Everyone fears mom's chappal
The art of developing perspectives from Newspapers
There are countless reels and memes on Indian parents using chappal (slippers) as a disciplinary tool. One humorous meme goes:
Google Search – Chappal (Slipper) Indian Meaning – a device used by Indian parents for reshaping their kids for a better tomorrow.
Then this
But why has footwear, especially the humble chappal, become such a symbol in India? Interestingly, footwear holds significant cultural meaning globally. For instance, when an Iraqi journalist hurled a shoe at former U.S. President George W. Bush, the act signified deep disdain. Whether as a sign of resistance or fear, the chappal holds symbolic power.
The perspective ~ Understanding the Symbolism
When a layperson, a common citizen of a country, hurls her sandal at a political leader, the act and the object acquire grave significance. Needless to say, the act is unlawful, involves some form of violence, and should not be encouraged. There are other lawful, peaceful and constructive forms of protest. Yet it is worth asking: why does the citizen pick her footwear as a symbol of protest?
There is a conventional angle here. We tend to think of the human body in a hierarchical manner: the head is the top and the most important part whereas the feet are lowly. We bow our head at the feet of someone to express our utter respect for them. We apologise to someone and enact an abbreviated gesture of namaskar when our feet inadvertently touch their body. As the feet are always in the vicinity of dust, dirt and grime, the footwear embodies the unpleasant, ignorable, viscous side of existence. So, within such a scheme of meanings, it is considered extremely insulting to intentionally throw footwear at a political leader.
This is a whole new level of perspective, normally most people don’t even think about it, but newspapers make you stop and think, make your brain go through a journey which reshapes your perspectives.
If you read this wonderful article The symbolism, of footwear you will develop new perspectives, that will help you write a better essay or ethics answer.
Why reading is Important for UPSC
Yesterday I had a conversation with a student who began reading'Essays/P.T.O', essay book by Vikram Grewal, which is the reason I am writing this post, I mentioned what J.K. Rowling said, “You can’t be a good writer without being a devoted reader.” I am happy for him that he loved that book very much and that will make him develop new perspectives. As Stephen King aptly said: “If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
Haruki Murakami: “If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”
George R.R. Martin: “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”
The Lakshman Rekha: A Symbolic Boundary
The concept of the Lakshman Rekha is another powerful metaphor in Indian culture. It symbolizes moral boundaries or conventions that should not be crossed. Marathi poet Padma Gole eloquently expresses this in her verse:
“Laxmana drew but one line in front of Sita… We face Laxmana-rekhas on all sides; they have to be crossed, the Ravanas confronted.”
Via Various versions of Ramayana and Laxmana's line(s) Something you can directly use in your essays.
Cultural Impact
The term "Lakshman Rekha" has evolved into a powerful metaphor in Indian society:
It symbolizes a strict moral boundary or convention that should not be crossed.
The concept appears frequently in contemporary Indian discourse, particularly regarding social and ethical boundaries.
It has been depicted extensively in Indian movies, TV serials, and has inspired various artistic installations.
It is notably absent from Valmiki's original Ramayana. Even the widely-read Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas does not directly mention this incident.
In the original texts, rather than drawing a line, Lakshmana:
Simply entrusts Sita to the forest deities (Vana-devata) in Valmiki's version.
In Ramcharitmanas, he requests the presiding deities of the forest and directions (Digpalas) to protect Sita.
Final Thoughts
These cultural insights highlight that essay writing and ethics answers in UPSC are not just about practising writing, but also about engaging with diverse perspectives daily. Reading deeply and reflecting on these ideas will transform your thinking and enrich your writing.
Hope these refined insights and ideas help you!