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North East Venture Fund

Why in News The Ministry of Development of North-East Region has recently given an update on the scheme North East Venture Fund. Key...

19 Jan 2021 GS Paper - 2
India- Sri Lanka

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19 Jan 2021 GS Paper - 2
India-Nepal Joint Commission Meet

Why in News Recently, the 6th India-Nepal Joint Commission meeting was held where in Nepal raised the Kalapani boundary dispute with India. The two...

19 Jan 2021 GS Paper - 2
CVC on Delay in Investigations

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The Big Picture: India and the Vaccination Drive

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Indian Railway Finance Corporation: IPO

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Crowdfunding for Rare Diseases

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		'article_id' => (int) 7501,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'North East Venture Fund',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Ministry of Development of North-East Region has recently <strong>given an update on the scheme North East Venture Fund.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Set up by<strong> North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited</strong> (NEDFi) in association with the <strong>Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region</strong> (M-DoNER), the <strong>North East Venture Fund</strong> scheme was launched in September 2017.</li>
<li>It is the<strong> first dedicated venture capital fund</strong> for the North Eastern Region (NER).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Venture capital is a form of <strong>private equity</strong> and a type of<strong> financing</strong> that<strong> investors provide to startup companies</strong> and small businesses that are believed to have <strong>long-term growth potential.</strong> Venture capital generally comes from<strong> well-off investors, investment banks and any other financial institutions. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Corpus Amount:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Capital commitment of<strong> Rs 100 crore.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To contribute to the<strong> entrepreneurship development of the NER</strong> and achieve <strong>attractive risk-adjusted returns through long term capital appreciation</strong> by way of investments in privately negotiated equity/ equity related investments.</li>
<li>The fund targets to invest in Start-Ups and unique business opportunities to provide resources for new entrepreneurships in Food Processing, Healthcare, Tourism, segregation of services, IT, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Range of funds:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The investment under this scheme ranges from<strong> Rs. 25 lakh to Rs.10 crore per venture,</strong> which is long term in nature with an investment horizon of <strong>4-5 years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Other Initiatives for the Development of North-Eastern Region</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>North East Rural Livelihood Project (NELRP):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Launched in 2012, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/north-east-rural-livelihood-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NERLP</strong></a> is a <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong> </a>aided, multi-state project under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).</li>
<li>The project has been implemented in<strong> 11 districts of Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim</strong> with an aim to <strong>improve rural livelihoods especially that of women, unemployed youth and the most disadvantaged,</strong> in the four North Eastern States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>North Eastern Region Vision 2020 document</strong> provides an overarching framework for the development of the North Eastern Region.</li>
<li><strong>Science &amp; Technology Interventions in the North East Region</strong> (STINER): <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>STINER aims to bring <strong>relevant technologies developed by the academic, scientific and research institutions to the artisans and farmers especially women. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project</strong> (NERPSIP):<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/north-eastern-region-power-system-improvement-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Scheme</strong></a> was initially approved in December 2014 as a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/reforming-centrally-sponsored-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Sector Scheme</strong> </a>of the Ministry of Power.</li>
<li>It aims to create a reliable<strong> power grid</strong> and improve NER States' connectivity to the upcoming load centers, and thus extend the benefits of the <strong>grid connected power to all categories of consumers of beneficiaries in the North Eastern Region.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Destination North East festival:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The different facets of Northeast including the entrepreneurship avenues are replicated at <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-infrastructure-and-north-east" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>different locations across the country</strong></a>. During these events also, an exclusive arrangement is made for offering counselling and assistance to potential entrepreneurs and business Start-Ups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1687668" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7500,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India- Sri Lanka',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Government of Srilanka decided to rebuild a demolished memorial at <strong>Jaffna University</strong> after the High Commissioner of India&rsquo;s concerns.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The demolition of a memorial paying tribute to Tamil civilians killed during the civil war between LTTE and the Sri Lankan Army in 2009 has brought attention to unaddressed issues of <strong>minority rights</strong> of Tamilians in Srilanka again in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-sri-lanka-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Srilanka relations</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611051412_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611051412_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issues of Tamilians in Srilanka</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Denial of Citizenship:</strong> The problem of the Srilankan Tamils began earlier than the 1950s. After independence in 1948 the <strong>Srilankan government felt that the Tamils were not Srilankan</strong> because they had Indian ancestry. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The majority of the Tamils were<strong> denied Srilankan citizenship</strong> due to which most of the Tamils continued to live in poverty in the tea estates of Srilanka.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Linguistic Discrimination:</strong> The conflict between Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka started in 1956 when <strong>Sinhala was made the official language</strong> by the country's President and large scale discrimination began against the Tamils.</li>
<li><strong>Religious Discrimination:</strong> The discrimination against the Tamil population continued throughout the 1960s as <strong>Buddhism was given the primary place in the state</strong> and the number of Tamils employed by the state and admitted into institutions of higher learning was greatly restricted.</li>
<li><strong>Intensified Movements:</strong> During this period the Tamils responded to their oppression largely through a political and a non-violent protest movement. In the 1970s, however, there was an increased trend towards Tamil separatism and militancy that gave rise to a terrorist organization called LTTE.</li>
<li><strong>Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE):</strong> It was formed in 1976 as the self-styled "national freedom movement of the people of Tamil Eelam" and began a guerilla war on the government and administration. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It undertook numerous terrorist activities in Srilanka especially against the Sinhalese and executed the<strong> assassination of Rajiv Gandhi (the ex Prime Minister of India).</strong></li>
<li>After a long strife, and millions of casualties, the civil war with LTTE ended in 2009. India played an important role in helping Srilankan to uproot terrorism from its homeland.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rehabilitation of Refugees:</strong> A lot of Srilankan Tamils who evaded from Srilankan civil war (2009) are seeking refuge in Tamil Nadu. They are not returning in fear of being targeted again. It is a challenge for India to rehabilitate them.</li>
<li><strong>Sentiments of Indian Tamils:</strong> A number of protests and criticism is drawn at the end of Indian Government for overlooking the plight of Srilankan Tamils to maintain good relationship with Srilanka.</li>
<li><strong>Strategic interests vs Tamil question:</strong> Often India has to trade off on the question of Tamilian minority rights over strategic issues to protect its economic interests in its neighborhood and to counter Chinese influence in Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India - Sri Lanka Confidence Building Measures: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Currency Swap Agreements: <a href="/printpdf/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Reserve Bank of India</a></strong> (RBI) had signed an agreement for extending a<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-signs-currency-swap-for-sri-lanka" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> USD 400 million currency swap</strong></a> facility to Sri Lanka to boost the foreign reserves and ensure financial stability of the country, which is badly hit by Covid-19 pandemic.</li>
<li><strong>High Level Exchanges:</strong> Political relations between India and Sri Lanka have been marked by high-level exchanges of visits at regular intervals.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Support against Terrorism:</strong> During the course of the civil war, India supported the right of the Government of Sri Lanka to act against terrorist forces.</li>
<li><strong>The Indian Housing Project:</strong> It is Government of India&rsquo;s flagship project of developmental assistance to Sri Lanka. Its initial commitment is to build 50,000 houses for those affected by the civil war as well as for the estate workers in the plantation areas.</li>
<li><strong>Addressing Fishermen Issue:</strong> Given the proximity of the territorial waters of both countries, especially in the <strong>Palk Straits</strong> and the <strong>Gulf of Mannar</strong>, incidents of straying of fishermen are common. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both countries have agreed on certain practical arrangements to deal with the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fishermen-issue-with-sri-lanka" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> issue of bona fide fishermen</strong> </a>of either side crossing the <strong>International Maritime Boundary Line.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint Exercises:</strong> India and Sri Lanka conduct joint Military (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-mitra-shakti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mitra Shakti</strong></a>) and Naval exercise (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/slinex-20-india-sri-lanka-naval-maritime-exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SLINEX</strong></a>).</li>
<li><strong>Participation in Groupings:</strong> Sri Lanka is also a member of regional groupings like <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bimstec-guests-of-honour" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BIMSTEC</strong> </a>(Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> SAARC</strong> </a>in which India plays a leading role.</li>
<li><strong>SAGAR:</strong> Srilanka supports India&rsquo;s concern for the security of Indian ocean with its &lsquo;Neighbourhood First&rsquo; policy and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lucknow-declaration" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region).</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Line of Credit:</strong> India has extended a $400 million line of credit to Sri Lanka to help strengthen its infrastructure and economy. An additional $50 million to help Sri Lanka combat terrorism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/india-intervened-on-jaffna-varsity-memorial-issue/article33594886.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7498,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India-Nepal Joint Commission Meet',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>6<sup>th</sup> India-Nepal Joint Commission</strong> meeting was held where in Nepal raised the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-nepal-border-dispute" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kalapani boundary dispute</strong> </a>with India. The two sides also <strong>discussed cooperation in a range of areas,</strong> including power, oil and gas, water resources, capacity building and tourism among others.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India distanced itself from discussing the matter at the Joint Commission level as there is a <strong>dedicated Foreign Secretary-level mechanism to discuss boundary disputes.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nepal&rsquo;s requirement for vaccines to fight the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-vaccine-distribution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> pandemic was discussed as it has approved<strong> Serum Institute of India&rsquo;s</strong> (SII) <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-iii-clinical-trials-of-covishield" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covishield vaccine.</strong></a></li>
<li>Both the delegations reviewed the development partnership and discussed the benefit of the <strong>Integrated Check Posts (ICP) at Birgunj and Biratnagar</strong> (Nepal). The Posts have helped in seamless movement of people and trade between the two countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Third and Fourth ICP at Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa respectively to be started.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India to build <strong>two cultural heritage projects in Nepal</strong> on the<strong> &lsquo;Pashupatinath Riverfront Development&rsquo;</strong> and the<strong> &lsquo;Bhandarkhal Garden Restoration in Patan Durbar&rsquo;</strong> through grant assistance.</li>
<li>Nepal&rsquo;s Foreign Minister also delivered a speech in<strong> Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian Council of World Affairs was established in <strong>1943 as a think tank.</strong> It is devoted exclusively for the <strong>study of international relations and foreign affairs.&nbsp;</strong>The <strong>Vice President of India</strong> is the <strong>ex-officio President of ICWA.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India - Nepal Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Historical Ties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nepal is an important neighbour of India and occupies special significance in its foreign policy because of the <strong>geographic, historical, cultural and economic linkages/ties that span centuries.</strong></li>
<li>India and Nepal share similar ties in terms of <strong>Hinduism and Buddhism</strong> with Buddha&rsquo;s birthplace Lumbini located in present day Nepal.</li>
<li>The two countries not only share an open border and unhindered movement of people, but they also have <strong>close bonds through marriages and familial ties, popularly known as Roti-Beti ka Rishta.</strong></li>
<li>The India-Nepal <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-downturn-in-indo-nepal-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950</strong></a> forms the bedrock of the special relations that exist between India and Nepal.</li>
