[Mission 2024] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 4 October 2023

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

General Studies – 1

Topic: salient features of world’s physical geography.

1. Critically analyse the scope of geoengineering techniques to mitigate climate change, particularly with respect to altering weather patterns. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Live Mint

Why the question:

The article discusses the need for caution in conducting thermal geoengineering trials, emphasizing the potential risks associated with such interventions to mitigate climate change, particularly in altering weather patterns.

Key Demand of the question:

To analyse if Geo-engineering could be a viable option to overcome the climate crisis and role of private sector in it.

Directive word: 

Critically analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgement.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin the answer by defining geo-engineering.

Body:

You can use a bubble diagram to show the various modes of geo-engineering such as Shoot Mirrors into Space (Solar Sunscreen), Copy a Volcano, Build Fake Trees etc.

In the first part of the body, write about how the above strategies work and will be beneficial for the planet above and over existing mitigation strategies to tide over the climate crisis. Clearly outline as to why it may be needed.

In the next part, mention about the major drawbacks, impediments and concerns regarding the implementation of the above strategies.

Conclusion:

Conclude the answer with a balanced opinion.

Introduction

Geoengineering interventions are large-scale attempts to purposefully alter the climate system in order to offset the effects of global warming. Most geoengineering proposals can be divided into two types: solar radiation management (SRM) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Geoengineering offers the hope of temporarily reversing some aspects of global warming and allowing the natural climate to be substantially preserved whilst greenhouse gas emissions are brought under control and removed from the atmosphere by natural or artificial processes.

Body:

Positives of geoengineering:

• As expected, the climate would begin to cool once geoengineering commences. This initial cooling phase, would provide relief, particularly for species that were unable to keep up with past warming.
• Also, birds and fish which may have moved in response to elevated temperatures in the past will possibly turn back.
• If solar geoengineering were ramped up slowly to half the rate of warming over the coming decades, then it seems likely it would reduce many climate risks. Solar geoengineering deployment can be ended without the impacts of a termination shock if it is gradually ramped down over decades.
• The climate models reveal that the large-scale action would indeed calm things down a bit and potentially reduce the number of North Atlantic cyclones.

Negatives of geoengineering:

• A recent study shows that rapid application, followed by abrupt termination of this temporary tech-fix can in fact accelerate climate change.
• The increase in temperature from the abrupt termination is so quick that most species, terrestrial or marine, may not be able to keep up with it and eventually perish.
• The increase in temperature is two to four times more rapid than climate change without geoengineering. This increase would be dangerous for biodiversity and ecosystems.
• Reptiles, mammals, fish and birds that have been moving at 1.7 km/year on average will now have to move faster than 10 km/year to remain in their preferred climatic zones. This raises serious concerns, especially for less-mobile animals like amphibians and corals.
• Not just species but entire ecosystems could collapse by suddenly hitting the stop button on geoengineering.
  • For example, temperate grassland and savannahs, which are maintained by specific combinations of temperature and rainfall, may experience increasing rates of temperatures, but an opposing trend in rainfall, after 2070.
• Ineffectiveness
  • The effectiveness of the techniques proposed may fall short of predictions.
  • In ocean iron fertilization, for example, the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere may be much lower than predicted, as carbon taken up by plankton may be released back into the atmosphere from dead plankton, rather than being carried to the bottom of the sea and sequestered.
• Model results from a 2016 study, suggest that blooming algae could even accelerate Arctic warming.
• Moral hazard or risk compensation
  • The existence of such techniques may reduce the political and social impetus to reduce carbon emissions
• Albedo modification strategies could rapidly cool the planet’s surface but pose environmental and other risksthat are not well understood and therefore should not be deployed at climate-altering scales.
• In the case of environmental risks, the offsetting of greenhouse gases by increasing the reflection of sunlight is not going to be perfect. Some people, potentially a small minority, will get less rainfall. There is concern about what particles might do to the ozone layer.
• The drop off of tropical storms in one area would actually lead to a spike in drought in parts of Africa, according to the data.

