Notes Class 12 Chapter 12 History Maharashtra Board

India Transformed – Part II

12.1 Social Domain

India has made significant progress in reducing social inequalities. The government has introduced laws and programs to promote equality and protect human rights.

Key Initiatives:

Human Rights Protection Act, 1993:

Established the National Human Rights Commission to protect basic rights like life and equality.
The Commission can act on complaints or media reports about human rights violations (called Sui Moto Cognisance).
Social activists or organizations can file complaints on behalf of victims.

Domestic Violence Act, 2005:

Protects women from domestic violence.
Grants women the right to live in the house they reside in, even if they don’t own it.

Triple Talaq Law, 2019:

Declared the practice of Triple Talaq illegal.
Inspired by Hamid Dalwai, who founded the Muslim Satyashodhak Samaj in 1970 to promote Muslim women’s rights and a uniform civil code.

Sex Ratio Issue:

The 2011 census showed a low sex ratio: 914 girls per 1,000 boys (age 0-1 years).
Women’s organizations raised concerns, leading to awareness campaigns.
Maharashtra banned fetal sex determination tests and launched the Lek Ladaki program to promote the value of girls.

12.1.1 Health

India’s health sector has seen major improvements, with campaigns and programs to enhance public health.

Key Programs:

Pulse Polio Campaign (1995):

Aimed to eradicate polio in India.
Sponsored by WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, and the Government of India.
Ensured every child under 5 years received polio vaccination through awareness camps, home visits, and media campaigns.
Known as ‘Do Boond Zindagi Ke’ (Two Drops of Life).

AYUSH (2009):

A department under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to promote alternative medicine like Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.
Focuses on education, research, and standardization of these medical practices.

12.1.2 Environment

Environmental challenges like air and water pollution are being addressed through government policies and activism.

Air Pollution:

Issues:

Rising air pollution, especially in cities like Delhi, due to vehicle emissions.
Poorly maintained vehicles release toxic gases and carbon particles, harming health and heritage monuments.

Solutions:

Centre for Science and Environment highlighted Delhi’s pollution problem.
CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) mandated for public transport vehicles in Delhi by the Supreme Court in 1998.
Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates made mandatory for vehicles; non-compliant vehicles cannot get insurance.
PUC certificate centers were set up across cities.

Water Pollution:

Chemical effluents from industries pollute rivers and streams.
Non-biodegradable materials like plastics and pesticides harm water, soil, and food, causing diseases in humans, animals, and plants.

Environmental Activists:

Sundarlal Bahuguna: Led the Chipko Movement to protect forests.
Medha Patkar: Spearheaded the Narmada Bachao Movement to save rivers and communities.
Dr. Rajendra Singh: Focused on water conservation.

Notable Environmental Efforts in Maharashtra:

Rahibai Popere (Beejmata):

Known as the Seed Mother, she preserves native seeds of crops like rice, millets, and vegetables.
Founded Kalasubai Parisar Biyanee Samvardhan Samiti.
Stores seeds in earthen pots with ash and neem leaves to protect them from pests.
Recognized as one of BBC’s Women of the Year 2018 and awarded the Nari Shakti Award in 2018.

Bhau Katdare:

Works with Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra to conserve wildlife.
Protected the White-breasted Sea Eagle by identifying 62 nesting sites in Ratnagiri.
Stopped smuggling of Indian Swiftlet nests, leading to their inclusion in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Protects Olive Ridley Turtles at Velas beach, resulting in the Turtle Festival, which boosts tourism.
Currently works to save the endangered Pangolin.

Premsagar Mestri:

Works through SEESCAP to conserve vultures (Long-billed and White-back Vultures) in Raigad.
Addresses issues like toxic painkillers (e.g., diclofenac), lack of tall trees, and food scarcity affecting vulture populations.

12.1.3 Education

Education in India has transformed with a focus on literacy, equality, and modern syllabi.

Key Milestones:

Kerala’s Literacy Success:

Declared 1990 as the International Year of Literacy.
Kerala became India’s first 100% literate state, with Ernakulum as the first fully literate district (announced on February 4, 1990).
The literacy campaign included reading, writing, math, hygiene, vaccination, cooperative agriculture, and savings.
Free eye check-up camps and spectacles were provided to senior citizens to support literacy classes.

Maharashtra’s Education Initiatives:

Introduced English from Class 1 to help students master it alongside their mother tongue.
Focused on listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through engaging textbooks by Balbharati.
Recognized by the National Knowledge Commission.

National Education Reforms:

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) revised syllabi to promote democratic values, social justice, gender equality, environmental protection, and national unity.
Teacher training programs were conducted across Maharashtra.
Acharya Ram Murti Committee (1990) recommended universal education, women’s education, and increased funding for education.
Banned pre-admission interviews for children and addressed heavy schoolbag issues.

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA, 2001):

Motto: “Let’s all learn, Let’s all progress”.
Aimed to provide free education to children aged 6-14 (via the 86th Constitutional Amendment).
Focused on eliminating gender disparities and supporting children with special needs.
Combined with programs like Mid Day Meal and Khadu-Phala Yojana.

District Primary Education Programme (DPEP, 1994):

Implemented in seven states, including Maharashtra, to ensure 100% primary school enrollment and reduce dropouts.
Supported by the World Bank.

Mid Day Meal (Shaley Poshan Ahar, 1995):

Provides meals to primary school children to improve attendance and nutrition.
Food grains distributed where cooking facilities are unavailable.

EDUSAT (2004):

A satellite launched to promote distance education in regional languages through six communication channels.

Special Programs in Maharashtra:

Ratrashala (Night Schools): Started by Mahatma Jotirao Phule in the 19th century for working students.
Sakharshala: Schools for children of sugarcane workers near sugar factories.
100% literacy achieved in Sindhudurg and Wardha districts with help from voluntary organizations

12.2 Sports

Sports in India have evolved with globalization, professionalization, and government support.

Key Developments:

Historical Achievements:

Indian hockey team’s international victories.
Wrestler Khashaba Jadhav gained fame in global wrestling.

Modern Trends:

New sports like cricket, kabaddi, and badminton gained popularity.
Rules and formats have changed (e.g., cricket shifted from 5-day matches to 20-over T20; wrestling now uses points instead of pinning).
Sports like swimming, shooting, chess, and skydiving are gaining attention.

Professionalization:

Sports clubs (e.g., IPL for cricket, Vivo Pro Kabaddi League) adopt players, provide training, and sign professional contracts.
Media coverage, sports journals, and dedicated TV channels have created a marketing ecosystem for sports.

Government Support:

National Sports Policy (2001):

Aims to promote sports nationwide, develop skills, build facilities, and encourage corporate investment.
Focuses on talent scouting and public awareness.

Come and Play Scheme (2011):

Provides access to five sports complexes in Delhi under the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for youth training.

National Sports University (2018, Manipur):

Offers courses in sports education, management, psychology, and coaching.

Khelo India:

Combines old and new schemes to promote sports among students, especially girls.
Includes 12 aspects to create a larger sports platform.

Awards and Incentives:

Bharat Ratna: Awarded to Sachin Tendulkar, who was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna: Rs. 7,50,000 for outstanding performance (e.g., awarded to Virat Kohli and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu in 2018).
Other awards: Arjun Award, Dhyanchand Award, Dronacharya Award, etc.
Olympic gold medalists receive Rs. 75,00,000; pensions for retired athletes (Rs. 20,000/month for Olympic winners, Rs. 12,000/month for Asian Games winners).
Rewards for medals in Para Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Championships, etc.

Importance:

1. Sports are now seen as a viable career option for youth.
2. Integrated into school and college curricula for holistic development.

12.3 Cultural Heritage and Tourism

Tourism is a growing industry in India, contributing to foreign exchange and cultural preservation.

Key Features:

Economic Impact:

Tourism generates significant revenue and employment opportunities (e.g., guides, hotel staff, transport services).
The number of tourists visiting India is increasing annually.

Government Initiatives:

E-Visa System: Introduced by the Ministries of Home Affairs, Tourism, and Foreign Affairs, including e-business, e-medical, and e-visa options.
24/7 Tourist Helpline (1363): Provides information in 12 languages (Hindi, English, Arabic, French, etc.) on topics like adventure sports, health tourism, and film festivals.
Training Institutes: Offer courses in hospitality, hotel management, and soft skills for tourist services.
Premium Hotels: Provide world-class amenities for tourists.

Promotional Campaigns:

Atulya Bharat: An ad campaign to boost tourism.
GONORTHEAST: A Discovery Channel show promoting Northeast India’s unique culture and nature.
Swadesh Darshan: Offers 13 types of pilgrimage tours (e.g., Himalayan, coastal, Buddhist centers).
Indian Tourism Mart (2018): Organized with FAITH to promote India globally.
Channels like BBC, Discovery, and History showcase India’s heritage to attract international tourists.

Heritage Conservation:

INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, 1984):
Works on conserving tangible (natural, cultural) and intangible heritage.
Has over 200 branches and departments like architectural heritage, heritage education, and tourism.
Notable work in Maharashtra for heritage preservation.
UNESCO World Heritage: Jaipur (Pink City) was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2019.

Pilgrimage Tourism:

Swadesh Darshan and Prasad schemes promote 95 pilgrim and spiritual centers, including Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra.