CHALLANGES FACING INDIA

CHALLANGES FACING INDIA

India achieved independence in 1947. It is more than fifty years. Still we are exposed to a number of problems and challenges. Prominent among them are poverty, population explosion, illiteracy, communalism, corruption and regionalism. These problems are not new to India. If we want to have a brighter future, we have to eradicate them in a determined and collective manner. India has great faith in democracy and the country is committed to peace and co-existence. It is because of this belief that we have been able to continue as a democracy. It is a matter of great pride that we are the biggest democracy in the world today. The credit must go the citizens of India as they have expressed their faith in democracy. The success of democracy depends on the people. Democracy would be fruitful if the people are educated. In order to understand and solve national and international problems education is inevitable.

ERADICATION OF ILLITERACY

Illiteracy is a problem in India. When the citizens are not educated they may have no knowledge of their constitutional rights and their responsibilities. According to the census report of 1991, 64% of men and 39% of women are literates. And in 2001, 76%,of men and 54%of women are literates. It was for this reason our constitution makers laid down the following rule in the Directive Principles of the State Policy, “The State shall strive for the provision of free and compulsory education for all children upto the age of fourteen”, and also " Promotion of Educational interests of the scheduled casts, scheduled tribes & other weaker sections". In pursuance of the above, the Government of India and the various State Governments have taken planned and systematic efforts to expand educational opportunities to all citizens. Further, according to the 93rd Amendment of the Constitution, education is made a fundamental right. Before 1976, education was under the State List, but after the 42nd Amendment it was transferred to the Concurrent List. Today education comes under both the Central and State jurisdiction.

All the State Governments in India have made primary education free. Incentive programmes like midday meal, supply of free textbooks, stationery, uniforms, conveyance for girls etc. are undertaken for attracting children to primary schools. Along with this, Operation Black Board Scheme the Government has provided sufficient teachers and infrastructure to schools. The Government of India announced the National Policy on education in May 1986. The policy aims at universalization of primary education, stressing adult education and education of women.

UNIVERSALIZATION OF PRIMARY EDUCATION: The state and central governments have taken various measures to eradicate illiteracy. For this purpose universalization of Primary education is adopted. The main aim of this policy is to provide education to all the children upto the age of 14. To implement this policy of universalization of primary education the following
programmes are envisaged :
1. To improve primary education in rural areas, the government has provided buildings, in the drinking water etc.
2. Strict measures are taken to see that children above six years of age are sent to schools.
3. Various steps are taken to attract the children who have joined the school, do care is taken to avoid dropout of children in the middle.
4. Importance is given to the pre-primary system of education by offering various facilities.
5. Much stress is laid on girl's education.
6. Improved and attractive methods of instruction are introduced at the primary level so that children are attracted to learning. Researches are undertaken
to make primary education more attractive and entertaining to evolve new devices.
7. Alternative system of education is to be provided to such students who are not in a position to attend regular schools.
In this direction laudable measures are taken by the Central Government and the Karnataka Government. The Government of Karnataka has undertaken projects like Vidya Vikas, Akshara Dasoha (Providing mid-day meal or foodgrains). Ksheera yogana (supplying milk) etc. Besides this it has other schemes like Adult Education, Informal System of Education and National Literacy Drive etc. Of late the Central Government has launched Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, a major project. Further under the Ninth Five Year Plan, the Centre had allotted Rs. 20,000 crores only for the expansion of educational facilities. In this direction both the Central and the State Governments have taken various steps from time to time and they are listed as follows:

(1) Steps are taken to create interest among the parents. Community programmes are taken up to increase awareness of the need of child education among the parents.

(2) Under the provisions of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments public communities are to be involved and improving.

(3) Providing monetary incentives and improved basic amenities.

(4) In this direction propaganda is undertaken in all districts and provision is made for midday meal. Further, District Primar y Education Programme (D.P.E.P.) and Operation Black Board programmes are also taken up.

NATIONAL ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMME : This programme was introduced in 1978. The aim of it was to expand primary education so that the future voters of the country would be educated. But the aim is not reached unless our farmers are educated, as they constitute the bulk of our population. As such, necessary efforts were made to make the farm workers and factory workers literate. A special programme known as National Literacy Mission was launched in 1988. Under this, special emphasis has been laid on the education of the adult population particularly among the groups like women, STs., SCs., steps were taken to star t libraries. Such of the children belonging to age group of 5 to 14 years who had no opportunity for learning are provided educational facilities. During vacations. ‘Chinnara Angala’ (Courtyard for the Tiny Tots) is organized to attract them to schools. Special programmes are beamed through Radio and Television for the rural masses.

2.COMMUNALISM
The worst challenge that India is facing today is communalism. Communalism means intolerance towards the people of other religions. In order to avoid the horrors of communalism the founding fathers of the Constitution have declared in the preamble of the Constitution that India is a Sovereign, Democratic Secular, Socialistic, Republic. India is secular, democratic nation and our Constitution guarantees right to equality which can be seen in Articles No. 14, 15 and 16. Article 14 provides equality before law. Article 15 deals with prohibition of discrimination on grounds of race, religion caste, sex or place of birth. Article 16 deals with equality of opportunity in matters of public employment etc. In spite of all these efforts vested interests have tried to whip up communal feeling for their own personal benefit. Vigorous efforts to overcome these feeling are to be taken up by each community.

3. REGIONALISM
One of the serious challenges faced by India is growing regionalism. Regionalism is an exclusive attachment or loyalty to one's own region or state. India is a vast country. Regions have developed distinct identities in terms of language culture, customs and traditions. Sometimes people living in a particular region have a tendency to glorify their own culture and look down upon other cultures. The idea of regionalism is not healthy. We have to think that we belong to India first and then to any region. If regionalism is allowed to grow, the idea of India as a nation itself will be destroyed. Regional aspirations should be there to a certain extent, but that should not reach level to foster hatred against others. Realising this factor the founding fathers of our Constitution have provided autonomy to the states so that they can run their own Governments. The Central Government co-ordinates the activities of the states to preserve the unity and integrity of the country in order to avoid the regional imbalances. the Government had appointed commission to regulate the relationship between the centre and the states. To avoid wide spread ill feelings against regional inequalities the Government of Karnataka had appointed a commission under the chairmanship of Dr. D.M. Nanjundappa. In the same way to develop various regions like Hyderabad Karnataka, Malnadu regions etc., special commissions or Boards have been constituted.

4.THE CONDITIONS OF SCHEDULED CASTES AND SCHEDULED TRIBES
The condition of certain castes in India like the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes was pitiable. Great thinkers and reformers like Buddha, Basaveshwara, Dayananda Saraswathi, Gandhiji and Dr. Ambedkar fought against this evil. Fully bearing this background in mind the makers of our constitution have provided many provisions to assure equality, liberty and social justice. They have embedded these ideas in the preamble of the constitution following provisions are made to safeguard their interests. Important among them are:

(a) Some seats are reserved for SC/ST in the State Assemblies and Lok Sabha.

(b) Some Constituencies are declared reserved from where only the candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes can contest.

(c) Certain percentage of jobs in the Government and Educational institutions are reserved for these categories.

(d) Special and mobile courts have been setup to safeguard the rights of these people and also disposal of cases relating to the practise of untouchability. A commission was setup in 1978 to investigate all matters relating to the implementation of the civil rights of SC and STs. To protect their rights free legal aid is provided. In the field of education care is taken to provide all facilities like supply of free books by opening book banks. Free boarding and lodging facilities are provided by opening hostels. The Government is giving scholarships to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe Students. Employment exchange centres have been opened for the disabled Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. There are many Scheduled Tribes living in different parts of India. Most of them live in remote places. They are extremely poor and are mostly illiterate. They live on agriculture and other allied occupations. Elaborate measures have been taken up to improve their standard of life in the field of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and small scale industries. Ministry of Human Resource Development is extending them facilities in education and training programmes. Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India is set up to help marketing of tribal produce. Now the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe people have occupied key posts in administration, in the field of education, law and order, etc., This is a good sign.

EQUALITY OF WOMEN
Gender discrimination is another challenge faced by India. Though we come
across many references to honourable status for women in the Vedas and the
Upanishads, in practice it is totally different.
For a long time, education was denied to women. We have failed to recognize
her role in the development of Indian civilization and restricted her only to domestic
duties. During the last two centuries various measures are taken to improve the
status of women in India. Social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swamy
Dayananda Saraswati, Jotirao Phule, Rabindranath Tagore, Annie Besant, Pandita
Rama Bai Saraswati, Iswarchandra Vidyasagar, D.K. Karve, Gandhiji, Mrs. Sarojini
Naidu etc. have rendered yeomen service for the cause of women's upliftment.
Women’s education, abolition of child marriage, abolition of ‘sati’ and legal provision
for widow marriage are the various steps taken to improve the conditions of women.
After independence, various measures have been taken by the government to
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improve the status of women. Some of them are:
1. In matters of public employment, equal opportunities are provided for
both men and women by the Constitution, as per Articles 14 and 15.
2. The education of girls stressed by creating various facilities by the
government.
3. Adult education centers for women have been opened.
4. A Commission is constituted for the welfare of women and children.
5. Polygamy is discouraged by law.
6. Child marriage is abolished.
7. A law is passed to give equal share in ancestral property.
8. Widow marriage is encouraged.
9. There is a legal ban on dowrysDowry system is banned legally.
10. In all the walks of life, women are given equal opportunities together
with men.
Besides all these measures, the government of India has taken up various
development programmes for the welfare of women. To provide shelter to such
of the women who are in trouble, arrangements are made for their temporary
shelter from 1969. In 1987, a Training and Employment Plan for women has come
into force. As back as 1958, the Social Welfare Department had introduced twoyear
basic educational facilities for women. Under the Indira Women Welfare
Programme “Swayam Siddha” scheme was improved with certain changes. During
1998 “Shtreeshakthi” scheme was enforced for the development of rural women.
Apart from these schemes like ‘Balika Samruddhi Yojana’, protection of women from
sexual harassment, and the ‘Rashtreeya Mahila Vimochana’ schemes are introduced.
To promote the development of women, the year 2001 was declared as the Year
of Women Empowerment. Today in Karnataka 33% of seats are reserved for women
in all the local bodies.
6.RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Children of today are the citizens of tomorrow and the future of the nation
depends upon their well being. No nation can neglect the development of children.
Poverty is the cause for neglect of the child. Needs to be provided with food and
education. It is because of lack of nutrition to child, mortality rate is high in India.
In the development of a child, the social environment plays an important role.
Knowing this fully well, we have neglected this fact from ages. Children of India
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are often exploited and put to shame by ill-treatment. Lack of medical facility and
improper food makes a large number of children face early death. This is a moral
offence. Illiteracy and poverty are the two big obsticles coming in the way of child
welfae the child welfare.
The General assembly of U.N.O. adopted a universal charter in November
1989 for the welfare of the children. The rights of the child under the charter are
as follows: (1) Right to life, (2) Right to education, (3) Right to Health, (4) Right for
obtaining nutritious food, (5) Right of leisure, (6) Right to play, (7) Right to get good
standard of life, (8) Right of protection against exploitation and negligence, (9)
Right for protection from abuse and immoral traffic, (10) Right against subjecting
to drugs and intoxicants, (11) Right against forced employment, and (12) Right
against violence.
Irrespective of caste, race, religion, language, sex and society, the rights are
to be strictly adhered to by all the nations and for no reason these rights could be
denied.
In order to protect the rights of the children India has made provisions in its
Constitution. In 2001, the population of children below sixteen years is around
157.86 million and it constitutes 15.37% of the population. The government has
undertaken nearly 35 projects for the all-around development of children from 1974.
Under these projects various facilities are provided for the development of the
children for providing nutritious food, inoculation, health checking, pre-school
education, etc. Besides these, measures, under the Directive Principles of State
policy free and compulsory education is contemplated for the children below 14
years of age. In the recent years many steps have been taken to make education
a fundamental right (93rd Amendment).
Various voluntary associations have taken up the cause of child welfare by
opening institutions like ‘Balavadi ‘ and ‘Anganavadi’. In 1952, the government of
India had opened Balavikasa Kendras under the aegis of the Indian Council for
Child Welfare for the development of children. Further, in 1955 it established National
Children’s Board to promote the cause of child welfare. November 14, the birthday
of our former Prime Minister Nehru is observed as ‘Children’s Day’ throughout the
country.
Both the Central and the State Governments have taken various measures to
protect rights of the children and steps aimed at eradication of Child labour.
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7.ANTI-SOCIAL ELEMENTS AND SUPERSTITIONS
Even after fifty years of Independence, we are not able to remove blind belief
and superstitions from our society. Mere political freedom is of no use until and
unless we gain economic and social independence. India today is facing many antisocial
phenomena like corruption, black-marketing, the evil of dowry, drinking
intoxicants. We have ample natural resources but the anti-social elements are
misusing them for their own ends. It is because of this reason that we are not able
to achieve the desired progress. Legally fighting against these social evils is only
one aspect. Social awakening is also necessary to combat them. Only by following
good citizenship norms a better nation can be built. Participation by each and every
individual in campaigns against such evils is highly essential.
8.CORRUPTION
Corruption has spread like cancer in India. If we fail to control it, we have no
future. Legally even tendering bribes is an offence. Accepting money or presents
to undertake any work by government officials is also an offence. We witness
bribery in all walks of life and we tolerate it. It is nothing but a self-deceit. There
are Government Department to check corruption. The government by constituting
“Lokayukta” is fighting against corruption. But mere government action is not enough.
Every individual should oppose the practice. Mere making law and compromising
with corruption will lead us nowhere. The public should co-operate for the success
of the various measures taken by the Government in this direction.
9.BLACK MARKETING AND PROFITEERING - SMUGGLING
All these are not only anti-social but also anti-national phenomena, detrimental
to social progress. Trade and commerce are perhaps the oldest traditional occupation.
They supply the essential commodities and in turn derive profit. But it is unfortunate
that this has led to greed and excess profiteering. The methods that are used are
adulteration, charging excess or abnormal rates, conceit in weights and measures,
creating artificial scarcity, etc. These are highly immoral acts. The poor and the
lower middle class are put to loss and suffering by such acts. People are put to
untold miseries by black marketing. To avoid such mischief the government has
introduced the Public Distribution System. But that has also not fully succeeded.
To protect the standard of essential commodities, the government introduced
Essential Commodities Act. The Indian Standard Institution has provided for putting
AGMARK compulsorily on every agricultural products. Every industrial product
must have its quantity, date of manufacture and limitations of its use (like the date
of expiry) printed on its package. This is legally a mandatory provision.
In order to check excess profiteering Government has adopted floating of cooperative
societies, Janata Bazars, Super Bazars and A.P.M.C.s throughout the
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country. Further, during 1986 it introduced the Consumer Protection Act. Under this
it also opened Consumers' Courts in every district. Through the media wide publicity
is given to this for the sake of public awareness.
Smuggling foreign goods is a practice which is detrimental to the nation as
it causes massive losses to the country. Smuggling encourages evasion of taxes
and causes immense loss to the state exchequer. According to the law of the land
all imported articles are subjected to import duty. But the smugglers avoid this to
make profit. Further, smuggling has encouraged the illicit trade in intoxicants like
opium, cocaine, heroin and brown sugar.
To prevent such anti-social and anti-national activities government has taken
a number of measures like arranging patrolling the coast by the Coastal Guards.
Customs offices are opened at all airports and ports of India. It has enacted
COFEPOSA to prevent smuggling of foreign goods and foreign currency. The State
and Central governments have taken many steps to check smuggling.
10. DOWRY
Dowry is a serious social evil. This is a vicious traditional practice. Presenting
cash, ornaments, house site, property etc. to the groom by the bride’s party is
defined as dowry. This is really a degrading factor to women. It is against the idea
of gender equality.
The Government has made a number of laws against dowry. Anti-dowry Act
was passed during 1961 and further amendments were made to this during 1986.
A person can be imprisoned for five years and fined upto Rs. 15,000 for accepting
dowry. This anti-social custom can be prevented by a combined effort of law and
the co-operation of the people. A strong public opinion against dowry has to be
created through education, publicity and propaganda . Dowry problem can be
removed if our younger generation resist the offer and acceptance of dowry. Law
alone cannot put an end to this social evil.It is shocking to note that burning of
brides is reported daily in our news papers.
11. POVERTY AND ECONOMIC INEQUALITY
Economic inequality and poverty are the two greatest problems of Indian
democracy. The wealth in India is concentrated only in the hands of a few, and this
has caused poverty and inequality. The social scientists are of the opinion that such
conditions can be removed by proper distribution of wealth. But, it is unfortunate
that the people believe that poverty and riches are gifts from God. Poverty is not
a new problem in India it is there from ages. In compared to that of other nationsper
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capita income in India is low. In India, a person is not able to get his subsistence
wages to meet his daily needs like his food, clothing and shelter. One among
them is non-payment of proper wages. This is due to the greed of the employer.
A worker’s earning should provide him the minimum comforts like food, cloth and
shelter. It is evident that no person can live without food, and we should pay wages
at least to procure food for his family. This is called "Living Wages".
There has been lack of research to provide technical devices to increase the
skills of an ordinary worker. Increased skill can help in increased production and
also enhance the worker’s income. Every one has a right to live. But only employment
opportunity can help him live. Based on this principle, the framers of the Constitution
have made a provision to render social and economic justice and also equality of
treatment. With a view to help secure economic equality, the preamble lays down
many principles.
1. According to the Land Reforms Act, the tiller is made the owner of the
land.
2. In order to avoid regional imbalances, industries are located in different
parts of the country.
3. Small and cottage industries are encouraged to provide employment
opportunities to the masses.
4. Major commercial and industrial concerns are subjected to rules and
regulations made by the government to help payment of proper wages
and also subjecting them to taxation.
POPULATION EXPLOSION : The second reason for poverty and economic
inequality is rapid growth of population. It means Population has exceeded 106
crores (2001). It is said on an average at every minute four births take place in
India. It is difficult to provide for these increasing mouths from our limited resources.
Rapid growth of population creates serious problems like unemployment, illiteracy
and poverty which are not easy to solve.
RELIEF MEASURES : In India, in order to remove the problems of poverty and
inequality of income, number of measures are taken by the governments at the
State and the Centre. Prominent among them is I.R.D.P. (Intensive Rural Development
Programme) under which community programmes are undertaken to reduce poverty.
Under this programme loans are provided to small farmers, agricultural and nonagricultural
labourers, various rural artisans, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes and economically weaker sections. It is estimated that more than 15 millions
below the poverty line in rural areas under this scheme the following facilities are
provided.
1. The rural youth are provided training to resort to self-occupation.
2. National Rural Employment Programme (NREP) is undertaken.
3. Rural Women and Children Welfare Programme is in operation.
4. Employment Programme to the rural landless labourers.
5. Jawahar Rojgar Yojana.
6. Prime Minister’s Rural Roads Plan (Grameena Sadak Yojana)
Through all these programmes and projects, considerable progress has been
achieved in the direction of eradication of poverty. In addition, in rural areas, loans
at low rates are extended to improve agriculture, irrigation and adoption of modern
methods of cultivation. ‘Food for work’ programme is implemented on occurrence
of drought or famines.

