Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder

Contents Chief Editor : Dr. B. S. Rao garu, Chairman, NATIONAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES...... 4 Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutions 'Statue of Unity’ in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai 4 Co Editors UDAN Phase III Bidding this Week 4 Mr. Venu Mr. Vijay An exploration of the Multidimensional Poverty Index 5 Mr. L N Rao CBI dispute: All you need to know 6 Mr. Manish Army set to create new positions as part of overhaul 8 Layout Designers: Promote Science, Social Science research 9 Mr. K S R Kiran Cabinet approves Adjudicating Authority for speedy disposal 9

Admn. Office: Cabinet nod to panel on United Nations SDG 10 Plot No. 304, Kasatty Heights, Indian Institutes of Skills to come up in across the country 10 Madhapur, Hyderabad - 500 081. Firecrackers verdict: Priority is for public health, says SC 11 Ph: 040 - 66151515, 64640193/5/6. Bangladesh question looms over Citizenship Bill 11

#MeToo: Group of Ministers to look into cases of harassment 12 All rights reserved. No part of this Magazine may be reproduced, stored IIT-Bombay tops in QS ranking of Indian institutions 12 in a retrieval system or transmitted No time bar for crimes under POCSO Act 12 in any form by any means, Electronic, Mechanical, Photocopying or 12 courts set up to try MPs and MLAs, Centre informs Supreme Court 13 otherwise, without the prior 21% Indian children are under-weight: Global Hunger Index 13 permission of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure EC issues amended Form-26 14 accuracy of the information in this edition, neither publisher nor any of ECONOMY...... 15 its employees accept any Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP) 15 responsibility for any error or omission. Articles that cannot be Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) 16 used are returned to the authors if Soil moisture map 16 accompanied by a self addressed and sufficiently stamped envelop. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) 17 “Career Finder” assumes no responsibility for statements and Commodity derivatives contract in gold and Silver 17 opinions advanced by the authors Udyam Abhilasha 18 nor for any claims made in the advertise-ments published in the GI Tag for Alphonso from Konkan 18 Magazine. PMFBY 19

"Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time". Arnold H. Glasow 1 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) 20 Rajapaksa meets Sampanthan, seeks TNA support in floor Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution 20 test 32

100k Genome Asia Project 21 In search of ancestry, Chinese are rushing to DNA sequencing labs 32 Cross-Border Insolvency 21 Bid to steal Magna Carta foiled 33 11 Global Agriculture Summit – 2018 22 China, Japan to partner in building Asia infrastructure 33 Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) 23 North Korea warns U.S. to immediately lift sanctions 34 India’s first container movement on inland waterways 24 Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in hot Fiji for 3-day visit FSDC 25 34 INDIA AND WORLD...... 26 Stephen Hawking’s wheelchair, thesis for sale 35

Modi, Abe back ‘free Indo-Pacific 26 PM formally apologizes to Australian child sex abuse victims 35 India helped Maldives restore democracy, says Gayoom 26 U.S. to pull out of Russia missile pact 36 Pakistan Supreme Court reimposes ban on Indian films, World’s longest sea bridge between China-Hong Kong 36 TV shows 26 Indonesia quake, tsunami: 70 children still remain missing India’s TCS among top 10 firms to get foreign labour 36 certification for H-1B visas 27 Canada legalises marijuana 37 Three-fourths of H-1B visa holders in 2018 are Indians 27 Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen passes away 37

British MPs to debate making Deepavali a public holiday The story of Microsoft 37 27 Pope to canonize 20th Century icons Oscar Romero, Paul India and China discussing Iran, Af-Pak connectivity VI 38 projects 27 Islamabad High Court judge sacked for his remarks Malaysia keen on adopting Aadhaar model for target against ISI 39 delivery of subsidies 28 World’s largest fish market reopens at new site in Tokyo In a first, Indian-origin blind man to get guide horse in U.K. 39 28 Asim Munir appointed new Pakistan ISI chief 39 Indians top list of ‘overstayers’ in U.K. 28 Florida after fatal flooding in Central America 40 India’s success in 2030 U.N. SDGs 29 Dhaka enacts digital law despite protests 40 Moscow intended to ‘wean’ nations 30 Interpol chief Meng Hongwei under investigation, China Russian oil major Rosneft slams Indian taxation system 30 says 40 US refused to facilitate India-Pak dialogue 30 After years of debate, Australia scraps ‘tampon tax’ 40 Political adviser to Sheikh Hasina 31 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY...... 41 India wants to start trade talks with U.S. ‘immediately’ 31 World’s first Hyperloop passenger capsule unveiled 41

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS...... 32 Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout (MACOT) 42 ‘Jewel of Roman Empire’ faces danger 32 Nobel Prize 42 India International Science Festival (IISF-2018) 43

2 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder

Parker Solar Probe 43 Government to set up National Sports Stadium for Gaganyaan 2022 45 differently-abled in Meghalaya 62

NASA’s New Horizons mission 45 India Record Best-Ever Showing With 72 Medals 63 Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) 46 World Wrestling Championships – 2018 63 BepiColombo 46 IMPORTANT ARTICLES...... 64

OneerTM 47 Power politics at play 64

Galaxy proto-supercluster — Hyperion 47 The diaspora and disasters 66 China’s artificial moon project 48 The Allahabad in Prayagraj 69 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES...... 49 The voice that is great within us 71

First Assembly of ISA inaugurated in New Delhi 49 The scope of constitutional morality 73 Satat Initiative 49 Indian democracy’s Westphalian moment 75 Who First Global Guidelines On Sanitation And Health 51 Polls and polarisation politics 77

IPCC “Special Report” On Global Warming of 1.5°C 52 Journalism after #MeToo 79 Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) 53 Decoding the Rafale controversy 81 Eurasian Otter Found In Western Ghats After 70 Years 55 L'affaire Khashoggi 83

GIR’S 21 Lion deaths in 19 Days 55 Outcomes versus promises 85 NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission 56 The Unifier of Modern India 87 Air quality early warning system 57 EDITORIALS...... 90

Famous Shahi litchi of North Bihar gets Geographical Slippery slope: on India’s energy needs 90 indication tag 58 The Bhutan vote 90 Report on strengthening forest fire Management in India Not just liquidity: on NBFCs crisis 91 59 Eyes on India 92 Green Crackers 60 Where Ganga meets the Bay of Pollution 92 PERSONS...... 61 SC bans sale of BS-IV vehicles from 2020 93 Interpol Chief Resigns 61 India among nations that face grave danger to soil Clara Sosa won the Miss Grand International 2018 Title biodiversity: WWF 94 61 India set to be third largest aviation market 94

Ganga Activist GD Agarwal Dies After 111 Day Fast 61 A flight path with obstacles 95 M.S. Swaminathan 61

Gita Gopinath appointed as Chief Economist of IMF 61

SPORTS ...... 62

India’s young guns break barriers at 2018 Youth Olympic 62

3 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder NATIONAL & SOCIAL ISSUES

'Statue of Unity’ in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi afterunveiling the Sardar Vallabhbhai 182-metre high ‘Statue of Unity’ in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Kevadiya Colony, Touted to be the world’s tallest statue, it is built Sardar Sarovar Dam, Gujarat on Wednesday, on Sadhu Bet Island on the Narmada river. October 31, 2018. Mr. also inaugurated a 17-km- Built at a cost of ¹ 2,989 crore, the ‘Statue of Unity’ long Valley of flowers, a Tent City for tourists near depicts Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel wearing a the statue. traditional dhoti and shawl, towering over the ‘Tribals ignored’ Narmada River and overlooking the Sardar “There is nothing for tribals, who are original Sarovar dam. inhabitants of forest lands in this area,” said local The statue, described as the world’s tallest given MLA Chhotubhai Vasava, who has floated the that it exceeds the height of China’s Spring Bhartiya Bhilistan Sena. “Instead of spending ¹ Temple Buddha by 177 feet, was built by Indian 3,000 crore on building a statue, the government construction major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in 33 should have started some new scheme for months. The statue was designed by Padma tribals,” he said. Bhushan-winning sculptor Ram V Sutar. Environmental activist Rohit Prajapati, who was Specialities: The statue is slender most at the also detained ahead of the inaugural event, said base, which goes against the norms of what other that the statue built on a small island in the river tall statues have followed. The walking pose also would cause damage to the Narmada’s ecology. opened up a gap of 6.4 metres between the two feet which then had to be tested to withstand wind UDAN Phase III Bidding this Week velocity, says L&T. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is set to invite bids Engineered to withstand wind speeds of up to 50 for the third phase of the Regional Connectivity m per second (almost 180 km per hour wind Scheme (RCS) also known as Udey Desh Ka speed) Aam Nagrik (UDAN) after a month-long delay this week. The statue is divided into five zones - Up to its shin is the first zone, comprising three levels, The third phase is expected to see the launch of including an exhibit floor, mezzanine and roof. seaplanes by Spicejet. Under the earlier two This zone will contain a Memorial Garden and a phases of RCS, 56 unserved and 31 helipads large museum. Zone 2 extends up to the statue’s have been awarded for connectivity, but thighs at 149 metres, while Zone 3 goes up to the operations at several of these airports are yet to viewing gallery at 153 metres. Zone 4 comprises take off. the maintenance area and Zone 5 the head and Routes up for auction in this phase will include shoulders. popular tourist destinations such as Mahabodhi The viewing gallery at the height of 135 metres temple in Bihar, Ajanta and Ellora in Aurangabad can accommodate up to 200 people at a time. and Hampi in Karnataka, among others. The Ministry of Tourism had identified 12 tourist

4 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder hotspots to connect under the scheme. Under RCS, an airline can choose to serve the destinations on offer from anywhere depending on its traffic feasibility studies. In this scheme, fares are capped at ¹ 2,500 for an hour-long flight for 50% of seats. The remaining seats can be sold at market rates. The third round is also expected to comprise of direct routes currently funded by ministry for development of North Eastern region and over 30 tourist destinations, out of which 10 are currently not connected by air. There are 4-5 direct routes currently funded by Development of North East Region ministry and serviced by Alliance Air. Since this arrangement ends in March 2019 they will be available to the winning bidder. An exploration of the Multidimensional Poverty Index

While overall poverty in India has come down in 2016 compared to 2006, the progress has been uneven among States and communities. A look at the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), calculated by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative and UNDP reveal the variations.

What is Multidimensional Poverty Index?

MPI is a measure that takes into account the incidence of poverty and the extent of deprivation. Going beyond just monetary measures, the MPI takes into account several factors. Here’s a look at the various indicators involved and their weightage:

*Water refers to drinking water and fuel refers to cooking fuel

The calculation boils down to a value between 0 and 1. An MPI value of 1 indicates the highest deprivation level, while 0 indicates the lowest. Global comparison

India’s MPI is lower than the global average of 0.159 and the South Asian countries, but is higher (worse) than BRICS countries (excluding Russia). The MPI has been calculated for 105 developing economies. 5 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder State & district comparison of Justice Patnaik in a supervisory capacity should not be “understood to be casting any reflection India’s MPI stood at 0.121 in 2016, half of what it on any authority of the Government of India”. was in 2006. The chart below plots MPI in 2016 vs MPI in 2006 for all States. States above the Two, the court did not stay the CVC order of trend line have reduced poverty at a better rate October 23, divesting Mr. Verma of the functions than India’s average. and duties of CBI Director. To Mr. Verma’s submissions on Friday that his exile without the Among districts, Alirajpur (0.402) and Jhabua previous consent of the Prime Minister’s panel (0.393) districts in Madhya Pradesh and amounts to a “breach”, the court clarified it would Shrawasti (0.393) in Uttar Pradesh had the examine the aspect but the cloud over Mr. Verma highest MPI. The worst 10 districts were in should have to clear first. Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The lowest MPI was in Kottayam district, Kerala CBI dispute: All you need to where the MPI stood at 0, indicating no know deprivation. Thrissur and Ernakulam districts in The internal tussle in India’s central probe agency Kerala had a marginal MPI of 0.001. In fact, the split wide open after the Central Bureau of 10 districts with the lowest MPI were all in Kerala, Investigation (CBI) charged its own Special except for Chennai in Mahe in Puducherry (0.001) Director Rakesh Asthana for accepting bribes to and Chennai district in Tamil Nadu (0.05). settle a case involving controversial meat exporter Variation across communities Moin Qureshi. Rakesh Asthana has been sent The MPI has gone down across communities, on leave, while CBI Director Alok Verma was but it is more than double among Scheduled relieved of his post and Deputy SP Devender Tribes compared to Others. Kumar has been suspended and sent to a seven- day CBI custody. In the court of last resort The CBI headquarters in New Delhi on Ensures fair investigation without causing any Wednesday were searched and raided by its delay officials over the bribery allegations and the fast- The Supreme Court’s 14-day time limit for an following developments have triggered a massive investigation into the allegations against CBI political fight in India. Here’s all you need to know Director Alok Verma and the appointment of a about the controversy. former Supreme Court judge to oversee it have 1. The tussle between CBI Director Alok Verma put him and the Central Vigilance Commission and Special Director Rakesh Asthana started on a tight leash. in 2017. It all started with Asthana’s The order serves two purposes. One, it addresses appointment to CBI. Verma handed over a the CVC’s grouse that Mr. Verma was obstructing confidential letter to Central Vigilance its investigation and refusing to cooperate. The Commission (CVC) over Asthana’s appointment of Justice A.K. Patnaik serves as promotion to the post of CBI special director, an assurance against delay. The order ensures claiming the latter was under investigation in that Mr. Verma is given a fair opportunity. But the the 2017 Sterling Biotech bribery case. court found it unnecessary to stay the inquiry. It However, Asthana’s promotion was cleared. further was careful to add that the appointment In June 2018, Alok Verma wrote another letter

6 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder to the CVC that Asthana could not represent he had recorded a statement on September him in his absence since the latter faces 26, 2016, in New Delhi. However, after allegations of corruption. investigation, it was found that Sana was never in New Delhi but in Hyderabad and 2. Later, Asthana shot back and filed a complaint joined the probe only on October 1, 2018. against Verma accusing him of interfering in the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism 7. Devender Kumar was on Tuesday remanded Corporation (IRCTC) corruption case to seven-day CBI custody and suspended involving the family members of Rashtriya from the CBI pending investigation. Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad Yadav. 8. After the CBI filed an FIR against Asthana, This bureaucratic infight between Verma and he moved the Delhi High Court on Tuesday Asthana came to a head when the CBI seeking interim protection from arrest and named Asthana in a First Information Report quashing of an FIR in connection with bribery (FIR) in a bribery case and the allegations allegations against him. escalated. 9. The Delhi High Court has given former CBI 3. On October 21, the CBI charged Rakesh Director Alok Verma time till Monday, October Asthana, a 1984-batch Indian Police Service 29 to respond to the allegations against officer of Gujarat cadre, of accepting a bribe Asthana. The court ruled that until October of Rs 2 crore from a Hyderabad-based 29, no action can be taken against Asthana. businessman Sathish Babu Sana, who was The court has also ordered CBI to “maintain under probe in the Moin Qureshi case in order status quo” with regards to this issue, with to “wreck” the investigation. Justice Najmi Waziri stating that the 4. The CBI has alleged that bribes were given “petitioner is before court now.” Delhi HC has at least five times between December 2017 also clarified that this does not qualify as a and October 2018. stay on the probe into the claims.

5. The charges against Asthana came to light 10. Meanwhile, in a dramatic midnight action, the after Dubai-based middleman Manoj Kumar Centre divested CBI Director Alok Verma of gave a confessional statement before a his charges on Wednesday and appointed magistrate stating that he paid Rs 2 crore to M Nageshwar Rao as the Interim CBI Asthana on behalf of Moin Qureshi, who is Director. being probed by the CBI and the Enforcement 11. Alok Verma has challenged the Centre’s order Directorate (ED) on charges of money removing him from the post and the Supreme laundering. Qureshi was arrested by the ED Court has agreed to hear his petition on in August 2017 under the provisions of the Friday. Prevention of Money Laundering Act. 12. Thirteen officers probing the bribery case 6. On October 22, the CBI arrested its own DSP against Asthana have been transferred - Dy Devender Kumar in connection with the SP CBI AK Bassi, Additional SP CBI SS bribery allegations against Asthana. Kumar Gum, CBI DIG Manish Kumar Sinha, DIG has been accused of fabricating the Taurn Gauba, DIG Jasbir Singh, DIG Anish statements given by Sathish Babu Sana, a Prasad, DIG KR Chaurasia, HoB Ram Gopal, witness in the Qureshi case, showing that SP Satish Dagar, CBI’s JD (P)Arun Kumar

7 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Sharma, A Sai Manohar, HoZ V Murugesan The force is undertaking four studies for its and DIG Amit Kumar. overhaul. At the Army Commanders’ Conference earlier this month, it was decided that the “studies 13. Meanwhile, the fight within the agency has would be implemented progressively in a phased triggered a big political fight in India with manner.” opposition parties hitting out at the Centre. Congress claimed Prime Minister Narendra The four studies are for restructuring of Army Modi has “destroyed” the CBI and accused Headquarters (HQ), restructuring which includes him and BJP chief Amit Shah of “perpetually cutting down the strength, cadre review of misusing” the agency. Delhi Chief Minister officers and review of terms and conditions of Arvind Kejriwal stated the BJP has turned the Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Other CBI into a “national disgrace” and the CPI(M) Ranks (OR). claimed Asthana was pushed into the agency “The focus of the studies is holistic integration to to “subvert investigations” against BJP enhance the operational and functional efficiency, leaders. Following this, Congress party optimise budget expenditure, facilitate force president Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to say, modernisation and address aspirations,” the Army “The PM’s blue-eyed boy, Gujarat cadre had said earlier. officer, of Godra SIT fame, infiltrated as No. 2 into the CBI, has now been caught taking Apart from the new vacancies, other big changes bribes. Under this PM, the CBI is a weapon in the offing include having Integrated Battle of political vendetta. An institution in terminal Groups (IBGs); shifting the Director General decline that’s at war with itself.” Military Training in the Army HQ to the Army’s Training Command at Shimla; reorganising Army set to create new positions several overlapping divisions at the Army HQ and as part of overhaul rightsizing the force over the next 6-8 years.

Four expert studies being carried out to right size In the next step, all the points made at the force. The Army’s biggest reform exercise since Commanders conference will be integrated into independence to right size the force and reduce the study. mounting revenue expenditure is likely to see “Then they will be sent for feedback, which will creation of new positions of a third Deputy Chief be incorporated and the plan finalised,” the source of Army Staff and a Director General of Strategic stated and added that for the IBGs, once the Communications, among other measures. feedback is received, one formation will be “The Directorate of Strategic Communications, identified and the new concepts tested for in addition to the existing Directorates of Military validation before finalising. Operations and Military Intelligence, are likely to While finalising the reorganisation of the Army HQ be moved under a new Deputy Chief of Army is likely to take 2-3 months, the concept of Staff,” a defence source said. Integrated Battle Groups is expected to be The Army currently has two Deputy Chiefs, one finalised in 6-8 months. for information systems and training and another for planning and systems.

Phased manner

8 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Promote Science, Social Science SPARC will see India collaborate with 28 research countries.

The Centre announced the formal launch of two Cabinet approves Adjudicating schemes to promote higher education research Authority for speedy disposal in India: IMPRESS, dealing with social science Benami transaction refers to transactions made research projects and coordinated by the ICSSR, in a fictitious name, or the owner is not aware of and SPARC, involving foreign collaboration mainly the ownership of the property, or the person paying in science research, coordinated by IIT for the property is not traceable. Kharagpur. The government approved setting up of Appellate Speaking on the occasion, Union minister of Tribunal and Adjudicating Authority for speedy Human Resource Development Prakash disposal of cases related to benami transactions. Javadekar said that IMPRESS Impactful Policy Research in Social Sciences would entail ¹ 414 The decision was taken at the Union Cabinet crore funding of 1500 projects on policy themes chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said in the social sciences at the cost of ¹ 20-25 lakh Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at press per project. briefing.

Asserting that selection would be merit-based Earlier this month, the government had notified from present and retired faculty from quality Sessions courts in 34 states and Union Territories, public and private institutions, the Minister said which will act as special courts for trial of offences the shortlisted areas for research include state under the benami transaction law. and democracy, urban transformation, media, Benami transaction refers transactions made in culture and society, employment, skills, rural a fictitious name, or the owner is not aware of the transformation, governance, innovation and public ownership of the property, or the person paying policy, agriculture, science, social media, politics, for the property is not traceable. law and government, etc. As per an official release, the Adjudicating SPARC Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Authority and Appellate Tribunal will be based in Research Collaboration he said, would entail a the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCTD). spending of Rs. 418 crore on 600 research Benches of Adjudicating Authority may sit in proposals. There categories of projects worth Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, and the necessary below Rs. 50 lakh, Rs. 75 lakh and Rs. 1 crore notification in this regard will be issued after would be cleared on a merit-based basis. consultation with the Chairperson of the proposed Those universities that are in the top 500 in QS Adjudicating Authority. or top 100 in NIRF and departments in the top “The approval will result in effective and better 200 in QS are eligible to participate. The research administration of cases referred to the areas where the selected teams of eight, a mix Adjudicating Authority and speedy disposal of of top Indian and foreign institutions, would appeals filed against the order of the Adjudicating undertake research include fundamental Authority before the Appellate Tribunal”. The research, advanced electronics, communication, appointment of the Adjudicating Authority, it added, structural genomics and affordable healthcare, would provide first stage review of administrative among others, he said.

9 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder action under the the Prohibition of Benami Indian Institutes of Skills to come Property Transactions Act (PBPT) Act. up in across the country Establishment of the proposed Appellate Tribunal Public-private partnership model to be used. would provide an appellate mechanism for the order passed by the Adjudicating Authority under The Centre has decided to set up skill the PBPT Act. The rules and all the provisions of development institutes on government land, in the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act came partnership with private players, across the into force on November 1, 2016. country. The Union Cabinet approved the scheme on Wednesday, according to an official statement. After coming into effect, the existing Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988, was The public-private partnership model will be renamed as the Prohibition of Benami Property adopted to set up the institutes to be called the Transactions Act, 1988. Indian Institutes of Skills at select locations, based on demand and available infrastructure. Cabinet nod to panel on United The institutes are expected to help boost global Nations SDG competitiveness of key industry sectors by The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the providing high-quality training, applied research setting up of a high-level steering committee education and a direct and meaningful connection chaired by the Chief Statistician of India and with the industry. Secretary to the Ministry of Statistics and India’s first engineless train set for trial run on Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to review if October 29 India was on track to achieving the United Nations Sustainable DevelopmentGoals (SDG). The panel Train 18, the swanky 16-coach prototype, was would also decide if there was a need to “refine” developed by the Chennai-based Integral Coach indicators by reviewing the National Indicator Factory in 18 months. Framework (NIF) periodically, according to a Train 18, the country’s first engineless train, which press release announcing the Cabinet decision. is being regarded as a successor to the 30-year- The SDGs are a list of 17 goals, which include the old Shatabdi Express, is set to hit the tracks for elimination of poverty, ending hunger, ensuring trials on October 29. Driven by a self-propulsion provision of quality education, clean water and module sans a separate locomotive, the train, sanitation, that countries, including India, must capable of running at a speed of up to 160 kmph, achieve by 2030. The steering committee would comes with technical features for enhanced quick recommend measures to “mainstream” SDGs into acceleration. It will cut travel time by 15 per cent ongoing national policies, programmes and compared to the Shatabdi. The swanky 16-coach strategic action plans to address the developmental prototype, developed by the Chennai-based challenges. Integral Coach Factory in 18 months, is designed in such a way that passengers can have a look Statistical indicators of the NIF would be the at the driver’s cabin. backbone for monitoring of SDGs at the national and State levels and would scientifically measure the outcomes of the policies to achieve the targets under different SDGs.

10 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Firecrackers verdict: Priority is for northeast as Assam faced violent protests on public health, says Supreme Court Tuesday. There has been a strong resistance to the Bill in SC: emphasising that the right to health of millions BJP-ruled Assam as it seeks to grant citizenship is far more important than averting an economic to Bengali Hindus from Bangladesh. Several loss to the firecracker industry. political and civil groups in Assam have said the The judgment said though the right to health was Bill would pave the way for giving citizenship to part of the fundamental right to life under Article illegal Hindu migrants from Bangladesh in Assam 21 and assumed “greater importance,” the that was in violation of the Assam Accord, 1985. “endeavour” of the court right now was to strive A source told The Hindu that BJP’s Rajendra for a balance between the right to public health Agrawal, chairperson of the joint committee, was and the right to occupation of the industry. keen that the report be submitted during the winter Bangladesh question looms over session of the Parliament, as the tenure of the Citizenship Bill committee would lapse. “The report is being readied as we have to submit JPC members want Bangladesh to be excluded. it this winter session. Practically, this is the last As the deadline for a joint committee of session of the current Lok Sabha there is no Parliament on the contentious Citizenship scope for further extension to the committee. The (Amendment) Bill, 2016, nears an end, some committee can suggest amendments and it is members asked whether it was possible to up to the government to adopt or reject the present the Bill in a truncated form by excluding recommendations,” said a member. Bangladesh. The Bill proposes citizenship to persecuted Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Parsis, Another member said the report cannot be Christians and Buddhists from Pakistan, dictated to the members as many queries were Afghanistan and Bangladesh who came to India yet to be answered to by the concerned ministries. before 2014. “The committee cannot be dictated, we had many queries. The replies given by the three ministries Violation of equality were contradictory to each other. Partisan law The joint committee met on Tuesday to discuss cannot prevail in the country. The government the Bill, posing questions to the Ministries of informed us there is no law in the country with Home, Foreign and Law whether the proposed regard to migrants. If there is no law, how can law violated provisions of Article 14 of the you amend an Act for them?” asked the member. Constitution that guarantees equality before the A member from an Opposition party asked what law and prohibits discrimination on grounds of defined religious persecution. “We asked the religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. One of government if they could define persecution on the members also raised concerns if the basis of religion. Was there a policy on acknowledging the minorities from Bangladesh refugees or migrants? In absence of it, the Bill as “persecuted minorities” would hurt relations proposes citizenship to six communities from with the neighbouring country. three countries but excludes Muslims. It violates Another member said the draft legislation had the Constitution,” the member said. unnecessarily led to a volatile situation in the

11 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder The Ministries have been asked to submit their The Narendra Modi government is considering replies by October 30 setting up a Group of Ministers (GoM) to brainstorm on ways to deal with sexual ‘Centre to weigh all options before NRC nod for harassment at workplace, say sources. Tripura Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Home Minister Senior govt. official says ramifications must be Rajnath Singh and women Ministers would be considered members of this GoM. Sources also say that a The Centre said it was weighing all options to panel of judges and legal persons announced by implement the National Register of Citizens Women and Child Development Minister Maneka (NRC) in Tripura but any decision would be taken Gandhi to look at ways to strengthen the legal only after considering the ramifications in other and institutional framework was being examined parts of the country. by the Ministry of Law but it may not be a legally A senior government official said other provisions sound instrument. like the Citizenship Act, Foreigners Act and the IIT-Bombay tops in QS ranking of Passport Act existed to detect and deport illegal immigrants in the country. The official said the Indian institutions importance of these Acts could not be ignored IISc stands second; top 10 institutions include before taking a final view. On October 8, a petition seven IITs. Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, was filed by the Tripura People’s Front and others has topped the first-ever standalone ranking of in the Supreme Court to update the NRC in Tripura Indian higher education institutions by QS, a think as is being done in Assam, in order to detect and tank that is famous for bringing out world rankings deport “illegal immigrants” from Bangladesh. The of institutions. SC issued a notice to the Centre and the State Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, which tops government on the petition. The petition asked Indian institutions in almost all rankings, stands the SC to direct the authorities to update the NRC second. with respect to Tripura in terms of Rules 3 and 4 of The Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and The top 10 Indian institutions include seven IITs, Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, by with the IITs at Madras, Delhi, Kharagpur and taking July 19, 1948, as the cut-off date. Kanpur standing third, fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, in the rankings. A State government official said, “The 1948 cut- off date mentioned in the petition for Tripura can While the University of Hyderabad stands seventh, have legal implications as many people from the University of Delhi stands eighth in the Bangladesh came to the State in wake of the 1971 rankings. Bangladesh liberation war. This can open a No time bar for crimes under plethora of problems.” POCSO Act #MeToo: Group of Ministers to Survivors can complain once they become adults, look into cases of harassment clarifies govt. Survivors of child sexual abuse can Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Home Minister file a police complaint after they become adults. Rajnath Singh and women Ministers would be The government clarified on Tuesday that there is members of this GoM. no time bar on reporting such crimes.

