<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1608782150085" alt="More than 60 per cent rise in leopard population in India since 2014 as current count estimate is 12,852." style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar has released a report called ‘Status of Leopard in India - 2018’, according to which the population of Indian leopard has grown by more than 60 per cent since 2014, and the new estimated count now stands at 12,852.
According to the report, the state of Madhya Pradesh is home to the highest number (3,421) of leopards in India, followed by Karnataka (1,783) and Maharashtra (1,690).&nbsp;
Considering regionally, about 65 per cent (8,071) of the leopards are found in Central India (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra), and the Eastern Ghats (Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh), whereas other states like Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are home 3,387 of these big cats.&nbsp;
The Shivalik and Gangetic plains of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are abode to 1,253 leopards, while the North-eastern hills accommodating only 141 of them.
<ins>Praise &amp; Progress</ins>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to twitter to show his appreciation for India’s efforts in conservation of wildlife as he tweeted, “Great news! After Lions and Tigers, the Leopard population increases”.
India, the only place in the world where Asiatic Lions are found, has recorded an increase of 29 per cent in the population of lions in 2020 as the fresh figures have reached to 674.&nbsp;
Similar success has been meted in the protection of Tigers in India, where the numbers have risen to 2,987, thus accounting to around 70% of the world’s tigers.
Meanwhile,<a href="https://policharcha.com/article/environment/fc37d545-d2e9-4f8b-b40e-94d956431e4e/fastest-land-animal-to-grace-indian-grasslands-again" target="_blank"> India is on its way to introduce African Cheetah</a> to its vast grasslands and in doing so, the subcontinent would become the only place in the world that is an abode to all the big cats.
<ins>Concerns</ins>
Leopard is one of the five ‘big cats’ along with Lion, Tiger, Cheetah and Jaguar, and its fossils are believed to be at least 6 lakh years old. However, today the population of leopard is not even 10 per cent of what it used to be about 100 to 200 years ago. In fact, a study has shown that human interactions have claimed the lives of around 70 to 90 per cent of leopard population in India in the last couple of centuries.
The mammal is listed as ‘Near Threatened’ under the Red List of International Union for Conservations of Nature (IUCN). Under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the leopard is included in the Schedule-I according to which it is an endangered species. Accordingly, hunting of the animals under this list is strictly prohibited until there is a threat to human life.
The fate of all the big cats has been same as all of them have been hunted for fun, and poached for their skin, teeth, and other body parts. Hopefully, we will see more growth in these numbers in the coming future as the Government of India raises its efforts to save not just these big cats, but also several other animal and plant species that are demanding immediate attention.

60% rise in leopard population in India; current count closes to 13K

<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1608714121039" alt="New strain of Coronavirus: Everything you need to know" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

Just a few days before India had recorded Covid-19 active caseload to be at 2.89 Lakh, which is 2.86 per cent of the total positive cases, a discovery of a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) which is believed to transmit faster than the previous one was announced in the United Kingdom.
The new variant, called ‘VUI – 202012/01’ (the first Variant Under Investigation in December 2020), of the virus was identified by UK’s Public Health England (PHE). According to PHE, as on December 13, there were around 1108 cases of this new strain recorded, primarily in South and East of London. The new strain was discovered back in September, but made headlines on December 14 as it was associated with a substantial rise in number of cases in the above mentioned areas.
“We are investigating a new strain of SARS-CoV-2, predominantly in Kent and the surrounding areas. It is not unexpected that the virus should evolve, and it’s important that we spot any changes quickly to understand the potential risk any variant may pose. There is currently no evidence that this strain causes more severe illness, although it is being detected in a wide geography especially where there are increased cases being detected,” said PHE Joint Medical Advisor, Dr Susan Hopkins.
Resultantly, the UK PM, Boris Johnson, who is scheduled for an important visit to India in 5 weeks’ time, announced a Tier 4: ‘Stay at Home’ alert level in large parts of South East England, putting more stringent restrictions on the residents.
Moreover, India has suspended flight operations from the UK till 11:59 PM, December 31, and is tracking and testing passengers that have travelled to India from the UK before the flight suspension.
Due to the announcement about the new mutation, a certain level of fear is there to be seen in the masses, and this fear related to the misinformation about the same. Therefore, we would like to talk about the new variant, so that our readers can be well informed and take precautionary measures.
Here is all you need to know about the VUI – 202012/01:-
<ins>Did this mutation/change happen for the first time?</ins>
It is common for viruses to undertake mutations, and new variants appear frequently. Virus like seasonal influenza mutates every year. Moreover, variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been observed in other countries, such as Spain. Therefore, No! This is not the first time that this virus has been mutated.
<ins>If mutations are normal, why is this variant in the news?</ins>
Because there was a large increase in the number of positive cases recorded in Kent and London, and PHE propounded that this variant can be the reason for that sudden spike, that is why this variant is believed to be more transmissible than the previous one.
<ins>So, it transmits faster. Does this mean it is more dangerous or severe?</ins>
“There is no current evidence to suggest (that) the new strain causes a higher mortality rate or that it affects vaccines and treatments, although urgent work is underway to confirm this,” said Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty. So, there is no evidence right now to suggest that the new variation is more severe or dangerous.
<ins>How long has the variant been in transmission?</ins>
This variant appeared in September, according to the backwards tracing using the genetic evidence done by the UK Health Department. It circulated slowly until mid-November. While examining why infection rates in Kent were not falling despite national restrictions, PHE came to the conclusion that the increase in cases is linked to the new variant.
<ins>Is this variant resistant to the available and upcoming vaccines?</ins>
There is currently no evidence to suggest that the vaccines would not protect people against the new variant, but further laboratory work is currently going on as a priority to be sure.
<ins>Can the new variant be detected by tests?</ins>
Labs in the UK have been issued with guidance to adapt processes to ensure that PCR tests can detect this variant. PCR tests can be adapted rapidly to respond to the new variant.
<ins>What is India doing to contain the potential spread of the new variant?</ins>
After cancelling around 70 flights from the UK, India has prepared a set of guidelines which pertain to the treatment of passengers who have arrived from the UK before suspension of the air services. Travellers from the UK who have reached India between November 25 and December 8 will be contacted by district surveillance officers, and will be advised to self-monitor their health. If anyone among them develops symptoms, the person will undergo an RT-PCR test.
All the contacts of those passengers who have flown to various Indian airports on December 21 and 22, and have tested positive would also be subjected to institutional quarantine in separate quarantine locations, and would be tested as per the ICMR guidelines. Co-passengers seated in the same row, three rows in front, and three rows behind along with identified cabin crew will be treated as the contacts of the suspect traveller.
The list of travellers who are found RT-PCR negative at airport testing shall be shared with the respective states by the central unit of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). They shall be advised for quarantine at home and tested as per the ICMR guidelines.
<ins>Prevention is better than cure</ins>
In conclusion, the practices to prevent yourself from getting contracted with the virus, both old and new variants, are still the same. Therefore, practice social distancing, keep wearing face masks, and wash your hands regularly.

New strain of Coronavirus: Everything you need to know

<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1608366915946" alt="UK PM to be the Chief Guest at Republic Day celebrations 2021. The rise of Indo-Pacific region." style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

Being the largest democracy in the world, and a promoter of <a href="https://policharcha.com/article/nation/203170c0-7305-4852-99d5-91fe035d8189/breakdown-of-preamble-of-indian-constitution-meaning-of-democracy" target="_blank">democratic values</a> on international forums, India has been emerging as a political and economic power in the new multipolar world order. Standards like Rule of law, freedom of faith and expression, among others have made India a vital democratic partner for the West, at a time when the <a href="https://policharcha.com/article/internationalrelations/a08b9462-ab09-4d42-be8f-040db0beb017/how-india-established-indopacific-in-the-new-multipolar-world-order" target="_blank">West has its eyes set on the Indo-Pacific region.</a>&nbsp;
For the United Kingdom, India is even more important, as it is still governed by European Union rules – a position that will cease to exist when the transition period ends on 31st December, 2020. Less than a month later, when the Prime Minister of UK, Boris Johnson, is scheduled to visit India as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations, he is expected to go forward with the implementation of what his former Conservative PM, David Cameron, said about India and UK fashioning a “great partnership of the 21st century.”
Boris Johnson’s maiden visit to India, in the words of Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, “would be in a way symbolic of a new era, and a new phase of India-UK ties.” The incumbent British Prime Minister will become the second PM of Britain to get the honour of visiting as a guest of honour for the Republic Day celebrations.
<ins>From Great Britain to Global Britain</ins>

<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1608367246758" alt="Boris Johnson wants Global Britain, and needs India support in the Indo-Pacific." style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

