India Transformed Part 1 Question Answer | india transformed part 1
1A. Choose the correct alternative and rewrite the statement.
Question - 1. A legal agreement was signed in Geneva which is known as ____________
[a] SEATO
[b] NATO
[c] GATT
[d] SAARC
Solutions :
[c] GATT
Question - 2. An act similar to ‘Right to Information’ was first applied in ____________ in 1776.
[a] Sweden
[b] France
[c] England
[d] India
Solutions :
[a] Sweden
Question - 3. The birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is observed as ____________
[a] National Education Day
[b] National Youth Day
[c] National Integration Day
[d] National Science Day
Solutions :
[b] National Youth Day
2A. Write the names of historical places/persons/events.
Question - 1. In 2004, this became the biggest firm in Asia providing software services –
Solutions :
Tata Consultancy Services
Question - 2. In 2002, the Metro railway was flagged off –
Solutions :
The Delhi Metro Railway
2B. Choose the correct reason from those given below and complete the sentence.
Question - 1. India became member of World Trade Organisation, because ____________
[a] India want to compete with other nations
[b] India cannot stay aloof from the global economy
[c] India adopted the policy of liberalisation
[d] India wanted to be in the leading position at the global level
Solutions :
[c] India adopted the policy of liberalisation
3. Complete the following concept map.
Question - 1.
Q3
Solutions :
Q3.1
4. Write short notes.
Question - 1. The Youth Policy of Government of India.
Solutions :
- India is a country with a maximum proportion of young people. Individuals in the age group of 15-29 are considered as ‘youth’.
- Youth, if provided with opportunities, for education and skill training, can contribute significantly to the development of India.
- A number of centers of‘Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan’ were established in 1972 for the training of young people in various skills.
- The programmes run by these centers were eventually merged in the ‘National Youth Empowerment Programme’. This programme put a thrust on topics like literacy, education, health and hygiene, family welfare, preservation and conservation of the environment, awareness of social issues, rural development, and self-employment.
- 12th January the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand is celebrated as ‘National Youth Day. National Youth Festival is also celebrated in the month of January. This festival is designed to provide a platform for the artistic talents of young individuals.
- ‘Youth Hostels Association of India’ has established youth hostels in various parts of the country which works for encouraging adventure skills among young people.
- Training programmes are arranged by this association through ‘Bharat Scout and Guides, National Service Scheme and National Cadet Corps’.
Question - 2. ‘Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana’.
Solutions :
- The Government of India knows the importance of having roads in good condition in the interior areas started ‘Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana’ in 2000.
- Initially, the work of building roads began by linking the villages of population strength up to 1000. In 2001 this programme was merged in ‘Pradhan Mantri Gramoday Yojana’.
- The roads measuring about 75000 km. were completed till 2005. The purpose of this work was to extend the benefits of the country’s economic growth to people living in rural areas and to bring transformation in their lives.
- It aimed at providing amenities for good health, education, drinking water, dwellings, roads, and electricity.
5. State your opinion.
Question - 1. India is a leading country in the field of space research.
Solutions :
- In 2007, India entered a new field of space research. It commercially launched the Italian satellite.
- Other countries had submitted tenders quoting very high rates, to get this contract. However, India got this contract by quoting reasonable rates.
- Before entering this field on a commercial basis, India had already successfully launched the satellite of Argentina, Belgium, South Korea, Indonesia, and Germany.
- In 2008, India launched ‘Chandrayaan-1’, the first lunar probe. India could collect evidence for the presence of water on the moon through this satellite.
- After that India also launched ‘Chandrayaan-2’ and ‘Mangalyaan’.
- All these achievements proved that India is a leading country in the field of space research.
6. Answer the following Question -s in detail.
Question - 1. Which programmes were launched in India for making the opportunities of wage-earning?
Solutions :
- Creating employment opportunities for an ever-increasing population is a major challenge for the government. There are several programmes launched by the government of India for wage earners.
- These programs are as follows:
- Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Yojana and ‘Rojgar Hami Yojana’: To create job opportunities for educated youth the ‘Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India started this plan on 2nd October 1993 on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Rojgar Hami Yojana was to assure daily wages to the unemployed agricultural labourers. The objective of this plan was to provide wage-earning opportunity, who was in search. This programme was launched in 257 districts in India. A goal was to provide work to two young laborers in each family below the poverty line. In 2001, this plan was merged in ‘Gramin Rojgar Yojana’.
- In 1998, to provide support to farmers in difficult times “Kisan Credit Card” plan was started. It helps the farmer to avail funds for essential equipments and seeds for cultivation. Later, an insurance facility was also offered to farmers, who were Kisan Credit Card holders.
- Suvarnajayanti Gramin Svayam Rojgar Yojana: This plan was launched in 1999 by merging various plans together namely ‘Ekatmik Gramin Vikas Yojana’, Self-employment training programmes, ‘Ganga Kalyan Yojana’ etc.
- Jawahar Gram Samruddhi Yojana: In 1999, a new plan was implemented with the intention to provide adequate employment for unemployed men and women. It was merged in ‘Sampoorna Gramin Rojgar Yojana’ in 2001.
