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GS Paper: GS1

  • India’s Population Growth: Dividend or a Disaster?

    growth

    Central Idea

    • India’s projected transition as the most populous country from China by mid-2023 presents opportunities for demographic advantage, but also requires focusing on the available demographic dividend. The population growth, size, and composition must be viewed from an empirical and scientific perspective to understand whether it is a dividend or a disaster.

    growth

    India’s Population Projection

    • A UN report released on recently has provided the first official confirmation that India’s population is expected to surpass that of China by the middle of this year at the latest.
    • The annual State of World Population report by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has pegged India’s mid-2023 population at 142.86 crore, marginally ahead of China’s 142.57 crore, which is 2.9 million higher than China’s population

    What is State of World Population Report?

    • The report is an annual report published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which provides a global overview of population trends and issues.
    • The report covers a wide range of topics related to the population, such as fertility, mortality, migration, family planning, and gender equality.
    • It also includes analysis and recommendations for policymakers and governments to address population challenges and promote sustainable development.
    • The report is widely regarded as a key reference for researchers, policymakers, and international organizations working on population and development issues.

    growth

    How India’s Population growth can be a resource?

    • A larger workforce: A growing population means a larger workforce, which, if trained and employed, can contribute to economic growth and development.
    • Domestic market: A larger population can create a larger domestic market, which can drive economic growth by increasing demand for goods and services.
    • Innovation and technological advancements: A larger population can provide a greater pool of knowledge and expertise, and a more diverse range of perspectives and ideas, which can lead to innovation and technological advancements.
    • Investment in infrastructure: Population growth can create opportunities for investment in infrastructure, education, and health, which can further stimulate economic development.
    • Cultural richness: A larger population can lead to cultural richness and diversity. With a diverse population comes a range of languages, traditions, and cultural practices, which can contribute to a vibrant and dynamic society.
    • Diplomatic influence: A larger population can give a country greater diplomatic influence on the world stage. As one of the world’s most populous countries, India has significant diplomatic influence and can use its demographic size as a bargaining tool in international negotiations.

    How India’s Population growth can be a Burden?

    • Strain on resources: A growing population can put a strain on natural resources, such as water, food, and energy. This can lead to environmental degradation, scarcity, and conflict.
    • Unemployment: A larger population can create a mismatch between the supply and demand of jobs, leading to high unemployment rates, particularly among young people
    • Poverty: Population growth can exacerbate poverty, particularly in rural areas and among marginalized communities. This can create social and economic inequality and limit access to education, healthcare, and other basic needs.
    • Overcrowding: A larger population can lead to overcrowding, particularly in urban areas. This can create poor living conditions, increased pollution, and health hazards.
    • Infrastructure: A growing population can put a strain on infrastructure, such as transportation, housing, and sanitation. This can lead to inadequate services and poor living conditions.
    • Health: A larger population can increase the spread of disease and illness, particularly in areas with poor healthcare infrastructure. This can lead to public health crises and decreased life expectancy.
    • Education: Population growth can put a strain on education systems, particularly in terms of providing quality education to all. This can limit social and economic mobility and contribute to inequality.
    • Migration: A larger population can lead to migration, particularly to urban areas, which can create social and economic challenges, such as increased crime rates and inequality.

    Deeper outlook: Trends of population growth, size and composition

    • Replacement level fertility: With total fertility rate of 2.0 in 2023, India is already at replacement level fertility, meaning two children replacing their parents. This indicates that the population is on a path toward stabilisation.
    • Negative growth: India continues to experience positive growth, but in a decelerated mode until 2064, from which point it will become negative growth. The peak of India’s population size will be around 169.6 crore in 2063.
    • Working age population: Looking at the population composition of India, there are greater prospects for demographic dividend than a disaster. With 68% of the working age population in 2023, the country continues to have a demographic window of opportunity for the next 35 years to reap an economic dividend

