society

Question 1

indian society

Answer 1

India, with its rich cultural tapestry and diverse population, stands as one of the world’s most vibrant and complex societies.

Question 2

salient features of indian society

Answer 2

patriarchy
rural and agrarian
mutual respect and tolerance
spiritual and materialistic
individualism and collectivism
caste and class
unity in diversity
traditional with modernity
dynamic and syncretic

Question 3

Rabindranath Tagore on role of women

Answer 3

“Woman is the builder and moulder of a nation’s destiny. Though delicate and soft as a lily, she has a heart far stronger and bolder than that of man. She is the supreme inspiration for man’s onward march.”
In India, constitutional articles such as Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 15(3) (Special Provisions for Women) affirm gender equality and empower women through legal protections and affirmative action.

Question 4

women literacy rate

Answer 4

According to the 2011 Census of India, the female literacy rate has increased to 65.46%, up from 54.16% in 2001.

Question 5

SDG5

Answer 5

gender equality

Question 6

women organisation in india

Answer 6

1. Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA)
   
   • Focus: Empowerment of self-employed women workers.
2. National Commission for Women (NCW)
   
   • Focus: Policy advice and advocacy on women’s issues.
3. All India Women’s Conference (AIWC)
   
   • Focus: Welfare and empowerment of women and children.
4. Centre for Social Research (CSR)
   
   • Focus: Gender justice, research, and advocacy.
5. Majlis Manch
   
   • Focus: Legal aid and support for women facing violence.
6. Saheli Women’s Resource Centre
   
   • Focus: Support and counseling for women.
7. Jagori
   
   • Focus: Awareness and support on feminist issues and violence against women.
8. Breakthrough
   
   • Focus: Transforming norms and attitudes that perpetuate violence against women.
9. Azad Foundation
   
   • Focus: Training and employment for women in the transportation sector.
10. SNEHA (Society for Nutrition, Education, and Health Action)
    
    • Focus: Public health for women and children in urban slums.

Question 7

women organisation in international level

Answer 7

1. UN Women
   
   • Focus: Gender equality and empowerment of women globally.
2. International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC)
   
   • Focus: Sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls.
3. Global Fund for Women
   
   • Focus: Funding and supporting women’s rights initiatives worldwide.
4. Women for Women International
   
   • Focus: Supporting women survivors of war and conflict.
5. Equality Now
   
   • Focus: Legal advocacy to end gender-based violence and discrimination.
6. Girls Not Brides
   
   • Focus: Ending child marriage globally.
7. Women Deliver
   
   • Focus: Gender equality and maternal health.
8. FEMNET (African Women’s Development and Communication Network)
   
   • Focus: Advocacy and networking for African women’s rights.
9. Women’s World Banking
   
   • Focus: Financial inclusion for women.
10. International Alliance of Women (IAW)
    
    • Focus: Promoting women’s human rights, gender equality, and empowerment.

Question 8

women roles

Answer 8

Roles of Women with Examples

1. Education
   
   • Example: Malala Yousafzai advocated for girls’ education globally despite facing adversity.
2. Economy
   
   • Example: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw founded Biocon Limited, impacting healthcare and the economy.
3. Politics
   
   • Example: Indira Gandhi, India’s first female Prime Minister, led the country through significant changes.
4. Science and Technology
   
   • Example: Dr. Tessy Thomas, ‘Missile Woman of India,’ contributed to India’s missile program.
5. Social Reforms
   
   • Example: Savitribai Phule promoted women’s education and rights in 19th-century India.
6. Healthcare
   
   • Example: Dr. Kiran Bedi worked on drug abuse, prison reforms, and women’s healthcare.
7. Arts and Culture
   
   • Example: M.F. Husain portrayed women’s strength and beauty through his paintings.
8. Sports
   
   • Example: P.V. Sindhu won an Olympic silver medal in badminton, inspiring young athletes.
9. Environmental Activism
   
   • Example: Vandana Shiva advocated for biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.
10. Corporate Leadership
    
    • Example: Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, led the company to significant growth.

These examples highlight how women contribute to various fields, driving progress and inspiring change globally.

Question 9

gandhi on communalism

Answer 9

“I do not expect India of my dreams to develop one religion, i.e., to be wholly Hindu or wholly Christian or wholly Mussalman, but I want it to be wholly tolerant, with its religions working side by side with one another.”

