EDU 01 Unit IV: Education and Social Change (20 Hrs)

 

EDU - 01: KNOWLEDGE AND CURRICULUM: PHILOSOPHICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES.

Unit IV: Education and Social Change (20 Hrs)

      Characteristics of Indian Society – class, religion, ethnicity, language. 

      Social Change – Factors influencing social changes

      Role of Education- Major changes occurred in Indian society 

      Conscientization - Areas where Conscientization is needed

      Role of education to curb Social evils like

·         Corruption

·         Terrorism

·         Antinational activities

·         Violence against women

·         Drug abuse and Alcoholism etc. 

      Teacher as a Change agent and Nation Builder

 

Characteristics of Indian Society – class, religion, ethnicity, language. 

India is characterized by its unity and diversity. There is diversity in racial compositions, religious and linguistic distinction but also in patterns of living, life styles, land tenure systems, occupational pursuits, inheritance and succession law, and practices and rites related to birth, marriage death etc. But the synthesis of cultures, religions and languages of the people belonging to different castes and communities has upheld its unity and cohesiveness.

Sources of Diversity in India

1. Racial Diversity

Sir Herbert Risely classified Indian population into seven racial types. These seven racial types can, however be reduced to three basic races namely

1.      The Dravidian

2.      The Mongolian

3.      Indo-Aryan.

Indian population is composed of almost all the important race of the world. The inter-mixture of races is so thorough that even in the same family, we find one brother quite fair and the other quite dark. India is thus, a melting pot of races. It has rightly been called as a museum of races. 2. Religious Diversity

India consists of different religions like Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Zorostrianism and Animism. In India, people are more loyal to their respective religions than to their nation. This religious diversity has been a factor and a source of disunity and disharmony in the country.

1. Hinduism

It is an amalgamation of Indo-Aryan, Dravidian and Pre-Dravidian religious elements. It is the religion of the majority of the people of India. The followers of Hinduism believe in the doctrine of ‘Dharma’, ‘Karma’, rebirth, immortality of soul, renunciation and salvation. Hinduism allows a number of possible conceptions of God. It also prescribes various alternative paths of attaining moksha.

2. Islam

Islam, the religion of the Muslims, originated in Arabia came to India towards the last quarter of the 12th century A.D. The Muslim rulers in India encouraged conversions from Hinduism and Buddhism. Islam does not believe in idol worship. It professes the fatalistic acceptance of Allah’s will and considers Prophet Mohammed as the greatest prophet. The ‘Quran’, sacred book of Islam, ordains five primary duties of a true and devout Muslim, such as belief in God (Allah), prayers five times a day, the giving of alms, a month’s fast every year and a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in the life time of a Muslim.

3. Christianity

Christians scattered all over the country, and in India, they are mainly concentrated in the south especially in Kerala where they form nearly 25% of the state’s population. There are mainly three sects in Christianity. They are (a) Roman-Syrians (b) Roman Catholics and (c) Protestants.

4. Sikhism

It was founded by Guru Nanak in the 16th century A.D. They were originally a part of the Vaishnava sect before they converted to it. They believe in one God, condemning the worship of other deity; it prohibits idolatry, pilgrimage to the great shrines of Hinduism, faith in omens, charms or witchcraft and does not recognize ceremonial impurity at birth and death. As a social system, it abolishes caste distinctions and Brahminical supremacy and usages in all ceremonies, at birth, marriage, death and so on.” The Sikhs are ideologically nearer to the Hindus than to the Muslims. They can easily be identified by anyone, because of the five “K”s they always wear. The 5 “K” s are Kesh (uncut long hair), Kanga(wooden comb) Kaccha (shorts), Kara (iron bangle in the hand and Kirpan (short sword). Sikh population is mainly concentrated in the Punjab and at the adjoining states.

5. Buddhism

Originated in India during the 6th century B.C. by Gautama Buddha. Buddhism spread not only in India but also in countries outside India. It has two sects, namely the Hinayana and the Mahayana. At present Buddhists are found in Sikkim and the adjoining hills, they are also found in Maharashtra as a result of the recent conversions under the leadership of Dr. Ambedkar.

6. Jainism

Lord Mahavir established Jainism in India in the 6th century B.C. It is very close to Hinduism. Many of the Hindu doctrines are retained in it. They worship the cows, Hindu temples and also employ the services of the Brahmin priest in their domestic rites. They are even more scrupulous than the Hindus in maintaining caste distinctions. But it differs from Hinduism in its deviating views regarding the sacredness of the Vedas. Jains are divided into 3 sects: namely (a) The Digambaras, (b) The Sevetambaras and (c) The Dhundias. Jains are mainly urban people and are found in the town and cities of Punjab, U.P, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

7.  Zoroastrianism or Parsi

The Parsis or the followers of Zoroaster of Zorathushtra came to India in the 7th century A.D. from Persia in order to escape the forcible conversions to Islam. They worship fire. The expose their dead on the so-called “towers of Silence” to be eaten up by vultures so that the elements- earth, fire and water-are not defiled by the contact of the dead matter. Their number in India

8. Animism

is negligible. They are about one lakh in total half of which live in the city of Bombay alone. They are the most literate and are on the top of the economic ladder of India.

It is mainly a tribal faith. In India there are about 25 million people who believe in Animism. It is a primitive religion, according to which man is believed to be surrounded by a number of impersonal ghostly powers. These powers are said to reside in rocks, rivers, trees, stones etc.

 The above discussion makes it amply clear that India is a land of numerous religions. It is in view of this religious diversity that independent India has declared secularism as one of the main principles of its State Policy.

 

3. Linguistic Diversity

India is called a ‘veritable tower of Babel’. According to A. R. Desai, “India presents a spectacle of Museum of tongues. In 1950, Constitution of India has recognized 22 major languages but 1652 languages were spoken in our country. Broadly these languages belong to three families of languages such as

• Indo-Aryan

Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujurati, Odia, Punjabi, Bihari, Rajasthani, Assamese, Sanskrit, Sindhi and Kashmiri are included in the Indo-Aryan family.

• The Dravidian language

Includes Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

• European Language family

English, Portuguese and French spoken by people in Goa and Pondicherry respectively. Hindi has been accepted as the official language in India, English remains as associate language. Thus Linguistic diversity has posed a major threat to the unity and existence of our country.

4.   Caste Diversity

Caste is determined by birth that belongs to same breed. There are about 3,000 castes in India. The Indian caste system is divided into the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras. We find castes among communities like Hindus, Muslims, Christians or Sikhs.

Characteristics of the Caste System

• The membership is based on birth. So mobility from one caste to another is impossible.
• Each caste has its own traditional social status, occupation, customs, rules and regulations.
• It has its own governing body called the caste council or ‘jati panchayat’, which enforces the caste rules.
• members of a caste are bound together by mutual obligations of help and co-operation in their day to day activities. Thus each caste is a social world by itself.
• There is a hierarchical arrangement of caste according to degrees of dominance and subordination. The Brahmins in India are placed on the apex of the social ladder. They are followed by the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas. At the bottom of the ladder are the Shudras.
• The members of one caste cannot mix or move freely with the members of the other castes. This ban on interaction becomes still more rigid when the question of mixing of a superior caste with an inferior one comes to the front.
• Inter-caste marriage is prohibited.

5.   Class

Every society is classified into different segments on the basis of occupation, wealth or education, which are considered predominant characteristics of class. They formulate their own values and aspirations for the efficient functioning of their community. There are upper class, middle class and lower class people in society.

Characteristics of Indian Society

India is a vast country inhabited by people of diverse, religions, languages and customs. behind all this apparent diversity, there is a fundamental unity. Indian unity is the product of certain objective factors that are present in the various fields of Indian social life.

1)      Geographical unity

India is surrounded on one side by the great Himalayas and on the other sides by the high seas. These natural boundaries give the land geographical unity.

2)      Religious Unity

India is a land of many religions. Hinduism has something in common like immortality of the soul, transmigration of the soul, rebirth, the law of Karma, Dharma, Moksha etc. Even Buddhism and Jainism are not very much different from Hinduism. They stress the idea of unity when it declares, “there is one, they call by many names”. The same myths, legends and deities are shared by all the Hindus. Epics like the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavata are read as devotionally in the south as in the North. All Hindus, irrespective of language, caste and customs, show equal respect to the Hindu Scriptures like the Vedas, Upanishads, the Gita and the Puranas. Pilgrimage centres such as Badrinath in the north, Rameswaram in the south, Dwarika in the west and Puri in the east eloquently speak the religious unity. There are mountains like the Himalayas and the rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna and Godavari which are sacred for every Hindu. To these pilgrims, language barriers, political boundaries and differences in customs and usages were not great obstacles on their way to earn religious merit.

