05 Mar 2022: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 05 Mar 2022:-Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. India abstains again in UN vote
2. Russia seizes Europe’s largest nuclear plant
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. Ruckus in Haryana Assembly as govt. tables anti-conversion Bill
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
ETHICS
1. Russia’s war, the impracticality of violence
HEALTH
1. Being ready
F. Prelims Facts
1. Nokkukooli remains unchecked in Kozhikode
2. New gin berry species discovered in T.N.
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

2. Russia seizes Europe’s largest nuclear plant

Syllabus: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Mains: Concerns with attack on Nuclear power plant

Context:

Russian forces seized the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.

What is the issue?

  • After taking the strategic port city of Kherson, Russian forces moved into the territory near Zaporizhzhia and attacked the nearby city of Enerhodar to open a route to the nuclear plant.
  • Russia had already captured the defunct Chernobyl plant north of Kyiv, which spewed radioactive waste over much of Europe when it melted down in 1986.
  • Europe’s largest nuclear power plant was hit by Russian shelling, sparking a fire and raising fears of a disaster.

What are the concerns?

  • The International Atomic Energy Agency warns that waging war in and around such facilities presents extreme risks.
  • One major concern is that if fighting interrupts the power supply to the nuclear plant, it would be forced to use less-reliable diesel generators to provide emergency power to operating cooling systems.
  • A failure of those systems could lead to a disaster similar to that of Japan’s Fukushima plant, when a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011 destroyed cooling systems, triggering meltdowns in three reactors.
  • Another danger at nuclear facilities is the pools where spent fuel rods are kept to be cooled, which are more vulnerable to shelling and which could cause the release of radioactive material.
  • Ukraine is heavily reliant on nuclear energy, with 15 reactors at four stations that provide about half the country’s electricity.

Nut Graf
Russian shelling of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant that sparked a fire at one of its six reactors has raised fears of a disaster that could affect central Europe for decades, like the Chernobyl meltdown.

Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Ruckus in Haryana Assembly as govt. tables anti-conversion Bill

Syllabus: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Prelims: Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2022

Mains: Critical evaluation of Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2022

Context:

  • The government in Haryana introduced its new anti-conversion Bill in the Assembly.

Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2022:

  • The Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2022 prohibits conversion by allurement, coercion or fraudulent means, etc.
  • The provisions provide for declaring marriages, which were solemnised by concealment of religion, null and void.
  • The provisions provide greater punishment for such conversion in respect of minors, women, Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.
  • Also, individuals converting from one religion to another have to submit to the prescribed authority a declaration.

Government’s rationale behind the Bill

  • Many incidents of purported forcible conversions have been reported in Haryana in recent months.
  • There have been instances when gullible people have been converted by offering allurement or under undue influence.

Criticism of the Bill

  • Several opposition members raised strong objections, specifically to the reasoning for bringing such a Bill.
  • They called the Bill “unconstitutional” and termed it the government’s attempt to “create a divide in the society on the basis of religion”.

Nut Graf

The anti-conversion bill introduced by the Haryana Government has run into controversy with the opposition questioning the government’s motives. While conversions by forceful and fraudulent means are to be checked, the government while bringing in a law, should consult with all the stakeholders and ensure that this law is not used to harass people.

E. Editorials

Category: ETHICS

1. Russia’s war, the impracticality of violence

Syllabus: Ethics: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions.

Mains: The significance of Non-violence and the role of India as a champion of Non-violence.

Context

Russia’s violent war on Ukraine has resulted in its isolation from the global community.

Response by the rest of the world

  • The violent invasion by Russia has put the distress of innocent Ukrainian citizens who are made the victims of the war into the fore rather than Russia’s own long-standing fears of suppression by the west.
  • Even the countries with colonial pasts, who were expected to support Russia’s concerns, felt morally compelled to go against Russia.
  • India has been caught up in the “catch 22” situation.
    • India shares a hostile neighbourhood with Pakistan and China which has an economy six times larger than India’s and is more self-reliant in defence equipment.
    • India cannot deeply depend on the distant U.S. and hence it needs Russian support.

Read more about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

India and Non-violence

  • India is a global champion of non-violence.
  • Mahatma Gandhi, the ‘father of the nation’ is a global icon for non-violence.
  • Gandhiji advocated non-violence not only as a moral principle in fights for justice but also shaped up methods of non-violent resistance with which the weaker masses united and prevailed against well-established powers.
  • Gandhiji’s methods were followed globally by leaders of the civil rights movement in the U.S., uprisings against Communist regimes in Eastern Europe, and the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa.

Significance of Non-violence

  • Even the leaders fighting for justice for the masses can lose the support of the masses if the movement becomes violent.
  • Attitudes and activities of the masses associated with the struggle are crucial because, if sympathetic, they would be provided with facilities and supplies.
  • Even the invading leaders require the support of their own civilian populations for the safety and supplies of their troops, non-violent actions are capable of impacting the resources of the ruling authority by drawing sympathy from its own citizens.
    • Example: The U.S. government lost the support of its own citizens due to the deaths caused by its military action in Vietnam.
  • Gandhiji’s strategy of non-violent civil disobedience was based on this principle.

Endorsement of Violence in the recent times

  • Histories of conflicts valorise wars and generals more than the non-violent campaigners.
  • Towns and streets are named after George Washington, Nathanael Greene, Henry Knox, and the Marquis de Lafayette who were known for violent movements and their statues are raised on pedestals.
  • Dates of major wars are memorised and war strategies are analysed for lessons.
  • Children grow up playing violent games which bring in millions in profit for the creators.
  • Violence is also endorsed and normalized in movies and other videos for the sake of profits.

The role of India as a champion of Non-violence

  • India must condemn and stand up against all violence irrespective of who is involved, where it is happening and what the reason is.
  • India must be a role model for showing the world a non-violent path to justice by also practising what it preaches.
  • India should also show restraint by not being tempted to take up violence in the country, for settling grievances both within and outside the country.

Nut Graf
The world must show restraint in endorsing, promoting and justifying violent actions and instead should popularise the non-violent ones as “nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it”.

Category: HEALTH

1. Being ready

Syllabus: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health

Mains: The role of vaccination in tackling covid infections and the need for scaling up production.

Background

  • India’s number of covid cases daily has reduced to about 6,000 from reporting around 1,70,000 cases.
  • India now accounts for only 0.7% of global cases.
  • Over 75% of those over 15 years are now fully vaccinated in India.

Impact of Vaccination

  • Reports suggest that about 90% of Indians have been exposed to the virus and this along with the vaccination, is sufficient to protect against disease.
  • Reports also emphasize that vaccination hesitancy makes one vulnerable to serious infection. It is reported that 92% of those who died of COVID-19 since January 2022 were unvaccinated.
  • Various reports highlight that the wide vaccination coverage has played a crucial role in saving many lives.
  • India has done a commendable job in overcoming vaccine hesitancy in the early stages of the drive.

Read more about Vaccine Hesitancy.

The need for ramping up vaccine production

  • India’s major challenge currently is the insufficiency in the number of vaccines.
  • Although India has administered about 178 crore vaccine doses and has approved a number of vaccines, there are still serious doubts about their supply.
  • Currently, the demand for vaccines is low and is expected to rise quickly in case of a fourth wave for vaccinating children and also for booster doses for adults.
  • The experience of vaccine manufacturers being unable to ramp up vaccinations during the crisis should be a constant reminder to all the companies.
  • The government must also give clarity on the timeline for when the approved vaccines from Biological E, Gennova and Zydus Cadila will be available for use.

Read about Mission COVID Suraksha.

Nut Graf
Reports prove that mass vaccinations have been a lifesaver during the third wave of the pandemic and as the world is engaged with different crises, India must not let its guard down and should prioritise scaling up the vaccine production to be ready to tackle future waves of the pandemic.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Nokkukooli remains unchecked in Kozhikode

Syllabus: GS-2: Polity and Governance: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Prelims: Nokkukooli

Context:

There has been alleged indifference of the police to complaints against nokkukooli (gawking fee).

Nokkukooli:

  • Nokku kooli is a euphemism for extortion by organized labour unions in Kerala.
  • Under this practice, wages are paid to trade union activists for allowing common householders/investors/builders to unload belongings/materials using machines or their own labour.

2. New gin berry species discovered in T.N.

Syllabus: GS-3: Environment and Ecology:

Prelims: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

Context: 

A team of scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have discovered a new gin berry species from the Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu.

About the Species:

  • The species, Glycosmis albicarpa is endemic to the southern Western Ghats.
  • The species belongs to the Orange family Rutaceae.
  • Berries of the Glycosmis species have the unique characteristic of ‘gin aroma’.
  • The species is an evergreen small tree.

Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary:

  • This protected area in Kanyakumari is a tiger habitat located in Tamil Nadu.
  • There are seven rivers that originate in this forest, including the Tamaraibarani and Pahruli rivers.
  • The area is a wildlife corridor with high biodiversity, and in addition to tigers, is home to the threatened species: Indian Bison, elephant, Indian Rock Python, Lion-tailed Macaque, Mouse deer, Nilgiri Tahr and Sambar deer.

G. Tidbits

Nothing here for today!!!

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Which of the following is/are correctly matched?

        Rescue Mission Name             Country

  1. Raahat                                               Yemen
  2. Maitri                                                 Nepal
  3. Safe Homecoming                            Syria
  4. Sukoon                                             Lebanon

Options:

  1. 1, 2 & 4 only
  2. 2, 3 & 4 only
  3. 1 & 4 only
  4. All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

  • Operation Raahat was an operation of the Indian Armed Forces to evacuate Indian citizens and foreign nationals from Yemen during the 2015 military intervention by Saudi Arabia and its allies in that country during the Yemeni Crisis. Hence pair 1 is correct
  • Operation Maitri (Operation Amity) was a rescue and relief operation in Nepal by the government of India and Indian armed forces in the aftermath of the April 2015 Nepal earthquake. Hence pair 2 is correct
  • Operation Safe Homecoming was an operation launched by the Indian government in 2011, to evacuate its citizens who were fleeing from the Libyan Civil War. The air-sea operation was conducted by the Indian Navy and Air India. Hence pair 3 is not correct
  • Operation Sukoon: It was an operation launched by the Indian Navy to evacuate Indian, Sri Lankan and Nepalese nationals, as well as Lebanese nationals with Indian spouses, from the conflict zone during the 2006 Lebanon War. Hence pair 4 is correct
Q2. Consider the following statements with regards to IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency):
  1. In 2005, it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work for a safe and peaceful world.
  2. The IAEA was created in 1957 in response to the deep fears and expectations generated by the discoveries and diverse uses of nuclear technology.
  3. It is one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations.

Choose the correct code:

  1. a) 1 & 2 only
  2. b) 2 & 3 only
  3. c) 1 & 3 only
  4. d) All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

  • IAEA’s origins can be traced back to an address of the former US President Dwight Eisenhower to the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1953. 
  • The IAEA was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Hence Statement 1 is correct.
  • The address was known as ‘Atoms for Peace’ and this was the organization’s first name when it was formally established in 1957. Hence Statement 2 is correct.
  • It is not a specialized agency of the United Nations. Hence Statement 3 is not correct.
Q3. Which of the following is/are a part of Literary work done by Sri Aurobindo:
  1. An English newspaper called Bande Matram
  2. Bases of Yoga
  3. The Future Evolution of Man
  4. The story of my experiments with Truth
  5. Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol
  6. Hour of God

Options:

  1. All except 3 & 4
  2. All except 1 & 5
  3. All except 4
  4. All except 2 & 6
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

  • Some of the  literary works of Aurobindo are as follows: –
    • Bases of Yoga
    • Bhagavad Gita and Its Message
    • The Future Evolution of Mant
    • Rebirth and Karma
    • Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol
    • Hour of God
  • The Story of My Experiments with Truth is the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi, covering his life from early childhood through to 1921. Hence Statement 4 is not correct
Q4. _________________ is produced by electrolysis of water using renewable energy (like Solar,
 Wind) and has a lower carbon footprint.
  1. Gray Hydrogen
  2. Green Hydrogen
  3. Blue Hydrogen
  4. Brown Hydrogen
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

  • Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity. 
  • This is a unique process compared to the process of producing gray and blue hydrogen.
  • Hence option B is correct
Q5. With reference to the history of India, "Ulgulan" or the Great Tumult is the description 
of which of the following events?
  1. The Revolt of 1857
  2. The Mappila Rebellion of 1921
  3. The Indigo Revolt of 1859 – 60
  4. Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899-1900
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation: 

  • Munda Rebellion is one of the prominent 19th century tribal rebellions in the subcontinent. 
  • Birsa Munda led this movement in the region south of Ranchi in 1899-1900.
  • The ulgulan, meaning ‘Great Tumult’, sought to establish Munda Raj and independence. Therefore, the correct answer is (d).

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

  1. Assess India’s stand of ‘abstention’ on the UN resolutions moved against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Does it go against India’s long standing policy of nonviolence and peaceful settlement of disputes? (250 words; 15 marks)[GS-2, International Relations]
  2. With a possibility of a nuclear plant disaster turning into an apocalyptic event being much more than other power generation methods, it is time for the world to look beyond nuclear energy. Comment. (250 words; 15 marks)[GS-3, Disaster Management]

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 05 Mar 2022:-Download PDF Here

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