DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

North Korea has fired more than 200 rounds of artillery shells off its west coast, towards the South's Yeonpyeong Island.

Yeonpyeong Island – It is home to a military base and a small civilian population of about 2,000 people in South Korea.

Geography – It lies 3km (2 miles) from the disputed maritime border in the Yellow Sea and 12km from the North Korean coast.

Yeonpyeong Island is close to what is known as the ‘Northern Limit Line,’ the de facto maritime border that separates the two Koreas.

• Military events – It has been the scene of inter-Korean naval clashes over the years
• In 2010, 2 soldiers and 2 civilians were killed after North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells towards the island.
• 2024 firing – The fired shells did not enter South Korean territory as they all landed in the buffer zone between the 2 countries.
• While there is no damage to people or military in South Korea, it threatens peace on the Korean peninsula and raises tensions.
• Reaction of South Korea – It ordered civilians to seek shelter on the island before holding live fire drills of its own.
• Response by North Korea – It says that its firing drills off the west coast were a natural response to large-scale military actions by its neighbour.

North Korea and South Korea are formally still at war, as the Korean War in 1953 ended with an armistice and not a formal peace treaty.

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has its origin from the erstwhile Ministry of Welfare.

Two departments have been under the Ministry

• • Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (Samajik Nyaya and Adhikarita Vibhag)
  • Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)

The Ministry is entrusted with the welfare, social justice and empowerment of disadvantaged and marginalized sections - scheduled and backward classes, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, victims of drug abuse, transgenders, etc.

Union Minister - Dr. Virendra Kumar

Initiatives for the welfare of Scheduled Class

SHRESHTA- ScHeme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas

• Objective- To provide quality education and opportunities for the poorest SC students as per the Constitutional mandate.
• Eligibility- SC students studying from class 9^th to class 12^th whose parental annual income is up to Rs 2.5 lakh per annum
• Selection- The students are selected through National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA which is conducted by National Testing Agency.
• Project types-
  • Residential schools
  • Non- residential schools and
  • Hostels, both for primary and secondary students.

Pradhan Mantri AnusuchitJaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY)

• Launch year- 2021-22
• Unified scheme- PM-AJAY is framed by merging the 3 erstwhile schemes
  • Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)
  • Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP)
  • Babu Jagjivan Ram Chatrawas Yojana (BJRCY)
• Objectives-
  • Reduce poverty of the SC communities
  • Improve socio-economic developmental indicators
  • Increase literacy and encourage enrolment of SCs in schools and higher educational institutions

• Adarsh Gram- To ensure integrated development of SC majority villages with adequate infrastructure and to realise the objectives of the scheme.

Statuary provisions

• Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955- Prescribes punishment for enforcement of any disability arising from preaching and practice of untouchability, which usually emanate from caste-based discrimination.
• Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989- To prevent atrocities and hate crimes against SC and ST.
  • National Helpline Against Atrocities (NHAA) is available on toll free number ‘14566’ across the country.
• Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013- Prohibits the employment of manual scavengers for the hazardous manual cleaning of septic tanks and sewers.

National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE)

• About- It is a central sector scheme for improving the living standards of sanitation workers in urban areas.
• Launch year- 2022
• Origin- Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers is modified as NAMASTE.
• Aim- To provide alternate livelihood support and entitlements to reduce their vulnerabilities.
• Joint initiative- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• Implementation agency- National Safai Karamchari Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
• Objective - It envisages safety and dignity of sanitation workers in urban India by
  • Recognizing sanitation workers as one of the key contributors in the maintenance of sanitation infrastructure
  • Providing them with sustainable livelihood
  • Enhancing their occupational safety through capacity building and improved access to safety gear and machines

Initiatives for the welfare of Backward Class

Scholarship schemes

PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM-YASASVI)

• Coverage- Other Backward Class (OBC), Economically Backward Class (EBC) and DNT students for pursuing studies from Class IX to XII in reputed school shortlisted by the government.
• Implementation agency- National Scholarship Portal.
• Preference-30% of the slots shall be reserved for girl students.

National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC)

• Incorporated under Section 25 of the Companies Act 1956 in 1992 as a Company not for profit.
• Objective - To promote economic and developmental activities for the benefit of Backward Classes.
• It provides financial assistance and micro financing and also facilitates skill development of poor persons.

Initiatives for Senior Citizens

Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC)

• It is a central sector scheme under which grants in aid are given for running and maintenance of senior citizens homes, mobile medicare units etc.,
• It is previously known as Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) which was launched in 1992.

Elderline

• The Ministry has launched National Helpline for Senior Citizens (Toll free No. 14567) to address their grievances.

• Launch year- During International Day for Older Persons on 1^st October 2021.

Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED) portal

• Launch year-2021
• It allows bringing people together by virtual matching of preferences by providing the senior citizens a platform to connect with the private enterprises for certain positions.

Action Groups Aimed at Social Reconstruction (AGRASR) Groups

• It was launched in 2021 for senior citizens to form Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

Senior care Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE) initiative

• It was launched in 2021 to act as a “one-stop access” of elderly care products and services by credible start-ups to promote the silver economy.

Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)

• Launch year- 2017
• Aim- To assist Below Poverty Line senior citizens suffering from age related disabilities/ infirmities
• Assistive devices will be distributed free of cost.

Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana

• Launch year- 2021
• Aim- To improve the quality of life of the Senior citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing.

Vayoshreshtha Samman

• National Award for Senior Citizens (Vayoshreshtha Sammans) are conferred to eminent and outstanding institutions or organizations and individuals from different categories.
• The Awards are given on 1^st October every year by President of India.

Initiatives for Transgender

Transgender persons (Protection of rights) Act, 2019

• The Act provides legal recognition of transgender individuals as a third gender, and recognizes their right to self-identification based on their gender identity.
• It criminalizes offenses against transgender persons, including physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse.

National Council for Transgender Persons

• Launch year- 2020
• Aim- To advise government on policies, programmes, legislation and projects with respect to transgender persons.

National Portal for Transgender Persons

• Launch year- 2020
• Role- To obtain certificates and identify cards online without any physical interface with the office of issue.

Ayushman Bharat Yojana

• The ministry has signed MoU with National Health Authority for providing a comprehensive medical package to transgenders in convergence with the Ayushman Bharat Yojana.
• Coverage- All aspects of transition related healthcare for transgender including hormone therapy, gender reassignment surgery that can be redeemed at all private and government facilities.

Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE)

• Launch year- 2022
• Aim- To provide welfare and rehabilitation to transgenders and the people engaged in the act of begging.
• Garima Greh- It is a housing facility to provide food, clothing, recreational facilities etc., to the transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging.

Initiatives for Drug Abuse

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan

• Launch year- 2020
• Aim- To tackle the issue of substance abuse and a vision to make India drug free.
• Nasha Mukt Bharat Campaign- It is a three pronged approach to deal with drug use.

• Navchetna Modules- Developed for sensitizing students (6th-11th standard), teachers and parents on drug dependence, related coping strategies and life skills.
• National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction scheme (NAPDDR) - Provides financial assistance to governments, NGOs and government hospitals for drug demand reduction, awareness, capacity building, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation.

Other Initiatives

Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH)

• It is a national action plan for skilling the marginalized persons of SC, OBC, EBC, Senior Citizens, DNTs, Safai karamcharies including waste pickers, and women.
• Provides skill development training programmes at free of cost on,
  • Up-skilling/Re-skilling
  • Short Term Training
  • Long Term Courses
  • Entrepreneurship Development Program

National Institute of Social Defence

• It has become an autonomous body and is registered under the Societies Act XXI of 1860 with the Government of NCT, Delhi.
• Central advisory body- For the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• It is a Centre of Excellence on research and training in the field of social defence.

Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwD)

Key Initiatives/ Schemes

India’s 1^st Festival of Inclusion

• Theme- “Purple Fest: Celebrating Diversity” held at Goa.
• Aim- To showcase how we can come together to create a welcoming and inclusive world for everyone.

Sign Language Day

• 23^rd September is declared by the United Nations as the International Day of Sign Languages.
• Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), an autonomous body under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated the Sign Language Day.
• Theme – A world where deaf people everywhere can sign anywhere

Felicitation of Abilympics winners

• Abilympics is a global competition for persons with disabilities, to recognize their achievements and encourage them to pursue their dreams.

Unique Disability ID (UDID)

• It is a national database for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) that issues a Unique Disability Identity Card to each PwD.

Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016

• Aim- To establish accessibility standards and promote the rights of persons with disabilities.
• The act mandates that persons with at least 40% of a disability are entitled to certain benefits such as reservations in education and employment, preference in government schemes, etc.,

Atal Bihari Training Center for Divyang Sports

• India's first high-tech sports training centre for Divyangjan equipped with state of the art facilities at Madhya Pradesh.
• It aims to promote sports among persons with disabilities and provide them with opportunities to excel in their chosen fields

Disability sector pact

• It is signed between India and South Africa.
• It holds the promise of strengthening bilateral ties, with specific proposals for cooperation to be implemented during its period of validity, promoting a shared commitment to advancing inclusivity and empowerment for individuals with disabilities in both nations.

