149th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Syllabus: GS 1/History

Context

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered a floral tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 149th birth anniversary and participated in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas

• Since 2014, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, also known as National Unity Day, has been celebrated every year on October 31 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. 
• It serves as a reminder of his efforts to unite the diverse princely states into a single nation and fosters a spirit of solidarity among the people of the country.

Early Life of Sardar Patel

• Born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, Gujarat, he was a barrister, an activist, a freedom fighter, and one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India.
• In the initial years, he was indifferent to Indian politics. But, later, he started getting influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, and by 1917 he embraced Gandhi’s principle of Satyagraha (Non-violence).
• From 1917 to 1924 Patel served as the first Indian municipal commissioner of Ahmedabad and was its elected municipal president from 1924 to 1928. 

Contributions in India’s Freedom Struggle

• Kheda Satyagraha, 1917: As a prominent local leader in the Kheda district of Gujarat, Patel supported Mahatma Gandhi in organising the Satyagraha against unjust land revenue taxes imposed by the British.
• Non-Cooperation Movement, 1920-22: Patel significantly impacted the Non-Cooperation Movement, recruiting approximately 300,000 members and raising 1.5 million rupees.
  • He advocated the boycott of British goods and use of Khadi as a symbol of economic and cultural self-sufficiency.
• Bardoli Satyagraha, 1928: During the Bardoli Satyagraha, Patel supported the local population suffering from famine and increased land taxes.
• Civil Disobedience Movement 1930-34: He actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha, a nonviolent protest against the British salt monopoly. 
• Quit India Movement, 1942: He organised protests and strikes against British rule, and delivered compelling and electrifying speeches throughout India, inspiring and mobilising people to join mass protests, engage in acts of civil disobedience, boycott tax payments, and stage civil service shutdowns. 

Contributions in Unification of India

• Political Integration of India: He played a pivotal role during the political integration of India and the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947.
• Integration of Princely States: He had successfully accomplished the task of integrating 565 Princely States into the Union of India within a remarkably short span of time- a feat unprecedented in history.
• Administrative Reforms: Another illustrious contribution made by Sardar Patel was the creation of All India Services. He had envisioned these services as the ‘Steel frame of India’ that would further safeguard the country’s unity and integrity.
• Promotion of National Integration: He promoted the ‘Idea of India’ as a single nation, and emphasized that despite its diversity, the country must stand united. 

Other Contributions 

• Constitutional Role: He headed various Constitutional Committees, such as Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Committee on Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas, Provincial Constitution Committee. 
• He also served as the first Deputy Prime Minister, as well as the first Home Minister of independent India.

Honours and Recognitions

• Iron Man of India: He earned the reputation of ‘Iron Man’ because of the manner in which he brought about and maintained internal stability as Home Minister in the wake of the partition of the country.
• Bharat Ratna: He was posthumously honoured with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in the country in 1991.
• The Statue of Unity: It is the tallest statue in the world which was unveiled on October 31, 2018 in Kevadia, Gujarat on the occasion of his 143rd birth anniversary.

Conclusion

• Sardar Patel’s legacy goes beyond politics; he epitomized unity, resilience, and commitment to the nation’s welfare.
• His life remains a testament to the power of leadership, dedication, and an unwavering love for his country, helping to shape India into a more stronger, unified nation.

U.S. Electoral College System 

Syllabus: GS 2/IR

In News 

• U.S. citizens will vote on November 5 to choose the 47th President, with main candidates being Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris.

How is the U.S. President elected?

• U.S. presidential elections occur every four years on the first Tuesday of November.
• Eligibility Requirements: Candidates must be natural-born U.S. citizens, at least 35 years old, and have resided in the U.S. for 14 years.
  • They must register with the Federal Election Commission if they raise or spend over $5,000.
• Primaries and Caucuses:Once candidates announce their intentions to run for the post of the President, the process of primary and caucus debates starts.
  • Primaries: State-run elections where voters select their preferred party candidates by secret ballot.
  • Caucuses: Party-run gatherings where voters discuss and choose candidates.
    • Types: Open (any voter can participate), closed (only registered party members), and semi-closed
• National Conventions: Parties officially nominate their presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
  • Delegates, pledged or unpledged, vote for the nominee. If no candidate wins a majority, additional rounds are held
• General Election Voting:Takes place in November, with all major party candidates on the ballot.
  • Registered voters can vote for any candidate, regardless of primary participation or party registration.
  • States allow early, absentee, and mail-in voting with varying rules.

