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  • Hindi Summary Of A Photograph Class 11th Chapter 2 (Poem)

    Summary of A Photograph by Shirley Toulson in Hindi

    यह कविता 19 लाइन का हैं जिसमे कोई stanza नहीं हैं बल्कि meaningful segments हैं जो इस कविता को आसानी से समझने के लिए बनाया गया हैं। ये कविता first person के हिसाब से बनाया गया हैं जिसका ये मतलब हैं की कवियत्री अपने से बात कर रही हैं।

    Lines 1 – 4: 

    The cardboard shows me how it was

    When the two girl cousins went paddling

     

    Each one holding one of my mother’s hands,

    And she the big girl – some twelve years or so.

    इन पंक्तियों में, कवियत्री एक फोटो एलबम की ओर देखता है। वह फोटो एल्बम कार्डबोड का बना हुआ था। उस फोटो एल्बम में एक फोटो की तरफ देखता है। इस फोटो में तीन लड़कियाँ होती हैं। सबसे लम्बी एवं बड़ी लड़की बिच में कड़ी हुई थी जबकि दो छोटी लड़किया उसके अगल बगल उसके हाथ पकड़ के खड़ी हुई थी। कवियत्री के अनुसार बिच वाली लड़की उसकी माँ की फोटो है और अगल बगल माँ की बहने हैं। जब यह फोटो लिया गया था उस वक्त कवियत्री के अनुसार उनकी माँ की उम्र 12 साल के लगभग होगी। और यह फोटो उस दिन लिया गया था जब वे समुद्र तट पर घूमने गई थी।

    Lines 5 – 9:

    All three stood still to smile through their hair

    At the uncle with the camera, A sweet face

    My mother’s, that was before I was born

    And the sea, which appears to have changed less

    Washed their terribly transient feet.

     

    इन पंक्तियों में कवियत्री उस समय के बारे में और भी विस्तार से बताती है जब उनकी माँ और उसकी बहनो का फोटो लिया गया था। कवियत्री के अनुसार ये फोटो उनकी माँ के uncle ने लिया था। उन्होंने तीनो लड़कियों को पोज़ देने बोला होगा और लड़कियों ने वैसा ही किया होगा। तीनो लड़कियों ने अपने भीगे ज़ुल्फो को खुला रखा था जिससे उनके चेहरे की कुछ भाग ढक जा रहे थे। यधपि की बालो से उनका चहेरा ढक जा रहा था लेकिन इसके बाद में उनका मुस्कुराना साफ़ नजर आ रहा था। उनके हस्ते हुए चेहरों में से एक चहेरे ने कवियत्री की ध्यान को खींचा था। वो उनकी माँ का चहेरा था जो कवियत्री के हिसाब से बहुत प्यारी थी। उनके हिसाब से ये फोटो उनके जन्म के बहुत पहले ली गई थी और इसी कारण वश अब उनकी माँ बहुत चेंज हो चुकी है जो की इस फोटो से नहीं मिलती है। लेकिन इसके विपरीत समुद्र जहां ये फोटो लिया गया था वो आज भी वैसा ही है उसमे उसमे अपेक्षाकृत कम बदलाव आया है। जिस समय यह फोटो लिया गया था उस समय समुद्र की लहरे बार कवियत्री की माँ और उनकी बहनो की पैरो को धो रही थी। कवि ने उन पैरो को अस्थाई बताया है क्युकि वो ज्यादा दिन तक वैसे नहीं रहे और सभी लड़किया बड़ी होगी। और इस तरह उनका बचपन ज्यादा दिन तक नहीं चल पाया।  

     

    Lines 10 – 13:

    Some twenty- thirty- years later

    She’d laugh at the snapshot. “See Betty

    And Dolly,” she’d say, “and look how they

    Dressed us for the beach.” The sea holiday

    इन पंक्तियों में, कवित्री फोटोग्राफ को देखना बंद कर देती है और यह याद करती है कि उसकी मां ने तस्वीर के बारे में क्या कहा था। कवि यह सुनिश्चित नहीं कर पा रही है की यह तस्वीर कितनी पुरानी है, 20 साल या फिर 30 साल। लेकिन उन्हें अपनी माँ की कही हुई बात की उनकी बहने बचपन में कैसे दिखती थी यह याद है। कवित्री की माँ ने उन्हें ये भी बताया था की कैसे उनके माता पिता ने उन्हें उस दिन तैयार किया था घुमाने के लिए। उन्हें लगता है की उनके माता पिता ने पहले ही उनके फोटो लेने का निर्णय कर लिया होगा। इसलिए उन्हें इस तरह तैयार कराया गया था।

    Lines 14 – 15:

    was her past, mine is her laughter. Both wry

    With the laboured ease of loss

    कवियत्री बताती हैं की उनके माँ इन तस्वीरों को अतीत की यादो को फिर से जीने का एक जरिया समझती थी जो की पीछे छूट चूका था। दूसरे ओर कवियत्री अपने माँ के बारे में  सोचती हैं की कैसे वो हस्ती थी और हर एक समय वो उनको याद करती हैं।दोनों महिलाएं ही एक तस्वीर को देख कर अपने बीतें हुआ कल को याद कर करती हैं  जो उनको और वापस नहीं मिल सकता।

    Lines 16 – 19:

    Now she has been dead nearly as many years

    As that girl lived. And of this circumstance

    There is nothing to say at all,

     

    Its silence silences.

    इन पंकितयों में कवियत्री कहती हैं की उनके माँ को मरे हुआ 12 साल हो गए हैं और वो एकदम वही उम्र हैं जो उस फोटो में उनकी माँ के थे। वह अपने माँ के मृत्यु के बारे में सोच तो पा रही है लेकिन वो ये नहीं बता सकती  की कैसे उनके माँ की मृत्यु ने उनके जीवन को प्रभावित किया। सच तो यह है की जिस मृत्यु के कारण उनकी माँ चुप हो गई हमेशा की लिए उसी कारण वश कवित्री के पास भी कोई शब्द नहीं रहे बोलने के लिए।

    Content

  • Summary of A Photograph Class 11th Chapter 2 (Poem)

    Short Synopsis

    A photograph describes 3 stages. In the first stage, the photograph shows the poet’s mother standing at the beach enjoying her holiday with her two girl cousins. She was 12 or so at that time. The second stage takes us twenty or thirty years later. The mother would laugh at the way she and her cousins Betty and Dolly were dressed up for each holiday. In the third stage, the poet remembers the mother with a heavy heart. The photograph revives a nostalgic feeling in the poet.

    Brief Summary

    A Book by Shirley Toulson

    The poet is looking at her mother’s photograph which is indeed an old one. With it she can see how her mother looked when she was a little girl of twelve. THe photo shows her on  a beach with her two girl cousins ho are younger than her, holding her hand. It might have een windy at that time that their hair was flying on their faces when the uncle took the photograph. All the three as smiling through their flying hair. Looking at the photograph, the poet says that her mother had a sweet face, but it was a time before the poet was born. The sea was washing their feet. The poet says that the sea has changed only a little but change has come about who’s feet it was washing.
                                           After 30 or 40 years, the mother would take out the photograph and take a look at it. By that time, she was married and had a daughter. She would laugh a little and says “Look at Betty and Dolly, see how they have dressed for the beach”. By now, she can only remember those days. A huge change has come about her and she is no longer that small innocent girl of twelve.
                                          After some years, the poet’s mother dies. Now the poet remembers her mother’s laughter, for her, it is a thing of past. 
    That’s why she says “the sea holiday as her past and mine is her laughter”. Because just like the mother remembers her old days, now the poet can remember her in that way only. However, in course of time, the two of them learned to live with their losses. The pay of the losses had made a permanent impression in their wry faces. The poet says that her mother had been dead and no she feels herself in a situation that there is nothing to be said about but only emptiness. The silence of this situation silences her. In other words, she is left speechless. The fate has killed all the feelings in her.

    Content

  • Hindi Summary of The Portrait Of A Lady Class 11th Chapter 1

    Summary of the Chapter The Portrait of a Lady in Hindi

    कथाकार खुशवंत सिंह ने इस कथा में एक महिला का चित्रण किया है। ये महिला और कोई नहीं बल्कि उनकी दादी है. कथाकार जब एक अबोध बालक थे तब उनके माता -पिता उन्हें दादी के पास छोड़ कर शहर चले गए। कथाकार ने दादी का वर्णन करते हुए कहा की वो एक वृद्ध महिला थीं जिनकी मुख पर अनेक झुर्रिया थीं। वो मोटी और थोड़ी से झुकी हुई थीं। कथाकार केलिए ये मानना कठिन था की एक समय उनकी दादी एक जवान और खूबसूरत युवती रहीं होंगी, जैसा की उनके आसपास के लोगों का कहना था। कथाकार फिर अपनी दादी के साथ अपने सम्बन्ध के विषय में बताते हैं। कथाकार का अपने दादी का सम्बन्ध मैत्रीपूर्ण था। उनकी दादी उन्हें विद्यालय केलए प्रत्येक दिन तैयार करती थीं। उसके बाद उन्हें विद्यालय छोड़ने जाती थीं। विद्यालय के समीप एक मंदिर था जंहा वो धार्मिक पुस्तकों का अध्यन करती थीं। फिर दोनों घर चले जाते और गली के कुत्तों को रोटियां खिलाते थैं। 

    फिर एक दिन कथाकार के माता -पिता ने उन्हें और उनकी दादी को शहर बुला लिया। कथाकार ने इस घटना को अपने और दादी के मैत्रीपूर्ण सम्बंधों केलए मोड बिंदु कहा है। अब भी उनका और दादी का कमरा एक ही था पर अब दोनों मे बातें काम होती थीं। दादी जब कथाकार से उनके शहर के नए विद्यालय के पाठ्यक्रम बारे मे पूछते तो वे कहते आधुनिक विज्ञानं और अंग्रेज़ी साहित्य , जिसपे उनकी दादी दुखी होती की उन्है धार्मिक ग्रंथों की शिक्षा नहीं दी जाती थी | उन्हें इस बात पर भी आपत्ति होती की उन्हें संगीत की भी शिक्षा दी जाती है जिसे वो सभ्य पुरुष केलए उचित नहीं मानती थीं। अब दादी का समय पूजा पाठ मे बीतने लगा। वो पंछियों को दाना खिलाया करती थीं। ये समय उनके लिए दिन का सबसे पंसंदीदा समय हुआ करता था। जब कथाकार विश्यविद्यालय मे पढ़ने लगे तब उनका कमरा अलग हो गया और उनकी अपनी दादी से दोस्ती का नाता तटूट सा गया। उन्होंने हालात से समझौता कर लिया। 

    जब कथाकार ने विश्यविद्यालय की पढाई पूरी कर ली तब उन्होंने आगे की पढाई केलए विदेश जाने का निर्णय लिया। उनकी दादी इस बात से उदास थीं पैर उन्होंने अपनी भावनायों को नहीं दर्शया। वे उन्हें छोड़ने स्टेशन पर गयीं और कथाकार के माथे पर चुम्बन देके विदा किया। कथाकार ने इस स्पर्श को उनका अंतिम स्पर्श समझा। पर जब कथाकार घर वापस ए तो उनकी दादी उनका इंताजर कर रही थीं। उस दिन भी दादी ने अपना सबसे अच्छा वक़्त पंछियों के साथ बिताया। एक दिन के बात है, जब उन्होंने पूजा पाठ नहीं की बल्कि आस पडोश की महिलाओं के साथ एक फटा हुआ ढोल लेके भजन कृतं करने लगीं अर कई समय तक गाने गाये। एक दिन वो बीमार पड़ीं अर अपने अंतिम समय को अपने पास पाया। इस दौरान घरवलों के मना करने पर भी वो मन ही मन प्रार्थना करने लगीं जबकि घरवाले चाहते थे की वो उनसे बात करे। फिर उन्होंने शांतिपूर्ण तरीके से इस दुनिया से विदा लिया। उनका अंतिम संस्कार हुआ। घर वालों के अलावा वे पंछि भी उनके जाने से दुखी थीं। जब कथाकार की माता ने उन पंछियों को खाना दिया तो उन्होंने उसे स्वीकार नहीं किया।

    Contents

  • Democratic Rights Chapter 6 Class 9th Civics Notes, NCERt Solution, Study Materials

    Chapter 6 Democratic Rights

    Social Science Civics [Class IX]

    Content’s

  • Extra Questions of Democratic Rights Class 9th Social Science Civics Chapter 6

    Democratic Rights Extra questions, Important exam Questions 

    SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 

    Q.1. What was the background in which ethnic massacre took place in Kosovo?

    Ans. Kosovo was a province of Yugosalvia before it split away. In this province the population was overwhelmingly ethnic Albanian. But in the entire country, Serbs were in majority. A narrowminded Serb nationalist, Milosevic, had won the election and became the President of Yugoslavia. His government was very hostile to the Kosovo Albanians. He wanted that ethnic minorities like Albanians should either leave the country or accept the dominance of the Serbs. The massacre was carried out by the army under the direction of the government.

    Q.2. Explain what is meant by ‘Rule of Law’. [Important]

    Ans. Rule of law means equality before the law or equal protection of the laws. It means that the laws apply in the same manner to all, regardless of a person’s status. Rule of law is the foundation of any democracy. It implies that no person is above the law. There cannot be any distinction between a political leader, government official and ordinary citizen.

    Q.3. Are the reservations provided to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs against the Right to Equality? Give reasons.

    Ans. These reservations are not against the Right to Equality. In a broader sense, equality does mean giving everyone the same treatments, no matter what they need. Equality means giving everyone an equal opportunity to achieve whatever one is capable of. Sometimes, it is necessary to give job reservations to socially and economically backward sections of the society to ensure equal opportunity. The constitution says that reservations of this kind are not a violation of the Right to Equality.

    Q.4. Mention the freedoms provided under the ‘Right to Freedom’. Why are reasonable restrictions imposed on them? [Important]

    Ans. Under the Right to Freedom, the Indian constitution guarantees six freedoms. These are :

    (i) Freedom of speech and expression

    (ii) Freedom to assemble peacefully without arms

    (iii) Freedom to form associations and unions

    (iv) Freedom to move freely throughout the country

    (v) Freedom to reside in any part of the country and,

    (vi) Freedom to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business. Reasonable restrictions are imposed on our freedoms in the larger interest of the society. Freedom should be exercised in such a manner that it does not violate others’ right to freedom.

    Q.5. What does the term ‘minority’ refer to under the Cultural and Educational Rights? Ans. Here minority does not mean only religious minority at the national level. In some places, people speaking a particular language are in majority; people speaking a different language are in a minority. For example, Telugu-speaking people form a majority in Andhra Pradesh but they are a minority in Karnataka. Sikhs constitute a majority in Punjab, but they are a minority in Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi.

    Q.6. What is the role of National Human Rights Commission in securing the human rights? How does it work?

    Ans. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) focuses on helping the victims secure their human rights. These include all the rights granted to the citizens by the constitution. For NHRC human rights also include the rights mentioned in the UN-sponsored international treaties that India has signed. The NHRC cannot by itself punish the guilty – that is the responsibility of the courts. The NHRC makes an independent and credible inquiry into any case of violation of human rights. The commission presents its findings and recommendations to the government or intervenes in the court on behalf of the victims. Like any court, it can summon witnesses, question any government official, demand any official paper, visit any prison for inspection or send its own team for on-the-spot inquiry.

    Q.7. Give some examples with regard to the expansion of the scope of rights for the citizens. Ans. Certain rights like right to freedom of press, right to information, and right to education are derived from the Fundamental Rights. Recently school education has become a right for Indian citizens.

    Parliament has passed a law giving the right to information to the citizens. Under the direction of the Supreme Court, right to life now includes the right to food. Right to property is not a Fundamental Right but it is a legal right. Right to vote in elections is an important constitutional right.

    Q.8. Explain the ’Right to Equality’ enjoyed by the citizens of India. What is its importance?

    [CBSE 2010]

    Ans. All citizens irrespective of caste, colour, region, religion ethnicity, sex or place of birth are equal before the law. There shall be no discrimination against any citizen. All citizens shall have equal opportunity in matters of employment. This is what the ‘Right to Equality’ means.

    Q.9. Describe in detail the cultural and educational rights of the minorities as provided in the Indian constitution. [CBSE 2010]

    Ans. The language, culture and religion of minorities need protection otherwise they may get neglected or undermined under the impact of the language, culture and religion of the majority. All minorities have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

    Q.10. The ’Right to Constitutional Remedies’ is called the heart of the constitution. Explain.

    [CBSE 2010]

    Ans. This ‘Right’ makes other ‘Rights’ effective. If sometimes our rights are violated by fellow citizens, private bodies or by the government, we can seek remedy through courts. If it is a Fundamental Right we can directly approach the Supreme Court or the high court of a state. That is why Dr. Ambedkar called it “the heart and soul” of our constitution.

    Q.11. “The right to freedom is a cluster of six rights”. Explain. [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. The right to freedom is a cluster of six rights. Therefore :

    (i) Freedom of speech and expression

    (ii) Freedom of assembly in peaceful manner

    (iii) To form association and unions

    (iv) Move freely through out the country

    (v) Reside in any part of the country

    (vi) Practice any profession or occupation.

    Q.12. Why are the rights guaranteed by the Indian constitution called Fundamental Rights?

    [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. (i) They are fundamental to our life.

    (ii) Fundamental Rights put into effect the securing for all citizens equality, liberty and justice as given in the Preamble to our constitution.

    Q.13. State any three provisions of the Fundamental Right Against Exploitation. [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. (i) The constitution prohibits ‘traffic in human beings’ i.e. selling and buying of human

    beings.

    (ii) It also prohibits forced labour or begar in any form.

    (iii) The constitution also prohibits child labour. No one can employ a child below the age of

    fourteen to work in a factory, mine or any hazardous work.

    Q.14. Why do we need rights in a democracy? [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. Rights are claims of a person over other fellow beings; over the society, and over the government. Rights are necessary for the very sustenance of democracy. Rights protect minorities. Rights are guarantees which can be used when things growing.

    Q.15. Write three constitutional provisions for the protection of women and children in India.

    [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. These are : The constitution prohibits

    (i) traffic in human beings i.e. selling & buying of human beings specially women for immoral purposes.

    (ii) It prohibits forced labour

    (iii) It protects children under years of age by prohibiting their employment in any factory, mine or hazardous work.

    Q.16. Right to freedom comes with some limitations. Justify with three suitable examples.

    [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. (i) You cannot use your Right to Freedom to incite people to rebel against government or to defame others.

    (ii) We can hold meetings but peacefully.

    (iii) We cannot carry weapons while participating in a procession or a meeting.

    Q.17. Mention any three features of Right to Equality. [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. (i) The law apples to all citizens irrespective of his status (The Rule of Law).

    (ii) The government shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds of religion, caste ethnicity, sex or place of birth.

    (iii) All citizens have equality of opportunity in matters of employment

    Q.18 State the three features of cultural and educational rights. [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. (i) Any sections of citizens with a distinct language or culture have a right to conserve it.

    (ii) Admission to any educational institution maintained by government or with its aid cannot be denied to any citizen on the ground of religion or language.

    (iii) All minorities have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

    Q.19. Mention any three rights of a detained person. [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. (i) A person who is arrested and detained in custody will have to be informed of the reasons for such arrest.

    (ii) Such a person shall be produced before the nearest magistrate within a period of 24 hours of arrest.

    (iii) Such a person has the right to consult a lawyer or engage a lawyer for his defence.

    Q.20. “Right to constitutional remedies is the heart and soul of the constitution.” Justify.

    [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. This right makes other rights effective when any of our rights are violated we can seek remedy through courts. If it is a Fundamental Right we can directly approach the Supreme Court. That is why Dr Ambedkar called it ‘‘the heart and soul of our constitution^’’.

    LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 

    Q.1. Explain the correctness of the following statement, “Rights are necessary for the very sustenance of a democracy.”

    Ans. It is absolutely correct to say that rights are necessary for the very sustenance of a democracy. Rights are the heart and soul of democracy. In a democracy, every citizen has the right to vote and the right to be elected to government. For democratic elections to take place, it is necessary that citizens should have the right to express their opinion, form political parties and take part in political activities.

    Rights also perform a very special role in a democracy. They protect minorities from the oppression of the majority. They ensure that interests of the minorities are protected and majority does not act as per its whims and fancies. Rights are guarantees which can be used when things go wrong. Things may go wrong when some citizens may wish to take away the rights of others. Generally, the majority wants to dominate the minority. The government should protect the citizens’ rights in such a situation. Sometimes elected governments may not protect or even attack the rights of their own citizens (as happened in Yugoslavia under Milosevic). Therefore, some basic rights of the citizens are written down in the constitution of most democracies.

    Q.2. What is a secular state? In which way does our constitution make India a secular state?

    [V. Important]

    Ans. A secular state is one that does not confer any privilege or favour on any particular religion. It does not punish or discriminate against people on the basis of religion they follow. It implies that the government cannot compel any person to pay any taxes for the promotion or maintenance of a particular religion or religious institution. There shall be no religious instruction in the government educational institutions. In private institutions, no person can be compelled to take part in a religious activity. A secular state is one that does not establish any one religion as official religion.

    Indian secularism practises an attitude of principled and equal distance from all religions. The Preamble to Indian constitution declares India to be a secular nation. There is no official religion in India. The Indian state is neutral and impartial in dealing with all religions. Right to freedom of religion is a Fundamental Right. Every citizen of India has a right to profess, practise and propagate the religion he/she believes in. Every religious group or sect is free to manage its religious affairs.

    Q.3. State the provisions of the Cultural and Educational Rights. [Important]

    Ans. For the simple reason that the working of democracy gives power to the majority, it is the language, culture and religion of minorities that needs special protection. Therefore, the cultural and educational rights of the minorities are specified in the constitution.

    (i) Any section of citizens with a distinct language or culture has a right to conserve it.

    (ii) Admission to any educational institution maintained by government or receiving government aid cannot be denied to any citizen on the ground of religion or language.

    (iii) All minorities have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

    (iv) Full compensation has to be paid if the state seeks to acquire the property of a minority educational institution.

    Q.4. Explain what is meant by the ‘Right to Constitutional Remedies’.

    Ans. Rights guaranteed by the constitution are useless if there are no special provisions to guarantee them. The Fundamental Rights in the constitution are enforceable. We have the right to seek the enforcement of these rights by moving to the High Courts or the Supreme Court. This is called the Right to Constitutional Remedies which is provided by Article 32 of the constitution. This itself is a Fundamental Right. This right makes other rights effective. It is possible that sometimes our rights may be violated by fellow citizens, private bodies or by the government. When any of the rights are violated we can seek remedy through a court. If it is a Fundamental Right we can directly approach the Supreme Court or the High Court of a state. Dr. Ambedkar called the Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32) the ‘heart and soul’ of our constitution. There can be no law or action that violates the Fundamental Rights. Such a law can be declared null and void by the Supreme Court.

    Q.5. What can a person do in case of the violation of Fundamental Rights? What is PIL and how does it work? [Important]

    Ans. In case of any violation of Fundamental Right, the aggrieved person can approach the High Court or the Supreme Court for remedy. Moreover any person can go to court against the violation of the Fundamental Right, if it is of social or public interest. It is called the Public Interest Litigation (PIL).

    Under this any citizen or group of citizens can approach the Supreme Court or the High Court for the protection of public interest against a particular law or action of the government. One can write to the judges even on a postcard. The court will take up the matter if the judges find it in public interest. Even a newspaper article or report can be treated as a PIL by the court.

    Q.6. Mention four new rights which the constitution of South Africa has guaranteed to its citizens. [Important]

    Ans. The scope of rights has been expanding and new rights are evolving over time. They are the result of the struggle of the people. New rights emerge as societies develop or as new constitutions are made.

    The constitution of South Africa guarantees its citizens several kinds of new rights.

    (i) Right to privacy, so that citizens or their home cannot be searched, their phones cannot be tapped, their communication cannot be opened.

    (ii) Right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being.

    (iii) Right to have access to adequate housing.

    (iv) Right to have access to health care services, sufficient food and water; no one can be refused emergency medical treatment.

    Q.7. The Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression does not come without qualifications.

    Explain. [CBSE 2010]

    Ans. Freedom of speech is one of the essential features of any democracy. Our ideas and personality develop only when we are able to freely communicate with others. You may disagree with a policy of government, you are free to criticise the government. You may publicise your views through pamphlet, magazine or newspaper. However, you cannot use this freedom to instigate violence against others. You cannot incite people to rebel against the government, nor can you use it to defame others by saying false and mean things that cause damage to a person’s reputation. This is called freedom of speech with qualifications.

    Q.8. Discuss the provisions included in the Right against Exploitation [CBSE 2010]

    Ans. Once the right to liberty and equality is granted it follows that every citizen has a right to not to be exploited yet the constitution makers thought it was necersary to write down certain clear provisions to prevent exploitation of the weaker sections of the society. The constitution mentions three weaker sections of the society. The constitution mentions three evils and declares these as illegal. First, the constitution prohibits traffic in human beings, i.e., selling and buying of human beings. Secondly, it prohibits ‘‘begar’’ or forced labour in any form. Finally the constitution prohibits child labour. No one can employ a child below the age of fourteen to work in a factory or mine.

  • Democratic Rights NCERT Solution Chapter 6 Class 9th Social Science Civics

    NCERT Solutions for Class 9th: Ch 6 Democratic Rights Civics Social Studies (S.St)

    Page No: 111

    Exercises

    1. Which of the following is not an instance of an exercise of a fundamental right?
    (a) Workers from Bihar go to Punjab to work on the farms
    (b) Christian missions set up a chain of missionary schools
    (c) Men and women government employees get the same salary
    (d) Parents’ property is inherited by their children
    ► (d) Parents’ property is inherited by their children

    2. Which of the following freedoms is not available to an Indian citizen?
    (a) Freedom to criticise the government
    (b) Freedom to participate in armed revolution
    (c) Freedom to start a movement to change the government
    (d) Freedom to oppose the central values of the Constitution

    Answer

    (b) Freedom to participate in armed revolution
    (c) Freedom to start a movement to change the government
    (d) Freedom to oppose the central values of the Constitution

    3. Which of the following rights is available under the Indian Constitution?
    (a) Right to work
    (b) Right to adequate livelihood
    (c) Right to protect one’s culture
    (d) Right to privacy
    ► (c) Right to protect one’s culture

    4. Name the Fundamental Right under which each of the following rights falls:
    (a) Freedom to propagate one’s religion
    (b) Right to life
    (c) Abolition of untouchability
    (d) Ban on bonded labour

    Answer

    (a) Right to freedom of religion
    (b) Right to freedom
    (c) Right to equality
    (d) Right against exploitation

    5. Which of these statements about the relationship between democracy and rights is more valid? Give reasons for your preference.
    (a) Every country that is a democracy gives rights to its citizens.
    (b) Every country that gives rights to its citizens is a democracy.
    (c) Giving rights is good, but it is not necessary for a democracy.

    Answer

    (a) Every country that is a democracy gives rights to its citizens. Every country which provides rights to its citizens might not be a democracy but it is essential for a democracy to provide rights to its citizens.

    6. Are these restrictions on the right to freedom justified? Give reasons for your answer.
    (a) Indian citizens need permission to visit some border areas of the country for reasons of security.
    (b) Outsiders are not allowed to buy property in some areas to protect the interest of the local population.
    (c) The government bans the publication of a book that can go against the ruling party in the next elections.

    Answer

    (a) This is justified. Right to freedom is for all the citizens which grants to move freely anywhere in the country but due to security reasons some areas are restricted as the freedom of movement by every citizen can prove dangerous for the security of India.

    (b) In certain cases this can be justified to maintain the cultural or ethnic identity of local population.

    (c) This restriction can’t be justified as it violates the freedom of speech and expression right.

    7. Manoj went to a college to apply for admission into an MBA course. The clerk refused to take his application and said You, the son of a sweeper, wish to be a manager! Has anyone done this job in your community? Go to the municipality office and apply for a sweeper’s positionâ€. Which of Manoj’s fundamental rights are being violated in this instance? Spell these out in a letter from Manoj to the district collector.

    Answer

    Right to equality is violated here as according to this every citizen of India before the law whether he is from upper or lower caste or rich or poor. Right of freedom is also violated as it grants personal liberty. He or She can carry any profession or business.

    Page No: 112

    8. When Madhurima went to the property registration office, the Registrar told her. “You can’t write your name as Madhurima Banerjee d/o A. K. Banerjee. You are married, so you must give your husband’s name. Your husband’s surname is Rao. So your name should be changed to Madhurima Rao.” She did not agree. She said “If my husband’s name has not changed after marriage, why should mine?” In your opinion who is right in this dispute? And why?

    Answer

    In this dispute, Madhurima is right. The Registrar, by questioning and interfering in her personal affairs, is violating her right to freedom. Also, the social question of adopting the husband’s surname has roots in a religious practice which treats women as weaker and inferior. In lieu of this, forcing Madhurima to change her name is an infringement on her right to equality and right to freedom of religion.

  • Notes of Democratic Rights Class 9th Social Science Civics Chapter 6

    DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS Notes

    Violation of Citizens’ rights by the USA

    1. About 600 people were secretly picked up by the US forces from all over the world and put in a prison in Guantanamo Bay, an area near Cuba controlled by America’s Navy.
    2. The American government said that they were enemies of the US and linked to the attack on New York on 11 September 2001.
    3. Families of prisoners, media or even UN representatives were not allowed to meet them. The US army arrested them, interrogated them and decided to keep them there. There was no trial before any magistrate in the US
    4. Amnesty International, an international human rights organization, collected information on the condition of the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay and reported that the prisoners were being tortured in ways that violated the US laws.
    5. Prisoners were not released even after they were officially declared not guilty. An independent inquiry by the UN-supported these findings. The UN Secretary-General said the prison in Guantanamo Bay should be closed down. The US government refused to accept these pleas.

    Violation of Citizens’ Rights in Saudi Arabia

    1. The country is ruled by a hereditary king and the people have no role in electing or changing their rulers.
    2. The king selects the legislature as well as the executive. He appoints the judges and can change any of their decisions.
    3. Citizens cannot form political parties or any political organizations. Media cannot report anything that the monarch does not like.
    4. There is no freedom of religion. Every citizen is required to be Muslim. Non-Muslim residents can follow their religion in private, but not in public.
    5. Women are subjected to many public restrictions. The testimony of one man is considered equal to that of two women.

    Violation of Citizens’ Rights in Yugoslavia (Kosovo)

    1. Kosovo was a province of Yugoslavia before its split. In this province, the population was overwhelmingly ethnic Albanian Muslims. But in the entire country, Serbs(Christians) were in majority.
    2. A narrow-minded Serb nationalist Milosevic had won the election. His government was very hostile to the Kosovo Albanians. He wanted the Serbs to dominate the country. Many Serb leaders thought that Ethnic minorities like Albanians should either leave the country or accept the dominance of the Serbs.
    3. 74-year-old Batista Hoxha was sitting in her kitchen with her 77- year–old husband Izzet, staying warm by the stove. She knew, five or six soldiers had burst through the front door and were demanding her children.
    4. They shot Izzet three times in the chest. When her husband dying, the soldiers pulled the wedding ring off and even before she comes out of the house they burnt her house.
    5. This was typical of what happened to thousands of Albanians in that period. This was one of the worst instances of killings based on ethnic prejudices in recent times. Finally, Milosevic lost power and was tried by an International Court of Justice for crimes against humanity.

    What are rights?

     Rights are reasonable claims of persons recognized by society and sanctioned by law.

    Why do we need rights in a democracy? (OR) Rights are necessary for the very sustenance of a democracy.

    1. In a democracy, every citizen has to have the right to vote and the right to be elected to government.
    2. For democratic elections to take place it is necessary that citizens should have the right to express their opinion, form political parties and take part in political activities.
    3. Rights protect minorities from the oppression of the majority. They ensure that the majority cannot do whatever it likes. Rights are guarantees which can be used when things go wrong.
    4. The government should protect the citizens’ rights. But sometimes elected governments may not protect or may even attack the rights of their own citizens.
    5. That is why some rights need to be placed higher than the government so that the government cannot violate these. In most democracies, the basic rights of the citizen are written down in the constitution.

    What is Right to Equality? How does it apply in providing equality, liberty, and justice to Indians?

    1.  Right to equality means that the laws apply in the same manner to all, regardless of a person’s status. This is called the rule of law. Rule of law is the foundation of any democracy.
    2. It means that no person is above the law. There cannot be any distinction between a political leader, government official and an ordinary citizen.
    3. The government shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds of religion, caste, ethnicity, sex or place of birth.
    4. Every citizen shall have access to public places like shops, restaurants, hotels, and cinema halls. Similarly, there shall be no restriction with regard to the use of wells, tanks, bathing Ghats, roads, playgrounds, and places of public resorts maintained by the government or dedicated to the use of general public.
    5. The same principle applies to public jobs. All citizens have equality of opportunity in matters relating to employment or appointment to any position in the government. No citizen shall be discriminated against or made ineligible for employment on the grounds mentioned above.
    6. The Constitution mentions one extreme form of social discrimination, the practice of untouchability, and clearly directs the government to put an end to it. The practice of untouchability has been forbidden in any form.

    What is Right to Freedom? What are the kinds of freedom given to the Indians?

    Right to Freedom means the absence of interference in our affairs by others – be it other individuals

    or the government.

    1. Indian Constitution gives the right to Freedom of speech and expression
    2. Right to Freedom to assemble in a peaceful manner
    3. Right to Freedom to form associations and unions
    4. Right to Freedom to move freely throughout the country
    5. Right to Freedom to reside in any part of the country
    6. Right to Freedom to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.
    7. Citizens have the freedom to hold meetings, processions, rallies and demonstrations on any issue.
    8. Your freedoms should not cause public nuisance or disorder. You are free to do everything which injures no one else

    Rules to be followed by the government or police officer when arrest or detain any citizen

    1. A person who is arrested and detained in custody will have to be informed of the reasons for such arrest and detention.
    2. A person who is arrested and detained shall be produced before the nearest magistrate within a period of 24 hours of arrest.
    3. Such a person has the right to consult a lawyer or engage a lawyer for his defense.
    4. Such a person not be tortured or beaten.
    5. Such a person to be allowed to meet his family members and relatives.

    Right against Exploitation (What are three specific evils which are declared illegal in the constitution?)

    1.  Constitution makers thought it was necessary to write down certain clear provisions to prevent exploitation of the weaker sections of the society. The Constitution mentions three specific evils and declares these illegal.
    2. First, the Constitution prohibits ‘traffic in human beings’. Traffic here means selling and buying of human beings, usually women, for immoral purposes.
    3. Second, our Constitution also prohibits forced labor or begar in any form. ‘Begar’ is a practice where the worker is forced to render service to the ‘master’ free of charge or at a nominal remuneration.
    4. Constitution also prohibits child labor. No one can employ a child below the age of fourteen to work in any factory or mine or in any other hazardous work, such as railways and ports.
    5. Using this as a basis many laws have been made to prohibit children from working in industries such as beedi making, firecrackers and matches, printing, and dying.

    How is Right to Freedom of Religion practiced in India?

    1. Secularism is based on the idea that the state is concerned only with the relation between human beings and God. A secular state is one that does not establish any one religion as official religion.
    2. Every person has a right to profess, practice and propagates the religion he or she believes in. Every religious group or sect is free to manage its religious affairs. A right to propagate one’s religion, however, does not mean that a person has right to compel another person to convert into his religion by means of force, fraud, inducement or allurement.
    3. Freedom to practice religion does not mean that a person can do whatever he wants in the name of religion. For example, one cannot sacrifice animals or human beings as offerings to supernatural forces or gods. Religious practices which treat women as inferior are not allowed.
    4. Discrimination against people on the basis of religion is not allowed. Thus the government cannot compel any person to pay any taxes for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious institution.
    5. There shall be no religious instruction in the government educational institutions. In educational institutions managed by private bodies, no person shall be compelled to take part in any religious instruction or to attend any religious worship.

    What are the guarantees given under the Cultural and Educational Rights?

    1. The language, culture, and religion of minorities that needs special protection. Otherwise, they may get neglected or undermined by the majority. That is why the Constitution specifies the cultural and educational rights of the minorities.
    2. Any section of citizens with a distinct language or culture has a right to conserve it.
    3. Admission to any educational institution maintained by the government or receiving government aid cannot be denied to any citizen on the ground of religion or language.
    4. All minorities have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
    5. Here minority does not mean only religious minority at the national level. In some places people speaking a particular language are in majority; people speaking a different language are in a minority.

     How can we secure the fundamental rights? (Right to Constitutional Remedies)

    1.  The fundamental rights in the Constitution are important because they are enforceable. We have a right to seek the enforcement of the above-mentioned rights. This is called the right to Constitutional Remedies.
    2. This is a Fundamental Right. This right makes other rights effective. It is possible that sometimes our rights may be violated by fellow citizens, private bodies or by the government. When any of our rights are violated we can seek remedy through courts.
    3.  If it is a Fundamental Right we can directly approach the Supreme Court or the High Court of a state. That is why Dr. Ambedkar called the Right to Constitutional Remedies, ‘the heart and soul’ of our Constitution.
    4. Courts also enforce the Fundamental Rights of private individuals and bodies. The Supreme Court and High Courts have the power to issue directions, orders or writs for the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights.
    5. Fundamental Right, if it is of social or public interest. It is called Public Interest Litigation (PIL). Under the PIL any citizen or group of citizens can approach the Supreme Court or a High Court for the protection of public interest against a particular law or action of the government.

    EXPANDING SCOPE OF RIGHTS (Constitutional Rights)

    1.  While Fundamental Rights are the source of all rights, our Constitution and law offer a wider range of rights. Over the years the scope of rights has expanded. From time to time, the courts gave judgments to expand the scope of rights.
    2. Now school education has become a right for Indian citizens. The governments are responsible for providing free and compulsory education to all children up to the age of 14 years.
    3.  Parliament has enacted a law giving the right to information to the citizens. We have a right to seek information from government offices.
    4.  Recently the Supreme Court has expanded the meaning of the right to life to include the right to food.
    5. The right to property and right to vote in elections are important constitutional rights.

    Constitution of South Africa guarantees its citizens several kinds of new rights:

    1. Right to privacy, so that citizens or their home cannot be searched, their phones cannot be tapped, their communication cannot be opened.
    2. Right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being.
    3. Right to have access to adequate housing.
    4. Right to have access to health care services, sufficient food, and water; no one may be refused emergency medical treatment.

    Human right activists all over the world seek a set of rights as a standard of human rights. These include:

    1. Right to work: the opportunity for everyone to earn a livelihood by working.
    2. Right to safe and healthy working conditions, fair wages that can provide the decent standard of living for the workers and their families
    3. Right to adequate standard of living including adequate food, clothing, and housing.
    4. Right to social security and insurance.
    5. Right to health: medical care during illness, special care for women during childbirth and prevention of epidemics
    6. Right to education: free and compulsory primary education, equal access to higher education.

  • Concept of Democratic Rights Class 9th Social Science Civics

    CONCEPTS

    • Three cases of denial of rights highlight the importance of rights.

    • The Human Rights were violated (i) in Guantanamo Bay by the US, (ii) in Kosovo by

    Milosevic’s Government, and (iii) denial of rights in Saudi Arabia.

    Rights in a Democracy

    • Rights are a must to ensure the dignity, security and fair play to all the citizens.

    • Democracy is a system in which maximum rights are guaranteed to its citizens.

    What are Rights?

    • Rights are reasonable claims of persons recognised by society and sanctioned by law.

    Why do We Need Rights in a Democracy?

    • Rights sustain a democracy.

    • They give to every citizen a right to vote and the right to be elected to government.

    • They allow citizens to express their views freely, form parties and take part in political

    activities.

    • Rights are guarantees when things go wrong. They do not allow the majority to dominate the minority.

    • Some rights are placed higher than the government, so that the government does not violate them.

    Rights in the Indian Constitution

    The Indian Constitution has given us six Fundamental Rights. They are the basic features of

    India’s Constitution.

    • Fundamental Rights are: (i) Right to Equality (ii) Right to Freedom (iii) Right against Exploitation (iv) Right to Freedom of Religion (v) Cultural and Educational Rights (vi) Right to Constitutional Remedies.

    • Right to Equality: It grants equality to all its citizens in the eyes of law. No discrimination can be made against any citizen on grounds of birth, caste, religion and gender. Untouchability is made a cognisable offence. Equal opportunity is guaranteed to all the citizens.

    • Right to Freedom : It grants (i) freedom of speech and expression, (ii) freedom to assemble in a peaceful manner, (iii) freedom to form associations, (iv) freedom to move freely in any part of the country, (v) freedom to reside in any part of the country and (vi) practice any profession, carry out any occupation or trade.

    • Right against Exploitation : The constitution prohibits (i) “traffic in human beings”,

    (ii) Prohibits forced labour or begar and (iii) prohibits child labour.

    • Right to Freedom of Religion: There is no state religion in India. All religions are given equal respect. Every person has a right to profess, practice and propagate his own religion.

    • Cultural and Educational Rights: Minorities have the right to conserve their language and culture. They have the right to establish their own educational institutions.

    • Right to Constitutional Remedies: This is the right that makes all rights effective. If a citizen’s fundamental rights are violated or taken away, he/she can seek remedy through courts.

    • National Human Rights Commission is an independent organisation established in 1993. Its main work is to focus on human rights and help the victims, whose rights are violated.

    • Expanding Scope of Rights

    The Constitution offers scope to expand the Fundamental Rights. Examples :

    (i) School education has become a right for Indian citizens.

    (ii) Right to property is a legal right.

    (iii) Right to seek information from government offices.

    (iv) Right to vote in elections.

    • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

    This international covenant recognises many rights. Examples (i) Right to work (ii) Right to safe and healthy environment (iii) Right to adequate standard of living (iv) Right to social security and insurance (vi) Right to health and medical care, etc.

    • The South African Constitution Guarantees

    Right to privacy, Adequate housing, Right to access to health care, Sufficient food and water.

  • Working of Institutions Class 9th Study Material, NCERT Solution, Notes

    Chapter 5 Working of Institutions

    Social Science Civics [Class IX]

    Content’s

  • Extra Questions of Working of Institutions Class 9th Social Science Civics

    Extra Question for Practise For Working of Institutions Chapter 5. 

    SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 

    Q.1. State how the delays and complications introduced by the institutions are very useful in a democracy. [Important]

    Ans. Working with institutions involve rules and regulations, meetings, committees and routines, often leading to delays and complications. But some of these delays are very useful as they provide an opportunity for a wider set of people to be consulted in any decision. They make it difficult to rush through a bad decision.

    Q.2. Even though civil servants are far more educated and have expert knowledge on various subjects, why does the ultimate power to decide matters lie with the ministers?

    [Important]

    Ans. A minister is elected by the people and thus empowered to exercise the will of the people on their behalf. She is finally answerable to the people for all the consequences of her/his decision. The Minister is not expected to be an expert in the technical matters of her or his ministry. The civil servants, though far more educated, work under these ministers, and the final decisions are taken by the ministers.

    Q.3. Who appoints the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, and on what basis? Ans. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President. But he cannot appoint anyone he likes. He appoints the leader of the majority party or the coalition of the parties that commands a majority in the Lok Sabha, as Prime Minister. In case no single party or alliance gets a majority, the President appoints the person most likely to secure a majority support.

    Q.4. In which way do the cabinet ministers exercise more powers than the other ministers?

    Ans. Cabinet ministers are the top-level leaders of the ruling party or parties, and are in charge of the major ministries. Ministers of state with independent charge are on the other hand usually in-charge of smaller ministeries. The decisions are taken in cabinet meetings and the other ministers have to follow these decisions. They attend the cabinet meeting only if they are invited.

    Q.5. How has the rise of coalition politics imposed constraints on the power of the Prime Minister?

    Ans. The Prime Minister of a coalition government cannot take decisions as he likes. He has to accommodate different groups and factions in his party as well as among alliance partners. He also has need to the views and positions of the coalition partners and other parties, on whose support the survival of the government depends.

    Q.6. Why is an independent and powerful judiciary considered essential for democracies?

    Ans. Independence of the judiciary is essential in a democracy so that it does not act under the control and direction of the legislature or the executive. The judges do not act according to the wishes of the government, i.e. the party in power. Indian Judiciary is powerful in the sense that it can declare only law invalid if it is against the constitution. Thus Indian judiciary acts as a guardian of the Fundamental Rights which is essential for a democracy.

    Q.7. What is the procedure for the removal of the judges?

    Ans. The procedure to remove a judge is called impeachment. An impeachment motion is passed separately by two thirds members of the two Houses of the Parliament. Thus the judges who are appointed by the President cannot be removed by the President alone. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have to pass a resolution by two-thirds majority to remove a judge.

    Q.8. Discuss the powers and functions of the Parliament. [CBSE 2010]

    Ans. Parliament is the final authority for making laws in the country. It can also change laws and make new ones in their place. It exercises contral over those who run the government. In India this contral is direct and full. If also controls all the money that the government has. It is the highest forum of discussion and debate on public issues and national policies.

    Q.9. Explain the composition of the council of ministers. [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. After the appointment of the Prime Minister, the President appoints other ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. The ministers are usually from the party or the coalition that has the majority in the Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister is free to choose ministers as long as they are members of parliament. Council of ministers is the official name for the body that includes all the ministers. It usually has 60 to 80 ministers of different rank.

    Q.10. Write about the process of appointment and removal of a judge of Supreme Court.

    [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. The judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister and in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In practice the senior judges of the Supreme Court select the new judges of the Supreme Court. A judge can be removed only by an impeachment motion passed separately by two-third members of the two houses of the Parliament.

    Q.12. Under what condition can a state of emergency be declared in India? Explain.

    [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. A state of emergency can be declared under the following conditions:

    (i) Increase of external aggression or armed rebellion;

    (ii) It the government machinery of a state breaks down;

    (iii) If there is a threat to the financial stability of the country. Under these circumstances the President can impose a state of emergency and this is called President rule.

    Q.13. Which house of the parliament is more powerful in India and why? Give any four reasons of it. [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. Rajya Sabha is called the Upper House but that does not mean that it is more powerful than Lok Sabha. Our constitution does not give Rajya Sabha same special powers over the states. But on most matters the Lok Sabha exercises supreme power.

    (i) Any ordinary law needs to be passed by both Houses. The final decision is taken in a joint session but as number of Lok Sabha members is greater, the view of the Lok Sabha prevails.

    (ii) Lok Sabha exercises more power in money matters. Once the Lok Sabha passes the budget the Rajya Sabha cannot reject it. It can hold it only for 14 days.

    (iii) Lok Sabha controls the council of ministers. A person who enjoys the support of the majority members in the Lok Sabha is appointed the Prime Minister.

    (iv) If majority members of the Lok Sabha say they have no confidence in the council of ministers all ministers including the Prime Minister have to quit.

    Q.14. Why are political institutions important? Give any three points. [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. Governing a country involves various activities. For attending to all these activities/tasks several arrangements are made. Such arrangements are called institutions. A democracy works well when these Institutions perform these functions.

    (i) The Prime Minister and the cabinet are institutions.

    (ii) The civil servants working together are responsible for taking steps to implement the ministers decisions.

    (iii) Supreme Court is an institution where disputes between citizens are finally settled.

    Q.15. Give three differences between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. [2011 (T-2)] Ans. Members of the Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people. Lok Sabha exercises the real power on behalf of the people. Rajya Sabha is elected indirectly and performs some special functions. Like looking after the interests of various states, regions or federal units. In some ways Lok Sabha is more important as it has more members and in any decision making, its opinion prevails – it controls council of ministers.

    Q.16. What is the tenure of the President in India? Mention the qualifications for President of India. [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. The President in India is the head of the state. He has only nominal powers. The President of India is like the Queen of Britain whose functions are to a large extent ceremonial. The President supervises the overall functioning of all the political institutions in the country. The President exercises all his powers on the advice of the council of ministers. His tenure is for five years.

    Q.17. Under what circumstances does the President exercise his discretion in the appointment of the Prime Minister? Who appoints the other ministers? [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. When a party or coalition of parties secures a clear majority in the elections, the President has to appoint the leader of the majority party or the coalition that enjoys majority support in the Lok Sabha. When no party or coalition gets a majority in the Lok Sabha President exercises his/her discretion and appoints a leader who in his/her opinion can muster majority support in the Lok Sabha within a specified time.

    Q.18. What is a coalition government? Why the Prime Minister of a coalition government

    cannot take decisions as he likes? [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. The rise of coalition politics has imposed certain constraints on the power of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister of a coalition government cannot take decision as he likes. He has to accommodate different groups and factions in his party as well as among alliance partners. He also has to heed to the views and positions of the coalition partners and other parties on whose support the survival of the government depends.

    Q.19. What are the powers of the Prime Minister? Describe any three. [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. As the head of the government the Prime Minister has wide-ranging powers.

    (i) He chairs cabinet meetings

    (ii) He coordinates the work of different Departments.

    (iii) He exercises general supervision of different ministries. He can and does dismiss ministers. When the Prime Minister quits the entire ministry quits.

    Q.20. ‘‘Parliament is the supreme legislature of India.’’ Justify the statement. [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. In all democracies, an assembly of elected representatives exercises supreme political authority on behalf of the people. In India, such a national assembly of elected representatives is called Parliament. At the state level, it is called Legislature or Legislative Assembly. Parliament is the final authority for making laws in any country. Parliaments all over the would can make new laws, change existing laws or abolish existing laws and make new ones in their place.

    LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 

    Q.1. What was the reaction of the people to the implementation of Mandal Commission Report?

    Ans. The implementation of the Mandal Commission Report led to widespread protests and counterprotests, some of which were violent. People reacted strongly because this decision affected thousands of job opportunities. Some felt that job reservations were essential to cope up with the inequalities among people of different castes in India. Others felt that this was unfair as it would deny equality of opportunity to people who did not belong to the backward communities. They would be denied jobs even if they were more qualified.

    Q.2. Write about some of the activities involved in governing a country.

    Ans. Governing a country involves various activities. For example, the government is responsible for ensuring security to the citizens and providing facilities for education and health to all. It collects taxes and spends the money thus raised on administration, defence and development programmes. It formulates and implements several welfare schemes. Some persons have to take decisions on how to go about these activities. Others have to implement these decisions. It is also important that these activities keep taking place even if the persons in key positions change.

    Q.3. In which ways does the Parliament exercise political authority on behalf of the people? Ans. (i) Parliament can make new laws, change existing laws, or abolish existing laws and make new ones in their place.

    (ii) Those who run the government can take decisions only so long as they enjoy support of the Parliament.

    (iii) Parliament controls all the money that government has. Public money can be spent only when the Parliament sanctions it.

    (iv) Parliament is the highest forum of discussion and debate on public issues and national policy.

    Q.4. Describe the ways in which Lok Sabha is more powerful than Rajya Sabha.

    [Important]

    Ans. (i) An ordinary law has to pass through both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. In case of differences, a joint session is held. Since Lok Sabha has larger number of members will prevail.

    (ii) Lok Sabha exercises more powers in money matters. Once it passes the budget or the money bills, the Rajya cannot reject it. It can delay it by 14 days or suggest changes in it. The Lok Sabha may or may not accept these changes.

    (iii) Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers. If the majority of Lok Sabha members say they have no confidence in the Council of Ministers, all ministers including the Prime Minister, have to quit. Rajya Sabha does not have this power.

    Q.5. How can you say that the President occupies the position of a nominal head of the State? Ans. The President is not elected directly by the people. She or he can never claim the kind of direct popular mandate that the Prime Minister can. This ensures that she or he remains only a nominal executive. The Constitution gives vast powers to the President. But the latter exercises them only on the advice of the Council of Ministers. The President can ask the Council of Ministers to reconsider its advice. But if the same advice is given again, she or he is bound to act according to it. Similarly, when a bill comes to the President for signatures she or he can return it to the Parliament with her or his advice but when the bill comes for her signatures again, she or he has to sign it, whether the Parliament agrees to her / his advice or not.

    Q.6. What are the powers of the Supreme Court?

    Ans. The Supreme Court controls the judicial administration of the country. Its decisions are binding on all other courts of the country. It can take up any dispute

    • Between citizens of the country;

    • between citizens and government;

    • between two or more state governments;

    • between governments at the union and state level.

    It is the highest court of appeal in civil and criminal cases. It can hear appeals against the decisions of the High Courts. The Supreme Court has the power to interpret the Constitution of the country. It can determine the constitutional validity of any law. This is known as judicial review.

    Q.7. Write any three powers of the Prime Minister? [CBSE 2010]

    Ans. The Prime Minister is the most important political institution in the country. He/ She has wide ranging powers.

    (i) He chairs cabinet meetings.

    (ii) His decisions are final in case of disagreement between departments.

    (iii) He distributes and redistributes work to ministers. He also has power to dismiss ministers. When the Prime Minister quits, the entire ministry quits. Thus within the cabinet the Prime Minister is the most powerful so much so that parliamentary democracies are sometimes seen as prime ministerial form of government.

    Q.8. Write two ways in which it can be proved that the President does not have any real powers. What can the President really do on his/her own? [CBSE 2010]

    Ans. In our political system the head of the state exercises only nominal powers. The President of India is like the Queen of Britain whose functions are to a large extent ceremonial. The President supervises the overall functioning of all the political institutions in the country so that they operate in harmony to achieve the objectives of the state.

    The President represents the entire nation but can never claim the kind of direct popular mandate that the Prime Minister can. The same is true of his powers. All government activities do take place in the name of the President. All laws and major decisions of the government are issued in his name, all international treaties and agreements are made in his name but the President exercises these powers only on the advice of the Council of Ministers.

    Q.9. Explain the difference between Political Executive and Permanent Executive. [2011 (T-2)] Ans. In a democratic country two types of executives are there. ‘‘One that is elected by the people for a specific period, it is called the political executive. Political leaders who take big decisions fall into this category. In the second category people are appointed on a long-term basis. This is called the permanent executive or civil services. Persons working in civil services are called civil servants. They remain in office even when the ruling changes. These officers work under political executive.

    Q.10. In what ways does the Parliament exercise political authority? Explain. [2011 (T-2)] Ans. Parliament is the final authority for making laws in any country. This task of law making or legislation is so crucial that these assemblies are called legislatures. Parliaments all over the world exercise some control over these who run the government. In some countries like Inida this control is direct and full. Those who run the government can take decisions only, so long as they enjoy support of the Parliament. Parliaments control all the money that governments have. Parliament is the highest forum of discussion.

    Q.11. Describe any four constitutional provisions for making judiciary independent.

    [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. Independence of the judiciary means that it is not under the control of the legislature or the executive. The judges do not act on the direction of the government or according to the wishes of the party in power. There is very little scope for the ruling party to interfere.

    (i) The appointment of judges of Supreme Court and High Courts is done by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister and in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

    (ii) Once a person is appointed as judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court, it is impossible to removed him.

    (iii) The judiciary in India is one of the most powerful in the world. The Supreme Court and the High Courts have the power to interpret the constitution of the country.

    (iv) They can declare invalid any law of the legislative or the actions of the executive whether at the Union level or at the State level.

    Q.12. How is the judicial system organised in India? Mention its major function. [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. An independent and powerful judiciary is considered essential for democracies. All the courts at different levels in a country put together are called the judiciary. The Indian judiciary consists of a Supreme Court for the entire nation, High Courts in the states, district courts and the courts at the local level. India has an integrated judiciary. It means the Supreme Court controls the judicial administration in the country. Its decisions are binding on all other courts of the country. It is the highest court of appeal in civil and criminal cases.

    Q.13. Why is the Prime Minister the most powerful man in the government? Explain.

    [2011 (T-2)]

    Ans. The Prime Minister has wide-ranging powers as head of the government. He chairs cabinet meetings, coordinates the work of different departments. His decisions are final. All ministers work under him/his leadership. He distributes and redistributes work to the ministers. He also has the power to dismiss them and when he quits the entire ministry quits. The Prime Minister controls the cabinet and the Parliament through the party.