Current Affairs – 01st Apr 2024
Articles Covered
- COAL SECTOR SHOWS HIGHEST GROWTH OF 11.6 % AMONG EIGHT CORE INDUSTRIES IN FEBRUARY 2024
- Over 60 products from across India earn GI tags
- Red Sea
- Did Congress ‘give away’ Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka?
- Atal Tunnel
- REC wins SKOCH ESG Award 2024 in Renewable Energy Financing Category
- Nuclear Energy Summit 2024-21 March 2024, Brussels, Belgium
- Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)
- Viksit Bharat must also be inclusive Bharat
- Remembering Vaikom satyagraha, a 100 years later
COAL SECTOR SHOWS HIGHEST GROWTH OF 11.6 % AMONG EIGHT CORE INDUSTRIES IN FEBRUARY 2024
- The coal sector has exhibited highest growth of 11.6 % (provisional) among the eight core industries for the month of February 2024 as per the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI)) (Base Year 2011-12) released by Ministry of Commerce & Industries. The index of coal industry has reached 212.1 points during Feb’24 as compared to 190.1 points during the same period of last year and its cumulative index has increased by 12.1% during April to February, 2023-24 over corresponding period of the previous year.
- The ICI measures the combined and individual production performance of eight core industries, viz. cement, coal, crude oil, electricity, fertilizers, natural gas, refinery products, and steel.
- The Combined Index of Eight Core Industries experienced 6.7% increase in February 2024, compared to the same period of previous year.
- The coal industry has consistently outperformed demonstrating sustained double-digit growth over the past eight months and substantially higher growth than the overall growth of eight core industries in last two financial years.
- The driving force behind this remarkable growth can be attributed to a significant surge in coal production during February 2024, with output reaching 96.60 million tonnes, marking an increase of 11.83% compared to the same period in the previous year.
Coal:
- The Ministry of Coal is ultimately responsible for formulating policies and strategies regarding the exploration and development of coal and lignite reserves, for approving significant projects with high economic value, and for making decisions regarding all pertinent matters.
- These important roles are carried out by the Public Sector Undertakings Coal India Ltd. and its subsidiaries and Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Limited under the administrative supervision of the Ministry (NLCIL).
- The Ministry of Coal also has a joint venture with the Government of Telangana called Singareni Collieries Company Limited in addition to Coal India Ltd. and Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Ltd. Governments of Telangana and India both own 49% and 51% of the company, respectively.
Over 60 products from across India earn GI tags
More States are filing applications to get a GI tag for some of their traditional and historic products
- This is the first time such a large number of GI tags have been given at a go, a senior official from the Geographical Indications registry said. He also said that more States were coming forward and filing applications to get a GI tag for some of their traditional and historic products.
- Six traditional crafts from Assam — Asharikandi terracotta craft, Pani Meteka craft, Sarthebari metal craft, Jaapi (bamboo headgear of rural Assam), Mishing handloom products, and the Bihudhol — have bagged the GI tag.
The Geographical Indications registry announced that over 60 products from India have been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:
- The GI is awarded to products that have a specific geographical origin, and that have characteristics related to a particular location.
- Till date, around 635 products in India have been given the GI tag.
The first GI tag in the country was given to the famous Darjeeling tea.
- Unprecedented Granting of Multiple GI Tags:This marks the first instance of such a large number of GI tags being awarded simultaneously.
- Rising GI Tag Applications: Additionally, there is an increasing trend of states submitting applications to obtain GI tags for their traditional and historic products.
List of Recent GI Tags:
State |
Product |
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Assam |
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Banaras |
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Tripura |
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Meghalaya |
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Red Sea
Global trade has been severely affected recently, primarily due to the disruption of one of the critical shipping routes — through the Red Sea.
- It is a semi-enclosed inlet(or extension) of the Indian Ocean betweenthe continents of Africa and Asia.
- It is one of the world’s warmest seas.
- It is connected to the Arabian Seaand the Indian Ocean to the south through theGulf of Aden and the narrow strait of Bab El-Mandeb.
- The northern portionof the Red Sea is bifurcated by the Sinai Peninsula intothe Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez, where it is connected to the Mediterranean Sea via the famous SUEZ CANAL.
Bordering Countries:
- Yemenand Saudi Arabia border the Red Sea to the east.
- It is bordered by Egyptto the north and west and by Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti to the west.
