MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS
Q1. How do honours like the Bharat Ratna and Padma awards go beyond personal acknowledgment to highlight the winners’ contributions to other facets of Indian society?
GS II – Government Policies and Interventions
Introduction:
- The President of India bestows the highest civilian honours in India, the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Awards. These honours are bestowed in recognition of outstanding contributions or achievements in any sphere of human endeavour. The winners of these awards are recognised for their contributions to all facets of Indian society in addition to their individual accomplishments. These honours are a testament to the nation’s admiration of achievement and public service as well as its values, goals, and diversity.
- Thus, the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Awards are not just personal honours but also statements of thanks and pride for the country. They honour the accomplishments of the people who, by their talent, vision, and commitment, have improved both their nation and the world.
Examples from the Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards illustrate both the honorees’ impact on society and their own recognition:
- Recognizing excellence and innovation: These awards acknowledge the remarkable achievements and contributions of the recipients in their respective fields, such as science, literature, art, athletics, etc. For example, C. V. Raman won the Bharat Ratna in 1954 for his discovery of the Raman effect, which revolutionized the science of spectroscopy, Satyajit Ray received the Bharat Ratna in 1992 for his cinematic genius and influence on Indian and world film. Sachin Tendulkar earned the Bharat Ratna in 2014 for his outstanding record and contribution in cricket, M. S. Subbulakshmi won the Padma Vibhushan in 1975 for her skill and invention in Carnatic music.
- Promoting social justice and welfare: These awards celebrate the honorees for their work in advancing the causes of social justice, equality, and welfare in the country. For example, B. R. Ambedkar earned the Bharat Ratna in 1990 for his work in creating the Indian Constitution and promoting the rights of the oppressed sections. Aruna Asaf Ali won the Padma Vibhushan in 1992 for her role in the Quit India Movement and her commitment in empowering women and children.
- Inspiring patriotism and leadership: These awards commemorate the recipients for their leadership and vision in shaping the nation’s destiny and inspiring patriotism among the population. For example, Atal Bihari Vajpayee earned the Bharat Ratna in 2015 for his leadership as the Prime Minister of India and his achievements in foreign policy and economic reforms. Lal Bahadur Shastri earned the Bharat Ratna in 1966 for his leadership during the Indo-Pak War of 1965 and his motto of “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”.
Conclusion:
- The Bharat Ratna and Padma awards reach well beyond individual appreciation. They serve as significant weapons for inspiration, social transformation, national unity, and promoting India’s soft power on the global arena. By recognizing and rewarding individual accomplishment, they contribute considerably to the progress and well-being of Indian society as a whole.
Q2. Analyze the socio-political, economic, and cultural aspects contributing to the creation of reform movements in modern India.
GS I – Modern Indian History
Introduction:
- The reform movements in contemporary India, spanning the 19th and early 20th centuries, were driven by elements like colonial rule, social inequalities, education spread, and nationalist zeal. They are striving to modernize religions by abandoning rituals and societal evils, and seeking to reestablish the purity of Indian religions by returning to original scriptures.
Some of the socio-political, economic and cultural aspects that contributed to the formation of the reform movement in modern India are:
Socio-political factors:
- The british introduced the english language and contemporary ideas of liberty, democracy, and justice. For example, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the founder of the Brahmo Samaj, was influenced by the concepts of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution, and called for social and religious reforms based on reason and humanism. He also resisted the harsh practices of the British, such as the imposition of levies and limitations on the press.
- The religious and social evils that afflicted Indian civilization, such as superstitions, caste system, and the persecution of women. For example, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, a key leader of the Young Bengal Movement, pushed for the eradication of child marriage and the legalization of widow remarriage, and also created schools for females and lower castes.
- The expansion of nationalist sentiments and the emergence of new economic forces, which opposed British control and demanded more rights and representation for the Indians. For example, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a key leader of the Home Rule Movement, fought for self-rule and swaraj, and also backed the peasant and worker movements against British exploitation.
Economic factors:
- The impact of British economic policies, which contributed to the decline of Indian industries, agriculture, and trade. For example, Dadabhai Naoroji, a major leader of the Indian National Congress, estimated the economic drain of income from India to Britain, and revealed the British exploitation and impoverishment of India.
- The exploitation of Indian resources and labor by the British, which resulted in poverty, famines, and indebtedness. For example, Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian National Movement, launched the Champaran Satyagraha and the Kheda Satyagraha to protest against the oppressive taxation and land revenue policies of the British, and to support the peasants and farmers who were suffering from famine and drought .
- The creation of a new middle class, which was educated, urban, and professional, and sought social and economic reforms. For example, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a major leader of the Indian National Congress, fought for moderate and constitutional changes, and also formed the Servants of India Society to teach and educate the Indians for public service and social welfare.
Cultural factors:
- The spread of knowledge and increasing understanding of the world, which produced a sense of pride in India’s past splendour and a desire to reform its present predicament. For example, Swami Vivekananda, the founder of the Ramakrishna Mission, disseminated the message of Vedanta and Hinduism, and also highlighted the necessity for social service and national regeneration.
- The influence of modern Western ideas and culture, which challenged the traditional values and conventions of Indian society. For example, Rabindranath Tagore, the creator of the Shantiniketan, developed a new system of education that was built on the values of freedom, creativity, and harmony, and also merged the best parts of the East and the West.
- The restoration of ancient Indian traditions and thoughts, which encouraged the reformers to restore the purity and authenticity of the Indian faiths. For example, Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj, pushed for the reform and rebirth of Hinduism by returning back to the Vedas, and also criticised the idolatry, casteism, and ritualism that had tainted Hinduism . Similarly, Syed Ahmed Khan, the originator of the Aligarh Movement, argued for the reform and resuscitation of Islam by returning back to the Quran.
Conclusion:
- The reform movements in modern India were crucial in eliminating societal inequalities, encouraging rationalism, and developing national identity. They were important in establishing the framework for India’s war for independence and continue to inspire societal change and growth in contemporary times.
