2nd June 2020 : The Hindu Editorials Analysis : Current Affairs 2020
QUESTION: Africa is critical to India’s security because of its proximity and how their bilateral relations are changing in this era ?
Editorial Topic-INDIA, CHINA AND FORTIFYING THE AFRICA OUTREACH
WHAT?
- COVID-19 and medical assistance by partners of Africa.
WHY IN NEWS?
- Africa needs medical protective equipment and gear to support its frontline public health workers and Africa’s two partners i.e. India and China have increased their outreach through medical assistance.
BACKGROUND:
- COVID-19 pandemic has been a great leveller, as it has affected almost all the regions of the world adversely.
- Its effects to be seen more devastating particularly in Africa where economic and public health conditions are extremely poor.
- Although African countries moved quickly to curb the initial spread, they are still ill-equipped to cope with a public health emergency of such magnitude due to shortages of masks, ventilators and even basic necessities such as hand wash and water.
- In this backdrop efforts of India and China are directed to fill a part of the growing African need at a time when not many others have stepped in to help.
NEW DELHI’S FOCUS:
- For India, the pandemic presents an opportunity to demonstrate its willingness and capacity to shoulder more responsibility.
- A responsible and reliable global stakeholder- even with limited resources, India can fight with the virus at home.
ADVANTAGE IN AFRICA-
- India’s role as ‘the Pharmacy of the world’ , as supplier of low-cost , generic medicines is widely acknowledged.
- Pharmaceutical products along with refined petroleum products account for 40% of India’s total exports to African markets.
- There is also growing interest in Research and Development in drugs and vaccines.
- A healthcare partnership in traditional medicines and Ayurveda for boosting immunity.
BEIJING’S DONATION DIPLOMACY:
- China being Africa’s largest trading partner – it dispatched medical protective equipment ,testing kits, ventilators and medical masks to several African countries.
- Chinese embassies across Africa have taken lead by coordinating both public and private donations to local stakeholders.
BEIJINGS’S ADVANTAGE IN AFRICA:
- China relies heavily on diplomatic support and cooperation from African countries.
SIGNIFICANCE AND DIFFERENT APPROACHES OF INDIA AND CHINA
FOR CHINA,
- (1). Hard infra. Projects and resources extraction.
- (2). Strong state-to-state relations as opposed to people-to-people ties and
- (3). Money, political influence and elite level wealth creation.
INDIA’S APPROACH
On the other side , is one that focusses on building local capacities and an equal partnership with Africans and not merely with elites concerned.
TAKEAWAY:
As these two powers rise in Africa, their two distinct models will come under even greater scrutiny and both New Delhi and Beijing might find that they need to adopt to the rising aspirations of the African continent.
Short Notes
Topic INDIA, CHINA AND FORTIFYING THE AFRICA OUTREACH
WHAT?
- COVID-19 and medical assistance by partners of Africa.
WHY IN NEWS?
- Africa needs medical protective equipment .
BACKGROUND:
- COVID-19 pandemic affected almost all countries.
- Africa’s poor health and eco. services.
- shortages of masks, ventilators etc.
NEW DELHI’S FOCUS:
- Opportunity to demonstrate its willingness and capacity + A responsible and reliable global stakeholder.
ADVANTAGE IN AFRICA-
- India’s role as ‘the Pharmacy of the world’ ,
- Research and Development in drugs and vaccines.
- A healthcare partnership in traditional medicines and Ayurveda.
BEIJING’S DONATION DIPLOMACY:
- Dispatching medical protective equipment ,testing kits, ventilators and medical masks.
BEIJINGS’S ADVANTAGE IN AFRICA:
- China relies heavily on diplomatic support and cooperation from African countries.
SIGNIFICANCE AND DIFFERENT APPROACHES OF INDIA AND CHINA
FOR CHINA,
(1). Hard infra. Projects and resources extraction + Strong state-to-state relations as opposed to people-to-people ties.
INDIA’S APPROACH
focusses on building local capacities and an equal partnership.
TAKEAWAY:
Distinct models will come under even greater scrutiny + New Delhi and Beijing are rising aspirations.
Editorials Summary
QUESTION: Examine why earthquakes occur? Explain the various kinds of waves produced in a earthquake.
Editorial Topic- A NEW ARCHITECTURE IN QUAKE-PRONE AREAS
WHAT?
- India’s vulnerability to earthquakes and suggested measures for mitigation .
WHY IN NEWS?
- Super cyclone like Amphan,earthquakes with tremors seem to intensify and how prepared is India for the ‘big one’.
DEFINITION:
- Earthquake , in simple words, is the shaking of earth due to sudden release of energy and is a type of endogenic processes.
TYPES OF EQs:
(1). TECTONIC EQs ; most common form of earthquake , is caused by movement of loose fragmented pieces of land on earth known as tectonic plates.
(2). VOLCANIC EQs ; happen before or after the eruption of volcano. It is caused when magma leaving the volcano are filled by rocks being pushed to surface.
(3). COLLAPSE EQs; occur in underground mines. Main cause is due to pressure generated within the rocks.
(4). EXPLOSION EQs ; occurrence is artificial in nature . High density explosion such as nuclear explosions is the primary cause.
MEASUREMENT:
- Magnitude scale i.e. Richter scale (energy expressed in absolute numbers of 0-10)
- Intensity scale i.e. Mercalli scale is used (range 1-12).
EARTHQUAKE PRONE ZONES IN INDIA
- Over 59% of India’s land area is under threat of moderate to severe earthquakes.
- Bureau of Standards(BIS) , divided country into four seismic zones viz. Zone II, III, IV and V (most seismically active region).
- The regions away from the Himalayas and other inter-plate boundaries were considered to be relatively safe from damaging earthquakes.
- The fact that the Indian plate is pushing against the Eurasian plate makes cities, towns, and villages on and around the Himalayas vulnerable to earthquakes
MAJOR EQUAKES IN INDIA
- Bihar (1934)
- Uttarkashi (1991)
- Latur (1993)
- Kutch (2001)
- Jammu and Kashmir (2005)
STEPS TAKEN FOR PREPAREDNESS:
- India has collaborations with other countries in the field of seismic research .
- India also has a sophisticated set of monitors embedded beneath the soil’s surface in many vulnerable points.
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) establishment.
- Use of technology for early warnings.
WAY FORWARD:
- India should work on a system for early prediction of such calamities.
- We need to be alert to undertake short, medium, and long term actions.
- Earthquake proof architecture regime in quake prone area.
- High rise constructions regulations in order to reduce vulnerability like Delhi and hill stations.
- Need to be seismic planning for all major infrastructure and construction projects.
Short Notes
WHAT?
- India’s vulnerability to earthquakes and suggested measures for mitigation .
WHY IN NEWS?
- How prepared is India for the ‘big one’.
DEFINITION:
- Earthquake is the shaking of earth due to sudden release of energy + type of endogenic processes.
TYPES OF EQs:
(1). TECTONIC EARTHQUAKES.
(2). VOLCANIC EARTHQUAKES.
(3). COLLAPSE EARTHQUAKES.
(4). EXPLOSION EARTHQUAKES.
MEASUREMENT:
- Magnitude scale i.e. Richter scale + Intensity scale i.e. Mercalli scale.
EARTHQUAKE PRONE ZONES IN INDIA
- Over 59% of India’s land area is under this zone + country into four seismic zones viz. Zone II, III, IV and V (most seismically active region).
- Himalayas and other inter-plate boundaries.
- Indian plate is pushing against the Eurasian plate.
MAJOR EQUAKES IN INDIA
- Bihar (1934)
- Uttarkashi (1991)
- Latur (1993)
- Kutch (2001)
- Jammu and Kashmir (2005)
STEPS TAKEN FOR PREPAREDNESS:
- Collaborations with other countries.
- India also has a sophisticated set of monitoring + National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) establishment.
- Use of technology for early warnings.
WAY FORWARD:
- Early predictions system.
- Earthquake proof architecture regime.
- High rise constructions regulations.
- Need seismic planning.
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