The Hindu PDF 15 November 2023 Analysis

The Hindu PDF 15 November 2023 Newspaper is considered an important source of news and information for UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) aspirants in India. This The Hindu Epaper PDF newspaper covers a wide range of topics that are relevant to the UPSC exam, including politics, economics, international relations, governance, and social issues.

The Hindu PDF Analysis 15 November 2023 for UPSC

Wholesale prices remain in deflation zone in Oct.: Page 1

• Wholesale Price Index (WPI) reflects -0.52% inflation in October, continuing deflation for the seventh consecutive month.
• In September, the WPI was -0.26%.
• In October 2022, wholesale price inflation was 8.4%, creating a high base effect for the current month.
• Month-on-month, WPI increased by 0.4% in October.
• Wholesale food index rose by 1.07% compared to last year, with a 1% sequential increase from September.
• Divergent trends in the food basket: Vegetable prices dropped by 21%, while paddy and cereals inflation accelerated to 7.5% and 9.4%.
• Pulses and onion inflation jumped to 19.4% and 62.6%, respectively.
• Fruits inflation picked up to 6.3%, and milk inflation is 7.9%.
• Manufactured products’ prices remained unchanged from September levels.
• Fuel and power prices rose by 0.65% from September but were 2.5% below last year’s levels.
• Crude petroleum and natural gas inflation stood at -2.2% in October.
• Negative inflation in October 2023 attributed to the fall in prices of chemicals, chemical products, electricity, textiles, basic metals, food products, paper, and paper products.
• Projection for November: a turnaround in WPI to a marginal 0.1% inflation, driven by the uptrend in domestic prices of most food items and an unfavorable base.

Bridge to nowhere: Page 6

• India abstained from a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a ceasefire in Israeli strikes on Gaza but later voted in favor of five out of six annual draft resolutions criticizing Israel for increasing settlements in Occupied Territories.
• Official explanation labeled the votes as a “routine” affirmation of India’s traditional policy, leading to confusion about the government’s stand on the crisis.
• In October, India stated it couldn’t vote for a resolution lacking an “explicit condemnation” of October 7 attacks by Hamas, but none of the six resolutions, including the one India abstained from, referenced these attacks.
• Israeli envoy demanded rejection of “anti-Israel” resolutions for not addressing the current situation, while Cuba argued for voting despite the absence of references to Palestinian casualties.
• India, despite holding a traditional stance on supporting the Palestinian cause and a two-state solution, did not explicitly call for a ceasefire or an end to strikes on civilian targets.
• India has not named Hamas for terror attacks or changed domestic law to designate Hamas as a terror group.
• The article calls for India to articulate its position on the conflict, address where it could play a role in alleviating the situation, and participate in global forums to discuss options for ending violence and post-conflict scenarios for Gaza and Palestinians.
• Criticism that India, once known for a forceful and balanced voice on such issues, appears unwilling to exert itself to make a difference in the current crisis.

The Qatar death row and India’s options: Page 7

• Eight former Indian Navy officers in Qatar were sentenced to death on October 26, 2023, raising international concerns.
• Detained in August 2022, they worked for Dahra Global Technologies, serving Qatar’s defense and security agencies.
• Legal proceedings faced delays, with the first trial held in March 2023. Consular access was granted in October.
• Similarities with other cases: Kulbhushan Jadhav sentenced to death in Pakistan, and Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman captured by Pakistan.
• India’s options include legal appeals within Qatar’s system, using the 2015 agreement on the transfer of sentenced prisoners with Qatar, and seeking redress from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
• The Vienna Convention’s Article 36 requires immediate notification of an arrest and the right to consular access.
• Diplomatic efforts can be initiated given India-Qatar economic ties, defense collaboration, and the significant Indian community in Qatar.
• Human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, can potentially advocate for the Indian Navy officers facing the death penalty.
• India’s response should consider the Vienna Convention, international precedents, and the broader context of India-Qatar relations for a strategic and careful resolution.

The economy of a world without work: Page 8

• Elon Musk envisions a future where AI replaces all forms of human labor.
• AI not only substitutes certain jobs but also generates new jobs, like AI programmers.
• Views of John Maynard Keynes and Karl Marx on work and its relation to human life.
• Keynes sees a reduction in working hours as a positive outcome, leading to increased welfare.
• Marx emphasizes that work provides meaning to human life, but capitalism distorts this by separating laborers from the product of their work.
• In a world where AI can replace all labor, capitalism poses challenges.
• Current capitalism ties access to resources like food and shelter to income derived from work.
• A world without work in the current capitalist system could lead to a lack of access to basic resources for those unable to find employment.
• Musk’s vision of a world without work assumes the availability of work for those who desire it for personal reasons.
• Under modern-day capitalism, individuals are compelled to seek work for survival, challenging the feasibility of Musk’s vision.
• Imagining an economy where AI-produced surplus meets basic needs without traditional wage labor.
• Questions arise about determining individual income, dividing the net product, and balancing future growth versus current consumption.
• Speculation on the openness of current society to adopt new institutional arrangements given existing inequality and a powerful billionaire class.
• Acknowledges the speculative nature of a world where AI reigns supreme.
• Emphasizes the need to understand challenges and disruptions that technological innovations, including AI, may bring to the world economy.

Why is the amnesty deal by Spain’s govt. contentious?: Page 8

• PSOE government’s deal with Catalan separatist party for Sanchez’s four-year term.
• Carles Puigdemont, former Catalan president, key to the deal, in exile in Brussels.
• Offers his party’s seven seats in exchange for amnesty for him and others involved in the secessionist agitation.
• Sanchez’s shift: Amnesty seen as a way to defuse the Catalan crisis.
• Critics, including PP and Vox, call it opportunistic, undermining the law.
• Previous pardons in 2021 for nine jailed separatists add to controversy.
• Protests against amnesty; judiciary expresses concerns, linking Puigdemont to violent activities.
• No certainty of decisive outcome in another election.
• Spain’s history of post-electoral stalemate and erosion of the two-party system.
• Previous elections in 2015 and 2016; Rajoy’s government defeated in 2018.
• Current uncertainty despite PP’s lead in seats; no clarity on Spain’s next government after July 2023 elections.
• PSOE government allied with extreme left and Catalan separatists.
• Together party initially opposed Sanchez’s coalition in 2019 but later supported crucial legislation.
• Possibility of another Sanchez government, despite concerns over collaboration with secessionist parties.

Jaishankar hopes FTA talks will find a ‘landing point’: Page 12

• Indian and British systems negotiating Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• FTA discussions initially set for completion by Deepavali 2022.
• Jaishankar hopes for a mutually beneficial “landing point” in FTA talks.
• Efforts to reframe India-U.K. relationship, referencing ‘Agenda 2030’ and ‘Roadmap to 2023.’
• Convergence of interests across multiple domains.
• Growing comfort in collaboration between India and the U.K.
• U.K. credited for support during India’s successful G-20 Summit.
• Collaboration on vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted.
• Presence of key figures: India’s High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and Minister Tariq Ahmad.
• Ongoing cooperation on connectivity, defence, health, trade, and climate action.

Rajnath to attend Defence Ministers’ meet in Jakarta: Page 12

• Rajnath Singh to attend 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Jakarta
• Indonesia hosting the meeting as the chair of ADMM-Plus
• Meeting addresses regional and international security issues
• Comes amid escalated fighting in Myanmar, with refugees entering Mizoram, India
• Rajnath Singh to hold bilateral meetings with Defence Ministers of participating countries
• ADMM is the highest defence consultative mechanism in ASEAN
• ADMM-Plus includes ASEAN member-states and eight dialogue partners
• India became a dialogue partner in 1992; inaugural ADMM-Plus held in 2010
• ADMM-Plus Ministers meeting annually since 2017 to enhance cooperation

Centre to invite bids for 20 critical mineral blocks: Page 14

• Centre to invite bids for 20 critical mineral blocks, including lithium and graphite mines
• Auction notices to be issued in the next two weeks
• Mines Secretary V.L. Kantha Rao confirms readiness for the auction
• National strategy on mining and processing of critical minerals to be framed after the auction
• 3% royalty rates approved for lithium and niobium, 1% for Rare Earth Elements (REEs)
• 10-12 players in the country possess technology for critical minerals production and processing
• Stakeholders to collaborate on a national-level strategy post-auction
• Critical minerals crucial for economic development and national security
• Lithium and REEs gain significance in India’s energy transition and net-zero emissions goal by 2070.

What India can expect from the ‘Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar’ awards: Page II SCIENCE

• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research announces Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) awards for 2022.
• Government plans major revamp of science and medicine awards, discontinues nearly 300 existing awards.
• Introduces ‘Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar’ (RVP) with awards like Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, Vigyan Team, and Vigyan Ratna.
• RVP open to scientists, technologists, and innovators in various sectors, including government, private, and individuals outside organizations.
• Covers 13 scientific domains, ensures gender parity, and eliminates age limit for most awards.
• Recognizes innovation and technology-led contributions, introduces team awards, and includes Persons of Indian Origin abroad.
• Removes cash prizes, awards include certificates and medals.
• Suggestions for improvement include clear criteria for notable contributions, recognition of teaching and mentoring, and addressing age limit challenges for gender parity.
• Emphasizes the need for transparent and inclusive selection processes, diversity in committees, and ongoing evaluation of the impact of the new award system.

Source: The Hindu Epaper

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