2023 07 04

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 1:

How Indian assimilation and secularism is better than French?

GS Paper 2:

Comparison of Affirmative Action in India and the USA
Impact of CSR funds

GS Paper 3:

6 years of GST
Different articles on Space

Content for Mains Enrichment

Data Scrapping
Taishoku Daiko

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Dharma Chakra Day
Gutti Koya tribe
Tam Pà Ling Cave
eSARAS mobile app
Gucchi Mushroom
Faunal and Floral Database

Mapping

India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway

How Indian assimilation and secularism is better than French?

GS Paper 1

Syllabus: Effects of Globalization on Indian Society/ Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism & Secularism

Source: IE

Context: After the police killed a teenager (Nahel) of Algerian descent in Nanterre (France), violent protests spread across France.

France’s ethnic composition:

France is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse countries in Europe.
At least 32% of France’s population under 60 has at least one immigrant ancestor → trace their origins to countries outside Europe, especially Africa.

The French African colonies:

The formal French presence in Africa began with the capture of Madagascar in 1642 and the establishment of a port at Saint-Louis (present-day Senegal) in 1659.
This was primarily fuelled by France’s desire to secure access to commodities such as gum Arabic and groundnuts, and the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
A second phase of French colonisation began with the invasion of Algiers in 1830.
By the early years of the 20th century, France held present-day Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Niger.
However, almost all of France’s African colonies achieved independence by 1962.

The root cause behind the killing:

Systemic racism in French policing: Young men who are Black/ of North African descent, are 20 times more likely to be subjected to police identity checks than the rest of the population.
The Continuing France’s Sphere of Influence and Migration:
- Critics say France’s exploitative relationship (Neocolonialism/ Last Stage of Imperialism) with its former colonies still continues.
- This includes repeatedly intervening in political affairs, having a considerable military presence and several economically extractive processes.
- An outcome of this situation – Africa’s continued impoverishment and the allure of European riches and quality of life – has been extensive migration from Africa to Europe.
- For former French countries, France has been the preferred destination, where minimum wages and workers’ rights are assured.
The failure of assimilation:
- After World War II, France suffered from massive labour shortages and actively lured cheap labour from its colonies.
- Over the decades, this led to a thriving African population in France, many of whom are today naturalised citizens.
- However, France’s uniqueness lies in the “physical presence and conceptual absence of cultural difference” – as it does not see itself as a pluralist or multicultural society.
- The French state has focussed on “assimilating” its diverse population into the “French ideal” by strictly adhering to political egalitarianism.
- Yet, this attempt at assimilation has remained incomplete, leading to deep tensions in French society.
Discrimination: African immigrants are among the poorest in the country → lowest levels of education, the highest levels of unemployment → highest rates of crime → bear the brunt of police violence, accentuated by ingrained racial attitudes.

Lessons to be learnt from India:

Secularism:

Unity in diversity:
- It relates to the state of togetherness or integrity despite the presence of infinite diversity.
- In India, it can be seen through national integration, growth and development, global recognition and peaceful coexistence.

Conclusion: In the era of globalisation and increased migration, governments should prefer a ‘salad bowl’ (an intercultural society can integrate different cultures while maintaining their separate identities) rather than a ‘melting pot’ (monoculture) metaphor.

Insta Links:

Strengthen secularism, save the republic

Mains Links

What can France learn from the Indian Constitution’s approach to secularism? (10 Marks)

July 4, 2023 /04 July 2023, 4 July CA, Comparing India and French society/ secularism, French assimilation, GS 1, Today's Article, Today’s article

Comparison of Affirmative Action in India and the USA

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Comparision of the Constitution of India with other countries

Source: IE

Context: The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) recently ruled on affirmative action in college admissions, limiting its use. We already covered a summary of the News (Affirmative Action in Higher Education). Here we will compare the affirmative actions of India and the USA.

