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Recent Reforms in the Defense sector<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Appointment of Chief of Defense Staff (CDS):<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>The CDS is the highest military office that oversees and coordinates the working of the three Services.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The CDS will also head the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) to be created within the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and function as its Secretary.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
CDS will give single-point military advice to the government, bringing about jointness in \u201coperations, logistics, transport, training, support services, communications, repairs and maintenance of the three Services\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
He will also act as the Principal Military Adviser to the Defence Minister on all tri-Services matters.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The CDS would not exercise any military command over the three Service Chiefs but would provide impartial advice to the political leadership.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The CDS will also be a member of the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by the Defence Minister and Defence Planning Committee chaired by the NSA and will also function as the \u2018Military Adviser to the Nuclear Command Authority.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Department of Military Affairs: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>It is headed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and works exclusively on military matters that will fall within the purview of the DMA. Earlier, these functions were the mandate of the Department of Defence (DoD).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
On March 15, 2023, the Ministry of Defence introduced the <\/span><\/span><\/span>Inter-services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> in the Lok Sabha to empower the commander-in-chief and officer-in-command of tri-service commands with disciplinary and administrative powers. Till now, personnel from the army, IAF and navy are governed by their respective laws.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
Way Ahead:<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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The Changing Dynamics of national security which now encompasses cyber, automation and such new challenges, cannot be solved by a disjointed military structure but rather a clear and robust structure that should quickly respond to an emergent situation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Source: <\/span><\/span><\/span>TH<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
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Dugdh Sankalan Sathi App for Dairy Sector<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n
Syllabus: GS2\/ E- Governance, Government policies & intervention<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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The Union Minister of Heavy Industries Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey unveiled the “Dugdh Sanakalan Sathi Mobile App” at Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
About the App<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Objective: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0Improve the quality of milk, foster transparency among stakeholders, and streamline operations at the grassroots village level, including Milk Cooperative Societies.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Designed and Developed by:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (REIL), Jaipur, a ‘Mini Ratna” Central Public Sector Enterprises under the Ministry of Heavy Industries<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Significance<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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The app would benefit the milk producers and contribute to the growth of the dairy sector.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
This improves operations at the grassroots level across all partnerships including milk producers, milk co-operative societies, milk organizations and state federations.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
This would facilitate the digitizing processes and facilitating direct beneficiary transfers of the government subsidies to milk producers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Dairy Sector in India: Key Facts<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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India is the largest Milk Producer:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> India is the highest milk producer and ranks first position in the world contributing 24% of global milk production in the year 2021-22.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Top 5 milk-producing states are:\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Export of dairy products: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>India\u2019s export of dairy products has witnessed a steady rise over the last three years. In 2021-22, India exported 108,711 MT of dairy products to the world for a total of Rs. 2,928.79 crore (US$ 391.59 million), with key export destinations being Bangladesh, UAE, Bahrain, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Evolution of the Dairy Sector in India<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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From a milk-deficit nation to a milk-products exporter: During the 1950s and 1960s,\u00a0 India was a milk-deficit nation dependent on imports, and the annual production growth was negative for several years.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
In 1950-51, per capita consumption of milk in the country was only 124 grams per day. By 1970, this figure had dropped to 107 grams per day, one of the lowest in the world .<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The country produced less than 21 million tonnes of milk per annum despite having the largest cattle population in the world.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) was created in 1965 with a mandate to support the creation of the \u2018Anand Pattern\u2019 of dairy cooperatives across the country through the Operation Flood (OF) programme which was to be implemented in phases.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Starting in 1970, NDDB replicated the Anand Pattern cooperatives through the Operation Flood programme all over India. Dr. Verghese Kurien, widely renowned as the<\/span><\/span><\/span> \u201cFather of White Revolution\u201d in India<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, was the first chairman of NDDB.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Operation Flood<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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It was implemented in the following phases:<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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Phase I (1970\u20131980)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> was financed by the sale of skimmed milk powder and butter oil donated by the European Union (then the European Economic Community) through the World Food Programme.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Phase II (1981\u20131985)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> increased the number of milk sheds from 18 to 136; urban markets expanded the outlets for milk to 290. By the end of 1985, a self-sustaining system of 43,000 village cooperatives with 42,50,000 milk producers had been covered.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Phase III (1985\u20131996) <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>enabled dairy cooperatives to expand and strengthen the infrastructure required to procure and market increasing volumes of milk. This phase added 30,000 new dairy cooperatives, which led to a total of 73,000.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Operation Flood helped quality milk reach consumers across 700 towns and cities through a National Milk Grid. The programme also helped <\/span><\/span><\/span>remove the need for middlemen, thereby reducing seasonal price variations.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
\u00a0In 1968-69, prior to the launch of Operation Flood, milk production was only 21.2 MT which increased to 30.4 MT by 1979-80 and 51.4 MT by 1989-90. Now it has increased to 210 million tonnes in 2020-21.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Significance of the Dairy Sector in India<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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India’s dairy industry has played a crucial role in the country’s economic development.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The sector has demonstrated an important part in achieving food security, reducing poverty, generating employment opportunities, and providing a regular source of income for rural households.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The <\/span><\/span><\/span>Operation Flood<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> has reduced the import bill, converted India from a milk importer to the world\u2019s largest producer.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u2022Challenges to the Dairy Secto<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>r<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Government Initiatives to Boost Dairy Industry<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Rashtriya Gokul Mission: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Aims to genetically improve the cattle population and promote and conserve indigenous cattle breeds. Under the mission, farmers now have access to several cutting-edge technologies at their doorstep, including sex-sorted semen, IVF technique and genomic selection.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD): <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Aims to build or strengthen infrastructure for the production of high-quality milk as well as for the procurement, processing, and marketing of milk and milk products through the State Implementing Agency or State Cooperative Dairy Federation.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS):<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> DEDS is being implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries to create self-employment opportunities in the dairy industry. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development is carrying out the programme.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
e-GOPALA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>: The web version of the e-GOPALA application developed by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has been launched to aid dairy farmers.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Launching of Dairy mark: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) together developed a dedicated \u2018Dairy Mark\u2019 logo as a unified quality mark across India to boost the confidence of consumers in milk and milk products.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Way Ahead<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Cooperatives revolutionized dairying, but due to a variety of factors their success has not gone beyond Gujarat and Karnataka.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Forming new cooperatives of farmers to more formalization of the dairy sector.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Ensuring more prices to farmers as they are the actual producers of the milk.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Improve cold storage and transportation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Source: <\/span><\/span><\/span>LM<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
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\u2018Fish kill\u2019 phenomenon at USA\u2019s Texas<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Conservation, Species in News\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Tens of thousands of dead fish recently washed up on multiple beaches of southeast Texas, USA.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
About \u2018fish kill\u2019<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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About:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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The term <\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2018fish kill\u2019, known also as \u2018fish die-off\u2019<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, is the <\/span><\/span><\/span>sudden <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>and unexpected death of many fish or other aquatic animals <\/span><\/span><\/span>over a short period <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>and mostly <\/span><\/span><\/span>within a particular area<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Fish kills are often the <\/span><\/span><\/span>first visible signs of environmental stress<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> and are usually investigated as a <\/span><\/span><\/span>matter of urgency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> by environmental agencies to determine the cause of the kill.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Causes:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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Primary cause: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>It occurs mainly due to <\/span><\/span><\/span>low levels of dissolved oxygen<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> in the water that <\/span><\/span><\/span>causes suffocation of the fish<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
About the Texas fish kill<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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About:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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Among the dead fish covering the shores were mostly <\/span><\/span><\/span>menhaden <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>but there were also some <\/span><\/span><\/span>sharks, trout, bass, catfish and stingrays<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Incident took place due to a phenomenon called <\/span><\/span><\/span>\u201cfish kill\u201d.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Officials have asked the public to stay away from the affected beaches until the time they had been cleared, due to the risk of being exposed to bacteria and sharp fins.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Reasons of Texas Fish kill:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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A combination<\/span><\/span><\/span> of factors led to the occurrence of the Texas fish kill.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Warm water:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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When sea surface temperatures rise, it becomes difficult for the fish to breathe as oxygen dissolves easily in colder water in comparison to warmer water.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Shallow water:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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Things take a turn for the worse when a school of fish gets trapped in shallow water, which gets warmer more quickly.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
This causes fish to act more erratically, which in turn, further depletes the oxygen from the water.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Calm sea:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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Another factor that contributed to the Texas fish kill was calm seas.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Experts suggest that one of the ways for oxygen to enter the water is by mixing with wind and waves.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
But in the past few weeks, the waves along the Texas Gulf Coast have been very calm, causing the depletion of dissolved oxygen.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Overcast weather:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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One more problem was the overcast weather in Texas.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Officials pointed out that due to cloudy skies, phytoplankton were unable to carry out the process of photosynthesis, which is another way of producing oxygen in the water.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Photosynthesis is driven by sunlight and it slows down on cloudy days, resulting in decreased dissolved oxygen concentration.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Frequency of event:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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Texas experiences fish kills every year during summers when the temperatures of the sea surface rise.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The phenomenon causes the<\/span><\/span><\/span> death of mostly menhaden<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, much like this time, which<\/span><\/span><\/span> serve as food for other fish<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> \u2014 this is a crucial part of the region\u2019s ecosystem.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Outcomes of the phenomenon:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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Warming of the oceans, has multiple adverse effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Studies have found that fish like<\/span><\/span><\/span> sardines, pilchards and herring<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> will become <\/span><\/span><\/span>smaller in size<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> and <\/span><\/span><\/span>not be able to move to better environments<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Researchers have also noted that<\/span><\/span><\/span> some fish species have started to leave their natural habitat <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>in search of cooler waters, which has disrupted the fish industry.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Recent fish kill in Dal Lake<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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About:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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Recently, hundreds of dead fish were seen floating over the water along fringes of Oberio Ghat, Dal Lake.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The report filed by the J&K Lake Conservation & Management Authority (LCMA)\u00a0 specifies that the<\/span><\/span><\/span> fish kill is an annual phenomenon<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> of <\/span><\/span><\/span>natural water bodies<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> and <\/span><\/span><\/span>domesticated fish ponds.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Causes:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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According to the report, it may result from a variety of causes — <\/span><\/span><\/span>suffocation due to thermal stratification<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> is the most common.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The report declares that various other environmental factors such as <\/span><\/span><\/span>Pollution, (Ecological Hypoxia) Oxygen Depletion<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> can also be the reason at times.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
It discloses that this condition may be brought by the <\/span><\/span><\/span>Algal blooms, high temperature, diseases, poaching with chemicals, underwater explosion<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Use of <\/span><\/span><\/span>pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and chemicals<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> alter the chemical parameters of water and also results in fish\/fingerling mortality.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The report underlines that <\/span><\/span><\/span>toxicity <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>is a <\/span><\/span><\/span>real factor<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> and a very common cause of fish kill.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
Impact of climate change on fish kill & Way ahead<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Although experts<\/span><\/span><\/span> haven\u2019t found any relation <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>between Texas fish kill and climate change, they say that <\/span><\/span><\/span>with rising temperatures of oceans<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, such <\/span><\/span><\/span>incidents will become more prevalent<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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Warmer oceans will lead to less dissolved oxygen levels, causing more death of fish.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Water can only hold so much oxygen at certain temperatures, and certainly we know that seawater temperatures are rising.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
It is concerning and something that needs to be monitored.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Source: <\/span><\/span><\/span>IE<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
India – United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n
