{"id":62554,"date":"2025-09-09T11:26:57","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T05:56:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=62554"},"modified":"2025-10-07T13:24:57","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T07:54:57","slug":"daily-editorial-analysis-9-september-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/daily-editorial-analysis-9-september-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Daily Editorial Analysis 9 September 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>The \u2018Domestic Sphere\u2019 in a New India<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>discourse on women\u2019s empowerment in India has long been entangled with political agendas<\/strong>, cultural ideologies, and economic structures.<\/li>\n<li>In recent years, particularly under the current regime, <strong>the rhetoric of nari shakti (women\u2019s power) and women-led development has gained prominence<\/strong> in public narratives.<\/li>\n<li>Yet, <strong>beneath this rhetorical veneer lies a glaring contradiction<\/strong>: the persistent neglect and devaluation of women\u2019s lives and labour within the domestic sphere.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Rhetoric versus Reality<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>invocation of women\u2019s empowerment by political leaders often stands in stark contrast to regressive positions<\/strong> on issues central to women\u2019s autonomy.<\/li>\n<li>The statement by the RSS chief in August 2025, urging families to have at least three children for the survival of civilization, exemplifies this contradiction.<\/li>\n<li>Here, <strong>women are reduced to instruments of reproduction<\/strong>, with little recognition of their agency.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Such remarks not only trivialize women\u2019s individuality but also reinforce the patriarchal notion<\/strong> that women\u2019s primary role is biological rather than social, economic, or political.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Violence and Silence in the Home<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>statistics are harrowing: from 2017 to 2022, an average of 7,000 women per year were killed in dowry-related incidents<\/strong>, totaling 35,000 deaths.<\/li>\n<li>Beyond this, <strong>the National Family Health Survey-5 reports that nearly one-third of women experience intimate partner violence<\/strong>, yet only 14% report these crimes to the police.<\/li>\n<li>A third of all crimes against women fall under domestic violence.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Despite these realities, the ruling establishment has avoided confronting patriarchal violence<\/strong>, treating it as a private matter rather than a structural injustice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>The Gendered Burden of Work<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>Time Use Survey (TUS) 2024 sheds light on another dimension<\/strong> of the domestic sphere: the invisibilised labour of women.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Women between ages 15 and 59 show stark inequalities<\/strong> in participation across productive and unpaid activities.<\/li>\n<li>While <strong>only 25% of women are engaged in employment-related activities<\/strong> for an average of five hours daily, a staggering 93% undertake unpaid domestic work, averaging seven hours daily.<\/li>\n<li><strong>In addition, 41% provide unpaid caregiving services<\/strong>, spending 2.5 hours daily.<\/li>\n<li>In contrast, <strong>men\u2019s engagement in domestic work and caregiving is negligible<\/strong>: on average, men contribute 26 minutes to household tasks and less than 16 minutes to caregiving per day.<\/li>\n<li>This <strong>disparity reveals the entrenched gendered division of labour<\/strong>, where women shoulder the dual burden of productive and reproductive work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>State Narratives and the Glorification of Inequality<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>government\u2019s framing of the TUS data further illustrates the institutionalization<\/strong> of gender bias.<\/li>\n<li><strong>In February 2025, the Press Information Bureau hailed the findings as evidence of the Indian social fabric,<\/strong> celebrating women\u2019s disproportionate role in caregiving as cultural virtue rather than systemic inequality.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>meagre contribution of men to domestic labour was presented as a positive feature<\/strong> of family life.<\/li>\n<li>This <strong>deliberate glorification of inequality transforms structural oppression<\/strong> into cultural pride, shielding patriarchal norms from critique.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Capitalism and the Invisible Subsidy<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>invisibility of women\u2019s unpaid work is not merely cultural<\/strong>, it is economic. A 2023 State Bank of India study estimated that monetizing unpaid domestic work would add over 7% to India\u2019s GDP, amounting to \u20b922.5 lakh crore annually.<\/li>\n<li>Yet, <strong>because women\u2019s work is excluded from wage structures, it serves as an invisible subsidy<\/strong> for both the state and capital.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Minimum wages are calculated on the basis of male subsistence<\/strong>, presuming that women\u2019s unpaid labour will sustain families.<\/li>\n<li>In this way, <strong>patriarchy and capitalism converge<\/strong>: patriarchal norms naturalize women\u2019s unpaid contributions, while capitalist structures profit from their undervaluation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>The Way Forward: Towards an Alternative Vision<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Confronting this systemic injustice requires interventions that span cultural, social, and policy domains.