UPSC Mains 2017 · GS IV · Q5(b) · 10 marks · 150 words

“If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.” — A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Analyse.

हिन्दी में

“मेरा दृढ़ विश्वास है कि यदि किसी राष्ट्र को भ्रष्टाचार मुक्त और सुंदर मनों वाला बनाना है, तो उसमें समाज के तीन प्रमुख लोग अंतर ला सकते हैं । वे हैं पिता, माता एवं शिक्षक ।” — ए.पी.जे. अब्दुल कलाम । विश्लेषण कीजिए ।

Family, Society and EducationCorruptionIndian Thinkers

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context? a) “Where do the evils like corruption arise from? It comes from the never-ending greed. The fight for corruption-free ethical society will have to be fought against this greed and replace it with ‘what can I give’ spirit.” - A.P.J. Abdul Kalam”

Ishan BhatnagarAIR 5 · CSE 2025 · 121 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

This poignant reflection of Pres Kalam reflects on the true nature & source of corruption in society. It comes from limitless greed since "there is enough to satisfy every one's need, but not one man's greed" (Mahatma Gandhi) Thus, the fight against corruption has to be a fight against greed.

Body · points and prose

Society → endless wants

  • Spiritual bankruptcy → ends > means

Thus, the fight against corruption has to be a fight against greed.

Addressing greed (i) Emphasizing social contribution

diagram Economic Survey

  • naming stadiums etc. after taxpayers
  • rewarding genuine social work

(ii) Attitudinal change by change in school curricula (eg> social volunteering).

(iii) Encourage families in social work

eg> foster care

(iv) using targetted media campaign for demonstration effect of real-life role models like Baba Amte, mother Terese.

(v) Highlight CSR initiatives eg> TATA group

Close · a summary

Hence, the solution to greed lies in a culture that prizes individual contribution "not what you have, but who you are".

2 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 2017, General Studies Paper IV, Q5(b). The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.