Cyborg : Next step in Human Evolution

The great scientist Stephen Hawkins once said,

"Humankind must develop as quickly as possible technologies that make possible a direct connection between brain and computer, so that artificial computer brain should contribute towards human intelligence rather than opposing it."

Introduction:

• Cyborg can be considered as real version of technological advancement that was once considered as a fiction. The term cyborg was first coined in 1960. The scientists described cyborg as a man-machine system in which the control mechanisms of the human portion are modified externally by drugs or any other device so that the man can be able to live in an environment different from normal one.

• Cyborg is a short version for cybernetic organism. Although an older term, the modern research and increased use of technology in biomedicine make cyborg the future of human development. As name suggests, cyborg consists partly human and partly machine. Those people who are having cardiac pacemaker, contact lenses or implants come under the cyborg.
• The last two decades see the ever-fast pace in the development of cyborg. Various successful implantation like embedment of antenna inside skull, bionic limb connection through nerve-muscle grafting and many others shows that cyborg does not remain merely a fiction that we see in comics like Justice league and Avengers, but it’s a modern world reality.
• Cyborg is said to be an open field by modern scientists. As the technology advances, more and more augmentation of body with machines will occur. This augmentation, no doubt, will make human more agile and stronger. However, all this will also impact over the basic behavior of human being. The effect may both be positive as well as negative. Therefore, there exists serious ethical issues in this regard.

Drawbacks:

• Although cyborg is credited with many successful implantations, there exists some shorth-comings that is the field of study for many scientists.
• Firstly, artificial limbs do not provide a sense of touch that connects us with our family or allow to feel the outer world as before. The real cause is the less evolution in the field of development of sensing skin.
• Secondly, as we have already discussed that there exists serious ethical dilemma in the future of cyborg. There are many people with implants inserted in their bodies to increase the innate human capacities, both mental and physical. All these activities may redefine the meaning of humanness, the change that may cause problems.

Way forward:

• The cyborg technology has already taken the next stage of integration beyond medical field. The machines are not serving merely as an alternative to human body part. The cyborg technology is setting the stage for the next chapter of human evolution. The contemporary field of cyborg research lies in brain- machine interface. Any breakthrough may change our view towards the humanity.
• The criticism and problems associated with cyborg cannot be avoided. However, the solution lies not in closing, but in more responsible and ethical research in this field. Keeping this in mind, the first Cyborg Olympics were organized in Zurich, Switzerland in 2016. It was the first time that official celebration of cyborg sports was conducted.
  It is believed that cyborgs are the next step in human evolution of mankind. The establishment of colonies in different planets is imminent in the near future, and so the development in cyborg technology. There is a need that all the ethical and moral questions to be resolved over the global stage. As all other inventions, cyborg can work both as a boon or a bane, And the choice is ours.

Questions:

Q. Cyborg is regarded as the next stage of human evolution. The cyborg is?

(GIST OF YOJANA) ENCOURAGING ENVIRONMENT FOR SMALL ENTERPRISES  -JANUARY-2018

ENCOURAGING ENVIRONMENT FOR SMALL ENTERPRISES

(GIST OF YOJANA) CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MSMES -JANUARY-2018

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MSMES

(The Gist of Kurukshetra)  SWACHHTA RANKING 2017 OF HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

CONCLUDED - December -2017

SWACHHTA RANKING 2017 OF HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS CONCLUDED

‘Swachhta’ Ranking-2017 of Higher Educational Institutions is an exercise to rank Higher Educational Institutions (HEIS) on the basis of cleanliness and hygiene has been undertaken and concluded. This exercise will generate peer pressure amongst institutions in the all important area of cleanliness. parameters for a lean campus were formulated, like student/ toilet ratio, kitchen hygiene, availability of running water, modernity of toilet and kitchen equipment, campus green cover, garbage disposal in hostels and academic buildings, disposal techniques, water supply system and also, a certain weight age was also given as to whether the institutions have adopted any neighboring locality or village to spread awareness and
activities in Swachhta.

About 3500 HEIs responded to the online invitation, submitting all their details as per format. The top 174 institutions were shortlisted s per criteria and officials from UGC and AICTE inspected the premises of all 174 institutions. Finally, the top 25 institutions across various categories like Universities, Technical Institutions, Colleges and Government institutions were selected and they were awarded.

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(The Gist of Kurukshetra) WASTE TO WEALTH: THE WASTE MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES -

December -2017

WASTE TO WEALTH: THE WASTE MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES

Industrializations become very significant for developing countries like India having large number of population. Rapid increase in urbanization and per capita income lead to high rate of municipal solid waste generation. In recent times, Ewaste and plastic waste also contribute considerably to total waste stream due to utilization and electronic and other items. These wastes may cause a potential hazard to human health or environment if any of the aspects of solid waste management is not managed effectively. Even today, large portion of solid waste is dumped indiscriminately on outskirts of towns or cities without any prior treatment.

India-waste Generation Scenario

Every year, about 55 million tones of municipal solid waste (MSW) and 38 billion liters of sewage are generated in the urban areas of India. In addition, large quantities of solid and liquid wastes are generated by industries. Waste generation in India is expected to increase rapidly in the future.

Type of Waste

Waste can be broadly classified into:
1. Urban waste
2. Industrial waste
3. Biomass waste
4. Biomedical waste
Urban waste includes Municipal solid Waste, Sewage and Faecal sludge, whereas industrial waste could be classified as Hazardous industrial waste and Nonhazardous industrial waste.

Importance of Waste to Energy

Most wastes that are generated, find their way into land and water bodies without proper treatment, causing severe water pollution. They also emit greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide, and add to air pollution. Any organic waste from urban and rural areas and industries is a resource due to its ability to get degraded, resulting in energy generation. The problems caused by solid and liquid wastes can be significantly mitigated through the adoption of environmentfriendly waste-to-energy technologies that will allow treatment and processing of waste before their disposal. These measures would reduce the quantity of wastes, generate substantial quantity of energy from them, and greatly reduce environmental pollution. India’s growing energy deficit is making the government central and state governments become keen on alternative and renewable energy sources. Waste to energy is one of these, and it is garnering increasing attention from both the central and state governments. While the Indian Government’s won figures would suggest that the cost of waste to energy is somewhat higher than other renewable sources, it is still and attractive option, as it serves a dual role of waste disposal and energy production.

Technologies for the Generation of Energy from Waste

Energy can be recovered from the organic fraction of waste through thermal, thermo-chemical, biochemical and electrochemical methods.

Thermal Conversion: The process involves thermal degradation of waste under high temperature. In this, complete oxidation of the waste occurs under high temperature. The major technological option under this category is incineration.

Thermo-chemical conversion: This  process entails high temperature driven decomposition of organic matter to produce either heat energy of fuel oil or gas. They are useful for wastes containing high percentage of organic non-biodegradable matter and low moisture content. The main technological options under this category include Paralysis and Gasification.

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(The Gist of Kurukshetra) SWACHHATHON: HARNESSING THE CREATIVITY OF MILLIONS FOR

SWACHH BHARAT - December -2017

SWACHHATHON: HARNESSING THE CREATIVITY OF MILLIONS FOR SWACHH BHARAT

Swachhathon 1.0- A Swacggata Hackathon was organized by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation to crowd source innovative ideas to solved the sanitation related problems (including hygiene) being faced by the country and also to incubate the ideas to develop sustainable solutions. The initiative saw massive participation; over 3000 entries (including international enties) were received under 6 categories that included ‘Operation and Maintenance of School Toilets’, ‘Behavior change communication’, and often forgotten issues of ‘MHM’. In the spirit of a Janandolan both public and private sector came together – students from schools and colleges, professionals, organisations, startups, NGOs, State governments proposed exciting, innovative, novel and viable solutions.

Swachhathon 1.0

What: An attempt to crowd source solutions for some of the pressing problems faced by the country in Sanitation and Hygiene. Students from schools and colleges, professionals, organisations, startups and others were invited to come up with exciting, innovative, novel and viable solution for:
• Monitoring usage of Toilets.
• Triggering behavior change.
• Toilet Technologies in difficult terrains.
• Working solutions for maintenance and operations of school toilets.
• Technological solutions for safe disposal of Menstrual Waste.
• Solution for Early Decomposition of faecal Matter.

Why: It was envisaged to address real problems being faced by the people in attaining complete sanitation. The problems ranged from implementation challenges, to those arising due to diversity in cultural and geographical context. It was thought that such problems from ground level can only be addressed through innovations, ground level up. And then only then can be termed as real and sustainable solutions to real problems.

Monitoring Usage of Toilets

Usage of toilets is the key goal of the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin. Toilet usage is presently measured on a sample basis through household surveys. There is however no technological solution available to measure and confirm usage of toilets. The ability to easily measure usage of toilets would allow the Swachh Bharat Mission to take immediate and responsive steps to promote usage.

So, technological solutions were invited: adaptable for rural areas to effectively measure usage of toilets and ingrained with following features:
• Affordable
• Scalable
• Socially acceptable
• Easy to use
• Accurate

The solution could be either a technology or a technique or a combination of the two to monitor usage.

Triggering Behaviour Change

Behaviour change is fundamental to the Swachh Bharat Mission. Several interpersonal techniques through community approaches to sanitation are being used across the country to trigger behaviour change. But old habits die hard and behaviour change takes time. Some people continue to defecate in the open even after having a household toilet.

The Swachh Bharat Mission invited innovative solutions to trigger and motivate people to stop open defecation and use toilets, at scale. The solutions were expected to be:
• Scalable
• Non-coercive
• Socially acceptable
• Yield instant or immediate shift in behaviour

Again, the solution could have been in form of a technology, demonstration, technique, pictures, combination of things and others.

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(The Gist of Kurukshetra) SWACHH SANKALP SE SWACHH SIDDHI - December -2017

SWACHH SANKALP SE SWACHH SIDDHI

The nationwide mega campaign Swachhta Hi Seva was preceded by another countrywide campaign Swachh Sankalp se Swachh Sidhi in which Essay, Short Films and Painting competitions were organized for general public, with a special focus on school children, from 16th August to 8th September, 2017.

 Short Film Competition: To help implement the his vision, Swachh Sankalp se Swachh Siddhi, Short Film Competition is being organized as another major step in making Swachhta a Jan Aandolan. Individuals are requested to make 2 to 3 minute films on the theme of Swachhta and show how they can contribute to the Swachh Bharat Mission. The topic for the Films is ‘My Contribution towards Making India Clean’. In case of a silent film please use #silent. Individuals can uploaded their short film on www.youtube.com and the link to the same must be shared on www.mygov.in The awards will be provided under the two categorizes of Age: 0-18 years #below 18 and, 18 and above #above18. Three winners from each category will be awarded at the National Level and also at the State and District levels.

Essay Competition: To help implement the Honourable Prime Minister ’s vision, Swachh Sankalp se Swachh Siddhi, Essay Competition was organized as another major step in making Swachhta a Jan Aandolan. Individuals were invited to write essays of not more than 250 words on the theme of Swachhta and describe how they can personally contribute to the Swachh Bharat Mission. The topic for the essay was “What can I do for a Clean India?’ Three winners were awarded at the national level, State and District levels. Senior citizens were given special recognition at the national awards.

Painting Competition: A Painting Competition was another major step in making Swachhta a Jan Aandolan. The topic for the Painting competition was “Clean India of my dreams”. This competition was only for class 1 to 5 Schools students for which the Ministry\

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(The Gist of Kurukshetra) SWACHHTA HI SEVA CAMPAIGN - December -2017

SWACHHTA HI SEVA CAMPAIGN

On September 15, 2017, the President of India launched a nationwide sanitation campaign “Swachhta Hi Seva” at Iswarigunj village campaign “Swachhta Hi Seva” at Iswarigunj village in Kanpur. The President administered the Swachhta Hi Seva Pledge whereby the Nation resolved to create a clean healthy and new India. Addressing the gathering the President said
“India is fighting a decisive battle for cleanliness and hygiene. Cleanliness is not the responsibility of only sanitation personal and government departments; it is a multi-stakeholder national movement.”

The aim of the Swachh Bharat Mission is to achieve a clean and open defecation free India by October 2, 2019. The objectives are generating demand for toilets leading to their construction and sustained use by all household members, promoting better hygiene behaviour amongst the population and improving cleanliness by initiating solid and liquid waste management projects. The financial allocations under the Swachh Bharat Mission increased from Rs. 2850 crores in 2014-15 to Rs. 6525 crores in 2015- 16, to Rs. 10500 crores in 2016-17, to Rs. 14000 crores in 2017-18. In the last 3 years, under the Swachh Bharat Mission, 48,264,304 toilets were constructed. Open Defection Free Villages reached 238966.
Individual toilet coverage increased from 42 percent in 2014 to 64 percent in 2017. 5 States have declared themselves open defecation free. The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has said that the progress achieved is encouraging to reach the goal of an open defecation free India by October 2, 2019.

An innovative monitoring and evaluation system was put in place. The Swachh Sarvekshan was conducted for rural India and revealed that Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) and Sidhudurg
(Maharashtra) were the cleanest district in India. The Swachh Sarvekshan assessed 22 Hill districts and 53 Plain areas. National level monitors were hired to carry out sample-based checks of sanitation coverage and open defecation free status across the country.

A host of special initiatives and projects have come out in quick time. The Inter-Ministerial projects included Swachh Pakhwadas, Namami Gange, Swachhta Action Plan, Swachh Swasth Sarvatra campaign, School Sanitation drives, Anganwadi Sanitation dirves, Railway Sanitation etc. The inter-sectoral collaborations included Swachh Iconic Places, Corporate Partnership, Inter Faith Cooperation, Media engagement and Parliament engagement. Swachhta Action Plans were developed by 76 union ministries and departments and web based
portal was developed to monitor progress and highlight implementation status. Women Swachhagrahis were appointed and Swachh Shakti Awards were instituted to further enhance women involvement with the program. The Swachh Bharat success stories said that accessible and secure toilets had made a big difference to the lives of village communities, as they did
not have to travel distances in the dark to relive themselves. Further the health risk of open defection was greatly reduced by having a toilet in the house.

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(GIST OF YOJANA) ROLE OF WOMEN IN NEW INDIA BY 2022 - December 2017

ROLE OF WOMEN IN NEW INDIA BY 2022

Outlining his vision, the Prime Minister explore the strengths of the Indian society and the successful journey of independent India in the last 70 years. Government has chosen n 2022 as the target year as it marks the completion of 75 years of independence. The ‘New India’ initiative envisages that the poor shall have concrete house, access to electricity, healthcare
sanitation and education, farmers’ income shall be doubles, three must be ample opportunities for the youth and women and India would be free of scourges such as communalism, caseins and terrorism by 2022. Building a new India by 2022 is an ambitious vision. However, achieving the basic objective of the initiative is not and remote as it appears to be. The New India initiative has put thrust on several key areas. The most important areas on which government is putting thrust and has also been highlighted several times by the PM are Doubling Farmers’ Income, Housing for All and Women Empowerment. Since the beginning, the government has clearly shown its intentions of working for the welfare of the women, children and youth of the country.

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(GIST OF YOJANA) TRIPLE TALAQ VERDICT: A VICTORY FOR MUSLIM WOMEN - December 2017

TRIPLE TALAQ VERDICT: A VICTORY FOR MUSLIM WOMEN

The Supreme Court has delivered its historic judgment, which has liberated the Muslim women from the barbaric practice of Triple Talaq (a practice that allows Muslim men to divorce their wives by uttering the world ‘Talaq’ thrice at one go). The Apex Court’s judgement has also ordered the Centre to frame a law on Triple Talaq in the Parliament within six months
besides imposing a ban on the practice during this period.

The five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar (now retired) struck down triple Talaq by 3-2 majority. The Supermen Court took a lesson from history when it had accepted the appeal of the petitioner in the 1986 Shah Bano case and rather than delivering a final judgement, it had left the issue (Triple Talaq) on the Parliament. However, the Apex Court had shown its intension.

Three out of the five judges of the constitution bench – Justice Kurian Joseph, RF Nariman and UU Lalit held Triple Talaq as unconstitutional. On the other hand, Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice S Abdul Nazeer were of the view that the practice was part of Muslim personal law and hence the court could not interface. However, the three judges disagreed with the opinion of Justice Khehar and Justice Nazeer. The three judges termed Triple Talaq as violation of spirit of Article 14 (the Right to Equality) of the Constitution.

