Migration: A compulsion, not a choice

Tuesday dawned with the harrowing news of fifteen migrant labourers, from Banswara in Rajasthan, sleeping by the roadside in Gujarat’s Surat district, mowed down by a speeding truck. The tragedy which happened near the Kosamba village, around 60 km from Surat, was apparently due to the driver losing control over the vehicle after hitting a sugarcane-laden tractor.

There is more to this tragic event than what meets the eye. It is a wakeup call to understand the plight of the victims and their ilk. It is time to understand the misfortune faced by lakhs of migrant labourers who seasonally flock the towns of Gujarat from southern Rajasthan in search of livelihood. The real story here is the narrative of criminal inequality of social groups with historically deprived positions finding themselves in extremely disadvantageous spots even after seven decades of independence.

A study by Aajeevika Bureau, a non-profit entity working with the migrant labourers, estimates more than 4,00,000 migrant labourers from tribal-dominated southern Rajasthan districts reach Gujarat every year in search of livelihood and work under severe wage differentials and unequal access to basic human amenities.

The Scheduled Tribe population along with the Dalits falls in the bottom-most rung among all the diverse labour population in the urban centres of the country as per the report on Conditions of Work and Promotion of Livelihoods in the Unorganised Sector brought out by the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector in 2007. The agrarian situation in southern Rajasthan makes the situation more worse for the labourers from this region with many cases of bonded and child labour reported in the past. The form of bonded labour is more nuanced with the labour supply linked to a workforce provider in the source areas who pay money in advance to the family in lieu of the wages. The requirement for money often necessitated due to farming needs or for the medical treatment of a senior member in the family, who most probably would have been a migrant labourer himself.

The vicious cycle of intergenerational transfer of debt along with the historic impoverished condition of the tribal community of south Rajasthan has found little or no tangible solution from the policy makers. Even if there has been any effort, it has found only mentions in the budget speeches of successive governments and in official schemes often not percolating to the real beneficiary.

The worrisome aspect for the government and for every sensible citizen must be something more. With time, even after intervention through MGNREGA, the nature of the labour market segmentation of the region remains social identity-based. This also leads to inequality of wages and working conditions.

The recent Code of Wages passed in August 2009 will have more severe consequences for the lives of lakhs of migrant labourers from southern Rajasthan working in Gujarat. The Act claims to consolidate and codify the four major wage-related legislation of the Minimum Wages, Payment of Wages, Equal Remuneration and Payment of Bonus on the pretext of simplifying them for compliance and coverage.

Lack of focus of policymakers irrespective of governments on internal migration was at play with ample glare after the announcement of lockdown in India in March last year. Migration as a form of livelihood has been more a story of compulsion rather a monetary choice for the labourers of south Rajasthan. However, the impact of the meagre remittances received by the families in poor villages back home has often been a strong incentive for the younger lot to abandon schools and take the bus to Gujarat. The region is covered under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) area in Union Budgeting for special financial and scheme privileges. The TSP mode which has been diluted substantially after the winding up of the Plan Budgeting further clouds the possibility of any improvement in the lives of people in the region. While labour migration continues unabated, there seems little chance for the Adivasi communities of south Rajasthan to migrate out of poverty in near future.

 Written by Santosh Koshy Joy

Source: Indian Express, 21/01/21

Getting top foreign universities to open campuses requires more institutional autonomy

 The National Education Policy-2020 (NEP-2020), the fourth since Independence, was rolled out in July 2020 and has led to intense discussion on school and higher education. The most challenging aspect of the policy is the implementation of even those aspects on which there is some sort of consensus. The earlier education policies (1968, 1986 and the 1986 revised in 1992) were lauded as documents with clear vision. However, these policies could not yield much due to faulty implementation.

There are many provisions in the policy for improving the quality of higher education. For the first time, internationalisation of higher education has been highlighted as an objective. One such provision is to invite the top 100 World Class Universities to open international branch campuses (IBCs) in India. The underlying assumption is to raise the standard of research and teaching to international levels and slow down the out-bound mobility of Indian students. The biggest challenge would be the inclination of top universities to establish a campus in India. Not many such universities have such policies in place. At the same time, many universities are yearning to turn truly global and hold institutional mobility as a prerequisite.

Internationalisation of higher education in India has a pre-history. Many top foreign universities collaborate with Indian higher education institutions such as IITs and central universities for research and knowledge transfer. The collaboration has been strengthened by government’s schemes such as GIAN and SPARC. Conventional wisdom dictates that the existing research and academic collaborations between foreign and Indian institutions would facilitate the entry of IBCs in India.

To explore the potential of the policy of branch campuses and gauge the mood of top universities’ interest in India, a series of conversations have been held with experts, academic administrators and global heads of foreign universities. The discussions throw up interesting points. Top foreign universities are willing to respond positively provided there is sufficient clarity in areas essential for operationalisation of branch campuses in India. Interestingly, such universities are not looking forward to state sponsored infrastructure of the kind that the Dubai Knowledge Hub has offered — ready to move in campus, office space, and other facilities. A closer look at the IBCs suggests that these campuses are driven by the desire to accumulate profit in the manner of business enterprises. This implies that India will have to allow IBCs to repatriate income. The outflow of the money may not necessarily be 100 per cent of what these universities earn in India, but it will have to be a significant amount. As of now, there does not seem to be a viable model to balance the ploughing back of the resources earned in India and cash remittances to the parent university.

A key issue in the internationalisation of higher education is the preference for subjects and the areas of research considered rewarding. Social sciences and humanities do not generally figure in the imagination of decision makers — they are not seen as profitable ventures. There does seem to be a heartening change in this respect. However, here, and in a much greater measure compared to the science and business-oriented courses, foreign institutions demand more autonomy in framing and changing curriculum, daily functioning of the institution, the freedom to say no to industries, and even in the manner the institution is branded. The favourably inclined foreign universities also expect to be treated on par with Indian institutions in matters of government funding and scholarships. In return, they are willing to implement the Indian policy of social inclusion in higher education in their IBCs.

A related aspect of internationalisation of higher education is India’s keen interest on increasing the inflow of foreign students. The Study in India programme was launched in April 2018 with generous scholarships. Top universities encourage their students to go abroad for a semester or a year. Exposure to multiple cultures, subjects and pedagogies is deemed to be an asset and part of cultural capital. India is no doubt a potential destination for such study abroad experiences although it must be admitted that it is not happening on a large scale. The establishment of IBCs in India would gel well with the Indian quest for the in-bound mobility of students and scholars. The international standards maintained by the IBCs would be attractive enough for international students to explore and experience Indian education and culture.

Written by Anamika

Source: Indian Express, 22/01/21

Quote of the Day

 

“Fight with yourself, why fight with external foes? He, who conquers himself through himself, will obtain happiness.”
Lord Mahavir

“स्वयं से लड़ें, बाहरी दुश्मन से क्या लड़ना? जो स्वयं पर विजय प्राप्त कर लेता है, उसे आनंद की प्राप्ति होती है।”
भगवान महावीर

Kamalam: Gujarat renames Dragon Fruit

 The Gujarat Government is to patent the Dragon Fruit in the name of “Kamalam”. Kamalam is also the name of the BJP state party headquarters in Gujarat.

Dragon Fruit

• The Dragon fruit is a cactus variety fruit. It is widely cultivated in South east Asia, United States, Australia, India, Caribbean islands and Mesoamerica.
• The total lifespan of a Dragon fruit plant is fifteen to twenty years. They grow in regions where summer temperatures rise above forty degrees Celsius.
• Dragon Fruits grow only during summers. They do not grow in the rest of the year. However, when they grow their growth is rapid.
• Dragon flowers bloom only at night. It occurs only once in a year. They rely on nocturnal pollinators such as moths and bats for fertlization.

Dragon Fruit Cultivation and Demands in India

India imports 95% of its Dragon fruit from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The Dragon Fruit has great export potentials to countries such as USA, Gulf and European. The farmers in the states of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka have taken up Dragon Fruit Cultivation only in the recent years.

Vietnam is the largest producer and exporter of Dragon Fruit. The fruit was brought here by the French.

 Farmer Benefits

• The Dragon Fruit plants are raised on poles. One pole can support four plants. In an acre, more than 300 poles can be installed. Commercial planting is highly beneficial as they can be planted in clusters. Thus space consumption in dragon fruit cultivation is very minimal.
• They will require only one to two litres of water per day. This can easily be achieved through drip irrigation.
• Also, Dragon fruits fetch good rates. They are sold for Rs 300 to Rs 400 per kilogram.
• In India, Dragon fruits are consumed for their taste and health benefits.

Current Affairs – January 20, 2021

 

India

Parakram Diwas

On January 19, 2021, the Union Culture Ministry announced that the birth anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose is to be celebrated as Parakram Diwas every year .

PM Modi named Somnath Temple Trust chairman

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was chosen as the new chairman of the trust that manages the world famous Somnath Temple in Gujarat. Prime Minister Modi is the second person to hold the post after the former Prime Minister Morarji Desai.

Uttarakhand increases number of working days from hundred to 150 under MGNREGA

The Uttarakhand government recently announced that it is increasing the working days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act from hundred to 150.

