National Food Security Bill

Points to be known :-

• National Food Security Bill (NFSB) was introduced by the Minister of 'Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution'  in parliament in December 2011.
• The Bill was sent to the Standing Committee on 'Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution' having Chairman, 'Vilas Baburao Muttemwar' in January 2012.
• In January 2013, Standing Committee submitted it's report, and the bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 7th, 2013. The Bill was passed in Lok Sabha on 25th August 2013.
• The Bill proposes food grain entitlements for up to 75 % of the rural and up to 50 % of the urban population, i.e. 67% of the overall population.
• This Bill proposes to give 5kg of grains per month per person at subsidized prices, i.e.3 rs per kg for rice, 2 rs per kg for wheat and 1 rs per kg for coarse grains.
• The poorest households would continue to receive 35 kilograms of grains per month under the “Antyodaya Anna Yojana” at subsidized prices.
• Every pregnant and lactating mother shall be entitled to get free meal during pregnancy and 6 months after child birth. And they will also get maternity benefit of not less than Rs.6000/-. 
• It'll cost 1.24 lakh crore to implement this.
• If Central Govt. failed to provide food grains, it will give food security allowance to the entitled persons.
• States will identify the Beneficiaries.
• This bill also introduces reforms to TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System) such as cash transfer, Food Coupons etc. to ensure transparency.
• The eldest woman will be the head of the household. Thus it also helps to empower women.
• Children aged from 6 months to 6 years will get free meal from local anganwadi. 
• Every state govt shall take steps for grievance handling through call centers, help lines etc. 

In Favor :-

• 'Right to food' will become a legal right.
• This bill helps to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in the country.
• Inflation is on the rise, this is the time poor people need food security.
• It helps to empower women, as the eldest woman will be the head of the family.
• Nutritious food will be given to pregnant and lactating mothers. This will lead to healthier families.

In Against :-

• These food grains will be distributed through the already existing PDS (Public Distribution System). This PDS has many loopholes such as leakages of food grains, corruption etc.
• The exact no. of poor is not calculated correctly. Different departments are giving different numbers. And the criteria for measuring poor people percentage is not upto the mark. 
• The cost of this bill Rs.1.24 lakh crore will be a burden for the government, and may lead to fiscal deficit.
• As most of the food grains will be procured by Govt, exports will reduced, which is a big threat to the economy.
• Farmers have to sell their food grains for procurement prices rather than market prices. It will be loss for farmers.
• It's better if govt provide them employment rather than providing food.
• Small farmers may shift to other crops, as they will get the subsidized food grains. This will reduce the production of food grains. 

Conclusion :-                 

                   Food Security Bill is a boon, because it guarantees food, which is a basic need. But the PDS system must be strengthened to avoid corruption and leakages. And procurement price must be increased. Farmers must be protected. If this bill is implemented effectively, it will definitely helps to eradicate hunger and malnutrition.

Demographic Dividend in India

 

Points to be known :-

• Demographic dividend occurs when the fertility and mortality rates decreases and thereby economic growth of the country increases. If fertility and mortality rates decreases, there will be fewer mouths to feed & the life expectancy will increase, so, education and skills should be imparted to fewer people, and as a result productive labour force increases. It automatically contributes to country's economy.
• First stage of demographic dividend - Labour force increases rapidly than the dependent population. Per capita income grows.
• Second stage of demographic dividend - No. of old people will increase as the life expectancy is improved. Less no. of children should support older generation, because of lower fertility rates.
• By 2020, Average age of Indian will be 29.
• Government has announced new policies as part of the 12^th five-year plan (2012-2017) that aim to create 100 million work opportunities by 2022, many in labor-intensive manufacturing sectors such as textiles, gems and footwear.
• The government is working to expand access to education and vocational training for workers in the countryside, including new rural broadband networks that will connect remote areas with educational opportunities like YES project, Himayat project etc.

As an asset :-

• No. of dependents decreases, and hence individuals can save more. This leads to the increase in the stock capital in developing countries.
• Low economic pressures at home because of less no. of children. It results in better health and education for children.
• GDP increases and dependency ratio decreases.
• Women will be healthier.
• Productive labour force will increase.
• If population reduces, Standard of living increases.
• According to the United Nations, the working-age population will increase by about 600 million globally in the next decade. While there will be a decline in the developing countries by almost 17 million, the global economy as a whole is expected to experience a skilled manpower shortage of 56 million by 2020. So, with the right skills and training, workers from India will prosper not only at home but also abroad.
• By 2020, the average Indian will be only 29 years of age, compared with 37 in China and the U.S., 45 in Western Europe, and 48 in Japan. This is a great opportunity for India to beat the other countries economically.

As a liability :-

• Failure to provide opportunities to the growing young population, will result in rising unemployment and anti-social activities.
• In the second stage of demographic dividend, the no. of retired & older people increases rapidly, thereby dependent population increases.
• Present Education system is not imparting practical knowledge and skills. It is a bigger obstacle to increase skilled workforce.
• According the report, titled "The National Employability Report, Engineering Graduates, Annual Report-2012," although India produces more than 500,000 engineers annually, only 2.68% meet the skill requirements of the IT products sector. The report estimated that nearly 92% of engineering graduates in India lack computer programming and algorithms skills and around 56% lack soft skills and cognitive skills. This is leading to unproductive labour.
• Increased life expectancy will be challenged by health care facilities & social security for old people.
• Burden of parents and grand parents have to shared by less no. of children.

What should be done :-

• Govt should invest more in education, skill upgradation and employability by imparting special training to underprivileged and poor in a society.
• Education system must be improved to focus on improving technical capabilities to match with the industry requirements. Quality of education should be improved.
• Govt should invest more on health, safety and related services, will results in affordable healthcare.
• Pension schemes can be reformed by introducing funded element, in which individual’s contribution increases and a capital sum is delivered at retirement.
• There is a need for encouraging saving behavior amongst the working age population, by giving various incentives like tax benefits, better returns etc.

Conclusion :-

                

                 Demographic dividend must be combined with good policies and skills impart programs. Reforms must be done in Education system, without which the fruits of demographic dividend cannot be enjoyed.

 

Mantra To Success

Education System in India

Drawbacks :-

• Present education system focuses more on scores rather than knowledge.
• It's having 90% theoretical subjects. Even remaining 10% practical subjects are of limited experiments and of expected output.
• There is no scope for students to do experiments on their own.
• Some colleges are not conducting practicals. Instead, they are giving full marks and allotting that time to mug up theoretical subjects.
• In the end, students are coming out of schools and colleges only having bookish knowledge in the mind as the method of learning doesn't connect to reality.
• There is so much meaningless pressure on students because of the too much competitive spirit in between private institutions.
• Children in school are not being guided well about careers. They hardly know about what the options available in career except doctors and engineers. Because of that they are taking courses of their parent's choice (mostly) after coming out of schools. They even don't know what career options available with that course.
• Many schools are not concentrating on extra curricular activities. This may lead to the false assumption in children that only education is important in life.
• Some teachers are giving marks based on the no. of papers rather than the content. Thereby students will try to fill papers instead of focusing on to write the actual answer. 
• There are some cases that students are giving up their lives as they are unable to cope up with too much pressure laid on them by private schools and colleges.

Solutions :-

• Teachers must say the purpose of education to the children of school level.
• Teachers must encourage the children to understand the concept and to write it in their own words in exam.
• Every theoretical subject must have practicals if possible.
• Communication skills and reasoning must be a subject from school level.
• There must be seminars and projects from schooling to make students understand the subjects rather than mugging up.
• Personality development classes and extra curricular activities must be compulsory.
• Jobs should be provided based on knowledge rather than percentages.
• In practical examinations, marks should be given for the process rather than output.
• The method of teaching and lessons in subjects must be modified. They must be in a way to understand real world.
• Career guidance must be there in schooling.

Conclusions :-
                  
                        Govt. must concentrate on modifying the education system to give wonderful life for students. There is a role of educational institutions too to improve the method of teaching. A good education system leads to a good society.

Mantra To Success

Examination - Has it killed Education

Points to be known:-

• Ancient China was the first country in the world that implemented a national wide standardized test, which was called as 'Imperial examination' in 605 AD. The purpose of examination was to select for able candidates for specific governmental positions. This examination system was later applied to education.
• In closed book system, the test taker was tested based on the memory to respond to specific items. In open book system, the test taker was tested based on the analyzing capability, test taker can use a reference book and a calculator when responding to an item.

In Favor:-

• Most of the exams pattern is not sufficient to evaluate the real capabilities of the student.
• generally, there are some important questions which comes every year. So some students just heartening the answers for them like robots and getting good score even though they are not aware of the actual concept.
• There are many exams annually like daily, weekly and monthly tests. So, students barely has any time for extra curricular activities.
• In present generation schools and colleges unnecessarily pressuring everyone including kids to get above 90%.
• Most of the private colleges are not conducting practicals, they are just focusing on theoretical subjects to make their students toppers so that their college can become famous. By this students are not knowing the applicability of subjects.
• Because of excess pressure of examinations some students committing suicide.
• Some of the persons, who corrects the paper are giving marks based on number of papers without seeing the actual content. This discourages the students who have real worth.

In Against:-

• Examinations help to evaluate an individual academically.
• It helps the student understand the pressure which he/she will face in their professional lives.
• Exams help in facing competition.
• Exams help the students stay connected to their books.If there are no exams, most of the students don't concern about studies.
• Through Exams students can know the areas which they are weak, so that they concentrate more on those areas.
• If we qualify a person without exams, it may lead to critical situations like a doctor would kill many of his patients.

Conclusion:-

Examinations are not killing the education, but the pattern of some exams are killing it. Questions must in a way to make students think about it in order to write an answer. The weightage of practicals should be more than the theoretical subjects. Exams must include projects, assignments and presentations to judge the actual worth of a student.

Mantra To Success

Depreciation of Indian Rupee

Points to be known :-

• Depreciation of Currency means decrease in the value of currency compared to the Dollar.
• In 1947, 1 Indian Rupee = 1 US Dollar. Present value (on 24-06-2013) is 1 US Dollar = 59.68 Indian Rupees.

Causes :-

• High interest rates :- High interest rates may attract foreign investors, but practically high interest rates leads to increase in the government debt, thereby GDP growth comes down. Then foreign investors are unsure of their returns, thereby they may take their investments back. It leads to Rupee depreciation.
• Demand for Dollar :- When the demand increases the value increases. So, if the demand for dollar increases, it's value increases. And purchasing power parity reduces. Thereby Rupee values decreases.
• Inflation :- Inflation means increase in prices of commodities. If the inflation increases, purchasing power parity of consumers decreases. Thereby they buy less. It leads to economic recession. Thereby rupee value decreases.
• Unemployment :- Higher unemployment leads to decline in GDP growth. Hence Rupee values decreases.
• Changes in International trade :- With the increase in rates of the products which we import, we have to pay more dollars. Then, demand of dollar increases leads to decline in the value of Rupee.
• Trade deficit :- If a nation's imports are more than exports, it's called trade deficit or trade gap. If exports are less, demand for rupee decreases. It leads to rupee depreciation.
• Budget deficit :- If the expenditure is more than the income, it is called Budget deficit. When budget deficit occurs, the country may not be attracted by foreign investors and hence the currency value decreases.

 Effects of Rupee depreciation :-

• Because of the Rupee depreciation, Exporters are at benefit as they will get more rupees for same amount of dollars. 
• Importers are at loss as they have to pay more Rupees for the same amount of dollars.
• Foreign investors will lost confidence in the country's economy and they will take back their investments leading to further depreciation of rupee.
• The price of the goods which have to be imported increases.
• Tourism and studies in foreign will become expensive.
• NRIs are at benefit as they will get more rupees for the same amount of dollars.

Conclusion :-

                    

                Even though some temporary benefits are there by currency depreciation, it's not good for the country's economy. Our Government must take necessary steps to appreciate the value of Rupee. Again the value of Indian Rupee should become equal to the value of US Dollar.

Mantra To Success

Is dependence on computer a good thing

In Favor:-

• We can easily store and retrieve data without much risk.
• We can store a lot of information and we can keep authorized access too.
• We are sharing innovations between countries because of computers and internet. The world is developed faster because of computers.
• Computers save a lot of time and money.
• Because of computers and internet one can take any course in any institute through e-learning.
• Books are digitalized and more convenient to carry.
• We can solve complicated problems of maths in just a few seconds.
• We can easily create documents effectively.
• We can make effective presentation to explain a topic.
• We can easily book tickets for travelling and for movies etc.
• We can easily organize files in computers than the hard copies.
• We can watch movies and we can play video games.

In Against:-

• The main disadvantage by depending on computers is taking risk about health. Working with computer most of the day causes stress, visual problems etc.
• Some are living in virtual world because of computers.
• Because of computers unemployment is increasing.
• Information may be stolen by hackers.
• Because of video games in computer, many children are addicted to computer and are being distant from real games.
• We are becoming lazy by depending too much on computers and are being distant from physical activities.
• Writing skills are degrading as many people don't want to write on a paper.
• People are not utilizing their their thinking capability because of computers.
• Crimes also increased because terrorists are also making use of them.

Conclusion:-

            Without computers it wouldn't be possible for the world to become a global village. Computer are a boon for us. We should utilize technology to compete with this fast world. But too much dependency on anything is good for nothing. Every coin has two sides. It's up to us to receive good and to leave bad.

Mantra To Success

E-Learning: A substitute for classroom learning

Points to be known:-

• E-learning is essentially the computer and network-enabled transfer of skills and knowledge.
• E-learning applications and processes include Web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual classroom opportunities and digital collaboration.

