It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men

① It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. One fine morning, Guru Dronacharya decided to give a simple task to all kids. Everyone had to find their goat and reach to Guru within time. Duryodhana decided, today he won't let Arjuna win, he would first kill Arjuna's goat. By the sunset, everyone had their goat except Duryodhana.

He was busy finding Arjuna's goat and could not find his own goat. This was a simple incident, but gives us a peek into Duryodhana's ideology. He was concerned more about Arjuna's loss than his own win. He did the same when Pandavas with Lord Krishna asked for just 5 grams/villages. But Duryodhana did not agree. उम्मीदवारों को इस हाशिए में नहीं लिखना चाहिए Candidates must not write on this margin www.visionias.in 8 Duryodhana was indeed a broken man Even Lord Krishna could not repair him. Duryodhana had such big empire and 5 villages were nothing for him. But he was not content with what he had. But the seeds of jealousy, insecurity, hatred, were laid in the childhood itself. He turned out so because of bad company, bad parenting which did not correct his course.

It would have been much easier to mould his ideas and thoughts during his childhood. But as a grown up man these values had solidified and even god could not repair him. Based on the image provided, here is the transcription of the handwritten text: When we say strong children what do we mean? Does it mean physical or mental strength? Here strength is used for a holistic competence in a child. Developing both intelligence quotient and the emotional quotient. If we keep creating intelligent men with weak value system, we are merely creating "clever Devils". Hence, attitude is as important as the aptitude one possesses. "It is not our aptitude, but our attitude, that decides our altitude" Now, what do we mean by broken men? How are they broken? --- **Additional details from the page:** * **Margin text (top right):** उम्मीदवारों को इस हाशिए में नहीं लिखना चाहिए Candidates must not write on this margin * **Footer:** www.visionias.in | 10 History is full of examples with men who broke the social fabric just because they themselves were broken. Hitler was bullied in his childhood. Kids used to throw snowballs at him whenever he stepped out of his home. This developed a sense of hatred in him towards a certain community. "A broken man, if not mended in time, breaks the world into bits a pieces" Many things have to fall correctly to build strong children. Role of family friends and education is huge in shaping a child. Even then, repairing a grown up man is much more difficult because the ideology has solidified and not ready

to change. Children are like clay pot and can be shaped as per one's wish. --- **Margin Text:** उम्मीदवारों को इस हाशिए में नहीं लिखना चाहिए Candidates must not write on this margin **Footer:** www.visionias.in 11 Based on the image provided, here is the transcription of the handwritten text: **Header:** DRAWING PARALLELS **Main Body:** Pakistan was a new born child along with India in 1947. The ideals which Pakistan's leadus carried led to the grown up broken man that Pakistan is today. A broken economy with huge, a broken polity with government being toppled overnight. On the othue hand, India was developed as a strong child due to the strong leadus. We made a Union, which many predicted would break into pieces within a few years. And here we are, in 2023, economy sailing high being the 3rd largest by PPP. --- **Footer:** www.visionias.in 12 **Side Margin Text:** उम्मीदवारों को इस हाशिए में नहीं लिखना चाहिए Candidates must not write on this margin उम्मीदवारों को इस हाशिए में नहीं लिखना चाहिए Candidates must not write on this margin When we look at human society, there are many issues like racism, communalism, gender discrimination that are plaguing us. Naturally, each person has a unique DNA, which creates differences ~~like~~ men, women; black, white. But these differences slowly turn into some stereotypes like women are weak, blacks are criminals, etc. This ~~leads~~ discrimination, which leads to ~~radication~~ radicalisation, finally leading to violence, racism, communalism, etc. These are difficult to control as these are grown up problems. But if it was addressed in the beginning by developing tolerance to opposite ideas. Understanding the other side of story would have made us all strong children, and eliminate all grown up radicals, goons, terrorists, etc. www.visionias.in 13 The issue of climate change which has been accelerated due to anthropogenic actions, could have been addressed earlier with easier actions. During the Industrial Revolution, many experts raised the impact that it might have on the environment. The child could have been made stronger than itself. But the ignorance back then has led to bigger problems today which are seemingly impossible to contain. Global Cooperation today is much more difficult. Not all countries at once can agree to their INDCs. Every underdeveloped country now wants to develop. Industrial Revolution started a chain reaction. We can only imagine if the ideas like sustainable development, Environmental Impact Assessment were brought back then, what would the world have been like today. LOSING THE BATTLE, BUT WINNING THE WAR Whatever damage has been done cannot be reverted back. But actions can be taken on two fronts. Firstly, new methodologies need to adopted to make strong children. Secondly, we need to repair the broken men even if its a herculion task. Making strong children requires contributions from many stakeholdus. Family needs to develop strong value system. Parents and Elder siblings need to lead by example. "Practise what you preach" should be the mantra that everyone needs to adhue to. Educational Institutions, must integrate curriculums with adeqrate weightage given to human values as well. Scientific temper needs to be developed. Society needs to be more tolerant and evolve with time. change has to be accepted with grace. This will provide a better environment for every child to prosper. The next task is a more difficult one because the best time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining. We have lost the bus, but still some amendments can be done. Yoga and Meditation must be promoted and organised in social spaces. This can help in self discovery of one's internal thoughts and ideas. Finding flaws is and accepting to improve upon them needs to be promoted. Leaders and role models can be used to induce such thoughts. Duryodhana turned out to be such because he never had the right environment, right person to

guide him. But we must make sure that every Duryodhana is held by his hand and guided to ensure that world is a better place to live in. --- **Printed text in margin:** उम्मीदवारों को इस हाशिए में नहीं लिखना चाहिए Candidates must not write on this margin **Footer text:** www.visio