Daily Answer Writing Practice [Question 33, 14 August 20]
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Question 33: The Indian Ocean is becoming battleground among many countries. Discuss the importance of the Indian Ocean and recent Indian government strategy to maintain its supremacy in the Indian Ocean. (15 Marks, 250 Words)


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Daily Answer Writing Practice [Question 32, 14 August 20]
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Please find below the answer for daily answer writing practice for today

Question 32: The Indian Ocean is becoming battleground among many countries. Discuss the importance of the Indian Ocean and recent Indian government strategy to maintain its supremacy in the Indian Ocean. (15 Marks, 250 Words)


The Indian ocean is becoming battleground because of the conflicting maritime policies of extra-regional countries such as China’s maritime silk route policy, USA’s pivot to Asia, Japan’s arc of freedom and prosperity and India’s own maritime policies to maintain supremacy in the Indian Ocean.

The Indian ocean is important because of the following reasons:

1.Geostrategic significance because of the vital sea lanes of communication which connect eastern and western parts of the world and has important choke points such as Strait of Malacca, Strait of Hormuz, Bab-el-Mandeb, Sunda strait and others are important not only for India but also for global trade.

2.Energy Security as more than 80 % of the world’s seaborne trade in oil passes through the Indian Ocean choke points and for India’s 95% of the foreign trade including oil comes by the Indian Ocean.

3.Economic significance as the Indian ocean has huge resources such as oil and natural gas reserves, Uranium, iron, polymetallic nodules etc.

4.Providing security by containing piracy, maritime crime and controlling human trafficking in the Indian Ocean.

Steps taken to strengthen its supremacy in the India Ocean are:
1.Indian Ocean Naval Symposium to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.

2.Port development to secure bases in Indian Ocean littoral countries such as Duqm port in Oman for military use, Agalega in Mauritius, the naval base at Assumption Island in Seychelles and a deal with Singapore to use Changi naval base.
3.Defence cooperation such as Malabar exercise, RIMPAC, Varuna exercise with France, Anti-submarine exercise with USA Navy near Diego Garcia etc.

4.Infrastructure development in the form of Aircraft carrier development, nuclear and diesel submarine and focusing on increasing technical capability of Indian naval forces.


India has always been a ‘Net Security Provider’ in the Indian Ocean region and should maintain its position to secure its strategic and economic interests by investing in capability, collaboration and infrastructure development.


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As promised, we are now beginning the final countdown for the Prelims Exam.

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Daily Answer Writing Practice [Question 34, 15 August 20]
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The success of the Green Revolution in 1960s and 70s led to certain adverse social consequences. Discuss. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

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Daily Answer Writing Practice [Question 34, 15 August 20]
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The success of the Green Revolution in 1960s and 70s led to certain adverse social consequences. Discuss. (15 marks, 250 words)
Answer:
The phenomenal increase in food-grains production in the late 1960s and 1970s due to technological and policy support to the farmers is called as Green Revolution. It successfully achieved food security, improved agricultural productivity as well as farm incomes. These fundamental and rapid changes led to the emergence of new rich rural agrarian class with political capital. However, the record is not unblemished as there were certain negative environmental externalities and adverse social consequences.

Adverse social consequences:
1. Inter-regional disparity:
a. Since, it was successful in only certain area, it created regional disparity, leading to different lifestyles differences in areas like Punjab and Haryana vs regions like Bihar and Eastern UP.

2. Inequality, Unemployment and Migration:
a. It was mostly the medium and large farmers who benefitted from the new methods due to expensive inputs. It thus led to de-peasantisation of poor farmers who were forced to become agricultural labourers. (In 1970 and 1980, the small holdings in the Punjab decreased by around 25% due to their non-feasibility)
b. Mechanization and profitability of direct cultivation led to the eviction of tenants leading to the increased migration to the urban areas.

3. Religious fundamentalism and militancy:
a. Khalistan separatist movement got boost due to rising costs of investment in agriculture and perception of Punjab being treated as a colony by India for providing food-grains to the urban elites elsewhere.

4. Caste Conflicts:
a. Caste violence by ascendant castes (e.g. Jat Sikhs against Dalits) increased.
b. Consolidation of the status of the middle peasantry as a dominant class. It led power competition with the traditionally dominant upper caste groups.

5. Environment issues:
a. Soil degradation and pollution/depletion of groundwater became prevalent due to fertilizer and water intensive monoculture of wheat and rice.
b. Rising consumerism in values due to higher purchasing power leading to unsustainable development.

6. Health issues:
a. Even though overall calorie consumption increased, dietary diversity decreased for many poor people leading to nutrient deficiency and persistent micronutrient malnutrition.
b. Incidence of cancer and pulmonary problems are on the rise from pesticide/fertilizer overuse.

In view of the negative environmental and social consequences, many scientists and farmers’ movements now suggest an Evergreen revolution with environment-gender justice and sustainable-precision-organic agriculture to ensure equity and inclusivity in the agrarian sector.


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Daily Answer Writing Practice [Question 35, 16 August 2020]
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What is Minimum Support Price [MSP]? What are the key objectives that MSP serves? Discuss the key issues associated with current MSP regime in India. [15 marks, 250 words]

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Model Answer [Question 35, 16th Aug 2020]
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Daily Answer Writing Practice [Question 36, 17 August 20]
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Question 36: “Aptitude along with positive attitude provides altitude in life”. Comment (10Marks, 150 Words)

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Daily Answer Writing Practice [Question 35, 17 August 20]
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Question 35: “Aptitude along with positive attitude provides altitude in life”. Comment (10Marks, 150 Words)

Aptitude is the competency or natural ability to acquire new information or skills in some specific field. Aptitude could be a potential, which has as yet not been tapped and trained to a skill level.

It is used primarily to predict future performance. Every job requires a set of different aptitudes. For example- to a civil servant it is important to be good at analytical thinking, and good communication because he/she to understand the needs of all sections of the society and must interact with various stakeholders.

But, does only aptitude lead to altitude such as success, fame, recognition etc. in life? Most of the successful people from different sections of the society believe that between aptitude and altitude, there is an intervening component in the form of attitude, which is learned predisposition to act or react in a certain way.

Aptitude + Positive Attitude = Attitude (Success, fame etc.)

It means positive attitude provides a way of responding to a situation, contradictions, conflicts, crisis and allows one to use one’s ability (aptitude) to give the best performance when it is needed and enables one to make a difference in the world (altitude).

Hence, a positive attitude with the right amount of aptitude leads to high altitude in life.

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The Daily Answer Writing Practice
[Question 36, 18 August, 2020]

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The dismantling of the Planning Commission led to the establishment of an institution that balances federal aspiration in one hand and acts as the apex think tank on the other. Comment. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

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The Daily Answer Writing Practice
[Question 36, 18 August, 2020]

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The dismantling of the Planning Commission led to the establishment of an institution that balances federal aspiration in one hand and acts as the apex think tank on the other. Comment. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

Answer:
NITI Aayog was formed after dismantling Planning commission in 2015 by the present NDA government. The primary reason listed was the failure of planning commission in strengthening federalism and over centralisation.
NITI Aayog as evident from above has to function as a apex think tank since it came in the backdrop of the scrapped planning commission and as a body to promote federalist aspirations since it was instituted on the same promise.
The functions aligned are:
As a body to address federal aspirations:
• To work with state governments on national development priorities sectors and strategies.
• Develop federalism where national and state governments work with proper coordination and harmony.
• It doesn’t have the fund devolution power which the erstwhile planning commission had.
• It doesn’t have the power to confer any state as special state status.
• The composition itself indicates to the new era of cooperative federalism.
As an Apex think tank:
• It would be conducting studies, research on Macro socio- political Issue.
• It would formulate 3-year action, 7-year strategy and 15-year vision plan.(Short-Medium-Long term Action plan for the government)
• Helping Implementing schemes and initiatives for rural development.
• Ensure that economic strategy and policy work in the interest of national security.
• Advice and encourage partnership between key stakeholders and national and international like-minded think tank.
• Create a knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurial support system.
• Actively monitor and evaluate the implementation of programmes and initiatives.
Has it really lived up to its responsibilities??
Positives:
• It has been successful in acting as an apex think tank. The major pros has been digital payments movement, Atal innovation mission, South Asian Regional Conference on Urban infrastructure, Agreement with Microsoft for Artificial intelligence etc
• On federalist aspirations, the major takeaways have been Model land leasing law, reforms of APMC, reforming medical education, constitution of Himalayan State Regional Council etc.
Negatives:
• The cycle of policy making must be followed in true spirit, i.e. policy making must include collection of proper feedback and aligned action. NITI Aayog failed on this front.
• It is alleged that like the erstwhile planning commission, NITI Aayog too is issuing directives without consulting state governments.
• In the era of devolution of powers, a central body to decide on policy matters for the federal units looks out of context.

NITI Aayog must stick to its vision document and make sure that it doesn’t fall for the follies of erstwhile planning commission. Its performance would decide the fate of cooperative federalism in our country.

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The Daily Answer Writing Practice
[Question 37, 19 August, 2020]

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Discuss how the colonial as well as the nationalist legacies influenced the post-colonial Indian polity. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

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The Daily Answer Writing Practice
[Question 37, 19 August, 2020]
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Discuss how the colonial as well as the nationalist legacies influenced the post-colonial Indian polity.

Answer:
The nature of post-colonial state in India partially reflected the legacy bequeathed by its colonial past. The state that emerged in India after 1947 incorporated and accommodated ideological strands advocated by the colonisers as well as the nationalist viewpoint.

The Colonial Legacy
1. The Congress inherited many features of the administrative and institutional structures of the colonial past. Although, the constituent Assembly adopted many of the democratic and normative forms of the nationalist leaders, the basic constitutional framework itself was a product of British constitutional arrangement. The centralising polity of colonial period, despite some changes, was thus retained.
2. The impact of the Imperial polity found expression in the continuation of the elite cadre of Indian Civil Service. Although the question of bureaucracy's control by elective, non-bureaucratic political institutions required certain basic changes in its orientation, many features of colonial period were retained. The ethos and values of the colonial bureaucracy continued especially in the sense of attaching priority to law and order maintenance. The power and status of new bureaucratic- managerial elite also grew manifold with the growth of non-market mechanisms in the allocation of resources through licenses and permits.
3. The structure and role of military forces also reflected the colonial legacy. The professional character of army insulated from the civil society was preserved. The lower officers were mostly drawn from the ranks of landed peasants and colonial belief in martial races was reflected in the recruitment.
4. India also inherited many other institutional features of colonial regime such as educational set-up, legal and judicial arrangements.
5. In order to outwit the nationalist challenge, the Imperial authorities had used the theory of "divide and rule". As the Independence came with the dismemberment and massacre, it also led to each nation projecting the other as the enemy and support the "traditional" values and cultural homogeneity.
6. The colonial past also shaped the socio-economic features such as underdeveloped economy. The new state also continued the pattern of infrastructure development to carry out the gradual process of transition from above.

The Nationalist Legacy
It included the adoption of the leading ideas of nationalist leaders such as sovereignty of Indian state and a unitary state to achieve balanced economic growth and planned industrialisation. They favoured parliamentary institutions and economic self-sufficiency for India so that it may play a vital role in non-aligned movement. The nationalist leadership popularised the basic norms of popular sovereignty; representative government and civil liberties and it attempted to integrate this political ethos of the Enlightenment in the post- colonial polity. They also emphasised the need to achieve socio-economic reforms.

Thus, the post-colonial development was the combination of the dual legacy of nationalism and colonial history.

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Additional Information – Limitations of the Nationalist Legacy
1. Sometimes, therefore, Indian political parties, peasant organisations, trade union and professional association (all part of civil society) functioned as communities of caste or faith, superficially modem, but with caste or religious affiliation at the core.
2. The national identity that evolved to resist colonial rule was created by a selective use of popular myths and symbols. However, the failure to integrate the Muslim masses, even though respecting pluralities in principle, resulted in the partition of country.
3. The post-colonial democratic polity retained many indigenous practices of princely rule such as durbars of politicians, patronage of the clients and dynastic succession of leadership etc.
4. On the economic front also, the state after independence failed to institute radical socio- economic reforms as it was pressurised by the powerful urban and rural rich. Despite the declared agenda of welfare, and development the state continued to favour the upper-caste and upper-classes.

