India’s rapid strides in health and healthcare with the help of a digital boom and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, and the need for compassionate leadership to ensure respectful healthcare.
India’s healthcare sector
India’s healthcare sector has shown improvement in multiple metrics due to the push for healthcare digitization, infrastructure, coverage, and other inputs.
However, healthcare is not just about the treatment of diseases or the availability of infrastructure but also about the overall wellness of the person.
Respectful healthcare that is available, affordable, accessible, and compassionate is a determinant of the quality of care.
Importance of Compassionate leadership
Respectful and compassionate healthcare is essential: Healthcare is a perpetually evolving, stressful, and high-risk industry that puts a vast burden on healthcare providers. It is essential to navigate and manage the situation compassionately to deliver respectful care.
Compassion is a beating heart if healthcare: Compassionate leadership is required to build this type of healthcare system, as it is the quiet, beating heart of the entire healthcare system.
Curriculum for compassionate healthcare
Compassionate curriculum is very necessary: To integrate compassion into the healthcare system at every stage, it is necessary to build a curriculum and deliver it to those responsible for administering healthcare respectfully.
Curriculum with Dalai Lama’s vision rolled out in Bihar: An eight-stage curriculum, developed by Emory University, that furthers the Dalai Lama’s vision of educating both heart and mind for the greater good of humanity is being rolled out in Bihar.
Impact: To date, 1,200 healthcare providers across 20 districts have been impacted by the vital components of the cognitive-based compassion training, creating compassionate leaders at every level.
Institutionalizing compassionate healthcare
Institutionalizing will bring in real change: While the curriculum is a quantum leap towards building compassionate leadership, institutionalizing it will bring in real change.
Adopting at each level: Every academic institution and every department mandated with the responsibility to deliver health-related learning should develop and adopt compassion-based curricula.
Building capacity: State and regional health institutions must also be built with the capacity to deliver compassionate leadership. Partnerships with established academia and development sector organizations can enable the organizing of master coaches and master facilitators, thereby creating public goods that can be delivered by all.
Strengthening internal systems
Making compassion intrinsic to the ethos: All healthcare providers are expected to carry out a wide range of tasks within the system, which often leads to burnout and impacts patient experience adversely. It is vital to strengthen systems internally to make respect and compassion intrinsic to the ethos.
Building a network: Building a network of compassionate practitioners in every state, district and block hospital is crucial to fan the winds of change by starting with self-compassion first and then moving to compassion for others.
Valuing and measuring organizational culture: Valuing and measuring organizational culture is just as critical as patient outcomes. Developing sound metrics to measure culture and employee satisfaction, self-compassion, and compassion for the team assumes greater significance to building an institution whose foundation is compassion.
Conclusion
Respectful healthcare is already mentioned in the National Health Mission (NHM) guidelines, and such guidelines need to be the warp and weft of every policy and every guideline developed by public health authorities to improve patient experience. Compassionate leadership can truly realize India’s historically known values of compassion and bring alive the words of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, “Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity”.
The Chinese leadership has been using cartographic deception as a weapon to violate the sovereign national boundaries of its neighbours, and India has been a victim of this deception since Independence. The recent rechristening of villages and areas in Arunachal Pradesh is another example of China’s cartographic deception, and India must remain vigilant against such tactics.
Background: India-China relations
Historical context:
India has been a victim of China’s deception since its independence.
Mao’s Red Army sent messages to Indian Communists promising support in their violent liberation struggle to overthrow the government of Jawaharlal Nehru.
In the early 1950s, China started staking claims to large parts of Indian territory.
Cartographic deception used by China:
Cartographic deception is integral to the Chinese leadership’s machinations.
China has been indulging in cartographic deception by staking claims to large parts of Indian territory.
The recent rechristening of villages and areas in Arunachal Pradesh by the Chinese cabinet is another example of that cartographic deception.
Despite President Xi Jinping’s claims of standing guard over the world order based on international law, China continues to use cartography as a weapon to violate sovereign national boundaries of its neighbours.
How cartography is used as a weapon?
