HOW IS INDIAN SECULARISM AND ASSIMILATION SUPERIOR TO FRENCH?

GS Paper-I

Context: Violent riots spread throughout France when the police killed a teenager (Nahel) of Algerian descent in Nanterre (France).

The ethnic makeup of France:

France is among the nations in Europe with the widest racial and ethnic diversity.

  • At least 32% of France’s population under 60 may trace their ancestry to a nation outside of Europe, particularly Africa.

The French possessions in Africa:

  • With the conquest of Madagascar in 1642 and the establishment of a port at Saint-Louis (current-day Senegal), the French officially entered Africa.
  • The trans-Atlantic slave trade and France’s desire to gain access to goods like gum Arabic and groundnuts were the main drivers behind this.

With the assault of Algiers in 1830, the French colonialism of Africa entered a second phase.

  • At the beginning of the 20th century, France controlled modern-day Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Niger.
  • But by 1962, practically all of France’s colonies in Africa had been independent.

The main factor that led to the murder is:

  • Systematic racism in French law enforcement: Young men of Black or North African heritage are 20 times more likely than the general public to be subjected to police identity checks.
  • The Migration and Persistence of France’s Sphere of Influence:

o According to critics, France still maintains an exploitative relationship (Neocolonialism/Last Stage of Imperialism) with its former colonies.

This involves frequently interfering in political matters, maintaining a sizable military presence, and engaging in a number of economically exploitative activities.

Large-scale migration from Africa to Europe is a result of this situation—Africa’s persistent poverty and the attractiveness of European affluence and quality of life.

o France has long been the chosen destination for former French-speaking nations because it guarantees minimum wages and employees’ rights.

  • Assimilation’s failure:

o France experienced severe manpower shortages following World War II and actively recruited cheap labour from its colonies.

This resulted in a growing African population in France over the years, many of whom are now citizens.

The “physical presence and conceptual absence of cultural difference” is what makes France special, as it does not view itself as a pluralist or multicultural society.

o The French state has put its attention on “assimilating” its heterogeneous populace into the “French ideal” by sternly upholding political egalitarianism.

However, this assimilation effort has remained unfinished, creating significant tensions in French culture.

  • Discrimination: Immigrants from Africa tend to be among the poorest in the nation, with the lowest levels of education, the worst rates of unemployment, the highest rates of crime, and the brunt of police aggression, which is exacerbated by deeply established racist stereotypes.

Indian lessons to be applied:

  • Secularism:
  • Diversity in unity

o It has to do with maintaining unity or integrity in the face of boundless diversity.

o It is seen in India through peaceful coexistence, national cohesion, growth, and development.

Governments should favour the metaphor of a “salad bowl” (an intercultural society can absorb different cultures while keeping their separate identities) rather than a “melting pot” (monoculture) in the age of globalisation and growing migration.

Origin: IE

 

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN INDIA AND THE USA IS COMPARED

GS Paper-II

Context: A recent ruling on affirmative action in college admissions by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) limited its use. A synopsis of the news story (Affirmative Action in Higher Education) has already been covered. Here, we’ll contrast India’s with the USA’s affirmative action policies.

Affirmative action’s definition is:

Affirmative action refers to practises and policies that provide equal opportunity for historically underrepresented groups, particularly in sectors like employment, education, and public procurement.

It entails taking initiative to combat historical discrimination and advance diversity and inclusion. To assure participation and equal access to opportunities for underrepresented groups, affirmative action may comprise strategies like preferential treatment, quotas, or targeted outreach programmes.

Affirmative action in India and the United States contrasted:

Dimension Affirmative Action in India Affirmative Action in the USA
Purpose Address historical social and economic inequalities based on caste Address historical discrimination based on Race
Targeted Groups Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC) African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans
Reservation System Reservation Quota policies provide reserved seats in education, employment, and politics Quota systems are not used. Instead, diversity and inclusive policies are encouraged in the admission practices that seek to increase the representation of Black, Hispanic and other minority students in colleges and universities.
Origin William Hunter and Jyotirao Phule in 1882 originally conceived the idea of a caste-based reservation system. Fundamental right under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Independent India constitution. Civil Rights Act of 1964 which ban discrimination on various grounds.
Reservation Percentage Fixed at 50% (Indra Sawhney judgement) for OBC, SC & ST in both employment and education No fixed percentage. It depends on the institution or program and varies for different states of the USA
Criteria for Eligibility Caste-based identity; Social, Education and economic (EWS quota) backwardness Race, ethnicity, and historical disadvantage
Duration Originally intended as a temporary measure in the Indian constitution, but extended to achieve social justice Continues to evolve based on societal changes and legal interpretations
Controversies The debate over extending reservations to other communities and concerns about reverse discrimination

