The Responsibility of Young Men (Comprehension Passages, Question-Answers)

 Comprehension Passage

 Answer the questions given at the end of the passage.

 Never forget that loyalty to the country comes ahead of all other loyalties. And this is absolute loyalty since one cannot weigh it in terms of what one receives. It is essential to remember that the entire country is one and that anyone who fosters or promotes separatism or fissiparous tendencies is not our true friend. What I have said stems from a desire to see that the youth of our country prepares itself in a disciplined and determined manner for the responsibilities of tomorrow. A democratic country is sustained not by the greatness of a few but by the cooperative effort of the many. The future of the country is in your hands and as the older generations complete their task the new ones come along to take their place. If they are well equipped as individuals and as citizens, the country’s future will be bright indeed. At a time when you are at the threshold of a new period in your life, I would urge you to play your role with confidence.

1.   Why is loyalty to the country absolute loyalty?
2.    What is essential to remember about the entire country?
3.    How is a democratic country sustained?
4.   In whose hands lies the future of the country and how can this be made bright?
5.   Use the words ‘loyalty’ and ‘separatism’ in sentences of your own.

Answers

          Loyalty to the country is considered as an absolute loyalty because it comes ahead of all other loyalties and it cannot be weighed in terms of what one gets in return for it.

        It is essential to remember the oneness and unity of the entire country and that anyone trying to destroy this unity and promote separatism is an enemy of the nation.

         A democratic country is sustained by the collective and cooperative efforts of the many and not by the greatness of a few individuals.  

        The future of the country lies in the hands of the youth and it can be made bright by equipping the youth fully well as individuals and as citizens.

         Loyalty: It is important for each citizen to maintain and express loyalty towards the nation.Separatism: Any tendency towards separatism needs to be curbed right at the beginning.

Answer the following questions in about 50 words each.

1.     Why is freedom in a democratic country subjected to certain voluntary restraints?

2.     Why are, our young students, often left to their own resources in the educational institutions?

3.     What is the prime responsibility of our young citizens?

4.     What is our position with regard to secularism that is embodied in our constitution?

5.     What is the essential condition, according to Shastri ji, for our country to progress?

Answers

1. Freedom in a democratic country is subjected to certain voluntary restraints in our day to day life and activities for guarding the interests of the organized society. Freedom of the individual has to go hand in hand with the social responsibilities towards the society and one can not afford to harm or endanger the well being of the society to promote one’s own selfish interests or freedom.

2.      Our young students are often left to their own resources in the educational institutions due to a lack of personal contact and interaction between students and teachers. Since the number of students in various institutions has grown to huge proportions, it is no longer possible to maintain contact on one to one basis, as was done in the earlier times and this is causing a lot of problems for our youth.

3.     The prime responsibility of our young citizens is to fulfil their duty towards the nation with sincerity and devotion. This would have the added advantage of opening up new areas for further advancement of the self as well as of the nation. It is important to take care of one’s own duties and responsibilities before indulging in any kind of criticism of others.

4.      Our position with regard to secularism as embodied in our constitution implies equal respect for all religions and equal opportunities for all citizens, irrespective of their caste and creed and the faith which they profess. The fundamental unity of India can be saved only by respecting this seeming diversity. No country can progress through divisive means and tendencies.

5.      According to Shastri ji, it is essential to abandon any divisive and separatist thought and the tendency for the development of the nation. If our country is to make any progress, it is essential for us to emerge as an integrated whole and this seed of unity and integrity has to be sown right from the beginning in all our educational institutions.

 

 Answer the following questions in about 150 words each.

1.     What is the role that Indian youth is expected to play in the development of the nation, as elaborated by Lal Bahadur Shastri?

Ans. Indian youth is expected to play a major role in the progress and development of the nation through the fulfilment of their duties and social responsibilities to the best of their ability. This would go a long way in opening up new avenues for their further advancement. It would also save them from falling a prey to the unhealthy habit of criticizing other people without really looking into their own selves. It is important for the youth to give topmost importance to their duty and loyalty towards the country and work in a determined and disciplined manner in the direction of fulfilling their responsibilities for tomorrow. The young generation has to step in and fill up the holes and gaps left unattended by the older generation. They have to learn and update their skills so that they can serve the country well in the capacity of individuals as well as citizens with full confidence. The youth has a special responsibility in the form of protecting the secular fabric of the country by all means because no nation can grow and develop with divisive tendencies and forces on the sway.

 

2.     What is secularism? Why is it absolutely important for our country?

Ans. Secularism is absolutely important for maintaining the fundamental unity in diversity which is the cornerstone for the growth and development of any nation. At a time when various kinds of divisive and fundamental forces are on the rise, there is an urgent need for secularism that can ensure equal respect for all religions and equal opportunities for all citizens. This, in fact, is the real meaning of unity and diversity where no class, community or religion feels threatened, excluded or marginalized and everyone can contribute equally in The Responsibility of Young Men 75 the advancement of the collective interests of the nation. It is extremely important for this seed of unity and secularism to flower in the field of education and amongst the youth who are the future of any country. It has to be our constant endeavour not to surrender to divisive and reactionary forces since the country can progress only if it shuns away all kinds of separatist tendencies and emerges as an integrated whole.

3.     Who is a good citizen and what are the problems he is faced within the present times?

 Ans. A good citizen is one who respects the law and gladly performs one’s civic duties. It is important to inculcate a certain sense of self-restraint and discipline through the joint efforts of the family and the educational institutions though the economic pressures have begun to weigh heavily on families, leaving little time for caring and interaction with the children. There is great satisfaction in doing one’s task to the best of one’s ability without surrendering to any kind of selfish motives. Owing to the loss of personal contact between the students and teachers due to the huge increase in the number of students in various educational institutions, young students have to face a lot of problems since there is no one to guide them and provide them with personal care and interaction. They are often left to take recourse to their own meagre resources. These problems will have to be addressed effectively so as to enable the young generation to play its full role in the development of the nation.