Dec 27th 2024 Current Affairs

Index:

1. Domestic Migration in India

Recent Trends: Domestic migration in India is slowing down.

Key Findings:

Improved Opportunities in Smaller Cities:
- Economic Advisory Council to the PM (EAC-PM) hypothesizes reduced migration due to:
  - Improved economic opportunities.
  - Better public services in smaller cities.

Supporting Data Sources:
- Indian Railways UTS Data: Indicates lower passenger volumes for non-suburban second-class travel.
- Telecom Data: High migration activity observed between April and June; secondary peaks in November and December.
- Banking Data: Used to track remittances.

Composition of Top Migrant States:
- Major urban centers attract intra-state and inter-state migrants: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata.
- West Bengal, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh are key sources of migration.

Causes for Decline in Migration:

Availability of improved public services:
- Education.
- Healthcare.
- Infrastructure.
- Connectivity.
Economic opportunities in smaller towns reduce dependence on urban migration.

Challenges in Migration Analysis:

Delayed Data:
- Census data collection and analysis lag.
- Surveys and district-level remittance data lack granularity.
Mismatch in Data Coverage:
- Household migration surveys may miss trends in blue-collar migration and semi-skilled workers.

Impact on Migration Patterns:

Intra-state Migration Dominates: Economic self-sufficiency in regions curbs inter-state migration.
Secondary Peaks in Migration:

Linked to seasonal labor requirements.

2. An Avoidable Tragedy: Crowd Management in India

Key Issue:

India faces chronic failures in public safety during large gatherings, leading to frequent stampedes and fatalities.

Data and Trends:

Incidents (1996-2022):
- 3,935 stampedes
- Resulted in 3,000+ deaths.
Common causes:
- Overcrowding at religious festivals, political rallies, and celebrity events.

Notable Stampedes:

Religious Gatherings:
- 2011, Sabarimala: 106 deaths on a narrow path.
- 2013, Kumbh Mela (Allahabad): 36 deaths at a railway station.
Political Rallies: 2014, Patna: 30+ deaths at Gandhi Maidan.
Celebrity Appearances: 2023, Hyderabad: Stampede during a promotional event for Pushpa 2; one death and several injuries.

Causes of Stampedes:

Poor Planning:
- Lack of multiple entry/exit points.
- No crowd size assessment or adequate security arrangements.
Negligence:
- Insufficient emergency preparedness.
- Lack of trained personnel and first aid facilities.
Human Factors:
- Fan fervor in celebrity events.
- Overcrowding during faith-based gatherings.

Policy Recommendations:

Infrastructure Improvements:
- Clearly designated entry and exit points for crowds.
- Spatial planning to ensure free movement and prevent bottlenecks.
- Adequate hydration and thermal comfort
Emergency Preparedness:
- Deployment of medical aid, trained personnel, and chaos management protocols.
- Pre-defined safety standards for crowd management.
Regulation and Oversight:
- Stronger protocol enforcement for security at public gatherings.
- Accountability of organizers and local authorities.
Awareness Campaigns:
- Educating citizens on crowd safety and evacuation procedures.

Public drills for emergency scenarios.

3. Strengthening Fisheries Extension Services in India

Importance of Fisheries in India:

Fisheries provide livelihood opportunities to 3 crore fishers and fish farmers.
83% increase in national fish production since 2013-14:
- Current production: 175 lakh tons (2022-23).
- 75% of production comes from inland fisheries.
India is the second-largest fish producer

Need for Fisheries Extension Services:

Last-mile extension services ensure:
- Sustainable practices.
- Enhanced fish yield and quality.
- Adoption of advanced technologies.
Services must cover the entire fish production life cycle, including:
- Seed/feed inputs.
- Disease management.
- Climate resilience.

Role of Matsya Seva Kendras (MSKs):

Part of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):
- One-stop solution for fisheries and aquaculture support.
- Provide technical assistance and training.
Key Features:
- 102 MSKs established in collaboration with States/UTs and Union Territories.
- Offer subsidized services for fishers and fish farmers.
- Support startups, cooperatives, and producer organizations.
- Promote climate-resilient practices in fisheries.
Examples: MSKs in Nashik and Sangli focus on feed and seed management.

Role of Sagar Mitras:

Grassroots-level initiative:
- Deployed in coastal states/UTs.
- Serve as links between the government and local fishers.
Functions:
- Provide data on:
  - Fish markets.
  - Price fluctuations.
  - Weather forecasts and fishing zones.
- Offer advisory services on hygienic fish handling and disaster resilience.

Improving Extension Services:

Institutional Convergence:
- Align MSKs and Sagar Mitras with:
  - Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
  - State-level extension services.

Digital Outreach:
- Promote platforms like AquaBazaar:
  - Facilitates virtual learning and demonstrations.
  - Supports breeding and seed production practices.

Capacity Building:
- Enhance fishers’ skills in:
  - Modern aquaculture techniques.
  - Climate-smart practices.

Policy Reform:
- Create unique work-based identity cards for fishers.

Ensure seamless access to resources and financial benefits.

4. Belagavi Session of the INC

The Indian National Congress (INC) has planned a series of events in Belagavi to mark the 100th anniversary.

These include a two-day extended session of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and a public rally themed ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan’.

Belagavi Session of the INC (December 26-27, 1924)

· It was the 39th session of the INC that took place in Belagavi (then Belgaum), Karnataka. It was a period marked by intense political activity and growing momentum for India’s freedom movement.

· It was presided over by Mahatma Gandhi, the only time he served as the Congress president.

Participants in the 1924 Congress session: The session was attended by several senior Congress leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Sarojini Naidu, and Khilafat movement leaders Muhammad Ali Jauhar and Shaukat Ali, among others.

Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience: Mahatma Gandhi reiterated his commitment to non-cooperation and civil disobedience as effective tools against British rule. These principles became the cornerstone of subsequent movements, including the Salt March and Quit India Movement.

Promotion of Khadi: The session emphasized the importance of promoting Khadi (hand- spun cloth) as a symbol of self-reliance and resistance against British economic policies. This initiative aimed to revive indigenous industries and reduce dependence on British goods.

Communal Harmony: Gandhi stressed the need for communal harmony and unity among different religious and ethnic groups in India.

5. Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday conferred the Prime Minister’s National Award on 17 children for exceptional achievements.

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar celebrates extraordinary accomplishments in seven categories- art and culture, bravery, innovation, science and technology, social service, sports, and environment.

The awardees-seven boys and 10 girls -were selected from 14 States and Union Territories.
A child should be an Indian Citizen.
A child above the age of 5 years and not exceeding 18 years (as of 31st July of respective year).
The act/incident/achievement should have been within 2 years of the last date of receipt of application/nomination for the year of consideration.
Number of Award will be 25, however, any relaxation to this maximum number may be permitted at the discretion of the National Selection Committee.

Each awardee will receive a medal, certificate and citation booklet.