- This sea has a surface area of roughly 438,000 km2 and is about 2,250 km in length.
- The maximum width of the sea is 355 km, and the sea’s deepest point is 3,040 m at the central Suakin Trough, with the sea’s estimated average depth being 490 m.
- The Red Sea contains some of the world’s hottest and saltiest seawater.
- Islands: Some well-known islands include Tiran Island,which is located near the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba, and Shadwan Island, which is located at the entrance of the Gulf of Suez.
- With its connection to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal, it is one of the most heavily traveled waterwaysin the world, carrying maritime traffic between Europe and Asia.
Did Congress ‘give away’ Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka?
- “New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away Katchatheevu…This has angered every Indian,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X. Here is why the tiny, uninhabited island remains a hot-button political issue in Tamil Nadu.
The Prime Minister recently accused the then Indira Gandhi government for ceding Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka.
Katchatheevu Island:
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History of Katchatheevu Island:
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Tamil Nadu’s position on Katchatheevu Island:
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Impact of Sri Lankan Civil War on Katchatheevu Island:
- Sri Lankan Focus on Blocking LTTE Supply Routes: B83 and 2009, the border dispute remained on the back burner as a bloody civil war raged in Sri Lanka.
- The main objective of the Sri Lankan naval forces during this time was to block off the LTTE’s supply routes, which were centered in Jaffna.
- As a result, incidents ofIndian fishermen intrusion into Sri Lankan waters became frequent.
- Concerns over Indian Trawlers: The presence of larger Indian trawlers was contentious as they not only tended to overfish but also caused damage to Sri Lankan fishing equipment and boats.
- Post-War Attention on Indian Fishermen: In 2009, the war with the LTTE ended, Sri Lanka turned the focus to Indian fishermen.
- With marine resources depleting on the Indian side, fishermen often ventured into Sri Lankan waters,a practice that had persisted for years but now began to incur consequences.
- Till date, the Sri Lankan navy routinely arrests Indian fishermen and there have been many allegations of custodial torture and death. The demand for Katchatheevu is revived each time such an incident happens.
Atal Tunnel
The Manali-Leh highway was blocked due to fresh snowfall near the Atal Tunnel in Lahaul and Spiti districts recently.
- Atal Tunnel, formerly known as Rohtang Tunnel, is the world’s longest high-altitude tunnel,situated at an elevation of approximately 3,100 meters (10,171 feet) above sea level.
- It is located in the Pir Panjal Rangeof the Himalayas, in Himachal Pradesh.
- It passes through Rohtang pass.
- It stretches 9.02 km, connecting Manali to Lahaul and Spiti Valleythroughout the year, previously cut off for about six months each year due to heavy snowfall.
- The south portal (SP) of Atal Tunnel is located at a distance of 25 km from Manali at an altitude of 3,060 metres, while the north portal (NP) of the tunnel is located near village Teling, Sissu, in Lahaul Valley at an altitude of 3,071 metres.
- The tunnel is a horseshoe-shaped,single tube, double lane tunnelwith a roadway of 8 meters, has an overhead clearance of 5.525 meters.
- The tunnel features a semi-transverse ventilation system, emergency exits every 500 meters, evacuation lighting, broadcasting systems, and fire hydrants for safety.
REC wins SKOCH ESG Award 2024 in Renewable Energy Financing Category
- REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power and a leading NBFC, has been bestowed with the SKOCH ESG Award 2024 in the ‘Renewable Energy Financing’ category. The award underscores REC’s dedication to sustainable financing, paving the way for a greener future and accelerating the transition to renewable energy. Executive Director, REC Limited, Shri T.S.C. Bosh received the award in New Delhi.
- REC has emerged as a significant player in India’s clean energy transition, actively contributing to the nation’s sustainable future. Through various initiatives and achievements, REC has committed to numerous sustainable projects and signed various MOUs for green projects.
- Furthermore, REC has engaged in one-on-one discussions with various developers of green projects, spanning sectors such as solar, wind, Pumped Storage Projects, E-mobility, RE manufacturing, green ammonia and green hydrogen, and battery storage.
- Looking ahead, REC anticipates a significant expansion in its renewable energy portfolio, with projections indicating growth to 10 times its present value, reaching more than Rs. 3 lakh crores by 2030, representing approximately 30% of its Assets Under Management.