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(Download) UPSC IAS Mains Exam 2017

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (Paper-1)

Exam Name: UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration (Paper-I)

Marks: 250

Time Allowed: 3 Hours

SECTION A

Q1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(a) Even after 130 years of its publication, Woodrow Wilson’s essay “The Study of Administration” continues to have great relevance even today.” Comment (10 Marks)
(b) “What is distinctive about the Classic al and Human Relations Schools of thought administration is their complementarity to each other “. Analyse (10 Marks)
(c) “Conflict is the appearance of differences –the difference of opinion s and of interest”. (Mary Parker Follet). Comment (10 Marks)
(d) “Leaders do the right things; managers do them rightfully” –(Warren Bennis) . Is this distinction by him valid ? Explain (10 Marks)
(e) “Administrative Law is recognized by its substance rather than its form .” Discuss (10 Marks)

Q2.

(a) New Public Management has been branded by certain scholars as ‘Neo-Taylorism’ . Is it a justified comparison? What factors have led to the decline of NPM as soon after its birth? (20 Marks)
(b) “Abraham Maslow’s ‘ Hierarchy of Needs’ and Frederick Herzberg’s “Two Factor Theory” have commonalities in the analysis of human motivation .” Comment (15 Marks)
(c) Civil Society supplement s and complements the State. However, its capacity and role depend upon the will of the State. Comment (15 Marks)

Q3.

(a) The Participative Management School of Argyris and Likert advocates democracy within the administrative system. Will this approach be equally useful to developing countries with evolving democracies? (20 Marks)
(b) “Executive position imply a complex morality and require a high capacity of responsibility” – (Chester Bernand). Comment (15 Marks)
(c) When the media is controlled by vested interest s, how can it control the vested interests in the government? How can the media become more responsible and impartial? (15 Marks)

Q4.

(a) “With every major transformation in the applied world of Public Administration , the study of Public Administration has grown in scope and intensity.” Discuss the relationship between the evolution of the discipline and profession of Public Administration. (15 Marks)
(b)”Systems Theory” in essence is not a theory , but an approach to the study of administrative phenomena .” Comment (15 Marks)
(c) The principle of delegated legislation is, I think right, but I was emphasise that it is well for Parliament to keep a watchful and even zealous eye on it at all stages “- (Herbert Morrison ) Analyze. (15 Marks)

(Download) UPSC IAS Mains Exam 2017

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (Paper-2)

Exam Name: UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration (Paper-II)

Marks: 250

Time Allowed: 3 Hours

SECTION A

Q1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(a) “Constitutionalism is the foundation of the administrative edifice e in India.” Discuss (10 Marks)
(b) “The status and functioning of the Cabinet Secretariat face a stiff challenge from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).” Argue both in favour and against the contention. (10 Marks)
(c) “Effectiveness of local-self government institutions is hampered due to the lack of capacity building of the elected representative s.” Elaborate (10 Marks)
(d) “Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in India face tough competition from the private enterprises and Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) . “ Explain (10 Marks)
(e) Do you agree that “All India Judicial Service (AIJS) would contribute to timely delivery of justice to the citizens? Argue your case (10 Marks)

Q2.

(a) “The market reforms have not infringed the basic structure of the Constitution of India, but have largely compromised the realization of the ideals of social and economic justice.” Comment (20 Marks)
(b) “The idea of lateral entry into the Civil Services would energies Indian administration.” What are its possible advantages and limitations? (20 Marks)
(c) “Pro-Active Governance and Timely implementation (PRAGATI) is an innovative project of the Union Government.” Discuss its features and modalities (10 Marks)

Q3.

(a) “The position of council of ministers in a state is reduced to that of a body of a secretaries in the presence of a domineering of chief minister.” Critically analyse with examples (20 Marks)
(b) “Indianisation of Public Services is a slow but steady process.” Explain (20 Marks)
(c)” Digitalization of land records is a necessary but not sufficient precondition for ensuring transparent district administration.” Explain (10 Marks)

Q4.

(a) “ Bureaucracy has to make a balance the need for environmental sustainability and developmental imperatives .” Discuss (20 Marks)
(b) “The chief secretary is often termed as the alter ego of the Chief Minister.” Discuss, with examples, the dynamics of their relationship in State administration. (20 Marks)
(c) ’District Planning Committee (DPC) has been the weakest structure in the local self-government mechanism in India .” Analyze with examples (10 Marks)