What problems are germane to the decolonization process in the Malay Peninsula? (150 words)

1. Malay economy was more of plantation based (agricultural economy), so, decolonisation affected the laboureres who were involved in the agrarian economy. Problems of their rehabilitation by the new government
2. Aggression from other neighbouring economies such as Chinese, Indonesian etc. 

*2nd statement is wrong. 1st statement is right.
**one problem was to make peace with different ethnic devisions of malaysian peninsula before decolonisation could end in malaysia (or signing a peace agreement between UK and Malay peninsula). Sultans wanted their own powers, borneo had its own ethnic division. Each wexpressed the right of of its own self determination.

Why did the ‘Moderates’ failed to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed ideology and political goals by the end of the nineteenth century? (150 words)

1. Constitutional methods did not appeal to the masses( by the time it was end of the 19th century), Bengal had been divided and it proved a blow to the strategies of the moderates.
2. Famines for e.g. great bengal famine had convinced to the masses, that britishers were not going to do any favour to the indians, so moderates form of struggle (freedom struggle within constitutional means had no point to be continued further)
3. New strategies of struggle like extremists ideologies had sprung up who wanted to adopt passive form of resistance as the mass struggle programme
4. Youth was motovated to participate in the struggle (which was becoming difficult in the moderate phase of struggle, because the had to drop the studies to enter into reform councils, also age was a bar)

Clarify how mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity. (150 words)

1. Maratha confederacies, is one of the example of fragmented polity. They were prominent in deccan and south. Then there was Awadh, which had separate polity. Since this was the nerve of the british trade, all indigo exports were transported via awadh to bengal and then to british territories. So there was more control over Awadh by the british government.
2. Then were coastal states, like Kerela that were under rule of Martand Verma. Calicut was under Zamorin.
3. Bengal was a seperate polity. It was the centre of administration, (later this was further divided in the beginnig of the 19th century)
4. Then there were princely states (not under british india), they were ruled by the princes (so that most of them owed their allegiance to the mighty rulers for selfish reasons)
All this was due to the fact that administration for the britihsers was more at ease in fragmented polity (rather than being unified)

Can there be better innovative alternatives than bank recapitalisation by government bonds?

Banks recapitalisation is seen as an exercise, carried by the govenrment of India, in order to save them falling, to rescue them, to fulfill the gap created due to NPAs. Its good for the moment, but in my view, there could be better strategies, better alternatives, more innovative ideas to prevent them falling, failing via a snowball effect.

This exercise is seen as a more handholding exercise by the government. This is done by the government, from the sheer thought of fear, that if public sector banks fail (haircuts have not helped them either to recover maximum loss), no one even dare to point out any finger to the government. Because they are public sector: their failure would mean failure of the government, and it is also truth from perspective, that, if government can't keep depositor's money safe, then what is government for?

Earlier, RBI had taken decisions to merge some ailing public sector banks with the healthy ones. However, the government  is not seen to rely on this process of merging banks in future everytime, because this takes a heavy toll on the administrative reshuffle of the merged banks: salaries, pensions etc. of the banking personnels become more important, and this is obvious because people become more important than money. We got this experience when we merged 5 associate banks of State Bank of India. So, we drop this idea, as far as the idea of 'saving' banks is concerned.

So, we took recourse to recapitalisation. This includes market sources, funding by the government bonds and budgetary allocation. This three pronged approach is good, but is temporary. After the banks get access to the pool of money, again lending to the long gestation projects will start (though not in the same scale as it was, during post liberalisation, more specifically between 2000-2005)

So, again NPAs will mount up, again government will come to rescue for the banks via recapitalisation methods.

For how many years, we will see this? This is a cycle, trust me. This will not stop as long as India is developing. We have yet not reached, the so called state of growth rate of 1.8%, to quote the growth rate of USA, the developed country. We still aim to double the farmer's income by 2022. Double the housing by 2022. So, in that case, banks have to lend, and some portion of lending will turn into NPAs in the process.

Now let me come to the final agenda. What I try to say is that, go for the following routes to solve the problem of banks:

1. the government need not come to the rescue for the PSBs. Fund these banks from oil bonds. Meaning, raising money in the international market from the oil bonds. West asian countries, nigeria, venzuela etc will be the prime source of funds.First the money will come from these countries, they will go the banks. Then will come oil. These bonds will be raised by the government(this is more similar to market borrowing of the government in the present recapitalisation scheme.Difference lies, in that this route need to have more than 70% share of the total recapitalisation capital. At present it is less than 50% and it is not oil bonds). Benefits will be that, the banks will be, first, stomach full. The interest rates will be low, to be repaid over a large period. During this period, the country will export equivalent amount of petroleum products to these countries (or diversified export basket plus, capital)

This will work, because, India oil dependence will continue for some 20-30 years (till the time Rajasthan fields, Krishna Godavari gas fields will make India self sufficient), so it would be easy to fund these banks with capital from these countries, and at the same time will be able to export gems, jewelley, petroleum products to these markets (as per the will of these oil rich countries)

2. When we do not want to supply money to the banks, we will not raise money via oil bonds, automatically, there will be no compulsion on exporting the goods these countries.

India has to bring in maximum innovation in governance, to leapfrog. People will appreciate and trust the governance, if the objectives are fine.

How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of the Gupta numismatic art is not at all noticeable in later times? (150 words)

1. Major trading activities in post gupta period were not conducted in gold coins. There is very little evidence for that. Howver in gupta period, the traders were paid in gold. This speaks of the excellence of the gupta numismatitc art
2. In the mughal period, there were rulers like Tughlaq who did all to undermine numismatics. He banned all gold and silver coins and took to copper coins. So level of numismatics art was not visible in mughal era also
3. There was no eveidence of fine numismatics level in 19th century. The british era started punched coins made up of bronze etc.

(104 words)
*Points are correct. This shows your intellectual integrity. Although not complete answer. 
** In gupta period, on coins the rulers like samudragupta, chandrgupta, rani kumardevi etc were shwn with valor. On the reverse side, the goddess image was carved. This showed the epitome of the numismatics in the gupta period.

Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian countries’ economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South- East Asia in this context (250 words)

1. Economy: Indians contribute in the emerging economies of south east asia such as vitenam, thailand, cambodia
2. historical facts: cambodia angkor vat temple  and other cultural linkages with India establish the fact, greater role of indian diaspora in the South east asia
3. rubber plnatations: many indian workers in malysia and phillipines contrbuting in agricultural plantations
4. scie tech: many scientifc achievments in these countries like new rice varieitis have been contributed by the indian scientists
5. disaster management: indian diaspora has played a greater role to combat disasters (boxing day tsunami such as tsunami attack of 2004) when many poeople died in Thailand- Indians played agreater role post tsunami in socio -economic devlopment
6. society L diaspora contributes in the cultural elemenst like many temples can be found in thailand, laso, fiji
7. political achievemnts: Indian are also in top constitutional posts in these countries

The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyze India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian Countries. (250 words)

1. 60% of the energy needs of the counry in terms of oil is met by Saudia Arabia and other west asian countries. This is important for the economic progress of the country
2. Energy security has to be analysed form the culturasl anagle: more frequent visits of the heads of the government, proper bilateral coordination among the countries

Issue of apology from CM

The threat from the Brahman community, that they will boycott all religious ceremonies and last rites in Jamshedpur, if CM fails to issue an apology is not valid on substantive grounds. This brings the masses of Jamshedpur, not at comfort to perform last rites.
However, the issue should be used as an opportunity
1. if Brahmins of local community fails to perform last rites, Brhamins form other states will be called in masses- they will be allowed to stay at dharmshala, hotels chalked by the district administration
2. If some of the native brahmins agree to perform last rites, meanwhile, then equivalent no of brahmins will be asked to leave with respect
3. We should abide by the law- there should be no untoward incidences of communal disharmony in the city- the moment the brahmins from other state are brought into the Jharkhand, there will be suitable protecttion to them from RPF (this will be used as a training session to them to handle social innovation)

Hunger and Poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems. Suggest measures for improvement. (150 words)

1. Financial inclusion measures : like Jan dhan yojana, Suraksha beema yojana, MNREGA< SITRA (suplly if improved tools for rual artisans). rural landless emplpoyment program (RLEGP), National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) are some of the intiiatives of the past for poverty alleviation. To tackle hunger :National food security act was brought in 2013. Annapurna scheme, Antodaya yojana (35 kg of foodgrains to the family) are some of the past initiatives
However desite such initiatives :
1. still BPL population is 26% of the total population in India
2. India is represented poorly in global hunger report brought by IFPRI (behind Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries of the neighbourhood who are better than India in hunger report)
Reasons for the above are:
1. drought
2. structural deficiencies
Innovative strategies need to be deployed for tacking these problems:
1. rice bonds in the international market to borrow money- once we borrow at low interets rates, the money to be deposited in terms of rice export to the lending nation
2. taking help of NGOs to feed poor child
3. taking help of civil scoiety and international NGOs liek OXfam, to generate mass awareness campaign- then poor people t be employed permannently (using their suggestions)
4.Hunger and Poverty schools to be estbalished where only poor people are admitted, they are fed by the state government and 100% job offers to them by MSMEs

‘To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs, the identification of beneficiary segments is to be synchronized with the anticipated outcomes’ Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme. (150 words)

For effective implementation, innovative strategies need to be deployed:
1. what are the areas, where we have frequent water, sanitation and hygiene issues, historical data, geographical data will help us identification of beneficiaries. once identified, proper outcome plan need to be made by local self government institutions like panchayat and munciipalities
2. identificiation of beneficiaries using moving caravans all over the city, traget locations like hospitals, colleges, schools and other institutions where chances of dumping garabage is maximum. Such institutions to have representatives . frequent meeting with them by district collectors for better outcome
3. mass rallies (swachhta pakhwad was one suhc initiaitve) to identify beneficiaries: outcomes to be achiveed by registering online compliants
4. scientific tools like data mining, robots etc for identification of beneficiaries.

*Question was on how will you check the effectiveness of the scheme? (even if you identify the beneficiaries, how will ensure that you are getting results:
** few points are ok like- meetig with district collectors, registering online complaints, data mining etc
*** you can also add few more points like- 100% eliminiation of a water borne disease like cholera in certain district by 2019 or so..(recently we eliminated trachoma)

How to solve the problem of malnutrition in India?

