ମହାବୀର ପାଠଶାଳା ...

LEFT WING EXTREMISM

The LWE Division of Ministry of Home Affairs implements security related schemes aimed at capacity building in the LWE affected States. The Division also monitors the LWE situation and counter-measures being taken by the affected States. The States of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are considered LWE affected, although in varying degrees. Need of the hour Central and State governments, the administration and the security establishment need to recognize that the movement cannot be approached from a purely law and order point of view. The process of improving the conditions of the poor and the tribals clearly need to be speeded up if the movement is to be effectively checked. Winning the hearts and minds of the tribal population and other marginalised groups will lie at the core of the counter-insurgency strategy. Development of road and rail infrastructure will not only enhance economic growth and development but will also help in countering Maoist propaganda. The improved road connectivity will also have a multiplier effect on the effectiveness of the security forces in carrying out operations. Providing incentives and alternate life support system to those surrendered. Conclusion An ideology based on violence and annihilation is doomed to fail in a democracy which offers legitimate forums of grievance redressal. Through a holistic approach focusing on development and security related interventions, the LWE problem can be successfully tackled.

Modernizing the police force: The scheme focuses on strengthening police infrastructure by construction of secure police stations, training centres, police housing (residential) and equipping police stations with required mobility, modern weaponry, communication equipment and forensic set-up etc. On the administrative side, changes include separation of investigation from law and order, specialized wings for Social and Cyber Crimes are initiated in several states. Various technological reforms are pushed including modernization of the control room, fast tracking Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS), pushing for National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) and pushing for incorporation of new technology into policing. Social Integration: State Governments have surrender and rehabilitation policy, while the Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments through the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme for LWE affected States. Additional incentives are given for surrendering with weapons/ammunition. The surrenderers are also imparted vocational training with a monthly stipend for a maximum period of 36 months. Skill Development: Skill Development in 34 Districts affected by Left Wing Extremism” under implementation from 2011-12 aims to establish ITIs and Skill Development Centres in LWE affected districts. Infrastructure Development: Road Connectivity, communication needs to be rapidly scaled up in LWE affected districts. Eg: Mobile towers being set up in remote areas. Major counter-insurgency measures in states Andhra Pradesh established elite force called Greyhounds to successfully crack down on naxal leaders. It also squashed mass organisation activities through civilian “vigilante” groups that had been encouraged through the surrender and rehabilitation package. West Bengal government implemented confidence building measures with the people living in the Maoist infested Jangalmaha region. It created a linkage between people and the institution. Odisha and Chhattisgarh trained many local tribal youths as Special Police Officers against Maoist insurgency. Bihar had set up a 400-member special task force and Special Auxiliary Police for counter insurgency operations. Currently the naxal influence has come down from 22 districts to 4. Maharashtra created a district level force called as C-60 Commando. Salwa Judumwas a militia that was mobilised and deployed as part of anti-insurgency operations in Chhattisgarh, aimed at countering Naxalite violence in the region. SMART Policing: Smart policing paradigm promotes integration & interoperability of information & communication systems. Broadly, smart policing involves interventions incorporating application of evidence-based and data-driven policing practices, strategies and tactics in order to prevent and control crime. Recruit specialized personnel: Specialized crimes require specialized approach and personnel to deal with them. There should be core technical team to handle modern technology related crimes. Community policing improves interface with citizens and makes police more sensitive. E.g. (i) Janamaithri Suraksha Padhathi, Kerala (ii) Friends of Police Movement (FOP), Tamil Nadu (iii) Suraksha Setu – Safe City Surat Project Improve communication network: There should be sharing of information & knowledge to improve the functioning of police force. Better Surveillance and Monitoring with standardisation, deployment and integration of private security surveillance system. It promotes pro-active policing by preventing criminal activity through enhanced police visibility and public engagement. Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Division

