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Mar 27 2024

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Cycling in India as a Social Justice- Need, Significance and Way Forward

March 27, 2024

Context

This article focuses on the significance and need of cycling in India that should not just be considered as decarbonising transport but a matter of social justice with a transformative impact on people’s lives.

Relevancy for Prelims: Salient Features Of Indian Society, Analyzing Social Justice, Statue Of Social Justice, and Road Accidents In India-2022′ Report Released By MoRTH.

Relevancy for Mains: Cycling in India as a Social Justice- Need, Significance and Way Forward.

Cycling in India: Data on Cycling Ownership and Use

  • Marginal Increase with Regional Variation: As per National Family Health Surveys (from 1998-99 to 2019-21), cycling ownership has increased only marginally, from 48% to 55%. However, in some States, the growth has been phenomenal. 
    • Example: In Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the increase was from 30% to more than 75%, in Uttar Pradesh, it was from 26% to 71% and in West Bengal, from 53% to 79%. 
  • On Usage: As per data by the Transportation Research and Injury Prevention Centre at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, analysed from the three rounds of National Sample Survey Organisation surveys on household consumption on education (2007-17), the increase in ownership of cycles also translates to higher use. 
  • Usage by School Children: This data also reported how children go to school — walking, by cycle, bus or other. Nationally, cycling to school increased from 6.6% in 2007 to 11.2% in 2017. 
    • In rural areas, the levels nearly doubled (6.3% to 12.3%) while, in urban areas, the levels have remained stable (7.8% to 8.3%).
  • Role of Bicycle Distribution Schemes (BDS): Under BDS, different State governments provide free bicycles to children using either in-kind or in-cash transfers and those states where BDS had been implemented, saw the greatest decadal increase in cycling to school. 
    • Examples: In Bihar, BDS was launched in 2006, and the level of cycling to schools quadrupled from 3.6% in 2007 to 14.2% in 2017. 
    • The Sabooj Saathi scheme in West Bengal started in 2015, and the levels there increased from 15.4% in 2014 to 27.6% in 2017. 

Cycling in India as a Social Justice: Significant Social Outcomes

  • High Enrolment of Girls in School: Evaluations from Bihar and Karnataka suggest that the BDS is associated with the enrolment of girls in class nine and girls appearing for secondary school certification exams. 
  • High Acceptance: For many, owning a cycle remains a luxury. Cycling keeps the body and environment healthy and hence, has a high acceptance.
    • Case Study: In Bengaluru, a NGO provided free bicycles to 170 low-income women working in garment factories and found that two-thirds of those who were given a bicycle, along with some training, switched to cycling to go to work. 
      • Earlier, they either walked long distances or took a bus as many of them could not afford it.

Way Forward

  • Cyclists’ Manifesto: In the parliamentary elections, political parties in India have the opportunity to promise a cyclists’ manifesto. 
  • Action by State Governments: More State governments should implement BDS schemes, and these should be broadened in their coverage (remove the restriction to rural areas and extend them to urban areas). Further, there is a need to provide subsidies or GST concessions too.
  • Provide Free Bicycles to Labourers: There are rare cases of States that have schemes for adults, such as Uttar Pradesh, that provide free bicycles to labourers. These should be considered for large-scale implementation.
  • Development of Dedicated Cycling Infrastructure: Cities could invest in dedicated cycling infrastructure such as cycle tracks, safe and secure parking, and repair shops.
    • In urban areas, multi-lane roads, flyovers and wide junctions make it extremely risky for cyclists. Also, for the same distance traveled, a cyclist is 40 times more likely to be involved in a traffic fatality than a car occupant.
Also Read: Parking Issues In India

 

Mains Question: Vehicle parking problem in India presents a multifaceted challenge that affects urban planning, traffic management, and the quality of life in cities. Comment (10 marks, 150 words)

 

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

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Economy of Japan: Post-World War II Growth Journey

March 27, 2024

Context

Recently, Japan’s Central Bank raised interest rates for the first time in 17 years and scrapped its negative rates policy.

Relevancy for Prelims: Policy Rates, Negative Interest Rate, Inflation, Deflation and Plaza Accord.

Relevancy for Mains: Increase of Interest Rates by Japan- Need and Potential Impacts.

Economy of Japan: Historical Background

  • Significant Achievement: Japan suffered devastating losses during World War II, including two nuclear attacks. Despite starting from zero, Japan made a remarkable economic comeback, becoming the world’s second-largest economy by 1968.
    • Until the 1980s, Japan was contributing about 10% of the World.
  • Downfall: In 1985, the Plaza Accord was held among the G-5 nations—France, Germany, the US, the UK, and Japan. It paved the way for Japan’s “Lost Decade (1991-2001)” of sluggish growth and deflation.
  • Stagnation: Economy of Japan stagnated for 30 years, known as the “Lost Decade”. GDP growth stalled, salaries remained flat and deflation occurred.
    • Declining Profits: Companies faced declining profits and layoffs. Japan maintained an ultra-loose monetary policy from 2007 until 2024.

Aim of the Plaza Accord

  • To manipulate exchange rates by depreciating the U.S. dollar with relative to the Japanese yen and the German Deutsche. 
  • This Accord led to the yen and Deutsch mark dramatically increasing in value relative to the dollar.

Impact of Plaza Accord:

  • Yen Appreciation: As the yen appreciated, Japan’s exports declined sharply.
  • GDP Fall: Japan’s GDP fell due to reduced exports.
  • Asset Bubble: Low interest rates led to a bubble in real estate and stocks, which burst in 1989.
  • Stagnation: Japan entered a 30-year vicious cycle of economic stagnation.

