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A Rare Palm from Andamans

Why in News Recently, a rare palm, Pinanga andamanensis, has been successfully cultivated at Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research...

19 May 2020 News Analysis
Aarogya Setu App: A Technological Solutionism

This article is based on “Aarogya Setu is open to state abuse” which was published on The Hindu Business Line on 16/05/2020. It talks...

18 May 2020 News Editorials
Economic Stimulus-V

Why in News Recently, the Union Finance Minister announced the measures for providing employment and support to businesses, state governments as...

18 May 2020 News Analysis
Statehood Day of Sikkim

Why in News On the Statehood Day of Sikkim (16th May), the Prime Minister greeted the people of the state and praised the traditions and culture of...

18 May 2020 News Analysis
Economic Stimulus-IV

Why in News Recently, the Union Finance Minister announced the fourth tranche of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan targeted towards fast track investments...

18 May 2020 News Analysis
National Migrant Information System

Why in News Recently, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has developed an online dashboard called ‘National Migrant Information...

18 May 2020 News Analysis
Afghanistan’s Power Sharing Deal

Why in News Recently, Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah have signed a power-sharing...

18 May 2020 News Analysis
Role of Rajya Sabha

This article is based on “The need for a second chamber” which was published in The Hindu on 11/05/2020. It talks about the role and...

16 May 2020 News Editorials
ICGS Sachet

Why in News Recently, the Defence Minister of India has commissioned Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Sachet and two Interceptor Boats (IBs) C-450 and...

16 May 2020 News Analysis
Endemic Disease

Why in News Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) predicted that novel coronavirus could become endemic to the world. The rapid spread of...

16 May 2020 News Analysis
International Day of Families

Why in News The International Day of Families is observed on 15 May every year. Key Points In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly...

16 May 2020 News Analysis
Fibroin-based Hydrogel for Insulin

Why in News Recently, Scientists at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), have developed an injectable silk...

16 May 2020 News Analysis
West Bengal Major Irrigation and Flood Management Project

Why in News Recently, the Government of India, the Government of West Bengal, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the World Bank...

16 May 2020 News Analysis
Role of MSMEs in Indian Economy

This article is based on “Liquidity lifeline: On Nirmala’s MSME package” which was published in The Hindu on 14/05/2020. It talks...

15 May 2020 News Editorials
SAMARTH ERP

Why in News The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has developed an e-governance platform ‘SAMARTH Enterprise Resource Planning...

15 May 2020 News Analysis
The Big Picture- Primary Education: Challenges and Opportunities

In the second week of March, state governments across the country began shutting down schools and colleges temporarily as a measure to contain the...

15 May 2020 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
ELISA Antibody Kits

Why in News Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved the first batch of antibody testing kits called “Covid KAVACH...

15 May 2020 News Analysis
Diamer-Bhasha Dam

Why in News Recently, Pakistan signed a contract with a joint venture of a China Power (Chinese state-run firm) and the Frontier Works Organisation...

15 May 2020 News Analysis
Release of Gharials

Why in News Recently Government of Uttar Pradesh has released Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) in the Ghaghara river for the conservation and...

15 May 2020 News Analysis
Z-scan Method for Parkinson’s Disease

Why in News Recently, scientists from IIT (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad and CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (Kolkata) have developed...

