Current Affairs

 

 

 

China’s Primary Interests in the Region Infrastructure: 

• One of its landmark projects was fully funding the USD 200 million African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.
• China has also invested in the MombasaNairobi rail link in Kenya, and has already delivered on railway projects in Sudan. 
• It also has a viable military hardware market in Ethiopia and has built over 80 infrastructural projects in Somalia, including hospitals, roads, schools and stadiums.
• In Djibouti, 14 infrastructural projects are funded by China.

Financial Assistance: 

• Ethiopia, is one of the top five African recipients of Chinese investments, and also has a debt of almost USD 14 billion. 
• China accounts for 67% of Kenya’s bilateral debt. 
• In 2022, China promised to provide USD 15.7 million assistance to Eritrea. 
• Natural Resources (Oil and Coal): 
• China is also interested in minerals such as gold, iron-ore, precious stones, chemicals, oil and natural gas in Ethiopia. 
• South Sudan, a source for petroleum products, has had continued Beijing investment in the industry since the latter’s initial entry in 1995. 

Maritime Interests: 

• China’s first and only military base outside its mainland is in Djibouti. 
• In 2022, China hinted its willingness to develop Eritrea’s coast which would connect to China’s investments in land-locked Ethiopia. 
• The U.S. has speculated that China wishes to build another military base in Kenya and Tanzania, thereby increasing its military presence in the region. 
• Significance of Horn of Africa for India Africa has been a Growing Interest: 
• Africa has been of growing interest to India for political, economic and security reasons, especially the subregion - the Horn of Africa. 

Proximity to Oil Producing Region: 

• The Horn of Africa is strategically important since it is close to the oilproducing region of the Middle East.  Approximately 40% of the oil produced in the Middle East crosses through the shipping lanes of Red Sea. 
• India’s Concern over China’s presence Dominance in the Indian Ocean:
• Situated on the north-western edge of the Indian Ocean, Djibouti could become another of China’s “string of pearls” of military alliances and assets ringing India, including Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. 
• China has stepped up activity in the Indian Ocean, which India considers within its sphere of influence, in recent days, citing anti-piracy patrols and freedom of navigation. It has forced the Indian Navy to tighten surveillance of the strategic waters.

China seeks to control over Vital Shipping Routes: 

• The Indian Ocean shipping lanes carry 80% of the world’s oil and a third of the global bulk cargo. 
• China is looking to secure its energy and trade transportation links along the vital shipping route. 

Influencing Indian Ocean Countries: 

• The Indian Ocean is also emerging as the playground for countries eyeing a bigger role in world affairs. China is looking to generate goodwill and influence in the Indian Ocean countries by investing in projects such ports, roads and railways. 
• China is looking to expand its presence in the Indian Ocean, and is building ports and other infrastructure in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Insat-3DS 

• It is a collaborative effort between ISRO and the India Meteorological Organisation (IMD). 
• It is part of a series of climate observatory satellites aimed at enhancing climate services. Comprising three dedicated Earth observation satellites, including INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR already in orbit. 
• It will have launched by using the Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F14)

Key facts about INSAT-3DR 

• It is an advanced meteorological satellite of India configured with an imaging System and an Atmospheric Sounder.

The significant improvements incorporated in INSAT-3DR are: 

• Imaging in Middle Infrared band to provide night time pictures of low clouds and fog 
• Imaging in two Thermal Infrared bands for estimation of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) with better accuracy 

Higher Spatial Resolution in the Visible and Thermal Infrared bands Payloads: 

• INSAT-3DR carries a multi spectral Imager, 19 channel Sounder, Data Relay Transponder and Search and Rescue Transponder. GSLV-F14 
• It is a more advanced rocket utilising liquid propellant. 
• The rocket, distinguished by its higher capacity and the use of cryogenic liquid propellants in all three stages, presents a more complex engineering challenge but allows for a substantially higher lift-off weight capacity.

 

Evolution of Women Rights in India, This article discusses the history of women’s rights in India. It covers their struggle for voting rights, participation in government, social reforms, and economic empowerment. It also highlights key figures and organizations involved in these movements. 

Women Rights Evolved in India Before partition

Voting Rights: 

• Women’s struggle for voting rights began with the Government of India Act 1919. Madras was the first province to give this right in 1921, followed by Bombay and United Provinces. Bengal initially rejected women’s voting rights (enfranchisement Bill), but after campaigns by Bangiya Nari Samaj, it was granted in 1925. However, these rights were initially limited to women meeting certain property or income criteria. 

Legislative Participation: 

• The Nehru Report of 1929 proposed equal civic rights for all. Despite Britain’s reluctance, Indian leaders like Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Shareefa Hamid Ali advocated for these rights internationally. The Government of India Act 1935 expanded women’s voting rights and allowed them to hold public office, leading to women participating in the 1936-37 elections. 

Social Reforms:

• The All-India Women’s Conference (AIWC), formed in 1927, initially focused on education but later campaigned against child marriage, for raising the age of consent, and against polygamy. They sought to reform religious laws to empower women, including in economic aspects and inheritance rights. 

Indian Woman’s Charter of Rights and Duties: 

• Adopted in 1945-46, this charter demanded equality in all areas, especially highlighting economic empowerment and recognition of domestic work. It influenced laws like the Hindu Code Bill, which came into effect a decade later. 
• Women Influence PostPartition Policies

Opposition to Religious Seat Reservations: 

• Influential leaders like Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, a Christian, and Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul, a Muslim, argued in the Constituent Assembly against reserving seats based on religion. 

Advocating for Unified Electorates: 

• The All-India Women’s Conference (AIWC) strongly opposed separate electorates. They believed such systems deepened communal divisions. Against Women’s Reservation: AIWC also argued against reservations specifically for women in politics, emphasizing the need for a more integrated approach. 

Influencing Constitutional Debates: 

• Their arguments and activism were pivotal in shaping post-partition policies, particularly in the framing of the Constitution where reservation was eventually limited to Scheduled Castes and Tribes. 

Way forward 

• The way forward involves continuing the work of earlier feminists by pushing for more inclusive policies and legal reforms. This includes expanding women’s economic rights, advocating for equal property and inheritance laws, and addressing the societal challenges that still hinder women’s full participation in all areas of life.

A23a: World’s Biggest Iceberg Context: