19 September 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. Shed the myopia, refocus on the relevance of English

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Education

Context

India’s education policies, like NEP 2020, have downplayed the importance of English, despite its role in helping people access better jobs and opportunities. This neglect has increased educational inequalities, especially for poor children, while wealthier families continue to benefit from better access to English education.

English as a Socioeconomic Ladder

• Indian parents aspire for their children to speak English, recognizing its role in securing better socioeconomic opportunities.
• National education policies, such as the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, have neglected English instruction for decades, influenced by political ideologies.
• This neglect has led to educational inequalities, disproportionately affecting marginalised children in government schools, while children from affluent families have easier access to English education.
• According to the 2011 Census, 90% of India’s population does not speak English, showcasing the stark linguistic divide.

NEP 2020 and the Role of English

• The NEP 2020 continues to devalue English, labelling it as foreign and ignoring its crucial role in the global economy.
• The policy fails to address the lack of access to English for economically disadvantaged groups, exacerbating the educational gap.
• The three-language formula in NEP 2020 promotes linguistic diversity on the surface but hides an agenda to reduce English’s significance, aiming to boost Hindi as a national language.

Constitutional Safeguards and Language Policy

• The Constitution enshrines both English and Hindi as official languages while protecting regional languages, ensuring balance and neutrality.
• English serves as a tool for education, trade, law, and communication, while regional languages preserve India’s cultural heritage.
• The NEP 2020 risks unsettling this balance by downplaying English, potentially clashing with constitutional safeguards that prevent language imposition.

The Demand for English Post-Liberalization

• Since economic liberalisation in 1991, the demand for English has surged as it has become essential for economic growth and global participation.
• Successive governments have ignored this shift, sticking to regional and nationalistic language policies that fail to align with global economic trends.
• The NEP 2020 further marginalises English, increasing the emphasis on regional languages, which could fuel regional identity politics.

Historical Bias Against English

• The anti-English stance is rooted in India’s post-independence period when there was a push to establish Hindi as the national language.
• This bias can be traced back to the freedom struggle, where Hindi-speaking leaders envisioned a monolingual India.
• Despite efforts, the multilingual reality of India and constitutional provisions led to the retention of English as an official language.

The Flaws of the Three-Language Formula

• The National Policy on Education 1968 introduced a three-language formula to spread Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking regions, but it faced strong opposition from states like Tamil Nadu.
• The NEP 2020 continues this agenda, limiting real linguistic choice by emphasising Hindi and undermining multilingualism.
• The policy’s focus on Hindi and Sanskrit, driven by cultural and political motives, sidelines English, which remains critical in the professional and legal spheres.

A Pragmatic Approach to Language Policy

• Countries like China have embraced English education to align with global economic needs, contrasting India’s approach.
• India needs a pragmatic language policy that balances cultural diversity with the practical needs of its citizens.
• A two-language formula – combining a regional language and English – would better serve India’s needs, allowing citizens to be both global and culturally rooted.

Conclusion

• The government must promote English as a vital tool for national and international communication, not as a competitor to Indian languages.
• This approach would ensure greater participation in socioeconomic activities and align with democratic principles of equality and individual rights.

Practice Question:  Discuss how the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 affects the spread of English education in India. Analyse its implications on educational inequality and suggest ways to ensure equal access to English for all socio-economic groups. (150 Words /10 marks)

2. In Wilmington, juxtaposing immediacy with legacy

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations – Regional and global groupings

Context

The Quad leaders will hold their fourth summit in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 21, 2024, amidst significant global and regional transitions. The summit aims to reinforce maritime domain awareness, discuss key developments, and address the shifting geopolitical landscape, setting the stage for future regional and global initiatives.

Leadership Transitions and Timing of The Summit

• The summit is significant due to impending leadership transitions: U.S. President Joe Biden has announced he will not seek re-election, and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida faces potential defeat.
• The timing underscores the urgency to solidify the Quad’s strategic direction before new leadership dynamics come into play.
• India, originally scheduled to host this year’s summit, has deferred to the U.S. and will host the next meeting, considering logistical constraints for Mr. Biden amidst his election campaign and recent international commitments.

Indo-Pacific Integration

• The summit will focus on reinforcing the Quad’s maritime domain awareness (MDA) framework, crucial for regional security, supply chains, infrastructure, and technology.
• The July 2024 meeting in Tokyo expanded the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) to include the Indian Ocean region, aiming to integrate it into the broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
• The importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) will be emphasised to support freedom of navigation and operational capabilities.

Key Developments Expected

• Quad Maritime Legal Dialogue: Exploration of launching this dialogue under the Quad Maritime Security Working Group to consolidate expertise in international maritime law.
• South Asia Programme Operationalisation: Focus on the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) based in India, which plays a crucial role in real-time information sharing and upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• Infrastructure and Innovation: Review and support for projects including the Open-Radio Access Network (RAN) in Palau, a space-based climate warning system in Mauritius, off-grid solar projects in Indo-Pacific islands, and outcomes of the inaugural Quad STEM cohort.

Agenda and Expansion

• The Quad’s agenda covers 16 working groups addressing climate change, emerging technologies, infrastructure, health, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, maritime security, and counterterrorism.
• The Wilmington summit provides a platform to assess progress across these areas and commit to new initiatives.

Regional and Global Context

• The summit comes at a time of increased regional security threats, including conflicts in West Asia, the Russia-Ukraine war, and China’s assertive behaviour.
• The Quad’s role is seen as crucial in regional economic resilience and security amidst these challenges.
• The reconfiguration of global supply chains away from China highlights the need for regional economic growth and de-risking strategies.

Outlook and Future Initiatives

• The summit serves as a precursor to the inaugural Summit of the Future, focusing on global governance, sustainable development, international peace, and technological innovation.
• The Quad’s evolution reflects a broader aspiration to ensure stability and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, potentially laying the groundwork for future global initiatives.

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)

Formation: The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) is a strategic forum comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia. Objective: To promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, enhancing regional security and stability. First Summit: The inaugural summit took place in 2007, but the forum was revitalised in 2017. Focus Areas: Includes maritime security, infrastructure development, counter-terrorism, climate change, and health security. Geopolitical Impact: Aims to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Recent Developments: Regular high-level meetings and working groups to strengthen strategic and economic ties.

PYQ: ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)’ is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times – Discuss. (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2020)

Practice Question:  Examine the role of the Quad in shaping the strategic and economic dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region. What are the key objectives of the Quad, and how does it address regional security, economic cooperation, and global challenges? (250 Words /15 marks)

3. Drowning: a neglected public health crisis

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Education

Context

The drowning deaths of three IAS aspirants in New Delhi, occurring shortly after Drowning Prevention Day, underscore the urgent need for better awareness and preventive measures. Global statistics highlight the rising frequency of drowning, especially among children and in low-income regions, despite substantial public health efforts.

Introduction to the Tragedy

• The tragic drowning of three IAS aspirants in New Delhi highlights the pressing issue of drowning, which is often overlooked despite its preventable nature.
• This incident occurred just two days after Drowning Prevention Day, a global event organised by WHO to raise awareness about drowning, a leading cause of death.

Global Context and Rising Risks

• Drowning deaths are increasingly frequent due to factors such as rising sea levels, urbanisation, poverty, and forced displacement.
• Children making hazardous journeys to school are particularly at risk.
• Vulnerable groups include children under 10 and adolescents, who account for half of all drowning deaths. The risk is exacerbated by environmental changes like cyclones and floods.

Broader Drowning Risks

• Adolescents and young adults also face drowning risks while fishing, boating, or due to alcohol use. Drowning occurs in water transport accidents, unsafe boats, and during floods, often unnoticed.
• Despite the severity of the issue, drowning deaths do not always receive adequate attention compared to high-profile cases like those of Alan Kurdi and Oscar Ramirez.

Statistics and Underreporting

• WHO reports that 236,000 lives are lost to drowning annually, with 82,000 of these being children aged 1 to 14 years.
• Drowning is under-reported and neglected, with statistics not fully capturing the problem. This includes intentional drownings (suicide or homicide) and those during natural disasters.
• WHO acknowledges that adjusted data might show a much higher burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with potential increases in overall global figures.

Global Response and Prevention Strategies

• WHO’s 2014 report on drowning prevention marked a significant step, followed by national and international efforts.
• The UN General Assembly’s 2021 resolution on drowning prevention called for global action.
• Countries like Australia and Vietnam have implemented effective strategies: Australia focuses on its coastline with lifeguards, while Vietnam’s Swim-Safe curriculum for children improves water safety.
• Bangladesh’s “Anchal” model, involving community-based childcare centers, has reduced drowning deaths among young children by 88%.

India’s Efforts

• India recently joined global efforts by releasing a ‘Strategic Framework for Drowning Prevention’ through its Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Addressing Social Inequities

• Drowning prevention must address social inequities, as 90% of drowning deaths occur in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), with poorer and minority communities at higher risk even in developed nations.

The Path Forward

• The journey towards effective drowning prevention will be long, requiring substantial resources, systemic changes, and multi-sectoral cooperation.
• Immediate actions include implementing low-cost solutions like strategic barriers around water bodies, daycare centres for young children, basic swimming instruction, and providing safe water transport and flotation devices.
• These measures can significantly reduce drowning deaths and are crucial in saving lives daily.

Practice Question:  Discuss the public health challenges and preventive strategies associated with drowning, highlighting the significance of recent global initiatives and the need for improved data and systemic interventions. (150 Words /10 marks)