Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
(Q.) Name any two social evils to which women in Indian society were subjugated.(1
(Ans) Child marriage and Sati were two major social evils Indian women were subjugated.
(Q.) Name any two religious communities in India that allowed men to marry more than
one wife. (1 Mark)
(Ans) Hindu and Muslim are two major religious communities that allowed men to marry more
than one wife.
(Q.) What is the meaning of the word “Sati”? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The meaning of the word “Sati” is virtuous women.
(Q.) What form the basis for the division of Indian society? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The society in India was divided among the lines of castes or the Varna system.
(Q.) How did people react to the establishment of schools for girls in India? (5
(Ans) Due to the efforts of many social reformers in Bombay, schools were established for girls.
People were afraid of them. They feared that the schools would separate girls from the home and
their domestic works would be crippled.
Since the girls had to walk a long distance to reach schools, the people thought that this would
create a corrupting influence on them. They also expected girls to stay away from the public spaces
and wanted to confine them inside their home. Due to all these reasons, some of the most
educated women were taught by their liberal father and husbands.
(Q.) Write about the efforts of the upper caste people to eradicate the caste system.
(Ans) Some of the early social reformers were from the upper caste community and criticized the
caste system. Rammohun Roy translated old Buddhist text that criticized the caste system
strongly. The Prarthana Samaj, despite its adherence to the tradition of Bhakti, believed in spiritual
equality of all castes. In Bombay, the Paramhans Mandali was formed in 1840 to work for the
abolition of caste.All these upper caste critics and reformers violated caste taboos on food and
touch in their secret meetings to get rid of the hold of caste discriminations in their lives.
(Q.) Write about the emergence of the lower Caste movements during the Second-half of the 19th Century. (5
(Ans) Many of the lower caste movements emerged during the second- half of the 19th century,
protesting the caste discrimination of the upper caste people and demanding social equality and
justice.Ghasidas, a lower-caste leader, founded the Satnami movement in central India and worked
among the leather workers and tried to improve their social states.In eastern Bengal, Haridas Thakur
founded Matua Sect to work among ‘low’ caste Chandala cultivators. Haridas questioned Brahmanical
texts that sustained the caste system.In Kerala, Sri Narayana Guru from the ‘low’ caste Ezhava
community was a popular leader. He proclaimed the ideas of unity of all people within one sect and
caste.
(Q.) Who was Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and what were his Childhood experiences of the caste
discriminations in Indian Hindu society? (5 Marks)
(Ans) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the champion of the lower caste untouchables and fought against
the Hindu caste system. He happened to be born in a Mahar, an untouchable caste in Maharashtra.
In school he was forced to sit outside the classroom on the ground and was prevented from
drinking water from the taps used by the children of upper – castes. After his schooling, he went
for higher studies to United States and returned to India in 1919. He wrote extensively about
upper-caste power in contemporary society.
(Q.) Who was the founder of the Self Respect Movement? What were his major
arguments? (5 Marks)
(Ans) The Self Respect Movement was started by E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker popularly known as
Periyar by his followers. He was a member of the Congress, but saw the caste discrimination even
in the seating arrangements.
1. To protect the dignity of the Dravidians, he started the Self Respect Movement.
2. He argued that untouchables were the true upholders of an original Tamil and Dravidian
Culture and later Brahmans subjugated them.
3. He showed with evidences that all religious authorities treat social divisions and inequality
as God-given.
4. He suggested that untouchables showed avoid practicing religions to achieve social equality.
The Making of the National Movement: 1870-1947
(Q.) How many delegates attended the meeting of the Indian National Congress? (1
(Ans) 72 delegates attended the first meeting of the Indian National Congress at Bombay.
(Q.) When was the All Indian Muslim League formed and by whom? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The all India Muslim League was formed at Dacca in 1906 by a group of Muslim landlords
and Nawabs.
(Q.) When and why did the Congress split? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The Congress split in 1907, because the moderates were opposed to the use of boycott by
the radicals.
(Ans) The Congress split in 1907, because the moderates were opposed to the use of boycott by
the radicals.
(Q.) When did the moderates and the Radicals of the Congress reunite? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The moderates and the Radicals of the Congress reunited in December 1915.
(Q.) When did Gandhi come to India from South Africa? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Gandhi, aged 46, arrived in India in 1915 from South Africa.
(Q.) Who was responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh incident? (1 Mark)
(Ans) General Dyer was responsible the Jallianwala . incidents
(Q.) Which was the first All – India struggle during the Indian national movement?(1
(Ans) The Rowlatt Satyagraha launched by Gandhi in 1919 was the first All– India struggle.
(Q.) When did the Jallianwala Bagh incident took place? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The Jallianwala Bagh incident took place on 13 April, 1919 in Amritsar.
(Q.) Who were the early important leaders of the Indian National Congress? (2
(Ans) The early important leaders of Indian National Congress were Dadabhai Naoroji,
Pherozeshah Mehta, S. NBanerji, Romesh Chandra Dutt and S.Subramania Iyer.
(Q.) Who were the early important leaders of the Indian National Congress?
(Ans) The early important leaders of Indian National Congress were Dadabhai Naoroji,
Pherozeshah Mehta, S. NBanerji, Romesh Chandra Dutt and S.Subramania Iyer.
(Q.) Who is a “publicist”? (2 Marks)
(Ans) A publicist is a person who publicizes an idea by circulating information, writing reports and
speaking at meetings.
(Q.) Who is a “publicist”? (2 Marks)
(Ans) A publicist is a person who publicizes an idea by circulating information, writing reports and
speaking at meetings.
(Q.) When did All-India Muslim League move a resolution demanding “Independent
States” for Muslims? (2 Marks)
(Ans) The League moved a resolution demanding “Independent States” for Muslims in 1940s. It
located its “Independent States” in the northwestern and eastern areas of the country.
(Q.) When and how did the struggle against British rule become a mass movement? (2
Marks)
(Ans) After 1919, the struggle against the British rule became a mass movement due to the
participation of peasants, tribals, students and women in large numbers.
(Q.) When did the Russian Revolution took place? And how did it inspire Indian
nationalists? (2 Marks)
(Ans) The Russian Revolution took place in 1917 in Russia. The peasants and workers’ struggle
there and the ideas of socialism inspired Indian nationalists.
(Q.) When did the Russian Revolution took place? And how did it inspire Indian
nationalists? (2 Marks)
(Ans) The Russian Revolution took place in 1917 in Russia. The peasants and workers’ struggle
there and the ideas of socialism inspired Indian nationalists.
(Q.) When did the Russian Revolution took place? And how did it inspire Indian
nationalists? (2 Marks)
(Ans) The Russian Revolution took place in 1917 in Russia. The peasants and workers’ struggle
there and the ideas of socialism inspired Indian nationalists.
(Q.) Why did Gandhi call off the Non-cooperation movement?
OR
What was Chauri Chaura incident? (3 Marks)
(Ans) Gandhi was against violent methods and movements. This lead to the call of the Non-
Cooperation Movement abruptly due to the Chauri Chaura incident in which 22 policemen were
killed when a crowd of peasants set fire to the police station in February 1922.
(Q.) What were the methods used by the moderates to spread public awareness about
exploitative rule of the British? (3 Marks)
(Ans) In order to develop public awareness about the unjust nature of British rule, the moderates
of the congress party, published newspapers, wrote articles andproved how the British had
exploited the economy of India.They pointed out in their speeches and debates and also sent their
representatives to various parts of the country to inculcate in the minds of people the atrocities of
the British.
(Q.) Why did the dissatisfaction of Indians with British rule intensify in the 1870s and
1880s? (5 Marks)
(Ans) Indians’ dissatisfaction with the British rule intensified due to the various acts introduced by
the British snatching the freedom of Indians. For example the Arms Act of 1878 disallowed Indians
from possessing arms. The vernacular press Act of 1878 also crippled Indians’ freedom of
expression through their regional news papers this Act allowed the government to confiscate the
assets of the news papers found having published “Objectionable”.
The Ilbert Bill of 1883 provided for the trial of British of Europeans by Indians and tried to establish
racial equality between British and Indians judge in the country. But the white’s opposition forced
the government to withdraw the bill and all these factors intensified the dissatisfaction of Indians
with British rule.
(Q.) The Congress in the first twenty years was “moderate” explain with the major
demands of the moderates?
OR
What were the major demands of the moderates in the Indian National Movement?(5
Marks)
(Ans) The Congress in its first twenty years was “moderate” in its approach towards the British
and its methods.
The major demand of the moderates was the greater voice for Indians in the government and in
administration. The moderates wanted the legislative councils to have more representatives by
including Indians and be given more power. They also demanded that legislative Assembliesto be
introduced in provinces where none existed. They also demanded high positions in the government
for Indians and for this purpose requested the British that the Civil Service examinations to be held
in India simultaneoysly withLondon.
(Q.) The Congress in the first twenty years was “moderate” explain with the major
demands of the moderates?
OR
What were the major demands of the moderates in the Indian National Movement? (5
(Ans) The Congress in its first twenty years was “moderate” in its approach towards the British
anditmethods.
The major demand of the moderates was the greater voice for Indians in the government
and in administration. The moderates wanted the legislative councils to have more representatives
by including Indians and be given more power. They also demanded that legislative Assembliesto
be introduced in provinces where none existed. They also demanded high positions in the
government for Indians and for this purpose requested the British that the Civil Service
examinations to be held in India simultaneoysly withLondon.
(Q.) The Congress in the first twenty years was “moderate” explain with the major
demands of the moderates?
OR
What were the major demands of the moderates in the Indian National Movement?
(Ans) The Congress in its first twenty years was “moderate” in its approach towards the British
and its methods.The major demand of the moderates was the greater voice for Indians in the
government and in administration. The moderates wanted the legislative councils to have more
representatives by including Indians and be given more power. They also demanded that legislative
Assembliesto be introduced in provinces where none existed. They also demanded high positions in
the government for Indians and for this purpose requested the British that the Civil Service
examinations to be held in India simultaneoysly withLondon.
(Q.) Who were the popular radicals in the Congress? And why did they criticize the politic
al methods of the moderates? (5 Marks)
(Ans) The trend of radicals emerged in the congress party from 1890s. They began to analyze the
nature of the political methods and approaches used by the moderates in the Congress. In Bengal,
Maharashtra and Punjab leaders such as Bepin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat
Rai were trying to adopt the possibility of radical objectives and methods.
They criticized the political methods of the moderates as “Politics of Prayers” and emphasized the
Self-reliance and constructive work.They also argued that Indian shoued rely on their own
strength, not on the “good” intentions of the government. They called upon people to fight for
Swaraj. Tilak gave a popular slogan “Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it!”
(Q.) Who were the popular radicals in the Congress? And why did they criticize the politic
al methods of the moderates? (5 Marks)
(Ans) The trend of radicals emerged in the congress party from 1890s. They began to analyze the
nature of the political methods and approaches used by the moderates in the Congress. In Bengal,
Maharashtra and Punjab leaders such as Bepin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat
Rai were trying to adopt the possibility of radical objectives and methods.
They criticized the political methods of the moderates as “Politics of Prayers” and emphasized the
Self-reliance and constructive work.They also argued that Indian shoued rely on their own
strength, not on the “good” intentions of the government. They called upon people to fight for
Swaraj. Tilak gave a popular slogan “Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it!”
(Q.) Who were the popular radicals in the Congress? And why did they criticize the politic
al methods of the moderates? (5 Marks)
(Ans) The trend of radicals emerged in the congress party from 1890s. They began to analyze the
nature of the political methods and approaches used by the moderates in the Congress. In Bengal,
Maharashtra and Punjab leaders such as Bepin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat
Rai were trying to adopt the possibility of radical objectives and methods.
They criticized the political methods of the moderates as “Politics of Prayers” and emphasized the
Self-reliance and constructive work.They also argued that Indian shoued rely on their own
strength, not on the “good” intentions of the government. They called upon people to fight for
Swaraj. Tilak gave a popular slogan “Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it!”
(Q.) Why did the Swadeshi movement emerge? And what were its various programmes?\
(Ans) There were many demonstrations and mass protest against the partition of Bengal in 1905
by the British government. Out of these developments emerged the Swadeshi movement. It was
very strong and popular in Bengal” The Swadeshi movement encouraged the ideas of self-help,
Swadeshi enterprise, national education and use of Indian languages. Radicals advocated mass
mobilization and boycott of British institutions and goods. Some individuals suggested that the
“revolutionary violence” would be necessary to over throw British rule.
(Q.) What is the Rowlatt Act? Why did Indians opposed it? (5 Marks)
(Ans) The Rowlatt Act was passed by the British in India in order to cripple the fundamental rights
such as freedom of expression of Indians. It strengthened the power of police.
In 1919 Gandhi calls for a Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act. Gandhi and Mohammad Ali Jinnah
were opposing the Act that restricted people’s basic freedom.
They criticized the Act as ‘devilish’ and ‘tyrannical’. Gandhi asked the people to observe 6 April
1919 as a day of non-violent opposition to the Act, as a day of “humiliation and Prayers” and hartal
(strike). Satyagraha Sabhas were set through out the country to launch the movement.
Prayers” and hartal (strike). Satyagraha Sabhas were set through out the country to launch the
movement.
observe 6 April 1919 as a day of non-violent opposition to the Act, as a day of “humiliation and
Prayers” and hartal (strike). Satyagraha Sabhas were set through out the country to launch the
movement.
(Q.) The League began viewing the Muslims as a separate “nation” from the Hindus
explains? (5 Marks)
(Ans)
1. From the late 1930’s the All India Muslim League started developing a view of the Muslims
as separate “nation” from the Hindus. It was due to the history of tension between some
Hindu and Muslim groups in the 1920s and 1930s. The Muslim League was convinced by the
provincial elections of 1937 that Muslims were a minority and would have to play a second
fiddle to Hindus, in any democratic structure.
2. Its apprehensions were confirmed when the congress rejected the League’s desire to form a
joint Congress-League government in the United provinces in 1937.
(Q.) When did the Muslim League announce the “Direct Action Day”? And what were its
consequences? (5 Marks)
(Ans)
1.After the failure of the proposal of the Cabinet Mission to find a solution for a free India.
1. The Muslim League started on mass agitation for getting its separate country-Pakistan and
announced 16 August 1946 as “Direct Action Day”. Following this, there were many communal
riots in Calcutta between Hindus and Muslims that lasted for several days.
2. By March 1947, the communal violence spread to other parts of the country and killed many
people. Women faced untold brutalities and sufferings.
Human Resources
(Q.) What is the population composition? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Population composition refers to the structure of the population.
(Q.) What is the natural growth rate? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Births and deaths are the natural causes of population change. The difference between the
birth rate and the death rate is called the natural growth rate of a country.
(Q.) What is death rate? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Death rate is the number of deaths per thousand people.
(Q.) What is migration? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Migration is the movement of people in and out of an area. The people moving out of a place
are called emigrants and the people moving in a new area are called immigrants.
(Q.) What is birth rate? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Birth rate is the number of live births per thousand people.
(Q.) Why has the world population increased drastically over the past few decades?(1
(Ans) With better food supplies and medicines owing to improved science and technology, deaths
have decreased but the births are still high. This has led to the increase in population.
(Q.) What are the criterions on which people all around the world differ from each other?
(Ans) People all around the world may vary on the basis of age, sex, literacy level, health
condition, occupation, or income level.
(Q.) Which are the factors that affect distribution of population? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The factors that affect population distribution are geographical, social, economic and cultural
factors.
(Q.) When was the Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development created? What is its
aim? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development was created in 1985 with the aim of
improving people’s skills.
(Q.) On what criterions do the human resources all over the world differ?(1 Mark)
(Ans) People all over the world differ on the basis of their sex, age and educational levels.
(Q.) What is the working age of people? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The working age is between 14 years to 65 years. Below it are the young dependents and
above it are the elderly dependents.
(Q.) What is the general trend of migration? (3 Marks)
(Ans) Migration generally occurs from the less developed nations to the more developed nations in
search of employment. People also travel from the rural to urban areas in search of better
employment and infrastructure facilities.
(Q.) What does a population pyramid show? (3 Marks)
(Ans) A population pyramid shows the total population divided into various age groups and
segregates the population into dependent and working age people. It also subdivides the total
population into males and females. It indicates the average life expectancy of the people and
makes an easy comparison between death rates and birth rates.
(Q.) Elucidate the social, cultural and economic impact on population distribution.
(Ans)
Social factors: Areas with better housing, education and health facilities, are more populated than
others.
Cultural factors: Places with cultural and religious importance attract more people than others.
Economic factors: Industrial areas are more populated as they provide employment
opportunities.
(Q.) Why are the human resources called the ultimate resource? (3 Marks)
(Ans) The people are the ones who, with their demands and abilities turn natural products into
resources. Healthy, educated and motivated people develop resources as per their requirements
and hence are called the ultimate resource.
(Q.) What would the shape of the population pyramid be, if a country has both high birth
rate and death rate? (4 Marks)
(Ans) A country that has high birth rate and high death rate will have a population pyramid that is
broad at the base and rapidly narrows towards the top. This is because although a large number of
children are born, a large percentage of them die in their infancy, few become adult and very few
(Q.) Which are the geographical factors affecting the distribution of population? (4
Ans) The geographical factors that affect the distribution of population are:
a. Topography- People prefer living on plains rather than on mountains or plateaus as these areas
are suitable for farming, manufacturing or service activities.
b. Climate- People avoid extreme climates like too hot or too cold.
c. Soil- People prefer living in areas with fertile soil as it supports agriculture.
d. Water- People prefer to live in areas where fresh water is easily available.
Public Facilities
(Q.) What is the important feature of public facilities? (1 Mark)
(Q.) How many children below five years of age die due to water related diseases in
India? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Over 16 hundred children below five years of age die due to water related disease in India.
(Q.) Under which article ‘right to water’ is part of the right to life? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution the ‘right to water’ is part of right to life.
(Q.) Who provides the public facilities? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The government provides the public facilities.
(Q.) Where does government present the budget? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The government presents the budget in the Parliament.
(Q.) Which is the most important public transport for short distances? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The buses are the most important public transport for short distances.
(Q.) What is the special about Porto Alegre? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Porto Alegrehas lowest infant death rate than other cities of the world because of
theavailability of safe water maintained by city water department.
(Q.) Where is Porto Alegre situated? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Porto Alegre is a city in Brazil.
(Q.) Which is the world’s densest railway route? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Mumbai suburban railway is the world’s densest railway route.
(Q.) How did the drinking water of Mahbubnagar get contaminated? (2 Marks) (Ans) A
textile company discharged poisonous chemicals in the river near the Mahbubnagar. This has
contaminated the ground water, which was the source of irrigation and drinking water.
(Q.) What does the Indian constitution says about Right to Education and what is the
contradiction that prevails in India? (2 Marks)
(Ans) The Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Education for all children between the ages
of 6-14 years. According to this Right, schooling facilities are available to all children impartially.
According to report on education, schooling in India continues to be highly uneven.
(Q.) What do you understand by ‘public facilities’? (2 Marks)
(Ans) Public Facilities are the availability of essential amenities for all human beings to live. Some
basic amenities are water, health care, electricity, public transport etc.
(Q.) What was the UN statement regarding water? (2 Marks)
(Ans) The UN statement regarding water was that- “right to water entitles everyone to sufficient,
safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use”.
(Q.) Which court had given her verdict on PIL by a citizen of Mahbubnagar? What was its
decision?(2 Marks)
(Ans) Andhra Pradesh High Court had given her verdict on PIL by a citizen of Mahbubnagar.
In its decision the court directed the district collector of Mahbubnagar to supply 25 liters of water
to every villager.
(Q.) Which court had given her verdict on PIL by a citizen of Mahbubnagar? What was its
decision? (2 Marks)
(Ans) Andhra Pradesh High Court had given her verdict on PIL by a citizen of Mahbubnagar.
In its decision the court directed the district collector of Mahbubnagar to supply 25 liters of water
to every villager.
(Q.) What is budget? (2 Marks)
(Ans) The Budget is a description of the operating cost made on programmes of the past year and
what will be needed for plans in the coming year by the government. It also includes the
description of acquiring the resources.
(Q.) Which alternative government has planned in place of buses and why? (2
(Ans) The government has planned metro rail projects for Delhi and other metropolitan cities.
The government has planned the alternatives in place of buses because public buses system is
unable to keep up with demand in the cities.
(Q.) What is the duty of government for public health? (2 Marks)
(Ans) The duty of government for public health is to provide adequate access to proper health
facilities for entire population. This includes the eradication of preventable diseases like polio,
hepatitis B etc.
(Q.) The public facility benefited many people at a time. Discuss it with example.
(Ans) The public facility benefited many people at a time, for example a school in the village will
allow many children to get educated. In the same way by the supply of electricity to an area the
farmers can run pump-sets to irrigate their fields, people can open small workshops that run on
electricity, students will find it easier to study and most people in the village will get benefit from it.
(Q.) Why do the public facilities are maintained by the government? (3 Marks)
(Ans) Public facilities are the basic needs of all the human beings. In any modern society, these
facilities must be fulfilled so that the basic needs of people are met. The Right to Life is guaranteed
by the Constitution for all persons in the country and public facilities are part of Right to Life.
Therefore government is bind to fulfill the public facilities.
(Q.) How does the water supply for Chennai and near by cities is maintained by private
suppliers? (3 Marks)
(Ans) The scarcity of water made way for private companies to make profit. Private suppliers
supply water to the cities through buying the right to harness water from around the places. These
companies maintained water supply for Chennai and near by cities through a fleet of 13000
tankers. For this purpose every month they pay farmers and get permission to exploit water
sources in their land.
(Q.) What are the inequalities prevailing in use of water in India?(3 Marks)
(Ans) There is much difference in use of water in India by rich & poor. According to the standard
set by the Urban Water Commission of India, the supply of water per person in an urban area must
be about 135 litres per day. In reality, people in slums get less than 20 litres a day per person,
while people living in luxury hotels consume as much as 1,600 litres of water per day.
(Q.) How does the passing on of responsibility of the water supply to private companies
backfired? (3 Marks)
(Ans) The passing on of responsibility of the water supply to private companies backfired because
it was found that there was an abrupt rise in the price of water, making it unreasonable for poor
and people with meager wages. The cities saw huge protests along with violence and riots in places
like Bolivia, which forced the government to take back the service from private hands and manage
it by government agencies.
(Q.) Discuss one of the successes of government water departments in India. (3
(Ans) There are cases of success in government's water departments. The water supply
department in Mumbai raises enough money through water charges to cover its expenses on
supplying water. In Hyderabad, the department has increased coverage and improved performance
in revenue collection. In Chennai, the department has started harvesting the rainwater. It has
handed over the services of transporting and distributing water to private companies on
government rates
(Q.) In which areas do the private companies involve themselves for public facilities and
why? (5 Marks)
(Ans) The private companies are involved in opening of schools and hospitals esp. in big cities.
Also, they provide drinking water through tankers and sealed bottles. All these facilities are
available on a price, which people with good income can afford.
The private companies are involvedin providing these facilities because here they can gain big
profits. If we see towards schools we find schools like AMITY, DPS etc with high fees and standard.
In the same way we find hospitals like Escorts, Fortis etc with best facilities and services. Next the
packed water of private companies like Pepsi, coca-cola etc are floating in market, even we find big
water supply in bottles from private vendors. These all gain big money for private owners.
(Q.) How does the government get money for public facilities(5 Marks)
(Ans) In the budget the main source of revenue for the government is the taxes collected from the
people. The government has right to collect these taxes and use them for its programmes. For
example, to supply water, the government has to maintain costs in pumping water, carrying it over
long distances, laying down pipes for the distribution, treating the water for impurities, and
collecting and treating wastewater. The government collects these expenses partly from the
various taxes and partly by charging a price for water. The price of water is set so that most people
can afford a certain minimum amount of water for daily use.
(Q.) Do you know about something about 'Sulabh'? (5 Marks)
(Ans) Sulabh is a non-government organization, which has been working for three decades to
concentrate on the problems of sanitation faced by the low-caste, low-income people in India. It
has erected more than 7,500 public toilet blocks and 1.2 million private toilets, giving access to
sanitation to 10 million people. Sulabh enters into contracts with municipalities or other local
authorities to construct toilet blocks with government funds. The local authorities provide land and
funds for setting up the services, whereas maintenance costs are sometimes financed through user
charges.
Law and Social Justice
(Q.) What was the name of the company, which was involved in the Bhopal tragedy? Also
name the gas that caused the devastation. (1 Mark)
(Ans) The name of the company was Union Carbide and the gas that caused the devastation was
methyl-isocyanite.
(Q.) Who is a consumer? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Consumer is an individual who buys goods or services for his/herpersonal use.
(Q.) What is the full form of CNG? (1 Mark)
(Ans) CNG stands for Compressed Natural Gas.
(Q.) Name the major hazardous industries relocated by the developed countries into the
developing countries. (1 Mark)
(Ans) The major hazourdous industries are of Pesticides, asbestos, zinc and lead processing and
the Ship-breaking.
(Q.) Name major Ship-breaking yard in India and where is it located? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Alang is the major Ship-breaking yard in India and it is located on Gujarat seacoast.
(Q.) How much compensation did the travel agency paid to the foreign trip tourists after
court’s order? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The travel agency had paid Rs 8 lakh to the foreign trip tourists after court’s order.
(Q.) Which company owns the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal at present? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Dow Chemicals is the company, which owns the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal at present.
(Q.) What does the law of minimum wages state? (2 Marks)
(Ans) According to the law of minimum wages, a worker has to be paid not less than the minimum
wage by the employer and the minimum wages are revised upwards every few years.
(Q.) Who are the people whose interests are protected by the law of minimum wages? (2
Marks)
(Ans) The law of minimum wages protects the interest of all workers, particularly farm workers,
construction labourers, factory workers, domestic workers, etc.
(Q.) Why do we need laws for safeguarding the environment? (2 Marks)
(Ans) We need laws for protecting the environment because the environment is something that
people over generations will share, and it could not be destroyed merely for industrial
development.
(Q.) Why do we need laws for safeguarding the environment? (2 Marks)
(Ans) We need laws for protecting the environment because the environment is something that
people over generations will share, and it could not be destroyed merely for industrial
development.
(Q.) Why is the law of minimum wages necessary? (2 Marks)
(Ans) The law of minimum wages is necessary because many workers are denied fair wages by
their employers. Because they badly need work, workers have no bargaining power and are paid
low wages.
(Q.) What can the government do to enforce the law of minimum wages? (2 Marks)
(Ans) To ensure that the workers get their fair wages, the government should regularly inspect
work sites and punish those who violate the law of minimum wages for workers.
(Q.) What is the recent report on pollution in Delhi? (2 Marks)
(Ans) According to the recent report by the Center for Science and Environment, New Delhi, there
are high levels of toxic substance present in the air. This is due to emissions from cars which run
on diesel (rather than petrol) and a sharp increase in the number of cars on the road.
(Q.) How does the ship-breaking industry get boost in South Asia? (2 Marks)
(Ans) The Ship-breaking is a hazardous industrywhich is getting boost in South Asia. The old
ships, which are not in use, are sent to shipyards in Bangladesh and India for scrapping. These
ships contain potentially dangerous and harmful substances.
(Q.) What is the life of thrown out factory workers? (2 Marks)
(Ans) The thrown out factory workersend up as small traders or as daily-wages labourers. Some of
them find work in smaller production units, where the conditions of work are more exploitative and
the enforcement of laws is weaker.
(Q.) Why is the law to form worker unions/associations necessary? (3 Marks)
(Ans) The law to form worker unions/associations is necessary because by organizing themselves
into unions, workers can use their combined power to demand fair wages and better working
conditions.
(Q.) Why is the worth of an Indian worker perceived to be so low? (3 Marks)
(Ans) Since there is so much employment in India, there are many workers who are willing to
work in unsafe conditions in return for a wage. Therefore, one worker can easily replace another.
Making use of the workers’ vulnerability, employers ignore safety in workplaces.
(Q.) Why is the law requiring that the quality of goods meet certain prescribed standards
necessary? (3 Marks)
(Ans) The law requiring that the quality of goods meet certain prescribed standards is necessary
because otherwise, consumers might be put to risk by the poor quality of the products such as
electrical appliances, food materials, medicines, etc.
(Q.) How were the victims of the Bhopal Tragedy cheated out of justice? (3 Marks)
(Ans) The Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims were paid a very low compensation even though the death
toll was very high and several people continue to suffer even today. This was because the worth of
the Indian worker is far less than a foreign worker and the Indian workers are easily replaceable.
(Q.) Are there any laws for producers and consumers? If yes, then what they state? (3)
(Ans) Yes, thereare laws for the rights of producers and consumers.These laws protect the interest of
producers and consumers in the market.These lawsmake sure that the relations between the three parties –
the worker, the consumer and the producer are governed in a manner that there is no exploitation
and unjust treatment.
(Q.) How did the textile mills in Ahemdabad close due to power looms? (3 Marks)
(Ans) The power looms are small units with 4-6 looms. The private owners operate them with
hired and family labour. The conditions of work in the power looms are far from satisfactory. The
textile mills in Ahmedabad had faced greater competition from power looms. The majority of the
textile mills closed during 1980s and 1990s because of cheap and vast production rate of small
power looms.
(Q.) How did the ruling of the courts solved one problem and created another in Delhi? (3
(Ans)
The courts ruled out that the industries in residential areasof Delhi should close down or shift out of
the city. These industrieswerepolluting the neighbourhood and discharge from these
industrieswaspolluting river Yamuna. Moreover, these industries do not follow any rules
andregulations. While the court's action solved one problem, it created another. Because of the
closure of industries, many workers lost their jobs.
(Q.) Which industries are relocated by developed countries and where? (3 Marks)
(Ans) Developedcountries are relocating their toxic and hazardous industriesin developing
countries in order to take advantage of the weaker laws of these countries and to keep their own
countries clean andsafe. South Asian countrieslike India, Bangladesh and Pakistan are engaged in
the recreation of the industries that produce pesticides, asbestos or processing zinc and lead.
(Q.) What do you understand by the ‘Worker’s Union’? (3 Marks)
(Ans) Workers’ Union is an association of workers. Workers’ unions are common in factories and
offices, but we also find themin other types of industries. The leaders of the union bargain and
negotiate with the employer on behalf of its members. They deal with the issues like wages, work
rules, rulesconcerning hiring, firing and promotion of workers, benefits and workplace safety.
(Q.) In what ways were the safety laws violated leading up to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy? (5
Marks)
(Ans) First of all, the government officials refused to recognize the plant as hazardous and allowed
it to come up in a populated locality. When some municipal officials in Bhopal objected to the
installation of an MIC production unit, the government maintained that the state needs the
continued investment of the Bhopal plant which provides jobs. Government inspector continued to
approve the procedures in the plant even when repeated incidents of leaks from the plant made it
obvious to everyone that things were seriously wrong.
(Q.) Why do foreign industries set up their factories and plants in India? (5 Marks)
(Ans) Foreign countries come to India for cheap labour. Wages that the companies pay to foreign
workers are far higher than what the companies have to pay to workers in poorer countries like
India. For lower pay, companies can get longer hours of work. Additional expenses such as for
housing facilities are also fewer. Thus companies can save costs and earn greater profits.
(Q.) What steps can be taken to achieve a clean environment that may benefit
everybody? (5 Marks)
(Ans) To look for solutions where every body can benefit from the cleaner environment, the
industries should gradually move to cleaner technologies and processes in the factories. The
government should encourage and support factories to do this and should impose fines on those
who pollute. This will ensure that the workers retain their livelihood an both the workers and
communities living around the factories enjoy a clean environment.