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: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
There are several examples — in water management for instance — of how our ancestors showed they were part of a super generation.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the development of water conservation techniques during ancient and medieval 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:
Begin by giving context.
Body:
First, write about the development and progress of water conservation techniques in the ancient India – from Harappan water harvesting to post-Gupta structures such as Ghatiyantra etc. Substantiate with examples.
First, write about the development and progress of water conservation techniques in the Medieval India – during Sultanate, Mughal period, Chola and the Vijayanagar period.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising and their relevance in the present-day.
Introduction
Ancient Indians understood the art of water governance. Most of India’s traditional water management has been at the community level; relying upon diverse, imaginative and effective methods for harvesting, storing, and managing rainfall, runoff and stream flow. Many Indian cities, including Delhi and Bangalore, face a water crisis, especially that of freshwater. A World Bank study puts the plight of the country in perspective: 163 million Indians lack access to safe drinking water; 210 million Indians lack access to improved sanitation; 21% of communicable diseases are linked to unsafe water.
Body
Traditional water conservation methodologies in Ancient & Medieval times
- Archaeological evidence shows that the practice of water conservation is deep rooted in the science of ancient India.
- Excavations show that the cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation had excellent systems of water harvesting and drainage. The settlement of Dholavira, laid out on a slope between two storm water channels, is a great example of water engineering.
- Chanakya’s Arthashashtra mentions irrigation using water harvesting systems.
- Sringaverapura, near Allahabad, had a sophisticated water harvesting system that used the natural slope of the land to store the floodwaters of the river Ganga.
- When Kempegowda began to work on his dream city of Bengaluru, his mother only had two pieces of advice — ‘ Keregalam Kattu, and Marangalam Nedu (Build lakes, plant trees’).
- The Pallavas had a separate body for lake management called the “ Eri Varyam”.
- King Rudradaman of Junagadh, Gujarat, spent all of his personal fortune repairing the embankments of lake Sudarshana when it was destroyed in a cloud burst.
- The Rani Ki Vav (or the queen’s stepwell) in Gujarat was built by queen Udayamati which some say was in memory of King Bhimdev — also a symbol of love, wherein a heritage structure quenches the thirst of millions.
- The illustrious Karikala Chola created the great anicut of Kallanai (Tamil Nadu), one of the oldest water regulatory structures and a heritage irrigation structure that is still in use today.
- Raja Raja Chola I built over 5,000 dams and set up a water ministry. Some such as the Uyyakondan channel (985-1013 AD) are still functional.
Other traditional water conservation structures:
- Katta:
- Katta is a temporary structure made by binding mud and loose stones available locally. Built across small streams and rivers, this stone bund slows the flow of water, and stores a large amount (depending upon its height) during the dry months.
- The collected water gradually seeps into ground and increase the water level of nearby wells. In coastal areas, they also minimize the flow of fresh water into the sea.
- It is a cost effective and simple method, used widely in rural areas. Series of stone bunds built one behind the other have proved to be more effective than modern concrete dams in some villages, as these local structures can be easily repaired by farmers themselves.
- These water soak pits called as Madakas in Karnataka, Pemghara in Odisha and Johads in Rajasthan, are one of the oldest systems used to conserve and recharge ground water. Water from Johads is still been widely used by farmers to irrigate fields in many parts of India. In fact, the arid state of Rajasthan has seen a drastic improvement in water conservation due to the revival of Johads
- Bawarisare unique stepwells that were once a part of the ancient networks of water storage in the cities of Rajasthan. The little rain that the region received would be diverted to man-made tanks through canals built on the hilly outskirts of cities.
- The water would then percolate into the ground, raising the water table and recharging a deep and intricate network of aquifers.
- In Himachal Pradesh, kuhls(surface water channels) have been used since ancient times to carry glacial waters from rivers and streams into valley fields. These kuhls need to be desilted and fortified to prevent them from breaking during torrential rainfall.
