Current Affairs SSC

DARE TO DREAM   Key Points:   Introduction

• Kalam’s quote

  Why Dreams?

• Makes human life simple
• Push civilization forward
• Chang the world into a better place
• Success
• The world needs more dreamers

  What One Has TO Do

• Perseverance
• Single-minded focus
• Dedication

  Introduction             "Dream is not that which you see while sleeping it is something that does not let you sleep". One of the greatest dreamers, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam said this to the young generation, to make us realize how important it is to dream. Our dreams, as he said, shouldn't be mere daydreams, but ones that we are willing to fight for.   Why Dreams? The world as we see today was made by dreamers of the past who worked relentlessly with faith in nothing but their dreams. While other people got on with their routine, they pondered on the complex questions to make human life simple. Human civilization is pushed forward not by fate, but by the ideas created by humans who wanted to change the world into a better place. Be it cultural or political or economical sphere or any walk of life for that matter, it is these people's dreams that we celebrate as success.   What ones has to do To dream is not enough, but one has to persevere for it, and work so hard that one ceases to see anything but the goal in front of him. Each of his action should take him closer towards his goal, and other things should be seen as distractions. Single-minded focus and dedicated work are the keys. The world needs more dreamers, because there is more of the world left to be known, to be discovered, to be written, and to be sung. The whole world is left for the dreamer to experiment on. All one has to do is dare to dream and then work for it. The whole world will be at your feet if you succeed in achieving it.   Note:   We have given keywords at the beginning of every essay, which provides the structure for the essay. Study how the structure has evolved. For your convenience, we have highlighted those keywords in the essay too.

CORRUPTION IN INDIA   Key Points:   Definition

• Abuse of entrusted power

  Problem associated

• Red tapism
• Interrupts genuine officers
• Paid out of taxes
• Hampering India’s growth

  Solution

• Transparency International   
• Legislation
• Right to information
• Lokpal bill
• Digitalizing card linking
• Aadhar card linking
• Penalizing
• Transparency and accountability

  THE ESSAY BEGINS Public service is a service much-coveted by people from all sections of society, for the power and prestige it holds. Ever since the time of the origin of democracy in Greece, it has attracted the best of the youth towards it. That the same service is going towards deterioration now is a matter of serious concern. The Berlin-based corruption watchdog Transparency International' defines corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gains. It is prevalent in both public and private sectors. Corruption by people in public sector leads to greater damage, because they are the people chosen to administer the country, and their salary is paid out of the taxes. Corruption slows down the entire public work machinery because it leads to Red-tapism, since it takes bribes to move a file at each stage of the process, and interrupts genuine officers from working, thus hampering India's growth. India's rank of 76 out of 168 countries in the Global corruption index reflects how poor we are when it comes to tackling this menace. Recent attempts to shed light on public officials using strong legislation like the Right to information act and the Lokpal bill have helped the citizens take a stand against corruption. Digitalizing official records and functioning of public offices has helped in bringing the much-needed transparency and accountability to public life. The country is progressing on the right path with the linking of Aadhar card with any activities related to public sphere like the public distribution system and strictly penalizing corrupt officials. With adequate steps in this direction on the part of the government and an aware citizenry, this menace can be curtailed in the near future.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION   Key Points:   Introduction

• Kofi Annan quote
• Mother nature
• Kaavu

  Pollution reasons

• Population explosion
• Over-exploitation of available resources

  India and environmental protection

• Paris agreement
• Historical responsibility
• Green highway project
• NGO's
• Movements
• Chipko movement
• Narmada bachao andolan

  Why Ahead

• Balance of environment protection and economic development
• Sustained development