<\/li>\n<li>First, <strong>violence within homes must be treated as a structural issue<\/strong>, with proactive legal and social mechanisms to protect women.<\/li>\n<li>Second, <strong>women\u2019s equal right to work must be affirmed<\/strong>, with guarantees of equal pay.<\/li>\n<li>Third, <strong>universal childcare and eldercare facilities provided by the state<\/strong> <strong>can redistribute caregiving responsibilities.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Fourth, <strong>robust public investment in healthcare and education <\/strong>can reduce the domestic burden on women.<\/li>\n<li>Fifth, <strong>cultural narratives must be transformed<\/strong> to normalize the equal sharing of domestic responsibilities, challenging the glorification of inequality.<\/li>\n<li>Finally, <strong>frontline scheme workers in care services must be recognized as government employees <\/strong>entitled to fair wages and benefits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>domestic sphere is neither private nor apolitical<\/strong>, it is a contested site where power, ideology, and economics intersect.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>glorification of women\u2019s unpaid labour as cultural virtue,<\/strong> the silence on domestic violence, and the undervaluation of care work <strong>all reveal a systemic effort to subordinate women while profiting from their contributions. <\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>True nari shakti lies not in symbolic slogans but in confronting the material, cultural, and political realities<\/strong> that define women\u2019s lives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>The \u2018Domestic Sphere\u2019 in a New India FAQs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Q1. <\/strong>What contradiction exists in the government\u2019s rhetoric on women\u2019s empowerment?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans. <\/strong>The government promotes slogans like nari shakti and \u201cwomen-led development,\u201d yet it ignores or reinforces regressive practices that restrict women\u2019s autonomy in the domestic sphere.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q2. <\/strong>Why is silence on domestic violence significant in the current political context?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans. <\/strong>Silence on domestic violence reflects an ideological choice, as addressing it would challenge patriarchal structures that the ruling establishment seeks to preserve.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q3. <\/strong>What does the Time Use Survey (2024) reveal about gendered labour?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans. <\/strong>The survey shows that women spend significantly more time on unpaid domestic and caregiving work than men, who contribute only minimal hours to such tasks.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q4. <\/strong>How does the state justify undervaluing women\u2019s unpaid work?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans. <\/strong>The state frames women\u2019s disproportionate role in care work as part of the \u201cIndian social fabric,\u201d turning inequality into cultural pride rather than acknowledging it as systemic injustice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q5. <\/strong>What alternatives are required to address these inequalities?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans. <\/strong>\u00a0Legal action against domestic violence, equal pay for women, universal childcare and eldercare, investment in health and education, cultural shifts toward shared domestic work, and fair wages for scheme workers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/lead\/the-domestic-sphere-in-a-new-india\/article70026984.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Hindu<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Iran and India, Ancient Civilisations and New Horizons<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Context:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The world is in a period of transition marked by a crisis of the Western-led international order. Once dominant, the U.S. and its allies now face serious challenges.<\/li>\n<li>Repeated violations of international law, trade wars, unchecked use of force, weakening of global institutions, media manipulation, and environmental destruction point to a deeper systemic crisis.<\/li>\n<li>The West\u2019s traditional tools of dominance \u2014 financial control, technological monopoly, human rights conditionalities, and media influence \u2014 are steadily losing effectiveness.<\/li>\n<li>This article highlights how the shifting global order, marked by the decline of Western dominance, opens new horizons for ancient civilisations like India and Iran.<\/li>\n<li>It explores their shared values, resilience, and strategic partnerships in shaping a just, multipolar world through South-South cooperation, BRICS, and initiatives like INSTC, while addressing global crises, the Palestine struggle, and U.S. interventions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>India and Iran: Civilisational Partners in a Rising Global South<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The Global South is forging a new path of independence, rooted in local models, indigenous technology, and stronger security.<\/li>\n<li>Ancient civilisations like India and Iran play a unique role in this transformation. Historically, both influenced global culture through statecraft, literature, philosophy, and art, while upholding values of peace, diversity, and spirituality.<\/li>\n<li>Despite colonial exploitation, external interference, and economic pressures, neither has compromised its independence or identity.<\/li>\n<li>Today, their shared values and resilience are vital in confronting global crises.<\/li>\n<li>By deepening <strong>South-South cooperation<\/strong>, advancing initiatives like <strong>BRICS<\/strong> and the <strong>INSTC<\/strong>, and upholding moral principles, India and Iran can help lay the foundation for a just and humane world order.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Palestine, Iran, and the Global South\u2019s Struggle for Justice<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The Palestinian struggle embodies the Global South\u2019s resistance against Western hypocrisy, supremacy, and occupation, symbolising the right of all nations to resist domination.<\/li>\n<li>Similarly, Iran\u2019s defence of peaceful nuclear energy reflects the South\u2019s broader right to development, making it a stronghold for international law and diplomacy.<\/li>\n<li>In this context, multilateral platforms like <strong>BRICS offer an alternative to Western economic dominance<\/strong> by promoting de-dollarisation and inclusive growth.<\/li>\n<li>The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) goes beyond trade, serving as a civilisational bridge connecting Eurasia, the Caucasus, India, and Africa, while fostering stability in West Asia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>India, Iran, and the Vision of a Just Global Order<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>In West Asia, U.S. interventions have long undermined regional security by backing Israel and fueling instability in Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Iran.<\/li>\n<li>Similarly, in South Asia, Washington has alternated between fighting and empowering terrorist groups to suit its interests.<\/li>\n<li>At this turning point in history, ancient civilisations like India and Iran, with their traditions of wisdom, independence, and partnership, can shape a new order based on justice, equality, and respect for human dignity \u2014 an order where nations define their own destiny rather than serve the powerful.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>India and Iran, through civilisational wisdom and strategic cooperation, can guide the Global South toward a multipolar world rooted in justice, equality, and shared human dignity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Iran and India, Ancient Civilisations and New Horizons FAQs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Q1.<\/strong> What marks the current global transition described in the article?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ans.<\/strong> The global order faces a crisis as Western dominance weakens, reflected in law violations, trade wars, weakened institutions, media manipulation, and environmental destruction.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q2.<\/strong> How do India and Iran contribute as civilisational partners in the Global South?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ans. <\/strong>Both embody cultural resilience, peace, and diversity. By strengthening South-South cooperation and initiatives like BRICS and INSTC, they help shape a humane world order.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q3.<\/strong> Why is the Palestine issue central to the Global South\u2019s struggle?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ans. <\/strong>The Palestinian struggle symbolizes resistance against Western hypocrisy and domination, representing all nations\u2019 right to resist occupation and uphold justice and independence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q4.<\/strong> What role does Iran play in defending the Global South\u2019s rights?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ans. <\/strong>By safeguarding its peaceful nuclear program, Iran defends the South\u2019s right to development and strengthens international law, diplomacy, and collective resistance against dominance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q5.<\/strong> How can India and Iran lead a new just global order?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ans. <\/strong>Through wisdom, independence, and partnership, they can counter U.S. interventions and build a future based on justice, equality, and human dignity.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/op-ed\/iran-and-india-ancient-civilisations-and-new-horizons\/article70027027.ece#:~:text=Iran%20and%20India%2C%20through%20civilisational,not%20on%20superiority%2C%20but%20equality.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TH<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Daily Editorial Analysis 9 September 2025 by Vajiram &#038; Ravi covers key editorials from The Hindu &#038; Indian Express with UPSC-focused insights and relevance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":50653,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[138],"tags":[141,882,909],"class_list":{"0":"post-62554","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-daily-editorial-analysis","8":"tag-daily-editorial-analysis","9":"tag-the-hindu-editorial-analysis","10":"tag-the-indian-express-analysis","11":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62554","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62554"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62554\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50653"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62554"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62554"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}