Deliberate manipulation of maps: The term use of cartography as a weapon refers to the deliberate manipulation of maps for political and strategic purposes. This can involve drawing new borders or redefining existing borders, claiming territory that was previously not contested or that belonged to another country, and renaming places to support these claims.
Psychological warfare technique: It is often accompanied by historical revisionism, propaganda, and the creation of artificial historical links to justify these claims. This approach can be seen as a form of psychological warfare, intended to create confusion, weaken the opponent’s resolve, and undermine its legitimacy in the eyes of the international community.
Historical background of Arunachal Pradesh
No contact with China: Historically, Arunachal Pradesh had no contact with China, and there was never any Chinese presence there.
Shimla Agreement: The McMahon Line, which became the international boundary between India and Tibet through the Shimla Agreement between the British and Tibetan governments in 1914, clearly puts Tawang, which fell south of the McMahon Line, out of Tibetan administrative control.
Claims over Tawang: Attempts by pro-China historians to claim that parts of Western Arunachal Pradesh like Tawang were under the rule of Lhasa before 1950 are negated by historical records.
Chinese invasion of Arunachal Pradesh in 1962
During the Chinese invasion of Arunachal Pradesh in 1962, they were extra-cordial with the locals and made special efforts to convince them about the greater racial affinity between them.
However, despite all the deceptive maneuvers during the 49-day-long occupation, the Chinese could not win over the hearts and minds of the people of NEFA.
Conclusion
India must remain vigilant against China’s cartographic deception, as it was through a similar deception in 1962 that China annexed territory. India has dismissed the recent rechristening exercise by China, and rightly emphasised that Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. India must continue to stand firm against China’s attempts to use cartography as a weapon to violate its sovereign national boundaries.
The Ministry of Education has released a pre-draft version of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education. It will be the second in the series of 4 curriculum frameworks to be launched.
In this context, this edition of The Burning issue will elaborate on this new Curriculum framework.
Background
The Union Education Ministry launched the National Curriculum Framework for the foundational stage of education of children in the three to eight years age group in October 2022.
The NCF has four sections –
National Curriculum Framework for School Education,
National Curriculum Framework for Early Childhood Care and Education,
National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Educatio
National Curriculum Framework for Adult Education.
What is the NCF 2023?
It is a comprehensive framework for school education in India. It provides guidelines for the development of curricula and syllabi, textbooks, and teaching practices for schools in India.
It is developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education.
It AIMS to promote a child-centred, activity-based approach to learning that focuses on the development of knowledge, skills, and values.
The first NCF was developed in 1986 and subsequently revised in 2000 and 2005.
The latest pre-draft version of NCF for School Education was released by the Ministry of Education in April 2023. It will cover age groups 3 to 18 years.
The framework has been developed by the National Steering Committee set up by the Ministry to undertake and develop NCFs under the chairmanship of K. Kasturirangan.
The NCF says its five parts are based on the ‘PANCHAKOSHA’ CONCEPT’, these are:
Physical development (sharirik vikas),
Development of life energy (pranik vikas),
Emotional and mental development (manasik vikas),
Intellectual development (bauddhik vikas) and
Spiritual development (chaitsik vikas).
The NCF (National Curriculum Framework) is an important step taken to implement the New Education Policy 2020.
Some issues with the Indian education system
Poor learning outcomes: According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2019, only 26.8% of Class 3 students in rural India can read a Class 2 level text, and only 41.1% of Class 5 students can do basic arithmetic. These figures highlight the poor learning outcomes in many schools.
High dropout rates: The dropout rate at the primary level (Class 1-5) is 4.3%, while at the upper primary level (Class 6-8) it is 17.1%. This suggests that a significant number of students are not completing their basic education.
Shortage of teachers: The Right to Education Act mandates a pupil-teacher ratio of 30:1, but as of 2020, many states have failed to meet this requirement. For instance, Bihar has a ratio of 38:1, Uttar Pradesh has a ratio of 41:1, and Jharkhand has a ratio of 42:1. This shortage of teachers can affect the quality of education.
Inadequate infrastructure: Many schools in rural areas lack basic facilities such as clean drinking water, toilets, and playgrounds. According to ASER 2019, only 71.9% of schools in rural areas have usable toilets, and only 54.3% have access to drinking water.
Rote learning: The National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2017 found that only 33% of Class 8 students could solve a real-life mathematical problem, and only 43% of Class 10 students could understand a concept in science. This suggests that rote learning is still prevalent in many schools.
Lack of ethical education: The science and commerce-focused education system lacks ethical education leading to the creation of a good ‘workforce’ rather good human beings and citizens.
Archaic curriculum and textbooks: The NCERT textbooks were majorly revamped almost half and a decade ago. The NCF calls for a revamping of the curriculum as well as the school textbooks to ease the burden on students and make them up to date.
Key features of the Draft NCF 2023
Values and Roots
A key part of the document is the inclusion of values and their “rootedness” in India.
The pre-draft says that the framework is deeply rooted in India in content and learning of languages, in the pedagogical approaches including tools and resources, and in philosophical basis — in the aims and the epistemic approach.
The document further says that it leans towards making students acquainted with true sources of knowledge, which have been a philosophical preoccupation of ancient Indians.
These sources focus on SIX PRAMANAS: pratyaksa, anumana, upamana, arthapatti, anupalabdhi, and sabda.
Moral Development
A part of the document focuses on the moral development of a child through PANCHAKOSHA VIKAS or five-fold development.
The pre-draft recommends DEVELOPING MORAL VALUES for the child through a balanced diet, traditional games, yoga asanas, as well as a wide variety of stories, songs, lullabies, poems, and prayers to develop a love for cultural context.
Curriculum revamp
The pre-draft says that for Grade 10 certification, students will have to take two essential courses from humanities, maths and computing, vocational education, physical education, arts education, social science, science, and interdisciplinary areas.
In Grades 11 and 12, students will be offered CHOICE-BASED COURSES in the same disciplines for more rigorous engagement.
Arts education will include music, dance, theatre, sculpture, painting, set design, and scriptwriting, while interdisciplinary areas will include knowledge of India, traditions, and practices of Indian knowledge systems.
For Class 11 and 12, the document states that “MODULAR BOARD EXAMS” will be offered as opposed to a single exam at the end of the year, and the final result will be based on the cumulative result of each exam.”
Social Science Curriculum
The pre-draft emphasizes understanding and appreciating the Feeling Of Indianess, “Bhartiyata,” by valuing the rich cultural heritage and tradition of the country.
The pre-draft also stresses identifying and explaining important phases of the Indian national movement against British rule, with special reference to Gandhian and other subaltern movements.
It also recommends teaching concepts of Buddhism, Jainism, and Vedic and Confucian philosophies.
Possible positive outcomes: How does NCF’23 solve the challenges of the Indian Education system?
Inter-disciplinary education: the provision of choice to students of different streams to choose subjects of other streams (science students taking up humanities subjects and visa versa) will help in building interdisciplinary knowledge of students rather than just one stream.
Inculcation of Values and Roots: The framework emphasizes the importance of values and their “rootedness” in India. This can help students develop a strong sense of identity and cultural pride.
Moral Development of Students: The pre-draft focuses on the moral development of a child through various activities such as a balanced diet, traditional games, yoga, and exposure to cultural context through stories, songs, and prayers. This can help students develop a well-rounded personality.
Better designed and updated curriculum: The framework offers a more flexible and diverse curriculum for students, allowing them to choose essential courses from various disciplines such as humanities, maths, computing, vocational education, physical education, arts education, social science, science, and interdisciplinary areas. The modular board exams and the stress on interdisciplinary areas can also promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students.
Expand the horizon of thinking of students: The framework emphasizes the understanding and appreciation of Indian culture and heritage, as well as important phases of the Indian national movement against British rule, including subaltern movements. It also recommends teaching concepts of Buddhism, Jainism, and Vedic and Confucian philosophies, which can broaden students’ perspectives and enhance their understanding of the world.
SomeIssues with the Policy
The NCF falls short of telling anything about technical education and how the schools, textbooks and teachers will adjust in the era of rising disruptive technologies like Artificial intelligence specially Chat-GPT.
With 8 small board examinations over the year rather than one, the burden and fear of board examinations will increase, putting students under the pressure to study and perform throughout the year.
The issue with the change in curriculum: several opposition parties have raised their voices against the changes being proposed in school textbooks.
Controversy over curriculum revamp
The latest round of textbook rationalization has resulted in some of the most sweeping changes in the curriculum since the NDA government came to power.
These changes include removing all references to the 2002 Gujarat riots, reducing content related to the Mughal era and the caste system, and dropping chapters on protests and social movements.
Many of these changes are seen as ‘political’, however, their earlier introduction into the curriculum was also a political move.
Furore over Mughal History
While some of the content on the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire has indeed been removed from the history textbook for Class 7, the Mughals have not entirely disappeared.
For instance, the chapter ‘The Mughal Empire’ in the Class 7 history textbook, Our Pasts – II, has undergone deletions — including a two-page table on the milestones and achievements of the reigns of the emperors Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb. However, the chapter itself has not been removed.
Students of Class 7 will continue to learn about the Mughals, though in lesser detail.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the National Curriculum Framework 2023 provides a comprehensive approach to education that emphasizes the importance of values, rootedness in Indian culture, and the moral development of students.
But it still falls short on several parameters. Thus, the draft needs to be thoroughly revisited by opening to its public comments and suggestions to incorporate other important things like learning new technologies, so as to make Indian students updated, educated and technically sound.
Himachal Pradesh CM has announced that the state government is considering legalizing the cultivation of cannabis.
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among other names, is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant used primarily for medical or recreational purposes.
The main psychoactive component of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is one of the 483 known compounds in the plant, including at least 65 other cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD).
It is used by smoking, vaporizing, within the food, or as an extract.
Prospects of legalizing Marijuana
(1) Health benefits
The cannabinoids found in Cannabis is a great healer and has found mentioned in Ayurveda.
It can be used to treat a number of medical conditions like multiple sclerosis, arthritis, epilepsy, insomnia, HIV/AIDS treatment, and cancer.
(2) Ecological benefits
The cannabis plant and seeds apart from being labelled a ‘super-foods’ as per studies is also a super-industrial carbon-negative raw material.
Each part of the plant can be used for some industry. Hemp currently is also being used to make bio-fuel, bio-plastics and even construction material in certain countries. The cosmetic industry has also embraced Hemp seeds.
(3) Marijuana is addiction-free
An epidemiological study showed that only 9% of those who use marijuana end up being clinically dependent on it.
The ‘comparable rates’ for tobacco, alcohol and cocaine stood at 32%, 15% and 16% respectively.
(4) Good source of Revenue
By legalizing and taxing marijuana, the government will stand to earn huge amounts of revenue that will otherwise go to the Italian and Israeli drug cartels.
In an open letter to US President George Bush, around 500 economists, led by Nobel Prize winner Milton Friedman, called for marijuana to be “legal but taxed and regulated like other goods”.
(5) A potential cash crop
The cannabis plant is something natural to India, especially the northern hilly regions. It has the potential of becoming a cash crop for poor marginal farmers.
If proper research is done and the cultivation of marijuana encouraged at an official level, it can gradually become a source of income for poor people with small landholdings.
(6) Prohibition was ineffective
In India, the consumption of synthetic drugs like cocaine has increased since marijuana was banned, while it has decreased in the US since it was legalized in certain states.
Moreover, these days, it is pretty easy to buy marijuana in India and its consumption is widespread among the youth. So it is fair to say that prohibition has failed to curb the ‘problem’.
(7) Marijuana is less harmful
Marijuana consumption was never regarded as a socially deviant behaviour any more than drinking alcohol was. In fact, keeping it legal was considered as an ‘enlightened view’.
It is now medically proven that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol.
Risks of Legalizing Cannabis
(1) Health risks continue to persist
There are many misconceptions about cannabis. First, it is not accurate that cannabis is harmless.
Its immediate effects include impairments in memory and in mental processes, including ones that are critical for driving.
Long-term use of cannabis may lead to the development of addiction of the substance, persistent cognitive deficits, and of mental health problems like schizophrenia, depression and anxiety.
Exposure to cannabis in adolescence can alter brain development.
(2) A new ‘tobacco’ under casualization
A second myth is that if cannabis is legalized and regulated, its harms can be minimized.
With legalization comes commercialization. Cannabis is often incorrectly advertised as being “natural” and “healthier than alcohol and tobacco”.
Tobacco, too, was initially touted as a natural and harmless plant that had been “safely” used in religious ceremonies for centuries.
(3) Unconvincing Advocacy
Advocates for legalization rarely make a convincing case. To hear some supporters tell it, the drug cures all diseases while promoting creativity, open-mindedness, moral progression.
Too much trivialization of Cannabis use could lead to its mass cultivation and a silent economy wreaking havoc through a new culture of substance abuse in India.
Legalization status elsewhere in India
Several states in India have already legalized cannabis cultivation, including neighboring Uttarakhand, which became the first state in the country to do so in 2017.
Controlled cultivation is being done in some districts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
Legal Framework for Cannabis Cultivation
Definition of Cannabis: The Parliament has defined cannabis in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985.
Ban on extracting resin and flowers: While a complete ban has been imposed on extracting the resin and flowers of the cannabis plant, the law determines the method and extent of cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and scientific purposes.
Authorities to States: Section 10 (a) (iii) of the Act empowers States to make rules regarding the cultivation of any cannabis plant, production, possession, transport, consumption, use, purchase, sale, and consumption of cannabis (except charas).
Cultivation of hemp: States are also empowered to permit, by general or special order, the cultivation of hemp, only for obtaining fibber or seeds or for horticultural purposes.
What next?
The government will consider all aspects, including regulatory measures, and study the models followed by other States that have legalized cannabis cultivation, before taking the final call.
Highlighted that the government is cautious about the potential increase in drug use, and will make a decision only after a thorough study by the committee.
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched carrying a new NASA device named Tropospheric Emissions Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) designed to monitor air pollutants and their emission sources across North America from space more comprehensively than ever before.
What is TEMPO?
TEMPO is an instrument developed by NASA, which will enable scientists to monitor air pollutants and their emission sources from space, down to the neighbourhood level.
This instrument will measure pollution and air quality across greater North America on an hourly basis during the daytime.
TEMPO’s special features
TEMPO is unique because it will be hosted on an Intelsat communications satellite in geostationary orbit, about 22,236 miles (35,786 km) above the equator.
This will allow the instrument to match the rotation of the Earth, meaning it will stay over the same location (North America) at all times.
It will be able to measure atmospheric pollution down to a spatial resolution of 4 square miles (10 square km), or neighbourhood level.
Applications of TEMPO
TEMPO will have multiple applications from measuring levels of various pollutants to providing air quality forecasts and helping the development of emission-control strategies.
The data will be used by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other agencies responsible for tackling atmospheric pollution.
Importance of the mission
According to the American Lung Association, more than 40% of the US population, 137 million people, live in places with unhealthy levels of particle pollution or ozone, and air pollution is blamed for some 60,000 premature deaths a year.
TEMPO will track pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, produced from the combustion of fossil fuels, formaldehyde, and ozone.
Central idea: The government has identified and documented the unique cultural heritage of more than one lakh villages across the country under the National Mission for Cultural Mapping’s Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar programme.
Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar
The National Mission for Cultural Mapping aims to develop a comprehensive database of art forms, artists, and other resources across the country.
The programme was launched by the Culture Ministry in 2017 but was handed over to the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) in 2021.
The programme aims to cover all the 6.5 lakh villages in the country.
Why such a program?
The program seeks to document the cultural identity at the village level by involving citizens to share what makes their village, block, or district unique.
The villages have been classified into seven-eight categories based on ecological, developmental, scholastic, historical, and mythological importance.
The mapping aims to develop a comprehensive database of art forms, artists, and other resources across the country.
Survey process
The survey process involves a CSC Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) conducting meetings with locals and then uploading interesting facts about their village, its places of interest, customs and traditions, famous personalities, festivals and beliefs, art and culture, etc., on to a special application.
The IGNCA plans to create special films on 6,500 village clusters showcasing their unique heritage.
Short films have been made on 750 cluster villages, which have been shot using drones, and the VLEs would upload these videos on the application as well.
Central idea: India has been elected to the UN Statistical Commission for a four-year term.
About United Nations Statistical Commission
The UN Statistical Commission is the topmost body of the global statistical system, bringing together the Chief Statisticians from member states worldwide.
Responsibilities of the Commission include setting statistical standards and developing concepts and methods, implemented at national and international levels.
The Commission was established in 1947 and is headquartered in New York.
The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) is overseen by the Commission.
The Commission is a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council.
Membership details
There are 24 member states of the Commission.
Members are elected by the Economic and Social Council based on equitable geographical distribution, including:
(Concluded Successfully) Mastering Self-Study for UPSC 2024: Phase I-II (April-Nov’23) | Building a Solid Base: GS Static and Current Affairs with 5hrs of daily prep
Preparing for UPSC 2024 and not sure what you should be doing in the month of April to Nov 2023?
Previously, we had discussed 5 phased UPSC strategies. It’s time now to go deeper. We will cover an in-depth session on Mastering Phases 1 and 2.
Toppers like Satyam Gandhi (AIR 10), Ria Dabi (AIR 15), Yash Jaluka (AIR 4), Mamta Yadav (AIR 5), and Shashwat Tripurari (AIR 19) always mention that success in the UPSC civil services exams is all about having a solid grip on Static Subjects and a crystal clear awareness of Current Affairs.
If your concept of static subjects is lacking, Current affairs will seem alien to you. On the other hand, if you try to study current affairs without knowing how the syllabus and the static subjects are directly or indirectly related to it, it will be nothing but a Fool’s Errand.
IPS officer (AIR-109, UPSC 2021) Areeba Ma’am, super mentor of Civilsdaily will take up a LIVE session to help you Master the most important Phases for UPSC 2024: GS Static and Current Affairs with 5hrs (3 Hrs for Static Subjects and 2 Hrs for Current Affairs) of daily prep.
What you should expect in this Recorded Session by Areeba Ma’am?
The LIVE Q&A session will cover the most important 2-phased UPSC Preparation strategy that will help you plan and utilize your time effectively in the next 12 months leading up to UPSC 2024.
Areeba will share her experience, how to understand the Nerve of UPSC, and how to prepare for the exam accordingly. She will also provide practical tips on how to prioritize your studies, make the most of your free time, and avoid burnout.
Phase 1 (April- Aug): Foundation building, core concepts, and topics- reading everything from 2-3 sources (NCERT + Standard books) + initiation of Current Affairs, Basic notes and answer writing started at this time
How to divide time for Static subjects and what are the fundamentalsof completing the syllabus in 5-6 months?
Which among the 40 NCERTs do you have to read along with some standard BOOKS? What are the standard books and Yellow Books (Notes) are the most effective for UPSC
Live demonstration of making the perfect notes from NCERTs and Standard Books. How to not copy line-by-line of everything you read & only note down the 5 dimensions of a topic?
How to improve your accuracy per month even every week as per your preparation ratio?
5 times Revision strategy for Every subject. How do you study during each revision phase?
How to build a habit of *2 hrs for Reading Newspaper. Besides newspapers, what are the most reliable and authentic sources for Current Affairs Preparation?
How to keep a balance between Recognition of Information and Elaborating on a topic?
How to follow the ritual of reading, writing summaries, and answering topic-wise previous year questions?
Including statistics and relevant data. What are the subject-wise important committee reports you should read?
How to catch and filter current affairs topics for Prelims and Mains?
How to and where to link current affairs and static while writing Answer writing for Mains?
