TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 28.10.2024

1. BILATERAL

PAK VISIT IS FOR SCO, NOT BILATERAL TALKS

• Jaishankar’s Islamabad Visit for SCO, Not Bilateral Talks with Pakistan:
• Multilateral Focus:External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that his upcoming visit to Islamabad is solely for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting and not for bilateral discussions with Pakistan.
• Maintaining SCO Commitment:He reiterated India’s commitment to the SCO as a member stateand his intention to participate constructively in the multilateral forum.
• No Change on SAARC Boycott:Jaishankar clarified that the Islamabad visit does not alter India’s stance on boycotting the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)due to Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism.
• India’s Position on SAARC and Pakistan: Cross-Border Terrorism as Roadblock:Jaishankar stated that India’s boycott of SAARC stems from Pakistan’s continued support for cross border terrorism, which targets India.
• No Normalization of Terrorism:He emphasized India’s refusal to normalize terrorism as a legitimate tool of statecraft, justifying the continued boycott of SAARC until Pakistan addresses this issue.

2. STATES

AIMING TO ERADICATE CHILD MARRIAGE BY 2026, SAYS ASSAM CM

• Assam’s Multi-pronged Approach to Combat Child Marriage:Legal action and financial incentives.
• Crackdown and its Impact:The government’s active crackdown on child marriages has reportedly yielded positive results, reflected in improved maternal and infant mortality rates.
• This suggests a correlation between child marriage and health risks for both mothers and infants.
• Nijut Moina Scheme:This newly launched scheme aims to incentivize girls to pursue higher education while remaining unmarried.
• The scheme’s details include: Financial Assistance:Monthly stipends are provided to eligible girls enrolled in Class 12, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses (B.Ed included). The amounts vary based on the level of education.
• Eligibility Criteria:Regular attendance, good academic performance, and disciplined conduct are prerequisites. Daughters of Ministers, MPs, and MLAs are excluded. Marriage is prohibited until graduation for beneficiaries.
• Long-term Goal:The scheme, along with the ongoing crackdown, aims to eradicate child marriage in Assam by 2026. It seeks to address the economic burdens that may contribute to families marrying off their daughters early

3. DEFENCE

MAOISTS MUST ABANDON ARMED STRUGGLE AND ENTER THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

• The Maoist insurgency, despite its initial strength, is weakening due to several factors, leading to continued violence and hindering the development of tribal areas. Their decline was inevitable due to inherent flaws in their strategy and ideology.
• Proposed Solution: Maoists should abandon armed struggle and engage in the democratic process to truly address the concerns of the tribal communities they claim to represent.
• Analysis of the Problem: Military Focus over Political Mobilization:The Maoists prioritized armed struggle over building a broad-based political movement. This overreliance on violence alienated potential supporters, particularly within tribal communities.
• Outdated Ideology:Maoist ideology, rooted in the Chinese experience of the 1920s, is ill-suited to the diverse Indian context. Their inability to adapt to the Indian political landscape and the resilience of democratic institutions limited their appeal.
• Ignoring Democratic Avenues:The Maoists failed to recognize and utilize the opportunities presented by Indian democracy, however flawed, to address grievances and effect change.
• Loss of Popular Support:The continued violence and disruption caused by the insurgency have eroded support among tribal populations, who are increasingly weary of the conflict. This loss of support is a key factor in the weakening of the movement.
• Effective Counterinsurgency Operations:Coordinated efforts by security forces have resulted in significant losses for the Maoists, further contributing to their decline.
• Arguments for the Solution: Focus on Tribal Welfare:Engaging in democratic processes would allow the Maoists to address the socio-economic issues faced by tribal communities through peaceful means.
• Reduced Violence:Abandoning armed struggle would significantly reduce violence and create a more conducive environment for development in affected areas.
• Greater Legitimacy:Participating in the democratic system would provide the Maoists with a platform to voice their concerns and advocate for change within a legitimate framework.
• Potential for Positive Change:By working within the system, the Maoists could potentially influence policy and contribute to positive social transformation

4. NATIONAL

FIVE LANGUAGES GOT CLASSICAL TAG AFTER KEY PROVISION DROPPED

• Granting classical language status to languages in India, and the evolving criteria for such recognition.
• Original (2005) Criteria for Classical Language Status:
• High antiquity of early texts and recorded history (1500-2000 years).
• A body of ancient literature considered valuable heritage.
• An original literary tradition (not borrowed).
• Classical language and literature distinct from modern forms.
• Potential discontinuity between the classical language and later forms.
• Key Change:The original criteria for classical language status included a requirement for an “original literary tradition,” meaning the language’s literature should not be borrowed from another speech community. This provision has been dropped, paving the way for the recognition of more languages.
• Reason for the Change:The Linguistic Expert Committee determined that proving or disproving the originality of a literary tradition was difficult, as ancient languages often borrowed from and influenced each other.
• They found it more practical to rely on tangible evidence like archaeological, historical, and numismatic findings.
• Impact of the Change:The revised criteria enabled the recent designation of Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Pali, and Prakrit as classical languages.
• Timeline of Criteria and Designations: 2004:Tamil designated as a classical language, initial criteria established.
• 2005:Sanskrit designated, criteria revised.
• 2005-2024:The 2005 criteria, including the “original literary tradition” requirement, were in effect.
• July 25, 2024:Linguistic Expert Committee unanimously revises the criteria, dropping the “original literary tradition” requirement.
• October 4, 2024:Gazette notification officially designates Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Pali, and Prakrit as classical languages.
• Composition of the Linguistic Expert Committee: Representatives from the Union Ministries of Home and Culture.
• Four to five linguistic experts.
• Chaired by the President of the Sahitya Akademi.

5. BILATERAL

MUIZZU TO MEET MODI, REQUEST INDIA’S SUPPORT OVER LOOMING ECONOMIC CRISIS

• The Maldives is facing a severe economic crisis, marked by high debt, dwindling foreign exchange reserves, and looming debt repayments.
• Request for Indian Assistance:Maldives President Muizzu is seeking India’s support to mitigate the economic crisis.
• Specific requests include: Currency Swap Arrangement:This would provide the Maldives with access to Indian Rupees in exchange for Maldivian Rufiyaa, helping stabilize its currency and manage short-term liquidity needs.
• Debt Support:This could involve debt restructuring, waivers, or deferments to ease the burden of repayments.
• The Maldives has already secured a deferment from Chinaand is seeking similar assistance from India.
• India has already provided some support by subscribing to $50 million in Maldivian government bonds.
• Indian Infrastructure Projects and Cooperation:While the focus is on immediate economic relief, the visit also aims to strengthen broader bilateral cooperation, including Indian infrastructure projects and security cooperation. These projects could potentially boost the Maldivian economy in the long term.
• Context and Challenges:
• Debt Crisis:The Maldives faces significant debt repayments, including a $25 million payment due imminently. Its high debt-to-GDP ratio and falling foreign exchange reserves have led to credit rating downgrades, raising concerns about a potential default.
• Strained Relations:The visit represents a significant improvement in India-Maldives relations, which were strained over the past year due to the “India Out” campaign and critical remarks by Maldivian ministers. The Maldives government has since taken steps to improve relations, including withdrawing the “India Out” campaign and replacing some ministers.
• Geopolitical Factors:The Maldives’ economic situation and its relations with both India and China add a geopolitical dimension to the situation. China is a major creditor to the Maldives, and its willingness to defer loan repayments adds another layer of complexity to the discussions with India

ONE LINER

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