Roundup of News Events ; September

• In September first week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Brunei and Singapore.
• Visit to Brunei was part of well thought out India’s policy that has evolved over a period of time from ; Look East to Act East. “
• Look East Policy was announced in 1991 by Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao to realign its Foreign policy necessitated by the end of cold war and disintegration of USSR. The policy's goal was to build economic and cultural ties with the region, particularly ASEAN. 
• Act East Policy Was an upgradation of Look East Policy necessitated by China’s rise and growing influence in the region. Hence , one of the objectives is to Establish a counterweight to China's assertiveness in the South China Sea and the Asia-Pacific .
• Thus PM signed a few agreements related to mutual cooperation in agriculture, industry, pharma and health as well as technology and cyber security.

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• The Singapore visit of the Prime Minister was marked by agreements on semiconductors, digital technologies, health and skill development.

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• Supply disruptions during the recent pandemic and the geopolitical tensions due to China’s aggressive moves in Taiwanand the South China Sea have brought great urgency to India’s efforts to develop its own semiconductor ecosystem.
• Also Given the critical importance of semiconductor chips in virtually everything from missiles to mobile phones and from cars to computers, the pact with Singapore has great geo-strategic and geo-economic importance.
• Complexities of SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY.
• The semiconductor value chain is highly complex, involving a multitude of distinct stages that are geographically dispersed. The chain spans from material procurement to end-product manufacturing, with key processes including semiconductor R&D and chip design, fabrication, and assembly, testing, and packaging (ATP).
• Semiconductor manufacturing is dominated by three types of chips: logic, memory, and analog. The sophistication of these chips is measured in nanometers, with the most advanced logic chips operating at 2–3 nm. Chips with 14 and 10 nanometers are currently in mass production, but the industry continues to aim for smaller node sizes. beyond 7nm, with companies like TSMC, Intel, and Samsung investing in 5nm, 3nm, and even 2nm technologies.

       India's Position. 

• We have only signed an MOU, on an India-Singapore Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership. So it has to be seen How  any company or nation will part with such critical technologies which give them a technological edge over others.
  Realising the imp of semi conductors India also launched its SEMI CONDUCTOR MISSION called ISM in 2021 with an investment of 10 Billion USD.
• •The trade competition and tight control over supply and output by major chip manufacturers have contributed to Nations  vying for a slice of this lucrative market. Every nation ; European Union, United States, Japan , Korea, including India are enacting ambitious policies to bolster their semiconductor capabilities.
• So far, India has attracted INR 1.5 trillion in semiconductor investments from major companies such as Micron, Tata Electronics, CG Power, and Kaynes Technology. A Micron semiconductor assembly, testing, marking, and packaging (ATMP) plant in Sanand, Gujarat, HAS BEEN SET UP.
• Given its recent successes in attracting investment from companies like Micron, India is well-positioned to expand its role in the ATP segment. The proximity to the broader electronics manufacturing ecosystem, cost competitiveness, and supportive government policies can further boost India’s position in this market.

• According to a report by the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association, the country’s semiconductor consumption is set to increase from $22 billion in 2019 to $64 billion by 2026 - a 16% CAGR. By 2030, semiconductor consumption is projected to nearly double again to $110 billion, positioning India to account for approximately 10% of global semiconductor demand. However right now India is importing the chips even for electronic devices mfr in India.

• Given its mid level skill and mid level technological base india is likely to face the manpower shortage to tune of almost 3 lakh workers along many verticals. research and development (R&D), manufacturing, design, and advanced packaging, by 2027. all those aspiring for jobs must prepare themselves.

•  Now, given the current levels of skills and technological base India will have to create a space for itself in this highly monopolised and competitive market.
• As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. As evidenced by other countries' experiences, India could replicate the strategy of entering the semiconductor market through ATP and gradually moving up the value chain to fabrication and advanced semiconductor manufacturing, like China has done.
• To establish an end-to-end semiconductor ecosystem, India can consider strategically moving across the industry value chain one domain at a time.

