GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context:

Disabling individuals at the top is the only effective way to dismantle terror networks.

Arrest of Fugitive in Thodupuzha Palm-Chopping Case

• Capture After 13 Years: Savad, the primary accused in the 2010 Thodupuzha palm-chopping case, is arrested by the NIA after 13 years, shedding light on the dormant network of the banned PFI.
• Religious Extremist Assault: The barbaric attack targeted Professor T.J. Joseph for a supposedly 'blasphemous' reference, leading to irreversible losses in his life.
• NIA's Role: The NIA, taking over the case in 2011, secured convictions but the elusive key accused kept the investigation open.

Shifted Focus on Conspirators and Underground Network

• Bounty and Arrest: The NIA, offering a ?10 lakh bounty, arrests Savad, prompting a renewed focus on the conspirators and their underground support network.
• Transformation of Extremist Groups: The roots of the PFI in the outlawed SIMI and NDF highlight the need to dismantle the entire network for lasting peace.
• Joseph's Perspective: While Prof. Joseph harbors no ill-will, he emphasizes that action against foot soldiers alone won't ensure societal peace; the handlers must be held accountable.

NIA's Ongoing Role and Need for Complete Dismantling

• Prosecuting Key Accused: The NIA must persist in prosecuting the key accused to disable the entire terror network responsible for the heinous attack.
• Preventing Resurgence: The focus on uprooting underground supporters is essential to prevent the resurgence of extremist groups in different avatars.
• Long-term Peace and Harmony: Joseph's perspective underscores that bringing handlers to justice is vital for achieving lasting peace and harmony in society.

Context: Post the recent G20 summit, a surge of impactful conferences has characterized India's corporate scene since the 1990s, serving as crucial hubs for knowledge exchange, problem-solving, and networking.

I.  Challenges in Conference Organization

• Curation Prioritization: Most conferences lack proper curation, leaving speakers uncertain about their topics and panel combinations.
• Last-Minute Juggling: The pursuit of VIPs or celebrities leads to last-minute schedule adjustments, impacting the event's overall organization.
• Buzzword-Centric Session Titles: Session titles often target seasonal buzzwords, lacking thoughtful curation and focus on meaningful discussions.

II. Ineffectiveness of High-Profile Presence

• Big Names' Impact: Events often feature high-profile individuals for their perceived prestige, despite uncertainties about their actual participation.
• Bollywood Stars at Literature Fests: Presence of Bollywood stars may attract crowds, but the engagement often diminishes when the intended topic discussions commence.
• Organizers' Motivations: Questions on the effectiveness of haphazard conversations and raises concerns about events running solely on sponsor money.

III. Untapped Potential for Impactful Events:

• Missed Opportunities: Conferences miss opportunities to showcase local products, crafts, and tourism, making the money spent more meaningful.
• Limited Interaction with Local Artisans: Despite conferences on culture and craft, the absence of local craftsmen hinders meaningful interactions.
• Unrealized Potential for Student Workshops: The author suggests untapped potential in organizing workshops for students to interact with achievers, especially in educational institutes.

Context:

Increasing food prices could further impact the already subdued consumption of goods.

Inflationary Trends in December

• Consumer Price Index: December witnessed a four-month high in inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index.
• Food Price Acceleration: Consumer Food Price Index saw an 83 basis points acceleration in December, with cereals being a major contributor.
• Cereal Inflation: Cereal inflation, led by staples like rice and wheat, remained high at 9.93%, causing concerns for households.

Concerns in Food Price Dynamics

• Rural Impact: Coarse cereals like jowar and bajra, crucial in rural areas, experienced accelerated month-on-month inflation, impacting vulnerable households.
• Pulses Inflation: Pulses, a key protein source for vegetarians, reached a 43-month high at 20.7%, with concerns about future prices due to lower sowing.
• Vegetable Price Volatility: Vegetable prices, led by tomatoes and onions, surged year-on-year but witnessed sequential deflation, showcasing their inherent volatility.

Challenges for Policymakers and Economic Impact

• Continued Price Challenges: Despite some deflation in specific items, overall food prices remained higher, posing challenges for policymakers.
• Impact on Household Spending: As food costs rise, households may allocate more income to necessities, potentially derailing the economy's weak consumption.
• Global Uncertainties: The escalating crisis in West Asia introduces new uncertainties in global trade and energy costs, adding to policymakers' challenges.