InstaLinks : help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions ina your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically
Table of Contents:
GS Paper 2:
- 2023 Nobel Prize for Peace: Narges Mohammadi
GS Paper 3:
- Low Female Labour Force Participation Rate in India
Content for Mains Enrichment
- Dalits Converting to Sikhism
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
- GI Tags (Basohli Pashmina and Udhampur’s Kalari)
- 500th birth anniversary celebrations of Rani Durgavati
- Shyamji Krishna Varma
- Veer Gatha Project 3.0
Mapping
- Bekal Fort (Kasargod, Kerala)
2023 Nobel Prize for Peace: Narges Mohammadi
GS Paper 2
Syllabus: International Relations/ Human Rights
Source: IE, TH
Context: Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian activist, has been awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize for Peace for her dedication to various causes.
About Narges Mohammadi:
| Background | Description |
| About | Narges Mohammadi (born 1972) is an Iranian human rights activist, Nobel laureate, journalist, and scientist. She’s Vice President of the Defenders of Human Rights Center and she advocates for women’s rights and civil disobedience against hijab in Iran. Mohammadi has faced imprisonment and abuse for her activism. |
| Current Situation | Detained in Iran under charges of “spreading anti-state propaganda” and defamation. Sentenced to a total of 31 years in prison and 154 lashes |
| Activism and Causes | Advocate for women’s rights in Iran |
| Opponent of the death penalty | |
| Supporter of political protesters | |
| Nobel committee has recognized her dedication to causes aligning with the protests’ motto ‘Zan – Zendegi – Azadi (Woman – Life – Freedom)’ in Iran | |
| Member of the Centre for Human Rights Defenders in Iran, founded by Shirin Ebadi for the abolition of the death penalty | |
| As a journalist, she wrote many articles arguing for social reforms in Iran and published an essay collection, The Reforms, the Strategy, and the Tactics | |
| Wrote ‘White Torture’ (2022) describing her experiences under solitary confinement and featuring interviews with other Iranian women who underwent similar punishment | |
| Organized protests from within the prison with fellow women prisoners | |
| Other Recognitions | 2023 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award |
| 2023 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize | |
| Featured in BBC’s list of 100 inspiring and influential women in 2022 | |
| Nobel Peace Prize | She has become the second Iranian woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize after Shirin Ebadi (awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003). Shirin was also the first Muslim woman to receive the award |
Geopolitical Dimension of the Award:
- The award given to Narges Mohammadi has geopolitical significance as it highlights international support for human rights in Iran and places pressure on the Iranian government to address these concerns.
- It also reflects a broader trend of recognizing political protestors and activists with Nobel Peace Prizes, often seen as a way to promote democratic values and challenge authoritarian regimes.
- Some notable examples include the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Aung San Suu Kyi (1991) in Myanmar and Liu Xiaobo (2010) in China, both of whom were political activists advocating for democratic change in their respective countries.
Ethical values that can be derived from her life:
| Ethical Lesson | Description |
| Commitment to Human Rights | Even in the face of imprisonment and adversity. |
| Courage and Resilience | Demonstrating immense courage and resilience in the pursuit of justice and freedom, despite facing multiple arrests and harsh sentences. |
| Advocacy for Gender Equality | Her advocacy for gender equality, particularly in Iran, highlights the importance of fighting against discrimination and inequality based on gender. |
| Promotion of Democracy | Advocating for democracy and the rights of individuals to express themselves freely, even when challenging an authoritarian regime. |
| Peaceful Activism | Mohammadi’s dedication to peaceful activism as a means of driving social and political change, rather than resorting to violence. |
| Sacrifice for a Cause | Her willingness to sacrifice personal freedoms and family life for a cause she believes in. |
| International Solidarity | Building bridges with the international community to raise awareness and support for human rights issues in Iran. |
| Optimism and Hope | Maintaining optimism and hope for positive change, even in the most challenging circumstances. |
| Commitment to Non-Violence | Advocating for non-violent means of achieving social and political change, emphasizing the importance of peaceful resistance. |
Insta Links:
Low Female Labour Force Participation Rate in India
GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Indian Economy/ Labour Issues
Source: IE
Context: India faces significant challenges related to female labour force participation rates (LFPR), particularly in rural areas, as highlighted by the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data
What are Female Labour Force Participation Rates (LFPR)?
The Female Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the percentage of women within the working-age population (typically 15-59 years old) who are either employed or actively seeking employment.
Significance of LFPR:
- It provides insight into the level of economic activity among women in a particular country or region, indicating their involvement in the labour force.
- A higher LFPR suggests greater participation of women in the workforce
- A lower rate indicates lower participation, often influenced by factors such as cultural norms, economic conditions, and access to employment opportunities.
Key Issues are:
| Issue | Description |
| Low Female Labour Force Participation (LFPR) | India has one of the world’s lowest LFPR rates for women |
| India ranks lower than most South Asian countries, except Afghanistan and Pakistan. In 2021-22, the LFPR for women aged 15-59 was only 35.6% in India. | |
| Rural-Urban Disparities | Urban areas have a lower LFPR for women at 26.5% compared to 39.3% in rural areas. |
| Unpaid Family Helpers | More than half of rural women work as unpaid family helpers in household businesses, while married women are often engaged in unpaid family roles or domestic chores. |
| Gender Wage Gap | Rural women working as wage labourers face a higher gender wage gap compared to urban women. |
| Self-employed women earn less than half of men’s earnings, and this gap has worsened from 2017 to 2021. | |
| Unpaid Domestic and Care Work | Women spend significant hours on unpaid domestic and caregiving services in rural areas. |
| In rural areas, women spend over five hours daily on unpaid domestic services and more than two hours on unpaid caregiving. | |
| Gender Disparity in Land Ownership | The agriculture census in 2015-16 showed that only 14.7% of operational landholdings in agriculture were owned by women. |
| Most women-owned land falls into the marginal and small holding categories. | |
| Exclusion from Agricultural Schemes | Government agricultural schemes have shifted towards cash-based initiatives, but gender-wise beneficiary data reveals that a low percentage of women farmers benefit from these schemes. |
| Landownership is a major criterion for eligibility, which excludes many women farmers. |
How higher LFPR helps society:
| Positive Impact of High LFPR on Society | Description |
| Economic Growth | Women’s participation in the labour force is directly linked to economic growth. |
| Poverty Reduction | When women have access to income-generating opportunities, it can lift households out of poverty. |
| Human Capital Development | Educated and economically active women can positively influence the education and health outcomes of their children, leading to intergenerational benefits. |
| Gender Equality and Empowerment | Higher women’s participation in the labour force can challenge traditional gender roles and norms, promoting gender equality. |
| Fertility and Population Growth | Studies have shown that as women’s labour force participation increases, fertility rates tend to decline. |
| This phenomenon, known as the “fertility transition,” is associated with improved access to education, healthcare, and family planning, leading to more sustainable population growth. | |
| Reduced Gender-Based Violence | Economic empowerment can enhance women’s bargaining power and reduce their vulnerability to gender-based violence and abusive relationships. |
| Labour Market and Talent Pool | Increasing women’s participation in the labour force can help address skill shortages and labour market imbalances, leading to a more efficient allocation of talent and resources. |
Reforms in the ‘care economy’ for empowering women:
| Reforms | Description |
| Policy Reforms | Implement policies that acknowledge and value unpaid care work. |
| For example, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provides wages for certain community and care-related activities. | |
| Recently, the Tamil Nadu government has launched the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam, a women’s basic income scheme, recognizing Women’s Unpaid Labor. The scheme will provide Rs 1,000 per month to women in eligible households | |
| Flexible Work Management | Encourage businesses to offer flexible work arrangements that accommodate women’s caregiving responsibilities. |
| Examples include remote work or part-time opportunities to enable women to balance work and caregiving. | |
| Skilling and Training | Provide training and skill development programs tailored to women’s needs. |
| Programs that train women as healthcare workers, educators, or caregivers can lead to formal employment. | |
| Self-Help Groups | Encourage the formation of self-help groups among women, allowing them to engage in economic activities collectively, such as micro-enterprises or agricultural cooperatives. |
| Examples include JEEVIKA in Bihar and Kudumbshree in Kerala. | |
| Maternity and Childcare Benefits | Enhance maternity and childcare benefits to support working mothers. Expanding maternity leave provisions and providing affordable childcare facilities can enable women to return to the workforce. |
| For instance, in Sweden, publicly funded childcare services and parental leave policies enable women to participate more fully in the workforce. | |
| Entrepreneurship Opportunities | Promote entrepreneurship among women in the care economy by encouraging them to establish small businesses like daycare centres, nursing services, or home healthcare agencies. |
| The government, for example, offers “Nari Shakti” grants to empower women entrepreneurs across diverse sectors. | |
| 5R Framework | The International Labour Organisation (ILO) proposes a 5R framework for decent care work centred around achieving gender equality. This framework emphasizes the importance of recognizing, reducing, redistributing, regulating, and representing care work to ensure fair and equitable conditions for caregivers. |
Fig: ILO’s 5R Framework
Conclusion:
There is a need to recognize and account for the unpaid, unaccounted, and underpaid contributions of rural women in the overall rural economy, especially in agriculture. The inclusion of landless and marginal women farmers in government agricultural schemes is seen as essential to addressing gender inequality in rural India.
