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The quest for ‘happiness’ in the Viksit Bharat odyssey
Central idea
The article calls for a reimagining of India’s development strategy, shifting from an economic-centric model to prioritizing happiness and well-being. It critiques the current focus on GDP, highlighting the need for comprehensive social indicators in the development narrative. The central idea is to envision a “Happy India-Developed India” by 2047, where happiness becomes the central pursuit, transcending conventional economic measures.
Key Highlights:
- Viksit Bharat Launch: The launch of Viksit Bharat aims to make India a developed nation by its 100th Independence year in 2047.
- Economic Overemphasis: Critics argue that Viksit Bharat places excessive emphasis on economic development, overlooking other crucial aspects.
- Happiness as Central Pursuit: The author suggests reimagining the theme as ‘Happy India-Developed India,’ focusing on happiness as a central pursuit for meaningful development.
- Happiness Metrics: The World Happiness Report measures happiness through variables like GDP per capita, life expectancy, generosity, social support, freedom, and perception of corruption.
- Social Connections and Well-being: Countries like Finland and Denmark, ranked highest in happiness, emphasize social connections and support systems, contributing to well-being.
Key Challenges:
- Economic-Centric Development: The challenge lies in shifting the development narrative from an economic-centric model to one that prioritizes happiness and well-being.
- Social Disruption: The current economic-focused development model may lead to social disruption, imbalances, and contradictions.
- Disregard for Social Indicators: The conventional focus on GDP fails to consider crucial social indicators, neglecting human and social aspects of development.
Key Terms and Phrases:
- Viksit Bharat: The development initiative launched with the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047.
- World Happiness Report: An annual report measuring happiness using multiple variables and indicators.
- Human Development Index (HDI): An index considering life expectancy, educational attainment, and income level.
- Green Index: A World Bank-developed index measuring a nation’s wealth based on produced assets, natural resources, and human resources.
- Social Development Index: Introduced by the UN Research Institute for Social Development, it includes 16 core indicators.
- Global Innovation Index, Rule of Law Index, Poverty Index, Corruption Perceptions Index, Gender Equality Index, and World Press Freedom Index: Various indices significant for comprehensive national development.
Key Quotes:
- “Without achieving happiness, development has no meaning.”
- “Happiness ought to be the central pursuit in this journey.”
- “The nations have developed, but people are not happy.”
Critical Analysis: The article critically examines the conventional economic-focused development model and advocates for a paradigm shift towards happiness-centric development. It emphasizes the inadequacy of GDP-centric measures and highlights the importance of considering social indicators for a more inclusive and balanced development approach.
Way Forward: The way forward involves reimagining the development narrative, giving importance to happiness metrics, and incorporating a broader set of indicators such as the Human Development Index, Green Index, and others. Prioritizing social connections, well-being, and happiness in development strategies will contribute to a more holistic and sustainable vision for Viksit Bharat@2047.
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We want a Digital India. Just not the one we are living in
Central idea
The increasing frequency of data breaches in India, exemplified by the recent dark web sale of sensitive personal information of 815 million citizens, underscores a pressing cybersecurity challenge. India’s inadequate incident response strategies, lack of transparency, and failure to prioritize cybersecurity pose risks to individuals and national security. A comprehensive approach, focusing on prevention, detection, and transparency, is imperative for building a resilient and secure digital infrastructure in India.
Key Highlights:
- Resecurity, a US company, revealed the sale of sensitive personal data of around 815 million Indians on the dark web.
- The data included Aadhaar numbers, passport information, and addresses, posing a significant threat to individuals.
- Previous instances of data leaks in India, such as the CoWin website breach and AIIMS ransomware attack, highlight a recurring issue.
Key Challenges:
- India faces a rising trend of data breaches, with the potential for severe consequences like identity theft and financial scams.
- Lack of effective incident response strategies in India compared to countries like the US, where cybersecurity standards are being strengthened.
Key Terms:
- Dark web, Aadhaar, Passport number, Ransomware, Cybersecurity, Data breach, Incident response.
Key Phrases:
- “Leaking of sensitive information poses a severe threat to individuals’ financial well-being.”
- “India’s mobile phone usage, enhanced banking access, and growing market size make it an attractive target for bad actors.”
Key Quotes:
- “The constant flow of news about data breaches is normalizing massive losses of personal data.”
- “India’s response to data breaches is criticized for its lack of transparency, accountability, and effective incident response.”
Key Statements:
- “Data breaches are at an all-time high globally, and India is particularly vulnerable due to its economic growth and large population.”
- “Incident response strategies in India are characterized by denials and lack of transparent communication with affected citizens.”
Key Examples and References:
- Resecurity’s revelation of the sale of Indians’ personal data on the dark web.
- Previous data breaches in India, including the CoWin website leak and the AIIMS ransomware attack.
Key Facts:
- The data set on the dark web contained personally identifiable information of approximately 815 million Indian citizens.
- India lacks a long-term cybersecurity strategy, leading to inadequate handling of data breaches.
Key Data:
- The sensitive personal data of 815 million Indians was available on the dark web for a price of $80,000.
Critical Analysis:
- India’s response to data breaches is criticized for its lack of transparency, accountability, and effective incident response.
- The Data Protection Act in India is deemed insufficient, especially in addressing sensitive health information.
Way Forward:
- Prioritize the prevention, detection, assessment, and remediation of cyber incidents in India.
- Establish a cybersecurity board with government and private sector participation for concrete recommendations.
- Adopt a zero-trust architecture and mandate a standardized playbook for responding to cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
- Inform and empower citizens immediately, taking responsibility for their protection and remediation in the aftermath of cyber incidents.
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There is no substitute for an industrial policy
Central idea
Make in India (MII) represents a departure from India’s historical self-sufficiency approach, prioritizing global competitiveness. The article critiques potential protectionist tendencies within MII, emphasizing the need for job creation and competitiveness. The efficacy of MII in delivering on promises, particularly in labor-intensive sectors, is a key focus for evaluating its impact.
Key Highlights:
- Make in India (MII) diverges significantly from India’s historical self-sufficiency approach, focusing on global competitiveness rather than isolation.
- The article critiques potential protectionist tendencies within MII, drawing attention to historical pitfalls of reckless protection in the 1970s and 1980s.
- The piece discusses the critical need for MII to deliver on promises, particularly in creating a competitive manufacturing sector, and emphasizes the importance of job creation for India’s abundant labor force.
Key Challenges:
- Concerns are raised about the implementation of MII, especially in sectors where tariff duties are increased for protection, potentially leading to negative consequences.
- The article questions the efficacy of MII in comparison to its objectives, urging a closer examination of its impact on job creation and competitiveness.
Key Terms:
- Make in India (MII): A policy initiative launched in 2014 to transform India into a global manufacturing and design hub.
- License Raj: A regulatory system in India during the pre-1991 era that required businesses to obtain licenses for various activities, leading to bureaucracy and inefficiency.
- Production-Linked Incentive (PLI): A scheme aimed at attracting investments in key sectors and cutting-edge technology to enhance efficiency in the manufacturing sector.
Key Phrases:
- “MII is very different from self-sufficiency, and we should move on from this baseless comparison.”
- “Every country that has ‘taken off’ before us has been export competitive.”
- “Devising an industrial policy for mass job creation in India is the touchstone against which success ought to be gauged.”
Key Quotes:
- “Job creation for our abundant factor, especially women, is key, and that is only possible with labor-intensive manufacturing.”
- “In the absence of high frequency data on PLI, either on value added or jobs generated, a moral compass to shape a better world ought to be employed in abundant measure.”
Critical Analysis:
- The article critically examines the potential protectionist aspects of MII, drawing parallels with historical challenges.
- It highlights the importance of job creation, especially in labor-intensive sectors, as a crucial metric for evaluating the success of MII.
- The absence of high-frequency data on PLI is emphasized, calling for a balance between data interpretation and moral considerations in policymaking.
Way Forward:
- The article suggests that industrial policies, including the National Industrial Policy (NIP), should prioritize labor-intensive sectors to promote mass job creation.
- It emphasizes the need for MII to continue focusing on excelling in labor-intensive manufacturing for the overall betterment of India’s economic landscape.
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Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) Mission
Central Idea
- Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) spacecraft successfully entered lunar orbit on December 25, ahead of its planned moon landing on January 19.
- If successful, Japan will join an elite group of nations to achieve a soft lunar landing, following India’s Chandrayaan 3 mission in August.
SLIM: An Overview
- Launch and Design: Launched by JAXA on September 7, 2023, SLIM is a lightweight spacecraft, weighing only 590 kg, compared to Chandrayaan 3’s 3,900 kg.
- Mission Objectives: SLIM aims to demonstrate precise lunar landing capabilities, targeting a landing within 100 meters of its chosen site near the Shioli Crater.
Journey to the Moon
- Fuel-Efficient Trajectory: Unlike Chandrayaan 3’s Hohmann transfer orbit, SLIM followed a longer, fuel-efficient path based on weak-stability boundary theory, taking four months to reach the moon.
- Orbital Mechanics: SLIM utilized Earth’s gravity to build kinetic energy, eventually aligning its trajectory with the moon’s orbit for a slower approach and capture.
SLIM’s Lunar Mission Goals
- Precision Landing: SLIM’s attempt to land with minimal deviation from its target site sets a new standard for lunar missions.
- Scientific Payload: The spacecraft will deploy two small rovers, LEV-1 and LEV-2, to study the lunar surface, temperature, radiation, and potentially the moon’s mantle.
Impact on Chandrayaan 4
- Lunar South Pole Exploration: Chandrayaan 4, a joint Indian-Japanese mission (LUPEX), aims to explore regions closer to the moon’s south pole, requiring precise landing technologies.
- Technological Synergy: Technologies and insights from SLIM, particularly in navigation and feature-matching algorithms, will be crucial for the success of Chandrayaan 4.
Challenges of Lunar South Pole Exploration
- Rugged Terrain: The moon’s polar regions, characterized by rocky terrain, craters, and steep slopes, demand highly accurate landing capabilities.
- Water-Ice Exploration: These regions contain water ice, making them prime targets for future lunar missions and resource utilization.
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Youth Unemployment in India: A Persistent Challenge
Central Idea
- In 1932, M Visvesvaraya highlighted the issue of unemployment among educated individuals in India.
- Ninety years later, the issue of youth unemployment remains a significant concern, despite official data indicating a decrease in the overall unemployment rate.
Unemployment Trends: Data Analysis
- Official Statistics: According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the unemployment rate decreased from 6.1% in 2017-18 to 3.2% in 2022-23.
- Disparities in Experience: Despite the overall reduction, young, highly educated workers face the highest unemployment rates, indicating a structural problem in the Indian economy.
Educational Attainment and Unemployment
- Higher Education and Unemployment: Individuals with higher education have consistently faced higher unemployment rates since the 1990s.
- Trends Over Time: Unemployment rates for graduates have fluctuated, reaching 17% in 2017-18 and then dropping to 13% in 2022-23.
Youth Unemployment
- Young Graduates: The unemployment rate for young workers (aged 18 to 29) with graduate degrees has been notably high, with significant long-term unemployment spells.
- Increasing Share of Graduates: The proportion of graduates in the labor force has risen from 5% in 1993-94 to around 15% in 2022-23, impacting overall unemployment rates.
Challenges and Implications
- Growing Concern: The increasing share of educated workers in the labor force, coupled with high unemployment rates among them, points to a deepening problem.
- Need for Analysis: Understanding the causes of unemployment among the highly educated is crucial, whether it’s the education system’s failure to impart relevant skills or the economy’s inability to create sufficient jobs.
Conclusion
- Serious Issue: Youth unemployment in India is a critical issue that needs comprehensive analysis and action.
- Harnessing Demographic Dividend: Effective measures are required to ensure that the aspirations of the youth are met and the potential of India’s demographic dividend is fully realized.
- Policy Focus: Addressing youth unemployment requires targeted policies that focus on skill development, job creation, and aligning education with market needs.
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RBI enhances Digital Payment Security with CoFT through Banks
Central Idea
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has expanded the scope of card-on-file tokenisation (CoFT) services to include card-issuing banks and institutions, enhancing the security of digital payments.
- Previously, tokenisation services were primarily provided through merchants. The RBI’s recent notification marks a significant shift in this approach.
Understanding CoFT and Its Importance
- Card-on-File (CoF) Concept: Traditionally, merchants stored customer card details (CoF) on their platforms, posing risks to financial data security.
- Tokenisation Solution: To mitigate data breach risks, the RBI introduced tokenisation, where a unique token replaces actual card details at the merchant’s end.
- Regulatory Measures: In March 2020, RBI mandated that payment aggregators and merchants should not store actual card data, aiming to minimize system vulnerabilities. The deadline for compliance was extended to December 2021 following industry requests.
Implementation of CoFT by Card Issuers
- Channels for Token Generation: Customers can generate CoFT tokens through mobile and internet banking, offering a convenient and secure method for digital transactions.
- Consent and Authentication: Token generation requires explicit customer consent and Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA) validation, ensuring user control and security.
- Flexibility for Cardholders: Cardholders have the flexibility to tokenise their cards at any time and select specific merchants for maintaining tokens.
- Token Issuance: The tokens can be issued either by the card network, the issuer, or both, providing multiple layers of security.
Impact and Adotion of CoFT
- Enhancing Safety and Convenience: CoFT aims to secure card data without compromising the convenience of card transactions.
- Implementation Timeline: The RBI introduced CoFT in 2021, with full rollout from October 1, 2022.
- Usage Statistics: Since its implementation, over 56 crore tokens have been created, facilitating transactions worth over ₹5 lakh crore.
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India-Oman to sign FTA in Jan 2024
Central Idea
- India and Oman are rapidly progressing in their negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), expected to be signed in January 2024.
- The second round of talks was recently concluded in Muscat, indicating both countries’ eagerness to finalize the deal.
India-Oman Trade Relations
- Export Destination: Oman is India’s third-largest export destination in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), making the FTA crucial for enhancing Indian exports.
- Current Trade Dynamics: Over 80% of Indian goods currently enter Oman with an average import duty of 5%, and the FTA aims to reduce these barriers.
Potential Benefits of the FTA
- Boost in Exports: The agreement is expected to significantly increase Indian exports in various sectors, including gasoline, iron and steel, electronics, and machinery.
- Key Export Sectors: Sectors like motor gasoline, iron and steel products, electronics, machinery, textiles, plastics, boneless meat, essential oils, and motor cars are likely to benefit from duty elimination.
Economic Context and Strategic Importance
- Oman’s Economy: With a GDP of about USD 115 billion and a higher per capita income compared to India, Oman presents a market for diversified and higher-value Indian goods and services.
- Bilateral Trade Growth: India-Oman bilateral trade reached USD 12.39 billion in 2022-23, with Indian exports and imports showing significant growth.
- Oman’s Position: Oman’s strategic location in the Arabian Gulf region, with key ports along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, is of utmost importance to India.
- Historical Ties: The longstanding connection between Oman’s ruling family and India has fostered strong bilateral relations, with a significant Indian community contributing to these ties.
India-Oman Strategic Partnership
- Defense and Security: The partnership, strengthened by a MoU signed in 2005, includes joint exercises and cooperation in maritime security.
- Trade and Commerce: Bilateral trade and joint ventures are key pillars of engagement, with significant Indian investment in Oman.
Future Collaborations and Regional Stability
- Space and Rare Earth Metals: Prospects for cooperation in space exploration and rare earth metals exploration are on the horizon.
- Connectivity Projects: Oman could play a crucial role in India’s proposed connectivity corridors and infrastructure projects in West Asia.
Conclusion
- Shared Interests: The deepening India-Oman relationship, marked by shared interests and mutual respect, positions Oman as India’s gateway to West Asia.
- Broader Engagement: As India seeks to expand its global outreach, particularly in West Asia, Oman’s strategic importance and balanced foreign policy make it a key ally in the region.
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Loneliness in India: A Deepening Public Health Concern
Central Idea
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared loneliness a significant global health threat, with an estimated 10% of adolescents and 25% of older people affected worldwide.
- Despite being a collectivistic society with over 140 billion people, loneliness in India remains relatively understudied and unacknowledged as a public health and social issue.
Understanding Loneliness
- Definition: Loneliness is defined as the unpleasant experience due to a deficiency in one’s network of social relations, either quantitatively or qualitatively.
- Health Impact: Comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, loneliness can lead to severe mental and physical health issues, including heart disease, depression, and decreased longevity.
Data and Trends in India
- Historical Data: Studies from the early 1990s to recent years show varying rates of loneliness, with a notable increase in loneliness among the elderly and the highly educated.
- Pandemic Effect: COVID-19 and subsequent lockdowns have exacerbated loneliness, particularly among young people and those living alone.
Disparities and Challenges
- Higher Among Educated Youth: Young, highly educated individuals face disproportionately higher rates of unemployment and loneliness, indicating a structural issue in the Indian economy.
- Cultural Stigma: In India, loneliness is often dismissed as a phase or a state of mind, and discussing mental health is stigmatized, making it challenging to address the issue effectively.
Public Health Implications
- Rising Disease Burden: Loneliness contributes to an increased risk of various diseases, potentially inflaming India’s already rising communicable and non-communicable disease burden.
- Inadequate Healthcare Infrastructure: India’s healthcare system struggles with inadequate staff, infrastructure, and budgetary allocation, further complicating the response to the loneliness epidemic.
The Indian Experience of Loneliness
- Cultural Differences: Unlike Western countries, India’s collectivistic culture and socioeconomic barriers present unique challenges in understanding and addressing loneliness.
- Marginalized Communities: Loneliness disproportionately affects marginalized identities, and addressing it requires understanding the intersection of social inequity and mental health.
Addressing Loneliness as a Structural Problem
- Need for Targeted Interventions: Recognizing loneliness as a distinct condition can help develop interventions tailored to India’s cultural context.
- Community-Based Solutions: Addressing loneliness may require community-focused strategies that respond to structural inequities rather than solely clinical approaches.
Conclusion
- National-Level Surveys: Conducting comprehensive surveys in local languages can help understand the true scale of loneliness in India’s diverse population.
- Holistic Approach: Combating loneliness in India requires a multifaceted approach that includes improving mental health literacy, enhancing healthcare infrastructure, and addressing social inequalities.
- Continuous Engagement: As loneliness gains recognition as a public health issue, India must continuously adapt its strategies to effectively support those affected by this silent epidemic.
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Kashmiri political outfit declared unlawful under UAPA
Central Idea
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir faction as an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for five years.
- It is a very rare occasion that any election-contesting political party has been banned under UAPA.
Government’s Stance
- The Union Home Minister emphasized that the organization and its members are involved in anti-national and secessionist activities, supporting terrorism, and inciting people to establish Islamic rule in Jammu and Kashmir.
- It stated that the faction is engaged in anti-India and pro-Pakistan propaganda, aiming for Jammu and Kashmir’s secession from India, its merger with Pakistan, and the establishment of Islamic rule.
About Understanding the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
- Purpose: The UAPA aims to prevent unlawful activities and associations in India, focusing on maintaining the country’s integrity and sovereignty. Under Section 3 of the UAPA Act, the government has powers to declare an association “unlawful”.
- Evolution: Originally passed in 1967, the UAPA has evolved from the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), with significant amendments in 2004 to include “terrorist act” in its scope.
- Unlawful Activities: These include actions, whether by deeds, words, or visible representation, that work towards the cession or secession of a part of India, disrupt its sovereignty and territorial integrity, or cause disaffection against the country.
- Unlawful Association: Under Section 3 of the UAPA Act, the government has powers to declare an association “unlawful”. An association can be deemed “unlawful” if it engages in, supports, or encourages unlawful activities, as defined under Section 2(p) of the UAPA.
Unlawful Activities and Funding
- Fundraising for Terrorism: The Ministry highlighted that the outfit has been raising funds through various sources, including Pakistan, to support unlawful activities and terrorism.
- Stone-Pelting Incidents: The group’s involvement in stone-pelting against security forces was cited as a sign of disrespect towards India’s constitutional authority and setup.
Linkages with Terrorist Organizations
- Terror Connections: The MHA provided evidence of the faction’s connections with banned terrorist organizations and its role in supporting terrorist activities to instill terror in the country.
- Government’s Concerns: The Central government expressed concerns that if unchecked, the faction would continue its anti-national activities, challenging India’s territorial integrity, security, and sovereignty.
Implications of the Ban
- UAPA Enforcement: The declaration under Section 3 (3) of the UAPA signifies a stringent approach against the group’s activities for the next five years.
- National Security Focus: This move aligns with the government’s commitment to maintaining national security and integrity, particularly in the sensitive region of Jammu and Kashmir.
Conclusion
- Strong Message: The government’s decision sends a clear message against any forces acting against India’s unity, sovereignty, and integrity.
- Continued Vigilance: The ban reflects India’s ongoing efforts to combat separatism and terrorism, ensuring peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir and across the nation.