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: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Chapter 5 – A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum Publishers) , 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 explain the causes of British Success in India.
Directive word:
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:
Introduction:
Begin by mentioning the various regional powers during the advent of the British in India.
Body:
First, write about the various rivalries among major India powers to establish political supremacy in India.
Mention the reasons for success of the British in India such as their divide and rule policy, strong organisation of the military, modern strategies, many social divisive factors in regional states etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by mentioning that the British use all the political, economic and strategic means to dethrone the local powers one by one to build a pan-Indian empire
Introduction
Trading rivalries among the seafaring European powers brought other European powers to India. The Dutch Republic, England, France, and Denmark-Norway all established trading posts in India in the early 17th century. This slowly turned in to a British conquest alone.
Body
The factors leading to British conquest of India
- The desire to control local resources, obtain supplies of cheap goods and exclude competitors from trade pushed the Company towards territorial conquest and war.
- In the light of these facts with Battle of plassey and Buxar they realised their strength and potential to conquer smaller Indian kingdoms and marked the beginning of the imperial or colonial era in South Asia.
- Since then, the British East India Company adopted a threefold strategy of ideological, military and colonial administrative apparatus to expand and consolidate the British Indian Empire.
- Diplomacy:
- The Company also successfully involved the Nizam of Hyderabad in the war against Tipu Sultan. In general, the Company leaders proved skillful diplomats. They made sure that a lasting alliance of Indian powers against the British never materialized.
- Means such as intrigue, bribes and efficient espionage were used rather efficiently by the Company in its pursuit of commercial and political ambitions.
- Defeated other European powers:
- They defeated their foreign rivals in trade so that there could be no competition.
- Economic and administrative policies:
- Their new administrative and economic policies helped them consolidate their control over the country.
- Their land revenue policies help them keep the poor farmers in check and get huge sums as revenues in return.
- They forced the commercialisation of agriculture with the growing of various cash crops and the raw materials for the industries in the Britain.
- With the strong political control, the British were able to monopolise the trade with India.
- They monopolised the sale of all kinds of raw materials and bought these at low prices whereas the Indian weavers had to buy them at exorbitant prices.
- Heavy duties were imposedon Indian goods entering Britain so as to protect their own industry.
- Various investments were made to improve the transport and communication system in the country to facilitate the easy transfer
of raw materials from the farms to the port, and of finished goods from the ports to the markets.
- Education:
- Also, English education was introduced to create a class of educated Indians who would assist the British in ruling the country and strengthen their political authority. All these measures helped the British to establish, consolidate and continue their rule over India.
- Subsidiary alliance:
- Indian states fell to the advancing Company one by one during the 18thand 19thcenturies through the policy of dual government and other policies .Those who were not totally wiped out became part of Wellesley’s Subsidiary Alliance treaty system.
- The consequences of this treaty system were grave for the Indian states. They lost their sovereignty and the real power in their capital shifted to the British residency. Their armies were disbanded and they began to maintain troops generally for ceremonial and internal policing duties only.
- Doctrine of lapse:
- Some of the Indian states declined due to these developments and this gave the British the excuse to annex them in the future, as was done during the tenure of Lord Dalhousie
- Dalhousie used the ‘Doctrine of Lapse’ and the charge of maladministration to annex some Indian states like Awadh (1856), Jhansi and Nagpur (1854) and Satara (1848).
- British crown and divide and rule policy:
- After 1857 revolt the East India Company lost its powers of government and British India formally came under direct British rule, with an appointed Governor-General of India.
- From now they started appeasing some sections and disband others so divide and rule policy was applied and then when congress was formed policy of carrot and stick approach was carried out to maintain their dominance on India.
- Industrial revolution:
- The Industrial Revolution in Britain led to the increase in demand for raw materials for the factories there.
- Need for markets:
- At the same time, they also required a market to sell their finished goods. India provided such a platform to Britain to fulfill all their needs.
- Weak power in India:
- The death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707 was followed by a rapid disintegration of the Mughal Empire in the first half of the 18th century. This gave British an opportunity for political power.
- The Indian states of the 18th century fought frequent wars of expansion against each other. These mutually exhausting wars gave the Europeans the opportunity to interfere in Indian political and military affairs.
- In the process the European trading companies extracted significant economic concessions from these states. Thus the decline of the Mughal Empire paved the way for the rise of British power in India.
- Similarly with constitutional reformslike Indian council acts 1892,1909 they portrayed that they are open to reforms but which were still curbing Indians in many important departments.
Conclusion
Thus, the English were led by resolute men of vision who were inspired by notions of empire and civilization. These led to the successful conquest of India by British.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Difficulty level: Moderate
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 about the future of SAARC amidst current uncertainties and to argue for its revival.
Directive word:
Critically 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. 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:
Begin by giving context of SAARC and its present-day scenario.
Body:
In the first part, bring out the current uncertainties which forebode a bleak future for SAARC – Crisis in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Indo-Pak equation, Covid crisis etc.
Next, mention as to why India should take the lead in reviving SAARC. It will ensure integrated, connected, secure and prosperous South Asia, and lead economic, technological, cultural, and social development’ of the region.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward and diplomatic steps needed to re-engage and revive SAARC.
Introduction
SAARC was mooted in 1985, which created the hope that trade, cultural activity and intellectual exchange would gradually diminish the political legacies of Partition by nourishing a regional fraternity. The dream is still relevant, but SAARC has remained incapable of responding to the unabated rise of identity-based aggression and violence. Along with this, a remarkable degree of indifference to others’ woes has grown.
Body
The Future of SAARC remains bleak:
- The region is beset with unsettled territorial disputes, as well as trans-border criminal and subversive activities.
- It remains a theatre for ethnic, cultural, and religious tensions and rivalries.
- A current rise in ultra-nationalism is taking place against the backdrop of a bloody history of repeated inter-state wars and myriad intra-state conflicts.
- Nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan are at loggerheads.
- Cross-border terrorism has again made the region, as former US President Bill Clinton once deemed it, “the world’s most dangerous place.”
- Allowing SAARC to become dysfunctional and irrelevant greatly distorts our ability to address the realities and mounting challenges facing SAARC nations.
- The failure of South Asian nations to act in accord will plunge South Asia into a perilous theatre of discord and escalating tensions with jihadi militias at the forefront, placing the entire region in turmoil.
SAARC is imperative for South Asian countries:
- SAARC is needed as institutional scaffolding to allow for the diplomacy and coordination that is needed between member-states in order to adequately address the numerous threats and challenges the region faces.
- Though SAARC’s charter prohibits bilateral issues at formal forums, SAARC summits provide a unique, informal window — the retreat — for leaders to meet without aides and chart future courses of action.
- The coming together of leaders, even at the height of tensions, in a region laden with congenital suspicions, misunderstandings, and hostility is a significant strength of SAARC that cannot be overlooked.
- SAARC members are among the top troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions. With the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, a joint peacekeeping force from the SAARC region under the UN aegis could be explored to fill the power vacuum that would otherwise be filled by terrorist and extremist forces.
Reviving SAARC is in India’s interests:
- India should take the lead and work with its neighbors to slash the tariff and non-tariff barriers.
- SAARC should also seek free and preferential trading arrangements with other regional bodies, notably the EU and the ASEAN. It should also remain fully focused on the SAARC social charter to spread out its reach to the common man.
- There is a need to focus on small politics instead of big politics to resolve conflict in conflicting regions. This would mean that they focus on economic cooperation and other small ways that can create cooperation and more peace
- SAARC cannot be effective unless it places itself on a managerial position to achieve regional order, forcing all the members to act mutually in making the region a ‘zone of peace’ and the center for world business.
- All countries should come together to sort out their differences, either multilaterally or bilaterally. It’s not necessary to sort out the differences but despite that, it is necessary to work with the differences like that of India-China, Japan and China, Russia and Japan.
- The bilateral issues between member nations should be resolved. Bilateral Issues between India- Pakistan, India- Sri Lanka, Pakistan- Afghanistan etc. must be improved with serious engagement and collaboration – working together to bring peace and stability as a common good in the region.
- Information on terrorism, trafficking, smuggling etc. must be shared and joint exercises must be conducted to build mutual trust and capability.
- SAARC needs to work on Improving infrastructure and regional connectivity – Collaboration in scientific research, universities exchange programs, tourism etc. will have a positive effect on relations among countries.
Conclusion:
SAARC has the potential to transform the South Asian Region. Mutual mistrust and non-cooperation should not be allowed to undermine this potential. Deeper regional economic integration will create greater interdependence with India acquiring the central role, which, in turn, would serve India’s strategic interests too. SAARC should function as an autonomous institution by which driving principles, strategic actions, and rules of law can be implemented in a way that is relevant to both, its own members and other rising powers.
Value addition:
Background of SAARC:
- SAARC was set up in 1985 and today it has 8 members: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Srilanka. Afghanistan joined SAARC only in 2007.
- SAARC member nations cooperate on a range of issues from agriculture, economy, poverty alleviation, S&T and culture to encourage people to people contact.
- SAARC aims at integration of south Asian nations for undertaking collective efforts to achieve common objective of regional stability and prosperity.
- Despite geographical contiguity and historical and cultural links, the SAARC region remains the most disconnected regions in the world.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices;
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) has recommended that the Indian government bring urea under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) regime to address the issue of overuse.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the rationale behind to bring urea under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS), the benefits and challenges of including urea in the NBS regime,
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:
Briefly explain the concept of the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) regime.
Body:
In the first part, provide an overview of the CACP’s recommendation to bring urea under the NBS regime
Next, write about Current Scenario of Urea Usage – Highlight the prevalent use of urea in Indian agriculture, Discuss the drawbacks and consequences of excessive urea application and the need for regulating urea use to ensure sustainable agriculture
Next, write about Implications of the above for the Indian Agricultural Sector – Discuss the potential impact of urea regulation on crop productivity and soil health, Highlight the economic implications for farmers, fertilizer industry, and government subsidies, Assess the overall effect on food security and sustainability in India
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
The Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) regime in India was introduced to promote the balanced use of NPK fertilizers in the optimal ratio of 4:2:1 (the current NPK ratio of fertilizer usage is approximately 6.7:2.4:1) and encourage farmers to use the right type and quantity of nutrient-based fertilizers for specific crops and soil types.
Body
Background
- The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) has recommended the Centre to bring urea under the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) regime to address the problem of imbalanced use of nutrients.
- The recommendations come four months after the government told Parliament that there was no proposal to shift urea to NBS, a scheme introduced in 2010, which links subsidy to the nutrient content of fertilisers.
No, Urea shouldn’t be brought under NBS Regime
- Urea is left-out in the NBS scheme and hence it remains under price control as NBS has been implemented only in other fertilizers.
- The MRP of urea is today officially fixed at Rs 5,628 per tonne.
- There is technically no price control in other fertilisers.
- The prices of the other fertilizers which were decontrolled have gone up that has led the farmers to use more urea than before.
- This has further worsened fertilizer imbalance.
Yes, Urea should be brought under NBS regime
- Fertiliser response and efficiency has continuously declined over decades mainly due to imbalanced use of nutrients, deficiency of micro and secondary nutrients and depletion of soil organic carbon, while fertiliser subsidy has been rising.
- The urea remains under price control and NBS has been implemented only in other fertilisers.
- Keeping urea out of NBS essentially means that the government has retained direct control over MRP of urea and its subsidy.
- The MRPs of other fertilisers have been under indirect control by virtue of NBS policy. Manufacturers of these fertilisers have the freedom to fix MRP within “reasonable limits”, and a fixed per-tonne subsidy linked to their nutrient content is given.
- The price of fertilisers (other than urea) — which were decontrolled have gone up from 2.5 to four times during these 10 years. However, since April 2010, the price of urea has been raised by hardly 11%.
- This has caused their MRPs to increase over the years, whereas urea’s price has remained unchanged.
- This has led to tilting of the usage of fertilisers in favour of urea because farmers have overused it, owing to its low pricing, thus resulting in deteriorating soil health.
- In order to address the imbalance in the fertilizer use, urea has to come under NBS.
- A feasible way to do it is by hiking urea prices and simultaneously reducing the NBS rates of phosphorus, potash and sulphur to make other fertilisers cheaper.
- Subsidised urea is getting diverted to bulk buyers/traders or even non-agricultural users such as plywood and animal feed makers.
- It is being smuggled to neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Nepal.
Potential impact on the Indian agricultural sector
- The NBS policy incentivizes the production and use of fertilizers that contain a balanced mix of nutrients, which can help promote soil health and increase crop yields.
- The subsidy is provided based on the nutrient content rather than the quantity of fertilizer produced.
- This can lead to a reduction in fertilizer use which can minimize the negative environmental impact of excess fertilization. Thus it has improved soil health too.
- The NBS policy helps reduce the cost of fertilizers for farmers, which means that they can purchase fertilizers at more affordable prices. The subsidies allocated for urea-based fertilizers have also been reduced.
Conclusion
In the long run, NBS itself should be replaced by a flat per-acre cash subsidy that could be used to purchase any fertiliser. This subsidy must include value-added and customised products containing not just other nutrients, but delivering even nitrogen more efficiently than urea.
Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , en.wikipedia.org
Why the question:
The Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar mission, is scheduled to be launched in mid-July.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the objectives of Chandrayaan-3 and its potential contributions
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context.
Body:
First, write about the major objectives of Chandrayaan-3 – conduct scientific studies of the Moon’s surface and sub-surface using a lander and rover. The mission will also aim to study the lunar atmosphere and determine the presence of water and other minerals on the Moon etc.
Next, write about its contributions to India’s Space Exploration
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing about the importance of space missions to moon.
Introduction
Chandrayaan-3 is the successor to the Chandrayaan-2 mission and it will likely attempt another soft-landing on the lunar surface. It will be a mission repeat of Chandrayaan-2 but will only include a lander and rover similar to that of Chandrayaan-2. It will not have an orbiter. As per ISRO, the total cost of Chandrayaan-3 mission will be over Rs 600 crores. In comparison, the total cost of the Chandrayaan-2 mission was Rs 960 crores.
The Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar mission, is scheduled to be launched in mid-July of 2023.
Body
Objectives of Chandrayaan – 3 mission
- The mission is aimed at better understanding the Moon’s composition.
- Isro has laid out three main objectives for the mission, which include
- demonstrating a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface
- demonstrating the rover’s roving capabilities on the moon
- performing in-situ scientific observations.
Chandrayaan – 3: potential contributions to India’s space exploration endeavours
- Chandrayaan 3 is an ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) mission with the primary objective of putting a lander and rover in the highlands near the south pole of the Moon in 2023.
- According to ISRO, the Chandrayaan-3 mission will cost more than Rs 600 crores in total.
- Chandrayaan-3 will be a mission repeat of Chandrayaan-2 but will only include a lander and rover similar to that of Chandrayaan-2. It will not have an orbiter, but its propulsion module will behave like a communications relay satellite.
- India aims to examine the Moon’s surface, especially areas that have not been receiving sunlight in some billion years.
- Scientists and astronomers are suspecting the presence of ice and abundant mineral stocks in these darker parts of the lunar surface.
- In addition, this exploration will not limit to the surface but aim to study the sub-surface and exosphere.
- The rover of this spacecraft will communicate to earth via an orbiter taken from Chandrayaan 2.
- It will study the surface by taking images at a distance of 100km from the lunar orbit.
Conclusion
Chandrayaan 3, if successful, will make India the fourth country to soft-land a spacecraft on the Moon after the United States, USSR and China.
Topic: Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Ten Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from Manipur have been issued notices for their alleged involvement in activities promoting separatism.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about causes for separatism in N.E India and its impact.
