UPSC Ethics Simplified draws your attention to a topic of greed and desire in the form of a caselet. This caselet is an extension of the concept discussed on December 31 (Two values to remain intact in 2024). It is advised to revisit the concept article before reading the caselet below.

Relevance: The topic is a part of UPSC CSE General Studies Paper-IV Ethics syllabus. Concepts are particularly relevant in the theory section. Aspirants will also find the article useful for their Essay paper and situation-based questions in personality tests. Moreover, the essence of the article will help aspirants in their professional lives or in life in general. Nanditesh Nilay writes for UPSC Ethics Simplified fortnightly on Sundays. The first article will be a concept while the second article will be a caselet based on the concept.

He was looking upset as the principal had called him to the school. He knew it was because of his son’s habits. Bodhi was neither studying properly, nor behaving well. All of a sudden he saw his wife sobbing and willing to accompany him. She was worried for her husband as well as for her son. She whispered something, to which her husband angrily replied, “Every time you keep on reminding me that he is a kid. But do kids not study? We are poor people. And you too remember this. You already know well that it has been very difficult to convince the school of his admission. And what is he doing? He never opens the books. In school, his only motivation is his friends and useless activities. Earlier the principal had never called me. I am sure today will be the last day for our son in school. Now return home and wait for us.”

He found his son sitting in the principal’s room along with other teachers. The principal said, “We have called you due to your son Bodhi only. Does he read books at home?” the principal inquired. He replied, “Sir, I have borrowed one book for him. But his interest is not in studies. He only plays and keeps on running here and there. Therefore there was no use in arranging all the books for him, but now I will do it.” But one of the teacher quickly said, “Don’t worry. The school will arrange all books and copies for him.”

Later the principal asked, “Bodhi, will you study regularly?” Bodhi replied, “Hato Va Prapsyasi Swargam, Jitva Wa Bhokshyase Mahim, Tasmaat Uttishtha Kaunteya, Yudhaya Kriti Nishchayah.— If you fight, you will be killed in the battle, and reach heaven, or you will be victorious and will enjoy the kingdom on earth. So the son of Kunti!, arise with determination to fight.”

Bodhi continued, “Sir! If I study and don’t qualify, I will still gain knowledge. If I become successful, the rest of my life will be happy. My father or mother will not be a poor person anymore. I want to make them proud. I play all day but the smell of a book attracts me. More than any meal I am hungry for books, sir. I am the son of great parents and I can assure you that Bodhi will rise with determination to read and succeed.”

Governance is not only resource mobilisation but paying a lot of attention to talent grooming too. It’s all about giving opportunities to those who struggle to find an ear in any kind of social evolution.

Bodhi also reminds us that determination to do anything in life comes from within, as values and ethics which are intrinsic spirits. A lot of times, nearest and dearest can not read or feel that spark of spirit. In the context of India, or any developing nation, an ethical lens is highly important in any kind of decision making because poverty with its giant paw can easily eclipse a talent.

The above case also expects the aspirants to read those fillers which are carrying values of determination, vision, and commitment irrespective of circumstances.

Q:1. In your opinion what is the central message of this case?

Q:2 If you had been the school principal what extra you would have done?

Q:3 Why was Bodhi so determined in his expression?

Edited by Manas Srivastava

(The writer is the author of ‘Being Good and Aaiye, Insaan Banaen’. He teaches courses on and offers training in ethics, values and behaviour. He has been the expert/consultant to UPSC, SAARC countries, Civil services Academy, National Centre for Good Governance, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Competition Commission of India (CCI), etc. He has PhD in two disciplines and has been a Doctoral Fellow in Gandhian Studies from ICSSR. His second PhD is from IIT Delhi on Ethical Decision Making among Indian Bureaucrats. He writes for the UPSC Ethics Simplified (Concepts and Caselets) fortnightly.)

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