3)      Cultural Unity

India possesses cultural unity on every aspect of Indian Social life. The fundamental approaches to philosophy, art, literature and the traditions and customs are typically Indian in character. Social institutions like caste and the joint family are providing a common cultural idiom to all Indians which cut across even religious boundaries. Then there are the same rituals, samskaras and festivals which are observed all over the country in a similar fashion.

 

4)      Political Unity

The ideal of bringing the whole country under one central authority has always been a pre-occupation with great kings and statesmen in India. The concept of ‘Chakravarti’ clearly refers to this idea of political unification of India under one authority. Many kings like Dilip, Sagar, Yajati, Mandhata and Yudhisthira, Chandra Gupta Maurya, Ashoka, Samudra Gupta achieved this distinction of being the universal overlord.

5)      Emotional Unity

There is an emotional bond in India that binds all the inhabitants of the land. The very name ‘Bharatamata’ brings all Indians emotionally closer to one another. The institution of national awards and titles for acts of bravery, social service, spirit of unity concerts cut across the communal, linguistic or regional bias and evoke the feeling of emotional unity. It is provided through various media like Radio, TV and the Cinema. The above discussion clearly shows that in India there is an under-current of unity running through the apparent diversities of race, religion, language, custom etc. India is thus, a fine example of unity in diversity.

 

      Social Change – Factors influencing social changes

Every society undergoes changes. The important processes of social change in India include Sanskritization, Westernization, Secularization, Industrialization, Urbanization and Modernization.

1.      Sanskritization /‘Brahminization’

M.N.Srinivas evolved the concept of Sanskritization. According to M.N. Srinivas, Sanskritization is “a process by which a low Hindu caste, or  tribal or other group changes its customs, ritual, ideology and way of life in the direction of a high, frequently “twice born caste’. Srinivas found that Amma Coorgs, adopt some of the customs of the Brahmins, gave up meat eating, consumption of liquor, and animal sacrifice. To denote this process of cultural mobility, Srinivas coined the term ‘Brahminization’. Later on, he replaced it by another term ‘Sanskritization’. In this process the lower castes could move to the rank of the higher castes as a result of their chivalry, rise in economic and power status and political alliance. This type of vertical mobility (change in position in the upward direction) was legitimatized by the consent of the dominant castes and kings through royal decrees and other formal means as recognized by the priestly castes.

2.      Westernization

The term Westernization is used by Srinivas to denote the process of social and cultural change brought about in Indian social life as a consequence of its contact with the British. He maintains that the British rule produced some radical and lasting changes in the Indian society and culture with new technology, institutions, knowledge, beliefs and values. Technology has revolutionized the process of mass communication, transportation, industrialization and improved health care facilities and has made available new comfortable gadgets for better living conditions. It promotes meat-eating and consumption of alcohol. The most important area of change was the value preferences of the non-western societies such as humanitarianism which means active concern for the welfare of all human beings irrespective of social inequalities based on caste, economic position, religion, age or sex.

3.      Modernization

Modernization is a complex process of social change. The term modern refers to anything which is new or latest in the style of dress, art or thinking. It connotes the idea of a complex of social, political, economic, cultural and psychological transformations occurring in the west from the sixteenth century onwards and reaching its apogee in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It involves the process of industrialization, urbanization, rationalization, bureaucratization, democratization, the rise of capitalism, the spread of individualism and achievement-motivation, the affirmation of reason and science, and many other processes.

4.      Industrialization

The process of industrialization has changed the whole social system based on the principle of attribution and a continuation agricultural economy. As a result, the economy, the polities, the social institutions, the system of stratification of the country and the way of life of people and their standard of living have changed appreciably. Industrialism has fostered rational and secular attitudes but Traditional thoughts and actions gradually lose their hold.

