Directive word/s: Discuss: We have to debate by going through the details of the issue backed up by either examples or supporting statements as evidences in support and against of your point.

Remember to arrive at a conclusion and write as a ‘way forward’.

Demand of the question:

First part: Explain, what is the need to safeguard the Indian Art Heritage in modern times

Second part: Threats posed to the survival of Indian Art & Architecture?

Third Part: What are the steps that can be adopted to safeguard the Indian Art in the form of way forward

Structure of your answer:

• Intro: Give 2 or 3 lines about diversity of Indian Art & Architecture.
• What is the need to safeguard the Indian Art & Architecture?
• Threats posed to the survival of Indian Art & Architecture.
• Way forward in the form of suggestions how to protect Indian art and Architecture.

Answer: The diversity and excellence of Indian Arts, Crafts, Architecture, Languages, Cultures and Religious made India as a melting point for different cultures and arts. Indian art has been refined over the years from paining on the walls of the caves to various arts forms existed in the contemporary times.

Need for safeguarding the Indian Art & Architectural Heritage:

• Best Source to know our past: We are able to know the various social-political and economic conditions of various times from Indus Valley Civilisation to Mughal period through their Arts and Architecture.
• Technological Advancements: The evolution of Indian Arts such as paintings, crafts, sculpture has provided a strong evidence for technological advancement over the years as we evident from paintings of paleolithic that used limited naturally made colours on caves to modern paintings on variety of medium using different combination of colours.
• Economic importance: As many traditional Indian craft and art products have a huge economic potential in both domestic and international markets, protecting them will not

only help the GDP growth but also provide livelihood opportunities to millions of India. It is projected that this industry has 6.1% of growth potential to India’s GDP which is now stood at 1.5%.

• As a tool for Soft Power Diplomacy: As India Diaspora with its 32.3 million people spreading across all continents making the largest diaspora in the world. These India’s with their deep respect for Indian traditions, culture, arts and crafts making it as a tool for diplomacy.

Threats posed to Indian Art & Architectural heritage:

• Lack of Economic Opportunities to Artists: As large part of these artists and artisans are part of informal economy and their work is depends on seasons, they supplement their income either working as construction/agriculture labour.
• Poor Support from government and private players: Despite the marginal increase in the budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Culture the efforts to revive most neglected art forms has not yielding results. Ex: Kalbelia dance from Rajasthan
• Social stigma: Often in India, all these arts, crafts are done/performed by lower classes in the society which perpetuated the social ostracism prevalent in India society.

Suggestions to promote the Indian Art Heritage:

• Developing a cultural economy: Government has to organise various cultural festivals on regular basis and if possible develop a yearly calendar to bring visibility to these art forms.
• Social security net to artisans: Providing life, health coverage and social security benefits such as pensions to these artists will help them to continue their arts.
• Moratorium on GST on their products: Less GST or moratorium on GST can reduce the cost of their services/products will boost their exports and also domestic sales.
• Skilling for future generations: Skills to be provided to the existing and future generation to adopt technology in production and marketing will make it is a better livelihood option for them.

The very comprehension and articulation of our collective identities, aspirations, tragedies, bliss, and potential depends on the survival of the arts. If we lose our artists, a million temples and trillions worth of economic growth will fail to make us whole again.

Directive word/s:

ssess: Assess means we need to evaluate or estimate the nature of something and persuade the reader with relevant research but also point out flaws or counter arguments as well. In conclusion we need to mention how far you are in agreement with the given proposition.

Demands of the question:

First Part: We need to provide importance of accounts of Chinese travellers such as (Faxian and Hien-Tsang) and Arab travellers (Al-Biruni, Ibn Battuta and Al-Masudi) to know the history of India

Second Part: Need to provide what are the criticisms of their accounts regarding the history of India

Conclusion: Conclude, whether are you in agreement with the proposition and explain you opinion in just 2 statements.

Structure of your answer:

• Intro: Write about major Chinese and Arab travellers to India and their purpose to come to India.
• Provide how Chinese and Arab travellers talked about India’s Socio, Political, Economical, and Cultural and Religion conditions of that.
• Provide limitations/Criticisms about their description of India.
• Conclude by saying how far the Chinese and Arab travellers helped to know our History.

Answer: There are various sources to know the history of India from Vedas to modern literature. However the major objective of Chinese travellers such as Faxian and Huan Tsang and Arab travellers such as Al Biruni, Ibn Batuta and others was not only understand the culture, political, social and Economic conditions of India but also to get the major religion texts such as Buddhism and others.

Contributions of Chinese and Arab travellers in understanding the history of India:

Political conditions of India:

• They described India as a stable policy majorly devoid of any major revolts and administration was very liberal and tax burden on people was not heavy. And subjects were free from oppression of government officials.
• The kings have maintained huge army, cavalry and spies to gather the information about the welfare activities and dangers from neighbouring empires.
• However during the time of Hiuen Tsang visit to India travelling was not much safe as always a danger of robbers.
• Ibn Battuta observed that India was not a unified entity but rather composed of various regional kingdoms and principalities, each with its own rulers and governance. And he also mentioned about the Muhammad Bin Tughlaqs extensive administrative reforms.
• Al-Biruni observed a decentralised political structure with significant autonomy given to local chieftains and regional kings leading to a variety of governance styles across different areas.

Economic and Revenue condition:

• During their visit the major source of income to the empire was land revenue and 1/6^th of the produce is collected as tax and people were allowed freely from one land to another land
• Monasteries and Temples and their property and other religious endowments were free from state taxation.
• Ibn Battuta have documented the trade routes, currency systems and market places in details which helped us to better understand the economic conditions of India of that time and also mentioned that Indian cotton cloth, muslin, silk, brocade and satin were in great demand in both West Asia and South East Asia.

Social Conditions:

• Condition of women: Education was limited to elite classes and there is prevalence of child marriage and dowry system and sati system.
• There were some evidences for starting of caste system during the time of Fixian and it become stabilised by the time of Tsang.
• The people were simple, honest and morally grounded and avoid having meat, onions and liquor and cities of that time were clean and prospers.
• Ibu-Battura described about the practise of Sati, slave market, prevalence of slavery and social custom that Muslim men can have four wives and adultery was considered as a serious crime.
• Al-Biruni stated that society was stratified based on caste and also caste determines the occupation of a person. He also emphasised the higher importance given to education among the all faiths in Indian society.

Religion Conditions:

• People of that time were secular and observed religious tolerance and one can freely move from one religion to other. Hence both Buddhism and Hinduism were flourished.
• Hiuen-Tsang provided a description of religious assemblies organised by Harsha and his charity to religious monasteries.
• Al-Biruni highlighted the religious diversity in India, observing the coexistence of various faiths including Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam thus he highlighted the tolerance within the Indian society.

