13th September, 2024
Topic: Development of Border in India
Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Security
Source: PIB
Context
The defense minister stated that border area development is the most effective approach to address geostrategic challenges during his speech at the Border Area Development Conclave.
About
- India’s geostrategic location exposes it to a variety of challenges, and the best way to address them is to guarantee the development of border areas, since border villages are the nation’s original settlements rather than remote areas.
- He emphasized that the goal is to create model villages out of the villages along the northern borders, particularly in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh, which suffer from poor infrastructure and connectivity.
India’s borders
- At present, India’s borders span over 15,000 km on land and over 7,500 km in the sea.
- Its borders are shared by seven nations, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
India’s Border Management
- After independence, state forces were initially tasked with border security, but they were later found to be insufficient to meet the difficulties and dangers.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) established Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) with the responsibility of policing its borders.
- The Army is tasked with guarding the borders in the event of active hostilities.
The necessity of border management
- India-Pakistan Border: Ever since India gained its independence, there have been issues along the border with Pakistan.
- Even after Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was annexed by India in 1947 (the Indian Independence Act), Pakistan and India engaged in four conventional wars: 1947–1948, 1965, 1971, and 1999.
- India-China Border: The regions of Ladakh, the Middle Sector, and Arunachal Pradesh are where India and China have disputed borders. There has been very little progress towards resolving the dispute, despite numerous levels of talks.
- India-Bangladesh Border: Depending on the government in power, ties between India and Bangladesh have fluctuated.
– Although relations with Bangladesh are currently positive, the peace process is vulnerable to disruption due to Pakistan’s efforts to sow discord among the religion, Chinese influence, and the current political climate in the nation. - India-Bhutan Border: India is in charge of Bhutan’s defense, so it reacts to Chinese aggression even when it occurs in Bhutan, as it did in Doklam in 2017.
- India-Nepal Border: Owing to their close ties, Nepalese are employed in the Indian Army as soldiers and porous border management remains a challenge.
- Border between India and Myanmar: India and Myanmar share a vast landmass, with Bangladesh bordering the southern end and China bordering the northern.
Problems Keeping the Borders Under Control
- Length and Diversity: India’s borders span thousands of kilometers with several other nations.
- The distinct topography of each of these borders—which includes plains, rivers, and mountains—makes monitoring and control difficult.
- Border Porosity: A large portion of India’s borders are permeable, allowing people, products, and illicit items like drugs and weapons to cross the country illegally.
- Threats from cross-border terrorism: India is confronted with threats from militant groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir that are based in Pakistan.
- Transnational Crime: Along India’s borders, there is a thriving trade in weapons, drugs, and counterfeit money, among other transnational criminal activities.
- Ethnic and Tribal Dynamics: A variety of ethnic and tribal communities with cross-border social, cultural, and historical ties frequently reside in India’s border regions.
- Unresolved border disputes exist between India and its neighbours, most notably with China and Pakistan.
- Infrastructure Development: The absence of basic infrastructure, such as border outposts, communication networks, and roads, in many Indian border regions compromises the efficiency of border management initiatives.
Conclusion
Key pillars of the border area development vision include infrastructure development, smart borders with communication networks and power supplies, economic development with job creation, border area tourism, and empowering the next generation with opportunities for education and skill development.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
Mains Model Questions
Q. Analyze the development of border areas’ economic and strategic importance to India. What are the different issues surrounding the development and management of border areas?
Introduction:
India shares international borders with 17 states, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, and Myanmar. This border’s distinctive topography, culture, and range of socioeconomic difficulties were all present. The development of contemporary and competitive border road infrastructure is essential given India’s policy of putting its neighbors first and unity as a nation.
Body:
Infrastructure along borders is important.
- The establishment of lawful and cordial trade relations with neighbouring nations is one of the main benefits. Trade through the Attari-Wagha border, Border Haats with Bangladesh, and numerous other borders with Nepal, Bhutan, etc. are a few examples of it.
- Appropriate infrastructure for border roads will lessen smuggling and trafficking, which are major concerns for India and its neighbours right now.
- Development and growth that is inclusive is another important economic benefit. Border road infrastructure offers opportunities for self-employment and supports traditional small-scale industries, particularly in abrasive regions like the northeast and Jammu & Kashmir.
- Through the management of security concerns pertaining to both intra- and interregional issues, border road infrastructure contributes to the preservation of peace and stability.
- Without border road infrastructure, the ongoing process of national integration that began with India’s independence will come to an end.
- Border roads also provide the benefit of facilitating efficient and timely disaster management. Given the challenging and harsh terrain of India’s borders and the relative underdevelopment of the neighbouring nations, it is inevitable for India to prepared and self-sufficient to handle any kind of disasters.
Numerous obstacles concerning the development and management of border areas:
- Lack of implementation: The border blocks are completely backward because of their isolation and inaccessibility, and even after roughly ten years of BADP implementation, they have not been opened.
restricted sources. - Despite being constrained by its meagre resources, the State Government is dedicated to quickening the rate of development and is making every effort to promote the development of the border regions.
- Unreasonable financing: Currently, 10% of the funds allocated to the State Government under BADP 6 are set aside for security-related initiatives to be carried out by the state police and paramilitary groups; the remaining 90% of the funds are divided equally among the blocks that share a border.
Conclusion:
BRO has been in the news a lot because of border road infrastructure delays and other issues. The fast development of border road infrastructure will be aided by appropriate and defined autonomy with regard to 3F: Funds, Functions, and Functionaries. This will eventually result in an economically integrated and strategically friendly South Asia.
Topic: Law and ground realities of passive euthanasia in India
Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – Polity, 4 – Ethics
Source: Indian Express
Context
After the Supreme Court rejected the plea in Harish Rana’s case—who has been in a permanent vegetative state since 2013—the discussion surrounding the morality and legality of passive euthanasia was sparked once more.
What is Euthanasia?
- Euthanasia, also known as physician-assisted death or mercy killing, is the deliberate taking of a person’s life, usually with the intention of relieving their suffering.
- The distinction between active and passive euthanasia is made by ethicists.
Active euthanasia
- Active euthanasia, sometimes referred to as assisted suicide, is the intentional and proactive taking of a person’s life.
- This is accomplished by techniques such as giving a fatal injection or a medication overdose.
- The patient dies as a direct result of active euthanasia. Most nations forbid it, including India.
Passive euthanasia
- The deliberate allowing of a patient to pass away by not providing artificial life support, such as a feeding tube or ventilator, is known as passive euthanasia.
- This may entail taking a patient off of life support or not treating a terminal condition.
- In certain nations, such as India, passive euthanasia is permissible given the right conditions and informed consent
India’s stance on euthanasia
- The legality of passive euthanasia was acknowledged by the Supreme Court in the Aruna Ramchandra Shanbaug v Union of India case for the first time in 2011.
- 2018 saw the Supreme Court of India recognize the legitimacy of “passive euthanasia” for patients who are near death, concluding that the “right to die with dignity” is a component of the right to life as guaranteed by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
- Additionally, the court established comprehensive rules for passive euthanasia, applicable in situations where the patient left an “advance directive” or a living will’ stating that life support should be withdrawn if they fall terminally ill, and in cases where no such directive was left behind.
- One of the guidelines required that the living will be signed by a Judicial Magistrate and in the presence of two witnesses.
- When a patient doesn’t have a living will, the family must approve the removal of life support.
Reasons in Support of Euthanasia
- End of Pain: Euthanasia offers a means of relieving a person’s unbearably severe pain and suffering. It spares those who are near death from a protracted death.
- Respecting Individual Choice: Living a dignified life is fundamental to the human experience, and coercing someone into leading an undignified life goes against their will. As such, it articulates an individual’s choice, which is a basic idea.
- Treatment for others: Financial resources are scarce in many developing and impoverished nations, such as India. Hospital space is in short supply. Therefore, rather than prolonging the lives of those who wish to die, the energy of medical professionals and hospital beds can be used for those whose lives can be saved.
- Dignified Death: Living with dignity is expressly guaranteed by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. A person has the right to the bare minimum of dignity in life, and he or she should be granted the option to end it if their standard of living falls short of that.
Moral Difficulties
- Medical Ethics: Nursing, caring, healing, and not taking a patient’s life are all required by medical ethics.
- Morally and ethically, taking another person’s life is wrong. Life is precious and should never be undervalued.
Conclusion
- Euthanasia questions conventional wisdom regarding medicine and death. It is imperative that religious, ethical, and cultural viewpoints be taken into account in public discourse.
- Strict rules and protections are also required in order to avoid abuse or coercion.
