{"id":75105,"date":"2021-01-02T21:00:53","date_gmt":"2021-01-02T15:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=75105"},"modified":"2021-01-04T12:17:46","modified_gmt":"2021-01-04T06:47:46","slug":"9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-january-2-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-january-2-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief \u2013 January 2, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Good evening dear reader<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Here is our 9pm current affairs brief for you today<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\r\n<p><strong>About 9 PM Brief<\/strong>- With the <span style=\"color: #000000;\">9 PM Daily Current affairs for UPSC brief we intend<\/span> to simplify the newspaper reading experience. In 9PM briefs, we provide our reader with a summary of all the important articles and editorials from three important newspapers namely The Hindu, Indian Express, and Livemint. This will provide you with analysis, broad coverage, and factual information from a Mains examination point of view.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>About Factly<\/strong>- The Factly initiative covers all the daily news articles regarding Preliminary examination. This will be provided at the end of the 9 PM Brief.<\/p>\r\n<p>Dear Aspirants,<\/p>\r\n<p>We know for a fact that learning without evaluation is a wasted effort. Therefore, we request you to please go through both our initiatives i.e 9PM Briefs and Factly, then evaluate yourself through the 10PM Current Affairs Quiz.<\/p>\r\n<p>We plan to integrate all our free daily initiatives to comprehensively support your success journey.<br \/><strong>Happy Learning!<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>GS Paper \u20131\u00a0<\/strong><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Proposal on Louis Kahn\u2019s IIMA building is an act of cultural vandalism<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>GS-Paper \u20132\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Implication of warming in Arctic region<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>India&#8217;s foreign policy: Lessons from 2020 and challenges\/opportunities in 2021<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>GS-Paper 3<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Farmer welfare in Kerala, in the absence of Mandi system<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 class=\"note1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-proposal-to-demolish-the-louis-kahns-iima-building-is-an-act-of-cultural-vandalism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>The proposal to demolish the Louis Kahn\u2019s IIMA building is an act of cultural vandalism<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Source-\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/iima-dormitories-louis-i-kahn-architectural-heritage-7129215\/\"><span data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\"><strong>The Indian Express<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Syllabus-\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\"> GS1<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Synopsis-<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0IIMA decision to demolish historic dormitories designed by architect Louis Khan, this would constitute an act of cultural vandalism.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Background-<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Louis Kahn, a world-famous architect, called in 1960s to Ahmedabad to design various buildings, and the IIMA was one of the iconic structures built by him.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Works of this excellence belong to both national and universal heritage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> However, the administration of the Indian Institute of Management decided to demolish 14 dormitories on the IIMA campus as they turn unsafe.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> It led to the protests in the campus and reconsideration of the decision.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Why the proposal to demolish the dorms of IIMA represent as cultural vandalism?<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Having supported the restoration of the entire campus for years, the administration claimed that as this work was\u00a0not \u2018satisfactory\u2019\u00a0the whole lot should be pulled down, which is an act of\u00a0cultural vandalism\u00a0against an architectural masterpiece which is not only of great importance to India but to the world.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Current laws in India provide national heritage protection only to buildings and sites more than 100 years old. This leaves Kahn\u2019s IIM- Ahmedabad in extremely vulnerable positions.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> capitalism, political corruption and land speculation pose threats to ancient and modern works of quality.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Fortunately, many organizations and individuals both within the country and abroad have written to the institute, urging the management to reconsider the decision.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>What is the significance of Louis Kahn Architecture?<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Kahn built two projects on the Indian subcontinent,\u00a0the Assembly Complex in Dhaka, Bangladesh and the\u00a0Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad\u00a0(IIMA). Both reflect his response to the cultures, climates and traditions of their respective places.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Significance of IIMA building-<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> The complex is built mainly in brick, with some interventions of concrete for lateral bracing and tie bars.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> With its interweaving of space and form, light and shade, orthogonal and diagonal geometries, the dormitory complex is a virtuoso demonstration of Kahn\u2019s immense skill as a designer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> A citadel of learning, replete with cylindrical towers, shaded streets and squares, it is not unlike a tight-knit Indian fortified town.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Way forward-<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>First, <\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">there is a need to reshape national heritage laws to protect 20th-century buildings.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Heritage should be assessed on the basis of long-term quality rather than the cut-off date of a hundred years.