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Distribution: yearly

  • Why Russia celebrates WWII triumph on a different date?

    Raksha Mantri is on a three-day trip to Russia to attend the 75th Victory Day. India has sent a tri-services contingent to participate in the Victory Day Parade.

    Try these questions from CS Mains:

    Q.To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically. (CSM 2015)

     

    Q.The New Economic Policy – 1921 of Lenin had influenced the policies adopted by India soon after independence. Evaluate. (CSM 2014)

    What is Victory Day?

    • Victory Day marks the end of World War II and the victory of the Allied Forces in 1945.
    • Adolf Hitler had shot himself on April 30. On May 7, German troops surrendered, which was formally accepted the next day and came into effect on May 9.
    • In most European countries, it is celebrated on May 8 and is called the Victory in Europe Day.

    Why does Russia not celebrate Victory Day on the same date?

    • The erstwhile Soviet Union had not wanted the surrender to take place in the west and wanted that such a significant event should reflect the contribution of the Red Army and the Soviet population.
    • According to historians, Joseph Stalin, premier of the Soviet Union, wanted Germany to also sign surrender in Berlin.
    • Since crowds were already gathering in London to celebrate, Victory in Europe Day celebration in Britain would take place on 8 May, as they did in the United States.
    • This did not convince Stalin, who argued that Soviet troops were still fighting the German forces in many areas.
    • German soldiers did not surrender in East Prussia, Courland Peninsula, Czechoslovakia till later. Hence victory celebration could therefore not begin in the Soviet Union even after May 9.

    If May 9 is Victory Day, why is it being celebrated on June 24?

    • This year, the celebrations this year were pushed to June because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
    • After winning the war and having its own Victory Day on May 9, Stalin wanted to commemorate the victory with a military parade.
    • On June 22, 1945, he ordered the commemoration of the victory over Germany to hold the victory parade on June 24, 1945, in Moscow’s Red Square.
    • Hence the first Victory Day Parade took place on June 24 in Moscow. However, since then, the Parades have taken place on May 9.

  • What is the Arctic Heatwave warming up Siberia?

    The Arctic Circle has recorded temperatures reaching over 38 degrees Celsius in the Siberian town of Verkhoyansk, likely an all-time high. The temperatures seem to have been 18 degree Celsius higher than normal in June a/c to the BBC.

    Try this question from CS Mains 2017:

    Q.How does the Cryosphere affect global climate?

    What is happening in the Arctic?

    • Since the past month, the most above-average temperatures were recorded in Siberia, where they were about 10 degrees Celsius above normal.
    • Siberia has been recording higher-than-average surface air temperatures since January.

    Are Arctic heatwaves common?

    • This is not the first time that rising temperatures in the Arctic have created alarm.
    • The rising temperatures are attributed to large-scale wind patterns that blasted the Arctic with heat, the absence of sea ice, and human-induced climate change, among other reasons.
    • There has been an increase of heatwave occurrences over the terrestrial Arctic. These frequent occurrences have already started to threaten local vegetation, ecology, human health and economy.

    A cause of worry for all

    • Warming in the Arctic is leading to the thawing of once permanently frozen permafrost below ground.
    • This is alarming scientists because as permafrost thaws, carbon dioxide and methane previously locked up below ground is released.
    • These greenhouse gases can cause further warming, and further thawing of the permafrost, in a vicious cycle known as positive feedback.
    • The higher temperatures also cause land ice in the Arctic to melt at a faster rate, leading to greater run-off into the ocean where it contributes to sea-level rise.

  • 100 Years of Malabar Rebellion

    With the 1921 Malabar Rebellion turning 100 next year, several movies have been announced back-to-back.

    Try this question from CSP 2015:

    Q. Which amongst the following provided a common factor for tribal insurrection in India in the 19th century?

    (a.) Introduction of a new system of land revenue and taxation- of tribal products

    (b.) Influence of foreign religious missionaries in tribal areas

    (c.) Rise of a large number of money lenders, traders and revenue farmers as middlemen in tribal areas

    (d.) The complete disruption of the old agrarian order of the tribal communities

    What is the Malabar Rebellion?

    • The Malabar Rebellion in 1921 started as resistance against the British colonial rule and the feudal system in southern Malabar but ended in communal violence between Hindus and Muslims.
    • There were a series of clashes between Mappila peasantry and their landlords, supported by the British, throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
    • It began as a reaction against a heavy-handed crackdown on the Khilafat Movement, a campaign in defence of the Ottoman Caliphate by the British authorities in the Eranad and Valluvanad taluks of Malabar.
    • The Mappilas attacked and took control of police stations, British government offices, courts and government treasuries.

    Also in news:

    Variyankunna Kunjahammed Haji

    • He was one of the leaders of the Malabar Rebellion of 1921.
    • He raised 75000 natives, seized control of large territory from the British rule and set up a parallel government.
    • In January 1922, under the guise of a treaty, the British betrayed Haji through his close friend Unyan Musaliyar, arresting him from his hideout and producing him before a British judge.
    • He was sentenced to death along with his compatriots.

  • Why high-altitude warfare is challenging, how soldiers are trained

    The violent standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley of Ladakh region has thrown the spotlight on high-altitude warfare and the challenges that troops face, particularly when advantageous positions on the heights are occupied by the other side.

    In the clouds of war, one may recall the huge amount of casualties faced by the Indian Army compared to the Pakistani side (being at advantageous positions) during the Kargil War.

    Try this question for mains:

    Q. Discuss why high-altitude warfare is challenging. Also discuss about India’s preparedness for a long-term war.

    How is high-altitude warfare fought?

    • High-altitude warfare is fought keeping the terrain and weather in mind.
    • The kind of infrastructure and training that the troops require for high-altitude warfare are key factors.
    • The evolution of such warfare goes back a long way: European countries had mountain brigades in view of the kind of terrain prevalent in those countries.
    • The harshness of the terrain calls for a specialised kind of training to prepare soldiers in terms of mindset and acclimatization.

    How is India equipped in such warfare?

    • Generally, India is considered a hub of mountain warfare skills since most of the country’s north and northeast requires such skills.
    • Ladakh Scouts are considered the best in this kind of warfare.
    • Mountain chop, a tactic involved in such warfare, evolved in India where the mountainous terrain is very difficult to scale.
    • To begin with, the troops are imparted training in basic and advance training in mountaineering to make them equipped for mountain warfare.

    Actual tactics involved

    • The mindsets of the enemy sitting above are assessed. Taking stock of the entire situation, one needs to find out the easiest approaches.
    • Especially when there are vertical cliffs, it is generally perceived that the enemy that has taken defensive positions will be less guarded from the side of difficult approaches.
    • Basically, the most difficult approaches where the enemy is likely to give the least resistance need to be used efficiently.

    What are the challenges involved in warfare in a high-altitude place like Galwan Valley?

    • A big factor is who has taken defensive positions and who is sitting on higher ground.
    • Once troops are sitting on high ground, it becomes very difficult to dislodge them from there.
    • In a place like Galwan Valley, which is absolutely barren, there is not much hiding place.
    • The soldier on high ground is absolutely stationary, which makes those on lower terrain easy targets; the enemy can pick them up one by one.
    • Normally in mountain warfare, troops on lower ground use a combat ratio of 1:6, but in circumstances as in Galwan, it may go up to 1:10.

    How to approach such situations?

    • Generally, mountain warfare is fought using the period of darkness to reach the opposing army, engage and overpower them before the first light of day.
    • In case troops do not have the capabilities, fitness or strategies to do so before dawn, then it is a lost cause.
    • But without adequate trained troops who are well-versed with the terrain and are properly acclimatized, it is not an easy game.

    What are the other challenges faced by soldiers in high altitudes?

    • The first major factor is acclimatization since the oxygen supply reduces drastically.
    • Next, the load-carrying capacity of individuals reduces drastically.
    • Things move very slowly in the mountains and mobilization of troops consumes time.
    • Thus, time and place need to be kept on top priority when deciding where the troops have to be stationed and how they have to be mobilized.

    What are the logistical challenges in this kind of warfare?

    • One major challenge is that weapons jam, particularly in high-altitude areas.
    • When a soldier is at a height of 17,000 ft or above, it is very cold, and he needs to grease the weapons and clean the barrels at least once a week to ensure they function efficiently.
    • But at the time of combat, this becomes difficult.
    • Vehicles do not start when fuel jams. If the fuel is diesel, it won’t ignite unless it is mixed with thinners or other chemicals to make them thin enough to fire the engine.

