How would Maya's life be different in South Africa today?
Maya’s life would be different in South Africa today in the following ways:
1. She can use roads, buses and railway trains as others do without any discrimination. She can also use same bus-stop that other people use.
2. She can attend hotels and restaurants too.
3. She would not be counted in the race of apartheid. She can talk and mingle with anyone.
4. She can use common facilities. She has no fear of police and can walk freely in the path.
5. She has right to vote.
Why do you think we need the government to find solutions to many disputes or conflicts?
What are the various ways in which people participate in the process of government?
What actions does the government take to ensure that all people are treated equally?
Read through the chapter and discuss some of the key ideas of a democratic government. Make a list. For example, all people are equal.
What problem did the villagers in Hardas village face? What did they do to solve this problem?
Draw up a list of the different festivals celebrated in your locality. Which of these celebrations are shared by members of different regional and religious communities?
What is the work of the police?
Match the following statements in a way that challenges stereotypes.
a. Two surgeons were sitting down to lunch when one of them made a call on the mobile phone |
1. suffers from chronic asthma. |
b. The boy who won the drawing competition went to the dias |
2. to become an astronaut which she did. |
c. One of the fastest athletes in the world |
3. to speak with her daughter who had just returned from school. |
d. She was not that well-off but had a dream |
4. on a wheelchair to collect his prize. |
Look at the statements in the column on the left. Can you identify which level they belong to? Place tick marks against the level you consider most appropriate.
Why did the children go to Yasmin Khala's house?
You have probably noticed that people in Kalpattu are engaged in a variety of non-farm work. List five of these.
Read and discuss the following description of the living conditions of workers who come to the labour chowk.
Most workers that we find at the labour chowk cannot afford permanent accommodation and so sleep on pavements near the chowk, or they pay Rs 6 a night for a bed at a nearby night shelter run by the Municipal Corporation. To compensate for the lack of security, local tea and cigarette shops function as banks, moneylenders and safety lockers, all rolled into one. Most workers leave their tools at these shops for the night for safekeeping, and pass on any extra money to them. The shopkeepers keep the money safely and also offer loans to labourers in need.
Source: Aman Sethi, Hindu On-line
What, in your opinion, is the importance of the Gram Sabha? Do you think all members should attend Gram Sabha meetings? Why?
What do you think living in India with its rich heritage of diversity adds to your life?
What do you think living in India with its rich heritage of diversity adds to your life?
List two things that the work of a Patwari includes.
What is the difference between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?
What problem did the villagers in Hardas village face? What did they do to solve this problem?
Compare the situation of Sekar and Ramalingam by filling out the following table:
List the different types of people you read about in Kalpattu who depend on farming. Who is the poorest among them and why?
Read and discuss the following description of the living conditions of workers who come to the labour chowk.
Most workers that we find at the labour chowk cannot afford permanent accommodation and so sleep on pavements near the chowk, or they pay Rs 6 a night for a bed at a nearby night shelter run by the Municipal Corporation. To compensate for the lack of security, local tea and cigarette shops function as banks, moneylenders and safety lockers, all rolled into one. Most workers leave their tools at these shops for the night for safekeeping, and pass on any extra money to them. The shopkeepers keep the money safely and also offer loans to labourers in need.
Source: Aman Sethi, Hindu On-line
Look at the statements in the column on the left. Can you identify which level they belong to? Place tick marks against the level you consider most appropriate.
Discuss
In the two photographs you see different ways of collecting and disposing garbage.
i) Which way do you think provides safety to the person disposing garbage?
ii) What are the dangers of collecting garbage in the manner shown in the first photograph?
iii) Why do you think that proper ways of disposing garbage are not available to those who work in municipalities?
Name two essential features of a democratic government.