UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 31st December 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Indian National Congress (INC): From Foundation to Present Day

Subject: Modern History

Why in News?

On December 28, 1885, the Indian National Congress (INC) was established, marking the beginning of a significant journey in Indian politics.

• The INC’s journey from influencing British policy to leading India’s nationalist movement, dominating post-independence politics, and its current decline offers a rich political narrative.

Indian National Congress: Inception in 1885

• Founding by AO Hume: Allan Octavian Hume, an English bureaucrat, founded the INC to advocate for greater self-governance in India.
• First Session: The inaugural session in Bombay saw 72 reformers, journalists, and lawyers unite, aiming not for independence but to influence British policies favorably for Indians.
• Safety Valve Theory: The INC initially served as a platform for Indians to express grievances, seeking to unify diverse population segments and regenerate the nation across various dimensions.

Politics of Petitions

• Early Challenges: The Congress faced criticism from both the British and Indians; the former for disrupting the status quo and the latter for its passive resistance approach.
• Composition and Critique: Dominated by educated, upper-class individuals, the INC was often seen as too moderate and not sufficiently representative of all Indians.
• Internal Divisions: By 1906, ideological differences led to a split between the moderates (Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Surendranath Banerjea) and the extremists (Bal Gangadhar Tilak), particularly over responses to the Bengal Partition.

Leadership under Mahatma Gandhi

• Reunification and Transformation: The INC, under Gandhi’s influence from 1915, transformed into a mass movement, focusing on social issues like caste discrimination and poverty.
• Diverse Membership: Despite its Hindu upper-caste dominance, the party included members from various ethnic and religious backgrounds.
• Purna Swaraj Declaration: At the 1929 Lahore session, the INC, under Jawaharlal Nehru’s presidency, committed to complete independence, a goal achieved in 1947 but marred by Partition.

Dominance in Post-Independence India

• Electoral Success: The INC’s legacy and organizational strength led to victories in the first six general elections.
• Policy Direction: Under Nehru, the party promoted secularism, socialist economics, and non-aligned foreign policy.
• Internal Power Struggles: Post-Nehru, internal conflicts emerged, notably between Indira Gandhi and the party’s old guard, leading to a split into Congress (R) and Congress (O).

Onset of Decline

• Electoral Setbacks: The Emergency period (1975-77) led to the INC’s first national electoral defeat in 1977.
• Fluctuating Fortunes: While it regained power, the 1989 loss marked the end of its dominance, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerging as a strong alternative.
• Recent Struggles: The INC’s significant reduction in parliamentary strength in the 2014 and 2016 elections underscores its ongoing decline.

Source: Indian Express

Salton Sea

Subject: World Geography

Why in News?

The U.S. Department of Energy recently discovered the world’s largest Lithium reserve beneath California’s Salton Sea.

GS-II

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)

Subject: International Relations

Why in News?

India recently announced that it has provided US $ 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East or the UNRWA for the welfare of Palestinian refugees.

GS-III

Understanding the Psychology and Impact of Plastic Consumption 

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

Plastic, with its beneficial properties like durability, has become a ubiquitous part of modern life.

• Environmental Impact: Approximately 50% of plastic is used only once before being discarded, contributing to significant environmental issues, including ocean pollution.

Psychological Aspects of Plastic Use

• Consumer Behavior Influence: The omnipresence of plastic shapes consumer choices and behaviors, influenced by marketing strategies, packaging design, and product aesthetics.
• Packaging and Brand Perception: Packaging plays a crucial role in plastic use, with visual appeal and brand image significantly impacting consumer preferences.
• Color Psychology in Packaging: The use of color in packaging design evokes specific emotions and expectations, influencing purchasing decisions.

Convenience Factor and Limited Alternatives

• Role of Convenience: Plastic packaging’s ability to keep products fresh and hygienic has been a key driver of its market dominance.
• Lack of Economical Alternatives: The absence of affordable alternatives for food packaging often leaves consumers with no choice but to opt for plastic-wrapped items.

Pro-Environmental Behavior (PEB) and Plastic Use

• Understanding PEB: Limiting plastic use and purchase is an example of pro-environmental behavior, influenced by awareness, knowledge, and values.
• Factors Influencing PEB: Concern about plastic, knowledge of its effects, and the perceived commitment of others to address its impact play roles in shaping PEB.

Market Trends and Social Influences

• Impulsive Buying and Social Media: The growth of social media and peer pressure have been linked to increased compulsive buying behaviors, often leading to increased plastic consumption.
• Influence of Social Norms: Social norms promoting consumption have led to an increase in plastic use, despite its environmental costs.

Stages of Behavioral Readiness in Plastic Consumption

Five Stages of Readiness include-

1. Pre-contemplation,
2. Contemplation,
3. Preparation,
4. Action, and
5. Maintenance.

Role of Storytelling and Marketing in Plastic Awareness

• Emotional Engagement: Storytelling in marketing can emotionally engage customers with the lifecycle of plastic items, enhancing environmental awareness.
• Positive and Negative Impacts: Marketing power can influence consumer behavior both positively and negatively in the context of plastic use.
• Objective vs. Subjective Knowledge: Understanding the specifics of an issue (objective knowledge) versus personal belief or awareness (subjective knowledge) influences behavior.
• Barriers to Action: Lack of personal connection, gradual environmental impact, moral disengagement, and immediacy issues are barriers to taking action against plastic pollution.

Way forward

• Role of Education and Design: Knowledge is crucial, but behavioural change also depends on product design that encourages environmentally friendly choices.
• Supplier and Retailer Responsibility: Minimizing packaging, using recyclable materials, and clear recycling instructions are key steps.
• Policy Initiatives: Policies raising awareness of plastic pollution’s effects can facilitate a sustainability-focused behavioural shift.
• Emergence of Sustainable Brands: As consumers increasingly look to brands for sustainable options, there is a growing market for environmentally conscious products.

Conclusion

• Critical Role of Habit Change: Altering consumer habits is essential for environmental protection, requiring a multifaceted approach involving education, policy, and market innovation.
• Sources: Insights drawn from the Sustainability and Consumer Behaviour Report 2022 by Deloitte United Kingdom and research by Mittali Tyagi, PhD Scholar at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies.

Source: The Hindu

Mukurthi National Park

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

Recently, the Tamil Nadu’s Forest Department has begun an investigation of a private helicopter’s unauthorised flyby over Mukurthi National Park.