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150 Words10 Marks
Q.‘To awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened. Once she is on the move, the family moves, the village moves, the nation moves.’’ –Jawaharlal Nehru
UPSC Mains 2023•Ethics & Integrity
Model Answer
Syllabus Point
- Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers from India and World.
Approach
- Introduction (Definition) (30-40 words):
- Explain Nehru's perspective on women's empowerment as the primary catalyst for family, community, and national progress.
- Body (Explanation) (80-90 words):
- Discuss the multi-dimensional impact of empowering women (economic, social, community, intergenerational).
- Conclusion (20 words):
- Summarize how investing in women is essential for sustainable national development.
Introduction
Jawaharlal Nehru’s quote highlights that the advancement of a nation is fundamentally dependent on the empowerment of its women. By educating and empowering women, society initiates a transformative chain reaction that uplifts families, communities, and the entire nation.
Body
Interpretation of the Quotation
graph TD
WE["Women's Empowerment"] --> ND["National Development"]
WE --> II["Intergenerational Impact"]
WE --> ED["Education"]
WE --> EP["Economic Participation"]
WE --> FW["Family Welfare"]
WE --> CL["Community Leadership"]
ND --> ND1["Policy Influence"]
ND --> ND2["Development Agendas"]
II --> II1["Child Education"]
II --> II2["Family Health"]
ED --> ED1["Access to Education"]
ED --> ED2["Continued Learning"]
EP --> EP1["Workforce Inclusion"]
EP --> EP2["Entrepreneurship"]
FW --> FW1["Health Decisions"]
FW --> FW2["Education Choices"]
CL --> CL1["Local Initiatives"]
CL --> CL2["Governance Roles"]- Empowerment of Women as a Catalyst for Change:
- Educating and empowering women triggers widespread positive changes across all levels of society.
- Present Context: Providing women with educational and economic opportunities leads to healthier families, better-educated children, and more robust economies.
- Role of Women in Family Welfare:
- Empowered women make informed decisions regarding healthcare, nutrition, and education, leading to more prosperous households.
- Present Context: When women have financial autonomy, they invest significantly in their children's future, breaking cycles of poverty.
- Economic Development:
- Enhancing women's participation in the workforce directly boosts national GDP and fosters economic resilience.
- Present Context: Nations with higher gender parity in employment experience faster economic growth and innovation.
- Social Progress and Equality:
- Empowering women helps dismantle deep-seated patriarchal structures and stereotypes, fostering a more inclusive society.
- Present Context: Gender-inclusive societies exhibit higher levels of social cohesion and lower rates of domestic violence.
- Community Leadership and Participation:
- Women leaders at the grassroots level bring unique perspectives to governance, prioritizing essential issues like sanitation, health, and education.
- Present Context: Female representation in local panchayats in India has led to more effective and equitable community development.
- National Development and Stability:
- The collective progress of women is directly linked to national stability and sustainable development.
- Present Context: Countries that prioritize gender equality in their policies achieve more stable and sustainable growth.
- Intergenerational Impact:
- Educated mothers are highly likely to prioritize their children's education, ensuring a brighter future for subsequent generations.
- Present Context: This creates a continuous cycle of development and empowerment.
Conclusion
Nehru’s vision remains highly relevant today. Women's empowerment is not merely a goal of social justice but an economic and developmental necessity. Enabling women to realize their full potential is the key to building a progressive, stable, and prosperous nation.
Previous QuestionA landslide occurred in the middle of the night on 20th July, 2023 in a remote mountain hamlet, approximately 60 kilometres from Uttarkashi. The landslide was caused by torrential rains and has resulted in large-scale destruction of property and life. You, as District Magistrate of that area, have rushed to the spot with a team of doctors, NGOs, media and police along with numerous support staff to oversee the rescue operations. A man came running to you with a request for urgent medical help for his pregnant wife who is in labour and is losing blood. You directed your medical team to examine his wife. They return and convey to you that this woman needs blood transfusion immediately. Upon enquiry, you come to know that a few blood collection bags and blood group test kits are available in the ambulance accompanying your team. Few people of your team have already volunteered to donate blood. Being a physician who has graduated from AIIMS, you know that blood for transfusion needs to be procured only through a recognized blood bank. Your team members are divided on this issue; some favour transfusion, while some others oppose it. The doctors in the team are ready to facilitate the delivery provided they are not penalized for transfusion. Now you are in a dilemma. Your professional training emphasizes on prioritising service to humanity and saving lives of individuals.
A. What are the ethical issues involved in this case?
B. Evaluate the options available to you, being District Magistrate of the area.
Next QuestionDifferentiate ‘moral intuition’ from ‘moral reasoning’ with suitable examples