Way forward:

• The potential of natural systems as an effective solution for sequestering carbon dioxide has led to several efforts to scale nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change.
• These proliferating efforts, however, must take cognisance of the fact that these solutions are effective only when applied while protecting the already existing forest.
• Additionally, we must not run blindly after planting trees; instead, we must back reason with science.
• Trees should be planted where they belong, that too with native species, and in consultation with local communities.

Conclusion:

In any case in the meantime, two aspects are certain: under no scenario could climate engineering serve as a substitute to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and it would be better to implement such technologies with more nuanced research.

Value addition

Some geoengineering techniques and its drawbacks:

Carbon capture and storage technologies:

• This carbon dioxide removal approach focuses on removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and locking them away.
• The process starts with the capture of generated CO2 which undergoes a compression process to form a dense fluid. This eases the transport and storage of the captured CO2.
• The dense fluid is transported via pipelines and then injected into an underground storage facility.
• Captured CO2 can also be used as a raw material in other industrial processes such as bicarbonates.
• The CCS has significant backing from the International Energy Agency and the IPCC.
• However, it still is hanging in uncertainty due to high upfront costs in the instalment of such plants.
• A growing number of corporations are pouring money into so-called engineered carbon removal techniques.
• However, these technologies are at a nascent stage and need an overhaul to be exploited.
• Carbon dioxide may be stored deep underground. Reservoir design faults, rock fissures, and tectonic processes may act to release the gas stored into the ocean or atmosphere leading to unintended consequences such as ocean acidification etc.

solar radiation modification:

• This process does not affect atmospheric greenhouse gases but aims to reflect the solar radiation coming to the earth.
• The science of the method is, however, largely model-based, and the impacts of deflecting the solar radiations could be unpredictable.
• Additionally, due to the thermal inertia of the climate system, removal of the radiation modification could result in the escalation of temperature very quickly, giving significantly less time to adapt.
• Another side effect of the radiation modification process could be natural vegetation.
• Since solar radiation is responsible for photosynthesis, sudden masking of solar radiation could significantly affect the process.
• While these questions remain unanswered, the futures of these technologies remain uncertain.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

2. Examine the issues and challenges faced by the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Suggest additional measures that can be implemented to address their unique needs. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable (revision).

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the issues faced by the PVTG and various measures needed to address them.

Directive word: 

Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by defining PVTGs and cite examples of few.

Body:

First, write about the issues faced by the PVTGs – health problems, poverty, lack of safe drinking water, bad sanitation, lack of health services, superstition, lack of access to development funds and deforestation etc.

Next, write about the various measures taken by the government for the welfare of PVTGs in the country. Write about their successes and limitations.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

Tribal communities are often identified by some specific signs such as primitive traits, distinctive culture, geographical isolation, shyness to contact with the community at large and backwardness. Along with these, some tribal groups have some specific features such as dependency on hunting, gathering for food, having pre-agriculture level of technology, zero or negative growth of population and extremely low level of literacy. These groups are called Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). 75 tribal groups have been categorized categorized by Ministry of Home Affairs as PVTGs. PVTGs reside in 18 States and UT of A&N Islands.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a mission for the welfare of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the 2023-24 Union Budget February 1, 2023. A fund of Rs 15,000 crore for the next three years has been allocated for the socioeconomic development of the group.

Body

Issues related to their protection:

• Incoherency in identification: The process of identification of PVTG adopted by the states differs in its methods. The spirit of the direction made by MoTA was loosely considered as a result there has been no uniform principle adopted in identifying the PVTGs.
• Outdated List: The Anthropological Survey of India observes that the list of PVTG is overlapping and repetitive. For example, the list contains synonyms of the same group such as the Mankidia and the Birhor in Odisha, both of which refer to the same group.
• Lack of baseline surveys: The Anthropological Survey of India observed 75 PVTGs, base line surveys exists for about 40 groups, even after declaring them as PVTGs. Lack of baseline surveys hinder effective implementation of welfare schemes
• Unequal Benefits from welfare schemes: In some cases, a PVTG receives benefits only in a few blocks in a district, while the same group is deprived in adjacent blocks. For example, the LanjiaSaora are recognized as a PVTG across Odisha but the micro-projects are established only in two blocks. The rest of the Lanjia Saora are treated among the Scheduled Tribes (STs) and do not receive benefit from these projects.
• Impact of developmental projects: In 2002, a Standing Committee formed by the MoTA to review the ‘Development of Primitive Tribal Groups,’ shared that the tribal people, especially PVTGs, are worst affected by developmental projects like dams, industries and mines.
• Denial of land rights: PVTGs have faced systematic alienation from their resources due to conservation purposes-declaration of Reserved Forests and Protected Forests. For example: In 2009, 245 Baiga families were forced out from the Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, when it was notified so under the Project Tiger
• Livelihood issues: Due to shrinking forests, environmental changes and forest conservation policies, their Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) collection is affected. They lack awareness about market value of NTFP and are exploited by middle men.
• Health Issues: PVTGs suffer from many health problems like anaemia, malaria; gastro-intestinal disorders; micro nutrient deficiency and skin diseases due to poverty, lack of safe drinking water, bad sanitation, lack of health services, superstition and deforestation. Uncontacted tribal group such as the Sentinelese tribe of Andaman are also at the very high risk of contracting diseases in case of contact with outsiders
• Illiteracy: Though literacy rate among many PVTGs have increased over the past years, it still remains low at 30-40%. Further, poor female literacy is a major concern
• Vulnerabilities of tribes in Andaman and Nicobar: The fragile tribal communities have been facing expropriation of their ecosystem by outsiders. The outside influences are impacting their land use patterns, use of the sea, overall biodiversity leading to material and non-material changes.

Various measures undertaken for the welfare of PVTG:

• The Scheme for Development of Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):It is a flexible scheme and covers funding for activities like housing, land distribution, land development, agricultural development, animal husbandry, construction of link roads, installation of non-conventional sources of energy for lighting purpose, social security including Janshree Bima Yojana or any other innovative activity meant for the comprehensive socio-economic development of PVTGs.
• Priority is also assigned to PVTGs under the schemes of Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Tribal Sub-Scheme (TSS),Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, and Grants-in-aid to Voluntary Organisations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes.
• Each state and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ administration, is required to prepare a long term Conservation-cum-Development (CCD) plan, valid for a period of five years for each PVTG within its territory, outlining the initiatives it will undertake, financial planning for the same and the agencies charged with the responsibility of undertaking the same.
• The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 (FRA)recognizes the forest and habitat rights of the PVTGs.

Protection and Statutory rights given to them are:

• The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) has a special section regarding the 75 PVGTs and the Act recognises forest and habitat rights of PVTGs.
• Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA): It extends Scheduled Areas of India under the purview of national framework of Panchayat. However, this act is not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram and certain other areas including scheduled and tribal areas.
• The Sentinelese and other aboriginal tribes of the Andaman& Nicobar Islands are protected under The Andaman and Nicobar (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956
• Under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a “Restricted Area” in which foreigners with a restricted area permit (RAP) can stay.
• The habitats of the PVTGs of Andaman and Nicobar Island is protected Tribal Reserve under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956

Way forward:

• Along with the Census, a proper survey should be conducted to comprehensively capture the data on PVTGs- population enumeration, health status, nutritional level, education, vulnerabilities etc. This would help implement welfare measures better
• Of the 75 PVTGs, those groups whose population is declining should be clearly identified and survival strategy should be devised
• PVTGs threatened with relocation of wildlife areas or development projects should be identified and actionable strategies should be devised to prevent the same
• It is important to recognise the innate connection between PVTGs and their lands and habitats. Therefore, a rights-based approach for development of PVTGs should be adopted
• Effective, preventive and curative health systems should be developed to address the health issues plaguing PVTGs
• A massive exercise in creating awareness about PVTG Rights, amongst communities, officials and civil society groups, is needed. It is important to respect their culture, traditions, beliefs and sustainable livelihoods.
• The government needs to revamp its priorities towards protecting the indigenous tribes of A&N islands from outside influence. India needs to sign the 1989 convention of the ILO, and implement its various policies to protect the rights of the indigenous population.
• The Government must make efforts to sensitise settlers and outsiders about PVTGs of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Conclusion

The principles of Tribal Panchsheel must be followed while working for the welfare of PVTGs and they must be allowed to catch up with the mainstream at their own pace. An enabling environment must be created in which communities are empowered to make their own life and livelihood choices and choose their path of development.

Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005 and identify the challenges that must be addressed to enhance its performance? (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable (revision).

Key Demand of the question:

To critically write about the performance of MGNREGA and ways to improve its performance.

Directive word: 

Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence.  You must appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming an opinion here.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Give brief introduction of aims and objectives of MGNREGA.

Body:

First, in brief, write about the salient features of NGNREGA.

Next, write about the successes and limitations of MGNREGA since its inception. Cite examples and statistics to substantiate.

Next, write about the measures that are needed to overcome the above-mentioned limitations.

Conclusion:

Conclude with way forward.

Introduction

The MGNREGA was launched in 2006 in order to provide at least 100 days of guaranteed employment to rural households. It is the largest scheme run by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).

An internal study commissioned by the Ministry of Rural Development has argued for decentralisation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), allowing for more “flexibility” at the ground level.

Body

How has MGNREGA fared so far?

• MGNREGA works have demonstrably strong multiplier effects are yet another reason to improve its implementation.
• It is a labour programme meant to strengthen participatory democracy through community works. It is a legislative mechanism to strengthen the constitutional principle of the right to life.
• It has helped in increasing rural household income.
• It has not only helped in increasing groundwater table in the last one decade, but also agriculture productivity, mainly cereals and vegetables and fodders.
• The water conservation measures, including farm ponds and dug wells, have made a difference to the lives of the poor.
• While the scheme was earlier focused on creation of community assets, in the last three years, individual assets have also been emphasised.
• It has provided goat, poultry and cattle shed as per the need of poor households.
• One national study found that MGNREGS has created valuable public goods which have augmented rural incomes.
• Another national study found that, even after deficiencies in implementation, MGNREGS may have improved nutrition outcomes.
• Even consumption has been shown to improve if MGNREGS is implemented well. A 2018 study of a better-implemented version of MGNREGS in Andhra Pradesh, where there was significantly less leakage or payment delays, estimated that MGNREGS increased income households’ earnings by 13% and decreased poverty by 17%
• MGNREGS can smoothen food consumption of rural poor by providing them with an alternate source of income during the agricultural lean season.
• According to a study conducted by New Delhi-based Institute of Economic Growth.
  • there has been an 11 per cent increase in rural household income,
  • 5 per cent increase in cereal productivity and
  • 32 per cent increase in vegetable productivity,

Challenges to MGNREGA

• Low Wage Rate: These have resulted in a lack of interestamong workers making way for contractors and middlemen to take control. Currently, MGNREGA wage rates of 17 states are less than the corresponding state minimum wages. The above study also noted that the MGNREGS wages were far below the market rate in many States, defeating the purpose of acting as a safety net.
• Case study:At present, the minimum wage of a farm labourer in Gujarat is ₹324.20, but the MGNREGS wage is ₹229. The private contractors pay far more. In Nagaland, the wage is ₹212 per day, which does not take into account the difficult terrain conditions. Similarly, in Jammu and Kashmir, the rate is ₹214 per day. This, the study noted, “is lower than what is offered by private contractors which can go up to to ₹600-₹700 per day”.
• Insufficient Budget Allocation: The funds have dried up in many States due to lack of sanctions from the Central government which hampers the work in peak season.
• Payment Delays: Despite Supreme Court orders, various other initiatives and various government orders, no provisions have yet been worked out for calculation of full wage delays and payment of compensation for the same. The internal study also flagged the frequent delay in fund disbursal, and to deal with it suggested “revolving fund that can be utilised whenever there is a delay in the Central funds”.
• Case study: In Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, for example, the surveyors found that because of the delay in the material component the beneficiaries ended up buying the construction material themselves to complete the projects. In Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, the delay in wages was by three or four months and the material component was delayed by six months.
• Corruption and Irregularities:Funds that reach the beneficiaries are very little compared to the actual funds allocated for the welfare schemes.
• Discrimination:Frequent cases of discrimination against the women and people from the backwards groups are reported from several regions of the country and a vast number goes unreported.
• Non-payment of Unemployment Allowance: There is a huge pendency in the number of unemployment allowances being shown in the Management Information System (MIS).
• Lack of Awareness: People, especially women, are not fully aware of this scheme and its provisions leading to uninformed choices or inability to get the benefits of the scheme.
• Poor Infrastructure Building: Improper surveillance and lack of timely resourcesresult in the poor quality assets.
• Non Purposive Spending: MGNREGA has increased the earning capacity of the rural people but the spending pattern of the workers assumes significance because there ishardly any saving out of the wages 
• Workers penalised for administrative lapses: The ministry withholds wage payments for workers of states that do not meet administrative requirements within the stipulated time period.
• Too much centralisation weakening local governance: A real-time MIS-based implementation and a centralised payment system has further left the  representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions with literally no role in implementation, monitoring and grievance redress of MGNREGA schemes.