12 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder The Law Ministry concurred with the opinion of The Centre informed the court that so far a dozen the Ministry of Women and Child Development such courts had been created in 11 States. The that unlike the Code of Criminal Proceedings order has called on States/UTs to furnish data to (CrPC), the Protection of Children from Sexual determine the number of special courts to be set Offences Act (POCSO), 2012, does not lay down up across the country to exclusively try accused a time limit for reporting crimes covered under it. legislators. “The Ministry of Law, after examining the The apex court had on December 14 last year provisions of POCSO Act vis-à-vis provisions of ordered these courts to be established to fast CrPC, has advised that there appears no period track the long-pending trials against MPs and of limitation mentioned in Section 19 in regard to MLAs in a bid to weed out corruption and reporting of the offences under the POCSO Act, criminality in politics. 2012,” according to a statement. Bill soon to settle water disputes Section 19 of the POCSO Act, which deals with sexual crimes against children, lays down the The proposed River Basin Management Bill will procedure for reporting a crime but doesn’t specify replace the River Boards Act 1956. The legislation a time limit or statute of limitation for reporting it. proposes to set up 13 river-basin authorities. The Whereas the CrPC lays down different time-limits Centre is planning to bring a legislation to fast- for crimes which carry a punishment of up to three track inter-State river water dispute resolution and years, there is no time bar for crimes that would also to better manage the work on 13 river basins attract a jail term of more than three years. across the country. The Bill is expected to be introduced in Parliament in the coming winter This is an important step for survivors of child session. The proposed River Basin Management abuse, who may try to file a complaint as adults Bill will replace the River Boards Act 1956. The but are turned away at police stations. legislation proposes to set up 13 river-basin “I am optimistic that this will help reduce the levels authorities. Each authority will have a two-layer of child sexual abuse,” said 53-year-old Canadian system comprising a governing council and an scientist of Indian origin who was abused as a executive board. The chairperson of the governing pre-teen. council will be the Chief Ministers from the river- basin States, who will share the post on rotation. 12 courts set up to try MPs and The Bill also envisages that the Chief Ministers MLAs, Centre informs Supreme meet twice a year. Court 21% Indian children are under- Chief secretaries, registrars general of High weight: Global Hunger Index Courts will be liable for non-compliance. The Supreme Court has upped the ante on the States, They have extremely low weight for their height; Union Territories and High Courts which have not the only country with a higher prevalence of child provided it with details of criminal cases pending wasting is war-torn South Sudan. At least one in against sitting lawmakers, warning that their Chief five Indian children under the age of five are Secretaries and Registrars General will be made wasted, which means they have extremely low personally liable for non-compliance. weight for their height, reflecting acute under- nutrition, according to the Global Hunger Index 2018. The only country with a higher prevalence

13 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder of child wasting is the war-torn nation of South to 5 months, suggesting that attention to birth Sudan, says the report, which was released on outcomes and breastfeeding is important. Thursday. Also, child wasting in the region is associated with Overall, India has been ranked at 103 out of 119 a low maternal body mass index, suggesting the countries in the Index, with hunger levels in the need for a focus on the nutritional status of the country categorised as “serious”. India’s ranking mother during pregnancy. has dropped three places from last year, although The report notes that in South Asia, “maternal BMI the Index says its results are not accurately and access to improved water and sanitation are comparable from year to year and instead provides more closely associated with rates of child wasting a few reference years for comparable data. The than household wealth, suggesting that a reduction 2018 scores reflect data from 2013-2017. in poverty alone may not be sufficient to correct the Four main indicators are used to calculate hunger problem…Factors that could reduce child stunting levels in the report, which is a peer-reviewed in South Asia include increased consumption of non- publication released annually by Welthungerhilfe staple foods, access to sanitation, women’s and Concern Worldwide. (The International Food education, access to safe water, gender equality, Policy Research Institute was also involved with and national food availability.” the publication until this year.) The first indicator is Globally, the level of hunger still falls into the undernourishment, which is the share of the “serious” category, despite improvement over the population which is undernourished and reflects last two decades. The Index projects that at the insufficient caloric intake. The next three indicators current rate of progress, 50 countries will fail to use data for children under five: child wasting (low reach the “low” hunger category by 2030. This weight for height), reflecting acute under-nutrition; puts the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 2, child stunting (low height for age), reflecting chronic which aims to end hunger by 2030, in jeopardy, under-nutrition; and child mortality. says the report. India has shown improvement in three of the EC issues amended Form-26 indicators over the comparable reference years. The percentage of undernourished people in the Pursuant to the recent Supreme Court directive population has dropped from 18.2% in 2000 to on candidates with criminal antecedents, the 14.8% in 2018. The child mortality rate has halved Election Commission on Wednesday released from 9.2% to 4.3%, while child stunting has dropped an amended Form 26 for those contesting polls from 54.2% to 38.4% over the same period. to declare and publicise details of the cases against them. However, the prevalence of child wasting has actually worsened in comparison to previous The candidates are required to file an affidavit as reference years. It stood at 17.1% in 2000, and part of the form, along with the nomination papers, increased to 20% in 2005. In 2018, it stands at 21%. declaring information about criminal cases, South Sudan’s child wasting prevalence is at 28%. assets, liabilities and educational qualifications. Convictions, if any, also have to be mentioned. Child wasting is high across South Asia, Political parties fielding such candidates also constituting a “critical public health emergency”, have to publish their details on their websites and according to UN organisations. The report notes in newspapers and the electronic media. that wasting rates are highest for infants aged 0

14 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder ECONOMY

Open Acreage Licensing sedimentary basin for investment from domestic and foreign players under a simplified, transparent Programme (OALP) and investor -friendly fiscal and administrative Government of India recently signed the contracts regime. of the blocks awarded under the Open Acreage § The new policy aims to provide Investors a Licensing Programme (OALP) Bid Round-I with ready access to huge amount of seismic data the awardees. available in National Data Repository (NDR), § Initially, 110 e-bids were received for 55 flexibility to carve out exploration acreages blocks on offer with participation from 9 through an open acreage licensing process companies, singly or in consortium. Finally, and increased operational autonomy through contracts have been signed for all 55 blocks a new revenue sharing model. with 6 companies. § The National Data Repository (NDR) § This will add a huge accretion of 59,282 manifested through an open acreage sq.km to the exploration area. This is about licensing (OAL) process will be a key 65% of the area presently under exploration facilitator by providing seamless access to in the country. This will lead to significant India’s entire E&P data process through a increase in E&P activities in India and in long digital medium to all investors with the run discoveries from these field may objective of harnessing the potential of India’s significantly boost domestic production. large basinal area. Background: The bid round-I of OALP was Way ahead: Open Acreage Licensing Policy and launched in January 2018 under the liberalized the National Data Repository together are a Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy significant and welcome step towards opening (HELP). It is for the first time that bidding in the up the hydrocarbon exploration and production E&P sector in India was for blocks that had been industry in India. By placing greater discretion in selected by bidders themselves with government the hands of explorers and operators, the playing a facilitator role. Licensing Policy attempts to address a major drawback in the New Exploration Licensing Policy, OALP: The OALP, a part of the government’s which forced energy explorers to bid for blocks Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy chosen by the government. Such initiatives help (HELP), gives exploration companies the option India attract enough investment to meet the to select the exploration blocks on their own, government’s objective of reducing oil imports by without having to wait for the formal bid round 10% by 2022. from the Government. The company then submits an application to the government, which There’s a compelling opportunity for gas, which puts that block up for bid. The new policy will open India must seize to reduce import dependency up 2.8 million square kilometres of sedimentary and shift to a lower carbon trajectory. HELP is basins for exploration and eventual production. more about gas than oil. While the overall thrust is positive, concerns regarding the contractual About Hydrocarbon Exploration & Licensing regime and gas pricing formula remain, and will Policy (HELP): The Hydrocarbon Exploration & need to be addressed. Licensing Policy (HELP) opens up India’ entire

15 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) Soil moisture map Ministry of Corporate Affairs has launched a With the rabi season around the corner, a process re-engineering by making incorporation countrywide forecast has been prepared. This of Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) through a forecast, following a joint exercise by IIT complete online system- titled “RUN-LLP (Reserve Gandhinagar and the India Meteorological Unique Name Limited Liability Partnership)”. Department (IMD), for the first time, provides a country-wide soil moisture forecast at seven and What is LLP? 30-day lead times. LLP is an alternative corporate business form that How was it developed? gives the benefits of limited liability of a company and the flexibility of a partnership. The LLP can § The experts used the ‘Variable Infiltration continue its existence irrespective of changes in Capacity’ model to provide the soil moisture partners. It is capable of entering into contracts prediction. and holding property in its own name. § The product, termed ‘Experimental Forecasts § The LLP is a separate legal entity, is liable to Land Surface Products’, is available on the the full extent of its assets but liability of the IMD website. It has been developed using the partners is limited to their agreed contribution hydrological model that takes into in the LLP. Further, no partner is liable on consideration soil, vegetation, land use and account of the independent or un-authorized land cover among other parameters. actions of other partners, thus individual Highlights of the findings: partners are shielded from joint liability created by another partner’s wrongful § In Bundelkhand, most farmers keep their land business decisions or misconduct. fallow or just grow some fodder crop during the kharif season since the rains are § Mutual rights and duties of the partners within unpredictable and there could be extended a LLP are governed by an agreement dry spells after sowing. They then mainly between the partners or between the cultivate the rabi crop using the soil moisture partners and the LLP as the case may be. left behind by the monsoon rains. The LLP, however, is not relieved of the liability for its other obligations as a separate entity. § It is a similar trend in Bihar, in low lying areas Since LLP contains elements of both ‘a of Seemanchal and Kosi belt, where no crop corporate structure’ as well as ‘a partnership is grown during Kharif because of inundated firm structure’ LLP is called a hybrid between lands. This means that if there is not enough a company and a partnership. rainfall in one or two months, these are regions which will demand heavy irrigation LLP form is a form of business model which: whether that comes from groundwater or § Is organized and operates on the basis of an surface water storage (reservoirs). agreement. § Based on observed conditions at present, § Provides flexibility without imposing detailed Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, legal and procedural requirements. Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh are deficient in terms of soil moisture § Enables professional/technical expertise and right now. initiative to combine with financial risk taking capacity in an innovative and efficient manner. Significance and the need for data on soil moisture: Soil moisture is crucial for agriculture

16 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder since it directly affects crop growth and how much of the previous month data. If the figure is higher irrigation is required for the area. It is because than the previous month’s then the econ-omy is crucial information needed for agriculture is not expanding at a faster rate. If it is lower than the revealed only through rainfall data. previous month then it is growing at a lower rate. Soil moisture gives us more information on what What are its implications for the economy? is needed for crop growth in different parts of the The PMI is usually released at the start of the country. Besides, timely soil moisture forecasts month, much before most of the official data on will help target interventions, in terms of seed industrial output, manufacturing and GDP growth varieties for better planning in agriculture. becomes available. It is, therefore, considered a Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) good leading indicator of economic activity. Economists consider the manufacturing growth India’s manufacturing economy recorded an measured by the PMI as a good indicator of improvement in growth during September amid industrial output, for which official statistics are firmer gains in new orders, output and released later. Central banks of many countries employment. also use the index to help make decisions on The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing interest rates. Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 52.2 in September What does it mean for financial markets? from 51.7 in August. A reading above 50 indicates an expansion while one below 50 denotes a The PMI also gives an indication of corporate contraction. earnings and is closely watched by investors as well as the bond markets. A good reading PMI or a Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is an enhances the attractiveness of an economy vis- indicator of business activity both in the a- vis another competing economy. manufacturing and services sectors. It is a survey- based measures that asks the respondents about Commodity derivatives contract changes in their perception of some key business in gold and silver variables from the month before. It is calculated separately for the manufacturing and services The Bombay Stock Exchange became the first stock exchange in the country to launch sectors and then a composite index is constructed. commodity derivatives contract in gold and silver. How is the PMI derived? Background: Till date, commodity derivatives The PMI is derived from a series of qualitative contract are available only on MCX and NCDEX, questions. Executives from a reasonably big the two specialised commodity derivatives sample, running into hundreds of firms, are asked exchanges in the country. The launch of whether key indicators such as output, new commodity derivatives platform on the BSE will orders, business expectations and employment help in efficient price discovery, reduce timeline were stronger than the month before and are and make it cost-effective. asked to rate them. A derivative is a contract between two parties How does one read the PMI? which derives its value/price from an underlying A figure above 50 denotes expansion in business asset. The most common types of derivatives activity. Anything below 50 denotes contraction. are futures, options, forwards and swaps. Higher the difference from this mid-point greater It is a financial instrument which derives its value/ the expansion or contraction. The rate of expansion price from the underlying assets. Originally, can also be judged by comparing the PMI with that

17 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder underlying corpus is first created which can § To assist participants to become bankable consist of one security or a combination of and avail credit facility from banks to set up different securities. The value of the underlying their own enterprise. asset is bound to change as the value of the About SIDBI: underlying assets keep changing continuously. Generally stocks, bonds, currency, commodities Small Industries Development Bank of India and interest rates form the underlying asset. (SIDBI) was set up on 2nd April 1990 under an Act of Parliament. Udyam Abhilasha It acts as the Principal Financial Institution for It is a National Level Entrepreneurship Awareness Promotion, Financing and Development of the Campaign launched by Small Industries Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development Bank of India (SIDBI) on the sector as well as for co-ordination of functions of occasion of Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. institutions engaged in similar activities. The campaign has been launched in 115 GI Tag for Alphonso from Konkan Aspirational Districts identified by NITI Aayog in 28 States. Alphonso from Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Palghar, Thane and Raigad districts of Maharashtra, is About the Campaign: registered as Geographical Indication (GI). § The campaign would create and strengthen § The king of mangoes, Alphonso, better known cadre of more than 800 trainers to provide as ‘Hapus’ in Maharashtra, is in demand in entrepreneurship training to the aspiring domestic and international markets not only youths across these districts thus for its taste but also for pleasant fragrance encouraging them to enter the admired and vibrant colour. It has long been one of segment of entrepreneurs. the world’s most popular fruit and is exported § SIDBI has partnered with CSC e-Governance to various countries including Japan, Korea Services India Limited, a Special Purpose and Europe. New markets such as USA and Vehicle, (CSC SPV) set up by the Ministry of Australia have recently opened up. Electronics & IT, Govt. of India for implementing A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or a the campaign through their CSCs. manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial The objectives of the missionary campaign goods) originating from a definite geographical include: territory. Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which § To inspire rural youth in aspirational districts is essentially attributable to the place of its origin. to be entrepreneurs by assisting them to set up their own enterprise. Security: Once the GI protection is granted, no other producer can misuse the name to market § To impart trainings through digital medium similar products. It also provides comfort to across the country. customers about the authenticity of that product. § To create business opportunities for CSC Provisions in this regard: VLEs. § GI is covered as element of intellectual § To focus on women aspirants in these property rights (IPRs) under Paris Convention aspirational districts to encourage women for Protection of Industrial Property. entrepreneurship.

18 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder § At international level, GI is governed by scheme and Modified National Agricultural WTO’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects Insurance Scheme (MNAIS). of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Premium: It envisages a uniform premium of only § In India, Geographical Indications of Goods 2% to be paid by farmers for Kharif crops, and (Registration and Protection Act), 1999 1.5% for Rabi crops. The premium for annual governs it. commercial and horticultural crops will be 5%. The scheme is mandatory for farmers who have PMFBY taken institutional loans from banks. It’s optional Union Government has decided to cover for farmers who have not taken institutional credit. damages to crops in wild animal attacks under § Providing financial support to farmers Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY) in suffering crop loss/damage arising out of select districts on an experimental basis. unforeseen events. § In this regard, Government has amended § Stabilizing the income of farmers to ensure provisions of crop insurance scheme in their continuance in farming. consultation with various stakeholders after review of its working for the last two years. § Encouraging farmers to adopt innovative and The amended provisions of the scheme have modern agricultural practices. been implemented from October 2018. § Ensuring flow of credit to the agriculture sector As per the new provisions: which contributes to food security, crop diversification and enhancing growth and § Certain horticultural crops have been brought competitiveness of agriculture sector besides under ambit of PMFBY on experimental basis. protecting farmers from production risks. § Damages due to individual fields due to incidents of localised disasters like water IWAI logging, land slide, cloud bursts, hailstorms Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) will be and fire too are brought under scheme. starting a new Roll on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) facility in § Henceforth, insurances firms will also have to collaboration with the Government of Assam to spend 0.5% of their earnings from annual provide the much-needed connectivity for Majuli premium to advertise provisions of the scheme. Island. § Fines in cases of delay in clearing insurance claims for crop damages have been proposed. § In case firm delays insurance clearances beyond two months, it will have to pay an annual interest of 12%. Similarly State government too will have to pay interest of 12% in case of delay in release of state’s share of subsidy in premium to insurance firms. PMFBY: In April, 2016, the government of India Benefits: This Ro-Ro facility will cut down the had launched Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana circuitous road route of 423 KMs that trucks take (PMFBY) after rolling back the earlier insurance from Neamati to Majuli Island via Tezpur Road schemes viz. National Agriculture Insurance Bridge, by limiting the distance to only 12.7 KM Scheme (NAIS), Weather-based Crop Insurance with the use of river route. 19 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder About Majuli Island: Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh governments for the new initiative and more § Majuli is the first island district of the country. states would be roped in going forward. The island is formed by the Brahmaputra river in the south and the Kherkutia Xuti, an § Projects will be scaled across India and globally. anabranch of the Brahmaputra, joined by the As part of the WEF’s global network, the new Subansiri River in the north. Majuli is the nerve centre in India will work closely with project centre of neo-Vaishnavite. teams in San Francisco, Tokyo and Beijing, where such Centres are already present. § Majuli Island was also declared the largest river island in the world, toppling Marajo in Fourth Industrial Revolution: As described by Brazil, by Guinness World Records in 2016. the founder and executive chairman of WEF, Klaus Schwab, “the fourth industrial revolution is IWAI: Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) a technological revolution that will fundamentally is the statutory authority in charge of the alter the way we live, work and relate to one waterways in India. Its headquarters is located in another”. Noida, UP. It does the function of building the necessary infrastructure in these waterways, Background: 1st industrial revolution: The first surveying the economic feasibility of new projects Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the last and also administration. quarter of the 18th century with the mechanisation of the textile industry, harnessing Centre for the Fourth Industrial of steam power, and birth of the modern factory. Revolution 2nd industrial revolution: The Second Industrial The World Economic Forum has announced its Revolution, from the last third of the nineteenth new Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in century to the outbreak of World War I, was India, which would aim to bring together the powered by developments in electricity, government and business leaders to pilot transportation, chemicals, steel, and mass emerging technology policies. production and consumption. Industrialization About the Centre for the Fourth Industrial spread even further - to Japan after the Meiji Revolution: Restoration and deep into Russia, which was booming at the outset of World War I. During this § The centre would be based in Maharashtra era, factories could produce countless numbers and it has selected drones, artificial of identical products quickly and cheaply. intelligence and blockchain as the first three project areas. 3rd industrial revolution: The third industrial revolution, beginning c. 1970, was digital and § It will work in collaboration with the applied electronics and information technology to government on a national level to co-design processes of production. Mass customisation new policy frameworks and protocols for and additive manufacturing the so-called ‘3D emerging technology alongside leaders from printing’ are its key concepts, and its applications, business, academia, start-ups and yet to be imagined fully, are quite mind-boggling. international organizations. How different will be the 4th industrial § NITI Aayog will coordinate the partnership on revolution? behalf of the government and the work of the centre among multiple ministries. The WEF There are three reasons why today’s has also entered into partnerships with the transformations represent not merely a prolongation of the Third Industrial Revolution but

20 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder rather the arrival of a Fourth and distinct one: § It will also leverage on big data analytics and velocity, scope, and systems impact. advances in data science and artificial intelligence. Participants from 12 South Asian § The speed of current breakthroughs has no countries and at least seven North and East historical precedent. When compared with Asian countries will be selected. previous industrial revolutions, the Fourth is evolving at an exponential rather than a linear § In the first phase, the project will focus on creating pace. phased reference genomes for all major Asian ethnic groups—representing a major step § Moreover, it is disrupting almost every forward in understanding the population history industry in every country. And the breadth and and substructure of the region. depth of these changes herald the transformation of entire systems of § The sequencing of 100,000 individual production, management, and governance. genomes will be paired with microbiome, clinical and phenotype information to allow § The 4th revolution will be characterized by deeper analysis of diseased and healthy the advent of cyber-physical systems which, individuals in the context of inferred local while being reliant on the technologies and ancestries. infrastructure of the third industrial revolution, represent entirely new ways in which Significance: With recent insights into the technology becomes embedded within genome diversity of Asian ethnicities, it will become societies and even our human bodies. possible to understand the biology of disease in Examples include genome editing, new forms the currently under-studied Asian populations that of machine intelligence, and breakthrough represent 40 percent of humankind. approaches to governance that rely on Furthermore, the unique genetic diversity cryptographic methods such as blockchain. prevalent in South, North and East Asia provides § Hence, it can be said that the 4th industrial a valuable source of clinical insights that should revolution is conceptualised as an upgrade enhance our understanding of several rare and on the third revolution and is marked by a inherited diseases, as well as chronic diseases fusion of technologies straddling the physical, such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular digital and biological worlds. disease. 100k Genome Asia Project Cross-Border Insolvency Context: A group of Indian scientists and Context: The Insolvency Law Committee (ILC) companies are involved with a 100k GenomeAsia on October 22, 2018 submitted its 2nd Report on project, led out of the Nanyang Technological Cross Border Insolvency to Arun Jaitley, Minister University (NTU), Singapore, to sequence the of Finance and Corporate Affairs. The ILC was whole genomes of 100k Asians, including 50,000 constituted by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to Indians. recommend amendments to Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code of India, 2016. About 100k Genome Asia Project: § The ILC recommended the adoption of the § A non-profit consortium called GenomeAsia UNCITRAL Model Law of Cross Border 100K has announced an ambitious plan to Insolvency, 1997 as it provides for a sequence 100,000 Asian individuals in hopes comprehensive framework to deal with cross of accelerating precision medicine border insolvency issues. The Committee also applications for Asian populations.

21 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder recommended a few steps to ensure that there The advantages of the model law include greater is no inconsistency between the domestic confidence generation among foreign investors, insolvency framework and the proposed Cross adequate flexibility for seamless integration with Border Insolvency Framework. the domestic Insolvency Law and a robust mechanism for international cooperation. Need for cross-border insolvency framework: As the size of the Indian economy grows, Four major principles of UNCITRAL Model business and trade have adopted an increasingly Law- The model law deals with four major international character. Creditors and corporates principles of cross-border insolvency, namely: frequently transact business in more than one § Direct access to foreign insolvency jurisdiction. Foreign banks and creditors finance professionals and foreign creditors to participate Indian companies and Indian banks have foreign in or commence domestic insolvency exposure. Also, as part of its Ease of Doing proceedings against a defaulting debtor. Business and Make in India policies, India seeks to attract foreign companies to set up § Recognition of foreign proceedings & manufacturing facilities in India. provision of remedies. Besides, global experience demonstrates that § Cooperation between domestic and foreign cross-border investment decisions and their courts & domestic and foreign insolvency outcomes, are considerably affected by the practioners. insolvency laws in force in a country. Towards this § Coordination between two or more end, even though the Insolvency and Bankruptcy concurrent insolvency proceedings in Code, 2016 has resulted in significant improvement different countries. The main proceeding is in India’s insolvency regime, there is a need to determined by the concept of centre of main include cross-border insolvency in the Code to interest (COMI). provide a comprehensive insolvency framework. Global scenario: On the global scale, the Benefits associated: Inclusion of cross-border UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission on insolvency framework will further enhance ease International Trade Law) Model Law on Cross- of doing business, provide a mechanism of Border Insolvency, 1997 (Model Law) has cooperation between India and other countries in emerged as the most widely accepted legal the area of insolvency resolution, and protect framework to deal with cross-border insolvency creditors in the global scenario. issues while ensuring the least intrusion into the Also, it will make India an attractive investment country’s domestic insolvency law. Due to the destination for foreign creditors given the growing prevalence of multinational insolvencies, increased predictability and certainty of the the Model Law has been adopted by 44 States till insolvency framework. date, including Singapore, UK and US. UNCITRAL Model Law of Cross Border 11 Global Agriculture Summit – Insolvency, 1997: The UNCITRAL Model Law has 2018 till now been adopted in 44 countries and forms part of international best practices in dealing with Context: 11th Global Agriculture Leadership cross border insolvency issues. The model law Summit & Awards were recently organised by gives precedence to domestic proceedings and Indian Council of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) with protection of public interest. support of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare; Ministry of Food Processing Industries and Ministry of Commerce.

22 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder About Global Leadership Awards: ICFA had established the Agriculture Leadership Awards in 2008 to recognize the leadership roles played by individuals and institutions positively impacting the lives of farmers and rural masses. Notable facts and winners: § Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu was awarded the Policy Leadership Award for his proactive policies for uplifting the farming community by focusing on irrigation, investment, global partnerships, marketing Outcomes of the 2018 summit: initiatives and zero budget natural farming. § 11th Global Leadership Awards were § Best States in Various Fields: The best announced and the Agriculture Year Book fisheries State Award was given Jharkhand for 2018 was launched. efforts in augmenting the production potential § Leveraging upon its past experiencing, ICFA has of the state in fisheries segment. Further, Bihar launched 1st World Agriculture Prize and MS is Best Animal Husbandry State, Nagaland is Swaminathan Global Dialogue on Climate best Horticultural state, Gujarat is Best Change and Food Security to come up with Agriculture State and Haryana has been blue print for sustained agriculture growth in conferred with Program Leadership Award. changing face of climate and weather extremes. ICAF: Indian Council of Food and Agriculture is Global Agriculture Summit: an apex think tank for addressing policy issues concerning farmers, food and agro industries. § Global Agriculture Summit is an annual event ICFA is serving as global platform for trade organized by Indian Council of Food and facilitation, partnerships, technology, investments Agriculture to discuss the broad scenario and trends in agriculture sector, trade, technology, and agribusiness services. investments and the need for appropriate Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) policy initiatives on the part of the Government The World Trade Organisation’s dispute by bringing together eminent personalities of settlement body has set up a panel to examine Indian and global agriculture on one platform. the US complaint against certain export-subsidy § The summit aims to discuss the broad issues measures by India as both the sides failed to in agriculture and agribusiness, and resolve the issue at consultation level. measures to empower farmers and unleash What’s the issue? the potential of India’s agriculture sector by deliberating upon national and global In March, the US dragged India to the global trade challenges for farmers, agribusinesses and body’s dispute settlement mechanism over export startups, the issue of employment and subsidies, saying that these incentives were agriculture development and bring out a road harming the American companies. The US has map for the same. challenged India’s export subsidy programmes such as Merchandise Exports from India Scheme in the WTO, asserting that these initiatives harm its companies by creating an uneven playing field.

23 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Dispute Settlement Body: § The General Council convenes as the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) to deal with disputes between WTO members. Such disputes may arise with respect to any agreement contained in the Final Act of the Uruguay Round that is subject to the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU). § The DSB has authority to establish dispute settlement panels, refer matters to arbitration, adopt panel, Appellate Body and arbitration reports, maintain surveillance over the implementation of recommendations and rulings contained in such reports, and authorize suspension of concessions in the event of non-compliance with those recommendations and rulings. About MEIS- What is it? Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) under Foreign Trade Policy of India (FTP 2015-20) is one of the two schemes introduced in Foreign Trade Policy of India 2015-20, as a part of Exports from India Scheme. Objective of Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) as per Indian Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 (FTP 2015-20) is to offset infrastructural inefficiencies and associated costs involved in export of goods/products, which are produced/manufactured in India, especially those having high export intensity, employment potential and thereby enhancing India’s export competitiveness. India’s first container movement on inland waterways Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) will transport container cargo belonging to the food and beverage giant PepsiCo (India) from Kolkata to Varanasi on river Ganga (National Waterway-1). Significance: This would be the country’s first container movement on inland vessel post- independence. Facts for Prelims: § PepsiCo (India) will move 16 containers – equivalent to 16 truckloads- filled with food and snacks in the vessel MV RN Tagore which will reach Varanasi in 9-10 days. MV RN Tagore will make its return journey with fertilizers belonging to IFFCO that will be procured from its Phulpur plant near Allahabad. § The government is developing NW-1 (River Ganga) under Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) from Haldia to Varanasi (1390 Km) with the technical and financial assistance of the World Bank at an estimated cost of Rs 5369 crore. The project would enable commercial navigation of vessels with capacity of 1500-2,000 DWT.

24 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder § States covered under NW-1: States: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal. Benefits of container movement on inland waterways: Container cargo transport comes with several inherent advantages. Even as it reduces the handling cost, allows easier modal shift, reduces pilferages and damage, it also enables cargo owners to reduce their carbon footprints. IWAI: Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the statutory authority in charge of the waterways in India. Its headquarters is located in Noida, UP. It does the function of building the necessary infrastructure in these waterways, surveying the economic feasibility of new projects and also administration. FSDC FSDC meeting held recently was chaired by the Union Finance Minister. About FSDC: The Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was constituted in December, 2010. The FSDC was set up to strengthen and institutionalise the mechanism for maintaining financial stability, enhancing inter-regulatory coordination and promoting financial sector development. Composition: § The Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister and its members are Governor, Reserve Bank of India; Finance Secretary and/or Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs; Secretary, Department of Financial Services; Chief Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance; Chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India; Chairman, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority and Chairman, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority. It also includes the chairman of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board (IBBI). § In May, the government through a gazette notification, had included ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) secretary in the FSDC in view of the increased focus of the government on digital economy. The Council deals, inter-alia, with issues relating to financial stability, financial sector development, inter–regulatory coordination, financial literacy, financial inclusion and macro prudential supervision of the economy including the functioning of large financial conglomerates. No funds are separately allocated to the Council for undertaking its activities.

25 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder INDIA AND WORLD

Modi, Abe back ‘free Indo-Pacific Asked whether Mr. Yameen drew his strength from strong backing by China, Mr. Gayoom hoped Defence ties dominate summit talks. India and that Beijing would respect the will of the Maldivian Japan outlined a vision for strengthened bilateral people. relations at the 13th annual summit. Enhanced strategic and defence cooperation dominated the Asked about India’s role after imposition of talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and emergency by Mr. Yameen in February, Mr. his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe. Gayoom said, “India did play a positive role, and along with other international partners, did exert Japan’s formulation of a “free and open Indo- pressure towards restoration of democracy.” Pacific” received a central place in the vision statement issued at the end of the talks, with both “I do not see the events of the last few years sides stressing their “unwavering commitment having a lasting impact (on bilateral ties)... I do to it.” The concept is usually seen as a response not think these bumps and turbulence would to China’s growing dominance in the region. impact decades of (our) India-first policy,” he said. Describing India as the “closest and most trusted Speaking to the press after his talks with Mr. Abe, ally”, he said it was in the interests of all countries Mr. Modi said the India-Japan bilateral relationship was invested in upholding the rule of law and that there is stability in the Indian Ocean region. democratic values. Pakistan Supreme Court India helped Maldives restore reimposes ban on Indian films, democracy, says Gayoom TV shows

‘India-first policy will continue under the new “They are trying to (obstruct the construction) of government’. India played a “positive” role in our dam and we cannot even ban their channels,” restoration of democracy in Maldives by “exerting Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar asked. pressure” on the ruling regime, and the new Pakistan’s Supreme Court has reintroduced a ban government in the island nation would be on Indian films and television shows being “sensitive” towards New Delhi’s “concerns”, said broadcast on the country’s local channels. former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul The apex court was hearing a case filed by the Gayoom on Sunday. United Producers Association pertaining to the Nearly a month after he was released from jail, broadcast of foreign content on Pakistani Mr. Gayoom said the government of President television channels, reported Dawn. Abdulla Yameen inflicted “huge damage” on During the hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Maldives but democratic forces have prevailed Saqib Nisar ordered a “shut down” and made it over their “enemies”. Joint opposition leader clear that authorities should “only air appropriate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came out victorious in content”. “They are trying to (obstruct the the September 23 presidential election, handing construction) of our dam and we cannot even ban a shock defeat to Mr. Yameen. their channels,” Justice Nisar asked.

26 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder In 2016, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory British MPs to debate making Authority (Pemra) had imposed a ban on airing Deepavali a public holiday Indian content on local television and FM radio channels. However, the Lahore High Court lifted 11,000 people have signed a petition on ban in 2017, declaring it null and void as the Parliament website. British MPs are set to hold a Pakistan government had no objections regarding debate in Parliament later this month on whether the same. Hindu and Muslim religious occasions such as Deepavali and Id should be made into public India’s TCS among top 10 firms holidays, following public calls for change, to get foreign labour certification including through petitions submitted to for H-1B visas Parliament.