- The SKOCH ESG Awards recognize organizations that demonstrate outstanding performance in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. The SKOCH ESG Award and Assessment serve as an important benchmark for evaluating organizations’ commitment to India 2047. It focuses on the interplay between sustainable investments and processes in shaping a sustainable and growing business future.
REC Limited
- REC is a ‘Maharatna’ Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power, and is registered with RBI as Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC), and Infrastructure Financing Company (IFC).
- REC finances the entire Power-Infrastructure sector comprising Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Renewable Energy and new technologies like Electric Vehicles, Battery Storage, Pumped Storage Projects, Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia projects. Recently, REC has also diversified into the Non-Power Infrastructure sector comprising Roads & Expressways, Metro Rail, Airports, IT Communication, Social and Commercial Infrastructure (Educational Institution, Hospitals), Ports and Electro-Mechanical (E&M) works in respect of various other sectors like Steel and Refinery.
- REC Ltd. provides loans of various maturities to State, Central and Private Companies for creation of infrastructure assets in the country. REC Ltd. continues to play a key strategic role in the flagship schemes of the Government for the power sector and has been a nodal agency for Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGAYA), Deen Dayal Upadhaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), National Electricity Fund (NEF) Scheme which resulted in strengthening of last-mile distribution system, 100% village electrification and household electrification in the country. REC has also been made the nodal agency for certain States and Union Territories for the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
- The loan book of REC stands at Rs 4.97 Lakh Crores and Net Worth at Rs. 64,787 crores as on 31st December, 2023.
Nuclear Energy Summit 2024-21 March 2024, Brussels, Belgium
Recently, the first-ever Nuclear Energy Summit was held in Brussels (Belgium).
International Atomic Energy Agency:
- It is the international centre for cooperation in the nuclear field.
- Known as: The world’s “Atoms for Peace and Development” organization within the United Nations.
- Establishment: In 1957
Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
- The Nuclear Energy Summit 2024 was co-chaired by the Prime Minister of Belgium and the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
- The continuing crisis at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the first nuclear facility to have been caught in a dangerous armed conflict, has also been a source of grave concern.
Nuclear Energy Summit 2024:
- Background: The UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai (UAE) highlighted the indispensable role of nuclear energy in meeting climate goals.
- The declaration signed by 22 world leaders mentioned the need to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050.
- Need: The Nuclear Energy Summit, an initiative in collaboration with the IAEA’s ‘Atoms4Netzero’ programme, is part of the multilateral approach to decarbonisation.
Nuclear Energy:
- It is the use of nuclear reactions to produce electricity.
- Nuclear power can be obtained from nuclear fission, nuclear decay and nuclear fusion reactions.
Advantages of Nuclear Energy:
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Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy:
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Concerns and Challenges:
- No Significant Contribution by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs): In spite of technical MDBs and private investors have not made any significant contribution to the industry.
- No Funding by the World Bank: The World Bank has not provided financing for a nuclear project since its $40 million loan to Italy in 1959.
- Others:Nuclear reactors require high investments and technology base, take years to build, and have to operate under a variety of regulations and constraints, making them unattractive for countries wanting to quickly ramp up their electricity generation in an affordable manner.
Current Scenario for Nuclear Energy:
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India’s Status:
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Need To Do:
- Reassessment of Finance Policies: There is a need to reassess nuclear financing policies to accommodate private capital or blended finance models.
- Need for Cooperative Model: There are successful financial practices that can be followed.
- Examples: In the cooperative funding models of France, South Korea, Russia, and the U.K.,a group of investors raise credit from the market and take full responsibility for project delivery.
- In Finland,large power plants have been funded by multiple private companies since the 1970s using a cooperative finance model called ‘Mankala’.
- Under this model, companies jointly own energy producers and share the costs of building and operating plants.
- Market Support:Financial creativity and market support with low interest rates are required.
Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)
The Allahabad High Court recently held that an appeal against an order of the CAT while exercising its contempt jurisdiction under Section 17 of the Administrative Tribunals Act 1985 lies before the Supreme Court.
- The CAT had been established under Article 323-Aof the Constitution.
- Mandate: To adjudicate disputesand complaints with respect to the recruitment and conditions of service of persons appointed to public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or other authorities under the control of the Government.
- In addition to the Ministries and Departments of Central Government, the Government has notified about 214 organizations under Section 14(2) of The ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS ACT-1985, to bring them within the jurisdiction of the CAT from time to time.
