Class 6 Social Science - Social and Political Life - Chapter What is Government? NCERT Solutions | What was the suffrage movement? What did

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 do you think the government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of laws?

Name two essential features of a democratic government.

Gandhiji strongly believed that every adult in India should be given the right to vote. However, a few people don't share his views. They feel that illiterate people, who are mainly poor, should not be given the right to vote. What do you think? Do you think this would be a form of discrimination? Give five points to support your view and share these with the class.

What do you understand by the word 'government'? List five ways in which you think the government affects your daily life.

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

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.

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 are the various ways in which people participate in the process of government?

What, in your opinion, is the importance of the Gram Sabha? Do you think all members should attend Gram Sabha meetings? Why?

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

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

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?

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.