Directions : Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow…
2021
Directions : Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow by selecting the correct / most appropriate options.
The goal of independence was achieved in India through a prolonged struggle, during which, the far-sightedness of the leaders of the freedom movement resulted in giving a final shape to our social and economic goals to be achieved after freedom. This vision imagined to build a self-reliant nation through maximum utilization of the resources in men and materials, and the establishment of a noble and liberal society. It has been an article of faith amongst the policy planners in India that while economic strength determined the scope and quality of political freedom for millions, the quality of freedom depends on increased work and production in factories. It leads to just and equal distribution of wealth among the people so that the poor can also enjoy the benefit of freedom. This, it is recognized, is possible only through increased employment opportunities in the society.
In human terms, democracy means availability of equal opportunities to all the people irrespective of caste, creed, sex and religion to develop their personalities. It means access to education in Arts, Science and Humanities and also awareness of our age old values and traditions. It needs to be emphasized that the Indian policy has been based on a concern for the individual not only as a worker working for the economic development of the society but also as an end in itself.
In the Indian context, the concept of national development goes far beyond economic growth; it is concerned with the creation of a nation united in one purpose, of people speaking different languages, professing different religions and rooted in a variety of cultures.
Our leaders’ vision of independent India was based on
- A.
boycott of foreign goods
- B.
development of defence forces
- C.
economic self-reliance
- D.
diversification of employment
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
In a passage-based reading comprehension question, the correct option is the one explicitly stated or directly supported by the passage's own wording, not an idea that sounds plausible in general terms but is never actually asserted in the text. When a question asks what a vision or policy was "based on", the answer must match the specific foundation the passage names, not something the passage merely mentions in passing.
The passage states that the leaders' vision "imagined to build a self-reliant nation through maximum utilization of the resources in men and materials" and that "economic strength determined the scope and quality of political freedom". This directly names economic self-reliance -- building strength through the nation's own resources -- as the basis of the leaders' vision of independent India.
boycott of foreign goods: never mentioned anywhere in the passage, which speaks of building capacity and utilizing India's own resources, not of rejecting foreign goods.
development of defence forces: the passage speaks only of a "noble and liberal society" built through wealth distribution and employment, with no reference anywhere to military or defence capability.
diversification of employment: the passage links increased employment opportunities to achieving "just and equal distribution of wealth" through increased work and production, not to the leaders' foundational vision of nation-building stated at the outset.
Hence, among the options offered, only economic self-reliance is the foundation that the passage itself names for the leaders' vision of independent India.