15 May 2020 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'A Rare Palm from Andamans',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a rare palm, <strong>Pinanga andamanensis</strong>, has been successfully cultivated at <strong>Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) based at Palode, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala).</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pinanga andamanensis</strong><em><strong>:</strong></em><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a rare palm endemic to South Andaman Island. Its entire population of some 600 specimens naturally occurs only in a tiny, evergreen forest pocket in South Andaman&rsquo;s <strong>Mount Harriet National Park.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Endemic</strong> species are those plants and animals that exist only in one geographical region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The name is derived from <strong>&lsquo;Penang&rsquo;,</strong> the modern-day Malaysian state. Penang itself has its origins in Pulau Pinang which <strong>means Island of the Areca Nut Palm.</strong></li>
<li>It has strong <strong>resemblance with the areca palm tree</strong> (widely used for bright interiors).</li>
<li>It has a <strong>small gene pool</strong> which means the species is vulnerable to natural calamities such as cyclones, earthquakes.</li>
<li>JNTBGRI scientists term it a critically endangered species and one of the least known among the endemic palms of the Andaman Islands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultivation at JNTBGRI:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Thiruvananthapuram</strong> has been referred as its<strong> second home</strong> as the species has started flowering in this Institute.</li>
<li>JNTBGRI will <strong>resume seed germination experiments</strong> for<strong> mass multiplication</strong> as part of the conservation strategy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Mount Harriet National Park</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is located in the south of the Andaman and Nicobar islands.</li>
<li>Mount Harriet is the <strong>third-highest peak in the Andaman and Nicobar</strong> archipelago next to<strong> Saddle Peak</strong> in North Andaman and<strong> Mount Thuillier</strong> in Great Nicobar.</li>
<li>The park is covered with evergreen forest pockets.</li>
<li>It is rich in flora and faunal species like <strong>andaman wild pigs, saltwater crocodiles, butterflies and palm trees.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/rare-palm-from-andamans-gets-second-home/article31618844.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Aarogya Setu App: A Technological Solutionism',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/editorial/aarogya-setu-is-open-to-state-abuse/article31595027.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Aarogya Setu is open to state abuse&rdquo;</a> which was published on The Hindu Business Line on 16/05/2020. It talks about the various issues pertaining to Aarogya Setu App.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, India's first contact tracing app called Aarogya Setu was launched. The app seeks continuous access to location information (through GPS and Bluetooth technologies) to alert people to follow social distancing protocols and avoid Covid-19 hotspots.</p>
<p>Arogya Setu app is based on the idea of <strong>&lsquo;technological solutionism&rsquo;</strong> (technology providing an impartial solution to complex social problems).</p>
<p>However, concerns over the Aarogya Setu App were raised when a French 'ethical hacker' claimed to have access to the users' data and highlighted security bugs within the app which could have privacy ramifications.</p>
<h3>Advantages of Aarogya Setu App</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Through this app individual as well as authorities can be informed in case they have crossed paths with someone who has tested positive for the virus, to prevent further spread.</li>
<li>As economies open up and normal life resumes, this app may enable governments to detect outbreaks and prevent community transmission.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This app assumes more significance, as of now, there is no vaccine for Covid-19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The app will also serve as e-passes and health certificates, necessary for workers to commute. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thereby, an e-pass could be the key for starting the engine of growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, the app will be very useful for services based on the Gig economy (Amazon, Zomato, Swiggy, etc.) and thereby may provide much-needed employment prospects in urban centres.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Pertaining to the App</h3>
<p><strong>Privacy Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The app doesn&rsquo;t provide any concrete assurance from the Centre that the centralised data would not be used for other purposes.</li>
<li>The data-sharing and knowledge-sharing protocol for the Aarogya Setu is prone to misuse, considering that India still doesn&rsquo;t have data protection laws.</li>
<li>The fear of privacy regarding Aarogya Setu app has exacerbated due to issues pertaining to Aadhar.</li>
<li>Technologies such as real-time big data analytics, hold immense potential for furthering the needs of the <strong>surveillance state.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Against Government&rsquo;s Policy of Open Source Software</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Policy on Adoption of Open Source Software for Government of India was launched in 2014.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The thrust of the <strong>policy</strong> requires the various ministries of the Government of India to prefer <strong>Open Source Software</strong> in all e-Governance systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, the Aarogya Setu app is not an open-source application which means the app doesn't allow the entire developer community to take a deeper look into its inner workings.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, it cannot be audited for security flaws by independent coders and researchers.</li>
<li>This led experts to question its hidden surveillance motives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Concerning the Fundamental Right to Privacy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Government has issued guidelines to the employers to ensure that all their employees must mandatory install this app.</li>
<li>This violates the right to privacy, which is a fundamental right as held by the Supreme court in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/privacy-judgement-and-the-aftermath" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Puttaswamy case 2017</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Further, any restriction on this right can only be placed in accordance with the procedure established by the law. However, there is no act passed by the parliament, which authorises making this app mandatory.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/personal-data-protection-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Former Supreme Court judge BN Srikrishna</strong></a> held the drive to make people use the app was "utterly illegal".</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This marks a dramatic shift from a model of &lsquo;encouragement&rsquo; and trust to one of coercion and compulsion.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Discriminatory Nature of App</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Aarogya Setu inadvertently differentiate against regions which have smaller number concentrations of smartphones or low-income non-smartphone users.&rsquo;</li>
<li>Also, vulnerable sections like migrant workers can&rsquo;t afford the smartphone and the internet.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One of the main demands by privacy as well as cybersecurity experts is to throw open the source code of Aarogya Setu app. So that they can be audited for design and programming flaws.</li>
<li>The government must ensure that the use of any privacy infringing technology must satisfy five criteria viz. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First, it must have a legislative basis.</li>
<li>Second, it must pursue a legitimate aim.</li>
<li>Third, it should be a rational method to achieve the intended aim.</li>
<li>Fourth, there must not be any alternatives which can also achieve the intended aim.</li>
<li>Fifth, the benefits must outweigh the harm caused to the right holder.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Legal experts have stressed the need for a personal data protection law to back the government&rsquo;s decision to make the app mandatory for everyone.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Technology can help us to be safe, but it must not infringe people&rsquo;s right to privacy. In this context, India must seriously contemplate legislation (which incorporates the principles of data protection as highlighted by BN Srikrishna committee) around the app, which strikes a balance between disease containment and privacy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589804368_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589804368_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="335" height="393" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fff9e6;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;Technology can help us to be safe, but it must not infringe people&rsquo;s right to privacy&rdquo;. Analyse this statement in the context of issues pertaining to Aarogya Setu app.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qbFkB823lE0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/fm-nirmala-sitharaman-covid-economic-package-agriculture-6411949/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Freeing The Farm&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Indian Express on May 16<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Economic Stimulus-V',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Finance Minister announced the measures for providing employment and support to businesses, state governments as well sectors such as education and health as part of the <strong>fifth and final tranche</strong> of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The announced measures also form a part of the Rs. 20 lakh crore economic stimulus package to deal with the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Earlier, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-i" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Economic Stimulus-I</strong></a>, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Economic Stimulus-II</strong></a>, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-iii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Economic Stimulus-III</strong></a> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-iv" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Economic Stimulus-IV</strong></a> were announced.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589799855_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589799855_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Increase in Allocation for MGNREGA</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Government will allocate an<strong> additional Rs.40,000 crore</strong> under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mgnrega-trends" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act</strong></a>, <strong>2005</strong> (MGNREGA).</li>
<li>It will help <strong>generate nearly 300 crore person days</strong> in total, addressing the need for more work by the migrants who are returning to their hometowns due to the pandemic and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Creation</strong> of a larger number of <strong>durable and livelihood assets</strong> including <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/water-conservation-traditional-approach" target="_blank" rel="noopener">water conservation</a> assets</strong> which will boost the rural economy through higher production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Health Reforms and Initiatives</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Public expenditure</strong> on health will be <strong>increased</strong> by investing in grass root health institutions and ramping up health and wellness centres in rural and urban areas.</li>
<li><strong>Preparing India for future pandemics:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Setting up of<strong> Infectious Diseases Hospital Blocks</strong> in all districts.</li>
<li>Strengthening of lab networks and surveillance (<strong>Integrated Public Health Labs</strong> in all districts and blocks)</li>
<li>The <strong>National Institutional Platform for One Health</strong> by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></a> (ICMR) will encourage research.</li>
<li>Implementation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-digital-health-blueprint" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Digital Health Blueprint</strong></a> under the <strong>National Digital Health Mission</strong> (NDHM).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NDHM was recommended to be established as a purely government organization with complete functional autonomy on the lines of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aadhar-and-its-voluntary-use" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Unique Identification Authority of India</strong> </a>(UIDAI) and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-27th-september-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Goods and Services Network GSTN.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technology Driven Education with Equity</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Government will launch <strong>PM eVIDYA,</strong> a programme for multi-mode access to digital/online education with immediate effect. It<strong> consists</strong> of:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-human-resource-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DIKSHA</strong></a> <strong>for school education in States/UTs:</strong> e-content and QR coded Energized Textbooks for all grades (one nation, one digital platform)</li>
<li>One earmarked TV channel per class from 1 to 12 <strong>(One class, One channel)</strong></li>
<li>Extensive <strong>use of Radio,</strong> Community radio and Podcasts.</li>
<li><strong>Special e-content for visually and hearing impaired.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Top 100 universities</strong> will be permitted to automatically start <strong>online courses</strong> by 30<sup>th</sup> May, 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Manodarpan,</strong> an initiative for <strong>psycho-social support</strong> for students, teachers and families for mental health and emotional well-being will be launched.</li>
<li><strong>New National Curriculum and Pedagogical framework</strong> for school, early childhood and teachers will be launched.</li>
<li><strong>National Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Mission</strong> for ensuring that every child attains learning levels and outcomes in grade 5 by 2025 <strong>will be launched by December 2020.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measures Related to IBC</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Minimum threshold</strong> to initiate insolvency proceedings has been <strong>raised to Rs.1 crore</strong> (from Rs.1 lakh, which largely insulates <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises</strong></a>-MSMEs).</li>
<li><strong>Special insolvency resolution framework</strong> for MSMEs under <strong>Section 240A of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/insolvency-and-bankruptcy-code-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code</a></strong> (IBC) will be notified.</li>
<li>Suspension of fresh initiation of insolvency proceedings up to one year, depending upon the <strong>pandemic.</strong></li>
<li>Empowering the Central Government to <strong>exclude Covid-19 related debt</strong> from the definition of &ldquo;default&rdquo; under the IBC for the purpose of triggering insolvency proceedings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measures Related to the Companies Act</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Decriminalisation of Companies Act, 2013<strong> violations involving minor technical and procedural defaults</strong> (shortcomings in<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Corporate Social Responsibility</strong></a> (CSR) reporting, inadequacies in Board report, filing defaults, etc).</li>
<li>Majority of the compoundable offences sections to be shifted to<strong> Internal Adjudication Mechanism</strong> (IAM).</li>
<li>The amendments will<strong> de-clog the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-road-map-for-criminal-justice-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criminal courts</a> and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-4th-march-2019-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> National Company Law Tribunal</a></strong> (NCLT).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ease of Doing Business for Corporates</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Key reforms include:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Direct listing of securities by Indian public companies in permissible foreign jurisdictions.</li>
<li>Private companies which list <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-30th-march-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Non-Convertible Debentures</a></strong> (NCDs) on<strong> stock exchanges</strong> not to be regarded as listed companies.</li>
<li>Including the provisions of<strong> Part IXA (Producer Companies)</strong> of <strong>Companies Act, 1956</strong> in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/committee-to-review-the-offences-under-the-companies-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Companies Act, 2013</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Power to create additional/specialized benches for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-company-law-appellate-tribunal-nclat-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Company Law Appellate Tribunal</strong> </a>(NCLAT).</li>
<li><strong>Lower penalties for all defaults</strong> for Small Companies, One-person Companies, Producer Companies and StartUps.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Public Sector Enterprise Policy for a New, Self-reliant India</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Government will announce a <strong>new policy</strong> whereby:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>List of strategic sectors requiring the presence of <strong>Public Sector Enterprises</strong> (PSEs) in public interest will be notified.</li>
<li>In strategic sectors, at least <strong>one enterprise will remain in the public sector</strong> but <strong>private sector</strong> will also be<strong> allowed.</strong></li>
<li>In other sectors,<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/privatisation-of-pses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> PSEs will be privatized</strong></a> (timing to be based on feasibility etc.).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Support to State Governments</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Centre has decided to<strong> increase borrowing limits of States from 3% to 5% for 2020-21 only</strong> which will give States extra resources of Rs.4.28 lakh crore.</li>
<li>Part of the borrowing will be linked to <strong>specific reforms</strong> (including recommendations of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/j-k-and-15th-finance-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Finance Commission</strong></a>).</li>
<li><strong>Reform linkage will be in four areas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Universalisation of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-nation-one-ration-card-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;One Nation One Ration card&rsquo;</a></strong>.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ease of Doing Business.</strong></a></li>
<li>Power distribution.</li>
<li>Urban Local Body revenues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>States can borrow more</strong> in the following pattern, notified by the Department of Expenditure:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The first 0.5% will be an unconditional increase.</li>
<li>Next 1% in 4 tranches of 0.25%, with each tranche linked to clearly specified, measurable and feasible reform actions.</li>
<li>The last 0.50% if milestones are achieved in at least three out of four reform areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Analysis</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>On Increase in Allocation for MGNREGA</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The step to<strong> allocate more resources to MGNREGA</strong> was <strong>widely welcomed</strong> as it will support rural livelihoods in the time of crisis.</li>
<li>However, given that <strong>States account for 40% of MGNREGA expenditure,</strong> including most upfront costs, they will also have to spend on the scheme.</li>
<li>Demand for work under MGNREGA had surged to a<strong> nine-year high in 2019-20</strong> as 5.47 crore households availed of the scheme, the highest since 2010-11.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On Support to State Governments</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> expansion of the fiscal deficit</strong> has been <strong>welcomed by the states</strong> because <strong>GSDPs (Gross State Domestic Product) are likely to contract</strong> and further shrink the possible borrowing at a time when States are at the frontline of containment and relief operations.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>conditions on additional loans have been criticised</strong> on the grounds that in future, severe conditions may be imposed on even normal loans.</li>
<li>The <strong>utilisation of additional 2%</strong> borrowing by states <strong>can be lower because states</strong> may settle on borrowing less <strong>to avoid undertaking politically difficult reforms.</strong></li>
<li>A likely increase in borrowing cost due to the<strong> emerging gap between total <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/need-to-set-up-state-finance-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Public Sector Borrowing Requirement</a></strong> (PSBR) and <strong>available resources</strong> will also lead to states not opting for the increased borrowing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On Public Sector Enterprise Policy</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was criticised on the grounds that privatising PSUs would <strong>find fewer buyers at a time of global recession,</strong> while any potential buyer would be spending money which could have gone into fresh investment on a financial transfer instead, <strong>effectively contracting demand.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1624661" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a>/<strong><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/with-migrants-headed-home-65-hike-in-mnrega-funds-6414954/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IE</a></strong>/<strong><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/coronavirus-package-centre-throws-open-all-sectors-to-private-players/article31610628.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TH</a></strong></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-v'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Statehood Day of Sikkim',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>On the <strong>Statehood Day of Sikkim</strong> (16<sup>th</sup> May), the Prime Minister greeted the people of the state and praised the traditions and culture of the state highlighting its contributions to the national progress.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sikkim is located in the <strong>northeastern part</strong> of the country, in the <strong>eastern Himalayas</strong> and is <strong>one of the smallest states</strong> in India.</li>
<li>It derives its name from the <strong>Limbu</strong> (a tribe) <strong>words</strong><em> su him</em>, meaning <strong>&lsquo;new house&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Capital: Gangtok.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Borders:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Tibet Autonomous Region of China</strong> to the north and northeast, <strong>Bhutan</strong> to the southeast, Indian state of <strong>West Bengal</strong> to the south and <strong>Nepal</strong> to the west.</li>
<li>Sikkim is of<strong> great political and strategic importance</strong> for India because of its location along several international boundaries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>History:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sikkim became a <strong>protectorate of India in 1950</strong> following the <strong>Indo-Sikkimese Treaty,</strong> with India assuming responsibility for the external relations, defense and strategic communications of Sikkim.</li>
<li>Sikkim became the<strong> 22<sup>nd</sup> state</strong> of India on<strong> 16<sup>th</sup> May 1975,</strong> following a <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/statehood-demand" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>statehood demand</strong></a> from the political leaders.</li>
<li>The <strong>Namgyal dynasty</strong> ruled Sikkim <strong>until 1975.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Geography:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Mount Kanchenjunga,</strong> India&rsquo;s highest peak and the world&rsquo;s third highest mountain <strong>lies in Sikkim.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/khangchendzonga-to-be-included-in-the-world-network-of-biosphere-reserves" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Kanchenjunga National Park</strong> </a>(KNP) (established in<strong> 1977</strong>), near the peak is among the largest of India&rsquo;s high-elevation conservation areas.</li>
<li>KNP was designated a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Heritage Site</strong></a> in <strong>2016</strong> under the<strong> &lsquo;mixed&rsquo; category</strong> (sites containing elements of both natural and cultural significance).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Sikkim is drained by the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/teesta-river" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Teesta river</a> and its tributaries</strong> such as the Rangit, Lhonak, Talung and Lachung.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/trans-boundary-water-conflicts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Teesta river water conflict</strong></a> is one of the most contentious issues between <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-bangladesh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India and Bangladesh.</strong></a></li>
<li>Teesta river is<strong> a tributary of Brahmaputra river.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589798394_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589798394_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=204034" 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/statehood-day-of-sikkim'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Economic Stimulus-IV',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Finance Minister announced the fourth tranche of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a> targeted towards<strong> fast track investments</strong> in the <strong>eight sectors.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The fourth tranche focuses on <strong>eight sectors</strong> namely, coal, minerals, defence production, civil aviation, power distribution, social infrastructure, space and atomic energy.</li>
<li>The announced measures also form a part of the Rs. 20 lakh crore economic stimulus package to deal with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The government has already announced the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-i" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Economic Stimulus-I</strong></a>, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Economic Stimulus-II</strong></a> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-iii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Economic Stimulus-III</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Basis of Policy Reforms for Fast-track Investments</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fast tracking of investment clearance</strong> through the Empowered Group of Secretaries.</li>
<li><strong>Establishment of Project Development Cell</strong> in each Ministry to prepare a list of investable projects and also to coordinate with investors and Central/State Governments.</li>
<li><strong>Ranking of States on investment attractiveness</strong> to compete for new investment.</li>
<li>Incentive schemes for promotion of<strong> new champion sectors</strong> such as solar PhotoVoltaic (PV) manufacturing; advanced cell battery storage etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589794261_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589794261_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="615" height="463" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Coal Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Commercial Mining:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The introduction of commercial mining will <strong>remove the government monopoly</strong> in coal mining. India has the third-largest coal availability within its untapped mines and yet India still imports coal.</li>
<li>Commercial mining will be introduced on the basis of a<strong> revenue-sharing mechanism.</strong> The government will receive a share of the gross revenue from the sale of coal but will not be involved with the cost incurred.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coal Gasification/Liquefaction:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will be <strong>incentivised</strong> through rebate (partial refund) in revenue share to lower the environmental impact. It is also expected to assist India in switching to a gas-based economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure Investment:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The infrastructure development worth of <strong>Rs. 50,000 crores</strong> will be done to achieve the Coal India Limited&rsquo;s (CIL) target of 1 billion tons coal production by 2023-24 plus coal production from private blocks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Extraction :</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These extraction rights to be auctioned from Coal India Limited&rsquo;s (CIL) coal mines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mining Plan Simplification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ease of Doing Business measures, such as Mining Plan simplification, will be considered. It is expected to increase annual production by 40%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mineral Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exploration-cum-Mining-cum-Production Regime:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>500 mining blocks would be offered through an open and transparent auction process under this composite regime.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint Auction of Bauxite and Coal Mineral Blocks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It aims to enhance the aluminium industry&rsquo;s competitiveness by reducing the cost of electricity generation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Captive and Non-captive Mines:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government has decided<strong> to remove the distinction between captive and non-captive mines</strong> to allow the transfer of mining leases and the sale of surplus unused minerals, leading to better efficiency in mining and production.</li>
<li>The captive mines are that produce minerals for use by the same company.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Revision of FDI Limit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The FDI limit in defence manufacturing under automatic route will be <strong>raised from 49% to 74%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Project Management Unit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government is expected to begin time-bound defence procurement and faster decision making by setting up a Project Management Unit (PMU) to support contract management.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reduction in Defence Import Bill:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government will notify a list of weapons/platforms banned for imports and thus such items can only be purchased from India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Civil Aviation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Efficient Airspace Management:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The restrictions on the utilisation of Indian airspace will be eased so that the flying of civilian aircraft becomes more efficient. Such utilisation is expected to bring in <strong>benefits of nearly Rs 1,000 crore per year.</strong></li>
<li>It will also lead to optimal utilization of airspace, reduction in fuel use, time and will have positive environmental impact.</li>
<li>Currently,<strong> only 60% of India&rsquo;s airspace is freely available</strong> and thus airplanes have been flying to most destinations through longer routes hence more fuel is used in the process and the customers end up paying more.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Airports Development through PPP :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In addition to the existing ones,six more airports will be auctioned under the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model for its development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India- a global hub for Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The aircraft component repairs and airframe maintenance is intended to increase from <strong>Rs 800 crore to Rs 2,000 crore in three years.</strong></li>