<li>Importance for India can be studied from two different angles: a) <strong>their strategic importance for India&rsquo;s national security;</strong> and b) <strong>their place in India&rsquo;s role perception in international politics.</strong></li>
<li>Rivers originating in Nepal feed the <strong>perennial river systems</strong> of India in terms of ecology and <strong>hydropower potential.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade and Economy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is Nepal&rsquo;s<strong> largest trade partner</strong> and the<strong> largest source of foreign investments,</strong> besides providing transit for almost the entire third country trade of Nepal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nepal being a landlocked country, it is surrounded by India from three sides and one side is open towards Tibet which has very<strong> limited vehicular access.</strong></li>
<li>India-Nepal has undertaken various <strong>connectivity programs</strong> to enhance people-to-people linkages and promote economic growth and development.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>MOUs have been signed between both the governments for laying electric <strong>rail track linking Kathmandu with Raxaul</strong> in India.</li>
<li>India is looking to develop the<strong> inland waterways</strong> for the movement of cargo, within the framework of trade and transit arrangements, providing additional access to sea for Nepal calling it linking <strong>Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) with Sagar (Indian Ocean).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bilateral defence cooperation includes assistance to Nepalese Army in its modernization through provision of equipment and training.</li>
<li>The <strong>Gorkha Regiments</strong> of the Indian Army are raised partly by recruitment from hill districts of Nepal.</li>
<li>India from 2011, every year undertakes joint military exercise with Nepal known as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/surya-kiran-xiv" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Surya Kiran.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There have been initiatives to promote people-to-people contacts in the area of art &amp; culture, academics and media with different local bodies of Nepal.</li>
<li>India has signed three <strong>sister-city agreements</strong> for twinning of<strong> Kathmandu-Varanasi, Lumbini-Bodhgaya and Janakpur-Ayodhya.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Humanitarian Assistance</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nepal lies in a sensitive ecological fragile zone which is prone to earthquakes, floods causing massive damage to both life and money, whereby it remains the biggest recipient of India&rsquo;s humanitarian assistance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multilateral Partnership</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Nepal share multiple multilateral forums such as<strong> BBIN</strong> (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal), <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/drishti-specials-important-international-bimstec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BIMSTEC</strong></a> (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non Aligned Movement</strong></a>, <strong>and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SAARC</a></strong> (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues &amp; Challenges</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Intervention:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As a landlocked nation, Nepal depended for many years on Indian imports, and India played an active role in Nepal's affairs.</li>
<li>However, in recent years, Nepal has <strong>drifted away from India's influence,</strong> and China has gradually filled the space with investments, aid and loans.</li>
<li>China considers Nepal a key partner in its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative</strong></a> (BRI), and wants to<strong> invest in Nepal's infrastructure</strong> as part of its grand plans to boost global trade.</li>
<li>Rising Nepal and China cooperation can undermine Nepal&rsquo;s distinction of <strong>buffer state</strong> between India and China.</li>
<li>China on the other hand wants to avoid the formation of any <strong>Anti-China stance by the Tibetans living in Nepal.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Border Dispute:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-nepal-border-dispute" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>issue erupted in November 2019</strong> </a>when Nepal had released a new political map that claims <strong>Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh of Uttarakhand as part of Nepal&rsquo;s territory.</strong> The area of <strong>Susta</strong> (West Champaran district, Bihar) can also be noted in the new map.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India should negotiate diplomatically to resolve the boundary dispute with Nepal under the aegis of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/indo-nepal-territorial-dispute" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International law on Trans-boundary Water Disputes</strong></a>. In this case, boundary dispute resolution between <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-bangladesh-relationship" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India and Bangladesh should serve as a model</strong></a>.</li>
<li>India should engage more proactively with Nepal in terms of <strong>people to people engagement, bureaucratic engagement as well as political interactions.</strong></li>
<li>Mere <strong>differences shall not turn into disputes</strong> and both the countries should resolve the issues peacefully.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nepal-raises-boundary-issue-with-india-in-joint-commission-meeting/article33582802.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 3 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7497,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'CVC on Delay in Investigations',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/central-vigilance-commission-cvc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Vigilance Commission</strong></a> (CVC) has recently directed all Ministries/Departments of the Union government to strictly <strong>adhere to the time limits for various stages of disciplinary proceedings in vigilance cases</strong> since delays were causing undue advantage or harassment to the charged officials.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The CVC has earlier also expressed concerns that despite clear guidelines issued by the <strong>CVC</strong> and the <strong>Department of Personnel &amp; Training,</strong> investigators were not adhering to the <strong>prescribed time limit,</strong> resulting in <strong>investigations taking a much longer time.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Supreme Court</strong></a> has also ordered for limiting the <strong>period of stay granted by a court of law to six months,</strong> barring exceptional cases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Pendency:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Stay granted by a court of law</li>
<li>Case pending in a court of law</li>
<li>Case kept in abeyance since official had been terminated from service</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Set&rsquo;s Poor Precedent:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Undue delay provided <strong>prolonged opportunities to a corrupt public servant</strong> to indulge in inappropriate activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disincentives honest officials:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Any delay in the conclusion of vigilance related matters is detrimental for an honest public servant, who may have got involved in a vigilance case.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Central Vigilance Commission is the <strong>apex vigilance institution,</strong> free of control from any executive authority, monitoring all vigilance activity under the <strong>Central Government</strong> and advising various authorities in Central Government organizations in planning, executing, reviewing and reforming their vigilance work.</li>
<li><strong>Formation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The CVC was set up by the Government in 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee headed by <strong>Shri K. Santhanam.</strong> In 2003, the Parliament enacted <strong>CVC Act</strong> conferring <strong>statutory status on the CVC.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The CVC receives complaints on<strong> corruption or misuse of office</strong> and to recommend appropriate action. Following institutions, bodies, or a person can approach to CVC:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Central government</li>
<li>Lokpal</li>
<li>Whistle blowers</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is not an<strong> investigating agency.</strong> The CVC either gets the investigation done through the<strong> Central Bureau of Investigation</strong> or through <strong>Chief Vigilance Officers</strong> (CVO) in government offices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Governance</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Central Vigilance Commission has its own <strong>Secretariat, Chief Technical Examiners' Wing</strong> (CTE) and <strong>a wing of Commissioners for Departmental Inquiries</strong> (CDI). For investigation work, CVC has to depend on two external sources <strong>CBI and Chief Vigilance Officers</strong> (CVO).</li>
<li><strong>The Central Vigilance Commission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Multi-member Commission consists of a<strong> Central Vigilance Commissioner</strong> (Chairperson) and not more than <strong>two Vigilance Commissioners</strong> (Member).</li>
<li>The Central Vigilance Commissioner and the Vigilance Commissioners are appointed by the<strong> President</strong> on the recommendations of a Committee consisting of the<strong> Prime Minister</strong> (Chairperson), the <strong>Minister of Home Affairs</strong> (Member) and the <strong>Leader of the Opposition</strong> in the House of the People (Member).</li>
<li><strong>Chief Vigilance Officers</strong> (CVO):<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Vigilance administration in Departments/Organisations is headed by the <strong>Chief Vigilance Officers</strong> (CVO) and the Commission&rsquo;s activities concerning inquiry or causing inquiry are supported by/carried out through the<strong> CVOs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>CVOs in all Departments/organisations</strong> are appointed after prior consultation with the Commission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Term:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Their term is <strong>4 years or 65 years,</strong> whichever is earlier.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Removal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner can be removed from his office only by <strong>order of the President</strong> on the ground of <strong>proved misbehavior or incapacity after the Supreme Court,</strong> on a reference made to it by the President, has, <strong>on inquiry,</strong> reported that the Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner, as the case may be, ought to be removed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cvc-for-expeditious-disposal-of-vigilance-cases/article33602389.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
		'posturl' => 'cvc-on-delay-in-investigations',
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	(int) 4 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7496,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: India and the Vaccination Drive',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LVQqL5w33XM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India began the<strong> "World's Largest Vaccination Program"</strong> on January 16, 2021.</li>
<li>The Prime Minister of India said that India is entering a decisive phase of vaccination in the fight against <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-and-medical-solutions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a>, with the approval of two <strong>made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The PM has also said that two vaccines are more cost-effective than any other in the world and that India&rsquo;s vaccine production &amp; delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting this crisis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is India's <strong>first ever adult vaccination drive.</strong></li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/no-clinical-trials-in-india-for-new-drugs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)</strong></a> has granted the<strong> emergency-use approval</strong> for two indigenous vaccines: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-iii-clinical-trials-of-covishield" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVISHIELD</strong></a> by <strong>Serum Institute of India</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covaxin-approved-for-human-clinical-trials" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVAXIN</strong></a> by <strong>Bharat Biotech.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two vaccines are found to be safe and no major side effects are expected. However, little pain or redness in the skin can be observed.</li>
<li>The vaccines have gone through preclinical animal experiments on animals like rabbits, mice and hamsters followed by non-human primates.</li>
<li>Out of the two vaccines, <strong>Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine</strong> whereas <strong>Covishield is a live vaccine.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the <strong>first phase of vaccination,</strong> the first 3 crore people to be vaccinated include the healthcare workers and frontline workers.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The cost of vaccination of these people will be borne by the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inactivated-virus-vaccine-in-focus-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Live and Inactivated Vaccines</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Live Vaccines:</strong> They <strong>use a weakened (or attenuated) form of the germ</strong> that causes a disease.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Because these vaccines are so similar to the natural infection that they help prevent, they create a strong and long-lasting immune response.</li>
<li><strong>Note:</strong> As they contain a small amount of the weakened live virus, people with weakened immune systems, long-term health problems, or people who&rsquo;ve had an organ transplant should not be given these vaccines without any prior consultation with the healthcare provider.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inactivated vaccine:</strong> Active pathogens are grown in large numbers and then killed either by a chemical or heat. Although the pathogen is killed, or made to lose its reproduction capacity, various parts of the pathogen are intact. E.g The antigen (the chemical structure) that is recognised by the immune system is left unimpaired.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As the pathogen is dead, it cannot reproduce nor cause even a mild disease. Thus, it is safe to administer to even people with lesser immunity, like the old and those who have comorbidity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India and Vaccines</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>At present <strong>80-90% of the world&rsquo;s</strong> whole <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/measles-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Measles</strong></a> vaccine is provided by India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India supplies all the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/measles-and-rubella-in-who-sear" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rubella</strong></a> vaccines to <strong>South America.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The indigenous developed <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reverse-vaccinology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>meningococcal vaccine</strong></a> of India is supplied to the entire <strong>Sub-Saharan Africa.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Meningococcal meningitis</strong> is caused by <strong>Neisseria meningitidis bacteria.</strong> It is a serious infection of the thin lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The indigenous <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rotavirus-vaccination-drive" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>rotavirus vaccine</strong></a> is going to 16 countries in the world.</li>
