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  • Insights from History: Coalition Governments in Colonial India

    Why in the news?

    • Prime Minister recently suggested a link between the Congress manifesto and the Muslim League (which is responsible for the Partition of India), prompting a political debate.
    • In rebuttal, critics reminded of a coalition governments formed by Hindu Mahasabha in Bengal, Sindh, and North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) in the 1940s with the Muslim League.

    Provincial Elections of 1937:

    [A] Indian National Congress

    • Congress performed admirably in the 1937 provincial elections, held under the mandate of the Government of India Act of 1935.
    • It won 711 of a total 1,585 provincial assembly seats, with absolute majorities in 5 of the 11 provinces (Madras, Bihar, Orissa, Central Provinces, and United Provinces) and a near-majority in Bombay (86 out of 175).
    • Congress ministries were formed in all of these provinces.
    • Sometime later, the Congress also formed governments in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Assam.

    [B] Non-Congress Parties

    • Non-Congress governments were formed in the remaining 3 provinces — Sindh, Punjab, and Bengal.
    • In Sindh, a coalition led by the Sind United Party formed the government; in Punjab, Sikandar Hayat Khan’s Unionist Party won a majority.
    • And in Bengal, Fazlul Huq’s Krishak Praja Party (KPP) formed a coalition government with the Muslim League— even though the Congress was the single largest party with 54 seats.

    [C] Religion based Parties

    • Notably, the Muslim League, which claimed to be the sole representative of Indian Muslims, performed abysmally in the elections.
    • The League won just 106 out of the 482 seats allotted to Muslims under separate electorates, and it failed to win even a single seat in the NWFP.
    • The Hindu Mahasabha, which had entered electoral politics in the 1930s under V D Savarkar’s leadership, too fared miserable.

    Ideological Alignment and Political Alliances

    • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar noted ideological similarities between the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League, both advocating for the two-nation theory.
    • This ideological convergence paved the way for short-lived political alliances, particularly during the turmoil following Congress’s resignation from provincial ministries in 1939.

    Reasons for such Alliance

    • Opposition to Quit India Movement:  When Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement in 1942, the Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha refrained from participating, opting to support the British war effort.
    • Support for British War Efforts: Savarkar, in a letter, instructed Mahasabha members to remain loyal to their positions and not join the movement, while Syama Prasad Mookerjee pledged support to suppress any internal disturbances.
    • Increased Push for Partition: Jinnah, meanwhile, intensified his campaign for Pakistan, capitalizing on the absence of Congress leaders and positioning himself as the sole spokesman for Muslims.

    Muslim League: 

    • The All India Muslim League was formed in 1906 in Dhaka, Bengal Presidency, British India.
    • It was established in response to the perceived marginalization and political underrepresentation of Muslims in the Indian National Congress.
    • The founding members of the Muslim League included prominent Muslim leaders such as Nawab Salimullah Khan of Dhaka, Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk, Aga Khan III, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who later emerged as its most influential leader.
    • The primary objective of the Muslim League was to safeguard the political rights and interests of Muslims in India.
    • It advocated for separate electorates for Muslims, reservations in government jobs and legislative bodies, and other measures to protect Muslim identity and interests.

    Hindu Mahasabha:

    •  The Hindu Mahasabha was founded in 1915 in Amritsar, Punjab, by Madan Mohan Malaviya and others.
    • It aimed to unite Hindus under one political umbrella and promote Hindu nationalism.
    • Besides Madan Mohan Malaviya, prominent leaders included Lala Lajpat Rai, B. S. Moonje, and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
    • It promoted the idea of Akhand Bharat (Undivided India) and opposed the partition of India on religious lines.

     Implications of this Coalition

    • The period following Congress’s participation in the Quit India Movement saw the rise of the Muslim League’s influence, with League ministries established in several provinces by 1943.
    • Jinnah’s strategy to capitalize on Congress’s absence contributed to his claim as the sole representative of Indian Muslims, furthering the demand for Pakistan.

