Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Early Life of Patel
- October 31, 1875.
- From a self-sufficient landowning family.
- Self-taught man with an independent law office in Godhra.
- Known for presenting cases in a precise manner.
- Influenced by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi in 1917 and entered the freedom struggle.
Contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to the Freedom Struggle
- 1918 – Kheda Satyagraha
- Actively participated with the aim of no tax from farmers due to drought in the Kheda area.
- 1920 - Non-cooperation Movement
- Actively participated and gave up his law practice to show non-cooperation.
- Established Gujarat Vidyapeeth for children.
- 1928 - Bardoli Satyagraha
- Expressed solidarity with the people of Bardoli and was given the title of Sardar (Leader).
- 1931 - President of INC (Karachi Session)
- Resolution on Fundamental Rights and the National Economic Programme.
- Guaranteed basic civil and political rights to the people.
Contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to Independent India
- Integration of Princely States
- Integrated the 562 Princely States into the Indian Union, earning him the titles "Iron Man of India" or "Bismark of India."
- Administration
- Played a crucial role in creating a unified administrative service for the country.
- Referred to civil servants as the "steel frame of India."
- Established National Civil Services Day (April 21) and addressed probationers of Administrative Services Officers.
Practice Question – Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements about Bardoli satyagraha:
1. It was against the withdrawal of plague bonus by the mill owners of the region.
2. Maxwell-Broomfield Commission was appointed due to this satyagraha.
3. During this satyagraha, Vallabhai Patel was given the Sardar title by Gandhi.
How many of the statements given above are correct:
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Fact Checking Unit (FCU)
Fact Checking Unit (FCU)
About FCU
- Initially dealt with by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
- Fact Check Unit (FCU) established to combat fake news related to the Government of India and its agencies.
- January 2023 - Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) proposed amendments to the draft IT rules 2021.
- Any news identified as "fake" by the PIB's fact-checking team should not be permitted by online intermediaries.
- April 2023 - Dropped reference to PIB, and a new FCU was created under the "Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021."
New Fact Check Unit (FCU)
- FCU tasked with finding fake, false, and misleading online content related to the government.
Composition of Fact Check Unit (FCU)
- Representative from the IT Ministry.
- Representative from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOS&PI).
- Media expert and legal expert.
Process of Combating FCU
- FCU identifies fake or misleading content related to the central government on the Internet and marks it as fake.
- Online intermediaries are expected to make "reasonable efforts" to not host such content on their platforms.
Safe Harbor Position
- Under Section 79 of the IT Act.
- Exemptions given to intermediaries to protect them from liability for any third-party information posted on their platforms.
Need for FCU
- Spread false information about government policies leads to the distortion of facts and events.
- Manipulation of public opinion, especially on sensitive topics.
- Fake news may create polarization and panic among the people.
Practice Question – Prelims
Q. With respect to the term “Safe Harbour” as seen in the news, it relates to
a) Tax haven for round-tripping the money of Multinational companies.
b) Immunity given to Social media companies from legal action.
c) A Harbour which is generally present in the Intertidal zone.
d) Countries which will not get affected by climate change.
India-Bangladesh Relations
India-Bangladesh Relations
Economic Relations
- Bangladesh is the largest trade partner of India, especially in the South Asian region.
- India provided concessions, including duty-free access for Bangladeshi products in Indian markets.
- Bilateral trade between India & Bangladesh is USD 18.2 billion.
- Dipped to USD 14.2 billion in 2022-23, but still India's top trading partner in the region.
- India’s exports include petroleum, cotton yarn, wheat, and other commodities.
- Bangladesh’s exports include pure vegetable oils, non-knit men's clothes, etc.
- Agreement for trade transactions in rupees, reducing dependence on the US dollar and strengthening regional currency & trade in South Asia.
- South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) allows countries to enjoy preferential treatment like tariff concessions in each other's markets.
- Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is in the negotiating process.
Investments
- India invested over USD 3 billion in Bangladesh.
- Bangladesh invested USD 1 billion in India.
Energy & Connectivity
- India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline connecting Siliguri in West Bengal & Parbatipur of Bangladesh.
- Transporting one million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA) of High-Speed Diesel to Bangladesh.
- Akhaura-Agartala rail link to re-establish rail connectivity between Bangladesh and Tripura.
- Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line.
- Maitree Super Thermal Power Project.
Practice Question – Prelims
Q. With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements: (2017)
1. The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim.
2. River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and it is a tributary of river Teesta.
3. River Teesta flows into Bay of Bengal on the border of India and Bangladesh.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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