Its very embarassing that despite many government initiatives, we witness acute malnutrition (especially among children). It is also reflected in the Global hunger report, brought by IFPRI (international food policy research institute). The reasons are:
1. drought ( so that government initiatives are unable to show fruitful results)
2. structural deficiency (so that multiplier effect of government policies, do not come out efficiently)
We need to deploy innovative measures to solve the malnutrition problem:
1.monetary benefits , for e.g. giving Rs 6000 to pregnant lactating women; need to go beyond this; only monetary benefits to selective population- a more better strategy would be mass upheaval programme. Fund a pool of money- from actors, civil society, government, NGOs, corporates, FDI, borrowing etc., then randomly distibute this money to all who are admitted in the hospitals (who are currently undergoing treatment for malnutrition such as anameia, child stunting, wasting etc). The names of the beneficiaries can be taken from the hospital records, anganwadis, PHCs, CHCs (why to involve a complex process of first identification of beneficiaries through SECC, an then giving them benefits, this is the long process, often results get delayed)
2. proper surveillance measures; the beneficiaries need to be tracked, using local self govenrment institutions like Panchayats, municipalies, district collectors etc.
3. mass awarenes- through facebook, whatspp, gmail-bulk messages, instagram, linkedin etc.
4. shedding off ego- district collectors going for door to door campaign along with local legislators like wards; and to enroll themselevs in such programmes
5. learning from examples ; other countries best practices to be emulated- Brazil, african countries, fiji etc who have more thrust on such social welfare schemes
6. incentives based programmes- the institutions who will enrol maximum number of such beneficiaries will get monetary awards, permanent jobs in government organisations etc.
Basically, a comprehensive approach focussing on mass upheaval is necessary.

India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbitter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Explain critically

Technology obstacles:
1. India has entered late into GS:LV regime, that can lift off the heavy satellites (it enetered late into MTCR), so with PSLV technologies were unable for a manned space mission (need a tehcnology that can lift off heavier versions).; also manned space mission currently technology available with Russia, China and US. (GSLV need much more tweaking to achiev manned space mission, technology transfer has not tken place from these countries)
Logistics obstacles:
1. space base mainly publicly owned ; ISRO and Space centre located at Bengaluru, need also private owners for assembly and contributing the required manpower.
However despite this, governemnt is passionate about chandrayaan mission, first moon landing mission in 2018 (with ISRO and private partners and tweaking of GSLV)

*It is not a manned mission, but a rover and lander
**you are right in tweaking technologies- we need a life supporting system, technology that can dock into the space station, environmental control and life supporting system, re-entry technology and etc.

Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including leukaemia, Thallessemia, damaged sornea and several burns. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments?

stem cell therapy refers to using adult cell to treat a degenrative state of tissues such as skin, blood, cornea etc. adult cell is take from the patient or some other person. It is then used to treat medical conditions such as thalassemia, leukemia, damged cornea.
Advantages:
1. you need not got bald, as in cancer threatment using chemotherapy
2. no ventilator conditions as in coma
3. not prolonged tratment (does not create fear among the patients)
4. an emerging technology, many countries doing reserach over the topic; so better tools and technoques , new ones to achive the desired treatments,
5. can be low cost as compared to conventional tratements
6. available help from international arena
7. acceptance among people

What are the reasons for poor acceptance of cost effective small processing unit? How the food processing unit will be helpful to uplift the socio-economic status of poor farmers?

1. prior experience: small units not achieving break even point early (due to less market for its products)
2. geographical backwardness; reluctance to invest in processing units located in backward areas like bundelkahnd, bhagelkhand , coastal areas, SEZ etc have an advantage
3.government policies ; special policies for MSMEs , lack of implementation, lack of fund access, mainly through NBFCs, formal banking channel roite funding less observed
4. cultural backwardness, how many countries would like to invest in steel plant located in tezpur in assam, even though areas have good coal reserves
5. societal pressures, forest need to be cleared up  for sonme of them, and to go for small processing units, forest clearance is generally avoided. CAMPA fund utilisation issues in such cases
food processing units
1. farmers can get their good returns for theor produce, not dependent n markest alone, proper forward linkages will ensure economic upliftment
2. farmers produce will not get waste, food processing units will proactively procure produce from them (right season, on the spot), no issues of hoarding, seamless value added chain
3. farmers will get societal upliftment, they can own farmes in the vicinity of processing units, better standards of living will be ensured by the government

Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India?

1, Green revolution: packaged programme, irigation facilities, HYV seeds were component of the revolution. mainly concentarted in the northern part of the country; chemical fertilisers were focussed upon
2. Blue revolution: fisheries production, mainly concentrated on the coastal regions of the country, Kerela, Tamil Nadu, Anodhra pradesh were the focus states. Government policies to increase the productivity of fish culture, ornamental fishing etc. to boost the same.
3. Pink revolution: focussed on meat production, pork, meat etc. after getting approval of APEDA, transported to countries like Indonesia, Phillipines, Middle east. foreign exchange earner, GDP contributer

These revolution helped in poverty alleviation  by multi pronged approach
1. poor farmers made use of HYV seeds, got better return of the farming
2. geographical backwardness removed after using irrigation faiclities, more projects came in that area
3. fisheries prdouctovity helped in better earnign to the poor sea side farmers, fishermen
4. meat produciton helped in btter return (diversified their earning)

food security:
1. population now not only dependent on agriculture products
2. fish, meat etc served their nutrition as well as calorie requirements
3. organisation like WTO, subsidies on public stockholding programme , peace clause achiebved, government committed to the solution of food security,

more need to be done
1. innovatiove approach like bring green revolution to eastern india
2. fishing in hinterland states, coordination with coastal states
3. meat production without unethical cattle slaughter programme, prevent cow vigilantes

Is the National Commission for Women able to strategize and tackle the problems that women face at both public and private spheres? Give reasons in support of your answer. (250 words)

It may strategise, but is it considered a toothless institution which can not bite? In order to tackle th problems, it will need more powers, similar to the constitutional bodies, bodies set up under law, As of now, its powers are limited to recommednations.Habeas corpus, similar to the judiciary instittutions, work for NCW but not to the fullest capacity, so startegy works but to the limitation that it is unable to take action.
Rapes, women trafficking at Delhi - so far no extreme actions could be taken so far by NCW.
Where are we heading to
?