5.      Urbanization

The higher is the degree of modernization in a society, the higher is its degree of urbanization. It transformed various social institutions such as the family, social stratification, patterns of social interactions, value preference of the people etc. The interrelationship among urban people is directed towards meeting some specific needs. It brings radical change in the orientation and organization of education and propagates modern scientific world-views. It imbibes modern themes like humanism, liberalism and secularism and incorporates the courses in sciences, medicines and engineering. It leads to the emergence of a universalistic legal system based on the principle of universalism, rationalism and individualism. It has led to the growth and expansion of nationwide changes in Dress, food habits, rituals, vocabulary, material culture, mode of travel and types of conveyance and customs become manifested.

Social Change

According to Fictor "Change means variations from previous state or mode of existence". If there is a change in contest to social structure, institution etc, i.e. in social context then it is social change. Change is law of nature. Society is a part of nature and so society changes. It may occur due to various factors like demography, ideas etc.

Change in society varies in speed and form

In some places in society, the change is rapid due to industriation and urbanization whereas in other places it may be slow. The form may be economic, political, social, religious etc.

Change in any part of society affects all the other parts of society. Eg. An individual is the fundamental unit of society and there is change in the life of the individual which is called evolutionary process of social change (birth to death). This is a slow process.

Definition of Social Change

Gillin & Gillin "Social changes are variations from the accepted mode of life, whether due to alteration in geographical condition, in cultural equipment, composition of the population. Or ideologies & whether brought about by diffusion or inventions within the group."

Jones' "Social change is a term used to describe variations in or modification of any aspect of social process, social patterns, social interaction or social organization."

Characteristics of Social change

1.      Social change is universal or it is an essential law.

2.      Change differs in speed & form.

3.      Change is unpredictable in general.

Eg. Revolt is a process of social change. What speed and in what form the change takes place is not easily predictable.

4.      Social change is change in community

5.      Social change generally changes in direction. There are 3 patterns of social change.

·         Linear change generally leads to progress eg. cycle –car – train –plain

·         Fluctuating change – the change may be upward & downward. Eg. economic change

·         Cyclical change – the change is in a cycle. Eg. Fashion, economical aspect

 

 

Factors of Social change

1.   Demographic factors

Demography is concerned with the changes in the size, composition and distri­bution of population.

·      The size of the population is based mainly upon three factors—birth rate, death rate and migration (immigration and emigration). Changes caused by changes in mortality rates, will produce changes in the ratio of breadwinners to dependents. It affects structure of family, kinship, political and other institutions. The size of population affects each of us quite personally

·      The composition of population depends upon variables like whether we are born into a growing or a shrinking population, our education, the age at which we marry, our ability to get a job, the taxes we pay and many other factors. For a balance in society, the sex ratio should be 1:1 and if there is change in the ratio there is change in society. Sex imbalance affects the forms of marriage (monogamy or polygyny). It is seen that communities, which have more males than females, resorted to polyandry system. Polygyny was generally found in such communities where females were in more numbers than males.

·      The distribution of population over various regions, the variations in the population densities, the agricultural production, flora and fauna, the joys and hardships etc indicate a change when a change in the physical environment occurs.

·      Age group

    If the population of children is more, then increase of population will be slower. If adults are more, then there will be rapid change in society because they are the most regulative. In the case of old, there may be conflict in society since they don't wish for change.

·      Marital status

     If young girls married, there will be over population & their health is also in danger. Status of women becomes lower. And if it is late marriage, then fertility is less.

·      Birth rate & Death rate

Higher the birth rate, it creates a lot of problems in economics, over population, poverty, unemployment etc increases. If death rate increases, power decreases. The decline of both the birth rate and the death rate bring social transfor­mation. While the birth rate is falling, the proportion of younger people in the proportion of youths declines and that elders advances, and significant social changes occurs. There is a relationship between population changes and economic, social and cultural variables like poverty, illiteracy, ill-health, family structure, forms of marriage, work etc. Population growth is the most important factor in poverty.

·      Immigration & Emigration (Migration)

     Immigration is coming into country; emigration is going out of the country. It causes cultural problems, leads to over population etc. If emigration occurs, Brain drain is a main problem. Migration encourages change, for it brings a group into a new environment, subject to its new social contacts, and confronts it with new problems

2.   Natural factors

·      National calamities like climatic change, storms, social erosion, earthquakes, droughts, floods, epidemics affect society in its social relationships and structure. People become selfish as during scarcities they are more bothered feeding themselves. etc., definitely affect social life and induce social change.

·      Human life is closely bound up with the geographical conditions of the earth. Flourishing civilisations decline due to natural calamities. Our day-to-day life—our clothes, eating material and habits, shelter design etc., all are influenced by the geographical conditions. Generally, changes in physical environment force migration of people.

3.      Technological factors

·      Mechanization and social change gave women the chance to work gave rise to women's status. Unemployment and such problems affect cottage industries.

·      Urbanization change job opportunities.

·      Transport gave rise is social contacts.

·      Communication gives rise to greater awareness and it is a source of recreation too.

·      Atomic Energy & change

4. Cultural Factors

·   There is an intimate connection between our beliefs and social institutions, our values and social relationships. Values, beliefs, ideas, institutions are the basic elements of a culture. Certainly, all cultural changes involve social change. Social and the cultural aspects are closely interwoven. Thus, any change in the culture (ideas, values, beliefs etc.) brings a corresponding change in the whole social order. Social institutions cannot live on life shells within which life is extinct.

·   Cultural change in society has two major aspects:

(a) Cultural change by discovery and invention and

(b) Cultural change by diffusion and borrowing.

The first comes from within a society and culture, and the second from another culture outside of the society. Diffusion is the spread of cultural traits or patterns from group to group. Borrowing refers to the adoption of a cultural trait by people whose culture did not have that cultural trait. Eg. we borrowed knife and fork in eating from Western culture.

·      Cultural Lag by W.F Ougbourn. (material & non – material change).

Non-material can't cope up with material change and gives rise to cultural lag. Change in values, ideas and customs changes society.

5. Economical factors.

·      The most far-reaching is the impact of industrialization which has revolutionized the whole way of life, institutions, organizations and community life. In traditional production systems, levels of production were fairly static since they were geared to habitual, customary needs. Modern industrial capitalism promotes the constant revision of the technology of production. It affect family system (joint family) and caste system.

6.      Ideational Factor

·      Ideas could influence the course of social change. For them, ideational changes are important contributory factors to many or most types of social change. Ideas and ideologies together are powerful motivating forces in social change. For instance, after independence, the directive principles—equality, fraternity, liberty and justice laid down in our constitution have not only revolutionized the Indian society but it has even affected greatly the relations between the members of the family. Such ideals have served to mobilise processes of social and political change, including reformation movements and revolutions.

7.      Political Factor

·      State is the most powerful organization which has the power to legislate new laws, repeal old ones to bring social change in the society. Laws regarding child marriage, widow remarriage, divorce, inheritance and succession, untouch­ability are some of the examples which have brought many changes in the social structure of Indian society.

·      The type of political leadership and individuals in power also influences the rate and direction of social change.

·      In many societies the political leadership controls the economy also. Scientific-technological and non-techno­logical change are also dependent on political development which indirectly affects social change. Governments now play a major role in stimulating and sometimes retarding rates of economic growth. In all industrial societies there is high level of state intervention in production.

   Role of Education- Major changes occurred in Indian society 

• Education affects the beliefs and practice of the society.
• Education helps not only the intellectual development but also the alround development of the personality.
• It aims at unfolding of the total personality of the child-mental, physical, social emotional and aesthetic.
• Education provides incentives and opportunities for the full blossoming of the innate gifts, virtues and potentialities. 
•  It creates the consciousness of the right, good and beautiful.
• The impact of education improves the quality of the literacy programmes.
• In order to promote qualitative change in their living and working conditions, adult education programme, was introduced. Adult education is encouraged as a means of understanding the experience both personally and professionally.

 

   Conscientization

• The concept of Conscientization is linked with the work of Paulo Freire in his book’ Pedagogy of the oppressed. It is a process of liberation of the oppressing situation.
• Paulo in his book “Cultural action for freedom’ defines ‘Conscientization as a process in which we achieve a deepening awareness both of the socio cultural reality which shapes their lives and of their capacity to transform their reality. Paulo describes in his book, the ignorance of the poor are the direct result of the economic, social and political conditions.
• Education plays an important role in conscientation programme to humanize the down trodden and the oppressed section of the community. Then only the oppressed section must realize their responsibility to struggle for their liberation. Education will help to win back the right of oppressed people. Education is presented as a world medicated mutual process. Men always try to become fully human. The essence of education is the practice for wisdom and this way awakens the critical consciousness.

