- Democratic engagement with a digital plug-in
Context
Before the Brexit referendum, a campaign called ‘Leave.EU’ emerged on social media, targeting individuals with calculated and data-driven content. The campaign aimed to evoke fears, hopes, and a sense of lost identity, using digital platforms to shape perceptions and encourage voting to leave the European Union.
Digital Influence in India’s Elections
- The Brexit referendum highlighted the increasing role of technology in defining democracy.
- Digital platforms, once seen as equalisers, have become a double-edged sword in India’s electoral strategies.
- The Lokniti-Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) studies on digital campaigns during the 18th Lok Sabha election highlight the growing use of digital political advertisements.
- The 2023 Karnataka Assembly election showed a strategic shift towards digital platforms in political parties’ electoral strategies.
- The use of micro-targeting, based on location, is another layer of this digital strategy.
Third-Party Campaigning in Indian Elections
- Third-party campaigners, a new phenomenon in Indian elections, operate behind the scenes with significant influence and manipulation.
- The content propagated by these campaigners is often more alarming than the money they spend on it, using Islamophobic language and derogatory slurs in their political advertisements.
- This content distorts the democratic discourse and raises ethical and regulatory questions about their role in electoral processes.
- Three major issues emerging in the realm of digital campaigning: regulation of expenditure, content oversight, and challenges posed by platformization.
- The disparity in financial resources among political parties is manifested by their digital advertising spending, particularly on platforms like Google.
- Strict expenditure reporting requirements for these non-contestants and an independent agency should conduct an audit of their content after each election cycle.
- Platformization has led to varied content strategies across digital platforms, with no significant spending by third-party campaigners on Google.
Digital Age and Democracy Reforms
- The digital age has changed rules, but regulatory loopholes persist.
- The challenge lies in ensuring technology enhances democratic ideals.
- Comprehensive studies in India’s context, especially in digital campaigning, are needed.
- Solutions should go beyond traditional political theories and explore the digital realm.
- International Day of Democracy should be celebrated, but reforms should extend the definition of rule of law to include the digital realm.
- By establishing sensible rules for the digital sphere, this expansion can strengthen democracy.
2. A human touch to India’s mineral ecosystem
Context
In 2014, the Indian judiciary highlighted coal block allotment in a 2012 report. In 2015, the Narendra Modi government amended the Mines and Minerals Act, mandating auctions and creating a District Mineral Foundation (DMF) to manage the allocation of coal blocks between 2004 and 2009. This was driven by the Prime Minister’s belief that local communities are key stakeholders in the nation’s natural resource-led development, and licensees and leaseholders pay a certain royalty.
Transformation of District Mineral Foundation (DMF)
- DMF has received nearly ₹1 lakh crore corpus for community-centric development works in mining-affected districts.
- The Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKKY) scheme has sanctioned three lakh projects across 645 districts in 23 States.
- The PMKKKKY aims to implement developmental and welfare projects in mining areas, minimizing mining impacts and ensuring long-term sustainable livelihoods.
- In mining-affected areas, DMFs are turning mineral wealth into a lifeline for development.
- DMFs are making State governments active partners and promoting the philosophy of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas Sabka Prayas’.
- The ‘National DMF Portal’ digitises the administration and oversight of DMFs across India, enabling greater transparency and efficiency.
- DMFs are innovating to maximize the impact of initiatives and devise strategies to address unique challenges and needs.
- DMFs are ensuring inclusivity by including elected representatives in governing bodies and establishing a dedicated engineering department.
- DMFs are integrating their activities and goals with ongoing central and State schemes to supplement efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Convergence Advantage of Cooperative Federalism
- DMFs converge central and state schemes, aligning goals and resources.
- Aligning national priorities with local needs amplifies impact and reach.
- DMFs are becoming inclusive tools, reaching every corner of the nation.
- Transforming underserved regions by turning natural resources into local development drivers.
- India’s initiatives reshape resource management, balancing economic growth with social welfare and rights.
3. Realizing the rural-urban continuum
Context:
India’s urban century is predicted due to demographic shifts and infrastructure demands. Urban centers and agglomerations, as well as Tier II and Tier III cities, are experiencing these changes. India should view these challenges as part of an urban-rural continuum, rather than viewing them as either rural or urban. Addressing these challenges requires a more holistic approach.
Policy Framework and Over-Centralisation in India
- Over-centralisation of finances has compromised local autonomy, leading to financial constraints.
