GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead." Nelson Mandela

Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2023

Human ValuesDedication to Public ServiceDimensions of EthicsEmpathy and Compassion

Syllabus: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics - in private and public relationships. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

How toppers approached it

From all 4 answers · about 200 words.

Opening

  • No separate opening4 of 4

Body

  • Points2 of 4
  • Points and prose1 of 4
  • Continuous prose1 of 4

Close

  • A summary2 of 4
  • No separate close1 of 4
  • A quotation1 of 4

The toppers’ answers

Waseem Ahmad BhatAIR 7 · CSE 2022 · 198 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Nelson Mandela's quote here exemplifies his own life - one lived for Africa's poorest of the poor - the blacks who were oppressed by Apartheid regime.

Body · points and prose

This quote portrays the difference between survival and a significant life.

This can be seen as:

⊙ Gandhiji's life was one of significance as he not only led a freedom struggle but worked for the marginalised (Harijan sevak sangh). This put his name in history as a stalwart of morality.

⊙ On the other hand, Hitler who also lived in the time of Gandhiji, led a life

which only caused suffering to others (jews, etc) leading to his name as 'evil man of history'.

This upholds the truth of selfless service and holds lessons for modern world as:

⊙ Developed world has no significance if it cannot use that wealth for the marginalised of the developing world (e.g: loss & damage) ⊙ Close home, civil servants can hold any position but what matters is their contribution to the lives of poor e.g: former secretary of UP was arrested vs. Armstrong Pame (DM) built 100 km road.

Close · a summary

This is ultimately what Gandhiji said 'only a life of service is a life well lived'.

More on Human Values

Values as such and where they come from: lessons from the lives of leaders, reformers and administrators, and the values named in the syllabus.

All GS4 questions on Human Values