Search

Search list matched with tags “class”

Measures for Farmers’ Welfare

Why in News The Government has taken up measures to protect farmers facing obstacles during the lockdown due to Covid-19. Measures for Fruit and...

10 Apr 2020 News Analysis
No Orders of Hydroxychloroquine to BCPL

Why in News It has been alleged that the central government is not giving orders to the Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (BCPL) to...

10 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Industrial Output Grows in February

Why in News According to recent data released by the National Statistical Office, the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) accelerated at 4.5% in...

10 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Domestic Violence During Lockdown

This article is based on “Addressing domestic violence: A forgotten agenda while locking India down” which was published in Observer...

09 Apr 2020 News Editorials
Armyworm Attack

Why in News The Directorate of Agriculture has reported an armyworm attack on the standing crops in the northeastern Dhemaji district of...

09 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Gender Disparity and Covid-19

Why in News Recently, GlobalHealth50/50 suggested that the gender-split of Covid-19 cases in all countries is roughly 50-50, barring two exceptions:...

09 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Syrian Air Force Behind Chemical Attacks

Why in News Recently, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has said that the Syrian air force carried out three chemical...

09 Apr 2020 News Analysis
70 Years of Indian Council for Cultural Relations

Why in News Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) observed its 70th foundation day on 9th April 2020. However, owing to the Covid-19...

09 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Madhuban Gajar: Biofortified Variety

Why in News Madhuban Gajar, a biofortified carrot variety, is benefitting more than 150 local farmers in Junagadh, Gujarat. It is being planted...

09 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Safety of Women During Lockdown

Why in News Recently, the Union Minister of Women and Child Development had a video-conference with personnel associated with the Ministry. The...

09 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Phased Easing of Lockdown

Why in News An expert committee headed by former Chief Secretary K.M. Abraham has recommended a phased relaxation of the lockdown to contain...

09 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Wildlife Panel Holds Virtual Conference

Why in News Recently, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) had its first ever video-conferencing meet. In the meet the...

09 Apr 2020 News Analysis
India’s Pharma Sector

This article is based on Coronavirus pandemic: Hydroxychloroquine and the balance of trade, “A drug in need”. It talks about relaxing...

08 Apr 2020 News Editorials
Ionospheric Based Monitoring of Large Earthquakes

Why in News Recently, scientists of Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) have come up with a study of the signatures of recent large earthquakes...

08 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Violence Against Women on Rise

Why in News Recently, UN-Women, women’s rights activists, government authorities, and civil society partners across the globe have said that...

08 Apr 2020 News Analysis
India Moved to WTO on US Tariffs

Why in News Under the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO’s) safeguard agreement, India has sought consultations with the US. The...

08 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Healthcare Institutions Face Cyber Threats

Why in News The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has warned member countries that cybercriminals are attempting to target major...

08 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Sequencing Novel Coronavirus

Why in News India has shared nine whole genome sequences of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza...

08 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Expert Panel Against Full Repeal of lockdown

Why in News An expert committee’s report to the government has suggested that 14th April, 2020 is not the right time to fully withdraw the...

08 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Pandemic And Infodemic

This article is based on “Facts fight fear”, “Amid coronavirus outbreak, how information can be an epidemic too”,...

07 Apr 2020 News Editorials

Warning (2): count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable [ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp, line 100]

