[Mission 2023] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 18 January 2023

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

General Studies – 1

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

1. The Green Revolution was initiated in the 1960s in order to increase food production, alleviate extreme poverty and malnourishment in the country. Analyse its performance. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Chapter-3 – NCERT XII – Politics in India since Independence

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 benefits and limitations of green revolution in India.

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: 

Start by defining green revolution.

Body:

First, Mention on the fact about how Green Revolution took care of India’s food security crisis by boosting food productivity, introduction of farm machinery etc.

Next, on the flipside discuss the new issues arising from Green revolution such as high usage of pesticide and weedicide, side-lining of small and marginal farmers, declining soil fertility, depletion of ground water, mention that hunger and malnutrition levels were still high etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

Introduction

The green revolution in India  in 1960’s and 70’s refers to a period when Indian Agriculture was converted into an industrial system due to the adoption of modern methods and technology such as the use of HYV seeds, tractors, irrigation facilities, pesticides and fertilizers. The Economic Survey 2015-16 claimed Indian agriculture to be “a victim of its own success—especially the green revolution”, by becoming cereal-centric, regionally biased and input-intensive (land, water and fertilizers).

Norman-e-Borlaug is considered as the father of Green Revolution in World while M.S. Swaminathan is considered as the father of Green Revolution in India.

Body

Success of Green Revolution

• Increase in Agricultural Production and productivity: The production and productivity of wheat, rice, maize and bajra has substantially increased.
• Less Dependence on Imports: After the green revolution, India was finally on its way to self-sufficiency. There was now enough production for the population and to build a stock in case of emergencies. In fact, India was able to start exporting its agricultural produce.
• A Benefit to the Farmers: The Green Revolution has increased the income of farmers and landless labourers. It enabled them to shift to commercial farming from only sustenance farming.
• Dispersal of Rice and Wheat cultivation to non-traditional areas: Green Revolution spread the Rice cultivation to the semi-arid areas of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, and the wheat cultivation has spread to the areas of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and some parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal.

Broader impact of Green Revolution

• Focus only on Food Grains: Although all food-grains including wheat, rice, jowar, bajra and maize have gained from the revolution, other crops such as coarse cereals, pulses and oilseeds were left out of the ambit of the revolution.
  • Major commercial crops like cotton, jute, tea and sugarcane were also left almost untouched by the Green Revolution.
  • This ultimately led to the dangerous trend of Monocropping.
  • Also, neglect of oilseeds has now led to extreme dependency on nations like Malaysia and Indonesia.
• Limited Coverage of HYVP: High Yielding Variety Programme (HYVP) was restricted to only five crops: Wheat, Rice, Jowar, Bajra and Maize.
  • Therefore, non-food grains were excluded from the ambit of the new strategy.
• Led to Regional Disparities: It led to growing disparities in economic development at inter and intra-regional levels. Only 40 percent of the total cropped area benefitted while the rest was left untouched by it.
  • The most benefitted areas are Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh in the north and Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in the south.
  • It has hardly touched the Eastern region, including Assam, Bihar, West Bengal and Orissa and arid and semi-arid areas of Western and Southern India.
  • Only those areas which were already better placed from an agricultural point of view benefitted from Green revolution leading to further aggravated regional disparities.
• Rampant usage of Synthetic fertilizers and pesticides: The Green Revolution resulted in a large-scale use of pesticides and synthetic nitrogen fertilisers for improved irrigation projects and crop varieties.
  • However, little or no efforts were made to educate the farmers, mostly illiterate, about the high risk associated with the intensive use of pesticides.
  • This caused more harm than good to crops and also becomes a cause for environment and soil pollution.
• Water Consumption: The crops introduced during the green revolution were water-intensive crops.
  • Most of these crops being cereals, required almost 50% of dietary water footprint.
  • Canal systems were introduced, and irrigation pumps also sucked out the groundwater to supply the water-intensive crops, such as sugarcane and rice, thus depleting the groundwater levels.
  • For instance, Punjab is a major wheat- and rice-cultivating area, and hence it is one of the highest water depleted regions in India.
• Impacts on Soil and Crop Production: Repeated crop cycle in order to ensure increased crop production depleted the soil’s nutrients.
  • To meet the needs of new kinds of seeds, farmers increased fertilizer usage.
  • The pH level of the soil increased due to the usage of these alkaline chemicals.
  • Toxic chemicals in the soil destroyed beneficial pathogens, which further led to the decline in the yield.
• Unemployment: Except in Punjab, and to some extent in Haryana, farm mechanization under the Green Revolution created widespread unemployment among agricultural labourers in the rural areas.
  • The worst affected were the poor and the landless labourers.
• Health Hazards: The large-scale use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides such as Phosphamidon, Methomyl, Phorate, Triazophos and Monocrotophos resulted in resulted in a number of critical health illnesses including cancer, renal failure, stillborn babies and birth defects.

Conclusion

The Green Revolution, which undeniably ended the country’s “ship-to-mouth” existence and transformed it into an exporter of rice and wheat. In spite of the negative impact, the success of green revolution cannot be dwarfed. The spill over effect of green revolution led to the growth of farm mechanization industries to provide tractors, Fertilizer and pesticide, Agro-based industries etc.

However, it has also led to lopsided growth in agriculture, causing regional and other disparities. Now coupled with frequent droughts, Indian agriculture is under distress. Thus, there is a need for a second green revolution.  The second green revolution must be an Evergreen Revolution, which incorporates technology in harmony with ecology.

Value addition

Ushering second green revolution through sustainable methods

• Micro-irrigation System: It enables optimal synergies of 3 components of Green Revolution-improved seed, water and fertilizer.
• Organic Farming: Can restore degraded land and improve health benefits.
• Precision Farming: It is concerned with using fewer resources and reducing the production cost, by analysing the variation in various aspects of field and environment like- weather, Soil, vegetation, water etc.
• Green Agriculture: A system of agriculture based upon, integrated pest management, integrated nutrient management and it does not eliminate the use of minimum quantities of fertilizer and chemical pesticides.

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

2. The Emergency is often regarded as a dark phase in independent India’s history because this period was marked by unbridled state incarceration, stifling of dissent, and government crackdown on civil liberties. There were reports of frequent human rights violations and the press being censored to a repressive extent. Elaborate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: India since Independence by Bipan Chandra.

Why the question:

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

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the nature of emergency in 1975 and challenges it posed and lessons learnt from it.

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: 

Narrate briefly the historical background and situation of emergency imposed in 1975.

Body:

Body:

In first part, write about the challenges posed by internal emergency which was proclaimed by then congress government including suspension of fundamental rights is considered one of the most traumatic periods for the fledgling democracy.

Next, write about the key lessons learnt and changes introduced due it – This time period is also seen as the coming of the age of the Indian democracy. But, the Indian parliament passed amendments to the constitution, the 44th amendment, to ensure that the future governments will not find it easy to impose another emergency in the country.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

Introduction

The Emergency was set in motion by the Indira Gandhi government on June 25, 1975 and was in place for 21 months till its withdrawal on March 21, 1977. The order gave Ms. Gandhi the authority to rule by decree wherein civil liberties were curbed. An external Emergency was already in place even before the imposition of the internal one.

Threat to national security and bad economic conditions were cited as reasons for the declaration. Considering it as a black chapter, a famous historian Coomi Kapoor noted “The number of those in Indira Gandhi’s prisons during the Emergency far exceeded the total number jailed during the 1942 Quit India”

Body

Background

• In 1975, the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi advised the president to proclaim emergency without consulting her cabinet.
• The cabinet was informed of the proclamation after it was made, fait accompli.

Challenges posed by emergency imposed

• Liberty curtailed: The union government misused its emergency powers and curbed democratic rights of the citizens, opposition parties and of the press.
  • Electricity of the newspaper houses got disconnected, leaders of opposition parties were arrested.
• Free press was suppressed: Government curtailed the freedom of press via “Press censorship” and made it mandatory to get its approval before publishing it.
• Protests, strikes and public agitations were not allowed.
• Fundamental right of constitutional remedies to move the court for restoring their FRs got suspended.
• Banning organizations: Religious and cultural organization like RSS, Jamait-E-Islami was banned on the apprehension of disturbance to social and communal harmony.
• Misuse of power: Government misused the provision of preventive detention, arrested the political workers of opposition parties.
• Torture and custodial deaths occurred during Emergency, arbitrary relocation of poor people, imposition of compulsory sterilization to control population.

