The Hindu Newspaper Analysis 17 March 2023

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis for UPSC

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis 16 March 2023

• According to Lok Sabha data, Delhi has 60,472 stray dogs as of 2019. According to the Animal Husbandry ministry, there were at least 1.53 crore dogs in the streets of India till 2019.
• According to a private report, every day 100 to 150 cases of dog bites cases come in Delhi.
• the Supreme Court of India said that a balance has to be maintained between the safety of people and animal rights.
• The court also suggested that people who feed stray dogs could be made responsible for vaccinating them and bearing costs if somebody is attacked by the animal.
• Article 48 A states that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.
• Article 51A(g) states it to be a duty of every citizen of India “to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.”

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• The internal security scenario in the country has been showing marginal improvement especially in insurgency-affected northeast India. But one can say that there has been ‘insignificant improvement’ in left-wing extremism areas and also terrorist-affected Kashmir.
• For the government, it would be only appropriate and befitting to listen to the genuine grievances of the personnel of the forces concerned as public opinion seems to be mobilised in favour of the paramilitary forces.
• The morale of these personnel needs to be kept high. It would help the security environment of the nation if paramilitary personnel feel that they are being treated on a par with comparable defence forces personnel.
• The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) refers to seven security forces in India under the authority of Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Assam Rifles (AR)
• Border Security Force (BSF)
• Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
• Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
• Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
• National Security Guard (NSG)
• Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

• India’s goods exports fell for the third time in five months during February.
• Some of this may be due to prices rather than volume factors (oil and edible oil prices had zoomed after the Ukraine war). The government is looking to curb inessential imports to keep the deficit in check amid weaker exports.
• But this is tricky territory where factors such as quality, pricing and supply chain linkages matter too, and missteps could curb consumer (and investor) choice.
• With the deficit already constricted sharply over January and February from the record $29.2 billion level hit last September, policy bandwidth may be better used to support exporters to tap new markets and react more nimbly to fast-shifting dynamics in key markets. The long-dithered rejig of the 2015-20 foreign trade policy must not be delayed any further, at any cost.

• The U.S. has provided over $30 billion in military assistance, including advanced defensive and offensive weapons, to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began, and imposed tough sanctions on Moscow.
• Washington says it is not directly involved in the war but is helping Ukraine defend its territories, while Russia alleges that the “collective West” is seeking to destroy it.
• Last month, Russia suspended its participation in the New START nuclear arms control treaty, the last of the Cold War-era weapons control mechanisms between the two countries.
• The U.S. and Russia already have a deconfliction hotline to avoid mid-air collisions in different theatres where they operate.
• New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) was the last remaining arms reduction pact between the former Cold War rivals and caps to 1,550 the number of nuclear warheads that can be deployed by Russia and United States of America.
• It entered into force on 5th February, 2011.
• It continues the bipartisan process of verifiably reducing U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear arsenals by limiting both sides to 700 strategic launchers and 1,550 operational warheads.
• Its duration was for ten years that is till 2021, but it was extended by five more years till 2026.

• National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data show that higher education levels could play a greater role than wealth in delaying a woman’s marriage.
• For example, the median marriage age of a woman who has completed over 11 years of schooling is 23 compared to 17.6 for a woman with less than five years of schooling.
• The data also reflect wide variations between the marital age of rural and urban women, and Dalit and upper-caste women.

Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006:

• The act says that child marriages are illegal but not void.
• They are voidable only when the minor partner asks the court to declare the marriage void.
• The Act prescribes 18 years as the minimum marriageable age for women, while for men it is 21 years.
• The Act punishes child marriage with imprisonment which may extend to 2 years or with a fine which may extend to Rs 1 lakh or both.
• The punishment also extends to anyone who performs or conducts any child marriage.

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals estimated at ₹70,500 crore. Some of the projects are long-gestation projects involving indigenous design and development including the development of marine diesel engine.
• The AoN has been accorded for capital acquisitions under ‘Buy Indian-IDDM’ (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured), the Defence Ministry said. “Out of the total proposals, Indian Navy proposals constitute more than ₹56,000 crore, which largely includes indigenous BrahMos cruise missiles, Shakti Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, Utility Helicopters-Maritime among others,” it said in a statement. An AoN is the beginning of the long winding procurement process.

Defence Acquisition Council

• The Defence Acquisition Council is the highest decision-making body in the Defence Ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) and the Indian Coast Guard.
• The Minister of Defence is the Chairman of the Council.
• It was formed, after the Group of Ministers recommendations on ‘Reforming the National Security System’, in 2001, post Kargil War (1999).

Q) The Sea Dragon is an annual, multinational anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise conducted by:

1. U.S.A
2. A.E
3. Qatar
4. France

सी ड्रैगन एक वार्षिक, बहुराष्ट्रीय एंटी-सबमरीन वारफेयर (ASW) अभ्यास है, जो निम्नलिखित द्वारा आयोजित किया जाता है:

1. यू.एस.ए
2. यू.ए.ई
3. कतर
4. फ्रांस

Explanation :

Indian Navy is participating in SEA DRAGON 23 exercise in waters off Guam, USA which has been scheduled from 15-30 March 23.

• The Sea Dragon is an annual, multinational anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise conducted by the United States Navy.
• Participating Countries: India, USA, Japan, Canada and South Korea.
• The annual exercise launched in 2014. This is the third edition of the coordinated multi-lateral ASW exercise for Long Range MR ASW aircraft.
• The Exercise aims to achieve high levels of synergy and coordination between the friendly navies, which is based on their shared values and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific.

Other Exercises between India and USA:

• Malabar: India and USA with Japan, Australia participate in the naval war gaming exercise named Malabar.
• Yudh Abhyas: Military Training Exercise
• VAJRA PRAHAR: Special Forces Exercise

Q) With reference to the ATAL VAYO ABHYUDAY YOJANA (AVYAY), consider the following statements:

1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
2. It has two components, the Integrated Program for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) and the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC)

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

अटल वायु अभ्युदय योजना (अव्यय) के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिये:

1. यह एक केंद्र प्रायोजित योजना है।
2. इसके दो घटक हैं, वरिष्ठ नागरिकों के लिए एकीकृत कार्यक्रम (IPSrC) और वरिष्ठ नागरिकों के लिए राज्य कार्य योजना (SAPSrC)।

उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

1. केवल 1
2. केवल 2
3. 1 और 2 दोनों
4. न तो 1 और न ही 2

Explanation :

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), a component of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana.

• It is a Central Sector Scheme, which is formerly known as National Action Plan for Senior Citizens.
• Its vision is to create a society where senior citizens live healthy, happy and empowered life.
• It has two components – the Integrated Program for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) and the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC)
• IPSRC: It entails setting up homes to improve the quality of life of senior citizens, especially indigent senior citizens for writing basic amenities.
• SAPSRC: Each state/union territories expected to frame its own action plan for the welfare of senior citizens.

Q) With reference to the NIPUN BHARAT, consider the following statements:

1. It has been launched as a National Mission called “National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat)” in 2021.
2. It is one of the components of the NEP 2020.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

निपुण भारत के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिये:

1. इसे 2021 में “नेशनल इनिशिएटिव फॉर प्रोफिशिएंसी इन रीडिंग विद अंडरस्टैंडिंग एंड न्यूमेरसी (निपुन भारत)” नामक एक राष्ट्रीय मिशन के रूप में लॉन्च किया गया है।
2. यह एनईपी 2020 के घटकों में से एक है।

उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

1. केवल 1
2. केवल 2
3. 1 और 2 दोनों
4. न तो 1 और न ही 2

Explanation :

• It has been launched as a National Mission called “National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat)” in 2021.
• Aim: To ensure that every child in the country necessarily attains foundational literacy and numeracy by the end of Grade 3, by 2026-27.
• A five-tier implementation mechanism will be set up at the National- State- District- Block- School level in all States and UTs, under the aegis of the centrally sponsored scheme of Samagra Shiksha.
• It is one of the components of the NEP 2020.
• Implementing agency: The Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Eurasian Otter:

1. It is a semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal found only in Asia and Europe.
2. It is listed as ‘Endangered’ in the IUCN Red List.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

यूरेशियन ओटर के संबंध में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें:

1. यह एक अर्ध-जलीय मांसाहारी स्तनपायी है जो केवल एशिया और यूरोप में पाया जाता है।
2. इसे IUCN की रेड लिस्ट में ‘लुप्तप्राय’ के रूप में सूचीबद्ध किया गया है।

उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

1. केवल 1
2. केवल 2
3. 1 और 2 दोनों
4. न तो 1 और न ही 2

About Eurasian Otter:

• It is a semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal.
• Scientific Name: Lutra lutra

Distribution:

• It has one of the widest distributions of all Palaearctic mammals.
• Its range covers parts of three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa.
• In India, it occurs in northern, northeast, and southern India.

Habitat:

• It lives in a wide variety of aquatic habitats, including highland and lowland lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, swamp forests, and coastal areas.
• In the Indian sub-continent, Eurasian otters occur in cold hill and mountain streams.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN: Near threatened

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the McMahon Line:

1. It is a geographical border between Ladakh and Tibet.
2. It was negotiated between India and China at the end of the Indo-China War of 1962.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

मैकमोहन रेखा के संबंध में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें:

1. यह लद्दाख और तिब्बत के बीच की भौगोलिक सीमा है।
2. 1962 के भारत-चीन युद्ध के अंत में भारत और चीन के बीच बातचीत हुई थी।

उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

1. केवल 1
2. केवल 2
3. 1 और 2 दोनों
4. न तो 1 और न ही 2

Explanation :

A recent bipartisan Senate resolution in the United States recognizes the McMahon Line as the international boundary between China and Arunachal Pradesh.

About McMahon Line:

• It is a geographical border between Northeast India and Tibet.
• It is the boundary between China and India, although its legal status is disputed by the Chinese government.
• It was negotiated between Tibet and Great Britain at the end of the Shimla Conference in 1914.
• It is named after Henry McMahon, who was the foreign secretary of British India and the chief negotiator of the convention at Simla.
• The length of this boundary is 890 kilometers.
• It runs from the eastern border of Bhutan along the crest of the Himalayas until it reaches the great bend in the Brahmaputra River, where that river emerges from its Tibetan course into the Assam Valley.
• Though India considers the McMahon Line as the legal national border, China rejects it, contending that Tibet was not a sovereign state and therefore did not have the power to conclude treaties.

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