London-headquartered Earnest and Young, a Over 45,000 people have signed a petition on multinational professional services firm, has Parliament’s e-petition website, calling for Id-ul- emerged as the top employer to have received Fitr and Id ul-Adha to be made public holidays, the certification. Tata Consultancy Services is the while over 11,000 have signed a petition to make only Indian company among top 10 firms to get Deepavali and Dussera public holidays. The foreign labour certification for the H-1B visas for petitions noted that despite both religions the fiscal year 2018, according to data from the accounting for sizeable sections of the British U.S. Department of Labour. The H-1B visas are community (the 2011 census said there were 2.7 the most sought-after among Indian IT million Muslims, or 4.8% of the U.K. population, professionals. The visa programme allows while there are 8,17,000 Hindus or 1.5%) there employers to temporarily employ foreign workers are no public holidays that recognised their in the U.S. on a non-immigrant basis in specialty religions. occupations or as fashion models of Considerable costs distinguished merit and ability. The government rejected both petitions earlier this Three-fourths of H-1B visa year, pointing to the “considerable” costs that holders in 2018 are Indians would be involved. “The cost of the 2012 Diamond Jubilee holiday was around £1.2 billion,” said the Indians account for 73.9% of the total H-1B visa government in statements to both petitions. holders in the U.S. India and China discussing Iran, Nearly three out of every four H-1B visa holders as of October 5 are Indian citizens, an official U.S. Af-Pak connectivity projects According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration India and China are discussing connectivity Services (USCIS), there were as many as projects that pass through Iran, Afghanistan and 419,637 foreign nationals working in the U.S. on Pakistan, the envoy of Beijing. Inaugurating the H-1B visas. Of these, 309,986 are Indians, the first ever joint India-China training programme for USCIS said in its report ‘H-1B petitions by gender Afghan diplomats, Ambassador Luo Zhaohui said and country of birth fiscal year 2018’ that, both sides should cooperate over connectivity projects with Iran, Pakistan and extend it to smaller countries of South Asia. “Both of us oppose terrorism and support stability and development

27 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder in Afghanistan. We are talking about connectivity Mohammed Salim Patel, a journalist based in projects like International North-South transport Blackburn at Lancashire, suffers from a condition corridor... India-Iran-Afghanistan transit and trade called Retinitis Pigmentosa, due to which he is corridor, and we are also talking about connectivity left with a very small amount of sight in his right of China-Pakistan-Afghanistan. All these provide eye and will eventually become totally blind. us with further scope for cooperation,” said Mr The 24-year-old, who suffers from a deep-seated Luo in his opening remarks suggesting that India fear of dogs since a scary childhood encounter, and China should work on regional platforms like could not rely on the more commonly used guide SAARC. dogs for the blind and that is how the concept of Malaysia keen on adopting a miniature guide horse came to his attention. Aadhaar model for target delivery “Digby (guide horse) is still a baby and will be two of subsidies years old in May 2019. His training will take around two more years,” Mr. Patel said. Taking a cue from India’s Aadhaar initiative, “Digby will be able to work into his 40s, whereas Malaysia wants to bring changes in its national a guide dog has to retire at the age of eight,” he identity card system for target delivery said. of welfare schemes and government subsidies to avoid duplicity and fraud. After spending some time with his companion- to-be, Mr. Patel believes a guide horse has many Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to added benefits over guide dogs, including a much Kuala Lumpur in May, offered Malaysia’s Premier longer working life, 350-degree vision and ability Mahathir Mohamad collaboration on matters in to see in the dark. “Even if his training takes longer which India has expertise, including the Aadhaar than two years, it doesn’t matter too much as initiative, Malaysia’s Minister of Human once he’s trained, I will have decades with him Resources M Kula Segaran told PTI. as my assistant animal,” Patel explained. With the Malaysian Cabinet agreeing to the The story of Digby caught the attention of the collaboration, Mr. Kula Segaran led a delegation annual Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons, where comprising officers of the country’s central bank, the horse is among the finalists in the Hero Pet the finance ministry, the economic affairs ministry, category — aimed at honouring animals who have and human resources ministry, to India last week. transformed the life of their owners. The delegation met ministers and officials here “It’s very nice to have Digby recognised for his and explored whether certain features of the great work, despite still being in training. He is a Aadhaar system can be adopted in Malaysia. star,” said Mr. Patel, in reference to the awards. In a first, Indian-origin blind man The journalist works with the BBC North West to get guide horse in U.K. Tonight TV after completing a Journalism Trainee Scheme. An Indian-origin man based in north-west England, who suffers from a degenerative eye Indians top list of ‘overstayers’ in condition, is set to become the first person in the U.K. U.K. to get a guide horse to assist him with daily tasks once he loses his vision completely. India accounts for the largest number of individuals staying in the U.K. illegally, and the

28 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder number of those subjected to forced returns to becoming only the fourth female president of the India has fallen by 50% in three years, Britain’s organisation in its 73-year history. Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The problem Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, veteran Indian diplomat of “visa overstayers” was highlighted by the and sister of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal department in its submission to a British Nehru, was the first woman to be elected parliamentary committee’s “Global Britain and president of the General Assembly in as early as India’ inquiry into post-Brexit relations with India. 1953. Later, Angie Elisabeth Brooks of Liberia was Foreign Office counter elected president in 1969 and Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa of Bahrain in 2006. However, on the issue of visas, the Foreign Office submission highlighted what it saw as key On India’s role at the U.N. and expectations from achievements on visas to Indian nationals. These the country going forward, she said the included Britain having more visa centres in India contributions that India can make are huge. “I am than any other country in the world, Britain issuing really very much looking forward to working on all more skilled worker visas to India than all other my seven priorities with India. I see India as a countries in the world combined and the fact that country of hope and potential as well,” she said. 90% of Indian nationals, who applied for a visa, Last week, commemorating the International Day were successful. The “Global Britain and India’ of Non-violence, celebrated across the world on inquiry, which is looking at opportunities for Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, Ms. cooperation with India beyond Brexit, took written Espinosa had said that the legacy of the Mahatma evidence till late September and has been holding has proven the most durable and enduring and evidence sessions this month. Foreign Office had voiced her commitment to peace and security Minister Mark Field is expected to give evidence and representing the ideals and principles of later this month. Gandhi in the current UNGA session. India’s success in 2030 U.N. SDGs She said non-violence is not only a philosophy but it can be translated into political action. The India’s success in achieving the Sustainable peaceful settlement of disputes, the fostering of Development Goals (SDGs) can change the face dialogue, generosity to understand the divergent of the world, United Nations General Assembly perspective on issues is extremely important, she president Maria Fernanda Espinosa has said, added. “The only way to be a peaceful world is describing the country as a “very important player” using the philosophy of nonviolence from Gandhi of the multilateral system. Ms. Espinosa said she and translate it into political action and commitment. is very much looking forward to engaging and Humility and generosity are universal values but at working together with India under her presidency the same time they are so important to address of the 193-member U.N. General Assembly. “India challenges that we all face, to address the refugee is indeed a very important player of the multilateral situation, specific conflicts around the world. system. It is a friendly country to the United “Sometimes we feel that nonviolence is non-action. Nations. If India succeeds in the achievement of On the contrary, non-violence can be translated the 2030 Agenda we are talking about 1.3 billion into very strong political action and commitment. people this really can change the face of the These principles are so important and we owe that world,” Ms. Espinosa, Ecuador’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, was in June elected president to the legacy of Gandhi.” of the 73rd session of the U.N. General Assembly,

29 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Moscow intended to ‘wean’ was a major hurdle in its expansion plans. Rosneft nations and its partners had in August last year completed a $12.9-billion acquisition of Essar Oil to enter The U.S. presidential waiver on weapons deal with the world’s fastest-growing energy market, but sanctions-hit Russia is intended to “wean” countries have to pay a 20% withholding tax even after like India off Russian equipment, the White House paying corporate tax and dividend, the Russian has said, as New Delhi went ahead and inked a $5- firm’s First Vice President for Economics and billion deal to purchase the S-400 Triumf Finance, Pavel Fedorov said. air defencemissile system from Moscow. The mega The Indian market’s potential is unparalleled and deal was sealed in New Delhi on Friday during the “that’s why we love to invest in India,” he said at a visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the business event here. annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, India needs to streamline its taxation In a guarded reaction, the U.S. said on Friday that system with international regime and not double its intent to slap sanctions against Russia was tax foreign investors, he said. not aimed at causing damage to the military capabilities of its “allies or partners”, shortly after “If an Indian company invests in Russia, yes it has India concluded the deal. The S-400 missile to give tax and dividends, but on the other side, defence system would give India’s defence a when we invest in India, we have to give all of cutting-edge security against any missile attack this, but on top of it, we are being charged a by its enemies. withholding tax of 20%. For us, this it really not symmetrical,” he said. The top arms purchaser over the last decade and more, India has gradually reduced its dependence He said Rosneft would like the inter-governmental on Russian arms. It now stands at about 60%, dialogue to help on this issue. “We really need which is much lower than it was a decade ago. your help in syncing up and streamlining the The U.S. has been a major beneficiary of this taxation system. It’s a major hurdle, which we move. Aparna Pande, from the Hudson Institute would like to help in addressing,” he said. think-tank, said, “I believe what is more likely is US refused to facilitate India-Pak that even though India will sign the S-400 deal, it will delay payment, etc., so that the sanctions dialogue don’t come into effect.” Islamabad is seeking an American role in “This way India maintains its strategic autonomy facilitating talks between India and Pakistan and historical ties with Russia and yet ensures because the two South Asian neighbours are not its strategic relationship with the U.S. is not engaging bilaterally, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister impacted either,” Ms. Pande said. The Russian Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said, warning that Embassy in the U.S. tweeted that the delivery of absence of such a facilitation could lead to S-400 would begin in October 2020. escalation of tension. Russian oil major Rosneft slams But the latest Pakistani request in this regard has again been rejected by the U.S., the top Pakistani Indian taxation system diplomat told a Washington audience on Russian oil firm Rosneft, the biggest foreign Wednesday, a day after he had meetings with investor in India’s energy sector, on Friday Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National criticised taxation policy in the country saying it Security Advisor John Bolton, during which he 30 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder raised the issue only to be pushed back by the Trump administration. The Pakistan foreign minister did not mention that in his answer and only said that the stalled dialogue process is not good for the two countries and the region. Responding to a question on India’s stand that talks and terrorism cannot go together, a view which is shared by Washington too, Mr. Qureshi referred to a statement by Mr. Khan while he was an opposition leader and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a trip to New Delhi that there would always be spoilers. “There will always be spoilers. There will always be elements that will scuttle the process of peace. But when they do that, let re-engage to fight them. They will push us back. But we have to see what is in our interest, what is in the regional interest. What’s in Pakistan’s interest,” Mr. Qureshi said quoting what Mr. Khan had told Mr. Modi. Political adviser to Sheikh Hasina

Bangladesh on Thursday said that it has received assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that people excluded from the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Assam would not be deported to the country. “Prime Minister Modi has personally assured our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that those not on the NRC list of Assam would not be sent to Bangladesh in the near future,” said H. T. Imam, Political Adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Speaking to a global media delegation in Dhaka, the influential Political Adviser to Ms. Hasina said that Dhaka has also been repearedly assured on similar lines by other Indian dignitaries including by the High Commissioner of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla. India wants to start trade talks with U.S. ‘immediately’

President Donald Trump on Monday said India wants to start trade talks with the United States “immediately” as he held a news conference on the trade deal struck between the United States, Mexico and Canada. Describing the south Asian country as the “tariff king,” the President told reporters at the White House that India “called us and they say, ‘We want to start negotiations immediately.’” Known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the deal agreed ahead of a midnight deadline on Sunday will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which Mr. Trump had called a “disaster.”

31 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

‘Jewel of Roman Empire’ faces leadership’s support ahead of a likely floor test in danger Parliament this week, The Hindu has learnt. Mr. Rajapaksa met Tamil National Alliance (TNA) UNESCO declared Sabratha to be at risk in 2016, leader R. Sampanthan on Tuesday, and reportedly mainly due to damage caused by armed groups pledged his commitment to addressing the island’s Perched on the edge of Libya’s Mediterranean Tamil question. However, the veteran Tamil leader, coast, the ancient city of Sabratha remains an who is currently the Leader of Opposition, is said awe-inspiring spectacle, the pink columns of its to have asked for “a specific plan, a timeframe amphitheatre towering above turquoise waters. and the manner of implementation” before he But the world heritage site is classified as considers it, said a political source familiar with “endangered” by UNESCO, its majestic the discussion. The TNA has 16 MPs in the 225- structures pockmarked by mortar and small arms member House. fire. Shell casings and bullets still litter the The meeting comes in the wake of Mr. Sirisena surrounding earth, a year after clashes between suddenly sacking Prime Minister Ranil rival armed groups. Locals say snipers positioned Wickremesinghe last week, and swearing in Mr. themselves at the top of the amphitheatre, once Rajapaksa in his place, in a move widely criticised a jewel of the Roman Empire. Bringing bloodshed as “unconstitutional”. However, the President has back to the gladiatorial arena some 18 centuries denied violating the Constitution, and maintained after it was built, 39 people were killed and 300 that it is well within his powers to appoint “anyone wounded in the fighting. Today, the site around who, in his opinion, is likely to command the 70 km from the capital lies eerily abandoned, confidence of the House”. A vote of confidence is encircled by parched grass and weeds. Since not possible, with Mr. Sirisena proroguing the toppling and killing of Libya’s dictator Moamer Parliament until November 16. Kadhafi in a 2011 uprising, Sabratha has become a key departure point for illegal migration. In search of ancestry, Chinese are rushing to DNA sequencing labs Smugglers and militias have profited amply from a chronic security vacuum. It is from the long and Chinese executive Miao Qing spits into a specially deserted shores a few km from ancient Sabratha designed container, destined for a lab where her that most migrants start their perilous boat saliva will be analysed and sequenced, offering journeys towards Europe. an insight into her genetic make-up and more importantly her ancestry. A combination of factors Rajapaksa meets Sampanthan, a lack of formal records or destruction during seeks TNA support in floor test China’s wars and the Cultural Revolution have meant there are few ways for Chinese to trace Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was their genealogy in the ethnically diverse country. recently appointed Prime Minister in a But with a growing middle-class, an increasing controversial move by President Maithripala number are now keen on tracing their roots, and Sirisena has sought the northern Tamil DNA testing companies are cashing in. 32 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder China’s DNA sequencing market was worth about expected to trigger significant collaboration 7.2 billion yuan ($1.05 billion) last year and is between Tokyo and Beijing in developing forecast to grow to 18.3 billion yuan in 2022, infrastructure in Asia. according to estimates by Beijing-based CCID Soon after his arrival, Mr. Abe was accorded a Consulting. reception, hosted by his Chinese counterpart Li Bid to steal Magna Carta foiled Keqiang, at the Great Hall of the People. The function was held to commemorate the 40th British police arrest man who tried to smash glass anniversary of the China-Japan treaty of cage at Salisbury cathedral. British police said friendship. on Friday that they had arrested a man suspected of trying to steal a Magna Carta from its display “Japan and China are playing an indispensable case at Salisbury Cathedral. role in the economic development of not just Asia but the world,” Mr. Abe said during his speech at Wiltshire Police said cathedral alarms sounded the function. on Thursday afternoon when a person tried to smash the glass box surrounding the Magna Mr. Abe will be accorded a ceremonial welcome Carta. The Magna Carta granted by King John in on Friday morning and will hold talks with Chinese 1215 has become an enduring symbol of the rule President Xi Jinping later in the day. “This is a of law. breakthrough visit, important not just for the China- Japan relations, but whose significance would be The document on display at the cathedral is one felt in the region and the world,” Huang Jing, Dean of four surviving original Magna Cartas. Police say of the International and Regional Studies Center the Magna Carta was not damaged and no one at the Beijing Language and Culture University, was hurt during the incident. The 45-year-old told The Hindu. suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft, possession of a weapon and criminal During Mr. Abe’s talks with Chinese President Xi damage. He has not been identified or charged. Jinping and Prime Minister Li, the leaders are expected to seek areas of convergence between Police said the man matched a description given China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Japan’s by witnesses. Officials asked other eyewitnesses concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Analysts to come forward with details. say that they are expected to discuss joint The Salisbury Cathedral has been in the news development of infrastructure in Asia and Africa recently after two Russians accused of carrying during talks. out the nerve agent attack on ex-spy Sergei and Tagged with politically benefiting from “debt traps” Yulia Skripal claimed during a TV interview in through its loans to developing countries, China September that they had travelled to Salisbury to is particularly keen to work together with reputed see its “famous cathedral,” not to poison anyone. Japanese financial firms in third countries.

China, Japan to partner in The overhang of the trade war between Beijing building Asia infrastructure and Washington, as well as U.S. restrictions on Japanese exports of steel and aluminum, are Abe to hold talks with President Xi and Prime expected to shape the conversation between Mr. Minister Li. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Abe and his Chinese interlocutors. “There are has arrived in China on a reset visit that is structural reasons why Mr. Abe wants closer ties 33 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder not just with China but other significant players Mr. Song spoke at the Xiangshan Forum, a such as Russia and India. regional defence dialogue hosted by Chinasince 2006 as part of Beijing’s efforts to step up its global North Korea warns U.S. to influence. immediately lift sanctions Also at the forum was North Korean Colonel These are confidence-destroying measures, General Kim Hyong Ryong, who said the North says official. A North Korean official urged the U.S. would uphold its side of the Singapore agreement. on Thursday to immediately lift sanctions against his country, warning that the country’s Prince Harry and Meghan arrive “confidence-destroying measures” would in hot Fiji for 3-day visit undermine denuclearisation talks. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were greeted The U.S. has insisted on maintaining stringent by hundreds of flag-waving well-wishers on international sanctions on North Koreauntil it gives Tuesday after arriving in Fiji for a three-day visit up its nuclear weapons, even as the two countries’ as part of their tour of the South Pacific. leaders are expected to hold a second summit School children in uniform and people of all ages soon. lined the streets and waved both British Union “We think that sanctions and pressure do more Jack and Fijian flags as Prince Harry and harm than good,” Song Il Hyok, Deputy Director Meghan’s motorcade drove past. General of the North Korean Foreign Ministry’s The couple arrived from Australia, where Meghan, Institute for Disarmament and Peace, said at who is four months pregnant, had her schedule a defence forum in Beijing. reduced in recent days after a hectic start to their The sanctions, Mr. Song said, “are not at all” 16-day trip across four countries. Meghan has confidence-building measures “but confidence- not announced any plans to reduce her schedule destroying measures”. in Fiji.

Little progress made After stepping off the plane, Meghan needed to hold her cream-colored hat to prevent it from At their first summit in Singapore in June, U.S. being blown away as Harry inspected a guard of President Donald Trump and North Korean leader honor. There was a light drizzle and an official Kim Jong-un signed a vaguely-worded pledge on held an umbrella above Meghan’s head. denuclearisation, but little progress has been made since then as both sides spar over how to The couple was scheduled to attend an official interpret the text. welcome ceremony at Suva’s Albert Park that will mirror one attended by Queen Elizabeth II and Mr. Song said that Mr. Trump and Mr. Kim the Duke of Edinburgh in 1953. It was to involve “recognised that the mutual confidence-building traditional elements of Fijian culture, including can promote the denuclearisation of the Korean dances and a kava ceremony. Members of the peninsula” during their meeting in Singapore. public are invited and 15,000 are expected to He called on Washington to “lift immediately the attend. The couple was scheduled to attend a sanctions and this hindrance” to confidence- reception and state dinner on Tuesday evening building. hosted by Fijian President Jioji Konrote.

34 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder The couple is scheduled to visit Tonga on Mr. Venning said the thesis, signed by Hawking in Thursday before returning to Sydney on Friday handwriting made shaky by his illness, is both a night for the final days of the Invictus Games, key document in the physicist’s scientific Harry’s brainchild and the focus of their tour. The evolution and a glimpse into his personal story. couple will then finish their tour with a four-day PM formally apologizes to visit to New Zealand. Australian child sex abuse victims Stephen Hawking’s wheelchair, Prime Minister Scott Morrison delivered a formal thesis for sale apology on Monday to Australia’s victims of child Stephen Hawking was a cosmic visionary, a figure sex abuse, saying the nation must acknowledge of inspiration and a global celebrity. their long, painful journey and say sorry.

His unique status is reflected in an upcoming “Today as a nation we confront our failure to listen, auction of some of the late physicist’s to believe, and to provide justice,” he said, adding- possessions: It includes complex scientific “We say sorry.” papers, one of the world’s most iconic The four-year inquest that delivered its final report wheelchairs and a script from “The Simpsons.” in December revealed shocking evidence from The online sale announced on Monday by more than 17,000 survivors and heard allegations auctioneer Christie’s features 22 items from against government, church and private Hawking, including his doctoral thesis on the institutions, as well as prominent individuals. It origins of the universe, some of his many awards, also heard evidence from leaders such as Vatican and scientific papers such as “Spectrum of Cardinal George Pell, who is charged with Wormholes” and “Fundamental Breakdown of committing historical sex abuses himself and was Physics in Gravitational Collapse.” accused of failing to protect children.

Thomas Venning, head of books and manuscripts Care Leavers Australia Network chief executive at Christie’s, said the papers “trace the Leonie Sheedy called on the government to development of his thought this brilliant, remove a charity tax exemption from institutions electrifying intelligence.” “You can see each that are still deciding whether to opt in to the advance as he produced it and introduced it to national redress scheme for victims. She says the scientific community,” Mr. Venning said. she’s never healed from being abused. “You can learn to live with it, but it never goes away. It will Of course, Hawking’s fame rests only partly on be with me and all care leavers until the day that his scientific status as the cosmologist who put they put the lid on the coffin,” Sheedy told the black holes on the map. Diagnosed with motor Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Monday. neuron disease at 22 and given just a few years to live, he survived for decades, dying in March at 76. “There is a lot of anger in the community,” she told Sky News. “They’ve made it very clear they The auction includes one of five existing copies of want these recommendations implemented as Hawking’s 1965 Cambridge University Ph.D. they were intended and it’s yet to see whether thesis, “Properties of Expanding Universes,” which the government will actually do that.” carries an estimated price of 100,000 pounds to 150,000 pounds ($130,000 to $195,000).

35 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder U.S. to pull out of Russia missile World’s longest sea bridge pact between China-Hong Kong

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that the The 55-kilometer-long bridge, situated in the U.S. would pull out of the Intermediate-range Lingdingyang waters of the Pearl River Estuary, Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia, a crucial will be the world’s longest sea bridge, state-run Cold War-era treaty banning the development, Xinhua news agency reported. The world’s longest testing and possession of short and medium range sea bridge Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will ground-launched nuclear missiles with a range of be thrown open for traffic. 500-5,000 km. The treaty, signed in 1987, was The 55-kilometer-long bridge, situated in the central to ending the arms race between the two Lingdingyang waters of the Pearl River Estuary, superpowers, and protected America’s NATO will be the world’s longest sea bridge, state-run allies in Europe from Soviet missile attacks. Xinhua news agency reported. The construction John Bolton, Mr Trump’s National Security of the multibillion-dollar bridge had begun in Advisor, is in Moscow on a visit and is expected December 2009. It will slash the travel time to convey the decision to the Russians. At issue between Hong Kong and Zhuhai from three hours is Russia’s alleged development and deployment to just 30 minutes, further integrating the cities in of the Novator 9M729 missile, also known as the the Pearl River Delta. SSC-8, that could strike Europe at short notice, The bridge will be opened for traffic on October an allegation that Russia has repeatedly denied. 24, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge “Russia has violated the agreement. They’ve been Authority. violating it for many years... so we’re going to terminate the agreement. We’re going to pull out,” Earlier, lawmakers in Hong Kong warned that the Mr. Trump told reporters. bridge, which provides a direct link to Hong Kong International Airport, could bring extra traffic to Russia’s warning Lantau Island, and cause congestion, The Russian government on Sunday warned the South China Morning Post said in a report. U.S. against such a withdrawal. “If the Americans The Transport Department has already capped continue to act as crudely and bluntly... and the number of permits for cross-border private unilaterally withdraw from all sorts of agreement cars at 5,000. A government-commissioned study and mechanisms from the Iran deal to the from 2016 estimated that 29,100 vehicles would International Postal treaty, then we’ll be reduced use the bridge daily, by 2030, which was 12 per to taking action in response, including of a military cent down from a report written in 2008. nature. But we don’t want to go that far,” said Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Indonesia quake, tsunami: 70

Reactions across Europe were varied. The children still remain missing German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, called Mr At least 70 children were still reported missing Trump’s decision “regrettable” and the U.K. after a devastating earthquake and subsequent Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, said Britain tsunami that struck Indonesia’s Sulawesi island would remain “absolutely resolute” in standing by last month, authorities. According to the Ministry the U.S. in its position against Russia. of Social Affairs, the total number of missing

36 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder people currently stands at 680, but authorities billionaire philanthropist who invested in believe nearly 5,000 people could still be buried conservation, space travel, arts and culture and under the rubble in the most-affected regions professional sports, died on Monday. He was 65. where search efforts have already ended. Mr. Gates said he was heartbroken about the loss The head of the ministry’s child rehabilitation of one of his “oldest and dearest friends.” programme, Nahar, told Efe news that the “Personal computing would not have existed number of missing children were calculated from without him,” Mr. Gates said in a statement. reports lodged by families. The Commission for Child Protection has already warned of vulnerability “But Paul wasn’t content with starting one of minors in the post-disaster situation, including company. He channeled his intellect and trafficking and sexual abuse. compassion into a second act focused on improving people’s lives and strengthening According to the latest official count, the disaster communities in Seattle and around the world. He in Sulawesi on September 28 left 2,103 people was fond of saying, ‘If it has the potential to do dead and 4,612 severely injured, making it the good, then we should do it,’” Mr. Gates wrote. worst natural calamity in Indonesia since the 2004 tsunami that struck Aceh province. The Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recalled Allen’s Indonesian archipelago is situated within the so- contributions to the company, community and called “Pacific Ring of Fire”, an area known for industry “indispensable.” intense seismic and volcanic activities, which “As co-founder of Microsoft, in his own quiet and produce about 7,000, mostly moderate, persistent way, he created magical products, earthquakes every year. experiences and institutions, and in doing so, he changed the world,” Mr. Nadella wrote on Twitter. Canada legalises marijuana Allen, an avid sports fan, owned the Portland Trail Canada became the first industrialised nation to Blazers and Seattle Seahawks. legalise recreational cannabis on Wednesday. However, its biggest cities like Toronto and Over the course of several decades, Allen gave Vancouver currently don’t have any store selling more than $2 billion to a wide range of interests, marijuana. Weed enthusiasts in Newfoundland and including ocean health, homelessness and Labrador, Canada’s easternmost province, kicked advancing scientific research. Allen was on the off the first permissible sales at midnight. The day list of America’s wealthiest people who pledged was historic for the country as adult Canadians to give away the bulk of their fortunes to charity. will be able to legally smoke recreational marijuana The story of Microsoft after nearly a century-long ban. Despite the dearth of stores in Canada’s biggest cities, consumers Allen and Mr. Gates met while attending a private can buy legal marijuana online, from provincial school in north Seattle. The two friends would governments or licensed retailers. later drop out of college to pursue the future they envisioned a world with a computer in every home. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen They founded the Microsoft in Albuquerque, New passes away Mexico, and their first product was a computer Paul G. Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with his language for the Altair hobby-kit personal childhood friend Bill Gates before becoming a computer, giving hobbyists a basic way to

37 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder program and operate the machine. After finding Pope Francis is to celebrate Sunday’s saint- some success selling their programming making Mass wearing the blood-stained rope belt language, MS-Basic, the Seattle natives moved that Romero wore when he was gunned down in their business in 1979 to Bellevue, Washington, 1980 and using Paul VI’s staff, chalice and pallium not far from its eventual home in Redmond. vestment evidence of the strong influence both men had on history’s first Latin American pope. Microsoft’s big break came in 1980, when IBM Corp. decided to move into personal computers Some 5,000 Salvadoran pilgrims travelled to and asked Microsoft to provide the operating Rome for the ceremony, and tens of thousands system. Mr. Gates and Allen didn’t invent the more stayed up all night to watch it on giant TV operating system. To meet IBM’s needs, they spent screens outside the San Salvador cathedral $50,000 to buy one known as QDOS from another where Romero’s remains are entombed. programmer, Tim Paterson. Eventually the product For many it was the culmination of a fraught and refined by Microsoft and renamed DOS, for Disk politicized campaign to have the church formally Operating System became the core of IBM PCs honor a man who publicly denounced the and their clones, catapulting Microsoft into its repression by El Salvador’s military dictatorship dominant position in the PC industry. at the start of the country’s 1980-1992 civil war. The first versions of two classic Microsoft products, “I am here to give glory to Monsignor Romero,” Microsoft Word and the Windows operating said Aida Guzman, a 68-year-old Salvadoran system, were released in 1983. By 1991, woman who carried photos of people killed during Microsoft’s operating systems were used by 93 the war as she joined thousands in an evening per cent of the world’s personal computers. The procession in San Salvador. “He is a light for our Windows operating system is now used on most people, an inspiration for all.” of the world’s desktop computers, and Word is the cornerstone of the company’s prevalent Office Romero, the archbishop of San Salvador, was products. They became billionaires when Microsoft gunned down by right-wing death squads as he was thrust onto the throne of technology. Allen celebrated Mass on March 24, 1980, in a hospital served as Microsoft’s executive vice president of chapel. A day before he was killed, he had research and new product development until 1983, delivered the latest in a series of sermons when he resigned after being diagnosed with demanding an end to the army’s repression Hodgkin’s lymphoma. sermons that had enraged El Salvador’s leaders. Almost immediately after his death, Romero Pope to canonize 20th Century became an icon of the South American left and is icons Oscar Romero, Paul VI frequently listed along with Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi as one of the world’s most Thousands of people are converging on the influential human rights campaigners. The United Vatican for the canonization of two of the towering Nations commemorates the anniversary of his figures of the 20th-century Catholic Church- Pope death each year. “He is my guide, and from what I Paul VI, who oversaw the modernizing church have read about his life, I want to follow in his steps,” reforms of the 1960s, and Archbishop Oscar said Oscar Orellana, a 15-year-old who participated Romero, a human rights icon who was murdered in the San Salvador procession wearing a white for his defense of El Salvador’s poor. tunic like the one Romero used to wear.

