India shares its borders with China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar. Most of these borders are mountainous in nature and difficult to navigate, even during summer seasons, and are home to numerous habitations. Prioritization of infrastructure development in large population areas, focus on economic profitability during the colonial period, the existence of inner line permits, and lack of resources resulted in infrastructure deficit in these areas. Infrastructure development in border regions is critical for socio-economic development as well as national security, as it aids in the following:

• Inclusive growth: Investing in border infrastructure plays a significant role in the overall development of a region. Further, it helps in promoting tourism in these areas, which results in higher economic opportunities and reduces poverty and unemployment.
• Better trade relations: Robust border infrastructure helps in building trade ties with the neighboring countries. For example, India-Bangladesh border haats.
• Reverse out-migration: Infrastructure development in border villages reduces massive out-migration of native people. For instance, Vibrant Village Programmes help encourage people to stay in their native locations in border areas. This not only addresses social issues but also enhances the security of a region, as the natives are the first line of defense and source of critical intelligence.
• Robust surveillance: Smugglers, drug traffickers, and terrorists often take advantage of poor surveillance and infrastructure at borders. Thus, the modernization of integrated check ports, roads, bridges, etc. would prevent the influx of illegal immigrants, refugees, and drugs across the porous frontiers of the country.
• Enhances capacity to handle external challenges: Infrastructure development in the border areas enhances the mobility, survivability, and flexibility of armed forces and enables the security forces to meet the offensive and defensive needs effectively.

In recent years, the government has continually focused on the development of border areas and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has played a central role in this context in the following manner:

• Developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC): The BRO has developed strategic roads and other infrastructure along the China border areas in recent years that have improved India’s operational preparedness and enhanced its strategic posture along the LAC.
• Maintenance of roads: The BRO plays a crucial role in ensuring that roads remain open and navigable even during snowfall periods in the Himalayan regions. For this, snow clearance and the development of tunnels have been undertaken.
• Integrated checkpoints: The development and modernization of integrated checkpoints for smoother flow of people and trade with Nepal and Bhutan have been done by the BRO.
• Opening up of passes and tunnels: A significant number of tunnels and passes like the Atal Tunnel, Umling La Pass, etc. have been opened up by the BRO in India.
• Disaster management: During landslides and other natural disasters, the BRO plays an active role by ensuring that the damaged infrastructure is rebuilt as soon as possible while emergency structures are put in place for relief and movement operations.

Although, in recent years, there has been rationalization of the role of the BRO with greater funding, and integration of technology, however, there should be more emphasis on its ability to complete infrastructure in a time-bound manner. This would not only reduce the time and cost overruns but also bridge the gap with our neighbors, especially China, and bring people living in border areas closer to the national mainstream.

A cryptocurrency is a decentralized digital money, which is an alternative form of payment created using encryption algorithms. Cryptocurrencies are a technical and financial innovation that hold high potential for the global economy, however, in contemporary times, these currencies are becoming preferred tools for money laundering by criminal organizations because of the following reasons:

• Anonymity: While all transactions that occur on the blockchain are kept on the public record and are accessible to anyone for review, the identities of transaction makers remain unknown, thus making cryptocurrencies attractive for money laundering.
• Cross-border money laundering: Cryptocurrencies can be transferred quickly and easily across different countries, thus enabling criminals to launder the proceeds of their illicit activities through the international trade system.
• Lack of regulations: Cryptocurrencies lack the regulatory safeguards that financial institutions and markets have, such as third-party audits, financial reporting and disclosure, prevention of insider trading, etc. thus becoming a virtual safe haven for money laundering.
  • For e.g., according to blockchain data platform Chainalysis, illicit transactions using cryptocurrency totaled $14 billion in 2021.
• Speedy transactions: Cryptocurrency transactions take place quickly and, in some cases, in a matter of seconds, offering money launderers a greater level of efficiency than fiat currencies.
• Large volume of transactions: Since cryptocurrency transactions occur digitally, money launderers can move larger volumes of illegal funds into and out of the financial system quickly, often outpacing the Anti-money laundering measures put in place by authorities.

Considering these challenges, the following measures can be taken to tackle the problem of money laundering using cryptocurrency:

• Application of the risk-based approach: Countries and financial institutions should identify and assess the risks emerging from cryptocurrency and the operations of crypto service providers and bring out measures commensurate with the risks.
• Transaction monitoring: Government must be able to monitor cryptocurrency transactions for suspicious activity and red flags, using automated monitoring technology.
• Licensing or registration: Crypto service providers should be required to be licensed or registered in the jurisdiction(s) where they are created.
• Customer due diligence: Crypto service providers must establish and verify the identity of their customers accurately using digital identification methods.
• Sanctions and other enforcement measures: Countries should ensure that there is a range of effective and dissuasive sanctions, available to deal with Virtual asset service providers VASPs that fail to comply with Anti-money laundering guidelines.
• International cooperation: Countries should provide the widest possible range of international cooperation in relation to money laundering through cryptocurrency. Especially, supervisors of crypto service providers should exchange information promptly and constructively with their foreign counterparts.

The technology behind virtual assets is fast-moving and thus, there is an urgent need to strengthen the anti-money laundering measures as per the need of the hour. Further, international fora like OECD, G20 etc. need to fast-track the discussion for a globally coordinated approach in order to regulate crypto assets.

Census 2011, reports that there are 26.8 million persons with disabilities in India, making up 2.21 percent of the total population. About 2.41 percent of India’s male population and 2.01 percent of its female population report having a disability.
Challenges faced by ‘Divyangjans’ in India:

• Lower literacy levels: About 45.6% of PwDs remain illiterate with three-fourths of children remaining out of school. They face high dropout after primary levels due to lack of accessible toilets and entrances, information and communication systems, accessible routes and drinking water facilities, and ramps.
• Higher poverty rates and less economic engagement: About 41.4% of PwDs are multidimensional poor. Further the Census 2011 reports that only a third of all persons with disabilities in India are working.
• Poorer health conditions: Lack of awareness of services, cost of transportation, inaccessible physical building and poor fitting of hospital equipment often lead to denial of health services to PwDs.
• Discrimination: They often face name-calling and harassment by their peers. According to a survey by Equality Human Rights, at least 18% of respondents said they had experienced some kind of unfair treatment, discrimination, bullying or harassment.

Legislative Provisions for Divyangjans:
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 was enacted in furtherance of India’s obligation under UNCRPD. This Act, besides enlarging the definition of disabilities, lays stress on non- discrimination, respect and inclusion in society, equality of opportunity etc. Its provisions include:

• Free education: Every child with benchmark disability between the age group of 6 and 18 years shall have the right to free education.
• Reservation: In higher education (not less than 5%), government jobs (not less than 4%), reservation in allocation of land, poverty alleviation schemes (5% allotment) etc. have been provided.
• Guardianship: It provides for grant of guardianship by District Court under which there will be joint decision making between the guardian and the PWDs.
• Penalties for offence: The Act provides for penalties for offence committed against persons with disabilities and also violation of the provisions of the new law.

Initiatives taken by the government to uplift this section of the society:

• Accessible India Campaign: For achieving universal accessibility, it has three important verticals, namely – the Build Environment, the transportation sector and the ICT ecosystem.
• Unique Disability Identity (UDID): Implemented with a view of creating a National Database for PwDs, and to encourage transparency, efficiency and ease of delivering the government benefits to the person with disabilities.
• Mental health Rehabilitation Helpline’ KIRAN’: A toll free, 24X7, available in 13 languages to empathetically address the mental health issues of PwDs in particular and common people in general.
• ‘Divya Kala Shakti’ Cultural event: To provide a wider and unique platform to showcase the potential of Persons with Differently Abled in the field of performing art, music, dance, acrobatics etc.
• Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP Scheme): To assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation.

The goal of having a truly inclusive society cannot be achieved through the government’s efforts alone but requires participation of all the stakeholders including NGOs, PwDs association, academic bodies and civil society organization along with continuous thrust towards strengthening the capacity of these institutions in rehabilitation and research.