02-December-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

INDIA’S GDP GROWTH AND THE WAY FORWARD

TOPIC: (GS3) INDIAN ECONOMY: THE HINDU

The recent GDP growth rate dropped significantly to 5.4% in the second quarter of 2024-25, compared to 6.7% in the previous quarter. This slowdown raises questions about the country’s economic trajectory and the steps needed to reinvigorate growth.

Reasons for GDP Slowdown

• Weak Industrial Performance: Industrial growth declined to 3.6% in Q2 from 8.3% in Q1, led by poor performance in mining, manufacturing, and electricity.
• Moderation in Consumption and Investment: Private consumption growth, although steady at 6%, has been impacted by high food inflation and weaker urban job markets, especially in IT.
• Public sector investments fell due to election-related restrictions, with central and state government capital expenditures contracting sharply.
• Muted Export Growth: Export performance has been affected by subdued global demand, although service exports continued to show resilience.

Steps for Reviving Economic Growth

• Boost Consumer Spending: Focus on stimulating rural demand through agricultural growth and moderating food inflation.
• Provide tax incentives in the budget to enhance disposable income and encourage household spending.
• Accelerate Government Investments: Increase capital expenditures in infrastructure and public services, especially in the second half of the fiscal year.
• Address underutilization of budgeted funds, as only 37% and 28% of central and state government capex, respectively, have been spent so far.
• Encourage Private Sector Investments: Leverage positive signals from rising order books in capital goods and road development companies to drive private capex.
• Strengthen Domestic Demand: Broaden the consumption base to ensure inclusive economic participation across income groups.
• Create jobs to counter the challenges posed by automation and urban unemployment.

Conclusion

India’s projected GDP growth of 6.5% for 2024-25, though robust, indicates a slowdown from previous years. To sustain high growth, policymakers must focus on driving consumption, enhancing investments, and ensuring inclusive development, while preparing for global uncertainties.

THE POTENTIAL OF OCEANS IN COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU

Oceans play a crucial role in combating climate change by absorbing 25% of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions and over 90% of excess heat from greenhouse gases. While this natural buffering provides temporary relief, it leads to challenges such as ocean acidification, ecosystem damage, and disruption of biogeochemical cycles.

Challenges of Ocean Absorption

• Ecological Costs: Acidification harms marine organisms like corals and shellfish, while warming disrupts ocean circulation and deoxygenates habitats.
• Ecosystem Cascades: Changes impact fisheries, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration services.
• Slow Absorption Process: Natural processes for carbon and heat absorption are limited and environmentally taxing.

Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) Techniques

Biotic Approaches (Nature-Based Solutions)

• Involves ecosystems like mangroves and algae to absorb carbon.
• Biomass burial in oceans is a key strategy.
• Benefits: Enhances biodiversity and coastal protection.
• Limitations: Sequesters less than 1 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually and has shorter storage durations (hundreds to thousands of years).

Abiotic Approaches (Engineered Solutions)

• Focuses on manipulating physical and chemical properties of oceans, such as Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE).
• Methods include adding alkaline substances to seawater to neutralize CO₂ and store it as dissolved inorganic carbon.
• Benefits: High scalability, capable of sequestering 7-22 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually.
• Challenges: Public scepticism, regulatory hurdles, and energy-intensive processes.

Opportunities in Marine Sequestration

• Scalability: Abiotic methods have greater potential than biotic ones for long-term carbon storage.
• Critical Need: To keep global warming below 1.5°C, the carbon budget must stay within 570 billion tonnes by 2050, requiring innovative solutions.
• Indian Ocean’s Potential: This region can potentially capture 25-40% of global marine CO₂, making it a critical player in addressing climate change.

Key Challenges and Risks

• Environmental Impacts: Techniques like ocean iron fertilization and macroalgae farming may disrupt ecosystems and reduce oxygen levels.
• Monitoring Difficulties: Measuring and verifying carbon capture in vast ocean systems remains costly and complex.
• Public Perception: Resistance to abiotic methods due to their perceived artificiality and potential harm.

