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NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same time gives you extra points in the form of background information.
General Studies – 1
Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2022 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write major geological events of the past that impacted the peninsular drainage system and explain how these events affected the drainage system as in the characteristic features of Peninsular Drainage system.
Directive word:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Give a brief overview of peninsular drainage system.
Body:
First, List the major geological factors that impacted peninsular drainage system – Geologists believe that the Sahyadri-Aravali axis was the main water divide in the past; The western part of the Peninsula cracked and submerged in the Arabian Sea during the early Tertiary period ; upheaval of Himalayas; slight tilting of peninsular block from NW to SE direction.
Next, Discuss the impact that these events causes which manifest themselves in characteristic features of peninsular river system such as – one drainage was towards east flowing into Bay of Bengal and the other towards west draining into Arabian Sea; During the collision of the Indian plate, the Peninsular block was subjected to subsidence in few regions creating a series of rifts (trough, faults) through which these rivers flow, Straight coastline, steep western slope of the Western Ghats, and the absence of delta formations etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing about the importance of Peninsular drainage for India.
Introduction
The Peninsular drainage system is older than the Himalayan drainage system. This is evident from the broad, largely-graded shallow valleys, and the maturity of the rivers. The Western Ghats running close to the western coast act as the water divide between the major Peninsular Rivers, discharging their water in the Bay of Bengal and as small rivulets joining the Arabian Sea. Most of the major Peninsular Rivers except Narmada and Tapi flow from west to east.
Body
Evolution Of Peninsular Drainage
- Geologists believe that the Sahyadri-Aravali axiswas the main water divide in the past.
- According to one hypothesis, the existing peninsula is the remaining half of a bigger landmass.
- The Western Ghats were located in the middle of this landmass.
- So one drainage was towards east flowing into Bay of Bengal and the other towards west draining into Arabian Sea.
- The western part of the Peninsula cracked and submerged in the Arabian Sea during the early Tertiary period (coinciding with the formation of Himalayas).
- During the collision of the Indian plate, the Peninsular block was subjected to subsidence in few regions creating a series of rifts (trough, faults).
- The now west flowing rivers of the Peninsula, namely the Narmada and the Tapi flow through these rifts.
- Straight coastline, steep western slope of the Western Ghats, and the absence of delta formations on the western coastmakes this theory a possibility.
- It is believed that the west flowing peninsular rivers do not flow in the valleys formed by the rivers themselves.
- Rather they have occupied two fault rifts in rocks running parallel to the Vindhyas.
- These faults are supposed to be caused by the bend of the northern part of the Peninsula at the time of upheaval of the Himalayas.
- The Peninsula block, south of the cracks, tilted slightly eastwards during the event thus giving the orientation to the entire drainage towards the Bay of Bengal.
Conclusion
The peninsular drainage is mainly Concordant except for few rivers in the upper peninsular region. They are non-perennial rivers with a maximum discharge in the rainy season. The peninsular rivers have reached mature stage (Fluvial Landforms) and have almost reached their base level.
Topic: geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2022 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To analyse in detail the pros and cons of the river interlinking projects in the country.
Directive:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin the answer by mentioning about aims of interlinking rivers in India.
Body:
First According to some, this is an engineered panacea that will reduce persistent floods in some parts and water shortages in other parts besides facilitating the generation of hydroelectricity for an increasingly power-hungry country.
Next, Discuss in brief the history of interlinking projects in India. Then explain the positives of such a policy.
Next, Discuss the demerits – financial viability, physical viability, will adversely affect land, forests, biodiversity, rivers and the livelihood of millions of people etc.
Discuss examples of successes and failures and suggest what should be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a fair and balanced opinion.
Introduction
The river interlinking project aims to link India’s rivers by a network of reservoirs and canals that will allow for their water capacities to be shared and redistributed. Some experts claim that this is an engineered panacea that will reduce persistent floods in some parts and water shortages in other parts besides facilitating the generation of hydroelectricity for an increasingly power hungry country.
