CYBERBULLYING
1. Context
On May 6 2024, a single-judge bench of Delhi High Court, said that efforts to protect minors should go beyond teaching them about “good touch” and “bad touch” in the physical world
2. About Cyberbullying
- Cyberbullying is bullying with the use of digital technologies. It can take place on social media, messaging platforms, gaming platforms and mobile phones.
- It can take place on Social media, messaging platforms, gaming platforms and mobile phones.
- It is repeated behaviour aimed at scaring, angering or shaming those who are targeted.
- Spreading lies about or posting embarrassing photos or videos of someone on social media.
- Sending hurtful, abusive or threatening messages, images or videos via messaging platforms.
- Impersonating someone and sending mean messages to others on their behalf or through fake accounts.
- Face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying can often happen alongside each other. But cyberbullying leaves a digital footprint a record that can prove useful and provide evidence to help the abuse.
3. Effects of cyberbullying
- When bullying happens online it can feel as if you are being attacked everywhere, even inside your own home.
- It can seem like there's no escape. The effects can last a long time and affect a person in many ways:
- Mentally: Feeling upset, embarrassed, stupid, even afraid or angry
- Emotionally: feeling ashamed or losing interest in the things you love
- Physically: tired (loss of sleep) or experiencing symptoms like stomach aches and headaches
- The feeling of being laughed at or harassed by others can prevent people from speaking up or trying to deal with the problem.
- In extreme cases, cyberbullying can even lead to people taking their own lives.
- Cyberbullying can affect us in many ways. But these can be overcome and people can regain their confidence and health.
4. Affect on mental health
- When you experience cyberbullying you might start to feel ashamed, nervous, anxious and insecure about what people say or think about you.
- This can lead to withdrawing from friends and family, negative thoughts and self-talk, feeling guilty about things you did or did not do or feeling that you are being judged negatively.
- Feeling lonely, overwhelmed, frequent headaches, nausea or stomachaches are also common.
- You can lose your motivation to do the things that you usually enjoy doing and feel isolated from the people you love and trust.
- This can perpetuate negative feelings and thoughts which can adversely affect mental health and well-being.
- Skipping school is another common effect of cyberbullying and can affect the mental health of young people who turn to substances like alcohol and drugs or violent behaviour to deal with their psychological and physical pain.
- Taking to a friend, family member or school counsellor you trust can be a first step to getting help.
- The effects of cyberbullying on mental health can vary depending on the medium through which it happens.
- For example, bullying via text messaging or through pictures or videos on social media platforms has proven to be very harmful to adolescents.
For Prelims & Mains
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For Prelims: Cyberbullying, Social media, mental health,
For Mains:
1. What is cyberbullying and how cyberbullying is prevalent in India and the world? (250 Words)
2. Cyberbullying, with the advent of social media, has a direct impact on the lives of the young. Discuss (250 Words)
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Source: UNICEF.org
PAKISTAN-OCCUPIED KASHMIR (POK)
1. Context
Protestors in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) are raising their voices against the rising costs of food, fuel, and utilities, and a host of other problems that plague the region..
2. Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK)
- Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) covers an area of 13,297 sq km and came under Pakistani control after the ceasefire line took effect on January 1, 1949.
- The region has a population of over 4 million according to a 2017 census and is divided into 10 districts.
- The capital of PoK is Muzaffarabad, located in the valley of the Jhelum River.
- In 1963, Pakistan ceded around 5,000 sq km of Jammu and Kashmir's land to China in the Shaksgam area, beyond the Karakoram range.
Image Source: Print
3. Gilgit Baltistan
- Gilgit Baltistan (GB) is a picturesque, hilly region located to the north of PoK and east of the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- The British sold it, along with the rest of Jammu and Kashmir, to the Dogra ruler of Jammu, Gulab Singh, in 1846.
- The British retained control over Gilgit Baltistan through a lease extracted from the Maharaja, which was last renewed in 1935.
- In 1947, a British army officer handed over GB for accession to Pakistan, imprisoning Maharaja Hari Singh's governor in the region.
- Gilgit Baltistan covers an area of 72,871 sq km, which is five-and-a-half times the size of PoK.
- The region has a sparse population of just under 2 million people.
- Gilgit Baltistan is divided into three administrative divisions and 10 districts: Gilgit, Hunza, Ghizer, Nagar, Ghanche, Shigar, Kharmang, Skardu, Diamer, and Astore.
4. The strategic importance of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK)
- Geopolitical Significance: PoK serves as a crucial link between Pakistan and China. It shares a border with both countries and is a part of the larger Kashmir region, which is a disputed territory between India and Pakistan. Its location makes it strategically important for regional politics and security.
- Access to Central Asia: PoK provides Pakistan with a direct land route to Central Asia through the Karakoram Highway. This highway is a major trade and transportation route, enabling connectivity and access to markets in the region.
- Water Resources: PoK is home to the headwaters of several rivers, including the Jhelum and Chenab, which are tributaries of the Indus River. The control of these water resources gives Pakistan an advantage in terms of water supply and hydropower generation.
- Military Advantage: PoK's mountainous terrain offers natural defenses and strategic positions, making it valuable for military purposes. It provides a buffer zone between India and Pakistan and allows for military operations and surveillance along the Line of Control (LoC).
- Nuclear Ambitions: Both India and Pakistan possess nuclear capabilities, and PoK's proximity to the Indian-administered Kashmir region adds to its significance in terms of nuclear deterrence and military strategies.
5. Administrative status in Gilgit Baltistan
- PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) and Gilgit Baltistan are ruled directly from Islamabad but are not officially listed as territories of Pakistan.
- Pakistan has four provinces: Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (including FATA), Balochistan, and Sindh.
- PoK and Gilgit Baltistan are considered "autonomous territories" in Pakistan to maintain the narrative that the entire Jammu and Kashmir region is disputed.
- Incorporating these areas into Pakistan's map could harm its international position and recognition.
- According to India's resolution passed by Parliament in 1994, PoK and Gilgit Baltistan are both part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, which is integral to India by virtue of its accession in 1947.
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For Prelims: Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), Gilgit Baltistan, Jhelum River, Karakoram range.
For Mains: 1. Discuss the historical background and current status of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the context of the India-Pakistan conflict over Jammu and Kashmir. (250 Words).
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Previous year Question1. What is the importance of developing the Chabahar Port by India? (UPSC 2017)
A. India's trade with African countries will enormously increase.
B. India's relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.
C. India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
D. Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipe between Iraq and India.
Answer: C
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Source: The Indian Express
RETAIL INFLATION
1. Context
Retail inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, eased marginally to 4.83 per cent in April 2024, down from 4.85 per cent in March, as per data released by the National Statistical Office
2. What is Inflation?
- It is the rise in prices of goods and services within a particular economy wherein consumers' purchasing power decreases, and the value of the cash holdings erodes.
- In India, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) measures inflation.
- Some causes that lead to inflation are demand increases, reduction in supply, demand-supply gap, excess circulation of money, increase in input costs, devaluation of the currency, and rise in wages, among others.
3. Retail Inflation
Consumers often directly buy from retailers. So, the inflation experienced at retail reflects the actual price rise in the country. It also shows the cost of living better. In India, the index that reflects the inflation rate at the retail level is known as Consumer Price Index (CPI). Unlike WPI, CPI includes both goods and services. CPI is used to calculate the Dearness Allowance (DA) for government employees.
4. How Inflation is measured?
- In India, inflation is primarily measured by two main indices- WPI (Wholesale Price Index) and CPI (Consumer Price Index), Which measures Wholesale and retail-level price changes, respectively.
- The CPI calculates the difference in the price of commodities and services such as food, medical care, education, electronics, etc, which Indian consumers buy for use.
- On the other hand, the goods or services sold by businesses to smaller businesses for selling further are captured by the WPI.
- Both WPI (Wholesale Price Index) and CPI (Consumer Price Index) are used to measure inflation in India.
5. What is the Inflation Target?
- Under Section 45ZA, in consultation with the RBI Act, the Central Government determines the inflation target in terms of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), once in five years and notifies it in the Official Gazette.
- Accordingly, on August 5, 2016, the Central Government notified in the Official Gazette 4 percent Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation as the target for the period from August 5, 2016, to March 31, 2021, with the upper tolerance limit of 6 percent and the lower tolerance limit of 2 percent.
- On March 31, 2021, the Central Government retained the inflation target and the tolerance band for the next 5-year period-April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2026.
- Section 45ZB of the RBI Act provides for the constitution of a six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to determine the policy rate required to achieve the inflation target.
6. Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)
- The MPC is a statutory and institutionalized framework under the RBI Act, of 1934, for maintaining price stability, keeping in mind the objective of growth. It was created in 2016.
- It was created to bring transparency and accountability in deciding monetary policy.
- MPC determines the policy interest rate required to achieve the inflation target.
- The committee comprises six members and Governor RBI acts as an ex-officio chairman. Three members are from RBI and three are selected by the government. The inflation target is to be set once every five years. It is set by the Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India.
- The current inflation target is pegged at 4% with -2/+2 tolerance till March 31, 2021.
7. What Caused the drop in Inflation?
- Retail Inflation or price gains based on the Consumer Price Index, slowed to 6.77 % last month, from September's 7.41%, aided by an appreciable deceleration in food price inflation.
- The year-on-year inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index eased by almost 160 basis points in October, to 7.01%, from the preceding month's 8.60%, helped by a 'decline in prices of vegetables, fruits, pulses and oils, and fats', the Government said.
- With the food and beverages sub-index representing almost 46% of the CPI's weight, the slowdown in food price gains understandably steered overall inflation lower even as price gains in three other essential categories, namely clothing, and footwear, housing, and health remained either little changed from September or quickened.
- Inflation at the Wholesale Prices Level also continued to decelerate, with the headline reading easing into single digits for the first time in 19 months. A favorable base effect along with a distinct cooling in international prices of commodities including crude oil and steel amid gathering uncertainty in advanced economies was largely instrumental in tempering wholesale price gains.
8. Recent Measures by the Government
To soften the prices of edible oils and pulses, tariffs on imported items have been rationalized from time to time. The stock limits on edible oils are also maintained, to avoid hoarding.
The Government has taken trade-related measures on wheat and rice to keep domestic supplies steady and curb the rise in prices.
The impact of these measures is expected to be felt more significantly in the coming months.
For Prelims & Mains
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For Prelims: Consumer Price Index (CPI), Wholesale Price Index (WPI), Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), Inflation, and RBI.
For Mains: 1. Government needs to remain watchful while fighting against Inflation.Comment?
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Source: The Hindu
UNEMPLOYMENT IN INDIAN STATES
1.Context
Employment numbers have always been surrounded by many disagreements; perhaps more so in recent times as greater research, rising complexity of work and economy, and poor data made consensus and alignment difficult.
2. What is Unemployment?
Unemployment refers to a situation where individuals who are willing and able to work at prevailing wage rates are unable to find jobs.
In other words, it represents a condition where people are actively seeking employment but are currently without work.
Unemployment can occur due to various reasons, including economic downturns, technological changes, mismatch of skills between job seekers and available jobs, and structural issues within the labour market.
Unemployment is typically measured by the unemployment rate, which is the percentage of the labour force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment
3. An analysis of unemployment
- Goa's unemployment rate stands at nearly 10%, surpassing the national average of 3.17% by more than threefold. It's notable that four of the top five states with high unemployment rates—Goa, Kerala, Haryana, and Punjab—are relatively affluent. In contrast, Maharashtra and Gujarat in western India, both prosperous states, report unemployment rates considerably below the national average.
- Across northern states like Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, unemployment rates exceed the national average. Similarly, most southern states, except Karnataka, also have higher than average unemployment rates.
- Among the 27 states examined, 12 have unemployment rates lower than the national average. Notably, the low rates in significant states such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh contribute to this national average decline.
- However, it's puzzling that except for Maharashtra and Gujarat, states with below-average unemployment rates generally exhibit lower per capita incomes compared to the national average
4.The determinants of unemployment
- The data reveals a downward-sloping trend line, suggesting a negative correlation between the two factors: in states where a significant portion of the workforce is involved in self-employment, the unemployment rate tends to be lower.
- Given that much of self-employment in India is informal, states with a higher prevalence of informal work may find it easier to accommodate job seekers.
- However, it remains uncertain whether this relationship is causal. Does a lack of opportunities in self-employment lead to higher unemployment, or do individuals in states with high unemployment rates simply prefer not to pursue self-employment?
- A considerable portion of informal self-employment stems from agriculture and rural economies.
- Hence, a relevant measure is to analyze the proportion of the workforce engaged in urban sectors.
- A clear positive correlation emerges, indicating that unemployment rates rise in states with higher urbanization levels.
- This elucidates the elevated unemployment levels in highly urbanized states like Goa and Kerala, juxtaposed with lower rates in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh. Urbanized states typically possess smaller agrarian sectors, leading to fewer informal job opportunities compared to rural areas.
- Although informal sectors persist in urban settings, their capacity to absorb job seekers is relatively limited compared to rural agriculture, which often serves as a reserve by absorbing surplus labour
5. Education and employment
- However, there are exceptions to this pattern. Gujarat and Maharashtra, despite being highly urbanized—where the urban workforce comprises 37% in both states, significantly higher than in states like Uttar Pradesh (17%) and Madhya Pradesh (20%)—exhibit lower unemployment rates.
- Following the release of the ILO-IHD report, much discourse has revolved around the correlation between education levels and unemployment.
- A previous article in this publication dated December 26, 2023, titled 'Are graduates facing unemployment?', also delved into the prevalent issue of unemployment among graduates.
- For instance, Kerala boasts a highly educated workforce, with graduates constituting 30% of the labor force, yet it contends with high unemployment.
- Conversely, Gujarat and Maharashtra have a relatively smaller proportion of graduates in their workforce—approximately 14% and 20% respectively—and consequently experience lower unemployment rates despite their affluence and urbanization.
- Numerous factors may account for this phenomenon.
- It's plausible that graduates lack the necessary skills demanded by the burgeoning modern sector, underscoring the need to enhance educational infrastructure and standards.
- However, this doesn't fully elucidate why graduates have historically grappled with unemployment, even during the nascent stages of the modern sector.
- Another potential explanation lies in aspirational factors. Graduates aspire to secure high-paying jobs commensurate with their skills, rather than settling for informal employment.
- If the modern sector fails to expand adequately to absorb new graduates, it could precipitate unemployment.
- Nonetheless, these aren't the sole drivers of unemployment; state policies also wield significant influence. Nevertheless, this analysis underscores the interconnectedness between structural shifts and unemployment.
- As burgeoning economies evolve, there's a diminishing reliance on agriculture, accompanied by heightened urbanization and educational attainment.
- As India progresses, these factors are anticipated to exert upward pressure on the unemployment rate. Thus, it's imperative for policy initiatives to prioritize employment generation to counteract these trends
6. Way Forward
Additionally, states with significant rural populations, such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, may experience higher unemployment rates due to limited job opportunities outside of agriculture and a lack of sufficient infrastructure for industrial development
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For Prelims: Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Employment Rate (ER), Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), and Labour Force.
For Mains: 1. Discuss the significance of the Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) as a critical labor market indicator in the context of economic development and policy formulation. (250 words).
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Previous year Question1. In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments, and lay-offs in factories employing workers? (UPSC 2022)
A. Central Statistics Office
B. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
C. Labour Bureau
D. National Technical Manpower Information System
Answer: C
2. Which of the following brings out the 'Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers'? (UPSC 2015)
A. The Reserve Bank of India
B. The Department of Economic Affairs
C. The Labour Bureau
D. The Department of Personnel and Training
Answer: C
3. International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to (UPSC 2018)
A. Child labour
B. Adaptation of agricultural practices to global climate change
C. Regulation of food prices and food
D. Security
Answer: A
4. Which of the following statements about the employment situation in India according to the periodic Labour Force Survey 2017-18 is/are correct? (UPSC CAPF 2020)
1. Construction sector gave employment to nearly one-tenth of the urban male workforce in India.
2. Nearly one-fourth of urban female workers in India were working in the manufacturing sector.
3. One-fourth of rural female workers in India were engaged in the agriculture sector.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 2 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
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Source: The Hindu
