English Reading Comprehension: Detail, Inference and Vocabulary in Context — Punjab Police previous year questions

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

In Russell’s opinion, “Boredom as a factor in human behaviour has received far less attention than it deserves”. He believes it to be ‘one of the great motive powers throughout the historical epoch, and is so at the present day more than ever’. ‘A distinctively human emotion’ hence must be scrutinised. His essay was first published in 1930 when there was not much mass consumption of entertainment and excitement which the digital world offers us in these times. His ideas are relevant because our anxieties may have evolved with all the technologies but the necessity to cope with them is the same. This is such a time when the greatest achievement would be to understand ourselves and make sense of the things we do all the time.

Interestingly, he is not asking us to live a life of old times, when there was no technology, and it was harder for underprivileged to do daily tasks. In winters they had to scooch in one room to beat cold or when they had nothing to read or write. Neither he is admiring the old ‘happy family time’ when the women of the house cleaned up after dinner and all the children had to sit around the father to listen to him, quietly. When women were indulged in the cycle of life where the greatest achievement for them was to get married. Instead, he is making a case for human beings to find their potentials beyond the boundaries of mere animalistic desires.

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

The number of women serving in the Indian armed forces has nearly tripled in recent years. They are increasingly joining the military as soldiers, fighter pilots, and army command posts, rather than only working in the medical profession.

Women's enlistment in the Indian armed services has been a topic of much discussion in recent years. India has taken longer than other industrialised nations like the USA, UK, Germany, and Canada to open up opportunities for women outside of traditional nursing or medical positions.

According to facts in the public domain, the US has contributed significantly to the enlistment of women in the armed forces. More than 200,000 women are now serving on active duty, which accounts for about 20% of the total strength of the US armed forces.

Israel also has women in its armed services, but they serve in technical and administrative positions rather than in combat ones.

The young Indian women in India have broken the glass ceiling in the traditionally male-dominated field by persevering, and as of today, there are about 9,118 women serving in the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy. The introduction of 1,700 female jawans into the Corps of Military Police has received approval from the administration.

When the Indian Military Nursing Service was established in 1888, women were admitted for the first time to the Indian Armed Forces. Additionally, the Indian Army's entire nursing personnel at the time was crucial to the success of World War I. The top Army brass was so impressed by their performance that they decided to strengthen and expand the women's wing, creating the Women's Auxiliary Corps. This Corps was created to make it easier for women to serve in administrative, accounting, and other non-combat positions.

Women were only allowed to serve in Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Azad Hind Fauj and the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, which battled the Imperial Japanese Army in what was then Burma.

The Indian Army, according to a female officer, "gives us the opportunity to help us satisfy our professional and personal life requirements. Serving our country makes us officers feel incredibly proud.”

A woman can become stronger and a warrior for life with the support system of the army. In 2016, the Indian Air Force (IAF) began training its first female fighter pilots to fly the MiG-21 Bison. The female fighter pilots of the IAF claim that there is no discrimination based on gender and that all pilots confront the same challenges.

According to prior reports, the Supreme Court of India ordered the Centre to give permanent commissions to women officers in all three Services where women are eligible for appointment in a landmark decision.

As per the government's directive, ten streams, including Army Air Defence (AAD), Signals, Engineers, Army Aviation, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), Army Service Corps (ASC), Army Ordnance Corps (AOC), and Intelligence Corps, in addition to the two currently active streams of Judge and Advocate General (JAG) and Army Educational Corps (AEC), were opened to women officers in July 2020.

The nation's highest court rendered a landmark decision regarding women in combat arms in March 2020.

Since 2020, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of women serving in the armed forces; in addition to the female officers in the Army Education Corps, they can now be given consideration for leadership positions within the Indian Army.

According to information presented by the government in Rajya Sabha in February 2021, the Indian Navy employs the most women of the three services, at 6.5 per cent. Additionally, the proportion of women in the Indian Air Force and Army is 1.08 and 0.56, respectively.

There are 6,807 women serving in the Army, while there are 12,18,036 males, according to information provided in a written response by the former Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik.

In the Indian Navy, there are 704 women officers, which is 6.5 per cent of the 10,108 males who serve in the organisation. Additionally, women have currently been hired as officers. Women have been a member of the service since 1992, when it consisted of three distinct streams: logistics, education, and law.

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

The young woman organised the so-called business incubator for agricultural manufacturers and small business owners. Her venture had passed a long and thorny way towards sustained profitability and public success. Now that her position in this market niche has become particularly strong, she has agreed to share her recipe for entrepreneurial success with others. Ms Maria, this is how she asked to be mentioned in the interview transcript, tells her story of venture creation.

Before she started her first venture, Ms Maria had been working in the field of agriculture. Actually, her entire life had been closely associated with the agricultural business. The woman grew up on a small rural estate. Her father enjoyed the recognised status of one of the best agricultural workers in their community. Ms Maria confesses that she did not plan to end up in agriculture. Yet, no matter how hard she tried to escape her agricultural fate, she always returned to it. One day, the young woman decided that she needed a good investor to Launch her agricultural project. That was the moment of revelation when Ms Maria suddenly realised how large the gap between her entrepreneurship spirit and that of potential investors was. She met numerous men and women, who shared brilliant business ideas and irradiated determination to become a success in agriculture.

As a result, Ms Maria decided to try herself in the so-called helping business. That is, she would look for an investor for a business venture she believed to be potentially profitable. She says that she wanted to see how the process would go to avoid similar issues with her own business idea. However, once the venture was started and the first project was completed, her fame in the investor glue quickly spread within and beyond the community. Today, Ms Maria manages dozens of agricultural projects and meets with at least two potential investors every day. Her venture is flourishing and thriving, and she does not want to talk of the times when she could hardly meet her basic needs.

For Ms Maria, the most valuable asset is creativity. This sounds surprising, given that many contemporary entrepreneurs emphasise the crucial role of human resources behind the success of their business ventures. Had it not been for Ms Maria’s creativity, she would have never managed to succeed in her market niche. The services she provides are unique but extremely important for the future of local agriculture. The only thing she says she would do differently is rely on the real-life experiences of other business owners rather than her own intuition and perceptions of the future.

More than once, Ms Maria acknowledges that she owes the success of her venture to incidents, accidents, and coincidences. An impression persists that the businesswoman never engaged in any planning activities. Today, Ms Maria cannot imagine her venture without thorough planning and controlling activities, administrative support, and strategic decision-making. She says that, had she been more thorough in planning her initial venture activities, she would have managed to reduce the costs of her business activity, minimise the risks of financial losses, and avoid the hurdles of misbalanced human resource management.

Overall, from the perspective of Ms Maria, the venture creation process resembles a spontaneous occurrence. The interviewee does not specify the strategies she employed to obtain the desired results. She constantly emphasises the fact that she did not follow any predetermined course. Many of her decisions were made intuitively. This is actually where the discussed venture fell short. Despite its profitability and strategic success, one should not ignore the relevance and utmost importance of strategic planning. I find it particularly admirable about the entrepreneur's ability to make quick decisions, based on a surface analysis of the situation. Still, I would discourage other young entrepreneurs from following the same path.

One of the key things have learned from this interview is that being successful in venture creation is never possible without having experience and expertise in the selected business activity. Ms Maria knew the taste of being an agricultural worker inside out, and she knew how she could help other business people to close the existing investment gaps. Simultaneously, the results of the interview once again confirmed the essential role of planning, marketing, and advertising in venture creation, development, and growth. The success of Ms Maria's venture looks more like an accident rather than a result of thorough planning. These planning priorities will certainly influence my career in the next five years. I will be much more considerate to ensure that the results I manage to achieve in business can sustain me in the long run.

To conclude, venture creation is a sophisticated process that encompasses numerous elements, decisions, and actions. It requires talent and creativity. However, it is also impossible without thorough planning. The results of the present interview suggest that business owners cannot rely solely on their intuition. They must make grounded decisions to make sure that the venture they manage to create brings long-term profits.

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

As the news of the atomic attack by America on Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, reached Einstein, he became aware of the glaring horror of the abuse of atomic energy. His distress and restlessness knew no bounds. He could not control himself and picked up his violin to turn his mind on to other things. While playing the violin, he tried to dissolve his distress in its sad notes but couldn’t. He was burning on the embers of destruction; his heart was filled with an ocean of agony and tears just continued streaming uncontrollably out of his eyes. Night had fallen. His daughter came up and asked him to eat something as he had not taken anything for the last four days. His voice was restrained, and he said, "I don’t feel like eating." He could not sleep that night. Lying down, he was thinking how he had drawn the attention of the then American President Roosevelt towards the destructive powers of an atomic bomb. He had thought that this would be used to scare Hitler and put an end to the barbarism that Hitler was up to. However, Roosevelt kept him in the dark and made false promises. Eventually, he had abused Einstein’s equation of E=MC² that resulted in destructive experiments. His actions had made science and scientists as murderers. Einstein kept on thinking for a long time. Eventually, he slipped into sleep. When he woke up at dawn, there was a new dawn in him too. The atomic threat had transformed his heart. The next day, he decided to disassociate himself from the scientific policy of the government and all governmental institutions. He decided to open educational institutions for children, adolescents, and youth – institutions where along with science, spirituality will be compulsorily taught. To inaugurate this institution, he had invited two great philosophers, Bertrand Russell and Albert Schweitzer. Ten other great scientists who had won Nobel Prizes in different fields were also invited. They all saw a different Einstein, not a great scientist but a sage in him. The institution was opened by garlanding a photo of Mahatma Gandhi. While garlanding the Mahatma, he became emotional and said with a lump in his throat, "I bow down to the great man who fought for the independence of his country through non-violence. He could do so because he was a truthful man and true spiritualist. Those who teach science should be taught spirituality too. Without harmony between science and spirituality, the destruction would continue unabated. A few years after this institution was built, a Japanese delegation came to meet him. Einstein broke down in the meeting and said, "You can give me any punishment and I will accept it. Anyway, I have decided to lead my life in penitence." The Japanese were moved by his sincerity and forgot their grief.

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

The UN’s Framework for the Immediate Socio-Economic Response to the COVID-19 Crisis warns that the COVID-19 pandemic is far more than a health crisis: it is affecting societies and economies at their core. While the impact of the pandemic will vary from country to country, it will most likely increase poverty and inequalities at a global scale, making the achievement of SDGs even more urgent.

Assessing the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on societies, economies and vulnerable groups is fundamental to inform and tailor the responses of governments and partners to recover from the crisis and ensure that no one is left behind in this effort.

Without urgent socio-economic responses, global suffering will escalate, jeopardising lives and livelihoods for years to come. Immediate development responses in this crisis must be undertaken with an eye to the future. Development trajectories in the long term will be affected by the choices countries make now and the support they receive.

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

UNICEF strongly believes that all children have the right to grow in a safe and nurturing family environment. Yet, across the world, children continue to be separated or are at a risk of being separated from their families. These include, children living on the streets, at transport terminals, and childcare institutions as well as child workers or child victims of human trafficking.

In the absence of viable options, institutional care is the primary response for children in such situations. However, research studies show that children who grow up in institutional care demonstrate long-term adverse outcomes in terms of physical, cognitive, and mental health.

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

Since plastics used in packaging form a highly visible part (approximately 20% by volume but less than 10% by weight) of the waste stream, most recycling efforts have focused on containers. Almost all bottles, food trays, cups and dishes made of the major commodity plastics now bear an identifying number enclosed in a triangle together with an abbreviation. In addition to such labeling, in many localities consumers are encouraged to return empty beverage containers to the place of purchase by being required to pay a deposit on each unit at the time of purchase. This system helps to solve two of the major problems associated with economical recycling, since the consumer seeking return of the deposit does the sorting and the stores gather the plastics into central locations. An added attraction of deposit laws is a notable decrease in roadside litter. However, while such measures have helped to raise dramatically the recycling rate of plastic bottles—especially those made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE)—less than 10% of all plastic products are recycled after first use. On the other hand, most plastics are used in long-term applications such as construction, appliances and home furnishings, for which efficient recycling is difficult.In general, thermoplastic materials can be recycled more readily than thermosets. Still, there are inherent limitations on the recycling of even these materials. First, a recyclable plastic may be contaminated by non plastics or by different polymers making up the original product. Even within a single polymer type, there are differences in molecular weight. For instance, a supplier of polystyrene may produce a material of high molecular weight for sheet-formed food trays, since that forming process favours a high melt viscosity and elasticity. At the same time, the supplier may offer a low-molecular-weight polystyrene for the injection molding of disposable dinnerware, since injection molding works best with a melt of low viscosity and very little elasticity. If the polymers from both types of product are mixed in a recycling operation, the mixed material will not be very suitable for either of the original applications.

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

Malnutrition among under-five children is a major public health problem in India. This is reflected by the fact that the prevalence of under-weight children in India is among the highest in the world and is nearly double that of Sub-Saharan Africa. It is also observed that the malnutrition problem in India is a concentrated phenomenon, that is, a relatively small number of states, districts and villages account for a large share of the malnutrition burden—only 5 states and 50% of villages account for about 80% of the malnutrition burden. Each year, approximately 2.3 million deaths among children aged 6-60 months in developing countries are associated with malnutrition, which is about 41% of the total deaths in this age group. A recent study, among children aged between 3 months and 3 years of age conducted in 130 districts through Demographic and Health Surveys in 53 countries over a period from 1986 to 2006 found that variance in mild under-weight has a larger and more robust correlation with child mortality than the variance in severe under-weight. The study concluded that the prevalence of mild under-weight deserves greater attention as a useful signal of changing public health conditions among preschool children in developing countries. Therefore, it is important for the health system to detect malnutrition at an early stage for planning and implementing timely interventions at the community level. The need of the hour is to examine the burden of under-nutrition and obesity, study its determining factors and assess the effectiveness of the various approaches to combat malnutrition among under-five children.

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

Aesthetic interests are little encouraged in our country. Art occupies only an insignificant place in our school curriculum. Nor are the prospects for employment bright for the students of arts. In advanced countries, on the other hand, artistic attainments find various vocational outlets such as the stage, film, radio, painting, cartoon drawing, fashion drawing, interior decoration, dress designing, carpet designing, pictorial publicity, poster art, sculpture, engraving, pottery and art photography. Children with aesthetic interests are discovered and every opportunity is offered for flowering of their talents. We have yet to realise the fact that children who take a genuine delight in music, painting, dancing and acting are an asset for the nation. There may not be scope for them all to become artists and musicians, but we can certainly see that they are not placed in employment where their artistic sensibility would be shocked and blunted by drab and ugly things.

Outdoor life and strenuous physical exertion are the constant delight of some people. They love all kinds of games and sports. Their vivacious interests will find a happy outlet only in vigorous and active occupations. It is indeed a wastage of human material to allow our finest sportsmen to languish in office or factory. They should be marked out from their youth for employment of an active type. The army, police, excise, customs, fire service, surveying, civil engineering, farming, estate management, forestry, fisheries etc. are their proper fields

We cannot change the past, but we can reshape the future. Young people have the opportunity to create a happier, better future. – Dalai Lama

People occasionally become fixated on the past. Once they start thinking about it, they hardly think about anything else. Such concentration is not conducive to a better future. It's comparable to trying to move forward in their vehicle while focusing just on the rear-view mirror.

These folks frequently ponder why accidents keep happening to them and why the universe detests them so much. Instead of moving forward as they pull away from their most recent accident, they take another look at it in the rear-view mirror. They must put the past behind them and focus on the future.

It was kind of ridiculous to use that example because most people are aware of the dangers of reckless driving. However, many people conduct their lives in such a manner. They'll continue to do this because they've done it in the past. It then turns into a self-fulfilling prophecy. They might have a different future if they could let go of the past.

You may change the future by having the belief that it can be different from the past. You will be stuck if you don't think you can change and assume things will stay the same in the future. After taking lessons from the past, let it go. If not, it will serve as an anchor, keeping you immobile. Keep doing what you're doing if your past is filled with wonderful experiences and you are pleased. Yes, experiment with new approaches to determine whether you can achieve your goals more or less effectively. Then, make the necessary changes. I assume that's how life works and how one improves at anything.

But if you're not content with the way things are going, I suggest you take a minute to reflect on your history before making a strategy to let it go. Your future is not governed by your past. It might affect it, but it is not under its control. Make different decisions if you desire a different future.

You have choices and options. Your future will be determined by these decisions, just as your past decisions have affected the past. Better decisions typically lead to better outcomes. You'll keep getting the same outcomes if you keep making the same decisions, therefore something may need to change. Learning from the mistakes of others is another strategy that might be beneficial. How did we older people mess everything up? What novel concepts are you eager to try? If it turns out that the elderly people didn't want to do it for a good reason, how can you take a little initial step so you can do it in a way that will cause the least amount of harm?

What actions have your parents, as well as other friends and family members take, that you would like to avoid taking yourself, even if all you are doing is managing your own life? What chances did they pass up that you want to be certain to try? What will you keep doing and what will you change?

Think back on your past experiences and knowledge. Based on what you know today, what advice would you give yourself? Do you already heed that counsel, or are you planning to make a mistake tomorrow? Learn, modify, try again, and so on. Life is inherently like that. Your decisions will either push you forward or take you backwards in time. It is much simpler to appreciate the value of learning from your mistakes and acting differently the next time when it is phrased that way, isn't it? I think I understand it very well, at least. It is what it is, the past. It cannot be changed. There's a chance we don't know everything, and new things are always being discovered. But you generally know what you did well in the recent past and what you should not have done or should have done differently.

It's never too late to build a better and brighter future for yourself and the people you care about passionately, even if you're not young. A choice today will determine the future. Take lessons from the past and move forward to change the course of your life.

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

On 14 June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a directive authorising the hiring of 10 lakh individuals in ‘mission mode’ during the ensuing 1.5 years in various government agencies and ministries. The government's hiring of 10 lakh people will not only help it reach its stated goals but also accelerate the process of creating an Atmanirbhar Bharat. The statement is a continuation of the PM Modi administration's efforts to maximise India's potential and turn it into a worldwide powerhouse.

The administration has tried to increase employment prospects in both the formal and informal sectors over the past eight years. To maximise the potential of the working population, programmes like MUDRA Yojana, Svanidhi Yojana, Garib Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyaan, and MGNREGA 2.0 have been implemented.

The government opted to address the long-standing demand for labour reforms even while employment possibilities have been generated on one side to maintain India's growth pace and efforts are being made on the other hand to ensure the growth is human-centric. Due to the fact that many States have implemented significant legislative and administrative changes in their own labour and industrial relations arenas, the topic of India's labour market reforms has gained fresh vigour and significance. Since it is commonly believed that India's labour regulatory framework has been inflexible and has impeded the growth of output, investment, and employment expansion, the goals of these reforms, as envisioned by PM Modi, have been to gradually deregulate the labour market.

Some of the legislative reforms carried out by a few States in recent years include raising the threshold of workers under the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947 from 100 to 300; increasing the number of workers under the Factories Act of 1948 from 10 to 20 (with power) and from 20 to 40 (without power); increasing the number of workers under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act of 1970 from 20 to 50, and introducing Fixed Term Employment (as is widely practised in many developed and emerging economies)

In a similar vein, some States have also implemented single-window clearance, self-certification of compliance by businesses, online filing for Registration and Returns, transparent inspection systems, etc. to reduce administrative restrictions and delays. The subject of labour reform initiatives has frequently been discussed, particularly legislative initiatives that support flexibility. The scholars who are in favour of the revisions claim that the current labour laws are complicated and onerous, and prevent businesses from successfully operating in a cutthroat commercial market.

The Economic Survey (2018-19), which examined the effects of Rajasthan's labour reforms, revealed higher growth rates for the number of factories employing more than 100 workers, the average number of workers per factory, total output and output per factory, total wages and wages per factory, and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the post-reform period compared to the pre-reform years. However, some people criticize the methodology, conclusions, and results of such research as well as the effectiveness of the labour reforms.

The deregulation of labour markets has had a positive impact on overall growth and employment, according to a recent study by the VV Giri National Labour Institute. The study, which was based on secondary household datasets from NSSO-EUS and PLFS and an annual enterprise survey from ASI, sought to understand the impact of labour reforms implemented by some States on economic and labour market parameters. The following are some of the major conclusions.

The traditional agricultural and allied sector has seen a shift in employment patterns to the more lucrative services sector, which includes construction. Along with increasing firm efficiency and competitiveness, this has important implications for raising the wages and income of the workforce through formalisation. In organised manufacturing, employment expanded by one million more during the pre-reform period (between 2010–11 and 2014–15) than it did during the post–reform period (between 2014–15 and 2017–18).

In the organised manufacturing sector, the typical plant size has grown over time. The rise in employment at plants with 300 or more employees between 2010–11 and 2017–18 exceeded the national average of 5.2% in various States, including Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. In all States, as of 2017–18, plants with 300 or more employees accounted for more than 50% of manufacturing employment. This shows that the businesses are working toward reaching economies of scale, which will increase the competitiveness of the businesses and products. Following the reforms, several States, like Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, attracted a sizable number of new businesses and several other states tried to find similar solutions like Meghalaya, Karnataka, and Arunachal Pradesh. Between 2004–05 and 2018–19, there were 8.6 million fewer self-employed people overall and 14.8 million fewer casual workers. The overall number of salaried employees earning regular wages increased by 50.3 million during the same time period.

The relevant rules have also been distributed to the States so they can carry out a similar procedure. The adoption of the labour laws and regulations could hasten India's ascent to the top of the list of the world's most powerful economies. It pledges to create a secure, safe, and supportive working environment for both new and seasoned Indian employees.

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

Economic democracy or stakeholder democracy is a socioeconomic philosophy that proposes to shift decision-making power from corporate managers and corporate shareholders to a larger group of public stakeholders that includes workers, customers, suppliers, neighbours and the broader public. No single definition or approach encompasses economic democracy, but most proponents claim that modern property relations externalise costs, subordinate the general well-being to private profit, and deny the polity a democratic voice in economic policy decisions. In addition to these moral concerns, economic democracy makes practical claims, such as that it can compensate for capitalism's inherent effective demand gap.

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

Transportation has increased each person’s mobility. Initially, one could walk about 20 miles a day; using a horse or bicycle would double or triple this range. Today, one can travel halfway around the world in a day. Through increased mobility, one’s range of acquaintances can be worldwide. Business and professional interactions also can be on a worldwide basis. With such wide-scale travel opportunities, business and culture will never be the same. Transportation has increased employment opportunities, because one can travel to reach more potential jobs or a sales or professional person can cover a wider territory. In sparsely settled areas, for example, veterinarians and physicians make calls using small aircrafts. Transportation activities also provide employment opportunities: working for carriers and shippers, constructing vehicles and roadways, and working in government agencies involved with transportation. However, as transportation facilities and opportunities increase, there are some groups left behind. The poor, the feeble, the elderly and the disabled are in danger of being bypassed because they lack equal access to transportation systems. In many locations, automobile ownership and use is virtually a requirement. Society is uncertain as to what responsibilities it has for transportation systems that can be used by those without automobiles. Another negative impact relates to injuries and deaths caused by transportation. While airline crashes receive the most publicity, highway accidents cause a tremendous number of fatalities and injuries. Fortunately, the number is decreasing owing to considerable improvement in auto safety. This includes safer roads, lower speed limits, use of seat belts, and stricter enforcement of laws against driving while intoxicated. Automobiles feature improved and often government required safety equipment

Comprehension: Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

The fall of the Roman Empire was the first step of Monasteries in the third century. A young man named Saint Anthony led and taught the teachings of Christ in Western Europe. Saint Anthony led a worldly routine to follow Christ's life as fully as possible. The concepts of Monachism include the removal from society to focus on God. "It is a religion in which one renounces worldly pursuits to devote oneself fully to spiritual work".

Monachism can be found in numerous religious systems including Braham , Buddhist, Jewish, Christian and many more. “Monasteries in the medieval society encouraged literacy, promoted learning, and preserved classical ancient literature”. It helped shaped society by providing religious institutions, economic centres, and educational places, and facilitated play in social roles. Monastic orders will also be further explained. Soon after Christianity became legal around (300 CE), was when monasticism became a new spiritual movement. “Early monks lived as hermits; a loner who practised self-degradation”. Some monks would graze in fields others would restrain themselves to small cages or would even place heavy weights around their necks. All showing their devotion to God. People were stating that their bodies were not belonged to the state but to God . The Roman Empire was a big deal due to people owing themselves to the Empire. Virginity for men and women was considered the highest spiritual standard. Sustaining sexual relations until marriage was also seen as a high standard and those were praised.

Monks were to study the bible for their daily prayer rounds and be in a life of worship. People could join and pray, contemplate and solitude to absolve sins. “Some monastic churches were meant only for the residents, but others had accommodations for visiting pilgrims or lay worshippers”.“Communal prayer was eight times a day which was called the divine office or Opus Dei (work of God). The Divine Office was inspired by the Old Covenant. Practices depended on the individual monastery. The division given by St. Benedict in his ruling, with prayer hours of Lauds (Morning Prayer) offered at sunrise, Prime (1st hour of the day), Terce (3rd hour, or Mid-morning), Sext (6th hour or Midday). None (9th hour or Mid-Afternoon), Vespers (Evening Prayer) offered at sunset, and Compline (Night Prayer) before going to bed”. Not every monk was integrating this routine into their schedule, but this can be seen throughout monasteries. Monasteries were a sight for economic exchange. The Rule of St. Benedict is the guideline for religious communities. The Benedict idea was then exploited in patronage and wealth by the 11thCentury there was an uprise of the people within towns (around the monastery). Meaning more land being taken over and more money circulating in the air. Many monasteries were located on important trade routes, that attracted craftsmen. There was a growth in markets and trade. Monks were known for their skills in various trades. Some monks owned farms and animals. They would grow their food for either community consumption or trade. Many monasteries were often built in the deep wilderness, so they would have room for expansion. It was also seen that people would donate chunks of land to their favourite monastery, which would only benefit them in the end. As more people settled in the monasteries there seemed to be more ‘sin’. There was a competition for scarce resources, which people started getting greedy.“A group of Christians known as ‘Cistercians’ formed; in search of monasteries not trembling because of wealth. These new monasteries were built in areas that were secluded. They showed no sign of wealth. “The Cistercians had committed themselves to be self-sufficient and thus ran agricultural businesses and workshops in which raw materials were processed and craftsmen made their products”. They hired ‘lay brothers’ who oversaw the monasteries commercial business.

“Ancient education spread to the developing centres of monastic education throughout Western Europe”. A book called, Education and Culture in the Barbarian West by Pierre Riche, brought to light the role of women as educators, which was a huge step for women at this time, since previously they were forbidden to do such an act. Also, Riche notes the use of song in the education in monasteries. Children were exposed to liturgical training. “That training included children becoming aware of the hierarchy, and discipline and ritual patterns of the monastery”. Verbal and physical imitation was seen across medieval society. Monastic teachers highly used physical discipline, which helped the instruction of material. In the Roman East, a new way of thinking called the Basil of Caesarea helped the education of Monks. It encouraged useful work and silent meditation and discouraged prolonged fasts. Monasteries were also known for their massive libraries.“Libraries housed the breviary, texts for the Divine Office, to missals, gospels, antiphonaries, and graduals for the choir, was standard in monastic libraries, as were the books of the Bible and theological works by Saint Augustine, Gregory the Great, and other patristic writers”. A man by the name of Cassiodorus believed the study of classical literature was essential to better understand the bible. He also encouraged the copy of books to make sure Monks had access to any readings. A lot of Greek and Latin texts are around now because they were copied in monasteries. “Cassiodorus steer monasteries in housing a collection, preservation, and transmission of knowledge”.

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

It has been the tradition of our country that man is not measured merely in terms of money, and this is particularly true of scholars who impart education to others. In ancient times, a student used to live with his teacher or the Acharya and, just like the latter's own children, became a member of the family.

The Guru had to bear the entire burden of maintaining the pupil and in lieu of fees, the pupil would gather wood from the forests or take the cows for grazing. Till comparatively recent times, it used to be considered improper to charge any fees for imparting education. But times have now changed.

India cannot keep herself isolated from the rest of the world. Not only cotton, wheat, and maize but everything else of value is measured in terms of money. We should neither feel surprised nor should we blame anyone of those who have adopted the educational profession as a career, also measure their worth in terms of money.

Such a development was inevitable, for, when social recognition is based on money, teachers could not but fail to come under its influence. Teachers have, therefore, begun to make demands for more money. Previously, the students used to discharge their obligations towards their teacher by serving him while they were his students and later, when they had completed their education and entered family life, by imparting education to others.

Passage (Q96 – Q100) Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

In my most frustrated moments of navigating chaotic traffic, I close my eyes in the back seat and imagine what it would be like if some day just a thought would transport me from one place to another.

At times, sitting relaxed on my terrace, I wonder if some day, just with the power of my thoughts would I be able to create the image of the most vivid blue ocean and a sandy beach in front of me? Then having had enough of that, could my thoughts switch the scene to that of snowy mountain peaks?

Just thinking of these seemingly impossible things gives me a sense of well-being, because I do believe that if you can think it, you can will it and achieve it. If it occurs as a thought, it is possible to fructify as reality. After all, everything big started with a thought. Looking at birds flying freely in the sky, humans must have thought of the possibility of flying centuries before the invention of aeroplanes. The tallest skyscraper, the longest bridge across the ocean, the fastest train, the internet, cell phones – all are the end result of one thought.

As technology advances and we become more confident in our abilities to transform thoughts to reality, the gap between the ideas and implementation keeps shrinking. Today, one of the biggest thrills of living is watching impossible-seeming thoughts turn to reality within one’s lifetime!

None of the big achievements or discoveries in life happened by thinking small. To achieve big stuff, you have to think big. The most pleasurable moments can be spent imagining what seems to be the impossible. Believe in yourself and your thoughts. Think beyond the realms of possibility and then aim to get there. Once there, think much beyond that possibility too. And then get going once again.

Judicial time is precious and ought to be employed in the most efficient manner possible. Sham litigations are one such menace that not only waste the time of the courts, but also cause unwarranted prejudice and harm to parties arrayed as defendants (accused party) in such litigations (parties involved in the lawsuit), thereby defeating justice. In order to deal with such a menace, the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (“CPC”), under Order VII Rule 11[1] (“O7 R 11”) provides defendants the option to pursue an independent and special remedy, empowering courts to summarily dismiss a suit at the threshold, without proceeding to record evidence, and conducting trial, on the basis of the evidence adduced, if it is satisfied that the action should be terminated on any grounds contained in this provision.

Recently, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India (“SC”) in the case of Dahiben v. Arvindbhai Kalyanji Bhanusali[2] (“Case”), while dealing with an appeal against an order allowing rejection of a suit at the threshold, had occasion to consider various precedents, discussing the intent and purpose of O7 R11, while setting out the principles in relation to the same. Through this judgment, the SC has emphasised that judicial time is precious, and that courts are duty bound to reject vexatious plaints to avoid wastage of judicial time. It has clarified that the power of the courts under O7 R 11 are mandatory in nature and may be exercised at any stage of the suit, either before registering the plaint, or after issuing summons to the defendant, or before conclusion of the trial. However, it has also clarified that the power conferred under O 7 R 11 is a drastic one and that the requirements enumerated therein should be strictly adhered to. In this case, the SC upheld the orders of the lower courts, rejecting the plaint at the threshold since it found that the institution of the Suit by the Plaintiff was clearly an abuse of the process of the court and was bereft of any merit.

Litigants may pursue the option of seeking rejection of a plaint at the threshold, if the suit fails to disclose a valid cause of action; or is barred by any law; or if the reliefs prayed for therein are defective and un-remediable, in line with the provisions of O7 R 11. However, litigants (the person against whom the case is filed’) ought to be mindful that in exercising such a power, the court cannot go into the merits of the case and has to make its determination only from a scrutiny of the averments made out in the plaint, which is presumed to be true. Additionally, the courts are also required to exercise this power with restraint. Plaints providing a prima facie cause of action are not to be simply rejected at the threshold. The decision of using the option provided under 07 R 11 should therefore be taken with due consideration of the facts and circumstances.

Read the passage carefully and choose the appropriate option of the given questions.

Availability, accessibility and affordability of food to all people at all times means food security. It is as essential for living as air for breathing. It is ensured if all the citizens of nation have enough nutritious food available which is directly linked to the production of food within the country, food imports and the previous years stock in government granaries, all persons have the capacity to buy food of acceptable quality to meet their dietary needs and there is no barrier on access to food. On the other hand, food security can be disrupted when the country faces a national disaster/calamity like earthquake, drought, flood, tsunami, widespread failure of crops causing famine etc. In this condition, the people living below the poverty line as well as the people above the poverty line suffers food insecurity. In India, although a large section of people suffer from food and nutrition insecurity but the worst affected groups are landless or land poor households in rural areas and people employed in ill paid occupations and casual laborers engaged in seasonal activities in the urban areas. Economically backward states with low land production, tribal and remote areas, regions affected with natural disasters are more prone to food insecurity. Starvation and food insecurity continues to haunt the poor in our country.

The Green Revolution has made India a self-sufficient in food grains during the last 30 years because of a variety of crops grown all over the country. To ensure availability of food to all sections of societies, the Indian Government has carefully designed food security system. Buffer stock and public distribution system are the two components of this system. In these two systems Food Corporation of India (FCI) plays a pivotal role in purchasing food grains mainly wheat and rice from the farmers and stock them as a buffer stock which are then procured by the government and distributed through government regulated ration shops among the poorer section of the society. This is called Public Distribution System. Items in the ration shops are sold at a lower price than the market price. In addition to these, various poverty alleviation programs were also started which ensures the food security.

The Hindi film song has been part of our existence, seemingly forever. But you can actually put a date to it: 85 years ago, in 1935, the first playback song was recorded, for Nitin Bose's Dhoop Chhaon, by music directors RC Boral and Pankaj Mullick.

Before that, actors sang their own songs, on the set. Playback singing took time to settle in, but 1947 was something of a turning point. India's most famous singing star KL Saigal died early that year, and the reigning female singing star Noorjehan went to the newly carved-out Pakistan, leaving behind a huge void. That void was filled by two singers who went on to become playback legends: Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi.

Playback singers acquired independent fame and fandom with the film Mahal in 1949. Lata was not mentioned on the music record as the singer of Aayega Aanewala; the song was credited instead to Kamini, the character played by Madhubala. Fans demanded to know the name of the actual singer, whilst Lata lobbied too. The 'mistake' was rectified in the next batch of records. Thereafter, crediting playback singers became the norm. The appearance of playback singers' names on recordings was in fact "the pivotal point when playback singing was fully accepted by Indian audiences".

The foundations of playback singing were laid in these years; the late '40s and early '50s would birth what is generally regarded as the Golden Age of Hindi film music.

Alongside Lata and Rafi, other revered singers came into their own in these years: Mukesh, Talat Mahmood, Geeta Dutt (Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle would find their own huge stardom later). And the lyrics were by extraordinary poets like Shakeel Badayuni and Shailendra.

Playback singing meant songs were recorded in separate venues, usually in advance, and released before the film, in order to promote it — a practice that continues till today. Playback technology separated the production of the music from that of the films, and gave the Hindi film song a powerful and independent existence.

In many countries the legal systems are very complex. This is because they have been developed over very long times. Every time that a new case is decided it can have an affect on future cases. This means that the people who work in legal situations have to be clever. They have to know and understand all the rules and precedents. A precedent is when a previous decision will have an effect on future cases as it was related to an important point.

There are many people who work with the law, such as solicitors or judges. A solicitor is a lawyer who spends most of their time advising their clients and preparing legal documents, such as wills or contracts for buying and selling houses. They need to be very careful and make sure that all the details are correct, otherwise their clients might lose a lot of money.

A barrister is a type of lawyer who works in court rooms. They will either work for the prosecution or defence sides. If they are a prosecution lawyer, they are trying to prove that the defendant (the person on trial) committed a crime. They have to present evidence to show that the defendant is guilty. If they are a defence lawyer then they work for the defendant and have to show that the evidence presented is not enough to prove that their client is guilty and he should be judged to be not guilty.

Then there are judges and magistrates. A magistrate will hear trials about less serious crimes, while a judge's will be about more serious crimes. These are the people who have to decide what punishment will be given to someone who is guilty. The punishments could range from a small fine up to a long prison sentence, and even a death sentence in some countries. The trial happens in the judge's courtroom, so the judge is responsible for making sure the trial is run fairly and follows the law.

If a lawyer believes that a trial was not fair or there was a mistake in the law, they can ask for a new trial that will generally be heard by an appeal court where an appeal judge will be in charge. Often appeal judges will be the most experienced judges in a country, so they know a lot about the law and how to apply it.

Read the passage carefully and choose the appropriate option of the given questions.

Economists, ethicists and business sages persuade us that honesty is the best policy, but their evidence is weak. We hoped to find data that would support their theories and thus, perhaps encourage higher standards of business behavior. To our surprise, our pet theories failed to stand up. Treachery, we found, can pay. There is no compelling economic reason to tell truth or keep one's word punishment for the treacherous in the real world is neither swift nor sure. Honesty is, in fact, primarily a moral choice. Business people do tell themselves that, in the long run, they will do well by doing good. But there is little factual or logical basis for this conviction. Without values, without a basic preference for right over wrong, trust based on such temptation. Most of us choose virtue because we want to believe in ourselves and have others' respect and belief in us. And for this, we should be happy. We can be proud of a system in which people are honest because they want to be, not because they have to be. Materially, too, trust based on morality provides great advantages. It allows us to join in great and exciting enterprises that we could never undertake if we relied on economic incentives alone.

Economists tell us that trust is enforced in the market place through retaliation of reputation. If you violate a trust your victim is apt to seek revenge and others are likely to stop doing business with you, at least under favorable terms. A man or woman with a reputation for fair dealing will prosper. Therefore, profit maximisers are honest. This sounds plausible enough until you look for concrete examples. Cases that apparently demonstrate the advantageous consequences of fostering or having trust turn out to be few and weak, while evidence that treachery can pay is compelling.

Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was a pioneering figure in India's social reform and public health sectors. In 1947, she became India's first female Cabinet minister, serving as Health Minister until 1957. She co-founded the All India Women's Conference and the Indian Red Cross. Actively involved in the independence movement, she participated in the Salt Campaign and the Quit India Movement, facing arrest and imprisonment. Her most notable achievement was founding the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Kaur also initiated a policy mandating medical students to intern in villages.

Rabindranath Tagore, while not a formal philosopher, articulated a profound and unique worldview that permeated his literary and intellectual contributions. His perspective, a spiritual humanism, intricately weaved together classical Indian philosophical concepts with Western thought, resulting in a distinctive synthesis. Central to Tagore's philosophy was the belief in humanity's potential for self-realisation. He posited that individuals could attain freedom and fulfillment through the cultivation of love, the pursuit of knowledge and the achievement of genuine liberty. This journey, he argued, necessitated a transcendence of the limited self, a connection with the universal Being. Tagore envisioned a path where individuals, by bridging the gap between their personal existence and the broader cosmic reality, could unlock their inherent capabilities. He emphasised the importance of fostering a harmonious relationship between the individual and the universal, believing that this connection was the key to unlocking true human potential. This philosophy, deeply rooted in both Eastern and Western intellectual traditions, reflected Tagore's original and complex understanding of human existence and its place in the universe.

Sarojini Naidu earned the title 'Nightingale of India' not just for her poetic talent, but also for lending her voice to the voiceless. At a time when women were expected to remain silent in public affairs, she stood boldly on political platforms and addressed thousands. Her speeches were filled with compassion, clarity, and conviction. She believed that real freedom could not be achieved without empowering the marginalised—especially women and minorities. As the first Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress and later the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, she broke barriers that had stood for centuries. Her activism was always rooted in peace and nonviolence, drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi. She taught that dignity, not dominance, should guide leadership. Sarojini's life was a lesson in using both words and actions to fight injustice. Her courage inspired countless others to rise, speak, and serve—not just for independence, but for equality and human dignity.

Durgabai Deshmukh's dedication to social service and women's empowerment led to the creation of the Andhra Mahila Sabha, a voluntary organisation that played a crucial role in improving the lives of women in India. Inspired by her experiences with marginalised and destitute women, she believed that women could only achieve true independence with access to education, legal support and social services. The Sabha began as a small initiative but quickly grew into a major institution. One of her earliest efforts was launching an adult literacy programme to help widowed and abandoned women complete their high school education and regain their confidence. She also worked to provide legal aid to women who could not afford representation and advocated for their rights in public forums. Under her leadership, the Sabha addressed a wide range of issues including healthcare, disability support, rehabilitation and vocational training. Durgabai remained deeply involved with the organisation, guiding its vision and expansion. Through her tireless commitment, she not only transformed countless lives but also laid the foundation for future social work in India. Her work with the Andhra Mahila Sabha earned her the title 'mother of social work', a recognition of her enduring impact on the nation's social landscape.

Sarojini Naidu was more than a poet and freedom fighter—she was a passionate advocate for unity in a deeply divided society. During the struggle for independence, India was fragmented along lines of caste, religion, gender and language. Sarojini believed that true independence could only be achieved if the people stood together as one nation. She frequently addressed gatherings where she encouraged Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians to rise above communal boundaries and work for a shared future. As a gifted orator, she used her eloquence to spread messages of tolerance and national harmony. Her poetry, too, reflected India's cultural richness and diversity. Sarojini strongly opposed any form of discrimination, believing that India's strength lay in its pluralism. She showed by example that patriotism was not just about opposing colonial rule, but also about embracing fellow citizens with compassion and equality. Her efforts helped lay the foundation for a more inclusive and united India.

In South Africa, Gandhiji set up an ashram at Phoenix, where he started a school for children. Gandhiji had his own ideas about how children should be taught. He disliked the examination system. In his school, he wanted to teach the boys true knowledge—knowledge that would improve both their minds and their hearts. Gandhiji had his own way of judging students. All the students in the class were asked the same question. But often Gandhiji praised the boy with low marks and scolded the one who had high marks. This puzzled the children. When questioned on this unusual practice, Gandhiji one day explained, "I am not trying to show that Shyam is cleverer than Ram. So, I don't give marks on that basis. I want to see how far each boy has progressed; how much he has learnt. If a clever student competes with a stupid one and begins to think no end of himself, he is likely to grow dull. Sure of his own cleverness, he'll stop working. The boy who does his best and works hard will always do well and so I praise him."

For four days, I walked through the narrow lanes of the old city, enjoying the romance of being in a city where history still lives - in its cobblestone streets and its people riding asses, carrying vine leaves and palm as they once did during the time of Christ. This is Jerusalem, home to the sacred sites of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. This is the place that houses the church of the Holy Sepulcher, the place where Jesus was finally laid to rest. This is also the site of Christ's crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

Built by the Roman Emperor Constantine at the site of an earlier temple to Aphrodite, it is the most venerated Christian shrine in the world. And justifiably so. Here, within the church, are the last five stations of the cross, the 10th station where Jesus was stripped of his clothes, the 11th where he was nailed to the cross, the 12th where he died on the cross, the 13th where the body was removed from the cross, and the 14th, his tomb.

For all this weighty tradition, the approach and entrance to the church is non-devout Christian pilgrims walking, along the Via-Dolorosa - The Way of Sorrow - the first nine stations looking clueless. Then a courtyard appears, hemmed in by other buildings and a way doorway to one side. This leads to a vast area of huge stone architectures.

Immediately inside the entrance is your first stop. It's the stone anointing: this is the place, according to Greek tradition, where Christ was removed from the cross. The Roman Catholics, however, believe it to be the spot where Jesus' body was prepared for burial by Joseph.

What happened next? Jesus was buried. He was taken to a place outside the city of Jerusalem where other graves existed and there, he was buried in a cave. However, all that is long gone, destroyed by continued attacks and rebuilding; what remain is the massive - and impressive - Rotunda (a round building with a dome) that Emperor Constantine built. Under this, and right in the centre of the Rotunda, is the structure that contains the Holy Sepulcher.

At the start of the first century, the place was a disused quarry outside the city walls. According to the gospels, Jesus' crucifixion occurred at a place outside the city walls with graves nearby...'. Archaeologists have discovered tombs from that era, so the site is compatible with the biblical period. The structure at the site is a marble tomb built over the original burial chamber. It has two rooms, and you enter four at a time into the first of these, the Chapel of the Angel. Here the angel is supposed to have sat on a stone to recount Christ's resurrection. A low door made of white marble, partly worn away by pilgrims' hands, leads to a smaller chamber inside. This is the 'room of the tomb', the place where Jesus was buried. We entered in single file. On my right was a large marble slab that covered the original rock bench on which the body of Jesus was laid.

Super-30 is a philanthropic mission for the upliftment of talented students from underprivileged community and the moving sprit behind the initiative is Anand Kumar, a mathematician. He has, through his initiative, ushered in a silent reawakening in Bihar, having produced IITians out of the students from the underprivileged sections of the society. In less than seven years, 187 students - right from the son of a sweeper, rickshaw-puller and landless laborer to the progeny of a security guard or green-grocer - have made it to India's prime institutions. The initiative was named Super-30 because it started with a short-listing of 30 poor but talented students. All of them were super in talent, says Anand. Initially, making arrangement for 30 students was not an easy job, but Anand's family extended all help in his endeavor.

Anand generated finances by tutoring students of other schools while his mother, Jayanti Devi, cooked food for the students. For the students, there was only one goal - to study hard. What followed was rigorous training of the students and the results came as a big surprise in the very first year.

It motivated Anand to put in more efforts along with his team of dedicated teachers. In the last seven years, 182 students have made it to different IITs in the country.

In 2003, when Super-30 started its journey, 18 out of 30 students has cracked JEE. The very next year, the number jumped to 22. In 2005, it improved further to 26. Continuing the trend, 28 students made it in 2006 and 2007. The magic moment came in 2008 when the result was an astonishing 30 out of 30. Super-30 had hit the bull's eye. It was a dream comes true for Anand and his team. Super-30 had done it again in 2009. It had been 30 out of 30 for the second year in succession. Anand says that the thrust would be on developing inquisitiveness - so very important for science and mathematics education. From 2010 onwards, he has decided to increase the intake from the existing 30 to 60 students. Poor students from other states would also get an opportunity to be a part of the program.

The genesis of Super-30 has a lot to do with the hardship that Anand had to face when he was still a student. After the demise of his father, a postal employee, he got the offer for a clerical job on compassionate grounds, but he refused it. He wanted to continue his studies but faced heavy odds. Later, his mother started making papads, called 'Anand papads', and other home-made products, which Anand sold from house to house. As days rolled by, some started calling him papadwala ladka. But, for Anand, it was just a passing phase. He worked hard to make a living and in his spare time, studied mathematics. The struggle gave him an opportunity to feel the pains of likes of him. It was an urge from within that led to the birth of 'Ramanujan School of Mathematics and Super-30'.

Years ago, when I was a young Assistant Professor at the Harvard Business school, I thought the role of business schools was to develop future managers who knew all about the various functions of business, to teach them how to define problems succinctly, analyse these problems and identify alternatives in a clear, logical fashion and finally, to teach them to make an intelligent decision. My thinking gradually became tempered by living and working outside the United States and by serving seven years as a college president. During my presidency of Babson College, I added several additional traits or skills that I felt a good manager must process.

One must have the ability to express oneself in a clear articulate fashion. Good oral and written communication skills are absolutely essential, if one is to be an effective manager. One must possess that intangible set of qualities called leadership skills. To be a good leader, one must understand and be sensitive to people and be able to inspire them towards the achievement of a common goal. Effective managers must be broad-minded human beings who not only understand the world of business but also have a sense of the culture, social, political, historical and (particularly today) the international aspects of life and society. This suggests that exposure to the liberal arts and humanities should be a part of every manager's education.

A good manager in today's world must have courage and a strong sense of integrity. He or she must know where to draw the line between the right and the wrong. That can be agonisingly difficult. Drawing the line in a corporate setting sometimes involves having to make a choice between what appears to be conflicting 'rights'. For example, if one is faced with a decision about whether or not to close an ailing factory, whose interests should prevail? Those of stock holders? Of employees? Of customers? Or those of the community in which the factory is located? It's a tough choice. And the typical manager faces many other.

But now I have left behind the cap and gown of a college president and put on the hat of chief executive officer. As a result of my experience as a corporate CEO, my list of desirable managerial traits has become still longer.

It now seems to me that what matters most in the majority of organisations is to have reasonably intelligent, hardworking managers who have a sense of pride and loyalty towards their organisation; who can get to the root of a problem and are inclined towards action; who are decent human beings with a natural empathy and concern for people; who possess humour, humility and common-sense; and who are able to drive it with a stick-to-it attitude and patience in the accomplishment of a goal.

It is the ability to make positive things happen, that most distinguishes the successful manager from the mediocre or unsuccessful one. It is far better to have dependable managers who can make the right things happen in timely fashion than to have brilliant and highly educated ones who can do excellent planning but not implementing.