    Facts for prelims

    Fertility Decline

    • According to National Family Health Survey (NFHS), fertility rate falling below the replacement level for the first time to 2.0 in 2021.dropped from 2.2 to 2.0.
    • Only five States have a fertility rate above the replacement rate: Bihar (3), Meghalaya (2.9), Uttar Pradesh (2.4), Jharkhand (2.3), and Manipur (2.2)
    • At the time of Independence, India’s fertility rate was six per woman, and it had taken 25 years to reach five, with the government launching the first ever family planning program in the world in 1952.
    • India’s fertility further declined to four in the 1990s when Kerala became the first State in India to have a fertility rate below replacement l
    • Increased use of contraception, more years of average schooling, better health care, and an increase in the mean marriage age of women are of the reasons behind the steady dip in fertility rate.

    growth

    Mechanism to translate a demographic bonus to economic dividend

    • There are four key mechanisms that translate a demographic bonus to economic dividend:
    • Employment, 2. Education and skills, 3. Health conditions, and 4. Governance.
    • Job creation, education, skills generation, and ensuring a healthy lifespan are important channels that translate demographic opportunity into economic gains.
    • Good governance, reflected through conscientious policies, is another essential aspect for reaping demographic dividend.

    Way ahead: India’s Demographic opportunity

    • India’s relatively younger population provides higher support ratios, with lesser disease, disability, and caring burden.
    • India has the potential to become a worldwide market for both production and consumption, with lower manufacturing costs due to a relatively cheaper workforce.
    • Available demographic opportunity in the form of a greater share of the working age population has the potential to boost per capita GDP by an additional 43% by 2061.
    • However, a total fertility rate of less than 1.8 may not be economically beneficial for India, and population control methods run the risk of inducing forced population aging.

    Conclusion

    • While India’s demographic transition presents opportunities for demographic advantage, it must focus on reaping the available demographic dividend. The composition of India’s population presents prospects for demographic dividends, but certain mechanisms must be employed to translate demographic opportunity into economic gains. Policies that support an enabling environment that can provide high-quality education, good healthcare, respectable employment opportunities, good infrastructure, and gender empowerment are essential.

    Mains Question

    Q. India is set to surpass China as the most populous country in the mid 2023. This presents India an opportunity and a challenge of population growth. Analyze and suggest a way ahead to harness the potential of its working age population.

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  • Pushkaralu Festival returns to the Ganga after 12 years

    pushkar

    Central Idea: The 12-day Pushkaralu festival of Telugu-speaking people began on April 22 in Varanasi.

    Pushkaralu Festival

    • Pushkaram is an Indian festival dedicated to worshiping of 12 sacred rivers.
    • The celebration happens annually, once in 12 years along each river.
    • Each river is associated with a zodiac sign, and the river for each year’s festival is based on which sign Bruhaspathi (Jupiter) was in at the time.
    • It is believed that bathing in the sacred river during Pushkaram cleanses the devotees of their sins.
    • This year festival involves worshipping ancestors and the river Ganga and is being organised in Kashi after a gap of 12 years.

    Why is it celebrated once in 12 years?

    • In India, we have 12 major rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Saraswathi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Bhima, Tapati, Tungabhadra, Sindhu, Pranhita for which the Pushkaram festival is celebrated for each river according to the zodiac sign of that river.
    • The 12 days after the Jupiter enters that particular zodiac sign will be the Pushkaram/Pushkaralu which is a 12-day festival for that river.
    • Hence Pushkaralu comes for every 12 years.

    Legend of the Festival

    • According to legend, after severe penance, the devotee Pushkara was blessed by Lord Shiva with the ability to live in water and purify holy rivers
    • On a request from Bruhaspati (Jupiter), Pushkara decided to enter one of the 12 sacred rivers, including Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, and Krishna, among others
    • The river for each year’s festival is decided in accordance with Brihaspati travel from one zodiac sign to another

     

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  • What is Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)?

    carbon

    The Indian government will be analyzing how the European Union’s (EU’s) proposed carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) will affect the Indian industry. The CBAM is set to start from October this year.

    Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

    Proposed by European Union (EU)
    Purpose To reduce carbon emissions from imported goods and prevent competitive disadvantage against countries with weaker environmental regulations
    Objectives Reduce carbon emissions from imported goods

    Promote a level playing field between the EU and its trading partners

    Protect EU companies that have invested in green technologies

     

    How does CBAM work?

    Coverage Applies to imported goods that are carbon-intensive
    Integration Covered by the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), which currently covers industries like power generation, steel, and cement
    Implementation CBAM taxes would be imposed on the carbon content of imported goods at the border, and the tax rates would be based on the carbon price in the EU ETS
    Exemptions Possible exemptions for countries that have implemented comparable carbon pricing systems
    Revenue Use Revenue generated from CBAM taxes could be used to fund the EU’s climate objectives, such as financing climate-friendly investments and supporting developing countries’ climate efforts

     

    Who will be affected by CBAM?

    Details
    Countries Non-EU countries, including India, that export carbon-intensive goods to the EU
    Items Initially covers iron and steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, and electric energy production
    Expansion The scope of the CBAM may expand to other sectors in the future

    Advantages of CBAM

    • Encourages non-EU countries to adopt more stringent environmental regulations, reducing global carbon emissions.
    • Prevents carbon leakage by discouraging companies from relocating to countries with weaker environmental regulations.
    • Generates revenue that could be used to support EU climate policies.

    Challenges with CBAM

    • Difficulty in accurately measuring the carbon emissions of imported goods, especially for countries without comprehensive carbon accounting systems.
    • Potential for trade tensions with the EU’s trading partners, especially if other countries implement retaliatory measures.

    Conclusion

    • The CBAM is a proposed policy by the EU to reduce carbon emissions from imported goods and to promote a level playing field between the EU and its trading partners.
    • Although the CBAM has its challenges, it has the potential to incentivize non-EU countries to adopt more stringent environmental regulations and reduce global carbon emissions.

     

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  • Oceans absorb 90% of human-induced planet warming: Study

    ocean

    The study published in the journal Earth System Science Data estimates that almost 90% of the warming that has occurred in the last 50 years has been absorbed by the ocean, with the remaining heat absorbed by the land, cryosphere and atmosphere.

    Earth’s energy balance: A quick recap

    ocean

    • It is the balance between the amount of energy that Earth receives from the Sun and the amount of energy that Earth radiates back into space.
    • It is also known as the radiation budget.
    • The energy from the Sun that Earth receives is mainly in the form of visible light and ultraviolet radiation.
    • This energy is absorbed by the Earth’s surface and atmosphere, which then radiate it back into space in the form of infrared radiation.
    • The balance between incoming and outgoing radiation is crucial for maintaining the Earth’s temperature and climate.
    • Any imbalance between the two can lead to global warming and climate change.
    Description
    Total incoming solar radiation Approximately 342 W/m² reaches Earth’s atmosphere
    Albedo About 30% of incoming solar radiation is reflected back to space
    Greenhouse effect Remaining 70% of incoming solar radiation is absorbed by Earth’s surface and atmosphere, creating the greenhouse effect
    Atmospheric heat Atmosphere contains only 0.001% of Earth’s heat energy, but is crucial in regulating heat budget

     

    Key highlights of the Study: Heat Accumulation

    heat

    • The study estimates that approximately 381 zettajoules (ZJ) of heat accumulated on the planet from 1971-2020 due to anthropogenic emissions.
    • This roughly equals a heating rate of approximately 0.48 watts per square metre (Earth Energy Imbalance or EEI). EEI is the difference between incoming and outgoing solar radiation.
    • According to the study, about 89% of the accumulated heat is stored in the ocean, 6% on land, a percent in the atmosphere, and about 4% available for melting the cryosphere.

    Implications

    (1) Land Heat Accumulation

    • Heat accumulated on land drives up ground surface temperatures, which may increase soil respiration, releasing carbon dioxide in the process.
    • Higher soil respiration will likely decrease soil water, depending on climatic and meteorological conditions and factors.