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Second, <\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">IIMA Director and Board need to live up to their responsibilities by restoring and protecting Kahn\u2019s work in its totality, so that the future generations may be inspired by it.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Thus,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">the leaders of IIMA should be persuaded to complete the restoration of Kahn\u2019s buildings at the highest possible level, and perhaps attain the same World Heritage status<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 class=\"note1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/implication-of-warming-in-arctic-region\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Implication of warming in Arctic region<\/strong><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Source-\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/global-warming-arctic-region-warms-climatic-changes-7129249\/\"><span data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\"><strong>The Indian Express<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Syllabus-\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\"> GS 2<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Synopsis-<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Warming in the Arctic region has many implications and the geopolitics is also changing in the region.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Introduction-<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> The\u00a0Arctic has been warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet, with higher temperatures pushing sea ice into a loop of melting and thinning.\u202f<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Since 1980, the\u00a0amount of summer ice in\u00a0cubic kilometers has decreased\u00a0by an estimated 75 percent.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Climate change is increasingly\u00a0opening up the Northwest Passage, an Arctic sea route north of the Canadian mainland.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">These developments will have a critical impact in several sectors, most fundamentally on climate.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>What are the adverse impacts of global warming?<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">A warming\u202fclimate\u202fholds important\u202fimplications\u202ffor other aspects of the global\u202fenvironment.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>First<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, \u202fit had led to many changes on the planet, such as a rise in sea level, massive melting of snow and land ice, salinity levels, and current and precipitation patterns<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Moreover, The Tundra is returning to the swamp, the permafrost is thawing, sudden storms are ravaging coastlines and wildfires are devastating interior Canada and Russia.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Second<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0Arctic biodiversity under serious threat from\u00a0climate change- The distribution of flora and fauna is shifting northwards as the Arctic continues to warm.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Increasing human encroachment with its attendant stresses will only aggravate this impact and upset a fragile balance.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>What are the opportunities due to opening the Arctic region?<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The opening of the Arctic presents huge commercial and economic opportunities such as shipping, energy, fisheries, and mineral resources.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>First, new shipping route<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">&#8211; The shrinking of ice on The\u202fNorthern Sea Route\u202fwill open new possibilities for shipping companies.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> The distance from Rotterdam to Yokohama will be cut by 40 percent compared to the Suez route.\u202f<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Second<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>, <\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Raw materials underground<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">&#8211; The area above the Arctic Circle is underlain by sedimentary basins and continental shelves that hold enormous oil and natural gas resources.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> The\u202fArctic\u202fholds about\u202f22 percent of the world&#8217;s undiscovered\u202fconventional\u202foil and natural gas resource\u202fbase along with mineral deposits including 25 percent of the global reserves of rare earth, buried in Greenland.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>What are the challenges in doing so?<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> First,\u00a0Navigation conditions are restrictive and dangerous due\u00a0to-<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> extreme conditions: ice floes, fog, imprecise charts<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Lack of search and rescue infrastructure and lack of deep-water ports.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Second,\u00a0added cost of navigation in polar waters\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> more expensive shipbuilding and crew training requirements need for ice-breakers, high insurance costs<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Mining and deep-sea drilling carry massive costs and environmental risks.\u202f<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">These difficulties may provide a crucial window to work out norms that are focused on balanced and sustainable development. However, the Arctic is not a global common and there is no overarching treaty that governs it.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>What are the impacts of Arctic warming on India?<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The\u00a0extensive coastline of India makes it most vulnerable\u00a0to the impact of Arctic warming as-<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> It is found that rising temperatures in the Arctic region is causing the sea-ice to melt faster than expected, impacting a major ocean current\u00a0linked to extreme weather events.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> The global warming phenomena have resulted in a change in the\u00a0monsoon onset time and pattern.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>How Russia and china using Arctic geopolitics as a strategic posture?