In Favor:-

• Through E-learning we can study from anywhere at anytime. All we need is just a computer and internet connection.
• E-learning costs less than classroom learning.
• Through E-learning we can continue studies while doing full - time job.
• We can repeat the lesson for many times if we didn't understand the concepts.
• We can easily update new information / inventions.
• We can e-mail the doubts, and can be clarified.
• Student takes whole responsibility of himself in learning process. So that he becomes more confident.
• Students will become more flexible with computer, which is much essential in present generation.
• We can do the course in the university of foreign countries without going to there.
• Students can become comfortable in face-face to conversations which is very important in career.

In Against:-

• Through classroom learning, we can clarify our doubts immediately.
• Through classroom learning, we can increase our presentation skills.
• Through classroom learning, we can know how to behave with colleagues and superiors.
• Teachers in classroom can know whether students understand the topic or not, and explains the topic clearly using general examples.
• Unemployment increases, in result our nation's GDP decreases.

Conclusion:-

             E-learning has its own advantages and disadvantages. It can't be a substitute for classroom learning up to graduation level. But after graduation level E-learning can be a substitute for classroom learning. If the student have more interest in studies, he can go for E-learning. If he has no interest, a person must be there to create interest in him by general examples and to make him study, that's only possible with class room learning.

Mantra To Success

Can Trade help the poor

Points to be known:-

• Exchange of goods and services is called as 'Trade'.
• In ancient days, goods were exchanged directly. Later money is being used as medium of exchange.
• 'Free trade' refers to a general openness to exchange goods, labor and information between and among nations with no barriers.
• 'Fair Trade movement' began in 1950's with the aim of eradicating poverty in developing nations. Fair Trade focuses on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey,cotton, wine, fresh fruit, chocolate, flowers and gold.

In Favor:-

• It helps poor people to become middle class people by paying fair wages.
• It creates the quality of entrepreneurship in poor people, So that their standard of living increases.
• It supports the people, who have small business farms.
• It provides safer and healthier working environment especially for women.
• It's a advantage for all developing countries as it increases country's economy by exporting goods.

In Against:-

• More than half of the poor people are not aware of Trade.
• The goods imported through fair trade are of low cost than the goods produced in that country. There is a chance that super markets may buy imported goods and sell them as the local goods for high cost as there is no separate label for fair trade products.
• Local companies suffer from high competition.
• By free Trade, people have no restrictions to move from one country to another. By this, National security is at stake.

Conclusion:-
               'Fair Trade' is better than Free Trade. Fair Trade is a boon for developing countries as it helps to eradicate poverty and every person will have a decent life. It'll be nice, if Govt. provides awareness programs about Trade in poor people.

Mantra To Success

Is WikiLeaks a bane or a boon

Points to be known:-

• WikiLeaks is an international non-profit organisation that publishes submissions of private, secret, and classified media from anonymous news sources, news leaks and  whistle blowers.
• The website of wikileaks launched in 2006 under The Sunshine Press organization.
• Wikileaks claimed a database of more than 1.2 million documents within a year of its launch.
• Wiki means user-editable software. In the starting, wikileaks allowed to edit its data by users. But later they changed as they will accept data, and it will be published only if they accept. Means they will finalize it.
• Wikileaks's director is Julian Assange, an Australian.
• WikiLeaks founders are of Chinese dissidents, journalists, mathematicians, and start-up company technologists from the United States, Taiwan, Europe, Australia, and South Africa.
• In April 2010, WikiLeaks published gunsight footage from the 12 July 2007 Baghdad airstrike in which Iraqi civilians and journalists were killed by an Apache helicopter, as the Collateral Murder video.
• In July 2010, WikiLeaks released Afghan War Diary, a compilation of more than 76,900 documents about the War in Afghanistan not previously available for public review.
• In October 2010, the group released a package of almost 400,000 documents called the Iraq War Logs in coordination with major commercial media organisations.
• In November 2010, WikiLeaks began releasing U.S. State department diplomatic cables.

In Favor:-

• WikiLeaks has won a number of awards, including The Economist's New Media Award in 2008 and Amnesty International's UK Media Award in 2009.
• Transparency of government is possible.
• freedom of speech.

In Against:-

• Leakage of sensitive government information.
• National security will be in danger.
• Criminals may take advantage of this.
• The leading newspaper of Jamaica, Jamaica Observer, writes in its Editorial: “It is unlikely that the world will remain the same, if WikiLeaks is allowed to prevail in its quest to expose government secrets."

