 Welcome to the Hindu News Analysis by Shankar Iyer's Academy. The list of topics chosen for today's discussion along with the page numbers is given here for your reference. Here is the first news article. This op-ed is about the platform workers and the need for their welfare. So in this context, we will try to discuss what is platform work and how it is different from gig work and why it is very essential to look after the welfare of platform workers. Before going further, the relevant syllabus is given here for your reference. See, recently the Code on Social Security 2020 had received the assent of president. The main objective of this code is to amend and consolidate the laws relating to social security and to extend the benefits of social security to all employees and workers either in the organized or unorganized sectors. So this code subsumes certain acts like employees compensation act, employees state insurance act, maternity benefit act, payment of gratitude act and unorganized workers social security act of 2008. So in this context, author feels that this code is the first Indian law to define platform work and as per the code, the platform work is defined as a work arrangement outside of a traditional employer-employee relationship in which organizations or individuals use an online platform to access other organizations or individuals. For example, we have Swiggy, Uber wherein the employer that is Uber and employee is the car driver relationship is maintained through an online platform. See, this is done to solve specific problems or to provide specific services or any such other activities notified by the central government in exchange for payment. To make it simple, understand that platform workers are individuals who use an app like as we said before Swiggy, Uber, Ola, Dunzo to match themselves with customers so that in order to provide a service in return for money. So though the code has defined what is platform work, author feels that the code failed to delineate the platform work from gig work and unorganized work. So what is this gig work and what is unorganized work? See, unorganized sector is generally not governed by rules and regulations as we all know. So they are essentially those who do not have the benefit of pension, provident fund, maternity leave and mostly work on daily or hourly wages. For example, a domestic helper, housemates we often see, they come under unorganized sector. As they are unorganized, they don't get any pension, PEF, gratuity, etc. And coming to gig workers, the code defines them as persons who perform work or participate in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of traditional employer or employee relationship. So gig work is a very broad based term where in all the employment outside of traditional employer-employee relationship are considered as gig workers or gig economy. Various platform workers are mostly concerned with an online platform for employment. See this gig economy is a free market system in which temporary positions are common and organizations hire independent workers for short term commitments. For example, freelance work, we do often see software workers working on a freelance basis. They don't have proper time commitments. So it's more like, I will finish the work and you pay me. So this can benefit workers, businesses and consumers by making work more adaptable to the needs of moment. For example, if there are too much of work in a particular season, the companies can hire independent workers without obligation of providing them full-term employment. At the same time, gig economy can also have shortcomings like erosion of traditional economic relationships between workers, businesses, clients and also the gig workers won't have any social security benefits. And coming back to today's news article, globally there are demands not to classify platform workers as independent contractors. And here author takes the examples of Ontario, of Canada, California, where in labor laws were amended to grant employee status to platform workers. Even international agencies like European trade union propagates the same view. So instead of treating the platform workers as independent contractors, they should be given employee status so that they will become eligible for social security benefits. And as we know, in platform work, terms of work are defined by algorithms. For example, in Ola Uber, there will be surge pricing during peak hours. So this affects pricing per unit of work, allocation of work and hours. Apart from this, entry into on-demand platform work like ride sharing and food delivery are dependent on existing access to vehicular assets. That means if you want to enroll into Uber, you should have a car. Similarly to enroll into Swiggy or Zomato, you should own a two wheeler. So in this context, author says that an average Indian worker has limited access to such captor to buy cars or bikes. So workers rely on loan schemes to buy cars or bikes, which are often provided by platform aggregator companies like Swiggy, Ola. So they tie up with banks to provide loans to workers to buy cars or bikes. So this makes platform workers financially dependent on platform companies. So for this reason, the welfare of platform workers is most essential. And all of us have witnessed the responsible and critical role played by platform workers during COVID-19 pandemic. And during this period, they have delivered essential services at great personal risk to themselves. We have seen even during strict lockdown times, Swiggy, Zomato worked to deliver essential goods to consumers. So to conclude, we can say that the welfare of platform workers shall be the joint responsibility of the government and the platform aggregators. So the court shall define their role and quantum of welfare each stakeholder, that is government and platform aggregators has to provide. So this is all about the discussion of this news article, wherein we have talked about the platform workers, gig workers, and why the welfare of platform workers is the most essential. Let us move on to next news article discussion. These two news articles are with reference to India-US ties. And this lead column from today's editorial page is authored by former NSA. The lead column is more in the context of what India should do or what India should have focused more in relation to the signing of Baker. As you all know, Baker stands for basic exchange and cooperation agreement for geospatial cooperation. Yesterday we have discussed broadly about the four foundational agreements that US signs with friendly nations. And we also saw the strategic importance of such agreements and concerns associated in a more general way. And the second news article highlights the various ups and downs in India-US bilateral relations during the regime of Mr. Donald Trump. While Comcast and Baker were signed, while India got a temporary waiver from US for purchase of oil from Iran, there were even some let downs. One is not renewing the oil purchase waiver from Iran. So India had to cut the oil imports from Iran. And then clubbing India and China in some aspects of trade, then terminating India as a beneficiary of GSP. GSP stands for generalized system of preferences through which America provides duty-free treatment to goods to designated countries. So in today's news analysis, we will mainly focus on the lead column authored by former NSC. The relevant syllabus is given here for your reference. Firstly, we all know that the signing of Baker has marked India's entry as a full member into the select nations, entitled to receive highly classified US defense and intelligence information. And with the signing of Baker, India is now a signatory to all the four foundational military agreements of US. And because of this, Baker, India is in a position to specifically receive sensitive geospatial intelligence. So this might be very helpful in getting information on movements of troops or groups in Indian neighbors who may be moving close to Indian borders. Yes, this is highly relevant in the context of border tensions with China. And as we said yesterday, while access to this kind of very important information is advantageous for India, the former NSC cautions that this information comes with a considerable price tag. This is because on signing of Baker, India is seen as a wider anti-China coalition. Even questions are arised with respect to neutrality, strategic autonomy, and about maintaining equal distance from power blocs. Since independence, India maintained that it will not join any power bloc, either US or USSR. And now with too much of close relations with US, many are questioning the non-aligned policy of India. And other feels that signing of Baker is considered as a strategic shift in Indian foreign policy. This is why the title of article is the shifting trajectory of India's foreign policy. While the new foreign policy is argued as essentially a practical or pragmatic one, because of current state of global disorder, there are many concerns. Why India had to move closer to US is because of threat posed by China. And coming to concerns, India aligning itself with the US on many issues is concerning China. For example, the reinforcement of Quad and inviting Australia to Malabar naval exercises reflect the anti-China stand taken by India in Indo-Pacific along with US, Japan, and Australia. So author is of opinion that the signing of Baker will make India-China relations even worse as India is now considered as a nation in the sphere of influence of USA, like Japan or South Korea. So what could be the problem because of aligning with US on such major areas? Firstly, by aligning with US, India's approach is seen as opposing China. And China may use this stand of India to irritate US. So as a result, India may become a scapegoat in the tussle between US and China. So we should note that while China is our neighbor, US is not. So if you are moving very close to US and we are making relations with China even worse, India has to face a lot of border tensions. Not just that. The ambitions or approaches of America and India are stark different. See, US wants to contain Chinese ambitions and trying to protect its global superpower studies, while what India wants is primarily peace and growth for all. So the aims or ambitions of India and US are very different. So India aligning with US will have complications in this regard. And after this, others speak about areas where India must focus to gain better dividends in terms of foreign policy. Firstly, India should offset its loss of influence in its immediate neighborhood, that is in South Asian countries and with its extended neighborhood, that is West Asia. In South Asia, the ties with Nepal and Sri Lanka need to be revisited. And coming to extended neighborhood, India should try and restore ties with Iran, where relationship has definitely taken a downward turn in recent years. And we should also note that the NRC Exercise and Citizenship Amendment Act has also irked the relationships of Bangladesh and India. And then India must decide on how best to try and play a role in Afghanistan without getting sucked into Afghan complications. Then India needs to work out to ensure that its membership at Shanghai Cooperation Organization is beneficial and fruitful. This is because at Sivo, US has no role. Russia and China are the big players. So our close relationship with US should not affect our benefits from Sivo. And Sivo also contains the Central Asian Republics. So a proper relation with Sivo will be more beneficial for India. And then India should have well connected and proper outlook when it comes to non-alignment movement. While India states that it maintains a strategic autonomy, it is criticized as having a detached outlook for non-alignment