Essays - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved

Dr. BR Ambedkar had emphasized on the progress of women as a measure of development of society. It is the true measure of how a society treats its vulnerable people. Access of opportunities and choices for women not only lead to development of women themselves but also helps in the development of society as well as Nation as a whole.

• This is one of the reasons why American and European countries are politically, socially, economically and technologically developed. In these countries, women enjoy freedom, liberty and have access to rights. Renaissance and Enlightenment in developed countries brought new modern ideas in socio-cultural realm.
• The American and French Revolution gave birth to the ideas of democracy, liberty, equality and fraternity. These developments in the West led to the genesis of a new age for women, an age where women have liberty and equality; an age where women have access to resources and opportunities; an age where women can take decisions for their own destiny.
  But the condition in Indian society is diagonally opposite. 
• Here women enjoyed equal rights like that of men in the early Vedic age, but their status gradually degraded during the later Vedic age. Since then, women gradually lost all their rights and became a second-grade human being. Moreover, religious scriptures like Manusmriti and other literature contributed significantly to the degradation of women's status in society. And that is why, it became one of the major reasons in the burning of Manu by smriti Dr Ambedkar in front of the public.
• Patriarchy is a major reason for the degraded status of women in society. It refers to the social, economic and political power in hands of man. It is one of the instruments to restrict the potential of women to grow. Patriarchy is deeply rooted in the society, but it is least noticed as it has become a daily way of life. Even women support patriarchy unknowingly as they are trained in such an environment since their birth. 'A grandmother aspiring for a grandson' is a clear testimony of patriarchal mindset prevailing even in women thoughts.
• Due to such institution, women are restricted to fully utilise their potential. The society acts as a moral guardian at every stage of women right since their birth to end of their lives.
  In the development course of India, empowering women through implementation of various kinds of programs and policies has been a prime focus of government. Even in pre independence era, efforts by various social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Jyotiba Phule, Savitribai Phule led women to realise their worth and helped in attacking social evils like Sati, window plight, child marriages and lack of access to education to women.
• Post-independence India has also seen various acts, policies and programs for the emancipation of women and improving their quality of life like Dowry Act, 1962; Equal Remuneration Act, 1976; Right to Education (Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao); PCPNDT Act, POCSO Act, Integrated Child Development Scheme, PM Matratva Vandana Yojana to name a few.
• Unfortunately, still after 75 years of independence, women face discrimination in every sphere of life be it social, economic or political. Still, women are considered as one who only have the responsibility of household chores, giving birth to new lives, nurturing children and following the instruction given by the male members of society. Still, women face crimes, be it like domestic violence, rapes, sexual harassment at workplace, acid attacks and many more. The literacy level among women in India is still low as compared to men. Girls are dropped out from school and forced to marry. Child marriages are still prevalent in society and according to NFHS-5, it is 23% in 2019-21.
• A woman should be educated and have choices to what she wants to pursue in education and career. It is rightly said that "teaching a woman leads to generation educated". Educating women not only develops herself but also her entire family. Also, there is an established positive correlation between educating women and decline in fertility rate of society which in turn leads to controlling expanding population.
• Like literacy, health is also a crucial factor which enables a person to develop oneself. Women in India as well as in many parts of world are suffering from malnutrition and anaemic conditions. These conditions are not conducive for a woman to explore herself and this condition leads women to be dominated by males in terms of fulfilling their basic needs, security, etc. Also, if a malnourished mother gives birth to a baby, he/she will not only be physically weak but with a compromised learning capability. This in turn adversely affects the overall human resources of a society.
• If we see on the perspective of economic development of women in India; the female labour participation is continuously declining. There can be many factors behind trend like equal-wages, unsecure and unsafe workplace, no maternity leaves, lack of infrastructure like toilets etc. in informal sectors, whereas in private sectors, males are preferred over females due to diverse types of acts in favour of females like maternity leaves act, etc. There is also a concept of 'feminization of poverty' and 'feminization of agriculture' which is related to the migration of males outside the villages in search of new job opportunities. This creates burden on left over females in the rural areas to manage overall household jobs as well as to work on fields. Females who depend on their husbands economically lose their rights on the reproductive decision as well as the right of integrity of body.
• A woman should be given all possible opportunities so that she could also contribute to the economic growth of the nation. As quoted by Gandhiji: - "Woman is a companion of man, gifted with similar mental capacity".
• If women are given access to resources and opportunities to explore their capabilities but having no access to the agency to apply their capability, they are not truly empowered. They should have representation in political structures of the society to participate in the decision making and policy making processes. As women have different interest as compared to men, they will have different priorities, and this will lead to better governance and implementation system.
• In India, reservtion of 33% seats should be given to women in Parliament so that women related issues can be tabled effectively in policy making process. Political rights are key to ensure effective realisation of other socio-economic rights. Also in infrastructural projects, women participation is essential as it is seen that in formulating water related projects and in sanitation, the participation of local women lead to sustainable and efficient projects.
  Therefore, empowerment and progress of women ends up in development and prosperity of nation, they should have equal rights, equal chances and opportunities to show who they are? And what they can do?
• Unfortunately, this is not clearly visible in Indian society. According to Global Gender Gap index published by World Economic Forum, India has slipped to 140th rank out of 156 countries, which depicts a very gloomy picture in terms of gender parity even after so many efforts done by government. This clearly shows that there is something which is lagging in implementation of various efforts.