Code Context


<?php if(count($updates)>0){?>
  <div class="updates">

$viewFile = '/var/www/drishtiias.com/public_html/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp'
$dataForView = [
	'progress' => [],
	'bookmarks' => [],
	'notes' => [],
	'mynote' => [],
	'topdata' => [
		(int) 0 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {},
		(int) 1 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {},
		(int) 2 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {},
		(int) 3 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {}
	],
	'searchdata' => [],
	'searchlist' => [
		(int) 0 => [
			'title' => 'Measures for Farmers’ Welfare',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Government has taken up measures to protect farmers facing obstacles during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a> due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</p>
<h3>Measures for Fruit and Vegetable Farmers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Fruit and Vegetable Farmers have been <strong>among the hardest hit by the lockdown.</strong> They are facing major losses due to <strong>obstacles in harvesting and marketing their perishable produce.</strong></li>
<li>The Central Government has directed all the States and Union Territories to implement the <strong>Market Intervention Scheme</strong> to ensure remunerative prices to farmers for perishable crops.</li>
<li>It has also begun a <strong>train service to transport perishable agricultural and horticultural commodities</strong> to markets due to the obstacles in road transport. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers' Welfare<strong> 50 trains have been deployed for this purpose.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Market Intervention Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) is implemented by the <strong>Department of Agriculture &amp; Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers' Welfare.</strong></li>
<li>The objective of MIS is to provide<strong> remunerative prices to the farmers in case of excess of production and fall in prices.</strong></li>
<li>The MIS is an ad-hoc scheme under which include <strong>horticultural commodities and other agricultural commodities.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These commodities are perishable in nature and which are <strong>not covered under the minimum price support scheme.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, the MIS is implemented on the specific requests of the<strong> State Government/UT Administrations willing to share the loss with the Central Government on a 50:50 basis</strong> (75:25 in case of North-Eastern States).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Measures for Pulses and Oilseeds Farmers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Farmers, mostly in dry-land areas, have been complaining that <strong>market prices</strong> for toor and urad dal, chickpeas and soybean are<strong> far below the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minimum Support Prices (MSP)</a></strong> in many mandis, with trading disrupted by the lockdown.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>MSP</strong> is the <strong>rate at which the government buys grains from farmers.</strong></li>
<li>It is fixed on the recommendations of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-corporation-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Centre has extended the procurement window for its<strong> Price Support Scheme (PSS)</strong> up to 90 days from the date of commencement of the scheme in each State.</li>
<li>The<strong> PSS</strong> is operationalised on the State governments&rsquo; request when the prices fall <strong>below the minimum support price (MSP).</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED)</strong> and other agencies procure pulses and oilseeds under the scheme at the MSP.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The procurement of pulses will also aid in the implementation of the Centre&rsquo;s promise to provide one kg of pulses per month to all families with ration cards for the three months as part of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-economic-relief-package" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 relief package</strong></a><strong> (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NAFED is registered under the <strong>Multi State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.</strong></li>
<li>It was set up in 1958 with the objective <strong>to promote Cooperative marketing of Agricultural Produce to benefit the farmers.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Agricultural farmers are the members</strong> of the General Body of NAFED, who participate in the decision making process of NAFED.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-lockdown-50-trains-to-carry-perishable-goods/article31302815.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/measures-for-farmers-welfare'
		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'No Orders of Hydroxychloroquine to BCPL',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>It has been alleged that the <strong>central government is not giving orders to the Bengal Chemicals &amp; Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (BCPL) to produce <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-revokes-ban-on-export-of-hydroxychloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anti-malarial drugs.</a></strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bengal Chemicals &amp; Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (BCPL) is the <strong>only Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) that produces the anti-malarial drug</strong> in the country, i.e. manufactures <strong>chloroquine phosphate.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>government-owned corporations are termed as Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)</strong> in India. In a PSU majority (51% or more) of the share capital is held by the central government or by any state government or partly by the central governments and partly by one or more state governments.</li>
<li>The <strong>Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) audits government companies.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Bengal Chemical &amp; Pharmaceutical Works Ltd., precursor of the Bengal Chemicals &amp; Pharmaceuticals Ltd, <strong>was formed by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray on April 12, 1901.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The company became the <strong>first Indian Company to manufacture quality Chemicals</strong>, Drugs, Pharmaceuticals and Home Products, employing indigenous technology, skill and raw materials.</li>
<li>The Management of Bengal Chemical was taken over by the Government of India and the <strong>Union Government nationalized the Organization on December 15, 1980.</strong> A new Government Company, Bengal Chemicals &amp; Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (BCPL) was launched on March 27, 1981.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586504660_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586504660_image2.jpg" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="154" height="193" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Known as <strong>&ldquo;Father of Indian Chemistry&rdquo;,</strong> Prafulla Chandra Ray (1861-1944) was a well-known Indian scientist and teacher and one of the first &ldquo;modern&rdquo; Indian chemical researchers.</li>
<li>He <strong>discovered the stable compound mercurous nitrite</strong> in 1896.</li>
<li>The<strong> British Government</strong> first honoured him with the imperial title of <strong>CIE (Companion of the Indian Empire)</strong>; and then with the <strong>Knighthood</strong> in 1919.</li>
<li>In 1920, he was <strong>elected General President of the Indian Science Congress.</strong></li>
<li>As a nationalist he also wanted that the Bengalis should come up in the world of enterprise. He himself set an example by establishing a chemical firm called the<strong> Bengal Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works (1901).</strong></li>
<li>He was a true rationalist and was <strong>completely against the caste system</strong> and other irrational social systems. He persistently carried on this work of social reformation till he passed away.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/covid-19-psu-with-chloroquine-capacity-idles-much-of-it/article31293828.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/no-orders-of-hydroxychloroquine-to-bcpl'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Industrial Output Grows in February',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to recent data released by the<strong> National Statistical Office,</strong> the <strong>Index of Industrial Production (IIP)</strong> accelerated at 4.5% in February in comparison to the previous year.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Higher output in mining, electricity and manufacturing sectors</strong> is the reason behind the IIP growth.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/core-sector-growth-at-5-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the eight core sector industries</strong></a> also<strong> recorded a growth of 5.5% in February, 2020</strong> which is <strong>highest in 11-months.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The mining sector saw a robust 10% growth in production, while the electricity sector saw 8.1% growth and manufacturing sector output grew at a rate of 3.2%.</li>
<li>However,<strong> the auto sector, computer and electronics manufacturing</strong> output saw<strong> negative growth.</strong></li>
<li>February saw the second straight month of improved industrial output after a contraction in December.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>IIP is likely to plunge again for March, due to the lockdown</strong> caused by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> pandemic, which has resulted in a halt in most business.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Index of Industrial Production</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is an index</strong> that<strong> shows the growth rates in different industry groups</strong> of the economy in a fixed period of time.</li>
<li>It is compiled and published monthly by the <strong>National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</strong></li>
<li>IIP is a <strong>composite indicator</strong> that measures the growth rate of industry groups classified under:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Broad sectors,</strong> namely, Mining, Manufacturing, and Electricity.</li>
<li><strong>Use-based sectors,</strong> namely Basic Goods, Capital Goods, and Intermediate Goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Base Year</strong> for IIP is <strong>2011-2012.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> eight core industries</strong> of India represent <strong>about 40% of the weight of items</strong> that are included in the IIP.</li>
<li>Significance of IIP :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IIP is the<strong> only</strong> measure on the<strong> physical volume</strong> of production.</li>
<li>It is <strong>used by government agencies</strong> including the Ministry of Finance, the Reserve Bank of India, etc, for policy-making purposes.</li>
<li>IIP remains extremely relevant for the calculation of the quarterly and <strong>advance GDP estimates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/industrial-output-grows-45-in-feb/article31302511.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/industrial-output-grows-in-february'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Domestic Violence During Lockdown',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/addressing-domestic-violence-a-forgotten-agenda-while-locking-india-down-64301/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Addressing domestic violence: A forgotten agenda while locking India down&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in Observer Research Foundation on 08/04/2020. It talks about the issue of increased cases of domestic violence faced by women and lack of machinery to support them during the lockdown.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <strong>UN Secretary-General</strong> appealed to governments to pay attention to and prevent a &ldquo;horrifying global surge in domestic violence&rdquo; over the last few weeks amid lockdown measures imposed by several countries to tackle the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a></p>
<p>Fueled by mandatory <strong>stay-at-home rules, social distancing, economic uncertainties and</strong> <strong>anxieties</strong> caused by the coronavirus pandemic, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/violence-against-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Domestic Violence</strong></a> has increased globally.</p>
<p>In India, <strong>the National Commission for Women</strong> (NCW) has also flagged the issue of a spike in cases of domestic violence since the enforcement of the national lockdown.</p>
<h3>Domestic Violence</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The term<strong> &lsquo;domestic violence&rsquo; (DV)</strong> is used in many countries to refer to intimate partner violence (IPV), but it also encompasses child or elder abuse, or abuse by any member of a household.</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</strong></a>, <strong>one in every three women across the globe experience physical and/or sexual violence</strong> by an intimate partner or sexual violence by any perpetrators in their lifetime.</li>
<li>Domestic Violence may include acts of:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Physical violence,</strong> such as slapping, hitting, kicking and beating.</li>
<li><strong>Sexual violence,</strong> including forced sexual intercourse and other forms of sexual coercion;</li>
<li><strong>Emotional (psychological) abuse,</strong> such as insults, belittling, constant humiliation, intimidation (e.g. destroying things), threats of harm, threats to take away children.</li>
<li><strong>Controlling behaviors,</strong> including isolating a person from family and friends; monitoring their movements; and restricting access to financial resources, employment, education or medical care.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16) (NFHS-4)</strong> suggests that 30% women in India in the age group of 15-49 have experienced physical violence.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The report suggested that among married women experiencing physical, sexual or emotional violence, an alarming 83% claimed that their husbands were the main perpetrators of such forms of abuse, followed by abuse from the mothers , fathers and siblings of the husbands.</li>
<li>The major crimes reported by women in India are &mdash; cruelty by husband or relatives , assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty &mdash; , kidnapping and abductions and rape.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2018, a <strong>United Nations study</strong> suggested globally, of all female murders, an overwhelming 82% happen in their marital homes, and are committed by an intimate partner or a family member.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Causes of Domestic Violence</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Patriarchy</strong>: Some people with very traditional beliefs may think they have the right to control their partner, and that women aren&rsquo;t equal to men.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to NFHS data 42% of the surveyed men think there is at least one valid reason for wife-beating.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Societal influence:</strong> Some abusers learn violent behavior from their family, people in their community and other cultural influences as they grow up.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Boys who learn that women are not to be valued or respected and who see violence directed against women are more likely to abuse women when they grow up.</li>
<li>Girls who witness domestic violence in their families of origin are more likely to be victimized by their own husbands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic causes:</strong> Unemployment, alcohol and drugs may also contribute to violent behavior.</li>
<li><strong>Socio-Cultural:</strong> Dowry related deaths and honour killings is also a reality that testifies domestic violence.</li>
<li><strong>Individual Factor:</strong> Some abusers may feel this need to control their partner because of low self-esteem, extreme jealousy, difficulties in regulating anger and other strong emotions, or when they feel inferior to the other partner in education and socioeconomic background.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact of Lockdown on Domestic Violence in India.</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Under Reporting of the Cases:</strong> The National Commission of Women has recorded 291 complaints of domestic violence in March 2020 and is now only receiving complaints via email. However, actual reported cases may be quite low.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With curtailed mobility and a police force being engaged in ensuring that lockdown properly followed, women are losing even the avenues that could have saved them from abuse, and in extreme cases, death.</li>
<li>Further, due to the prevalence of orthodox social norms and the stigma that is placed on survivors of domestic violence, such cases are being<strong> grossly under-reported.</strong></li>
<li>Women belonging to poor and vulnerable classes are not able to file any complaints.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defunct NGOs:</strong> The counselling centres are supposed to reach out to the complaint pertaining to domestic violence.However, amid lockdown the <strong>NGOs and volunteer organisations,</strong> that are usually the avenues for women to report such attacks are not working.</li>
<li><strong>Undermining of Gender Equality:</strong> The <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal</strong></a> (SDG)- 5 that seeks to &ldquo;eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against women in the public and private spheres, and to undertake reforms to give them the same rights to economic resources and access to property by 2030,&rdquo; is being enormously compromised.</li>
<li>An added challenge has been the importance of intertwined negative <strong>psychosocial impact on mental health of women.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This further increases with job losses and other economic pressures on women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>As the steps to contain the transmission of the virus might require more stretches of isolation and confinement for the public, the government all around the globe, need to address the upsurge in domestic violence immediately. In this context:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is critical that governments utilise a human rights and intersectional based approach to ensure that everyone, including the most marginalised, has access to necessary information, support systems and resources during the current crisis.</li>
<li>The state governments need to declare <strong>helplines as &ldquo;essential services&rdquo;</strong> that should remain open during lockdowns.</li>
<li><strong>Media can sensitize the public</strong> against gender-based violence, publicise resources and services available and encourage the equitable sharing of domestic tasks at home.</li>
<li><strong>Increase resourcing for NGOs</strong> that respond to domestic violence and aid &mdash; including shelter, counselling, and legal aid &mdash; to survivors, and promote those that remain open.</li>
<li>Ensure women&rsquo;s timely access to necessary and <strong>comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services</strong> during the crisis, such as maternal health services, safe abortion etc.</li>
<li>Finally, the perpetrators of domestic violence must be brought to trial and repeated offenders must be dealt with strictly as per the provisions of law.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586433616_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586433616_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="720" height="963" /></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: #faffe6;">
<p><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></p>
<p>Women are the most vulnerable sections of society, especially in times of any crisis. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/domestic-violence-during-lockdown'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Armyworm Attack',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Directorate of Agriculture</strong> has reported an <strong>armyworm attack</strong> on the standing crops in the northeastern <strong>Dhemaji district of Assam.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The pest attack has added to sorrows of the already worried farmers, due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic.</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>armyworm caterpillar</strong> is the <strong>larval stage</strong> of several species of <strong>moths.</strong></li>
<li>It has a <strong>huge appetite</strong> and can <strong>feed on more than 80 species of plants</strong> according to the <strong>entomologists.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Entomology</strong> is a branch of <strong>zoology</strong> which involves the <strong>scientific study of insects.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>weather is a factor</strong> because there are <strong>no pre-monsoon rains</strong> in Assam yet and the<strong> temperature is very high now.</strong> The armyworm can cause more damage in the absence of rain.</li>
<li>Another major issue is <strong>reaching out to farmers.</strong> All the roads and gaps have been blocked due to the fear of contracting coronavirus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Officials are <strong>afraid of the winter crop cycle getting affected</strong> if the lockdown continues beyond 14<sup>th</sup> April, 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>April-May</strong> is the time when paddy farmers in Assam clear weeds and manure the fields for transplanting the seedlings of the <strong>winter crop</strong> from the nursery. The process takes 35-40 days.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the farm experts, if the cycle is pushed back by more than a month it <strong>could impact yield</strong> because the sowing and maintenance phase of the crops would be very close to the <strong>flood timings of Assam.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Armyworm<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586429414_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586429414_image3.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Its scientific name is<strong> Spodoptera frugiperda</strong> and also commonly referred as <strong>Fall Armyworm (FAW).</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>dangerous transboundary insect</strong> with a high potential to spread rapidly due to its <strong>natural distribution capacity</strong> and opportunities presented by <strong>international trade.</strong></li>
<li>FAW represents a <strong>real threat to food security and livelihoods</strong> of millions of smallholder farmers by spreading across all of <strong>sub-Saharan Africa, the Near East and Asia.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Control and Elimination:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Farmers need significant support to manage FAW sustainably in their cropping systems through <strong>Integrated Pest Management</strong> (IPM) activities.</li>
<li>FAW <strong>cannot be eliminated.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food and Agriculture Organisation</strong></a> (FAO) has launched a <strong>Global Action for FAW Control</strong> as a response to the international threat posed by the armyworms.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/armyworm-attack-adds-to-covid-19-woes-of-assam-farmers/article31288116.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/armyworm-attack'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Gender Disparity and Covid-19',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>GlobalHealth50/50</strong> suggested that the<strong> gender-split</strong> of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> cases in all countries is roughly 50-50, barring <strong>two exceptions:</strong> India and Pakistan.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Men in India more than women likely to test positive for <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/topic/coronavirus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19.</strong></a></li>
<li>Another unusual exception was South Korea &mdash; the country that has conducted the maximum number of tests as a proportion of population &mdash; in that more women tested positive than men.</li>
<li>GlobalHealth50/50 is an<strong> independent research initiative</strong> that tracks <strong>gender and health.</strong> It compiled data from almost 40 countries on Covid-19 cases.</li>
<li><strong>Many countries,</strong> including the United Kingdom and the United States, <strong>do not have sex-segregated national data</strong> while publicising data on cases and death rates.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586428920_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img width="500" class="content-img" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586428920_image5.jpg" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Data Analysis (% of men out of total cases):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Greece- 55%</li>
<li>Italy- 53%</li>
<li>China- almost 51%(February data).</li>
<li>India- 76%</li>
<li>Pakistan- 72%</li>
<li>Germany- 50%</li>
<li>South Korea- 40% (more women positive)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has not shared national figures on Covid-19 mortality rates in men and women yet. However, on April 6, 2020, the Health Ministry said 76% of the confirmed cases in India were men.</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Epidemiologists</strong> have highlighted that in most countries men and women equally travelled <strong>internationally.</strong></li>
<li>Indian case is <strong>reflective of employment trends</strong> also. There are <strong>less working women</strong> and very less are likely to travel internationally for work.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s wide disparity is more likely due to<strong> sociological factors.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Global research on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/novel-strain-of-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coronavirus</a></strong> so far has shown that <strong>men are more likely to be harbouring additional ailments</strong> like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and more likely to <strong>smoke.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These conditions make men even more vulnerable to the severe infection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The figure seems to be a statistical reflection of relatively low testing for the disease.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With more testing and more infections detected, the male-female gap would likely narrow.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/gender-split-is-50-50-with-two-exceptions/article31293158.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/gender-disparity-and-covid-19'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Syrian Air Force Behind Chemical Attacks',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)</strong> has said that the Syrian air force carried out three chemical attacks on a village in <strong>Syria's western Hama region</strong> in 2017.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>OPCW Investigation and Identification Team (IIT)</strong> was established by OPCW in 2018 to identify the perpetrators of illegal attacks. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It concluded that the Syrian air force helicopter dropped bombs containing <strong>poisonous chlorine and sarin nerve gas</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Syrian government has denied using chemical weapons.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an international organization established by the <strong>Chemical Weapons Convention, 1997 to implement and enforce the terms of the non-proliferation treaty,</strong> which prohibits the use, stockpiling, or transfer of chemical weapons by signatory states.</li>
<li>The OPCW is <strong>authorized to perform inspections</strong> to verify that signatory states are complying with the convention.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This includes a commitment to grant inspectors full access to chemical weapons sites.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The OPCW also<strong> performs testing of sites and victims of suspected chemical weapons attacks.</strong></li>
<li>By the <strong>2001 Relationship Agreement</strong> between the OPCW and the United Nations, the OPCW reports on its inspections and other activities to the UN through the office of the Secretary General.</li>
<li>The OPCW was awarded the <strong>Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.</strong> Its headquarters are located in <strong>the Hague, Netherlands.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Chlorine gas</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Chlorine is a choking agent. Its greenish-yellow clouds of gas cause shortness of breath, wheezing, respiratory failure, irritation in the eyes, vomiting, and sometimes death.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Sarin gas</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sarin is a chemical warfare agent classified as a <strong>nerve agent.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They are similar to certain kinds of insecticides (insect killers) called organophosphates in terms of how they work and what kind of harmful effects they cause.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was <strong>originally developed in 1938 in Germany</strong> as a pesticide.</li>
<li>Sarin is a clear, colorless, and tasteless liquid that has no odor in its pure form. However, sarin can evaporate into a vapor (gas) and spread into the environment. It is <strong>also known as GB.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-syria-chemicalweapons/syrian-air-force-behind-chemical-attacks-investigation-team-finds-idUSKCN21Q2D4" 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/syrian-air-force-behind-chemical-attacks'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => '70 Years of Indian Council for Cultural Relations',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) observed its 70<sup>th</sup> foundation day on 9<sup>th</sup> April 2020.</strong></li>
<li>However, owing to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> it has decided <strong>not to hold any celebrations to mark the occasion.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ICCR runs<strong> 36 cultural centres</strong> across the globe and its emphasis is on making <strong>India a hub of higher education.</strong></li>
<li>Classical dance, music or Hindi and Sanskrit language classes are continuing at most of ICCR centres via skype and other applications without hindrance</li>
<li>ICCR, which is the only soft power institution of the country which plans to focus more on areas that have so far largely remained &ldquo;neglected&rdquo; like Indian literature, Indian artisans and also Ayurveda.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Council for Cultural Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), is an <strong>autonomous organisation</strong> of the <strong>Government of India,</strong> involved in <strong>India's external cultural relations (cultural diplomacy),</strong> through cultural exchange with other countries and their peoples.</li>
<li>It was<strong> founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad,</strong> independent India&rsquo;s first Education Minister.</li>
<li>ICCR has been assigned the responsibility of facilitating the celebration of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-yoga-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Day of Yoga</strong></a> by Indian Missions/Posts abroad since 2015.</li>
<li>ICCR has instituted <strong>several awards</strong>, which are conferred upon the foreign nationals for their contributions in different fields, under its mandate of<strong> promoting India&rsquo;s cultural relations. Such awards include&ndash;</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Distinguished Indologist Award&ndash;</strong> The annual &ldquo;ICCR Distinguished Indologist Award&rdquo; was instituted in 2015 during the First World Indology Conference hosted in India. Award is conferred upon a foreign scholar for his contribution in study, teaching and research in any of the fields of Indian Studies.</li>
<li><strong>World Sanskrit Award-</strong> The institution of annual &ldquo;World Sanskrit Award&rdquo; was announced during the 16<sup>th</sup> World Sanskrit Conference held in Bangkok in June 2015 recognizing the contribution of foreign scholars in promoting Sanskrit studies.</li>
<li><strong>Distinguished Alumni Award &ndash; Citation and Plaque:</strong> Recognizing the achievements of foreign students who studied in India. It was instituted in 2015.</li>
<li><strong>Gisela Bonn Award -</strong> Annual Gisela Bonn Award was instituted by ICCR in 1996 in the name of famous German journalist, writer, environmental activist and Indologist, Giesela Bonn, to honour her services to bolster Indo-German relations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Maulana Abul Kalam Azad<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586424027_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586424027_image2.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, originally named Muhiyuddin Ahmad, was born on 11th November 1888 in Mecca, Saudi-Arabia.</li>
<li>Maulana Azad was a brilliant debater, as indicated by his name &mdash; <strong>&ldquo;Abul Kalam&rdquo;</strong> which literally means <strong>&ldquo;Lord of Dialogues&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>He was a proponent of <strong>Hindu Muslim unity, opposed to Partition.</strong> In 1912, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad started a<strong> weekly journal in Urdu called Al-Hilal</strong> which played an important role in <strong>forging Hindu-Muslim unity</strong> after the bad blood created between the two communities in the aftermath of <strong>Morley-Minto reforms.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government regarded Al- Hilal as propagator of secessionist views and<strong> banned it in 1914.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Maulana Abul Kalam Azad supported the <strong>Non-Cooperation Movement</strong> started by Gandhiji and <strong>entered Indian National Congress in 1920.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>In 1923,</strong> he was elected as the<strong> president of Indian National Congress.</strong> He again became the president of Congress in <strong>1940 and remained in the post till 1946.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the field of education, Maulana Azad had been an uncompromising exponent of <strong>universalism, a truly liberal and humanitarian educational system.</strong></li>
<li>Azad&rsquo;s ideal was a <strong>fusion of the Eastern and Western concepts of man,</strong> to create a fully integrated personality. Whereas the<strong> Eastern concept dwelt on spiritual excellence and individual salvation,</strong> the <strong>Western concept laid stress on worldly achievements and social progress.</strong></li>
<li><strong>His Works:</strong> Basic Concept of Quran, Ghubar-eKhatir, Dars-e-Wafa, India Wins Freedom, etc.</li>
<li>In 1947, he became the <strong>first education minister of free India and remained at this post till his death in 1958.</strong> In his tenure, he did tremendous work for the upliftment of the country. Following are some of them:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For the progress and development in science education, following institutions were established:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scientific Research Institute (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research),</strong> </a></li>
<li>A separate institute for atomic development,</li>
<li>Indian Council for Agriculture and Scientific Research,</li>
<li>Indian Council for Medical Research,</li>
<li>Indian Council for Historical Research, and</li>
<li>Indian Council for Social Science Research.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Indian Council for Cultural Relations, for introduction of Indian culture to other nations.</li>
<li>Following <strong>three academics</strong> were formed:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sahitya Academy for development of literature;</li>
<li>Sangeet Natak Academy for the development of Indian music and dance;</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lalit-kala-akademi-awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lalit Kala Academy</strong></a> for the development of painting;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was posthumously awarded India's highest civilian honour, <strong>Bharat Ratna in 1992.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/importance-of-soft-power-is-increasing-globally-iccr-chief-vinay-sahasrabuddhe/article31292723.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/70-years-of-indian-council-for-cultural-relations'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Madhuban Gajar: Biofortified Variety',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Madhuban Gajar,</strong> a<strong> biofortified carrot variety,</strong> is benefitting more than 150 local farmers in Junagadh, Gujarat.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is being planted in an area of over 200 hectares in Junagadh, and the average yield, which is 40-50 tonne/hectare (t/ha), has become the main source of income to the local farmers.</li>
<li>It is used for various value-added products like carrot chips, juices, and pickles.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Biofortified Variety:</strong> The Madhuvan Gajar is a highly nutritious carrot variety developed through the selection method with higher <strong>&beta;-carotene content</strong> (277.75 mg/kg, source of Vitamin A) and <strong>iron content</strong> (276.7 mg/kg).</li>
<li><strong>Developed By: Shri Vallabhhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya,</strong> a farmer scientist from Junagadh district, Gujarat.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He was conferred with a<strong> National Award by the President of India</strong> at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi during <strong>Festival of Innovation (FOIN)&ndash;2017.</strong></li>
<li>He was also conferred with <strong>Padma Shri</strong> in the year 2019 for his extraordinary work.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tested By: National Innovation Foundation (NIF) &ndash; India,</strong> an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology during 2016-17. It was found that the Madhuban Gajar carrot variety possesses a significantly <strong>higher root yield</strong> (74.2 t/ha) and <strong>plant biomass</strong> (275 gm per plant).</li>
<li><strong>Areas of Cultivation:</strong> The variety is being cultivated in more than 1000 hectares of land in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Biofortification</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fortification</strong> is the practice of <strong>deliberately increasing the content of an essential micronutrient,</strong> i.e. vitamins and minerals in a food, so as to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply and provide a public health benefit with minimal risk to health.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/an-innovative-method-for-boosting-nutrition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biofortification</strong> </a>is the process by which the nutritional quality of food crops is improved through agronomic practices, conventional plant breeding, or modern biotechnology.</li>
<li><strong>Biofortification differs from conventional fortification</strong> in that biofortification aims to increase <strong>nutrient levels in crops during plant growth rather than through manual means during processing of the crops.</strong></li>
<li>Increased nutritional quantity through biofortification will further support India's <strong>National Nutrition Mission.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian government launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/poshan-abhiyaan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Nutrition Mission</strong></a> <strong>(renamed as Poshan Abhiyaan)</strong> in March 2018.</li>
<li>The National Nutrition Mission is backed by a <strong>National Nutrition Strategy</strong> prepared by the NITI Aayog with the goal of attaining <strong>&ldquo;Kuposhan Mukt Bharat"</strong> or malnutrition-free India, by 2022.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Festival of Innovation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Festival of Innovation &amp; Entrepreneurship (FINE)</strong> {previously known as Festival of Innovation FOIN)} is a unique initiative of the <strong>Office of the President of India</strong> to recognise, respect and reward <strong>grassroots innovations and foster a supportive ecosystem.</strong></li>
<li>Hosted in the month of March at the President's House, the FINE has become a national celebration of <strong>creativity and innovation at and for the grassroots.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=201088" 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/madhuban-gajar-biofortified-variety'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Safety of Women During Lockdown',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister of <strong>Women and Child Development had a video-conference with</strong> personnel associated with the Ministry. The purpose was to consider measures to protect women in distress during the lockdown.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nearly <strong>1,000 people</strong> joined the video conference live, including the staff members of<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One Stop Centres.</li>
<li>Shelter homes for women in distress ( such as Swadhar Greh, Ujajwala homes).</li>
<li>Working Women Hostels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reasons Behind Holding the Conference</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rise in Crimes Against Women:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-violence-against-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Commission of Women</strong></a> has recorded<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A more than <strong>two-fold rise in domestic violence and sexual assaults and</strong></li>
<li>A three-fold increase in cases of <strong>police apathy</strong> in the first week of lockdown since March 24, 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Call Taken by Various Organisations:</strong> The <strong>gender rights activists and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations (UN)</a></strong> have called for the need to boost helplines, psycho-social support and online counselling to support women in distress.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Instructions by the Ministry:</strong> Officials of the ministry were asked to ensure that <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/one-stop-centre-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>One Stop Centre</strong></a> are linked with local medical teams, police, NIMHANS, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-legal-services-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)</strong></a> to ensure that their <strong>services are not impacted due to restrictions</strong> on movement.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences), Bangalore is a multidisciplinary institute for patient care and academic pursuit in the field of mental health and neurosciences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>equip counsellors</strong> across the country to deal with the unique problems faced by women.</li>
<li>Use of<strong> digital governance</strong> to ensure safety of women which must be replicated at the State-level and with Non-Government Organisation (NGOs) so that there is no deficit of either information or help.</li>
<li>Urged NGOs to try to ensure that every individual calls at least 10 women every day so that &ldquo;women know that they are not alone&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>One Stop Centre</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One stop centre is a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-to-hike-monthly-pensions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>centrally sponsored scheme</strong> </a><strong>of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)</strong>. It is a subscheme of the National <strong>Mission for Empowerment of Women.</strong></li>
<li>One Stop Centres have been established <strong>across the country to provide integrated support</strong> and assistance under one roof to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces.</li>
<li><strong>Funding:</strong> The scheme is funded through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/one-stop-centre-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nirbhaya Fund</strong></a> <strong>and the central government provides 100% financial assistance</strong> to the state governments /Union Territories administrations.</li>
<li><strong>Auditing:</strong> Audit is done as per <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/comptroller-and-auditor-general-of-india-cag" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comptroller &amp; Auditor General of India</strong></a> norms and social audit is also undertaken by civil society groups.</li>
<li><strong>Services Provided by the One Stop Centres</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Emergency response and rescue services.</li>
<li>Medical assistance.</li>
<li>Assistance to women in lodging the FIR.</li>
<li>Psycho- social support and counselling.</li>
<li>Legal aid and counselling.</li>
<li>Shelter</li>
<li>Video conferencing facility.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Working Women Hostels scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Working Women Hostels scheme is implemented by <strong>the Ministry of Women and Child Development.</strong></li>
<li>It aims to ensure safe accommodation for women working away from their place of residence.</li>
<li><strong>Provisions :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To provide <strong>safety for working women,</strong> a provision has been made to keep security guards and to install CCTV Cameras in Working Women Hostels.</li>
<li>To provide <strong>quality of stay for working women,</strong> provision has been made to provide safe and affordable accommodation with clean and well-ventilated day care centres for the children of inmates, medical first-aid and providing washing machines and geysers/solar water heating systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Swadhar</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A Scheme for Women in Difficult Circumstances was launched by the Department of Women and Child Development in 2001-02. The scheme through the provisions of shelter, food, clothing, counseling, training, clinical and legal aid aims to rehabilitate women in difficult circumstances.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Ujjawala Home</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A comprehensive scheme for prevention of trafficking and rescue, rehabilitation and re-integration of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-rolls-out-steps-for-womens-safety/article31292540.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/safety-of-women-during-lockdown'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Phased Easing of Lockdown',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>An <strong>expert committee headed by former Chief Secretary K.M. Abraham</strong> has <strong>recommended a phased relaxation of the lockdown</strong> to contain <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> for areas outside the seven hotspot districts in the <strong>State of Kerala</strong> from April 15, 2020.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The committee said that the <strong>phased withdrawal (in three phases) is sustainable only</strong> if there is a <strong>steady recovery and decline in the number of cases</strong> leading to initial flattening of the infection curve and then gradual tapering of the curve to zero infection cases.</li>
<li>It has asked the government to advise the people that in the event of a resurgence, they should be<strong> ready and willing to undergo the rigours of a complete <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lockdown</a> once again.</strong></li>
<li>The committee has also come up with <strong>health-related and non-health-related objectives</strong> for the withdrawal strategy and steps for management of hotspots and vulnerable populations.</li>
<li>The Committee has also set<strong> criteria for moving into three phases of lockdown withdrawal.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>For example,</strong> for qualifying for Phase I relaxation, <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>there has to be not more than one new case in the district for the entire week prior to the date of review on April 14.</li>
<li>No increase of more than 10% of the number of persons under home surveillance in the district and no hotspots of COVID-19 anywhere in the district.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586419254_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586419254_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/how-areas-outside-hotspots-get-relaxation/article31289767.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/phased-easing-of-lockdown'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Wildlife Panel Holds Virtual Conference',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Standing Committee of the <strong>National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)</strong> had its first ever video-conferencing meet. In the meet the <strong>NBWL cleared infrastructure projects in 11 States.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to experts associated with the conference <strong>most of the projects were given &ldquo;in-principal approval&rdquo;.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In a virtual conference, it is difficult to scrutinise maps that show the location of the proposed projects.</li>
<li>It is because only the formal minutes of the meeting would reveal the conditions which projects would have to adhere to.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Projects that encroach into forests or protected reserves <strong>require NBWL approval</strong> as part of the government&rsquo;s <strong>environmental clearance process.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Environment Clearance (EC) Process</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-suspended-ec-for-airport-in-goa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)</strong></a> report is prepared to get Environment Clearance (EC) for a project.</li>
<li>A process of <strong>&lsquo;Public Hearing&rsquo;</strong> is conducted before the issue of <strong>&lsquo;Consent to Establish (NOC)&rsquo; by state regulators.</strong> Concerns of people living in the proposed project area are heard.</li>
<li>An application form with EIA report, details of public hearing and <strong>NOC is submitted for environmental clearance with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) if the project falls under A category or the state government if the project falls under B category.</strong></li>
<li>The documents submitted for A and B category are then analyzed by an <strong>Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC)</strong> under the Union Environment Ministry or the concerned <strong>State Environmental Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs)</strong> respectively.</li>
<li>The recommendations of the Committee gets processed in the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for final approval or rejection.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Board for Wildlife is a<strong> statutory Board</strong> constituted officially in 2003 under the <strong>Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.</strong></li>
<li>The NBWL is <strong>chaired by the Prime Minister</strong> and is <strong>responsible for promotion of conservation and development of wildlife and forests.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>board is &lsquo;advisory&rsquo; in nature</strong> and can only advise the Government on policy making for conservation of wildlife.</li>
<li>It is an important body because it serves as an apex body for the review of all wildlife-related matters and for the approval of projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.</li>
<li>The<strong> standing committee</strong> of NBWL is chaired by the Minister of Environment Forest and Climate Change.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The standing committee approves all the projects falling within protected wildlife areas or within 10 km of them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/apex-wildlife-panel-holds-virtual-conference-clears-infra-projects/article31292163.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/wildlife-panel-holds-virtual-conference'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'India’s Pharma Sector',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/donald-trump-hydroxychloroquine-india-narendra-modi-6350471/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coronavirus pandemic: Hydroxychloroquine and the balance of trade, &ldquo;A drug in need&rdquo;</strong></a>. It talks about relaxing the ban on the export of hydroxychloroquine and challenges related to India&rsquo;s pharma sector.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the government has decided to <strong>partially lift the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/complete-export-ban-on-hydroxychloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ban</a></strong> on the export of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hydroxychloroquine</a> (HCQ)</strong>, a drug that has garnered global interest in the treatment and prevention of Covid-19. The drug drew global attention after US President Donald Trump called it a &ldquo;game changer&rdquo;, and proposed its use for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> cases.</p>
<p>Following this, India has been requested by the US and around 30 countries including Brazil and several<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revival-of-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> SAARC nations</strong> </a>for a supply of HCQ. India held that it would supply drugs to countries that needed it the most, and to neighbours who were dependent on India&rsquo;s capabilities.</p>
<p>India&rsquo;s decision to selectively allow export is a welcome step as India would be recognised as a <strong>globally responsible stakeholder in the fight against the pandemic</strong> and reaffirms India's designation of <strong>pharmacy to the world.</strong> However, Indian pharma sector faces many issues that it needs to rectify.</p>
<h3>Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) &amp; Its Use</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>popular anti-parasitic medication</strong> has been available since the 1940s. It&rsquo;s been used to treat malaria.</li>
<li>HCQ is a derivative of chloroquine, and has fewer side-effects.</li>
<li>Chloroquine works by increasing the levels of haem or heme &mdash; a substance toxic to the malarial parasite &mdash; in the blood. This kills the parasite and stops the infection from spreading.</li>
<li>According to the price and drug availability watchdog, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/essential-medicines" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA)</strong></a>, India has a production capacity of 40 metric tonnes, which means 20 crore tablets of 200 mg per month.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indigenously-developed-testing-kits-for-covid-19&amp;sa=D&amp;ust=1586344999168000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEidApqOrmvN8wDYGV_XNawH9TgUA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</strong></a> issued an advisory recommending the use of hydroxychloroquine in asymptomatic healthcare workers treating Covid-19 patients, and also allowed doctors to prescribe it for household contacts of confirmed Covid-19 patients.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the government has stressed that the drug can only be used in Covid-19 treatment on prescription.</li>
<li>The drug has since been moved to a <strong>Schedule H1 status,</strong> which means patients who need the drug would have to get a fresh prescription every time they needed to purchase it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India: Pharmacy to the World</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India enjoys an important position in the global pharmaceuticals sector, as <strong>India is the largest provider of <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/08-05-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">generic drugs</a> globally.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian pharmaceutical industry meets over 50% of global demand for various vaccines, 40% of generic demand in the U.S. and 25% of all medicine in the U.K.</li>
<li>Presently, over 80% of the antiretroviral drugs used globally to combat AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) are supplied by Indian pharmaceutical firms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2020, India is expected to be amongst the <strong>top three pharmaceutical markets</strong> in terms of incremental growth.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian pharmaceuticals market is the world&rsquo;s third-largest in terms of volume and thirteenth-largest in terms of value. It has established itself as a global manufacturing and research hub.</li>
<li>India has one of the lowest manufacturing costs in the world &ndash; lower than that of the U.S. and almost half of the cost in Europe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/328-fixed-dose-combinations-drugs-banned-by-government" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fixed dose combination (FDC) drugs</strong></a> (where two or more drugs are combined in a set ratio in a single dose form) is considered an innovation of India&rsquo;s national pharmaceutical industry.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FDC are being used in the treatment of diseases like HIV, for Parkinson&rsquo;s disease and in contraceptive pills.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dependence on China</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite being a leading supplier of high-quality medicines to several countries, Indian pharmaceutical industry is highly dependent on China<strong> for pharmaceutical raw materials.</strong></li>
<li>These raw materials are called the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-approved-to-promote-drug-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients</strong></a> (API), also known as bulk drugs. Indian drug-makers import around 70% of their total <strong>bulk drug</strong> requirements from China.</li>
<li>In the past decade, India&rsquo;s import of Active Pharmaceuticals Ingredients (APIs) and advanced intermediates &ndash; which are used for manufacturing formulations - has grown rapidly.</li>
<li>India now depends on China fully for these ingredients to make not only advanced drugs but also essential medicines like paracetamol, metformin, aspirin and a range of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hollowing out</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While India today is preferred low-cost producer and exporter of simpler off-patent formulations, the road taken is &lsquo;hollowing out&rsquo; manufacturing <strong>(in raw material: API)</strong> and hampering the productive and competitive thrust of domestic firms.</li>
<li><strong>&lsquo;Hollowing out&rsquo;</strong> refers to deterioration of a country&rsquo;s manufacturing sector when producers move important activities of manufacturing to low-cost facilities overseas (China producing API at 40% cheaper rate than that of Indian manufacturer).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Spurious Medicine</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Fake versions of high value and/or high volume brands</strong> of the pharmaceutical companies in India are adversely affecting their business performance posing another major challenge. It also creates a negative impact to the end consumer and a huge health hazard.</li>
<li>However, in a study found that thousands of FDCs on the market made up of formulations never approved for marketing by the national regulator, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-notification-for-medical-implants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation</strong></a>, and that were likely to be more harmful than beneficial to patients.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Price Capping</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian pharmaceutical Industry is facing pressure from both the government and the civil society to make generic medicines more affordable for a large section of the population of the country.</li>
<li>Pharmaceutical companies, including the government ones, see a scope for further reduction of prices for essential medicines in India.</li>
<li>However, the emphasis on <strong>low price of generic medicine</strong> impacts the net profits of pharma companies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India should look up to and invest in biotechnology. India&rsquo;s biotechnology industry, comprising biopharmaceuticals, bio-services, bio agriculture, bio-industry and bioinformatics is expected to grow at an average rate of around 30% a year and reach $100 billion by 2025.</li>
<li>To ensure health security of Indian people, revival of R&amp;D and public sector API manufacturers is necessary. For example, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) should be promoted to invest in R&amp;D.</li>
<li>India needs user friendly government policy for the common man to establish small scale, raw material manufacturing units/ incubators in all states of the country to improve availability of raw materials to manufacture generic drugs at affordable rates.</li>
<li>There is a need for a functional testing laboratory in every state to fasten the work of specification of raw materials.</li>
<li>Skilled manpower from academic institutions can be achieved through continuing education programmes.</li>
<li>The regulatory policies need to be improved, especially in the area of patent, price control and to boost the pharma sector growth.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586345913_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586345913_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: #deffcc;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>India is known to be the pharmacy of the world. Do you agree? Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-pharma-sector'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Ionospheric Based Monitoring of Large Earthquakes',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, scientists of Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) have come up with a study of the signatures of recent large <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/massive-mountains-discovered-under-earths-crust" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>earthquakes</strong></a> into the ionosphere. The aim was to derive the seismic source characteristics from the ionosphere.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The research is a part of the interdisciplinary program <strong>&lsquo;Coupled Lithosphere-Atmosphere- Ionosphere-Magnetosphere System (CLAIMs)&rsquo;</strong> of IIG. CLAIMS focuses on energy transfer to the atmosphere during solid Earth processes such as earthquakes as well as tsunamis.</li>
<li>IIG is an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Scientists noticed that the spatial distribution of near field <strong>co-seismic ionospheric perturbations (CIP) associated with the earthquake could reflect well the ground deformation pattern</strong> evolved around the epicentre. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These CIP were derived using the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-visual-positioning-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Positioning System</strong></a> (GPS) measured <strong>Total Electron Content (TEC).</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The TEC is the total number of electrons present along a path between a radio transmitter and receiver.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The CIP distribution was estimated at<strong> ionospheric piercing point (IPP)</strong> altitude.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Co-seismic Ionospheric Perturbations (CIP):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In general, the Earth crust uplift during any earthquake produces compressional (i.e. pressure) waves in the overlying atmosphere. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These waves propagate upward in the region of exponentially decreasing atmospheric neutral density, and thus, waves amplitudes increase with atmospheric heights.</li>
<li><strong>On arrival at ionospheric heights, the waves redistribute ionospheric electron density</strong> and <strong>produce electron density perturbations (disruption) </strong>known as<strong> Co-seismic Ionospheric Perturbations (CIP).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, evolution of seismic/tectonically induced ionospheric perturbation is <strong>highly controlled by the non-tectonic forcing mechanisms.</strong></li>
<li>The major effective <strong>non-tectonic forcing mechanisms at ionospheric altitudes</strong> are the <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>orientation between the ambient geomagnetic field and seismic induced neutral wave perturbations.</li>
<li>orientation between the moving satellite line of sights and the wave perturbations.</li>
<li>ambient ionospheric electron density gradient.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenge:</strong> The ionosphere is a<strong> highly dynamic region</strong> and the <strong>origin of any perturbations</strong> in ionospheric electron density can be traced to various origins <strong>either from above</strong> (e.g. solar, geomagnetic etc) <strong>or below</strong> (e.g. lower atmospheric, seismic etc) the ionosphere. This is a major challenge while identifying the CIP.</li>
<li><strong>Inference</strong>: The manifestation of <strong>CIP has to be seen in light of the prevailing non-tectonic forcing mechanisms.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this line, it is believed that the present study may assist while designing a tool for the ionospheric based seismic source characterisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ionosphere</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ionosphere is defined as the layer of the Earth's atmosphere that is ionized by solar and cosmic radiation. It <strong>overlaps</strong> the <strong>mesosphere, thermosphere, </strong>and<strong> exosphere.</strong></li>
<li>It lies 75-1000 km above the Earth.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1611606" 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/ionospheric-based-monitoring-of-large-earthquakes'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Violence Against Women on Rise',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, UN-Women, women&rsquo;s rights activists, government authorities, and civil society partners across the globe have said that domestic violence during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> crisis has increased against women.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The reports of violence have increased in countries like Argentina, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States, Cyprus, Singapore and Australia among others.</li>
<li>In <strong>India,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-violence-against-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Commission for Women (NCW) has recorded a more than twofold rise in gender-based violence.</strong></a></li>
<li>It has been said that <strong>confinement due to Covid-19</strong> is fostering the tension and strain created by security, health, and money is the reason behind this.</li>
<li>This will have<strong> multiple impacts on women&rsquo;s wellbeing,</strong> their sexual and reproductive health, their mental health, and their ability to participate and lead in the recovery of our societies, economy and difficulty in achieving <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal -5 (SDG-5) -Gender equality.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges in the wake Covid-19 Outbreak</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Even before Covid-19, <strong>domestic violence was already one of the greatest human rights violations.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2019-20, 243 million women and girls (aged 15-49) across the world have been subjected to sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner.</li>
<li>As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, the violence is likely to grow.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wide under-reporting</strong> of domestic and other forms of violence <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Less than 40% of women who experience violence seeking help of any sort or reporting the crime.</li>
<li>Less than 10% of those women seeking help go to the police.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The current circumstances (Covid-19 pandemic) <strong>make reporting even harder,</strong> including limitations on women&rsquo;s and girls&rsquo; access to phones and helplines and disrupted public services like police, justice and social services.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These disruptions is <strong>compromising the care and support</strong> that survivors need, like clinical management of rape, and mental health and psycho-social support.</li>
<li>The disruptions also fuel impunity for the perpetrators.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In many countries <strong>the law is not on the women's side.</strong> 1 in 4 countries have no laws specifically protecting women from domestic violence.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The increase in <strong>violence against women should be dealt with urgently</strong> with measures embedded in <strong>economic support and stimulus packages</strong> that meet the gravity and scale of the challenge and reflect the needs of women who face multiple forms of discrimination.</li>
<li><strong>Grassroots and women&rsquo;s organizations </strong>and <strong>communities</strong> need to be supported strongly in their current frontline role.</li>
<li><strong>Helplines, psychosocial support and online counselling</strong> should be boosted, using technology-based solutions such as SMS, online tools and networks to expand social support, and to reach women with no access to phones or internet.</li>
<li><strong>Police and justice services should mobilize</strong> to ensure that incidents of violence against women and girls are given high priority with no impunity for perpetrators.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>UN Women</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> <strong>entity</strong> dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.</li>
<li>It is a global champion for women and girls, it was established to accelerate progress on meeting the needs of women worldwide.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/4/statement-ed-phumzile-violence-against-women-during-pandemic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: UN</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/violence-against-women-on-rise'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'India Moved to WTO on US Tariffs',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Under the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organisation&rsquo;s (WTO&rsquo;s)</strong></a> <strong>safeguard agreement,</strong> India has sought consultations with the US.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The consultation has been sought on A<strong>merican authorities' decision to increase import duties on derivatives of steel and aluminium products.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<p><strong>WTO's Safeguard Agreement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Agreement on Safeguards (&ldquo;SG Agreement&rdquo;) sets forth the <strong>rules for application of safeguard measures pursuant to Article XIX of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994.</strong></li>
<li>Safeguard measures are defined as <strong>&ldquo;emergency&rdquo; actions with respect to increased imports of particular products,</strong> where such imports have <strong>caused or threaten to cause serious injury to the importing Member's domestic industry.</strong></li>
<li>As per a provision of the Agreement on Safeguards, a WTO member country proposing to apply a safeguard measures shall provide adequate opportunity for <strong>prior consultations</strong> with those members having a <strong>substantial interest as exporters of the product concerned.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is with a view to exchanging views on the measure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India considers this measure of the US to be a <strong>safeguard measure within a provision of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994, </strong>and the<strong> Agreement on Safeguards.</strong></li>
<li>Therefore, India has sought consultations with the US, under the <strong>WTO's safeguard agreement.</strong></li>
<li>India has sought to exercise its right to consult on the specifics of the measures and its <strong>right to determine appropriate trade compensation with the US.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>According to the WTO:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India reserves the <strong>right to raise additional issues and make further factual and legal arguments.</strong></li>
<li>This should be without prejudice to any other remedies provided for under the understanding of rules and procedures governing the settlement of disputes and the covered agreements during the course of consultations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India looks forward to receiving a prompt reply to its request from the US for a mutually convenient date and venue for the consultations.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>GATT traces its origins to the <strong>1944 Bretton Woods Conference,</strong> which laid the foundations for the post-World War II financial system and established two key institutions, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.</li>
<li>GATT signed by <strong>23 countries in Geneva in 1947 came into force on Jan 1, 1948</strong> with the following purposes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>to phase out the use of import quotas</li>
<li>to reduce tariffs on merchandise trade,</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>GATT became the only multilateral instrument governing international trade from 1948 <strong>until the WTO was established in 1995.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The provisions of GATT 1947 were incorporated into the GATT of 1994. The <strong>GATT 1994 is itself part of the WTO formation agreement.</strong></li>
<li>The Uruguay Round of GATT, conducted from 1987 to 1994 culminated in the Marrakesh agreement, which established the WTO.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/india-takes-us-to-wto-s-safeguard-committee-for-hiking-duties-on-steel-aluminium-derivatives-120040701803_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: BS</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-moved-to-wto-on-us-tariffs'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Healthcare Institutions Face Cyber Threats',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol)</strong> has warned member countries that <strong>cybercriminals are attempting to target major hospitals</strong> and other institutions on the front lines of the fight against<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-s-preparedness" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> COVID-19</strong></a> <strong>with ransomware.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The organisation also talked about recent changes in the pattern of crime.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In an <strong>alert sent to 194 nations, including India,</strong> Interpol said that the hospitals and institutions had become targets of ransomware attacks.</li>
<li>Interpol&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-facility-to-tackle-cyber-crimes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cybercrime</strong> </a><strong>Threat Response Team</strong> had detected an <strong>increase in the number of attempted ransomware attacks</strong> against key organisations and infrastructure engaged in the virus response.</li>
<li>Cybercriminals are using ransomware to hold hospitals and medical services digitally hostage, preventing them from <strong>accessing vital files and systems until a ransom is paid.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The attacks were designed to lock these institutions out of their critical systems in an attempt to<strong> extort payments.</strong></li>
<li>Locking hospitals out of their critical systems <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Will delay the swift medical response required during these unprecedented times.</li>
<li>it could also directly lead to deaths.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ransomware appears to be spreading primarily via e-mails, often falsely claiming to <strong>contain information or advice regarding the coronavirus from a government agency,</strong> which encourages the recipient to click on an infected link or attachment.</li>
<li><strong>Prevention and Mitigation efforts are crucial</strong> to stopping the attacks.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Interpol continues to stand by its member countries and provide any assistance necessary to ensure vital healthcare systems remain untouched and the criminals targeting them held accountable.</li>
<li>Interpol also issued a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/interpol-notices" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Purple Notice</strong></a> to seek or provide information on modus operandi, objects, devices and concealment methods used by criminals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Steps Taken by the Government</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Alerts received by the Government of India on the threat of ransomware/malware attacks have been communicated to the concerned departments.</li>
<li>Institutions and individuals have been appealed <strong>not to open any mail or link on coronavirus data</strong> or home remedies unless it is from a trusted source like a government agency. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They were also cautioned about a possibility of <strong>e-mail spoofing,</strong> where a suspect operating from a remote location would send a mail that would appear as if it came from a known person.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Criminal Police Organization</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Interpol is an intergovernmental organization that helps <strong>coordinate the police force of 194 member countries.</strong></li>
<li>Each of the member countries hosts an interpol <strong>National Central Bureau (NCB).</strong> This connects their national law enforcement with other countries and with the General Secretariat.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/central-bureau-of-investigation-cbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)</strong></a> is designated as the National Central Bureau of India.</li>
<li>The<strong> General Secretariat</strong> provides a range of expertise and services to the member countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is headquartered in <strong>Lyon, France</strong></li>
<li><strong>Interpol Notices</strong> are <strong>international requests</strong> for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586334837_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586334837_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Changed Pattern of Crimes</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Interpol warned that with a majority of<strong> people working from home</strong> due to the pandemic, there was a change in the pattern of crimes.</li>
<li>Following is the change<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Fraudulent trade</strong> in personal protective equipment and anti-viral medicines,</li>
<li>individuals/businesses on reduced income becoming potential <strong>targets of loan sharks (Persons who loan money at extremely high interest rates and often use threats of violence to collect debts).</strong></li>
<li>The lockdown period has made <strong>business establishments/factories vulnerable to thefts.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since more people were at home, the number of burglaries had dropped. But thieves are increasingly targeting factories or business premises that were locked.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Domestic violence cases have risen</strong> since the start of coronavirus-related quarantines, with reports showing women and children at greater risk of abuse.</li>
<li>Recent weeks have seen increased <strong>online activity by paedophiles</strong> (persons who are sexually attracted to children) <strong>seeking child sexual abuse material.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is being intensified by a shortage of moderators who identify and remove offensive material from networks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/interpol-warns-of-cyberattacks-on-hospitals/article31281509.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/healthcare-institutions-face-cyber-threats'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Sequencing Novel Coronavirus',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>India</strong> has shared <strong>nine whole genome sequences of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)</a></strong> with the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong> (ICMR) has allowed all national research laboratories to conduct testing for the novel coronavirus.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>GISAID is a</strong> public platform started by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong></a> in <strong>2008</strong> for countries to <strong>share genome sequences.</strong></li>
<li>The GISAID Initiative<strong> promotes the international sharing</strong> of all influenza virus sequences, related clinical and epidemiological data associated with human viruses, and geographical as well as species-specific data associated with avian and other animal viruses<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This helps researchers understand<strong> how the viruses evolve, spread and potentially become pandemics.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It actively <strong>promotes the development of novel research tools</strong> for the analysis of influenza data by helping developers to facilitate the integration or connection of their tools to analyze GISAID data.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>So far, 3,086 sequences of the virus isolated from humans have been shared by <strong>57 countries.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With 621, the U.S. has shared the most number of sequences, followed by the U.K. (350), Belgium (253) and China (242).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has been found that <strong>a spike protein of SARS-CoV-2</strong> also known as 2019-nCoV, enables the virus to<strong> enter and infect human cells.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genome-sequencing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sequencing the genome</strong></a> of SARS-CoV-2 will help understand <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>where the virus came from.</li>
<li>if there are different strains circulating in India.</li>
<li>how the virus has spread.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Genome sequencing</strong> is <strong>figuring out the order of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nucleotides, or bases,</strong> in a genome&mdash;the order of Adenine, Cytosine, Guanines, and Thymine that make up an organism's DNA.</li>
<li>On April 2, 2020, the<strong> Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</strong> allowed all national research laboratories including those under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to conduct testing for the novel coronavirus.</li>
<li>According to CSIR <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both the Centre for <strong>Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB, Telangana) and the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB, New Delhi)</strong> have already started sequencing the virus.</li>
<li>The CCMB has both <strong>Biosafety Level (BSL)-2 and BSL-3 labs.</strong></li>
<li>The virus is isolated and deactivated in BSL-3 facility and sequenced in BSL-2 facility.</li>
<li>Besides sequencing, the virus will also be cultured (grown in cells). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Cell culture is the <strong>maintenance and growth of the cells</strong> in specially designed containers and under precise conditions of temperature, humidity, nutrition, and freedom from contamination.</li>
<li>This will help in studying the virus and will be useful while <strong>testing vaccines and drugs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Biosafety levels</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BSL is used to identify the <strong>protective measures needed in a laboratory setting</strong> to protect workers, the environment, and the public.</li>
<li><strong>Activities and projects conducted in biological laboratories</strong> are categorized by biosafety level.</li>
<li>The four biosafety levels are <strong>BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4, with BSL-4 being the highest (maximum) level of containment.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CSIR was established by the Government of India in<strong> September 1942 as an autonomous body.</strong></li>
<li>It is known for its cutting edge R&amp;D knowledge base in diverse S&amp;T areas.</li>
<li>Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been ranked first in <strong>the Nature Ranking Index-2020.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Nature Index provides a close to real-time proxy of high-quality research output and collaboration at the institutional, national and regional level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ICMR is the apex body in India for the<strong> formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.</strong></li>
<li>Its mandate is <strong>to 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://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/two-csir-labs-start-sequencing-novel-coronavirus/article31282975.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/sequencing-novel-coronavirus'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Expert Panel Against Full Repeal of lockdown',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>An <strong>expert committee&rsquo;s report</strong> to the government has suggested that <strong>14<sup>th</sup> April, 2020</strong> is <strong>not the right time to fully withdraw the 21-days nationwide <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lockdown</a>.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The committee was asked to look into the strategy to ease the lockdown restrictions.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>21 Days Lockdown</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The period of 21 days was chosen due to <strong>public health/epidemiological significance</strong> and it is <strong>supported by scientific data.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The calculations are based on the <strong>estimated incubation period of the virus</strong> in a human host.</li>
<li>The 21-day quarantine value is derived from interpretations of outbreak data from past and present epidemics and pandemics. For example, the cases of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/spanish-flu" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Spanish Flu</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ebola-global-health-emergency" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ebola</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Explanation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In epidemiological terms, <strong>14 days</strong> are of the <strong>initial incubation period</strong> and adding another week, i.e. 21 days is to ensure that residual infection dies out.</li>
<li>It is estimated that being a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>new strain of coronavirus</strong></a>, its <strong>median incubation period</strong> (the time between the entry of virus to the onset of symptoms/ disease) falls within the period of 14 days.</li>
<li>According to a recent study the median incubation period for COVID-19 is <strong>just over five days</strong> and 97.5% of people who develop symptoms will do so <strong>within 11.5 days</strong> of infection.</li>
<li>So, the current period of active monitoring (14 days) recommended by the <strong>U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</strong> is well supported by the evidence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Restrictions on large-scale movement of people</strong> across International and State boundaries is <strong>critical</strong> and should be kept there unless and until the situation gets under control in every State.</li>
<li>The major concern is that a <strong>prolonged and stringent lockdown</strong> will lead to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>economic hardships</strong></a>, <strong>famine</strong> and <strong>law and order issues,</strong> which may undermine the objectives of both the lockdown and health management.</li>
<li>The committee suggested a <strong>withdrawal strategy</strong> which should be <strong>gradual, phased and calibrated</strong> so that it is ensured that the caseload is kept below the capacity of the health-care systems.</li>
<li>Such a phased approach should be <strong>operationalized at the revenue district level.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>All states should fasten up<strong> preparatory work for the predicted and rapid rise of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> cases</strong> as they are expected to exceed the local capacity in some cities.</li>
<li><strong>No relaxation in speedy production and procurement</strong> of test kits, ventilators, PPEs for health-care personnel and masks.</li>
<li>Centre should <strong>release funds and create a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/suggestions-for-covid-19-and-lockdown-exit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">national coordination mechanism</a></strong> to distribute them on a need basis.</li>
<li>Centre should ensure effective <strong>coordination between the States and logistics operators.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Supporting the agricultural sector</strong> in production, marketing, storage, and transport.</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring continuation of modern technological leaps,</strong> like rapid innovations and practices which are being introduced in education, judiciary, local business, telemedicine, among others, <strong>even after the lockdown ends.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/expert-panel-against-full-repeal-of-lockdown/article31283892.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/expert-panel-against-full-repeal-of-lockdown'
		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Pandemic And Infodemic',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/facts-fight-fear-coronavirus-icmr-sc-6343237/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Facts fight fear&rdquo;</strong></a>, &ldquo;<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/coronavirus-covid-19-india-china-pandemic-world-health-organisation-who-6303013/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Amid coronavirus outbreak, how information can be an epidemic too</strong></a>&rdquo;, &ldquo;<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/fake-news-in-the-time-of-coronavirus-why-its-time-to-practice-information-hygiene-6349641/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fake news in the time of coronavirus: Why it&rsquo;s time to practice information hygiene</strong></a>&rdquo;. It talks about the role of social media during the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>
</div>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> has caused social and economic disruptions all around the globe. Moreover, the worrisome situation is not just because of the pandemic but the ease at which <strong>fake news</strong> has been spreading around it. The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong></a> admitted that humanity is fighting <strong>two foes &mdash; a pandemic and an &ldquo;infodemic&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Infodemic is an overabundance of information that makes it difficult for people to identify truthful and trustworthy sources from false or misleading ones.</strong> In the present state of emergency, a barrage of information on the virus has deluged the traditional and social media space.</p>
<p>The recent <strong>exodus of migrant labourers from NCR</strong> (risking spread of virus through community transmission to the rural areas where healthcare infrastructure is in a dismal state) was triggered due to panic created by some fake/misleading news on social media.</p>
<p>Though social media is acting as a <strong>fertile ground for dangerous rumour-mongering, it can act as an indispensable source of vital information.</strong></p>
<h3>Negative Role Played by Social Media</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a <strong>paradigm shift from the 20<sup>th</sup>-century ecosystem</strong> dominated by print and broadcast media to an increasingly digital, mobile and social media dominated ecosystem.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The lack of filtering on online platforms negates any authentication mechanisms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Social Media, with its ability to <strong>amplify a message through endorsements and forwards,</strong> gives one the tool to reach a potential audience without needing substantial resources or access to expensive media technology.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Social media provides the tools for an information cascade. It enables individuals to distribute large volumes of disinformation or fake news.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, Social media not only changed the methods of news distribution but also changed the age-old beliefs of <strong>how news should look.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Now, a tweet, which at most is 140 characters long, is considered a piece of news and true particularly if it comes from a person in authority.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Today's decision-making is not based on individual rationality but from shared group-level narratives. Social media helps in making the false and misleading narratives of some social miscreants.</li>
<li>These issues can be reflected in the Covid-19 pandemic.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are rising <strong>dangerous conspiracy theories</strong> of Covid-19 of being a Bioweapon.</li>
<li>A <strong>rumour of a lockdown</strong> of essential commodities resulted in people hoarding the essential supplies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Positive Role Played by Social Media</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Covid-19 has led to<strong> social distancing and lockdown</strong> all across the nation. In these conditions, social media serves as:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>A crucial conduit</strong> between families, friends, office, and a medium of entertainment.</li>
<li>A reliable way for the victims of this virus to <strong>communicate with the outside world.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Social media has also been instrumental in helping improve the situation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In response to Covid-19 pandemic, it gave birth to a fair share of online fundraisers. For example, donations in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-cares-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM-CARES fund</strong></a> got encouraged by people sharing this on social media.</li>
<li>People are also giving money to financially struggling hospitals, as well as individuals at risk of dying from the disease.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scientists</strong> are using social media tools to collaborate.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The coronavirus genome was openly published early on during the outbreak, allowing thousands of researchers to brainstorm possible solutions, cures and explanations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Social media <strong>displays and strengthens solidarity</strong> against this virus.For example, Indian Prime Minister called for lighting lamps to reinforce the public commitment to fight Covid-19.</li>
<li>It is being used to <strong>spread preventive steps</strong> that one can take to fight Covid-19. These small changes in behaviours can have enormous consequences.</li>
<li><strong>WHO and other public health organizations</strong> also use social media to inform the public about the outbreak, and control the panic.</li>
<li><strong>The Supreme Court of India</strong> also issued a directive that a daily bulletin system with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic be made active by the government through all media avenues, including social media and forums to clear people&rsquo;s doubts and to check fake news.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p><strong>Information hygiene to start the war against fake news.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Though Covid-19 and social media have highlighted the importance of maintaining personal hygiene, the conversation about information hygiene must now happen in the society. <strong>Information hygiene includes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Verifying the authentic source of fact.</li>
<li>Double checking with some fact checking website.</li>
<li>Asking some expert opinion on that particular issue.</li>
<li>Applying rational thinking while going through a forwarded news on social media.</li>
<li>Applying these ideas before sharing the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p>Role Played by Social Media Sites in Combating Fake News</p>
<p>Social media websites are actively fighting this misinformation and fear mongering. The social media platforms &ndash; for a welcome change &ndash; have taken the lead in busting the myths about coronavirus.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Google has created an SOS Alert on COVID-19 for the six official UN languages and is expanding in other languages to make sure the first information the public receives is from the WHO website and the social media accounts of the WHO.</li>
<li>Facebook has promised to ban ads that promise &ldquo;cures&rdquo; for the Covid-19 virus.</li>
<li>Twitter says it will be applying a new broader definition of harm to address content that &ldquo;goes directly against guidance from authoritative sources of global and local public health information&rdquo; to counter misinformation.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586260532_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586260532_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="440" height="587" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #778ffc; background-color: #f0ebe4;">
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Social media can be an unstoppable force, especially in times of crisis. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/pandemic-and-infodemic'
		]
	],
	'updates' => object(Cake\ORM\Query) {

		'(help)' => 'This is a Query object, to get the results execute or iterate it.',
		'sql' => 'SELECT articles.article_id AS `articles__article_id`, articles.category_id AS `articles__category_id`, articles.title AS `articles__title`, articles.description AS `articles__description`, articles.shortdescription AS `articles__shortdescription`, articles.featuredimage AS `articles__featuredimage`, articles.tag_id AS `articles__tag_id`, articles.secondary_tag AS `articles__secondary_tag`, articles.type AS `articles__type`, articles.publishon AS `articles__publishon`, articles.posturl AS `articles__posturl`, articles.metatitle AS `articles__metatitle`, articles.metadescription AS `articles__metadescription`, articles.metakeyword AS `articles__metakeyword`, articles.status AS `articles__status`, articles.sort_order AS `articles__sort_order`, articles.addedby AS `articles__addedby`, articles.updatedby AS `articles__updatedby`, articles.added AS `articles__added`, articles.modified AS `articles__modified`, articles.whatsnewid AS `articles__whatsnewid`, articles.display_printpdf AS `articles__display_printpdf`, articles.display_comments AS `articles__display_comments`, articles.pdf_name AS `articles__pdf_name`, articles.display_archive AS `articles__display_archive` FROM articles articles WHERE status = :c0 ORDER BY publishon desc LIMIT 10',
		'params' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'defaultTypes' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'decorators' => (int) 0,
		'executed' => false,
		'hydrate' => true,
		'buffered' => true,
		'formatters' => (int) 0,
		'mapReducers' => (int) 0,
		'contain' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'matching' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'extraOptions' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'repository' => object(App\Model\Table\ArticlesTable) {}
	
