A group of Indian Origin youth visiting India under ‘Know India Programme’ (KIP) called on the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh here today. This is the 54th Edition of “Know India Programme”. There are 40 participants in this edition from 9 countries, namely Fiji (07), Guyana (6), Myanmar (03), South Africa (02), Suriname (05), Trinidad & Tobago (07), Mauritius (07), Reunion Island (01), Israel (02), out of which 26 are female and 14 are male. The 54th KIP is scheduled from 1st August to 25th August, 2019 in association with the partner sates of Punjab and Haryana. The team has visited the partner states for 10 days from August 06 to August 15, 2019.

Addressing the youth, Dr Jitendra Singh said that KIP programme provides an opportunity to the youth of Indian origin to learn about the culture and heritage of India. It also helps them to understand their roots and family connections, he said. The Minister interacted with the youth and understood other aspects including their educational and professional background and the states to which their ancestors belong. The youth also shared their experiences with the Minister. They talked about the places they visited in Punjab and Haryana, such as Golden temple, Atari border, Jallianwala Bagh, Kurukshetra, Anadpur Sahib, Pinjore Gardens and Virasat-e-Khalsa, among others.

Speaking about India, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the country has made progress in various fields under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He briefed the youth about the Indian space programme and the recent mission of Chandrayaan-2. The Minister also spoke about the Gaganyaan mission that is planned to be launched by the year 2022. He added that India has become an attractive place for the youth as a lot of avenues have been created for them by the Government.

He added that about 70% of the country’s population is below the age of 40 years, so youth are a very important component of India. The Minister encouraged these youth to visit their ancestral homes and cities in India. Dr Jitendra Singh also encouraged them to visit National Physical Laboratory, Hall of Nuclear Energy in Pragati Maidan, among others. He added that a Hall for Space technology is also being planned in Delhi on the same lines. The Minister wished these youth a bright future and success in life.

In Delhi, the participants have visited National Gallery of Modern Art, Akshadharm Temple, National Museum, Qutub Minar, Ministry of Science & Technology and Department of Biotechnology. They will also visit the Parliament House, President’s House, NITI Aayog and Invest India. They are also scheduled to visit Agra.

The Know India Programme (KIP) is an important initiative of the Government of India with an aim to engage and make the students and young professionals of India Diaspora in the age group of 18-30 years, feel a sense of connect with their motherland and to be motivated and inspired by the transformation taking place in India. The objective of KIP is also to give them an exposure to various aspects of contemporary India’s forms of art, heritage and culture and to promote the awareness on different facets of life in India and the progress made by the country in various fields such as Industry, Education, Science & Technology, Information & Communication Technology, Climate and Power & Renewable Energy etc.

The Geographical Indication (GI) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade hasrecenly registered 4 new GIs. PalaniPanchamirtham from Palani Town in Dindigul District of Tamil Nadu State, Tawlhlohpuan and Mizo Puancheifrom the state of Mizoram and Tirur Betel leaf from Kerala are the latest additions to the list of registered GIs.

GI is an indication used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. Such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to its origin in that defined geographical locality.

PalaniPanchamirtham, an abishegaPrasadam, from Palani Town is one of the main offerings in the Abisegam of Lord Dhandayuthapani Swamy, the presiding deity of ArulmiguDhandayuthapaniswamy Temple, situated in palani Hills, Palani Town in Dindigul District of Tamil Nadu. It is a combination of five natural substances, namely, banana, jaggery sugar, cow ghee, honey and cardamom in a definite proportion. It is prepared in a natural method without addition of any preservatives or artificial ingredients and is well known for its religious fervour and gaiety. This is the first time a temple ‘prasadam’ from Tamil Nadu has been bestowed with the GI tag.

Tawlhlohpuan, a medium to heavy, compactly woven, good quality fabric from Mizoram is known for warp yarns, warping, weaving & intricate designs that are made by hand. Tawlhloh, in Mizo language, means 'to stand firm or not to move backward’. Tawlhlohpuan, which holds high significance in the Mizo society, is produced throughout the state of Mizoram, Aizawl and Thenzawl town being the main centre of production.

