THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 17 April 2020 (Fighting on two fronts (Indian Express))

Fighting on two fronts (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 2:International 
Prelims level: Afghan National Defence and Security Forces
Mains level: Two front challenges for Afghanistan government  

Context:

• Afghanistan is facing both COVID-19 and terrorism simultaneously. 
• The Taliban are not to be trusted and they have violated many promises, especially the agreement on the reduction of violence. 
• Currently, they are fighting against the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) in different parts of the country — the Afghan security forces have repelled every attack so far. 
• With the support of our international partners, especially NATO and the Resolute Support Mission (RS) in Afghanistan, the ANDSF has had a few notable achievements of late. 
• The Afghan security forces are experienced and well-trained to safeguard the country’s security.

Raise SAARC fund: 

• Earlier, the government approved a contribution of $1 million to the SAARC Emergency Fund to fight COVID-19 in South Asian countries. 
• SAARC leaders held a virtual conference on March 15 and emphasised cooperation and joint efforts to fight the pandemic. 

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Establishment of the Coronavirus Task Force:

• The Afghan government has established a technical team that is working with the National Security Council and the Vice President of Afghanistan is leading the Coronavirus Task Force. 
• It seems they have many vulnerabilities, from refugees and open borders to the dearth of high-level diagnostic capabilities and shortage of good quality medical amenities. 
• Thousands of refugees are coming to Afghanistan from Pakistan and Iran. 
• Afghanistan is the gateway to Central Asia so they need regional and international cooperation. 
• The WHO, like other UN units, has not contributed as much as we hoped in Afghanistan during this time. 
• Their presence and investment in the country for the past 18 years has been questionable. 
• This is the right time for WHO-Kabul to take proper action based on regional and international experiences.

Five key aspects: 

• The President’s strategy to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic has five key aspects: 
• One, acknowledgement. We have to accept that the pandemic is a threat and requires everyone’s support and contribution. 
• Two, that it can spread everywhere and to everyone.
• Three, adversity. We are not at this stage so far, but we have to be ready for such a scenario. 

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Way ahead: 

• Right now, there is no cure or vaccination for this novel coronavirus. 
• The only solution is to contain its spread and prevent serious repercussions on peoples’ health and economic systems across the country. 
• Employing preventive measures like staying at home, taking care of children and the elderly (parents and grandparents, and those who have an illness), stopping unnecessary movement, shopping on behalf of the family once or twice a week, respecting the lockdown measures, supporting the government’s decisions and listening to the advice of healthcare officials.

Conclusion: 

• We must thank the incredible nurses, doctors, healthcare officials, support staff, police and all other security forces who are working hard around the clock to fight the coronavirus and the terrorists. 
• Those who lost their lives while fighting COVID-19 will be remembered in the same manner as those who lost their lives on duty in uniform, fighting terrorism to bring peace, security and stability to the country and our region.

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Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the Kendriya Bhandar, consider the following statements:
1. The Central Govt. Employees Consumer Cooperative Society Ltd. popularly known as Kendriya Bhandar was set up in 1963 as a welfare project for the benefit of Central Govt. employees and public at large. 
2. It is functioning under aegis of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Govt. of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer.......................

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Mains Questions:
Q.1)What are the measures taken by the Afghanistan government to combat both COVID 19 as well as terrorism?