Content:
- More and better
- The science is clear, crowd disasters are preventable
More and better
Context : Supreme Court’s Ruling & Constitutional Mandate
- The Supreme Court ruled against residence-based reservations in PG medical admissions, emphasizing the constitutional principle of equality before law (Article 14).
- The judgment reinforces that India has a single domicile and that students should have the right to seek admissions anywhere in the country.
Relevance : GS2 (Governance & Social Justice ) ,GS3 (Health)
Practice Question : The Supreme Court ruling against residential-based quotas in PG medical admissions is in line with the constitutional principle of equality but raises concerns over regional healthcare planning.Discussc.(250 Words)
Institutional Preference vs. Residential Quotas
- Institutional Preference: Permitted for students completing UG courses from the same institution, as it ensures continuity in specialized medical training.
- Residential Quotas:
- Allowed in UG medical courses to ensure that local students, familiar with regional health challenges, serve their home state post-graduation.
- Not allowed in PG medical courses, as merit is considered paramount in advanced medical education.
Impact on States & Medical Services
- Current Practice: Many States fill up PG seats in government and private medical colleges with local candidates, ensuring a stable workforce for government hospitals.
- Challenge Posed by the Verdict:
- Affects States’ control over PG admissions and their ability to retain doctors within state-run hospitals.
- Southern states, which have heavily invested in medical colleges, may struggle to sustain their local healthcare services.
Future Implications & Centralization of Admissions
- States may seek a review petition to challenge the ruling.
- The ruling could lead to greater centralization of medical admissions, limiting States’ autonomy in workforce planning.
- Raises concerns over similar centralization in UG medical admissions, which may weaken regional healthcare priorities.
Need for Better Educational Infrastructure Across Districts
- The fundamental solution lies in strengthening medical education infrastructure across India, ensuring:
- Uniform quality of education across districts, reducing disparities in healthcare services.
- Equitable distribution of medical professionals, minimizing the urban-rural gap.
- Less dependence on residential quotas, as merit-based admissions can function effectively with nationwide opportunities.
The science is clear, crowd disasters are preventable
Understanding Crowd Crushes: A Preventable Disaster
- Scientific Basis: Crowd crushes occur when crowd density exceeds safe limits (≥5 persons/sq.m → injuries; ≥7 persons/sq.m → high fatality risk).
- Predictable & Preventable: Modern studies offer clear insights, yet such disasters persist due to negligence from planners and local authorities.
- Recent Incidents: Examples include Maha Kumbh (India, 2024), Itaewon (South Korea, 2022), Houston concert (U.S., 2021), Sanaa charity event (Yemen, 2023), and Nigeria religious festival (2024).
Relevance : GS3 (Disaster Management , Science & Tech )
Practice Question : Crowd crushes are predictable, preventable, and scientifically understood, yet they continue to occur. Examine the role of governance and event management in ensuring public safety during mass gatherings. Suggest measures to prevent such tragedies.(250 Words)
Flawed Narratives: Crowds Are Not “Out of Control”
- Common Misconception: Victims are often blamed for stampedes, but scientific studies refute this.
- Reality: Individuals cannot control crowd movements once densities become critical. Breathing can become impossible in extreme cases.
The Role of Governments & Event Organizers
- Who Can Prevent Crowd Crushes? Only planners, local governments, and event promoters have the power to regulate densities.
- Proven Preventive Measures:
- Multiple entry & exit points to disperse crowd buildup.
- Staggered entry times to prevent sudden surges.
- Clear passageways, removing bottlenecking obstacles.
- Crowd segmentation (e.g., Times Square’s 100-person sections on New Year’s Eve).
- Low Cost, High Impact: These solutions are inexpensive but require enforcement through laws and planning.
Economic Interests vs. Public Safety
- Lack of Regulations: Most nations lack laws mandating safety protocols, leaving event organizers unaccountable.
- Profit Over Safety: Event organizers maximize crowd density to increase revenue from tickets, food, and merchandise.
The Way Forward: Policy & Legal Reforms
- Need for Regulatory Frameworks: Governments must introduce mandatory crowd management laws requiring event planners to implement safety protocols.
- Risk of Inaction: Without intervention, more lives will be lost due to preventable crowd disasters.