EXERCISES
I Answer the following in a word or sentence.
1. When can the Democracy succeed?
2. What is the main objective of universalization of primary education?
3. What is communalism?
4. What is Regionalism?
5. What is dowry?
6. Why has the Government established the lokayukta?
7. Why is AGMARK been made compulsory?
8. How can we fulfil our right to live?
II Answer the following in two lines:
1. Communalism is the enemy of the society. How?
2. What is the significance of COFEPOSA?
3. Mention the steps taken to eradicate iliteracy.
4. Mention the reasons for poverty in India.
III Answer the following in ten lines:
1. Explain the var ious measures taken by the Government to eradicate illiteracy.
2. What steps are taken by the Government for the welfare of women?
3. To mitigate poverty what steps are taken by the Government?
4. How can the unity of the country be achieved?
IV ACTIVITIES:
1. Arrange debate in your class on the following:
a) Communalism b) Gender equality
2. Pay a visit to the nearest court and discuss the social problems with the lawyers there.
3. Pay a visit to the Consumers' Forum


1. Explain the various steps taken by the Govt to eradicate illiteracy.
To remove illiteracy the Central and State Governments have made planned and systematic efforts to expand educational opportunities to all citizens. Further, education is made fundamental right
*.All the State governments in India have made primary education free and compulsory for all children upto the age of 14.
* The govt announced the National Policy on Education in 1986 to universalise primary education with stress on adult and women’s education.
* Steps are taken to create interest among the parents. Community programmes are taken up to increase awareness among the parents of the need for child education.
* Projects like Vidya Vikas, Akshara Dasoha and Ksheera Yojana have been taken up by the Karnataka govt.
* Other schemes such as adult education, informal system of education and National Literacy Drive havebeen started.
* The Central Government has launched Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
* Under the provision of the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments, pubic communities are to be involved.
* Providing monetary incentives and improved basic amenitis.
* In this direction, propaganda is undertaken in all districts and provision is made for mid-day meal, free text books, stationary and conveyance for girls.

2. What are the programmes envisaged to achieve universalisation of primary education?
The programmes envisaged for achieving universalisation of primary education are:
· providing buildings, drinking water etc
· strict measures are to be taken to see that all children above six years of age are sent to school
· Various steps to make schools attractive for children & to prevent them from dropping out of school in the middle.
· Importance to be given to pre-primary education.
· Much stress on education of girls.
· Improved and attractive methods of instruction at primary level
· Alternative system of education to students who are not in a position to attend regular schools

3. What is regionalism? Why does regionalism arise?
Regionalism is an exclusive attachment or loyalty to one’s own region or state.
Regions have developed distinct identities in terms of language, culture, customs and traditions. Sometimes people living in a particular region have a tendency to glorify their own culture and look down upon other cultures.

4. Why is regionalism dangerous?
If regionalism is allowed to grow beyond a limit then the idea of India as a nation will be destroyed. Therefore it is dangerous.

5. What measures have been taken in India to counter regionalism?
Realising the dangers of regionalism the founding fathers of the Constitution have provided autonomy to the states so that they can run their own governments. The central government co-ordinates the activities of the states to preserve the unity and integrity of the country and to avoid regional imbalances.

6. Name some of the social reformers and thinkers who fought against the evil of untouchability.
Buddha,Basaveshwara, Dayanananda Saraswati, Gandhiji and Ambedkar were some of the social reformers who fought against the evil of untouchability.

7. What constitutional safeguards have been provided to protect the interests of the SCs and STs? OR How the govt tried to safeguard the interests of SCs/STs?
The Constitutional safeguards provided for protecting the interests of the SCs/STs are:
· some seats are reserved for SC/ST in the State Assemblies and Lok Sabha.
· Some constituencies are declared reserved from where only the candidates belonging to SC/ST can contest.
· Certain percentage of jobs in the government and educational institutions are reserved for these categories.
· Special and mobile courts have been set up to safeguard the rights of these people and also for the disposal of cases relating to the practice of untouchability.

8. What steps have been taken to promote education among the SC/ST? OR What are the facilities provided to SCs and STs in the field of education?
To promote education among the SCs and STs –
· Free books are supplied by opening Book Banks.
· Free boarding and lodging facilities are provided by opening hostels
· Scholarships are given to students belonging to these communities.
· Employment exchanges have been started for the disabled SCs and STs.

9. Why is the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India set up?
The Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India is set up to help the Scheduled Tribes to market the tribal produce.

10. Mention any 4 social reformers who fought for the cause of women’s upliftment. What were their goals?
Raja Rammohan Roy, Jotirao Phule, Dayananda Sarawati and Mahatma Gandhi fought for the cause of women’s upliftment.
Their goals were to abolish child marriage and sati, encourage women’s education and promote widow remarriage.

11. What are the measures taken by the govt after independence to improve the status/condition of women?
Some of the measures taken by the government to improve the status of women are:
· In matters of public employment, equal opportunities are given to both men and women
· Facilities are provided for education of girls.
· A commission is constituted for the welfare of women and children
· Polygamy is discouraged by law.
· child marriage, dowry system are abolished
· Widow marriage is encouraged
· Law is passed to give equal share to daughters in ancestral property.
· In all walks of life, women are given equal opportunities along with men.
· Govt has taken up various development programmes.
- to provide shelter to such women who are in trouble.
- Training and Employment Plan for women has come into force since 1987
- Programmes like ‘Swayam Siddha’ ‘Stree Shakti’, Balika samruddhi Yojana, Rashtriya Mahila Vimochana are organised.
- 33% of the seats are reserved for women in local bodies
- Social Welfare Department has introduced a two-year basic educational facility for women since 1958.
- The year 2001 was declared as the Year of Women Empowerment.

12. Why is the development of children important?
The children of today are the citizens of tomorrow. The future of the nation depends on their well being. Hence no nation can neglect the development of children.

13. Mention the reasons for the poverty in India. To eradicate poverty what steps are taken by the govt?
The main reasons for poverty in India are:
· the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few
· non-payment of proper wages
· lack of skills and training to increase the productivity of workers
· lack of employment opportunities
· the rapid growth in population
To eradicate poverty the government has undertaken various programmes. The IRDP (Integrated Rural Development Programme) is a major step in this direction. Various facilities like :-
· training the rural youth to resort to self-employment
· loans to small farmers, agricultural and non-agricultural labourers, village artisans, scheduled castes and sceduled tribes, etc.
· welfare programmes for women and children
· employment programmes for the landless labourers
· Jawahar Rozgar Yojana
· Prime Minister’s Rural Roads Plan (Grammena Sadak Yojana)
· Food for work, are extended to the people.

14. What are measures taken by the govt to secure economic equality?
To secure economic equality, the govt has taken a number of measures. They are:
• According to the land reform Acts, tiller is made the owner of the land.
• In order to avoid regional imbalances, industries are located in different parts of the country.
• Small and cottage industries are encouraged to provide employment opportunities to the masses.
• Major commercial and industrial concerns are subjected to rules and regulations made by govt to help payment of proper wages and also subjecting them to taxation.

15. What are the effects of population explosion?
The population explosion has caused problems like unemployment, illiteracy and poverty.

16. Expand: D.P.E.P. – District Primary Education Programme
AGMARK: Agricultural Marketing
A.P.M.C.s :- Agricultural Produce Marketing Co-operatives
COFEPOSA:- Conservation of Foreign Exchange & Prevention of Smuggling Act.
I.R.D.P. :- Integrated Rural Development Programme.
N.R.E.P. :- National Rural Employment Programme.
U.N.O. :- United Nations Organisation
UNESCO:- United Nations Educaional, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
W.H.O. : World Health Organisation
I.M.F. :- International Monetary Fund
I.L.O. – International Labour Organisation
FAO - Food and Agricultural Organisation
UNICEF – United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
I.B.R.D. – International Bank for Reconstruction and Devlopment
UNCTAD – United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
W.T.O. – World Trade Organisation
G.A.T.T. – General Agreement on Trade and Tariff
NCERT – National Council of Educational Research and Training
NHEES – Nutrition and Health Education and Environment Sanitation
DACEP – Development Activities in Community Education and Participation


1. The biggest democracy in the world is __________________________ ( c )
a. Great Britain b. U.S.A. c. India d. Japan
2. The success of democracy depends upon _________________________ ( d )
a. industrialization b. prosperity of the nation c. stable govt d. educated class.
3. According to 2001 census, literacy percentage among men & women in India is ______ ( d)
a. 39% men & 64% women b. 54% men & 76% women
c. 64%men & 39% women d. 76% men & 54% women
4. The provision for free & compulsory education for all children upto the age of 14 is laid down in the_____( d )
a. Fundamental Rights b. Preamble of the Constitution c. Fundamental Duties d. Directive Principles
5. “Promotion of educational interests of the SCs, STs, and other Weaker Sections” has laid down in _____(C )
a. preamble of our constitution b. our constitution c. Directive Principles of State Policy d. Article 16
6. According to 93rd Amendment of the Constitution which one of the following is made a fundamental right? (a )
a. Education b. Culture c. Religion d. Equality
7. As per the 42nd amendment, education comes under the ____________________ (c )
a. State list b. Central list c. Concurrent list d. Ministry of HRD
8. Incentives like midday meal, free text books, uniforms are provided to children with objective of ______( c )
a. removing poverty b. bringing equality c. attracting children to schools d. improving school education
9. Sufficient teachers & infrastructure are provided to schools by the govt under the scheme _____ ( B )
a. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan b. Operation Black Board c. Vidya Vikasa d. National Literacy Drive
10. For the success of democracy education is a must because ____________ (b)
a. education helps the people to read the ballot paper
b. education helps them to understand and solve national & international problems
c. education helps them to understand their rights d. education helps them to educate others
11. The policy which aims at universalisation of primary education is _________ ( B )
a. Compulsory education b. National Policy on Education c. Adult Education d. Policy of literacy campaign
12. To provide mid-day meals to students, the govt of Karnataka introduced ________ ( B )
a. Vidya Vikas Yojana b. Akshara Dasoha Yojana c. Akshaya Yojana d. Ksheera Yojana
13. Alternative system of education meant for children who cannot attend schools is called _____ (B )
a. formal education b. non-formal education c. vocational education d. job-oriented education
14. Vidya Vikas, Akshara Dasoha & Ksheera yojana were launched by the Govt of _____ ( A _
a. Karnataka b. Tamil Nadu c. Kerala d. Goa
15. National Policy on Education’ aims at ________________________ (A )
a. universalisation of primary education b. alternative system of education c. increasing the financial alotment to education every year d. providing monetary incentives & basic ameneties to schools