GS 1
1.Discuss the role of Himalayas in determining the climate of India. 10M
Introduction
The Himalayas, a young tertiary fold mountainous chain located in the north of the Indian subcontinent, serve as a natural barrier between the Indian plains and Tibet. Due to their great height and extensive east-west stretch, they play a crucial role in shaping India’s climatic conditions.
Body:
The Himalayas influence India’s climate in following ways:
- Climatic Divide: The Himalayas act as a barrier, separating the Indian subcontinent from Central Asia. By blocking cold winds from Central Asia, they help maintain a moderate climate across much of India.
- Monsoon Influence:
- The Himalayas split the Sub-Tropical Westerly Jet Stream into two branches. The southern branch settles over the southern slopes of the Himalayas and plays a role in breaking the Indian monsoon. The onset of the monsoon is marked by the northward shift of this jet stream, while its reestablishment leads to breaks in the monsoon.
- The range traps monsoon winds, causing them to release their moisture within the Indian subcontinent, resulting in orographic rainfall.
- The Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau are also the source of the Tropical Easterly Jet Stream, which enhances the monsoon’s intensity near the Mascarene basin.
- Winter Rainfall: The Himalayas channelize western disturbances from West Asia into the Indian subcontinent, bringing winter rainfall.
- Alpine Climate: The Himalayas create a cold alpine climate, typical of higher latitudes, within India due to their altitude. This results in snowfall in the Himalayan states, despite their location within tropical and subtropical latitudes.
- River Systems: The Himalayas are the source of major rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Sutlej, and Brahmaputra. These rivers influence the microclimates of the regions they traverse by increasing humidity, evaporation, and moderating the climate through the presence of large water bodies.
Other factors influencing India’s climate include:
- Latitude: India experiences both tropical and temperate climates due to its span across different latitudes.
- Maritime Influence: The Indian Ocean moderates the country’s climate and serves as a source of moisture-laden monsoon winds.
- Relief: Geographic features like hills and plains each have their own distinct climatic characteristics.
- Continentalism: The inland continental areas of India experience more extreme temperatures, with a wider range of temperature fluctuations.
Conclusion
The Himalayas are not only crucial in determining India’s climate but also play a vital role in the country’s overall development. However, the Himalayan ecosystem has become increasingly fragile due to the effects of climate change, including rising temperatures, receding glaciers, and altered snowfall patterns. It is imperative to undertake measures to preserve this ecosystem for India’s ecological security and climatic stability.
- Hampi, often referred to as “the city sculpted in stone,” holds great architectural and historical value. Elaborate. 10M
Introduction
Hampi, often referred to as “the City carved in stone,” is a testament to the architectural and historical grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire. Situated in Karnataka, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a remarkable blend of natural landscape, rich geology, and an extensive array of archaeological remains.
Body:
Architectural Significance of Hampi:
- Departure from Traditional Layouts: Hampi’s architecture showcases a significant departure from the conventional centralized temple layouts seen in South India. Instead of a single grand temple with surrounding structures,
- Hampi features numerous smaller religious buildings, each holding its own importance. These scattered units reflect a more dynamic urban planning approach, integrating both religious and secular spaces into the city’s fabric.
- Admixture of Religious and Secular Spaces: The ruins of Hampi can be categorized into distinct zones, including the sacred zone, irrigated valleys, urban core, palace zones, and suburban centres.
- These zones are enclosed within seven lines of fort walls, demonstrating a sophisticated blend of religious and secular architecture.
- This integration highlights the functional and spiritual diversity within the city, allowing different activities and practices to coexist harmoniously.
- Use of Local Materials: The extensive use of locally available granite in Hampi’s architecture is a defining feature. Polished granite slabs were employed for outer walls and gateways, while brick and mortar were used for superstructures.
- This choice of materials not only ensured durability but also allowed for the grand scale and intricate detailing that characterize Hampi’s monuments.
- Grand Design: Hampi’s temples are renowned for their grand scale, elaborate ornamentation, and majestic pillars. The Virupaksha Temple and Vitthala Temple stand as prime examples of this grandeur, with intricate carvings depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
- The pavilions, pillars, and gopurams (gateway towers) reflect the artistic and architectural sophistication of the Vijayanagara period.