Body
Opportunities arising out of River linking projects
- India receives most of its rain during monsoon season from June to September, most of it falls in northern and eastern part of India, the amount of rainfall in southern and western part are comparatively low. It will be these places which will have shortage of water. Interlinking of rivers will help these areas to have water throughout the year.
- This will cut farmers dependence on monsoon rains by bringing millions of hectares of cultivatable land under irrigation.
- Crop productivity would increase and so would revenues for the State.
- Even one bad monsoon has a direct and debilitating economic impact.
- The river linking project will ease the water shortages in western and southern India while mitigating the impacts of recurrent floods in eastern India.
- The Ganga Basin, Brahmaputra basin sees floods almost every year. In order to avoid this, the water from these areas has to be diverted to other areas where there is scarcity of water. This can be achieved by linking the rivers. There is a two way advantage with this – floods will be controlled and scarcity of water will be reduced.
- Simultaneous floods and droughts continue to wreak havoc, destroying the lives and livelihoods of millions.
- India needs clean energy to fuel its development processes, and river water can be leveraged for this.
- Fulfilling water needs impact socio-economic life of people which will help end poverty.
- Need for interlinking of rivers to prevent inter-state water disputes.
- Potential benefits to transportation through navigation, as well as broadening income sources in rural areas through fishing.
Challenges posed
- The idea that river linking would allow us to cope with flood in the north east and shortage of water in the Deccan is the positive aspect as pointed earlier but misleading one too.
- This floods come at the time when most parts of the country run short of water, we need to hold the water somewhere to use it in dry season but the amount of flowing in the short period of time in Brahmaputra and Ganga is so huge to store and use it later.
- Variability in rainfall is high which is the main source in the country, flood and drought simultaneously within the states of Bihar and Maharashtra.
- Irrigation potential from interlinking rivers will have limited impact. The net national irrigated area from big dams has decreased and India’s irrigated area has gone up primarily due to groundwater.
- Interlinking of rivers is a very expensive proposal. The amount required for these projects is so huge that government will have to take loans from the foreign sources which would increase the burden on the government and country will fall in a debt trap.
- The river interlinking project will adversely affect land, forests, biodiversity, rivers and the livelihood of millions of people.
- The Ken-Betwa link threatens about 200 sq. km of the Panna tiger reserve.
- Interlinking of rivers will lead to destruction of forests, wetlands and local water bodies, which are major groundwater recharge mechanisms.
- Less than positive experience that other countries have, like diversion of Amu Darya and the Syr Darya or the Australia’s experiments in its Murray Darling basin.
- It causes massive displacement of people. Huge burden on the government to deal with the issue of rehabilitation of displaced people.
- Due to interlinking of rivers, there will be decrease in the amount of fresh water entering seas and this will cause a serious threat to the marine life.
- The Shah committee pointed out that the linking of rivers will affect natural supply of nutrients for agricultural lands through curtailing flooding of downstream areas.
Way forward
- To look at water as a strategic resource for development.
- Environment is one issue where anyone of us should be concerned about.
- Best practices done by China and neighbouring countries needs to be looked upon.
- The biggest, cheapest, most benign, possibly fastest and most decentralized storage option for India is the groundwater
- Invest in water conservation, more efficient irrigation and better farm practices.
- Recycling of water for internal usage as that of Israel.
- We need a mandatory enforceable river policy aimed at treating rivers as national treasure.
- Accumulation of silt in huge quantities, particularly the Ganga and its tributaries. These rivers need to be desilted.
- River linking in the south and other parts which was undertaken in the past has been going well so such model needs to be taken forward.
- Planting trees on the river banks is one way of bringing life back to the rivers.
- Forest catchments will need to be restored, wastewater from industries and towns will need to be treated, sand mining need to be stopped.