3) The support for net neutrality upholds the values of Indian constitutionalism. Analyse. (250 Words)

It upholds because , Art 16 states that there should be equality of opportunities in public employement, Art 14 which states that there should be equality of law.
On elaborating further, if every person is equally accessing the open ended internet, then he or she may have equal opportunities in looking for a job over the cyber space. This is one example. So, fundamental rights upholds.
Again if we consider prohibition of discriminatory tarriffs for data services regulation, 2016, then this brings equality before law. everyone is equal over the cyberspace, facebook or reliance which were trying to attract the people with free basics, was violative of this fundamental right. Hence, again constitution upholds.


* it also supports Art 21 as it provides the right to privacy, so ISP should not have any right to prevent users from accessing lawful internet content

2) According to WHO report, India accounted for 6% of global malaria cases and 7% of deaths caused by it in 2016. Why has India failed to eliminate Malaria? Examine. (150 Words)

1. Lack of data acquistion, strict data monitoring as seen in countries like Sri Lanka, and european countries. This makes difficult to control malaria
2. Lack of awareness among the masses, nation wide campaign like Darwaja Band for open defecation launched by ministry of driniking water and sanitation, can there be simiar campaign for malaria ?
3. Nurses, Anganwadi workers, Auxillary nurse midwifes, the bedrock of health scaffolding in the country: not empowered to train the masses about malaria
4. Fund access: are there suitable funds for controlling malaria (TB has more focus : as far as fund allocation is concerned)
5. How many countries have approached India in the recent past to handle malaria issues? Very few
6. lack of vaccine : still at research stage: Why can't WHO and best medical institutes like AIIMS and Ecole Polytechnnique in France, etc can come together and collaborate with each other?
All these are reasons. To control; innovative measures need to be deployed like  sale of medicated nets in rural areas, no potholes to allow stagnating water (using submersible pumps), issue malaria bonds as we have green bonds, to raise money from abroad (Guaranteers of such money shall be state government)

* society
*international -migration one view

1) Examine the impact Himalayan rivers have had on the evolution of Indus Valley Civilisation. (150 Words)

1.Himalayan rivers flow through a greater gradient and hence Indus valley civilisation would have many gullies, rills and erosional landforms. More silt deposited in the floodplains of the rivers , this would have caused the land more fertile, and so rice and other staple foodcrops, like barley might have been popular owing to this fact.
2. presence of rivers: mean economic set up around the rivers, villages, markets and other public gatherings. This would have caused Indus valley civilisation to grow.
3. Since the himalayan rivers are perennial, Indus valley civilisation, might not have received any break in its potential to flourish: sustaining the civilisation

Does the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ensure effective mechanism for empowerment and inclusion of the intended beneficiaries in the society? Discuss

Empowerment need to be multi pronged: psychological, economical, physical, cultural and political.
This act does give the disabled, right to work, rght to medical access, righ to proper education, but does this psychologcally lift them? are there proper committees in the district under the charge of district collector, so that proper grievance mechanism are addressed, or is there transparency in addressing those. a lot need to be achieved on these front.
Web pages, W3 compliant, accessible india campaig, railways where coaches are retrifitted with the disabled friendly stairs, coach mitra initiative are some of the initiatives taken by the government.
There should be more state specific approach like Orissa, which has maximum no of disabled persons, budgetary allocation for social welfare schemes; should be maximum in orissa targeted at disabled people. Rcently there was global entrepreneur shummit; I wonder how many disabled persons would have received proper loans for starting new businesses under Start up India campaign from financial intermediaries like NBFCs/RRBs/MFI etc.

‘China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’, In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbor. (150 words)

Impact on India: does this create a fear in India, that India will not be able to compete with it in the short and long run? Why should we fear? However, healthy competition need to be envisaged.
It impacts India in economic front, as of now,India is exploring act east policy, via trade surplus wit ASEAN countries, will this be affected? Because China laos engages in heavy trade with ASEAN countries, also biilding artificial islands in South east asia, so ASEAN countries are both in and out of the game with China, latter due to SOuth china sea disputes.
Political atmosphere also gets distrubed, Doklam issue recent. Millitary standoff, create tensions across the borders. Already we are at issue with China related to Tawang in Arunachal pradesh.
Also affects culturally. Low cost diwali items are imported from China to India, so will thsi relations be affected?
Also psychological impact, India constantly strugg;ing with China pakistan economci corridor, due to passign through POK. if China develops as millitary superpower, then this area, permanent stanfing of chinas millitary is a cause of concern for India.

3) “The possibility of indoctrination cannot be a reason for undermining personal autonomy.” Comment. (150 Words)

Recently, Hadiya case was unique, before the Supreme court judges; surely a fight between indoctrination and personal autonomy. Judges also opined: Hadiya has her own personal autonomy, she need not depend on her husband as guardian (even if she consents that she married her not because of compulsion, but of her own will, she was not forcibly indoctrinated). So, according to this example, personal autonomy can not be undermined, even if there has been several allegations that she has been forcibly indoctrinated. 

2) The attempt by the executive to subvert the independent function of the legislature and its secretariat has serious implications for Indian polity. Discuss critically these implications and comment if there should be an alternative manner to convene parliament. (250 Words)

Implications are: basic tenet of parliamentary form of government, where there is seperation of powers, executive is responsible to the legislature stands disturbed, in such cases. Ethically also is not in favour, executive subverting the secratriat for its own good, for the legidlsature main purpose is the dissemniation of information,even more important than making laws. So while executive, in cases where subverts the legislature;
1. masses are unaware of the debate held in the parliament
2. laws making is affected, sessions are short, some state legislatures have been known to hold session for only 3 days  or so, some 14 days. Is this democracy we want?
Parliament should be held keeping in mind:
1. elections in the state legislature, for e.g. recently, in gujarat, due to elections, winter session was postponed to be held from 14th Dec, this will prevent chaos, ethically a good practice.

1) Discuss the contributions of Vithalbhai Patel to India’s struggle for independence and to the evolution of India’s polity. (150 Words)

He was elected as the first speaker of central legislative assembly: it went several transformations after that, during the course of india's struggle for independence. His contributions: period between central legislative assembly and post- independent india legislative assembly, upto the time of Mavalankar as the speaker, have seen many ups and downs

4) Why is it advised for pregnant women to gain weight during pregnancy? Examine the causes of high IMR and MMR in India. (250 Words)

For multiple reasons: to avoid malnutrition, to deliver a healthy child, to develop self confidence, to avoid miscarriage. If any of the above issues emerge, out of pocket expenditure will increases, which the government do no wish at any stage.
High IMR and MMR are caused due to multiple reasons: paternal family (lack of care of women in such societies), lack of access of emergency helath care in far flung areas such as hilly, tribal areas, village location where primary health care units and community health care units are not located nearby, poverty (lack of funds to help them with emergency care)
Also, institutional mechanism such as private health care facilities charging heavy amount as compared to public health care ones, and the latter not having quality health care services.
Other factors :
1. mind set of the people, avoiding public health care facilities, even if they are located nearby, because they trust private hospitals more
2. Anganwadis, ASHA etc., though are the bedrock of health care facilities ,rural areas, they need to escalate the issues to higher officer, in the smallest time frame, so that unwanted deliveries are avoided.
3. Weakly iron folic acid supplements, I doubt, whether they have been seriously distributed among the anemia patients, who are expected to deliver in due course of time.
All these factors coupled together, cause IMR and MMR to be higher.
Innovative agendas to be made like: engaging teachers to contribute in health sector, who want to do so voluntarily, mass meetings to generate awareness, bold decisons that if successful will give eneormous amount of benefits but of gone wrong, backup plan ready to survive, for e.g. how to take clinical trials successfully forward?

3) Critically evaluate the functioning of the Monetary Policy Committee. (150 Words)

Prior to Monetary policy committee, the policy rate decisions was the prerogative of RBI governor alone. It was more open to criticism (if the decisons did not work). Now in a six member committee, decisions are taken by the consensus. Less prone to criticisms. Also because ,the committee consists of highly qualified intellectual persons along with the RBI governor.
Still there are few shortcomings.
1. There is no veto power. If out of 6, 4 agrees and one disgaree, 1 abstains from voting, can the decision of the majority be over riden by the 1 who disgarees? No. The system can be made similar to the UNSC 5 permanent members, who have veto power. This system will not be applicable to all the cases. Only highly qualified cases that may prop up, in course of time such as, financial crisis.
2. Now who ma have veto power, is  million dollar question? Can we leave this at policy makers and appointment committee of the cabinet ?
3. This system also has shortcoming as we saw, recently that Dalveer singh bhnadari slection as a judge inICJ was repeatedly stalled at UNSC vote due to veto of UK.
Above is only an innovative solution, however, as far as MCLR rates, inflation targeting , policy decisions, demonetisation decisions are concerned, they have been taken bey consensus and there has been no controvery so far.

2) What are the important findings of Global Burden of Disease study with respect to India? Discuss the significance of its findings to policymaking in health sector for Indian states. (250 Words)

Malnutrition, higher number of incidences of Tuberclosis, Multi drug resistant TB are some of the important findings of Global Burden of Disease study with respect to India.
These findings help provide
1. important data to the government(different from survey data), which help them in formulating the right policies
2. Government can proactively take decisions such as budgetary support for the health sector, if data is available
3. Govenrment can fetch international best practices. Countries which are doing good in reducing incidneces of TB. for e.g. can help a lot in policy making
4. helping the government in convergence of varios health sector schemes
5. it will also be an eye opener to the govenrment, if all of a sudden, some new disease is covered in the report by Lancet, for e.g. if AIDS become all of sudden important for the nation, then it will be reflected in the report.
Multi pronged and innovative approach needed to handle crisis. strengthening public sector health institutions, reducing out of pocket expenditure, proper budgetary support, international aid such as from bill and melinda gates foundation etc will help India achieve the goals

1) Who were ‘criminal tribes’? What was the British policy on these tribes in colonial India? Examine. (250 Words)

Scheduled tribes, that britishers included in criminal tribes act were known as criminal tribes.
Britishers policy was to alienate them. They were considered anti social for the rest of the Indian population (endangered). For e.g. Asur tribes in Jharkhand.
1. They were interfering with the colonial administration , and hence came the policy.
2. Geographically they were concentrated in the eastern part of India, britishers prevented them from mingling to the western and rest of the country
3. Britisheres had an special eye on them , to maintain law and order
In recent times, there have been reshuffle in denitified tribes by state governments such as Jharkhand

Will manual scavenging be a perpetual problem in India?

Going by the fact that, only dalits are involved in manual scavenging, can we visualise India, a country where no single incidence of manual scavenging is reported? Hypothesis is that dalits form a certain percentage of the society, more concentrated in four states, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Tamil nadu. How, then, can we get rid of manual scavenging, if only dalits perform these menial work? This is seriously digusting. On one hand we are boasting of making new India by 2022 where we will have new job opportunities for youth, corruption free society, no hunger and malnutrition incidence and on the other hand we still have another India existing, where manual scavenging is performed for meagre payment to support their family.

So, will manual scavenging be a perpetual problem in india? A problem with no solution? Aren't laws delivering results? If laws exist, then why are not getting completely getting rid of it? Why no effective deterrence due to such laws? So, where is the lacunae in the rule of law ? The law of the land? The constitution, where directive principles of state policy exhort the states to frame laws such that people live with dignity. Fundamental rights of the people, exhibited by right to life in Article 21, doesn't it apply to the issue? When I talk about these, I seriously think, where things went wrong? If they went wrong, why can't we mend them? As law makers and policymakers of the country, where are their present focus? Is it vote bank politics? Or is it will power to set things right? Or is it that we do not have another Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar of Raja Ram Mohan Roy to take up such social reform movements in present context, as they existed in 18th century. Seriously, all these need to be given a proper thought, to eliminate this problem from its roots, so that it doesn't remain a perpetual one.

From my analysis, manual scavenging problem arose due to following reasons in the society:
1. no toilets at home in rural areas, some attributed to cultural angle, that presence of toilets at home will make their home "impure", and some attributed to lack of funds even if they are willing. Now, to clean their faeces, dalits become obvious choice. Because, people think they can undertake any menial job for their sustenance. No one hires them because they are treated as untouchables

2. Vast rural expanse in the states I mentioned above, Bihar, UP were once categorised under BIMARU states, poor, illiterate and less healthy. When there is rural expanse, people tend to defectae more in open. Then again dalits come to their rescue.

3. Less public interest litigations on such issue due to muscle power. Muscle flexing from wealthy and aristocrat people, under which dalits work. People fear to take up any public issue on a mass scale like anti corruption movement that picked up under mascot Sri Anna Hazare

4. People think 'manual scavenging' is too menial to talk about. Those who are not affected by these, either due to lack of patriotism or otherwise, do no want to get indulge themselves into such a menial thing, according to them!

5. Lack of funds at the disposal of panchayats and municipalities for toilets construction. Government is trying hard so that issues are minimal.

6. Lack of technological interventions to take up such issues. All research institutions are bogged up in making new solar cells, new gene editing techniques. No one talks about: even if dalits have to take up such jobs , they don't have to use broom. Can there be mechanisation of whole process, so that there is no man-faeces interface.

7. Lack of robust data on number of deaths occurring due to manual scavenging. It should be released every year. Not only death figures, but people encountering other dermal diseases also need to be highlighted.

8. In a decade, and in post independence era, we have only one Bezwada Wilson so far. Why not 2-3? Why did only a single man took this cause? Why not many? So again will power of people to take up the issue is reflected here.

9. Laws such as Prohibition of employment as manual scavengers and their rehabilitation (2013) came after too much delay, too late after the issue has already been existing. Even here, the role of district collector to constitute a rehab committee in every district has to be fully adhered to.

However, the solutions proposed are:
1. All dalits in states to be relocated to some other states, and give them opportunities to survive. For e.g. dalits can be employed in textile factory somewhere in West Bengal. They can be employed in Tamil Nadu in fire crackers industry. No employer shall deny them jobs. If anyone does so, strict action to be taken against them. We have Art15 , prohibition of discrimination on grounds of race, religion, caste or sex, to defend our case.

2. If 1st option does not work, then deploy other innovative measures to provide them opportunities to survive. For e.g. if someone is taking up manual scavenging in Jalaun in Uttar pradesh, then make Jalaun a skill centre, an industrial centre. This will take time, but they will find something meaningful. They can be deployed as clerks, teachers in schools in Jalaun for the time being. No muscle flexing will be allowed. Any upper caste incidence threatening them will be treated as per rule of law. IPC and CrPC will defend.

3. Prevention of Atrocities act (scheduled caste and scheduled tribes) 1989, to be more strengthened. Stringent punishment to be inflicted to the mischievous.

4. Innovative ways of registering FIR, for e.g. before turning any village inhabited by Dalits to be converted into skill centre or industrial centre, FIR needs to be registered against unknown persons, so that upper classes have a fear to disturb dalits.

'Manual scavenging' is a shame on the society, on the upper class people who deploy people for such acts. Change. Fear the rule of Law, and fear God. Otherwise it will remain a perpetual problem.

Fate of States

Thought of pennning down, what should be the fate of states in India, in 15 minutes times. Though number of states, in India is more than the number of minutes, within which I wish to write, let me be crisp.
Cooperative federalism? Competitive federalism? The challenge method? What should be the method followed, so that states flourish? We have heard these terms, often. Federalism, is itself, a heavy word. adding prefix to it, such as cooperative and competitive, makes it all the more heavy. Make it simple. First, each state should have its own task force. Niti Ayog, formulates a task force on all India issues, encompassing all states. Let us take one step back from here. Not all states, one task force, but 29 states, 29 task forces. 7 UTs and 7 Task forces again. All together, we have 36 task forces. Now each task force, will have state specific agenda. For e.g. J&K can have a task force, aiming to have zero millitancy incidents in 6 months. Bihar, can have a task force, aiming no inundated villages, in flood, in next 2 years. Kerela , can have a task force, to have 1% employment generation in 1 year time. Tamil Nadu, can have a taskforce, aiming no man-animal conflicts in next 6 months.
Now each task force to be audited by different state. Let the permutation and combination solve the issues. After each audit, recommendations to be generated. Recommendation to be complied within 1 month or 6 months or 1 year. The final updated status to be audited by external agency like World Bank, or some intergovernmental organisation and present its views to PMO. PMO to laud the states on the basis of rankings generated. States will flourish, no doubt.

How does patriarchy impact the position of a middle class working women in India?

First, right to property of women in a patriarchal society is strongly affeted. Because, sons enjoy greater share in the ancestral property than daughters, as per societal mind set. When she marries, she is given a share among the patriarchal property. She is asked not to ask for, further. This was how dowry creeped into the society, after independence.
Patriarchy also affects righ to education of women. Men are more educated in a patriarchal set up, generally in Indian society. This makes them believe that daughters are meant only for doing kitchen work. They will marry some day and leave her own home.
Right to work is also affected. Women, can not take autonomous decisions, in what they want to do in life. For this, the will of men becomes inevitable.
During our independence, literacy rate of women in India was only 18%. You can imagine, the position of women. Patriarchal society, is one of the reasons, for this catastrophe. Today it is 64%. Again, it is due to patriarchy. However, patriarchy is not solely responsible for this figure.
We do not have Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar today, who will take up the women cause. The need of the hour is to raise voice within. Cultural shackles that prevent true humanity from unleashing, need to be broken. Constitution of India will support in all true endeavours. 

Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?

When privacy of any individual gets hurt, he begins to question the societal set up, the laws of the land, the constitution, the right given to other persons to infringe upon others' rights and so on. As soon as the questioning begins, many things get unravelled in the process. For e.g. why was the privacy intruded, what were the circumstances in which the privacy was intruded and so on.

In order to analyse whether  sting operation really an invasion on privacy, we need to consider multiple view points.

Let us first take case of a media which conducts a sting operation on a corrupt politician. Say a politician is engaging himself or herself in some money bargaining. This bargain is unethical. This is horse trading of MLAs to be inducted in his own party. This got caught in the camera. The sting operation was conducted by some news media channel. This was finally aired in the media through TV. The politician who was engaging in unscrupulous activities was defamed within a minute. Here in this case, we may discuss and debate that the politician privacy was invaded. But we need to look at the larger picture here. Even if the privacy was invaded, he was absolutely unethical. So sting operation is not an invasion on privacy if it concerns larger societal interests. If he would have been dealing with absolutely personal affairs, then such sting operation would be an invasion on privacy.

There are multiple examples from the historical past when such “sting operations” were conducted. If we go back to the period of Mauryas in 3^rd century BC, then our mind raises questions whether such sting operations were common in that period.

That is why I have inserted the word sting operation in quotes, because the method of conducting the sting operation was different. Today we conduct with all new technologies. That day, they were conducted with the spies. It would be absurd to think of any technology that would be used in conducting such operations. Samrat Ashoka, the great king of those times, would then take action based on the feedback of such spies. If the vicitims of such “sting operation” were found to be unethical, he would be brutally slaughtered. Such was the dire consequences in those times. But in 21^st century, atleast he deserves a fair trial in the court of law. There is no media trial. Hence, there is absolutely no invasion on privacy of individuals, if the sting operation is conducted in the interests of society. That is why I gave the example of Mauryans to prove the fact that such sting operations need to be supported even if there is an invasion on privacy.

But often, it is seen that when there is such operation by any media or some other civil society activists, the victim is not guilty. He or she tries to defend himself or herself. Moreover, victim tries to save himself under the cloak of Art 21; Right to Life which is guaranteed by the constitution of India. Victim chooses Right to life itself; because this right automatically gives the victim right to privacy. However, this should be no defence if the victim engages himself/herself in such malpractices. This has been also confirmed by the SC judgements.

Sting Operation is common not only in India but also in international arena. The politics of developed country has its own set of challenges as opposed to developing countries like India. In such cases, media is better tool to strengthen the polity. For e.g. US, UK, Japan or other industrialised countries of G7 have a very vigilant media. The media does not hesitate to report a full story of any such unscrupulous activities- whether it is print media or digital media. In such cases, sting operation is a better tool to control corruption and anarchy. In such countries, democracy is further strengthened by such sting operation even if there is invasion of privacy.

Sting operation, as an idea to control malpractices has been often displayed in sci-fi movies. And the idea of invasion on privacy of individuals is rarely emphasized in such movies if you have seen any of them. This itself tells us that such sting operations are definitely a more powerful concept than “invasion on privacy”. Only the motive should be fine. It should be ethical .

Ethical media will never invade privacy. Neither state will do. Because most of the countries are bound by the their constitution and laws. For India, it is the lengthiest one of all. However, nowhere it is mentioned that Sting operation is legal. Neither it has been mentioned in any legislation that sting operation will bring invasion on privacy. It is only interpretation of some of the provisions of the constitution for e.g. Art 21 i.e. Right to life is interpreted in different ways by the victims. It is then corrected by the custodian of the constitution i.e. Supreme court.

Supreme court can only restrict itself to judicial review or writs mentioned in the constitution for infringement of fundamental rights. The debate of Sting operation vs invasion on privacy can be properly taken up by the Supreme court or High courts within their jurisdiction. But how about the idea of a media regulator to oversee such conflicts? If there is some regulator to control such conflicts in the first place, the gravity of the situation can be controlled. The regulator will then provide some guidelines concerning sting operation. The guidelines will have sense of ethics. By following those, sting operation can be made ethical without hurting anyone’s genuine privacy.

If there is sting operation on someone and the victim is found to be innocent, then that is an invasion on privacy for sure. Because anything that gets aired on TV becomes irrevocable. So, the sting operation should be conducted only after solid base of facts and evidence against the victim.

As long as, the intention of the media is congruent with the societal interests, sting operation is not an “invasion on privacy”. In fact this is dichotomy. 

Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.

Problems of inland water transport ranges from economical, political , geographical, political, cultural criterias.

1. From the economics point of view, the inland water transport may require separate fare structure and viability of such transport. 5 year separate data has to be taken and analysis needs to be done. Although from th experience of the developed countries, water transport has less expenditure as compared to road freight transport. But still this needs to be confirmed in context of India

2. Water transport comes under state subject. So transporting across the borders of state will be fair until and unless there is no hassle among the states relating to the transport guidelines. 

3. Environmentally also, there are issues relating to ganges dolphin, irrawady dolphin, gharials etc. Gnages dolphin and gahrials are endangered. Transport may create ecosystem  damage in the water.

4. Pollution in water may be another problem. 

However despite such problems, water transport has prospects such as:

1. Significant contribution to the GDP due to seamless transport of goods. Also due to the fact that there are nearly 1 crore rivers in India. However only 20 of them are major water basins such as Indus, Ganges Brahmputra and so on. 

2. Gives an insight to the developing world like Africa, South American countries about how we are implenting water transport.

3. Attracts investment from institutions like World Bank.

So the idea is to bring more innovative solutions to the problems of such water transport. Not only mechanised transport but also renewable technologies that boost water transport need to be brought on board. 

How globalisation has led to reduction of employment in formal sector of Indian economy? Is increased informalisation detrimental to the development of country?

Globalisation has offered opportunities which were absent before 1991. Willow or cricket bat makers from Jammu Kashmir can now find market even outside the country for e.g. Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan or even countries like Afghanistan where access is difficult. And we know this is an informal sector. Earlier they could only sell within India.
Similar evidences can be seen in lock making, paints, candles business, cosmetics, kites, ivory making and others. These industries sometimes employ less than 10 people. But since they find market outside India, they earn.
So with this increase in employment in informal sector, employment in formal sector has decreased. People in formal sector may be more secure from the year round benefits they are provided. However, they prefer informal jobs because of two main reasons. The skills they have inherited from their forefathers offer them a good business. Secondly, they need not migrate from rural to urban or rural to some other rural places.
Increased informalisation is not always detrimental to the development of the country. Until and unless it offers these:
1. Significant contribution to the GDP due to volume of sales.
2. Human capital utilisation of the country
3. Augmenting other sectors of the country which are forwardly linked to these informal sectors. For e.g  if some industry source rice husk for their businesses from the informal sectos which is involved in rice husk making. Then both gets benefited in that case.
However, it may affect the economy of the country in following cases
1. If the % of informalisation increases to such an extent that GDP contributed by them is less than GDP contributed by the formal sector. If 60% informal sector of the economy contributed to only 30% of GDP , then there is a serious problem with the structure of economy.
A balance of the formal and informal sector is needed. 

Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are requirements and status of gender budgeting in Indian context?

Gender budgeting can help in various ways such as assured outcomes. In India, women needs specific policies that not only uplift them from poverty but also skill them so that they can contribute to GDP significantly. This has become important in India where still many families are patriarchal. So they do not like women to work after they get married. In past we have heard of Nairs of Kerela who were matriarchal families but how many of them we know at present except some of them in tribal settings. This is in contrast to developed countries like US, UK and even some of the south asian economies which are fairly advanced. Also, India has come far in terms of literacy rate of women. At the time of Independence, literacy rate of women was only 18%. Today the figure is 67% for women. But still short of 7-8% as compared to literacy rate for men which is 74%. So, gender budgeting become important here again. 

Government of India has taken certain steps in this direction. Schemes such as MAA (Mothers absolute affection programme), Priyadarshini scheme(which uplifts the women from poverty in Kerela), Indira Gnadhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana( monthly entitlement benefits to pregnant and lactating women for two birth child) are best examples to support this. However, despite these gender budgeting initiatives in Ministry of Women and Child development, it takes time to achieve the desired outcomes. Perseverance and patience is the key. The programme is started in mission mode starts for few high burden districts initially. This itself speak of the regional disparity in terms socio- economic indicators. But to achieve the results in a coherent manner require innovative and prudent approach from permanent and political executives. 

GM Mustard and the debate..

The debate at present, that concerns India is whether GM Mustard crops should be allowed on fields. GEAC which reports to Ministry of Environment and Forest is mandated to approve the commercial trials. It has even approved it. However, since it is a food crop, it has raised concern among the masses. The common people, farmers, scientists, NGOs and few section of civil society think it would not be apt to go for GM Mustard on fields. They think it will hurt the environment, soil, biotic and abiotic factors of the eco system and health of human beings. Moreover, if there is some damage to the above, it will be irrevocable. 

However despite such apprehensions, some support it on the following grounds. It will help in the food security mission. The government is dependent on the farmers for its procurement of food grains such as rice, wheat, pulses to feed the masses at subsidised rates. So, by introducing GM Mustard, the productivity of food grains will increase. This is because after its introduction, lesser area will be required for growing mustard; since GM crops increase the productivity, with lesser area we can grow more crops. The remaining area can be diverted for other crops such as rice, wheat, pulses and so on. So, the government will not be apprehensible of failing to maintain sufficient food stock every quarter. 

Another advantage is that GM Mustard will be drought as well as pest resistant. So both these factors which affect the production in a substantial amount can be eliminated.

I have few proposals regarding what should be the final fate of GM Mustard. Grow these crops forst not on the agricultural fields but on vertical farms. These farms are very popular in Japan. They get nutrition not from the soil but some mechanised routes, may be from air. We can deploy some of the experienced professionals in the regard who can implement this Japanese knowledge. By doing this we will have no fear of what may go wrong with the soil, environment at least in the initial stage. the outcome then should be carefully monitored by the suitable professionals. Farmers should be taken help of in assessing the outcomes. Then, increase the area of such farms every year. Again assess the outcomes. Send the outcome report to the developed countries technical bodies and they should also be studied by indian technical bodies like Central Water commission. Based on such outcomes, the action need to be taken. By deploying PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) we can achieve sustainable results without worries. Please no ad-hocs.