<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>First, <\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Russian priority is to ensure the\u00a0Northern Fleet\u2019s access\u00a0to, and passage along, the Northern Sea Route (NSR) from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Second, <\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Russia has deployed substantive force\u00a0and capabilities along its northern border, including through an exercise with China in the eastern Arctic.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Third, China in the Arctic-\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">China\u2019s economic partnership with Russia in the Arctic with a focus on projecting the Polar Silk Road as an extension of the BRI, and has invested heavily in ports, energy, undersea infrastructure and mining projects.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Thus, an\u202factive China in the Arctic and its growing economic and strategic relationship with Russia need close monitoring.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 class=\"note1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indias-foreign-policy-lessons-from-2020-and-challenges-opportunities-in-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>India&#8217;s foreign policy: Lessons from 2020 and challenges\/opportunities in 2021<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Source:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/india-foreign-policy-2021-china-us-7129273\/\"><span data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Click here<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Syllabus:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">GS 2 &#8211; International Relations,\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0A quick flashback of 2020 suggested that India faced seven tough realities last year and has to deal with many possible challenges and opportunities in 2021.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Introduction\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Last year was quite difficult for India; it fought Covid-19 and Chinese hostility. Next year is going to be all about facing the challenge of firming ties and building new ones with the US, EU, Middle East countries, and its neighbours.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>What were the hard realities of 2020?<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>China&#8217;s ambition to become the number one\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> China\u2019s which was consolidating its power since, 2013, saw an opportunity in pandemic and started flexing its muscles.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Chinese naval forces hit a Vietnamese fishing boat, droned a Philippines naval vessel and agitated a Malaysian oil-drilling operation. It even put trade restrictions on Australia.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives in the border stand-off with China as they have changed the status quo along the border.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Trump Administration<\/strong><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> The Trump administration targeted China and the Communist Party of China for disturbing the global order and walked out of several multilateral bodies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Approval for Taliban<\/strong><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>India is planning to re-engage with the Taliban even<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0though it is controlled by the Pakistan military because the US has made peace with them.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Middle East calculations<\/strong><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> New Delhi has been nurturing ties with Israel as well as Saudi-UAE and the Iranians with clever diplomacy but India should be mindful as at home religious politics could hamper its gains.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Russia-China closeness<\/strong><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> The US\u2019s anti-Chinese public speaking, the downfall of oil prices and Russia\u2019s dependence on Chinese consumption is the reason of their bonding.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Russia has a similar stance to china on the Quad and Indo-pacific <\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">and India has taken note of it even though India shares strong ties with Russia.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Confident neighbours<\/strong><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Bangladesh stressed on CAA-NRC, and then\u00a0Nepal claimed territory followed by issuing a new map.\u202f<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> India seems to have accepted the participation of the US in Maldives and of Japan in Sri Lanka and Maldives.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Aspirational India<\/strong><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> During the pandemic, India supplied medicines and protective kits to more than 150 countries still it didn\u2019t manage to appear as the global leader the world needed; instead, it looked as an aspirational power because of lack of resources, a shrinking economy and its general politics.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>What are the challenges and opportunities in the upcoming year?<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Firstly, India has to counter China.<\/strong><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> India will need persistent support from the US, Japan, Australia, in addition with the support of France, Germany and the UK because India requires external aid inadequate measure to counter China.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Secondly, India is set to enter the UN Security Council for the 8th time<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong><sup>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0<span data-contrast=\"none\">India will now have to take stands on several issues that it has avoided in the past such as the Iran-Saudi rivalry etc.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Thirdly, friendship with the US.<\/strong><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> India will try to deepen its strategic and defence ties with the US, and would want to resolve trade and visa issues.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Fourthly, India will try to win over Europe.<\/strong><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> There is a chance of an India-EU summit in the upcoming year and a potential European strategy. France and Germany have come up with their Indo-Pacific strategy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Fifthly, India should engage with its neighbours.<\/strong><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> India could use vaccine diplomacy to its benefit by supplying vaccines at affordable costs to neighbours in 2021 as almost all south Asian countries have stable governments currently.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Lastly, India should appear Global not aspirational.<\/strong><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> New Delhi will host the BRICS summit in 2021.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Begin preparations for the G-20 summit in 2023.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> The India-Africa Forum summit, which could not be held in 2020, could be held in 2021 or later.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">India has opportunities to clear and be vocal on issues that matter to the world and be positive to promote its interests.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 class=\"note1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/farmer-welfare-in-kerala-in-the-absence-of-mandi-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Farmer welfare in Kerala, in the absence of Mandi system<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Source:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/Home\/ShareArticle?OrgId=GM284KUAR.1&amp;imageview=0\"><span data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">click here<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Syllabus:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">GS 3 &#8211;\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Synopsis:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Absence of Madi system in Kerala has not impacted the farmer\u2019s welfare in the state.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Background:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Thousands of farmers have assembled to protest against the 3 farm bills and have established a new way of life at\u00a0Singhu,\u00a0Tikri, Ghazipur, Noida and Shahjahanpur borders.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Farmers have made all necessary arrangements for food, shelter, clothing, and sanitation. They have been gathering a countrywide support.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>A tussle among various political parties is also ongoing\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">on the issue of support or opposition to farmer\u2019s demand.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Meanwhile, in all this debate, example of Kerala was used by some big politicians that the states with no Mandi system is also siding with the farmers.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> However, ground realities and facilities for farmers in Kerala suggest that the same model can be applied at other places too for the welfare of farmers.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>How Farmer\u2019s Welfare in Kerala assured?<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) and mandis although do not exist in Kerala, the needs and interests of farmers are taken care of in the state.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> The central government\u2019s rate for obtaining rice is \u20b9 18 a kg whereas the government in Kerala has fixed the price of rice from cultivators at \u20b927.48 a kg.\u00a0This increased basic price is also applicable on fruits and vegetables.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>Basic prices (per Kg) of 16 items are assured <\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">by the government. Few examples are tapioca \u20b912, banana \u20b930, garlic \u20b9139, pineapple \u20b915, tomato \u20b98, string beans \u20b934, ladies\u2019 fingers \u20b920, cabbage \u20b911 and potato \u20b920.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Dried coconut also has a much higher procurement rate in Kerala as compared to the rate announced by the central government.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Apart from crop insurance, paddy cultivators also get the royalty in Kerala at the rate of \u20b92,000 per hectare. They get a pension as well, which is a very unique step in the country. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"> <strong>A debt relief commission was<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0introduced in 2006 by the left government when farmers\u2019 suicides were increasing, this initiative tried to help and save them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Above facts prove that farmers in Kerala are in a better condition compared to the state of farmers in other states after enacting Farm Laws. Forex; 40% of mandis in Madhya Pradesh have registered only zero transactions after the passing of 3 bills.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title\">Factly :-News Articles For UPSC Prelims<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"08umg727mA\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/factly-news-articles-for-upsc-prelims\/\">Factly :-News Articles For UPSC Prelims| Jan 02,2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Factly :-News Articles For UPSC Prelims| Jan 02,2021&#8221; &#8212; Free UPSC IAS Preparation For Aspirants\" src=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/factly-news-articles-for-upsc-prelims\/embed\/#?secret=GkXDVeA1kR#?secret=08umg727mA\" data-secret=\"08umg727mA\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Good evening dear reader Here is our 9pm current affairs brief for you today GS Paper \u20131\u00a0\u00a0 Proposal on Louis Kahn\u2019s IIMA building is an act of cultural vandalism\u00a0 GS-Paper \u20132\u00a0\u00a0 Implication of warming in Arctic region\u00a0 India&#8217;s foreign policy: Lessons from 2020 and challenges\/opportunities in 2021\u00a0 GS-Paper 3\u00a0 Farmer welfare in Kerala, in the&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-january-2-2021\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief \u2013 January 2, 2021<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":71653,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-9-pm-brief","category-public","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/website-banners-9-PM-DAILY-BRIEF-1-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1","views":{"total":3532,"cached_at":""},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75105","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=75105"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75105\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71653"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75105"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75105"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}