4th September 2024
Topic: India’s success as 2036 Olympic host
Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Infrastructure
Source: The Hindu
Context
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently declared that India would like to host the Olympic Games in 2036 during his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort in August.
Challenges in Organizing an Olympic Games:
- Building and Renovation: Establishing Olympic-caliber sports facilities, including an Olympic Village and lodging for competitors, press, and visitors.
- Facility Adaptability: Making sure that locations can handle a range of needs and sports.
- High Costs: Building new and improved infrastructure as well as getting the city ready for millions of tourists can be expensive. The budget for Tokyo 2020 increased dramatically from $7.3 billion to over $15 billion.
- Uncertain Economic Impact: Although travel and increased visibility abroad can help the economy, it is frequently difficult to recover investment costs.
- Athlete logistics, event scheduling, and communication with international sports organizations and the IOC present coordination challenges.
- Danger of Disruptions: Poor planning may result in postponements or cancellations, which could harm the reputation of the host city.
- International Scrutiny: The host city is being watched closely by the world, and any setback could affect diplomatic ties and attitudes abroad.
- Managing complicated geopolitical issues while making sure that all participating nations are treated fairly is known as “navigating geopolitics.”
The Path of India’s Olympic Ambition
- Following the 2010 Commonwealth Games, India turned its attention to enhancing sports governance and infrastructure.
- The 2017 Khelo India Scheme seeks to promote sports academies, develop talent, and upgrade sports facilities.
- Success Stories: 28 athletes from the Khelo India program competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, demonstrating the program’s influence.
How India Can Place a Winning Olympic Bid in 2036:
- Contributions from the State: Make use of the sports facilities that are already in place in states like Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha, which have 390, 161, and 153 Olympic-caliber facilities, respectively.
- Cost Efficiency: To cut expenses and improve environmental friendliness, make the most of already-existing venues and facilities.
- Focus on Sustainability: Highlight innovative waste management techniques, sustainable building methods, and the use of renewable energy.
- Collaborative Approach: Include the federal government, state governments, and sports associations in the bidding process.
- Leadership: Assure the Union government’s high-level support for a cohesive and successful bid.
- Infrastructure and Sustainability: Describe the current setup as well as the goals for an environmentally conscious Olympics.
- Sports Development: Show your dedication to developing athletes from amateur to elite levels by highlighting your most recent sporting accomplishments.
Conclusion
India’s bid to host the Olympics in 2036 is a noteworthy aspiration that reflects its increasing self-assurance and competence. The bid’s ability to succeed will depend on how well it handles the issues of infrastructure, funding, logistics, cultural fusion, and diplomatic relations. It will also need to make the most of its current facilities and demonstrate its dedication to sustainability and sports development.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
Mains Model Questions
Q. India has the largest population in the world, but its performance at the Olympics has never lived up to expectations. Examine the causes of India’s poor performance in Olympic sports and recommend actions to increase the nation’s medal total in upcoming games.
Introduction:
India has the largest population in the world, but its performance at the Olympics has never lived up to the hype. Despite having a population of more than 1.4 billion, India has only been able to win a small amount of medals at the last few Olympic Games. This underperformance emphasizes the necessity of doing a thorough investigation into the underlying causes and putting practical plans into action in order to enhance results in the future.
Body:
India’s Relentless Underperformance at the Olympics:
- Restricted Representation: Given its sizeable population, India’s small Olympic delegation suggests untapped potential.
- India sent 117 athletes to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, or 0.08 athletes per million people. Japan, which has a smaller population, nevertheless, sent over 400 athletes, demonstrating the necessity of increased participation.
- Inadequate Sports Infrastructure: In India, there is still a deficiency of sports infrastructure, especially in the lower echelons of the sport. Even though states like Haryana have made progress, many areas lack the resources needed to develop talent.
- Absence of a Comprehensive Sports Policy: India’s sports policies have frequently been reactive rather than proactive, which has resulted in athletes receiving inconsistent support.
