What to Read in Indian Express Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1 : Giving Cities Their Due

Context: Indian cities need a plan.

 

Introduction: Pollution has become a national issue. Indian cities are amongst the most polluted in the world. This is also not just about pollution. Indian cities struggle with climate change, poor infrastructure, and weak public services.

 

Urban Challenges

• Pollution Crisis
  1. Delhi’s air quality is hazardous in winter.
  2. 42 Indian cities rank among the world’s top 50 most polluted.
  3. Water and waste mismanagement:
     • 50% of India’s 603 rivers are polluted.
     • Less than 20% of waste is treated; overflowing landfills emit methane.
• Climate Vulnerabilities
  1. Extreme weather events: Flooding in Mumbai/Bengaluru (2023), heatwaves in Delhi (50°C).
  2. Health impacts: Heat-related illnesses, fatalities, and displacement.
• Infrastructure Gaps
  1. Overcrowded roads, failing water/sanitation systems.
  2. By 2036, 600 million people will live in cities ill-equipped for growth.

 

Strengths of Global Cities

• Bangkok thrives on its efficient metro, vibrant street life, and tourist-friendly policies.
• London offers seamless public transport, green spaces, and cultural hubs.
• Dubai attracts business with world-class urban planning and investment incentives.
• Singapore leads in clean governance and smart city initiatives.

 

Climate Resilience: Urgent Needs

• Green Infrastructure
  1. Parks, green roofs to combat heatwaves.
  2. Modern drainage systems to prevent floods.
• Early Warning Systems: Strengthen disaster preparedness (e.g. flood alerts).
• Sustainable Urban Planning: Integrate climate adaptation into city master plans.

 

Pollution: A Multi-Dimensional Crisis

• Air Pollution
  1. Causes: Vehicle emissions (75% of Delhi’s pollution), industrial discharge, construction dust.
  2. Impacts
     • $95 billion/year lost in productivity/healthcare (Clean Air Fund).
     • Respiratory diseases affect 30% of urban populations.
• Water Pollution
  1. Yamuna & Ganga: Contaminated, unsafe for consumption.
  2. Bengaluru: Toxic lakes
  3. Chennai’s groundwater contamination post-floods.
• Waste Management: Challenges
  1. Informal waste collection with 60% of garbage untreated.
  2. Landfills like Delhi’s Ghazipur emit hazardous gases.

 

Governance & Structural Issues: Census Towns

• Definition: Settlements with urban traits but governed as rural areas.
• Statistics
  1. Census towns rose from 1,362 (2001) to 3,894 (2011).
  2. Contribute to 30% of urban growth but lack funding/planning.
• Consequences
  1. Inadequate infrastructure, haphazard development.
  2. Exclusion from urban development schemes (e.g. Smart Cities Mission).

 

Solutions: Lessons from Singapore & Policy Actions

• Singapore’s Urban Model
  1. 1960s Challenges: Slums, floods, pollution.
  2. Success Factors: Efficient land use, affordable housing (80% live in public housing), green spaces (47% green cover), strict anti-pollution laws.
• India’s Urban Challenge Fund (2025-26 Budget)
  1. Key Initiative: Rs 1 lakh crore fund for Cities as Growth Hubs, Water/Sanitation, Creative Redevelopment.
  2. City-Level Grand Challenge: Incentivize cities to electrify public transport, control emissions and construction dust and improve waste management.
• Governance Reforms
  1. Notify census towns as urban areas to unlock funding.
  2. Strengthen municipal capacity for climate-resilient planning.

 

Conclusion: Indian cities are grappling with overcrowding, pollution, and poor health, but these are not insurmountable challenges. The time for change is now, and the next decade will determine the fate of Indian cities. They can become smart, green, and liveable or succumb to pollution, congestion, and insecurity.

 

Editorial 2 : In America First, An Opening

Context: Trump’s America First, an opening for Indian farms.

 

Trump’s Reciprocal Tariff Policy

• Objective: Reduce the US trade deficit ($918.4 billion in 2024) through tariffs matching those imposed by other countries on US goods.
• Focus on India
  1. Trump labels India as the tariff king due to high import duties (e.g. 150% on whiskey, 100% on walnuts/chicken legs).
  2. India’s tariffs
     • Simple average: 17% (vs. US: 3.3%)
     • Agriculture: 39% simple average, 65% trade-weighted (vs. US: 5% and 4%)

 

India’s Strategic Challenges

1. Domestic concerns: Protect farmers from cheap US imports (e.g. dairy, poultry).
2. Export risks: Lose access to largest agri-export market (US).
   • Opportunities in Negotiations
3. Mission 500 Initiative: Target $500B bilateral trade by 2030.
4. Leverage comparative advantages
   • Potential exports: Fruits (bananas, mangoes), vegetables (okra), processed foods.
   • US market access demands: Reduce duties on food prep (20%+), bovine meat.

 

Negotiation Strategies for India

1. Phased tariff cuts
   • Immediate: Walnuts, cranberries, blueberries.
   • Gradual: Chicken legs, dairy (cheese, SMP)
2. Selective openness: Reduced apple tariffs (from 50% to 15%).
   • Addressing US Frustrations
3. GM crops: Review bans on GM soy/maize amid rising demand for animal feed and ethanol.

 

Long-Term Structural Reforms

• Investments for Competitiveness
  1. R&D: Raise agri-GDP investment from <0.5% to 1% (global benchmark).
  2. Supply chain modernization
     • Cold storage expansion.
     • Logistics upgrades (e.g. APEDA-led export hubs).
     • Quality certification/traceability systems.
• Shift from Subsidies to Productivity
  1. Reduce reliance on input subsidies (fertilizers, free power).
  2. Focus on high-value horticulture exports (e.g. pomegranates to Russia/Japan).

 

Risks and Opportunities

• Risks
  1. Erosion of agri-surplus with US.
  2. Pressure to lower tariffs on US imports.
  3. GM crop adoption challenges.
• Opportunities
  1. Expand high-value agri-exports (fruits, processed foods).
  2. Leverage US demand for ethanol/soybean oil.
  3. Modernize agri-value chains for global markets.

 

Conclusion: Trump’s tariff threats should be a wake-up call for India’s agricultural policymakers. If handled wisely, it could be an opportunity to transition from tariff-heavy trade protectionism to a more resilient, productivity-driven export strategy — one that ensures long-term gains for Indian farmers and exporters alike.