How India choses its Republic Day Chief Guest?
Context:
The distinguished guest for India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations will be President Emmanuel Macron of France, as invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This invitation, denoting a significant diplomatic gesture, underscores the robust relationship between India and France.
Significance of Republic Day Chief Guest Honor
- Symbolizing a pinnacle diplomatic honor, the Republic Day chief guest engages in various ceremonial activities.
- These include receiving a guard of honor, participating in a presidential reception, laying a wreath at Rajghat, and being honored with a banquet and lunch.
Symbolic Representation and Amity
Ambassador Manbir Singh emphasizes that the visit symbolizes participation in India’s pride and underscores the friendship between the two nations.
Chief Guest Selection Process
- Commencing about six months in advance, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) plays a central role in the selection process.
- Decision-making factors encompass political, commercial, military, and economic interests, aiming to fortify ties with the guest’s country.
- Historical considerations, such as the legacy of the Non-Aligned Movement, also influence selections, prioritizing mutual support and nation-building.
Post-Selection Procedures
- Following MEA’s selection, approvals from the Prime Minister and President are sought, culminating in a discreet confirmation of the guest’s availability.
- Subsequently, official communications and detailed planning for the visit and associated ceremonies are undertaken.
Challenges and Contingencies
- Organizers anticipate unplanned events, including health issues or weather disruptions.
- Adherence to strict protocol is crucial, as incidents recounted by Ambassador Singh underscore.
Broader Implications of the Visit
- The role of the Republic Day chief guest combines ceremonial honor with strategic diplomacy, playing a pivotal role in India’s international relations and foreign policy.
- International media closely monitors the visit, shaping perceptions of the guest’s nation.
- The hospitality and ceremonies reflect India’s traditions and culture, enhancing diplomatic relations.
Beyond its ceremonial significance, the chief guest’s visit holds the potential to forge new avenues in international relations and advance India’s global interests.
Passport Evolution and Dunki
Central Idea
The recent Bollywood film ‘Dunki’ delves into the intricate issue of immigration, shedding light on the perilous journeys taken by individuals lacking legal permits or financial resources for immigration, as symbolized by the term “donkey journey” in the title.
The movie underscores that the contemporary visa and passport system is a relatively recent development, tracing back only about 70 years.
Historical Perspective on Passports
- Passports, serving as both identity proofs and travel permits, have existed in various forms for centuries.
- The Book of Nehemiah in the Bible references King Artaxerxes of ancient Persia providing letters for safe passage, similar to modern passports.
- In France and the United Kingdom, systems akin to modern passports were already in place well before the French Revolution of 1789.
The French Passport System
- France implemented internal passports for domestic travel and overseas passports for foreign trips.
- This system was utilized to regulate skilled workers and prevent the entry of potential troublemakers.
Emergence of Modern Passports
- In India, passports were not issued before World War I, but the British government introduced mandatory passports under the Defence of India Act (1914 to 1918).
- The necessity for secure borders during the World Wars triggered a global shift in the perception and use of passports.
- The British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act of 1914 consolidated laws related to citizenship and introduced features of modern passports.
Standardization and Regulation
- In 1920, the League of Nations aimed to standardize passport systems, with the British model gaining widespread adoption.
- The United States introduced passport laws in the 1920s, coinciding with immigration restrictions from Asia.
Public Reception and Cultural Impact
- Some individuals in the US and UK found the detailed physical descriptions and identity verification in passports intrusive.
- The media’s attention on the requirement for prominent figures, including President Woodrow Wilson, to possess passports garnered significant interest.
Conclusion
Initially designed as a wartime tool, passports have evolved into an integral aspect of modern citizenship and international travel. Explored in ‘Dunki,’ the history of passports reflects the continuous evolution of identity verification and border control in response to global socio-political changes.
Anganwadi-cum-Crèche (Palna)
Context:
The Union Women and Child Development Ministry aspire to establish 17,000 creches within Anganwadi centers across the nation, and as of now, 5,222 have received approval under the ‘Palna’ scheme.
Palna Scheme Overview:
- The Palna Scheme, an integral part of the Samarthya sub-component of Mission Shakti starting from April 2022, aims to offer high-quality childcare facilities through Anganwadi-cum-Crèches.
The scheme is a revision and inclusion of the National Creche Scheme (NCS) under Mission Shakti.
Specifics of Palna Scheme:
- The primary focus is on creating combined Anganwadi and crèche facilities to provide comprehensive childcare.
