Ram Mandir Architecture Marvel
Context: Exploring Indian culture involves delving into essential aspects of art forms, literature, and architecture spanning ancient to modern times.
Recent Developments:
- On January 22, a new landmark in Ayodhya emerged, embodying both structural and spiritual significance.
- This contemporary architectural marvel, crafted from elegant sandstones by dedicated artisans in homage to Lord Ram, now graces the horizon.
Key Highlights:
- The expansive Ram Temple in Ayodhya stands as an impressive structure, overcoming engineering challenges while respecting nature.
- The consecration of the new Ram Lalla idol marked the beginning of a new era, led by the Prime Minister.
- Notably, the grand structure’s construction avoided the use of iron or steel, with stones sourced from Rajasthan’s Bansi Paharpur area.
Nagara Style:
- The temple complex, designed in the traditional Nagara style, boasts dimensions of 380 feet in length, 250 feet in width, and 161 feet in height.
- During excavation, an unsuitable ground for the foundation stone led to engineers creating an “artificial foundation” for the superstructure.
- Stone carvings depicting Lord Hanuman, other deities, peacocks, and flower patterns lend a divine aesthetic to the structure.
Unique Features:
- Surrounding the grand temple is a rectangular periphery called percota, a feature uncommon in North India but found in South Indian temples. The percota is 14 feet wide, spanning 732 meters.
- The temple is nestled within this percota periphery, adorned with ornate statues of elephants, lions, Lord Hanuman, and Garuda at the main entrance.
- The Supreme court supported the construction of the Ram temple at the disputed site and mandated finding an alternative five-acre plot for building a mosque.
- Subsequently, the Uttar Pradesh government allocated the mosque’s land in the Dhannipur area of Ayodhya district.
Gender Parity in Education: Emphasis on Early Life
Introduction
Education plays a pivotal role in societal advancement, and it is imperative to address gender-related issues within the educational system for continued progress.
While the ASER 2023 data suggests gender equity in learning outcomes, a closer examination reveals persistent gender discrimination.
Gender Equity: Parity in Learning Outcomes
- Analyzing learning outcomes, including test scores, indicates equal performance between boys and girls in elementary and secondary classes throughout India.
For instance, in Classes 3 and 5, both girls and boys achieve identical scores in mathematics, at 63 and 53, respectively. Gender differences in subject scores seldom exceed one percentage point.
Widening Gender Disparities
- Despite the increased educational opportunities for girls in India, as evidenced by the mean years of schooling nearly tripling from 1.7 years in 1990 to 4.7 years in 2018, the gender gap has expanded over time.
- Boys have also experienced educational improvements, with average attainment rising from 4.1 to 8.2 years. However, the gender gap has grown from 2.4 years to 3.5 years.
Deviation from Global Trends
India’s departure from global trends is notable, as many countries have witnessed comparable improvements in education for both genders.
Educational Barriers
- As education levels rise, barriers for girls intensify due to societal norms, stereotypes, and adolescent-related factors.
- Dropout rates in Classes 1 to 8 show a significant shift, with nearly twice as many girls dropping out by Class 8 compared to boys.
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
- Gender bias in ECE becomes apparent in the early stages of education, as highlighted by the Annual Status of Education Report “Early Years.”
- Enrollments in private institutions are skewed towards boys, while girls are often directed to free government schools, reflecting societal biases.
- A five percentage point gender difference in enrollment exists at the age of four, growing to eight percentage points by age eight.
Societies favoring the education of male children tend to withdraw more girls from school.
Focus on Early Childhood Care (ECE)
- Addressing the gender gap in education necessitates a shift towards Early Childhood Education (ECE) to address the foundational aspects of gender norms. Children between three and seven are highly impressionable, forming biases about gender roles during this period.
- Challenges such as insufficient funding, poor quality, and the absence of legislation for universal ECE access persist in India.
- Longitudinal studies indicate that every dollar invested in ECE yields substantial returns, emphasizing its cost-effectiveness.
- Government initiatives like “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” and the Draft National Education Policy stress the importance of ECE.
Conclusion
The urgency of addressing the gender gap in education, especially in the early years, requires immediate attention and intervention. Establishing a regulatory framework, ensuring adequate funding, and maintaining quality standards for ECE is indispensable. Eliminating gender stereotypes in preschools is crucial for eradicating the gender gap in education.
Investing in girls’ education yields numerous benefits, ranging from reduced poverty and crime to improved economic development. It is imperative to prioritize early childhood education to shape a brighter and more equitable future for all.
Custodial Violence
Context:
In a recent observation, the Supreme Court highlighted the 2022 incident where four Gujarat Police officers were found publicly flogging individuals.
The behavior of these officers was deemed to be in contempt of the Supreme Court’s directions outlined in the D.K. Basu judgment of 1996, which aimed to address issues related to police abuse and custodial violence.
Custodial Violence:
Custodial violence primarily pertains to acts of violence that occur in police and judicial custody, encompassing actions such as death, rape, and torture.
Aspects of Custodial Violence:
Various forms of abuse are associated with custodial violence, including mental and physical torture, sexual harassment, rape, and even death.
D.K. Basu Judgment:
The landmark D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal judgment in 1997 introduced crucial guidelines to prevent custodial torture and deaths.
Upholding Fundamental Rights:
- In the DK Basu vs State of West Bengal case, the Supreme Court emphasized the protection of Fundamental Rights, specifically those under Article 21, for prisoners and detainees.
- It reiterated that any restrictions imposed on these rights must be legally permissible.
DK Basu Guidelines:
- Detailed records of all police personnel involved in the interrogation must be maintained in a register.
- The arresting officer is required to prepare a memo of arrest at the time of arrest.
- Police must notify the time, place, and location of custody to the next of kin residing outside the district within 8 to 12 hours through the Legal Aid Organisation and the local police station.
- Copies of all relevant documents, including the memo of arrest, should be sent to the Magistrate for their records.
5. The arrestee may be allowed to meet with their attorney during interrogation, though not necessarily throughout the entire process.
Custodial Violence
Context:
In a recent observation, the Supreme Court highlighted the 2022 incident where four Gujarat Police officers were found publicly flogging individuals.
The behavior of these officers was deemed to be in contempt of the Supreme Court’s directions outlined in the D.K. Basu judgment of 1996, which aimed to address issues related to police abuse and custodial violence.
Custodial Violence:
Custodial violence primarily pertains to acts of violence that occur in police and judicial custody, encompassing actions such as death, rape, and torture.
Aspects of Custodial Violence:
Various forms of abuse are associated with custodial violence, including mental and physical torture, sexual harassment, rape, and even death.
D.K. Basu Judgment:
The landmark D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal judgment in 1997 introduced crucial guidelines to prevent custodial torture and deaths.
Upholding Fundamental Rights:
- In the DK Basu vs State of West Bengal case, the Supreme Court emphasized the protection of Fundamental Rights, specifically those under Article 21, for prisoners and detainees.
- It reiterated that any restrictions imposed on these rights must be legally permissible.
DK Basu Guidelines:
- Detailed records of all police personnel involved in the interrogation must be maintained in a register.
- The arresting officer is required to prepare a memo of arrest at the time of arrest.
- Police must notify the time, place, and location of custody to the next of kin residing outside the district within 8 to 12 hours through the Legal Aid Organisation and the local police station.
- Copies of all relevant documents, including the memo of arrest, should be sent to the Magistrate for their records.
5. The arrestee may be allowed to meet with their attorney during interrogation, though not necessarily throughout the entire process.
Crop Residue Management (CRM) Operational Guidelines 2023-24
Context:
- In July, India introduced Crop Residue Management (CRM) guidelines for the fiscal year 2023-24, encompassing the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi.
CRM Guideline Objectives:
- The primary goals of the Crop Residue Management (CRM) guidelines are to combat the environmental hazards caused by stubble burning and foster collaboration between the agricultural and industrial sectors in the agri-residue supply chain, particularly for bioenergy support.
- These guidelines underscore the adverse environmental effects of burning paddy straw, citing the release of pollutants such as 3 kg of particulate matter, 60 kg of CO, 1,460 kg of CO2, 199 kg of ash, and 2 kg of SO2 per tonne of paddy straw.
Implementation Approach:
- The guidelines recommend the establishment of an agri-residue biomass supply chain that links farmers to the bioenergy industry.
