1. National Research Foundation

GS 2 : Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

What is NRF ?

• The NRF, National Research Foundation, is an agency established as a result of the National Education Policy 2020.
• Its main purpose is to coordinate efforts among researchers, government bodies, and industry in India.
• By doing so, it aims to integrate industry into the research sector.
• The NRF not only provides research grants to individuals but also supports research infrastructure and researchers in Indian universities.

Funding mechanism of NRF

• The National Research Foundation (NRF) will have a budget of ₹50,000 crore for five yearse ₹10,000 crore for every year.
• The government will provide 28% of the budget (₹14,000 crore), while the remaining 72% (₹36,000 crore) will come from the private sector.
• The draft proposal suggests that the government’s share will eventually increase to ₹20,000 crore per year.
• To fund the NRF, ₹4,000 crore will be taken from the Science and Engineering Research Board’s budget, which will be incorporated into the NRF.
• Consequently, the government has allocated an additional ₹10,000 crore over the next five years for the NRF.

Challenges in Funding

• However, this increase in the country’s spending on research and development (GERD) seems inadequate, as it is less than 2% of the GERD.
• When compared to the GDP and research spending of other major economies like the U.S. and China, India’s investment in research and development is considerably smaller.
• In 2017-18, India’s GERD was ₹1,13,825 crore, while its GDP was 7.6 and 5.1 times smaller than that of the U.S. and China respectively.
• Moreover, India’s GERD was nearly 24 times less than both countries’ research spending during the same period. This gap has further widened over the last five years.

NRF and Ease of doing Business

1. The time between applying for a research grant and receiving the money should be as short as possible, ideally within six months. Although the peer-review process is supposed to be completed within six months, the release of funds may be delayed due to financial clearance.

1. All the necessary paperwork should be handled digitally, without the need to send physical copies to the funding organization (NRF).

1. All financial matters, including queries, paperwork, approval, and acceptance, should be handled between the NRF and the finance department of the university or research institution. This allows scientists to focus on their research without being burdened with financial tasks.

1. The NRF should have specific guidelines for spending money on scientific research, separate from general financial rules and government regulations. These guidelines should provide flexibility while ensuring that scientists are accountable for their spending.

1. The release of funds should be timely, as mentioned in the NRF draft. However, there should be a mechanism in place to ensure that funds are disbursed promptly and efficiently.

1. The involvement of the private industry in the NRF is seen as a positive step. However, there is uncertainty about how the government will raise a large sum of money (₹36000 crore) from the industry.

1.  A more detailed plan and mechanisms such as escrow accounts would provide reassurance to the scientific community.

What next ?

• The proposed NRF is largely modeled after the National Science Foundation of the U.S. It borrows some of the best practices from the German, U.K., Swiss, Norwegian, South Korean, and Singapore science agencies.
• Even if the NRF draft discusses critical thinking, creativity, and bringing innovation to the forefront, it is unclear how the NRF will transparently seed, fund and coordinate research across institutions.
• The success of NRF will lie in how the government sets rules and implements the same, different from what already exists.

Way Forward

1. Streamlined Approval Process: Implementing a streamlined and efficient approval process for research grants can help reduce delays. This can involve clear timelines, standardized evaluation criteria, and efficient decision-making mechanisms.

1. Flexible Funding Allocation: Allowing for more flexibility in funding allocation can support emerging and interdisciplinary research areas. Creating separate funding streams or dedicated funds for unconventional research fields can encourage innovation and exploration of new ideas.

1. Enhanced Industry Collaboration: Encouraging greater participation from the private industry in research funding can be achieved through partnerships, joint projects, and collaborative initiatives. This can involve creating incentives for industry investment in research and fostering strong academia-industry relationships.

1. Simplified Application Procedures: Simplifying and streamlining the application procedures for research grants can make it easier for researchers to apply. This can include reducing paperwork, implementing online application systems, and providing clear guidelines and support for applicants.

1. Equitable Distribution: Ensuring an equitable distribution of research funds among different regions and institutions is important. Adopting transparent and merit-based allocation processes can help address regional disparities and provide equal opportunities for researchers across the country.

1. Post-Funding Support: Providing post-funding support and guidance to researchers can help them effectively manage and utilize the allocated funds. This can involve offering financial management training, monitoring progress, and providing assistance in reporting and compliance.

2. 2. Loot, intransigence, and the darkening of a colonial blot

GS 1 : Modern Indian History from about the middle of 18th century until the present significant events, personalities, issues.

Article Highlights

1. Return of stolen colonial artefacts.
2. Moral obligation and justice.
3. Comparison to Nazi-era art restitution.
4. Symbolic value of returned artefacts.
5. Comprehensive measures of atonement

Context : Colonial loot and their current ramifications

1. Return of stolen colonial artefacts

• The recent decision by the Netherlands to return 484 looted artefacts to Indonesia and Sri Lanka has reignited the debate about whether colonial countries should continue to hold on to cultural treasures acquired during their imperial rule or return them to their original homelands.
• While the British have been reluctant to return items like the Elgin Marbles and the Rosetta Stone, they have shown some willingness to repatriate certain objects, such as the Benin Bronzes, to Nigeria.
• However, when it comes to Indian artefacts, the British have been resistant, fearing it would set a precedent that could lead to the emptying of the British Museum.

1. Moral obligation and Justice

• The return of stolen cultural items is seen as a moral obligation owed by the West to its former colonies.
• It represents a semblance of justice and acknowledges the legal and moral obligation to rectify historical wrongs.
• While it cannot erase the trauma and horrors of colonialism, it is a step towards addressing the injustices suffered.

1. Comparison to Nazi-era art restitution & Symbolic value of artefacts

• Comparisons are made to the return of looted Nazi-era art, which is being returned to its rightful owners, and it is argued that the principle should be no different for colonial treasures.
• One of the prominent examples mentioned is the Kohinoor diamond, which is currently displayed in the Tower of London.
• Its presence is seen as a powerful reminder of the loot and plunder perpetrated by the British Empire. Returning it, even as a symbolic gesture, would acknowledge the misappropriation of colonialism.
• However, it is recognized that the process should not stop at the return of a few objects but should involve comprehensive measures of atonement.

4.. Comprehensive measures of atonement

• These measures include teaching unvarnished colonial history in British schools, establishing a museum dedicated to the horrors and iniquities of colonialism in the UK, and offering a formal apology to the victims of colonialism.
• Drawing on Willy Brandt’s apology in the Warsaw Ghetto, it is argued that genuine contrition and recognition of historical responsibility are essential.
• The author suggests that the British government could follow the example of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who apologized for past wrongs committed by his country.
• While the British government remains resistant to the return of colonial artefacts, the author emphasizes the need for true atonement.
• They argue that atoning for the past sins of the nation is a moral imperative, even if the current government bears no direct responsibility for colonialism.
• By saying sorry and undertaking measures of historical education and commemoration, true moral atonement can be achieved.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the debate surrounding the return of looted colonial artefacts continues to be a contentious issue. The return of these objects is seen as a moral obligation and a step towards rectifying historical injustices.

It is argued that true atonement requires not only the return of stolen artefacts but also comprehensive measures that include education, apology, and the establishment of a museum dedicated to colonialism.

3. Quiet diplomacy could ease South China Sea tensions

GS 2 : India and its neighborhood relations

Highlights

1. Strengthened Bilateral Partnership
2. Focus on South China Sea
3. Legitimacy of the 2016 Arbitral Award
4. Violations by China
5. Dispute Resolution
6. Significance of the South China Sea
7. Practical Challenges
8. Role of ASEAN

1. Strengthened Bilateral Partnership:

• The Foreign Ministers of India and the Philippines met to outline the path for a strengthened bilateral partnership between the two countries in the 21st century, building on shared interests and diplomatic history.

2. 2. Focus on South China Sea:

• The South China Sea issue as a key point of discussion between India and the Philippines.
• India expressed its adherence to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and emphasized the need to respect the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.

3. Legitimacy of the 2016 Arbitral Award:

• The 2016 Arbitral Award, issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), was mentioned as a significant development.
• The award favored the Philippines and denied China’s historical rights in the South China Sea, ruling that China had violated the sovereign rights of the Philippines in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

4. Violations by China:

• The PCA found that China had interfered with Philippines’ fishing and petroleum exploration, constructed artificial islands, and failed to stop Chinese fishermen from fishing in the Philippines’ EEZ.
• China’s actions were deemed to have caused irreparable harm to the maritime environment and raised the risk of collision at sea.

5. Dispute Resolution:

• There is a need for peaceful conflict resolution and the importance of respecting legal and diplomatic channels in addressing the South China Sea issue.
• The dialogue and political frameworks should be pursued to find a solution, as the potential for resolution through legal methods is considered low.

6. Significance of the South China Sea:

• The South China Sea is described as a crucial maritime gateway and a vital ocean in terms of geopolitics, economy, and strategy.
• Its stability and freedom of navigation are important for global trade and the economy, making it imperative to safeguard the water lanes passing through the region.

7. Practical Challenges:

• Despite the 2016 Arbitral Award, the article notes that the ground reality in the South China Sea has not changed, making it difficult to implement the decision.
• It highlights the need for a peaceful resolution that respects international law and diplomatic channels, emphasizing India’s stance on peace and adherence to the ruling.

8. Role of ASEAN:

• The ASEAN leaders should play a crucial role in finding a political solution and progress towards a legally binding “code of conduct” in the South China Sea.
• It emphasizes the importance of greater understanding and unity among ASEAN nations in conveying a political message to China regarding the South China Sea issue.

Conclusion

India’s adherence to international law and support for the 2016 Arbitral Award underscore its commitment to peace and respect for the ruling.

However, the practical challenges on the ground necessitate a political framework and dialogue for conflict resolution.

ASEAN leaders play a crucial role in finding a solution and progressing towards a legally binding “code of conduct.”

Moving forward, it is imperative for nations to uphold the principles of international law, engage in peaceful dialogue, and work towards safeguarding the stability and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea