Explore topic-wise InterviewSolutions in Current Affairs.

The Rajan did not have absolute power because the members of two councils (samiti and sabha) exercised control over the king. They advised and guided the king. The member.of the tribe could give his opinion on important matters. In this way Rajan did not have absolute power.

The Aryans grouped themselves according to their skills in performing certain jobs. In this way the caste system start and let to development of four classes in Early Vedic society.

Chariot racing, hunting, gambling, Singing, dancing, playing musical instruments were the favorite amusements of the Aryans. They loved to play the game of dice which was very popular. Flute, dram and lute were favorite instruments.

The ‘Varna’ system was an important feature ofthe Vedic society. There were four Vamas — Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. Brahmanns were teachers and priests. Kshatriyas were rulers and warriors. Farmers and traders formed the Vaishya group. Shudras served all the three classes, did menial jobs and consisted of artisans and labourers. Towards the end of the Later Vedic period, occupations became hereditary and people from the same occupation formed a specific vama. The vama system became very rigid and inflexible. Vama system became hereditary.

The small Indo-Aryan chieftaincies are called Janapadas

Father works hard and brings money home. Mom does all domestic chores. She cooks food, washes clothes and cleans the floor. Brother takes me to school in his scooter. My grandma combs my hair. She has all the time in the world to tell me tales and listen to all my experiences and stories. On Sunday we all join hands and clean the house. Then we all dine together and share what happened to each of us. I do agree that everyone contributes to a happy family.

Television Rating Point.

Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; it is also the theory arid practice of touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours. 

Importance of Tourism :

• Foreign exchange earnings : Tourism is that medium of earning which can earn crores of foreign currency without exporting things. Every third person visiting India from a foreign country comes to Rajasthan. 
• Means of employment : Tourism has been granted the status of industry in Rajasthan. This is a pollution-free industry. It is believed that at least one person gets employment per 8 foreign tourists in the state and at least one person gets opportunity of employment per 2 domestic tourists visiting the state. People such as guides, travel agents, drivers, hoteliers and handicraft tradesman get adequate opportunities of employment. 
• Art and cultural development : Tourism industry keeps the cultural heritage of a state alive. Tourism increases the opportunity of cultural discourse. Music and dance played in the fairs and festivals of state are witnessed by both domestic and foreign tourists. 
• Increase in transport facilities : Means of transportation develop along with the increase in football of tourists, for example- a train named “Palace on Wheels” is run for the convenience of such tourists.

Ethics is a branch of politics. False 

Explanation: 

Business ethics is a branch of social science. Business ethics deals with the do's and don’ts for the welfare of society. It explains the difference between correct and incorrect, justice and injustice and legal and illegal.

Democratic governments are usually referred to as representative democracies in which elected representatives of the people govern the country. In India,democratic form of government exists. The two essential features of a democratic government are: 

(i) Participation of people is a necessity. People participate in the functioning of the government through their elected representatives, 

(ii) It acts according to the will of the people. In a democracy, it is the people who give the government the power to make decisions. Democracy provides people the opportunity to realise their true potential by providing rights and freedom to its citizens.

The law serves many purposes and functions in society.For maintaining law and order, resolving disputes,and protecting liberties and rights we have to follow the laws.The laws are made by the government and every citizen have to follow these laws. According to these laws, a government can function and make decision and vests with power to enforce these laws. 

Law is essential in a society and it helps to regulate the behaviour of the the people The government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of law because by doing so people can obey rule and thus the nation as a whole leads a secure life.It avoids disorder ,anarchy and confusion in a country.

The suffrage movement means right to vote or franchise. This movement organised by the British women in the early 20th century to win political rights and for the participation in government. During the World War-1, the struggle for the right to vote got strengthened. This struggle comes to be known as suffrage movement. 

Accomplishments of Suffrage Movement :During the World War-1, men were away from their house fighting in the battle field. At this time, women were called upon to do the work, which were earlier done by men. Women did their best and try to manage and organize different kinds of works. People wonder to know that the women can do such work. Women began to be seen as being equally capable for doing hard work and making decision. 

Consequently ,British women organised a protest movement against the government's policy of not allowing them to vote.The participants,known as suffragists,even employed violent methods and they chained themselves in rallying in public places and meetings. Finally in 1928 British women won the right to vote on equal terms with men. In America, women were given right to vote in 1920.

The word 'government' is derived from the Latin word 'gubernare' which means 'to govern' or 'to manage'. It refers to the body that exercises ruling authority which controls the people of a state.Thus,the government refers to the political system or an organization through which, the will of the state is created, expressed and implemented. 

The three main organs of the government are the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive. 

The government affects our daily life in the following ways: 

(i) It takes action on social issues like poverty, unemployment, discrimination etc and also takes care of the underprivileged sections of society. 

(ii) It maintains armed forces and protects the boundaries of state.It also maintains friendly relations with other countries. 

(iii) It takes decision on providing basic infrastructure facilities including postal systems,roads etc. 

(iv) It builds schools, health centres,hospitals and dispensaries.It organises free medical check-ups to the needy and poor people. 

(v) It makes law for the benefits of the people and implements them.It looks after the law and order within the country and provides for the protection of the people.

In India, before Independence, only a small minority was allowed to vote.The poor, women,the property-less and the uneducated were not allowed to vote. We think that the people must be given the right to vote. 

The given statement shows it a case of discrimination because of the following: 

(i) All citizens are equal by law. 

(ii) According to constitution, there is no difference between a man and woman, a poor and a rich. 

(iii) The laws are not made for men only. (iv) All citizens must be granted right to vote.

This statement is True.

• In industries for large-scale production, purpose capitalists started automation and mechanisation of workplaces. 
• It led to mass production due to which machine-made goods were much cheaper than hand-made goods. 
• The use of machines gives more precision, techniques, and accuracy in production. 
• This leads to workers feeling less important in the work of production and they get alienated from the process of production.

Karnataka Extends from 11°.31′ North to 18°.45′ North latitude and 74.12′ East to 78°.40′ East Longitude.

Karnataka is one of the 28 States of India. It is situated in the Southern part of India, in the Western Central area of the Peninsular region. It extends from 11°.31’ North to 18°.45′ North latitude and 74°. 12′ East to 78°.40′ East longitude. Its length is 750 km. stretching from Aurad taluk in Bidar district in the northernmost up of the State to Chamarajnagar district in the south. Its width is 400 km. from west to east. Karwar in Uttar Kannada district is at the western end whereas Mulbagal taluk in Kolar district is at the eastern end.

Its neighbouring States are Maharashtra in the North, Andhra Pradesh in the East, Tamil Nadu in the South and South-East, Kerala in the South West and Goa in the North-West. The Arabian sea is in the West.

1. Medieval

2. past

3. critical analysis

4. monument

5. Arabic or Persian

1. Some persons have to take decisions on how to go about governmental activities. Others have to implement these decisions. If disputes arise on these decisions or in their implementation, there should be some one to determine what is right and what is wrong. 

2. To attend to all these tasks, several arrangements are made in all modern democracies. Such arrangements are called institutions. 

3. Governing a country involves various such activities. For example, the government is responsible for ensuring security to the citizens and providing facilities for education and health to all. It collects taxes and spends the money thus raised on administration, defense and development programmes. It formulates and implements several welfare schemes.

1. The Constitution has defined and changed political institutions in the country. 

2. It provided federal system with union and state government of sovereign power.

3. It made the Constitution as the supreme law of land. 

4. It paves way for strong centre during an emergency.

5. It supports multiparty democracy with elections in definite intervals. 

6. It provided universal Adult Franchise. 

7. It set up Election Commission for smooth conduct of free and fair elections. 

8. It adopts single citizenship. 

9. It provides fundamental rights. 

10. It adopts directive principles of state policy and fundamental duties.

Conclusion: It defines India as a sovereign, democratic, socialist and secular republic. It has provisions for bringing about social change and defining the relationship between Individual citizen and the state.

The cost, time and effort involved in transferring data was much higher without , networks. So networks, decrease cost, time, and effort and thereby increase productivity. They also help in resource optimization by helping to share resources.

Industrialization with the growth of cities has caused the breakdown of the joint families

Disintegration of Soviet Union: In 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev, the President of USSR introduced economic and political reforms of ‘Perestroika’ (restructuring) and ‘Glasnost’ (openness). It stopped the arms race with US. withdrew Soviet troops from Afghanistan, helped the unification of Germany, ended the cold war.

Other weaknesses inherent in the Soviet Union led to the disintegration of USSR and formation of 15 new countries in 1991. India recognized all of them as sovereign states and established new diplomatic relations. Ten of them joined together to form new association with Russia called Common wealth of Independent States.

Bilateral Relations of Indo-Russia: The new leadership in Russia and other Republics of erstwhile Soviet Union hold India in high regard due to India’s secular approach to politics, its stable democratic system assuring rights and equality to all its citizens. It continues its support to India to become permanent member in UN Security Council.

India and Russia both have multi faceted relationship involving strategic and high level cooperation. The process of bilateral annual summits has given great impetus to bilateral relations. Indo-Russia cooperation has continued to move stronger on the basis of mutual interest, faith and friendship.

This new economic policy brought in much skepticism and criticism.

Yes. Recently an incident happened at Atmakur village in Anantapur district. There was a 53- year-old farmer in the village. He was a well respected farmer. He cultivated cotton. He expanded the small plot he owned by leasing adjoining land. The money was never abundant, but he managed to arrange matches and festive wedding ceremonies for his two sisters, and then his daughters. His sons were sent to school.

And then, his crop failed – heavy rains washed it out two years ago, drought withered his fields the next. He was defeated not just by insurmountable loans but by the humiliation he felt about the unpaid debt. So he committed suicide.

Farmers work from early morning till late night. They wait an entire year to harvest a crop, despite all uncertainty. Most of the farmers are not getting MSP (Minimum Support Price). They are tied to the traders and middlemen who are dealing in agricultural inputs. This depresses the price that farmers are to get for their output. It is time the government implemented the schemes for the welfare of the farmers.

• Delays in completion of irrigation projects. 
• Inter-state water disputes. 
• Regional disparities in irrigation development. 
• Waterlogging and salinity. 
• The increasing cost of irrigation.

The prevention of pregnancy in women (by preventing fertilisation) is called contraception.

The various methods employed for birth control are called contraceptive methods. 

• Natural methods (involving behavioural strategy) such as coitus interruptus, lactational amenorrhea , and periodic abstinence 
• Other method include barrier methods, intrauterine devices (IUDs), oral contraceptives and sterilisation method Use of these contraceptive devices helps in preventing unwanted pregnancies. They can prevent the chances of frequent pregnancies which otherwise affect the health of a mother. They help in family planning by controlling the number of children in a family. So, that proper care is provided to the children and that also reduces the chances of poverty.Use of contraceptive devices also reduces the chances of getting sexually transmitted diseases such As AIDS. In this way, the birth control methods play important roles in the health and prosperity of the family. 

The Maasailand was divided into British and German territories in 1885. The new international boundary restricted the movement of the Maasai community. Moreover, declaration of a vast tract of pastureland into game reserves also reduced the pastureland for Maasai.

1. The Gaddi shepherds of Himachal Pradesh are a good example. They spend their winter in the low hills of the Shivalik range. Their cattle graze in the scrub forests.

2. As summer approaches (i.e. sometime in April) they move north to Lahul and Spiti. They stay there with their cattle. Some of them even move to higher altitudes as the snow melts. As the summer ends by September they begin their return journey.

3. Their return journey is interrupted in the villages of Lahul and Spiti where they reap their summer harvest and sow their winter crop. They then go down to the Sivalik hills where they stay for the winter. Next April their journey to the north begins again.

4. The Gujjar Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir also follow the same pattern. During winters they stay in the low Sivalik hills with their herds. The dry scrub forests provide fodder for their cattle. As summer approaches (i.e. by April) they gather for their journey to the valley of Kashmir.

5. They cross the Pir Panjal passes and reach the lush green mountainside. They stay here with their cattle till winter approaches (i.e. by September).

A rich farmer: The open field system was not beneficial for the rich farmer because he could not have exclusive control of the commons. He could not expand his area under cultivation beyond the strips which were allocated at the beginning of a year.

A labourer: This system was beneficial for a labourer because it provided additional sources of livelihood. The labourer could hunt rabbits and catch fish for getting some nutritious food. The commons provided some source of livelihood during off seasons when farm work was not available.

A peasant woman: For a peasant woman, the commons provided ample space for collecting firewood, fruits and berries.

Their traditional pasturelands were taken from them in the name of declaring certain areas as reserve forests. Second, they were forced out of many pastures in the name of expansion of cultivation.

(i) Most of them lived in the semi-arid grasslands or arid deserts where rain-fed agriculture is difficult. They raise cattle, camels, goats, sheep and donkeys; and they sell milk, meat, animal skin and wool. 

(ii) Some also earn through trade and transport, others combine pastoral activity with agriculture; still others do a variety of odd jobs to supplement their meagre and uncertain earnings from pastoralism.  

Raika pastoral community belongs to Rajasthan.

Maharana Kumbha ascended the throne of Mewar in 1433 CE. His father was Maharana Mokal and his mother’s name was Saubhagya Devi. After becoming the ruler, he not only successfully confronted the internal and external problems through his courage and valour, but also conferred heights to the prestige of Chittor through his wartime and cultural achievements

Initial Problems Faced by Kumba : At the time of becoming the ruler, various internal and external problems were present in front of Kumbha. The offsprings of Mewar’s Maharana Kshetra Singh’s (1364 – 82 CE) queen consort, his uncle and Mera was making efforts to kill his father and occupy Mewar. Due to this reason, the chieftains of Mewar had become divided into two groups – One group supported his father and the other group supported his uncle, Mera and Mehpa Panwaar.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, several Rajputs started to make efforts to establish their independent kingdom. Soon after, the army sent by Kumbha under the leadership of Ranmal and Raghavdev crushed the rebels. Uncle and Mera were killed along with their supporters, but uncle’s son Ekka and Mehpa Panwaar were successful in fleeing and reaching the haven of Malwa’s Sultan Mahmud Khilji.

Political Achievements of Maharana Kumbha : Mewar – Malwa Relationship : Mewar and Malwa both were neighbouring kingdoms and the rulers of these kingdoms wished to expand the frontiers of their respective kingdoms. Due to this reason, struggle between them was inevitable, but provision of protection by Sultan of Malwa to the rebel chieftain of Kumbha became the immediate reason of struggle between them.

Mehpa Panwar who had assassinated Mokal, took refuge of Malwa’s Sultan Mahmud Khilji. Kumbha wrote a letter to the Sultan and demanded Mehpa, but this was rejected by the Sultan. Therefore Kumbha decided to invade Malwa. A violent struggle took place between the two armies at a place called Sarangpur in 1434 in which Mahmud khilji fled away after being defeated.

Kumbha followed Mahmud and seiged Malwa and he imprisoned him and brought him to Chittor: After keeping him in imprisonment for six months, he released him without any condition. In order to avenge his first defeat, Mahmud Khilji invaded Kumbhalgarh in 1443 CE. Kumbha had deployed a powerful army under the leadership of Deep Singh near the Ban Mata Temple under the door of the fort.

After the violent struggle which continued for seven days, the enemy’s army could occupy the temple. This army of Mahmud tried to occupy chittor also, but it remained unsuccessful. In 1446 CE for one more time, Mahmud tried to occupy Mandalgarh and Chittor, but this time also, he could not gain success. In 1456 CE, Mahmud made his last successful attempt to occupy Mandalgarh.