<li>Various novel vaccines have been introduced by India, such as the world&rsquo;s first<strong> subunit rabies vaccine. It</strong> has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Subunit vaccines</strong> are composed of <strong>protein or glycoprotein components of a pathogen</strong> that are capable of inducing a protective immune response and may be produced by conventional biochemical or recombinant DNA technologies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Government Strategy For Smooth and Effective Drive</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Preparatory measures:</strong> The key preparatory aspects that have been undertaken include the physical infrastructure, human resources and training of the vaccinators.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The digital aspect:</strong> The government has launched the<strong> Co-WIN application</strong> for the registration of the citizens and to generate digital certificates of vaccination.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Community participation:</strong> Besides preparatory aspects, the <strong>community participation</strong> has also been emphasised by the Prime Minister. He has urged all to come forward and help in eliminating <strong>vaccine hesitancy.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Beneficiary identification:</strong> Separate templates have been developed for the healthcare workers and the frontline workers.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>People above the age of 50 who have comorbidities will be the next to be vaccinated.</li>
<li><strong>Aadhar</strong> will also be used for the beneficiary identification.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Steps Need to be Taken</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Spreading awareness:</strong> Leaders, influential people and healthcare workers who will be vaccinated need to come forward and help spreading awareness about the vaccine.</li>
<li><strong>Effective collaboration:</strong> Effective and decentralised implementation with the collaboration of centre, state, communities and health care workers.</li>
<li><strong>Proper training:</strong> Ensuring proper training of vaccinators and adopting measures to maintain temperature of vaccines.</li>
<li><strong>Monitoring:</strong> Keeping watch of any side effects that may arise due to vaccines and adopting measures to be used in an emergency for such situations.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Co-WIN Application</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To <strong>monitor the inoculation drive and track the listed beneficiaries for vaccination</strong> on a real-time basis, the central government has developed<strong> Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network or Co-WIN application.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Co-WIN will facilitate <strong>real time information of vaccine stocks and storage temperature</strong> during the COVID-19 vaccination drive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The app will be used as a back-end software during COVID-19 vaccination drive, starting from Saturday.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The self-registration module of Co-WIN App has not been released yet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Vaccine hesitancy:</strong> Either they are common people, or the frontline workers, vaccine hesitancy, if exists, it may obstruct the smooth implementation of the vaccination drive.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If the healthcare workers are hesitant about getting vaccinated, it will not create a good impact among common people as they are the role model for the people who will be vaccinated next.</li>
<li>There is uncertainty and suspicion about the side effects of the vaccine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues with the Co-WIN App:</strong> Issues such as loss of internet connectivity are expected to be faced in the app, which could cause problems while tracking the vaccine stocks, or in the updation of data of the beneficiaries.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of experience:</strong> The Covid-19 Vaccination drive is India&rsquo;s first ever large scale immunisation programme. There is a lack of experience due to which the chances of mistakes are likely to happen.</li>
<li><strong>Vaccine wastage:</strong> Each vaccine vial contains 10 doses and must be used within 4 hours of opening. This could lead to vaccine wastage.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Eliminating vaccine hesitancy:</strong> The covid-19 vaccines are for adults, the communication is required in order to resolve the confusions and to eliminate the vaccine hesitancy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Engagement with the community based organisations and spreading awareness by educating people about the vaccine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Janbhagidari:</strong> Community partnership or janbhagidari should be emphasised.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>People should take the vaccine and spread the word about the efficacy and security of the vaccine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Preventing vaccine wastage:</strong> organised appointment for vaccinations, ensuring once opened, the vaccine is surely utilised and not wasted.</li>
<li><strong>Continuing the flow of vaccines:</strong> Taking lessons from other countries, India should continue the flow of vaccines.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The US got stalled because they started to store the second dose of vaccines too. India should continue the flow of vaccines to the areas where it is required.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vaccination + covid-appropriate behaviour:</strong> Neither Covid appropriate behaviour nor vaccination is enough alone. Both have to go hand in hand in order to completely eliminate the pandemic.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Covid-appropriate behaviour:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Wearing the mask properly.</li>
<li>Washing hands regularly as hygiene is very important.</li>
<li>Following the physical distancing of 6 feet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tracking the virus:</strong> The new variants of virus found till date are manageable but it is important to constantly look for emergence of any vaccine resistant virus.</li>
<li><strong>Looking after the immunogenicity:</strong> Looking up at the immunogenicity of the vaccine; how long does the effect of the vaccine lasts and how the cell-mediated immune responses are developing.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has now emerged as a global covid vaccine hub which is done not only by manufacturing or developing vaccines but also ensuring how it will be transported and how the entire vaccination drive has to be done.</li>
<li>For the world&rsquo;s largest vaccination against covid-19, a multi-prong approach is required including educating people, following the vaccination process, keeping a check on new strains of virus, maintaining the records of essential data of the beneficiaries and refining our strategy.</li>
<li>Vaccine hesitancy is the main obstruction in the smooth vaccination drive, in order to defeat the pandemic, vaccine hesitancy should be eliminated first as It is not the vaccine but vaccination that prevents an infection.</li>
</ul>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7495,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Rooftop Solar Scheme',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)</strong> has released an advisory on the <strong>rooftop solar scheme.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To generate solar power by installing <strong>solar panels</strong> on the roof of the houses, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-of-grid-connected-rooftop-solar-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Scheme (Phase II)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Scheme (Phase II):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to achieve a cumulative capacity of <strong>40,000 MW from Rooftop Solar Projects by the year 2022.</strong></li>
<li>In a grid-connected rooftop or small Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) system wherein <strong>the DC power generated from the SPV panel is converted to AC power</strong> using the power conditioning unit and is fed to the grid.</li>
<li>The<strong> major objective</strong> of the programme includes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To promote the <strong>grid-connected SPV rooftop</strong> and small SPV power generating plants among the residential, community, institutional, industrial and commercial establishments.</li>
<li>To<strong> mitigate</strong> the <strong>dependence on fossil fuel based electricity generation</strong> and encourage environment-friendly Solar electricity generation.</li>
<li>To create an <strong>enabling environment for investment in the solar energy</strong> sector by the private sector, state government and the individuals.</li>
<li>To create an enabling environment for the <strong>supply of solar power from rooftop and small plants to the grid.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This scheme is being implemented in the state by <strong>distribution companies (DISCOMs).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under this scheme the Ministry is providing a <strong>40%</strong> subsidy for the first 3 kW and <strong>20%</strong> subsidy beyond <strong>3 kW</strong> and upto <strong>10 kW</strong> of solar panel capacity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>residential consumer has to pay the cost of rooftop solar plant by reducing the subsidy amount</strong> given by the Ministry as per the prescribed rate to the vendor.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Schemes for Promoting Solar Energy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/pm-kusum#:~:text=PM%2DKUSUM%20consists%20of%20three,standalone%20solar%2Dpowered%20agriculture%20pumps." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan</strong></a> <strong>(PM-KUSUM):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The scheme covers grid-connected Renewable Energy power plants (0.5 &ndash; 2 MW)/Solar water pumps/grid connected agriculture pumps.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scheme for Development of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a scheme to develop Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPPs) under the existing Solar Park Scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The main objective of the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, 2018 is to provide a framework for <strong>promotion of large grid connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems</strong> for optimal and efficient utilization of wind and solar resources, transmission infrastructure and land.</li>
<li>The wind - solar PV hybrid systems will help in reducing the variability in renewable power generation and achieving better grid stability.</li>
<li>The policy also aims to encourage new technologies, methods and way-outs involving combined operation of wind and solar PV plants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Atal Jyoti Yojana</strong> (AJAY):<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The AJAY scheme was launched in September 2016 for the installation of<strong> solar street lighting</strong> (SSL) systems in states with less than <strong>50%</strong> households covered with <strong>grid power</strong> (as per Census 2011).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-assembly-of-isa#:~:text=The%20second%20assembly%20of%20the,financial%20and%20programme%20related%20issues." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></a>: The ISA, is an Indian initiative that was launched by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France on 30th November 2015 in Paris, France on the side-lines of the Conference of the Parties (COP-21), with 121 solar resource rich countries lying fully or partially between the tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn as prospective members.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-sun-one-world-one-grid-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>One Sun, One World, One Grid</strong></a> (OSOWOG): It focuses on a framework for facilitating global cooperation, building a global ecosystem of interconnected renewable energy resources (mainly solar energy) that can be seamlessly shared.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/mind-map/gs-paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change-mind-map" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Solar Mission</a> (a part of National Action Plan on Climate Change)</strong></li>
<li><strong>Suryamitra Skill Development Programme:</strong> To provide skill training to rural youth in handling solar installations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1688826#:~:text=To%20generate%20solar%20power%20by,kW%20and%20upto%2010%20kW." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7493,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Indian Railway Finance Corporation: IPO ',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC)</strong> got 65% subscription on the first day of bidding.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earlier, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/irctc-ipo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. held an IPO</strong></a> on the National Stock Exchange in 2019.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>First Issue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>first IPO in the calendar year 2021</strong> and the <strong>first public issue by a railway <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/liquidity-boost-to-nbfcs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-banking financial company</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Amount Raised:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Through the initial public offer, <strong>the Centre, the promoter of IRFC, will offload 13.6% stake in the company.</strong></li>
<li>At the higher price band of Rs 26 per share, <strong>the government would raise Rs 3,243 crore</strong> and the company will have a market cap of Rs 23,845 crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IRFC will use the IPO proceeds from the fresh issue to <strong>boost its capital base and general corporate purposes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Government Interventions to Enhance Railway&rsquo;s Efficiency:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dedicated-freight-corridor-1#:~:text=Key%20Points,state%20of%20the%20art%20technology." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Development of freight corridors</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>High-speed railway </strong></li>
<li><strong>Elevated corridors</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Railway Finance Corporation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <strong>subsidiary of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/privatizing-indian-railways" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Railways</a></strong>, it is the <strong>dedicated market borrowing arm</strong> of the Indian Railways.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Established:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was <strong>incorporated in 1986.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Finance Model:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It follows a<strong> financial leasing model</strong> to finance the acquisition of rolling stock assets, which includes locomotives, coaches, wagons, trucks, flats, electric multiple units, containers, cranes, trollies, etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Finance Leasing Model:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Deriving revenues through the leasing model typically <strong>involves three parties: the seller, the buyer (lessee) and the financier (lessor).</strong></li>
