In News

The ministry of information and broadcasting has proposed to introduce the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

About the News

• The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has sought comments from stakeholders on draft Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
• Through this bill, the government aims to make the process of certifying films for theatrical releases more effective, in view of the changing times, and to curb the menace of piracy.

What are the proposed amendment?

• Revisionary powers: In terms of granting revisional powers to the Central government, the draft bill has also proposed provisions that in respect of a film certified for public exhibition, the government, may if it considers necessary to do so, direct the Chairman of the Board to re-examine the film.
• Currently, because of a judgment of the Supreme Court, the Centre cannot use its revisionary powers on films that have already been granted a certificate by the CBFC. But the draft uses the provision under the Article 19(2) of the Constitution (reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech) to exercise revision powers.
• Age-based Certification: The draft proposes to introduce age-based categorisation and classification. Currently, films are certified into three categories — ‘U’ for unrestricted public exhibition; ‘U/A’ that requires parental guidance for children under 12; and ‘A’ for adult films. The new draft proposes to divide the categories into further age-based groups: U/A 7+, U/A 13+ and U/A 16+. This proposed age classification for films echoes the new IT rules for streaming platforms.
• Tackling Piracy: No permission to use any audio-visual recording device in a place to knowingly. It also proposes penalties which include jail-term which can extend upto three years as well as fines.
• Validity of certificate: As per the provision of the present Act under sub-section 3 of section 5A, the certificate issued by the Board is valid for 10 years. The existing provision in the Act will be amended to remove the stipulation such that the certificate is valid in perpetuity.

Concerns raised against the proposed changes

• The draft comes shortly after the abolition of the Film Certificate Appellate Tribunal, which was the last point of appeal for filmmakers against the certificate granted to their film. The draft has been criticised and termed as a “super censor”.
• Various groups or individuals often object to a film just before the release, but after the certification process. With the implementation of the proposed new rules, films could be held up longer for re-certification based on random objections, even if it is already certified by the CBFC.
• Experts have opined that the age-specific classification will add to the confusion as it could be a challenge to distinguish content meant for 13 and 16 or above. If distinctions are to be made, filmmakers must also be given more leeway when making content that has already been classified as adult.

Sources: https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/govt-proposes-age-classification-for-movies-can-ask-cbfc-to-re-examine-films-11624015877248.html

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-govt-proposes-to-change-in-film-certification-censor-board-7369582/

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/filmmakers-see-a-super-censor-in-cinematograph-amendment-bill/article34865225.ece

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/ib-ministry-seeks-public-comments-on-amendments-in-cinematograph-act/article34853225.ece

In News

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has released its report titled Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2020.

Key Highlights of the Report

• The main focus of this report is the analysis of statistical trends and changes in global forced displacement from January to December 2020.
• By the end of 2020, the number of people forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations and events seriously disturbing public order had grown to 4 million, the highest number on record.
  • This was more than double the level of a decade ago (41 million in 2010).
• Despite COVID-related movement restrictions and pleas from the international community for a concerted global ceasefire, displacement continued to occur – and to grow.
  • As a result, above 1% of the world’s population – or 1 in 95 people – is now forcibly displaced. This compares with 1 in 159 in 2010.
  • The total number of forcibly displaced people encompasses refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people and Venezuelans displaced abroad.
• Several crises – some new, some longstanding and some resurfacing after years – forced 11.2 million people to flee in 2020, compared to 11.0 million in 2019.
• Source Regions:
  • Driven mostly by crises in Ethiopia, Sudan, Sahel countries etc, the number of internally displaced people rose by more than 2.3 million.
  • When considering only international displacement situations, Syria topped the list with 6.8 million people, followed by Venezuela with 4.9 million.
• Destination Region:
  • Turkey continued to host the largest number of refugees with just under 4 million, most of whom were Syrian refugees (92%).
• Demographics of forcibly displaced people
  • Children account for 30% of the world’s population, but an estimated 42% of all forcibly displaced people.
  • The Sub-Saharan African regions stand out as having the highest proportion of refugee children. West and Central Africa has notably more refugee women and girls (54%) than any other region.