- To facilitate this, 65% of the required machinery investment, including tractors, balers, and rakers, will be provided by the government, with 25% from the industry and 10% from farmers or farmer-producer organizations (FPOs).
- The guidelines also outline the indicative expenditure for setting up the machinery involved in the paddy straw supply chain.
Regulatory Bodies:
- The central regulatory bodies overseeing the CRM initiative are the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) and State Agricultural Departments.
Targets and Financial Assistance:
- The scheme aims to collect 1.5 million tonnes of paddy straw over the next three years through the establishment of 333 collection centers, with a total financial assistance of Rs 600 crore.
Benefits to Farmers and Industry:
- Farmers stand to gain an additional source of income, while the industry secures a consistent supply of feedstock.
- Encouraging collaboration between farmers and the industry leads to mutual financial benefits, contributing to the production of green energy and creating a win-win situation.
Challenges and Needed Clarifications:
Challenges include the absence of a specified timeline for implementation, unclear details about the fund transfer process to equipment suppliers, farmers being tasked with independent identification and negotiation with the industry, and a lack of clarity in the guidelines regarding the utilization and revenue-sharing model for machinery used three months out of 12.
Comparison with CRM 2020-21:
- The 2023-24 guidelines expand the scope by including Madhya Pradesh, introducing a 25% capital contribution from the industry, and adopting a 60:40 public-private partnership (PPP) funding basis, except for NCT of Delhi.
- Unlike the fully funded model in 2020-21, farmers are actively involved in capital arrangement and negotiations with the industry.
Positive Developments:
The 2023-24 guidelines shift the focus to the bioenergy industry, encourage decentralization for decision-making at the state and nodal agency levels, actively involve farmers as shareholders in the bioenergy ecosystem, and despite implementation challenges, are viewed as a positive step towards bioenergy adoption in India.
BHARAT RATNA
Introduction
On January 23, a momentous announcement was made by the Indian government, posthumously conferring the Bharat Ratna upon Karpoori Thakur, the former chief minister of Bihar, India’s highest civilian honor.
Thakur, fondly referred to as ‘Jannayak’ or the leader of the people, leaves behind a legacy marked by enduring policy decisions that have played a pivotal role in shaping Bihar and the nation.
Karpoori Thakur: Life and Career
- A Leader of Contrasts: Born on January 24, 1924, in Bihar, Thakur emerged as a prominent leader of the backward caste in the state, despite belonging to the minority nai (barber) caste.
- Political Activism: He actively participated in the freedom struggle and faced imprisonment for his convictions.
- Decades of Public Service: Thakur served as an MLA from 1952 until his demise in 1988, with a brief period as an MP in 1977.
- Respected Clean Image: Despite holding public office for thirty years, Thakur maintained an untarnished image and refrained from personal enrichment through government resources.
Landmark Policy Decisions
- Education Reform: Thakur made education more accessible by eliminating English as a compulsory subject for matriculation examinations.
- Prohibition of Alcohol: He imposed a ban on alcohol consumption to address societal issues arising from alcohol abuse.
- Job Opportunities for Engineers: Thakur introduced preferential treatment for unemployed engineers in government contracts, resulting in employment for approximately 8,000 engineers.
- Layered Reservation System: In June 1970, the ‘Karpoori Thakur Formula’ was implemented, providing 26% reservation, including 12% for OBCs, 8% for economically backward OBCs, 3% for women, and 3% for economically disadvantaged individuals from upper castes.
Challenges and Consequences
- Immediate Opposition: Thakur’s reservation policy encountered significant opposition, particularly from upper castes, leading to the downfall of his government.
- Polarization and Derogatory Remarks: Despite his clean governance record, Thakur’s caste background resulted in derogatory slogans and societal polarization.
- Political Fallout: Thakur’s decision to prioritize the reservation policy was perceived by some as hasty, in contrast to leaders who consolidated their positions before introducing similar policies.
Karpoori Thakur’s Enduring Legacy
- Mandal-Kamandal Politics: Thakur’s legacy continues to exert influence in the ongoing Mandal-Kamandal political landscape.
- Recognition by Leaders: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, belonging to a numerically small EBC community, closely aligns himself with Thakur’s legacy.
Political Continuation: Thakur’s policies continue to shape the agendas of political parties in Bihar, underscoring the lasting impact of his commitment to social justice.