    Ensuring proper reinforcement

    • In Galwan, which is an extremely tactical area and strategically important, reinforcement plays a vital role, particularly when the Indian troops are not in a position of advantage.
    • For communication equipment, troops need to carry more batteries because they drain very quickly at high altitude.
    • While a battery tends to last for 24 hours in the plains, it will drain in 1-2 hours in these severely cold areas.
    • Transport animals such as mules need to be used to maintain adequate supplies, which is not an easy task. Weather constraints play a major factor.

  • ‘Decarbonizing Transport in India (DTI)’ Project

    http://www.newsonair.com/writereaddata/News_Pictures/NAT/2020/Jun/NPIC-2020622172010.jpg

    NITI Aayog in collaboration with International Transport Forum (ITF) is set to launch the “Decarbonising Transport in India” project with the intention to develop a pathway towards a low-carbon transport system for India.

    Note the following things about ‘Decarbonising Transport in India (DTI)’ Project:

    1. Associated international institution

    2. Whether the institution is a UN body or not

    3. If India is a member of that body

    The DTI Project

    • The India project is carried out in the wider context of the International Transport Forum’s “Decarbonising Transport” initiative.
    • It is part of the “Decarbonising Transport in Emerging Economies” (DTEE) family of projects, which supports transport decarbonisation across different world regions.
    • India, Argentina, Azerbaijan, and Morocco are current participants.
    • The DTEE is a collaboration between the ITF and the Wuppertal Institute, supported by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment.

    Objectives of the project

    • The project will design a tailor-made transport emissions assessment framework for India.
    • It will provide the government with a detailed understanding of current and future transport activity and the related CO2 emissions as a basis for their decision-making.

    About International Transport Forum (ITF)

    • The ITF is an inter-governmental organisation within the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) system.
    • It is the only global body with a mandate for all modes of transport.
    • It acts as a think tank for transport policy issues and organises the annual global summit of transport ministers.
    • The ITF’s motto is “Global dialogue for better transport”.
    • India has been a member of ITF since 2008.

    Back2Basics: OCED

    • The OECD is an international, intergovernmental economic organization of 36 countries.
    • OECD was founded in the year 1961 to stimulate world trade and economic progress.
    • OECD originated in 1948, as the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC).
    • The Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC) was founded to govern the predominantly US-funded Marshall Plan for post-war reconstruction on the continent.
    • The OEEC was instrumental in helping the European Economic Community (EEC). The EEC has evolved into the European Union (EU) to establish a European Free Trade Area.
    • India is NOT a member of OECD.

  • Secrecy of ballot is the cornerstone of free and fair elections, says Supreme Court

    • Secrecy of ballot is the cornerstone of free and fair elections. The choice of a voter should be free and the secret ballot system in a democracy ensures it, the Supreme Court has held in judgment.
    • The judgment came on an appeal against the Allahabad High Court decision setting aside the voting of a no-confidence motion in a Zila panchayat in Uttar Pradesh in 2018.

    Practice question for mains:

    Q. Discuss how Secrecy of Ballot is the cornerstone of free and fair elections in India.

    What is the Secret Ballot?

    • The secret ballot, also known as Australian ballot, is a voting method in which a voter’s choices in an election or a referendum are anonymous.
    • It aims for forestalling attempts to influence the voter by intimidation, blackmailing, and potential vote-buying.
    • The system is one means of achieving the goal of political privacy.

    What did the Supreme Court rule?

    • The principle of secrecy of ballots is an important postulate of constitutional democracy, the court said.
    • Justice Khanna, who wrote the judgment, referred to Section 94 of the Representation of People Act, which upholds the privilege of the voter to maintain confidentiality about her choice of vote.
    • It is the policy of the law to protect the right of voters to the secrecy of the ballot.
    • Even a remote or distinct possibility that a voter can be forced to disclose for whom she has voted would act as a positive constraint and a check on the freedom to exercise of the franchise.

    Voter’s discretion is allowed

    • A voter can also voluntarily waive the privilege of non-disclosure.
    • The privilege ends when the voter decides to waive the privilege and instead volunteers to disclose as to whom she had voted.
    • No one can prevent a voter from doing. Nor can a complaint be entertained from any, including the person who wants to keep the voter’s mouth sealed as to why she disclosed for whom she voted said the court.

    Try this question from our AWE initiaitive:

    On what grounds a people’s representative can be disqualified under the representation of people act, 1951? Also, mention the remedies available to such person against his disqualification. (15 marks)

  • Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan

    PM Modi has launched the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan, an employment scheme for migrant workers.