    (2) Inland Water Bodies and Permafrost Thawing

    • Heat storage within inland water bodies has increased to roughly 0.2 ZJ since 1960. For permafrost thawing, it was about 2 ZJ.
    • The accumulation of heat in inland water increases lake water temperatures, making conditions ripe for algal blooms.
    • Permafrost heat content could inject methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the researchers warned.

    (3) Ocean and Troposphere heating

    • The upper ocean (0-300 and 0-700 meters depth) has taken up a major fraction of heat, according to the new estimates.
    • During 2006-2020, ocean warming rates for the 0-2,000 meters depth reached record rates of roughly 1.03 watts per square meter.
    • The troposphere is also warming up due to increased heat accumulation.

    (4) Cryosphere heating

    • The cryosphere – the frozen water part of the Earth system – gained roughly 14 ZJ of heat from 1971-2020.
    • Half of the uptake triggered the melting of grounded ice, while the remaining half is linked to the melting of floating ice.
    • The Antarctic Ice Sheet contributed about 33% to the total cryosphere heat gain, while Arctic sea ice stood second, having contributed 26%.

     

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  • India’s population to edge ahead of China’s by mid-2023: UN

    population

    Central idea: India is set to overtake China as the world’s most populous country by mid-2023, according to data released by the United Nations.

    State of World Population Report

    • The report is an annual report published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which provides a global overview of population trends and issues.
    • The report covers a wide range of topics related to the population, such as fertility, mortality, migration, family planning, and gender equality.
    • It also includes analysis and recommendations for policymakers and governments to address population challenges and promote sustainable development.
    • The report is widely regarded as a key reference for researchers, policymakers, and international organizations working on population and development issues.

    population

    Highlights of the 2023 report

    Facts

    Data
    World Population (2022) 8 billion
    Most populous regions Eastern and Southeastern Asia, Central and Southern Asia
    World Population Growth Rate (since 2020) Less than 1%
    Fertility Rate (replacement level) 2.1 children per woman
    Population aged 65 years or above (2050) 16%
    Persons aged 65 years and above (2050) More than double that of 5-year-olds and same as 12-year-olds
    Regions with fertility rate at or below 2.1 60%
    Top countries accounting for global population increase by 2050 DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Tanzania

     

    Population anxieties in India

    Facts
    India’s population India is now the most populous country in the world, having overtaken China in population, with 1,428.6 million people.
    Age distribution 68% of India’s population belongs to the 15-64 years category, and 26% in the 10-24 years group, making India one of the youngest countries in the world.
    Fertility rate National Family Health 5 Survey (2019-21) found that India attained a Total Fertility Rate of 2.0 for the first time, less than the replacement level of 2.1, falling from 2.2 in NFHS 4 (2015-16).
    Life expectancy Life expectancy for men in India is 71 years, the same as the global life expectancy, while it is marginally lower for women at 74 years.
    Population growth India’s population growth rate has decreased from 2.3% in 1972 to less than 1% now.
    Demographic dividend With 68% of its population as youth, and working population, India could have one of the largest workforces in the world, giving it a global advantage.

     

    Way forward

    The UNFPA report strongly recommended that governments introduce policies with gender equality and rights at their heart to address changing demographics. These recommendations include:

    • Parental leave programs: Introducing parental leave programs that provide paid leave to both mothers and fathers after the birth or adoption of a child. This can help promote gender equality in the workplace and support families in raising children.
    • Child tax credits: Providing tax credits or financial support to families with children to help them meet the costs of raising children. This can help address child poverty and support families in providing for their children’s basic needs.
    • Policies to promote gender equality at workplace: Implementing policies and practices that promote gender equality in the workplace, such as equal pay for equal work, flexible work arrangements, and anti-discrimination policies.
    • Universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights: Ensuring that all people have access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning, maternal health services, etc. This can help prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce maternal mortality, and promote the health and well-being of individuals and families.