<li>The convergence between the Defence sector and the civil MROs will be established to bring down the maintenance cost of airlines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Power Distribution Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Tariff Policy Reforms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The tariff policy reforms will be announced in the future. The reforms are expected to focus on the consumer rights, promotion of industry and sustainability of the sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Privatization of Distribution in UTs :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The power departments/utilities in Union Territories will be privatised.</li>
<li>It is expected to improve the operational and financial efficiency in Distribution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social Infrastructure Projects:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Investments through Viability Gap Funding:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government is expected to invest Rs 8,100 crores through Viability Gap Funding (VGF).</li>
<li>Currently, most of the projects are supported by centre/states/statutory bodies <strong>with 20% as VGF.</strong> But the Centre will be<strong> increasing</strong> its share in VGF to<strong> 30% in the future.</strong></li>
<li>The above benefits will be provided if the projects will be proposed by Central Ministries/ State Government/ Statutory entities.</li>
<li>Viability Gap Funding (VGF) signifies a grant, one-time or deferred, provided to support infrastructure projects that are economically justified but fall short of financial viability. The lack of financial viability usually arises from long gestation periods and the inability to increase user charges to commercial levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Space Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Participation of the Private Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government will be providing a level playing field for private companies in satellites, planetary exploration, outer space travel, launches and space-based services.</li>
<li>Such private players will also be allowed to use ISRO&rsquo;s facilities and other relevant assets to improve their capabilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Liberal Geo-spatial Data Policy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There will also be a liberal geo-spatial data policy for providing remote-sensing data to tech-entrepreneurs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Atomic Energy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Research Reactor in PPP Mode:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will help to produce medical isotopes for affordable treatment of cancer and other diseases.</li>
<li>It will also generate facilities to use <strong>irradiation technology for food preservation.</strong> This will complement agricultural reforms and assist farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technology Development cum Incubation Centres :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These centres will be set up to act as a link between India&rsquo;s robust start-up ecosystem to the nuclear sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Criticism</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is considered to be less of a stimulus and <strong>more of industrial reforms,</strong> which could have been announced at any time.</li>
<li>It has been also observed that the only direct budgetary cost in this tranche was the Rs. 8,100 crore to be provided as a raised 30% viability gap funding to boost private investment in social sector infrastructure.</li>
<li>The fourth tranche covered sectors of strategic importance but these policies will be rolled out over a 3-6 month period, and any implication for supporting or reviving the economy as it comes out of lockdown is missing.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-fourth-tranche-economic-package-announcements-6412870/" 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/economic-stimulus-iv'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'National Migrant Information System',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-disaster-management-authority-ndma-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Disaster Management Authority</strong></a> (NDMA) has developed an online dashboard called<strong> &lsquo;National Migrant Information System (NMIS)&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The online portal (NMIS) would <strong>maintain a central repository of migrant workers</strong> and help in<strong> speedy inter-state communication</strong> to facilitate the smooth movement of migrant workers to their native places.</li>
<li>The<strong> key data</strong> pertaining to the persons migrating <strong>has been standardized for uploading</strong> such as name, age, mobile no., originating and destination district, date of travel etc.</li>
<li>States will be able to visualize how many people are going out from where and how many are reaching their destination States.</li>
<li>It has additional advantages like<strong> contact tracing,</strong> which may be useful in overall Covid-19 response work.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The mobile numbers of people can be used for contact tracing and movement monitoring during <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Contact tracing</strong> is the process of identification of persons who may have come into contact with an infected person and subsequent collection of further information about these contacts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Government of India has allowed the movement of migrant workers by buses and <strong>&lsquo;Shramik&rsquo; special trains</strong> to enable them to travel to their native places.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Disaster Management Authority</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the<strong> apex statutory body for disaster management in India.</strong></li>
<li>It was constituted in accordance with the <strong>Disaster Management Act, 2005</strong> with the <strong>Prime Minister as its Chairperson</strong> and nine other members, and one such member to be designated as Vice-Chairperson.</li>
<li><strong>Mandate:</strong> Its primary purpose is to coordinate response to natural or man-made disasters and for capacity-building in disaster resiliency and crisis response.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is also the<strong> apex body to lay down policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management</strong> to ensure timely and effective response to disasters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vision:</strong> To build a safer and disaster resilient India by a holistic, proactive, technology driven and sustainable development strategy that involves all stakeholders and fosters a culture of prevention, preparedness and mitigation.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1624540" 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/national-migrant-information-system'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Afghanistan’s Power Sharing Deal',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Afghanistan&rsquo;s President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah have signed a power-sharing agreement.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Power-sharing deal</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the deal, Mr. Ghani will remain as president while both Mr. Ghani and Mr. Abdullah will choose an equal number of ministers in the cabinet.</li>
<li>The deal calls for Abdullah to lead the country&rsquo;s <strong>National Reconciliation High Council.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Reconciliation Council</strong> has been given the authority to handle and approve all <strong>affairs related to Afghanistan&rsquo;s peace process including the peace talks with the Taliban.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The deal has been signed two months <strong>after the presidential election dispute</strong> that arose in September 2019 between Mr. Ghani and Mr. Abdullah.</li>
<li>The Election Commission<strong> declared Mr. Ghani to be the winner</strong> of the presidential election, <strong>but Mr. Abdullah</strong> and the Elections Complaint Commission<strong> charged widespread voting irregularities</strong> in the election.</li>
<li>Following which, both declared themselves the winner of the presidential election and have been locked in a power struggle since then.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>U.S.- Taliban peace deal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier, a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-taliban-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>peace deal between the U.S. Government and the Taliban</strong> </a>was signed on 29 February, 2020. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The deal calls for<strong> U.S. and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-minimises-its-share-in-nato-budget" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)</a> troops to leave Afghanistan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The U.S.-Taliban peace deal is seen as Afghanistan&rsquo;s<strong> best chance to come at peace in decades of war.</strong></li>
<li>Since then, the U.S. has been trying to get the <strong>Taliban and the Afghan government to begin intra-Afghan negotiations,</strong> but the political turmoil and personal hostility between Mr. Ghani and Mr. Abdullah has impeded talks.</li>
<li>This prompted the U.S. Government to announce that it would cut $1 billion in assistance to Afghanistan if the two weren&rsquo;t able to work out their differences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has welcomed the power-sharing deal between President Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah.</li>
<li>It hope that the <strong>power-sharing deal</strong> will result in renewed efforts for <strong>establishing enduring peace and stability,</strong> and <strong>putting an end to externally-sponsored terrorism </strong>and <strong>violence in Afghanistan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Afghanistan for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Afghanistan's main advantage is its geography.</li>
<li>Anyone who controls Afghanistan controls the land routes between the Indian subcontinent, Iran, and resource-rich Central Asia.</li>
<li>Economically, it is a gateway to the oil and mineral-rich Central Asian republics.</li>
<li>Afghanistan has become the second-largest recipient of Indian foreign aid over the last five years.</li>
<li>India has become more and more popular in Afghanistan, not only because of its soft power, but also by setting up infrastructure, including hospitals, roads and dams, and contributing to the fabric of a democratic nation-state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589794853_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589794853_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/afghan-president-and-rival-sign-power-sharing-deal/article31609012.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/afghanistan-s-power-sharing-deal'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Role of Rajya Sabha',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-need-for-a-second-chamber/article31560028.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The need for a second chamber&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 11/05/2020. It talks about the role and issues pertaining to Rajya Sabha.</p>
</div>
<p>Rajya Sabha&rsquo; or the &lsquo;Council of States&rsquo; is the second chamber of the Indian parliament, which traces its origin to the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919.</p>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/250th-session-of-rajya-sabha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rajya Sabha as the second chamber of the parliament</strong></a> intended to play certain roles as a <strong>permanent house</strong> (it never dissolves like Lok sabha and one-third of its members retire every two years), <strong>revisionary house</strong> (reconsidering bills passed by the Lok Sabha) and offers a <strong>degree of continuity</strong> in the underlying policies of laws passed by parliament.</p>
<p>Along with this, Rajya Sabha also acts as a means to <strong>institutionalise the federal principle</strong> of power-sharing between the Centre and states.</p>
<p>However, the role and relevance of Rajya Sabha have been a matter of debate which can be traced from discussions in constituent assembly to recent times.</p>
<h3>Constituent Assembly Debates Regarding Rajya Sabha</h3>
<p><strong>Against the Rajya Sabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The section in the constituent assembly who was opposed to the idea of Rajya sabha held that an Upper House was not essential and opinionated that such a chamber can prove to be a &ldquo;clog in the wheel of progress&rdquo; of the nation, by delaying the legislative process.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>In favour of Rajya Sabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Proponents of the Rajya Sabha held that an upper chamber would lend a voice to the states in the legislative scheme of things and check the legislation passed in haste.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Role of Rajya Sabha</h3>
<p><strong>Safety Valve of India&rsquo;s Federal Polity</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bicameralism is necessary for a federal constitution to give representation to the units of the federation.</li>
<li>While checks and balances usually operate between the executive, legislature and judiciary, the Council of States acts as a safety valve within the legislature itself, easing federal tensions.</li>
<li>Rajya Sabha thus represents a crucial component of the constitutional checks and balances scheme, in addition to the commonly identified examples of responsible government and judicial review.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Review and Revaluation Role</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian constitution framers wanted to create a house that would act as a<strong> revisionary house</strong> to keep a check on the hasty legislation that could be passed by the lower house under populist pressures.</li>
<li>Also, when the ruling dispensation has a brute majority in the Lok Sabha, Rajya sabha can prevent the government of the day exercising authoritarianism.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>A Deliberative Body</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Parliament is not only a legislative body but also a deliberative one which enables the members to debate major issues of public importance.</li>
<li>Thus, the role of the Upper House is to be a deliberative body besides balancing the &ldquo;fickleness and passion&rdquo; of the Lok Sabha.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Representing the Vulnerable Sections</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Women, religious, ethnic and linguistic minority groups are not adequately represented in the Lok Sabha (due to<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/parliamentary-reforms-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> first past the post-election system</strong></a>).</li>
<li>An indirect form of election (<strong>through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/elections-of-rajya-sabha" target="_blank" rel="noopener">propositional representation</a></strong>) to the Rajya Sabha, therefore, would give them a chance to get involved in the nation&rsquo;s law-making process.</li>
<li>Thus, Rajya Sabha can make a place for people who may not be able to win a popular mandate.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Special Powers of Rajya Sabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Upper House also has some special powers, such as:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Power to transfer a subject from the State List to Union List for a specified period (Article 249).</li>
<li>To create additional All-India Services (Article 312).</li>
<li>To endorse Emergency under Article 352 for a limited period when the Lok Sabha remains dissolved.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related to Rajya Sabha</h3>
<p><strong>No equal Representation of states</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Federal countries like US, Australia, institutionalise the principle of federalism more strongly than India, by providing equal representation to all states in their upper houses.</li>
<li>This is in contrast with the Rajya Sabha, where states are represented proportionally to their relative populations.</li>
<li>For example, the number of seats allocated in Rajya Sabha to Uttar Pradesh alone is significantly higher than that of combined north-eastern states.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Bypassing the Rajya Sabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In some cases, ordinary bills are being passed in the form of a Money Bill, circumventing the Rajya Sabha and giving rise to the question about the very efficacy of the upper house of Parliament.</li>
<li>This can be seen recently in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/misuse-of-money-bills-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>controversy related to Aadhar Act</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Undermining of Federal character of Rajya Sabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>By way of the Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 2003, parliament has removed the word &lsquo;domicile&rsquo; from Section 3 of Representation of People Act, 1951.</li>
<li>This essentially means that a person who does not belong to a state can contest the Rajya Sabha elections from that state of which they are neither a resident nor a domicile.</li>
<li>After the amendment, the seats in the Rajya Sabha have been used by the ruling party to get their defeated candidate in Lok Sabha, elected in Rajya Sabha.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Low Participation of Nominated Members</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>More recently, the sincerity of nominated members has been questioned in multiple instances.</li>
<li>Nominations are made by the government to satisfy the sentiments of the followers of certain personalities.</li>
<li>Once nominated, they rarely participate in the working of the house. Sachin Tendulkar was appointed in 2012 and the House has met 374 days since then, but the attendance of Sachin Tendulkar is a meagre 24 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To preserve the federal character of Rajya Sabha, one step would be to have members of the Rajya Sabha be directly elected by the citizens of a state. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will reduce cronyism and patronage appointments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, a federal arrangement can be devised to enable equal representation for each state, so that large states do not dominate the proceedings in the House.</li>
<li>There is a need for a better procedure of nomination to improve the quality of discussion in the House. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A cue in this regard can be taken from the UK.</li>
<li>The House of Lords Act, 1999 has led to the introduction of the Appointments Commission in 2000 with the primary function of making recommendations for the appointment of non-party-political members to the House of Lords.</li>
<li>This commission can recommend nomination to Rajya Sabha from groups under-represented.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Even though the ups and downs of Indian politics, the Rajya Sabha has remained a vanguard for political and social values, a melting pot of cultural diversity. Also, along with Lok sabha, it is a flag-bearer of the sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic called India.</p>
<p>Thus, Rajya sabha should not be seen as a &lsquo;disruptive&rsquo; wing of the legislation and efforts should be made to enable Rajya Sabha to retain its significant role in Indian democracy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589630927_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589630927_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #edf0ff;">
<p><span style="color: #003300;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Critically analyse the significance of Rajya Sabha as the federal chamber of Indian democracy.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KJt7FjZ-aJ4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on &ldquo;<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/bhupendrasinh-chudasama-gujarat-governement-supreme-court-election-commission-6410304/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>In EC&rsquo;s Court</strong></a>&rdquo; which was published in The Indian Express on May 15th, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/role-of-rajya-sabha'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'ICGS Sachet',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Defence Minister of India has commissioned <strong>Indian Coast Guard Ship</strong> (ICGS)<strong> Sachet</strong> and <strong>two Interceptor Boats</strong> (IBs) <strong>C-450</strong> and <strong>C-451</strong> in Goa via video conference.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ICGS Sachet</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>‘Sachet’ means <strong>alert.</strong></li>
<li>It is the first in the series of five <strong>Offshore Patrol Vessels</strong> (OPVs) and has been designed and built <strong>indigenously</strong> by <strong>Goa Shipyard Limited</strong> (GSL) and is fitted with <strong>state-of-the-art navigation</strong> and <strong>communication equipment.</strong></li>
<li>The 105 metre long ship is designed to carry a twin-engine helicopter, four high speed boats, one inflatable boat for swift boarding and search and rescue operations.</li>
<li>The ship is also <strong>capable of carrying limited pollution response equipment</strong> to undertake oil spill pollution response at sea.</li>
<li>It is for the <strong>first time in Indian maritime history</strong> that a <strong>ship was commissioned through digital medium,</strong> maintaining strict protocol of social distancing in the backdrop of<strong> Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>IBs C-450 and C-451</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These are <strong>indigenously</strong> designed and built by<strong> Larsen & Toubro Shipyard, Hazira</strong> and fitted with the <strong>latest navigation and communication equipment.</strong></li>
<li>The two 30 metre long boats are <strong>designed for</strong> high speed interception, close coast patrol and low intensity maritime operations.</li>
<li>The<strong> quick response capability</strong> of the IBs makes it an ideal platform to respond and thwart any emerging maritime situation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ICG, which is the<strong> fourth largest Coast Guard in the world,</strong> has established itself as a reliable force in <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/indias-coastal-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coastal security</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The ICG along with Indian Shipyards plays a major role in realising India's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/sagar-vision" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAGAR Vision</strong></a> <strong>(Security and Growth for All in the Region)</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Make in India</strong></a> or <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Self-reliant India Mission</strong></a> <strong>(Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan).</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Coast Guard</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established on <strong>18<sup>th</sup> August 1978</strong> by the <strong>Coast Guard Act, 1978</strong> of the Parliament of India as an independent Armed force of India.</li>
<li>It operates under the <strong>Ministry of Defence.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Headquarter:</strong> New Delhi.</li>
<li>It has jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India including<strong> contiguous zone and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exclusive economic zone</a></strong> (EEZ).</li>
<li>It is <strong>responsible</strong> for marine environment protection in maritime zones of India and is coordinating authority for response to oil spills in Indian waters.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=204015" 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/icgs-sachet'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Endemic Disease',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a> predicted that novel coronavirus could become <strong>endemic to the world.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The rapid spread of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> across the world has been characterised as <strong>Pandemic</strong> by the WHO.</li>
<li>Though India has made great efforts in containing the spread of the virus, the probability of its conversion into the category of endemic would be a great vulnerability.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Endemic Disease:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A disease is called <strong>endemic</strong> when the presence or <strong>usual prevalence of its infectious agent is constant</strong> within a <strong>given geographical area or population group.</strong></li>
<li>When the<strong> cases begin to rise,</strong> it is classified as an <strong>epidemic.</strong> If this epidemic has been <strong>recorded in several countries and areas,</strong> it is called a <strong>pandemic.</strong></li>
<li>Some<strong> examples</strong> of endemics include chicken pox and <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-malaria-vaccine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>malaria</strong></a>, where there are a predictable number of cases every year in certain parts of the world.</li>
<li>According to the WHO, the<strong> novel coronavirus may become just another endemic virus in communities,</strong> and may never go away.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>R0 and Spread of the Disease:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The mathematical figure<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/science-of-covid-19-spread" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;R0&rsquo;(pronounced &ldquo;R-naught&rdquo;)</strong></a> indicates <strong>how fast an infection is spreading.</strong></li>
<li>It is called the<strong> basic reproduction number</strong> and indicates the average number of people who will contract the virus from a person who has already been infected, in a population that does not have immunity for the said disease.</li>
<li>If<strong> R0=1,</strong> then the disease is endemic.</li>
<li>When<strong> R0&gt;1,</strong> it implies that the cases are increasing and that the disease will eventually become an epidemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>When a Disease Becomes Epidemic</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Disease becomes <strong>&ldquo;increasingly tolerated&rdquo;</strong> and the responsibility of protecting against it shifts from the government to the individual. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This means, rather than government agencies actively engaging in tracking and identifying cases, the individuals themselves will be responsible for managing risk from the disease and seeking care.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The sociopolitical response to the disease may also change, with investment in the disease becoming institutionalised along with the <strong>disease-inducing behavioural changes in people. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Epidemic diseases typically have higher mortality and morbidity than the diseases which have become endemic,</strong> owing to lack of clinical experience and knowledge. Over time, effective prevention and treatment interventions emerge for the disease that has become endemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Types of Endemic Diseases</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Holoendemic Diseases:</strong> This kind of endemic disease affects mostly children. This infection is highly prevalent in the early years of life. The adult population do not show traces of diseases as much as children do. <strong>Malaria</strong> is a type of holoendemic disease.</li>
<li><strong>Hyperendemic Diseases:</strong> These types of endemic diseases are constantly present at a high rate and are found among all age groups equally. <strong>E.g. African Sleeping Sickness and Chicken Pox.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/coronavirus-endemic-disease-meaning-6411740/" 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/endemic-disease'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'International Day of Families',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The International Day of Families is observed on <strong>15 May</strong> every year.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589617340_Image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589617340_Image2.jpg" style="float: right;" width="200" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 1993, the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations</strong></a> General Assembly passed a resolution that 15 May of every year should be observed as the International Day of Families.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> It provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.</li>
<li><strong>Theme:</strong> The theme for 2020 is<strong> Families in Development: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-consultation-on-the-review-of-beijing-25" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Copenhagen &amp; Beijing+25</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The theme changes every year depending on the developmental endeavours ahead of the organisations working towards the welfare of families.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Steps to promote healthy families:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Healthy familial bonds</strong> are some of the greatest boons that parents and elders in the family can pass on their children and family youngsters.</li>
<li><strong>A nurturing environment</strong> promoted with love and care helps the children grow up into well-balanced, happy adults.</li>
<li><strong>Communication, quality time, appreciation, respect</strong> are some of the essentials towards building a strong and supportive family.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Copenhagen &amp; Beijing+25</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Copenhagen &amp; Beijing+25 signifies the <strong>World Conferences on Women (WCW)</strong> organised by the United Nations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The United Nations has organized four world conferences on women.</li>
<li>These took place in <strong>Mexico City in 1975, Copenhagen in 1980, Nairobi in 1985 and Beijing in 1995. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>WCW, Copenhagen:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under this a<strong> Programme of Action</strong> called for stronger national measures to ensure women&rsquo;s ownership and control of property, as well as improvements in protecting women&rsquo;s rights to inheritance, child custody and nationality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>WCW, Beijing:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It marked a significant turning point for the global agenda for gender equality. The Beijing Declaration was adopted unanimously by the UN at the end of the 4<sup>th</sup> WCW.</li>
<li>2020 marks the<strong> 25<sup>th</sup></strong> anniversary of the<strong> 4<sup>th</sup> World Conference on Women (WCW)</strong> and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). Hence, it is referred to as Beijing + 25.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-families" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-day-of-families'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Fibroin-based Hydrogel for Insulin',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Scientists at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), have developed an <strong>injectable silk fibroin-based hydrogel (or iSFH)</strong> for sustained<strong> insulin</strong> <strong>delivery</strong> in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-diabetes-day-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>diabetic</strong></a> patients.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>JNCASR is an autonomous research institute under the <strong>Department of Science and Technology.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Diabetes:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It results from <strong>inadequate production of insulin</strong> due to loss of <strong>beta cells</strong> (found in pancreas, make insulin)<strong> or insulin resistance</strong> within the body. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Insulin helps glucose from food get into cells to be used for energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The inadequate production of insulin does not convert glucose into energy which leads to an abrupt<strong> increase of blood glucose level.</strong></li>
<li><strong>India</strong> is home to more than 70 million diabetes people, it is the second-highest in the world after China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treatment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The conventional and last resort of treatment involves<strong> repeated subcutaneous insulin injections</strong> to maintain the physiological glucose balance. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Subcutaneous means under the skin.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues in Treatment:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> multiple subcutaneous insulin</strong> injections are associated with pain, local tissue necrosis (death of tissues), infection, nerve damage, and locally concentrated insulin amyloidosis responsible for inability to achieve physiological glucose balance.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Amyloidosis is a phenomenon that occurs when an abnormal protein, called amyloid, builds up in organs and interferes with their normal function.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>One of the Solutions:</strong> Controlled and sustained insulin delivery.</li>
<li><strong>iSFH:</strong> The<strong> injectable Silk Fibroin Hydrogel (iSFH)</strong> can<strong> ease insulin delivery in diabetic patients.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The iSFH has successfully delivered active insulin in rats.</li>
<li>The subcutaneous injection of insulin with-iSFH in diabetic rats formed an<strong> active</strong> <strong>depot</strong> under the skin from which <strong>insulin trickled out slowly</strong> and restored the physiological glucose balance for a prolonged period of 4 days.</li>
<li>The<strong> porous form of iSFH</strong> allowed the <strong>encapsulation</strong> of <strong>recombinant</strong> insulin (identical to human insulin) in its active form in diabetic rats.</li>
<li>It has proved to be an effective insulin delivery tool with excellent <strong>mechanical strength, biocompatibility, encapsulation, storage,</strong> and demonstration of its <strong>sustained delivery of active insulin</strong> in the diabetic animal.</li>
<li>The <strong>active encapsulation and delivery of insulin by iSFH</strong> may also have implications for the future development of formulations for <strong>oral insulin delivery. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Silk Fibroin</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Silk fibroins are the unique <strong>proteins of silkworm fibers.</strong></li>
<li>Researchers have found fibroin as the<strong> promising resources of biotechnology and biomedical materials.</strong></li>
<li>They have unique properties which include<strong> biocompatibility (i.e. compatible with living tissue), favorable oxygen permeability, and biodegradability.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> degradation product also can be readily absorbed by the body</strong> with minimal inflammatory reaction.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Hydrogel</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A hydrogel is a three-dimensional network of<strong> hydrophilic polymers</strong> that can swell in water and hold a large amount of water while maintaining the structure due to chemical or physical cross-linking of individual polymer chains.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1624008" 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/fibroin-based-hydrogel-for-insulin'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'West Bengal Major Irrigation and Flood Management Project',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Government of India, the Government of West Bengal, the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asian-infrastructure-investment-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)</strong></a> and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> have signed a loan agreement for a project titled <strong>‘West Bengal Major Irrigation and Flood Management Project’.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The project<strong> includes the improvement in irrigation and flood management in the Damodar Valley Command Area (DVCA).</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>West Bengal Major Irrigation and Flood Management Project aims to improve irrigation service delivery, strengthen flood risk management and improve climate change resilience in the project area.</li>
<li>It is intended to <strong>benefit about 2.7 million farmers</strong> from five districts of West Bengal.</li>
<li>The project comprises four components: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Irrigation Management :</strong> It will improve the management of the Damodar Valley Command Area (DVCA) irrigation scheme to improve service delivery, performance monitoring and irrigation efficiency evaluation.</li>
<li><strong>Modernization of Irrigation Infrastructure :</strong> It will invest in the modernization of irrigation infrastructure at main, branch, distributary and minor canal levels.</li>
<li><strong>Flood Management :</strong> It will invest in structural measures to reduce flooding in the project area. It will also include the implementation of the recommendations of the Dam Safety.</li>
<li><strong>Project Management :</strong> It will strengthen the implementation agency’s capacity for project management, including financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and environmental and social safeguards management and communication. It will also support a communication campaign to inform stakeholders on the importance of water use efficiency.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>total value</strong> of the project is<strong> $413.8 million,</strong> co-financed between the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) ($145 million), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank ($145 million) and the Government of West Bengal ($123.8 million).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is a part of the World Bank Group</strong> that provides financial products and policy advice to help countries reduce poverty and extend the benefits of sustainable growth to all of their people.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Background</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Damodar Valley Command Area is in the <strong>need of modernization.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>command area</strong> is the area around the dam/ project, where the area gets benefits from the dam, such as irrigation water, electricity, etc. It is an area which can be irrigated from a project and is fit for cultivation.</li>
<li>In other words, it is the area around a dam which is under its command as an irrigation source.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It faces <strong>key challenges</strong> including degradation of infrastructure, inadequate irrigation management, poor quality of service delivery and inefficient irrigation.</li>
<li>Due to above reasons, the<strong> farmers in the area are forced to extract groundwater,</strong> which increases the costs of cultivation.</li>
<li>Moreover, the Lower Damodar basin area is historically flood-prone. As this area lacks the infrastructure to protect against recurrent flooding, on average, <strong>33,500 hectares of the cropped area and 461,000 people are affected annually due to recurrent flooding</strong> in the area.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Damodar River<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589615216_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589615216_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Damodar river rises in the <strong>Palamu hills of the Chota Nagpur plateau</strong> in the state of Jharkhand.</li>
<li>It passes through two Indian states namely, <strong>Jharkhand and West Bengal.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Damodar occupies the eastern margins of the Chotanagpur Plateau where it flows <strong>through a rift valley</strong> and finally joins the Hugli.</li>
<li>The <strong>Barakar river</strong> is its<strong> main tributary.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Due to the devastating floods caused by the Damodar river and its tributaries in the plains of West Bengal, it is also known as the <strong>‘sorrow of Bengal’.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Damodar Valley Corporation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Damodar Valley Corporation was established in <strong>1948</strong> as the<strong> first multipurpose river valley project of independent India.</strong></li>
<li>Under this project, <strong>four dams</strong> were constructed namely,<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Tilaiya Dam:</strong> It has been constructed across the <strong>Barakar river</strong> at Tilaiya in Koderma district <strong>of Jharkhand.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Konar Dam:</strong> The Konar dam has been constructed across the Konar river—a tributary of the Damodar River in the Hazaribagh District of <strong>Jharkhand.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Maithon Dam</strong> :It has been constructed across the Barakar river near the confluence of Barakar with Damodar river.</li>
<li><strong>Panchet Dam:</strong> The Panchet dam has been constructed across the Damodar river, about 20 km south of the Maithon Dam.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1624120" 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/west-bengal-major-irrigation-and-flood-management-project'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Role of MSMEs in Indian Economy',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on &ldquo;<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/liquidity-lifeline-the-hindu-editorial-on-nirmala-sitharamans-msme-package/article31577242.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Liquidity lifeline: On Nirmala&rsquo;s MSME package</strong></a>&rdquo; which was published in The Hindu on 14/05/2020. It talks about the challenges of and steps to be taken to revive the MSMEs sector.</p>
</div>
<p>In order to revive the Indian economy amid <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, the government has announced an economic package under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a>. The main thrust of the announcements has been the massive ₹3-lakh crore collateral-free assistance or sovereign credit guarantee to the <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).</a></strong></p>
<p>Like other sectors of the Indian economy, MSMEs have been hit badly due to lockdown imposed by the government to tackle Covid-19 pandemic. However, even before the current crisis, MSMEs growth has been marred by several challenges.</p>
<p>In such a situation, providing merely a stimulus package may not be effective, until adequate reforms are carried out to solve its pressing problems and to utilize its potential.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Reason for Giving Credit Guarantees</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A credit guarantee by the government helps as it assures the bank that its loan will be repaid by the government in case the MSME falters.</li>
<li>Efforts to pump liquidity via the bank have not been successful in the past, because banks simply do not want to lend any new money.</li>
<li>Banks, quite justifiably, suspect that any new loans will only add to their growing mountain of non-performing assets.</li>
<li>So the issue was banks had the money but were not willing to lend to the credit-starved sections of the economy.</li>
<li>Thus, as part of the solution, credit guarantees are chosen by the government.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Significance of MSMEs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The significance of the MSMEs sector can be noted from the fact that it is the second-largest employment provider, after agriculture in India.</li>
<li>In India, at present, there are nearly 56 million such enterprises in various industries, employing close to 124 million people. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Of these, nearly 14% are women-led enterprises, and close to 60% are based in rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In all, the MSME sector accounts for 8% of India&rsquo;s GDP and 45% of merchandise exports.</li>
<li>Due to this, the MSME sector is called the growth engine of the nation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Pertaining to MSMEs</h3>
<p><strong>Lack of Adequate and Timely Access to Finance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Access to finance continues to remain the biggest challenge for MSMEs and has constrained their growth.</li>
<li>MSME funding from banks has been stalled, as decision-making managers are reluctant of loans going bad.</li>
<li>After the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/shadow-banking-and-the-crisis-in-the-indian-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> IL&amp;FS crisis</strong></a> and its effect on the other NBFCs (Non-Banking Finance Companies), MSMEs ran into deep trouble because of the liquidity crunch that followed.</li>
<li>Due to this, MSMEs are not able to invest in manufacturing, purchase raw materials on time, access new technologies or acquire new skills due to lack of funds which is a big handicap especially in its fight with global competitors.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Technological Disruption</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&lsquo;s MSME sector is based on obsolete technology, which hampers its production efficiency</li>
<li>With the emergence of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Robotics and related technologies (collectively called as <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industry Revolution 4.0</strong></a>) is a bigger challenge for MSMEs than for organized large-scale manufacturing.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Regulatory Cholesterol</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>MSMEs require a lot of government services and approvals, for which the entrepreneur has to run around various government departments.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Getting construction permits, enforcing contracts, paying taxes, starting a business and trading across borders continue to constrain doing business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Regulatory risks and policy uncertainty in the past have dented investor confidence.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Problem of Scale</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Majority of the firms in MSMEs are micro-enterprises.</li>
<li>The MSME space is virtually a micro space formed by a plethora of small and local shops and hence, scaling them up is a problem, especially when fund access is challenging.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Increasing Domestic Manufacturing Capabilities:</strong> The government can play a crucial role in creating domestic manufacturing capabilities by leveraging proposed public procurement and projects. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, Mega public projects such as Sagarmala, Bharatmala, industrial corridors, and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) can stimulate domestic manufacturing activities.</li>
<li>This should be accompanied by a simplification of the regulatory process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cluster Manufacturing:</strong> Efforts should be made to develop self-sufficient clusters of manufacturing competence, with Cluster Administrative Authorities, empowered to provide single window clearances to entrepreneurs and investors.</li>
<li><strong>Leveraging Industrial Revolution 4.0:</strong> Disruptive technology, while leading to job losses in traditional areas, also presents new job opportunities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A greater connect between government-industry-academia is required to identify the changing requirements in manufacturing and prepare an employable workforce.</li>
<li>Also, the Industrial Revolution 4.0 will boost the Industrial supply chains in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need to improve Ease of Doing business:</strong> Reforms: India has already taken several steps, due to which ease of doing business in India has improved significantly (India&rsquo;s ranking in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ease of doing business report</strong> </a>has improved from 142 in 2014 to 63 in 2020).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, still some reforms are needed in regard, especially in the field of land, labour reforms and in enforcing contracts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Making Indian Products to Match Global Standards:</strong> There is a need for harmonizing Indian quality standards with global standards in many sectors. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lack of harmonization has affected Indian exports and prevented the leveraging of trade agreements adequately.</li>
<li>There is a need to promote <strong>ZED manufacturing (Zero effect- Zero Defect)</strong> as envisaged by<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/five-years-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Make in India</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Collateral-free assistance or sovereign credit guarantees to the Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will ease the financial crunch. However, the government should devise this scheme in such a way that the issue of <strong>moral hazard can be averted.</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Issue of Moral Hazard</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Collateral-free assistance and credit guarantees leave no incentive for the borrower to pay back, as he has nothing to lose.</li>
<li>Also, as the banker is assured of payback from the government so why should he bother to check if the borrower is deserving or not.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589544310_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589544310_pasted image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e6fae9;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the role of MSMEs sector in India&rsquo;s growth and how far sovereign credit guarantee will help in reviving it.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v_-kravtGAs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/liquidity-lifeline-the-hindu-editorial-on-nirmala-sitharamans-msme-package/article31577242.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Liquidity lifeline: On Nirmala&rsquo;s MSME package&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published The Hindu on May 14<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/role-of-msmes-in-indian-economy'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'SAMARTH ERP',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD)</strong> has developed an<strong> e-governance platform &lsquo;SAMARTH Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)&rsquo;</strong> under the <strong>National Mission of Education in Information and Communication Technology Scheme (NMEICT)</strong>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SAMARTH ERP is an<strong> open source, open standard enabled robust, secure, scalable, and evolutionary process automation engine</strong> for Universities and Higher Educational Institutions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)</strong> refers to a type of software used to manage day-to-day business <strong>activities such as accounting, procurement, project management, risk management and compliance, and supply chain operations.</strong></li>
<li>ERP in a University can improve management and administration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The platform has been implemented at the<strong> National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra,</strong> a participating unit under the World Bank-supported <strong>Technical Education Quality Improvement Program (TEQIP).</strong></li>
<li>It would <strong>automate the processes of the enhancement of productivity through better information management</strong> in the institute by seamless access to information and proper utilization of information.</li>
<li>It caters to faculty, students and staff at a University/Higher Educational Institutions.</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Mission, <strong>launched in 2009,</strong> is a landmark initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), with the objective of seamlessly providing quality educational content to all the eligible and willing learners in India.</li>
<li>It has been envisaged to leverage the potential of ICT, in the teaching and learning process for the benefit of all the learners in Higher Education Institutions.</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives under the Program</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>SWAYAM:</strong> The Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds' (SWAYAM) is an integrated platform for offering online courses, covering school (9<sup>th</sup> to 12<sup>th</sup>) to Postgraduate Level. The online courses are being used not only by the students but also by the teachers and non-student learners, in the form of lifelong learning.</li>
<li><strong>SWAYAM Prabha:</strong> It is an initiative to provide 32 High Quality Educational Channels through DTH (Direct to Home) across the length and breadth of the country on a 24X7 basis.</li>
<li><strong>National Digital Library of India (NDL):</strong> It is a project to develop a framework of virtual repository of learning resources with a single-window search facility. Presently, there are more than 3 crore digital resources available through the NDL.</li>
<li><strong>Spoken Tutorial:</strong> They are 10-minute long, audio-video tutorials, on open source software, to improve employment potential of students. It is created for self learning, audio dubbed into 22 languages and with the availability of an online version.</li>
<li><strong>Free and Open Source Software for Education (FOSSEE):</strong> It is a project promoting the use of open source software in educational institutions. It does that through instructional material, such as spoken tutorials, documentation, such as textbook companions, awareness programmes, such as conferences, training workshops, and internships.</li>
<li><strong>Virtual Lab:</strong> This is a project to develop a fully interactive simulation environment to perform experiments, collect data, and answer questions to assess the understanding of the knowledge acquired.</li>
<li><strong>E-Yantra:</strong> It is a project for enabling effective education across engineering colleges in India on embedded systems and robotics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was started in 2002 by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development with the assistance of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> and is being implemented in a phased manner .</li>
<li>It aims to upscale the quality of technical education and enhance capacities of institutions.</li>
<li><strong>The Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme III (TEQIP-III)</strong> was started in 2017 and will be completed by 2021.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to develop technical education as a key component for improving the quality of Engineering Education.</li>
<li>The Objective is to improve quality and equity in engineering institutions in focus states such as in low income states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1623839" 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/samarth-erp'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture- Primary Education: Challenges and Opportunities',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qMbfJYMRJLA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>In the second week of March, state governments across the country began shutting down schools and colleges temporarily as a measure to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. It&rsquo;s close to two months and there is no certainty when they will reopen. This is a crucial time for the education sector.</p>
<p>As the days pass by with no immediate solution to stop the outbreak of Covid-19, school closures are facing both short-term as well as far-reaching consequences. The structure of schooling and learning, including teaching and assessment methodologies, has been affected by these closures.</p>
<h3>Impact of the Pandemic on Primary Education</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Connectivity and Resources issues:</strong> Many students from villages and from economically backward backgrounds are facing a serious issue in keeping up with online education. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Only a handful of private schools could adopt online teaching methods. Their low-income private and government school counterparts, on the other hand, have completely shut down for not having access to e-learning solutions.</li>
<li>The students, in addition to the missed opportunities for learning, no longer have access to healthy meals during this time and are subject to economic and social stress.</li>
<li>The pandemic has significantly disrupted the higher education sector as well, which is a critical determinant of a country&rsquo;s economic future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unpreparedness towards digitized environment:</strong> Many teachers and parents are facing challenges in coping with the new mode of teaching and learning.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite so much push for a digital India, sustained push for digitisation of education and training of teachers to deal with it has been lacking.</li>
<li>Technological investment in the education sector has been abysmally low.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Parental support issues:</strong> Many kids face a hostile environment at home where the family members are engaged in quarreling and altercations with each other.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This kind of surroundings adversely affects the mental health of children and also brings down their learning outcomes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Opportunities and Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Guided learning through technology:</strong> This lockdown and a shift towards tech platforms can ensure a shift towards guided, cooperative learning as opposed to the rote learning of classrooms.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Game-based or puzzle-based learning would help in stimulating interest.</li>
<li>It needs to be supplemented by integral familial involvement at home with board games or an informal discussion.</li>
<li>Teachers can guide the parents about various creative assignments through smartphones or even simple mobile phones.</li>
<li>Increased communication between the teachers and parents is much needed in this hour.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Interactive learning through tech-based platforms:</strong> Many tech-based platforms like go prep etc are working towards making education interactive and engaging.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These platforms through animated videos and tech-based AI programs enhance the core value of learning and critical thinking.</li>
<li>The objective is to make learning enjoyable and develop in them the desire to continue learning:</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives by NCERT:</strong> The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has developed an alternative academic calendar for school students to engage them meaningfully as they stay at home during the lockdown.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The calendar provides guidelines to teachers on the use of various technological tools and social media tools available for imparting education in fun-filled, interesting ways, which can be used by the learner to learn even while at home.</li>
<li>It also takes into account the lack of internet connectivity and thus the calendar advises teachers to further guide parents and students through SMS on mobile phones or mobile calls.</li>
<li>Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) in collaboration with the NCERT has launched<strong> e-Pathshala online portal</strong> and mobile app through which students can decode NCERT chapters.</li>
<li>The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan has deployed its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/online-classes-due-to-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SWAYAM Prabha portal</strong></a> which has lectures on DTH (direct-to-home) and online, to help students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>e-Pathshala</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>e-Pathshala was launched in 2015 with an aim to promote self-learning among the school students.</li>
<li>The portal hosts various school teachers, researchers, experts, parents, and most importantly students who can access the facility of resolving their queries.</li>
<li>Students who have registered to the e-Pathshala online portal or mobile app can access educational material, including textbooks, audio, video, periodicals, and a variety of other print and non-print materials.</li>
<li>There are no charges to access the e-learning source.</li>
<li>It can be accessed through the desktop, laptop, or mobile.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>SWAYAM Prabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an initiative of the Ministry of Human Resources Development to provide 32 High-Quality Educational Channels through DTH across the length and breadth of the country on a 24X7 basis.</li>
<li>It has curriculum-based course content covering diverse disciplines.</li>
<li>This is primarily aimed at making quality learning resources accessible to remote areas where internet availability is still a challenge.</li>
<li>The DTH channels are using the GSAT-15 satellite for programme telecasts.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Adapt technology-based learning:</strong> Even after the lockdown is over, there&rsquo;s a need to continue the spirit of interactive online learning with individualized tests and activities as it would improve the learning outcome and will help India truly realise its dream of Digital India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this does not mean that there should be a complete replacement of teacher based pedagogy. In fact, teachers are essential to develop clarity of concepts.</li>
<li>Therefore there&rsquo;s a need to train teachers in such a holistic environment that they can assist the students in their problems beyond the traditional limits of a classroom</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Odd-Even formula for schools:</strong> In the face of the pandemic that is showing no signs of receding the schools can adopt an odd-Even formula for students to attend school on alternative days.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such a condition would lead to both synchronous and asynchronous learning time for children.</li>
<li>In the synchronous time, that is on the school days, children will learn concepts and skills with the teachers.</li>
<li>While in the asynchronous time the children will revise their learning from the previous day and perform an activity or assignment based on that topic in collaboration with parents.</li>
<li>Teachers can further assist the parents in this by contacting them through phones.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increase accessibility:</strong> The pandemic has taught us a lot about adjusting to changes in new and creative ways. But taking the weaker sections along is equally necessary.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There&rsquo;s a need to explore the possibility of high and low technology solutions to digital learning, on the basis of power supply, digital skills of teachers and students, and internet connectivity.</li>
<li>Inclusion in distance learning programs, especially for students coming from low-income groups or the presence of disability, etc.</li>
<li>Provide support for digitalization to teachers as well as students by making such platforms and content available for free, and by</li>
<li>Assure the required infrastructure for online learning such as smartphones, and laptops.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Post COVID-19 there will be a greater responsibility for teachers, parents and administrators to join hands in order to help children out of the mental impact the disease and the present environment has had upon them, and also to ensure that the social distancing and hand washing and other hygiene activities continue to be practiced for much longer times.</p>',
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		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'ELISA Antibody Kits',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has <strong>approved the first batch of antibody testing</strong> kits called <strong>&ldquo;Covid KAVACH ELISA&rdquo;</strong> manufactured by Zydus-Cadila to be used in <strong>sero-survey.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Covid KAVACH ELISA has been developed at the <strong>National Institute of Virology, Pune,</strong> by <strong>isolating the virus from patients in India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)</strong> is a test that detects and measures antibodies in blood.</li>
<li>The test can be used to determine<strong> antibodies related to certain infectious conditions.</strong></li>
<li>It can be used to diagnose <strong>HIV, which causes AIDS, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetically-modified-aedes-aegypti" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zika virus</a></strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ELISA kits will be used in the <strong>new nationwide &ldquo;sero-survey&rdquo; of the Ministry of Health.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sero-survey is <strong>meant to detect the prevalence of antibodies</strong> that appear after a patient has recovered.</li>