<li>In exchange for payment, <strong>ownership of an item</strong> (usually equipment) is <strong>transferred from the seller to the lessor.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>lessee then contracts with the lessor</strong> for <strong>the use of the item in exchange for a periodic fee.</strong></li>
<li>The seller may or may not retake ownership of the item once the leasing contract has ended.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Contribution:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It plays a<strong> significant role in supporting the capacity enhancement of the Indian Railways</strong> by financing the majority proportion of their annual plan outlay which gives a long term business visibility, the brokerage feels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Functions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is also into<strong> leasing railway infrastructure assets and national projects of the Government of India (project assets)</strong> and <strong>lending to other entities</strong> under the Ministry of Railways (MoR).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Initial Public Offering (IPO)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IPO is the<strong> selling of securities to the public in the primary market.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Primary market deals with new securities</strong> being issued for the first time. It is also known as the <strong>new issues market.</strong></li>
<li>It is different from the<strong> secondary market</strong> where <strong>existing securities are bought and sold.</strong> It is also known as the stock market or <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vix-measure-of-market-volatility" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>stock exchange</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is <strong>when an unlisted company makes either a fresh issue of securities or an offer for sale</strong> of its existing securities or both for the first time to the public.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Unlisted companies</strong> are companies that are not listed on the stock exchange.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is generally <strong>used by new and medium-sized firms that are looking for funds to grow and expand their business.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The funds raised by IPO allows the company<strong> to invest in new capital equipment and infrastructure.</strong></li>
<li>An IPO paves way for<strong> listing and trading of the issuer&rsquo;s securities on the Stock exchange market.</strong></li>
<li>The IPO also allows the company to <strong>attract top talent</strong> because it <strong>can offer stock options to its employees.</strong> This enables the company <strong>to pay its executives fairly low wages initially.</strong> And later, in return, the employees as promised can cash out with the IPO.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-should-you-invest-in-the-irfc-ipo-7151683/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7492,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Crowdfunding for Rare Diseases',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Delhi <strong>High Court</strong> has ordered <strong>the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare</strong> to explore <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/crowdfunding#:~:text=Crowdfunding%20is%20a%20method%20of,for%20greater%20reach%20and%20exposure." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Crowdfunding</strong></a> to help two children, who are suffering from a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rare-diseases-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rare Disease</strong></a> known as <strong>Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Constitutional Provision Involved:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The HC held that <strong>&lsquo;Right to Health and Healthcare&rsquo;</strong> is a <strong>fundamental right</strong> which has been recognised by the Supreme Court to be a part of the <strong>&lsquo;Right to life&rsquo;</strong> under <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/important-judgements-of-independent-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 21</strong> </a>of the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Direction to the Society and Authorities:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>High Court</strong> directed the<strong> society in general and authorities in particular</strong> to ensure that the<strong> life of such children is not compromised,</strong> even if there is a small window of improving their chances of survival or even providing a<strong> better quality of life.</strong></li>
<li>Directed <strong>the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare</strong> to give a specific timeline in respect of the finalisation and notification of the <strong>Draft Health Policy for Rare Diseases, 2020.</strong> The draft policy has a section where the <strong>government proposed crowdfunding for treatment of high-cost Rare Diseases.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>CrowdFunding</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Crowdfunding is a <strong>method of raising capital through the collective effort of a large number of individual investors.</strong></li>
<li>This approach taps into the collective efforts of a large pool of individuals, primarily online via social media and crowdfunding platforms and leverages their networks for greater reach and exposure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Donation-Based Crowdfunding:</strong> Donation-based crowdfunding is a way to source money for a project by asking a <strong>large number of contributors to individually donate a small amount to it.</strong> In return, the backers may receive token rewards that increase in prestige as the size of the donation increases. For the smallest sums, however, the funder may receive nothing at all.</li>
<li><strong>Rewards-Based Crowdfunding:</strong> Rewards-based crowdfunding involves <strong>individuals contributing to a business in exchange for a &ldquo;reward,&rdquo;</strong> typically a form of the product or service which company offers. Even though this method offers backers a reward, it&rsquo;s still generally considered a subset of donation-based crowdfunding since there is no financial or equity return.</li>
<li><strong>Equity-Based Crowdfunding:</strong> Unlike the donation-based and rewards-based methods, <strong>equity-based crowdfunding allows contributors to become part-owners of the company by trading capital for equity shares.</strong> As equity owners, the contributors receive a financial return on their investment and ultimately receive a share of the profits in the form of a dividend or distribution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reach &ndash;</strong> By using a crowdfunding platform, one has <strong>access to thousands of accredited investors</strong> who can see, interact with, and share the fundraising campaign.</li>
<li><strong>Presentation &ndash;</strong> By creating a crowdfunding campaign, <strong>one goes through the invaluable process of looking at the business from the top level&mdash;</strong>its history, traction, offerings, addressable market, value proposition, with digestible packages.</li>
<li><strong>PR &amp; Marketing &ndash;</strong> From launch to close, one can share and <strong>promote the campaign</strong> through social media, email newsletters, and other online marketing tactics.</li>
<li><strong>Validation of Concept &ndash;</strong> Presenting the concept or business to the masses affords an excellent opportunity to <strong>validate and refine offering.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Efficiency &ndash;</strong> One of the best things about online crowdfunding is its<strong> ability to centralize and streamline fundraising efforts.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Rare Diseases</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A rare disease is a <strong>health condition of low prevalence</strong> that <strong>affects a small number of people</strong> compared with other prevalent diseases in the general population.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is<strong> no universally accepted definition of rare diseases</strong> and the definitions usually vary across different countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Though rare diseases are of low prevalence and individually rare, collectively they affect a considerable proportion of the population.</li>
<li><strong>80% of rare diseases are genetic</strong> in origin and hence disproportionately impact children.</li>
<li>In <strong>India there are 56-72 million people affected by rare diseases.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a<strong> genetic disorder</strong> characterized by<strong> progressive muscle degeneration and weakness</strong> due to the alterations of a protein called dystrophin that helps keep muscle cells intact.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Symptoms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Muscle weakness</li>
<li>Enlargement of the calves</li>
<li>A waddling gait</li>
<li>Lumbar lordosis (an inward curve of the spine)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/explore-crowdfunding-to-help-two-children-with-rare-disease/article33595692.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7491,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'New Whatsapp Policy & Privacy',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/update-debate-the-hindu-editorial-on-whatsapp-and-privacy/article33595227.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Update debate: On WhatsApp and privacy&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 18/01/2021. It talks about the issues emanating from the new Whatsapp privacy policy and the need for data protection law in India.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0rQvvmJRHs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>WhatsApp has updated its policy</strong></a>, which states that it may share information of any of its users with its family of companies (Facebook). This new update has caused a lot of concern over the privacy of the people that use this application.</p>
<p>Privacy experts and antitrust bodies have also raised the alarm at this new privacy policy of WhatsApp. Moreover, Indian users are more vulnerable due to the absence of any data protection law.</p>
<p>As the Supreme court in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/privacy-judgement-and-the-aftermath" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>K. Puttaswamy&rsquo;s judgment</strong></a> held that the right to privacy is a fundamental right, the Whatsapp new policy is yet another reason why India needs data protection law.</p>
<h3>Issues Related to New Whatsapp Policy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Whatsapp As the Owner of Data:</strong> The information that WhatsApp automatically collects and will be sharing with Facebook includes the mobile phone number, user activity, and other basic information of the WhatsApp account.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>WhatsApp&rsquo;s recent privacy policy to share commercial user data with Facebook establishes that it is the owner of the data rather than an intermediary.</li>
<li>The policy essentially takes away the choice users had until now to not share their data with other Facebook-owned and third-party apps.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note: Intermediaries</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The basic definition of intermediaries is that they do not own content and are mere platforms where third-party entities place content.</li>
<li>This particular status prevents them from liability in case anything unlawful is noticed on their platforms. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In such instances, the government directs the intermediary concerned to remove the unlawful content within a specified period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>If Whatsapp automatically shares the data, it can not be considered as an intermediary.</li>
<li>In such a scenario it may lose the immunity it has with regard to any objectionable content found on its platform at any given point in time.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Against the Recommendations of the Srikrishna Committee Report:</strong> The new Whatsapp policy contradicts the recommendations of the Srikrishna Committee report, which forms the basis of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/personal-data-protection-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Data Protection Bill 2019</strong></a>.<strong> For Example:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The principle of Data Localisation, which aims to put curbs on the transfer of personal data outside the country, may come in conflict with WhatsApp&rsquo;s new privacy policy.</li>
<li>The report stated that using the information for purposes that are reasonably linked to the purpose for which the information was given. However, the updated privacy policy of WhatsApp can be seen as a move to ensure subtle forms of commercial exploitation and micro-targeting by political campaigns <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-402" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(Cambridge Analytica scandal)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sharing of Metadata:</strong> WhatsApp held that the end-to-end encryption clause remains intact, which will ensure that it can&rsquo;t see your messages or share them with anyone. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, with the updated privacy policy, WhatsApp can now share one&rsquo;s metadata, essentially everything beyond the conversation&rsquo;s actual text.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Metadata</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It virtually gives a 360-degree profile into a person's online activity.</li>
<li>This level of insight into a person's private and personal activities is done without any government oversight at present or regulatory supervision.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Take it or Leave it&rsquo; Policy:</strong> If users disagree with the messaging platform&rsquo;s updated privacy policy, they will have to quit WhatsApp when the new terms of service are set to come into effect.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Expediting Data Protection Law:</strong> India&rsquo;s data protection law has been languishing for two years now. If India had a data protection law in place, WhatsApp would not have been able to go ahead with this update in the first place.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For instance, WhatsApp&rsquo;s updated privacy policy guidelines won&rsquo;t be applicable if you live in the European Region thanks to the data protection law <strong>(<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/regulation-of-public-data" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GDPR</a>)</strong> in place there.</li>
<li>Therefore, India must expedite the process of finalizing the data protection law.</li>