- Incorporation of Non-Indigenous Styles: Hampi’s architecture also exhibits elements of Islamic influence, particularly in its royal structures. The use of arches, domes, and stucco decorations in buildings like the Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stables, and Queen’s Bath illustrates the syncretic architectural style that emerged during this period.
- This fusion of Dravidian and Islamic styles adds a unique dimension to Hampi’s architectural heritage.
- Water Harvesting Techniques: The city featured an extensive network of tanks, stone channels, drains, aqueducts, and wells, designed to harvest and manage water effectively.
- These waterworks were crucial in sustaining the city’s large population and supporting its agricultural economy.
Historical Significance of Hampi
- Stamp of History: Hampi is not only a repository of Vijayanagara architecture but also a site of prehistoric significance, with rock shelters and megalithic burial chambers.
- The Vijayanagara Empire left a lasting imprint on the region, particularly through its architectural innovations that utilized local resources like granite, while earlier dynasties favoured schist rock for more ornate carvings.
- Diversity: Despite being a Hindu kingdom, Vijayanagara was a cosmopolitan city where people of different languages, religions, and cultures coexisted.
- This diversity is reflected in the architecture, trade, and daily life of the city, making it a melting pot of cultural exchange during its zenith.
- Attraction for Foreign Historians: Hampi’s grandeur and prosperity attracted European and Persian travelers like Nicolo Conti and Abdul Razzaq, who documented their experiences in the city.
- Their accounts provide valuable insights into the cultural richness, architectural splendour, and vibrant trade activities of Vijayanagara during the 15th and early 16th centuries.
Conclusion
Hampi stands as a monumental legacy of the Vijayanagara Empire, embodying the architectural brilliance and historical richness of a bygone era. The city’s innovative departure from traditional layouts, integration of diverse architectural styles, and sophisticated water management systems underscore its significance as a centre of cultural and technological advancement.
ETHICS
1Q. “Two distinct attitudes observed in public service are a risk-averse attitude and a proactive attitude.” How do these attitudes influence decision-making in public administration? Discuss with examples. [10M, 150words]
Introduction:
Attitude refers to a predisposition or mindset that influences how an individual responds to situations and makes decisions. In public service, attitudes significantly impact decision-making and administrative effectiveness.
Body:
Risk-averse attitude:
- Definition: A cautious approach that avoids potential risks, often prioritizing stability and adherence to established procedures.
- Influence on decision-making:
- Delays in implementation: Hesitation to innovate or take decisive actions can lead to delayed policy execution.
E.g. Ministry report show 449 project were hit by cost overrun in 2023.
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- Over-reliance on protocol: Strict adherence to rules may prevent adaptive responses to emerging issues.
E.g. Red Tape bureaucracy.
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- Limited innovation: Fear of failure discourages the exploration of new solutions.
E.g. Lack of innovative aptitude.
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- Focus on compliance: Emphasizes meeting regulatory requirements over achieving outcomes.
E.g. Skill development target focus on quantitative goals.
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- Safety over progress: Prioritizes avoiding mistakes, sometimes at the cost of progress.
Proactive attitude:
- Definition: An anticipatory approach that actively seeks to address challenges and seize opportunities, often involving calculated risks.
- Influence on decision-making:
- Innovative solutions: Encourages creativity and the adoption of new methods to solve problems.
E.g. “My school, my farm” Mizoram DC Shashanka Ala innovative solution to eradicate malnutrition.
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- Timely responses: Quick decision-making in response to emerging issues, minimizing potential harm.
E.g. Citizen centric and good governance.
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- Empowerment of subordinates: Fosters a culture of initiative, allowing lower-level officers to contribute ideas.
E.g. Principle of subsidiarity.
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- Adaptability: Facilitates adjustments to policies based on real-time feedback and changing circumstances.
E.g. Public consultation of Forest bill.
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- Outcome-oriented: Focuses on achieving goals, even if it requires bending conventional rules.
Conclusion:
Both risk-averse and proactive attitudes play crucial roles in public administration. While risk aversion ensures stability and compliance, a proactive attitude drives innovation and effective problem-solving. A balanced approach, integrating both attitudes, is essential for achieving sustainable and impactful governance.