Way forward

• It is evident that the jobs under MGNREGS can only be revived through:
  • Adequate allocation of Budget funds
  • Timely payment for workers
  • Complete decentralisation of the implementation
  • Improving entitlements (wages, compensations and worksite facilities)
  • Allocation for a year should include pending liabilities of previous years.
• It should also respect the idea of the decentralised planning processes through Gram Sabhas across the country and allow adequate fund allotment as per labour budgets provided by each Gram Panchayats.
• The government should come up with only one delay-payment report that accounts for the entire time taken and delays during the closure of muster roll and wages credited to workers’ accounts.
• Also, the MGNREGA payment procedures should be simplified to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Better coordination must be ensured among various government departments involved.
• Better mechanism must be provided to allot and measure work.
• Gender gap in wages under this scheme must be addressed. In this scheme, women earn 22.24% less than their male counterparts.
• MGNREGA has been implemented for more than a decade now. It is necessary to understand its performance through output indicators like the number of workers, person days of work generated, quantum of assets completed etc.
• The data collected can be used to compare inter-state and inter-district differences in performance.
• In addition, MGNREGA must encompass provision for safe working conditions for the beneficiaries, like temperature checks, masks, hand washing facilities, proper hydration etc.

Conclusion

MGNREGA is playing a critical role in providing economic security for the rural population post the COVID-19 crisis. Therefore, the government must take steps to ensure that it is made use of to its fullest extent to address the current economic problems and bringing the economy back on track.

Value addition

Importance of MGNREGA

• MGNREGA is vital for addressing India’s current problems.
• It boosts rural demand and ensure economic development of the rural population
• It seeks to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.
• This Act aims to improve the purchasing powerof the rural population by providing them primarily the semi-skilled or unskilled work, especially to those living below the poverty line.
• This can help solve rural poverty, farmer suicides, unemployment crisis in rural areas etc.
• Furthermore, it is a scheme that has the potential to undertake progressive measureslike infrastructure development in rural India, improving agricultural productivity through labour-intensive, supportive projects related to water conservation, drought relief measures, flood control etc.
• This Act is also highly significant because it allows for grass-root level developmentas it is implemented mainly by the Gram Panchayats. It does not allow the involvement of contractors so that the workers under this scheme are not exploited.
• It also stands out in its worker-centric legislationwith a high emphasis on transparency and accountability.
• If the government supports this Act, then it can become the solution to the present-day problems like water scarcity, climate change etc.
• It is demand-driven wage employment schemethat provides additional 50 days of unskilled wage employment during drought/natural calamities.
• Section 3(4) of the Act allows states/Centre to provide additional days beyond the guaranteed period from their own funds.

Topic: Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.

4. Reforming and strengthening the cooperative sector can play a significant part to ensure its sustainability and benefit for scores of people. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Why the question:

The article discusses the need to address issues within Kerala’s cooperative sector. It highlights instances of financial irregularities and mismanagement in these cooperatives.

Key Demand of the question:

To understand the role of Co-operative society at the local level and various issues in them and measures needed to overcome.

