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THE SOCIAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. NEURODIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the experts have been talking about the benefits of Neurodiversity in the workplace which can give a competitive edge from increased diversity in skills, ways of thinking, and approaches to problem-solving.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is Neurodiversity?

• Neurodiversity in the workplace refers to people with neurodivergent conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Major Challenges faced by them

Denial in Job

• It is unjust that even with all the necessary skill sets and degrees, these persons are denied a job because they may react to situations differently from non-neurodiverse persons.

Lack of awareness

• While part of the problem could be a lack of awareness about neurodivergent conditions, organisations must create a more accommodating environment.

 Discrimination

• The stigmas attached to cognitive disabilities cloud the judgment of existing employees and lead to direct discrimination.

 Unsuitable work environment

• Workplaces are typically designed to suit and benefit neurotypical employees without considering the special needs of neurodiverse people. This hinders the productivity of differently-abled staff members.

 The assumption of “one-size-fits-all”

• Most companies rely on a “one-size-fits-all” mentality regarding neurodiverse employees. However, this approach is ineffective in creating a positive work environment, and it often leads employees to become distressed at work.

 Neurodiversity and mental health

• There is a prevalent misconception that neurodiverse people are mentally “disabled.” In truth, neurodivergent people simply function, learn and process information differently than others.

 2. OPERATION MEGH CHAKRA

THE CONTEXT: The CBI launched Operation Megh Chakra to combat the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Materials online.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched Operation Megh Chakra on September 24, 2022 to conduct searches at 56 locations across India as part of a nationwide drive against the circulation and sharing of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
• This operation was launched after the CBI received intelligence from Interpol’s Singapore special unit based on the information received from authorities in New Zealand.
• The CBI has filed two cases accusing that large number of Indian nationals of being involved in online circulation, downloading and transmission of CSAM using cloud-based storage.
• The searches were conducted in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and others.
• The raids witnessed the seizure of electronic devices, like mobile phones and laptops, that belonged to suspects.
• Through these raids, a large quantity of child pornography material was found.
• 50 suspects are currently being questioned about the identity of child victims and the abusers.
• Similar exercise was launched by CBI last year under the code name Operation Carbon.
• 13 states and 1 Union Territory were raided and the CBI filed 24 cases involving more than 80 people.
• The raids under Operation Carbon was conducted in 76 locations across India.
• Cases were filed against the suspects under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act, for allegedly being part of the syndicate involved in uploading, circulation, selling and viewing of CSAM through various social media platforms and online groups.
• Based on the investigations under the operation, the CBI has urged countries to share and gather information about these syndicates under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs).
• Apart from Indian nationals, suspects also included individuals from countries like Pakistan, Canada, US, UK, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia etc.

 THE ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

3. RHINO MEMORIAL IN KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

THE CONTEXT: A memorial made of ashes collected from rhino horns were unveiled recently at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The memorial having three rhino sculptures was named “Abode of the Unicorns”.
• It has one male rhino, a female rhino and a calf.
• It also has three statutes of forest guards, created using different materials.
• The male rhino is 10.5 feet long and 6 feet tall, the female is 11 feet long and 5.6 feet tall and the calf is 3.5 feet long and 1.5 feet tall.
• The rhino statues were created using ashes collected from around 2,500 rhino horns that burnt to flames by the Assam Government.
• On the occasion of World Rhino Day (September 22) last year, rhino horns were burnt cinders remotely using drones at the Kaziranga National Park.
• They were collected or seized over the past 40 years.
• The statues were made using around 128 kg of ash obtained from these burnt horns.
• They were created by sculptors Biju Das.
• The statues of the forest guards were sculpted by Biren Singha.
• It took four months to create these statues.
• The memorial was unveiled by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
• The estimated cost of this project is Rs.10 to 12 lakh.

About Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park in Assam hosts the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinos. It is situated at the edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots – Golaghat and Nagaon districts. It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1985. According to the latest State of Rhino Report, the national park hosts 2,613 rhinos – the highest in India.

VALUE ADDITION:

State of Rhino Report

According to the State of Rhino Report 2022, released by the International Rhino Foundation, one-horned rhinos’ population in India, Nepal and Bhutan has increased while the population of rhinos in Africa and Indonesia either fell or saw only a slight rise. The estimated population of one-horned rhinos is 4,014. The population is surging mainly because of efforts of governments of India and Nepal towards expanding the natural habitats and anti-poaching activities.

4. NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ENVIRONMENT MINISTERS

THE CONTEXT: Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the National Conference of Environment Ministers held in Gujarat.

THE EXPLANATION:

• National Conference of Environment Ministers of all States is a two-day event held at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat on September 23 and 24 this year.
• This conference aims to promote cooperative federalism through the synergized working of central and state governments on issues pertaining to the environment and climate change.
• The conference will include 6 thematic sessions with topics focusing on LiFE, Combating Climate Change (Updating State Action Plans on Climate Change for Mitigation of Emissions and Adaptation to Climate Impacts); PARIVESH (Single Window System for Integrated Green Clearances); Forestry Management; Prevention and Control of Pollution; Wildlife Management; Plastics and Waste Management.

What is LiFE?

• LiFE (Lifestyle for the Environment) was launched on June 5, 2022 on the occasion of World Environment Day to harness the power of individual and collective action to address the global climate crisis. It was introduced by Prime Minister at the COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland. This concept advocates for a mindful and deliberate utilization of resources as opposed to “mindful and wasteful consumption”.
• It aims to create a global movement towards the adoption of simple and specific climate-friendly behaviours in daily life. The LiFE seeks to make such daily actions an integral part of collective social norms and promote sustainable development of the overall global community. It will deploy behavioural techniques like nudges, social and behaviour change communication to achieve its goals.

What is PARIVESH?

PARIVESH (Pro Active Responsive facilitation by Interactive and Virtuous Environmental Single window Hub) is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. It provides a single window clearance mechanism for those seeking Environment, Forest, Wildlife and CRZ Clearances from Central, State and District authorities. It enables citizens to interact with scrutiny officers, generate online clearance letters, online mailers and alerts to state government officials in case of delays in the processing of applications.

Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan

Guidelines for ‘Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan- Ranking of Cities’ was released during the National Conference of Environment Ministers. The Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan ranks 131 cities across India for the implementation of City Action Plans prepared as part of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for the reduction of air pollution up to 40 per cent by 2025-26. The cities are categorized into three groups based on population. The first group has cities with population more than 10 lakh, the second has population between 3 to 10 lakh and the third has population less than 3 lakh. The ranking is based on the annual self-assessment of the cities based on the framework provided in the government portal.

 THE GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INTERVENTIONS

5. MAKE IN INDIA COMPLETES 8 YEARS

THE CONTEXT: Make in India, the flagship program of the Government of India that aspires to facilitate investment, foster innovation, enhance skill development, and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure, completes 8 years of path-breaking reforms.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The government’s flagship initiative has helped 27 sectors to make significant progress, including manufacturing and services sectors.
• It has doubled the annual foreign direct investment to 83 billion USD. With this, India is expected to attract 100 billion USD in FDI this fiscal. 101 countries have made investments across 31 states and union territories in 57 sectors.
• With this initiative, the Indian manufacturing sector is witnessing an increase in domestic value addition and local sourcing, increased focus on research and development, innovation and sustainability measures.
• The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes were launched under the Make in India initiative across 14 key manufacturing sectors. Under these schemes, incentives are provided to strengthen domestic manufacturing sector, improve resilience of supply chains and make Indian companies more competitive and have export potential.
• The flagship initiative has been complemented with minimising compliance burdens through amendment of laws, liberalization of guidelines and regulations and ensuring ease of doing business in the country.
• The National Single Window System (NSWS) was launched to provide a single digital platform for investors requiring approvals and clearances. This portal has been integrated with existing clearance systems of various government entities. This has boosted investment inflow into the country.
• The PM Gati Shakti Programme has improved the logistical efficiency in the country, enabling an increased access to Indian markets, hubs and job opportunities at a reduced logistical cost.
• The One District One Product initiative, created based on the vision of the Make in India initiative, boosted the production of indigenous products from each district in India, increasing exposure of artisans and manufacturers of handlooms, handicrafts, textiles, agricultural processed products and other products.

About Make in India initiative

The Make in India initiative was launched on September 25, 2014 to make India a global manufacturing hub by promoting investments, innovation, enhanced skill development, intellectual property rights and infrastructure development. It is being implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

 THE PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

6. WORLD TOURISM DAY: SEPTEMBER 27

THE CONTEXT: The World Tourism Day is observed every year to promote tourism and spread awareness about its importance.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The theme for this year is “Rethinking Tourism”.
• It focuses on the post-pandemic initiatives and developments concerning tourism sector.
• It aims to put people and the planet first and promote the shared vision for a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism sector.
• It seeks to make people understand the joy of exploring the world.
• Indonesia is the host country for the 2022 celebrations. The events were kicked off in Bali and across the globe.

Background

• The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) initiated the World Tourism Day in the year 1979. The official celebrations of this international day commenced in 1980. It commemorates the adoption of the Statutes of UNWTO. The UNWTO has decided in 1997 that events concerning the World Tourism Day would be celebrated in different host countries each year.
• The day comes at the end of the high season in the northern hemisphere and the start of the season in the southern hemisphere. The theme for the inaugural edition of the World Tourism Day in 1980 was “Tourism’s contribution to the preservation of cultural heritage and to peace and mutual understanding”. India hosted the 2019 celebrations with the theme “Tourism and Jobs: A better future for all”.

About UNWTO

UNWTO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism across the world. Headquartered in Madrid, it acts as a global forum for international collaboration in the tourism sector and a source of knowledge on tourism related topics.

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