GS1 Full
Q1. What do you understand by the statement “Poverty has a woman’s face”. How does women’s empowerment contribute to reducing poverty? (10M)
Introduction
The statement “Poverty has a woman’s face” encapsulates the disproportionate impact of poverty on women and highlights the gendered nature of poverty. Women across the world, including in India, often bear the brunt of poverty due to a range of socio-economic factors that intersect with gender dynamics.
Body:
Women’s Empowerment as a Catalyst for Poverty Reduction:
- Economic Empowerment: When women have access to education and income-generating opportunities, they contribute to household income, enhancing economic stability.
- g. The success of self-help groups (SHGs) like Kudumbashree in Kerala and Bandhan-Konnagar in West Bengal.
- Political Participation: Empowered women engage in decision-making processes, influencing policies that address poverty and gender inequality. Even the Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum highlights a positive correlation between women’s political representation and poverty reduction.
- Political representation allows for targeted interventions that benefit women and marginalized groups.
- Health and Education: Ensuring girls’ education and women’s health services fosters intergenerational poverty reduction as educated women make informed decisions about nutrition, family planning, and healthcare.
- g. reduction in TFR rate in states like Bihar, West Bengal due to government efforts of empowering women.
- Legal Reforms: Implementing and enforcing laws that promote gender equality, such as inheritance and property rights, safeguards women’s economic interests.
Way forward:
- Providing education and training: This can help women to develop the skills they need to get jobs and to start businesses.
- g. Beti Bachao, beti padhao scheme, PradhanMantri Kaushal VikasYojana (PMKVY) etc.
- Providing access to credit and other financial services: This can help women to start businesses and to invest in their own businesses.
- g. Schemes like Stand-up India, startup India.
- Ensuring equal rights: This includes ensuring that women have the same rights to property, inheritance, and employment as men.
- g. Hindu Succession (amendment) act, 2005.
- Addressing violence against women: This includes providing support services to women who have experienced violence and working to prevent violence from happening in the first place.
- The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, Visakha guidelines etc.
- Promoting women’s leadership: This includes supporting women’s participation in decision-making at all levels.
- g. reservations of seats for women in PRIs.
Conclusion
The correlation between women’s empowerment and poverty reduction in India is not only evident but also crucial for sustainable development. By addressing educational, economic, health, and social disparities, the country can tap into the potential of half its population, creating a virtuous cycle of progress.
Q2. In what ways does the coexistence of various religions, languages, and traditions reflect India’s commitment to pluralism? Illustrate with relevant examples. (15M)
Introduction
Pluralism embodies an ideology advocating a harmonious society where diverse beliefs, faiths, cultures, and traditions coexist peacefully. It emphasizes coexistence, communal harmony, and cultural interactions, enhancing societal diversity. In India, pluralism signifies genuine representation and reverence for diverse individuals across all aspects of life.
Body:
Coexistence of various religions, languages, and traditions reflect India’s commitment to pluralism:
Religion:
- Multiple religions: India is home to a multitude of religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, and more. This diversity is exemplified by religious sites coexisting in close proximity.
- For instance, in Delhi, the Lotus Temple (Bahá’í Faith), Jama Masjid (Islam), and Akshardham Temple (Hinduism) stand as symbols of India’s acceptance and respect for different faiths.
- Protection of rights of minorities; – For pluralism to thrive, it hinges on the majority society’s acceptance of minority groups’ traditions and practices. In certain instances, legal protection becomes imperative, such as civil rights laws.
- India’s Constitution, encompassing articles like 14, 15, 19, 25, 29, and 30, safeguards the rights of minority communities.
- Additionally, Native tribes maintain distinct governance and communities, preserving their traditions, religions, and histories for generations.
Languages:
- No monopoly of single language: India never had the monopoly of one language.
- Many local, regional, national and international languages are spoken and learnt by Indians. We have the willingness to learn many languages.
- g. children at school level study three languages under the three language formula policy of our education.
- Protection of regional languages; – Indian constitution grants protection to regional languages and has created 8th Schedule in which 22 official languages has been included.
- Government also gives rights to minorities to protect and promote their language.
Traditions:
- Ancient tradition; – Since Ancient times India has been accommodative towards cause of various communities.
- Almost all kings granted donation and built temples for minority communities.
- Construction of Buddhist Viharas, Jaina temples and protection to Parsi communities who migrated to India when they were facing existential threat.
- Pluralism is an established feature of life in India and we have intense pride for Ajanta caves, the Kashi temple, the Taj Mahal, Gommatesvara of Shravanabelagola and the Golden Temple of Amritsar.
- Though they represent different faiths there is a sense of emotional experience of being Indian in all these.
Conclusion:
Pluralism is ingrained in India’s fabric, shaping its culture. Despite diverse faiths, an overarching Indian identity is shared. This emotional connection underpins our pluralistic ethos. Our varied identities, be it linguistic or caste-based, coexist harmoniously, exemplifying our ability to live in unity.
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