- Need to build the responsibility, capability and accountability in our water management institutions to revive our rivers.
- The judicious use of canal water, growing crops that are appropriate to a region, encouraging drip irrigation and reviving traditional systems such as tanks.
Conclusion
The river linking project is a great challenge and an opportunity to address the water issues arising out of climate change. The long-term solution to water scarcity lies in making the IRL project work by building a network of dams and canals across the length and breadth of the country. However, interlinking has to take place after a detailed study so that does not cause any problem to the environment or aquatic life.
Topic: poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The Tamil Nadu government released its first-ever draft “Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy” for public comment. The draft policy aims to “ensure that slum dwellers are treated fairly and humanely when they are resettled from objectionable lands
Key Demand of the question:
To write about having a relook at urban poor with a new perspective of urban policies, urban planning and institutional frameworks
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving statistic about the numbers of urban poor in India
Body:
First, mention the various causes of poverty in Urban areas and how it is much more severe than the rural areas.
Next, write about the policy measures aimed at the Urban poor in India and there limitations.
Next, write about how proper urban planning and policies can help India achieve ameliorate urban poverty – inclusive neighbourhoods, better livelihoods and job opportunities etc.
Next, write about institutional framework to help urban poor – social security, food and nutritional security and rehabilitation and resettlement, Housing etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Urban poverty in India is over 25 percent; close to 81 million people in urban areas live below the poverty line. Cities in urban India are flooded with the “poor” like Sumer. Over the years, due to high migration, the poverty in the country is transiting largely from rural to urban.
The Tamil Nadu government released its first-ever draft “Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy” for public comment. The draft policy aims to “ensure that slum dwellers are treated fairly and humanely when they are resettled from objectionable lands
Body
In the next decade urbanisation in India is set to reach 50 per cent. According to a survey by the UN State of the World Population report in 2007, by 2030, 40.76% of country’s population is expected to reside in urban areas.
Causes for urban poverty
- High vulnerability:
- Indian cities are vulnerable to multiple disasters like urban floods, urban heat islands, air pollution, inaccessibility of potable water etc.
- For instance, When the monsoon hits Mumbai this June, the city, which is already fighting the coronavirus pandemic, will be staring at another major challenge: vector-borne diseases.
- People living in slum areas – ‘urban poor’ are also prone to suffer from waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera, as well as from more fatal ones like cancer and HIV/AIDS.
- Also, women and children living in slums are prone to become victims of social evils like prostitution, beggary and child trafficking. Slum dwellers in general and regardless of gender, often become victims of such social evils.
- Proliferation of slums:– land to people ratio in cities has been exacerbated. Also there is lack of hygienic and sanitation in slums leading to various health problem living there.
- Non-inclusive development: Urban poor are not receiving the benefits of the development – rich are getting richer with development while poor are getting poorer. E.g. India is quite far behind in inclusivity index.
- Degradation of environment and habitat:Urban commons like lake, urban forests, green areas in Cities are adversely affected due to the need for development, for instance, Aarey forests in Mumbai.
- Development at the cost of poor:The peri-urban areas where tribes live are being occupied for establishments of industries without proper compensation and rehabilitation.
- Hectic life: as per a survey people in mega cities are spend more time in office than home. Family life has been affected adversely.
- Lastly, hunger, malnourishment, lack of quality education, high infant mortality, child marriage, child labourare some of the other social problems prevalent for urban poor.
Way Forward
- Mobilising Localised Resources:Given the scale of urbanisation, the focus on urban employment generation programmes should be in coordination with local governments.
- This will require actors at the local level to have more resources at their disposal.
- Resource mobilisation could be enabled by the formation of local alliances, involving elected representatives, trade unions, entrepreneurs and community groups
- This can also be the key to solving other problems faced by cities.
- Localised Employment-Intensive Investment Policies:A major local initiative would be to design and implement employment-intensive investment policies. In this pursuit:
- Local enterprise formation needs to be an integral part of the strategy, with converging interests for workers and entrepreneurs on issues related to technology and productivity enhancement.