E-initiatives

• PM Daksh-DEPwD Portal- A comprehensive digital platform for skill training and employment opportunities.
• Sugamya Pustakalaya- An online library that contains books accessible to the blind, people with low vision or to persons with any other print disability.
• ARJUN Portal- Assistance to Disabled persons for purchasing/fitting of aids/appliances (ADIP) and Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana Joint Interface for Unique Nomination facilitates empowerment and inclusion of PwDs.

Assistance to Disabled persons for purchasing/fitting of aids/appliances (ADIP) Scheme

• Aim- To assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable and scientifically manufactured appliances.
• Implementation- Through NGOs, National Institutes under tMinistry of Social Justice & Empowerment and ALIMCO (a PSU that manufactures artificial limbs).
• Eligibility-
  • Any Indian citizen with 40% disability or more
  • Monthly income not more than Rs.20000
  • Must not have received assistance during the last 3 years and for children its last 1 year

Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO)

• It is a not for profit company registered under Companies Act, 2013.
• It is 100% owned Govt. of India Central Public Sector Enterprises.

Recently, Ministry of Tourism started training in Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha under Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme.

Goal – To promote unique conservation values of Ramsar Sites’.

Ramsar Convention of 1971, an intergovernmental treaty for conservation and wise use of wetlands, was ratified by India in 1982.

Purpose – To maintain healthy Ramsar Sites which

• Provide water and food security and buffer the landscape from floods, droughts, and extreme events.
• Generate local employment and support livelihoods
• Provide habitats for species Maintain and enhance carbon sinks
• Conserve and celebrate rich cultural heritage
• Timeline – From June 5, 2023 till June 5, 2026.

June 5 is celebrated as World Environment Day.

Implementation – In convergence with Central Government, State Wetland Authorities, institutions and individuals.

Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme

• Aim – To enhance livelihood opportunities for local communities.
• Implemented by - IITTM, an autonomous body under Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with MoEFCC.
• Training programmes – Alternative Livelihood program (ALP) and Paryatan Navik Certificate (PNC).

Implementation – In 1st phase, 5 Ramsar sites were identified.

• • Sultanpur National Park - Haryana
  • Sirpur wetland – Madhya Pradesh
  • Yashwant Sagar – Madhya Pradesh
  • Bhitarkanika National Park – Odisha
  • Chilika Lake – Odisha

The Union Cabinet Chaired by the Prime Minister of India has approved the overarching scheme ‘PRITHvi Vigyan’ (PRITHVI).

• Implemented by – Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

The research & development and operational (services) activities of MoES are carried out by 10 Institutes of MoES.

Timeline – 2021-26, at an overall cost of Rs. 4,797 crore.

It encompasses 5 ongoing sub-schemes namely

• • ACROSS – Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services
  • O-SMART – Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology
  • PACER – Polar Science and Cryosphere Research
  • SAGE – Seismology and Geosciences
  • REACHOUT – Research, Education, Training and Outreach

Objectives

• • To observe the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere and solid earth.
  • To predict weather, ocean and climate hazards.
  • To explore polar and high seas regions of the Earth.
  • To do sustainable harnessing of oceanic resources.
  • To translate the knowledge of Earth systems science into services for societal, environmental and economic benefit.

Earth System Sciences deal with all the 5 components of the earth system namely atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere and their complex interactions.

• Significance – It will enable development of integrated multi-disciplinary earth science research and will help in addressing the grand challenges of weather and climate, ocean, cryosphere, seismological science and services.

• PM Inaugurates Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection and dedicates Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant at Kadmat recently
• Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber connection will lead to faster Internet for the people of Lakshadweep.
• The project is funded by Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF), Department of Telecommunications.

Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) is a desalination technique that uses low-grade thermal energy to evaporate seawater and produce fresh water.

Savitribai Phule

• Savitribai Phule (1831 - 1897) was a social reformer, poet in Maharastra.
• She is considered the 1^st female teacher in India and is known as the mother of Indian feminism.

Rani Velu Nachiyar

• Rani Velu Nachiyar was the 1^st queen to fight against the British colonial power in India.

She is known by Tamils as Veeramangai, who was the princess of Ramanathapuram.

• The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) along with National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has launched 'SMART 2.0' recently.

The program aims to promote robust clinical studies in priority areas of Ayurveda with Ayurveda academic institutions/hospitals across the country through mutual collaboration.