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  • NCERT panel suggests only ‘Bharat’ in Textbooks

    Central Idea

    • In 2022, the Social Science committee of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) proposed a shift from ‘India’ to ‘Bharat’ in Social Science textbooks up to Class 12.
    • This suggestion has rekindled the age-old discussion about the nation’s name, particularly after the G20 Summit’s reference to the “President of Bharat.”

    Bharat’s Historical Roots

    • Puranic Literature and Mahabharata: The name ‘Bharat,’ ‘Bharata,’ or ‘Bharatvarsha’ finds its origins in Puranic literature and the epic Mahabharata. It refers to the land between the southern sea and the northern abode of snow.
    • King Bharata: Legend has it that King Bharata, an ancient figure, was the ancestor of the Bharatas, a Rig Vedic tribe, making him the forefather of the entire subcontinent’s populace.

    India’ and ‘Hindustan’

    • Hindustan’s Origins: ‘Hindustan’ likely evolved from ‘Hindu,’ the Persian equivalent of Sanskrit’s ‘Sindhu,’ influenced by the Achaemenid Persian conquest of the Indus valley in the 6th century BCE. The suffix “stan” emerged around the 1st century CE, creating “Hindustan.”
    • Greek Influence: The Greeks transliterated ‘Hind’ as ‘Indus,’ and by Alexander the Great’s 3rd-century BC invasion, ‘India’ referred to the region beyond the Indus.
    • Mughal Era: In the 16th century, ‘Hindustan’ described the entire Indo-Gangetic plain, encompassing the Mughal emperor’s territories across South Asia.
    • British Colonial Impact: British maps in the late 18th century started using ‘India,’ while ‘Hindustan’ lost its association with the whole of South Asia, reflecting evolving perspectives and colonial influence.

    Constituent Assembly’s Decision

    • Article 1 of the Constitution: Article 1 of the Indian Constitution begins with the phrase, “India, that is, Bharat, shall be a Union of States.”
    • Debate and Perspectives: During the Constituent Assembly discussions, there were differing opinions on emphasizing ‘Bharat’ as the primary name for the country.
    • Pro-‘Bharat’ Arguments: Some argued that ‘India’ was merely an English translation of ‘Bharat,’ citing the example of the Irish Constitution, where “Eire” is used in the Irish language, with “Ireland” in English.
    • Historical and Cultural Significance: Supporters of ‘Bharat’ highlighted the civilizational and cultural connotations it carried, emphasizing the need for a name that befits India’s history and heritage.
    • Dr. BR Ambedkar’s Perspective: Ultimately, the formulation ‘India, that is, Bharat,’ was adopted. Dr. BR Ambedkar, Chairman of the Constituent Assembly’s Drafting Committee, downplayed the civilizational debates and emphasized the pressing work ahead.

    Conclusion

    • The ongoing debate surrounding ‘Bharat’ and ‘India’ reflects the complexities of identity, history, and linguistic heritage in the nation.
    • While ‘Bharat’ has deep roots in ancient Indian texts, ‘India’ carries historical and colonial significance.
    • The Constituent Assembly’s choice of ‘India, that is, Bharat,’ signifies a delicate balance between honoring heritage and embracing a forward-looking identity for the nation.

  • How big is the Gender Gap in earnings?

    gender gap

    Central Idea

    • The Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS) have diligently monitored the gender earnings gap in India from April-June 2019 to 2023.
    • This latest iteration places a vital spotlight on weekly hours worked, unveiling that the inequity in total earnings may not fully encapsulate the true narrative.

    Examining the Gender Earnings Disparities

    • Claudia Goldin’s Pioneering Work: Building upon Nobel laureate Claudia Goldin’s research, India’s gender disparities in employment and wages come into focus.
    • Earnings Converted to Weekly Figures: Earnings for various worker categories are transformed into weekly earnings.
    • Ratio of Weekly Earnings: Table 1 displays the ratio of weekly earnings between men and women at the national level, encompassing rural and urban sectors. A figure above 1 denotes men earning more than women.
    • Persistent Gender Gap: Men out-earn women across all forms of work, with the self-employed experiencing the most significant gender gap in 2023, where men earned 2.8 times more than women. In contrast, male regular wage workers earned 24% more, and male casual workers earned 48% more than their female counterparts. The gender earnings gap remains a persistent challenge.
    • Changing Trends: Notably, the gender gap has increased for self-employed workers but decreased for regular wage workers, dropping to 24% in 2023 from 34% in 2019.

    Analyzing Average Weekly Work Hours

    • Incomplete Picture: Disparities in earnings per unit of work are not entirely elucidated by the earnings gap alone. Women consistently work fewer hours than men across all forms of employment, as depicted in Table 2.
    • Largest Gap for the Self-Employed: In 2023, men in self-employment worked 50% more hours than women, while the gap was the smallest for regular wage workers (19%).
    • Rising Gender Gap in Hours Worked: The gender gap in hours worked has expanded, particularly for self-employed women, indicating an increase in part-time employment among them. Simultaneously, male self-employed workers continue full-time work.

    Diving Deeper into Hourly Earnings Gap

    • Hourly Earnings Analysis: Calculations of hourly earnings for each worker category reveal the ratio between men and women’s hourly earnings, as presented in Table 3.
    • Significant Reduction in Regular Wage Workers’ Gap: In 2023, men in regular wage employment earned 24% more than women over the week but worked 19% longer hours. The hourly earnings gap narrows to approximately 4%, down from 11% in 2019.
    • Hourly Earnings Parity in Regular Wage Work: On average, women in regular employment earn less per week but nearly match men when hourly earnings are considered. However, these averages mask nuanced disparities across occupations and industries.
    • Higher Inequality in Other Employment Types: Inequality in hourly earnings is more pronounced in other work categories, albeit lower than when assessing total earnings. In 2023, male casual workers earned 23% more per hour than women, a reduction from 33% in 2019. Conversely, the self-employed category witnessed an increase in the hourly earnings gap from 84% in 2019 to 87% in 2023.

    Factors Influencing Work Hours

    • Beyond Pure Choice: Lower hourly earnings inequality for regular wage workers doesn’t imply women opt for shorter work hours by choice.
    • Societal barriers: Barriers, such as societal expectations that women manage domestic and childcare duties, may limit their employment options.

    Conclusion

    • Addressing both remuneration disparities and disparities in total work hours is crucial.
    • Policymakers should target the removal of barriers that curtail women’s working hours.
    • This involves workplace interventions like mandating childcare facilities and extended maternity leaves and broader societal transformations that challenge traditional gender norms and share childcare and domestic responsibilities more equitably.

  • LS Ethics Committee: Its’ Constitution, Members

    Central Idea

    • The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, set up over two decades ago, plays a pivotal role in overseeing the conduct of members and addressing cases of misconduct.
    • While it predominantly handles relatively minor offenses, its significance in maintaining ethical standards in Parliament cannot be understated.

    History of Ethics Committees

    • Origin in 1996: The concept of ethics panels for the two Houses of Parliament was first proposed during a Presiding Officers’ Conference in Delhi in 1996.
    • Rajya Sabha’s Pioneering Committee: Vice President K R Narayanan, who served as Rajya Sabha Chairman, established the Ethics Committee for the Upper House on March 4, 1997. It officially commenced its duties in May of the same year.
    • Lok Sabha’s Journey: Lok Sabha’s Ethics Committee journey was delayed initially. A study group within the House Committee of Privileges recommended its formation in 1997 after studying legislative ethics practices worldwide. However, it only became a permanent fixture in the Lok Sabha in 2015, following its ad hoc establishment in 2000.

    Procedure for Complaints

    • Complaint Origins: Any person can file a complaint against a Member of Parliament (MP) through another Lok Sabha MP. The complaint must be accompanied by evidence of alleged misconduct and an affidavit confirming its authenticity. MPs can also lodge complaints without the need for an affidavit.
    • Speaker’s Role: The Speaker can refer any complaint against an MP to the Ethics Committee.
    • Prima Facie Inquiry: The Committee conducts a preliminary inquiry to determine if a complaint warrants further examination. It proceeds to evaluate and make recommendations after this stage.
    • Report Presentation: The Committee presents its findings to the Speaker, who seeks the House’s input on whether to consider the report. A half-hour discussion on the report can also be scheduled.

    Privileges Committee Comparison

    • Overlapping Responsibilities: The Ethics Committee and the Privileges Committee occasionally deal with similar cases. More serious allegations typically go to the Privileges Committee.
    • Privileges Committee’s Mandate: The Privileges Committee safeguards the “freedom, authority, and dignity of Parliament.” It can address breaches of privilege by MPs or non-MPs that undermine the House’s authority and dignity.
    • Ethics Committee’s Scope: The Ethics Committee primarily focuses on cases of misconduct involving MPs.

    2005 Cash-for-Query Case

    • Expulsion of MPs: In 2005, a significant episode unfolded when both Houses expelled 10 Lok Sabha MPs and one Rajya Sabha MP implicated in the cash-for-query scandal. They were accused of accepting money to raise questions in Parliament.
    • Bansal Committee’s Report: The Lok Sabha took action based on the report of a special committee led by Chandigarh MP P K Bansal. In contrast, Rajya Sabha entrusted the House Ethics Committee with investigating the matter.
    • Evidence in the 2005 Case: Former Lok Sabha Secretary General P D T Achary noted that the 2005 case was backed by substantial evidence from a sting operation. Establishing a money trail could be the challenge in the recent Bengal MP case.

    Conclusion

    • The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, although historically ad hoc and relatively recent in its permanent establishment, plays a critical role in upholding the ethical standards of India’s parliamentary members.
    • It serves as a guardian of parliamentary ethics, ensuring that members adhere to the highest moral standards while fulfilling their legislative responsibilities.
    • The Committee’s work, while often overshadowed, is integral to maintaining the integrity of the Lok Sabha.

  • International Solar Alliance to release ‘Solar Stocktake’ Report

    solar

    Central Idea

    • The International Solar Alliance (ISA), a coalition of 116 member nations committed to advancing global solar technology adoption, is set to unveil its inaugural ‘global solar stock-take report.’
    • This initiative is inspired by the United Nations’ inaugural ‘Global Stocktake’ event, slated for Dubai later this year.

    About International Solar Alliance (ISA)

    • The ISA is an alliance of more than 121 countries, most of them being sunshine countries, which lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
    • It is headquartered in Gurugram, India.
    • The primary objective of the alliance is to work for efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
    • The alliance is a treaty-based inter-governmental organization.
    • The initiative was launched by PM Modi at the India Africa Summit and a meeting of member countries ahead of the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in November 2015.

    ISA’s Solar Stocktake

    • First-Ever Report: The ISA’s ‘solar stocktake’ report marks a historic endeavor, with its release scheduled for mid-November.
    • Assessing Progress: The report will comprehensively evaluate the strides made by nations in the adoption of solar energy.
    • Global Solar Investment: Notably, investments in solar energy have surged, reaching nearly $300 billion in 2020 and approximately $380 billion in 2022. However, there is significant manufacturing concentration in China.
    • Diversifying Solar Manufacturing: The ISA aims to explore strategies for diversifying solar manufacturing beyond China.

    ISA’s Commitment to Solar Expansion

    • Leadership: The ISA, co-led by India and France, is gearing up for its sixth annual meeting, scheduled in Delhi.
    • Africa Solar Focus: One of the ISA’s primary objectives is to expand solar installations in Africa. To facilitate this, the Global Solar Facility (GSF) has been established.
    • Global Solar Facility (GSF): The GSF consists of three funds: a payment guarantee fund, an insurance fund to mitigate project risks, and an investment fund for technical assistance.
    • Expanding to Other Regions: Following its work in Africa, the ISA aims to extend its efforts to West Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

    Global Solar Energy Landscape

    • Growing Solar Capacity: As of 2022, global solar photovoltaic installations reached 1,133 gigawatts (GW), with an impressive addition of 191 GW in 2022.
    • Chinese Dominance: China, despite not being an ISA member, accounts for nearly a quarter of global solar installations, at around 350 GW. The United States, an ISA member, follows with 111 GW. India, also an ISA member, ranks among the top five countries globally, with 62 GW of solar capacity.

    Conclusion

    • The ISA’s ‘solar stocktake’ report represents a significant milestone in the global push for solar energy adoption.
    • As the world grapples with the imperative to transition to renewable energy sources, this initiative offers insights into progress and challenges.

