What is Article 356?

Article 356 of the Constitution of India empowers the President to withdraw from the Union the executive and legislative powers of any state “if he is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of the state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution”.

The political turmoil in Karnataka snowballed into a constitutional crisis on Friday with the teetering government being slapped with two consecutive deadlines from the state’s governor to prove its majority.

While the BJP leaders demanded state Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s opinion on the governor’s directive, the CM moved the Supreme Court saying that Governor Vajubhai Vala cannot dictate the manner in which the debate on the confidence motion has to be taken up in the Assembly. In view of such turn of events in Karnataka, which were initially triggered by the resignation of 15 MLAs of the ruling Congress-JD(S) and two independents, talks of President’s Rule being imposed on the state are doing the rounds.

Article 356 of the Constitution of India empowers the President to withdraw from the Union the executive and legislative powers of any state “if he is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of the state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution”.

The determination of the breakdown of constitutional machinery may be done by the President at any time, either upon receipt of a report from the Governor, or suo motu. If approved by both the houses, the President’s Rule, as it is most-commonly called, can continue for 6 months. It can be extended for a maximum of 3 months with the approval of the Parliament.

Recent instances where Article 356 has been imposed

Since the formation of the Republic, President’s Rule under Article 356 has been imposed in states in over 100 occasions. The latest being in Jammu and Kashmir. After completion of six months of Governor’s rule, President Ram Nath Kovind on December 19, 2018, imposed President’s rule in the state, which had plunged into a political crisis after the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government collapsed.

On June 12 this year, the Union Cabinet approved the extension of President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir for another six months, beginning from July 3.

Arunachal Pradesh came under President’s Rule from December 16, 2015, to February 19, 2016, after Congress MLAs approached Governor JP Rajkhowa seeking to impeach Speaker Nabam Rebia. The Governor agreed and called for an emergency session to take up the impeachment motion. Congress protested the Governor’s action, but the Centre went ahead and imposed President’s Rule in the state invoking Article 356.

President’s Rule was also in force in Delhi with the Assembly in suspended animation from February 14, 2014, to February 11, 2015, when Arvind Kejriwal resigned as the chief minister after his move to introduce the Jan Lokpal Bill fell through in the Assembly. Follow Karnataka Crisis LIVE Updates here

Article 356 was also imposed in Maharashtra from September 28, 2014, to October 31, 2014, after chief minister Prithviraj Chavan resigned following the collapse of the 15-year-old Congress-NCP alliance in the state.

Andhra Pradesh faced the President’s Rule from February 28, 2014, to June 8, 2014, due to a political crisis caused by the resignation of CM N Kiran Kumar Reddy and other Congress legislators on February 19, protesting against the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill that bifurcated the state and created a separate state of Telangana.

President’s Rule was declared in Jharkhand from January 18, 2013, to July 12, 2013, as the Arjun Munda-led BJP government was reduced to a minority after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) withdrew support. Munda resigned and sought dissolution of the state Assembly.

Source: Indian Express, 19/07/2019

BHU’s Centre for Vedic Science to do research on environment-friendly ways of agriculture

Researchers, who have studied Vedas and also have knowledge about modern ways of agriculture, will do the research at the laboratory of the centre.

Centre for Vedic Science, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) will do research on popular environment-friendly ways of agriculture, prevailing during Vedic period with an objective to make them viable for farming in the present time.

The centre, which was recently inaugurated, has planned to start research from April 1, according to professor.

Researchers, who have studied Vedas and also have knowledge about modern ways of agriculture, will do the research at the laboratory of the centre.

Centre coordinator Prof Upendra Tripathi said, “Certain methods of agriculture were popular in Vedic era. We have gathered information about these methods. In those days, farmers were using environment-friendly manure, made through tree leaves and cow dung.”

Prof Tripathi said, “Though it has already been proven that vibrations of chanting of mantras, yagyas and hawans have positive impact on whole environment and crops, we will do research on all these things. As part of the research, Vedic scholars will do yagya and chant mantras to see their impact on herbs, medicinal plants and crops.”

Prof Tripathi said that the seeds of wheat or gram would be sown on two different vessels. After sprouting of the seeds, one vessel would be kept in different room, while other one will be taken to yagyashala in the centre where Yagya will be performed and mantras will be chanted and the vessel will be left for a week or fortnight. Later, difference between the growths of same crops in two separate vessels would be recorded, he added.

At the same time, steps would be initiated to make methods of Vedic era agriculture viable for the farmers in the present time.

It has been proven that indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizer is not good for the health of fertile soil while the manure, made of cow dung and tree leaves, not only makes soil more fertile but it also helps keep the soil healthy, Prof Tiwari said.

He said that farmers would be apprised of the benefits of using tree leaves manure and cow dung manure.

He says that farmers would have to return towards traditional ways of farming and soil-friendly manures eventually to save the fertile soil.

Source: Hindustan Times, 22/02/2020

NTA UGC NET June 2020 notification: Registration begins on March 16, check full details here

The UGC NET June 2020 exam registration will begin on March 16. The last date to register is April 16. The Admit card will be released on May 15.

National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official notification for UGC- NET June 2020 examination.

NTA generally releases the information bulletin and public notice three months before the examination.

The UGC NET June 2020 exam registration will begin on March 16. The last date to register is April 16. The Admit card will be released on May 15.

NTA will conduct the UGC NET exam from June 15 to 20.

UGC NET result will be declared by NTA on July 5, 2020.

NTA conducts the UGC-NET exam for ‘Assistant Professor’ and for ‘Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor . The test consists of two papers. Both the papers will be conducted in a single three hour duration. The exam will be in computer based test mode.

Candidates can register online at the official website of NTA at nta.ac.in or ntanet.nic.in.

Educational Qualification:

Candidates who have secured at least 55% marks (50% for the candidates under reserved category) in Master’s Degree from universities/institutions recognized by UGC are eligible for the test.

Following candidates are also eligible for the NTA UGC NET 2019 exam:

· Candidates who are appearing for their qualifying Master’s degree (final year) examination.

· Candidates whose final exam’s results are still awaited.

· Candidates whose qualifying examinations have been delayed.

Such candidates must complete their Masters degree within two years from the date of NET result with required percentage of marks, failing which they shall be treated as disqualified.

For JRF, the candidates should not be more than 30 years old. There is relaxation of age for SC/ST/OBC, transgender, women, candidates having research experience, etc. For assistant professor exam, there is no upper age limit for applying.

Source: Hindustan Times, 23/02/2020

Meditation: Keep At It

While meditation can help us become more patient, what many don’t realise is that the process of meditation also requires us to be patient. We must learn to persevere and be steadfast in our efforts. Have you started the practice of meditation only to give up after a few attempts? Meditation is like planting a garden – a garden of the soul, wherein we nurture the seed of our soul, which requires daily care to fructify. As we connect with the Light and Sound of God through meditation, we provide all that our soul needs to fructify. It is up to us to water the seed of our soul with daily meditation so that it can grow, even though we may not see the fruits of our efforts right away. Each time we sit for meditation, we should continue, whether we get the results we want that day or not. Sooner or later, our efforts will be rewarded. We need to have patience. We may not see the results right away, but we should do our job and meditate accurately. Then, one day, the results will appear. The seed of our soul will sprout. Suddenly, vistas of Light will open for us within, and we will embark on the inner journey. Through constant effort, prayer and patience, we will find success in our meditations. Thus as we meditate and develop spiritually, we need to guard against becoming impatient. We must put down strong roots so we do not give up the first time any winds of difficulty blow.

Source: Economic Times, 24/02/2020

Quote of the Day

February 21, 2020

“Don't worry about life, you're not going to survive it anyway.”

‐ Anonymous

“जीवन के बारे में ज्यादा व्यथित न हों, इससे आप बच कर निकलने वाले तो हैं नहीं।”

‐ अज्ञात

What is the Ramon Magsaysay Award

Started in 1957, the Magsaysay award celebrates the memory and leadership example of the former Philippine president and is given every year to individuals or organisations in Asia.

Named after Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay, the third president of the Republic of the Philippines after World War II, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s premier and highest honour.

Started in 1957, the Magsaysay award celebrates the memory and leadership example of the former Philippine president and is given every year to individuals or organisations in Asia who manifest the same selfless service and transformative influence that ruled the life of the late and beloved Filipino leader.

 Journalist Ravish Kumar named 2019 Ramon Magsaysay winner

The winner of the award for different categories are selected annually by the trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. The awardees are presented with a medallion with a right side facing profile image of Ramon Magsaysay along with a certificate.

Mother Teresa, Arun Shourie, Maheshweta Devi, Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Ravish Kumar, Sonam Wagnchuk, social entrepreneur Anshu Gupta are some of the notable recipients of the award from India.

The award is regarded as the Asian version of the Nobel Prize.

Source: Indian Express, 2/08/2019

Explained: What is Plogging and where did it originate? 

Started in Sweden by Erik Ahlström in 2016, plogging is an eco-friendly exercise through which people pick up trash while jogging or brisk walking as a way to clean up litter and also take care of their health.

During his morning walk at a beach in Mamallapuram Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen picking up plastic litter, water bottles and other trash from near his resort where he hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping for informal summit talks. In a tweet shortly after, PM Modi wrote: “Plogging at a beach in Mamallapuram. It lasted for over 30 minutes.”

The activity that the Prime Minister was referring to is an international fitness trend called ‘Plogging’.

What does Plogging mean and where did it originate?

Plogging is a combination of two words: jogging and Swedish phrase for pick up, ‘plocka upp’. Started in Sweden by Erik Ahlström in 2016, plogging is an eco-friendly exercise through which people pick up trash while jogging or brisk walking as a way to clean up litter and also take care of their health.

It all began after Ahlström, who during his commute to work in Sweden, frequently encountered litter dotting the landscape. The same trash would remain on the roads for weeks at a stretch without anyone picking it up. This prompted him to pick up the trash during his commute and dispose of it properly. Soon, this became a habit. Eventually, he included the trash cleanup into his daily running and exercise routine, which is how ‘plogging’ came into existence.

Impact of Plogging

Ever since the movement took shape in Sweden, it has spread globally, thanks largely to social media and word-of-mouth. Search for #Plogging on Instagram or Twitter and one can see people post before and after pictures of the area cleaned up and brag about their trash haul after plogging. Given that plogging is very accessible and easy to do, lends it a much wider appeal, which explains its growing influence globally.

Since then, the movement has been adopted and implemented across the world by fitness and environmental enthusiasts. Over the last few years, several groups have popped up across Europe, US, South America, Asia and Africa that galvanise communities to take affirmative action against plastic pollution through a positive intervention like plogging. As per Ahlström, plogging for half an hour will burn at least 288 calories on an average as compared to just 235 calories from regular jogging. The fact that plogging addresses both the health and environment aspects make people feel they are positive agents of change and that anyone can do it. To make it a little more physically challenging, some even throw in a few exercises as they fill up their trash bags.

Now, India too has jumped onto the plogging bandwagon after the Narendra Modi-led BJP government organised the Fit India Plog Run that took place pan-India on October 2, as part of the Fit India Movement launched by the Prime Minister on August 29. To this effect, PM Modi also urged citizens of the country to shun single-use plastic during his Mann Ki Baat address on September 29 while asking people to start plogging for a litter-free India.

Source: Indian Express, 12/10/2019