Challenges

• The dynamics of poverty, food insecurity, climate change, conflict and displacement are increasingly interconnected and mutually reinforcing, driving more and more people to search for safety and security.
• The COVID-19 crisis also hit the forcibly displaced hard, who faced increased food and economic insecurity as well as challenges to access health and protection services.
• Low rate of returns: Just 251,000 refugees were able to return to their country of origin in 2020. Impediments to returns in many countries of origin include ongoing insecurity, the absence of essential services and the lack of livelihood opportunities.
• Refugee resettlement registered a drastic plunge with just 34,400 refugees resettled, the lowest level in 20 years – a consequence of a reduced number of resettlement places and COVID-19.

https://www.unhcr.org/flagship-reports/globaltrends/

https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/06/1094292

https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/60b638e37.pdf

In News: The illegal cultivation of herbicide tolerant (HT) Bt cotton has seen a huge jump this year, with seed manufacturers claiming that the sale of illegal seed packets has more than doubled from 30 lakh in 2020 to 75 lakh in 2021.

About HTBt Cotton

• The HTBt cotton variant adds another layer of modification to Bt cotton, making the plant resistant to the herbicide glyphosate.
• It helps the farmers as they do not have to go for the second round of weeding after the use of herbicide glyphosate. This also helps to handle shortage of labor supply and savings the cost and time for weeding.
• However, HTBt cotton has not been approved by regulators as glyphosate has possible carcinogenic effects and added to this is the unchecked spread of herbicide resistance to nearby plants through pollination that creates a variety of superweeds.
• The farming community wants this new variant to get legalized because of the immediate advantages. Even the scientists are in favor of this crop, and WHO has declared it does not cause cancer.

Recent spurt in its cultivation and issues emanating from its illegal sale

• The illegal sale of HTBt cotton seeds using the brand name of prominent companies is not only decimating small cotton seed companies but also threatening the entire legal cotton seed market in India.
• Farmers are at risk with such illegal cotton seed sale as there is no accountability of the quality of seed and on how it pollutes the environment.
• The government will also lose its revenue in terms of tax collection.

What is Bt Cotton?

• Genetically modified (GM) cotton, the plant containing the pesticide gene from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), has been grown in India for about two decades.
• It has been genetically modified to produce an insecticide to combat the cotton bollworm, a common pest.
• Bt cotton is the only transgenic crop that has been approved by the Centre for commercial cultivation in India.
• There have been incremental gains in cotton production in India. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, adoption of Bt cotton rose to 81% in 2007, and up to 93% in 2011.
• However, these gains have also been attributed to better irrigation facilities and increased fertilizer use. The introduction of Bt cotton has also led to increased resistance of pests against the Bt variety.
• Thus, to cultivate Bt cotton, farmer’s spending has increased but gains have plateaued.

Way out

• The long-term impact of GM crops on both ecology and health should be carried out by environmentalists through Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Centre having not approved HTBt cotton, the States must also abide by the advisories provided by the center through collective action.
• Focus must be on catching the fly by night operators and taking strong punitive actions against them.

Primary source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sale-of-illegal-htbt-cotton-seeds-doubles/article34852355.ece

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-twisted-trajectory-of-bt-cotton/article32566091.ece

In News

The Ministry of Tourism has released the Draft National strategy to promote medical, wellness, rural,

About the News

• In order to boost the tourism sector in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Tourism released three draft strategies with roadmaps to promote India as a rural and medical tourism destination and to position it as a place for conferences, meetings and exhibitions.
• Identification, diversification, development, and promotion of niche tourism products in the country is the initiative of the Ministry to overcome the aspect of ‘seasonality’ and to promote India as a 365 days’ destination, to attract tourists with specific interest, and to ensure repeat visits for the unique products in which India has a comparative advantage.

Conclusion

India has varied aesthetic and natural beauty and is well known as a tourism spot. India is a leader in cultural (8th) and natural (14th) resources on WEF’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index and has consistently improved its rank in World Bank Ease of Doing Business (39th rank) and WEF Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Rank (34th rank). So, the immense untapped opportunity in the tourism sector can act as a catalyst in recovery and growth of the pandemic-hit economy.

Question: Assess the strategies that are being used to promote health, MICE and similar forms of tourism in India.

Stay tuned for a feature article on Tourism and Covid-19.

Sources: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/tourism-ministry-formulates-draft-national-strategy-for-rural-development/article34852578.ece

https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-06/Draft%20Strategy%20for%20Rural%20Tourism%20June%2012.pdf

https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-06/Draft%20Strategy%20for%20Medical%20and%20Wellness%20Tourism%20June%2012.pdf

https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-06/Draft%20Strategy%20for%20MICE%20tourism%20June%2012.pdf

https://www.ibef.org/industry/indian-tourism-and-hospitality-industry-analysis-presentation

On June 23, 1868, the first machine known as the typewriter was patented by printer and journalist Christopher Latham Sholes of Wisconsin. Sholes’ invention was the first to be practical enough for mass production and use by the public. Sholes had produced 50 machines by 1873 but was unable to sell them. Mark Twain was the first author to submit a book manuscript in typed copy, having bought a typewriter in 1874. The typewriter became a symbol of a certain type of writer, and many are still preserved in the estates or museums of well-known authors. The original typewriter’s most ubiquitous impact on modern society, seen all around the world on computer keyboards and mobile phones, is its key layout known as QWERTY.

Source: https://blog.oup.com/2018/06/nine-striking-facts-history-typewriter/

This is a sweeping bird’s-eye view of a portion of the Andromeda galaxy (M31). It is the largest NASA Hubble Space Telescope image ever assembled and the sharpest large composite image ever taken of our galactic next-door neighbour. Though the galaxy is over 2 million light-years away, The Hubble Space Telescope is powerful enough to resolve individual stars in a 61,000-light-year-long stretch of the galaxy’s pancake-shaped disk. This ambitious photographic cartography of the Andromeda galaxy represents a new benchmark for precision studies of large spiral galaxies that dominate the universe's population of over 100 billion galaxies. The panorama is the product of the Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury (PHAT) program.

Source: https://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/hubble-s-high-definition-panoramic-view-of-the-andromeda-galaxy

• Context: The construction of the second frigate of Krivak class stealth ships has been inaugurated by the Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff.
• India and Russia had signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) in 2016 for four Krivak or Talwar stealth frigates.
• First two frigates will be built in Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia and the following two will be built in Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) under ‘Make in India’ initiative with technology and designs transferred by Yantar.
• The engines for the ships would be supplied by Ukraine. The frigates will be equipped with BrahMos anti-ship and land attack missile.
• India had earlier procured six Krivak class frigates- the Talwar class and the upgraded Teg class.

Primary source: https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/navy-agrees-to-buy-four-russian-frigates-for-3-bn-118022600021_1.html

https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/work-begins-on-krivak-class-frigate/article34875289.ece

Picture source: https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2018/10/30/india-signs-950-million-contract-with-russia-to-buy-two-stealth-frigates/

• Context: A 50 kWp roof top solar plant was inaugurated in Solan, Himachal Pradesh under the Integrated Power Development Scheme of Ministry of Power.
• IPDS scheme was launched in 2014 with following components:
• Strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks in the urban areas.
• Metering, IT enablement of distribution network, Underground cabling to include additional demand of States and smart metering solution for performing UDAY States and Solar panels on Govt. buildings.
• All Power Discoms are eligible for financial assistance under the scheme.
• Power Finance Corporation Ltd. (PFC) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Power is the nodal agency.

Primary source: https://www.ipds.gov.in/Form_IPDS/About_IPDS.aspx

Picture source: https://homescape.solar/rooftop-solar-power-plant/

• Context: The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has conferred “Land for Life Award” on Mr. Shyam Sunder Jyani- a Rajasthan based climate activist in recognition of his contribution to promote familial forestry.
• Familial Forestry means including the matter of tree and environment in the family, transferring of care of the tree and environment in the family so that a tree becomes a part of the family's consciousness.
• The Award recognizes excellence and innovation in efforts towards land in balance and is presented biennially.
• The initiative helps in achieving SDG 15: Life on Land, especially land degradation neutrality.
• The Land for Life Award was launched at the UNCCD COP10 in the Republic of Korea as part of the Changwon Initiative.
• Under the theme "Healthy Land, Healthy Lives", the 2021 Award had put the spotlight on individuals/organizations that made an outstanding contribution to land degradation neutrality on a large scale, with long-term changes and dedicated actions for 25 years or longer and remarkable positive impacts on land, people, communities, and society. 

Primary source: https://www.unccd.int/actionsland-life-programme/land-life-award-2021-healthy-land-healthy-lives

Picture source: https://www.paulwagner.com/tag/do-trees-feel-pain/

• Context: The Central Government has directed the States Governments to link the electronic Point of Sale devices (ePoS) used at ration shops to electronic weighing machines to promote transparency and reduce food grain leakages.
• The margin on food grain sold through ePoS is provided as “Fair Price Shop dealers margin” which is meant to go towards the cost of purchase, operation and maintenance of the point-of-sale device, its running expenses and incentive for its use.
• The integration of ePoS devices with electronic weighing scales will ensure transparency in the quantity of subsidized food grain given to beneficiaries in the distribution network under National Food Security Act, 2013.

Primary source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/buy-electronic-weighing-machines-for-ration-shops-from-epos-savings-centre-to-states/article34895236.ece

Essence: Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) are critical intermediaries for channelling long-term finance required for infrastructure and key manufacturing projects for realising higher economic growth. It is a positive development that the government has recognised the criticality of financing long-term infrastructure requirements by announcing the setting up of a new DFI. This article by drawing lessons from our own past experiences as also success stories of development banks in other countries outlines the critical factors for the success and long-term sustainability of the DFIs.

Why should you read this article?

• Have a brief background information on DFIs in India and other countries.
• Understand the level of clarity required on ownership and organisation structure which would have bearing on the functioning, flexibility, governance of the institution and its long-term sustainability.
• Know about the enabling environment required for channelling resources from long-term institutions like insurance companies, pension funds and private sector DFIs.
• Understand the importance of periodic review of DFIs.

Article Link: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/why-dfis-have-regained-relevance-today/article34913371.ece

Essence: India currently produces 25 per cent of the world pulses output whereas it meets 60 per cent of its edible oils requirements through imports but several issues afflicting these sectors like- one, cultivated primarily under rain-fed conditions and on relatively poor soils; two, low productivity necessitating imports, etc. To tackle these issues, we need to work on supply as well as demand side issues by- incentivising farmers to cultivate pulses and oilseeds on well irrigated lands; devising stable MSP and import policies; investing in storage and warehouse infrastructure; providing transport facilities in mission mode; involving private-sector entrepreneurs for building modern storage infrastructure; use of AI and other such tools to give access to farmers regarding technological breakthroughs; liberal import policy to ensure access, availability and accountability; enabling sharing of real time data about prices on a dynamic basis using modern satellite technology. This can enable both consumers and producers to ensure optimal production and enhanced availability.

Why you should read this article?

• To get an overview of scope and issues related to pulses and oilseed production.
• To know what possible steps should be taken to tackle issues associated with production.

Article Link: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/incentivising-production-of-pulses-and-oilseeds/article34913966.ece

Problems faced by the education system:

• Education system faces problems like Non-enrolment, Dropping out of school at early stage and stagnation i.e not achieving the expected level of learning at respective stages in school.
• To solve these issues Rajani Paranjpe came up with innovative idea of imparting education on to every door-step.

Door-Step School:

• Wherever the children are seen, social workers start the classes right there.
• Classes are held on pavements, on road construction sites, building construction sites outside big markets, railway stations etc.

Objective of the initiative:

• It aims to make 100 percent literacy in India through total school enrolment and quality education for all a reality.
• Its main motivation in life is ‘service to society’ and they believe the best way to do so is to usher in a wave of knowledge through children.
• Initiative focusses on literacy classes (literacy is defined as being able to read a newspaper), study classes, pre-primary education and community libraries.

Things to ponder:

• Importance of education in making India a knowledge society, efforts taking in this regard by the NGO’S and other civil society groups, status of education in India, ASER Report, etc

Quote:

• A person without education is like a building without foundation.

Tags- School education, Social development, Service, education ethics

Source: https://www.doorstepschool.org/pune/about-us/executive-commitee/