Therefore, the need of the hour is not to bring a new bill, but a political will, and administrative skill and unitedly to go for the kill against various social evils, so that we can achieve a healthy, happy and prosperous society

Digital Education: The Future of Learning 

Paragi, school topper in class XII was upset about her chance to study abroad due to pandemic induced lockdown and restrictions. But she not only applied but successfully pursued her higher education in a prestigious college due to online education. Sanjay, who studied only till class 10 due to poor economic condition of his family now completed his graduation through distance learning. Similarly, hundreds of tribal students from a sleepy Hamlet in Odisha passed class XII board examination with flying colours, all thanks to NGO aided digital classes. Digital Education has truly been the future of learning by combining the best of both worlds: knowledge and technology.

• Digital education implies the delivery of education through Internet and digital aided systems. The courses can be pursued in live online manner and even provide the flexibility of recorded lectures for self-paced learning. This revolutionary turn in the field of learning offers varied advantages overcoming the human potential of reaching at a particular place. It not only offers students to build their careers but also aid the professionals with mid-term training, workshops and help them fulfil their dream of adding additional qualification.
  Internet has revolutionized the way we shop, buy, sell, entertain ourselves and interact with fellow beings. This one click away technology now aids the potential of making education more accessible.
• Digital education can truly be seen as a way of making education more inclusive and thereby supplementing the fulfilment of sustainable development goals. This can also help us fulfil the dream of Right to Education (Article 2A) of the nation. In earlier times, education was considered as a privilege of few, especially in India. Only brahmins and kshatriyas were allowed to get access. This manifested in serious social inequalities which we experience even today. With digital learning even the most vulnerable section, Schedule Castes, Scheduled Tribes, girls especially from economically weak background, transgenders, elderly, migrant worker children, children in urban slums and rural areas can get an opportunity to learn. This will not only improve their chances of social mobility and better job prospects but will also make India more literate.
• The NCRB data over the years has highlighted the issue of increased student suicides in India. The reasons are varied: from parents pressurising their wards, lack of self-paced learning, low scores, lack of securing admission in good college etc. Digital education with the supplement of artificial intelligence can help the students in self-paced learning. Quality assignments and continuous comprehensive tests can be conducted to make students aware about where they stand. Further, these applications provide an idea about areas of strength and improvement which can be utilised by a student to prepare smartly. Further, students can be provided enrichment of the explanation through use of immersive technologies. Videos of the method of working aided by sound improve cognitive ability of the child to retain better.
• Digital education also provides an opportunity for meaningful collaboration with schools and institutions, regionally, nationally, and internationally. We all are aware of the scarcity of well qualified teachers at all the levels of education system. Digitally connecting the classrooms will help the knowledge and method of the well qualified teacher reach hundreds of students.
• Further, prominent technology, medical and management institutes can reach out to students who cannot economically afford to stay on campus or pay fees. Government's vision of improving the quality rankings of Indian universities so that they find the place in top 50 and 100 institutions of the world can be fulfilled by learning best practices from their institutions (top 100 global universities).
• India can surely take a step forward and invite students from neighbouring countries, poor countries from Africa and Latin America to get education digitally from renowned Indian institutions. This will surely make a huge impact and reassert India's soft power influence. Furthermore, India can strengthen its image globally and shape its idea of knowledge economy.
• However, looking at the other side, the concept of digital education is a tightrope to walk on. The idea though promising and revolutionary is marred with challenges the most basic one being providing infrastructure. Digital education can only be effective if- electricity, internet and gadgets are present. The NFHS 2014- 15 the survey has highlighted the dismal picture where less than 20% of rural households own a device specially computer compared to 75%+ proportion of households in urban areas. ASER 2020 reports highlight that only 33% of students in India could have access to digital learning; 11% off which only could attend live classes. Rural electrification is still a dream, forget about a stable internet connection.
• Further, we have only seen gender inequality angle thereby male own smartphones in a greater proportion as compared to females. Also, a family having a single phone- then the male child is given preference.
• Another grave concern which doctors and child psychologist have highlighted is the issue of addiction. Students must spend hours before a gadget exposing them to radiation, stress on eyes and almost negligible physical activity. Being given the screens have become a new normal and nowadays youngsters refuse to just take efforts. This causes mental stress and chances of increase in obesity among students. Digital learning is also limited in its application, there is still no method as to how students would learn practical subjects like chemistry, fashion technology, beauty and wellness, hospitality, etc. as these require hands-on learning and practice. The outcome of learning can also be questioned as being separated by a screen makes students often disinterested and open opportunities to duplicate/cheat in examination.
• Digital education not only impacts the students but also the educators/teachers in several ways. Firstly, the teachers had to themselves learn about using online learning and lecture application. Some of them were literally pushed into the framework and given no prior training. This not only impacts the teaching but also reduces the confidence of the faculty. Further, many teachers are at the receiving end from the parents of children who attend classes with them and interrupt in the pedagogy in several ways. Teachers are stopped from delivering lectures due to parental influence where they correct them even for slightest of error. Further, managing home with school has been a daunting task for many. Our teachers mostly females have been doubly burdened by household duties along with online lectures. Students often play pranks, disrupting the classes instead of helping the teachers with technology.
• Even though, digital education poses several challenges, but they can be effectively tackled through societal and political will. Government needs to increase its expenditure on education to 6% from current 4% and provide the required infrastructure and training to the stakeholders. Further, CSR funding can be utilised to provide required devices to students along with internet connection. Bharatnet project needs to be completed on war footing so that villages are covered effectively.
• Further, economically well-endowed educational institutions should voluntarily come forward to collaborate with other less well-endowed schools and colleges. This will help us to curb the problem in areas where schools have to shut due to faculty availability. Furthermore, as Einstein emphasized that education should teach children about how to think rather than what to think, should be adopted. Education has the power to change the world and therefore the curriculum and execution should be well planned. A hybrid form of learning can be adopted as the rich and lifelong lessons in a classroom cannot be negated. Social interactions teach students a teamwork, tolerance, ability to disagree but be respectful, embracing the diversity, gender sensitivity and parity. Social interaction opens our mind and are stress busters in many ways. Further, the bond between the teacher and disciple gets strengthened in classroom setting. As Aristotle said, education of mind without education of heart is no education at all.