- Academic Priority in Indian Culture: The growth of a sports culture is hampered by India’s academic priority in culture.
Examining the Causes of India’s Poor Olympic Sports Performance:
- Sports Federation Governance Issues: Poor administration and a dearth of accountability afflict numerous Indian sports federations.
- Inadequate Financial Support: When athletes don’t receive enough money, it makes it harder for them to train and get ready.
- Absence of High-Performance Training: In comparison to nations like the US and Australia, India’s high-performance training programs are rudimentary.
- Insufficient Support Systems: In India, the full potential of support systems such as sports science, psychology, and nutrition remains unexplored.
Actions to Increase India’s Olympic Medal tally:
- Improving Grassroots Sports Development: Developing programs and infrastructure for grassroots sports is essential to growing the pool of talent.
- Enhancing Sports Governance: It is imperative to restructure sports federations to guarantee openness, responsibility, and selection processes based on merit.
- Extending Programs for High-Performance Training: The development of more sports academies with top-notch facilities and the expansion of high-performance training initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) can give athletes the guidance and resources they require to compete at the highest levels.
- Increasing Sponsorships and Financial Support: Athletes can concentrate on training without having to worry about money if they receive regular financial support from public-private partnerships, corporate sponsorships, and government programs.
Conclusion:
A multifaceted strategy combining grassroots development, financial support, governance reforms, and cultural shifts is necessary to turn India into a sporting powerhouse. India can dramatically raise its Olympic performance by incorporating sports into the curriculum and offering strong support networks.
Topic: India’s neighbourhood watch, past, present
Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – International Relations
Source: The Hindu
Context
- The strategic neighborhood of India has changed significantly between 2008 and 2024.
- While India tends to overestimate its influence on the results in its neighborhood, it also engages in excessive self-criticism when regional events falter.
A Time of Hopeful Transition (2008–2010) and India’s Position:
- Bangladesh: The Return of Democracy
2008: Thanks to India’s diplomatic efforts, military rule came to an end and Sheikh Hasina returned to civilian rule. - Sri Lanka: The LTTE’s Demise
2009: After ten years of civil war, the LTTE was defeated. India’s strategic participation had a significant impact on the resolution and post-conflict reintegration. - Maldives: Democratic Pluralism
2008: Mohamed Nasheed’s election signaled the country’s shift to a multiparty democracy. India backed this transition to democratic rule of law. - Myanmar: A Move Towards Civil Government
2010: Military rule over the elections. With her release, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi announced a slow transition to democracy. India struck a balance between supporting democratic aspirations and its strategic interests. - Pakistan: The Role of the Civilian Government
2008: Following the overthrow of Pervez Musharraf, the government changed from military to civilian. After the 2008 Mumbai attacks, relations with India were tense but presented an opportunity for communication.
The Current Circumstances (2024) and India’s Challenges:
- Bangladesh: Failure of the Government
August 2024: Protests and a lack of democracy led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. India’s approach in Bangladesh was called into question as a result of its unwillingness to interact with the opposition. - Sri Lanka: Political and Economic crisis
2022: Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the president of Sri Lanka, fled in the face of protests. Despite the political unrest, India maintained strong ties by providing a $4 billion bailout. - Myanmar: A Reversion to Military Governance
2021: A military takeover caused protracted unrest that affected the northeastern states of India. India has difficulties navigating the unsteady circumstances. - Pakistan and Afghanistan: Regional Difficulties
The Taliban retakes power in 2021. India now handles fallout on its own after being left out of US-Taliban operations. The fall of Pakistan’s civilian government in 2022 brought to light persistent issues.
Ideas for Formulating India’s Reaction and Strategic Determinations:
- Terrorism and Illegal Migration: To combat the threats posed by drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and terrorism, strengthen border security. Keep an eye on changes in the population and make sure the state governments, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of External Affairs work together.
- Relationships with China and Pakistan: Use regional and international forums to combat Pakistani terrorism. Create a united front against terrorism and strengthen business relations with Pakistan.
