7th FEBRUARY, 2025 A.) IMEC and Greece’s Support Why in News? Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has affirmed Greece’s full support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), calling it a project for peace. Background • IMEC was launched in September 2023 during the G20 Summit in New Delhi. • The project has faced delays due to conflicts in West Asia, particularly the Israel-Gaza war. Details Key Features of IMEC • Trade Route: IMEC aims to enhance connectivity between Asia, the Persian Gulf, and Europe. • Bifurcated Route: o Eastern Corridor: Connects India to the Gulf region. o Northern Corridor: Extends from the Gulf to Europe. • Multi-Modal Transport: Includes high-speed rail, shipping lanes, digital connectivity (undersea cables), and clean energy infrastructure (hydrogen pipelines). • Economic Benefits: Expected to reduce transit times by 40% and lower logistics costs. • Strategic Importance: Seen as a counterbalance to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Geopolitical Implications • Enhanced Regional Integration: Strengthens economic ties and promotes regional stability. • Strategic Diversification: Reduces reliance on traditional routes like the Suez Canal, mitigating risks from geopolitical conflicts. • Diplomatic and Economic Synergies: Facilitates cooperation among participating countries through coordinated infrastructure projects. IMEC stands as a critical initiative for global trade, fostering economic growth, connectivity, and strategic collaboration across continents.   B.) Expansion of e-NAM Commodities Why in News? With the addition of 10 new commodities (e.g., Chickpea Flour, Dried Tulsi Leaves, Dragon Fruit), the total number of commodities on the e-NAM platform has reached 231. This expansion will also support Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in marketing value-added products like Asafoetida and Roasted Chickpea Flour. Background • e-NAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market) is a pan-India electronic trading platform that integrates APMC Mandis into a unified national market. • Launched: 2016 • Implementing Agency: Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. • Unlike a parallel marketing platform, e-NAM leverages the existing APMC infrastructure for better price discovery. Details Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) • Governed by State APMC Acts, which are based on the Agricultural Produce Market Regulation Act, 1963. • To integrate with e-NAM, states must implement three key reforms: 1. Single trading license (Unified). 2. Single-point levy of market fee. 3. e-Auction/e-Trading as a mode of price discovery. Advantages of e-NAM • Improves Market Access: Reduces information gaps between farmers and buyers. • Real-Time Price Discovery: Based on actual demand and supply. • Transparency: Online auctioning based on quality parameters, ensuring timely digital payments. By expanding the range of tradable commodities, e-NAM strengthens farmer participation, enhances price efficiency, and promotes fair agricultural trade across India.   C.) Prohibition of Begging in Bhopal Why in News? The Bhopal district collector has issued orders prohibiting begging, a month after Indore took similar measures. The order includes strict enforcement, such as registration of FIRs for both receiving and giving alms. Background • Criminalisation of begging has been a controversial issue in India, with critics arguing that such laws are anti-poor and should focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. • Some states have stringent anti-begging laws, while others have decriminalized it partially. Details Legal Provisions Behind the Order • Issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, which allows officials to impose urgent restrictions in cases of nuisance or apprehended danger. • Violation of the order is punishable under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which prescribes imprisonment, fines, or both for disobedience. • Duration of Order: o Initially valid for two months. o Can be extended up to six months by the state government if deemed necessary. History of Anti-Begging Laws in India • The Bombay Prevention of Beggary Act, 1959, was the first law criminalizing begging, based on colonial-era vagrancy laws. • In 2018, the Delhi High Court decriminalized begging, striking down provisions of the 1959 Act but retaining penalties for those forcing others to beg. • Many states, including Maharashtra, continue to criminalize begging, but India lacks a central anti-begging law. Debate Over Criminalization • Arguments in Favor: o Helps combat forced begging and begging rackets. • Arguments Against: o Criminalizes poverty instead of addressing root causes. o Existing laws on trafficking and forced labor can be used to address coerced begging. The move highlights the ongoing policy dilemma—whether to punish or rehabilitate beggars—while raising concerns about human rights and social justice.   