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GNDU Question Paper-2023

BA 1

Semester

PHILOSOPHY

(Elementary Philosophy)

Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 100

Note: Attempt Five questions in all, selecting at least One question from each section. The

Fifth question may be attempted from any section. All questions carry equal marks.

SECTION-A

1. Discuss Nature and Scope of Philosophy.

2. Explain relation and difference of Philosophy with Religion.

SECTION-B

3. Write a detailed note on Human Rights.

4. Discuss causes and remedies of Gender discrimination.

SECTION-C

5. Write a detailed note on Sarbat da Bhalla.

6. Discuss the concept of Ahimsa according to Gandhi.

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SECTION-D

7. Explain definition and components of culture.

8. Discuss the relation and difference between culture and civilization.

GNDU Answer Paper-2023

BA 1

Semester

PHILOSOPHY

(Elementary Philosophy)

Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 100

Note: Attempt Five questions in all, selecting at least One question from each section. The

Fifth question may be attempted from any section. All questions carry equal marks.

SECTION-A

1. Discuss Nature and Scope of Philosophy.

Ans: Nature and Scope of Philosophy

(A Simple and Human-Centered Explanation)

Imagine a child sitting under the sky and asking, “Why is the sky blue?” Or someone

wondering, “What is the meaning of life?” These questions are not just about facts. They go

deeper. They come from curiosity, from a desire to understand the world, ourselves, and

our place in it. And this deep thinking is what philosophy is all about.

󷉃󷉄 What is the Nature of Philosophy?

Let’s begin with the word "Philosophy" itself. It comes from two Greek words:

• ‘Philo’ meaning love

• ‘Sophia’ meaning wisdom

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So, Philosophy means the love of wisdom.

But what kind of wisdom? It is not just bookish knowledge or data. It is the wisdom about

life, truth, reality, and values. Philosophy is a way of thinking deeply and critically about

everything around us. It questions what others may take for granted.

Let’s understand its nature through a few points:

1. Philosophy is a Quest for Truth

Philosophy begins with questions, not answers. A philosopher does not just accept things as

they are. Instead, they ask:

• What is real?

• Is there a God?

• What is right and wrong?

• What is beauty?

• What is knowledge?

So, philosophy is a never-ending journey in search of truth. Like a traveler, a philosopher

moves from question to question, not just to find the destination, but to understand the

journey itself.

2. Philosophy is Rational and Logical

Philosophy is not based on faith or feelings alone. It depends on reasoning and arguments.

Philosophers build their ideas like engineers build bridges—with logic and structure. They

use thinking tools like:

• Observation

• Analysis

• Comparison

• Deduction (drawing conclusions)

• Reflection

3. Philosophy is Universal and Fundamental

Philosophy is not limited to one culture, country, or religion. It asks questions that matter to

all human beings:

• What does it mean to live a good life?

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• What is the purpose of existence?

• How should we treat others?

These are not just Indian or Western questions; they are human questions.

Also, philosophy looks at the foundation of things. For example, science tells you how a

machine works, but philosophy asks—should we even build such a machine? What are the

consequences?

4. Philosophy is Critical and Reflective

Philosophy encourages us to think for ourselves. It doesn’t say, “Believe this!” Instead, it

says, “Think about this!” It trains our minds to question, to doubt, and to reflect before

accepting anything as truth.

5. Philosophy is Connected with Life

Some people think philosophy is only for professors in ivory towers. But in reality,

philosophy is about daily life:

• When we decide what is right or wrong, we are doing ethics.

• When we wonder what happens after death, we are doing metaphysics.

• When we think about what is real and what is illusion, we are being philosophers.

In short, philosophy is the art of thinking deeply about life.

󹺬󹺭󹺮󹺯󹺰󹺱 What is the Scope of Philosophy?

Now that we understand the nature of philosophy, let’s explore its scope. That means, what

areas does philosophy cover?

Philosophy is like a tree with many branches. Each branch studies a different part of life.

1. Metaphysics – The Study of Reality

This branch deals with the most fundamental questions:

• What is the nature of reality?

• Does God exist?

• What is the soul?

• Is the world real or an illusion?

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Metaphysics tries to answer what exists beyond the physical world—something science

cannot fully explain.

2. Epistemology – The Study of Knowledge

Here, philosophy asks:

• What is knowledge?

• How do we know what we know?

• Can we trust our senses?

Epistemology helps us understand the difference between beliefs, opinions, and truths.

3. Ethics – The Study of Morality

Ethics deals with questions like:

• What is right and wrong?

• Is stealing always bad?

• What is justice?

• Should we always tell the truth?

This is a very practical branch because it helps us make moral decisions in daily life.

4. Logic – The Science of Reasoning

Logic teaches us how to think properly and avoid mistakes in reasoning. It helps us form

valid arguments and recognize false logic.

5. Aesthetics – The Study of Beauty and Art

This branch asks:

• What is beauty?

• What makes something art?

• Is beauty subjective or objective?

Aesthetics connects with art, music, literature, and creativity.

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6. Political and Social Philosophy

This branch deals with society:

• What is a just government?

• What is freedom?

• What is equality?

It helps in understanding laws, rights, democracy, and justice.

󷕘󷕙󷕚 Conclusion

Philosophy is not just an academic subject. It is a way of life. It teaches us how to think

clearly, live honestly, and act wisely. Its nature is rooted in curiosity, reflection, and

reasoning. Its scope is vast—it touches every part of life, from science to religion, from art to

politics.

So, whenever you wonder “Why?” about anything—why we live, why we die, why we

believe—you are already taking the first step into philosophy.

Philosophy doesn’t always give us fixed answers. But it gives us better questions, and that’s

where all wisdom begins.

2. Explain relation and difference of Philosophy with Religion.

Ans: Relation and Difference between Philosophy and Religion

Imagine two friends: Philosophy and Religion. They live in the same neighborhood – the

neighborhood of human thought. Both are deeply interested in the same questions:

– Why are we here?

– What is the meaning of life?

– What is right and wrong?

– Is there a God or a higher power?

– What happens after death?

But even though they ask similar questions, they speak different languages, and their

methods of seeking answers are different.

Let’s understand this clearly.

󷊄󷊅󷊆󷊇󷊈󷊉 What is Religion?

Religion is like a set of beliefs and practices that are usually centered around the idea of

God, gods, or a higher spiritual power. It often comes with rituals, sacred texts, moral rules,

prayers, places of worship, and a community of followers. People follow religion because it

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gives meaning to life, a sense of belonging, and answers to life’s biggest questions in a faith-

based way.

For example, Hinduism talks about karma, moksha, and dharma. Christianity speaks of God,

sin, and salvation. Islam talks about submission to Allah and the guidance of the Quran. Each

religion has its own spiritual path, often based on divine revelations or sacred scriptures.

So, religion is like a roadmap created by faith.

󼨐󼨑󼨒 What is Philosophy?

Philosophy, on the other hand, is the love of wisdom (from Greek: philo = love, sophia =

wisdom). A philosopher is someone who doesn’t just accept things as they are told, but

instead questions them deeply. Philosophy doesn’t rely on scriptures or divine revelations.

Instead, it uses logic, reasoning, critical thinking, and dialogue.

A philosopher might ask:

– "What is truth?"

– "Can we prove that God exists?"

– "What is real and what is illusion?"

– "What is a good life?"

Famous philosophers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Immanuel Kant tried to answer such

questions through rational thinking.

So, philosophy is like a journey using reason and thought.

󷆐󷆑󷆒󷆓󷆔󷆕 The Relationship Between Philosophy and Religion

Despite their differences, philosophy and religion are not enemies. In fact, they often work

side by side, especially in the past.

1. Common Questions:

Both explore questions about existence, morality, the soul, God, and the purpose of

life. In many ways, they are like two routes leading to the same mountain peak, but

from different directions.

2. Influence on Each Other:

Many religious thinkers have used philosophy to explain or defend their faith. For

example, St. Thomas Aquinas was a Christian philosopher who used Aristotle’s

philosophy to prove the existence of God.

3. Shared Thinkers:

Some thinkers were both philosophers and religious people. In India, Adi

Shankaracharya used logical arguments to explain Advaita Vedanta, while in Islam,

Al-Ghazali and Ibn Rushd (Averroes) combined faith with reason.

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4. Ethics and Morality:

Both religion and philosophy are concerned with what is right and wrong. Religion

may say, “Do this because God commands it,” while philosophy may ask, “Is this the

right thing to do? Why?”

󹸯󹸭󹸮 The Differences Between Philosophy and Religion

Let’s now look at their key differences, one by one:

Basis

Religion

Philosophy

Foundation

Based on faith in divine revelations

Based on reason and logical thinking

Source of

Knowledge

Sacred texts (e.g., Bible, Quran, Vedas)

Human thought, logic, and experience

Method

Accepts truth through belief and

devotion

Questions everything and seeks

evidence and argument

Objective

To connect with the divine, achieve

salvation or moksha

To understand reality, truth, and the

meaning of life

Flexibility

Often fixed teachings and practices

Open-ended and always evolving with

new ideas

Community Role

Builds organized groups of followers

Often individual pursuit of truth

󹽇󹽊󹽈󹽉󹽋 An Example to Understand the Difference

Let’s take an example:

A religious person might say, “There is life after death because our holy book says so.”

A philosopher might say, “Let’s examine the idea. Can we find logical reasons or evidence

for life after death?”

Here, the religious answer is based on faith, and the philosophical answer is based on

questioning and analysis.

󷉪󷉫󷉬󷉮󷉭󷉯󷉰󷉱󷉲󷉳 Can They Work Together?

Yes! Many great minds believe that philosophy and religion can complement each other.

While religion gives faith and emotional strength, philosophy clears confusion and sharpens

thinking.

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– Religion without philosophy can become blind belief.

– Philosophy without religion can become dry and meaningless.

When combined, they can offer a deeper understanding of life — with both heart and mind

working together.

󷃆󼽢 Conclusion

In short, philosophy and religion are like two sides of the same coin. Both try to explore the

biggest questions of life — but religion walks with faith, and philosophy walks with reason.

One trusts in the divine voice, and the other trusts in the inner voice of reason.

For a university student like you, understanding both helps in becoming a more thoughtful,

balanced, and wise human being — someone who respects both faith and thought, and

seeks truth not just from outside, but from within.

SECTION-B

3. Write a detailed note on Human Rights.

Ans: A Detailed Note on Human Rights

Imagine a world where people are treated unfairly just because they speak a different

language, practice a different religion, or simply express their opinion. Now imagine a world

where every person is respected, treated equally, and given the freedom to live with dignity,

no matter who they are or where they come from. This is the world that Human Rights aim

to create.

󷆫󷆪 What are Human Rights?

Human Rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world,

simply because they are human. These rights are not granted by any government, and they

cannot be taken away (except in certain lawful situations). They apply to all of us—men,

women, children, rich, poor, educated, uneducated—no matter what country we live in.

These rights protect our freedom, our dignity, and our equality. Whether it’s the right to

speak freely, to get an education, to practice a religion, or to live free from violence and

torture—human rights give us the power to live as full human beings.

󷉃󷉄 The Origin of Human Rights

Let’s go back in history for a moment.

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For centuries, people have fought for justice and equality. But it was only after the terrible

destruction of World War II, and the horrors of the Holocaust, that the world finally said:

“Enough is enough.” The need for peace, justice, and dignity for all became more urgent

than ever.

In 1948, the United Nations came together and adopted the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights (UDHR). This was a landmark moment in history. The UDHR is like a global promise,

declaring 30 rights and freedoms that every person is entitled to.

This declaration includes:

• Right to life, liberty, and security

• Freedom of speech and religion

• Right to education

• Right to work and earn a fair wage

• Right to participate in government

• Freedom from torture and slavery

Although the UDHR is not a legal document, it has inspired many laws and constitutions

around the world.

󹲣󼩪󼩫󼩬󼩭󼩲󼩳󼩮󼩯󼩰󼩱 The Basic Characteristics of Human Rights

Human Rights have some special features that make them unique:

1. Universal: These rights belong to everyone, everywhere.

2. Inalienable: You cannot give them up or be denied them, except in special cases (like

punishment after a fair trial).

3. Indivisible and Interdependent: All rights are connected. For example, if you don’t

have the right to education, it may affect your right to work.

4. Equal and Non-Discriminatory: No matter your race, religion, gender, or

background—your rights are the same as everyone else's.

󼿍󼿎󼿑󼿒󼿏󼿓󼿐󼿔 Types of Human Rights

To understand better, let’s divide human rights into a few categories:

1. Civil and Political Rights

These protect our freedoms and ensure our participation in society.

Examples: Right to life, right to vote, freedom of expression, right to a fair trial.

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2. Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights

These help us live a good life.

Examples: Right to education, right to work, right to health care, right to housing.

3. Collective or Group Rights

These are rights held by groups, especially those who are marginalized.

Examples: Rights of indigenous people, right to development, environmental rights.

󺫨󺫩󺫪 Why are Human Rights Important?

Let’s take a simple example. Imagine a girl named Asha in a small village. She wants to go to

school, but her family says no because she is a girl. She wants to choose her own career, but

society pressures her into early marriage. She wants to speak up, but she’s afraid of

violence.

If Asha is aware of her human rights, she knows:

• She has the right to education.

• She has the right to choose her life path.

• She has the right to live free from fear.

In this way, human rights empower individuals like Asha to stand up for themselves and lead

better lives.

󷆰 Who Protects Human Rights?

1. Governments – They must respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of their people.

2. Courts and Law Enforcement – Ensure justice when rights are violated.

3. International Bodies – Like the United Nations, which monitors and reports on

human rights abuses.

4. NGOs and Activists – Groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch

raise awareness and help victims.

󺠣󺠤󺠥󺠦󺠧󺠨 Challenges to Human Rights

Despite all the progress, human rights violations still happen. These include:

• Discrimination based on caste, race, gender, or religion.

• Child labour and trafficking.

• Suppression of free speech.

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• Police brutality and torture.

• Poverty and lack of access to basic services.

It is up to us, as responsible citizens and future leaders, to stand up and defend human

rights wherever they are denied.

󹻊󹻋󹻌󹻎󹻍 Conclusion: Human Rights – A Shared Responsibility

Human rights are not just laws written in books—they are the soul of a just and fair society.

They protect our humanity and give us the strength to demand what is right. But they are

also a shared responsibility. Every time we speak out against injustice, help someone in

need, or raise awareness, we are contributing to a better world.

Let us remember: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Martin Luther

King Jr.

So, let’s educate ourselves, respect others’ rights, and work together to create a world

where human dignity is not just a dream, but a reality for all.

4. Discuss causes and remedies of Gender discrimination.

Ans: Imagine a small town called “Navdisha,” where boys and girls are born with equal

potential. However, as they grow up, they are treated differently. While boys are

encouraged to dream big and take charge, girls are told to be quiet, stay home, and focus on

marriage. Even if both go to school, only the boy is asked, “What do you want to become?”

The girl is often asked, “When will you get married?”

This unequal treatment based on gender is known as gender discrimination.

󷉥󷉦 What is Gender Discrimination?

Gender discrimination means treating individuals unfairly or unequally because of their

gender. It often affects women and girls more than men. It can happen at home, in schools,

at workplaces, and even in society at large. This discrimination creates an imbalance in

opportunities, respect, and power.

Let’s now explore the causes and remedies like we are unfolding a story.

󹳴󹳵󹳶󹳷 Causes of Gender Discrimination

1. Traditional Beliefs and Patriarchy

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In Navdisha, people follow what their ancestors did. For centuries, society has believed that

men are stronger and smarter, and women should only take care of the house. This old

mindset is called patriarchy, where men dominate decision-making in the family and society.

Example: A family allows the son to study engineering but asks the daughter to stop school

after class 10.

2. Lack of Education

In many homes, girls are not given proper education. When people are uneducated, they do

not question traditions or think critically. They accept inequality as normal.

Example: In Navdisha, some girls want to become doctors, but their parents don’t send

them to college, saying, “You will marry one day, so what’s the use?”

3. Economic Dependence

If women are not given chances to earn, they become financially dependent on men. This

makes them powerless and easier to control. Economic dependence is one major reason

women stay in abusive relationships or do not raise their voices.

4. Social Conditioning from Childhood

From a young age, boys and girls are treated differently. Girls are told to play with dolls and

learn cooking. Boys are given bikes, footballs, and science kits. This creates psychological

differences that affect confidence and choices.

Example: Rani and Rahul are siblings. Rani is told to learn how to cook; Rahul is praised for

fixing things around the house. Over time, Rani feels she is not good at technical stuff,

though she is equally capable.

5. Religious and Cultural Practices

Some customs and religious interpretations promote male dominance. In some cases,

women are not allowed to take part in important religious functions, or their rights to

inheritance are denied.

6. Media and Stereotypes

Movies, advertisements, and TV shows often show men as heroes and decision-makers, and

women as emotional or dependent. These gender stereotypes influence how people behave

in real life.

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󷉃󷉄 Remedies for Gender Discrimination

Let’s now think of how Navdisha can change. Remedies are like steps toward a better, fairer

society.

1. Education for All

The first and most powerful solution is education. When girls and boys both receive proper

education, they learn to respect each other’s rights and fight for equality.

Action: Schools should include lessons on gender equality and make sure girls feel safe and

confident in the classroom.

2. Empowering Women Economically

When women are given jobs or chances to earn money through self-help groups,

businesses, or employment, they become stronger and independent.

Example: In Navdisha, a women’s group started a tailoring business. Now, they earn well

and even teach young girls the trade.

3. Changing Mindsets through Awareness

People need to unlearn harmful traditions. Campaigns, community programs, and media

can help promote equality.

Example: Government ads on Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and social media stories of women

achievers inspire change.

4. Equal Rights and Legal Protection

The government must strictly implement laws that protect women and promote equality,

such as:

• Equal pay for equal work

• Protection from harassment

• Inheritance rights

• Laws against domestic violence

People must also be made aware of these laws so they can fight injustice.

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5. Encouraging Participation in Leadership

Women should be encouraged to take part in politics, administration, and leadership roles.

When women are decision-makers, they bring issues of gender equality to the table.

6. Challenging Stereotypes in Media

Films, ads, and books should show strong female characters and sensitive male characters

to break stereotypes.

Action: Media creators must show equality as normal, not as something unusual.

7. Equal Treatment at Home

It all begins at home. Parents should treat their children equally, whether boy or girl.

Household chores, toys, expectations—everything should be shared fairly.