Meaning of Affirmative Action:

Affirmative action refers to policies and practices aimed at promoting equal opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups, particularly in areas such as education, employment, and government contracts.

It involves taking proactive steps to address past discrimination and promote diversity and inclusion. Affirmative action can involve measures such as preferential treatment, quotas, or targeted outreach programs to ensure representation and equal access to opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Comparison of affirmative action in India and the United States:


Dimension	Affirmative Action in India	Affirmative Action in the USA
Purpose	Address historical social and economic inequalities based on caste	Address historical discrimination based on Race
Targeted Groups	Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC)	African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans
Reservation System	Reservation Quota policies provide reserved seats in education, employment, and politics	Quota systems are not used. Instead, diversity and inclusive policies are encouraged in the admission practices that seek to increase the representation of Black, Hispanic and other minority students in colleges and universities.
Origin	William Hunter and Jyotirao Phule in 1882 originally conceived the idea of a caste-based reservation system. Fundamental right under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Independent India constitution.	Civil Rights Act of 1964 which ban discrimination on various grounds.
Reservation Percentage	Fixed at 50% (Indra Sawhney judgement) for OBC, SC & ST in both employment and education	No fixed percentage. It depends on the institution or program and varies for different states of the USA
Criteria for Eligibility	Caste-based identity; Social, Education and economic (EWS quota) backwardness	Race, ethnicity, and historical disadvantage
Duration	Originally intended as a temporary measure in the Indian constitution, but extended to achieve social justice	Continues to evolve based on societal changes and legal interpretations
Controversies	The debate over extending reservations to other communities and concerns about reverse discrimination e.g., 2006 Anti-Reservation Protests; Patel and Jats demanding reservation	Controversies around misuse of affirmative policies.

The Argument for Affirmative Action:

Affirmative Action is a necessary policy to rectify the long-standing historical injustices faced by marginalized communities. It provides them with access to education, jobs, and public services, enabling social mobility and breaking the cycle of poverty. By promoting diversity and inclusion, reservation contributes to a more equitable and harmonious society.

Argument Against Affirmative Actions:

While the intention of Affirmative Action is laudable, it has some unintended consequences. Reservation can lead to divisions and animosity among different groups, and it may perpetuate the notion of caste in society. It also hampers meritocracy, as deserving candidates may be overlooked in favour of less qualified candidates from reserved categories. Instead, a more targeted and comprehensive approach addressing economic backwardness could be considered.

Way Forward:

To strike a balance, Affirmative policies should be reevaluated to target the most marginalized and economically disadvantaged individuals rather than perpetuating caste-based reservations. A strong focus on quality education and skill development for all, regardless of caste or creed, will empower the marginalized and ensure equal opportunities.

Conclusion:

Public awareness and dialogue on the purpose and implementation of reservation are essential to foster understanding and cooperation among diverse sections of society.

Mains Links:

Critically examine and compare how affirmative actions in India and USA have the backing of their respective Constitutions (250 Words)

July 4, 2023 /04 July 2023, Affirmative Action in India and USA, Reservation in India, Today's Article

Impact of CSR funds

GS Paper 2/4

Syllabus: Development process and the development industry/ Corporate governance

Source: ET

Context: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has flagged the limited impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives despite a spike in such spending in recent years.

What is CSR?

It is a commitment by businesses to integrate social and environmental concerns into their business operations.
India became the first country in the world to make corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandatory, following an amendment to the Companies Act, 2013 in April 2014.
Businesses can invest at least 2% of their net profit (over the preceding 3 years) in areas such as education, poverty, gender equality, and hunger as part of any CSR compliance.

Significance: Every company has a moral responsibility to play an active role in discharging social obligations, subject to the financial health of the company.

CSR trends in India:

Since the applicability of the mandatory CSR provision in 2014, CSR spending by corporate India has increased significantly.
For example, CSR spending stood at Rs 26,210 crore in FY21, having grown 80% from FY16.
The education sector received the maximum funding (38%) followed by hunger, poverty, and healthcare (25%), environmental sustainability (12%), and rural development (11%).

