General

Awareness
Crasher
Summers 2014 Preparation
Oct-Nov 2014

Nakul Makkar

B Harish

Ashish Kumar Joshi

Topics which made

news recently

International
The Hong Kong Protests
The Rise of IS
The Gaza Conflict
Ukraine-Russia Standof
The Scottish Referendum

India
Nobel Peace Prize 2014
Clean India Campaign
Modis Report Card
Space Technology in India
WTO Disagreement

Protests

Why in the news?

Youth led movement- greater political autonomy for Hong-Kong
Sovereignty of HK-transferred from UK in 1997-Limited freedom
Continuous reinterpretation from China led to proxy government
Disproportionate force by police-shades of Tiananmen Square
Similarity-Youth led movement; Diference- HK is the Business
and Financial Centre

Who is affected?

China-Cautious about the spread of the movement to the

mainland
Older generation-Actively opposed to the movement-afraid of
antagonizing China
Business Community-Diferences with the student community
over stability
Foreign Officials-Largely quiet as China insists this is an
Whatinternal
are theafair
repercussions?
Short Term-Retail Sales and Tourism hit badly(30 percent
contribution)
Long Term-Losing favor with Beijing as Special Administrative
Region
2/3 foreign direct investment via HK, Raise money on HK Stock

The Umbrella Revolution

Portable umbrellas, often turned inside out to
provide better protection-Main line of defense
against mid-day sun and pepper sprays
Protest leaders maintain their campaign is not
a revolution but a civil-disobedience movement

Joshua Wong
Founder of HK student group
Scholarism

Protestsand
References
Links
http://time.com/3471366/hong-kong-umbrella-revolution-occupy-central-democracy-explai
ner-6-questions
/
http
://thinkprogress.org/world/2014/09/29/3573172/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-u
mbrella-revolution
/
http://www.ibtimes.com/hong-kong-protests-how-china-lost-hong-kongs-youth-1697305
http://
www.economist.com/news/leaders/21621803-communist-party-faces-its-toughest-challen
ge-tiananmen-time-it-must-make-wiser
http://time.com/3453736/hong-kong-stands-up/
http://
www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-09-30/hong-kong-protests-trigger-new-worries-for-

Protests
Possible
GD
Topics
How did China lost Hong Kongs youth
How is the Umbrella Revolution diferent from Tiananmen Square
Democracy doesnt matter as long as you are living in luxury
How should India respond to the Hong Kong protests
Hong Kong protests will doom the economic recovery of the whole world

The Rise of ISIS

Why in the news?

The instability in Syria after the uprising against Bashar Assad
gave a huge fillip to the movement
Mostly dominated by Sunni sectarian hardliners; has
continuously preached war against minority sects within Islam
and other religions
Controls a large swathe of territory in Syria and Iraq(mostly
Sunni-majority areas of Eastern Syria and Northern Iraq) at the
An undated pic of ISIS fighters in Iraq
moment
Has been declared as a terrorist movement by several countries
What
is their goal?
including U.S, E.U, and Saudi Arabia
Aim to establish a global Caliphate; has declared Cleric Abu
Bakr Al-Baghdadi as their Caliph at the moment
Aim to enforce sharia strictly in all the areas they control

What are the repercussions?

Ideologically driven extremists from across the world have
been converging in Iraq to support the group; there are fears
that these people will return to spread the message of
extremism in their native lands
An extremist state like this could be a launching pad for global
terrorists like Afghanistan was during the time of the Taliban.
Minority communities like Yazidis and Iraqi christians have

Territory controlled by ISIS

at the moment

The
Rise of ISIS
References
and
Links
http://
stopwar.org.uk/news/eight-facts-everyone-should-know-about-the-rise-of-isis-and-the-newwar-in-iraq
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/09/obama-iraq-syria-isis-war-sold/
380026
/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/rise-of-isis/
http://rt.com/news/183048-isis-grow-expand-jihadist/
http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/09/29/the-rise-of-isis-and-the-origins-of-the-new-middl
e-east-war
/
http://www.brookings.edu/research/flash-topics/flash-topic-folder/isis-threat-iraq-beyond

The
Rise ofGD
ISIS
Possible
Topics
How should India respond to the growth of ISIS?
What are the long term implication of a hardline ISIS state in the middle east?
What is the potential impact on oil prices that this conflict will have, and its
impact on global recovery?
What are the possible solutions that the global community can act upon to
resolve this conflict?
Do you agree with the American decision to join the war against ISIS, or are
there better ways to deal with the conflict?

Conflict

Why in the news?

Israel and Hamas went to war after tensions boiled over
following the kidnapping and murder of 3 Israeli youth and the
revenge killing of an Arab
Hamas is the ruling power in the Gaza strip, a tiny enclave that
is part of the Palestinian territories along with west bank
Seven weeks of Israeli bombardment and ground attacks in
Gaza, responded to by rocket fire into Israel, cause extensive
City has sufered damage in the strife
damage and sufering in Gaza, killing 2,200 Palestinians and 70
Israelis
The
Disproportionate
response of Israel caused much outrage
What
are
the repercussions?
An Egyptian-brokered truce brought an end to the war
Massive destruction left hundreds of thousands of people
homeless in Gaza
The war damages the prospects of peace talks and a 2-state
solution in the region that has been discussed for long
Islamic radicalism(particularly in middle east) may get a boost
with such wars as much of the islamic world felt deeply
outraged by the attacks
The war clearly increased the political isolation of Israel
The Regional Landscape
The war, coupled with economic unrest in Europe is contributing
to rising anti-Semitism in Europe
Allegations of Human rights violations has led to

Conflict and
References
Links
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28252155
http://www.vox.com/cards/israel-palestine/gaza-israel-hamas-2104
http://abcnews.go.com/International/israel-gaza-conflict/story?id=24552237
http://
www.nbcnews.com/storyline/middle-east-unrest/israeli-gaza-conflict-sparks-worldwide-pr
otests-n160686
http://
www.nytimes.com/2014/08/29/world/europe/with-gaza-war-movement-to-boycott-israelgains-momentum-in-europe.html

ConflictGD
Possible
Topics
Do you agree with the Israeli response to rocket fire from Gaza? Was the scale
justified?
What should the international community have done to bring an early end to the
war?
Was Indias neutrality in the war correct?
What is the best long term solution for the conflict that will accommodate the
interests of all parties?

Standoff

Why in the news?

Ukraine and Russia are both erstwhile parts of the USSR and
achieved separation only in 1991
Ukraine has large ethnic-russian populations, particularly in east
The non-russian people in the country generally prefer closer
ties with the west rather than russia
The collapse of a pro-russian government in ukraine led to
russian intervention and seizure of the crimean peninsula from
ukraine in march
An open rebellion by ethnic-russian insurgent groups, supported
by russia has led to unrest in eastern ukraine as well
What are the repercussions?
Russian support to the rebels has increased concerns of russian
hegemony in the region and has sparked a confrontation with
the west
The downing of a malaysian airlines passenger jet with a missile
(allegedly by the rebels) sparked an international crisis over its
accountability
If the rebels succeed in seizing territory, then the remaining
part of Ukraine could become a strong ally of the west in
eastern europe
Russian rhetoric has kindled memories of soviet-era repression

Pro Russian protests in

Donetsk

Standoffand
References
Links
http://
www.vox.com/cards/ukraine-everything-you-need-to-know/what-is-the-ukraine-crisis
http://america.aljazeera.com/topics/topic/event/ukraine-uprising.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/world/europe/conflict-uncovers-a-ukrainian-identity-cr
isis-over-deep-russian-roots-.
html
http://
www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/11/ukraine-russia-crimea-sanctions-us-eu-guide-exp
lainer
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/how-russia-sees-the-ukraine-crisis-11461

Standoff
Possible
GD
Topics
Is Russia becoming much more assertive under Putin? Is it good for the world?
Could the international community have done anything to restrain Russian action in
Ukraine?
What can the international community do to fix accountability for the MH317 crash?
What are Indias interests in the region? Was it prudent to take a neutral stand?
Does the inability of the west to intervene in the conflict signal weakening American
power?

Referendum

Why in the news?

Scotland held a referendum on its independence on 18th Sep,

2014
Nationalists- Oil rich but impoverished by govt-decline of
manufacturing
Unionists- Oil revenues erratic, Decline due to shift of jobs to
Asia, Outflow of foreign investments likely if secession results
Scotland decided to stay back in the union after a widely
event
Who watched
could have
been affected?
Talks of further devolvement of power to Scotland
Britain-Clout
in global
policymaking
greatly
reduced,
The fix may be
temporary-45%
voted
against
stayingStatus
in UK as
a nuclear power diminished
Scotland-Privilege of separate identity vs Cost of a separate
state
EU- Economic crisis further aggravated, Sell-of of British
investments, British exit likely but Scottish entry not
guaranteed
Rest of the World-Events were tracked across separatist
movements in Italy, Belgium, Spain, etc.
Fear of Balkanisation across Europe-Rivalry b/w working &
capitalist class
Political Impact on India-Similar voices in Kashmir and North-

The Yes-Camp ahead of the referendum

Alex Salmond
First Minister of
Scotland

Referendum
References
and
Links
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-29269911
http://
www.economist.com/news/leaders/21616957-ditching-union-would-be-mistake-scotland-and
-tragedy-country-it-leaves
http://www.economist.com/blogs/blighty/2014/09/scotlands-referendum-1
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-scotland-on-kashmir/article6473439.ece
http://
www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/yes-no-of-things/article
6453500.ece

Referendum
Possible GD
Topics
Impact of the Scottish Referendum on the Euro Crisis
Should the state allow referendums
The Unionists only won a minor battle in the bigger war
What does a referendum do to businesses
Is India prepared for a referendum on it soil

Prize 2014

Malala Yousafzai
Young Muslim girl from Pakistan-youngest
ever Nobel Laureate
Represented moderation,progress,
equality and opportunity, specifically for
women in a region beset by violence from
hard-linereligious fundamentalists
Survived a gun shot to the head by a
member of the Taliban in 2012 for her
activism
Frequently accused by conservatives of
selling out to the west

Kailash Satyarthi
Elder Indian Statesman of the child rights
campaign
Fighting alongside his organization, Bachpan
Bachao Andolan (BBA) against child poverty-root
cause of child labor and traffickling
Headed multiple protest, demonstrations, sit-ins
during his work in the field of child rights
Has rescued more than 80000 children from the
clutches of bonded or forced labor
Doubts raised about the sources of funding for
his ventures involved in the efort of eradicating
child labor

Prize 2014
References
and
Links
http://thediplomat.com/2014/10/time-to-reinterpret-nobel-peace-prize-criteria/
http://
www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/10/nobel-peace-prize-winners-boost-childrens-right
s
http://
www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/13/kailash-satyarthi-tireless-accessible-nobel-laurea
te
http://
www.livemint.com/Opinion/Lq74TA4fu7inl2cBvZ9KQM/Malala-Yousafzai-Kailash-Satyarthi-an
d-the-four-Nobel-trut.html
http://
indiatoday.intoday.in/story/nobel-prize-for-peace-kailash-satyarthi-malala-yousafzai/1/395
117.html
http://thediplomat.com/2014/10/time-to-reinterpret-nobel-peace-prize-criteria/

Prize 2014
Possible
GD
Topics
The Nobel Peace Prize is losing its relevance
Its about time someone looked at the plight of child laborers
Stop child labor to attack corruption at the grassroots
Foreign Funding in Indian NGOs
Social Work is not World Peace
The joint Nobel Prize win can give a new direction to the Indo-Pak afairs

Campaign

Why in the news?

Non-Political movement launched by the Indian PM on 2 nd Oct,
2014
Mission: To make India clean by 2nd Oct, 2019-Emphasis on not
littering
Nomination of personalities across party lines-Non Partisan
Touch
Around 600 million people - around half the country's population
PM Narendra Modi with NDMC Worker
What- still
is happening
defecate infor
thethis?
open
Morelooking
than 130
Indianas
households
lack
access
to toilets
Govt
at million
Social Media
an efective
tool
in raising
the

awareness
Clean India Challenge similar to ALS Ice Bucket challenge
being planned
Events across states to raise awareness of the National
Sanitation Drive
Corporate
participation being sought to help in toilet
What
are the challenges?
construction
Occupation in the cleanliness departments still driven by caste
Focus on the elevation of the entire sanitation chain
Lack of safety goods and equipment for the workers
Finances of local bodies not sound after the abolition of the
octroi tax
The scope of the campaign too broad according to some

Waste Disposal-A Big Concern

Campaign
References
and
Links
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/everything-you-need-to-know-about-pmmodis-clean-india-campaign
/
http://www.dw.de/modis-clean-india-campaign-must-be-followed-up-by-actions/a-17982602
http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21625860-road-delhi-sweeper-eating-dust
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/not-just-toilets/
http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2014/10/clean-india-campaign

Campaign
Possible
GD
Topics
How can corporates contribute to the Clean India Campaign
The Clean India Campaign will give a new push to Corporate Social
Responsibility
The Social Media Strategy for cleaning India is unlikely to work
Cleaning India in five years is an impossible task

Card
Background

BJP came to power in the 16th Lok Sabha Elections with

absolute majority (282/543)
Absolute majority verdict showing the resentment voters had
with the last ruling Government
Lots of expectations from the new BJP regime, with the
slogan Achche Din
Success continuing to the state elections-Time to consolidate
Major Initiatives
Injecting fresh stimulus to India's foreign policy, especially in

the immediate neighborhood

Focus on basic but important issues like sanitation and

women safety
Promise of turning Red tape to Red Carpet
Absence of any big bang economic reforms so far
Declining International Oil Prices-Short Term Relief?

Card and
References
Links
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/tracking-prime-minister-narendra-modi-the
-first-100-days/
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/AllaboutModiSarkar/spl3-lid.aspx
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-29042513
http
://www.india.com/top-n/100-days-of-narendra-modi-12-aspects-to-judge-the-prime-minis
ter-and-his-achche-din-wali-sarkaar-136239/
http://www.makeinindia.com/policies/

http://
www.livemint.com/Politics/VZsYcO8kR5q1ksxVcCdMUJ/100-day
s-of-NDA-A-report-card.html

Card GD
Possible
Topics
Achche Din Wali Sarkar Truth or a farce?
Modis Compulsory address to Children on Teachers Day- Media Gimmick or a
step towards future
Modis foreign policy Relations with Pakistan, USA, China
PMO giving more importance to neighbours, than to Established Superpowers
Cabinet has become more like a One-Man(Modi) Show Repercussions for
Democracy
Make in India Campaign- Make or Break for India
Gujarat Model for Development Is this what India needs right now?

in India
Mission on Mars

India celebrated becoming the first Asian nation to reach

Mars, in its maiden attempt
Mangalyaan, Hindi for "Mars craft", hadentered into
orbitaround the Red Planet about10 months after launching
India's successful mission, completed on a budget of $74
million
Mangalyaan built in 15 months with two-thirds of its parts
manufactured by domestic firms such as Godrej & Boyce and
India's largest engineering company, Larsen & Toubro

K Radhakrishnan, Chairman ISRO

Successful use of Remote Sensing in Hudhud Cyclone

Andhra Pradesh became the first state in India to use

space technology for disaster management
Government with NSRC launched an Android app for a
crowdsourcing project

Cyclone Hudhud

in India
Reference Links

http://www.thedailystar.net/hype-over-indias-mars-mission-46273
http://www.thedailystar.net/hype-over-indias-mars-mission-46273
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/getting-to-mars-through-jugaad/article6479048.ece

in IndiaGD
Possible
Topics
Euphoria over Mars Mission- Much Joy over Nothing
Is it justified to spend heavily on Space Missions when basic problems like
poverty & unemployment remain unaddressed?
Implications of Mars Mission for India
Indias Mars Mission is a perfect example of Indias Jugaad (Hindu Article)
Indias Mars Mission has shown the world, the tremendous progress our space
program has made. Or is it too early to say so?

Disagreement
World Trade Organization (WTO, 1995) conceived as GATT in
1948, intends to supervise andliberalize international trade
Deals with regulation of trade between participating
countries by providing a framework for negotiating and
formalizing trade agreements
Ministerial Conferences held at various times, at diferent
places has failed to achieve significant results due to the
disagreements between developing & developed countries
Recent eforts to revitalize & renew WTO talks have met with
little success
India wants to reap the rewards of the gains through the
revised Bali package and give momentum to the post-Bali
program
Many countries have banned organic imports from India
citing WTO rules, thus hurting Indias foreign trade

Disagreement
Reference Links
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/business-others/tfa-impasse-the-most-serio
us-situation-wto-has-ever-faced/
http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/harsha-vardhana-singh-how-to-m
ove-forward-at-the-wto-114101800896_1.html
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/India-loses-WTO-case-ag
ainst-US-on-poultry-imports/articleshow/44815533.cms
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/C_R_L__Narasimhan/india-plays-spoilsportat-wto/article6277656.ece

Disagreement
Possible GD
Topics
India needs WTO to succeed for its own good
Doha is Dead (referring to failed WTO Doha round)
Future role of India in Global Platforms like WTO
Does India need to assert its supremacy at WTO
India & China are the 2 new superpowers at WTO
Balance of Power shifting from West to East
WTO has been misused & abused by West for its own interests

Some other important topics

The secret sauce of creating entrepreneurs
Is Democracy just a politicized monarchy?
The Manager-Shareholder Divide
Primary Education vs Higher Education
Consumer is not the King
Marketing invokes the Dark Arts
Role of Independent Directors
Corporate Social Responsibility
Competition is the antidote to corruption
The case for Judicial Overreach