	},
	'page' => (int) 91,
	'search' => 'class',
	'totalPages' => (float) 274,
	'title' => 'Search'
]
$progress = []
$bookmarks = []
$notes = []
$mynote = []
$topdata = [
	(int) 0 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/estore/test-series-en/upsc-mains-english/sociology-optional-mains-online-en',
		'title' => 'Sociology Mains Test Series 2020 - Join Now',
		'type' => (int) 1,
		'date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {},
		'[new]' => false,
		'[accessible]' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[repository]' => 'news'
	
	},
	(int) 1 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/estore/test-series-en/upsc-prelims-english/prelims-test-series-2021-online',
		'title' => 'Prelims Test Series 2021 (Online) - Join Now',
		'type' => (int) 1,
		'date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {},
		'[new]' => false,
		'[accessible]' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[repository]' => 'news'
	
	},
	(int) 2 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'url' => 'https://bit.ly/drishtibooks',
		'title' => 'Get Drishti Publications books & magazines on Amazon - click here!',
		'type' => (int) 1,
		'date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {},
		'[new]' => false,
		'[accessible]' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[repository]' => 'news'
	
	},
	(int) 3 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'url' => 'https://bit.ly/joindrishti',
		'title' => 'Click here for Online Inquiry form to join Drishti IAS programmes',
		'type' => (int) 1,
		'date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {},
		'[new]' => false,
		'[accessible]' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[repository]' => 'news'
	