  • Unraveling the Mystery of Ball Lightning

    Ball Lightning

    Central Idea

    • Ball lightning, an intriguing natural phenomenon characterized by luminous spherical objects appearing during thunderstorms, has intrigued observers for generations.
    • They are sometimes accompanied by hissing sounds and unusual odors, adding to the mystery surrounding their origin and behavior.

    Understanding Lightning and Ball Lightning

    • Normal lightning: Lightning is a natural electrical discharge that occurs due to differences in electrical charges within clouds or between clouds and the Earth’s surface during storms.
    • Ball Lightning: Ball lightning has been documented in historical records, with instances dating back to 1638 when a “great ball of fire” entered an English church through a window, hinting at its potential danger.
    • Scientific Recognition: While debates persist, most scientists acknowledge the existence of ball lightning, even though its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.
    • Chinese Research: A study conducted by researchers from Lanzhou’s Northwest Normal University in 2012 inadvertently captured a ball lightning event during a thunderstorm. Their findings confirmed the presence of elements such as silicon, iron, and calcium in the luminous sphere, matching the composition of local soil.

    Possible Causes of Ball Lightning

    • Ground Strike Theory: Some scientists propose that ball lightning may result from ground strikes, initiating chemical reactions between oxygen and vaporized soil elements. This process creates ionized air or plasma, resembling phenomena like St. Elmo’s Fire.
    • Glass-Related Hypothesis: Another theory suggests that ball lightning might form due to the buildup of atmospheric ions on glass surfaces, creating an electrical field capable of generating discharges.
    • Microwave Radiation: An alternative theory posits that ball lightning could be linked to microwave radiation produced when lightning strikes the Earth’s surface, potentially encapsulating it in a plasma bubble.

    Association with Earthquakes

    • In rare instances, ball lightning has been observed in connection with earthquakes, displaying as bluish flames, sudden bright flashes from the ground, or floating orbs.
    • A 2014 study exploring earthquake lights proposed that specific rock types release electrical charges during seismic waves, leading to luminous displays.

  • What separates Classical and Quantum Chaos?

    Central Idea

    • Have you ever wondered why weather forecasts sometimes go wrong?
    • It’s because our atmosphere is a place of constant change and randomness. Predicting exactly what will happen can be really tough.
    • We’ll explore this idea of chaos and how it affects not only weather but many other things, from tiny particles to the quantum world.

    Chaos in Weather Forecasting

    • Randomness in the Atmosphere: Earth’s atmosphere, a laboratory of randomness, constantly changes in terms of pressure, density, gas flow rates, and temperature, making the paths of gas molecules unpredictable.
    • The Butterfly Effect: The “butterfly effect” illustrates the idea that a butterfly’s wings flapping in one place can trigger a storm elsewhere, emphasizing the sensitivity of chaotic systems to initial conditions.
    • Deterministic Chaos: Chaotic systems, like a pinball machine, follow deterministic physical laws but exhibit seemingly unpredictable behavior. The term “deterministic chaos” implies that precise knowledge of the present is required for accurate future predictions.

    Chaos and the Lyapunov Time

    • Diverse Applications: Chaos theory finds applications in various fields, from fluid dynamics and human heartbeat irregularities to voting patterns and planetary dynamics.
    • Sensitivity to Initial Conditions: Chaotic systems are highly sensitive to their initial conditions, often leading to seemingly random behavior.
    • Lyapunov Time: The predictability of a chaotic system depends on factors such as the accuracy of its initial state knowledge and the Lyapunov time, which varies from milliseconds for electrical circuits to millions of years for the inner solar system.

    What is Quantum Chaos?

    • Quantum Mechanics vs. Chaos: Quantum mechanics, while probabilistic, differs from chaos theory. Subatomic particles lack point-like locations, making it impossible to precisely determine their positions.
    • Perturbation Theory: Quantum physics addresses mild disturbances in atomic systems using perturbation theory. Chaos, however, requires a distinct approach, leading to the field of quantum chaos.
    • The Rydberg Atom: The Rydberg atom bridges classical and quantum domains. When an atom’s energy levels become nearly continuous due to high excitation, it exhibits classical behavior.
    • Spectrum Signatures: Chaos in a Rydberg atom manifests in the spectrum of its energy levels, with irregularities that contrast with the randomness of non-chaotic quantum systems.

