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 time gives you extra points in the form of background information.
General Studies – 1
Topic: Social empowerment
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
In a Kerala court, Judge S Krishnakumar ruled the victim’s complaint “will not prima facie stand when woman was wearing sexually provocative dress”.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the legacy of movement and successes and limitations.
Directive:
Comment– here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context of #MeToo.
Body:
First, write about the legacy and significance of #meToo movement in India and what it did for women.
Next, write about the role of #MeToo in giving voice to women and holding perpetrators accountable. Cite examples to substantiate.
Next, write about the limitations of #MeToo movement.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
The #MeToo movement, which gained popularity over the last year and a half, was originally started over a decade ago, in 2006 by Tarana Burke. She launched the movement in an attempt to reach out to underprivileged women of colour who had been sexually abused. Inspired at a Youth Camp while listening to young girls who were assaulted, Burke wanted to do something for communities where rape crisis centres and sexual assault workers were not present. Thus, was born the #MeToo campaign.
In 2017 actress Alyssa Milano re-kindled this movement asking women to speak up if they were sexually harassed.
Body
Significance and success of #MeToo movement In India
- Many personal stories of anger and guilt, buried under years of silence, emerged out to public media because of this recent campaign. Eg: M J Akbar accused of harassment from 158 journalists.
- It is creating awareness about sexual violence and sexual assault.
- It reveals one thing – the legal and systemic provisions to deal with sexual harassment have failed.
- Women who suffered silently for years are now angry enough to put their faith in a “name and shame” mechanism.
- Eg: Nana Patekar. Alok Nath. M.J. Akbar. Suhel Seth. Jatin Das. Kiran Nagarkar. These are only some of the men who were named and shamed last year when the #MeToo movement swept across India.
- The campaign allows victims to find courage to name the accused through a collective.
- Eg: Harvey Weinstein was jailed after his exploits came to light.
- This forces administrators or the people in charge to take the problem seriously and begin a process of redress.
- It also aims to change the power dynamics between males and females by exposing the abuse of power and position by influential men for sexually harassing the women around them.
- The #MeToo movement resonated at the opening plenary session of the fifth Global Symposium on Health Systems Research.
- SDG 5 is about gender equality and calling out sexist behaviour which is at the heart of the #MeToo movement.
Critical analysis
- While the movement did stir things up, it did not lead to any meaningful and long-lasting change. Most of the accused, they said, have got away with a mere rap on the knuckles.
- A lot of the movements did not have closure for lack of evidence as incidents happened a long time ago and powerful men can silence the witnesses.
- Those women who came out were branded as difficult and banished from the sectors they were in. Eg: Actress Sruthi Hariharan lost her stature in kannada film industry after she accused another powerful actor.
- In some cases, it was used as a vengeance tool by angry exes and caused defamation of people’s reputation.
- It was not backed by law or mechanism to enquire and bring justice to people who suffered abuse.
Way Forward
- It is for policymakers and civil society to now closely examine how the system is failing women against powerful male colleagues.
- There has to be a sense of fear in the mind of the offenders which has to be ensured.
- The attitudinal change, socialisation process and education must go towards making man more sensitive while dealing with women.
- Workplace audits should be as big a priority as auditing the finances of the company.
- The law that mandate that the investigation should be completed within 90 days should be strictly adhered to.
- Adequate workshops and awareness programme against sexual harassment must be conducted.
- There must also be punishment to women who make false charges.
Conclusion
The movement is slowly going from being just a social media trial, to actually influencing differences in law enforcement. Law enforcement processes can take up to years to bring justice and can be exhausting to say the least, therefore, people prefer social media. While it isn’t a just platform, in terms of bringing a constitutional difference, it is through this platform that we can let others know about a predator in our midst. Victims, collectively, get the courage to speak up against their abuser, even if only one person speaks up about them. And once it is that public, the ability to silence it is also reduced.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 2 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the importance of doctrine of basic structure.
Directive:
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 giving context of Kesavananda Bharati case.
Body:
First, write about the various features of doctrine of basic structure – rule of law, parliamentary form of government, secularism etc.