- Sampoorna Gramin Rojgar Yojana: This plan made provision for creating opportunities in rural areas of earning wages, to provide food grains in exchange for work, etc. This scheme was started in 150 economically backward districts in the country. In 2006, this scheme was merged in ‘Rashtriya Gramin Rojgar Hami Yojana’.
- Rashtriya Gramin Rojgar Hami Yojana: Under this scheme, each family in rural areas were given assurance of at least 100 days of work.
7. Answer the following Question - with the help of the given points.
Question - 1. Give information about the ‘Right to Information Act.
[a] Background of the act and the beginning of this movement in India.
[b] Definition of ‘Information’.
[c] The rights of citizens under this act.
Solutions :
[a] Background of the act and the beginning of this movement in India:
This kind of Act was first implemented in Sweden in 1776. In 1946, ‘United Nations’ declared the ‘Right to Information to be the fundamental human right.
In 1982, L.K. Kulwant, a resident of Jaipur in Rajasthan, a social activist initiated the process by applying to know the Jaipur Municipal Corporation’s work for cleaning the city.
The High Court gave a clear verdict stating that ‘Right to Information is a fundamental right of all citizens.
In 1990, Aruna Roy started the movement called ‘Majdoor Kisan Shakti Sanghatan’. A need for ‘Right to Information was started through this movement.
Harsh Mander, the Divisional Commissioner of Bilaspur showed courage to disclose official information while serving as a bureaucrat.
The struggle of Anna Hazare in 2001, had a decisive role in Maharashtra in this matter. The Act was implemented in Maharashtra on 12th October 2005.
[b] Definition of ‘Information’:
The definition of term ‘Information’ includes official records, documents, memoranda, emails, comments, consultations, press notes, circulars, orders, logbooks, tenders, reports, correspondence, formats, models, electronic data, the information of a private institution or an individual that is available in the records of any public establishment.
[c] The rights of citizens under this act:
Right to information grants access to official documents, records, permission to obtain their copies, to take notes, to extract passages, to get samples of authorised material and prints of data stored in CDs, Floppy discs, tapes, video cassettes, or in any other form, or stored on computers.
Citizens can get the desired information after submitting an application to the ‘Information officer’ of a ‘Public Authority.
Class 12 History Chapter 11 India Transformed Part 1 Intext Question -s and Answers
Collect information of following schemes: [Textbook Page No. 92]
National Pension Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Vima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Vima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, Indian Post Payments Bank.
Solutions :
[A] National Pension Scheme:
The National Pension Scheme is a voluntary contribution of the pension system in India which is sponsored by the government of India.
This scheme was started by the Government of India in 2004 for all government employees.
The scheme was made open to all citizens in 2009. It is a voluntary and long-term retirement scheme. It is regulated by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority [PFRDA] and the central government.
Any employee from the public, private, and even the unorganized sectors can opt for this.
Personnel from the armed forces are not allowed. The scheme is open to all across industries and locations.
[B] Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Vima Yojana:
The scheme is available to people in the age group 18 to 70 years with a bank account who give their consent to join/enable auto-debit on or before 31st May for the coverage period 1st June to 31st May on an annual renewal basis.
Aadhar would be the primary KYC for the bank account. The risk coverage under the scheme is ₹ 2 lakh for accidental death and full disability and ₹ 1 lakh for partial disability.
The premium of 112 per annum is to be deducted from the account holder’s bank account through ‘auto-debit facility in one installment.
[C] Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Vima Yojana:
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Vima Yojana is available to people between 18 and 50 years of age with a bank account.
This scheme was launched on 9th May 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kolkata.
It has an annual premium of ₹ 330. In case of death due to any cause, the payment to the nominee will be ₹ 2 lakh.
As of 31st March 2019, 5.92 crore people have already enrolled for this scheme.
[D] Atal Pension Yojana:
Atal Pension Yojana is a pension scheme under the Government of India.
This scheme replaces the Swavalamban Yojana and was established to provide old age income security to the workers belonging to the unorganized sector.
The Atal Pension Yojana was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9th May 2015 in Kolkata.
The scheme focuses on encouraging workers of the unorganized sectors to save for their future [Age limit 18-40 years].
[E] Indian Postal Payments Bank :
The Indian Postal Payment Bank was launched on September 1, 2018, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that aims at making banking services available at people’s doorstep.
This is a 100% Government-owned public sector bank, operating with the Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications.
IPPB would be like any other bank but it will operate at a smaller scale without involving any credit risks and can’t issue advance loans or issue credit cards.
Let us know: [Textbook Page No. 92]
Collect information with the help of the internet about the ‘Rafi Ahmad Kidwai National Postal Academy [Gaziabad].
Intext Q2
Solutions :
- Rafi Ahmad Kidwai National Postal Academy, recently called Postal Staff College India [PSCI] is the apex training institution of Indian postal services.
- It was set up in the year 1977. Initially, the college functioned from Sanchar Bhavan and later from Dak Bhavan in Delhi.
- It was shifted to its present location in Gaziabad in the year 1990. It is a central training institute and has the primary role of training and grooming the young officers who get recruited to the Indian Postal Service.
