Examples Of Successful Interventions - Trust For America'S Health: Fill & Download for Free

The United States had a lot of opportunities Latin America didn’t dream to have. In fact, so many more that even claiming that they had the same opportunities is gross.I have improved this answer in May, 18th, trying to get it clearer and more to the point.To understand how different were the opportunities enjoyed by North America (USA & Canada) versus the rest of the continent we must analyse the history of the New World in three different stages: 1) Colonisation, 2) Independence and consolidation and 3) Insertion in the global world.ColonisationThe two regions were not settled in the same way.North American colonies (both English and French) were private enterprises under clearly defined social contracts (“Charters”, in the case of the Thirteen Colonies). Lacking direct and frequent royal interference, these colonies blurred the lines between peer and commoner until they disappeared altogether.Latin America as a whole (Portuguese, Spanish, French and Dutch colines there) was settled as government-mandated enterprises (Crown Colonies, Captaincies, Vice-Royalties…). The presence of an ever-replenished caste of rulers coming from the Old World (reinóis in Portuguese America, peninsulares in Spanish America) maintained a clear cut distinction of social classes, in which power came from abroad and could be bestowed on loyal servants, but not legitimately acquired by hard work and accumulation of capital. In Latin America as a whole, a royal representative, fresh from Spain, provided with a royal edict and troops, was able to trample down the power and the position of people who had worked hard to amass gold and land. These people could be dispossed for a trifle, so they must remain loyal to the Crown.Traditional Marxist history theory posites that these were actually two different types of colonisation: settlements and plantations.[1]By definition, a settlement is something like the Thirteen Colonies and a plantation is something like Saint-Domingue (Haiti) or Pernambuco (North-East Brazil).In this respect, Brazil and Haiti were specifically worse, as they were set up as strictly exploitative and based solely on slave labour. Portugal even forbade schools in its colony for a long time. The first Brazilian schools were run by the Church or were funded and run by private donors. Until the early 20th century, the Brazilian elites were educated abroad. Our first University was only created less than 100 years ago.[2] As for Haiti, it was so viciously managed that it got unsustainable—but that’s another story.[3]Plantation colonies are far from the ideal environment for the development of citizenship. This explains why the Thirteen Colonies had formed a working civil society barely 160 years after foundation, while places like Mexico and Brazil still had a long way to go before they were able to become independent.You have seen the reason explained above: in a plantation colony, you cannot acquire power by yourself, there’s no self-made man, as power is bequeathed by the king and his officials, and shared by them with their loyal assistants. Being a sycophant is more rewarding than being a hard worker.Rule of lawThe importance of this concept and of its prevalence simply cannot be overestimated. This is civilisation in a nutshell. My definition of ‘rule of law’ here is pretty terse: it all boils down to judges and public officials obeying written or customary rules, being unable to override them, even when they’re only paying lip service to them.When even the most corrupt judges or public officials have to walk around a rule, instead of simply overriding it, people feel safer. They can trust, for instance, that their estate will be duly transmitted to their children, that the money they lend will not be forfeited for whatever excuse, that their contracts will be honoured and that their property can be accumulated.The rule of law can only evolve where people are assumed to be equal, needing the mediation of a written standard (Magna Charta, royal edict, Constitution, Colonial Charter, British North American Act etc…) because nobody has the upper hand over anybody else. Needless to say: in a caste society based on power granted by royal favour and shared based on personal trust, and in which slavery is the pillar of economy, written standards are not stable because true power is based on ad hoc documents issued by will of the king. If a “good” governor enacts good measures, a “bad” one can overturn them later. There’s no stable rule of law, so you can’t trust your hard working will make you rich or earn your children a position in society.A good example of the rule of law being respected even when corrupt public officials are bent on destroying a man for their own profit is the case of Giles Corey, in the Salem Witch Trials.[4] Judges coveted his property and had him accused of being a warlock. Merely being accused was a disaster, because the laws were draconian and unjust: if he pledged either innocent or guilty he would be tried and tortured the same, but his property would be confiscated and later auctioned, like that of former defendants. Being an old man and not wanting to see his wife, children and grandchildren become dispossessed, that brave old man refused to pledge, even under torture, until he died.If the Salem Witch Trials had happened in Brazil (or anywhere in Latin America), the judges would be able to strip Corey of his property no matter what. Judges were appointed by the ruling elites and would either be from their ranks or under their service. A judge would not rule against one of his peers or, God forbid, against the interests of those who had put him in his place. Corey would only be accused of anything if he was already in disgrace—which would have made him “fair game” even before accusation. In fact, the accusation might not have even existed: he would be simply killed outright. Such skirmishes still happened in North-East Brazil until the late 19th century.[5]GeographyNorth American geography (carved out by glaciers in ancient times and full of drowned estuaries) provides more and safer natural harbours and navigable rivers.South American geography has less natural harbours and navigable rivers are not as evenly distributed. Central America has more harbours, but the terrain is very rugged, unfavourable to large scale agriculture.North American colonisation was also favoured by the relatively gentle features of the Atlantic coast, with ample seaside plains surrounded by low foothills (the only relevant relief in the entire eastern half of the United States are the Appalachian mountains, which are quite smooth). The western coast was only settled much later, when the USA were already a powerhouse.In South America, there were two competing waves of colonisation. The Portuguese settled from the East and found a narrow coastal plain facing an impressive wall of mountains covered in jungle:These mountains follow the entire coastline of Brazil, higher in some points, lower in others, and are generally called Serra do Mar (Seaside Hills, in a loose translation). The photo shows the view from the beaches of Ubatuba (São Paulo).The Spaniards settled from the West and faced the mighty Andes right before them, barely 10 km away from the coast in some regions.The photo shows the eastern skyline of Santiago de Chile, walled up from the interior by the Andean Cordillera.Reaching the hinterland of South America was costly, dangerous and often unpleasant. In ancient times it was done riding mules and donkeys (horses would not climb those heights and return alive) or llamas. In recent times roads were built, but, as you have probably guessed, building them is no piece of cake, but an impressive feat of engineering:Actual railroad in Brazil, state of Paraná.Rodovia dos Imigrantes (“Immigrants’ Motorway”) from Santos to São Paulo (Brazil) required huge overpasses to cross chasms between mountains.Yungas Road, in Bolivia, a nice weekend drive.Subida da Serra de Petrópolis (“Ascension of the Petropolis Hills”) is an informal phrase to name the stretch of motorway from Rio to Minas Gerais, which is almost as steep as a hillclimb in some parts. The difference in elevation from the suburbs of Duque de Caxias to downtown Petrópolis is a whooping 838m, in a mere 26km drive.If in the past it was painfully difficult to cross these barriers. Nowadays it is expensive (roads that require a lot of engineering and demand constant repair) and dangerous (rates of road accidents in Latin America are much higher than the rest of the world, and that’s not because we drive like crazy, but because our roads are unsafe and perilous). “Danger” and “death” (or cargo loss) all transfer to costs, making transportation a nightmare in some regions.Trans-Amazonic “motorway” in Brazil. Yes, that in the forefront is a truck that has fallen into a pothole.Elsewhere in Latin America the situation varied from better to worse. Some countries had better geography (Argentina), while others had it tremendously bad (Peru, Bolivia, Colombia).Lima (Peru) is a coastal city but not exactly on the seaside.AgricultureThere’s the problem of crop lands. Most of the territory of Latin America is too acidic and was covered by dense jungle vegetation, requiring a lot of effort to remove before agriculture could happen. Removing the jungle created a massive ecological disaster in some regions and the soil was not strong in many places — especially the Amazon basin, where the land is mostly made of aluvial sand.And there’s the problem of adequacy of crops. North America has mostly the same climate as Europe, which allowed colonists to transplant their crops there more easily. In a few decades they were set. This is very much true for North America: the commercial crops there were also “new