Meaning of Purushartha

Purushartha is a fundamental concept in Hindu philosophy and refers to the four primary goals or aims of human life. The word Purushartha is derived from two Sanskrit words: “Purusha” (meaning human or person) and “Artha” (meaning purpose or goal). Thus, it signifies the goals that one should strive for in order to live a balanced and meaningful life. The four Purusharthas are:

1. Dharma: Righteousness, moral values, and ethical duties. It refers to living life according to moral principles and fulfilling one’s responsibilities.
2. Artha: Material prosperity and wealth. It involves striving for success, economic well-being, and career goals, but in a way that is aligned with moral values.
3. Kama: Pleasures, desires, and emotional fulfillment. This includes personal pleasures, relationships, and enjoying life’s experiences in a responsible manner.
4. Moksha: Liberation or self-realization. It refers to the ultimate spiritual goal of freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara) and attaining unity with the divine.

Sociological Importance of Purushartha

Purushartha is of great sociological importance because it serves as a guideline for balancing individual aspirations with societal values. It provides a framework for individuals to:

• Live ethically: The concept of Dharma helps individuals understand their duties towards family, community, and society, promoting social harmony.
• Contribute to society: Artha encourages people to pursue economic and material success, but it also stresses that this must not come at the expense of ethics, thereby promoting responsible wealth creation.
• Personal fulfillment: Kama emphasizes that personal happiness and desires are legitimate, but they should not interfere with the well-being of others, promoting a balanced approach to life’s pleasures.
• Spiritual growth: Moksha offers a spiritual goal, encouraging individuals to seek self-realization and contribute to a more enlightened and peaceful society.

Illustration: A person who pursues Dharma (morality) in their career while balancing Artha (financial success) and fulfilling personal desires (Kama) will also strive towards Moksha, leading to a well-rounded and fulfilling life.

Conclusion

Purushartha is a holistic approach to human life, balancing material and spiritual goals. It promotes individual well-being while maintaining social responsibility, making it a key concept in both personal and sociological development. By following the principles of Purushartha, individuals can lead a balanced life that nurtures both personal and societal progress.

Status of Women’s Education

Women’s education has seen significant improvements in recent decades, particularly in countries like India. Governments and various organizations have made efforts to increase literacy rates and educational opportunities for girls and women. Some key points about the current status include:

• Increased Enrollment: More girls are attending schools today than ever before, with gender gaps in primary and secondary education narrowing. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign in India, for example, aims to raise awareness about the importance of educating girls.
• Government Initiatives: Policies like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Midday Meal Scheme have helped improve school attendance and retention rates for girls, especially in rural areas.
• Higher Education: The number of women enrolling in higher education has also increased. In India, the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for women in tertiary education is rising, although there are still disparities in some regions.

Challenges of Women’s Education

Despite improvements, women’s education faces several challenges, especially in rural and underdeveloped areas:

• Cultural Barriers: In many parts of the world, cultural norms and traditional gender roles limit girls’ access to education. In some communities, girls are expected to focus on household work rather than attend school.
• Safety Concerns: Issues of safety and harassment in schools discourage families from sending girls to school. The fear of violence and lack of proper sanitation facilities in schools are significant barriers.
• Poverty and Child Labor: Many families, especially in poorer areas, prioritize boys’ education over girls’ due to financial constraints. Girls may be kept at home to work, either to help with household chores or in the informal labor market.
• Quality of Education: While enrollment rates have improved, the quality of education provided to girls can still be poor in certain regions. Lack of trained teachers, inadequate infrastructure, and gender bias in curriculum affect girls’ learning outcomes.

Illustration: Despite government schemes like Girls’ Education Fund, rural girls often face obstacles like long distances to schools and familial pressure to marry early, which still limits their educational opportunities.

In conclusion, while there have been improvements in women’s education, several cultural, economic, and infrastructural challenges persist. Addressing these challenges will require continuous efforts from governments, communities, and global organizations.

What is Unemployment?

Unemployment occurs when individuals who are capable of working, are actively seeking work but are unable to find any suitable employment. It is a major socio-economic issue, as it not only affects the well-being of individuals but also slows down a country’s overall economic growth.

Main Causes of Unemployment in India

There are several causes of unemployment in India, including:

• Population Growth: The increasing population in India leads to a higher number of people entering the job market each year, creating a gap between the demand and supply of jobs.
• Lack of Skill Development: Many individuals lack the necessary skills and qualifications required by the modern job market, leading to a mismatch between the available jobs and the skills of job seekers.
• Slow Economic Growth: Economic factors like slow industrial growth and insufficient investment in infrastructure can limit the creation of new jobs.
• Technological Changes: Automation and the rise of artificial intelligence can lead to job displacement, especially in traditional sectors like manufacturing.
• Seasonal and Underemployment: A large portion of India’s workforce is engaged in seasonal or informal work, which does not provide stable employment throughout the year.