In a statement given by PM Boris Johnson, he said, "I am absolutely delighted to be visiting India next year at the start of an exciting year for Global Britain, and look forward to delivering the quantum leap in our bilateral relationship that Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and I have pledged to achieve."
The key words to notice here are ‘Global Britain’ and ‘Quantum Leap’, which signify that, in a post-Brexit world, the UK is willing to establish itself outside the purview of EU, and is ready to acknowledge India as a companion in its goal to increase its global footprint, both diplomatic and economic, in the <a href="https://policharcha.com/article/internationalrelations/a08b9462-ab09-4d42-be8f-040db0beb017/how-india-established-indopacific-in-the-new-multipolar-world-order" target="_blank">Indo-Pacific, a region which is gaining importance</a>, considering the current geo-political scenario.
“The British PM will use his visit to boost co-operation in areas that matter to UK, and that will be our priorities for our international engagement throughout 2021 - from trade and investment, to defence and security, and health and climate change”, the Downing No 10 said in the statement.
<ins>Transition from G7 to D10; Rise of the Indo-Pacific</ins>
In order to achieve his ambition to work with a group of like-minded democracies to advance shared interests and tackle common challenges, Boris Johnson has invited PM Modi to next year’s G7 summit hosted by Britian as one of the three guest nations alongside South Korea and Australia.
PM Johnson has the idea of “D10” grouping of nations ideologically committed to combating the march of authoritarian states. The India visit of PM Johnson will mark a historic event as Britain is going to enter into the Post-Brexit world, leaving the single European Market after decades of economic success juxtaposed with neo-liberal policies of Thatcher and Reagan of ‘80s.
The reality of Global Britain would only come true if UK establish trade relations with other leading market economies like India, and emerge out from already suffering economy, increasing poverty, lowering social security and welfare schemes, especially in the aftermath of pandemic.&nbsp;
Boris Johnson’s plan to transform the G7 forum of leading industrialised nations into a broader grouping of 10 leading democracies capable of challenging China and other authoritarian states can be seen as a significant diplomatic move to deepen UK-India relations, and along with that, to symbolise the post-Brexit tilt to the Indo-Pacific.
The No 10’s Indo-Pacific vision is expected to align with the New Delhi’s vision of Indo-Pacific region as free, open, and prosperous. PM Johnson’s vision for ‘UK outside the EU’ and Indo-Pacific strategy will be given explicitly in the integrated foreign and security review, which was heralded as the “‘largest review of the UK’s foreign, defence, security, and development policy since the end of the Cold War”, according to the UK Parliament, due to be published early in the new year. It will also provide insights to the soundbite Global Britain that has become a mainstay of post-Brexit foreign policy talk.
UK Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, said Britain’s upcoming integrated strategic review will contain an “Indo-Pacific tilt”, and there is “no stronger partner” in the east than India.
In eastward looking strategy of UK, India is emerging as a key player, and recent shifts in global politics pave the way to serve both their interests, if they work together in the areas such as connecting people, trade and prosperity, defence and security, climate change, and health.
Johnson said, “As a key player in the Indo-Pacific region, India is an increasingly indispensable partner for the United Kingdom as we work to boost jobs and growth, confront shared threats to our security and protect our planet.”
Britain’s connection with Indo-Pacific world stretches back centuries, when it used to be ‘Great’ Britain. Relationship begun due to trade competition with the Portuguese and Spanish in the 16th century from the voyages of discovery by Captain Cook to the colonisation of India, and beyond into the 20th century.
The post-WWII 20th century turned out to be dramatic for Britain in Indo-Pacific region when it decided to pull back East of Suez in 1960s, resulting in the UK’s curtailed security presence in the region.
The UK leased out its strategically important military base at Diego Garcia island to the US in the cold war era which became crucial to safeguard the rule-based international system in 21st Century, as it sits astride crucial maritime trade routes from Gulf strait to the Strait of Malacca, which have seen a dramatic increase in naval traffic from China, India, Japan, and the United States.
Although UK is present in every Indo-Pacific country, even in Maldives and Seychelles, where US is absent, but it has failed to publicise its role in the region, or articulate its goal set for the region’s countries.
India is a major power in Indian Ocean, and has the potential to become the biggest trading partner in the region along with the security and strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific for Britain in coming years as this region would be new area for world dominance.
"The Indo-Pacific is all about looking at what are your options... We would like the UK to come in as a major investor and innovation partner; a range of activities in the digital and cyber age which may not have been even possible to conceive earlier," current foreign secretary Harshvardhan Shringla said, and hoped that UK would follow the path of France, the Netherlands, and Germany to formulate its Indo-Pacific strategy keeping with the new definitive shifts in the region as the Quad is emerging as a military alliance, and in the global economic trajectory from the Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific.
S Jaishankar said, “The Indo-Pacific is a reality because...it is an articulation of globalisation, the fact that you cannot deal with different theatres in a watertight way. The kind of challenges the world faces today – climate change, maritime security, terrorism, [and] the opportunity to increase connectivity – all these require a larger arena and more coordinated efforts.”
<ins>Free Trade Agreement in the pipeline</ins>
India and United Kingdom are examining ways to intensify the trade relations in the coming decade when Britain would finally leave the European Single market, and would proudly walk on the path to become ‘Global Britain’.
India and UK have agreed to announce the 10-year-roadmap for India-UK relations as well as an “Enhanced Trade Partnership”, which will be a prelude to the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Both the countries will speed up negotiations for a free trade agreement against the backdrop of Britain looking to enhance its trade ties, amid its troubled exit from the European Union, and can sign an early harvest deal as early as next month when British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, will visit New Delhi.
<ins>Some numbers</ins>
The No 10 highlighted the two countries’ burgeoning trade and investment relationship, which it said is worth £24 billion ($32 billion, 26 billion euros) annually, and supports more than half a million jobs. Bilateral Merchandise trade between the two countries has been in the range of US$15.45 billion in 2019-20, and trade in Services has been around US$ 9.5 billion in 2017.
Bilateral trade has remained in favour of India, but only during the FY20, in comparison to previous year. UK used to be the second largest trading partner of India in 1998-99, but it ranked 16th in the list of India’s trading partners during the year 2018-19.
India invested in 120 projects and created 5,429 new jobs in the UK to become the second-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI), after the US, in 2019, according to the Department for International Trade (DIT) inward investment statistics for 2019-2020.
As per the CII-Grant Thornton India meets UK Report 2020, there are now a record 850 Indian companies operating in the UK, with combined revenues of almost £41.2 billion (£48 billion in 2019). Together, they paid over £461.8 million in corporation tax (£684 million in 2019), and employed 110,793 people (104,783 in 2019). This figure excludes employees of UK branches of Indian companies. If these were included, the employment numbers would be substantially higher.
<ins>Defence Partnership</ins>
The defence cooperation between India and United Kingdom remained below the par during the cold war due to the 1971 Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between India and USSR, which virtually gave a status of Warsaw Pact member to India, creating an adversary for Britain in India as it was in opposite camp led by capitalist US.
The disintegration of USSR, and disappearance of communist fatherland from the world facilitated laying the foundation of broader UK-India defence cooperation in March 1995 with the decision to establish a Defence Consultative Group (DCG) headed by India’s Defence Secretary and the UK’s Permanent Under-Secretary for Defence.
The DCG in future intends to create two sub-groups, focusing on the joint environment including cyber and space, and defence reform cooperation. The Cameron-Modi summit in 2015 proved a significant milestone towards holding annual strategic dialogues at the defence minister level as well as the level of joint/integrated and single service chiefs. The defence cooperation is not limited to dialogues and meetings, but joint UK-India military exercises, notably the Konkan naval exercises held since 2004 on a bi-annual basis in the Indian Ocean, the Indra Dhanush Air Force exercises held since 2006, and the Shamsheer Bugle army exercises held since 2010.
The future military cooperation includes the mutual defence logistics support agreement which is an advanced stage of negotiation like India inked with US, along with the Government-to-Government (G2G) mechanism for defence deals. Defence training Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is also in progress, hoping to get a push with the PM Johnson’s visit.
The two countries are close to signing a G2G agreement on jet technology development. They are already in partnerships and joint ventures in Armoured Fighting Vehicle engines, Firearms, Howitzers, Air defence systems in land domain, Air Cushioned vehicles, Critical warship navigation equipment in maritime domain, and Missile simulation systems in Air Domain. Moreover, the UK has approached India during Aero-India 2018 for joint technological development for sixth-generation fighters which can fit into India’s fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
The UK Navy offered the design of its HMS Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers for Indian Navy’s proposed second indigenous carrier which would be in its maiden deployment arrive in Indian Ocean next year.
The scheduled visit by UK PM is already being seen as starting a new era between India and UK, at a time when both the countries are equally important to each other for fulfilling their international politics agenda in a multipolar world order.

