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?

Why did the children go to Yasmin Khala's house?

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?

In your neighbourhood are there women who own property? How did they acquire it?

What issue is the poem trying to raise? Do you think this is an important issue? Why?

What does the Constitution say with regard to equality? Why do you think it is important for all people to be equal?

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

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

Match the following statements in a way that challenges stereotypes.

What did Gangabai do and why?

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.