1. A Tectonic Shift in Thinking to Build Seismic Resilience
- Syllabus Relevance:
- GS1: Geography (Disaster Risks): Earthquakes, seismic zones, vulnerability of India.
- GS3: Disaster Management: Disaster preparedness, mitigation strategies, infrastructure resilience, urban planning.
- Core Argument: Following a 4.4 magnitude earthquake in Delhi, the editorial warns of India’s severe seismic vulnerability, particularly in densely populated urban centers. It criticizes the widespread non-compliance with earthquake-resistant building codes and calls for urgent, large-scale, and strict measures for seismic resilience.
- Key Points for UPSC:
- India’s Seismic Vulnerability: India is highly earthquake-prone, with significant portions of its landmass falling into Seismic Zones IV and V (e.g., entire Himalayan belt, North-East India, parts of Gujarat, Delhi).
- Compliance Failure: The editorial highlights a critical gap between regulations and reality. The Bureau of Indian Standards (IS 1893:2016) provides guidelines for earthquake-resistant design, but enforcement is weak.
- Lessons from Past Disasters: References to Bhuj (2001) and Nepal (2015) earthquakes serve as reminders of the devastating consequences of non-compliance and poor construction practices.
- Recommendations for Resilience:
- Strict Enforcement of Building Codes: Implement and monitor IS codes rigorously.
- Retrofitting: Massive investment (suggested ₹50,000 crore) in strengthening existing vulnerable structures and foundations, especially in high-risk zones.
- Disaster Response Enhancement: Expanding and equipping National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams.
- Technological Integration: Utilizing real-time monitoring systems, GIS mapping for vulnerability assessment, and AI-based predictive tools for early warning and risk mitigation.
- Urban Planning: Integrating seismic considerations into all new urban development plans and redevelopment projects.
- Public Awareness & Education: Educating citizens on earthquake safety measures and evacuation protocols.
- Global Best Practices: Mention of Bangkok’s success in enforcing high-strength concrete codes demonstrates that such measures are achievable.
- UPSC Linkage: Direct relevance to questions on disaster management frameworks, urban disaster resilience, building codes, role of government and public awareness in disaster preparedness, and the application of technology in disaster mitigation.
2. Safe Havens No More: On Growing Crime Against Women
- Syllabus Relevance:
- GS1: Indian Society (Women & Social Issues): Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies; effects of globalization on Indian society; social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
- GS2: Social Justice: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources; issues relating to poverty and hunger. Vulnerable sections of the population.
- Core Argument: The editorial expresses grave concern over the “ominous rise” in sexual violence against women, emphasizing that these crimes are increasingly occurring in supposedly “safe” spaces like workplaces and educational institutions across India. It calls for systemic changes beyond reactive measures.
- Key Points for UPSC:
- Paradigm Shift in Crime Locations: The shift of crimes against women from traditionally “unsafe” public spaces to private or institutional settings (workplaces, colleges) suggests a deeper, systemic issue of power dynamics and security failures within established structures.
- Causes (Implicitly Raised):
- Patriarchal Mindsets: Underlying societal patriarchal attitudes that normalize or condone violence against women.
- Ineffective Enforcement: Failures in police investigation, slow judicial processes, and low conviction rates act as deterrents to reporting and justice.
- Lack of Accountability: Institutions (workplaces, schools) often fail to establish robust internal mechanisms for reporting and addressing sexual harassment, leading to impunity.
- Victim Blaming: A persistent culture of victim blaming discourages women from coming forward.
- Required Reforms:
- Legal & Enforcement: Stricter enforcement of existing laws (e.g., POSH Act, IPC sections), expedited judicial processes, and training for law enforcement agencies to handle cases sensitively.
- Institutional Accountability: Mandating robust Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in all workplaces and educational institutions, with transparent procedures and empowered members.
- Preventive Measures: Implementing gender sensitization programs from an early age, challenging harmful stereotypes, and promoting male allyship.
- Safe Spaces Creation: Proactive measures to make public and institutional spaces genuinely safe through better lighting, surveillance (with privacy safeguards), and accessible helplines.
- Support Systems: Strengthening support services for survivors, including counseling, legal aid, and rehabilitation.
- Beyond Reactive Responses: The editorial implicitly calls for a shift from merely reacting with suspensions and compensation after an incident to adopting a preventive and systemic approach that builds a culture of safety and respect.
- UPSC Linkage: This topic is central to questions on women’s safety, gender justice, social empowerment, effectiveness of laws and institutions in protecting vulnerable groups, and the role of societal attitudes in perpetuating violence.