Digital education though disruptive offers numerous opportunities. It depends on a nation to make it a leveller for differentiator. A more inclusive and educated society would help us fulfil our social and economic justice aims as enshrined in the Preamble. Educated population is a key human resource which can be effectively used for Atmanirbhar Bharat and in becoming a true democracy.

"Is India's Destiny Caste in Stone?"

It was a rainy night in a distant village in U.P. While the villagers were rejoicing the first spell of rains of the season, merrily singing their folk songs, a tragedy was unfolding at a distance. In a moving bus, three Dalit girls from a village were being brutally raped by their upper caste employers. When the bus stopped, one of the girls managed a miraculous escape, the other two were mercilessly hung from a tree, left to die a painful death.

• This tragic incident is based on true events, on which the movie ‘Article 15’ is based. In the words of perpetrators of this inhumane act, this treatment was meted out to the girls, to remind the Dalits of 'their position' in the society. The 'fault' of the girls here had been, that they demanded a wage hike of three rupees.
• It is most unfortunate that such a reality exists even after almost 75 years of our independence. Our founding fathers had given to us one of the world's finest Constitution, with so much promise, hoping that we would create an egalitarian society. Yet incidents like these forces us to questions, "Is India's destiny Caste in stone?"

Origins of Caste System

• The ancient Indian society, from the times of the Indus valley civilization to the Rig Vedic Aryans was a large extent, egalitarian. Over time, with greater intermingling of the native people with the foreigners, there came to be identified a distinction based on the complexion of the groups. The Aryans, coming in from Central Asia were fairer, and the natives of India, darker in skin tones. The term ' varna’ arose, meaning colour of the skin. As the natives were darker in complexion, they were referred as Shyam Varna meaning dark in colour.
• With furthering of religious knowledge by the groups who deemed themselves as superior, the Purusha sukta came into being, which for the first time delineated the four castes emerging from different body parts of the creator. The distinction was made according to the occupation the groups were engaged in, but this was to become a rigid division, perpetuating through centuries. The most disadvantaged however, were the groups who were so lowly that they could not even feature in this fourfold classification. They were the 'avana' (without caste), also refer to the untouchables.