movement. This is mainly because in recent years, the amount of importance given by India to the NAM summits is too low. And India should strengthen its ties in terms of regional relationship with Africa, Latin America, and even with South East Asia. So author has covered almost all regions of the world. So he is trying to convey that India, which is aspiring to be a global superpower, should have at least a little bit of influence in every region of the world. And finally, India must make sure that whatever happens, Russia is on our side. With China as our main concern, we need to forge a consensus among US and Russia to contain expansionist China. This is because China becoming a very big superpower is not in the good interest of any other country. So both Russia and US should favor India in condemning the expansionist China. So with this, we come to the end of analysis of these two news articles. Let us move on to next news article discussion. This data point presents data related to comparative analysis of affordability of health care in India. The information presents India standing in health care spending at the global level and also compares the scenario within the nation among the different states. First, the article states that India spends around 3.5% of its GDP on health care. This is similar to what most SARC and ASEAN nations spend on health care. But this is moderately lower than what BRICS countries spend and significantly lower than spending in advanced countries. Which means in advanced countries, the spending on health care is very high compared to India. The most worrying fact here is, out of this 3.5%, around 2.2% is financed by households from their own pockets, which is called out-of-pocket expenditure. If you see here, red shows out-of-pocket payment. See the countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Germany, US, France and South Africa. Out of their overall health expenditure, the out-of-pocket payment is minimal. But if you come to India, out-of-pocket payment is as high as 63%. Now let us come to out-of-pocket expenditure among the states of the country. Here, states on the top right quadrant in this image, these are the states that spend less on health care. The states in the bottom left spend relatively more on health care and government spends relatively higher share. But in Bihar, people are pushed to make more than 75% of the expenditure themselves. Other least performing states are UP, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, etc. And now, let us see the status among the states in terms of their reliance on private hospitals compared to public or government hospitals. If you see here, states on the bottom left quadrant rely less on private and hospitalization charges are relatively more affordable. And these are states such as Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa. But if you see, states such as UP, Bihar and Punjab are relying more on private hospitals and hospitalization costs are higher than average. So this is the status of health care affordability in our country. And with respect to different states, we have seen which states are performing better and in which states reliance on government hospitals is more. This comparison will be helpful to adopt best practices from best performing countries and within India from best performing states. So this is all about the discussion of this data point. Let us move on to next news article discussion. This news article talks about an order by the Union Home Ministry to all states and UTs to examine and register FIOS based on the complaints received on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. The news is that only 2.5% of total complaints registered on the Cybercrime Reporting Portal are converted into FIRs. So because of this reason, Home Ministry has asked all the states and UTs to register FIOS based on the complaints received on Cybercrime Reporting Portal. Also, according to data compiled by National Crime Records Bureau, the number of registered cybercrimes increased by 63% in the year 2019 compared to the previous year, that is 2018. So in this context, let us have a brief understanding on various government bodies which coordinate cyber security like National Crime Records Bureau, Indian Cybercrime Coordination Center, National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, etc. The relevant syllabus is given here for your reference. First, let us see about National Crime Records Bureau. See, this NCRB was set up in 1986 under Ministry of Home Affairs. And coming to its aim, it functions as a repository of information on crime and criminals to assist investigators in linking crime to the perpetrators. The NCRB was created based on the recommendations of Tandon Committee, National Police Commission, and MHA's Task Force, etc. And know that this body is headquartered in New Delhi. And the objectives of NCRB are given here for your reference. Have a brief look over it. And as of now, the NCRB functions through Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System, that is CCDNS, Central Fingerpin Bureau, Statistical Branch, Training Branch, Data Center, and Technical Branch. Also know that NCRB brings out the annual comprehensive statistics of crime across the country. The report is named Crime in India. And this report is being published since 1953. And this report serves as a crucial tool in understanding the law and order situation across the country. So it contains all the details of crime in the country. Next, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center, shortly I4C. It is a government's initiative to deal with cyber crime in a coordinated and effective manner in the country. It is affiliated to Ministry of Home Affairs. And as you can see here, this I4C has seven components. Like National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit, National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, National