- Also, Small and micro enterprises which are the fulcrum of industrialisation, need extra support to balance the interests between labour and capital as neither have collective bargaining powers.
- Prioritising Urban Infrastructure:There is a need to prioritise urban infrastructure as it accounts for a large share of total investments in the overall economy.
- A labour- intensive approach to building municipal infrastructure can be a cost-effective alternative to capital intensive-approach as wage rates are low.
- Infrastructure investments would spur employment, generate earnings and contribute to small enterprise formation.
- Construction of low-cost housing is another activity that can be carried out using labour-intensive methods, while yielding substantial collateral benefits for urban dwellers.
- Launching of Urban Employment Scheme:There is need for immediate launch of an urban employment scheme oriented toward building large-scale medical, health and sanitation infrastructure in cities and towns across India.
- Provision of Social Security: There is a need to provide livelihood safety access to urban areas. The livelihood safety net must have comprehensive coverage. Such a net, provided by the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), exists only in rural areas
- Promote Cooperation: An urban livelihood scheme can be launched within the existing fiscal space. If not, the Union and States can provide resources together and empower the urban local bodies.
- State Interventions: Himachal Pradesh has launched the Mukhya Mantri Shahri Ajeevika Guarantee Yojana (MMSAGY) with the objective of enhancing livelihood security in urban areas by providing 120 days of guaranteed wage employment to every household at minimum wages in FY 2020-21.
- Minimum Wages For Urban Workers: Setting a separate minimum wage for rural and urban areas does not cause migration to urban areas since the higher cost of living in urban areas has an offsetting effect.
- Focus on Service Delivery: The focus must shift from asset creation to service delivery. Restricting it to asset creation or wage-material ratios may be suboptimal in urban settings.
- Increase Incentives to Reduce Migration:Focusing on rural development to increase employment opportunities in rural areas and to enhance the provision of services like education, health, electricity and water and sanitation services are effective means to control rural to urban migration.
Conclusion
Given the economic contraction, there is a need to generate more jobs and reduce vulnerabilities by providing decent wages & job security in urban areas. Traditionally, governments have addressed this issue from a sectoral viewpoint given the contemporary realities, the need is to approach this from a rural-urban perspective. Thus, the present crisis calls for a multi-pronged strategy to tackle the issue of urban jobs.
General Studies – 3
Topic: different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage
Difficulty level: Easy.
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
Price controls and bureaucratic delays in scheme enrolment, field reviews and the reimbursement of subsidies, etc, have pushed Micro irrigation industry to the brink of collapse despite its importance
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the importance of micro irrigation, issues in it and measures to overcome the issues.
Directive word:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving a statistic about the water scarcity and the crunch that we are facing currently.
Body:
First, explain what micro irrigation is – Slow application of water on localized volume of soil by surface drip, subsurface drip, bubbler, and micro sprinkler systems. Explain its importance for India – allows judicious use of water for a water stressed country like India. It also helps to save fertilizer consumption per unit of land etc.
Next, discuss the various issues present in micro irrigation industry in India – Price controls and bureaucratic delays in scheme enrolment, field reviews and the reimbursement of subsidies.
Suggest measures to overcome the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Micro irrigation is a modern method of irrigation; by this method water is irrigated through drippers, sprinklers, foggers and by other emitters on surface or subsurface of the land. In this system water is applied drop by drop nearer the root zone area of the crop. Drip irrigation is most suitable for wider spacing crops. Micro sprinkler irrigation system is mostly followed in sandy or loamy soils. This system is most suitable to horticultural crops and small grasses.