Mains Links:
Distinguish between ‘care economy’ and ‘monetized economy’. How can the care economy be brought into monetized economy through women empowerment? (Answer in 250 words) 15 (UPSC 2023 GS3)
Prelims Links:
Which of the following gives the ‘Global Gender Gap Index’ ranking to the countries of the world? (UPSC 2017)
(a) World Economic Forum
(b) UN Human Rights Council
(c) UN Women
(d) World Health Organization
Ans: A
Dalits Converting to Sikhism
Content for Mains Enrichment
Source: TH
In Bihar’s Araria district, many Dalits have migrated to Punjab and converted to Sikhism to escape caste-based discrimination and poverty. They’ve returned to their villages as Sikhs, aiming to find respect in society and equality, which Sikhism promotes.
Conversions to Sikhism have also led to changes in their lifestyle, including refraining from eating meat and drinking alcohol.
Out-migration from Bihar, driven by poverty and lack of opportunities, is a common trend. Caste-based discrimination and exploitation are also significant factors pushing people to migrate.
Despite the conversion to Sikhism and some economic improvement, social discrimination still exists in their villages. They hope for recognition as a minority and a change in government records to escape the label of Dalits.
Usage: The example can be used in Ethics/Essay/ Sociology Optional.
GI Tags (Basohli Pashmina and Udhampur’s Kalari)
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: HT
Context: Basohli Pashmina and Udhampur’s Kalari, a popular Dogra cuisine, have been awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag
About the items:
| Item | Basohli Pashmina | Kalari Cuisine | |
| Origin | Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir | 
|
Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir |
| Description | Traditional craft; Over 100 years old; Hand-spun product | This dish is prepared using milk and results in a dense cheese. It is cooked in its own fat, seasoned with salt, and served hot alongside bun slices. Kalari is a beloved street food among ethnic Dogras
|
|
| Known for extreme softness, fineness, and lightweight nature | |||
| Pashmina Shawl is made from the fine wool of the Changthangi or Pashmina goat’s undercoat. | |||
| Cultural Significance | Reflects the rich tradition of craftsmanship in Jammu and Kashmir | An important part of Dogra’s culinary heritage | |
About GI tag:
- A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or manufactured product(handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory.
- Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin.
Shyamji Krishna Varma
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: On the occasion of Shyamji Krishna Varma’s Jayanti, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the great revolutionary and freedom fighter.
About Shyamji Krishna Varma:
- Shyamji Krishna Varma was an Indian revolutionary fighter, patriot, lawyer, and journalist. He was born in Mandvi, Gujarat on October 4, 1857
- He was the first Indian M.A. and a scholar in Sanskrit and English
- He founded the Indian Home Rule Society, India House, and The Indian Sociologist in London
- He moved his base from England to Paris after criticism by the British. After the outbreak of the First World War (1914-18), he moved to Geneva in Switzerland and spent the rest of his life there. He died on March 30, 1930
- Became the first President of Bombay Arya Samaj.
Veer Gatha Project 3.0
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: The 3rd edition of the Veer Gatha Project saw active participation from over 1.36 crore school students across all 36 States and Union Territories in India.
About the Project:
The project, initiated under the Gallantry Awards Portal (GAP) in 2021, aims to highlight acts of bravery by Armed Forces personnel and instil values of patriotism and civic consciousness among students. Students submitted poems, paintings, essays, videos, and more to honour these brave individuals.
Activities under it:
Under Veer Gatha Project 3.0, various activities were conducted at the school level, with schools uploading their best entries on the MyGov portal. 100 winners (Super 100) will be chosen at the National Level and jointly honoured by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Defence, each receiving a cash prize of Rs 10,000. Winners at the District (4 winners) and State/UT (8 winners) levels will also be recognized and felicitated.
Two editions of the Veer Gatha Project (i.e., Edition-I and Edition-II) have been conducted in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Bekal Fort (Kasargod, Kerala)
Mapping
Source: TH
Context: Kerala Tourism Development Corporation’s (KTDC) plan to develop a caravan park and camp shelter at Bekal Fort, situated in the Kasargod district of Kerala.
Bekal Fort, dating back to 1650 AD and constructed by Shivappa Nayaka of the Keladi dynasty, is known as the largest fort in Kerala. Throughout its history, the fort has witnessed the rise and fall of various dynasties and eventually came under the control of the Kingdom of Mysore.
Bekal Fort’s unique structure, seemingly emerging from the sea, features a water tank, an observation tower attributed to Tipu Sultan, a zigzag entrance, defensive trenches, and strategically placed holes in its outer walls for naval defence. Its solid construction is reminiscent of forts like Thalassery Fort and St. Angelo Fort in Kannur, both built by the Dutch.
Download the Daily Current Affairs in PDF Format here
Follow us on our Official TELEGRAM Channel HERE
Subscribe to Our Official YouTube Channel HERE
Please subscribe to Our podcast channel HERE
Official Facebook Page HERE
Follow our Twitter Account HERE
Follow our Instagram Account HERE
Follow us on LinkedIn: HERE