- Centrally sponsored schemes and financial devolution have led to tied grants and increased property tax in cities.
- The urban-rural continuity is overlooked by flagship initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
- AMRUT funding extends to all statutory towns, but these towns account for only a portion of the urban population.
- Contiguous areas like census towns and urban villages do not qualify for funding under AMRUT for urban infrastructure for liquid waste.
- Infrastructure for solid waste management in cities is not supported by AMRUT.
- Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 aims to make urban India garbage-free and propose sustainable waste management solutions.
- Both Swachh Bharat Missions focus on maintaining open defecation-free status, managing solid and liquid waste in rural India, and constructing household toilets.
India’s Government’s Programmes and Governance Models
- Both peri-urban and urban waste management programs aim for similar outcomes.
- Collaborative design of waste management plants at district or regional levels could improve urban governance.
- The 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendments’ governance framework needs strengthening.
- District Planning Committees, including Zila Panchayats and urban local bodies, need to be strengthened.
- The current model of district bureaucracy subordinate to District Planning Committees is often appendages.
- In quickly growing metropolitan areas, the urban-rural continuum necessitates immediate infrastructure and governance changes.
- The compartmentalization of finances and resources between urban and rural India is questionable.
- There should be some liberty in designing plans in a joint manner.
3. What are AM, FM, and signal modulation?
Context:
Signal modulation, including AM, FM, and PM, is essential for efficient information transmission by adjusting wave properties like amplitude, frequency, and phase. It manages signal interference and facilitates clear communication across different technologies. AM and FM are key forms of signal modulation in modern long-distance communications, simplifying the technologies needed to send and receive high-quality signals carrying information.
Wave Measurement and Morse Code
- Waves are measured by a single, short disruption triggered by a pebble drop.
- The height of the wave is determined by the impact of the pebble, with higher amplitudes resulting in louder sound waves and brighter light waves.
- The frequency of a wave is expressed in hertz (Hz), which is the number of successive crests that arrive at a point every second.
- The wavelength, the interval between two successive crests (or troughs), is measured in metres.
- Frequency modulation (FM) is a technique where the frequency is adjusted to transmit a message.
- Another method is called amplitude modulation (AM), in which the frequency is set by dropping the stones at predetermined intervals; however, the pebbles’ varied weights produce waves with varying amplitudes.
Phase Modulation and Digital Transmission
Understanding Phase Modulation
- Phase modulation involves two waves with the same frequencies but different phases.
- The phase difference between two waves of the same frequency is used to encode a message.
- Phase modulation is impervious to amplitude fluctuations produced by interference and noise, making it ideal for digital transmission.
Digital and Analog Transmission
- Phase modulation is not suitable for analog radio or TV broadcasts as it’s digital.
- Digital transmission uses AM, FM, or PM modes to transmit • and – (or 0s and 1s).
- AM or FM is used in analog transmission to spread composite waves.
Signal Modulation and Its Use
- Signal modulation allows multiple signals modulated differently to travel in the same channel without interrupting each other.
- Static and noise are caused by radio waves from lightning striking a signal.
- Advanced communications technologies like the internet are largely due to modulation.
Frequency Bands and Transmission Efficiency
- The International Telecommunication Union allocates frequency bands to different services to minimize interference and increase transmission efficiency.
- AM’s frequency range (535 to 1,705 kHz) provides more coverage, while FM offers superior quality but has lower wavelengths and is more expensive.
4. Expert highlights impact of generative AI tools ‘accelerating the climate crisis’
Why in the News?
If you care about the environment, think twice about using AI as generative artificial intelligence uses 30 times more energy than a traditional search engine, warned researcher Sasha Luccioni, on a mission to raise awareness of the environmental impact of the hot new technology.
Canadian AI Scientist Luccioni’s Concerns
- Luccioni, a Canadian computer scientist, criticizes the energy-intensive use of AI in internet searches.
- She argues that AI programs generate new information, making the process more energy-intensive.
- A study showed that producing high-definition images using AI consumes as much energy as fully recharging a cell phone battery.
- The International Energy Agency reported that AI and cryptocurrency sectors consumed nearly 460 terawatt hours of electricity in 2022, 2% of total global production.
- Despite Microsoft and Google’s carbon neutrality commitments, their greenhouse gas emissions increased in 2023 due to AI.
- Luccioni calls for more transparency from tech companies and suggests governments could be the solution.
- She promotes “energy sobriety”—the appropriate tool selection and prudent application.
Source: The Hindu