Introduction: India has been dealing with three variants of the Internal Security challenge for decades and each has its own complexities — a proxy war and terrorism in Kashmir, sub-national separatist movements in the Northeast and the Naxal-Maoist insurgency (aka LWE) in the Red Corridor. The left-wing extremism (LWE) or Naxal insurgency in India originated in a 1967 uprising in Naxalbari, West Bengal by the Communist Party of India (Marxist). They are the group of people who believe in the political theory derived from the teachings of the Chinese political leader Mao Zedong. The Naxals strongly believe that the solution to social and economic discrimination is to overthrow the existing political system. The latest ambush by Maoist rebels on a large contingent of security personnel in Bastar is yet another well-planned and ruthlessly executed attack in a long line of similar attacks in the Maoist-infested regions of central India. Nearly 22 jawans were martyred in the attack. This tragic incident is a major and embarrassing setback to the IS (internal security) capability of India at many levels and highlights the challenge that LWE (left-wing extremism) continues to pose. LWE organizations are the groups that try to bring change through violent revolution. They are against democratic institutions and use violence to subvert the democratic processes at ground level. The movement has spread across the Eastern India in less developed areas of states such as Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Causes of left-wing extremism in India Inequitable development: The failure of land reforms especially land redistribution after independence. Socio-economic inequities, unemployment, despair about the future. Dishonest and self-serving dominant groups. Political deprivation leading to hopelessness or a sense of powerlessness. Lack of title to public land cultivated by the landless poor. Governance deficit in the remote parts of Red Corridor regions. Lack of food security – corruption in the Public Distribution System (which are often non-functional). Disruption of traditional occupations and lack of alternative work opportunities. Displacement of people: Eviction from lands traditionally used by tribals. Forced Displacements caused by mining, irrigation and power projects without adequate arrangements for rehabilitation. As a result, livelihoods were lost. Large scale land acquisition for ‘public purposes’ without appropriate compensation or rehabilitation Discrimination against tribals: Poor implementation of laws prohibiting transfer of tribal land to non-tribals in the Fifth Schedule areas. Non-regularisation of traditional land rights under FRA, 2006. Hasty rejections of land grants to tribals. Measures and change in strategy needed to solve Maoism Home Ministry came up with the strategy of Samadhan. It is a strategy to frame short term and long-term policies to tackle LWE. It includes: S- Smart Leadership; A- Aggressive Strategy; M-Motivation and Training; A- Actionable Intelligence; D- Dashboard Based KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and KRAs (Key Result Areas); H- Harnessing Technology; A- Action plan for each Theatre; N- No access to Financing. In lieu of this, governments must pro-actively tackle left wing extremism.

Several factors contribute to noise pollution, including Heavy machineries, mills, factories, and other industrial noises Noises from vehicles, planes, and other modes of transportation Noises from construction Sound from social gatherings (loudspeakers, firecrackers, etc.) Domestic noises (such as mixers, TV, washing machines, etc.) Due to extensive urbanisation and manufacturing, noise pollution has become quite frequent. Noise pollution can have negative consequences such as Hearing impairment Tinnitus Sleep disturbances High blood pressure (high BP) Issues with communication CONCLUSION To sum up, environmental pollution has a negative impact on human life and should be minimised as much as feasible. We harm nature, and nature, in turn, harms us far more. This must be prevented; human survival is dependent on the ecosystem, thus caution must be exercised and its balance preserved.