    PYQ:

    [2018] In the Federation established by The Government of India Act of 1935, Residuary Power were given to the:

    (a) Federal Legislature

    (b) Governor General

    (c) Provincial Legislature

    (d) Provincial Governors

  • India secures Rights to operate Sittwe Port in Myanmar

    Why in the news?

    • After Chabahar, India has gained the rights to operate a second overseas port, Sittwe, in Myanmar.
    • This development is part of the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport project, which aims to provide alternate connectivity from the eastern coast of India to the northeastern states through the Sittwe port.

    About India Ports Global (IPGL)

    • The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has approved a proposal for India Ports Global (IPGL) to take over the operations of the entire port located on the Kaladan River.
    • IPGL is a company 100% owned by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
    • It is a joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Deendayal Port Trust (Erstwhile Kandla Port Trust).
    • It was created and incorporated in January 2015 under the Companies Act, 2013, as per directions of Ministry of Shipping (MoS), for development of ports overseas.
    • The MoS has presently assigned IPGL the task of equipping and operation of container/multi-purpose terminals at Chabahar Port in Iran.

     

    About Sittwe Port

    • The Sittwe Port, located in the Rakhine State of Myanmar, is a crucial component of the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project.
    • It has been developed under a framework agreement between India and Myanmar for the construction and operation of a multimodal transit transport facility on the Kaladan River.
    • It is a deep-water port serving as a maritime gateway, enhancing trade and connectivity between India and Myanmar.

    Significance of Sittwe Port

    • The Sittwe Port is part of the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project.
    • The project aims to connect the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Myanmar by sea.
    • It further link Sittwe Port to Paletwa in Myanmar via Kaladan river waterway, and connect Paletwa to Zorinpui in Mizoram through a road component.
    • This link will not only offer an alternative route for shipping goods to the northeastern states, but will significantly reduce the cost and distance from Kolkata to Mizoram and beyond.
    • It will also reduce dependency on the Siliguri Corridor, known as the chicken’s neck, which is squeezed between Bhutan and Bangladesh.

    Also read about China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC)

    Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project

    • It connects the seaport of Kolkata in India to Sittwe seaport in Rakhine State, Myanmar, by sea.
    • In Myanmar, the project links Sittwe seaport to Paletwa in Chin State via the Kaladan river boat route and then from Paletwa by road to Mizoram state in Northeast India.
    • The project is being funded by the Indian government and is aimed at reducing the distance from Kolkata to Sittwe by approximately 1,328 km.
    • It was initially scheduled to be completed by 2014.
    • The project is affected by Chin conflict, Rohingya conflict, and militant groups such as Arakan Army and Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).
    • There are different sections of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, which combines multi-modes of transport, including sea, river, and road routes.
    1. Sea Route: It includes- Kolkata-Sittwe shipping route, Sittwe seaport to Paletwa inland jetty river boat route, Sittwe Special Economic Zone at Ponnagyun town, Paletwa inland jetty to Zorinpui road route in Myanmar, and the Zorinpui to Aizawl road route in India.
    2. Road: This project will complement the river-road route of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project in Myanmar-Mizoram.
    3. Railway: It has the Sittwe-Kyaukhtu railway in Myanmar, Kyaukhtu-Zorinpui in Myanmar, and the Zochawchhuah (Zorinpui)-Sairang railway in India.

     

    PYQ:

    [2015] In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not a participant/ participants?

    1.    Bangladesh

    2.    Cambodia

    3.    China

    4.    Myanmar

    5.    Thailand

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2, 3 and 4

    (c) 1 and 3

    (d) 1, 2 and 5

  • VVPAT Verification in Elections

    Why in the news?

    The Supreme Court has decided to address petitions advocating for a comprehensive verification of Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips in upcoming general elections.

    What are VVPATs?

    • VVPAT machines, attached to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), print a slip showing the voter’s choice, allowing voters to verify their vote for 7 seconds before the slip drops into a secured box.
    • The concept emerged in 2010, leading to the creation of prototypes by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL).
    • After trials and feedback, the design was approved in February 2013.
    • The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, were amended to incorporate VVPATs.
    • They were first used in Nagaland’s Noksen Assembly constituency in 2013 and were implemented in all polling stations by the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

    Current VVPAT Slip Counting Protocol

    • In 2018, the ECI consulted the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) to determine a statistically robust sample size for VVPAT slip verification.
    • Initially, VVPAT slips of one randomly selected polling station per Assembly constituency were counted.
    • This was increased to five polling stations per Assembly seat after a Supreme Court judgment in 2019.
    • The ISI suggested counting VVPAT slips from 479 EVMs to ensure a high confidence level that the proportion of defective EVMs is less than 2%.

    Recent petitions regarding VVPAT

    • Opposition parties advocate for heightened VVPAT verification, ranging from 50% to 100%, to bolster electoral transparency and uphold the sanctity of democratic processes.
    • However, the Election Commission emphasizes the need to balance transparency with operational constraints, citing logistical challenges and potential delays in result declaration.

    About Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in India

    Details
    Introduction EVMs introduced in Paravur Assembly Constituency, Kerala, 1982.
    Adoption
    • Election Commission increasingly used EVMs since 1998. All state elections and by-elections used EVMs by 2003.
    • Use of EVMs for Lok Sabha elections implemented in 2004.
    Development
    • Developed by the Technical Experts Committee (TEC) of Election Commission, with Bharat Electronics Ltd,
    • Bangalore, and Electronic Corporation of India Ltd, Hyderabad.
    Functionality
    • Consists of Control Unit and Balloting Unit connected by cable.
    • Voters press blue button on Ballot Unit to record vote.
    Key Features
    • Each EVM records up to 2,000 votes.
    • Operates without electricity, powered by battery from Bharat Electronics Ltd/Electronic Corporation of India.
    • Uses one-time programmable/masked chip for security.
    • Stand-alone machines without an operating system for enhanced security.

     

     

    PYQ:

    [2017] Right to vote and to be elected in India is a

    (a) Fundamental Right

    (b) Natural Right

    (c) Constitutional Right

    (d) Legal Right

  • Imposition of Anti-Dumping Duty on Sodium Cyanide

    Why in the news?

    The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recently recommended the imposition of an anti-dumping duty on sodium cyanide (NaCN) imported from China, the European Union, Japan, and Korea.

    Sodium Cyanide and Its Applications

    • Sodium cyanide is a deadly toxic, white, crystalline compound with the chemical formula NaCN.
    • It is a water-soluble solid, mainly used in gold mining, electroplating, and in the synthesis of organic chemicals.
    • It is hygroscopice. it quickly absorbs water from the air.
    • In gold mining, sodium cyanide is used to dissolve and separate gold from its ores.
    • It plays a pivotal role in various industrial processes, electroplating, metal heat treatment, and the production of insecticides, dyes, pigments, and pharmaceuticals.

    What is Anti-Dumping Duty?

    • An anti-dumping duty is a protectionist tariff that a domestic government imposes on foreign imports that it believes are priced below the price at which it is sold in the exporters’ domestic market.
    • This is imposed with the rationale that these products have the potential to undercut local businesses and the local economy.
    • The World Trade Organization (WTO) operates a set of international trade rules for the regulation of anti-dumping measures.
    • In general, the WTO agreement permits governments to act against dumping “if it causes or threatens material injury to an established industry in the territory of a contracting party.

    Anti-Dumping Mechanism in India:

    • The Anti-Dumping mechanism in India is administered by the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Dutites (DGAD) under the Ministry of Finance.
    • The anti-dumping law in India is covered under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, and the Customs Tariff Rules, 1995.
    • The DGAD conducts anti-dumping investigations to determine if the domestic industry has been hurt by a surge in below-cost imports.

    How is Anti-Dumping Duty calculated?

    • The anti-dumping duty is calculated as the difference between the normal value and the export value of the product.
    • The normal value is the market value of the product in the domestic market, while the export value is the price at which the product is exported to India.
    • The anti-dumping duty is imposed to offset the price difference and prevent the domestic industry from being harmed by cheap imports.

     

    PYQ:

    [2015] In India, the steel production industry requires the import of-

    (a) Saltpetre

    (b) Rock phosphate

    (c) Coking coal

    (d) All of the above

  • In news: Gape Limitation

    This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in TH.

    What is Gape Limitation?

    • In ecology, the concept of ‘gape limitation’ sheds light on a simple yet crucial idea: predators can only eat prey that fit into their mouths.
    • It dictates the range of prey accessible to predators, influencing the dynamics of ecological communities.

    Imagine a predator fish species with a relatively small mouth or gape size. This fish species primarily feeds on small aquatic invertebrates like zooplankton and small crustaceans. Due to its limited gape size, it cannot consume larger prey items such as larger fish or large insects.Now, let’s introduce a different predator fish species with a larger mouth or gape size. This predator has a broader diet and can consume a wider range of prey items, including smaller fish and larger invertebrates.In this scenario, the predator with the larger gape size has a competitive advantage over the predator with the smaller gape size. It can exploit a greater variety of prey resources, potentially leading to differences in foraging success, growth rates, and overall fitness between the two predator species.This example demonstrates how gape limitation can influence the feeding ecology and interactions between predator and prey species in an ecosystem.

     

  • [यूपीएससी हिन्दी माध्यम वेबिनार] सफलता के रास्ते: मेंटरशिप और नेतृत्व के महत्व

    [यूपीएससी हिन्दी माध्यम वेबिनार] सफलता के रास्ते: मेंटरशिप और नेतृत्व के महत्व

    फ्री वेबिनार ज्वाइन करे – 11th April 2024, 7 PM

    पहले 100 को निःशुल्क मेंटरशिप और 1:1 सेशन मिलेगा


    1. इस वेबिनार में हम हिन्दी माध्यम के टॉपर्स की रणनीति, अध्ययन पद्धति,उत्तर लेखन शैली को जानेंगे।
    2. हिन्दी माध्यम में व्याप्त 4C की समस्याओं, समाधानों पर चर्चा की जाएगी।
    3. 3P फार्मूला के माध्यम से प्रश्न पत्र हल करने का तरीका पर चर्चा ।
    4. मेन्स में 700 से 850 की यात्रा कैसे तय करें।
    5. मैने कैसे UPSC 2023 प्रीलिम्स में 130+ नंबर प्राप्त किए।

    इन सब पहलूओं पर चर्चा के बाद आप टॉपर्स की सोच, रणनीति के बारे में जान पाएँगे।


    upsc prelims mains

  • What is the technology behind manufacturing a semiconductor chip?

    Why in the News? 

    The Union Cabinet has sanctioned the setup of three semiconductor facilities as part of the initiative to develop semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystems in the country. One is in Assam and the other two are in Gujarat.

    Need for Semiconductor hub in India:

    • Right now, only a few countries in the world make computer chips. Due to the issues like COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions between countries, it’s become clear that we need more countries to manufacture these chips instead of Depending on the single country (Taiwan issue).
    • For example, the TATA Group, working with a company from Taiwan called Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC), is building a factory in Gujarat to make chips.

    BACK2BASICS:

    What is a Semiconductor chip? How is it manufactured?

    It is a tiny electronic device made of semiconductor material (usually silicon or germanium) that serves as the basic building block of most electronic circuits. These chips can perform various functions, such as processing data, storing information, or controlling electronic devices.

    What is a transistor?