- Investment in Border Infrastructure: Construct better roads, railroads, and waterways along the border. For projects involving connectivity, think about creating a fund for regional development.
- Monitoring Line of Credit (LOC) Projects: Due to their considerable growth, Line of Credit (LOC) projects should be completed more quickly. Boost oversight through Joint Project Monitoring Committees and the Ministry of External Affairs.
- Growth in the Northeastern Region: Coordinate the Act East and Neighbourhood First initiatives to enhance the states’ connectivity, economic growth, and security.
- Multilateral Organizations: Intensify interactions with regional organizations such as BIMSTEC and SAARC. To improve the impact of policy, conduct routine reviews of bilateral and multilateral relationships.
Conclusion
India’s neighborhood has experienced considerable ups and downs during the last 16 years. For India’s strategy to remain influential, ongoing participation is required rather than sporadic interventions.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
Mains Model Questions
Q. “China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia”. In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbour. (UPSC PYQ 2017)
Introduction:
Even though it has slowed down recently, China has managed double-digit growth rates since it started economic reform and opening in 1978. China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001 marked a significant milestone in its assimilation into the global manufacturing system. China’s export-led growth model has allowed it to earn a trade surplus for decades, which has allowed it to amass a 3.096 trillion-dollar foreign exchange reserve.
With an official defense budget of 175 billion USD in 2019, China has the second-largest military budget in the world, trailing only the United States.
China is developing strategic relationships and positioning itself as a potential military power in Asia through the Belt and Road initiative, which was initiated in 2013. China is doing this by using its economic might.
Body:
Potential effects of this scenario on India, China’s neighbor, include:
- Economic: Among its trading partners, China accounts for the largest portion of India’s trade deficit, which stands at approximately 53 billion USD. Concerned about an excess of Chinese imports, India recently withdrew from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement.
- Strategic: Given the current Doklam standoff and other border disputes, China may pose a direct military threat to India.
China may have a strategic advantage due to its ability to build high-quality infrastructure along its border with India. - With the intention of isolating India, China appears to be building a string of pearls, or a collection of ports in the Indian Ocean.
- Neighborhood: With the exception of Bhutan, all of India’s neighbors have embraced the China-led BRI. In the event of a conflict, China might have a firm foothold in the area thanks to this.
India, on the other hand, hasn’t stood by and has launched three responses:
- Actively interacting with China to foster mutual trust through fora like the BRICS, SCO, and unofficial fora like Wuhan and Mamallapuram.
- Building its own regional and international partnerships was the goal of initiatives like Act East, BIMSTEC, Neighbourhood First, and QUAD (an informal alliance of the US, Australia, Japan, and India).
investing in its own military and naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean region through programs like the SAGAR initiative, the development of the IND Vikrant, an indigenous aircraft carrier, the Project 75I (Kalvari class submarines), the leasing of Oman’s Duqm port, etc.
Conclusion:
China and India don’t always have to be rivals in Asia; they can work well together as the region’s growth partners. However, India must not undervalue the significance of its own policy response and concentrate on simultaneously establishing regional cooperation and strengthening its own military might.
Topic: SC lists review petitions against Judgement Upholding PMLA provisions
Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – Polity
Source: Livelaw
Context
In the case of Vijay Madanlal Choudhary v. Union of India (2022), the Supreme Court of India affirmed important sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), thereby reaffirming the extensive authority of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
What is PMLA?
- About: Targeting crimes like drug trafficking, smuggling, and financing of terrorism, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) seeks to stop money laundering and seize property derived from such operations.
Principal Elements of PMLA:
- Penalties and Offenses: defines money laundering offenses and imposes severe jail time and fines as punishment.
- Attachment and Confiscation: Permits the Adjudicating Authority to supervise the attachment and confiscation of assets implicated in money laundering.
- Reporting Requirements: Requires banks and other financial institutions to keep records and notify the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of any suspicious transactions.
- Appellate Tribunal: In order to hear appeals against decisions made by the Adjudicating Authority, Section 25 creates the Appellate Tribunal.