Question 10

communalsim defn

Answer 10

a social and political ideology that emphasizes the interests, identity, and solidarity of a particular religious or ethnic group over broader social or national interests.

Question 11

communalism in india

Answer 11

1. Babri Masjid Demolition (1992)
   
   • Location: Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
   • Description: Demolition of the Babri Masjid by Hindu nationalists, claiming it was built on the birthplace of Lord Ram, triggering nationwide communal violence between Hindus and Muslims.
2. Gujarat Riots (2002)
   
   • Location: Gujarat
   • Description: Communal violence erupted following the Godhra train burning incident, resulting in targeted attacks on Muslims and widespread destruction of property.
3. Mumbai Riots (1992-1993)
   
   • Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
   • Description: Riots broke out after the Babri Masjid demolition, leading to communal clashes between Hindus and Muslims, resulting in hundreds of deaths.
4. Muzaffarnagar Riots (2013)
   
   • Location: Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh
   • Description: Communal clashes between Hindus and Muslims were sparked by incidents of violence and rumors, resulting in displacement and loss of life.
5. Delhi Riots (2020)
   
   • Location: Northeast Delhi
   • Description: Communal violence erupted primarily between Hindu and Muslim communities, resulting in several deaths and widespread destruction of property.
6. Assam Riots (2012)
   
   • Location: Assam
   • Description: Ethnic clashes between indigenous Bodos and Bengali-speaking Muslims in Kokrajhar and surrounding areas, leading to displacement and loss of life.
7. Ayodhya Verdict (2019)
   
   • Location: Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
   • Description: Supreme Court’s verdict on the Ayodhya land dispute, allocating the site for the construction of a Hindu temple, reigniting communal tensions.
8. Bhagalpur Riots (1989)
   
   • Location: Bhagalpur, Bihar
   • Description: Communal violence between Hindus and Muslims following a dispute during a Hindu religious procession, resulting in significant casualties and displacement.
9. Kandhamal Violence (2008)
   
   • Location: Kandhamal, Odisha
   • Description: Anti-Christian violence erupted after the murder of a Hindu religious leader, leading to attacks on Christians and destruction of churches and properties.
10. Pune Riots (2014)
    
    • Location: Pune, Maharashtra
    • Description: Communal clashes between Hindu and Muslim groups over social media posts and rumors, resulting in violence and imposition of curfew.

Question 12

communalism in global

Answer 12

Global

1. Rohingya Crisis (Myanmar)
   
   • Reason: The persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, driven by religious and ethnic tensions, resulted in mass displacement and humanitarian crises.
2. Bosnian War (1992-1995)
   
   • Reason: Ethnic and religious tensions between Bosniaks (Muslims), Serbs (Orthodox Christians), and Croats (Catholics) led to widespread violence and ethnic cleansing.
3. Christchurch Mosque Shootings (New Zealand, 2019)
   
   • Reason: A white supremacist gunman targeted two mosques, killing 51 people, in an act motivated by anti-Muslim sentiment.
4. Partition of India (1947)
   
   • Reason: The partition led to communal violence between Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs, resulting in massive displacement, loss of life, and ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.

Question 13

Reasons for Communalistic Tensions

Answer 13

• Historical Grievances: Long-standing grievances or historical narratives that fuel animosity between communities.
• Political Manipulation: Politicians and leaders exploiting religious sentiments for electoral gains or to consolidate power.
• Economic Disparities: Socio-economic disparities that are perceived through a communal lens, leading to resentment and hostility.
• Identity Politics: Communities asserting their identity in response to perceived threats or marginalization, often exacerbated by external influences or historical narratives.

Question 14

initiative to addresss communalism

Answer 14

1. Legal Framework:
   
   • Prevention of Communal Violence Bill (Not enacted): Proposed legislation aimed at preventing and controlling communal violence through early intervention, relief, and rehabilitation measures.
2. Educational Initiatives:
   
   • National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT): Integration of values promoting communal harmony and understanding in school curricula.
   • Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): Inclusion of programs promoting secular education and tolerance among school children.
3. Security Measures:
   
   • Deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF): Rapid deployment during sensitive periods or incidents to maintain law and order and prevent escalation of communal tensions.
   • National Security Guards (NSG): Special forces deployed in response to major communal incidents for swift and effective response.
4. Social Integration Programs:
   
   • National Integration Council (NIC): Established to address issues threatening national integration, including communalism, through dialogue and policy recommendations.
5. Legal Action:
   
   • Enforcement of Laws: Strict enforcement against hate speech, incitement to violence, and communal disharmony under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and relevant laws.

