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GS Paper: GS1

  • Tamil Nadu brings in State Song

    The Tamil Nadu Government has declared the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu as State Song.

    The decision came after the Madras High Court ruling that there is no statutory or executive order requiring the attendees to stand up when Tamil Thai Vaazhthu is sung.

    Tamil Thai Vaazhthu

    • A part of the verses under the title ‘Tamil Dheiva Vanakkam’ from Manonmaniam, penned by Manonmaniam Sundaranar and published in 1891, eventually came to be known as the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu.
    • In 1913, the annual report of the Karanthai Tamil Sangam made the demand for singing the song at all functions.
    • The Tamil Thai Vaazhthu is being sung at Karanthai Tamil Sangam since 1914.
    • It is also being sung at all Tamil Sangams associated with the Karanthai Tamil Sangam.
    • The Karanthai Tamil Sangam had appealed to the then Chief Minister, C.N. Annadurai, to declare Tamil Thai Vaazhthu the State song.

    What was the Madras HC observation?

    • There is no statutory or executive order requiring attendees to stand up when it was being sung.
    • The court, however, ruled that Tamil Thai Vaazhthu “is a prayer song and not an Anthem”.
    • While the “highest reverence and respect ought to be shown”, it was not necessary to stand for it.
    • The song is sung at the commencement (and not at the end) of all functions organized by government departments, local bodies and educational institutions.

    What about National Anthem?

    • In the Bijoe Emmanuel vs. State of Kerala (1986) Case, the Supreme Court ordered the readmission to school of three children who had been expelled for refusing to sing the national anthem.
    • It was then noted by the SC that there is no provision of law which obliges anyone to sing the National Anthem.
    • Again, the Supreme Court had, in Shyam Narayan Chouksey v. Union of India (2017), directed that all cinema halls shall play the national anthem before the film and all present are obliged to stand.

    What is the state directive?

    • TN CM has issued a directive that everyone who is present during the rendition of the song, barring differently-abled persons, should remain standing.
    • The song should compulsorily be sung at the beginning of events organized by all educational institutions, government offices and public sector undertakings, among other public organizations.
    • The song should be sung in 55 seconds in Mullaipaani Ragam (Mohana Raagam) in the thisra thaalaa.
    • At public functions, the playing of the song with musical instruments/recordings is to be avoided, and trained singers should sing it.

    Point of discussion: Is it a case of Sub-nationalism?

    • There has been an intensification of sub-nationalism in India by highlighting the greatness of their state, language or historical state icons.
    • This pride has, at times, led to unimaginable actions. The latest issue of contention was regarding a separate State flag for Karnataka.
    • India also witnesses shocking developments showing the ugly face of provincialism in the North-East.

    Issues with such tendencies

    • Overambitious aspirations: As much as it is a matter of pride it remains a matter of concern when regional aspirations become too strong.
    • Secessionist tendencies: India has already faced partition due to rising religious motives and has been plagued by secessionism in J&K and Nagaland based on regional identities.
    • National Unity: It can be argued that subnationalism emphasizes aggressively on its regional identities then it can break the sensitive thread through which India remains a nation.
    • Communalism: It should be critically studied that whether the state’s assertions are to freely exercise their own culture and language or to belittle and suppress others.

    Affirmations to offer

    • Pluralism: An optimistic view emerges which characterizes subnationalism as the strength of a multi-cultural nation such as India.
    • Socio-economic solidarity: Subnationalism encourages social development as the level of solidarity is high in a state under such motives of state song, flag etc.
    • Unification: State symbols means that a region becomes more and more homogenous and dedicated for welfare under cultural and linguistic symbolization.

    Conclusion

    • As long as subnationalism is not secessionist in nature or is aimed towards other communities, it might become a positive force in India.
    • It will help in re-establishing the nature of the pluralistic society of India amidst the growing manufactured rhetoric of nationalism being falsely related exclusively with religious nationality.

     

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  • 17th December 2021| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement(AWE)

    Topics for Today’s questions:

    GS-1    History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society

    GS-2    Constitution of India—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

    GS-3    Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.

    GS-4    Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.

    Questions:

    Question 1)

     

    Q.1 What were the reasons behind the failure of the League of Nations? How did this failure shape the formation of the United Nations as its successor? (10 Marks)

     

    Question 2)

    Q.2 Examine the significance of fundamental duties in the context of the Indian Constitution. What are the issues with making the enforcement of rights contingent on adhering to the duties? (10 Marks)

    Question 3)

    Q.3 India faces the challenge of high food prices. Examine the ways in which high food prices affect the overall economy. How far is India’s agriculture policy responsible for the problem? (10 Marks)

    Question 4)  

    Q.4 “Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If not, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.” – Swami Vivekanand. What does the quotation mean to you? (10 Marks)

     

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  • [pib] Chalcolithic sites in news: Eran and Tewar

    The Chalcolithic cultures of Central India are adequately investigated and studied informed the Ministry of Culture in particular reference to the sites of Eran and Tewar.

    Major sites in Central India

    [1] Eran (Dist. Sagar, MP )

    • Eran (ancient Airikina) is situated on the left bank of the Bina (ancient Venva) river and surrounded by it on three sides.
    • The recent excavation has unearthed a variety of antiquities including a copper coin, an iron arrowhead, terracotta bead, stone beads along with copper coins, stone celt, beads of steatite and jasper, etc.
    • The occurrence of few specimens of plain, thin grey ware is noteworthy.
    • The use of iron was evidenced by few metallic objects at the site.

    [2] Tewar (Dist. Jabalpur, MP)

    • Tewar (Tripuri) village is located 12 km west of Jabalpur district on Jabalpur – Bhopal highway.
    • This excavation did not reach the natural soil and revealed four folds of cultural sequences i.e. Kushana, Shunga, Satvahana, and Kalachuri.
    • Antiquarian remains in this excavation include viz remains of sculptures, hopscotch, terracotta balls, Iron nails, copper coins, terracotta beads, implements of Iron and terracotta figurine, ceramics red ware etc.
    • It also revealed structural remains consist of brick wall and structure of sandstone columns.

    Back2Basics: Chalcolithic Culture in India

    • A completely different kind of culture known as Chalcolithic Culture was developed in central India and Deccan region by the end of the Neolithic period.
    • It is characterized by the use of both stone and bronze implements.

    Major Chalcolithic complexes in India

    1. Ahar culture c. 2,800-1,500 B.C.
    2. Kayatha culture c. 2,450-700 B.C.
    3. Malwa culture c. 1,900-1,400 B.C.
    4. Savalda culture c. 2,300-2,000 B.C.
    5. Jorwe culture c. 1,500 -900 B.C.
    6. Prabhas culture c. 2,000-1,400 B.C.
    7. Rangpur culture c. 1,700-1,400 B.C.

    Important features

    • The people of Chalcolithic culture had used unique painted earthenware usually black-on-red.
    • The use of copper and bronze tools also evidenced on a limited scale.
    • The economy was largely based on subsistence agriculture, stock-raising, hunting, and fishing.
    • They, however, never reached the level of urbanization in spite they were using metal.
    • They were contemporary of the Harappan culture, but some other were of later Harappan age.

    Their locations

    • The centers of Chalcolithic cultures flourished in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
    • The settlements of Kayatha culture were mostly located on the Chambal River and its tributaries.
    • The settlements of Malwa culture are mostly located on the Narmada and its tributaries.
    • The three best known settlements of Malwa culture are at Navdatoli, Eran, and Nagada.
    • Navdatoli was one of the largest Chalcolithic settlements in the country spread in almost 10 hectares.
    • The settlements of Rangpur culture are located mostly on Ghelo and Kalubhar rivers in Gujarat.
    • More than 200 settlements of Jorwe culture are known. Greater numbers of these settlements are found in Maharashtra.
    • The best known settlements of Jorwe culture are Prakash, Daimabad, and Inamgaon. Daimabad was the largest one that measured almost 20 hectares.

    Development of Agriculture

    • They cultivated both Kharif and Rabi crops in rotation and also raised cattle with it.
    • They cultivated wheat and barley in Malwa region. Rice was cultivated in Inamgaon and Ahar.
    • They also cultivated jowar, bajra, kulth, ragi, green peas, lentil, and green and black grams.
    • Largely, the Chalcolithic cultures flourished in the black cotton soil zone.

