Politcal Science
1. Draw up a list of the different festivals celebrated in your locality. Which of
these celebrations are shared by members of different regional and religious
communities?
Ans:Festivals shared by different regional and religious communities are:
• Independence Day
• Republic Day
• Gandhi Jayanti
These are our national festivals, so every Indian celebrates them
irrespective of region and religion
2. What do you think living in India with its rich heritage of diversity adds to your
life?
Yes, living in India with its rich heritage of diversity adds to our life in the
following ways:
• We know different people, their culture, customs, traditions,
backgrounds.These diverse things add to our life.
• Geographical diversities decide our way of life, our food, our
occupations and many other things.
• We relish our customs and traditions.
3. Do you think the term “unity in diversity” is an appropriate term to describe
India? What do you think Nehru is trying to say about Indian unity in the
sentence quoted above from his book The Discovery of India?
Ans: Yes, we think that the term ‘unity in diversity’ is an appropriate term to
describe India.
Diversities:
I. Geographical diversities like different physical features, climates,
vegetations, rivers and lakes.
II. Cultural diversities like different languages, religions, communities,
customs, traditions, festivals, rituals, etc.
Despite all these diversities there is unity among the people.
• They are one.
• They stood against the British and threw the mighty empire by
adopting Ahimsa and peaceful means.
• All the people belonging to various regions are one when the
country’s interests are involved.
• In natural disasters they whole-heartedly contribute for
mitigating the sufferings of the people.
4. Underline the line in the poem sung after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre,
which according to you, reflects India's essential unity.
Ans: The blood of Hindus and Muslims flows together today
Do soak your robe in this river of blood dear friend
5. Give one example to show why diversity is important in our lives.
Ans: If all had similar lives in aspects of region, religion, opportunities, etc.,
then writers would lack innovation.
6. How was the Indian flag used during the freedom struggle?
Ans: During the freedom struggle the Indian flag was used as a symbol of
protest against the British by people everywhere.
7. How are history and geography tied in the cultural life of a region? Explain
giving examples of Kerala and Ladakh.
Ans:Kerala and Ladakh are quite different in terms of their geographical
features. It was the geography of Kerala which made the possibility of spice
cultivation there. So far Ladakh in concerned, its special geographical
location flourished the business of wool collection among the Ladakhi
people. The people of Ladakh carefully collect the wool of the sheep and sell
It to the traders from Kashmir. The history of both regions has been affected
by similar cultural influences. Both regions were influenced by Chinese and
Arab traders. Thus, we can say the history and geography are often tied in the
cultural life of a region.
8. What does diversity add to our lives?
Ans: Diversity is dissimilarity in the way of our life. It is observed in religious
functions, in festivals, in language, etc. One thing that is unique about
diversity is that it teaches us to live and adjust ourselves in broad society.
Our Constitution believes in respect to all human beings in a similar way.
Diversity makes us tolerant and just. We know how to behave with other
people belonging to different caste, creed, or culture
