[Mission 2023] SECURE SYNOPSIS: 17 January 2023

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NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same

General Studies – 1

Topic: Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

1 The Partition of India was one of the greatest migrations in human history with absence of any planning and done in an abrupt manner resulting in unprecedented violence and loss of life. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the impact of Partition on India.

Directive word:

Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by mentioning how transfer of power happened hastily resulting in a massive humanitarian crisis.

Body:

In detail, bring out the various issues that were caused due to abrupt and unplanned partition. Communal clashes, refugee crisis, minority issues, threat of administrative breakdown etc.

Mention how the leaders responded to Partition.

Conclusion:

Write about the bitter lessons learnt that made India to evolve into an inclusive and a secular democracy.

Introduction

“Partition” – the division of British India into the two separate states of India and Pakistan on August 14-15, 1947 – was the “last-minute” mechanism by which the British were able to secure agreement over how independence would take place. At the time, few people understood what Partition would entail or what its results would be, and the migration on the enormous scale that followed took the vast majority of contemporaries by surprise.

Body

Impact of Partition on India:

Social impacts

Huge number of refugees belonging to religious minorities crossing over the border
In terms of human resource the loss was enormous as it received about 16 million uprooted, homeless refugees who had to be rehabilitated at
Demographic changes due to migration and Overcrowding in border districts, towns and cities
Emergence of ethno-cultural, ethno-religious minorities leading to inter-ethnic conflict
Influx of people in the metropolis of Kolkata resulting to over-urbanization
Logistics of rehabilitation of refugees
Rise in the number of unemployed
Later bouts of communal tension generated further movement, with a trickle of people still migrating as late as the 1960s.

Economic impacts

West Punjab and Sind traditionally formed a great source of food supply so much so that they were called the granary of undivided India.
But since the two regions came to belong to Pakistan after the partition, India was hit hard so far as food production was concerned.
The industrial sector suffered considerably from the impact on agriculture, for reasons of the traditional linkage of industries with the agricultural sector for deriving raw materials produced in the agricultural
In addition the riots that ensued after the partition led to a massive migration of skilled labour from India to Pakistan. A majority of the skilled workers and artisans were incidentally the people of the Muslim community.
The biggest calamity in the jute sector arose from the fact that nearly 80% of jute production went to east Pakistan because of the partition.

Geographical impacts

Loss of territorial resources, i.e. fertile agricultural land, in this case an extensive area under jute crop, forest lands, loss of huge mangrove forests in the deltaic region of Sunderbans
Sharing of water resources between upper and lower riparian states
Border disputes related to demarcation of boundary running through riverine delta areas and flat alluvium plains
Inadequate transport and communication network system between newly created independent nations
Inadequate infrastructure for inter and intra-regional trade and commerce
Enclaves on either side of the border

Geopolitical impacts

The geopolitical situation is a direct impact of unwise partition of territories the implication of which is far- reaching.
In order to achieve a lasting peace in the sub-continent a pragmatic foreign policy and settlement of unresolved issues such as sharing of water, border management, settlement of border disputes, disbanding of terrorist outfits are of prime importance.

Conclusion

Today, the two countries’ relationship is far from healthy. Kashmir remains a flashpoint; both countries are nuclear-armed. Indian Muslims are frequently suspected of harbouring loyalties towards Pakistan; non-Muslim minorities in Pakistan are increasingly vulnerable thanks to the so-called Islamisation of life there since the 1980s. Seven decades on, well over a billion people still live in the shadow of Partition.

Topic: Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

2. Sardar Patel took up the monumental challenge of accession of the princely states and integrating them into the Union of India. The goal Patel envisioned was that of a strong and United India. The path was characterised by steep challenges. Discuss. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Post independence India – Bipin Chandra

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the efforts at integrating the princely states and creating a united India.

Directive word:

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Brief upon the condition of the India at the time of independence and nature of princely states.

Body:

First, write about – Nearly half of the Indian territory was ruled by princely states under British Paramountcy. These were protected against internal as well as external aggression by the British. Discuss why integration was the need of the hour.

