NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same time gives you extra points in the form of background information.
Topic : Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Reference: Indian Society class XI NCERT
Why the question:
The question is themed on the premise of Indian society and its features.
Key Demand of the question:
The question is around the time where 21st of June is celebrated as Father’s day across the world and India as a culturally rich society has embraced it as a festival of its own.
Directive:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly talk about India and its rich culture of festivals and traditions.
Body:
One can start by explaining that we are a ritualistic Society, our Calendar is full of festivals. When new festivals and rituals like Father’s Day, daughter’s day, and valentine day are added to it, we Indians happily negotiate with them reflecting our adaptive capabilities.
Elucidate as to how Indians don’t blindly follow modernity rather they carry the virtue and ability to Indianise modernity.
Reflect on other dimensions, such as that the dedicated days to father, mother, daughter, valentine, rose are the products of market society and the culture of consumerism, however explain that in our society children are spatially separated from parents either by choice or by compulsion. Their bonding is reinforced through these rituals. . Social function of ritual is to transform weak social solidarity into strong and positive social solidarity. Present many such other dimensions.
Conclusion:
Conclude with appreciating the culture of the country.
Introduction
In an increasingly globalizing world, a child in India not only celebrates Diwali but also Halloween. The advantage about this is that it promotes an understanding and hopefully a tolerance of other cultures, rituals, ceremonies and traditions. Another important aspect is, embracing the western celebration with Indian values; rather than blindly following modernity and its materialism.
Body
Festivals as cohesive forces of society
- Not blind followers of modernity: When new festivals and rituals like Father’s Day, daughter’s day, and valentine day are added to it, we Indians happily negotiate with them reflecting our adaptive capabilities.
- Here significance must be given to the deeper meaning and the value attached to such holidays.
- For instance, with small nuclear families increasing in India, Father’s Day or Mother’s Day can be that one day where children acknowledge the role of their parents and thank them for their sacrifices.
- This can set as a good example for the next generation to treat their parents well and respect our elders.
- Network of ties: The significant aspect of human nature is that, we are social animals, but have isolated ourselves in our quest to win the race of economy.
- The children thus lose out on family connections, on building a relationship with their peers and other relatives.
- Building familial ties is the biggest reason for families to embrace festivals, as they are a reason to build the societal relation and community networks.
- India, moreover, is a land of festivals. The diversity that exists allows people to celebrate festivals of all cultures and traditions.
- Unity and Fraternity: Most importantly, it increases unity and fraternity in the society- thus creating a brotherhood as envisaged in the Preamble.
- At a time, when senior citizens and elderly are being abandoned by their kin, festivals like Father’s Day will become a pathway to bridge a severed relationship. Eg: Assam’s PRANAM bill to implement law for government employees to look after their parents is case in point.
At the same time, with increasing globalization and acceptance of western culture in India, there is also consumerism and capitalist profitability on the rise; on account of these celebrations.
Consumerism on the rise
- In an increasingly commercialized world, festivals have become more about gifting, buying chocolates, wearing new clothes and bursting crackers.
- Many companies benefit from this and sales in stores spike during festive times.
- Encouraging children to celebrate a festival without an understanding of its deeper significance is of little benefit. This makes the celebration superficial.
- The rituals that exist in each of the festivals are a tangible way of experiencing an abstract concept. However, the basic essence is often lost as most rituals are handed down generation to generation with no understanding.
Conclusion
Ultimately, festivals are important, especially for the current generation, because they teach us about how to live in a community and celebrate and share each other’s happiness. This must become the essence of each festival or celebration rather than materialistic connotations attached by the capitalist ideology.
Topic : India and its neighborhood- relations.
Reference: Thewire.in
Why the question:
Recently Violence in the Galwan Valley on the India-China border has claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers. Thus the situation necessitates us to examine the strategic significance of the Galwan valley region.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to present a detailed analysis of the strategic significance of the Galwan valley region.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly highlight the background of the question. Recently, the Chinese Foreign Ministry in a statement claimed that the entire Galwan valley is located “on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC)”, which followed a statement from the People’s Liberation Army stating that “China always owns sovereignty over the Galwan Valley region”. However, India has dismissed such claims.
Body:
One can start by explaining the geographical presence of the region and its importance to both India and China. Explain what makes the region strategically important to both the countries. The Galwan River has its source in Aksai Chin, on China’s side of the LAC, and it flows east to Ladakh, where it meets the Shyok river on India’s side of the LAC. The Galwan valley refers to the land that sits between steep mountains that buffet the Galwan River. Explain the nuances around the LAC; it lies east of the confluence of the Galwan and Shyok rivers in the valley. The Galwan valley is strategically located between Ladakh in the west and Aksai Chin in the east. At its western end are the Shyok river and the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulet Beg Oldie (DSDBO) road. Its eastern mouth lies close to China’s vital Xinjiang Tibet road. Discuss the concerns associated. Suggest what needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with fair and balanced approach to address the situation.
Introduction
The trajectory of the India-China crisis beginning at Pangong Tso lake on May 5 and the ensuing tragedy, the death of 20 Indian soldiers and Chinese casualties in the Galwan Valley on June 15 2020 raises some important questions on the contours of the Asian Century largely pillared so far by China.
Body
Background
- The truth about the border is that perceptions on the Eastern, Middle and Western sector are markedly different in India and China, which explains why Indian media routinely cites 3,500 kms of border and China 2,000 kms.
- What drove the border confrontation was India’s growing proximity to the US.
- The abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was a point of conflict.
- The Galwan valley in eastern Ladakh that saw a violent face-off between Indian and Chinese troops has strategic significance because of its proximity to the vital road link to Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), the world’s highest landing ground that lies close to the Line of Actual Control and serves as an important aerial supply line.
- India is engaged in building up border infrastructure in this area, including the all-weather 255 km Darbul-Shayok- DBO road.
- The road runs almost parallel, at places very close to the LAC and extends up to the base of the Karakoram Pass, which when complete, will reduce the travel time from Leh to DBO from the present two days to just six hours.
Strategic Significance of Galwan Valley Region
- The Galwan valley connects with Shyok on the road under construction and lies between DBO and Chushul to the south near Pangong Tso, another hot spot, providing convenient access to Shyok and the areas beyond.
- Control of the ridgeline along the valley also allows domination of the road.
- Looking eastwards, control of the Galwan valley gives access to the Aksai Chin plateau, through which part of the Xinjiang-Tibet highway passes.
- While the road is highly prone to Chinese interdiction or long-range artillery, it serves a vital peace time role in maintaining forward posts and building up reserves.
- An alternate route to DBO is being developed from a different axis in Ladakh that has adequate depth from the LAC.
- During the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict, Indian posts in the Galwan Sector were attacked and overwhelmed by the Chinese, resulting in casualties and some prisoners-of-war.
- After the war, this sector largely remained dormant till the recent face-offs.
- A strategically important bridge called Bailey Bridge in the Galwan Valley of Eastern Ladakh has been made “functional” amid the ongoing tensions with China in the region.
- It links Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) and is not on the track moving to Patrol Point 14 (PP14) and neither on Galwan river.
- The Galwan Valley area comes under Sub Sector North (SSN), which lies just to the east of the Siachen glacier and is the only point that provides direct access to Aksai Chin from India.
- Analysts say China is suspicious that the Indian constructions in the area are meant to facilitate quick movement of soldiers if any attempt is made to recapture Aksai Chin.
Challenges for India
- India’s alignment with the US, the presence of Tibetan government-in-exile in India, and the aggressive claims on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan — through which the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes only strengthen China’s suspicion about India’s intention.
- This is especially true after New Delhi made statements on Aksai Chin in its new political map, after the abrogation of Article 370.
- China believes that, India’s strategic aim in the long term is to restore the status quo ante 1950 by recovering Aksai Chin and other areas captured/secured by China.
- The most important Ladakh sector is with Indo Tibetan Border Police, (ITBP).
- There are concerns about serious lapses in patrolling, and failure of intelligence agencies, else such large scale built-up of Chinese in the Galwan river sector and Fingers area would have been known well in time.
- China was also irked by India necessitating foreign direct investment from any country that shares a land border with India to go through government scrutiny.
- Chinese, from time to time have ingresses into the un-demarcated border and have been gaining land through their inch by inch strategy (or Salami Slicing Technique).
- The current face-off shows an aggressive posturing and all out violence in defiance of the border agreements of the past.
Way Forward
- The spectrum within which a boundary settlement could realistically be sought is an LAC-plus solution at one end, and a Package Proposal without Tawang on the other.
- If the ‘plus’ on the Indian side could be, LAC demarcation as international boundary, while China could settle, for only free access to Tawang for its pilgrims, then there could be a meeting ground somewhere in the middle of the spectrum.
- It would seem more realistic that the two sides should settle for more CBMs (Confidence Building Measures) to maintain peace and tranquility on the Sino-Indian border.
- The clarification of the LAC which the Chinese have so far resisted, after having agreed to do so earlier, could be a starting point
- In the world of realpolitik, based on practical rather than moral or ideological considerations, a velvet glove is effective when it is backed up by an iron fist.
- Economic might and cultural influence work best when reinforced with courage to deal with a bully.
- India must pursue aggressive infrastructure development and be prepared with defence arrangements to protect territorial integrity.
- A fresh Ladakh policy must be charted, which should include suggestions from local communities including ones who live in the frontier regions. We also need to bridge the void between frontier villages and the local administration.
Conclusion
India and China are amongst the largest economies, demography, markets and militaries of the world. Therefore, it is in the interests of both the countries to align their energies for the growth and development of their people, region and global peace.
Topic : Parliament and State legislatures— structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article talks about the misuse of anti-defection law.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to narrate the recent incidents that are clear evidences of misuse of anti-defection law. And suggest measures to make the law more effective.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Recent incidents in Manipur reflect state of Indian democracy in general and violation of anti- defection law in specific.
Body:
One can start by presenting the case of Manipur – explain the course of events that happened and highlight the misuse of anti-defection law.
Talk about the features of the anti-defection law in the country; The Tenth Schedule was inserted in the Constitution in 1985 by the 52nd Amendment Act. It lays down the process by which legislators may be disqualified on grounds of defection by the Presiding Officer of a legislature based on a petition by any other member of the House etc.
Then present the loopholes in it. Highlight the lacuna and challenges associated.
Suggest measures to overcome the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction
Recently, some of the sitting MLAs in the Manipur government defected to the opposition creating instability in the state’s polity. This politics of defection in Manipur is not unique, there have been some other recent examples of defection in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Body
Background
- For a very long time, the Indian political system was impacted by political defections by members of the legislature. This situation brought about greater instability and chaos in the political system.
- Thus, in 1985, to curb the evil of political defections, the 52nd constitution amendment act on anti-defection was passed and the 10th Schedule was added in the Indian Constitution.
- 91st Constitution Amendment Act-2003 was enacted and was aimed at limiting the size of the Council of Ministers to debar defectors from holding public offices, and to strengthen the anti-defection law.
Flaws of the current Anti-defection law
- Does not prevent Defection: The Anti-defection law has failed to curb “horse trading” and defection, leading to toppling of governments through machinations of corrupt legislators.
- Eg: The 17-MLA’s of coalition government resigned in Karnataka, leading to change in government. The 17 MLA’s later contested from the party that formed new government.
- Wholesale defection: The law prevents individual defections, but not wholesale defections.
- Eg: Congress government in Madhya Pradesh lost majority due to resignations of MLA’s.
- Against the true spirit of representative democracy: The anti-defection law seeks to provide a stable government by ensuring the legislators do not switch sides.
- However, this law also enforces a restriction on legislators from voting in line with their conscience, judgement and interests of his electorate.
- Impedes legislative control on government: The anti-defection law impedes the oversight function of the legislature over the government, by ensuring that members vote based on the decisions taken by the party leadership.
- In short, if legislators are not able to vote on laws independently, they would not act as an effective check on the government.
- The Anti-Defection Law, in effect, dilutes the separation of powers between the Executive and the Legislature – and centralises power in the hands of the executives.
- Role of presiding officer of the house: The law lays down that legislators may be disqualified on grounds of defection by the Presiding Officer of a legislature based on a petition by any other member of the House.
- However, there are many instances when presiding officers play a part with the vested interests of a political party/government in power.
- Also, the law does not specify a time period for the Presiding Officer to decide on a disqualification plea.
- The decision thus is sometimes based on the whims and fancies of the presiding officer.
- Affects the debate and discussion: The Anti-Defection Law has created a democracy of parties and numbers in India, rather than a democracy of debate and discussion.
- In this way, it does not make a differentiation between dissent and defection and weaken the Parliamentary deliberations on any law.
Steps to be taken
- To be used for major decision making: Several experts have suggested that the law should be valid only for those votes that determine the stability of the government. e.g. passage of the annual budget or no-confidence motions as recommended by Dinesh Goswami Committee.
- Non-partisan authority: Various commissions including National Commission to review the working of the constitution (NCRWC) have recommended that rather than the Presiding Officer, the decision to disqualify a member should be made by the President (in case of MPs) or the Governor (in case of MLAs) on the advice of the Election Commission.
- Independent committee for disqualification: Justice Verma in Hollohan judgment said that tenure of the Speaker is dependent on the continuous support of the majority in the House and therefore, he does not satisfy the requirement of such independent adjudicatory authority.
- Also, his choice as the sole arbiter in the matter violates an essential attribute of the basic feature.
- Thus, the need for an independent authority to deal with the cases of defection.
- Intra-party democracy: 170th Law Commission report underscored the importance of intra-party democracy by arguing that a political party cannot be a dictatorship internally and democratic in its functioning outside.
