4 March 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. Australia, the partner for India’s growth trajectory 

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

Australia’s Strong Belief in India’s Growth

• Australia sees India as a rising economic power and expects it to become the third-largest economy by 2030.
• It supports India’s demand for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
• Australia believes it is a natural partner for India’s growth due to complementary economies and strong strategic ties.

The New Roadmap for Economic Engagement

• A new plan has been launched to strengthen economic ties between India and Australia.
• The roadmap outlines how Australia can contribute to and benefit from India’s economic expansion.
• It builds on the success of the 2018 economic strategy and reflects significant changes in global trade.

Impact of the Free Trade Agreement

• The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) has helped trade between India and Australia grow significantly.
• India’s exports to the world increased by 35% in five years, while exports to Australia grew by 66%, showing a strong trade relationship.

Australia’s Contribution to India’s Growth

• Australia supplies India with energy, critical minerals, and resources necessary for its economic and industrial growth.
• It also supports India’s skill development initiatives to train millions of professionals every year.

Key Sectors for Future Collaboration

• The roadmap focuses on four major sectors called “Superhighways of Growth”:
  • Clean energy to support India’s transition to sustainable power.
  • Education and skills to enhance workforce capabilities.
  • Agribusiness to improve food security and trade.
  • Tourism to boost people-to-people ties.
• Seven other major economic areas for cooperation include:
  • Investment, technology, sports, culture, resources, defense, space, and health.

Support for India’s Manufacturing and Skills Development

• Australia provides essential minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt to support India’s electric vehicle industry.
• Australian universities are opening campuses in India to provide high-quality education and training.

The Role of the Indian Diaspora

• Over one million people of Indian origin live in Australia, playing a key role in business and community development.
• The diaspora strengthens India-Australia ties by fostering mutual understanding and trade opportunities.
• Additional investments are being made in programs to enhance cultural and business exchanges.

Strengthening the Economic Partnership

• The roadmap encourages Australian businesses to explore new opportunities in India.
• The next step is to finalize the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) to deepen trade and investment.
• With the roadmap in place, the future of India-Australia economic relations looks promising. 

2. India’s burden of rising obesity, the hefty cost to pay

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

Growing Burden of Obesity

• Over the last two decades, India has seen a major shift in health trends, with obesity emerging as a serious challenge.
• According to NFHS-5 (2019-21), one in four men and women in India is obese.
• The prevalence of overweight and obesity varies from 8% to 50% across different states and regions.
• India has one of the highest annual increases in childhood obesity, as per the World Obesity Federation.
• A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (2023) estimates that:
  • 35 crore adults have abdominal obesity.
  • 25 crore adults suffer from general obesity.
  • 21 crore adults have high blood cholesterol.

Policy and Programmatic Solutions

1. Public Awareness and Dialogue
   • Obesity should be recognized as a disease that requires prevention and management.
   • Public campaigns should educate people on its health risks.
2. Promoting Physical Activity
   • Better urban planning with bicycle lanes, open gyms, and public parks is necessary.
3. Regulating Unhealthy Food Consumption
   • HFSS and UPF products should be taxed higher, while healthy foods like fruits and vegetables should receive subsidies.
   • Ethical food marketing practices should be encouraged.
4. Routine Health Monitoring
   • Weight, height, and waist measurements should be a part of all medical check-ups.
   • Ideal weight guidelines should be widely shared with the public.
5. Use of Anti-Obesity Medicines
   • Clinical guidelines should be established to ensure proper use of weight-management medicines.
6. Workplace Initiatives
   • Offices should provide weighing scales and conduct awareness programs on maintaining a healthy weight.
7. Healthy Eating in Schools and Colleges
   • Schools should include education on nutrition and provide healthy meals in canteens.
   • Best practices from countries with successful school nutrition programs should be studied and implemented.
8. Coordinated Government Action
   • Multiple ministries, including health, finance, education, and urban development, should work together to combat obesity.
   • A restructured nutrition program, “Suposhan Abhiyan,” should focus on mindful eating and proper nutrition.
9. Research and Data Collection
   • More epidemiological studies are needed to understand obesity trends in India.
   • Medical professionals should be trained to address obesity as a health issue.
10. Making Healthy Food Affordable

• Healthy food should be made more affordable than junk food.
• Online food delivery platforms should promote healthier meal options.
• Corporate social responsibility funds should be used to promote good eating habits.

Conclusion

• Obesity is a major public health crisis that requires urgent and coordinated action.
• A comprehensive, multi-pronged approach is necessary to promote a healthier India.
• Addressing obesity will not only improve public health but also support economic growth and national development. 

3. The way to protect orans

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

Supreme Court’s Recognition of Orans

• It issued protectionist orders to conserve orans by formalizing their governance under biodiversity-related laws.
• The aim is to involve local communities in the protection of orans while ensuring their conservation through legal frameworks.

Challenges with Formalization

Declaration as Forests Under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

• The Court declared orans as ‘forests’ under the Act, granting them legal protection.
• However, the Act contains exemptions that allow the diversion of forest land for purposes like zoos, safaris, and ecotourism.
• Such exemptions may open orans to commercial use, contradicting conservation efforts and community traditions.
• Many local communities have expressed concerns that this formalization could limit their access to orans.

Designation as Community Reserves Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

• The Court suggested designating orans as ‘community reserves,’ which would create a management committee with local and state representation.
• However, this committee is primarily responsible for administrative tasks and does not have decision-making power.
• The ultimate control over the reserves would remain with the state, reducing the authority of informal community institutions.

Common Forest Land Under the Forest Rights Act, 2006

• Another suggestion was to classify orans as ‘common forest land’ under this Act.
• Rights under this Act can only be granted if communities or individuals meet specific eligibility criteria.
• Some informal community institutions that manage orans may not qualify, potentially excluding them from legal protections.

A More Effective Approach

• The Supreme Court recommended that the Environment Ministry develop a comprehensive policy for oran governance.
• Different states currently manage orans through various formal and informal methods, highlighting the need for a unified approach.
• Instead of imposing legal formalization, successful community-led governance models should be identified, supported, and replicated.
• Policies should empower local communities to lead oran conservation efforts, with assistance from the state and civil society.
• Any governance framework must be developed in consultation with local communities to preserve traditional practices while ensuring ecological protection. 

Read more – 3 March 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis