SECURE SYNOPSIS: 10 DECEMBER 2019
NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same time gives you extra points in the form of background information.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Issues relating to poverty and hunger
Why this question:
After passing through at least two versions, Seeds Bill 2019 is now under Parliament’s consideration. The earlier versions of the Bill, in 2004 and 2010, had generated heated debates. The present version promises to be no different, the article discusses.
Key demand of the question:
One must critically present a detailed analysis of the new seeds Bill and its utility to the farmers.
Directive:
Analyze– When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief define the intent of the bill.
Body:
In the body of the answer list down the highlights of the Bill.
Explain that according to the government, a new Seeds Bill is necessary to enhance seed replacement rates in Indian agriculture, specify standards for registration of seed varieties and enforce registration from seed producers to seed retailers. While these goals are indeed worthy, any such legislation is expected to be in alignment with the spirit of the PPVFR Act.
Present arguments for and against the Bill.
Discuss the concerns that farmers may face owing to selected features of the bill.
Suggest solutions to the challenges posed by the bill.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way ahead.
Introduction:
The revised draft Seeds Bill 2019, which the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare placed in the public domain recently for suggestions and comments, seems to be a watered-down version of a draft prepared. The Bill is aimed at ensuring supply of modern, high quality, cutting edge seed technologies to the farmers which will help them in enhancing their productivity and profitability. The Bill amends the Seed Act 1966 and Seed Rules 1968. It is evident that the seed industry has been at the center of the significant advances made in agriculture in the last four decades and will continue to do in the years to come.
Body:
Highlights of New seeds bill:
- It is an important legislation to ensure the supply of modern, high quality, cutting edge seed technologies to the farmers which will help them in enhancing their productivity and profitability.
- Registration of seed varieties: All varieties of seeds for sale have to be registered and are required to meet certain prescribed minimum standards. For instance, for transgenic varieties of seeds, registration is to be obtained under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. This can bring greater accountability to seed companies.
- Exempt farmers from obtaining registration for varieties developed by them. However, if the farmer sells such seeds for a monetary consideration, then that sale needs to be registered. This is to protect the interests of other farmers who buy seeds from such a farmer.
- Farmers are allowed to sow, exchange or sell their farm seeds and planting material without having to conform to the prescribed minimum limits of germination, physical purity and genetic purity (as required by registered seeds). However, farmers cannot sell any seed under a brand name.
- In the proposed Bill, there is a differentiation between the seed producer, seed processor and seed dealer for the purpose of licensing. However, there is no recognition of National Level Integrated Seed Companies with R&D capabilities.
- Currently, a large percentage of seed is sold under a self-certification programme called Truthfully Labelled (TL) seeds. The certification process has been kept voluntary.
- The bill empowers the government to fix prices of selected varieties in case of ‘emergent’ situations such as seed.
- The bill differentiates the agronomic performance of the seed, its physical quality and the supply of spurious seed, and consequently penalizes the offences and prescribes punishment.
Concerns or challenges posed:
- The Seeds Bill insists on compulsory registration of seeds. However, the PPVFR Act was based on voluntary registration. As a result, many seeds may be registered under the Seeds Bill but may not be under the PPVFR Act.
- If a seed variety could have been developed by a breeder, but derived from a traditional variety. In this case, the breeder will get exclusive marketing rights. But no gain will accrue to farmers as benefit-sharing is dealt with in the PPVFR Act, under which the seed is not registered.
- private seed companies can re-register their seeds. They can do this for an infinite number of times after the validity period. Given this “ever-greening” provision, many seed varieties may never enter the open domain for free-use.
- The provision for regulation of seed prices is vague in the bill. Farmers’ have also demanded an official body to regulate seed prices and royalties. In its absence, they feel, seed companies may be able to fix seed prices as they deem fit, leading to sharp rises in costs of cultivation.
- According to the bill, the disputes on compensation have to be decided as per the Consumer Protection Act 1986. Consumer courts are hardly ideal and friendly institutions that farmers can approach.
- According to the Seeds Bill, farmers become eligible for compensation if a plant variety fails to give expected results under “given conditions”. However, “given conditions” is almost impossible to define in agriculture.
Way forward:
- Quality seeds are India’s lifeline. Farming, food and the livelihood of over 60 per cent of the Indian population depend on them.
- A failed harvest has the potential to curtail our GDP and force millions of Indians into poverty and hunger until the next harvest. Overall, India depends on seeds to sustain life.
- The present government has a chance to seed a unique and progressive Seed Bill or plagiarize from others.
- We are sure our government will not let us down in their decision, and ensure their seed bill will give plentiful harvests for Indian farmers and industry.
- Ultimately, the quality seed will be available to the farmers at competitive prices subject to a vibrant growth of the seed industry in an enabling environment.
- Healthy seed industry will lead to enhanced quality seed availability at affordable prices to the farmers.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Why this question:
The question is in the backdrop of the J and K high court having decriminalised beggary in the state.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss beggary as a social issue, and critically examine if it should be decriminalised across the country.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly describe what constitutes begging.
Body:
Discuss beggary as a social issue in India.
List the legal provisions in Indian constitution regarding beggary.
Explain why did J&K high court decriminalize beggary in the state; present reasons and Critically examine the same.
Examine if beggary should be decriminalized across India.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction:
In a significant judgment, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court recently declared criminalization of beggary to be unconstitutional and struck down the provisions of the Jammu &Kashmir Prevention of Beggary Act, 1960 and the Jammu & Kashmir Prevention of Beggary Rules, 1964.
“Criminalization of begging is the outcome of extremely prejudiced social constructs of presumption of criminality against the poor and baseless stereotypes, in ignorance of the extreme exclusion and disadvantages faced by the poor who are struggling to survive.
Body:
The most often quoted definition of begging lies in the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959 though there can be some minor variants to this definition in other concerned state laws. As per Section 2(1) of the Act, “Begging” means-
- Soliciting or receiving alms, in a public place whether or not under any pretense such as singing, dancing, fortune telling, performing or offering any article for sale;
- entering on any private premises for the purpose of soliciting or receiving alms;
- exposing or exhibiting any sore, wound injury, deformity of diseases whether of a human being or animal, for extorting alms;
- allowing oneself to be used as an exhibit for the purpose of soliciting or receiving alms;
- having no visible means of subsistence and wandering about or remaining in any public place in such condition or manner, which makes it likely that the person doing so exist for soliciting or receiving alms;
Beggary as a social issue in India:
- Associated with the problems of poverty and unemployment is the problem of beggary which is a social problem of great magnitude and grave concern in developing countries.
- Begging is a problem for society in as much as a large number of beggars means non utilization of available human resources and drag upon the existing resources of the society.
- According to a recent survey by Delhi School of Social Work there has been a phenomenal increase in the numbers of beggars in India. In a decade since 1991 their number has gone up by a lakh.
- There are some 60,000 beggars in Delhi, over 3, 00,000 in Mumbai according to a 2004 Action Aid report; nearly 75000 in Kolkata says the Beggar Research Institute; 56000 in Bangalore according to police records.
- In Hyderabad one in every 354 people is engaged in begging according to Council of Human Welfare in 2005.
- It is common to find beggars at rubbish dumbs, road sides, and traffic lights and under flyovers. The frail, crippled and mentally ill share space with children, women and able bodied men.
- The line that separates beggars from the casual poor is getting slimmer in a country where one in every four goes to bed hungry every night and 78 million are homeless. Over 71% of Delhi’s beggars are driven by poverty.
- Mumbai is home to majority of beggars. According to the Maharashtra Government they are worth Rs. 180 crore a year with daily income ranging between Rs 20-80. Almost every survey profiles beggars as a largely contented lot unwilling to take up honest labour.
- India’s beggary laws are a throwback to the centuries old European vagrancy laws which instead of addressing the socio-economic issues make the poor criminally responsible for their position.
Legal provisions in Indian constitution regarding beggary:
- The Hyderabad Prevention of Beggary Act, 1941
- The Bengal Vagrancy Act, 1945
- The Mysore Prevention of Beggary Act, 1945
- The Bombay Prevention of Beggary Act, 1945
- The Madras Prevention of Beggary Act, 1945.
- The Cochin Vagrancy Act, 1945
- The Travancore Prohibition of Begging Act, 1945
- The Bhopal Prevention of Beggary Act, 1947
- The Bihar Prevention of Beggary Act, 1952.
Reasons for J&K high court decriminalize beggary in the state:
- Terming poverty a human rights issue, the J&K High Court has decriminalized begging asserting that the “begging manifests failure of the state to ensure basic entitlements of health, food, clothing, shelter”
- Hearing a public interest litigation, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajesh Bindal struck down the J&K Prevention of Beggary Act-1960 and J&K Prevention of Beggary Rules-1964 calling them “unconstitutional” and “disproportionate infringement of the right to meaningful life, dignity, privacy and liberty guaranteed under Article 21”.
- “Criminalisation of begging is the outcome of extremely prejudiced social constructs of presumption of criminality against the poor and baseless stereotypes in ignorance of the extreme exclusion and disadvantages faced by the poor who are struggling to survive,” the court said.
- This significant court judgment of scrapping of law banning begging in J&K comes a year after advocate Suhail Rashid Bhat filed a public interest litigation praying to declare anti-begging laws as unconstitutional and violative of Articles 14, 15, 20 and 21 of the Constitution.
- “The criminalization of begging, which makes poverty an offence, is intended to remove poor people from public spaces, deprive them of the constitutional guarantees of inclusiveness and pluralism, and results in their further deprivation,” the court said.
- The court noted that begging involves peaceful communication with strangers, verbal or non-verbal, whereby a beggar conveys a request for assistance.
- “Such activity is essentially part of the valuable right of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed to all under Article 19 (1) (A) of the Constitution of India,” it said.
- The High Court said prescription under Article 39 of the Constitution of India and Part IV of Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir have been completely overlooked while enacting and implementing provision of the Beggary Act and the rules.
Way Forward:
- The state must bring in alternative legislation to curb forced begging after undertaking an empirical examination on the sociological and economic aspects of the matter.
- It should focus on the rehabilitation and integration of the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our society.
- The real problem of organized begging rackets will have to be addressed by other means, based on the law of trafficking.
- A civilized society must regard the poor not as criminals to be sentenced, but as candidates for protection.
- The decriminalization of those who fail usually has positive effects.
- For instance, Portugal, which decriminalized drug use and possession in 2001, has achieved the lowest rate of drug-related social costs, like death and crime, in the European Union.
- A similar step with regard to beggars — spending on rehabilitation — would yield similar outcomes, and turn the social problem into a dividend.
Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
Why this question:
The question is in the backdrop of the case of Brutal rape and murder of a 26-year-old veterinarian in Hyderabad and the subsequent death of the four accused in an encounter.
Key demand of the question:
One has to closely examine the nature of extra judicial action taken by the police and validate and examine its constitutionality.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In short narrate the heinous incident that occurred in the State of Telangana.
Body:
Explain that the rape and murder of a veterinarian in Hyderabad had led to an outcry for speedy justice for the victim, with some demanding instantaneous retribution.
Members of the public were justifiably anguished that a gruesome crime such as this was even possible in the heart of a vibrant metropolis. It brought back memories of a similar and gruesome sexual assault on a young woman in Delhi in December 2012.
Discuss the dangers of retributive justice.
Conclusion:
Conclude with need for a competent criminal justice system.
Introduction:
Recently the country was rudely awakened to the news of the deaths, in an encounter early in the morning, of the four accused in the rape and murder of the young veterinarian in Hyderabad.
Body:
Reporting of Violence against Women:
- According to WHO estimates less than 40 percent of the women who experience violence seek help of any sort.
- Among women who seek help, tend to approach family and friends and very few looks to formal institutions and mechanisms, such as police and health services.
- Less than 10 percent of those women seeking help for experience of violence sought help by appealing to the police.
- The “latest” NCRB data for 2017 which indicates that in 86% of rape cases police file charge sheets but trial courts are able to dispose of only 13% of pending rape cases with a low conviction rate of only 32%. In child rape cases, the conviction rate is 34.2% and pendency is 82.1%.
- According to the data, Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of crimes against women whereas Madhya Pradesh registered the highest number of rape cases in the country.
- Gender Disparity is one of the deep rooted cause of violence against women that put women at risk of several forms of violence.
- Violence in any form affects not only physical, mental sexual and reproductive health of women but also adversely affects their self-esteem, ability to work and make decisions about fertility.
- Violence obstructs participation of women in development and planning programs both at micro and macro level.
- An insensitive, inefficient, corrupt and unaccountable judicial system and law enforcement machinery fails to deter against various forms of crimes.
Hue and cry about more stringent laws, death penalty for rapists:
- While protests are being held to demand death for Hyderabad rapists, a girl was raped, shot dead and burnt in Bihar; another was raped and strangulated to death in Karnataka and yet another was raped and killed in Rajasthan.
- All this happened while the voices demanding death for rapists raised by protesters and lawmakers were going viral on social media and being published in newspapers.
- The perpetrators were in the reach of the voices demanding death for rapists. But this did not deter them from pouncing upon the unsuspecting victims.
- With people taking to streets demanding death for rapists, some Members of Parliament too were seen fanning the same sentiment.
- Public responses that equate judicial outcomes and “justice” to immediate and quick retribution are not universal, nor just.
- When men accused of causing grievous hurt and loss of life to women through acid attacks are simply killed in police encounters, we may hear popular applause and appreciation of the heroism of the police; or we may, as we do now, be mere spectators to the showering of rose petals on police personnel involved in the encounter.
Dangers of retributive justice:
- However, there is a dangerous tendency to slip from retributive justice to an emphasis on revenge. Vengeance is a matter of retaliation, of getting even with those who have hurt us
- It can also serve to teach wrongdoers how it feels to be treated in certain ways. Like retribution, revenge is a response to wrongs committed against innocent victims and reflects the proportionality of the scales of justice.
- But revenge focuses on the personal hurt involved and typically involves anger, hatred, bitterness, and resentment. Such emotions are potentially quite destructive. Because these intense feelings often lead people to over-react, resulting punishments can be excessive and cause further antagonism.
- In addition, punishments dictated by revenge do not satisfy principles of proportionality or consistency. This is because revenge leads to punishments that vary according to the degree of anger provoked. Wrongs that do not provoke anger will receive no response. Acts that provoke a great deal of anger will, on the other hand, provoke an overly intense response and lead to reciprocal acts of violence.
- It is not surprising that revenge seldom brings the relief that victims seek. The victim simply gets caught up in feelings of hatred. Vengeful motives lead individuals to exact more than necessary, causing even further harm and setting in motion a downward spiral of violence
- Once there is this sort of violence break over, it is difficult to break out of the cycle of revenge and escalation. Overly harsh punishments do not make society any more secure and only serve to increase the level of harm done.
- Many believe that “the victim should not seek revenge and become a new victimizer but instead should forgive the offender and end the cycle of offense.” However, forgiveness does not take the place of justice or punishment, nor does it rule out giving the wrongdoer their just deserts.
Violation of article 21:
- The Supreme Court of India, by resurrecting Justice H.R. Khanna’s dissent in Puttaswamy in 2017, has prescribed the interpretation of Article 21:
- It is non-negotiable and is not suspended even during conditions of Emergency.
- We are not living under declaration of Emergency so the duty of care is more onerous on the police
- Any argument on the actions being carried out in ‘purported discharge of official duties’ especially involving the death of unarmed persons in custody cannot stand the narrowest test of Article 21.
Arguments against encounter killing:
- There is no law in force in India that authorizes the police to kill
- The plea of self-defense cannot be used to rationalize a targeted, pre-meditated killing of suspects in custody.
- This plea is bound to the apprehension of death at the hands of the suspects at the time that the suspects are shot
- There is nothing to suggest that the four suspects posed a threat to the lives of the police personnel since they were admittedly in custody and, therefore, presumably unarmed.
- The police have confessions of the suspects while in custody, the evidentiary value of which must be evaluated by the court; but we have on the other hand an open declaration by the police of shooting and causing death.
- As was argued in the Encounters case before the Andhra Pradesh High Court, the discussion on the law ‘was never whether there should be indictment and trial when homicide is committed in self-defense’.
- The debate was on ‘whether a plea of self-defense where excessive force is used, should be tried for manslaughter or murder’.
- We have deliberated on this at length in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh and the full bench decision on encounters can scarcely be forgotten especially because these are unarmed commoners in custody.
Society must be to Change to not to happen these incidents again:
- Due to the patriarchal mindsets, for every rape reported, there are so many which go unrecorded.
- Men are more likely to perpetrate violence if they have low education, a history of child maltreatment, exposure to domestic violence against their mothers, harmful use of alcohol, unequal gender norms including attitudes accepting of violence, and a sense of entitlement over women.
- National Family Health Survey-4 revealed that every third married woman had experienced physical and/or sexual violence, but only 1.5% had sought help from the police.
- Proper quality education with high morals should become the responsibility of the Government. Education from childhood should involve gender sensitization.
- Changes in school and college syllabi to educate young people on the social values of equality and respect for women’s autonomy is needed.
Conclusion:
The pathways of justice are not linear nor without obstacles. But we have, as a people, chosen the route of democracy and the Constitution, so we really have no option but to school ourselves in constitutional morality. For as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar cautioned in anticipation, constitutional morality must replace public morality. It is not easy, because it is not a natural sentiment. But it is non-negotiable.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Why this question:
The article talks about the emerging uncertainty in global affairs and the need for closer collaboration between India and China.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss the recent fundamental transformations in the global affairs and explain why India and China must look for closer collaborations.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief highlight the recent changes in global affairs.
Body:
The world today is undergoing a fundamental transformation and there are several facets to the emerging uncertainty.
Traditional and non-traditional security threats (economic and military competition, climate change, piracy, radical ideology, cyber threats, drug and human trafficking, and energy and food security) have grown in magnitude.
Power, whether economic, political or military, is fractured. There have been increasing multi polarity and the associated power struggles. There is less multilateralism but greater multi-polarity. Hedging and multi-alignment are the order of the day.
Trade and technology are at the heart of a new round of competition and contestation.
Nationalism and regionalism are on the rise and this threatens to disrupt global cooperation.
Then move on to discuss Growing relevance of China and India Relations.
Conclusion:
Conclude that there is enough room for all Asian countries to prosper together. An Asia of rivalry will hold back the region’s development. It is the Asia of cooperation that will shape the coming century of the world.
Introduction:
The world today is undergoing a fundamental transformation and there are several facets to the emerging uncertainty. Traditional and non-traditional security threats (economic and military competition, climate change, piracy, radical ideology, cyber threats, drug and human trafficking, and energy and food security) have grown in magnitude. Power, whether economic, political or military, is fractured. Trade and technology are at the heart of a new round of competition and contestation. Nationalism and regionalism are on the rise. There is less multilateralism but greater multi-polarity. Hedging and multi-alignment are the order of the day.
Body:
Recent changes in global affairs:
- All known paradigms are experiencing stress, which calls for readjustments. At the broadest level, the inadequacies of the post-World War II international institutions are showing up because of the complexities and uncertainties characterizing global politics and the economy today.
- The old consensus is fraying and a new consensus is yet to emerge.
- The liberal trading order has encountered protectionism in the form of tariff and non-tariff barriers, which explains why India’s service exports which touch $29.6 billion in the U.S. market, and pharma products, especially generic drugs, which account for 20% of global generic medicines, have barely been able to scratch the surface in the Chinese market.
- Cheaper imports from China, which practices “state capitalism”, threaten domestic manufacturing in India.
- There is a looming danger for developing countries on account of ‘zero-sum’ mercantilism and rising protectionism in western economies. There is no doubt that the U.S.-China trade war has been disruptive.
- The momentum in manufacturing activity has weakened to levels unseen since the global financial crises.
- Investor and business confidence even in emerging markets is at a low ebb. Low productivity growth and ageing demographics in advanced economies have further compounded the problem.
- Key anchors in the global economy, including China, are experiencing a slowdown. Elsewhere, Europe is in the throes of a major readjustment in the context of Brexit.
- Global engines of economic growth over the past three decades have shifted to Asia, first to the Asia-Pacific and now, more broadly, to the Indo-Pacific region that includes South Asia.
- The continent, home to over half the global population, has emerged as the new fulcrum for geo-economic and geo-strategic realignments. High economic growth rates across the region are accompanied by some of the highest military expenditures in the world.
Relevance of China and India Relations:
- Both India and China are expected to contribute to global economic growth in the future.
- India is also transforming into a knowledge-based, skill-supported and technology-driven society.
- A liberal FDI regime combined with a youthful demographic profile makes India an attractive destination. India attaches great importance to its relations with China, a large trade partner in goods.
- Since 2015, there has been a spurt in Chinese FDI in India (at around $8 billion).
- There is great scope for China to participate in flagship initiatives such as the ‘Smart Cities Mission’ and ‘Skill India’ programmes.
- As the world’s second-largest economy, China can and must play a constructive role globally and within Asia to help the world return to higher growth rates.
- As members of several multilateral institutions, India and China are in a unique position to give shape to their economic destinies. There are suggestions that the era of the World Trade Organization (WTO)-anchored, Most Favoured Nation (MFN)-based regime is drawing to a close and that the future lies in a web of free trade agreements. However, there is still scope for India and China to work together to strengthen the WTO.
- Beyond jointly training Afghan diplomats under the “India-China plus One” framework, China and India could explore the potential to work together on Asian infrastructure and connectivity development on the basis of equality and an open and transparent model under the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
Need for India and China repair their ties:
Strategic:
- Better relationship between two countries will bring peace in the region and they can fight against terrorism and underdevelopment in the region.
- China too faces the tune of infiltration and drug trafficking. So indulging in mutual intelligence sharing and cooperation is required for a more secured border
- Keeping Pakistan under check and getting support for UNSC membership could happen if we have a more sustained and defined relationship with China.
Economy:
- With Global uncertainty, growing Protectionism and anti-Globalization trend, India and China, both beneficiary of liberal international order must work closely to sustain the same.
- China has huge forex reserve and India needs foreign investment for projects like Make in India.
- Both nations are members in NDB, AIIB, BRICS, BCIM etc. and hence good relations among them can bring economic prosperity
Asian Emergence:
- With Russian economy crumbling, India and China are two of the great powers who would have a greater to play.
- Thus a cordial relationship is vital for holistic development of the region
Terrorism
- The two countries have a common interest in curbing religious radicalism and terrorism.
- Kashmir and Xinjiang, both contiguous neighbors, have similar challenges posed by terrorism and separatist movements.
Way forward:
- Regional disputes should be resolved through dialogue and consultation.
- Maintaining close high-level exchanges.
- The two sides can strengthen cooperation under the WTO framework, jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.
- The two sides should speed up negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP).
- Increasing mutual investments and encouraging Indian companies to participate in China International Import Expo
- Upgrading Nathula border trade port to make the pie of cooperation even bigger
- India needs to suggest ways and means to prevent Pakistan from intruding in its relationship with China.
- Both need to identify roadmaps to address the burgeoning trade deficit favoring China.
- People to people contact, tracing the work of Chinese traveler Huen zang and Indian counterpart Kashyap Matenga in relation with Buddhism.
- A strong India-China relationship is important not only for the mutual benefit of the people of India and China, but also for the region and the world.
Conclusion:
It must be remembered that Asia’s rise is predicated on peace and stability. It is a sad fact that a stable regional security architecture has yet to emerge organically in Asia. It is worth recalling what Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stated at the Raisina Dialogue in 2017: that there is enough room for all Asian countries to prosper together, and that the Asia of rivalry will hold us all back. It is the Asia of cooperation that will shape this century.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Why this question:
The article is based on the concept of oxygen bars that are being seen as a new solution to the problems of pollution in the big cities of the country.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss in detail the relevance of such new idea in controlling the menace of pollution.
Directive:
Elucidate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief narrate that the popularity of packaged air began around four years ago when a Canadian company launched ‘canned air’ for people in China when air pollution in many cities became alarmingly high.
Body:
Explain that the newer addition — oxygen-bar — a recreational parlour or cafe which serves ‘pure oxygen’ is becoming a more attractive destination, particularly in cities with dangerous levels of air pollution. At times, the oxygen comes in different scented flavours.
Discuss first the issue of pollution facing the major cities in the country.
Explain what needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude that It definitely calls for serious vigilance by the clinicians and policy makers to ensure the safety issues associated with recreational oxygen use, particularly flavoured oxygen in such bars, parlours and spas.
Introduction:
The popularity of packaged air began around four years ago when a Canadian company launched ‘canned air’ for people in China when air pollution in many cities became alarmingly high. The newer addition — oxygen-bar — a recreational parlour or cafe which serves ‘pure oxygen’ is becoming a more attractive destination, particularly in cities with dangerous levels of air pollution. At times, the oxygen comes in different scented flavours.
Body:
An oxygen bar is an establishment, or part of one, that sells oxygen for recreational use. Individual flavored scents may be added to enhance the experience. The flavors in an oxygen bar come from bubbling oxygen through bottles containing aromatic solutions before it reaches the nostrils: most bars use food-grade particles to produce the scent, but some bars use aroma oils.
Issue of pollution facing the major cities in the country
- It is clear that the problem of air pollution has increased very seriously and over the years its intensity and seriousness has grown. In many places there is no proper air quality measurement mechanism. The main constituent of the pollutants is the particulate matter which breaches the standard prescribed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
- CPCB standards are fairly above the international WHO standards. The standards are breached for longer periods of time.
- The thrust towards renewable energy is time consuming and expensive. Construction and demolition are the two major sources of Particulate Matter in the atmosphere. Most of the vegetation has been denuded, there is deforestation taking place and soil erosion acts a source for Particulate Matter pollution.
- The bad air quality tells you that the governance is not upto mark.
- It is a huge problem and increasing geographically every year.
Benefits of Oxygen bars:
Most claims around the benefits of oxygen bars haven’t been scientifically proven. Proponents of oxygen bars claim purified oxygen can help:
- increase energy levels
- improve mood
- improve concentration
- improve sports performance
- reduce stress
- provide relief for headache and migraine
- promote better sleep
Are oxygen bars safe?
- The benefits of oxygen bars haven’t really been studied and neither have the risks.
- A healthy person’s normal blood oxygen is between 96 and 99 percent saturated with oxygen when breathing normal air, which makes some experts question what value extra oxygen could have.
- Some medical conditions benefit from supplemental oxygen, but even for these people, getting too much can be harmful and even deadly, according to research.
- Administering oxygen to people admitted to the hospital with acute illnesses is a long-held standard practice. However, a study published in 2018 in The Lancet Trusted Source found evidence that oxygen therapy may increase the risk of death when given liberally to people with acute illness and trauma.
- The scents used are delivered by bubbling the oxygen through liquid containing either an oil-free, food-grade additive or an aroma oil such as an essential oil. Inhaling oily substances can potentially lead to a serious inflammation of the lungs, known as lipoid pneumonia.
- The scents used in scented oxygen can also be harmful to some people, especially those with lung diseases. According to the Lung Association, the chemicals in scents and even those made from natural plant extracts can cause allergic reactions that can range from mild to severe.
- Unlike conventional oxygen therapies used in respiratory conditions that is administered for a short or long period in hospital or at home, people take oxygen for an ultra-short period in these bars (30 minutes or less).
- As per the standard clinical procedure, oxygen supplementation can be administered only in case of hypoxemia (lowering of oxygen saturation in the arterial blood below 95%) and it does not have any consistent beneficial effect on non-hypoxemic patients.
Conclusion:
It is unfortunate that no medical community has come forward to spread awareness among people for this increasingly captivating yet unscientific business with no known or established clinical benefit. It definitely calls for serious vigilance by the clinicians and policy makers to ensure the safety issues associated with recreational oxygen use, particularly flavoured oxygen in such bars, parlours and spas.
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Reference: Quote based question
Why this question:
9th December is celebrated as world anti-corruption day. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
One must examine the role of family and a teacher in ensuring a corruption free society.
Directive:
analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief define and discuss the issue of corruption across the world.
Body:
First discuss what causes corruption.
Explain the factors responsible for it.
Discuss the role of Mother, Father and a teacher in ensuring the roots of corruption are never sown in the first place.
Quote examples from day to day life, suggest preaching of great scholars and teachers like A P J Abdul Kalam etc. and justify your answer.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what needs to be done to strengthen the anti-corruption drive and make the world a corruption free society.
Introduction:
Being corruption free and a nation of beautiful minds require having sound ethical values in citizens.