world crops” (tobacco, cotton, indigo, etc.) but they also had traditional European crops planted further to the north. Which means they had a good supply of grain, reducing their dependency on food imports. That’s precisely the reason why the Southern Colonies sided with the Northern Colonies, despite their very different economic structures (and culture): their economies complemented each other, as it was always cheaper to buy wheat from Pennsylvania than from Germany or England.Elsewhere in Latin America growing European crops was either impossible or undependable (notable exception: Argentina and South Brazil), which required some creativity on the part of colonists. Those who could afford it, would buy from Europe goods made from European crops (grapes, wheat, barley, cherries, apples, olives) and those who could not afford that would make do with the wild crops they learned from the local Amerindians. This quickly created a distinction of classes, in which it was considered a lowly thing to eat local products, but chic to eat foreign food. The local elites have historically spent a lot of their income in consumer goods imported from Europe, preventing the accumulation of local capital.IndustryUntil 1809 Portugal simply made a crime the establishment of any manufacture in Brazil. Yes, you would be hanged for high treason if you started threading cotton or sewing clothes for a living. All labour force had to be focused on whatever the Crown considered priority: cattle raising, sugar plantation or gold mining.Elsewhere in Latin America the same general mindset was prevalent. Latin American colonies exported raw goods and imported back manufactured goods. This is the so-called “international distribution of labour” (Marxist concept, again, you should really read the bearded guy).Northern colonies were not exploited directly, but taxed. This is a lot different, as the locals were allowed to pursue whatever activities they wished, if they only paid tax to the colonial metropolis. The tax mindset was already so prevalent that the very independence of the USA was based on a complain about “taxation without representation”.Competitive Advantage of PioneersThe United States of America also had the benefit of being the first to become independent.When the rest of the Americas began to rise against Portugal and Spain with some degree of success the United States had already become a stable nation and acquired Florida and the Louisiana. By the time the United Provinces (the forerunner of Argentina) broke away from Spain (1810) the USA were already bigger, more populous, more developed and had their own army and a navy. While Latin America was still recovering from the bloody wars of independence, the USA were already taking half of Mexico.Anyone who truly understands the concept of market capitalism cannot ignore the benefits of being the forerunner. The only thing that can make you fail when you are the inventor of a business is to really botch it.Wars of IndependenceThe USA had formal French support to win their war against England, and the damage to local infrastructure and economy was really minor.But Latin American countries had no outside support in their fight for freedom (the USA were not yet able to help, even if they wanted, which I very much doubt they would) and had to pay, and pay dearly for the patchy support they got. While the USA had French troops openly help them, Latin American countries had to hire mercenaries and former pirates.In some regions of Latin America the wars of independece were long, uncertain and very bloody. They were not actually wars against Spain (which was neutered by the French invasion), but civil wars against the local ruling elites composed of Spaniards. The locally born white upper-middle class (criollos) fought the white peninsulares hard because both sides had support among the population (though the criollos slowly gained traction with the people in some regions). Where the ruling elite was less numerous or less popular, the civil war was solved faster and caused lesser damage. Where the ruling elite was more numerous, richer, better supported by colonial troops and enjoyed some popular support, it took longer to achieve independence. In some cases, independence only resulted after criollo troops from other regions came to help the local cause for independence.Then there were civil wars between the newly-independent countries, as it was really impossible to keep such a big and diverse region under a same rule (at least not without a powerful army to suppress dissent and a good pace of economic growth to keep people disinsterested on politics).Foreign interventionsAll Latin American countries were generally weaker than the USA ever were. The last time the main territory of the USA was invaded was in 1812, but in Latin America reality is very different. Foreign powers are often meddling in local business, picking sides and aiding