Class Notes 4 You

Rock-cut architecture is the practice of creating a structure, by carving out of the solid natural rock. The rock-cut architecture has sustained over a large period and in absence of written history, it remains one of the most important sources of our knowledge of early Indian art and history. The importance of rock-cut architecture is as follows: • Earliest Shelter: The rock-shelters of Bhimbetka during the Mesolithic Period (6,000 BCE) are one of the earliest dwelling places. These caves contain primitive tools and decorative rock paintings that reflect the ancient tradition of humans. • Later Dwelling Place: The Mauryan period saw the emergence of rock-cut architecture. The oldest rock-cut architecture, the Barabar (3rd Century BC) is from this period. E.g.: Lomas Rishi caves, the dwelling place for Ajivika monks during the rainy season. • Source of Religious Activities: Chaityas and Viharas were carved out in the second century BC as asymbolic representation of Buddha. • Cultural D...

Indian society in the 19th century was caught in a vicious web created by religious superstitions and social corruption. Various socio-religious movements in British India not only reformed Indians but also led to the rise of nationalism in India.  Reasons for the Growth of Socio-Cultural Reforms. 1. Religious and social ills:  a. Brahmo Samaj: The Brahmo Samaj thought that all religions should be together. It resulted in the growth of rationalism and enlightenment in India.  b. Young Bengal Movement: Young Bengal Movement condemned religion and pleaded for eradication of social evils and improvement in the condition of women. 2. Depressing Position of Women:  a. Brahmo Samaj: The Brahmo Samaj had the issue of widow remarriage high on its agenda. The Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act, 1856 that legalized marriage of widows was passed due to the efforts of the Brahmo Samaj and their members like Vidyasagar. b. Young Bengal Movement: The Society for the Acquisition of Gener...

The term Bhakti refers to devotion. Bhakti literature which began to be composed in the 6th century AD in South India reflects a new form of devotion to God, a personal bond between the devotee and the deity. Nature of the Bhakti Movement. 1. Use of Vernacular Language: The Bhakti saints did their entire teaching in the local vernacular language to make it comprehensible. E.g.: Bhattadeva had translated the Bhagavad Gita into Assamese. 2. Social Reform: The bhakti literature opposed caste rigidity, blind faiths, and social dogmas. 3. Simple approach to religion: The sophisticated philosophy of Vedas and Upanishads literature was difficult for people to understand. Bhakti literature formed an alternative. 4. Secular Nature: Although the bhakti literature was propagated by Hindu saints, it was tolerant to other religions. Contribution to Indian Culture: 1. Religious Contribution: The movement aroused awakening among the Hindus and Muslims regarding the futility of ritualism. 2. Contribut...

Question: The Coronavirus disease (COVID 19) pandemic has quickly spread to various countries. As on May 8th, 2020, in India 56342 cases of corona had been reported. India with population of more than 1.35 billion had difficulty in controlling the transmission of Coronavirus among its population. Multiple strategies became necessary to handle this outbreak. The ministry of health and family welfare of India raised awareness about this outbreak and to take all necessary actions to control the spread of Covid 19. Indian Govt. implemented a 55-day lockdown throughout the country to reduce the transmission of virus. Schools and colleges had shifted to alternative mode of teaching-learning-evaluation and certification. Online mode became popular during these days. India was not prepared for the sudden onslaught of such a crisis due to limited in terms of human resource, money and other facilities needed for taking care of this situation. This disease did not spare anybody irrespective of ...

Question: An elevated corridor is being constructed to reduce traffic congestion in the capital of a particular state. You have been selected as project manager of this prestigious project on your professional competence and experience. The deadline is complete the project in next two years by 30 June 2021, since this project is to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister before the elections are announced in the second week of July 2021. While carrying out the surprise inspection by inspecting team, minor crack was noticed in one of the piers of the elevated corridor possibly due to poor material used. You immediately informed the chief engineer and stopped further work. It was assessed by you that minimum three piers of the elevated corridor have to be demolished and reconstructed. But this process will delay the project minimum by four to six months. But the chief engineer overruled the observation of inspecting team on the ground that it was a minor crack which to not in any way impact...

Question: You are Vice Principal of a degree college in one of the middle-class towns. Principal has recently retired, and management is looking for his replacement. There are also feelers that the management may promote you as Principal. In the meantime, during annual examination the flying squad which came from the university caught two students red-handed involving in unfair means. A senior lecturer of the college was personally helping these students in this act. This senior lecturer also happens to be close to the management. One of the students was son of a local politician who was responsible in getting college affiliated to the present reputed university. The second student was son of a local businessman who has donated maximum funds for running of the college. You immediately informed the management regarding this unfortunate incident. The management told you to resolve the issue with flying squad at any cost. They further said that such incident will not only tarnish the imag...

Question :  Sunil is a young civil servant and has a reputation for his competence, integrity, dedication and relentless pursuit of difficult and onerous jobs. Considering his profile, he was picked up by his bosses to handle a very challenging and sensitive assignment. He was posted in a tribal dominated district notorious for illegal sand mining. Excavating sand from the river belt and transporting through trucks and selling them in black market was rampant. This illegal sand mining mafia was operating with the support of local functionaries and tribal musclemen who in turn were bribing selected poor tribals and had kept the tribals under fear and intimidation. Sunil being a sharp and energetic officer immediately grasped the ground realities and the modus operandi followed by the mafia through their devious and dubious mechanism. On making inquiries, he gathered that some of their own office employees are hand in glove with them and have developed a close unholy nexus. Sunil ini...