UPSC Mains 2014 · GS IV · Q4(a) · 10 marks · 150 words

Which eminent personality has inspired you the most in the context of ethical conduct in life? Give the gist of his/her teachings. Giving specific examples, describe how you have been able to apply these teachings for your own ethical development.

हिन्दी में

जीवन में नैतिक आचरण के सन्दर्भ में आपको किस विख्यात व्यक्तित्व ने सर्वाधिक प्रेरणा दी है? उसकी शिक्षाओं का सार प्रस्तुत कीजिए। विशिष्ट उदाहरण देते हुए वर्णन कीजिए कि आप अपने नैतिक विकास के लिए उन शिक्षाओं को किस प्रकार लागू कर पाए हैं।

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “The lives of great leaders inspire us in many ways. Which leader has had a lasting impact on you and in what way? Mention one outstanding value that you have imbibed from him/her and its importance to being a civil servant.”

Pratham KaushikAIR 5 · CSE 2017 · 167 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Leaders become leaders through a life full of struggles, hardships & exemplary work, thus are a constant source of inspiration.

Body · continuous prose

Learnings from lives of leaders can impact a person's life to a great extent- as impacted by Mahatma Gandhi on my life.

Gandhiji's ideals of truth, selfless service, being kind and benevolent has impacted me profoundly. His talisman for a situation of self doubt is extremely helpful in dealing with day to day actions. His teachings provide meaning to my actions making them more effective.

Among many values, his compassion for

Close

people has influenced me most. Compassion integrates sympathy with action. Thus, as a civil servant, compassion enables one to be a part of problem solving in a way that considers the emotional aspects and connect with the people. Everyday ills around us which generate a sense of sympathy can be tackled better if compassion as a value is imbibed as a civil servant. It will also break the fill divide between general public and civil servants.

6 more toppers’ answers to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper IV, Q4(a). The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.