Examples of CSR in India:

Tata Group: It has engaged in women empowerment activities, income generation, rural community development, and other social welfare programs.
Ultratech Cement: The company has organised medical camps, immunisation programs, sanitization programs, water conservation programs, organic farming programs, etc.
Mahindra & Mahindra: It runs programs such as Nanhi Kali focusing on education for girls, Mahindra Pride Schools for industrial training, and Lifeline Express for healthcare services in remote areas.

Concerns:

The impact of the CSR funds is not widely felt.
Programs such as technology incubators, sports, and armed forces, reducing inequalities saw negligible spending.
Regional disparities as the Companies Act require companies should give preference to the areas around which they operate while allocating CSR funds.

Way ahead:

Companies need to adopt a long-term approach “to yield productive results”. This will –
- Enhance the visibility as well as the impact of invested funds
- Strike the right balance of capital investments and operational expenses
- Ensure the initiatives undertaken become self-sustaining – running seamlessly without being a burden on the companies themselves.
The highest quality risk management framework needs to be adopted, so as to make the CSR projects sustainable
It is imperative to strike a balance between local area preferences with national priorities to avoid any concentration of CSR funds in specific regions.

Conclusion: The emphasis should be on creating an appropriate structure for CSR, ensuring that the funds go towards the well-being of the community.

Insta Links:

CSR funding of NGOs

Mains Links:

Case Study: CSR Funding in Amaria (UPSC 2020)

July 4, 2023 /04 July 2023, 4 July CA, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), GS 2/4, The Companies Act 2013, Today's Article, Today’s article

6 years of GST

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources

Source: HT

Context: With the implementation of a Goods and Services Tax (GST) on July 1 2017, India took a huge step towards modifying its indirect taxation system.

About Goods and Services Tax (GST):

It is an indirect tax (not directly paid by customers to the government) that came into effect on July 1, 2017, as a result of the 101st Amendment to the Indian Constitution.
It is imposed on both manufacturers and sellers of goods, as well as suppliers of services.
For tax collection, it is divided into five tax slabs – 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%.

About GST Council:

It is an apex committee to modify, reconciles or make recommendations to the Union and the States on GST, like the goods and services that may be subjected or exempted from GST, model GST laws, etc.
Article 279A of the Indian Constitution empowers the President of India to constitute a joint forum of the Centre and States called the GST Council.

Need for GST:

The inclusion of several indirect taxes at various levels of the supply chain hampered the Indian tax system.
This resulted in a complicated and fragmented tax framework that included excise duty, service tax, VAT, central sales tax (CST), and other taxes.
These led to tax cascading (tax on tax), raising the entire tax burden on goods and services.
Hence, the primary goal of GST is –
- To simplify the tax system by substituting a single indirect tax for several indirect levies
- Eliminating tax cascading by establishing a uniform tax structure

Achievements of GST:

Revenue collection:
- The average growth rate of Gross GST revenue from 2018-19 to 2022-23 stands at 3%, surpassing the nominal GDP growth rate of 9.8%.
- The (June 2023) collection has crossed the 1.6 lakh crore mark for the 4th time since the inception of GST.
- This is noteworthy as indirect taxes typically exhibit lower buoyancy – an increase in its revenue rate without increasing the tax rate.
A seamless market and digitised compliance:
- GST laid the foundation for a seamless national market, reshaping India’s tax landscape and driving economic growth.
- By digitising processes from registration to return filing, the GST portal ensured smoother compliance for businesses, fostering a tech-enabled environment.
- It paved the way for other significant indirect tax reforms, including e-way bills and e-invoicing, promoting transparent data sharing between businesses and the government.
Empowering the manufacturing sector: GST’s impact on the manufacturing sector was remarkable, as it eliminated the cascading effect of taxes and reduced manufacturing costs.

Challenges still persisting:

Complexities in return forms and the ambiguity surrounding tax rates and classifications of certain goods and services lead to disputes and uncertainty.
Combating tax fraud remained a priority, with measures in place to ensure compliance and weed out fraudulent businesses.

Some areas that deserve attention are:

Commence taxation of petroleum crude, high-speed diesel, petrol, natural gas and aviation turbine fuel and similarly, alcohol meant for human consumption;
Inclusion of other levies such as electricity duty, stamp duty, etc;
Clarifying taxation of online gaming activities, transactions involving cryptocurrency, etc.
The officials should also look into rationalisation of the tax rates (slabs); upgrading the law to deal with a digital world and keep up with the various technological developments.

Conclusion:

The implementation of GST has definitely been a success but is still a new reform with the potential to witness phenomenal growth and harmonisation in the coming years.
GST has shown immense promise, reshaping the economy and driving digitization while also confronting challenges and fraud.

Insta Links:

Five years stronger

Mains Links:

Explain the rationale behind the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act of 2017. How has COVID-19 impacted the GST compensation fund and created new federal tensions? (UPSC 2020)

Prelims Links: (UPSC 2017)

What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing ‘Goods and Services Tax (GST)’?

It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India.
It will drastically reduce the ‘Current Account Deficit’ of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves.
It will enormously increase the growth and size of the economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Ans: 1

July 4, 2023 /04 July 2023, 101st Constitutional Amendment, 4 July CA, 6 years of GST, GS 3, GST Council, Today's Article, Today’s article

GS Paper 3

Source: IE, TH, phys.org

Context: There were multiple articles on space in the last week, we have tried to compile them together here.

The origin of life and the presence of organic molecules in space:

Scientists have identified key steps for life to emerge, such as the formation of complex organic molecules.
Organic molecules, including those essential for life, are primarily carbon-based.

Discovery of the CH3+ molecule and its implications for life:

CH3+ is a basic building block for more complex reactions.
The molecule’s unique “fingerprints” were identified in light emitted by a disk of dust and gas around a young star in the Orion Nebula.

Euclid telescope mission to investigate dark energy and dark matter:

The Euclid telescope, developed by the European Space Agency, aims to investigate dark energy and dark matter.
Dark energy and dark matter are believed to constitute 95% of the known universe.
It will survey galaxies up to 10 billion light years away and precisely measure their distances.

Neutrino Observatory’s view of the Milky Way and its cosmic insights:

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica detected neutrinos emitted by astrophysical sources.
Neutrinos are “ghost particles” ideal for studying high-energy processes in the universe.
Researchers analyzed data from ten years and identified nearly 60,000 neutrino events.
The findings offer insights into cosmic rays and provide a basis for future advancements.

Discovery of low-frequency gravitational waves and their significance:

Scientists confirmed the existence of low-frequency gravitational waves predicted by Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity.
Gravitational waves are ripples in space-time caused by the movement and merging of massive objects.
Radio telescopes studying pulsars detected inconsistencies in radiation bursts, indicating the presence of gravitational waves.
These waves likely originated from the merger of large black holes at the centres of galaxies.
The discovery expands our understanding of the universe, black holes, and the workings of space-time.

Insta Links:

Space Technology

Mains Link: UPSC 2016

Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development?

July 4, 2023 /04 July 2023, Discovery of the CH3+ molecule, Euclid telescope mission, GS3, IceCube Neutrino Observatory, low-frequency gravitational waves, SCIENCE, space, Today's Article

Data Scrapping

Content for Mains Enrichment

Source: HBL

Context: Twitter has implemented temporary reading limits to address issues of data scraping and system manipulation.

Verified accounts are now limited to reading 6,000 posts per day, while unverified or new accounts can read 600 and 300 posts per day, respectively.

What is Data Scrapping?

Data scraping refers to the automated process of extracting large amounts of data from websites or digital platforms. It involves using software or scripts to gather information from web pages, or platforms like Twitter and then using the data for creating new content, journalism or research purpose.

