Indian Society & Social Justice - 3 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Bhoodan-Gramdan Movement

Context

Recently, a village in Maharashtra moved to the Bombay High Court, demanding the implementation of the Gramdan Act.

What is Gramdan?

• Bhoodan Movement:
  • Background:
    • It was a socio-political movement started by Vinoba Bhave in 1951 in India.
    • Vinoba Bhave was a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi who chose him as the first individual Satyagrahi and had actively participated in India's Freedom Struggle.
    • After independence, he realized that the issue of landlessness was a major problem faced by rural India and in 1951, he started the Bhoodan Movement or the land gift movement.
  • Objectives:
    • It aimed to persuade wealthy landowners to donate a portion of their land to landless peasants.
    • The movement gained momentum when Bhave walked from village to village, requesting landowners to donate their land.
    • Bhave's approach was rooted in the philosophy of non-violence and the idea that the landowners should donate their land out of compassion and empathy for the poor.
• Gramdan Movement:
  • The next phase of the Bhoodan movement was the Gramdan Movement or the village gift movement.
  • It aimed to create self-sufficient villages by bringing about collective ownership of land.
  • The Gramdan movement urged villagers to donate their land to a village council, which would then manage and distribute the land to the villagers.
  • This movement gained support from many political leaders and was seen as a solution to the problem of unequal distribution of land in rural India.
• Significance of the Movement:
  • The movement was successful in many parts of India, with thousands of acres of land being donated by landowners.
  • The Bhoodan-Gramdan Movement had a significant impact on Indian society and politics; it helped in reducing landlessness, bringing about a more equitable distribution of land and empowerment of rural communities along with promoting self-sufficiency.
  • It paved the way for the protection of natural resources by giving everyone in the community equal rights and responsibilities towards them and empowering the communities to move towards self-governance.
• Drawbacks:
  • Sometimes, the land donated was either unfertile or under litigation.
    • Hence, large areas of land were collected but little was distributed among the landless.
  • It was not successful in areas where there was disparity in landholdings.
  • Also, the movement also failed to realize its revolutionary potential.

What is the Current Scenario of the Gramdan Act?

• Gramdan Act in Different States:
  • Today, seven states in India have 3,660 Gramdan villages, the highest being in Odisha (1309).
    • The other six are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
  • In September 2022, the Assam government repealed the Assam Gramdan Act, 1961 and Assam Bhoodan Act, 1965, by passing The Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 to counter encroachment on donated lands in the state.
    • Till that time, Assam had 312 Gramdan villages.
• Some Common Features of Gramdan Act:
  • At least 75% of the landowners in the village should surrender land ownership to the village community. Such land should be at least 60% of the village land.
  • 5% of the surrendered land is distributed to the landless in the village for cultivation.
    • Recipients of such land cannot transfer the same without the permission of the community.
  • The rest remains with the donors; they and their descendants can work on it and reap the benefits.
    • However, they cannot sell it outside the village or to one in the village who has not joined Gramdan.
  • All the cultivators who have joined Gramdan should contribute 2.5% of their income to the community.
• Concerns:
  • The act has lost its relevance in many villages mainly due to poor implementation of the law.
  • In some villages, the descendants of those who had given their land under Gramdan are frustrated that they cannot sell their land outside the village and call the act ‘anti-development’.

How is the Act Significant for Forest Conservation?

• The Gramdan Act can help ensure community forest rights by empowering local communities to take control of their natural resources, including forests.
• Under the Gramdan Act, land and other resources are vested in the community, which means that the community has the power to make decisions about how these resources are used and managed thus giving them a say in forests management and the benefits from their sustainable use.
• In the context of community forest rights, the Gramdan Act can provide a legal framework for communities to assert their rights over forest land and resources.

Hakki Pikki Tribal Community

Context

Tribals from Karnataka's 'Hakki-Pikki', a semi-nomadic tribal community, are stuck in violent Sudan.

Details

• Thirty-one members of the 'Hakki-Pikki' tribe are stuck in Sudan, where violent confrontations are ongoing between an elite paramilitary force and the country's armed forces.
• The Hakki-Pikki had run out of food since the riots began this weekend.
• According to the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been informed about the status of the tribals in Sudan.
• The stranded people have been advised not to leave their current location and to follow the counsel of the Indian Embassy there.
• India is working closely with other countries to ensure the safety and security of its citizens in Sudan.

Background

• The HakkiPikki is a Kshatriya or warrior tribal community who had to migrate to South India after being defeated by the Mughals.
• 'Hakki' means 'bird' in Kannada, and 'Pikki' means 'to catch'. As a result, the group is known as the 'bird catcher,' referring to their traditional work.
• Hakki-Pikki has a population of 11,892 people, according to the 2011 census.

About

• It is a nomadic community that originated in the forests of Karnataka.
• It is a Scheduled Tribe of Karnataka.
• They are also known as Kirshaka Bandi, which means "farmers' enemies" because they used to raid the crops of the settled farmers.
• They are well-known for their traditional medicines. For a long time, the group lived in the deep woods and developed its plant and herb-based medicinal systems.
  • Traditional medicinal knowledge of the Hakki-Pikkis is in high demand in numerous African countries. As a result, for many years, community members have travelled to the continent.
• They have their dialect, which is a mixture of Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Marathi.

Social Structure

• The tribe has a unique social structure, based on clans and sub-clans.
• Each clan has a headman, called a Nayaka, who is responsible for the welfare and discipline of the clan members.
  • The Nayaka also acts as a mediator in case of disputes or conflicts among the clan members or with other clans.
• The tribe follows a matrilineal system of inheritance, where property and wealth are passed down from mother to daughter.
  • Women also have more authority in decision-making and leadership roles within the family and the community.

Life Style

• The Hakki Pikki tribe has a distinctive way of life, which is influenced by their nomadic nature.
• They live in temporary huts made of bamboo and grass, which they dismantle and carry with them when they move to a new place.
• They wear colourful clothes and ornaments, made of beads, shells, coins, and feathers.
• The tribe has a rich and diverse culture, with their language, customs, beliefs, and traditions.
• Scholars dubbed their mother tongue "Vaagri." They communicate in 'Vaagri' at home but speak Kannada daily.
  • UNESCO has designated 'Vaagri' as one of the endangered languages.

Economic Activities

• They follow a mixed economy that involves hunting, gathering, farming, fishing, and trading.
• After bird hunting was prohibited, they began doing odd jobs like working in fields and sharpening knives and sickles while riding their bicycles around towns.
• They also collect honey, fruits, roots, herbs, and medicinal plants from the forest.
• They cultivate crops like rice, millet, maize, and vegetables on leased land or as sharecroppers.
• They trade their products with other communities or sell them in local markets.
• They are famous for their handicrafts, which they make from animal bones, horns, feathers, skins, shells, beads, and metal.
• They also sell the herbal treatments that they produce.

Religious Beliefs

• They practice animism, which is the belief that all living and non-living things have a spirit or soul.
• They worship various gods and goddesses, such as Mariamma, Beerappa, Maramma, and Kariyamma.
• They also believe in magic, witchcraft, and sorcery, and consult shamans or healers for curing diseases or solving problems.

World Malaria Day

Context

• World Malaria Day is being observed on 25th April.

World Malaria Day

• It is an international observance commemorated every year to recognize global efforts to control malaria.
• Theme – “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”.
• World Malaria Day was first held in 2008. It was developed from Africa Malaria Day.
• WHO officially endorses disease-specific global awareness days for only four diseases namely, HIV-AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Hepatitis.

Malaria 

• Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by parasites (Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale) that are transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
• In the human body, parasites initially multiply in liver cells and then attack the Red Blood Cells (RBCs).
• There are 5 Plasmodium parasite species that cause malaria in humans and 2 of these species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest threat.
• It is predominantly found in the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, South America and Asia.
• It is preventable and curable.
• Malaria symptoms include high fever, chills, headache and other flu-like symptoms.
• Iinfants, children under 5 years, pregnant women, travelers and people with HIV or AIDS are at higher risk of severe infection.

India’s Malaria Burden

• In 2021, India accounted for 79% of all malaria cases in Southeast Asia, according to the World Malaria Report 2022, released by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• India also accounted for about 83% of all malaria deaths in the region.

Critical challenges on road to elimination

• Disruptions due to COVID, potential effects of climate change, humanitarian crisis, health system shortfall, and limited donor funding are some of the challenges in combating malaria.
• Absence of private sector in the fight, hidden malaria burden, lack of intersectoral action, exclusion of private health providers (local/traditional healers), and lax behaviour change communication.

Malaria Vaccines

• RTS,S:
  • RTS,S (branded as Mosquirix) reduces the risk of malaria by nearly 40%.
  • It trains the immune system to attack the malaria parasite
  • Bharat Biotech, based in Hyderabad, has been granted a licence to manufacture this vaccine.
• R21:
  • R21, otherwise referred to as Matrix-M malaria vaccine, is the second vaccine ever developed for a disease (NOT APPROVED BY WHO YET)
  • Ghana and Nigeria have granted approval
  • manufactured by SII (Serum Institute of India), world’s largest vaccine manufacturer.

Initiatives  

• WHO’s Initiatives: 
  • The WHO has also identified 25 countries with the potential to eradicate malaria by 2025 under its ‘E-2025 Initiative’.
  • The WHO’s Global technical strategy for malaria 2016–2030 aims to reduce malaria case incidence and mortality rates by at least 40% by 2020, at least 75% by 2025 and at least 90% by 2030 against a 2015 baseline.
  • WHO has initiated the High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) initiative in 11 high malaria burden countries, including India. 
• India’s Initiatives:
  • National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016-2030)- India’s vision to be malaria-free by 2027 and to eliminate the disease by 2030.
  • Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India)
    • Established by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
    • It is a conglomeration of partners working on malaria control
  • The Health Ministry has also initiated a joint action plan with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for malaria elimination in tribal areas.
  • Real time data monitoring through an integrated health information platform (HIP-Malaria Portal).

NITI Aayog’s Annual Health Index 2020-21

Context

• The three southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana emerged as the top performers among the ‘larger states’ in the NITI Aayog’s annual ‘health index’ for the Covid year of 2020-21.

About the Index

• The annual Health Index, measures the performance of states and Union Territories, comprising 24 health performance
• It was launched by the NITI Aayog in 2017.
• The Aayog publishes the index in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Health and the World Bank.

Findings of the Recent Report

• Although the 2020-21 (Fifth) Health Index Report is to be released by December 2022, it is yet to be made public.
• It is now understood that the NITI Aayog has shared the report with the Health Ministry.
• When contacted, a NITI Aayog official said the report would be released in due course.
• The Health Index rates states and Union Territories on two parameters – incremental performance (year-on-year improvement) and overall performance.
• States and Union Territories – categorized separately as ‘Large States’, ‘Small States’ and Union Territories – are then ranked based on their scores.
• Among the 19 ‘large states’, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana are in the top three positions, ranking first, second and third respectively in terms of overall performance.
• Bihar (19th), Uttar Pradesh (18th) and Madhya Pradesh (17th) are at the bottom of the list.
• In terms of incremental performance, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Odisha have grown as performers in 2020-21 over their performance in 2019-20.
• Among the eight smaller states, Tripura recorded the best overall performance, followed by Sikkim and Goa; Arunachal Pradesh (6th), Nagaland (7th) and Manipur (8th) are at the bottom.

GANHRI Defers Accreditation of NHRC

Context

• The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), a UN-recognized organization, has deferred the accreditation of India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC-India) for the second time in a decade.

Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)

• Purpose: To promote and protect human rights globally.
• Year Established: 1993
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Members: National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from various countries.
• Key Functions:
  • Promoting and strengthening NHRIs worldwide.
  • Advocating for human rights at national, regional, and global levels.
  • Facilitating cooperation and sharing of best practices among NHRIs.
  • Providing capacity-building support to NHRIs, among others.
• Organizational Structure:
  • President: Elected from GANHRI members for a specified term.
  • Bureau: Assists the President in overseeing GANHRI’s work.
  • Sub-Committees: Focused on specific thematic or regional issues.
• Key Documents:
  • Paris Principles: Provide guidance for the establishment and operation of NHRIs.
  • GANHRI Strategy: Outlines the organization’s strategic objectives and actions.

Reasons for India’s Deferment

• GANHRI's letter to the NHRC cited several reasons for the deferment of accreditation, including:
  • Political Interference: Objections related to political interference in appointments, compromising its independence.
  • Police Involvement: Concerns about involving the police in probes into human rights violations and its impact on impartiality.
  • Lack of Cooperation: Poor cooperation of NHRC with civil society, hindering its effectiveness.
  • Lack of Diversity: Highlighted the lack of diversity in staff and leadership positions within the NHRC.
  • Insufficient Protection of Marginalized Groups: NHRC's failure to protect marginalized groups, contrary to the U.N.’s principles on national institutions (the ‘Paris Principles).

Concerns Highlighted Against India:

• Many NGOs, including Amnesty International and Front Line Defenders, wrote a joint letter to GANHRI expressing objections to NHRC India’s ‘A’ rank.
• They highlighted the commission’s failure to protect marginalized communities, religious minorities, and human rights defenders.
• The NHRC’s functioning has regressed since 2017, undermining its independence and adherence to the Paris Principles.

Paris Principles and Accreditation Criteria

• The United Nations’ Paris Principles, adopted in 1993, serve as international benchmarks for accrediting National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).
• The Paris Principles outline six main criteria that NHRIs must meet, including:
  • Mandate and Competence
  • Autonomy from Government
  • Independence
  • Pluralism
  • Adequate Resources
  • Powers of Investigation

Background of NHRC-India

• The NHRC-India was established under the Protection of Human Rights Act enacted by Parliament in 1993.
• It has held ‘A’ status accreditation since 1999, retained in 2006, 2011, and 2017, despite a previous deferment.
• This status allows participation in the work and decision-making of GANHRI, the Human Rights Council, and other U.N. mechanisms.

Response from India

• The NHRC clarified that the deferment by the Sub Committee on Accreditation (SCA) does not affect its current ‘A’ status accreditation and associated privileges.
• The reaccreditation process is still ongoing, and the SCA has recommended advocating with the government and Parliamentarians for legislative amendments to improve compliance with the Paris Principles.
• The NHRC assured that they have addressed most of the issues raised by the SCA and will submit a response shortly as part of the ongoing process.

Way Forward

• To address concerns, the NHRC-India should:
  • Strengthen Independence
  • Promote Diversity
  • Improve Protection of Marginalized Groups
  • Address Legislative Amendments

Conclusion

• By implementing these measures, the NHRC-India can strengthen its functioning, regain the confidence of GANHRI and human rights organizations, and ensure the effective protection of human rights in India.

World Food India 2023

Context

In celebration of the International Year of Millets in 2023, India's Ministry of Food Processing Industries will be organizing the second edition of 'World Food India 2023', which aims to showcase India's rich food culture and attract global investments in the diverse food processing sector.

• The event will take place from 3^rd-5^th November 2023 in New Delhi.

What is World Food India 2023?

• About:
  • World Food India 2023 is a gateway to the Indian food economy, facilitating partnerships between Indian and foreign investors.
  • It will be a one-of-a-kind gathering of manufacturers, producers, food processors, investors, policymakers, and organisations from across the global food ecosystem.
  • It is a promising platform to showcase, connect and collaborate in retail, processing, technology transfer, manufacturing, and cold chain logistics, along the global food value chain.
    • It will showcase investment opportunities in backward linkages, processing equipment, research and development, cold chain storage, start-ups, logistics, and retail chains.

Focus Pillars:

• Shree Anna (Millets): Leveraging India’s Super Food for the World
  • Millets are ancient grains that have been part of India’s rich heritage for millennia.
    • They are super foods that provide high nutrition, gluten-free options, climate resilience, and eco-friendliness.
    • Millets can enhance food security, nutrition security, and sustainability in the face of global challenges such as climate change, population growth, and malnutrition.
  • The United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023) with the aim of increasing the production and consumption of millets worldwide.
• Exponential Food Processing: Positioning India as the Global Hub
  • India has a vision to become a global hub for food processing and create a competitive advantage for itself in the world food market.
  • To achieve this vision, India intends to boost its enablers that can support and accelerate its food processing industry.
  • One of the key enablers is Financing Agri Food Value Chains. Providing adequate and affordable credit to the food processing sector, especially to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that constitute a major part of the industry is one of the key focus areas of India.
• Strategic Segments: Unlocking Potentials for Growth
  • India has a dynamic and diverse food processing industry that encompasses several sub-sectors such as marine products, fruits and vegetables products, meat and poultry products, RTE/RTC (packaged foods), and dairy products.
    • These sub-sectors have immense potential for growth in terms of production, consumption, exports, and value addition.
  • India is one of the world's largest producers and consumers of food products.
    • India leads the world in the production of milk, bananas, mangoes, papayas, guavas, ginger, okra and buffalo meat, ranks second in the production of rice, wheat, potatoes, garlic, cashew nuts.
• Efficient Ecosystem - Harnessing Opportunities with Inclusion
  • An efficient and all-encompassing ecosystem necessitates dismantling barriers and establishing a coordinated and integrated framework. The creation of value chains and the promotion of knowledge sharing are crucial to generate inclusive opportunities.
  • In order to entice foreign investment, the government has opened the doors to 100% foreign direct investment and is making efforts to enhance its standing in the Ease of Doing Business index.
• Sustainable Development: Processing for Prosperity
  • Sustainable Development constitutes a fundamental component in the attainment of Processing for Prosperity.
  • These technologies, encompassing renewable energy sources and sustainable agricultural and food processing practices, have become prominent and promising trends, signifying a transformation in the global approach towards a more sustainable future.

World Food India 2017

• The Ministry of Food Processing Industries launched the first edition of World Food India in 2017 with the theme of Transforming the Food Economy.
  • The event aimed to introduce the world to India's diverse and rich food culture.