Example: In modern Navdisha, a father teaches his son to cook and his daughter to fix the

bike. Both are confident, independent, and respectful of each other.

󷃆󼽢 Conclusion

Gender discrimination is like a virus passed on from one generation to another through

habits, traditions, and mindsets. But with education, awareness, laws, and love, we can

change this.

Just like the people of Navdisha realized their mistake and corrected it, we too can build a

society where every individual, regardless of gender, has the freedom to dream, grow, and

lead.

SECTION-C

5. Write a detailed note on Sarbat da Bhalla.

Ans: Introduction

“Sarbat da Bhalla” is a beautiful and meaningful phrase from Sikhism. It means "welfare of

all" or "well-being of everyone." This simple phrase carries a deep spiritual, social, and moral

message. It is not just a part of Sikh prayers, but a principle that teaches us to love and serve

all human beings, regardless of caste, religion, or nationality.

Let’s understand the concept of Sarbat da Bhalla in a clear and story-like manner, so that its

importance can be felt not only in religious life but also in everyday life.

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Origin of the Phrase

The phrase "Sarbat da Bhalla" comes from the Sikh daily prayer called the Ardas (the Sikh

prayer of supplication). At the end of the Ardas, every Sikh says:

“Nanak naam chardi kala, tere bhane sarbat da bhalla.”

Let us break this down:

• Nanak naam chardi kala – "With the name of Guru Nanak, may there be high spirits

(positive energy)"

• Tere bhane sarbat da bhalla – "With your (God’s) will, may there be well-being for

all"

So, from this prayer, we see that the Sikh faith does not ask only for personal happiness,

wealth, or success. Instead, it ends the prayer by wishing peace, happiness, and goodness

for everyone in the world. This is a unique and powerful concept.

Meaning of Sarbat da Bhalla

“Sarbat” means everyone or all humanity.

“Bhalla” means goodness, welfare, or well-being.

So, Sarbat da Bhalla means wishing for the goodness and prosperity of all people, not just

oneself, one's family, or one’s community. It includes:

• Poor and rich

• Friends and enemies

• Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and people of all faiths

• Indians and foreigners

• Humans, animals, and nature

It is a universal message of love, equality, and service.

How Guru Nanak Lived This Principle

Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, strongly believed in the unity of humanity. He

said:

"There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim."

This means that we are all equal in the eyes of God. He travelled across countries to spread

the message of:

• One God for all (Ik Onkar)

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• Service to humanity (Seva)

• Earning an honest living (Kirat Karni)

• Sharing with others (Vand Chakna)

Guru Nanak did not build walls between people; he built bridges of peace. He helped the

poor, stood against injustice, and even spoke out against rulers who misused power. In this

way, he lived the ideal of Sarbat da Bhalla.

Sarbat da Bhalla in Sikh History

Sikh Gurus after Guru Nanak also followed this path:

• Guru Arjan Dev Ji built the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) with four doors –

symbolizing that people from all four directions (and religions) are welcome.

• Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji gave his life to protect the religious freedom of Kashmiri

Pandits. He didn’t belong to their religion, but he believed in freedom and justice for

all.

• Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru, created the Khalsa not to fight for one group,

but to protect the weak and to stand up for the rights of everyone.

In all these examples, the Sikh Gurus promoted the message of Sarbat da Bhalla – care and

concern for all, not just for Sikhs.

Sarbat da Bhalla in Modern Times

Today, Sikh communities across the world practice this principle through:

• Langar (Community Kitchen): Free food is served to all, rich or poor, in Gurdwaras.

• Charity and relief work: During natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, or

pandemics, Sikhs are often seen helping people, regardless of religion or nationality.

• Medical camps, education for poor children, and environmental protection are other

ways Sikhs contribute to Sarbat da Bhalla.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Sikh groups helped deliver oxygen cylinders, food,

and medicines to people across India. This shows how the concept of Sarbat da Bhalla

continues to live in action.

Why This Message Is Important for Today’s Youth

As university students and future leaders of society, we must understand that:

• We are global citizens.

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• Our actions affect others.

• A peaceful and prosperous world can be built only when we think beyond ourselves.

Sarbat da Bhalla teaches us to:

• Be tolerant toward all religions.

• Help others selflessly.

• Stand up against injustice.

• Think about others’ well-being before acting.

In a world full of hatred, war, poverty, and selfishness, Sarbat da Bhalla is a light of hope. It

guides us to live a meaningful life by making this world better for everyone.

Conclusion

To sum up, Sarbat da Bhalla is not just a line in a prayer; it is a way of life. It teaches us to

care for every person, to wish good for even those who hate us, and to work for a world

where justice, love, and peace exist for all. Inspired by the teachings of Guru Nanak and the

Sikh Gurus, this concept is highly relevant for today’s students, societies, and the whole of

humanity.

If we all start living by the spirit of Sarbat da Bhalla, this world will surely become a heaven

of kindness, sharing, and unity.

6. Discuss the concept of Ahimsa according to Gandhi.

Ans: Ahimsa According to Gandhi: A Way of Life, Not Just an Idea

Let us begin this topic with a simple question: What if you could change the world, not with

violence, but with peace? That is exactly what Mahatma Gandhi believed—and he gave a

name to this powerful idea: Ahimsa.

But what is Ahimsa?

The Meaning of Ahimsa

"Ahimsa" is a Sanskrit word that simply means "non-violence". It is made up of two parts:

"A" which means "not", and "Himsa" which means "violence" or "harm". So, Ahimsa means

"not to cause harm" to any living being—not through words, not through actions, and not

even through thoughts.

To understand Gandhi’s concept of Ahimsa, we must first know that he did not treat it as

just a political strategy. Instead, he believed Ahimsa is a way of life, a moral and spiritual

principle that every human should try to follow.

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Gandhi’s Journey Towards Ahimsa

Mahatma Gandhi was not born with this idea. He learned it through experience.

When he was a young man living in South Africa, he faced racial discrimination. He saw that

people of color were treated unfairly, and yet, he chose not to react with violence. Instead,

he began thinking deeply about how peace and patience could be stronger than hatred and

anger.

Later, when he returned to India, he saw how his country was suffering under British rule.

Many wanted to fight back with weapons, but Gandhi said, “We will fight, but without

hurting anyone.”

This idea became the heart of India’s freedom movement.

Ahimsa in Gandhi’s Words

Gandhi once said:

“Ahimsa is the highest duty. Even if we cannot practice it in full, we must try to understand

its spirit and refrain from violence as much as we can.”

This shows that Gandhi knew it was difficult to be perfectly non-violent, but he still believed

that everyone should at least try.

Ahimsa is More Than Not Killing

Some people think that Ahimsa just means not killing. But for Gandhi, it meant much more

than that.

Let’s break it down:

1. Ahimsa in Action:

• You should not hurt anyone physically.

• You should not support wars or cruelty.

• You should protect even animals and insects from harm.

2. Ahimsa in Words:

• Speaking harshly or insulting someone is also violence.

• Gandhi believed words can hurt more than weapons sometimes.

• So, we must speak with kindness and truth.

3. Ahimsa in Thoughts:

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• Gandhi believed that even thinking badly about someone is a form of violence.

• If your mind is full of hate or revenge, you cannot be truly non-violent.

• You must practice forgiveness and compassion.

Satyagraha: Ahimsa in Action

Gandhi’s Ahimsa was not passive. It was not just about doing nothing.

He created a method called Satyagraha—which means “truth force” or “soul force”.

Through Satyagraha:

• People would resist injustice without using violence.

• They would go on peaceful protests, do hunger strikes, or not cooperate with unjust

laws.

• It showed that truth and non-violence could bring real change.

This method was used in many great movements like:

• Salt March (against British salt tax),

• Non-Cooperation Movement, and

• Quit India Movement.

Why Gandhi Believed in Ahimsa

Gandhi believed:

• All living beings are connected.

• Hurting others means hurting ourselves.

• Only through love, tolerance, and peace can we build a better society.

He once said:

“An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.”

That is why he never supported revenge—even against the British rulers.

Ahimsa in Daily Life

Gandhi wanted everyone to practice Ahimsa in their personal life. That includes:

• Being kind to your family, friends, and even strangers.

• Helping the poor, and not ignoring suffering.

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• Choosing peace over anger, even when you are deeply hurt.

He believed true strength lies in self-control and compassion, not in fighting and shouting.

Conclusion: Ahimsa is the Future

Ahimsa was not just an idea in Gandhi’s mind—it became a powerful tool for freedom, and

it inspired the world.

Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela were inspired by Gandhi’s non-

violent path. Even today, people around the world follow Gandhi’s teachings to fight

injustice.

Gandhi taught us that Ahimsa is not weakness—it is the greatest power a human can have.

So, as university students and future leaders, if we learn to live with love, peace, and non-

violence, we can truly bring light to a world full of darkness.

SECTION-D

7. Explain definition and components of culture.

Ans: Definition and Components of Culture

Let’s start with a simple imagination.

Close your eyes and picture a colorful Indian wedding. You hear traditional music, see

people wearing beautiful clothes, smell the aroma of spicy food, and notice how everyone

touches the feet of elders as a sign of respect. Now think about a Japanese tea ceremony, or

a Christmas celebration in the U.S.

What’s common in all these?

Culture.

󷆫󷆪 What is Culture? – The Human Way of Life

Culture is like a lens through which we see and understand the world. It's everything that

humans create, believe, practice, and pass on to the next generation.

In simple terms, culture is the way of life of a group of people.

It includes:

• how they think (values, beliefs),

• how they act (customs, rituals),

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• and how they use things (tools, food, clothes, language).

Imagine someone born in India and someone in France. They eat different foods, speak

different languages, and celebrate different festivals—but both follow the culture of their

society. It is not inherited by birth, but learned by living in a society.

The famous sociologist E.B. Tylor gave a classical definition of culture:

“Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom,

and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.”

Let’s break this down and explore what makes up a culture—the components of culture.

󼨻󼨼 Components of Culture

Culture is made up of several interconnected parts, like pieces of a puzzle. Here are the

major components:

1. Symbols 󼰡󼰣󼰢󼰤󼰥󼰦

Symbols are anything that carries a particular meaning recognized by people who share a

culture. They can be gestures, signs, objects, words, or images.

󷃆󼽢 Examples:

• The national flag of a country

• The cross in Christianity

• A red heart symbol for love

• The Namaste gesture in India

These symbols have no meaning on their own, but they gain meaning within a culture.

2. Language 󺃲󺃳󺃴󺃵

Language is the most important tool of culture. It allows people to communicate, share

ideas, and pass traditions.

Language can be:

• Spoken (Hindi, English, Tamil)

• Written (scripts, texts)

• Non-verbal (gestures, body language)

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󷃆󼽢 Fun fact: Without language, culture would not survive. It's the bridge between

generations.

3. Values and Beliefs 󹰎󹰏󹰐󹰑

Values are shared ideas about what is good or bad, right or wrong in a society.

Beliefs are specific statements that people hold to be true.

󷃆󼽢 Examples:

• Respecting elders (value)

• Belief in karma or rebirth (belief)

Values guide our behavior. Beliefs explain why we do what we do.

4. Norms 󷃆󼽢󽅂

Norms are the rules or expectations of behavior in society. They guide how we should act in

certain situations.

There are two types:

• Folkways – Everyday habits or customs

󷵻󷵼󷵽󷵾 Example: Saying “thank you”, dressing properly, shaking hands.

• Mores – Strong norms with moral importance

󷵻󷵼󷵽󷵾 Example: Not cheating, not stealing.

Breaking norms may result in punishment or social disapproval.

5. Customs and Traditions 󼮈󼮉󼮊󼮋󼮌󼮏󼮍󼮎󼮐

These are the practices and rituals passed down through generations. They are often linked

to religion, festivals, or local beliefs.

󷃆󼽢 Examples:

• Lighting diyas during Diwali

• Touching feet of elders for blessings

• Celebrating Eid, Christmas, or Pongal

These traditions give a unique identity to a culture.

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6. Art and Literature 󷖳󷖴󷖵󷖶󷖷󹴷󹴺󹴸󹴹󹴻󹴼󹴽󹴾󹴿󹵀󹵁󹵂

Culture also lives through its creative expressions—music, dance, drama, paintings, poetry,

stories, and movies.

󷃆󼽢 Examples:

• Bharatanatyam dance

• Indian epics like the Mahabharata

• Modern cinema and literature

They reflect the dreams, fears, and values of a society.

7. Technology and Material Culture 󷧺󷧻󷧼󷧽󷨀󷧾󷧿

This includes all the physical objects and tools created by a society.

󷃆󼽢 Examples:

• Clothes, houses, utensils, machines

• Smartphones and internet

• Transport systems, agriculture tools

Material culture changes fast with time (think of how technology changed your

grandparents' life to yours!).

8. Institutions 󷨕󷨓󷨔

Culture is also shaped by social institutions like:

• Family 󹂥󹂒󹂦󹂓󹂔󹂕󹂖󹂗󹂧󹂨󹂘󹂩󹂙󹂪󹂚󹂛󹂜󹂫󹂬󹂭󹂮󹂝󹂯󹂞󹂰󹂟󹂠󹂱󹂡󹂢󹂣󹂲󹂤

• Religion 󹻓󹻔󹻕󹻖

• Education 󷕘󷕙󷕚

• Government 󷨕󷨓󷨔

These help in organizing social life and teaching cultural norms to people.

󼨐󼨑󼨒 Final Thoughts: Culture Is a Living Story

Imagine culture like a book of life, written by people, for people, and passed down

generation after generation.

• It's not just about traditions or food—it’s how we think, act, speak, and dream.

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• It influences everything—our identity, relationships, beliefs, and even our future.

• While cultures may be different across countries, every culture teaches its people

how to live together in society.

As university students, understanding culture helps you appreciate diversity, avoid

stereotypes, and become more socially aware citizens.