Next, explain the significance of unification of the country – Territorial continuity, Demand for modernization, Internal Security etc.

Next, write about the steps taken by Sardar Patel integrate princely states in the country.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

Introduction

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India, also considered to be the architect of modern India. India’s first deputy prime minister and home minister is remembered perhaps most for the manner in which he united the country by integrating 565 princely states soon after Independence. Modern Indian history is incomplete without Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. His vision, his work, and his principles were highly remarkable in Independent India

Body

Dream of united India made true by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

When India became independent in 1947, Sardar Patel took over the role as a deputy PM at a time when Indian history was in a very critical stage.
In a truly masterful display of statesmanship, Sardar Patel ensured a smooth integration of the troubled domains by not allowing the situation to deteriorate into civil unrest.
There was neither bloodshed nor any kind of rebellion as he went about the task of building a strong India with a missionary zeal.
Patel often invoked the patriotism of the princes in his attempt to convince them to join India.
On other occasions he reminded them of the possibility of anarchy and on event of their refusal to join.
He also introduced the concept of ‘privy purses’ as a payment to be made to the families of the princes for their agreement to integrate with India.
With great skill and masterful diplomacy & using both persuasion & pressure, Patel succeeded in integrating hundreds of princely states.
Most princely states joined Constituent Assembly with wisdom but others like of Junagarh, Kashmir, Manipur and Hyderabad publicly announced their desire to claim an independent status.
Sardar Patel had strong will and his decisiveness, taking tough decisions, and his undivided loyalty towards Mahatma Gandhi marks him out among his peers.
His skilful combination of diplomatic persuasion of pointing to the larger long term interests of the population and also with a certain amount of arm-twisting which made it clear that there would be a price to pay if the rulers did not accept the conditions the Indian government was putting.

How Sardar Patel tackled the challenges

Junagarh
- A small state on the coast of Saurashtra surrounded by Indian Territory
- Had no link with Pakistan yet Nawab announced accession to Pak
- But majority of the people (majorly Hindu), desired to join India
- This led to a violent movement against Nawab along with Indian troops marching into the state
- A plebiscite was held which favoured joining India.
Jammu and Kashmir
- Hindu ruler Hari Singh tried to negotiate with India & Pak to have an independent status for his state.
- Since majority population of the state was Muslim, the Pakistan thought Kashmir ‘belonged‘ to them.
- On 15th August Harisingh offered standstill agreement with both countries which allowed the free movement of people & goods.
- Pakistan signed the agreement but India didn’t.
- Pakistan became impatient & started violating standstill agreement.
- 24th October Hari Singh demanded military assistance from India.
- Mountbatten pointed out that under international law India can send its troops only after state signs a formal instrument of accession
- Thus on 26th Oct Maharaja signed instrument of accession which got ratified in 1954.
- On 27th Oct. morning nearly 100 planes airlifted men and weapons to Srinagar.
- Pakistan army left the main valley region but continue to occupy a large chunk of territory of Gilgit, Baltistan region – Pak occupied Kashmir.
Hyderabad
- Largest princely state of India which was ruled by Nizam
- Nizam led to tyrannical ways & aspired to set up a Muslim dominion rather than integration with India
- He wanted an independent status for Hyderabad & thus entered into negotiation of standstill agreement with India
- Meanwhile people revolted against Nizam’s rule, particularly the peasants of Telangana due to his worst oppression measures.
- Nizam retaliated on popular movement by unleashing a para-military force
- 150,000 soldiers were mobilized by Nizam to fight against the Indian Union
- They murdered, maimed, raped and looted, targeting particularly the non-Muslims
- In Sep 1948, Indian army under operation Polo invaded Hyderabad state & overthrew its Nizam, annexing the state merged it into the Indian Union.
Manipur
- Indian government was prepared to be flexible in giving autonomy to some regions.
- Maharaja of Manipur signed the instrument of Accession with the Indian government on the assurance that the internal autonomy of Manipur would be maintained.
- Under the pressure of public view, Maharaja held elections in Manipur in June 1948 & thus state became a constitutional monarchy.
- Manipur was the 1st part of India to hold an election based on universal adult franchise.
- Government of India succeeded in pressurizing the Maharaja into signing a Merger Agreement in September 1949, without consulting the popularly elected Legislative Assembly of Manipur.
- This caused a lot anger and resentment in Manipur, the consequences of which are still being felt.

