Daily News Analysis 20th October 2018

Daily News Analysis (Prelims + Mains) – 20th October 2018

General Study – I

Topic:

Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events,
personalities, issues

75th Year of Establishment of Azad Hind Government

The Prime Minister would be hoisting the National flag and unveiling the plaque to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the formation of Azad Hind Government on 21st October, 2018, at the Red Fort, Delhi.

The Azad Hind Government, founded on 21st October 1943 was inspired by Neta ji Subhash Chandra Bose who was the leader of Azad Hind Government and also the Head of State of this Provisional Indian Government-in-exile.

It was a part of the freedom movement, originating in 1940s outside India with a purpose of allying with Axis powers to free India from British rule.

The existence of the Azad Hind Government gave a greater legitimacy to the independence struggle against the British.

Pertinently, the role of Azad Hind Fauj or the Indian National Army (INA) had been crucial in bequeathing a much-needed impetus to India’s struggle for Independence.

Contribution of Subhash Chandra Bose in India’s freedom

Subhash Chandra Bose joined the Disobedience Movement (1930) under the influence of Gandhiji, although he was selected in Indian Civil Services.

Mahatma Gandhi addressed Subhash Chandra Bose as Netaji for the first time.

In 1938 (Haripur Session) and 1939 (Tripuri Session) was elected as the President of Congress.

Resigned from congress Presidentship in 1939 and formed his Forward Block in 1940 due to differences with Gandhiji.

British had held him under house arrest in Calcutta due to his activities.

In 1941 he secretly left India and approached Russia and Germany for help in India’s freedom.

Provided leadership to the Indian National Army after he went to Japan in 1943.

Organized soldiers and formed provisional government in October 1943. Axis powers recognized provisional Government.

The INA attacked the North Eastern borders and even captured a portion, but they had to surrender due to Japanese biased policy and adverse weather conditions.

Provided an influential leadership and kept the spirit of nationalism burning during the slack period of national movement in India.

The Indian National Army (INA)

The Indian National Army (INA) was an armed force formed by Indian nationalists in 1942 in Southeast Asia during World War II.

The army was first formed in 1942 under Mohan Singh, by Indian PoW’s (Prisoners of Wars) of the British-Indian Army captured by Japan in the Malayan campaign and at Singapore.

It was revived under the leadership of Subhash Chandra Bose after his arrival in Southeast Asia in 1943.

Its aim was to secure Indian independence from British rule. It formed an alliance with Imperial Japan in the latter’s campaign in the Southeast Asian theatre of WWII.

Its contributions are

• Its Army for independence, First of such armed movement against mighty British empire which shook them to the core.
• INA gave self-belief that even Indians are not just nonviolence preachers and can strike if needed.

INA able to get support from foreign nations making our independence struggle an international.

• It arouse nationalism in Indian diaspora of Malaya, Singapore and amalgamated them.
• Brought sense of pride among prisoners of war to fight for right cause.
• Launched a successful Burma campaign against allied forces and the frontier of India in Manipur in 1944.
• Although Netaji’s INA could not be successful beyond Andaman and Nicobar and Imphal but it aroused a strong anti-British sentiment.

However INA couldn’t manage to get support from Indians because of their violence nature and INC criticism. But several events that led to its reconciliation to mainstream

• INA trials were able to garner support from all religions which became symbol of unity and able to reconcile.
• Royal Indian Navy revolt could make public and armed forces feel closer to the cause of INA soldiers.
• Indian National Congress support to INA trials, leaders like Pt. Nehru, Asaf Ali and others came forward to defend INA soldiers in courts.

Topic for Prelims

Carnot Prize

Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania awards 4th annual Carnot Prize to Union Minister for Power.

Carnot Prize is the Kleinman Center’s annual recognition of distinguished contributions to energy policy through scholarship or practice.

Carnot Prize is intended to honour those leading revolutions in energy policy to further progress and prosperity.

The most prestigious award in the energy sector, Carnot Prize is named after French physicist Nicolas Sadi Carnot who recognized that the power of the steam engine would “produce a great revolution” in human development.

The 2018 Carnot Prize is a recognition of India’s efforts towards eliminating energy poverty with sustainable energy solutions like

• The rural electrification drive gave a significant breakthrough to the mission of ‘24×7 Affordable, Environment Friendly Power for all’,  as India eliminated decades of darkness in more than 19,000 villages on April, 2018.
• With real-time monitoring, India’s energy starved people in the remotest villages of 19,000 villages saw electricity for the first time.
• With the Saubhagya Programme, the last-mile connectivity to every household in the villages is being fast tracked, with 51% of the 3.1 crore rural households electrified.