Significance of Boris’ visit to India; rise of the Indo-Pacific

<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1608341681596" alt="India established Indo-Pacific in the new multipolar world order to couter China" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

The evolution of world from a multilateral one, which was being led by the West, to a more plurilateral one, which offers a relatively more level playing field to other nations, is giving rise to a multipolar world that we are witnessing today. Multipolarity is a distribution of power in which more than two countries, not necessarily <a href="https://policharcha.com/article/nation/203170c0-7305-4852-99d5-91fe035d8189/breakdown-of-preamble-of-indian-constitution-meaning-of-democracy" target="_blank">democracies</a>, have nearly equal amounts of military, cultural, and economic influence.
Gone are the days when few countries from the West could dictate the terms on how the world would function. The biggest example supporting this assertion would be the shift of power, or one can say sharing of power, from G7 to G20 group of countries due to the financial crisis of 2008. The events of 2008 paved the way for an economic rebalancing of the world which, in a matter of time, got translated into a political rebalancing of the world.
Moreover, the last three decades have been marked by growing nationalistic approach by several countries like the US, China, and others. These countries have prioritised their own interests while making foreign and economic policies, and naturally so.
Therefore, the weakening of multilateralism, coupled with the rising nationalistic attitude gave way to a multipolar world - a world where there are not one, not two, but many ‘super-powers’, a stark do away with the bi-polar world that we had observed during the time of the Cold War.
This is a world where countries are going beyond pre-determined alliances to make new groupings that have mutual interests and can share the global burden. We have seen the soon-to-be former President of the US, Donald Trump, putting forth the idea of a G10/11 because G7 got “outdated”, and the incumbent Prime Minister of the UK, Boris Johnson, talking about enlarging the scope of G7 to a D10, which is a group of 10 Democracies.
<ins>What do G10/11 and D10 have in common?</ins>
G7 is a group of seven countries, namely US, UK, France, Germany, Canada, Italy, and Japan. Now, both Trump and Johnson want India, Australia, and South Korea to be a part of the G7. The West knows that to counter the <a href="https://policharcha.com/article/internationalrelations/76157c99-4081-4ec1-a093-1d1d84953ec3/india-and-china-more-than-what-meets-the-eye" target="_blank">authoritarian and expansionist regime of China</a>, it will have to work together with these three countries.
India, South Korea, and Australia are the three major economies present in the Pacific and the Indian Ocean Region. Thus, the West has a vested interest in the Indo-Pacific region.
<ins>Importance of Indo-Pacific</ins>
Indian Ocean Region, more specifically the Indo-Pacific, is becoming a hotspot of regional and global dominance due to its increasing economic and strategic importance, and China has started flexing its muscles in the region, creating an obstacle in rule-based international order.
QUAD countries – US, India, Australia, and Japan – holding joint naval drills in the region, Germany announcing to send a warship in Indian Ocean as part of plans to contain the China’s growing authoritarian influence in the region, European countries formulating Indo-Pacific strategy against the backdrop of China’s increasing belligerence towards its neighbours in Asia, and Australia increasing its military expenditure to $270B to build larger and more technologically advanced defence forces are the events reflecting that Indo-Pacific region is crucial for foreign policy of countries, which want to save the international law &amp; order to create prosperous, free, and safe ocean environment.
<ins>India’s role</ins>
The vast maritime space stretching from the western coast of North America to the eastern shores of Africa is popularly known as Indo-Pacific. The term became popular in international politics as India highlighted the importance of the region, both economically and strategically, to draw the attention of world leaders and policy-makers.
“India not just mainstreamed the expression Indo-Pacific but, more substantially, encouraged others to perceive and define the region in its full extent", said Foreign Secretary Shringla.
“In the past, the Indo-Pacific concept was seen as an Asian concept with Western Europe keeping a safe distance. Now, the gloves are off.” Harsh Pant, an international relations professor at King’s College, London said.
India had done its bit to link western countries to the Indo-Pacific, and put forth the idea that the Indo-Pacific is not a regional construct, but a global issue.
The West will increase its footprint in Indo-Pacific to safeguard the democratic values of navigation in the sea, and there is no better partner than India. Thus, making Indo-Pacific an area of strategic importance in the new multipolar world order.

How India established Indo-Pacific in the new multipolar world order

<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1608214614111" alt="The Preamble to the constituion of India." style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

Democracy is one of the most used words in the socio-political arena of India. We have seen the Government using these words while passing laws of various nature, and the opposition using these words while criticising the aforementioned laws. Moreover, the civil society also refers to the concept of democracy while showcasing their dissent or support towards the laws made by the legislature.
Many times we have seen people subscribing to two extremes approaches when talking about democracy in the nation – some say there is too much democracy, while others say that democracy is dead in India and we are moving towards dictatorship.
Not pledging to any of the extremes, we, at Policharcha, want to talk about democracy from the standpoint of the Constitution of India, and the best place to look at and gain some perspective is the Preamble to the Constitution of India.
The Supreme Court of India, in the Kesavanandan Bharati case, has observed that the Preamble is of extreme importance, and the Constitution should be read and interpreted in the light of the grand and noble vision expressed in the Preamble.
<ins>Breakdown of the Preamble of the Constitution of India</ins>

<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1608214660143" alt="Breakdown of the Preamble to the Constitution of India." style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

The Preamble is a short summary of the Constitution bringing out its philosophy. In this regard, the various phrases of the Preamble are not randomly placed, rather they are arranged in a cause-effect sequence. This cause-effect relationship is what that brings out the philosophy of the Constitution.
Let’s start from the end of the Preamble to get an understanding of the message prescribed in it.
The final purpose towards which our Constitution is working is to assure dignity to every individual and unity and integrity of the nation. However, this is not possible without promoting fraternity or brotherhood among the citizens of India.
India is a very diverse society where we have people following different religions, having different faiths, speaking different languages, wearing different types of clothes, worshipping different gods, and so on. Therefore, to promote brotherhood among the different people, the society has to become egalitarian.
Now, how does a society become egalitarian? A State is deemed as an egalitarian society when justice, liberty, and equality are secured to all its citizens.
However, this is only possible if the country is constituted along the ideals of sovereignty, socialism, secularism, democracy, and republic.
This type of the structure can be achieved only by WE THE PEOPLE.
<ins>The Concept of Democracy</ins>
The words ‘Sovereign’, ‘Secular’, ‘Socialist’, ‘Democratic’, and ‘Republic’ refer to Political Democracy, which means citizens have the right to vote, while the words ‘Justice’, ‘Liberty’, ‘Equality’, and ‘Fraternity’ refer to Socio-economic Democracy, which means a welfare state set-up.&nbsp;
<ins>Political Democracy</ins>
<ins>Sovereign</ins>: Sovereignty is what India fought for against colonial forces. It means that India is free to handle herself according to her own choice. It is independent to conduct its internal and external affairs, and in doing so, India does not depend on anyone. Being a sovereign state, India can either acquire a foreign territory or cede a part of its own territory to a foreign state.
<ins>Socialist</ins>: This term was added through the 42nd Amendment in 1972, but even before the amendment, the constitution has a socialist structure in the form of Directive Principles of State Policy. Indian economy practices its own brand of socialism called the Democratic Socialism that is inspired from the idea of mixed economy, where both public and private sectors can co-exist.
<ins>Secular</ins>: It was also added through the 42nd Amendment in 1972, but secularism was already prescribed in the Constitution through Article 25 to Article 28, which are part of the fundamental rights. Secularism is thought to be inherent in the Indian society that is incomparably diverse. India defines secularism as treating every faith, religion, and sect equally while the state being neutral itself.
<ins>Democratic</ins>: Indirect democracy or Representative democracy is practiced in India where people choose their representatives through voting, and then these representatives have the power to run the Government and make the laws. We prescribe to Parliamentary form of indirect democracy, the other is Presidential form.&nbsp;
<ins>Republic</ins>: It means that the head of the State, the President, is an elected one, and is elected for a stipulated period of time of 5 years, unlike a monarch, who inherits this position.
<ins>Socio-economic Democracy</ins>
<ins>Justice</ins>: Three types of justice is talked about here – Social, Economic, and Political. Social justice guarantees equal treatment of all citizens without any social distinction based on caste, colour, race, sex, religion and so on. Economic justice means non-discrimination between people on the basis of economic factors, and Political justice means that all the citizens have equal right to hold any public office or any political position.
<ins>Liberty</ins>: It is essential for a democracy that its citizens and institutes have liberty that is freedom of thought, expression, belief and worship, though there may be some constitutional and reasonable limits applied to these libertarian rights.
<ins>Equality</ins>: Along with liberty, equality is fundamental to a democracy. It refers to that everybody is equal before law and have equal protection of law. Any kind of negative discrimination is strictly prohibited, while positive discrimination in the matters of public employment, admissions into academic institutions, and some other domains is there.&nbsp;
<ins>Fraternity</ins>: It means a feeling of brotherhood (harmony), and unity should prevail among all the citizens. The citizens should overcome communalism, regionalism, radicalism, secessionism to protect and maintain the unity and integrity of the nation of India, as well as dignity of an individual.

Political democracy, thus, works for the establishment of socio-economic democracy.

Breakdown of Preamble of Indian Constitution; Meaning of Democracy

<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1608132196878" alt="Cheetah to be re-introduced in Indian grassland ecosystem." style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

India will be welcoming the fastest animal on land - the Cheetah, a mammal that has gone extinct in the Indian subcontinent long back in 1952 due to extensive hunting. It is believed that the Maharajah of Koriya (Chattisgarh) has killed the last male Cheetah in 1947 when he had gone out to hunting, just one of his recreational activities. The last female Cheetah was spotted in 1951-52 after which the Government of India declared the feline species as extinct.&nbsp;
Now, after almost seven decades, the GOI is planning to bring Cheetah back to Indian landmass. Recently, the Supreme Court gave permission to National Tiger Conservation Authority to introduce Cheetah in India, while also prescribing that it should be done on an “experimental basis” in carefully chosen habitats to determine its adaptability in the Indian conditions.
There are talks with Namibia, a country in South-West Africa, where vast deserts kisses the coldest ocean, and which is also home to a substantial number of African Cheetah.&nbsp;
Earlier in 1970s, India had also held contacts with Iran which is the only country left with Asiatic Cheetah, a sub-species that was familiar to India, but no more in existence. However, the deal did not get through. Today, the count of Asiatic Cheetah has been reduced to between 40 and 50 in Iran, hence the sub-species falls under ‘Critically endangered’ category of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).&nbsp;
Indian Government realised that it would not be possible to bring back Asiatic Cheetah, and therefore decided to go for African Cheetah. This particular sub-species is categorised as ‘vulnerable’ by IUCN, and its total population is around 7000 in the entire African continent.
Following the Supreme Court’s orders, the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun has begun its hunt for the habitat that would be most suitable for Cheetah. Its team of experts has visited a total of 5 locations in India, which are, Shahgarh area of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, Kuno Palpur sanctuary, Nauradehi sanctuary, Gandhi Sagar sanctuary and Madhav National park - all of these in Madhya Pradesh.
The introduction of Cheetah will mean that India will be only country in Asia that is home to all kinds of big cats and that would be something to boast about.
<ins>Why Madhya Pradesh?</ins>
The state located in the central region of India not only is an area with suitable conditions but also has a glorious record when it comes to conservation of big cats. Under the Project Tiger, several National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuary are now safe home to Bengal Tigers in Madhya Pradesh. Also, the environmentalists and wildlife experts have proposed to shift some of the Asiatic lions of Gir, Gujarat to these wildlife homes in Madhya Pradesh, although, the Gujarat Government has always refused to entertain such ideas as it prefers to keep the title of ‘the only home for Asiatic lions in the world’ exclusive to the state of Gujarat.
<ins>Criticism</ins>
This has brought some criticism from wildlife activists and experts who believe that the focus should be on saving Asiatic lions first as their population is under serious threat in any case of epidemic. In fact, last year 24 lions died due to spread of Canine Distemper Virus infection. Moreover, 204 lions, and 331 leopards have died in Gujarat in last 3 years.
According to wildlife activists, the quest to introduce African Cheetah to India is unnecessary as there are several other species like Asiatic lion, the Great Indian Bustard, the Indian Wolf, and the Caracal which demand attention for the matter of their survival.
<ins>Praise</ins>
On the other hand, some experts have hailed this attempt of introducing African Cheetah to India as they believe that it will be great for the country’s grassland ecosystem; a kind of ecosystem that has been craving for some attention.&nbsp;
Additionally, India now has all the financial capabilities and resources to embark on such a wildlife conservation programme. Plus, there are a lot of similarities between African and Asiatic Cheetah, and thus India will prove to be suitable habitat for the foreign big cat.

What are your views on the development? Be sure to leave a comment.

Fastest land animal to grace Indian grasslands again

<a href="/hashtag/BJP">#BJP</a> is working really hard in West <a href="/hashtag/Bengal">#Bengal</a>, can they win?

What do you think about the upcoming #Bengal assembly elections?

Already world is dealing with Covid19.

But China is using this 'opportunity' to engage in creating complications across its borders, whether land with India or sea, in South China Sea.

Now it has fulfilled Bangladesh's long term demand of reduction in tariffs, and that too by 97%! The timing couldnt be perfect.

Where is China headed to?

How realistic is our this thought that we should Boycott Chinese Products in response to the Dragon's aggression across the border?

Wallet vs Bullet

Is there anyone who feels Nirmala Sitharaman is doing a good job and she is not one of the worst FM we have had in our history?

Even eligible ? 

As we all are aware about the "Vande Bharat Mission" Exercise, known as the World's biggest expatriation exercise of the world, taking off today. What ae your opinions on this?
Do you think this is the correct step, correct timing to start something like this as we already know that the COVID19 cases in India are soaring rapidly. This expatriation might bolster the Pandemic and could give catastorphic results. I am sharing some of the main points below.
1. The mission is all about bringing stranded Indians from abroad.
2. 64 flights over 1 week to repatriatestranded Indians.
3. 14,800 Indians from 12 countries to be brought back in phase1.

Is it the correct step and time for THE REPATRIATION EXERCISE of the Indians from U.A.E?? 

would like to know what you feel is the setting root for such crimes?