󹴷󹴺󹴸󹴹󹴻󹴼󹴽󹴾󹴿󹵀󹵁󹵂 In Summary:

Component

Meaning

Examples

Symbols

Items with meaning in culture

Flag, Namaste, Red heart

Language

System of communication

Hindi, English, Sign language

Values and Beliefs

What is important or true in society

Honesty, belief in God

Norms

Accepted rules of behavior

Not stealing, dressing well

Customs & Traditions

Long-followed cultural practices

Diwali, Christmas, touching feet

Art & Literature

Creative expressions of culture

Dance, music, stories

Material Culture

Physical objects made and used

Phones, tools, houses

Institutions

Structures guiding society

Family, religion, education

8. Discuss the relation and difference between culture and civilization.

Ans: Relation and Difference Between Culture and Civilization

Let’s imagine two students — Arjun and Zara — sitting in a university library, preparing for

their sociology exam. They come across a question that often confuses many students:

“What is the difference between culture and civilization? Aren’t they the same?”

Arjun looks puzzled and says, “Culture and civilization… I think they both refer to how

people live, right?”

Zara smiles and replies, “Kind of. But they’re not exactly the same. Let’s understand this like

a story.”

Understanding Culture: The Soul of Society

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Zara starts by explaining:

“Culture is like the soul of society. It is about who we are, how we think, how we feel, what

we believe, what we value, and how we express ourselves.”

Culture includes:

• Our language

• Traditions and customs

• Religious beliefs

• Festivals and rituals

• Art, music, and literature

• Moral values and ethics

• Social behaviour

For example, in India, touching elders’ feet, celebrating Diwali, or eating food with hands are

cultural aspects. Similarly, the music of Beethoven in Europe or the art of Chinese

calligraphy are expressions of culture.

Culture is intangible — you can’t touch it, but you can feel it. It is passed down from one

generation to the next, not through machines or buildings, but through stories, songs,

teachings, and traditions.

Understanding Civilization: The Body of Society

Zara then adds:

“Now think of civilization as the body of society. It refers to the material and institutional

development that humans have made over time. It is about how people live together in an

organized way and what structures they build to make life comfortable and advanced.”

Civilization includes:

• Cities and buildings

• Roads and transportation systems

• Governments and laws

• Educational systems

• Technological development

• Economic institutions

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So, when we talk about ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley Civilization, the Egyptian

Civilization, or Greek Civilization, we are referring to their infrastructure, organized society,

administration, and inventions.

Civilization is tangible — it can be seen, touched, and measured. It shows how advanced a

society is in terms of physical and institutional progress.

Relation Between Culture and Civilization

Now, Arjun starts to understand and asks, “So, are culture and civilization connected?”

Zara nods and says:

“Yes, they are deeply connected, like heart and body. Culture gives meaning to civilization,

and civilization provides the structure through which culture can be practiced.”

Let’s break it down:

• A civilization without culture is like a robot — functional but emotionless.

• A culture without civilization can be rich in meaning but may struggle to survive in a

modern world.

For example, ancient Indian culture — full of philosophy, spirituality, and arts — was

supported by a civilization that had town planning, script, trade systems, and governance.

They grow side by side, supporting and shaping each other.

Key Differences Between Culture and Civilization

To make things clearer, Zara writes the following comparison for Arjun:

Point of

Difference

Culture

Civilization

Meaning

Refers to values, beliefs, traditions,

and way of life

Refers to the physical and institutional

development of society

Nature

Intangible and emotional

Tangible and material

Examples

Art, music, religion, customs

Cities, laws, buildings, machines

Growth

Internal development of a person

or group

External development of a society

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Point of

Difference

Culture

Civilization

Transmission

Passed on through social learning

and experience

Passed on through education, records, and

systems

Survival

Can exist even in a simple society

Requires a certain level of material

development

Focus

Meaning and purpose of life

Comfort and advancement of life

A Simple Analogy

Zara explains further:

“Imagine a computer. The hardware is like civilization — visible, measurable, structured. But

the software — the programs, apps, and interface — is like culture. Without software, the

hardware is useless. And without hardware, the software cannot work.”

So both are interdependent, yet distinct.

Conclusion

By the end of the discussion, Arjun says:

“Now I get it! Culture is the inner spirit of how people live and think, and civilization is the

outer shell — the system and structure that supports it.”

And that’s the key idea.

To summarize:

• Culture is who we are — our values, feelings, and identity.

• Civilization is what we build — our systems, inventions, and institutions.

• They go hand in hand, shaping human life together.

Understanding this difference helps us appreciate not just how far we have come as a

society, but also what gives our life true meaning.

“This paper has been carefully prepared for educational purposes. If you notice any

mistakes or have suggestions, feel free to share your feedback.”