Syllabus: GS2\/ International Institutions, United Nation, GS3\/ Conservation, Climate Change<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Recently NITI Aayog and the United Nations in India signed the Government of <\/span><\/span><\/span>India – United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What is UNSDCF ?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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The United Nations General Assembly Resolution A\/RES\/72\/279 designates the UNSDCF as the principal planning and implementation instrument for the UN Development System at country level.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The GoI-UNSDCF 2023-2027 is built on four strategic pillars derived from the 2030 Agenda \u2013 People, Prosperity, Planet and Participation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The four interlinked pillars have six outcome areas focusing on Health and Well Being; Nutrition and Food Security; Quality Education; Economic Growth and Decent Work; Environment, Climate, WASH and Resilience; and Empowering People, Communities, and Institutions.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The formulation of the GoI-UNSDCF 2023-2027 was led by NITI Aayog, on behalf of the Government of India. Partners from civil society, think tanks, private sector, cooperatives and labour unions also contributed to the development of the document, ensuring a whole of society, whole of government and whole of UN approach<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Significance For India:<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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The new Framework comes at a critical juncture as the world reaches the halfway mark to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and India envisions a \u2018Viksit Bharat\u2019 over the next 25 years, in line with the clarion call of the Hon\u2019ble Prime Minister.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
India is a key shaper of the 2030 Agenda. With UNSDCF India has aligned its flagship national initiatives with the SDGs and translated Agenda 2030 into local actions at all levels, while delivering development gains at scale.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
To further deepen cooperation in critical areas, for the first time, the GoI-UNSDCF will have specific focus on SDG localisation and South-South cooperation, in line with India\u2019s leadership towards the implementation and acceleration of the SDGs; and India\u2019s championing of South-South cooperation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Showcasing Indian models of development globally will be central to the effort.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Way Ahead:<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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GoI-UNSDCF 2023-2027 represents the UN development system\u2019s collective offer to the Government of India, in line with the national vision for development.\u00a0 The Cooperation Framework has to be a living and dynamic framework and should adapt in the light of how India changes and the world changes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
India\u2019s leadership in climate action and resilience continues to grow, as seen through UNSDCF. The time has come to completely address the challenges of the last century and take on the challenges of Amrit Kaal to become Viksit Bharat.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The Cooperation framework will focus on and support India in its transformation where it is not just access to basic requirements such as water\/ electricity\/ internet that would be important, but the quality of these issues that are more relevant for future.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Source: <\/span><\/span><\/span>PIB<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
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Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)\u00a0<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n
Syllabus :GS 2\/Health\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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The Janaushadhi scheme has helped citizens to save around Rs 20,000 cr on their medicine bills in the last 9 years.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
About\u00a0 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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It is a campaign launched in November 2008 by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in association with Central Pharma Public Sector Undertakings, to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through dedicated outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The Government revamped the \u2018Janaushadhi Scheme\u2019 in September 2015 as \u2018Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Yojana\u2019 (PMJAY).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
To give further impetus to the scheme, it was again renamed as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Features\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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PMBJK <\/span><\/span><\/span>provides generic medicines<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> at a much lesser price. The potency of these medicines is the same as that of expensive branded medicines available in the open market.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The Janaushadhi scheme requires that at least one Janaushadhi Store be set up in each District of the country<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The drugs sold at the Kendras are 50% to 90% cheaper than their branded counterparts.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Objectives\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Ensure access to quality medicines for all the section of the population especially for the poor and the deprived ones.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Create awareness about generic medicines through education and publicity to counter the perception that quality is synonymous with high price.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Generate employment by engaging individual entrepreneurs in opening of PMBJP Kendras.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Extend coverage of quality generic medicines so as to reduce the out of pocket expenditure on medicines and thereby redefine the unit cost of treatment per person.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Progress<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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In the last nine years, the number of Janaushadhi Kendras have increased by 100 times and the sales have increased more than 150 times.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
It has helped citizens to save around 20,000 crore rupees on their medicine bills in last nine years.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Over 9,400 Janaushadhi Kendras are functional across the country.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Medicines to treat gastric issues, diabetes, cardiovascular ailments, and pain have seen the highest sales at the Jan Aushadhi Kendras, under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana scheme.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Future Prospects\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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The government has set a target to increase the number of Janaushadhi Kendras to 10,000 by the end of this year.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Source: <\/span><\/span><\/span>TH<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
