India becomes 3rd Most Powerful Nation in Asia, Surpasses Japan in Asia Power Index

• India has surpassed Japan to become the third-largest power in the Asia Power Index, reflecting its growing geopolitical influence.
• This achievement is attributed to India''s robust economic growth, youthful population, and expanding international presence.

Key Factors Behind India’s Rise

1. Economic Growth

• Post-Pandemic Recovery: India has experienced a remarkable economic resurgence, leading to a 4.2-point increase in its Economic Capability.
• Population and GDP: With a large population and strong GDP growth, India is now the world’s third-largest economy in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.

2. Future Potential

• Demographic Dividend: India’s Future Resources score increased by 8.2 points, indicating a youthful demographic that can sustain economic growth and workforce expansion.
• Competitive Edge: Unlike China and Japan, India''s demographics provide a unique advantage for future economic performance.

3. Diplomatic Influence

• Leadership Recognition: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has enhanced India’s international profile.
• Non-Aligned Strategy: India’s strategic posture allows it to navigate complex international relations effectively, ranking 6th in diplomatic dialogues in 2023.

Cultural and Economic Influence

• Cultural Impact: India maintains a strong score in Cultural Influence, supported by its global diaspora and cultural exports.
• Economic Outreach: Though incremental, India’s defense sales and participation in international dialogues, such as the Quad, showcase its growing geopolitical engagement.

India’s Role in Asia

• Optimistic Outlook: The 2024 Asia Power Index positions India as a key player in the Indo-Pacific region, supported by a substantial resource base and strategic autonomy.
• Regional Influence: Continued economic growth and a burgeoning workforce place India in a strong position for future influence.

Asia Power Index Overview

• Definition: Launched by the Lowy Institute in 2018, the Asia Power Index assesses the power dynamics of 27 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Focus Areas: It evaluates countries on their capacity to shape external environments, considering both material capabilities and influence.

Criteria for Power Measurement

• Resource-Based Determinants

1. Economic Capability: Measured through GDP (PPP), technological sophistication, and economic connectivity.
2. Military Capability: Evaluates defense spending, military strength, and long-range capabilities.
3. Resilience: Assesses internal stability and security against threats.
4. Future Resources: Projects future resource distribution, including economic and demographic factors.

• Influence-Based Determinants

1. Economic Relationships: Leverage through trade and investment.
2. Defense Networks: Strength of military alliances and partnerships.
3. Diplomatic Influence: Participation in multilateral forums and foreign policy ambitions.
4. Cultural Influence: Ability to shape public opinion through cultural means.

Prime Minister pays tributes to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya on his birth anniversary 

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya 

• Born in Mathura, UP in 1916, Deendayal Upadhyay is an Indian politician.
• He was one of the most important leaders of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the forerunner of the present day Bharatiya Janata Party.
• He qualified the civil services examination, where he got his nickname as Panditji for appearing in the examination hall wearing traditional dhoti-kurta and cap.
• He however did not join the service, but became in 1942, a life-time volunteer of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
• However, Upadhyaya is seen to have played a larger role in India’s thought process and political life, transcending party lines.

His key philosophies

Integral humanism  

• Deendayal Upadhyay is best remembered for his principle of "integral humanism" which is defined as "a classless, casteless and conflict-free social order".
• It talks about the integration of indigenous "Indian culture" with the social, political and economic fabric of the nation.
• It provides for a holistic idea of human welfare.
• It envisions a synthesis of materialism, spiritualism and cautious desire, as each have a role in achieving happiness.
• And that an economic index cannot be the sole measure of satisfaction or happiness.

Bharat 

• He wanted to decolonise Indian political thought as he felt that the Indian intellect was getting suffocated by Western theories.
• This, he believed, left a roadblock to the growth and expansion of the original Bharatiya.
• He did welcome modern technology but wanted it to be adapted to suit the Indian requirements.

Polity 

• He visualised for India a decentralised polity and self-reliant economy with the village as the base.
• He spoke against caste polarisation and identity-based voting.
• He wanted people to do their duty while exercising their franchise “in a judicious and intelligent manner”.

Welfare 

• He strongly argued against the left-right division as being detrimental to the growth of a constructive, transformative pro-people ideology.
• He strongly believed that politics must be controlled by the masses, and not the wealthy.
• He thus cautioned that Neoliberalism could challenge democracy, and emphasized that people''s welfare should not be compromised for corporate interests.
• He was particular that powerful lobbies should not emerge in the country’s legislatures and political decisions.
• He pleaded for diversities in economic and social philosophies against a single meta-narrative ruling the world or a nation.
• Many of Upadhyay''s principles thus find more relevance today than in his own time.

Major Schemes in his name

• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY)- integrating the NULM and NRLM for alleviating poverty.
• Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) Antyodaya Diwas- to diversify the incomes of rural poor families and to cater to the career aspirations of rural youth.
• Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana- to provide electricity to rural homes.
• Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Shramev Jayate Karyakram- to create a conducive environment for industrial development primarily through skill training.
• Deendayal Upadhyaya Swaniyojan Yojana (DUSY)- the rural version of the Start Up India scheme.

Make in India Celebrates 10 Years: A Decade of Transformational Growth

• Launched on September 25, 2014, the ‘Make in India’ initiative aims to position India as a global manufacturing hub.
• Spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it has significantly transformed the landscape of domestic manufacturing, innovation, skill development, and foreign investment.

10 Years of Impact: A Snapshot

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

• Cumulative FDI Inflow (2014-24): India attracted USD 667.4 billion, marking a 119% increase from USD 304 billion during the previous decade (2004-14).
• Manufacturing Sector FDI: Inflows reached USD 165.1 billion, which is a 69% increase compared to USD 97.7 billion in the prior decade. This investment has diversified across 31 states and 57 sectors, fostering growth in various industries.
• FDI Policy: Most sectors are now open for 100% FDI under the automatic route, allowing for greater foreign participation in the Indian economy.

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme

• Investment Generated: Since its inception in 2020, the PLI schemes have attracted investments worth ₹1.32 lakh crore (USD 16 billion).
• Manufacturing Output Boost: As of June 2024, the manufacturing output linked to PLI has reached ₹10.90 lakh crore (USD 130 billion).
• Job Creation: Over 5 lakh jobs have been created directly and indirectly due to the initiatives under the PLI schemes.

Exports & Employment

• Merchandise Exports: India’s merchandise exports surged past USD 437 billion in FY 2023-24, significantly bolstered by PLI schemes.
• Employment Growth: The manufacturing sector''s total employment increased from 57 million in 2017-18 to 64.4 million in 2022-23, reflecting the positive impact of these initiatives.

Ease of Doing Business

• World Bank Ranking Improvement: India improved its ranking from 142nd in 2014 to 63rd in 2019 in the Doing Business Report, highlighting significant reforms.
• Compliance Reduction: More than 42,000 compliances have been reduced, and 183 provisions across 42 Central Acts were decriminalized, making business operations smoother.

Key Reforms

Semiconductor Ecosystem Development

• Semicon India Program: Launched with an investment of ₹76,000 crore, this program aims to boost the semiconductor and display manufacturing sectors, supporting a comprehensive ecosystem including packaging, sensors, and more.

National Single Window System (NSWS)

• Launched in 2021: This platform streamlines the investor experience by integrating clearances from 32 Ministries and Departments and 29 States/UTs, facilitating rapid approvals for investments.

PM Gatishakti

• National Master Plan: Initiated in October 2021, it employs a GIS-based platform for integrated multimodal infrastructure planning, which helps in reducing logistics costs and improving overall efficiency.

National Logistics Policy (NLP)

• Launched in 2022: Aims to reduce logistics costs and enhance the efficiency of logistics services, making Indian products more competitive globally.

Industrial Corridors & Infrastructure

• Development of 11 Industrial Corridors: The National Industrial Corridor Development Programme has approved 12 new projects with a projected investment of ₹28,602 crore, designed to provide world-class infrastructure.

One-District-One-Product (ODOP)

• Promotion of Indigenous Products: This initiative encourages local craftsmanship and economic development by setting up Unity Malls in 27 states, providing platforms for unique products.

Startup India

• Launched in 2016: This initiative has led to the recognition of 1,40,803 startups as of June 2024, creating over 5 lakh direct jobs and fostering an ecosystem that nurtures innovation and attracts investment.

Future Directions: Make in India 2.0

• Focus Areas: The next phase emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and self-reliance. Strategic interventions in renewable energy and advanced manufacturing are being prioritized to ensure Indian products meet the highest global standards.

India Committed to Achieving UN’s 2030 Goal of Ending HIV/AIDS: MoS Anupriya Patel

• Theme “Revitalized Multilateralism: Recommitting to Ending AIDS Together.”
• India Reaffirms Commitment to End HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030
• New annual HIV infections have decreased by 44% since 2010, outperforming the global reduction rate of 39%.
• “India offers comprehensive HIV and Syphilis testing to all pregnant women with more than 30 million free HIV tests being conducted annually”
• “India currently supplies over 70% of global anti-retroviral medicines, ensuring affordable access for nations in need”
• As per the recent India HIV Estimations 2023 report, over 5 million people are living with HIV in India, but thanks to concerted efforts, the adult HIV prevalence is at 0.2 % and estimated annual new HIV infections are at around 66,400. 

 HIV/AIDS

• Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• HIV attacks the body’s immune system, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases.
• If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS.

Transmission:

• It is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• It can also be spread by contact with infected blood, and from illicit injection drug use, or sharing needles.
• It can also be spread from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. 

Treatment:

• There is currently no effective cure. Once people get HIV, they have it for life.
• But with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. People with HIV who get effective HIV treatment (called antiretroviral therapy, or ART) can live long, healthy lives and protect their partners.

