{"id":35604,"date":"2018-11-01T13:30:39","date_gmt":"2018-11-01T08:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=35604"},"modified":"2018-11-01T11:01:11","modified_gmt":"2018-11-01T05:31:11","slug":"answers-mains-marathon-upsc-mains-current-affairs-questions-october-31-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/answers-mains-marathon-upsc-mains-current-affairs-questions-october-31-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Answers: Mains Marathon \u2013 UPSC Mains Current Affairs Questions \u2013 October 31, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/mains-marathon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Archives<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><b>Q.1) In recent days, it is often warned that India is facing its worst ever water crisis. Why is it so? Which factors are responsible for this and how the problem of water crisis should be addressed? Discuss<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Answer:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to NITI Ayog, India is facing its worst-ever water crisis, with 600 million people facing acute water shortage. It further says that the crisis is &#8220;only going to get worse&#8221; in the years ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Factors responsible:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of access to clean water.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of infrastructure to supply piped water to every home. People cannot rely on groundwater due to erratic rains.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As cities and towns grow, the pressure on urban water resources is increasing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pollution of available water resources &#8211; both surface and groundwater.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exploitative farming practices are depleting water resources at a rapid pace.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Climate change is also a cause behind drying up of sources and erratic rainfall patterns.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Ways to address:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Optimizing existing infrastructure, such as water production and treatment plants, water networks and reservoirs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using technology solutions like Big Data to map consumption patterns and decide supply.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Involving communities in conservation of local water bodies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Efficient agriculture practices life ZBNF, organic farming.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arresting water pollution through effluent treatment plants, strict implementation of Water Act etc.,<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Q.2) In recent years, India is accorded a prominent position in Japan\u2019s geo\u00adstrategic outlook. Critically analyse if growing proximity between India and Japan is an enduring one or if it\u2019s just a short-term arrangement to address each other\u2019s regional concerns.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Answer:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 13th India-Japan annual summit was held recently and at least 32 pacts on issues like defence to economic, health to agriculture, and many on infrastructure development, were signed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Convergence in the relation:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japan has been extending bilateral loan and grant assistance to India since 1958, and is its largest bilateral donor.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a) $90 billion has gone into the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">b) Japan is also backing the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail service.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both countries are wary of the aggressive growth propaganda of China.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both are members of the QUAD grouping initiated by the USA.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are participating in the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor to bring infrastructure to African countries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japan has been one of the biggest sources of investment flows into India, accounting for $28.16 billion in FDI between April 2000 and June 2018<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The two countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2011 to facilitate growth in bilateral trade<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Challenge areas:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bilateral trade has been below potential. Among countries that India exports to, Japan is at 18th position.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian products are struggling to penetrate Japanese market due to language barriers, high quality and service standards.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Negotiations to purchase amphibious US-2 planes are still going on.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s delays in executing projects overseas remains a concern for Japan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">China\u2019s significant role in Asian economy and geostrategy does not allow both the nations to ignore its warnings.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Q.3) What were the objectives of various tribal uprisings in India during British rule? Evaluate their compatibility with freedom struggle.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Answer:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Tribal uprisings &#8211; objectives:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To regain the traditional rights of community over forest produce and ownership.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To reclaim the land which is lost to outsiders.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Against the nexus of moneylenders, officers and outsiders who encroached into the tribal system and led to a debt ridden tribal society.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rejection of alien elements and attempts to restore their pristine culture and relig\u00adion are also considered as responsible for the rise of messianic movements among the tribals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sufferings caused by wars and harassment by the disbanded soldiery are also responsible for dissatisfaction among the tribals.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Wrt Freedom struggle:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mostly the solidarity was within the tribal community and not for the rest of India, which is the objective of freedom struggle.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are isolated in nature and fought only for the local reasons of the tribe.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They did not understand the larger picture of colonial exploitation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As most of the uprisings were dispersed across the country, there seems to be no unity and united front against the British rule.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Q.4) Despite the vital role of the Inland water sector, inland water transport systems have not yet reached their full potential in India. Discuss the major issues and challenges with IWT in India. suggest measures to boost IWT<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Answer:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has approximately 14500 km of navigable waterways. But at present Inland Waterway Transport forms an insignificant part of total transport system.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Challenges faced by IWT:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced navigability due to siltation, as in the Bhagirathi-Hooghly and in the Buckingham Canal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced flow due to diversion of water for irrigation, for instance, in the Ganga which makes it difficult even for steamers to ply.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are problems in smooth navigation because of waterfalls and cataracts, as in Narmada and Tapti.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of inadequate depth of waterways for commercial movement of cargo is a major concern.Also quality of water flow is becoming poorer progressively.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rudimentary infrastructure coupled with non-availability of water round the year is an impediment for operation of waterways.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is lack of modal integration of and detailed mapping of waterways and industrial clusters and also lack of integration of hinterland coastal shipping with international maritime traffic.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Solutions:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Government with a view to promoting Inland Waterways Transport (IWT), has launched several schemes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a) Vessel Building Subsidy of 30%<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">b) Viability Gap Funding<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recent approval for implementation of Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) or the National Waterway-1 on Ganga River.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focus more and put some special efforts and funds on the development of \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201ccommercially significant IWT.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The construction of dams, barrages, bridges should consider navigation as an important requirement and make provisions for the same.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Need to provide effective railroad and coastal connections from the waterways for multi-modal logistics.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Target specific cargo like Coal, Cement, Fertilizers, Food grains and all the users of these cargoes close to National Waterways<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Archives Q.1) In recent days, it is often warned that India is facing its worst ever water crisis. Why is it so? Which factors are responsible for this and how the problem of water crisis should be addressed? Discuss Answer: According to NITI Ayog, India is facing its worst-ever water crisis, with 600 million people&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/answers-mains-marathon-upsc-mains-current-affairs-questions-october-31-2018\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Answers: Mains Marathon \u2013 UPSC Mains Current Affairs Questions \u2013 October 31, 2018<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":2292,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mains-marathon-answers","category-public","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/pen-paper-laptop.jpg?fit=1000%2C500&ssl=1","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35604"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35604\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}