Weekly Current Affairs – December Second Week

1. GM crops

2. NTCA and Project Tiger

3. Conflict of Interest

4. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

5. Commonwealth of Nations

6. Bioplastics

7. NASA’s InSight Rover

8. ISRO’s imaging satellite HysIS

9. ISRO’s GSAT-11

10. International Space Station (ISS)

11. HIV/AIDS

12. Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

13. Naxalism

14. Anti-Defection Law

15. Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

GM crops

Context

A research paper co-authored by leading agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan, which

describes Bt cotton as a ‘failure,’ was criticised by India’s Principal Scientific Adviser

(PSA), K. VijayRaghavan as ‘deeply flawed’.

The paper, ‘Modern Technologies for Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security’, appears

in the latest issue of the peer-reviewed journal Current Science. It is authored by P.C.

Kesavan and Prof. Swaminathan, senior functionaries of the M.S. Swaminathan Research

Foundation (MSSRF).

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

Genetically Modified Organisms, are the ones in which the genetic material (DNA) has

been altered in such a way as to get the required quality.

The technology is often called ‘gene technology’, or ‘recombinant DNA technology’ or

‘genetic engineering’ and the resulting organism is said to be ‘genetically modified’,

‘genetically engineered’ or ‘transgenic’.

Advantages of GM crops

Crop Protection: The initial objective for developing GM plants was to improve crop

protection. GM crops have improved resistance to diseases, pest, insects and herbicides.

They also have improved tolerance to cold/heat, drought and salinity.

Economic benefits: GM crops can increase yield and thus income.

Genetically modified foods have a longer shelf life. This improves how long they last and

stay fresh during transportation and storage.

Food Security: Given the increased growth of global population and increased

urbanisation, GM crops offer one of the promising solutions to meet the world’s food

security needs.

Issues with GM crops

Human Health Risks - Potential impact on human health including allergens and transfer

of antibiotic resistance markers

Environmental concerns: They can reduce species diversity. For example, Insect-resistant

plants might harm insects that are not their intended target and thus result in destruction

of that particular species.

Economic Concerns: Introduction of a GM crop to market is a lengthy and costly process.

It does not result in high yields as promised. For instance, the highest yields in mustard

are from the five countries which do not grow GM mustard — U.K., France, Poland,

Germany and Czech Republic — and not from the GM-growing U.S. or Canada.

Critics claim that patent laws give developers of the GM crops a dangerous degree of

control over the food supply. The concern is over domination of world food production

by a few companies

Ethical Concerns: Violation of natural organisms’ intrinsic values by mixing among

species There have also been objections to consuming animal genes in plants

Mechanism to allow cultivation of GM crops in India

Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) is apex body under Ministry of

Environment, Forests and Climate Change for regulating manufacturing, use, import,

export and storage of hazardous microorganisms or genetically engineered organisms

(GMOs) and cells in the country.

GEAC is also responsible for giving technical approval of proposals relating to release of

GMOs and products including experimental field trials. However, Environment Minister

gives final approval for GMOs.

The Government of India follows a policy of case-by-case approval of transgenic crops.

BT Cotton

The Maharashtra Hybrids Seed Company (Mahyco) jointly with the US seed company

Monsanto developed the genetically modified Bt Cotton to tackle the bollworm problem

that had devastated cotton crops in the past.

In 2002, Bt Cotton became the first and only transgenic crop approved by the GEAC for

commercial cultivation.

BT Brinjal

It was developed by Mahyco (Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company) in collaboration with

the Dharward University of Agricultural Sciences and the Tamil Nadu Agricultural

University.

HT Mustard

Dhara Mustard Hybrid(DMH-11) is an indigenously developed transgenic mustard. It is

genetically modified variety of Herbicide Tolerant (HT) mustard.

It was created by using “barnase/barstar” technology for genetic modification by adding

genes from soil bacterium that makes mustard self-pollinating plant.

NTCA and Project Tiger

Context

The committee constituted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to

enquire into the death of tiger T-1 (the official name of the tigress known as Avni) in

Pandharkawada on November 2, has concluded that the dart shot to immobilise the big

cat had been used about 56 hours after it was prepared, well past the recommended 24

hours.

The probe panel also faulted the planning and conduct of the operation that resulted in the

tigress being shot and killed.

National Tiger Conservation Authority

NTCA is a statutory body under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate

change.

It was provided statutory status by the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006

which had amended Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

It addresses the administrative as well as ecological concerns for conserving tigers, by

providing a statutory basis for protection of tiger reserves.

It also provides strengthened institutional mechanisms for the protection of ecologically

sensitive areas and endangered species.

It ensures enforcing of guidelines for tiger conservation and monitoring compliance of

the same.

It also places motivated and trained officers having good track record as Field Directors

of tiger reserves.

Related Concept – Project Tiger

Aims at conserving India’s national animal i.e. Tiger.

Launched in 1973

Currently there are 50 tiger reserves

The tiger reserves are constituted on a core/buffer strategy.

The core areas have the legal status of a national park or a sanctuary, whereas the buffer

or peripheral areas are a mix of forest and non-forest land, managed as a multiple use

area.

The Project Tiger aims to foster an exclusive tiger agenda in the core areas of tiger

reserves, with an inclusive people oriented agenda in the buffer.

It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate

Change providing central assistance to the tiger States for tiger conservation in

designated tiger reserves.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body of the Ministry,

with an overarching supervisory / coordination role, performing functions as provided in

the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Wild tigers are found in 18 States in India

The All India tiger estimation is carried out once in every four years.

Conflict of Interest

A conflict of interest is a situation in which an individual has competing interests or loyalties.

Conflicts of interest involve dual relationships; one person in a position in one relationship and a

relationship in another situation. A conflict of interest can exist in many different situations.

The easiest way to explain the concept of conflict of interest is by using some examples:

With a public official whose personal interests conflict with his/her professional position

With a person who has a position of authority in one organization that conflicts with his

or her interests in another organization

With a person who has conflicting responsibilities.

Types of activities that can create a possible conflict of interest include

Nepotism is the practice of giving favors to relatives and close friends, often by hiring

them.

Self-dealing is a situation in which someone in a position of responsibility in an

organization has outside conflicting interests and acts in their own interest rather than the

interest of the organization.

These activities in themselves create the conditions for a conflict of interest, but not wrongdoing

or criminal activity. For example, a business executive hiring her daughter might not be a

conflict of interest unless the daughter is given preferential treatment, like giving her a salary

higher than others in her pay level. If the executive isn't in a position to give favors, there's not a

conflict of interest.

In the private (non-governmental) sector, most organizations have policies and procedures that

don't allow a conflict of interest, to avoid a potential problem before it occurs. For example, in

the situation above, many businesses have policies against hiring relatives in certain situations.

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

Context

Qatar has announced that it would leave OPEC on January 1, 2019. The decision comes

just days before OPEC and its allies are scheduled to hold a meeting in Vienna, Austria.

Qatar said it is leaving OPEC in order to focus on gas production.

The decision to pull out after more than five decades comes at a turbulent time in Gulf

politics, with Doha under a boycott by former neighbouring allies including Saudi Arabia

for 18 months.

Since June 2017, OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia — along with three other Arab states —

has cut trade and transport ties with Qatar, accusing the country of supporting terrorism

and its regional rival Iran. Qatar denies the claims, saying the boycott hampers its

national sovereignty.

Qatar’s oil production is around 600,000 barrels per day, making it the world’s 17th

largest producer of crude. It also only holds around two percent of the world’s global oil

reserves.

About OPEC

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a group of oil-

producing nations that was first established in Baghdad, Iraq, in 1961. OPEC is one of the

most powerful international organizations in the world and was a major player in the shift

towards state control over natural resources.

The OPEC Statute distinguishes between the Founder Members and Full Members –

those countries whose applications for membership have been accepted by the

Conference.

The Statute stipulates that “any country with a substantial net export of crude petroleum,

which has fundamentally similar interests to those of Member Countries, may become a

Full Member of the Organization, if accepted by a majority of three-fourths of Full

Members, including the concurring votes of all Founder Members.”

The Statute further provides for Associate Members which are those countries that do not

qualify for full membership, but are nevertheless admitted under such special conditions

as may be prescribed by the Conference.

Currently, the Organization has a total of 15 Member Countries. The current OPEC

members are the following: Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea,

Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, the Republic of the Congo, Saudi

Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

Indonesiais a former member, and Qatar will no longer be the member of OPEC starting

on 1 January 2019.

Commonwealth of Nations

Context

Maldives has applied to rejoin the Commonwealth.

Background

Two years ago, the country’s former leader Yameen withdrew the Maldives from the

Commonwealth after it mounted pressure on him to protect human rights and ensure the

rule of law amid a ferocious crackdown on dissent.

About Commonwealth of Nations

The Commonwealth of Nations, at one time known as British Commonwealth, is an

organisation of fifty three states that were principally below the colonial rule of British

Government. They came into existence with the proclamation of sovereignty of the state

from the colonial rule of British Empire and were later given self-governance.

It proclaims that the Commonwealth nations are “free and equal.” The insignia of this

Commonwealth Association is Queen Elizabeth II who is considered the Supreme of the

Commonwealth nations.

The member states of the commonwealth are not legally liable or bound to each other.

They are rather united by language, history, culture, likeness of the democracy, human

rights and the rule of law.

Their values are listed down within the Commonwealth Charter and the hands of

harmony towards the member states are extended by the Commonwealth Games held

every four years.

Former British mandates that did not become members of the Commonwealth are Egypt,

Transjordan, Iraq, British Palestine, Sudan, British Somaliland, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain,

Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Key facts:

Former name — British Commonwealth.

Composition: intergovernmental organisation of 53 member states that are mostly former

territories of the British Empire.

It operates by intergovernmental consensus of the member states.

Established in 1949 by the London Declaration

Structure: Head of the Commonwealth — Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of the

Commonwealth. The position is symbolic.

Bioplastics

Context

A study was conducted by the University of Bonn in Germany on the use of bioplastics

and its effects on the environment.

Details of the study

Bioplastics — often promoted as a climate-friendly alternative to petroleum-based

plastics — may lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

Bioplastics are in principle climate-neutral since they are based on renewable raw

materials such as maize, wheat or sugar cane. These plants get the CO2 that they need

from the air through their leaves. Producing bioplastics therefore consumes CO2, which

compensates for the amount that is later released at end-of-life. Overall, their net

greenhouse gas balance is assumed to be zero. Bioplastics are thus often consumed as an

environmentally friendly alternative.

However, at least with the current level of technology, this issue is probably not as clear

as often assumed. This is because the production of bioplastics in large amounts would

change land use globally. This could potentially lead to an increase in the conversion of

forest areas to arable land. However, forests absorb considerably more CO2 than maize

or sugar cane annually, if only because of their larger biomass.

Plastics are usually made from petroleum, with the associated impacts in terms of fossil

fuel depletion but also climate change. The carbon embodied in fossil resources is

suddenly released to the atmosphere by degradation or burning, hence contributing to

global warming.

This corresponds to about 400 million metric tonnes of CO2 per year worldwide, almost

half of the total greenhouse gases that Germany emitted to the atmosphere in 2017. It is

estimated that by 2050, plastics could already be responsible for 15% of the global CO2

emissions.

NASA’s InSight Rover

Context

Cheers and applause erupted at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory late on Monday night

as its Mars rover InSight touched down on the Red planet, capping a nearly seven-year

journey from design to launch to landing.

NASA’s Insight Rover

NASA’s first-ever mission named as InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic

Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) dedicated to exploring the deep interior of

Mars.

InSight is NASA’s Discovery Program mission that aims to place stationary lander

equipped with seismometer and heat transfer probe on surface of Mars to study red

planet’s early geological evolution.

More than half of 43 attempts to reach Mars with rovers, orbiters and probes by space

agencies from around the world have failed.

NASA is the only space agency to have made it, and is invested in these missions as a

way to prepare for the first Mars-bound human explorers in the 2030s. “We never take

Mars for granted. Mars is hard,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA associate administrator

for the science mission directorate.

ISRO’s imaging satellite HysIS

Context

HysIS, the country's first hyperspectral imaging satellite for advanced earth observation

was launched on Nov 29 from Sriharikota.

About 30 small satellites of foreign customers will be ferried on the PSLV launcher,

numbered C-43, the Indian Space Research Organisation has announced.

Details of the launch

In its 13th flight of the Core-Alone version and 45th launch of the PSLV, ISRO carried

one satellite each from Australia, Canada, Colombia, Finland, Malaysia, Netherlands and

Spain, and 23 satellites from the U.S. on board as co-passengers of the HysIS.

HysIS Details

A hyperspectral imaging camera in space can provide well-defined images that can help

identify objects on earth far more clearly than regular optical or remote sensing cameras.

The technology will be an added advantage in watching over India from space across

sectors including defence, agriculture, land use and mineral exploration.

The new ‘eye in the sky’ can be used to even mark out a suspect object or person on the

ground and separate it from the background with applications in transborder infiltration

etc.

The primary goal of HysIS is to study the Earth’s surface in visible, near-infrared and

shortwave infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

HysIS will be ISRO's first full-scale working satellite with this capability. While the

technology has been around, not many space agencies have working satellites with

hyperspectral imaging cameras as yet.

ISRO’s GSAT-11

Context

A team of top officials and engineers of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO),

now stationed in the Guiana Space Centre, South America, is going over the last steps

before it sees off the heaviest Indian communication satellite, GSAT-11, to its space

orbit.

Details of the launch

The 5,854 kg satellite, almost double the biggest one built or launched by ISRO to date,

will ride up on European launch vehicle Ariane 5 ECA, numbered VA246, between 2.07

a.m. and 3.23 a.m. IST, according to the schedule of Arianespace, which is providing the

launch services.

GSAT-11 is part of ISRO’s new family of high-throughput communication satellite

(HTS) fleet that will drive the country's Internet broadband from space to untouched

areas; the broadband domain is now ruled by underground fibre and covers partial and

convenient locations.

Already up in space are two HTSs — GSAT-29 (November 14) and GSAT-19 (June

2017) — while one more is due to join them in the near future. They are all to provide

high-speed Internet data services at the rate of 100 Gbps (Gigabits per second) to Indian

users. ISRO has earlier said this speed would be far better than what is available in the

country now.

The HTSs will also be the backbone of pan-India digital or easy Internet-based

programmes and services — such as Digital India, Bharat Net for rural e-governance, and

commercial and public sector VSAT Net service providers.

According to ISRO, GSAT-11’s multiple spot beam coverage — 32 in Ku band and 8 in

International Space Station (ISS)

Context

A Soyuz spacecraft carrying Russian, American and Canadian astronauts arrived at the

International Space Station on Monday in the first manned mission since a failed launch

in October.

The Soyuz is the only means of reaching the ISS since the U.S. retired the space shuttle

in 2011.

International Space Station (ISS)

The International Space Station (ISS) is a space station, or a habitable artificial satellite,

in low Earth orbit. The ISS is now the largest artificial body in orbit.

ISS components have been launched by Russian Proton and Soyuz rockets as well as

American Space Shuttles.

The ISS serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory in which

crew members conduct experiments in biology, human biology, physics, astronomy,

meteorology and other fields.

The station is suited for the testing of spacecraft systems and equipment required for

missions to the Moon and Mars.

The ISS maintains an orbit with an altitude of between 330 and 435 km. It completes

15.54 orbits per day.

ISS is the ninth space station to be inhabited by crews, following the Soviet and later

Russian Salyut, Almaz, and Mir stations as well as Skylab from the US.

Five different space agencies representing 15 countries built the $100-billion

International Space Station. NASA, Russia’s Roscosmos State Corporation for Space

Activities (Roscosmos), the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency and

the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency are the primary space agency partners on the

project.

The ownership and use of the space station is established by intergovernmental treaties

and agreements. The station is divided into two sections, the Russian Orbital Segment

(ROS) and the United States Orbital Segment (USOS), which is shared by many nations.

HIV/AIDS

Context

In a classic example of how misconceptions about HIV/AIDS remain deep-rooted, a tank

is being drained out in Morab village in Navalgund taluk of Dharwad district (Karnataka)

because of a HIV scare.

Details of the issue

Trouble began in the village after the body of a woman infected with the AIDS virus was

found floating in the tank last week.

Rumour mills went into overdrive and lack of awareness only added to the fear among

residents that the disease could spread to the whole village. The residents stopped using

water from the tank and elders decided that pumping out the water was the only remedy.

It’s been a couple of days now since 20 pumpsets have been installed on the tank bund to

drain water into nearby fields and canals.

The village has no other source of drinking water and residents, mainly women, have to

trek 2 km to tap other sources.

Efforts by officials, including the tahsildar and Assistant Commissioner, to convince the

residents that there is no danger have proved futile.

On Tuesday, work on draining out the water body, spread over 32 acres, was still on. The

elderly, among them Amrutgouda Patil of the village, are of the belief that the woman’s

body had poisoned the tank. Some of the villagers told reporters that they would bring

pressure on the authorities to get water from the Malaprabha canal to fill up the tank

again.

Some Basics about AIDS

The word AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. This means

deficiency of immune system, acquired during the lifetime of an individual indicating

that it is not a congenital disease [disease or abnormality present from birth]. ‘Syndrome’

means a group of symptoms.

AIDS was first reported in 1981 and in the last twenty-five years or so, it has spread all

over the world.

AIDS is caused by the Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV), a member of a group of

viruses called Retrovirus, which have an envelope enclosing the RNA genome.

Transmission of HIV-infection generally occurs by sexual contact with infected person,

by transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products, by sharing infected needles as

in the case of intravenous drug abusers and from infected mother to her child through

placenta.

So, people who are at high risk of getting this infection includes individuals who have

multiple sexual partners, drug addicts who take drugs intravenously, individuals who

require repeated blood transfusions and children born to an HIV infected mother.

It is important to note that HIV/AIDS is not spread by mere touch or physical contact; it

spreads only through body fluids. It is, hence, imperative, for the physical and

psychological well-being, that the HIV/AIDS infected persons are not isolated from

family and society.

There is always a time-lag between the infection and appearance of AIDS symptoms.

This period may vary from a few months to many years (usually 5-10 years).

Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

Context

A study conducted by the Disability Rights India Foundation (DRIF) on the

implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, across 24 States,

has revealed that more than half have not notified the State rules, despite a significant

lapse of time.

Details of the Study

Ten States, including Bihar, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Telengana, Tamil Nadu and

West Bengal, have notified the State rules, the survey said.

The study, conducted in collaboration with the National Centre for Promotion of

Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) and National Committee on the Rights of

Persons with Disabilities (NCRPD), said the Act, passed in December 2016, should have

been notified by all States within six months.

The study, which concentrated on the States’ administrative machinery with respect to

the Act, found that nearly 80% of the States had not constituted the funds for

implementation of the RPWD Act.

Among the five States to have constituted the funds, Tamil Nadu has allocated ₹10 crore,

while Himachal Pradesh has allocated ₹5 crore. “Only Tamil Nadu has taken some action

with regard to providing an increased quantum of assistance for people with disabilities

in social security schemes,” the report said.

Though 62% of the States have appointed Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities,

“the progress has not been substantial. Only three States have constituted Advisory

Committees, comprising of experts, to assist the State Commissioners” the study noted.

Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

It replaced the 1995 Act. It brought the Indian law in line with the United National

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which India is a

signatory.

The types of disabilities have been increased from existing 7 to 21 and the Central

Government will have the power to add more types of disabilities.

Speech and Language Disability and Specific Learning Disability have been added for

the first time. Acid Attack Victims have been included. Dwarfism, muscular dystrophy

has been indicated as separate class of specified disability.

The New categories of disabilities also included three blood disorders, Thalassemia,

Haemophilia and Sickle Cell disease. In addition, the Government has been authorized to

notify any other category of specified disability.

Responsibility has been cast upon the appropriate governments to take effective measures

to ensure that the persons with disabilities enjoy their rights equally with others.

Additional benefits such as reservation in higher education, government jobs, reservation

in allocation of land, poverty alleviation schemes etc. have been provided for persons

with benchmark disabilities and those with high support needs.

Every child with benchmark disability between the age group of 6 and 18 years shall

have the right to free education.

Government funded educational institutions as well as the government recognized

institutions will have to provide inclusive education to the children with disabilities.

It provides for penalties for offences committed against persons with disabilities and also

violation of the provisions of the new law.

Naxalism

Context

A hardline woman Maoist, Ide Madi (23) alias Jiwani, who had a reward of ₹1 lakh on

her head, surrendered before the police in Odisha’s Malkangiri district on Monday

Details of the issue

She was a member of the Kalimela area committee under the Malkangiri division of

Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of the outlawed Communist

Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) organisation.

According to police records, she was involved in at least five murders since 2017, and in

several incidents of Maoist violence and exchanges of fire with security personnel. The

Odisha government had declared a reward of ₹1 lakh rupees for her capture.

Ide said increased area dominance by security forces in remote areas of Kalimela because

of frequent anti-Maoist operations was a major reason behind her decision to surrender.

She had also realised, she stated, the futility (Uselessness) of Maoist violence and was

frustrated by the brutal killing of innocents by Maoist leaders, like Deba Madhi alias

Randev, in the Malkangiri district.

Mr. Meena said Ide would be provided with all assistance for rehabilitation under the

Surrender and Rehabilitation Scheme of the Odisha government.

Who are the Naxals?

The parent term, Naxal entered Indian lexicons in the decade of 1960 and has acquired a

certain meaning over the years. The term Naxal comes from a village called Naxalbari in

Siliguri district of West Bengal. Naxalism is understood at two levels - as a socio-

economic issue and a law and order problem.

The people who launched Naxal operations were frustrated with growing inequality

among the various classes of society and government's apathy to address the routine

grievances of the poor.

They launched armed rebellion against the system and the government dealt with it as a

law and order problem. In 2008, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said,

"Naxalism is the greatest threat to our internal security."

The first NaxaI group sprang off as an offshoot of the Communist Party of India

(Marxist). A small group of the party decided to break away to launch an armed struggle

against big landowners and establishment.

Their objective was to capture additional lands of big zamindars and distribute the same

among the tilling farmers and landless labourers. The leadership was provided by Charu

Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal and Jangal Santhal. They became the first Naxals or the original

Naxals.

Government Approach towards Naxalism

Focusing on infrastructure creation through Additional Central Assistance scheme &

Road Requirement Plan scheme

Universal Service Obligation Fund supported Scheme of Mobile Services to increase

mobile connectivity

Schemes like Roshni for skill development of rural poor youth

Facilities of residential schools to children

To improve public perception of state’s commitment towards their welfare, states have

been asked to effectively implement provisions of PESA, 1996 on priority, which -

categorically assigns rights over minor forest produce to Gram Sabhas; funds are

provided to security forces under Civil action program for conducting welfare activities

in their deployment areas.

Surrender-Cum Rehabilitation policy for Naxalites in affected areas

Who are the Urban Naxals?

The term Urban Naxals remains undefined. It is best attributed to a book and a few essays

by film-maker and social media opinion-maker Vivek Agnihotri. His book, Urban

Naxals: The Making Of Buddha In A Traffic Jam was released in May this year. Union

Minister Smriti Irani was the chief guest of the event.

The phrase loosely means people of Naxalite bent of mind who reside in urban areas and

work as activists, supporters and protectors of the ideology while the active Naxals battle

it out in the jungles and vast swathes of Maoist-dominated areas.

In the government’s categorisation, the “urban Naxals,” at least so far, are lawyers, rights

activists, poets, writers, journalists, and professors, deemed to be “active members” of the

Communist Party of India (CPI) (Maoist).

Activists are being called “Urban Naxals” to criminalise dissent and for holding a

differing ideological position. The term, now planted in public discourse and state

speech, should be rejected in a constitutional democracy like ours. It violates chapter

three of our Indian constitution - fundamental rights, including the freedom of expression

and the right to life under Article 21.

Anti-Defection Law

Context

Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday stressed on the need for an

amendment to the Anti-Defection Law, making it mandatory for the Speaker/Chairman of

Assembly/Council to dispose of petitions on defections within a time frame.

Details of the Speech

Constituting special tribunals to deal with election-related petitions and criminal cases

against the elected representatives were also necessary, he said. According to Supreme

Court records, 4,127 cases, including some of strong criminal nature, were pending

against public representatives.

Sharing his views on the political scenario, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu said the anti-defection

laws should be implemented in letter and spirit and expeditiously. There was a need for

consensus to amend this law and insert time frame clause. “I could dispose of the

petitions that I receive within this time-frame.

“Everybody has a right to change the party. But after changing the party, by evening, one

should quit the position that came because of it. This is not happening in most States,” he

pointed out.

The legislators and politicians should maintain restraint while speaking about the Prime

Minister, the Chief Minister or the Leader of the Opposition. Otherwise, the people might

soon lose faith in the political processes and institutions. All efforts should be made

towards creation of a cleaner polity.

Also, the political parties should take the State’s finances into consideration before

making tall promises and announcing freebies. People too must ensure that persons with

the right antecedents were elected. They should elect their representatives based on

conduct, calibre, capacity and character, but not on caste, region or religion. “You

[people] have the power to change.”

Anti-Defection Law

The 10th Schedule to the Indian Constitution popularly referred to as the ‘Anti-Defection

Law’ was inserted by the 52nd Amendment (1985) to the Constitution.

‘Defection’ has been defined as, “To abandon a position or association, often to join an

opposing group”.

The anti defection law was enacted to ensure that a party member do not violate the

mandate of the party and in case he do so he will be disqualified from participating in the

election.

The Anti-Defection Law allows Parliament to announce those members defected who

oppose or do not vote in line with party’s decision.

The aim of Anti-Defection Law is to prevent members of Parliament to change parties for

any personal motive.

Grounds for disqualification:

If an elected member voluntarily gives up his membership of a political party

It he votes or abstains from voting in such House contrary to any direction issued by his

political party.

If any independently elected member joins any political party.

If any nominated member joins any political party after the expiry of six months.

The decision on questions are to disqualification on ground of defection is referred to the

chairman or the Speaker of such House, and his decision is final.

All proceedings in relation to disqualification under this Schedule are deemed to be

proceedings in Parliament or in the Legislature of a state.

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

Context

Kashmir-based literary bodies are up in arms against a move by the Ministry of Human

Resource Development (MHRD) to withdraw Kashmiri translations from its language-

promoting portal, Bhasha Sangam, after Kashmiri Pandits objected to the “regional

script” of the language.

The MHRD website, Bhasha Sangam, took down the Persian script, which is written

from right to left like Urdu, and is widely used by the Muslim population of Jammu and

Kashmir. However, Pandits prefer the Sharda script, which was in vogue around the 8th

Century and is influenced by Sanskrit.

Writer M.K. Kaw was the first Kashmiri Pandit to push a proposal in 2005 before the

HRD Minister to change the script. However, it was opposed in Kashmir and the proposal

was shelved.

Bhasha Sangam

The government has launched a unique initiative called Bhasha Sangam to introduce

school students to 22 Indian languages.

The initiative under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat; Bhasha Sangam is a programme for

schools and educational institutions to provide multilingual exposure to students in Indian

languages.

Another objective of Bhasha Sangam is to enhance linguistic tolerance and respect and

promote national integration.

There are 22 languages listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution but most students are

familiar with only one or two languages.

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat was announced on the occasion of the 140th birth

anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on 31st October (Ekta Divas).

Through this innovative measure, the knowledge of the culture, traditions and practices of

different states & UTs will lead to an enhanced understanding and bonding between the

states, thereby strengthening the unity and integrity of India.

The Broad Objectives of the initiative are

To celebrate the unity in diversity of our nation and to maintain and strengthen the fabric

of traditionally existing emotional bonds between the people of our country

To promote the spirit of national integration through a deep and structured engagement

between all states and union territories through a year-long planned engagement between

states.

To showcase the rich heritage and culture, customs and traditions of either state for

enabling people to understand and appreciate the diversity that is India, thus fostering a

sense of common identity.

To create an environment which promotes learning between states by sharing best

practices and experiences