Mains Marathon: Essay Test – March 17



Good Morning and welcome to Mains Marathon Initiative!


Instructions:  Write an essay on any one of the following in about 1000-1200 words.
Time : 90 minutes

Marks : 125


1.The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow. – Bill Gates

इंटरनेट कल के वैश्विक गांव के लिए टाउन स्क्वायर बन रहा है। – बिल गेट्स 


2.Unemployment is capitalism’s way of getting you to plant a garden. Do you agree?

बेरोजगारी, पूंजीवाद के तरीके से आपको एक बगीचे के निर्माण करने का एक तरीका है। क्या आप सहमत हैं?


 


Comments

44 responses to “Mains Marathon: Essay Test – March 17”

  1. Hello all,

    Enrolment in punditview’s premier Prelims-2017 and Essay Enrolment Programme-2017 has begun. kindly visit the site to know more.

    http://www.punditview.com/

    Godspeed

  2. thanks @ForumIAS for ur valuable feedback…will try my level best….

  3. zen approach Avatar
    zen approach

    thanks a lot sir. please guide.

  4. Great man…..your inclusion of diverse point is good
    like….Internet governance (US hegemony)….My Gov.in…..rural illiteracy and digitalisation ..really good

  5. @forumias-7f07ca326ce76cdde680e4b3d568bce8:disqus ,
    Is it OK/better to mention numbering/bullets in essay.
    Or
    We should must write essay in paragraph, with headings when necessary.

    As Question-Answer is different to that of Essay.

  6. Thanks sir .

  7. thevagabond85 Avatar
    thevagabond85

    Thanks for the review, rhythm

  8. thevagabond85 Avatar
    thevagabond85

    Thanks for the review, sir.

  9. Parijat K Avatar
    Parijat K

    Are things like “paan shops” etc acceptable in essay?? Or i should remove them??

  10. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    You have written only one side of the essay which portrays unemployment can lead to self employment..
    There is a need to mention alternative view as well and then give your opinion as the essay needs to be balanced..
    Good attempt…

  11. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    Introduction could have been better..
    Some concrete suggestions could have been mentioned like what the governments are doing to secure it further,big data could have been mentioned..
    Conclusion can be better..
    However content is good..

  12. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    Content is brilliant.
    The dimensions are good.
    Flow of the essay needs improvement.

  13. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    Introduction could be short..
    Content is very comprehensive and brilliant.
    Some solutions could be mentioned as well..
    In the last para conclusion could be better..

  14. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    Introduction could have been better.Its long..
    Also more concentration need to be on the flow of the essay..
    But the diversity of the essay is brilliant..

  15. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    The first para could be clubbed with the second para itself..The introduction is beautiful..
    The para starting with not limited to peace time could have been added under subheading internet is a liability.
    The flow of the essay is excellent…

  16. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    The schemes part could have been cut short a little.
    The negative aspects of internet need to be mentioned as well as there needs to be balance maintained in essay..
    Structure could be better..
    Content is good.

  17. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    The use of vasudaiva kutumbikam in the introduction was a master piece..But the intro was very long..
    Please reduce the length of the para.
    In the advantages and disadvantages part you can organise the points in a better way by explaining each point in a separate para or so..
    It was good to read it..Nice ..

  18. Lokmanya Avatar
    Lokmanya

    Presentation is awesome
    Always ur content has novelty

  19. Brar MS Avatar
    Brar MS

    thankyou for your valuable input, it is appreciated.

  20. Rhythm 2017 Avatar
    Rhythm 2017

    its nice vaga…
    u covered diverse point ..
    only thing is that i felt town square is given more attention than the internet, which is also fine in a way
    🙂

  21. Pink panther Avatar
    Pink panther

    Beautifully written essay..the way u started building up ur essay is great (esp the 2nd para)..giving economic ,political,social relevance of internet n linking it with town square in every para, shows u did not stray away from the topic..the way a pick pocketer can mk u his victim n in similar manner on internet u can be also victimised,this point was very innovative n original.
    Suggestions:
    I feel u could hv added more points- like town sq ,internet is also used to PROTEST by ppl,they vent their feelings,revolutions can start 4m here; as a platform to EXHIBIT their TALENTS like magicians,musicians used to do on old town sq.
    overall bahot vadiya n original si ?

