Srinagar has recently earned the prestigious title of World Craft City from the World Craft Council (WCC), making it the fourth Indian city to receive this recognition. The other Indian cities honored with this title are Jaipur, Malappuram, and Mysore. This accolade follows Srinagar’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts in 2021.

Craftsmanship in Srinagar

Srinagar is renowned for its rich tradition of craftsmanship, with at least 10 distinct forms of craft practiced in the city. Some of the notable crafts include:

• Papier-mâché: Traditional decorative craft using paper pulp.
• Walnut Wood Carving: Intricate carvings on walnut wood, often used for furniture and decor.
• Carpets: Handwoven carpets known for their elaborate patterns and designs.
• Sozni Embroidery: A fine needlework technique used to create intricate patterns on fabric.
• Pashmina and Kani Shawls: Luxurious shawls made from high-quality pashmina wool, with Kani shawls featuring traditional woven patterns.

Historical and Economic Context

• Persian Influence: Kashmir’s shawl and carpet industries have been deeply influenced by Persian artisans. Designs named after Iranian cities, such as Kashan and Tabriz, highlight this historical connection.
• Economic Impact: The handicraft sector in Kashmir has experienced significant economic growth, with exports increasing from Rs. 1,000 crores to Rs. 2,000 crores in the last five years.

Significance of Recognition

• International Market: The World Craft City status will enhance Srinagar’s visibility and appeal in the global market, potentially boosting demand for its crafts.
• Investment and Funding: The recognition is likely to attract greater investment and funding, which will be crucial for developing infrastructure and integrating modern techniques with traditional methods.
• Training and Innovation: Increased visibility and funding will support advanced training programs, allowing artisans to acquire new skills and foster innovation in their crafts.
• Cultural and Economic Benefits: The recognition will help preserve cultural heritage, provide opportunities for collaboration, and create sustainable income through increased sales and tourism.

World Craft Council (WCC)

• Foundation: The WCC, founded in 1964 by Aileen Osborn Webb, Margaret M. Patch, and Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization affiliated with UNESCO.
• Structure: It is organized into five regions: Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America.
• Mission: The WCC aims to strengthen the status of crafts in cultural and economic life, dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and advancement of global and traditional craftsmanship.

Conclusion

Srinagar’s designation as a World Craft City underscores its rich heritage and vibrant craft traditions. This recognition will not only elevate the city’s craft industry on the global stage but also drive economic growth, cultural preservation, and international collaboration.

Why in the News?

The recent release of the ‘Report of India’s G20 Task Force on DPI’ highlights the growing emphasis on Digital Public Infrastructure as a crucial element for economic transformation, financial inclusion, and development. The report, published under India’s G20 Presidency, aims to advance global adoption of DPI and outline its strategic framework.

About the Report

• Establishment: The Task Force was formed in 2023 as part of India’s G20 Presidency to address priorities related to DPI and financial inclusion.
• Purpose: It seeks to support and promote the global adoption of DPI, contributing to economic transformation and enhancing financial inclusion.
• Framework: The report presents a three-part framework for advancing DPI globally, emphasizing the importance of secure, interoperable, and equitable digital systems.

What is Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)?

DPI refers to shared digital systems that are designed to:

• Be Secure and Interoperable: Ensuring that the infrastructure can function securely across different systems and platforms.
• Use Open Standards and Specifications: Building on widely accepted standards to ensure accessibility and compatibility.
• Provide Equitable Access: Delivering public and/or private services in a way that is inclusive and accessible to all societal groups.
• Governance: Adhering to legal frameworks and enabling rules to foster development, inclusion, innovation, trust, and competition, while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.

What is 'Not' DPI?

• Complementary Interventions: While crucial, physical infrastructure like connectivity improvements (e.g., better mobile and internet access) is not considered DPI itself. These are supportive measures rather than the core digital systems defined as DPI.
• Digital Processes Without Innovation: Simple digitization of existing physical processes or workflows (e.g., converting paper forms into online government portals) does not constitute DPI if it does not foster broader innovation or private sector engagement.

Significance of DPI

• Economic Impact: DPI can drive significant economic transformation by improving the efficiency of public services and enabling new forms of digital commerce.
• Financial Inclusion: By providing a digital backbone for services, DPI helps in reaching underserved populations, enhancing financial inclusion and access to essential services.
• Global Development: As countries adopt DPI frameworks, they contribute to a more equitable global digital economy, fostering international collaboration and innovation.

 Accelerates Development

• Economic Growth Multiplier: DPI has a significant positive impact on economic growth. For instance, India’s implementation of DPI enabled it to achieve financial inclusion levels in under a decade that would have otherwise taken 50 years.

 Spurs Innovation

• Reduced Transaction Costs: By enabling interoperability and reducing transaction costs, DPI fosters a competitive environment that attracts private capital. PhonePe’s growth to a $12 billion valuation is a notable example of how DPI can drive innovation and market growth.

 Inclusive Development

• Access for Vulnerable Groups: DPI plays a crucial role in providing access to services for underserved groups, including remote populations, women, and SMEs. In India, the number of bank accounts tripled from 147.2 million in 2015 to 508.7 million in 2023, with 55% of these accounts held by women.

 Effective Public Service Delivery

• Cost Savings: DPI has led to substantial savings and efficiency in public service delivery. For instance, direct benefit transfers facilitated by DPI across various Central Government schemes in India resulted in $41 billion in savings.

 Resilience

• Emergency Situations: DPI proved to be resilient during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, where digital vaccination certificates facilitated global coordination and response.

 Empowers Individuals

• Economic Mobility and Rights: DPI enhances individual empowerment by ensuring control over personal data and finances, which supports economic mobility and protection of digital rights.

 Fiscal Prudence

• Public-Private Financing: DPI projects are fiscally prudent as they often involve a blend of public and private financing, reducing the financial burden on any single sector.

 Control Over National Infrastructure

• Strategic Importance: DPI enables countries to maintain control over critical national infrastructure while benefiting from international collaboration and investment.

The emphasis on DPI reflects a global shift towards leveraging digital technologies for public good, aiming to create more inclusive and efficient systems that can adapt to evolving societal needs. The framework and recommendations from the Task Force will guide nations in developing and implementing robust digital infrastructure strategies that align with international best practices.

About India’s DPI

• India Stack: India’s foundational DPI, known as India Stack, comprises three interconnected layers:
• Identity Layer: Includes systems like Aadhar and e-KYC for identity verification.
• Payment Layer: Features UPI, Aadhar Payment Bridge, and other payment systems.
• Data Governance Layer: Incorporates DigiLocker and Account Aggregator for secure data management.

Global Efforts for DPI

• Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG): Established the first global consensus on DPI approaches, facilitating international cooperation on digital infrastructure.
• One Future Alliance: A G20 initiative aimed at building capacity and providing technical and financial support for DPI implementation in low and middle-income countries.
• Global DPI Repository (GDPIR): Launched at the G20 virtual leaders' summit in 2023, the GDPIR is focused on establishing an institution to advance DPI efforts globally. The Social Impact Fund (SIF) was also announced to support DPI implementation in global south nations.
• EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC): India and the European Union agreed to collaborate on accelerating DPI development and deployment in other countries.

Way Forward

• Three-Pillared DPI Approach: The report suggests a comprehensive three-pillar approach to DPI development, focusing on foundational infrastructure, service delivery, and governance.
• Comprehensive and Phased Approach: Recommendations include a phased approach based on in-depth global research and analysis of digital infrastructure landscapes.
• Open & Reusable Technology Frameworks: Supporting technology frameworks that are open and reusable can help countries deploy DPI while ensuring sovereignty and data ownership.
• Dialogue and Alignment: Establishing an annual DPI forum and potentially a Global South Forum to share experiences and discuss specific needs related to DPI.
• Bilateral and Multilateral Engagement: Encouraging joint efforts among countries to deploy DPI in recipient nations.
• Focused Institutions: Creating dedicated institutions to address policy dimensions, strategy formulation, and implementation with expert technical and academic support.
• Leveraging AI: Utilizing AI technologies, such as India’s Bhasini for language localization, to enhance DPI effectiveness and efficiency.

Why in the News?

The recent release of the ‘Report of India’s G20 Task Force on DPI’ highlights the growing emphasis on Digital Public Infrastructure as a crucial element for economic transformation, financial inclusion, and development. The report, published under India’s G20 Presidency, aims to advance global adoption of DPI and outline its strategic framework.

About the Report

• Establishment: The Task Force was formed in 2023 as part of India’s G20 Presidency to address priorities related to DPI and financial inclusion.
• Purpose: It seeks to support and promote the global adoption of DPI, contributing to economic transformation and enhancing financial inclusion.
• Framework: The report presents a three-part framework for advancing DPI globally, emphasizing the importance of secure, interoperable, and equitable digital systems.

What is Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)?