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 giving context.
Body:
Draw a small map of the north-east showing major insurgent conflicts in the region.
First, Mention the causes of the separatism under various heads such as economic, political, social, cultural/ethnic reasons. Write briefly about its impact highlighting the issues associated with AFSPA, Naxalism and International borders.
Next, write about its impact – peace and stability , implications for national unity and integrity, impact on India’s federal structure etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
The Northeast region of India comprises eight states – Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura – each with its own distinct history and identity. The region shares its borders with Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh and has been one of the most sensitive regions in India. Since 1947, the history of this region has been marred with insurgency and under development.
There are over a hundred of ethnic groups in the Northeast each having a strong sense of identity and their uniqueness. They want to retain this uniqueness in their political and social and orientations as well.
Body
Causes/Reasons of separatism in north-eastern India
- Nationality: Involving concept of a distinct ‘homeland’ as a separate nation and pursuit of the realisation of that goal by its votaries.
- Ethnic reasons: Involving assertion of numerically smaller and less dominant tribal groups against the political and cultural hold of the dominant tribal group. In Assam, this also takes the form of tension between local and migrant communities.
- Sub-regional reasons: Involving movements which ask for recognition of sub-regional aspirations and often come in direct conflict with the State Governments or even the autonomous Councils.
- Developmental issues: Poverty, unemployment, lack of connectivity, inadequate health care and educational facilities, feelings of neglect and non-participation in governing their own affairs have contributed to the insurgency and separatism in the region.
- Governance deficit: Informal economy and governance and shortage of resources.
- Porous international borders with difficult topography
- Sense of alienation from mainstream due to overwhelming presence of security forces and associated issues of Human Rights.
Implications on stability, dynamics and unity of India
- Sense of Isolation, Deprivation and Exploitation: Distance from New Delhi and meagre representation in the Lok Sabha has further reduced the vox populi being heard in the corridors of powers, leading to more disillusionment in the dialogue process, thereby making call of the gun more attractive.
- Demographic Changes: The influx of refugees from former East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) into Assam led to a dramatic change in the demographic landscape of the region.
- Lack of Economic Development: GoI’s economic policies have also fuelled resentment and insecurity amongst the people. Due to various factors, the development of NEI has lagged behind thereby resulting in lack of employment opportunities. Thus, the youth are easily lured by various insurgent groups in order to earn easy money.
- Internal Displacement: Internal displacement is also an ongoing problem. From the 1990s to the start of 2011, over 800,000 people were forced to flee their homes in episodes of inter-ethnic violence in western Assam, along the border between Assam and Meghalaya, and in Tripura.
- External Support: There is ‘increasing evidence’ of China’s revival of its ‘covert offensive’ in the region. Pakistan’s Special Services Group (SSG) also trained the Naga guerrillas in the 1960s through their bases in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
Way forward
- Multi-stakeholder approach: A wider representation not just of civil society, scholars and others, but also of professionals is required at any forum addressing the concerns in the North-East.
- Understanding emotional and psychological aspects of the problems of the different states of the North-East: Any meaningful policy for the North-East should address the specifics of each state and region.
- Economic development: Opening up of economy of this region may be expedited making way for new investments, acquiring of productive assets, reaching potential in tourism etc.
- Tackling illegal immigration from neighbouring countries: Identity cards and work permits for those who come for work should be made mandatory.
- Stress on Dialogue as an ongoing process to reach concrete solutions by involving all the stakeholders and not a single group.
Conclusion
In the past, Government policies and their implementation had proved inadequate for giving shape to the immense inherent potential of the Northeast region. Over the last eight years, the Union Government has been extremely responsive to the needs of this region, by making enhanced connectivity, improved infrastructure and people’s welfare part of its core development agenda. From being on the margins of the India story, the Northeast is quickly becoming one of the country’s growth engines.
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)
“Fortitude is the guard and support of the other virtues” – John Locke
Difficulty level: Easy
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Quotes Wednesdays’ in Mission-2022 Secure.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Define what is Fortitude.
Body:
Explain the quote in your own words.
Mention what are the associated features of showing immense courage in times of adversity through suitable illustrations and mention what factors would drive one to show fortitude. Link fortitude to other virtues such as integrity, honesty, fairness etc
Conclusion:
Conclude by mentioning how crucial the value of fortitude is in public as well as private life.
Introduction
Fortitude is firmness of spirit, especially in difficulty. It provides for constancy in the pursuit of virtue. Fortitude is a willingness to freely go beyond the call of duty, to make sacrifices, to act on your convictions. Fortitude includes the courage to confront our personal weaknesses and attraction to vice.
Body
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenges and controversy.” (Martin Luther King Jr)
The above quote captures how fortitude is the guard of other virtues. One must be brave in faces the many curve ball and challenges that we face in life. Take for instance, when Gandhiji was being compelled to stop his Salt Satyagraha in 1930, he braved arrest rather than giving up what he believed in.
In our lives many situations arise in which it becomes difficult to do the right thing, even when we know what it is. There may be all sorts of reasons for why it is disagreeable to act according to what we know is best. In order to stay strong, to do what is good, we need the third cardinal virtue, known alternately as fortitude, courage, or bravery. This is the virtue by which we do the right thing, even in the midst of hardship.
When it is the hardest to uphold our virtues, it is fortitude that will support it. For instance, as Kautilya said in context of corruption, when there is honey on the tongue, it is difficult to not taste it. It was seen as the virtue of the soldier, who was determined to offer his life for the sake of a greater good. Now, those of us who struggle to live virtuous lives believe that we too are soldiers, that we too are engaged in battle, although the battle is not a physical one, but rather spiritual.
Conclusion
All the virtues exist as forms of balance, and so must be carefully distinguished from the various excesses which threaten to substitute for virtue. This is especially true in the case of fortitude, with can easily degenerate into extremes of brashness or cowardice.
Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;
7. What does this quote means to you? (150 words)
Difficulty level: 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 role of self-control in self-respect. Mention as to how have self-control over desires and vices can lead to self-respect and its relationship with development of courage. A man who has nothing to fear because of his self-respect. Cite examples to substantiate.
Conclusion:
Summarise by highlighting the importance of the quote in the present day.
Introduction
Self-control, an aspect of inhibitory control, is the ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behavior in the face of temptations and impulses. As an executive function, it is a cognitive process that is necessary for regulating one’s behavior in order to achieve specific goals.
Self-respect is knowing you are worthy and treating yourself accordingly. Our level of self-respect acts almost like a blueprint to instruct others how to engage with us.
Body
A self-controlled person exhibits a great deal of willpower and personal control. They don’t act impulsively and can regulate their emotions and actions effectively. This in turn increases their self-worth and self-respect.
First motivation you need to stay in control is knowing consequences of uncontrolled yourself. You must first understand your uncontrolled version. Get to know that version of yourself and have a very clear picture of it.
If you need success, then you cannot do anything you like or desire to do . Because the success and failure is with-in. You must give up habits that act as obstacles and develop new habits that act as ladders for achieving your goals.
You must be in control until you build up a new habit or personality. Control yourself to get out from obstacle habits and get in to ladder habits. You have to control yourself to the success.
Now you know the damage of uncontrolled yourself. Next step is to understand benefits of self control. Get educated on good habits you need to develop and picture your version with new habits and developed yourself.
Your controlled version can guide you. Having control of yourself is the key. Control toward the goal. Control toward the target. Keep controlling until get it done. Once self-control is mastered, self-respect follows. That gives you the courage to overcome anything and everything. No one can tarnish your self-worth or image because you are confident about yourself and in your skillset.
Conclusion
Self-respect, self-esteem, and self-confidence are synonyms and they co-exist. Your self-respect is exclusively yours and no person or event should be allowed access to it, much less power over it. If you do not protect and safeguard your self-respect, nobody will.
Your self-respect and self-confidence infuses you with courage and will help you overcome crises and live with dignity and honour.
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