Mizo Puanchei, a colourful Mizo shawl/textile, from Mizoram, is considered as the most colourful among the Mizo textiles. It is an essential possession for every Mizo lady and an important marriage outfit in the state. It is also the most commonly used costume in Mizo festive dances and official ceremonies. The weavers insert the designs and motifs by using supplementary yarns while weaving to create this beautiful and alluring textile.

Tirur betel vine from Kerala, which is mainly cultivated in Tirur, Tanur, Tirurangadi, Kuttippuram, Malappuram and Vengara block panchayaths of Malappuram District, is valued both for its mild stimulant action and medicinal properties. Even though it is commonly used for making pan masala for chewing, it has many medicinal, industrial and cultural usagesand is considered as a remedy for bad breath and digestive disorders.

GI products can benefit the rural economy in remote areas, by supplementing the incomes of artisans, farmers, weavers and craftsmen. India’s rural artisans possess unique skills and knowledge of traditional practices and methods, passed down from generation to generation, which need to be protected and promoted.The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has taken several initiatives in this regard and is actively involved in promotion and marketing of GIs.

About ‘Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman’ Awards: The Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman distinction is conferred on persons in recognition of their substantial contribution in the field of Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, Pali, Prakrit, Classical Oriya, Classical Kannada, Classical Telugu and Classical Malayalam.

Introduced in the year 2002. Eligibility: Given to selected young scholars in the age group of 30 to 45 years. Carries a certificate of honour, a memento and a one-time cash prize of Rs.1 lakh.

Who was Maharshi Badrayan? He was an Indian philosopher about whom almost no personal details are reliably known. Badarayana is regarded as having written the basic text of the Vedanta system, the Vedāntasūtrak.a. Brahmasūtra.

He is thus considered the founder of the Vedānta system of philosophy. The date of Badarayana and his Brahma Sutras is uncertain. Different scholars have dated the Brahma Sutras variously from 500 BCE to 450 BCE.

Brahma Sutras: The text systematizes and summarizes the philosophical and spiritual ideas in the Upanishads. It is one of the foundational texts of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy.

What is contains? The Brahma sutras consists of 555 aphoristic verses (sutras) in four chapters. These verses are primarily about the nature of human existence and universe, and ideas about the metaphysical concept of Ultimate Reality called Brahman.

The first chapter discusses the metaphysics of Absolute Reality. The second chapter reviews and addresses the objections raised by the ideas of competing orthodox schools of Hindu philosophies as well as heterodox schools such as Buddhism and Jainism.

The third chapter discusses epistemology and path to gaining spiritually liberating knowledge. The last chapter states why such a knowledge is an important human need.

What are single use plastics? There is no central and comprehensive definition for single-use plastic, crucial for any ban to be successful. Governments currently use various definitions.

Some states like Telangana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh banned plastic bottles and Tetra packs, single-use straws, plastic/styrofoam tea cups/containers, etc. But many like Bihar banned only polythene bags.

India’s efforts to beat plastic pollution: More than 20 States and Union Territories have joined the fight to beat the plastic pollution, announcing a ban on single-use plastics such as carry bags, cups, plates, cutlery, straws and thermocol products.

India has also won global acclaim for its “Beat Plastic Pollution” resolve declared on World Environment Day last year, under which it pledged to eliminate single-use plastic by 2022.

All such efforts have yielded positive results: Voluntary initiatives are having an impact in many States, as citizens reduce, reuse and sort their waste. A Bengaluru waste collective estimates that the volume of plastic waste that they collect dropped from about two tonnes a day to less than 100 kg.

Gaps existing: Waste plastic from packaging of everything from food, cosmetics and groceries to goods delivered by online platforms remains unaddressed.

Collect-back system: The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 are clear that producers, importers and brand owners must adopt a collect-back system for the plastic they introduce into the environment. However, not much has been done to take the process forward. Extended Producer Responsibility clause: Small producers of plastics are facing the ban, while more organised entities covered by the Extended Producer Responsibility clause continue with business as usual.

What is needed? Governments must start charging the producers for their waste, and collect it diligently, which will lead to recovery and recycling. State and local governments should upgrade their waste management systems, which is necessary to even measure the true scale of packaging waste.

Role of local bodies: Local bodies should consult manufacturers or importers to assess the problem. Cities and towns need competent municipal systems to achieve this. A central legislation with a clear definition of what constitutes single-use plastic is also necessary.

About the Chief of Defence Staff: The CDS is a high military office that oversees and coordinates the working of the three Services.

Roles and functions of CDS: CDS shall provide “effective leadership at the top level” to the three wings of the armed forces, and to help improve coordination among them. It offers seamless tri-service views and single-point advice to the Executive (in India’s case, to the Prime Minister) on long-term defence planning and management, including manpower, equipment and strategy, and above all, “jointsmanship” in operations.

Practice so far: India has had a feeble equivalent known as the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC); but this is a toothless office, given the manner in which it is structured. The senior-most among the three Service Chiefs is appointed to head the CoSC, an office that lapses with the incumbent’s retirement.

Why change it now? CoSC arrangement is seen as “unsatisfactory”, and its Chairman as a “figurehead”. The post did not further tri-service integration, resulting in inefficiency and an expensive duplication of assets.

The CoSC system is a leftover from the colonial era, with only minor changes being carried out over the years. Apprehensions in the political class about a powerful military leader, along with inter-Services bickering, have long worked to disincentivise the upgrade of the post.

What is the case for having a CDS? The first proposal for a CDS came from the 2000 Kargil Review Committee (KRC). Although the KRC did not directly recommend a CDS — that came from the GoM — it underlined the need for more coordination among the three Services, which was poor in the initial weeks of the Kargil conflict.

The KRC Report pointed out that India is the only major democracy where the Armed Forces Headquarters is outside the apex governmental structure. It observed that Service Chiefs devote most of their time to their operational roles, “often resulting in negative results”.

Long-term defence planning suffers as day-to-day priorities dominate. Also, the Prime Minister and Defence Minister do not have the benefit of the views and expertise of military commanders, in order to ensure that higher level defence management decisions are more consensual and broadbased. The CDS is also seen as being vital to the creation of “theatre commands”, integrating tri-service assets and personnel like in the US military.

What are the arguments against? Theoretically, the appointment of a CDS is long overdue, but there appears to be no clear blueprint for the office to ensure its effectiveness. India’s political establishment is seen as being largely ignorant of, or at best indifferent towards, security matters, and hence incapable of ensuring that a CDS works.

Militaries by nature tend to resist transformation. The absence of foresight and understanding might end up making the CDS just another case of “jobs for the boys”.

Aim: The system is aimed at ensuring an efficient and corruption-free delivery of the government’s welfare schemes to households.

Key features: Village Volunteers System will take governance to the doorsteps of the people. The programme would involve 2.8 lakh volunteers.

The volunteers will conduct door-to-door visits and provide the benefits under various programmes to eligible beneficiaries. The volunteers will identify the problems being faced by people in their jurisdiction and take steps towards solving them. Village secretariats would be set up in each village to deliver governance to people in 72 hours.

This scheme involves provision of one volunteer to cover 50 families in each village. Identity cards would be given to the volunteers and they would be given an honorarium of Rs 5,000 per month. The volunteers would first identify the beneficiaries, get to know their problems and then delineate the schemes being provided by the government for them.

Significance of the scheme: The basic idea behind implementing the scheme is to infuse confidence among the people and to see that their basic needs are met. The scheme would be able to reach the poorest of the poor and make villages self-sufficient.

About SPTF: The Special Purpose Trust Fund (SPTF) is a specific fund housed within the UN Secretariat.

It has been established to receive, consolidate, manage and account for all contributions and financial transactions of the new Resident Coordinator (RC) system, in a transparent and effective way.

Funding sources include three streams: Voluntary contributions from Member States. The doubling of cost-sharing amounts from UN entities who are members of the United Nations development system. A 1% levy applied to contributions for UN development-related activities earmarked to a single agency, single programme or project.

THE UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR: The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) system encompasses all organizations of the United Nations system dealing with operational activities for development, regardless of their formal presence in the country.

The RC system aims to bring together the different UN agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level. Role: Resident Coordinators lead UN country teams in 129 countries and are the designated representatives of the Secretary-General for development operations.

Tamil Yeoman (Cirrochroa thais)has been declared as its state butterfly by Tamil Nadu.

Locally known as Tamil Maravanmeaning ‘Tamilian Warrior’, the canopy butterfly, usually sized between 60 and 75mm, belongs to the family of brush-footed butterflies or the Nymphalid. Endemic to the biodiversity hotspot of Western Ghats, Tamil Yeoman is usually seen at the foothills and moist evergreen forests of the state’s mountainous regions.

It has become the fifth India state after Maharashtra (Blue Mormon), Uttarakhand (Common peacock), Karnataka (Southern birdwings) and Kerala (Malabar banded peacock) to bestow a state emblem status.

Context: PM Narendra Modi calls for ‘One Nation, One Election’.

What are simultaneous elections? Simultaneous elections refer to holding elections to Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, Panchayats and Urban local bodies simultaneously, once in five year.

Need for simultaneous elections arises because of the problems associated with frequent elections: The massive expenditure that is currently incurred for the conduct of separate elections. The policy paralysis that results from the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct during election time. Impact on delivery of essential services.

Burden on crucial manpower that is deployed during election time. It also destabilises duly-elected governments and imposes a heavy burden on the exchequer. It also puts pressure on political parties, especially smaller ones, as elections are becoming increasingly expensive. It also increases the cost of management to the election commission.

Merits of Simultaneous elections: Governance and consistency: The ruling parties will be able to focus on legislation and governance rather than having to be in campaign mode forever.

Reduced Expenditure of Money and Administration: The entire State and District level administrative and security machinery will be busy with the conduct of elections twice in a period of five years as per the current practice. Expenditure can be reduced by conducting simultaneous elections.

Continuity in policies and programmes. Efficiency of Governance: Simultaneous elections can bring the much-needed operational efficiency in this exercise. Populist measures by governments will reduce.

Simultaneous elections can also be a means to curb corruption and build a more conducive socio-economic ecosystem. The impact of black money on the voters will be reduced as all elections are held at a time.

But, why it is difficult to go for simultaneous elections? The biggest challenge is achieving political consensus, which seems to be “chimerical”.

Regional parties will be more opposed to the idea than national parties because there is always a tendency for voters to vote the same party in power in the state and at the Centre in case the Lok Sabha polls and the state elections are held together. Also, according to IDFC, there is a 77% chance that the Indian voter will vote for the same party for both the state and Centre when elections are held simultaneously.

For simultaneous elections to be implemented, Changes to be made in Constitution and Legislations: Article 83 which deals with the duration of Houses of Parliament need an amendment Article 85 (on dissolution of Lok Sabha by the president) Article 172 (relating to the duration of state legislatures) Article 174 (relating to dissolution of state assemblies)

Article 356 (on President’s Rule). The Representation of People Act, 1951 Act would have to be amended to build in provisions for stability of tenure for both parliament and assemblies. This should include the following crucial elements: Restructuring the powers and functions of the ECI to facilitate procedures required for simultaneous elections A definition of simultaneous election can be added to section 2 of the 1951 act.

Way forward: Any changes must require both a constitutional amendment and judicial approval that they do not violate the “basic structure” of the Constitution. A focused group of constitutional experts, think tanks, government officials and representatives of political parties should be formed to work out appropriate implementation related details