaths in India (2017)</strong> could be attributed to air pollution, which now contributes to more disease burden than smoking.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Household air pollution causes about <strong>3.8 million premature deaths</strong> each year.</li>
<li>Air quality has become a <strong>serious health issue</strong> because the pollutants enter deep inside the lungs and the lungs capacity to purify blood gets reduced which affects the person&rsquo;s growth, mental ability and the working capacity especially for <strong>children, pregnant women and elderly people.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In children, it is associated with <strong>low birth weight, asthma, childhood <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-cancer-awareness-day#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20World%20Health,2018%20against%209.5%20million%20globally." target="_blank" rel="noopener">cancers</a>, obesity, poor lung development and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-autism-awareness-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">autism</a></strong>, among others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Initiatives to Control Air Pollution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/commission-for-air-quality-management-in-the-ncr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas</a>:</strong> It coordinates efforts of state governments to curb air pollution, and will lay down the parameters of air quality for the region.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/only-bs-vi-vehicles-to-be-sold-from-april-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bharat Stage (BS) VI norms</a>:</strong> These are emission control standards put in place by the government to keep a check on air pollution.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dashboard-for-monitoring-air-quality" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dashboard for Monitoring Air Quality</a>:</strong> It is a <strong>National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP)</strong> based dashboard, built on data from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/health-emergency-in-new-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Pollution Control Board</strong></a>&rsquo;s <strong>National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (NAAQM)</strong> Network which was started in 1984-85 and covers 344 cities/towns in 29 states and 6 UTs.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/govt-launches-mission-to-fight-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Clean Air Programme</a>:</strong>&nbsp;Launched in 2019, it is a comprehensive pan-India air pollution abatement scheme for 102 cities.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/safar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Air Quality Index (AQI)</a>:</strong> It focuses on health effects one might experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-lists-cities-with-no-clean-up-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Ambient Air Quality Standards</a>:</strong> They are the standards for ambient air quality with reference to various identified pollutants notified by the Central Pollution Control Board under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites#:~:text=It%20was%20entrusted%20with%20the,of%20Pollution)%20Act%2C%201981.&amp;text=to%20promote%20cleanliness%20of%20streams,and%20abatement%20of%20water%20pollution." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong><a href="/summary-of-important-reports/breathe-an-action-plan-for-combating-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Breathe</a>:</strong> It is a 15 point action plan to fight air pollution by <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/niti-aayog-reconstituted" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NITI Aayog</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)</a>:</strong> It aims at providing clean-cooking fuel to the poor households and bringing in qualitative charges in the living standards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Climate and Clean Air Coalition:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Launched in <strong>2019</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>voluntary partnership</strong> of governments, intergovernmental organizations, businesses, scientific institutions and civil society organizations <strong>committed to protecting the climate and improving air quality through actions to reduce short-lived climate pollutants.</strong></li>
<li><strong>India is a member</strong> of the coalition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nation</a>s</strong> <strong>Clean Air Initiative:</strong> It calls on national and subnational governments to commit to achieving air quality that is safe for citizens, and to align climate change and air pollution policies by 2030.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/air-pollution-concerted-efforts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Health Organization (WHO)&rsquo;s 4 Pillar Strategy</a></strong>: WHO adopted a resolution (2015) to address the adverse health effects of air pollution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>PM (Particulate Matter) 2.5</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>PM 2.5 is an atmospheric particulate matter of diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometres, which is around 3% the diameter of a human hair.</li>
<li>It causes respiratory problems and also reduces visibility. It is an endocrine disruptor that can affect insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, thus contributing to diabetes.</li>
<li>It can only be detected with the help of an electron microscope because of them being very small.</li>
<li>Sources of fine particles include all types of <strong>combustion activities</strong> (motor vehicles, power plants, wood burning, etc.) and certain <strong>industrial processes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a need to urgently confront air pollution and strengthen health systems. The short-term respite from air pollution that most big cities in the world experienced was because of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lockdown</a> measures and not a permanent fix</strong>.</li>
<li>Also there is a need to <strong>increase public awareness on air pollution. Educate and inform people about what they can do to reduce air pollution</strong>. Put out public health messages on the metro, buses, billboards, and radio to help change public behaviour.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/south-asia-air-pollution-pregnancy-loss/" 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/air-pollution-and-pregnancy-losses-lancet-report'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Rastriya Kamdhenu Aayog',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<h3></h3>
<h3><span style="font-size: 14px;">Recently, the <strong>Rastriya Kamdhenu Aayog</strong> has announced <strong>&lsquo;Kamdhenu Gau-Vigyan Prachar-Prasar Exam&rsquo;</strong> with an aim to &ldquo;infuse curiosity&rdquo; among people about the importance of cows, and to &ldquo;sensitise and educate&rdquo; them about the bovine species.</span></h3>
<h3></h3>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Rastriya Kamdhenu Aayog</strong> is an agency under the <strong>Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &amp; Dairying)</strong> established for the protection of cows.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li>
<li>It has been constituted to organize animal husbandry on <strong>modern and scientific lines</strong> and to take steps for preserving and improving breeds, and prohibiting the slaughter of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There are 50 well-defined breeds of cattle and 17 breeds of buffaloes in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is a <strong>high-powered permanent body</strong> to formulate policies and to provide directions for the implementation of schemes related to cattle so as to lay more emphasis on livelihood generation for small &amp; marginal farmers, women and youth entrepreneurs.</li>
<li>It functions as an integral part of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rashtriya-gokul-mission#:~:text=Government%20has%20sanctioned%20funds%20under,in%20remaining%2017%20Gokul%20grams."><strong>Rashtriya Gokul Mission</strong></a>.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Rashtriya Gokul Mission was initiated by Government of India in December 2014 with the aim of development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds, genetic upgradation of bovine population and enhancing milk production and productivity of bovines thereby making milk production more remunerative to the farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/emotions-to-earthquakes-einstein-waves-a-govt-bodys-cattle-class-7136043/">Source: IE</a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rastriya-kamdhenu-aayog'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Helping Hand to Sri Lanka',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>An India-funded <strong>free ambulance service</strong> is playing a vital role in Sri Lanka&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> response.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610014882_07.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610014882_07.png" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India provided a <strong>grant of 7.56 million USD</strong> for the <strong>Suwa Seriya</strong> [vehicle or journey for good health] <strong>service</strong> which was launched in 2016, on a pilot basis. Later, this was extended throughout the country with additional grants from India.</li>
<li><strong>India also helped with Capacity Building:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Training and refresher programmes for <strong>Sri Lankan emergency medical technicians</strong> which further <strong>generated employment</strong> for the local population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is India&rsquo;s <strong>second largest grant project to Sri Lanka</strong> after the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-sri-lanka-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>housing project</strong></a> of more than <strong>60,000 houses</strong>, with a nearly 400 million USD grant.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India Sri Lanka Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Geopolitical Significance of SriLanka:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sri Lanka&rsquo;s location in the <strong>Indian Ocean region</strong> has been of strategic geopolitical relevance to several major powers.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China&rsquo;s <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/19-11-2019/print" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>string of pearl&rsquo;s strategy</strong></a> is aimed at encircling India to establish dominance in the Indian Ocean.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China is building state of the art gigantic modern ports all along the Indian Ocean and to the south of it, in Gwadar (Pakistan), Chittagong (Bangladesh, Kyauk Phru (Myanmar) and <strong>Hambantota (Sri Lanka)</strong>. Thus Sri Lanka is vital for China&rsquo;s <strong>String of Pearls strategy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Sri Lanka has a list of <strong>highly strategic ports</strong> located among <strong>busiest sea lanes of communication.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/printpdf/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Reserve Bank of India</strong></a> (RBI) has signed an agreement for extending a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-signs-currency-swap-for-sri-lanka" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USD 400 million currency swap</strong></a> facility to Sri Lanka to boost the foreign reserves and ensure financial stability of the country, which is badly hit by Covid-19 pandemic.</li>
<li>Political relations between India and Sri Lanka have been marked by <strong>high-level exchanges of visits at regular intervals.</strong></li>
<li>Sri Lanka is a member of regional groupings like <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bimstec-guests-of-honour" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BIMSTEC</strong></a> (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAARC</strong></a> in which India plays a leading role.</li>
<li>India and Sri Lanka conduct <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-mitra-shakti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>joint Military (Mitra Shakti)</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/slinex-20-india-sri-lanka-naval-maritime-exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Naval (SLINEX)</strong></a> exercises.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Commercial Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sri Lanka is one of India&rsquo;s <strong>largest trading partners among the SAARC countries.</strong> India in turn is Sri Lanka&rsquo;s <strong>largest trade partner globally</strong>.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s exports to Sri Lanka amounted to 5.3 billion USD in 2015-17 whereas its imports from the country were at 743 million USD.</li>
<li>Trade between the two countries grew particularly rapidly after the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-sri-lanka-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement</strong></a> which came into force in March 2000.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural and Educational Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo actively promotes awareness of Indian culture by offering classes in <strong>Indian music, dance, Hindi and Yoga</strong>. Every year, cultural troupes from both countries exchange visits.</li>
<li>The <strong>India-Sri Lanka Foundation</strong>, set up in December 1998 as an <strong>intergovernmental initiative</strong>, also aims towards enhancement of scientific, technical, educational and cultural cooperation through civil society exchanges and enhancing contact between the younger generations of the two countries.</li>
<li>The People of Indian Origin (PIOs) comprise <strong>Sindhis, Borahs, Gujaratis, Memons, Parsis, Malayalis and Telugu</strong> speaking persons who have settled down in Sri Lanka (most of them after partition) and are engaged in various business ventures.</li>
<li>In April 2019, India and Sri Lanka also concluded agreement on <strong>countering Drug and Human trafficking.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues and Conflicts</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>China Factor:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sri Lanka also handed over the <strong>strategic port of Hambantota</strong>, which is expected to play a key role in <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/obor-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China&rsquo;s Belt and Road Initiative</strong></a><strong>, to China on a 99-year lease.</strong></li>
