TOPIC : GS 3 Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

The power of an apology

What is the news?

• Germany officially apologized to Namibia for the massacre of the Herero and Nama people in 1904­ 1908 and called it a genocide for the first time.
• Around the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron said in Rwanda that he recognised his country’s role in the Rwandan genocide and hoped for forgiveness.

Positive effects

• Strengthening the relations between the countries involved
• Apologies by leaders help people reconcile with the past and countries and communities take lessons from history and avoid similar tragedies.
• Most importantly, they provide some solace to the victims’ descendants; they give them a sense of justice and rectitude.
• There were many public debates following the apology from Germany regarding reparations.
• Herero activists insist that the development aid offered by the German authorities is not enough and is generic in nature.
• According to them, the descendants of the genocide’s victims should receive a tangible compensation, primarily in the form of land property that had been taken away by the German colonisers.
• Unlike Germany and France, Turkey has been in constant denial of the Armenian genocide during World War I.
• Turkish President went as far as condemning the recognition of the genocide by the newly elected American President, Joe Biden.
• This strained bilateral relations between Turkey and the U.S. even further.
• Apparently, it didn’t not go well with any kind of apology on the international stage.
• There is enough evidence that the killing of 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire during World War 1 was indeed genocide.
• Canadian President apologized for his country’s role in turning away a ship carrying over 900 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution.

Way Forward

• Pillar of the multipolar world is not to be a military power, manufacturing and/or financial hub, and/or a global investor alone.
• Countries that strive for global leadership should be able to provide moral leadership as well.
• This includes critical self­reflection, humility, compassion, and care not only towards their own people, but also towards the most vulnerable communities around the world.

Mains Questions

Apologies by countries for past mistakes can improve bilateral ties and help people reconcile with the past. Discuss

Sources : https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-power-of-an-apology/article35007544.ece

PRELIMS PUNCHERS

1. GeMSAHAY app

GeM is collaborating with the Indian Software Product Industry Round Table (iSPIRT), a non-profit tech think tank’s volunteer team for the implementation of the GeM- SAHAY project, which has been tailored to meet the specific needs of MSMEs on the GeM platform.  Sellers applying for the loan facility will experience a seamless end to end digital experience with a mobile application. To address the credit access challenges faced by MSMEs, the latest functionality also being rolled out specially for SMEs

MSEs can now get a loan at the point of acceptance of an order on the GeM platform. It will help in meeting the working capital needs and ensure “access to finance” for MSE

Sources : https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1727549

2. Project Sea Bird

The largest naval infrastructure project for India, it involves creation of a naval base at Karwar on the west coast of India. Upon completion, this $3 billion program and effort will provide the Indian Navy with its largest naval base on the west coast and also the largest naval base east of the Suez Canal.

The new and expanded naval complex will be able to support several major warships and submarines and yard crafts. A specialised dockyard repair and maintenance facilities , covered dry berths for ships and submarines, new technologically advanced security and communication systems, a Naval Air Station, various utilities systems as well as housing and residential complexes at multiple locations are some of the other facilities that the base will feature.

Sources : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rajnath-singh-begins-visit-to-karwar-naval-base-kochi/article34944019.ece

3. River Chambal

The Chambal River is a tributary of the Yamuna River in central India, and thus forms part of the greater Gangetic drainage system. The river flows north-northeast through Madhya Pradesh, running for a time through Rajasthan, then forming the boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh before turning southeast to join the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh state.

The perennial Chambal originates at janapav, south of Mhow town, near manpur Indore, on the south slope of the Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh. The Chambal and its tributaries drain the Malwa region of northwestern Madhya Pradesh, while its tributary, the Banas, which rises in the Aravalli Range, drains southeastern Rajasthan. It ends a confluence of five rivers, including the Chambal, Kwari, Yamuna, Sind, Pahuj, at Pachnada near Bhareh in Uttar Pradesh state, at the border of Bhind and Etawah districts.

Sources : https://indianexpress.com/article/india/water-quality-of-ganga-four-other-major-rivers-deteriorated-during-lockdown-cpcb-report-6607955/

PRELIMS QUESTIONS

1. Herero and Nama community recently seen in news from which of the following country
2. Germany
3. Namibia
4. Turkey
5. Somalia

Answer : B

Germany officially apologized to Namibia for the massacre of the Herero and Nama people in 1904­ 1908 and called it a genocide for the first time. Apologies by leaders help people reconcile with the past and countries and communities take lessons from history and avoid similar tragedies.

Most importantly, they provide some solace to the victims’ descendants; they give them a sense of justice and rectitude. There were many public debates following the apology from Germany regarding reparations. Herero activists insist that the development aid offered by the German authorities is not enough and is generic in nature. According to them, the descendants of the genocide’s victims should receive a tangible compensation, primarily in the form of land property that had been taken away by the German colonisers.

2. Consider the following statement regarding to River Chambal
3. It is a tributary of the Yamuna River in central India
4. It will forming the boundary between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh

Select the correct statement using code given below.

(a). 1only       (b) 2 only

(c).Both       (d). None of above

Answer: A

The Chambal River is a tributary of the Yamuna River in central India, and thus forms part of the greater Gangetic drainage system. The river flows north-northeast through Madhya Pradesh, running for a time through Rajasthan, then forming the boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh before turning southeast to join the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh state.

The perennial Chambal originates at janapav, south of Mhow town, near manpur Indore, on the south slope of the Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh. The Chambal and its tributaries drain the Malwa region of northwestern Madhya Pradesh, while its tributary, the Banas, which rises in the Aravalli Range, drains southeastern Rajasthan. It ends a confluence of five rivers, including the Chambal, Kwari, Yamuna, Sind, Pahuj, at Pachnada near Bhareh in Uttar Pradesh state, at the border of Bhind and Etawah districts.