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General Studies – 1
Topic: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Difficulty level: Easy
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 the contributions of revolutionary nationalists and analyze the reasons for the decline of revolutionary strand of national movement in the 1930’s.
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:
Start by writing about revolutionary national movement and its nature of struggle. Mention important organizations and revolutionaries.
Body:
First, outline the major contributions of the revolutionary nationalists – spreading patriotism, creating fear in the minds of British, making them grant concessions, uniting the people of India, inspiring the youth.
In the next part, write the reasons for the decline of national movement – repression of the government, death/imprisonment of leaders, shift to popular struggle, joining mainstream political movement.
Conclusion:
Summarize that though the acts of individual heroism reduced but the revolutionary zeal remained and it manifested in Gandhian movements and Indian National Army of Bose.
Introduction
The emergence of revolutionary ideology in India during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century was the result of several internal and external influences working on the minds of the youth. Early phase of revolutionary movement in India was in Bengal, Maharashtra, Punjab, U.P., Orissa, Bihar and Madras provinces, but it predominantly operated in Bengal, Maharashtra and Punjab as these regions were more politically active than other parts of the country.
Body
Contribution of revolutionaries in the Indian Nationalism
- The Revolutionaries ignited the national cause and carried the message of nationalismin the country and outside the country.
- Their deep patriotism, courage and determination, and sense of sacrificestirred the Indian people.
- They helped spread nationalist consciousness in the land; and in northern India the spread of socialist consciousness owed a lot to them.
- The era of revolutionary terrorism began and very soon secret societies of the revolutionaries came up all over the country.
- For instance, the Anusilan Samiti, the most famous and long lasting secret society, with its headquarters at Calcutta created revolutionary centres all over India. Their activities took two forms- the assassination of oppressive officials, traitors and informers, and dacoities to raise funds for the purchase of arms, etc.
- It had its impact on the Congress strategy to involve the youths in the short term programme of rural reconstruction.
- Revolutionaries like Ras Behari Bose, Chander Shekhar Azad, Lala Hardyal M.A., Madan Lal Dhingra and S. Ajit Singh succeeded in expanding the Indian independence movement to other countries as well.
Conclusion
Though the revolutionary movement failed it made a valuable contribution to the growth of nationalism in India. The sacrifice and the martyrdom of the revolutionaries did not go waste. It appealed to the masses. Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Surya Sen, Rajguru etc. became household name of the Indian people and aroused patriotism among masses.
Although the revolutionaries had failed to attain set objectives of attaining independence through armed revolt, they were successful in arousing people and remove the fear of authority from their minds and strike terror in the heart of the rulers.
Value addition:
Factors that contributed to revolutionary nationalism:
- Failure of Moderate and extremist congress:While the youth of Bengal might have been incensed at the British arrogance and repression, and the ‘mendicancy’ of the Congress moderates, they were also led to ‘the politics of the bomb’ by the extremists’ failureto give a positive lead to the people’.
- Leadership’s failureto tap revolutionary energies of the youth.
- In December 1908 nine Bengal leaders including the venerable Krishna Kumar Mitra and Ashwini Kumar Duttwere deported. In 1908, the great Bal Gangadhar Tilak was arrested and given the severe sentence of 6 years imprisonment. Chidambaram Pillai in Madras and Hari Sarvottam Rao and others in Andhra were put behind bars.
- This led to leader-lessness and energy of the youths could not be channelised.
- The Fallout of Swadeshi and Boycott Movementwas the immediate reason.
- The repressive policies of the British governmentled people to militant and revolutionary politics.
- The government of East Bengal, in particular, tried to crush the nationalist movement. Official attempted at preventing student participation in the Swadeshi Agitation.
- For instance, the singing of Vande Mataram in public streets in East Bengal was banned. Public meetings were restricted and sometimes forbidden. Laws controlling the press enacted, etc.
- One of the most notorious examples of repressionswas the police assault on the peaceful delegates of Bengal provincial conference; Barisal in April 1906. Many of the young volunteer was severely beaten up and the conference itself was forcibly dispersed.
- Nationalism among youth:Most vital factor which contributed to amplify the spirit of nationalism among the countrymen was the ‘economic exploitation’ of Indians by the British Government and the Partition of Bengal.
- :Jathindranath Banerjee, Virendra Ghosh of Anushilan Samiti; Barindrakumar Ghosh expressed it through ‘Yugantar’.
Topic: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Chapter 9 – A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum Publishers)
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 contributions of Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Give a brief intro into the personality of Rajaram Mohan Roy and how western education influenced his perspective on Indian society
Body:
Mention the reforms brought in by Rajaram Mohan Roy such as Reinterpreting Hinduism, his mix of modernism with tradition, on caste and Women’s rights, on sati system, on political liberalism etc.
Write about his various measures he took to achieve the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude by saying his legacy makes him rightly been called as father of Modern India.
Introduction
Rammohun Roy is considered as a pioneer figure in Indian Renaissance. He was a multifaceted social, religious and educational reformer, renowned for his pioneering role in opposing practices like Sati, child marriage and social divisions and for advocating education. His elements of modernity and nonconformism to regressive traditions earned him the sobriquet as “father of Modern India”.
Body
Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s contributions in making India progressive and rational:
- Social reforms:
- The abolition of the brutal and inhuman Sati Prathawas his most prominent effort towards reforming Indian society.
- His efforts were also instrumental in eradicating the purdah system and child marriage.
- He advocated widow remarriage and education of women.
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s name is thus etched forever as a true benefactor of womennot just for helping abolish the custom of Sati, but also raising his voice against child marriage and polygamy, while demanding equal inheritance rights for women.
- He was also a great opponent of the rigid caste divisionsof his time.
- Educational:
- He paved the way to revolutionizing education system in Indiaby establishing Hindu College in 1817 along with David Hare.
- Hindu College later went on to become one of the best educational institutions in the country producing some of the best minds in India.
- His efforts to combine true to the roots theological doctrines along with modern rational lessons saw him establish the Anglo-Vedic Schoolin 1822 followed by the Vedanta College in 1826.
- Philosophical:
- In 1828, Ram Mohan Roy formed the Brahmo Samaj, uniting the Brahmos in Calcutta, a group of people, who had no faith in idol-worshipand were against the caste restrictions.
- He looked back to a tradition in search of monotheism, and looked forward to a sort of Protestant reformation within the Hindu milieu.
- He implied that every religion has a philosophical core, and as for Hinduism it was Vedanta.
- The Vedanta provided him with the cultural category while his interpretation of it as monotheistic yielded a comprehensive, holistic theory, which provided a comprehensive critique of culture, society and ideology.
- Raja’s monotheistic Vedanta provided people with an idea of the paradigms of social change.
- It enabled people to consider the comparative adequacy of ways of life that might claim people’s allegiance. In such humanitarian vision lies Raja’s lure and his share in India’s modernity.
- He stressed on rationalism and modern scientific approach.
- Journalism:
- Ram Mohan Roy was a staunch supporter of free speech and expression.
- He fought for the rights of vernacular press.
- He also brought out a newspaper in Persian called ‘Miratul- Akhbar’(the Mirror of News) and a Bengali weekly called ‘Sambad Kaumudi’ (the Moon of Intelligence).
Conclusion
Raja Ram Mohan Roy and his Brahmo Samaj played a vital role in awakening Indian society to the pressing issues plaguing society at that time and also was the forerunner of all social, religious and political movements that happened in the country since.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
Stressing on the comprehensive reform of United Nations’ structure, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday pointed to “the infirmities within the multilateral system” of the United Nations and said it might lead to its loss of relevance.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the various issues with the UN system, its implications and reforms needed in it.
Directive word:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into 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. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving the role of UN system in maintaining global multilateral order.
Body:
First, write about the various shortcomings in the UN system and how it is the manifestation of the structural adequacy of the UN.
Next, write about the various negative the above-mentioned shortcomings and substantiate them with examples.
Next, write about the measures that can be taken to address the above-mentioned shortcomings.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
The United Nations (UN) was set up, 75 years ago, with the principal aim of maintaining world peace and security. It has been successful in the decolonization process and preventing another World War. However, the 21st century world is very different from that 20th century and poses many new problems and realities.
Body
Article 1 of UN charter: Objectives of UN
- Maintaining international peace and security
- Developing friendly relations among nations
- Achieving international cooperation in solving international problems
- Harmonising the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.
Shortcomings in the UN system
- Failures of the UN
- Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT): Complete denuclearisation is still a distant dream with Russia and US at logger heads and China becoming powerful by the day.
