“Every child is an artist; the problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”
Pablo Picasso
“प्रत्येक बच्चा एक कलाकार होता है, समस्या यह है कि युवा होने पर कलाकार कैसे बने रहा जाए।”
पाबलो पिकासो
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Quote of the Day May 31, 2022
Sewa International Unveils Its Sewa Fellowship Programme: Calling Young Individuals To Serve Bharat
New Delhi : Aiming to create a progressive long-term impact in India, Sewa International a global non-profit organization, launches Sewa Fellowship to support individuals, societal leaders, and organizations aligned with the philosophy of serving India. The fellowship programme is an opportunity for young and dynamic individuals to bring positive changes at the grassroots level for nation-building.
The fellowship launch hosted at India International Centre, New Delhi, was attended by dignitaries who have pioneered in exploring new methods and exemplified processes for serving communities including, Shri Shyam Parande (the General Secretary of Sewa International), Dr. R Balasubramaniam (Member at Capacity Building Commission), Phoolbasan Bai (Renowned Social worker and Padma Shri Awardee), Dr. Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar (Chairman at University Grants Commission), Gauranga Das (Divisional Director at ISKCON), Venkatesh Murthy (Founder and Chief Mentor at Youth for Seva), Ambassador Virendra Gupta (Former IFS) , Dr. Ram Kakani (Director at IIM Raipur), and Prof. Ajay Dubey from JNU and other renowned leaders from different walks of life.
Inviting applications from across India, the fellowship has a three-stage selection process. The first stage includes sharing the application with an essay writing or video-based essay defining the statement of purpose. The second stage will assess the candidate’s problem solving approach, and curiosity and humility through field assignments and personal conversation. The final selection is based on the individual’s behaviour/psychometric analysis, collaborative working attitude, and rigour for community work.
The 23-month immersive programme encompasses an extensive curriculum with a core emphasis on imparting knowledge, skills, and temperament training. It includes project management, research and development, monitoring and evaluation of live projects, and learning best practices to create an impact on society. The fellows will also be trained in skills such as critical thinking, systems thinking, eco-centered design, storytelling, leadership, sewa bhaav, communication, and fundraising, etc.
Shri Shyam Parande Ji, General Secretary, Sewa International, said, “We are delighted to celebrate Sewa International’s 25th Anniversary. In the initial 12 years, Sewa International worked with other institutions and later started its initiatives for the upliftment of society. He reiterated Swami Vivekananda’s message that a few heart-whole, sincere, and energetic men and women can do more in a year than a mob in a century. The world needs more young leaders to solve future problems. In his words, now is the time that young men and women must come forward and take the challenges of contemporary India and contribute to make India a global power. We operate on the ethos ‘neki kar darya me daal’, and work relentlessly to spread this message. Sewa Fellowship is a 100-week journey that will be led by experts in the field of social development. Under this, fellows will work with India’s most impactful NGOs and work on their development projects. We are looking for self-motivated individuals who want to devote their lives to building a new and better India.”
Chief Guest at the event, Dr. Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman of the UGC, said, “There is a rampant need for fellowships in India to bring changes at the grassroots level. The Sewa Fellowship will not only identify problems in the social fabric but also help find sustainable solutions. It is a much-needed initiative that will positively accelerate development across the country.”
Source: indiaeducationdiary.in, 30/05/22
Current Affairs-May 31, 2022
INDIA
– PM releases benefits under PM CARES (Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations) Fund for children orphaned in Covid
– Statehood day of Goa celebrated; became 25th state of India on May 30, 1987
‘Yoga for Humanity’ is theme of International Day of Yoga on June 21
– Shruti Sharma tops civil services exam, women bag first three ranks: UPSC
– Gen Next Democracy Network programme of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), concludes
– NHA (National Health Authority) launches public dashboard for Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– PMEGP (Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme) extended till FY26; assists youth in setting up of micro enterprises in non-farm sectors.
– Govt aims to cut power output from at least 81 coal-fired plants over 4 years
– Tata Motors to takeover Sanand plant; signs MoU with Ford and Gujarat govt
WORLD
– Sudan: General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan lifts state of emergency countrywide
SPORTS
– Rajasthan: CM Ashok Gehlot announces Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for state’s sportspersons
UPSC ethics simplified: From ‘babus’ to ‘civil servants’
The General Studies Paper IV, "Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude," is an essential component of the UPSC Mains Examination. The Indian Express UPSC Ethics Simplified series to help and enable aspirants in decoding, deconstructing, and analysing the "Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude" paper. UPSC Ethics Simplified will assist candidates in developing attitudes and approaches to solve matters relating to integrity and probity in public life, as well as evolving problem-solving perspectives on various issues and situations.
The term “babu” was frequently used derisively to refer to civil servants and other government officials, and the Indian bureaucracy was earlier labelled “babudom” due to its elitism and sense of entitlement. The recent episode of high-handedness of an IAS couple at Delhi’s Thyagraj Stadium once again brings up the question, “Is the steel frame of India rusting and losing its shine?”
Who are civil servants and what is their expected role?
In a modern democracy, a civil servant is an official in the service of the people and is recruited based on predetermined qualifications. Civil servants are bureaucrats who need to be familiar with the laws and regulations of the country and are expected to act in the best interests of the country and its citizens. They are responsible for managing the resources given to them by the government and making use of them efficiently and effectively. A sound parliamentary system of government requires civil servants to maintain their integrity, fearlessness, and independence. One of the most important functions of the civil service, as stated by the head of the Canadian Public Service, is to “speak truth to power.” The crisis of ethics and accountability in civil servants exposes many issues related to the structure of the code of conduct, constitutional protection, the politician-bureaucratic nexus, and their political victimisation. To address these issues and maintain integrity and discipline amongst civil servants, various reform committees such as the Santhanam Committee (1964), Hota Committee (2004), and the most recent Second Administrative Reform Committee Report (2005) have been formed.
Code of conduct for civil servants
In the 1930s, a collection of instructions containing “do’s and don’ts” was published under the title “Conduct Rules.” The All India Services Rules, 1955, separated the compendium into separate rules. The Santhanam Committee (1964) recommended significantly broadening such rules, which resulted in the 1964 version. These rules were later revised to incorporate additional behavioural norms.
According to the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, every member of the service shall maintain:
· Integrity and honesty;
· Political neutrality;
· Promoting of the principles of merit, fairness and impartiality in the discharge of duties;
· Accountability and transparency;
· Responsiveness to the public, particularly to the weaker section;
· Courtesy and good behaviour with the public.
Code of ethics vs code of conduct rules
In India, there is no code of ethics for civil servants, though such codes exist in other countries. We have a number of conduct rules that prohibit a variety of common activities. These conduct guidelines serve a purpose, but they are not a code of ethics. While the Conduct Rules contain some general norms such as “maintaining integrity and absolute devotion to duty” and not engaging in “conduct unbecoming of a government servant,” the code of conduct is generally aimed at cataloguing specific activities deemed undesirable for government servants. There has recently been a concern that more “generic norms” should be added to the list of acceptable conduct.
A draft “Public Service Bill” proposed by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions in 2007 seeks to establish a set of generic expectations of civil servants known as “values.” The following are the key “values” envisioned in the Bill:
· Allegiance to the various ideals enshrined in the preamble to the Constitution
· Apolitical functioning
· Good governance for the betterment of the people to be the primary goal of civil service
· Duty to act objectively and impartially
· Accountability and transparency in decision-making
· Maintenance of the highest ethical standards
· Merit to be the criteria in the selection of civil servants consistent, however, with the cultural, ethnic and other diversities of the nation
· Ensuring economy and avoidance of wastage in expenditure
· Provision of a healthy and congenial work environment
· Communication, consultation and cooperation in the performance of functions that is the participation of all levels of personnel in management.
The draft Bill also includes provisions for a public service code and a public service management code, which define more specific duties and responsibilities. Violations of the code would result in penalties similar to the current major and minor penalties imposed by the heads of institutions and organisations. A ‘Public Service Authority’ is also envisaged to oversee the implementation of the code and the values mentioned above, as well as to provide advice on the values and the code.
