What’s in Today’s Article?

• The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 Latest News
• The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 Background
• Conclusion
• The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 FAQs

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 Latest News

• The Union Cabinet has approved all 14 amendments proposed by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. 
• The Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament during the second half of the Budget session starting on March 10. 
• The amendments address key provisions concerning the regulation, registration, and dispute resolution mechanisms for waqf properties in India.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 Background

• The Bill was introduced in August 2023 to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, which governs the management of waqf properties in India.
• It proposed significant changes, including increased government oversight of waqf properties and dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Following opposition criticism, the Bill was referred to a JPC (headed by BJP MP Jagadambika Pal), which reviewed 58 proposed amendments, accepting 14 and rejecting 44.
• The amendments cleared by the JPC, and now the Union Cabinet, address some of the most contentious parts of the Bill.

Key Amendments Approved by the JPC

• Extended time-frame for registration:
  • The Bill initially required all waqf properties to be registered on a central portal within six months of the law's enactment.
  • The JPC accepted an amendment allowing an extension if the mutawalli (caretaker) provides a valid reason for the delay.
  • The Waqf Tribunal will have the power to grant such extensions, though no fixed timeline has been specified.
  • Another amendment extends the deadline for waqfs to file legal proceedings even if not registered on the portal, provided an affidavit explaining the delay is submitted.
• Role of district collector in dispute resolution:
  • The 2024 Bill originally transferred the power of determining government property claims from the Waqf Tribunal to the District Collector.
  • The JPC modified this provision, accepting amendments to replace the District Collector with a designated senior state government officer.
  • The so-called “designated officer” will be responsible for making necessary changes to the revenue records, if a property is deemed to be a government property and not a Waqf property.
  • Until a final decision is made, disputed property will continue to be treated as government property.
• Changes in Waqf Board representation:
  • The 2024 Bill proposed allowing a non-Muslim Chief Executive Officer, and at least two non-Muslim members to be appointed by the state government to the waqf boards at the state level.
  • The JPC amended this, ensuring that the government official in the Board must be a Joint Secretary-level officer dealing with Waqf matters.
  • Another amendment mandates the inclusion of a member in the Waqf Tribunal with expertise in Muslim law and jurisprudence.
  • The previous version of the Waqf Bill proposed that the tribunal have a sitting or retired district judge (as chairperson), and a Joint Secretary-level officer of the state government (as a member).

Conclusion

• The amendments aim to balance government oversight with waqf autonomy, addressing concerns regarding property disputes, legal recourse, and representation on waqf boards. 
• The revised Bill is expected to be debated in Parliament soon, where further discussions may shape its final implementation.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 FAQs

Q1. What are the key objectives of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024?

Ans. The Bill aims to enhance government oversight of waqf properties, establish a central registration portal, and revise dispute resolution mechanisms.

Q2. How does the Waqf (Amendment) Bill modify the role of the District Collector in waqf property disputes?

Ans. The JPC-approved amendment replaces the District Collector with a senior state government officer for determining government property claims related to waqf land.

Q3. What provisions have been introduced regarding the registration of waqf properties?

Ans. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill mandates registration on a central portal within six months but allows waqfs to seek extensions from the Waqf Tribunal if they provide valid reasons.

Q4. How has the composition of Waqf Boards been altered in the 2024 Bill?

Ans. The amendment ensures that the government representative in the Waqf Board is a Joint Secretary-level officer dealing with waqf matters.

Q5. What major concerns were raised regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, and how were they addressed?

Ans. Concerns included excessive government control and restrictions on legal recourse, which were partially addressed by extending registration timelines and modifying dispute resolution authority.

Source: IE

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Indian Economy Latest News
• Introduction
• India’s Growth Potential and Challenges
• Economic Growth and Emission Concerns
• India’s Current Growth Trajectory
• Path Forward – Policy Recommendations
• Conclusion
• India’s High-Income Economy Goals FAQs

Indian Economy Latest News

• The World Bank has recently published a report titled “Becoming a High-Income Economy in a Generation".

Introduction

• As per the World Bank’s latest report, Becoming a High-Income Economy in a Generation, India has made remarkable economic progress over the past two decades, achieving an average growth rate of 6.3% between 2000 and 2024.
• However, to transition into a high-income economy by 2047, India must sustain an annual GDP growth rate of 7.8%, the report says.
• The report outlines key policy areas where India must accelerate reforms, including investment, labor force participation, structural transformation, and regional economic development.
• It draws lessons from successful transitions of nations like Chile, SouthKorea, and Poland, emphasizing the need for deeper integration into the global economy.

India’s Growth Potential and Challenges

• India’s economic success has been built on rapid industrialization, a booming services sector, and strong macroeconomic stability.
• The country’s GDP per capita has nearly tripled since 2000, and its share in the global economy has doubled to 3.4% in 2023.
• Despite these achievements, the report warns that maintaining a business-as-usual approach will not be enough to achieve high-income status.
• India’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita must increase nearly eightfold, requiring structural reforms at an unprecedented scale.
• The report outlines four critical areas for policy action:
  • Boosting Investment
    • Increase private and public investment from 33.5% of GDP to 40% by 2035.
    • Encourage higher foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows.
    • Develop robust financial markets to support long-term infrastructure financing.
  • Enhancing Labor Force Participation
    • Improve overall labor force participation from 56.4% to 65% by 2047.
    • Raise female labor force participation from 35.6% to 50%.
    • Invest in human capital development through skill enhancement programs.
  • Structural Transformation and Technology Adoption
    • Reduce agricultural employment from 45% to align with global peers like Vietnam and China.
    • Promote digitalization and integration into global value chains.
    • Strengthen research and development initiatives in high-growth sectors.
  • Enabling Regional Growth
    • Focus on infrastructure, healthcare, and education in underdeveloped states.
    • Encourage developed states to deepen business reforms and global trade participation.

Economic Growth and Emission Concerns

• As India pursues higher growth, balancing economic expansion with environmental sustainability is critical.
• The country must adopt clean energy technologies, promote electric mobility, and invest in sustainable urbanization to ensure that growth does not come at the cost of environmental degradation.
• The World Bank suggests that India’s economic strategy must align with global climate commitments, emphasizing green investments in key sectors such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and sustainable agriculture.

India’s Current Growth Trajectory

• India has already shown strong momentum, with its GDP growth averaging 7.2% in the past three years.
• However, sustaining this growth over the next two decades will require significant policy coordination.
• The report highlights that while India’s economic policies have driven progress, global uncertainties such as geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, and climate risks could impact future growth.
• Ensuring resilience through diversified trade and self-sufficiency in critical industries will be vital.

Path Forward – Policy Recommendations

• To meet the ambitious 2047 target, the World Bank emphasizes:
  • Encouraging Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to foster job creation and new technologies.
  • Financial Sector Reforms: Expanding access to credit for startups and industries.
  • Urbanization and Infrastructure: Strengthening smart city projects and efficient public transport networks.
  • Trade and Investment Liberalization: Negotiating new trade agreements and reducing barriers to business.
• By implementing these reforms, India can sustain high growth, create employment opportunities, and improve the standard of living for its citizens.

Conclusion

• India’s aspiration to become a high-income economy by 2047 is ambitious but achievable with the right policy framework.
• Accelerated reforms in investment, labor, technology, and infrastructure will be crucial in realizing this goal.
• As the world’s fastest-growing major economy, India’s journey to high-income status will serve as a model for emerging markets worldwide.

India’s High-Income Economy Goals FAQs

Q1. What is India’s target growth rate to achieve high-income status by 2047?

Ans. India needs to maintain an average annual GDP growth rate of 7.8% over the next 22 years.

Q2. What are the key policy areas India must focus on to accelerate growth?

Ans. Investment, labor force participation, structural transformation, and regional economic development.

Q3. How does India’s labor force participation compare globally?

Ans. India’s labor force participation is currently 56.4%, lower than Vietnam (73%) and the Philippines (60%).

Q4. Why is private investment crucial for achieving high-income status?

Ans. Increasing private and public investment from 33.5% of GDP to 40% is necessary for sustained economic growth.

Q5. What role does sustainability play in India’s growth strategy?

Ans. India must balance economic growth with environmental sustainability through clean energy adoption and green infrastructure development.

Source: TH | FE

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Aditya-L1 Latest News
• Solar Corona: The Sun’s Outermost Layer
• Solar Flare
• Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT)
• Study the Solar Fares by Aditya-L1
• Aditya-L1 FAQs

Aditya-L1 Latest News

• Aditya-L1, India’s first space-based solar mission, has achieved a breakthrough as its Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) captured the first-ever image of a solar flare ‘kernel’ in the lower solar atmosphere, specifically in the photosphere and chromosphere.
  • The photosphere is the visible surface of the sun, while the chromosphere is a layer above the photosphere. 

Solar Corona: The Sun’s Outermost Layer

• The solar corona is the Sun's outermost layer of atmosphere, made of ionized gas. It's visible during a total solar eclipse or with a special telescope called a coronagraph. 

Characteristics of the Solar Corona

• Extremely Hot: Temperatures range from 1 to 10 million Kelvin, much hotter than the Sun’s surface.
• Plasma Composition: Made of highly ionized gas.
• Dynamic Structure: Constantly changing due to the Sun’s magnetic fields.
• Emits High-Energy Radiation: Produces significant ultraviolet and X-ray radiation.

Importance of the Solar Corona

• Helps in understanding solar processes and predicting heliospheric events.
• Responsible for the solar wind, formed by the outward expansion of corona plasma.

Solar Flare

• A solar flare is a sudden and intense burst of solar energy from the Solar atmosphere. 
• This phenomenon is caused by Sun’s magnetic field. 
  • The magnetic field of the Sun is very dynamic in nature. Sometime they suddenly snap and release intense burst of energy – like a powerful, short flash. 
• These flares emit radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, including X-rays and ultraviolet light, and can impact space weather, disrupting satellite communications, GPS, and power grids on Earth. 
• Solar flares often originate from sunspots and are classified into categories (A, B, C, M, and X) based on their intensity.

Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT)

• SUIT is one of the seven payloads on Aditya-L1, designed to capture full-disk images of the Sun in the 2000–4000 Å wavelength range, which has never been obtained before.

Key Features & Importance

• Records images in a wavelength crucial for maintaining Ozone and Oxygen in Earth's atmosphere.
• Measures UV radiation, which can be hazardous for skin cancer.
• Addresses fundamental questions about the higher-temperature solar atmosphere and the origin of near-ultraviolet radiation.
• Aids in studying high-energy solar flares and solar radiation from Hard X-ray to Infrared.
• Supports in-situ measurements of solar wind particles and the Sun’s magnetic field at L1 point.

Study the Solar Fares by Aditya-L1

• Recently, the SUIT (Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope) payload on Aditya-L1 observed an X6.3-class solar flare, one of the most intense solar eruptions.

Unique NUV Brightening Observation

• SUIT captured brightening in the near-ultraviolet (NUV) wavelength range (200-400 nm), a region never observed in such detail before. 
• This confirms that the flare’s energy spreads through different layers of the Sun’s atmosphere.

Confirmation of Energy-Temperature Linkage

• The localized brightening in the lower solar atmosphere was found to correspond with an increase in plasma temperature in the solar corona, validating long-standing theories. 
• This observation provides new insights into the physics of solar flares, helping to refine our understanding of these massive solar explosions.

Aditya-L1 FAQs

Q1. What is Aditya-L1?

Ans. Aditya-L1 is India’s first space-based solar mission designed to study the Sun’s atmosphere, including solar flares and the corona.

Q2. What did Aditya-L1’s SUIT observe recently?

Ans. The SUIT payload on Aditya-L1 captured the first-ever image of a solar flare kernel in the Sun’s lower atmosphere.

Q3. Why is the solar corona important?

Ans. The corona helps in understanding solar processes, influences space weather, and generates the solar wind affecting Earth’s magnetosphere.

Q4. How do solar flares impact Earth?

Ans. Solar flares emit radiation that can disrupt satellites, GPS, power grids, and communication systems on Earth.

Q5. What makes SUIT’s observation unique?

Ans. SUIT captured near-ultraviolet brightening (200-400 nm), confirming energy spread through different solar layers, refining solar flare physics.

Source: TH | PIB | ISRO

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Amir Khusrau Latest News
• Khusrau: The ‘Indian Turk’
• Khusrau: The Poet of the Sultans
• Khusrau: The Devoted Disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya
• Khusrau’s Enduring Legacy
• Amir Khusrau FAQs

Amir Khusrau Latest News

• PM Modi, at the 25th Jahan-e-Khusrau festival, described this festival as carrying the “fragrance of the soil of Hindustan.”
• Jahan-e-Khusrau, a three-day festival, brings together artists from across the world to celebrate the legacy of Amir Khusrau. 
• Amir Khusrau, known as Tuti-yi-Hind (Parrot of India), is regarded as a key figure in North India’s Ganga-Jamuni culture. He made significant contributions to Indian classical music, qawwali, and developed Hindavi, a precursor to modern Hindi and Urdu.

Khusrau: The ‘Indian Turk’

• Much of what is known about Khusrau comes from his own writings, which contain autobiographical information.

Early Life and Family Background

• Amir Khusrau’s father migrated from Central Asia to India in the 13th century, escaping the Mongol invasions led by Genghis Khan. 
• He entered the service of Sultan Iltutmish (1211–36) and married an Indian Muslim woman. 
• Their second child, Abu'l Hasan Yamin ud-Din Khusrau, was born in 1253.

Cultural Synthesis in His Identity

• Khusrau embraced both his Turkic and Indian heritage, a theme reflected in his writings. 
• Various scholars described him as a symbol of cultural fusion, and he often referred to himself as an “Indian Turk.”

Birthplace

• Though Patiyali (Etah, Uttar Pradesh) is widely believed to be his birthplace, Khusrau himself never mentioned it in his writings.

Khusrau: The Poet of the Sultans

• Amir Khusrau became a professional poet at age 20 and remained so until his death. 
• He initially served princes and nobles before securing a permanent place in the Delhi Sultanate’s court.

Role of Praise Poetry

• In medieval Islamic culture, praise poetry was a key tool for rulers to establish their cultural and political legitimacy. 
• Court poets relied on royal patronage and faced fierce competition.
• Khusrau also served at least five Delhi Sultans:
  • Muizuddin Qaiqabad
  • Jalaluddin Khalji
  • Alauddin Khalji
  • Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah
  • Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
• He also had many influential patrons over five decades, showcasing the exceptional quality of his poetry. 
• He wrote in Persian, the court language, as well as Hindavi.

Honors and Recognition

• Sultan Jalaluddin Khalji conferred on him the title of ‘Amir’. 
• Historian Ziauddin Barani recorded in Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi that Jalaluddin held Khusrau in great esteem, and that Khusrau served as keeper of the Qur’an in his court.

Khusrau: The Devoted Disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya

• Amir Khusrau was the most beloved disciple of the Chishti saint Nizamuddin Auliya. The saint held him in high regard, once declaring:
  • “He (Khusrau) is the keeper of my secrets, and I shall not set foot in Paradise without him.” - Nizamuddin Auliya (Quoted in The Life and Works of Amir Khusrau, 1929)

Balancing the Court and the Khanqah

• Khusrau was respected both in the royal court and in the Sufi khanqah. Despite navigating two different worlds, his loyalty was never questioned.
  • “Neither the king nor the saint ever suspected his loyalty, as he frequented both with equal respect and honor.” — Saifullah Saifi, Sufi Poet Amir Khusrau: A Link between the Court and the Khanqah (2011)

A Shared Fate in 1325

• Master and disciple passed away within months of each other in 1325. 
• Upon hearing of Nizamuddin Auliya’s death, Khusrau is believed to have expressed his grief through these poetic words:
  • “Beauty sleeps on the bed, her hair across her face. Come Khusrau, let’s go home, night has set over this place.”

Khusrau’s Enduring Legacy

• A Timeless Poet
  • Even 700 years after his death, Amir Khusrau’s lyrical beauty, wordplay, and diverse themes continue to captivate audiences. 
  • He wrote across genres, from royal eulogies to folk songs, riddles, and word games.
  • “On the one hand he wrote eulogies for kings and princes, on the other hand he wrote riddles, jingles, and homely songs.” — Saifi
• A Bridge Between Cultures
  • Khusrau blended Persian and Turkic traditions with local influences, helping shape Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, a Hindu-Muslim syncretic culture. 
  • He also praised Hindu philosophical thought:
    • “The Brahmans of India have a greater wealth of philosophical thought than what Rumi revealed.” - (From masnavi Nuh Siphir, quoted in Indian Literary Criticism: Theory and Interpretation, ed. G.N. Devy)
• Musical Contributions
  • Khusrau’s ghazals and qawwalis remain popular, performed in Sufi dargahs and Bollywood. His famous compositions include:
    • Chhaap Tilak
    • Zehal-e-Maskeen
    • Sakal Ban Phool Rahi Sarson
  • He is also credited with shaping Indian classical music, including:
    • Crafting dozens of ragas
    • Developing ornate khayal music
    • Inventing the sitar and tabla (though evidence remains limited)

Amir Khusrau FAQs

Q1. Who was Amir Khusrau?

Ans. Amir Khusrau was a 13th-century poet, musician, and Sufi disciple known for shaping Indian classical music and Ganga-Jamuni culture.

Q2. What were Amir Khusrau’s contributions to Indian music?

Ans. He enriched qawwali, developed Hindavi, crafted ragas, and is credited with influencing khayal music and inventing the sitar and tabla.

Q3. Why is Amir Khusrau called the ‘Parrot of India’?

Ans. He was honored as Tuti-yi-Hind for his eloquence, linguistic skills, and profound contributions to Persian and Hindavi poetry.

Q4. What was Khusrau’s relationship with Nizamuddin Auliya?

Ans. Khusrau was the most beloved disciple of Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya, balancing devotion to both the royal court and the khanqah.

Q5. How is Amir Khusrau’s legacy celebrated today?

Ans. His ghazals and qawwalis remain popular in Sufi dargahs and Bollywood, and his legacy is honored at the Jahan-e-Khusrau festival.

Source: IE | DN