GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context:

The cancellation of FCRA licenses for prominent organizations raises concerns about the erosion of civil liberties in India, with implications for democratic backsliding.

1. Targeting Civil Society Entities:

- Centre for Policy Research (CPR): FCRA license suspended and later canceled, citing a farcical justification linking CPR's publications to current affairs programming.

- World Vision India: Another organization working with children, facing FCRA cancellation, contributing to a pattern of using FCRA as a tool to silence entities working on environmental issues, civil liberties, and human rights.

 - Farcical justification: The government equated CPR's publications with current affairs programming, a reasoning deemed farcical for an institution fostering informed debates in a democratic ecosystem.

2. Broader Pattern of State Control:

- Historical Context: FCRA, born out of the Emergency era, initially aimed at preventing foreign interference, has evolved with successive amendments, becoming more stringent.

- Impact on Civil Society: FCRA amendments have created an environment of increased state control, limiting the autonomy of civil society organizations. Stringent regulations may obstruct the vital work of civil society actors, undermining their capacity to contribute to governance and policy-making.

- Stringent amendments: The 2020 amendments to FCRA criticized by the International Commission of Jurists as incompatible with international law, imposing extraordinary obstacles on civil society actors.

3. Implications for Democracy and Global Perception:

- Government's Sensitivity: Despite India seeking recognition as a 'Vishwaguru' and the 'Mother of Democracy,' recent actions contradict these ideals.

- Freedom House Democracy Index: India downgraded to an "electoral autocracy" due to the erosion of civil liberties, highlighting the link between perception and reality.

- Global Indices: Shutting off finances to civil society organizations on flimsy grounds contributes to democratic backsliding, impacting India's ranking in global freedom and democracy indices.

Context:

The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 sheds light on the increasing access to smartphones among the youth in India. However, the ownership disparity between genders raises crucial considerations for the potential educational benefits.

1. Smartphone Access and Usage:

- Access Trends: ASER 2023 reveals that 92% of surveyed 14-18 year olds in India know how to use a smartphone, showcasing a widespread trend of technology adoption.

- Ownership Disparity: Disparities emerge as 44% of boys own smartphones, compared to only 20% of girls. The ownership gap influences the range of tasks performed on smartphones.

- Social Media and Safety Features: Over 90% of surveyed youth used social media, yet familiarity with safety features is linked to smartphone ownership. Girls, with limited ownership, exhibit lower familiarity with safety measures.

2. Educational Implications of Ownership:

- Basic Tasks vs. Deeper Access: While basic tasks like browsing for information remain consistent across genders, ownership influences advanced skills such as sharing content. Ownership proves crucial for deeper access to information and services.

- Motivational Factors: The report suggests that motivation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, drives technology adoption. Entertainment-centric platforms like WhatsApp and YouTube play a pivotal role in learning.

- Learning Without Formal Teaching: The ASER report cites examples of children learning technology skills without formal teaching, emphasizing the role of motivation and opportunity.

3. Gender-Neutral Learning Environments and Potential:

- Experiment with Tablets: A past experiment integrating tablets into education demonstrated that girls perform equally well as boys when provided unfettered access. Constraints in access negatively impact girls' ability to perform tasks like accessing services and ensuring online safety.

- Potential Solutions: Addressing ownership disparities could enhance learning outcomes, with parallels drawn to initiatives like free bicycles boosting girls' enrollment in secondary schools.

- Bridging gender and Digital divide: The ASER 2023 report underscores the transformative potential of smartphone technology in education but highlights the importance of addressing ownership disparities, particularly along gender lines, to ensure equitable learning opportunities for all youth in India.

Context:

The Yemen conflict prompts reevaluation of the Suez Canal's role in global trade, strengthening the case for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) amid geopolitical uncertainties.

1. Industry's view:

- Suez Canal Concerns: The Yemen conflict has eroded confidence in the Suez Canal as the primary route for east-west trade.

- Long routes: Shippers are increasingly considering longer routes around Africa, emphasizing the need for alternative trade corridors.

- Multinational Support: IMEC is expected to attract financing from the U.S., Europe, Saudi Arabia, and India, with potential templates from projects like the Colombo deepwater container terminal.

2. IMEC's Potential and Challenges:

- Strengthened Case: The Yemen conflict boosts IMEC's viability as a Suez Canal alternative, even though challenges persist. Critics highlight concerns about major trade links between Saudi Arabia and Israel, particularly post the Gaza war. The IMEC memorandum of understanding faces delays due to geopolitical tensions.

- Changing West Asia: Post-Gaza war, West Asia's geopolitical landscape is expected to shift significantly. Turkey expresses irritation at being excluded from IMEC, proposing an alternative route through Iraq. Optimism remains for Turkey's eventual inclusion in the project.

- Beyond Trade: IMEC encompasses trade, electricity, digital cables, and hydrogen pipelines, aligning with global decarbonization trends.

3. India’s Stakes:

- India's Containerization Appeal: Containerization through rail and road in IMEC appeals to India, aligning with the National Logistics Policy's goal to lower logistics costs, accelerates trade and reduces port costs, aligning with India's logistics goals.

- Rail Freight Corridors: Dedicated rail freight corridors linked to IMEC ports, such as Mundra and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), contribute to IMEC's strategic logic. Southern India, often relying on road and transshipment via Colombo, can leverage IMEC's potential with dedicated freight corridors, potentially cutting delivery schedules.

- Port Development: Adani's stake in Haifa port could offer insights into capacity expansion planning, drawing parallels with the Colombo deepwater container terminal.