Written by Priya Kumari Shukla
Source: Indian Express, 31/05/22
Monday, May 30, 2022
Quote of the Day May 30, 2022
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
“आप जहां भी हैं, वहीं पर अपना थोड़ा सा क्यों न हो अच्छा काम करते रहें; यही छोटी छोटी अच्छी बातें मिलकर संसार को जीत सकती हैं।”
मुख्य पादरी डेसमण्ड टुटु
Sex as work
Laws should free consenting sex workers from stigma, and grant them rights
A long-standing demand of sex workers that their work be decriminalised has been partially fulfilled with the Supreme Court passing an order on May 19 that adult sex workers are entitled to dignity and equal protection under law. Directing the police to respect the rights of consenting sex workers, the Court observed that “... notwithstanding the profession, every individual ... has a right to a dignified life under Article 21 of the Constitution”. It reiterated what the Court had ruled in Budhadev Karmaskar (2011), that sex workers are also entitled to a “life of dignity”. With the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill yet to see the light of day, the Court invoked powers under Article 142 to issue guidelines till the legislation is in force. In 2011, it had set up a panel to look at prevention of trafficking; rehabilitation; and conditions conducive for sex workers who wish to continue work. As the Court awaits the Government’s response to the panel’s recommendations that adult sex workers should not be “arrested or penalised or harassed or victimised,” a three-judge Bench led by Justice L. Nageswara Rao did well to direct the police to treat “all sex workers with dignity and should not abuse them, ... verbally and physically, subject them to violence or coerce them into any sexual activity”. During the hearings, the Additional Solicitor General Jayant Sud had conveyed to the Court that the Government has “certain reservations” on some of the panel’s recommendations.
The Court has asked the Government to respond to the panel’s suggestions in six weeks. By holding that basic protection of human decency and dignity extends to sex workers and their children, the Court has struck a blow for the rights of an exploited, vulnerable section. Coming down heavily on the brutal and violent “attitude” of the police toward sex workers, the Court said “it is as if they are a class whose rights are not recognised”. It has asked State governments to do a survey of protective homes under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, the legislation governing sex work in India, to review the cases of “adult women” detained there and process their release in a time-bound manner. The ITP Act penalises acts such as running a brothel, soliciting in a public place, living off the earnings of a sex worker and living with or habitually being in the company of one. The Court’s general observations should help sensitise the police, media and society toward sex workers, who have generally been invisible and voiceless. The ball is in the Government’s court to draw up appropriate legislation to free consenting sex workers from stigma, and grant them workers’ rights. In that too, the Court suggested the Centre and States involve sex workers or their representatives to reform laws.
Source: The Hindu, 28/05/22
Current Affairs-May 29, 2022
INDIA
– 17th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) from May 29 to June 4; Bangladesh made ‘Country of Focus’
– Gujarat: PM inaugurates Nano Urea Liquid Plant constructed at IFFCO, Kalol
50 per cent of rural households have access to tap water connections: Jal Shakti Ministry
– INS Gomati decommissioned at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai after 34 years of service
– Tamil Nadu: Vice President Naidu unveils late CM M. Karunanidhi’s 16-ft tall statue in Chennai
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and IT) issues draft norms to mobilise non-personal citizen data with govt
WORLD
– Russia and China block UNSC’s statement on Myanmar humanitarian crisis
– Russia says eastern Ukraine town of Lyman is under its full control
– Russia carries out test of Zircon hypersonic cruise missile
– Iran confirms seizure of 2 Greek oil tankers in Persian Gulf
– Menstrual Hygiene Day observed on May 28
Current Affairs-May 30, 2022
INDIA
– Centre retracts caution on Aadhaar photocopies; UIDAI had warned against sharing them to avoid ‘misuse’
– NADI-3 (Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence) Asian Confluence River Conclave organised in Guwahati on May 28-29
National Women Legislators’ Conference organised in Thiruvananthapuram
– 75th Cannes Film Festival: Shaunak Sen’s “All That Breathes” won the 2022 L’Oeil d’Or (Golden Eye) for the best documentary
– K.V. Raghupathi wins International Panorama Golden Award for his book ‘The Mountain is Calling’
– Minority certificates would be provided to six religious communities in Assam; Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis
– Home Minister Amit Shah lays foundation stone for new international sports complex in Ahmedabad
– For 1st time, India Post delivers mail using drone in Gujarat under pilot project
– India-Bangladesh passenger train services resume after two years; Bandhan Express flagged off from Kolkata station for Khulna
