India votes for permanent sovereignty of Palestinian people at UN General Assembly (GS Paper 2, International Organisation)
Why in news?
- India supported a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly to affirm the right of Palestinian people to self-determination.
- The resolution received overwhelming support from 172 member nations, with the United States and Israel being the sole dissenters.
Details:
- The development follows India's earlier vote in favour of a draft resolution during a General Assembly session, where India after abstaining for about eight weeks, called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
- The United States and Israel, along with eight other nations, voted against this resolution.
India’s stand:
- India's voting pattern in the past week appears to have assuaged concerns in the Arab world, where some perceived a tilt towards Israel.
- India has consistently asserted that a lasting peace in the region depends on a two-state solution.
- India's stance on these critical resolutions reflects its commitment to a balanced approach in addressing the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict in the United Nations.
Resolution by Egypt:
- An earlier resolution, introduced by Egypt that called for an immediate humanitarian truce, was adopted on December 12 during an emergency special session.
- It secured 153 votes in favour, with 23 nations abstaining and 10 voting against it.
- The resolution, sponsored by nations including Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Palestine, called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
- It reiterated the demand for all parties to adhere to international law, especially in safeguarding civilians, and stressed the urgent and unconditional release of hostages, coupled with ensuring humanitarian access.
India, Bangladesh agree to extend crucial Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route
(GS Paper 2, International Relation)
Why in news?
- Recently, the three high-level talks between India and Bangladesh, including shipping secretary-level talks, 22nd meeting of standing committee under PIWT&T and the 3rd meeting of inter-governmental committee on use of Chattogram and Mongla Ports for to-and-fro movement of goods, successfully concluded in Dhaka.
- Issues like easing visa issuance, shore-leave facility and repatriation for seafarers were deliberated upon.
Key Highlights:
- India and Bangladesh have agreed to extend Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route and declare Safardighi in West Bengal as the new port of call under Protocol on Inland Water Transit & Trade (PIWT&T).
- Both sides agreed to form a technical team immediately to study inclusion of Chandpur-Chittagong stretch as IBP route under PIWT&T.
- Bangladesh agreed to form a joint committee to implement a common Automatic Identification System (AIS) on the IBP route for better vessel navigation and tracking.
- Bangladesh agreed to include Mongla-Jamtola stretch for passenger and cruise vessels to visit the Sunderbans area in Bangladesh.
- Both sides agreed to examine inclusion of Payra sea port in the agreement on the use of Chattogram and Mongla Ports (ACMP) for movement of goods between the two countries.
Way Forward:
- Both countries shared the water routes and coastal routes for transportation of the cargo and passengers on Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route and Coastal routes.
- These routes are important since they provide alternative connectivity to the northeast through Bangladesh.
Government aims to set up 17,000 creches across India
(GS Paper 2, Social Justice)
Why in news?
- The Women and Child Development Ministry aimed to establish 17,000 creches in anganwadis across the country.
‘Palna’ scheme:
- 5,222 creches had been approved until now, and it planned to depute two additional creche workers in each anganwadi.
- These initiatives are being taken under the ‘Palna’ scheme to address the need for quality daycare facilities or creches for children of working women by providing a safe and secure environment for the nutritional, health and cognitive development of the children, thereby enabling more women among all socio-economic groups to take up gainful employment in the organised and unorganised sector.
New SOP:
- Recently, Union Women and Child Development Minister released a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for anganwadi-cum-creche centres being set up under the ‘Palna’ scheme.
- They outline a comprehensive framework for the administration and implementation of the scheme, including administrative hierarchy, roles, and responsibilities of the workers and monitoring checklist.
- Two additional creche workers and helpers would be deputed along with the existing anganwadi workers and helpers.
Significance:
- According to government data, participation of women in the workforce has increased to 37% in 2022.
- As of March 31, 2021, 13.87 lakh anganwadi and mini-anganwadi centres are operational across the country.