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PM’s US Visit from September 21 to 23.

• Attended a Business Roundtable with CEOs of leading US companies in the cutting-edge areas of Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, and biotechnology,”
• US President Joe Biden welcomed the progress towards India concluding the procurement of 31 long-endurance MQ-9B armed drones from American . Both vowed to boost two-way reciprocal supply of defence hardware .
• He also attended the QUAD Summit and the joint statement issued Post summit may irk the Chinese . It criticsed the Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, as well as on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where the leaders upheld the UN charter on sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• The announcement of initiatives will no doubt raise Beijing’s ire: a “Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission” for 2025, a Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI) and a “maritime legal dialogue” to support the “rules-based order”.
• However, the ties faced unspoken tensions over the lingering effect of the Gurpatwant Singh Pannun case. including summons issued for NSA Ajit Doval in a civil suit and a White House meeting with Sikh activists who have campaigned against India — all before Mr. Modi’s arrival. The United States reiterated that it continues to expect accountability from India regarding the investigation in connection with the alleged assassination attempt on Khalistani terrorist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The message from Washington appears to be that the Pannun case cannot be overlooked.

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Disengagement on LAC.

• External Affairs Minister recently stated that  75% of disengagement has been completed by India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
• The Chinese responded saying that both sides have undertaken disengagement from four areas in the border areas.
• However, Addressing at the Asia Society Policy Institute, Mr Jaishankar said, “When I said 75 per cent of it has been sorted out, it’s only the disengagement. So, that’s one part of the problem. Some of the patrolling issues still need to be resolved and The next step will be de-escalation.”
• few issues that need to be clarified by the Govt are ;
• • What does dis engagement mean , implying where were Chinese earlier and where have they withdrawn. Because LAC has different meaning to them and a different one for us. We the common man are not able to observe the proceedings , nor the media is allowed by the Govt nor the veterans are allowed to speak so where have the Chinese withdrawn to need to be clarified.
  • Which all areas they have disengaged from. Have they gone back from Depsang plains. And what are the terms of disengagement. 
  • What is this Buffer zone and where it is going to be created. As per the reports emanating from Ladakhi grazers and their representatives, it is reported that our cattle grazers are now barred from grazing from Indian land as it has now become buffer zone. This in years to come will become Chinese territory as we will continue to keep compromising and Chinese will continue to grab areas inch by inch.
•  Buffer zones by themselves are no panacea for peace, nor do they lead to any normalised border management. On the contrary, these mandate much higher levels of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as also positioning of reserves. Changes on LAC
• Reportedly, significant changes in the Tibetan and Xinjiang region have taken place in recent years ; in terms of new dual-use infrastructure, side stepping of military formations from Xinjiang, which have now firmed in new semi-permanent habitat/bases and garrisons, demographic changes along the LAC/McMahon Line in the Northeast, with the creation of new villages. Now with Buffer zones” there is now a Belt of Actual Control created, which has changed the total border paradigm from what existed pre-2020.
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The war Israel vs Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis and Iran.

• Following a surprise attack on Israel by Gaza based militant group Hamas on 07 Oct 23, an armed conflict has been taking place in the Gaza Strip and Israelsince 7 October 2023. About 1,200 people were killed, and more than 250 were taken to Gaza as hostages,
• One by one many other militant groups supported by Iran joined the conflict ; Lebanon based Hezbollah and Yemen based Houthis started targeting Israel or those supporting Israel.
• The trade through red sea is already severely impacted by the Houthi militants and as a result ships are taking a long route from Cape of Good hope, thereby severely impacting the economy of many nations.
• Meanwhile Israel continued acting violently and so More than 33,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in air and artillery strikes carried out by the Israeli military in response.
• Not only that the unabated and uncontrolled atatcks on civilian targets has brought misery to the local population residing in gaza ; to include health , food supplies and destruction.
• Its now tit for tat and each warring side is issuing threat warnings to the other, sometimes Netanyahu gives and at times Iran. 
• The conflict as a result is ESCALATING .
• One is reminded of Bapu's advise ; An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.