  22. Brar MS Avatar
    Brar MS

    Be it the atom or the earth or the sun, each revolves around a certain center. The forces of attraction can pull the smallest ie atom or the largest of the celestial bodies toward this point. So, can the human beings living amongst them be an exception. The answer is particularly ,No.

    Human beings who live either in villages, towns, metropolitan cities have their lives revolving around a center called as Village market, Town square or Central Business District in cities.It is not a geometric but a functional center. Functional, as it serves a purpose for each one of us. Child sees it as a recreation source, Adult look at it as a market, job provider, Elderly sees it as a source of chatting, playing etc. In the recent times, the place of such an important location is being taken up by the Internet providing all the above features in addition to some latest ones.

    Internet- origin and expansion:

    Something akin to a new city with small population and infant downtown, Internet originated as a project by US Department of Defence called DARPANET. It initially catered to a few and selected users but after its coming to public sphere it followed a path of accelerated growth by adding new users forming the internet as we see it.The internet thus refer to interconnection of various networks among computers and computer systems. In the recent decade it had grown enormously connecting people all around the world irrespective of national boundaries, bilateral relations, ethnic, social affiliations

    Internet as a facilitator of Globalisation :

    In the globalisation era, where people not only connect but also move themselves, goods, services, information , the world has turned into a global village with all of us being global citizens. The internet has facilitated it by allowing smooth flow of all elements associated with globalisation. Internet has established itself as that inalienable part of the global village without accessing which one would not be able to navigate around.

    In the free market economies, internet has turned itself into a market place. Here, people can come to with their goods, services, skills and labour to sell it to the people in its need. E-commerce website like amazon dealing with goods, online consultancy dealing with services, jobportals etc have started to act like some traditional town square.

    Traditional town square apart from their economic significance has an important societal function. People would come, sit, meet and interact with others-family and friends, play cards etc. Internet has started to act as a hub of societal interaction in the form of facebook, whatsapp, online gaming, skype etc. It is here people can pay a virtual visit to near and dear ones.

    Not limited to the known ones, people can also discuss , interact with unknown people over discussion threads acting as an important opinion builder in a democratic country like ours. The discussion over political issues that started from village meeting points during our colonial period has subsequently moved toward internet to discuss important international issue like climate change, Terrorism.

    Elected political leaders of the country have started communicating with the general public through e-governance initiatives where government and people could interact something similar to townhall meeting. People can submit grievance like CPGRAMS initiative of Government of India, ask for help on Twitter handle of ministers and can hold government accountable without the need for face to face meet.

    Not limted to local individuals , our government has even started to use internet platforms for Public Diplimacy eg PM Weibo account to connect with citizens of foreign nations It has truly reduced the world to global village. The bilateral relation have even started to be conducted on internet eg Twitter diplomacy.

    Not limited to peace time, internet have turned to be a potent weapon and critical vulnerability. As town square are the most gaurded and vulnerable places, Govenrnment website and email account of officials, Power and Nuclear entities are most vulnerable from foreign attacks. The stuxnet virus attack by Israel on Iranian nuclear assest is still fresh in our minds.

    internet- a liability:

    Internet, despite its utilities has become a source of concern for many due to evils haunting it. Women are stalked and harassed , gullible individuals are ‘pick-pocketed’ via credit card scams etc. Various crimes like identity theft, sale of narcotics etc takes place through it.Dark net has recently come into public sight due to its use by terrorist to communicate among themselves,for buying all sort of prohibited stuff from weapons to stolen credit card details. The advent of cryptocurrency eg bitcoin has only aided its growth.

    It necessitate the importance of its security and protecting it from attacks due to it being associate with critical infrastructure of the nation. Governments of the day have taken initiative by forming cyber crime cells to check crime , securing the websites by plugging the loopholes, forming CERT-In ie Computer Emergency response teams, use of encyption and surviellance techniques and intellegence sharing among naitons.

    All these initiatives have been taken by government in good faith but there have been concern of privacy violation after revelation of NSA ‘s PRISM program. Government needs to balance security and privacy concern by focussing on targeted surviellance rahter than mass surviellance, otherwise leading to a public backlash.