However there were some historian argue that the accounts of these travellers were subjective and biased as they idealised Buddhism and Islam and looked down upon other religions and their practises. And they exuberated the social conditions and richness and prosperity of Indian.

The accounts of Chinese and Arab travellers not only helped to understand the history of India and but also provided a nuanced background to the social, political and economic and other conditions of India, which helped us to know about the history, to protect and preserve it to enable future generations to be pride about India’s history.

Directive word/s: Provide information or explanation about a topic/issue that makes it easier to understand.

Demand of the question:

Provide thoughts of Gandhi in political, Economic, Social and Religious matters and their significance/application in contemporary times.

Structure of your answer:

• Intro: Briefly introduce what you are going to talk about Gandhi’s ideology within 2/3 statements.
• Briefly explain what are Gandhi’s thoughts on political, Economic, Social and Religious sphere and provide their significance there itself to make it clear.
• Conclude by saying how they can be applied in resolving the ongoing global conflicts.

Answer: Gandhi ji as a leader starting his struggle in South Africa to fight for the rights of Indians and till the India’s independence has shown exemplary apathy towards the down trodden people. All his experiments he had included in his autobiography “My Experiment with Truth” in which he explained his ideologies such as truth, non violence, swaraj, Swadeshi, satyagraha, trusteeship etc.

Gandhi’s political thoughts and their significance:

Swaraj: Gandhi considered politics as an instrument for the uplift of mankind in social, economic, moral and spiritual sphere. For Gandhi Swaraj means self-rule devoid of any external interference and means of self sufficiency in all spheres of life.

• Relevance: Swaraj was put forward by the Indian government in economic sphere in the form of ‘Self Reliant India’. Swaraj was integral in Constitution of India in the form fundamental rights, which assures social, economic , religious freedom to every citizen which became the back bone of a civilized nation.

Gandhi Economic thoughts and their Significance:

Swadeshi: Gandhi’s believed that economic exploitation of country by the foreigners was the main reasons for India’s impoverishment and hence he called for Swadeshi, which put forward greater indigenization.

Minimalism: Gandhi advocated for simple living where individual minimize their wants and live within their means.

• Relevance: Considering the India’s disadvantage in key strategic minerals and technology, it is actively promoting location of them. And this trend has been seen in the form ‘Trade

Barriers’ around the world. And call for Mindful Use of resources by the United Nations to limit the global climate change under 1.5°C.

Gandhi’s Social thoughts and their significance:

Satyagraha: It is a social philosophy, where it calls for pursuit of soul force against all injustices, oppression and exploitation to liberate one self.

Truth and Non-Violence: Gandhi emphasis on truth and non-violence in his way to liberate India as he believed that non violence can’t lead to lasting results such as Swaraj.

• Relevance: The Indian constitution through DPSP, tying to bridge the gap such as income inequality, non violence against the animals and respect for nature.
• We have been witnessing the major global conflicts and seems no one trying end their conflict in a peaceful means by adopting negotiation, which emphasised the importance of non-violence.

Gandhi’s thoughts on religion and their significance:

Sarvodaya or Service to humanity: Gandhi assets that true religion manifests itself through service to others. He promoted the idea that serving humanity is the serving to the god.

Religious Pluralism: Gandhi advocated for respect and understanding for other religions, emphasizing that they all lead to the same ultimate goal of truth and love.

• Relevance: At times of divide among countries on religious lines, Gandhi’s ideas provide a way forward for countries to promote religious diversity and respect to prevent any further global conflicts.

We can conclude by providing the relevance of Gandhi’s thoughts with the below quote given by Barack Obama.

In my life, I have always looked to Mahatma Gandhi as an inspiration, because he embodies the kind of transformational change that can be made when ordinary people come together to do extraordinary things.” -Barack Obama

Directive word/s: No Key words (direct question)

Demand of the question:

First Part: What is the need for India to have regional navigation satellite system

Second Part: How does regional navigation system helps in navigation

Structure of your answer:

• Introduction: Give brief description about India Regional Navigation Satellite System.
• Explain how regional navigation system helps India in navigation.
• Significance of regional navigation system for India in terms of Security, Navigation, Strategic, disaster management and others.

Answer: NavIC, also known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), is an independent stand-alone indigenous navigation satellite system developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It consists of 7 satellites covering an area of 1500 kms having 3 satellites in geostationary and 4 in geosynchronous orbit.

Significance/Need of Regional Navigation System for India:

• Terrestrial, Aerial and Marine Navigation: Both Comprises a constellation of seven satellites in geostationary and geosynchronous orbits.fishing and merchant vessels that have installed will be tracked by satellite navigation showing accurate position in the Indian ocean region.
• To reduce the over dependence on GPS in border management: It is often denied access to more accurate position information on movement of hostile nations on Indian borders by the USA. Hence in order to reduce such dependence on border management
• Disaster management: As climate change induced disasters has been on raising it is very significant to have a dedicated satellite based system to constantly monitoring Indian territory is very essential to take immediate measure as part of disaster response.
• Integration with mobile phones: As the 5^th generation of industrial revolution is based on data powered by mobile phones. To integrate these mobiles with NavIC not only provide better positioning services but also provide data security of Indian users.

Comprises a constellation of seven satellites in geostationary and geosynchronous orbits. It offers a position accuracy of 5-10 meters for users in service area and also it is designed to operate under challenging conditions including urban canyons and dense foliage and thick clouds.

Demand of the question: We need to explain the reasons for India to look for strategic minerals, carbon compounds such as oil and natural gas, metallic modules and fishing resources from Arctic region.

Answer: India’s Arctic policy is not new but it dates back to 1920s when India signed a Svalbard treaty in Paris. India has undertook Arctic research to investigate Arctic microbiology, atmospheric science and geology to help India strategically, economically and geo-politically in the regional politics.

The below are the reasons for India to look for resources of Arctic region:

• To diversify India’s energy basket: As the arctic region is blessed with various natural carbon compounds such as natural gas, crude oil it is imperative for India to diversify its energy basket as 85% of India’s energy needs are met by imports.
• To exploit strategic mineral to power India’s energy transition: Arctic is home to number of rare earth minerals such as Lithium, cobalt, graphite and many more which are crucial for manufacturing of smart phones, electric vehicles and batteries which are need for India’s energy transition.
• Fishing resources: As climate change has exuberated the rate of melting of ice in arctic making it a potential ground for fishing activity which is majorly untapped till now as part of India’s blue economy.
• Micro-biological organisms: Micro-biological resources such as Arctic Willow, Psychrophillic Bacteria and Arctic algae which are useful in the modern Pharma industry as they have anti- inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
• Human resource development: As scientific community who had expertise over Arctic
• region could help India’s scientific community to better understand the relation between the climate change over Arctic and Indian monsoons.
• To maintain balancing tool over Northern Sea: China’s growing investment in Arctic and Russia’s decision to grant China expanded access to Northern sea, it is obvious for India to take active part in Arctic exploration.

India’s present policy is to cooperate with Arctic countries in green energy, and green and clean industries, as a way of bolstering its ‘responsible stakeholder’ credentials as well as to ensure progressive economic development to uplift millions from poverty and to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030.

Directive word/s: None

Demands of the question:

First part: Need to define what are mantle plumes?

Second part: Need to explain its role in plate tectonics, which means how they influence the plate tectonics and associated land forms on earth surface.

Structure of your answer:

• Introduction: Define Mantle plumes and two or three statements about their formation.
• Role of Mantle plumes in plate tectonics such as melting of lithosphere and melting of underlying plate tectonics and process of rising to surface to form igneous provinces
• Conclude how mantle plumes lead to formation of volcanic hotspots and help us understanding the geological origin of Earth

Answer: Mantle plumes are a column of hot and buoyant rock raising from Earth’s core and mantle boundary, where intense heat and pressure drive the upward flow of molten rock. As these plumes ascend they create a volcanic hotspots on the Earth surface. Unlike the larger convection cells in the mantle which change their position over geological timescales, the position of the mantle plumes seems to be relatively fixed.

Role of mantle plumes in plate tectonics:

• Often these mantle plumes are hundreds of kilometres of width because they are responsible for accumulation of flood basalt.
• When these plumes head encounter the base of the lithosphere, it stars melting underlying plate tectonics then flattens out and undergoes melting to form large volumes of basalt magma.
• Then this basaltic magma erupt on to the surface through a series of fissures giving rise to large igneous provinces often occupying hundreds of kilometres.
• As mantle plume theory suggests that as mantle plume is relatively stable and overlying plate tectonic move over it thus creating a chain of volcanic islands as these plates move on.

Hotspot volcanic chain:

• Aforesaid activity will not continue for long time. As the tectonic plate moves on, the supply of magma to the volcano on the surface of the earth will cut off.
• Without this supply of hot and pressurised magma, the material in the volcano will cools and eventually settles down at the bottom. Over a period of time, the tectonic plate will also become denser as cooling of volcano lead to the accumulation of denser material to bottom.
• A new and active volcano develops over the hotspot creating a continuous cycle of volcanism, forming a volcanic arc that parallels plate motion.
• Examples include: Hawaiian islands, Reunion islands etc.

Understanding about mantle plumes helps us not only hep in to know the key processes/mechanisms involved in the formation of volcanic hotspots, rift valleys, volcanic islands, seamounts and other processes and also provide some deep insights about the geological formation of the earth.

Directive word/s: No directive word

Demand of the question: Directly asking about the consequences of dead zones on marine ecosystem

First Part: Briefly define what are dead zones and 2 statements about the major causes behind the formation of dead zones.

Second Part: Explain the consequences of spreading dead zones on marine environment.

Answer: As increased agriculture activity and industrialisation leading to the leaching of chemicals particularly nitrogenous chemicals into the nearby water bodies such as oceans, rivers and lakes leading to exponential growth of phytoplanktons. When these phytoplanktons die, the decomposers acting on it leading to increasing demand for oxygen for decomposers which led to the less availability of oxygen to other marine organisms.

Notwithstanding to that, these excess nutrients creates a algal blooms thereby preventing the penetration of sun light and oxygen to the bottom layers of water body.

The above two situations will resulting into the mass death of marine organisms thus creating a ‘dead zone’. For example The Gulf of Mexico dead zone, caused by large scale nutrient runoff from the Mississippi river has drastically impacted shrimp and fish population. And the great barrier reef has been impacted by dead zones along its edge.

Consequences of spreading dead zones on marine environment:

• Impact on food web: As both terrestrial and marine food chains have developed a symbiotic relationship with each other thus any change in one species can have a huge impact on entire food web which can seen in case of sea cucumber and shrimp.
• Impact on marine environment: Change in producer-pray relationship can have detrimental impact on marine environment.
• Reduces the productivity of marine ecosystem: changes in species composition can have an impact on nutrient cycling process and thereby reduced the nutrient availability in that area. Thus impacting the overall nutrient cycle of marine ecosystems.
• Coral Bleaching: As algal blooms reduce the penetration of sun light and oxygen to lower layers of water thus results into coral bleaching and reduces the water quality.
• Increased stratification of water layers: Climate change and human induced dead zones can lead to increased stratification of ocean layers, further limiting the mixing of oxygen-rich surface waters with deeper waters.

Around 3 billion people worldwide has depended on marine resources and they become a life line for economic growth of every country any change in species composition will have economic, social and strategic ramifications for the nations. Moreover countries are targeted to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030, this problems needs to be addressed to achieve Goal no 13 and 14 i.e climate action and life below water.

Directive word/s: Comment: Pick out the main point on a subject and give your opinion and substantiate your views with relevant data or evidences or supporting statements.

Demands of the question: Take a opinion on whether your are agreeing or disagreeing with the opinion that the caste system is assuming or taking new identities or forms. And with this evolution it is difficult to eradicate caste system in India.

Structure of your answer:

• Introduction: Write two or three statements about the origin of caste system in India and evolution of new identities and forms within caste system.
• Body: How caste system was used for political identities, economic prosperity and social discrimination and cultural alienation with relevant data or supporting statements.
• Substantiate with these growing identities is it difficult to eradicate caste system in India.

Answer: The genesis for caste system was found in the ‘Varna System’ which was started around 1500 BCE with the arrival of Aryans, who differentiated themselves with their skin colour as superiors than the native inhabitants. The caste system was further solidified with the Poona pact in 1932 and further through the Government of India Act: 1935 which provided reservation in social, economic and political spheres to the deserved candidates. The constitution of India has abolished caste system and through the reservation system it provided a unearned benefit to certain castes to establish a casteless society.

In recent years caste system is assuming new identities and forms such as:

• Political Mobilisation: Caste politics were initially confined to the campaigns against untouchability during the freedom struggle. In 1960s backward caste politicians mobilising their castes for political power. However during this time till 1990s, upper castes controlled the national politics as they had in the freedom struggle. Recently, caste based political mobilisation has seen a traction as evident in Patels from Gujarath, Lingayaths from Karnataka demanding for reservations.
• Distribution of material opportunities: Economic developed in terms of resource allocation, job opportunities both in state as well as non-state sectors are flown as per the caste identity with the upper caste getting the lion share. For example, 90% of leadership positions in Indian media are filled by upper caste and no one OBC CEO in top 200 companies in India.

• Caste has grown beyond Hinduism: Caste as a form of cultural identity has been overtaken by Hindutva identity which is expected to be natural enemy of lower-castes within Hinduism as Hindutva was led by upper caste leaders.

• Caste-based social division still exist: Due to the effects of globalization and technological development, with more inter-ethnic marriages, strict rules of marriage and succession have slowed. But the expression of social exclusion and maintaining caste-based division by communities has not disappeared, instead, it has become more subtle. For example matrimonial advertisements demands bride/groom from particular community.

Sense of belonging to a superior caste still drilled into many minds including educated, rational beings which threatens the societal unity more than ever. In this pride/superiority it is impossible to view each other as equals if one assumes superiority over the other. Hence as long as the religion, caste are dominates the politics and used as a tool by political masters, it is impossible in India to create a casteless society.

Directive word/s: Explain: Show something is working or not by providing relevant examples and statistics to add weight to your point.

Demands of the question: You need to provide reasons why poverty still persist in India despite government has been implementing various poverty reduction schemes.

Structure of your answer:

• Introduction: Define poverty either as per IMF or World Bank and then provide some statistics to know the prevalence of poverty in India.
• Body: Given reasons for the prevalence of poverty in India such as unequal distribution of wealth, competition for limited resources, skill gap, out of pocket expenditure on healthcare etc.
• Way forward: Provide few suggestions such as human development, higher budgetary allocation for health and education and addressing climate change etc.

Answer: As per the International Monetary fund (IMF) defined the poverty as fraction of the population living with less than ₹1.25 a day as per the purchasing power parity were defined as poverty. Between 1947 to 1991, India’s poverty rate stayed at approximately at 50% despite socialist policies emphasising poverty reduction. However between 1991 to 2011, poverty rate fell to approximately 20% and pulled 35 crore people out of poverty. Between 2014-23, real per capital income in India has increased by 37% while the real wage of agriculture labourers and construction workers has increased by less than 5% this economic inequality keep the below poverty line in perpetual poverty.

Reasons for the prevalence of poverty in India include:

• Competition for limited resource and presence of crony capitalism: The trend in income shares of different groups since the 1980s shows that the bottom 50% does not enjoy as much economic freedom as the top 1% or even the top 10%. This is promoting the competition for limited resources and the presence of crony capitalism where rich capitalist enjoying benefits from the government were on the receiving end of fruits of economic development.
• Lack of Education and Skill gap: Lack of education trapped some people in low paid jobs and depressed the growth of the bottom 50% and middle 40% of Indians. As per some industry experts, lack of opportunities is a concern but much bigger concern is lack of skills. According to the National Sample Survey out of 470 million working age population in India, only 10% receive any kind of training or skilled employment opportunities.
• Increasing out of pocket expenditure: Around 47.1% of total income of a household is spent on healthcare services, which making the poor to be trapped in the either in poverty or middle income group
• Prevalence of caste system: Some report states that the ultra rich are mostly from upper caste and OBC and very few scheduled castes and no person from scheduled tribe. Which clarifies that traditional occupations associated with the caste remains predominant livelihood option for majority of Indians.
• Climate change: As per the Reserve Bank of India report, Climate change and related adverse events can impact the Indian economy at 4.5% of GDP by 2030. And it is accepted truth that any climate related had disasters consequence on the lower middle or poor that further perpetuates their poverty.
• Governance Issues: Due to corruption, lack of coordination among various organs of the state the programmes aimed at poverty alleviation has not been yielding the good results.

• Economic Inequalities: Various report has stated that India is more unequal society in the world as the top 10% population holds around 50% of national income leading to the cornering of all benefits by the rich, affluent people thus further exuberated the poverty issue in India.

• Natural disasters: The most effected people due to natural disasters were poor leaving at the peripheral areas of a village or at foot paths in cities and towns. The destruction caused by these natural disaster can further push these people into poverty.

Notwithstanding that we must work for a rapid economic growth with 8% – 9% for at-least next 20 years aided by liberal economic policies based on ‘Minimum Government Maximum Governance’ that harness the private sector and creates employment opportunities by harnessing the demographic dividend. Moreover it, investments in digital public infrastructure to promote financial inclusion using UPI, PM Jan Dhan Yojana and digitisation of health care under National Health Mission and new national education policy and ways to reduce the digital divide will help India to lift millions out of poverty and pave way for a developed country status by 2047.

Directive word/s: Discuss: Going through the details of the issue by giving arguments in favour and against the issue by providing proper evidences.

Demand of the question: We need to give details in what perspectives Indian secularism in different from western model.

Structure of your answer:

• Introduction: Give two or three statements about secularism and how it become a part of constitution and basic structure of Indian constitution.
• Give the various perspectives where India model of secularism is different from Western model such as states intervention, financial support, outward expression etc.
• Conclude by saying in one or two statements what are the threats posed to the secularism both in India and in the west.

Answer: India has been the birth place of number of various religions and a land of religious beliefs, faiths and philosophical thinking. Perception relating to religion changes from person to person and hence it is a matter of personal belief and faith. Secular state is the one where there is no official religion is followed. In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India case the Supreme Court held that secularism is part of the basic structure of the Indian constitution and further it also said religion is a matter of personal faith and it can’t be mixed with secular activities.

Differences between Western concept and Indian concept of secularism

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF): In its annual report stated that Hindu extremism is on the rise with several of cases of harassment, intimidation and violence being committed against Hindu Dalits and religious minorities. And in India, in 2017, around 111 level people were killed and 2384 people were injured because of communal violence. The incidents places a dark marks on secular credentials of India.

Directive word/s: Going through the details of an issue and making a case for and against of it (or) point out the advantage and disadvantage of a given topic.

Demand of the question: The question is asking the what are the changes that are brought about my Chitany Mahaprabhu. And then express how they are different from the earlier approach practised/preached by other Bhakti Saints.

Structure of your answer:

• Intro: Briefly explain the philosophy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
• Explain the key message preached by Chitanya Mahaprabhu about his Achintya Bheda Abheda, Kertanas, universal religion.
• How his preaching’s are different from other Bhakti Sants.
• Conclude by providing one statement about his key message and one statement about the limitation of his philosophy.

Answer: Chitanya Mahaprabo was the 15^th century Vishnava tradition Bhakti Saint from Bengal, who popularised the practise of worshipping Radha and Krishna simultaneously. He popularised the Achintaya Bheda Abheda philosophy and adopted Sankirtanas as way to liberate the soul. He is know for popularising the “Hari Rama, Hari Krishana” chant.