Conclusion:

Often referred to as the “Bismarck of India”, Patel was instrumental in bringing India together. Patel laid out the initial framework for persuading the princes to join, it was his secretary, V.P. Menon, who did the actual groundwork of coaxing them. The final touch in the process was applied by the Viceroy Lord Mountbatten.

Value-addition

The roots of Amul can be traced back to his vision for empowering local communities, particularly women.
It was Sardar Patel who also popularized the idea of cooperative housing societies, thus ensuring dignity and shelter for man.
Patel’s lasting contribution was protecting the Indian constitution from the ogre of communal electorates.
He was a major driving force behind the liberal industrial policy resolution of 1948.
Patel was among the few to see the dangers from China’s imminent takeover of Tibet.

Topic: urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

3. Rapid urbanisation has created a plethora of issues that needs urgent interventions to make cities across the country sustainable. Elaborate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India

Why the question:

In the week gone by, the city of Bengaluru was witness to a gory accident. A Metro pillar fell on a family of four, sparing a father and daughter, but killing the mother and her toddler son.

Key Demand of the question:

To understand the main issues in the urban areas as well as mention the necessary steps through planning and administration to boost the quality of life in urban areas.

Directive word:

Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.

Introduction:

Begin by giving an account on how rapidly Indian Urban spaces are growing both in terms of population density as well as growing urban spills .

Body:

First, mention the various issues plaguing urban areas such as a need for affordable housing, issues of urban slums, waste management, poor drainage etc.

Next, mention about the important factors on which policy deliberation needs to take place such as balance of urban population density with economies of scale and infrastructural facilities among others.

Next discuss the importance of mobilising funds other than public funds and also some of the essential components of urban planning to include sustainability, improved mobility etc for a well functioning urban space.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising the key components for a functional and effective urban city.

Introduction

Currently, India’s nearly 30% population lives in urban areas and it is expected to rise upto 50% by 2050. Being a developing country with a huge population pressure India is facing many challenges due to rural to urban migration. To contain these challenges and to make a proper trajectory towards new India, Sustainable urban planning is an important aspect.

Body:

Significance of sustainable urbanization:

Safe drinking water: According to a report by NITI Aayog, 21 cities will run out of groundwater by 2020. To avoid further worsening of such crisis we need careful urban planning.
Affordable housing: One of the largest government programmes is to provide affordable housing to citizens. Sustainable urban planning will help to manage land resources in equitable way.
Urban sewage and solid waste management: In India less than quarter of the waste generated gets proper treatment. For rapidly growing urban agglomerations we need planning to manage this rising challenge.
Transportation and communication: Sustainable urban planning will provide efficient and eco-friendly public transport facilities to overpopulated urban cities of India.
Sustainable urban planning will also help in equitable resources distribution and affordable service delivery.
It will also help in creating sustainable environment and disaster management.

In absence of sustainable urban planning India is facing manifold challenges:

Rise in Slums:Few of the Asia’s largest slums are in Delhi and Mumbai where unplanned urbanisation led to polluted water, health issues and rising rate of crimes.
Urban flooding:Floods in Mumbai and Chennai are examples of urban flooding. These are results of unsustainable urbanisation.
Rising number of accidents:Fires in buildings and deaths in various urban accidents are daily routine in Indian cities.
Degrading environment:According to WHO report, out of 20 most polluted cities, 14 are in India.

Challenges in sustainable urbanization:

Economic Sustainability
- Lack of Investments
- Poor technology
Ecological Sustainability
- Dependence on fossil fuels and coal energy
- Poor Waste management process and technologies
- Vehicular pollution and Climate Change
Social Sustainability
- Building society based on constitutional principles
- Increasing Population and Proliferation of Slums
- Lack of public awareness
- Weak gender perspective in development

Government efforts towards sustainable urbanization:

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) as a step towards harnessing the agglomeration economies of the urban centres and making cities engines of growth.
It envisages convergence across various initiatives such as Amrut, Smart Cities, Hriday (National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Swachh Bharat.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for affordable housing with credit linked subsidy.
Smart cities Mission- It is an urban development programme launched by the government of India with the mission to develop 100 cities across the country and making them citizen friendly and sustainable.

Way forward:

India needs to work on achieving the goals set by United Nations under SDG-11 to be achieved by 2030.
Need for Comprehensive National urban plan for effective and timely implementation of policies and schemes
Ensure access for all through adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums, transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport.
Give special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women and children, persons with disabilities and older persons.
Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.
Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning
Substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Conclusion:

Cities are living ecosystems. They need to be managed accordingly. Rather than going by populist measures or sticking to the original master plans, local solutions to local problems, innovative, in situ and tailor made solutions should be evolved, adapted and adhered to. Authorities need to be willing to learn, evolve and discard if necessary. We need to empower our cities, with a focus on land policy reforms, granting urban local bodies the autonomy to raise funds and enforce local land usage norms.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.

4. The cooperative sector can play a significant part in order to uplift agriculture and its allied sectors and make them atmanirbhar. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

The Amul model has been about both farmer empowerment and valuing professional management in organisations controlled by and working for producers.

Key Demand of the question:

To understand the role of Co-operative society at the local level and how they can boost the agriculture and its allied sectors on the national front.

Directive word:

Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by giving context.

Body:

Mention the role of Cooperatives in linking the local business men/ farmer to the mainstream multi-million marketplace, giving the right forum to reap benefits of collective demand and supply in terms of financing, local level policy negotiations etc and promoting economic and social upliftment.

Further, this would also promote local interests and aligns our aatma nirbhar strategy

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

Introduction

A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled. The need for profitability is balanced by the needs of the members and the wider interest of the community

Body

Importance of cooperatives:

India is an agricultural country and laid the foundation of World’s biggest cooperative movement in the world.
For instance, Amul deals with 16 million milk producers, 1,85,903 dairy cooperatives; 222 district cooperative milk unions; marketed by 28 state marketing federations.
There are over 8 lakh cooperatives of all shapes and sizes across sectors in India
In India, a Co-operative based economic development model is very relevant where each member works with a spirit of responsibility.
It provides agricultural credits and fundswhere state and private sectors have not been able to do very much.
It provides strategic inputsfor the agricultural-sector; consumer societies meet their consumption requirements at concessional rates.
It is an organization for the poor who wish to solve their problems collectively.
It softens the class conflictsand reduces the social cleavages.
Itreduces the bureaucratic evils and follies of political factions;
It overcomes the constraintsof agricultural development;
It creates a conducive environment for small and cottage industries.

For women in particular:

Increased Income: A study conducted on Women Dairy Cooperative Society (WDCS) members across Rajasthan showed that with the income generated through dairying, 31% of the women had converted their mud houses to cement structures, while 39% had constructed concrete sheds for their cattle.
Provides Leadership lessons: Importantly, women-led cooperatives also provide fertile ground for grooming women from rural areas for leadership positions.
Breaks barriers: In many instances, this becomes the first step for women in breaking free from traditional practices.
Defeats Information Asymmetry: The presence of collectives in the form of cooperatives and milk unions plays a significant role in enhancing the knowledge and bargaining power of women
Set up business chain: Cooperatives enhance backward and forward linkages in the dairy value chain, paving the way for freeing small farmers from the clutches of middlemen, and guaranteed minimum procurement price for milk.
A study by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) indicates that 93% of women farmers who receive training alongside financial support succeed in their ventures, compared to the 57% success rate of those who receive financial aid alone.
According to latest data, there are more than 1,90,000 dairy cooperative societies across the country, with approximately 6 million women members.

Way forward:

Principle of the cooperative movement is to unite everyone, even while remaining anonymous. The cooperative movement has the capacity to solve people’s problems.
The pandemic seems to have increased the significance of community effort.
Reducing vaccine hesitancy, providing food to those waiting outside hospitals and, most importantly, looking after orphaned children are imperatives crying out for the cooperative model.
Implementing the steps provided by the Vaidyanathan committee on credit cooperative societies.
The idea of cooperatives must take the agenda beyond agriculture, milk, credit and housing cooperatives
New areas are emerging with the advancement of technology and cooperative societies can play a huge role in making people familiar with those areas and technologies.
There is a need to create more cooperatives with women at the helm of it.
The irregularities in cooperatives need to be checked and the need of the hour is to have rules and stricter implementation of same.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.

4. The cooperative sector can play a significant part in order to uplift agriculture and its allied sectors and make them atmanirbhar. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

The Amul model has been about both farmer empowerment and valuing professional management in organisations controlled by and working for producers.

Key Demand of the question:

To understand the role of Co-operative society at the local level and how they can boost the agriculture and its allied sectors on the national front.

Directive word:

Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by giving context.

Body:

Mention the role of Cooperatives in linking the local business men/ farmer to the mainstream multi-million marketplace, giving the right forum to reap benefits of collective demand and supply in terms of financing, local level policy negotiations etc and promoting economic and social upliftment.

Further, this would also promote local interests and aligns our aatma nirbhar strategy

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

Introduction

Noise pollution is generally defined as regular exposure to elevated sound levels that may lead to adverse effects in humans or other living organisms. According to the World Health Organization, noise above 65 decibels (dB) is defined as noise pollution. To be precise, noise becomes harmful when it exceeds 75 decibels (dB) and is painful above 120 dB.

A recent report commissioned by the United Nations Environment Programme shows that a subset of 61 cities and the range of dB (decibel) levels that have been measured. Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, Asansol and Moradabad are the five Indian cities mentioned in this list and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh was shown as having a dB range from 29 to 114. At a maximum value of 114, it was the second-most-noisiest city in the list.

Body

Impact on Human health

Hypertensionis, in this case, a direct result of noise pollution caused elevated blood levels for a longer period of time.
Hearing losscan be directly caused by noise pollution, whether listening to loud music in your headphones or being exposed to loud drilling noises at work, heavy air or land traffic, or separate incidents in which noise levels reach dangerous intervals, such as around140 dB for adult or 120 dB for children.
Sleep disturbancesare usually caused by constant air or land traffic at night, and they are a serious condition in that they can affect everyday performance and lead to serious diseases.
Child development. Children appear to be more sensitive to noise pollution, and a number of noise-pollution-related diseases and dysfunctions are known to affect children, from hearing impairment to psychological and physical effects. Also, children who regularly use music players at high volumes are at risk of developing hearing dysfunctions. In 2001, it was estimated that 12.5% of American children between the ages of 6 to 19 years had impaired hearing in one or both ears
Various cardiovascular dysfunctions. Elevated blood pressure caused by noise pollution, especially during the night, can lead to various cardiovascular diseases.
Dementiaisn’t necessarily caused by noise pollution, but its onset can be favored or compounded by noise pollution.
Psychological dysfunctionsand noise annoyance. Noise annoyance is, in fact, a recognized name for an emotional reaction that can have an immediate impact.

Impact on Environment

Our oceans are no longer quiet. Thousands of oil drills, sonars, seismic survey devices, coastal recreational watercraft and shipping vessels are now populating our waters, and that is a serious cause of noise pollution for marine life.
Whales are among the most affected, as their hearing helps them orient themselves, feed and communicate.
Noise pollution thus interferes with cetaceans’ (whales and dolphins) feeding habits, reproductive patterns and migration routes, and can even cause hemorrhage and death.
Other than marine life, land animals are also affected by noise pollution in the form of traffic, firecrackers etc., and birds are especially affected by the increased air traffic.
Noise from large commercial ships, military sonars or offshore drilling can severely impact the well-being of dolphins.

Steps to check noise pollution

International bodies like the WHO agree that awareness of noise pollution is essential to beat this invisible enemy.
For example: avoid very noisy leisure activities, opt for alternatives means of transport such as bicycles or electric vehicles over taking the car, do your housework at recommended times, insulate homes with noise-absorbing materials, etc.
Educating the younger generation is also an essential aspect of environmental education.
Governments can also take measures to ensure correct noise managementand reduce noise pollution.
For example: protecting certain areas — parts of the countryside, areas of natural interest, city parks, etc. — from noise, establishing regulations that include preventive and corrective measures —
mandatory separation between residential zones and sources of noise like airports, fines for exceeding noise limits, etc.,
installing noise insulation in new buildings, creating pedestrian areas where traffic is only allowed to enter to offload goods at certain times.
replacing traditional asphalt with more efficient options that can reduce traffic noise by up to 3 dB, among others.

Conclusion

Although noise pollution may seem harmless, it, in fact, has far-reaching consequences. The adverse effects on the health of the environment are quite severe. Not only is the local wildlife affected by pollution but humans also face a number of problems due to it.

General Studies – 1

Topic: Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and nonpartisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.

6. Civil servants working in silos is not good for the country and they must be accessible to the needy and the poor. Elaborate. (150 Words)

Difficulty Level: Easy

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.

Directive word:

Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.

Key Demand of the question: To write about attributes of civil servants in regards to being accessible.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by mentioning as to what you understand by accessibility.

Body:

Write about how accessibility is an important attribute of civil servants – its role in public services and importance of welfare of the people. Substantiate with examples.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

Introduction

The role of Civil Servants across the domains of policy making and policy implementation is critical to the development process. They assist in identifying major policy areas such as preparing major policy proposals, analysing various alternatives and solutions to societal problems requiring urgent attention, dividing the major policies into sub-policies, determining program of action and suggesting modification in the existing policy on the basis of its experience on the implementation front.

Hence civil servants cannot sit in their ivory towers, rather they must be accessible to people at the grassroots level. People First attitude is utmost important for a civil servant.

Body

When you take an oath to help the public, you have to be readily available.

Significance of civil servants being accessible to poor

Development and mobilisation of natural, human and financial resources and their proper utilization for accomplishing developmental objectives. P Narahari, as district collector in Madhya Pradesh, worked towards building a barrier-free environment that ensures that people with disabilities can move about safely and independently.
Securing the support of the people for developmental activities by involving them in the process of development by creating appropriate attitude towards the socio-economic changes that are taking place in society. IAS Officer, Smita Sabharwal, popularly known as ‘the people’s officer’, launched a campaign called “Fund Your City” in Warangal. She appealed to residents to help her build the infrastructure of Naxal-affected areas, which resulted in the construction of traffic junctions and foot over-bridges.

Way forward

A civil servant must possess below qualities

Actively seeks information from all sections of community to understand their needs and expectations.
Is accessible to all citizens and seeks their feedback to develop a clear understanding of their needs and outcomes .
Establishes mechanisms to address feedback from the community about the service provided.
Involves a diverse range of staff members, stakeholders, and delivery partners while developing implementation approaches in order to provide clarity on the benefits to the disadvantaged and to improve the quality of service provided to the citizens.
Understands issues from others’ perspective, particularly the disadvantaged.
Keeps others up-to-date with information and decisions that might affect their area of work.

Conclusion

The presence of silos and hierarchy is not good for the country and the civil servants must become accessible to the needy and poor in the first place. Whoever we are, wherever we are, we have to work together for the nation. We need a bureaucracy that is creative and constructive, imaginative and innovative, proactive and polite, professional and progressive, energetic and enabling, efficient and effective, transparent and tech-enabled

Topic: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.

7. Throw light on the contributions of Indian philosophy and philosophers in laying down norms and standards for ethics. (150 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about source and ideals of ethics in Indian culture and philosophy.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Start by mentioning that the Indian tradition is repository of numerous ethical and moral discourses.

Body:

In detail mention the various sources – Vedas, Upanishads, Dhramashastras, Smritis, Buddhist canon, Jaina ethics, Bhagwad Gita, folk tales, teachings of sufi and bhakti saints, teachings of modern philosophers like Swami Vivekanada and Mahtma Gandhi etc.

Describe the major ethical and moral tenets of the above-mentioned sources or teaching of the personalities.