- Thus, the parties should listen to the opinions of the members and have discussions on the same. This would give the freedom of speech and expression to its members and promote inner-party democracy.
- Limiting Speaker’s discretion: Recent Supreme Court Judgement ruled that Speaker must decide on disqualification within three months of receiving application. It cannot be the discretion of the Speaker to take no action.
Conclusion
There is a need to prevent unholy defections that lead to instability in the governance system of the nation. The current law is clearly flawed and has not effectively curbed defection due to lure of power and money. There is a need for a more rationalised version of anti-defection laws which will help establish a truly representative democracy.
Topic : Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Recent events led to re- emergence of tensions in Korean peninsula. The article explains in what way U.S. must take measures to revive normalcy.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the historical background of the tensions in the Korean Peninsula and the re-emerged tensions of the day. One must present the role of India amidst such tensions from past to present in the region.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Present the current tussle between the two countries of the peninsula.
Body:
Explain the historical background of the peninsula – From 1910 till end of the WW-II, Korean Peninsula belonged to Japanese Empire. After Japan surrendered in 1945, a provisional government was set up in Korea, with the Soviet Union exercising control over the northern half and the United States exercising control over the southern half (US and Soviet Union were allies). A boundary between the two zones was set at 38th parallel. Present how no agreement could be reached and thus the issues continue to re-emerge now and then.
Present the role of India from past to present with respect to the issue.
Conclusion:
Conclude that technically the Korea War is never over because no official peace treaty was ever signed.
Introduction
The end of the Second World War left Korea divided between a Communist North controlled by the Socialist camp and a South Korea dominated by the Western powers. In the last two years, hostilities were reduced, due to the efforts of Moon Jae-in, South Korean PM, although short-lived.
By blowing up a joint liaison office on the border with South Korea and threatening to deploy troops along the demilitarised zone, North Korea is back to aggressive posturing with the threat of war.
Body
Current Escalation
- Troubles began in the peninsula early this year after a deadline the North dictated to the U.S. to achieve progress in the denuclearisation talks expired on December 31.
- North Korea has conducted missile tests this year, sending warning signals to Seoul and Washington. Especially after the Singapore and Hanoi Summit (latter was cut short).
- The latest crisis was triggered by anti-North defector groups that sent out propaganda leaflets via balloons across the border.
- Angered by the South’s refusal to crack down on them, Pyongyang has severed hotlines, demolished the liaison office, and is planning to deploy troops along the border.
- Tensions now risk rolling back whatever little was achieved through engagement over the past two years.
Cold War and Korean Conflict
- World War ll : From 1910 till end of the WW-II, Korean Peninsula belonged to Japanese Empire.
- After Japan surrendered in 1945, a provisional government was set up in Korea, with the Soviet Union exercising control over the northern half and the United States exercising control over the southern half (US and Soviet Union were allies).
- Ideological battle: The main protagonists of that political, economic, military and ideological contest, the Soviet Union and the United States of America, intervened in the Korean War.
- The Soviet Union and its ally China backed North Korea, while the United States gathered an alliance under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) to support the south.
- As far as American officials were concerned, it was a war against the forces of international communism itself.
- The Korean war began on June 25, 1950, when some 75,000 soldiers from the North Korean People’s Army poured across the 38th parallel.
- This invasion was the first military action of the Cold War. By July, American troops had entered the war on South Korea’s behalf.
- North Korean invasion came as an alarming surprise to American officials. Many feared it was the first step in a communist campaign to take over the world.
- For this reason, non-intervention was not considered an option by many top decision makers.
- USA flew in its troops, and were successful in pushing back North Korean army out of the 38th In doing so, it went as far as the Yalu River, which is at the border between North Korea and China.
- China called it a military aggression against it. Meanwhile, USA wanted to prevent a war with China. The alternative, they feared, would be a wider war with Russia and China–or even, as some warned, World War III.
- After some early back-and-forth across the 38th parallel, the fighting stalled and casualties mounted with nothing to show for them.
- American officials worked anxiously to fashion some sort of armistice with the North Koreans.
- Finally, in July 1953, the Korean War came to an end. In all, some 5 million soldiers and civilians lost their lives
- The agreement allowed the POWs to stay where they liked; drew a new boundary near the 38th parallel that gave South Korea an extra 1,500 square miles of territory; and created a 2-mile-wide “demilitarized zone” that still exists today.
Role Played by India in Korean War
- When North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950, India supported the US in the UN Security Council, condemning North Korea as aggressor and calling for a ceasefire.