Changes introduced to keep power of government in check

The power misused came as a wakeup call for the entire nation and consequent steps were taken to amend the constitution (44th constitutional amendment) to take safeguards against misuse of powers:

• Ground for Emergency declaration: The word ‘internal disturbance’ was replaced by ‘armed rebellion’ in respect of national emergency.
• President reconsideration: Empowered the president to send back once, the advice of the cabinet for reconsideration.
  • Made the president to declare a national emergency only on the written recommendation of the cabinet.
• Liberty restored: Provided that the fundamental rights guaranteed by article 20 and 21 cannot be suspended even during emergency.
  • Gave constitutional protection to publication in newspaper of true reports of the proceedings of parliament and state legislatures.
• Approval by both houses: The proclamation of Emergency must be approved by both the Houses of Parliament within one month from the date of its issue.
  • However, if the proclamation of emergency is issued at a time when the Lok Sabha has been dissolved or the dissolution of the Lok Sabha takes place during the period of one month without approving the proclamation, then the proclamation survives until 30 days from the first sitting of the Lok Sabha after its reconstitution, provided the Rajya Sabha has in the meantime approved it.
• Emergency cannot be indefinite: If approved by both the Houses of Parliament, the emergency continues for six months, and can be extended to an indefinite period with an approval of the Parliament for every six months. This provision for periodical parliamentary approval was also added by the 44th Amendment Act of 1978.
• Special majority: Every resolution approving the proclamation of emergency or its continuance must be passed by either House of Parliament by a special majority

Supreme courts intervention in placing checks and balances

• The 38th Amendment Act of 1975 made the declaration of a National Emergency immune from the judicial review. But this provision was subsequently deleted by the 44th Amendment Act of 1978.
• Further, in the Minerva Mills case , (1980), the Supreme Court held that the proclamation of a national emergency can be challenged in a court on the ground of malafide or that the declaration was based on wholly extraneous and irrelevant facts or is absurd or perverse.
• The Supreme Court has thereafter enlarged the concept and the application of Article 21 well beyond what was ever contemplated by the framers of the constitution

Conclusion

The Emergency declared in 1975 (internal emergency) proved to be the most controversial. There was widespread criticism of the misuse of Emergency powers. In the elections held to the Lok Sabha in 1977 after the Emergency, the Congress Party led by Indira Gandhi lost and the Janta Party came to power. This government appointed the Shah Commission to investigate the circumstances that warranted the declaration of an Emergency in 1975. The commission did not justify the declaration of the Emergency. Hence, the 44th Amendment Act was enacted in 1978 to introduce a number of safeguards against the misuse of Emergency provisions.

Value addition

Emergencies declared in India so-far

• This type of Emergency has been proclaimed three times so far–in 1962, 1971 and 1975. The first proclamation of National Emergency was issued in October 1962 on account of Chinese aggression in the NEFA (North-East Frontier Agency– now Arunachal Pradesh), and was in force till January 1968.
• Hence, a fresh proclamation was not needed at the time of war against Pakistan in 1965.
• The second proclamation of national emergency was made in December 1971 in the wake of attack by Pakistan.
• Even when this Emergency was in operation, a third proclamation of National Emergency was made in June 1975.
• Both the second and third proclamations were revoked in March 1977. The first two proclamations (1962 and 1971) were made on the ground of ‘external aggression’, while the third proclamation (1975) was made on the ground of ‘internal disturbance’, that is, certain persons have been inciting the police and the armed forces against the discharge of their duties and their normal functioning.

General Studies – 2

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

3. The influence of civil society organisations, popularly known as NGOs, is increasing. However, their credibility seems to be declining. Examine the issues with respect to the functioning of civil society organisations. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India 

Why the question:

India hosting Civil Society 20 is important because the authentic civil society concept in the country is intertwined with the spirit of voluntarism.

Key Demand of the question: 

To write about the functions of civil society and their successes and limitations in India.

Directive word: 

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

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by mentioning how civil society is considered as a pillar of democracy.

Body:

First, write about how the role of Civil society organizations – They are an important source of information for both citizens and they engage in advocating the public’s rights and wishes of the people, including but not limited to health, environment etc. Cite examples to substantiate.

Next, write about the limitations of civil society in India – foreign funding issues, self-appointed rather than elected, and thus do not represent the popular will etc, opaqueness, anti-national activities etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) are legally constituted organizations, operates independently from the government and are generally considered to be “non-state, non-profit oriented groups who pursue purposes of public interest”. The primary objective of NGOs is to provide social justice, development and human rights. NGOs are generally funded totally or partly by governments and they maintain their non-governmental status by excluding government representatives from membership in the organization.

India hosting Civil Society 20 is important because the authentic civil society concept in the country is intertwined with the spirit of voluntarism.

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

Role of NGOs:

• Protection of Rights:
  • They are playing a protective role by seeing that the tribal rights are safeguarded. Greenpeace is one such organization.
  • Implementation of PESA act to empower gram Sabha to safeguard tribal rights and culture.
  • Implementation of forest right act 2006 to ensure individual and community rights for tribals over forest and forest produce
  • Fighting on land issues, restoration of land rights and Fighting against injustice. E.g.: Dongria Konds’ fight for land in the Niyamgiri hills.
• Education:
  • They have helped facilitate free boarding and lodging to the Tribal children for education
  • Computer centres were also being established by various NGO’s such as Kothari institute.
  • These institutions are directing their energies for socio-economic development of tribes to bring them into fruitful channels of development
• Health and Medicine:
  • NGOs have contributed in a positive note to the development of tribal health and in the protection of their indigenous knowledge base which is either ignored or exploited.
  • Tribals have a profound knowledge of the flora and fauna, the appropriate plant species with medical importance, their location, the parts to be used, time of collection, preparation and administration of the same.
  • Their knowledge of the ethno-medicine is very important   for   their
  • Provision of food: Nutrition programmes and Immunization drives against deadly diseases
• Environmental Conservation:
  • Protection of sacred groves, water bodies etc. which hold cultural significance for tribal population.
  • Fights against construction of dams, roads, industries in the Eco-Sensitive Zones which can affect the ecosystem.
• Livelihood enhancement:
  • Self-employment by Guidance on self-occupation, Handicraft development etc.
  • To overcome the debt trap, several NGO have formed Self-help Groups (SHG’s), which pool money collected from tribals and provide low interest loans to them.
  • Providing market access to the Minor Forest Produce collected by tribals and the products created by them.
  • This helps reduce the distress migration to cities in search of work.
• Awareness Generation:
  • The NGOs create awareness among the tribals by demonstrating the conservation and preservation of the forest and its resources.
  • They use the audio-visual aids for creating a lasting impression and campaign for ensuring the promotion of important herbal plants in kitchen-garden and nurseries.
• Inclusive Development:
  • Activities related with Women’s development: Formation of Women’s groups, Saving group of women, training of self-employment, Women’s Co-operative Society, Income generation for women, Women’s employment, etc.
  • Youth development activities: Formation of Youth groups.

Issues involved in NGO functioning:

• Misappropriation of funds: Many NGOs don’t have sophisticated finance and legal teams, nor do they have the funds to conduct audits.
• The issue of foreign funding: According to government data a total of 3,068 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) received foreign funding above Rs. 22,000 Cr in 2014-15. It is often said that foreign-funded NGOs tries to propagate the foreign propaganda to stall developmental projects. Example: Kudankulam Protest.
• Non-accountable, non-transparent undemocratic functioning: CBI records filed in the Supreme Court show that only 10% of the total registered NGOs under the Societies Registration Act file annual financial statements.
• Money Laundering: Corrupt or unscrupulous NGOs that receive foreign funds may serve as conduits for money laundering.
• Accreditation remains a big challenge as it is very difficult to distinguish whether an organization wants to work for the cause or has been set up only for the purpose of receiving government grants.
• Over dependence on funds from the government dilutes the willingness of NGOs to speak out against the government.
• NGOs are often seen as encroaching on centuries-old tradition and culture of the people, and lead to mass protest at times. Ban of Jallikattu, after the PIL by PETA is one such example

Way Forward:

• A National Accreditation Council consisting of academicians, activist, retired bureaucrats should be made to ensure compliance by NGOs.
• There should be better coordination between Ministries of Home Affairs and Finance in terms of monitoring and regulating illicit and unaccounted funds.
• 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 regulatory mechanism to keep a watch on the financial activities of NGOs and voluntary organizations is the need of the hour.
• Citizens today are keen to play an active role in processes that shape their lives and it is important that their participation in democracy go beyond the ritual of voting and should include promotion of social justice, gender equity, inclusion etc.
• The government should frame guidelines for their accreditation, the manner in which these organizations should maintain their accounts and the procedure for recovery in case they fail to submit their balance sheets.
• Avoid tussle between Home Ministry and Finance Ministry by bringing the regulation of NGOs under one head.
• General Financial Rules, 2005 have mandated a regulatory mechanism for the NGOs and a comprehensive law in line with these rules should be framed in no time.

Conclusion:

NGOs, Pressure groups and CSOs form the backbone of democracy. Democracy does not just revolve around elections but how rights of the citizens are protected and are allowed to hold power holders accountable. The state must respect the articulation of the politics of voice and not just the politics of the vote. The promises of democracy can only be realised through collective action in civil society. A democratic state needs a democratic civil society and a democratic civil society also needs a democratic state. They mutually reinforce each other.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

4. Technology can never exist in isolation; it has to exist within social realities. In the light of the above statement, examine as to how the fourth industrial revolution is shaping the economy and society in the country. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India

Why the question:

Fourth industrial revolution: World Economic Forum advocates it; others fear corporate takeover.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the 4th Industrial Revolution and its impact on Indian economy and society.

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: 

Start the answer by giving an overview of fourth industrial revolution.

Body:

In the first part, write about the major features of 4th Industrial Revolution (4th IR) – characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres

Next, write about the positive impact of 4^th IR on economy and society – Demographic dividend and Employment generation, Strong Banking sector, Global Leader in Industrial revolution, Investments and exports, Agriculture and Health etc.

Next, write about its negative impact – Loss of jobs, Competitiveness, Dumping, Loss to MSMEs, Economic inequality, Environmental Externalities etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) is a term that describes present technological age. It is the fourth industrial era since the inception of the initial Industrial Revolution of the 18th century. The key elements of the fourth revolution are the fusion of technologies ranging from the physical, digital to biological spheres.

Body

As described by the founder and executive chairman of World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab, “the fourth industrial revolution is a technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we live, work and relate to one another”.

Characteristics of IR 4.0:

• It is characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres.
• It brings together digital technology and the physical world to create a new range of products and services.
• The possibilities of billions of people connected by mobile devices, with unprecedented processing power, storage capacity, and access to knowledge, are unlimited.
• And these possibilities will be multiplied by emerging technology breakthroughs in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, autonomous vehicles, 3-D printing, nanotechnology, biotechnology, materials science, energy storage, and quantum computing.
• The revolution is evolving at an exponential rather than a linear pace and it is disrupting almost every industry in every country.

Possible Impact of IR4.0 on Indian Economy:

• For India, the Fourth Industrial Revolution brings tremendous opportunities to leapfrog many stages of development, hastening its journey towards becoming a developed economy.
• It can play a major role in alleviating poverty.
• Better and low-cost health care can be achieved through the implementation of AI-driven diagnostics, personalized treatment, early identification of potential pandemics, and imaging diagnostics, among others.
• Enhancing farmer’s income by providing them with the latest technologies, improvement in crop yield through real-time advisory, advanced detection of pest attacks, and prediction of crop prices to inform sowing practices.
• It will strengthen infrastructure and improve connectivity to the very last village.
• Artificial intelligence can be used to empower and enable specially-abled people.
• It will improve ease of living and ease of doing business using smart technologies.
• Recently, India has announced her drone policy, which will play an important role in security, traffic and mapping.
• Increased automation means more efficient products and processes, faster growth
• It gives a boost for small scale industries as production gets automatic and cheap
• India provides a potentially huge market access.
• There is the very appealing demographic dividend with Indian youth representing approximately 20% of the global workforce by 2020. With more than 50 per cent of its population is under the age of 27, India can play a pivotal role in shaping the global fourth Industrial revolution in a responsible, scalable and inclusive manner.
• There is a rising middle class
• India is expected to become the fifth largest consumer market in two decades. Within this context, any form of consumption, entrepreneurship, startup or industry, can be viewed as a scaling opportunity.
• India also has a robust start-up scene, which reportedly has more firms than anywhere else in the world except for the US and the United Kingdom (UK).
• With one of the youngest labour forces in the world, a sizeable technical aptitude, the second largest number of internet users on mobile devices and the second largest English speaking population, India is well positioned to enhance its global leadership in a post fourth industrial revolution era.

Impact on Society

• In his book The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Klaus Schwab posits that the revolution has a significant impact on human life and society.
• For instance, Schwab predicts that the Fourth Industrial Revolution will change the way people identify themselves, as well as people’s sense of privacy and consumption patterns.
• On a larger scale, Davis highlights three major societal implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution: inequality, security, and identity.
• For instance, the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to increase unemployment may drive economic inequality in society.
• Davis also emphasizes that increasing inequality results in security concerns for citizens, in the form of segregation and social unrest.
• The growing use of the Internet of Things and cloud technology has also led to issues of privacy and security of individuals.
• Schwab predicts that issues involving loss of control over personal data will only intensify as the Fourth Industrial Revolution continues.

Challenges posed by IR 4.0:

• Stiff competition from other countries, high unemployment levels and high incidences of poverty etc.
• Revolution is likely to increase inequality in India as the spread of machines increases markets and disrupts labour markets.
• Inequality represents the greatest societal concern associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
• The largest beneficiaries of innovation tend to be the providers of intellectual and physical capital the innovators, shareholders, and investors which explains the rising gap in wealth between those dependent on capital versus labour.
• As automation substitutes for labour across the entire economy, the net displacement of workers by machines might exacerbate the gap between returns to capital and returns to labour.
• With this revolution, it is also possible that in the future, talent, more than capital, will represent the critical factor of production. This will give rise to a job market increasingly segregated into low-skill/low-pay and high-skill/high-pay segments, which in turn will lead to an increase in social tensions.
• The Fourth Industrial Revolution will change not only what we do but also who we are. It will affect our identity and all the issues associated with it: our sense of privacy, our notions of ownership, our consumption patterns, the time we devote to work and leisure, and how we develop our careers, cultivate our skills, meet people, and nurture relationships.

Way forward

• Governments, businesses and civil society organisations should put together an ecosystem for massive upskilling of the workforce.
• India needs to prepare itself for a period of information and digital abundance, adapt itself to the scorching pace of innovation and learn to collaborate on scale, quickly transform the idea into a breakthrough innovation, shift from a system of time-bound education to a mode of continuous learning and create more employment opportunities than what new and disruptive technologies take away.
• There is a need for good quality education to make India’s youth a productive asset.
• Access to finance commensurate with maturity of the business model and beginning stage of the start-up lifecycle is extremely important to scale innovations.
• Corporates will have a key role in championing this on-going movement, leveraging the ART Model – Alliances, Relationships enabled through Technology.

Conclusion

Industrial Revolution that first began in Great Britain and later in United States (after end of Civil War) has helped nations in developing faster and easier means of mass production. It has transformed lives of people in many ways over about 250 years. India is also catching up with focussing on Industrial Revolution 4.0. Development of new technologies in this era can help the nations in many ways if these technologies are used effectively for the welfare of mankind.

Topic: Disaster and disaster management.

5. The regularity of stampedes in crowd gatherings across the country points towards ineffective crowd management and abject neglect of crowd control measures leading to such disasters. Analyse. What are the NDMA guidelines on crowd management as part of a risk-reduction strategy for religious festivals and public gatherings? (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu , ndma.gov.in

Why the question:

The first stampede, which led to the death of eight people, took place during a roadshow addressed by former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at Kandukur in Nellore district. The second took place at a private event in Guntur, apparently during a rush for freebies, and claimed the lives of three women.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the reasons for stampedes in the country and NDMA guidelines regarding it.

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: 

Start by giving statistic relating stampedes in India.

Body:

In the first part, write about the causes for stampede – massive crowds of people in a setting that is poorly controlled, triggered by rumours, lack of planning and ineffective guidelines etc.

Next, write about the NDMA guidelines in this regard and further steps that are required to have an effective crowd control in the country.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

Poor crowd management mechanism in India has lead to many unprecedented tragedies in India. From religious shrines to railway stations- frequent incidents of human stampedes are an unfortunate reality of Indian life.

Body

Background

• The two back-to-back stampedes at rallies attended by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief have once again put the spotlight on the crowd and their management.
• The first stampede, which led to the death of eight people, took place during a roadshow addressed by former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at Kandukur in Nellore district.
• The second took place at a private event in Guntur, apparently during a rush for freebies, and claimed the lives of three women.

National Guide on Crowd Management-NDMA: In view of the recurring stampedes at places of mass gathering, including religious places, and typically ad-hoc responses to those, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had prepared ‘Suggestive Framework for Preparation of Crowd Management Plan for Events/Venues of Mass Gathering’.

Causes for stampedes:

• Governance and accountability: There are lots of provisions in existing acts and rules for effective crowd management. However, enforcement and implementation are the key challenges faced by the administrator and law enforcement agencies. g.: Dabwali fire tragedy and Uphaar Cinema Tragedy are the typical examples of lackadaisical approach to crowd safety.
• Poor infrastructure: Lack of sufficient manpower in permit granting bodies, political pressure. Deployment of untrained security personnel in order to save cost.
• No crowd management plan: A major issue highlighted by recurring stampedes is the poor crowd management by concerned authorities. The state governments and local authorities have not yet implemented the NDMA guidelines on crowd management.
• Rising population: With rising population and rapid urbanization, urban areas are likely to be more susceptible along with places of frequent mass gatherings like temples.
• Tolerance to crowd: According to scholar Teresa Moore, large-scale events in India are more susceptible to stampedes because of a greater tolerance for high-density crowds. The higher tolerance for crowded places in India allows for more people to get closer, because they don’t feel uncomfortable until it’s very packed.

Measures needed: Some salient points from the NDMA guidelines are as follows:

• Crowd Queues: Initial focus should be on traffic regulations around the mass gathering venues. There should be a route map for venues along with emergency exits route maps. Also, there should be Barricade facility to control the movement of crowd queues. In case of large crowd gathering, there should be snake line approach, along with constant monitoring of crowds for developing hazard points.
• VIPs: There should be specific plans to handle VIPs and if VIPs add the security concerns then authorities should refuse entry to VIPs.
• Communications: There should be CCTV surveillance, along with another public address system, such as loudspeakers should be installed at all crowded points, in order to communicate with the crowds.
• Medical facilities: Ambulance and health care professionals should be available on venues. NDMA has recommended the medical first-aid rooms and emergency operations in order to handle post-disaster emergencies.
• Basic facilities: The venue Organisers should ensure authorised use of electricity, fire safety extinguishers and other arrangements as per the safety guidelines.
• Civil society: Police authorities should access the preparedness. Also, Event/venue managers should involve NGOs and civil society in traffic control, medical assistance and mobilization of local resources in case of disaster.
• Capacity building: In order to be proactive, there is need to focus on the capacity building. Also, the training manual should be periodically in order to usher in new crowd management technique. Apart from that if there is issue of insufficient Security personnel, students, NGOs and civil society should be roped in. Also, the media should be trained to manage communications during crowd disasters.
• Use of technology: Smart phones have been used to detect crowd dynamics such as pedestrian flows and bottlenecks, and social groups. Event/venue managers should get liability insurance for their visitors. Example, Shri Maa Vaishnodevi Shrine Board has insurance cover against any accidental casualty for visitors.
• Awareness Generation Campaign: A campaign to educate the public that railway tracks cannot be treated as commons, and vigorous enforcement, will reduce the probability of train related disasters like the Amritsar case.

Conclusion

In most of the cases, the crowd disasters are man-made disasters and such tragedies can be prevented with proactive planning and execution by the authorities involved. Apart from that lessons should be learnt from past mistakes. Every member of society is the stakeholder in such disaster prevention. NDMA should also focus on a central repository of incidences so that lessons can be learnt from past.

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)

“Reason shows me that if my happiness is desirable and good, the equal happiness of any other person must be equally desirable.” ― Henry Sidgwick

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 happiness of oneself and the happiness of others. Mention as to how individuals tend to focus on their own happiness and not on the happiness of the others. Write ways to ensure that we consider happiness of others also. Cite examples to substantiate.

Conclusion:

Summarise by highlighting the importance of the quote in the present day.

Introduction

This quote talks about individual happiness of a person which takes dominance when compared to others’ happiness. Man by nature is individualistic, self-centred and inward looking. However, even to enjoy his own rights and be happy, he must respect the rights of others. We must know that, even other individuals are entitled to being equally happy as we are, if not more.

Body

Utilitarianism does not say that it is moral for people simply to pursue what makes them personally happy. Rather, morality is dictated by the greatest happiness principle; moral action is that which increases the total amount of utility in the world. Pursuing one’s own happiness at the expense of social happiness would not be moral under this framework. But this is practically impossible is what Henry Sidgwick is putting forth. Because human beings are sentient and personal happiness

The quote is also a criticism of Mill’s “General Happiness” theory in Utilitarianism. The aggregate of happiness of all individuals does not lead to general happiness. It is impossible to expect an individual to let go of his desires for general or greater good. At the same time, Sidgwick is trying to balance this harmony by saying that, if we believe that our happiness is desirable and good, then so is that of other sentient beings.

However, the world is not an ideal place for ethical considerations. As we see in our day-to-day lives, in pursuit of our own well-being or happiness we often intrude into someone’s else’s happiness. For instance, keeping one’s home clean and littering in front of other’s home.  Or in the context of international relations, national interest reigns supreme and ‘beggar thy neighbour’ policy has become a norm. There is scant regard for universal peace and welfare. Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine is also a case in point.

Conclusion

The harmony of greater good and individual happiness is important for a stable society. Civilisation can thrive when there is “live and let live” principle. Hence ensuring that others also enjoy similar set of rights as means to achieve happiness is the key in ensuring one’s own happiness.

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)

“The wise man belongs to all countries, for the home of a great soul is the whole world.” — Democritus

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 narrow view of boundaries and parochial nationalism that is leading to so many disputes across the world. Mention that wise men do not consider any political and social boundaries and emphasise on openness and inclusivity. Cite examples to substantiate.

Conclusion:

Summarise by highlighting the importance of the quote in the present day.

Conclude by drawing the contemporary importance of the above.

Introduction

There are several man-created barriers in this world such as nations, religion, ethnicity, caste, class and many such distinctions. The world becomes a smaller place for such people who create these barriers are become constricted to their own space. For a virtuous soul there is entire universe that is open and the world is their oyster.

Body

Virtuous people can conquer anything and achieve greatness because they are not bothered by small mundane things. Their minds transcend these barriers to solve bigger problems of the world. Abolition of slavery, decolonization, freedom struggles in countries were fought as a result of such enlightened souls.

When you look at art, poetry, literature, these artforms of great people were possible as their unshackled their minds to create something great. Likewise in real life, the world can be a better place when such issues of class and caste can be overcome by all and larger than life problems can be addressed.

World and communities would be devoid of any issues of regionalism, ethnicity, racism, communalism etc if each and every soul was enlightened. But sadly that is not the case in the real world.

Conclusion

With time, progression of thoughts must happen and evolution of minds to achieve greatness will follow. But, sadly in present times, we are becoming more regressive than progressive and whatever little was achieved is being rolled back. Feelings of fraternity, respect for human rights and environment ethics are some of the key things that can help us towards achieving the goal of human progression.

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