– WHO selects Jharkhand for World No Tobacco Day Award-2022 for state’s efforts in controlling tobacco consumption
– North India’s first Industrial Biotech Park inaugurated at Kathua in J&K
– Punjabi Singer Sidhu Moose Wala shot dead in Mansa district day after security withdrawn
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– US surpasses China as India’s biggest trading partner in FY22 at $119.42 bn
WORLD
– 75th annual Cannes Film Festival organised in Cannes, France; ‘Triangle of Sadness’ (English), written and directed by Ruben Östlund, wins Palme d’Or award
– Nepal’s Tara Air flight, with 22 including 4 Indians onboard, crashes; no survivors
– International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers observed on May 29; theme: “People. Peace. Progress. The Power of Partnerships”
SPORTS
– Spanish football club Real Madrid win UEFA Champions League tournament by beating English club Liverpool 1-0 in final played in Paris
– Cricket: Gujarat Titans (133 /9 in 18.1) defeat Rajasthan Royals (130/9 in 20) in final at Ahmedabad to win IPL
– Sergio Perez of Red Bull wins Formula One Monaco Grand Prix
– Former British champion jockey Lester Piggott dies at the age of 86
State of Global Climate Report 2021
The State of the Global Climate Report 2021 has been released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). According to the report, four key climate change indicators which are sea-level rise, greenhouse gas concentrations, ocean acidification, and ocean heat set new records in 2021. This shows that human activities are causing planetary level changes in the ocean, land, and the atmosphere, with long-lasting and harmful effects on ecosystems and sustainable development.
What does the report say about extreme weather?
Due to extreme weather, the world has witnessed hundreds of billions of dollars worth of economic losses. It has also wreaked a heavy toll on the lives of humans and their well-being and triggered shocks for water and food displacement and security that have accentuated in the year 2022. The report has confirmed that the past seven years are the warmest seven years that have been recorded. In 2021, the average global temperature was around 1.11 (± 0.13) °C above the pre-industrial level.
Which organizations have contributed to this report?
Numerous experts have contributed to this report including:
- National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs)
- Regional Climate Centres
- Global Data and Analysis Centers
- Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW)
- World Climate Research Programme (WCRP)
- Global Cryosphere Watch
- UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC)
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- International Organization for Migration (IOM)
- UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- World Food Programme (WFP)
What does this report highlight?
- Greenhouse gas concentrations: In 2020, the concentrations of greenhouse gases reached a new global high as carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration reached 413.2 parts per million (ppm) globally which is 149 percent of the pre-industrial level. The report also shows that they continued to increase in early 2022 and 2021.
- Global Annual Mean Temperature: In 2021, this was around 1.11 ±0.13 °C above the pre-industrial average of the 1850s and the 1900s. This was less warm compared to some recent years due to the cooling La Niña conditions at the beginning and end of the year. On record, the seven warmest years are from 2015 to 2021.
- Ocean Heat: This was a record high. In 2021, the upper 2000m depth of oceans continued to warm up. It is expected to rise in the future, a change that is irreversible. The rates of ocean warming have increased in the past two decades. In 2021, much of the ocean had experienced a minimum of one strong marine heatwave.
- Ocean acidification: 23 percent of the annual emissions of anthropogenic CO2 are absorbed by the oceans. This reacts with seawater which leads to ocean acidification. This is threatening the ecosystem, organisms, tourism, food security, and coastal protection.
- Global Mean Sea Level: In 2021, it reached a new record high after it increased from 2013 to 2021 at an average of 4.5 mm per year. This is more than double what was recorded for the years between 1993 and 2002. This is mainly attributed to the accelerated loss of ice sheets and ice mass. This has impacted millions of coastal dwellers and increased tropical cyclones’ vulnerability.
- Food security: Due to economic shocks, extreme weather events, and the COVID-19 pandemic the food security of the globe worsened.
- Displacement: Due to hydrometeorological hazards, internal displacement has increased.
- Ecosystems: The ecosystems have been affected due to the changing climate. A lot of the world’s ecosystems such as water towers, mountain ecosystems, etc, are degrading at an unmatched rate. The increase in temperature is increasing the risk of irreversible coastal and marine ecosystem loss.
How does the State of the Global Climate Report 2021 complement the IPCC Sixth Assessment report?
The IPCC Sixth Assessment report which has included data up to the year 2019 has been complemented by the State of the Global Climate report 2021. The new report of the WMO is accompanied by a story map and provides practical examples as well as information for policy-makers to check how the indicators of climate change that were outlined in the IPCC reports have played out during the recent years across the globe. It also highlights the implications of extremes that have been felt at the regional and national levels in 2021. This report of the WMO will be used as an official document for COP27, which is scheduled to take place in Egypt later this year.
What are community forest rights, why do they matter?
The Chhattisgarh government has become only the second state in the country to recognise Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights of a village inside a national park. The CFR rights of tribals living in Gudiyapadar, a hamlet inside the Kanger Ghati National Park in Bastar district, were recognised Wednesday, giving the community power to formulate rules for forest use.
What is a community forest resource?
The community forest resource area is the common forest land that has been traditionally protected and conserved for sustainable use by a particular community. The community uses it to access resources available within the traditional and customary boundary of the village; and for seasonal use of landscape in case of pastoralist communities.
Each CFR area has a customary boundary with identifiable landmarks recognised by the community and its neighboring villages. It may include forest of any category – revenue forest, classified & unclassified forest, deemed forest, DLC land, reserve forest, protected forest, sanctuary and national parks etc.
What are Community Forest Resource rights?
The Community Forest Resource rights under Section 3(1)(i) of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act (commonly referred to as the Forest Rights Act or the FRA) provide for recognition of the right to “protect, regenerate or conserve or manage” the community forest resource.
These rights allow the community to formulate rules for forest use by itself and others and thereby discharge its responsibilities under Section 5 of the FRA.
Why is the recognition of CFR rights important?
Aimed at undoing the “historic injustice” meted out to forest-dependent communities due to curtailment of their customary rights over forests, the FRA came into force in 2008.
It is important as it recognises the community’s right to use, manage and conserve forest resources, and to legally hold forest land that these communities have used for cultivation and residence.
It also underlines the integral role that forest dwellers play in sustainability of forests and in conservation of biodiversity.
It is of greater significance inside protected forests like national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves as traditional dwellers then become a part of management of the protected forests using their traditional wisdom.
But while CFR rights are an important empowerment tool, getting a consensus amongst various villages about their traditional boundaries often proves a challenge.
How many CFR certificates have been given in Chhattisgarh?
According to state government officials, Chhattisgarh has recognised nearly 4,000 CFR rights in the state.
Kanger Ghati National Park is the second national park, after Simlipal in Odisha, where CFR rights have been recognised.
In the present case, Field Director of Kanger Ghati National Park, Dhammashil Ganvir, visited Gudiyapadar village and joined hands with Ashoka Trust for Research in Environment and Ecology (ATREE) to get the application process rolling. Native Gondi speakers and ATREE representatives Lakshmi Nath and Anubhav Shori worked for weeks with the tribals, increasing awareness and helping the villagers apply for CFRR.
Written by Gargi Verma ,
Source: Indian Express, 27/05/22
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Quote of the Day May 24, 2022
“Big shots are only little shots who keep shooting.”
Christopher Morley
“महान उपलब्धियां, लगातार की जाने वाली छोटी छोटी उपलब्धियों का कुल योग होती हैं।”
क्रिस्टोफर मोरले
Current Affairs- May 24, 2022
INDIA
– PM headed Inter-State Council, which works to promote and support cooperative federalism in the country, reconstituted
– WHO honours India’s one million all-women ASHA workers for ‘outstanding’ contribution to advancing global health
– Citizens can now use MyGov Helpdesk on WhatsApp to access Digilocker service
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– RBI-constituted panel to review customer service standards in banks, NBFCs; headed by B. P. Kanungo
– Export tariffs on new iron ores and concentrates raised to 50% from 30%
– Karnataka HC extends stay on ED order seizing Xiaomi India assets
WORLD
– PM Modi joins US President Biden in launch of 12-nation Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)
– Leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia agree to work further on a peace plan for Nagorno-Karabakh in a Brussels meeting
– Davos 2022: World Economic Forum (WEF) launches metaverse for strong public-private cooperation
– World Turtle Day celebrated on May 23
– International Day to End Obstetric Fistula observed on May 23
SPORTS
– Athletics: Jyothi Yarraji smashes own women’s 100 m hurdles national record
– Football: Manchester City crowned 2021/22 English Premier League champions
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