• None ASHA workers and NGOs are essential in aiding government efforts to tackle the WASH-attributable burden of disease in India. Discuss. (250 words)
services continue to be a major health risk despite significant advancements. play crucial roles in reducing the WASH-related burden of disease.
India faces several WASH challenges, particularly in rural areas . The major challenges include:
• : Over , and 21 percent of the country’s communicable diseases are caused by unsafe water.
• s: India has the highest number of people practicing open defecation in the world. nearly leading to environmental pollution and spreading of diseases.
• : Lack of knowledge and awareness of basic hygiene practices such as hand washing and personal hygiene leads to
• Lack of proper infrastructure to store and distribute clean water and dispose of waste creates additional challenges.
• Rapid urbanisation in India has put leading to inadequate water supply and sanitation facilities.
• : Climate change is expected to in India, exacerbating the existing WASH challenges.
• Insufficient funding for WASH programs and lack of political will is another significant challenge.
• Lack of proper maintenance of WASH facilities results in breakdowns and a decrease in the lifespan of facilities.
• Women and girls are by the lack of WASH facilities, particularly in rural areas, where they face difficulties in accessing water and sanitation facilities.
• Some cultural practices in India, such as , limit access to WASH facilities for certain communities.
• ASHA workers provide education on proper hygiene practices, like , through direct community engagement.
• ASHA workers advocate for the use of toilets and safe sanitation habits, helping to curb open defecation.
• ASHA workers link communities with government programs that and sanitation facilities.
• NGOs educate and mobilise communities around WASH practices, increasing awareness and adherence.
• to promote sanitation and hygiene in rural regions of India.
• NGOs work with governments to shape and support policies that enhance sanitation and hygiene standards.
• with the Indian government helped shape the .
• : NGOs assist in data collection and analysis, providing the evidence base for informed WASH interventions.
• None Example: The Wash Institute collaborated with the Indian government on an urban sanitation study.
• : Engage ASHA workers and NGOs in ongoing WASH campaigns to drive grassroots behavioural change.
• Build partnerships between ASHA workers, NGOs, and policymakers to advocate for robust WASH policies, leveraging NGO expertise for policy recommendations.
• Use successful involving NGOs to ensure innovation and sustainability.
Collaborative efforts between ASHA workers and NGOs can significantly reduce the WASH-related health burden in India, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6 of preventing diseases and promoting better health and hygiene practices.
• None Analyse the role of the “e-Courts Project” in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Indian legal system through digital modernisation. (150 words)
E-courts involve the and the creation of virtual courts, aiming to reduce India’s substantial backlog of nearly 5 crore pending cases. It was . Currently third phase of the project is ongoing.
• Over are pending across Indian courts, with more than 70,000 cases in the Supreme Court alone.
• 40% of pending cases have been unresolved for over five years, including 59 lakh cases in the 25 High Courts.
• : E-courts facilitate the digitisation of case records, enabling easy access and retrieval, which saves time and effort compared to manual searches.
• None Example: High Courts have set up Judicial Digital Repositories (JDRs) to manage and preserve digital records.
• Electronic filing allows for of documents, eliminating the need for physical court visits and reducing legal costs.
• Automation of case management through e-courts helps in reducing the backlog by providing judges with comprehensive case status and enabling f hearings.
• : Phase-3 seeks to spruce up the digital infrastructure of courts by setting u s, establishment of 1150 virtual courts, and in all court complexes.
• E-courts enhance transparency by allowing litigants to thereby promoting accountability and
• : Limited access to technology and low digital literacy among citizens can hinder the effective use of e-courts, creating disparities in access to justice.
• None Example: only 38 percent of households in the country are digitally literate. Additionally, only 31 percent of the rural population uses the internet as compared to 67 percent of the urban population.
• Technical glitches and inadequate infrastructure can disrupt the smooth functioning of virtual courts, leading to delays.
• Some members of the legal community may resist adopting digital processes due to unfamiliarity or concerns about job security.
The e-courts project has been instrumental in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of India’s legal system, particularly in reducing case backlogs. It seeks to create a judicial system that is more affordable, accessible, cost-effective, predictable, reliable, and transparen t for every individual who seeks justice or is part of the delivery of justice in India.
1Q. “Positive attitude is a driving factor in any work and it is a prime factor in civil service.” Discuss [10M, 150words]
Attitude refers to a person’s consistent way of thinking, feeling, and behaving towards particular situations or issues. In civil service, a positive attitude is crucial as it shapes how officials approach their duties and interact with the public.
• : A positive attitude drives civil servants to perform their duties with enthusiasm, increasing productivity and efficiency.
• : It helps civil servants remain optimistic and resilient when facing challenges, enabling them to find solutions rather than being discouraged.
• A positive attitude encourages transparency and empathy, building trust between civil servants and the public.
• : Civil servants with a positive outlook are more likely to collaborate effectively with colleagues, fostering a cooperative work environment.
• A positive attitude is often aligned with ethical values, guiding civil servants to make decisions that serve the public good.
• : Excessive positivity can lead to overconfidence, causing civil servants to overlook potential risks or challenges in decision-making.
• A strong positive attitude might cause civil servants to ignore or downplay systemic issues, leading to unrealistic expectations or ineffective policies.
• Civil servants with an overly positive attitude may resist constructive criticism, hindering personal and institutional growth.
• constantly maintaining a positive outlook can be emotionally draining, potentially leading to stress and burnout in high-pressure environments.
• Overemphasis on positivity can lead to a lack of critical analysis, resulting in decisions that are not thoroughly vetted.
While a positive attitude is vital in civil service, it must be balanced with realism and critical thinking. Civil servants should cultivate a mind-set that combines optimism with a pragmatic approach, ensuring that decisions are both inspired and grounded in reality.…Read more by Insights Editor, undefined
