IASbaba’s TLP 2016 [3rd March]: UPSC Mains GS Questions [HOT]: Synopsis

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IASbaba’s TLP 2016 [3rd March]: UPSC Mains GS Questions [HOT]: Synopsis

1. Indians suffer from racial discrimination in various parts of the world. It is thus ironical to witness foreign nationals and even Indians being subjected to racial violence in India. What does this indicate about the Indian society? Are we racists? Critically analyse.

• Intro:
  • Define Racism: Racism is discrimination and belief of superiority of one person over other it may be based on color, caste, gender, religion.
  • Racism in other countries and racist attacks on people of Indian origin Eg: attacks on Indian students in Australia, U.K.  United States (Sureshbhai Patel incident) etc

• Body

Points showing that India society is racist:

1. Varna and caste system: where in people were given ranks based on skin colour, e.g. Untouchables and scheduled tribes.
2. Attack on people of North-Eastern states, calling then chinki, Chinese etc. There exodus from Bengaluru and Nido Tania case.
3. Attack on students from Africa in Bengaluru , allegations of drug pedling and prostitution in Delhi
4. Calling south Indians Madrasis
5. Our educational system does not sensitize students about race or caste, biological differences are moulded into social stereotypes in schools, these ingrained prejudices often justify violence against other races
6. In our mythology, gods are always fair and deamons are dark skinned.
7. Obsession of society with fairer skin, as seen in bridal preferences and fairness creams commercials,
8. Disjunction between what we preach and what we follow, we pray to krishna and durga who were dark skinned and still want fair children and spouses
9. Judging food habits of people from N-E and south India

• Points showing that Indian society is not racist:

1. India is a melting pot of diverse races, as people from every race can be seen living in India egnegritotribals, Aryans of northern India, mongoloids in N-E states
2. Historically also Indian society always welcomed other races eg Greeks, kushans Shaka’s etc
3. Contemporary examples of Parsis, Jews, Afghans, Tibetians who have not only made India their home but also contributed to economy and enriched Indian culture.
4. Our cultural values and ethos believe in “Vasudaivakutumbhkam” and “Sarvejanahasukhinobhavantu”
5. Whenever there’s a racist attack we see large number of students and citizens coming on to streets and social media condemning such incidents Eg: rallies in JNU and delhi
6. Govt of India not having relations with South Africa because it followed aparthied.
7. Constitution of India provides Fundamental rights to every Indian irrespective of caste and race
8. Sports persons from N-East Bichung Bhutia and Mary Mom are loved by all indians
9. We provide scholarship to students from different countries to come and study in india

• Reasons for its propogation: (optional) 

1. Tradition and religious texts, epics and mythology
2. Colonial subjugation which made Indians Xenophobic of people from Europe
3. Economic competition for scarce jobs and opportunities
4. Advertising and Media
5. Forces of Globalization which have pitted people against each other in economic spheres, it has created cosmopolitan cities where people from diverse backgrounds come together, it can either break stereotypes or reinforce them

• Conclusion:
  • Take a balanced stand and explain that one off incidents does not mean whole society is racist
  • End on a positive note that education and values will not make India racist society in future

Best answer: 007

Racial discrimination is a form of superiority complex of white people which passed on to the world esp former british colonies from their colonial masters. Indian diaspora is subjected to this from west to east. Few examples being students in australia, violent attacks in USA and passing of comments in England etc.

With recent attack on African students in IT hub of country and frequent slur on NE Indians in metro cities like ones which lead to mass emigration of NE in bangalore few years ago and tamilians attacked in mumbai, we are able to see them not just outside but even within our society.

This indicates a serious mistrust among people which is taken racial turn. This was not a indigenous but the one embedded from our colonial masters.
– Industrialization of cities led to inflow of people from various places which affected the localities source of employment.
-Foreign students inflow especially from african countries led to serious balance in professional education seats which is already deep embedded in reservation leading to shortage for son of soils.
-Rise in property rates and rents backed by money power due to mass migration to metro in search of white and gold collared jobs.
-Insensitivity and lack of knowledge of immigrants to local customs and society.
-Portraying of evil characters and rebels in colored frame shows them as evil doers for children’s and they grow up with same mentality.
-Myth of social status associated with color.

When we look at ancient india and travellers guides of people who have visited us, we never find mentioned about the racial discrimination even when other forms were prevalent. We are known for our treatment of guest known as ‘ATITHI DEVO BHAVA’ which can be seen in our religious and cultural diversities. We stand by our motto of UNITY IN DIVERSITY.

Science proves the color of skin is only based on pigmentation. Lets not forget the legendary pop singer who spent millions to change his colour. We cannot change everything overnight, rather empower people based on scientific facts which takes time. Even Independance was not got overnight. Rather than portraying Indians as racist look for stats regarding Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Tibetian, Myanmar refugees who have made India their homeland.

2. The security ecosystem for the coastal waters requires for multi pronged approach that clubs preparedness to secure the coastline not only from tactical aggression by enemies but also from natural disasters and marine pollution. Discuss.

Introduction

A nation’s social and economic well being is intricately linked to the seas, not only for trade but also how it faces threats to its own security that develop across the seas.

Coastal Security Ecosystem (Note: Name few initiatives corresponding to it)

Coastal security is understood as a subset of maritime security that involves securing the country’s coasts by guarding its maritime approaches against any threat or challenge that originates from the sea.

• Protect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against threats in the maritime environment.
• Promote safety and security of Indian citizens, shipping, fishing, trade, energy supply, assets and resources in the maritime domain.
• Pursue peace, stability and security in India’s maritime zones, maritime neighbourhood and other areas of maritime interest.
• Preserve and project other national interests in the maritime dimension.

All these require a seamless preparedness and multipronged approach towards maritime security. Apart from this, there has also been a higher incidence of natural disasters and marine pollution.

Discuss why multi pronged approach that clubs preparedness is essential to secure the coastline from natural disasters and marine pollution

• Give recent examples of incidences of disasters and marine pollutions
• Explain about its impacts
• How to prevent these incidences and explain the need for multipronged approach and preparedness

Give appropriate conclusion

Best answer: Snow white

India occupies a central and strategic location in the Indian Ocean, has a coastline of 7517 km with 9 coastal states and 5 UTs. The importance of coastal ecosystem lies in the fact that it is critical for food security, is house to many species with fisheries that gives employment to many people living near to it, expansion of trade through sea routes and development of ports, many ship building industries are concentrated in coastal areas. Apart from this, it acts as buffer zone for coastal communities from floods, storm surges as mangroves and coral reefs break up wave energy.

Security of coastline mainly came into highlight only after 26/11 Mumbai attack. Earlier, short comings in coastal security were unnoticed and then short term and long term improvement were made. Security of coastline is required to prevent smuggling of drugs, arms, explosives, illegal (poaching) trade, enemy attack as seen terrorist coming from Pakistan, even coastal stretches of states like Tamil Nadu which is close to Jaffna peninsula is not secure.

Coastlines also needs protection from natural disasters that causes loss of life and property (Ex-Cyclone Phailin)

Marine pollution too is causing loss of biodiversity due to oil spill, increase discharge of waste from power plants, industries, solid waste disposal leading to eutrophication, less dissolved oxygen. It has increased water acidification leading to coral bleaching.

Thus, a multipronged strategy that clubs all three issues is much needed.

Way ahead and preparedness by the government:

• For Security :
  • 73 coastal police stations sanctioned by Home ministry in 9 states & 4 UTs was established
  • National Committee for Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security (NCSMCS),
  • Joint Operations Centers (JOC)
  • Central hub of National Command Control Communication Intelligence (NC3I) network, to track 30,000-40,000 ships daily
  • Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC), the nerve centre of the Navy for coastal surveillance and monitoring

• For Disaster Management:
  • National Disaster Management Plan has been formulated with support from NDRF
  • International cooperation to contain climate change (UNFCCC), surveillance system (Indian National Ocean Information Services)
  • Maintaining existing mangroves and coral reefs

• For pollution:
  • To assess the health of coastal water and prevent pollution
  • Coastal ocean monitoring and prevention system
  • National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP) to combating marine pollution
  • Regular auditing and Coastal Regulation Zones guidelines

3.The so called education hubs that prepare students for entrance examinations are turning into suicide hotspots of the country? What reasons would you attribute for this trend? Are students too stressed today? What is the solution to this problem? Discuss the need of change in societal perception of success and failure in this regard.

Intro

1 NCRB data

2 Examples like Kota

Reasons

1 Economic – class divide leading to complex

2 Social – peer pressure, family  pressure, etc

3 Psychological – fear of failure, poor upbringing, lack of emotional support,

4 Increase in completion to fatal levels. Lack of opportunities etc

Your stand on prevailing situation

Solutions

1 psychological help in schools and other educational institutions

2 revision of curriculum to ease tensions

3 regulations by govt by bringing legislation

4 highlighting personalities having achieved success despite early failures

5 distressed helplines

6 generate entrepreneurship and employment

7 increasing institutional capacity

8 hobby development classes and other groups etc

Conclusion

Need for societal change in recognition of psychological ailments

Recognition of education as a mean not end in life.

Best answer: Bhawana

Increasing number of suicides in educational institutions particularly in those which are considered as hubs of preparation for entrance exams like that of IIT and civil services is a matter of concern. We have one of the largest number of youths who commit suicide worldwide. Reasons attributed to this scenario are-

*Cut throat competition- awareness in career options accompanied with availability of educational institutions and resources has led to stark competition where failure is considered as a blot.

*Societal pressure- extreme expectations of parents, teachers, friends and other well-wishers has left no option for students between do or die. And demand of skilled youth for jobs has also caused such unpleasant incidents.

*Failure of government in providing affordable technical education- has attributed to open factories where money is circulated instead of ideas and innovation.

These cases are a matter of shame when we talk about skill India and start up India. Immediate solutions are required to stop all this. some of them can be-

*Behavioral change- now success is weighed in the balance of salary and scale of job whereas failure is labelled as disability and worthless. it is to be changed.

*Knowledge acquired should be the real satisfaction. Enjoying the study process would relax the stress.

*Government has to regulate private coaching centers and has to improve public educational infrastructure so that basics of students become strong and they have no need of coaching.

Change in the attitude is must if potential of young India has to achieve unless it would result in brain drain. And students should also keep themselves away from such drastic steps. It the sign of cowardice because brave people fight and perform instead of running away.