 

Conscientization - Areas where Conscientization is needed

There are two aspects of Conscientization

1. Learners achieve a deepening awareness of the socio cultural reality which influences their life.

2. They achieve a deepening awareness of their capacity to react to it.

1. Population  explosion

Over population threatens the welfare of the people, especially the people of the underdeveloped countries. There are many in the modern world who does not know the gravity of the problem. Many have an indifferent attitude to family planning. The reasons may be ignorance and superstitions beliefs. Make awareness about family planning.

2. AIDS

Non clinical effects of HIV or AIDS include socio economic effects, including poverty and hunger increased number of orphans and discrimination etc.

3. Health and hygiene

Volunteers work through groups to communicate issues such as sanitation, waste disposal drainage problems, organic farming, kitchen gardening are also involved in setting up a youth group of motivated students known as green club. With training these clubs can help to spread awareness of important issues such as child rights and health, which are communicated through extra curricular activities like dramas based on health and sanitations.

4. Social condition

When we consider the social life of the people, that will reveal the atmosphere of corruption, narrow mindedness and a spirit of communalism are prevalent everywhere. Corruption is an accepted reality in our social and political life.  

5. Attitude towards women and the dowry system.

There is a growing tendency among modern men to ill treat women. There was a time in India, when women were respected. They were the symbol of motherhood. But now the condition is so pathetic. They are not able to travel alone. Even in offices, they are not safe. Another factor associated with the ill treatment of women is the dowry system. This social evil is continued with greater force.

6. Use of drugs and alcoholism

The whole world is in the grip of social evils. There are laws preventing the use of drugs. But these are not violated than observed. Forceful action cannot reform the community Conscientization is needed.

7.Unemployment

The number of people unemployed have risen significantly and the last decade. Various schemes for eradicating unemployment are

• Rural work programme

• Area developmental scheme
• Agricultural labours
• Small farmers development agencies
• Agro service centres
• Crash programme for rural development

The defective systems of education, unsuitable social attitude, lack of qualification are the main causes of unemployment

8. Adult education

In order to promote qualitative change in the living and working conditions of people, adult education programmes have to be introduced.

9.Old age care

Parents are to be cared and secured in their old age or in helpless conditions with love and affectionate treatment by the children.

10.Class atmosphere

India’s destiny is shaped in her classrooms Today’s children are tomorrow’s citizens. Good and healthy class atmosphere only produce children of qualities.

 

      Role of education to curb Social evils

Education is not only necessary for employment and learning, but also it is required to create a sensitive and growth-seeking younger generation. A youth needs to be empowered with education, to further know their rights as the citizens of the country. Illiteracy needs to be tackled as one of the biggest social evils of the nation, as this is the biggest reasons why the youth is misguided and involved in criminal as well as terror activities. The government needs to enforce free education and strict rules to follow it in every family in India, poor or not poor. Education is sure to change the poverty and unemployment scenario in the country. At the core level, the people need to be made aware of the need of education to have enriched lives.

India has become the fastest growing economies in the world but the rich are getting richer and the poor get poorer, the divide has been expanding more than before. From the increasing poverty, to the corruption at an all-time high, the increasing violence against women across the nation, the incidents of terrorism and the rising prices of basic amenities, are some of the scariest facts of this fast-growing economy in India. Anti- national activity is an important social evil affect our country. It is against our fundamental constitution. Certain anti-national activities are Violence against women, Drug abuse, Terrorism, Corruption etc. So education is needed to curb social evils like

1. Poverty

Poverty is one of the biggest evils faced by India in the present scenario. Rising price supplement the existing problem. The government needs to take a strong action against this. Ministers need to work towards creating employment, providing enough for the large population which does not receive the basic amenities. New policies are the need of the hour, not only for employment creation but also to create a young educated population. Education must be promoted at all levels of the society to create awareness especially among the poor.

2. Corruption

Corruption is ruining the spine of the nation and has adversely affected the economy of India. India has been marked by list of scams and scandals, which have crippled the nation from inside and outside. As the government at the centre changes every time, the blame game changes and political parties start blaming each other. From all levels of government undertakings, to awareness among the people against the spread of corruption, needs to be maintained by the government. Anna Hazare’s fight againt corruption should actually be taken up by the leaders of the nation and must imply the Anti-Corruption bill in the government completely.

