What, in your opinion, is the importance of the Gram Sabha? Do you think all members should attend Gram Sabha meetings? Why?
Importance of Gram Sabha:
1. The Gram Sabha is the meeting of all adults who live in the area covered by the Panchayat.
2. It is the elected body of people consisting of several Gram Panchayat.
3. It has more power than Gram Panchayat.
4. Suggests various tasks to be done by the Gram Panchayat.
5. The finalization of the list of the people below the poverty line (BPL) is approved by the Gram Sabha.
Yes, I think that all the members should attend Gram Sabha meetings because they have to take decisions about the welfare of the village people.
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.
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 benefits does Sudha get along with her salary?
You have probably noticed that people in Kalpattu are engaged in a variety of non-farm work. List five of these.
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.
Discuss
In the two photographs you see different ways of collecting and disposing garbage.
i) Which way do you think provides safety to the person disposing garbage?
ii) What are the dangers of collecting garbage in the manner shown in the first photograph?
iii) Why do you think that proper ways of disposing garbage are not available to those who work in municipalities?
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.
Who is a Municipal Councillor?
Why do you think we need the government to find solutions to many disputes or conflicts?
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?