IASbaba's Think Learn and Perform 2017, UPSC Mains Answer Writing
SYNOPSIS: IASbaba’s TLP – 2017 : UPSC Mains General Studies Questions [4th Aug, 2017]- Day 20
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1. An emotionally intelligent person never fails in relationship. Do you agree? Substantiate.
Introduction
Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to accurately identify “emotions” – their cause and effect; and respond appropriately. Man is a social animal therefore; EI is a necessary factor to handle and manage all kind of relationships both interpersonal and public.
Emotional Intelligence is a sign of maturity, sine qua non for success in every relationship and indeed in life. An effective leader should have the ability to identify her own emotions and of others and calibrate his/her response in every situations.
Main Body
A person who is emotionally intelligent maintains healthy relations with family and friends and rarely fails at them because
– Self control – Being aware of the positive and negative triggers makes him more predictable . This gives him self control and tolerance .Eg – The leader of a political party has to come across varied member opinions including negatives. Only tolerance helps him maintain his relationship.
-Optimism – Self awareness allows him to know what are his strengths and makes him optimistic. This helps him to inspire and motivate others . Eg – Mr B always praises his juniors’ good work and motivates them to do better . He is respected by them.
– Empathy – He is observant of peoples’s emotions and empathises with them . This is a major demand in personal relationships . Eg – Instead of complaining about his partner ‘s inability to perform a task, Mr A decides to talk and realises she had a bad day at office and hence the stress. This saves both of them from more stress .
– Accountability – An emotionally intelligent person never fails to introspect and take responsibility for his actions . He realises that its not others who are responsible for his emotional state but he himself. Eg – Mr C had promised to take his son to the amusement park that evening . Earlier in the day he faced a lot of stress at work . But he did not take it out on his family .
Relevance of emotional intelligence in private relationship,
Emotions can be irrational. For example, suppose a person receives hatred or anger from the other person. Then either he can negatively react to that or he can control his immediate emotions and try to solve the underlying issue. Thus EI helps people to settle their differences with much ease. It strengthens the quality of relationships.
Relevance of Emotional intelligence In public relationship,
A public official is always prone to criticism. To some criticism is a huge discouragement. And for some it is encouragement to do better and reform themselves. EI helps the people and particularly public officials to remain calm while deciding on important matters. This allows their actions to be guided by objectivity and wisdom rather than irrational emotions.
Conclusion
‘It takes two to make a quarrel ‘ and hence Even an EI may not be able to manage all conflicts if the other person is not willing enough . He might not always win but he rarely fails .
Best Answer :Urjaa
2. Why should an administrator have emotionally balanced mind? Examine. Also give suitable examples to illustrate your point of view.
Introduction:
Being out of balance emotionally usually involves either not allowing yourself to experience your feelings as they evolve by avoiding or suppressing them, or being so attached to and identified with them that your feelings are all-consuming. Emotional balance occurs when we allow ourselves to feel whatever comes up, without being overwhelmed by it, and learn to accept our feelings without judgment.
Main body:
- An administrator should be emotionally balanced because of following reasons:
- It helps in taking rational, logical decision coherent to larger goal. And maintaining balance between organization, oneself and the public.
- Tackling pressure at work place especially from political bosses. To achieve amicable work environment. Bureaucrat may face political pressures which can act as hurdle to act in a fair manner. Handling of inter-personal relationships is important to avoid any ego clashes and this becomes possible when one has an emotionally balanced mind.
- Conflict resolution both within and outside the organisation.
- Handling emotionally charged situation like during communal violence.
- Creating social influence which would help one to achieve development targets. Buidling trust and hence social capital. In certain development projects, the interests of the residents eg. tribal and the interests of the companies might not match. This results in conflict of interest. An emotionally balanced bureaucrat in such situations help generate trust within the people for the government.
- Helps maintain balance between public and personal life
- Emotions may interfere in the decision-making process and thus maintaining a balanced mind helps in takig rational decisions.
Conclusion:
To conclude, having an emotionally balanced mind is very important for an able administrator. It helps maintain objective, rationality and impartiality and thus is crucial for good governance.
Best answer: Rsp
3. There are many problems in our personal and private lives that arise due to lack of emotional intelligence. Comment.
Emotional Intelligence is the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.it is basically the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others.
we need cognitive intelligence to solve problem but cognitive intelligence just represents a small proportion in our daily life. Therefore, emotional intelligence is more important than cognitive intelligence in influencing an individual’s success. Emotionional Intelligence has the following components:
- Self-Awareness: your ability to accurately process information about yourself
- Mood Management: your ability to manage your emotions, shake off bad moods, and create positive moods.
- Self-Motivation: your ability to persist, overcome frustration, engage in necessary but boring tasks, to initiate productive actions and cut out counterproductive actions.
- Interpersonal expertise: your ability to give and take criticism, workout conflict, build consensus, develop cooperative relationships.
- Emotional Mentoring: your ability to respond effectively to the emotions and feelings of others, to help others learn to problem solve.