- There are 17 Benches and 21 Circuit Benches in the CAT all over India.
- Composition: A bench consists of one Judicial Memberand one Administrative Member.
- The conditions of serviceof the Chairman and Members of CAT are the same as applicable to a Judge of High Court.
- Salaries, Allowances and Conditionsof Service of the officers and other employees of the Tribunal are specified by the Central Government.
Powers:
- It exercises jurisdiction only in relation tothe service matters of the parties covered by the Administrative Tribunals Act 1985.
- The TRIBUNAL guided by the principles of natural justicein deciding cases and is not bound by the procedure prescribed by the Civil Procedure Code.
- CAT is empowered to frame its own rules of procedureand practice.
- It has been conferred with the power to exercise the same jurisdictionand authority in respect of contempt of itself as a High Court.
Tribunals in India
- Tribunals are judicial or quasi-judicial institutions established by law. They intend to provide a platform for faster adjudication as compared to traditional courts, as well as expertise on certain subject matters.
- It performs a number of functions, like adjudicating disputes, determining rights between contesting parties, making an administrative decision, reviewing an existing administrative decision, and so forth.
Viksit Bharat must also be inclusive Bharat
With agriculture on a weak wicket, government needs to think of policies and institutions to enable farmers to access domestic and global markets
Recently, the Indian finance minister mentioned that not satisfying outcomes emerged from the recently released India Employment Report 2024 and to achieve the aim of Visit Bharat, India needs an inclusive growth at an annual average of about 8%.
- In the Interim Budget, the Indian Finance Minister said that the government’s vision for ‘Viksit Bharat’ is that of a “prosperous Bharat in harmony with nature, with modern infrastructure, and providing opportunities for all citizens and all regions to reach their potential”.
- To achieve this goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’, there is a need to improve people’s capability and empower them.
Targets for Developed India:
- On Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The proposed measures should boost India’s GDP to $6.69 trillion in 2030, $16.13 trillion by 2040, and $29.02 trillion by 2047.
- On Per Capita Income: The projections for per capita income at current prices are $4,418 by 2030, $10,021 by 2040, and $17,590 by 2047.
- It means the present per capita income of about Rs 2 lakhs will become about Rs 14.9 Lakhs by 2047.
- On Exports: Export targets are $1.58 trillion by value in 2030, $4.56 trillion by 2040, and $8.67 trillion by 2047.
India Employment Report 2024:
- Basis of Report: The research is mostly based on data analysis from the National Sample Surveys and Periodic Labour Force Surveys conducted between 2000 and 2022.
- Indicators Used: The index is based on seven labour market outcome indicators:
- Percentage of workers employed in regular formal work
- Percentage of casual labourers
- Percentage of self-employed workers below the poverty line
- Work Participation Rate
- Average monthly earnings of casual labourers
- Unemployment rate of secondary and above-educated youth
- Youth not in employment and education or training
Key Highlights of the India Employment Report 2024:
- Improvement in the “Employment Condition Index”: The ‘employment condition index’ has improved between 2004-05 and 2021-22 with Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand and Gujarat having stayed at the top.
- But some states — Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, and UP have remained at the bottom throughout this period.
- Improvement in the Employment Quality: Self-employment remains the primary source of employment — 55.8% in 2022. Casual and regular employment accounted for 22.7% and 21.5% respectively.
- Regular Employment: It is generally seen as providing better-quality jobs due to the regularity of employment and associated social security benefits.
- Casual Work: It is linked with relatively poor-quality jobs due to its irregular nature and lower daily earnings.
- Informal Employment: The number of jobs in the formal sector has risen, and around half of them are informal.
- Almost 82% of the workforce is engaged in the informal sector, and nearly 90% is informally employed.
- Self-employment and unpaid family work have also increased, especially for women.
- Fluctuating Employment in Agriculture: The slow transition towards non-farm employment has been reversed after 2018-19. The share of agriculture in total employment fell to around 42% in 2019 from 60% in 2000.
- This shift was primarily absorbed by construction and services, the share of which in total employment increased to 32% in 2019 from 23% in 2000. The share of manufacturing in employment has remained almost stagnant at 12-14%.
- Since 2018-19, this slow transition has stagnated or reversed with the rise in the share of agricultural employment.
- Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI): The rise of AI could have an impact on employment. The outsourcing industry in India could be disrupted because AI would take over some back-office tasks.
Viksit Bharat:
- ‘Viksit Bharat’ means ‘developed India’, a vision the government aims to realise by 2047 — the year India completes 100 years of independence.
- Aim: To turn India into a $30-trillion developed economy in about two decades for a projected 1.65 billion population.
- Inclusive Growth: The document envisions economic growth, sustainable development goals, improvements in the ease of living and doing business, enhanced infrastructure, and bolstered social welfare initiatives.
- Four Pillars: Yuva (Youth), Garib (Poor), Mahila (Women) and Kisan (Framers).
Key Theme of Viksit Bharat:
- Empowered Indians (Health, Education, Nari Shakti, Sports, Culture and Caring Society)
- Thriving and Sustainable Economy(Industry, Energy, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Services, Green Economy and Cities)
- Innovation, Science and Technology(Research and Development, Startups and Digital)
- Good Governance and Security
India in the World
Key Focus Areas:
- Education:Upgrading school infrastructure, boosting the number of students attending schools, and elevating educational standards.
- Healthcare:Guaranteeing that every citizen has access to healthcare services that are both reachable and of high quality.
- Technology:Adopting and pioneering technological solutions for national advancement.
- Infrastructure: Building strong infrastructure such as for transportation, communication networks, and city facilities.
- Agriculture:Introducing advanced agricultural practices and providing support to farmers to augment their output and productivity.
- Environment:Advancing eco-friendly methods and safeguarding our natural assets to ensure the environment is both clean and thriving for future generations.
To achieve Viksit Bharat, Need to Develop Human Resources:
- Human Resource Development (HRD): HRD refers to the systematic approach to nurturing and fostering the talents, competencies, and skills of individuals, thereby contributing to national development.
to Develop Human Resources
- Education and Skill Development: There is a need to transform the education system to prioritize practical skills and problem-solving over memorization.
- Project-Based Learning:Finland’s education systemis a notable example where project-based learning has been implemented successfully, fostering a culture of creativity and critical thinking among students. India could borrow cues from such models to nurture a problem-solving approach.
- Industry-Academia Collaboration:The collaboration betweenIIT Madras and various industries is a testament to the potential of symbiotic relationships between academia and industry, where theoretical learning meets practical demands, enhancing employability prospects.
- Skill and Workforce Enhancement:Extend skill development programs across industries and offer credible certifications.
- Continuous Professional Development: Singaporehas an integrated system for continuous teacher training and development. India could learn by encouraging teachers to engage in lifelong learning and adapt to evolving educational landscapes.
- Health and Wellbeing: Ensure affordable, quality healthcare with robust infrastructure.
- Telemedicine: The successful implementation of telemedicine in states likeKerala during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how technology can be utilized to bridge healthcare gaps, presenting a viable model for other states to follow.
- Addressal to Malnutrition:The Amma Unavagam initiative in Tamil Nadu is a stellar example where community kitchens have been utilized to address malnutritionwhile also supporting local farmers.
- Research, Innovation, and Technology Adoption:Invest in research to drive innovation and foster ties between academia and industry.
- Example:ISRO established the National Research Foundation.
- Incubation Centres: The success stories coming from incubation centres like those atIIT Bombay signify the potential of fostering innovation at the educational institutional level, thus promoting research and development.
- Bridge Digital Divide:Initiatives such as the digital bus project in Maharashtrahave showcased the efficacy of mobile education units in bridging the digital divide and promoting digital literacy.
- Gender Equality and Social Inclusion: Promote gender equality in education and employment through policies and incentives.
- Mentorship Programs: Mentorship programs like those initiated by organizations such as the WISE (Women in Science and Engineering)in various countries could serve as an exemplary model to foster gender equality in the academic and professional spheres.
- Skill Festivals: Countries like Germanyhave showcased the efficacy of promoting vocational training through festivals and fairs, where individuals get a platform to exhibit their vocational skills and learn about diverse career avenues.
- Various Schemes: The Ministry of Education (MoE)in India also has various schemes for human resource development.
- Some of these schemes include theSamagra Shiksha Scheme to provide quality education in Madrasas, theMid-Day Meal Scheme, the National Achievement Survey (NAS), and Infrastructure Development in Minority Institutes (IDMI).
- Various other government initiativesrelated to human development are PM Kaushal Vikas Yojna, SHREYAS Scheme, Startup India, New Education Policy, 2020, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST) Initiative,
Challenges that need to be addressed to achieve Inclusive Viksit Bharat:
- Rising Population Growth and Demographic Changes.
Example: 33% of India’s population is aged 20-29 in 2024, but by 2047, the proportion of younger and older working-age populations will both be around 28%.
- There are also challenges of infrastructure, inequalities and high gender gap.
Example: As per the Global Gender Gap Report, 2023, in terms of gender parity, India is at 127 out of 146 nations.
- India’s ranking on the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI)is 134 out of 193 countries.
Other challenges: Concerns raised by the India Employment Report 2024:
Concern of Poor Employment Conditions:
- The slow transition to non-farm employment has reversed.
- Women largely account for the increase in self-employment and unpaid family work.
- Youth employment is of poorer quality than employment for adults.
- Wages and earnings are stagnant or declining.
- Less Participation of Women Workforce: India’s female labour force participation rate (LFPR) remains among the world’s lowest.
- High Gender Gap: Women’s LFPR (32.8%) in 2022 was 2.3 times lower than men’s (77.2%).
- India’s low LFPR is largely due to the low female LFPR, which was much lower than the world average of 47.3% in 2022, but higher than the South Asian average of 24.8%.
- Improvement Observed: Female LFPR declined by 14.4% points between 2000 and 2019 but raised by 8.3% points between 2019 and 2022.
- Challenges of Youth Employment: There has been a rise in youth employment, but the quality of work remains a concern, especially for qualified young workers.
- The unemployment rate among educated youths grew to 30.8% in 2019 from 23.9% in 2000, but fell to 18.4% in 2022.
- In 2022, the share of unemployed youths in the total unemployed population was 82.9%. The share of educated youths among all unemployed people also increased to 65.7% in 2022 from 54.2% in 2000.
- The unemployment rate among youths was six times greater for those who had completed secondary education or higher (18.4%) and nine times higher for graduates (29.1%) than for persons who could not read or write (3.4%) in 2022.
- This was higher among educated young women (21.4%) than men (17.5%), especially among female graduates (34.5%), compared to men (26.4%).
India Employment Report 2024:
- Recently, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Institute of Human Development (IHD) have released a report named “India Employment Report 2024”.
Institute of Human Development (IHD):
- Established: The Institute for Human Development (IHD) was established in 1998by the Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE).
- Aims: To help establish a society that promotes and supports an inclusive social, economic, and political system free of poverty and deprivation.
- Research:It researches labour and employment, livelihoods, gender, health, education, and other areas of human development.
International Labor Organization:
- It is the only tripartite United Nations (UN) agency.
- It brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 Member States (India is a member) to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
- Establishment: In 1919, by the Treaty of Versailles.
- It became the first specialised agency of the UN in 1946.
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Award: It received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969.
Remembering Vaikom satyagraha, a 100 years later
Running for over 600 days, the Vaikom satyagraha was the first among many temple entry movements in India. Amidst the national movement, it foregrounded the issue of untouchability and caste oppression.
Vaikom Satyagraha completed 100 years on March 30, 1924.
- Non-Violent Protest in Vaikom:Vaikom, a temple town located in the princely state of Travancore, witnessed the commencement of a non-violent protest on March 30, 1924.
- This marked theinception of the temple entry movements, which would later resonate across the nation.
- Emphasis on Social Reforms:The satyagraha placed emphasis on social reform amidst the rising nationalist movement, introducing Gandhian protest methods to Travancore.
Vaikom, a temple town in the princely state of Travancore, saw the start of a non-violent agitation on March 30, 1924 — the first among temple entry movements that would soon sweep across the country. The satyagraha foregrounded social reform amidst the growing nationalist movement, bringing Gandhian methods of protest to the state of Travancore. A century later, we recall.
The Vaikom satyagraha:
- Allowing Access to Surrounding Temple Roads:Madhavan and other leaders took the strategic decision to initially focus on opening up the four roads around the temple — not the temple itself — to avarnas.
- Protesters sat in front of thebarricades, fasting and singing patriotic songs.
- Support by National Leaders:Leaders such as Periyar, who was arrested multiple times, and C Rajagopalachari came to Vaikom to offer support and lead the protesters.
- Counter Agitations: Counter-agitations raged on, and the satyagrahis often faced violence and intimidation from caste Hindus.
- Release of prisoners: In August, 1924, the Maharaja of Travancore died, following which, the young Maharani Regent, Queen Sethulakshmi Bai, released all prisoners.
- However, when a large group of protesters marched to the royal palace in Trivandrum, she refused to allow all castes access to temples.
- Brokering of Compromise by Gandhiji:In March 1925, Gandhi successfully brokered a compromise: three of the four roads encircling the temples were opened to all, while the fourth (eastern) road remained exclusively for Brahmins.
- This arrangement was put into effect in November 1925, following the government’s construction of alternative routes for lower castes to accesswithout affecting temple purity.
- The final satyagrahi was withdrawn from Vaikom on November 23, 1925.
- Temple Entry Proclamation:In November 1936, the Maharaja of Travancore signed the historic Temple Entry Proclamation which removed the age-old ban on the entry of marginalised castes into the temples of the state.
Legacy of Vaikom Satyagraha:
- Endurance Amid Adversity: The Vaikom satyagraha stood as a remarkable movement, enduring for more than 600 days despite hostile social pressures, police interventions, and the devastating flood of 1924.
- Unity Across Caste boundaries:It also witnessed unprecedented unity across caste boundaries, a pivotal factor in its sustained mobilization.
- Reason for Success:The Temple Entry Proclamation along with the demonstration of Gandhian methods of civil disobedience aseffective tools of protest, was the great success of the Vaikom satyagraha.
- Thus, despite its shortcomings, the Vaikom satyagraha brought untouchability, unapproachability, and unseeability to the forefront of political issues in India.
Background of Satyagraha:
- Feudal and Militaristic Governance in Princely Travancore: According to Social Revolution in a Kerala Village: A Study in Culture (1965), the princely state of Travancore had a “feudal, militaristic, and ruthless system of custom-ridden government.
- Caste Pollution based on Sight: The idea of caste pollution worked not only on the basis of touch but also sight i.e., lower castes were forbidden entry to any “pure” place, such as temples and the roads surrounding them.
- Social and political advancements: The latter half of the 19th century witnessed numerous social and political advancements that brought about significant social transformation.
- Christian Missionary Influence: Christian missionaries successfully converted substantial portions of lower castes, offering them an avenue to evade the constraints of caste-based oppression.
- Progressive Reforms Under Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma: Under his rule, numerous progressive reforms were implemented, including theintroduction of universal free primary education, which extended to individuals from lower castes.
- By the start of the 20th century, a notable educated elite had started to emerge within caste Hindus, Christians, and even among avarna Hindus, particularly the Ezhavas.
- Educational and Organizational Advancement of the Ezhavas:Despite the persistent influence of religion and tradition, the severe material and intellectual disadvantages faced by lower castes were alleviated.
- According to historian Mary Elizabeth King’s book “Gandhian Nonviolent Struggle and Untouchability in South India”, the Ezhavas emerged as the most educated and organized untouchable community in Travancore.
- Reservation of Government Jobs for Upper Castes: However, government jobs continued to be reserved for upper castes.
- Caste Hindus, despite being a numerical minority, occupied 3,800 out of 4,000 positions in the state’s revenue department as of 1918. This indicated that education alone did not serve as a path to socio-economic advancement.
- Ritual Discrimination: Despite the emergence of a small Ezhava elite, instances of ritual discrimination overshadowed their material and educational progress.
- Start of Agitation: The issue of temple entry was first raised by Ezhava leader T K Madhavan in a 1917 editorial in his paperDeshabhimani.
- Inspired by the success of Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement, by 1920, he began to advocate for more direct methods.
- Obstacles to Progress and Reform Amid Upper-Caste Resistance: Upper-caste resistance movements throughout Travancore hindered progress.
- Moreover, Maharaja, apprehensive of backlash from the caste Hindu community, refrained from implementing reforms.
- Support of Gandhiji:Madhavan met Gandhi in 1921, and secured his support for a mass agitation to enter temples.
- In the 1923 session of the INC in Kakinada, a resolution was passed by the Kerala Provincial Congress Committeeto take up anti-untouchability as a key issue.
- This was followed by amassive public messaging campaign and a movement to open Hindu temples and all public roads to avarnas.
- Vaikom,with its revered Shiva temple, was chosen as the location for the very first satyagraha.