A new study shows that a decline in continental plate movement likely controlled the onset and duration of many of the major volcanic events throughout Earthâs history.
Why is the news?
Previous studies have linked major volcanic eruptions with past mass extinctions and disturbances in the global climatic, environmental and the carbon cycle.
Large igneous province volcanism, formations due to major volcanic eruptions occurring throughout Earthâs history, released large quantities of greenhouse gasses and toxic compounds into the atmosphere.
The sea warmed up by 4°C to 10°C, even at low- to mid-latitudes, the study noted.
Increased acidic levels and a lack of oxygen drove major ocean extinctions.
Large-scale volcanism took place in southern Africa, Antarctica and Australia. This is known as the Karoo-Ferrar Large Igneous Province.
About Karoo-Ferrar Large Igneous Province
The Karoo and Ferrar Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) are two large igneous provinces in Southern Africa and Antarctica respectively, collectively known as the Karoo-Ferrar, Gondwana, or Southeast African LIP associated with the initial break-up of the Gondwana supercontinent.
Its flood basalt mostly covers South Africa and Antarctica but portions extend further into southern Africa and into South America, India, Australia and New Zealand.
Karoo-Ferrar formed just prior to the breakup of Gondwana in the Lower Jurassic epoch, about 183 million years ago.
This time corresponds to the early Toarcian anoxic event and the Pliensbachian-Toarcian extinction.
The Vice President has released the Arabic Version of âMajma Ul-Bahrainâ of Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh.
The course of the history of the Indian subcontinent, had Dara Shikoh prevailed over Aurangzeb, has been a matter of some conjecture among historians. Critically analyse.
Who was Dara Shikoh?
Dara Shikoh, who was Mughal emperor Shah Jahanâs son and expected heir, was killed on the orders of his brother Aurangzeb in 1659 after losing the war of succession.
He was the eldest son and heir-apparent of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
Dara was designated with the title Padshahzada-i-Buzurg Martaba (Prince of High Rank) and was favored as a successor by his father and his older sister, Princess Jahanara Begum.
In the war of succession which ensued after Shah Jahanâs illness in 1657, Dara was defeated by his younger brother Prince Muhiuddin (Aurangzeb).
He was executed in 1659 on Aurangzebâs orders in a bitter struggle for the imperial throne.
His legacy
Dara was a liberal-minded unorthodox Muslim as opposed to the orthodox Aurangzeb.
He authored the work Majma Ul-Bahrain (The Confluence of the Two Seas), which argues for the harmony of Sufi philosophy in Islam and Vedanta philosophy in Hinduism.
It was Dara Shikoh who was responsible for making the Upanishads available to the West as he had them translated.
He had commissioned a translation of Yoga Vasistha.
A great patron of the arts, he was also more inclined towards philosophy and mysticism rather than military pursuits.
He translated the Upanishads and other important works from Sanskrit to Persian. He was convinced that the Upanishads are what the Qur’an calls âAl-Kitab Al-Maknounâ (The Hidden book).
Try this PYQ:
Q.Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to album and individual portrait?
(a) Humayun
(b) Akbar
(c) Jahangir
(d) Shah Jahan
[wpdiscuz-feedback id=”jb3lwwrul0″ question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]
Indian Railways had successfully completed trials of the second generation Vande Bharat train that will come with enhanced passenger comfort and safety features.
What is Vande Bharat Express?
The Vande Bharat Express is a semi-high-speed train designed, developed, and built by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF).
Presently there are only two Vande Bharat trains that are running â Delhi to Varanasi and Delhi to Katra.
Key Features
The current Vande Bharat trains have seating only in two classes â chair car and executive chair car. But Railways is planning to upgrade it.
The trains have fully sealed gangways for a dust-free environment, modular bio-vacuum toilets, rotating seats in Executive Class, personalized reading lights, automatic entry/exit doors with sliding footsteps, diffused LED lighting, mini pantry, and sensor-based interconnecting doors in each coach.
They are self-propelled trains that do not require an engine. This feature is called a distributed traction power system.
Benefits of Vande Bharat Trains
Cuts Travel Time Drastically
Energy Efficient
Reduce Turnaround Time
Faster Acceleration and Deceleration among others.
Warangal, Nilambur, and Thrissur have joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC).
What does UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities mean?
An international policy-oriented network, the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities is a network of inspiration, know-how and best practices.
It is coordinated by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL).
The Network has member cities that it supports in aspects like promoting policy dialogue and peer learning, documenting effective strategies and best practices; building partnerships; capacity development; and more.
What is a learning city?
According to UNESCO, a learning city is one that
effectively mobilizes its resources in every sector to promote inclusive learning from basic to higher education
revitalizes learning in families and communities
facilitates learning for and in the workplace
extends the use of modern learning technologies
enhances quality and excellence in learning
fosters a culture of learning throughout life
In doing so, the city enhances individual empowerment and social inclusion, economic development and cultural prosperity, and sustainable development
Inclusion of Indian cities
The Indian cities, Nilambur and Thrissur in Kerala, and Warangal in Telangana became the nationâs first entrants in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.
As per UNESCO, 77 cities from 44 countries across the globe have joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.
The group of global cities also includes cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Hamburg, Athens, Incheon, Bristol, and Dublin.
The inclusion will foster sharing of ideas with other cities, provide already applied solutions to issues and much more.
About the cities
(1) Thrissur â the cultural capital of Kerala
Popularly known as the cultural capital of Kerala, Thrissur is home to academic and research institutions.
It is also known for its jewellery industry, especially gold.
As a member of the UNESCOIâŻGNLC, Thrissur hopes to contribute to the intellectual and peer learning processes, focusing on equitable access to learning for all, digital learning ecosystems and skills for sustainability.
Thrissur ticked UNESCOâs check boxes in aspects of good practices, equity and inclusion among other factors.
For e.g., the presence of a MSME-Development Institute of India regional centre in Thrissur offers institutional support in promoting decent work and entrepreneurship through upskilling.
(2) Nilambur, Keralaâs eco-tourism destination
Nilambur is an eco-tourism destination in the Kerala.
It is a city with various socio-economic patterns marked by an urban and rural mix.
The majority of the population depends on agriculture and allied industries.
The city offers free healthcare facilities to all citizens and utilizes health volunteers to provide door-to-door treatment for bedded patients.
It also promotes first-aid training for students and young citizens.
Nilambur aims to promote sustainable development, gender equality, inclusivity and democracy through community ownership.
Nilambur also aspires to become a women-friendly city by ensuring equal opportunities in all sectors, promoting capacity-building and reducing harassment.
As a learning city, Nilambur aims to work to innovate in agriculture and handicrafts, promote eco-tourism and improve water management.
(3) Warangal, the tourism spot
Warangal has a rich cultural heritage. The city is a major tourism venue, welcoming 3.2âŻmillion tourists every year.
Warangalâs economy is primarily composed of agricultural, industrial and service sectors.
The city promotes equity and inclusion, for which it has implemented several strategies, including Women and Child Welfare policy, Urban Policy etc.
Further, it also provides free training to the transgender community which helps in employment opportunities.
Japanese scientists have devised a system that can create cyborg cockroaches that are part insect and part machine.
Cyborg cockroaches
Cyborg cockroaches’ movements are controlled by tiny integrated circuits.
They will be able to conduct surveillance in procedures like urban search and rescue, environmental monitoring and inspection of areas dangerous to humans.
By equipping the cockroaches with small wireless control modules, handlers will be able to control the insectâs legs remotely for long periods of time.
The team used Madagascar cockroaches, which are not only the largest species of cockroaches, reaching an estimated 6 cm, but are also known for making hissing sounds when disturbed, which they make by expelling air from the openings on their back.
How is it powered?
The researchers also designed the system to be rechargeable, by powering it with a super thin 0.004 mm solar cell module that is installed on the dorsal side of the cockroachâs abdomen.
This was done to ensure that the battery remains charged and the cockroach can be controlled for long periods of time, while simultaneously ensuring that the movement remains unhindered.
Peopleâs participation in the âTB-Mukt Indiaâ campaign can help eliminate the disease by 2025.
What is TB?
A potentially serious infectious bacterial disease that mainly affects the lungs.
How TB is caused?
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a type of bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It’s spread when a person with active TB disease in their lungs coughs or sneezes and someone else inhales the expelled droplets, which contain TB bacteria.
What does TB do to humans?
It mainly affects the lungs, but it can affect any part of the body, including the tummy (abdomen), glands, bones and nervous system.
How long has the TB infected us?
TB is as old as humanity itself, infecting us for at least 5,000 years. The infecting agent, a bacterium, was identified way back in 1882, by Robert Koch, signalling one of the landmark discoveries which laid the foundation of modern medicine
Is TB painful?
If TB affects your joints, you may develop pain that feels like arthritis. If TB affects your bladder, it may hurt to go to the bathroom and there may be blood in your urine. TB of the spine can cause back pain and leg paralysis. TB of the brain can cause headaches and nausea.
Can we get TB if vaccinated?
BCG is a vaccine for TB. This vaccine is not widely used in the United States, but it is often given to infants and small children in other countries where TB is common. The BCG vaccine is not very good at protecting adults against TB. We can still get TB infection or TB disease even if you were vaccinated with BCG.
When do TB symptoms start?
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TB disease usually develops slowly, and it may take several weeks before you notice you’re unwell. Your symptoms might not begin until months or even years after you were initially infected. Sometimes the infection does not cause any symptoms. This is known as latent TB.
Is TB curable permanently?
TB can usually be completely cured by the person with TB taking a combination of TB drugs. The only time that TB may not be curable is when the person has drug resistant TB.
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a form of antimicrobial resistance that is difficult and costly to treat. It is caused by TB bacteria that are resistant to at least one of the first-line existing TB medications, resulting in fewer treatment options and increasing mortality rates.
Risk factors for TB include
Poverty
HIV infection.
Being in jail or prison (where close contact can spread infection)
Substance abuse.
Taking medication that weakens the immune system.
Kidney disease and diabetes.
TB statistic for mains
We are home to 1 in 4 of the worldâs TB patients.
Over 2.5 million Indians are infected.
Government initiatives
Nikshay Poshan Yojana: in which TB patients receive Rs 500 every month while on treatment was launched. Nikshay Poshan Yojana ensure that the patients have economic support and nutrition during the required period.
TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign: was launched to accelerate the efforts to end TB by 2025. The campaign aims to initiate preventive and promotive health approaches.
Community-led approach: By applying âmulti-sectoral and community-ledâ approach, the government is building a national movement to end TB by 2025.
Ni-kshay Mitra: Any individual or organisation can register as Ni-kshay Mitra on the Ni-kshay 2.0 portal to support people affected by the disease. The initiative intends to provide essential nutritional and social support to people with TB and root out stigma and discrimination against them.
Some positive suggestions to eliminate TB
Sincere efforts need to be made to make our health systems more accessible and reliable.
It also required to ensure that those seeking care trust the healthcare system and get the appropriate care for completing treatment.
There is a need to create more labs, point of care tests, an assured drug pipeline, access to new drugs.
The government should also ensure counselling and support for those affected.
Every patient who is diagnosed late and does not receive timely treatment continues to infect others.
To break this cycle, government machinery at the field level should work with communities and provide free diagnosis and treatment to every affected individual.
Conclusion
We have ignored TB for too long. Itâs time we acknowledge the magnitude of the disease, and work harder at offering individuals equitable healthcare access and resources that the disease warrants.
Mains question
Q. Do you think we can eliminate TB by 2025? Discuss the roadmap and give some affirmative actions to be taken by government.
Bengaluru floods are alarming us to go for robust disaster management strategies.
What is flood?
Floods are the most frequent type of natural disaster and occur when an overflow of water submerges land that is usually dry. Floods are often caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt or a storm surge from a tropical cyclone or tsunami in coastal areas.
Causes of frequent urban floods
Natural
Meteorological Factors:Heavy rainfall, cyclonic storms and thunderstorms causes water to flow quickly through paved urban areas and impound in low lying areas.
Hydrological Factors: Overbank flow channel networks, occurrence of high tides impeding the drainage in coastal cities.
Climate Change: Climate change due to various anthropogenic events has led to extreme weather events.
Anthropological
Unplanned Urbanization:Unplanned Urbanization is the key cause of urban flooding. A major concern is blocking of natural drainage pathways through construction activity and encroachment on catchment areas, riverbeds and lakebeds.
Destruction of lakes: A major issue in India cities. Lakes can store the excess water and regulate the flow of water. However, pollution of natural urban water bodies and converting them for development purposes has increased risk of floods.