It is easy to see how each of these emotional intelligence factors impacts our life, marriage, parenting and work. In each of these life arenas, we have to use our emotional intelligence skills to be successful so naturally, it is in your best interest to develop and apply your emotional intelligence
social interaction, to some degree, not only impacts, but actually determines the success or failure of most (if not all) of our personal relationships. Sustaining ongoing relationships with our family members, friends, and spouses requires some amount of Emotional Intelligence.
Small children and adolescents have low EQ, if the parents or guardians also have not developed EQ, they may severely reprimand and punish the child without understanding its ill-effects on the child. This will affect both the cognitive as well as emotional health of the child.
In a marriage, both the spouses may be well educated and having good jobs, but if they lack EQ, ego clashes, misunderstandings and suspicions will gain prominence over compatability and comfort.
In today’s world, parents may not understand the aspirations and dreams of their children, and it may lead to children becoming rebellious. These children may run away from homes or may neglect their parents in their old age.
Best Answer: Palash Luthra.
4. The government has set up a committee under Shankar Acharya to explore if India should continue with the current Apr 1 to Mar 31 Financial Year. What are your views on the issue? Discuss.
Introduction
Many macro economic reforms have been initiated in recent past. Presentation of budget in February beginning, merger of railway budget into general budget, introduction of GST are few of them. The government has set up a committee under Shankar Acharya to explore if India should continue with the current Apr 1 to Mar 31 Financial Year. The committee needs to take into consideration various factors, its benefits and impact on all stakeholders of any such change.
Main body
The possible benefits of changing financial year are,
- On average crop periods do overlap with financial year but not the loan periods. A change can bring positive effect in dissipation of loans.
- This new arrangement will have the benefits of handling agriculture crop periods.Agriculture contributes to about 15% GDP and 58% of income in rural areas. The drought periods are usually between June and September; this will help in actual agriculture estimation and consequent policy correction.
- Statistics would be more meaningful as they will overlap finance and development of one particular year.
- Convenience of the legislatures for transacting budget work, a positive result can be seen here as budget will be better targeted.
- It synergizes with more than 156 countries that follow the Jan- Dec calendar year.
However there are some concerns on shifting from present financial year,
- Administrative inconvenience as many laws will need to be amended to shift to this system. For eg. Laws on taxation.
- In the short term it may cause difficulties in the working of the government. These include an early budget presentation in November and reworking of parliament sessions.
- Market is already stressed, especially when economy is adjusting to GST.
- Same calendar can hamper business as holidays and festive season will overlap financial year.
Conclusion
In 1984, the LK Jha committee had recommended that the financial year should start from January mainly with reference to the impact of South-West monsoon on the economy. Looking at these factors changing the financial year seems to be a good idea in terms of better targeting and monitoring. There will be some issues in terms of management but it will also bring new zeal and enthusiasm among all. A discussion with industry experts can be helpful before taking final call.
Best answer: RSP
5. In a historic decision for women, the Shani Shingnapur temple authorities allowed women devotees to enter the inner sanctum of the temple to offer prayers. The debunking of the 400 years old tradition is not only a symbolic victory for the champions of gender equality but an important milestone in the struggle for women rights. Elucidate.
SYNOPSIS:
The temple entry movement led by the Bhumata brigade of Trupti Desai along with similar movements in Shabarimala and Haji Ali Dargah is seen as breaking of religious shackles long held in the hands of men of higher echelons.
Though many naysayers see this victory as a mere symbolic one due to presence of discrimination against women in almost all the field right from womb to tomb it represents a significant step in the long documented struggle for women’s rights and fight against patriarchal system and attitudes in India.
The movement for equality began in the early 18th century with Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s fight against the tradition of sati, later carried on by notable social reformers like Eshwara Chandra Vidya Sagar, Jyotiba Phule , Kandukuri Veeresalaingam in the field of women’s education granting them basic right and treating them at par with women .
Similarly legal reforms like increasing age of consent, providing voting rights took place consequently .In the 20th century formation of women’s association led by women such as Mary Carpenter, Durgabai Deshmukh etc. transferred the leadership to Women .
Later their participation in freedom struggle was a significant milestone led by Sarojini Naidu, Annie Besant, Aruna Asaf Ali etc which proved their indomitable spirit .
Post-Independence women’s movement focussed on getting equal rights with Men seen as by rise of feminist movements, for economic and political equality, chipko with its eco – feminist theme and rise of SEWA by Ela Bhatt brought women self-sustainability and confidence into the forefront.
The Temple entry movement thus is a gradual culmination of Women’s right for equality (provided by Article 14), right against discrimination (Article 15) , right to life(21) right for religious freedom (Art. 26) .
This step which is also backed by Supreme court and Bombay high court can give a right focus and path for women’s movement which was fragmented and lost steam post liberalisation and allow them to achieve greater political participation (women’s bill in Parliament) , economic rights ( equal wages and removal of Glass ceiling)along with end to arbitrary and discriminatory religious laws (Triple Talaq , lack of property rights etc.) along with gender sensitisation can achieve the long quest for equality.
BEST ANSWER: ABHIJIT