    All in all, Internet has truly become a pivot of the modern day economy, society, polity , diplomacy , security and defence of the nation. Something akin to town sqaure, it has become strategic for the growth and development concern and thus need to be secured from the evil eyes of the ‘satan’-criminals, terrorsts. Initiatives have been taken by the government in collaboration with their foreign counterparts to ensure that internet remains a secure place around which the modern day society can develop and live peacefully and in complete harmony.

  23. Thanku for the review ?

  24. GAURAV KUMAR JHA Avatar
    GAURAV KUMAR JHA

    Good one DISHA . keep it up .

  25. GAURAV KUMAR JHA Avatar
    GAURAV KUMAR JHA

    Well done Rhythm , I liked your beginning the most . It’s always good to start essay with some story . Keep it up .

  26. Capitalism is a social system based on the principle of individual rights. Politically, it is the system of laissez-faire (freedom). Legally it is a system of objective laws (rule of law as opposed to rule of man). Economically, when such freedom is applied to the sphere of production its’ result is the free-market.”
    It is an ongoing debate on what capitalism does for the economy. There are many political opinions in favor of capitalism as it brings in huge amounts of money. But as with any political view, there is also strong opposition. Capitalism deals with the concept of supply and demand; if the market expands, then these businesses will produce more jobs. On the contrary, when the market contracts, there are less jobs and unemployment spikes. As capitalists’ main concern is their profit/loss – not the concept of creating jobs for the economy – there is no hesitation to cut down staff in a time of crisis.

    Are these businesses really at fault for cutting down job numbers and leaving millions unemployed? This is definitely questionable, but in a way, this is actually doing the economy a favor as it influences people to work for themselves. Job security is a thing of the past, and with many workers wise to this fact, it is evident that becoming self-suffcient (self-employed or setting up a start-up business) is the only way forward.

    When a company isn’t employing anyone, it is considered a non-employer business. These companies are easy to establish and can provide a great source of income. 75% of US businesses are actually non-employer businesses. These businesses brought in revenue of $989.6 billion in 2011 and revenue has increased by 4.1% since 2010. By cutting down on jobs and sky-rocketing the unemployment rates, big businesses are actually forcing individuals to come up with a way to support themselves by their own means (or as Orson Scott Card put it in the title quote, ‘plant a garden’). This raises the number of startups, and potential successful businesses. This is exactly what the economy needs.

    Studies have shown that capitalist countries like the US are happier than non-capitalist countries. Those who argue for a socialist country are ignoring the fact that socialism has been proven to cause overly capable individuals to become de-motivated. When all working for the same thing, individuals of different levels of knowledge and motivation will be operating at their lowest, because either way, they will receive the same benefits. Being forced to create individual businesses, while employing less, could secure indefinite growth for the revenue of individuals. Becoming self sufficient is proving to be the only way to survive this economic rollercoaster, and capitalists are securing our seatbelts and compelling us to make the most of the ride.

  27. thevagabond85 Avatar
    thevagabond85

    i think it means it has given people leisure ….

  28. thevagabond85 Avatar
    thevagabond85

    awesome rhythm as always…. however, IMO the challenges of the future ‘town hall’ were not dealt in the depth as much it should have.

    review mine as well @ http://disq.us/p/1h37inx

  29. thevagabond85 Avatar
    thevagabond85

    1.The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow. – Bill Gates
    Please read the PDF ….
    https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B410EX4lzKl6UC1OWlBGdHdKWlE

  30. Jyoti Singh Avatar
    Jyoti Singh

    The Internet Is Becoming The Town Square For The Global Village Of Tommorow— Bill Gates

    The internet has revolutionised the facilitation of globalisation,In this digital age ,we have an opportunity to transform lives of people in ways that was hard to imagine a couple of decades ago. it ia a technology as a means to empower and as a tool that bridges the distance between hope and opportunity.The Pace at which people are taking to digital technology defies our stereotypes of age education,language,and income.

    Internet– As a ray of hope
    The internet offers endless opportunities.It is like an act that of a magician.We can find everything on Internet that has put the word knowledge in a computer box.

    1 Distances Have Shrunk– The whole world has turned into a global vilage,people and places have come so close to one another.Today million of computer networks comprising nearly 15 million user worldwide are hooked on to one another on a global web.

    2 Find and Retrieve Information– The Web is a modern marvel which help us find information,text ,graphics,images etc,on politics,sports,religion,business,music,space ,science films etc.Just Press a buttom of the computer and with the help of computer software called HTTP one can browse or surf through the web sites and retrieve anything for yourself

    3 Speedy Exchange Of Ideas– It is highly been described as a melting pot of so many wonderful ideas with this technology earlier interaction with people was limited.It highlights the human face of technology and makes it a genuine intellectual partner in almost all human activities.

    4 Increased Business Transaction–From micro scale to to a macro-economic scale where states can trade arms, the potential is
    endless.Now,we are hugely dependent on E-shopping,Banking Transaction etc

    5 Reduction on Barrier In Society—Such as race, religion but most importantly language. With instant
    translation services through the internet browsers, individuals can
    communicate with millions of people across the globe. The internet plays host to all aspects
    of social life as well, friendships and relationships with friends,
    family and acquaintances can all be conducted online on social media
    such as Facebook, Twitter and Skype or google hangouts for
    “face-to-face” calling.

    6 Information Super Market–Network is today a truly a global super market,It was started by the US Defence Department during cold war that could help them in case of a nuclear attack,causing all conventional communications to break down.In India Government has boosting the economy towards the digitalisation.

    Impact On India– Internet Industry has been a big source of Foreign Exchange earning in india. for the last so many years it has created many millionaires in the world of indian business and industry.Every year Thousands of software professional are being trained and Produced in the country.In US IT professional and experts of Indian Origin dominate the scene.

    Other Side Of The Coin–

    With the easy availability of internet access ,the internet is being misused not only the youth and kids but also by the matured people.
    1 The List Of Crimes done with the help of internet and information and technology is endless.Unfortunately the world of wide web suffers from want of discipline ,uniformity,global planning and code of conduct.
    2 There are more and more couch potatoes and new types of of physcial and mental defiencies are being born resulting in loss of productivity
    3 Terrorism has become more widespread easy and dangerous because of this technology.Safety ,security and individual freedom are being threatened.
    4 Financial Scandals ,Currency Frauds ,Infringement of property rights ,hacking etc have now become so easy and a worldwide phenomenon.It Has Created many unforseen challenges before us.

    It Is the Fault of the user he is solely responsible for it.it is the user of this intelligent machine who has to make a choice and not the instrument. We know that there are so many flaws
    we would love to fix.
    The digital revolution redefines who we are, who . It is empowering to be a
    citizen of the world fulfilled by constant new ideas and points of
    view.And It is the need of the hour that something concreate ,abiding and sensible is done to check there is the cyber world and stern action against the guilty and exemplary punishment must be awarded to such person.

  31. anurag trivedi Avatar
    anurag trivedi

    Second topic is quite confusing ! Not able to understand it .. will you please help ?

  32. The internet has become the central information hub and a common meeting ground for the inhabitants of all corners of the earth. It is a place where the trivial day to day things and the global events take place. The digital world offers endless opportunities for exchanging ideas and sharing opinions. However the Internet is not just a place for communication. The Web is also a huge market place which gives the ability to realise your business dreams and it is home to million of online business bloggers ,media resources ,online auction e commerce shores and many more ways

    The Internet offers endless opportunities and Bill Gates was right when he said that the Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow. I would argue that it has already becoming the town square what can you do in you own square that you couldn’t do on the Internet.? Not a lot, besides eating a cream cake and catching a bus. From a micro economic scale of your local banking having a website where you can buy your waves and winnifred round the corner selling her knitting on e bay to a macro economic scale where states can trade arms the potential is endless

    However it’s not just the economic of your town square that you can practice on the Internet. The Internet plays host to all aspects of social life as well , friendship and relationship with friends , family and acquaintances can all be conducted online on social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Google hangouts for ” face to face ” calling

    The Internet has revolutionised the facilitation of globalisation and even acted as a catalyst. Axelle Tessandier talks of her experience in the project ” polamr 5 ” in Germany

    The Internet tears down previously perceived ” barrier ” in society such as race , religion but most importantly language with instant translation services through the Internet browser individuals can communicate with million of people across the globe. The Internet wozes social mobility and redefines class lines if not breaking class lines altogether in business and socially

    Your community cannot be defined by your geographical location or social status . New virtual communities aid progression. As Tessandier professes

    Our generation is convinced that at our scale are can all have an impact. Community by community we will transform reality . The digital generation ceres a lot we know that there are so many flaws we would love to fix . The digital revolution redefines who we are , who we interact with and how we think of ourselves . It is empowering to be a citizen of the world fulfilled by constant new ideas and points of view

    Nothing is perfect and the beauty of technology especially online tech , is that it can be constantly updated and improved to suit the needs of our ever changing societies and communities

    Ministry of electronics and IT deals with policy matters relating to information technology electronics, Internet and cyber security

    The aim is to promote e governance for empowering citizen , promoting the inclusive and sustainable growth of the electronics, IT and ITES industries , enhancing India’s role in Internet governance , promoting R and D and innovation , enhancing efficiency through digital service and ensuring a secure cyber space

    The vision of Digital India programme is to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy

    The program has three vision areas namely
    * Digital infrastructure as a utility for every citizen
    * Governance and services on demand
    * Digital empowered of citizens by bridging the digital divide in the country

    Ministry of electronics and IT functions around the ambit of two major acts
    * The IT act 2000 which provides legal recognition to the transaction carried out electronically and other means of electronic communications. It also directs the establishment of cyber appellate tribunal
    * The aadhar ( targeted delivery of financial and other subsides , benefits and service ) act 2016 provide for efficient , transparent and targeted delivery of subsidies benefits and services

    Various new policy initiative have been taken up by MEITY such as

    1. E mail policy :
    This policy lay down the guidelines with respect to use of email services of Government of India. The objective of this policy is to ensure service access and usage of email services by its users
    2. E- kranti :
    In order to transform the quality of service and to provide integrated services the ” e kranti ” initiative was launched . It aims to utilise emerging technologies such as cloud and mobile platform and focus on integration of services. The principal of their programme is transformation and not translation and to provide integrated services and not individual services
    3. Jeevan program:
    To provide an aadhar based digital life certificate to pensioners
    4. Digital locker system:
    To service as a platform to enable citizens to securely share their document with service providers who can directly access them electronically.
    5 Mobile seva:
    To integrate the delivery of Government services.
    6 Vikaspedoa:
    A portal to provide information on health,education,agriculture,social welfare and e-governance
    7.MyGov.in:
    An innovative platform launched to ensure citizen’s engagement in decision making by the Govt .so that the ultimate goal of “good governance” is achieved.
    8.E-payment framework :
    Along, payment and receipt to be in electronic mode. The portal pay online gov.in envisaged as common platform for making physical payment online.
    9.National cyber security policy,2016:
    Aim of the poor. Icy is at building a secure and resident cyberspace by way of action to protect and protect information infrastructure build capabilities to prevent and respond to cyber threats,reduce vulnerabilities and minimise damage from cyber incident through a combination of institutional structure,people ,processes,technology and cooperation.

  33. Sherlock- the final problem Avatar
    Sherlock- the final problem

    ??????

  34. Rhythm 2017 Avatar
    Rhythm 2017

    thank You @forumias-7f07ca326ce76cdde680e4b3d568bce8:disqus
    The pleasure is entirely mine

  35. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    The Essay is good, ask others to Review and participate!

  36. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    Thanks Rhythm Divine for your early Answer! 🙂

  37. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    Thanks Chennai.

  38. Rhythm 2017 Avatar
    Rhythm 2017

    The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow – Bill Gates

    Early in Greek history, free-born citizens would gather in the Agora, central spot in ancient Greek city-states, for military duty or to hear statements of the ruling king or council. Later, the Agora also served as a marketplace where merchants kept stalls or shops to sell their goods amid colonnades. This attracted artisans who built workshops nearby.
    Agora of the present times is Internet, basically a platform to perform any kind of activities which needs an audience. But internet has become a lot more than Agora, owing to 2000 years of evolution of human mind, and it also includes private spaces, customized viewership, 24X7 connectivity and much more.
    Knowledge economy of 21st century has made instant information accessibility a new norm of the society, using and being on the world wide web of internet is pretty usual for every age group. Students use them for their projects and learning, business leader to expand their reach, govt. uses it to target beneficiaries of their schemes, and nearly everyone uses it to stay connected.

    Internet: A platform of possibilities
    With diminishing boundaries between nations due to globalization internet has become the medium to interact and showcase yourself to the world with just a click of a mouse. There are plethora of activities that happen on internet on a continuous basis like:
    1. Quicker exchange of ideas: Back in the day, some three decade ago, when interaction was limited and difficult, it was not possible to share ideas on regular basis. With the coming of internet there is increase in the rate of innovation, research and development across the globe. There is a spur in the ideas floating around the web who anyone can access to create something remarkable.

    2. Increased Business penetration: Business which were earlier limited to a small and single region have found new medium in internet to penetrate the remotest of places or from remotest places to the world. The internet is no more than a blessing for the small scale traditional handicraft workers of Rajasthan who can now sell their creativity across the globe which was earlier limited to one day a week when local Haat was organized. At the same time anyone from a small city in India can order a pair of running shoes to be delivered at his door steps, but it is he who will have to finally run.

    3. Medium to showcase talent: Internet as given opportunities to individuals with special talent which is no less than a performance stage. Anyone can introduce themselves to the world and what they have to offer. Platforms like YouTube Inc, Facebook Pages, Personal websites can make someone popular overnight purely based on his/her talent. There are number of singers, writers, poets, dancers, educators and many more who with their talent and internet as medium changed the world and their lives for the good.

    4. Handy tool for Government: Internet has expedited the reach and effectiveness of programmes and schemes launched by govt to serve their people more effectively. UPI, Mobile Applications, banking transaction over internet and nearly all the allied activities that requires connectivity needs internet penetrations.
    Government of India has launched many projects to increase penetration of internet to villages by launching programme like National optical fiber network (NOFN), and Project Loon in partnership with Google Inc. to provide Wi-fi at public places. This is because concepts like e-classrooms, e-meetings like Webinars, can go a long way in welfare approach of the govt.

    5. Internet has shrunk the world: People these days so highly connected to each other that it doesn’t really matter in what pace anyone is, as he can connect to his friends, family, business, social group etc., across the globe anytime. This has cut short distances and brought people, business, family close to each other. This can be realized by the fact that over 1.25 million emails are sent every second and there are more than 1 billion websites up and running.

    Internet: Neutral platform after all
    Internet is neutral as anyone is virtually free to use it the way he wants. This also invites people with evil intentions and flawed motives to make use of it. Recently there has been increase in data breaches, hacking of websites, Fake news, spread of terrorism via social networking websites and much more.
    Tim Bernerd Lee, the creator of World Wide Web, has recently started a campaign to save the internet. He thinks there are three major threats to internet which includes – fake news, loss of privacy and lack of transparency in political advertising.
    There are issues related with Net neutrality where people demand that they must not be told on how they can use or not use the internet. Big corporate under the cover of helping poor people to access internet are trying to compromise with net neutrality. This calls for some rules and responsibilities of big internet giants like Facebook, Google, and others too try to curb the menace of fake news and loss of privacy by increasing cyber security.

    Therefore Internet has no doubt has become the town square of the future global village and brought the world closer, increased opportunities and served as a tool for activities which earlier required lot of manpower and time. But it must also be realized that there are still lot of people who are untouched by its presence and must be included.
    It must also be understood that internet is just a platform and a part of life and not life itself, as it can never replace human contact and human feelings. It is a medium which helps us to live a better life and we must protect it. It can be compared to air, which is required for our sustenance and therefore must be stopped from getting polluted, similarly Internet has become a part of our life and must be protected from data breaches and its use for illegal activities. It is an asset and must be protected at all cost.

  39. CHENNAI SUPER KING Avatar
    CHENNAI SUPER KING

    Thank you forumias

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