While pointing a finger on others is the easiest way out, people need to realise the need to get rid of the ‘under-the-table’ bribing habit and strengthen our system by neither giving bribe, nor taking bribe. The government needs to take strong action against a bribe-giver and a bribe-taker equally.

 

 

3. Terrorism

Terrorism is the use of fear acts of violence in order to seclude societies or government. Terrorism is an internal problem in today's global community many nations are affected whether directly or indirectly. Nations oppose terrorism, while some others do or even support active, brutal terror and terrorist groups.

Terrorism is defined by the US state department to 4 element.

• The first is a threat of violence or an act of violence.
• Next is a political objective.
• Third is that violence and threat of violence is a direct attack on civilians making civilian a primary target.
• Lastly, it is prepared by a supporting a nation or nation off.

For example dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Terrorism has affected India since the day, India was partitioned. The dispute over Kashmir between India and Pakistan has been a long-standing unresolved issue. Using this, the neighboring country has often used terror against India in the worst manners possible. Uncountable incidents of terror attacks in Kashmir, and its nearby regions such as Srinagar, along with the major cities of the country, have been a source of disturbance very often. Some incident which shook the nation was 2008 Mumbai terror attack, Pulwama attack in 2019, Maoist attacks etc. Political objectives are the main reason for this terrorism.

Terrorism mainly causes

• loss of lives
• Affects the country economically.
• Affects Tourism in Jammu & Kashmir due to sudden terror attacks.

The government needs

• to take a strong stand against the neighbouring countries terror activities and needs to take action and not only hold peace talks.
• It’s the need of the hour that the citizens of the country are provided with security as well as safety.
• sensitive approach towards terrorists may be attempted to make them surrender.
• improve security system of our country.
• Judicial system must be made fast. It should be ensured by the government they no one is deceive in justice.
• analyzing what gaps in our security were exploited
• Eradicate poverty.
• abolish caste system
• Reduce child crimes.
• Improve educational facilities in our country.
• The teachers should adopt some effective measures.

• Nation should work together to collectively achieve peace.
• School security and emergency planning strategies are used for preventing and responding to terrorism.

4.   Anti-government activities or Anti national activities

• punishable under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code.
• It deals with attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law in India.
• Such offences shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which a fine may be added; or, with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which a fine may be added; or, with fine.

What are anti-national activities?

Article 31D (4) (b) in five sub-sub-clauses (i)-(v) defines “anti-national activity”, in relation to an individual or association, means any action taken by such individual or association-

(i) which is intended, or which supports any claim, to bring about, on any ground whatsoever, the cession of a part of the territory of India or the secession of a part of the territory of India which incites any individual and association to bring about such cession or secession;

(ii) which disclaims, questions, threatens, disrupts or is intended to threaten or disrupt the sovereignty and integrity of India or the security of the State or the unity of the nation;

(iii) which is intended, which is part of a scheme which is intended, to overthrow by force the Government as by law established;

(iv) which is intended which is part of a scheme which is intended, to create internal disturbances or the disruption of public services;

(v) which is intended, or which is part of a scheme which is intended, to threaten or disrupt the harmony between different religious, racial, regional groups or castes or communities;

The persons who had association or membership of any of the five-point objectives or who would help the activities were to be considered anti-national by law.

The political opposition back in the day suffered preventive detention on the grounds of being anti-national by law. It was a time when branding of anti-national was decided by law and constitution, unlike today, where the anti-national label is awarded to persons extra-constitutionally by the television news anchors and journalists.

5. Violence against Women

Women in India live under a constant fear all the time. A fear of going out alone, disturbs every female mind living in India. The rising cases of sexual abuse and rape across the country, have left a black mark on the reputation of India. Foreign tourists have been known to have been given special warnings while travelling to India, in fact some countries even labelled our nation as an unsafe country for women, after the deadly Delhi Rape case. Rapes continue to take place, and no action is taken against the culprits. In most cases, victims die, and if they survive they live a worse life than ever.

• Before the government does anything about the security, the people themselves need to take a stand against crime against women.
• We as a society need to fight this social evil from within. The youth needs to be sensitized about the safety of women, and the respect to be given to women.
• Strong police action needs to be taken against the culprits, and cases need to be handled with more sensitivity and through a quick process.
• We need to see justice happen and now. The country as a whole needs to be ready to tackle such social evils, along with the government.
• Increase number of women participation in judiciary and law and order
• Develop awareness among women about the safety measures like 1515 etc.

