GS Analyst: Daily Editorial In Brief

Context:

The Supreme Court of India has emphasized the need to protect lives and livelihoods in the face of climate change, framing it within the context of Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution.

Recognition of Fundamental Rights:

• Provision and relevance: The Supreme Court interprets the Right to Equality (Article 14) and Right to Life and Liberty (Article 21) expansively, emphasizing their relevance in the context of climate change.
• Action time: It urges urgent action to mitigate the impacts of climate change, citing growing evidence of vulnerabilities and climate-related risks such as floods, heatwaves, and changing rainfall patterns.
• Need to address: The Court's verdict underscores the importance of addressing climate change to ensure the realization of fundamental rights, particularly the right to a clean environment and the right to health.

Environmental Concerns and Policy Action:

• Limited attention: Despite the mounting evidence of environmental degradation and climate change impacts, the political class shows limited attention to ecological issues, especially in election years.
• Gap: There is a noticeable gap between judicial pronouncements, which highlight the link between environmental protection and human dignity, and actual policy implementation by governments.
• Crisis episodes, such as extreme weather events and worsening air and water quality, expose the unpreparedness of India's cities, towns, and rural areas, raising questions about the adequacy of developmental endeavors in addressing ecological concerns.

Context

As India approaches elections, questions regarding the state of democracy in the country are being raised, with diverse perspectives on what constitutes democracy and its deliverables.

Perceptions of Democracy:

• Perception of democracy: Democracy in India is perceived differently by various segments of society, with perspectives ranging from electoral processes to broader indicators such as freedom of expression, secularism, and institutional integrity.
• Different lens: While many Indians view democracy through the lens of free and fair elections and functioning legislative and executive bodies, international agencies and liberal commentators highlight additional factors like civil liberties, institutional erosion, and constitutional values.
• Core elements: Despite differing perceptions, the core elements of democracy include electoral processes, legislative governance, and executive implementation, with varying degrees of adherence and effectiveness.

Challenges and Reforms:

• Inefficiency: Indian districts, characterized by administrative inefficiencies and governance gaps, exemplify the disconnect between democratic ideals and ground realities, with critical issues like water supply, healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability often overlooked.
• Lack of community engagement, scientific rigor, and collective decision-making further hinders effective governance at both local and national levels, perpetuating systemic challenges and hindering progress.
• Required solution: Addressing these challenges requires institutional reforms, enhanced public participation, and investment in education and information dissemination to empower citizens to engage meaningfully in the democratic process and hold elected representatives accountable.

Context:

The Indian Army's decision to observe 2024 as the 'Year of Technology Absorption' underscores its strategic imperative to embrace technological advancements for military modernization and preparedness in the face of evolving threats and challenges.

Strategic Embrace of Disruptive Technologies:

• Potential of technologies: The 'Year of Technology Absorption' initiative reflects the Indian Army's recognition of the transformative potential of disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and space technology.
• Competitive edge: By prioritizing the absorption of these technologies, the Army aims to maintain a competitive edge over adversaries and enhance its capabilities to effectively counter emerging threats.
• Self-reliance: This strategic focus on technology absorption aligns with the broader vision of Atmanirbharta, emphasizing self-reliance and indigenous development in defense technologies.

Integration with Legacy Systems:

• Integration: The absorption of disruptive technologies entails the integration of cutting-edge innovations with existing legacy systems and military structures.
• Complementing rather than replacing: Rather than replacing traditional weapon platforms, the emphasis lies on complementing them with new technologies to optimize operational efficiency and strategic effectiveness.
• Seamless transition: This approach ensures continuity and synergy between established military doctrines and emerging technological advancements, facilitating a seamless transition towards a more technologically advanced force.