	}
]
$searchdata = []
$searchlist = [
	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Measures for Farmers’ Welfare',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Government has taken up measures to protect farmers facing obstacles during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a> due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</p>
<h3>Measures for Fruit and Vegetable Farmers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Fruit and Vegetable Farmers have been <strong>among the hardest hit by the lockdown.</strong> They are facing major losses due to <strong>obstacles in harvesting and marketing their perishable produce.</strong></li>
<li>The Central Government has directed all the States and Union Territories to implement the <strong>Market Intervention Scheme</strong> to ensure remunerative prices to farmers for perishable crops.</li>
<li>It has also begun a <strong>train service to transport perishable agricultural and horticultural commodities</strong> to markets due to the obstacles in road transport. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers' Welfare<strong> 50 trains have been deployed for this purpose.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Market Intervention Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) is implemented by the <strong>Department of Agriculture &amp; Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers' Welfare.</strong></li>
<li>The objective of MIS is to provide<strong> remunerative prices to the farmers in case of excess of production and fall in prices.</strong></li>
<li>The MIS is an ad-hoc scheme under which include <strong>horticultural commodities and other agricultural commodities.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These commodities are perishable in nature and which are <strong>not covered under the minimum price support scheme.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, the MIS is implemented on the specific requests of the<strong> State Government/UT Administrations willing to share the loss with the Central Government on a 50:50 basis</strong> (75:25 in case of North-Eastern States).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Measures for Pulses and Oilseeds Farmers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Farmers, mostly in dry-land areas, have been complaining that <strong>market prices</strong> for toor and urad dal, chickpeas and soybean are<strong> far below the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minimum Support Prices (MSP)</a></strong> in many mandis, with trading disrupted by the lockdown.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>MSP</strong> is the <strong>rate at which the government buys grains from farmers.</strong></li>
<li>It is fixed on the recommendations of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-corporation-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Centre has extended the procurement window for its<strong> Price Support Scheme (PSS)</strong> up to 90 days from the date of commencement of the scheme in each State.</li>
<li>The<strong> PSS</strong> is operationalised on the State governments&rsquo; request when the prices fall <strong>below the minimum support price (MSP).</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED)</strong> and other agencies procure pulses and oilseeds under the scheme at the MSP.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The procurement of pulses will also aid in the implementation of the Centre&rsquo;s promise to provide one kg of pulses per month to all families with ration cards for the three months as part of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-economic-relief-package" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 relief package</strong></a><strong> (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NAFED is registered under the <strong>Multi State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.</strong></li>
<li>It was set up in 1958 with the objective <strong>to promote Cooperative marketing of Agricultural Produce to benefit the farmers.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Agricultural farmers are the members</strong> of the General Body of NAFED, who participate in the decision making process of NAFED.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-lockdown-50-trains-to-carry-perishable-goods/article31302815.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/measures-for-farmers-welfare'
	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'No Orders of Hydroxychloroquine to BCPL',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>It has been alleged that the <strong>central government is not giving orders to the Bengal Chemicals &amp; Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (BCPL) to produce <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-revokes-ban-on-export-of-hydroxychloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anti-malarial drugs.</a></strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bengal Chemicals &amp; Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (BCPL) is the <strong>only Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) that produces the anti-malarial drug</strong> in the country, i.e. manufactures <strong>chloroquine phosphate.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>government-owned corporations are termed as Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)</strong> in India. In a PSU majority (51% or more) of the share capital is held by the central government or by any state government or partly by the central governments and partly by one or more state governments.</li>
<li>The <strong>Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) audits government companies.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Bengal Chemical &amp; Pharmaceutical Works Ltd., precursor of the Bengal Chemicals &amp; Pharmaceuticals Ltd, <strong>was formed by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray on April 12, 1901.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The company became the <strong>first Indian Company to manufacture quality Chemicals</strong>, Drugs, Pharmaceuticals and Home Products, employing indigenous technology, skill and raw materials.</li>
<li>The Management of Bengal Chemical was taken over by the Government of India and the <strong>Union Government nationalized the Organization on December 15, 1980.</strong> A new Government Company, Bengal Chemicals &amp; Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (BCPL) was launched on March 27, 1981.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586504660_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586504660_image2.jpg" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="154" height="193" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Known as <strong>&ldquo;Father of Indian Chemistry&rdquo;,</strong> Prafulla Chandra Ray (1861-1944) was a well-known Indian scientist and teacher and one of the first &ldquo;modern&rdquo; Indian chemical researchers.</li>
<li>He <strong>discovered the stable compound mercurous nitrite</strong> in 1896.</li>
<li>The<strong> British Government</strong> first honoured him with the imperial title of <strong>CIE (Companion of the Indian Empire)</strong>; and then with the <strong>Knighthood</strong> in 1919.</li>
<li>In 1920, he was <strong>elected General President of the Indian Science Congress.</strong></li>
<li>As a nationalist he also wanted that the Bengalis should come up in the world of enterprise. He himself set an example by establishing a chemical firm called the<strong> Bengal Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works (1901).</strong></li>
<li>He was a true rationalist and was <strong>completely against the caste system</strong> and other irrational social systems. He persistently carried on this work of social reformation till he passed away.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/covid-19-psu-with-chloroquine-capacity-idles-much-of-it/article31293828.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/no-orders-of-hydroxychloroquine-to-bcpl'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Industrial Output Grows in February',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to recent data released by the<strong> National Statistical Office,</strong> the <strong>Index of Industrial Production (IIP)</strong> accelerated at 4.5% in February in comparison to the previous year.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Higher output in mining, electricity and manufacturing sectors</strong> is the reason behind the IIP growth.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/core-sector-growth-at-5-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the eight core sector industries</strong></a> also<strong> recorded a growth of 5.5% in February, 2020</strong> which is <strong>highest in 11-months.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The mining sector saw a robust 10% growth in production, while the electricity sector saw 8.1% growth and manufacturing sector output grew at a rate of 3.2%.</li>
<li>However,<strong> the auto sector, computer and electronics manufacturing</strong> output saw<strong> negative growth.</strong></li>
<li>February saw the second straight month of improved industrial output after a contraction in December.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>IIP is likely to plunge again for March, due to the lockdown</strong> caused by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> pandemic, which has resulted in a halt in most business.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Index of Industrial Production</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is an index</strong> that<strong> shows the growth rates in different industry groups</strong> of the economy in a fixed period of time.</li>
<li>It is compiled and published monthly by the <strong>National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</strong></li>
<li>IIP is a <strong>composite indicator</strong> that measures the growth rate of industry groups classified under:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Broad sectors,</strong> namely, Mining, Manufacturing, and Electricity.</li>
<li><strong>Use-based sectors,</strong> namely Basic Goods, Capital Goods, and Intermediate Goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Base Year</strong> for IIP is <strong>2011-2012.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> eight core industries</strong> of India represent <strong>about 40% of the weight of items</strong> that are included in the IIP.</li>
<li>Significance of IIP :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IIP is the<strong> only</strong> measure on the<strong> physical volume</strong> of production.</li>
<li>It is <strong>used by government agencies</strong> including the Ministry of Finance, the Reserve Bank of India, etc, for policy-making purposes.</li>
<li>IIP remains extremely relevant for the calculation of the quarterly and <strong>advance GDP estimates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/industrial-output-grows-45-in-feb/article31302511.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/industrial-output-grows-in-february'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Domestic Violence During Lockdown',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/addressing-domestic-violence-a-forgotten-agenda-while-locking-india-down-64301/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Addressing domestic violence: A forgotten agenda while locking India down&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in Observer Research Foundation on 08/04/2020. It talks about the issue of increased cases of domestic violence faced by women and lack of machinery to support them during the lockdown.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <strong>UN Secretary-General</strong> appealed to governments to pay attention to and prevent a &ldquo;horrifying global surge in domestic violence&rdquo; over the last few weeks amid lockdown measures imposed by several countries to tackle the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a></p>
<p>Fueled by mandatory <strong>stay-at-home rules, social distancing, economic uncertainties and</strong> <strong>anxieties</strong> caused by the coronavirus pandemic, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/violence-against-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Domestic Violence</strong></a> has increased globally.</p>
<p>In India, <strong>the National Commission for Women</strong> (NCW) has also flagged the issue of a spike in cases of domestic violence since the enforcement of the national lockdown.</p>
<h3>Domestic Violence</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The term<strong> &lsquo;domestic violence&rsquo; (DV)</strong> is used in many countries to refer to intimate partner violence (IPV), but it also encompasses child or elder abuse, or abuse by any member of a household.</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</strong></a>, <strong>one in every three women across the globe experience physical and/or sexual violence</strong> by an intimate partner or sexual violence by any perpetrators in their lifetime.</li>
<li>Domestic Violence may include acts of:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Physical violence,</strong> such as slapping, hitting, kicking and beating.</li>
<li><strong>Sexual violence,</strong> including forced sexual intercourse and other forms of sexual coercion;</li>
<li><strong>Emotional (psychological) abuse,</strong> such as insults, belittling, constant humiliation, intimidation (e.g. destroying things), threats of harm, threats to take away children.</li>
<li><strong>Controlling behaviors,</strong> including isolating a person from family and friends; monitoring their movements; and restricting access to financial resources, employment, education or medical care.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16) (NFHS-4)</strong> suggests that 30% women in India in the age group of 15-49 have experienced physical violence.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The report suggested that among married women experiencing physical, sexual or emotional violence, an alarming 83% claimed that their husbands were the main perpetrators of such forms of abuse, followed by abuse from the mothers , fathers and siblings of the husbands.</li>
<li>The major crimes reported by women in India are &mdash; cruelty by husband or relatives , assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty &mdash; , kidnapping and abductions and rape.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2018, a <strong>United Nations study</strong> suggested globally, of all female murders, an overwhelming 82% happen in their marital homes, and are committed by an intimate partner or a family member.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Causes of Domestic Violence</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Patriarchy</strong>: Some people with very traditional beliefs may think they have the right to control their partner, and that women aren&rsquo;t equal to men.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to NFHS data 42% of the surveyed men think there is at least one valid reason for wife-beating.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Societal influence:</strong> Some abusers learn violent behavior from their family, people in their community and other cultural influences as they grow up.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Boys who learn that women are not to be valued or respected and who see violence directed against women are more likely to abuse women when they grow up.</li>
<li>Girls who witness domestic violence in their families of origin are more likely to be victimized by their own husbands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic causes:</strong> Unemployment, alcohol and drugs may also contribute to violent behavior.</li>
<li><strong>Socio-Cultural:</strong> Dowry related deaths and honour killings is also a reality that testifies domestic violence.</li>
<li><strong>Individual Factor:</strong> Some abusers may feel this need to control their partner because of low self-esteem, extreme jealousy, difficulties in regulating anger and other strong emotions, or when they feel inferior to the other partner in education and socioeconomic background.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact of Lockdown on Domestic Violence in India.</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Under Reporting of the Cases:</strong> The National Commission of Women has recorded 291 complaints of domestic violence in March 2020 and is now only receiving complaints via email. However, actual reported cases may be quite low.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With curtailed mobility and a police force being engaged in ensuring that lockdown properly followed, women are losing even the avenues that could have saved them from abuse, and in extreme cases, death.</li>
<li>Further, due to the prevalence of orthodox social norms and the stigma that is placed on survivors of domestic violence, such cases are being<strong> grossly under-reported.</strong></li>
<li>Women belonging to poor and vulnerable classes are not able to file any complaints.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defunct NGOs:</strong> The counselling centres are supposed to reach out to the complaint pertaining to domestic violence.However, amid lockdown the <strong>NGOs and volunteer organisations,</strong> that are usually the avenues for women to report such attacks are not working.</li>
<li><strong>Undermining of Gender Equality:</strong> The <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal</strong></a> (SDG)- 5 that seeks to &ldquo;eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against women in the public and private spheres, and to undertake reforms to give them the same rights to economic resources and access to property by 2030,&rdquo; is being enormously compromised.</li>
<li>An added challenge has been the importance of intertwined negative <strong>psychosocial impact on mental health of women.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This further increases with job losses and other economic pressures on women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>As the steps to contain the transmission of the virus might require more stretches of isolation and confinement for the public, the government all around the globe, need to address the upsurge in domestic violence immediately. In this context:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is critical that governments utilise a human rights and intersectional based approach to ensure that everyone, including the most marginalised, has access to necessary information, support systems and resources during the current crisis.</li>
<li>The state governments need to declare <strong>helplines as &ldquo;essential services&rdquo;</strong> that should remain open during lockdowns.</li>
<li><strong>Media can sensitize the public</strong> against gender-based violence, publicise resources and services available and encourage the equitable sharing of domestic tasks at home.</li>
<li><strong>Increase resourcing for NGOs</strong> that respond to domestic violence and aid &mdash; including shelter, counselling, and legal aid &mdash; to survivors, and promote those that remain open.</li>
<li>Ensure women&rsquo;s timely access to necessary and <strong>comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services</strong> during the crisis, such as maternal health services, safe abortion etc.</li>
<li>Finally, the perpetrators of domestic violence must be brought to trial and repeated offenders must be dealt with strictly as per the provisions of law.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586433616_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586433616_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="720" height="963" /></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: #faffe6;">
<p><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></p>
<p>Women are the most vulnerable sections of society, especially in times of any crisis. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/domestic-violence-during-lockdown'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Armyworm Attack',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Directorate of Agriculture</strong> has reported an <strong>armyworm attack</strong> on the standing crops in the northeastern <strong>Dhemaji district of Assam.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The pest attack has added to sorrows of the already worried farmers, due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic.</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>armyworm caterpillar</strong> is the <strong>larval stage</strong> of several species of <strong>moths.</strong></li>
<li>It has a <strong>huge appetite</strong> and can <strong>feed on more than 80 species of plants</strong> according to the <strong>entomologists.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Entomology</strong> is a branch of <strong>zoology</strong> which involves the <strong>scientific study of insects.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>weather is a factor</strong> because there are <strong>no pre-monsoon rains</strong> in Assam yet and the<strong> temperature is very high now.</strong> The armyworm can cause more damage in the absence of rain.</li>
<li>Another major issue is <strong>reaching out to farmers.</strong> All the roads and gaps have been blocked due to the fear of contracting coronavirus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Officials are <strong>afraid of the winter crop cycle getting affected</strong> if the lockdown continues beyond 14<sup>th</sup> April, 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>April-May</strong> is the time when paddy farmers in Assam clear weeds and manure the fields for transplanting the seedlings of the <strong>winter crop</strong> from the nursery. The process takes 35-40 days.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the farm experts, if the cycle is pushed back by more than a month it <strong>could impact yield</strong> because the sowing and maintenance phase of the crops would be very close to the <strong>flood timings of Assam.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Armyworm<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586429414_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586429414_image3.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Its scientific name is<strong> Spodoptera frugiperda</strong> and also commonly referred as <strong>Fall Armyworm (FAW).</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>dangerous transboundary insect</strong> with a high potential to spread rapidly due to its <strong>natural distribution capacity</strong> and opportunities presented by <strong>international trade.</strong></li>
<li>FAW represents a <strong>real threat to food security and livelihoods</strong> of millions of smallholder farmers by spreading across all of <strong>sub-Saharan Africa, the Near East and Asia.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Control and Elimination:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Farmers need significant support to manage FAW sustainably in their cropping systems through <strong>Integrated Pest Management</strong> (IPM) activities.</li>
<li>FAW <strong>cannot be eliminated.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food and Agriculture Organisation</strong></a> (FAO) has launched a <strong>Global Action for FAW Control</strong> as a response to the international threat posed by the armyworms.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/armyworm-attack-adds-to-covid-19-woes-of-assam-farmers/article31288116.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/armyworm-attack'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Gender Disparity and Covid-19',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>GlobalHealth50/50</strong> suggested that the<strong> gender-split</strong> of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> cases in all countries is roughly 50-50, barring <strong>two exceptions:</strong> India and Pakistan.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Men in India more than women likely to test positive for <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/topic/coronavirus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19.</strong></a></li>
<li>Another unusual exception was South Korea &mdash; the country that has conducted the maximum number of tests as a proportion of population &mdash; in that more women tested positive than men.</li>
<li>GlobalHealth50/50 is an<strong> independent research initiative</strong> that tracks <strong>gender and health.</strong> It compiled data from almost 40 countries on Covid-19 cases.</li>
<li><strong>Many countries,</strong> including the United Kingdom and the United States, <strong>do not have sex-segregated national data</strong> while publicising data on cases and death rates.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586428920_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img width="500" class="content-img" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586428920_image5.jpg" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Data Analysis (% of men out of total cases):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Greece- 55%</li>
<li>Italy- 53%</li>
<li>China- almost 51%(February data).</li>
<li>India- 76%</li>
<li>Pakistan- 72%</li>
<li>Germany- 50%</li>
<li>South Korea- 40% (more women positive)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has not shared national figures on Covid-19 mortality rates in men and women yet. However, on April 6, 2020, the Health Ministry said 76% of the confirmed cases in India were men.</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Epidemiologists</strong> have highlighted that in most countries men and women equally travelled <strong>internationally.</strong></li>
<li>Indian case is <strong>reflective of employment trends</strong> also. There are <strong>less working women</strong> and very less are likely to travel internationally for work.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s wide disparity is more likely due to<strong> sociological factors.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Global research on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/novel-strain-of-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coronavirus</a></strong> so far has shown that <strong>men are more likely to be harbouring additional ailments</strong> like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and more likely to <strong>smoke.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These conditions make men even more vulnerable to the severe infection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The figure seems to be a statistical reflection of relatively low testing for the disease.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With more testing and more infections detected, the male-female gap would likely narrow.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/gender-split-is-50-50-with-two-exceptions/article31293158.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/gender-disparity-and-covid-19'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Syrian Air Force Behind Chemical Attacks',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)</strong> has said that the Syrian air force carried out three chemical attacks on a village in <strong>Syria's western Hama region</strong> in 2017.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>OPCW Investigation and Identification Team (IIT)</strong> was established by OPCW in 2018 to identify the perpetrators of illegal attacks. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It concluded that the Syrian air force helicopter dropped bombs containing <strong>poisonous chlorine and sarin nerve gas</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Syrian government has denied using chemical weapons.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an international organization established by the <strong>Chemical Weapons Convention, 1997 to implement and enforce the terms of the non-proliferation treaty,</strong> which prohibits the use, stockpiling, or transfer of chemical weapons by signatory states.</li>
<li>The OPCW is <strong>authorized to perform inspections</strong> to verify that signatory states are complying with the convention.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This includes a commitment to grant inspectors full access to chemical weapons sites.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The OPCW also<strong> performs testing of sites and victims of suspected chemical weapons attacks.</strong></li>
<li>By the <strong>2001 Relationship Agreement</strong> between the OPCW and the United Nations, the OPCW reports on its inspections and other activities to the UN through the office of the Secretary General.</li>
<li>The OPCW was awarded the <strong>Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.</strong> Its headquarters are located in <strong>the Hague, Netherlands.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Chlorine gas</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Chlorine is a choking agent. Its greenish-yellow clouds of gas cause shortness of breath, wheezing, respiratory failure, irritation in the eyes, vomiting, and sometimes death.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Sarin gas</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sarin is a chemical warfare agent classified as a <strong>nerve agent.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They are similar to certain kinds of insecticides (insect killers) called organophosphates in terms of how they work and what kind of harmful effects they cause.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was <strong>originally developed in 1938 in Germany</strong> as a pesticide.</li>
<li>Sarin is a clear, colorless, and tasteless liquid that has no odor in its pure form. However, sarin can evaporate into a vapor (gas) and spread into the environment. It is <strong>also known as GB.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-syria-chemicalweapons/syrian-air-force-behind-chemical-attacks-investigation-team-finds-idUSKCN21Q2D4" 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/syrian-air-force-behind-chemical-attacks'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => '70 Years of Indian Council for Cultural Relations',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) observed its 70<sup>th</sup> foundation day on 9<sup>th</sup> April 2020.</strong></li>
<li>However, owing to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> it has decided <strong>not to hold any celebrations to mark the occasion.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ICCR runs<strong> 36 cultural centres</strong> across the globe and its emphasis is on making <strong>India a hub of higher education.</strong></li>
<li>Classical dance, music or Hindi and Sanskrit language classes are continuing at most of ICCR centres via skype and other applications without hindrance</li>
<li>ICCR, which is the only soft power institution of the country which plans to focus more on areas that have so far largely remained &ldquo;neglected&rdquo; like Indian literature, Indian artisans and also Ayurveda.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Council for Cultural Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), is an <strong>autonomous organisation</strong> of the <strong>Government of India,</strong> involved in <strong>India's external cultural relations (cultural diplomacy),</strong> through cultural exchange with other countries and their peoples.</li>
<li>It was<strong> founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad,</strong> independent India&rsquo;s first Education Minister.</li>
<li>ICCR has been assigned the responsibility of facilitating the celebration of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-yoga-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Day of Yoga</strong></a> by Indian Missions/Posts abroad since 2015.</li>
<li>ICCR has instituted <strong>several awards</strong>, which are conferred upon the foreign nationals for their contributions in different fields, under its mandate of<strong> promoting India&rsquo;s cultural relations. Such awards include&ndash;</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Distinguished Indologist Award&ndash;</strong> The annual &ldquo;ICCR Distinguished Indologist Award&rdquo; was instituted in 2015 during the First World Indology Conference hosted in India. Award is conferred upon a foreign scholar for his contribution in study, teaching and research in any of the fields of Indian Studies.</li>
<li><strong>World Sanskrit Award-</strong> The institution of annual &ldquo;World Sanskrit Award&rdquo; was announced during the 16<sup>th</sup> World Sanskrit Conference held in Bangkok in June 2015 recognizing the contribution of foreign scholars in promoting Sanskrit studies.</li>
<li><strong>Distinguished Alumni Award &ndash; Citation and Plaque:</strong> Recognizing the achievements of foreign students who studied in India. It was instituted in 2015.</li>
<li><strong>Gisela Bonn Award -</strong> Annual Gisela Bonn Award was instituted by ICCR in 1996 in the name of famous German journalist, writer, environmental activist and Indologist, Giesela Bonn, to honour her services to bolster Indo-German relations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Maulana Abul Kalam Azad<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586424027_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586424027_image2.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, originally named Muhiyuddin Ahmad, was born on 11th November 1888 in Mecca, Saudi-Arabia.</li>
<li>Maulana Azad was a brilliant debater, as indicated by his name &mdash; <strong>&ldquo;Abul Kalam&rdquo;</strong> which literally means <strong>&ldquo;Lord of Dialogues&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>He was a proponent of <strong>Hindu Muslim unity, opposed to Partition.</strong> In 1912, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad started a<strong> weekly journal in Urdu called Al-Hilal</strong> which played an important role in <strong>forging Hindu-Muslim unity</strong> after the bad blood created between the two communities in the aftermath of <strong>Morley-Minto reforms.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government regarded Al- Hilal as propagator of secessionist views and<strong> banned it in 1914.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Maulana Abul Kalam Azad supported the <strong>Non-Cooperation Movement</strong> started by Gandhiji and <strong>entered Indian National Congress in 1920.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>In 1923,</strong> he was elected as the<strong> president of Indian National Congress.</strong> He again became the president of Congress in <strong>1940 and remained in the post till 1946.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the field of education, Maulana Azad had been an uncompromising exponent of <strong>universalism, a truly liberal and humanitarian educational system.</strong></li>
<li>Azad&rsquo;s ideal was a <strong>fusion of the Eastern and Western concepts of man,</strong> to create a fully integrated personality. Whereas the<strong> Eastern concept dwelt on spiritual excellence and individual salvation,</strong> the <strong>Western concept laid stress on worldly achievements and social progress.</strong></li>
<li><strong>His Works:</strong> Basic Concept of Quran, Ghubar-eKhatir, Dars-e-Wafa, India Wins Freedom, etc.</li>
<li>In 1947, he became the <strong>first education minister of free India and remained at this post till his death in 1958.</strong> In his tenure, he did tremendous work for the upliftment of the country. Following are some of them:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For the progress and development in science education, following institutions were established:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scientific Research Institute (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research),</strong> </a></li>
<li>A separate institute for atomic development,</li>
<li>Indian Council for Agriculture and Scientific Research,</li>
<li>Indian Council for Medical Research,</li>
<li>Indian Council for Historical Research, and</li>
<li>Indian Council for Social Science Research.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Indian Council for Cultural Relations, for introduction of Indian culture to other nations.</li>
<li>Following <strong>three academics</strong> were formed:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sahitya Academy for development of literature;</li>
<li>Sangeet Natak Academy for the development of Indian music and dance;</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lalit-kala-akademi-awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lalit Kala Academy</strong></a> for the development of painting;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was posthumously awarded India's highest civilian honour, <strong>Bharat Ratna in 1992.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/importance-of-soft-power-is-increasing-globally-iccr-chief-vinay-sahasrabuddhe/article31292723.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/70-years-of-indian-council-for-cultural-relations'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Madhuban Gajar: Biofortified Variety',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Madhuban Gajar,</strong> a<strong> biofortified carrot variety,</strong> is benefitting more than 150 local farmers in Junagadh, Gujarat.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is being planted in an area of over 200 hectares in Junagadh, and the average yield, which is 40-50 tonne/hectare (t/ha), has become the main source of income to the local farmers.</li>
<li>It is used for various value-added products like carrot chips, juices, and pickles.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Biofortified Variety:</strong> The Madhuvan Gajar is a highly nutritious carrot variety developed through the selection method with higher <strong>&beta;-carotene content</strong> (277.75 mg/kg, source of Vitamin A) and <strong>iron content</strong> (276.7 mg/kg).</li>
<li><strong>Developed By: Shri Vallabhhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya,</strong> a farmer scientist from Junagadh district, Gujarat.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He was conferred with a<strong> National Award by the President of India</strong> at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi during <strong>Festival of Innovation (FOIN)&ndash;2017.</strong></li>
<li>He was also conferred with <strong>Padma Shri</strong> in the year 2019 for his extraordinary work.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tested By: National Innovation Foundation (NIF) &ndash; India,</strong> an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology during 2016-17. It was found that the Madhuban Gajar carrot variety possesses a significantly <strong>higher root yield</strong> (74.2 t/ha) and <strong>plant biomass</strong> (275 gm per plant).</li>
<li><strong>Areas of Cultivation:</strong> The variety is being cultivated in more than 1000 hectares of land in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Biofortification</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fortification</strong> is the practice of <strong>deliberately increasing the content of an essential micronutrient,</strong> i.e. vitamins and minerals in a food, so as to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply and provide a public health benefit with minimal risk to health.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/an-innovative-method-for-boosting-nutrition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biofortification</strong> </a>is the process by which the nutritional quality of food crops is improved through agronomic practices, conventional plant breeding, or modern biotechnology.</li>
<li><strong>Biofortification differs from conventional fortification</strong> in that biofortification aims to increase <strong>nutrient levels in crops during plant growth rather than through manual means during processing of the crops.</strong></li>
<li>Increased nutritional quantity through biofortification will further support India's <strong>National Nutrition Mission.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian government launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/poshan-abhiyaan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Nutrition Mission</strong></a> <strong>(renamed as Poshan Abhiyaan)</strong> in March 2018.</li>
<li>The National Nutrition Mission is backed by a <strong>National Nutrition Strategy</strong> prepared by the NITI Aayog with the goal of attaining <strong>&ldquo;Kuposhan Mukt Bharat"</strong> or malnutrition-free India, by 2022.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Festival of Innovation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Festival of Innovation &amp; Entrepreneurship (FINE)</strong> {previously known as Festival of Innovation FOIN)} is a unique initiative of the <strong>Office of the President of India</strong> to recognise, respect and reward <strong>grassroots innovations and foster a supportive ecosystem.</strong></li>
<li>Hosted in the month of March at the President's House, the FINE has become a national celebration of <strong>creativity and innovation at and for the grassroots.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=201088" 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/madhuban-gajar-biofortified-variety'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Safety of Women During Lockdown',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister of <strong>Women and Child Development had a video-conference with</strong> personnel associated with the Ministry. The purpose was to consider measures to protect women in distress during the lockdown.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nearly <strong>1,000 people</strong> joined the video conference live, including the staff members of<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One Stop Centres.</li>
<li>Shelter homes for women in distress ( such as Swadhar Greh, Ujajwala homes).</li>
<li>Working Women Hostels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reasons Behind Holding the Conference</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rise in Crimes Against Women:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-violence-against-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Commission of Women</strong></a> has recorded<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A more than <strong>two-fold rise in domestic violence and sexual assaults and</strong></li>
<li>A three-fold increase in cases of <strong>police apathy</strong> in the first week of lockdown since March 24, 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Call Taken by Various Organisations:</strong> The <strong>gender rights activists and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations (UN)</a></strong> have called for the need to boost helplines, psycho-social support and online counselling to support women in distress.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Instructions by the Ministry:</strong> Officials of the ministry were asked to ensure that <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/one-stop-centre-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>One Stop Centre</strong></a> are linked with local medical teams, police, NIMHANS, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-legal-services-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)</strong></a> to ensure that their <strong>services are not impacted due to restrictions</strong> on movement.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences), Bangalore is a multidisciplinary institute for patient care and academic pursuit in the field of mental health and neurosciences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>equip counsellors</strong> across the country to deal with the unique problems faced by women.</li>
<li>Use of<strong> digital governance</strong> to ensure safety of women which must be replicated at the State-level and with Non-Government Organisation (NGOs) so that there is no deficit of either information or help.</li>
<li>Urged NGOs to try to ensure that every individual calls at least 10 women every day so that &ldquo;women know that they are not alone&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>One Stop Centre</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One stop centre is a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-to-hike-monthly-pensions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>centrally sponsored scheme</strong> </a><strong>of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)</strong>. It is a subscheme of the National <strong>Mission for Empowerment of Women.</strong></li>
<li>One Stop Centres have been established <strong>across the country to provide integrated support</strong> and assistance under one roof to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces.</li>
<li><strong>Funding:</strong> The scheme is funded through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/one-stop-centre-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nirbhaya Fund</strong></a> <strong>and the central government provides 100% financial assistance</strong> to the state governments /Union Territories administrations.</li>
<li><strong>Auditing:</strong> Audit is done as per <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/comptroller-and-auditor-general-of-india-cag" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comptroller &amp; Auditor General of India</strong></a> norms and social audit is also undertaken by civil society groups.</li>
<li><strong>Services Provided by the One Stop Centres</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Emergency response and rescue services.</li>
<li>Medical assistance.</li>
<li>Assistance to women in lodging the FIR.</li>
<li>Psycho- social support and counselling.</li>
<li>Legal aid and counselling.</li>
<li>Shelter</li>
<li>Video conferencing facility.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Working Women Hostels scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Working Women Hostels scheme is implemented by <strong>the Ministry of Women and Child Development.</strong></li>
<li>It aims to ensure safe accommodation for women working away from their place of residence.</li>
<li><strong>Provisions :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To provide <strong>safety for working women,</strong> a provision has been made to keep security guards and to install CCTV Cameras in Working Women Hostels.</li>
<li>To provide <strong>quality of stay for working women,</strong> provision has been made to provide safe and affordable accommodation with clean and well-ventilated day care centres for the children of inmates, medical first-aid and providing washing machines and geysers/solar water heating systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Swadhar</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A Scheme for Women in Difficult Circumstances was launched by the Department of Women and Child Development in 2001-02. The scheme through the provisions of shelter, food, clothing, counseling, training, clinical and legal aid aims to rehabilitate women in difficult circumstances.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Ujjawala Home</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A comprehensive scheme for prevention of trafficking and rescue, rehabilitation and re-integration of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-rolls-out-steps-for-womens-safety/article31292540.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/safety-of-women-during-lockdown'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Phased Easing of Lockdown',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>An <strong>expert committee headed by former Chief Secretary K.M. Abraham</strong> has <strong>recommended a phased relaxation of the lockdown</strong> to contain <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> for areas outside the seven hotspot districts in the <strong>State of Kerala</strong> from April 15, 2020.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The committee said that the <strong>phased withdrawal (in three phases) is sustainable only</strong> if there is a <strong>steady recovery and decline in the number of cases</strong> leading to initial flattening of the infection curve and then gradual tapering of the curve to zero infection cases.</li>
<li>It has asked the government to advise the people that in the event of a resurgence, they should be<strong> ready and willing to undergo the rigours of a complete <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lockdown</a> once again.</strong></li>
<li>The committee has also come up with <strong>health-related and non-health-related objectives</strong> for the withdrawal strategy and steps for management of hotspots and vulnerable populations.</li>
<li>The Committee has also set<strong> criteria for moving into three phases of lockdown withdrawal.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>For example,</strong> for qualifying for Phase I relaxation, <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>there has to be not more than one new case in the district for the entire week prior to the date of review on April 14.</li>
<li>No increase of more than 10% of the number of persons under home surveillance in the district and no hotspots of COVID-19 anywhere in the district.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586419254_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586419254_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/how-areas-outside-hotspots-get-relaxation/article31289767.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/phased-easing-of-lockdown'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Wildlife Panel Holds Virtual Conference',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Standing Committee of the <strong>National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)</strong> had its first ever video-conferencing meet. In the meet the <strong>NBWL cleared infrastructure projects in 11 States.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to experts associated with the conference <strong>most of the projects were given &ldquo;in-principal approval&rdquo;.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In a virtual conference, it is difficult to scrutinise maps that show the location of the proposed projects.</li>
