‘Dreams which should not let India sleep’ — How to answer this past year question that tests IAS aspirants’ patriotism in interviews and essays of UPSC exam

Could you respond to this question promptly, passionately, and with conviction? This thought-provoking query is designed to assess a candidate’s sense of purpose, their commitment to public service, and their understanding of the ground realities India faces today. Furthermore, this theme poses an even greater challenge when framed as a topic for a written exam or essay. It compels one to explore the enduring dreams and unfulfilled promises that still demand action and resolution in our nation.

When the UPSC asked this question ten years ago, in 2014, an aspirant might have thought, ”What should I write to show the examiner that I understand the problems facing the country while remaining optimistic about achieving the goals?” This article will provide you with the answer.

In UPSC Essentials’ special series ‘UPSC Essays Simplified’, we take you through some of the sample essays written by our expert Pranay Aggarwal covering questions of past years.

Dreams which should not let India sleep!

— Pranay Aggarwal

As a child, I came across Gandhi’s talisman in school textbooks. What has stayed with me is its poignant gist – Bapu’s ambition was “to wipe every tear from every eye”. Delivering his iconic ‘tryst with destiny’ speech at the birth of independent India, then Prime Minister Nehru too laid down a vision for modern India – as a prosperous, democratic and progressive nation. Ambedkar, in his last speech in the Constituent Assembly, envisioned a society where liberty, equality and fraternity are the governing principles of social life. Several other statesmen similarly outlined their visions for the shape our post-colonial nation should take. Well, times have changed. And so has India – substantially. It is about time we renew our national vision in keeping with the present realities. In all humility, what follows is a common man’s uncommon charter for our nation in the 21st century.

To become a developed country with high standards of living within our lifetime is the first and foremost of these dreams. While aiming to become one of the world’s largest economies with high per capita income, we also must be cognizant of the need to completely eradicate poverty in all its forms and reduce structured inequalities along the way. Consistently high rates of economic growth accompanied with jobs creation, equitable access to resources, and targeted welfare programs can help bridge this gap. We must prioritize inclusive growth with ample opportunities for social mobility; so that development benefits all, especially the marginalized.

The dream of ensuring access to quality education for every child, regardless of family background, remains an abiding inspiration. Let there be no ‘Chhotu’ serving in a roadside dhaba in my India of the future. Likewise, affordable healthcare services also must be available to all, especially the underprivileged and the elderly. Let no pregnant woman die unattended during childbirth because the nearest hospital was too far. As we seek to realize these dreams, we will also become a more compassionate society.

Maintaining ecological balance and preserving our rich biodiversity is another dream that should keep us awake. With the looming threats of climate change and extreme weather events already a reality; this is a non-negotiable. We will have to take bold steps to address ecological issues and protect the rights of nature-based communities (like tribals). Raising ecological consciousness, promoting green technologies, and ensuring responsible industrialization will ensure that we leave behind a healthy and livable environment for future generations.

Another vision is to create a society where women are equal participants in every aspect – social, economic, and political. Empowering women is not only important for social justice, but is also necessary for national growth. Ensuring women’s safety, promoting girls’ education, providing equal opportunities in the workforce, and addressing gender inequalities both inside and outside homes are essential to unlock the full potential of the nation.

I envision a united and harmonious India, free from communal, caste, and ethnic divides. Social harmony is imperative for a peaceful and prosperous society. Emphasizing tolerance and respect for diversity, which are in any case a part of our civilizational being, must also remain at the core of our national vision in the 21st century.

I dream of India as a global leader – an important, assertive, and responsible nation shaping international geopolitics and as the fulcrum of the world economy. Our chances of realizing this dream are intrinsically linked to our abilities to augment our defense capabilities and project our soft power. Strengthening our military forces, defense modernization and ensuring internal security are essential to protect our sovereignty and maintain peace so necessary to achieve our other dreams. Of course; being a democracy of a billion plus people with a rich cultural heritage, a fast growing and large economy, and the world’s second largest military force; nuclear capable India is uniquely poised to shape global discourse. We need to play to our strengths, and work on our vulnerabilities.

Finally, let us dream of a people proud of their cultural heritage. Freed from the shackles of colonial mentality, Indian culture should be cherished and promoted globally. Our traditions, knowledge systems, literature, arts, and spirituality should be unapologetically celebrated, alongside focus on modern innovations. Countries, quite like people, like those who like themselves. Cultural pride balanced with a progressive outlook will enable India to be a custodian of cultural heritage and a leader in the modern world.

What next? “Arise, Awake and Stop Not till the Goal is reached!”

While these dreams may appear ambitious, they are not fantastical. A strong foundation to realize these dreams has already been laid by the founding fathers and subsequent generations of nation-builders; in the form of strong democratic traditions and a living and adaptive Constitution. We are duty-bound to carry the torch of dreams, add our own dreams to it, and pass it to our children. To this end, I have tried to articulate and add ordinary people’s dreams to the national discourse. But, admittedly, it’s a small start.

We will have to forge a wide social and political consensus on our national vision for the future. Once that is done, we have to translate those dreams into an operational blueprint with an effective implementation strategy involving all stakeholders; including the state, industry, and civil society. Finally, these dreams will begin to take shape when they move outside the corridors of power and become a people’s movement.

Also, some of these dreams may seem in conflict. For instance, with rapid urbanization and growth, we will encounter growing environmental concerns. We need to strike the right balance between the two; i.e. preserve the environment while ensuring growth; by adopting a sustainable development model. Such debates and conflicts are healthy, and can and should be resolved through deliberation. So, to achieve our dreams; we shall have to prioritize, ensure cohesion, and resolve any conflicts between them.

To achieve these dreams, we also must make critical progress in science and technology. From space exploration to healthcare innovations; we must prioritize scientific research, spend more on R&D, focus on new technologies, and target economic and social development through digital transformation. Harnessing the power of AI, blockchain, biotechnology, and robotics can aid significantly in achieving our dreams.

Also, for India to achieve its dreams, good governance is imperative. Transparent, accountable, and efficient government institutions must become a reality, sooner than later. Fighting corruption, enhancing administrative capabilities, timely implementation of policies, and empowering local governance mechanisms will enable us to reach our full potential.

The youth hold the key to our country’s future. Their energy and ideas must be harnessed to bring about positive change. Empowering youth through quality education, skill development, employment, and leadership opportunities will ensure that they play an active role in shaping India’s future. An active role for our dynamic and proactive youth needs to be ensured, as the aspirations of today’s youth will define the India of tomorrow.

In conclusion, these dreams are not just aspirations, but an urgent call to action. These dreams, I sincerely hope, will define India’s future. We simply cannot afford to be complacent. We owe it to our forefathers as well as posterity to realize this national vision. Let these dreams be the driving force that stirs our collective conscience. I pledge to commit myself to the realization of these dreams; and wish that you do so too.

About our Expert: Pranay Aggarwal is an educator and mentor for aspirants preparing for UPSC Civil Services exam. With more than 10 years of experience guiding civil service aspirants, he is acknowledged as an expert on civil service exam preparation, especially on subjects like Social Issues and Sociology. He is the India representative on the Research Committee on Education, Religion and Political Sociology for UNESCO’s International Sociological Association and a committee member of Indian Sociological Society and its committee on social movements. He is also the Convenor of Indian Civil Services Association, a think tank of senior bureaucrats.

New Year Special: Click Here to read the January 2025 issue of the UPSC Essentials monthly magazine. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨

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