     

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  • Heatwaves in India: Increasing Frequency Needs Range of Measures to Mitigate

    Heatwave

    Central Idea

    • India is facing an increasing heatwave due to climate change, leading to significant agricultural crop losses, urban unlivability and reduced labour productivity. India need to take range of measures to mitigate the problem, such as expanding green cover, upgrading urban building standards, embracing public transportation, and improving waste segregation and management.

    What is Heat wave?

    • A heatwave is a prolonged period of abnormally hot weather.
    • Heatwaves usually last for several days or weeks and can occur in both dry and humid climates.
    • They are characterized by temperatures that are significantly higher than the average for a particular region during that time of year. This is because climate change is causing a rise in global temperatures. As the planet heats up, it leads to more extreme weather events, such as heat waves. Its geography makes India particularly vulnerable to these events.

    Frequency of Heatwaves in India

    • Increase in frequency and intensity: India has been witnessing an increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves in recent years.
    • For instance: In April and May 2022, around 350 million Indians were exposed to strong heat stress. On an average, five-six heat wave events occur every year over the northern parts of the country.
    • Rise in summer temperatures as well as winter temperature: Summer temperatures have risen by an average of 0.5-0.9°C across districts in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan between 1990 and 2019. In addition, around 54% of India’s districts have seen a similar rise in winter temperatures.
    • Temperature rise projection: It is expected that between 2021 and 2050, the maximum temperature will rise by 2-3.5°C in 100 districts and by 1.5–2°C in around 455 districts. Winter temperatures will also rise between 1°C and 1.5°C in around 485 districts

    heatwave

    Fact for prelims: Urban Heat Island Effect

    • High temperature in Urabn areas: The urban heat island effect is a phenomenon in which urban areas experience higher temperatures than the surrounding rural areas.
    • For instance: Cities in India are beset with the urban heat island effect, with temperatures 4-12°C higher than rural outlying areas.
    • Human activities are primary reason: This is primarily caused by human activities such as transportation, industrial processes, and energy consumption, which release heat and pollutants into the atmosphere.
    • Urab landscape made up of concrete absorbs more heat: The urban landscape, with its large amounts of concrete and asphalt, also absorbs and retains more heat than natural surfaces such as forests and grasslands.
    • Reduced vegetation is a contributing factor: Additionally, reduced vegetation and tree cover in urban areas contribute to the urban heat island effect, as plants help to cool the environment through evapotranspiration.
    • Negative impact: The urban heat island effect can have negative impacts on human health, as well as on energy consumption, air and water quality, and ecological systems.

    heatwave

    The Socio-economic impact of heat waves

    • Health: Heatwaves can cause heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke, leading to hospitalization and death. People working outdoors, such as farmers, construction workers, and street vendors, are particularly vulnerable. The elderly, children, and people with pre-existing health conditions are also at a higher risk of heat-related illnesses.
    • Labor productivity: High temperatures reduce work capacity and productivity, especially for outdoor workers. This can lead to income loss and lower economic growth.
    • For instance: For labourers doing heavy work, heat exposure leads to a loss of 162 hours per year, as per one study. A rise in temperatures directly impacts labour productivity. About 50% of India’s workforce is estimated to be exposed to heat during their working hours. This includes marginal farmers, labourers at construction sites and street vendors parlaying their produce on the streets; increasingly, even gig economy workers are affected.
    • Agriculture: Heatwaves can damage crops and livestock, leading to reduced yields and income loss for farmers. High temperatures and low soil moisture can also lead to drought and water scarcity, which can further exacerbate the agricultural impact.
    • For example: 90% of India’s cumin production is from Gujarat and Rajasthan. The recent weather variability has destroyed the majority of the cumin crop in Rajasthan. From agricultural crop losses, it is a short step towards drought and higher mortality.
    • Energy demand: During heatwaves, the demand for electricity and other forms of cooling increases, leading to power outages and blackouts. This can affect businesses, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure.
    • Migration: Heatwaves can lead to migration as people seek cooler areas or better living conditions. This can strain resources in the destination areas and lead to social tensions.

    Heatwave

    Ways to Mitigate the Problem

    • Greening could help mitigate part of the problem: Ideally, for every urban citizen in India should have at least seven trees in the urban landscape. However, many urban localities even in leafy Delhi fall short. Development plans for Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities can set up a mandate to increase urban surface area that is permeable, while pushing to increase the density and area of urban forests.
    • Expanding and restoring wetlands: Expanding wetlands and restoring dead and decaying ponds/lakes may also help ensure ecological functioning along with reducing urban heat.
    • Reducing the urban heat island effect: This requires a push for greater usage of permeable materials in civic infrastructure and residential construction and enhancing natural landscapes in urban areas. Urban layouts such as brick jalis for ventilation and terracotta tiles to allow hot air to escape, and curbs on anthropogenic heat emissions from vehicles, factories, etc. may be considered.
    • Avoiding usage of heat absorbent material: Urban building standards should be upgraded to avoid usage of heat-absorbent galvanized iron and metal roof sheets.
    • Using cleaner cooking fuels: Using cleaner cooking fuels will reduce indoor air pollution, which may also help reduce urban heat.
    • Increasing natural vegetation: Streets with low ventilation may need further expansion, or an increase in natural vegetation
    • Voluntary and other measures: Other measures can also be considered such as, from embracing public transportation, to reducing personal vehicle usage and, most importantly, reducing the size of landfills. A push for waste segregation, along with solid waste management at source, can help.
    • Improving our forecasting ability: India needs to improve our forecasting ability, including the potential impact of heat on food production.
    • Improving economic models: Current econometric models associated with food inflation primarily look at the variability in the monsoon, minimum support prices and vegetable prices. India needs to add local heat trends to the mix as well, given the impact of heat on food production, storage and sale.
    • Detailed management policies: We need detailed policies and guidelines on weather variability and urban heat management at the State, district, city and municipality ward levels.

    Value addition box: The Chandigarh Model, a template to build climate-responsive architecture

    • Natural green belts: The city was set up by the foothills of the Shivaliks, between two river beds, while natural green belts were incorporated within the city’s master plan.
    • For instance: A large green belt of mango trees was also planted around the city to help reduce urban sprawl and to serve as a buffer between the residential city and the industrial suburbs.
    • Climate responsive architecture: Local architecture such as mud houses within the region was considered as a template to build climate-responsive architecture.
    • City cooling plans: A small rivulet was dammed to create the Sukhna lake, to help cool the city, while small water bodies were developed near large buildings.
    • Increased tree cover: Parks were planned out in every sector, along with tree plantations alongside all the major roads. Large forest areas were also reserved.

    Conclusion

    • With climate change exacerbating local weather patterns, we are likely to see April-May temperatures reaching record highs every three years. Moreover, an El Niño-influenced monsoon bodes ill for marginal farmers and urban migrants. Policymakers must take mitigatory action early, while instituting structural infrastructure measures to help Indians adapt to these conditions.

    Mains Question

    Q. What do you understand by mean urban heat island effect? What measures can be taken to mitigate the impact of rising heatwaves and how can these efforts be integrated with broader climate change adaptation strategies?

  • Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Contribution Towards Women’s Rights

    Ambedkar

    Central Idea

    • Babasaheb Ambedkar’s contribution towards women’s rights is often overlooked, and he needs to be recognized as a champion of social justice, a visionary, and a philosopher. He advocated for women’s equal participation in both personal and professional spheres, was instrumental in drafting legislation to protect women’s rights, and played a key role in reducing working hours and improving working conditions.

    Ambedkar’s Advocacy for Women’s Rights

    • Equal participation of women: Ambedkar advocated for equal participation of women in both personal and professional spheres. He was the first man to raise his voice against the unequal treatment of women in factories and other workplaces.
    • No of legislations: Ambedkar drafted legislation such as the Mines Maternity Benefit Act, which demanded equal pay and equal rights for coal mine workers, ensuring that the question of maternity leave for women was brought up and they were protected under labor laws.
    • Improving working conditions: He was instrumental in reducing working hours and improving working conditions.
    • Reproductive rights of women: Ambedkar was a strong believer in the reproductive rights of women and urged them to make their own choices about conception.

    Ambedkar’s Contribution to Women’s Rights

    • Hindu Code Bill: Ambedkar’s most important contribution to the cause of women’s rights was the Hindu Code Bill, which revolutionized property and marriage practices and established laws of maintenance for women.
    • Four acts, resulting from the Bill, were passed:
    1. The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, which gave women the right to divorce and maintenance;
    2. The Hindu Succession Act, 1956, which gave them the legal right to inherit property;
    3. The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, which allowed women to legally adopt a child; and
    4. The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956, which allowed women to be the natural guardian of their children.
    • Pro-women Acts: The influence of these reforms led to other pro-women Acts such as the Equal Remuneration Act of 1976 and the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961, which brightened the dark roads of women’s struggles.

    Ambedkar’s Vision for Women’s Rights

    • Women’s right to education: Ambedkar believed that education was crucial for the country’s progress and regularly spoke up for women’s right to education, defying the Manusmriti and the Dharmashastra.
    • Targeted hierarchical social order: He targeted the hierarchical social order and condemned it for degrading women, and believed that endogamy was the root cause of caste consolidation.
    • Caste system and atrocities on women: His 1917 paper, titled ‘Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development’ outlines how atrocities on women are rooted in the caste system.
    • For instance: He denounced sati, child marriage, and the condemnation of widow remarriage, which were all meant to control women.
    • Vision of equality: Ambedkar’s vision of equality despite caste, gender, race, and ethnicity differences is a pioneering thought of social justice.

    Conclusion

    • Ambedkar’s contribution towards women’s rights is often overlooked, and he needs to be recognized as a champion of social justice, a visionary, and a philosopher. His work to empower all sections of marginalized communities needs to be acknowledged, and his vision of equality despite caste, gender, race, and ethnicity differences is a pioneering thought of social justice. Women’s rights and their liberation are crucial for building a progressive society, and Ambedkar’s values and vision continue to guide feminist principles in India.

    Mains Question

    Q. Ambedkar’s contribution towards women’s rights is often overlooked. In this backdrop discuss his advocacy, contribution to Women’s Rights.

  • In news: Mahad Satyagraha

    mahad

    Central idea

    • B.R. Ambedkar’s life was full of milestones, and he was the first Dalit to study at Elphinstone College in Bombay.
    • He was also the chair of the drafting committee of the Constitution of India and became the first law minister of independent India.
    • Moreover, he contributed significantly to the movement for Dalit emancipation, awakening Dalit consciousness and leading the community’s bid for political power.

    Context of the Mahad Satyagraha

    • The Mahad Satyagraha of 1927 was one of the earlier and most significant milestones in Ambedkar’s life.
    • The events leading up to it began in August 1923, when the Bombay Legislative Council passed a resolution to allow the Untouchable classes to use all public water sources.
    • Although the Bombay government adopted the resolution, the situation on the ground remained unchanged, with upper-caste Hindus still not allowing lower castes to access public water sources.

    What happened at the Satyagraha?

    • Ramchandra Babaji More, a Mahad-based Dalit political leader, approached Ambedkar to preside over a conference of the Untouchables in Konkan, and Ambedkar agreed.
    • Around 2,500 delegates, workers, and leaders of Depressed Classes attended the conference, including boys of fifteen to old men of seventy.
    • On the first day of the conference, progressive non-Dalit leaders addressed the attendees and promised to help them in their struggle.
    • Ambedkar stressed creating “a wave of awakening” among the lower caste people of Konkan.
    • After the day’s proceedings, Ambedkar and the other organizers and attendees marched to the nearby Chavadar tank the next morning, where people from untouchable communities were not allowed to draw water from.
    • They implemented the resolution by picking up water with their cupped hands and drank it.

    Key event: Burning of Manusmriti

    • Despite the court injunction prohibiting Babasaheb and other Dalits from going to the tank or taking water from it until further orders, the Satyagraha was held on a much larger scale on December 26, 1927.
    • Although most people wanted to go ahead, the Satyagraha was suspended on the advice of Ambedkar, and unlike the last time, no water was drawn from the Chavadar tank.
    • Ambedkar and his followers burnt the Manusmriti, a powerful rejection of the caste system, for the first time in symbolic action.

    Significance of the Satyagraha

    • The Mahad Satyagraha is considered to be the “foundational event” of the Dalit movement.
    • The community collectively displayed its resolve to reject the caste system and assert their human rights for the first time.
    • It became the blueprint for organizing future movements against the caste system and its practices.
    • It marked an important point in Ambedkar’s political journey, catapulting him to the leadership of the downtrodden and oppressed classes in the country.

     

    Try this PYQ:

    Which of the following parties were established by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar?

    1. The Peasants and Workers Party of India
    2. All India Scheduled Castes Federation
    3. The Independent Labour Party

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 1, 2 and 3

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 2 and 3 only

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”ax2086li4i” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

     

  • Bioluminescence observed at Visakhapatnam beach

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    The blooms of Noctiluca Scintillans, commonly known as “sea sparkle or bioluminescence” are being witnessed along the coasts of Visakhapatnam, AP.

    Noctiluca Scintillans

    • Scintillans is a bioluminescent specie that brightens the seawater during the night.
    • It grazes on other micro-organisms such as larvae, fish eggs, and diatoms. But the unicellular phytoplankton that lives inside it can photosynthesize, turning sunlight into energy.
    • They help their host cell survive even when food was scarce.
    • Thus, N. Scintillans acts as both a plant and an animal

    Threats posed

    • According to marine experts, the phenomenon is an indicator of climate change.
    • While smaller blooms may be harmless, slow-moving larger blooms may have an impact on deep-sea fishes.
    • The toxic blooms of N. Scintillans were linked to massive fish and marine invertebrate kills.
    • Though the species does not produce a toxin, it was found to accumulate toxic levels of ammonia, which is then excreted into the surrounding waters, possibly acting as the killing agent in blooms.
    • They have displaced microscopic algae called diatoms, which form the basis of the marine food chain. This has deprived food for the planktivorous fish.

    Back2Basics: Bioluminescence

    • It is the property of a living organism to produce and emit light.
    • Animals, plants, fungi and bacteria show bioluminescence. A remarkable diversity of marine animals and microbes are able to produce their own light.
    • It is found in many marine organisms such as bacteria, algae, jellyfish, worms, crustaceans, sea stars, fish and sharks.
    • Luminescence is generally higher in deep-living and planktonic organisms than in shallow species.

     

  • Madhya Pradesh’s Gond Painting gets GI Tag

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    The Gond painting of Madhya Pradesh has received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

    Other recent GI tags awarded in UP

    10 products from UP got GI Tag on March 31:

    • Aligarh Tala
    • Bakharia Brassware
    • Banda Shazar Patthar Craft
    • Pratapgarh Aonla (Amla)
    • Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal)
    • Muzaffarnagar Gur (jaggery)
    • Banarasi Pan
    • Nagina Wood Craft
    • Hathras Hing
    • Banaras Langda Aam

     

    Gond Art

    • Gond painting is a traditional art of Madhya Pradesh and belongs to the Gond tribe.
    • Patangarh village of Dindori district is famous for Gond paintings, where there is an artist in every house.
    • Their work is famous in the state and abroad for its unique style, theme, and motifs.
    • Gond art has been passed down through generations, traditionally adorning the walls of each artist’s home in Patangarh.

    Features of Gond Painting

    • Gond paintings showcase the beauty of nature, including trees, plants, animals, the moon, sun, river, drains, God, and Goddesses.
    • The paintings also portray daily life activities such as food, plough making, and even how the king used to fight.

    Back2Basics: Geographical Indication (GI)

    • A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
    • Nodal Agency: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
    • India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 w.e.f. September 2003.
    • GIs have been defined under Article 22 (1) of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
    • The tag stands valid for 10 years.