Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 26 December 2024

Content:

1. Nagapattinam’s Journey of Resilience
2. The Lessons from a Spectrum of Areas
3. Key Partnership
4. No Panacea

Nagapattinam’s Journey of resilience

Context : The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami exposed the gaps in India’s disaster management framework, turning Nagapattinam into a case study for resilience-building and disaster preparedness.

Relevance : GS3 (Disaster Management)

Practice Question : What are the disaster management lessons for india from Nagapattinam’s recovery after the 2004 tsunami? (150 Words)

Role of Leadership

• J. Radhakrishnan: An IAS officer known for managing major disasters like the Nagapattinam tsunami, Chennai floods, and COVID-19. His leadership highlights the importance of experience and coordination in disaster response.

The 2004 Tsunami and Nagapattinam’s Impact

• Scale of Destruction: Nagapattinam, with a 187.9 km coastline, was the worst-hit district in Tamil Nadu.

• Lack of Preparedness: No early warning systems for tsunamis; infrastructure was inadequate.

Response and Recovery

• Initial Response:Multi-agency coordination, including local departments, Indian Army, Navy, and police.Focus on quick disposal of bodies and infrastructure restoration.Over 13,000 temporary shelters constructed.

• Holistic Rehabilitation:Construction of multi-hazard-resistant homes (55,000 units).Livelihood restoration and alternative employment for coastal communities.NGOs and community involvement ensured a people-centric approach.

• Institutional Collaboration:NGO-government partnership served as a model for effective disaster management.

Support for Vulnerable Groups

• Children: Education, counselling, and orphan care facilities like Annai Sathya Home.
  • Women: Vocational training for economic independence.
  • Differently-Abled: Medical camps and skill development programs.

Long-Term Resilience Measures

• Infrastructure Strengthening: Disaster-ready schools, healthcare facilities, and coastal defences (e.g., sea walls).
  • Comprehensive Insurance: Risk insurance extended to housing and assets.
  • Legislative Impact: Enactment of the Disaster Management Act, 2005; creation of NDMA.

Advancements in Disaster Management Post-Tsunami

• Establishment of the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) in 2007.
  • Use of GIS, AI-driven risk assessments, and mobile apps for preparedness.
  • Shift from damage assessment to Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA).

Global Comparisons

• Haiti (2010 Earthquake): Prolonged recovery due to weakdisasterframeworks and lack of insurance.
  • Chile: Faster recovery attributed to robust disaster management and insurance systems.
  • Japan: Exemplary focus on preemptive measures like building codes and early warning systems.

Future Directions for India

• Community Empowerment: Education, training, and generational recall for sustained readiness.
  • Risk Reduction in Development: Embedding DRR into urban planning and policy frameworks.
  • Regional Knowledge Sharing: Leveraging local expertise for resilience.

Key Takeaways

• Systemic Reforms: Tragedies like the Nagapattinam tsunami serve as lessons for building disaster-resilient societies.
• Sustainability: Emphasis on embedding resilience into developmental strategies for long-term preparedness.
• Policy Implications: Integration of advanced technologies and stronger legislative frameworks to tackle evolving risks.

The Lessons From a Spectrum of Areas

Context The 2004 tsunami emphasised the interconnectedness of natural ecosystems, economic processes, and social structures, providing lessons for holistic disaster management.

Relevance : GS3 (Disaster Management)

Practice Question : The 2004 tsunami revealed critical gaps in ecological, social, and economic resilience. Discuss six lessons from the disaster that can shape future disaster management strategies. (250 Words)

Ecological Lessons

• Mangroves act as natural buffers, protecting coastal areas from waves.
  • Destruction of mangroves for shrimp farming, tourism, and fuel increased vulnerability.
  • Artificial barriers (brick/mortar walls) often exacerbate damage by disrupting natural wave dissipation.

Public vs. Private Domain

• Privatization of coastlines, as seen in Thailand, displaced local communities and disrupted traditional livelihoods.
  • Economic vulnerability increased due to shifts toward informal sectors like tourism and the sex industry.
  • Ensuring beaches remain public resources is crucial for equitable access and community resilience.

Economic Disruptions

• Post-tsunami, local markets were disrupted, replacing traditional livelihoods with casual, low-paying jobs.
  • Mechanization in fishing displaced artisanal practices, causing environmental degradation (e.g., overfishing, beach erosion).
  • The absence of studies on the long-term economic impacts highlights the need for better data collection and analysis.

Inequalities in Relief

• Relief efforts often reinforced existing social inequalities, favoring asset-owning groups over marginalized communities.
  • Vulnerable populations, including Dalits, minorities, immigrants, and women, faced systemic neglect.
  • Asset-based damage assessments primarily benefited the wealthy, sidelining informal laborers and women.

Gender-Specific Challenges

• Women in fishing communities, often involved in ancillaryactivities, were overlooked during relief distribution.
  • Property ownership biases and lack of official documentation excluded widows and single women from aid programs.
  • Relief measures must be gender–sensitive and inclusive, ensuring equitable access to resources.

Community Engagement

• Local fishing communities rely on democratic practices like debate-based decision-making (e.g., kuppams).
  • External agencies imposing their systems undermined local capacities and fostered dependence.
  • Long-term engagement with local institutions can address gender and social inequalities effectively.

India-Kuwait Key Partnership

Context : India-Kuwait ties are crucial for energy security, expatriate welfare, and regional stability amidst escalating tensions in West Asia.

Relevance : GS2 (International Relations) , GS3 (Energy Security)

Practice Question : Discuss the significance of India’s partnership with Kuwait in the context of historical ties, energy security, and regional stability in West Asia. (250 Words)

Historical and Economic Links

• India and Kuwait share deep historicalties, dating back to traderoutes established by the British East India Company.
  • Until 1961, the Indian Rupee was legal tender in Kuwait.
  • Presently, bilateral trade exceeds $10 billion, with Kuwait being:
    • India’s 6th largest crude oil supplier.
    • 4th largest LPG supplier, meeting 3% of India’s energy needs.

People-to-People Connection

• HalfamillionIndians live in Kuwait, forming the largest expatriate community.
  • These ties are built on decades of cultural and economic exchange.

Strategic and Defence Cooperation

• Despite robust traderelations, strategic and defence cooperation has lagged.
  • India’s historical ties with Saddam Hussein’s Iraq had caused some misgivings in the past.
  • Prime Minister Modi’s visit addressed this gap by signing an MoU to institutionalise defence cooperation.

Recognition and Partnerships

• During the visit, Kuwait conferred its highesthonor, the Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer, on PM Modi.
  • The visit marked the announcement of a Kuwait partnership, aligning with India’s strategic focus on the Gulf.

Regional Context

• West Asia faces heightenedinstability due to conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria.
  • These conflicts threaten India’s interests in energy security, connectivity initiatives like I2U2 and IMEC, and the welfare of Indian workers.

Global Diplomatic Shifts

• The U.S. is expected to focusinward, and Europe remains preoccupied with the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
  • This creates a vacuum in global leadership, presenting India with an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties in West Asia.

India’s Diplomatic Approach

• Frequent high–level visits by Indian leaders, despite domestic criticism, underscore New Delhi’s commitment to securing its strategic, economic, and energy interests in the Gulf.

No Panacea

Context The growing trend of direct cash transfer schemes by Indian states underscores their popularity but raises questions about their long-term efficacy in addressing systemic economic and social challenges.

Relevance : GS2 (Governance), GS3 (Economic Development)

Practice Question : Examine the role of direct cash transfer schemes in empowering women. How do these schemes compare to the need for comprehensive welfare measures in addressing economic and social challenges? (250 Words )

Rise of Direct Cash Transfer Schemes

• Increasing adoption of cash transfer schemes by politicalparties to secure electoral support:
  • Examples:
    • Maharashtra & Madhya Pradesh: ‘Ladki Bahin’ and ‘Ladli Behna’ schemes.
    • Tamil Nadu: ‘Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai’.
    • Delhi: Proposed ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana’ by AAP.

• These schemes primarily target women, acknowledging their unpaid domestic contributions.

Positive Impacts of Cash Transfers

• Financial Independence: Cash transfers allow women to spend or save independently in a patriarchal society.
  • Dignity: Recognizes women’s contributions, both domestic and informal.
  • Accessibility: Direct benefits are tangible and immediate, fostering popularity among beneficiaries.

Limitations of Cash Transfer Schemes

• Temporary Relief: Acts as a financial balm rather than addressing systemic issues.
  • Inflationary Pressures: Cash amounts often insufficient to offset rising costs of living.
  • Lack of Long-Term Impact: Does not address underlying issues like unemployment, regional inequalities, and economic stagnation.

State-Specific Challenges

• Maharashtra:Economic stagnation in recent decades despite being industrialized.Rising regional and economic inequalities.

• Madhya Pradesh:
  • Limited economic diversification.
  • Persistent poverty and lack of diverse employment opportunities.

• Delhi (AAP): Shift from its earlier focus on healthcare and education to populist schemes signals a potential lack of new ideas.

The Broader Issue

• Direct cash transfers cannot substitute for comprehensive welfare strategies:
  • Employment generation.
  • Economic diversification.
  • Investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

• Populist schemes may win short–term electoral support but fail to address systemic economic challenges.