Directive word:

Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving context.

Body:

Mention the role of Cooperatives in linking the local business men/ farmer to the mainstream multi-million marketplace, giving the right forum to reap benefits of collective demand and supply in terms of financing, local level policy negotiations etc and promoting economic and social upliftment.

Next, write about the various issues in the cooperative sector and ways to reform them.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled. The need for profitability is balanced by the needs of the members and the wider interest of the community

Body

Importance of cooperatives:

• India is an agricultural country and laid the foundation of World’s biggest cooperative movement in the world.
• For instance, Amul deals with 16 million milk producers, 1,85,903 dairy cooperatives; 222 district cooperative milk unions; marketed by 28 state marketing federations.
• There are over 8 lakh cooperatives of all shapes and sizes across sectors in India
• In India, a Co-operative based economic development model is very relevant where each member works with a spirit of responsibility.
• It provides agricultural credits and fundswhere state and private sectors have not been able to do very much.
• It provides strategic inputsfor the agricultural-sector; consumer societies meet their consumption requirements at concessional rates.
• It is an organization for the poor who wish to solve their problems collectively.
• It softens the class conflictsand reduces the social cleavages.
• Itreduces the bureaucratic evils and follies of political factions;
• It overcomes the constraintsof agricultural development;
• It creates a conducive environment for small and cottage industries.

For women in particular:

• Increased Income: A study conducted on Women Dairy Cooperative Society (WDCS) members across Rajasthan showed that with the income generated through dairying, 31% of the women had converted their mud houses to cement structures, while 39% had constructed concrete sheds for their cattle.
• Provides Leadership lessons: Importantly, women-led cooperatives also provide fertile ground for grooming women from rural areas for leadership positions.
• Breaks barriers: In many instances, this becomes the first step for women in breaking free from traditional practices.
• Defeats Information Asymmetry: The presence of collectives in the form of cooperatives and milk unions plays a significant role in enhancing the knowledge and bargaining power of women
• Set up business chain: Cooperatives enhance backward and forward linkages in the dairy value chain, paving the way for freeing small farmers from the clutches of middlemen, and guaranteed minimum procurement price for milk.
• A study by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) indicates that 93% of women farmers who receive training alongside financial support succeed in their ventures, compared to the 57% success rate of those who receive financial aid alone.
• According to latest data, there are more than 1,90,000 dairy cooperative societies across the country, with approximately 6 million women members.

Challenges faced by Cooperatives currently:

• Cooperatives in India took a major hit after COVID with some either on ventilator support or banking on oxygen supply and with only a few fit and stable.
• Lack of genuine cooperation between the states and the centre wrt Cooperatives and centralization of power.
• There should be a focus on women cooperatives because they are less than three per cent of the 8 lakh cooperatives in the country.
• In the elections to the governing bodies, money became such a powerful tool that the top posts of chairman and vice-chairman usually went to the richest farmers who manipulated the organization for their benefits.
• People are not well informed about the objectives of the Movement, rules and regulations of co-operative institutions.
• Most of these societies are confined to a few members and their operations extended to only one or two villages.
• The Co-operative Movement has suffered from inadequacy of trained personnel.

Way forward:

• Principle of the cooperative movement is to unite everyone, even while remaining anonymous. The cooperative movement has the capacity to solve people’s problems.
• The pandemic seems to have increased the significance of community effort.
• Reducing vaccine hesitancy, providing food to those waiting outside hospitals and, most importantly, looking after orphaned childrenare imperatives crying out for the cooperative model.
• Implementing the steps provided by the Vaidyanathan committeeon credit cooperative societies.
• The idea of cooperatives must take the agenda beyond agriculture, milk, credit and housing cooperatives
• New areas are emerging with the advancement of technology and cooperative societies can play a huge role in making people familiar with those areas and technologies.
• There is a need to create more cooperatives with women at the helm of it.
• The irregularities in cooperatives need to be checked and the need of the hour is to have rules and stricter implementationof same.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Disaster and disaster management.

5. Flash floods are sudden and dangerous events with severe consequences. Mitigating their impact requires a multi-pronged approach to build resilience in vulnerable areas. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Hindustan Times

Why the question:

At least 23 Army personnel went missing on Wednesday morning due to a flash flood in the Teesta river in Sikkim’s Lachen Valley.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the causes, consequences and steps needed to mitigate the impact of flash floods.

Directive word: 

Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Briefly define flash floods and their characteristics

Body:

First, write about the causes of flash floods – Heavy rainfall, Steep terrain and drainage patterns, River and dam failures etc.

Next, write about the Consequences of flash floods – Loss of life and infrastructure damage, Environmental impact Economic implications etc.

Next, write about the Measures to mitigate the impact of flash floods – Early warning systems, Reforestation and watershed management, Community preparedness and awareness etc

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

Introduction

Flash flooding is a specific type of flooding that occurs in a short time frame after a precipitation event – generally less than six hours. It often is caused by heavy or excessive rainfall and happens in areas near rivers or lakes, but it also can happen in places with no water bodies nearby.

At least 23 Army personnel went missing on Wednesday morning due to a flash flood in the Teesta river in Sikkim’s Lachen Valley..

Body

Causes

• flash floods are often associated with cloudbursts, sudden intense rainfall in a short period of time.
• Himalayan states additionally face the challenge of overflowing glacial lakes, increasingly formed due to the melting of glaciers.
• It happens more when rivers are narrow and steep.
• It also occurs in urban areas located near small rivers, as concretization prevents percolation of water as seen in cities of Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, etc.
• Depression and cyclonic storms in the coastal areas of Orissa, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and others also cause flash floods.
• Wildfires, whose frequency is increasing with climate change, destroys forest and other vegetation, which in turn weakens the soil and makes it less permeable for water to seep through. It may result in increased Flash floods.
• Climate change/global warming has increased the frequency/numbers of the above events.

Consequences

• Flash floods can have devastating effects and a wide variety of side effects, from infrastructure and building damage to effects on vegetation, human and animal life, and livestock.
• Large debris and floodwaters can cause structural damage to bridges and roadways, making travel impossible.
• Power, telephone, and cable lines can be taken out by flash floods as well.
• Flood waters can disrupt or contaminate ground water, making tap water unfit for consumption.
• In urban locations, the consequences are particularly challenging to define.
• Rapid soil erosion can be a result of flash floods.
• Short-duration flash floods primarily affect the floodplain through sedimentation, causing little to no bedrock erosion or channel widening.
• Some wetland plants, like some types of rice, are prepared to withstand rapid flooding.
• However, floods can harm plants that grow well in drier environments because the excess water stresses the plants.

Way forward

• Monitoring on the ground in hilly areas.
• Planning development works in a way that is sensitive to the region’s ecology.
• Mitigation to reduce the extent of damages.
• India has launched first-of-its-kind Flash Flood Guidance services for India and other South Asian countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
• The Flash Flood Guidance is designed to provide warnings for flash floods about 6- 12 hrs. in advance.
• A comprehensive strategy of monitoring, planning development works in a way that is sensitive to the region’s ecology, and mitigation to reduce the extent of damages.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;

6.  “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”  – Edmund Burke (150 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Quotes Wednesdays’ in Mission-2024 Secure.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Start by giving a simple understanding of the meaning of the quote.

Body:

Mention the morality of conscious inaction, its consequences. No action resulting in injustice. Cite examples from history and current happenings to substantiate. Write about the aspect of communitarian ethics where the good men have the responsibility to speak out and act in the face of evils, to preserve their community.

Conclusion:

Conclude by underscoring injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere and hence calls for ‘good men’ to take responsibility.

Introduction

The phrase or quote; “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” is famously attributed to Edmund Burke. The other distinguished man, Albert Einstein, also said that: “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil but by those who watch them without doing anything.”

The quote means that if you allow something to happen that was inherently bad or evil when you had knowledge or experience that the event happening was wrong morally, then you would have let “evil” win and have its way and it will have “triumphed”.

Body

Conscious inaction

For instance, when you see an old person getting mugged or a girl being eve teased and you chose inaction about it during the incident.

You may have felt you could not interfere because “it was none of your business”. Or you were afraid that you will be the next target. Or maybe, you assumed somebody else would step up and say something. Or you thought you could not spare the time. Or you may even think that perhaps you were misjudging the situation. Or someone will take action or say something for you.

In spite of every possible reason on earth, we allow evil to prevail because we are afraid to be unpopular, scared or plainly, do not care.

Case study of Afghanistan:

This is the exact replication of events that has happened in Afghanistan with the Taliban taking over the control of Kabul. What the world has been witnessing with the Taliban victory and people trying to escape from Afghanistan and many getting killed in this effort is indeed pure evil. One cannot justify it in any way, shape, or form. We cannot sit idly by and watch it on our computer screens and TV screens. It must be confronted or it will grow like a cancer throughout the world.

President Biden said his hands were tied to a withdrawal given the awful peace deal negotiated between the Trump administration and the Taliban. But there was still a way to pull out American troops while giving Afghans a better chance to hold the gains US made with them over the last two decades.

Biden chose otherwise. The way he announced the drawdown and eventual departure of American troops — at the start of the fighting season, on a rapid timeline and sans adequate coordination with the Afghan government — has in part gotten us into the current situation.

At the very least, the United States should have continued to support the Afghans through this period to help them blunt the Taliban’s latest offensive and buy time to plan for a future devoid of American military assistance.

American diplomats could have used this time to negotiate access to regional bases from which to continue counterterrorism operations. Simultaneously, the American military should have prepared contingencies in case those negotiations failed.

Reasonable people can disagree about the wisdom of keeping American military forces in Afghanistan indefinitely, even at very low numbers. A responsible withdrawal needed more time and better preparation.

Conclusion

As another famous philosopher, John Stuart Mill, said: ‘Let not any one pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than those good men should look on and do nothing.’

Thus, the need of the hour is for the multilateral organizations like UN, UNHRC to step in and negotiate with the Taliban rulers to grant the necessary democratic rights of the local people.

Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators.

7. What does this quote means to you? (150 words)

“Truth crushed to the earth will rise again.” – William Cullen Bryant

Difficulty level: Moderate

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Quotes Wednesdays’ in Mission-2024 Secure.

Directive word: 

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by explaining the quote in your word.

Body:

The sun sets, but we all know it will rise again in the morning. The moon rises when the sun sets and sets when the sun reappears. In other words, something that exists can be hidden for a certain period of time, but it will always reappear and the truth is the same. You can manipulate, distort the truth, hide it, but at some point, the truth will be known. Substantiate with examples.

Conclusion:

Conclude by emphasising on the importance of leading a truthful life.

Introduction

“Truth will out” also captures the essence of the above quote

This quote says that the truth is a stubborn thing. It says that people won’t always appreciate the truth. It says that some will attack it with malice in their hearts and minds. It says that some will deride it because of their lack of understanding.

But still, the truth remains. There it is. Unwanted, unappreciated, unwelcome. But it just won’t go away.

Body

Honesty, or telling the truth the first time and every time, is important because without a reputation for honesty, who could possibly belive you when you are in need of help? Honesty, and a reputation for the lack of it, is the moral of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” story.

While honesty is but one aspect of character, a lack of honesty will impune the entirety of your character. Who can believe any statement or rumor of virtue when it is told by a known liar? Eventually, the truth will be known, but the reputation of the liar will delay the revealing of the good while it will hasten the revelation of the lies. Remember that trust is the first victim of a lie. Only afterwards does the reputation fall.

“Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, you might fail of the knowing me: it is a wise father that knows his own child. Well, old man, I will tell you news of your son: give me your blessing: truth will come to light; murder cannot be hid long; a man’s son may, but at the length truth will out.“ (Merchant of Venice)

It basically means that no matter what one does to cover something up, the truth will eventually come out. Even the act of covering up the truth reveals that there is a truth being covered up. That truth is within you.

Conclusion

Truth alone triumphs is in the emblem of India and no matter how trivial or the big the matter is, truth in all circumstances prevails over falsehood/lies.

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