About Negative Interest Rates of Japan:

  • Zero Interest Policy: To counter stagnation, Japan adopted a zero interest rate policy with an aim to expand its GDP and growth.
  • Negative Rates: In 2016, Japan implemented negative interest rates to encourage spending and investment over saving.
  • Limited Success: However, the negative interest rate policy had limited success. Germany recently overtook Japan as the world’s third-largest economy.

Potential Impacts

  • Benefits: The step of Japan’s Central Bank to raise interest rates would help in escaping deflation, encouraging investment, generating jobs and attracting foreign investment.
  • Risks: The raise in interest rates by Japan’s Central Bank could face a challenge of high debt-to-GDP ratio (already is 263%), increased fiscal burden, reduced bank profitability and negative economic impacts.

Conclusion

As per experts, while this is Japan’s first interest rate hike in 17 years, it still keeps rates stuck around zero as a fragile economic recovery forces the central bank to go slow in any further rise in borrowing costs. 

Also Read: India Japan Relations

 

Prelims PYQ (2022):

Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news? 

(a) It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea.

(b) China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea. 

(c) A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities. 

(d) Through International Court of Justice declared them as no man’s land, some South-East Asian countries claim them.

Ans: (b)

 

Mains Question: Elucidate the factors contributing to the emergence of the Meiji Restoration in Japan. Enumerate the varied level of influence of the Meiji Restoration on Japan’s rapid industrialization and the transformation into a modern nation-state. (10 marks, 150 words)

 

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

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Academic Distress and Student Suicides in India

March 27, 2024

Context

Recently, a teenager from Bihar committed suicide on the stress for the ‘Joint Entrance Examination (JEE)’ which highlights the concerns of rising number of student suicides cases regarding the stress in their academic endeavours. 

Relevancy for Prelims: Rising Student Suicides In India, Examining India’s Examination System, Open Book Exam (OBE), Mental Health Problems In India, and Observations From Delhi’s School Mental Health Initiative.

Relevancy for Mains: Academic Distress and Student Suicides in India: Cases, Challenges, and Preventive Measures.

Student Suicides in India: Concerning Statistics

  • Student Suicides in Kota Based on Police Records: In Kota,15 students ended their lives in 2022, 18 in 2019 and 20 in 2018. 
    • There was negligible data during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020-21 when traditional coaching centres were either closed or operated virtually.
  • The “Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2022” Report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB): As per the data, in 2022, over 13,044 Indian students ended their lives — 7.6% of the total suicide fatal ities in that year. 
    • Also, the number of suicides (students) rose from 10,335 in 2019, to 12,526 in 2020, to 13,089 in 2021 and around 95,000 students faded away between 2007-2018.
  • In 2023, there were reports of youngsters preparing for various competitive exams in Kota ending their lives. 
  • Lancet Study: A study in 2008 in The Lancet revealed that nearly 61% of global suicide fatalities were concentrated in Asia. 

Challenges Faced by Students

  • Lack of Suitable Job Opportunities: 

    • The last decade has seen a distressing rise in student suicides, which is also connected to a lack of viable job opportunities. Over half of India’s populace is under the age of 25 but is deficient in essential skills. 

  • Limited Government Seats: 

    • There are very few seats in government institutions and private institutions charged very high fees. An All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report (2019-20), showed that 78.6% colleges are under private entities. 
      • Numerous families face financial constraints that prevent them from providing their children with coaching and tuition and this lack of support places immense and intense pressure on students to succeed in exams and a lack of success then leads to tragedy. 

  • The Intense Competition: 

    • It is made worse by the parents’ pressure and judgment by faculty members on the basis of academic performance.
      • The Indian society emphasizes expectations, performance and personal interests in family interactions. 

  • Weakening Family Structures and Emotional Distress: 

    • The family structures with a weakening of crucial connections between children and their families, parental control, emotional detachment, and societal expectations are impacting their mental health. 
      • Various factors influence a child’s development within the Indian context, in turn affecting social relationships, mental wellbeing and overall development. 

  • Discrimination: 

    • SCs and STs face high discrimination and that leads to pressure. In IITs, disadvantaged section is a major chunk that commits suicide.

Preventive Measures Taken in Kota, Rajasthan

  • By Hostel Management: Hostels have now been equipped with ‘anti-suicide features’ that include devices fixed to ceiling fans to prevent children from harming themselves and iron grills across balconies and passage ways. 
  • By Local Government: The local government in Kota has stopped all routine testing in coaching institutes for over two months as a temporary measure. 
  • Training: Hostel staff are also being trained and prepared to deal with the welfare of their wards. 
    • For professional development, there is specialised training in mess administration, psychological support, behavioural counselling and an emphasis on overall student welfare. 
  • By Local Police: The Kota police have pushed hostel wardens to become more proactive by endorsing campaigns such as “darwaze pe dastak (knock on door),” while kitchen workers and meal service providers have been encouraged to alert authorities immediately if they notice students missing their meals or leaving their food untouched.

Conclusion

In such a concerning scenario, there is a need to know the root cause of the problem, faculty members need to offer encouragement and assistance, family members need to create an atmosphere of empathy and acceptance with an urgent need for the social infrastructure to grow more supportive and accommodative and support these young lives.

Also Read: Rethinking India’s Exam-Centric Education System

 

Mains Question: Analyse the socio-economic and psychological factors contributing to the rising incidences of student suicides in India, with a special emphasis on the competitive exam preparation ecosystem in cities like Kota. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

 

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key
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