<li>The ICMR will lead the testing of 24,000 individuals in 69 districts at household level as part of this sero-survey.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the ICMR,<strong> real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is still the frontline test for clinical diagnosis of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a></strong>, but the <strong>antibody tests are critical for surveillance</strong> to understand the proportion of population exposed to infection.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The antibody test for<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19</strong> </a>acts as a <strong>screening process</strong> that gives quick results in a few hours.</li>
<li>The antibody test detects the body&rsquo;s response to the virus. It gives an indication that a person has been exposed to the virus.</li>
<li>If the test is positive, the swab is collected and an Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) test is done using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) kit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>ELISA antibody tests are <strong>different from the rapid antibody tests</strong> previously used by Indian authorities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ELISA kits are <strong>more reliable and cheaper</strong> than rapid antibody testing kits.</li>
<li>The ELISA kit has a <strong>sensitivity</strong> of 98.7% and a <strong>specificity</strong> of 100%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sensitivity signifies accurate positive test results, whereas specificity signifies accurate negative test results.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a> the kits are suitable for<strong> &ldquo;for testing large numbers of samples per day, as well as in blood banks or for surveillance studies&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>ELISA has <strong>minimal biosafety and biosecurity requirements</strong> as compared to the real-time<strong> RT-PCR</strong> test.</li>
<li>Moreover, <strong>ELISA-based testing is easily possible even at the district level</strong> as the test kit has <strong>inactivated virus.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Antibody</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Antibody, also called immunoglobulin</strong> is a <strong>protective protein</strong> produced by the immune system in response to the presence of a foreign substance, called an <strong>antigen.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A wide range of substances are regarded by the body as antigens, including disease-causing organisms and toxic materials.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Antibodies <strong>recognize and attack onto antigens</strong> in order to remove them from the body.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>PCR Test</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Kary Mullis, the American biochemist invented the <strong>PCR technique.</strong> He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1993.</li>
<li>Under this, <strong>copies of a segment of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) are created</strong> using an <strong>enzyme called Polymerase.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> &lsquo;chain reaction&rsquo;</strong> signifies how the DNA fragments are copied, exponentially &mdash; one is copied into two, the two are copied into four, and so on.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A <strong>fluorescent DNA</strong> binding dye called the <strong>&ldquo;probe&rdquo; is</strong> added to DNA, which shows the presence of the virus on a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/portable-device-to-detect-adulteration-in-milk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fluorometer</strong></a>.</li>
<li>However, coronavirus is made of RNA (ribonucleic acid).</li>
<li>Therefore to detect coronavirus, RNA is converted into DNA using a technique called <strong>reverse transcription.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A<strong> &lsquo;reverse transcriptase&rsquo; enzyme</strong> converts the RNA into DNA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Copies of the DNA are then made and amplified.</li>
<li>Generally, the entire process of PCR test takes 24 hours to deliver the result.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the <strong>apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.</strong></li>
<li>Its mandate is to <strong>conduct, coordinate and implement medical research</strong> for the benefit of the Society; translating medical innovations into products/processes and introducing them into the public health system.</li>
<li>It is funded by the Government of India through the <strong>Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/icmr-clears-1st-batch-of-key-elisa-antibody-testing-kits-made-in-india-6410431/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/elisa-antibody-kits'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Diamer-Bhasha Dam',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Pakistan</strong> signed a contract with a joint venture of a <strong>China Power</strong> (Chinese state-run firm) and the <strong>Frontier Works Organisation</strong> (FWO-a commercial arm of Pakistan&rsquo;s military) for the construction of the <strong>Diamer-Bhasha dam.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The contract covers construction of a diversion system, main dam, access bridge and the 21MW Tangir hydropower project.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589539217_Diamer-Bhasha%20Dam.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589539217_Diamer-Bhasha Dam.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is located on the<strong> Indus River</strong> in <strong>northern Pakistan</strong> between <strong>Kohistan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa</strong> and <strong>Diamer district in Gilgit Baltistan.</strong></li>
<li>The dam will have a<strong> gross storage capacity of 8.1 Million Acre Feet</strong> (MAF) and <strong>power generation capacity of 4500 MW.</strong></li>
<li>With the <strong>height of 272 meters,</strong> it will be the<strong> tallest Roller Compact Concrete</strong> (RCC) dam in the world.</li>
<li>The dam project with a total financial outlay of about 1,406.5 billion Pakistani rupees would be <strong>completed in 2028.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Purpose:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Fulfil the increasing water and electricity requirements of the country.</li>
<li>Serve as the main storage dam of the country, besides Mangla and Tarbela dams.</li>
<li>Help alleviate acute irrigation shortage in the Indus basin irrigation system.</li>
<li>Reduce intensity, quantum and duration of floods and reduce magnitude and frequency of floods in the River Indus downstream.</li>
<li>Accelerate development and create job opportunities, besides improving availability of water and clean energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The project was approved in 2010, but it suffered delays because international lending agencies backtracked due to the<strong> opposition from India</strong> as a major part of the dam is located in Gilgit-Baltistan (one of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/disputed-territories-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>disputed territories</strong> </a>of India) and it will cause unrest in the region.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has <strong>opposed the move</strong> on the grounds that <strong>Gilgit-Baltistan region is part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir</strong> that was<strong> illegally occupied by Pakistan.</strong></li>
<li>India has <strong>consistently conveyed her protest and shared concerns with both China and Pakistan</strong> on all such projects in the Indian territories under Pakistan&rsquo;s illegal occupation.</li>
<li>In the past too, India has opposed projects jointly taken up by Pakistan and China in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) as part of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-belt-one-road-and-china-pakistan-economic-corridor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China-Pakistan Economic Corridor</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-awards-442bn-diamer-bhasha-dam-contract-to-joint-venture-between-power-china-and-fwo/article31583253.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/diamer-bhasha-dam'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Release of Gharials',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently Government of Uttar Pradesh has released <strong>Gharials</strong> (<strong><em>Gavialis gangeticus</em></strong>) in the <strong>Ghaghara river for</strong> the conservation and protection in natural habitat.</p>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589534449_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589534449_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Natural Habitat: Fresh waters</strong> of the northern part of India.</li>
<li>Gharials, sometimes called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts which <strong>resembles a pot (<em>ghara</em> in Hindi).</strong></li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> Population of Gharials are a<strong> good indicator of clean river water.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Gharials</strong> are a type of Crocodilians that also includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, etc. India has<strong> three species of Crocodilians namely:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Gharial</strong> (Gavialis gangeticus): <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)</a>- Critically Endangered.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ghodahada-reservoir" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mugger crocodile</a></strong> (Crocodylus palustris): IUCN- Vulnerable</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-26th-november-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Saltwater crocodile</strong></a> (Crocodylus porosus): IUCN- Least Concern</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In comparison to Crocodiles, Gharials are very shy and unharmful species.</li>
<li><strong>Primary Habitat: Chambal river</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The chambal originates at the <strong>Singar Chouri peak</strong> in the northern slopes of the Vindhya mountains (Indore, Madhya Pradesh).</li>
<li>It joins the Yamuna River in <strong>Etawah District of UP.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Tributaries:</strong> Banas, Kali Sindh, Parbati.</li>
<li>The <strong>National Chambal Sanctuary</strong> is located along river Chambal on the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It is known for critically endangered gharials, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/red-crowned-roofed-turtle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>red-crowned roof turtle</strong></a>, and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gangetic-dolphins-found-in-mahananda-river" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>endangered Ganges river dolphin</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Secondary Habitat:</strong> Ghaghra and Gandak river, Girwa river (Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh), the Ramganga river in Jim Corbett National Park and the Sone river.</li>
<li><strong>Status:&nbsp;</strong>Gharials are <strong>critically endangered</strong> in the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Species.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Listed under <strong>Schedule I</strong> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Listed on <strong>Appendix I</strong> of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Efforts:</strong> Breeding Centres of <strong>Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre</strong> in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh,<strong> National Chambal Sanctuary</strong> (Gharial Eco Park, Madhya Pradesh).</li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gharials <strong>prefer sandbanks</strong> as suitable habitats. Wild animals as well as humans often destroy their eggs.</li>
<li>Increased <strong>river pollution, dam construction, massive-scale fishing operations and floods.</strong></li>
<li>Illegal sand mining and poaching.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ghaghara River</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It acts as an important aquatic corridor for gharials in Uttar Pradesh.</li>
<li>Its source is near <strong>Gurla Mandhata peak, south of Mansarovar</strong> in Tibet.</li>
<li>It is known as the<strong> Karnaili</strong> in Western Nepal.</li>
<li>It's important tributaries are the<strong> Sarda, the Sarju (Ayodhya is located on its bank) and the Rapti.</strong></li>
<li>The Ghaghara joins the Ganga a few kilometres downstream of<strong> Chhapra in Bihar.</strong></li>
<li>After reaching the plain area, its stream gets divided into many branches of which, Koriyab and Garwa are important.</li>
<li>The river bed is sandy and sudden bends start occurring in the stream.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/40-gharials-released-in-ghaghara-river-amid-lockdown-71119" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Z-scan Method for Parkinson’s Disease',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, scientists from IIT (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad and<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> CSIR</strong></a>-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (Kolkata) have developed the <strong>Z-scan method</strong> to monitor the <strong>origin as well as the progression of Parkinson's disease</strong> in human beings.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Parkinson&rsquo;s Disease</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Parkinson&rsquo;s disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that<strong> affects the central nervous system.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>damages nerve cells</strong> in the brain <strong>dropping</strong> the levels of <strong>dopamine.</strong> Dopamine is a chemical that sends behavioural signals from the brain to the body.</li>
<li>The disease causes a variety of "motor" symptoms (symptoms related to movement of the muscles), including rigidity, delayed movement, poor balance, and tremors.</li>
<li>Medication can help control the symptoms of the disease but<strong> it can't be cured.</strong></li>
<li>It affects the age group from <strong>6 to 60 years. Worldwide,</strong> about <strong>10 million people</strong> have been affected by this disease.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aggregation of ASyn:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An aggregation of a protein called<strong> Alpha-synuclein (ASyn)</strong> plays a crucial role in the development of Parkinson&rsquo;s disease.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Protein aggregation is a biological phenomenon in which destabilized proteins aggregate (i.e., accumulate and clump together) leading to many diseases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Alpha-synuclein is a protein found in the human brain, while smaller amounts are found in the heart, muscle and other tissues. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the brain, alpha-synuclein is found mainly at the tips of neurons in specialized structures called presynaptic terminals.</li>
<li>Presynaptic terminals release chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters.</li>
<li>The release of neurotransmitters relays signals between neurons and is critical for normal brain function.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of Z-scan Method:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The discovered Z-scan method is expected to help in <strong>monitoring both the early as well as late stages of the aggregation of ASyn and death of neuronal cells.</strong></li>
<li>Until now, worldwide studies could not establish any strong relation between ASyn aggregations and subsequent death of neuronal cells observed in Parkinson&rsquo;s disease.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB) was established in <strong>1935 as the first non official centre in India</strong> for <strong>biomedical research</strong> and was included within the aegis of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 1956.</li>
<li>It is located in <strong>Kolkata (West Bengal).</strong></li>
<li>CSIR-IICB is engaged in research on diseases of national importance and biological problems of global interest and also helps to maintain momentum in life science research.</li>
<li>It conducts research in a variety of areas including chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, neurobiology and immunology which promotes productive interdisciplinary interaction.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1623817" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'title' => 'A Rare Palm from Andamans',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a rare palm, <strong>Pinanga andamanensis</strong>, has been successfully cultivated at <strong>Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) based at Palode, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala).</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pinanga andamanensis</strong><em><strong>:</strong></em><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a rare palm endemic to South Andaman Island. Its entire population of some 600 specimens naturally occurs only in a tiny, evergreen forest pocket in South Andaman&rsquo;s <strong>Mount Harriet National Park.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Endemic</strong> species are those plants and animals that exist only in one geographical region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The name is derived from <strong>&lsquo;Penang&rsquo;,</strong> the modern-day Malaysian state. Penang itself has its origins in Pulau Pinang which <strong>means Island of the Areca Nut Palm.</strong></li>
<li>It has strong <strong>resemblance with the areca palm tree</strong> (widely used for bright interiors).</li>
<li>It has a <strong>small gene pool</strong> which means the species is vulnerable to natural calamities such as cyclones, earthquakes.</li>
<li>JNTBGRI scientists term it a critically endangered species and one of the least known among the endemic palms of the Andaman Islands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultivation at JNTBGRI:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Thiruvananthapuram</strong> has been referred as its<strong> second home</strong> as the species has started flowering in this Institute.</li>
<li>JNTBGRI will <strong>resume seed germination experiments</strong> for<strong> mass multiplication</strong> as part of the conservation strategy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Mount Harriet National Park</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is located in the south of the Andaman and Nicobar islands.</li>
<li>Mount Harriet is the <strong>third-highest peak in the Andaman and Nicobar</strong> archipelago next to<strong> Saddle Peak</strong> in North Andaman and<strong> Mount Thuillier</strong> in Great Nicobar.</li>
<li>The park is covered with evergreen forest pockets.</li>
<li>It is rich in flora and faunal species like <strong>andaman wild pigs, saltwater crocodiles, butterflies and palm trees.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/rare-palm-from-andamans-gets-second-home/article31618844.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Aarogya Setu App: A Technological Solutionism',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/editorial/aarogya-setu-is-open-to-state-abuse/article31595027.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Aarogya Setu is open to state abuse&rdquo;</a> which was published on The Hindu Business Line on 16/05/2020. It talks about the various issues pertaining to Aarogya Setu App.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, India's first contact tracing app called Aarogya Setu was launched. The app seeks continuous access to location information (through GPS and Bluetooth technologies) to alert people to follow social distancing protocols and avoid Covid-19 hotspots.</p>
<p>Arogya Setu app is based on the idea of <strong>&lsquo;technological solutionism&rsquo;</strong> (technology providing an impartial solution to complex social problems).</p>
<p>However, concerns over the Aarogya Setu App were raised when a French 'ethical hacker' claimed to have access to the users' data and highlighted security bugs within the app which could have privacy ramifications.</p>
<h3>Advantages of Aarogya Setu App</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Through this app individual as well as authorities can be informed in case they have crossed paths with someone who has tested positive for the virus, to prevent further spread.</li>
<li>As economies open up and normal life resumes, this app may enable governments to detect outbreaks and prevent community transmission.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This app assumes more significance, as of now, there is no vaccine for Covid-19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The app will also serve as e-passes and health certificates, necessary for workers to commute. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thereby, an e-pass could be the key for starting the engine of growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, the app will be very useful for services based on the Gig economy (Amazon, Zomato, Swiggy, etc.) and thereby may provide much-needed employment prospects in urban centres.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Pertaining to the App</h3>
<p><strong>Privacy Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The app doesn&rsquo;t provide any concrete assurance from the Centre that the centralised data would not be used for other purposes.</li>
<li>The data-sharing and knowledge-sharing protocol for the Aarogya Setu is prone to misuse, considering that India still doesn&rsquo;t have data protection laws.</li>
<li>The fear of privacy regarding Aarogya Setu app has exacerbated due to issues pertaining to Aadhar.</li>
<li>Technologies such as real-time big data analytics, hold immense potential for furthering the needs of the <strong>surveillance state.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Against Government&rsquo;s Policy of Open Source Software</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Policy on Adoption of Open Source Software for Government of India was launched in 2014.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The thrust of the <strong>policy</strong> requires the various ministries of the Government of India to prefer <strong>Open Source Software</strong> in all e-Governance systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, the Aarogya Setu app is not an open-source application which means the app doesn't allow the entire developer community to take a deeper look into its inner workings.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, it cannot be audited for security flaws by independent coders and researchers.</li>
<li>This led experts to question its hidden surveillance motives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Concerning the Fundamental Right to Privacy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Government has issued guidelines to the employers to ensure that all their employees must mandatory install this app.</li>
<li>This violates the right to privacy, which is a fundamental right as held by the Supreme court in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/privacy-judgement-and-the-aftermath" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Puttaswamy case 2017</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Further, any restriction on this right can only be placed in accordance with the procedure established by the law. However, there is no act passed by the parliament, which authorises making this app mandatory.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/personal-data-protection-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Former Supreme Court judge BN Srikrishna</strong></a> held the drive to make people use the app was "utterly illegal".</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This marks a dramatic shift from a model of &lsquo;encouragement&rsquo; and trust to one of coercion and compulsion.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Discriminatory Nature of App</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Aarogya Setu inadvertently differentiate against regions which have smaller number concentrations of smartphones or low-income non-smartphone users.&rsquo;</li>
<li>Also, vulnerable sections like migrant workers can&rsquo;t afford the smartphone and the internet.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One of the main demands by privacy as well as cybersecurity experts is to throw open the source code of Aarogya Setu app. So that they can be audited for design and programming flaws.</li>
<li>The government must ensure that the use of any privacy infringing technology must satisfy five criteria viz. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First, it must have a legislative basis.</li>
<li>Second, it must pursue a legitimate aim.</li>
<li>Third, it should be a rational method to achieve the intended aim.</li>
<li>Fourth, there must not be any alternatives which can also achieve the intended aim.</li>
<li>Fifth, the benefits must outweigh the harm caused to the right holder.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Legal experts have stressed the need for a personal data protection law to back the government&rsquo;s decision to make the app mandatory for everyone.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Technology can help us to be safe, but it must not infringe people&rsquo;s right to privacy. In this context, India must seriously contemplate legislation (which incorporates the principles of data protection as highlighted by BN Srikrishna committee) around the app, which strikes a balance between disease containment and privacy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589804368_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589804368_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="335" height="393" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fff9e6;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;Technology can help us to be safe, but it must not infringe people&rsquo;s right to privacy&rdquo;. Analyse this statement in the context of issues pertaining to Aarogya Setu app.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qbFkB823lE0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/fm-nirmala-sitharaman-covid-economic-package-agriculture-6411949/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Freeing The Farm&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Indian Express on May 16<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Economic Stimulus-V',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Finance Minister announced the measures for providing employment and support to businesses, state governments as well sectors such as education and health as part of the <strong>fifth and final tranche</strong> of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The announced measures also form a part of the Rs. 20 lakh crore economic stimulus package to deal with the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Earlier, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-i" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Economic Stimulus-I</strong></a>, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Economic Stimulus-II</strong></a>, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-iii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Economic Stimulus-III</strong></a> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-iv" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Economic Stimulus-IV</strong></a> were announced.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589799855_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589799855_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Increase in Allocation for MGNREGA</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Government will allocate an<strong> additional Rs.40,000 crore</strong> under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mgnrega-trends" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act</strong></a>, <strong>2005</strong> (MGNREGA).</li>
<li>It will help <strong>generate nearly 300 crore person days</strong> in total, addressing the need for more work by the migrants who are returning to their hometowns due to the pandemic and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Creation</strong> of a larger number of <strong>durable and livelihood assets</strong> including <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/water-conservation-traditional-approach" target="_blank" rel="noopener">water conservation</a> assets</strong> which will boost the rural economy through higher production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Health Reforms and Initiatives</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Public expenditure</strong> on health will be <strong>increased</strong> by investing in grass root health institutions and ramping up health and wellness centres in rural and urban areas.</li>
<li><strong>Preparing India for future pandemics:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Setting up of<strong> Infectious Diseases Hospital Blocks</strong> in all districts.</li>
<li>Strengthening of lab networks and surveillance (<strong>Integrated Public Health Labs</strong> in all districts and blocks)</li>
<li>The <strong>National Institutional Platform for One Health</strong> by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></a> (ICMR) will encourage research.</li>
<li>Implementation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-digital-health-blueprint" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Digital Health Blueprint</strong></a> under the <strong>National Digital Health Mission</strong> (NDHM).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NDHM was recommended to be established as a purely government organization with complete functional autonomy on the lines of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aadhar-and-its-voluntary-use" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Unique Identification Authority of India</strong> </a>(UIDAI) and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-27th-september-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Goods and Services Network GSTN.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technology Driven Education with Equity</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Government will launch <strong>PM eVIDYA,</strong> a programme for multi-mode access to digital/online education with immediate effect. It<strong> consists</strong> of:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-human-resource-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DIKSHA</strong></a> <strong>for school education in States/UTs:</strong> e-content and QR coded Energized Textbooks for all grades (one nation, one digital platform)</li>
<li>One earmarked TV channel per class from 1 to 12 <strong>(One class, One channel)</strong></li>
<li>Extensive <strong>use of Radio,</strong> Community radio and Podcasts.</li>
<li><strong>Special e-content for visually and hearing impaired.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Top 100 universities</strong> will be permitted to automatically start <strong>online courses</strong> by 30<sup>th</sup> May, 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Manodarpan,</strong> an initiative for <strong>psycho-social support</strong> for students, teachers and families for mental health and emotional well-being will be launched.</li>
<li><strong>New National Curriculum and Pedagogical framework</strong> for school, early childhood and teachers will be launched.</li>
<li><strong>National Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Mission</strong> for ensuring that every child attains learning levels and outcomes in grade 5 by 2025 <strong>will be launched by December 2020.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measures Related to IBC</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Minimum threshold</strong> to initiate insolvency proceedings has been <strong>raised to Rs.1 crore</strong> (from Rs.1 lakh, which largely insulates <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises</strong></a>-MSMEs).</li>
<li><strong>Special insolvency resolution framework</strong> for MSMEs under <strong>Section 240A of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/insolvency-and-bankruptcy-code-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code</a></strong> (IBC) will be notified.</li>
<li>Suspension of fresh initiation of insolvency proceedings up to one year, depending upon the <strong>pandemic.</strong></li>
<li>Empowering the Central Government to <strong>exclude Covid-19 related debt</strong> from the definition of &ldquo;default&rdquo; under the IBC for the purpose of triggering insolvency proceedings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measures Related to the Companies Act</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Decriminalisation of Companies Act, 2013<strong> violations involving minor technical and procedural defaults</strong> (shortcomings in<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Corporate Social Responsibility</strong></a> (CSR) reporting, inadequacies in Board report, filing defaults, etc).</li>
<li>Majority of the compoundable offences sections to be shifted to<strong> Internal Adjudication Mechanism</strong> (IAM).</li>
<li>The amendments will<strong> de-clog the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-road-map-for-criminal-justice-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criminal courts</a> and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-4th-march-2019-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> National Company Law Tribunal</a></strong> (NCLT).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ease of Doing Business for Corporates</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Key reforms include:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Direct listing of securities by Indian public companies in permissible foreign jurisdictions.</li>