Skin disease risk is higher. Cancer risk may be increased. Climate change Rainfall with acidity Depletion of ozone Risks to wildlife Air pollution, among the other types of pollution, is thought to have global implications. Scientists have even proposed an apocalyptic scenario in which unregulated air pollution causes an extreme form of global warming known as the runaway greenhouse effect. Though this is totally hypothetical, a similar scenario has already occurred on Venus. Water Pollution When harmful contaminants and particle matter are introduced into water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and seas, water pollution is said to occur. Human activities such as faulty sewage treatment and oil spills are common sources of these toxins. Even natural processes like eutrophication, however, can pollute water. Other prominent water pollution causes include Dumping solid waste into bodies of water dumping untreated industrial waste in bodies of water Waste from humans and animals Pesticides and fertilisers in agricultural runoff Water contamination has a significant impact on our ecosystem. Toxic substances can also bioaccumulate in living things and migrate up the food chain, eventually reaching people. Water pollution, among the various types of pollution, has the most devastating effects on humanity. For example, in 1932, a severe incidence of water contamination rendered the residents of a Japanese city unable to work for decades due to neurological illnesses and mental sickness. However, the immediate cause was unknown, but it was later determined to be acute mercury poisoning. Methylmercury was discharged into the water, where it eventually bio accumulated in the fish. These fish were subsequently consumed by the local populace, resulting in negative side effects including neurological illnesses. Water contamination also has the following consequences Ecosystem destabilisation Marine life threats Waterborne disease risk is higher. Increases hazardous substances in water bodies (such as mercury). Eutrophication Soil Pollution Soil contamination, often known as soil pollution, is the degradation of land caused by the presence of chemicals or other man-made compounds in the soil. Xenobiotic compounds change the natural composition of soil and have a negative impact on it. These can have a significant direct or indirect impact on one’s life. Any hazardous compounds in the soil, for example, will be absorbed by the plants. Because plants create in their surroundings, it is passed up the food chain. The effects of soil contamination are less visible than those of other types of pollution, but their consequences are significant. The following are some of the most common sources of soil pollution The improper disposal of industrial waste Spills of Oil Acid rain is a result of air pollution. Mining operations Agrochemicals and intensive farming (like fertilisers and pesticides) Industrial mishaps Soil pollution has a wide range of consequences. When wastes, such as radioactive waste, are not properly contained, they become highly hazardous. A nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, for example, has rendered a 2,600-square-kilometer area uninhabitable for thousands of years. Other negative consequences of soil pollution include Loss of soil nutrients, making the soil unfit for farming. Has an effect on the soil’s indigenous flora and fauna. As the soil salinity rises, it degrades the vegetation. Toxic dust (such as silica dust) can cause lung cancer or respiratory issues. Noise Pollution Noise pollution is defined as excessive noise in the environment that disturbs the natural balance. Noise pollution is usually caused by humans, while natural disasters such as volcanoes can also cause it. In general, any sound that exceeds 85 dB is deemed harmful. The length of time a person is exposed has an effect on their health. An average discussion has a decibel level of roughly 60, while a jet taking off has a decibel level of around 150. As a result, noise pollution is more noticeable than other forms of pollution.

A Short Note on Environmental pollution Pollutants are substances that pollute the environment. Pollutants can be liquid, solid, or gaseous in nature. When the concentration of a substance exceeds the natural abundance, it is classified as a pollutant. This increase in concentration might be caused by human actions or natural phenomena. Environmental pollution occurs when there is an undesired alteration in the environment that has adverse consequences on plants and animals.The surroundings of a physical system that may interact with other systems by transferring mass and energy are referred to as the environment. The natural environment encompasses all living and nonliving things. The environment is the setting in which we exist, and it is our obligation to safeguard it from harm. Environmental contamination is one of the most serious issues confronting humanity today. Environmental contamination is divided into three categories air, water, and soil.Environmental pollution occurs when there is an undesired alteration in the environment that has adverse consequences on plants and animals. Pollutants are substances that pollute the environment. Pollutants can be liquid, solid, or gaseous in nature. When the concentration of a substance exceeds the natural abundance, it is classified as a pollutant. This increase in concentration might be caused by human actions or natural phenomena. There are contaminants that, like vegetables, can be degraded and broken down quickly through natural processes. We also have contaminants that take decades to decompose and are difficult to remove once discharged. DDT, plastics, heavy metals, and nuclear waste are only a few examples.Pollution’s Effects on the Environment Pollutants are created in one location and then carried to other locations by the action of wind or water. Humans release some contaminants into the environment. This results in pollution of the air, water, and soil. The helpful microorganisms in the soil will die if it is polluted, and the soil’s fertility will be lost. Crop production is expected to decline. It will have a negative impact on human society if the land is not fruitful. Similarly, if water is contaminated, it must be purified before consumption. Purification necessitates financial investment. Finally, if the air is polluted, breathing will become difficult, and life will be threatened. Air pollution causes a variety of respiratory illnesses and is harmful to the human body. Different Types of Pollution As previously stated, there are various sorts of pollution, which are caused by either natural events (such as forest fires) or man-made activity (like cars, factories, nuclear wastes, etc.) These are further divided into the forms of pollution listed below Environmental Pollution Pollution of Water Soil contamination Pollution via noise Other types of pollution exist, such as air pollution, thermal pollution, and radioactive pollution, in addition to these four. The latter is far less common than the others, yet it is the most lethal. Environmental Pollution The release of harmful contaminants (chemicals, toxic gases, particles, biological molecules, and so on) into the earth’s atmosphere is referred to as air pollution. These pollutants are harmful and can cause major health problems in some situations. The following are some of the factors that contribute to air pollution Combustion of fossil fuels Exploration and mining Industries and manufacturers’ exhaust gases The consequences of air pollution differ depending on the type of pollutant. However, the effects of air pollution might range from Respiratory sickness and cardiovascular issues are more likely to occur.

