Current Affairs – 24th May 2024

Navigating Cyber Insecurity: Building Resilience in an interconnected world

  • Cyber security is a serious and sensitive matter. Cyber threats are evolving at a rapid pace around the world, with the number of data breaches increasing every year.
  • Every day the cases of cyber security breaches from IT service providers are increasing. It is important for companies to maintain a strong cyber security framework to retain their customers. Any kind of breach in data security can lead to huge losses in business besides damaging trust and reputation.
  • While inaugurating the program, Shri S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said, “CSC plays a vital role in extending the reach of technology and sharing information to the last mile.
  • Security is not just about systems, but also about behavior, knowledge, and habits. One of the major risks we face is the end user who may overlook the importance of cyber protection, often sharing PIN numbers and increasing vulnerabilities.”
  • Shri S Krishnan added, “The partnership between CSC and USI bridges two different worlds, enhancing our digital landscape. Digitalization not only enhances productivity but also centralizes data, promoting a robust digital economy.
  • It is crucial for everyone to be aware of cyber risks to avoid becoming victims of fraud. By addressing behavioral and attitudinal attributes, we can spread awareness effectively. Through this conference, we aim to learn new measures that MeitY can implement to strengthen our cyber protection strategies.”
  • Welcoming the guests at the event, Shri Sanjay Rakesh, MD and CEO-CSC SPV said, “At the CSC Cyber Security Conclave 2024, we emphasize on broad categories of cybersecurity that are crucial for user agencies like CSC.
  • We must strive to be more cyber resilient and explore cost-effective alternatives. This conference provides a platform for us to discuss ways to improve cybersecurity, focusing on robust data management and strategies to prevent cyber threats and thefts.
  • By developing a cyber think tank, we aim to foster innovative solutions and create a more user-friendly cyber system. We will establish a small, dedicated group to lead our efforts towards cyber protection and work towards developing a cohesive cybersecurity system.”
  • Panel Discussion conducted on “Emerging Cyber Threats, Trends and Solutions”.
  • On this occasion MoU was signed between CSC and USI to strengthen Cyber Security.
  • Cyber security has always been a primary topic on the agenda of CSC. It has launched the Cyber Rakshak program in rural and remote areas in collaboration with leading IT infrastructure service provider companies across the world. This cyber security training initiative has equipped women with new technology skills and helped them emerge as cyber security ambassadors.

CSC SPV:

  1. Common Services Centers (CSC) are an integral part of the Digital India mission.
  2. They are access points for the delivery of Digital India services to rural and remote areas across the country and contribute towards the fulfilment of the vision of Digital India and the Government’s mandate for a digitally and financially inclusive society.
  3. The CSCs offer assisted access to e-services in India, focusing on enhancing governance.
  4. Apart from delivering essential government and public utility services, CSCs also deliver a range of social welfare schemes, financial services, educational courses, skill development courses, healthcare, agriculture services, and digital literacy.

International Booker prize 2024

German author Jenny Erpenbeck and translator Michael Hofmann won the International Booker Prize for fiction for “Kairos,”

Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck wins International Booker prize 2024

  • About Kairos: It is the story of a tangled love affair during the final years of East Germany’s existence.
  • Perspective on Life in a Defunct Communist Country: Ms. Erpenbeck expressed that the book would help readers understand that life in the now-defunct Communist country was more nuanced than the one portrayed in ‘The Lives of Others’.

International Booker Prize: It is awarded every year. It is run alongside the Booker Prize for English-language fiction.

  • The prize recognizes fiction from around the world that has been translated into English and published in the U.K. or Ireland. 
  • The 50,000 pounds ($64,000) in prize money is divided between author and translator.

Indian International Booker Prize Laureate of past:

  • VS Naipaul won the Booker Prize for his book In a Free State in 1971.
  • Salman Rushdie won the Booker Prize for Midnight’s Children in 1981.
  • Arundhati Roy won the Booker Prize for The God of Small Things in 1997.
  • Kiran Desai won the Booker Prize for The Inheritance of Loss in 2006.
  • Aravind Adiga won the Booker Prize for The White Tiger in 2008

‘The Lives of Others’ is the Academy Award-winning 2006 film about extensive state surveillance in the 1980s.

Winner 2023: A novel about communism and its legacy in Europe, ‘Time Shelter’ by Bulgarian writer Georgi Gospodinov and translated by Angela Rodel.

Jenny Erpenbeck

  1. About:Jenny Erpenbeck, 57, was born and raised in East Berlin, which was part of East Germany until the country disappeared with German reunification in 1990.
  2. Erpenbeck is the first German winner of the International Booker Prize.
  3. Hofmann is the first male translator to win since the prize launched in its current form in 2016.

Cyclone Remal

The Cyclone Remal, a low-pressure system that developed over the Bay of Bengal is set to intensify as severe cyclonic storm.

  • The cyclone could reach a wind speed of 102 kilometres per hour and the IMD has warned of very heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of West Bengal, north Odisha, Mizoram, Tripura and south Manipur on May 26-27.
  • Scientists warned that cyclones could intensifying rapidly and retain their potency for longer periods due to warmer sea surface temperatures.
  • This is mainly because oceans absorb most of the excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions.

Tropical Cyclones

  1. The Tropical Cyclones are violent storms that originate over oceans in tropical areas and move over to coastal areas bringing about large-scale destruction caused by violent winds, very heavy rainfall and storm surges.
  2. These are low pressure weather systems in which winds equal or exceed speeds of 62kmph.
  3. Winds circulate around in anti-clockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and in clockwise direction in the Southern Hemisphere.
  4. “Tropical” refers to the geographical origin of these systems, which form almost exclusively over tropical seas.
  5. “Cyclone” refers to their winds moving in a circle, whirling round their central clear eye, with their winds blowing counter clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
  6. The opposite direction of circulation is due to the Coriolis effect.

Tropical Cyclones in India

  • Tropical cyclones striking India generally originate in the eastern side of India.
  • Bay of Bengal is more prone to cyclone than Arabian Sea because it gets high sea surface temperature, low vertical shear winds and has enough moisture in middle layers of its atmosphere.
  • The frequency of cyclones in this region is bi-modal, i.e., Cyclones occur in the months of May–June and October–November.

Conditions for cyclone formation:

  1. A warm sea surface (temperature in excess of 26o –27o C) and associated warming extending up to a depth of 60m with abundant water vapour.
  2. High relative humidity in the atmosphere up to a height of about 5,000 metres.
  3. Atmospheric instability that encourages the formation of cumulus clouds.
  4. Low vertical wind between the lower and higher levels of the atmosphere that do not allow the heat generated and released by the clouds to get transported from the area.
  5. The presence of cyclonic vorticity (rate of rotation of air) that initiates and favours rotation of the air cyclonically.
  6. Location over the ocean, at least 4–5 o latitude away from the equator.

Tropical Cyclones Formed

  • Tropical cyclones typically form over large bodies of relatively warm water. Warm water > Evaporation > Rising up of air > Low Pressure area.
  • They derive their energy through the evaporation of water from the ocean surface, which ultimately re-condenses into clouds and rain when moist air rises and cools to saturation.
  • Water takes up heat from the atmosphere to change into vapour.
  • When water vapour changes back to liquid form as raindrops, this heat is released to the atmosphere.
  • The heat released to the atmosphere warms the air around.
  • The air tends to rise and causes a drop in the pressure.
  • More air rushes to the centre of the storm.

This cycle is repeated.

Tropical cyclones don’t form in the eastern tropical oceans

  1. The depth of warm water (26-27°C) should extend for 60-70 m from surface of the ocean/sea, so that deep convection currents within the water do not churn and mix the cooler water below with the warmer water near the surface.
  2. The above condition occurs only in western tropical oceans because of warm ocean currents (easterly trade winds pushes ocean waters towards west) that flow from east towards west forming a thick layer of water with temperatures greater than 27°C. This supplies enough moisture to the storm.
  3. The cold currents lower the surface temperatures of the eastern parts of the tropical oceans making them unfit for the breeding of cyclonic storms.
  4. ONE EXCEPTION: During strong El Nino years, strong hurricanes occur in the eastern Pacific. This is due to the accumulation of warm waters in the eastern Pacific due to weak Walker Cell.

Names of Tropical Cyclones

Depending on its location and strength, a tropical cyclone is referred to by different names:

  • Cyclones in the Indian Ocean
  • Hurricanes in the Atlantic
  • Typhoons in the Western Pacific and the South China Sea
  • Willy-willies in Western Australia

Structure of the tropical cyclone

Tropical cyclones are compact, circular storms, generally some 320 km (200 miles) in diameter, whose winds swirl around a central region of low atmospheric pressure. The winds are driven by this low-pressure core and by the rotation of Earth, which deflects the path of the wind through a phenomenon known as the Coriolis force. As a result, tropical cyclones rotate in a counter clockwise (or cyclonic) direction in the Northern Hemisphere and in a clockwise (or anticyclonic) direction in the Southern Hemisphere.

  1. The Eye:A characteristic feature of tropical cyclones is the eye, a central region of clear skies, warm temperatures, and low atmospheric pressure. Typically, atmospheric pressure at the surface of Earth is about 1,000 millibars.
  2. The Eyewall:The most dangerous and destructive part of a tropical cyclone is the eyewall. Here winds are strongest, rainfall is heaviest, and deep convective clouds rise from close to Earth’s surface to a height of 15,000 metres.
  3. Rainbands:These bands, commonly called rainbands, spiral into the centre of the storm. In some cases the rainbands are stationary relative to the centre of the moving storm, and in other cases they seem to rotate around the centre.
  • Landfall, what happens when a Cyclone reaches land from the ocean?
  • Tropical cyclones dissipate when they can no longer extract sufficient energy from warm ocean water.
  • A storm that moves over land will abruptly lose its fuel source and quickly lose intensity.
  • A tropical cyclone can contribute to its own demise by stirring up deeper, cooler ocean waters. tropical cyclone can contribute to its own demise by stirring up deeper, cooler ocean waters.

Cyclone Management in India

India is highly vulnerable to natural disasters especially cyclones, earthquakes, floods, landslides, and drought. Natural disasters cause a loss of 2% of GDP every year in India. According to the Home ministry, 8% of total area in India is prone to cyclones. India has a coastline of 7,516 km, of which 5,700 km are prone to cyclones of various degrees.

  1. Loss due to cyclones:Loss of lives, livelihood opportunities, damage to public and private property and severe damage to infrastructure are the resultant consequences, which can disrupt the process of development
  2. Indian Meteorological Department(IMD) is the nodal agency for early warning of cyclones and floods.
  3. Natural Disaster Management Authority is mandated to deal with the disaster management in India. It has prepared National Guidelines on Management of Cyclone.
  4. National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP)was launched by Home ministry to upgrade the forecasting, tracking and warning about cyclones in states.
  5. National Disaster Response Force(NDRF) has done a commendable performance in rescuing and managing relief work.
  6. National Disaster Response Reserve(NDRR)– a fund of 250 crores operated by NDRF for maintaining inventory for an emergency situation.
  • In 2016, a blueprint of National Disaster Management Plan was unveiled to tackle disaster. It provides a framework to deal with prevention, mitigation, response and recovery during a disaster. According to the plan, Ministry of earth science will be responsible for disaster management of cyclone. By this plan, India joined the list of countries which follow the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
  • Due to increased awareness and tracking of Cyclone, the death toll has been reduced substantially. For example, Very severe cyclone Hudhud and Phailin claimed lives of around 138 and 45 people respectively, which might have been more. It was reduced due to the early warning and relocation of the population from the cyclone-hit areas. Very severe cyclone Ockhi claimed many lives of people in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. This was due to the unprecedented change in the direction of the cyclone.

But the destruction of infrastructure due to cyclonic hit is not been reduced which leads to increase in poverty due to the economic weakening of the affected population.

Preeclampsia

World Preeclampsia Day, observed annually on May 22nd, aims to raise crucial awareness about preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication.

Preeclampsia:

  • Preeclampsia is a serious condition that can happen after the 20th week of pregnancy or after giving birth (called postpartum preeclampsia).
  • Most people who have preeclampsia have dangerously high blood pressure and may have problems with their kidneys or liver.
  • High blood pressure (also called hypertension) can stress the heart and cause problems during pregnancy.
  • What causes preeclampsia? It is believed to come from a problem with the health of the placenta (the organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy and is responsible for providing oxygen and nutrients to the fetus).

Symptoms:

  1. Many people with preeclampsia do not have any symptoms.
  2. For those that do, some of the first signs of preeclampsia are high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and retaining water (this can cause weight gain and swelling).
  3. Other signs of preeclampsia include Headaches, Blurry vision or light sensitivity, Dark spots appearing in your vision, Right side abdominal pain, Swelling in your hands and face (edema), and Shortness of breath.

While most people who have preeclampsia have healthy babies, this condition can cause serious problems.

  1. It can also affect other organs in the body and be dangerous for both the mom and her developing fetus.
  2. It can cause preterm delivery and even death.

Treatment:

  1. The only cure for preeclampsia is to give birth.
  2. Even after delivery, symptoms of preeclampsia can last 6 weeks or more.
  3. Treatment, if necessary, is based on how far along the pregnancy is, and may include induced labor or a Caesarean section (C-section).

Global Species Action Plan (GSAP)

Recently, the GSAP SKILLS Platform was launched at the Fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation, Convention on Biological Diversity.

GSAP SKILLS Platform:

  • Global Species Action Plan(GSAP), the Species Conservation Knowledge, Information, Learning, Leverage and Sharing(SKILLS) platform brings the GSAP’s content online and allows the updating of technical tools and resources in real time.
  • It aims to facilitate global collaboration and partnership, connecting decision makers, species conservation practitioners and experts at all levels.
  • The platform provides real-time updates on technical tools and resources, ensuring accessibility and relevance.
  • Each Global Biodiversity Framework target is accompanied by a brief summary and rationale for species conservation interventions, actions, and sub-actions, actors and technical tools and resources for those actions, facilitating the scaling-up of implementation efforts.
  • This platform is managed proactively by IUCN to meet the needs from governments and all stakeholders to take actions for species.
  • The development of the GSAP SKILLS platform has been principally supported by Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea, with additional resources from the Tech4Nature Initiative launched by IUCN and Huawei in 2020.

Global Species Action Plan

  1. It has been developed to support implementation of the KUMMING MONTREAL GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK and to address the increasing biodiversity loss worldwide.
  2. It outlines strategic interventions and actions to conserve and sustainably manage species while ensuring equitable benefits.

New study reveals extent of microplastic pollution in Ashtamudi Lake

Highest percentage composition of microplastics found in macrofauna, with fish accounting for 19.6% and shellfish 40.9%

  • Recently, a new studyhas shed light on the extent of microplastic pollution in Ashtamudi Lake, underscoring the need for continuous monitoring and addressing “potential public health concerns.”

The study Microplastic contamination in Ashtamudi Lake, India: Insights From a ramsar wetland was done by the Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala, with support from the Ecomarine Project co-funded by the Erasmus programme of the European Union. 

Microplastic Pollution in Ashtamudi Lake, Key Findings of the Study

  1. High Composition of Microplastics: The highest percentage composition of microplastics found in the macrofauna, with fish accounting for 19.6% and shellfish 40.9%.
  2. Comprises:
  3. Fibers (35.6%), fragments (33.3%) and films (28%) of the microplastics found in the collected samples.
  4. There is presence of plastic polymers as well as hazardous heavy metals.
  5. Polymer composition of microplastics includes nylon, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polysiloxane.
  6. Hazardous heavy metals such as molybdenum, iron and barium.
  7. Source of Microplastics: Untreated municipal solid waste and plastic debris, The inadequate management of plastic solid waste and Fishing equipment.
  8. Raising Concerns: The existence of plastic polymers and heavy metals in microplastic samples poses a threat to vulnerable biota; people consume contaminated fish and shellfish.
  9. Actions Required: There is a need of Development of strategies and action plans to gradually reduce the entry of microplastics into estuarine systems.

Microplastics

  • Size:Microplastics are plastic fragments less than five millimeters in length.
  • Formation:Microplastics are either manufactured (microbeads that are used in cosmetics and beauty products) or they are formed when larger pieces of plastic break down.
  • Classifications:They are classified into following two types:
  • Primary Microplastics:Tiny particles designed for commercial use and microfibers shed from clothing and other textiles.
  • Secondary Microplastics: They are formed from the breakdown of larger plastics such as water bottles.

Initiatives Taken:

Global Initiatives:

  • World Environment Day (WED) 2023: It focuses on solutions to plastic pollution problem under the campaign #Beat Plastic Pollution.
  • Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML): It was launched at the Earth Summit in 2012 in response to the Manila Declaration.
  • The Manila Declaration seeks to develop policies to reduce and control wastewater, marine litter and pollution from fertilizers.
  • GloLitter Partnerships Project: Launched by the IMO and FAO, with an aim to prevent and reduce marine plastic litter from shipping and fisheries.
  • London Convention, 1972: To control all sources of marine pollution and prevent pollution of the sea through regulation of dumping into the sea of waste materials.
  • Plastic Pacts: To transform the plastics packaging value chain for all formats and products. The first Plastics Pact was launched in the U.K. in 2018.

India’s Initiatives:

  • Elimination of Single Use Plastic, 2019: To eliminate all single-use plastic in the country by 2022, with an immediate ban in urban Delhi.
  • Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016: Every local body has to be responsible for setting up infrastructure for segregation, collection, processing, and disposal of plastic waste.

Ashtamudi Lake

  1. It is a backwater lake and is also called the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala.
  2. Backwater is water turned back in its course by an obstruction on opposing current or the flow of tide in a river channel.
  3. Situated in: Kollam District, Kerala
  4. It is an extensive estuarine system, the second largest in Kerala State (after Vembanad).
  5. A Ramsar Site: The Ashtamudi wetland was designated a Ramsar site in 2002.
  6. Concerns: Population density and urban pressures pose threats to the site.
  7. Importance: Ashtamudi Kayal dates back to the times of the Romans and Phoenicians in the 14th century and was considered as one of the most important ports used for Chinese trade.
  8. Associated Islands: Munroe island (a group of eight small islands), Chavara south (rich in minerals) and Thekkumbhagom island.

ICG takes preparatory measures in view of Cyclone Storm ‘Remal’ originating from Central Bay of Bengal

Mobilises its ships & aircraft for surveillance to provide timely assistance
Nine disaster relief teams positioned at crucial locations

  • Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has initiated comprehensive preparatory measures to ensure minimal loss of life and property at sea due to Cyclonic Storm ‘Remal’ originating in the central Bay of Bengal. It is expected to intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm by May 25, 2024. The system is likely to make landfall at North/ North-West Bay of Bengal near West Bengal Coast on the intervening night of May 26 & 27.
  • The ICG has made coordination efforts with the concerned state administrations and stakeholders to facilitate a synchronised response to potential contingencies arising from the cyclonic storm. All pertinent information regarding the evolving situation has been disseminated to stakeholders to facilitate preparedness and coordinated action.
  • The ICG’s Remote Operating Stations at Haldia and Paradip are broadcasting regular and multilingual Very High Frequency alerts, advising transit merchant mariners to take necessary precautions. Additionally, ICG ships and aircraft are conducting surveillance along the projected path of the cyclonic storm to provide timely assistance and support.
  • Nine disaster relief teams have been positioned at strategic locations including Haldia, Paradip, Gopalpur, and Frazerganj, ready to provide immediate assistance in the event of an emergency.
  • The ICG has notified Bangladesh Coast Guard authorities, urging them to undertake necessary preparations and disseminate alerts to fishermen and merchant marine vessels.
  • Merchant vessels at anchorages have been alerted, and respective port authorities have been advised to take appropriate actions. Despite the fishing ban in force, the Fisheries Department has been cautioned to inform country boats in their respective areas about the developing situation.

‘Doordarshan’: In the era of Artificial Intelligence

DD Kisan to launch two AI anchors AI Krish and AI Bhoomi on 26th May 2024
The AI anchors can speak in fifty languages

  • Doordarshan is going to achieve another milestone as after 9 years of immense success, DD Kisan is coming with a new look and a new style among the farmers of India on 26th May 2024, where the presentation of the channel is going to be in a new avtar.
  • In this era of ‘Artificial Intelligence’, Doordarshan Kisan is going to become the first government TV channel of the country, where all eyes are going to be on an AI anchor. Doordarshan Kisan is going to launch two AI anchors (AI Krish and AI Bhoomi).
  • These news anchors are a computer, which are exactly like a human, or rather, these can work like a human. They can read news 24 hours and 365 days without stopping or getting tired.
  • The farmer viewers will be able to see these anchors in all the states of the country from Kashmir to Tamil Nadu and from Gujarat to Arunachal, these AI anchors will provide every necessary information about agricultural research happening in the country and global level, trends in agriculture mandis, changes in the weather or any other information of government schemes. One special thing about these anchors is that they can speak in fifty languages ​​of the country and abroad.

Some special facts included in the objectives of DD Kisan

DD Kisan is the only TV channel in the country, which has been established by the Government of India and dedicated to the farmers. This channel was established on 26 May 2015.

  1. The objective of establishing DD Kisan Channel was to always keep the farmers informed about the changes in weather, global and local markets etc., so that farmers can make appropriate plans in advance and take right decisions on time. DD Kisan Channel is meeting these standards for the last 9 years.
  2. DD Kisan channel is also working to bring forward the efforts of progressive farmers to all the people, with the aim of serving the agricultural and rural community in the country and working towards creating an environment of holistic development by educating them.
  3. DD Kisan channel is strengthening the three-dimensional concept of agriculture which includes balanced farming, animal husbandry and plantation.

From Kautilya to Immanuel Kant: Lessons for a world at war

Kant would have had to countenance hatred and notions of superiority based on race, religion or political ideology. He would consider them to be a canker on objective reality, ethics

The world will celebrate Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) 300th birth anniversary this year.

Immanuel Kant

Immanuel Kant was born on April 22, 1724 in the East Prussian city of  Königsberg, or today’s Kaliningrad (Russia) near the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea. 

  1. He is the central figure in western modern philosophy, setting the terms for much of 19th and 20th century philosophy and synthesizing early modern rationalism and empiricism.
  2. Field of work: He has left indelible imprints in the field of metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, aesthetics etc

Notable Works of Immanuel Kant:

  1. The Three Critiques: The Critique of Pure Reason (1781, 1787), the Critique of Practical Reason (1788), and the Critique of the Power of Judgment (1790) presents the fundamental idea of Kant’s “critical philosophy” ie the human autonomy.
  2. Kant’s work on ethics: It is presented in his book, The Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785) to “search for and establishment of the supreme principle of morality”.

Key Ideas of Immanuel Kant:

  1. The Idea of a World Citizen: Immanuel Kant favored the idea of a global citizenship, whereby there is no restriction to travel, the trade is open and free, unrestricted immigration and the right to refuge and rejected imperialism, colonialism and slavery.
  2. He believed in reason, rationality and morality guiding political action.
  3. The Idea of perpetual peace: Kant clearly states that perpetual peace is possible only when governments have a specific political organization and the need for the formation of a federation of free countries or international governments to eliminate the tendencies of engaging in war-the worst evil of human societies and achieve perpetual peace.
  4. Kant’s deontological/ duty-based Ethics: Immanuel Kant believes that the moral worth of an action can be judged not by its outcome but, rather by its motive ie. He favors Right Means over Ends. 
  5. The motive behind an action has moral value only when it arises from universal principles discovered by reason.

Relevance of Kant’s Idea in Modern World

  1. The Crisis in Multilateralism: Major power rivalry driven by narrow consideration of power and authoritybased on expedient rationale, and not rationality is leading to demise of multilateralism.
  2. Example: The UN Charter was expected to provide a common ethical bedrock for international relations but instead has become a body to please the self-serving rationale of the permanent members of the UNSC.
  3. Rationality v/s Rationale:Rationality is to being guided by reason and logic but they are also shaped by history, collective civilisational and cultural experiences, nationalism, religious beliefs, clan and class loyalties etc giving way to rationale, bereft of values or morality.
  4. Example:  Contemporary challenges like terrorism and aggression by nations (Israel- Hamas War) are accepted as truth by rationale explanations behind devastating actions.
  5. Contemporary Challenges: Today the world is facing a war of narratives that blurs the distinction between reality and fiction whereby reality is often a creation of geopolitical and geo-economic interests.
  6. Artificial Intelligence and digital revolution altering objective reality and lethal autonomous weapons redefining battlefields. The challenge of fake news, hatred based on identities, global terrorist organisations, The climate crisis etc.
  7. Remnants of colonialism: Kant rejected imperialism, colonialism and slavery but although colonialism and imperialism are deemed to be a closed chapter in history, but the UN website still lists17 Non-Self-Governing Territories as the unfinished agenda of the Special Committee on Decolonisation.
  8. Modern day economic colonialism in the form of debt diplomacy is posing a significant challenge to the independence of nations.

India’s Role

  1. India should amalgamate Kant’s Western philosophy ideas with our very own ancient philosophies, to provide a new moral compass for a better world.
  2. India is rediscovering the relevance of its indigenous strategic culture with renewed focus on the great Indian epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata) in the context of statecraft, war and diplomacy through the prism of ethics.
  3. Indian Philosophers: Kautilya’s Arthashastra and Thiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural dwelt on ethics and morality in every aspect of life.
  4. Contemporary Amalgamation: India aims to amalgamate its ancient cultural ethos of serving humanity with modern day realities.
  5. Example: During its G20 Presidency, India built consensus on the basis of the motto, One Earth, One Family, One Future, inspired by the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
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