Way Forward

• Comprehensive Research: Study geological and ecological impacts of mCDR methods.
• Strong Governance: Establish global regulations for safe and sustainable implementation.
• Public Engagement: Build trust through transparent communication and stakeholder involvement.
• Complement to Emissions Reduction: mCDR cannot replace emission cuts but can support net-zero goals.

Conclusion

Investing in marine carbon sequestration offers immense potential to combat climate change. Harnessing the oceans responsibly with scientific rigor, robust policies, and public trust can turn the tide against global warming.

RESEARCH SECURITY: A NATIONAL PRIORITY

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: THE HINDU

Investments in cutting-edge technologies are critical to remain globally competitive and address societal challenges. Alongside these advancements comes the need to prioritize research security to safeguard national interests.

Importance of Research Security

• Definition: Research security involves protecting scientific research from threats like intellectual property theft, cyberattacks, espionage, and unauthorized access.
• Relevance for India: Strategic sectors such as space, defence, semiconductors, biotechnology, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology require robust protection to ensure technological advancements remain uncompromised.
• Consequences of Breaches: Breaches could delay progress, compromise national security, and expose sensitive data to foreign exploitation.

Global Context and Challenges

• Harvard Case: A professor and students concealed funding from China while receiving U.S. defence grants.
• COVID-19 Vaccine Cyberattacks: Sensitive vaccine R&D data was targeted in 2020.
• European Space Agency: Repeated cyberattacks necessitated collaborations with defence agencies for cybersecurity.

Several countries have implemented measures:

• S.: CHIPS and Science Act includes provisions for research security.
• Canada: Guidelines for research partnerships and sensitive technologies.
• European Union: Emphasizes a risk-based approach and sector self-regulation.

Need for Research Security in India

• Mapping Vulnerabilities: Assess foreign influence in universities and research labs. Identify vulnerabilities in strategic collaborations and infrastructure.
• Developing a Framework: Classify research based on strategic value and security risks. Implement proportionate responses to minimize threats without over-regulating.
• Engaging Experts: Security agencies must collaborate with researchers to understand sensitive areas. Develop surveillance mechanisms to monitor emerging risks.

Challenges and Solutions

• Balancing Security and Collaboration: International collaborations drive progress but need careful regulation. Adopt the principle of “as open as possible, as closed as necessary.”
• Administrative Burden: Avoid excessive bureaucracy and ensure research institutions retain efficiency.

• Funding and Capacity Building: Allocate resources to train professionals in research security.

• Establish a dedicated office under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation for coordination and implementation.

Conclusion

Research security is essential to protect India’s investments in science and technology while enabling progress in strategic sectors. A balanced approach is needed to ensure academic freedom and innovation alongside robust security measures.

INDIA’S CITIES AND THE BURDEN OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (NCDS)

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN SOCIETY: THE HINDU

Vulnerable groups like informal workers, migrants, and slum dwellers face health risks due to poor systems and unsafe work conditions. Addressing these challenges requires preventive care, improved health access, and community-driven solutions.

Challenges in Urban Health

• Marginalized Workers and Poor Health Outcomes: Informal workers, including gig workers, drivers, and sanitation staff, often lack health insurance and work in unsafe conditions.
• Sanitation workers and waste handlers face hygiene deprivation and nutrition deficits.
• Policy Implementation Gaps: While India has a national policy for NCD surveillance, its implementation remains inadequate.
• Urban health systems are fragmented and overburdened due to rapid urbanization and poor urban planning.
• Living Conditions: Nearly 49% of the urban population lives in informal settlements or slums. Migration dynamics contribute to the health vulnerability of a significant section of the population.

Health Burden and Data Insights

• Triple Health Burden: Unsafe work conditions. Limited access to health care. Financial distress due to high out-of-pocket (OOP) medical expenses.
• Trends in Health Indicators: Decline in tobacco and alcohol use (NFHS-3 to NFHS-5). Increase in hypertension, obesity, and diabetes rates (NFHS-4 and NFHS-5).
• Silent Nature of NCDs: Lack of regular screening leads to late detection and worsens health outcomes. Unchecked health issues often cause financial strain and disrupt family livelihoods.

Strategies for Tackling Urban NCD Burden

• Strengthening Primary Health Care: Improve availability and accessibility of publicly-run health care services for urban poor. Focus on universal health coverage to minimize OOP expenses.
• Community-Based Solutions: Encourage dialogue among employers, municipalities, and health departments for holistic solutions.
• Leveraging Technology: Use digital tools for real-time health monitoring for conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Screening programs can provide population-level data for better health planning and raise individual awareness.
• State-Level Action Plans: Develop strategies to ensure access to primary care for migrants and informal workers. Collaborate with urban local bodies, health departments, and experts to design healthy cities.
• Surveillance Systems: Establish community-led NCD surveillance systems in urban settlements. Ensure sustainability of health initiatives through community participation and ownership.

Conclusion

Urban health challenges, particularly the burden of NCDs, require integrated and community-driven approaches. With better implementation of policies, use of technology, and enhanced collaboration between stakeholders, Indian cities can move toward healthier living environments for all.

FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN BANGLADESH

TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: THE HINDU

The Constitution of Bangladesh upholds secularism, democracy, socialism, and nationalism as its core principles. Despite these guarantees, issues such as attacks on minority religious groups and restrictions on religious freedoms have raised concerns.

Constitutional Guarantees on Religion

• Foundational Principles: The preamble highlights secularism, democracy, socialism, and nationalism. Article 41 provides the right to practice, profess, and propagate any religion, subject to public order and morality.
• Amendments on Secularism: Initially, the Constitution was secular. Secularism was removed in 1977 and replaced with Islam as the state religion in 1988. The Supreme Court in 2005 and 2010 reinstated secularism, reaffirming it as a constitutional mandate.
• Article 2A and its Contradiction: Declares Islam as the state religion but ensures equal status and rights to other religions. Reflects an attempt to balance religious identity and inclusivity.

Issues Faced by Religious Minorities

• Violations of Minority Rights: Desecration of temples and the arrest of Hindu leaders contradict constitutional promises. Actions also breach international human rights law, which views minority rights as global concerns.
• Government Response: The interim government has shown limited action beyond symbolic gestures. Visits to religious sites by officials, such as the Dhakeshwari temple, fall short of concrete measures.
• Impact on Minorities: Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and Ahmadiyyas remain vulnerable to majoritarian mob violence.

Role of the Constitution

• Equality and Non-discrimination: Article 28 prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, or gender. Article 23A mandates protection of the cultural identity of tribal and ethnic minorities.

• Secularism and Harmony: Article 12 emphasizes eliminating communalism and preventing political misuse of religion.
• Freedom of Thought and Religion: Article 39 guarantees freedom of thought and conscience. Article 41 ensures rights to religious communities to manage their institutions.

Challenges and Way Forward

• Contradictions in Policies: Declaring Islam as the state religion while claiming secularism creates ambiguity.
• Need for Action: The government must uphold constitutional promises through strict enforcement of laws. Courts should actively intervene to protect minority rights.
• International Oversight: Global attention on Bangladesh’s treatment of minorities can pressure the government to act responsibly.

Conclusion

Bangladesh’s interim government must uphold its constitutional guarantees to ensure trust among its citizens and maintain harmony. Secularism and equal rights are essential for the nation’s stability and international credibility.

JUDICIAL ACTIONS AND THE PLACES OF WORSHIP ACT: ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU

The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, aims to protect the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947. Recent events, including judicial decisions and inaction, have raised questions about the judiciary’s role in maintaining secularism and upholding this law.

