GS- 2nd Paper
Topic– Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM )
Context
The Vice President will lead the Indian delegation at the XVIII Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
About NAM Summit
- XVIII Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
- At the NAM Baku Summit the Republic of Azerbaijan will take over the chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement for the upcoming 3 years.
Theme of the Summit
- The theme for the XVIII NAM Summit is “Upholding the Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of contemporary world”.
- The theme is significant as it relates to the forthcoming 65th anniversary of Bandung Principles in 2020 and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Movement in 2021.
- The Ten Principles of Bandung– a political statement encapsulating the need to promote world peace and cooperation were formulated at the Asian-African Conference in 1955.
Objective
- The Summit will focus on a whole gamut of contemporary issues such as Terrorism, threats to peace and security, UN reform, climate change, sustainable development, economic governance and south-south cooperation.
The Non Aligned Movement (NAM)
History in brief
- The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was created and founded during the collapse of the colonial system and the independence struggles of the peoples of Africa, Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world.
- The Non-Aligned Movement was formed during the Cold War as an organization of States that did not seek to formally align themselves with either the United States or the Soviet Union, but sought to remain independent or neutral.
- The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was established in 1961 with 29 members.
- India is one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which was established in 1961 with 29 members.
- It has 120 members as on April 2018 comprising 53 countries from Africa, 39 from Asia, 26 from Latin America and the Caribbean and 2 from Europe (Belarus, Azerbaijan).
- There are 17 countries and 10 international organizations that are Observers at NAM.
- During the early days of the movement, NAM played a key role in the decolonization process.
- It led to the attainment of freedom and independence by many countries and peoples and to the founding of tens of new sovereign States.
- The Bandung Asian-African Conference is the most immediate antecedent to the creation of the Non-Aligned Movement. Conference was held in Bandung on April 18-24, 1955
- “Ten Principles of Bandung” proclaimed at the conference would govern relations among large and small nations.
- Six years after Bandung, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries was founded on a wider geographical basis at the First Summit Conference of Belgrade in September 1961.
- The Founders of NAM have preferred to declare it as a Movement, but not an organization in order to avoid bureaucratic implications of the latter.
Bandung principles
- Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was officially founded in 1961, at the Belgrade Summit.
- It was drawing on the Bandung Principles agreed at the Afro-Asian Conference held in Bandung, Indonesia in 1955.
- Jawahar Lal Nehru was one of the founding members, the principles of NAM was largely guided by Panchsheel principles.
- The ten principles of Bandung are following-
- Respect of fundamental human rights and of the objectives and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
- Respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
- Recognition of the equality among all races and of the equality among all nations, both large and small.
- Non-intervention or non-interference into the internal affairs of another -country.
- Respect of the right of every nation to defend itself, either individually or collectively, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.
- Non-use of collective defense pacts to benefit the specific interests of any of the great powers. B. Non-use of pressures by any country against other countries.
- Refraining from carrying out or threatening to carry out aggression, or from using force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country.
- Peaceful solution of all international conflicts in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.
- Promotion of mutual interests and of cooperation.
- Respect of justice and of international obligations.
Objectives
- NAM has sought to “create an independent path in world politics that would not result in member States becoming pawns in the struggles between the major powers.”
- It identifies the right of independent judgment, the struggle against imperialism and neo-colonialism, and the use of moderation in relations with all big powers as the three basic elements that have influenced its approach.
- At present, an additional goal is facilitating a restructuring of the international economic order.
India and the NAM
- India was a founder and largest member in NAM. It was an active participant in NAM meetings till 1970s.
- Later India’s inclination towards erstwhile USSR created confusions in smaller members. It led to the weakening of NAM and small nations drifted towards either US or USSR.
- Further disintegration of USSR led the unipolar world order dominated by US. India’s New Economic Policy and inclination towards US raised questions over India’s seriousness over non alignment.
- Prime Minister of India skipped the 17th Non Aligned Movement (NAM) summit held in Venezuela in 2016, it was only second such instance when Head of a state didn’t participate in NAM conference.
- Moreover, NAM founding members failed to support India during crisis. For instance, during 1962 War with China, Ghana and Indonesia the NAM members, adopted explicitly pro-China positions.
- During 1965 and 1971 wars, Indonesia and Egypt took an anti India stance and supported Pakistan.
- India is a member of the G20 and has declared itself as a nuclear weapons power and has for all practical purposes abandoned the call for global nuclear disarmament.
- India has also engaged itself with new and old global powers.
- India joining the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a coalition seen by many as a counterforce to China’s rise in the Indo-Pacific and Shanghai cooperation organisation led by China shown India’s balancing approach in new world order.
Relevance of Non Aligned Movement (NAM)
The relevance of NAM can be traced from the following points-
- Preservation of the world peace – NAM has played an active role in preserving world peace. It still stands by its founding principles, idea and purpose i.e. to establish the peaceful and prosperous world.
- It prohibited invasion of any country, promoted disarmament and a sovereign world order.
- Check on big power ambitions– NAM stands with this principle and proved its repeated relevance with the idea of preserving the independence of every nation.
- Platform of Third World nations– Third world countries fighting against socio-economic problems since they have been exploited for a long time by other developed nations, NAM acted as a protector for these small countries against the western hegemony.