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ADASAHEB PHALKE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS 2024 Best Film: "Jawan" Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan for "Jawan" Best Actress: Rani Mukerji for "Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway" Best Director: Sandeep Reddy Vanga for "Animal" Best Music Director: Anirudh Ravichander for "Jawan" Best Lyricist: Javed Akhtar for “Nikle The Kabhi Hum Ghar Se” Best International Feature Film: "Oppenheimer" Television Series of the Year: "Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin"Best Web Series: "Farzi"

M. S. Swaminathan, the main architect or the Father of the Green Revolution in India. Chidambaram Subramaniam, the food and agriculture minister at the time, a Bharat Ratna, has been called the Political Father of the Green Revolution. Dilbagh Singh Athwal, is called the Father of the Wheat Revolution.

Kalpana Dutta, Chittagong, Bengal, was part of the Chittagong armory raid Nonibala Devi was associated with the jugantar party and was arrested for transporting weapons. Preetilata Waddedar was also a Chittagong revolutionary. Captain Laxmi Sehgal was a commander of the ‘Rani of Jhansi regiment’ in the Indian National Army (INA) under Subhash Chandra Bose. Women also actively took part in labour and trade unions, since they also were part of the workforce later on- Anusuya Sarabai led the Ahmedabad textile workers to strike in 1917 and started Ahmedabad textile mill workers union, the Majdoor Mahajan in 1920. Maniben Kara was a socialite leader of railway workers; Ushabai Dange and Paravai bose were communist leaders of textile leaders. SEWA (self-employed women’s association) was formed in 1972 by Ela Bhat in Ahmedabad. It aimed to improve the condition of poor women who worked in an unorganized sector by providing training and technical aides. The women’s movement in pre-independent India has been called the first wave of feminism. In this phase, women blamed tradition and social structure for their suffering and sought redress through education and legal change. The women organizations had brought women’s issues to the forefront. These organizations helped women to come out from domestic boundaries, assemble, and fight for their cause. This prepared the base of women’s active participation in the struggle for freedom also.

The Women’s Indian Association (WIA) The National Council of Women in India (NCWI) The All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) The WIA was founded by Irish woman, Margaret E. Cousins on 8 May 1917 in Adyar, Madras with a secular agenda for women of all creeds, classes, and castes. Annie Besant became the first President of WIA later on. The other founding women included S. Ambujammal, Dr. Muthulaksmi Reddy, Mangalammal Sadasivier, Saralabai Naik, Herabai Tata, Dr. Poonen Lukhose, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya, Begam Hasrat Mohani, and Dhanavanti Rama Rao. The NCWI was formally formed in 1925, with the efforts of Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras’s dedicated and influential women who had contributed commendably to the war efforts. It came to be accepted as the national branch of the International Council of Women. AIWC was an organization dedicated to the upliftment and betterment of women and children. The first President of the AIWC, the Maharani Chimanbai Gaekwad of Baroda, underlined the need for a special type of education for women, compatible with their nature. Margaret Cousins was the Secretary. Renowned women like Sarojini Naidu, Kamla Devi Chattopadhyay, Renuka Roy, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Rameshwari Nehru, Begum Hamid Ali, Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy, etc. were in the leadership of this organization. The result of these organizations was that the Montague-Chelmsford Reform Act of 1919 gave women the right to vote in elections to all state legislatures but not to the Council of State for Governor-General. The princely state of Travancore-Cochin was the first to give voting rights to women in 1920. In 1921, Madras and Bombay Province granted the Right to vote to wealthy and educated women, under the same terms as men. In 1925, in Punjab, the Sikhs granted women equal voting rights irrespective of their educational qualifications or being wealthy or poor. Bengal legislation also passed a similar resolution. With the demand of women, in 1926 women were given the right to membership of provincial legislatures. This was of course to be achieved only through government nomination. In 1926, Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay stood for madras legislative council elections from Mangalore but was defeated. The madras government later nominated Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy to the legislative council. Sarda act of 1929 raised the marriage age for both girls and boys to 14 and 18 respectively. By 1932, however, the AIWC had become involved with women’s political rights and all questions which affected women and children as well as with social problems such as untouchability. In the Government of India Act 1935, the British Raj set up a system of separate electorates and separate seats for women. Most women’s leaders opposed it and demanded adult franchises. Women in the national and labour movements: Swadeshi movement after the Bengal partition of 1905 and the Home rule movement saw the participation of women in limited numbers. They also attended sessions of INC during this time. The really large number of women participation was seen in the Non-cooperation movement launched by Gandhiji in 1920 where women played a vital role in organizing processions, picketing shops selling foreign clothes and liquor, and even went to jail. The peasant women wholeheartedly participated in Borsad and Bardoli Satyagraha. The women from all walks of life took part in Salt Satyagraha, Civil Disobedience Movement, and Quit India Movement. Many of these women faced lathi charges and went to jail also. There were women involved in the revolutionary and extremist activities also:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833) was one of the earliest social reformers to focus and work on issues of women. He condemned sati pratha, polygamy, and spoke in favour of property rights for women. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar is well known for his efforts for widow remarriage. He and Rani Roshmoni’s efforts helped in the passing of the Widows’ remarriage act in 1856, which was drafted by Dalhousie and passed by Canning. Keshab Chandra Sen of Brahmo Samaj also worked for the upliftment of widows, held educational programs, and started a women’s journal. Similar work was done by the Prarthana Samaj in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule worked immensely for educating girls and established girls’ schools for the same. M.G Ranade, Narayan Ganesh Chandavarkar, and R.G Bhandarkar in Pune started organizations for ending child marriage, to encourage widow remarriage and women’s education. This male-guided organization and reform efforts were not truly liberating in many areas. The earlier reformers wanted women to be educated but did not want them to step out of their homes into public life. The Age of Consent act. 1891: The cases of death of 11-year-old Phulmoni Dasi due to marital rape (1887) and child-bride Rukmabai led to the enactment of the age of consent act. This act raised the age of consent for sexual intercourse for all girls, married or unmarried, from ten to twelve years in all jurisdictions, its violation subject to criminal prosecution as rape. Though this act was supported by reformers like Behramji Malabari and women’s social organizations, national leaders like Tilak and revivalist groups were vocal against it. They were against the interference of the British in the social customs and believed that educated women are turning their backs on societal and cultural norms. Women’s organizations by women: The Ladies Society in Calcutta (1882) was started by Swarnakumari Devi (sister of Rabindranath Tagore), for educating and imparting livelihood skills to widows. She was also the editor of the women’s journal Bharati making her the first Indian woman editor. Arya Mahila samaj was started by Ramabai Saraswati in Pune to provide education to women and to discourage and fight against the practice of child marriage. She later opened Sharada Sadan in Mumbai in 1889 for the education of child widows. In 1905, Bharat Mahila Parishad, the women’s wing of the National conference (part of Indian National Congress) was inaugurated to work for the betterment of social conditions of women. It focused on child marriage, the condition of widows, dowry, and other evil customs. The Stri Zarthosti Mandal (Parsi Women’s Circle) was the Parsee community’s major organization for women’s social work, which emerged from plague relief work done by the family of Naoroji Patuck. The organization expanded its agenda to include medical care, education and successfully sought funding from the wealthy Parsi philanthropist Sir Ratan Tata. Many such associations were formed in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras by small urban educated families. National women’s organizations In 1910, Bharat Stree Mahamandal was formed by Sarala Devi Chaudharani (Daughter of Swarnakumari Devi) to bring together women of all castes and creeds together. They targeted the purdah system to liberate women to openly work in public life. They opened many other branches all over the country to promote female education. The three major national women’s organizations which thus trace their origin to the decade between 1917-1927 were: