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: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
To write the contributions of revolutionary nationalists and analyze the reasons for the decline of revolutionary strand of national movement in the 1930’s.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by writing about revolutionary national movement and its nature of struggle. Mention important organizations and revolutionaries.
Body:
First, outline the major contributions of the revolutionary nationalists – spreading patriotism, creating fear in the minds of British, making them grant concessions, uniting the people of India, inspiring the youth.
In the next part, write the reasons for the decline of national movement – repression of the government, death/imprisonment of leaders, shift to popular struggle, joining mainstream political movement.
Conclusion:
Summarize that though the acts of individual heroism reduced but the revolutionary zeal remained and it manifested in Gandhian movements and Indian National Army of Bose.
Introduction
The emergence of revolutionary ideology in India during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century was the result of several internal and external influences working on the minds of the youth. Early phase of revolutionary movement in India was in Bengal, Maharashtra, Punjab, U.P., Orissa, Bihar and Madras provinces, but it predominantly operated in Bengal, Maharashtra and Punjab as these regions were more politically active than other parts of the country.
Body
Contribution of revolutionaries in the Indian Nationalism
- The Revolutionaries ignited the national cause and carried the message of nationalismin the country and outside the country.
- Their deep patriotism, courage and determination, and sense of sacrificestirred the Indian people.
- They helped spread nationalist consciousness in the land; and in northern India the spread of socialist consciousness owed a lot to them.
- The era of revolutionary terrorism began and very soon secret societies of the revolutionaries came up all over the country.
- For instance, the Anusilan Samiti, the most famous and long lasting secret society, with its headquarters at Calcutta created revolutionary centres all over India. Their activities took two forms- the assassination of oppressive officials, traitors and informers, and dacoities to raise funds for the purchase of arms, etc.
- It had its impact on the Congress strategy to involve the youths in the short term programme of rural reconstruction.
- Revolutionaries like Ras Behari Bose, Chander Shekhar Azad, Lala Hardyal M.A., Madan Lal Dhingra and S. Ajit Singh succeeded in expanding the Indian independence movement to other countries as well.
Conclusion
Though the revolutionary movement failed it made a valuable contribution to the growth of nationalism in India. The sacrifice and the martyrdom of the revolutionaries did not go waste. It appealed to the masses. Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Surya Sen, Rajguru etc. became household name of the Indian people and aroused patriotism among masses.
Although the revolutionaries had failed to attain set objectives of attaining independence through armed revolt, they were successful in arousing people and remove the fear of authority from their minds and strike terror in the heart of the rulers.
Value addition:
Factors that contributed to revolutionary nationalism:
- Failure of Moderate and extremist congress:While the youth of Bengal might have been incensed at the British arrogance and repression, and the ‘mendicancy’ of the Congress moderates, they were also led to ‘the politics of the bomb’ by the extremists’ failureto give a positive lead to the people’.
- Leadership’s failureto tap revolutionary energies of the youth.
- In December 1908 nine Bengal leaders including the venerable Krishna Kumar Mitra and Ashwini Kumar Duttwere deported. In 1908, the great Bal Gangadhar Tilak was arrested and given the severe sentence of 6 years imprisonment. Chidambaram Pillai in Madras and Hari Sarvottam Rao and others in Andhra were put behind bars.
- This led to leader-lessness and energy of the youths could not be channelised.
- The Fallout of Swadeshi and Boycott Movementwas the immediate reason.
- The repressive policies of the British governmentled people to militant and revolutionary politics.
- The government of East Bengal, in particular, tried to crush the nationalist movement. Official attempted at preventing student participation in the Swadeshi Agitation.
- For instance, the singing of Vande Mataram in public streets in East Bengal was banned. Public meetings were restricted and sometimes forbidden. Laws controlling the press enacted, etc.
- One of the most notorious examples of repressionswas the police assault on the peaceful delegates of Bengal provincial conference; Barisal in April 1906. Many of the young volunteer was severely beaten up and the conference itself was forcibly dispersed.
- Nationalism among youth:Most vital factor which contributed to amplify the spirit of nationalism among the countrymen was the ‘economic exploitation’ of Indians by the British Government and the Partition of Bengal.
- :Jathindranath Banerjee, Virendra Ghosh of Anushilan Samiti; Barindrakumar Ghosh expressed it through ‘Yugantar’.
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian art and culture – Nitin Singhania.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the reasons for decline of Indian handicrafts under British rule.
Directive word:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context about flourishing Indian handicrafts before arrival of British.
Body:
Write the reasons for collapse of handicrafts under colonial rule – introduction of British made goods and ignorance of Indian Handicrafts Industries, policy of De-industrialization, transformed India to a mere exporter of raw materials for the upcoming modern industries in Britain etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising long term impact of ruining of Indian handicraft.
Introduction
The systemic ruin of Indian handicraft industries at the expense of Industrially revolutionizing Britain in which political force was misused to cause economic misery via discriminatory taxation, forceful coercion of artisans and market capturing via mercantalistic policies caused the demise of traditional Handicraft industries. Paul Bairoch, the economic historian estimated that India’s share of manufacturing output in the world was as high as 19.7% in 1800. In a span of 60 years, it plummeted to 8.6% (in 1860) and to 1.4% in 1913.
Body
Reasons for collapse of Indian handicrafts during colonial rule
- Impact of Industrial Revolution: Machine made textile goods of Britain, did the great damage to this Indian industry since 1750. Consequent upon industrial revolution in textile industry there had been massive growth of British imports in India and the domination of British cloth in the Indian market did the havoc; it created large scale unemployment as well as unbelievable drop in wages among the spinners and weavers. Cotton industry, jute handloom weaving of Bengal, woolen manufactures of Kashmir, silk manufacture of Bengal, hand-paper industry, glass industry, lac, bangles, etc.
- Raw Material Shortage: The process of de-industrialization of India began with the gradual disappearance of raw material for Indian artisans which was taken away to feed English machines and consequently moving manufactured products from the list of India’s exports and the remarkable growth of manufactures in the list of her imports mainly from Britain. That is why it is said that Britain “inundated the very mother country of cotton with cottons”, thereby eclipsing India’s traditional handicraft industries.
- For example the British exported raw materials, like cotton, indigo for the textile industries in Lancashire. As a result, the prices of the raw materials soared high and cost of the handicrafts increased.
- Discriminatory Taxation: C. Dutt held that the tariff policy pursued by the British Government as the leading cause or ‘the first among equals’ towards the decay of handicrafts. This tariff policy came to be known as ‘one-way free trade’ policy which preached that what was good for England was considered to be good for India. To put her manufacturing industries on a sound footing at home, England pursued the policy of protection through the imposition of import duties. But for India, she preached the gospel of free trade.
- g.: British manufacturers were levied an 85% tax for importing Indian hand woven calico (chintz) and 44% for importing Indian muslin under the British Raj. On the other hand, British textiles were only imposed with a 5% import tax in India.
- Loss of Native states: The main source or rather the entire source of demandfor the products of these handicrafts came from the royal courts, and the urban aristocrats. With the abolition of the royal court, one source of demand for the products of these crafts dried up. The new ‘aristocracy’ preferred imported goods.
- Competition from machine-made goods: In terms of quality, though machine-made goods could not compete in quality with the products of the urban weaver, in the matter of lower priceand deep respect for goods bearing foreign trademark (i.e., change in tastes) he was hopelessly beaten by machine-made goods.
- Price fixing and buyer monopolies:They bound local weaver into contracts and that made them sell exclusively to British. The prices were low and exploitative and artisans could recover only 80% cost of production. It pushed the artisans toward indebtedness and eventual poverty.
- Coercing the artisans:The services and the labour of the craftsmen were hired at very low wages. It was impossible for the craftsmen to adopt their traditional profession. So they were force to abandon those crafts. The worst affected were the weavers of Bengal and textile industry of Bengal was virtually closed. It was said that the thumbs of the weavers were cut off. Actually it meant that thousands of weavers were made jobless due to closure of weaving industry.
- Acceleration of ruin by railways: Introduction of railways opened a new era for the transport system in India. But the railways served the political and economic interest of the British to a larger extent. Through railways the machine products of Britain found it much easier to enter into the rural India.
- No efforts to re-industrialise India:There was no attempt for growth of modern industry to take the place of the cottage Industries. As a result, the handicraftsman and artisans had no scope to find suitable employment according to their skill. Rather, they were compelled to switch over to agriculture for employment.
The above mentioned factors point to the nature of British rule and their mercantilist policies which caused the ruining of industries in India. However there are others factors as well that led to their decline such as:
- No efforts were made to explore markets for products. India’s foreign trade was in the hands of foreigners. This meant that the Indian artisans and producers were at the mercy of foreign merchants so far as sales or demand propagation in overseas markets were concerned.
- Guild organization in India was definitely very weak. Finally, she did not possess a class of industrial entrepreneurs.
Conclusion
Though there are some internal factors the led to de-industrialization of India, but the Indian economy had been systematically slaughtered by the British Government and in the process, traditional handicraft industries slipped away to their demise and the process of de-industrialization proved to be a process of pure immiseriation for the several million persons. The only bright side to it was that the ruin coupled with other miseries heaped upon India led to the emergency of economic nationalism India and economic critique becomes a potent weapon in the arsenal of the nationalists.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Live Mint , Insights on India
Why the question:
The article argues that the United Nations (UN) has become irrelevant in today’s world of conflicts and global challenges. It suggests that the UN’s structure and decision-making processes are flawed and do not reflect the realities of the 21st century.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the various issues with the UN system, its implications and reforms needed in it.
Directive word:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving the role of UN system in maintaining global multilateral order.
Body:
First, write about the various shortcomings in the UN system and how it is the manifestation of the structural adequacy of the UN.
Next, write about the various negative the above-mentioned shortcomings and substantiate them with examples.
Next, write about the measures that can be taken to address the above-mentioned shortcomings.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States. Its mission and work guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter and implemented by its various organs and specialised agencies. Its activities include maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, delivering humanitarian aid, promoting sustainable development and upholding international law.
During the 75th anniversary of General Assembly (UNGA 75), under the theme: ‘The Future we Want, the UN we Need: Reaffirming our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism’ had a strong focus on the topics of sustainability and climate change. The declaration recalled UN’s successes and failures over more than seven decades and vows to build a post-pandemic world that is more equal, works together and protects the planet, in a spirit of inclusive multilateralism.
Body
Need for Reform at UN
- At present, the UNSC comprises five permanent members and 10 non-permanent member countries which are elected for a two-year term by the General Assembly of the United Nations.
- The five permanent members are Russia, the U.K., China, France and the United States and these countries can veto any substantive resolution. There has been growing demand to increase the number of permanent members to reflect the contemporary global reality.
- India, Brazil, South Africa, Germany and Japan are strong contenders for permanent membership of the UNSC which has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.
- At a special session marking 75 years of the United Nations on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for reform of its “outdated structures”, pointing out that in the absence of comprehensive changes, the world body today faces a “crisis of confidence”.
- India has been at the forefront of demanding reform in the UN, particularly its principal organ, the Security Council, for decades, staking its claim as one of the world’s largest economies and most populous countries, with a track record in promoting a rules-based international order, and contributing to peacekeeping through UN forces.
- The UNSC does not include a permanent member from the African, Australian and South American continents, and the pillars of the multilateral order, such as the G-4 group of Brazil, India, Germany and Japan, have been ignored for long.
- Frequent divisions within the UNSC P-5 end up blocking key decisions. These issues are underlined in a year where the coronavirus pandemic has brought the world to a standstill; yet, the UN, the UNSC, and WHO have failed to play an effective role in helping nations deal with the spread.
- For India, what has been most frustrating is that despite the dysfunctional power balance that prevails, the UN’s reform process, held through Inter Governmental Negotiations (IGN) has not made progress over decades, despite commitments.
- The UN has chosen to “rollover” the discussions of the IGN, which are looking at five major issues: enlarging the Security Council, categories of membership, the question of the veto that five Permanent members of the UNSC wield, regional representation, and redistributing the Security Council-General Assembly power balance.
- The grouping of India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) expressed “frustration” over the “slow” pace of progress on reform of the UN Security Council and said the time has come to move towards a result-oriented process to expand the key global body.
Way forward in contemporary times:
- The reform of Security Council will stop it from becoming obsolete.
- Broader membership of the Security Council, with increased and enhanced representation of countries with the capacity and willingness to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security, including from Africa, will allow it to preserve its credibility and create the political backing needed for the peaceful resolution of today’s international crises.
- Given the capacity and willingness to take on major responsibilities with regard to the maintenance of international peace and security, there is a clear need for an enhanced role of developing countries and of major contributors to the United Nations to make the Council more legitimate, effective and representative.
- On the one hand, the world is experiencing unparalleled levels of prosperity and connectivity,. Yet these advances are associated with ever greater complexity and systemic risks, increasing the liberal order’s vulnerability to collapse. The world’s global and national institutions are increasingly incapable of managing stresses to the system.
- Faced with threats ranging from climate change to massive technological advancement, the world is in desperate need of stable and able global governance. And yet there is surging opposition to liberal governance due to rising inequalities and frustration with the perceived failures of the liberal order.
- Populism and the rise of parochial economic nationalism as among the gravest threats to future stability. The risk of a disorderly collapse of the old system is more real than ever.
Conclusion:
The world is shifting to a new multi-polar order with the US and China at its centre. We need to restore and rebuild stable institutions and rules that acknowledge the changed context. They will need to be more inclusive, representative and legitimate. The role of international mechanisms of cooperation such as the UN, G20, regional organizations, non-state actors – especially financial and philanthropic actors – will also need to be elevated. It should start with reform of UNSC.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indain Express
Why the question:
The article discusses how India’s economic situation is impacting the country’s trade plans and the value of the Indian rupee.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the internationalisation of rupee, need for it, pros and cons associated with it.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving 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 Internationalisation of Rupee.
Body:
Frist, write about the need of Internationalisation of Rupee – reducing dependence of dollar and other global currencies, global volatility, predicted recession etc.
Next, write about their advantages and disadvantages associated with Internationalisation of Rupee.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Internationalisation of the rupee is a process that involves increasing use of the local currency in cross-border transactions. It involves promoting the rupee for import and export trade and then other current account transactions followed by its use in capital account transactions. It other words, it means adopting full capital account convertibility.
RBI Dy governor T Rabi Sankar had previously marked upon the importance of the internationalization of the rupee, its advantages and associated risks. As far as the rupee is concerned, it is fully convertible in the current account, but partially in capital account.
Body
Need for Internationalization of Rupee
- Currently, while the dollar accounts for 88% of internationaltrade, Rupee accounts for less than 7% of global trade.
- India currently has full convertibility of the rupee in current accountssuch as for exports and imports. However, India’s capital account convertibility is not full. There are ceilings on government and corporate debt, external commercial borrowings and equity.
- Excessive dependence on dollars combined with global inflation and economic crises has led to the depreciation of the rupee to an all-time low. If the rupee is internationalized, India would not have to depend on US Dollars for its trade.
- RBI has allowed domestic traders to settle their import-export bills in rupee.
Advantages
- Appreciate currency value: It will improve the demand for the rupee in international trade.
- Mitigate exchange rate volatility: Rupee-denominated payments can help reduce price volatility associated with dollars.
- Making significant savingsin Indian foreign reserves.
- Circumvent sanctions: Improving acceptance and trade in rupees can help India to diversify its trade basket by circumventing restrictions and sanctions imposed by the west.
- Improve its standingas a global economic power
Risks involved
- Impact on monetary policy: The internationalization of the rupee will limit the country’s ability to create a monetary policy specific to its local economic demand.
- The Indian economy will become more susceptible to international economic fluctuations.
- Managed currencyhas been utilized to protect the economy from damages during the economic crises of 1980 and 2008. It may not be the case anymore.
- The outflow of Hot money: Complete internationalization of currency will expand the risk of hot currency (highly prone to sudden outflows) to capital assets.
- , east Asian crisis in 1997.
Way forward
- India needs to open its currency to complete capital account convertibility.
- Frame policies cautiously and test them in the Regulatory sandbox environment
- Bilateral and multilateral trade agreements can be used to test the viability of internationalized rupee e.g., using the Vostro account for Rupee trade with Russia and Iran.
- Rupee internationalization may also require an efficient swap market and a strong foreign exchange market.
- Improvements in financial fundamentals and steps to improve sovereign credit ratings.
Conclusion
Internationalization of the rupee though with associated risks is inevitable if India is to emerge as a global economic power in a multipolar world.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article discusses the findings of the water census conducted by India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the major findings of water census, present status of water bodies, major factors for their depletion.
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 context.
Body:
First, write about the major findings of water census.
Next, write about the current status of water resources – current status of water bodies in India, including rivers, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and groundwater resources etc.
Next, write factors responsible for depletion of water resources – including encroachment and destruction due to urbanization and industrialization, pollution, climate change, and inadequate water management policies.
Next, write about the steps that must be taken in order to overcome the above issues.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
The Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched the 1st Census of Water Bodies in convergence with the 6th Minor Irrigation (MI) Census under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Irrigation Census”. The objective was to develop a national database for all water bodies by collecting information on their size, condition, status of encroachments, use, storage capacity, the status of filling up of storage, etc. The first water body census included data on all types of water bodies in both rural and urban areas. For the first time, data on the encroachment of water bodies was also gathered during the census.
Body
Findings
- The census defines a water body as: All natural or man-made units bounded on all sides with some or no masonry work used for storing water for irrigation or other purposes (industrial, domestic or drinking, groundwater recharge, etc).
- 24,24,540 water bodies have been enumerated in the country, out of which1% are in rural areas and only 9% in urban areas.
- West Bengal’sSouth 24 Parganas has been ranked as the top district having the highest (55 lakh) number of water bodies across the country.
Classification of water bodies:
- West Bengalhas the highest number of ponds and reservoirs, whereas Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of tanks.
- Tamil Naduhas the highest number of lakes and Maharashtra is the leading state with water conservation schemes.
Data on encroachment: 1.6% of water bodies are reported to be encroached, out of which 95.4% are in rural areas and the remaining 4.6% in urban areas.
Way forward for Augmentation, Conservation and Efficient Management of Water Resources:
- Inclusion of water bodies in land records
- Making them an integral part of the town planning process
- Strict action against the encroachers
Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article explains the recent forest fires that occurred in Goa, India, in March 2023. It describes the causes and impact of the fires, which destroyed large areas of forest and wildlife habitats.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about causes of forest fires in India and measures need to mitigate them.
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 by defining forest fires and statistic regarding rising instances of forest fires in India.
Body:
Draw a small illustrative diagram showing major forest fire prone areas.
Discuss first the reasons of forest fires; Thunderstorms are the most likely natural cause for forest fires. Slash and burn techniques etc. Write about the role of climate change in rising instances of forest fires.
Next, explain the concerns posed by it. Explain why they are difficult to control.
Next, discuss the efforts that are needed to be taken in this direction.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction
Forest fires are considered as one of the most widespread hazards in a forested landscape. They have a serious threat to forest and its flora and fauna. Forest fires essentially are ‘quasi-natural’, which means that they are not entirely caused by natural reasons (like volcanoes, earthquakes and tropical storms), but are caused by human activities as well. In India’s case, a combination of hot weather, oxygen and dry vegetation is a potent recipe for forest fires.
A forest department probe into the bushfires that impacted an area of about 4 sq km in Goa in the first half of March is learnt to have concluded that the fires were largely triggered by natural causes, confirming the central government’s submission to Parliament last month that a “prolonged dry spell, unprecedented high temperatures, and low humidity” caused “sporadic” fire incidents in the state.
Body
Reasons for Increasing frequency of forest fires
- Forest fires can be caused by a number of natural causes, but officials say many major fires in India are triggered mainly by human activities.
- Natural: Such as lightning, high atmospheric temperatures, and dryness (low humidity) offer favourable circumstances.
- Man-made: When a source of fire like naked flame, cigarette, or bidi comes into contact with inflammable material.
- Emerging studies link climate change to rising instances of fires globally, especially the massive fires of the Amazon forests in Brazil and in Australia in the last two years.
- Fires of longer duration, increasing intensity, higher frequency and highly inflammable nature are all being linked to climate change.
- In India, forest fires are most commonly reported during March and April, when the ground has large quantities of dry wood, logs, dead leaves, stumps, dry grass and weeds that can make forests easily go up in flames if there is a trigger.
- Under natural circumstances, extreme heat and dryness, friction created by rubbing of branches with each other also have been known to initiate fire.
- In Uttarakhand, the lack of soil moisture too is being seen as a key factor.
- In two consecutive monsoon seasons (2019 and 2020), rainfall has been deficient by 18% and 20% of the seasonal average, respectively.
the role of climate change in exacerbating the forest fire risk
- Climate change has been a key factor in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires.
- Research shows that changes in climate create warmer, drier conditions.
- Climate change induced increasing global temperature and variability in rainfall results in more dried vegetation, which works as fuel for the fire.
- Thus climate change, in addition to human population pressure is one of the main causes of the increased number of forest fires and their increased intensities.
- Since the beginning of the Industrial period, the Earth’s temperature has increased by almost 20C.
- This increasing heat is contributing to two main components for forest fire, i.e. heat and the availability of fuel in the form of dry vegetation.
- Increased drought, and a longer fire season are boosting these increases in wildfire risk.
Measures to control forest fires
- Forest fire line:Successive Five-Year Plans have provided funds for forests fighting. During the British period, fire was prevented in the summer through removal of forest litter all along the forest boundary. This was called “Forest Fire Line”.
- This line used to prevent fire breaking into the forest from one compartment to another.
- The collected litter was burnt in isolation.
- Firebreaks: Generally, the fire spreads only if there is continuous supply of fuel (Dry vegetation) along its path. The best way to control a forest fire is therefore, to prevent it from spreading, which can be done by creating firebreaksin the shape of small clearings of ditches in the forests.
- Forest Survey of India monitors forest fire events through satellites on two platforms– MODIS and SNPP-VIIRS, both in collaboration with the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
- While the SNPP-VIIRS identifies, alerts and tracks fire incidents on real time data at 375X375 sq meter pixel, the older version MODIS detects it in the range of 1kmX1km.
- Forest fire suppression relies very heavily on “dry” firefighting techniques because of poor water availability.
- Integrated forest protection: The main objective is to control forest fires and strengthen the forest protection. The works like Fireline clearing,assistance to Joint Forest Management committees, creating water bodies, purchase of vehicles and communication equipment, purchase of firefighting tools, etc., needs to be undertaken.
- Prevention of human-caused firesthrough education and environmental modification. It will include silvicultural activities, engineering works, people participation, and education and enforcement. It is proposed that more emphasis be given to people participation through Joint Forest Fire Management for fire prevention.
- Prompt detectionof fires through a well-coordinated network of observation points, efficient ground patrolling, and communication networks. Remote sensing technology is to be given due importance in fire detection. For successful fire management and administration, a National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) and Fire Forecasting System are to be developed in the country.
- Introducing a forest fuel modification system at strategic points.
- National Action Plan on Forest Fires (NAPFF): It was launched in 2018 to minimize forest fires by informing, enabling and empowering forest fringe communities and incentivizing them to work with the State Forest Departments.
Conclusion
It is important to prevent the lungs of the nation from ravages of fire. With climate change and global warming on the rise, India must prevent human-made disaster to ensure our carbon sinks are protected.
Topic: Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
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 ‘Conceptual Tuesdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
to develop a link between emotional intelligence and persuasion.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving 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 emotional intelligence (EI).
Body:
First mention the role of EI in – perceiving emotions, using emotions, understanding emotions, and managing emotions.
Next, link the emotional aspect of EI with communication and persuasion – attempting to influence an outcome or followers using – authority, consistency and commitment, liking and reciprocity/reciprocation etc.
Conclusion:
Complete the answer by stressing on the implications for leaders and employers in understanding the importance of interpersonal relationships in the organizational context.
Introduction
Emotional intelligence or EI is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, and those of the people around you. EI helps in understanding the emotions, evaluating it and managing it which paves the way for conflict resolution.
Body:
Components of Emotional intelligence:
- Self-awareness:being aware of your reactions and tendencies
- Self-management:staying on top of, and managing your reactions
- Social awareness:being able to perceive what others are feeling and thinking and picking up on the emotions of others
- Relationship management:using your awareness of your emotions and those of others to manage interactions; this includes communicating clearly and handling conflict.
- Stress tolerance:To stay focused, stress should be managed and it involves own reactions to stress or the reactions of others to the stress. Employees with high EQs are more likely to listen, reflect, and respond to constructive criticism
- Impulse control: Independent people evaluate the alternatives and initiate the work by taking appropriate action by executing the right options. People who manage their impulses avoid being distracted and losing control of the situation. Emotionally intelligent employees are more likely to keep their cool under pressure
- Optimism: Optimistic people have a target that they’re aiming toward. These people are confident in their ability to carry out the required actions and meet the target by looking for successful solutions to problems.
- Negotiation: For being able to empathize and be creative in finding win-win solutions will consistently pay off to all the stakeholders involved.
Significance of Emotional Intelligence
- The chances of succeedingare skewed towards people who are better able to manage themselves and others emotionally, one’s who are likeable and trustworthy.
- Research shows that more than80% percent of success is due to skills in “human engineering,” personality and ability to communicate, negotiate, and lead. Only 15 percent is due to technical knowledge.
- Additionally, Nobel Prize winning psychologist, Daniel Kahneman, found that people would rather do business with a person they like and trust rather than someone they don’t, even if the likeable person is offering a lower quality product or service at a higher price.
- Hence, instead of exclusively focusing on conventional intelligence quotient, one shouldmake an investment in strengthening his/her EQ (Emotional Intelligence). The concepts of EQ may be difficult to measure, but their significance is far greater than IQ.
- Simply put, emotional intelligence is that “something” within us that help us to sense how we feel and enables us to truly connect with others and form a bond.
- It gives us the ability tobe present and listen to someone when they most need it. It is that sense of internal balance within us that enables us to keep our composure, make good decisions, communicate successfully, and maintain effective leadership even when under stress.
Developing Emotional Intelligence
- Self-regard: Having high self-regard means that one has a good understanding of his strengths and weaknesses. Acting on this understanding requires that you have good self-knowledge and effectively strike a balance between being confident and being arrogant. People are more comfortable helping others who demonstrate the right amount of humility.
- Optimism:People find optimism and happiness attractive attributes. People are more likely to cooperate with someone who’s optimistic.
- Approachability: Approachability, like optimism, attracts people. When we’re happy others are more pleasant to be around. Being happy add to “likability” factor. It can also be contagious. Everybody likes to be happy, and being around happy people contributes to one’s own happiness.
- Self-evaluation: By self-evaluating oneself, one can know one’s emotions and reactions to different situations. By observing others, one can comprehend feelings of others.
- Communication: By improving one’s expression, one can communicate better.
Conclusion
High-EI individuals, could reduce the effects of negative emotions like anger or rage on their decision-making. Rage and anger are not only removed as hindrances, but also used to enhance the quality of decisions.
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