6.   Alcoholism and drug consumption

The sociological reasons for taking alcohol are essentially the same for taking drugs.

• Youth often take drugs as a rebellion against adult norms and values.
• In some tribal societies, the consumption of alcohol, bhang, ganja etc is a part of religious and social occasions like marriage, death, celebrations, etc. and more so among certain socio-cultural groups. Such regular consumption may cause some people to become addicted.
• Today, the social consumption of alcohol has risen in all socio-cultural groups and it is considered to be a sign of social prestige to drink.
• In certain Western countries, taking alcohol is socially the norm and taking pills to reduce pain or improve performance is a regular practice.
• Both legal and cultural approval of drugs/alcohol is believed to increase rates of addiction.

If milder forms of drugs/alcohol are 1egally permitted, the number of persons addicted to “hard” drugs/alcohol will reduce.

• Since ability to tolerate alcohol is equated with one’s manhood, boys often begin to consume alcohol and at times drugs at a young age, due to peer pressure.
• Occupation too has been found to be related to addiction. It include:

i) Persons in conservancy jobs, morticians and morgue workers, rag pickers, etc. whose job is associated with unpleasant activities,

ii) Those performing excessively exhausting, monotonous, laborious work e.g. load carriers and porters, drivers, etc.

iii) Persons in competitive target-oriented jobs, where many deals may be struck around alcohol, like marketing and sales, etc.

• Family influence

                                         i.      Imitating a drug person in family

                                       ii.      The aggravating of stress by the family at periods of transition, e.g. adolescence

                                     iii.      The absence of reasonable parental control.

                                     iv.      A disunited and dysfunctional family.

• Socialization determines the extent to which people choose to conform to the larger social norms or to break the social bonds and choose deviance, living a life of addiction.
• Different cultures provide diverse means to their members of gaining satisfaction and of handling tensions. If a culture provides healthy ways of reducing tensions and of gaining pleasure like sports, creative arts, rituals and ceremonies, etc., they are less likely to turn to alcohol or other drugs and thus be less prone to addiction.
• If the social conditions in their environment do not provide them adequate opportunity for achievement. Eg. for lower socio-economic groups and other socially disadvantaged groups.
• People, because of their consumption of alcohol and other drugs and life-style, who were labeled as “deviants”; tend to become dependent on drugs and/or alcohol, as these become the most important aspects of their lives.
• It, therefore, is clear that several socio-cultural, psychological and physical factors can contribute towards alcoholism, often in combination, rather than singly.
• Since alcohol is more socially acceptable and easily available than drugs consumptions increase.

      Teacher as a Change agent and Nation Builder

The role of education as an agent or instrument of social change and social development is widely recognized today. It can bring a change in outlook, attitude of man, the pattern of social relationships and thereby it may cause social changes. Social change may take place-

(i) When human needs change

(ii) When the existing social system or network of social institutions fail to meet the existing human needs, and

(iii) When new materials suggest better ways of meeting human needs. Social changes do not take place automatically or by themselves.

Educational institutions and teachers have the responsibilities by

·         Imparting empirical knowledge that is, knowledge about science, technology and other type of specialised knowledge.

·         The responsibility of the teacher cannot remain confined to delivering a set of lectures or mere “coverage of syllabus.”

·         Changing objectives, content, teaching methods, programmes, size and composition of the students’ body, in the selection and professional preparation of teachers and organization.

·         Treating each individual student as an end in himself and to give him the widest opportunity to develop his skills, abilities, and potentialities to the full.

·         A sense of values and purpose and fully equipped to pay his role not only as a professionally trained person, but as an enlightened and dedicated member of the society, committed to the values of democracy, secularism and socialism.

·         in the acceptance and adoption of various educational innovations, e.g. restructuring of courses, examination reforms, practical orientation to courses, making studies relevant and so on.

·         Accept his responsibility in the realization of our social objective, which implies that education should be related to the life, needs and aspirations of the people.

From this point of view, teachers becomes an active participant in the following activities

(i)     Programmes of community development,

(ii)    Adult education and extension,

(iii) Social and national services,

(iv) Co-curricular activities,

(v)    Programmes of non formal education

(vi)  Social and national integration

(vii)  Universal brotherhood

(viii)International understanding etc.