GS Paper 1
Q1. Through the Satyagraha movement, Gandhi instigated a transformative shift in the mindset of the masses, effectively heralding the downfall of imperialism in India. Discuss. (10M)
Introduction
Satyagraha, which translates to “truth force” or “soul force,” was a nonviolent resistance strategy employed by Gandhi as a means to achieve political and social change. With its emphasis on truth, nonviolence, and the power of the masses, the Satyagraha movement sparked a transformative shift in the mindset of the Indian population and played a pivotal role in the downfall of imperialism in India.
Body:
Role of Satyagraha movement in shifting the mindset of the masses:
- Emphasis on truth and nonviolence: Gandhi believed that through the practice of truth and nonviolence, individuals could challenge oppressive systems and bring about positive change.
- By promoting nonviolence as a means of resistance, Gandhi aimed to undermine the moral authority of the British colonial rulers while mobilizing the Indian masses.
- Awakening the consciousness of the masses: Gandhi’s Satyagraha campaigns, such as the Champaran and Kheda movements, focused on issues affecting the common people, such as unjust taxes and oppressive land tenure systems.
- Through these campaigns, he aimed to awaken the consciousness of the masses, encouraging them to question the legitimacy of British rule and the injustices they faced.
- Unify the diverse population: He advocated for Hindu-Muslim unity and promoted the inclusion of marginalized groups, such as the untouchables, in the struggle for independence.
- This inclusiveness and emphasis on unity were instrumental in creating a shared sense of purpose and a collective identity among the Indian population.
- Idea of selfless sacrifice; Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement not only challenged British imperialism but also reshaped the mindset of the Indian people.
- It instilled a sense of self-belief, self-reliance, and dignity among the masses, enabling them to envision a future free from colonial rule and thereby reduced confusion from the minds of people.
- Disruption of Imperial Machinery: The Satyagraha movement strategically disrupted the functioning of the imperial machinery.
- By engaging in non-cooperation, boycotting British goods, and organizing strikes, the movement undermined the economic and administrative systems established by the British.
- Moral high grounds: By adhering to nonviolence, the movement projected a moral high ground, contrasting with the repressive tactics employed by the British authorities. This moral legitimacy bolstered the movement’s credibility and garnered both national and international support.
Drawbacks:
- It was not able to control communalism,
- sometimes movements had to be withdrawn early
Conclusion
The Satyagraha movement had a profound impact on the international perception of India’s struggle for independence. Gandhi’s commitment to nonviolence and his moral leadership resonated with people around the world, inspiring other movements and influencing the discourse on colonialism and imperialism globally.
Q2. Discuss the potential implications of reduced flow of major Himalayan rivers, as glaciers and ice sheets are expected to recede in the future due to global warming. (15M)
Introduction
In Asia, 10 major rivers originate in the Himalaya region, supplying freshwater to 1.3 billion people living in its watershed. According to the Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment Report, more than a third of the Himalayan glaciers could melt away by 2100, even if carbon emissions are dramatically cut and global warming limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
As glaciers and ice sheets continue to recede over the coming decades, major Himalayan rivers like the Indus, the Ganges and Brahmaputra will feel the impact seeing their flows reduced.
Body:
Potential implications of reduced flow of major Himalayan rivers:
- Water scarcity: rising temperatures means that many of the Himalayan glaciers are melting fast, and could diminish significantly over the coming decades with catastrophic results.
- In the short term, the rapid melting of ice high up in the Himalayas might cause river swelling and floods.
- In the long run, the water flow in the Ganges could drop by two-thirds, affecting more than 400 million people who depend on it for drinking water.
- Agriculture: Farmers may be forced to change their cropping patterns and shift to crops that require less water or have greater drought tolerance. This can lead to a shift away from staple crops, affecting the overall agricultural diversity and food production in the region.
- Vulnerable populations that are already struggling with poverty and limited access to food may face increased food insecurity and malnutrition.
- Disruption of ecosystems: The Himalayan rivers and their associated ecosystems are highly dependent on glacial meltwater. Reduced flow could disrupt these ecosystems, affecting aquatic species, wildlife, and vegetation that rely on the rivers.
- The loss of habitat and changes in water availability could lead to a decline in biodiversity.
- g. for an estimated 20 to 30 per cent of plant and animal species in India if the global average temperature exceeds 1.5 to 2.5 degrees Celsius.
- Increased risk of natural disasters: Given the speed at which these glaciers are melting and retreating due to changes in climatic conditions, there will be frequent and unpredictable devastating glacial lake outbursts and floods, causing severe damages to lives, livestock and livelihood. E.g. Chamoli glacier burst.
- Geopolitical tensions: The major Himalayan rivers, such as the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus, flow through multiple countries, and their water resources are shared among these nations.
- A decrease in river flow could lead to potential conflicts over water sharing and exacerbate existing geopolitical tensions in the region. g. India Pakistan water conflict over Indus Water Treaty.
- Changes in water quality: Reduced river flow can result in the concentration of pollutants and contaminants in the water, as the dilution capacity decreases. This can have adverse effects on both human health and the health of aquatic ecosystems. E.g. More water borne diseases.
- Hydropower generation: Many hydropower projects are situated along the Himalayan rivers, contributing to electricity generation in the region. Reduced flow would directly impact the generation capacity of these projects, leading to lower energy production and potential power shortages.g. Bhakra Nangal Dam
Measures needed to mitigate the potential implication:
- Efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions are essential to prevent further glacial melting and preserve the integrity of the Himalayan rivers.
- Invest in climate-resilient buildings, infrastructure, and water pipelines, as well as policies that conserve precious water resources and their ecosystems for the future.
- Early warning system: India need to build institutional capacities and integrate risk reduction measures to ensure that every person in the world is protected by lifesaving early warning systems against hazardous climate or weather events by 2027.
- Emphasis on social change: such as changing patterns of water use and water management decisions, are likely to have at least as much of an impact on water demand as environmental factors do on water supply.
- Integrated water resources management could prove to be a great tool to augment water resources, improve quality of water and bring countries in the Himalayan region together to manage transboundary basins collectively.
- Learning from international experiences: for instance, experiences from the Arctic Council – an intergovernmental panel in the Arctic region and the Alpine convention an international treaty for sustainable development of the Alps need to be shared to provide learnings for the HKH cooperation efforts.
Conclusion
It is crucial to take proactive measures to mitigate climate change, protect ecosystems, and ensure sustainable water management practices to safeguard the well-being of both the environment and the people relying on the Himalayan rivers for their livelihoods.
Ethics
Syllabus: Moral and political attitudes
Q3. Discuss the challenges of tackling moral dilemmas when different and seemingly moral attitudes collide. (10M)
Introduction:
A moral dilemma is a situation in which two moral obligations, which cannot be met both at once collide. These dilemmas can be both internal and external.
Body:
Challenges of tackling moral dilemmas:
- Value conflict:
- Internal: The trolley conflict- Choosing to divert a runaway trolley to save many but harm one person who is aware that no train is scheduled in that track. Utilitarian (greater good), deontological (no causing harm to innocent person) perspective.
- External: India conflicted between positive attitude towards longtime friend Russia, a neutral foreign policy, respect for sovereignty of countries.
- Ethical Relativism:
- Internal: When we are late for work, and on road we find someone with medical emergency. We are divided between personal vs social interests.
- External: Different cultures view the same action as morally right or wrong based on their values. Hindu and Muslim, regarding the moral implications of consuming beef and pork.
- Subjectivity and bias:
- Internal: fairness cream ads, which promotes an attitude that fairer is better and dark is undesirable.
- External: Aurangzeb was never Shah Jahan’s favourite son — the heir-apparent was Dara Shikoh. This attitude made Aurangzeb hate his father, and jailed him after seizing power.
Dealing with such issues:
- Avoiding stereotypes: Develop empathy, try to walk in others’ shoes. This helps smash negative attitudes such as fair skin is better, caste and other religious stereotypes.
- Dialogue and objectivity: open and respectful conversation and evaluation of facts. The constituent assembly debates, dialogues among diverse members shaped India’s Constitution, addressing conflicting perspectives and laying the foundation for democratic governance.
- Self–consciousness and moral guidance: such as Gandhiji’s Talisman(considering poorest person’s needs), John Rawls veil of ignorance(decision-making without knowledge of personal positions), etc.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, the resolution of moral dilemmas requires a careful balance between personal values, societal interests, and a commitment to fairness and justice.
Case Study
Q4. You are appointed as a senior sales manager for a top manufacturing company in one of the states in India. One of your responsibilities entails you to find more opportunities for your company elsewhere in the country and in the world. When perusing for such opportunities, you observed that the neighboring state has a huge market potential which is yet to be untapped by your company.
When you asked around, why this obvious opportunity has been untapped yet, the company officials replied that their competitor staying in the other state has enjoyed greater acceptance from the local people, locals see this company as a heritage of their state. Moreover, the officials running this company, are appointees with political background who command a lot of regional support.
When your predecessor tried to tap this potential market, these political appointees prevented your entry by creating an image that your entry is against the regional interest and pride of the state. Fearful of the backlash, your company has so far stayed away from this. However, the company gives you the go-ahead if you wish to pursue this issue, provided it does not create a backlash against your company. Hoping for good results, you have scheduled a meeting with the management of the other company, you are hoping that you will convince them to see the truth that the state has enough market to support both the companies and both companies can work together to compliment each other and develop globally in a much more effective manner.
In the context of the above case study, answer the following questions:
-
-
- Explain in detail how you would go about in achieving your objective?
- How does regional pride shape the moral attitudes of individuals from the concerned region?
- Do political attitudes based on regional interests harm our constitutional values?
-
Synopsis:
The objective in this case study is to establish collaboration and convince the competitor’s management to recognize the market potential and work together for mutual benefit.
- Preparation in achieving this objective: I would utilize the 7 Cs model for effective Business communication
- Clear: in articulating the purpose of meeting i.e both companies can coexist and have shared growth prospects. For instance, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo both have thrived in the competitive beverage industry.
- Concise: avoiding unnecessary details, highlighting on the aspects of profitability and how positive market growth can influence customer satisfaction in political leadership. For instance, Economic reforms of 1991, Make in India campaign, IT boom in recent decades have created a positive sentiments towards political leadership.
- Concrete: Provide specific data, facts, and examples to support the claims and demonstrate the viability of expanding into the neighboring state.
- Correct: Ensure accuracy in all information shared during the meeting.
- Complete: Address potential concerns or objections raised by the competitor company’s management. Overcome regionalism with technology, Uber is a prime example, which overcome the taxi lobby in every region by leveraging consumer focused tech.
- Coherent: Connect different points and messages. Highlight what coexistence can offer. Especially in terms of technology competitiveness and expanding market boundaries, offering high class manufacturing output.
- Courteous: Maintain a respectful and diplomatic tone throughout the communication. Show understanding and appreciation for the competitor company’s position and the significance of regional pride.
- Regional pride plays a significant role in shaping the moral attitudes of individuals from a concerned region.
Three components of attitude:
The moral attitudes evoked are:
- Loyalty and attachment: Opposition to Amul in Karnataka expressing fears that Nandini from the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), could be merged it. The people of the state have an emotional connect with Nandini.
- Protectionism: Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti advocates for the inclusion of certain areas such as Belagavi into Maharashtra, reflecting a regional sentiment for territorial integrity.
- Resentment and conflict: between different linguistic groups in certain regions of India, such as the Assam-Meghalaya border dispute or the Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
- Yes, political interest based on regional attitudes harm our constitutional values when these attitudes are negative.
- Divisiveness and Fragmentation: The demand for separate statehood in certain regions of India, such as the demand for Gorkhaland in West Bengal or Vidarbha in Maharashtra, has led to divisions and conflicts within the states.
- Discrimination and Inequality: Article 15 of constitution aims to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all citizens, irrespective of place of birth. But reservation for locals goes against this principle.
- Threat to National Integration: conflicts over rivers, borders and jobs can create divisions among citizens.
- Erosion of Constitutional Values: of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity enshrined in the constitution.
At the same time, positive regional attitudes can strengthen constitutional attitudes:
- Competitive growth: west Indian states (e.g., Maharashtra and Gujarat) and south Indian states (e.g., Tamil Nadu and Karnataka) tend to be more competitive and have a higher number of intellectual property filings.
- Unity in diversity: The Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat programme, aims to actively enhance interaction between people of diverse cultures living in different States and UTs in India. Pairing states/UTs for instance Haryana and Telangane etc.
Overall, effectively navigating regional pride and market expansion requires fostering collaboration, understanding local sentiments, and building meaningful relationships
Follow us on our Official TELEGRAM Channel HERE
Subscribe to Our Official YouTube Channel HERE
Please subscribe to Our podcast channel HERE
Official Facebook Page HERE
Follow our Twitter Account HERE
Follow our Instagram Account HERE
Follow us on LinkedIn: HERE