    Significance of studying Quantum Chaos

    • Discrete Energy Steps: Quantum systems feature discrete energy levels, in contrast to classical systems with continuous energy. The Rydberg atom offers a link between these realms.
    • Regularities in Chaos: Chaotic quantum systems surprisingly display strong regularities in the distribution of energy levels, an area ripe for exploration.
    • Expanding Horizons: Quantum chaos is a burgeoning field of research with implications in thermalization, quantum information, and black hole quantum mechanics, presenting exciting challenges and opportunities.

  • Why Mumbai is witnessing more poor air quality days

    mumbai

    Central Idea

    • Mumbai, known for its coastal breeze and cleaner air, is grappling with an annual decline in air quality, resembling Delhi’s long-standing pollution woes.
    • The city’s coastal location, once considered a safeguard against air pollution, is no longer a reliable defense.

    Air Quality Deterioration in Mumbai

    • Geographic Advantage Eroded: Mumbai’s coastal location was historically its shield against air pollution, with sea breezes dispersing particles.
    • Comparable Pollution Levels: Last year, Mumbai experienced an extended period of poor air quality, overlapping with Delhi’s notorious smog issue.

    Meteorological Influence

    • Crucial Wind Patterns: Winds’ direction and strength play a pivotal role in shaping Mumbai’s air quality. Despite similar pollutant emissions to Delhi, the city’s coastal nature provides an advantage.
    • Sea-Land Wind Cycle: Typically, winds alternate between sea-to-land and land-to-sea movements every few days, aiding natural cleansing. Disruptions in this cycle can impact air quality.

    Reasons for such poor air quality

    • La Nina’s Role: The recent dip in La Nina, characterized by ocean surface cooling and altered wind patterns, contributed to elevated particulate matter levels in Mumbai.
    • Prolonged Pollution: La Nina’s influence delayed the expected strong wind reversal from the sea, trapping pollutants in the lower atmosphere for extended periods.
    • Change in Weather Phenomenon: La Nina has given way to El Nino, albeit weaker. Its specific impact on Mumbai’s air quality remains uncertain.
    • Prevalent Construction Projects: The city is currently witnessing construction activities at a staggering 6,000 sites, posing a significant challenge to air quality.
    • Dust Displacement: Dust particles from roads and vehicles transporting construction debris add to Mumbai’s pollution burden.
    • Domestic Sources: Restaurants, dhabas, and eateries using unclean oils for cooking release ultrafine particles, oil droplets, and condensed organic compounds, along with harmful gases such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.

    How local weather fuels it?

    • Calm Winds and Temperature Gradient: As the monsoon retreated, Mumbai experienced calmer winds. A substantial temperature difference between the city and nearby Sahyadri ranges led to winds carrying dust from construction sites in Navi Mumbai.
    • Local Weather Not Sole Culprit: Unfavorable local weather conditions are not solely responsible for Mumbai’s air quality decline.
    • Baseline Pollution High: Mumbai’s consistent and escalating pollutant emissions are exceeding its environmental capacity.
    • Economic Growth: Increased economic activity, higher vehicle numbers, extensive construction, and elevated consumption contribute to rising emissions.

    Conclusion

    • Mumbai’s air quality predicament signals the urgency of addressing escalating pollution sources and fortifying mitigation measures.
    • While meteorological conditions play a role, the city’s growing economic activity and emissions are the driving forces behind its deteriorating air quality.
    • Relevant authorities must take proactive steps to combat this issue and ensure a healthier environment for its residents.

  • China’s TRIDENT Telescope: Oceanic Quest for Ghost Particles

    trident

    Central Idea

    • Chinese scientists are constructing the world’s most extensive “ghost particle” detector, named the Tropical Deep-sea Neutrino Telescope (TRIDENT) in the South China Sea.

    About TRIDENT Telescope

    • Scheduled for completion in 2030, TRIDENT, aptly nicknamed “Ocean Bell” or “Hai ling” in Chinese.
    • It will be positioned 11,500 feet (3,500 meters) beneath the ocean’s surface in the Western Pacific.
    • It seeks to explore the realm of neutrinos, transient particles that momentarily interact with the deep ocean, emitting faint flashes of light.

    Project Timeline

    • Pilot Phase (2026): TRIDENT will initiate a pilot project to fine-tune operations.
    • Full Deployment (2030): The complete detector will be operational, embarking on a quest to expand the frontiers of neutrino astronomy.

    Features of TRIDENT

    • Optical Sensors and String Arrays: TRIDENT boasts over 24,000 optical sensors distributed across 1,211 strings, each extending 2,300 feet (700 meters) from the seabed. The detector’s arrangement follows a Penrose tiling pattern, covering a vast 4 km diameter.
    • Expansive Coverage: Once operational, TRIDENT will surveil neutrinos within an impressive 7.5 cubic km. In contrast, the world’s largest current neutrino detector, IceCube in Antarctica, encompasses a mere 1 cubic km.
    • Enhanced Sensitivity: TRIDENT’s extensive coverage significantly heightens its sensitivity, augmenting its prospects of detecting elusive neutrinos.

    Back2Basics: Ghost Particles – Neutrinos

    Electric Charge Electrically neutral, carrying no charge.
    Mass Tiny mass, much smaller than electrons.
    Interactions Interact very weakly with matter.
    Types 3 known types:

    1. Electron,
    2. Muon, and
    3. Tau neutrinos
    Production Sources Neutrinos are produced in various astrophysical processes, nuclear reactions, and particle interactions.
    Detection
    • Detecting neutrinos is challenging due to their weak interactions.
    • Specialized detectors like neutrino observatories are used.
    Significance
    • Play a crucial role in astrophysics, contributing to our understanding of stars, supernovae, and cosmic rays.
    • Neutrinos can change between different flavors, known as neutrino oscillation, which was a groundbreaking discovery.

  • United Nations at 76: From Inception to Evolution

    United Nations

    Central Idea

    • On this day in 1945, the United Nations (UN) was established amid a backdrop of global turmoil, emerging from the shadows of two devastating world wars.
    • This article traces the birth of the UN, its historical evolution, and highlights both its notable achievements and challenges.

    Birth of the UN

    • Post-World War Turmoil: Following the devastation of both World War I and World War II, global powers were grappling with the need for a more effective international organization to prevent future conflicts.
    • Predecessor: The League of Nations, established in 1919 after World War I, laid the foundation for the UN’s creation but faltered during World War II.
    • The Atlantic Charter: In August 1941, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and UK PM Winston Churchill issued the Atlantic Charter, an affirmation that paved the way for the UN. It articulated shared principles for a better world.
    • Birth of the Term ‘UN’: The term ‘UN’ was first coined by President Roosevelt in 1941 to identify the Allied nations against the axis powers.
    • Declaration of the UN: On January 1, 1942, representatives of 26 Allied nations gathered in Washington DC to sign the Declaration of the UN, outlining the war objectives of the Allied powers. India, under British colonial rule, was among these nations.

    Inception and Charter

    • Formation and Ratification: The UN officially came into existence on October 24, 1945, with ratification by 51 nations, including five permanent members (France, Republic of China, Soviet Union, UK, and US).
    • General Assembly Inauguration: The first meeting of the General Assembly took place on January 10, 1946.
    • UN’s Core Goals: The UN was founded on four key goals: maintaining international peace and security, fostering friendly relations among nations, promoting international cooperation in problem-solving, and coordinating global actions toward common objectives.

    Evolution and Impact

    • Membership Growth: Initially comprised of 51 member states, the UN’s membership expanded as independence movements and decolonization unfolded. Today, it boasts 193 member countries.
    • Broadened Scope: Over 75 years, the UN has tackled numerous global issues, including health, environment, and women’s empowerment.

    Achievements of the UN

    • Peace and Security: Prevented conflicts, mediated peace agreements, and conducted peacekeeping missions in places like Bosnia and Kosovo.
    • Humanitarian Aid: Provided vital aid through agencies like WFP and UNICEF, offering food, shelter, and healthcare during crises.
    • Human Rights: Established the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and monitors violations globally through mechanisms like the Human Rights Council.
    • Health: Led efforts against diseases like smallpox and HIV/AIDS through WHO, addressing current threats like COVID-19.
    • Refugee Support: UNHCR aids refugees and internally displaced persons while advocating for their rights.
    • Environmental Advocacy: Raised awareness about climate change, negotiated the Paris Agreement, and promotes sustainability via UNEP.

    Failures and Criticisms of the UN

    • Genocide Prevention: Failed to prevent genocides like Rwanda and Srebrenica despite early warnings.
    • Peacekeeping Challenges: Faced issues like misconduct allegations and difficulties in halting violence in missions like South Sudan.
    • Veto Powers: Criticized for Security Council veto powers that hinder action and maintain power imbalances.
    • Enforcement Limits: Reliant on member states for enforcement, leading to limited action in cases of non-compliance, as seen in the Iraq War.
    • Lack of Representation: Critiqued for underrepresenting Global South countries in key decision-making bodies.
    • Neoliberal Influence: Accused of promoting neoliberal economic policies, which can exacerbate inequalities, through associated organizations like the World Bank and IMF.

    Future Plan

    • 2020 Declaration: In a high-level UN General Assembly meeting commemorating 75 years of the UN, a declaration was adopted outlining goals for the next decade. These include protecting the environment, promoting peace, gender equality, digital cooperation, and sustainable financing.
    • Decade of Action: The next ten years, designated as the “decade of action and delivery for sustainable development,” are considered critical for addressing global challenges, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Conclusion

    • The UN, born out of the ashes of conflict, has played a significant role in shaping the world’s course over the past 75 years.
    • Its journey has been marked by both notable achievements and formidable challenges.
    • As it enters a new decade with a renewed commitment to global betterment, the UN continues to evolve as a pivotal force in promoting international cooperation and addressing humanity’s most pressing issues.

  • Article 142 of Indian Constitution

    Central idea:  Supreme Court has ruled that it can dissolve a marriage on the ground of irretrievable breakdown, using its power under Article 142(1), without referring the parties to family court for waiting period of 6-18 months for mutual consent divorce.

    What is Article 142?

    Article 142 titled ‘Enforcement of decrees and orders of the Supreme Court and orders as to discovery, etc.’ has two clauses:

    [1] Article 142(1)

    • The Supreme Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction may pass such decree or make such order as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it.
    • Any decree so passed or order so made shall be enforceable throughout the territory of India.
    • It may be in such manner as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament and, until provision in that behalf is so made, in such manner as the President may by order prescribe.

    [2] Article 142(2)

    • The Supreme Court shall have all and every power to make any order for the purpose of securing the attendance of any person, the discovery or production of any documents, or the investigation or punishment of any contempt of itself.

    History of Article 142

    • When a draft Constitution was prepared by the drafting committee and placed before the Constituent Assembly, Article 142 was actually numbered as Article 118.
    • It was placed before the Constituent Assembly on May 27, 1949 for debate but got adopted on the same day without any debate.
    • This was possibly because everyone agreed that in order to ensure judicial independence, the highest court of the country must be empowered with plenary power to do complete justice.

    Article 142 in Divorce Cases

    (1) Current Divorce Process

    • The Hindu Marriage Act allows for “divorce by mutual consent.”
    • Both parties must file a petition to the district court, citing that they have been living separately for at least one year and mutually agree to dissolve the marriage.
    • The parties must then move a second motion before the court, no earlier than six months after filing the first petition and no later than 18 months after the same date.

    (2) Factors considered for irretrievable breakdown

    The Court must be convinced that the marriage is “totally unworkable, emotionally dead, and beyond salvation.” The following factors can be considered:

    1. The period of time that the parties had cohabited after marriage
    2. When the parties had last cohabited
    3. Nature of allegations made by the parties against each other and their family members
    4. Orders passed in the legal proceedings from time to time
    5. Cumulative impact on the personal relationship
    6. Whether and how many attempts were made to settle the disputes by a court or through mediation, and when the last attempt was made.
    7. The period of separation should be sufficiently long, and anything above six years or more will be a relevant factor.
    8. It is necessary to evaluate the factors according to the economic and social status of the parties, including their educational qualifications, whether they have any children, their age, and whether the spouse and children are dependents.

    Try this PYQ from CSP 2019:

    Q.With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations on the constitutional powers under Article 142. It could mean which one of the following?

    1. The decisions taken by the Election Commission of India while discharging its duties cannot be challenged in any court of law.
    2. The Supreme Court of India is not constrained in the exercise of its powers by laws made by the Parliament.
    3. In the event of grave financial crisis in the country, the President of India can declare Financial Emergency without the counsel from the Cabinet.
    4. State Legislatures cannot make laws on certain matters without the concurrence of Union Legislature.

     

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