- The initiative targets primarily urban areas where family-based childcare support is limited.
- A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been released to define the administrative framework, roles, responsibilities, and monitoring mechanisms.
National Crèche Scheme (NCS) Background:
- Originally launched as the Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Scheme (RGNCS) in 2006, it evolved into the National Crèche Scheme (NCS) from 2017.
- Legal provisions under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 govern the scheme.
Objectives of NCS:
- The primary objective is to provide daycare facilities for children aged 6 months to 6 years, specifically catering to the offspring of working mothers, particularly those from economically weaker sections.
- Childcare services include daycare, supplementary nutrition, early childhood education, and health check-ups.
Operational Details:
- The crèches typically operate for 7 to 8 hours a day, 26 days a month, under the administration of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India.
Execution is carried out through collaboration with state governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community-based organizations.
Telecom law upgrades for a digital authoritarian state
Context:
The Telecom Bill of 2023 perpetuates the regulatory framework inherited from colonial times, transforming India into a state characterized by digital authoritarianism.
Political Tactics and Symbolism
Announcement Approach: A strategic tweet from Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav heralds the passage of the Telecom Bill, underscoring alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision.
Cultural Emphasis: Purposeful utilization of the term “Bharat” and attributing individual credit to the Prime Minister constructs a narrative steeped in cultural nativism, diverting attention away from other aspects.
Issues at Hand: The Telecom Bill strategically employs political messaging, introduces elements of nationalism, and elicits concerns regarding innovation and authoritative control, indicating a departure from democratic principles.
Ramifications of Telecom Bill 2023
- Nationalistic Naming: The Telecom Bill introduces the “Digital Bharat Nidhi” and integrates Indic influences, placing strong emphasis on a nationalistic perspective.
- Structural Challenges: Despite the renaming, the Telecom Bill neglects to address the deepening digital divide and challenges outlined in various reports.
- Impact on Innovation: Provisions favoring “national champions” and facilitating market entry raise inquiries about the potential consequences for private enterprises and user benefits.
Authoritarian Grip in Telecom Act
- State Dominance: The Telecom Bill upholds state control without altering the colonial framework, skillfully rephrasing expressions to convey a sense of severity.
- Ambiguous Definitions: The use of vague terminology, such as “telecommunication,” expands government licensing powers, potentially affecting services like WhatsApp and Gmail.
Surveillance State: Inclusions such as the undefined term “national security” and requirements for biometric identification contribute to the development of a burgeoning surveillance state.
Changes from IPC to Bharat Nyayik Samhita
Context:
The proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill of 2023 aims to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and implements modifications in several areas, such as sedition, fake news, and mob lynching.
Mob Lynching:
– Defines offenses related to mob lynching and hate-crime murders.
– Applicable when a group of five or more individuals commits murder based on factors like race, caste, community, or personal belief.
– Penalties range from life imprisonment to the death penalty.
Organized Crime:
– Marks the inclusion of measures to address organized crime within ordinary criminal law.
– Introduces a distinct category for “petty organized crime,” focusing on everyday law and order issues.
– Penalties vary based on the involvement of death, ranging from a mandatory minimum of five years to life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Terrorism:
– Incorporates terrorism into ordinary criminal law, drawing language from the stringent Unlawful Atrocities Prevention Act.
– Adopts the definition of “terrorist” from the Philippines Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
– The offense of terror financing is more expansive compared to the existing Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Attempted Suicide:
– Criminalizes attempts to commit suicide with the intention to compel or restrain public servants from performing their duties.
– Prescribes a jail term of up to one year along with community service.
Deletions:
– Repeals Section 377 of the IPC, which criminalized homosexuality and “unnatural” sexual activities.
– Eliminates the offense of adultery, previously deemed unconstitutional in 2018.
– Fully abolishes Section 310 of the IPC, which labeled individuals as “thugs.”
Gender Neutrality:
– Renders offenses related to the procurement of a girl and kidnapping of minors gender-neutral.
– Applies gender neutrality to offenses related to outraging the modesty of women and voyeurism for adults.
Other Amendments:
– Introduces a new provision criminalizing the dissemination of false and misleading information under the “fake news” category.
– Reintroduces the offense of sedition under a new name (“deshdroh”) with a broader definition, encompassing aiding through financial means and encouraging separatist activities.
– Prescribes mandatory minimum sentences in various provisions, restricting judicial discretion.
– Offenses related to causing damage to public property entail graded fines based on the extent of damage.