- Promoting equitable world order – NAM promotes equitable world order. It can act as a bridge between the political and ideological differences existing in the international environment.
- Interest of developing countries – If disputes arise between developed and developing nation at any point of a concerned topic for example WTO, then NAM act as a platform which negotiates and conclude disputes peacefully securing the favorable decisions for each member nation.
- Sustainable development – NAM supported the concept of sustainable development and can lead the world toward sustainability. Can be used as larger platform to make consensus on global burning issues like climate change, migration and global terrorism.
- Economic growth – The countries of NAM has inherent assets, such as a favourable demography, demand and favourable location.
- The cooperation can lead them to higher and sustainable economic growth. It can be an alternative to regional groupings like TPP and RCEP.
GS- 2nd Paper
Topic– Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
Context
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister has approved the Review of Guidelines for Granting Authorization to market Transportation Fuels.
About the Review of Guidelines
- The Review of Guidelines for Granting Authorization to market Transportation Fuels marks a major reform of the guidelines for marketing of petrol and diesel.
- The existing policy for granting authorization to market transportation fuels had not undergone any changes for the last 17 years since 2002.
- The new Policy will give a fillip to ‘Ease of Doing Business’, with transparent policy guidelines.
- It will boost direct and indirect employment in the sector.
Cabinet Committees
- Under the Government of India Transaction of Business Rules (TBR), 1961 executive arm of government is assigned task of conducting the business of it in an effective and convenient manner.
- The Cabinet Committees are constituted under these rules.
- They are extra-constitutional in nature and are nowhere mentioned in the Constitution.
- They are instrumental in reducing the workload of the Government.
About The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) is one of the standing committees of cabinet constituted by government of India.
Functions of CCEA
- The major function of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) is to review economic trends on a continuous basis, as also the problems and prospects, with a view to evolving a consistent and integrated economic policy framework for the country.
- Matters regarding fixation of prices of agricultural products.
- Reviewing progress of activities related to rural development including those concerning small and marginal farmers are in CCEA’s competence.
- Price controls of industrial raw materials and products, industrial licensing policies including industrial licensing cases for establishment of Joint Sector Undertakings.
- Reviewing performance of Public Sector Undertakings including their structural and financial restructuring.
- All matters relating to disinvestment including cases of strategic sale, and pricing of Government shares in Public Sector Undertakings.
- CCEA facilitates finalization of factual reports on the accomplishments of the Ministries, Agencies and Public Sector Undertakings involved in implementation of prioritized schemes or projects for evaluation by the Prime Minister.
- The CCEA also considers cases of increase in the firmed up cost estimates/revised cost estimates for projects etc. in respect of the business allocated to the CCEA.
GS-2 Paper
Topic- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme-DHRUV
Context
The Vice President of India felicitates meritorious students selected for Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme-DHRUV
About PMILP
- Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme is being started to identify and encourage talented children to enrich their skills and knowledge.
Objective
- The objective of the Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme (PMILP) would be to allow talented students to realize their full potential and contribute to society.
- In centres of excellence across the country, gifted children will be mentored and nurtured by renowned experts in different areas, so that they can reach their full potential.
- It is expected that many of the students selected will reach the highest levels in their chosen fields and bring laurels to their community, State and Nation.
Key features of PMILP
- The programme will be called DHRUV (after the Pole Star) and every student to be called ‘DHRUV TARA’.
- The students will thus both shine through their achievements and light a path for others to follow.
- It will cover two areas Science and Performing Arts.
- There will be 60 students in all, 30 from each area.
- The 60 students come from across the country.
- The students will be broadly from classes 9 to 12, from all schools including government and private.
- This is only the first phase of the programme which will be expanded gradually to other fields like creative writing etc.
For Prelims
Context
Ayurveda Day
Ayurveda Day to be celebrated throughout the Country on 25th October
Highlights
- The 4th Ayurveda day to be organized on 25th October, 2019 at National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan.
- Dhanwantari Pujan and “National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards -2019” ceremony will be held at NIA.
- On this occasion, a National Conference ‘Ayurveda for Longevity’ will also be organized on 24th October, 2019.
- Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India decided to celebrate Ayurveda Day every year on the day of Dhanvantari Jayanti (Dhanteras) since 2016.
National Panchayat Awards 2019
Context
240 panchayats were conferred the National Panchayat Awards 2019.
Highlights
- Out of the 2.5 lakh panchayats in the country 240 panchayats were confered the National Panchayat Awards 2019.
- The Best performing Panchayats were selected based on various criteria and indicators.
- The Awards were given under the following categories:
- Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar (DDUPSP)- given to best performing Panchayats in recognition of the good work done for improving delivery of services and public goods.
- Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar (NDRGGSP)– for outstanding contribution to the socio-economic development by involving Gram Sabhas.
- Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) Award- to best performing Gram Panchayats (GPs) across the country which have developed their GPDPs according to the State/UT specific guidelines prepared in line with the model guidelines issued by Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
- Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award– for best performing GPs/Village Councils (VCs) (one in each State/UT) for adopting child-friendly practices.
- e-Panchayat Puraskar – is given to States/UTs or promoting e-enablement of PRIs for bringing in efficiency, transparency and accountability in their functioning.