Recent PMLA-Related Amendments:
- Restoration of Confiscated Property (2019): Following the filing of charges, the Special Court is permitted by New Rule 3A to publish notices for claimants of confiscated property.
- Maintenance of Records (2023): In accordance with FATF recommendations, NGOs must now disclose more information, and the definition of “Politically Exposed Persons” (PEPs) has been clarified.
Issues with PMLA, 2002:
- Broad Definition of Illicit Proceeds: worries about the wide interpretation, which might apply to business dealings.
- Coverage of Various Crimes: The PMLA schedule contains numerous offenses unrelated to the original goal of preventing drug money laundering.
- Arrest Without Written Grounds: As reiterated by the Supreme Court in the NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha case, ED officers have come under fire for failing to provide written justification for an arrest, which is a violation of both Section 19(1) of the PMLA and Article 22(1) of the Constitution.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
Mains Model Questions
Q. Discuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels.
Introduction:
Money laundering is the act of disguising illicit gains without jeopardizing the interests of the criminals hoping to profit from them.
Body:
Money laundering is facilitated by emerging technologies in the following ways.
- Organizing deposits and involving numerous channels, often referred to as “smurfs,” in order to evade reporting on money laundering.
- use of alternative finance methods and cryptocurrencies that are not subject to government regulation.
Money laundering is facilitated by globalization in the following ways.
- The integration of money into the global financial system leads to coordination issues between various legal systems.
- Shell companies operate within sovereign borders under the pretense of legitimate businesses, passing off money laundered through fake invoices and balance sheets to fund illegitimate ventures.
National level actions
- Money laundering is now considered a criminal offense under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and is not subject to bail.
- Coordination of national and international intelligence, investigative, and enforcement agencies working against money laundering is done by the Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND).
International measures:
- States that are parties to the Vienna Convention are required to make it illegal for people to launder money obtained from the trafficking of drugs.
- The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) establishes guidelines and encourages the efficient application of legislative, administrative, and other controls aimed at preventing the funding of terrorism and money laundering.
- The convention against money laundering has been adopted by the OECD forum. Based on data from FIUs, it facilitates access to tax administration in suspicious transactions and the implementation of suitable safeguards.
- In order to prevent money laundering in the securities and futures markets, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) takes the appropriate action.
Conclusion:
Money laundering is a global problem that needs to be addressed on a global scale. To effectively end the money laundering issue, both national and international stakeholders must work together to fortify data sharing protocols and implement a multilateral strategy.
Topic: Raising demand and limited access to mental healthcare
Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – Health
Source: The Hindu
Context
- Changes in attitudes over time have led to an increase in demand for mental healthcare in India.
- According to the data, there appears to be a decline in stigma and an increase in awareness, but accessibility to mental healthcare has stagnated.
India Is Short on Psychiatrists
- According to recommendations from the World Health Organization, there should be three psychiatrists in active practice for every lakh people.
- According to the most recent National Mental Health Survey (NMHS), conducted in India between 2015 and 2016, there are just 0.75 psychiatrists for every lakh people.
- There were 9,000 practicing psychiatrists in India in 2023, according to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare’s report, “Mental Healthcare and Its Management in Contemporary Times.”
- India would need 36,000 psychiatrists if the target is to have three psychiatrists for every lakh people.
- One of the two BRICS countries with the lowest per capita number of psychiatrists is Ethiopia, followed by India.
- Every year, about 1,000 psychiatrists join the field.
- If attrition and unemployment are excluded, it would take India roughly 27 years to reach the WHO-recommended target.
- India needs to intervene in policy and provide sufficient incentives to boost supply if it hopes to reach this milestone sooner.
Reasons Behind Mental Illness
- Exposure to adverse conditions in the social, economic, geopolitical, and environmental domains, such as violence, poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation.
- The lockdowns brought on by pandemics in recent years, along with the uncertainties surrounding them, have negatively impacted on mental well-being.
- Early traumatic experiences or a history of abuse (e.g., sexual assault, child abuse, witnessing violence, etc.)
