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GS-I/Modern History

Mahatma Gandhi and Satyagraha

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

On June 7, 1893 MK Gandhi was thrown off a train’s first-class compartment at the Pietermaritzburg railway station in South Africa that triggered Gandhi’s first act of civil disobedience, or satyagraha.

About the Mahatma Gandhi and Satyagraha

• Mahatma Gandhi, a name synonymous with peace and nonviolent resistance, has left an indelible mark on the world with his philosophy of Satyagraha.

Birth of Satyagraha

• Gandhi coined ‘Satyagraha’ during his time in South Africa to distinguish his movement from passive resistance.
• Derived from ‘satya’ (truth) and ‘agraha’ (insistence), Satyagraha translates to ‘truth-force’ or ‘soul-force’.
• Unlike passive resistance, which could include violence and was seen as a weapon of the weak, Satyagraha was a method of nonviolent protest for the strongest, completely excluding violence.

Pietermaritzburg Incident

• On June 7, 1893, young lawyer MK Gandhi was thrown off a train’s first-class compartment for ‘whites only’ at Pietermaritzburg railway station, South Africa.
• This incident triggered Gandhi’s first act of civil disobedience or Satyagraha, marking a crucial moment in his life.

Principles of Satyagraha

• Satyagraha was envisioned by Gandhi as a universal solvent for injustice and harm, not just a political tactic.
• Satyagrahis were asked to follow principles such as nonviolence, truth, non-stealing, non-possession, body-labour, control of desires, fearlessness, equal respect for all religions, and economic strategies like boycotts of imported goods.
• Satyagraha extends from daily living to the construction of alternative political and economic institutions.
• It seeks to conquer through conversion: aiming for harmony rather than victory or defeat.

Satyagraha in Practice

• One of the earliest implementations in India was during the Champaran movement in Bihar.
• The Champaran Satyagraha marked a significant shift in power dynamics between indigo planters and oppressed peasants, demonstrating Satyagraha’s effectiveness.

Power of Satyagraha

• Gandhi’s Satyagraha was a moral and spiritual philosophy emphasizing the power of truth and moral courage in achieving social and political change.
• He believed in civil disobedience as a protest against the injustice of laws made by lawmakers.

Global Impact of Satyagraha

• The principles were central to India’s struggle for freedom, influencing movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, and Quit India Movement.
• These principles also influenced global movements such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s Civil Rights Movement in the US and Nelson Mandela’s struggle against apartheid.

Legacy

• Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha shaped India’s freedom struggle and influenced numerous movements worldwide.
• Satyagraha remains a major tool against imperialism and is adopted by protest groups in various countries.
• Today, Satyagraha continues to inspire millions in their quest for justice and equality amid various social and political challenges.

GS-II/Polity and Governance

Demand for Bifurcation of States in India

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated into two states 10 years ago and resulted into formation of a new state of Telangana.

Reorganisation of States in India

Pre-Independence Era

• Territorial Division: India was divided into numerous princely states, provinces, and regions under British control.
• Administrative Boundaries: Boundaries were drawn based on administrative convenience, not linguistic, cultural, or ethnic considerations.

Creation of States

• Linguistic States Movement: Post-independence, the demand for linguistic states gained momentum.
  • The Andhra Pradesh Movement was significant, based on the Telugu-speaking population.
• States Reorganisation Commission (SRC): Established in 1953 to examine linguistic state demands.
  • Based on SRC recommendations, Indian states were reorganized along linguistic lines in 1956.
  • This led to the formation of states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Punjab.

Factors Responsible for Demands for a Separate State

1. Linguistic and Cultural Identity: Communities seek representation and protection of their distinct language, culture, and heritage.
2. Regional Disparities: Economic and developmental disparities between regions fuel demands for bifurcation.
3. Political Representation: Regions feel underrepresented in state and national governments, seeking better political representation and empowerment of local leaders.
4. Resource Allocation: Disputes over distribution of resources like water, land, and revenue drive demands for separate states.
5. Historical Grievances: Historical injustices, perceived discrimination, and unresolved past grievances contribute to demands for state bifurcation.

Challenges

1. Political Opposition: Significant opposition from political parties and interest groups with vested interests.
2. Administrative Reorganization: Creation of new administrative units and redistribution of resources lead to administrative inefficiencies and confusion.
3. Resource Allocation: Issues related to allocation of resources between newly formed states, leading to disputes and prolonged negotiations.
4. Social Integration: Bifurcation can affect social cohesion and integration, especially in diverse regions. Emotional attachments to existing state boundaries make changes contentious.

Way Ahead

• Ongoing Demand: The demand for new states or reorganization continues, driven by factors like regional identity, economic disparities, and governance issues.
• Future Reorganizations: Future reorganizations will require careful deliberation and negotiation to balance competing interests and maintain national unity and integrity.

Further Reorganizations

• 1966: Creation of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
• 2000: Formation of Uttarakhand (formerly part of Uttar Pradesh) and Jharkhand (formerly part of Bihar).
• 2014: Bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh to create Telangana.

GS-II/International Relations

Highs and Lows of India–US Convergence

Source: ORF

Why in News?

The assassination attempt on a Sikh separatist in the United States (US) has become a bone of contention between India and the US.

About NHCX

Overview

• National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX): A digital platform designed to integrate insurance companies, healthcare service providers, and government insurance scheme administrators.

Objectives

• Efficiency: Enhance the efficiency of claims processing.
• Transparency: Improve transparency in the exchange of health insurance claims data.
• Accuracy: Ensure the accuracy of claims processing among stakeholders.

Stakeholders

• Payers: Insurance companies.
• Providers: Healthcare service providers.
• Beneficiaries: Policyholders and patients.
• Regulators and Observers: Government and oversight bodies.

Benefits

• Seamless Interoperability: Integration with NHCX will enable seamless interoperability of health claims processing.
• Enhanced Efficiency: Streamlining the insurance industry’s processes, benefiting policyholders and patients.
• Transparency: Increased transparency in the claims process, ensuring fair and quick settlements.

Alignment with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

• Simplification: Aims to simplify the health insurance claims procedure.
• Unified Digital Platform: Contributes to creating a unified digital platform for healthcare services.

GS-III/Environment and Ecology

Santiago Network on Loss and Damage (SNLD)

Source: Down to Earth

Why in News?

The third Glasgow Dialogue on Loss and Damage took place at the 60th Session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB60) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany this week.

Why in News?

Grethel Aguilar, the director general of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), urged countries worldwide “to strive for a fully functional High Seas Biodiversity Treaty” on World Oceans Day 2024.

About UN High Sea Treaty

• It is also known as the agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). It is a landmark legally binding treaty adopted by the United Nations in June 2023.
• The treaty aims to protect and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which cover nearly two-thirds of the world's oceans.
• The high seas are those areas of the world’s oceans that are outside national jurisdictions.
  • They constitute a huge chunk of the world’s oceans and are home to a wide variety of biodiversity. Despite this, less than two per cent of the world’s high seas are protected by law.
• So far only 7 countries — Belize, Chile, Mauritius, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Palau and the Seychelles — have ratified the treaty.
• The treaty will become international law only when it is signed and ratified by at least 60 countries. India has neither signed nor ratified the treaty.

Key Features

• Establishing large-scale marine protected areas to conserve 30% of land and sea by 2030
• Creating a framework for sharing benefits from marine genetic resources and technology transfer
• Implementing clear rules for environmental impact assessments
• Requiring free, prior, and informed consent from indigenous communities for accessing marine resources
• Setting up a clearing-house mechanism to share information and best practices among parties.