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

Editorial 1 : The New Sangam

Context: Maha Kumbh and water rejuvenation  

 

Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj

• As per UP government estimates, Prayagraj hosted more than 60 crore pilgrims over 45 days.
• It occurs at the Sangam (confluence) of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati.
• A Harvard University study called it an ephemeral mega-city.
  1. It was built on a 20 km river stretch and 40 sq. km area within 8–10 weeks, and is dismantled before monsoon.
• Cultural & Spiritual Importance
  1. Maha Kumbh embodies India’s spiritual reverence for rivers, particularly the Ganga.
  2. It acts as a cultural, economic, and political spectacle, blending faith and tradition.

 

Environmental Impact of Mass Gatherings

• Pollution Concerns
  1. Faecal coliform levels spiked during amrit snan (Central Pollution Control Board data).
  2. Challenges from ritual practices (e.g. offerings, mass bathing) and waste generation.
• Mitigation Efforts
  1. Ensuring adequate river flows to dilute pollutants.
  2. Environmental campaigns by state agencies and civil society (e.g. waste management).

 

Spirituality vs. Ecology

• Spiritual Narrative
  1. Celebrates aastha (deep spiritual faith) and reverence for nature.
  2. Rivers are seen as sacred entities, integral to cultural identity.
• Environmental Narrative
  1. Highlights ecological degradation from mass gatherings.
  2. Raises questions about balancing tradition with sustainability.
• Convergence Opportunity
  1. Leverage indigenous ecological ethics (e.g. Morari Bapu’s whale shark campaign).
  2. Use spiritual consciousness to drive environmental action.

 

Case Study: Namami Gange – Challenges in River Rejuvenation

• Namami Gange improved water quality but faces hurdles.
  1. Institutionalization: Lack of sub-national mandates/budgets.
  2. Non-point pollution: Diffuse sources (agriculture, urban runoff).
• Behavioural Change
  1. Need to transform daily interactions with rivers (e.g. waste disposal, rituals).
  2. Aastha as a Catalyst: Spiritual engagement can complement institutional efforts.

 

Strategies for Sustainable River-Society Synergy

• Rituals as Tools for Conservation
  1. Reimagine practices (e.g. eco-friendly offerings, waste-free festivals).
  2. Engage spiritual networks (priests, akharas, ashrams) to promote eco-consciousness.
• Inclusive Governance
  1. Decentralize river management to sub-national institutions.
  2. Foster community-led accountability (e.g. local monitoring of pollution).
• Cultural-Ecological Confluence
  1. Extend lessons beyond Kumbh to festivals like Chhath Puja.
  2. Develop an Indian model of river rejuvenation rooted in cultural practices.

 

Conclusion: Key Takeaways

• Strengths
  1. The mass gatherings highlight cultural reverence for rivers, offering a platform for eco-advocacy.
  2. Indigenous practices often embed latent ecological ethics (e.g. conservation metaphors).
• Risks
  1. Social hierarchies: Risk of reinforcing power dynamics in ritual practices.
  2. Political economy: Commercial interests may overshadow ecological goals.
• Way Forward
  1. There is a need for holistic analysis of rituals to uncover ecological wisdom.
  2. Form collaborative frameworks involving spiritual leaders, policymakers, and communities.

 

Editorial 2 : The BIT Model India Needs

Context: India needs a model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) that balances investment protection with the right to regulate.  

 

Key Arguments for Revamping the BIT

• Flaws in the 2015 Model BIT
  1. Struggled to gain global acceptance over the past decade.
  2. Government now acknowledges its limitations.
• Proposal for Dual BIT Models 
  1. Defensive BIT: For countries where India is a capital importer (e.g. host-state control, limited investor rights).
  2. Investor-Friendly BIT: For countries where India is a capital exporter (e.g. strong investor protections, restricted sovereign regulation).

 

Critique of the Dual Model BIT Approach

• Dynamic Nature of Capital Relationships
  1. India-UK BIT (1994): India was a capital importer, but by 2021, it became a net exporter to the UK.
  2. Similar fluidity exists with Western Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia.
  3. Key Limitation: Rigidly classifying nations as capital importers/exporters is impractical due to evolving economic ties.
• Inconsistency in Legal Principles
  1. Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS)
     • Defensive BIT: Mandate 5-year local remedy exhaustion (host-state control).
     • Investor-Friendly BIT: Faster ISDS access (preference for international arbitration).
  2. Consequences
     • Sends mixed signals on India’s stance toward ISDS.
     • Weakens negotiating power in bilateral/multilateral forums (e.g. UNCITRAL ISDS reforms).
• Strategic Risks in Treaty Practice: The perception issues suggest India prioritizes transactional gains over principled international law commitments and risks exploitation by negotiating partners (e.g. EU highlighting inconsistencies).

 

Most Favoured Nation (MFN) Clause

• MFN clauses date back to 17th/18th-century commercial treaties, ensuring non-discrimination.
• Supports BIT Objectives: MFN creates a level playing field by extending benefits to all partners.

 

Way Forward: Recommendations

• Develop a flexible BIT template adaptable to dynamic capital flows.
• Strengthen ISDS provisions to balance investor rights and state autonomy.
• Retain MFN clauses to uphold non-discrimination while clarifying their scope.
• Engage proactively in multilateral forums (e.g. UNCITRAL) to shape global ISDS reforms.

 

Conclusion: India needs a single, balanced BIT model that protects foreign investors, safeguards sovereign regulatory rights and supports Indian capital abroad.