Why do you think we need the government to find solutions to many disputes or conflicts?

Compare the situation of Sekar and Ramalingam by filling out the following table:

Sometimes people make prejudiced comments in our presence. We are often not in a position to do anything about this because it is difficult to say something right then and there. Divide the class into groups and each group discuss what they could do in one of the following situations:
a. A friend begins to tease a classmate because he is poor.
b. You are watching TV with your family and one of them makes a prejudicial comment about a particular religious community.
c. Children in your class refuse to share their food with a particular person because they think she is dirty.
d. Someone tells you a joke that makes fun of a community because of their accent.
e. Some boys make remarks about girls not being able to play games as well as them. Discuss in class what the different groups have suggested for the above situations, and also talk about the problems that can come up when raising the issue.

 Why do you think the government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of laws?

Look at the statements in the column on the left. Can you identify which level they belong to? Place tick marks against the level you consider most appropriate.

• The decision of the Government of India to maintain peaceful relations with Russia.
• The decision of the Government of West Bengal on whether to have Board exam in Class 8 for all government schools.
• Introduction of two new trains between Dibrugarh and Kanyakumari.
• The decision to locate a common well in a particular area of the village.
• Decision to construct a big children's park in Patna.
• The decision of the Government of Haryana to provide free electricity for all farmers.
• Introduction of a new 1000 rupee note.

What do you think living in India with its rich heritage of diversity adds to your life?

What does the Constitution say with regard to equality? Why do you think it is important for all people to be equal?

Underline the line in the poem sung after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which according to you, reflects India's essential unity.

How can the stereotype that girls are a burden on their parents affect the life of a daughter? Imagine this situation and list at least five different effects that this stereotype can have on the way daughters get treated in the house.

Choose another region in India and do a similar study of the historical and geographical factors that influence the diversity found there. Are these historical and geographical factors connected to each other? How?

Name two essential features of a democratic government.

What is the link between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat? 

What does the Constitution say with regard to equality? Why do you think it is important for all people to be equal?

In what ways are the work of the Panchayat, that you read about in the previous chapter, and the work of the Patwari related to each other?

List the different types of people you read about in Kalpattu who depend on farming. Who is the poorest among them and why?

Find out more about watershed development and how it benefits an area?

Look at the statements in the column on the left. Can you identify which level they belong to? Place tick marks against the level you consider most appropriate.

• The decision of the Government of India to maintain peaceful relations with Russia.
• The decision of the Government of West Bengal on whether to have Board exam in Class 8 for all government schools.
• Introduction of two new trains between Dibrugarh and Kanyakumari.
• The decision to locate a common well in a particular area of the village.
• Decision to construct a big children's park in Patna.
• The decision of the Government of Haryana to provide free electricity for all farmers.
• Introduction of a new 1000 rupee note.

What did Gangabai do and why?

Look at the image below.

The Government of India launched the Swachh Bharat Mission on 2 October 2014 to promote cleanliness in both rural and urban areas all over the nation. Under the “Swachh Bharat, Swachh Vidyalaya” campaign, many activities are also being carried out in schools to generate awareness on sanitation and hygiene amongst students. Observe the ways in which “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” is being implemented by municipality / panchayat in your locality. Prepare a poster and display it in your school.

Why did the children go to Yasmin Khala's house?

Read the following news item.

Nimone is a village on the Chauphula-Shirur Road. Like many others, this village has also been facing a severe water shortage for the last few months and villagers depend on tankers for all their needs. Bhagvan Mahadeo Lad (35) of this village was beaten with sticks, iron rods and axes by a group of seven men. The incident came to light when some villagers brought a badly injured Lad to hospital for treatment. In the FIR recorded by the police Lad said that he was attacked when he insisted that the water in the tanker must be emptied into the storage tanks constructed as part of the water supply scheme by Nimone Gram Panchayat so that there would be equal distribution of water. However, he alleged that the upper caste men were against this and told him that the tanker water was not meant for the lower castes.
                                                                                                                                                                                          Adapted from Indian Express, May 1, 2004

a. Why was Bhagvan beaten?
b. Do you think that the above is a case of discrimination? Why?