Article Writing

5 marks [120-150 words]

 Mark Scheme

Format – Title, writer’s name 1 mark

Content 2 marks
Expression – Coherence and relevance
Grammatical accuracy,
appropriate words and
spellings 2 marks
 Heading — Byline

Introduction (Paragraph 1)
 Tells us what the article is all about
 Should arouse interest
Body (Paragraph 2 and 3)
 Supporting details arranged logically and
sequentially, Summing up
 Consolidation of ideas
 Corruption: Weakening the Roots of the Country
—by Subhash Dey

The World Bank defines ‘corruption’ as —“The use of

public office for private profit.” Corruption has emerged
globally a sensitive issue. Bribery, extortion, embezzlement,
tax evasion, black money, etc. have become quite common.
The level of corruption has increased substantially in
India, where police reaches an hour late after the crime
has been committed... where Pizza reaches faster than
an Ambulance...!
Corruption is like a termite which is weakening
the roots of the country.
Corruption has vitiated our public life from top to
bottom. In Municipal offices, Tax departments, Telephone
departments, the officers work for their own greed. If
a person wants a government job, he has to pay lakhs
of rupees to the higher officials. Political corruption is
worst in India. Loss of moral values is the main cause
of corruption. Everyone wants to be rich overnight.
The other causes include greed, materialistic pursuits,
no fear of law, lack of role models, misuse of power
and authority, peer and societal pressure, etc.
Both the public and government together can abolish
corruption. People will have to be awakened and
enlightened. Strong and stringent laws need to be enacted
which give no room for the criminals to escape. The
other solutions to uproot corruption include strict
vigilance, exemplary punishment to the offenders,
parental counseling, teaching values to children, etc.
“May God give us honest leaders, ministers and
administrators to make the country once again a
Golden Bird!”
Inflation: Hike in the Prices of Essential Commodities
—by Subhash Dey

Inflation means a persistent rise in the prices of goods

and services. The every other day we hear that prices
of essential commodities like cooking gas, petrol, diesel,
pulses, vegetables, etc. have risen. It has become very
difficult for a common man due to the prices mounting
the sky. The poor cannot get even two square meals a
day. The businessmen, traders, manufacturers and
even the government agencies increase the prices
beyond reasonable limits. On one hand, they are
earning a lot of money and on the other hand, the
poor consumers are starving.
 One child is born with a silver spoon and has a
nice car ride right from childhood; Other child is
born to parents who have no money to move out
of their poverty-stricken Single room shack!!
An LPG cylinder now costs around `700. Pulses are
sold @ `200 per kg. Even the vegetables such as tomatoes
and potatoes cost @ `60 per kg. The railway fare, taxi
fare, bus fare have also gone up due to ever-rising
prices of petrol and diesel. The women in the kitchen
are not able to balance their domestic budget.
It is the duty of government to see that the poor get
their necessities at reasonable prices. More and more
fair shops should be opened for the poorest section of
the society. Strong and Stringent action should be taken
against hoarders and profiteers.
 Begging: A Serious Social Problem
—by Subhash Dey
Of the various problems which our country faces
today, the problem of begging is one of the most acute
ones, which is spoiling the image of our country in
front of the world. It is estimated that there are about
forty lakh beggars in India. You can find beggars (no
need to find them, they will find you) on railway
stations, bus stops, temples, outside shopping malls,
and everywhere. Physically challenged people, who
are permanently incapable of doing any work deserve
our sympathy. But many people with sound health
become beggars. They are able to earn money but still
they are using the safest way of earning, that is begging.
Indeed, begging has become a profession and it is
carried on as an art.
When we give money to beggars do we think —Are
we really helping the needy? No, we don’t! But please
think again as our generousity can result in —More
and more number of beggars in the society, Exploitation
of children, Exploitation of a child’s future, Increased
cases of petty crimes on streets.
It is the need of the hour to have a total ban on begging.
Further, the government should start its own institutions
where orphans and other helpless people may find
shelther.
“Please don’t give money to the beggars. And
hence, support our government to curb the
problem and to help the country.”
 Ragging: Its Causes and Solutions
—by Subhash Dey
Ragging is a form of abuse of new comers to educational
institutions, wherein some seniors force the new comers
to undergo several forms of mental, physical and sexual
torture. Ragging is a psycho-social problem. The ill
effects of ragging include physical injury through beating,
hitting by objects or forcing to perform dangerous
tasks, sexual abuse, etc. The psychological effects include
constant fear and feeling of insecurity, inferiority
complex, decline in academic performance, etc.
The death of a medical student, AMAN KACHROO,
at medical college, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, stirred
the conscience of the entire nation.
One of the reasons behind ragging given by students
is: As they were ragged by their seniors, so it’s their
right to rag their juniors. It’s similar to the Indian
‘Saas’ who insults and tortures her ‘bahu’ only because
she was also humiliated when she was a bahu (Kyunki
saas bhi kabhi bahu thi!!) Another reason is the sense
of seniority. The crueler a senior is, more terrified are
the juniors! This is just like the typical Bollywood
movie wherein everybody is afraid of ‘Gabbar’ or
‘Don’. Another factor perpetuating ragging is the use
of alcohol and drugs in hostels.
So, what can we do to solve the problem? Enact a new
law, put the guilty behind bars? Suspend them from
the university? and withholding scholarships? Yes, this
is one of the solutions! Alcohol and smoking should
be strictly banned within college and hostel premises.
There should be compulsory posting of wardens in the
hostels.