<li>It is because only the formal minutes of the meeting would reveal the conditions which projects would have to adhere to.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Projects that encroach into forests or protected reserves <strong>require NBWL approval</strong> as part of the government&rsquo;s <strong>environmental clearance process.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Environment Clearance (EC) Process</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-suspended-ec-for-airport-in-goa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)</strong></a> report is prepared to get Environment Clearance (EC) for a project.</li>
<li>A process of <strong>&lsquo;Public Hearing&rsquo;</strong> is conducted before the issue of <strong>&lsquo;Consent to Establish (NOC)&rsquo; by state regulators.</strong> Concerns of people living in the proposed project area are heard.</li>
<li>An application form with EIA report, details of public hearing and <strong>NOC is submitted for environmental clearance with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) if the project falls under A category or the state government if the project falls under B category.</strong></li>
<li>The documents submitted for A and B category are then analyzed by an <strong>Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC)</strong> under the Union Environment Ministry or the concerned <strong>State Environmental Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs)</strong> respectively.</li>
<li>The recommendations of the Committee gets processed in the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for final approval or rejection.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Board for Wildlife is a<strong> statutory Board</strong> constituted officially in 2003 under the <strong>Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.</strong></li>
<li>The NBWL is <strong>chaired by the Prime Minister</strong> and is <strong>responsible for promotion of conservation and development of wildlife and forests.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>board is &lsquo;advisory&rsquo; in nature</strong> and can only advise the Government on policy making for conservation of wildlife.</li>
<li>It is an important body because it serves as an apex body for the review of all wildlife-related matters and for the approval of projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.</li>
<li>The<strong> standing committee</strong> of NBWL is chaired by the Minister of Environment Forest and Climate Change.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The standing committee approves all the projects falling within protected wildlife areas or within 10 km of them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/apex-wildlife-panel-holds-virtual-conference-clears-infra-projects/article31292163.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/wildlife-panel-holds-virtual-conference'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'India’s Pharma Sector',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/donald-trump-hydroxychloroquine-india-narendra-modi-6350471/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coronavirus pandemic: Hydroxychloroquine and the balance of trade, &ldquo;A drug in need&rdquo;</strong></a>. It talks about relaxing the ban on the export of hydroxychloroquine and challenges related to India&rsquo;s pharma sector.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the government has decided to <strong>partially lift the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/complete-export-ban-on-hydroxychloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ban</a></strong> on the export of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hydroxychloroquine</a> (HCQ)</strong>, a drug that has garnered global interest in the treatment and prevention of Covid-19. The drug drew global attention after US President Donald Trump called it a &ldquo;game changer&rdquo;, and proposed its use for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> cases.</p>
<p>Following this, India has been requested by the US and around 30 countries including Brazil and several<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revival-of-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> SAARC nations</strong> </a>for a supply of HCQ. India held that it would supply drugs to countries that needed it the most, and to neighbours who were dependent on India&rsquo;s capabilities.</p>
<p>India&rsquo;s decision to selectively allow export is a welcome step as India would be recognised as a <strong>globally responsible stakeholder in the fight against the pandemic</strong> and reaffirms India's designation of <strong>pharmacy to the world.</strong> However, Indian pharma sector faces many issues that it needs to rectify.</p>
<h3>Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) &amp; Its Use</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>popular anti-parasitic medication</strong> has been available since the 1940s. It&rsquo;s been used to treat malaria.</li>
<li>HCQ is a derivative of chloroquine, and has fewer side-effects.</li>
<li>Chloroquine works by increasing the levels of haem or heme &mdash; a substance toxic to the malarial parasite &mdash; in the blood. This kills the parasite and stops the infection from spreading.</li>
<li>According to the price and drug availability watchdog, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/essential-medicines" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA)</strong></a>, India has a production capacity of 40 metric tonnes, which means 20 crore tablets of 200 mg per month.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indigenously-developed-testing-kits-for-covid-19&amp;sa=D&amp;ust=1586344999168000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEidApqOrmvN8wDYGV_XNawH9TgUA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</strong></a> issued an advisory recommending the use of hydroxychloroquine in asymptomatic healthcare workers treating Covid-19 patients, and also allowed doctors to prescribe it for household contacts of confirmed Covid-19 patients.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the government has stressed that the drug can only be used in Covid-19 treatment on prescription.</li>
<li>The drug has since been moved to a <strong>Schedule H1 status,</strong> which means patients who need the drug would have to get a fresh prescription every time they needed to purchase it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India: Pharmacy to the World</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India enjoys an important position in the global pharmaceuticals sector, as <strong>India is the largest provider of <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/08-05-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">generic drugs</a> globally.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian pharmaceutical industry meets over 50% of global demand for various vaccines, 40% of generic demand in the U.S. and 25% of all medicine in the U.K.</li>
<li>Presently, over 80% of the antiretroviral drugs used globally to combat AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) are supplied by Indian pharmaceutical firms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2020, India is expected to be amongst the <strong>top three pharmaceutical markets</strong> in terms of incremental growth.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian pharmaceuticals market is the world&rsquo;s third-largest in terms of volume and thirteenth-largest in terms of value. It has established itself as a global manufacturing and research hub.</li>
<li>India has one of the lowest manufacturing costs in the world &ndash; lower than that of the U.S. and almost half of the cost in Europe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/328-fixed-dose-combinations-drugs-banned-by-government" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fixed dose combination (FDC) drugs</strong></a> (where two or more drugs are combined in a set ratio in a single dose form) is considered an innovation of India&rsquo;s national pharmaceutical industry.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FDC are being used in the treatment of diseases like HIV, for Parkinson&rsquo;s disease and in contraceptive pills.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dependence on China</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite being a leading supplier of high-quality medicines to several countries, Indian pharmaceutical industry is highly dependent on China<strong> for pharmaceutical raw materials.</strong></li>
<li>These raw materials are called the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-approved-to-promote-drug-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients</strong></a> (API), also known as bulk drugs. Indian drug-makers import around 70% of their total <strong>bulk drug</strong> requirements from China.</li>
<li>In the past decade, India&rsquo;s import of Active Pharmaceuticals Ingredients (APIs) and advanced intermediates &ndash; which are used for manufacturing formulations - has grown rapidly.</li>
<li>India now depends on China fully for these ingredients to make not only advanced drugs but also essential medicines like paracetamol, metformin, aspirin and a range of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hollowing out</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While India today is preferred low-cost producer and exporter of simpler off-patent formulations, the road taken is &lsquo;hollowing out&rsquo; manufacturing <strong>(in raw material: API)</strong> and hampering the productive and competitive thrust of domestic firms.</li>
<li><strong>&lsquo;Hollowing out&rsquo;</strong> refers to deterioration of a country&rsquo;s manufacturing sector when producers move important activities of manufacturing to low-cost facilities overseas (China producing API at 40% cheaper rate than that of Indian manufacturer).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Spurious Medicine</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Fake versions of high value and/or high volume brands</strong> of the pharmaceutical companies in India are adversely affecting their business performance posing another major challenge. It also creates a negative impact to the end consumer and a huge health hazard.</li>
<li>However, in a study found that thousands of FDCs on the market made up of formulations never approved for marketing by the national regulator, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-notification-for-medical-implants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation</strong></a>, and that were likely to be more harmful than beneficial to patients.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Price Capping</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian pharmaceutical Industry is facing pressure from both the government and the civil society to make generic medicines more affordable for a large section of the population of the country.</li>
<li>Pharmaceutical companies, including the government ones, see a scope for further reduction of prices for essential medicines in India.</li>
<li>However, the emphasis on <strong>low price of generic medicine</strong> impacts the net profits of pharma companies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India should look up to and invest in biotechnology. India&rsquo;s biotechnology industry, comprising biopharmaceuticals, bio-services, bio agriculture, bio-industry and bioinformatics is expected to grow at an average rate of around 30% a year and reach $100 billion by 2025.</li>
<li>To ensure health security of Indian people, revival of R&amp;D and public sector API manufacturers is necessary. For example, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) should be promoted to invest in R&amp;D.</li>
<li>India needs user friendly government policy for the common man to establish small scale, raw material manufacturing units/ incubators in all states of the country to improve availability of raw materials to manufacture generic drugs at affordable rates.</li>
<li>There is a need for a functional testing laboratory in every state to fasten the work of specification of raw materials.</li>
<li>Skilled manpower from academic institutions can be achieved through continuing education programmes.</li>
<li>The regulatory policies need to be improved, especially in the area of patent, price control and to boost the pharma sector growth.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586345913_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586345913_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: #deffcc;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>India is known to be the pharmacy of the world. Do you agree? Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-pharma-sector'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Ionospheric Based Monitoring of Large Earthquakes',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, scientists of Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) have come up with a study of the signatures of recent large <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/massive-mountains-discovered-under-earths-crust" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>earthquakes</strong></a> into the ionosphere. The aim was to derive the seismic source characteristics from the ionosphere.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The research is a part of the interdisciplinary program <strong>&lsquo;Coupled Lithosphere-Atmosphere- Ionosphere-Magnetosphere System (CLAIMs)&rsquo;</strong> of IIG. CLAIMS focuses on energy transfer to the atmosphere during solid Earth processes such as earthquakes as well as tsunamis.</li>
<li>IIG is an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Scientists noticed that the spatial distribution of near field <strong>co-seismic ionospheric perturbations (CIP) associated with the earthquake could reflect well the ground deformation pattern</strong> evolved around the epicentre. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These CIP were derived using the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-visual-positioning-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Positioning System</strong></a> (GPS) measured <strong>Total Electron Content (TEC).</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The TEC is the total number of electrons present along a path between a radio transmitter and receiver.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The CIP distribution was estimated at<strong> ionospheric piercing point (IPP)</strong> altitude.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Co-seismic Ionospheric Perturbations (CIP):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In general, the Earth crust uplift during any earthquake produces compressional (i.e. pressure) waves in the overlying atmosphere. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These waves propagate upward in the region of exponentially decreasing atmospheric neutral density, and thus, waves amplitudes increase with atmospheric heights.</li>
<li><strong>On arrival at ionospheric heights, the waves redistribute ionospheric electron density</strong> and <strong>produce electron density perturbations (disruption) </strong>known as<strong> Co-seismic Ionospheric Perturbations (CIP).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, evolution of seismic/tectonically induced ionospheric perturbation is <strong>highly controlled by the non-tectonic forcing mechanisms.</strong></li>
<li>The major effective <strong>non-tectonic forcing mechanisms at ionospheric altitudes</strong> are the <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>orientation between the ambient geomagnetic field and seismic induced neutral wave perturbations.</li>
<li>orientation between the moving satellite line of sights and the wave perturbations.</li>
<li>ambient ionospheric electron density gradient.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenge:</strong> The ionosphere is a<strong> highly dynamic region</strong> and the <strong>origin of any perturbations</strong> in ionospheric electron density can be traced to various origins <strong>either from above</strong> (e.g. solar, geomagnetic etc) <strong>or below</strong> (e.g. lower atmospheric, seismic etc) the ionosphere. This is a major challenge while identifying the CIP.</li>
<li><strong>Inference</strong>: The manifestation of <strong>CIP has to be seen in light of the prevailing non-tectonic forcing mechanisms.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this line, it is believed that the present study may assist while designing a tool for the ionospheric based seismic source characterisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ionosphere</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ionosphere is defined as the layer of the Earth's atmosphere that is ionized by solar and cosmic radiation. It <strong>overlaps</strong> the <strong>mesosphere, thermosphere, </strong>and<strong> exosphere.</strong></li>
<li>It lies 75-1000 km above the Earth.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1611606" 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/ionospheric-based-monitoring-of-large-earthquakes'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Violence Against Women on Rise',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, UN-Women, women&rsquo;s rights activists, government authorities, and civil society partners across the globe have said that domestic violence during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> crisis has increased against women.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The reports of violence have increased in countries like Argentina, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States, Cyprus, Singapore and Australia among others.</li>
<li>In <strong>India,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-violence-against-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Commission for Women (NCW) has recorded a more than twofold rise in gender-based violence.</strong></a></li>
<li>It has been said that <strong>confinement due to Covid-19</strong> is fostering the tension and strain created by security, health, and money is the reason behind this.</li>
<li>This will have<strong> multiple impacts on women&rsquo;s wellbeing,</strong> their sexual and reproductive health, their mental health, and their ability to participate and lead in the recovery of our societies, economy and difficulty in achieving <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal -5 (SDG-5) -Gender equality.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges in the wake Covid-19 Outbreak</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Even before Covid-19, <strong>domestic violence was already one of the greatest human rights violations.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2019-20, 243 million women and girls (aged 15-49) across the world have been subjected to sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner.</li>
<li>As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, the violence is likely to grow.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wide under-reporting</strong> of domestic and other forms of violence <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Less than 40% of women who experience violence seeking help of any sort or reporting the crime.</li>
<li>Less than 10% of those women seeking help go to the police.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The current circumstances (Covid-19 pandemic) <strong>make reporting even harder,</strong> including limitations on women&rsquo;s and girls&rsquo; access to phones and helplines and disrupted public services like police, justice and social services.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These disruptions is <strong>compromising the care and support</strong> that survivors need, like clinical management of rape, and mental health and psycho-social support.</li>
<li>The disruptions also fuel impunity for the perpetrators.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In many countries <strong>the law is not on the women's side.</strong> 1 in 4 countries have no laws specifically protecting women from domestic violence.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The increase in <strong>violence against women should be dealt with urgently</strong> with measures embedded in <strong>economic support and stimulus packages</strong> that meet the gravity and scale of the challenge and reflect the needs of women who face multiple forms of discrimination.</li>
<li><strong>Grassroots and women&rsquo;s organizations </strong>and <strong>communities</strong> need to be supported strongly in their current frontline role.</li>
<li><strong>Helplines, psychosocial support and online counselling</strong> should be boosted, using technology-based solutions such as SMS, online tools and networks to expand social support, and to reach women with no access to phones or internet.</li>
<li><strong>Police and justice services should mobilize</strong> to ensure that incidents of violence against women and girls are given high priority with no impunity for perpetrators.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>UN Women</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> <strong>entity</strong> dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.</li>
<li>It is a global champion for women and girls, it was established to accelerate progress on meeting the needs of women worldwide.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/4/statement-ed-phumzile-violence-against-women-during-pandemic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: UN</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/violence-against-women-on-rise'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'India Moved to WTO on US Tariffs',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Under the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organisation&rsquo;s (WTO&rsquo;s)</strong></a> <strong>safeguard agreement,</strong> India has sought consultations with the US.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The consultation has been sought on A<strong>merican authorities' decision to increase import duties on derivatives of steel and aluminium products.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<p><strong>WTO's Safeguard Agreement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Agreement on Safeguards (&ldquo;SG Agreement&rdquo;) sets forth the <strong>rules for application of safeguard measures pursuant to Article XIX of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994.</strong></li>
<li>Safeguard measures are defined as <strong>&ldquo;emergency&rdquo; actions with respect to increased imports of particular products,</strong> where such imports have <strong>caused or threaten to cause serious injury to the importing Member's domestic industry.</strong></li>
<li>As per a provision of the Agreement on Safeguards, a WTO member country proposing to apply a safeguard measures shall provide adequate opportunity for <strong>prior consultations</strong> with those members having a <strong>substantial interest as exporters of the product concerned.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is with a view to exchanging views on the measure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India considers this measure of the US to be a <strong>safeguard measure within a provision of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994, </strong>and the<strong> Agreement on Safeguards.</strong></li>
<li>Therefore, India has sought consultations with the US, under the <strong>WTO's safeguard agreement.</strong></li>
<li>India has sought to exercise its right to consult on the specifics of the measures and its <strong>right to determine appropriate trade compensation with the US.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>According to the WTO:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India reserves the <strong>right to raise additional issues and make further factual and legal arguments.</strong></li>
<li>This should be without prejudice to any other remedies provided for under the understanding of rules and procedures governing the settlement of disputes and the covered agreements during the course of consultations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India looks forward to receiving a prompt reply to its request from the US for a mutually convenient date and venue for the consultations.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>GATT traces its origins to the <strong>1944 Bretton Woods Conference,</strong> which laid the foundations for the post-World War II financial system and established two key institutions, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.</li>
<li>GATT signed by <strong>23 countries in Geneva in 1947 came into force on Jan 1, 1948</strong> with the following purposes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>to phase out the use of import quotas</li>
<li>to reduce tariffs on merchandise trade,</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>GATT became the only multilateral instrument governing international trade from 1948 <strong>until the WTO was established in 1995.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The provisions of GATT 1947 were incorporated into the GATT of 1994. The <strong>GATT 1994 is itself part of the WTO formation agreement.</strong></li>
<li>The Uruguay Round of GATT, conducted from 1987 to 1994 culminated in the Marrakesh agreement, which established the WTO.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/india-takes-us-to-wto-s-safeguard-committee-for-hiking-duties-on-steel-aluminium-derivatives-120040701803_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: BS</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-moved-to-wto-on-us-tariffs'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Healthcare Institutions Face Cyber Threats',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol)</strong> has warned member countries that <strong>cybercriminals are attempting to target major hospitals</strong> and other institutions on the front lines of the fight against<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-s-preparedness" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> COVID-19</strong></a> <strong>with ransomware.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The organisation also talked about recent changes in the pattern of crime.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In an <strong>alert sent to 194 nations, including India,</strong> Interpol said that the hospitals and institutions had become targets of ransomware attacks.</li>
<li>Interpol&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-facility-to-tackle-cyber-crimes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cybercrime</strong> </a><strong>Threat Response Team</strong> had detected an <strong>increase in the number of attempted ransomware attacks</strong> against key organisations and infrastructure engaged in the virus response.</li>
<li>Cybercriminals are using ransomware to hold hospitals and medical services digitally hostage, preventing them from <strong>accessing vital files and systems until a ransom is paid.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The attacks were designed to lock these institutions out of their critical systems in an attempt to<strong> extort payments.</strong></li>
<li>Locking hospitals out of their critical systems <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Will delay the swift medical response required during these unprecedented times.</li>
<li>it could also directly lead to deaths.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ransomware appears to be spreading primarily via e-mails, often falsely claiming to <strong>contain information or advice regarding the coronavirus from a government agency,</strong> which encourages the recipient to click on an infected link or attachment.</li>
<li><strong>Prevention and Mitigation efforts are crucial</strong> to stopping the attacks.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Interpol continues to stand by its member countries and provide any assistance necessary to ensure vital healthcare systems remain untouched and the criminals targeting them held accountable.</li>
<li>Interpol also issued a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/interpol-notices" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Purple Notice</strong></a> to seek or provide information on modus operandi, objects, devices and concealment methods used by criminals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Steps Taken by the Government</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Alerts received by the Government of India on the threat of ransomware/malware attacks have been communicated to the concerned departments.</li>
<li>Institutions and individuals have been appealed <strong>not to open any mail or link on coronavirus data</strong> or home remedies unless it is from a trusted source like a government agency. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They were also cautioned about a possibility of <strong>e-mail spoofing,</strong> where a suspect operating from a remote location would send a mail that would appear as if it came from a known person.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Criminal Police Organization</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Interpol is an intergovernmental organization that helps <strong>coordinate the police force of 194 member countries.</strong></li>
<li>Each of the member countries hosts an interpol <strong>National Central Bureau (NCB).</strong> This connects their national law enforcement with other countries and with the General Secretariat.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/central-bureau-of-investigation-cbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)</strong></a> is designated as the National Central Bureau of India.</li>
<li>The<strong> General Secretariat</strong> provides a range of expertise and services to the member countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is headquartered in <strong>Lyon, France</strong></li>
<li><strong>Interpol Notices</strong> are <strong>international requests</strong> for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586334837_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586334837_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Changed Pattern of Crimes</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Interpol warned that with a majority of<strong> people working from home</strong> due to the pandemic, there was a change in the pattern of crimes.</li>
<li>Following is the change<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Fraudulent trade</strong> in personal protective equipment and anti-viral medicines,</li>
<li>individuals/businesses on reduced income becoming potential <strong>targets of loan sharks (Persons who loan money at extremely high interest rates and often use threats of violence to collect debts).</strong></li>
<li>The lockdown period has made <strong>business establishments/factories vulnerable to thefts.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since more people were at home, the number of burglaries had dropped. But thieves are increasingly targeting factories or business premises that were locked.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Domestic violence cases have risen</strong> since the start of coronavirus-related quarantines, with reports showing women and children at greater risk of abuse.</li>
<li>Recent weeks have seen increased <strong>online activity by paedophiles</strong> (persons who are sexually attracted to children) <strong>seeking child sexual abuse material.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is being intensified by a shortage of moderators who identify and remove offensive material from networks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/interpol-warns-of-cyberattacks-on-hospitals/article31281509.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/healthcare-institutions-face-cyber-threats'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Sequencing Novel Coronavirus',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>India</strong> has shared <strong>nine whole genome sequences of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)</a></strong> with the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong> (ICMR) has allowed all national research laboratories to conduct testing for the novel coronavirus.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>GISAID is a</strong> public platform started by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong></a> in <strong>2008</strong> for countries to <strong>share genome sequences.</strong></li>
<li>The GISAID Initiative<strong> promotes the international sharing</strong> of all influenza virus sequences, related clinical and epidemiological data associated with human viruses, and geographical as well as species-specific data associated with avian and other animal viruses<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This helps researchers understand<strong> how the viruses evolve, spread and potentially become pandemics.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It actively <strong>promotes the development of novel research tools</strong> for the analysis of influenza data by helping developers to facilitate the integration or connection of their tools to analyze GISAID data.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>So far, 3,086 sequences of the virus isolated from humans have been shared by <strong>57 countries.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With 621, the U.S. has shared the most number of sequences, followed by the U.K. (350), Belgium (253) and China (242).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has been found that <strong>a spike protein of SARS-CoV-2</strong> also known as 2019-nCoV, enables the virus to<strong> enter and infect human cells.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genome-sequencing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sequencing the genome</strong></a> of SARS-CoV-2 will help understand <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>where the virus came from.</li>
<li>if there are different strains circulating in India.</li>
<li>how the virus has spread.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Genome sequencing</strong> is <strong>figuring out the order of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nucleotides, or bases,</strong> in a genome&mdash;the order of Adenine, Cytosine, Guanines, and Thymine that make up an organism's DNA.</li>
<li>On April 2, 2020, the<strong> Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</strong> allowed all national research laboratories including those under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to conduct testing for the novel coronavirus.</li>
<li>According to CSIR <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both the Centre for <strong>Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB, Telangana) and the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB, New Delhi)</strong> have already started sequencing the virus.</li>
<li>The CCMB has both <strong>Biosafety Level (BSL)-2 and BSL-3 labs.</strong></li>
<li>The virus is isolated and deactivated in BSL-3 facility and sequenced in BSL-2 facility.</li>
<li>Besides sequencing, the virus will also be cultured (grown in cells). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Cell culture is the <strong>maintenance and growth of the cells</strong> in specially designed containers and under precise conditions of temperature, humidity, nutrition, and freedom from contamination.</li>
<li>This will help in studying the virus and will be useful while <strong>testing vaccines and drugs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Biosafety levels</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BSL is used to identify the <strong>protective measures needed in a laboratory setting</strong> to protect workers, the environment, and the public.</li>
<li><strong>Activities and projects conducted in biological laboratories</strong> are categorized by biosafety level.</li>
<li>The four biosafety levels are <strong>BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4, with BSL-4 being the highest (maximum) level of containment.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CSIR was established by the Government of India in<strong> September 1942 as an autonomous body.</strong></li>
<li>It is known for its cutting edge R&amp;D knowledge base in diverse S&amp;T areas.</li>
<li>Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been ranked first in <strong>the Nature Ranking Index-2020.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Nature Index provides a close to real-time proxy of high-quality research output and collaboration at the institutional, national and regional level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ICMR is the apex body in India for the<strong> formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.</strong></li>
<li>Its mandate is <strong>to 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://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/two-csir-labs-start-sequencing-novel-coronavirus/article31282975.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/sequencing-novel-coronavirus'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Expert Panel Against Full Repeal of lockdown',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>An <strong>expert committee&rsquo;s report</strong> to the government has suggested that <strong>14<sup>th</sup> April, 2020</strong> is <strong>not the right time to fully withdraw the 21-days nationwide <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lockdown</a>.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The committee was asked to look into the strategy to ease the lockdown restrictions.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>21 Days Lockdown</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The period of 21 days was chosen due to <strong>public health/epidemiological significance</strong> and it is <strong>supported by scientific data.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The calculations are based on the <strong>estimated incubation period of the virus</strong> in a human host.</li>
<li>The 21-day quarantine value is derived from interpretations of outbreak data from past and present epidemics and pandemics. For example, the cases of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/spanish-flu" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Spanish Flu</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ebola-global-health-emergency" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ebola</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Explanation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In epidemiological terms, <strong>14 days</strong> are of the <strong>initial incubation period</strong> and adding another week, i.e. 21 days is to ensure that residual infection dies out.</li>
<li>It is estimated that being a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>new strain of coronavirus</strong></a>, its <strong>median incubation period</strong> (the time between the entry of virus to the onset of symptoms/ disease) falls within the period of 14 days.</li>
<li>According to a recent study the median incubation period for COVID-19 is <strong>just over five days</strong> and 97.5% of people who develop symptoms will do so <strong>within 11.5 days</strong> of infection.</li>
<li>So, the current period of active monitoring (14 days) recommended by the <strong>U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</strong> is well supported by the evidence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Restrictions on large-scale movement of people</strong> across International and State boundaries is <strong>critical</strong> and should be kept there unless and until the situation gets under control in every State.</li>
<li>The major concern is that a <strong>prolonged and stringent lockdown</strong> will lead to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>economic hardships</strong></a>, <strong>famine</strong> and <strong>law and order issues,</strong> which may undermine the objectives of both the lockdown and health management.</li>
<li>The committee suggested a <strong>withdrawal strategy</strong> which should be <strong>gradual, phased and calibrated</strong> so that it is ensured that the caseload is kept below the capacity of the health-care systems.</li>
<li>Such a phased approach should be <strong>operationalized at the revenue district level.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>All states should fasten up<strong> preparatory work for the predicted and rapid rise of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> cases</strong> as they are expected to exceed the local capacity in some cities.</li>
<li><strong>No relaxation in speedy production and procurement</strong> of test kits, ventilators, PPEs for health-care personnel and masks.</li>
<li>Centre should <strong>release funds and create a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/suggestions-for-covid-19-and-lockdown-exit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">national coordination mechanism</a></strong> to distribute them on a need basis.</li>
<li>Centre should ensure effective <strong>coordination between the States and logistics operators.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Supporting the agricultural sector</strong> in production, marketing, storage, and transport.</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring continuation of modern technological leaps,</strong> like rapid innovations and practices which are being introduced in education, judiciary, local business, telemedicine, among others, <strong>even after the lockdown ends.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/expert-panel-against-full-repeal-of-lockdown/article31283892.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/expert-panel-against-full-repeal-of-lockdown'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Pandemic And Infodemic',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/facts-fight-fear-coronavirus-icmr-sc-6343237/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Facts fight fear&rdquo;</strong></a>, &ldquo;<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/coronavirus-covid-19-india-china-pandemic-world-health-organisation-who-6303013/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Amid coronavirus outbreak, how information can be an epidemic too</strong></a>&rdquo;, &ldquo;<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/fake-news-in-the-time-of-coronavirus-why-its-time-to-practice-information-hygiene-6349641/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fake news in the time of coronavirus: Why it&rsquo;s time to practice information hygiene</strong></a>&rdquo;. It talks about the role of social media during the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>
</div>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> has caused social and economic disruptions all around the globe. Moreover, the worrisome situation is not just because of the pandemic but the ease at which <strong>fake news</strong> has been spreading around it. The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong></a> admitted that humanity is fighting <strong>two foes &mdash; a pandemic and an &ldquo;infodemic&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Infodemic is an overabundance of information that makes it difficult for people to identify truthful and trustworthy sources from false or misleading ones.</strong> In the present state of emergency, a barrage of information on the virus has deluged the traditional and social media space.</p>
<p>The recent <strong>exodus of migrant labourers from NCR</strong> (risking spread of virus through community transmission to the rural areas where healthcare infrastructure is in a dismal state) was triggered due to panic created by some fake/misleading news on social media.</p>
<p>Though social media is acting as a <strong>fertile ground for dangerous rumour-mongering, it can act as an indispensable source of vital information.</strong></p>
<h3>Negative Role Played by Social Media</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a <strong>paradigm shift from the 20<sup>th</sup>-century ecosystem</strong> dominated by print and broadcast media to an increasingly digital, mobile and social media dominated ecosystem.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The lack of filtering on online platforms negates any authentication mechanisms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Social Media, with its ability to <strong>amplify a message through endorsements and forwards,</strong> gives one the tool to reach a potential audience without needing substantial resources or access to expensive media technology.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Social media provides the tools for an information cascade. It enables individuals to distribute large volumes of disinformation or fake news.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, Social media not only changed the methods of news distribution but also changed the age-old beliefs of <strong>how news should look.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Now, a tweet, which at most is 140 characters long, is considered a piece of news and true particularly if it comes from a person in authority.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Today's decision-making is not based on individual rationality but from shared group-level narratives. Social media helps in making the false and misleading narratives of some social miscreants.</li>
<li>These issues can be reflected in the Covid-19 pandemic.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are rising <strong>dangerous conspiracy theories</strong> of Covid-19 of being a Bioweapon.</li>
<li>A <strong>rumour of a lockdown</strong> of essential commodities resulted in people hoarding the essential supplies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Positive Role Played by Social Media</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Covid-19 has led to<strong> social distancing and lockdown</strong> all across the nation. In these conditions, social media serves as:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>A crucial conduit</strong> between families, friends, office, and a medium of entertainment.</li>
<li>A reliable way for the victims of this virus to <strong>communicate with the outside world.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Social media has also been instrumental in helping improve the situation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In response to Covid-19 pandemic, it gave birth to a fair share of online fundraisers. For example, donations in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-cares-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM-CARES fund</strong></a> got encouraged by people sharing this on social media.</li>
<li>People are also giving money to financially struggling hospitals, as well as individuals at risk of dying from the disease.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scientists</strong> are using social media tools to collaborate.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The coronavirus genome was openly published early on during the outbreak, allowing thousands of researchers to brainstorm possible solutions, cures and explanations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Social media <strong>displays and strengthens solidarity</strong> against this virus.For example, Indian Prime Minister called for lighting lamps to reinforce the public commitment to fight Covid-19.</li>
<li>It is being used to <strong>spread preventive steps</strong> that one can take to fight Covid-19. These small changes in behaviours can have enormous consequences.</li>
<li><strong>WHO and other public health organizations</strong> also use social media to inform the public about the outbreak, and control the panic.</li>
<li><strong>The Supreme Court of India</strong> also issued a directive that a daily bulletin system with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic be made active by the government through all media avenues, including social media and forums to clear people&rsquo;s doubts and to check fake news.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p><strong>Information hygiene to start the war against fake news.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Though Covid-19 and social media have highlighted the importance of maintaining personal hygiene, the conversation about information hygiene must now happen in the society. <strong>Information hygiene includes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Verifying the authentic source of fact.</li>
<li>Double checking with some fact checking website.</li>
<li>Asking some expert opinion on that particular issue.</li>
<li>Applying rational thinking while going through a forwarded news on social media.</li>
<li>Applying these ideas before sharing the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p>Role Played by Social Media Sites in Combating Fake News</p>
<p>Social media websites are actively fighting this misinformation and fear mongering. The social media platforms &ndash; for a welcome change &ndash; have taken the lead in busting the myths about coronavirus.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Google has created an SOS Alert on COVID-19 for the six official UN languages and is expanding in other languages to make sure the first information the public receives is from the WHO website and the social media accounts of the WHO.</li>
<li>Facebook has promised to ban ads that promise &ldquo;cures&rdquo; for the Covid-19 virus.</li>
<li>Twitter says it will be applying a new broader definition of harm to address content that &ldquo;goes directly against guidance from authoritative sources of global and local public health information&rdquo; to counter misinformation.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586260532_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586260532_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="440" height="587" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #778ffc; background-color: #f0ebe4;">
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Social media can be an unstoppable force, especially in times of crisis. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/pandemic-and-infodemic'
	]
]
$updates = object(Cake\ORM\Query) {