Next, write about how the above is important I upholding the supremacy of the Constitution and preventing authoritarian rule by a single party.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
The Doctrine of Basic structure, one of the most important examples of judicial activism is the result of the creative interpretation of the constitution by the judiciary. It was given by the 13-judges bench of the Supreme Court in the Keshavananda Bharti case (1973), and was aimed at defining the scope of the amending power of the Parliament. It is a doctrine to examine the constitutional validity of constitutional amendment.
Body
Interpretation and relevance of Basic Structure Doctrine
- The emergence of doctrine of ‘Basic structure’ marked asignificant shift in the role of judiciary from practice of constitutional interpretation to a creative role where judiciary go beyond the written provisions of the constitution.
- As per the Indian constitution, Parliament has been given the constituent power to amend the constitution according to the changing needs & aspirations.
- Being a dynamic or organic constitution, aimed at achieving a certain goal of social revolution the Indian constitution mentions special procedure for its amendment.
- It means that there is no explicit limitation on the amending power of the Parliament; expect procedural limitations as given in Art 360.
- However, in the Keshvananda Bharti Case (1973), on the question whether the amending power of the Parliament isunlimited and absolute, the Supreme Court held that the amending power is limited to the extent that it doesn’t alter the ‘Basic Structure’ of the constitution.
- The court held that the word ‘amend’ under Art 368 means only changes other than altering the basic features of the constitution,which would amount to making or writing a new constitution.
- In this way, the Supreme Court, whilegiving primacy to the unwritten feature of the constitution introduced a ‘substantive limitation’ on the amending power of the Parliament.
- However, the judgment of the Supreme Court inventing a new doctrine of the ‘basic structure’ has been subjected to intense academic debate.
- The opponents of the judgement claimsthat the judiciary has gone for the metaphysical approach rather than the legal approach of what is written.
- They argue that if the government was destroying the constitution, the judiciary has gone to the extent of creating the constitution.
- On the other hand, the proponents of the decision argue that judiciary has protected the sanctity of the constitution.
Significance of Basic Structure Doctrine
- The basic structure doctrine is a testimony to the theory of Constitutionalismto prevent the damage to essence of COI by brute majority of the ruling majority.
- The basic doctrine saved the Indian democracyas it acts as a limitation of constituent power or else unlimited power of parliament might have turned India into a totalitarian
- It helps us to retain the basic tenets of our constitutionso meticulously framed by the founding fathers of our Constitution.
- It strengthens our democracy by delineating a true separation of power where Judiciary is independent of other two organs. It has also given immense untold unbridled power to Supreme Court and made it the most powerful court in the world
- By restraining the amending powers of legislative organ of State,it provided basic Rights to Citizens which no organ of State can overrule.
- Being dynamic in nature,it is more progressive and open to changes in time unlike the rigid nature of earlier judgements.
Conclusion
Zia Modi, in her book ‘The Ten Judgments that changed India’, has given following arguments- Although the judiciary was wrong from the academic point of view, but from the practical point of view, it was the need of the time in the Indian context. (ii) It has proved to be a blessing in disguise as it has checked authoritarianism of the government. This has stopped India from going on the path of the other Third World countries.
Value addition
Evolution
- Origin of debate: The question whetherFundamental Rights can be amended by the Parliament under Article 368 came for consideration of the Supreme Court within a year of the Constitution coming into force.
- Shankari Prasad case (1951): The constitutional validity of theFirst Amendment Act (1951), which curtailed the right to property, was challenged. The Supreme Court ruled that the power of the Parliament to amend the Constitution under Article 368 also includes the power to amend Fundamental Rights. The word ‘law’ in Article 13 includes only ordinary laws and not the constitutional amendment acts (constituent laws).
- Therefore, the Parliament can abridge or take away any of the Fundamental Rights by enacting a constitutional amendment act and such a law will not be void under Article 13.
- Golak Nath case (1967): The Supreme Court reversed its earlier stand. In that case, the constitutional validity of theSeventeenth Amendment Act (1964), which inserted certain state acts in the Ninth Schedule, was challenged.
- The Supreme Court ruled that the Fundamental Rights are given a ‘transcendental and immutable’ position and hence, the Parliament cannot abridge or take away any of these rights.
- A constitutional amendment act is also a law within the meaning of Article 13 and hence, would be void for violating any of the Fundamental Rights.
- 24thAmendment Act 1971: The Parliament reacted to the Supreme Court’s judgement in the Golak Nath case (1967) by enacting the 24 th Amendment Act (1971). This Act amended Articles 13 and 368.
- It declared that the Parliament has the power to abridge or take away any of theFundamental Rights under Article 368 and such an act will not be a law under the meaning of Article 13.
- Kesavananda Bharati case: However, in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), the SupremeCourt overruled its judgement in the Golak Nath case (1967). It upheld the validity of the 24th Amendment Act (1971) and stated that Parliament is empowered to abridge or take away any of the Fundamental Rights.
- At the same time, it laid down a new doctrine of the ‘basic structure’ (or ‘basic features’) of the Constitution.
- It ruled that the constituent power ofParliament under Article 368 does not enable it to alter the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution.
- This means that the Parliamentcannot abridge or take away a Fundamental Right that forms a part of the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution.
Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential;
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
A current fad that has struck the fancy of asset managers and regulators is environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing. Whether this will endure to become a staple in inancial markets or go the way of bell bottoms and floral shirts is something that time will tell, but, given the fact that ESG funds hold $2.7 trillion globally and about ₹12,500 crore in India, a dispassionate analysis of the theory and empirics around ESG investing is in order.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about ESG, its benefits and its potential to bring about changes.
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 defining ESG
Body:
First, write about the various features of ESG and the benefits associated with it.
Next, write about the readiness of India to adopt ESG – mention areas which it can and mention areas which it cannot. Also mention how India can adopt ESG and still achieve its developmental objectives.
Next, write about the shortcomings of ESG and its limitations.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
ESG environmental, social and governance describes areas that characterize a sustainable, responsible or ethical investment. It is a generic term used in capital markets and used by investors to evaluate corporate behaviour and to determine the future financial performance of companies.
ESG is a subset of non-financial performance indicators which include sustainable, ethical and corporate governance issues such as managing a company’s carbon footprint and ensuring there are systems in place to ensure accountability.
Body
About ESG
- ESG refers to a class of investing that is also known as“sustainable investing.” This is an umbrella term for investments that seek positive returns and long-term impact on society, the environment, and the performance of the business.
- There are several different categories of sustainable investing.
- They include impact investing, socially responsible investing (SRI), ESG, and values-based investing.
- Another school of thought puts ESG under the umbrella term of SRI. Under SRI are ethical investing, ESG investing, and impact investing.
- Responsible investors evaluate companies using ESG criteria as a framework to screen investments or to assess risks in investment decision-making.
- Environmental factors determine a company’s stewardship of the environmentand focus on waste and pollution, resource depletion, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, deforestation, and climate change.
Imperative role of ESG
- ESG offers multifaceted insights into corporate value chains, allowing investors to evaluate the sustainability of their investment opportunities.
- It is for the first time that ESG compliance reporting has become mandatory in India.
- It will help standardize disclosures and ascertain companies’ credibility, encouraging investors to hone their investment decisions.
- Sebi recently constituted an advisory committee on ESG. While it focuses on the enhancement of BRSR, it also proposes developing a parallel approach for employment generation through a stronger ‘S’ factor.
- The parameter aims to look at an enterprise’s relationship and reputation with stakeholders inside and outside a company. It also gives an insight into workers’ welfare.
Shortcomings of ESG
- Not all ESG factors are easily quantifiable, and such factors may not directly translate into earnings growth or enhanced performance for the firm.
- Current corporate sustainability disclosures are heavily skewed towards process and procedures and not towards actual performance.
- Applying the same set of factors to companies in different geographies and industries with varying business practices can be challenging. Companies have varying business models and some outsource large portions of their value chains, whereas others prefer to go for the vertical integration route.
- Different regions have varying challenges with regards to data quality that need to be considered, especially emerging markets.
- ESG research can be backward-looking and may fail to capture anticipated changes. There needs to be constant dialogue to keep up with companies and capture how they are changing their sustainability practices.
- ESG datasets are disclosure-based, binary and unverified.
Conclusion
A green economic transition and the financing needed for ESG should not be elusive buzzwords, but an opportunity that Indian corporates and financiers should act upon right away before climate action regulations start hitting them hard.
Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The Election Commission on Monday said that entry in the electoral roll should not be deleted over the non-submission of Aadhaar. The Commission reacted following some media reports surrounding the issue.
Key Demand of the question:
To write rationale behind linking of voter ID with Aadhar and its implications.
Directive:
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 giving context.
Body:
In the first part, write about the rationale behind linking of voter ID with Aadhar – removing duplicates, curbing vote fraud, better coordination etc.
Next, write about the implications of linking of voter ID with Aadhar – complications, misuse, profiling etc.
Next, wite about steps that are needed to safeguard against such misuse while solving the aforementioned issues.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 seeks to amend the Representation of the People Act to bring in key reforms including voluntary linkage of voter ID with Aadhaar. This has been a demand of the Election Commission ever since 2015. The EC had launched the National Electoral Law Purification and Authentication Programme to link the Aadhaar number with the voter ID number. It said the linking will weed out multiple enrolments in the name of one person.
Body
Advantages
- The seeding of Aadhar data with voter identities will allow for remote voting, a measure that could help migrant voters.
- The law could well make it possible for migrants who find themselves far away from their place of normal residence, where they are registered voters, to not lose their right to vote just because they have moved to another part of the country.
- When voter ID is linked to Aadhaar, a migrant with a valid Aadhaar can prove her identity, wherever she is.
- This would enable her to become a voter where she is currently resident, and, when systems mature, to vote in her home constituency.
- Aadhar linking is believed to be helpful in stopping bogus voting and fraudulent votes.
- There have been instances when voters find, when they turn up at the polling booth, that their vote has already been cast, clearly by someone posing as them.
- This kind of fraud can be controlled by seeding the voter registration with Aadhaar.
- Changing the language from ‘wives’ to ‘spouse’ will make the laws more “gender-neutral”.
Issues with voter-ID and Aadhar linkage
- Government as most powerful: It is the Central government who has the final say in prescribing the conditions under which an individual will be permitted to enter or remain on the electoral rolls, in case of her “inability” to furnish their Aadhaar.
- This means that the Central government will decide what reasons are considered acceptable for a voter to remain on the electoral roll.
- Burden Shifting: Instead of the Government proactively ensuring registration on the electoral rolls to achieve universal adult franchise, the burden now shifts to individuals who may be unable/unwilling to link their Aadhaar to justify their retention on the rolls.
- Moreover, it will lead to the deletion from the voter rolls without any procedural safeguards since at the moment, the law does not provide for a right to a hearing before such deletion.
- Privacy Concerns: Electoral data at present is held by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in its own database and is separate from other government databases.
- The proposed linkage Aadhaar and election database will make it available to the ECI and UIDAI. This could lead to infringement of the privacy of citizens.
- The legitimate voters will be disenfranchised merely upon their unwillingness/inability to submit Aadhaar
- Identification of Beneficiary Voters: The amendment will result in political profiling. By linking electoral IDs with Aadhaar numbers, it is much easier for the Government to track any voter who has accessed welfare subsidies and benefits using their Aadhaar.
- This can be used by political parties to selectively target their messages to specific voters, using information that is not publicly available.
- The proposal fails to specify the extent of data sharing between the ECI and UIDAI databases, the methods through which consent will be obtained, and whether consent to link the databases can be revoked.
- In the absence of a robust personal data protection law — a Bill in that regard is yet to clear Parliament — any move to allow sharing of data can prove to be problematic. There would be an intrusion to the privacy of the individual.
Conclusion
An error-free Electoral Roll is sine qua non of a free and fair election. The Government should come with a comprehensive bill so that proper discussion can take place in the Parliament. Also, the bill should specify the extent of data sharing between the two databases, the methods through which consent will be obtained, and whether consent to link the databases can be revoked. Before pursuing the Aadhaar-voter ID integration, the government shall first go for enacting the Personal Data Protection (PDP) law. The PDP regime must also apply to the government entities and require them to obtain the explicit consent of an individual before sharing their data across various government institutions.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti (water resources) reiterated in a press release that it has given directions to state governments under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to give adjacent state authorities adequate prior warning before releasing water from reservoir or dams.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about need to focus on safety and rehabilitation of ageing dams and importance of risk assessment in them.
Directive:
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:
First, write the concerns of dam maintenance projects such as maintenance of water levels especially in the rainy season, local seismic areas and probabilities of a flash flooding and local landfalls, the issue of local land acquisition and control over the water resource as a whole and then different claims by neighbouring states etc
Next, highlight the need to maintain structural integrity of dams and the water needs of all the delta states and need for a collaborative approach.
Next, write about the role risk assessment can play in averting above concerns.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Dams are one of the vital elements for the growth of the country’s economy. In India, over the years, dams have played an important role in fostering rapid and sustained agricultural and rural growth. Substantial investment has been done in building dams and related infrastructure.
India is ranked third in the world in terms of building large dams. Of the over 5,200 large dams built so far, about 1,100 large dams have already reached 50 years of age and some are older than 120 years. The number of such dams will increase to 4,400 by 2050. This means that 80% of the nation’s large dams face the prospect of becoming obsolete as they will be 50 years to over 150 years old.
Body
However, in the past, we have noticed the mismanagement of dams has led to disastrous floods. One of the key roles was played by dams and understanding their role in floods would pave the way for enhancing our readiness.
Consequences of ageing of dams
- As dams age, soil replaces the water in the reservoirs. Therefore, the storage capacity cannot be claimed to be the same as it was in the 1900s and 1950s.
- To make matters worse, studies show that the design of many of our reservoirs is flawed.
- Case Study: In a paper, Supply-side Hydrology: Last gasp, Rohan D’Souza writes that the observed siltation rate in India’s iconic Bhakra dam is 139.86% higher than originally assumed.
- At this rate, he wrote, “the Bhakra dam is now expected to function for merely 47 years, virtually halved from the original estimate of 88 years”.
- Similarly, the actual siltation rate observed for the Hirakud, Maithan and Ghod dams are way higher at 141.67%, 808.64% and 426.59%, respectively. Studies in later years showed similar findings.
- Almost every scholarly study on reservoir sedimentationshows that Indian reservoirs are designed with a poor understanding of sedimentation science.
- The designs underestimate the rate of siltation and overestimate live storage capacity created.
- Therefore, the storage space in Indian reservoirs is receding at a rate faster than anticipated.
- Reservoirs are poised to become extinct in less than a few decades with untold consequences already under way.
- In June 2018 the central government had approved the proposal for introduction of the Dam Safety Bill, 2018 which aims to develop uniform countrywide guidelines for ensuring the safety of dams.
- Dam mismanagement also leads to flooding like in 2018 incident in Mullaperiyar dam between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Safety of Dams
- The Union Cabinet approved the proposal for introduction of Dam Safety Bill, 2018 in the Parliament.
- The objective of this Bill is to help develop a uniform, countrywide guidelines for ensuring the safety of dams.
- The Bill provides for:
- Proper surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all specified dams in the country to ensure their safe functioning.
- Constitution of a National Committee on Dam Safety which shall evolve dam safety policies and recommend necessary regulations.
- Establishment of National Dam Safety Authority as a regulatory body which shall discharge functions to implement the policy, guidelines, and standards for dam safety in the country.
- Constitution of a State Committee on Dam Safety by State Government.
- All the institutions that are named in the dam safety bill are already functioning. The Dam Safety Bill will only give these institutions legal backing.
- This bill will make sure that every state government follows a uniform policy laid down by it.
- In the Dam Safety Bill, the provisions for the robust functioning of the dam have been laid. As of now, some of the dams have an operational manual. However, most are operating dams from experience. This bill will make it legally binding for all the dams to have a codified manual for the operation as per their need.