Key Provisions of the Places of Worship Act, 1991

• Preservation of Religious Character:
  The Act prohibits the conversion of any place of worship from its existing religious character as of August 15, 1947.
• Abatement of Suits:
  It nullifies legal suits or proceedings seeking changes in the religious character of such places.
• Prohibition of New Cases:
  New legal challenges regarding religious conversions of places of worship are barred under the law.

Judicial Interpretation

• Supreme Court’s Stance:
  In the Ram Janmabhoomi case, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the Act’s constitutional basis, emphasizing equality and secularism. It noted that historical wrongs cannot justify present-day disputes and rejected claims stemming from ancient actions by rulers.
• Criticism of Lower Courts:
  Despite clear rulings, lower courts continue to entertain cases in violation of the Act, undermining judicial consistency and secularism.

Challenges in Implementation

• Contradictory Decisions: Some court rulings contradict Supreme Court judgments, creating legal ambiguities.
• Encouraging Social Divides: Judicial lapses and selective enforcement of orders exacerbate tensions between majority and minority communities.
• Political Influence: Courts’ decisions often align with prevailing political narratives, potentially compromising impartiality.

Impact of Judicial Inaction

• Loss of Lives: Incidents like Sambal highlight the judiciary’s failure to prevent violence stemming from religious disputes.
• Erosion of Secularism: Entertaining prohibited cases undermines India’s constitutional commitment to secularism.
• Widening Communal Gaps: Judicial inefficiency has fuelled issues such as mob violence, misuse of laws, and social unrest.

Revisiting Founding Principles

• Constituent Assembly Insights:
  Visionaries like Sardar Patel and B.R. Ambedkar warned against majoritarianism and urged the state to ensure equality for minorities.
• Need for Accountability:
  Judicial leaders must uphold constitutional values and maintain consistency in decisions.

Conclusion

The judiciary, along with the legislature and executive, must work together to uphold constitutional values of secularism and equality. Ensuring peace and harmony is essential for India’s progress, and judicial accountability is critical in fostering trust among citizens.

VADHAVAN PORT: A GAME CHANGER FOR INDIA

TOPIC: (GS3) INDIAN ECONOMY: THE HINDU

The Vadhavan greenfield port, currently under construction near Dahanu in Maharashtra, is set to become a key infrastructure project for India. Upon completion by 2034, the port is expected to revolutionize India’s container trade and establish itself as one of the top 10 ports globally.

Project Overview

• Location and Timeline:
  The port is located near Dahanu in Maharashtra, with an expected completion date of 2034.
• Construction and Investment:
  The port is being developed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), a joint venture between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), with a total investment of ₹76,000 crore.

Significance of Vadhavan Port

• Capacity Expansion: Once completed, the port will double India’s current container capacity. It is expected to contribute significantly to the country’s export-import (EXIM) trade, accommodating the growing demand for container handling.
• Global Ranking: The port is projected to be among the top 10 ports globally by 2034, with four terminals completed by 2029 and five more by 2034.

Addressing the Need for a New Port

• Capacity Constraints of Existing Ports: Existing ports like Mundra and Jawaharlal Nehru Port are nearing full capacity, handling 65% of India’s EXIM trade at 90% utilization.
• Growing Demand: India requires additional port infrastructure to handle the rising demand for container trade. Vadhavan Port will fill this gap, ensuring smooth handling of trade.

Environmental and Social Considerations

• Minimal Environmental Impact: The port will not require land acquisition, and no mangroves will be disturbed. Most of the development will be done offshore, 10 km from the shore, minimizing environmental damage.
• No Displacement: The project ensures no displacement or flooding of local communities.

Conclusion

The Vadhavan Port is poised to be a significant catalyst for India’s trade and economic growth, enhancing capacity, reducing logistical constraints, and contributing to global competitiveness.

