Table of Contents
The Hindu Editorial Analysis
We understand the significance of reading The Hindu newspaper for enhancing reading skills, improving comprehension of passages, staying informed about current events, enhancing essay writing, and more, especially for banking aspirants who need to focus on editorials for vocabulary building. This article will explore today’s editorial points, along with practice questions and key vocabulary.
PM Modi Highlights the Weaponisation of Technology and Critical Minerals
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned against the “weaponisation” or misuse of technology and access to critical minerals. On Sunday, he spoke about new BRICS initiatives to make supply chains stronger and to help countries deal better with disruptions, pandemics and climate disasters.
- On the final day of the BRICS Summit, Mr. Modi said that the increasing number of conflicts around the world is having a growing negative and wide-reaching effect on the lives of ordinary people. As BRICS enters its third decade, the world expects the group to produce real and clear results, and not just give ideas and make commitments.
- Modi said that the misuse or “weaponisation” of technology and critical minerals can slow down the common progress of countries. Therefore, BRICS countries have stressed that all countries and people should be included in the use and development of technology.
- He said that pandemics, climate disasters and problems in supply chains have shown that in today’s connected world, a crisis in one region does not remain limited to that region and can affect other parts of the world as well.
- Because of this, BRICS countries have worked to make themselves better prepared and stronger against such problems. Their focus is on identifying problems early, being prepared in advance and taking quick action when a crisis occurs.
- Following this approach, BRICS countries have agreed to create a BRICS Integrated Early Warning System. It will help countries prevent infectious diseases and respond quickly when such diseases spread.
- Early Warning Data Integration Guidelines have also been prepared for disaster management. These guidelines will help countries use early-warning information in a better and more organised way while dealing with disasters.
- The BRICS Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework will help make supply chains more reliable and stronger, so that the movement and supply of important goods can continue even when major disruptions occur.
- The BRICS Incubator Network will connect start-ups and business incubators from BRICS member countries. A BRICS Startup Innovation Fund has also been proposed to encourage and support new, useful and scalable solutions.
- The BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture will create new opportunities for farmers. Through this initiative, Artificial Intelligence (AI), geospatial technology and Digital Public Infrastructure will be connected with the real and practical needs of farmers.
- BRICS CONNECT is aimed at improving skills and employability, increasing the participation of women in the workforce, strengthening social security, and building the abilities and capacity of people.
- To help small enterprises get access to knowledge, finance and new markets, BRICS has started the BRICS MSME Cooperation Portal.
- The BRICS Urban Mobility Hub has been established so that cities of BRICS member countries can share their successful methods and best practices for improving urban mobility.
- As part of the sustainability pillar of India’s strategy for BRICS, a BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence for smart grids and energy storage has been established.
- This Centre of Excellence will help make clean-energy systems more reliable, efficient and easily available, so that clean energy can be used in a better and more dependable way.
- The Centres of Excellence for Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture will bring together traditional knowledge and modern science. This will help countries use useful traditional practices along with modern scientific methods in agriculture.
- BRICS has also developed principles for community-based climate adaptation. These principles will make indigenous or traditional knowledge an important base for taking action against climate change.
- Modi said that the Global South has gained greater confidence in BRICS because the voices of these countries are being heard, their experiences are being respected, and solutions are being developed not for them, but together with them.
Xi Calls on BRICS to Ensure a World Free from ‘Double Standards’
- Chinese President Xi Jinping, while speaking at the BRICS summit in New Delhi on Sunday, called on the BRICS countries to “rally the Global South” so that the increasingly unstable international order remains free from double standards. At the same time, he proposed a five-point plan related to artificial intelligence (AI) and smart manufacturing to help BRICS move forward in the digital and technological field.
- Xi described the present situation in the world as “volatile and fraught with risks and challenges.” He said that, to bring stability to the world and make it a better place, BRICS countries should take the lead at this important time, bring the countries of the Global South together, play an active, stabilising and positive role in international affairs, and work for the well-being of all humanity.
- Xi did not directly mention the United States, but Chinese officials have increasingly criticised Washington for what they believe is its use of power under what the U.S. describes as a “rules-based order”. This criticism has become stronger, especially after recent actions in Venezuela and the war with Iran.
- Xi said that the idea that “might makes right” is not acceptable and should have been rejected long ago. He said that the countries of the Global South should work together to protect the rule of law in international affairs and defend the basic rules and principles that guide relations between countries.
- He especially mentioned the principles of equal sovereignty of countries, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and solving disputes peacefully. He also said that international law and international rules should be followed and applied equally to all countries, without any double standards.
- Xi also put forward five initiatives focused on AI and technology to strengthen the digital and technological future of BRICS. These five initiatives are an “AI open source community,” an “open ecosystem for AI,” a “special economic zone partnership,” a “digital ecosystem cloud platform,” and “science and technology talent development.”
UCC to Be Implemented in All 21 NDA-Ruled States by 2029, Says Shah
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be put into effect by 2029 in all 21 States where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are in power.
- He also said that the government is fully committed to sending every illegal immigrant out of the country.
- On the issue of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, Mr. Shah did not give any fixed time for when it would be implemented. However, he said that the government is talking to its allies and different political parties about whether the 1951 records should be taken as the starting point for the NRC.
- Talking about the Gen Z protests that took place in July, Mr. Shah said that everyone should have the right to express their views in a democracy. He said that the government wants to talk and communicate with everyone and does not want to run the country in a situation similar to the Emergency.
- Shah said that the way the Congress worked was different from the way his government works. He said, “Congress culture was different. Our culture is different.”
- Shah was in Maharashtra on a two-day visit. He made these statements while speaking to the press during the Seva Sankalp Abhiyaan.
- The Seva Sankalp Abhiyaan is a national campaign being held for one month, from September 17 to October 17. It is being organised to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday and to mark his completion of 25 years of public service as a Chief Minister and as the Prime Minister.
- The Congress criticised the Home Minister for avoiding questions about the corruption allegations related to the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank Limited ‘scam’.
- The alleged scam involves financial irregularities of ₹25,000 crore. These allegations are related to loans being given improperly and the distress sale of cooperative sugar factories.
- Shah is also the Union Minister of Cooperation. When he was asked whether his Ministry would issue a White Paper on the matter because the findings of the Central and State agencies were different, he said, “Why should we?”
- Shah said that the agencies were doing their work and would file a chargesheet in the court. He then asked the journalists to keep their questions limited to the topic of the 25 years of service.
- Maharashtra Congress president Harshawardhan Sapkal criticised Mr. Shah and said that the Union Minister had “run away” from the press conference because he did not have the “courage” to answer questions about the multi-crore ‘scam’.
- Shah’s visit to Maharashtra is also taking place at a time when there are differences over a proposal to make Marathi compulsory for cab and auto-rickshaw drivers.
- Shah will attend the Hindi Diwas celebration in Maharashtra on Monday.
- When he was asked about conflicts over language and regional identity that can arise because of migration, Mr. Shah said that it is the government’s policy to give importance to the mother tongue. He also said that the Constitution has given specific directions to the States in this matter.
- Shah said that he did not think this issue would become a major problem. He said that some isolated incidents may happen if certain people try to create tension, but the States have experienced leadership and will certainly find a way to solve such problems.
- At another event, Mr. Shah presented the 52nd India Gem and Jewellery Awards. He asked the diamond industry to take the lead in developing the lab-grown diamond sector.
- He said that the market for lab-grown diamonds is expected to grow to nearly 50 times its present size. He described this expected growth as a very big opportunity for the diamond industry.
Important Questions
- What did Prime Minister Narendra Modi warn against regarding the “weaponisation” or misuse of technology and access to critical minerals?
- What is the purpose of the BRICS Integrated Early Warning System agreed upon by BRICS countries?
- What did Chinese President Xi Jinping call on the BRICS countries to do so that the increasingly unstable international order remains free from “double standards”?
- What five initiatives related to artificial intelligence (AI) and technology did Xi Jinping propose to strengthen the digital and technological future of BRICS?
- By what year did Union Home Minister Amit Shah say the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be put into effect in all 21 States where the BJP and NDA are in power?
- What did Union Home Minister Amit Shah say about the government’s policy regarding the mother tongue in relation to conflicts over language and regional identity?
Important Vocabulary
- Weaponisation — misuse of something as a weapon or for harmful purposes.
- Disruptions — events that interrupt or disturb normal activities.
- Scalable — able to grow or expand effectively.
- Regenerative — helping to restore or renew something.
- Volatile — likely to change suddenly and unpredictably.
- Sovereignty — the authority of a country to govern itself.
- Interference — involvement in a matter without being invited.
- Double standards — applying different rules to similar situations.
- Implemented — put a plan or decision into effect.
- Immigrant — a person who comes to live in another country.
- Corruption — dishonest or illegal use of power for personal gain.
- Chargesheet — a formal document listing accusations against a person in a case.
Download Online Mock Test Mobile APP
3