<li>Private companies which list <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-30th-march-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Non-Convertible Debentures</a></strong> (NCDs) on<strong> stock exchanges</strong> not to be regarded as listed companies.</li>
<li>Including the provisions of<strong> Part IXA (Producer Companies)</strong> of <strong>Companies Act, 1956</strong> in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/committee-to-review-the-offences-under-the-companies-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Companies Act, 2013</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Power to create additional/specialized benches for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-company-law-appellate-tribunal-nclat-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Company Law Appellate Tribunal</strong> </a>(NCLAT).</li>
<li><strong>Lower penalties for all defaults</strong> for Small Companies, One-person Companies, Producer Companies and StartUps.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Public Sector Enterprise Policy for a New, Self-reliant India</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Government will announce a <strong>new policy</strong> whereby:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>List of strategic sectors requiring the presence of <strong>Public Sector Enterprises</strong> (PSEs) in public interest will be notified.</li>
<li>In strategic sectors, at least <strong>one enterprise will remain in the public sector</strong> but <strong>private sector</strong> will also be<strong> allowed.</strong></li>
<li>In other sectors,<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/privatisation-of-pses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> PSEs will be privatized</strong></a> (timing to be based on feasibility etc.).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Support to State Governments</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Centre has decided to<strong> increase borrowing limits of States from 3% to 5% for 2020-21 only</strong> which will give States extra resources of Rs.4.28 lakh crore.</li>
<li>Part of the borrowing will be linked to <strong>specific reforms</strong> (including recommendations of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/j-k-and-15th-finance-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Finance Commission</strong></a>).</li>
<li><strong>Reform linkage will be in four areas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Universalisation of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-nation-one-ration-card-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;One Nation One Ration card&rsquo;</a></strong>.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ease of Doing Business.</strong></a></li>
<li>Power distribution.</li>
<li>Urban Local Body revenues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>States can borrow more</strong> in the following pattern, notified by the Department of Expenditure:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The first 0.5% will be an unconditional increase.</li>
<li>Next 1% in 4 tranches of 0.25%, with each tranche linked to clearly specified, measurable and feasible reform actions.</li>
<li>The last 0.50% if milestones are achieved in at least three out of four reform areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Analysis</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>On Increase in Allocation for MGNREGA</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The step to<strong> allocate more resources to MGNREGA</strong> was <strong>widely welcomed</strong> as it will support rural livelihoods in the time of crisis.</li>
<li>However, given that <strong>States account for 40% of MGNREGA expenditure,</strong> including most upfront costs, they will also have to spend on the scheme.</li>
<li>Demand for work under MGNREGA had surged to a<strong> nine-year high in 2019-20</strong> as 5.47 crore households availed of the scheme, the highest since 2010-11.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On Support to State Governments</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> expansion of the fiscal deficit</strong> has been <strong>welcomed by the states</strong> because <strong>GSDPs (Gross State Domestic Product) are likely to contract</strong> and further shrink the possible borrowing at a time when States are at the frontline of containment and relief operations.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>conditions on additional loans have been criticised</strong> on the grounds that in future, severe conditions may be imposed on even normal loans.</li>
<li>The <strong>utilisation of additional 2%</strong> borrowing by states <strong>can be lower because states</strong> may settle on borrowing less <strong>to avoid undertaking politically difficult reforms.</strong></li>
<li>A likely increase in borrowing cost due to the<strong> emerging gap between total <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/need-to-set-up-state-finance-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Public Sector Borrowing Requirement</a></strong> (PSBR) and <strong>available resources</strong> will also lead to states not opting for the increased borrowing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On Public Sector Enterprise Policy</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was criticised on the grounds that privatising PSUs would <strong>find fewer buyers at a time of global recession,</strong> while any potential buyer would be spending money which could have gone into fresh investment on a financial transfer instead, <strong>effectively contracting demand.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1624661" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a>/<strong><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/with-migrants-headed-home-65-hike-in-mnrega-funds-6414954/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IE</a></strong>/<strong><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/coronavirus-package-centre-throws-open-all-sectors-to-private-players/article31610628.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TH</a></strong></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-v'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Statehood Day of Sikkim',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>On the <strong>Statehood Day of Sikkim</strong> (16<sup>th</sup> May), the Prime Minister greeted the people of the state and praised the traditions and culture of the state highlighting its contributions to the national progress.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sikkim is located in the <strong>northeastern part</strong> of the country, in the <strong>eastern Himalayas</strong> and is <strong>one of the smallest states</strong> in India.</li>
<li>It derives its name from the <strong>Limbu</strong> (a tribe) <strong>words</strong><em> su him</em>, meaning <strong>&lsquo;new house&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Capital: Gangtok.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Borders:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Tibet Autonomous Region of China</strong> to the north and northeast, <strong>Bhutan</strong> to the southeast, Indian state of <strong>West Bengal</strong> to the south and <strong>Nepal</strong> to the west.</li>
<li>Sikkim is of<strong> great political and strategic importance</strong> for India because of its location along several international boundaries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>History:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sikkim became a <strong>protectorate of India in 1950</strong> following the <strong>Indo-Sikkimese Treaty,</strong> with India assuming responsibility for the external relations, defense and strategic communications of Sikkim.</li>
<li>Sikkim became the<strong> 22<sup>nd</sup> state</strong> of India on<strong> 16<sup>th</sup> May 1975,</strong> following a <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/statehood-demand" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>statehood demand</strong></a> from the political leaders.</li>
<li>The <strong>Namgyal dynasty</strong> ruled Sikkim <strong>until 1975.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Geography:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Mount Kanchenjunga,</strong> India&rsquo;s highest peak and the world&rsquo;s third highest mountain <strong>lies in Sikkim.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/khangchendzonga-to-be-included-in-the-world-network-of-biosphere-reserves" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Kanchenjunga National Park</strong> </a>(KNP) (established in<strong> 1977</strong>), near the peak is among the largest of India&rsquo;s high-elevation conservation areas.</li>
<li>KNP was designated a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Heritage Site</strong></a> in <strong>2016</strong> under the<strong> &lsquo;mixed&rsquo; category</strong> (sites containing elements of both natural and cultural significance).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Sikkim is drained by the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/teesta-river" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Teesta river</a> and its tributaries</strong> such as the Rangit, Lhonak, Talung and Lachung.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/trans-boundary-water-conflicts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Teesta river water conflict</strong></a> is one of the most contentious issues between <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-bangladesh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India and Bangladesh.</strong></a></li>
<li>Teesta river is<strong> a tributary of Brahmaputra river.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589798394_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589798394_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=204034" 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/statehood-day-of-sikkim'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Economic Stimulus-IV',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Finance Minister announced the fourth tranche of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a> targeted towards<strong> fast track investments</strong> in the <strong>eight sectors.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The fourth tranche focuses on <strong>eight sectors</strong> namely, coal, minerals, defence production, civil aviation, power distribution, social infrastructure, space and atomic energy.</li>
<li>The announced measures also form a part of the Rs. 20 lakh crore economic stimulus package to deal with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The government has already announced the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-i" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Economic Stimulus-I</strong></a>, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Economic Stimulus-II</strong></a> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-iii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Economic Stimulus-III</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Basis of Policy Reforms for Fast-track Investments</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fast tracking of investment clearance</strong> through the Empowered Group of Secretaries.</li>
<li><strong>Establishment of Project Development Cell</strong> in each Ministry to prepare a list of investable projects and also to coordinate with investors and Central/State Governments.</li>
<li><strong>Ranking of States on investment attractiveness</strong> to compete for new investment.</li>
<li>Incentive schemes for promotion of<strong> new champion sectors</strong> such as solar PhotoVoltaic (PV) manufacturing; advanced cell battery storage etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589794261_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589794261_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="615" height="463" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Coal Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Commercial Mining:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The introduction of commercial mining will <strong>remove the government monopoly</strong> in coal mining. India has the third-largest coal availability within its untapped mines and yet India still imports coal.</li>
<li>Commercial mining will be introduced on the basis of a<strong> revenue-sharing mechanism.</strong> The government will receive a share of the gross revenue from the sale of coal but will not be involved with the cost incurred.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coal Gasification/Liquefaction:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will be <strong>incentivised</strong> through rebate (partial refund) in revenue share to lower the environmental impact. It is also expected to assist India in switching to a gas-based economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure Investment:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The infrastructure development worth of <strong>Rs. 50,000 crores</strong> will be done to achieve the Coal India Limited&rsquo;s (CIL) target of 1 billion tons coal production by 2023-24 plus coal production from private blocks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Extraction :</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These extraction rights to be auctioned from Coal India Limited&rsquo;s (CIL) coal mines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mining Plan Simplification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ease of Doing Business measures, such as Mining Plan simplification, will be considered. It is expected to increase annual production by 40%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mineral Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exploration-cum-Mining-cum-Production Regime:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>500 mining blocks would be offered through an open and transparent auction process under this composite regime.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint Auction of Bauxite and Coal Mineral Blocks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It aims to enhance the aluminium industry&rsquo;s competitiveness by reducing the cost of electricity generation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Captive and Non-captive Mines:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government has decided<strong> to remove the distinction between captive and non-captive mines</strong> to allow the transfer of mining leases and the sale of surplus unused minerals, leading to better efficiency in mining and production.</li>
<li>The captive mines are that produce minerals for use by the same company.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Revision of FDI Limit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The FDI limit in defence manufacturing under automatic route will be <strong>raised from 49% to 74%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Project Management Unit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government is expected to begin time-bound defence procurement and faster decision making by setting up a Project Management Unit (PMU) to support contract management.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reduction in Defence Import Bill:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government will notify a list of weapons/platforms banned for imports and thus such items can only be purchased from India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Civil Aviation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Efficient Airspace Management:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The restrictions on the utilisation of Indian airspace will be eased so that the flying of civilian aircraft becomes more efficient. Such utilisation is expected to bring in <strong>benefits of nearly Rs 1,000 crore per year.</strong></li>
<li>It will also lead to optimal utilization of airspace, reduction in fuel use, time and will have positive environmental impact.</li>
<li>Currently,<strong> only 60% of India&rsquo;s airspace is freely available</strong> and thus airplanes have been flying to most destinations through longer routes hence more fuel is used in the process and the customers end up paying more.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Airports Development through PPP :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In addition to the existing ones,six more airports will be auctioned under the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model for its development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India- a global hub for Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The aircraft component repairs and airframe maintenance is intended to increase from <strong>Rs 800 crore to Rs 2,000 crore in three years.</strong></li>
<li>The convergence between the Defence sector and the civil MROs will be established to bring down the maintenance cost of airlines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Power Distribution Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Tariff Policy Reforms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The tariff policy reforms will be announced in the future. The reforms are expected to focus on the consumer rights, promotion of industry and sustainability of the sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Privatization of Distribution in UTs :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The power departments/utilities in Union Territories will be privatised.</li>
<li>It is expected to improve the operational and financial efficiency in Distribution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social Infrastructure Projects:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Investments through Viability Gap Funding:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government is expected to invest Rs 8,100 crores through Viability Gap Funding (VGF).</li>
<li>Currently, most of the projects are supported by centre/states/statutory bodies <strong>with 20% as VGF.</strong> But the Centre will be<strong> increasing</strong> its share in VGF to<strong> 30% in the future.</strong></li>
<li>The above benefits will be provided if the projects will be proposed by Central Ministries/ State Government/ Statutory entities.</li>
<li>Viability Gap Funding (VGF) signifies a grant, one-time or deferred, provided to support infrastructure projects that are economically justified but fall short of financial viability. The lack of financial viability usually arises from long gestation periods and the inability to increase user charges to commercial levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Space Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Participation of the Private Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government will be providing a level playing field for private companies in satellites, planetary exploration, outer space travel, launches and space-based services.</li>
<li>Such private players will also be allowed to use ISRO&rsquo;s facilities and other relevant assets to improve their capabilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Liberal Geo-spatial Data Policy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There will also be a liberal geo-spatial data policy for providing remote-sensing data to tech-entrepreneurs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Atomic Energy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Research Reactor in PPP Mode:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will help to produce medical isotopes for affordable treatment of cancer and other diseases.</li>
<li>It will also generate facilities to use <strong>irradiation technology for food preservation.</strong> This will complement agricultural reforms and assist farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technology Development cum Incubation Centres :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These centres will be set up to act as a link between India&rsquo;s robust start-up ecosystem to the nuclear sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Criticism</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is considered to be less of a stimulus and <strong>more of industrial reforms,</strong> which could have been announced at any time.</li>
<li>It has been also observed that the only direct budgetary cost in this tranche was the Rs. 8,100 crore to be provided as a raised 30% viability gap funding to boost private investment in social sector infrastructure.</li>
<li>The fourth tranche covered sectors of strategic importance but these policies will be rolled out over a 3-6 month period, and any implication for supporting or reviving the economy as it comes out of lockdown is missing.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-fourth-tranche-economic-package-announcements-6412870/" 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/economic-stimulus-iv'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'National Migrant Information System',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-disaster-management-authority-ndma-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Disaster Management Authority</strong></a> (NDMA) has developed an online dashboard called<strong> &lsquo;National Migrant Information System (NMIS)&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The online portal (NMIS) would <strong>maintain a central repository of migrant workers</strong> and help in<strong> speedy inter-state communication</strong> to facilitate the smooth movement of migrant workers to their native places.</li>
<li>The<strong> key data</strong> pertaining to the persons migrating <strong>has been standardized for uploading</strong> such as name, age, mobile no., originating and destination district, date of travel etc.</li>
<li>States will be able to visualize how many people are going out from where and how many are reaching their destination States.</li>
<li>It has additional advantages like<strong> contact tracing,</strong> which may be useful in overall Covid-19 response work.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The mobile numbers of people can be used for contact tracing and movement monitoring during <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Contact tracing</strong> is the process of identification of persons who may have come into contact with an infected person and subsequent collection of further information about these contacts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Government of India has allowed the movement of migrant workers by buses and <strong>&lsquo;Shramik&rsquo; special trains</strong> to enable them to travel to their native places.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Disaster Management Authority</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the<strong> apex statutory body for disaster management in India.</strong></li>
<li>It was constituted in accordance with the <strong>Disaster Management Act, 2005</strong> with the <strong>Prime Minister as its Chairperson</strong> and nine other members, and one such member to be designated as Vice-Chairperson.</li>
<li><strong>Mandate:</strong> Its primary purpose is to coordinate response to natural or man-made disasters and for capacity-building in disaster resiliency and crisis response.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is also the<strong> apex body to lay down policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management</strong> to ensure timely and effective response to disasters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vision:</strong> To build a safer and disaster resilient India by a holistic, proactive, technology driven and sustainable development strategy that involves all stakeholders and fosters a culture of prevention, preparedness and mitigation.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1624540" 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/national-migrant-information-system'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Afghanistan’s Power Sharing Deal',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Afghanistan&rsquo;s President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah have signed a power-sharing agreement.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Power-sharing deal</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the deal, Mr. Ghani will remain as president while both Mr. Ghani and Mr. Abdullah will choose an equal number of ministers in the cabinet.</li>
<li>The deal calls for Abdullah to lead the country&rsquo;s <strong>National Reconciliation High Council.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Reconciliation Council</strong> has been given the authority to handle and approve all <strong>affairs related to Afghanistan&rsquo;s peace process including the peace talks with the Taliban.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The deal has been signed two months <strong>after the presidential election dispute</strong> that arose in September 2019 between Mr. Ghani and Mr. Abdullah.</li>
<li>The Election Commission<strong> declared Mr. Ghani to be the winner</strong> of the presidential election, <strong>but Mr. Abdullah</strong> and the Elections Complaint Commission<strong> charged widespread voting irregularities</strong> in the election.</li>
<li>Following which, both declared themselves the winner of the presidential election and have been locked in a power struggle since then.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>U.S.- Taliban peace deal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier, a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-taliban-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>peace deal between the U.S. Government and the Taliban</strong> </a>was signed on 29 February, 2020. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The deal calls for<strong> U.S. and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-minimises-its-share-in-nato-budget" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)</a> troops to leave Afghanistan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The U.S.-Taliban peace deal is seen as Afghanistan&rsquo;s<strong> best chance to come at peace in decades of war.</strong></li>
<li>Since then, the U.S. has been trying to get the <strong>Taliban and the Afghan government to begin intra-Afghan negotiations,</strong> but the political turmoil and personal hostility between Mr. Ghani and Mr. Abdullah has impeded talks.</li>
<li>This prompted the U.S. Government to announce that it would cut $1 billion in assistance to Afghanistan if the two weren&rsquo;t able to work out their differences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has welcomed the power-sharing deal between President Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah.</li>
<li>It hope that the <strong>power-sharing deal</strong> will result in renewed efforts for <strong>establishing enduring peace and stability,</strong> and <strong>putting an end to externally-sponsored terrorism </strong>and <strong>violence in Afghanistan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Afghanistan for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Afghanistan's main advantage is its geography.</li>
<li>Anyone who controls Afghanistan controls the land routes between the Indian subcontinent, Iran, and resource-rich Central Asia.</li>
<li>Economically, it is a gateway to the oil and mineral-rich Central Asian republics.</li>
<li>Afghanistan has become the second-largest recipient of Indian foreign aid over the last five years.</li>
<li>India has become more and more popular in Afghanistan, not only because of its soft power, but also by setting up infrastructure, including hospitals, roads and dams, and contributing to the fabric of a democratic nation-state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589794853_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589794853_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/afghan-president-and-rival-sign-power-sharing-deal/article31609012.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/afghanistan-s-power-sharing-deal'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Role of Rajya Sabha',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-need-for-a-second-chamber/article31560028.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The need for a second chamber&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 11/05/2020. It talks about the role and issues pertaining to Rajya Sabha.</p>
</div>
<p>Rajya Sabha&rsquo; or the &lsquo;Council of States&rsquo; is the second chamber of the Indian parliament, which traces its origin to the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919.</p>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/250th-session-of-rajya-sabha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rajya Sabha as the second chamber of the parliament</strong></a> intended to play certain roles as a <strong>permanent house</strong> (it never dissolves like Lok sabha and one-third of its members retire every two years), <strong>revisionary house</strong> (reconsidering bills passed by the Lok Sabha) and offers a <strong>degree of continuity</strong> in the underlying policies of laws passed by parliament.</p>
<p>Along with this, Rajya Sabha also acts as a means to <strong>institutionalise the federal principle</strong> of power-sharing between the Centre and states.</p>
<p>However, the role and relevance of Rajya Sabha have been a matter of debate which can be traced from discussions in constituent assembly to recent times.</p>
<h3>Constituent Assembly Debates Regarding Rajya Sabha</h3>
<p><strong>Against the Rajya Sabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The section in the constituent assembly who was opposed to the idea of Rajya sabha held that an Upper House was not essential and opinionated that such a chamber can prove to be a &ldquo;clog in the wheel of progress&rdquo; of the nation, by delaying the legislative process.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>In favour of Rajya Sabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Proponents of the Rajya Sabha held that an upper chamber would lend a voice to the states in the legislative scheme of things and check the legislation passed in haste.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Role of Rajya Sabha</h3>
<p><strong>Safety Valve of India&rsquo;s Federal Polity</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bicameralism is necessary for a federal constitution to give representation to the units of the federation.</li>
<li>While checks and balances usually operate between the executive, legislature and judiciary, the Council of States acts as a safety valve within the legislature itself, easing federal tensions.</li>
<li>Rajya Sabha thus represents a crucial component of the constitutional checks and balances scheme, in addition to the commonly identified examples of responsible government and judicial review.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Review and Revaluation Role</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian constitution framers wanted to create a house that would act as a<strong> revisionary house</strong> to keep a check on the hasty legislation that could be passed by the lower house under populist pressures.</li>
<li>Also, when the ruling dispensation has a brute majority in the Lok Sabha, Rajya sabha can prevent the government of the day exercising authoritarianism.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>A Deliberative Body</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Parliament is not only a legislative body but also a deliberative one which enables the members to debate major issues of public importance.</li>
<li>Thus, the role of the Upper House is to be a deliberative body besides balancing the &ldquo;fickleness and passion&rdquo; of the Lok Sabha.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Representing the Vulnerable Sections</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Women, religious, ethnic and linguistic minority groups are not adequately represented in the Lok Sabha (due to<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/parliamentary-reforms-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> first past the post-election system</strong></a>).</li>
<li>An indirect form of election (<strong>through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/elections-of-rajya-sabha" target="_blank" rel="noopener">propositional representation</a></strong>) to the Rajya Sabha, therefore, would give them a chance to get involved in the nation&rsquo;s law-making process.</li>
<li>Thus, Rajya Sabha can make a place for people who may not be able to win a popular mandate.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Special Powers of Rajya Sabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Upper House also has some special powers, such as:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Power to transfer a subject from the State List to Union List for a specified period (Article 249).</li>
<li>To create additional All-India Services (Article 312).</li>
<li>To endorse Emergency under Article 352 for a limited period when the Lok Sabha remains dissolved.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related to Rajya Sabha</h3>
<p><strong>No equal Representation of states</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Federal countries like US, Australia, institutionalise the principle of federalism more strongly than India, by providing equal representation to all states in their upper houses.</li>
<li>This is in contrast with the Rajya Sabha, where states are represented proportionally to their relative populations.</li>
<li>For example, the number of seats allocated in Rajya Sabha to Uttar Pradesh alone is significantly higher than that of combined north-eastern states.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Bypassing the Rajya Sabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In some cases, ordinary bills are being passed in the form of a Money Bill, circumventing the Rajya Sabha and giving rise to the question about the very efficacy of the upper house of Parliament.</li>
<li>This can be seen recently in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/misuse-of-money-bills-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>controversy related to Aadhar Act</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Undermining of Federal character of Rajya Sabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>By way of the Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 2003, parliament has removed the word &lsquo;domicile&rsquo; from Section 3 of Representation of People Act, 1951.</li>
<li>This essentially means that a person who does not belong to a state can contest the Rajya Sabha elections from that state of which they are neither a resident nor a domicile.</li>
<li>After the amendment, the seats in the Rajya Sabha have been used by the ruling party to get their defeated candidate in Lok Sabha, elected in Rajya Sabha.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Low Participation of Nominated Members</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>More recently, the sincerity of nominated members has been questioned in multiple instances.</li>
<li>Nominations are made by the government to satisfy the sentiments of the followers of certain personalities.</li>
<li>Once nominated, they rarely participate in the working of the house. Sachin Tendulkar was appointed in 2012 and the House has met 374 days since then, but the attendance of Sachin Tendulkar is a meagre 24 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To preserve the federal character of Rajya Sabha, one step would be to have members of the Rajya Sabha be directly elected by the citizens of a state. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will reduce cronyism and patronage appointments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, a federal arrangement can be devised to enable equal representation for each state, so that large states do not dominate the proceedings in the House.</li>
<li>There is a need for a better procedure of nomination to improve the quality of discussion in the House. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A cue in this regard can be taken from the UK.</li>
<li>The House of Lords Act, 1999 has led to the introduction of the Appointments Commission in 2000 with the primary function of making recommendations for the appointment of non-party-political members to the House of Lords.</li>
<li>This commission can recommend nomination to Rajya Sabha from groups under-represented.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Even though the ups and downs of Indian politics, the Rajya Sabha has remained a vanguard for political and social values, a melting pot of cultural diversity. Also, along with Lok sabha, it is a flag-bearer of the sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic called India.</p>
<p>Thus, Rajya sabha should not be seen as a &lsquo;disruptive&rsquo; wing of the legislation and efforts should be made to enable Rajya Sabha to retain its significant role in Indian democracy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589630927_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589630927_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #edf0ff;">
<p><span style="color: #003300;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Critically analyse the significance of Rajya Sabha as the federal chamber of Indian democracy.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KJt7FjZ-aJ4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on &ldquo;<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/bhupendrasinh-chudasama-gujarat-governement-supreme-court-election-commission-6410304/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>In EC&rsquo;s Court</strong></a>&rdquo; which was published in The Indian Express on May 15th, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/role-of-rajya-sabha'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'ICGS Sachet',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Defence Minister of India has commissioned <strong>Indian Coast Guard Ship</strong> (ICGS)<strong> Sachet</strong> and <strong>two Interceptor Boats</strong> (IBs) <strong>C-450</strong> and <strong>C-451</strong> in Goa via video conference.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ICGS Sachet</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>‘Sachet’ means <strong>alert.</strong></li>
<li>It is the first in the series of five <strong>Offshore Patrol Vessels</strong> (OPVs) and has been designed and built <strong>indigenously</strong> by <strong>Goa Shipyard Limited</strong> (GSL) and is fitted with <strong>state-of-the-art navigation</strong> and <strong>communication equipment.</strong></li>
<li>The 105 metre long ship is designed to carry a twin-engine helicopter, four high speed boats, one inflatable boat for swift boarding and search and rescue operations.</li>
<li>The ship is also <strong>capable of carrying limited pollution response equipment</strong> to undertake oil spill pollution response at sea.</li>
<li>It is for the <strong>first time in Indian maritime history</strong> that a <strong>ship was commissioned through digital medium,</strong> maintaining strict protocol of social distancing in the backdrop of<strong> Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>IBs C-450 and C-451</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These are <strong>indigenously</strong> designed and built by<strong> Larsen & Toubro Shipyard, Hazira</strong> and fitted with the <strong>latest navigation and communication equipment.</strong></li>
<li>The two 30 metre long boats are <strong>designed for</strong> high speed interception, close coast patrol and low intensity maritime operations.</li>
<li>The<strong> quick response capability</strong> of the IBs makes it an ideal platform to respond and thwart any emerging maritime situation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ICG, which is the<strong> fourth largest Coast Guard in the world,</strong> has established itself as a reliable force in <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/indias-coastal-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coastal security</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The ICG along with Indian Shipyards plays a major role in realising India's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/sagar-vision" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAGAR Vision</strong></a> <strong>(Security and Growth for All in the Region)</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Make in India</strong></a> or <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Self-reliant India Mission</strong></a> <strong>(Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan).</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Coast Guard</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established on <strong>18<sup>th</sup> August 1978</strong> by the <strong>Coast Guard Act, 1978</strong> of the Parliament of India as an independent Armed force of India.</li>
<li>It operates under the <strong>Ministry of Defence.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Headquarter:</strong> New Delhi.</li>
<li>It has jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India including<strong> contiguous zone and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exclusive economic zone</a></strong> (EEZ).</li>
<li>It is <strong>responsible</strong> for marine environment protection in maritime zones of India and is coordinating authority for response to oil spills in Indian waters.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=204015" 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/icgs-sachet'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Endemic Disease',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a> predicted that novel coronavirus could become <strong>endemic to the world.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The rapid spread of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> across the world has been characterised as <strong>Pandemic</strong> by the WHO.</li>
<li>Though India has made great efforts in containing the spread of the virus, the probability of its conversion into the category of endemic would be a great vulnerability.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Endemic Disease:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A disease is called <strong>endemic</strong> when the presence or <strong>usual prevalence of its infectious agent is constant</strong> within a <strong>given geographical area or population group.</strong></li>
<li>When the<strong> cases begin to rise,</strong> it is classified as an <strong>epidemic.</strong> If this epidemic has been <strong>recorded in several countries and areas,</strong> it is called a <strong>pandemic.</strong></li>
<li>Some<strong> examples</strong> of endemics include chicken pox and <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-malaria-vaccine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>malaria</strong></a>, where there are a predictable number of cases every year in certain parts of the world.</li>
<li>According to the WHO, the<strong> novel coronavirus may become just another endemic virus in communities,</strong> and may never go away.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>R0 and Spread of the Disease:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The mathematical figure<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/science-of-covid-19-spread" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;R0&rsquo;(pronounced &ldquo;R-naught&rdquo;)</strong></a> indicates <strong>how fast an infection is spreading.</strong></li>
<li>It is called the<strong> basic reproduction number</strong> and indicates the average number of people who will contract the virus from a person who has already been infected, in a population that does not have immunity for the said disease.</li>
<li>If<strong> R0=1,</strong> then the disease is endemic.</li>
<li>When<strong> R0&gt;1,</strong> it implies that the cases are increasing and that the disease will eventually become an epidemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>When a Disease Becomes Epidemic</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Disease becomes <strong>&ldquo;increasingly tolerated&rdquo;</strong> and the responsibility of protecting against it shifts from the government to the individual. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This means, rather than government agencies actively engaging in tracking and identifying cases, the individuals themselves will be responsible for managing risk from the disease and seeking care.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The sociopolitical response to the disease may also change, with investment in the disease becoming institutionalised along with the <strong>disease-inducing behavioural changes in people. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Epidemic diseases typically have higher mortality and morbidity than the diseases which have become endemic,</strong> owing to lack of clinical experience and knowledge. Over time, effective prevention and treatment interventions emerge for the disease that has become endemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Types of Endemic Diseases</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Holoendemic Diseases:</strong> This kind of endemic disease affects mostly children. This infection is highly prevalent in the early years of life. The adult population do not show traces of diseases as much as children do. <strong>Malaria</strong> is a type of holoendemic disease.</li>
<li><strong>Hyperendemic Diseases:</strong> These types of endemic diseases are constantly present at a high rate and are found among all age groups equally. <strong>E.g. African Sleeping Sickness and Chicken Pox.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/coronavirus-endemic-disease-meaning-6411740/" 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/endemic-disease'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'International Day of Families',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The International Day of Families is observed on <strong>15 May</strong> every year.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589617340_Image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589617340_Image2.jpg" style="float: right;" width="200" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 1993, the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations</strong></a> General Assembly passed a resolution that 15 May of every year should be observed as the International Day of Families.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> It provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.</li>
<li><strong>Theme:</strong> The theme for 2020 is<strong> Families in Development: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-consultation-on-the-review-of-beijing-25" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Copenhagen &amp; Beijing+25</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The theme changes every year depending on the developmental endeavours ahead of the organisations working towards the welfare of families.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Steps to promote healthy families:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Healthy familial bonds</strong> are some of the greatest boons that parents and elders in the family can pass on their children and family youngsters.</li>
<li><strong>A nurturing environment</strong> promoted with love and care helps the children grow up into well-balanced, happy adults.</li>
<li><strong>Communication, quality time, appreciation, respect</strong> are some of the essentials towards building a strong and supportive family.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Copenhagen &amp; Beijing+25</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Copenhagen &amp; Beijing+25 signifies the <strong>World Conferences on Women (WCW)</strong> organised by the United Nations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The United Nations has organized four world conferences on women.</li>
<li>These took place in <strong>Mexico City in 1975, Copenhagen in 1980, Nairobi in 1985 and Beijing in 1995. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>WCW, Copenhagen:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under this a<strong> Programme of Action</strong> called for stronger national measures to ensure women&rsquo;s ownership and control of property, as well as improvements in protecting women&rsquo;s rights to inheritance, child custody and nationality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>WCW, Beijing:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It marked a significant turning point for the global agenda for gender equality. The Beijing Declaration was adopted unanimously by the UN at the end of the 4<sup>th</sup> WCW.</li>
<li>2020 marks the<strong> 25<sup>th</sup></strong> anniversary of the<strong> 4<sup>th</sup> World Conference on Women (WCW)</strong> and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). Hence, it is referred to as Beijing + 25.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-families" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-day-of-families'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Fibroin-based Hydrogel for Insulin',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Scientists at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), have developed an <strong>injectable silk fibroin-based hydrogel (or iSFH)</strong> for sustained<strong> insulin</strong> <strong>delivery</strong> in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-diabetes-day-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>diabetic</strong></a> patients.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>JNCASR is an autonomous research institute under the <strong>Department of Science and Technology.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Diabetes:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It results from <strong>inadequate production of insulin</strong> due to loss of <strong>beta cells</strong> (found in pancreas, make insulin)<strong> or insulin resistance</strong> within the body. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Insulin helps glucose from food get into cells to be used for energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The inadequate production of insulin does not convert glucose into energy which leads to an abrupt<strong> increase of blood glucose level.</strong></li>
<li><strong>India</strong> is home to more than 70 million diabetes people, it is the second-highest in the world after China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treatment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The conventional and last resort of treatment involves<strong> repeated subcutaneous insulin injections</strong> to maintain the physiological glucose balance. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Subcutaneous means under the skin.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues in Treatment:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> multiple subcutaneous insulin</strong> injections are associated with pain, local tissue necrosis (death of tissues), infection, nerve damage, and locally concentrated insulin amyloidosis responsible for inability to achieve physiological glucose balance.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Amyloidosis is a phenomenon that occurs when an abnormal protein, called amyloid, builds up in organs and interferes with their normal function.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>One of the Solutions:</strong> Controlled and sustained insulin delivery.</li>
<li><strong>iSFH:</strong> The<strong> injectable Silk Fibroin Hydrogel (iSFH)</strong> can<strong> ease insulin delivery in diabetic patients.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The iSFH has successfully delivered active insulin in rats.</li>
<li>The subcutaneous injection of insulin with-iSFH in diabetic rats formed an<strong> active</strong> <strong>depot</strong> under the skin from which <strong>insulin trickled out slowly</strong> and restored the physiological glucose balance for a prolonged period of 4 days.</li>
<li>The<strong> porous form of iSFH</strong> allowed the <strong>encapsulation</strong> of <strong>recombinant</strong> insulin (identical to human insulin) in its active form in diabetic rats.</li>
<li>It has proved to be an effective insulin delivery tool with excellent <strong>mechanical strength, biocompatibility, encapsulation, storage,</strong> and demonstration of its <strong>sustained delivery of active insulin</strong> in the diabetic animal.</li>
<li>The <strong>active encapsulation and delivery of insulin by iSFH</strong> may also have implications for the future development of formulations for <strong>oral insulin delivery. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Silk Fibroin</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Silk fibroins are the unique <strong>proteins of silkworm fibers.</strong></li>
<li>Researchers have found fibroin as the<strong> promising resources of biotechnology and biomedical materials.</strong></li>
<li>They have unique properties which include<strong> biocompatibility (i.e. compatible with living tissue), favorable oxygen permeability, and biodegradability.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> degradation product also can be readily absorbed by the body</strong> with minimal inflammatory reaction.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Hydrogel</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A hydrogel is a three-dimensional network of<strong> hydrophilic polymers</strong> that can swell in water and hold a large amount of water while maintaining the structure due to chemical or physical cross-linking of individual polymer chains.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1624008" 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/fibroin-based-hydrogel-for-insulin'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'West Bengal Major Irrigation and Flood Management Project',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Government of India, the Government of West Bengal, the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asian-infrastructure-investment-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)</strong></a> and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> have signed a loan agreement for a project titled <strong>‘West Bengal Major Irrigation and Flood Management Project’.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The project<strong> includes the improvement in irrigation and flood management in the Damodar Valley Command Area (DVCA).</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>West Bengal Major Irrigation and Flood Management Project aims to improve irrigation service delivery, strengthen flood risk management and improve climate change resilience in the project area.</li>
<li>It is intended to <strong>benefit about 2.7 million farmers</strong> from five districts of West Bengal.</li>
<li>The project comprises four components: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Irrigation Management :</strong> It will improve the management of the Damodar Valley Command Area (DVCA) irrigation scheme to improve service delivery, performance monitoring and irrigation efficiency evaluation.</li>
<li><strong>Modernization of Irrigation Infrastructure :</strong> It will invest in the modernization of irrigation infrastructure at main, branch, distributary and minor canal levels.</li>
<li><strong>Flood Management :</strong> It will invest in structural measures to reduce flooding in the project area. It will also include the implementation of the recommendations of the Dam Safety.</li>
<li><strong>Project Management :</strong> It will strengthen the implementation agency’s capacity for project management, including financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and environmental and social safeguards management and communication. It will also support a communication campaign to inform stakeholders on the importance of water use efficiency.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>total value</strong> of the project is<strong> $413.8 million,</strong> co-financed between the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) ($145 million), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank ($145 million) and the Government of West Bengal ($123.8 million).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is a part of the World Bank Group</strong> that provides financial products and policy advice to help countries reduce poverty and extend the benefits of sustainable growth to all of their people.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Background</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Damodar Valley Command Area is in the <strong>need of modernization.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>command area</strong> is the area around the dam/ project, where the area gets benefits from the dam, such as irrigation water, electricity, etc. It is an area which can be irrigated from a project and is fit for cultivation.</li>
<li>In other words, it is the area around a dam which is under its command as an irrigation source.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It faces <strong>key challenges</strong> including degradation of infrastructure, inadequate irrigation management, poor quality of service delivery and inefficient irrigation.</li>
<li>Due to above reasons, the<strong> farmers in the area are forced to extract groundwater,</strong> which increases the costs of cultivation.</li>
<li>Moreover, the Lower Damodar basin area is historically flood-prone. As this area lacks the infrastructure to protect against recurrent flooding, on average, <strong>33,500 hectares of the cropped area and 461,000 people are affected annually due to recurrent flooding</strong> in the area.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Damodar River<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589615216_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589615216_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Damodar river rises in the <strong>Palamu hills of the Chota Nagpur plateau</strong> in the state of Jharkhand.</li>
<li>It passes through two Indian states namely, <strong>Jharkhand and West Bengal.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Damodar occupies the eastern margins of the Chotanagpur Plateau where it flows <strong>through a rift valley</strong> and finally joins the Hugli.</li>
<li>The <strong>Barakar river</strong> is its<strong> main tributary.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Due to the devastating floods caused by the Damodar river and its tributaries in the plains of West Bengal, it is also known as the <strong>‘sorrow of Bengal’.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Damodar Valley Corporation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Damodar Valley Corporation was established in <strong>1948</strong> as the<strong> first multipurpose river valley project of independent India.</strong></li>
<li>Under this project, <strong>four dams</strong> were constructed namely,<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Tilaiya Dam:</strong> It has been constructed across the <strong>Barakar river</strong> at Tilaiya in Koderma district <strong>of Jharkhand.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Konar Dam:</strong> The Konar dam has been constructed across the Konar river—a tributary of the Damodar River in the Hazaribagh District of <strong>Jharkhand.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Maithon Dam</strong> :It has been constructed across the Barakar river near the confluence of Barakar with Damodar river.</li>
<li><strong>Panchet Dam:</strong> The Panchet dam has been constructed across the Damodar river, about 20 km south of the Maithon Dam.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1624120" 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/west-bengal-major-irrigation-and-flood-management-project'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Role of MSMEs in Indian Economy',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on &ldquo;<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/liquidity-lifeline-the-hindu-editorial-on-nirmala-sitharamans-msme-package/article31577242.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Liquidity lifeline: On Nirmala&rsquo;s MSME package</strong></a>&rdquo; which was published in The Hindu on 14/05/2020. It talks about the challenges of and steps to be taken to revive the MSMEs sector.</p>
</div>
<p>In order to revive the Indian economy amid <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, the government has announced an economic package under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a>. The main thrust of the announcements has been the massive ₹3-lakh crore collateral-free assistance or sovereign credit guarantee to the <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).</a></strong></p>
<p>Like other sectors of the Indian economy, MSMEs have been hit badly due to lockdown imposed by the government to tackle Covid-19 pandemic. However, even before the current crisis, MSMEs growth has been marred by several challenges.</p>
<p>In such a situation, providing merely a stimulus package may not be effective, until adequate reforms are carried out to solve its pressing problems and to utilize its potential.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Reason for Giving Credit Guarantees</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A credit guarantee by the government helps as it assures the bank that its loan will be repaid by the government in case the MSME falters.</li>
<li>Efforts to pump liquidity via the bank have not been successful in the past, because banks simply do not want to lend any new money.</li>
<li>Banks, quite justifiably, suspect that any new loans will only add to their growing mountain of non-performing assets.</li>
<li>So the issue was banks had the money but were not willing to lend to the credit-starved sections of the economy.</li>
<li>Thus, as part of the solution, credit guarantees are chosen by the government.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Significance of MSMEs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The significance of the MSMEs sector can be noted from the fact that it is the second-largest employment provider, after agriculture in India.</li>
<li>In India, at present, there are nearly 56 million such enterprises in various industries, employing close to 124 million people. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Of these, nearly 14% are women-led enterprises, and close to 60% are based in rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In all, the MSME sector accounts for 8% of India&rsquo;s GDP and 45% of merchandise exports.</li>
<li>Due to this, the MSME sector is called the growth engine of the nation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Pertaining to MSMEs</h3>
<p><strong>Lack of Adequate and Timely Access to Finance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Access to finance continues to remain the biggest challenge for MSMEs and has constrained their growth.</li>
<li>MSME funding from banks has been stalled, as decision-making managers are reluctant of loans going bad.</li>
<li>After the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/shadow-banking-and-the-crisis-in-the-indian-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> IL&amp;FS crisis</strong></a> and its effect on the other NBFCs (Non-Banking Finance Companies), MSMEs ran into deep trouble because of the liquidity crunch that followed.</li>
<li>Due to this, MSMEs are not able to invest in manufacturing, purchase raw materials on time, access new technologies or acquire new skills due to lack of funds which is a big handicap especially in its fight with global competitors.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Technological Disruption</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&lsquo;s MSME sector is based on obsolete technology, which hampers its production efficiency</li>
<li>With the emergence of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Robotics and related technologies (collectively called as <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industry Revolution 4.0</strong></a>) is a bigger challenge for MSMEs than for organized large-scale manufacturing.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Regulatory Cholesterol</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>MSMEs require a lot of government services and approvals, for which the entrepreneur has to run around various government departments.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Getting construction permits, enforcing contracts, paying taxes, starting a business and trading across borders continue to constrain doing business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Regulatory risks and policy uncertainty in the past have dented investor confidence.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Problem of Scale</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Majority of the firms in MSMEs are micro-enterprises.</li>
<li>The MSME space is virtually a micro space formed by a plethora of small and local shops and hence, scaling them up is a problem, especially when fund access is challenging.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Increasing Domestic Manufacturing Capabilities:</strong> The government can play a crucial role in creating domestic manufacturing capabilities by leveraging proposed public procurement and projects. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, Mega public projects such as Sagarmala, Bharatmala, industrial corridors, and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) can stimulate domestic manufacturing activities.</li>
<li>This should be accompanied by a simplification of the regulatory process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cluster Manufacturing:</strong> Efforts should be made to develop self-sufficient clusters of manufacturing competence, with Cluster Administrative Authorities, empowered to provide single window clearances to entrepreneurs and investors.</li>
<li><strong>Leveraging Industrial Revolution 4.0:</strong> Disruptive technology, while leading to job losses in traditional areas, also presents new job opportunities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A greater connect between government-industry-academia is required to identify the changing requirements in manufacturing and prepare an employable workforce.</li>
<li>Also, the Industrial Revolution 4.0 will boost the Industrial supply chains in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need to improve Ease of Doing business:</strong> Reforms: India has already taken several steps, due to which ease of doing business in India has improved significantly (India&rsquo;s ranking in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ease of doing business report</strong> </a>has improved from 142 in 2014 to 63 in 2020).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, still some reforms are needed in regard, especially in the field of land, labour reforms and in enforcing contracts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Making Indian Products to Match Global Standards:</strong> There is a need for harmonizing Indian quality standards with global standards in many sectors. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lack of harmonization has affected Indian exports and prevented the leveraging of trade agreements adequately.</li>
<li>There is a need to promote <strong>ZED manufacturing (Zero effect- Zero Defect)</strong> as envisaged by<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/five-years-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Make in India</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Collateral-free assistance or sovereign credit guarantees to the Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will ease the financial crunch. However, the government should devise this scheme in such a way that the issue of <strong>moral hazard can be averted.</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Issue of Moral Hazard</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Collateral-free assistance and credit guarantees leave no incentive for the borrower to pay back, as he has nothing to lose.</li>