- Using drugs or alcohol, experiencing feelings of isolation or loneliness, etc.
- Family dynamics: A lack of support networks and dysfunctional family dynamics can have a detrimental effect on mental health.
Problems and Apprehensions
- Over the past few decades, there has been a sharp increase in mental health issues.
- According to the National Mental Health Survey, which was conducted in 2015–16, mental disorders affected 10.6% of people over the age of 18, 16% of those in the 30-49 age group who were employed, and 150 million people overall had lifetime morbidity, with 1% of those affected having a high risk of suicide.
- There are insufficient treatment facilities and human resources.
- Policymakers don’t give mental health enough priority.
Government Initiatives
- The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), an initiative of the Government of India, was introduced in 1982 with the goals of raising awareness, enhancing mental health care at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, and improving mental health services through community-based approaches.
- The 2017 Mental Healthcare Act: The act included WHO guidelines in the classification of mental illnesses and decriminalized suicide attempts in India.
- The 2017 Rights of People with Disabilities Act: The Act aims to improve the Rights and Entitlements of the Disabled and recognizes mental illness as a disability.
- The Manodarpan Initiative is a part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan that seeks to support students’ mental health and well-being through psycho-social support.
- Kiran Helpline: Offering support and crisis management, the helpline is a step towards preventing suicide.
The Way Ahead
- To safeguard, advance, and provide for people’s mental health, a comprehensive, well-resourced approach involving the entire society is required.
eliminating the pervasive stigma associated with mental health conditions, which keeps patients from getting the help they need on time. - Integrating mental health into public health initiatives is a step toward strengthening mental health interventions like counseling services and assisting in the screening and identification of high-risk populations.
- Particular focus on educational institutions: Give particular consideration to populations that are particularly susceptible to mental health problems, such as children who experience sexual or domestic abuse.
- Accessible Services: The fullest spectrum of mental health disorders can be covered by all government health assurance programs, including Ayushman Bharat.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
https://vikaspedia.in/health/mental-health/manodarpan-initiative
Mains Model Questions
Q. The Economic Survey draws attention to India’s rising rate of mental health problems. Examine the causes of poor mental health in this context and offer solutions.
Introduction:
10.6% of adult Indians suffer from mental disorders, according to data from the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015–16; treatment gaps range significantly, from 70 to 92 percent for different disorders.
The Economic Survey, 2023–2024 emphasizes the need for a community-based approach in light of India’s rising rate of mental health problems. The prevalence is higher in urban than rural areas.
Body:
Reasons for India’s Poor Mental Health Status:
- Lack of Sensitivity and Awareness: In India, mental health problems are frequently not acknowledged as legitimate medical concerns. People who struggle with mental health issues are often seen as weak.
- Manpower Shortage in Mental Health: In India, there is a notable deficiency of mental health practitioners.
- Treatment Gap: At the moment, only 20–30% of people with mental illnesses receive proper care; this is mostly because there aren’t enough resources available.
- Low Budget Allocation: India has the lowest G20 budget of any country, at around 0.05%, compared to developed nations that spend 5–18% of their yearly healthcare budget on mental health (OECD, 2014).
- Modified Lifestyle: As social media use rises, it takes away from more beneficial in-person interactions, which in turn exacerbates stress and mental illness, particularly in youth.
Steps to Enhance Mental Well-Being:
- National campaigns to inform the public about mental health are aimed at reducing stigma and increasing awareness of the issue.
- Increasing the Number of Healthcare Workers: Encourage medical students to specialize in psychiatry and psychology by expanding mental health professional training programs.
- Expand the number of mental health facilities, particularly in rural areas, to improve treatment accessibility.
- Improving Budget Allocation: Give mental health a larger share of the healthcare budget. Sponsor mental health programs in the community.
Conclusion:
The survey emphasized the important relationship between mental health and both economic and health outcomes, and it also showed that mental health problems can affect productivity more widely in society than physical health conditions. As a result, a transformative approach to mental health is required, one that supports a bottom-up approach and fully engages communities.