Daily Answer Writing GS 1 (Post Independence History)

Subject: GS 1

Syllabus: Post-Independence History

Questions

1. Evaluate the impact and contribution of science and technology in India's Post-Independence era, specifically in steering the nation towards modernity.
   (150 Words, 10 Marks)
2. Integration of tribals with the mainstream population post-independence was a difficult task due to multiple challenges and differing viewpoints. Elaborate. (250 Words, 15 Marks)

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Model Structures

Q1. Evaluate the impact and contribution of science and technology in India's Post-Independence era, specifically in steering the nation towards modernity. (10 Marks, 150 Words)

Model Structure

Introduction:

• Former PM Nehru Ji emphasised the importance of science and technology in solving India's problems, leading to the Lok Sabha passing the Scientific Policy Resolution in March 1958, recognizing their role in the country's overall advancement.

Main Body:

• Role played by science and technology in the post-Independence:
  • Industrialization: Nehru initiated a strong industrial base, leading to the adoption of multiple Industrial Policy Resolutions/Statements in 1948, 1956, 1973, 1977, 1980, and 1991.
  • Rapid agriculture development: The first five-year plan focused on the agrarian sector, with investments in dams, irrigation, and related areas.  
    • It led to the development of sectors like irrigation and energy, agriculture and community development, transport and communications, and other sectors and services.
  • The ICAR pioneered the Green Revolution in the 1970s, leading to substantial agricultural advancements in India. 
    • The ICAR has also played a major role in promoting excellence in higher education in agriculture.
  • Space technology: In 1962, the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), together with a Rocket Launching Facility at Thumba (TERLS), was established. 
    • It laid the foundation for future space technology development in the country.
  • Technical Education: In 1952, the first of the five institutes of technology, patterned after the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was set up at Kharagpur.
  • Atomic Energy: Led by Homi J. Bhabha, the Atomic Energy Commission was formed in August 1948. 
    • The Department of Atomic Energy, established in 1954, saw the first criticality of India's nuclear reactor in Trombay in August 1956. 
    • These institutions were instrumental in India's nuclear state status.
  • India adopted scientific temper and secularism as a foundation of new India and dams as the temples of modern India. 
  • A change over to decimal coinage and a metric system of weights and measures, in line with international standards, was made in phases between 1955 and 1962.

Conclusion:

• The Indian government, through initiatives such as the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Policy-2013 and the New Education Policy 2020, aims to elevate India to the ranks of the world's leading scientific powers. These policies also seek to promote scientific temperament among the country's people.
• The 21st-century technological advancements were made on the technological developments made in the past century.

Q2. Integration of tribals with the mainstream population post-independence was a difficult task due to multiple challenges and differing viewpoints. Elaborate. (250 Words, 15 Marks)

Model StructureIntroduction:

• The task of integrating the tribal people into the mainstream was extremely complex as they live under varied conditions in different parts of the country, with their different languages and distinct cultures.

Main Body:

• The challenges of integration of tribals include:
  • Relative isolation: Tribals of India reside mostly in the hilly and forest areas 
    • Their tradition, habits, culture etc. are different from that of the non-tribal population.
  • Classification problem: Tribal groups as a whole are not a static community but a community in transition. 
    • It was necessary for them to benefit from welfare measures and affirmative actions. 
  • Conflict between governmental policies and tribal way of life: Forest laws-
    • Banned shifting cultivation.
    • Put restrictions regarding the use of forest and access to forest products.
  • Loss of confidence in the state: Due to colonial policies of exploitation,the tribals lost confidence in the state.
  • Demand of autonomy and secession:
    • The non-Assamese felt that the Assamese government was imposing Assamese language on them. (Prior 1972).
    • Secessionist movements in Mizoram, Nagaland etc. post reorganisation in 1972.
• Differing viewpoints regarding integration of tribals:
  • Isolationist approach: Entry of non-tribals should be regulated or prohibited in tribal regions as their culture gets disturbed.
  • Assimilation approach: Integration of tribals with the mainstream society would result in their progress.
  • Integrationist approach: Jawaharlal Nehru formulated the middle path principle.
• Efforts for Tribal integration:
  • Provisions within the Constitution to protect the interests of the tribes such as Articles 29, 46, 330, 332 etc.
  • Several tribal-specific initiatives such as 
• Vandhan Yojana. 
• Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan.
• Residential schools for tribal students like Ashram schools etc.

Way forward: (Tribal Panchsheel points can be used for any question on Tribals).

• They should develop along the lines of their own genius and the imposition of alien values should be avoided. 
• Tribal rights regarding land and forest should be respected. 
• Team of tribals should be trained in the work of administration and development. 
• Tribal areas should not be administered or overwhelmed with a multiplicity of schemes. 
• Results of any scheme should be judged not by statistics or the amount of money spent, but by the human character that is evolved.

Conclusion:

• Ms. Draupadi Murmu, a tribal leader contesting for the highest position in Indian polity will strengthen the Tribal integration efforts and will help in realising the dream of Sabka sath, Sabka Vikas.

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