Make in India

Make in India is an initiative launched in 2014 to encourage both domestic and foreign companies to manufacture products in India. Its main objectives are:

• To promote industrialization and boost manufacturing in sectors like electronics, textiles, and automobiles.
• To create millions of new jobs, reduce unemployment, and increase India’s share in global manufacturing.

Illustration: A company setting up a manufacturing plant in India can create direct employment in production and indirect jobs in supply chains, transport, and services.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India Campaign)

Launched in 2020, Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan focuses on making India self-reliant by improving local manufacturing, reducing dependency on imports, and strengthening the economy. The objectives include:

• Supporting local businesses and industries.
• Encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Boosting key sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and technology.

Illustration: The campaign aims to boost the local production of medical equipment, thereby reducing India’s dependence on imports and creating employment opportunities in these sectors.

In conclusion, addressing unemployment in India requires a combination of skill development, industrial growth, and government initiatives like Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat to boost job creation and make India more self-reliant.

The Role of Media in Influencing Voting Behaviour

The media plays a crucial role in shaping the voting behavior of voters, especially during elections. It informs, persuades, and influences public opinion, making it a powerful tool in the democratic process.

1. Providing Information

• Role in Awareness: Media serves as a primary source of information, offering news about candidates, political parties, and policies. This helps voters make informed decisions. For example, television debates and news coverage allow voters to understand the positions of different candidates.
• Campaign Coverage: Newspapers, TV channels, and online platforms cover election campaigns, party manifestos, and speeches, allowing voters to evaluate the promises made by candidates and parties.

2. Shaping Public Opinion

• Framing Issues: The way media frames issues significantly impacts how voters perceive political events. For instance, if the media emphasizes unemployment as a major problem, voters may be more likely to support candidates offering job creation policies.
• Bias and Persuasion: Media outlets can show bias in their coverage, either favoring or criticizing a particular party or candidate. For example, political advertisements, news coverage, and commentary on TV and social media can sway voters’ opinions, especially if they lack access to alternative viewpoints.

3. Social Media and Voter Engagement

• Targeted Messaging: Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp enable political parties to directly target specific voter groups with tailored messages. This personalized approach can mobilize voters or influence undecided ones.
• Echo Chambers: Social media also creates echo chambers where users are exposed to information that reinforces their existing beliefs. This can either strengthen a voter’s support for a candidate or contribute to polarization.

4. Example of Media’s Influence

• Obama’s 2008 Campaign: In the United States, Barack Obama’s campaign successfully used social media to engage young voters, who became a crucial part of his victory. This illustrates how media can shape voter behavior by reaching specific demographics.

Conclusion

Media has a profound effect on voter behavior by providing information, shaping opinions, and influencing how people perceive candidates and issues. While it can promote democratic participation, it also comes with the risks of bias and manipulation. Therefore, voters must critically analyze the information they receive to make informed decisions.

A Critical Note on Judicial Activism

Judicial Activism refers to the proactive role played by the judiciary in addressing issues that are not explicitly covered by the law, or when it feels that the executive and legislative branches have failed to fulfill their constitutional duties. It involves judges taking an active role in shaping laws and influencing public policy, beyond their traditional role of interpreting laws.

Key Features of Judicial Activism

• Creative Interpretation: Judges may expand the interpretation of existing laws to meet the needs of society. For instance, in the Right to Privacy case (2017), the Supreme Court of India interpreted the right to privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21, even though it was not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.
• Public Interest Litigations (PILs): Judicial activism often takes shape through PILs, where the courts take up issues of public concern even if no specific party is involved. This has helped address issues like environmental protection, child labor, and women’s rights. For example, the Supreme Court’s intervention in the Narmada Dam case highlighted the rights of displaced people.
• Striking Down Unconstitutional Laws: Courts have the power to invalidate laws that are inconsistent with the Constitution. The Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) is an example where the Supreme Court interpreted the Basic Structure Doctrine to limit Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution.

Criticism of Judicial Activism

• Overreach: Critics argue that judicial activism can lead to judicial overreach, where judges make decisions that are seen as the domain of the legislature or executive. For example, in some cases, the courts have been accused of stepping into areas like policy-making which should be left to elected officials.
• Undermining Democracy: Judicial activism is often viewed as undemocratic by critics because it may bypass the will of the people expressed through elected representatives. The courts, although not elected, can shape policies and laws.

Conclusion

Judicial activism has its advantages in protecting citizens’ rights and upholding constitutional values, but it also carries the risk of undermining democratic processes. A balance must be maintained to ensure that judicial intervention does not extend into the realms of the executive or legislature, but rather serves as a safeguard for justice and equality.