Daily News Compilation (HINDU) for 28th March

Many realities, multiple platforms

Is there a clash between social media and social movements? Or, can social media be used to promote social movements?

This is the question article is trying to answer.

Argument 1 : Many people are not able to read SMSs then how can social media be used to bring in change. It evens make people angry as they feel left out and disempowered.

Argument 2 : outreach platforms for political parties have moved beyond the traditional mass meeting and direct candidate-to-voter contacts.

With 161 million television households, 94,067 newspapers (dailies alone number 12,511), 214 million Internet users (130 million use on mobile) and close to 2,000 multiplexes, the change is massive.

According to the FICCI-KPMG Media and Entertainment Report 2014, India had a mobile phone user base of 900 million by the end of 2013. And, the country had become the third largest global market for “smartphones” with shipments touching 44 million units.

India is a country which encompasses and accommodates many realities. So, with 900 million people out of 1.23 billion possessing a mobile phone, empowerment by technology is a fact.

Being on television is far cheaper and possibly grabs more eyeballs and ears than a traditional public meeting, which isn’t on the screen. More and more, a discerning public is listening to many voices and leaders before making up their minds on whom to vote into power.

Conclusion : The digital divide (as an expression, or cliché if you like) has gone out of favour, but millions of Indians not only remain illiterate, but are unable to access the scores of schemes that have been rolled out for the poor and needy.

India’s obvious success in increasing the number of literates by nearly 10 percentage points between 2001 and 2011 can be considered impressive, but a lot more needs to be done.

It is also clear that impatience levels are mounting among the people, who now see developments schemes as a matter of right rather than a favour being bestowed upon them by the local legislator or MP.

On the dilemma over the rhino horn

All points already covered in previous article here about dehorning. Some new points:

1. Assam government's proposal: to dehorn those rhinos which ‘stray’ outside protected areas, or rhinos that need to be translocated, should be ‘trimmed’.

Arguments against it: It will create pressure on the other rhinos which have not been dehroned.

2. ecological role of the horn

 field observations confirm that successful males are also those who have large horns, and the horn has been seen as used in foraging for food. Even if we consider a deficiency of data on the role of the horn — while the animal possesses it — it will be difficult to consider the answer to the opposite question: can the rhino lead a normal life without the horn?

3. Ethics of intervention:

Intervening to remove a rhino’s horn, in response to a patently illegal activity, may set a dangerous precedent. There are several species which are highly prized in the poaching trade, and these include tigers, lions, tokay geckos, and elephants. Tigers and lions are killed for their skins, nails and bones, tokay geckos for their body parts, and till recently, elephants were slaughtered in India for their ivory.

Dehorning rhinos may or may not stem poaching of rhinos. But it may set a precedent for similar such exercises, which are seen as a management tool, but have unknown impacts on the actual life and ecology of the animal. If we dehorn rhinos, we may at some time also consider de-tusking elephants. Finally, the impact intended on the ‘audience’ of poachers itself is unknown. In the absence of rhinos, will poachers pack their bags, or will they move towards capture of other species?

U.S. Peace Corps aims to boost recruiting, diversity

The leader of the Peace Corps elaborated on the group’s plans to simplify the application process for prospective volunteers and to expand and further diversify the applicant pool during a speech on Wednesday at the Michigan university where the agency traces its roots.

Acting Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet told those gathered at the University of Michigan that the Peace Corps aims to double the number of applications while boosting recruiting in more racially and ethnically diverse communities. To that end, every regional recruitment office is hiring an additional dedicated diversity recruiter.

The changes are part of a broader overhaul of the organisation that has included the addition of new safety training and support for volunteers and the creation of an office to support those who become victims of crime. Many of those changes were directed by Congress, which in 2011 passed legislation in response to criticism that the Peace Corps wasn’t doing enough to protect the volunteers it sends abroad.

About Peace Corps

Peace Corps volunteers provide hands-on assistance in developing parts of the world in areas including health education, information technology and environmental preservation.

Volunteers receive a living allowance and transition funds after they complete 27 months of service. The Peace Corps has sent about 215,000 Americans to serve in 139 countries.

Switzerland has failed to share information, says Chidambaram

Outgoing Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has threatened action by India against Switzerland at global forums such as G20 for its persistent denial to share information on Indians stashing money in its banks. The G20 can impose sanctions for the protection of the member countries’ public finances and financial systems.

The Swiss authorities, through a letter dated February 20, have suggested that they are ‘closing’ India’s requests in 562 cases.

According to Mr. Chidambaram, Switzerland has not honoured its Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India. Indian tax authorities have sought information on Indians with accounts in Swiss banks under the DTAA.

He has also warned of action against Switzerland under India’s domestic laws if the denial of access to information sought continues. Though he did not spell out the details, India has the option of making unavailable to Swiss investors benefits under the DTAA between the two countries.

Revision of its laws for providing information under the tax treaties it has signed with India— that the Swiss government had proposed—has not taken place due to political opposition in Switzerland.

“Switzerland cannot violate its obligations under the DTAC with India on any ground, including on moralistic grounds, when the Government of India has all along acted in good faith and has requested the information in a bona fide manner,” he wrote.

Gyaan

What is Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)?

The “Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)” or “Tax Treaty” is essentially bilateral agreements entered into between two countries, in our case, between India and another foreign state. The basic objective is to avoid taxation of income in both the countries (i.e. Double taxation of same income). Currently India has comprehensive DTAA or Tax Treaty with 84 other countries.

Let’s take an example to understand how DTAA works; An NRI residing in ABC country is maintaining NRO Account with a bank in India. The interest earned on balances in this account is considered as the NRIs income originating in India. If India has DTAA with country ABC, this income will be taxed at the rate prescribed in the agreement. Else, it will be taxed at 30.90 % (the existing withholding tax).

The Non Resident can certainly take the benefit of the provisions of DTAA entered into between India and the country, in which he resides, more particularly in respect of Interest Income from NRO account, Government securities, Loans, Fixed Deposits with Companies and dividends etc.

India’s only execution in 2013 violated international standards: Amnesty report

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee rejected the mercy petitions of 18 prisoners on death row in 2013, the highest number of rejections by any President in the last 25 years, according to Amnesty International’s annual review of the death penalty worldwide, which was released in London on Thursday.

Only one execution took place in India – that of Mohammad Afzal Guru in February last year.

Amnesty has raised concerns about the fairness of Afzal Guru’s trial, noting that he did not receive legal representation of his choice or a lawyer with adequate experience at the trial stage. “Afzal Guru’s family were not informed in time of his imminent execution and his body was not returned to the family for last rites and burial, in violation of international standards,” the report states.

Gyaan

Amnesty International

Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty and AI) is a non-governmental organisation focused on human rights with over 3 million members and supporters around the world. The stated objective of the organisation is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."

WHO officially declares India polio-free

This achievement makes the South-East Asia Region, the fourth WHO Region to be certified as polio-free, after the Region of the Americas in 1994, the Western Pacific Region in 2000 and the European Region in 2002. 

This achievement has been possible with 

• resolute will at the highest levels, 
• technological innovations like the indigenous bivalent polio vaccine, 
• adequate domestic financial resources and 
• close monitoring of polio programme, 

with which immunization levels soared to 99% coverage and India achieved polio eradication.

India’s abstention evokes mixed response

India’s decision to abstain from voting on the U.S.-backed resolution in Geneva has evoked mixed response in Sri Lanka.

Over the last couple of years, bilateral ties between the two countries have witnessed several ups and downs. New Delhi was pleased with the holding of the Northern Provincial Council elections but trade relations witnessed a setback, particularly with Sri Lanka virtually shelving the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
India while defending its decision to abstain argued against the “intrusive” nature of the resolution, said it was concerned that the resolution had the potential to hinder the efforts of the country rather than contribute constructively to its efforts, and “inadvertently complicate the situation.”

IMF extends $14-$18 bn rescue to Ukraine

The International Monetary Fund announced on Thursday a $14-$18 billion bailout for Ukraine to avert bankruptcy for the crisis-hit country amid its escalating standoff with Russia. The agreement is tied to tough reform conditions which will have a big impact on the Ukrainian economy and people.