    Trade and Commerce

    • The Chalcolithic communities traded and exchanged materials with other contemporary communities.
    • A large settlement serves as the major centers of trade and exchange.
    • Some of them were Ahar, Gilund, Nagada, Navdatoli, Eran, Prabhas, Rangpur, Prakash, Daimabad, and Inamgaon.
    • The Ahar people settled close to the copper source and were used to supply copper tools and objects to other contemporary communities in Malwa and Gujarat.
    • Identical marks embedded on most of the copper axes found in Malwa, Jorwe, and Prabhas cultures that might indicate that it may be the trademarks of the smiths who made them.
    • It is found that Conch shell for bangles was traded from the Saurashtra coast to various other parts of the Chalcolithic regions.
    • Gold and ivory come to Jorwe people from Tekkalkotta in Karnataka and semiprecious stones may have been traded to various parts from Rajpipla in Gujarat.
    • Wheeled bullock carts were used for long distance trade, besides the river transport. The drawings of wheeled bullock carts have been found on pots.

    Try this PYQ from CSP 2019. It is dicey, but you cannot escape such questions.

    Q. Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?

    (a) Chanhudaro

    (b) Kot Diji

    (c) Sohgaura

    (d) Desalpur

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”meqr233gpf” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

     

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  • Cabinet clears push to raise marriage age of women from 18 to 21

    The proposal to raise the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 was cleared by the Union Cabinet based on the recommendations of a task force headed by Jaya Jaitley.

    Minimum Age for Marriage in India

    • Personal laws of various religions that deal with marriage have their own standards, often reflecting custom.
    • For Hindus, The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 sets 18 years as the minimum age for the bride and 21 years as the minimum age for the groom.
    • In Islam, the marriage of a minor who has attained puberty is considered valid.
    • Now, the govt will have to amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, the Special Marriage Act and personal laws such as the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

    Reasons behind the decision

    • Gender-neutrality: With this decision, the government will be bringing the age of marriage for both men and women at par.
    • Motherhood complexities: An early age of marriage, and consequent early pregnancies, also have impacts on nutritional levels of mothers and their children, and their overall health and mental wellbeing.
    • Mother and Child Mortality: It also has an impact on Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Rate.
    • Women empowerment: The decision would empower women who are cut off from access to education and livelihood due to an early marriage.
    • Protection from abuse: This will essentially outlaw premature girls marriages and prevent the abuse of minors.

    What is the Jaya Jaitly Committee?

    • In June 2020, the Ministry of WCD set up a task force to look into the correlation between the age of marriage with issues of women’s nutrition, prevalence of anemia, IMR, MMR and other social indices.
    • The committee was to look at the feasibility of increasing the age of marriage and its implication on women and child health, as well as how to increase access to education for women.

    Key recommendations

    • The committee has recommended the age of marriage be increased to 21 years, on the basis of feedback they received from young adults from 16 universities across the country.
    • The committee also asked the government to look into increasing access to schools and colleges for girls, including their transportation to these institutes from far-flung areas.
    • Skill and business training has also been recommended, as has sex education in schools.
    • The committee said these deliveries must come first, as, unless they are implemented and women are empowered, the law will not be as effective.

    Criticism of the move

    • Illegal marriages: Such legislation would push a large portion of the population into illegal marriages leading to non-institutional births.
    • Ineffectiveness of existing laws: Decrease in child marriages has not been because of the existing law but because of an increase in girls’ education and employment opportunities.
    • Unnecessary coercion: The law would end up being coercive, and in particular negatively impact marginalized communities, such as the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes, making them law-breakers.

     

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  • 16th December 2021| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement(AWE)

    Topics for Today’s questions:

    GS-1     Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country

    GS-2    Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

    GS-3   Indian Economy, Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc., Investment models.

    GS-4   Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance

    Questions:

    Question 1)

     

    Q.1 Identify the reasons for rise in insurgency and violence in Punjab in the 1980s. What steps were taken by the government to quell this violence? (15 Marks)

     

    Question 2)

    Q.2 The American withdrawal from Afghanistan would alter the regional geopolitics in Asia. In this context, examine the implications of the transition of the global order from American unipolarity for India and suggest a way forward. (10 Marks)

    Question 3)

    Q.3 Notwithstanding the merit of the National Monetisation Pipeline, it becomes imperative for policymakers to introspect the decline of profit-making government assets. Also suggest the steps that need to be taken to strengthen the public sector business. (10 Marks)

    Question 4)  

    Q.4 Emotions, earlier considered as an irrational factor in decision-making, are now recognised as a critical factor of judgment. In this regard, answer the following questions: (a) How can Emotional Intelligence help in coping with the intense pressure and occupational stress faced by police officers and armed forces in discharge of their duties? (b) What are the some of the concerns in incorporating and assessment of emotional intelligence skills in public service? (10 Marks)

     

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  • Historical episodes that PM spoke about in Kashi

    In his speech at Kashi, PM has referred to several historical episodes including the battle between Salar Masud and Raja Suhaldev and the conflict between Governor-general Warren Hastings and Raja Chait Singh.

    He also mentioned the contributions of historical figures like Rani Bhabani from Bengal.

    Note: UPSC is known to ask contemporaries.

    [1] Salar Masud and Raja Suhaldev

    • The story of Salar Masud, also known as Ghazi Mian, and Suhaldev is a mix of history and myth.
    • Ghazi Mian is believed to have acquired popularity as a warrior in the 12th century.
    • He was the nephew of the 11th-century Turkik invader, Mahmud of Ghazni, whose invasion of India is known as the moment when Islam entered large parts of the subcontinent.
    • Interestingly, his tomb at Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh stands as a place of pilgrimage for a large number of Muslims as well as Hindus.
    • The most comprehensive source of information about Ghazi Mian is the Mirat-e-Masaud (Mirror of Masaud), a 17th-century Persian hagiography written by Abdur Rahman Chisti, a Sufi saint.
    • He asserted that Masud was the disciple of Sheikh Moinuddin Chisti, the founder of the Chistiya order of Sunni mysticism.

    His conquest and Suheldev

    • Masud arrived in Multan as a 17-year old head of the Afghan army and after having subjugated it made for Delhi where he spent almost half a year.
    • Advancing his aggressive campaigns, Masud on the way destroyed several temples and converted many to Islam.
    • It was at Bahraich, where in the course of a battle in 1034 CE between Masud and a local king by the name Suhaldev that the former was wounded by an arrow and succumbed.
    • Suheldev is believed to have been the eldest son of the king of the Bhar community, from which emerged the Pasi community, a Dalit caste group of the region.

    [2] Warren Hastings and Maharaja Chait Singh

    • Another historical episode cited by Modi in his Kashi speech was about the first governor-general of Bengal Warren Hastings fleeing the city in 1781.
    • By the late 18th century, Benaras had declared independence from the Nawab of Awadh.
    • In 1771, Maharaja Chait Singh succeeded to the throne of Banaras with the help of British authorities.
    • Two years later, the Maharaja transferred the domain to the East India Company under the control of Hastings.

    Issues over Mysore war

    • When faced with the need for resources to fight the Mysore War against Hyder Ali, Hastings pressed Maharaja Chait Singh to make additional revenue payments and supply troops in 1778 and 1779.
    • When Singh failed to comply, Hastings marched to Benaras with his troops to confront the king.
    • A skirmish erupted between the British troops on the one hand and the Raja’s forces and his large number of supporters on the other.
    • As they fought, the Raja managed to escape from the fort through a window facing the Ganges.

    An embarrassing defeat for Hastings

    • Several of Hastings’ men were killed in the conflict and, left with no other option, the governor-general was forced to retreat.
    • Popular narrative goes that he left hurriedly at night for the nearby Chunar Fort riding an elephant.
    • The incident is believed to have given rise to the popular saying in Banaras: “Ghode par haudah, hathi par jeen, Kashi se bhaga Warren Hastings”.

    [3] Rani Bhabani

    • Bhabani was married to Raja Ramkanta Ray, the zamindar of the Natore estate in Rajshahi (present day Bangladesh).
    • After the death of her husband in 1748, the zamindari passed on to the hands of Bhabani, making her one among the very few women zamindars of the time.
    • For the next four decades, Bhabani is said to have managed the estate of Natore with utmost efficiency.
    • Bhabani is remembered most for her philanthropic efforts. She is known to have built several schools across Rajshahi district and offered a number of scholarships.
    • She is also known to have built the Durga Kund Mandir in Varanasi.
    • She also desired to build a Kashi in Bengal and, consequently in 1755 a complex consisting of a dozen temples was built in Baronagar in Murshidabad by her.

     

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  • [pib] Durga Puja gets UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage tag

    UNESCO has inscribed ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

    What is Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)?

    • ICH means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated with them that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as a part of their cultural heritage.
    • Furthermore, its importance is not in the cultural manifestation itself, but in the wealth of knowledge, know-how and skills that are transmitted from one generation to the next.

    About Durga Puja

    • Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is an annual Hindu festival that reveres and pays homage to the goddess Durga.
    • It is an important festival in the Shaktism tradition of Hinduism.
    • It is celebrated because of Durga’s victory over Mahishasur.
    • It is particularly popular and traditionally celebrated in the Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha among other states.
    • It is a ten-day festival, of which the last five are of the most significance.

    Citation for the UNESCO tag

    • The UNESCO Committee commended its initiatives to involve marginalized groups, and individuals as well as women in their participation in safeguarding the element.
    • The festival is also marked by scripture recitations, performance arts, revelry, gift-giving, family visits, feasting, and public processions.
    • Durga Puja not only is a celebration of the feminine divinity but is a consummate expression of dance, music, crafts, rituals, practices culinary and cultural aspects.
    • The festival transcends the boundaries of caste, creed and economic classes and joins the people together in its celebration.

    Also read: National List for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)

    Other ICH in India

    • With the inscription of Durga Puja in Kolkata, India now has 14 intangible cultural heritage elements on the prestigious UNESCO Representative List of ICH of Humanity.
    • In recent years, the ICH elements that saw inscriptions are Kumbh Mela (inscribed 2017), Yoga (inscribed 2016) among others.
    • Also, India is a SIGNATORY of the 2003 UNESCO Convention which aims for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage along with traditions and living expression.

     

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  • India votes against Resolution on Climate Change at UNSC

    India has voted against a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) linking climate to security.

    About United Nations Security Council

    • The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security.
    • Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization of military action through Security Council resolutions.
    • It is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.

    Its members

    • The Security Council consists of fifteen members. Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, and the United States—serve as the body’s five permanent members (P5).
    • These permanent members can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of new member states or candidates for Secretary-General.
    • The Council also has 10 non-permanent members, elected on a regional basis to serve two-year terms.
    • The body’s presidency rotates monthly among its members.

    What was the recent draft about?

    • The objective of the draft was to examine how terrorism and security risks could be linked to climate change.

    Reasons cited by India

    • Deviation from UNFCCC: The draft was an attempt to shift climate talks from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to the Security Council and a “step backward” for collective action on the issue.
    • Evasion of responsibility: The attempt to discuss climate action and climate justice issues at the UNSC was “motivated by a desire to evade responsibility in the appropriate forum.”
    • Veto hegemony over Climate Action: Countries are attempting to bring climate talks to the UNSC so that decisions could be taken without consensus or the involvement of most developing countries.
    • Historic pollutants: Many of the UNSC members were the primary contributors to climate change due to historical emissions.
    • Overtly ambitious targets: Indian officials had said at the conclusion of COP26 that India alone would need a trillion dollars by 2030 to achieve its climate ambitions.

    Significance of UNFCC

    • The UN already has a specialized agency, the UNFCCC, for discussing all matters related to climate change.
    • The parties to the UNFCCC — over 190 countries — meet several times every year, including at a two-week year-ending conference like the one at Glasgow, to work on a global approach to combat climate change.
    • It is this process that has given rise to the Paris Agreement, and its predecessor the Kyoto Protocol, the international instrument that is designed to respond to the climate change crisis.