<li>Further, India should use the current Whatsapp issue to update the already under process intermediary guidelines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Public Awareness:</strong> According to many experts, WhatsApp users in India will not care too much about this issue, what with privacy policies being generally difficult to be understood by the public.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, the government and civil society must engage in awareness programs to make the public aware of the importance of digital privacy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The privacy of a billion citizens is too important a thing to be left just to the practices of a commercial enterprise. It will be reassuring if a strong law guarantees it.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f5fffe;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;The privacy of a billion citizens is too important a thing to be left just to the practices of a commercial enterprise.&rdquo; In light of the statement, analyze the issues emanating from the new Whatsapp privacy policy and the need for data protection law in India.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7489,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => '47th G7 Summit',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>United Kingdom</strong> has invited Indian Prime Minister as a guest to attend the 47<sup>th</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g-7-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G7 summit</strong> </a>that is scheduled to be held in<strong> June 2021.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Other Guest Countries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Apart from India, <strong>Australia and South Korea</strong> are also invited to participate in the proceedings of the summit as<strong> &ldquo;guest countries&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UK, India &amp; G7:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UK was the first<strong> P5 member</strong> to support a permanent <strong>UN Security Council seat for India</strong> and the first G7 member to invite India to a <strong>G7 Summit in 2005.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The proposed summit will be the<strong> first in-person G-7 summit in almost two years. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Unite leading democracies to help the world <strong>build back better</strong> from the coronavirus and create a<strong> greener, more prosperous future.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Group of Seven (G-7)</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610969562_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610969562_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an intergovernmental organisation that was formed in<strong> 1975.</strong></li>
<li>The bloc <strong>meets annually to discuss issues of common interest like global economic governance, international security and energy policy.</strong></li>
<li>The G-7 does not have a formal constitution or a fixed headquarters. The decisions taken by leaders during annual summits are non-binding.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>G-7 is a bloc of <strong>industrialized democracies i.e. France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, and Canada.</strong></li>
<li>The G7 was known as the &lsquo;G8&rsquo; for several years after the original seven were joined by <strong>Russia in 1997.</strong></li>
<li>The Group returned to being called G7 after Russia was expelled as a member in 2014 following the latter&rsquo;s annexation of the <strong>Crimea region of Ukraine</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Summit Participation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Summits are held annually and hosted on a rotation basis by the group's members.</li>
<li>The groundwork for the summit, including matters to be discussed and follow-up meetings, is<strong> done by the &ldquo;sherpas&rdquo;,</strong> who are generally personal representatives or members of diplomatic staff such as ambassadors.</li>
<li>The leaders of important international organizations like <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a>,<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> IMF</strong></a>, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> <strong>and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a></strong> are also invited.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges and Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Policies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Internally the G7 has a number of disagreements, e.g. clash of the USA with other members over taxes on imports and action on climate change.</li>
<li>The organisation has also been <strong>criticised for not reflecting the current state of global politics or economics.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Not Representative:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There are no G7 members from Africa, Latin America or the southern hemisphere.</li>
<li>It is also facing a challenge from fast-growing emerging economies, like <strong>India and Brazil are not members of the G7.</strong></li>
<li>However, G-20 was formed in 1999, in response to a felt need to bring more countries on board to address global economic concerns.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India and G-7</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Previous Participation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The participation of India at the<strong> 45<sup>th</sup> summit in Biarritz, France,</strong> in <strong>August 2019</strong> is a reflection of deepening strategic partnership and recognition of India as a major economic power.</li>
<li>India was also invited for the 2020 summit <strong>hosted by the USA</strong> which could not take place due to the <strong>pandemic.</strong></li>
<li>Previously India had attended the G-8 summit (it became G-7 from G-8 with the expulsion of Russia in 2014) five times between <strong>2005 and 2009.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Important Platform for Deliberations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s ability to <strong>safeguard its core sovereign concerns</strong> such as trade, Kashmir issue and India&rsquo;s relations with Russia and Iran can be discussed with G7 members.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Taking on Global Stage:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India raised issues on <strong>climate change</strong> and at meetings which <strong>signaled India&rsquo;s growing willingness to lead on issues</strong> that are points of contention for countries like China and the USA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of India at G7:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As current president of <strong>Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa</strong> (BRICS) and G20 president in 2023, India will play a<strong> key role driving in multilateral cooperation helping to build back better</strong> around the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/uk-invites-pm-modi-to-g7-summit-in-june/article33596627.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7487,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India’s Trade Deficit with China at Five-year Low in 2020',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<strong> trade deficit,</strong> between India and China, declined to a <strong>five year-low of 45.8 billion USD</strong> in 2020, the<strong> lowest since 2015.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Trade Deficit:</strong> A trade deficit is an amount by which the <strong>cost of a country's imports exceeds its exports.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bilateral Trade in 2020:</strong> Two-way trade in 2020 reached <strong>87.6 billion USD, down by 5.6%</strong> from 2019, according to new figures from <strong>China&rsquo;s General Administration of Customs</strong> (GAC).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s imports from China</strong> accounted for <strong>66.7 billion USD,</strong> declining by 10.8% year-on-year and the lowest figure since 2016.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s exports to China,</strong> however, <strong>rose to the highest figure on record,</strong> crossing the 20 billion USD mark and growing 16% in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Analysis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s <strong>overall imports declined,</strong> due to slump in domestic demand in 2020.</li>
<li>There is, yet, no evidence to suggest India has <strong>replaced its import dependence on China</strong> by either sourcing those goods elsewhere or <strong>manufacturing them at home.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Biggest Import from China (2019 data):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Electrical machinery and equipment, organic chemicals fertilisers etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Top Exports to China (2019 data):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Iron ore, organic chemicals, cotton and unfinished diamonds.</li>
<li>Further, the year 2020 saw a surge in demand for<strong> iron ore in China</strong> with a slew of <strong>new infrastructure projects</strong> aimed at <strong>reviving growth</strong> after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>slump.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade Deficit with China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>balance of trade between India and China</strong> is hugely<strong> tilted in the favour of the latter.</strong> India&rsquo;s trade deficit with China was 45.8 billion USD in 2020 and 56.77 billion USD in 2019.</li>
<li>The huge trade deficit with China could be<strong> attributed to two factors: narrow basket of commodities,</strong> mostly primary, that <strong>India exports to China</strong> and <strong>market access impediments for most of Indian agricultural products</strong> and the sectors where India is competitive in, such as pharmaceuticals, IT/IteS, etc.</li>
<li>Over time, India&rsquo;s raw material-based commodities have been overshadowed by Chinese exports of machinery, power-related equipment, telecom, organic chemicals and fertilisers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measures Taken to Reduce Import Dependence on China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/43-more-mobile-apps-banned" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ban on more than 100 Chinese apps</strong></a>, amidst <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict#:~:text=China%20views%20India%27s%20assertions%20regarding,due%20to%20Covid%2D19%20pandemic." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>border tensions</strong></a> between the two countries in eastern Ladakh.</li>
<li>It has increased scrutiny of <strong>Chinese investments in many sectors,</strong> and is weighing a decision to keep Chinese companies out of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5g-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>5G trials</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The government recently put <strong>import restrictions on tyres,</strong> while also making its <strong>prior <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-fdi-rule#:~:text=The%20Government%20of%20India%20has,the%20current%20Covid%2D19%20pandemic." target="_blank" rel="noopener">approval mandatory for foreign investments from countries that share land border</a></strong> with India to curb "opportunistic takeovers" of domestic firms - a move which will <strong>restrict FDI from China.</strong></li>
<li>The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has<strong> also identified 12 sectors -</strong> food processing, organic farming, iron, aluminium and copper, agro chemicals, electronics, industrial machinery, furniture, leather and shoes, auto parts, textiles, and coveralls, masks, sanitisers and ventilators - to make India a global supplier and cut import bill.</li>
<li>To <strong>cut import dependency on China for APIs</strong> (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients), the government in March <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-approved-to-promote-drug-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>approved a package</strong></a> comprising four schemes with a total outlay of Rs. 13,760 crore to boost domestic production of bulk drugs and medical devices in the country along with their exports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610963346_image9.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610963346_image9.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/indias-trade-with-china-falls-in-2020-deficit-at-five-year-low/article33581648.ece#:~:text=Photo%20Credit%3A%20Reuters-,The%20trade%20deficit%2C%20a%20source%20of%20friction%20between%20India%20and,billion%2C%20the%20lowest%20since%202015.&amp;text=China's%20total%20iron%20ore%20imports,China%20remains%20to%20be%20seen." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7484,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Russia Pulls Out Of Open Skies Treaty',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Russia pulled out of the <strong>Open Skies Treaty (OST)</strong> citing earlier withdrawal of the USA from the treaty.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to Russia, provisions of the pact that allows unarmed surveillance flights over member countries had been seriously compromised by the withdrawal of the United States.</li>
<li>This move was made after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/open-skies-treaty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USA pulled out of the Open Skies Treaty</strong></a> in November 2020, arguing that Russian violations made it untenable for the United States to remain a party.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is different from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/open-sky-agreement" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Open Sky Agreements</strong> </a>which are <strong>bilateral agreements</strong> that the two countries negotiate to provide rights for airlines to offer international passenger and cargo services. It expands international passenger and cargo flights. Recently, the <strong>United Arab Emirates (UAE)</strong> has expressed interest to have an <strong>Open Sky Agreement with India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reasons for USA Withdrawal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Russia&rsquo;s continuous non compliance:</strong> The USA had for over a decade accused Russia of non-compliance with OST protocols, blaming Moscow of obstructing surveillance flights on its territory, while misusing its own missions for gathering key tactical data.</li>
<li><strong>OST misused to claim Ukrainian region:</strong> The USA also accused Russia of designating an airfield in the annexed Crimean Peninsula as an Open Skies refueling base as an illegal attempt by Russia to cement its claim to the Ukrainian region.</li>
<li><strong>Risk to critical infrastructures:</strong> Russia misused its flights over the USA and Europe to identify critical infrastructure for potential attack in a time of war.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Russia Withdrawal: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>USA limiting OST:</strong> Russia defends its non compliance with the OST to allow flights over Kaliningrad (Russian exclave in Eastern Europe that lies between NATO allies Lithuania and Poland) citing the example of the US imposing similar limits on flights over Alaska.</li>
<li><strong>No assurance from NATO members:</strong> After USA withdrawal from OST, Russia did not get the sought assurance from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nato-ally-status-to-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)</strong></a> allies who continued to remain on the treaty that they would not transfer data collected by their flights over Russia to Washington (USA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>For European NATO members:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Russia&rsquo;s departure could adversely impact Washington&rsquo;s European allies, which rely on OST data to track Russian troop movements in the Baltic region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Departure from Arms control treaties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The failure of the Open Skies Treaty follows the demise of another significant arms control accord, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/extending-new-start-treaty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty</strong></a>, after both the US and Russia left it in 2019. This treaty aimed at eliminating their stocks of intermediate-range and shorter-range (or &ldquo;medium-range&rdquo;) land-based missiles which could carry nuclear warheads.</li>
<li>Withdrawal of the USA and Russia from OST has further deepened doubts on extension of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-start-treaty#:~:text=Intermediate%2DRange%20Nuclear%20Forces%20Treaty&amp;text=It%20was%20a%20nuclear%20arms,which%20could%20carry%20nuclear%20warheads)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>New START treaty</strong></a>, which expires in February, 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>For India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Growing mistrust between global powers could make it difficult for India to maintain good mutual relationships with both the countries if the hostility escalates in future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Open Skies Treaty (OST)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was first<strong> proposed by USA in 1955</strong> to deescalate tensions during the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong></a>.</li>
<li>This treaty was eventually signed in 1992 <strong>between NATO members and former Warsaw Pact countries</strong> following the demise of the Soviet Union. It finally came into effect in 2002.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Warsaw Pact (1955)</strong> was signed between Russia and her satellite states shortly after West Germany was admitted to NATO.</li>
<li>The Pact was a mutual defense agreement, which the Western countries perceived as a reaction against West Germany's membership of NATO.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Building confidence:</strong> The OST aims at building confidence among its 34 signatories countries through mutual openness, thus reducing the chances of accidental war.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Terms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Open surveillance:</strong> Under the treaty, a member State can undertake surveillance <strong>on any part of the host nation,</strong> with the latter&rsquo;s consent. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Only <strong>approved imaging equipment</strong> is permitted on the surveillance flights.</li>
<li>Officials from the host state <strong>can also stay on board</strong> throughout the planned journey.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sharing strategic information:</strong> The information gathered, such as on<strong> troop movements, military exercises</strong> and missile deployments, <strong>has to be shared with all member States.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both<strong> US and Russia were signatories</strong> of the treaty.</li>
<li>India is <strong>not a member</strong> of this treaty.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/after-us-russia-pulls-out-of-open-skies-treaty/article33584683.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7480,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Indian Diaspora',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/the-diaspora-dilemma-hteditorial-101610294070862.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;The diaspora dilemma&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 10/01/2021. It talks about the Importance and issues associated with the Indian Diaspora.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, India celebrated the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pravasi-bharatiya-divas#:~:text=Pravasi%20Bharatiya%20Divas%20(PBD)%20is,ko%20Janiye%20Quiz%20are%20organised." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>16<sup>th</sup> annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas</strong></a>. It is an occasion to reach out to India&rsquo;s vast diaspora, celebrate their achievements, connect them to their roots, and provide a framework for the diaspora&rsquo;s engagement with India&rsquo;s development story.</p>
<p>The diaspora&rsquo;s ability to spread Indian soft power, lobby for India&rsquo;s national interests, and contribute economically to India&rsquo;s rise is now well-recognized.</p>
<p>However, in order to leverage this <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indian-diaspora" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>diaspora dividend</strong></a>, India needs to conduct diplomacy keeping in mind the sensitivities involved.</p>
<h3>Importance of Indian Diaspora</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Enhancing India&rsquo;s Soft Power:</strong> Indian diaspora is one of the richest minorities in many developed countries. Their advantage is evident in &ldquo;diaspora diplomacy&rdquo;, whereby they act as &ldquo;bridge-builders&rdquo; between their home and adopted countries.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/04-06-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal</strong></a> is a case in point, as ethnic Indians in the United States successfully lobbied for the signing of the Nuclear Deal.</li>
<li>Further, the Indian diaspora is not just a part of India&rsquo;s soft power, but a fully transferable political vote bank as well.</li>
<li>Also, many people of Indian origin hold top political positions in many countries, which enhances India&rsquo;s political clout at multilateral institutions like the United Nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Contribution:</strong> Remittances sent by the Indian diaspora have positive systemic effects on the balance of payments, which help to bridge a wider trade deficit. Also, India is the highest receiver of remittances in the world.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The migration of less-skilled labor (especially to West Asia) has helped in bringing down disguised unemployment in India.</li>
<li>Further, the migrant workers facilitated the flow of tacit information, commercial and business ideas, and technologies into India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related to Indian Diaspora</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Role of Diaspora in Indian Democracy:</strong> Indian diaspora is a non-homogeneous group and it has different demands from the Indian Government. This also leads to negative campaigning and foreign funding.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is due to this, these demands are in conflict with the policies of the Indian government. This can be seen in the recent demonstration in support of farmers&rsquo; protests.</li>
<li>In the past, many groups of the Indian diaspora demanded nullification of Article 370 in Kashmir, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the National Register of Citizens (NRC).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19:</strong> Covid-19 has triggered an anti-globalization wave, whereby many migrant workers had to return to India and now facing restrictions regarding emigration.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This has led to economic hardship for both the Indian diaspora and the Indian economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Turmoil In West Asia:</strong> Despite the hype surrounding the peace deal with Israel &amp; the four Gulf countries (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/israel-uae-and-bahrain-abraham-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Abraham Accords</strong></a>), the situation in West Asia remains fluid due to prevailing tensions between Saudi-Arabia &amp; Iran.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The event of any war will lead to a massive return of Indian nationals, curtailing remittances, and making demands on the job market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulatory Cholesterol:</strong> There are many inadequacies of the Indian system for the diaspora to collaborate with India or to invest in the country.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, grievances like red tape, multiple clearances, distrust of government are acting as hindrances in fulfilling opportunities presented by the Indian Diaspora.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Transparency in Policy Matters:</strong> Social media tools have made it easy and inexpensive for the Indian Diaspora to stay in touch with family and friends back home, and their link to India has never been stronger.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is time that the Indian government leveraged this strong bond for the greater good of the nation, by following utmost transparency in all policy decisions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need For Evacuation Policy:</strong> There is a need for a strategic diaspora evacuation policy from conflict zones in a world where crises materialize without warnings and give very little reaction time for governments.</li>
<li><strong>Improving Ease of Doing Business:</strong> Improvement in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ease of doing business</strong></a> will go a long way in enabling investments from the Indian diaspora.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s foreign policy aims to translate partnerships to benefits for key projects like Swachh Bharat, Clean Ganga, Make In India, Digital India, and Skill India, the diaspora has plenty of scope to contribute.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The institutionalization of &ldquo;diaspora diplomacy&rdquo; is a distinct indication of the fact that the Indian diaspora community has become considerably more important as a subject of interest for foreign policy and associated government activities.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffdf2;">
<p><span style="color: #003366;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The diaspora&rsquo;s ability to spread Indian soft power, lobby for India&rsquo;s national interests, and contribute economically to India&rsquo;s rise is now well-recognized. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5V0oFurnJcI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/terror-trail-the-hindu-editorial-on-pakistan-action-against-terrorists/article33570956.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Terror trail: On Pakistan action against terrorists&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on January 14<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7479,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'UAV Procurement by Indian Army',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<strong> Indian Army</strong> has signed a contract to buy <strong>high-altitude <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-unmanned-aircraft-system-uas-rules-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">drones</a> from ideaForge for USD 20 million.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ideaForge is a start-up founded and incubated by the alumni of<strong> Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B).</strong></li>
<li>The contract is for<strong> a high-altitude variant of SWITCH UAV,</strong> an indigenous system used in surveillance operations.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance of the Contract:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It marks a <strong>strategic shift of focusing on indegenous technologies</strong> in the Indian defence procurement process.</li>
<li>This is an example of <strong>how government-funded <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-start-up-india-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener">start-ups</a></strong> can help the country grow.</li>
<li>This is the<strong> biggest such order</strong> in terms of the contract value,<strong> for any Indian equipment manufacturer for drones.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of UAV for the Army:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Army has placed an order for the <strong>advanced high-altitude version of SWITCH UAV,</strong> a vertical take-off and landing drone. It is a fixed-wing hybrid Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Its features include:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610798270_image8.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610798270_image8.png" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Advanced flight time</strong> with a range of 15 km.</li>
<li>Around 2.6m long and 1.8m wide and <strong>weighs less than 6.5 kg.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Higher safety and simple operation</strong> with additional fail-safe redundancies.</li>
<li>Used for long-duration operations in harsh environments for day and night surveillance in<strong> Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Used in Photogrammetry -</strong> the technology of <strong>obtaining reliable information</strong> about physical objects and the environment<strong> through the process of recording, measuring and interpreting photographic images</strong> and patterns of electromagnetic radiant imagery.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Uses:</strong> Crowd Monitoring, Disaster Management, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/session-on-precision-agriculture" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Precision Agriculture</strong></a>, Mining, etc.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/army-inks-20-mn-deal-with-ideaforge-for-uav/article33583294.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7477,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Adaptation Gap Report 2020: UNEP',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/emissions-gap-report-2020-unep" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Environment Programme</strong></a> (UNEP) <strong>Adaptation Gap Report 2020</strong> estimated the annual cost of adaptation to the effects of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change</strong></a> for <strong>developing countries to at least quadruple by 2050.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The current cost for these countries is in the range of <strong>USD 70 billion (Rs 5.1 lakh crore) and may rise to USD 140-300 billion in 2030</strong> and<strong> USD 280-500 billion in 2050.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Adaptation Cost:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It includes costs of <strong>planning, preparing for, facilitating and implementing adaptation measures.</strong></li>
<li>The ever-increasing <strong>adaptation cost has also outpaced the growth in adaptation finance</strong> and that is the reason for a maintained<strong> Adaptation Finance gap.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Adaptation Finance:</strong> It refers to the flow of funds to developing countries to help them tide over the damages caused by weather events from climate change.</li>
<li><strong>Adaptation Finance gap:</strong> It is the difference between <strong>Adaptation Cost </strong>and<strong> Adaptation Finance.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Adaptation costs, in actual terms, is <strong>higher in developed countries</strong> but the <strong>burden of adaptation is greater for developing countries</strong> in relation to their gross domestic product.</li>
<li>The developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia, which are <strong>least equipped to tackle climate change</strong> will also be the <strong>most impacted by it.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Challenges :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rising Temperature:</strong> The world is heading for at least a<strong> 3&deg;C temperature rise</strong> this century, according to current <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/five-years-of-paris-climate-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Agreement</strong></a> pledges. Even if we limit global warming to well below 2&deg;C, or even 1.5&deg;C, the <strong>poor countries will suffer.</strong></li>
<li><strong>The Pandemic:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> has impacted adaptation efforts but its effect is not yet quantified.</li>
<li><strong>Other Challenges:</strong> Last year was not just marked by the pandemic but also by devastating natural calamities like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/flood-management-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>floods</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/el-ni%C3%B1o-drought" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>droughts</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hurricane-laura" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>storms</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/forest-fires" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>forest fires</strong></a> <strong>and</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/swarm-of-desert-locust" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>locust plagues</strong></a> impacting around 50 million lives globally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Adaptation for Climate Change:</strong> Three-quarters of all the countries have adopted at least one climate change adaptation planning instrument and <strong>most developing countries are working on national adaptation plans. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Some of the Indian Initiatives to Fight Climate Change:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has shifted from <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-india-will-shift-to-bs-vi-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV) to Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission</strong></a> norms from 1<sup>st</sup> April 2020 which was earlier to be adopted by 2024.</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-environment-forest-and-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)</strong></a>:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was launched in <strong>January 2019.</strong></li>
<li>It is a five-year action plan with a tentative target of <strong>20-30% reduction in concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 by 2024,</strong> with 2017 as the base year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has distributed more than<strong> 360 million LED bulbs</strong> under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/report-on-energy-efficiency-measures" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UJALA scheme</strong></a>, which has led to energy saving of about 47 billion units of electricity per year and <strong>reduction of 38 million tonnes of CO2 per year.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-may-miss-100-gw-solar-power-target-by-2022-crisil-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission</a>:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was<strong> launched in 2009</strong> with the primary aim of achieving grid parity by 2022 and with coal-based thermal power by 2030.</li>
<li>Aims to<strong> increase the share of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/solar-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">solar energy</a> in India's energy mix.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Action Plan on Climate Change</a> (NAPCC):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was<strong> launched in 2008.</strong></li>
<li>It aims at <strong>creating awareness</strong> among the representatives of the public, different agencies of the government, scientists, industry and the communities on the <strong>threat posed by climate change and the steps to counter it.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Environment Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The UNEP is a leading global environmental authority established on 5th june 1972.</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong> It sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the sustainable development within the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for global environment protection.</li>
<li><strong>Major Reports: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/emissions-gap-report-2020-unep" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Emission Gap Report</a></strong>, Global Environment Outlook, Frontiers, Invest into Healthy Planet.</li>
<li><strong>Major Campaigns:</strong> Beat Pollution, UN75, World Environment Day, Wild for Life.</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Nairobi, Kenya.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/emissions-gap-report-2020-unep" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7475,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Jallikattu',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>As the assembly polls are to be held in Tamil Nadu in 2021, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/harvest-festivals-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pongal festival</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jallikattu-event-held-in-tamil-nadu" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jallikattu</strong></a>, the traditional bull-taming sport, have caught the attention of the Political Parties in the country.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Jallikattu:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Traditional:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A tradition over 2,000 years old, Jallikattu is a <strong>competitive sport</strong> as well as an event to honour <strong>bull owners</strong> who rear them for mating.</li>
<li>It is a violent sport in which contestants try to tame a bull for a prize; if they fail, the bull owner wins the prize.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Areas of Sport:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is popular in <strong>Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Theni, Pudukkottai and Dindigul</strong> districts of Tamil Nadu known as the <strong>Jallikattu belt.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Time of Event:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is celebrated in the <strong>second week of January, during the Tamil harvest festival, Pongal.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance in Tamil Culture:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Jallikattu is considered a traditional way for the peasant community to preserve their <strong>pure-breed native bulls.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>At a time when cattle breeding is often an artificial process, conservationists and peasants argue that Jallikattu is a way to <strong>protect these male animals</strong> which are otherwise used only for meat if not for ploughing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Kangayam, Pulikulam, Umbalachery, Bargur and Malai Maadu are among the <strong>popular native cattle breeds used for Jallikattu.</strong> The owners of these premium breeds <strong>command respect locally.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Legal Interventions on Jallikattu:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2011, the Centre added bulls to the <strong>list of animals whose training and exhibition is prohibited.</strong></li>
<li>In 2014, the Supreme Court banned the bull-taming sport, ruling on a petition that cited the <strong>2011 notification.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Current Legal Position on Jallikattu:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The state government has legalised these events, which has been challenged in the court.</li>
<li>In 2018, the Supreme Court referred the Jallikattu case to a Constitution Bench, where it is pending now.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conflict to be Resolved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Whether the Jallikattu tradition can be protected as a <strong>cultural right of the people of Tamil Nadu which is a fundamental right. </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Article 29 (1) against Rights of animals.</strong></li>
<li>Article 29 (1) mandates that &ldquo;any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Position in Other States for Similar Sports:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Karnataka too passed a law to save a similar sport, called <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jallikattu-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kambala</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Except in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where bull-taming and racing continue to be organised, these sports remain<strong> banned in all other states</strong> including Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Maharashtra due to the 2014<strong> ban order from the Supreme Court.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610793449_image11.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610793449_image11.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="425" height="283" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/jallikattu-tamil-nadu-assembly-election-bjp-congress-7148150/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7472,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India & Oman',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a meeting of the<strong> India-Oman Strategic Consultative Group</strong> (IOSCG) was held with the first <strong>high-level official visit</strong> from Oman to India since the onset of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610789405_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610789405_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Partnership during Pandemic:</strong> India assured assistance to Oman in its requirement for <strong>Covid-19</strong> vaccines. India had also facilitated<strong> food and medical supplies to Oman</strong> during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Previously both the countries have expressed satisfaction on the operationalisation of the <strong>Air Bubble arrangement</strong> between the two countries during <strong>covid-19.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/travel-bubble" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Air bubbles</strong></a> (travel corridors or travel bubbles) are systems established between <strong>two countries</strong> that perceive each other <strong>to be safe and allow carriers of both the countries to fly passengers either way</strong> without any restrictions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Comprehensive Review:</strong> Both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of India-Oman relationship including in political, energy, trade, investment, defence, security, space, mining, Science &amp; Technology, culture and consular fields.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India Oman Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two countries across the Arabian Sea are linked by<strong> geography, history and culture</strong> and enjoy warm and cordial relations, which are attributed to <strong>historical maritime trade linkages.</strong></li>
<li>While people-to-people contact between India and Oman can be traced back <strong>5000 years, diplomatic relations were established in 1955</strong> and the relationship was upgraded to <strong>Strategic partnership in 2008.</strong> Oman has been a key pillar of<strong> India's West Asia Policy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Visits at the highest level have been exchanged frequently between India and Oman. Ministerial level visits have taken place regularly.</li>
<li>The Sultanate of Oman is a<strong> strategic partner of India</strong> in the Gulf and an important interlocutor at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gulf-cooperation-council-and-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong></a> (GCC), <strong>Arab League</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim Association</strong> </a>(IORA) fora.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ministries of Defence of both countries review their relations annually under the aegis of <strong>Joint Military Cooperation Committee</strong> meeting.</li>
<li>India and Oman conduct <strong>regular biennial bilateral exercises</strong> between all three services. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Army exercise: <strong>Al Najah</strong></li>
<li>Air Force exercise: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ex-eastern-bridge-v" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Eastern Bridge</strong></a></li>
<li>Naval Exercise: <strong>Naseem Al Bahr</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Since 2008, Oman has been extending its support to Indian Navy&rsquo;s <strong>anti-piracy missions</strong> and Indian Naval Ships are regularly welcomed by Oman for <strong>Overseas Deployments.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic &amp; Commercial Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India accords a high priority to expanding its economic and commercial ties with Oman. Institutional mechanisms like<strong> Joint Commission Meeting</strong> (JCM) and<strong> Joint Business Council</strong> (JBC) oversee economic cooperation between India and Oman.</li>
<li>The bilateral trade and investment between India and Oman remain <strong>robust and buoyant.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is among Oman&rsquo;s <strong>top trading partners.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For Oman, India was the<strong> 3<sup>rd</sup> largest</strong> (after UAE and China) source for its imports and <strong>3<sup>rd</sup> largest market</strong> (after UAE and Saudi Arabia) for its non-oil exports in 2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Major items of India&rsquo;s <strong>exports to Oman</strong> include mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; articles of iron or steel; electrical machinery and equipment, textiles and garments, chemicals, tea, coffee, spices etc</li>
<li>Main items of<strong> India&rsquo;s imports</strong> from Oman include fertilizers; mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Indian financial institutions such as State Bank of India, Public Sector Undertakings such as Air India, Life Insurance Corporation(LIC), have presence in Oman. Indian companies have invested in Oman in sectors like iron and steel, cement, fertilizers, textile etc.</li>
<li><strong>India-Oman Joint Investment Fund</strong> (OIJIF), a JV between <strong>State Bank of India and State General Reserve Fund</strong> (SGRF) of Oman, a special purpose vehicle to invest in India, has been operational.</li>
<li><strong>Access to Duqm Port:</strong> Oman has allowed India, including its navy, access to its Duqm port, about 550 km south of the capital Muscat. The Port of Duqm SEZ is earmarked to be the Indian Ocean&rsquo;s largest deep-sea port.</li>
<li>An agreement to <strong>develop Little India, an integrated tourism complex project in Duqm</strong> worth 748 million USD, has been signed between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Oman have close cultural relations. The vibrant Indian expatriate community in Oman regularly hosts<strong> cultural performances and invites celebrity artists and singers from India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community in Oman:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The large, diverse and highly regarded expatriate Indian community in Oman is spread over the<strong> entire spectrum of professions.</strong> Thousands of Indians are working as doctors, engineers,etc.</li>
<li>There are many<strong> Indian schools offering CBSE syllabus</strong> catering to the educational needs of about <strong>45,000</strong> Indian children.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India does not have enough energy resources to serve its current or future energy requirements. The rapidly growing energy demand has contributed to the need for <strong>long term energy partnerships with countries like Oman.</strong></li>
<li>Oman&rsquo;s Duqm Port is situated in the <strong>middle of international shipping lanes connecting East with West Asia.</strong></li>
<li>India needs to engage with Oman and <strong>take initiatives to utilise opportunities arising out of the Duqm Port industrial city.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-oman-review-ties-vow-to-step-up-trade-and-investment/article33576897.ece#:~:text=Secretary%20(CPV%26OIA)%20thanked%20the%20Omani,to%20Oman%20during%20the%20pandemic." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7470,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 3.0',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)</strong> has launched <strong>Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 3.0,</strong> in a bid to empower India&rsquo;s youth with employable skills by <strong>making over 300 skill courses available</strong> to them.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Skill India Mission</strong> was launched by the government in <strong>2015</strong> under which the flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is run.</li>