- It also conducts various in-service training programmes on postal management for Postal Service officers in India and other foreign postal administrations.
- Its goal is to make the officers of the department of posts professionally competent to handle the ever-changing communication market.
- Training Program:
- Advanced Development Program
- Executive Development Program
- Technology Management Program
- Postal Life Insurance
- Leadership Development for postmasters and mangers
- Quality Management
Let us collect information [Textbook Page No. 92]
Collect information about various services like ‘Sarvabhaum Suvarn Rokhe’ [Gold Bonds issued by the Government], ‘Electronic Indian Postal Order’, ‘E-Dakghar’, ‘E-Payment Portal’, ‘Mobile App’ etc. by interviewing the Postmaster of any branch.
Solutions :
[A] Sarvabhaum Suvarn Rokhe:
- This scheme was launched by Government in November 2015, under Gold Monetisation Scheme. The issues are made open for subscription in tranches by RBI in consultation with GOI.
- As per RBI instructions, every application must be accompanied by the PAN number issued by the income tax department to the investors as the PAN number of the first/ sole applicant is mandatory.
- SGBs are government securities denominated in grams of gold. They are substitutes for holding physical gold. Investors have to pay the issue price in cash and the bonds will be redeemed in cash on maturity. The bond is issued by Reserve Bank on behalf of the government of India.
- The SGB offers a superior alternative to holding gold in physical form. The quantity of gold for which the investor pays is protected since he receives the ongoing market price at the time of redemption /premature redemption.
[B] Electronic Indian Postal Order:
- The Department of Personnel and Training and Department of Posts have launched a service called e-IPO [Electronic Indian Postal Order] to enable the Indian citizens abroad to purchase an Indian Postal Order electronically by paying fee on-line through the e-post Office portal i.e., http://www.epostoffice.gov.in.
- It also facilitates them to file the Right to Information [RTI] application. Registration is mandatory to avail of this facility. Options for new account creation, user verification, search e-IPO, etc are available.
[C] e-Payment portal:
- e-Payment is a smart option for businesses and organizations to collect their bills or other payments through post office networks.
- When businesses require the collection of bills and other payments from customers across the country, Post offers them a simple and convenient solution in the form of e-payment.
- e-Payment is a many-to-one solution that allows the collection of money [telephone bills, electricity bills, examination fees, taxes, university fees, school fees, etc] on behalf of any organization. The collection is consolidated electronically using web-based software and payment is made centrally through cheque from a specified Post Office of billers choice.
- The information and MIS regarding the payment can be seen by the biller online. The MIS will contain the five fields of billers choice like name, telephone number, application number, etc. The services are currently available through more than 14,000 Post offices across the country.
- There is an agency in the market today with a large reach and establishing trust as the Post Office where the public can comfortably deposit all their bills in their neighbourhood
[D] e-Dak Ghar:
The e-Post Office of India post offers a variety of online Postal services to the users. One can avail services-philately [purchase of stamps], PLI/RPLI [payment of the premium], and IPO [purchase order for RTI].
[E] Mobile app:
The IPPB app is available on both Android and iOS platforms. This app, however, can only be used by those individuals who have an account in a core banking-enabled post office. KYC of the account should also be completed in advance.
Internet banking and mobile banking services should also be completed in advance.
Using the mobile app, account holders can also view account balances and statements, transfer funds, request a checkbook, stop payment on a cheque, use sweep-in-sweep-out facilities, and pay utility bills.
Project [Textbook Page No. 98]
Collect information about the States of India and Union Territories, as well as the names of their capital cities, with the help of the internet.
Solutions :
The states of India and its capitals are as follows:
| States | Capital |
| 1. Andhra Pradesh | Hyderabad |
| 2. Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar |
| 3. Assam | Dispur |
| 4. Bihar | Patna |
| 5. Chhattisgarh | Raipur |
| 6. Goa | Panaji |
| 7. Gujrat | Gandhinagar |
| 8. Haryana | Chandigarh |
| 9. Himachal Pradesh | Shimla |
| 10. Jharkhand | Ranchi |
| 11. Karnataka | Bengaluru |
| 12. Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 13. Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal |
| 14. Maharashtra | Mumbai |
| 15. Manipur | Imphal |
| 16. Meghalaya | Shillong |
| 17. Mizoram | Aizawl |
| 18. Nagaland | Kohima |
| 19. Odisha | Bhubaneswar |
| 20. Punjab | Chandigarh |
| 21. Rajasthan | Jaipur |
| 22. Sikkim | Gangtok |
| 23. Telangana | Hyderabad |
| 24. Tamil Nadu | Chennai |
| 25. Tripura | Agartala |
| 26. Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow |
| 27. West Bengal | Kolkata |
| 28. Uttarakhand | Dehradun |
Union Territories and its Capitals:
| Union Territories | Capitals |
| 1. Anadaman and Nicobar Island | Port Blair |
| 2. Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| 3. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | Daman |
| 4. Delhi | New Delhi |
| 5. Lakshadweep | Kavaratti |
| 6. Puducherry | Pondicherry |
| 7. Ladakh | Leh (summer), Kargil (winter) |
| 8. Jammu and Kashmir | Srinagar (summer) Jammu (winter) |
Maharashtra State Board Class 12 History Solutions Chapter 11 India Transformed Part 1
This lesson reviews the advancements
in various fields, in India since 1990. We
shall do this by citing a few representative
examples.
