In the Know: Unraveling the Tapestry of Current Affairs
 

Green Honeycreeper 

Context: - 

• Ornithologists in Colombia recently photographed a wild green honeycreeper with distinct half-green, or female, and half-blue, male, plumage. 

• It is a small bird in the tanager family. 

• Scientific Name: Chlorophanes spiza 

• Distribution: The New World Tropics (Rainforests in Central and South America), from Mexico to Brazil. 

Features: 

• It is 13–14 cm long and weighs 14 to 23 grams. 

• The male is mainly blue-tinged green with a black head and a mostly bright yellow bill. The female is grass-green, paler on the throat, and lacks the male's iridescence and black head. 

• They are called Green Honeycreepers because the females and young birds are bright green with red eyes. 

• Although males have, on average, slightly longer wings and tails than females, there is considerable variation within each sex and much overlap. 

• It feeds largely on nectar, fruit, and insects and often frequents feeders supplying fruit.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern

 

Election Commission of India About: 

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India. 

It was established under the Constitution on 25th January 1950 (celebrated as National Voters' Day). The secretariat of the commission is in New Delhi. 

The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country.

It is not concerned with the elections of panchayats and municipalities in the states. For this, the Constitution of India provides for a separate State Election Commission. 

Constitutional Provisions: 

Part XV (Article 324-329) of the Indian Constitution: It deals with elections and establishes a commission for these matters. 

Structure of ECI: 

Originally the commission had only one election commissioner but after the Election Commissioner Amendment Act 1989, it was made a multi-member body. 

The Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and such number of other election commissioners, if any, as the President may from time to time fix. 

Presently, it consists of the CEC and two Election Commissioners. 

At the state level, the election commission is helped by the Chief Electoral Officer who is an IAS rank Officer.

Appointment & Tenure of Commissioners: 

The President appoints CEC and Election Commissioners. 

They have a fixed tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. •

They enjoy the same status and receive salary and perks as available to Judges of the Supreme Court (SC) of India.

Removal: 

They can resign anytime or can also be removed before the expiry of their term. 

The CEC can be removed from office only through a process of removal similar to that of a SC judge by Parliament. 

 

India’s Toy Story 

• India has recently turned a net exporter of toys, during 2020-21 and 2021-22, ending decades of import dominance. Over the past 3 years, toy imports came down by 70% and exports went up by 61%. 

• The achievement is widely credited to the ‘Make in India’ initiative launched in 2014, and related policies, official press releases claim. Moreover, in 2020, the Prime Minister reportedly also spoke of promoting toy manufacturing, in his talk show, ‘Mann ki Baat’. 

• While it is true that India’s dependency on Chinese toys reduced and the former’s exports improved in recent months, the scale of exports is still minuscule and close to 200 times smaller than that of China’s. The State of India’s Toy Industry.

• India’s toy industry is minuscule. India hardly figures in the global toy trade, with its exports at a mere half a percentage point. 

• In 2015-16, the industry had about 15,000 enterprises or establishments, producing toys valued at Rs1,688 crores and employing 35,000 workers. 

• Registered factories — those employing 10 or more workers regularly — accounted for 1% of the number of factories and enterprises, employed 20% of workers, and produced 77% of the value of output. 

• However, during the one-and-half decades between 2000 and 2016, industry output was halved in real terms (net of inflation) with job losses. 

• Imports accounted for up to 80% of domestic sales until recently. Between 2000 and 2018-19, imports rose by nearly three times as much as exports. 

• Earlier, about 80% of the toys were imported, with crores of rupees going abroad. 

• According to a joint report by industry body FICCI and KPMG, India’s toy industry is expected to double from USD 1 billion in 2019-20 to USD 2 billion by 2024-25. Driving Forces Behind the Growth of India’s Toy Industry Huge 

Consumer Base: 

• India has a large population of children aged 0-14, which accounts for about 26.62% of the total population. This creates a high demand for toys and games in the country. Rising Disposable Income: India's GDP growth and rising middle-class population have increased the purchasing power of consumers, who can now afford to buy more toys for their children. 

E-commerce: 

• The proliferation of online platforms and digital payments has made it easier for consumers to access a wide variety of toys and games from different brands and regions. E-commerce also helps toy manufacturers and retailers to reach a larger customer base and reduce operational costs. 

Government Support: 

• The government of India has launched various initiatives to promote the domestic toy industry, such as vocal for local toys campaign, Toycathon, Aatmanirbhar Toys Innovation Challenge, etc. 

• These initiatives aim to boost the innovation, quality, safety, and competitiveness of Indian toys and reduce dependence on imports. 

Shifting Preference: 

• According to the Toy Association report in 2018, 67% of parents believe in STEM-focused toys as their primary way to encourage science and math development in young children. Shifting preference from conventional toys towards modern and hi-tech electronic toys is strengthening the market growth. 

Going Global: 

• The toy sector is also going global, as manufacturers are scouting new markets and increasing exports to the Middle East and African countries. India’s latest surge in toy exports was majorly due to the United States. India was its 9th biggest source. 

Protectionism: 

• India turning a net exporter of toys is mainly due to rising protectionism and less, perhaps, on account of expanding domestic capabilities. The call for Vocal for Local campaign has the huge impact on this growth. 

Significance of the Toy Industry 

• Child Development:  Toys aid cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development in children. 

• Entertainment and Recreation: Toys provide amusement, relaxation, and imaginative play. 

• Education and Learning: Toys facilitate learning, foster curiosity, and teach essential skills. 

• Economic Impact: The toy industry generates revenue, and jobs, and supports related businesses. 

• Innovation and Technology: Toys drive innovation and incorporate technological advancements. 

• Cultural Influence: Toys reflect cultural values, and trends, and promote diversity. Steps have been taken by the Government to aid the growth of the Toy Industry 

• Promoting Start-ups: The Government has called upon start-up entrepreneurs to explore the toy sector. The Government has also urged industry players to support local toys and reduce reliance on foreign goods. 

• Educational institutions have been asked to organize hackathons for students to innovate in toy technology and design, including online games, to reflect Indian ethos and values. 

• Increasing Import Duty: The government tripled the import duty on toys and their components from 20% to 60% in 2020. It was further increased to 70% to cut inbound shipments of these products and boost domestic manufacturing activities. 

Mandatory Quality Certification: 

• The Government has made toy quality certification mandatory to revive the indigenous industry. The Government began enforcing quality control for imported toys on September 1, 2020, to ensure that only products conforming to standards enter the country. 

National Action Plan for Toys: 

• An initiative by the Government of India to promote the domestic toy industry and make India a global toy hub. It involves 15 ministries and various interventions such as setting up toy production clusters, launching schemes to incentivize manufacturing and exports, strengthening R&D and quality standards, integrating toys with education, and organising toy fairs and exhibitions. 

Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI): 

• The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) has approved 19 toy clusters under the scheme. Challenges before India’s Toy Industry Foreign dependence for sourcing raw materials: 

• Indian manufacturers specialize in board games, soft and plastic toys, and puzzles, etc. Companies have to import materials from South Korea and Japan to manufacture these toys. 

Lack of Technology: 

• It also seems to act as a barrier to the Indian toy industry. Most of the domestic toy manufacturers use outdated technology and machinery, which affects the quality and design of the toys. 

High Tax Rates: 

• High GST rates on toys are another challenge for the toy industry in India. At present, the GST rates on electronic toys are 18%, while nonelectronic toys attract 12% GST. 

Lack of Infrastructure: 

• Poor infrastructure and the absence of end-to-end manufacturing facilities hinder the sector’s growth. There is a lack of adequate testing labs, toy parks, clusters, and logistics support for the toy industry in India. 

Cheap Alternatives: 

• Competition from cheap and low-quality imports from countries like China is another challenge for the Indian toy industry. 

• China accounts for 80% of the toy imports in India, which affects the domestic toy manufacturers adversely.

Global Geopolitical Intricacies and Opportunities for India 

Context:

• Despite India’s emphasis that, “this is not the era of war”, the Year 2023 became a year of wars: the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip are now among the most destructive conflicts of recent decades. 

• These conflicts, alongside China's assertive behavior, pose significant challenges and disrupt diplomatic efforts, causing worry not only in the West but also in India. 

Overview of 2023 Global Geopolitical Trends and Challenges for India 

Crisis in the Middle East: 

• Two years of sustained effort to normalize ties between Israel and the Arab world was disrupted by the Hamas attack in which more than 1,200 civilians and military personnel were killed, and more than 230 taken hostage. 

• Israel’s angry and disproportionate response has so far killed more than 20,000 Palestinians in Gaza — which has attracted criticism from even the US. The Israeli-Arab reconciliation process has been derailed for now, and the future of Gaza is unknown. 

• India backed a two-state solution to resolve the decades-old Israel-Palestine conflict and bring lasting peace to the troubled region. 

Stress in India-US Ties: 

• After successful visits by the Indian and President Joe Biden to each other’s capitals, bilateral ties are facing headwinds over allegations of an Indian official link to an assassination plot against a Khalistani separatist in the US. 

• India’s response has been different from the way it reacted to Canada when it suggested an Indian government link to the murder of another Khalistani in that country. 

• India has expressed India’s “commitment to the rule of law”, and promised to “look into” the role of Indian citizens in the alleged US plot if information is provided. 

Russia-Ukraine War: 

• As the war drags on, the West is facing funding challenges. Ukraine hopes to get Euro 18.5 billion from the European Union and more than USD 8 billion from a US package that also contains vital military assistance. 

• But the assistance has been blocked — by Republicans in the US Congress and by Hungary in the EU — so far. Meanwhile, Putin’s re-election as Russia’s President is a foregone conclusion. The Russian economy has been resilient despite sanctions, and the proximity between Moscow and Beijing worries the West. 

India’s Maldives Challenges: 

• The government of President Mohamed Muizzu, who rode an “India Out” campaign to power, has asked India to withdraw military personnel stationed in the Maldives and conveyed its intention to terminate a water survey pact. The Muizzu establishment is considered close to China. 

China’s Behavior: 

• China continues to be India’s biggest worry and strategic challenge. The Border Standoff is in its fourth year, with the force posture being maintained to rival the Chinese military presence. The dependence of Moscow, India’s strategic defense partner, on Beijing for economic survival, and the Maldives getting closer to China in the Indian Ocean have added to the concern.

G-20 and Global South: 

• India’s success in negotiating a joint declaration at the G20 summit came as a surprise to many in the international community. 

• A big takeaway from the G20 process was New Delhi’s mobilization of developing and less developed countries under the umbrella of the Global South. 

• The idea of leading the Global South is seen as taking forward the legacy of India’s Non-Alignment leadership, only adapted to the 21st century. 

Engagement with Taliban: 

• There has been a change of guard in the Afghanistan embassy in New Delhi, with the incumbent ambassador leaving and that country’s diplomats in Mumbai and Hyderabad stepping in to take charge. 

• To India’s relief, they have assured they won’t fly the Taliban flag or have Taliban nomenclature in their official correspondence.

US & Canada Relations:

• Resolving the US 'assassination plot' issue is a challenge. The US President's absence on Republic Day irritated, delaying the Quad summit. 

• Canada's allegations also strain ties, but public support backs India's response. Different approaches are needed for US and Canada issues, as both countries hold distinct importance for India. 

Pakistan Relations: 

• Since 2019, when the Indian government was re-elected and the constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir were affected, ties with Pakistan have been at a low. 

• The change of guard in Islamabad and Rawalpindi did not make much difference, and India kept to its doctrine of indifference towards Pakistan. 

• Elections are now due in Pakistan, and there could be a new government there after February 2024. 

Bangladesh Elections: 

• Bilateral ties have gained positive momentum in the last 15 years of the Sheikh Hasina government, and India will be keen to see her return to power in the elections due early in the new year. 

• Security imperatives guide India’s choice in Dhaka; the Bangladesh opposition is viewed with suspicion and animosity, going by the track record of the Khaleda Zia government in the early 2000s. 

China Border Standoff: 

• The border standoff has been ongoing since 2020, and any fresh escalation will impact both the security environment and India’s domestic political atmosphere. 

• India will be extra careful in its response to a challenge from its biggest adversary. That imperative will frame India’s diplomacy towards China in the next few months, and even later. 

West Asia Dynamics: 

• India's evolving stance in the Israel-Hamas conflict and the nuanced diplomatic positioning in the region present complex challenges. 

Balancing Interests between Russia and the US: 

• Balancing interests between imports of Russian oil and pressure from the US amid the ongoing war shapes India's foreign policy strategy.

Prioritizing the Poor, Youth, Women, and Farmers 

Context: - 

• The Prime Minister of India has underscored the imperative of prioritizing the well-being of four groups: the poor, youth, women, and farmers. 

• This emphasis reflects a commitment to ensuring dignity and respect for the deprived. 

Socioeconomic Dynamics of the Highlighted Groups in India Poor: 

Multidimensional Poverty Index: 

• India has more than 230 million poor people.

• According to the 2023 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, some 415 million Indians escaped poverty between 2005-06 and 2019-21.

• Approximately 18.7% of the population falls into the category of being 'vulnerable' to multidimensional poverty, as defined by the UNDP. 

• This refers to individuals who, while not classified as poor, have experienced deprivations in 20-33.3% of all weighted indicators. 

• Cooking fuel, housing, and nutrition are major areas of deprivation. Approximately 13.9%, 13.6%, and 11.8% of the population were classified as deprived in these respective metrics. 

Unemployment: 

• India's unemployment rate rose to the highest level in over two years in October 2023, with rural areas experiencing an increase in joblessness. 

• The National Sample Survey Office's Periodic Labour Force Survey for 2022-23 revealed a decrease in unemployment from 5.3% to 2.4% in rural areas and from 7.7% to 5.4% in urban areas compared to 2017-18. 

• The proportion of self-employed individuals in the total employed population increased from 52% in 2018-19 to 57% in 2022-23. Self-employment covers various activities such as running a tea stall, farming, assisting in household enterprises, practicing medicine, and undertaking unpaid work within one's economic activities. 

• A high level of self-employment levels indicates a lack of alternatives, with individuals often adhering to these less rewarding jobs. 

• Typically, countries with lower per capita income tend to have higher proportions of self-employed populations. 

Women: 

• India ranked 127 out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Report 2023 released by the World Economic Forum showing an improvement of 1.4% points and eight positions from 135 in 2022. 

• According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports Crimes against women rose by 4% in 2022 compared to 2021, with over 4.45 lakh crimes registered. 

• The majority of crimes were related to cruelty by husbands or relatives, kidnapping, assault, and rape. 

• 12 states and Union territories recorded crime rates higher than the national average. 

• The Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, was passed to reserve one-third of seats in legislative assemblies and Lok Sabha for women.