- UN failed to resolve the disputes during cold war era like Vietnam crisis or Cuban missile crisis incident.
- Israeli occupation (1948-Now) and creation of the Jewish state in 1948. Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestinians was a huge failure. It also imposes a crippling blockade on Gaza and continues its construction of illegal settlements on occupied lands in defiance of several UN resolutions.
- Syria war, Libya crisis and the current Russia-Ukraine war are a blot on UN’s history.
- Rise of New Cold War: Conflict between the US on the one hand and China and Russia on the other has become a new reality in West-East Conflict.
- Divided West: Despite the enduring post-War alliances, there is a growing divergence between US and its European partners on many global issues.
- Some of the differences between the US and the other powers is very visible in the Iran Nuclear Deal.
- Further, rejection of post-War multilateralism and post-Cold War globalism is at the heart of Trump’s “America First” foreign policy.
- Ineffectiveness of UN: The UN has been unable to respond effectively to the once-in-a-century global crisis triggered by the coronavirus.
- At the UN Security Council, China blocked a serious discussion on the origin and sources of the crisis. While the US walked out of the World Health Organisation on allegation of supporting China.
- Toothless UN Peacekeeping Operation: While the vast number of international law treaties affecting international trade, economics and human rights has proved very effective, laws prohibiting the use of force have been less so.
- Thus, there is a need to include more personnel and carry out structural reforms for the UN Peacekeeping Operations.
Reforms needed
- UN Charter reforms: Article 2(7) of the UN charter doesn’t permit UN intervention in the domestic affairs of sovereign states.
- UN intervenes on the basis of UNGA resolution based on ‘responsibility to protect’. U.N. Charter’s anachronistic enemy state clauses has discriminatory arrangements against the former enemy states of World War II.
- Article 53 provides that “no enforcement action shall be taken under regional arrangements or by regional agencies without the authorization of the Security Council, with the exception of measures against any enemy state,”
- Article 77 contains reference to enemy states in relation to the U.N. trusteeship.
- UN General Assembly: UNGA needs greater role as UNSC remains paralyzed due to veto power and UNGA must be able to override veto by special majority.
- UNSC reforms: The current membership of UNSC reflect post-WWII structure.
- It doesn’t actually reflect the changes that have occurred in the international system after the end of the cold war.
- Emerging nations like India, Brazil, South Africa etc needs representation in the UNSC as permanent members.
- The existing membership reflects a regional imbalance, with no representation from Africa or Latin America and Europe being over-represented in the council
Conclusion
The UN was not created to take mankind to heaven, but to save humanity from hell. This was told by former United Nations Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld. No reform of the UN would be complete without reform of the Security Council. Therefore, equitable representation as well as expansion of the UNSC is the desired reform that India and the world envisages.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Reflecting on 75 years of Independence makes one proud of the socio-economic developments of our country.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the contributions of CSIR for advancement of science and technology in the country.
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:
Begin by aims and objectives of CSIR.
Body:
First, write about the context in which CSIR was setup and its initial achievements.
Next, write about the achievements of in detail till date. Substantiating with facts and examples, highlight the role played by CSIR in advancing science and technology in the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is the largest research and development (R&D) organisation in India. CSIR has a pan-India presence and has a dynamic network of 37 national laboratories, 39 outreach centres, 3 Innovation Complexes and 5 units. CSIR is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology and it operates as an autonomous body through the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
The objectives of the Council are scientific and industrial/applied research of national importance.
Body
Contributions of CSIR
- CSIR covers a wide spectrum of streams – from radio and space physics, oceanography, geophysics, chemicals, drugs, genomics, biotechnology and nanotechnology to mining, aeronautics, instrumentation, environmental engineering and information technology.
- It provides significant technological interventionin many areas with regard to societal efforts which include the environment, health, drinking water, food, housing, energy, farm and non-farm sectors.
- Leather industry
- The CSIR’s footprint in this sector has been transformative. Indian exports in this sector are close to $6 billion.
- First, when the CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) was established in 1948, it developed technologies for finished leather products, such as the first ever indigenous manufacture of leather chemicals, making the transition from semi-finished to finished leather possible.
- Further, the CSIR-CLRI routinely trained the next generation manpower for the leather industry. As a result, more than 40% personnel employed in the leather industry have been trained directly or indirectly in the CSIR-CLRI.
- Green Revolution
- During the Green Revolution, the CSIR’s footprint could be seen in the development of agrochemicals and the mechanisation of agriculture.
- The mechanisation of agriculture was achieved through the indigenous development of the Swaraj tractor at the CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), leading to the formation of Punjab Tractors Ltd. in 1970.
- Chemicals
- Two public sector companies were founded, post-Independence, based on technologies developed in the CSIR’s laboratories — the Hindustan Insecticides Ltd. and Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd., the former to make agrochemicals.
- Similarly, production of anti-HIV drugs by processes developed in CSIR laboratories provided the necessary impetus to the growth of generic pharmaceutical companies.
- food and nutrition industry
- in the 1950s, when solving the infant food problem appeared impossible, the CSIR successfully developed technologies to convert buffalo milk into powder and commercialised it with the help of Amul Industries.
- Promoting crops to enhance farmers income
- The Aroma Mission of the CSIR in recent times has been transforming the lives of thousands of farmers across the country.
- The cultivation of lavender in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been attracting attention worldwide as India’s ‘Purple Revolution’.
- CSIR has done commendable work in the aerospace sector, in the health and biotechnology industry, in protecting India’s traditional knowledge systems
Way forward
- Human resource development across all sectors, dominantly that in science, technology and innovation, has been the hallmark of CSIR.
- Even as we attribute the growing affluence of Indian society to science, technology and innovation-led developments, the challenges for the future remain intimidating.
- Reducing dependence on natural resources, making all industrial processes circular so that no footprint of human activity is left, making technologies environmentally friendly, providing sufficient opportunities to all for living either in cities or in villages will remain priorities of science and technology.
- The ancient wisdom of integrating science and spirituality by enhancing our understanding of nature in association with that of the human mind and spirit will be the fond hope of the science and technology community of India.
Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India has achieved its target of blending 10% sugarcane-extracted ethanol in petrol, ahead of schedule. Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 76th Independence Day, he rooted for energy independence stating that, “we need to be Aatmanirbhar (self-sufficient) in our energy sector”. India is one of the world’s biggest oil importing nations.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about ethanol blending, difference between 1G and 2G ehtnaols, economic and ecological benefits of ethanol blending.
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 defining ethanol blending and the mechanism behind it.
Body:
First, write about the differences between first generation and second generation ethanols based on its nature, utility and source.
Next, write the economic benefits of ethanol blending – foreign exchange per year, energy security, self-reliance, increasing farmers’ incomes, employment generation, and greater investment opportunities
Next, write about the ecological benefits – lower carbon emissions, better air quality and use of damaged foodgrains etc. Mention the various schemes for promotion of ethanol blending in India.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward to promote ethanol blending.
Introduction
An ethanol blend is defined as a blended motor fuel containing ethyl alcohol that is at least 99% pure, derived from agricultural products, and blended exclusively with petrol.
Blending ethanol with petrol to burn less fossil fuel while running vehicles is called ethanol blending. Ethanol is an agricultural by-product which is mainly obtained from the processing of sugar from sugarcane, but also from other sources such as rice husk or maize. Currently, 10% of the petrol that powers your vehicle is ethanol.
Body:
Ethanol blending programme in India:
- the Centre had “launched pilot projects in 2001 wherein 5 percent ethanol blended petrol was supplied to retail outlets”.
- Success of field trials eventually paved the way for the launching of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme in January, 2003 for sale of 5 percent ethanol blended petrol in nine States and four UTs.
- Currently, 5 per cent of ethanol is blended with petrol in India.
- The government of India has advanced the target for 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol (also called E20) to 2025 from 2030. E20 will be rolled out from April 2023.
- The central government has also released an expert committee report on the Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India by 2025.
- The roadmap proposes a gradual rollout of ethanol-blended fuel to achieve E10 fuel supply by April 2022and phased rollout of E20 from April 2023 to April 2025.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India has achieved its target of blending 10% sugarcane-extracted ethanol in petrol, ahead of schedule.
- the prime minister said India has also achieved its goal of having 40 per cent of its installed power generation from non-fossil fuel-based sources nine years before the deadline.
Differences between first generation and second generation ethanols
- First-generation ethanol are produced from crops directly from the fields, such as cereals, maize, sugar beet and cane, and rapeseed. In Europe rapeseed oil is primarily used for biodiesel.
- Second-generation ethanols are produced from residual and waste products from, for example, industry and households. Large quantities of used frying oil and slaughterhouse waste are also used.
the economic and ecological benefits of promoting ethanol blending in India:
- Ethanol has become one of the major priorities of 21st Century India.
- Mixing 20 percent ethanol in petrol holds multiple attractions for India.
- First, it can potentially reduce the auto fuel import bill by a yearly $4 billion, or Rs 30,000 crore.
- Second, it also provides for farmers to earn extra income if they grow produce that helps in ethanol production.
- Third, and no less important, is the fact that ethanol is less polluting than other fuels and, per the NITI Aayog paper, “offers equivalent efficiency at lower cost than petrol”.
- Using ethanol fuel to power automobiles results in significantly low levels of toxins in the environment.
- Specifically, ethanol to gasoline ratio of 85:15. The little composition of gasoline acts as an igniter, while ethanol takes up the rest of the tasks. This ratio of ethanol to gasoline minimizes the emission of greenhouse gases to the environment since it burns cleanly compared to pure gasoline.
- The combustion of ethanol fuel only releases carbon dioxide and water. The carbon dioxide released is ineffective regarding environmental degradation.
- Use of ethanol-blended petrol decreases emissions such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), the expert committee noted. Higher reductions in CO emissions were observed with E20 fuel — 50 per cent lower in two-wheelers and 30 per cent lower in four-wheelers.
- It also helps in energy security, lower carbon emissions, better air quality, self-reliance, use of damaged food grains, increasing farmers’ incomes, employment generation, and greater investment opportunities.
Way forward:
- In order to introduce vehicles that are compatible the committee recommends roll out of E20 material-compliant and E10 engine-tuned vehicles from April 2023 and production of E20-tuned engine vehicles from April 2025.
- The Centre must look at ways to reduce the programme’s dependence on the sugarcane.
- Alternative feedstock like agricultural waste, recycled cooking oil, provides for more environmentally friendly bio-fuels.
- There is a need to focus on raising the non-cane contribution to the ethanol mix.
- This can be done by incentivising both public and private players to set up second-generation ethanol facilities.
- as we progress towards higher blending of ethanol, careful monitoring and assessment of emissions changes will be needed to make sure that emission reduction potential can be enhanced both for regulated and unregulated pollutants.
Value addition
Challenges involved:
- Less Production:Currently, domestic production of bioethanol is not sufficient to meet the demand for bio-ethanol for blending with petrol at Indian OMCs.
- Sugar mills, which are the key domestic suppliers of bio-ethanol to OMCs, were able to supply only 57.6% of the total demand.
- Sugar mills do not have the financial stabilityto invest in biofuel plants.
- There are also concerns among investors on theuncertainty on the price of bioethanolin the future as the prices of both sugarcane and bio-ethanol are set by the central government.
- Compatible vehicles:vehicles need to be produced with rubberised parts, plastic components and elastomers compatible with E20 and engines optimally designed for use of E20 fuel”
- The NITI Aayog paper said that two-wheelers and passenger vehicles that are now being made in the country “are designed optimally for E5 (5 percent ethanol blend with petrol) while rubber and plastic components are “compatible with E10 fuel”.
- Water Footprint:While India has become one of the top producers of ethanol but it lags top producers, the USA and Brazil, by a huge margin and remains inefficientin terms of water usage.
- India’s water requirements for producing ethanol are not met through rainwaterand the groundwater is used for drinking and other purposes.
- Water footprint, that is water required to produce a litre of ethanol, includes rainwater at the root zone used by ethanol-producing plants such as sugarcane, and surface, ground water, and fresh water required to wash away pollutants.
- Limited Sugarcane Availability:Sugarcane is another limited resource that affects the ethanol blending in the country.
- In order to achieve a 20% blend rate, almost one-tenth of the existing net sown area will have to be diverted for sugarcane production. Any such land requirement is likely to put a stress on other cropsand has the potential to increase food prices.
- India’s biofuel policy stipulates that fuel requirements must not compete with food requirementsand that only surplus food crops should be used for fuel production, if at all.
- Lack of Alternatives:Producing ethanol from crop residue can be a good alternative but the annual capacity of biorefinery is still not enoughto meet the 5% petrol-ethanol blending requirement.
- Other biofuels such as Jatrophahave often proven to be commercially unviable.
- Handling issues:Ethanol being a highly flammable liquid marks obligatory safety and riskassessment measures during all phases of production, storage and transportation, thus increasing the cost and risk factor.
General Studies – 4
Topic : Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;
6. What does this quote means to you? (150 words)
“Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty.” ― Socrates
Difficulty level: Moderate
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Quotes Wednesdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by explaining the literal meaning of the quote.
Body:
Write about the how contentment is natural wealth and importance of contentment. Substantiate with examples.
Next, write about Luxury is artificial poverty and how running behind riches of life will not lead to satisfaction. Substantiate with examples.
Conclusion:
Summarise by highlighting the importance of the quote in the present day.
Introduction
Contentment means to be happy with what you have, who you are, and where you are. It is respecting the reality of the present. It is appreciating what you do have and where you are in life. Contentment does not mean the absence of desire; it just means you are satisfied with your present, and you trust that the turns your life takes will be for the best.
It can be contended that contentment is the natural wealth and luxury is artificial poverty. A state of contentment leads to a state of well-being and happiness. Humanity has been in pursuit of the elusive state of happiness or bliss for centuries.
Body
Many people today think life is a race where you must be the best at everything. We might want a fancier car, a bigger house, a better-earning job, or more money. The moment we achieve one thing, the race for the next thing starts. Rarely do many individuals spare a minute to just sit back, relax, and be grateful for all they have achieved. Instead of looking back at the distance they have covered, they stretch themselves to cover the distance that remains. And in some cases, this is when ambition becomes greed.
There is often a fine line between ambition and greed. People may think that when they have achieved all they need for their dream lifestyle, they will be satisfied with what they have—but this is rarely the case. Even after you have ticked off all the achievements from your list, you still don’t feel at ease. There may remain an uneasy feeling that something is still missing. That missing feeling is contentment.
Contentment can help us distinguish between wants and needs. When we are content, we may not desire for anything more than what we need. The abundance of the present is enough to lead a happy and healthy life. Contentment often leads to the realization that joy doesn’t come from material things. Instead, joy comes from deep within.
Conclusion
If we wish to feel the essence of contentment, it’s important to practice gratitude, be aware of the fact that nothing is permanent, understand that material things do not often promote long-term happiness, and realize that life is not a race or competition: it is about self-sustenance. The more thankful we are in the present, the happier we may be.
Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;
7. What does this quote means to you? (150 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Quotes Wednesdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by explaining the literal meaning of the quote.
Body:
Write about the need to understand humanity and humanitarian concerns in the present day and the need to preserve it. Next, write about how the people, societies and nations who practices and preach humanity are immortal. Substantiate with examples.
Conclusion:
Summarise by highlighting the importance of the quote in the present day.
Introduction
As individuals who are living in a civilisation as it exists today, we must fight for Humanity, human rights so as to not go back to the era of barbarianism. What is happening around the world today is due to lack of Humanity amongst Human beings. We are separated by artificial borders and there is fight for resources and everything is about the economy, money and resources. The wars happening are man-made and it occurs when we fail to see humans on the other side of the border as fellow human beings.
Body
It is important we support and promote a world that works for all. It is about embracing those qualities that serve the Highest and Best of our Humanity. We must act for the greater welfare and common good of all and to raise the consciousness and vibrations on the planet, and within our nation, to one of inclusion, peace, and harmony. And to demonstrate that even one small act taken by an individual can make a difference and contribute to the positive uplifting of humanity.
If we fail to act, then we fail entirely. There are huge problems that need collective action of people across the nations and alas we are hung up on small regions and fighting for hectares of land. When we stop and endure the injustice meted out to someone else, we are only waiting our turn and one day the same will happen to us. In humanity we must trust and for humanity me must fight. What would be the difference between us and animals in the wild?
There is good work that is happening around the world which restores our faith that human kind is still thriving as they were meant to be. For instance, Doctors without borders, many refugee camps run by NGO’s are a case in point. A world that is full of human values can lead to solving the problem of terrorism, climate change, wars and genocides.
Conclusion
Realizing human rights, equal and inalienable for every person, is the most just and meaningful goal of any society. For this to happen, we must stand up for humanity and protect fellow human beings all over the world from injustice. Today’s challenges such as racial profiling, communalism, lynching, terrorism are emanating from lack of humanity. Restoring humanity should be the number one goal to save this planet from turning into chaos.
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