38 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Paul VI, for his part, is best known for having Second judge removed by SJC presided over the final sessions of the Second Mr. Siddiqui is the second judge removed by the Vatican Council, the 1962-65 church meetings that SJC. Justice Shaukat Ali of the Lahore High Court opened up the Catholic Church to the world. Under was sacked in 1973 for corruption. The proceeding his auspices, the church agreed to allow liturgy to of the case against judge Ali went on for 10 be celebrated in the vernacular rather than in Latin months. Most of the judges had opted to tender and called for greater roles for the laity and their resignation to avoid SJC inquiry. However, improved relations with people of other faiths. Justice Siddiqui opted to face the charges of Paul is also remembered for his two most misconduct. important encyclicals, or teaching documents, Interestingly, cases of misconduct against CJP that have had a profound effect on the church Nisar and three other judges of the Supreme Court and Francis- One, “The Progress of Peoples” have been with the SJC for a long time but no denounced the mounting inequality between rich proceeding has taken place. But the case against and poor, and the other, “Humanae Vitae,” Mr. Siddiqui was decided after a preliminary reaffirmed the Catholic church’s opposition to hearing held in-camera. artificial contraception. World’s largest fish market Islamabad High Court judge reopens at new site in Tokyo sacked for his remarks against ISI The 83-year-old Tsukiji market had attracted tens Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who was in line to of thousands of visitors each year to its warren become the Chief Justice of the court next month, of stalls laden with exotic species of fish and fresh was removed by President Arif Alvi on the sushi in a tourism boom key to Prime Minister recommendation of Supreme Judicial Council. A Shinzo Abe’s economic plan. The world’s largest senior judge, who was in line to become the Chief fish market resumed operations at a new location Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) next in Tokyo on Thursday, after final auctions last month when incumbent Kansi is set to retire, has week at the previous facility in Tsukiji, one of the been sacked for making a statement that the Japanese capital’s top tourist attractions. The country’s powerful spy agency, the Inter-Services long-delayed opening of the gleaming new $5- Intelligence (ISI) was manipulating judicial billion Toyosu market on reclaimed land was proceedings to get favourable decisions. marked by a minor truck fire and an early morning The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) had traffic jam. As the new market’s first auction recommended the removal of Justice Shaukat kicked off at 5:30 a.m. (2030 GMT), its halls filled Aziz Siddiqui, who was facing a case of alleged with the sound of bells and the shouts of traders, misconduct over his speech targeting the ISI. Mr. who also used hand signals in the scramble to Siddiqui was sacked on Thursday by Pakistan get the day’s best produce. President Arif Alvi. He is the second senior most Asim Munir appointed new judge of the IHC. Justice Siddiqui, while addressing the Rawalpindi District Bar Pakistan ISI chief Association on July 21, alleged that the ISI was Lt. Gen. Asim Munir, who previously served as manipulating judicial proceedings to constitute a head of the Military Intelligence, will be the new panel of judges to get favourable decisions. chief of Pakistan’s powerful spy agency ISI, the 39 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Pakistan army announced on Wednesday. He Top editors and journalists had held a last-minute was recently promoted to the rank of Lieutenant meeting with Ministers demanding some General by the Army Promotion Board, headed sections of the legislation be changed. The Law by Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa. Minister had promised that he would discuss the He replaces Lt. Gen. Naveed Mukhtar and will issues, but the President went ahead and signed assume charge on October 25. Lt. Gen. Mukhtar the act into law without waiting. The law, which assumed the office of the Inter-Services carries heavy jail sentences for secretly recording Intelligence Director-General in December 2016. government officials or spreading “negative propaganda” using a smartphone or computer, Lt. Gen. Munir has also served as the Commander already had parliamentary approval. of the Force Command Northern Areas. He was conferred Hilal-i-Imtiaz, the second highest civilian Interpol chief Meng Hongwei award, in March 2018. under investigation, China says Florida after fatal flooding in China said on Sunday it was investigating Meng Central America Hongwei for suspected wrongdoing after the head of the global law enforcement organisation Florida’s governor mobilized National Guard troops Interpol and Chinese vice minister for security and thousands of Gulf Coast residents were was reported missing in France. ordered evacuated on Monday, two days before Hurricane Michael was forecast to slam ashore The statement by a Chinese anti-graft body was with life-threatening waves, winds and rains. the first official word from China about Mr. Meng Michael was packing sustained winds of up to 85 since his disappearance was reported in France miles per hour (140 kph) and gaining strength as on Friday. Mr. Meng had been reported missing it skirted past Cuba’s western tip en route to a by his wife after travelling last month from France, likely Wednesday landfall as the most powerful where Interpol is based, to China. storm to strike the Florida Panhandle in at least a After years of debate, Australia decade. scraps ‘tampon tax’ Currently ranked as a Category 1 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson wind scale, Michael After almost two decades of political could grow into a Category 3, becoming the wrangling Australia on Wednesday finally agreed second major hurricane in the Atlantic basin this to scrap its so-called “tampon tax.” When year following Florence last month, forecasters. Australia introduced a Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2000, health products such as condoms Dhaka enacts digital law despite and sunscreen were exempt from the 10 per cent protests charge, along with most foods. But tampons and other women’s hygiene products were not. Since Bangladesh’s President on Monday signed a then, the “tampon tax” has drawn widespread fire, digital security act into law despite protests by branded as “sexist” by campaigners, and a journalists and rights groups that it will severely regular source of bickering between Canberra, curb media freedom. “The digital security Bill has and state and territory governments, which been signed by the President today,” President receive revenues from the GST. Abdul Hamid’s spokesman Joynal Abedin.

40 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

World’s first Hyperloop motors that are placed along the tube control the passenger capsule unveiled speed of the pod. Electronically-assisted acceleration and braking determines the speed Hyperloop Transportation Technologies Inc. has of the capsule. unveiled its first full-scale passenger capsule in The Problems Plaguing the Hyperloop: Spain. § Constructing a tube hundreds of kilometers § The capsule is 105 feet (32 meters) long and long would be an engineering marvel in of weighs 5 tons. Named as the Quintero One, itself. However, introducing a tube hundreds the product is made almost entirely out of of kilometers long that operates at a near composite material. perfect vacuum which can support the force What is hyperloop transportation system? of capsule weighing thousands of kilograms It is a transportation system where a pod-like as it travels hundreds of kilometers an hour vehicle is propelled through a near-vacuum tube is nothing short of sci-fi fantasy. connecting cities at speeds matching that of an § Small scale experiments reveal the aircraft. fundamentals of the idea are sound. Although, The hyperloop concept is a brainchild of Tesla in the real world, there are too many factors founder Elon Musk. US-based Hyperloop that cannot be accounted for with a small Transport Technology (HTT) claimed it costs $40 scale design. In the real world, there are tens million per kilometre to build a hyperloop system of thousands of kilograms of atmospheric while building a high-speed train line would cost pressure which threatens to crush any almost twice. The hyperloop system is being vacuum chamber. designed to transport passengers and freight. § There is also the problem with thermal How it operates? expansion which threatens to buckle any large structure without proper thermal In hyperloop transporation, custom-designed expansion capabilities. The Hyperloop would capsules or pods are expected to zip smoothly also be stupendously expensive. There are through continuous steel tubes which are held at many unavoidable problems facing the partial vacuum. The pod which sandwiches the Hyperloop that threaten the structural integrity, passenger compartment between an air and every human life on board. The problems compressor upfront and a battery compartment can be addressed, but at a great cost. in the rear is supported by air caster skis at the bottom. Facts for Prelims:

The skis float on a thin layer of air provided under § The government of Andhra Pradesh has high pressure, eliminating rolling resistance and signed a Memorandum of Understanding allowing for movement of the pods at high speeds. (MoU) with California-based Hyperloop These capsules are expected to be driverless with Transportation Technologies (HTT) to develop estimated speeds of 1,000 km/h. Linear induction India’s first Hyperloop route in the state.

41 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder § The proposed route for the Hyperloop 15 minutes to survey the asteroid’s physical between the city centers of Vijaywada and features with cameras and sensors. Amaravati could potentially turn a trip of more Objectives of Hayabusa2 mission: than one hour into a 6 minute ride. § The Hayabusa2 is scheduled later this § The project will use a Public Private month to deploy an “impactor” that will Partnership (PPP) model with funding explode above the asteroid, shooting a two- primarily from private investors. kilo (four-pound) copper object into it to blast Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout a small crater on the surface. The probe will then hover over the artificial crater and collect (MACOT) samples using an extended arm.

The Hayabusa2 probe launched the French- § The samples of “fresh” materials, German Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout, or unexposed to millennia of wind and radiation, MASCOT towards the Ryugu asteroid’s surface. could help answer some fundamental About MASCOT: questions about life and the universe, including whether elements from space § The 10-kg box-shaped MASCOT is loaded helped give rise to life on Earth. with sensors. It has been built by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the French Background: Space Agency (Cnes). Hayabusa2, about the size of a large fridge and § It can take images at multiple wavelengths, equipped with solar panels, is the successor to investigate minerals with a microscope, JAXA’s first asteroid explorer, Hayabusa gauge surface temperatures and measure Japanese for falcon. magnetic fields. That probe returned from a smaller, potato- § MASCOT will be largely immobile it will “jump” shaped, asteroid in 2010 with dust samples just once on its mission, and it can turn on despite various setbacks during an epic seven- its sides. year odyssey and was hailed as a scientific § The MASCOT has a maximum battery life of triumph. just 16 hours. Nobel Prize MINERVA-II micro-rovers: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: § About 10 days ago, Hayabusa2 dropped a The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is pair of MINERVA-II micro-rovers on the Ryugu awarded once a year for outstanding discoveries asteroid. It was the first time that moving, in the fields of life sciences and medicine. It is robotic observation device have been one of five Nobel Prizes established in 1895 by successfully landed on an asteroid. Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of § The rovers will take advantage of Ryugu’s low dynamite, in his will. gravity to jump around on the surface - § The 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or travelling as far as 15 metres (49 feet) while Medicine has been jointly conferred to James airbourne and staying in the air for as long as P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo “for their

42 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of India International Science negative immune regulation”. Festival (IISF-2018) § The duo successfully established an entirely For Prelims and Mains: IISF- objectives, theme new principle for cancer therapy by stimulating and significance. India International Science the ability of immune system to attack tumour Festival (IISF-2018) has begun in Lucknow. cells. It is called “Immune checkpoint therapy”. They showed how different strategies for About IISF- 2018: slowing down the brakes on the immune § IISF is conceivably the biggest platform in India system can be used in the treatment of cancer. that brings together students, researchers, artists Their discoveries are landmark in fight against and general public to celebrate our nation’s cancer. achievements in science and technology.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry: § It is a medium to encourage the young minds US scientists Frances Arnold and George Smith towards the field of science and to promote and British researcher Gregory Winter have won the networking of stakeholders working the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. They were towards the propagation of science. selected for harnessing power of evolution to § Through this festival, the largest of its kind in develop enzymes and antibodies that have led to the country and in this region, it is expected new pharmaceuticals and biofuels. that the message of excitement of Science Nobel Physics Prize: Three scientists Arthur and scientific temper will be spread to the Ashkin (USA), Gerard Mourou (France) and Donna students and will be inspiring for the youth. Strickland (Canada) have won the 2018 Nobel Prize § All stakeholders collectively work towards in Physics. They were selected for groundbreaking “Vigyan se Vikas”- contributing to the Making inventions in the field of laser physics. of a New India. Arthur Ashkin: He received prize for optical tweezers and their application to biological Parker Solar Probe systems. His optical tweezers are able to grab NASA’s historic mission- Parker Solar Probe- to particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells with solve the mysteries of the Sun has successfully their laser beam fingers, allowing use of radiation completed its flyby of Venus on October 3rd. The pressure of light to move physical objects. probe successfully completed its flyby of Venus Gerard Mourou and Donna Strickland: They were at a distance of about 1,500 miles during the first jointly awarded for their method of generating Venus gravity assist of the mission. high-intensity, ultra-short optical pulses. They § These gravity assists will help the spacecraft have created ultrashort high-intensity laser pulses tighten its orbit closer and closer to the Sun without destroying amplifying material, thus over the course of the mission. paving way towards shortest and most intense Throughout its mission, the probe will make six laser pulses ever created by mankind. Their more Venus gravity assist and 24 total passes innovative technique is known as ‘chirped pulse amplification’ (CPA), has now become standard by the Sun. This manoeuvre will change Parker for high-intensity lasers, including ultra-sharp Solar Probe’s trajectory to take the spacecraft beams used in corrective eye surgeries. closer to the Sun.

43 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder About the mission: NASA’s historic Parker Solar play havoc with communications technology on Probe mission will revolutionize our understanding Earth. Nasa hopes the findings will enable scientists of the sun, where changing conditions can to forecast changes in Earth’s space environment. propagate out into the solar system, affecting Earth Why do we study the sun and the solar wind? and other worlds. Parker Solar Probe will travel through the sun’s atmosphere, closer to the § The sun is the only star we can study up close. surface than any spacecraft before it, facing brutal By studying this star we live with, we learn heat and radiation conditions and ultimately more about stars throughout the universe. providing humanity with the closest-ever § The sun is a source of light and heat for life observations of a star. on Earth. The more we know about it, the more we can understand how life on Earth Journey: In order to unlock the mysteries of the developed. sun’s atmosphere, Parker Solar Probe will use Venus’ gravity during seven flybys over nearly § The sun also affects Earth in less familiar seven years to gradually bring its orbit closer to ways. It is the source of the solar wind; a flow the sun. The spacecraft will fly through the sun’s of ionized gases from the sun that streams atmosphere as close as 3.9 million miles to our past Earth at speeds of more than 500 km star’s surface, well within the orbit of Mercury and per second (a million miles per hour). more than seven times closer than any spacecraft § Disturbances in the solar wind shake Earth’s has come before. magnetic field and pump energy into the radiation belts, part of a set of changes in Goals: The primary science goals for the mission near-Earth space known as space weather. are to trace how energy and heat move through the solar corona and to explore what accelerates § Space weather can change the orbits of the solar wind as well as solar energetic particles. satellites, shorten their lifetimes, or interfere with onboard electronics. The more we learn Parker Solar Probe has three detailed about what causes space weather – and how science objectives: to predict it the more we can protect the 1. Trace the flow of energy that heats and satellites we depend on. accelerates the solar corona and solar § The solar wind also fills up much of the solar wind. system, dominating the space environment 2. Determine the structure and dynamics far past Earth. As we send spacecraft and of the plasma and magnetic fields at the astronauts further and further from home, we sources of the solar wind. must understand this space environment just as early seafarers needed to understand the 3. Explore mechanisms that accelerate and ocean. transport energetic particles. § The previous closest pass to the Sun was Why study corona? by a probe called Helios 2, which in 1976 The corona is hotter than the surface of the sun. came within 27 million miles (43 million km). The corona gives rise to the solar wind, a continuous § By way of comparison, the average distance flow of charged particles that permeates the solar from the Sun for Earth is 93 million miles (150 system. Unpredictable solar winds cause million km). disturbances in our planet’s magnetic field and can

44 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Gaganyaan 2022 to Earth after flight, and to build a spacecraft in which astronauts can live in Earth-like Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and conditions in space. Russia’s Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities (ROSCOSMOS) have signed an MoU § If India does launch the Gaganyaan mission, to work together for Gaganyaan. it will be the the fourth nation to do so after the United States, Russia and China. As per the MoU, ROSCOSMOS has offered ride to Indian astronaut short visit to International Space NASA’s New Horizons mission Station (ISS) on board Soyuz spacecraft for short NASA’s New Horizons probe is on course to fly training mission in 2022. by the Kuiper Belt object nicknamed Ultima Thule, About Gaganyaan: It is India’s first manned space which is at a distance of 6.6 billion kilometers from mission. Under it, India is planning to send three Earth. This event will set the record for the most humans (Gaganyatris) into space i.e. in low earth distant object ever visited by a spacecraft. orbit (LEO) by 2022 i.e. by 75th Independence Day About New Horizons Mission: for period of five to seven days. India plans to build a crew vehicle that can accommodate 2 or 3 § New Horizons was launched on 19 January astronauts and human rate its GLSV Mk-III 2006, and has been travelling through space launcher. for the past nine years. Recent technological advancements: § Just over a year after launch, it passed Jupiter and used the giant world’s gravity to boost In what appears to be a preparation for the its velocity, as well as making scientific Gaganyaan mission, ISRO recently conduced its observations. This boost shortened the time first ‘pad abort’ test that was successful. to reach Pluto by years. The ‘pad abort’ test or Crew Escape System is § The mission will complete what NASA calls an emergency escape measure that helps pull the reconnaissance of the classical solar the crew away from the launch vehicle when a system, and it makes the U.S. the first nation mission has to be aborted. The test was to send a space probe to every planet from conducted at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Mercury to Pluto. The probe has traveled Sriharikota. more than 3 billion miles to reach Pluto. The Pad Abort Test demonstrated the safe § New Horizon’s core science mission is to recovery of the crew module in case of any map the surfaces of Pluto and Charon, to exigency at the launch pad. study Pluto’s atmosphere and to take Way ahead: A manned space mission is very temperature readings. different from all other missions that ISRO has § The spacecraft was launched in 2006, before so far completed. In terms of complexity and the big debate started over Pluto’s status as ambition, even the missions to the Moon a planet. In August of that same year, the (Chandrayaan) and Mars (Mangalyaan) are International Astronomical Union reclassified nowhere in comparison. Pluto as a dwarf planet. § For a manned mission, the key distinguishing The Kuiper belt sometimes called the capabilities that ISRO has had to develop Edgeworth–Kuiper belt, is a region of the Solar include the ability to bring the spacecraft back 45 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder System beyond the planets, extending from the BepiColombo orbit of Neptune (at 30 AU) to approximately 50 European Space Agency’s (Esa) first mission to AU from the Sun. It is similar to the asteroid belt, Mercury- BepiColombo, is all set for launch. but it is far larger—20 times as wide and 20 to 200 times as massive. § The four-tonne spacecraft will be launched into orbit by Esa’s rocket Ariane 5 from the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) European spaceport at Kourou, French Gujarat Forest Department has started Guiana, on 20 October. vaccination of lions in Gir sanctuary to protect § It will then make a 5.2bn mile (8.5bn km) them from a deadly canine distemper virus (CDV). journey over seven years to reach its The virus is blamed for the death lions in Gujarat’s destination by 2025. Gir sanctuary in last one month. About BepiColombo: What is Canine Distemper Virus? BepiColombo is a joint mission between ESA and § Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is a viral the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), disease that infects the gastrointestinal, executed under ESA leadership. respiratory, and central nervous systems. The mission comprises two spacecraft: the Dogs who have not been vaccinated for Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and the Mercury Canine Distemper are the most at-risk. While Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO). The MPO will the disease can also be contracted when study the surface and internal composition of the improperly vaccinated or when a dog has high planet, and the MMO will study Mercury’s susceptibility to bacterial infection, these magnetosphere, that is, the region of space cases are rare. around the planet that is influenced by its § CDV can be spread through direct contact magnetic field. (licking, breathing air, etc.) or indirect contact Need: The scientific interest in going to Mercury (bedding, toys, food bowls, etc.), though it lies in the valuable information that such a mission cannot live on surfaces for very long. Inhaling can provide to enhance our understanding of the the virus is the primary method of exposure. planet itself as well as the formation of our Solar There is no known cure for CDV. System; information which cannot be obtained with What’s the issue? observations made from Earth. The magnificent Asiatic lion is under threat. Challenges: Europe’s space scientists have Twenty-three lions have died in as many days in identified the mission as one of the most the eastern part of Gujarat’s Gir sanctuary. This challenging long-term planetary projects, because case is more worrisome as the big cat population Mercury’s proximity to the Sun makes it difficult in Gujarat is the last of the Asiatic lions in the wild. for a spacecraft to reach the planet and to survive Gir sanctuary is the only wild population of Asiatic in the harsh environment found there. lions in the world. Significance: Mercury is a poorly explored planet. § It is listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) So far, only two spacecraft have visited the Act 1972, has been categories as planet: NASA’s Mariner 10, which flew past three Endangered on IUCN Red List and is listed times in 1974–5 and returned the first close-up Appendix I of CITES.

46 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder images of the planet, and NASA’s MESSENGER Galaxy proto-supercluster — spacecraft, which performed three flybys (two in Hyperion 2008 and one in 2009) before entering orbit around the planet in March 2011. The information obtained A team of scientists at the European Southern when BepiColombo arrives will throw light not only Observatory (ESO) have cited the most massive on the composition and history of Mercury, but structure in the early universe known to date. The also on the history and formation of the inner galaxy proto-supercluster found has been named planets in general, including Earth. Hyperion. § The galaxy has been found using new OneerTM measurements made by the visible multi- CSIR has developed an affordable Water object spectrograph of ESO’s Very Large Disinfection System “OneerTM”. The device will Telescope and pouring over vast arrays of go a long way in meeting the requirements of archive data. potable water in rural and urban areas. Key facts: Use: It is useful for continuous treatment of water § Hyperion’s unimaginably enormous mass is and eliminates all disease causing pathogens estimated to be a million billion times that of such as virus, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and cyst our own Sun (which is approximately 1,048 to provide safe drinking water to domestic and Jupiters, or 333,000 Earths). communities settings as per National and International standards prescribed for potable § Hyperion is an adolescent in astronomy water (BIS, WHO etc.). terms. Its distance from earth means astronomers are viewing it as it was created Significance: According to the World Health just over 2 billion years after the Big Bang, Organization, “access to safe drinking-water is which gave rise to the universe about 13.8 essential to health, a basic human right and a billion years ago. The Milky Way galaxy, which component of effective policy for health protection”. hosts our Solar System, is about 13.6 billion § However, currently, a large proportion of years old. India’s rural community is consuming water § Understanding Hyperion and how it compares that does not meet the WHO drinking water to similar recent structures can give insights quality standards. And infection through into how the universe developed in the past drinking water results in an increase in and will evolve into the future, and allows us morbidity and mortality particularly amongst the opportunity to challenge some models of children. supercluster formation. Unearthing this § Oneer developed by CSIR-IITR, will provide cosmic titan helps uncover the history of access to safe and clean drinking water at a these large-scale structures. cost of just 2 Paise / Ltr. The Community Significance: This is the first time that such a level model is of 450 LPH capacity which can large structure has been identified at such a high be scaled up to 5000 to 1 lakh L/day; and is redshift, just over two billion years after the Big also maintenance and membrane free. The Bang. Normally, these kinds of structures are technology will be helpful especially for rural known at lower redshifts, which means when the people since it can be solar powered.

47 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder universe has had much more time to evolve and China’s artificial moon project construct such huge things. China is in the process of creating an “artificial About visible multi-object spectrograph: moon” that would be bright enough to replace the The VIMOS, an instrument that measures objects streetlights in the south-western city of at a distance of billions of light years away, in Chengdu by 2020. practice allows experts to see what the early § Chinese scientists plan to send three artificial universe was like in the distant cosmic past. The moons into space in the next four years, and spectrograph is hosted by the Chile-based Very the moons made from reflective material like Large Telescope. a mirror are expected to orbit at 500 About VLT: kilometres above the Earth and light up an area with a diameter of 10 to 80 kilometres. § The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope facility operated by the European § The artificial moon will have a reflective Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in coating that can deflect sunlight back to Earth, the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. similar to how the moon shines.

§ The VLT consists of four individual § The illuminated satellite is said to be eight telescopes, each with a primary mirror 8.2 times brighter than the real moon. The m across, which are generally used satellites’ brightness and service time are separately but can be used together to both adjustable, and the accuracy of the achieve very high angular resolution. The lighting can be controlled within tens of four separate optical telescopes are known metres. as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which § The three artificial moons would operate are all words for astronomical objects in the alternately in order to significantly reduce Mapuche language. infrastructural electricity consumption, § The VLT operates at visible and infrared especially during winter. The illuminated wavelengths. Each individual telescope can satellite is designed to complement the moon detect objects roughly four billion times fainter at night. than can be detected with the naked eye, and § Lighting from the artificial moon covering 50 when all the telescopes are combined, the square kilometres in Chengdu could save facility can achieve an angular resolution of about 1.2 billion yuan ($240 million) in about 0.001 arc-second. This is equivalent electricity costs every year. It could also be to roughly 2 meters resolution at the distance used to light up areas experiencing power of the Moon. outages caused by natural disasters such as § The VLT is the most productive ground-based earthquakes. facility for astronomy, with only the Hubble The idea for the man-made moon originated from Space Telescope generating more scientific a French artist who imagined hanging a necklace papers among facilities operating at visible made of mirrors in the sky to light up the streets wavelengths. of Paris at night. Russia attempted to launch a 25-metre “space mirror” but the project was put off in 1999.

48 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

First Assembly of ISA  The IORA is a regional forum, tripartite in inaugurated in New Delhi nature, bringing together representatives of Government, Business and Academia, for  Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated promoting co-operation and closer interaction first Assembly of International Solar Alliance among them. (ISA) in New Delhi.  IORA was set up with objective of strengthening  The same event also marked inauguration regional cooperation and sustainable of second Indian Ocean Rim Association development within Indian Ocean Region with (IORA) 21 member states and 7 Dialogue Partners.  Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting and  IORA have identified 6 areas of cooperation second Global RE-Invest (Renewable Energy including medicinal plants. The Coordinating Investors’ Meet and Expo). Secretariat of IORA is located at Ebene,  United Nations Secretary General Antonio Mauritius.

nd Guterres was present on the occasion.  In 2 IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial meet, International Solar Alliance (ISA): The Paris ministers from 9 member countries and Declaration establishes ISA as an alliance delegates from all 21 member countries dedicated to the promotion of solar energy among participated. its member countries. The ISA Framework RE-Invest: It is a global platform to explore Agreement had entered into force in December strategies for development and deployment of 2017 and formally became de-jure treaty based renewables. International Intergovernmental Organization. It is The 2nd Global REInvest was built upon success headquartered at Gurugram, India. of RE-Invest 2015. It provided international forum The main objective of ISA is to include global to established players as well as new segments deployment of over 1,000GW of solar generation of investors and entrepreneurs to engage, ideate capacity and mobilisation of investment of over and innovate. US$ 1000 billion into solar energy by 2030.ISA also aims to serve as an action-oriented It also showcased India’s green energy market organization by bringing together countries with and Government’s efforts to scale up capacity to rich solar potential to aggregate global demand, meet national energy demand in socially, thereby reducing prices through bulk purchase.It economically and ecologically sustainable ways. also seeks to facilitate the deployment of existing Globally, India stands fifth in renewable power, solar technologies at scale, and promoting fourth in wind power and fifth in solar power collaborative solar R&D and capacity building. installed capacity. India is one of world’s largest Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): The green energy markets with exponential increase Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), formerly in demand and supply. known as the Indian Ocean Rim Initiative and Satat Initiative Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), is an international Petroleum Ministry has launched SATAT initiative organisation consisting of coastal states to promote Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) as an bordering the Indian Ocean. alternative, green transport fuel on 1st October

49 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder 2018. Launched in collaboration with PSU Oil Bio-gas: Bio-gas is produced naturally through Marketing Companies (OMCs), it paves way for a process of anaerobic decomposition from setting up Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) waste / bio-mass sources like agriculture residue, production plants by independent entrepreneurs. cattle dung, sugarcane press mud, municipal The Working Group on Bio fuels, set up under solid waste, sewage treatment plant waste, etc. the National Policy on Bio fuels 2018, is in the After purification, Bio-Gas is compressed and process of finalising a pan-India pricing model for called CBG, which has pure methane content of Compressed Bio-Gas.The initiative is aimed at over 95%. providing a Sustainable Alternative Towards Compressed Bio-Gas: Compressed Bio-Gas is Affordable Transportation. exactly similar to the commercially available Steps taken by government to promote this natural gas in its composition and energy initiative: Government is keen to set up 5000 potential. With calorific value (~52,000 KJ/kg) and CBG plants in next 5 years, and for this purpose, other properties similar to CNG, Compressed Bio- production off take guarantee is being given for Gas can be used as an alternative, renewable such plants. There will be no restriction on the automotive fuel. technology choice and Government is incurring Given the abundance of biomass in the country, Rs 75,000 crore capital expenditure for setting Compressed Bio-Gas has the potential to replace up infrastructure for city gas distribution network. CNG in automotive, industrial and commercial The entrepreneurs would be able to separately uses in the coming years. market for other by-products from these plants, Compressed Bio-Gas can be produced from including bio-manure, carbon-dioxide, etc., to various bio-mass/waste sources, including enhance returns on investment. agricultural residue, municipal solid waste, Other Initiatives linked to CBG are: The sugarcane press mud, distillery spent wash, National Policy on Bio fuels 2018 emphasizes cattle dung and sewage treatment plant waste. active promotion of advanced bio-fuels, including The other waste streams, i.e, rotten potatoes from CBG. cold storages, rotten vegetables, dairy plants, The Government of India had launched the chicken/poultry litter, food waste, horticulture GOBAR-DHAN (Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro waste, forestry residues and treated organic Resources) scheme earlier this year to convert waste from industrial effluent treatment plants cattle dung and solid waste in farms to CBG and (ETPs) etc. compost. The scheme proposes to cover 700 Significance: projects across the country in 2018-19. Present status and target: Currently 42 lakh The programme will be funded under Solid and households are getting PNG supply, and there is Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) component a commitment to cover 2 crore households in of Swachh Bharat Mission- Gramin (SBM-G) to 300 districts by the suppliers after the benefit households. in identified villages through implementation of 9th round of CGD (City Gas Gram Panchayats.The Ministry of New and Distribution) bids. Renewable Energy has notified Central Financial Potential of CBG in India: The potential for Assistance (CFA) of Rs. 4 crore per 4,800 kg of Compressed Bio-Gas production from various CBG per day generated from 12,000 cubic metres sources in India is estimated at about 62 million of biogas per day, with a maximum of Rs.10 crore tonnes per annum. per project.