- Prioritizing access to high-quality palliative care, which emphasizes comfort and symptom relief, should go hand in hand with any conversation about ending life as soon as possible.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
https://indiankanoon.org/doc/32511882/
Mains Model Questions
Q. What will a living mean, and how has the recent directive from the Supreme Court simplified the process of passive euthanasia? What other difficulties still exist in putting Living Wills into practice?
Introduction:
A Living Will is a legal document that enables people to specify their choices for medical care, including the refusal of life-sustaining procedures, in the event that they are incapacitated or have a terminal illness and are unable to make decisions for themselves. It is included in the more general definition of an advance medical directive. By granting permission for passive euthanasia as long as a living will is in place, the Supreme Court of India made history in 2018 and upheld a person’s right to a dignified death.
Body:
The 2023 Directive on Passive Euthanasia from the Supreme Court
In light of its 2018 ruling, the Supreme Court of India has further streamlined the process for passive euthanasia by loosening the rules. The recent order makes the process of implementing Living Wills easier to understand and accessible, which helps to address some of the challenges that arise. In particular, the Court has simplified the steps involved in putting a Living Will into effect, including:
- Reducing the 20-year experience requirement for doctors to join medical boards to five years.
- Making it possible for a notary public or gazetted officer to sign the Living Will in front of two witnesses in place of a Judicial Magistrate of First Class (JMFC) countersigning it.
Difficulties with Implementation
Living will implementation still presents certain difficulties, notwithstanding these simplifications. Among them are a few of these:
- The choice to end a patient’s life by passive euthanasia presents ethical issues regarding the sanctity of life and the possibility of abuse in patients who are already vulnerable.
- Obstacles in the law and procedure: Even with the process’s simplification, patients and their families may still find it difficult to understand legal requirements and make sure all rules are followed.
- Awareness and Acceptance: The general public’s and healthcare professionals’ knowledge of Living Wills, their significance, and the process of drafting one is still severely lacking. Furthermore, acceptance and decision-making regarding passive euthanasia may be influenced by cultural and personal beliefs held by individuals and families.
Conclusion: The Supreme Court’s initiatives to streamline the rules pertaining to living wills and passive euthanasia are a big step in the right direction toward upholding people’s autonomy and dignity in final medical care. However, in order to guarantee that the rights and desires of terminally ill patients are respected in a way that is both lawful and respectful, resolving the remaining issues will require ongoing legal development, ethical consideration, and education.
Topic: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Economy
Source: PIB
Context
The four-year implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is now complete.
About
- Launched in 2020, it is the flagship program of the Ministry of Fisheries, Department of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
- Goal: To accelerate the “sunrise” fisheries industry by combining efforts from different programs and projects.
- The Central Sector Scheme (CS) and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) are the two distinct components that make up the PMMSY, which is an umbrella program.
- Enhancement of Production and Productivity Infrastructure and Post-harvest Management Fisheries Management and Regulatory Framework are the two subcomponents/activities that make up the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) component that is further divided into beneficiary-oriented and non-beneficiary-oriented categories.
India’s Fisheries Sector
- India ranks third globally in terms of fish production and second globally in terms of aquaculture production.
- India has grown its fish and fisheries product exports by 26.73% in terms of quantity between FY 2021–22 and FY 2022–23, making it the fourth largest exporter of fish and fisheries products.
- The nation’s top fish producer is Andhra Pradesh, which is followed by Gujarat and West Bengal.
- Over 30 million people in India depend on the sunrise sector for their employment.
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is a flagship programme of the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying that aims to bring about a Blue Revolution in India through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector.
Issues Facing India’s Fisheries Sector
- Overfishing: An important issue is the overexploitation of fish stocks as a result of undue fishing pressure.
- Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: IUU fishing jeopardizes management and conservation initiatives for fisheries.
- It covers things like fishing without a permit, going over catch limits, and using prohibited equipment.
- Absence of Technology and Infrastructure: The effectiveness and productivity of the fishing industry are hampered by inadequate infrastructure and antiquated fishing technology.
- Inadequate Fisheries Management: The issues of overfishing and IUU fishing are made worse by a lack of thorough data on fish stocks, a lack of enforcement of regulations, and insufficient monitoring and control measures.
- Pollution and Habitat Destruction: Freshwater and marine habitats are at risk due to pollution from industrial processes, coastal development, and agricultural runoff.