rebels, which disrupts the political system, increases violence and fractures society.The first wave of foreign interventionism was right after the Wars of Independence (or even during them, depending on how you interpret the facts). Bigger and more stabilised countries, like the United Provinces (later renamed Argentina), Brazil, Chile, Peru and Mexico intervened on internal affairs or weaker countries, like Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador and Central America. There was a time when Brazil was even able to intervene in the United Provinces!The second wave was European interventionism, until about the time of American Civil War. Britain influenced local politics in Argentina, Brazil and Chile. France set up an Austrian nobleman as the “Emperor of Mexico”.The third wave began after the consolidation of the USA and has not ended yet. After the Second World War, American influence reached the entirety of Latin America; the development of the region has been stifled by constant American meddling, which those smaller, poorer and not well-informed countries cannot resist.Foreign interventions have turned back successful development policies in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. Have prevented social reforms in Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala and Honduras. Have destabilised budding democracies in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Venezuela. Have extorted economic concessions (in the same vein of the Chinese concessions of the 19th century) from Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Peru. Have killed popular leaders in Panama, Ecuador, Chile and (perhaps) Venezuela. Have funded political violence in Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Bolivia. Have propped up dictators in every country of the continent. Have forced economic policies against the interest of local development. And have generally killed, exiled or neutralised the brightest, the most patriotic, and the most honest local leaders.It’s not that Latin America is backward. It’s that every time these countries have tried to go ahead they have been kicked right in the chest and punched in the jaw so they totter and fall back.ConclusionsLatin America was settled earlier, but not in a way that was conducive to fast population growth, neither welcoming to the rule of law.Then, North America had a head-start in the building of a densely populated civil society.Latin America was wealthier in resources, but had difficulties with longer routes of communication and rugged terrain, which made it harder to develop most regions.Then, North America was closer to Europe (its consumer market for tropical crops) and had a smoother terrain on which to build infrastructure.Latin America rebelled earlier against colonialism, but such episodes were promptly and very harshly suppressed.Then, North America attained independence first.Latin America, when it finally became independent, had to undergo painful civil wars and pay dearly for mercenary help.While North America either evolved into independence (Canada) or had a shorter and cleaner war of independence, helped by a formal ally (USA/France).Latin America took longer to stabilise because there were many rival politics interfering with each other.While in North America there was only one: the United States.Then, when it seemed that Latin America would gain traction and begin evolving towards freer and more prosperous societies, foreign interventionism repeatedly beat it back into backwardness and submission.Now North America and the rest of the world blames everything on “lazy” latino culture and their “primitive” political structures.Footnotes[1] Plantation (settlement or colony) - Wikipedia[2] Federal University of Rio de Janeiro - Wikipedia[3] Saint-Domingue - Wikipedia[4] Giles Corey - Wikipedia[5] Cangaço - Wikipedia

Easy enough. I will not pretend the US is a saint, but:The US has a system of checks and balances and constant political opposition making extremism less likely.The US is much more transparent. Can you imagine the Kremlin releasing transcripts of conversations between Putin and Yanukovych or Tymoshenko for example? I can’t. The Kremlin hasn’t even declassified pre-war archives of Lenin and Stalin times. The skeletons they keep in that closet would likely shake the entire world. The trend is also not promising with the upcoming “Runet”.Despite their share of mistakes, the US also has a number of success stories - countries that developed democracy and prospered under their influence. Not so much for Russia.With the unflattering number of foreign military interventions, the US has never seized anyone’s land, assets or natural resources. Russia traditionally did, and does today.So, while you shouldn’t trust anyone blindly, if forced to choose, I’d take the US 10X over. I’m also not the only one - the US has many allies while Russia does not. Coincidence?

EDIT 1: The final verdict is out. AIR 304, UPSC CSE 2018 :)Edit 2: My 2020 interview experience is available here Himanshu Gupta's answer to What actually happens in a UPSC interview?My interview was on 15th March 2019. I was the last candidate to be interviewed in the afternoon session. The interview started at 5.15 PM and continued till 5.50–5.55 PM. Here’s a brief of the events and thoughts that I encountered during the process.The day before interview, I shifted to a friends place who lived 30 minutes (by Cab) away from UPSC. I decided not to study anything before interview day and spent my time goofing around, playing badminton and cracking lame jokes. My plan was to sleep by 10, take adequate rest and reach UPSC by 12.30 PM next day.However, life has a funny way to deal with overtly ambitious mortals like me. I couldn't sleep the entire night. I tried everything- Yoga, Meditation, music, deep music- you name it. I couldn’t. Finally, when the morning sun rose and lit up my senses, I got up from the bed, went to the washroom, stood up in front of the mirror and said to myself: ‘It’s alright. Accept it that you haven't slept at all. Accept it that this is not what you planned. But, you can pull this off with same rigour and charisma. Nothing has changed’.I took a cab and reached UPSC by 12.40 PM. There was a queue of candidates outside the UPSC building. Most of them had relatives, friends and in-laws accompanying them. I could see their faces brimming with pride and yet, a sweat or two would occasionally trickle down their faces. It was all there- happiness, anxiety, nervousness and pride. I was alone and saved my share of trouble to someone.At 1 PM, the document verification process began and candidates started entering inside the UPSC building. It was the time to waive off your loved ones. A cacophony of greetings and blessings accompanied hugs and kisses.When you enter the premises, the security personnel escort you towards the central hall. The room was circular and had a huge round dome over it. It had a victorian elegance with walls interspersed by lamps and myriad colorful paintings. I observed the surroundings for a while and noticed the decor. The grandeur and elegance was amusing.We were six people who sat around a round table, and were to be interviewed by the same board, whose identity was still hidden from us. In a way, we shared an unspoken hidden bond. I could see their faces and read ‘we are together on this one, mate’. We completed the formalities, which included filing forms and claiming TA, if any. Meanwhile, we would look at each other and occasionally pass a smile. No words, just smile.I broke the ice. I was fully prepared for this. Before coming, I had ordered my favourite Biryani and brought it to the UPSC premises. I also had black coffee, mineral water, plenty of chocolates and candies. I was in for a feast. I started asking everyone random questions- nothing related to exam or DAF though. 15 minutes down the line, we all were talking and I was sharing my chocolates with everyone. It made me comfortable.Then came the attendant. The first candidate was called and we were told that the board is of P.K Joshi Sir. I was told that I'm the last to be interviewed. I mentally prepared myself for a long session of not so funny jokes, Biryani feast, and smiles. I saw each one of them go and wished them. Each one of them was bringing me closer to mine.I was called for the interview at 5.10 PM. I sat outside the cabin waiting as tea and snacks were served to the interview panel. In this time, I was noticing the plants and surroundings outside the interview hall. I was reminding myself that this is just another conversation and I have what it takes. All I have to do is to go in, and be myself.A brief about me. I’m from a town named Sirauli, in district Bareilly, UP. This is my 2nd attempt, and first interview. I didn't do any coaching but gave 2 test series (One for optional Anthropology and one for GS mains). Education- BSc (Hindu College, DU), MSc (DU). Major in Environmental Science. Currently working as a research scholar (NET-JRF). Hobbies- Butterfly watching and Nature Photography.At 5.15, I entered. There were 5 members in the panel.Chairman1. What is the difference between environmental studies and environmental science.I said ‘The former is more comprehensive and also takes into consideration the socio-economic and political dimensions of dealing with environmental problems.2. What are green buildings? Have you visited one?Told the definition. I haven’t visited one though, Sir. I will for sure.3. Tell me some judgements of NGT?Told three:NGT on Sri Sri RavishankarNGT on slapping 20 crore on Delhi Government for Pollution.NGT on Sand minings in river beds,4. How will you motivate school kids for less impact on environment? Give six points.First, aware them about food that they eat. The lower they eat at the base of food chains, the lower is their carbon footprint.Use sustainable transport, prefer cycles over buses and bikes.Switch off lights in class and halls when leaving,Use school eco clubs for afforestation drive.Save water, prefer bucket instead of shower.Aware community members, family members on environmental friendly habits.5. River interlinking views? Name rivers already interlinked? Where is Ken betwa located?Benefits- Year long availability of water. More irrigation density. More hydropower potential.Costs- River ecology disturbed, fish migration. siltation of river beds. Also, climate change threatening availability of water so river projects might not remain the same in near future. Cost concerns.Rivers interlinked- Ken and BetwaPlace- MP.6. Why NPA higher in public banks than private banks? Should all banks be nationalised then? Role of individual defaulters in NPA problem?Political interference in bank governance.Populist policies like loan waiver, MUDRA loan.Conflict of interest.Political interference higher in Public Banks.Laxity in corporate governance.Way out- Strengthen corporate governance of banks. Minimise government interfere in bank policies and recruitment.Should all be nationalised. NO, reach of private banks is limited and does not cater to small towns and villages much. To increase financial inclusion and extend financial services to the most marginalised, public banks are needed along with private banks. Instead, few large banks could be nationalised to make global giants while small ones continue to work on ground.Individual defaulters: gave exempt of Vijaya Malya, Nirav Modi etc.Rest of the members:7. What is ozone hole? Why is it formed?Specialisation Environmental sciences. Answered both.8. What is the difference between flies, and butterflies?Flies- generic term for mosquitoes, house fly, stonefly, dragonfly, etc. Order- Hemiptera (correct was diptera).Butterflies- type of insects. order- Lepidoptera.Difference in anatomy and physiology.9. What is repo rate? Current repo rate?Rate at which the central bank- the RBI lends to the banks on pledging securities (short term). Currently 6.25%.10. What is greenhouse gas effect?Specialisation Environmental sciences. Answered.11. Which government agencies and institutions are involved in Environmental protection? Such institutions and agencies at the state level?National: MOEFCC. NGT. NDMA.State: SDMA.12. What is sustainable development? Why is is important?Specialisation Environmental sciences. Answered.13. Is it butterfly watching or butterfly catching? How do you watch a butterfly? Tell me more. How do you classify them? How did you get interested in it?Mam, it’s watching. I go to parklands and semi natural sites in Delhi such as JNU, Kamla Nehru Ridge, Lodi Gardens, Asolla Bhatti WS, Rose Garden etc to watch them.I use to taxonomically classify them and photograph them.You identify them by observing the unique wing pattern that they have. Each species usually have a unique wing pattern.I got this hobby which got Indian Academy of Sciences SRF in BSc and got a privilege to work with Dr. Krushnamegh Kunte (A leading butterfly expert). He introduced me to this fascinating world of butterflies.I came to Delhi and realised that there is not a single detailed study on Butterfly of Delhi and I started looking for them. I have so far identified 75 species of butterflies in Delhi, which is more than 85% of all the butterfly species ever been seen or published in Delhi.14. Tell me about villayti keekar?This was a laughter moment. I asked ‘Sir, Is this Prosopis Juliflora? He said ‘I am not going to ask you any more questions on this’ and they all started laughing.15. Rafale controversy? Why SC is reopening the case against? What is official secrets act? Can it be used to deny information under Rafale? What should we do to curb the menace?Explained. Allegations by opposition of corruption in procurement of Rafale planes from France.Why SC is reopening- Sorry Sir, I’m not sure.Explained official secrets act, 1923. Gives privileges to government officials to deny any information in name of national security and sovereignty of India.Can it be used- Rafale is a fighter plane and has sensitive information. Its specifications release might against the prospects of Air Force but price details can be released. In fact, in the newspaper today the SC has clarified that RTI 2005 supersedes OSA 1923 and government cannot dent information arbitrarily.Way out- Catalogue and codify the circumstances OSA 1923 can be put into action. It should’nt be based on whims and fancies of the government.16. Do you think humans have evolved from ape? Evidences for it?Yes.Evidences:Developmental biology: Foetus stages same.Anatomical: Homology and Analogy. Gave examples of Wings of Birds, bats and Humans.Genetic: Humans share 98% genes with Chimpanzee.Fossil records.LUCA.17. Enemy property bill 2016? Why SC did not give nod to it in first time?Sir, The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2016, amends the Enemy Property Act, 1968 and vest all the properties of the people who migrated to enemy countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh during wars of 1962, 65 etc, in the hands of Custodian of Enemy properties of India.The properties value over 1 lakh crore. The government is panning to put the properties into productive use of public welfare or to monetise on them to raise money for public welfare.18. Simultaneous elections? Feasible? Problems faced if implemented?Clubbing of LS and State LA elections into one.Feasible- Till 1967, elections in country were simultaneous only but due to early dissolving of assembly in period of 67–69, the cycle was disturbed.The government is mooting for an idea of Simultaneous elections and NITI Aayog in its recent report said that these elections are feasible in two phases- by clubbing state elections with national elections and have another period of elections mid way.Problems faced- Against constitutional mandate of people's right to dissolve the assembly if the majority on floor cannot be proved or if the government loses its support. Also, subjugation of regional issues under national issues. Additionally, issues of manpower with ECI for conducting such a large exercise is there.19. Why laxity in defence procurement? Why are defence projects stalled?Lack of political will. Political interference in defence acquisition.Judicial interference and pending.Possible Corruption (Gave Bofors and Rafale example).Ineffective performance by Defence acquisition council.Budget constraints (India 50 odd billion, while China has 200B and US has 600B).20. Future of WTO? What is impeding it? Why recent trade wars then?WTO has been ineffective in controlling the escalation of trade war between US, China and other nations.What is impeding it? Primarily weakening of Dispute resolution committee of WTO- the principal dispute settlement body of WTO. US is hindering appointment of new member to DRC, and the body has become weaker and will further be reduced down to just one member in next few years.Trade wars due to trust deficit and US ‘America first’ policy.Way out- appointment of more members to WTO DRC mainly from Asia and Africa. Minimise the possibility of one nation interfering with the WTO mandate (US alone has huge rights and stakes in WTO).21. Should India and Pakistan look for a mediator in kashmir dispute? Can UN be a mediator?In the current geopolitical situation, it is extremely difficult for both the countries to accept a third party as an unbiased mediator, because the government to government and people to people disconnect is severe.Additionally, time and again both counties have reiterated their stand that Kashmir issue is a bilateral issue and would be solved by deliberations and discussions between the two countries itself.The Kashmir issue was taken to the UN by former PM Pt. JL Nehru. However, UN mandated ceasefire have not been successful in bridging the trust deficit and diffuse the tensions between the two nations. Therefore, efficacy of UN intervention is again questionable as both nations are adamant on solving the Kashmir issue bilaterally.22. What is electoral bond? Why is it important? Is the identity of the donator revealed?After reducing the limit of cash donation to a political party from earlier 20,000 to 2,000, the government announced electoral bond scheme as a more transparent mechanism to fund political parties.Electoral bonds can be purchased from certain designated branches of SBI only and have denominations in logarithmic scale (1000, 1 lakh, 10 lakh, 1 crore..). They can be purchased by any citizen from the bank.The ECI has issued designated bank accounts to the political parties who have secured 1% of votes in previous LS or State LA elections. The political parties can cash the bond within 15 days of receiving it in this bank account.No Sir, The identity is still anonymous.23. What is dumping?I clarified is it dumping in trade and he said yes.Sir, Dumping is a phenomenon in trade when one countries export a product at a price lower than the cost of that product in the domestic market of the exporter.It brings domestic industries into disadvantage and harm the local producers.Your interview is over. Thank you.Some questions I’m not able to recall. I said ‘I don't know’ to 2–3 questions.The interview lasted for 35–40 minutes. The board was extremely cordial. Zero grilling. Most of the questions were on expected lines. I was surprised because it was very lenient in comparison to the mock interviews that I had given. In mocks, questions were more in depth and grilling component was there.When I came out, I had a big smile on my face. I knew I was confident and smiling throughout. However, I was a little sceptical later as the questions were very basic. But, that wasn't in my hand. I did what I could do.Thanks.