<li>China has also supplied arms as well as provided huge loans to Sri Lanka for its development.</li>
<li>The two countries have signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement which is Sri Lanka&rsquo;s first nuclear partnership with any country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fishermen issue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Given the proximity of the territorial waters of both countries, especially in the <strong>Palk Straits</strong> and the <strong>Gulf of Mannar</strong>, incidents of straying of fishermen are common.</li>
<li>Fishermen often <strong>risk their lives</strong> and cross in to Srilankan rather than return empty-handed, but the Sri Lankan Navy is on alert, and have either arrested or destroyed fishing nets and vessels of those who have crossed the line.</li>
<li>The 4<sup>th</sup> meeting under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-sri-lanka-joint-working-group-on-fisheries#:~:text=India%20and%20Sri%20Lanka%20agreed,solution%20to%20the%20fishermen%20issue." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Joint Working Group</strong></a> (JWG) on fisheries was held recently between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India and Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka as the mechanism to help find a permanent solution to the fishermen issue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/an-indian-gift-helps-sri-lankas-covid-19-fight/article33503867.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source:TH</a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/helping-hand-to-sri-lanka'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Anubhava Mantapa in Basavakalyan: Karnataka',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Chief Minister of Karnataka has laid the foundation stone for the <strong>&lsquo;New Anubhava Mantapa&rsquo; in Basavakalyan</strong>, the place where <strong>12<sup>th</sup> century poet-philosopher <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basava-jayanthi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Basaveshwara</a></strong> lived for most of his life.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the New Anubhava Mantapa:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will be a six-floor structure in the midst of the 7.5-acre plot and <strong>represent various principles of Basaveshwara&rsquo;s philosophy.</strong></li>
<li>It will <strong>showcase the 12<sup>th</sup> Century Anubhava Mantapa</strong> (often referred to as the <strong>&ldquo;first Parliament of the world&rdquo;</strong>) established by Basaveshwara in Basavakalyan where philosophers and social reformers held debates.</li>
<li>The building will adopt the <strong>Kalyana <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chalukyan-rulers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chalukya</a> style of architecture.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Later Chalukyas, popularly known as the Chalukyas of Kalyan or Kalyani Chalukyas form an integral part of ancient Karnataka history of early medieval period. Kalyan Chalukya rulers patronised temple construction, dance and music, as their predecessors did.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The grand structure <strong>supported by 770 pillars</strong> will have an auditorium with a seating capacity of 770 people. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is believed that <strong>770 Sharanas</strong> (followers of Basaveshwara) led the <strong>Vachana reformist movement</strong> in the 12th Century.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>On its top, the structure would have a <strong>Shiva Linga placed on a large pedestal.</strong></li>
<li>The project also envisages <strong>state-of-the-art robotic system</strong>, open-air theatre, <strong>modern water conservation system</strong>, terrace garden, library, research centre, prayer hall, yoga centre and so on.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Basaveshwara:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Brief Profile:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Basaveshwara (1134-1168)</strong> was an Indian philosopher, social reformer and statesman who attempted to create a casteless society and fought against caste and religious discrimination.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610013023_06.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610013023_06.png" width="250" caption="false" style="float: right;" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Basava Jayanthi</strong> is an <strong>annual event</strong> celebrated in the honour of the birth of Vishwaguru Basaveshwara.</li>
<li>He was <strong>born in Bagevadi</strong> (of undivided Bijapur district in Karnataka).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/center-refuses-to-recognize-lingayat-as-separate-religion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>tradition of Lingayatism</strong></a> is known to have been founded by him.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Philosophy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>His spiritual discipline was based on the <strong>principles of Arivu (true knowledge), Achara (right conduct), and Anubhava (divine experience)</strong> and it brought social, religious and economical revolution in the 12th century.</li>
<li>This path <strong>advocates a holistic approach of Lingangayoga</strong> (union with the divine). This comprehensive discipline encompasses <strong>bhakti (devotion), jnana (knowledge), and kriye (action)</strong> in a well balanced manner.</li>
<li>He <strong>went to Kalyana (now called Basavakalyan)</strong> probably in the year A.D. 1154. His achievements in the short span of twelve or thirteen years of his stay at Kalyana are striking. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Gates of Dharma were thrown open to all</strong> without any barriers of caste, creed or sex (<strong>Kalyana Rajya</strong> - Welfare State).</li>
<li>He <strong>established the Anubhava Mantapa</strong>, which was a common forum for all to discuss the prevailing problems of socio, economic and political strata including religious and spiritual principles along with personal problems. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Thus, it was the <strong>first and foremost Parliament of India</strong>, where Sharanas sat together and discussed the socialistic principles of a Democratic set up.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>He gave <strong>two more very important socio-economic principles</strong>. They are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Kayaka (Divine work):</strong> According to this, every individual of the society should take up the job of his choice and perform it with all sincerity.</li>
<li><strong>Dasoha (Equal distribution):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There must be an equal income for equal work.</li>
<li>The worker (Kayakajeevi) may lead his day-today life by his hard earned income. But he should not preserve the money or property for tomorrow. He must utilise the</li>
<li>surplus money for the society and poors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vachana Reformist Movement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The main aim of the <strong>Vachana (poetry)</strong> movement, led by Basaveshwara in 12th century, was welfare of all.</li>
<li>It <strong>attempted to address class, caste and to some extent gender issues</strong> in a given societal milieu.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/yediyurappa-lays-foundation-stone-for-new-anubhava-mantapa-at-basavakalyan/article33514139.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/anubhava-mantapa-in-basavakalyan-karnataka'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Sulfur Dioxide Emission Norms Delayed',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Power</strong> has <strong>proposed pushing back the deadlines for adoption of new emission norms by coal-fired power plants</strong>, stating "an unworkable time schedule" would burden utilities and lead to an increase in power tariffs.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India initially had set a <strong>2017 deadline</strong> for <strong>thermal power plants</strong> to comply with <strong>emissions standards for installing Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) units</strong> that cut emissions of toxic sulphur dioxide.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This was <strong>later changed to varying deadlines for different regions, ending in 2022.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FED):</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Removal of Sulfur Dioxide</strong> is called as Flue-gas Desulphurization (FGD).</li>
<li>It seeks to remove gaseous pollutants viz. SO<sub>2</sub> from exhaust flue gases generated in furnaces, boilers, and other industrial processes due to thermal processing, treatment, and combustion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Proposal of the Ministry of Power:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has proposed<strong> a "graded action plan,"</strong> whereby areas where plants are located would be graded according to the severity of pollution, with <strong>Region 1 referring to critically polluted areas</strong>, and <strong>Region 5 being the least polluted.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Strict control of emissions</strong> shall be required in such key areas for thermal power stations categorised under <strong>Region 1</strong>.</li>
<li>Plants in <strong>Region 2</strong> could begin to <strong>take action one year after those in Region 1.</strong></li>
<li>Presently <strong>no action</strong> is required for power plants that are situated under <strong>Region 3, 4 &amp; 5.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the Ministry, the target should be to maintain <strong>uniform ambient air quality</strong> across the country and <strong>not uniform emission norms</strong> for thermal power plants.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This could avoid immediate increase in power price in various relatively clean areas of the country (and) avoid unnecessary burden on power utilities/consumers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sulfur Dioxide Pollution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Source:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The largest source of SO<sub>2</sub> in the atmosphere is the<strong> burning of fossil fuels</strong> by power plants and other industrial facilities.</li>
<li>Smaller sources of SO<sub>2&nbsp;</sub>emissions include: industrial processes such as extracting metal from ore; <strong>natural sources such as volcanoes</strong>; and locomotives, ships and other vehicles and heavy equipment that burn fuel with a high sulfur content.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong> SO<sub>2</sub> can affect both <strong>health and the environment.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Short-term exposures</strong> to SO<sub>2</sub> can <strong>harm the human respiratory system</strong> and make breathing difficult. People with asthma, particularly children, are sensitive to these effects of SO<sub>2</sub>.</li>
<li>SO<sub>2</sub> emissions that lead to high concentrations of SO<sub>2</sub> in the air generally also lead to the <strong>formation of other sulfur oxides (SOx)</strong>. SOx can react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form small particles. These particles <strong>contribute to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dashboard-for-monitoring-air-quality" target="_blank" rel="noopener">particulate matter (PM)</a> pollution.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Small particles may penetrate deeply into the lungs and in sufficient quantities can contribute to health problems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Case:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s sulphur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) emissions <strong>recorded a significant decline of approximately 6% in 2019 compared to 2018</strong>, the steepest drop in four years, according to a report from Greenpeace India and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, India remained the <strong>largest emitter of SO<sub>2</sub>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>2015</strong>, the <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&amp;CC)</strong> <strong>introduced Sulfur Dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) emission limits for coal power stations.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/safar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Air Quality sub-index</strong> </a>has been evolved for <strong>eight pollutants</strong> (PM10, PM2.5, NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub>, CO, O<sub>3</sub>, NH<sub>3</sub>, and Pb) for which short-term (upto 24-hours) <strong>National Ambient Air Quality Standards</strong> are prescribed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/indias-power-ministry-proposes-pushing-back-emission-norms-deadline/article33495403.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/sulfur-dioxide-emission-norms-delayed'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Changing World Order, India & UNSC',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-elected-united-nations-security-council-7132965/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;India&rsquo;s UNSC opportunity&rdquo;</a> which was published in The Indian Express on 05/01/2021. It talks about the changing world order and new challenges and how India should leverage its <strong>two-year tenure of Non-Permanent Membership at UNSC.</strong></p>
</div>
<p>Since the end of the Cold War, India has entered the<a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/22-09-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations Security Council (UNSC)</strong></a> for the third time. However, the current world order is very different from India&rsquo;s earlier stints in UNSC viz. 1991-92 and 2011-12.</p>
<p>The challenge emanating from the current world order is whether a peaceful consensus can bring about the redistribution of power between various superpowers.</p>
<p>In this context, India should leverage this two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of UNSC, to promote national interests and global peace.</p>
<h3>Changing World Order in the Recent Times</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>New Cold-War:</strong> With the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991</strong></a>, the world order turned from being bi-polar to unipolar. However, the current world order is without a systemic equilibrium, which is essential to the maintenance of international stability.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is due to the emergence of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>New Cold War</strong></a> between US &amp; China, which amounts to a struggle for a new distribution of power&mdash;political, economic and military.</li>
