UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 1 Questions on Sangam literature and sustainable future (Week 47)

QUESTION 2

How Sangam literature has evolved? Discuss the contribution of Thiruvalluvar during the Sangam age.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

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— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ conclusion

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— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

THOUGHT PROCESS

You may enrich your answers by some of the following points

QUESTION 1: Investments in energy transition, digital public infrastructure, and female empowerment are propelling the country towards a greener, more sustainable future. Discuss.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— India has achieved significant headway in the energy transition, with renewable energy accounting for 42% of its total power generation capacity.

— India is currently the world’s fourth largest renewables market, accounting for 3% of the worldwide solar manufacturing capacity.

— India invests close to $10 billion in renewables each year and is one of the world’s five emerging and middle-income economies with significant public investment in renewable energy. The country has also encouraged the use of EVs and the generation of renewable hydrogen.

— With its digital public infrastructure (DPI) effort, India has pioneered the use of technology to promote inclusivity. Millions of people can now obtain social safety net payments, create bank accounts, and receive government services without having to stand in queue, argue with public authorities, or fill out paper paperwork, thanks to digitally verifiable evidence of identity.

— Digital payments have also decreased delays in the payment of maternal health conditional cash transfers by 43%.

— While affordable access remains a major restriction, digital innovation is reshaping entire rural communities, ranging from online health consultations and remote learning to e-commerce and fintech.

— India’s female labour force participation lags behind other countries.

— Safe urban housing, combined with greater access to finance, has helped increase the female labour force in industry to 43% of the national total.

— The National Rural Livelihoods Mission, funded by the World Bank, has organised millions of rural women into self-help organisations. More than $4 billion in commercial credit has been made available to promote women-led cooperatives and rural companies.

(Source: Lessons from India’s alternate development plan by Anna Bjerde)

Points to Ponder

What is DPI?

Women participation in workforce

Renewable energy

Related Previous Year Questions

Elucidate the relationship between globalization and new technology in a world of scarce resources, with special reference to India. (2022)

How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the education system in the country? Elaborate your answer. (2020)

QUESTION 2: How Sangam literature has evolved? Discuss the contribution of Thiruvalluvar during the Sangam age.

Introduction:

— The Indian people speak languages from four distinct speech families: Austric, Dravidian, Sino-Tibetan, and Indo-European.

— Dravidian literature is mostly composed of the four languages Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. Tamil is the oldest language that has retained its Dravidian flavour the most. Kannada, as a cultural language, is nearly as ancient as Tamil.

— Early classical Tamil literature is known as Sangam literature, which means ‘fraternity’ and refers to two schools of poets: aham (subjective love poems) and puram (objective, public poetry, and heroic).

— The Pandyan Kingdom was the first kingdom to be created during the Sangam period.

— The Sangam classics, which include 18 works (eight anthologies of lyrics and ten lengthy poems), are renowned for their directness of language.

— To better understand early Tamil poetry, a Tamil grammar book called Tolkappiyam was written during the period.

— The twin epics, Silappadhikaram (the narrative of the anklet) by Ilango-Adigal and Manimekalai (the story of Manimekalai) by Chattanar, were composed between A.D. 200 and 300 and provide detailed descriptions of Tamil culture at the time.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Contribution of Thiruvalluvar during the Sangam age

— The Sangam Age literature emphasises wisdom and great political principles in governing.

— Thiruvalluvar, also known as Valluvar in Tamil, has long been recognised as a Tamil cultural and moral symbol, adored by Tamils of all castes and religions as an ancient saint, poet, and philosopher.

— The ‘Thirukkural’, a compilation of 1,330 couplets (‘kurals’ in Tamil), is an integral element of every Tamil home, just as the Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana/Ramcharitmanas are in traditional North Indian Hindu households.

— Thiruvalluvar, the author of the renowned Tamil classic Kural, wrote an advise for the monarchs of the Sangam age, warning them about the corrupting influence of unrestrained power.

— He is an important anchor for Tamils in tracing their cultural roots; they are trained to memorise his couplets and apply his lessons in their daily lives.

Conclusion:

— He is an essential anchor for Tamilians in tracing their cultural roots; they are taught to learn his couplets word-for-word and to follow his teachings in their day-to-day life.

— The recent excavations at Keeladi near Madurai, the Tamil Nadu state archaeological department has unearthed evidence that pushes back the history of the Sangam Era.

(Source: Who was Thiruvalluvar, and why has the BJP invoked him in its election manifesto?, Why the Tamil Nadu CM and Governor’s posts on Thiruvalluvar Day sparked a row, again by Arun Janardhanan, ccrtindia.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

What makes Thiruvalluvar significant today?

Silappadhikaram

Manimekalai

Related Previous Year Questions

Evaluate the nature of Bhakti Literature and its contribution to Indian culture. (2021)

Though not very useful from the point of view of a connected political history of South India, the Sangam literature portrays the social and economic conditions of its time with remarkable vividness. Comment. (2013)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 45)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 46)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 46)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 47)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 47)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 46)

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