2Q. As the CEO of Zila Parishad, you are responsible for overseeing the effective implementation of policies and programs across the district. In an effort to ensure good governance at the grassroots level, you decide to inspect a Gram Sabha meeting in a village that is headed by a female Sarpanch. This visit is part of your routine checks to ensure that local governance is functioning properly and inclusively. Upon arriving at the village for the Gram Sabha meeting, you notice that the Sarpanch is absent. Curious and concerned, you inquire with the villagers about her whereabouts. The villagers reveal that it is actually her husband who regularly attends meetings and makes all the decisions on her behalf. They mention that this has been the norm since her election, as her husband believes she is incapable of handling the responsibilities due to her gender. Disturbed by this revelation, you request a private meeting with the Sarpanch to understand the situation better. During the meeting, she candidly shares that her husband does most of the work because he thinks that, as a woman, she lacks the capability to manage the duties of the Sarpanch effectively. She confesses that she feels powerless and unsure of how to assert herself in her role due to the prevailing gender norms and societal expectations in the village.
In the context of the given case study:
- Identify the stakeholders and ethical issues involved in the case.
- How should a public official address the issue of proxy governance when an elected leader is being sidelined by a family member due to gender bias?
- What steps can be taken to empower female leaders in rural governance who are facing resistance due to deeply ingrained patriarchal norms?
Introduction:
The case illustrates the ethical dilemma of proxy governance in rural India, where patriarchal norms overshadow the role of female leaders. It raises critical concerns about gender equality, governance, and the ethical responsibilities of public officials in ensuring that elected representatives fulfill their roles.
Body:
- a) Stakeholders and ethical issues:
- Female sarpanch: Facing the ethical dilemma of role abdication due to gender bias, violating principles of equality and self-governance.
- Villagers: Caught in the unethical practice of proxy governance, leading to misrepresentation and ineffective local governance.
- Sarpanch’s husband: Engaging in unethical behavior by undermining democratic processes and perpetuating gender discrimination.
- Zila parishad (Public Official): Holds ethical responsibility to ensure adherence to principles of good governance, equality, and empowerment.
- Local community: Impacted by ineffective leadership and denial of genuine representation due to gender bias.
- b) Addressing proxy governance:
- Enforcement of legal provisions: Ensure strict adherence to laws that mandate the active participation of elected representatives, addressing gender bias.
E.g. violation of constitutional 73rd amendment.
- Confidential dialogue: Engage in a private, respectful dialogue with the Sarpanch to understand her challenges and offer support to assert her role.
E.g. UNFPA India work in rural.
- Training and capacity building: Implement training programs to enhance the leadership skills of the female Sarpanch, empowering her to fulfill her duties effectively.
E.g. e-GramPrashikshan.
- Community awareness: Initiate campaigns to educate the community on the importance of genuine female leadership and gender equality in governance.
E.g. Gender inclusiveness in Gram panchayat development plan.
- Monitoring and accountability: Establish mechanisms to monitor and ensure that elected representatives are performing their duties without undue influence or proxy governance.
- c) Strategy for empowering female leaders:
- Gender sensitization programs: Conduct regular workshops for the community and elected leaders to challenge patriarchal norms and promote gender equality.
E.g. Kudumbashree gender sensitisation program.
- Mentorship programs: Pair female leaders with experienced mentors to guide and support them in overcoming challenges and asserting their roles.
E.g. WIL program (Women in leadership).
- Legal support and awareness: Provide legal education to female leaders about their rights and responsibilities, helping them resist external pressures.
E.g. #HeforShe campaign.
- Inclusive policy implementation: Develop and enforce policies that ensure female leaders have equal opportunities to participate and lead in governance.
E.g. Strict enforcement of Nari shakti vaandana adhiniyam (106th Amendment)
- Strengthening support networks: Build networks of female leaders to share experiences, provide mutual support, and collectively advocate for gender equality.
Conclusion:
Addressing the issue of proxy governance and empowering female leaders requires a multifaceted approach that combines legal enforcement, capacity building, and community engagement. Public officials must play a proactive role in upholding ethical standards and promoting gender equality in rural governance.