<li>Also, as the banker is assured of payback from the government so why should he bother to check if the borrower is deserving or not.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589544310_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589544310_pasted image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e6fae9;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the role of MSMEs sector in India&rsquo;s growth and how far sovereign credit guarantee will help in reviving it.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v_-kravtGAs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/liquidity-lifeline-the-hindu-editorial-on-nirmala-sitharamans-msme-package/article31577242.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Liquidity lifeline: On Nirmala&rsquo;s MSME package&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published The Hindu on May 14<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/role-of-msmes-in-indian-economy'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'SAMARTH ERP',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD)</strong> has developed an<strong> e-governance platform &lsquo;SAMARTH Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)&rsquo;</strong> under the <strong>National Mission of Education in Information and Communication Technology Scheme (NMEICT)</strong>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SAMARTH ERP is an<strong> open source, open standard enabled robust, secure, scalable, and evolutionary process automation engine</strong> for Universities and Higher Educational Institutions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)</strong> refers to a type of software used to manage day-to-day business <strong>activities such as accounting, procurement, project management, risk management and compliance, and supply chain operations.</strong></li>
<li>ERP in a University can improve management and administration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The platform has been implemented at the<strong> National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra,</strong> a participating unit under the World Bank-supported <strong>Technical Education Quality Improvement Program (TEQIP).</strong></li>
<li>It would <strong>automate the processes of the enhancement of productivity through better information management</strong> in the institute by seamless access to information and proper utilization of information.</li>
<li>It caters to faculty, students and staff at a University/Higher Educational Institutions.</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Mission, <strong>launched in 2009,</strong> is a landmark initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), with the objective of seamlessly providing quality educational content to all the eligible and willing learners in India.</li>
<li>It has been envisaged to leverage the potential of ICT, in the teaching and learning process for the benefit of all the learners in Higher Education Institutions.</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives under the Program</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>SWAYAM:</strong> The Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds' (SWAYAM) is an integrated platform for offering online courses, covering school (9<sup>th</sup> to 12<sup>th</sup>) to Postgraduate Level. The online courses are being used not only by the students but also by the teachers and non-student learners, in the form of lifelong learning.</li>
<li><strong>SWAYAM Prabha:</strong> It is an initiative to provide 32 High Quality Educational Channels through DTH (Direct to Home) across the length and breadth of the country on a 24X7 basis.</li>
<li><strong>National Digital Library of India (NDL):</strong> It is a project to develop a framework of virtual repository of learning resources with a single-window search facility. Presently, there are more than 3 crore digital resources available through the NDL.</li>
<li><strong>Spoken Tutorial:</strong> They are 10-minute long, audio-video tutorials, on open source software, to improve employment potential of students. It is created for self learning, audio dubbed into 22 languages and with the availability of an online version.</li>
<li><strong>Free and Open Source Software for Education (FOSSEE):</strong> It is a project promoting the use of open source software in educational institutions. It does that through instructional material, such as spoken tutorials, documentation, such as textbook companions, awareness programmes, such as conferences, training workshops, and internships.</li>
<li><strong>Virtual Lab:</strong> This is a project to develop a fully interactive simulation environment to perform experiments, collect data, and answer questions to assess the understanding of the knowledge acquired.</li>
<li><strong>E-Yantra:</strong> It is a project for enabling effective education across engineering colleges in India on embedded systems and robotics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was started in 2002 by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development with the assistance of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> and is being implemented in a phased manner .</li>
<li>It aims to upscale the quality of technical education and enhance capacities of institutions.</li>
<li><strong>The Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme III (TEQIP-III)</strong> was started in 2017 and will be completed by 2021.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to develop technical education as a key component for improving the quality of Engineering Education.</li>
<li>The Objective is to improve quality and equity in engineering institutions in focus states such as in low income states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1623839" 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/samarth-erp'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture- Primary Education: Challenges and Opportunities',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qMbfJYMRJLA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>In the second week of March, state governments across the country began shutting down schools and colleges temporarily as a measure to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. It&rsquo;s close to two months and there is no certainty when they will reopen. This is a crucial time for the education sector.</p>
<p>As the days pass by with no immediate solution to stop the outbreak of Covid-19, school closures are facing both short-term as well as far-reaching consequences. The structure of schooling and learning, including teaching and assessment methodologies, has been affected by these closures.</p>
<h3>Impact of the Pandemic on Primary Education</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Connectivity and Resources issues:</strong> Many students from villages and from economically backward backgrounds are facing a serious issue in keeping up with online education. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Only a handful of private schools could adopt online teaching methods. Their low-income private and government school counterparts, on the other hand, have completely shut down for not having access to e-learning solutions.</li>
<li>The students, in addition to the missed opportunities for learning, no longer have access to healthy meals during this time and are subject to economic and social stress.</li>
<li>The pandemic has significantly disrupted the higher education sector as well, which is a critical determinant of a country&rsquo;s economic future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unpreparedness towards digitized environment:</strong> Many teachers and parents are facing challenges in coping with the new mode of teaching and learning.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite so much push for a digital India, sustained push for digitisation of education and training of teachers to deal with it has been lacking.</li>
<li>Technological investment in the education sector has been abysmally low.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Parental support issues:</strong> Many kids face a hostile environment at home where the family members are engaged in quarreling and altercations with each other.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This kind of surroundings adversely affects the mental health of children and also brings down their learning outcomes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Opportunities and Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Guided learning through technology:</strong> This lockdown and a shift towards tech platforms can ensure a shift towards guided, cooperative learning as opposed to the rote learning of classrooms.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Game-based or puzzle-based learning would help in stimulating interest.</li>
<li>It needs to be supplemented by integral familial involvement at home with board games or an informal discussion.</li>
<li>Teachers can guide the parents about various creative assignments through smartphones or even simple mobile phones.</li>
<li>Increased communication between the teachers and parents is much needed in this hour.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Interactive learning through tech-based platforms:</strong> Many tech-based platforms like go prep etc are working towards making education interactive and engaging.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These platforms through animated videos and tech-based AI programs enhance the core value of learning and critical thinking.</li>
<li>The objective is to make learning enjoyable and develop in them the desire to continue learning:</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives by NCERT:</strong> The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has developed an alternative academic calendar for school students to engage them meaningfully as they stay at home during the lockdown.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The calendar provides guidelines to teachers on the use of various technological tools and social media tools available for imparting education in fun-filled, interesting ways, which can be used by the learner to learn even while at home.</li>
<li>It also takes into account the lack of internet connectivity and thus the calendar advises teachers to further guide parents and students through SMS on mobile phones or mobile calls.</li>
<li>Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) in collaboration with the NCERT has launched<strong> e-Pathshala online portal</strong> and mobile app through which students can decode NCERT chapters.</li>
<li>The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan has deployed its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/online-classes-due-to-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SWAYAM Prabha portal</strong></a> which has lectures on DTH (direct-to-home) and online, to help students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>e-Pathshala</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>e-Pathshala was launched in 2015 with an aim to promote self-learning among the school students.</li>
<li>The portal hosts various school teachers, researchers, experts, parents, and most importantly students who can access the facility of resolving their queries.</li>
<li>Students who have registered to the e-Pathshala online portal or mobile app can access educational material, including textbooks, audio, video, periodicals, and a variety of other print and non-print materials.</li>
<li>There are no charges to access the e-learning source.</li>
<li>It can be accessed through the desktop, laptop, or mobile.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>SWAYAM Prabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an initiative of the Ministry of Human Resources Development to provide 32 High-Quality Educational Channels through DTH across the length and breadth of the country on a 24X7 basis.</li>
<li>It has curriculum-based course content covering diverse disciplines.</li>
<li>This is primarily aimed at making quality learning resources accessible to remote areas where internet availability is still a challenge.</li>
<li>The DTH channels are using the GSAT-15 satellite for programme telecasts.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Adapt technology-based learning:</strong> Even after the lockdown is over, there&rsquo;s a need to continue the spirit of interactive online learning with individualized tests and activities as it would improve the learning outcome and will help India truly realise its dream of Digital India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this does not mean that there should be a complete replacement of teacher based pedagogy. In fact, teachers are essential to develop clarity of concepts.</li>
<li>Therefore there&rsquo;s a need to train teachers in such a holistic environment that they can assist the students in their problems beyond the traditional limits of a classroom</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Odd-Even formula for schools:</strong> In the face of the pandemic that is showing no signs of receding the schools can adopt an odd-Even formula for students to attend school on alternative days.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such a condition would lead to both synchronous and asynchronous learning time for children.</li>
<li>In the synchronous time, that is on the school days, children will learn concepts and skills with the teachers.</li>
<li>While in the asynchronous time the children will revise their learning from the previous day and perform an activity or assignment based on that topic in collaboration with parents.</li>
<li>Teachers can further assist the parents in this by contacting them through phones.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increase accessibility:</strong> The pandemic has taught us a lot about adjusting to changes in new and creative ways. But taking the weaker sections along is equally necessary.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There&rsquo;s a need to explore the possibility of high and low technology solutions to digital learning, on the basis of power supply, digital skills of teachers and students, and internet connectivity.</li>
<li>Inclusion in distance learning programs, especially for students coming from low-income groups or the presence of disability, etc.</li>
<li>Provide support for digitalization to teachers as well as students by making such platforms and content available for free, and by</li>
<li>Assure the required infrastructure for online learning such as smartphones, and laptops.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Post COVID-19 there will be a greater responsibility for teachers, parents and administrators to join hands in order to help children out of the mental impact the disease and the present environment has had upon them, and also to ensure that the social distancing and hand washing and other hygiene activities continue to be practiced for much longer times.</p>',
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	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'ELISA Antibody Kits',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has <strong>approved the first batch of antibody testing</strong> kits called <strong>&ldquo;Covid KAVACH ELISA&rdquo;</strong> manufactured by Zydus-Cadila to be used in <strong>sero-survey.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Covid KAVACH ELISA has been developed at the <strong>National Institute of Virology, Pune,</strong> by <strong>isolating the virus from patients in India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)</strong> is a test that detects and measures antibodies in blood.</li>
<li>The test can be used to determine<strong> antibodies related to certain infectious conditions.</strong></li>
<li>It can be used to diagnose <strong>HIV, which causes AIDS, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetically-modified-aedes-aegypti" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zika virus</a></strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ELISA kits will be used in the <strong>new nationwide &ldquo;sero-survey&rdquo; of the Ministry of Health.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sero-survey is <strong>meant to detect the prevalence of antibodies</strong> that appear after a patient has recovered.</li>
<li>The ICMR will lead the testing of 24,000 individuals in 69 districts at household level as part of this sero-survey.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the ICMR,<strong> real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is still the frontline test for clinical diagnosis of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a></strong>, but the <strong>antibody tests are critical for surveillance</strong> to understand the proportion of population exposed to infection.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The antibody test for<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19</strong> </a>acts as a <strong>screening process</strong> that gives quick results in a few hours.</li>
<li>The antibody test detects the body&rsquo;s response to the virus. It gives an indication that a person has been exposed to the virus.</li>
<li>If the test is positive, the swab is collected and an Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) test is done using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) kit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>ELISA antibody tests are <strong>different from the rapid antibody tests</strong> previously used by Indian authorities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ELISA kits are <strong>more reliable and cheaper</strong> than rapid antibody testing kits.</li>
<li>The ELISA kit has a <strong>sensitivity</strong> of 98.7% and a <strong>specificity</strong> of 100%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sensitivity signifies accurate positive test results, whereas specificity signifies accurate negative test results.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a> the kits are suitable for<strong> &ldquo;for testing large numbers of samples per day, as well as in blood banks or for surveillance studies&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>ELISA has <strong>minimal biosafety and biosecurity requirements</strong> as compared to the real-time<strong> RT-PCR</strong> test.</li>
<li>Moreover, <strong>ELISA-based testing is easily possible even at the district level</strong> as the test kit has <strong>inactivated virus.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Antibody</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Antibody, also called immunoglobulin</strong> is a <strong>protective protein</strong> produced by the immune system in response to the presence of a foreign substance, called an <strong>antigen.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A wide range of substances are regarded by the body as antigens, including disease-causing organisms and toxic materials.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Antibodies <strong>recognize and attack onto antigens</strong> in order to remove them from the body.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>PCR Test</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Kary Mullis, the American biochemist invented the <strong>PCR technique.</strong> He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1993.</li>
<li>Under this, <strong>copies of a segment of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) are created</strong> using an <strong>enzyme called Polymerase.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> &lsquo;chain reaction&rsquo;</strong> signifies how the DNA fragments are copied, exponentially &mdash; one is copied into two, the two are copied into four, and so on.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A <strong>fluorescent DNA</strong> binding dye called the <strong>&ldquo;probe&rdquo; is</strong> added to DNA, which shows the presence of the virus on a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/portable-device-to-detect-adulteration-in-milk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fluorometer</strong></a>.</li>
<li>However, coronavirus is made of RNA (ribonucleic acid).</li>
<li>Therefore to detect coronavirus, RNA is converted into DNA using a technique called <strong>reverse transcription.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A<strong> &lsquo;reverse transcriptase&rsquo; enzyme</strong> converts the RNA into DNA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Copies of the DNA are then made and amplified.</li>
<li>Generally, the entire process of PCR test takes 24 hours to deliver the result.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the <strong>apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.</strong></li>
<li>Its mandate is to <strong>conduct, coordinate and implement medical research</strong> for the benefit of the Society; translating medical innovations into products/processes and introducing them into the public health system.</li>
<li>It is funded by the Government of India through the <strong>Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/icmr-clears-1st-batch-of-key-elisa-antibody-testing-kits-made-in-india-6410431/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/elisa-antibody-kits'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Diamer-Bhasha Dam',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Pakistan</strong> signed a contract with a joint venture of a <strong>China Power</strong> (Chinese state-run firm) and the <strong>Frontier Works Organisation</strong> (FWO-a commercial arm of Pakistan&rsquo;s military) for the construction of the <strong>Diamer-Bhasha dam.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The contract covers construction of a diversion system, main dam, access bridge and the 21MW Tangir hydropower project.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589539217_Diamer-Bhasha%20Dam.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589539217_Diamer-Bhasha Dam.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is located on the<strong> Indus River</strong> in <strong>northern Pakistan</strong> between <strong>Kohistan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa</strong> and <strong>Diamer district in Gilgit Baltistan.</strong></li>
<li>The dam will have a<strong> gross storage capacity of 8.1 Million Acre Feet</strong> (MAF) and <strong>power generation capacity of 4500 MW.</strong></li>
<li>With the <strong>height of 272 meters,</strong> it will be the<strong> tallest Roller Compact Concrete</strong> (RCC) dam in the world.</li>
<li>The dam project with a total financial outlay of about 1,406.5 billion Pakistani rupees would be <strong>completed in 2028.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Purpose:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Fulfil the increasing water and electricity requirements of the country.</li>
<li>Serve as the main storage dam of the country, besides Mangla and Tarbela dams.</li>
<li>Help alleviate acute irrigation shortage in the Indus basin irrigation system.</li>
<li>Reduce intensity, quantum and duration of floods and reduce magnitude and frequency of floods in the River Indus downstream.</li>
<li>Accelerate development and create job opportunities, besides improving availability of water and clean energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The project was approved in 2010, but it suffered delays because international lending agencies backtracked due to the<strong> opposition from India</strong> as a major part of the dam is located in Gilgit-Baltistan (one of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/disputed-territories-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>disputed territories</strong> </a>of India) and it will cause unrest in the region.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has <strong>opposed the move</strong> on the grounds that <strong>Gilgit-Baltistan region is part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir</strong> that was<strong> illegally occupied by Pakistan.</strong></li>
<li>India has <strong>consistently conveyed her protest and shared concerns with both China and Pakistan</strong> on all such projects in the Indian territories under Pakistan&rsquo;s illegal occupation.</li>
<li>In the past too, India has opposed projects jointly taken up by Pakistan and China in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) as part of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-belt-one-road-and-china-pakistan-economic-corridor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China-Pakistan Economic Corridor</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-awards-442bn-diamer-bhasha-dam-contract-to-joint-venture-between-power-china-and-fwo/article31583253.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/diamer-bhasha-dam'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Release of Gharials',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently Government of Uttar Pradesh has released <strong>Gharials</strong> (<strong><em>Gavialis gangeticus</em></strong>) in the <strong>Ghaghara river for</strong> the conservation and protection in natural habitat.</p>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589534449_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589534449_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Natural Habitat: Fresh waters</strong> of the northern part of India.</li>
<li>Gharials, sometimes called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts which <strong>resembles a pot (<em>ghara</em> in Hindi).</strong></li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> Population of Gharials are a<strong> good indicator of clean river water.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Gharials</strong> are a type of Crocodilians that also includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, etc. India has<strong> three species of Crocodilians namely:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Gharial</strong> (Gavialis gangeticus): <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)</a>- Critically Endangered.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ghodahada-reservoir" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mugger crocodile</a></strong> (Crocodylus palustris): IUCN- Vulnerable</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-26th-november-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Saltwater crocodile</strong></a> (Crocodylus porosus): IUCN- Least Concern</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In comparison to Crocodiles, Gharials are very shy and unharmful species.</li>
<li><strong>Primary Habitat: Chambal river</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The chambal originates at the <strong>Singar Chouri peak</strong> in the northern slopes of the Vindhya mountains (Indore, Madhya Pradesh).</li>
<li>It joins the Yamuna River in <strong>Etawah District of UP.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Tributaries:</strong> Banas, Kali Sindh, Parbati.</li>
<li>The <strong>National Chambal Sanctuary</strong> is located along river Chambal on the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It is known for critically endangered gharials, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/red-crowned-roofed-turtle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>red-crowned roof turtle</strong></a>, and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gangetic-dolphins-found-in-mahananda-river" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>endangered Ganges river dolphin</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Secondary Habitat:</strong> Ghaghra and Gandak river, Girwa river (Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh), the Ramganga river in Jim Corbett National Park and the Sone river.</li>
<li><strong>Status:&nbsp;</strong>Gharials are <strong>critically endangered</strong> in the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Species.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Listed under <strong>Schedule I</strong> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Listed on <strong>Appendix I</strong> of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Efforts:</strong> Breeding Centres of <strong>Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre</strong> in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh,<strong> National Chambal Sanctuary</strong> (Gharial Eco Park, Madhya Pradesh).</li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gharials <strong>prefer sandbanks</strong> as suitable habitats. Wild animals as well as humans often destroy their eggs.</li>
<li>Increased <strong>river pollution, dam construction, massive-scale fishing operations and floods.</strong></li>
<li>Illegal sand mining and poaching.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ghaghara River</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It acts as an important aquatic corridor for gharials in Uttar Pradesh.</li>
<li>Its source is near <strong>Gurla Mandhata peak, south of Mansarovar</strong> in Tibet.</li>
<li>It is known as the<strong> Karnaili</strong> in Western Nepal.</li>
<li>It's important tributaries are the<strong> Sarda, the Sarju (Ayodhya is located on its bank) and the Rapti.</strong></li>
<li>The Ghaghara joins the Ganga a few kilometres downstream of<strong> Chhapra in Bihar.</strong></li>
<li>After reaching the plain area, its stream gets divided into many branches of which, Koriyab and Garwa are important.</li>
<li>The river bed is sandy and sudden bends start occurring in the stream.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/40-gharials-released-in-ghaghara-river-amid-lockdown-71119" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/release-of-gharials'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Z-scan Method for Parkinson’s Disease',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, scientists from IIT (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad and<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> CSIR</strong></a>-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (Kolkata) have developed the <strong>Z-scan method</strong> to monitor the <strong>origin as well as the progression of Parkinson's disease</strong> in human beings.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Parkinson&rsquo;s Disease</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Parkinson&rsquo;s disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that<strong> affects the central nervous system.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>damages nerve cells</strong> in the brain <strong>dropping</strong> the levels of <strong>dopamine.</strong> Dopamine is a chemical that sends behavioural signals from the brain to the body.</li>
<li>The disease causes a variety of "motor" symptoms (symptoms related to movement of the muscles), including rigidity, delayed movement, poor balance, and tremors.</li>
<li>Medication can help control the symptoms of the disease but<strong> it can't be cured.</strong></li>
<li>It affects the age group from <strong>6 to 60 years. Worldwide,</strong> about <strong>10 million people</strong> have been affected by this disease.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aggregation of ASyn:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An aggregation of a protein called<strong> Alpha-synuclein (ASyn)</strong> plays a crucial role in the development of Parkinson&rsquo;s disease.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Protein aggregation is a biological phenomenon in which destabilized proteins aggregate (i.e., accumulate and clump together) leading to many diseases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Alpha-synuclein is a protein found in the human brain, while smaller amounts are found in the heart, muscle and other tissues. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the brain, alpha-synuclein is found mainly at the tips of neurons in specialized structures called presynaptic terminals.</li>
<li>Presynaptic terminals release chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters.</li>
<li>The release of neurotransmitters relays signals between neurons and is critical for normal brain function.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of Z-scan Method:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The discovered Z-scan method is expected to help in <strong>monitoring both the early as well as late stages of the aggregation of ASyn and death of neuronal cells.</strong></li>
<li>Until now, worldwide studies could not establish any strong relation between ASyn aggregations and subsequent death of neuronal cells observed in Parkinson&rsquo;s disease.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB) was established in <strong>1935 as the first non official centre in India</strong> for <strong>biomedical research</strong> and was included within the aegis of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 1956.</li>
<li>It is located in <strong>Kolkata (West Bengal).</strong></li>
<li>CSIR-IICB is engaged in research on diseases of national importance and biological problems of global interest and also helps to maintain momentum in life science research.</li>
<li>It conducts research in a variety of areas including chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, neurobiology and immunology which promotes productive interdisciplinary interaction.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1623817" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'category_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__title' => 'string',
		'articles.title' => 'string',
		'title' => 'string',
		'articles__description' => 'text',
		'articles.description' => 'text',
		'description' => 'text',
		'articles__shortdescription' => 'string',
		'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'
	],
	'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) 77
$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 274
$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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