Cyber Crime Training Center, Cyber Crime Ecosystem Management Unit, National Cyber Crime Research and Innovation Center, National Cyber Crime Forensic Laboratory Ecosystem, and Platform for Joint Cyber Crime Investigation Team. So we can understand that I4C is a comprehensive cyber crime coordination and investigation agency. It also coordinates all activities related to implementation of mutual legal assistance treaties with other countries related to cyber crimes in consultation with the concerned nodal authority in Ministry of Home Affairs. So what is mutual legal assistance treaty? It's an agreement between two or more countries for the purpose of gathering and exchanging information in an effort to enforce public or criminal laws. So suppose if a criminal from some other country is doing some criminal activities here, so India and that country can share the information of this criminal to prove him guilty. And now let us talk about National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, which is a component of I4C. See, it is a citizen-centric initiative which enables citizens to report cyber crimes online through the portal. All the cyber crime related complaints will be accessed by the concerned law enforcement agencies in the states or UTs for taking action. This portal was launched on pilot basis last year, and it enables filing of all cyber crimes with specific focus on crimes against women, children, particularly child pornography, child sex abuse material, etc. And through this portal, Ministry aims to raise a group of cyber crime volunteers to flag unlawful content on the internet. And now let us see some other initiatives of government to tackle cyber crime in India. We often hear about this one, CERTIN, which stands for Computer Emergency Response Team. See, it is a national nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents as and when they occur. Very importantly, this is an office under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, not under Ministry of Home Affairs. And know that this body has helped in lowering the rate of cyber attacks on government networks and it also provides alerts and advisories regarding the latest cyber vulnerabilities and countermeasures to tackle them. And coming to Cyber Sarakshit Bharath, launched by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, it aims at strengthening the cyber security ecosystem in India in line with government's vision for a digital India. And know that this program was in association with National E-Governance Division and as well as industry partners. And main purpose of this program is to spread awareness, build capacity, as well as to enable government departments on steps that need to be taken to create a cyber-resilient IT setup. And let us end this news article discussion with National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Center. See, this National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Center is an organization created under IT Act of 2000. It was formed to protect critical information of our country, which has enormous impact on national security, economic growth or public healthcare. So this organization readily conducts cyber security exercises to keep a check of cyber security posture and preparedness of government and the critical sectors and the functions and duties of this body are given here for your reference. Have a brief look over it. So this is all about the discussion of this news article wherein we have talked about different cyber security initiatives in exam perspective. Let us move on to next news article discussion. And these two news articles talk about Kasi Ranga National Park and Fauna located there. So in this context, let us discuss some important national parks located in the northeast India. See, this time in 2020 film's exam, there are as many as three to four questions on national parks. We had a question on Desert National Park of Rajasthan and protected areas located in Kaveri Basin. And then we had a question on Swamdeer that is Bara Singha and we also had a question on Elephant. So because of this reason, today's discussion assumes a lot of significance. See, the Kasi Ranga National Park is located in Assam that is the northeast part of India. It is the world's park in Assam along the river Brahmaputra on the north and the Karbi-Anglong Hills on the south. It is also a world heritage site and a natural category since 1985. And very importantly, 70% of one-horned rhinoceros of the world are located in this national park. Other important fauna include elephants, tigers, panthers, Swamdeer, etc. Next is Manas National Park which is located in Himalayan foothill area of western Assam. See, Manas became a tiger reserve in 1974 and world heritage site under natural category in 1985 and also biosphere reserve in 1989. And in 1990, this Manas is designated as a national park. And very importantly, it is also the core area of Chirangrippu Elephant Reserve. Here one can see rhinos, elephants, tigers, pygmy hawks, Indian civets, leopards, etc. And third one is Dibru Saikova National Park which is both a national park as well as a biosphere reserve situated in the southern bank of River Brahmaputra in the extreme east of Assam. And know that Dibru Saikova is a safe haven for many extremely rare and endangered species of wildlife. We can see tigers, elephants, gigantic dolphins, jungle cats, etc. Here. And next is Namdafa National Park which is the largest protected area in the eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. And this national park is located in Arnachal Pradesh. And know that there was a question on Padkui National Park in last year prelims which is also located in Arnachal Pradesh. See, Namdafa National Park is located along the international border between India and Myanmar and is recognized as one of the most richest areas in biodiversity of the country. This park has northernmost lowland evergreen rainforest in the world at 27 degrees north latitude. It is the only park in the world to have four feline species of big cat like tiger, leopard, snow leopard, cloud leopard and a many number of lesser cats. And finally, let us see about the very important Kanchenjunga National Park which is located at the heart of Himalayan range in Sikip. Know that this park comprises a very unique diversity of lowlands, steep-setted valleys, glaciers and spectacular snow-clad mountain. Very importantly, this park includes world's third highest peak Mount Kanchenjunga and 26 kilometer Long Jemu glacier. And this Kanchenjunga is recognized as the world heritage site under mixed category since 2016. Flagship species of this national park includes snow leopard which is the largest Himalayan predator, Tibetan wolf, large Indian civet, red panda, musk deer, etc. And know that this red panda is the state animal of Sikim. It is found in the forest of India, Nepal, Bhutan and up to some extent northern mountains of Myanmar and southern China. And in India it is present in Sikim, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling and parts of Megalaya. And also know that India has the second largest population of red panda after China. So this is all about the discussion of this news article wherein we have talked about different national parks in exam perspective. Whenever you see a national park find out varieties and also know are there any rivers flowing across through this national park and very importantly what are the flagship species or the important species located in that national park and also the protection status of such important species. Let us move on to practice questions discussion session. Consider the following statements with reference to National Crime Records Bureau. Three statements are given here. Statement 1 It aims to function as a repository of information on crime and criminals. Yes, statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 It functions as the national storehouse of fingerprint records of convicted persons including fingerprint records of foreign criminals. Yes, this is also correct. Statement 3 It was created based on the recommendations of Tandoan committee. Yes, this is also correct. So the correct answer is option D 1, 2 and 3. Next Consider the following statements with reference to Indian cyber crime coordination center shortly I4C. Three statements are given here. Statement 1 It is a government of India scheme to deal with cyber crime in India in a coordinated and effective manner. Yes, this is correct. So you can eliminate option C. Statement 2 It coordinates all activities related to implementation of mutual legal assistant treaties with other countries related to cyber crimes. Yes, this is also correct. So we can eliminate option B as well because it does not contain statement 2. Statement 3 It is affiliated to Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. This statement is incorrect because I4C is affiliated to Ministry of Home Affairs and not to Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. So 3 should not be there. Therefore, correct answer is option A 1 and 2 only. Next Consider the following acts Employees' Compensation Act 1923 Maternity Benefit Act 1961 Unorganized Workers' Social Security Act 2008 Employee's State Insurance Act of 1948 Which of the above enactments were repealed by Code on Social Security of 2020? Here the correct answer is option D because all the four acts given above were repealed by the Code on Social Security of 2020. And here we have given other enactments repealed under this code. Next This National Park is the largest protected area in the eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot. It harbors the northern most lowland evergreen rainforests in the world at 27 degrees north latitude. It is also the only park in the world to have the four fill-in species of big cat. We are referring to so in the options four national parks are given and the correct answer is option D Namdafa National Park. It is located along the international border between India and Myanmar and also know that it is the only park in the world to have the four fill-in species of big cat which are tiger, leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard. Next Consider the following statements with reference to healthcare spending. Statement one Out of India spending for healthcare majority portion is financed by government. This statement is incorrect because 63% is financed by households from their own pockets. Statement two In some of the states in India more than 70% of healthcare spending is done through patients out of pocket expenditure. Yes, this statement is correct. The scenario is true for states like UP, Bihar and Punjab. So the correct answer is option B two only. Next, let us take up this Mins question. India will be the most consequential partner for the US in the Indo-Pacific this century. In the light of the above statement made by US defense secretary discuss how India can substantiate its claim that it maintains strategic autonomy in its foreign policy. This is a 15 marks question on the world limit is 250. This question is mostly similar to what we gave yesterday because what we have discussed yesterday and today are nearly same and today's discussion is mostly of value addition. And there was a previous air question that is in last year means what introduces friction into the ties between India and the US is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy which would satisfy India's national self-esteem and ambitions. Explained with suitable examples. With this we conclude today's news analysis. If you find this session resourceful click on the like button show your appreciation in the comment section and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.