11.1 Globalisation
India before 1990 and India after 1990
are much apart. It adopted liberal economic
policies in 1990 and many things changed.
General Agreement on Tariffs and
Trade (GATT) : During the times of
Second World War many countries had
adopted the policy of imposing various
duties and taxes on imported goods, with
a view to protect their home markets. It
resulted in declining of trade. A meeting
was called in Cuba to discuss this problem,
which was attended by 56 nations. It was
decided to establish a permanent
organisation to resolve the problems related
to international trade.
A legal agreement
was signed in Geneva by 23 nations on
30th October 1947, which is known as
GATT. This agreement was the first
multinational trade agreement. GATT gave
priority to economic development through
production and trade, to treat the member
countries as ‘most favoured nations’
An annual meeting of the member
countries of GATT used to be held at
Geneva. It was attended by the
representatives of the member countries.
Each country was entitled to one vote.
Problems faced by individual nations
regarding the difficulties in international
trade were discussed in the meeting and the
decisions were based on these discussions.
Later GATT became a part of a more
encompassing organisation known as ‘World
Trade Orgnisation’ - WTO.
World Trade Organisation (WTO) :
On 1st January 1995, 123 nations together
founded an organisation with the objective
of opening the world for free trade. It was
called World Trade Organisation (WTO).
It’s a global trade organisation and India
is a member of it.
Arthur Dunkel, the
Director General of
WTO prepared a draft
which has been
fundamental to the
establishment of the
organisation. This draft
is known as ‘Dunkel
Draft’.
The crux of this
draft emphasises on
trade, free from governmental customs duty
and other restrictions. This approach is
known as ‘liberalisation’. All participating
countries agreed upon a set of rules and a
premise common to all that would promote
international trade. Initially provisions were
made in the spheres of grants, exportsimports, foreign investments, reserved
sectors, agriculture, technology and service
sectors.
After becoming a member of WTO,
India put a thrust on economic progress. In
this aspect the contribution of the then
Prime Minister of India, Narsimha Rao and
Finance Minister Manmohan Singh is very
important. Prime Ministers Atal Bihari
Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh took ahead
the policy of liberlisation. The report
published by WTO in 2006 has made a
special mention of increasing economic
growth rate of India. Growth in investments,
fall in the ratio of population below poverty
line, fall in infant mortality rate, increasing
availability of facilities for literacy, potable
water and drainage system in India, are
also mentioned in this report. By adopting
ways like simplifying import rules,
modifying laws regarding rights on
intellectual property, modifying patent laws,
India entered the global economy.
11.2 Transformation in Various Fields
Transformation of a nation can be
discerned through certain indicators. Is the
countryside developing? Are the roads in
our vicinity in good condition? Has the
traffic improved? Have the cities improved?
Have the communication systems become
more efficient? Has the defence machinery
of the country given priority to upgradation
and modernisation of defence systems?
Are the citizen in position to avail of their
rights in proper manner? If, answers to
such questions are affirmative, then we can
assert that the transformation is happening.
So, let us understand the transformations in
various fields that happened in our country.
11.2.1 Rural Development Plans
Several plans for rural development
have been implemented, so that the rural
sector should not get neglected and the
balance between rural and urban
development be maintained. The plans that
are being implemented in the present are
mostly augmentation of plans that were
already operational. Sometimes earlier
plans were merged in new plans.
To create employment opportunities for
an ever increasing population is a major
challenge for the government. We shall
review the measures taken by the government
in this respect.
Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Yojana : To
create job opportunities for educated youth
the ‘Ministry of Commerce and Industry’
of the Government of India started a plan
on 2nd October 1993. This plan was meant
for creating opportunities for job and
private enterprise.
‘Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Yojana’ and
‘Rojgar Hami Yojana’ were started on the
birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Rojgar Hami Yojana was to assure daily
wages to the unemployed agricultural
labourers. There are days when employment
of any kind is not available to agricultural
labourers.
The objective of this plan was
to provide wage earning opportunity, who
were in search of it. Initially this plan was
launched in 257 districts in India. A goal
was set to provide work to two young
labourers in each family below poverty
line. In 2001 this plan was merged in
‘Gramin (Rural) Rojgar Yojana’.
In 1998, with a view to provide support
to farmers in difficult times, ‘Kisan Credit
Card’ plan was started. It was also intended
to help farmer to avail funds for essential
equipments and seeds for cultivation. Later,
an insurance facility was also offered to
farmers, who were Kisan Credit Card
holders.
Suvarnajayanti Gramin Svayam
Rojgar Yojana : This plan was launched
in 1999. This plan was started by merging
various plans together namely ‘Ekatmik
Gramin Vikas Yojana’, Self employment
training programmes for rural youth,
programme for rural women and children,
distribution of modern equipment to rural
artisans, ‘Ganga Kalyan Yojana’ and plan to dig 10 lakh wells etc. In 2005-06, there
were 12 lakh 7 thousand benefeciaries of
‘Suvarnajayanti Gramin Swayam Rojgar
Yojana’.
Jawahar Gram-Samruddhi Yojana :
In 1999, a new plan was implemented with
an intention to provide adequate employment
for the unemployed men and women. In
2001, it was merged in a plan known as
‘Sampoorna Gramin Rojgar Yojana’.
Sampoorna Gramin Rojgar Yojana :
This plan was launched by merging together
‘Rojgar Aashwasan Yojana’ and ‘Jawahar
Gram-Samruddhi Yojana’. This plan made
provisions for creating opportunities in rural
areas of earning wages, to provide foodgrains in exchange of work, etc. In 2004,
the scheme of giving food-grains in
exchange of work was started in 150
districts in the country which were
economically most backward. Measures
like water conservation, development of
agricultural lands were given priority to
overcome situations of famine. In 2006,
this scheme was merged in ‘Rashtriya
Gramin Rojgar Hami Yojana’.
Rashtriya Gramin Rojgar Hami
Yojna : The Government of India launched
this scheme on national level to eradicate
economic disparity, poverty, starvation and
unemployment in rural India. Each family
in rural areas was given assurance of at
least 100 days’ work. Till 2008, this scheme
was started in about 350 districts.
Agriculture and Livestock : Along
with the nation’s transformation, agricultural
sector is also getting transformed. According
to 2011 census 54% of the total population
in India is engaged in agriculture and agrorelated sector. The ‘Soil Health Card
Scheme’ aims at increasing the soil fertility
and agricultural production. ‘Pradhan
Mantri Krishi Sinchan Yojana’ envisaged is
for giving priority to adequate water supply
for agriculture and irrigation facilities on
larger scale. ‘Krishi Vikas Yojana’ aims at
organic cultivation and increase in the
farmers’ income. ‘Pradhan Mantri Vima
Yojana’ is implemented for the economic
welfare of the farmer. More emphasis is
given on fields like animal husbandry,
dairy, fisheries, agricultural research and
education. Focus on developing
‘Agriculture’, ‘Co-operative establishments’
and ‘Farmer Welfare’ are the three main
themes of the development programmes.
In 2007, a national policy for farmers
was adopted.
Gradually, the results of all
the programmes
implemented for the
agricultural sector are
becoming apparent. If
there is a crop failure,
because of things like
natural calamities,
pesticides, epidemics,
adverse climate, etc. the
farmer gets compensated
through the insurance
scheme (‘Pradhan Mantri
Peek Vima Yojana’). Research institutes of
agricultural science are supported through
Indian Council for Agricultural Research
(I. C. A. R.). Agricultural exhibitions are
organised with the objective of introducing
the farmers to latest technology, new
agricultural experiments and research.
Indigenous seeds and indigenous breed of
cattle is given priority. Research programmes
on ‘goat’ were conducted on pan-Indian
level. Goat keeping (Sheli Palan) is
encouraged as an occupation for enhancing
the life standard of tribal people.
It has
largely become their principal source of
livelihood. In rural areas poultry farming
of indigenous variety was encouraged.
Thus, India is making significant progress
in the fields of animal husbandry, dairy
and milk production, fisheries, live stock, poultry, meat and wool production. Ours is
a leading country in milk production. The
‘National Livestock Mission’ was established
in 2014-15 and since then there is rapid
growth in the livestock sector.
This mission
provides for availability of fodder, loan,
organizing the cattle keepers and resolving
their difficulties. In 1919-20, the first
livestock census was conducted. Since then
it is being done regularly. The ‘2012
Livestock Census’ was nineteenth in the
series. China ranks the first in fish
production while India ranks the second.
Fishing has been an important occupation
in India, which is now supplemented with
fish farming (pisciculture). This sector is
growing rapidly
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana :
The Government of India, knowing the
importance of having roads in good
conditions in the interior areas, started
‘Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana’ in
2000. Initially, the work of building roads
began by linking the villages of population
strength up to 1000. In 2001, this programme
was merged in ‘Pradhan Mantri Gramoday
Yojana’.
The roads measuring about 75000
Km. were completed till 2005. The purpose
of this work was to extend the benefits of
country’s economic growth to people living
in rural areas and to bring transformation
in their lives. It aimed at providing
amenities for good health, education,
drinking water, dwellings, roads and
electricity.
11.2.2 Urban Development Plans
Jnnurm – Jawaharlal Nehru Naional
Urban Renewal Mission : This programme
was launched in 2005. The mission is for
massive modernisation
of the cities through
modifications in road
building, public transport,
wastewater disposal and
management systems
and sewage disposal systems, housing for
the poor, etc.
Golden Quadrilateral (Suvarna
Chatushkon Yojana) : In 1998, Government
of India announced a programme of creating
national highway network to join the four
megacities - Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and
Kolkata. National Highways Authority of
India is managing this project. This project
aimed at tasks like developing two highways
about 7300 km. in length linking all the
four quarters of the country, to provide
rapid transportation to important port cities
in the country. The programme progressed
rapidly by completing ¼ of the total length
of the highways till 2008.
Metro Railway : The Delhi Metro
railway was flagged off in 2002. Metro
railway running above and underground has
introduced a major change in the public
transport system of the metropolises of India.
It facilitated speedy and smooth transit.
11.2.3 Means of Communication
Postal Department : In 1766, the
British established the post office in India.
Thus, the ‘Indian Postal Department’ is
more than 250 years old. The postal
department, which once only delivered
letters, has undergone total reformation. It
has entered in the field of banking.
The
postal department has introduced various
schemes such as, ‘Postal Savings Accounts’,
‘Term Deposits’, ‘Public Provident Fund
(PPF)’, ‘Kisan Vikas Patra’, ‘Sukanya
Samruddhi Account’, and so on. To improve
its services, in all 23,557 postal offices
were brought under ‘Core Banking
Solutions’, till 2018. Automated Teller
Machines (ATM) were installed at many
branches. Mutual Fund products of ‘Unit
Trust of India’ were made available to
customers at postal offices. The postal
department is also offering money transfer
services to Non Resident Indians.
Speed Post : The service of ‘Speed
Post’ changed the very nature of Indian
Postal Service. This service was started in
1986. Many people take advantage of this
service, to the tune of more than three
crores of letters and parcels being delivered
every month. The postal department sends
a message of successful delivery on the
mobile phone of the sender.
This facility
has made the speed post service more
reliable. In addition, the postal department
now offers courier services like delivery of
passport, business parcels, cash-on-delivery,
logistics post and air freights. Earlier, if
anybody wanted to post letters or gift
articles, etc. on a larger scale, the tasks
like putting the letters in envelopes or
packaging of the gift articles, the sender
had to do them personally. Now the post
office offers the packaging service at extra
charge. This has increased the business of
the postal department.
There are one lakh
and fifty five thousand post offices, which
are offering services like paying various
bills, sending festive greetings cards and
similar objects.
The postal department has started a
very novel service since 2016 of delivering
Ganges water (Ganga Jal) at personal
addresses from Rishikesh and Gangotri.
Along with it facilities like buying
personalised postage stamps with a personal
photograph, buying newly issued postage
stamps at philatelic centres, special schemes
for philatelists are available at ‘Post Shops’
opened at 80 post offices.
The postal department is also concerned
with the requirements of philatelists.
Philately is a valued hobby at international
level. Special limited issues of artistic
postage stamps are published by the postal
department. In the year, from April 2017
to March 2018, the postal department
published 50 issues of postage stamps
based on various themes.
It included the
subjects like Meghalaya Caves, rare Indian
birds, Ramayan, Mahabharat, Indian
cuisine, Winning designs of ‘nests’ from a
children’s competition, ‘Heritage’
architectural wells (for example, ‘Rani ki
Vav’), Hand fans, Solar system, Indian
headgears, Centenary of the Champarnya
Satyagrah, etc. The postage stamps of
Ramayana were distributed in 40 countries
through the Indian embassies.
11.3 Economic Issues
An example is cited here to have a
glance of the economic growth.
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Ministry of Disinvestment : The
Government of India established a separate
‘Ministry of Disinvestment’ to take care of
its disinvestment policy, i.e. the gradual
withdrawal of governmental investment in
the public sectors. The Government is
focusing on reducing its investment in the
sectors like mining, petroleum refineries,
roads and highways, port trusts,
telecommunication and foreign investments
in these sectors are now permitted.
The
policies of ‘Privatisation, Liberalisation and
Globalisation’ (popularly known as
‘KHAUJA’), boosted the confidence of
Indian companies and some of them
established themselves in global markets by
acquiring foreign companies in the steel,
pharmaceuticals, tea production and also
automobiles sectors.
In 2016, the ‘Ministry of Disinvestment’
was renamed as ‘Department of Investment
and Public Asset Management (DIPAM)’.
11.4 BRICS
This organisation was established in
2006. Its name is formed by adopting the
first letter of the names of the participant
countries. The participant member are
Brazil, Russia, India, China and South
Africa. This organisation was established
with an aim of enhancing the trade among
these countries. The 11th conference of
BRICS was organised in Brazil. The theme
of this conference was ‘Economic Growth
for an Innovative Future’. Subjects like
technological co-operation, technology and
innovation, digital economy, international
crime, financial scams were discussed. (Ref.
: BRICS.org.pib.nic.in)
11.5 Science and Technology
Only a few instances of significance
are mentioned in this part.
A super-computer named as
‘Param-8000’ was created with the help of
C-DAC (Centre for Development of
Advanced Computing), Pune. In 1998, an
advanced version of ‘Param-8000’ was
made, which was named as ‘Param-10000’.
Its mathematical potential was enormous,
because of which India entered the global
computer market. India won its place
among the leading countries with high
technological knowhow of computer making.
In 1999, a project of creating a still further
version of ‘Param-10000’ was undertaken.
This computer was named as ‘Parampadma’.
‘Parampadma Super Computer’ was
dedicated to the nation in 2003.
The Indian software industry was
benefitted because of the policy of
liberalisation. The Central Government’s
favourable policies for software industry,
foresightedness of the Indian entrepreneurs,
the nationwide spread of computer and
information technology, computer engineers
who are also proficient in the use of
English language resulted in tremendous
increase in the Indian export of software.
It increased from 3.2% to more than 25%.
In 1995, internet services began in the
Indian metropolises. In 2004, Tata
Consultancy was the biggest firm in Asia
providing software services. Pune and
Bengaluru developed as Information
Technology (IT) hubs. The population in
India using internet services is rapidly
increasing. Indian IT engineers are in great
demand all over the world.
In the field of science, India, to prove
its nuclear strength, conducted underground
nuclear tests two times at Pokharan in
Rajasthan. The Indian satellite, ‘Oceansat-1’
launched and entered the orbit in 1999 to
collect oceanographic information (about
oceans and seacoasts). In 2000, ‘Bharat
Sanchar Nigam Ltd., (BSNL) was
established to provide services like cellular
phones (mobile phones), internet and
broadband.
In 2007, India entered a new field of
space research. It commercially launched
the Italian satellite. Other nations had
submitted tenders quoting very high rates,
to get this contract. However, India got this
contract by quoting reasonable rates.
Nevertheless, India earned considerable
profit through the Italian contract. Before
entering this field on commercial basis,
India had already successfully launched the
satellites of Argentina, Belgium, South
Korea, Indonesia and Germany.
In 2008,
India launched ‘Chandrayaan-1’, the first
lunar probe. Through the information sent
by ‘Chandrayaan-1’, India could collect
evidence for the presence of water on the
moon. After that India also launched
‘Chandrayaan-2’ and ‘Mangalyaan’
11.6 Defence Affairs
In 1999 Pakistan intruded Kashmir.
This intrusion started a war between India
and Pakistan. This war was fought in the
Kargil-Drass area in Ladakh. Hence it is
known as ‘Kargil War’. It is also referred
to as ‘Operation Vijay’ by the Indian army.
‘Operation Vijay’ was successful and India
emerged victorious in it. This war alerted
the Indian authorities for modernisation of
the Indian military.
Processes of updating
the military, equipments and arms, training,
etc. were further intensified.
In 2009, India successfully built a
‘Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarine’, of
‘Arihant’ Class. This was the first nuclear
submarine built in India. Its first patrol
round was completed with Russia’s
co-operation. Thus, India is the sixth country
in the world to develop indigenous
technology of building nuclear submarines.
The Indian Government had involved private
Indian entrepreneurs too, in this project.
The Government of India emphasised
on indigenous production by using
indigenous technology (‘Make in India’),
on recruiting women officers in military
and also on combined Exercise with
militaries of other nations. There is
increasing focus on the exchange of latest
technology, to fight terrorism, to augment
our own competencies and optimum use of
modern technology for ending terrorism.
The Exercise with Oman military at Bakloh,
Himachal Pradesh, is apparently the result
of these policies. In the Exercise with Nepal
the thrust was on the critical tactics to fight
with terrorists in mountainous terrains.
There were combined Exercise of Mangolian
army and ‘Jammu and Kashmir Rifles’.
The Exercise of Indian and American army
together was done in America. The Exercise
with Sri Lankan army was organised in
Pune. This practice session was meant for
training the soldiers for fighting terrorism
in semi-urban environment. Exercise with
Russian military was organised in Russia.
Similar Exercise were organised with
Bangladesh and England as well.
Such exercises are useful for both
countries because of the technological
exchange that happens on these occasions.
They help to know and practice new
methods of resolving problems. The process
of modernisation of arms gives impetus to
further research.
To join the armed forces is one of the
best careers for young people. There are
about eight sections in the Indian army
where women officers can join on short service commission. Women can join
through Union Public Service Commision.
There are a few reserved seats for women,
who have completed N.C.C. training.
11.7 Youth related Policies
India is a country with maximum
proportion of young people. Individuals in
the age group of 15-29 are considered as
‘Youth’. The ‘Youth’, if provided with
opportunities of education and skill training,
can contribute significantly in the
development of India. A number of centres
of ‘Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan’ were
established in 1972. These centres began
training young people for various skills.
The programmes run by these centres were
eventually merged in ‘National Youth
Empowerment Programme’.
This programme
put a thrust on
topics like literacy,
education, health
and hygiene,
family welfare,
preservation and
conservation of
environment, awareness of social issues,
rural development and self employment.
12th January is the birth anniversary
of Swami Vivekanand. It is observed as
‘National Youth Day’. Every year, National
Youth Festival is celebrated in the month
of January.
This festival is organised jointly
by the Government of India and one of the
State Governments. This festival is designed
to provide a platform for the artisitic talents
of young individuals.
‘Youth Hostels Association of India’
has established youth hostels in various
parts of the country. These hostels are
managed in collaboration by the Government
of India and respective state governments.
‘Youth Hostels Association’ works for
encouraging the adventure skills among
young people. There are about 83 hostels
in India, which provide accommodation to
young people at minimum rates.
The training programmes are arranged
by this association through ‘Bharat Scouts
and Guides’, ‘National Service Scheme’
and ‘National Cadet Corps’
11.8 Right to Information Act, 2005
This kind of Act was first applied in
Sweden in 1776. In 1946, ‘United Nations’
declared the ‘Right to Information’, to be
the fundamental human right. In 1982, L.K.
Kulwal, a resident of Jaipur in Rajasthan,
a social activist, initiated the process by
applying to know the Jaipur Municipal
Corporation’s work for cleaning the city. In
the case filed in this matter, the High Court,
gave a clear verdict stating that ‘Right to
Information’ is a fundamental right of all
citizens. In 1990, Aruna Roy started the
movement called as ‘Majdoor Kisan Shakti
Sanghatan’.
A need for ‘Right to
Information’ was expressed through this
movement. The Divisional Commissioner of
Bilaspur of that time, Harsh Mander,
showed courage to disclose official
information while serving as a bureaucrat.
The information he disclosed was in the
context of the programme of distributing
food grains in lieu of
daily wages. The
struggle of Anna
Hazare in 2001, had
a decisive role in
Maharashtra in this
matter. The Act was
implemented in
Maharashtra since
12th October 2005.
The definition of the term ‘information’
includes official records, documents,
memoranda, e-mails, comments,
consultations, press notes, circulars, orders,
logbooks, tenders, reports, correspondence,
formats, models, electronic data, the
information of a private institution or an
individual that is available in the records
of any public establishment.
Right to information grants access to
official documents, records, permission to
obtain their copies, to take notes, to extract
passages, to get samples of authorised
material and prints of data stored in CDs,
Floppy discs, Tapes, Video Cassettes or in
any other form, or stored on computers.
Citizens can get the desired information
after submitting an application to
‘Information Officer’ of a Public Authority.
11.9 Reorganisation of States
The year 2000 proved to be important
for the formation of new states. States with
large areas (Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
and Bihar) were divided and new states
were formed. New states, namely,
Chhattisgarh (1st November 2000),
Uttarakhand (9th November 2000) and
Jharkhand (15th November 2000) came
into existence. After the formations of
lingual states in India, this was the first
instance of formation of new states.
Chhattisgarh : The demand for the
creation of separate state of Chhattisgarh
was first put forth in the session of Indian
National Congress in pre-independence
times. However, ‘States Reorganisation
Commission headed by Fazal Ali, rejected
the demand. In 1998, in the session of the
Legislative Assembly of Madhya Pradesh,
the proposal of creating a separate state of
Chhattisgarh was approved. Later, by the
initiative of the Government of India, the
separate state of Chhattisgarh was created
Uttarakhand : The people of Garhwal
and Kumaon were demanding for a separate
state since 1930. It was supported in the
1938 session of Indian National Congress.
However, the Fazal Ali Commision ruled it
out. The people in this region started a
movement for their demand in 1957. In
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1973, ‘Uttarakhand Parvatiya Rajya
Parishad’ was established. In 1994, the
movement got intensified. In recognition of
the popular sentiment, a bill for separate
state was passed by the Uttar Pradesh
Legislative Assembly. Finally, in 2000 the
state of Uttaranchal (later named as
Uttarakhand) came into being.
Jharkhand : In 1929, the demand for
separate state of Jharkhand was staged for
the first time. In 1947, All India Jharkhand
Party was established and the demand for
a separate state of Jharkhand was
accelerated. In 1973, an appeal was
presented to the President and the Prime
Minster. In 1994, the Bihar Legislative
Assembly passed the bill of ‘Jharkhand
Area Autonomous Council (JAAC)’. In
August 2000, a bill providing for Bihar’s
division and creation of a separate state of
Jharkhand was passed in the lower house
of the Parliament (Lok Sabha). On the day
of 15th November 2000, the separate state
of Jharkhand came into existence.
Telangana : The state of Telangana
was formed in 2014. Earlier it was an
integral part of the state of Andhra Pradesh.
‘Telangana Rashtriya Samiti’ started the
movement for the creation of a separate
state of Telangana. In 2001, Government of
India announced the decision of the separate state of Telangana. In 2014, this proposal
was approved in the parliament. On 2nd
June 2014, the separate state of Telangana
came into existence.
Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh : The
state of Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh was
given a special status by ‘Article 370’ of
the Constitution of India.
In 1947, Prem Nath Dogra established
‘Jammu Praja Parishad’ party. Its initial
motto was ‘Ek Vidhan, Ek Pradhan, Ek
Nishan’. Later, in 1952, it was changed
to ‘Ek Desh me Do Vidhan, Do Pradhan,
Do Nishan Nahi Chalenge, Nahi Chalenge’.
This party demanded complete accession of
Jammu and Kashmir to India.
The party in
power, National Conference, however, was
not ready to give up the autonomy of the
state. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee
(Minister for Industry and Supply in Prime
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s Cabinet)
supported the demand of complete merger.
Recently in August 2019, Government of
India revoked ‘Article 370’. From 31st
October 2019 the state of Jammu and
Kashmir was restructured as two separate
Union Territories of ‘Jammu-Kashmir’ and
‘Ladakh’.
In the next lesson we will study Social
domain, Sports as well as Tourism.