Conclusion:-

               By wikileaks common man knows about government. It's helping to create a better society. But it should not leak some confidential documents which is a threat for the country.

Mantra To Success

Is Globalization Really Necessary

Points to be known:-

• Some world historians attach globalization big bang' significance to 1492 (Christopher Colombus stumbles on the Americas in search of spices) and 1498 (Vasco da Gama makes an end run around Africa and snatches monopoly rents away from the Arab and Venetian spice traders).

In Favor:-

• Through Globalization developing countries can become developed countries.
• We can share technologies and inventions.
• We can sell our products all over the world.
• India has resources of skilled manpower. So through globalization other countries invests money in India. And by that our economy increases.
• We can share the medical inversions which helps the patients of dangerous diseases.
• We can exchange resources such as petrol, coal etc.
• People are communicating with the world through their own languages as we can translate everything to our own language. So, their mother tongue will survive.
• We can study fantastic books of foreign authors. 

In Against:-

• Through globalization, poor becomes poorer.
• There is a chance of culture.
• Non-globalized human societies will become extinct species.
• There may be a chance of forgetting their own mother tongue.
• Diseases like swine flu are spreading to other countries through the travelers.
• Due to Globalization unemployment may increases. For example, The people of USA are facing unemployment, because so many people of different countries from all over the world are migrating to USA and doing jobs there.

Conclusion:-

            There are more advantages compared to disadvantages. Nothing is perfect in this world. So we should see the positive side. In today's world Globalization is necessary.

Mantra To Success

Nuclear Energy in India - Boon or Bane

Points to be known:-

• Nuclear power is the fourth-largest source of electricity in India after thermal, hydroelectric and renewable sources of electricity.
• There are 442 nuclear reactors in the world. And some more nuclear plants are in construction.
• As of 2010, India has 20 nuclear reactors in operation in six nuclear power plants, generating 4,780 MW, while 5 other plants are under construction and are expected to generate an additional 2,720 MW.
• India plans to increase nuclear power output to 64,000 MW by 2032. It aims to supply 25% of electricity from nuclear power by 2050.
• Six nuclear power plants in India are located in Kaiga in Karnataka, Kakrapar in Gujarat, Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, Narora in Uttar Pradesh, Rawatbhata in Rajasthan, Tarapur in Maharashtra.
• India involved in ITER ( International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor ), which consists European Union, United States, Japan, China,  South Korea, Russia as other members.
• Indo - US nuclear deal was done on July 18th, 2005, under which India agreed to separate its civil and military nuclear facilities and place all its civil nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and, in exchange, the United States agreed to work toward full civil nuclear cooperation with India.

In Favor:-

• Nuclear fission produces energy equal to 10 million times of the energy produced by burning of an atom of fossil fuel or hydro or wind power.
• Through Nuclear plants, we can save our planet from Global warming as there is no release of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, chlorofluorocarbon) during nuclear reaction.
• By burning fossil fuels, poisonous CO2 releases.
• Uranium is obtained from open-cut mines, which is not expensive. And Currently, the high reserves of uranium found on Earth, are expected to last for another 100 years.
• Nuclear fuel is inexpensive and easier to transport.
• Nuclear Energy can be produced in large quantities over short periods of time.
• When compared to the fossil fuel waste, the nuclear waste which occurs due to the production of nuclear power is small in quantity.
• We can save oil reserves which are going to be run out at some point. 

In Against:-

• Nuclear plants are dangerous if it explodes. Thousands of people suffered in the nuclear accident happened in Chernobyl in 1986. Recently, on march 11th, 2011, four nuclear reactors exploded in Japan due to earth quake. And there are 17 nuclear plant explosions happened in the world till now.
• Nuclear power releases radiation, which causes severe health problems to the people in it's surroundings. The radiation released by this, lasts for tens of thousands of years in the environment.
• In Japan, at the place of nuclear reactors which are exploded, high radio activity was found in water, leafy vegetables, sea food, and in the people, who are working for reconstruction those power plants now.
• Nuclear reactors last for about 40 to 50 years.
• Terrorists may take advantage of this and may produce nuclear weapons, which is a great risk for entire world.
• Even though it produces small amount of waste, it is highly hazardous. And the long-term storage of this waste is too difficult.
• Nuclear plant is highly expensive.
• Uranium is not renewable. If the resources of uranium are completely used, there isn't any more.

Conclusion:-

            

                   It's definitely a bane as it is highly dangerous. What is the use of this power, when people are suffering from severe health problems. It's not too difficult to live without power, but it's difficult to live without good health. Growth of Technology should not be a danger for human survival. We should work more on alternatives such as solar energy and hydroelectric energies etc.  

Mantra To Success