Body
Importance of Micro-irrigation system
- Water saving and higher yield
- Water savings in comparison with flood irrigation are to the tune of 30-50%, with an average of 32.3%
- electricity consumption falls by about 31%
- High quality and increased fruit size
- the average productivity of fruits and vegetables increased by about 42.3% and 52.8%
- Suitable for all types of soil
- Easy method of fertigation and chemigation
- the adoption of micro irrigation results in savings on fertilizers in a range of 7% to 42%
- Saving in labour and field preparation cost
- the overall enhancement of farmers’ income was in the range of 20% to 68%, with an average of 48.5%.
Issues in micro irrigation
- Price controls
- There is no fixed timeline for the inspection and testing of an installed system.
- Field inspections are not carried out for months, resulting in a long pendency of disbursement against bills.
- bureaucratic delays in scheme enrolment, field reviews
- Delays in notifications and guidelines by state governments tend to dissuade farmers from availing the benefits offered under this scheme.
- Despite the availability of funds, as claimed by state governments, scheme applications are processed only at the end of a financial year, done typically to achieve pre-set targets in what is famously known as the ‘March rush’.
- Reimbursement of subsidies
- Unlike other subsidies that are directly transferred to beneficiaries, those for installing drip irrigation systems are transferred to vendors only after due diligence.
- High initial investment
- Clogging of emitters
- Possible damage of system components due to animals.
Way forward
- Farmers should be able to avail the scheme in accordance with their crop cycles or sowing patterns.
- If the state government claims to have a sufficient budget, it must adopt a first-come-first-serve approach, instead of prolonging the selection process and extending delays.
- Set a timeline for each stage, from an application by a farmer to the execution and payment disbursement.
- Strengthen the Centre’s monitoring mechanism by insisting on a periodic review of applications, approvals, work orders and actual installations.
- Establish a central information system to monitor the scheme’s progress.
- Deploy direct benefit transfers for subsidy sums to go straight into the bank accounts of farmers.
- Ask state administrations to operate the scheme throughout the year on a first- come-first-serve basis.
- Link equipment prices to either inflation or underlying input costs.
Conclusion
‘Per drop more crop’ can only be achieved by deploying advanced and efficient irrigation technologies, and these can only be developed if we ensure a wholesome business environment by eliminating delays, discretion and red tape.
Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The attack on Assam Rifles in Manipur shows precarity of peace at Indo-Myanmar border.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the challenges of border management and the strategies India has employed to tackle such challenges.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by highlighting that India shares borders with several countries, a few of those countries don’t share good relations with India making the task of border management challenging.
Body:
First, Discuss the challenges with respect to border security – non-demarcated boundaries with overlapping, Unilateral actions by some nations to change the status quo in their favour, Misuse of borders (especially porous open borders) for smuggling, illegal migration, etc, Little or no support from counterparts of neighbouring nations and in some cases active support by cross border elements to illegal activities etc.
Mention the various steps taken by India to address these issues and for effective management of its borders.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising the need of effective border management strategy.
Introduction
India has one of the longest and most varied of international borders. Historical and political reasons have left India with an artificial unnatural border. Border Management is an integral approach towards borders in which along with security enhancement, infrastructure & human development is undertaken. The challenge of coping with long-standing territorial and boundary disputes with China and Pakistan, combined with porous borders along some of the most difficult terrain in the world, has made effective and efficient border management a national priority.
Body:
India has had to deal with numerous challenges with respect to border management such as:
- Porous borders: International borders with Pakistan and Bangladeshrun through diverse terrain including deserts, marshes, plains and mountains. This porosity of borders facilitates various illegal activities such as smuggling, trafficking of humans, drugs and arms and infiltration.
- Contested International borders: History of mistrustand constant border skirmishes with Pakistan along line of control (LOC) makes India highly susceptible to cross-border terrorism. Similarly, India’s border with Myanmar is threatened by several insurgent groups that have found sanctuaries in jungles along the border. Political boundary issues of “enclaves and adverse possessions” in Bangladesh have resulted in political sensitivity along the entire eastern border.
