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  • What is Article 371F?

    371

    Former Sikkim CM claimed that the Sikkimese people feel betrayed as Article 371F, which guarantees special provisions for Sikkim, was “violated”.

    What is Article 371F?

    • Article 371F is a special provision in the Constitution of India that was created to provide for the unique status of Sikkim, a state located in the northeastern part of India.
    • Sikkim was an independent kingdom until 1975, when it became the 22nd state of India.
    • Article 371F was included in the Constitution to ensure that Sikkim’s distinct identity and cultural heritage were protected and preserved after its merger with India.

    Special provisions for Sikkim

    Under Article 371F, Sikkim has been granted several special provisions that are not available to other states in India. Some of the key provisions of Article 371F are:

    • Protection of Sikkimese people: Only the descendants of Sikkim subjects (those who lived in the state before its merger with India) whose names were mentioned in the 1961 register are considered Sikkimese and are entitled to certain benefits, such as the right to own land and get state government jobs. They are also exempted from paying income tax.
    • Legislative powers: The Governor of Sikkim has special powers with respect to the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, including the power to nominate one member to the Assembly and the power to give his or her assent to certain bills.
    • Constitutional safeguards: Certain constitutional safeguards have been provided to the people of Sikkim to protect their distinct identity and cultural heritage.
    • Formation of Committees: The Central Government has the power to appoint a committee of experts to advise on matters related to Sikkim, and the State Government can also appoint committees to examine issues related to the protection of Sikkim’s unique identity.

    Why in news?

    • The Financial Bill, 2023 redefined Sikkimese as any Indian citizen domiciled in Sikkim, which would extend these benefits to a broader population.
    • This move is seen as a violation of Article 371F, which was the basis for Sikkim’s merger with India in 1975.

    Concerns highlighted

    • The leader claimed that the people of Sikkim feel betrayed by the violation of Article 371F.
    • He alleged that Sikkim has become a hotbed for political violence.
    • He claimed that unrest in a sensitive border state like Sikkim is not good for national security.

    Back2Basics: Article 371

    • It is a provision in the Constitution of India that grants special provisions and autonomy to certain states in India.
    • It is a set of temporary and transitional provisions that were included in the Constitution to address the specific needs and aspirations of various regions and communities in the country.
    • The provisions of Article 371 differ from state to state, depending on the specific needs and demands of the region. For instance:
    1. Maharashtra and Gujarat: Article 371 provides for special provisions for the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, which grants certain rights and privileges to the people of the Marathi-speaking areas of Maharashtra and the Gujarati-speaking areas of Gujarat.
    2. Nagaland: Article 371A provides for special provisions and autonomy for the state of Nagaland. It grants the Nagaland Legislative Assembly special powers with respect to lawmaking, and prohibits outsiders from acquiring land in the state.
    3. Assam: Article 371B provides for special provisions for the state of Assam, which includes the establishment of a regional council for the state and grants the council certain legislative and executive powers.
    4. Manipur: Article 371C provides for special provisions for the state of Manipur. It gives the Manipur Legislative Assembly the power to enact laws related to land, forests, and minerals, and also provides for the protection of the rights of the hill tribes in the state.
    5. Andhra Pradesh: Article 371D provides for the establishment of a special committee to oversee the development of backward regions in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
    • The provisions are aimed at promoting the development and welfare of the people in these states, while preserving their unique cultural and linguistic identity.

     

     

  • Healthcare: Need For Compassionate Leadership

    Central Idea

    • India’s rapid strides in health and healthcare with the help of a digital boom and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, and the need for compassionate leadership to ensure respectful healthcare.

    India’s healthcare sector

    • India’s healthcare sector has shown improvement in multiple metrics due to the push for healthcare digitization, infrastructure, coverage, and other inputs.
    • However, healthcare is not just about the treatment of diseases or the availability of infrastructure but also about the overall wellness of the person.
    • Respectful healthcare that is available, affordable, accessible, and compassionate is a determinant of the quality of care.

    Importance of Compassionate leadership

    • Respectful and compassionate healthcare is essential: Healthcare is a perpetually evolving, stressful, and high-risk industry that puts a vast burden on healthcare providers. It is essential to navigate and manage the situation compassionately to deliver respectful care.
    • Compassion is a beating heart if healthcare: Compassionate leadership is required to build this type of healthcare system, as it is the quiet, beating heart of the entire healthcare system.

    Curriculum for compassionate healthcare

    • Compassionate curriculum is very necessary: To integrate compassion into the healthcare system at every stage, it is necessary to build a curriculum and deliver it to those responsible for administering healthcare respectfully.
    • Curriculum with Dalai Lama’s vision rolled out in Bihar: An eight-stage curriculum, developed by Emory University, that furthers the Dalai Lama’s vision of educating both heart and mind for the greater good of humanity is being rolled out in Bihar.
    • Impact: To date, 1,200 healthcare providers across 20 districts have been impacted by the vital components of the cognitive-based compassion training, creating compassionate leaders at every level.

    Institutionalizing compassionate healthcare

    • Institutionalizing will bring in real change: While the curriculum is a quantum leap towards building compassionate leadership, institutionalizing it will bring in real change.
    • Adopting at each level: Every academic institution and every department mandated with the responsibility to deliver health-related learning should develop and adopt compassion-based curricula.
    • Building capacity: State and regional health institutions must also be built with the capacity to deliver compassionate leadership. Partnerships with established academia and development sector organizations can enable the organizing of master coaches and master facilitators, thereby creating public goods that can be delivered by all.

    Strengthening internal systems

    • Making compassion intrinsic to the ethos: All healthcare providers are expected to carry out a wide range of tasks within the system, which often leads to burnout and impacts patient experience adversely. It is vital to strengthen systems internally to make respect and compassion intrinsic to the ethos.
    • Building a network: Building a network of compassionate practitioners in every state, district and block hospital is crucial to fan the winds of change by starting with self-compassion first and then moving to compassion for others.
    • Valuing and measuring organizational culture: Valuing and measuring organizational culture is just as critical as patient outcomes. Developing sound metrics to measure culture and employee satisfaction, self-compassion, and compassion for the team assumes greater significance to building an institution whose foundation is compassion.

    Conclusion

    • Respectful healthcare is already mentioned in the National Health Mission (NHM) guidelines, and such guidelines need to be the warp and weft of every policy and every guideline developed by public health authorities to improve patient experience. Compassionate leadership can truly realize India’s historically known values of compassion and bring alive the words of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, “Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity”.

  • Arunachal Pradesh: China’s Cartographic Deception

    Central Idea

    • The Chinese leadership has been using cartographic deception as a weapon to violate the sovereign national boundaries of its neighbours, and India has been a victim of this deception since Independence. The recent rechristening of villages and areas in Arunachal Pradesh is another example of China’s cartographic deception, and India must remain vigilant against such tactics.

    Background: India-China relations

    1. Historical context:
    • India has been a victim of China’s deception since its independence.
    • Mao’s Red Army sent messages to Indian Communists promising support in their violent liberation struggle to overthrow the government of Jawaharlal Nehru.
    • In the early 1950s, China started staking claims to large parts of Indian territory.
    1. Cartographic deception used by China:
    • Cartographic deception is integral to the Chinese leadership’s machinations.
    • China has been indulging in cartographic deception by staking claims to large parts of Indian territory.
    • The recent rechristening of villages and areas in Arunachal Pradesh by the Chinese cabinet is another example of that cartographic deception.
    • Despite President Xi Jinping’s claims of standing guard over the world order based on international law, China continues to use cartography as a weapon to violate sovereign national boundaries of its neighbours.

    How cartography is used as a weapon?

    • Deliberate manipulation of maps: The term use of cartography as a weapon refers to the deliberate manipulation of maps for political and strategic purposes. This can involve drawing new borders or redefining existing borders, claiming territory that was previously not contested or that belonged to another country, and renaming places to support these claims.
    • Psychological warfare technique: It is often accompanied by historical revisionism, propaganda, and the creation of artificial historical links to justify these claims. This approach can be seen as a form of psychological warfare, intended to create confusion, weaken the opponent’s resolve, and undermine its legitimacy in the eyes of the international community.

    Historical background of Arunachal Pradesh

    • No contact with China: Historically, Arunachal Pradesh had no contact with China, and there was never any Chinese presence there.
    • Shimla Agreement: The McMahon Line, which became the international boundary between India and Tibet through the Shimla Agreement between the British and Tibetan governments in 1914, clearly puts Tawang, which fell south of the McMahon Line, out of Tibetan administrative control.
    • Claims over Tawang: Attempts by pro-China historians to claim that parts of Western Arunachal Pradesh like Tawang were under the rule of Lhasa before 1950 are negated by historical records.

    Chinese invasion of Arunachal Pradesh in 1962

    • During the Chinese invasion of Arunachal Pradesh in 1962, they were extra-cordial with the locals and made special efforts to convince them about the greater racial affinity between them.
    • However, despite all the deceptive maneuvers during the 49-day-long occupation, the Chinese could not win over the hearts and minds of the people of NEFA.

    Conclusion

    • India must remain vigilant against China’s cartographic deception, as it was through a similar deception in 1962 that China annexed territory. India has dismissed the recent rechristening exercise by China, and rightly emphasised that Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. India must continue to stand firm against China’s attempts to use cartography as a weapon to violate its sovereign national boundaries.

  • Himachal Pradesh considering legalizing Cannabis Cultivation

    ganja

    Himachal Pradesh CM has announced that the state government is considering legalizing the cultivation of cannabis.

    What is Cannabis?

    • Cannabis, also known as marijuana among other names, is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant used primarily for medical or recreational purposes.
    • The main psychoactive component of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is one of the 483 known compounds in the plant, including at least 65 other cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD).
    • It is used by smoking, vaporizing, within the food, or as an extract.

    Prospects of legalizing Marijuana

    (1) Health benefits

    • The cannabinoids found in Cannabis is a great healer and has found mentioned in Ayurveda.
    • It can be used to treat a number of medical conditions like multiple sclerosis, arthritis, epilepsy, insomnia, HIV/AIDS treatment, and cancer.

    (2) Ecological benefits

    • The cannabis plant and seeds apart from being labelled a ‘super-foods’ as per studies is also a super-industrial carbon-negative raw material.
    • Each part of the plant can be used for some industry. Hemp currently is also being used to make bio-fuel, bio-plastics and even construction material in certain countries. The cosmetic industry has also embraced Hemp seeds.

    (3) Marijuana is addiction-free

    • An epidemiological study showed that only 9%  of those who use marijuana end up being clinically dependent on it.
    • The ‘comparable rates’ for tobacco, alcohol and cocaine stood at 32%, 15% and 16% respectively.

    (4) Good source of Revenue

    • By legalizing and taxing marijuana, the government will stand to earn huge amounts of revenue that will otherwise go to the Italian and Israeli drug cartels.
    • In an open letter to US President George Bush, around 500 economists, led by Nobel Prize winner Milton Friedman, called for marijuana to be “legal but taxed and regulated like other goods”.

    (5) A potential cash crop

    • The cannabis plant is something natural to India, especially the northern hilly regions. It has the potential of becoming a cash crop for poor marginal farmers.
    • If proper research is done and the cultivation of marijuana encouraged at an official level, it can gradually become a source of income for poor people with small landholdings.

    (6) Prohibition was ineffective

    • In India, the consumption of synthetic drugs like cocaine has increased since marijuana was banned, while it has decreased in the US since it was legalized in certain states.
    • Moreover, these days, it is pretty easy to buy marijuana in India and its consumption is widespread among the youth. So it is fair to say that prohibition has failed to curb the ‘problem’.

    (7) Marijuana is less harmful

    • Marijuana consumption was never regarded as a socially deviant behaviour any more than drinking alcohol was. In fact, keeping it legal was considered as an ‘enlightened view’.
    • It is now medically proven that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol.

    Risks of Legalizing Cannabis

    (1) Health risks continue to persist

    • There are many misconceptions about cannabis. First, it is not accurate that cannabis is harmless.
    • Its immediate effects include impairments in memory and in mental processes, including ones that are critical for driving.
    • Long-term use of cannabis may lead to the development of addiction of the substance, persistent cognitive deficits, and of mental health problems like schizophrenia, depression and anxiety.
    • Exposure to cannabis in adolescence can alter brain development.

    (2) A new ‘tobacco’ under casualization

    • A second myth is that if cannabis is legalized and regulated, its harms can be minimized.
    • With legalization comes commercialization. Cannabis is often incorrectly advertised as being “natural” and “healthier than alcohol and tobacco”.
    • Tobacco, too, was initially touted as a natural and harmless plant that had been “safely” used in religious ceremonies for centuries.

    (3) Unconvincing Advocacy

    • Advocates for legalization rarely make a convincing case. To hear some supporters tell it, the drug cures all diseases while promoting creativity, open-mindedness, moral progression.
    • Too much trivialization of Cannabis use could lead to its mass cultivation and a silent economy wreaking havoc through a new culture of substance abuse in India.

    Legalization status elsewhere in India

    • Several states in India have already legalized cannabis cultivation, including neighboring Uttarakhand, which became the first state in the country to do so in 2017.
    • Controlled cultivation is being done in some districts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.

    Legal Framework for Cannabis Cultivation

    • Definition of Cannabis: The Parliament has defined cannabis in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985.
    • Ban on extracting resin and flowers: While a complete ban has been imposed on extracting the resin and flowers of the cannabis plant, the law determines the method and extent of cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and scientific purposes.
    • Authorities to States: Section 10 (a) (iii) of the Act empowers States to make rules regarding the cultivation of any cannabis plant, production, possession, transport, consumption, use, purchase, sale, and consumption of cannabis (except charas).
    • Cultivation of hemp: States are also empowered to permit, by general or special order, the cultivation of hemp, only for obtaining fibber or seeds or for horticultural purposes.

    What next?

    • The government will consider all aspects, including regulatory measures, and study the models followed by other States that have legalized cannabis cultivation, before taking the final call.
    • Highlighted that the government is cautious about the potential increase in drug use, and will make a decision only after a thorough study by the committee.

  • Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar Program

    mera gaon

    Central idea: The government has identified and documented the unique cultural heritage of more than one lakh villages across the country under the National Mission for Cultural Mapping’s Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar programme.

    Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar

    • The National Mission for Cultural Mapping aims to develop a comprehensive database of art forms, artists, and other resources across the country.
    • The programme was launched by the Culture Ministry in 2017 but was handed over to the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) in 2021.
    • The programme aims to cover all the 6.5 lakh villages in the country.

    Why such a program?

    • The program seeks to document the cultural identity at the village level by involving citizens to share what makes their village, block, or district unique.
    • The villages have been classified into seven-eight categories based on ecological, developmental, scholastic, historical, and mythological importance.
    • The mapping aims to develop a comprehensive database of art forms, artists, and other resources across the country.

    Survey process

    • The survey process involves a CSC Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) conducting meetings with locals and then uploading interesting facts about their village, its places of interest, customs and traditions, famous personalities, festivals and beliefs, art and culture, etc., on to a special application.
    • The IGNCA plans to create special films on 6,500 village clusters showcasing their unique heritage.
    • Short films have been made on 750 cluster villages, which have been shot using drones, and the VLEs would upload these videos on the application as well.

     

  • India elected to UN Statistical Body

    Central idea: India has been elected to the UN Statistical Commission for a four-year term.

    About United Nations Statistical Commission

    • The UN Statistical Commission is the topmost body of the global statistical system, bringing together the Chief Statisticians from member states worldwide.
    • Responsibilities of the Commission include setting statistical standards and developing concepts and methods, implemented at national and international levels.
    • The Commission was established in 1947 and is headquartered in New York.
    • The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) is overseen by the Commission.
    • The Commission is a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council.

    Membership details

    • There are 24 member states of the Commission.
    • Members are elected by the Economic and Social Council based on equitable geographical distribution, including:
    1. African States (5)
    2. Asian States (4)
    3. Eastern European States (4)
    4. Latin American and Caribbean States (4)
    5. Western European and other States (7)

     

  • India-Bhutan Relationship Built On Faith and Mutual trust

    Relationship

    Central Idea

    • India-Bhutan’s exemplary relationship has been a key factor in ensuring the stability and security of the region. The recent visit of Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to India was focused on enhancing the bilateral relationship between the two countries. However, the unspoken part of the visit was the Bhutan-China boundary talks, which have gained momentum in recent times.

    Exemplary India-Bhutan Relationship

    • Special and strategic relationship: India and Bhutan share a special and strategic relationship with a border of over 600 km. The bond has been strengthened since India’s independence, and it has been a buffer between China and India.
    • India is Bhutan’s largest development partner: The relationship is not limited to rhetoric but extends to an institutional and economic framework. India is Bhutan’s largest development partner, and Bhutan is India’s biggest trade partner in the region.
    • Hydroelectricity, a crucial factor: Hydroelectricity has become the biggest revenue earner of Bhutan, and India buys power generated in Bhutan. It makes Bhutan the country with the highest per capita income in South Asia today.
    • Historical and theological relations: Bhutan is a Buddhist theocracy, monarchy, and modern state. The relationship between India and Bhutan is special from a historical, theological, strategic, and economic perspective.

    Bhutan-China Boundary Talks

    • Considerable progress but no decision yet: Before the King’s visit to India, Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering had said in an interview that Bhutan and China have made considerable progress on demarcating border lines. Bhutan has been having talks with China on the boundary question for years, and there has been no decision yet.
    • There will be adjustment of territory: Bhutan and China are adopting a modern methodology to draw boundary lines on the ground, and there may be some adjustment of territory as a result of that.
    • India’s strategic interests: India’s strategic interests are involved in the boundary talks between Bhutan and China. China has been seeking a toehold in Bhutan for decades. Bhutan is fully conscious of India’s strategic needs.
    • Trijunction: Where Bhutan decides its boundary with China (to the west) is of exceptional relevance to India because that is a trijunction of the three countries.

    Relationship

    India’s Strategic Interests

    • No compromise on national security: India will not talk about Bhutan-China negotiations publicly; however, when it comes to India’s national security, there will be no compromise.
    • Siliguri corridor: Doklam plateau overlooks the Chumbi Valley, which overlooks the chicken’s neck (Siliguri corridor). India says this not because Bhutan is threatening its cooperation with India on this front, but to send a message to China that we will draw a line here in conformity with our national interest.

    Why India needs Bhutan?

    • Strategic location: Bhutan is strategically located between India and China, which makes it an important buffer state for India. Bhutan’s strategic location ensures India’s security and helps in maintaining regional stability.
    • Water resources: Bhutan is the source of several rivers that flow into India, including the Brahmaputra, the Sankosh, and the Manas. India needs access to these rivers for irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and other purposes. India has helped Bhutan in developing its hydropower potential and has signed several agreements for the purchase of hydropower from Bhutan.
    • Trade and economic ties: India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner, and Bhutan relies heavily on India for its imports and exports. India provides Bhutan with various economic assistance and has helped Bhutan in its development process.
    • Cultural and historical ties: India and Bhutan share a common cultural heritage and have historical ties dating back centuries. India has helped Bhutan preserve its cultural heritage and has supported Bhutan in its efforts to promote tourism.

    Why Bhutan needs India?

    • Security: Bhutan does not have a large army, and India provides security assistance to Bhutan. India has helped Bhutan in building its border infrastructure and has helped in the development of the Bhutanese army.
    • Economic ties: India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner, and Bhutan relies heavily on India for its imports and exports. India provides economic assistance to Bhutan, and Indian companies have invested in various sectors in Bhutan.
    • Infrastructure: India has helped Bhutan in building its infrastructure, including roads, airports, and telecommunication networks. India has also helped Bhutan in developing its hydropower potential, and several hydropower projects in Bhutan have been built with Indian assistance.
    • Education and healthcare: India has helped Bhutan in the field of education and healthcare. Many Bhutanese students study in India, and India provides scholarships and grants to Bhutanese students. India has also helped Bhutan in building hospitals and providing medical assistance.
    • Cultural and historical ties: Bhutan and India share a common cultural heritage and have historical ties dating back centuries. India has helped Bhutan in preserving its cultural heritage and has supported Bhutan in its efforts to promote tourism.

    Future of India-Bhutan Relations

    • The Bhutan-India relationship has survived because of spiritual underpinnings, geography, economy, and connectivity, all of which strengthen the relationship.
    • India and Bhutan have survived mainly because it was built on mutual trust, which means Bhutan has equally driven the relationship. India should pursue this relationship with trust and complete faith.
    • India must reach out to the new generation in Bhutan, which is being influenced by social media negativity and wrong information about India.

    Conclusion

    • The India-Bhutan relationship has been a key factor in ensuring the stability and security of the region. The relationship between the two countries has been built on mutual trust and has been strengthened by an institutional and economic framework. India’s strategic interests are involved in the boundary talks between Bhutan and China. India should pursue the relationship with trust and complete faith and should reach out to the new generation in Bhutan.

    Mains Question

    Q. Highlight the significance of the India-Bhutan relationship in ensuring regional stability and security? Discuss why India and Bhutan need each other?

  • Govt releases pre-draft of National Curriculum Framework

    curriculum

    The Ministry of Education has released a pre-draft version of National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education.

    National Curriculum Framework (NCF)

    Features

    Details
    What is it? A comprehensive framework for school education in India

    Provides guidelines for the development of curricula and syllabi, textbooks, and teaching practices for schools in India
    Developed by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education
    Aim To promote a child-centred, activity-based approach to learning that focuses on the development of knowledge, skills, and values
    Development The first NCF was developed in 1986 and subsequently revised in 2000 and 2005.

    The latest pre-draft version of NCF for School Education was released by the Ministry of Education in April 2023.
    Coverage For age groups 3 to 18 years

    Seeks feedback from various stakeholders
    National Steering Committee Set up by the Ministry to undertake and develop NCFs under the chairmanship of K. Kasturirangan.

     

    Salient features of NCF

    (1) Values and Roots

    • A key part of the document is the inclusion of values and its “rootedness” in India.
    • The pre-draft says that the framework is deeply rooted in India in content and learning of languages, in the pedagogical approaches including tools and resources, and in philosophical basis — in the aims and in the epistemic approach.
    • The document further says that it leans towards making students acquainted with true sources of knowledge, which have been a philosophical preoccupation of ancient Indians.
    • These sources focus on six pramanas: pratyaksa, anumana, upamana, arthapatti, anupalabdhi, and sabda.

     

    Six Pramanas

    1.      Pratyaksha: Interpreted as perception through the five senses

    2.      Anumana: Uses inferences to come to new conclusions

    3.      Upamana: Knowing through analogy and comparison

    4.      Arthapatti: Involves knowing through circumstantial implication

    5.      Anupalabdhi: Includes perception of non-existence

    6.      Sabda: Something an individual can only directly know a fraction of all reality through direct experience and inference but must rely on other experts was acknowledged thousands of years ago

     

    (2) Moral Development

    • A part of the document focuses on the moral development of a child through panchakosha vikas or five-fold development.
    • The pre-draft recommends developing moral values for the child through a balanced diet, traditional games, yoga asanas, as well as a wide variety of stories, songs, lullabies, poems, and prayers to develop a love for cultural context.

    (3) Curriculum revamp

    • The pre-draft says that for Grade 10 certification, students will have to take two essential courses from humanities, maths and computing, vocational education, physical education, arts education, social science, science, and interdisciplinary areas.
    • In Grade 11 and 12, students will be offered choice-based courses in the same disciplines for more rigorous engagement.
    • Arts education will include music, dance, theatre, sculpture, painting, set design, scriptwriting, while interdisciplinary areas will include knowledge of India, traditions, and practices of Indian knowledge systems.
    • For Class 11 and 12, the document states that “Modular Board Exams will be offered as opposed to a single exam at the end of the year, and the final result will be based on the cumulative result of each exam.”
    • The framework of the social science curriculum emphasizes understanding and appreciating the feeling of Indianess, ‘bhartiyata,’ by valuing the rich cultural heritage and tradition of the country.
    • It also stresses on identifying and explaining important phases of the Indian national movement against British rule, with special reference to Gandhian and other subaltern movements.

    (4) Social Science Curriculum

    • The pre-draft emphasizes understanding and appreciating the feeling of Indianess, “bhartiyata,” by valuing the rich cultural heritage and tradition of the country.
    • The pre-draft also stresses on identifying and explaining important phases of the Indian national movement against British rule, with special reference to Gandhian and other subaltern movements.
    • It also recommends teaching concepts of Buddhism, Jainism, and Vedic and Confucian philosophies.

    (5) Follow-up processes

    • As a follow-up to the National Education Policy 2020, development of four National Curriculum Frameworks — NCF for School Education, NCF for Early Childhood Care and Education, NCF for Teacher Education, and NCF for Adult Education — have been initiated.
    • The National Steering Committee under the chairmanship of K. Kasturirangan was set up by the Ministry to undertake and develop NCFs.

    Controversy over curriculum revamp

    • The latest round of textbook rationalisation has resulted in some of the most sweeping changes in the curriculum since the NDA government came to power.
    • These changes include removing all references to the 2002 Gujarat riots, reducing content related to the Mughal era and the caste system, and dropping chapters on protests and social movements.
    • Many of these changes are seen as ‘political’, however, their earlier introduction into curriculum was also a political move.

    The furore over Mughal History

    • While some of the content on the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire has indeed been removed from the history textbook for Class 7, the Mughals have not entirely disappeared.
    • For instance, the chapter ‘The Mughal Empire’ in the Class 7 history textbook, Our Pasts – II, has undergone deletions — including a two-page table on the milestones and achievements of the reigns of the emperors Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb.
    • However, the chapter itself has not been removed.
    • Students of Class 7 will continue to learn about the Mughals, though in lesser detail.

    Significance

    • School textbooks have always been seen as playing a crucial role in shaping national narratives, and as a tool for cultivating a desired national identity.
    • NCERT textbooks are read by more than 5 crore students in 18 states around the country, who are seen by political parties as a large captive audience with impressionable minds.
    • It’s not just school students either — candidates preparing for competitive exams such as the Civil Services Examination, SSC, JEE, and NEET, also rely on these textbooks.

  • Principles of Natural Justice and Proportionality

    justice

    Central idea

    • The Supreme Court lifted a broadcasting ban on a Malayalam news channel ‘MediaOne’.
    • The court blasted the government for silencing voices in the media who “speak truth to power” by branding them as “anti-establishment”.

    A quick recap of the case

    • The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has earlier refused to renew broadcast license of a Malayalam news channel.
    • The Ministry of Home Affairs had declined to grant security clearance to the channel’s promoters citing alleged links between radical groups.
    • Hence the news agency approached Kerala High Court, which upheld the ban on February 9, 2022
    • The Supreme Court granted temporary relief and allowed it to resume operations.

    Supreme Court’s ruling

    • The Supreme Court set aside earlier ban orders and upheld the channel’s appeal on two procedural grounds, namely
    1. Principles of natural justice and
    2. Proportionality

    Articles invoked in the judgment

    • The Court stated that the burden shifts on the Centre to prove that the procedure followed was reasonable and in compliance with the requirements of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.
    • The Court used the standard of proportionality to test the reasonableness of the procedure in the present case and assessed the validity of public interest immunity claims based on the “structured proportionality standard”.
    • The Court found that the reasons for denying security clearance to the channel were not legitimate purposes for the restriction of the right of freedom of speech protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

    Key concepts involved

    (1) Principles of natural justice

    • The principles of natural justice are a set of procedural rules that ensure fairness and justice in administrative and legal proceedings.
    • These principles are based on the fundamental idea that everyone is entitled to a fair hearing, and they are aimed at preventing arbitrary or biased decisions by decision-makers.
    • The SC bench allowed the challenge to the MHA order and judgment of the High Court on account of the principles of natural justice constitutionalized by its judgment in its 1978 ruling in “Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India”
    • Actions which violate procedural guarantees can be struck down even if non-compliance does not prejudice the outcome of the case.

    (2) Proportionality

    • The principle requires that the decision or action must be proportionate to the objective it seeks to achieve.
    • In other words, the means employed to achieve the objective must be no more than necessary to achieve it, and the harm caused by the decision or action must not be excessive in relation to the benefit gained.
    • The validity of the claim of involvement of national security considerations must be assessed on the test of whether there is material to conclude that the non-disclosure of information is in the interest of national security.
    • Courts can assess the validity of public interest immunity claims based on the “structured proportionality standard”, said the SC.
    • The SC observed that sealed cover proceedings infringe the principles natural justice and open justice.

    Conclusion

    • The Court’s ruling has been welcomed by media organizations and civil society groups as a victory for freedom of speech and expression
    • The Court observed that the duty to act fairly derived from common law is not exhaustively defined in a set of concrete principles, and the concept of natural justice “cannot be put into a ‘straitjacket formula’.
    • The ruling has been hailed as a victory for freedom of speech and expression, and a blow to attempts to stifle dissent and critical voices in the media.

  • Finland Joining NATO and its Implications

    Central Idea

    • The induction of Finland into NATO is a significant setback for Russia and President Vladimir Putin, as it has long been neutral in Moscow’s conflict with the West. The move has doubled Finland’s frontier with Russia and has implications for global governance of the Arctic region.

    Induction of Finland into NATO

    • The recent induction of Finland into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a significant development that has strategic implications for Russia and the Arctic region.
    • Finland has traditionally been neutral in the prolonged conflict between Moscow and the West.
    • Its inclusion in NATO is seen as a major setback for Russia and President Vladimir Putin, who has cited NATO’s expansion closer to Russia’s borders as a justification for aggression against Ukraine.

    What is the North Atlantic Treaty? 

    • North Atlantic Treaty, often referred to as the Washington Treaty, states the parties to the treaty seek to promote stability and well-being in the North Atlantic area.
    • The signatories affirm their faith in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and express their desire to live in peace with all people and governments, the treaty states.

    Background

    • Finlandisation: Finland’s neutrality during the Cold War made Finlandisation a part of the global diplomatic lexicon, referring to a small nation’s political deference to its larger neighbor.
    • Russia’s policies in the neighbourhood: Many of Finland’s small European neighbors have been at the receiving end of Russia’s muscular regional policies over the past decade.
    • Ukraine invasion: The Ukraine invasion has confirmed their worst fears, and they are seeking protection from the US and NATO.

    Russia’s Response

    • Countermeasures: Unsurprisingly, Moscow has responded to Finland’s inclusion in NATO by promising countermeasures.
    • Encroachment on national interest: Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, called NATO’s inclusion of Finland an encroachment on our security and on Russia’s national interests.
    • Monitoring: Moscow will be watching for any NATO military deployments in Finland.

    Why does Russia fume over NATO?

    • NATO’s expansion: Russia views NATO’s expansion into Eastern Europe as a threat to its security and influence in the region. The alliance’s decision to accept former Soviet republics and Warsaw Pact members as members is seen by Russia as a direct challenge to its strategic interests.
    • Military exercises: Russia has also expressed concern over NATO military exercises in the region, which it sees as a provocation and a show of force. NATO’s decision to station troops and equipment in Eastern Europe has also been criticized by Russia.
    • Missile defense system: Russia has been particularly critical of NATO’s missile defense system, which it sees as a threat to its own nuclear deterrence capabilities. Russia argues that the system is designed to neutralize its strategic weapons and that it undermines global strategic stability.
    • Ukraine and Georgia: Russia has accused NATO of interfering in the affairs of Ukraine and Georgia, two former Soviet republics that are seeking closer ties with the West. Russia sees NATO’s support for these countries as an attempt to encircle and contain Russia.

    Implications for India and the Arctic region

    • Real punch to the Western alliance in the Nordic region: Finland has maintained a small but capable armed force that is well-trained and resilient, and its inclusion in NATO adds real punch to the Western alliance in the Nordic region.
    • High north is commercial attraction: As the Arctic ice cap melts amidst global warming, the high north has become attractive commercially and contested geopolitically.
    • India is an observer of the Arctic Council: India is an observer of the Arctic Council that seeks to promote wide-ranging cooperation in the polar north.
    • China raising profile in the Arctic: The militarisation of the high north appears inevitable as Finland and Sweden turn from neutrals to Western allies and China raises its profile in the Arctic in partnership with Russia.
    • Global governance: This might make global governance of the Arctic region increasingly problematic

    Conclusion

    • The induction of Finland into NATO is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and the West. The move has implications for the Arctic region, which is attracting global attention due to the melting of the Arctic ice cap. As a stakeholder in the region, India must closely monitor developments and prepare for any geopolitical consequences.

    Mains Question

    Q. In light of Finland’s recent inclusion in NATO, discuss the strategic implications for the Arctic region and India. India as a stakeholder in the region and what steps can India take to prepare for potential geopolitical consequences?