Dr Rajendra Prasad
The Government of India recently celebrated the 136th birth anniversary of Dr Rajendra Prasad. His birth anniversary falls on December 3. Dr Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India. He served between 1950 and 1962. Till date, he is the longest serving president in the country.
Background
Rajendra Prasad was taught by a Muslim scholar in his childhood. This was because his father wanted him to learn Persian. Later he joined as an English professor in Bihar. He then pursued law degree in Kolkata and doctorate in law in Allahabad. He served as a member of High Court of Bihar and Odisha.
Freedom struggle
- In 1920, Prasad left his law practice and joined the Non – Cooperation movement.
- After Quit India Movement, Prasad spent three years in jail.
- He was highly inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.
Congress
Rajendra Prasad served as the Congress President in 1934. He presided over the Bombay session held that year. He was once again chosen as the President of the Congress in 1939.
After Independence
- The Constituent Assembly drafted the Indian Constitution. Prasad was the chairman of the assembly.
- Rajendra Prasad was the in charge of Food and Agriculture Department when Jawaharlal Nehru formed the interim government in 1946. The Interim Government was formed on September 2, 1946. This government took over the task of transiting British India to independent India. It was in place till India got its independence on August 15, 1947.
Literary Works
Atmakatha, Mahatma Gandhi and Bihar, Some Reminiscences, Satyagraha at Champaran, Since Independence and Division of India.
North Eastern States Roads Investment Programme
The North Eastern States Roads Investment Programme was launched in 2011. It aims to build 433 km long roads in six north eastern states. They were Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Sikkim. The project should be completed by August 2022. Around 36 lakh people are benefitted from the programme.
Important Points
- North East needs special attention as compared to the rest of India. For instance, Assam is the world largest tea producer. However, it lags in industrialisation.
- The seven sister states of the North East are surrounded by 5,300 km. Thus, it is essential to provide border protection, especial along Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh.
- People of North East feel alienated from the rest of the country because of lack of modern infrastructure, less exposure, poverty and unemployment.
- For the above reasons, it is essential to improve the connectivity in the region. Also, the connectivity in the region is needed to control the insurgency.
Present status
Currently, the North – Eastern Council is focusing on building 10,500 km in the region. Under the NEC, a new scheme called North East Road Sector Development was launched. It mainly focuses on Arunachal Pradesh.
India – UAE CEPA Negotiations
India and UAE launched the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in September 2021. The countries are to hold the third round of negotiations.
CEPA
- CEPA is an economic deal signed between India and UAE in 2017.
- It is a free trade pact.
- It covers negotiation on trade and services, investment and other economic partnerships.
- It also includes competition, cooperation and Intellectual Property Rights.
- It also looks in to the regulatory aspects of trade between the countries.
Important Points
As of March 2021, UAE is the third largest investor in India. The Indian companies have invested 85 billion USD in UAE. The major imports to India from UAE are petroleum products, stones, jewellery, gems. The major exports are minerals, precious metals, gems. With CEPA, the bilateral trade is to increase to 100 billion USD within 5 years.
Types of agreements
- PTA: Preferential Trade Agreement: This focuses on reducing the import or export duties of specific goods.
- CECA: Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement: It covers negotiation on Tariff Rate Quotas and trade tariff.
- BIT: Bilateral Investment Treaty: Under this agreement, the countries decide on the conditions for private investment
- TIFA: Trade and Investment Framework Agreement: It establishes a framework to expand the trade.
Paika Rebellion
The Paika Rebellion was fought by the Paikas of Khudra in Odisha. It was led by Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhara. The rebellion was fought against the British in 1820s.
Recent issue
The Union Government of India has recently refused to accept Paika rebellion as the first war of independence. In 2017, the Odisha Government demanded that the Odisha rebellion be declared as the first war of independence. Currently, the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 is called the first war of independence.
Paika Rebellion
Paika rebellion took place in 1817, which is 40 years before the first sepoy mutiny. The Paikas were the peasant militias. They offered military services to Gajapti rulers in Odisha. In 1803, the British East India Company dethroned King of Khurda, Raja Mukunda Deva. In 1804, the king planned a rebellion against the Britishers and involved the Paikas in to it. However, the Britishers learnt about the plan and confiscated the entire territory. The Britishers suppressed the Paika farmers through their revenue systems. This triggered the rebellion under Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar in 1817. During the rebellion, the government buildings were set on fire and policemen were killed and British treasury was looted. Bakshi died in 1825 in prison.
ICHR
The Central Government consulted the Indian Council of Historical Research. The ICHR is not operating under Ministry of Education. According to ICHR, the rebellion cannot be called as the first war of independence. However, considering its significance the GoI has decided to include it in the curriculum of Class VIII history textbook of NCERT.
National Blockchain Strategy
The National Blockchain Strategy was recently proposed by the Ministry of Electronics and IT. The strategy has adopted multi – institutional approach. It involves NIC (National Informatics Centre), C – DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) and NICSI (National Informatics Centre services Inc) for offering blockchain as service.
National Blockchain Strategy
- It aims to provide trusted digital platform for providing e – governance services using blockchain technology.
- It involves human resource development, collaboration, regulatory framework, technology stack, standards development.
- It seeks the union government to develop state – specific block chain applications.
Important Points
- The strategy will explore the possibility of use of technology for medical supplies and vaccines.
- It will improve transparency and efficiency in governance.
- NITI Aayog has recognised Blockchain technology as a promising technology. According to NITI Aayog, the technology has notable features such as accountability and decentralisation.
Crypto currency
The National Blockchain Strategy has kept crypto currency out of the ambit of its framework. However, the Government of India had listed a bill called “The Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021”. The bill provides a framework for the creation of official digital currency. Also, the RBI is to create digital money.