DPI refers to shared digital systems that are designed to:

• Be Secure and Interoperable: Ensuring that the infrastructure can function securely across different systems and platforms.
• Use Open Standards and Specifications: Building on widely accepted standards to ensure accessibility and compatibility.
• Provide Equitable Access: Delivering public and/or private services in a way that is inclusive and accessible to all societal groups.
• Governance: Adhering to legal frameworks and enabling rules to foster development, inclusion, innovation, trust, and competition, while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.

What is 'Not' DPI?

• Complementary Interventions: While crucial, physical infrastructure like connectivity improvements (e.g., better mobile and internet access) is not considered DPI itself. These are supportive measures rather than the core digital systems defined as DPI.
• Digital Processes Without Innovation: Simple digitization of existing physical processes or workflows (e.g., converting paper forms into online government portals) does not constitute DPI if it does not foster broader innovation or private sector engagement.

Significance of DPI

• Economic Impact: DPI can drive significant economic transformation by improving the efficiency of public services and enabling new forms of digital commerce.
• Financial Inclusion: By providing a digital backbone for services, DPI helps in reaching underserved populations, enhancing financial inclusion and access to essential services.
• Global Development: As countries adopt DPI frameworks, they contribute to a more equitable global digital economy, fostering international collaboration and innovation.

 Accelerates Development

• Economic Growth Multiplier: DPI has a significant positive impact on economic growth. For instance, India’s implementation of DPI enabled it to achieve financial inclusion levels in under a decade that would have otherwise taken 50 years.

 Spurs Innovation

• Reduced Transaction Costs: By enabling interoperability and reducing transaction costs, DPI fosters a competitive environment that attracts private capital. PhonePe’s growth to a $12 billion valuation is a notable example of how DPI can drive innovation and market growth.

 Inclusive Development

• Access for Vulnerable Groups: DPI plays a crucial role in providing access to services for underserved groups, including remote populations, women, and SMEs. In India, the number of bank accounts tripled from 147.2 million in 2015 to 508.7 million in 2023, with 55% of these accounts held by women.

 Effective Public Service Delivery

• Cost Savings: DPI has led to substantial savings and efficiency in public service delivery. For instance, direct benefit transfers facilitated by DPI across various Central Government schemes in India resulted in $41 billion in savings.

 Resilience

• Emergency Situations: DPI proved to be resilient during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, where digital vaccination certificates facilitated global coordination and response.

 Empowers Individuals

• Economic Mobility and Rights: DPI enhances individual empowerment by ensuring control over personal data and finances, which supports economic mobility and protection of digital rights.

 Fiscal Prudence

• Public-Private Financing: DPI projects are fiscally prudent as they often involve a blend of public and private financing, reducing the financial burden on any single sector.

 Control Over National Infrastructure

• Strategic Importance: DPI enables countries to maintain control over critical national infrastructure while benefiting from international collaboration and investment.

The emphasis on DPI reflects a global shift towards leveraging digital technologies for public good, aiming to create more inclusive and efficient systems that can adapt to evolving societal needs. The framework and recommendations from the Task Force will guide nations in developing and implementing robust digital infrastructure strategies that align with international best practices.

About India’s DPI

• India Stack: India’s foundational DPI, known as India Stack, comprises three interconnected layers:
• Identity Layer: Includes systems like Aadhar and e-KYC for identity verification.
• Payment Layer: Features UPI, Aadhar Payment Bridge, and other payment systems.
• Data Governance Layer: Incorporates DigiLocker and Account Aggregator for secure data management.

Global Efforts for DPI

• Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG): Established the first global consensus on DPI approaches, facilitating international cooperation on digital infrastructure.
• One Future Alliance: A G20 initiative aimed at building capacity and providing technical and financial support for DPI implementation in low and middle-income countries.
• Global DPI Repository (GDPIR): Launched at the G20 virtual leaders' summit in 2023, the GDPIR is focused on establishing an institution to advance DPI efforts globally. The Social Impact Fund (SIF) was also announced to support DPI implementation in global south nations.
• EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC): India and the European Union agreed to collaborate on accelerating DPI development and deployment in other countries.

Way Forward

• Three-Pillared DPI Approach: The report suggests a comprehensive three-pillar approach to DPI development, focusing on foundational infrastructure, service delivery, and governance.
• Comprehensive and Phased Approach: Recommendations include a phased approach based on in-depth global research and analysis of digital infrastructure landscapes.
• Open & Reusable Technology Frameworks: Supporting technology frameworks that are open and reusable can help countries deploy DPI while ensuring sovereignty and data ownership.
• Dialogue and Alignment: Establishing an annual DPI forum and potentially a Global South Forum to share experiences and discuss specific needs related to DPI.
• Bilateral and Multilateral Engagement: Encouraging joint efforts among countries to deploy DPI in recipient nations.
• Focused Institutions: Creating dedicated institutions to address policy dimensions, strategy formulation, and implementation with expert technical and academic support.
• Leveraging AI: Utilizing AI technologies, such as India’s Bhasini for language localization, to enhance DPI effectiveness and efficiency.

2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which are fundamental to International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Recent conflicts, such as those between Russia and Ukraine and in Gaza, have highlighted tragic violations of humanitarian laws and exposed the challenges in enforcing IHL effectively.

About International Humanitarian Law

• Definition: IHL, also known as the law of war or law of armed conflict, consists of rules designed to limit the effects of armed conflict for humanitarian reasons. It aims to protect people who are not participating in hostilities or who are no longer participating, such as civilians, medical personnel, and prisoners of war.
• Key Treaties:
• Geneva Conventions of 1949: Four conventions that form the core of modern IHL.
• GC I: Protection of wounded and sick soldiers on land.
• GC II: Protection of wounded, sick, and shipwrecked members of armed forces at sea.
• GC III: Treatment of prisoners of war.
• GC IV: Protection of civilians in times of war.
• Additional Protocols: Three protocols that complement the Geneva Conventions:
• Protocol I: Relates to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts.
• Protocol II: Relates to the protection of victims of non-international armed conflicts.
• Protocol III: Adopts an additional emblem (the Red Crystal).
• Other IHL Treaties:
• 1954 Hague Convention: Protection of cultural property.
• 1972 Biological Weapons Convention: Prohibits biological and toxin weapons.
• 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention: Bans chemical weapons.
• 1998 Rome Statute: Establishes the International Criminal Court (ICC) for prosecuting war crimes.

Challenges in Effective Enforcement of IHL

• Political:
• State Interests vs. Humanitarian Concerns: States may prioritize national security and political interests over humanitarian obligations, leading to selective adherence to IHL.
• Non-State Actors: The rise of non-state armed groups often complicates the enforcement of IHL, as these groups may not recognize or adhere to these rules.
• Legal:
• Lack of Enforcement Mechanisms: Without a central enforcement authority, violations of IHL often go unpunished. For example, the Syrian Civil War has seen numerous IHL violations with inconsistent enforcement.
• Jurisdictional Issues: State sovereignty can limit international jurisdiction, complicating efforts to hold violators accountable, particularly in non-international armed conflicts (e.g., the Rohingya conflict in Myanmar).
• Global Governance:
• UN Security Council (UNSC) Veto Power: The veto power held by the five permanent members (P5) can block decisive action against IHL violations. For instance, Russia and China used their veto power during the Syrian Civil War to block resolutions addressing war crimes.
• Weak Mandate and Resources: Peacekeeping missions often face limitations in mandate and resources, which can restrict their effectiveness in protecting civilians and enforcing IHL (e.g., UNAMID in Darfur).
• Technological:
• Autonomous Weapons: The use of autonomous weapons systems, such as lethal drones, raises ethical and legal questions about accountability and compliance with IHL.
• Cyber Warfare: The application of IHL to cyber conflicts remains underdeveloped, with uncertainties about how existing laws apply to cyber warfare.

Way Forward

• Global Governance:
• Reforms in UNSC: Advocating for reforms in the UNSC to make it more representative and limit the use of veto power in cases involving mass atrocities and serious IHL violations, as supported by G4 Nations.
• Enhanced Role of Regional Organizations: Encouraging regional organizations like the African Union (AU), European Union (EU), and ASEAN to play a more active role in enforcing IHL.
• Political:
• Strengthen National Legal Systems: Encouraging states to integrate IHL into their domestic legal frameworks to facilitate prosecution of violators at the national level.
• Engaging Non-State Actors: Promoting the signing of ‘Deeds of Commitment’ by non-state actors to formally agree to abide by humanitarian norms.
• Mandating IHL Compliance in Peace Agreements: Ensuring that peace agreements include explicit commitments to adhere to IHL, with mechanisms for monitoring and enforcement.

The 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions underscores the ongoing relevance and challenges of IHL in modern conflicts. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts at the global, political, legal, and technological levels to ensure that humanitarian principles are upheld even in the most challenging circumstances.