- Jhalarasare typically rectangular-shaped stepwells that have tiered steps on three or four sides. These stepwells collect the subterranean seepage of an upstream reservoir or a lake. Jhalaras were built to ensure easy and regular supply of water for religious rites, royal ceremonies and community use. The city of Jodhpur has eight jhalaras, the oldest being the Mahamandir Jhalara that dates back to 1660 AD.
- Ahar Pynesare traditional floodwater harvesting systems indigenous to South Bihar. Ahars are reservoirs with embankments on three sides that are built at the end of diversion channels like pynes. Pynes are artificial rivulets led off from rivers to collect water in the ahars for irrigation in the dry months. Paddy cultivation in this relatively low rainfall area depends mostly on ahar pynes.
- Another effective traditional water management system is bamboo drip irrigation, practiced in the tribal pockets of the Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya. In this, a network of bamboo pipes of varying diameters, lengths and positioning is used to harvest water from hill springs or streams. This can be adopted on a larger scale wherever possible.
- Nagaland’s Zabo is also a great way of collecting run-off in community tanks/ponds. Rainwater that falls on forested hilltops is led by channels that deposit it in pond-like structures created on the terraced hillsides. The channels also pass through cattle yards, collecting the dung and urine of animals, before ultimately meandering into fields at the foot of the hill.
Role of traditional water conservation structures in India at present:
- Ecologically safe engineering marvels of water conservation have existed in India for nearly 1,500 years, including traditional systems of water harvesting, such as the bawari, jhalara, nadi, tanka, and khadin.
- They continue to remain viable and cost-effective alternatives for replenishing depleted groundwater aquifers.
- With government support, they could be revived, upgraded and productively combined with modern rainwater-saving techniques such as anicuts, percolation tanks, injection wells and subsurface barriers. This may be a far more sustainable approach to alleviating the water scarcity crisis across India.
- The basic concept underlying all these techniques is that rain should be harvested whenever and wherever it falls.
Conclusion
These ecologically safe traditional systems are viable and cost-effective alternatives to rejuvenate India’s depleted water resources. Productively combining these structures with modern rainwater-saving techniques, such as percolation tanks, injection wells and subsurface barriers, could be the answer to India’s perennial water woes.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express , Indian Express
Why the question:
The Supreme Court empowering the police in Delhi, UP and Uttarakhand to initiate action against loose cannons indulging in hate speech suo motu irrespective of their religion, could end up being a double-edged weapon.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the consequences of hate speech and ways to address it.
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 defining hate speech.
Body:
First, write about the impact of hate speech on society,
Next, write in detail about various legal and constitutional measures that have been provided for curbing hate speech. Write about how far they have been successful or unsuccessful in achieving the desired results.
Finally, write about what can be done in future by government, judiciary, civil society etc so as to reduce instances of hate speech.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
The term hate speech is understood as any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, color, descent, gender or other identity factor.
The Law Commission, in its 267th report on hate speech, said such utterances have the potential to provoke individuals and society to commit acts of terrorism, genocide, and ethnic cleansing.
There is no international legal definition of hate speech, and the characterization of what is ‘hateful’ is controversial and disputed.
Body
Impact of hate speech on the society
- Hate speech is a discursive process of pushing marginalised groups outside of social, economic and political spheres of society by disseminating hate propaganda and encouraging discrimination.
- At its most harmful, it is widely recognized as a precursor to ethnic cleansing.
- Internal Security:The Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013 was triggered by a fake video that incited communal passions. In the West, hate speech combined with fake news on minorities has induced an anti-immigration sentiment (e.g. : France, Italy, Greece)
- User homophily and Bubble phenomenon:Users with matching political views exchange one-sided information and opinions that suit their own convictions, reinforcing them even further, even if those were based on false information. E.g. : Twitter prompts users to follow those who express similar views or posts.
- Igniting extremist sentiments:Fake news’ perpetuates, previously locally found, extremist ideas and groups together dangerously like-minded people e.g. – Neo-Nazis in Germany, Separatists in Kashmir.
- Mob lynching:Rumours of child lifting in Jharkhand led to mob lynching on innocent victims.
- Violence:An atmosphere of violence and chaos is created directly or indirectly. The Christchurch Terror attack on a mosque by an extremist was a result of Islamophobia (a direct result of hate speech).
- Misinformation and disinformationdue to hate speech and fake news have led to riots as seen in the Delhi Riots case 2020.
Measures needed
Measures:
- The world’s biggest social media companies, including Facebook, Google, Twitter and ByteDance, are exploring an industry-wide alliance to curb fake news on their platforms in India.
- The Election Commission of India must tie up with tech companies to identify the creator of such news.
- Educating the end-users.
- The government should bring out a policy framework on the possible harm due to the internet messaging platforms to engage at a deeper level.
- Imposing hefty fines, like in Germany the Social media companies face fines of up to €50m if they persistently fail to remove illegal content from their sites.
Way forward
- Clarity and technological upgradation is needed to deal with this and a mechanism to get down such material, which is prone to disturb social setup.
- Improving the level of training in equality and non-discrimination among police forces and legal bodies, improving research and encouraging reporting of such content.
- Indian government has been pushing for internet platforms to locate their servers in the country, which might help address dangerous speech in real time.
- Generating contra-narratives on social networks and raising public awareness through campaigns to tackle extremism.
- There can be an internationally accepted law that places the responsibility on social media companies like Facebook to tackle hate speech by deleting obviously illegal content within 24 hours if there is a request from the Government of a particular nation.
- Social media platforms need to take responsibility to ensure transparency, accountability and a system of rules and guidelines that users can recognize as standards, and which when enforced in a regularized fashion can begin to act as precedents. Thus, users, police and civil society actors will have a clear sense of what kind of material is likely to be taken down.
- Public authorities must be held accountable for dereliction of the duty of care and also for non-compliance with this court’s orders by not taking action to prevent vigilante groups from inciting communal disharmony and spreading hate against citizens of the country and taking the laws into their own hands.
- Therefore giving a proper definition to hate speech would be the first step to deal with the menace and other initiatives such as spreading awareness amongst the public is the need of the hour.
Topic: Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The Ministry of Home Affairs has cancelled the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) licence of Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) and Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust (RGCT), organisations that are associated with the Nehru-Gandhi family, for alleged violations of the provisions of the Act.
Key Demand of the question:
To understand the importance of NGOs and the impact of of FCRA on NGOs.
Directive word:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyze, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly mention the role of NGOs in civil society.
Body:
Explain the three changes brought about by the amendment to FCRA and how it would impact the normal functioning of NGOs and on the other hand mention the intent behind such a legislation.
Mention the rationale behind such regulation.
Conclusion:
Conclude by stressing on striking a balance between promotion of NGOs and ensuring National security.
Introduction
The Ministry of Home Affairs has cancelled the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) licence of Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) and Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust (RGCT), organisations that are associated with the Nehru-Gandhi family, for alleged violations of the provisions of the Act.
An amended FCRA was enacted under the UPA government in 2010. The law was amended again by the current government in 2020, giving the government tighter control and scrutiny over the receipt and utilisation of foreign funds by NGOs. A legal challenge to the 2020 amendments was rejected by the Supreme Court in April 2022.
Body
India has nearly 3.4 million NGOs, working in a variety of fields ranging from disaster relief to advocacy for marginalised and disadvantaged communities. There the role and responsibilities are immense in developing country like India, which can listed as follows:
- Bridging The Gap:NGOs endeavour to plug gaps in the government’s programmes and reach out to sections of people often left untouched by state projects. For example, providing aid to migrant workers in Covid-19 crisis.
- Also, they are engaged in diverse activities, relating to human and labour rights, gender issues, healthcare, environment, education, legal aid, and even research.
- Role of an Enabler:Community-level outfits and self-help groups are critical for bringing any change in the ground
- Acting as a Pressure Group:There are political NGOs that mobilise public opinion against government’s policies and actions.
- The Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy in its report has pointed out that there will not only be an increase in school dropouts and child marriages but also a decrease in immunisation and access to healthcare due to the economic downturn economic downturn induced by Covid-19.
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment, 2020:
- It seeks to prohibit ‘public servants’ from receiving any foreign funding.
- It proposes to reduce the use of foreign funds to meet administrative costs by NGOs from the existing 50 per cent to 20 per cent.
- It seeks to “prohibit any transfer of foreign contribution to any association/person”.
- It proposes to make Aadhaar cards a mandatory identification document for all office-bearers, directors and other key functionaries of NGOs or associations eligible to receive foreign donations.
- It seeks to allow for the central government to hold a summary inquiry to direct bodies with FCRA approval to “not utilise the unutilised foreign contribution or receive the remaining portion of foreign contribution”.
- And to limit the use of foreign funds for administrative purposes. This would impact research and advocacy organisations which use the funding to meet their administrative costs.
Government Guidelines for NGO’s and issues
- The amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) enacted last year that among others made it compulsory for NGOs to open a bank account in Delhi has crippledthe work of many organisations who are unable to receive foreign funds.
- The amendments have made the FCRA, 2010 more stringent, with prohibition of transfer of funds from one NGO to another, decrease of administrative expensesthrough foreign funds from 50 per cent to 20 per cent,making Aadhaar mandatory for registration, and giving the government powers to stop utilisation of foreign funds through a “summary enquiry”.
- Registered NGOs can receive foreign contribution for five purposes — social, educational, religious, economic and cultural. An FCRA registration is mandatory for NGOs to receive foreign funds. There are 22,591 FCRA registered NGOs.
- The petitioner argued that it applied to open the account before the March 31 deadline but the administrative delays on the part of the bank and the Ministry severely restricted its activities including providing COVID-19 related relief and paying of urgent salaries of staff and also affected its charitable and educational activities.
- Any organisation seeking registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) must have operated for at least three years and spent “a minimum amount of Rs 15 lakh on its core activities for the benefit of society during the last three financial years”.
- Any organisation seeking prior permission for receiving a “specific amount from a specific donor for carrying out specific activities or projects” shall “submit a specific commitment letter from the donor indicating the amount of foreign contribution and the purpose for which it is proposed to be given”.
- The Centre has said that if the value of foreign contribution is over Rs 1 crore, it may be given in instalments “provided that the second and subsequent instalment shall be released after submission of proof of utilisation of 75 per cent of the foreign contribution received in the previous instalment and after field inquiry of the utilisation of foreign contribution.”
- In the newly notified rules, the Centre has made an insertion in Rule 9 – which deals with obtaining registration or prior permission to receive foreign funds – which makes the process more cumbersome for NGOs.
Conclusion
The legislation will have far-reaching consequences on the fields of education, health, people’s livelihoods, gender justice and indeed democracy in India. There is no denying the fact that there are black sheep in the sector. But sincere adherence to the existing framework could easily weed them out. The new laws will overload the NGOs with new bureaucratic tasks and open the floodgates for arbitrary action by the authorities.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the characteristics of grassland ecosystems and the impact of various threats to it.
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 the spread of various grassland ecosystems across the world.
Body:
First, write about the characteristics of grassland ecosystems – limited annual rainfall, dry climate, Lack of nutrients, Frequent fires, vegetation growth dominated by grasses.
Next, write about the impact of various natural and human disturbances to grassland ecosystem – Landslides, flash floods, wind storms, harvesting, planting and hunting are activities that have affected the organisms and landscapes within this type of ecosystem. Animals that graze in grasslands can also help to erode the territory if they overfeed. Urban development, agricultural production and invasive plants are all factors that work to destroy grasslands.
Conclusion:
Conclude by mentioning various measures taken to tackle to protect grasslands.
Introduction
Grasslands are open areas of land where grasses or grass like plants are the dominant species. Other forms of vegetation such as trees are rare in grasslands because they are not suited to thrive in the grassland’s dry environment. Grasslands receive water through rainfall, and when it does occur the grasses use their roots to search for moisture. Grass within this type of environment reproduces by releasing pollen when the winds blow or by producing plants from their roots.
Body
Features of the grassland ecosystem
- Limited annual rainfall
- Grasslands ecosystem receives quite limited rainfall annually, and it covers almost 25% of the total land surface of the Earth.
- Limited rain causes no forest growth in this region.
- Grassland ecosystem is also prone to drought and uncertain precipitation.
- Temperature
- The temperature varies a lot throughout the year. In summer season the temperature of temperate grasslands becomes too hot up to 38 degrees Celsius, whereas in winter seasons it reduces up to -40 degrees Celsius making it too cold.
- Regular fire in the grassland ecosystem
- Fires in grasslands are one of the important characteristics.
- Due to dry climate and flash lighting, the dry grass catches fire quite easily.
- Regular fire in grasslands increases the growth of grasses in fields, but it restricts the growth of trees.
- Lack of nutrients in the soil.
- Poor vegetation
- It is also a vital characteristic of the grassland ecosystem.
- Very few numbers of trees is found in acres of grassland areas.
- The dry climate and less rainfall is a major reason for poor vegetation in a grassland ecosystem.
- Diversity in animal species
- Grasslands are home for a huge variety of animal species.
- They provide a big treat for grazing animals.
Impact of various natural and human disturbances to grassland ecosystem
- Natural and human disturbances to grassland areas can cause changes within this particular ecosystems environment.
- Because these ecosystems are relatively dry with a strong seasonal climate, they are sensitive to climatic changes and vulnerable to shifts in climatic regime.
- Grasslands are threatened by habitat loss, which can be caused by human actions, such as unsustainable agricultural practices, overgrazing, and crop clearing.
- The biggest impact that humans have on grasslands is by developing open areas for farming or urban development.
- Not only does the conversion of land into crops change the ecosystem, but so does the farming of livestock.
- Hunting presents a serious impact on grassland biomes. Poachers likewise kill rhinoceroses for their tusks, and elephants for their ivory on Africa savannas without any regard to protection of the species.
- Climate changecauses ecological succession, in which the ecosystem of an area develops into another.
- Climate change impacts to grasslands and prairie bioregions include increased seasonal, annual, minimum, and maximum temperature and changing precipitation patterns.
Conclusion
Humans do not have only a negative impact on grasslands. Some humans do their part to preserve the land and restore it. National parks have been developed around grasslands, and some organizations replant depleted areas. Governments have enacted laws against the hunting of endangered animals. In particular, the U.S. National Parks Service has preserved land to foster the American bison population. While poaching still exists in many areas, there are efforts to stop it.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the cause, impact of biomagnification and how it is affecting Indian rivers.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining biomagnification.
Body:
First, in brief, explain the mechanism behind biomagnification.
Next, write about the various causes of biomagnification – Agricultural Products, Organic Contaminants, Plastic Pollution, Mining etc.
Next, write about the hazardous impact of biomagnification and how it is affecting Indian rivers. Substantiate with facts and examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude by mentioning various measures that are needed to tackle biomagnification.
Introduction
Biomagnification, also known as bio amplification or biological magnification, refers to the tendency of pollutants to concentrate as they move from one trophic level to the next. Thus, in biomagnification there is an increase in concentration of a pollutant from one link in a food chain to another. In order for biomagnification to occur, the pollutant must be:
- long-lived
- mobile
- soluble in fats
- biologically active
Body
Why Biomagnification occurs
- This increase can occur as a result of:
- Persistence– where the substance cannot be broken down by environmental processes
- Food chain energetics– where the substance’s concentration increases progressively as it moves up a food chain
- Low or non-existent rate of internal degradation or excretion of the substance– mainly due to water-insolubility
Causes
- Agricultural Products
- The chemicals used in the agricultural sector contain highly toxic substances that mainly result in biomagnification.
- These chemicals come from herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and inorganic fertilizers.
- These chemicals penetrate into the soil where they accumulate to toxic levels and also find their way into the rivers and lakes through surface runoff
- Organic Contaminants
- Organic substances such as biosolids and manures have essential nutrients that are used by plants such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon
- The biosolids that are used in agriculture farms are treated using toxic chemicals that may contain heavy metals.
- When these organic substances are released into the farms they release harmful substances that are absorbed by the primary consumers and later accumulate in other organisms
- Plastic Pollution
- Disposal of plastic waste near or in water bodies may not only be directly harmful to aquatic organisms but also other animals up the trophic level in general
- The pollution in oceans caused by ‘Ghost Nets’ – these are fishing nets that have been abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded in the ocean; are also contributing for the issue
- Research shows that plastic contains a harmful chemical called Bisphenol Awhich is one of the major contaminants released into the water bodies
- Disposal of plastic waste near or in water bodies may not only be directly harmful to aquatic organisms but also other animals up the trophic level in general
- Mining
- When mining substances such as zinc, copper, cobalt, lead, and other chemicals, these mineral deposits may be released into the aquatic and adjacent farm environment where their toxicity levels rise tremendously upon absorption by aquatic and farm animals or crops
- Toxic Gases and Air Pollution
- The release of gases into the environment can also contribute to Biomagnification. Exhaust gases from vehicles and industries that manufacture and refine oil into the air do not only cause air pollution but they can be dissolved by the rainwater and fall as acidic rain
- The chemicals in the acid rain are absorbed by soil and water bodies. They are then absorbed by primary consumers and later find their way up the food chain
Impacts on Indian Rivers
- India’s 42 rivers have at least two toxic heavy metals beyond the permissible limit, says a research conducted by Central Water Commission
- Ganga, the national river, was found to be polluted with five heavy metals—chromium, copper, nickel, lead and iron
- In this pursuance, the concentrations of toxic metals in grains and vegetables have grown in contaminated soils, and have increased at alarming rates.
- This poses a serious threat to humans and the environment because of its toxicity, non-biodegradability and bioaccumulation
Measures needed
- Eliminating Heavy Metals at source
- Heavy metals can be found in almost every industrially manufactured product such as petroleum.
- Therefore, toxic substances such as lead arsenic and mercury ought to be prohibited and completely eliminated and their usage in petroleum products and other industries banned.
- Also, industries such as coal plants that produce and rely on various heavy metals should have preservation and wellsprings that will help in the reduction of this toxic substance.
- Meanwhile, the coal industry needs to come up with innovative strategies to eliminate mercury emissions
- Cleaning of contaminated locale
- The government should identify areas that are contaminated with solid wastes and should be cleaned completely
- They should then supplant them with waste decrease programs and carry out other programs that are aimed at treating and rehabilitating the soil for future use
- Institutions should lead the way
- Health sectors should eliminate the use of mercury-containing items and use more secure alternatives
- The use of home products like PVC plumbing materials, lead paints, CCA and ACZA treated wood, and other products containing heavy metals like Mercury and Arsenic should be restricted
Way forward
- Restricting dumping any kind of waste in the river
- Preventing washing of clothes and animals in rivers, to reduce inflow of chemicals from soaps/detergents
- Reducing disposal of Hazardous fishing net
- Educating people and making them aware about the side effects
- Elimination of use of heavy metal
- Avoid usage of PVC
Conclusion
Biomagnification is thus a major threat to humans, aquatic creatures, and the environment as a whole. Steps must be taken to avoid the usage of toxins or find an alternative as such. Biomagnification also provides specific information about the number of contaminants present in a given location. This pollution data thus reveals the information about the impact on populations and ecosystems.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions;
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Philosophical Mondays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about deontological ethics and its relationship with duty.
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:
Begin by defining deontology.
Body:
Explain that Deontology is duty ethics, so it compares a person’s actions against some duty or imperative. Discuss the rationale behind it. Write about the significance of the deontological ethics and with suitable illustrations explain it.
Conclusion:
Completed by summarising their importance.
Introduction
Deontology is also referred to as duty-based ethics. Deontological ethics focuses on how actions follow certain moral rules. So, the action is judged rather than the consequences of the action. The biggest proponent of deontological ethics was Immanuel Kant who said that moral rules should be adhered to if universalising the opposite would make an impossible world
Body
Deontological (duty-based) ethics are concerned with what people do, not with the consequences of their actions.
- Do the right thing.
- Do it because it’s the right thing to do.
- Don’t do wrong things.
- Avoid them because they are wrong.
It is based on each individual’s duty or obligation towards each other, all living things, and the environment based on moral beliefs and values. It teaches about always acting in good faith and adheres to the Golden Rule to treat others the way you want to be treated by them.
Examples
- The Ten Commandmentsare examples of deontology.
- In Mahabharata, during Kurukshetra battle Arjun finds himself in ethical dilemma while attacking his kinships. At that time Krishna talks about Deontological Ethics suggesting to focus on rightful duty and not on the Consequences and deaths while delivering the rightful duty.
- Similarly, whole Geeta is based on “Detachment of oneself with consequence and focussing on Duty”
Deontological ethics place special emphasis on the relationship between duty and the morality of human actions
- Emphasises the value of every human being
- Duty-based ethical systems tend to focus on giving equal respect to all human beings. This provides a basis for human rights – it forces due regard to be given to the interests of a single person even when those are at odds with the interests of a larger group.
- It creates a level of personal responsibility.
- Deontology also asks that people act as if they were responsible for creating laws and expectations within their society. Actions should only be taken in a way that would harmonize society if all the laws and procedures enacted were to harmonize. Creating disharmony would be considered ethically wrong, so it would be an action to be avoided.
- It creates a guideline to follow.
- In deontology, right is always “right” and wrong is always “wrong.” There are no exceptions to this black-and-white concept, even if the situations rise to the extreme. It is a process where all members of a society can aspire to be virtuous because they understand what is expected of them from an ethical standpoint.
- It offers motivation.
- People hesitate when making decisions because they fear what the consequence of a decision will be. In deontology, the consequence is taken out of consideration. Only the action is evaluated for “right” or “wrong,” so that creates a better level of motivation to make decisions.
- It delivers justice.
- Deontology may offer an individualized perspective, but there are no shades of gray within this ethical approach. It is a black-and-white evaluation process. Something is either “right” or “wrong,” which dictates that the individual must always choose the option that is “right.”
- It can still operate under objective guidelines.
- Deontology can create similarities between individuals with like-minded ethics. It is also something that can be handed down from generation to generation. Individuals can learn what is consistently “right” and consistently “wrong” and teach that knowledge to others.
Conclusion
Deontology is simple to apply. It just requires that people follow the rules and do their duty. This approach tends to fit well with our natural intuition about what is or isn’t ethical. Unlike consequentialism, which judges actions by their results, deontology doesn’t require weighing the costs and benefits of a situation. This avoids subjectivity and uncertainty because one only has to follow set rules
Value addition
The advantages of Deontological ethics are
- Emphasises the value of every human being
- Duty-based ethical systems tend to focus on giving equal respect to all human beings. This provides a basis for human rights – it forces due regard to be given to the interests of a single person even when those are at odds with the interests of a larger group.
- It creates a level of personal responsibility.
- Deontology also asks that people act as if they were responsible for creating laws and expectations within their society. Actions should only be taken in a way that would harmonize society if all the laws and procedures enacted were to harmonize. Creating disharmony would be considered ethically wrong, so it would be an action to be avoided.
- It creates a guideline to follow.
- In deontology, right is always “right” and wrong is always “wrong.” There are no exceptions to this black-and-white concept, even if the situations rise to the extreme. It is a process where all members of a society can aspire to be virtuous because they understand what is expected of them from an ethical standpoint.
- It offers motivation.
- People hesitate when making decisions because they fear what the consequence of a decision will be. In deontology, the consequence is taken out of consideration. Only the action is evaluated for “right” or “wrong,” so that creates a better level of motivation to make decisions.
- It delivers justice.
- Deontology may offer an individualized perspective, but there are no shades of gray within this ethical approach. It is a black-and-white evaluation process. Something is either “right” or “wrong,” which dictates that the individual must always choose the option that is “right.”
- It can still operate under objective guidelines.
- Deontology can create similarities between individuals with like-minded ethics. It is also something that can be handed down from generation to generation. Individuals can learn what is consistently “right” and consistently “wrong” and teach that knowledge to others.
There are few shortcomings too
- Duty-based ethics sets absolute rules. The only way of dealing with cases that don’t seem to fit is to build a list of exceptions to the rule.
- Allows acts that make the world a less good place
- Because duty-based ethics is not interested in the results it can lead to courses of action that produce a reduction in the overall happiness of the world.
- No consequences are considered. Deontology looks at the action be taken on its own. There is no consideration given to the consequence of an action. Even though the concepts of “right” and “wrong” can be taught to others, it is up to each person to decide their individualized ethics.
- It is selfish. At its core, deontology only considers the individual and what is best for that person, at that time. There is no thought of others, of culture, or of society. It focuses on each decision, in the moment, and determines the ethics of that choice at that time.
Topic: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour;
7. What is your understanding of altruism? Discuss its need in the contemporary society. (150 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: stanford.edu
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Philosophical Mondays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
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:
Define altruism.
Body:
Elaborate, Everyday life is filled with small acts of altruism, from holding the door for strangers to giving money to people in need. News stories often focus on grander cases of altruism, such as a man who dives into an icy river to rescue a drowning stranger or a donor who gives thousands of dollars to a local charity.
Next, write about the need for altruism in the present day society.
Conclusion:
Summarise by highlighting the importance of altruism in present day and the need to use it for positive outcomes.
Introduction
‘The Best Way to Find Yourself Is To Lose Yourself In The Service Of Others’ – Mahatma Gandhi.
Altruism means acting in the best interest of others rather than in one’s own self-interest. Altruism or selflessness is the opposite of selfishness. Some people believe altruism constitutes the essence of morality. The above quote captures the essence of Altruism.
Body
Importance of Altruism in contemporary society
- Although we often act selfishly, we also seem to be wired to cooperate with others. For example, studies show that when people look for mates, they tend to look for kindness more than any other quality.
- People’s moral judgments are often driven by emotion. And empathy for others seems to encourage altruism. Altruism is when we act to promote someone else’s welfare, even at a risk or cost to ourselves. Studies have found that people’s first impulse is to cooperate rather than compete. For e.g.: Good Samaritans are driven by sheer altruism to help road users involved in a crash.
- Altruism has deep roots in human nature because helping and cooperation promote the survival of our species. Darwin himself argued that altruism, which he called “sympathy” or “benevolence,” is “an essential part of the social instincts.”
- Another emotion, called “elevation,” appears to inspire altruistic behaviour, too. We feel elevation when we see another person act virtuously, such as by helping someone in need. For e.g.: Helping the homeless can be altruistic as long as it is not done for recognition or to make oneself feel better.
- Altruism also builds social connections. For example,studies show that people who are altruistic tend to be happier, to be healthier, and to live longer.
- So, while altruism leads us to do what’s best for others, it also makes us feel good in the process.
Conclusion
Individuals come to exhibit charitable, philanthropic, and other pro-social, altruistic actions for the common good both by nature and by training. Moral education, law, civic leadership also establish ethos to develop altruism. Building social capital is crucial for good governance, economic development and social harmony. At its heart lies altruism and cooperation.
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