    A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power. It is a fundamental building block of modern electronic devices and circuits. Transistors can be thought of as electronic switches that can be turned on or off, or can be used to amplify electrical signals.

    What is fabrication technology?

    Fabrication technology, often referred to as semiconductor fabrication technology or semiconductor manufacturing, is the process of creating electronic devices and integrated circuits (ICs) on semiconductor materials such as silicon. It involves a series of complex steps to build electronic components, including transistors, diodes, and resistors, as well as connecting them to create functional electronic circuits.

    What is known as a wafer?

    A wafer refers to a thin, flat slice of semiconductor material, typically made of silicon. Silicon wafers are the primary substrate used in the fabrication of integrated circuits (ICs) and other semiconductor devices.

     

    Efforts made by the Indian Government to build Semiconductor Ecosystem:

    • India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): The Indian government is actively promoting semiconductor industry growth through initiatives and incentives, including the establishment of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and a significant financial package to boost semiconductor and display manufacturing.
    • Effort to boost Domestic manufacturing: India is also working to attract international investments to bolster domestic manufacturing. An example of this is Micron Technology’s planned Assembly, Test, Mark, and Pack (ATMP) facility in Gujarat, with a total investment of $2.75 billion, set to produce the first “Made in India” chip by the end of 2024
    • International Partnership: The US Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) have decided to establish a partnership, with the US presently having a ‘Chip 4’ alliance with the world’s top semiconductor makers – Taiwan, Japan

    Conclusion: India’s semiconductor ecosystem is proliferating, backed by government initiatives like the India Semiconductor Mission and partnerships with global players. Efforts to boost domestic manufacturing and international collaborations signify India’s emergence as a key player in the semiconductor industry.

  • Why RBI has been wary of declaring an early victory over inflation?

    Why in the news? 

    Recently, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which met here from April 3 to 5, decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5% and maintain the policy stance of ‘withdrawal of accommodation’ in the monetary policy.

    • Withdrawal of accommodation means reducing the money supply in the system which will rein in inflation further. (Temporary Provision)

    Why the RBI has been wary of declaring an early victory over inflation?

    • Persistent Food Inflation: Despite expectations of moderation in inflation, food inflation has remained a concern, especially due to the high prices of food grains and vegetables. In February, food inflation was at 8.7%, with foodgrain inflation still high at 9.8%.
    • Inflation Gap between Bottom and Top of Urban Population: Food inflation disproportionately affects lower-income deciles more than higher ones. In February, the bottom 20% of the urban population faced 5.5% inflation compared to 4.7% for the top 20%. This pattern is similar in rural areas as well.
    • Management Issues: The RBI faces challenges in managing inflation while maintaining growth, especially when inflation persists due to Geopolitical conditions. While central bank policy moves cannot directly bring down supply shock-driven inflation, they can prevent high prices from spilling over.

     Why RBI has kept policy rates unchanged?

    • High Economic Growth: The RBI is focused on maintaining price and financial stability to sustain high growth. The central bank expects the Indian economy to grow at 7% in fiscal year 2024-25
    • Benign Core Inflation: Benign core inflation, which has declined steadily over the past months, indicates that strong growth has not been inflationary. The RBI finds comfort in the declining core inflation levels
    • Monetary Policy Stance associated with food inflation: The RBI is likely to maintain policy rates until October 2024 to assess evolving risks associated with food inflation. The central bank is cautious and prefers to adopt a risk-minimization mode to align inflation towards the target while supporting growth
    • Global Economic Conditions: The RBI is monitoring global economic trends and external factors that could impact domestic inflation and growth. The central bank is aware of the risks posed by geopolitical tensions, volatility in international financial markets, and geo-economic fragmentation

     

    BACK2BASICS

    The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

    • It is a key body responsible for formulating the country’s monetary policy. It  is a statutory body constituted as per Section 45ZB under the RBI Act of 1934 by the Central Government
    •  It is a six-member committee established under the amended Reserve Bank of India Act, of 1934. The MPC’s primary objective is to determine the policy rate required to achieve the inflation target set by the government. The committee consists of the following members:
      • RBI Governor (ex officio chairperson)
      • Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy
      • An officer of the Bank nominated by the Central Board
      • Three members appointed by the central government
    • The MPC meets at least four times a year, and decisions taken by the committee are binding on the Reserve Bank of India.
    • The committee’s composition ensures a mix of expertise in economics, banking, finance, and monetary policy to effectively manage the country’s Monetary Policy Framework.

     

    Conclusion: The RBI has been cautious due to persistent food inflation impacting lower income groups, challenges in managing it, and the need to assess evolving risks. MPC’s unchanged policy rates reflect this caution amidst high growth and benign core inflation.

    Mains pyq 

    Q Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give reasons in support of your arguments. (UPSC IAS/2019)

    Source https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/why-rbi-wary-of-declaring-early-victory-over-inflation-9253330/

  • Implementing Universal Health Coverage

    Why in the news?

    On the eve of World Health Day (7th April), many countries aim to implement UHC (Universal Health Coverage) in the same way as India introduced its National Health Policy, in 2017. However, there exist challenges in India too for implementing it.

    Background:

    • On December 12, 2012, the UN General Assembly unanimously endorsed a resolution urging countries to accelerate progress towards UHC.
    • In India, the high-level expert group report, submitted to the Planning Commission in 2011, outlined a government intent to increase public financing for health to 2.5% of India’s GDP during the 12th Plan (2012-17).

    BACK2BASICS:

    About National Health Policy, 2017:

    It aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage and deliver quality healthcare services to all at an affordable cost. It focuses on improving health status through preventive, promotive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative services with an emphasis on quality.

     

    What are the challenges in the Implementation of UHC in India? 

    • Federal Issue: Health is a state subject in India, but UHC policy is envisaged at the national level. This can lead to challenges in coordination between the central government and state governments.
      • While the Directive Principles of State Policy provide a basis for the right to health, the absence of a specific constitutional guarantee may create challenges in ensuring consistent and enforceable healthcare rights.
    • Migrant Population and Urban Slums:  Due to issues such as overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited infrastructure, a significant portion of the population living in urban slums face issues with the availability and accessibility of Primary Health Services is hard to provide.
    • Lack of Finance: Implementing UHC requires significant financial resources. Reducing out-of-pocket expenditure and strengthening primary healthcare services necessitate substantial investments, which may strain government budgets and require innovative financing mechanisms to ensure sustainability.
    • Lack of Healthcare Infrastructure and Human Resources:  India faces shortages in both infrastructure and human resources, particularly in rural and underserved areas, which hinders efforts to improve healthcare accessibility and quality.
    • The vicious cycle of poverty: The vicious cycle of poverty and poor health perpetuates inequality in various spheres of life which eventually leads to the accessibility of health services.

    Suggestive Measures:

    • Addressing Urban Migrants’ Health Needs: Establishing mobile healthcare units or clinics that can reach migrant communities in urban and peri-urban areas, providing essential primary healthcare services.
    • Reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure: Simplifying the reimbursement process by digitizing healthcare payment systems and integrating them with government identification or mobile banking platforms to facilitate easy reimbursement for medical expenses.
    • Creating Inclusive Health Systems: Introducing multilingual and culturally sensitive health information materials and services to bridge language barriers and ensure accessibility for diverse urban populations.
    • Implementing Community-Based Primary Healthcare: Establishing community health centers or clinics in urban and peri-urban areas staffed by trained community health workers who can provide basic healthcare services and referrals.

    Conclusion: Building Constitutional backing, enhancing coordination, and federal with fiscal consensus with adequate infrastructure in addressing urban health needs can improve the reach of the Universal Health Program in India.

    Mains PYQ

    Q Public health system has limitation in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that private sector can help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives do you suggest? (UPSC IAS/2015)

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