- But American pleasure was soon to turn into anger when they found that India abstained from voting on another resolution calling for assistance to South Korea and the setting up of a unified command for this purpose. This was India’s policy of non-alignment.
- India’s main concern was to prevent the entry of outside powers into the conflict. Nehru appealed to Truman and Stalin and received a warm response from the latter.
- Progress of war: But meanwhile General MacArthur, crossed the 38th parallel into North Korea and continued towards the Yalu river that separated Korea from China.
- Chou En-lai, the Chinese prime minister, warned the Western powers through the Indian ambassador to China, K.M. Panikkar, of retaliation, but to no avail.
- India was the only link between the West and East in Peking at that time.
- China thereupon sent in waves of armed ‘volunteers’ and succeeded in pushing back American troops to South of the 38th parallel, which resulted in huge Chinese, Korean and American casualties.
- India as peace negotiator: Nehru tried again at this point to bring about an end to the war by organizing a conference but the US queered the pitch with an ill-timed UN resolution declaring China the aggressor.
- India voted against it because it was clearly MacArthur and not China who was the aggressor in North Korea.
- A military stalemate ensued but despite India’s tireless efforts it took till June 1953 to get both sides to agree to a ceasefire and evolve an acceptable formula for the repatriation of prisoners of war.
- It was Krishna Menon who finally succeeded in fashioning a formula that the UN General Assembly and, after Stalin’s death, the Soviet bloc accepted.
- A Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission was set up with an Indian, General Thimmayya, as its Chairman, and an Indian ‘Custodian Force’ under his charge was made responsible for the difficult task of repatriation of soldiers.
Conclusion
India can play a bigger role, considering its history in the Korean war and the non-partisan handling of the issue. Given that there is a similar situation today, India can play a larger role in defusing the tensions where USA was unsuccessful. This can propel India to assume its rightful place as a global leader in the current world order.
Topic : Economy: Indian Economy and Issues relating to planning, Mobilization of Resources, growth, development and employment.
Reference: pib.gov.in
Why the question:
Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs launched SATYABHAMA (Science and Technology Yojana for Atmanirbhar Bharat in Mining Advancement) Portal for Science and Technology Programme Scheme of Ministry of Mines on 15th June 2020.
Key Demand of the question:
The question is straightforward and is about enumerating the steps taken by the Government of India towards effective utilization of natural resources available with respect to mines and minerals.
Directive:
Enumerate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining the importance of effective utilization of natural resources available with respect to mines and minerals.
Body:
The question is straightforward and one has to list down the policies and programs taken by the government in this direction. Discuss the projects like SATYABHAMA, NGO Darpan Portal etc. that are key policies in the mining and the mineral sector. Use a map of India to highlight the presence of natural minerals and mines, present the spatial dimension and list the policies associated around each region.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of these policies in effective utilization of natural resources.
Introduction
India produces 95 minerals– 4 fuel-related minerals, 10 metallic minerals, 23 non-metallic minerals, 3 atomic minerals and 55 minor minerals (including building and other minerals). India holds a fair advantage in cost of production and conversion costs in steel and alumina. Its strategic location enables convenient exports to develop as well as the fast-developing Asian markets The Centre has taken a number of steps for the development of mining sector in the country, including formulating a new mineral policy in 2019.
Body
India Mines and Minerals Market
- India is the third largest producer of coal. Coal production in the country stood at 688.8 million tonnes in FY18. India’s coal production in FY19 to reach 739.36 million tonnes.
- India ranks fourth in terms of iron ore production globally. Production of iron ore in FY19 (up to Feb 19) stood at 187.60 million tonnes. India has around eight per cent of world’s deposits of iron ore.
- India became the world second largest crude steel producer in 2018 with output 106.5 million tonnes.
- According to Ministry of Mines, India has the 7th largest bauxite reserves – around 2,908.85 million tonnes in FY18.
- Aluminium production stood at 2.25 MT in FY19 (up to February 2019).
Steps by Government to improve mining sector
- Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957 was amended with effect from January 12, 2015 and auction has been introduced as a method of allocation of mining leases to bring greater transparency in the mining sector.
- National Mineral Exploration Trust has been constituted under Section 9(C) of the MMDR Act for taking up detailed and regional exploration and studies for mineral development.
- Satyabhama portal: The Ministry of Mines has launched a portal “SATYABHAMA (Science and Technology Yojana for Atmanirbhar Bharat in Mining Advancement)” with an aim to promote research and development in the mining and minerals sector.
- Under the Science and Technology Programme Scheme, the Ministry of Mines promotes research in applied geosciences, mineral exploration, mining and allied areas, mineral processing, optimum utilization and conservation of the mineral resources of the country.
- This portal will allow online submission of project proposals along with monitoring of the same and utilisation of funds.
- The portal has been designed, developed and implemented by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
- The portal is also integrated with NGO Darpan Portal of NITI Aayog.
- National Mineral Policy 2019: The New National Mineral Policy will ensure more effective regulation.
- It will lead to sustainable mining sector development in future while addressing the issues of project affected persons especially those residing in tribal areas.
- The Policy also mentions rationalize reserved areas given to PSUs which have not been used and to put these areas to auction, which will give more opportunity to private sector for participation.
- The Policy also mentions to make efforts to harmonize taxes, levies & royalty with world benchmarks to help private sector
- The (GSI) and the Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) have been entrusted the work of exploration in mining sector. Various Central and state government agencies have been notified under section 4 of MMDR Act for undertaking exploration
- Project “Sudoor Drishti”: IBM has signed a MoU with National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO on 21.01.2016 to undertake a pilot project on “monitoring of mining activities using satellite imagery and capacity building of IBM officers for three years including technical support for setting up of remote sensing laboratory in IBM.
- Star rating of mining leases to establish a sustainable development framework for the Indian mining sector.
- An MoU was signed between the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO in January 2016 to undertake a pilot project on “monitoring of mining activities using satellite imagery” to deter illegal mining.
- The Mining Surveillance System (MSS) is launched to check illegal mining through automatic remote sensing detection technology.
- District Mineral Foundation Fund (DMF) was established for the welfare of mining-affected people and areas under Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana [PMKKKY].
- The National Mineral Exploration Policy has been released to attract private exploration agencies.
- 100% FDI permitted via automatic route for mining and exploration of metal and non-metal ores. And approval route for mining of titanium bearing minerals and its ores.
Way Forward
- Ease of Doing mining: There is a need for an expedition of the clearance process for the judicious utilisation of mineral resources.
- Clamp down on illegal mining: Stringent implementation of mining-related rules is needed especially regarding the ban on Rat-Hole and unscientific mining to prevent mine-related accidents.
- Accountability: Ensure transparency in block allocations and rule-based order should be established.
- Leverage Technology: Use of technology for a better way of mineral exploration and surveillance systems.
- Ensuring Sustainable mining: Proper rehabilitation of the displaced population, the tribal rights need to be respected in accordance with the law.
- Proper environmental impact assessment (EIA) and social impact assessment (SIA) must be conducted before allocating the projects.
- Utilisation of DMF to construct physical & social infrastructure and efforts should be made for the integration of the local population in the process.
- Protect forests: A proper regulatory framework for the implementation of the NGT guidelines for the protection of forest and the least damage to the environment.
- Adopting global practices in operations and ensuring safe working conditions for workers in the mining sector. Undertake measures to avoid occupational hazards.
Conclusion
There is significant scope for new mining capacities in iron ore, bauxite and coal and considerable opportunities for future discoveries of sub- surface deposits. Infrastructure projects continue to provide lucrative business opportunities for steel, zinc and aluminium producers. Considering these factors, the schemes will prove highly progressive to aid the mines and minerals sector in India.
Topic : role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges.
Reference: thewire.in
Why the question:
The article presents to us the nuances of the social media and in what way it is being used as a weapon of rage under various circumstances.
Key Demand of the question:
The question is about battling the Infodemic facing the entire world and about examining the ways and means with which it can be resolved.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining the fact that as the world battles a pandemic, the biggest source of information are digital channels. However, the bigger issue with digital sources is verification.
Body:
Today, social media platforms are a bigger source of information than news websites or journals. Thousands of live streaming videos on Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram, twitter which go viral on these platforms let consumers instant information about za happening before it is published on news websites. But the authenticity of these videos and stories can be contested. Present the case study of ‘George Floyd Challenge’.
Talk about the challenges – lack of authenticity, verifiability, False claims and fake news have also led to several cases of communal violence, hate speeches and other discriminatory activities, while cyber frauds are also on the rise with fraudster seeking to take advantage of the crisis. With so much of unverified content present in the digital space, the government, media and public must work in coordination to combat fake news.
Conclusion:
Conclude with measures and policies already in place to address such challenges while also suggest more amicable measures to resolve them.
Introduction
Infodemic is an overabundance of information that makes it difficult for people to identify truthful and trustworthy sources from false or misleading ones. In the present state of emergency, a barrage of information on the virus has deluged the traditional and social media space. It is meant to be an excessive amount of information about a problem which acts as a detriment to its solution.
Body
Challenges of Infodemic and social media
- Social Media, with its ability to amplify a message through endorsements and forwards, gives one the tool to reach a potential audience without needing substantial resources or access to expensive media technology.
- Social media provides the tools for an information cascade. It enables individuals to distribute large volumes of disinformation or fake news.
- George Floyd Challenge: An insensitive ‘challenge’ on social media that has people imitating a police officer kneeling on George Floyd’s neck has left people fuming online.
- Social media sites have been clamping down on people participating in it. In this context “infodemic” becomes important, especially when the world is also battling a pandemic.
- Echo Chambers: Today’s decision-making is not based on individual rationality but from shared group-level narratives.
- Social media helps in making the false and misleading narratives of some social miscreants.
- These issues can be reflected in the Covid-19 pandemic. There are rising dangerous conspiracy theories of Covid-19 of being a Bioweapon.
- A rumour of a lockdown of essential commodities resulted in people hoarding the essential supplies.
- Non-Utilitarian: The anonymity that the internet lends was supposed to aid freedom of speech and, thereby, help democracy thrive.
- But, political elites have managed to design a grim nexus between anonymity, capital, and technology to influence public opinion, promote political agendas, and disseminate fake and misleading news and information.
- Tools for disharmony: Fake news can divide people based on many fault lines, especially in a diverse country like India. It increases Ghettoization and communalism.
- Deep Fake, a new entrant to the arena is even vicious than spreading misinformation. It is used to combine and superimpose existing images and videos onto source images or videos using a machine learning technique known as generative adversarial network.
- Mob lynching: Rumors of child lifting in Jharkhand led to mob lynching on innocent victims.
- Violence: An atmosphere of violence and chaos is created directly or indirectly. The Christchurch Terror attack on a mosque by an extremist was a result of Islamophobia (a direct result of hate speech).
- Misinformation and disinformation due to hate speech and fake news have led to riots as seen in the Delhi Riots case 2020.
Despite the various issues of social media, it is also proven to be highly advantageous due to below reasons.
Social media advantages
- Covid-19 has led to social distancing and lockdown all across the nation. In these conditions, social media serves as:
- A crucial conduit between families, friends, office, and a medium of entertainment.
- A reliable way for the victims of this virus to communicate with the outside world.
- Social media has also been instrumental in helping improve the situation.
- In response to Covid-19 pandemic, it gave birth to a fair share of online fundraisers. For example, donations in the PM-CARES fund got encouraged by people sharing this on social media.
- People are also giving money to financially struggling hospitals, as well as individuals at risk of dying from the disease.
- Scientists are using social media tools to collaborate.
- The coronavirus genome was openly published early on during the outbreak, allowing thousands of researchers to brainstorm possible solutions, cures and explanations.
- Social media displays and strengthens solidarity against this virus.For example, Indian Prime Minister called for lighting lamps to reinforce the public commitment to fight Covid-19.
- It is being used to spread preventive steps that one can take to fight Covid-19. These small changes in behaviours can have enormous consequences.
Measures taken to battle infodemic
- Producing and disseminating facts and accurate information : The world’s biggest social media companies, including Facebook, Google, Twitter and ByteDance, are exploring an industry-wide alliance to curb fake news on their platforms in India.
- The proposed alliance — to be named the Information Trust Alliance (ITA) — will be a grouping of digital platforms and publishers, fact checkers, civil society and academia that will aim to control the spread of harmful content, including fake news and hate speech.
- Facebook has announced that it currently has over 500 full-time employees and at least 3,500 external contractors who focus on election work, on top of the 30,000 people across the company focused on safety and security issues.
- Partnering with businesses: For instance, while partnering with WhatsApp and Facebook, WHO launched dedicated messaging services in several languages, including Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish, to share critical guidance on COVID-19.
- This easy-to-use messaging service could reach up to 2 billion people and allows WHO to get the facts directly into people’s hands.
- Eg: Facebook has promised to ban ads that promise “cures” for the Covid-19 virus.
- Working with media and journalists: Press Council of India, a regulatory body, can warn, admonish or censure the newspaper, the news agency, the editor or the journalist or disapprove the conduct of the editor or the journalist if it finds that a newspaper or a news agency has violated journalistic ethics.
- A better and more effective approach to limit the influence of hoaxes on WhatsApp and other platforms is to increase media literacy.
- Information hygiene: This needs to be practiced and can be cultivated through user awareness
- Verifying the authentic source of fact.
- Double checking with some fact checking website.
- Asking some expert opinion on that particular issue.
- Applying rational thinking while going through a forwarded news on social media.
- Applying these ideas before sharing the same.
- Government of India could partner with local news groups to further educate citizens on how to identify real news from fake news. Eg: Logical Indian site
- Imposing hefty fines, like in Germany the Social media companies face fines of up to €50m if they persistently fail to remove illegal content from their sites.
Conclusion
Social media is a double-edged sword and infodemic is one such offshoots of a platform that has the ability to disseminate information globally in a second. A tripartite collaboration of governments, industry and citizenry is needed to responsibly use social media platforms for the benefit of humanity, more so in these testing times.
Topic : Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of Family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications
Why the question:
The question is based on the Stoic’s model of ethics and its suitability to modern civil servants.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the model of Stoic for ethics and its appropriateness for modern civil servants.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining Stoicism; it is a philosophy of personal ethics informed by its system of logic and its views on the natural world.
Body:
Explain the concept of Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy which teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions. It does not seek to extinguish emotions completely but rather seeks to transform them by a resolute Asceticism, which enables a person to develop clear judgment, inner calm and freedom from suffering.
Discuss the Basic Tenets of Stoicism.
Explain how it can be made suitable and applied to Civil services of modern day.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance and significance of the model to the modern civil services.
Introduction
Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy which teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions. It does not seek to extinguish emotions completely but rather seeks to transform them by a resolute Asceticism, which enables a person to develop clear judgment, inner calm and freedom from suffering.
Body
The Greeks developed the philosophy of Stoicism from earlier philosophies, and philosophy is often divided into three parts:
- Logic: a way to determine if your perceptions of the world are correct;
- Physics (meaning natural science): a structure to understand the natural world as both active (figured out by reason) and passive (existing and immutable substance); and
- Ethics: the study of how to live one’s life.
In simple words, “Stoicism teaches how to keep a calm and rational mind no matter what happens to you and it helps you understand and focus on what you can control and not worry about and accept what you can’t control.”
Tenets of Stoicism
Below are eight of the main ethical notions held by the Stoic philosophers.
- Nature: Nature is rational and live in agreement with nature.
- Law of Reason: The universe is governed by the law of reason. Humans can’t actually escape its inexorable force, but they can, uniquely, follow the law deliberately.
- Humans are meant to apply reason and act like humans, not like animals.
- Virtue: A life led according to rational nature is virtuous. Achieving ‘virtue’ is the highest good.
- Wisdom: Wisdom is the the root virtue. From it spring the cardinal virtues: insight, bravery, self-control, and justice.
- Apathea: Since passion is irrational, life should be waged as a battle against it. Intense feeling should be avoided.
- Pleasure: Pleasure is neither good nor bad. It is only acceptable if it doesn’t interfere with the quest for virtue.
- Evil: Poverty, illness, and death are not evil. Stoicism calls this the “art of acquiescence” – to accept rather than fight every little thing.
- Duty: Virtue should be sought, not for the sake of pleasure, but for duty.
Thus, the goal of Stoicism is freedom from anger through the pursuit of reason. It teaches indifference and a “passive” reaction to external events and equanimity in the face of life’s highs and lows.
Stoic principles for civil servants
Virtue is one of the main principles of Stoicism. The Stoics classified these different forms of virtue under four broad headings, the four cardinal virtues:
- Wisdom or Prudence: Includes excellent deliberation, good judgment, perspective, good sense.
- Justice or Fairness: Includes good-heartedness, benevolence, public service, fair dealing.
- Courage or Fortitude: Includes bravery, perseverance, authenticity (honesty), confidence.
- Self-Discipline or Temperance: Includes orderliness, self-control, forgiveness, humility.
These are in fact, the foundational values of civil services, to uphold the nations steel frame and to absolutely uphold highest level of integrity and honesty.
- Public service, unlike many other jobs, includes direct interaction with people to resolve their problems.
- Any deviation from the side of the public servant could have a multi-fold adverse effect.
- So, it becomes essential that he/she should have virtues like wisdom, self-control, fortitude and prudence.
- For instance, Sir M Visvesvaraya was a highly disciplined officer. On his last day of work, he went to office by his official vehicle and returned home by his own, rejecting to be driven back by official vehicle.
- Wisdom instils objectivity and encourages civil servants to take impartial decisions. Benevolence and a degree of fairness is quintessential in civil services to ensure that the most vulnerable and the needy are given their due.
- It makes a civil servant clear, unbiased and self-disciplined and allows them to understand the things rationally.
Conclusion
To the Stoics it was clear that virtue must be its own reward. One must do something because it is the right thing to do; or act in agreement with nature, with reason, and according to the cardinal virtues for its own sake. It does not matter what one gets out of it, since acting according to virtue is rewarding in itself as they are progressing towards the Good Life. This holistically resonates with the values of the civil services that are needed to serve the society.