Issues:

Data Scraping may lead to copyright infringement, breach of privacy, manipulation and misuse of data etc.

Usage: The term can be used to highlight ethical issues of copyright infringement.

July 4, 2023 /04 July 2023, Data Scrapping, Today's Article

Taishoku Daiko

Source: TH

In Japan, where loyalty to companies and lifetime employment are highly valued, job-hopping is often stigmatized and seen as shameful. To assist those who want to quit their jobs, “taishoku daiko” or “job-leaving agents” have emerged in recent years.

These services provide support to individuals, primarily in their 20s and 30s, who wish to leave their current employment. They offer advice on how to resign with minimal complications.

Usage: The example can be used in Society/Sociology paper to highlight cultural and societal norms dictate work values rather than just economic incentives.

July 4, 2023 /04 July 2023, Taishoku Daiko, Today's Article

Dharma Chakra Day

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: President of India (at the Dharma Chakra Pravartan Divas celebrations) highlighted the importance of Buddha’s teachings and called upon the youth to draw inspiration from them.

Key highlights:

The president emphasized the significance of following Sheel, Sadhachar, and Pragya to empower the younger generation and create a positive impact on society.
The construction contract for the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in Lumbini, Nepal was also awarded.

What is Dharma Chakra?

The dharma chakra or wheel of dharma is a widespread symbol used in Indian religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, and especially Buddhism. In Buddhism, the Dharma Chakra is widely used to represent the Buddha’s Dharma (Buddha’s teaching and the universal moral order)

About Dharma Chakra Day:


Dharma Chakra Day is celebrated to commemorate Buddha’s first teaching after attaining enlightenment. It is observed on the full moon day of Asadha in the Indian sun calendar. It is also observed as Guru Purnima, a day to honour spiritual teachers, by both Buddhists and Hindus.
Date	4th July 2020
Organized by	Ministry of Culture in partnership with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)
Significance	Second most sacred day for Buddhists after Buddha Poornima (Vesak)
Commemorates the Dhamma Cakka-Pavattana Sutta, including the Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path

The day marks the beginning of the Rainy Season retreat for monks and nuns.

Other Names	Asadha Poornima (India); Esala Poya (Sri Lanka); Asanha Bucha (Thailand)
Guru Purnima	Falls on a full-moon day in the Hindu month of Ashadh. Dedicated to Maharshi Veda Vyasa, editor of the Vedas and creator of Hindu scriptures. Also marks Lord Buddha’s first sermon delivered at Sarnath on the same day. Believed to mark the onset of monsoons

July 4, 2023 /04 July 2023, Dharma Chakra Day, Guru Purnima, Today's Article

Gutti Koya tribe

Source: TH

Context: The tribe living along the Andhra Pradesh-Chhattisgarh border, keeps its customs and memories alive through stone memorials erected in honour of their physician, priest, and village leader.

The memorials, made of large stones, symbolize the tribe’s gratitude and are accompanied by rituals and feasts organized by the families of the deceased.

The Koya population is primarily found in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. They speak the Koya language, which belongs to the Dravidian language family. One of the most significant festivals celebrated by the Koyas is the Sammakka Saralamma Jatra, which occurs once every two years on the full moon day of the Magha Masam (January or February). This festival takes place in Medaram village, located in the Mulug taluk of Warangal district. Their livelihood depends on animal husbandry and forest produce.

July 4, 2023 /04 July 2023, Gutti Koya tribe, Today's Article

Tam Pà Ling Cave

Source: TH

Context: New research published in Nature Communications has revealed that humans arrived in Southeast Asia much earlier than previously thought. The findings are based on evidence found in Tam Pà Ling Cave in northern Laos.

Findings:

Early human migration to Asia involved the arrival of Homo sapiens in Southeast Asia at least 68,000 years ago, according to recent evidence from Tam Pà Ling Cave in Northern Laos.
This discovery challenges previous assumptions and suggests that the region, including mainland, coastal, and island locations, could have been a viable dispersal route.
The presence of Denisovans, an extinct human relative, further highlights the complexity of early human movements and interbreeding with other hominin species.
Significance of the finding: The discoveries in Tam Pà Ling Cave contribute to our understanding of the ancient human journey across the world.

About Tam Pà Ling Cave:

Tam Pa Ling is a cave in the Annamite Mountains in northeastern Laos. It is situated at the top of Pa Hang Mountain, 1,170 m above sea level.

Who were Denisovans?

Denisovans were an extinct group of hominins, or human relatives, known primarily from remains found in Siberia and Tibet. They lived hundreds of thousands of years ago and coexisted with Neanderthals and early modern humans.

Dating method used in the cave:


Dating Method	Description
Luminescence dating	Measures the last exposure of crystalline materials to sunlight or heat. Uses quartz and feldspar.
Uranium series dating	Measures uranium and its decay products within a tooth to determine its age.
Electron spin resonance dating	Measures the number of electrons in tooth enamel to estimate the fossil’s age.
Micromorphology	Examines sediments under a microscope to assess the layers’ integrity containing the fossils.

July 4, 2023 /04 July 2023, Laos, Tam Pà Ling Cave, Today's Article

eSARAS mobile app

Source: PIB

Context: The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has launched the eSARAS mobile app to support the marketing of products made by women in self-help groups (SHGs).

The app aims to provide a platform for the marketing of authentic handicrafts and handlooms. The initiative aims to promote local products and enhance livelihood opportunities for SHG members.

Usage: The example can be used in e-governance/Governance questions related to SHGs.

July 4, 2023 /04 July 2023, eSARAS mobile app, Today's Article

Gucchi Mushroom

Source: DTE

Context: Gucchi mushroom hunters are facing distressing circumstances for the second consecutive year as a result of unpredictable weather patterns, early springs, and above-average temperatures, leading to another season of low yield.

These mushrooms are sought after for their nutty, earthy flavour and are notoriously difficult to find.

About Gucchi Mushroom:

The Guchhi mushroom is a species of fungus in the family Morchellaceae of the Ascomycota. They are pale yellow in colour with large pits and ridges on the surface of the cap, raised on a large white stem.
These mushrooms are also replete with health benefits. They are rich in potassium, vitamins and copper. They are also a rich source of vitamin D apart from several B vitamins.
It is further rich in antioxidants that prevent health issues including heart diseases and diabetes by removing reactive oxygen species that harm the body.

Climate change, deforestation, and habitat destruction have also contributed to the rarity of gucchi mushrooms. The reduction in supplies has impacted both pickers and traders, leading to a decline in the overall production of morels.

July 4, 2023 /04 July 2023, ENVIRONMENT, GS3, Gucchi Mushroom, Species in news, Today's Article

Faunal and Floral Database

Source: TH

Context: In 2022, India witnessed significant additions to its faunal and floral databases. A total of 664 animal species were added, including 467 new species and 197 new records.

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) compiled the faunal discoveries in a publication called “Animal Discoveries – New Species and New Records 2023,” while the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) published the plant discoveries in “Plant Discoveries 2022.”

Findings:

The state of Kerala recorded the highest number of new discoveries, with 82 animal species and 15 new records.
The discoveries encompassed various taxa, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and more.

July 4, 2023 /04 July 2023, ENVIRONMENT, Faunal and Floral Database, GS3, Today's Article

India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway

Mapping

Source: TH

According to the Union Ministry of Road and Transport, approximately 70% of the construction work on the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway has been completed.

India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway (IMT Highway), a 1,360 km long route, is a highway under construction under India’s Look East policy that will connect Moreh, India with Mae Sot, Thailand via Myanmar. Also, there is a proposal to extend it to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam

July 4, 2023 /04 July 2023, India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, Today's Article