D.) Scaling Back of DEI Initiatives by Companies Why in News? Major companies like Meta and Amazon have been reducing their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, raising concerns about workplace diversity and fairness. Background • DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) refers to policies that promote representation and participation of diverse groups, including those based on gender, race, and sexual orientation. • Many organizations adopted DEI frameworks to ensure non-discrimination, employee engagement, and innovation. Details Significance of DEI at the Workplace 1. Non-discrimination – A fundamental human right that ensures equal access to employment, promotions, and worker welfare. 2. Business Growth – Enhances creativity, expands the talent pool, improves employee engagement, and boosts corporate reputation. Impact of Scaling Back DEI Initiatives • Promotes Biases – Reducing DEI can lead to homogeneous workforces, increasing risks of algorithmic biases in AI and decision-making blind spots. • Workplace Discrimination – Employees from marginalized backgrounds may face barriers in promotions and career opportunities. Global DEI Initiatives • UN Global Compact (Principle 6) – Calls for the elimination of workplace discrimination in employment. • National Quotas & Targets – Some countries enforce workplace diversity policies, such as gender and disability quotas (e.g., Austria, Germany). As companies scale back DEI, concerns grow over equal opportunity, workplace fairness, and long-term business innovation.   E.) US Withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council Why in News? Former US President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Background • The US withdrew from UNHRC in 2018 under Trump’s administration, citing bias against Israel and concerns over human rights violators being members. • In 2021, President Joe Biden reinstated the US' membership, signaling a return to multilateral diplomacy. Details About the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) • Intergovernmental body within the United Nations (UN) system. • Established in 2006 to replace the UN Commission on Human Rights. • Mandate: Promotes and protects human rights worldwide. Structure and Membership • 47 Member States, elected by the UN General Assembly for three-year terms (maximum of two consecutive terms). • Membership is based on geographic representation, with regional quotas ensuring balanced global participation. Key Functions of UNHRC 1. Human Rights Monitoring – Investigates violations and makes recommendations. 2. Universal Periodic Review (UPR) – Reviews the human rights records of all UN Member States. 3. Special Procedures – Appoints independent experts (Special Rapporteurs) to monitor human rights situations in specific countries or themes. 4. Commissions of Inquiry – Conducts fact-finding missions to investigate major human rights violations. The US’ participation in the UNHRC remains a subject of debate, with arguments over its effectiveness, political bias, and legitimacy in addressing global human rights concerns.   F.) Western Disturbances and Their Impact on India Why in News? Western Disturbances (WD) play a crucial role in bringing winter rainfall and snowfall to North India. These non-monsoonal weather systems impact agriculture, water availability, and overall climate patterns. What are Western Disturbances (WD)? • Low-pressure systems originating in the mid-latitudes, bringing rain and snow to North India, especially during winters. • The term ‘disturbance’ is used because air within low-pressure systems is unstable, leading to cyclonic activity. Formation and Origin • Origin: Western Disturbances form over the Mediterranean Sea due to interactions between contrasting cold and warm air masses. • Cyclogenesis Process: o A high-pressure system over Ukraine forces cold polar air to interact with warmer subtropical air, creating instability. o This leads to the formation of low-pressure cyclonic systems (WDs). Movement and Moisture Sources • Subtropical Westerly Jet (SWJ): o WDs are embedded within the SWJ, a high-altitude wind current flowing from west to east between 20° and 40° latitude. o This guides their eastward movement towards the Indian subcontinent. • Moisture Sources: o WDs gain additional moisture from the Caspian Sea (north) and Persian Gulf (south) as they travel through West Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Impact on India 1. Winter Rainfall & Snowfall o WDs cause rain in the plains (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh) and snowfall in the Western Himalayas (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand). o Locally, this winter rainfall is known as ‘Mahawat’. 2. Agriculture o Beneficial for Rabi crops (e.g., wheat, mustard, barley), as it enhances soil moisture. o Excess rainfall, however, can damage crops and impact productivity. 3. Himalayan Snowfall o Snowfall from WDs feeds Himalayan glaciers, which act as a source of perennial rivers (e.g., Indus, Ganga). 4. Weather Disturbances o Sometimes, WDs interact with easterly waves, leading to intense rainfall events and thunderstorms. o Can cause cold waves, fog, and landslides in northern states. Conclusion Western Disturbances are vital for India’s winter climate, influencing agriculture, water resources, and weather conditions. However, climate change is altering their frequency and intensity, necessitating better forecasting and preparedness.