<li>It <strong>aims to train over 40 crore people in India in different skills by 2022.</strong> It aims at <strong>vocational training and certification</strong> of Indian youth for a better livelihood and respect in the society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>PMKVY 1.0:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Launch: India&rsquo;s largest Skill Certification Scheme -<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-kaushal-vikas-yojana-pmkvy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)</a></strong> - was launched on 15<sup>th</sup> July, 2015 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-youth-skills-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(World Youth Skills Day)</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> To encourage and promote skill development in the country by providing <strong>free short duration skill training</strong> and incentivizing this by providing <strong>monetary rewards to youth for skill certification.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong> PMKVY is implemented by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-skills-study" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC)</strong></a> under the guidance of the <strong>Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).</strong></li>
<li><strong>Key Components:</strong> Short Term Training, Special Projects, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/recognition-of-prior-learning-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Recognition of Prior Learning</strong></a>, Kaushal &amp; Rozgar Mela, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Outcome:</strong> In 2015-16, 19.85 lakh candidates were trained.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>PMKVY 2.0:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Coverage: PMKVY 2016-20</strong> (PMKVY 2.0) was launched by scaling up<strong> both in terms of Sector and Geography</strong> and by <strong>greater alignment with other missions</strong> of the Government of India like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Make in India</strong></a>,<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Digital India</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/swachh-bharat-mission-urban" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Swachh Bharat</strong></a>, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Budget:</strong> Rs. 12,000 Crore.</li>
<li><strong>Implementation Through Two Components:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Centrally Sponsored Centrally Managed (CSCM):</strong> This component was <strong>implemented by National Skill Development Corporation.</strong> 75% of the PMKVY 2016-20 funds and corresponding physical targets have been allocated under CSCM.</li>
<li><strong>Centrally Sponsored State Managed (CSSM):</strong> This component was <strong>implemented by State Governments</strong> through State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs). 25% of the PMKVY 2016-20 funds and corresponding physical targets have been allocated under CSSM.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Outcome:</strong> More than <strong>1.2 Crore youth</strong> have been trained/oriented through an improved standardized skilling ecosystem in the country under PMKVY 1.0 and PMKVY 2.0.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>PMKVY 3.0:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Coverage:</strong> Launched in 717 districts, 28 States/eight UTs, PMKVY 3.0 is a step towards <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Atmnanirbhar Bharat&rsquo;</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong> It <strong>will be implemented in a more decentralized structure</strong> with greater responsibilities and support from States/UTs and Districts. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>District Skill Committees (DSCs), under the guidance of State Skill Development Missions (SSDM), shall play a key role in addressing the skill gap and assessing demand at the district level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>envisages training of eight lakh candidates</strong> over a <strong>scheme period of 2020-2021</strong> with an outlay of Rs. 948.90 crore. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>729 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs), empaneled non-PMKK training centres and more than 200 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)</strong> under Skill India will be rolling out PMKVY 3.0 training to build a robust pool of skilled professionals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will be <strong>more trainee- and learner-centric.</strong> The focus is on bridging the demand-supply gap by <strong>promoting skill development in areas of new-age and <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Industry 4.0</a> job roles.</strong></li>
<li>It will be <strong>a propagator of vocational education</strong> at an early level for youth to capitalize on industry-linked opportunities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Educational Policy 2020</strong></a> also puts focus on vocational training for a holistic growth and increased employability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>By taking the bottom-up approach to training, it will<strong> identify job roles that have demand at the local level and skill the youth,</strong> linking them to these opportunities <strong>(Vocal for Local).</strong></li>
<li>It will <strong>encourage healthy competition between states</strong> by making available increased allocation to those states that perform better.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1688836" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7469,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Kashmir Debate in UK’s Parliament',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India has expressed its concern over a <strong>debate on Kashmir in the Houses of Parliament complex in London.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earlier in october 2020 a delegation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/members-of-european-parliament-visit-kashmir" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union Members of Parliament (MEPs)</strong></a>, comprising 27 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from Italy, Britain, France, Germany, Czech <strong>Republic, and Poland, visited Srinagar,</strong> nearly three months after the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/to-the-point-article-370" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>revocation of Article 370</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610781039_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610781039_image2.png" width="450" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A debate was organised by some <strong>Members of Parliament</strong> in <strong>the United Kingdom (UK),</strong> titled <strong>"Political situation in Kashmir".</strong></li>
<li>It raised concerns of <strong>alleged <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-human-rights-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">human rights</a> violations</strong> and called on the UK government to seek access to the region for direct reports from Jammu and Kashmir and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pakistan-s-provincial-status-to-gilgit-baltistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)</strong></a> to be presented in the UK Parliament in future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Concern:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> terminology</strong> used in the debate was problematic, regarding the reference to <strong>'Kashmir''</strong> in the title - there is a need to differentiate between<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uts-j-k-and-ladakh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir</strong></a>, which is an integral part of India, and <strong>Pakistan Occupied Kashmir</strong> (when the erstwhile princely state of Kashmir legally acceded to India in October 1947, this part was forcibly and illegally occupied by Pakistan).</li>
<li>The debate ignored current ground reality of<strong> the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir</strong> and, instead chose to reflect false assertions of the kind promoted by a third country (Pakistan), such as unsubstantiated allegations of <strong>'genocide'', 'rampant violence'' and 'torture'.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian High Commission in London sought to highlight that since last year, a smart wi-fi project has enabled <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/restoration-of-4g-internet-in-j-k#:~:text=Background%3A,two%20Union%20Territories%20(UTs)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>high-speed internet access in the region</strong></a> and that despite threats of terror attacks, challenging weather conditions and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>pandemic, landmark <strong>District Development Council (DDC) elections were concluded in December 2020.</strong></li>
<li>India stands ready to engage with Pakistan on all outstanding issues &ndash; including on Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/external-intervention-on-kashmir-issue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shimla Agreement (1972)</strong> </a>and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kargil-vijay-diwas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lahore Declaration (1999)</strong> </a>in an atmosphere free from terror, hostility and violence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UK Government&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Although there were human rights concerns on both sides of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Line of Control (LoC)</strong></a>, the UK will <strong>not play any mediatory role in a bilateral <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-pakistan-scope-of-soft-diplomacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India-Pakistan</a> matter.</strong></li>
<li>The government's policy (on Kashmir) remains stable,<strong> it's unchanged.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It continues to believe that India and Pakistan need to find a lasting political resolution to the situation that takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people as laid out in the <strong>Simla Agreement (1972).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-deplores-false-assertions-in-uk-parliament-kashmir-debate/article33575979.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 19 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7467,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India’s NSA Visit to Afghanistan',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-vote-on-national-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Security Advisor (NSA)</strong></a> of India visited Afghanistan for talks on strategic issues with the leadership in Kabul.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>First official visit since initiation of Intra-afghan talks:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This visit is significant because it was the first visit by any senior Indian official amidst the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/intra-afghan-talks-role-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intra-Afghan Talks.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Intra-Afghan</strong> talks refer to the <strong>negotiation meetings between the Taliban and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/afghanistan-s-power-sharing-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation</a></strong> (representative of Afghan Government) opened in Doha in 2020.</li>
<li>These talks are <strong>facilitated and supervised by the United States,</strong> representatives of the Ghani government and the Taliban aimed at ending the decades-old war and forging a political settlement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues discussed:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exchanged views</strong> on the <strong>Peace Process,</strong> the beginning of <strong>2<sup>nd</sup> round of (Intra-Afghan) talks,</strong> and the <strong>role of India in establishing peace in Afghanistan.</strong></li>
<li>Emphasis to <strong>synchronise efforts to combat terrorism</strong> and maintain peace in Aghanistan which shall become more challenging after the USA troops withdraw after <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-taliban-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Doha Peace Pact (2020).</strong> </a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Doha Peace Pact:</strong> In February 2020, the USA and the Tabilan signed an agreement in Doha, (Qatar&rsquo;s capital) which included: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>USA to withdraw all of its troops from Afghanistan in 14 months and would also release Taliban prisoners, held captive by the Afghan government.</li>
<li>Assurance by Taliban that they would not allow transnational jihadist organisations such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State to use Afganistan as their base and also committed to start direct talks with the Afghan government, which began in September 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Role in establishing Peace in Afghanistan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By <strong>participating in the intra-Afghan inaugural dialogue</strong> in Doha, India has shown its willingness to engage with all Afghan parties including the Taliban for peace in Kabul.</li>
<li>India conveyed that the peace process must: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled;</li>
<li>Respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan; and</li>
<li>Promote human rights and democracy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has a major stake in the stability of Afghanistan since it has<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-assistance-to-afghanistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> invested considerable resources</a> in Afghanistan's development.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610709018_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610709018_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance of Stable Afghanistan for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A stable Afghanistan government in power is a <strong>strategic asset vis-&agrave;-vis Pakistan.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>An increased political and military role for the Taliban</strong> and the expansion of its territorial control should be of great concern to India since the Taliban is widely believed to be a prot&eacute;g&eacute; of Islamabad.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The country has the <strong>Central Asian Republics</strong> to the North, Pakistan to its East, and through Iran and Pakistan the Indian Ocean deeper south.</li>
<li>Withdrawal of the USA troops could result in the<strong> breeding of the fertile ground for various anti-India terrorist</strong> outfits like <a href="/printpdf/pakistan-on-fatf-grey-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lashkar-e-Taiba</strong></a> or Jaish-e-Mohammed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has reaffirmed its <strong>support to the Doha Agreement (2020) and intra-Afghan peace negotiations</strong> facilitating Afghan peace process and reiterated its commitment to Afghanistan&rsquo;s pursuit of <strong>&ldquo;sustainable peace and reconciliation&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>India&rsquo;s vision of a<strong> sovereign, united, stable, plural and democratic Afghanistan</strong> is one that is shared by Afghanistan, cutting across ethnic and provincial lines.</li>
<li><strong>Continuing such active engagement</strong> will enable India to work with like-minded forces in the region to ensure that the vacuum created by the USA withdrawal does not lead to an unravelling of the gains registered during the last two decades.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ajit-doval-goes-to-afghanistan-focus-on-terror-7145469/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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$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/Articles/tags.ctp, line 61
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 765
Cake\Controller\Controller::render() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 623
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 125
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 93

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