APSC CCE Mains PYQ 2024, Essay Paper: Can money buy happiness?
The Essay Paper in the APSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) is often the deciding factor for aspirants aiming for the top ranks. Unlike General Studies papers, the essay requires a blend of factual knowledge, philosophical depth, and—most importantly—local context.
In the APSC 2024 Mains, one of the most thought-provoking topics was: “Artificial Intelligence is today’s Frankenstein”
For an aspirant from Assam, this topic provides a unique opportunity to juxtapose cutting-edge technology with the state’s deep-rooted humanism. It allows you to move beyond global tech debates and ground the “Frankenstein” metaphor in the local realities of the Brahmaputra valley
Here is a structured, detailed look at how to approach a similar topic “Can money buy happiness?”
APSC Mains Essay Paper, 2024: Can money buy happiness?
Model Answer:
The pursuit of wealth has often been equated with the pursuit of a meaningful life, yet the relationship between financial prosperity and internal contentment remains one of the most enduring paradoxes of human existence. In the bustling markets of Guwahati or the quiet tea gardens of Upper Assam, one can find individuals at both ends of the economic spectrum, leading us to wonder if the coins in one’s pocket truly dictate the peace in one’s heart. While money is an essential vehicle for survival and comfort, it often fails to reach the destination of true happiness, which is a state of being rather than a statement of account.
From a fundamental perspective, money is undoubtedly a prerequisite for a dignified life. In the context of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, biological and safety requirements must be met before an individual can seek self-actualization. For a family living below the poverty line, money can indeed buy a form of happiness by providing nutritious food, a sturdy roof, and access to healthcare. In this sense, financial resources act as a shield against the miseries of deprivation. When a state invests in the socio-economic upliftment of its people, it is essentially buying them the freedom from the “unhappiness” caused by want. Therefore, at the lower levels of the economic ladder, the correlation between wealth and well-being is direct and undeniable.
However, as one moves up the chronological and social ladder, the law of diminishing marginal utility begins to apply to wealth. Beyond the point of financial security, the “extra” rupee contributes less and less to a person’s joy. This is where the multidimensional nature of happiness reveals itself. True contentment is often built on pillars that capital cannot construct: deep relationships, a sense of purpose, and physical health. A billionaire may possess the finest medical technology, but money cannot buy the genuine vitality of a healthy body or the sincere affection of a loyal friend. As the legendary Dr. Bhupen Hazarika often emphasized through his music, the richness of the soul and the bonds of humanity are what define a person’s true worth.
If we analyze this through a sectoral lens, particularly in the realm of psychology and mental health, the limitations of money become even clearer. The modern world is witnessing a rise in “affluenza,” a condition where the relentless pursuit of more leads to chronic stress, anxiety, and a sense of isolation. In the race to accumulate “digital brightness” or material symbols of status, individuals often sacrifice the “moral clarity” and time needed for self-reflection. Money can buy a house, but not a home; it can buy a bed, but not sleep; it can buy a clock, but not time. The “emptiness of the elite” serves as a stark reminder that happiness is an internal garden that requires the water of gratitude rather than the fertilizer of greed.
Looking at the broader societal and environmental perspective, the obsession with monetary growth often comes at a heavy cost to the collective happiness of the planet. The exploitation of natural resources for profit-driven motives may increase the Gross Domestic Product, but it lowers the “Gross National Happiness.” A society that breathes polluted air and drinks contaminated water in exchange for industrial wealth is not a happy society. Here, the Sustainable Development Goals remind us that true prosperity (SDG 8) must be balanced with life on land (SDG 15) and climate action (SDG 13). Happiness, in this context, is the harmony between human progress and the preservation of the “Earth Mother.”
Furthermore, the “Dharma” of wealth, as described in our ancient texts and the philosophy of Srimanta Sankardeva, suggests that money finds its highest value when it is used for the service of others. The joy of “giving” far outweighs the thrill of “getting.” When wealth is utilized to build schools, help the needy, or preserve culture, it transforms from a cold commodity into a source of spiritual satisfaction. For a civil servant or an aspirant in Assam, the goal is not merely the pursuit of a salary, but the opportunity to use the state’s resources to bring a smile to the face of the “last person in the queue.” This sense of contribution provides a depth of happiness that personal consumption never can.
In conclusion, money is a magnificent servant but a dangerous master. It provides the “means” to live but cannot provide the “meaning” of life. While it is a necessary tool to eradicate the sorrows of poverty and provide the comforts of modern civilization, it remains a secondary factor in the quest for lasting joy. True happiness is found in the “middle path”—having enough to live with dignity while possessing the wisdom to seek fulfillment in things that are priceless.
As we move forward in our personal and professional lives, we must strive for a balance where our pockets are full enough to sustain us, but our hearts remain light enough to soar. The future of our society depends on individuals who understand that while money can buy the scenery, only a peaceful mind can enjoy the view. In the immortal spirit of our heritage, let us remember that the most “virtuous purifier of the soul” is not the gold we gather, but the love and pride we hold for our identity and our fellow human beings. Only by anchoring our lives in values rather than valuations can we truly say we have found the path to happiness.
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