The key message preached by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabo include:

• He composed ‘Siksastaka’ (eight verses) and Gaudiya Vishnavism is derived from these verses. These eight verses contains the all teachings on ‘Bhakti Yoga’.
• He taught that the ultimate objective of human life is divine love, for which he adopted ‘Sankirtana’ as way to personally feel the god within us.
• He propounded the ‘Achintya Bheda Abheda’ philosophy of inconceivable oneness and differences which describes the relationship between creator and creation.

Bhakti movement took the reorientation with Chitanya Mahaprabu because of the following reasons:

• Shift from personal devotion to community devotion: Sri Chitanya Mahaprabu with ‘Sankirtan’ introduced the collective chanting of God’s holy names by engaging individuals from diverse religious, castes thus fostering spiritual unity and fellowship.
• Social inclusivity: Chitanya Mahabrabu teaching were based on the principle that God’s love is accessible to all regardless of religion, caste and gender. This abolition of distinctions/discriminations attracted large numbers and thus helped in the spread of Bhakti movement.
• Inclusive of all Bhakti traditions: Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu amalgamated various Bhakti traditions, creating a harmonious blend of devotional paths and philosophies. His doctrine of “Achintya Bheda Abheda” reconciled dualistic and non-dualistic perspectives.
• Perception towards god: Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s teachings placed a strong emphasis on divine love as the ultimate goal of human life, which inspired countless individuals to pursue a life of devotion and service to God.

With the aforesaid points, we can conclude that Chitanya Mahaprabu bought reorientation to Bhakti tradition. However, he focused primarily on Gaudiya Vaishnavism whereas other saints preached inclusive approaches, promoting universal love and criticising rigid religious boundaries.

Directive word/s: Discuss: Going to the details of the topic by giving arguments in favour and against with evidences and finally write a way forward

Demand of the question: Take a stance weather formation of new states will be beneficial to Indian economy or disadvantage. Then give appropriate evidences to substantiate your point of view.

Structure of your answer:

• Introduction: Give an introduction in 2 or 3 statements about why there is a growing demand for the formation of new states in India.
• Give 4 or 5 points about the either advantages or disadvantages of having smaller states with proper evidences.
• Way forward in terms of how the union government can address this challenge weather to create a commission like finance commission to look into these matter or any other suggestions.

Answer: Regional developmental imbalances, distinct cultural identity based on language, traditions, customs etc, lack of participation in mainstream politics and decision making and economic backwardness and vote bank politics are some of the reasons for the growing demand for formation of new states in India.

Formation of new states has both positive and negative consequences on Indian economy as stated below:

Positive impacts on Indian Economy:

• Improve the administrative efficiency leading to better utilisation of resources: Smaller the states would be better to govern properly and have clear understand of local needs and resource available and leading to better allocation of resources to get optimal results. For example Uttrakhand GDP has grown at 7.6% in FY23 whereas Uttarpradesh has registered a 7.2% growth.

• More competition among states leading to economic development: In a competitive federal polity like India, smaller states can effectively focus on tailored policies, local demands to create a more economic avenues thereby contribute to the economic development of the country.

• Economic inequalities can be effectively addressed for inclusive development: Smaller the states can focus on better livelihood opportunities based on local demands. They can creating employment opportunities thus bridge the income/economic inequalities leading to overall economic development. Ex: States like Andhra Pradesh has been effectively using MGNREGA funds to bridge the economic inequalities between Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra
• Promotion of local industries: Smaller states can foster the innovation based on available skill set in that state and encourage the entrepreneurship among the locals with the help of skill India Mission and Kushal Vikas Yojana schemes.

Negative impacts on Indian Economy:

• Barrier to inter-state trade: In India inter-state is not completely frictionless, creation of more states will exuberate this problem further as we witnessed between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
• Inter-state cooperation: Amidst the persist problems among the states, expecting a further cooperation among states will become more complicated which derail the growth prospects of the country. Ex: Territorial disputes between Maharashtra and Karnataka
• Heavy dependence on central assistance: Most of the small states have inherent limitations on revenue mobilisation hence they depend on central assistance to fill their revenue gap.

Considering the aforesaid merits and demerits, diverse country like India it is important to have a constitutional body inline with finance commission to be constituted for every five years to look into these demands and effective implementation of 73^rd and 74^th constitutional amendment acts and link central assistance to states based on implementation of the above amendments will address the regional developmental disparities and create more egalitarian and prosperous country.

Directive word/s: No directive words

Demand of the question:

First part: We need to talk about why British took the route of indentured labour instead of slavery

Second part: Need to talk about indentured labour (Indians) able to preserve their culture in colonies, we need to take a stand either they preserved it or not with suitable examples.

Structure of your answer:

• Intro: Two or three statements about background of indentured labour if possible with some numbers.
• Provide 3 or 4 reasons that forced the British to took the root of indentured labour system instead of slavery such as Abolition of Slavery in Britain, Need of Labour to work in plantations, industry, rebellion by African slaves etc.
• Need to take a stand whether indentured Indian labourers preserved their culture in colonies or gave away their culture.

Answer: Post the British government abolished slavery across the British Empire in 1833, the English merchants and entrepreneurs saw India as an alternative of cheap labour with the innovation of indentured labour system. Around 1 million Indian has taken to 19 British colonies as indentured labourers some on contractual basis and some on forcefully.

Reasons for Indians taken as a indentured labourers to other colonies include:

• Abolition of slavery by British Parliament: It was in 1833 that the British Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act, marking a decisive step towards ending the long, dark legacy of the British Empire’s involvement in slavery. This forced the British merchants and entrepreneurs to look alternative ways for cheap labour one such is indentured labour particularly from India.
• Rebellion by slaves and consequent need to work in plantations: Between 1748 to 1788 around 3,35,000 were taken to Indonesian islands but by 1788 only 2,26,000 were alive and rest were died because of exhaustion, injury and diseases. This resulted into raise of rebellion by slaves and to meet the demand of cheap labour traders looked for labour from India.
• To provide cheap labour to work in British industries: It is considered that Indian labour was 1/5^th or 1/6^th of cost of a British labour, hence after the starting of industrial revolution, British industrialists look for Indian labour either to produce raw materials like cotton in Mauritius, Fiji and Trinidad or to work in factories as manual labourers.
• To work in development of infrastructure in Africa to i.e railways: British taken 32000 Indians to East Africa to build railway lines that connects Mombasa, Kenya and Lake Victoria in Uganda. This was done to exploit the forest resources and to make it easy for British to travel and to enforce their rule.

Notwithstanding this cultural differences, Indian in these colonies been able to preserve their cultural identity over the years

• Language: Many indentured labourers able to preserve their language in those colonies as we can see a good number of Hindi speaking population in Fiji and in fact Hindi is one of the official language in Fiji
• Religion: Indentured labourers brought their religious practices with them to the colonies. They built temples and mosques, maintained their religious festivals and rituals, and passed on their faith to their descendants. Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism are still practiced by descendants of indentured labourers in countries like Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Mauritius, and Guyana.