Unauthorised colonies and excess construction: Reduced infiltration due paving of surfaces which decreases ground absorption and increases the speed and amount of surface flow
Poor Solid Waste Management System: Improper waste management system and clogging of storm-water drains because of silting, accumulation of non-biodegradable wastes and construction debris.
Drainage System:Old and ill maintained drainage system is another factor making cities in India vulnerable to flooding.
Irresponsible steps: Lack of attention to natural hydrological system and lack of flood control measures.
Impact of the devastation due to floods:
On economy: Damage to infrastructure, roads and settlements, industrial production, basic supplies, post disaster rehabilitation difficulties etc.
On human population and wildlife:Trauma, loss of life, injuries and disease outbreak, contamination of water etc.
On environment:Loss of habitat, tree and forest cover, biodiversity loss and large scale greenery recovery failure.
On transport and communication: Increased traffic congestion, disruption in rail services, disruption in communication- on telephone, internet cables causing massive public inconvenience.
Solutions for effective flood management
Improved flood warning systems: effective flood warning systems can help take timely action during natural calamities and can save lives. Pre-planning can significantly reduce the effects of floods, giving people time to migrate to safer locations and stock up essentials.
Building flood-resilient housing systems: concreting floors can be very useful during floods. Houses should be water proofed and electric sockets should be placed at higher levels up the walls to reduce the chances of shocks.
Constructing buildings above flood levels: buildings should be constructed a metre above from the ground to prevent flood damage and evacuation during floods.
Resilience to Climate change: drastic climate changes have increased the frequency of natural disasters in many parts of the world. Governments should bring about environment-friendly policy level changes and eliminate the ones hazardous to the environment to tackle the problem of global warming.
Create wetlands and encourage reforestation: creating more and more wetlands can help soak up excessive moisture since wetlands act as sponges. Wooded areas can also slow down heavy water flow, minimizing the effects of floods. Reforesting upstream regions can significantly reduce the effects of flood damage.
Improve soil conditions: improper soil management, animal hooves, and machinery can make soil compacted. As a result, instead of holding water in and absorbing moisture, the water runs off immediately. Properly drained soil can absorb large amounts of rainwater and can prevent it from flowing into the rivers.
Installing flood barriers: these are flood gates designed to prevent the area behind the barrier from flooding. They can also be kept around buildings to keep floodwaters outside the boundary created.
Development of GISâ Geographical Information System (GIS) based National Database: for disaster management. GIS is an effective tool for emergency responders to access information in terms of crucial parameters for disaster-affected areas.
Developing a Federal flood management plan: with responsibilities of union and state clearly defined.
Creation of 2nd flood commission: (Rashtriya Barh Aayog, created in 1976) to study the flood situation in India under rising challenges of climate change and propose a national-level flood resilience and management plan.
Way forward
Resilience of people: The rapid transformation in rainfall characteristics and flooding patterns demand building peopleâs resilience.
Reconsider projects: Construction projects that impede the movement of water and sediment across the floodplain must be reconsidered.
Use of technology: At the same time, climate-imposed exigencies demand new paradigms of early-warning and response systems and securing livelihoods and economies.
Conclusion
We can learn to live with nature, we can regulate human conduct through the state and we can strategically design where we build. We need to urgently rebuild our cities such that they have the sponginess to absorb and release water without causing so much misery and so much damage to the most vulnerable of our citizens.
Mains question
Q. We need to urgently rebuild our cities such that they have the sponginess to absorb and release water. Discuss the statement in context of urban flood management strategy in India.
A horrific car accident killed Cyrus Mistry and Jehangir Pandole. This tragedy got plenty of people thinking about road safety measures. Sadly, neither Mistry nor Pandole was wearing their rear-seat safety belts this highlights importance of following road safety norms.
What’s the meaning of road safety?
Road safety means methods and measures aimed at reducing the likelihood or the risk of persons using the road network getting involved in a collision or an incident that may cause property damages, serious injuries and/or death.
What is road safety education?
The aim of education, training and encouragement in Road Safety is to educate all road users in the proper and safe use of roads in order to change user attitudes and behaviour and to stimulate an awareness of the need for improvement in road safety.
What affects road safety?
Several factors most notably speed, traffic density, flow, congestion, demographics (namely age gender and deprivation), driving behaviour (involving alcohol consumption, helmet or seat belt usage) and land use, such as residential or economic zones, were found to have mixed effects on road safety.
What are examples of road safety?
Pedestrian crossing warning;
Left turn driver assistance; and
Approaching emergency vehicle warning.
Road Accidents in India A lookover
In spite of several years of policymaking to improve road safety, India remains among the worst-performing countries in this area.
Total 1,47,913 lives lost to road traffic accidents in 2017 as per Ministry of Road Transport and Highways statistics.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) figure for the same year is 1,50,093 road accident deaths.
Do you know?
The âgolden hourâ has been defined as âthe time period lasting one hour following a traumatic injury during which there is the highest likelihood of preventing death by providing prompt medical care.
Causes of Road Accidents in India
Sub-standard roads: The life of roads is not good due to the substandard raw materials and potholes accidents caused.
Traffic: The increasing traffic on roads and conditions of roads are not proportionate to each other.
Use of mobile phone: Most of the people are on call while driving thus they drive recklessly and accidents happen as most of the Indians now have mobile phones.
Drunk Driving: Drinking makes people lose the ability to focus and function properly. This makes it dangerous for the driver to operate the vehicle.
Dis-obedience for traffic rules: Indian drivers are quick to learn to drive but they donât learn traffic rules and the purpose of such rules.
Malpractices: Malpractices such as over-speeding, triple riding, underage driving, etc are reducing the safety of road users.
Implementation drawbacks: Police are supposed to execute the rules but, it may be a lack of workforce or lack of intention, they also fail to execute.
Corrupt practices: Mostly police use the rules to mint money either officially by Chalan or in person.
Key data for value addition
Despite being home to only 1% of the worldâs vehicles, India shoulders 11% of the global road crash fatality burden.
Road Safety: In the area of road safety, the Act proposes to increase penalties to act as deterrent against traffic violations. Stricter provisions are being proposed in respect of offences like juvenile driving, drunken driving, driving without licence, dangerous driving, over-speeding, overloading etc. Stricter provisions for helmets have been introduced along with provisions for electronic detection of violations.
Vehicle Fitness: Automated fitness testing for vehicles has been made mandatory. This would reduce corruption in the transport department while improving the road worthiness of the vehicle. Penalty has been provided for deliberate violation of safety/environmental regulations as well as for body builders and spare part suppliers.
Recall of Vehicles: The Act allows the central government to order for recall of motor vehicles if a defect in the vehicle may cause damage to the environment, or the driver, or other road users.
Road Safety Board: A National Road Safety Board, to be created by the central government through a notification to advise the central and state governments on all aspects of road safety and traffic management. This would include standards of motor vehicles, registration and licensing of vehicles, standards for road safety, and promotion of new vehicle technology.
Protection of Good Samaritan: The Act lays down the guidelines and provides rules to prevent harassment of Good Samaritan to encourage people to help road accident victims.
Cashless Treatment during Golden Hour: The Act provides for a scheme for cashless treatment of road accident victims during golden hour.
Value addition for good marks
The 4 âEâ Approach
The Government of India put forth Engineering, Economy, Enforcement and Education as the fundamental areas to focus on in order to ensure road safety.
Way forward
Road safety education from the primary level: Those already using our roads and driving or riding on it could have formed bad habits that are difficult to change or undo. So itâs important that we catch them young and start educating children on road safety and correct behaviour on the road.
Better first aid and paramedic care: In most cases, the public and police are the first ones to reach the site of an accident. But sadly, neither has any first aid training and the police donât even have even simple things like a first aid box or stretcher. This initial trauma care has to improve.
Stricter criteria for driving licenses: Fortunately, the government has recognized the need for this, and getting a driving license is no longer as easy as before. Lots of the process has been digitalized and made more stringent. But itâs still far from perfect and lots more needs to be done
Better road design, maintenance, and signage: Many of our roads are poorly designed with badly placed junctions, acute corners, uneven gradients, sudden speed-breakers, etc. And this is made worse by poor road maintenance and many accidents occur because a driver suddenly swerves to avoid a pothole.
Heavy crackdown against non-compliance: This is one of the leading causes of road accidents in India and while we do have strict laws, the enforcement, particularly on our highways is quite lax. Consumption of drugs by truck drivers while driving is rampant, and this needs to stop completely.
Stricter enforcement of traffic rules: The Amended Motor Vehicles Act has higher penalties and punishment to deter people from committing traffic offenses and driving rashly. Itâs high time we enforced our traffic rules and imposed discipline while driving and using the road.
Encouraging better road behaviour: The people should motivate themselves to behave in a better manner on the road. The campaigns such as âBe the Better Guyâ, need to be applauded, encouraged and expanded.
Mains question
Q. In spite of several years of policymaking to improve road safety, India remains among the worst-performing countries in this area. Critically analyse.
India and China have announced that their Armies have begun to disengage from Patrolling Point-15 in the Gogra-Hot springs area at LAC.
What is LAC- the Line of Actual Control?
The LAC is the demarcation that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory.
India considers the LAC to be 3,488 km long, while the Chinese consider it to be only around 2,000 km.
It is divided into three sectors: the eastern sector which spans Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, the middle sector in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, and the western sector in Ladakh.
The LAC is only a concept â it is not agreed upon by the two countries, neither delineated on a map nor demarcated on the ground.
What is the disagreement?
The alignment of the LAC in the eastern sector is along the 1914 McMahon Line, and there are minor disputes about the positions on the ground as per the principle of the high Himalayan watershed.
The major disagreements are in the western sector where the LAC emerged from two letters written by Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai to PM Jawaharlal Nehru in 1959, after he had first mentioned such a âlineâ in 1956.
When did India accept the LAC?
The LAC was discussed during Chinese Premier Li Pengâs 1991 visit to India, where PM P V Narasimha Rao and Li reached an understanding to maintain peace and tranquillity at the LAC.
India formally accepted the concept of the LAC when Rao paid a return visit to Beijing in 1993 and the two sides signed the Agreement to Maintain Peace and Tranquillity at the LAC.
The reference to the LAC was unqualified to make it clear that it was not referring to the LAC of 1959 or 1962 but to the âLACâ at the time when the agreement was signed.
To reconcile the differences about some areas, the two countries agreed that the Joint Working Group on the border issue would take up the task of clarifying the alignment of the LAC.
How was the disengagement carried on?
As per the understanding reached earlier on disengagement, a buffer zone is to be created at the friction points.
Once troops are withdrawn by both sides, new patrolling norms are to be worked out after complete disengagement and de-escalation.
However, neither side has, so far, confirmed if the two leaders would hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the summit.
The leaders have not spoken to each other since a November 2019 meeting during the BRICS Summit in Brasilia and the beginning of the stand-off in April 2020.
Significance of the disengagement
Since the stand-off began in May 2020, the two sides have so far held 16 rounds of talks.
Earlier, disengagement was undertaken from both sides of Pangong Tso in February 2021, and from PP-17 in the Gogra-Hot springs area in August, in addition to Galwan in 2020 after the violent clash.
The friction points that remain now are Demchok and Depsang, which China has constantly refused to accept, maintaining that they are not a part of the current stand-off.
What was the dispute over LAC?
In what was the worst clash between the two countries in over 40 years, the Galwan incident reverberated around the world.
The casualties in the clash were the first in the disputed Sino-Indian border since 1975.
The Galwan episode led to a rapid build-up of forces on both sides of the Line of Actual Control.
This incident is being seen as major punctuation in the bilateral relations between India and China and what does the future hold for both neighbors.
Why did India change its stance on the Line of Actual Control?
Indian and Chinese patrols were coming in more frequent contact during the mid-1980s.
This was after the government formed a China Study Group in 1976 which revised the patrolling limits, rules of engagement and pattern of Indian presence along the border.
Is the LAC also the claim line for both countries?
Not for India. Indiaâs claim line is the line seen in the official boundary marked on the maps as released by the Survey of India, including both Aksai Chin and Gilgit-Baltistan.
In Chinaâs case, it corresponds mostly to its claim line, but in the eastern sector, it claims entire Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet.
However, the claim lines come into question when a discussion on the final international boundaries takes place, and not when the conversation is about a working border, say the LAC.
Why are these claim lines controversial in Ladakh?
When the Shimla Agreement on the McMahon Line was signed by British India, Aksai Chin in Ladakh province of the princely state of J&K was not part of British India, although it was a part of the British Empire.
Thus, the eastern boundary was well defined in 1914 but in the west in Ladakh, it was not.
India, in July 1948, had two maps: one had no boundary shown in the western sector, only a partial colour wash; the second one extended the colour wash in yellow to the entire state of J&K, but mentioned âboundary undefinedâ.
Way forward
The impasse in India-China relations CANNOT be overcome by more talks through diplomatic and military channels, and possibly require the intervention of the top leadership of both countries.
Therefore, as Dr. Jaishankar put it, the management of the fissures within Asia will require adherence to established laws, norms, and rules.
Prime Minister Modi has tweeted his condolences and hoped for an early restoration of normalcy in flood devastated Pakistan.
Why in news?
The statement by the PM last month came as a surprise to many.
This is on the grounds of steady deterioration of ties over the last eight years since Modi came to power.
PM Modi and Pakistan
(A) Early failure
PM Modi had famously begun his tenure with an invitation to Pakistanâs then PM Nawaz Sharif for the swearing-in ceremony in May 2014.
Sharif had come to India, along with the leaders of other SAARC nations.
This gesture promised a new beginning for the bilateral relationship that had suffered a severe setback after the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 2008.
However, a string of incidents followed, the terrorist attacks in Pathankot and Uri â impacted the relationship negatively, and New Delhi made it clear that âtalks and terror canât go togetherâ.
(B) India strengthens resolute
Ties have been hit further over the last few years, especially after the Pulwama terror attack in February 2019, and the abrogation of Article 370 in August that year.
That led to the downsizing of the High Commissions in both capitals; there are no full-time High Commissioners in either country now.
Change of PM in Pak
After the ouster of Imran Khan, and the coming to power of the new coalition government led by PM Shehbaz Sharif, some positive noises have emanated from Islamabad.
India however reiterated the desired peace and stability in a region free of terrorism.
New Pak PM criticized his predecessor, Imran Khan, for not making âserious and diplomatic effortsâ when India abrogated Article 370 in August 2019.
Responses to disasters
In the past, when natural disasters struck India and Pakistan, the two countries at times reached out to each other with offers of help.
Bhuj earthquake: For example, in January-February 2001, after the earthquake hit Bhuj in Gujarat, Pakistan had reached out with help, and had sent tents and blankets for the survivors.
2005 earthquake: A powerful earthquake struck both India and Pakistan, India sent aircraft with relief supplies to Pakistan and pledged $ 25 million through the United Nations to support Pakistanâs relief efforts.
In 2010, when a âsuperfloodâ â the worst in recent decades until the deluge of 2022 â hit Pakistan, India offered $ 5 million in help, but Islamabad declined to accept it.
The case for help now
Though there has not been much follow-up activity, the PM Modiâs outreach by way of a message created a potential opening for âdisaster diplomacyâ.
Pakistanâs Finance Minister said that the government can consider importing vegetables and other edible items from India following the destruction of standing crops due to the floods.
Prices of vegetables and fruit have gone through the roof as supplies from Balochistan, Sindh, and south Punjab especially, have been badly affected.
Why should India respond?
For the Indian government, the case for extending humanitarian help ties in well with its desire to project itself as the âfirst responderâ in times of disaster and crisis in the neighbourhood.
In recent months and years, India has extended its hand of help and cooperation to the Maldives, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, and Afghanistan.
Trucks filled with Indian grain have travelled to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan via Pakistan.
What is Pakistanâs position?
Pakistanâs establishment (none other but Pak Army) has discussed the possibility of getting food grains through international organisations, who want to send relief material from India.
The help from India can be at the micro and short-term level: food, fuel, tents, medicines, and emergency essential supplies.
At the macro and medium-to-long-term, it could involve help in the reconstruction of damaged homes and properties, and the archaeological site of Mohenjo Daro, part of the cultural heritage of both countries.
Indiaâs healthcare can be of help in the post-floods scenario â dengue is already on the rise, and diseases such as typhoid are expected to spike sharply.
Issues in re-engagement
Some in the Indian establishment believe that the governmentâs stated policy of talks and terror canât go together, and the extending of help to Pakistan are at odds with each other.
For New Delhi, the decision is as much about projecting power as a global responder as with managing the ruling partyâs domestic political base.
Context 
How long has the TB infected us?
Impact of the devastation due to floods:
Context 
What are examples of road safety?
Various Policy Initiatives by government