  THE ESSAY BEGINS... 'The earth is not ours; it is a treasure we h Id in trust for our children and grandchildren." This African proverb cited by Kofi Annan in his millennium address to the United Nations General Assembly summarizes how we should treat our environment. Environmental protection is not a new thing to India. Since Vedic ages, we have been treating earth as Mother Nature, respect and protection towards it being part of our daily life. 'Kaavus', the sacred groves of Kerala, are an amalgamation of religion and environmental protection with numerous rare plants grown inside. Pollution has been growing at an alarming rate in our country, and with population explosion resulting in overexploitation of available resources, the level will only increase. India, being a responsible country, has made a big commitment to reduce the emissions intensity by 33-35% of the GDP by 2030 from 2005 level at the Paris Agreement, even though it doesn't have a historical responsibility. Green Highway Project and similar projects by the government, when supplemented by the efforts of the citizens of the country will definitely help in curbing the pollution level of the country. Environmental protection has been taken up by NGOs and environmental activists too, ranging from Chipko movement to Narmada Bachao Andolan. To balance environmental protection and economic development is the need of the hour. Assuring clean air and water to our progeny can only be achieved through sustainable development, which will lead a nation to a great future.

CHILD LABOUR   Key Point:   What it is?

• Definition

  Why?

• Society silent
• Lack of workers
• Poverty and illiteracy
• Trafficking

  Remedies

• Legal
• International
• Social
• Education
• Awareness

  THE ESSAY BEGINS… A child is like a butterfly, a beautiful butterfly that is waiting to come out of its moth, and we break the wings of that butterfly when we make their gentle fingers toil for daily bread. Child labor is defined by the ILO as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development, where the term 'child5 covers the age-group 5 to 14. Societies sometimes cite lack of workers as a reason for employing children. Children are chosen over adults because they are the cheapest form of labor, are submissive, obedient. Honest and easily available. Poverty and illiteracy also forces parents to send their children for work. Trafficking of kids is another reason. This evil can only be eradicating through education and awareness. Social sanctions work best since a society can't have child labor if people don't allow. Legal sanctions also exist like the Child labor (Prohibition and regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 and fundamental right under Article 24 of the Indian Constitution. International, organizations like UNICEF also deal with the same issue, Children of today are creators of tomorrow. We will never progress as a civilization if we allow their exploitation to go on. Every single individual has to keep his eyes wide open to make sure that this doesn't continue to the next generation.

POPULATION EXPLOSION   Key Point: What?

• Definition

  Why?

• Poverty
• Unemployment
• Illiteracy
• Lack of awareness
• Lack of health facilities

  Solutions

• Awareness
• Woman empowerment
• Education
• Economic
• Restricting polygamy and child marriage
• Accessibility of birth-control measures
• Incentive from government

  THE ESSAY BEGINS.., Human resource is always considered the most important of a nation's resources, but when it grows beyond a level where it can be provided for, it becomes population explosion, i.e. a sudden and large increase in population size. A nation's progress from being developing to developed advertently brings population explosion, as seen in countries of Asia and Africa. A successful nation is one which efficiently tackles this problem and converts the human population to human resources. Poverty is cited as the main cause of population explosion, often accompanied with un- employment and illiteracy. Lack of medical facilities and unawareness about population-control measures also contribute to this issue. High fertility rate is also found in societies where women hold a subordinate position, The best ways to tackle the problem of population growth are providing education and awareness. Economic empowerment of women and restricting the practices of polygamy and child marriage would strengthen the voice of women in the family. Government should also focus on providing incentives to those who adopt birth-control measures, and also to those doctors who persuade them to do it. Easy accessibility of birth control measures would also help in curbing population growth. International efforts in this regard are also noteworthy, since they support countries that are not able to take proper measures due to their low economic level. India's population which grew at 2, 2% in 1981 has gone down to a rate of 1.2% in 2013, and is expected to stabilize in 2050. The slowing growth rate signifies that the population control measures are showing some success. The resources of the Mother Nature belong to the future generations as well, and population control is the only way we can ensure they don't get exhausted.

POVERTY IN INDIA   Key Point:   Introduction

• Definition
• Fastest growing economy
• Rural poverty
• Poverty line

  Initiatives taken

• By NGOs
• Care India
• Smile foundation by NGOs
• By government
• Education
• Employability
• Employment
• Make in India
• Skill India
• Food security
• NFSA
• Antyodaya Anna Yojna
• PDS-AADHAR linking

Way Ahead

• Change the impractical poverty line estimate
• MDPI by world Bank
• Don’t depend on nutritional intake
• Multifaceted approach
• Continue with present initiative

  THE ESSAY BEGINS.., "Poverty is hunger, lack of shelter. It's being sick and not being able to see a doctor. It's not having access to school and not knowing how to read. It's not having a job, fear for the future, living one day at a time. It's losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. Poverty is powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom.." This alternate definition of poverty given by World Bank shows clearly how it is to be a poor person, and that it's not just earning less than $1.90 per day. India, with the growth rate of 7.4%, is the fastest growing economy at present. Still, the poverty in our country is widespread among the rural population which is 70% of the total. The poverty line of 33 Rs a day can't fulfill a person's needs in the present world. Initiatives taken by various NGOs like Care India and Smile Foundation and the union and state governments have changed things to a great extent. Government schemes like National Food Security Mission and Antyodaya Anna Yojana has ensured food security among the citizens. The public distribution system has received a boost with it being connected to AADHAR card thus preventing leakages. It's better to teach a man fishing than feeding him fish. Rather than giving people free food and money, the best way to alleviate poverty is to create employment, which is bound to increase with programs like Make in India and Skill India. Education, an empowering tool for people has a big role to play in poverty alleviation. India needs to spend more on public education, and should increase the quality of the same, and care should be taken to convert education to employability. The poverty line estimates are too impractical and the government should take steps to bring it to a pragmatic level. Multidimensional poverty Index that was recently introduced by the World Bank takes factors beyond income level, which should be adopted by India, keeping in mind that the present concept of defining it by nutritional intake doesn't cover all the dimensions of poverty. Being a phenomenon having cascading effect, this hydra-shaped monster can be tackled through multi-faceted approach only. The government needs to continue with their own initiatives and people should do whatever little they can to create an India of Gandhiji's dreams.

URBANISATION IN INDIA   Key Point:   Introduction

• Unplanned urbanization
• Urban population

  Challenges

• Depleting resources
• Deterioration of living quality
• Weak urban local babies

  Why Ahead

• Providing basic amenities at affordable price
• Govt schemes
• Smart city
• AMRUT
• HRIDAY
• Sustainable cities
• Innovation

  THE ESSAY BEGINS. The recent floods in Mumbai and Chennai has brought into discussion a topic people have comfortably ignored for long, the unplanned urbanization in India, 2011 census has put urban population at 31 %, which is bound to increase with the rural areas lacking much employment opportunities. The sheer magnitude is putting pressure on depleting resources, and without proper planning, this will lead to deterioration of living quality in the cities. Lack of infrastructure is the biggest problem, and when coupled with weak urban local bodies which lack the necessary expertise, it becomes a plan for disaster. The absence of clarity in the functional domain of these bodies, and the non-fixed tenure of Mayors make these bodies weaker. Many states have not yet transferred funds, functions and functionaries, mostly because of unwillingness on the part of the states. Even the city planning function has not been transferred in many states, even though it's required as per the 74th constitutional amendment. Providing basic amenities at affordable prices should be the first priority of the government, and schemes like Smart City, AMRUT and HRIDAY have been launched to ensure this. Sustainable cities with focus on linking public transportation and residential complexes need expert planning, and for this innovation should be done at the local level, emphasizing the need for real power and funds in the hands of urban local bodies. Indian cities can develop into truly global ones only when they are planned innovatively, governed efficiently and managed sustainably.

DOWRY IN INDIA   Key Point: What it is?

• Definition
• History relevance

  Problem associated

• Not always wilful
• Domestics violence
• Feticide and infanticide
• Financial pressure on parents
• Marriage lases sanctity

  Remedies

• Legal
• Dowry prohibition act
• IPC
• Awareness
• Social sanction
• Gender equality

  THE ESSAY BEGINS., Marriages in some cultures are performed according to rituals, accompanied with a. custom of giving and taking of dowry. Dowry in forms of property, jewelry, cash, furniture etc. is supposed to give women economic and financial security in their family, at least in theory. Finding its origin in ancient times where it was given for religious reasons, it has grown into a norm that cripples the very sanctity of marriage. The inheritance system in India, religions factors, unawareness, rituals and customs, unequal legal status are some of the basic causes of prevalence of dowry in India. Many a time it is given out of social compulsion, rather than one's own wish and capacity. Non-fulfillment of dowry demands sometimes leads to emotional abuse, physical torture, cruelty, domestic violence and even abetment to suicide. The ill-effects of dowry are clearly visible in the cases of female feticide and infanticide. The girl child is treated as a burden and deprived of education as well as other amenities resulting into gender inequality, The Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, Section 304B and 498A of IPC prohibit and criminalize giving and receiving of dowry, but still it is prevalent, and atrocities and subjugation of women have not been checked completely due to the inefficiency of these laws. Social sanctions, giving equal legal status, ensuring gender equality in addition to strict laws can help in curbing this menace, thereby, ensuring social justice and women empowerment in real terms in India.

INDIAN CONSTITUTION - A LIVING DOCUMENT   Key Points: Introduction

• Nehru’s quote
• Constitutional day

  Nature of Indian constitution

• Workability
• Amendment procedure
• Not a rigid constitution
• Elaborate yet flexible nature
• Strong foundation
• Multi-party democracy with federal structure

  Recent issues

• Conduct of Indian election
• Expert come to study
• Free fair peaceful and inclusive

  Way ahead

• Outdone its own makers expectations

  THE ESSAY BEGINS. "If you make any Constitution rigid and permanent, you stop the nation's growth, the growth of a living, vital, organic people" The words of Jawaharlal Nehru in the Constituent Assembly sound apt today as much as it did then. 26th November 2016 marked the 67th constitutional day of India, and by this time our Constitution has gone through 101 amendments. Though the amendment procedure wasn't made much easy, it wasn't rigid also to ensure its workability. A rigid Constitution would make itself proof to the dynamics of the society, thereby making it redundant. The fact that democracy in our country has continued uninterrupted, even after the dark period of emergency, indicates the strong foundation it was given by its makers. Though the country was made a multi-party democracy with a federal structure, stability was ensured. The country's political transition from single-party politics to coalition politics and economic transition from a state-dominated economy to a majorly free-market economy also happened without constitutional amendments, thus underlining the elaborate yet flexible nature of the Indian Constitution. The free, fair, peaceful, and inclusive conduct of Indian elections has elicited much applause from democracies around the world, and experts around the world come to study Indian elections. The conflicts that arise occasionally between various pillars of government do not imply failure of the Constitution, but rather its success in promoting free debates. Providing a strong base that led the country from the impoverished 1950s to the flourishing 21st century, the Constitution has outdone its own makers' expectation.

WESTERNIZATION- BOON OR BANE   Key Points:   Introduction

• Definition
• Moral corruption
• Seen in pop mix and jeans
• Influence of globalization

  Positive impacts

• Rational thinking
• Scientific temper
• Digital revolution
• Increase options

  Negative impact

• Alcohol and tabacco consumption
• Party culture

  Way ahead

• Rationality
• Freedom to choose

  THE ESSAY BEGINS... The growing westernization of Indian culture is a widely-discussed and debated topic today. Indians who have strong belief in Indian culture see this as a corruption, of the younger generation's morals. Whether this is truly so is a matter that needs to be analyzed. Westernization means the adoption of western ideals and assimilating it to one's way of life. The pop mix we hear in today's songs to the jeans that we wear can be cited as examples of this. Intellectuals of the 1990s criticized this as the influence of globalization, a thing that will lead to the deterioration of Indian values. After the passage of more than two decades after the onset of globalization in India, it is our turn to judge whether this has become a boon or bane. Westernization has brought with it the positive ideals of rational thinking and scientific temper. It has also expanded the knowledge horizon of the Indians. The digital revolution that it has brought about in India has drastically changed the economy for the better. It has expanded our number of options, in dresses and in music and in everything else. There is a tendency at present to attribute everything vice to westernization, alcohol and tobacco consumption and party culture being few of them. As humans, we all are gifted with rationality to choose what's right for us. It is our responsibility to exercise that choice wisely. Everything in the world has a bad and a good side. A man, with his sense of rationality chooses what's right for him. One can always stay in one's own culture and yet enjoy the good aspects of westernization.