India’s Efforts to Prevent HIV

• HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017: According to this act, the central and state governments shall take measures to prevent the spread of HIV or AIDS.
• Access to ART: India has made Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) affordable and accessible to over 90 per cent of people living with HIV in the world.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare signed a MoU with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2019 for enhanced HIV/AIDS outreach and to reduce the incidence of social stigma and discrimination against victims of drug abuse and Children and People Living with HIV/AIDS.
• Project Sunrise: Project Sunrise was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2016, to tackle the rising HIV prevalence in north-eastern states in India, especially among people injecting drugs.
• Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): Offering PrEP medications to individuals at high risk of contracting HIV can significantly reduce the chances of infection when taken consistently.

MoS Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel to inaugurate National Conference on the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA)

Goals and Objectives

• Focus on Tribal Upliftment: The conference aims to address the development needs of tribal communities by enhancing local governance and ensuring accessibility to government schemes.
• Launch of New Initiatives: Introduction of the PESA – GPDP Portal and Seven Specialized Training Modules to improve Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs).

Training and Accessibility

• Comprehensive Training Modules: Developed to educate about the provisions of the PESA Act, these modules will be translated into local languages to ensure accessibility in Scheduled Areas.
• Target Audience: More than 500 participants from across the ten PESA states are expected to attend, including Panchayat representatives and functionaries.

Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA)

• The Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996 was brought in as a response to the long-standing demands of the tribal communities in India for greater autonomyand control over their own affairs. 
• PESA Act was enacted on 24 December 1996 to enable tribal self-rule in fifth schedule areas. The Act extended the provisions of Panchayats to the tribal areas of Fifth Schedule states. 
• Historically, the tribal communities in India have been marginalized and excluded from the mainstream political and economic systems and have faced numerous challenges such as displacement, loss of land and resources, and cultural erosion.
• The PESA act drew inspiration from the provisions of the 73rd and 74th amendments of the Indian constitution. It aimed to provide greater autonomy to the Scheduled areas, which are predominantly tribal in nature, and protect their rights over land and forest.
• The PESA Act gives special powers to the Gram Sabhasin Scheduled Areas, especially for managing natural resources. The main rationale behind the Act is to preserve the tribal population from exploitation with the active involvement of the Gram Sabha. 

Objectives:

• To ensure self-governance through Gram Sabhas (village assemblies) for people living in the Scheduled Areas.
• It recognises the right of tribal communities, who are residents of the Scheduled Areas, to govern themselves through their own systems of self-government, and also acknowledges their traditional rights over natural resources.
• Empowers Gram Sabhas to play a key role in approving development plans and controlling all social sectors.

Significance of Implementing the Act

• Democratic Decentralisation:PESA empowers gram sabhas to play a key role in approving development plans and controlling all social sectors. This includes management of:
• Resources over jal, jangal, zameen (water, forest and land)
• Minor forest produces
• Human resources: Processes and personnel who implement policies
• Managing local markets
• Preventing land alienation
• Regulating intoxicants among other things
• Preserving Identity:The powers of gram sabhas include maintenance of cultural identity and tradition, control over schemes affecting the tribals, and control over natural resources within the area of a village.
• Conflict Resolution:The PESA Act thus enables gram sabhas to maintain a safety net over their rights and surroundings against external or internal conflicts.
• Public Watchdog:The gram sabha would have the powers to monitor and prohibit the manufacturing, transport, sale and consumption of intoxicants within their village limits.

Issues with PESA Act, 1996

• Conflicting Laws: PESA can sometimes conflict with other laws like the Forest Rights Act or the Wildlife Protection Act, creating confusion and hindering its implementation.
• Overlapping Jurisdiction: Two different ministries, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, have overlapping roles in the implementation of PESA. This results in confusion.
• Ambiguous and Unclear Definition: Terms like minor water bodies, minor minerals, manual scavenging, etc. have either not been defined in the Act or are defined ambiguously. This leads to varied interpretations, resulting in loopholes to be exploited.
• Ineffective Punishments: The penalties prescribed for violations of the Act are often seen as insufficient to deter offenders. The low conviction rates for those violating the Act highlights this weakness.
• Limited Coverage: The Act only applies to Scheduled Areas, which are regions with significant tribal populations. Tribal communities outside these areas don’t get the benefits of PESA.

Case Studies of successful implementation of PESA Act

• Chhattisgarh: 
• The state government has implemented the Act in several tribal-dominated districts and has seen positive results regarding community empowerment and sustainable development. 
• For example, in the district of Sarguja, gram sabhas (village councils) have been given the power to manage and conserve forest resources. They have been able to implement afforestation and eco-restoration projects successfully. 
• Implementation of PESA has led to increased forest cover and the regeneration of traditional forests, as well as improved livelihoods for the local communities.
• Andhra Pradesh: The state government has set up a PESA Cell to monitor the implementation of the Act and to provide technical and financial support to the Gram Sabhas.