13 March 2023

Table of Contents

This Quote Means: ‘… agitation is incomplete without the strength of women’

GS-4: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.

In light of the observance of International Women's Day on March 8, which aims to promote gender equality, we examine a quote attributed to Dr. BR Ambedkar, the founding father of India's constitution, that speaks to the empowerment of women. Dr. Ambedkar's advocacy for the upliftment of women is noteworthy, given his reputation as a champion for the Dalits and Bahujan communities in India. Despite being a political leader, academic, and the first Law Minister of independent India, he recognized that the progress of women in all spheres of life is crucial for the well-being of society as a whole.

Ambedkar's Slogan: Educate, Agitate, Organize

• The quote pertains to significant aspects of Ambedkar's beliefs and their relationship to women's role.
• Ambedkar is commonly associated with the slogan "Educate, agitate, organise," which originated from a speech he gave at the All India Depressed Classes Conference in Nagpur in July 1942.

• In this address, he emphasized that their battle was not for wealth or power but for freedom, particularly in reclaiming human personality that had been suppressed and mutilated by the Hindu Social System.  
• Ambedkar encouraged the audience to educate themselves, agitate for their rights, and organize as a collective to advocate for their cause.

• This approach was seen as a step-by-step method for marginalized groups, such as Dalits and other backward classes and castes, to gain power and influence. 
• Education would provide knowledge, which would allow individuals to organize collectively and push for relevant causes.

The Importance of Unity, Women's Education, and Agitation in Achieving Social Change

• Unity is an aspirational ideal for Ambedkar, who believed that caste and religion were barriers to achieving it. He equated fraternity with democracy and argued that hierarchies in society, such as caste, prevent unity.

• The role of women in achieving unity is emphasized, suggesting that the exclusion of women in society cannot lead to solidarity and togetherness.

• Education of women is crucial for achieving unity, as women have historically had limited access to education in India. Educated mothers can also help nurture educated, healthy children.

• Pratham's Annual Status of Education Report found that a mother's education often determines the type of pre-schooling or schooling that a child receives in rural areas of India.

• Agitation, referring to people-led movements and protests, is seen as incomplete without the involvement of women. Women have been part of important protests throughout history, such as the Chipko movement in India and the women's movement in Iran.

• Women-led protests in the 19^th Century, such as those by the Nadar caste in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, played an important role in advancing not only women's rights but also the rights of other marginalized groups to protest against unequal laws.

Ambedkar's Contributions to Women's Rights

• Ambedkar's contributions to women's rights went beyond his writings and involved giving them opportunities while considering their needs.
• The Hindu Code Bill, which was Ambedkar's major policy contribution apart from the Constitution, aimed to revolutionize the Hindu domestic sphere by offering women the right to marry across caste boundaries, the right to divorce, and the right to inherit property.
• Although Ambedkar resigned when orthodox religious groups stalled the Bill, it became the law in a "diluted" form, such as the Hindu Marriage Act and Hindu Succession Act.
• Ambedkar recognized the importance of including women workers in the Workmen's Compensation Act, stating that it was in the nation's interest to provide mothers with rest during the prenatal period and afterward.

[Ref- IE]

What is hustle culture, and how can it affect you?

GS-1: Effects of globalization on Indian society.

Debate over "Hustle Culture" ignites on social media as individuals argue about the benefits and drawbacks of working long hours.

While some individuals, like Hardik Pandya, believe in glorifying hard work and the idea of "hustling" to achieve professional success, others, like social media influencer Kusha Kapila, argue that overworking can lead to burnout and a lack of work-life balance.

Entrepreneurship and start-up culture have embraced "hustle culture," but research has shown that overwork can lead to physical and mental health issues, and some argue that it is a ploy by corporations to increase profits without providing fair compensation and benefits to employees.

What is hustle culture?

• The word hustle originated from the Dutch word “husselen”, meaning "to shake or toss," and over time, it took on various meanings related to hard work and obtaining something through energetic activity or deception.
• Hustle started to be associated with hard work in the late 19^th and early 20^th century, with the term being used to connect blackness with laziness and blaming African Americans for not knowing how to hustle.
• However, over time, the term was absorbed into African American culture, particularly in the world of rap music, where it was used to promote resilience and self-empowerment.
• Corporations later appropriated the term and stripped it of its association with blackness, turning it into a mantra for increasing productivity and achieving professional success.
• One of the early adopters of hustle culture was entrepreneur and CEO Gary Vaynerchuk, who promoted the idea of working constantly and striving for success.
• Social media became inundated with posts promoting hustle culture, with hashtags like #ThankGodIt’sMonday and #riseandgrind becoming popular. People like Elon Musk and Indra Nooyi have boasted about working long hours to achieve their goals.
• However, many now see hustle culture as “performative workaholism”, and opinions on it have become increasingly divided.

Impact of hustle culture

• Modern-day hustle culture promotes the myth of meritocracy, suggesting that success and power can be achieved by anyone regardless of their social origins. However, this ignores the fact that for many people, hustling isn't even a choice.

• The NPR report highlights the significant difference between staying late at the office to score a promotion and peeing in a bottle to keep your job at an Amazon warehouse.

• Studies have shown that hustle culture is not sustainable and poses severe health risks for individuals. For instance, a study by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization revealed that each year, over 750,000 people die from ischaemic heart disease and stroke due to working long hours (55 hours or more per week).
• The Deloitte study found that 77% of full-time US professionals have experienced burnout at work, and 42% have left their jobs because of it.

• Experts and health professionals emphasize the need for a healthy work-life balance, stating that are rest and relaxation vital for both physical and mental well-being.

• The coronavirus pandemic has led people to re-evaluate their relationship with work.

• According to a, LinkedIn survey, 50% of respondents said that flexible hours or location and 45% said work-life balance had become more important to them since the pandemic.
• The pandemic has highlighted the importance of health, family, relationships and has disrupted the routines and systems that were keeping people on the treadmill.

[Ref- IE] 

Fact File