High court\u2019s observations on the right to change one\u2019s nam<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>e<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n
Syllabus : GS 2\/Polity and Governance\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
In News\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Recently, the High Courts of Allahabad and Delhi said that The right to change one\u2019s name or surname is a part of the right to life under <\/span><\/span><\/span>Article 21<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Court\u2019s observations<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Allahabad: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>The Allahabad HC said the fundamental right to keep or change one\u2019s name is vested in every citizen under <\/span><\/span><\/span>Articles 19(1)(a)<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>, 21, and 14 of the Constitution.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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Name changes made in the High School or Intermediate education certificates issued by the educational boards have to be simultaneously incorporated in all documents of identity issued by various authorities like Aadhar, PAN, ration card, etc., the court said, reasoning that congruence in all identity-related documents is essential.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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The court relied on the <\/span><\/span><\/span>Kerala HC ruling in \u201cKashish Gupta vs. Central Board of Secondary Education\u201d (2020)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, stating, \u201cTo have a name and to express the same in the manner he wishes, is certainly a part of the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19 (1)(a) as well as a part of the right to liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Delhi HC : <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>The Delhi HC allowed a plea filed by two brothers to reflect their father\u2019s changed surname \u2014 from \u201cMochi\u201d to \u201cNayak\u201d \u2014 on their Class 10 and 12 Board certificates, stating that the right to identity is an \u201cintrinsic part\u201d of the right to life under Article 21.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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The court also said that \u201cThere is no denying the fact that the Right to Life includes within its ambit, the Right to Live with Dignity,\u201d which includes \u201cnot to be tied down by any casteism\u201d faced by a person due to the caste to which he or she belongs.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Authorities stand\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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In \u2018Sadanand & Anr. vs CBSE & Ors\u2019, the CBSE contended that a change in the surname of the petitioners would subsequently entail a change in their caste, which could be misused.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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It also said that seeking a change in the father\u2019s name beyond the school records is not permissible.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
In \u2018Md. Sameer Rao vs. State of U.P.\u2019 the state argued that a change in the name is not an absolute right and is subject to restrictions imposed by law.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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\u00a0It was also argued that the Board rightly rejected the name change as it was barred by limitation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Some restrictions on the right to change names<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Although the right to change or keep one\u2019s name is a fundamental right \u201cby virtue of Article 19(1)(a) and Article 21\u201d, it is not an absolute right and is subject to various reasonable restrictions, as the Allahabad High Court clarified in Sameed Rao\u2019s case.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
However, the restrictions imposed by law on fundamental rights have to be<\/span><\/span><\/span> fair, just, and reasonable<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, the court said, citing the 2017 SC ruling in \u201cK. S. Puttaswamy vs. Union of India,\u201d saying, \u201cThe inter-relationship between the guarantee against arbitrariness and the protection of life and personal liberty operates in a multi-faceted plane.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The court also highlighted the <\/span><\/span><\/span>principle of proportionality<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> as an \u201cessential facet of the guarantee against arbitrary state action,\u201d since it ensures that the nature and quality of the right\u2019s encroachment are not disproportionate to the law\u2019s purpose.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The <\/span><\/span><\/span>value of human dignity<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> has an important role in determining the proportionality of a statute limiting a constitutional right, the court said, citing the test of reasonableness in the 2016 SC ruling in \u201cJeeja Ghosh vs. Union of India.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Source:<\/span><\/span><\/span>IE<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
Predator <\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>UAV)<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Science & Technology, Security<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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The<\/span><\/span><\/span> Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> headed by the<\/span><\/span><\/span> Defence minister<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, approved the procurement of 31 armed Predator UAV (<\/span><\/span><\/span>MQ-9 Reaper) <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), for the Indian Armed Forces.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What is an UAV?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, are aircraft either controlled by \u2018pilots\u2019 from the ground or increasingly, autonomously following a pre-programmed mission.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Features of Predator UAV:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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The <\/span><\/span><\/span>MQ-9 UAV<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>has an endurance of over 27 hours, speeds of<\/span><\/span><\/span> 240 KTAS,<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> can operate up to<\/span><\/span><\/span> 50,000 feet<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, and has a 1,746 kilograms payload capacity that includes 1,361 kilograms of external stores.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
It can carry 500 per cent more payload and has nine times the horsepower in comparison to the earlier MQ-1 Predator.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
