Write an essay on any one of the following topics, in not more than 2500 words. (250 marks)

  1. Democracy, Extremism
  2. Society, Rights issues
  3. Gandhi
  4. Sanitation
  5. Education

Democracy, Extremism

  1. Indian Subcontinent benefited more than it lost from the British Colonization. (Ref This IE column)
  2. Entrepreneurship, civil society, education and youth ā€“ the four antidotes to violence. (Obama @UNGA)
  3. Peace – Not merely the absence of war, but the presence of a better life. (Obama @UNGA)
  4. What should today’s politicians learn from yesteryear leaders? (Seminar topic)
  5. Can Voluntarism be a supplement to effective governance? (Context: Modi bashers raising this question to criticize his every move of involving citizens.)
  6. Is the Personification of Power eroding democracy? (Context: same as above + TN protests over Jayalalitha arrest.)
  7. Indian political system will not be beneficial to people unless it is made free from caste, religion and money.

Society, Rights issues

  1. Good conduct cannot be engendered automatically through deterrence and punishment. [Context: SC guideline on police encounters; senior citizen protection law, yet family abandon them- ā€œhidden euthanasiaā€; gutka-cigar at public places, traffic rule violation, women dignity on tv and media-Dipika episode and so on.]
  2. Culture determines the boundaries to which a society can progress.
  3. In an age of equality, the same law should be applicable to both men and women. (Katju on need for uniform civil code.)
  4. Are Government schemes and monetary incentives viable tools for Social transformation? (Ref: This IE column– If a Government has to pay society to stop female infanticide and open defecation- it means the only reason to do even the right thing= is money.)
  5. The true source of political legitimacy is popular will. (Ref: This Hindu column. But he is fixated over just one argument- J&K flood relief)

Gandhi

  1. Only Gandhiā€™s philosophy can ensure the betterment of the villages and the poor.
  2. Preserving Mahatma Gandhiā€™s teachings and values is the biggest challenge of Modern India.
  3. World needs Mahatmaā€™s ideas more than ever today. (Sushma- context rising tide of fanaticism, ethnic nationalism, terrorism and disease.)
  4. Does today’s youth have the courage and strength of mind to follow Gandhi?
  5. Is Gandhi still relevant today?

Sanitation

  1. A lot can be done to further the ideal of cleanliness without wielding the broom.
  2. Quit India was a mass movement. Clean India should be too.(Modi)
  3. Is cleaning India the job of sanitation workers only? (Modi)
  4. Cleanliness is next to godliness.

Education

  1. In the long run, EQ (emotional quotient) trumps IQ (intelligence quotient). (Satya Nadela)
  2. Live every day as if it is your last day, but learn as if you are going to live forever. (Gandhi)
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Post comment below containing topic and keypoints of your essay. draft essay in MS word, upload It on Google drive. (or write on paper, scan and upload as pdf on google drive) Then comment below this article with two things:

  1. title and key-points of your essay
  2. URL link to your google doc

For earlier lists, visit Mrunal.org/essays.