Science City at Tepesia, Assam

On January 19, 2021, The Assam Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of the Science City at Tepesia, Assam.

Kiren Rijiju assigned additional charge of Ministry of Ayush

The Ayush Minister Shripad Naik is hospitalized following a road accident. Therefore, the Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has been assigned the additional charge of Ministry of Ayush.

Oncologist Shanta dies at 93

The renowned oncologist Dr Shanta recently died in Chennai at the age of 93. She was the chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute. She has received Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.

Azim Premji wins Press Club of Bangalore award

The Founder chairman of Narayana health Dr Devi Prasad Shetty and the chairman of Wipro Limited Azim Premji have been selected for the annual awards given by the Press Club of Bangalore.

Task force on marriage age submit report to the Prime Minister Office

The task force set up to relook the marriage age of women has submitted its report to the Prime Minister office and the Ministry of Women and Child development. The committee was formed under Jaya Jaitley in June 2020.

Economy and Corporate

ICICI, SBI and HDFC remain Domestic Systematically Important banks

On January 19, 2021, the Reserve Bank of India said that SBI, ICICI and HDFC banks continue to be Domestic Systematically Important Banks.

National startup advisory council

The Government of India has decided to nominate non official members on the National Startup Advisory Council for a term of 2 years.

Madhya Pradesh gets additional financial resources

The Department of Expenditure has granted permission to mobilize additional financial resources of 1,423 crores of rupees to the Madhya Pradesh government. This is because, the state of Madhya Pradesh has successfully completed one out of three stipulated reforms in the power sector.

Compensation charges levied on air pollution non-compliant entities

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently announced that the inspection teams constituted to abate air pollution has levied environmental compensation charges of 76 lakhs of rupees on non-compliant entities.

National Conference of States on logistics

On January 19, 2021, the Union Minister of Railways, Commerce and Industry Consumer Affairs Shri Piyush Goyal addressed the first National Conference of States on logistics.

India Digital summit

On January 19, 2021, the India Digital Summit was organised by the Internet and Mobile Association of India.

Airport Authority of India sign agreement with the Adani group to manage Thiruvananthapuram airport

On January 19, 2021, the Airport Authority of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Adani group to manage and develop the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in spite of the opposition from the state and cases in the supreme court.

World

India to supply covid-19 vaccines to 6 countries

On January 19, 2021, India announced that it will supply covid-19 vaccines to Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Seychelles and Myanmar.

S400 training for Indian Military Specialist in Moscow

By the year end the Indian military specialists are to receive S400 training in Moscow. In October 2018, India signed a 5.43 billion USD of deal with Russia for 5 S400 missiles in spite of objections from the United States and threat of CAATSA.

Iran and six other countries lose Right to vote in United nations

On January 18, 2021, the United Nations announced that Iran and six other countries have lost their rights to vote in United Nations General Assembly. This is because these countries have not paid their dues. The countries are Libya, Niger, Congo Brazzaville, Central African Republic, Zimbabwe and South Sudan.

Turkey slaps advertising ban on Twitter in interest

On January 19, 2021, Turkey slapped advertising ban on Twitter and pin interest over their non-compliance with a new controversial law that requires social media platforms to appoint legal representatives in the country.

World Economic Forum announces Davos Agenda Summit

The World Economic Forum recently announced that the Davos Agenda Summit is to be held between January 25 and January 29, 2021.

Sports

India wins four test series in Australia

On January 19, 2021, India defeated Australia by three wickets in the fourth and final test in Australia and retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Cambridge University unveils free course for disadvantaged students

 The University of Cambridge on Wednesday launched a free one-year foundation year course targeted at talented students from backgrounds of educational and social disadvantage in the UK as a new route to address the world-renowned institution’s diversity agenda.

The one-year course is aimed at a new stream of applicants who have the ability to succeed at Cambridge University, but have been prevented from reaching their full potential by their circumstances.

The university says it will prepare them for further learning and offer them the chance to progress straight to an undergraduate degree at the university.

The launch of the Cambridge foundation year will open up Cambridge to a new field of candidates and transform lives, said Professor Stephen Toope, Cambridge Vice-Chancellor.

Students will be drawn from a range of backgrounds, the common link being that their circumstances have prevented them from realising their academic potential. They will benefit from our personal approach to teaching and grow in confidence and understanding, and we will benefit from them joining and further diversifying our community, he said.

The Foundation Year course offers full one-year scholarships to all students accepted as part of this new course as a result of a 5-million pounds gift from philanthropists Christina and Peter Dawson.

Up to 50 foundation year students will arrive at Cambridge in the programme’s first intake in October 2022, after applying directly through Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) by the January 2022 deadline, and undergoing interviews and assessments to identify their aptitude.

Those who have been in care, those estranged from their families, and those who have missed significant periods of learning because of health issues are among the groups the Foundation Year aims to reach students whose education has been disrupted and are therefore unlikely otherwise to be able to make a competitive application to undergraduate study at Cambridge through the University’s standard admissions process.

Other possible candidates include students who have been unable to access suitable qualifications, those from low-income backgrounds, and those from schools which send few students to university.

Professor Graham Virgo, Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, said: The University’s work to explore new ways of widening access and closing the attainment gap caused by inequality is absolutely vital at a time when those the Foundation Year is aimed at who already face exceptional disadvantage are likely to have felt the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic disproportionately.

Cambridge is committed to further diversifying its student body and welcoming all those who have the ability to achieve here, regardless of background.

The students will study at one of the 13 Cambridge colleges participating in the pilot scheme, and will benefit from the community, support and academic stimulation this offers, which is intrinsic to the Cambridge experience. They will study an engaging and challenging multi-disciplinary curriculum in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences that will prepare them for further study in these subjects. It is anticipated that as the Foundation Year programme develops, more subjects could be added, for example STEM [Science, Tech, Engineering and Mathematics] subjects.

On successful completion of the programme, students will receive a recognised CertHE qualification from the University of Cambridge, and with suitable attainment can progress to degrees in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Cambridge without the need to apply to the University again.

Students will also be supported during the programme in finding alternative university places if they do not wish to continue to undergraduate study at Cambridge, or do not meet the required level of attainment.

Indeed, the need for this Foundation Year has become ever clearer as the pandemic has exacerbated inequities and disadvantages. Peter and I are firmly committed to doing whatever we can to support Cambridge in addressing educational disadvantage in wider society, and are thrilled to have enabled the launch of such a ground-breaking and impactful programme, said Christina Dawson.

It is expected that the Foundation Year will further increase the proportion of Cambridge students from state-funded schools, low progression postcodes of the UK and from areas of socio-economic deprivation

Source: Indian Express, 13/01/21

Delhi University’s Vidya Vistar Scheme aims academic cooperation with other varsities

 An academic cooperative system between colleges and departments of the Delhi University and those of other Indian universities is on the cards, acting vice-chancellor P C Joshi said while releasing the DU’s six-month report card on Tuesday.

Through the initiative, “Vidya Vistar Scheme” (V2 Scheme), the DU has proposed to make available its faculties, library, and other academic facilities to the partnering institutions for academic cooperation and collaboration.

“The V2 Scheme has already started. Letters have been sent to all colleges and departments. Now we are giving them the freedom to chose. We are not imposing anything.

“For now, we are talking about all our online resources. DU has state-of-the-art resources, our lectures, textbooks, projects, everything. In the coming time, we will see if we can invite researchers here and share our laboratories and other facilities with them,” Joshi said.

The scheme will involve organising online and offline lectures, workshops, faculty training, conducting joint researches, and publishing in collaboration.

The DU administration is yet to hear from the participating colleges, he added.

Charting the course for future, the acting VC said the university will focus on improving its QS Ranking, which is an annual global university ranking, and bring to fore the its rich 100-year history.

“My mission right now is Mission 500, which is to be ranked between QS Ranking 400-500. Currently, we are at 510. It means we will have to improve ourselves at several fronts to get to that number. This involves recruitments, promotions, teaching methods, our researches, and connections with our alumni,” Joshi said.

The university will mark its 100th anniversary in 2022, for which the administration is planning to create a “DU Encyclopedia”.

“I am forming a new committee that will be involved with the 100-year history of DU and creating a DU encyclopedia. There are so many people who have been a part of DU, but we don’t know much about them since we weren’t working in that direction,” he said.

Talking to media, the acting vice-chancellor detailed the university’s activities in the last six months.

The university has constituted a 42-member committee, chaired by Professor Vivek Suneja, for the implementation of National Education Policy 2020

Joshi informed reporters that the university conducted online open-book Examination (OBE) for the first time involving 2.5 lakh students in August and 1.7 lakh students in December last year.

This was also the first time that admission process was conducted entirely online. The DU issued digital degrees to 19,821 students and provisional certificates to 3,885 students.

“There will be a mixed (online and offline) convocation ceremony on February 27,” Joshi said.

In the last six months, the DU signed an MoU with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations as well as with 18 universities across the world for the purpose of academic cooperation and collaborations with Indian and foreign scholars and students.

Joshi took charge as acting VC when Yogesh Tyagi went on medical leave. Later Tyagi was suspended over allegations of administrative lapses and a probe committee was set up in late October last year.

Source: Indian Express, 20/01/21