- Sonu Sood - Draupadi - Oskar Schindler - PM CARES fund - Baba Amte
INTRODUCTION When the COVID pandemic started ravaging the world, many people chose to build walls around themselves. The rich stockpiled sanitizers and masks, rich nations hoarded vaccines, the media demonized certain sections such as the Tablighi Jamaat. In this whirlpool of divisions, for thousands of people, Sonu Sood emerged as a bridge between hope and despair. He was at the forefront of numerous relief efforts, organising transportation for trapped migrant workers and students to return to their homes and providing assistance to those in need of medical supplies. His efforts enabled countless people, regardless of their religion, caste or political affiliation, to find a new lease of life. Proving why it is essential to build bridges, not walls.
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WHAT does “building walls” signify? • Viewing diversities only as differences. • Fixating on such differences and harboring resentment, suspicions & prejudices towards others. WHAT does “building bridges” signify? • Overcoming our differences and fostering unity, solidarity, brotherhood etc. WHY should we build bridges rather than walls? • Facilitates cooperation and collective efforts, which enables better solutions to common problems. • United we stand, divided we fall.
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TOPIC: Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Content for Intro. & Conclusion:
- Gandhi (train incident) - Princess Diana (AIDS) - Webb Miller (Dharsana satyagraha) - Oskar Schindler (persecution of Jews) - Sunitha Krishnan (saving women)
INTRODUCTION When Mahatma Gandhi boarded a train for Pretoria in 1893, little did he know that he was about to change the destiny of India. His eviction from the first-class compartment at Pietermaritzburg station awakened the realization that unless India secured independence from British rule, such incidents would never become a thing of the past. Gandhi understood that even though many Indians were silent against British oppression, even one voice could have a powerful impact. This realization helped Gandhi understand that while Indians might not be able to challenge the military or economic might of the British, principles like Ahimsa and Satyagraha could be formidable weapons against the Empire. Had Gandhi chosen to remain silent that day, the vision of an independent India might never have become a reality. Proving that our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
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WHY are people silent about the things that matter? - Because of the bystander effect, pessimism bias, risk aversion etc. WHY shouldn’t we be silent about such issues? - Because we could find ourselves in the receiving position in the future. WHY does our life begin to end if we choose to be silent on these matters? - Because we are magnifying the possibility of bad things happening to others and us.
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It is said that the worst places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis. This emphasizes the fact that with regard to issues that matter to humanity as a whole, we should not remain silent when they are under threat. However, people often ignore or remain indifferent to important matters, due to the bystander effect, a pessimism bias, risk aversion etc. Our lives begin to end in a sense because this increases the risk of finding ourselves in the receiving position in the future, when nobody would be willing to take a stand for us. By remaining silent or not acting in such matters, we are gradually magnifying the possibility of bad things happening to others and us. Proving that our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
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When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful. This means that it is our right and responsibility to speak up on things that matter to us. There are hundreds of acid attacks that occur in India every year, but they are not given the attention they deserve. Many people remain silent due to uncertainty avoidance, the tendency to avoid ambiguous situations. Here, it becomes important to promote self-determination and a strong internal locus of control, so that people can speak about what they believe to be right. A case in point is Laxmi Agarwal, an acid attack survivor, who has worked relentlessly to control the sale of acid as well as for stricter prosecution in such offences. Had it not been for her efforts, the Supreme Court might not have directed the govt. to take the matter more seriously. Proving that our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
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Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. - 5 Body Paras Value Level/Benefit Concern/Recommendation Evidence
Happiness Individual; Excessive competition Happiness Curriculum in
better health Holistic well-being schools Empathy Society; social Bias & prejudice Oskar Schindler justice Recognize suffering & help
Transformation Individual; full Uncertainty avoidance Laxmi Agarwal
potential Self determination
TOPIC: Every man is guilty of the good he did not do.
Content for Intro. & Conclusion:
- USA (Vaccine hoarding) - Yudhishthira (Ashvatthama’s death) - Dharsana Satyagraha - Hitler - Ashoka
INTRODUCTION When the SARS-CoV-2 virus started ravaging people’s lives in 2020, the eyes of the world turned towards the sole superpower, the USA, for guidance and support. Yet, the US chose not to lead but to look inwards and safeguard only itself. Being the most prosperous nation, it had the opportunity to do a lot of good, by giving other nations financial assistance and moral support. But while people perished and economies crumbled, the US indulged in vaccine hoarding, diplomatic bullying and intimidation. In doing so, the US squandered the opportunity to cement its place in the annals of history as a great nation by helping others. This failure in performing the leadership role expected of it earned the US widespread criticism and dishonour. Because every man is guilty of the good he did not do.
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WHY do we not do something we know to be good? • Pessimism bias, Prejudice, Fear of failure, Omission bias, Moral credential effect. WHY are we to be held guilty of not doing such good? • Because inaction sometimes can be as powerful as the wrong action. • Those who have the ability to do good also have the responsibility to do good. WHAT should be done? • Develop self-awareness and introspect. • Identify scope for improvement and act upon it.
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It is said that the tyranny of a dictator is not as dangerous as the apathy of a citizen. This means that each one of us has the ability and responsibility to do good. But many of us fail to do the good we are capable of, due to various factors such as a pessimism bias, personal prejudices, or the moral credential effect. However, each time that we don’t do what we could, it should be seen as a matter of shame and guilt, because inaction sometimes can be as powerful and dangerous as a wrong action. It is vital that we develop self-awareness, introspect, identify scope for improvement within ourselves and act upon it. Because every man is guilty of the good he does not do.
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Compassion is the basis of all morality. It uplifts human existence and gives us a sense of purpose. However, many people are guilty of sheer indifference towards others. Such people driven by a high degree of individualism, meaning that they only value their own well-being, with little regard for others. In this regard, it becomes important to remember that since the good of the individual is contained in the good of all, we must do the good that we are capable of. A case in point is the Skilled Veterans Corp, a group of 200 Japanese pensioners who volunteered to face the dangers of radiation after the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011. They chose to sacrifice themselves, instead of pushing younger people to the same. Because every man is guilty of the good he does not do.
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Courage is the mother of all virtues, because without it you cannot perform the others. However, many people display cowardice and fail to do the good they are expected to. Such people usually suffer from a pessimism bias and overestimate the likelihood of negative results. In this regard, it becomes important to cultivate a strong internal locus of control and focus on our efforts, rather than the result. A case in point is the Battle of Saragarhi, where 21 Sikh soldiers of the Indian Army fought against 10,000 Afghan soldiers. Despite knowing that victory was impossible, they fought till the last man. Because they knew that if they deserted their post, they would be guilty of the good they did not do.
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TOPIC: There are many humans, but no humanity.
Content for Intro. & Conclusion:
- Mother Teresa (Compassion) - Oskar Schindler (Empahty) - Baba Amte (Public service) - Azim Premji (Philanthropy) - Marie Curie (Sacrifice
INTRODUCTION
When the SARS-CoV-2 virus started ravaging the world, most countries, especially the prosperous ones, chose to look inwards and safeguard themselves. While people perished and economies crumbled, these countries indulged in vaccine hoarding, diplomatic bullying and intimidation. Yet, there were also a few countries like India that generously shared their meagre resources with the world, in a bid to mitigate the impact of the virus. Whether it was the supply of hydroxychloroquine to the US or the Vaccine Maitri initiative that helped 96 nations, India did its best to safeguard humanity. Proving that although humanity may be declining, there are still some people and nations who are trying to preserve it.
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WHAT does “human” and “humanity” signify?
• Human: what we are by virtue of our birth. • Humanity: what we nurture by virtue of our good deeds. WHY do people think that there is no humanity? • Because most people lack good values. • Prevalence of more vices than virtues; negative reinforcement from the environment. HOW do we nurture humanity? • By making conscious efforts to inculcate and promote good values. • Lead by example; support people who are doing good.
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The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in upholding humanity. All of us become human by virtue of our birth. But humanity requires that we make a conscious effort to improve our thoughts and actions. Good values, such as compassion, forgiveness, empathy etc. are vital for humanity. Unfortunately, there are fears that humanity is on the decline, that values such as selflessness, camaraderie, sacrifice etc. are a thing of the past. While there may be an element of truth in such fears, there are still islands of hope. There are some, perhaps in minority, who still uphold the highest standards of humanity, helping some and serving as a beacon of hope for others. Proving that although humanity may be declining, there are still some people who are trying to preserve it.
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To preserve humanity, we must understand that compassion is the basis of all humanity. Compassion towards others uplifts human existence and gives us a sense of purpose. However, many people suffer from the bystander effect, meaning that an individual is less likely to help a person if other people present there are not helping out. In this regard, it becomes important to promote the understanding that since we all depend upon each other for our existence, the good of the individual is contained in the good of all. A case in point is the Skilled Veterans Corp, a group of 200 Japanese pensioners who volunteered to face the dangers of radiation after the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011, instead of exposing younger people to the same. In the process proving that although humanity may be declining, there are still some people who are trying to preserve it.
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FORGIVENESS Body Para To preserve humanity, we must learn to forgive, even when we have been wronged. Without forgiveness, life is governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retribution. However, many humans are unwilling to forgive and use anger as a mechanism for conflict resolution. In this regard,, it becomes important to view forgiveness as a mark of strength and confidence. Revenge destroys both parties, forgiveness elevates both. Few people possess the humanity that Draupadi displayed by forgiving Ashvatthama for having killed her five sons. Draupadi refused Arjuna’s offer to kill Ashvatthama, saying that she did not want Ashvatthāmā's mother to undergo the same sorrow. Her decision proves that although humanity may be declining, there have always been some people who have tried to preserve it.
TOPIC: The aim of education is not just knowledge but action.
Content for Intro. & Conclusion:
- Samagra Shiksha - March to Million - Atal Innovation Mission - NISHTHA - STRIVE/SANKALP
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WHAT is the aim of education?
- Enlightenment of the masses, enabling people to earn their livelihood and the development of a good human character. - Education achieves this primarily by imparting knowledge.
WHY is knowledge not enough?
- Because it may not necessarily translate into earning potential. - Because people may know about what constitutes a good character but not implement it.
HOW can education aim for action?
- By incorporating actionable/functional elements, that help in using knowledge to improve human lives.
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Principle Dimension Concern/Recommendation Evidence Livelihood Vocational Edu. Lack of industry support PM YUVA Yojana Better industry exposure Livelihood Technology Disruptive technologies Responsible AI Advance core research Livelihood Financial Literacy Difficulties due to lack of RBI- Project financial literacy Financial Literacy Financial education Character Rights & Duties Deteriorating moral standards Firecrackers on Foster culture of human rights Diwali Character Scientific Temper Prevalence of irrational beliefs Unscientific beliefs Promote a scientific temper regarding COVID
TOPIC: Economic development is a strategy, not an accident.
Content for Intro. & Conclusion:
- Nanhi Kali - Ashoka Univ. study on impact of COVID - Barbell strategy - Costa Coffee - Atal Incubation Centres
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WHAT do these terms signify?
- Strategy: something that is understood and planned for, with time-bound goals and efforts. - Accident: something that happens by chance, for the better or for the worse.
HOW is economic development a strategy ?
- Because only understanding an issue can enable the planning needed to address it. - Strategy enables the focused identification of specific sections and issues that need to be addressed.
WHY can economic development not be an accident?
- Because accidental/windfall gains can only give short-term benefits. - Development by its very nature needs long-term interventions.
Participation Social Caste system prevents Stand-Up India occupational mobility Affirmative action Participation Technological Lack of Internet penetration BharatNet Promote e-commerce Participation Procedural Difficulties in starting a Make in India business Simplification of procedures Equity Gender Low Women LFPR STEP Structural support to women Equity Medical People with disabilities Costa Coffee Improve attitudes
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TOPIC: Poverty is a curable disease.
Content for Intro. & Conclusion:
- PM Jan Dhan Yojana - PM-JAY - IRDP - Shanxi Integrated Agri. Development Project - Akshaya Patra
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WHY is poverty a disease?
- Weakens social & economic rights, health and education, dignity & justice. - Creates exclusion, physical and economic insecurity, fear of the future and a constant sense of vulnerability.
WHAT does curable imply?
- That poverty can be prevented and overcome through well-directed efforts. - That the adverse impact of poverty can be mitigated.
HOW can poverty be cured?
- Through preventive efforts directed at the empowerment of the marginalized, as well as curative efforts directed at the alleviation of poverty.
Empowerment Gender Lack of access to assets Stand Up India Microfinance Empowerment Informal sector Lack of security + exploitation PM-SYM Social + Economic security Alleviation Natural elements Vulnerability to natural elements Rapid Response Address elements of disaster risk Alleviation Health Catastrophic health exp. PM-JAY Affordable health insurance Collaboration Civil Society Limited reach of govt. Akshaya Patra Supplement role of govt.
TOPIC: True freedom is not possible without financial independence.
Content for Intro. & Conclusion:
- Costa Coffee - Gig workers - Women’s Labour Force Participation Rate - Stand Up India/ Start Up India/ MUDRA/ PMKVY
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WHEN is a person truly free?
- When he/she is not vulnerable to external factors; has control over his/her life; can take decisions that suit him/her the best.
WHY is financial independence vital for freedom?
- Because it enables us to deal effectively with unforeseen calamities.
- Enables us to access and capitalize on opportunities (education, entrepreneurship, soft loans)
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HOW can financial independence be promoted?
- By promoting participation, equity, growth, stability and sustainability of economic systems.
- Through renewed focus on the disadvantaged and marginalised sections.
Participation Social Skewed distribution of resources Stand Up India Soft loans Participation Technological Job loss due to automation PM Kaushal Vikas Re-skilling Yojana Equity Gender Women LPFR STEP Structural support Equity Financial Lack of access to financial services PM Jan Dhan Financial literacy Yojana Equity Medical People with disabilities Costa Coffee Innovations to enable PwD to secure employment
Have The Courage To Be Different: Free Yourself & Achieve Real Happiness! Stop Seeking Approval And Live The Life You Dream About When Nobody's Watching. Become Unstoppable And Unapologetically YOU!
Have The Courage To Be Different: Free Yourself & Achieve Real Happiness! Stop Seeking Approval And Live The Life You Dream About When Nobody's Watching. Become Unstoppable And Unapologetically YOU!