50 November 2018 9000313191 SIVAMAVAIAH

Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Benefits from converting agricultural interventions and provide a comprehensive residue, cattle dung and municipal solid framework for health-protecting sanitation, waste into CBG on a commercial scale: It is a covering policy and governance measures, developmental effort that would benefit vehicle- implementation of sanitation technologies, users as well as farmers and entrepreneurs. systems and behavioural interventions, risk- Environmental benefit: This initiative holds great based management, and monitoring promise for efficient municipal solid waste approaches. management and in tackling the problem of  The guidelines articulate the role of the health polluted urban air due to farm stubble-burning and sector in maximizing the health impact of carbon emissions. sanitation interventions. Economic Benefit: Use of CBG will also help  I t also identifies gaps in the evidence-base bring down dependency on crude oil imports and to guide future research efforts to improve in enhancing farmers’ income, rural employment the effectiveness of sanitation interventions. and entrepreneurship.  Sanitation is a fundamental foundation of CBG is clean and cheaper mode of fuel. human health and development and Support to national commitments in achieving underpins the core mission of WHO and climate change goals. Buffer against crude oil/ ministries of health worldwide. gas price fluctuations  Without proper access to sanitation, millions Way forward: Compressed Bio-Gas networks of people the world over are deprived of the can be integrated with city gas distribution (CGD) dignity, safety and convenience of a decent networks to boost supplies to domestic and retail toilet. users in existing and upcoming markets. Besides  Poor sanitation is a major factor in retailing from OMC fuel stations, Compressed Bio- transmission of neglected tropical diseases. Gas can at a later date be injected into CGD However, billions of people across the world pipelines too for efficient distribution and live without access to even the most basic optimised access of a cleaner and more sanitation services. affordable fuel.  According to WHO, 2.3 billion people Who First Global Guidelines On worldwide lack basic sanitation with almost Sanitation And Health half of the world population forced to defecate in the open. They are among the 4.5 billion The World Health Organization (WHO) has without access to safely managed sanitation recently launched the first global guidelines on services – in other words a toilet connected sanitation and health. to a sewer or pit or septic tank that treats WHO’s new Sanitation and Health Guidelines are human waste aimed at securing health and well-being for  WHO developed the new guidelines on everyone, everywhere by considering sanitation sanitation and health because current sanitation as fundamental foundation of human health and programmes are not achieving anticipated development health gains and there is a lack of authoritative  The new WHO Guidelines on Sanitation and health-based guidance on sanitation. Health summarize the evidence on the  By adopting WHO’s new guidelines, effectiveness of a range of sanitation countries can significantly reduce the

51 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder diarrhoeal deaths due to unsafe water, It assessments provide a scientific basis for sanitation and hygiene. governments at all levels to develop climate  For every US $1 invested in sanitation, WHO related policies, and they underlie negotiations at estimates a nearly six-fold return as the UN Climate Conference the United Nations measured by lower health costs, increased Framework Convention on Climate Change productivity and fewer premature deaths. (UNFCCC). IPCC “Special Report” On Global Key Highlights of the Report: At current rate of emissions, the world is set to breach the global Warming of 1.5°C warming limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius between The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2030 and 2052. At present, the world is 1.2°C (IPCC) has released a special report on the warmer compared to pre-industrial levels. actions the world needs to take to prevent global  Climate change could have “irreversible” and average temperatures from rising beyond 1.5°C “catastrophic” impacts if the global average as compared to pre-industrial times. temperatures were allowed to rise beyond 2 The ‘Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C,’ degrees Celsius. Climate-related risks for compares the impact of global warming of 1.5 natural and human systems are higher. degree C and 2 degree C. It provides details on  There could be progressive worsening of how the global response to climate change needs extreme weather events as temperature rises. to be strengthened within the broader context of  The report gave a more comprehensive sustainable development and continuing efforts assessment of the differences in a 1.5C to eradicate poverty. world and 2C world and quantified the carbon The report will be a key scientific input for the dioxide that would need to be removed from Climate Change Conference in Poland in the atmosphere to achieve this. December 2018, when governments review the  The international effort to tackle climate Paris Agreement to tackle climate change. change must be accelerated in order to limit Background: It was in 2015, at the Paris climate global temperature rises. conference, that the global community made a  The report notes that investment in physical pact to pursue efforts to limit warming to within and social infrastructure is a key enabler in 1.5°C half a degree below the previous target of enhancing resilience and adaptive capacity. 2°C. With the increase in extreme events and  Poorly designed or implemented adaptation the very survival of small islands at stake, the projects can increase greenhouse gas lower limit was greeted then with surprise and emissions and water use, increase gender and enthusiasm. social inequality, undermine health conditions,and IPCC: It is the international body for assessing encroach on natural ecosystems. the science related to climate change. It was set  Hence, adaptation efforts must pay attention up in 1988 by the World Meteorological to poverty and sustainable development and Organization (WMO) and United Nations these efforts need fi nancial support. Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide policymakers with regular assessments of the  Adaptation needs have generally been scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and supported by public sector sources, future risks, and options for adaptation and multilateral development banks, NGOs, mitigation. private funding and UNFCCC channels.

52 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder  According to the report, there is a need to in turn required massive deployment of integrate Disaster risk management (DRM) financial and technological resources. and adaptation to reduce vulnerability. The  The Paris Agreement ‘hold’ the increase in report also identifies “educational adaptation” global average temperature to “well below” options which motivate adaptation through 2°C. It also promised to keep “pursuing building awareness. efforts” to attain the 1.5°C target.  A more participatory approach towards  Incidentally, the global average temperature adaptation, especially for vulnerable has already risen by more than 1°C from population will be to formulate adaptation preindustrial times. At the current rate, the action based on indigenous knowledge. 1.5°C limit could be crossed as early as 2040. These people are threatened by cultural How to attain the 1.5 degree target? modification, dispossession of land rights  The IPCC report suggests possible pathways and land grabbing, rapid environmental and to attain the 1.5°C objective. social changes. Therefore recognition of indigenous rights, governance systems and  It would involve much sharper and quicker laws is central to adaptation, mitigation and emission cuts by big emitters like China, the sustainable development. US, the European Union and India.  These pathways are likely to be heavily  Involvement of local governments is dependent on the success of carbon removal important too since they enable more technologies. However, no such technology participative decision-making and involve exists yet but several possibilities are being wider community in designing and implemen- explored. ting adaptation policies. Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) What is 1.5-degree C target?  Since 1990s, countries started discussing IPCC has presented four pathways through which climate change and began negotiating an the 1.5 degree target can be achieved. Each of international arrangement for tackling it these pathways is also dependent on some together. The objective has been to limit rising amount of CDR. CDR is the physical removal of global average temperatures to within 2°C the stock of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere from pre-industrial times to reduce its concentrations. Technologies for CDR are still undeveloped and untested.  Periodic Assessment Reports produced by According to the report, varying amounts between IPCC, suggest that the impacts of climate 100 to 1000 Giga tons of carbon dioxide would change could be “irreversible” and need to be removed from the atmosphere “catastrophic” if the rise in temperature was allowed to go beyond the 2°C ceiling. Why settling for 1.5 degree target?  Small island states and the least developed Research found that limiting global warming to nations are likely to suffer the worst 1.5°C could prevent around 3.3 million cases of consequences of climate change. These dengue every year in Latin America and the countries negotiated that the goal should be Caribbean alone. to restrict the temperature rise within 1.5°C According to World Bank report, additional 150 from pre-industrial times. million people could be at risk from malaria if the  A 1.5°C target demanded much deeper temperature was allowed to increase beyond 2°C. emission cuts from the big emitters, which 53 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder  The world could have 25 million fewer Recommendations: To limit ourselves to 1.5°C,

undernourished people by the end of the global net anthropogenic CO2 emissions should century, if the 1.5°C goal was achieved. reduce by about 45 per cent from 2010 levels by  350 million additional people could be 2030, and should reach net-zero around 2050. exposed to deadly heat waves if the warming Along with it, we also need serious cuts to non-

increased to 2°C as compared to 1.5°C. CO2 emissions.  A 1.5°C could prevent 153 million premature  Both methane and black carbon need to be deaths due to air pollution by 2100, as reduced by 35 per cent or more of 2010 levels compared to the 2°C scenario. by 2050.  A UNDP report in 2016 claimed that a 1.5°C  Achieving these cuts requires rapid and “far strategy could create double the number of reaching transitions in energy, land, urban and jobs in the energy sector by 2050. The world infrastructure (including transport and could be 3% wealthier by 2100 in a 1.5°C buildings), and industrial systems”. It will also scenario compared to a 2°C scenario. require political action and significant scale up of investment.  Extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and heat waves are likely to become  Average annual investment in low-carbon more severe and frequent, and freshwater energy technologies and energy efficiency supply could fall sharply, in a 2°C world. needs to scale up. Impact on India  Use of coal should reduce steeply and its share in electricity mix should be reduced to  According to the report, coastal nations and close to 0 per cent by 2050. There is a need agricultural economies like India would be the for a significant fall in the share of oil in energy worst affected. production by 2050.  Decline in crop yields, unprecedented climate The industry sector will have to reduce extremes and increased susceptibility could  emissions by around 75–90 per cent of 2010 push poverty by several million by 2050. levels by 2050.  SunitaNarain, Director General, CSE in  Real emission reductions can be achieved response to the report has remarked - “Even through a combination of new and existing at a little over 1.0°C warming, India is being technologies, including sustainable bio-based battered by the worst climate extremes it is feed stocks, product substitution, and carbon clear that the situation at 1.5°C is going to capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS). worsen. The new report from the Intergovern- mental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has  In the land-use sector, some amount of served us a final warning that we must get pasture and non-pasture agricultural land for our act together now and quickly,” food and feed crops needs to be converted for energy crops.  India hadn’t made any scientifi c contribution in terms of modelling possible climate Way Forward change-impact to its agriculture, monsoon,  Limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees would urban dwellings — to this report but gave require rapid, far reaching and critical inputs to the scientifi c basis unprecedented changes in all aspects of underlying these assessments. society.

54 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder  The IPCC report suggests that while meeting Distribution: The species is found mainly across the 1.5°C warming goal is improbable, it is not Europe, northern Africa and other south Asian impossible. Meeting the objectives of the Paris countries. Agreement would inevitably have to involve  Ireland has the highest density of Eurasian carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere. Otter.  All pathways, which limit global warming to  In India, it is distributed in the Himalayan 1.5°C or allow a minimal breach, project the foothills, southern Western Ghats and the use of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to the Central India. tune of 100–1000 GtCO2eq over this century. Protection:  It implies that achieving the target purely by  It is protected by the Wildlife Protection Act reducing emission is extremely improbable; (1972). investment will have to move towards active  All 3 species of otters in India are protected removal through afforestation, carbon capture and storage, and other novel technologies. under the Wildlife Protection Act and are listed in CITES Appendices.  The IPCC’s role is limited to bringing forth these options; it is now up to governments to decide  Eurasian Otter – CITES Appendix I; WPA on how to act. They can start by scaling up Schedule II ambition on nationally determined contributions.  Smooth Coated Otter – CITES Appendix II; Eurasian Otter Found In Western WPA Schedule II Ghats After 70 Years  Clawless Otter – CITES Appendix II; WPA Schedule I Eurasian otter has been recorded historically from Need of the hour: the Western Ghats but first photographic and genetic confirmation of its presence have been  There should be detailed surveys and studies found. Ironically, researchers found the dead otter to ascertain more about the occurrence of after a vehicle ran over it near a fragmented Eurasian Otters in India. rainforest in Tamil Nadu’s Valparai.  Otter road kills caused by increasing Eurasian otter fragmentation of forests and modification of their original habitats are becoming  Out of the three otter species found in India increasingly common, which is a grave (Western Ghats), Eurasian otter is the least matter of concern. known.  The illegal poaching of Eurasian Otters for  The Eurasian Otter (lutralutra) is also known their pelts should be banned. as European otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter and Old world otter. GIR’S 21 Lion deaths in 19 Days  It is a semi aquatic mammal which is 21 lions reportedly died between September and commonly native to Eurasia. October in Gir forest of Gujarat. The Indian  It has a diet mainly of fish and is strongly Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has territorial. confirmed that the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) and tick-borne Babesiosis were responsible for  Otters are often illegally poached for pets. It the deaths. is Nearly Threatened. CDV: CDV causes a highly contagious and life threatening disease in dogs (50% fatality rate). It

55 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder infects the spinal cord and brain and also the As helpful as vaccinations could be in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. It is controlling the spread, they are likely to transmitted by airborne route as well as infected compromise their immunity against future infections body secretions. as these are wild animals and not ones in a zoo.  It affects different wild carnivores such as The ICMR-NIV is yet to determine if the vaccine, wolves, foxes, raccoons, red pandas, ferrets, currently available to treat CDV, matched the strain hyenas, tigers, and lions. In the past, CDV had of the virus circulating in the lions. This matching wiped out 30% of the total population of lions determines the efficacy of the vaccine. in Serengeti forest areas in East Africa. In the NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission current case, the genetic sequence of the virus was compared to available CDV NASA’s historic mission, Parker Solar Probe, to sequences and was found to be related to the solve the mysteries of the Sun has successfully East African strains. completed its flyby of Venus recently. The probe successfully completed its flyby of Venus at a Status of CDV in India: distance of about 1,500 miles during the first The prevalence of this virus and its diversity in Venus gravity assist of the mission. These gravity wildlife of India has not been studied. Only a few assists will help the spacecraft tighten its orbit reports are available regarding the detection of closer and closer to the Sun over the course of CDV in captive wild carnivores which included tigers and red pandas. A report in 2016 from Etawah, the mission. Uttar Pradesh about CDV infection was confirmed Throughout its mission, the probe will make six by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute. There more Venus gravity assist and 24 total passes dogs were considered to be the primary source by the Sun. This manoeuvre will change Parker of infection and virus transmission. Solar Probe’s trajectory to take the spacecraft Gir forest: Gir is the only natural habitat of world closer to the Sun. popular Asiatic Lions. Besides Africa, Gir National NASA’s historic Parker Solar Probe mission will Park in Gujarat is the only place in the world where revolutionize our understanding of the sun, where lions can be spotted roaming freely in the wild. In changing conditions can propagate out into the order to conserve the Asiatic Lion, the solar system, affecting Earth and other worlds. Government notified the large geographical extent The primary science goals for the Parker Solar of Sasan Gir as wildlife sanctuary on in 1965. Probe mission are to trace how energy and heat From a population of approximately 20 lions in move through the solar corona and to explore 1913, they have risen to a comfortable 523 what accelerates the solar wind as well as solar according to 2015 census. energetic particles. Way forward: According to wildlife experts, every Parker Solar Probe will travel through the sun’s year, it is normal for 80-90 lions to die in Gujarat. atmosphere, closer to the surface than any But, lack of immediate actions during virus spread spacecraft before it, facing brutal heat and can soon turn epidemic. As virus is airborne, ICMR radiation conditions and ultimately providing has recommended animals to be placed in 2-3 humanity with the closest-ever observations of a different sanctuaries. ICMR has also star. In order to unlock the mysteries of the sun’s recommended that the remaining lions be atmosphere, Parker Solar Probe will use Venus’ vaccinated to prevent further out breaks. But, this gravity during seven flybys over nearly seven goes against recommendations by wildlife years to gradually bring its orbit closer to the sun. biologists that wild animals shouldn’t be vaccinated. The spacecraft will fl y through the sun’s

56 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder atmosphere as close as 3.9 million miles to our To predict extreme air pollution events and to give star’s surface, well within the orbit of Mercury and warnings to take necessary steps as per Graded more than seven times closer than any spacecraft Response Action Plan (GRAP). The air pollution has come before. system has been developed jointly by the scientists Parker Solar Probe has three detailed at Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), science objectives: Trace the flow of energy Pune, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and National Centre for Medium Range Weather that heats and accelerates the solar corona and Forecasting (NCMRWF). solar wind. Determine the structure and dynamics of the plasma and magnetic fields at the sources The Air Quality Early Warning System consists of of the solar wind. Explore mechanisms that two components: accelerate and transport energetic particles. (i) Warning System (ii) Prediction system Significance: The Sun is the only star we can Prediction System: The prediction systems have study up close. By studying this star we live with, been developed by scientists of MoES institutions we learn more about stars throughout the with the technical support from the National universe. The Sun is a source of light and heat Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), USA for life on Earth. The more we know about it, the and the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). The more we can understand how life on Earth prediction part of the system consists of two developed. The Sun also affects Earth in less modeling framework: familiar ways. It is the source of the solar wind; a One is based on NCAR atmospheric chemistry flow of ionized gases from the Sun that streams transport model. The second one is based on past Earth at speeds of more than 500 km per Finnish Meteorological Institute model. The second (a million miles per hour). modeling framework typically consists of a high Disturbances in the solar wind shake Earth’s resolution weather prediction model with an magnetic field and pump energy into the radiation atmospheric chemistry transport model. belts, part of a set of changes in near-Earth space Both the models have data assimilation facility, known as space weather. Space weather can which can assimilate data from satellites on dust change the orbits of satellites, shorten their aerosols, particulate matter from stubble burning lifetimes, or interfere with onboard electronics. and other air pollutants like SO2 and NO2. The The more we learn about what causes space models will take into account the background weather – and how to predict it – the more we aerosols and pollutants, long range transport of can protect the satellites we depend on. dust from dust storms and particulate matter from The solar wind also fills up much of the solar stubble burning. The predictions will be now system, dominating the space environment far available for 72 hours. A new website was past Earth. As we send spacecraft and launched to archive the all observations and astronauts further and further from home, we predictions of the must understand this space environment just as Warning System: A real time observations of air early seafarers needed to understand the ocean. quality over Delhi region and details about natural aerosols like dust (from dust storms) and Air quality early warning system particulate matter using different satellite data sets Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has launched Predictions of air pollutants from two different air Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi which quality prediction systems based on state of the- is designed:

57 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder art atmospheric chemistry transport models and Litchi production was initially introduced in Bengal, Warning Messages and Alerts and Bulletins. which gradually spread to other parts of country, Website: A new website developed for archiving including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. all the observational and prediction products has India is the second largest producer of litchi in been launched along with warning and prediction the world and Bihar is the leading state for litchi system. The website will be accessed by the production in the country. State produces 40% of officials of Environmental Pollution Authority (EPA) the litchis grown in India on 38% of the area. and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Production is mostly organic. for taking necessary steps depending upon the GI Tag: A Geographical Indication (GI) is primarily requirements. an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product Significance: The early warning system will help (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from in proactively forewarning, 3-4 days in advance, any a definite geographical territory. large scale air pollution events which may occur It allows a state or a geographical region to lay an over the Delhi region. The prediction and warning exclusive claim over a product, gives an system will help the authorities to better prepare for assurance of quality, and is often used as a mitigating the adverse effects of the pollution. reason to increase product rates. It is granted by The system will complement other efforts of the the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. After initial government such as in-situ management of crop formalities, details of the product seeking GI tag residue in reducing pollution in the national capital. are published in the Geographical Indications The system will become a benchmark to be Journal and are made available in the public replicated for the pollution bulletin and mitigation domain. If no objections are raised within 3 mechanism for other cities of Delhi. months, the product is cleared for GI registration. Famous Shahi litchi of North Once a product or good gets the tag, no other Bihar gets GI Tag person or company can sell a similar item under that name. The tag is valid for a period of 10 years Bihar’s Shahi litchi has received the Geographical and can be renewed after that. In India, the Indication (GI) tag making it an exclusive brand in Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion the national and international market. The GI (DIPP) is actively involved in promotion and registration for Shahi lichi was done in the name marketing of GIs with a vision to enhance the of Litchi Growers Association of Bihar, which had horizon both socially and economically for GI also applied for the tag. The fruit is the fourth producers. product from the state, after Jardalu mango, Katarni rice and Magahi paan, to receive the status. GI tag application, registration and verification are It was granted tag based on geography and done under Geographical Indications of Goods tradition that involves some unique means of (Registration &Protection) Act, 1999 and the production. The shahi variety of litchi grown in Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration Muzaffarpur has high pulp and is juicier compared and Protection) Rules 2002. GI is in compliance to the litchi grown in other parts of the country. with World Trade Organisation (WTO) norms. Humid condition and alluvial soil having fairly good Facts: The fi rst product to get GI tag in India amount of calcium content in Muzaffarpur, was the Darjeeling tea in 2004. There are a total Darbhanga, and nearby areas, proved ideal for of 325 products from India that carry GI tag which litchi cultivation in Bihar. includes Mahabaleshwar Strawberry, Blue Pottery of Jaipur, Banarasi Sarees, Tirupati Laddus

58 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder among others. Some of the recently added Northeast India, account for over 40% of all forest products include Alphonso mango from Ratnagiri, fi res detected between 2003 and 2016. Maharashtra, antewada’s Kadaknath chicken, Central India has the largest area affected by Banganapalle mangoes of Andhra Pradesh and forest fire. It accounts for about 48% of total fire- Tulapanji rice of West Bengal. affected area, while having just 12% of the Significance: In the past, absence of patent country’s forest cover in the year 2000 and 7% of created problems for both farmers and its land area. commercial enterprises. Farmers faced heavy Report puts financial loss at national level due to losses as litchi from other parts of the country forest fi res every years at INR 1,100 crore. It is a were often sold as shahi litchi by middle men. worrisome finding since at least one in four people Companies like Litchika International could not in the country are dependent on forests for their produce wine from the shahi litchi even after livelihood. showing interest. Significance: Repeated fires in short succession The tag is one step closer at curbing these woes, in the country are reducing diversity of species as it will reduce the fear of fake and poor quality and harming natural regeneration, while posing a litchis, and push its commercial value and risk to over 92 million who live in areas of forest demand up. Thus, farmers from Bihar are set to cover. It also contributes to climate change by benefit from protection as the fruit has a huge releasing carbon stored in trees, undergrowth and market even globally soil into the atmosphere. In this context, the Report on strengthening forest findings of the report are significant since fire Management in India preventing forest fires is crucial for India as the country has committed to bringing 33% of its Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate geographical area under forest cover by 2030, Change (MoEFCC), in collaboration with the as part of NDCs. The report calls for a national World Bank has released a joint report on forest plan for the prevention of forest fire. fire management titled “Strengthening Forest Fire India’s Nationally Determined Contributions Management in India.” (INDCs): To put forward and further propagate a About: The report discusses policies on forest healthy and sustainable way of living based on fire prevention and management (FFPM) at the traditions and values of conservation and national, state and local levels, underscoring the moderation. need for a comprehensive national policy and To adopt a climate-friendly and a cleaner path than guidelines. the one followed hitherto by others at It provides recommendations on five broad corresponding level of economic development. themes – policy, institutions and capacity, To reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by community engagement, technology, and data 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 level. and information and looks at national and To achieve about 40 per cent cumulative electric international best practices in FFPM. power installed capacity from non fossil fuel based According to the report, forest fi res are today a energy resources by 2030, with the help of leading cause of forest degradation in India. 60% transfer of technology and low cost international districts in India are affected by forest fires each finance, including from Green Climate Fund. year. Just 20 districts, majority of them located in

59 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 (PESO). Green crackers are expected to bring a billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional 30- 35% reduction in particulate matter and a forest and tree cover by 2030. To better adapt significant decline in hazardous nitrous oxide and to climate change by enhancing investments sulphur dioxide as these would release water in development programmes in sectors vapour and air which would suppress dust as well vulnerable to climate change, particularly as dilute the gases emitted. Researchers are also agriculture, water resources, Himalayan region, trying to contain the sound levels to less than 120 coastal regions, health and disaster decibels. management. Background: The idea of green firecrackers is To mobilize domestic and new and additional carried forward by a network of CSIR labs after it funds from developed countries to implement was proposed by Union Science & Technology the above mitigation and adaptation actions in Minister. The idea was to assess if we can replace view of the resource required and the resource or reduce dangerous components with materials gap. To build capacities, create domestic that are less harmful. The CSIR-CECRI has framework and international architecture for developed flower pots by using eco-friendly quick diffusion of cutting edge climate materials that can potentially reduce particulate technology in India and for joint collaborative matter by 40%. Scientists have given these R&D for such future technologies. crackers alternative names: Safe Water Releaser Green Crackers (SWAS), Safe Thermite Cracker (STAR) and Safe Minimal Aluminium (SAFAL). The apex court Recently while restricting the use of fire works order will definitely impact sales of conventional during all events to an 8-10 pm window, the crackers, but is difficult to quantify losses as the Supreme Court ordered that only crackers with industry operates mostly unorganized. reduced emission and “green crackers” can be Green crackers are relatively new methods and manufactured and sold. The court observed that there aren’t enough studies to show how it can efforts have gone into producing such crackers. impact health and environment. Many experts The Supreme Court, in its verdict allowed bursting believe that crackers of any kind, be it green or of green crackers, understood to below on harmful the usual ones only add to the pollution. But it is chemical emissions. Scientists associated with an attempt to make our religious beliefs and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research lifestyle more sustainable. Not only green, but (CSIR) are ready with functional prototypes of a another concept towards a cleaner environment range of crackers and fireworks that promise up is being tested,called E- crackers. E-crackers or to 40% less emission. electric crackers are being tested by at the CSIR- Green crackers: A low-polluting firecracker CEERI in Pilani, Rajasthan. within the permitted decibel and emission norms is a green cracker Green crackers are so named because they do not contain harmful chemicals that would cause air pollution. Components in firecrackers are replaced with others that are less dangerous and less harmful to the atmosphere. Broadly, it avoids the use of ash or filler materials and use charcoal as per specifications by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation

60 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder PERSONS Interpol Chief Resigns special law to deal with pollution and encroachment on the Ganga, and maintaining the The International Criminal Police Organization (or environmental flow of the river to prevent pollution Interpol) received the resignation from its Chinese president Meng Hongwei. Prior to this, Mr. M.S. Swaminathan Hongwei was missing for more than a week. FIRST World Agriculture Prize for Swaminathan. The new president will be elected for the Renowned agricultural scientist and the chief remaining two years of the president’s term at architect of the green revolution in India, M S the General Assembly Session, to be held in Dubai Swaminathan, was awarded the first World in November. Meanwhile, Interpol confirmed that Agriculture Prize for his contributions to Indian as per the agency’s constitution and internal agriculture . The prize, instituted by the private regulations, the Senior Vice-President of Interpol’s think tank Indian Council for Food and Agriculture Executive Committee, Kim Jong Yang of South (ICFA), includes a $100,000 cash award. Korea, will be the acting president. Receiving the prize, Swaminathan said: “There As per the report Mr. Meng had been held in the is no agriculture without farmers. It is the basic country and was being probed for his alleged need of people and it cannot be commercialised”. involvement in unspecified criminal activities. Paul G. Allen Paul G. Allen, the cofounder of Clara Sosa won the Miss Grand Microsoft who helped usher in the personal International 2018 Title computing revolution and then channeled his enormous fortune into transforming Seattle into Miss Paraguay Clara Sosa has won the Miss a cultural destination, died Monday in Seattle. He Grand International 2018 title at the sixth edition left Microsoft in the early 1980s, after the cancer of the beauty pageant held in Yangon, Myanmar. first appeared, and, using his enormous wealth, Miss Sosa succeeds Miss Grand International went on to make a powerful impact on Seattle life 2017 Maria Jose Lora of Peru. through his philanthropy and his ownership of an India’s fbb Colors Femina Miss Grand India 2018 NFL team there, ensuring that it would remain in Meenakshi Chaudhary has been named the First the city. Runner Up and Miss Grand Indonesia Nadia Gita Gopinath appointed as Chief Purwoko has named as the Second Runner Up. Economist of IMF Ganga Activist GD Agarwal Dies Currently working as John Zwaanstra Professor After 111 Day Fast of International Studies and Economics at Harvard ‘Save Ganga’ crusader G.D. Agarwal dead. He University, Gita Gopinath has been appointed as was on a fast to save the river; died of heart attack the chief economist of International Monetary Fund. Besides, she is co-editor of the American Formerly a professor in the civil engineering Economic Review and co-director of the department at IIT-Kanpur who had adopted the International Finance and Macroeconomics name Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand, the Program at the National Bureau of Economic environmentalist was vocal on disallowing Research (NBER) hydroelectric projects in Uttarakhand along the Ganga. Agarwal’s key demands included a 61 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder SPORTS

India’s young guns break stadium will be set up for the differently-abled people in Meghalaya. barriers at 2018 Youth Olympic The minister announced the bout the initiative at India returned with their best ever medal haul at the aids and assistive devices distribution camp the Youth Olympic 2018 winning 3 gold, 9 silver for differently-abled people. and 1 Bronze Buenos Aires The minister also announced that the central Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga became the first government will also set up a Composite Regional Indian to win Gold at youth Olympic. Centre in the Meghalaya. The cost of the construct Shooters Saurabh Chaudhary and Manu Bhaker of the stadium is estimated to be Rs 200 crore. were India’s other 2 gold medalist Key points What is the Youth Olympic Games?  The ministry aims to build a similar national Youth Olympic Games is an elite sporting event sports stadium for differently-abled sports- based on the Olympic Games. As the name persons in five different states across the suggests, it is for young people and aims to develop country. athletes and the community through the Olympic  The step was initiated after the state Chief values, promoting sports as an educational tool. Minister Conrad Sangma approached Gehlot  It takes place every four years and this year with the idea and also assured of providing around it is happening in Argentinean capital with a land of 50 acres for the stadium. Buenos Aires  The stadium is expected to be completed  The opening ceremony held on October 6 and prior to the National Games 2022. Although the event will finish by October 18 the Detail Project report is not yet prepared. They will be prepared soon said the minister.  241 events are happening in 32 sports · Once space is available, the Social Justice  3,997 athletes are competing in the games Ministry will be setting up a composite regional  206 nations are participating centre in Meghalaya.

India’s medal tally at Youth Olympics Games Other major initiatives for differently-abled sportspersons by government 2018: India is represented by 46 athletes at the third Youth Olympic Games across 13 disciplines.  A number of physical rehabilitation has been built across the country with the provision of Government to set up National medical treatment, counseling, aid and Sports Stadium for differently- appliances. abled in Meghalaya  Rehabilitation has been set up by the government on educating vocational and on- Thaawarchand Gehlot, the Union Minister of hand training. Social Justice and Empowerment announced on October 25, 2018, that an international standard

62 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder  Economic rehabilitation has been planned to World Wrestling Championships be provided to the concerned people to – 2018 endure a secured and dignified social life. The 2018 World Wrestling Championships were India Record Best-Ever Showing fifteenth edition of World Wrestling Champion- With 72 Medals ships of combined events and were held from October 20 to 28 in Budapest, Hungary. India recorded its best-ever showing in the Asian Para Games by bagging 72 medals, including 15 In the 2018 event, Japan won the most medals gold, with the shuttlers adding two gold and three with 5 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze. Russia comes bronze medals on the concluding day of the second with 8 medals. competitions in Jakarta today. India is at the 17th place with 2 medals – 1 silver All of India’s five medals today came from and 1 bronze. Bajrang Punia bagged the silver badminton. medal. Pooja Dhanda won Bronze medal and became fourth Indian woman to win a medal at In men’s singles SL3 class badminton, Pramod the World Wrestling Championship. Bhagat defeated Ukun Rukaendi of Indonesia 21- 19, 15-21, 21-14 to clinch the gold medal. Bajrang Punia (65 kg) 4-1 Tarun added another gold for India by beating Finished 2nd out of 31(Silver Medalist) Yuyang Gao of China 21-16, 21-6, in the men’s The only loss for Punia came in the final of the 65 singles SL4 class. kg category. He became the only Indian wrestler The bronze winning shuttlers are Manoj Sarkar to win two medals at World Championships as in men’s singles SL3, men’s doubles SL3-SL4 he finished with a silver medal. He was one of pairs of Manoj Sarkar and Pramod Bhagat and the three medallists at the same venue in 2013 Ananda Kumar Gowda and Nitesh Kumar. having won a bronze. He showed control throughout the tournament but was outdone by Para-athletics gave India half of the medals 36 Takuto Otoguro of Japan in the final. He finished with seven gold, 13 silver and 16 bronze. second in a field of 31 wrestlers. Badminton and chess contributed nine medals each while para-swimming gave eight medals. Pooja Dhanda (57 kg) 2-2 With 15 gold, 24 silver and 33 bronze medals, Finished 3rd out of 25 (Bronze Medalist) India is placed ninth in the overall tally. The only medallist for India in the women’s China finished on top with 172 gold, 88 silver and freestyle wrestling was Dhanda. She took home 59 bronze for a whopping total of 319 medals. a bronze medal in Budapest, a place where she South Korea with 53 gold, 45 silver and 47 bronze had made her debut at the senior level in 2013. and Iran with 51 gold, 42 silver and 43 bronze are She fought through a tough draw and lost to second and third respectively. eventual champion Rong Ningning of China before returning in the repechage to win a medal, This was India’s best ever performance, bettering India’s fourth ever in women’s wrestling at the tally of 33 medals - 3 gold, 14 silver, 16 bronze Worlds. in the last edition in 2014

63 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder IMPORTANT ARTICLES Power politics at play Proposed changes in the Electricity Act could leave the poor behind. A few months before the next general election, the Central government has proposed a set of changes to the Electricity Act 2003. The amendments seek to enable a market transformation in electricity. The link between political power and electrical power is widely known; promises around electricity access, price and quality are important political currency. However, the expenditure of scarce political capital on this issue is puzzling. The amendments will be hard to get through Parliament (an earlier 2014 effort failed) and voters will not see an immediate impact. What is the political rationality of this effort? Who are the winners or losers from these amendments? Competition and choice Bringing in competition and choice in supply for the final consumer has long been an aim of electricity reform and remains central to these amendments. The idea is that while a single public utility will run the wires through which electricity flows, multiple supply licensees (both public and private) will be allowed to compete for consumers. The intent is that the discipline of competing for customers will lead to improved supply and lower bills. However, the global track record on this approach is far from definitive. While an earlier 2014 reform effort proposed mandatory and time-bound implementation of these reforms, and therefore was resisted by States, the current amendment allows them discretion on the timing of implementation. The combination of time discretion and the improved presence of the ruling coalition in State governments may facilitate passage this time around. If it does, India could have an electricity distribution sector with pockets of competition for wealthy consumers in a sea of monopoly inhabited by the poorest. Private suppliers could cherry-pick profitable locations and consumers; the state-owned incumbent supplier will be left with the obligation to serve low-paying consumers. This need not be bad, if there were a mechanism to support the second group. This currently happens through ‘cross-subsidy’ from wealthier customers, but this is also being changed under the amendments. This leaves only the possibility of direct support from States. If these transfers are not forthcoming, or late, the cash-starved incumbent supplier will be locked into a cycle of poor quality of service for its customers who have no ‘exit’ option, leading to more bill evasion, and further financial deterioration. The amendment (along with changes in the National Tariff Policy) aims to get the price right a long- standing aspiration by capping cross-subsidies at 20% immediately, and eliminating them within three years. The cross-subsidy surcharge on open access customers the fee that holds back customers from leaving the grid would be eliminated within two years. There is a compelling rationale for these changes India has among the highest electricity tariffs for industry, which bears the burden of low-performance and losses among other consumers, impacting their global competitiveness. However, this shift could be highly disruptive if the profit-making side is allowed to flee, without devising a transition pathway for the loss-making side of electricity.

64 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Perhaps because of these political sensitivities, the proposed approach to eliminating cross-subsidies is complicated. Subsidies will not be allowed across consumer categories like industry and agriculture, but will be allowed across consumption categories big consumers can subsidise small ones. Big industrial consumers will see no effective change, although small business consumers will escape payment of subsidy. The more significant change is abolition of the cross-subsidy surcharge, which will open the flood gates for large consumers to migrate through ‘open access’ to cheaper sources and avoid paying any subsidy. In short, cross-subsidy will become load-based subsidy, but the load available to pay that subsidy will be allowed to escape. Where is support for poorer customers to come from? The amendment recognises the need to subsidise the poor, but mandates this be done through direct benefit transfers. However, identifying and targeting beneficiaries remains a challenge. Moreover, with these changes, the mechanism of support for poorer customers will shift from the electricity customer to the taxpayer. Cross-subsidies are certainly distorting. But the solution requires the electricity sector to assert its claims for support in competition with several other possible uses of state funds, introducing political uncertainty. The proposed legislation makes subsidy to the poor the collective responsibility of the States and the Centre, which has so far been only the responsibility of each State. Notably, the Centre may have access to enhanced tax revenues from electricity because it stands to gain from additional tax revenue from profitable new wires companies and private suppliers. Thus, the Centre could become a new fulcrum of redistribution from wealthy areas in wealthy States, to needy customers that are concentrated in a few States. While this may be a pragmatic fiscal strategy allowing redistribution across States, it also has undeniable political implications. It provides greater control to the Centre and limits the States’ and regional political parties’ capability to make electoral use of electricity pricing. The politics of power prices will shift from sub-national to national electoral politics. In an electoral context where the battle lines may be drawn between the ruling coalition and strong regional parties, this is worth noting. Moreover, the amendments have other centralising dimensions. The amendment proposes a re- formulation of the selection committee for State regulators, from a majority of State representatives to a majority of Central representatives. The Centre will also gain more oversight on capacity addition, through the requirement of detailed project report submission to the Central Electricity Authority. There is no doubt that State performance has been poor on both fronts. But the amendments reflect a clear choice of solution: re-direct responsibility to the Centre instead of fixing the process in the States. Pump priming generation Many generating companies have been in the news recently due to decreasing demand for their power and consequently their stranded assets. The amendments potentially provide comfort to them at the expense of distribution companies. Specifically, they mandate that suppliers sign power purchase agreements (PPAs) to meet the annual average demand, ostensibly to ensure 24x7 power for all, which will be subject to review and compliance measures.

65 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder The challenge of low demand for existing power is undoubtedly an issue. However, the logic of this move is curious; disincentives to serve poor customers rather than availability of power is the real obstacle to 24x7 power. The gain to generators could come at the cost of customers, who, through the PPAs signed by supply companies, have to ultimately bear the risk of uncertain load growth, prices and migration. The amendments include many other provisions, notably around making the Act more up to date with regard to renewable energy, which is a worthy objective. In terms of the big questions, it places its bets on more competition, subsidy reform, a steering role for the Centre and throwing a lifeline to generators. There is no doubt the status quo is unsatisfactory; India’s electricity sector remains beset with problems. Yet, the amendments leave quite unclear what happens to those left behind by distribution reforms and by efforts to help out generators. Disruptive change in Indian electricity may be needed, even inevitable. But the amendments risk placing the cost of disruption on the backs of the poorest, and shifts the potential for ameliorative measures to the hands of the Centre, rather than the States. The diaspora and disasters Between August 8 and 20, the devastating floods in Kerala claimed nearly 500 lives, displaced over a million people, and directly affected over a sixth of the State’s total population. The State government’s latest report estimates the losses to be more than the State’s annual plan. In the fiscal 2017-18, Kerala’s annual plan outlay was pegged at 26,500 crore. Moreover, according to the just concluded Kerala Migration Survey (KMS) 2018 conducted by the Centre for Development Studies in Kerala while remittances received in Kerala accounted for approximately ¹ 85,000 crore, much was used for housing and improving human development. This was the worst flood in Kerala since 1924. In the deluge then, the State received 650 mm of rain compared to 2,344 mm this time. However, the impact was similar. The difficult task of rebuilding the State has begun and contributions to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) have crossed more than ¹ 1,680 crore. The Chief Minister is confident that the State would be able to overcome the shortage of funds by mobilising its own resources and through support from different quarters. For Kerala, the most important support system is the Malayali diaspora across the world. Migrant data According to the KMS 2018, there are over 2.1 million Malayali emigrants globally and 1.3 million return migrants. The Department of Non-Resident Keralite Affairs, headed by the Chief Minister of Kerala, looks after the welfare of the 3.4 million migrants globally, in addition to the nearly 2 million internal migrants within India. These are Keralites who have direct connections to their households fathers, mothers, spouses, and, in some cases, elderly children. Of course, there are also Malayalis who have moved from Kerala permanently with their family and live within the country or abroad (non-residents from Kerala). They number around 2-3 million (over the last 60 years since the formation of the State in 1956). The advantage Kerala has at this point is to engage with its migrants and diaspora who have been instrumental in rebuilding the destination economies after natural calamities and economic crises. The standing of the Malayali diaspora is evident from the extraordinary support Kerala has received

66 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder from other sovereign states with large diaspora populations such as in West Asia, multinational corporations employing Malayalis, and by the diaspora itself. With the depreciation of the Indian rupee, the State can relaunch foreign currency deposit schemes such as the hugely successful India Millennium Deposit Scheme which was introduced in 2000 by the Centre to leverage higher values of foreign currencies so as to overcome financial and economic crises. Pivotal role: Unfortunately, ‘not much attention has been paid to the role of diaspora groups in post-disaster situations. Yet, in a globalised world, the international dimensions of disaster response and recovery, and the significant policy role played by the diaspora can be critical’. For example, after the earthquake in 2010 in Haiti, ‘the Haitian diaspora in the U.S. served as a conduit for doctors, nurses, engineers, educators, advisers and reconstruction planners. Haitian-Americans continue to be vital in long-term recovery as supplies, remittances, sharing human and financial resources, lobbying governments, international organisations and corporations for disaster relief and redevelopment funding, and in facilitating eased travel restrictions’. In Nepal, after the 2015 earthquake, the Non-Resident Nepali Association collected $2.69 million, mobilised over 300 volunteers including doctors and nurses, and pledged to rebuild 1,000 disaster resilient houses. In the tsunami in South Asia (2004) and the Pakistan earthquake (2005), diaspora and migrant remittances flowed generously, demonstrating the counter cyclical nature of remittances. In Kerala, the migrant community and diaspora moved swiftly to organise an Internet-driven response. By sharing and re-sharing vital information on affected regions and people, supplies, and precautionary measures (on social media platforms), they were instrumental in expanding the flow of information that would later be used by politicians, private and military rescue operations, and relief workers. Successful diaspora groups are among the largest contributors to the CMDRF. They will be invaluable in mobilising resources, talent, and knowledge which will be integral in rebuilding the State. For example, a Kerala Health Department report has made it clear that there will be a 100% increase in the demand for pharmaceutical drugs. These can be sourced quickest through transnational diaspora networks. As the diaspora is one of the greatest assets of Kerala, communities should improve relations with diaspora groups. Return migrants should also act as liaison agents. Diaspora communities will also inevitably shape political and economic responses to a disaster. The linking of social capital between diaspora, civil society organisations, advocacy groups and government institutions, although necessary during rehabilitation, is bound to lead to unanticipated and undesirable outcomes. At least temporarily, the State may witness higher rates of emigration among the common people as they try to mitigate losses caused by the floods. For example, the KMS shows that migrants use over 40% of their remittances in purchasing land, construction and repayment of mortgage debt. Finally, we need to investigate the relationship between rehabilitation and migration further. More questions Kerala has close to 3 million migrants from other States to replace Keralites who left to West Asia (also known as replacement migration). Have they been affected by the floods? Are they likely to participate in the reconstruction of the economy of Kerala or leave for their home States for better opportunities? The preliminary results of the KMS indicate a decline in emigration. Finally, we should ask ourselves what the future of emigration, return emigration, internal migration and remittances from Kerala will be in the coming years.

67 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder From Plate to Plough: Sardar’s unfinished task On October 31, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil the world’s tallest statue, the “Statue of Unity,” in the memory of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. One may recall that when Modi started his campaign for the 2014 general elections, he appealed to farmers to donate their used farm implements for the construction of this statue that would remind the country about the role played by Sardar Patel in not only unifying a divided country but also his devotion to the cause of farmers. Some Opposition leaders have criticised the project on the ground that the statue uses imported Chinese bronze, and not iron from farmers’ used instruments. We do not touch upon that controversy, but want to focus on Patel’s message on agriculture. If the Modi government heeds that message, it will be offering a real tribute to the Sardar. It would be interesting to recollect Patel’s contribution to Indian dairy farmers. In 1942, safety concerns drove the colonial government to tap a private dairy, Polson, in order to procure milk from Kaira district in Gujarat and supply it to Bombay, some 350 km away, where the Britishers were stationed. This marked the beginning of the government’s Bombay Milk Scheme (BMS) and the creation of a market for Kaira’s milk producers. But this established Polson’s monopoly over the Bombay market, as a seller. Polson also became a monopsony, as a buyer from Kaira farmers. As a monopolist and monopsonist, the company extracted large rents by squeezing the prices it offered the farmers, who approached Sardar Patel for help. Patel urged them to organise cooperatives and cut supplies to Polson. He asked his deputy, Morarji Desai, who, in turn, asked Tribhuvandas Patel, to carry the struggle forward. In 1945, agitated farmers held a 15-day strike against BMS. They spilled milk on the streets, instead of supplying it to Polson. This broke Polson’s monopsony. The Bombay market was opened for direct supply of milk from Kaira farmers. This access to a lucrative market incentivised farmers, and they formed the first farmers’ integrated dairy cooperative the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union, which was registered in 1946. Verghese Kurien, the father of the White Revolution, joined the cooperative as a general manager and set up the first processing plant at Anand to convert excess buffalo milk into milk powder and cheese a technological wonder at that time On Patel’s birth anniversary in 1964, the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri was invited to inaugurate Gujarat’s first cattle-feed compounding factory. He reached Anand a day before the event and spent the night among villagers. Impressed by the district’s transformation, he urged Kurien to spread the message of Kaira’s business model across India. As a result, the architecture of “Operation Flood” was laid down, and a new institution, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), was formed on July 16, 1965, with Kurien as its chairman. Kurien spearheaded the operation by compressing the value chain and scaling-up vertical coordination between farmers, processors and consumers through cooperatives. He mobilised funds through sale proceeds of skimmed milk powder and butter donated by the European Economic Commission, loans from the World Bank, and subsidies from the government and invested them in strengthening the dairy value chain. As a result, cooperatives, especially in Gujarat, managed to ensure the highest share of the consumer’s rupee (75-80 per cent) to the farmers.

68 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Operation Flood (1970-96) has had a significant impact on milk production. It rose from 20 MMT in 1970-71 to 31.6 MMT in 1980-81 to 44 MMT in 1985-86 and 69.1 MMT in 1995-96 — a jump of nearly 50 MMT in 25 years (see figure). As Kurien would often say, organising farmers was an easy task, but accessing lucrative markets was a challenge. As production expanded, Kaira farmers tapped markets as far as Calcutta. The milk travelled 2,000 km by rail on specially-designed tankers. But despite the success of Operation Flood, less than 10 per cent of the total milk production was being processed through cooperatives. The success of milk cooperative remained largely confined to Gujarat, despite the preference given to cooperatives in allocating licences for dairy processing plants. It was only in 2002 that the dairy sector was fully de-licenced by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. This created competition and the processing capacity created by the private sector outstripped the cooperative’s capacity. However, the organised cooperatives and private sector are still processing less than a quarter of milk production in India. India is now the world’s largest milk producer 176.4 MMT in 2017-18, leaving the US (98 MMT) and China (45 MMT) far behind. However, food safety concerns with regard to milk remain. Today, the farmers have to suffer low prices of farm produce, ranging from milk to pulses and oilseeds and cotton. The Modi government has announced minimum support prices (MSPs) based on a formula that gives at least 50 per cent margin over Cost A2+FL. But unfortunately, market prices remain 10 to 50 per cent below these MSPs. The real tribute to Patel would be to carry out large-scale structural reforms in agri-markets that can ensure a higher percentage of the consumer’s rupee going to farmers, be it through cooperatives, or any other marketing channel. If the Modi government can effect this reform, it would have paid a real tribute to Sardar Patel from the farmers’ standpoint. The Allahabad in Prayagraj The naming and renaming of places is not new in India. The British, for example, renamed Kochi to Cochin, derived the name Calcutta from Kolkata and affirmed their power through urban planning and architecture. Recently, several cities as well as streets and bazaars in the country have been renamed. Modern communication methods ensure that such changes in nomenclature have an instant impact. Such projects are deeply political. They aim to politicise community memories. But not only do such endeavours not acknowledge the ruptures they create, they also overlook the history of cultural consciousness. Cities, streets and bazaars evolve their own identities with time. In doing so, they reflect historical experiences and changes. This is why the public often resist the overt manipulation of renaming. For example, though several years have passed since Connaught Place in Delhi was renamed Rajiv Chowk, the public relates to the market by its colonial name. The new name is only linked to the metro station — a new public space within the larger one.

69 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Re-naming results in tangible changes, but several intangible aspects of places continue to be associated with the lived reality of communities. For example, Varanasi may today be the official name of the historical city, but culturally, its idea will always be “Banarasi”. The local carefree, bold and energetic lifestyle of the city’s people is still called Banarasi bindaas and the old name is still the identifier of the sarees produced in Banaras as well as the paan and the Langda mango. The recent renaming of Allahabad as Prayagraj ignores the existence of a Prayag railway station in Allahabad district. Enormous resources and paperwork is required to establish the new political/ official identity of not only the city but of the entire district. The renaming could create confusion. It overlooks memories of the city’s cultural identity that is linked to poets like Akbar Allahabadi, artists like Jankibai “Chhappan chhurivali” and even guavas (Allahabadi amrood). Allahabadis pride themselves on producing writers like Firaq Gorakhpuri, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Nirala, Dharamvir Bharati in much the same way as Banarasis are proud of Premchand, Bhartendu Harishchandra, Kishan Maharaj and Bismillah Khan. Often places in cities are named after such people, and the nomenclature, anchors the cultural histories of urban centres. The distinct identity of institutions very often go against re-naming projects. The Banaras Hindu University is one such example. In the case of Allahabad, questions will be raised about the names of institutions like the Allahabad University or the Allahabad Bank, with which millions identify. Re-naming Bombay as Mumbai, after Mumba Devi, by the Shiv Sena government in 1995 along with renaming the Santa Cruz Airport as Chatrapati Shivaji Airport was not merely about shedding associations with the colonial past. The renaming also marked an assertion of Maratha identity. The American political scientist, Myron Weiner’s work, Sons of the Soil, Migration and Ethnic Conflict in India, is useful to understand the politics of renaming. New names are cultural tools to overcome the fears of economic subordination by adventurous immigrants. The changes create fissures in local and regional political arenas and make them rife for conflict. Renaming cities results in economic and logistical upheaval. A large amount of the tax payer’s money is spent on changing signboards on public properties such as railways, metros, buses and street signs, not to mention the time and energy invested in bureaucratic, administrative and legal procedures. Maps have to keep pace with the frequent renaming. Mayawati changed a number of names of cities, locations, public spaces and streets to assert Dalit identity when she was the UP chief minister. Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi government reversed many of her decisions. One can imagine the amount of resources that were spent on both the projects. Satellite cartographic networks often fail to keep up with the frequency of changed ground realities and people and transporters waste time to reach their destinations. Several instances of renaming are simply preposterous. For example, there is a proposal to rename Shimla, that receives a lot of snow, as Shyamala or the dark one. Or renaming Humayun Nagar as Hanuman Nagar. In the absence of a comprehensive cultural policy, the politics of renaming is inimical to urban community consciousness. Those in power may want to escape their responsibility by saying that they are merely following the footsteps of preceding governments. However, the point is that they were voted to invest in development and not to continue fragmentation and create more ruptures.

70 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder The voice that is great within us Ananya Vajpeyi The crises in Indian democracy and in global politics send one immediately to consult Gandhi. Truth, Satya, was the central axis of the Gandhian system of thought and practice. For Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, everything turned on Truth satyagraha, swaraj, ahimsa, ashram, brahmacharya, yajna, charkha, khadi, and finally, moksha itself. In a fine introduction to a new critical edition of the Mahatma’s An Autobiography or The Story of My Experiments with Truth, Tridip Suhrud, closest to Gandhi among all contemporary scholars, lays out the intricate web of ideas arranged around the axial principle of Truth: “Truth is not merely that which we are expected to speak and follow. It is that which alone is, it is that of which all things are made, it is that which subsists by its own power, which alone is eternal.” In a recent interview, Mr. Suhrud points out that Indians today continue to have “the need that he should always be available to us. When there is a crisis in our collective life, we expect Gandhi to provide an answer.” Both of Mr. Suhrud’s insights — that Truth is the key to Gandhi’s philosophy, and that we rely on Gandhi even decades after his death and long after his supposed lapse into political irrelevance are essentially correct. I started making a note of the crises in Indian democracy and in global politics that sent one immediately to consult Gandhi. Truth alone triumphs? The ongoing controversy in the United States about the proposed appointment of Federal Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court as the nominee of the Republican Party, even as he stands accused of sexually assaulting Christine Blasey Ford, in 1982, when they were both teenagers, hinges exactly on the truth of her testimony versus his defence. Only one can be true. As became clear in the Senate hearings on September 27, the palpable veracity of Professor Ford’s account over Judge Kavanaugh’s denial would likely still not change the Republican Party’s nomination of him (the outcome of the proceedings, including an FBI investigation, is pending as this article goes to press). Effectively, the U.S. appears on the verge of replacing Truth with perjury as an acceptable value, even in the apex court of the criminal-justice system, shaking the very bedrock of American constitutionalism. When Truth is rendered negotiable and dispensable, the balance of justice — in this case, between genders and between political parties — is disastrously upset. The scales tip wildly without any kind of mechanism to orient men and women or Democrats and Republicans back into an equitable relationship with one another within a shared political context that ought to be egalitarian and fair. Like other democratic institutions in the Donald Trump presidency, the U.S. Supreme Court seems poised on the verge of destruction. Arguably Americans, too, could have recourse to Gandhi, though perhaps not in the way that we in India might. Mr. Suhrud describes how Gandhi strained to hear the “small, still voice” within himself, the voice belonging to one he called “antaryami”, “atma” or “God” an inner prompt, the self as a guide and a compass – so that he could keep moving ever closer to Truth. It was this voice that he followed, sometimes to the bafflement of others who could not hear it. This was the voice that made him undertake life-threatening fasts his health wouldn’t permit; withdraw from active politics at the most crucial junctures of India’s anti-colonial struggle; leave factual errors and narrative inconsistencies in texts he wrote after readers had pointed out obvious 71 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder mistakes; and, most difficult to understand, embark on life-long ordeals of a sexual nature, involving not just his own celibacy and asceticism, but also that of his wife Kasturba, his fellow Ashramites, and his sons and their families. Even close and loyal associates like Jawaharlal Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel were often confounded by Gandhi’s actions and decisions; more sceptical and antagonistic peers like M.A. Jinnah and B.R. Ambedkar couldn’t make sense of his motivations at all. In his monumental new history, Gandhi: The Years that Changed the World, 1914-1948, Ramachandra Guha delves deep into these knotty episodes, where the voice of the Mahatma’s interior conscience and the compulsions of nationalist politics pull in opposite directions, and no power on earth is able to steer Gandhi away from his self- charted path towards Truth. Mr. Guha calls Gandhi’s move to have his young grand-niece Manu sleep next to him, as he travelled through ravaged Hindu and Muslim settlements in Bihar and Bengal during the height of communal violence on the eve of Partition, “the strangest experiment”. No matter what the reactions of his colleagues, for Gandhi it was not strange, precisely because it was one of his ‘experiments with truth’ (in Gujarati, satya na prayogo). Home and the world Of late, many musicians in south India have faced vicious attacks from rightwing Hindutva groups for singing hymns and psalms, thereby allegedly hijacking “Hindu” Carnatic music for “Christian” evangelical aims. This despite the fact that the violin, central to the Carnatic system in modern times, is a European gift to Indian music, and both Christian and Muslim religious lyrics and poetry have been a constitutive part of the Carnatic repertoire throughout the 20th century, if not before. Gandhi made great use of the Bible in his prayers, teachings, writings and Ashram liturgies. He was often accused of being a crypto-Christian. However, he flatly refused to give preference to the Vedas over the Bible. Mr. Suhrud quotes from Vol. 31 of the Collected Works: “He is no Sanatani Hindu who is narrow, bigoted and considers evil to be good if it has the sanction of antiquity and is to be found supported in any Sanskrit book.” Outside India but not far from it, Indologist David Shulman has been reporting consistently on the brutal violence of hardline Zionist settlers as well as the Israeli army against unarmed Arab shepherds and villagers in the Jordan Valley. Mr. Guha delves into Gandhi’s difficult correspondence with philosopher Martin Buber and the intellectual J.L. Magnes in 1938-1939, just before the Kristallnacht. Gandhi advised European Jews to relocate to Palestine and make it their homeland only with the cooperation and goodwill of native Arabs, and not otherwise. This appalled even sympathetic Jews like Buber and Magnes, who had admired and supported Gandhi at the time of the Salt March in 1930, before the Nazi takeover of Germany. How could Gandhi oppose the Zionist project, with Jews being sent to death camps in Hitler’s murderous regime? But now the tables are turned, and a rightwing Israeli state under Benjamin Netanyahu seems hell-bent on exterminating the Palestinians. Gandhi’s counter-intuitive Truth informs the civil disobedience, passive resistance and non-violent protest of both Arab and Jewish activists who oppose the continuing occupation and takeover of dwindling and defenceless Palestinian territories by bellicose Israeli forces. The multilingual translator, editor and interpreter Suhrud (who works in all three of Gandhi’s languages, Gujarati, English and Hindustani, and has earlier produced a critical edition of Hind Swaraj), and the 72 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder historian and biographer Guha (who has already written two other massive books in the past decade, about Gandhi in the first phase of his life, and about postcolonial India, “after Gandhi”), have together provided ample materials this year — leading up to the 150th anniversary of Gandhi’s birth in October 1869, and the 70th anniversary of his assassination in January 1948 — that we can continue to consult Gandhi on all manner of issues that may trouble our individual or collective conscience. It might have been “small” and “still” in his own perception, but even today, Gandhi’s is the voice that is great within us. Ananya Vajpeyi is a Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, New Delhi The scope of constitutional morality Kalpana Kannabiran Abolition of untouchability in all its forms, including scavenging, remains an unrealised constitutional right. “The issue of the rights of sweepers and scavengers has never entered the mainstream legal consciousness in the country,” wrote Upendra Baxi in Law and Poverty: Critical Essays. “Nor have the Bar and the Bench, and the mushrooming legal aid and advice programmes shown any awareness of the exploitative conditions of work imposed upon the scavengers and sweepers under the employment of municipal corporations or related local bodies… [T]he exploitative conditions of work constitute governmental defiance of the law and the Constitution, which can be best summed up as a crucial component of overall governmental lawlessness in the country since Independence.” Written in 1988, Prof. Baxi’s lines remain disconcertingly relevant today. We struggle against the caricaturing of this extremely stigmatising, violently exploitative and degrading form of forced labour by a government and civil society that showcases empty rhetoric and ceremony around “cleanliness”, while decimating an entire class of citizens through callous neglect with impunity. There has been a steady rise in deaths of conservancy workers, and a steadier normalisation of the risks to life they bear on a daily basis. Why don’t sewer deaths bring the country to a grinding halt, as they should? Will a general strike of all conservancy workers across the country bring the country to its knees? Because then, it will not be a question of prime-time jingles on a clean India; the focus will shift on each of us to take the moral and physical responsibility of cleaning our own sewers and keeping ourselves free of the risk of toxic death. Flouting laws To return to Prof. Baxi’s concerns on the place of law: Article 17 of the Constitution of India states: “Untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising out of Untouchability shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.” This is a fundamental right and therefore justiciable and enforceable by courts, which shall call governments to account. In 2009, the Delhi High Court, in Naz Foundation v. NCT of Delhi, invoked Babasaheb Ambedkar’s delineation of constitutional morality in asserting the urgency of decriminalising consensual sexual relations proscribed by Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. The court cited a second provision as well: Article 15(2) which prohibits any form of horizontal discrimination drawing again from the experience of untouchability that obstructed the universal use of public places, restaurants, water sources, etc. We witnessed last month a triumphal return of constitutional morality as a guiding principle for constitutional interpretation. A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India, in Navtej

73 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Singh Johar v. Union of India, deployed this framework to reaffirm the rights of LGBTQ and all gender non-conforming people to their dignity, life, liberty, and identity. The genealogy of Ambedkar’s signposting of constitutional morality may be traced to the strength of anti-caste resistance and the abolition of untouchability. It is from this context that constitutional wisdom was applied to analogous situations of oppressions based on sexuality. It is time to call the government to account through a recursive method that takes us to the original constitutional proscription of untouchability, armed with the wisdom of the Navtej Singh Johar case. Judicial empathy The first aspect is the importance of judicial empathy. In a violently exclusionary society, the application of the Constitution to lives as lived is an extremely emotional moment. We have people from India’s most oppressed castes dying painful deaths without dignity in the sewers of the same city where the court sits. There is neither accountability nor due diligence on the part of the state. The time for the expression of judicial empathy is now. Justice Indu Malhotra’s lines in Johar are apposite: “History owes an apology to the members of this community and their families, for the delay in providing redressal for the ignominy and ostracism that they have suffered through the centuries.” Given the urgency, with people dying daily despite constitutional and statutory protections, how do we right these historical wrongs, or at least “set the course for the future”? We are all agreed that the de minimis approach is bad law rule by law rather than rule of law, as it should be, to echo Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. The fact that it is still possible for people to be sent into sewers without protection, and to be forced to perform degrading labour is enough for us to sit up and take note. Outgoing Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra set out four cardinal corners of the Constitution: Individual autonomy and liberty; equality sans discrimination; recognition of identity with dignity; right to privacy. He also underscored the centrality of fraternity to the constitutional value system. These signposts require us to contemplate and act on the meanings and expressions of “intrinsic dignity” for conservancy workers and safai karamcharis. If “self-determination and the realisation of one’s own abilities” lie at the core of personhood, how would forced, unsafe and degrading labour, and persistent untouchability figure in this new constitutional imaginary? In the case of safai karamcharis, we are today witness to the “violation of fundamental rights that strikes at the root of their existence” (Justice Misra), and there are no visible pathways to freedom in this virulent caste society. Lest we forget, untouchability is a crime under the Constitution. Principle of non-retrogression Important for citizen consideration today is the fact that the Supreme Court, in deciding on the unconstitutionality of Section 377, recognised that the four corners of the Constitution rest on a social reality steeped in prejudice, stereotypes, parochialism, bigotry, social exclusion, and segregation. If decriminalising “unnatural” sex is one of the “necessary steps on the road to democracy”, abolition of untouchability in all its forms remains an unrealised constitutional right. The lesson on the importance of intersections in constitutional reasoning today is brought home to us in this case in yet another way. There is recognition by the court that majoritarian governments/ sections work hard to keep oppressive structures in place, and that it is the duty of the court to place questions of liberty, equality, and dignity out of the reach of majoritarian impulses. The sanction for

74 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder manual scavenging lies at the heart of majoritarian mindsets and structures. It is part of an ideological framework that permeates the institutional apparatus of government. If, as Justice Misra observes, “the sustenance of fundamental rights does not require majoritarian sanction”, can we call for some constitutional-procedural deliberation on the “progressive realisation of rights” in this instance? The principle of non-retrogression in the matter of fundamental rights has now been unequivocally stated. But on our streets, we only observe it in the breach especially in the case of manual scavengers. To end with Ambedkar: “We must remove this contradiction at the earliest possible moment or else those who suffer from inequality will blow up the structure of political democracy.” Kalpana Kannabiran is Professor and Director, Council for Social Development, Hyderabad Indian democracy’s Westphalian moment Gopalkrishna Gandhi The Congress and non-NDA regional parties must forge ‘a practical accommodation to reality’. With the Election Commission having announced the schedule for elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana in November- December, the stage has been set for a ‘dress rehearsal’ of the elections to the Lok Sabha in 2019. This dress rehearsal will, in ideological terms, be a straight fight between majoritarian supremacism and democracy, between ideological hegemonism and constitutional federalism. But will it be, in electoral terms, a straight choice for the voter between the the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition’s ‘others’, united or even allied? After the ‘Karnataka moment’ in May, it seemed like this straight choice was as good as ‘done’. But today, with discordances in the non-BJP Opposition’s pre-poll voice, the situation calls for sober reflection. The voter will see in the dress rehearsal’s optics, on one side the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh- Bharatiya Janata Party’s highly uniformed, prescribed, single dress code: white and khaki. On the other side a riot of federal colours and logos from the Bahujan Samaj Party’s (BSP’s) blue, to the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Left’s red, the Congress’s tricolour, the Mizo National Front’s tiger’s deep yellow, the pink of the Janta Congress Chhattisgarh, the pink, again, of Telangana Rashtra Samithi, and the deep green of that State’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. The cynic can (and should) despair: “The Opposition is divided! Look at how the Karnataka glue is drying up… The Congress is being typical arrogant not having the grace to give the BSP and SP a few more seats in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh… The Madhya Pradesh voter is confused by so many Congress factions Kamal Nath who is said to be the CM face, Jyotiraditya Scindia who is said to be the CM brain, Digvijaya Singh who is said to be the CM heart… Between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot there is a war in Rajasthan no less intense than that between Congress and BJP… This is already giving Vasundhara Raje an upswing. Don’t be surprised if the Princess flukes a comeback.” None of these observations would be wrong as observations. And it is good that they be made, be heard for they can and should jolt the Opposition into urgent repair-work. The ‘Karnataka moment’ was what can be called a Westphalian moment. Message from 1648 A reflection on that far back, 1648 occurrence would be in order. Suffice it to say, the Treaties of Westphalia ushered in a balance between states in central Europe which had, until that watershed

75 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder accord, been dominated by the Holy Roman Empire with the Habsburgs and their Catholic allies on one side and Europe’s Protestant nations and France (Catholic but anti-Habsburg) on the other. The Protestant states of Europe such as the Swedish, Danish and the Dutch fought Rome gallantly for thirty years but the tide turned only when France, though Catholic, joined the war on the Protestants’ side, altering the war’s destiny. Westphalia has its critics who point to the risks of territoriality stemming from geopolitical autonomy, but it has, nonetheless, become a metaphor, a by-word for smaller entities coming together to resist the might of the physically and militarily large, the technologically and financially preponderant and the politically dominant. Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger put it succinctly when he described the Westphalian viewpoint as “checking each other’s ambitions through a general equilibrium of power”. No analogies are perfect, no metaphors fit like a glove but post-Karnataka India, in 2018, shows unmistakable signs of a Westphalian moment its fragilities and possibilities, both. The BJP, ruling at the Centre and in a majority of the States, is not unlike the Holy Roman Empire of 1648. And the Congress, the second largest national party, is like France, bigger than ‘the rest’ but capable of giving moral and material support to them and, in a way, leading them to discover, to quote Mr. Kissinger again, “a practical accommodation to reality, not a unique moral insight”. To offer the Holy Roman Empire of India, 2018, a defining knock-out blow, the Congress needs to discover within itself the France of 1648, convert its sense of bigness into big sharing, big giving, big leading and – big-time self-forgetting, big-time self-restraining. Without Sweden, Denmark and the Dutch in tow, France could not have taken on the Holy Roman Empire and the Habsburgs. Without the regional parties, the Indian National Congress cannot take on the BJP. If in the State Assembly elections that have just been calendared, the Congress shows a “practical accommodation to reality”, then the possibility of the gesture being reciprocated by the regional parties and by India's Left, never to be discounted either for its ideological voltage or its numerical increment, in 2019 gets enhanced. And this cannot but lead to “a new equilibrium” and a new impulse to federal and republican nostrums, so rudely staunched by the NDA government. The Congress must take that call. A choice and a chance So, does that mean that the Congress does all the giving and the regional parties all the taking? It cannot, not in Westphalian terminology. Regional parties have to know that the Indian voter has shown a power of discrimination that calibrates choices, voting in a particular way for the State and in another way for the Centre. That highly intelligent voter must be given the choice and the chance to vote simultaneously for federalism within the State and democracy at the Centre. And that choice and chance can be given to the voter only if the Congress and the other Opposition parties come together in a pre-poll alliance. If they does not have such an alliance and the democratic vote gets splintered, plain arithmetic tells us that the chance of majoritarianism getting the better of democracy will heighten. And even if the Congress ‘here’ and a regional party ‘there’ were to emerge as the single largest party and manage to form a government , that victory will be pyrrhic, for the ‘Holy Roman Empire’ would have prevailed over the scattered states of our ‘Europe’. The NDA, back at the Centre in 2019, will take little time to reduce the regional parties and the Congress to abject, minor entities.

76 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder The writing is on the wall. Its Westphalian moment must be seen and grasped by India’s democratic Opposition. Overcoming memory Memory is a great charger. It is also a great inhibiter. The Congress’s memory of its past supremacy energises it but restricts its scope for a practical accommodation of current realities. The Congress’s memory is also, very often, no different from its cadres’ stinging short-term memory of power and its loss. Sharing comes to the recently deprived, with effort. But share it must. If only because if it does not, there may be nothing left to share. Likewise, the non-Congress Opposition is energised by its memory of trouncing the ‘giant’ Congress in the States, sending it often into third and fourth place. But they cannot forget that 2018 and 2019 are a different theatre altogether. They are not about a choice between democrats within democracy, but a choice in a fragile democracy between those who want to protect it and those who want to usurp it. In optimising numbers every number counts, every seat, every vote — and in doing that, they cannot afford to reckon without the Congress. This opportunity optimisation will be called by the NDA ‘opportunism’. But then we should thank the ‘opportunism’ of those who delivered Europe from the hands of the Holy Roman Empire. The party is bigger than its leaders, the nation bigger than a party. Never before has this been truer than today when a systematic attempt is being made to use the methods of democracy to morph it into its very antithesis. Gopalkrishna Gandhi is a former administrator, diplomat and governor Polls and polarisation politics Zoya Hasan The Opposition parties have to press ahead with political adjustments to counter the dominant narrative. The political discourse, as Assembly elections approach, is slipping to new lows. Addressing a rally in Madhya Pradesh recently, the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Amit Shah, once again described infiltrators as “termites”. Earlier, speaking at a rally in Rajasthan, he said that he was confident that the BJP would win every election despite incidents of mob lynching, naming Mohammed Akhlaq. At the party’s national executive meeting last month, he had declared that if the BJP comes to power in 2019, it would stay put in office for another 50 years. A clear strategy But what is the basis of this self-confidence in the face of the poor record in office and the unravelling of the party’s own carefully constructed social constituency? This self-assurance stems from the belief that a politics of polarisation will pay dividends. Development and corruption were two major poll issues in 2014 when Narendra Modi projected himself as the harbinger of development. Both these issues have lost their appeal as non-Hindutva supporters who backed the BJP on the promise of development are disenchanted. The BJP appears to be refurbishing its strategy with greater prominence given to Hindutva, reflected in the high-pitched communal rhetoric of the past few months. That this strategy is driven from the top is evident from the manner in which the BJP president has been focussing on the National Register of Citizens (NRC) issue, which is ideally suited to create polarisation. Mr. Shah has set the pace for this. While raising the issue of the NRC in a rally in

77 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Gangapur town in Sawai Madhopur, he said that ‘crores of illegal infiltrators’ have entered the country like ‘termites’ and should be ‘uprooted.’ He has been sticking to this theme in several speeches, warning for instance: “BJP sarkar ek-ek ghuspaithiye ko chun-chun kar matdata suchi se hatane ka kaam karegi (the BJP government will remove every infiltrator from the voters’ list).” The ‘chun-chun ke nikalenge’ threat to the illegal Bangladeshi immigrants becomes clearer when viewed together with the proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill of 2016. This Bill would permit Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh to be eligible for Indian citizenship, but not Muslims, and if passed would violate Article 14 guaranteeing equality before law. Through this, the BJP is aiming to polarise Indians to convince them that what is rightfully theirs is being snatched away by ‘outsiders’. Hence, Mr. Shah is bringing up the issue in rally after rally to target minorities. At a public meeting in Kolkata, on August 11, he asked: “Are the Bangladeshi infiltrators a security threat to this country or not?” Such acidic comments are echoed by other BJP leaders in their mobilisation campaigns. The sharpened focus on Bangladeshi immigrants, the NRC, the 2106 surgical strikes on Pakistan, to name a few such issues, are an indication of the tone and tenor of the BJP’s combative political strategy for 2019. The NRC issue is particularly important for its political agenda as it signals the shifting relationship between the Indian state and its diverse citizens and communities on questions of citizenship, equality and democracy. Several commentators point out that the BJP has begun to forefront a combative strategy because of the growing feeling that the ruling dispensation is unlikely to repeat the 2014 performance. At the same time, it’s important to remember that polarisation has been an indispensable part of its campaign strategy, and is embedded in its ideology. For the BJP, creating a Hindu-Muslim divide is at the heart of its quest for a Hindu consolidation. Many State elections after 2014 have witnessed aggressive pitching of divisive issues rather than development. This happened during the Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh elections in 2017. Same was the case in Bihar in 2015 and Karnataka in 2018. Moreover, this type of campaign is always conducted at the grass-root level by the RSS-BJP cadres even when on occasion the top leadership is speaking a less divisive language. Whether the communal dimension should be highlighted by the leaders in their speeches depends on the assessment of the ground situation and its intensity varies from phase to phase of the election campaign. Among the lynchings From Independence, India’s politics had taken the form of a consensus pertaining to issues about nationhood and majority-minority relations. Clearly, that consensus has broken down, with the BJP keen to break away from the traditional national discourse. In the past too, religion wasn’t divorced from politics since it is part of the political landscape, but it is certainly more strident now. One important reason for the democratic regression is the majoritarianism promoted by the BJP as the dominant ideology since it came to power. The second reason is growing incidents of mob lynchings, which have emerged as a critical element of the new political order. It is not conventional Hindu- Muslim violence but targeted violence that is no longer episodic but a continuum, with lynching of Muslims on issues ranging from allegations of cow slaughter to love jihad to petty theft. Most of these incidents are perpetrated by vigilante militias and are the direct result of the communal atmosphere that the Hindu right has created, leaving little scope for recourse to justice against persons who commit these hate crimes.

78 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder But it is not only Muslims who are the targets of violence, most marginalised groups and anyone who speaks on their behalf or for justice is generally under attack, while those who make up a lynch mob have actually been feted by a Union minister. Also, anybody who is critical of Hindutva or the politics of the current establishment is branded as anti-national. This labelling draws sustenance from a conflation of communalism and nationalism since nationhood under the BJP government is defined more by what it excludes than what it includes. It is a well-thought-out strategy: speak against the government and you’re anti-national and anti-Hindu. Threat to plurality The polarisation strategy is an attempt to remove political plurality and in a sense pave the way for a one party, one leader-centric system which will weaken the foundations of our vibrant democracy. The job of the Opposition parties, in particular the Congress, in these circumstances is cut out: it has to press ahead with political adjustments to counter communal polarisation. Besides bringing together disparate parties, the Opposition must build a narrative that can hold some political interest for voters. The ideological thrust of this counter-narrative has to focus on safeguarding fundamental constitutional principles which have become points of contention and contestation, for example, nationalism, secularism and social justice. The Left has to play a leading role in building this narrative and any hesitation on its part will be damaging to both itself and to the country. Zoya Hasan is Professor Emerita, Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University Journalism after #MeToo Ananth Krishnan & Meera Srinivasan The Indian newsroom must be made safe and equal for women — or it will lose all credibility. Over the last week, Indian journalism has finally been forced to confront what has long been its dirty secret. Going by the numerous agonising accounts of women journalists, about some male colleagues and editors abusing power and crossing the line, it appears that sexual harassment is no media outlet’s exclusive story. With such prevalence, testified credibly by many of our own, the need for introspection and corrective action is urgent. Open secrets While the rest of the country may have been left shocked by the disturbing allegations, from at least 10 women, aimed at veteran journalist and now Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar, not a single reporter, in all likelihood, batted an eyelid in newsrooms across the country. On Sunday, Mr. Akbar, who returned from a week-long trip to Africa, denied the allegations terming them “baseless” and said he would take legal action against accusers. A week after a flurry of allegations against him began emerging, the government and the Ministry of External Affairs continue to maintain deplorable silence, casting doubt on the likelihood of any process of inquiry. For the brave women outing their past and present predator-colleagues or bosses, it cannot be easy. The incidents are bound to revive disturbing memories of being assaulted by power and toxic masculinity. Among those who have come forward, former Asian Age journalist Ghazala Wahab shared a distressing account from 1997, of being allegedly harassed by Mr. Akbar when she worked for him. Just as troubling was Ms. Wahab’s recollection of how her superiors, including senior

79 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder women colleagues at the paper, responded to her account, saying it was “entirely her call”. As Ms. Wahab wrote, “I was alone, confused, helpless and extremely frightened.” Nothing can be more disillusioning than this for a young journalist beginning her career with hope and idealism and it should worry us that in 2018, across newsrooms, responses to such cases may not be very different. Which is why many women ultimately choose to leave their jobs, or seek employment elsewhere, when they confront inappropriate behaviour from their colleagues. The Editors Guild of India, in a statement, said: “The newsroom in our profession is a relatively informal, free-spirited and hallowed space. It must be protected.” Many of us, journalists, too like to think of and perhaps even romanticise our workplaces as being sacred, liberal spaces unbound by constraints. Sadly, what these cases have shown is the exact opposite. Understand the moment Women journalists coming forward to put out their stories when they have nothing to gain, and much to lose has now triggered a long overdue self-reflection in Indian newsrooms. However, this is only the start. Naming and shaming perpetrators could be cathartic for the victims, but may not, by itself, lead to any radical change in the outmoded ways that many newsrooms still function. Indian news organisations are by no means unique in being slow to crack down on inappropriate in some instances, criminal behaviour in their workspaces that still remain hostile for women. Yet newsrooms are faced with particular challenges. Where do news organisations go from here? An obvious starting point is to implement, in earnest, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, which superseded the earlier 1997 Vishakha guidelines. Further, we need to broaden our reading of the “workplace”, to include the field when a reporter travels with her colleague on assignment, or even a co-worker’s vehicle. Organisations must provide safe transport for women on late shifts. As the Network of Women in Media, India said in its statement, editors must ensure that stories are not privileged over the safety of their staff. Second, there is an urgent need for effective internal complaint committees (ICCs). All journalists must be made aware of the ICC and the option to file a complaint there. While setting up these committees, organisations must be mindful of internal power structures that often load the dice in favour of those wielding more power. The key word, however, is “effective”. Workplaces that foster environments that are hostile to women who speak up render an ICC meaningless. Very often, those who complain about their discomfort are readily branded “troublesome”, “fussy” or “thin-skinned”, discouraging others from raising similar concern. #Metoo is perhaps the antithesis of due process but conversely, it is by strengthening due process that we can even begin to address this crisis institutionally. Call out harassment The spate of reactions from some (usually male) quarters to the allegations that have surfaced now, suggesting that the women “trivialise” more aggravated cases of sexual harassment involving physical violence, is a stark indication that we still have a long way to go in understanding what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour. This, despite the fact that sexual harassment — even by law — is defined as not just “physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures” but also “making sexually coloured remarks” or “any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non- verbal conduct of sexual nature”. Harassment comes in many forms and varying intensities. Dismissing some of it as “harmless flirting” or as “jest” trivialises the issue. Raising it doesn’t. 80 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Without doubt, there is a need for proactive sensitisation, even within the “all-knowing” media. The 2013 Act lists organising regular workshops and awareness programmes as part of the employers’ duties. But Indian workplaces not just newsrooms are utterly inadequate on this front. As journalists with over a decade’s experience in different newsrooms and speaking to journalists across the breadth of the Indian media, our sense is that sensitisation is non-existent. Lewd jokes are commonplace in many newsrooms. So is misogyny. In 2011, the Niira Radia tapes presented Indian journalism with a glorious opportunity to ask itself tough questions about the cosy proximity that mediapersons shared with the corporate world and the government. It failed to seize that chance. Many of those journalists have continued in their careers, the outrage long forgotten. For organisations, it soon became business as usual. Seven years later, #MeToo is posing an even more difficult question for Indian journalism. It presents an even greater opportunity for critical reflection and radical change. The newsroom, for a lot of us, is a space for adrenaline rushes, fierce intellectual battles, excitement, learning and unlearning. Some of us inhabiting it shouldn’t have to be preoccupied with being wary and guarded with colleagues. Some of us shouldn’t feel less safe, and most importantly, some of us shouldn’t be made to feel less equal. Are we going to let constraint and inhibition, caused by everyday anxiety at the workplace, take our collective focus off telling stories that matter and speaking truth to power? Litmus test We need healthy camaraderie in place of needless caution. Respect, not condescension. We would like colleagues to engage with us, not be patronising. And the fact that we are still having to demand these is telling. We do realise that the media world, after all, despite its many self-righteous claims, is not insulated from the larger, patriarchal world. But as journalists, if we are fundamentally bothered by discrimination in society, as we should be, there is a lot of cleaning up to do in our own backyards. #TimesUp. Meera Srinivasan is The Hindu’s correspondent in Sri Lanka. Ananth Krishnan is a Visiting Fellow at Brookings India and was formerly The Hindu’s correspondent in China Decoding the Rafale controversy Rakesh Sood The opacity in the Rafale deal only raises doubts, with its fallout on national security and the ‘Make in India’ programme. The controversy over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to go in for an outright purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jet aircraft, after scrapping the old negotiations, is unlikely to die down. The Congress party has yet to find a smoking gun and hopes that a joint parliamentary committee probe might reveal it. The government has meanwhile tied itself up in knots by making opaque, and often, contradictory statements, in turn raising more doubts and questions. From 126 to 36 There are three questions that the government needs to address to neutralise the snowballing controversy. The first is the rationale for the announcement made by Mr. Modi, during his official visit to France, in April 2015, that India would buy 36 Rafale aircraft in a government-to-government deal, thereby scrapping ongoing negotiations with Dassault Aviation for 126 aircraft.

81 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder The process for acquisition of 126 aircraft to replace a part of the aging fleet in the Indian Air Force (IAF) had begun in 2000. After prolonged deliberations, a Request for Information was issued and based on the responses, technical specifications drawn up and a global tender issued in 2007 for 126 aircraft, with 18 to be delivered in flyaway condition and 108 to be assembled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with gradually increasing domestic content. Six bids were received and technical evaluations over four years led to the short-listing of two — the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Rafale. Evaluation of financial bids in 2011 led to the Rafale’s selection and negotiations commenced with Dassault in 2012. The Indian Air Force strength had reduced to around 32 squadrons against its authorised level of 42. Instead of fast tracking the negotiations, former Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony was indecisive, thereby prolonging the process. Negotiations were carried forward by the Modi government and in the run-up to Mr. Modi’s visit, official statements indicated that negotiations were in final stages. Inexplicably, these were jettisoned. Then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar acknowledged that he was unaware of the decision. The decision for 36 aircraft was only formalised by the Defence Acquisition Council and the Cabinet Committee on Security after the visit and the formal cancellation of the negotiations for 126 aircraft announced in the middle of 2015, generating speculation about the Paris announcement. Last week, a bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, sought details of the ‘decision making process’ before the next hearing on October 31. The aircraft are to be delivered between 2019 and 2022. Meanwhile, the government invited Expressions of Interest in April 2018 for 110 fighter aircraft, 17 in flyaway condition and the balance to be assembled in India, but assembly was not restricted to HAL. It has since received responses from the same six manufacturers. This makes it clear that the shortfall will not be made up by the indigenous Tejas aircraft which is suffering from delays and cost over-runs (HAL has raised the cost of Tejas Mark I from ?135 crore in 2006 to ?268 crore and Tejas Mark IA, in design stage, is quoted at ?463 crore). The second question relates to pricing. Since the earlier negotiations for 126 aircraft were never concluded, a straightforward comparison is not feasible. Earlier negotiations did not cover weapon systems or the performance guarantees and spares. However, since the Modi government boasted that it had negotiated a better deal and promised to provide details, it has now been hoisted with its own petard. It proudly announced that it had obtained a 50% offset undertaking which would give a boost (nearly ?30,000 crore) to the ‘Make in India’ programme in the defence sector. Perhaps, it failed to realise that the higher offset would be factored into the aircraft price, driving it higher. Number crunching From the sketchy details provided, it would appear that the total outlay is €7.87 billion (?59,000 crore at 1 euro to ?73.88). This includes cost of weaponry (€710 million) and a performance guarantee of 75% (current performance level of the Sukhoi-30 fighter assembled by HAL is 50%) with spares (€2.16 billion). This brings the cost of the 36 aircraft, with the India-specific enhancements to €5 billion (?36,900 crore or ?1,025 crore per aircraft). However, Union Minister of State for Defence, Subhash Bhamre has put the cost at ?670 crore per aircraft. Of course, the Congress claims that it was negotiating on the basis of a price per aircraft of ?526 crore but omits to mention what this related to or the exchange rate. The government has taken refuge behind the 2008 Agreement with France regarding Exchange and Reciprocal Protection of Classified or Protected Information, which it renewed in March 2018.

82 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder This is unconvincing as the French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly declared that the French government has no objection to the Indian government sharing pricing details with Parliament. Therefore, the government’s obfuscation regarding pricing only generates doubts. Offsets and coincidences The third question relates to the offset share given to Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd, or DRAL (a 51:49 joint venture between Reliance Aerostructure Ltd and the Dassault Group). The Congress has cited ?30,000 crore while the Dassault Chairman, Eric Trappier, has stated that the figure is 10% of it as it has signed offset partnerships with more than 30 other Indian partners and the choice of Indian partners was its independent decision. This is inconsistent with former French President François Hollande’s statement to a French news website, Mediapart, in September that Reliance was proposed by the Indian government and that the French did not have a choice in the matter. Adding to this is a set of timing coincidences. Reliance Defence Ltd was registered in March 2015, weeks before Mr. Modi’s visit to France. Reliance Aerostructure was registered on April 24. The offset guidelines were amended in August 2015, weeks after scrapping the negotiations for 126 aircraft, relaxing the obligation on the foreign vendor to provide technical details about the Indian offset partner at the time of winning the contract by postponing it to when the offset credits are claimed or a year before it is due. This has permitted the government to feign ignorance about DRAL’s offset share. The agreement for 36 aircraft was signed by the two Defence Ministers on September 23, 2016. DRAL was registered on October 3 while FDI in defence had been liberalised to permit 49% through the automatic route in June of the same year. In October 2017, the foundation stone of the DRAL facility was laid in Nagpur in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. Conflicting statements have been made about whether DRAL would produce components for the Rafale or for Dassault’s business jets. Further, while total offsets amount to ?30,000 crore, this is shared between: Dassault which provides the airframe and is the systems integrator; Safran, which provides the engine and the landing gear, and Thales, which delivers the radars and the avionics. Since Reliance subsidiaries were awarded a clutch of defence licences during 2016-17, it is unclear as to how many of these are engaged with the Rafale offsets. Mr. Hollande’s statement, which is coupled with the set of seemingly fortuitous coincidences, only adds to the controversy. The casualty is national security because the IAF’s squadron strength will drop to 23 in 2032, unless there is fresh acquisition beyond the 36 Rafale and 123 Tejas fighter aircraft. The second casualty is the much-touted ‘Make in India’ defence programme. Sadly, this could have been prevented if only the government had chosen to address the three questions with candour and transparency. Rakesh Sood is a former Ambassador to France and currently Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation. E-mail: [email protected] L'affaire Khashoggi C.R. Gharekhan There are limits to Saudi Arabia’s defiance even within the ambit of narrow national interest. The gory, gruesome and ghastly details of the last few moments in the life of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as reported in the government-controlled Turkish media, have reaffirmed the continuing validity of the universal truth: the pen is mightier than the sword. Authoritarian regimes not only do not fear open, violent acts of defiance but they also welcome them. It helps them identify opponents of the regime and deal with them with ruthlessness and brutality. Most such acts of 83 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder opposition would be dismissed as terrorism, as is routinely done by totalitarian regimes. It is the written word, even more than the spoken one, that scares regimes. Khashoggi, after all, was just one person, at one time even close to the ruling circles in Riyadh. He welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s reform moves in the country such as permitting women to drive cars unaccompanied by male members of the family. But the regime felt so threatened by Khashoggi’s dissident and heretical views that it felt compelled to liquidate him physically. Nor are those responsible for his suspected murder necessarily unhappy that the horrible details of his torture have come out in the public domain, something they themselves might have greatly hesitated to do. They have achieved the purpose of sending a clear, unambiguous message to all potential trouble makers. The message will no doubt be effective in silencing dissent for a long while. Tokenism in reactions Saudi Arabia is defiant. It has warned all those who may be thinking of isolating or even moving sanctions against the regime with dire consequences. Some token action is being taken by some western governments such as demanding a thorough, impartial inquiry into the incident. The chief of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, has cancelled her participation at the ‘Davos in the Desert’ Conference, in Riyadh. Significantly, the U.S. Treasury Secretary has joined the boycott. The outrage is universal in the developed world, though the developing countries seem to have decided their own counsel. The Bretton Woods institutions will still need Saudi funding. This writer has long and firmly believed that foreign policy is all about promoting national interest and that sentiment should have no place in it. This continues to be his conviction. U.S. President Donald Trump follows this principle quite ruthlessly. He is open about it, and not at all hypocritical. He is unabashed in proclaiming that hundreds of billions worth of arms sales are on the line and that he is not prepared to put them in jeopardy. For all we know, the complicity of the highest levels of the Saudi monarchy may never be fully established; already fall guys are being projected which will give Mr. Trump the fig leaf to continue his cozy relationship with the regime. It remains to be seen if the noises made by some U.S. Senators about imposing sanctions or blocking the arms sales amount to any meaningful action. It is the same principle of national interest that has inhibited us from confronting the Saudis as well as the Iranians about their open, unchecked support, financial and otherwise, by funding radical Sunni and Shia mosques in India. This is reported to have been going on for decades, perhaps before Independence. Yet, successive governments have not found it possible to protest such behaviour which amounts to direct interference in India’s internal affairs and in radicalising sections of the Muslim community. It was felt that India’s national interest, India’s dependence on West Asian energy sources and anxiety not to upset them too much lest they voted against us in meetings of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, or side with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, is what made us cautious. India’s deck of cards Is there a lesson for India in the Saudi Arabian stance of defiance? India does not have the kind of money to throw around as the Saudis have. If India needs their oil, they also need to sell it. They need to sell as much oil as they can to continue with their disastrous misadventure in Yemen. The high level of crude price enables them to prosecute the war with comparably less cost, yet the Crown Prince’s ambitious reform plan will need more money than the kingdom can produce.

84 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder If India is forced to reduce the import of Iranian oil to zero in the next few weeks, India does not have to worry about alternate sources of which there are plenty, as the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas has assured us. Saudi Arabia has no choice but to continue to make up the shortfall, first, because it needs to sell its oil, but second and more important, it must do all in its power to weaken and destroy its mortal enemy, the leader of the Shias of the world. As King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia told the U.S. a few years ago, “the head of the snake needs to be cut off”. If it becomes useful to befriend India in its relentless campaign against Iran, it will be a small price to pay. There is yet one more weapon that India can selectively use. Next to the Saudis, we are the largest buyer of weapons in the world. The U.S., France, Russia all have only one interest in India — to sell their extremely expensive war material. They not only earn money, they even earn our gratitude. India has an insatiable thirst for weapons of war and apparently bottomless pockets to pay for them. Mr. Trump, who advocates, for his country as well as for others, to follow the principle of ‘my country first’ would be the last to impose penalties on India in case we do something that might not fit in with his agenda, either vis-à-vis Iran or Russia. The government seems to be conscious of this advantage that India has. The principle of national interest can run into conflict with respect to other higher principles especially in democracies. Thus, the Khashoggi affair might eventually result in action in the U.S. Congress which the President then will have no option but to abide by. This is what happened in Congressional action against Russia and which Mr. Trump then had to follow. Vox populi will on occasion trump narrow national interest. Chinmaya R. Gharekhan, a former Indian Ambassador to the United Nations, was Special Envoy for West Asia in the Manmohan Singh government Outcomes versus promises M.K. Narayanan While Russia is seeking to cement its relationship with India, the U.S. wants India to make strategic choices. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s whirlwind visit to Delhi earlier this month, lasting less than 24 hours, came just a month after the visits, in September, of U.S. Secretary of State Mike R. Pompeo and Defence Secretary James N. Mattis to participate in the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with their Indian counterparts, Sushma Swaraj and Nirmala Sitharaman. Summit, dialogue The summit between the Indian Prime Minister and the Russian President is now an annual event, the protocol having been agreed upon by Mr. Putin and Manmohan Singh in 2005. Summits have often led to spectacular breakthroughs — in the 2009 meeting between Dmitry Medvedev and Mr. Singh the log-jam in the long pending sale to India of the Russian aircraft carrier, Gorshkov (since renamed Vikramaditya) could be resolved and, in the latest instance, the inking of the $5.4 billion S- 400 Triumf missile defence system. The recent 2+2 Dialogue between India and the U.S., on the other hand, is a new concept, and while it has been hailed as a path-breaking event paving the way for an avalanche of state-of-the art defence equipment from the U.S., the outcomes from this initial meet were clearly dwarfed by what took place during Mr. Putin’s visit. The 2+2 Dialogue a format the U.S. employs with some of its closest allies including Japan and Australia has given the impression that India has come within the U.S. orbit of influence, detaching itself further from Russia. This impression is further heightened by India signing on to the Communications Compatibility and Security

85 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Agreement (COMCASA) recently. Lost in translation, however, is that India still fancies a close relationship with Russia, one of its and most dependable allies. A comparison of the Putin-Modi summit outcome with the promises made during the 2+2 Dialogue can hardly be a true index of what lies in the future. It may, nevertheless, be worth undertaking. The summit’s mega missile defence deal clearly took the shine off any promises made at the 2+2 Dialogue regarding future defence acquisitions from the U.S. Russia’s S-400 Triumf, possibly the best missile defence system in the world, comes with no strings attached. There is no Russian equivalent of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) in place. The S-400 Triumf can be deployed against all enemies, irrespective of any other defence choices that India might have. Russian steadfastness There were several other concrete outcomes from the Putin-Modi summit. India and Russia signed on to a document to expand civil nuclear energy cooperation and agreed on a second site for Russian nuclear reactors. They signed a memorandum of understanding on a joint programme in the field of human space-flight, enabling Indian astronauts to be trained in Russia. They also agreed on the virtues of a regional security architecture to provide security to all countries in Asia and in the regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. This seemed to demonstrate a clear ‘mutuality of interests’. The 2+2 Dialogue, for its part, marks a paradigmatic change in the nature of India-U.S. relations. It hence needs to be viewed, more appropriately, as the culmination of a long-standing attempt by the U.S. to woo India, something that has been in the works for some time. As a prelude to this, the U.S. had renamed the Asia-Pacific as the Indo-Pacific. It had blocked more than $1.5 billion in U.S. security aid to Pakistan, allotting a mere $150 million in 2019. U.S.-India economic cooperation was stated to have grown exponentially within two decades, with the total goods and services trade between India and U.S. increasing from $11.2 billion in 1995 to $126.2 billion in 2017. U.S. foreign direct investment into India substantially increased during this period. The most important bait was India being accorded the status of a ‘major defence partner’. The underlying theme of the 2+2 Dialogue, notwithstanding all this, seems however, aimed at forging a possible containment of China strategy, with India partnering the U.S. in this effort. The U.S., at present, perceives China as posing a major challenge to its supremacy, and ‘the most significant threat to U.S. interest from a counter-intelligence perspective’. Whether China was specifically discussed or not in the course of the 2+2 Dialogue, it was obviously the 400-pound gorilla in the room. The U.S. has obviously been preparing for this for some time, unleashing a spate of allegations against China. These include an implicit reference to the threat China posed to other nations in the region, including India, given that China had the second largest defence budget in the world, the largest standing army, the third largest air force, and was rapidly expanding its navy. Specific mention was also made by the U.S. to the Chinese navy’s ‘anti-access’ capabilities and its ‘area denial tactics’, possibly intended to warn countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) like India of the growing menace posed by the Chinese navy. Differences in the outcomes of the Putin-Modi summit and the promises made in 2+2 dialogue are thus quite apparent. Russia was essentially seeking to cement a relationship with India that has existed for several years. It was not insisting on any exclusivity as far as relationships go. The U.S. wanted India to view foreign policy perspectives largely through a U.S. prism, and thereafter make

86 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder a choice. For India to steer between this Scylla of Russia and the Charybdis of the U.S., however, is not going to be easy. Russia has already given a hint that it has the option of other choices, which might not exclude Pakistan. The U.S., meanwhile, tends to behave like a ‘jealous mistress’ and is insistent on India making the right choice. The situation is greatly complicated by the fact that the world today faces a post-Cold War situation. The rise of China’s economic power and its growing military might, and the re-emergence of Russia are significant pointers to this situation. The U.S., hence, no longer holds all the cards. Additionally, many existing precepts are undergoing changes. For example, the threat to the rules-based international order today comes as much from within existing democracies. At such a time, the 2+2 Dialogue and the Putin visit within a few weeks of each have has left India with more questions than answers on what options to follow. India can hardly alienate Russia as it re-emerges as a key presence in Asia and Eurasia. Appearing to reject U.S. overtures, while the latter is seen making every effort to provide India with state-of-the art defence equipment, and acting in tandem with it in groupings such as the Quadrilateral, could prove short-sighted. Mature strategic judgment is called for in these circumstances. Undoubtedly, India and China have differences on several issues, including problems at several points along the border between the two countries. Many points of divergence with regard to the current world situation also exist. There is also a subliminal struggle between them for the leadership of Asia. Nevertheless, neither India nor China appears ready for an open conflict as it would cost both countries dearly. India is also not unaware of a U.S. lack of resolve to actively resist China’s territorial expansion in the South China Sea, and in preventing China from expanding its naval activities in the IOR. The abortive U.S. “pivot to Asia” is a stark reminder of the limitation of U.S. capabilities today. Go by cold logic India needs to ponder deeply on what is in its best interests. It should not allow itself to be easily persuaded in the belief that democracies, by and large, offer better choices. It should not reject, without due consideration, what is in its best interest. Its decision needs to be dictated by the cold logic of circumstances. Strategic ambivalence is not an answer to the situation that India faces today. Strategic integrity and autonomy, and mature strategic judgment are required in a world where disruption is the order of the day. M.K. Narayanan is a former National Security Adviser and a former Governor of West Bengal The Unifier of Modern India M. Venkaiah Naidu Remembering Sardar Patel’s stupendous role in integrating the princely States into independent India. “By common endeavour we can raise the country to a new greatness, while a lack of unity will expose us to fresh calamities.” These pragmatic but profound remarks defined the vision and the sterling character of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the principal unifier of modern India. Force behind unification Sardar Patel’s foresight and tactful navigation of the most turbulent period in post-Independence, and the resolve he demonstrated in integrating the more than 500 disparate princely States into the Dominion of India is an unparalleled accomplishment in modern history. Hailing Patel’s feat, Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, had said: “By far the most important achievement of the

87 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder present government is the unification of the States into the Dominion of India. Had you failed in this, the results would have been disastrous… Nothing has added to the prestige of the present government more than the brilliant policy you have followed with the States.” Patel was a statesman with a strong sense of realpolitik, a realist to the core and an earthy politician whose sole aim was to build a strong and united India. World’s tallest: Final touches being given to the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the banks of the Narmada river Great unifier and the maker of modern India: Narendra Modi’s tribute to Sardar Patel What makes the merger of the princely States truly incredible is the fact that the princely rulers had the option at that time to either accede to India or Pakistan or remain independent. Yet, Patel’s sagacity, foresight, patriotism, tact, persuasive powers and abiding commitment to fair play enabled him to untangle a highly complex political and social problem of an unprecedented scale, without triggering any kind of revolt or civil unrest. However, he was also compelled to use coercion by launching ‘Operation Polo’ to liberate and integrate Hyderabad after the Nizam of Hyderabad entertained false hopes of either joining Pakistan or remaining independent. In a swift operation lasting five days, Hyderabad State was liberated in September 1948. Writing about Patel’s decisiveness in the Christian Science Monitor, W. Gordon Graham observed: “Hyderabad, a State covering 80,000 square miles in the heart of peninsular India, was at that time in the grip of an unscrupulous minority which aimed at secession from India. Had the bid succeeded, India might not have survived as a political unit. This situation needed a man of iron who would not balk at coercive action, and in the Sardar, India had at that vital moment just the man.” Indeed at the most critical time when the country’s political unity was in jeopardy, India found the man of the moment in Sardar Patel, who displayed amazing patience, tact and a steely determination in dealing with an intransigent ruler, who refused to see the writing on the wall and even wanted to take the issue to the United Nations. Displaying statesmanship of the highest order, Sardar Patel prevented the attempts to not only Balkanise India but internationalise the issue as well. The complicated case of Junagarh, Gujarat, was also handled with dexterity by Patel. I feel that the problem of Jammu and Kashmir would have been resolved long back had Sardar Patel been given a free hand to handle it at that time. Sardar Patel Statue of Unity: all you need to know A builder of India Patel himself termed the entire exercise as a “bloodless revolution” when he wanted the Constituent Assembly to consider privy purse settlements for the surrender by the rulers of all their ruling powers and the dissolution of the States as separate units. Patel was an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi and never swerved in his loyalty to his mentor, although there were occasions when he differed with him. Similarly, he did not see eye-to-eye with Jawaharlal Nehru on certain issues, including the handling of Jammu and Kashmir. But he did not allow these differences or personal ego to come in the way of protecting the larger interests of the country — which were at the core of his heart. He worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Nehru in building a modern India.

88 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder Patel was a multifaceted personality. He was a dynamic political leader, an organiser par excellence, a competent administrator and a skilful negotiator. After coming under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi, he became his loyal follower and successfully organised peasants against the imposition of taxes by the British at Kheda and Bardoli, Gujarat, and in the process he earned the title of ‘Sardar’ for his leadership qualities. The manner in which he marshalled the peasants and the unflinching stand taken by him eventually forced the authorities to roll back the taxes. Architect of the steel frame The Iron Man of India was the chief architect of India’s steel frame the civil services. Thus, the All India Services were seen as an important cementing force in promoting the unity and integrity of the nation. It will be relevant to recall his famous address to the civil service probationers in 1947 when Patel told them that the service will have to adopt its true role of national service without being trammelled upon by traditions and habits of the past. He said: “Officers must be guided by a real spirit of service in their day-to-day administration, for in no other manner can they fit in the scheme of things. Your predecessors were brought up in the traditions in which they felt out of touch and kept themselves aloof from the common run of the people. It will be your bounden duty to treat the common men in India as your own or to put it correctly, to feel yourself to be one of them.” It is in the fitness of things that the National Police Academy located on the outskirts of Hyderabad, Telangana, is named after him, as a tribute to the statesman. Another aspect of the Sardar that needs to be highlighted is his graciousness and magnanimity in readily abiding by Mahatma Gandhi’s advice to withdraw his candidacy for the post of Congress President in favour of Pandit Nehru in 1946, although a majority of State Congress committees supported his candidature. It was apparent that the Congress President would become the first Prime Minister of India. It once again proved his noble intention of placing the country’s interests above self. His love for the motherland was best described by Maulana Azad when he said: “He made his choice out of two courses that come before a man, namely would he live for his country or for himself? Sardar chose his country.” A tribute I am glad that the 182-metre-tall ‘Statue of Unity’ is being unveiled today at the Narmada dam site in Gujarat, in a real tribute and recognition of Patel’s stupendous role in integrating various princely States and ensuring India’s unity. As we pay our tributes to the great statesman on his birth anniversary today, on October 31, let us try to emulate his qualities and work towards realising his dream of providing ‘Suraaj’ in a new and prosperous India. M. Venkaiah Naidu is the Vice-President of India

89 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder IMPORTANT EDITORIALS

Slippery slope: on India’s energy taxes imposed on domestic fuels is unlikely to be needs of any significant help to consumers. What is required is a steep cut in Central and State taxes India’s economic fortunes continue to be tied to for the benefit to carry through to the consumers, the sharply fluctuating price of oil. At a gathering which, of course, is unlikely given the of prominent oil ministers in New Delhi on government’s fiscal needs. Another long-term Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged oil- solution to the oil problem will be to increasingly producing countries to reduce the cost of energy tap into domestic sources of energy supply while in order to aid the global economy in its path simultaneously encouraging consumers to switch towards recovery. Mr. Modi also called for a review to green alternatives. This will require a stronger of payment terms, demanding the partial use of policy framework and implementation. In the short the rupee instead of the U.S. dollar to pay for oil, term, the government could look to diversifying in order to ease the burden on oil-importing its international supplier base to manage shocks countries in the wake of the strengthening of the better. But such a choice carries geopolitical risks, dollar. With well over 80% of its oil demand being such as in the case of Iran. Since it will take a met through imports, India clearly has a lot at stake length of time to wean the economy off oil imports, as oil prices have risen by as much as 70% in policymakers should also be willing to think rupee terms in the last one year. Notably, speaking beyond just the next election if India’s over- at the same event, Saudi Arabian Energy Minister reliance on oil is to come to an end for good. Khalid A. Al-Falih refused to openly commit to lower oil prices, opting instead to say that the price The Bhutan vote of oil could have been much higher but for the The results of Bhutan’s general election will have efforts taken by his country to boost supply. This significant repercussions for South Asia. The first is not surprising given the absence of significant round held in September has already delivered a rival suppliers in the global oil market willing to surprise verdict, with the ousting of the incumbent help out India. People’s Democratic Party. The two parties left India’s policymakers now face the difficult task of in the fray represent opposites in terms of their safely steering the economy in the midst of experience. The Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa, that multiple external headwinds. For one, the current won the maximum number of votes in the first account deficit widened to 2.4% of gross round this year, is a political neophyte. The Druk domestic product in the first quarter of 2018-19 Phuensum Tshogpa, on the other hand, won the and is expected to reach 3% for the full year. The first Bhutanese elections in 2008, and the first rupee, which is down about 16% since the round of the election in 2013 before losing to the beginning of the year, doesn’t seem to be showing PDP. It maintains a strong traditional base. The any signs of recovery either. Further, the growth first round of the results also threw up some in the sales of petrol and diesel has already been glaring trends. While the ordinary voter who affected adversely as their prices have shot queued up to vote at the polling booths favoured through the roof. All this will likely weigh negatively the PDP, ultimately the postal ballots, used by on the prospects of the Indian economy, the government officials and their families as well as world’s fastest-growing, in the coming quarters. military personnel, swung the vote in the other In this scenario, the decision to marginally cut direction. Another outcome, which may be

90 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder disquieting for whichever party comes to power, growing debt pile of a systemically important is that votes in the first round of elections were financial institution. But apart from the obvious polarised between more prosperous Western failure of regulators to do their jobs, the IL&FS saga Bhutan and less developed Eastern Bhutan. The has also exposed the underlying weaknesses in DPT, for example, won all but one constituency the non-banking financial company (NBFC) sector in the east, while winning only two in the west; as a whole which has depended heavily on low- the DNT and PDP won seats only in the western cost, short-term debt financing to sustain its shaky half. The vertical split doesn’t just denote a business model. As both international and domestic development divide, it points to a feeling of interest rates continue to rise, the stocks of NBFCs discontent in a country generally known as a whole have been punished as investors expect the profit for its Gross National Happiness quotient. margins of these companies to come under pressure as their borrowing costs rise. Then there Regardless of which party wins on Thursday, is the further, and more serious, risk of NBFCs India-Bhutan ties are expected to be accorded being unable to roll over their short-term debt in their customary priority by New Delhi and case of a severe credit crunch in the aftermath of Thimphu, given that Bhutan’s monarch, Jigme the IL&FS saga. Both these factors have combined Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, retains a to put an end to the dream run of NBFCs, which considerable influence over the nation’s foreign have enjoyed high valuations amidst rapidly policy. Along with his father, and predecessor as growing profits over the last few years. The king, he has consistently stressed his precipitous crash of shares of Dewan Housing commitment to the bilateral relationship. However, Finance Ltd. has been the defining moment of the India must note that while the DNT has made present crisis. It is worth noting that the rise of “narrowing the gap” its motto, the DPT, which lost NBFCs was fuelled primarily by the demise of elections in 2013 after India suddenly pulled fuel traditional banks which have been unable to lend subsidies for Bhutan, has campaigned on the as they were bogged down by non- slogan of “sovereignty and self-sufficiency”. The performing loans. Meanwhile, NBFCs with strong ‘China factor’ will be closely watched for its pricing power, which can somehow successfully impact, a year after the India-China standoff on achieve the transfer of higher borrowing rates to the Bhutanese Doklam plateau. This year marks their own borrowers, may still survive rising interest the 50th anniversary of formal relations between rates. India and Bhutan, built on cultural ties, mutual strategic interests, and India’s role in building The response of policymakers to the ongoing crisis, roads and assisting in hydropower projects that which seems warranted if its purpose is to prevent became the mainstay of the Bhutanese economy. a wider systemic crisis, is fraught with other risks. It is expected that Prime Minister Narendra Modi The Reserve Bank of India, the National Housing will lose no time in visiting Bhutan to consolidate Bank and the State Bank of India last week decided the relationship once the new Prime Minister is in to increase the supply of liquidity in the market to the saddle. keep interest rates under control. The RBI has also urged NBFCs to make use of equity rather than Not just liquidity: on NBFCs debt to finance their operations. This is apart from crisis the government’s decision to replace IL&FS’s The default of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial management and commitment to providing the Services (IL&FS) on several of its debt obligations company with sufficient liquidity. While offering over the last couple of months has raised serious easy money may be a welcome measure in the questions about how regulators missed the midst of the ongoing liquidity crisis, the prolonged

91 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder supply of low-cost funds to the NBFC sector also limited market growth potential and questions of creates the risk of building an unsustainable bubble access and reciprocity are additional in various sectors of the economy. Defaults considerations. associated with any such bubbles will eventually To this end, Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific only affect the loan books of lenders. State bailouts strategy is meant to diversify investments to more could also fuel the problem of moral hazard as promising markets in Southeast Asia, India, and other financial institutions may expect a similar Africa. For his part, South Korean President Moon lifeline in the future. Policymakers should thus try Jae-in has unveiled a New Southern Policy. Mr. to focus on taking steps to address structural Moon said during his visit to New Delhi that while problems that contributed to the crisis. This the policy is focussed on Southeast Asia, it also includes steps necessary to widen the borrower "makes India Korea's key partner for base of NBFCs which have been banned from cooperation". Similarly, Taiwan, a G20-sized accepting deposits. This would allow NBFCs to economy whose political status is disputed, has tap into more reliable sources of funding and avoid announced a New Southbound Policy with similar liquidity crises in the future. significant accompanying investments in India by Eyes on India Taiwanese electronics manufacturers.

Asia is in a state of flux. China's Belt and Road Finally, Australia's government has commissioned Initiative is reshaping the region's geography, with an ambitious India Economic Strategy with the roads and railways traversing Eurasia and new goal of making India its third-largest investment ports dotting the Indian Ocean basin. Beijing's destination and export destination by 2035. While militarisation of the South China Sea continues, not driven by short-term necessities, political despite negotiations towards a code of conduct. concerns are increasingly informing economic preferences. Japan has found itself in an unexpected leadership position, resuscitating the Trans- Politically, therefore, the stars are aligning in Asia Pacific Partnership and concluding a trade for the acceleration of India's economic growth. agreement with the European Union. Tokyo is now Investors, increasingly backed by their contemplating constitutional revisions that would governments, are increasingly focussed on the enable it to play a more overt military role. Indian market. But with more protectionist sentiments taking root, a legacy of poorly- Amid these unfolding events, another series of negotiated trade deals, a general election around developments risks being overshadowed. Japan, the corner, and uneven economic liberalisation, South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia have all the likelihood of India taking full advantage of these unveiled strategies to diversify their economic opportunities remains slim. interdependence, away from mainland China and towards Southeast Asia and India. Where Ganga meets the Bay of The motivations appear to be manifold. The most Pollution recent is the ongoing trade and tariff war between An exponential increase in the number of pilgrims the U.S. and China. A longer-term concern is coming to the Ganga Sagar Mela, which takes Beijing's use of its economic muscle for political place at the Sagar Island every year during Makar purposes, whether in suspending rare earth metal Sankranti, has been responsible for the worsening exports to Japan in 2010 or punishing a major water pollution, prompting scientists to raise South Korean corporation for Seoul's decision to serious concerns about the likely outbreak of install a missile defence system in 2017. China's several diseases.

92 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder The number of pilgrims descending on the Sagar SC bans sale of BS-IV vehicles Island to take a dip at the place where the Ganga from 2020 meets the Bay of Bengal, has risen from 2 lakh in 1990 to 20 lakh in 2018. The Supreme Court on Wednesday banned the sale and registration of motor vehicles conforming Health concerns to the emission standard Bharat Stage-IV in the "A health survey was conducted with the local entire country from April 1, 2020. people… it found that diseases like cholera, It said pollution hasreached an "alarming and dysentery, and skin disease were predominant critical" level all over India. "It brooks no delay," a in the post-Ganga Sagar Mela period," observed three-judge Bench of Justices Madan B. Lokur, a paper titled 'Pollution and its consequences at S. Abdul Nazeer and Deepak Gupta observed in Ganga Sagar mass bathing in India', published a 20-page judgment. recently in the journalEnvironment, Development and Sustainability . The country will have to shift to the cleaner Bharat- VI fuel from April 1, 2020. Bharat Stage (BS) The study noted a sharp deterioration in water emission norms are standards instituted by the quality parameters between the pre-mela and government to regulate output of air pollutants post-mela period. For instance, the concentration from motor vehicles. The BS-IV norms have been of faecal coliform bacteria, which was 22 MPN enforced across the country since April 2017. In (most probable number) in 100 ml of water two 2016, the Centre had announced the country weeks before the mela, was found to be 9,963 would skip the BS-V norms altogether and adopt MPN two weeks after the mela. BS-VI norms by 2020. One of the authors of the paper, Tuhin Ghosh from "BSVI compliant vehicles are going to be more the School of Oceanographic Studies at Kolkata's expensive than BSIV compliant vehicles. People Jadavpur University, said the focus of the have a tendency to buy cheaper vehicle(s) even administration is mostly on managing the mela, from a neighbouring city. We also strongly feel and that it should also manage the pollution with that the problem of pollution is not limited to the sustainable strategies. He suggested that a NCR of Delhi but it is a problem which has wastewater treatment plant be set up. He engulfed the entire country especially the major stressed the need to make the mela plastic-free cities. India has the dubious distinction of having to prevent plastics from clogging the ocean. 15 out of the 20 most polluted cities in the world," Researchers also pointed out that making the Justice Gupta wrote in the judgment for the Ganga Sagar Mela pollution-free should be seen Bench. in the context of the Clean Ganga Mission and The apex court said there cannot be any that the pollution wrought by the mela added to compromise on the health of citizens and this the pollutants which the river brings from has to take precedence over the "greed" of a few upstream. automobile manufacturers who want to stretch Sagar is the biggest island of the Sunderbans the timeline. archipelago, with a population of about 2.12 lakh "Therefore, if there is a conflict between health people. Several studies have shown that the island and wealth, obviously, health will have to be given is at the frontline of climate change, facing serious precedence," Justice Gupta wrote. erosion on its east and west sides due to rising sea level and tidal surges. "We are dealing here with a situation where children and unborn children suffer from pollution

93 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder and issues of inter-generational equity are million hectares of agricultural land in India, only involved," the judgment observed. 1.2 million colonies were present. It said there was sufficient time for manufacturers The population of fish, birds, mammals, to make BS-VI compliant vehicles. amphibians and reptiles have dwindled by an average of 60% from 1970 to 2014, and fresh- "It is not as if on 01.04.2020 just by waving a magic water species have declined by 83% in the same wand the entire country will change to BSVI period. Since 1960, the global ecological footprint compliant norms. If all the refineries and has increased by more than 190%. Globally, the manufacturers by taking note of the requirement extent of wetlands was estimated to have to bring in BS VI fuel, have introduced such fuel declined by 87% since 1970. from 2018 and are introducing it in a phased manner in the entire country by 31.03.2020, we "Science is showing us the harsh reality that our see no reason why manufacturers of forests, oceans and rivers are enduring at our automobiles, two wheelers, three wheelers, etc, hands," Marco Lambertini, Director General, cannot also do so," the Supreme Court observed. WWF International, said in a press release. "Inch by inch, species by species, shrinking wildlife India among nations that face grave numbers are an indicator of the tremendous danger to soil biodiversity: WWF impact and pressure we are exerting on our India's soil biodiversity is in grave peril, according planet." The two key drivers of biodiversity loss to the Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas prepared by were the over exploitation of natural resources the World Wide Fund for Nature. and agriculture, the WWF added in its report. The WWF's 'risk index' for the globe - indicating While India's per capita ecological footprint was threats from loss of above-ground diversity, less than 1.75 hectares/person (which is in the pollution and nutrient over-loading, over-grazing, lowest band, among countries surveyed) its high intensive agriculture, fire, soil erosion, population made it vulnerable to an ecological desertification and climate change - shows India crisis, even if per-capita consumption remained among countries whose soil biodiversity faces at current levels, the WWF warned. the highest level of risk. Coloured red on the Atlas, To address these challenges, the WWF suggests these include Pakistan, China, several countries three necessary steps: "clearly specifying a goal in Africa and Europe, and most of North America. for biodiversity recovery; developing a set of Soil biodiversity encompasses the presence of measurable and relevant indicators of progress; micro-organisms, micro-fauna (nematodes and and agreeing on a suite of actions that can tardigrades for example), and macro-fauna (ants, collectively achieve the goal in the required time termites and earthworms). frame." The findings were part of the bi-annual Living India set to be third largest Planet Report 2018. "A key aspect of this year's aviation market report is the threat to soil biodiversity and India will be the third largest aviation market pollinators [such as bees]," Ravi Singh, CEO, globally a year sooner than was earlier predicted. WWF-India, told reporters at an event marking It is now expected to be among the top three the report's release. Mr. Singh cited a Tamil Nadu countries by 2024 from its current seventh Agricultural University study that observed that position, according to global aviation body IATA. while 150 million bee colonies were needed to meet the pollination requirements of about 50

94 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder In its latest 20-year forecast for the aviation helps analyse which plants are deficient in industry, the International Air Transport Association nitrogen, enabling farmers to add corrective (IATA) says that air passenger numbers worldwide fertilizer only where necessary. Sensefly, a Swiss could double to 8.2 billion in 2037. drone manufacturer, has customers around the world whose use of drones has resulted in higher Asian wave yield (more than 10% in observed case studies) The biggest contribution in this growth will come and significantly lower usage of fertilizers and from the Asia-Pacific region, which will account herbicides. for half the total number of new passengers over For a country with a population of over eight million, the next 20 years. Switzerland has an enormous number of people While China will climb up one spot to displace interested in flying drones and developing drone- US as the world's largest aviation market in the based applications. Simon Johnson, the Vice- mid-2020s, India will take the third place by President of the Drone Industry Association surpassing the U.K. around 2024, according to Switzerland, envisions the use of drones in public the IATA forecast. transport in the not too distant future, as well as By 2037, India is expected to add 414 million setting up drone hubs - mini airports, where passengers to its existing 572 million passengers, drones carrying people and cargo can the report added. congregate. In fact, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to see Policy contradictions the fastest growth at the rate of 4.8%, followed While the rest of the world has been soaring by Africa (4.6%) and west Asia (4.4%). ahead in making the futuristic promise of "Firstly, we are seeing a geographical reshuffling unmanned flying vehicles a more immediate of world air traffic to the East. And secondly, we reality, India has largely been dragging its feet. foresee a significant negative impact on the Up until the end of August, flying a drone was growth and benefits of aviation if tough and mostly illegal here. With the publication of the restrictive protectionist measures are drone regulations in late August, the Ministry of implemented," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's Civil Aviation has attempted to give some structure Director General and CEO. to the development of drone infrastructure in India. While announcing the publication of these The other south-east Asian countries predicted guidelines, Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu to grow rapidly include Indonesia, likely to be the made two points, the contradictions of which also fourth largest by 2030 from its current ranking of highlight India's lack of clarity on what it should 10th largest aviation market. Thailand, too, is do with drones. For one, he estimated the expected to enter the top 10 markets in 2030. potential of the "drone market" in India to be $1 A flight path with obstacles trillion. And in the next breath he said India's security environment necessitated extra At Agroscope, the 'Swiss centre of excellence for precautions. agricultural research', in Nyon, Switzerland, agriculture scientists fly a drone to study nitrogen It is with such a heavy eye on the precautions level in leaves, not for a farm as a whole, but for that the regulations have been drafted, that flying each individual plant. The drone takes a large a drone is a task wrapped tightly in immense number of images, which when fed into a paperwork. The abbreviations themselves are computer model with data on soil condition, more than a page long. India's regulations weather, time of the year and other information separate drones into five categories - nano, micro,

95 November 2018 Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy Career Finder small, medium and large. There is very little regulation for flying a nano up to 50 metres height, except for not flying near airports, military sites or in segregated airspace. The paranoia kicks in from the micro category, starting with the application for a unique identification number (UIN) for each drone, with a long list of documentation including security clearances from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in several cases. Once the UIN is obtained, operators get to move to the next step - of having to apply for an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP), implying more forms, more annexures and more submissions. Even to fly a micro drone below 200 ft, users have to intimate the local police station 24 hours prior. (One application requires that it be submitted with seven copies.) Manufacturers of drones as well as technologists and researchers making applications using drones have to test fly these frequently, often several times a day. The structure of these regulations makes the possibility of a red tape-free flight very slim. With so many government authorities involved in allowing permission and keeping an eye, it is inevitable that operators could be slapped easily with real and perceived violations. In an effort to make things slightly easy, the regulation provides a a list of identified areas for testing and demonstration. Flying drones in these areas comes with less paperwork. However, the locations provided are so far from technology and development hubs that it is unclear how practical these will be. In Karnataka, for example, the identified areas are Chitradurga, Coorg and Ganimangala village (which does not even appear on Google maps), all of which are around 200 km from Bengaluru entailing nearly four hours of travel one way. Untapped potential The security and privacy risks of allowing drones to fly in an unregulated manner are high. It may be recalled that in August, a drone was used in an attack on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a public meeting. However, if India is to reach even the fraction of the $1 trillion potential that Mr. Prabhu sees, it needs to figure out a more balanced manner of regulation. The current rules are a start, but only in the sense that they free all drones from their previous illegality. The real impact of drones will be in the many applications they will be put to. Agriculture is just one such. They are likely to be the disaster prevention systems, rescue operation leaders, and even public transport providers in the not too distant future. Missing out on working on these applications early enough will likely have serious repercussions to India's future competitiveness in the field. China's drone economy - manufacturing and development - will be worth $9 billion in 2020, while the U.S's commercial drone market is expected to be $2.05 billion by 2023 (Global Market Insights). For India to compete against these giants, it already has a lot of catching up to do. Filing a series of applications in multiple copies and waiting for various government departments to respond is not the best way to get started.

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