1. Next-Generation Administrative Reforms, the government has allocated Rs. 235 crores
Context:
- The government has allocated Rs. 235 crores for the revitalized Scheme for Administrative Reforms of DARPG, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
- This initiative is set to be implemented over the next two years (2024-25 and 2025-26) under the 15th Finance Commission Cycle.
Background:
The Scheme for Administrative Reforms focuses on two main aspects:
- Comprehensive System for Redressal of Public Grievances
- Administrative Reforms
Rationale for Administrative Reforms:
- The budget includes a significant amount of Rs. 128 crores for the Comprehensive System for Redressal of Public Grievances.
- The primary goal is to establish an AI-assisted Public Grievance Redressal System (CPGRAMS), emphasizing accountability and transparency in the administrative process.
- The project aims to consolidate all grievance portals into a unified CPGRAMS, streamlining the public grievance redressal process.
- The revamped Scheme aims to boost efficiency in grievance redressal through technology adoption and capacity building.
Components of the Comprehensive System:
- Full coverage of services
- Seamless service delivery to citizens, reaching the last mile
- Government process reengineering for efficient decision-making
- Strengthening knowledge-sharing platforms
Performance Metrics:
- In 2023, CPGRAMS handled 19,45,583 public grievance cases until the end of November, successfully redressing 19,60,021 cases.
- The central secretariat achieved a milestone by addressing over 1 lakh cases per month for the past 17 months, while States/UTs managed to handle over 50 thousand cases per month.
- The enhanced Scheme aims to further reduce the average grievance redressal time, currently standing at 17 days.
Allocation for Administrative Reforms:
The Scheme for Administrative Reforms, supported by an allocation of Rs. 107 crores, will focus on various initiatives:
- Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration
- National e-Governance Awards Scheme
- Civil Services Day Conferences
- Regional Conferences for Replication of Good Governance Practices
- Documentation and Dissemination activities, including the Good Governance Index
- Annual Conference of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences in February 2025
- Special Campaigns for Institutionalizing Swachhata, Reducing Pendency, Increasing Efficiency in Decision Making, and Sushasan Saptah events in 2024 and 2025.
- International Exchange and Cooperation activities.
2. The Monitoring of Foggy Conditions in North India by INSAT 3D
Introduction
- Numerous regions in North India, such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, and Punjab, are currently facing dense fog, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue alerts and notifications to keep the public informed about the prevailing conditions.
- This edition aims to explore the scientific basis of these warnings and the role played by the INSAT 3D satellite in supplying essential data for monitoring fog.
Fog Situation in North India
- Pervasive Fog: Since December 2023, substantial portions of North India have been enveloped in thick fog.
IMD Alerts: On January 16, the IMD issued alerts regarding “very dense fog” in various states, including Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh, with visibility expected to fall below 50 meters during night and morning hours.
Decoding Satellite Images
- INSAT 3D Insights: The INSAT 3D satellite assumes a crucial role in observing foggy conditions through its images.
- Solar Reflectance and Brightness Temperature: The colors in these images are influenced by two factors—solar reflectance and brightness temperature.
- Solar Reflectance: This reflects the proportion of solar energy a surface reflects relative to the energy it receives.
- Brightness Temperature: This correlates an object’s temperature with the brightness of its surface across various wavelengths.
Day Microphysics Data
- Solar Reflectance at Three Wavelengths: The ‘day microphysics’ aspect of INSAT 3D examines solar reflectance at three wavelengths: 0.5 µm (visible radiation), 1.6 µm (shortwave infrared radiation), and 10.8 µm (thermal infrared radiation).
- Color Determination: RGB (red-green-blue) colors in the image are determined by the strength of signals at these wavelengths.
- Applications: These images aid in analyzing cloud types, stages of thunderstorms, snow identification, and fire detection.
Night Microphysics Data
- Complex Color Determination: The ‘night microphysics’ aspect of INSAT 3D derives two colors from the difference between two thermal infrared signals.
Color Variables: Red color depends on the difference between 12 µm and 10 µm signals, green on 10.8 µm and 3.9 µm signals, and blue on the strength of the 10.8 µm signal.
Identifying Features: Night microphysics data assists in identifying cloud types and their temperature differences.
Combining Day and Night Data
Comprehensive Insights: Meteorologists combine day and night microphysics data to scrutinize moisture droplets, temperature fluctuations, and monitor the formation, progression, and dissipation of weather events, including cyclones.
Advanced Warning Systems: Anticipated applications include forecasting thunderstorms one to three hours in advance.
Radiometers and Sounders
Satellite Instruments: Radiometers for spectral measurements and atmospheric sounders for analyzing temperature, humidity, and water vapor are employed by INSAT 3D and 3DR.
Enhanced Technology: These satellites offer substantial improvements in spatial resolution and spectral channels compared to their predecessors, elevating India’s weather monitoring capabilities.
