Mains Question for UPSC Aspirants
“The three farm laws are only a part of the far wider set of economic reforms that will be needed to stabilize Indian agriculture. The guiding principle for these reforms must be to create conditions that allow farm households to maximize their income while minimizing the overall level of risk in Indian agriculture.” Critically Analyse.
[GS Mains Paper III]
Hint:
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/farm-laws-india-protest-7427334/
“Though Lord Ripon proceeded cautiously, some of his early measures restored faith among the Indians in the liberal tradition of England”. Discuss.
(GS MAINS PAPER 1)
First and foremost, Ripon favoured the policy of equality embedded in the liberal tradition of England. For this to come into practice, he abolished the notorious vernacular press act which discriminated between the local and English language newspapers. His policy was even directed toward bringing the principle of equal treatment of law. With this respect, he brought the Ilbert bill which sought to abolish judicial disqualification based on race distinctions. Through this bill, he wanted to give Indian judges the power to hear cases against British citizens. However, this bill was not able to pass due to various opposition from the British community.
His work for the improvement of local government promoted the idea of decentralization of power and greater participation of people in decision making. The series of enactments would set up local self-governing bodies in the rural and urban areas. For this, he is known as the ‘Father of Local-Self Government in India.
Under his guidance, the first factory act 1881 was enacted to safeguard the interest of children and women who were working in Indian factories. He promoted the Indian famine codes which worked in the area of making authorities capable and responsible to deal with famine.
Under his rule, the Hunter commission was appointed to examine the condition of education in India which shows that he was emphatical toward the cause of promoting better education for Indians.
Although the above-mentioned points show that Ripon was working for the interest and betterment of the Indian people but his ability to bring far-flung changes was crippled by the collective power of the European community living in India and this become clear during Ilbert bill controversy.
Nevertheless, the Ripon rule usher in a new era for India’s freedom struggle movements and gave a sense to the people of India that justice and fair play could not be expected where interests of the European community were involved.
“The mere growth in a sector doesn’t translate to benefits for workers.”
In the light of this statement analyse in detail how it may not be prudent to rely on Sectoral growth as a measure of economic welfare. [GS Mains Paper III]
Hint: Indian Express
Analyse the disruptive impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the food security and livelihoods of the poor and marginalised. [GS Mains Paper III]
Discuss the role of Bal Gangadhar Tilak in the Indian National movement.
(GS Mains Paper 1)
Role of Bal Gangadhar Tilak in Indian national movement -
- Tilak ignited a sense of patriotism and nationalism in the advent of the 20th century. He ignited patriotic consciousness among the masses during one of the most difficult periods in the freedom struggle
- Along with two other congress leaders, Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal (popularly known as Lal, Bal and Pal), he started the extremist phase of INC, which focused on mass mobilisation of masses and played an active role during the Swadeshi movement. Tilak started the Swadeshi Movement (1905), which was not just about boycotting British goods, but his larger objective was promoting indigenous entrepreneurship
- Tilak gave a three-point programme for national awakening – Swaraj, Swadeshi and Nationalist Education based on vernacular. For the cultivation of an enlightened mind, he used the media in the form of two newspapers, Kesari (Marathi) and Maratha (English), and national education through Deccan Education Society, an institute he established.
- Tilak rejected the narrow view of Swaraj and presented a broad view of Swaraj which means Swaraj is the rule of and rule for the common people of India.
- Tilak laid Foundation for the Gandhian way of Mass Movement. His formula for preparing the ground for political activism through culture, education and media was so powerful that later on Mahatma Gandhi, Babasaheb Ambedkar and others adopted this path. Moreover, he prepared a fertile ground for Swaraj through his home-rule movement.
- Tilak also played a key role in the signing of the Lucknow Pact between the Indian national congress and the Muslim league. This brought two communities together during the 1920s to fight against foreign rule.
- Tilak used Hindu festivals like Ganapati Mahotsav and other festivals for the Shake of mobilizing people. While on the one hand it caused a cultural revival of Hindus and on the other created suspicion in Muslims. Some historians blame Tilak for bringing communalism in the freedom struggle
“The reforms in cooperative sector should not be at the cost of federal principles.” Discuss this statement in the context of the Supreme Court’s recent verdict on the 97th Constitution amendment.
[GS Mains Paper 2]
“Man cannot live by the Internet alone”. In the context of this statement discuss the significance of agriculture and rural economy in India.
[GS Mains Paper III]
Hint: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/man-cannot-live-by-the-internet-alone/article35453575.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-rural-economy-can-jump-start-a-revival/article34957515.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/brandhub/reinventing-indian-agriculture/article33667799.ece
“India is neither a melting pot nor a salad bowl but a thali.” In the light of this statement discuss how communalism acts as a catalyst to political and social tensions in the state.
[GS Mains Paper I]
Hint: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/accepting-radical-otherness/article35433525.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/religion-and-freedom-the-hindu-editorial-on-india-and-communal-violence/article31475603.ece
What do you understand by the ‘Drain of Wealth’? Discuss its implications on India during the British Rule.
(GS Mains; Paper I)
- Remittances to England by Europeans for the support of families and education of children-a feature of the colonial system of government.
- Remittances of savings by the employees of the company, since most employs preferred to invest at home.
- Remittances for purchase of British goods for the consumption of British employees as well as purchase by them of British goods in India.
- Government purchase of store manufacture in Britain.
- Interest charges on public debt held in Britain (excluding interest payments on railway loans and debts incurred for productive works.)
In the context of all embracing development in India, discuss the importance of the inclusive growth and also highlight the initiatives taken by the government to ensure multidimensional inclusive growth.
[GS Mains Paper III]
Hint: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/fashioning-the-framework-of-a-new-india/article30745303.ece
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/the-mirage-of-inclusive-growth/article8656382.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/an-inclusive-growth-policy/article5872724.ece