EDITORIAL

1. Secularism: Government new mantra "Sabka sath Sabka Vikas": Implies that no individual citizen
should face discrimination on grounds of religion. Basic amenities, good health, education,
housing and employment should be available equally to all, regardless of religion. However
Secularism combats not just discrimination and other worse forms of inter-religious domination
such as exclusion, oppression and humiliation. However it must include foll. Aspects too:
(i) It should be equally opposed to intra-religious domination i.e. the domination (of
women, dalits, dissenters) within every religious community. For instance, the fight
against the hierarchical caste system in india is integral to the fight for secularism.
(ii) Equally important for secularism is opposition to religious fanaticism and bigotry.

Secularism is needed as much to protect hindus from intra-religious domination, from their
'fringe elements', as well as from proponents of religion-caste and gender hierarchies. Another
point: Another problem of secularism is that it has intellectually failed to distinguish
communitarianism from communalism. COMMUNITARIANISM simply notes that an individual is
atleast partly defined by his or her religious/philosophical commitments, community and
traditions. Therefore it is appropriate to claim that one is hindu/muslim etc and to take
legitimate pride in it. Communalism: Here one's identity and the existence and interests of one's
community are viewed, even defined, as necessarily opposed to others. Communalism is
communitarianism gone sour. Another problem: Publicly funded schools do not include an
education system where elementary knowledge of all religious traditions is given.

Solutions: Justice to all citizens, Affirmation of all reasonable religious identities, rejection of
majority communalism, careful defence of legitimate minority rights accompanied by a robust
critique of minority extremism, and a critical appraisal of religions with a deeper grasp of their
traditions. The government's primary business is to prevent religion-based violence, oppression
and discrimination.

2. India's geopolitical opportunities: They have taken few initiatives such as ISA, facilitating global
action on Climate change thru Paris climate agreement, promotion of yoga to showcase Indian
spirituality. Opportunities now: In global trade to regional conflicts to setting the global direction
in emerging technology areas such as A.I., and space exploration.

NEWS

3. India has invited several heads of state of BIMSTEC and SCO for PM swearing in. In line with
govt's 'neighbourhood first policy'.
4. Read about NRC news and Legacy data.
5. Acc. to report by WHO , about 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or
sexual intimate partner violence or non partner sexual violence in their lifetime. WHO together
with UN women and other partners has developed a framework for prevention of violence
against women called Respect.
6. DRDO test fires new version of the Akash Surface to air defence missile system with a new
indigenously-developed seeker in Balasore off the odisha coast. This is a medium range multiple-
target engagement capable missile was developed as part of the IGMDP other than Nag, Agni,
Trishul, and prithvi missiles. The supersonic missile has a range of around 25 km and upto the
altitude of 18,000 m.
7. Draft export policy..Read. ITC-HS codes are Indian Trade clarification based on harmonized
system of coding. It was adopted by India for import-export operations. Every product has been
accorded eight digit HS codes….Read it.
8. Social and labour Convergence prog. (SLCP) and Texprocil…Wat is this?
9.