Way Forward
- A Bill seeking to set up an institutional mechanism for surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of specified dams across the country has been passed by the Lok Sabha.
- The provisions of the Bill are proposed to be applied to all dams in the country which have a height of more than 15 metres, or between 10 metres to 15 metres.
- Among other things, the Bill also seeks to resolve the inter-state issues concerning maintenance and safety of dams as around 92% of dams in the country are on inter-state river basins.
- The Bill also envisages setting up of a National Dam Safety Authority to be headed by an officer not below the rank of an Additional Secretary, to be appointed by the central government.
- The main task of the National Dam Safety Authority includes implementing the policies formulated by the National Committee on Dam Safety, resolving issues between State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSOs), or between an SDSO and any dam owner in that state, specifying regulations for inspection and investigation of dams.
- The NDSA will also provide accreditation to agencies working on construction, design, and alteration of dams.
- Since the dam safety is dependent on many external factors, the environmentalists, and the environmental angle in this, needs to be taken.
- There is a need to strengthen the state irrigation department and the Central Water Commission.
- It should be ensured that the inspection of dams is done by the respective state governments.
- State governments should follow the dam safety manual with precision. Especially, where human settlements are scattered all around, the building of dams has to be regulated as per the guidelines.
- Creation of buffer zone has to be done to protect land near dams from encroachment.
- However, the growth of population will lead to encroachment, and it would be physically impossible to shift people during calamity. Proper dissemination of information has to be done in the surrounding areas on a real-time basis and regular flushing of water should be carried downstream to keep the river beds dry. Hence, dam safety and proper village, town and city planning have to be integrated.
- Ensuring “dam safety” should be a continuous exercise. The present catastrophe is more related to, how the dam should be operated when there is heavy rainfall and the water level has reached a critical level.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators.
6. Great teachers show you your greatness not their own. Justify with examples. (150 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Abstract Thursdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
to develop a link between changing your attitude and changing your behaviour.
Directive:
Justify – When you are asked to justify, you must pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence. You must appraise the worth of the statement in question using suitable case studies or/ and examples.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining a great teacher.
Body:
Mention the important attributes of a great teachers – compassion, integrity, emotional intelligence, Humility, leadership and communication. Use examples from India and the world to justify how great teachers create even greater pupils/ disciples.
Conclusion:
Complete the answer by the life changing role of teachers on the society.
Introduction
Teachers are the backbone of any country e the pillar upon which aspirations are converted into realities – APJ Abdul Kalam
Teacher is the most important person in an education system as all the knowledge values skill belief etc. must flow through him before being imparted to the students. Therefore teacher is rightly compared to the god in Hindu scriptures saying “Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu..”.
Body
How Great teachers show you your greatness not their own.
- A great teacher is a Motivator:
- Every child has a fountain of talent in him/her. An ideal teacher is one that makes a child realise his immense potential and help him to convert this internal energy to a real world talent.
- g.: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
- Analytical and solution provider:
- A good teacher is capable of identifying the weakness of the student, do micro analysis of what’s going wrong and is also able to develop a roadmap to help student overcome his disabilities and emerge as a winner.
- Compassionate:
- During highs and lows a true teacher never leaves his student. He is always ready to provide hand holding service so that his student is not baffled by the harsh realities. Simultaneously he also prepares his student to be ready to face the challenges of this world.
- A good teacher instils & demonstrate confidence.
- Confidence while teaching can mean any number of things, it can range from having confidence in your knowledge of the material being learned to having confidence that your teaching acumen is second to none.
- They have life experience.
- Having some life experience outside the classroom and outside the realm of education is invaluable for putting learning into context and keeping school activities in perspective.
- Teachers who have traveled, worked in other fields, played high-level sports, or enjoyed any number of other life experiences bring to the profession outlooks other than ‘teacher.’
- g. Narendra was made Swami Vivekananda under the influence of his teacher Ram Krishna Paramhans.
- Good Teachers Show Empathy.
- Another key to engaging students and improving their learning is to treat each student as an individual, by being empathetic and understanding to what may be going on in their lives.
- Good Teachers Have Patience.
- No matter what grade level you’re teaching, your patience will be tested while working as an educator.
- Whether you’re managing classroom behavior, working with colleagues with different views, or communicating student issues or progress with parents, patience is one of the most important skills to practice as a teacher.
- Good Teachers Value Real-World Learning.
- Teachers who bring their students’ learning into the real world are often some of the most engaging. But it’s important for teachers to bring their own learning into the real world, too.
Conclusion
Teacher’s role is critical in inculcating values as schools is the second biggest institution of socialisation after family. Teacher, as an instrument, transfers the social values that are necessary for a community living. Values like equity, non-discrimination, neutrality in judgement, reciprocity in community, discipline, punctuality, social etiquette and mannerism etc all taught in the school.
Children are the future of nation the sole responsibility of keeping the future bright lies on the shoulder of teacher. In words of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam – “If a country has to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful mind I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference they are father, mother and teacher”
Topic: challenges of corruption.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Abstract Thursdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the importance of whistleblowing.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining whistleblowing.
Body:
Explain What are the moral and ethical justification of whistleblowing – whistleblowing is morally required when it is required at all; people have a moral obligation to prevent serious harm to others if they can do so with little costs to themselves. Mention how it prevents corruption. Give examples to justify your points.
Conclusion:
Complete the answer by summarising its importance.
Introduction
A whistle-blower is a person who comes forward and shares his/her knowledge on any wrongdoing which he/she thinks is happening in the whole organisation or in a specific department. A whistle-blower could be an employee, contractor, or a supplier who becomes aware of any illegal activities. Personal Values and Organizational Culture are the Foundation of Whistle-blowing
A good civil servant is one who is kind, responsive, fair, has sense of duty, objective judgement skills with a hint of rebellion.
Body
In the course of civil service, an officer is bound to face challenges of various types. One must find innovative solutions to such problems by working around the problems. However, when there are inevitable situations, it becomes necessary to whistle blow, albeit within the system.
Merits of whistleblowing:
- Exposing Unethical Behaviour: When corporations and government agencies step over legal and ethical lines, whistle-blowers can make these practices public knowledge, which can lead to violators being held accountable.
- Take care of things internally:Stronger whistle-blower protection laws all over the world, such as in the EU and Australia, mean that if you do not listen to and act upon whistleblowing tips internally, people may decide to report externally, for example to the media, and are legally protected if they do so.
- Reduce losses when misconduct occurs:Whistleblowing benefits organisations through significant loss savings. Organisations that did not have a whistleblowing system in place suffered losses that were twice the size compared to those who did have a whistleblowing system.
- Build trust in your brand: 50% of the participants responded that building trust was the main benefit of a whistleblowing system. An openness to whistleblowing demonstrates a commitment to high ethical standards and builds trust in the company.
- Ensure legal compliance: Having a system in place for whistleblowing benefits organisations by reducing compliance risk.
Demerits of whistleblowing:
- The world, government, corporates and even society to an extent do not like whistle-blowers and some countries go so far as to call them ‘traitors’
- The case of Edward Snowden and Julian Assange of Wikileaks proves the point
- Whistle-blowers face legal action, criminal charges, social stigma, and termination from any position, office, or job.
- Vindictive tactics to make the individual’s work more difficult and/or insignificant, assassination of character, formal reprimand, and difficult court proceedings
Ethical perspective:
The ethics of whistleblowing is a tricky matter. Whistle-blowing brings two moral values, fairness and loyalty, into conflict.
In the case where a company does serious harm through its service or product, the disclosure of such information for the sake of public constitute the ground for an understanding that takes whistleblowing as an ethical behaviour.
The situations where whistleblowing is morally justified:
- Whenever and wherever the product/service of the firm will cause considerable harm to the public.
- Whenever an employee feels serious threat or harm to him or anybody he should report to the firm.
- If an immediate boss does not care for report (whistle blowing) the employee should go up to highest level to present his case.
Conclusion
A good civil servant would adhere to the foundational principles and fight against corrupt practices in a pragmatic way as the situation demands.
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