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Read the extracts from Nehru’s speech ‘Tryst with Destiny’ and answer the following: a) Why did Nehru use the expression “not wholly or in full measure” in the first sentence? b) What pledge did he want the makers of the Indian Constitution to take? c) “The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye”. Who was he referring to?

a) The pledge was to give freedom and equality to all the people of India. Although freedom was achieved there was a lot more that needed to be... View Article

Three friends went to watch a film that showed the hero becoming Chief Minister for a day and making big changes in the state. Imran said this is what the country needs. Rizwan said this kind of a personal rule without institutions is dangerous. Shankar said all this is a fantasy. No minister can do anything in one day. What would be your reaction to such a film?

The Chief Minister cannot take arbitrary and hasty decisions.  It is true that there are many problems faced by society.  There are... View Article

Here are some false statements. Identify the mistake in each case and rewrite these correctly based on what you have read in this chapter. a) Leaders of the freedom movement had an open mind about whether the country should be democratic or not after independence. b) Members of the Constituent Assembly of India held the same views on all provisions of the Constitution. c) A country that has a constitution must be a democracy. d) Constitution cannot be amended because it is the supreme law of a country.

Answer for Question (a) There was no doubt in the minds of the leaders of the freedom movement that India should be a democratic nation that... View Article

Read the following extract from a conduct book for ‘married women’, published in 1912. ‘God has made the female species delicate and fragile both physically and emotionally, pitiably incapable of self-defence. They are destined thus by God to remain in male protection – of father, husband and son – all their lives. Women should, therefore, not despair, but feel obliged that they can dedicate themselves to the service of men’. Do you think the values expressed in this para reflected the values underlying our constitution? Or does this go against the constitutional values?

The above statement published in a book is completely against the values of Indian Constitution.  Indian Constitution strives to bring... View Article

Here is some information about four countries. Based on this information, how would you classify each of these countries. Write ‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘not sure’ against each of these. a) Country P: The parliament cannot pass a law about the army without the consent of the Chief of Army. b) Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of the judiciary. c) Country R: The country’s leaders cannot sign any treaty with another country without taking permission from its neighbouring country. d) Country S: All the major economic decisions about the country are taken by officials of the central bank which the ministers cannot change.

Answers: a) Country P - Undemocratic b) Country Q - Democratic c) Country R - Undemocratic d) Country S - Undemocratic Country S is... View Article

Ramesh was not in class when this chapter was being taught. He came the next day and repeated what he had heard from his father. Can you tell Ramesh what is wrong with these statements? a) Women always vote the way men tell them to. So what is the point of giving them the right to vote? b) Party politics creates tension in society. Elections should be decided by consensus not by competition. c) Only graduates should be allowed to stand as candidates for elections.

a) Women always vote the way men tell them to. So what is the point of giving them the right to vote?  Women are independent. Women are... View Article

Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country? a) Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation. b) Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country. c) Government fears its defeat in the next elections. d) People are free to believe in and practise any religion.

Answer: The correct answer is option (D). The freedom of people to practice and believe in any religion has nothing to do with the possibility of... View Article

If you are elected as the President of India which of the following decision can you take on your own? a) Select the person you like as Prime Minister. b) Dismiss a Prime Minister who has a majority in Lok Sabha. c) Ask for reconsideration of a bill passed by both the Houses. d) Nominate the leaders of your choice to the Council of Ministers.

Answer: The correct answer is option (C) - Ask for reconsideration of a bill passed by both the Houses The highest formal authority in India is... View Article