Children of today are the citizen of tomorrow and the values imbibed in a child during its formative years plays an important role in the holistic progress of the nation. In this respect, three most influencing stakeholders i.e. father, mother and teacher are critical in shaping the impressionable mind by inculcating right values.
Body:
Parents:
- Inculcating honesty, empathy, truthfulness, compassion towards fellow living beings can be effectively done by parents only.
- These all require that parents provide emotional security and meet material requirements of the child.
- A large portion of the time is spent by child where it acquires habits observing its parents. Hence parents should not only preach but lead by example by exercising the aforementioned values.
- Parents also form the formative mind of children when they tell moral based stories.
- Exposing the children to good literature and movies also can be done by parents. Like Harishchandra stories which portrays “honesty”.
- Father is always the first role model for a child. Children learn by emulating their fathers. This with time becomes ingrained in their minds and become a part of their own character.
- Mother is often referred to as the first teacher and guide for a child. She teaches him emotional intelligence, empathy, compassion.
- It is often the mother who guides our perception of what is right and wrong. This in an early stage gets inculcated and becomes a part of our conscience. Mother influences our religious beliefs, cleanliness habits.
Teachers:
- In addition to above stated values, teachers play a vital role in stoking curiosity in child, fostering his creative ability and bring out latent talent and passions.
- Teachers also play an important role in imbibing discipline and regulating the child’s inter-personal interaction with peers.
- Value based education in school should be prominent as envisaged by Gandhiji in Wardha scheme of education.
- Given the fact that children spent almost half of their childhood in school, the role of teacher is paramount.
Conclusion:
Other factors like media, peers and friends, siblings also play a vital role in shaping an individual. But primarily it is the troika of teacher, mother and father.
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Reference – quote based questions
Why this question:
The question is based on the idea that “Your body dies but your soul and spirit never dies.”
Key demand of the question:
One must explain the significance of the quote in detail using suitable examples from the ethical perspectives relevant to today’s world.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief narrate the meaning of the quote.
Body:
The above stated theme depicts the importance of listening to inner voice and pursuing your dreams to enrich our life over the passive existence and dying without making any mark. Establish the context of the theme by supporting your stance with valid arguments.
Introduce the concept of death of a body and inner voice and then explain the value of dreams and how we face challenges while achieving it because road to success in never easy but it is always rewarding.
explain why people give up under various situations be it professional life,
love life, social life or just life in general. What are the causes behind it whether external (Social Pressure) or internal (Like lack of courage). How can an individual overcome those challenges?
Conclusion:
Conclude with the view that one must never give up. No matter how hard it is, no matter how much it takes out of you one should never give up on their dreams. Nothing is easy in life and if it easy it is not worth it.
Introduction:
A person is made a human because of our conscience the accumulated sum total of our experiences, our emotions, our abilities and our vulnerabilities. It binds us to the world, makes us believe humans matter and above all is the driver of all proactivity.
Body:
Humanity has been sustained and maintained by these mutual bondages and individual aspirations. Loss of these values would make anyone an outcast in a society. This level of awareness and compassion is what separates man from other animals. Unlike animals, humans don’t have to depend on instincts (though they have them). Humans are an innovative species not just because we won the race of natural selection out of sheer luck, but our consciousness helped us win the race.
When this ability to feel, reason and be associated is lost, we lose the humane portion of our existence. We survive, but the reason why we exist is lost. The sheer volume of data resting in our heads becomes meaningless with the software processing that data gone forever.
Be it Buddha or Gandhi, all have emphasized on compassion, and found it integral to our soul. The means to salvation according to them was to behave humanely, be in touch with human elements. But once we let go of the human values, we lose all sense of morality and obligation. The institutions constructed for pushing these values (religion, government, family, and society) seem redundant and often ridiculous. The detachment can make us undermine humans and sometimes even render them insignificant.
Conclusion:
Not being able to feel any pain is the best blessing humans can ask for but the blessing comes at the cost of not being able to feel joy either. Probably being able to feel, desire and aspire is what makes us humans, makes us more than a tangible entity. The feeling of belonging keeps us together. The aspirations keep us innovative and fear and caution protect us. These psychological and biological links are intertwined and make a human, humane. Death is a loss to a society, but death of humanness is the loss to individual, and an immeasurable one.