- Inefficiency in Border management: Indian borders continue to be guarded by military and police forces that report to different ministries in the Centre and states, making the border management task arduous and leading to duplication of efforts by the security forces.
- Lack of critical infrastructure: Critical infrastructure such as observation towers, bunkers, Border Flood Lights etc. are lacking in many border areas which also prevent deployment of hi-tech equipment.
- Poor intelligence and resource efficiency: Security forces are ill-equipped to handle border management given poor intelligence capabilities and severe resource deficiency.
- Ethnic conflicts and separatist movements: The situation has worsened due to the changed demographic profile of many Border States and shift in ethnic balance of communities as a result of illegal migration.
- Over-population in the border areas: Density of population in the border areas at some places is approximately 700-800 persons per square km on the Indian side and about 1,000 persons on the Bangladesh side.
- Political instability and disorder in its periphery impacts India’s security directly or indirectly. Proxy war between India and Pakistan adds to this security risk.
The implications on the internal security due to the above challenges of border management is marked by
- increased cross-border terrorism
- infiltration and ex-filtration of armed militants
- emergence of non-state actors
- nexus between narcotics traffickers and arms smugglers
- left-wing extremism
- fake Indian Currency network
- separatist movements aided and abetted by external powers
- illegal cattle trade
Strategies for effective border management have been continuously evolving. Some of them are:
- 24x7x365 day surveillance along Indo-Pak border with 5-layer smart fence
- Agreement on basic guiding principles and standard operating procedures
- Increasing confidence building measures and communication linkages to avoid unnecessary confrontation and escalation
- Integrated border management by involving and enhancing cooperation with counterparts of neighbouring countries especially along open borders.
- Effective implementation of the recommendations of One Border One Force by the Task Force on Border Management to weeds out inter agency frictions.
- Community measures and awareness can be deployed along open borders to prevent illegal activities.
- Implementation of Border Area Development Programme and other developmental initiatives so that there is no feeling of being left out.
Way forward:
- Infrastructure along with border has to be improved – rail connectivity along with road connectivity has to be provided for quick mobilization.
- Building of additional checkpoints and Border posts along major and minor trade routes connected with borders
- Building of floating bridges, walls & electrical fences where there is high probability of infiltration.
- Taking up of joint Border management with Countries like Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal.
- Improving healthcare, physical infrastructure and digital connectivity in villages around borders thus making them stakeholder in Border Management.
- Madhav Godbole task force recommendations on border management need to be implemented.
- It had recommended that the CRPF should be designated as the primary national level counter-insurgency force. This would enable the other central paramilitary forces like the BSF and Indo-Tibetan Border Police to return to their primary role of better border management.
- It had also recommended that all paramilitary forces managing unsettled borders should operate directly under the control of the army and that there should be lateral induction from the army to the paramilitary forces so as to enhance their operational effectiveness.
- The principle of ‘single point control’ must be followed if the borders are to be effectively managed.
- The advances in surveillance technology, particularly satellite and aerial imagery, can help to maintain a constant vigil along the LAC and make it possible to reduce physical deployment.
Conclusion:
Keeping a strong vigil on its border is very important for any nation to check any kind of illegal activities or intrusion through them. For India, the task becomes difficult where terrain and climate is very complex across some of its border areas. Focussing on improved technology will help in making the task easier for the security forces and make its borders more secure.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Case Study
Difficulty level: Moderate
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Case Study Fridays’ in Mission-2022 Secure.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Mention the deep entrenchment on the illegal practice of dowry.
Body:
- Write about various steps aimed and eradication and why dowry is still so deeply entrenched in our society.
- Mention the way to tackle dowry by further empowering women, creating awareness, holding guilty party accountable and increasing the rate of conviction.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising the need to rid our society of dowry.
Introduction
Dowry, a cultural practice deeply rooted in many Indian communities, refers to the money, goods, or property given to a bridegroom’s family along with the bride. Dowry is a social evil in the society, that has caused unimaginable tortures and crimes towards women. The evil has taken lives of women from all strata of society – be it poor, middle class or the rich. However, it is the poor who succumb and fall prey to it, more due to their lack of awareness and education.
Body
Reasons for dowry to be deeply entrenched in our society:
- Patriarchal nature:
- Sons are seen as assets.
- There is a strong preference for male children, which has been blamed for years of female feticide.
- This has left India with a very unbalanced sex ratio. There are 940 women for every 1,000 men according to 2011 census.
- India has 37 million more men than women, making it hard for men to find suitable brides.
- Societal attitude:
- Instead of being regarded as a crime and a source of shame, dowry has become a matter of pride.
- It is discussed over coffee at family gatherings.
- Sons-in-law are often introduced with the price tag they come with.
- Educated grooms tend to demand higher dowries. Education is reduced to just another factor that determines your market rate.
- Today, dowries are seen as being directly linked to the brides’ estimation and treatment by her husband, forcing their families to ensure that a substantial amount of dowry is provided.
- Greed:
- Owing to expectations of material benefits from the bride’s family, dowry is demanded for, and at times, when the demands are not met, either the marriage is called off, or the bride is exploited leading to domestic violence.
- Illiteracy:
- With a literacy rate of 74.04% in the country, it is quite valid to consider it the primary cause for different social evils.
- The communities that are not knowledgeable about the laws and legislation face several atrocities owing to dowry exchange practices.
- Lack of Willingness to adhere to laws:
- The primary reason behind the failure is lack of mass participation.
- People pay no heed to such laws and make sure to exploit the dowry system to gain material benefits under the veil of a marriage proposal.
Implications of dowry:
- It is because of the dowry system, that daughters are not valued as much as the sons.
- In the society, many a times it has been seen that they are seen as a liability and are often subjected to subjugation and are given second hand treatment may it be in education or other amenities.
- The parents don’t lay enough emphasis on educating their daughters, as they feel that husbands will support them latter.
- The Poorer sections of society who send their daughters out to work and earn some money, to help them save up for her dowry.
- The regular middle and upper class backgrounds do send their daughters to school, but don’t emphasize career options.
- The very wealthy parents who happily support their daughters until they get married and their ability to fork out a high dowry.
Measures to curb dowry:
- Education & Sensitization:
- Educate the younger generation of sons and daughters
- Encourage them to have their own career
- Teach them to be independent and responsible
- Treat your daughters equally without any discrimination
- Do not encourage the practice of giving or taking dowry
- Mass Media Campaign:
- Media holds the potential to remove dowry system from the mainstream Indian society.
- By publishing related news and making the authorities aware of any reported case of dowry related crime, they can keep an effective check upon the prospects.
- Laws on Dowry in India
- The Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 deals with dowry in India.
- This Act prohibits the practice of giving or taking of dowry by either parties to a marriage. This law also punishes demanding and advertising dowry.
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005:
- The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, was passed in order to provide a civil law remedy for the protection of women from domestic violence in India.
- The Domestic Violence Act encompasses all forms of physical, verbal, emotional, economic and sexual abuse and forms a subset of the anti-dowry laws to the extent it is one of the reasons for domestic violence.
- Role of voluntary organization:
- They should make propaganda against the evils of dowry.
- The workers of these organizations should help the victims of dowry harassment and get them justice.
- These organizations should make aware of their address to the people through advertisement so that victims can appeal them for their help to get justice.
- Women’s self-help groups should be systematically oriented about violence against women and the existence of local support systems.
- By actively spreading awareness and displaying solidarity, women’s self-help groups can play a powerful role in building a more equal society.
Conclusion
Dowry has become an institutionalized and integral part of the Indian marriage. Social and economic realities do little to keep it in check. In such a situation, the need to revise the institutional framework concerning dowry and the need for more research on different forms of dowry and the reasons for its prevalence is the need of the hour.
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