Civics: Chapter 1 – On Equality

1. In a democracy why is Universal Adult Franchise important?

Answer: In a democracy, the Universal Adult Franchise is important because of the following reasons:

1. Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

2. Every adult irrespective of caste, creed, religion, region, sex, the rich or poor background is
allowed to vote. This is called a universal adult franchise.

3. The concept of the universal adult franchise is based on equality.

4. In a democracy every citizen is equal.

2. Re-read the box on Article 15 and state two ways in which this Article addresses inequality?
Answer: This Article addresses inequality in terms of access to shops, public restaurants, hotels and
places of public entertainment, or [b] the use of wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads and places of
public resort maintained wholly or partly out of state funds or dedicated to the use of the general
public.

3. In what ways was Omprakash Valmikis experience similar to that of the Ansaris?
Answer: Omprakash Valmiki’s experience was similar to that of Ansaris in the following ways:

1. Omprakash Valmiki was not allowed to sit with other students on the desks or mats.

2. Ansaris were not given apartments on rent in the locality of the people belonging to the
Hindu religion.

3. Omprakash Valmiki was discriminated against on the basis of caste while Ansaris were
discriminated against on the basis of religion.

4. What do you understand by the term “all persons are equal before the law”? Why do you think
it is important in a democracy?
Answer:

1. By the term, “all persons are equal before the law”, we understand equality.

2. Equality is important in a democracy because democracy is the government of the people, by

the people and for the people.

o Equality is the essence of democracy.

o If people are discriminated against on the basis of caste, creed, religion, sex,
prosperity etc. the democracy will not survive.

5. The Government of India passed the Disabilities Act in 1995. This law states that persons with
disabilities have equal rights, and that the government should make possible their full
participation in society. The government has to provide free education and integrate children with
disabilities into mainstream schools. This law also states that all public places including buildings,
school etc., should be accessible and provided with ramps.
Look at the photograph and think about the boy who is being carried down the stairs. Do you think
the above law is being implemented in his case? What needs to be done to make the building and
accessible for him?
How would his being carried down the stairs affect his dignity as well as his safety?
Answer: The boy in the photograph is disabled. As per the law this building should have been
accessible for him. But we see the law is not being implemented in his case. He is being carried down
by security personnels through stairs. This building does not provide ramps. The boy’s dignity is
overlooked here. He may morally feel inferior. The way he is carried down the stars may prove
dangerous. Law should take this case to the court.

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What is Joothan about?

Answer: It is about the bitter experiences of growing up of a dalit boy.

2. What suggestion was given to Ansaris by the property dealer?

Answer: They were suggested to change their names and call themselves Mr and Mrs kumar.

3. On what basis were the Ansaris treated unequally?

Ans. The Ansaris were treated unequally on the basis of religion.

4. What do you mean by ‘dignity’? [V. Imp.]

Answer: Dignity means thinking of one self and others as worthy of self-respect.

5. What are the two ways in which the government has tried to implement the equality that
guaranteed in the constitution?
Answer:
(i) Through laws
(ii) Through government programmes or schemes to help unprivileged groups.

6. Who have been employed to cook the meal under midday meal scheme?
Answer: Dalit women have been employed for this purpose.
7. How did B.R. Ambedkar view self-respect?
Answer: B.R. Ambedkar viewed self-respect as the most vital factor in life, without which man was
cipher.

8. What was the condition of the African-Americans in the United States of America prior to
1950s? [V. Imp.]
Answer: Prior to 1950’s, the African-Americans were treated extremely unequally in the USA and
denied equality through law.

9. What is known as the Civil Rights Movements? [V. Imp.]

Answer: A movement took place in the USA in the late 1950’s to push for equal rights for African-
Americans. This movement later came to be known as Civil Rights Movement.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What is it that makes Kanta unsure?

Answer: Kanta is a poor domestic worker. She lives in a slum which is very filthy. Her daughter is sick
but she cannot skip work because she needs to borrow money from her employers to take her
daughter to the doctor. Her job as a domestic help is not a permanent. She can be removed by her
employers any time.

2. Mention two different kinds of inequalities that exist in our country. Give examples. [V. Imp.]
Answer: Two different kinds of inequalities that exist in our country are—inequalities based on the
caste system and that based on the religion.
Omprakash Valmiki was treated extremely unequally because he was a dalit. In school, his
headmaster made him sweep the school and the playground.
The Ansaris were treated unequally on the basis differences of religion. They were looking to rent an
apartment in the city. They were about to take an apartment at the first sight. But the moment the
land lady knew their names she declined to rent the house.

3. Write a note on equality in Indian democracy. [V. Imp.]

Answer: The Indian constitution recognises all persons as equals. This means that every individual in
the country irrespective of his/her caste, religion, educational and economic backgrounds is
recognised as equal. Although, inequality still exists in the country, yet the principle of the equality of
all persons is recognised. While earlier no law existed to protect people from discrimination and ill
treatment now there are several that work to see that people are treated with dignity.

4. Write a brief note on the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Answer: The Civil Rights Act was passed in the year 1964. The Act prohibited discrimination on the
basis of race, religion or national origin. It also stated that all schools would be open to African-
American children and that they would no longer have to attend separate schools specially set up for
them. However, a majority of African-Americans continue to be among the poorest in the country.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What are the provision made in the constitution for the recognition of equality? [V. Imp.]
Answer: The provisions made in the constitution for the recognition of equality are as follow:
(a) Every person is equal before the law. What this means is that every person, from the President of
India to a domestic worker like Kanta, has to obey the same laws.
(b) No person can be discriminated against on the basis of their religion, caste, race place of birth or
whether they are male or female.
(c) Every person has access to all public places including playgrounds, hotels, shops and markets. All
persons can use publicly available wells, roads and bathing ghats.
(d) Untouchability has been abolished.

2. How can you say that establishment of equality in society is a continuous struggle?
Answer: Inspite of several efforts made by the government inequalities still exist in our society. Even
today low caste people are being discriminated against and treated unequally. The reason behind it is
that people refuse to think of them as equal even though the law requires it.

This attitude of the people is so deeply rooted that it cannot change all of a sudden. It will take a lot
of time. Even though people are aware that discrimination is against the law, they continue to treat
others unequally on the basis of caste and religion. People are also discriminated against on the basis
of economic status, disability and gender.

Unless people believe that every person deserves to be treated equally and with dignity, the present
attitude cannot be rooted out. Changing people’s attitude is a very slow process and hence
establishment of equality in society is a continuous struggle.

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 Chapter 2 – Role of the Government in health
1. In this chapter you have read that health is a wider concept than illness. Look at this quote from
the Constitution and explain the terms ‘living standard’ and ‘public health’ in your own words.
An important part of the Constitution says it is the “duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition
and the standard of living and to improve public health. ”
Answer:

1. Living Standard

o The level of living at which they live.

▪ It is a low level if the basic needs are barely satisfied.

▪ If one leads a comfortable life, the living standard is said to be of a higher

level.

2. Public Health

o Public health means the health of the general public or people.

o The constitution ensures equal access to health t.o all without any discrimination on
the basis of caste, creed, sex, religion, etc.

2. What are the different ways through which the government can take steps to provide healthcare
for all? Discuss.
Answer: The government can take steps to provide healthcare for all by:

• Increasing the number of hospitals, healthcare centres, and family welfare centres.

• Organising free camps for the check-up of the general public.

• Organising Pulse Polio campaigns.

• Spreading health awareness among common people through different means. Workshops,
seminars, and training camps can also prove to be effective ways.

3. What differences do you find between private and public health services in your area? Use the
following table to compare and contrast these.
4. ‘Improvement in water and sanitation can control many diseases’. Explain with the help of
examples.
Answer: Water and sanitation are the basic necessities for the maintenance of our health. Poor
quality of water causes a lot of health problems. Similarly, poor sanitation causes many epidemics
giving birth to dangerous insects and worms. Recently we saw the spread of Dengue caused by
Aedes (a mosquito). Malaria is also caused by a mosquito called anopheles. Improvement in water
and sanitation can control these happenings.

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What do people in a democratic country expect the government? [V. Imp.]

Answer: People in a democratic country expect the government to work for their welfare.

2. Where do most doctors prefer to settle?

Answer: Most doctors prefer to settle in urban areas.

3. Name some water-borne diseases.

Answer: Diarrhoea, worms, hepatitis.

4. What problem do rural people face whenever they come in a grip of an illness?
Answer: They have to travel long distances to reach a doctor.

5. What do we need to prevent and treat illnesses?

Answer: We need appropriate healthcare facilities such as health centres, hospital laboratories for
testing, ambulance services, etc.

6. What do you mean by a public health care system? [V. Imp.]

Answer: This is a system of hospitals and health centres run by the government.

7. What happened to Hakim Sheik?

Answer: One evening in 1992, he accidentally fell off a running train and suffered head injuries.

8. Why did Hakim Sheik file a case in the court?

Answer: Hakim Sheik filed a case in the court because of the indifferent attitude of various
government hospitals that refused to admit him.

9. Who got costly medical treatment—Aman or Raryan?

Answer: Ranjan got costly medical treatment.
10. What did the court ask the State Government in the Hakim Sheik case?
Answer: The court asked the State Government to give Hakim Sheik the money that he had spent on
his treatment.

11. What is the full form of RMPs? Where are they found?
Answer: Registered Medical Practitioners. They are found in rural areas.

12. Where are private services, easily available?

Answer: Private services are easily available in urban areas.

13. Why are poor people more likely to fall ill?

Answer: Poor people are more likely to fall ill because they are not provided basic necessities like
drinking water, adequate housing, clean surroundings, etc.

14. Why are women not taken to a doctor in a prompt manner?

Answer: It is because women’s health concerns are considered to be less important than the health
of men in the family.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Define health from broader perspective. [V. Imp.]

Answer: The common definition of health is the ability of a person to remain free of illness and
injuries. But health is not only about the disease. It is something more than that. Apart from disease,
we need to think of other factors such as safe drinking water, clean surroundings, etc. because they
affect our health in various ways. If people fail to get these basic amenities of life, they will fall ill.
Being active and in good spirits are also an essential part of health. We also need to be without
mental stress, because we cannot be healthy for a long time if we are under mental strain.

2. Mention some positive aspects of healthcare in India. [Imp.]

Answer: Some positive aspects of healthcare in India are:

1. India has a good number of doctors, clinics, and hospitals. It is among the largest producers
of doctors.

2. Healthcare facilities have grown substantially over the years. The number of hospitals grew
from 11,174 in 1991 to 18,218 in 2000.

3. India gets a large number of medical tourists from several countries. They come for
treatment in some of the world-famous hospitals in India.

4. India is the fourth-largest producer of medicines in the world and also a large exporter of
medicines.

3. What are the negative aspects of healthcare in India? [Imp.]

Answer: The negative aspects of healthcare in India are:

1. Rural people face the crisis of doctors because most doctors settle in urban areas. They have
to travel long distances to reach a doctor.

2. About live lakh, people die from tuberculosis every year. Almost two million cases of malaria
are reported every year.

3. Clean drinking water is not available to all. As a result poor people easily become prey to
various waterborne diseases such as diarrhea worms, hepatitis, etc.
 4. Half of all children in India do not get adequate food to eat and are undernourished.

4. Write down the main features of the public health system. [V. Imp.]
Answer: The main features of the public health system are:

1. It provides quality healthcare services either free or at a low cost so that even the poor can
seek treatment.

2. It takes action to prevent the spread of diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, jaundice, etc.
Time to time it takes up a campaign to see that mosquitoes do not breed in water-coders,
rooftops, etc.

3. This system is available in both rural and urban areas.

5. What did the court say in the case of Hakim Sheik?

Answer: The court said that the difficulty that Hakim Sheik had to face could have cost him his life. If
a hospital cannot provide timely medical treatment to a person, it means that the protection of life is
not being given. The court also said that it was the duty of the government to provide the necessary
health services, including treatment in emergency situations. Hospitals and medical staff must fulfill
their duty of providing essential treatment. As various government hospitals refused to admit him,
the State Government was asked to give Hakim Sheik the money that he had spent on his treatment.

