Segments of Indian Society
Short Questions
1. What is the primary economic activity of the rural community in India?
Answer: Agriculture is the primary economic activity of the rural community in India.
2. How does the Constitution of India define Scheduled Tribes?
Answer: Scheduled Tribes are communities with primitive traits, geographic isolation, distinct culture, shyness of contact, and economic backwardness.
3. What is the term used for worshipping non-living bodies in tribal religion?
Answer: Animatism is the term used for worshipping non-living bodies in tribal religion.
4. What is the main difference between rural and urban communities in terms of population density?
Answer: Rural communities have low population density, while urban communities have high population density.
5. What is the significance of sacred groves in tribal communities?
Answer: Sacred groves are forest tracts dedicated to local deities, preserving biodiversity and tribal culture.
6. What is the three-tier system of Panchayati Raj in rural India?
Answer: The three-tier system includes Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti, and Gram Panchayat.
7. What is urban sprawl?
Answer: Urban sprawl is the uncontrolled expansion of cities in population and geographical area.
8. What is the primary occupation type in urban communities?
Answer: Non-agricultural occupations like manufacturing, trade, and services dominate urban communities.
9. What is the term for the tribal practice of worshipping nature elements like the Sun or rivers?
Answer: Naturism is the tribal practice of worshipping nature elements like the Sun or rivers.
10. Why are nuclear families more common in urban areas?
Answer: Nuclear families are more common in urban areas due to individualism and social mobility.
11. What is the main reason for tribal land alienation?
Answer: Exploitation of tribal resources by outsiders and industrialization causes land alienation.
12. What is the purpose of the Community Development Programme (CDP) in rural India?
Answer: The CDP aims to facilitate all-round development of villages through community participation.
13. What is the term for the tribal practice of marrying within the tribe?
Answer: Tribal endogamy is the practice of marrying within the tribe.
14. What is one major urban problem caused by rapid population growth?
Answer: Overcrowding is a major urban problem caused by rapid population growth.
15. What is the philosophy of Pandit Nehru regarding tribal development called?
Answer: The philosophy is called ‘Panchsheel’ for tribal development.
Long Questions
1. Explain the concept of tribal endogamy with an example.
Answer: Tribal endogamy refers to the practice of marrying within one’s own tribe to maintain cultural and social cohesion. For instance, the Warli tribe in Maharashtra traditionally prefers marriages within their community to preserve their distinct customs and identity. However, increased mobility has led to some inter-tribal marriages in recent times.
2. What are the reasons for tribal exploitation as mentioned in the document?
Answer: Tribal exploitation stems from British colonial policies targeting resource-rich tribal lands, missionary activities causing identity crises, and the entry of outsiders like medical professionals and vendors. Industrial development, such as dams and highways, displaced tribals from their habitats. Additionally, improved transport facilitated outsider intrusion, further alienating tribal communities.
3. Describe the characteristics of sacred groves in tribal society.
Answer: Sacred groves are forest areas dedicated to local deities, revered as manifestations of universal energy by tribal communities. They foster a cultural pattern connecting people with their environment, preserving biodiversity through worship practices. However, these groves face depletion threats due to the lack of legal protection.
4. How does the rural community differ from the urban community in terms of social relations?
Answer: Rural communities are characterized by primary relations, which are informal, personal, and based on community spirit. In contrast, urban communities exhibit secondary relations, marked by formal, impersonal, and time-bound interactions. This difference arises due to the heterogeneity and anonymity prevalent in urban settings.
5. What are the main problems faced by the rural community in India?
Answer: Rural communities face issues like poverty, affecting small farmers and laborers, and widespread illiteracy due to inadequate educational facilities. Traditionalism and superstitions hinder progress, while caste influences social interactions. Additionally, farmers’ suicides and family disputes over land exacerbate rural challenges.
6. Discuss the role of the Panchayati Raj system in rural development.
Answer: The Panchayati Raj system, institutionalized through the Balwantrai Mehta Committee, establishes a three-tier democratic structure-Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti, and Gram Panchayat-for rural governance. It promotes rural reconstruction by facilitating local self-governance and community participation in development initiatives. However, political interference sometimes undermines its effectiveness.
7. What are the key features of urban heterogeneity as described in the document?
Answer: Urban heterogeneity refers to the diverse population in cities, encompassing various classes, occupations, castes, languages, and religions living together. This diversity results from continuous migration from rural and tribal areas seeking better opportunities, fostering a cosmopolitan yet sometimes tense social environment. It contrasts with the homogeneity typical of rural and tribal communities.
8. Explain the problem of urban crime and its causes.
Answer: Urban crime, including violent acts like rape and murder, and white-collar crimes, rises with urbanization due to increased population density and social disparities. Criminals often receive protection from influential figures, complicating the issue. Poverty, unemployment, and the desire for a lavish lifestyle drive both the poor and affluent to commit crimes.
9. How has the government addressed tribal development post-independence?
Answer: Post-independence, the government introduced programs like hostels for tribal students, educational complexes for women, and grants to tribal cooperatives to promote development. Funding through state plans and special central assistance supports these initiatives. However, not all programs have succeeded, and tribal backwardness persists.
10. What are the efforts made for urban development in India?
Answer: Urban development efforts include programs like the Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT, and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to improve infrastructure and housing. The National Commission on Urbanisation emphasizes balanced population distribution and economic activity dispersal. Despite these initiatives, resource shortages limit their success, leaving urban challenges unresolved.
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