MQ-9 UAV provides long-endurance, persistent surveillance,and strike capability for the warfighter.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Sea Guardian<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> is the <\/span><\/span><\/span>maritime variant <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>of the MQ-9 UAV and has an endurance of over 30 hours.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Capabilities of Predator UAV:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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These High-Altitude Long Endurance drones can carry out and boost the Indian Armed Forces<\/span><\/span><\/span> Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>capabilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Armed with payloads, the weaponized UAV will be able to <\/span><\/span><\/span>strike strategic targets<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> in mountains and the maritime domain during long-endurance missions.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Given its significant<\/span><\/span><\/span> loiter time, wide-range sensors, multi-mode<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>communications suite<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>,it provides a unique capability to perform strike, coordination, and reconnaissance against high-value, fleeting, and time-sensitive targets.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Countries using the MQ-9 UAV<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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The MQ-9 UAV has been acquired by the<\/span><\/span><\/span> US Air Force<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, the <\/span><\/span><\/span>US Department of Homeland Security<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span><\/span> NASA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, the<\/span><\/span><\/span> Royal Air Force (U K)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, the <\/span><\/span><\/span>Italian Air<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Force<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, the <\/span><\/span><\/span>French Air Force<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> and the<\/span><\/span><\/span> Spanish Air Force.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Why does India need Predator drones?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Counterterrorism operations: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Predator drones can play a crucial role in counterterrorism operations by conducting surveillance, gathering intelligence, and providing real time situational awareness to security forces.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Maritime security:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Predator drones equipped with maritime surveillance capabilities can monitor coastal areas, detect illegal activities such as smuggling and piracy, and support search and rescue operations.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Disaster management: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Predator drones can be utilised for assessing damage, monitoring affected areas, and facilitating relief and rescue operations during disasters<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Strategic deterrence: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>To enhance India’s overall defence capabilities and serve as a deterrent to potential adversaries like Pakistan and China..<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Reference:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>IE<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Prime Ministers Museum and Library<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Syllabus: GS1\/ Art & Culture<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Recently, the name of the Nehru Memorial Museum & Library (NMML) situated in the Teen Murti Complex was changed to <\/span><\/span><\/span>Prime Ministers Museum and Library society.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The building<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Teen Murti House:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Built in 1929-30 as part of Edwin Lutyen’s imperial capital, then known as Flagstaff House, was the official residence of the Commander-in-Chief of the British armed forces in India.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Nehru Residence:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>In August 1948, it became the official residence of India\u2019s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who lived there for 16 years until his death on May 27, 1964.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Nehru Memorial Museum<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>:On Nehru\u2019s 75th birth anniversary on November 14, 1964, President S Radhakrishnan dedicated the Teen Murti House to the nation and inaugurated the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Two years later, the NMML Society was set up to manage the institution, and has remained in charge since then.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya:<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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In 2016,<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> The Prime Minister mooted the idea of setting up a museum dedicated to all Prime Ministers of India on the premises of Nehru Museum.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
It was <\/span><\/span><\/span>inaugurated by the PM in April, 2022,<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> to create awareness about all 14 prime ministers of the country with ample space for future leaders as well.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Also the Nehru Museum has been integrated with the new building and designated as <\/span><\/span><\/span>Block I <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>of the Prime Ministers Museum.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Source: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>IE<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
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Common Assessment System for Defence Officers Syllabus: GS3\/ Defence, Security In News In an effort to create integrated theatre commands, a step towards evolving common parameters is mooted in the form of the common Annual Confidential Report (ACR). More on News Initially, a common ACR for two- and three-star officers of armed forces has been […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1663,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[76],"class_list":["post-1662","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-current-affairs","tag-gs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2023\/07\/3320045Screenshot_2.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1662","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1662"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1662\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1663"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1662"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1662"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1662"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}