	'(help)' => 'This is a Query object, to get the results execute or iterate it.',
	'sql' => 'SELECT articles.article_id AS `articles__article_id`, articles.category_id AS `articles__category_id`, articles.title AS `articles__title`, articles.description AS `articles__description`, articles.shortdescription AS `articles__shortdescription`, articles.featuredimage AS `articles__featuredimage`, articles.tag_id AS `articles__tag_id`, articles.secondary_tag AS `articles__secondary_tag`, articles.type AS `articles__type`, articles.publishon AS `articles__publishon`, articles.posturl AS `articles__posturl`, articles.metatitle AS `articles__metatitle`, articles.metadescription AS `articles__metadescription`, articles.metakeyword AS `articles__metakeyword`, articles.status AS `articles__status`, articles.sort_order AS `articles__sort_order`, articles.addedby AS `articles__addedby`, articles.updatedby AS `articles__updatedby`, articles.added AS `articles__added`, articles.modified AS `articles__modified`, articles.whatsnewid AS `articles__whatsnewid`, articles.display_printpdf AS `articles__display_printpdf`, articles.display_comments AS `articles__display_comments`, articles.pdf_name AS `articles__pdf_name`, articles.display_archive AS `articles__display_archive` FROM articles articles WHERE status = :c0 ORDER BY publishon desc LIMIT 10',
	'params' => [
		':c0' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		]
	],
	'defaultTypes' => [
		'articles__article_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.article_id' => 'integer',
		'article_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__category_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.category_id' => 'integer',
		'category_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__title' => 'string',
		'articles.title' => 'string',
		'title' => 'string',
		'articles__description' => 'text',
		'articles.description' => 'text',
		'description' => 'text',
		'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) 91
$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

Achievers Corner

Prelims

Mains & Interview

Current Affairs

Drishti Specials

Free Downloads

Test Series

Videos

Search

Search list matched with tags “class”