The Daily Answer Writing Practice
[Question 38, 20 August, 2020]

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What is Quantum Supremacy? Discuss the potential future applications of Quantum computing. [10 marks, 150 words]

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[Ques 38: 20th Aug 2020]: What is Quantum Supremacy? Discuss the potential future applications of Quantum computing. [10 marks, 150 words] [#GS3 #Science #Technology]

Quantum Supremacy refers to a quantum computer being able to solve a computation problem that a classical computer cannot. The online search giant Google recently claimed that its Quantum Computer Sycamore has achieved Quantum Supremacy.
Though, this claim has been questioned by many, yet the development indicates that practical quantum computing may be a reality in near future.

Quantum Computing has many future potential applications:
1) Quantum cryptography: It will ensure advanced encryption which could ensure better protection for government, military and financial sector data.
2) Healthcare and medicine – Quantum computing will allow development of new molecules using quantum simulations
3) DNA Modelling using quantum computers will be more efficient and useful
4) Material science can benefit by development of new configuration
5) Quantum Entanglement will allow teleportation of data in real time to infinitely large distances.

These potentials clearly indicate that it is high time that India takes Quantum Computing more seriously. The recent budget announcement on National Mission on Quantum Technology and Applications is a step in the right direction.
[173 Words]


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The Daily Answer Writing Practice
[Question 39, 21 August, 2020]

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What are the ideal conditions for the formation of tropical cyclone? Also, compare the tropical and temperate cyclone. . [15 marks, 250 words]

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Daily Answer Writing Practice [Question 40, 22 August 20]
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Question 40: India’s contribution to peacekeeping missions of the United Nations has remained steadfast despite changes in the nature, form and variety of UN peacekeeping missions. Examine.


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Daily Answer Writing Practice [Question 40, 22 August 20]
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Question 40: India’s contribution to peacekeeping missions of the United Nations has remained steadfast despite changes in the nature, form, and variety of UN peacekeeping missions. Examine. (15 Marks, 250 words).

UN peacekeeping is a unique and dynamic instrument to help countries make transition from conflict to peace. Effective and efficient UN peace operations are essential to building peace and security in failing or failed states.

In the past two decades, there have been fundamental changes in nature, form and variety of peace operations such as:

• Most conflicts in post-Cold War world are intra-state or internal in nature, rather than inter-state. For ex- conflict in Somalia, Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Liberia etc.
• Internal conflicts are more complex due to involvement of non-state actors such as militias, rebel groups etc.
• Peacekeeping mandates have become wide-ranging including Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) of warring groups, provision of humanitarian relief, assistance in post-conflict reconstruction, facilitation of elections, training and development of indigenous institutions and forces.
• Peace operations are no longer exclusively military-led. A multiplicity of actors are involved in modern Peackeeping Operations – NGOs, humanitarian agencies, police, civilian administrators, electoral and constitutional experts etc.


India’s steadfast support to peacekeeping

As one of the founding members of UN, India’s contribution to maintenance of international peace and security has been second to none. India provides commanders, armed military contingents, military observers, staff officers, Indian Air Force attack and utility helicopters etc. to many UN missions. India is largest cumulative troop contributor, having provided almost 200,000 troops in nearly 50 UN peacekeeping missions over past six decades.
India’s participation in peacekeeping is influenced by a number of factors such as our national interests, principles of peacekeeping, bilateral relations, regional equations, public perception in host country, domestic national sentiment, viability of mission, potential for professional enrichment and exposure to our armed forces, operational issues like command and control, and the risk factor.

However, concerns have been raised about India’s peacekeeping missions:

• Shortage of support both in terms of troops and money.
• Not being a permanent member of UNSC, India does not have a say in making decisions on peacekeeping.
• India faces security shortages to meet internal threats. There is a growing sentiment as to why India should contribute to UN when we have our own problems.
• Recently special investigation by UN observed that 2200 Indian troops stationed in South Sudan suffer from lack of quality protective equipment owing to faulty procurement process.

These concerns need redressal through greater national and international budgetary support, streamlining procurement process, better training to deal with stress and isolation, switching of troops regularly etc. Also, it must be acknowledged that India’s contribution to peacekeeping missions is not just an ideological compulsion but in interest of India’s strategic interests and global presence. Hence, India’s commitment to UN peacekeeping must continue unwaveringly and resolutely.

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