1 April 2024 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1-April-2024

1. Viksit must be inclusive

Topic: GS3 – Agriculture This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains as this article on the challenges faced by Indian agriculture, strategies for improvement, and the role of government policies provides relevant insights.

 

Context:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the US has confirmed that 2023 marked the warmest year on record since 1850, with temperatures surpassing pre-industrial levels by 1.18 degrees Celsius. Many scientists anticipate that 2024 could see even higher temperatures, posing significant challenges globally and in India.

Challenges for Indian Agriculture:

• Against the backdrop of escalating temperatures, a critical question emerges regarding the future of Indian agriculture: Can it sustainably feed the growing population while ensuring prosperity for farmers as envisioned in Viksit Bharat@2047, an aspirational slogan by Prime Minister Narendra Modi?

Assessing Growth Trends: Modi vs. Singh Governments:

• Analyzing the growth trajectory over the past decade under the Modi government compared to the previous administration led by Manmohan Singh reveals marginal differences in agriculture GDP growth rates.
• Despite overall GDP growth being slightly lower during Modi’s tenure, agricultural growth rates have been slightly higher.
• However, these figures underscore the ongoing challenge of maintaining agricultural sustainability amidst economic development.

Importance of Agriculture for Inclusive Development:

• Agriculture remains vital for India’s development, employing approximately 45% of the workforce.
• For Viksit Bharat to be inclusive, agricultural development is imperative. Enhancing productivity, conserving water, mitigating soil degradation, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are essential objectives.
• However, current policies may not suffice to achieve these goals by 2047.

Potential Shifts in Economic Landscape:

• Considering the current growth rates, there’s a possibility that agriculture’s share in overall GDP could decrease significantly by 2047 while still accommodating a substantial portion of the workforce.
• This scenario necessitates a strategic shift towards higher productivity sectors to facilitate job transition for rural workers.

Addressing Agricultural Challenges:

• To realize the vision of Viksit Bharat, a comprehensive agenda for agriculture is crucial.
• This includes rationalizing subsidies to redirect funds towards agricultural research, innovation, and infrastructure.
• Embracing high-value agriculture and value chain approaches, alongside facilitating market access for farmers through digital platforms and contract farming, are essential steps.

Adapting to Climate Change:

• India’s agriculture sector must also prepare for climate change-induced challenges.
• Extreme weather events, exemplified by unseasonal rains impacting growth rates, necessitate proactive measures such as water conservation, disaster preparedness, and sustainable farming practices.

Policy Imperatives for Viksit Bharat:

• Moving forward, policymakers must prioritize modernizing agricultural practices, enhancing market linkages, and fostering innovation.
• Overcoming outdated policies and embracing forward-thinking strategies will be essential to ensure the resilience and prosperity of Indian agriculture in the face of evolving economic and environmental dynamics.

Major Achievements of the Indian Agriculture Sector

Record Production of Food grains: Following the green revolution in the 1960s, Indian agriculture saw a noticeable acceleration in output growth due to the extensive use of inputs and technological advancements, which continued into the 1970s and 1980s. Diversification towards Horticulture Crops: Since 2012–2013, the production of horticulture has exceeded that of food grains, and it currently makes up around 35% of the value of all crops produced in the agriculture sector. Growing Importance of Allied Activities: Over the past ten years, the allied sector’s importance has continuously increased, driven mostly by the production of fish and animals for husbandry. Over the past ten years (2010–19), the Indian livestock sector experienced record growth of 6.6%, positioning India as a global leader in the production of meat, eggs, and milk. Changing Dynamics of Agriculture Trade: India’s share of the global commerce in products from the agricultural and related sectors has quadrupled from 1.1% in 2000 to 2.2% in 2018, as the country has become a major producer of numerous agricultural commodities worldwide.

 

PYQ: Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) (200 words/12.5m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2016)

Practice Question:  India’s agricultural sector stands at a critical juncture, facing multifaceted challenges amidst the backdrop of rising temperatures and evolving economic dynamics. In light of this, critically analyze the policy imperatives required to ensure the resilience and prosperity of Indian agriculture in the journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047. (250 words/15 m)

2. MANIFESTO FOR NARI SHAKTI

Topic: GS1 – Society – This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains as this analysis delves into the cultural and spiritual context of the Indian civilization regarding the position of women, which is crucial for understanding Indian society and culture.

 

Context:

The Indian civilization has historically placed women, or “nari,” in a pre-eminent position, associating them with the divine feminine form, or “Shakti.” Shakti is revered as the source of creation, maintenance, and destruction, symbolizing a way of bringing balance to the universe. The prayer ‘Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhuteshu Shakti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa‘ epitomizes this reverence, acknowledging the presence of the goddess in all beings as a form of Shakti.

Empowerment Beyond Political and Economic Terms:

• In contemporary discourse, nari shakti transcends mere empowerment (sashaktikaran) to encompass the inherent feminine power residing in all beings.
• As India gears up for the Lok Sabha elections, it becomes imperative to assess the status of women in the nation and understand the language of empowerment beyond political or economic terms.

Assessing Women’s Engagement in Politics and Economy:
Emergence of Women as a Significant Voter Base

• Recent state elections have witnessed women emerging as a significant voter base.
• However, there remains a gap in their engagement as contenders in political processes.
• Despite their support for parties advocating policies catering to their needs, female participation in politics needs enhancement.

Need for Holistic Well-being of Women in Party Manifestos:

• As political manifestos are unveiled, there should be a heightened focus on allocating funds for the holistic well-being of women.
• Parties must incorporate gender budgets targeting the female labor force and ensure nuanced understanding of intersectionality within the gender discourse.

Policy Initiatives and Financial Inclusion for Women:
Impact of Financial Inclusion Schemes

• Over the past decade, financial inclusion schemes such as the MUDRA Yojana and PMJDY have empowered millions of women by granting them access to banking and essential services.
• Additionally, initiatives like Swachh Bharat and Ujjwala scheme have improved women’s access to sanitation and clean energy, promoting a dignified life.

Addressing Health and Entrepreneurship:

• While policies like PM-JAY and PMSUMAN are steps in the right direction for women’s health, there’s a need to invest in pre- and post-natal care.
• Moreover, there’s a call for broadening the scope for women entrepreneurs and diversifying skills to promote economic independence.

Advocacy for Women’s Rights and Safety:
Advocacy for Women’s Rights in Personal Laws:

• The passage of the Triple Talaq Bill in 2019 marked a significant step in ensuring the dignity of Muslim women.
• However, there’s a continuing need to advocate for women’s rights in personal laws, including the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code to ensure formal citizenship rights.

Ensuring Safe Public Spaces

• Gruesome incidents of violence against women highlight the pressing need for gender-sensitive public spaces.
• Political parties must include policy statements against gender-based violence in their manifestos to ensure safe public spaces for women.

Potential for Social Change in Elections:

• Elections serve as harbingers of social change, reflecting shifting political dynamics.
• The upcoming elections will be pivotal in ascertaining the aspirations of marginalized women, especially considering legislative initiatives like the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill.
• The electoral race will determine the untapped potential of nari shakti in influencing tangible advancements in gender equality and women’s participation in politics.

Representation of Women in Various Sectors

Governance: India has had one woman prime minister and two female presidents since independence in 1947. Fifteen women have served as chief ministers so far. Judiciary: India’s Supreme Court has not had a single female chief justice so far. As of August 2023, there were three women judges in the apex court of a sanctioned strength of 34, 106 women judges out of 788 in the 25 high courts and 7,199 in the lower courts. Justice BV Nagarathna is in line to become the first woman Chief Justice of India in 2027. Defence And Police: As of March 2023, there were 6,993 women officers in the Indian army, 748 in the navy. The strength of women officers in the Indian Air Force stood at 1,636, excluding medical staff. Women constitute 11.7% of the 2.1 million-strong police force. Aviation: India has the highest proportion of female pilots to males in the world, making up 15% out of a total of about 10,000 pilots in the South Asian country, against 5% globally. Agriculture: With 62.9% female participation, agriculture has the highest percentage of women workers, followed by manufacturing, at 11.2% in 2022. Millions of Indian women are employed in unorganised sectors such as domestic and daily wage labourers. Corporate: Women accounted for 18.2% of board seats at NIFTY 500 companies in 2023, with the life sciences sector reporting the highest female representation on boards at 24%. The tech industry has a high representation of women in the workforce at 34% but lags behind other industries when it comes to women in executive positions. There are 8.9% of firms with women in top managerial posts.

 

PYQ: What are the continued challenges for women in India against time and space?  (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2019)

Practice Question:  Discuss the concept of ‘Nari Shakti’ in the Indian context, elucidating its cultural, social, and political significance. Evaluate the effectiveness of governmental policies and initiatives in empowering women and ensuring gender equality. (250 words/15 m)

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