Essay: March 2023 UPSC Current Affairs | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

History Repeats Itself, First as a Tragedy, Second as a Farce

'The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.

'Winston S. Churchill

In the Indian context, Marx's statement "History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce" holds immense relevance. India is a nation with a rich and complex history, with various cycles of events repeating themselves over time.

Communal riots have been a recurring problem in India, both before and after independence. These riots are conflicts between religious communities, and they often result in violence, property damage, and loss of life. The nature and intensity of communal riots have varied in pre- and post-independence India. These riots were often triggered by religious or political factors, such as the demand for a separate Muslim homeland or the assassination of a prominent political leader. There were several communal riots that took place in pre-independent India, fueled by religious, linguistic and ethnic differences. The Moplah Rebellion was a violent rebellion that took place in 1921 in the Malabar region of Kerala. The rebellion was led by Muslim tenants against their Hindu landlords and the British government. The rebellion resulted in the deaths of around 2,000 people, mostly Hindus. The Direct Action Day was a call for a communal strike by the Muslim League on 16 August 1946. It was observed as a "Day of Action" by the Muslim community to demand the creation of a separate Muslim state of Pakistan. The strike led to widespread communal violence, especially in the city of Calcutta (present-day Kolkata), resulting in the deaths of around 4,000 people. The Punjab Riots took place in 1947 during the partition of India and Pakistan. The riots were fueled by religious tensions between the Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh communities. The riots resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, with estimates ranging from 200,000 to 2 million. There have been several instances of communal riots that have taken place in India even after independence.

Gujarat Riots, 2002 communal violence broke out in Gujarat following the burning of a train carrying Hindu activists in Godhra. The riots lasted for several weeks, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 people Muslims. Delhi Riots in 2020, communal riots broke out in several areas of Delhi, primarily between Hindus and Muslims. The riots were triggered by protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and resulted in the deaths of around 50 people. Mumbai Riots in 1992-1993, communal riots broke out in Mumbai after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. The riots lasted for several months and resulted in the deaths of over 900 people. Sikh riots in 1984 were triggered by the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. After India gained independence in 1947, the country continued to witness communal riots. These riots have been caused by a variety of factors, including religious differences, political tensions, and socio-economic disparities.

India faced several economic crises during the pre-independence period, some of which were a result of British colonial policies. The Great Famine of 1876-78 was one of the worst famines in India's history, which occurred during the British colonial rule. The famine was caused by a combination of factors, including drought and the export of food grains from India to Britain. It is estimated that between 5.5 million and 10 million people died due to the famine. The Bengal Famine of 1943 During World War II, India faced another severe famine in Bengal, which was exacerbated by British policies such as the export of food grains and the diversion of resources to the war effort. It is estimated that between 2.1 million and 3 million people died due to the famine.

The Great Depression of 1929 had a severe impact on India's economy. The prices of agricultural products fell, leading to a decline in the income of farmers. The depression also led to a decline in international trade, which affected India's exports and industrial production. The Partition of India in 1947 had a significant impact on the country's economy. The partition led to the division of industries, railways, and other resources between India and Pakistan. The migration of people also resulted in the displacement of skilled workers and entrepreneurs, leading to a decline in industrial production. India has faced several economic crises after independence, some of which were caused by internal factors and others by external factors. Balance of Payments Crisis (1991) was a severe balance of payments crisis, caused by a combination of factors, including a large trade deficit, high oil prices, and a decline in remittances. The crisis forced India to seek a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and implement economic reforms, including liberalization, privatization, and globalization. Inflation Crisis (2013-14), India faced a high inflation crisis, with consumer price inflation exceeding 10%. The inflation was caused by a combination of factors, including a decline in the value of the Indian rupee, high food prices, and supply-side constraints. The crisis forced the government to implement monetary and fiscal measures to control inflation.

Agricultural Crisis in India's agricultural sector in recent years due to factors such as declining farm incomes, low productivity, and climate change. The crisis has resulted in farmers' protests and demands for better prices and support from the government.

Covid-19 Pandemic had a severe impact on India's economy, causing a decline in economic growth, loss of jobs, and reduced consumer spending. The pandemic also highlighted structural weaknesses in India's healthcare system and led to a humanitarian crisis, with millions of people facing hunger and poverty.

Ideological repetition refers to the continuation of certain ideas and beliefs before and after a significant event, such as independence. In the context of India, there are some ideological repetitions that can be observed before and after independence. The idea of Indian nationalism was prominent before independence, as leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru emphasized the need for an independent India that was free from British rule. The idea of secularism was also a part of the pre-independence ideology, as leaders like Nehru advocated for a secular India that would not discriminate on the basis of religion.

The idea of Indian nationalism continued after independence, as the country sought to establish itself as a sovereign nation and maintain its territorial integrity. The idea of secularism also continued after independence, as it was enshrined in the Indian Constitution and remains an important principle in Indian society. The idea of social justice also continued after independence, as the government has implemented various policies and programs to address the social and economic inequalities that exist in Indian society.

India has a long and complex history of war, both before and after its independence from British rule in 1947. The Anglo-Mysore Wars (1767-1799) is a series of four wars fought between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore, led by Tipu Sultan. The Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775-1818) is a series of five wars fought between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire. The First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-1846) is a war fought between the British East India Company and the Sikh Empire. The Indian Rebellion of 1857 also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, this was a major uprising against British rule in India, which ultimately failed but had lasting impact.

The India-Pakistan War of 1947 was the first of several wars fought between India and Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir. India-China War of 1962 was a border conflict between India and China that resulted in China gaining control of Aksai Chin. The India-Pakistan War of 1971 led to the creation of Bangladesh, as well as India's victory over Pakistan. Kargil War (1999) is a limited war fought between India and Pakistan over the Kargil district in Kashmir. India-China Border Conflict (2020) is a border dispute between India and China that resulted in a violent clash in the Galwan Valley, resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers. There have been many wars in India's history, both before and after independence, the causes and contexts of these conflicts have varied widely. However, it is important to remember the human cost of these conflicts and work towards peaceful resolution of disputes in the future.

Caste-based discrimination has been a long-standing issue in India, both before and after its independence from British rule in 1947. The practice of untouchability was a severe form of caste-based discrimination, whereby certain castes were considered "untouchable" and subjected to extreme social and economic marginalization. Social reform movements such as the Brahmo Samaj and Arya Samaj emerged in the 19^th century, seeking to challenge the caste system and promote equality. The Constitution of India, includes provisions prohibiting caste-based discrimination and ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens. The Indian government has implemented a reservation system, whereby a certain percentage of government jobs, educational institutions, and political positions are reserved for members of historically disadvantaged castes and tribes. Anti-discrimination laws have been enacted to address caste-based discrimination, including the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Despite these measures, caste-based discrimination continues to be a pervasive issue in India, affecting millions of people from historically disadvantaged castes and tribes. The Peshtigo Forest fire is often referred to as the deadliest in U.S. history, as it claimed the lives of over 1,500 people. The fire was caused by a combination of drought, high winds, and human activities such as logging and clearing land for farming. The Great Hinckley Forest fire in Minnesota was caused by a combination of dry weather, high winds, and sparks from logging operations. The fire killed over 400 people and destroyed much of the town of Hinckley. The Black Saturday Bushfires (2009) wildfires in Australia were caused by a combination of extreme heat, drought, and human activities such as arson and negligence. The fires killed 173 people and destroyed over 2,000 homes.

The Oil spill incidence Amoco Cadiz Oil Spill (1978) a supertanker, ran aground off the coast of Brittany, France, spilling more than 200,000 tons of crude oil into the ocean. The spill caused significant environmental damage and killed thousands of marine animals. Gulf War Oil Spill (1991) during the Persian Gulf War, Iraqi forces intentionally released approximately 240 million gallons of crude oil into the Persian Gulf, causing one of the largest oil spills in history. The oil polluted more than 600 miles of coastline and killed thousands of marine animals. An explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig (2010) in the Gulf of Mexico caused more than 200 million gallons of crude oil to spill into the ocean over the course of several months. The spill killed 11 people and caused significant environmental damage to the Gulf Coast.

The recurrence of past mistakes is a complex occurrence that brings up inquiries about human nature and our ability to learn and progress. It implies that our aptitude to identify patterns and derive lessons from experience is not entirely dependable, and we have a tendency to replicate the same errors, even with the advantage of hindsight.

These inquiries highlight essential philosophical queries regarding the essence of knowledge and wisdom. Is wisdom merely a product of experience, or is it a more elusive attribute that requires profound contemplation and understanding? Can we gain knowledge from the mistakes of others, or do we need to encounter the outcomes of our actions directly to truly comprehend them?

'Study the past and you would define the future.

'Confucius

History is the Series of Victories Won by the Scientific Man Over the Romantic Man

Romantic man is an individual who is a dreamer. He has a lot of feelings, idealism, and imagination. A romantic man is filled with hope, faith, and feelings. A romantic man goes through with his faith. He trusts in divine foresight. When it comes to scientific man, the quality outcomes are logic, reality, concentrated approach, being driven by a purpose, having a strategy and plan, and a clear-cut procedure. A scientific man tackles challenges of life with a clinical mindset. A scientific man lives his life objectively. He is reliant on careful foresight and planning.

History always remembers winners not losers and the right strategy always wins. Strategy is the fundamental characteristic of a scientific man rather than a romantic man. This is the reason why history is a series of victories won by the scientific man. However, there are several individuals within one person.

Different circumstances of life reveal the different characteristics of the same person or in other words we can say that the same individual has several faces. It is time or circumstances which reveal these secrets in front of society. Scientific man and romantic man are the two faces of the same individual which reflect in society as per the requirement of different circumstances. When an individual is doing something with a clinical approach or with a scientific mindset the probability of being successful will be very high as compared to a romantic approach. When it comes to the purpose of life rationality, strategy and planning are the most fundamental and vital requirements for success.

A romantic guy is a man with happiness, which is also extremely important to live a pleasant life. Aristotle was one of the greatest philosophers and scientists the world has ever seen. While Aristotle understood ultimate truth as physical objects that could only be known via the five senses, Plato thought that reality lived in ideas and could only be known through contemplation and inspiration.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy emphasized rationalism and a contemporary scientific approach and was heavily inspired by western modern philosophy. The period of enlightenment and liberal reformist modernization in India was ushered in by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the relentless social reformer known as the "Father of Modern India's Renaissance." According to him, sati violates all social and human emotions and is a sign that a race's moral standards have fallen. He considered that rather than working to improve societal conditions, religious orthodoxies were then causing harm to society, harming social interactions, and causing individuals problems and confusion.

During the post-Vedic period, the caste system was romanticized too much. It is too widespread in today's society as well. In the post Vedic period, the caste system was based on birth. This is a highly irrational system. The persons who raised the voice against the caste system are considered to have done an act based on human rationality and history remembers them. Such as B.R Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule and Kabir etc. They believed in the social equality of all human beings and thus were a strong opposer of the caste system.

Krishna’s philosophy of Karma in Bhagwat Geeta is a highly rational kind of approach in which Krishna says karma is the act which is devoid of worldly attachment. He advised that struggle is the fundamental element of life, and a Warrier must fight against all hurdles that come in life. In the purpose of life, the biggest hurdle is the human emotion. Because decision making is the most important aspect of life and if decision making is done under the influence of any kind of emotions, then the probability of making a wrong decision remains very high. Such kind of great knowledge enshrined in Bhagwat Geeta by Krishna. This is the reason why Krishna is the shining sun of Indian religious history.

One of India's most well-known social reformers and a highly regarded disciple of Mahatma Gandhi was Vinoba Bhave. He was a staunch supporter of egalitarian society. To establish equality in society and to eradicate inequality and poverty he started the Bhoodan Yojana i.e., Land-Gift Movement. A rational mind or scientific man can only think about bringing equality in society irrespective of their caste and a romantic man feels proud about his casteist superiority over others or he may suffer from casteist inferiority if belong to a depressed class.

Religion and associated sentiments basically fall in the category of belief and faith which is basically a romanticization of human feeling. But in census 2011 it has been reflected that the number of persons who identified themselves as having "no religion" has increased by more than 300% since the previous census, which was conducted in 2001. People are following religion and its customs blindly but census 2011 reveals that people are moving away from any kind of concept which forces them to follow something blindly. Thus, rationality is growing in the conscience of society.

Rationalism and scientific temperament have been part of the Indian tradition since at least 6^th century BC. Ajita Kesakambalin, contemporary of the Buddha, was the earliest known teacher of complete materialism who stripped any spiritual pursuit in life.

The Constitution of India is a rational document which imposes on the government to govern the nation with rational approach. The Indian constitution is enshrined with Article 51A (H) which encourages citizens to "develop the scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and change." Hence the Constitution is also promoting rationalism and scientism. Scientism is the belief that science and the scientific method are the best means of determining the truth about the universe and reality.

Romanticism is a literary and artistic movement that began in the late 18^th century and emphasized inspiration, subjectivity, and the primacy of the person. Romanticism was both a response to rationality and a product of societal developments. Rationality gained popularity, and more individuals began to challenge the belief that human nature was based on rationalism. Rationalism is a certain perspective on how the world works, what we can learn from it, and what people are really like. The underlying principle is that only your intellect can be trusted; your senses cannot. Thus, Romanticism is essentially a thing of the heart and has to do with thinking out of emotion, whereas rationalism is what is actually happening intellectually or the actuality of anything.

One Has to Win Their Internal Battle to Awaken Their Consciousness

“Who has Conquered the Mind, The Mind is the Best of Friends; But for One Who Has Failed to Do So, His Mind Will Remain the Greatest Enemy.”

Bhagavad Gita (6.6)

Internal battle is the state of mind in which the individual is not able to decide what should be their next decision as per their future plan of action. Life has several occasions in which the mind suffers from a dilemma. Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta ascribes to Arjun’s state of mind. In the battle of Kurukshetra when Arjuna was surrounded by the Kaurava’s army he then became trapped in his emotions looking after Bhishma Pitamah and Guru Dronacharya. Arjuna faced two kinds of battle at that point. One is inner battle and the other is external battle. External battle is basically the battle of Kurukshetra in which Arjuna was supposed to fight against the Kauravas. Internal battle is basically the battle with his emotions which Arjuna fought with himself.

Internal battle is the struggle within oneself where the individual must confront weaknesses such as anger, ego, delusion, desires, and worldly attachment. The Arjuna chariot, driven by Sri Krishna, is depicted with five horses symbolizing the five basic human senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste. These senses serve as the origin of human desires. Individuals must contend with the allure of these worldly desires originating from their senses.

Shri Krishna symbolizes consciousness. When the control of the senses rests in the hands of consciousness, it leads to the awakening of the individual, culminating in a permanent state of consciousness. The awakening of consciousness can only be achieved through the inner battle. A significant portion of individuals becomes slaves to their minds, yielding to its desires and living a life solely to satisfy them.

Consciousness is simply self-awareness. The more mindful you are of your thoughts and ideas, the more conscious you will become. The more you learn about yourself and the world, the more enlightened you will become. This awareness is personal and unique to you. If you can put your feelings into words, they are a part of your consciousness.

Consciousness is a form of action or process. It is controlled by the brain, just like any other behavior. When an individual asserts to concentrate in its objective to attain it by abandonment of sensual pleasure and comfort, he is truly battling in a battlefield where he is fighting with his uncontrolled mind every second. When the individual's mind is brought under control, awakening and enlightenment begin to occur gradually. The awakening of consciousness leads to the individual's detachment from superficial outer luxury and a desire to achieve something truly meaningful instigated.

You may battle someone and take his possessions, but if you win your mind, you can rule the entire universe. The question now is how triumph over the mind aids in the conquest of the entire cosmos. To understand this, we must examine our cognitive processes and inner understanding.

When we move on the path that controls our mind, then in this process, we are actually exploring our mind. The human mind is as complex as the universe, and exploring the human mind is like exploring the universe. If an individual succeeds in knowing his mind, he will be well aware of the universe. When your mind wakes up to a new reality, a new lesson or a new realization, it is an awakening.

It is true that a person who has control over his mind and thoughts may achieve anything in life. However, our mind is frequently unstable, disobedient, and dissatisfied. You spend your entire life thinking and working about your career, family, relationships, triumphs and failures, difficulties and struggles. Then, all of a sudden, you understand that there is more to life than the chase of momentary pleasures. It is an awakening.

There is a Mahabharata that each person must confront. Only those whose consciousness controls their mind would be able to win this war of Mahabharat. He advises Arjuna that he may achieve total perfection in life by mastering his mind. He makes it very evident that nobody can achieve serenity and happiness in life without control over their mind.

Shri Krishna advises Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita to surrender to him before carrying out his responsibility. If we consider Shri Krishna to be conscious and Arjuna to be the body, then consciousness is telling the body to act exclusively under its supervision so that the body (Arjuna) might win the internal battle of daily life, i.e., Mahabharat.

When a person tries to concentrate in one spot, his mind tends to wander and travel here and there. Knowing well that no important message will arrive, you start checking your social media platforms every few minutes. But you check since it is difficult for you to focus on your task. You begin working once again, but after a short while, you turn to exploring the internet. You search for recent news. You often check Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp. You take breaks that are unnecessary. You discuss stuff with coworkers to pass the time.

The mind begins to think in an uncontrolled manner, draining all of the body's conserved energy. When you realize that your energy and time are exhausting by thinking about irrelevant subjects, then you'll try to manage his attention by focusing it in one spot. Therefore, you spend several hours or even days doing a task that you might have finished in a few hours of focused effort. This is a continuous effort that an individual must undertake. Essentially, this method serves as a learning and self-exploration tool. He makes a lot of mistakes while learning. But he gains the expertise by attempting several times. This ongoing endeavor is basically a mental struggle, which we might call Mahabharat.

Meditation was used by the ancient Vedic sages to calm their minds and raise their consciousness. They concentrated on the sanctifying characteristics and transcendental shapes. They would compel them to refocus on their meditational subject. You must not, however, give up. You will ultimately master your mind by constant practice, as practice leads to perfection. As a result of practice, consciousness grew and spread. The mind wakes as a result of consistent effort, which leads to perfection.