[ Day 51 – Synopsis ] 75 Days Mains Revision Plan 2023 – Geography & Ethics

Geography

Q1. How do the differences in fertility rates among Indian states affect the overall demographic dividend prospects for the nation? (10M)

Introduction

India is currently at a crossroads in terms of its demographic dividend prospects. Some states, such as Bihar and Meghalaya, have very high fertility rates, while other states, such as Andhra Pradesh and Delhi, have very low fertility rates.

Body:

The differences in fertility rates among Indian states have significant implications for the overall demographic dividend prospects for the nation:

• Labour force participation: States with high fertility rates will have a larger proportion of young people in their population, who are more likely to be of working age.
  • This could lead to a labour shortage in states with low fertility rates, as there will be fewer young people to enter the workforce.
• Economic growth: States with a large working-age population are more likely to experience economic growth, as there will be more people to produce goods and services.
  • States with a small working-age population, on the other hand, are more likely to experience economic stagnation or decline.
• Social unrest: States with a large proportion of young people who are unemployed or underemployed are more likely to experience social unrest.
  • This is because young people are more likely to be politically active and to demand change.
• Regional Disparities: The differences in fertility rates contribute to regional disparities within India. States with higher fertility rates and lower human development indicators may face challenges in harnessing the demographic dividend compared to states with better demographic and development prospects.
• Education and Human Capital: Disparities in fertility rates could result in differing levels of human capital development across states.
  • States with lower fertility rates may have the opportunity to invest more per capita in education and skill development programs, leading to a more skilled and competitive workforce.
• Dependency Burden and Resource Allocation: States with higher fertility rates may face a larger dependency burden, requiring more resources for healthcare, education, and social welfare programs for dependents.
  • This can strain state budgets and impact the allocation of resources for infrastructure and economic development.

Way forward:

• Measure for States with higher fertility: States with higher fertility rates may require policies aimed at improving access to family planning, maternal healthcare, and education, which can lead to lower fertility rates over time.
• Measure for States with lower fertility: they may focus on policies that capitalize on the demographic dividend, such as skill development, job creation, and investment in infrastructure and innovation.
• Empowerment of women through education and economic opportunities can lead to lower fertility rates.
• Encourage balanced urbanization and create employment opportunities in rural areas. People often have fewer children when they have better employment prospects and access to urban amenities.
• Balancing demographic transition across regions is essential for equitable distribution of opportunities and resources.
• Formulating effective policies are essential to ensure that all states contribute to and benefit from the potential demographic dividend.
• Inter-State Knowledge Exchange: Facilitate knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices among states that have successfully managed to lower fertility rates.

Conclusion

For India to fully realize its demographic dividend, it is essential for all states to progress towards lower fertility rates and invest in human capital and economic development.

Q2. In the context of urban areas, how does the urban heat island effect contribute to heatwave intensity, and what strategies are being adopted to address this issue? (15M)

Introduction

The urban heat island (UHI) effect is a phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than their surrounding rural regions. This is primarily due to human activities and modifications of the landscape, such as the construction of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure.

Body:

Contribution of urban heat island effect to heatwave intensity in urban areas; –

• Absorption and Retention of Heat: Urban surfaces, such as concrete and asphalt, absorb and retain heat from the sun more effectively than natural surfaces like soil and vegetation.
  • As a result, urban areas can become much warmer than the surrounding countryside during the day.
• Reduced Green Spaces: Urbanization leads to a decrease in green spaces and vegetation, which are crucial for cooling through the process of evapotranspiration.
  • The lack of vegetation reduces the cooling effect and increases the temperature in urban areas.
• Heat Emission from Buildings: The concentration of buildings in urban areas leads to heat emissions from air conditioners, industrial processes, and other sources, further contributing to higher temperatures.
• Human Activities: Human activities, such as vehicular emissions and industrial operations, release heat and pollutants into the atmosphere, exacerbating the UHI effect and raising urban temperatures.
• Limited Air Circulation: Tall buildings and dense urban structures hinder air circulation, trapping heat within the urban area and preventing the dissipation of warm air.
• Nighttime Heat Retention: Urban materials retain heat, causing warmer nighttime temperatures than rural areas. This is critical during heatwaves; as nighttime cooling is limited.

Strategies that are being adopted to address urban heat island issue

• Improving urban greening: Boosting urban vegetation through tree planting in parks, streets, and rooftops mitigates the UHI effect by cooling the air.
  • For instance, Pune’s Tree Lab project plants trees citywide to combat rising temperatures.
• Using cool roofing materials: Cool roofing materials reflect sunlight, lowering building temperatures and curbing heat absorption in cities, aiding UHI mitigation.
  • For example, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation integrates green roofs and walls in select metro stations.
• Urban Parks and Open Spaces: Cities like Bangalore are focusing on creating and maintaining urban parks and open spaces. The city’s Lalbagh Botanical Garden provides a green lung that helps cool the urban environment.
• Improving urban planning: Urban planning mitigates the UHI effect by creating open spaces, connecting green areas, and using light-colored materials in construction.
  • For instance, Nagpur’s “Sustainable Urban Development Project”.
• Public Awareness and Engagement: Cities like Hyderabad conduct public awareness campaigns to educate residents about the UHI effect, its impacts, and measures they can take to stay cool during heatwaves.
• Water Bodies and Fountains: Chennai’s “Cooum Eco-restoration Plan” includes the rejuvenation of water bodies and the creation of fountains, which help cool the surroundings through evaporative cooling.
• Heat Action Plans: Ahmedabad was one of the first cities in India to develop a comprehensive Heat Action Plan. This plan includes early warning systems, public awareness campaigns, and measures to provide relief during heatwaves.

Way forward:

• Early warning: mapping climate variability across many years can help predict extreme years.
• Public Health Measures: Raising awareness, providing heatwave-related guidance, and ensuring access to cool shelters, particularly for vulnerable populations, can help protect human health during heatwaves.
• Community Support Systems: Establish community support systems to assist vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including the elderly, children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
• Implementing sustainable agricultural practices, efficient irrigation methods, and water conservation measures can enhance resilience to heatwaves and reduce impacts on food production and water resources.
• Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Mitigating heatwaves requires addressing the underlying cause, which is climate change.
  • Implement measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy conservation, transitioning to renewable energy sources etc.
• Enhancing Ecosystem Resilience: Protecting and restoring ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, and coastal habitats, can enhance their resilience to heatwaves.

Conclusion

The concerted efforts of policymakers, urban planners, communities, and researchers are crucial in creating cooler, more livable urban environments that effectively tackle the challenges arising from the UHI effect and mitigate the impact of heatwaves.

Ethics

Q3. How familial conditions influence our emotional intelligence? Explain 10M

Introduction:

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the ability to manage both your own emotions and understand the emotions of people around you.

Body:

Familial conditions play a significant role in shaping our emotional intelligence (EI) by influencing our early experiences, interactions, and learned behaviors.

There are five key elements to EI: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. These are modeled by familial conditions in the following ways:

• Self-Awareness: if parents actively discuss emotions such as disappointments and failures, children learn to identify and label their feelings. In contrast, a household where emotions are suppressed may hinder self-awareness development.
• Self-Regulation: In a scenario where a family faces financial difficulties due to unexpected job loss. Parents can model constructive coping mechanisms for their children such as humor and laughter, physical activity, meditation etc to cope with difficulties.
• Motivation: If parents encourage curiosity and learning from failures, individuals tend to embrace challenges. Conversely, excessive pressure to excel may lead to stress and emotional failure.
• Empathy: Swami Vivekananda’s empathy and values were influenced by his mother, Bhuvaneshwari Devi’s compassionate nature. She would often invite wandering monks and sadhus to their home and provide them with food and shelter, inspiring his commitment to selfless service and social reform.
• Social Skills: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s father, Jainulabdeen, maintained friendships with Hindu, Muslim, and Christian priests, showcasing his inclusive and respectful nature. This exposure taught Kalam how to navigate cultural differences and engage in meaningful conversations with people of varying backgrounds.

In contrast, witnessing aggressive behavior may negatively impact the development of effective social interaction.

Conclusion:

In essence, familial conditions serve as the initial training ground for emotional intelligence. A supportive, emotionally expressive household can cultivate a foundation for well-rounded EI, enhancing individuals’ abilities to understand, manage, and connect with emotions effectively.

Case Study

Q4. You are an Income Tax Officer. You receive a complaint about a teacher who is conducting private tuitions but not paying tax for the income so earned. He reveals to you that the income so earned is being spent by him to fund education of poor students. Upon enquiry, you find his contention to be true.

1. 1. What are the various ethical issues involved in this case?
   2. Examine the pros and cons related to various possible course of actions you can take in this scenario
   3. What will be your course of action? Justify your action adequately
   4. Explain the reasons behind preventing government teachers from taking private tutorials

Synopsis:

In the complex landscape of taxation and education, the above case study presents ethical dilemmas involving tax evasion, charitable intent, and the dual roles of a teacher.

1. Ethical Issues Involved:

• Tax Evasion and ethical concerns about following legal obligations and contributing to public resources.
• Misuse of Funds: Although the income is used for a noble cause (, it raises a question about the legitimacy of using untaxed income for charitable purposes.
• Conflict of Interest: The teacher’s dual role as a government educator and private tutor creates a potential conflict of interest, as private tutoring could influence his teaching in public schools.
• Fairness and Equality: All taxpayers are expected to contribute, and tax evasion can undermine the principle of fairness in taxation.
• Transparency and Accountability: in financial matters and not declaring the extra income challenges the principle of accountability.

2. Pros and Cons of Possible Course of Actions:

3. Course of Action:

I would choose the third option, which involves counseling the teacher while emphasizing the importance of adhering to tax laws. I would acknowledge his noble intention to fund education for underprivileged students but also stress the significance of contributing to public resources. This strikes a balance between acknowledging charitable intent and upholding tax obligations, fostering ethical growth and positive contributions to society.

It would improve the situation in following ways:

• Legal Adherence: The teacher gains a clearer understanding of his tax obligations, avoiding potential legal consequences associated with tax evasion.
• Ethical Growth: The teacher realizes the importance of aligning personal actions with ethical principles.
• Role Model: The teacher becomes a positive role model for students by demonstrating ethical behavior and commitment to both legal obligations and social welfare.
• Encouraging Charitable Efforts: The teacher may explore legitimate ways to channel his funds for charitable purposes, fostering a sense of responsibility and ethics-driven philanthropy.
• Social Acceptance: Public recognition of the teacher’s ethical approach could positively impact his reputation within the community.

4. Preventing Government Teachers from Taking Private Tutorials:

• Conflict of Interest: Private tutoring might divert government teachers’ focus from their primary duty of educating students in public schools, compromising the quality of education.
• Exacerbate Inequality: as only those who can afford additional tutoring benefit.
• Erosion of Public Trust: The perception that government teachers prioritize private tutoring for financial gain could erode public trust in the education system.
• Double Remuneration: Government teachers receive salaries funded by taxpayers, making it ethically questionable for them to earn extra income from private tutoring.
• Maintaining Integrity: Preventing private tutoring helps government teachers maintain their integrity by solely focusing on their primary duty of providing quality education to all students.

In countries like Finland, known for their high-quality education system, teachers are discouraged from private tutoring to ensure equitable and effective education for all students.

Conclusion:

In addressing the ethical complexities of a teacher’s tax evasion for a noble cause, counseling strikes a balance between compliance and philanthropy, fostering ethical growth and societal benefit.

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