    Arguments in favor of UNSC in climate talks

    • Preventing conflicts: The UNSC exists primarily to prevent conflicts and maintain global peace.
    • International security: A few EU countries, led by Germany, have been pushing for a role for UNSC in climate change discussions citing international security dimensions.
    • Climate-led conflicts: Climate change-induced food or water shortage, loss of habitat or livelihood, or migration can exacerbate existing conflicts or even create new ones.
    • UN Peacekeeping: This can have implications for the UN field missions that are deployed across the world in peacekeeping efforts.

    Issues with UNSC

    • Veto by Russia and China: These two permanent members have always been opposed to the move to bring climate change on the Security Council agenda.
    • Lack of expertise: The opposing countries claim that the UNSC does not have the expertise as compared to UNFCCC.
    • Lack of consensus: Unlike UNFCCC, where decisions are taken by consensus of all the 190-plus countries, the UNSC would enable climate change decision-making by a handful of developed countries.

    India is in highlight again

    • This was the second time that India went against the tide to block a climate change-related proposal that it did not agree with.
    • At the Glasgow COP, India had forced a last-minute amendment in the final draft agreement to ensure that a provision calling for “phase-out” of coal was changed to “phase-down”.

     

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  • 15th December 2021| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement(AWE)

    Topics for Today’s questions:

    GS-1    The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and
    important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country

    GS-2    Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting  India’s interests.

    GS-3   Indian Economy

    GS-4   Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections

    Questions:

    Question 1)

     

    Q.1 The ‘Quit India Movement’, more than anything united the Indian people against British rule. Discuss. (15 Marks)

     

    Question 2)

    Q.2 As post-Brexit Britain looks for solid international partners to retain its position at the top of the global order, stronger ties with India have become a major political priority for London. In the context of this, assess the areas in which two countries can enhance their cooperation. (10 Marks)

    Question 3)

    Q.3 As the world adapts to a new normal post-COVID-19, building resilience to cope with the threats posed by pandemics and other man-made and natural disasters has necessitated strengthening global partnerships. In light of this, examine the areas which need to be focused on in the post-Pandemic world and opportunities it offers for India. (10 Marks)

    Question 4)  

    Q.4 What do you understand by aptitude? Differentiate between attitude and aptitude. Is intellectual aptitude sufficient for a civil servant to perform his duties? (10 Marks)

     

    HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?

    1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.

    2. A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.

    3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.

    4.  Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.

    5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.

    6. If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th  October is uploaded on 11th October then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis

    7. If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th October is uploaded on 13th October, then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.

    8. We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.

    *In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. 

    For the philosophy of AWE and payment: 

  • 14th December 2021| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement(AWE)

    Topics for Today’s questions:

    GS-1    Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues

    GS-2    Executive and Judiciary

    GS-3   Indian Economy, Applications of Science and Technology in everyday life

    GS-4   Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence
    and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.

    Questions:

    Question 1)

     

    Q.1 Explain how the nature of Indian economy was shaped by colonial interests of the British.(10 Marks)

     

    Question 2)

    Q.2 As the judiciary is one of the pillars of democracy, and the Constitution entrusts judges with the task of protecting the constitutional rights of the people, the consumer of justice has every right, and would be fully justified in critically examining, and commenting upon each and every word of the judges spoken or written, howsoever unpalatable it may be. Comment. (10 Marks)

    Question 3)

    Q.3 The bill for the regulation of cryptocurrencies must meet many important objectives. The universe of cryptocurrency overlaps with many domains. In light of this, examine the impact cryptocurrencies will have on various domains and suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

    Question 4)  

    Q.4 “Persuasion makes society work smoothly while physical coercion grinds it to a halt”. Giving examples, compare the effectiveness of persuasion as an influence tactic vis-a-vis coercion in bringing change in society. In what ways pers uasion can be used by civil servants to remove social evils existing in society? (10 Marks)

     

    HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?

    1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.

    2. A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.

    3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.

    4.  Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.

    5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.

    6. If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th  October is uploaded on 11th October then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis

    7. If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th October is uploaded on 13th October, then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.

    8. We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.

    *In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. 

    For the philosophy of AWE and payment: