The Hindu Editorial Analysis | 26th October '21

Table of Contents

Solar Flexus | ToI

The Indian and British PMs are in a joint venture to make light of the energy crisis and global warming.
At the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow in November, MoJo will launch the Green Grid Initiative’s ‘One Sun One World One Grid’.
Posited on the fact that the sun never sets, and is always shining at some geographic location, it hopes to transport solar power across the globe through a series of transnational grids.
OSOWOG is one up on show-off China’s OBOR, One Belt One Road, way to buckle up business.
Every day, there’s evidence that global warming has already ‘Cried Havoc, and let loose the dogs of war’, aka fire, flood and mutant Ninja viruses.

Worrisome | Pioneer

India is unable to get to the end of the second wave even months after it subsided, thanks to general carelessness.
Safety protocols – ignored
India recorded over 1.08 lakh fresh cases during October 18-24.
A week after Dussehra, cases are rising in many States, led by West Bengal.
It reported 5,925 fresh cases in the week.
The death toll also rose by 60 per cent; 2,419 fatalities in the week as against 1,515 in the previous one.
Overall, West Bengal saw a 41 per cent spike in cases over the preceding week.
In Assam, it was 42 per cent and Himachal Pradesh 25 per cent.
What is worrisome about the post-festive rise in the number of cases is the growing number of fully vaccinated people getting infected.
In Kolkata, for example, 150 such cases were reported while another 200 patients turned out to be asymptomatic.
It is time to reopen quarantine centres in areas reporting the maximum cases.
A general lockdown is out of the question. So, localised restrictions, like opening micro-containment zones, are the best solution along with intensified testing and tracing, quarantine and isolation operations.
Epidemiologists are of the view that low cases, as witnessed in the pre-festive season, are not proof of endemicity.
The country is on the way to endemicity but not there yet.
The Government has also to consider the discovery of a new mutation of the Coronavirus in India.
New infectious mutant called AY.4.2
Research into the mutant, which is causing panic in Europe, is still in the initial stages but it is said to be more transmissible than the Delta variant.

A festering crisis in the Palk Strait | TH

5 Indian fisherman to lost their life in the Palk Strait this year
The boat that Rajkiran was on, with two others, sank late on October 18 after reportedly colliding with a Sri Lankan Navy patrol vessel..
In both instances this year, what we know is that the fishermen died while trying to earn a living.
In both cases, they reportedly crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line, an invisible demarcation between India and Sri Lanka.

New Delhi conveyed a “strong protest” to Colombo after the death of the four fishermen in January, allegedly at the hands of the Sri Lankan Navy.
The problem has existed for more than a decade now, from the time Sri Lanka’s 30 year-long civil war ended in 2009
In Tamil Nadu, daily wage fishermen are only too aware of the risks that come with working on mechanised fishing vessels used for ‘bottom trawling’.

Their wage depends on the catch they bring back.
Incessant bottom trawling along the coast of Tamil Nadu over the years has meant that the fishermen are drawn to the relatively resource-rich Sri Lankan waters.
This pushes them into a cycle of arrest, remand, release, or in some unfortunate cases, violence or death at sea.
India and Sri Lanka have held many rounds of bilateral talks in the last decade between government officials as well as fisher leaders.
The Indian government’s attempt to divert fishermen to deep sea fishing has not taken off as was envisaged, even as profit-hungry boat owners in Tamil Nadu stubbornly defend their trawler trade.
It is equally well known that the relentless trawling by Indian vessels has caused huge losses to northern Sri Lankan fishermen.
The growing trust deficit between them does not augur well for the prospect of a solution.

Aiding Afghanistan | ToI

In what was India’s second official-level contact with Taliban after it returned to power in Afghanistan, the Islamist group revealed that New Delhi had offered to provide extensive humanitarian assistance.
While the Indian side is yet to confirm this, humanitarian assistance for ordinary Afghan citizens isn’t a bad idea.
The country’s economy is in a mess with its foreign reserves frozen by the US and IMF.
In fact, Afghan civil servants and medics have not been paid in months, and the WHO last month said that 90% of its 2,300 health clinics across Afghanistan risked shutting down.
Afghan citizens shouldn’t be made to suffer because their previously elected government fled.
True, totally bypassing Taliban in aid delivery may not be possible.
But the aim ought to be to encourage the group to reform, respect human rights and become inclusive.
Plus, India needs to aggressively cultivate strategic options in Afghanistan to blunt the impact on Kashmir, which is witnessing a new phase of terrorism.
India can restart normal processing of medical and student visas for Afghans.
This will help preserve the huge goodwill India enjoys in that country, even as it works out a new equation with Taliban.

Smarter Drug Laws | ToI

The Union social justice ministry has proposed an important amendment to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act – treat those apprehended with small quantities of drugs as victims rather than culprits.
Terming them as drug users instead of NDPS Act’s definition of drug consumers as “addicts”, the ministry recommended a mandatory minimum period of 30 days at a rehabilitation/ de-addiction facility followed by one year of community service.
Cannabis, outlawed by NDPS Act in 1985, despite its long presence in Indian culture, must be decriminalised.
A remodelled NDPS Act focussed instead on tackling the real problem of trafficking hard drugs, is needed.
Much institutional energy is expended in prosecuting drug users caught with small quantities for personal consumption.
Making laws more stringent demands they be defined precisely, with safeguards.
Heavyweight ministries like home, which controls NCB, and finance, with administrative authority over NDPS Act, must seriously consider the social justice ministry’s suggestions – and go even further.

NEWS

PM Modi launches PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission in Varanasi; says, network for treatment and critical care will be developed across country
Nine Medical Colleges in UP inaugurated by PM Modi; Says, UP will become medical hub of Northern India
Govt determined to bring peace and development in J&K, says Home Minister Amit Shah
MEA asserts, India played a proactive role in building capacities of BIMSTEC Member States across various sectors of regional cooperation
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage crosses 102 crore and 86 lakh mark
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend 18th ASEAN-India Summit on 28th of this month virtually
Education Minister launches phase-II of MGNF, called upon youth to act as catalysts of social change at grassroots
Defence Minister says modernisation of Armed Forces and production of high quality, cost-effective weapon systems govt’s priority
Centre to review action taken on stock limit order on edible oils with all States/ UTs today
Legendary Actor Rajnikanth calls on President after receiving Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Sudan’s military dissolves civilian rule; arrests political leaders
Bangladesh Navy Chief on official visit to India
Millions of Afghans to face starvation this winter unless urgent action is taken, warns UN WFP
Ethiopian government launches air strike on rebel positions
PM Modi congratulates Uzbekistan President on his victory in election

Q.) Which country has vowed to meet India’s growing energy need, saying it will remain the nation’s ‘trusted partner of choice’?

USA
UAE
UK
China

Q.) S. Jaishankar became the first Indian External Affairs Minister to visit which country, after meeting his counterparts from Russia, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to discus regional cooperation?