Question 15

SDG16

Answer 15

peace, justice and strong institutions

Question 16

regionalism

Answer 16

Regionalism refers to a strong sense of identity and loyalty to a particular region, often characterized by demands for autonomy, political representation, and socio-economic development specific to that region.

Question 17

regionalism in india

Answer 17

1. Dravidian Movement (South India): Advocates for the rights and autonomy of Dravidian-speaking people, particularly in Tamil Nadu and other southern states.
2. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS): Promotes Marathi regionalism in Maharashtra, advocating for the rights of Marathi-speaking people.
3. Bodo Movement (Assam): Seeks autonomy and safeguards for the Bodo ethnic group in Assam, focusing on political representation and development.
4. Gorkhaland Movement (West Bengal): Demands separate statehood for the Gorkha ethnic community in Darjeeling and neighboring areas.
5. Telangana Movement: Advocated for and resulted in the formation of Telangana state in 2014, driven by regional aspirations for political autonomy and development.
6. Karnataka Ekikarana Movement: Focused on unifying Kannada-speaking regions into a single state of Karnataka during the linguistic reorganization of states.
7. Nagaland Statehood Movement: Sought statehood to preserve Naga cultural identity and autonomy within the Indian Union, leading to the formation of Nagaland as a state in 1963.
8. Punjab Regionalism: At times fueled movements for greater autonomy or recognition of Punjabi identity, influenced by historical grievances and cultural pride.

Question 18

Initiatives to Address Regionalism:

Answer 18

1. Developmental Projects:
   
   • Special Category Status: Granting special category status to states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and northeastern states to promote balanced regional development.
   • North Eastern Council (NEC): Facilitating infrastructure development and socio-economic projects in northeastern states.
2. Infrastructure Development:
   
   • Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): Connecting rural areas with all-weather roads to promote economic growth and improve living standards in remote regions.
3. Political Representation:
   
   • Regional Parties and Alliances: Engagement with regional political parties and alliances to address local concerns and promote inclusive governance.
   • Coalition Governments: Formation of coalition governments at the central level to accommodate regional aspirations and ensure representation.
4. Cultural Preservation:
   
   • National Cultural Fund (NCF): Supporting cultural festivals, languages, and traditions to preserve and promote regional identities while fostering national unity.
5. Constitutional Provisions:
   
   • Article 371: Specific provisions under Article 371 of the Constitution granting special provisions for states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and others to protect their cultural, social, and economic interests.
6. Inter-State Council (ISC):
   
   • Inter-State Cooperation: Facilitation of cooperation and dialogue among states through the ISC to address regional disparities and promote shared development goals.

Question 19

secularism

Answer 19

the principle of separating religious institutions and beliefs from state affairs and ensuring equal treatment and protection of all religions and beliefs by the government.

Question 20

indian secularism

Answer 20

1. Principle of Equal Respect:
   
   • Feature: Promotes equal respect for all religions, ensuring state neutrality and impartiality.
   • Example: Constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion (Articles 25-28) and prohibition of religious discrimination (Article 15).
2. Positive Neutrality:
   
   • Feature: State intervention to promote religious harmony and protect minority rights.
   • Example: Hindu Code Bill reforms to standardize Hindu personal laws, ensuring gender equality and social justice.
3. Accommodation of Religious Diversity:
   
   • Feature: Allows for personal laws based on religious beliefs within the legal framework.
   • Example: Various personal laws governing marriage, divorce, and inheritance for different religious communities.
4. Equal Treatment of Religious Groups:
   
   • Feature: Ensures equal treatment and protection of all religious communities, particularly minorities.
   • Example: Minority rights protections and affirmative actions like scholarships and reservations.
5. Role of State in Religious Matters:
   
   • Feature: State management of religious institutions to prevent discrimination and ensure fairness.
   • Example: Government oversight of religious places to regulate practices and ensure equitable access.
6. Secularism as a Fundamental Duty:
   
   • Feature: Secularism as both a constitutional principle and a citizen’s fundamental duty.
   • Example: Article 51A(e) mandates citizens to promote harmony and common brotherhood transcending religious, linguistic, and regional diversities.

Question 21

indian vs western secularism