Future with INSAT 3DS
Ongoing Advancements: The Indian Space Research Organisation plans to launch the INSAT 3DS meteorological satellite in February 2024.
Expanded Capabilities: This satellite is poised to build upon the successes of its predecessors, further advancing India’s weather monitoring and warning capabilities.
Conclusion
The INSAT 3D satellite, equipped to capture and analyze day and night microphysics data, assumes a pivotal role in monitoring and predicting weather conditions, including fog, in North India.
By comprehending the intricate science behind these satellite images, meteorologists can furnish timely warnings and valuable insights to ensure public safety and navigate the challenges presented by severe weather conditions.
With impending advancements, India’s meteorological capabilities continue to progress, bolstering preparedness for future weather-related events.
3. The Baloch Militancy, Pakistan, and Iran
Introduction:
- In recent events, the Iran-Pakistan relationship has come under scrutiny due to heightened tensions marked by missile strikes, drone attacks, and territorial disputes between these neighboring nations.
- This comprehensive analysis delves into the historical context, evolving dynamics, and broader implications surrounding the Iran-Pakistan relationship.
Iran-Pakistan: Historical Background
- Pre-1979: Allies under the Shadow of Superpowers
- Before Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979, both nations were aligned with the United States and were part of the Baghdad Pact (later CENTO), a military alliance resembling NATO.
- Iran supported Pakistan materially and with weapons during its conflicts with India in 1965 and 1971.
- Post-1979: A Shift in Alliances
- Following Ayatollah Khomeini’s rise to power and Iran’s shift to a Shiite regime, sectarian differences strained relations with Sunni-majority Pakistan.
- As Iran became an adversary of the United States post-1979, Pakistan moved closer to the U.S., particularly during the post-9/11 “War on Terror.”
- Iran’s policy of exporting the Islamic revolution created regional divergence, leading to opposing stances in Afghanistan.
- Attempts at Reconciliation
- In 1995, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto emphasized cooperation during her visit to Tehran, expressing regret over U.S. sanctions.
- Asif Ali Zardari’s presidency witnessed increased cooperation with Iran, especially in trade and energy, despite ongoing Sunni-Shiite tensions.
- However, Nawaz Sharif, as Prime Minister in 2013, realigned Pakistan away from Iran, strengthening ties with Arab allies and leaving the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project incomplete.
- The Balochistan Conundrum
- The Baloch population on both sides of the Iran-Pakistan border shares deep cultural and ethnic ties.
- Marginalization of Baloch communities in both nations has led to separatist movements, with insurgents operating across the porous border and targeting military and civilian targets.
- Differences in religious affiliations among Baloch insurgents in Iran and secular ethno-nationalism in Pakistan further complicate relations.
- Broader Regional Implications
- The involvement of Arabs, Israelis, and Iranians in the Balochistan issue reflects broader regional power politics.
- Balochistan’s strategic location at the mouth of the Gulf is crucial to geopolitical strategies, including China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
- India’s participation in Iran, especially the Chabahar port development, as a counter to Pakistan’s Gwadar port, adds complexity to the regional dynamics.
- India’s shifting stance toward regional conflicts indicates a departure from its traditionally neutral position.
Conclusion
Recent cross-border strikes and tensions highlight the fragile nature of the Iran-Pakistan relationship, influenced by historical, sectarian, and geopolitical factors.
While both nations may seek de-escalation, the Balochistan issue, regional power dynamics, and India’s evolving role in the Middle East challenge established assumptions about regional security.
As conflicts in the Gulf spill into the Baloch frontier, Pakistan may find itself more deeply entangled in the widening Middle East conflict theater, prompting a reevaluation of India’s regional strategies.
4. Extreme cold still happens in a warming world –climate instability may be disrupting the polar vortex
Context:
In the foreseeable future, the occurrence of severe cold events worldwide is expected to decrease. Nevertheless, various regions should maintain readiness for instances of exceptional cold.
Arctic Cold Blast Impacting the US: Exploring the Scientific Basis of Intense Winter Weather
I. Widespread Severe Winter Conditions in the US
- In recent days, an exceptionally cold Arctic air mass has moved southward across a significant portion of the United States.
- Record-breaking low temperatures have been observed from Montana to Texas, impacting tens of millions of people with perilously cold weather, substantial lake-effect snow, and snow squalls in the Great Lakes and Northeast regions.
- Severe cold events are often linked to disruptions or alterations in the stratospheric polar vortex, influencing the behavior of the polar jet stream.
II. Relationship Between Stratospheric Polar Vortex and Jet Stream
- Jet Stream Deviation: During severe cold events, the polar jet stream, dividing Arctic and temperate air, veers southward.
- Stratospheric Polar Vortex: Changes in the stratospheric polar vortex, positioned even higher than the jet stream, can result in distortions and southward shifts of the jet stream. Understanding this connection aids in explaining the dynamics of Arctic cold fronts reaching lower latitudes.
III. Global Warming and Severe Cold Occurrences
- Temperature Extremes: Despite facing the hottest year on record, the US is still susceptible to severe cold events. A single weather event cannot conclusively prove or disprove global warming.
- Research indicates a reduction in the frequency of extreme cold events with the progression of global warming.
- Although global warming diminishes the occurrence of extreme cold events, it does not eliminate them entirely.
- The intricate atmospheric patterns play a role in occasional severe cold outbreaks.
IV. Arctic Amplification and Vortex Disruptions
- Arctic Amplification: Studies propose that Arctic amplification, associated with global warming, might contribute to disruptions in the stratospheric polar vortex.
- For instance, the cold wave in Texas in February 2021 was linked to a stretched stratospheric polar vortex.
- Arctic amplification can impact the intensity and frequency of severe cold events, illustrating the interconnected nature of global climate systems.
V. Preparedness for Unusual Cold Events in a Warming Environment
- Decline in Severe Cold Incidents: While the number of severe cold events is diminishing, their intensity may not decrease proportionally in certain regions.
- Interconnected Phenomena: A heightened understanding of the correlations between Arctic conditions, the stratospheric polar vortex, and surface weather patterns is vital for preparedness.
- Despite the overall decrease in severe cold events, regions must stay prepared for exceptional cold occurrences. A comprehensive comprehension of influencing factors is crucial for effective climate adaptation strategies.
The Way Forward:
The recent Arctic cold blast in the US underscores the need to closely examine the intricate relationship between the stratospheric polar vortex, jet stream dynamics, and global warming.
Although global warming influences the general trend of fewer severe cold events, the complexity of atmospheric interactions emphasizes the necessity for ongoing research to enhance climate resilience and preparedness for extreme weather events.
5. The Somnath Temple
Introduction:
The inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, has sparked discussions on the intersection of politics and religion in India.
In this historical exploration, we aim to uncover lesser-known facets of another significant temple, the Somnath Temple, shedding light on its intricate historical background and the impact of British influence on its perception.
Somnath, Until 1947:
- Historical Significance: Situated in Prabhas Patan, Veraval, Gujarat, Somnath holds a revered place as a Hindu pilgrimage site.
- Legacy of the Temple: Referred to as the “holy place of the First Aadi Jyotirling Shree Somnath Mahadev,” the temple carries profound religious significance.
- Maratha Queen’s Initiative: In 1782, Maratha queen Ahalyabai Holkar constructed a modest temple on the site, though it did not restore the grandeur of the original structure.
Somnath’s Decline:
- Historical Attacks: Throughout its history, the temple faced numerous assaults, notably the devastating raid by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 CE.
- Rule by Diverse Leaders: While some Muslim rulers, such as Akbar in the sixteenth century, allowed worship at the temple, others, including Aurangzeb, ordered its destruction in 1706.
- Abul Fazl’s Observation: Historian Abul Fazl acknowledged Mahmud of Ghazni’s raid as “the plunder of the virtuous,” recognizing the temple’s significance.
- British Intervention: In 1842, British Governor General Lord Ellenborough used the “gates of Somnath” as a symbol of avenging an insult during an Afghanistan expedition.
A Tapestry of Architectural Marvels:
Chaulukya Grandeur: The temple’s architectural style reflects the Maru-Gurjara traditions of the Chaulukya dynasty. Soaring shikharas (spires) pierce the sky, their intricate carvings depicting celestial beings and mythological motifs.
Divine Abode: Within the sanctum sanctorum lies the sacred black Shivalinga, bathed in the soft glow of ghee lamps. Devotees throng the temple halls, seeking blessings and offering prayers, their chants resonating through the sacred space.
After Independence:
- Junagadh’s Attempted Accession to Pakistan: Post-Independence, the Nawab of Junagadh’s attempt to accede to Pakistan led to unrest.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Decision: On November 12, 1947, Patel announced the reconstruction of Somnath, supported by the Union Cabinet.
- Mahatma Gandhi’s Proposal: Gandhi suggested funding the temple through public contributions, leading to the creation of a Trust under K M Munshi.
Nehru’s Opposition to the Inauguration:
- Political Implications: Nehru opposed President Rajendra Prasad’s involvement in the temple’s grand opening.
- Concerns about Secularism: Nehru expressed reservations about the government’s participation in a ceremony with potential political and revivalist implications.
- Financial Concerns: He criticized the Saurashtra government’s contribution to the event, citing austerity measures and economic challenges.
- Emphasis on a Secular State: Nehru stressed the importance of India as a secular state and advocated for avoiding associations with religious events.
- Opposition to External Affairs Circular: He objected to a circular requesting the collection of water, soil, and twigs from foreign countries for the ceremony.
Conclusion:
The narrative of Somnath temple’s revival encapsulates India’s intricate journey through history, politics, and religion, underscoring the delicate balance between preserving historical heritage and upholding the principles of a secular state.