    Practice question for mains:

    Q. Discuss the silent success of MGNREGA in COVID-19 times.

    Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan

    • It is a skill-based employment scheme aimed primarily at migrant workers who have returned to their villages to escape the COVID lockdown distress.
    • With a 125-workday mandate to create public infrastructure, with the involvement of 11 central departments, the Rs 50,000-crore initiative will focus on job creation.
    • It will be implemented in 116 districts in six states — UP, MP, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan and Bihar — that saw the maximum number of migrant workers returning over the last three months.

    Works under the scheme

    • The government has identified 25 work areas for employment in villages, for the development of various works.
    • These 25 works or projects are related to meet the needs of the villages like rural housing for the poor, Plantations, provision of drinking water through Jal Jeevan mission,  Panchayat Bhavans, community toilets, rural mandis, rural roads, other infrastructure like Cattle Sheds, Anganwadi Bhavans etc.

    Must read:

    [Burning Issue] Reorienting MGNREGA in times of COVID

  • Paying attention to condition of migrant workers

    Issue of migrant workers caught attention of the nation amid lockdown. This issue has wider implications for the economy. This article highlights need for formulating a program to deal with the migrant labourers’ issue in its entirety.

    Issue with many implications: Migrant labour

    • Out of the total labour force of 465 million workers, around 91 per cent (422 million) were informal workers in 2017-18.
    • The Economic Survey (2017) estimated 139 million seasonal or circular migrants.
    • Circular urban migrants perform essential labour and provide services.
    • Hence, this issue has implications for livelihoods, agriculture, food security, and safety net policy as well as programme responses.

    Existing and proposed legal provision

    • There exists The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act of 1979.
    • Despite this act, there is no central registry of migrant workers.
    • The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code of 2019 has been introduced in Parliament.
    • This code seeks to promote the welfare of migrant workers and legal protection for their rights.
    • The code seeks to merge 13 labour laws, including the Inter-state Migrant Workmen Act, 1979 into a single law.

    One nation, one ration card

    • “One nation one ration card” addresses the problem of ration-card portability.
    • The move would benefit nearly 670 million people and will be completed by March 2021.

    Provisions in the package for migrant workers, small farmers, street vendors

    • There is a provision of Rs 30,000 crore through NABARD, in addition to the already existing Rs 90,000 crore allocation, for the rabi harvest and post-harvest rabi-related work for small and marginal farmers.
    • Further, Rs 2 lakh crore concessional credit will be provided to two crore farmers across the country.
    • About Rs 11,000 crore was allocated for the urban poor, which includes the migrant workers, for building shelter homes for the homeless.
    • Several government-funded housing projects in major cities would be developed into affordable rental housing complexes on a PPP mode.

    Free grains for two months

    • The Centre will transfer 8 lakh metric tonnes of grain and 50,000 metric tonnes of chana to state governments.
    • Form this stave will provide 5 kg of grain (wheat or rice) per labourer and 1kg of chana per family per month for two months free.
    • This is expected to benefit up to eight crore migrant workers.

    Program for growth and structural transformation

    • Devicing such a program requires a review of national legal, regulatory and institutional concerns in resettlement and rehabilitation of migrant labourers.
    • There is a need to adopt a human rights approach to address the socio-legal issues.
    • The resolution of contradictions in trade, fiscal, monetary and other policies would also require.
    • Following 3 policy changes are urgently required.
    • 1)The implementation of the report of the task force on migration (2017).
    • 2)Expansion of the outreach of the Integrated Child Development Services– to include migrant women and children.
    • 3) Inclusion of migrant children in the annual work plans of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
    • Given the environment of uncertain livelihoods it is necessary to strengthen the resilience of the financial system and skill workers.
    • The issues and challenges of migrant workers require leveraging information and communication technologies and the JAM trinity.

    Consider the question “Migrant workers issue is an issue with many implications. This issue needs to be considered in its entirety to formulate a speedy and effective response. In light of this suggest the required policy changes.”

    Conclusion

    The debilitating physical effects of the coronavirus necessitate coordinated and concerted efforts by all stakeholders to meet the challenges of the present and the expectations of the future. We shall overcome.

  • Reshaping the gig economy

    3 min

    The shockwave that pandemic sent through the economy has been reshaping the global job market. Gig economy would have to accommodate the new entrants. This article underlines the changes in the gig economy after the pandemic. Four areas that need attention are also discussed here.

    What constitutes gig economy?

    • The word “gig” includes in its current parlance all freelancers, disconnected from the workplace.
    • Example: drivers of Uber, delivery boys of Zomato, plumbers and electricians of Urban Clap.
    • The gig economy is not confined to low-skilled jobs. Skilled professionals are also part of it.

    How pandemic is reshaping the gig economy

    • Aviation, hospitality, automobile entertainment and retail are some of the hardest hit sectors.
    • The classic gig anchors- Uber and AirBnB, have laid off thousands of people.
    • In contrast to this, highly skilled professionals —laid off by employers — are joining the gig bandwagon.
    • Surely, job demand will far outstrip supply, at least in the short-term.

    What does the future hold?

    • A Deloitte report from April notes that Indian organisations are considering to expand the share of gig workers.
    • Declining full-time jobs will lead to increased assignment-based hiring.
    • For instance, a graphic designer working from home could be in demand with a media house or Netflix may hire AI designer paid by an hour to personalize streaming.
    • But, what is missing in picture? The national database is missing.

    4 focus areas of gig economy

    1. National database: A missing link

    • National database of job seekers and job creators can connect firms with qualified candidates.
    • A prospective employee would need access to a job database, sorted by skill, geography, duration and emoluments.
    • Companies should be able to dip into the data pool of talent, experience, location, qualification and expectation.
    • Currently, both data sets are fragmented and stored in silos.
    • The government could play the role of a facilitator, in partnership with the private sector.

    2. Regulatory protection to gig workforce

    • The gig economy increases employee vulnerability.
    • This segment of the economy so far has been outside the ambit of regulatory labour policies.
    • Social protection like wage protection, health benefits and safety assurance should be made available to gig workers.
    • The Karnataka government has considered introducing a new labour legislation focused on the gig economy.

    3. Prepare college students for freelancing

    • Apart from regular campus placements, the placement cells need to reorient and focus on preparing students for freelancing opportunities.
    • For the educated youth, this could be the first step towards entrepreneurship.

    4. Gender equality

    • Gender is another crucial dimension of the digital labour markets.
    • The low enrolment of girls for higher education in science, technology, engineering and math would constrict their opportunity in the gig world.
    • Going ahead, this would need greater policy attention to ensure gender parity.

    Consider the question “What is the gig economy? Suggest the policy measures to make it more resilient in the present economic context disrupted by the pandemic.”

    Conclusion

    The government and the private sector would need to collaborate along with academia to build adequate safeguards in the unfolding eco-system.

  • Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

    Indian officials attended the virtual 32nd special Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG) plenary meeting, under the aegis of the FATF.

    Practice question for mains:

    Q. What is FATF? Discuss its role in combating global financial crimes and terror financing.

    What is the FATF?

    • FATF is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1989 on the initiative of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering.
    • The FATF Secretariat is housed at the OECD headquarters in Paris.
    • It holds three Plenary meetings in the course of each of its 12-month rotating presidencies.
    • As of 2019, FATF consisted of 37 member jurisdictions.
    • India became an Observer at FATF in 2006. Since then, it had been working towards full-fledged membership. On June 25, 2010, India was taken in as the 34th country member of FATF.

    EAG of FATF

    • The EAG is a regional body comprising nine countries: India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus.
    • It is an associate member of the FATF.

    What is the role of FATF?

    • The rise of the global economy and international trade has given rise to financial crimes such as money laundering.
    • The FATF makes recommendations for combating financial crime, reviews members’ policies and procedures, and seeks to increase acceptance of anti-money laundering regulations across the globe.
    • Because money launderers and others alter their techniques to avoid apprehension, the FATF updates its recommendations every few years.

    What is the Black List and the Grey List?

    • Black List: The blacklist, now called the “Call for action” was the common shorthand description for the FATF list of “Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories” (NCCTs).
    • Grey List: Countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF grey list. This inclusion serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the blacklist.

    Consequences of being in the FATF grey list:

    • Economic sanctions from IMF, World Bank, ADB
    • Problem in getting loans from IMF, World Bank, ADB and other countries
    • Reduction in international trade
    • International boycott

    Pakistan and FATF

    • Pakistan, which continues to remain on the “grey list” of FATF, had earlier been given the deadline till the June to ensure compliance with the 27-point action plan against terror funding networks.
    • It has been under the FATF’s scanner since June 2018, when it was put on the Grey List for terror financing and money laundering risks.
    • FATF and its partners such as the Asia Pacific Group (APG) are reviewing Pakistan’s processes, systems, and weaknesses on the basis of a standard matrix for anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) regime.