1. Lack of unity among rebels: The rebellion was led by different groups with varying motivations and goals. The Indian princes, the Muslim aristocracy, and the peasants had different agendas, which made it difficult to coordinate a unified effort.
2. Insufficient military strength: The rebel forces were vastly outnumbered and outgunned by the British army. The British had modern weaponry and better training, which gave them a significant advantage.
3. Disorganization and disunity among rebel leaders: The rebel leaders were often at odds with each other, which led to confusion, delays, and conflicting strategies. This weakened the rebellion’s chances of success.
4. Limited resources: The rebels lacked resources, including ammunition, food, and supplies. They also struggled to maintain control over their territories and supply lines.
5. British adaptability: The British were able to adapt quickly to the rebellion and adjust their tactics to counter the rebels’ strategies. They used divide-and-rule tactics, pitting different rebel groups against each other.
6. Lack of foreign support: Unlike the British, who had significant foreign support and resources, the rebels received little external aid or recognition.
7. Economic factors: The rebellion was largely financed by local funds, which were limited. The British had a stronger economic base and could draw on resources from their colonies worldwide.
8. Leadership issues: Some rebel leaders were inexperienced or lacked vision, which led to poor decision-making and strategic mistakes.
9. British military superiority: The British army was better trained, equipped, and disciplined than the rebel forces. They had also developed a sophisticated system of intelligence gathering and communication.
10. Ethnic and religious divisions: The rebellion was primarily led by Hindus and Muslims, who had traditionally been at odds with each other. This division weakened the rebellion’s chances of success.
11. Lack of popular support: While there was widespread discontent among Indians against British rule, many Indians remained neutral or actively supported the British due to various reasons such as economic benefits or cultural ties.
12. British reprisals: The British responded harshly to the rebellion, committing atrocities and punishing those involved or suspected of involvement in the rebellion. This led to widespread fear and demoralization among Indians.

If Hitler and Nazi Germany had won World War II, the current world order would likely be vastly different and terrifying. Here are some possible scenarios:

Europe:

• The European continent would be under direct Nazi control, with Germany as the dominant power. The Nazis would have likely imposed their ideology, suppressing any opposition and dissent.
• The Soviet Union would have been defeated and broken up into smaller states, with the Nazis possibly occupying parts of Eastern Europe.
• The United Kingdom would have been occupied and possibly forced to sign a peace treaty recognizing German dominance.

Asia:

• Japan would have likely continued its expansionist policies, potentially absorbing more territories in East Asia and Southeast Asia, including China, Korea, and Indonesia.
• The Indian subcontinent might have been divided between the British Empire and Nazi Germany, with India possibly being a British-dominated territory and Pakistan being part of a larger German-occupied region.
• Southeast Asia might have seen the rise of Japanese-dominated puppet states or client governments.

North America:

• The United States would have likely been occupied by the Allies, with Germany having secured a foothold in North America through their invasion of the continent.
• Canada might have been occupied or at least heavily influenced by Germany, potentially becoming a German-Canadian dominion.

South America:

• Argentina, Brazil, and other South American countries might have maintained their independence but would have likely had close ties with Nazi Germany, potentially hosting German military bases or intelligence operations.

Africa:

• Africa would have likely been divided between colonial powers, with Germany potentially gaining control over significant territories, especially in East Africa.
• The Italian colonies in North Africa would have likely remained under Italian control.

Global Economy:

• The global economy would have been severely disrupted, with the Nazis imposing their own economic system, potentially leading to widespread poverty, famine, and shortages.
• International trade would have been heavily controlled by the Axis powers, with limited access to resources and markets for non-allied nations.

Society and Culture:

• Racism and anti-Semitism would have become even more entrenched, with the Nazis’ ideology spreading globally.
• Minority groups would have faced severe persecution, with possible forced relocation, sterilization, or genocide.
• The arts and culture would have been heavily censored or suppressed to align with Nazi values.

Technology and Science:

• Scientific research and technological advancements would have been heavily influenced by Nazi ideology, potentially leading to focus on military applications rather than civilian benefits.
• The development of nuclear technology might have accelerated under Nazi leadership, potentially leading to even more devastating consequences.

International Relations:

• The United Nations would not exist in this scenario, as it was founded in response to Nazi aggression. International organizations like the League of Nations might have been replaced by Axis-controlled organizations.
• Diplomatic relations between nations would be heavily influenced by Nazi ideology and military strength.

The roots of the Indian women’s movement go back to the early 19th century when social reformers, beginning with Raja Rammohun Roy began to focus on issues concerning women. By the end of the century, a few women emerged from the reformed families who formed organizations of their own. Answer: E.g. formation of Ladies’ Theosophical Society in Calcutta in 1882 by Swarnakumari Devi for educating and imparting skills to widows and poor women to make them economically self-reliant. The early 20th century saw the growth of women’s organization at a national and local level such as the National Council for Women in India (1925), Women’s India Association, National Council of Indian Women and All India Women’s Conference. Significant campaign of them was against child marriage. In post-independence India, large number of women’s autonomous groups has sprung up challenging patriarchy and taking up a variety of issues such as violence against women, greater share for women in political decision making etc. both at the activist and academic level.

• New organisations such as Self-Employment Women’s Association (Gujarat), Working Women’s Forum (Tamil Nadu), Shramik Mahila Sangathan (Maharashtra) concerned themselves with the plight of women workers in the unorganised sector on issues like wages, working conditions, exploitation, health hazards etc.
• In the late seventies, several women’s organisations emerged which were not affiliated to political parties or to trade unions. They adopted ‘protest politics’ for mobilising women on specific issues. For example, Chipko movement was led by women tackling specific issues of ecology.
• Various issue-based movements include taking up issues related to women’s oppression like dowry, violence within the family, alcoholism among men and wife-beating. discrimination at the work place etc. to mobilise women for collective action.

• Anti-dowry Movements: In the 1980s several women’s and other progressive organisations formed groups such as Forum Against Oppression of Women (Mumbai), Saheli (Delhi), Stree Shakti Sangathana (Hyderabad), Vimochana (Bangalore). These groups campaigned through protest, demonstrations, discussions, street theatre, posters etc. against the ghastly murders of young brides for dowry.
• Anti-rape Movement: Women activists forced the government to review Rape Laws. Several women’s organisations and legal and social activists held discussions with the Law Commission to amend the law and in 1983 Criminal Law (Amendment) Act was passed.
• Anti-Alcohol movement: Since mid-seventies, tribal women in different parts of country – Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Maharashtra have been fighting against alcohol/liquor sale inducing alcoholism among men resulting into devastation of families and domestic violence against women and children. In Andhra Pradesh, more than 40,000 women united and blocked the auction.

• Reform of Personal Laws pursued by several women’s groups (Saheli, Vimochana, and Forum against Oppression of Women) and human rights lawyers’ team (The Lawyers Collective, Mumbai and Indian Social Institute, Delhi) have prepared drafts containing technical detail of gender just and secular family laws.
• Various organizations led by women are pushing the envelope further to tackle gender based issues on a daily basis. These include:

• SAYFTY: Empowering women to not tolerate sexual violence and harassment, and helping them voice their experiences, opinions, and stance.
• AYZH: Providing women with healthcare and sanitary products to protect themselves against infectious diseases, allowing them to continue to be productive in their lives.

India has a rich and vibrant women’s movement and has substantial success on various issues concerning women’s plight, however, it has still a long way to go to achieve gender equality and gender justice.

Poverty is often defined narrowly, usually based on income. For example, the World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than $1.9 per day. But a single indicator is not enough to capture the multiple dimensions of poverty. Multidimensional poverty encompasses the various deprivations experienced by poor people in their daily lives – such as poor health, lack of education, inadequate living standards, disempowerment, poor quality of work, the threat of violence, and living in areas that are environmentally hazardous, among others.

Viewing poverty from its multiple dimensions is essential because:

• Economic growth is not always associated with reduction in other deprivations, such as child malnutrition or child mortality
• A person may have a low source of income but has access to basic amenities such as food, education, health etc. For example, a low income poor living in a welfare state or where there is a strong presence of NGOs.
• It helps policymakers to cater to poverty reduction in an area based on the deprivations associated with poverty.

The 2018 update to the human development index (HDI) reported that between 1990 and 2017, India’s HDI value has increased by nearly 50% as millions were lifted out of poverty. Also, as per the multidimensional poverty index (MPI) released by UNDP and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), India has lifted 271 million people out of multi-dimensional poverty in the 10 years between 2005-06 and 2015-16. The traditionally marginalized population groups such as rural populations, scheduled castes and tribes, Muslims, and young children were also found to be “catching up” fast. It has happened because of the several steps taken by government, such as:

• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 2005: It aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
• National Food Security Act, 2013: It converted food security programs such as TPDS, MDM, ICDS, maternity benefits into legal entitlements.
• National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP): A 100% centrally sponsored scheme started in 1995 that includes:

• National Old Age Pension Scheme
• National Family Benefit Scheme
• National Maternity Benefit Scheme

• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: It was started in 2015 with an aim to provide “Housing for All” by 2022. It has subsumed previous schemes like Indira Awas Yojana (started in 1985 for rural poor and BPL) and Rajiv Awas Yojana (slum free India, 2011). Currently, it converges Saubhagya (Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, 2017), Ujjawala (LPG scheme, 2016), Swachha Bharat Mission (2014) and PMJDY (Financial inclusion program, 2014) as well.
• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (2000) and the Right to Education Act, 2009: The Act made education a fundamental right of every child between the ages of 6 and 14. This increased the enrolment of students as well as increased the number of elementary schools in India.
• Land Reforms: The ninth plan (1997-2002) identified Land Reforms as an important policy instrument for alleviation of rural poverty. It included Ceiling on land holdings, tenancy reforms, protecting tribal lands through PESA 1996, amendment to inheritance laws and rehabilitation acts.

Considering the merit of identifying multiple aspects of poverty, a Socio-Economic Caste Census was done in india for the first time in 2011. At present several schemes such as PM-Kisan (Rs 6000 as income support to farmers, 2019), PMKVY (skill development 2015), AYUSHMAN Bharat (for reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure, 2018), Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (includes vocational education) etc. are targeting mult dimensional poverty.

India recently witnessed invasion of vast swathes of land by swarms of desert locusts, which entered India from the western side via Pakistan’s Sindh province. The desert locusts usually breed in areas in the countries along the eastern coast of Africa in a region known as the Horn of Africa.

The reasons for these locust attacks are

• Indian Ocean Dipole: Positive Indian Ocean dipole made the western Indian Ocean particularly warm and consequently led to greater precipitation.
  • Heavy rain (wettest rainfall season in over four decades in East Africa) triggered the growth of vegetation in arid areas where desert locusts could grow and breed.
• Cyclones: The cyclonic storms Mekunu and Luban that struck Oman and Yemen in 2018 respectively transformed the empty desert tracts into large lakes providing damp soils where the locust swarms bred.
• Wind Movement: Locusts generally are known to be passive flyers, who generally follow the wind. The low-pressure area created by Cyclone Amphan in the Bay of Bengal strengthened the westerly winds, which aided the movement of the locusts into South Asia.

Threat posed by the locust attacks

• Crop damage: One square km swarm can eat as much food as 35000 people in a day. The recent desert locust attack has wiped out crops spread over 5,00,000 hectares in Rajasthan. It poses a serious threat to India’s food security in the recent future. They also destroy forest and urban vegetation areas if they are unable to find crops to feed.
• Allergies: Locust swarms often create allergens that aggravate allergies.
• Air travel: Generally, locusts are found at lower levels and therefore pose a threat to aircrafts especially in the critical landing and take-off phase of the flight.
• Pollution and Human Health: Use of pesticides such as Malathion 96 and Chlorpyrifos to thwart the probem of locust contributes to soil and water pollution.

Both are extremely toxic and a high level of exposure to the pesticides may cause nausea, dizziness and even death. In India, Locust Warning Organisation (LWO), under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, is responsible for monitoring, survey and control of Desert Locust in Scheduled Desert Areas mainly in the States of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The steps taken by India to tackle the threat of locust attack include:

• Several Locust Circle Offices and temporary camps have been established to control and monitor the attack in coordination with District Administration and agriculture field machinery of affected states.
• Drones are used to spray pesticides on tall trees and inaccessible places for effective control of locusts.
• The Centre has compensated some of the farmers who suffered losses from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Fund.
• Hindustan Insecticides Limited is now in the process of production and supply of 25MT Malathion for supply to locust control programme to Iran under Government to Government arrangement.

As the recent locust attack has shown that India’s food security remains vulnerable to such events, India needs to deeply engage with other regional countries like Pakistan and Iran to effectively tackle such future locust attacks by taking mitigating steps in the breeding grounds of these locusts itself.