STRUGGLES OF GARIMA GREHS

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN SOCIETY: THE HINDU

Garima Grehs, Central government-funded shelters for transgender individuals, have been crucial for providing a safe space, support, and resources for the transgender community. However, these shelters are now facing a severe financial crisis, putting the future of these homes at risk.

Background of Garima Grehs

• Purpose and Services: Garima Grehs are designed to support transgender people by offering food, shelter, medical care, vocational training, and counselling. These homes aim to provide safe havens for those who face discrimination and abuse.
• Government Initiative: In 2021, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment started 12 Garima Grehs across India as part of the SMILE scheme, which supports marginalized communities for livelihood and rehabilitation. These shelters are meant to house 25 transgender people each, with essential staff like counsellors, cooks, and managers.

Challenges Faced by Garima Grehs

• Funding Issues: Many Garima Grehs, including the one in Delhi, are facing a shortage of funds as the last government disbursement was made in March 2023. The funds are often delayed due to bureaucratic hurdles, including incomplete documentation. As a result, these shelters are operating on loans or personal savings.
• Staffing Shortages: Due to the financial strain, several Garima Grehs have seen staff leave or threaten to do so, which affects the quality of services provided.
• Limited Resources: Many shelters are unable to meet the growing demand, with some turning away transgender individuals seeking refuge due to lack of space.

Impact on Residents

• Personal Stories of Struggle: Many residents, like Shreya and Roshan, have faced severe trauma, including abuse and homelessness. These individuals have found solace and support in Garima Grehs, with counselling services helping some avoid self-harm and regain their mental health.
• Limited Capacity: Despite the overwhelming demand, Garima Grehs can only accommodate 25 residents, leading to rejection for many who seek refuge. However, these shelters still try to help by providing job and educational opportunities to those they cannot house.

Administrative Hurdles

• Lack of Proper Documentation: Project directors across various states, including Delhi and Kolkata, report ongoing difficulties with uploading necessary documents on the government portal.
• Ineffective Communication: Despite repeated attempts to reach out to the Ministry, shelter directors have faced little response or progress in receiving the funds required to keep operations going.

Conclusion

Garima Grehs have been lifelines for transgender individuals, offering protection and dignity. However, due to funding issues and administrative delays, which would further marginalize an already vulnerable community. The government must expedite funding processes to ensure these shelters can continue their essential work.

LOTHAL

TOPIC: (GS1) HISTORY: THE HINDU

An IIT Delhi student tragically died, and three others were injured after soil collapsed on them while they were researching near the archaeological site of Lothal in Gujarat.

About Lothal

• Location: Lothal is an ancient site in the Bhal region of Dholka, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• Historical Significance:
  • It was one of the key cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization (IVC).
  • The origins of Lothal can be traced back to around 2400 BC.
  • It is located in the Gulf of Khambat, Gujarat, and is the only known port town of the IVC.
• Discovery: Lothal was discovered by Indian archaeologist SR Rao in 1954.

Key Features of Lothal

• City Layout:
  • • The upper part (acropolis) was for the rulers and elite people.
    • The lower part housed the common people.
• Advanced Infrastructure: The city had a sophisticated drainage system, well-laid roads, and individual baths in each house, some of which were two stories tall and built on mud platforms.

Major Discoveries

• Dockyard: The most notable feature of Lothal is its dockyard, which is considered the world’s oldest known artificial dock. It was connected to an old course of the Sabarmati River, and it served as a vital trade hub.
• Trade and Industries: Lothal was an important centre for trade, particularly in beads, gems, and ornaments that were exported to regions like West Asia and Africa. Pottery was another key industry in the city.

Religion and Culture

• Worship: Excavations revealed a fire altar, indicating that people of Lothal worshipped both the fire god and the sea god.

Conclusion

Lothal stands as a remarkable archaeological site that offers valuable insights into the advanced urban planning, trade practices, and cultural life of the Indus Valley Civilization.