The Prayas ePathshala

Exams आसान है !

26 September 2022

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 MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS

 Q1. What was the vision of Mahatma Gandhi regarding Swadeshi.

 Paper & Topic: GS III – Modern Indian History

 Model Answer:

  • Gandhi’s life philosophy is fundamentally based on satyagraha and swadeshi.
  • Gandhi believed that all of man’s efforts together form one cohesive totality.
  • Life cannot be divided into compartments that are impenetrable, such as social, economic, political, religious, and so forth.
  • He therefore tried to unify the numerous facets of existence through the thoughts and concepts he formed during the course of his constant experimentation with the truth. Swadeshi as a concept was not an exception.
  • It was more than just an economic theory. In actuality, the Swadeshi philosophy included all facets of human existence.
  • Despite being introduced in the context of India’s freedom fight, Gandhi’s concept of swadeshi is a worldwide one.
  • Swadeshi was a tool he employed to advance India’s swaraj.
  • Many non-violent struggles around the world were influenced by India’s struggle for independence.
  • A universally applicable philosophy that can be imitated by individuals in their quest for independence is swaraj through swadeshi.
  • One of the eleven promises Gandhi outlined for a life of satygraha was this one.
  • As a general term, “Swadeshi” refers to all of a person’s ideas, concepts, methods, and programmes.
  • The current paper’s focus, however, is restricted to topics like economics, politics, society, religion, education, and health. We will first examine Gandhi’s understanding of swadeshi.
  • Swadeshi, according to Gandhi, is the “rule of laws” implanted in every human being at their core.
  • Like natural law, it doesn’t require enactment.
  • The law, like the laws of nature, follows its own course to return to the original position when someone disregards or disobeys it out of ignorance or for other reasons.
  • Swadeshi must be included as a vow since Gandhi himself said that the people have forgotten this legislation, or, to use his own words, that it has “sunk into oblivion.”

 Q2. What was the role of Industrialists in the Indian Freedom Struggle?

 Paper & Topic: GS III – Modern Indian History

 Model Answer:

  •  The business class, which first emerged in the late 19th century, played a significant role in the freedom struggle by aiding the swadeshi movement and actively participating in the implementation of congressional policies. Up until Gandhiji’s arrival, the business class didn’t participate much. They actively participated in the movements for civil disobedience, non-cooperation, and leaving India.

Body:

 Background:

  • Capitalists who were hurt by British economic policy joined Congress and lobbied for progressive economic measures. The majority of industrialists believed that colonial laws restricting business activity were oppressive and wanted them to be changed so that trade and industry could develop and help the Indian economy grow.

Function of the Business Class:

  • Purshotamdas, Thakurdas, and G.D. Birla attacked colonial control over the Indian economy and backed the Civil Disobedience Movement as criticisms of British economic policies.

Financial support and assistance:

  • FICCI rejects engaging in economic or political negotiations with the British without Congress’ involvement or approval.
  • the funding of the Indian National Congress’s conference and protest planning.
  • For instance, Chidambaram Pillai provided funding for the Madras state INC branch.
  • Swadeshi enterprises: they created industries and produced swadeshi products that offered substitutes for foreign products after a boycott.
  • for instance, Swadeshi textile mills, factories that make soap and matches, tanneries, banks, insurance firms, etc.
  • Self-sufficiency: Indigenous businesses contributed to the Indian economy’s ability to support itself. People who left British industries after protesting to aid the liberation struggle were given job chances.
  • They advocated for beneficial economic measures that would support indigenous businesses. They promoted import protection in general and tax breaks for Indian businesses.
  • As an advocacy organisation that was instrumental in negotiating economic policy, FICCI was established.
  • The Indian Industries and Commercial Congress was established in 1920 and served as a forum for industrialist needs.
  • Economic Planning: For the growth of India’s post-independence economy, a small group of significant business leaders in Bombay developed the Bombay Plan in 1944 and 1945. These were consistent with the liberation movement in India.

Gandhiji’s intended role was:

  • Gandhiji saw the business community playing a bigger role than just in the economy.
  • The business community must fight for long-term sustainable economic policies that will benefit India and the Indian people in place of the British government’s short-term economic benefits.
  • Gandhiji believed that business community involvement was essential to the achievement of the swadeshi ideology of struggle. In order to promote Indian and traditional goods like Khadi and other such items, business class has a significant role to play.
  • Trusteeship: The business sector has a social responsibility in addition to its financial obligation to support sarvodaya and antyodaya. Additionally, a long-term goal that spans more than one generation makes the company sustainable.
  • fostering trust and enhancing reputations among all societal groups. Make a value for the community as a result.
  • Employment: Gandhiji opposed the corporate community’s use of blind mechanisation. Jobs would be lost as a result of this. He advised the corporate community to invest in industries that require a lot of labour as a result.
  • Development of rural areas is a responsibility of the business community, according to Gandhiji, who held that villages are where the true India is found.

Conclusion:

  • Although the majority of the business class community backed the independence struggle, many expressed scepticism against its use of illegal tactics. As a result, they promoted legal strategies and pursued discussions in their quest for freedom. However, it goes without saying that they actively supported the Indian independence movement. As envisioned by Gandhiji, industrialists like Tata, Chidambaram Pillai, and others took on the role of trustees. The corporate class, which first arose in the late 19th century, played a significant role in the liberation struggle by aiding the swadeshi movement and actively participating in the implementation of congressional programmes. Up to Gandhiji’s arrival, the business class didn’t participate much. They actively participated in the movements for civil disobedience, non-cooperation, and leaving India.

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