The saner nations have to compel these warring sides to walk half way and arrive at a COMPROMISE. 

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• Iran’s supreme leader al khameini wrote “ The enemies of Islam have always tried to make us indifferent with regard to our shared identity as an Islamic Ummah. We cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring in #Myanmar, #Gaza, #India, or any other place.
• India hits back. MEA spokes person immediately shot back calling this statement “ misinformed and unacceptable”. “Countries commenting on minorities are advised to look at their own record before making any observations about others.
• India and Iran tend to share a good relationship, illustrated by strong economic ties. recently, they had signed a 10-year contract to develop and operate the Iranian port of Chabahar, on Iran’s southeastern coast as a gateway to exports to Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia, allowing it to bypass the ports of Karachi and Gwadar in rival Pakistan.
• This statement is nothing but an attempt to project themselves as the saviour of muslims all over the world. Nothing beyond that should be read . Soon the Business as usual shall continue.
• The News can not be hidden and we should not forget that such news can haunt us at some time in future when the chips are down. .

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• The ED had arrested six AAP leaders incl Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, and filed six chrgesheets suspected for money laundering and corruption during the formulation and implementation of the excise policy for 2021–2022 by the Delhi government.
• The agency has alleged that the accused were in touch with Kejriwal to formulate the excise policy that resulted in undue benefits to them in return for which they paid kickbacks to the AAP.
• A total of 16 people were arrested in this case till now.
• However, despite keeping them for more than six months some even for a year , neither the CBI nor the ED could prove any charge and all five of them have been released on bail.
• The issue is not bail only but what the judges have said in their judgement .
• • despite granting bail unanimously, the two Supreme Court judges differed on the legality of the arrest.
  • One judge remarked that The appellant's arrest does not suffer from illegality, however the issue is of liberty.... Prolonged incarceration amounts to unjust deprivation of liberty,"
  • On the other hand, Justice Bhuyan came down heavily on the CBI, saying Kejriwal's arrest after he secured bail in the ED case was only to frustrate the AAP chief's release from prison. And CBI should not behave like a Caged parrot.
  • 11 years back one sc judge Justice RM Lodha had commented that CBI is acting as a caged parrot and now Justcie Bhuyan said the same .
• • Implying, neither the Institute i.e CBI has changed and nor the politics of this country.
  • As a common man who has nothing to gain or lose from whosoever comes to power it would not be an understatement that the Biggest Goonda is the sarkar, whichever party is running it. They care little for law and constitution. Sadly, I could not find a suitable synonym for Goonda. However, its maning is given in Cambridge dictionary.
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• Rape in Medical College Kolkota.
• • The rapes have become a political power game.
  • The seriousness of this violent crime and the increasing incidence of rape in our towns and villages are of no concern for those in Governance ; may be at the centre or in states. It only helps them to settle political scores , the victim is of no concern to them.
  • Political One upmanship - victim is of no concern
  • Why only rapes even lynching by cow vigilantes and murders are given political colour. Look at what happened in Mahrashtra, The accused of Badlapur sexual assault was killed in an encounter by the Police and the ruling party is patting its back that they gave justice ;Tabad Tor and blaming the opposition that they have sympathy for the accused.
  • Nothing can change till we become APOLITICAL. I do not foresee anything happening till we stop looking at things from the prism of religion and politics and start thinking apolitically. Our politically vitiated minds do not allow us to act unitedly, and as a result the politicians have successfully divided us in segments ; dalit, obc, thakurs, rajputs, , brahmins, Hindus, muslims, Christians.and so on.
  • Hence we justify the acts based on our political affiliations. Kyun Cong rajyon mey nahin ho raha hai, to tumhaare BJP key rajyon mey nahin ho raha hai. We have unconsciously divided the states into BJP , Cong , AAP etc.
  • News travels and we make a mockery of ourselves.
  • news travels far and wide and we make a mockery of ourselves when some of us claim ; INDIA KI IZZAT AUR PRATHISTHA BADHI HAI