<li>Moreover, the differences between the US, China and Russia have become intractable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Retrenchment of US:</strong> The prominent feature of the current world order is the US&rsquo;s retrenchment from global affairs. This can be reflected by the withdrawal of the US the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-renewed-support-for-paris-agreement#:~:text=Paris%20Agreement%20(also%20known%20as,to%20deal%20with%20climate%20change." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Climate deal</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-blocking-sites-access-iaea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>JCPOA</strong></a>, etc.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This retrenchment has led to a severe blow to multilateralism and globalisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indo-Pacific as a New Sub-System:</strong> The rise of China has been redrawing the balance of power in the South-China Sea. This has led to countries like US, India, Japan, etc., colluding in framing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/europe-in-indo-pacific" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific as a new sub-system in international affairs.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indo-Pacific refers to the Indian and the Pacific Oceans between the east coast of Africa and the American west coast and their several littoral countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Declining Role of UN:</strong> The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the UN&rsquo;s main executive body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the veto powers possessed by the UNSC&rsquo;s five permanent members are used as an instrument to shore up their geopolitical interests, regardless of the disastrous consequences for the victims of armed conflict as can be seen in Syria, Iraq, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Current Challenges For Indian Foreign Policy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aggressive China:</strong> At the end of the Cold War, India ought to strengthen cooperation with China on the multilateral front with a view that it would also help generate the conditions for resolving the boundary dispute and expand the areas of bilateral cooperation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this strategy has been proved counter-effective as China now has assumed an aggressive posture towards India. It can be seen in recent Galwan Valley Clashes.</li>
<li>Moreover, China protects Pakistan from the international pressures that India has sought to mobilise at various fora.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Compromising Non-Alignment:</strong> To counter China, India has colluded with like-minded countries, forming Quad grouping (US, India, Japan, Australia).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this convergence with the US has tarnished India&rsquo;s image of non-alignment and deteriorated relations with traditional partners like Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward: Leveraging Non-Permanent Membership</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Becoming Part of the Great Game</strong>: The UNSC offers room for sustained diplomatic interaction between the major powers, minimising tensions and creating new opportunities for cooperation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Much like the US and USSR that cooperated on nuclear proliferation issues at the height of the Cold War, the US and China could explore potential common ground even amidst their broad-based confrontation.</li>
<li>In this context, India can carve out a larger role for itself amid renewed great power rivalry.</li>
<li>Further, as India now joins the UNSC amid a continuing military standoff, India can now expose the Chinese aggression in the Ladakh region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UNSC Reforms:</strong> Making the UNSC more &ldquo;representative&rdquo; has been one of India&rsquo;s demands since the end of the Cold War.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, India should continue its partnership with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G4 (Brazil, Germany and Japan)</strong> </a>countries to expand the UNSC and become a permanent member.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Deepening International Collaboration:</strong> The engagement with peace and security issues at the UNSC will allow India to strengthen its new coalitions such as the Quad.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, India could also use the UNSC tenure to deepen collaboration with its European partners like France and Germany in the security arena.</li>
<li>India must also sustain an intensive dialogue with Russia on all international issues, notwithstanding Russia&rsquo;s worsening problems with the West and closer ties to China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Engaging With Global South:</strong> India needs to revitalise its engagement with its traditional partners in the &ldquo;global south&rdquo; by articulating their peace and security concerns in the UNSC. In this context, two sub-groups of the global south should be of particular interest.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Small Island States:</strong> The numerous small island states worldwide face existential challenges from global warming and rising sea levels.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They also struggle to exercise control over their large maritime estates.</li>
<li>Supporting the sovereignty and survivability of the island states is a crucial political task for India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Africa:</strong> Nearly half of UNSC meetings, 60% of its documents, and 70% of its resolutions are about peace and security in Africa.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The continent has three seats in the UNSC (Kenya, Niger and Tunisia) and there is regular consultation between the UNSC and the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU).</li>
<li>The UNSC tenure is a good moment for India to intensify India&rsquo;s engagement on peace and security issues in Africa at bilateral, regional and global levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India&rsquo;s foreign policy approach has also shifted from the reactive to the proactive. That, in turn, should make India&rsquo;s new stint at the UNSC more purposeful and pragmatic.</p>
<p>Purposefulness is about tightly integrating its UNSC engagement with India&rsquo;s broader national goals. Pragmatism demands adapting to the changed conditions at the UNSC and avoiding overly ambitious goals.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffdf2;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>In the context of changing world order and new challenges, India&rsquo;s foreign policy should leverage India&rsquo;s new stint at the UNSC more purposefully and pragmatically. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9d7n87-WiNg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/black-and-grey-on-pakistans-actions-against-terrorists/article33496043.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Black and grey: On Pakistan's actions against terrorists&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on January 5<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/changing-world-order-india-unsc'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Judicial Review',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Supreme Court</a> (SC)</strong> refused to treat the <strong>Central Vista project</strong> as a unique one requiring greater or heightened <strong>judicial review.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>SC</strong> said the <strong>government</strong> was <strong>&ldquo;entitled to commit errors or achieve successes&rdquo;</strong> in <strong>policy matters</strong> without the court&rsquo;s interference <strong>as long as it follows constitutional principles.</strong></li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/Central-Vista-redevelopment-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Vista project</strong></a> of New Delhi includes <strong>Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, North</strong> and <strong>South Block, India Gate, National Archives</strong> among others.</li>
<li>The Indian Constitution <strong>adopted the Judicial Review</strong> on <strong>lines of the American Constitution.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Judicial Review:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a type of <strong>court proceeding</strong> in which a judge <strong>reviews the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public body.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In other words, judicial reviews are a <strong>challenge to the way in which a decision has been made</strong>, rather than the rights and wrongs of the conclusion reached.</li>
<li><strong>Concepts of Law:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Procedure Established by Law:</strong> It means that a law enacted by the legislature or the concerned body is valid only if the correct procedure has been followed to the letter.</li>
<li><strong>Due Process of Law:</strong> It is a doctrine that not only checks if there is a law to deprive the life and personal liberty of a person but also ensures that the law is made fair and just.</li>
<li>India follows <strong>Procedure Established by Law.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is the <strong>power exerted by the courts of a country to examine the actions of the legislatures, executive and administrative arms of government and to ensure that such actions conform to the provisions of the nation&rsquo;s Constitution.</strong></li>
<li>Judicial review has <strong>two important functions, like, of legitimizing government action</strong> and <strong>the protection of constitution against any undue encroachment by the gov&shy;ernment.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Judicial review is considered a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-structure-of-constitution#:~:text=Origin%3A%20The%20basic%20structure%20theory,fundamental%20features%E2%80%9D%20of%20their%20Constitution." target="_blank" rel="noopener">basic structure of the constitution</a> (<a href="/printpdf/major-constitutional-amendments-part-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Indira Gandhi vs Raj Narain Case</em></a> 1975)</strong>.</li>
<li>Judicial review is also called the <strong>interpretational and observer roles of the Indian judiciary.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Suo Moto cases</strong> and the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/public-interest-litigation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Interest Litigation (PIL)</strong></a>, with the discontinuation of the principle of Locus Standi, have <strong>allowed the judiciary to intervene in many public issues</strong>, even when there is no complaint from the aggrieved party.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types of Judicial Review:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reviews of Legislative Actions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This review implies the power to ensure that <strong>laws passed by the legislature are in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Review of Administrative Actions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is a tool for <strong>enforcing constitutional discipline</strong> over administrative agencies while exercising their powers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Review of Judicial Decisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This review is used to correct or make any change in previous decisions by the judiciary itself.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Judicial Review:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is essential for maintaining the <strong>supremacy of the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li>It is essential for <strong>checking</strong> the possible <strong>misuse of power</strong> by the legislature and executive.</li>
<li>It <strong>protects the rights</strong> of the people.</li>
<li>It <strong>maintains</strong> the federal <strong>balance</strong>.</li>
<li>It is essential for securing the <strong>independence of the judiciary</strong>.</li>
<li>It <strong>prevents tyranny</strong> of executives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Problems with Judicial Review:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <strong>limits the functioning of the government.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>violates the limit of power set to be exercised by the constitution</strong> when it overrides any existing law.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In India, a <strong>separation of functions rather than of powers is followed.</strong></li>
<li>The concept of separation of powers is not adhered to strictly. However, a system of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/checks-balances-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>checks and balances</strong></a> have been put in place in such a manner that the judiciary has the power to strike down any <strong>unconstitutional laws passed by the legislature.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The judicial opinions of the judges once taken for any case becomes the standard for ruling other cases.</li>
<li>Judicial review can harm the public at large as the judgment may be <strong>influenced by personal or selfish motives.</strong></li>
<li>Repeated interventions of courts can <strong>diminish the faith of the people in the integrity, quality, and efficiency of the government.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Constitutional Provisions for Judicial Review</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is no direct and express provision in the constitution empowering the courts to invalidate laws, but <strong>the constitution has imposed definite limitations upon each of the organs, the transgression of which would make the law void.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>court is entrusted with the task of deciding whether any of the consti&shy;tutional limitations has been transgressed or not.</strong></li>
<li>Some provisions in the constitution supporting the process of judicial review are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 372 (1)</strong> establishes the judicial review of the pre-constitution legislation.</li>
<li><strong>Article 13</strong> declares that any law which contravenes any of the provisions of the part of Funda&shy;mental Rights shall be void.</li>
<li><strong>Articles 32 and 226</strong> entrusts the roles of the protector and guarantor of fundamental rights to the Supreme and High Courts.</li>
<li><strong>Article 251 and 254</strong> states that in case of inconsistency between union and state laws, the state law shall be void.</li>
<li><strong>Article 246 (3)</strong> ensures the state legislature&rsquo;s exclusive powers on matters pertaining to the State List.</li>
<li><strong>Article 245</strong> states that the powers of both Parliament and State legislatures are subject to the provisions of the constitution.</li>
<li><strong>Articles 131-136</strong> entrusts the court with the power to adjudicate disputes between individuals, between individuals and the state, between the states and the union; but the court may be required to interpret the provisions of the constitution and the interpretation given by the Supreme Court becomes the law honoured by all courts of the land.</li>
<li><strong>Article 137</strong> gives a special power to the SC to review any judgment pronounced or order made by it. An order passed in a criminal case can be reviewed and set aside only if there are errors apparent on the record.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With the power of judicial review, the courts <strong>act as a custodian of the fundamental rights.</strong></li>
<li>With the growing functions of the modern state, <strong>judicial intervention in the process of making administrative decisions and executing them has also increased.</strong></li>
<li>When the judiciary surpasses the line of the powers set for it in the name of judicial activism, it could be rightly said that the judiciary then <strong>begins to invalidate the concept of separation of powers set out in the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Making laws is the function and duty of the legislature</strong>, to fill the gap of laws and to implement them in a proper manner is responsibility of the executive. So that the only work remaining for the judiciary is interpretations. Only a <strong>fine equilibrium between these government bodies can sustain the constitutional values.</strong></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/judicial-review-1'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Conflict Over Nile',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt have recently agreed to resume negotiations to resolve their <strong>decade-long complex dispute</strong> over the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/grand-ethiopian-renaissance-dam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Grand Renaissance Dam</strong> </a>hydropower project in the Horn of Africa.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Horn of Africa is the <strong>easternmost extension of African land</strong> and includes the region that is home to the countries of <strong>Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia,</strong> whose cultures have been linked throughout their long history.</li>
<li>The Grand Renaissance Dam is being constructed by<strong> Ethiopia on the river Nile.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609926506_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609926506_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Conflict:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The Nile, Africa&rsquo;s longest river,</strong> has been at the center of a decade-long complex dispute involving several countries that are dependent on the river&rsquo;s waters.</li>
<li><strong>Grand Renaissance Dam:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This 145-meter-tall (475-foot-tall) hydropower project, started by<strong> Ethiopia</strong> is the cause of conflict.</li>
<li>Given the <strong>dam&rsquo;s location on the Blue Nile tributary,</strong> it would <strong>allow Ethiopia to gain control</strong> of the flow of the river&rsquo;s waters.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Blue Nile is a tributary of the Nile river and it carries about two-thirds of the river's water volume and most of the silt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>At the forefront of this <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/egypt-ethiopia-conflict-on-gerd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>dispute are Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Dam&rsquo;s Importance for Ethiopia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ethiopia believes this dam will generate approximately<strong> 6,000 megawatts</strong> of electricity which will<strong> support its industrial growth.</strong></li>
<li>It can also <strong>export surplus electricity</strong> to neighbouring regions to generate revenue.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Neighbouring countries like <strong>Kenya, Sudan, Eritrea and South Sudan</strong> also suffer from <strong>electricity shortages</strong> and they can also <strong>benefit from the hydropower project</strong> if Ethiopia decides to sell electricity to them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Egypt&rsquo;s Concern:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Egypt lies <strong>downstream</strong> and is concerned that Ethiopia&rsquo;s control over the water could result in <strong>lower water levels within its own borders.</strong></li>
<li>Egypt depends on the Nile for approximately 97% of its drinking water and irrigation supplies.</li>
<li>The dam would jeopardise<strong> food and water security</strong> and <strong>livelihoods</strong> of ordinary Egyptian citizens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sudan&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sudan too is concerned that if Ethiopia were to gain control over the river, it would affect the <strong>water levels Sudan receives.</strong></li>
<li>Sudan is likely to<strong> benefit from the power generated</strong> by the dam.</li>
<li>The<strong> regulated flow of the river will save Sudan</strong> from serious flooding in August and September. Thus it has proposed joint management of the dam.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Current Situation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The latest round of talks between<strong> Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt</strong> occurred with<strong> South Africa</strong> observing the proceedings in its role as the current head of the<a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/09-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> African Union&rsquo;s</strong> </a>rotating council, in addition to other international observers.</li>
<li>Despite previous talks, the point of contention hasn&rsquo;t changed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Nile River</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The River Nile is in Africa. It originates in <strong>Burundi, south of the equator,</strong> and flows northward through northeastern Africa, eventually flowing through Egypt and finally draining into the <strong>Mediterranean Sea.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Source:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The source of the Nile is sometimes considered to be <strong>Lake Victoria,</strong> but the lake itself has feeder rivers of considerable size like the<strong> Kagera River.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Nile River is considered as one of the<strong> longest rivers</strong> in the world.</li>
<li>The Nile has a length of about <strong>6,695 kilometers</strong> (4,160 miles).</li>
<li>The Nile basin is huge and includes parts of <strong>Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo (Kinshasa), Kenya.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Nile River</strong> forms an <strong>arcuate delta</strong> as it empties into the Mediterranean Sea. Deltas with<strong> triangular or fan-shape</strong> are called<strong> arcuate (arc-like) deltas.</strong></li>
<li>The Nile is formed by three principal streams: <strong>the Blue Nile, the Atbara, and the White Nile.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609926533_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609926533_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="320" height="586" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To solve the <strong>conflict peacefully, mediation and facilitation</strong> by the neighbouring countries and the international bodies are necessary.</li>
<li>In case, the attempt to resolve the conflict does not work out by facilitating negotiations between the conflict parties, then<strong> a compensation method</strong> can be adopted which would need the countries to compensate each others&rsquo; losses.</li>
<li>All countries involved in the issue <strong>need to peacefully resolve the issue</strong> so that they can <strong>reap the advantages</strong> of the dam and <strong>their peace and security</strong> is restored again.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/ethiopias-dam-on-river-nile-is-triggering-water-conflict-in-east-africa-7133441/" 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/conflict-over-nile'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Yakshagana',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently a Yakshagana artiste died while performing on stage.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609921754_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609921754_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="435" height="653" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form of <strong>Karnataka.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>temple art</strong> form that depicts mythological stories and Puranas.</li>
<li>It is performed with massive headgears, elaborate facial make-up and vibrant costumes and ornaments.</li>
<li>Usually recited in Kannada, it is also performed in <strong>Malayalam</strong> as well as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tulu-language" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tulu (the dialect of south Karnataka).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tulu is a <strong>Dravidian language</strong> whose speakers are concentrated in the region of Tulu Nadu, which comprises the districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi in Karnataka and the northern part of Kasaragod district of Kerala.</li>
<li>The oldest available inscriptions in Tulu are from the period between 14<sup>th</sup> to 15<sup>th</sup> century AD.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is performed with percussion instruments like chenda, maddalam, jagatta or chengila (cymbals) and chakratala or elathalam (small cymbals).</li>
<li>The most popular <strong>episodes are from the Mahabharata</strong> i.e. Draupadi swayamvar, Subhadra vivah, etc. and <strong>from Ramayana</strong> i.e. Rajyabhishek, Lav-Kush yuddh, etc.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #0a0a3b;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Theatre Forms</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #0a0a3b;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>State</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #0a0a3b;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Theme</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 51px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 51px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Nautanki</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 51px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Uttar Pradesh</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 51px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Often draws on <strong>romantic Persian literature</strong> for its themes.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Tamasha</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Maharashtra</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Evolved from the folk forms such as gondhal, jagran and kirtan.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Bhavai</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Gujarat</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;"><strong>Subtle social criticism</strong> laced with humour.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Jatra</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">West Bengal/Orissa and eastern Bihar</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Originated in Bengal as a result of the <strong>Bhakti movement.</strong> Initially known as Krishna jatra due to Chaitanya&rsquo;s (spiritual founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism) influence.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Koodiyattam</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Kerala</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;"><strong>Oldest traditional theatre forms</strong> of India, it follows the performative principles of the ancient tradition of Sanskrit theatre. In 2001, Koodiyattam was officially recognized by <strong>UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage</strong> of Humanity.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">
<p>Mudiyettu</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Kerala</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Traditional ritual theatre and folk dance drama from Kerala that enacts the mythological tale of a <strong>battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika.</strong> The ritual is a part of the bhagavathi or bhadrakali cult.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Bhaona</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">Assam</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0;">A creation of Srimanta Sankardeva (an Assamese saint-scholar), these plays were written in <strong>Brajavali, a unique Assamese-Maithili mixed language,</strong> and are primarily centered on <strong>Hindu deity, Krishna.</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0; height: 19px;">Maach</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0; height: 19px;">Madhya Pradesh</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0; height: 19px;">It is a sung folk theatre that has a semi sacred character, blending religious and secular themes.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 35px;">
<td style="width: 18.2461%; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0; height: 35px;">Bhand Pather</td>
<td style="width: 25.2969%; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0; height: 35px;">Kashmir</td>
<td style="width: 56.4569%; vertical-align: top; background-color: #fffcf0; height: 35px;"><strong>Satire, wit and parody</strong> are commonly used in this folk drama that incorporates local mythological legends and contemporary social commentary.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><br /><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/yakshagana-artiste-dies-while-performing-on-stage/article33499319.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: The Hindu</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/yakshagana-4'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Solidarity and Stability Deal: Gulf Countries',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Gulf states signed a<strong> &lsquo;solidarity and stability&rsquo;</strong> deal at the 41<sup>st</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gulf-cooperation-council-and-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong></a> <strong>(GCC) summit</strong> held in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609920965_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609920965_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sanctions on Qatar:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In June 2017, Saudi Arabia and its allies, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt severed ties with Qatar and imposed a naval, air and land blockade on the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Qatar was <strong>charged to be too close to Iran</strong> and backed radical Islamist groups.</li>
<li>The country was <strong>alleged to support and fund terror</strong> through its support of Iran and <strong>Muslim Brotherhood</strong> (a Sunni Islamist political group <strong>outlawed by both Saudi Arabia and the UAE).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Solidarity and Stability Deal:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Members of the<strong> GCC</strong> signed a deal in<strong> Al&shy;Ula, Saudi Arabia</strong> to remove all the sanctions over Qatar and<strong> re-open</strong> their<strong> land, sea and air borders to Qatar.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman,<strong> Qatar,</strong> Saudi Arabia and UAE are the members of <strong>GCC.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To unite efforts to promote the Gulf region and to confront challenges that surround them, especially the threats posed by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-steps-up-uranium-enrichment#:~:text=Under%20the%20deal%2C%20Iran%20agreed,reactor%20fuel%20and%20nuclear%20weapons." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Iranian regime&rsquo;s nuclear and ballistic missile programme</strong></a> and its <strong>plans for sabotage and destruction.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>GCC is a <strong>political, economic, social, and regional organisation</strong> which was<strong> established by an agreement concluded in 1981</strong> among Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE in view of their special relations, geographic proximity, similar political systems based on Islamic beliefs, joint destiny and common objectives.</li>
<li>The structure of the GCC consists of the <strong>Supreme Council (the highest authority), the Ministerial Council and the Secretariat General.</strong> The Secretariat is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Relation with Gulf Region</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India and GCC:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The economic and political relationship of India with the GCC has improved in recent years.</li>
<li>The friendly relation has been reflected in the<strong> bilateral trade</strong> of around USD 121 billion and <strong>remittances</strong> of USD 49 billion from a workforce of over nine million.</li>
<li>GCC suppliers account for around <strong>34% of India&rsquo;s crude imports.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India and Iran:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has always <strong>shared a friendly relationship with Iran.</strong> But the India-Iran relation faces one of the most complex phases at all times due to the USA&rsquo;s pressure which has politico-economic impacts.</li>
<li>In May 2018, the USA abandoned the nuclear deal <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-blocking-sites-access-iaea#:~:text=Iran%20Nuclear%20Program%20and%20JCPOA&amp;text=The%20deal%20was%20named%20as,parlance%20as%20Iran%20Nuclear%20Deal.&amp;text=The%20agreement%20allowed%20Iran%20to,reactor%20fuel%20and%20nuclear%20weapons." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action)</strong> </a>and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bigger-picture-of-usas-action-against-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>reinstated economic sanctions against Iran.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India and Qatar:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-qatar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s External Affairs Minister met the top leaders of Qatar</strong></a> and discussed strengthening the economic and security cooperation between the two countries.</li>
<li>India shares a <strong>friendly relation with Qatar</strong> and even at the time of sanctions on Qatar, India maintained a cordial relation with the oil rich nation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Overall Role in the Region:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has <strong>avoided involvement in local or regional disputes</strong> in the region, since Indian interests do not entail power projection but necessitate <strong>peace and regional stability.</strong></li>
<li>The Gulf is among India&rsquo;s <strong>top trading partners.</strong> The <strong>deepening energy interdependence</strong> is marked by growing volumes of energy imports into India. There is also the prospect of substantive investments from the Gulf into the <strong>Indian hydrocarbon sector.</strong></li>
<li>The number of Indian <strong>migrant workers in the region</strong> stands at more than <strong>7 million.</strong></li>
<li>The expansion of the political engagement has been matched by the <strong>growing security cooperation, especially on counter-terrorism.</strong></li>
<li>India and its Gulf partners are also <strong>taking tentative steps towards defence cooperation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example participation of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and others in<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/naval-exercise-milan-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> India&rsquo;s mega multilateral Milan Exercise.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Gulf region has historical, political, economic, strategic and cultural significance for India. <strong>India-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) can provide a boost to the relations.</strong></li>
<li>It has been assessed that Saudi Arabia is a fading power whereas UAE, Qatar and Iran are emerging as the new regional leaders. <strong>Oman and Iraq will have to struggle to retain their sovereign identities.</strong></li>
<li>Thus, <strong>Indian interests would be best served</strong> if the <strong>stability in the region</strong> is ensured through cooperative security since the alternative, of competitive security options, cannot ensure durable peace.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/solidarity-and-stability-deal-gulf-countries'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: The Demands of Farmers',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TM_cpDR0S90" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Farmers have been protesting for over months and have congregated on the periphery of the National Capital.</li>
<li>They have blocked roads to Delhi and remain firm on their demand to repeal the recently passed <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/agricultural-reforms#:~:text=The%20Government%20with%20the%20aim,three%20important%20legislation%20from%20Parliament.&amp;text=The%20Farmers%20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>farm laws</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Despite the government&rsquo;s assurance given to the farmers that the new laws are for their benefit, they still fear that their livelihood will be severely affected.</li>
<li>The major demands of farmers include completely rolling back the three farm laws along with ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) on the crop products.</li>
<li>Farmer unions had also intensified their agitation against the farm laws by calling for 'Bharat Bandh' to show their discontentment with amendments to the agricultural legislations being proposed by the government.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Farmers&rsquo; Demands</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Repealing the farm laws:</strong> The first and foremost demand of the protesting farmers&rsquo; organisations is the repeal of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/agricultural-reforms#:~:text=The%20Government%20with%20the%20aim,three%20important%20legislation%20from%20Parliament.&amp;text=The%20Farmers%20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>three new agricultural laws</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Minimum support price:</strong> The second demand of farmers is the guarantee of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price-for-crops" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minimum Support Price (MSP)</strong></a> to ensure procurement of crops at a suitable price.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Farmers are also demanding to get a written assurance in the form of a Bill for the continuation MSP and conventional food grain procurement system.</li>
<li>The Farmers&rsquo; organisations want the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agriculture-produce-to-agriculture-marketinghttps://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agriculture-produce-to-agriculture-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>APMC</strong></a> or the Mandi System to be protected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Electricity (Amendment) Bill:</strong> The third demand of farmers is the withdrawal of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/electricity-amendment-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electricity (Amendment) Bill</strong></a>, as they feel that they won&rsquo;t get free electricity due to this.</li>
<li><strong>Stubble burning:</strong> The farmers&rsquo; fourth demand is to end the fine and jail sentence for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/stubble-burning-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>stubble burning</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Swaminathan Commission:</strong> The Farmers are demanding MSP as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Swaminathan Commission Report states that the government should raise the MSP to at least 50% more than the weighted average cost of production. <strong>It is also known as the C2+ 50% formula.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It includes the imputed cost of capital and the rent on the land (called &lsquo;C2&rsquo; ) to give farmers 50% returns.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Are the Demands Justified?</h3>
<p><strong>Arguments in Against</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>MSP is an incentive not a right:</strong> Even though the MSP might be beneficial for a section of the farmers only, the cost of MSP itself is very high for the country as a whole.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>MSP was given to the farmers as an incentive to prevent them from exploitation, it cannot be mandated as a right.</li>
<li>It is an artificially high price which hurts the population who does not cultivate these crops but is poor; e.g. landless labourers, small &amp; marginal farmers in villages who are also the net buyers of the food grains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The law does not dismantle the APMC system:</strong> The APMCs are not going to shut down and will continue to be available as an alternate option for the sale of farmers&rsquo; produce.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government has only given the farmers the freedom to sell out of the APMCs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Contract farming:</strong> Contract farming already exists in parts of the country. Large scale informal contract farming is already happening in West Bengal and around Delhi.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The law simply recognises contract farming, makes it legal and provides mechanism protection for the farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Allowing stubble burning:</strong> The farmers, who burn stubble, are conscious of going to jail if they continue burning the stubble as the law provides for a fine up to Rs. 1 crore or jail of up to five years or both.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite the raging need for laws against pollution, this demand of the farmers is utterly saddening.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Arguments in Favour</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Corporatisation of agriculture is against the farmers&rsquo; welfare:</strong> The global experience across agricultural markets demonstrates that corporatisation of agriculture without a concomitant security net in the form of an assured payment guarantee to the farmers results in the exploitation of farmers at the hands of big business.</li>
<li><strong>Threat for small and marginal farmers:</strong> This poses a significant challenge to Small and Marginal Farmers which constitute 86% of our agricultural class.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The present laws alter the bargaining landscape in favour of the corporate players.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dispute resolution mechanism:</strong> The new farm laws expressly exclude the jurisdiction of the civil court, leaving the farmers remediless and with no independent medium of dispute redressal mechanism.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The farmers shall be given the right to take their stand to the court.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gradual decline of APMC mandis:</strong> The farm laws open the field to an alternate set of markets/private yards, where the buyer will have no statutory obligation to pay the MSP.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since the markets/private yards will not be charged any market fee/levy and the agricultural sector will see the gradual shifting of trade from the APMC mandis to these private yards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Agriculture is a state subject:</strong> The Union Government has by-passed the federal structure by legislating on subjects that exclusively fall within the domain of the state government under the state list of the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/30-09-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Seventh Schedule of the Constitution</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Choosing a middle ground:</strong> The government is not going to repeal all the three laws while the farmers are adamant about their protest for repealing the laws. The need here is to adopt a middle path.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There must be some negotiations between the two, while the government is accepting the genuine demands, the farmers should also agree to some of the former&rsquo;s terms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Complete information about the rights:</strong> What farmers need is complete information of their rights and duties and connectivity which needs to be provided by central as well as state governments.</li>
<li><strong>Landless labourers:</strong> The landless labourers are often left out of welfare policies, while they are the majority of rural areas. More policies should be more focussed upon the landless labourers.</li>
<li><strong>People&rsquo;s suggestion:</strong> It is important to take the suggestions of all the stakeholders before passing a new bill especially in the world's largest democratic country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The farmers are an integral part in the formation of the country, their interests must be preserved and their issues must be looked and worked upon. In this case, adopting a middle path is the best and wisest way forward.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-the-demands-of-farmers'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Governor: An Agent of the Centre?',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/maximum-governor-on-governors-role/article33496044.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Maximum Governor: On Governor's role&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 05/01/2021. It talks about the controversial position of the governor as an agent of the central government.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/governor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Governor</strong></a> of Kerala refused to convene a special session of the Kerala Assembly that was intended to discuss the ongoing farmer protest in New Delhi.</p>
<p>This conduct is comparable to the many actions of governors of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, etc., that led to unwarranted interference of centre in states&rsquo; politics. These states happen to be ruled by the political parties governed by the opposition parties at the centre.</p>
<p>Such instances portray the negative image of the state governors as an agent of the centre. The Governor&rsquo;s office&rsquo;s misuse to undermine duly elected State governments undermines democratic processes and compromises one of the Basic Structure doctrine elements, i.e. federalism.</p>
<h3>Governor: Acting As Agent of Centre &amp; It&rsquo;s Effect</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Source: Article 163</strong> of Indian Constitution states that the Governor should exercise his functions based on the <strong>state&rsquo;s Council of Ministers&rsquo; aid and advice</strong>, except it is required to exercise his functions at his discretion.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, Article 163 acts as a source of the discretionary power of the governor.</li>
<li>As the union government nominates the governor, the combined effect with Article 163 provides the scope centre meddling in the state&rsquo;s affairs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nature of Intervention:</strong> The present controversies have been around issues like:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Selecting the Chief Minister,</li>
<li>Determining the timing for proving legislative majority,</li>
<li>Demanding information about day-to-day administration,</li>
<li>Giving assent to bills or reserving bills for the President,</li>
<li>Frequent use of Article 356 for removing state governments run by opposition parties based on the governor&rsquo;s recommendation.</li>
<li>Commenting adversely on specific policies of the state government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Effect:</strong> The encroachment upon the legislature&rsquo;s powers and the elected government amounts to an abuse of Governor&rsquo;s authority as a nominal head under the Constitution.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Various wrongdoings of the centre through the governor&rsquo;s office damage India&rsquo;s essential federal structure and the democratic process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Envisaged Role of Governor</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Taking Clues From Constituent Assembly Debates:</strong> On analysing the constituent assembly debates, it can be inferred that the constituent assembly envisaged creating &lsquo;responsible government&rsquo; in the states as much as at the centre.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to <strong>Dr Ambedkar</strong>, &ldquo;I have no doubt in my mind that discretionary power is in no sense a negation of responsible government. It is not a general clause giving the governor power to disregard the advice of his ministers in any matter in which he finds he ought to disregard.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Taking Clues From Constitution:</strong> As the states were indeed sovereign within their own domain, the discretionary power, beyond the specific situations mentioned in the constitution, does not enable a governor to override the state government.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, selecting a chief minister of his choice or creating/utilising opportunities for defections to change the party in power cannot be a governor&rsquo;s job.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Taking Clues from Various Committees on Centre-States Relation:</strong> In the last few decades, various committees were appointed to understand the governor&rsquo;s role in India&rsquo;s federal democratic setup.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These committees made extremely valuable recommendations to make the governor&rsquo;s office the <strong>&ldquo;linchpin of the state&rsquo;s constitutional apparatus.&rdquo;</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg"><strong>Note:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Various Committees on Centre-States Relations
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Administrative Reforms Commission of 1968,</li>
<li>The Rajamannar Committee of 1969,</li>
<li>Committee of Governors of 1971,</li>
<li>The Sarkaria commission of 1988,</li>
<li>Punchhi Commission, 2007.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Governor&rsquo;s Discretion Should Be Only Her Discretion:</strong> For the smooth functioning of a democratic government, it is equally essential that the governor must act judiciously, impartially and efficiently while exercising his discretion and personal judgment.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As the Sarkaria Commission put it, the governor&rsquo;s task <strong>&ldquo;is to see that a government is formed and not to try to form a government,&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening of Federalism:</strong> In order to check misuse of the office of governor, there is a need to strengthen federal setup in India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this regard, the Inter-State council and the role of Rajya Sabha as the chamber of federalism must be strengthened.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reform the Method of Appointment of Governor:</strong> In order to end the monopoly of the centre in selecting its &lsquo;own man&rsquo; as governor, the appointment can be made from a panel prepared by the state legislature and actual appointing authority should be the Inter-state Council, not the central government.</li>
<li><strong>Code of Conduct for Governor:</strong> In order to enable the governor to successfully discharge his functions under the centre and states governments should agree on a 'Code of Conduct'.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This 'Code of Conduct' should lay down certain 'norms and principles' which should guide the exercise of the governor's 'discretion' and his powers which he is entitled to use and exercise on his judgment.</li>
<li>In this context, the inspiration for such a code can be derived from the various recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission on centre-states relations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The governor&rsquo;s role is not merely an agent of the centre sitting in state capitals; he is the lynchpin of India&rsquo;s federalism and democracy at the state&rsquo;s level. Therefore, the governor&rsquo;s role is indispensable for the successful working of constitutional democracy, and he must withhold the virtue of impartiality.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ed1c1c; background-color: #fffde3;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The governor&rsquo;s role and powers have been a controversial issue in Indian politics. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oL-X94-ne3c" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/a-tortuous-recovery-the-hindu-editorial-on-record-gst-inflows/article33488173.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;A tortuous recovery: On record GST inflows&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on January 4<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/governor-an-agent-of-the-centre'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'School Bag Policy 2020',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Directorate of Education has issued a circular asking schools to follow the new<strong> &lsquo;School Bag Policy, 2020&rsquo;</strong> released by the <strong>National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Circular:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>School teachers should inform the students in advance about the books and notebooks to be brought to school on a particular day and frequently check their bags to<strong> ensure that they are not carrying unnecessary material.</strong></li>
<li>It is the duty and the responsibility of the school management to provide<strong> quality potable water in sufficient quantities</strong> to all the students in the school so that they do not need to carry water bottles from their homes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the School Bag Policy 2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <strong>lays down the guidelines on homework and weight of school bags</strong> for classes I to XII.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>School bags</strong> should <strong>not be more than 10% of the bodyweight of students</strong> across classes I to X and there should be <strong>no bags in pre-primary students.</strong></li>
<li>It recommends <strong>no homework up to class II</strong> and a maximum of two hours per week for classes III to V, one hour a day for classes VI to VIII and two hours a day for classes IX and above.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Policy will <strong>also require schools to introduce infrastructural changes</strong> as students will not be able to carry many books daily. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The schools <strong>need to provide lockers</strong> right from preschool to senior secondary to enable children to leave books in school and carry home only what is required.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It adds that the <strong>teachers</strong> should take the <strong>responsibility</strong> of <strong>checking the weight</strong> of school bags of the students <strong>every three months on a day selected for the whole class</strong> and any information about heavy bags should be <strong>communicated to the parents.</strong></li>
<li>It adds that files and<strong> thin/light exercise</strong> books should be preferred to<strong> thick/heavy ones.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Problems of heavy school bags:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The heavy school bag has <strong>severe/adverse physical effects on growing children</strong> which can cause damage to their<strong> vertebral column</strong> and <strong>knees.</strong></li>
<li>A heavy backpack can pull on the neck muscles contributing to headache, shoulder pain, lower back pain and neck and arm pain.</li>
<li>The <strong>posture of the body</strong> also gets affected to a great extent which in the long term develops imbalances in the body and <strong>affects the health of the nervous system.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NCERT</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is <strong>an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education (MoE)</strong> which is responsible for:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ensuring <strong>qualitative improvement in school education</strong> by undertaking and promoting research in areas related to school education.</li>
<li><strong>Prepare and publish model textbooks,</strong> supplementary material.</li>
<li>Develop and <strong>disseminate innovative educational techniques</strong> and practices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Act as a<strong> nodal agency</strong> for achieving the goals of <strong>Universalization of Elementary Education.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/doe-circular-asks-teachers-to-check-weight-of-school-bags/article33497012.ece#:~:text=The%20weight%20of%20the%20school,for%20Classes%20XI%20and%20XII." 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/school-bag-policy-2020'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Sagarmala Seaplane Services',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways</strong> is starting the ambitious Project of <strong>Sagarmala Seaplane Services (SSPS)</strong> with potential airline operators.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A seaplane is a <strong>fixed-wing aeroplane</strong> designed for taking off and landing on water.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mechanism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project is being initiated under a <strong>Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) framework</strong> through prospective airline operators.</li>
<li><strong>SPV</strong> is a legal object formed for a <strong>specifically-defined singular purpose.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Project Implementation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project execution and implementation would be through <strong>Sagarmala Development Company Ltd (SDCL),</strong> which is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.</li>
<li>Airline operators will be invited to form a SPV with SDCL.</li>
<li>The routes may be operated under the government&rsquo;s subsidised <a href="/pdf/1590974875-udan-4-0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ude desh ka aam nagrik (UDAN) scheme.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Location:</strong> Several destinations are envisaged for seaplane operations:</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609847051_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609847051_image5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="624" height="351" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Benefits and Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The seaplanes services will be a game-changer providing a <strong>supplementary means of faster and comfortable transportation across the nation.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from providing air connectivity to various remote religious/tourist places, it will <strong>boost tourism for domestic and international holiday makers.</strong></li>
<li>It will<strong> save travel time</strong> and<strong> stimulate localized short distance travelling</strong> especially in the hilly regions or across the rivers/lakes etc.</li>
<li>It will provide<strong> infrastructure enhancements</strong> at the places of operations.</li>
<li>It will <strong>generate employment opportunities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Previous Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One such Seaplane Service is already in operation between <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-first-seaplane-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kevadia and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad</strong></a> which was inaugurated in October 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg"><strong>Sagarmala Programme</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Sagarmala Programme was<strong> approved by the Union Cabinet in 2015</strong> which aims at holistic port infrastructure development along the 7,516-km long coastline through modernisation, mechanisation and computerisation.</li>
<li>Under this port-led development framework, the government hopes to increase its cargo traffic three-fold.</li>
<li>It also includes the establishment of rail/road linkages with the port terminals, thus providing last-mile connectivity to ports; development of linkages with new regions, enhanced multi-modal connectivity including rail, inland water, coastal and road services.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1685966" 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/sagarmala-seaplane-services'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Iran Steps Up Uranium Enrichment',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Iran has<strong> resumed enriching uranium up to 20%</strong> in <strong>violation of the 2015 nuclear deal</strong> and also seized a<strong> South Korean-flagged tanker</strong> near the <strong>crucial Strait of Hormuz.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Meanwhile, the <strong>USA</strong> has decided to keep <strong>nuclear powered aircraft carrier Nimitz</strong> in the Gulf region in the wake of threats from Iran.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Uranium Enrichment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Natural uranium</strong> consists of two different isotopes - nearly<strong> 99% U-238</strong> and<strong> only around 0.7% of U-235.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>U-235 is a fissile material</strong> that can sustain a chain reaction in a nuclear reactor.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enrichment process increases the proportion of U-235</strong> through the <strong>process of isotope separation</strong> (U-238 is separated from U-235).</li>
<li>For <strong>nuclear weapons,</strong> enrichment is required upto <strong>90% or more</strong> which is known as <strong>Highly Enriched Uranium</strong>/weapons-grade uranium.</li>
<li>For<strong> nuclear reactors,</strong> enrichment is required upto<strong> 3-4%</strong> which is known as Low Enriched Uranium/reactor-grade uranium.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>2015 Nuclear Deal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>2015,</strong> Iran with the<strong> P5+1 group of world powers - the USA, UK, France, China, Russia, and Germany</strong> agreed on a long-term deal on its nuclear programme.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The deal was named as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-blocking-sites-access-iaea#:~:text=Iran%20Nuclear%20Program%20and%20JCPOA&amp;text=The%20deal%20was%20named%20as,parlance%20as%20Iran%20Nuclear%20Deal.&amp;text=The%20agreement%20allowed%20Iran%20to,reactor%20fuel%20and%20nuclear%20weapons." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)</strong> </a>and in common parlance as Iran Nuclear Deal.</li>
<li>Under the deal, <strong>Iran agreed to curb its nuclear activity</strong> in<strong> return for the lifting of sanctions and access to global trade.</strong></li>
<li>The agreement <strong>allowed</strong> Iran to<strong> accumulate small amounts of uranium for research</strong> but it<strong> banned the enrichment of uranium,</strong> which is used to make reactor fuel and nuclear weapons.</li>
<li>Iran was also <strong>required to redesign a heavy-water reactor</strong> being built, whose spent fuel would contain plutonium suitable for a bomb and to allow international inspections.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>May 2018,</strong> the <strong>USA abandoned the deal</strong> criticising it as flawed and reinstated and tightened its sanctions.</li>
<li>Since sanctions were tightened, <strong>Iran has been steadily breaking some of its commitments</strong> to pressure the remaining signatories to find a way to provide sanctions relief.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The dual incidents come amid heightened<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bigger-picture-of-usas-action-against-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> tensions between Iran and the USA.</strong></a></li>
<li>Enrichment could shorten Iran's time it would take to develop a<strong> nuclear bomb.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Israel criticised Iran&rsquo;s</strong> enrichment decision.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Iran&rsquo;s decision to begin enriching to 20% purity a decade ago nearly <strong>triggered an Israeli strike targeting its nuclear facilities,</strong> tensions that only abated with the <strong>2015 nuclear deal.</strong></li>
<li>A resumption of 20% enrichment (at <strong>fordow facility</strong>) could see that <strong>brinkmanship</strong> return as that level of purity is<strong> only a technical step away from weapons grade levels of 90%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Brinkmanship</strong> is the art or practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, especially in politics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Previously the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/63rd-general-conference-of-iaea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)</strong></a> expressed serious concerns over Iran's blocking of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-blocking-sites-access-iaea#:~:text=Iran%20Nuclear%20Program%20and%20JCPOA&amp;text=The%20deal%20was%20named%20as,parlance%20as%20Iran%20Nuclear%20Deal.&amp;text=The%20agreement%20allowed%20Iran%20to,reactor%20fuel%20and%20nuclear%20weapons." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>inspections of two suspect locations of Uranium enrichment for more than four months.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Strait of Hormuz</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609843869_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609843869_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Geographic Location:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the waterway <strong>separating Iran and Oman,</strong> linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.</li>
<li>On the north coast lies Iran, and on the south are the UAE and Musandam, an enclave of Oman.</li>
<li>The Strait is<strong> 21 miles wide</strong> at its narrowest point, but the<strong> shipping lane is just two miles wide</strong> in either direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Strait of Hormuz is <strong>one of the world&rsquo;s most strategically important choke points.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Two-thirds of the oil and half the<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-natural-gas-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Liquefied Natural Gas</a> (LNG) Indian imports</strong> come through the strait between Iran and Oman.</li>
<li>As much as<strong> 18 million barrels of oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz every day,</strong> accounting for one-third of the global oil trade.</li>
<li>A <strong>third of the world&rsquo;s LNG trade</strong> also passes through the strait.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues in the Strait:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The strait of Hormuz plays a vital geopolitical role to the point where the<strong> US Fifth Fleet guards this strait.</strong></li>
<li>During the recent years, Iran has threatened the safe passage of oil tankers in this strait.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>All countries part of the 2015 deal should engage constructively and resolve all issues peacefully and through dialogue.</li>
<li>Both the USA and Iran must act with strategic restraint as any crisis in West Asia will not only affect the region as a whole but will have a detrimental impact on global affairs as well.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/iran-says-it-begins-20-uranium-enrichment-amid-us-tensions/article33493313.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/iran-steps-up-uranium-enrichment'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'State of the Climate Report 2020: IMD',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the <strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD)&rsquo;s State of the Climate Report,</strong> the <strong>year 2020 was the eighth warmest since</strong> India started keeping records in<strong> 1901.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The State of the Climate Report <strong>looks at temperature and rainfall trends annually.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Eighth Warmest Year 2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Average Temperature:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>During the year, the annual average temperature in the country was <strong>0.29 degree Celsius (&deg;C) above normal</strong> (29-year average from 1981-2010).</li>
<li>However, it was <strong>much lower than 2016</strong> (+0.71 degrees Celsius), which<strong> remains the warmest ever year</strong> the country has recorded since 1901.</li>
<li>Such temperature trends were reported <strong>despite the cooling effect of La Nina,</strong> a global weather pattern that prevailed in 2020 and is linked to substantially below normal temperatures in winter.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>La Nina typically has a cooling effect on global temperatures, but this is now <strong>offset by global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions.</strong></li>
<li>As a result, <strong>La Nina years now are warmer than years with El Ni&ntilde;o events of the past.</strong></li>
<li>El Nino and La Nina are the <strong>extreme phases of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/subdued-northeast-monsoon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">El Ni&ntilde;o and the Southern Oscillation (ENSO)</a> cycle.</strong></li>
<li><strong>ENSO</strong> is a periodic fluctuation in sea surface temperature and the air pressure of the overlying atmosphere across the equatorial Pacific Ocean. It has a major influence on weather and climate patterns such as heavy rains, floods and drought.</li>
<li><strong>El Ni&ntilde;o has a warming influence</strong> on global temperatures, whilst<strong> La Nina has the opposite effect.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Comparison to Global Average Temperature:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India's nearly 0.3 degree rise was<strong> less than the average global temperature rise of 1.2 degree</strong> (January to October, as per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/provisional-report-on-the-state-of-the-global-climate-2020-wmo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Meteorological Organisation&rsquo;s State of the Global Climate</strong></a>).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Warmest Years over India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>eight warmest years</strong> on record in order were:<strong> 2016</strong> (+ 0.71 degree C) <strong>&gt; 2009</strong> (+0.55 degree C) <strong>&gt; 2017</strong> (+0.541 degree C)<strong>&gt; 2010</strong> (+0.539 degrees C) <strong>&gt; 2015</strong> (+0.42 degree C)<strong>&gt; 2018</strong> (+0.41 degree C)<strong>&gt; 2019</strong> (+0.36 degree C)<strong>&gt; 2020</strong> (+0.29 degree C).</li>
<li>The <strong>past decade (2011-2020) was the warmest on record.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extreme Weather Events:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Extremely heavy rain, floods, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cold-wave-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cold waves</strong></a> and thunderstorms led to significant loss of lives and properties.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to the report <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/extreme-climate-events-ceew" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Preparing India for Extreme Climate Events&rdquo; released by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)</strong></a>, over 75% of districts in India are hotspots of extreme climate events.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uttar Pradesh and Bihar reported the highest casualties</strong> due to cold waves, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/report-on-lightning-strikes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lightning</strong></a> and thunder last year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Data on Tropical Storms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Globally, the <strong>Atlantic Ocean experienced one of the most active years,</strong> with over 30 tropical storms originating here.</li>
<li>The <strong>Indian Ocean</strong> region - the<strong> Arabian Sea</strong> and the <strong>Bay of Bengal, together reported five cyclones - <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-amphan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amphan</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-nisarga" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nisarga</a>, Gati, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-nivar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nivar</a> and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-burevi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Burevi.</a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Of these,<strong> Nisarga &amp; Gati formed over Arabian Sea,</strong> while the remaining 3 cyclones formed over the Bay of Bengal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Data on Rainfall:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The annual rainfall over the country in 2020 was <strong>109% of the Long Period Average (LPA)</strong> calculated for the period of 1961-2010.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India Meteorological Department</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IMD was<strong> established in 1875.</strong></li>
<li>It is an agency of the <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences</strong> of the Government of India.</li>
<li>It is the principal agency <strong>responsible for</strong> meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/2020-8th-warmest-year-in-india-in-121-years-imd-7132668/" 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/state-of-the-climate-report-2020-imd'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Indian Pangolin',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Odisha Forest department has stressed the need for <strong>stricter monitoring of social media platforms</strong> to<strong> check <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-pangolin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pangolin</a> poaching and trading.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609834182_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609834182_image1.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="275" height="183" /></strong></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pangolins are<strong> scaly anteater mammals</strong> and they have<strong> large, protective keratin scales covering their skin.</strong> They are the only known mammals with this feature.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Diet:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Insectivore- Pangolins are <strong>nocturnal, and their diet consists of mainly ants and termites,</strong> which they capture using their long tongues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Out of the eight species of pangolin, the <strong>Indian Pangolin</strong> <em>(Manis crassicaudata)</em> and the <strong>Chinese Pangolin</strong> <em>(Manis pentadactyla)</em> are <strong>found in India.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Difference:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Indian Pangolin is a large anteater covered by 11-13 rows of scales on the back.</li>
<li>A terminal scale is also present on the lower side of the tail of the Indian Pangolin, which is absent in the Chinese Pangolin.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Indian Pangolin:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is widely distributed in India, except the arid region, high Himalayas and the North-East.</li>
<li>The species is also found in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chinese Pangolin:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is found in the Himalayan foothills in Eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Northern India, North-East Bangladesh and through Southern China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threats to Pangolins in India: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Hunting and poaching</strong> for local consumptive use (e.g. as a protein source and traditional medicine) and international trade for its meat and scales in East and South East Asian countries, particularly China and Vietnam.</li>
<li>They are believed to be the world&rsquo;s most trafficked mammal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-conservation-of-migratory-species" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wildlife Protection Act, 1972</strong></a>: Schedule I</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IUCN Red List</strong></a>: Endangered</li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CITES</strong></a>: Appendix I</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/track-social-media-to-check-pangolin-poaching/article33496812.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/indian-pangolin-1'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'COVISHIELD and COVAXIN Approved for Restricted Use',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/no-clinical-trials-in-india-for-new-drugs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Drugs Controller General of India&rsquo;s (DCGI)</strong></a> approved <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-iii-clinical-trials-of-covishield" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVISHIELD</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covaxin-approved-for-human-clinical-trials" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVAXIN</strong></a> vaccines for <strong>restricted use</strong> against <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> in the country.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>COVISHIELD, COVAXIN</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pfizer-s-covid-19-vaccine-candidate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BNT162b2</strong></a> applied to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-notification-for-medical-implants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)</strong></a>, seeking<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/emergency-use-approval-covid-19-vaccines" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> emergency use approval.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Type of Approval:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both vaccines have received a<strong> restricted use approval</strong> in an <strong>emergency situation.</strong></li>
<li>This means the <strong>vaccines have been approved</strong> for use <strong>despite the companies not having completed <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-iii-clinical-trials-of-covishield" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clinical trials.</a></strong></li>
<li>This approval is, however, subject to regular submission of<strong> safety, efficacy and immunogenicity data</strong> from their ongoing trials.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>immunogenicity</strong> of a vaccine is its ability to prompt an immune response.</li>
<li>The efficacy, in this case, is a measure of its ability to bring down the number of symptomatic Covid-19 cases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason for the Emergency Approval:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Given the pandemic, the government wanted a <strong>vaccine ready to use at the earliest.</strong></li>
<li>Another growing concern is the <strong>mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus</strong> in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mutated-novel-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>countries like the UK</strong> </a>which are now starting to spread to other parts of the world, including India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>COVISHIELD:</strong> It is the name given to an <strong>Oxford-AstraZeneca</strong> Covid-19 vaccine candidate which is technically referred to as <strong>AZD1222 or ChAdOx 1 nCoV19.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Produced By:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a version of the vaccine<strong> developed by the University of Oxford</strong> in collaboration with <strong>Swedish-British drugmaker AstraZeneca.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Serum Institute of India (SII)</strong> is the manufacturing partner in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constituents and Action:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is <strong>based on a weakened version of a common cold virus</strong> or the adenovirus that is found in chimpanzees.</li>
<li>This viral vector <strong>contains the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein</strong> (protrusions) present on the outer surface of the virus that help it bind with the human cell.</li>
<li>The <strong>body&rsquo;s immune system</strong> is supposed to <strong>recognise this protein</strong> as a threat, and work on <strong>building antibodies against it.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It had triggered an immune response in humans against the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/novel-strain-of-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> novel coronavirus</strong> </a>in early trials and is considered to be one of the global frontrunners for the Covid-19 vaccine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>COVAXIN:</strong> It is India&rsquo;s only indigenous <strong>Covid-19</strong> vaccine.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Produced By:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Developed by<strong> Bharat Biotech,</strong> Hyderabad in collaboration with the<strong> Indian Council of Medical Research&rsquo;s National Institute of Virology,</strong> Pune</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constituents and Action:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is an<strong> inactivated vaccine</strong> which is <strong>developed by inactivating (killing) the live microorganisms</strong> that cause the disease.</li>
<li>This <strong>destroys the ability of the pathogen to replicate,</strong> but keeps it intact so that the immune system can still recognise it and produce an immune response.</li>
<li>It is expected to <strong>target more than just the spike protein.</strong></li>
<li>It also<strong> aims to develop an immune response to the nucleocapsid protein</strong> (the shell of the virus that encloses its genetic material).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>COVAXIN</strong> is more likely to work against newer variants of the virus, <strong>including the UK variant,</strong> as it contains <strong>immunogens (epitopes)</strong> from other genes in addition to those from Spike protein.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Immunogen</strong> is a stimulus that produces a humoral or cell-mediated immune response, whereas antigens are any substance that binds specifically to an antibody.</li>
<li>All immunogens are antigens, but all antigens may not be immunogens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Approval of <strong>COVAXIN</strong> ensures India has an additional vaccine shield especially against potential <strong>mutant strains</strong> in a dynamic pandemic situation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609833450_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609833450_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="456" height="582" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/covid-vaccine-approval-dcgi-coronavirus-emergency-use-covaxin-7131577/" 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/covishield-and-covaxin-approved-for-restricted-use'
	]
]
$updates = object(Cake\ORM\Query) {

	'(help)' => 'This is a Query object, to get the results execute or iterate it.',
	'sql' => 'SELECT articles.article_id AS `articles__article_id`, articles.category_id AS `articles__category_id`, articles.title AS `articles__title`, articles.description AS `articles__description`, articles.shortdescription AS `articles__shortdescription`, articles.featuredimage AS `articles__featuredimage`, articles.tag_id AS `articles__tag_id`, articles.secondary_tag AS `articles__secondary_tag`, articles.type AS `articles__type`, articles.publishon AS `articles__publishon`, articles.posturl AS `articles__posturl`, articles.metatitle AS `articles__metatitle`, articles.metadescription AS `articles__metadescription`, articles.metakeyword AS `articles__metakeyword`, articles.status AS `articles__status`, articles.sort_order AS `articles__sort_order`, articles.addedby AS `articles__addedby`, articles.updatedby AS `articles__updatedby`, articles.added AS `articles__added`, articles.modified AS `articles__modified`, articles.whatsnewid AS `articles__whatsnewid`, articles.display_printpdf AS `articles__display_printpdf`, articles.display_comments AS `articles__display_comments`, articles.pdf_name AS `articles__pdf_name`, articles.display_archive AS `articles__display_archive`, articles.star_rating AS `articles__star_rating` FROM articles articles WHERE status = :c0 ORDER BY publishon desc LIMIT 10',
	'params' => [
		':c0' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
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	'defaultTypes' => [
		'articles__article_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.article_id' => 'integer',
		'article_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__category_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.category_id' => 'integer',
		'category_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__title' => 'string',
		'articles.title' => 'string',
		'title' => 'string',
		'articles__description' => 'text',
		'articles.description' => 'text',
		'description' => 'text',
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		'articles.shortdescription' => 'string',
		'shortdescription' => 'string',
		'articles__featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles.featuredimage' => 'string',
		'featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles__tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.tag_id' => 'integer',
		'tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles.secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles__type' => 'integer',
		'articles.type' => 'integer',
		'type' => 'integer',
		'articles__publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles.publishon' => 'datetime',
		'publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles__posturl' => 'string',
		'articles.posturl' => 'string',
		'posturl' => 'string',
		'articles__metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles.metatitle' => 'string',
		'metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles__metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles.metadescription' => 'string',
		'metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles__metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles.metakeyword' => 'text',
		'metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles__status' => 'integer',
		'articles.status' => 'integer',
		'status' => 'integer',
		'articles__sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles.sort_order' => 'integer',
		'sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles__addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.addedby' => 'integer',
		'addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.updatedby' => 'integer',
		'updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.added' => 'timestamp',
		'added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.modified' => 'timestamp',
		'modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles.whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_comments' => 'integer',
		'display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles__pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles.pdf_name' => 'string',
		'pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles__display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_archive' => 'integer',
		'display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles__star_rating' => 'integer',
		'articles.star_rating' => 'integer',
		'star_rating' => 'integer'
	],
	'decorators' => (int) 0,
	'executed' => false,
	'hydrate' => true,
	'buffered' => true,
	'formatters' => (int) 0,
	'mapReducers' => (int) 0,
	'contain' => [],
	'matching' => [],
	'extraOptions' => [],
	'repository' => object(App\Model\Table\ArticlesTable) {}

}
$page = (int) 62
$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 334
$title = 'Search'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
$i = (int) 2017
$selected = ''
$m = (int) 13
$month = 'December'

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

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