Propagation of Caste System

• Through hegemony of the dominant castes, by exercising their control over education, both religious as well as secular, the vicious cycle of subjugation of the lower castes has continued for hundreds of years.
• By deeming this social division as the ordain of God, the lower castes were made to believe that it is their duty to undergo the exploitation - that it was the result of their previous birth. Such was the indoctrination, that they did not see their circumstances as exploitation, it was only destiny for them.
• Further, by restricting secular education, the upper castes withheld a spirit of enquiry from the lower castes. By having no exposure to new knowledge, nor being skilled in other areas, they remained restricted to the inhumane works, often unfit for human dignity such as manual scavenging. Thus, the distinction between purity and pollution propagated over centuries, almost as if caste was cast in stone.

Change begins

• During the freedom movement, with the simultaneous speed of modem values, there arose our cultural consciousness about the historic wrong being meted out to a large section of society. The French Revolution strengthened the values of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, which found meaning in the hearts of Indians as well.
• With initiatives of Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule in the west, and Periyar in the south, there finally emerged a rise of the lower castes. Dr. BR Ambedkar took the movement to greater heights, with his quest for annihilation of caste. Enshrining the ideal for an equal and just society in the Constitution, he gave the road map for a truly egalitarian society.

The dichotomy today
Today, the Indian society is in still in a state of flux. While on one hand, our laws promote equality of all, and there is influence of liberal values from the west, at the same time there exists a traditional Indian society, with its orthodox belief systems. This manifests itself in two versions of India coexisting.

• The 86^th Constitutional Amendment act promised free and compulsory education to all children in India. The fundamental right to education has consequently led to a high gross enrolment of children (over 95%) in primary education, despite this the fact that caste boundaries continue to exist is truly noteworthy.
• The cleavage is visible in incidents where children from the upper caste refuse to eat meals cooked (under midday meal scheme) by a dalit cook, as seen frequently across States. Further, though primary education has seen great equality across various castes, higher education is still dominated by the upper castes (over 60%).
• On the level of economy, though it is seen that the formal sector is open to all without caste restrictions, the lower caste groups are seen to dominant in unskilled workforce of the informal sector. Due to historic lack of opportunities, the lower caste workers still form most of the sweepers and manual scavengers.
• Rapid urbanization has led to greater anonymity, where caste differences have seemingly lost relevance. The urban workforce works together in offices, travels together in metro trains and buses, and live together in apartments. Yet, there are hidden fault lines, with castebased segregation in terms of distinct table in the cafeterias, and ghettoization of living spaces. Though there has been seen a growing acceptance of inter caste marriages. Search ties are rising across Indian cities, with some state governments ever promoting them with financial incentives (example Jharkhand). Yet, the paradox is visible in matrimony websites segregating matches through caste even today, and occasional instances of honour killings in the rural hinterland reflects that how caste continues to be relevant.
• Our founding fathers had conceptualised affirmative action in terms of caste-based reservation, to give the historically disadvantaged communities a chance to gain upward social mobility by reservation in educational institutions and government employment. It was envisaged that with these policies that the gap between the forward and backward groups would be quickly bridged, leading to a fair and just society. Yet, through the decades, the temporary system of reservation has become permanent, having been politicised. Instead of leading to a caste free society, the present system furthers caste identity, with many groups claiming backwardness to be able to derive reservation benefits (e.g.: Jats in Haryana and Patidar protests in Gujarat).

The road ahead
The cracks in the caste system are clearly visible today. Are deep rooted system, an intrinsic part of our society for hundreds of years has been challenged, and in a matter of decades, tangible changes are evident.

• What we require is greater state support to ensure robust social infrastructure, promising good quality education and health care across to all at the grassroots. Through initiatives like skill India, there must be greater employment creation, to realise the dignity of human labour.
• Appropriate changes in the legislations to ensure equitable access to reservation benefits, as well as fixing certainty of punishment under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) act must be ensured.
• The dream of an Indian society unshackled by the ills of caste system is surely not distant. This will ensure that on the next rainy night, all villagers, despite and beyond caste differences sing and dance together, welcoming the first spell of rains. By upholding our constitutional ideals, under article 15 and all others as well, we would bring forth a just and humane society, fulfilling the vision of our founding fathers.