 

e.g., 2006 Anti-Reservation Protests; Patel and Jats demanding reservation

 Controversies around misuse of affirmative policies.

 

The Case Against Affirmative Action

In order to address the long-standing historical injustices that marginalised populations still experience today, affirmative action is a required policy. It gives people access to public services, employment, and education, promoting social mobility and ending the cycle of poverty. Reservation makes society more just and harmonious by fostering variety and inclusion.

Objections to affirmative action

Although affirmative action has admirable intentions, some unintended consequences result from it. Reservation can exacerbate tensions and hostility between various groups and support the social construct of caste. It also undermines meritocracy since deserving applicants could be passed aside in favour of those from reserved categories who are less competent. An alternative strategy for overcoming economic backwardness could be more focused and all-encompassing.

Steps to Take:

In order to find a balance, affirmative action programmes should be reevaluated to prioritise the most socially and economically marginalised people rather than maintaining caste-based discrimination. Regardless of caste or creed, a strong emphasis on quality education and skill development for everyone would empower the marginalised and provide equal opportunity.

Conclusion:

To promote understanding and cooperation among various societal segments, public discussion and awareness of the rationale for and application of reservations are crucial.

Origin: IE

 

EFFECTS OF CSR FUNDING

GS Paper-II/IV

Context: Corporate governance, the development process, and the development industry

Despite a rise in recent years in such investment, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has noted the minimal impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.

Describe CSR.

  • Businesses have made a commitment to include social and environmental issues into their everyday operations.
  • In April 2014, a change to the Companies Act of 2013 made corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandatory for the first time in history, making India the first nation in the world to do so.
  • As part of any CSR compliance, businesses can provide at least 2% of their net profit (during the previous three years) to causes like hunger, poverty, gender equality, and education.

Meaning: Subject to the company’s financial stability, every corporation has a moral obligation to actively participate in meeting social commitments.

Trends in CSR in India:

  • Since the required CSR rule became effective in 2014, corporate India has dramatically boosted its CSR investment.
  • For instance, CSR spending increased by 80% from FY16 to reach Rs 26,210 crore in FY21.
  • The funding allocated to the education sector was the highest (38%), followed by financing for hunger relief, healthcare, and the environment (25%), environmental sustainability (12%), and rural development (11%).

CSR instances in India include:

  • Tata Group: It has participated in initiatives aimed at empowering women, generating revenue, enhancing rural communities, and other social welfare initiatives.
  • Ultratech Cement: The business has set up health fairs, vaccination campaigns, sanitization campaigns, water conservation campaigns, organic farming campaigns, etc.
  • Mahindra & Mahindra: This company manages initiatives including Nanhi Kali, which focuses on female education, Mahindra Pride Schools, which provide industrial training, and Lifeline Express, which provides healthcare in rural areas.

Concerns:

  • Just 0.91 percent of the total CSR cash went to eight North-East states.
  • The visibility and impact of invested monies must be improved,
  • The CSR funding’ effects are not felt widely.
  • Little money was spent on initiatives aimed at eliminating inequities, such as sports, armed forces, and technology incubators.

Why Regional discrepancies, as the Companies Act mandates that when allocating CSR funding, businesses should give preference to the regions in which they operate.

Future Course:

  • Businesses must establish a long-term strategy “to produce beneficial results.” As a result of
  • Increase the effect and visibility of invested money
  • Achieve the ideal balance between capital expenditures and operating costs
  • Make sure the projects are self-sustaining, operating smoothly without placing a load on the businesses.
  • To ensure the sustainability of CSR projects, the best risk management framework must be used.
  • To prevent any regional concentration of CSR funding, it is essential to create a balance between local preferences and national interests.

Conclusion:

The focus should be on developing a CSR framework that is appropriate and ensures that monies are used to improve the community.

Prelims:

Case Study: Amaria CSR Funding (UPSC 2020)

(Source: ET)

 

GST AFTER 6 YEARS: A TRANSITIONAL STORY

GS Paper-III

Introducing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on July 1, 2017, India made a significant change to its indirect taxation system.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) information

  • The 101st Amendment to the Indian Constitution, which went into effect on July 1, 2017, created an indirect tax (payed indirectly to the government by consumers).
  • It is levied on service providers, manufacturers, and retailers of goods.
  • It is separated into five tax slabs for the purpose of tax collection: 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%.

Regarding GST Council:

  • The Apex Committee is responsible for revising, balancing, or recommending changes to the Union and the States regarding the GST, including the types of products and services that may be subject to or exempt from the GST, model GST laws, etc.

The GST Council is a combined forum of the Centre and States that is established under Article 279A of the Indian Constitution.

GST is required:

  • The Indian tax system was impeded by the presence of several indirect levies at various points throughout the supply chain.
  • As a result, a complex and disjointed tax system that included excise tax, service tax, VAT, central sales tax (CST), and other levies was created.
  • As a result, the total amount of taxes imposed on products and services increased due to tax cascading (tax on tax).

Therefore, the main objective of GST is –

o To streamline the tax system by replacing many indirect taxes with a single indirect tax.

  • By creating a standard tax structure, eliminating tax cascading

Results of the GST

  • Revenue gathering

o From 2018–19 to 2022–2023, the gross GST revenue increased on average by 3%, outpacing the nominal GDP growth rate of 9.8%.

o For the fourth time since the introduction of the GST, the June 2023 collection exceeded the 1.6 lakh crore mark.

This is significant because indirect taxes often show less buoyancy, or an increase in revenue without an equal increase in tax rate.

  • Digitalized compliance and an integrated market:

The GST reshaped India’s tax system and stimulated economic growth by laying the groundwork for a seamless national market.

o The GST portal promoted a technologically advanced environment by ensuring smoother compliance for businesses by digitising processes from registration through return filing.

o By encouraging open data exchange between enterprises and the government, it prepared the path for future key indirect tax reforms, such as e-way bills and e-invoicing.

  • Empowering the manufacturing industry: Since GST did away with the cascading effect of taxes and cut production costs, it had a significant influence on the manufacturing sector.

Challenges that are still present:

  • Disputes and uncertainty are caused by the complexity of return forms and the ambiguity around tax rates and the classification of some goods and services.
  • Reducing tax fraud remained a top focus, and policies were put in place to make sure that laws were followed and to screen out bogus enterprises.

Several issues that need addressing include:

  • Start taxing aircraft turbine fuel, petroleum crude, high-speed diesel, gasoline, natural gas, and alcohol intended for human consumption;
  • The addition of additional fees like electricity duty and stamp duty;
  • Explicit taxation on cryptocurrency transactions, online gaming, and other activities.
  • The government should consider rationalising tax rates (slabs), updating the law to reflect the digital age, and keeping up with technical advancements.

Conclusion:

  • The introduction of the GST has undoubtedly been successful, but it is still a relatively new reform with the potential to see extraordinary growth and harmonisation in the years to come.
  • The GST has enormous potential, altering the economy and advancing digitization while also dealing with problems and fraud.

Prelims: (UPSC 2020)

Why was the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act of 2017 created? How have COVID-19’s effects on the GST compensation fund and emerging federal tensions been felt?

Prelims: (UPSC 2017)

What is/are the ‘Goods and Services Tax (GST)’ implementation’s most likely benefits?

  1. It will eliminate the many taxes gathered by various authorities, resulting in the creation of a single market in India.
  2. It will allow India to significantly lower its “Current Account Deficit” and grow its foreign exchange reserves.
  3. India’s GDP will grow significantly as a result, surpassing China in the near future because to its size.

Using the code below, choose the right response:

  1. 1 only
  2. just numbers two and three
  3. only numbers 1 and 3
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Ans: 1

Origin: HT

 

VARIOUS SPACE-RELATED ARTICLES

GS Paper-III

Context: We made an effort to gather the various space-related articles that appeared throughout the past week in one place.

Organic compounds in outer space and the beginning of life

  • Important steps for the emergence of life have been found by scientists, such as the synthesis of intricate organic compounds.
  • The majority of organic compounds, including those required for life, include carbon.

The finding of the CH3+ molecule and its effects on life

The fundamental building component for more complicated reactions is CH3+.

  • In the light released by a disc of dust and gas surrounding a young star in the Orion Nebula, the molecule’s distinct “fingerprints” were found.

Mission of the Euclid telescope to study dark matter and energy:

The European Space Agency’s Euclid telescope was designed to study dark matter and energy.

  • It’s estimated that dark energy and dark matter make up 95% of the universe.
  • It will examine and precisely measure the distances of galaxies up to 10 billion light years away.

The Milky Way as seen by the Neutrino Observatory and its cosmic lessons:

  • Astrophysical neutrinos were discovered by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica.
  • “Ghost particles” known as neutrinos are excellent for examining high-energy cosmological processes.

Researchers detected approximately 60,000 neutrino occurrences after analysing data spanning ten years.

The results lay the groundwork for next developments and provide new insights on cosmic rays.

Low-frequency gravitational wave discovery and its importance

  • Researchers have verified the low-frequency gravitational waves that Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity predicted existed.

The movement and fusion of enormous objects produce gravitational waves, which are ripples in space-time.

Radiation burst irregularities were discovered by radio telescopes monitoring pulsars, which suggested the existence of gravitational waves.

  • It’s believed that the merger of two large black holes at the centres of galaxies is where these waves came from.
  • The finding increases our knowledge of the cosmos, black holes, and how space-time functions.

Mains: UPSC 2016

Describe India’s accomplishments in space science and technology. How has India’s socioeconomic growth been aided by the use of this technology?

From IE, TH,

 

DATA EXPLOITATION

Twitter’s temporary reading restrictions were put in place to address issues with data scraping and system manipulation.

  • Unverified or new accounts are now only permitted to read 600 and 300 posts per day, respectively, while verified accounts are now only permitted to read 6,000 posts per day.

How does data scraping work?

The automated technique of obtaining significant amounts of data from websites or other digital platforms is known as data scraping. It entails utilising software or scripts to collect data from websites or social media platforms like Twitter and utilising the information for journalism, study, or the creation of new content.

Issues:

Data scraping can result in copyright infringement, privacy violations, data manipulation, and other problems.

Origin: HBL

 

THE DAY OF THE DHARMA

At the Dharma Chakra Pravartan Divas festivities, the President of India emphasised the value of Buddha’s teachings and encouraged young people to take inspiration from them.

Principal points:

In order to empower the younger generation and have a beneficial impact on society, the president emphasised the importance of adhering to Sheel, Sadhachar, and Pragya.

  • The India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in Lumbini, Nepal, received its construction contract.

Dharma Chakra: What is it?

A common emblem used in Indian faiths including Hinduism, Jainism, and especially Buddhism is the dharma chakra or wheel of dharma. The Dharma Chakra is frequently used in Buddhism to symbolise the Buddha’s Dharma (Buddha’s teaching and the fundamental moral code).

Dharma Chakra Day information

Dharma Chakra Day is observed to remember the Buddha’s initial sermon upon enlightenment. On the Asadha full moon day in the Indian sun calendar, it is observed. Both Buddhists and Hindus mark it as Guru Purnima, a day to honour spiritual masters.

Date: July 4, 2020

International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture organised the event.

Buddha Poornima (Vesak), the second-most sacred day for Buddhists, is of significant importance.

The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, as well as the Dhamma Cakka-Pavattana Sutta are remembered.

The monks’ and nuns’ Rainy Season retreat gets underway on this day.

Other names are Esala Poya (Sri Lanka), Asanha Bucha (Thailand), and Asadha Poornima (India).

The Hindu month of Ashadh has a full moon on the day of Guru Purnima. Dedicated to Maharshi Veda Vyasa, the author of Hindu scriptures and editor of the Vedas. On the same day, Lord Buddha gave his inaugural discourse in Sarnath. said to signal the start of the monsoon season

Origin: PIB

 

TRIBE OF GUTTI KOYA

The tribe along the Andhra Pradesh-Chhattisgarh border preserves its traditions and history through monuments made of stone dedicated to their doctor, priest, and village head.

  • The ceremonies and feasts, which are organised by the relatives of the deceased, are held in conjunction with the memorials, which are made of big stones and represent the tribe’s appreciation.

The states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha are home to the majority of Koya people. They converse in the Dravidian language family’s Koya, which is spoken by them. The Sammakka Saralamma Jatra, which takes place once every two years on the full moon day of the Magha Masam (January or February), is one of the most important festivals observed by the Koyas. This event is held in the village of Medaram, which is a part of the Mulug taluk of the Warangal district. Both forest products and animal husbandry are essential to their way of life.

Origin: TH

 

CAVE OF TAM PÀ LING

An earlier arrival of humans in Southeast Asia than previously believed has been revealed by new research published in Nature Communications. The conclusions are supported by data gleaned from the Tam Pà Ling Cave in northern Laos.

Findings:

  • According to recent data from Tam Pà Ling Cave in Northern Laos, early human migration to Asia involved the arrival of Homo sapiens in Southeast Asia at least 68,000 years ago.
  • This finding contradicts earlier theories and raises the possibility that the area, encompassing the mainland, coastal areas, and island locales, may have served as a feasible dispersal pathway.
  • The discovery of Denisovans, an extinct human ancestor, emphasises the difficulty of early human migration patterns and hybridization with other hominid species.
  • Importance of the discovery: The discoveries revealed in Tam Pà Ling Cave help us understand how early humans travelled the globe.

Tam Pà Ling Cave details:

In northern Laos’ Annamite Mountains is a cave called Tam Pa Ling. It is located 1,170 metres above sea level at the summit of Pa Hang Mountain.

Who were Denisovan?

The only extant group of human relatives known as denisovans are the remains that have been discovered in Tibet and Siberia. They coexisted with Neanderthals and early modern humans hundreds of thousands of years ago.

The cave’s use of dating:

Definition of Dating Method

The last time crystalline materials were exposed to heat or light is determined via luminescence dating. uses feldspar and quartz.

The age of a tooth can be ascertained by measuring the amount of uranium and its decay products inside the tooth.

By counting the electrons in tooth enamel, electron spin resonance dating may determine the age of a fossil.

Micromorphology is the study of sediments under a microscope to determine how well the layers containing the fossils are preserved.

Origin: TH

 

e-SARAS APP FOR MOBILE

The eSARAS smartphone app was introduced by the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) to assist in the selling of goods produced by women in self-help groups (SHGs).

A forum for the promotion of genuine handicrafts and handlooms is intended to be provided through the app. The project intends to support SHG members’ livelihood possibilities and promote regional goods.

Origin: PIB

 

GUCCHI MUSHROOM

Context: Unpredictable weather patterns, early springs, and above-average temperatures have resulted in another season of low production, putting gucchi mushroom hunters in hardship for the second year in a row.

  • These mushrooms are renowned for being hard to obtain and are sought after for their nutty, earthy flavour.

Gucchi Mushroom Information

  • The Guchhi mushroom is a type of fungus found in the Ascomycota family Morchellaceae. They are raised on a broad white stem and are pale yellow in hue with prominent pits and ridges on the surface of the cap.
  • There are many health advantages to eating these mushrooms. They are abundant in vitamins, copper, and potassium. Aside from a number of B vitamins, they are also a good source of vitamin D.
  • It is also abundant in antioxidants, which protect the body from ailments like diabetes and heart disease by eliminating reactive oxygen species.

The scarcity of gucchi mushrooms has also been impacted by climate change, deforestation, and habitat destruction. The overall production of morels has decreased as a result of the decrease in supplies, which has an effect on both pickers and traders.

Author: DTE

 

HIGHWAY LINKING THAILAND, INDIA, AND MYANMAR

According to the Union Ministry of Road and Transport, the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway is currently 70% complete in terms of construction.

The 1,360 km long India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway (IMT Highway), which is being built as part of India’s Look East strategy, will link Moreh, India with Mae Sot, Thailand via Myanmar. A proposal exists to expand it to include Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos as well.

Origin: TH