Current Edge Daily Brief 8th January 2025

Current Edge: Daily Brief – 8th January 2025
Current Edge: Daily Brief 8th January 2025
Table of Contents
1) Ethics News of the Day: Death of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar
2) OPINION – Faizan Mustafa on UGC draft regulations 2025
3) IE Frontpage: Atomic power equations (C Raja Mohan)
4) TH Editorial: Strong setback: On the Maoist movement and anti-Maoist operations
QUOTES OF THE WHAT THE OTHERS SAY

DAY ‘Disinformation becomes a potent political weapon,
making voters believe falsehoods while distrusting – Even
‘The universe is not only hating – Those who don’t. Politicians who refuse to align
stranger than we imagine, it is with [Elon Musk’s] agenda can be discarde, as he bets his
stranger than we can imagine’ followers will support whichever candidate he endorses’–
– ARTHUR EDDINGTON THE GUARDIAN
Ethics News of the Day: Death of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar Link

Why in News? Mukesh Chandrakar, a 33-year-
old freelance journalist from Bijapur,
Chhattisgarh, is brutally murdered. It is allegedly
linked to his reporting on corruption in road
construction projects, which has sparked
outrage and calls for stronger protections for
journalists across India.
Mukesh Chandrakar exhibited several

admirable values through his work as a
journalist:
1) Courage: Fearlessly reported on corruption
and sensitive issues in the Bastar region,
despite potential risks.
2) Integrity: Exposed a ₹ 120-crore road construction scam, leading to a government inquiry.
3) Dedication: Ran a popular YouTube channel "Bastar Junction" with over 159,000 subscribers, consistently
covering local issues.
4) Responsibility: Worked as a stringer for national news channels like NDTV and News 18, ensuring broader
coverage of regional stories.
5) Humanitarianism: Played a crucial role in securing the release of CRPF personnel abducted by Maoists in 2021.
6) Perseverance: Continued his investigative journalism despite the challenges and dangers in conflict-prone areas.
7) Commitment to truth: Pursued stories that held powerful entities accountable, even when it put him at personal
risk.
1
Old Rajindra Nagar Delhi Call: +91- 98878-44044 Visit: https://kalamias.academy/
The murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar raises several ethical concerns:

1) Freedom of press: His killing for exposing corruption directly attacks the fundamental right to free speech and
press freedom.
2) Intimidation of media: The brutal nature of the murder may instil fear in other journalists, potentially silencing
critical voices.
3) Abuse of power: The alleged involvement of a contractor in the murder suggests misuse of influence to suppress
unfavourable reporting.
4) Corruption: The motive behind the murder, linked to Chandrakar's reporting on a road construction scam,
highlights the persistence of corruption.
5) Safety of journalists: The incident underscores the lack of adequate protection for journalists, especially those
working in smaller towns and conflict-prone areas.
6) Impunity: The brazen nature of the crime raises concerns about whether perpetrators of violence against
journalists face sufficient consequences.
7) Right to information: Chandrakar's murder deprives the public of crucial information about local issues and
government activities.
8) Justice system: The case tests the efficiency and integrity of the legal system in protecting journalists and
prosecuting their attackers.
OPINIONS – 50 WORD EDITORIALS

Faizan Mustafa on UGC draft regulations 2025: Argues for more flexibility in selecting
university Vice-Chancellors (VCs) in India. He welcomes new UGC regulations allowing non-
professors to apply for VC positions, suggesting that distinguished individuals from various fields
should be eligible. Mustafa advocates for greater university autonomy in choosing VCs,
proposing a search committee with more university nominees. He emphasizes the need for
humble leaders and student-centric universities, criticizing the current government-dominated
selection process – Let’s trust out Universities, Indian Express Link
IE Frontpage: Atomic power equations (C Raja 2) Focus on AI, semiconductors, space, and
Mohan) biotechnology collaboration
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – International Relations Link 3) Involvement of industry, start-ups, and research
communities from both countries
Why in News? US National Security Advisor Jake
Sullivan's visit to India on January 8, 2025, marks Policy Shifts
his last foreign visit in the Biden administration, 1) Lifting of restrictions on civilian space cooperation
highlighting key developments in US-India relations. with India
2) Ongoing work to remove key Indian atomic energy
Key Developments centres from US blacklists
Strengthened Bilateral Ties 3) Need for India to modify its Civil Liability for Nuclear
1) Biden administration's commitment to elevating the Damage Act, 2010
US-India relationship Future Prospects
2) Efforts to prevent crises from derailing the strategic 1) Potential for continued cooperation under the
partnership incoming Trump administration
Advanced Technology Cooperation 2) Shared goals of reclaiming US technological
1) Launch of the initiative on Critical and Emerging leadership and rebooting advanced manufacturing
Technologies (iCET) in January 2023 3) Ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure smooth
transition in high-tech cooperation
2
TH Editorial: Strong setback: On the Maoist c) 627 new bank branches and 947 ATMs opened
movement and anti-Maoist operations in 30 most LWE-affected districts between
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Internal Security Link 2015-2019.
Why in News? Eight security personnel and a

civilian driver were killed in an improvised explosive Challenges and Concerns with Recent Maoist
device (IED) blast carried out by Maoists in Bijapur Attack
district of Chhattisgarh on January 6, 2025. 1) Security Lapses: Inadequate combing operations
and breach of standard operating procedures
(SOPs) may have contributed to the attack.
Status of Maoist Insurgency: Declining Trend
1) Reduced Violence and Casualties: a) Questions arise about how a 60-70kg IED went
a) Maoist-related incidents dropped by 73% from undetected, especially if a road-opening party
2013 to 2024 had sanitized the route.
b) In 2024, 296 insurgents were killed, compared 2) Tactical Vulnerabilities: Use of light motor vehicles
to 24 security personnel and 80 civilians for troop transport, which are more vulnerable to
2) Geographical Contraction: IED attacks.
a) Maoist influence reduced from 126 districts a) The convoy's route choice (Kutru) was assumed
across 10 states in 2013 to 38 districts in 2024 to be safer, which proved to be a miscalculation.
b) As of 2021, only 25 districts were considered 3) Persistent Threat: Maoists retain the ability to plant
most affected, down from 180 in the late 2000s large IEDs and conduct ambushes, particularly
targeting returning security forces.
4) Operational Challenges: Difficulty in detecting
Declining trend in the Maoist insurgency IEDs planted well in advance, with grass growing
attributed to several factors: over the wires.
1) Intensified Security Operations: Security forces a) Maoists' ability to manually trigger IEDs from
have stepped up their counter-insurgency efforts, nearby hiding spots, making prevention
particularly in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region. challenging.
a) These operations have resulted in significant 5) Impact on Anti-Maoist Operations: It may
casualties among Maoist cadres, with 296 necessitate a reassessment of current strategies
insurgents killed in 2024 alone. and tactics used by security forces.
2) Improved Intelligence and Coordination: Better
targeting of top Maoist leaders.
a) Better coordination between central and state The recent attack calls for better convoy protocols,
forces has strengthened the anti-Maoist safer travel methods, and more effective use of
campaign. road-opening parties. Emphasis on regular patrols,
3) Weakening Insurgent Structure: Loss of lower- clearing of routes, and extensive use of tracker dogs
rung cadres and increased surrenders. to enhance security.
a) Maoists are struggling to retain their last
stronghold, particularly in the Abujmarh jungles
and Bastar region. SPOTLIGHT: 2020 PYQ
4) Development Initiatives: Like the Road What are the determinants of left-wing
Requirement Plan-I – Construction of 5422 km extremism in Eastern part of India? What strategy
roads in LWE-affected areas. should Government of India, civil administration
a) 2,335 mobile towers were installed in Phase-I, and security forces adopt to counter the threat in
including 250 in Bihar. the affected areas? (250 Words, 15 Marks)
b) 7 new Kendriya Vidyalayas and 6 new Jawahar
Navodaya Vidyalayas were sanctioned in the
most affected districts.
3

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Current Edge: Daily Brief – 8th January 2025

Current Edge: Daily Brief 8th January 2025

QUOTES OF THE WHAT THE OTHERS SAY

Ethics News of the Day: Death of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar Link

Mukesh Chandrakar exhibited several

The murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar raises several ethical concerns:

OPINIONS – 50 WORD EDITORIALS

Why in News? Eight security personnel and a

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