I am more than active on twitter and it has actually helped me to find out more from different perspectives and do research. In India right now internet is provided at a very cheap rate for everyone , so less than thankfully many labourers have the connection. Now a new trend which has commenced is low grade small movies from few production houses like fliz,gupchup etc where in they have started to show similar adult movies or porn being a welcomed route. It just doesn't need any acting skills and their is nothing in it except of the scenes and they are readily available over the net. Mixed with the languages used in songs and movies along with individual albums these days, that is degrading the humans and more so the females.
Isn't it the time to get in some strict actions in place now as even many such other atrocities like domestc violence and rapes have always played a key role in degrading the life of woman in our nation. ?

Boys locker room

There has been a lot of discussion on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/pmcares?source=note&epa=HASHTAG" target="_blank"><a href="/hashtag/pmcares"><a href="/hashtag/pmcares"><a href="/hashtag/pmcares">#pmcares</a></a></a></a> .Some say it is a replica of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/pmnrf?source=note&epa=HASHTAG" target="_blank"><a href="/hashtag/PMNRF"><a href="/hashtag/PMNRF">#PMNRF</a></a></a> and others are questioning its transparency and use.
Some Facts:
1. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/pmnrf?source=note&epa=HASHTAG" target="_blank">#PMNRF</a> was introduced to bring back people displaced from Pakistan and contribute a small portion towards medical treatment. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/pmcaresfund?source=note&epa=HASHTAG" target="_blank"><a href="/hashtag/pmcaresfund">#pmcaresfund</a></a> is just about <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/covid19?source=note&epa=HASHTAG" target="_blank"><a href="/hashtag/covid19"><a href="/hashtag/covid19">#covid19</a></a></a>.
2. Relief funds set up state government don't fall under CSR Donations - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/companiesact?source=note&epa=HASHTAG" target="_blank"><a href="/hashtag/companiesact">#companiesact</a></a> Act,2013. Ironical when the party which placed it now questions it knowing that it will need an amendment to change it.

3.Contribution of funds to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sdma?source=note&epa=HASHTAG" target="_blank"><a href="/hashtag/SDMA">#SDMA</a></a> will be taken as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/csr?source=note&epa=HASHTAG" target="_blank"><a href="/hashtag/CSR"><a href="/hashtag/CSR">#CSR</a></a></a> Expenditure. Why are some states complaining and politicising it rather than asking the corporates to contribute under it and avail <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/csr?source=note&epa=HASHTAG" target="_blank">#CSR</a> Benefits under prevailing law??
4. States get 41% share of the revenue under 15th Finance Commission so it's time they chip in because the way I see, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/pmcares?source=note&epa=HASHTAG" target="_blank">#pmcares</a> is doing what it is supposed to.
5. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/pmcares?source=note&epa=HASHTAG" target="_blank">#pmcares</a> will be audited by independent auditors. <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pm-cares-to-be-audited-by-independent-auditors/articleshow/75112792.cms?fbclid=IwAR0UARVDu33NvYzBfgDSwwyDeGFBtcuXcIydiFX9vVbbwLTZon8BF5TL_lA" target="_blank">https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pm-cares-to-be-audited-by-independent-auditors/articleshow/75112792.cms</a>

Isn't it high time we forget the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/religion?source=note&epa=HASHTAG" target="_blank"><a href="/hashtag/religion">#religion</a></a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/party?source=note&epa=HASHTAG" target="_blank"><a href="/hashtag/party">#party</a></a> based bias and unite as a nation. Or does it require more <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/covid19?source=note&epa=HASHTAG" target="_blank">#covid19</a> deaths for us to finally stop politicising everything?

When will we unite as a nation by keep religion and politics aside?

India is one of the fastest growing major economies in the world, has the largest young workforce, most densely populated country (and the largest consumer market).&nbsp;

BUT is it sufficient?

As, on the other side:
1. We are still lacking the basic infrastructure to support large scale manufacturing. As we are still largely dependent on our service sector and primary sector, and have over the years grown in these two primarily ,leaving our manufacturing capabilites underdeveloped ?

2. Is our young huge workforce "skilled" also?

3. Do we have simple Economic, Labour &amp; Corporate laws in place to permit easy entry, exit &amp; working of the firms/corporate?

4. Are our Income tax laws favourable for foreign countries for setting up manufacturing facilities in India?

5. Do we have proper transportation network for movement of goods within india and for export outside india? Like: Dedicated freight corridors, Developed Ports, ICDs (Inland Container Depots) etc.

6. Are our export clearances easy &amp; whether our FTP(Foreign Trade Policy) is really making impact for increasing exports?

What do you think about the upcoming #Bengal assembly elections?

Where is China headed to?

Wallet vs Bullet

Even eligible ?

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