Class 6 Social Science - Social and Political Life - Chapter Key Elements of a Democratic Government NCERT Solutions | What are the various ways in which peopl

Why do you think we need the government to find solutions to many disputes or conflicts?

How would Maya's life be different in South Africa today?

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.

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.

• The decision of the Government of India to maintain peaceful relations with Russia.
• The decision of the Government of West Bengal on whether to have Board exam in Class 8 for all government schools.
• Introduction of two new trains between Dibrugarh and Kanyakumari.
• The decision to locate a common well in a particular area of the village.
• Decision to construct a big children's park in Patna.
• The decision of the Government of Haryana to provide free electricity for all farmers.
• Introduction of a new 1000 rupee note.

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 problem did the villagers in Hardas village face? What did they do to solve this problem?

Take an example of any one task done by a Panchayat in your area/nearby rural area and find out the following:

a. Why it was taken up.
b. Where the money came from.
c. Whether or not the work has been completed.

Find out more about watershed development and how it benefits an area?

Imagine you are a member of a fishing family and you are discussing whether to take a loan from the bank for an engine. What would you say?

What is the difference between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?

Poor rural labourers like Thulasi often do not have access to good medical facilities, good schools, and other resources. You have read about inequality in the first unit of this text. The difference between her and Ramalingam is one of inequality. Do you think this is a fair situation? What do you think can be done? Discuss in class.

Compare the situation of Sekar and Ramalingam by filling out the following table:

Several poor people in the city work as domestic servants as well as work for the Corporation, keeping the city clean. Yet the slums in which they live are quite filthy. This is because these slums seldom have any water and sanitation facilities. The reason often given by the Municipal Corporation is that the land in which the poor have set up their homes does not belong to them and that slum-dwellers do not pay taxes. However people living in middle class neighbourhoods pay very little in taxes compared to the amount of money the corporation spends on them in setting up parks, street lighting facilities, regular garbage collection etc. Also as you read in this chapter, the property taxes collected by the Municipality makes up only 25-30 per cent of its money. Why do you think it is important that the Corporation should spend more money on slum localities? Why is it important that the Municipal Corporation provide the poor in the city with the same facilities that the rich get?

Do you think the term "unity in diversity" is an appropriate term to describe India? What do you think Nehru is trying to say about Indian unity in the sentence quoted above from his book The Discovery of India?

Fill in the following table to show the services provided by people in the markets which you visit frequently.