6. How can you say that adequate healthcare is not available to all? [V. Imp.]
Answer: We can say without any doubt that adequate healthcare is not available to all in our
country. The reason is that private services are increasing but public services are not. As a result,
private services are mainly available to people. But these services are concentrated in urban areas
and are very expensive.

Poor people hardly afford them whenever there is an illness in the family, they either borrow money
or sell some of their possessions to pay for the expenses. Thus, medical expenses cause great
hardship for the poor. Therefore, they avoid going to the doctor unless it is very urgent.

It has been found that women are not taken to a doctor in a prompt manner. Their health concerns
are easily ignored. Many tribal areas have few health centres and they do not run properly.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Compare public health services with those of private health services. [V. Imp.]
Answer: (a) Public health services are run by the government while private health services are
managed by individuals or companies.
(b) Public health services provide health care facilities either free or at a low cost so that even the
poor can seek treatment easily. Thus, money-making is not the goal of public health services. So far
private health services are concerned, they are run mainly for profit. They usually prescribe
expensive medicines. It is common for private doctors to prescribe unnecessary medicines, injections
or saline bottles when tablets or simple medicines can suffice.
(c) Public health services are found both in rural and urban areas. But private health services are
concentrated in urban areas.
(d) We often find huge rush at the government hospitals. People have to wait for hours in a long
queue. But private hospitals are maintained properly. People don’t face such long queues there.

2. What is the Costa Rican approach? Explain. [V. Imp.]

Answer: Costa Rica is a country in North America. It is considered to be one of the wealthiest
countries on the continent. The Costa Rican govt gave much importance to the health of its citizens.
It took an important decision and decided not to have an army. In this way, it saved money and
began to spend this money on health, education, and other basic needs of the people. The Costa
Rican government believes that a country has to be healthy for its development and pays sincere
attention to the health of its people.

The Costa Rican government provides all the basic services and amenities to all the people of the
country. It provides clean drinking water, sanitation, nutrition, and housing. Health education has
been made an important part of education and at all levels, students are provided knowledge about
health. The Costa Rican approach towards health is praiseworthy and inspiring.

3. What major changes were made by the Kerala government in the state in 1996?
Answer: The Kerala government made some major changes in the state in 1996. It gave 40% of the
entire state budget to panchayats so that they could plan and provide for their requirements. This
made it possible for a village to make sure that proper planning was done for water, food, women’s
development, and education.

In this way water supply schemes were checked, the working of schools and anganwadis were
ensured and specific problems of the village were taken up. Health centres were also improved.

In spite of all these efforts, some problems such as shortage of medicines, insufficient hospital beds,
not enough doctors still exist and these are needed to be solved.

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 Chapter 3 – How the State Government Works
1. Use the terms ‘constituency’ and ‘represent’ to explain who an MLA is and how is the person
elected?
Answer:

1. An MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) is the person affiliated to a political party or
independent who represents a constituency {an area).

2. The person is elected in the following manner:

• A specific area is called a constituency.

• All the adults above 18 years of age are the voters.

• They vote for the candidate of their choice.

• The person who gets the maximum number of votes is declared elected.

• The elected representative is called an MLA.

2. How did some MLAs become Ministers? Explain.

Answer: The party which is elected in the majority for the Legislative Assembly forms the
government. As per constitutional provisions the ruling party elects its leader who is called the Chief
Minister as the head of the government. The Chief Minister, in consultation with the Governor,
constitutes a cabinet which includes members of his/her party as ministers. The MLAs who become
ministers are allotted with a portfolio. Here the MLAs turned ministers become accountable for the
entire state for that particular portfolio.

3. Why should decisions are taken by the Chief Minister and other ministers be debated in the
Legislative Assembly?
Answer:
The decisions taken by the Chief Minister and other ministers should be debated in the Legislative
Assembly because of the following reasons:

1. The decisions, it is not necessary, taken by the Chief Ministers and ministers are beneficial to
one and all.

2. All the MLAs should know about them.

3. Important suggestions may be incorporated in the final decisions.

4. Adversely affecting points are deleted after the debate.

5. The decisions so taken are the decisions of all the members and hence the people.

4. What was the problem in Patalpuram? What discussion/actions were taken by the following?
Pill in the table.
Answer: Patalpuram was facing an acute crisis of water

5. What is the difference between the work that MLAs do in the Assembly and the work done by
government departments?
Answer: The difference between the work that MLAs do in the Assembly and the work done by
government departments is that every department is headed by a minister who is also an MIA. The
minister approves any work done or proposed by the department. The department is responsible for
the projections and completion of the work whereas MLAs or ministers coordinate between the
Assembly and the departments.

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. How is the Governor of a state-appointed? [V. Imp.]

Answer: The Governor of a state is appointed by the Central Government.

2. Whose responsibility is it to nm various government departments or ministers?

Answer: It is the responsibility of the Chief Minister and other ministers to run various government
departments or ministers.

3. How will you define a Legislative Assembly?

Answer: A Legislative Assembly is a place where all the MLAs, from the ruling party as well as the
opposition, meet to discuss various things.

4. Define the term ‘government’. [Imp.]

Answer: The term ‘government’ refers to the government departments and various ministers who
head them.

5. Who is the head of the executive?

Answer: The Chief Minister is the head of the executive.

6. Why did the Chief Minister and the minister for health visit Patalpwam district?
Answer: They went to visit the families who had lost their relatives due to the spread of diarrhea.
They also visited people in hospitals.

7. Why are press conferences organised?

Answer: Press conferences are oragnised to discuss various current issues.

8. What do you know about wallpaper?

Answer: A wallpaper is an interesting activity through which research can be done on particular
topics of interest.
9. Why do people in a democratic set up organise meetings? [V. Imp.]
Answer: They do so to voice their opinions and protest against the government if any of its actions is
not in their favour.

10. The government works at three levels. Name them.

Answer: The government works at three levels namely

• Local

• State

• Natural

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What do you mean by an MLA? Is it necessary to become a member of any political party to
become an MLA? [V. Imp.]
Answer: The term MLA stands for a Member of the Legislative Assembly. He/She is elected through a
general election and represents a particular constituency. It is not necessary for one to be a member
of a political party to become an MLA. He/she can contest the election as an independent candidate
also. In some cases, he/ she is sponsored by a political party. But one thing is necessary that he/she
must be a citizen of India and fulfill the requisite qualifications for the post.

2. What is the process of the formation of government in a state? [Imp.]

Answer: A general election is conducted to elect representatives from various constituencies. The
party which earns more than half of the total seats is said to be in a majority. That party is usually
called for forming the government.
Sometimes, no party gains a clear majority. In that case, the party with maximum elected members
tries to get support from the like-minded parties or independent candidates. The party that proves to
have maximum supporters in that way is allowed to form a government. Otherwise, there would be
re-election,

3. What is the role of the party that does not form a government? [V. Imp.]
Answer: As per the Constitution all the parties which do not take part in the formation of a
government are called opposition parties. In our democratic set up the role of the opposition parties
is in no way less important than the ruling party. The opposition parties keep a watch over the
functioning of the ruling party. They take part in every discussion and debate held in the Assembly.
They can check and protest any wrong action of the government.

4. Who becomes a Chief Minister? What is his/her role in a state? [Imp.]

Answer: Chief Minister is the leader of the ruling party. He/She is elected out of the total members
of the party gaining majority in the general election. He/she is the executive head of the
government. He/She is responsible for every action of the government. He/she also coordinates
between the government at the centre and the state.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. How does a government function in a state? [V. Imp.]

Answer: A government is headed by the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister, in order to manage the
functioning of the government, appoints ministers at various levels like cabinet ministers, state
ministers, and deputy ministers. Every government department is headed by a cabinet minister who
is directly accountable for the functioning of the particular department. The heads of the
government departments who are bureau rates are responsible for the handling of the government
decisions. The bureau rates project and get the works completed. The ministers give approval to the
works.

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