GS1 Weekly

[23rd 28th Feb 2015]

[The Undercover group]
(Insightsonindia.com)

Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the
Indian subcontinent)
Q) In the light of recent developments in coal sector and its importance to the Indian
economy, examine why coal is called as black gold in India. (200 Words)
Business Standard
Ans- Coal is more than a fossil fuel, it generates electricity in easiest and traditional way.
Thermal power plant constitute 59% of Indias power production, Also many PSUs, states
economy, employments in mines, easy setup of Thermal Power Plant makes Coal a viable
and important fuel.
Recently Supreme court has revoked license of many mining companies which secured
mining rights in last decades, stating it as illegal and unfair process of auctioning. It led to
great lossess to Indian economy, especially to rural population which were made to loose
their habitat for no rehabilitation and made them labourer in their mine land. But, in recent
time, with dream of Indian economy to grow fast, cheap and easy power is utmost
important. Government took radical measure to exploit its domestic coal reserves and not
rely on imports. It will boost economy in both way by reducing imports and generating
economy, employment domestically.
Coal is correctly called Black Gold because:
(1.) Coal gives us power, employment, livelihood in mineral rich states which are
underdeveloped, revenue to Indian economy, CNG for cleaner fuel.
(2.) If Coal mining is done in efficient way, India can earn by exporting them, as India has
high quality coal like Anthracite while also rich in Lignite which is younger coal used in
power plant because of its abundant presence.
(3.) Coal is used as raw material for Iron & Steel indusries, Coke making, naptha plant and
other metallurgical plants. Easy to transport with need of only rail and roadways make it
important for production boom of a nation.
Hence Coal is considered as Black gold. With recent developments like revoking of old
licenses to check corruption, e-auctioning of coal blocks will lead to cheaper electricty which
will again boost industrial production.
Critical points wrt coal sector
1) India has 295 billion tonnes coal reserves (3rd largest in world), with 60 billion tonne
proven reserves. Still we are mining just about 0.6 billion tonnes and has to import abt 200
million tonnes (2017).
Compare the situation with china; 3.6 billion tonnes annual coal production , 12 lakh mega
watt installed capacity.
How to improve the situation ::
a) Allow private mining -- what govt. is doing right now

b) Adopt Foreign technology- surface miners (opencast mines), Continuous miners, man
riding system, robotics (underground mines) etc.
c) strengthen Coal India:: We should ask the following question:
1) why coal India was nationalised in 1973-- reasons are poor safety records of pvt coal
mining, very low productivity of private players(compare 70 million tonnes in 1972 vs 500+
million tonnes today) . So certainly things have improved. Further coal India is biggest PSU
(even more valuable than ONGC), so they are paying heavy dividends to govt. exchequer.

Topic: The Freedom Struggle its various stages and important contributors /contributions
from different parts of the country.
Q) Critically analyse the nature of relationship Gandhiji had with Britain and the British
during the national movement. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Ans- Gandhijis influence in contemporary world is not limited to India but is spread across
world. Especially in South Africa and Britain. Gandhi with his famous ideologies of Satyagrah,
Ahinsa and Love not only made British Govt to leave without war and bloodshed but also
helped to make future relation pleasant and cordial. It also made a series of freedom of
nation among colonies in Asia and African nations.
Gandhis relationship with Britain and British were of strong criticism, evaluative on Human
Rights and economic ground but yet cooperative at times. Like during World Wars and Boer
wars Gandhiji supported Britishers because he doesnt want to get independence on the
misery of British Govt. This made Gandhis image more refined among British
parliamentarians and helped the Conservative and Labour party realise the gravity of
freedom struggle in India. Also, Gandhis decision of suggesting to make Govt of India Act
1935 in sync of British Constitution led the Britishers in dilemma that, Gandhi is not against
them but against the their ill-treating of Indians and subjugating Indians as second class
nations.
During freedom struggle, Gandhi always demanded rights on humanitarian ground and
compared it with, what British citizen was granted. Hence, Britishers intellectual of that time
also knew the rightful demand of Gandhi and this feeling was spread among the Labour
Party members which granted India freedom during their tenure of power under Clement
Atlee.
In recent time also, from time to time, Gandhis ideologies are remembered in UN General
Assembly and David Camerons decision to install Gandhis statue in Parliament campus
shows the gratitude toward enlightened soul and his messages.

Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the
present- significant events, personalities, issues
Q) Some columnists have argued that Sant Gadge Baba (1876-1956), a saint from
Maharashtra, should be made icon for clean India mission. Examine why. (200 Words)
The Indian Express
Ans- Sant Gadge Baba was a social reformer from Maharashtra. As a wanderer he used to
visit villages and start cleaning with a broom, after which he would sang bhajans and make
people realise the importance of cleanliness.
The ambitious project 'Swach Bharat Abhiyaan' is aimed at improving the cleanliness at
country level. A lot of Gadge Baba's prinicples can be followed while implementing this
project who was a great admirer of Mahatma Gandhi. The Maharashtra government has
also started cleanliness programme named after him as the 'Sant Gadge Baba Gram
Swatchata Abhiyaan' which is aimed at cleanliness of villages. Inspite of being a fakir he
realised the importance of cleanliness very early and worked in this direction whole
heartedly. Baba used to tell people the importance of cleanliness through his simple bhajans
and at the same time speak on social problems. He also worked for the patients of leprosy.
Hence it is necessary to include the Sant Gadge Baba as the icon for 'Swach Bharat
Abhiyaan' who dedicated his whole life to educate masses regarding the importance of
cleanliness. His work should be taken ahead along with Swach Bharat Abhiyaan.
Topic: factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector
industries in various parts of the world (including India)
Q) Write a note on the various factors that determine the location of tertiary and
quaternary industries. (200 Words)
Reference
BBC
Ans- Tertiary and Quaternary sectors play a major role in contribution to the economic
growth. These sectors include knowledge based activities like banking, law, information
technology education, finance, insurance, real estate etc. Their location depends on below
factors.
1. Availability of infrastructure like roads, railways and connectivity to the neighbouring
regions
2. Skilled and educated population in the region with better demographics.
3. Presence of large areas of land for construction of offices, colleges, recreational areas,
entertainment zones etc.

4. Subsidies or incentives from government of the region along with better facilities like
common parking, restaurants, food courts in case of Silicon Valley of California or Electronic
City of Bangalore etc
5. Areas which need lesser investments in terms of infrastructure, establishing or promotion
of the businesses like Tier 2 or Tier 1 cities.
6. Areas with better future prospects in terms of demographics (like Indian metros ),
expansion of services, better climate, growth.
Any industry depends majorly on many major and minor factors which decide the success
and productivity of it in short and long terms and locational factors play a major role in it.

Topic: geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features
(including waterbodies and ice-caps)
Q) Recently efforts have been made to bring the mythical Saraswati river to the surface by
the Haryana government and the Union government. What are the possible reasons for the
disappearance of this river if it existed in ancient times and what is your opinion on efforts
made to revive the river. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Reference
Ans- North to the Himalayas, on tracing the aravali range, Indologists found the rise in the
ground level on the line of aravalis. This rise in ground level may have caused the river
Yamuna, a major tributary of river Saraswati, to move eastwards from Paontasahib to join
the river Ganga at Allahabad. River Sutlej, another major tributary of river saraswati, joined
saraswati near jakhal and then in hanumangarh and anupgarh in Haryana. Later, it changed
its course westwards near ropar to join the river Beas, (Vedic Vipasa), thus delinking from its
earlier channel into the sea.
Loss of two of its perennial tributaries along with the depletion of third major tributary
drishadvati caused the river Sarasvati to dry up around 3000 BC which probably led to the
desertification of Rajasthan.
the reasons for the disappearance of Saraswati are attributed to-:
1-> Climate change from wet to dry spell, as evidenced by geomorphological and
stratigraphic records during the Quaternary period.
2->disruptions caused by the desiccation of Saraswati due to plate tectonics
3->Neo-tectonic changes in the Himalayan and Aravalli regions.
4->Uplift of Himalayas and Siwaliks
5->Uplift of Aravalli range resulting in northward shift of river Saraswati.

6->River piracy of Saraswati and subordinate rivers by Yamuna, Satluj, and Ganga.
7->Climatic changes from humid to desertic condition.
8->Changes in glaciation in Himalayas.
9->Choking of rivers by enormous sand debris.
10->Rise of Delhi-Haridwar ridge along the NE-SW lineaments.
Benefit To Rejuvenate Saraswati River-:
1->The sacred Saraswati flowing again will symbolise the heritage and historic continuity of
the people of India.
2->The rejuvenation of Saraswati will benefit millions of people in Himachal Pradesh,
Uttaranchal, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
3-> The entire area of Saraswati basin should be developed as a national heritage site
promoting pilgrimage and serious tourism.
4-> The effort may benefit the people of the region to meet their religious needs and
perform rituals along the banks of flowing River Saraswati.
5-> At the same time, water can also be used for irrigation along the Saraswati River.
Suggestions for Reviving Saraswati River-:
Safeguarding Saraswati river at Adi Badri-:
There is a need to safeguard and revive the Saraswati river, which is historically and
archaeologically important drainage in Haryana. This could be done by diverting water
(through canals) from existing Rivers (Markanda, Somb or Yamuna) which are close to the
Saraswati river.
Topic: urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Q) A recent survey has shown that urbanisation is not a panacea for concerns about public
safety. Rather, cities must invest in the right kind of urbanisation, with the sort of
infrastructure seen in the largest cities. What in your opinion is right kind of urbanisation
that ensures public safety, especially safety for women? Discuss. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Ans- 'Urbanisation' in India is today unplanned and random. This leads to crowding and
development of slums. When it comes to 'public safety' especially 'safety of women',
present infrastructure in urban spaces is extremely inadequate to deal with it.
'Right kind' of urbanisation with respect to 'public safety' should include (a) Enough lighting on the roads.
(b) Continuous patrol by security forces i.e. police
(c) CCTV cameras spread throughout the cities.
(d) Proper registration and regulation on city transport operators especially taxi and bus
drivers, so that cases such as Delhi rape do not occur again.

(e) Regularisation of slum areas and improvement in their condition.

(f) Sensitization of youth towards women in general and towards good values in particular
and special care for their education.
(g) Community policing
(h) Use of technology to connect public with security forces, such as distress signal app in
smartphones.
(i) Strict laws and severe punishment against crime perpetrators, so as to serve as effective
deterrent against such crimes.
(j) Economic uplifting of weaker sections of society, and reducing the gap between rich and
poor i.e. inclusive development.
So, 'women safety' in specific and 'public safety' in urban plans can be ensured this way.
According to Indian Government, upto 2035 AD, more than 50% of Indian population will
live in urban areas. So, looking at 'safety' aspect is compulsory for 'safe', 'peaceful' and
'secure' future in our country.

Topic: urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Q) Critically examine the main causes and consequences of urban air pollution in India.
What efforts have been made and what needs to be done to address this problem?
Comment. (200 Words)
Frontline
EPW
Ans- Air pollution in India remains one of the key challenges. Air pollution is defined in
terms of gases and suspended and respirable particulate matter like carbon dioxide,
methane, sulphur and nitrogen oxides, PM 2.5 and PM 10. Thirteen of twenty most airpolluted cities are in India. Delhi is most notorious amongst Indian cities.
Major reasons are:
1. Fuelwood and biomass burning. Most Indian homes in rural areas use wood or biomass
cakes in their chullhas. Besides, in winter and autumn seasons farmer burn their residue
stocks rather than mechanical tilling. This also causes the Big Brown Cloud which delays the
monsoon.
The solution here is to extend electricity to rural areas and provide them with cleaner fuels
like biogas ( whose slurry also makes excellent fertilizer).
2. Fuel adulteration. While traffic congestion is one of the major causes, it is aggravated due
to mixing of cheap ingredients to fuel whenever prices rise. This situation arises also due to
differential taxing regimes over hydrocarbons which is not in tune with air pollution

concerns. For example gasoline is taxed more than kerosene. Earlier many vehicles did not
use unleaded petrol, catalyctic converters and even today the vehicles non-compliant to
Bharat Stage 4 are plying roads.
The solution here is to make vehicular pollution standards strictly applicable, tax petrol
more to fetch money to build public means of transport and make all public vehicles run on
cleanrr fuels like CNG.
3. Greenhouse gases. India is third largest emitter of carbon dioxide and mostly it comes
from power sector and heating. Methane results from landfills and waste disposal.
Decreasing green cover is a huge concern.
The solution here is to replace coal-fired or gas-fired plants with better technologies.
Treatment of exhaust must be done before releasing from chimneys.
4. Other factors are Chloflourocarbons from cooling machines and miscellaneous factors like
Diwali festivals.
Consequences of air pollution are drastic effects in health and productivity. Respiratory
diseases like asthma, bronchitis and lung cancer, asbestosis, etc are common. Over young
people the effects are autism and stunted growth. Agricultural productivity decrease as
well.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) monitors the air quality standards periodically.
But unfortunately it is below standards accepted.
The Air ( Prevention and Control of pollu5ion) Act was passed in 1981 but a lot needs to be
done specially in creating awareness and in ensuring green cover.