Conclusion:

Conclude by drawing the contemporary importance of the above.

Introduction

Indian history has an abundance of great thinkers, philosophers, and teachers with immense knowledge. They all contributed to shaping the rich culture and philosophy of the land.

Body

Gautama Buddha

Gautama Buddha was an ascetic, a religious leader, and a teacher who lived in ancient India during the 6-5th century BCE. His teachings laid the basis of Buddhist philosophy and traditions as well as Buddhism as a religion.

The fundamental ethical and spiritual point behind the Buddha’s philosophy is that impermanent, conditioned, and conditional things such as wealth, social position, power, sensual pleasures, and even meditative states, cannot generate a state of ultimate happiness. To overcome the existential dissatisfaction generated by all ephemeral and contingent things, one needs to follow a comprehensive path of ethical and mental training conducive to the state of ultimate happiness called nirvana.

Adi Shankaracharya

Adi Shankara was an Indian philosopher and theologian who set forth the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta. Shankaracharya combined the ideologies of ancient ‘Advaita Vedanta’ and also explained the basic ideas of Upanishads. He advocated the oldest concept of Hinduism which explains the unification of the soul (atman) with the Supreme Soul (Nirguna Brahman).

While Shankaracharya was a firm believer in ancient Hinduism, he condemned the ‘Mimamsa school of Hinduism’ which was purely based on ritual practices.

Thiruvalluvar

Thiruvalluvar was a celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher best known as the author of the Tirukkural which is a collection of couplets on ethics, political thought, economical matter, and life. The text is considered an exceptional and cherished work of Tamil literature.

Thiruvalluvar showed that a person could lead a divine life or a life of purity and sanctity even if they are a Grihastha or householder. He showed that there was no necessity to leave the family and become a Sannyasin to lead a divine life of purity and sanctity.

Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda was one of the most celebrated spiritual leaders of India. He was a prolific thinker, great orator, and passionate patriot. He carried on the free-thinking philosophy of his guru, Ramakrishna Paramhansa forward into a new paradigm. He followed the Advaita Vedanta school of philosophy.

He worked tirelessly towards betterment of the society, in servitude to the poor and needy, dedicating his all to his country. He was responsible for the revival of Hindu spiritualism and established Hinduism as a revered religion on the world stage.

His message of universal brotherhood and self-awakening remains relevant, especially in the current backdrop of widespread political turmoil around the world. His teachings have been an inspiration to many, and his words have become goals of self-improvement, especially for the youth of the country.

Mahatma Gandhi

The twin principles of Gandhi’s thought are truth and nonviolence or Satya and ahimsa. Gandhi believed that truth is the relative of truthfulness in word and deed and the Ultimate Reality. This ultimate truth is God and morality. The moral laws and codes are the basis of truth and morality.

Ahimsa is not mere peacefulness or the absence of overt violence but denotes active love for everything in this world according to Gandhi. It is the polar opposite of violence, or “Himsa”, in every sense.

He has said “As soon as we lose the moral basis, we cease to be religious. There is no such thing as religion overriding morality. Man, for instance, cannot be untruthful, cruel or incontinent and claim to have God on his side”

Hence Gandhian philosophy stems from the truth and non-violence and teaches that one should acknowledge and accept the truth that people are different at all levels (“truth”). Also, one should never resort to violence to settle inherent differences between human beings at any level: from between two people to two nations to two races or two religions (“non-violence”).

There are seven social sins according to Gandhi:

Politics without Principles
Wealth Without Work
Pleasure Without Conscience
Knowledge Without Character
Commerce Without Morality
Science Without Humanity
Worship Without Sacrifice

Conclusion

Humans are social animals and seek a cause-effect relationship that motivates them to question the society where they live which can be achieved through philosophy. Philosophy can be applied to the physical world existing around us and also applied to intangible objects and imaginary like a god, cosmology.

Ancient Greece and India were the cradles of ethical thinkers and philosophers whose thoughts and teachings laid the base for a great many discoveries and changes in the world.

General Studies – 1

General Studies – 2

General Studies – 2

General Studies – 1

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