25 May 2023

• Health diplomacy: The 76th World Health Assembly focused on pandemic treaty negotiations and valuing health in economic terms.
• Human rights: India's NHRC faced a second consecutive deferral from GANHRI over independence and pluralism concerns.
• Economy: GST monthly collections have consistently exceeded 1.5 lakh crore rupees. E-invoicing is a compliance driver.
• Heritage: Neeraj Chopra became world number one in javelin throw.
• Parliament: The Sengol sceptre, a 5-foot silver and gold symbol, was installed in the new Parliament building.

GS area: Polity (Human rights institutions, Governance)

The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) deferred India's National Human Rights Commission accreditation for the second consecutive time.

• What GANHRI does: Accredits national human rights institutions based on compliance with the Paris Principles (1991).
• Paris Principles: UN-endorsed benchmarks requiring that NHRIs have genuine autonomy, independence from government, broad mandate, adequate powers and pluralistic composition.
• Issues raised with NHRC:
  • Political interference in appointments (no transparent parliamentary process).
  • Insufficient engagement with marginalised communities.
  • Police involvement in investigation of complaints against police.
  • Composition concerns (all senior appointments are former bureaucrats and retired judges with no NGO representation).
• Consequences of deferral: NHRC cannot vote in GANHRI or participate at the UN Human Rights Council as an "A-status" institution.

Static linkage: NHRC, Paris Principles, human rights accountability (Polity).

GS area: International Relations (Health diplomacy)

The 76th World Health Assembly was held in Geneva. Theme: "WHO at 75: Saving Lives, Driving Health for All."

• Pandemic treaty: Negotiations for a new legally-binding pandemic prevention, preparedness and response instrument were underway. Target for adoption: May 2024 (later missed).
• WHO report on health economics: "Health for All: Transforming Economies" launched by the WHO Council on Economics of Health. Argued that health investment should be central to economic planning, not treated as a cost.
• India-WHO relation: India's health initiatives (Ayushman Bharat, Digital Health Mission) were highlighted as models for universal health coverage.

Static linkage: WHO, pandemic governance, global health (International Relations).

GS area: Economy (Tax policy)

GST collections have consistently exceeded 1.5 lakh crore rupees monthly, signalling improved compliance.

• Recovery trajectory: GST revenues recovered faster from COVID-19 than direct taxes.
• Compliance drivers:
  • E-invoicing mandatory for businesses with turnover above 100 crore rupees.
  • Enhanced data analytics for detecting mismatches between input tax credit claimed and actual supply.
  • Reduced transaction costs through GSTN portal improvements.
• Challenges: Refund delays, complexity of multiple rate slabs, frequent amendments and vendor compliance penalties affect smaller businesses disproportionately.

Static linkage: GST, indirect taxation, fiscal policy (Economy).

GS area: Art and Culture (History)

The Sengol, a 5-foot sceptre made of silver plated with gold, was installed near the Speaker's podium in the new Parliament building.

• Origin: Crafted by Vummidi Bangaru Chetty, a Chennai jeweller, for the transfer of power ceremony on 14-15 August 1947.
• Historical significance: The Sengol represents the Chola dynasty tradition of transferring authority through a sacred sceptre. It was presented to Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of Independence by Tamil Shaiva Mutt leaders (Adheenams) to symbolise the transfer of power from the British.
• Etymology: "Sengol" comes from the Tamil word "semmai," meaning righteousness or moral order.
• Storage: After 1947, the Sengol was kept at the Allahabad Museum in Prayagraj for decades.
• Reinstallation: Twenty Adheenams from Tamil Nadu attended the ceremony. The Sengol was sanctified with holy water and traditional nagaswaram music was played.

Static linkage: Colonial history, cultural symbols, Parliament history (Art and Culture/Modern History).

GS area: International Relations (Connectivity)

India delivered 20 broad-gauge locomotives to Bangladesh as part of bilateral cooperation.

• Operational rail links: Three passenger trains connect India and Bangladesh: Maitree Express (Kolkata-Dhaka), Bandhan Express (Kolkata-Khulna) and Mitali Express (New Jalpaiguri-Dhaka Cantonment).
• Significance: Bangladesh is India's largest trade partner in South Asia. Rail connectivity reduces trade costs and travel time.

Static linkage: India-Bangladesh relations, transport connectivity (International Relations).

• UDAN 5.1: A new helicopter-focused version of the Regional Connectivity Scheme. Offers 25 per cent reduced fares and increased Viability Gap Funding caps for operators.
• AIRAWAT Supercomputer: India's supercomputer ranked 75th globally. Part of the National AI Programme. Deployed at C-DAC Pune.
• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (Assam): Has the highest density of one-horned rhinoceros globally. An eco-sensitive zone petition was filed around it. Rhino population in India is concentrated in Assam.
• Georgi Gospodinov: Bulgarian author who won the International Booker Prize 2023 for "Time Shelter." The book explores nostalgia and its political dangers.