Topics

1. Why accountability is Important?
2. Our morality after Manipur
3. National cyber security should spur the digital resilience

Why accountability is so important?

India’s achievements in space exploration, the lack of foresight in infrastructure planning during the monsoon, governance accountability issues, the crisis in Manipur, media and civil society’s complacency, India’s foreign policy challenges with China, and the need for transparent leadership and accountability.

Chandrayaan-3 Launch and ISRO’s Achievement

• The successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 and its epic journey to the moon’s South Pole has been a matter of immense national pride.
• Despite a modest budget of around Rs 650 Crores, ISRO has achieved remarkable success, reflecting the dedication of its scientists, engineers, and technicians.

Infrastructure and Monsoon Woes

• Contrasting the success of space missions, the country’s infrastructure planning during the monsoon season has raised concerns.
• Despite employing a significant workforce and taxpayers’ money, the inability to foresee and address issues caused by extreme weather is puzzling and calls for greater accountability.

Lack of Accountability in Governance

• Delhi’s governance is marred by conflicts between the elected government and the Lieutenant Governor, leading to a lack of accountability in bureaucratic decisions.
• The absence of responsibility in various facets of governance seems ingrained in the system, causing detrimental effects on the people.

Crisis in Manipur and Inaction

• Manipur is engulfed in an intense civil war with cases of rape and murder being reported daily.
• Despite the Prime Minister’s silence and universal condemnation, the lack of substantial government intervention raises questions about the complicity of local politicians and bureaucrats in perpetuating the problem.

Complicit Mainstream Media and Civil Society

• The mainstream media and civil society’s lack of response to human rights violations in Manipur raise concerns about covert financial incentives influencing their initiatives.
• The apparent apathy towards Manipur’s plight suggests a more sinister agenda at play.

India’s Foreign Policy Challenges

• Government’s nationalist agenda and “muscular foreign policy” have failed to yield desired results with China.
• The lack of clarity on territorial claims in Eastern Ladakh and the refusal to address losses only emboldens Chinese actions and perceptions.

Need for Accountability in Security and Intelligence

• Holding the government accountable for the Ladakh fiasco is essential to avoid future embarrassments.
• Detaching accountability in the security and intelligence establishment from politics is crucial, as it has been an unhealthy trend since the Kargil Conflict during Mr Vajpayee’s government.

The government should address these issues promptly to regain public trust and ensure a stronger, more accountable future.

Our morality after Manipur

Introduction

The horrifying events in Manipur, where a video of ethnic targeting emerged, leading to public outrage and reactions from political leaders, including the Prime Minister.

It criticizes the government’s response, which they perceive as callous and evasive. They argue that the language used to express outrage falls short in addressing the specific harm and injustice faced by the victims, focusing instead on broader identity issues and abstract shame.

1. Horrific Video Prompts Reactions: The author begins by highlighting that it took a graphic video to capture the nation’s attention and force the Supreme Court and the Prime Minister to respond. However, the author contends that these reactions are tainted by moral callousness and indifference.

2. The Prime Minister’s Problematic Reaction: The Prime Minister’s response is criticized for its petulant and evasive tone. The author points out the fallacy in drawing political equivalences with other incidents, emphasizing that Manipur’s situation demands immediate attention and action.

3. Problematic Language of Outrage: It discusses three language elements used to express outrage: claims of this not being “our India,” language of shame, and an excessive focus on kinship rather than citizenship. The author argues that these approaches fail to address the individual harm and trauma caused by the atrocities.

4. Government’s Role in Escalating the Crisis: It blames the state and central governments for exacerbating the situation in Manipur, legitimizing majoritarianism and ethnic fear. They criticize the institutions for failing to protect citizens’ rights and becoming part of the problem.

5. Call for the Supreme Court’s Intervention: It calls on the Supreme Court to intervene not just as a response to a viral video but to ensure the restoration of all basic rights across India. The current government’s moral callousness and atrocity must be addressed.

6. Conclusion and Call to Action: It concludes with a call to remove the morally callous regime from power to                     prevent empty gestures of shame and to safeguard the dignity and rights of individuals in Manipur and                           beyond.

National cybersecurity strategy should spur digital resilience

Introduction

• The author discusses the cybersecurity strategies adopted by various countries and highlights Estonia and South Korea as leaders in this domain.
• Estonia’s highly secure digital infrastructure and South Korea’s robust legal framework and cybersecurity education investments have garnered attention.
• The International Telecommunication Union’s repository of national cybersecurity strategies offers valuable insights for countries like India, which is preparing to roll out its cybersecurity strategy.

US Cybersecurity Strategy Evolution:

• The United States has shown significant progress in its cybersecurity strategies. After the 9/11 attacks, it updated its policy with the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace in 2003.
• Subsequent initiatives like the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative and the ‘Clean Slate Review’ have strengthened its command structure and integrated law, policy, and protection of civil liberties, privacy, public safety, national, and economic security interests into the 2023 Cybersecurity Strategy.

India’s Cybersecurity Landscape:

• India introduced its first cybersecurity policy in 2013 and is now gearing up for its 2023 strategy.
• It emphasizes compliance with global security standards and an enabling regulatory framework.
• The strategy recognizes the differentiated responsibilities of individuals, businesses, academia, and the government and calls for securing the cyberspace ecosystem through a whole-of-nation approach.

Addressing Key Issues:

• The author raises various concerns that policymakers must address, such as the potential red flags posed by 5G technology, creating repositories of blacklisted entities and cyber resilience best practices, and choosing appropriate cybersecurity standards and certifications.

The Role of ONDC:

• India’s focus on digital commons, like the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), poses both data theft and cybersecurity challenges.
• However, leveraging ONDC to provide cybersecurity tools and services on a common platform is also considered.

Advancing Security Operations:

• Efforts to enhance the efficiency of Security Operations Centres include incorporating User and Entity Behaviour Analytics, advanced security analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning capabilities into SIEM platforms.

Regulating Metaverse and AI:

With the rise of Metaverse and AI, the need for regulations to ensure cybersecurity and prevent potential risks becomes crucial.

Collaborative Approach:

The author encourages sharing best and worst cybersecurity practices among departments dealing with cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and Internet governance with the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).

Conclusion:

The emphasizes on the importance of a strong cybersecurity strategy for India and the need for cooperation between public and private sectors to allocate resources towards national critical infrastructure and space cybersecurity.

Policymakers must address key issues and incorporate advanced technologies while ensuring compliance with global security standards for a secure cyberspace ecosystem.