About Electoral College System:

• The electoral college is an intermediary body or process that chooses the U.S. President.
•  The President is chosen by securing a majority of electoral college votes (270 out of 538), not the popular vote.
• Electors’ Selection:Each state’s voters choose electors who then vote for the President. States have electors equal to their Congressional representation (House + Senate).
  • The electors, pledged to a candidate, vote in December based on their state’s popular vote outcome.
• Faithless Electors: Electors who do not vote according to the popular vote are called “faithless electors.” Some states penalize them, though they rarely affect results.
• Popular Vote Impact: Generally, the party that wins a state’s popular vote sends its electors to the electoral college, who are expected to vote accordingly.
• Except in Maine and Nebraska, the winner of a state’s popular vote takes all its electoral votes.
• Tie Scenario: If there’s a 269-269 tie, the House of Representatives votes to decide the President, with each state delegation having one vote. A candidate needs 26 votes to win.
• Congress Vote Count: Congress will meet in January to count the electoral votes, and the new President will be inaugurated on January 20, 2025.
• Vice-Presidential Election: The Senate votes for the Vice-President, with each Senator having one vote. A candidate needs 51 votes to win.
• Potential Split Outcomes: Since the President and Vice-President are elected separately by the House and Senate, they could be from different parties if votes are divided.
• Vote Counting and Inauguration: Congress counts electoral votes in early January.
  • The new President’s term begins on January 20, Inauguration Day.

Contribution of Unpaid Work by Women

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• The invisibility of women’s contributions to the economy through unpaid care work, parenting, and domestic responsibilities has been a growing topic of research and discussion. 

About

• This dialogue emphasises the need to recognise and value these contributions in national accounts, highlighting their monetary worth. 
• While the System of National Accounts has included household production in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) calculations since 1993, it has notably excluded unpaid care work. 

Unpaid Labour by Women

• Women not in the labour force spend over seven hours daily on unpaid domestic and care work.
  • Employed women dedicate 5.8 hours to similar tasks. 
• In contrast, unemployed men spend less than four hours, while employed men contribute only 2.7 hours daily. 
• This stark contrast underscores the significant burden of unpaid labour borne by women. 

Need for Recognising Unpaid Work by Women

• Sustainable Households: Unpaid labor, including childcare, elder care, and household chores, is essential for the daily functioning of families.
• Economic Contribution: It supports the workforce by allowing others to participate in paid employment, thus enabling economic activity and stability.
• Resource Management: Women often manage household resources, from budgeting to food preparation.
• Personal Fulfilment: Many women derive personal satisfaction and fulfillment from caregiving and household management, viewing it as a meaningful contribution to their families and communities.
• Foundation for Future Generations: Unpaid labor plays a vital role in the upbringing and education of children, shaping future generations and contributing to their development and well-being.

Effort to recognise Unpaid work

• In 2016, the United Nations integrated this focus into its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in SDG 5, which emphasises achieving gender equality and empowering women.
  • Target 5.4 seeks to recognise and value unpaid care and domestic work through supportive policies and shared household responsibilities, particularly in low and middle-income countries by 2030.
• The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC 2022) revealed that unpaid work contributes an estimated 9% to the GDP of APEC member economies, equivalent to $11 trillion. 

Economic Value of Unpaid Work in India

• Unpaid work in India contributes approximately ₹22.7 lakh crore or about 7.5% of the country’s GDP, according to a 2023 State Bank of India report. 
• Women spend about 36 hours per week on such tasks compared to just 16 hours for men.
  • This disparity highlights the gendered nature of household responsibilities and reflects broader societal norms regarding domestic labour.
• Research indicates that enhancing women’s participation in the labour force could boost India’s GDP by as much as 27%. 

Conclusion

• To harness this potential for economic growth, it is vital to create policies that recognise and value unpaid work, encouraging gender equity in the workforce and boosting India’s overall productivity.

Gold Reserves

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• India’s gold reserves currently total 854.73 metric tonnes, according to a recent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report.
  • Of this, 510.46 metric tonnes are held within the country, while 324.01 metric tonnes are stored with the Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

About

• Gold now makes up 9.32% of India’s total foreign exchange reserves, a rise from 8.15% in March 2024. 
• On a global scale, India ranks 8th for gold reserves. The top-ranking countries are the United States, Germany, and Italy, with the U.S. holding nearly as much gold as the combined reserves of Germany, Italy, and France.

Gold Reserves

• Gold has lower co-relation with other asset classes and, therefore, provides a safety cushion during periods of geopolitical stress and prevailing economic uncertainty and/or downturn in markets.
• Prices of gold are suggested to hold an inverse relationship with interest rates. 
  • When interest rates are tightened gold becomes less attractive to investors as they do not offer any yield. 
  • Conversely, lower interest rates coupled by a weaker dollar can prompt investors to also opt for the safety bullion cushion. 
• Central banks accumulate gold for several reasons:
  • Monetary Stability: Gold provides a store of value and is often used as a safeguard against economic uncertainty.
  • Currency Support: Gold reserves enhance a nation’s currency credibility, as it is seen as a backing for the currency’s value.
  • Investment Diversification: Holding gold diversify a central bank’s assets, reducing risk in their investment portfolios.
  • International Trade and Payments: Gold reserves facilitate international trade and payments, serving as a universally accepted form of currency.
• Countries with significant gold reserves include the United States, Germany, Italy, and France.

Gold Reserves Strategy

• The RBI continues to retain 324 tonnes of its gold reserves under the protection of the Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements, which collectively hold a substantial portion of India’s gold abroad. 
• The Bank of England, established in 1697, is renowned for its extensive gold storage facilities and remains the world’s second-largest gold custodian after the New York Federal Reserve.
  • Storing part of India’s gold in London provides the RBI with immediate access to the London bullion market, allowing for enhanced liquidity.