What to Read in The Hindu Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1: What’s in a (disease’s) name?

Context

Naming diseases after locations can contribute to misinformation, stigma, and racial bias.

Introduction

Diseases named after places, known as toponymous diseases, can be linked to towns, rivers, islands, forests, mountains, valleys, countries, continents, or even trenches. Some examples include the Spanish flu, Delhi boil, Madura foot, and West Nile virus.

 

What is Impact of Naming Diseases After Places

 

1. Negative Effects of Place-Based Disease Names

• Causes misinformation and misunderstanding
• Leads to stigma and racial prejudice
• Politicizes science and damages its credibility
• Unfairly associates countries or regions with diseases

 

2. Case Study: The Spanish Flu Misconception

• The 1918-1920 influenza pandemic was wrongly named the “Spanish flu”
• It did not originate in Spain
• Spain, being neutral in World War I, freely reported on the outbreak
• Other nations suppressed flu-related news to maintain morale
• Due to this, the pandemic was mistakenly linked to Spain
• The disease affected 500 million people and caused over 20 million deaths

 

3. The Need for Accurate Naming

• Avoids misinformation and unnecessary blame
• Promotes scientific integrity and global cooperation
• Ensures that naming focuses on science, not geography

 

What are the WHO’s Efforts to Promote Scientific Naming of Diseases?

• WHO’s 2015 Mandate on Disease Naming
  1. Experts raised concerns about the issues caused by place-based disease names
  2. In 2015, WHO mandated that diseases should be named based on scientific characteristics rather than geography
  3. Encouraged the use of neutral and descriptive terminology
• Example: Renaming of Zika-Related Disease
  1. The Zika virus was named after the Zika forest in Uganda, where it was first discovered in 1947
  2. Originally linked to microcephaly in newborns
  3. WHO proposed the name “congenital Zika syndrome” to reflect broader fetal health impacts
• Example: Adoption of “Mpox” for Monkeypox
  1. Reports emerged of racist and stigmatizing language linked to the term “monkeypox”
  2. WHO introduced “mpox” as an alternative name
  3. Aimed at reducing discrimination and preventing harmful stereotypes

 

What are the latest issue with Misleading and Inappropriate Disease Naming?

Issues	Impact
Continued Misnaming Trend	Despite WHO guidelines, misleading names persist.
Case: Trichophyton (T.) indotineae	Dermatologists from India and 13 other countries objected to this region-specific fungal name.
Concerns About the Name	The term “indotineae” has negative connotations and disregards WHO recommendations.
Discovery and Naming	Japanese dermatologists identified the fungus in patients from India and Nepal and proposed the name in 2020.
Unknown Origin	The actual origin of the fungus is still unclear, and it has been reported in over 40 countries.
Impact of the Fungus	Causes ringworm and is resistant to terbinafine, a common antifungal drug.
Scientific Objections	Indian experts argue that the name is prejudicial and does not align with WHO and ASM guidelines.
WHO’s Role in Disease Naming	WHO assigns and, when necessary, renames diseases under the International Classification of Diseases.
Guidelines for Naming	WHO considers scientific accuracy, global usage, ease of pronunciation, and avoidance of geographic or zoological references.
Historical Example: Reiter’s Syndrome	Originally named after Hans Reiter, a German physician with Nazi ties, but later renamed Reactive Arthritis due to ethical concerns.
Current Case and WHO Mandate	The naming of T. indotineae contradicts WHO’s mandate and does not contribute to treatment or research advancements.

 

Conclusion: What is the need of the hour?

Right now, the WHO and scientists around the world should focus on understanding the causes of diseases and working together to find ways to prevent and control them. It’s important to use clear and accurate language. The COVID-19 outbreak showed us that we are all connected, and our actions affect others. We should stay united, be considerate, and look for ways to support each other. Germs don’t care about borders, but stereotypes only create division.

 

Editorial 2: More signs of overhauling the compliance framework

Context

Indian businesses struggle with compliance rules being misused for bribes and the frequent changes in compliance requirements.

 

Introduction

Despite efforts to fight corruption, red tape and bribery still make it hard for businesses to grow in India. The “India Business Corruption Survey 2024” shows a worrying trend: 66% of businesses admit to paying bribes, and 54% say they were forced to do so to speed up government work, get permits, follow rules, or obtain duplicate licenses. The problem is worst in sectors controlled by strict officials, such as labour, GST, income tax, pollution, provident funds, property registration, and health departments.

 

Need for Stronger Compliance Reforms to Boost Investment

 

1. Economic Impact of Corruption

• A major barrier to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
• Survey Insight: 80% of respondents see corruption as a significant deterrent.
• Highlights the need for a transparent and predictable regulatory system.

 

2. Slow Progress in Compliance Reforms

• Government initiated reforms two years ago, but progress remains slow.
• Jan Vishwas Act, 2023: Decriminalized 180 provisions with imprisonment clauses.

 

3. Budget 2025 and ‘Jan Vishwas 2.0’

• New Proposal: Further decriminalization of around 100 provisions.
• Positive step but insufficient—over 20,000 imprisonment clauses still exist.

 

Challenges of Compliance and Corruption in Indian Businesses

Key Challenges
Complexity of Compliance	Businesses struggle with regulatory burdens, worsened by corruption.
Corruption in Regulatory Approvals	Officials exploit compliance provisions to demand bribes.
Subjectivity in Inspections	Inspectors have unchecked power to threaten imprisonment or factory shutdowns.
Frequent Compliance Updates	9,420 changes in the past year—an average of 36 updates per day.
Impact of Rapid Rule Changes	Leads to inefficiency, confusion, and creates opportunities for corruption.
FSSAI’s Positive Step	From January, food label regulation updates will be limited to once per year for predictability.
Need for Wider Reform	Other regulatory bodies should adopt FSSAI’s model for stability.
Labour Law Reform Delays	India replaced 29 colonial-era labour laws with 4 new labour codes, but they remain unimplemented.
Role of State Governments	Must act swiftly to operationalize labour law reforms for real impact.

 

 

Streamlining Business Compliance Through Digital Integration

• Challenges in Setting Up a Factory: Requires submission of hundreds of documents across 40+ government departments.
  1. Manual processes encourage corruption and inefficiency.
• Need for a Digital-First Approach: A single business identifier could simplify approvals.
  1. Digi Locker Concept: A secure, tamper-proof repository for verified documents.
  2. Could cut approval times from months to days, similar to Digi Yatra’s success in airport security.
•  Fragmented Compliance Landscape: Businesses deal with 23+ different identity numbers from Union and State authorities.
  1. Examples: PAN, GSTIN, CIN, factory licenses, and professional tax numbers.
  2. Multiple renewals and payments add to bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption.
• Solution: ‘One Nation, One Business’ Identity: A unified digital identity for businesses to streamline compliance.
  1. Reduces bureaucratic hurdles and corruption risks.
  2. A small budget allocation could enhance India’s business environment and attract investors.

 

A global perspective: India Must Act Now to Stay Competitive

• Global competition for investment is increasing.
• The U.S. is implementing governance reforms to simplify business operations.
• With a $27 trillion economy, the U.S. is becoming even more business-friendly.
• India’s $4 trillion economy still struggles with red tape and corruption.
• Investors will prefer the U.S. over India if business conditions don’t improve.
• India risks losing both investment and talent, which are crucial for its growth.
• Action is urgent—what was once an opportunity is now a necessity.
• India must remove bureaucratic obstacles, ensure transparent regulations, and eliminate corruption to sustain economic momentum.

 

Conclusion

A simple and well-organized compliance system under Jan Vishwas 2.0 is more than just making business easier—it’s crucial for India’s economic growth. The government must take strong steps to attract global investors and support Indian entrepreneurs, allowing them to grow, innovate, and create jobs without unnecessary hurdles. India is at a turning point. If the High-Level Committee for Regulatory Reforms pushes for bold changes, it can drive progress. But if it hesitates, India risks falling behind in the global economy. The path forward is clear—modernize or be left behind.