• Festivals: Many Indian festivals has been officially celebrating in other countries as Indian indentured labourers were in dominated position both in political and economic stand such as Diwali, Dasara etc.
• Art and Culture: Stories, folklore, and oral traditions were passed down through generations, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage. For Instance- The “Ganga Talao” pilgrimage site in Mauritius is a significant religious and cultural center for Hindus, reflecting the preservation of their traditions.

Amidst this economic, social exploitation of Indians in the guise of employment in the colonies, British enriched themselves and become developed countries. However, in the contemporary times, the settled Indians acting as a soft power tool for India to raise the image of India in those countries and world around them.

Directive word/s: No directive word/s

Demand of the question: The question is asking about your opinion/suggestions how can we make the rain water harvesting system more effective particularly in urban areas.

Structure of your answer:

• Introduction: Give some data pointer to highlight the level of ground water depletion in India.
• Why rain water harvesting is an ideal solution to the problem of depleting ground water sources.
• Give suggestion on policy inputs, infrastructural, governance, and individual level changes that makes rain water harvesting more effective in urban areas.
• Conclude by saying how can we overcome the future water crisis by adopted these changes.

Answer:

India is facing most severe water crisis in its history for several reasons including failing of two consecutive monsoons. According to the NITI Aayogs Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) report released about 600 million people or almost 50% of Indian population facing water

shortage issue right now. Moreover according to UNESCOs World Water Development Report, India is large extractor of ground water which is around 25% of world ground water resources.

Rain water harvesting is most suitable solution for India as a developing nations because it provides easier way to store rain water, more affordable and less time consuming and easier to implement than the complicated systems that requires waste water treatment.

Rain water harvesting can be made more effective in urban areas by the following ways:

• Policy measures: Since drinking water is a state subject every state has to draw a lesson from Tamil Nadu which made installation of water conservation/storage structures mandatory under Tamil Nadu Municipal Ordinance: 2003. And enact laws to make it mandatory for every residential and manufacturing entities to have their own rain water harvesting unit.
• Regularly placed rainwater harvesting pits to enable percolation: Proliferation of roads, paved areas are preventing the percolation of rain water into the soil. So, regularly spaced rainwater harvesting pits can solve ground water problem in urban areas.
• Awareness companies: City authorities must put greater efforts to educate citizens about the benefits and implementation of rainwater harvesting methods.
• Construction of large check dams over season river and lakes: Post independence large number of check dams have been built over seasons rivers and lakes that improved the ground water level. This can be replicated in major metropolitan cities of India. The best example was Saurashtra region of Gujarat had over this water crisis.
• Use of Technology: Satellite mapping, monitoring of major lakes to ensure no encroachments and to map ground water table, AI for proper water managements and Big data analytics to faster decision making could help to ease the problem of ground water problem in urban areas.
• By Adopting Traditional Water Harvesting Systems: Use traditional water harvesting systems such as Paar system used in Rajasthan, Johad and Saza kuva system shall be deployed to make better use of rainwater to solve the problems of ground water in urban areas.

The juxtaposition of vast urban landscapes with depleting water resources poses a grave challenge for India. But as history has shown, adversity often breeds innovation. Water harvesting in urban centres can be more than just a solution; it can be a revolution, turning the tide in India’s impending water crisis.”Catch the rain , where it falls and when it falls” shall be the household slogan to conserve rain water at individual level.

Directive word/s: No directive word.

Demand of the question:

• First part: Define what is blue revolution?
• Second part: Explain the problems faced by pisciculture in India
• Third part: Strategies required for pisciculture development in India

Structure of your answer:

• Introduction: Define what blue revolution is, and give some data pointer about the scope of fisheries sector in India.
• Explain the problems faced by Fisheries sector such as lack of institutional support, quality inputs, technological adoption, market linkage etc.
• Provide three or four strategies such as R&D for disease tolerant breed, promotion of fish consumption and more Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) etc.

Answer: Blue Revolution also called as Neel or Nili Kranti Mission in India was launched in 1985-1990 during the 7th Five-Year Plan. The main objective is to develop, manage, and promote fisheries to double the farmers’ income keeping in view sustainability, bio-security and environmental concerns.

Blue revolution was necessary for India because to provide nutrition security, provide employment to over 14 million and generate around ₹8000 crore of foreign exchange and India produces 7.96% of world’s fish.

Problems faced by pisciculture in India include:

1. • Insufficient institutional support: Despite Agriculture being given importance under Priority Sector Lending norms (PSL) there is no dedicated allocation being allocated to pisciculture sector in India. And moreover, there is no database available about the number of famers, production and export data in India which makes it difficult for farmers to get institutional support for credit and technical support.
   • Poor Quality of Input: The returns on investments in pisciculture majorly depend on quality of breeds and feed. Since there is lack of technical staff and research and development in this sector often leading to supply of poor quality inputs and feed.
   • Disease outbreaks: Fish farming suffers from various diseases such as bacterial infections, viral diseases, and parasites, leading to huge losses.
   • Poor market linkages: Market linkage in pisciculture was not well developed as like agriculture markets such as AMPC, and farmers often exploited by middle men as the shelf life of produce is very less.

Strategies to develop Pisciculture market in India include:

1. • Research & Development: Surveillance over the diseases and development of disease tolerant breeds and quality feed by the research institutes should be given more priority as this sector is growing at a whopping rate of 9% per year.

• Free Trade Agreements and Diversification of Markets: 41% of Indian Aqua exports are landing in USA and recent trade offs between USA and India rings alarm bell to diversify our markers and sign many more free trade agreements that promotes fishery exports to other destinations.

• Domestic Fish Consumption: The per capita fish consumption in India is just 9 kgs but it should be raised at least 12 kgs to address the nutrition security of our country and also increase the productivity of farmers to serve the world’s most populous country.
• Technological adoption: Encouraging cutting-edge, productive fish farming techniques like bio floc technology and recirculatory aquaculture systems.

As India became the world most populous country and suffering with varied social measures such as malnutrition, food security, unemployment and climate change. Amidst it is very much essential for India to develop pisciculture to address some of the aforesaid social problems and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

Directive word: No directive word

Demand of the question:

1. • First Part: Need to explain the significance of industrial corridors in India
   • Second Part: Give a list of Industrial corridors in India both existing and proposed
   • Third Part: Need to explain the main characteristics of Industrial corridors

Structure of your answer:

• Introduction/First Part : Define industrial corridors and provide significance of industrial corridors.
• List of already existing and upcoming industrial corridors in India
• Provide main characteristics such as Plug-and-Play facilities, Integrated infrastructure, Special Economic Zones, Public-Private Partnership, Walk-to-work culture

Answer: Industrial corridors are defined as linear zones that link key economic hubs through a comprehensive network of infrastructure and connectivity like roads, railways, ports and airports. Drawing inspiration from successful international models, India’s ambitious National Industrial

Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) aims at transforming the country’s industrial landscape

Significance of Industrial Corridors in India are:

• To make India as a global manufacturing power house: Linking key production centres/cities with major ports, airports the programme aims to create seamless industrial ecosystem thereby promoting manufacturing to make India as a global manufacturing power house.

• To reduce logistics cost by improving supply chains: By connecting these industries with major transport networks and locating all the industries in a product manufacturing in one place will significantly reduce the logistics cost to align with international standards at 8% of GDP.
• Attract Domestic and Foreign Capital: As these corridors are developed in plug-and-play model and with public private partnership can attract both domestic and international capital thus further boost the Indian Economy.
• Promote sustainable resource utilisation: The emphasis on clustering industries within specific zones will allow manufacturers to benefit from economies of scale, as shared resources like power, water, and waste management facilities can reduce operational costs and boost production efficiency.
• Job Creation: Any development activities like industrial corridor will generate direct employment in manufacturing, industry and in services and also indirect employment and livelihood opportunities in supporting industries and services.

List of Industrial Corridors in India and their main characteristics:

1. • DMIC: Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor
   • CBIC: Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor
   • AKIC: Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor
   • VCIC: Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor

Main Characteristics of Industrial Corridors:

1. • Plug-and-Play facilities: Many successful corridors offer ready-to-use facilities that allow businesses to start operations with minimal set-up time. This includes prebuilt industrial plots, access to utilities and streamlined regulatory processes.
   • Integrated infrastructure: Industrial corridors feature robust infrastructure that includes multimodal transport systems, utilities and Information and Communication Technology- enabled (ICT-enabled) services. This infrastructure is designed to support the operational needs of industries and facilitate seamless movement of goods.
   • Sustainable Practises: Modern industrial corridors incorporate sustainable practices such as waste recycling, renewable energy utilization and green building standards to minimize environmental impact.
   • Special Economic Zones: Industrial corridors often include special economic zones that provide tax incentives and regulatory advantages to attract foreign investment and promote exports.
   • Walk-to-work culture: It reduces traffic and pollution, promotes healthier lifestyles and boosts productivity by minimizing commuting time. Supported by pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, green spaces and efficient public transport, it enhances work-life balance and creates appealing, investment-friendly smart cities.

National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) is a forward-looking initiative that strategically positions India to attract substantial investments. These smart industrial cities will be functional in creating an India that’s ready for the future. The goal is to create a strong economic base with state-of-the-art infrastructure, activating local commerce and enhancing investment.

Directive word: No directive words

Demand of the question:

1. • First Part: Asking about the strategies that need to be adopted to make aspirational districts programme a success.
   • Second Part: Need to explain, how convergence, collaboration and competition is ensured for its successful implementation

Structure of your answer:

• Introduction: Briefly explain about Aspirational District Programme, its objects and the need to have such programme.
• Talk about strategies such as making development as mass movement, convergence of initiatives at all levels, Evidence based decision making, involving private sector under corporate social responsibility etc.
• How convergence, collaboration and competition is ensured through officers such as Prabhari, empowered committee and through ranking system.

Answer: The Aspirational Districts Programme was Launched by India in 2018 in 115 Aspirational districts programme with the aim of transforming the most backward districts of the country. The programme focuses on

1. • Education
   • Health and Nutrition
   • Agriculture and water resources
   • Financial inclusion and skills development.
   • Basic infrastructure

These districts are chosen because any improvement in these districts will spur the development in other parts of the country.

Strategies needed to transform aspirational districts include:

1. • Addressing negativity by making development a mass movement: Deliberately, the districts have been described as aspirational rather than backward so that they are viewed as islands of opportunity and hope rather than areas of distress and hopelessness. Attitudes and narrative matter for outcomes.

1. • Convergence of Initiatives of the Central and State Governments: The quality of life and economic productivity of an individual may be improved if the convergence between different government schemes on one hand and private efforts of a household. To achieve this district collectors of the aspiration districts will map the existing schemes and their respective implementation agencies to yield better output.
   • Evidence based decision making: Evidence-based decision-making is a cornerstone of the programme strategy. Across the sectors in focus, 49 key performance indicators with 81 data points have been identified, after extensive consultation with Central Ministries and Knowledge Partners. A dashboard allows for the tracking and display of data on a real-time basis which helps in better decision making.
   • Partnership with private players and non profit organisations: This programme has stepped in the efforts of non-governmental organisations by effectively leveraging the corporate social responsibility tool. Such collaboration can bring massive results on the ground.

Nature of convergence, collaboration and competition:

1. • Convergence: Achieving success in this programme requires three tiers of government, the Centre, States and district administrations, to work in tandem. There is a structure in place. Each district is assigned a prabhari officer from the Centre and a prabhari officer from the State who will work in cooperation with the district administration.
   • Collaboration: An Empowered Committee led by the CEO of NITI Aayog has been established to ensure convergence of schemes and address specific issues identified by the Prabhari officers.
   • Competition: This programme takes the principle of competitive federalism down to district administrations. Each district will be ranked on the focus areas which are disaggregated into easily quantifiable target areas. The ranking will be based on deltas or improvements.

The success of the programme depends on the collective efforts of the government, civil society organizations, private sector, and local communities. Through effective implementation of the core strategies, the ADP has the potential to drive inclusive and sustainable development in the most disadvantaged areas of the country.

Directive word/s: Provide evidence to support or prove the truth of a topic

Demand of the question: Need to take a stance whether you are in agreement with the statement or not and give proper evidences or example to support your stance.

Structure of your answer:

• Introduction: Give two or three statements about the genesis of women movements in India starting from socio-religious reform movements started by Raja Ram Mohan Roy
• Give reasons such as upper caste leadership, rural/urban divide, focusing on narrow aspects and ignoring the caste aspects etc (I have taken the neutral stance)
• Conclude by giving two or three major achievements done by women movements in India to balance the above arguments.

Answer: Early Indian women movements define feminism in time and space to in order to avoid the uncritically following Western ideas. Indian women movements fought for an array of oppressive patriarchal family structures such as equal status, marriage and sexual rights, dowry, caste, community, village, market and the state. It should however be noted that several communities in India, such as the Nair’s of Kerala, certain Maratha clans, and Bengali families exhibit matriarchal tendencies, with the head of the family being the oldest women rather than the oldest man. Sikh culture is also regarded as relatively gender-neutral.

Women movements in India are not either address the all issues of women in lower strata and women at higher strata. However they are some serious flips in these women movements such as

• Leadership roles are occupied by western and upper and educated women: Many of these women movements led by either foreigners or upper class western educated Indians who majorly focused on issue of equal rights, political empowerment. Ex: All India Women Conference (AIWC) led by Margaret cousins worked by education of women. And Women Indian Association (WIA) worked for women’s right to vote led by Sarojini Naidu
• Urban and Rural divide: Many of these women movements are focused their activities in urban areas where economic, social, political conditions of women were far better than women in rural India. Thus they created a divide/ignore on the basis of urban and rural and rich and poor. Ex: Deorala sati incident: 1987 led to a women movement which created rural and urban divide.
• Focused on Narrow Aspects: Majority of these women movements were focused on Political, Social aspects of women particularly urban women such as Women Indian Association, however they had a little focus on problems such as economic empowerment, gender equality, equal pay for equal work, sexual rights of women which are going to impact lower strata women the most.
• Ignoring the Caste Aspect: The caste aspect is highly relevant for women from lower strata as they are the ones who face its brunt. But the feminist movements in India have largely ignored this aspect. Self-Employed Women Association (SEWA) was organised to eliminate the economic issues of women in informal sector, however it failed to address the broader systematic issues affecting lower strata women.

• Governance or implementation issues: While the program like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao exists at a policy level, implementation at the grassroots level has faced challenges. In many areas, the initiative’s reach is limited, and local awareness may not translate into action

Despite the above stated limitation women movements in India has brought significant changes in women life such as abolition of sati, widow re-marriage, maternity benefits , work place safety through Vishaka guidelines and recently 1/3^rd reservation for women in legislature are some that explain the true intent of women movements in India.

Directive word/s: Elucidate: Elucidate means to explain something or make something clear

Demand of the question: We need to explain despite the negative consequences of globalisation on culture, Indian culture seems to be strengthened due to its diversity.

Structure of your answer:

• Introduction: Define Globalisation and give two or three points about the negative impacts of globalisation on India
• Give four or five points on how globalisation led to strengthening of Indian Culture such as re-emergence of traditions, spreading of Indian traditions and festivals to rest of world, cultural revivalism such languages and art forms and revival of ancient trade
• Conclude by specifying how can be promote our culture to the rest and preserve it to pass on to the next generations.

Answer: Globalisation is nothing but erasing the geographical limitations which impacts the way of life, culture, fashion and preferences of people around the world. Globalisation involves cross border exchange of goods, services, capital, technology and people.

Despite, globalisation has created many economic opportunities, improved social conditions, lift many people out of poverty and improved trade and connectivity between countries, it had its own negative impacts on family structure, marriages, society, Indian languages and environment etc.

Amidst of the aforesaid negative consequences of globalisation, India is able to preserve its uniqueness as follows

• Re-emergence of traditions: As government at all levels are playing an active role to promote Indian culture as part of their diplomatic soft power tool and state organisation of key festivals led to the emergence of traditions. Ex: Hornbill festival being celebrated by Nagaland State Government.

• Spreading of Indian traditions and festivals to rest of world: Spread of social media has contributed to resurgence of Indian traditions as many people celebrating the festivals and traditions and sharing them with others thus creating more awareness among the next generations about our culture. For example: Celebration of Diwali, Sankranti and Batukamma festivals by NRI abroad.

• Cultural revivalism: The threat to cultural diversity from globalization is sought to be

countered by reviving one’s culture actively. Although this may seem to be protectionist, it is actually quite helpful for preventing our culture from vanishing. The increasing focus on learning yoga, Indian languages, arts and classical dance is an evidence for this movement.

• Revival of ancient trade routes: China through its ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative, India through its ‘North South Transport Corridor’are trying to revive ancient trade routes either to promote trade or to make cultural exchanges between the countries.

India being the melting spot of different cultures and diverse country in terms of religion, cultures, traditions and arts and crafts it is the responsibility of both the governments and society to preserve them and promote to the rest of the world by making the artists financially independent through direct support, social security provisions and increased market access and skill development.

Directive word: Argue: What is your view about the issue and justify it with suitable examples or evidences

Demand of the question:

• what is your stance on the statements a whether you are in complete agreement with the statement or against it and substantiate with relevant evidence.

Structure of your answer:

• Introduction: Define communism and give two or three statements about the rise of communalism in India
• Give two reasons from each political and economic deprivation such as divide and rule policy of British, Hindu chauvinism and poverty, unemployment and economic exploitation for the growth of communalism in India
• Conclude by giving other reasons for communalism and its negative effects in a globalised world

Answer: Communalism is a belief that because a group of people follow a particular religion, they have as a result, common social, political, and economic interests.The majority community alleges.

that minorities have an anti-national approach while the minority points to the insecurity they are facing which often collides and triggers tensions.

The stagnant economy of India during the British rule was an important factor for the growth of communalism in India. It was deeply rooted in and was an expression of the interests and aspirations of the middle classes in a social set up in which opportunities for them were inadequate.

Political/Power struggle and Relative Deprivation/Economic Exploitation reasons for the growth of communalism:

1. • Divide and Rule Policy: British used this to prevent the welding of Indians into a single nation. Under this they favoured once community over the other in both services and promotions. British policy of separate electorate was another reason for the growth of communalism in India.
   • Hindu Chauvinism: The growths of Hindu chauvinistic attitudes have further strengthened the communal tensions in India. The Hindu religious groups like Shiv Sena, Hindu Mahasabha, Viswa Hindu Parisad often pressurize the government to take steps suitable to the interest of Hindus. They consider each Muslim as pro-Pakistani and anti-national. By opposing the minority protection policies of the government they promote communism in the country.
   • Poverty: Mass poverty and unemployment create a sense of frustration among the people. It generates backwardness, illiteracy, ignorance, etc. The unemployed youth of both the communities can be easily trapped by religious fundamentalists and fanatics. They are used by them to cause communal riots. The week economic status often breeds communism.
   • Economic inequality: Disparities in wealth distribution among different communities can fuel resentment and these communities may turn to communal identifies as a means of collective bargaining for resources. Example: North East Insurgency in Tripura is based on religion.
   • Ethnic Conflicts: Domination of one community in all walks of life such as political power, economic domination and in social status led to emergence of communism in many parts of the world. For example, Sinhalese majority dominance in Sri Lanka over Tamil minority has led to the protracted civil war resulted into economic and social loss.

Notwithstanding the above communalisation of politics, Presence of communal political parties, social causes, and failure of governance are the main reasons for the growth of communalism in India. The Indian government needs to take steps to promote social cohesion and harmony. This can be done through education, interfaith dialogue, and other initiatives. It is also important to hold accountable those who promote communalism and violence.