- Climate Change: Fish distribution, migration patterns, and reproductive cycles are being impacted by changes in freshwater and oceanic environments.
- Socio-economic problems: Fishing communities are vulnerable due to a combination of factors such as poverty, unequal resource distribution, and a lack of alternative livelihood options.
Governmental Efforts to Expand the Industry
- The NFDB, or National Fisheries Development Board, NFDB was founded in 2006 and is the highest authority for organizing and advancing India’s fisheries development.
- It carries out a number of plans and initiatives designed to increase fish yield, upgrade infrastructure, and aid fishermen and fish farmers.
- Blue Revolution: The goal of the 2015-launched initiative is to support the sustainable growth and administration of the fishing industry.
- Sagarmala Programme: Designed to foster port-led development and unleash the potential of India’s maritime industry, the Sagarmala Programme was introduced in 2015.
- In order to support the expansion of the fishing industry, it consists of projects to build fishing harbors, cold chain infrastructure, and fish processing facilities.
National Fisheries Policy: The National Fisheries Policy was developed by the Indian government in 2020 to offer a thorough framework for the long-term, sustainable growth of the fishing industry.
- Fish Farmers Development Agencies (FFDAs): To help fish farmers with technical advice, training, and extension services, the government established FFDAs at the district level.
- The union government established the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) in 2018–19 to address the infrastructure needs of the fishing industry with a total fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore.
The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) works to preserve the environment and ensure sustainable development by promoting and regulating coastal aquaculture operations.
Way Forward
- With its vast coastline, many rivers, and inland water bodies, India’s fisheries industry has a great deal of room to grow and develop.
- Actions that can support the industry even more:
– bolstering enforcement and monitoring systems to stop illicit, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. - offering financial assistance and incentives to fisheries to encourage the adoption of modern technologies and sustainable practices.
- ensuring the preservation and restoration of aquatic environments, which are essential to the health of ecosystems and biodiversity, such as mangroves, coral reefs, and wetlands.
- bolstering the framework of the supply chain and improving market connections to guarantee equitable compensation for fishermen and access to both local and foreign markets.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/pmmsy
Mains Model Questions
Q. Discuss about the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana’s (PMMSY) importance in relation to India’s Blue Economy. Examine how it affects the fishing industry and how it might change the way that fishermen make a living.
Introduction:
As part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat package, PMMSY is a flagship programme for the targeted and sustainable development of the nation’s fisheries industry. It is expected to cost ₹20,050 crore to implement between 2020–21 and 2024–25. By 2024–2025, the PMMSY hopes to increase fisheries export revenue to ₹1 lakh crore by augmenting fish production by an extra 220 lakh tonnes. The government wants to double farmers’ income, and part of that goal is to increase production and exports in the fisheries industry.
Body:
PMMSY’s significance in India
- Neel Kranti Mission: By utilizing water resources to the fullest extent possible for fisheries development in a sustainable manner while taking biosecurity and environmental concerns into consideration, PMMSY is essential to the Blue Revolution’s vision of achieving economic prosperity for the nation, fishers, and fish farmers as well as contributing to food and nutritional security.
- Creation of jobs: By developing India’s fishing industry sustainably and responsibly, PMMSY hopes to usher in the “Blue Revolution.” Its goal is to create roughly 55 lakh jobs in the fishing industry, both direct and indirect, in the next five years, from 2020–2021 to 2024–2025.
- Women’s empowerment: PMMSY acknowledges the contribution that women make to the fishing industry and encourages their active participation.
What effect does it have on the fishing community’s livelihoods and the fisheries sector?
- Taking up important fisheries issues: PMMSY started filling in major gaps in the fisheries value chain, ranging from technology, post-harvest infrastructure, and marketing to fish productivity, quality, and production.
- Aquapreneur culture: By introducing innovative techniques for fish rearing and bringing in fresh talent and youthful energy, PMMSY has revitalized the fishing industry.
- Alternative source of income for rural Indians: The PMMSY has given fisherwomen the confidence to investigate profitable alternatives and alternative sources of income, like seaweed farming, pearl culture, and ornamental fisheries.
- Enhanced production: India exports more shrimp than any other country and is currently among the top three countries in the world for fish and aquaculture production.
Conclusion:
A critical first step in realizing India’s Blue Economy potential is the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, which encourages sustainable growth in the aquaculture and fisheries industries.
Topic: India’s Sickle cell challenge
Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – Health
Source: The Hindu
Context
With more than a million victims of sickle cell anemia, India has the second-highest incidence of the disease worldwide.
What is Sickle Cell Anaemia?
- Hereditary sickle cell disease is brought on by mutations in one of the genes that codes for the protein hemoglobin.
- The child has a considerable probability of being born with sickle cell disease if both parents have the trait.
- Cells in a sickle shape: Red blood cells in healthy people are disc-shaped, but those who have sickle cell disease have crescent- or sickle-shaped red blood cells.
- Impact: Reduced red blood cell survival as a result of this illness causes anemia.
– In sickle-cell disease patients, low blood oxygen levels and blood vessel blockages can cause persistent, acute pain syndromes, severe bacterial infections, and necrosis (tissue death). - Sickle cell disease patients have severe heart, lung, and kidney damage in addition to being chronically anaemic.
Prevalence: The tribal belt that crosses Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra is home to the majority of the patients.
Cure: Gene therapy and stem cell transplants are the only treatments available. Both are pricey and in the early phases of development.
Governmental actions India’s National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was started in 2023 with the goal of eradicating sickle cell disease as a public health issue by 2047.
- To improve accessibility, hydroxyurea, a necessary medication for treating sickle cell disease, has been added to the list of essential medications.
Challenges
- In India, only 18% of those afflicted with sickle cell disease receive regular care.
- This is due to the fact that patients discontinue their care at any point during the therapeutic process: during the disease screening, diagnosis, initiation, and attempt to follow the treatment plan.
- Nowadays, most patients respond well to relatively cheap medications like hydroxyurea when taken as directed by their doctor in terms of frequency and dosage.
- Patients experience social stigma associated with this illness in addition to health problems.
Way Forward
- Lower Stigma: Use focused media campaigns to spread awareness, referencing India’s HIV and polio experiences.
- Increase Screening: For early detection, concentrate on newborn screening, particularly in endemic areas.
- Boost Accessibility: Make sure that medications and assistance with adherence are available locally, and establish interdisciplinary centers of excellence for complications.
- Boost Immunization: To cut down on infections, put patients through catch-up immunization programs.
- Boost Indigenous Health Services: Provide healthcare in a way that is specific to tribal areas and make sure that these areas have enough funding.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sickle-cell-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355876
Mains Model Questions
Q. Examine the moral ramifications of utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 technology in gene therapy, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages.
Introduction:
Gene therapy has never been possible before thanks to CRISPR-Cas9 technology, which enables researchers to precisely add, remove, or modify specific DNA sequences, thereby editing portions of the genome.
Body:
Advantages of technology
- Handling Genetic Disorders: CRISPR-Cas9 has the potential to treat genetic disorders, possibly even curing them, by correcting the underlying genetic mutations causing these issues. This includes conditions like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and muscular dystrophy.
- Accuracy and Particularity: CRISPR-Cas9 enables highly targeted gene editing by reducing the likelihood of unexpected outcomes and off-target effects. This accuracy is revolutionary when compared to traditional gene therapy methods.
- Scientific Research: CRISPR-Cas9 has become an indispensable tool in science, allowing researchers to study gene function, model diseases, and develop novel therapeutic strategies.
Hazards related to technology
- Consent and Ethical Usage: It is crucial to thoroughly consider issues like informed consent when employing CRISPR-Cas9 for ethical purposes, especially when it comes to germline editing (editing genes that can be passed on to future generations). Future generations are affected, which raises ethical questions about “designer babies” and their unforeseen effects.
- Access and Inequality: The application of CRISPR-Cas9 prompts questions regarding disparities in gene therapy accessibility. If these treatments become accessible, who has access to these potentially game-changing interventions and who does not may give rise to ethical concerns.
- Unintended Consequences: Altering a gene to address one problem may inadvertently result in other problems that take time to manifest themselves or in unintended side effects. This complexity highlights the need for in-depth research and testing prior to adopting broader therapeutic applications.
Conclusion: The ethical implications of using CRISPR-Cas9 for gene therapy highlight the need to walk a narrow line between the need to carefully consider the risks and the potential for revolutionary medical advancements. A responsible and transparent approach to research, development, and clinical applications, along with an ethical framework, are necessary to maximize the benefits of CRISPR-Cas9 while minimizing potential harm.