Mewar – Gujrat Relationship : At the time of Kumbha, mal-administration prevailing in Gujarat had ended and the rulers there were eager to extend their region of influence. The struggle continuing between Malwa and Mewar and the political condition of Sirohi and Gujrat made the struggle between Mewar and Gujrat inevitable.

In 1456 CE, after the death of Firoz Khan, his son shams khan became the new ruler of Nagaur, but Firoz’s younger brother Mujahid Khan defeated Shams Khan and occupied Nagaur. Shams Khan reoccupied Nagaur with the help of Maharana Kumbha and shortly after this, against the conditions laid down by Kumbha, he started repair of the Nagaur fort. Angered Kumbha invaded Nagaur and Occupied it.

Shams Khan got his daughter married to Sultan Qutb – Ud – din of Gujrat and requested his assistance. On this, Qutb – Ud – Din proceeded to invade Mewar. On the request of Dewra ruler of Sirohi, he sent his commander Malik Shahban to conquer Abu and himself proceeded towards Kumbhalgarh. According to historian Firishta, after acquiring wealth from Rana, the Sultan returned to Gujarat.

At this time, Mahmud Khilji’s representative Taj Khan forwarded a proposal to Qutub -Ud – Din for the joint invasion of Gujarat and Malwa upon Mewar according to which, Gujarat would occupy the Southern part of Mewar and Malwa would occupy the rest of the part of Malwa as well as Ahirwara.

After an alliance to this context was made at a place named Champaner in 1456 CE, Qutb – Ud – Din occupied Abu and proceeded towards Chittor and on the other hand, Mahmud Khilji invaded Mewar from Malwa’s side. According to Firishta, Kumbha granted wealth to the invaders and sent them back, while according to Kirti Stambh Prashasti and Rasikpriya, Kumbha defeated both the Sultans. Due to his victory upon the Mughal rulers, Kumbha became renowned as Hindu Suratran (Sultan of the Hindus).

Cultural Achievements of Maharana Kumbha : Kumbha was not only a brave warrior, but also a lover of art and a scholastic ruler. Due to this, he is regarded to be “of a stable midset during the war.” According to Ekalinga Mahatamya, he excelled in Vedas, Smritis, Mimansar Upanishads, Vyakarn (grammar) politics and literature. Due to being a great musician, he is called Abhinav Bharatcharya and Veenavaadan Pravenen.”

According to the Kirti Stambh Prashasti, he excelled at playing Veena. Major texts were written by him include-Sangeet Raj, Sangeet Mimansa, Sangeet Kram Deepika and Sud Prabandh. There are five parts of Sangeet Raj Path Ratan Kosh, Geet Ratan Kosh, Vadhya Ratan Kosh, Nritya Ratan Kosh and Ras Ratan Kosh. He also wrote paraphrases of narration of Chandishatak, Jaidev’s musical composition Geet Govind and Sarangdev’s Sangeet the Ratnakar.

Kumbha composed four plays in Maharahstri (Marathi), Karnati (Kannada) and Mewari languages. His book named “Kamraja Ratisara” is divided into seven parts. Kumbha has been called “Rano Raso” (the protector). Kanha Vyas, the author of Ekalinga Mahatamya and famous architect Mandan were present in his court. Mandan wrote architectural books named Devamurti Prakarana (Rupavatara), Prasad Mandan, Raja Vallabha (Bhupati Vallabha), Rup Mandan, Vastu Mandan, Vastu Shastra, Vastukar etc.

Mandan’s brother Natha composed the book named vastu Manjari and his son Govind composed Udhjar Dhorini, Kalanidhi and Dwar Dwarika, Kalanidhi is based on the Shikhar Vidhan (structure of the pinnacles) of Devalayas which can be considered to be the only absolute book in context to the composition of the pinnacle and the organs and sub organs of the pinnacle. Kumbha’s daughter Ramabai has been called Vagiswari and she too is famous for her love for music.

Poet Meha was a prestigious composer during the reign of Kumbha. Out of his compositions, “Tirthmala” is very famous and it contains the description of 120 Pilgrimages. According to Kaviraaj Shyamaldar’s Composition “Veer Vinod” out of the 84 forts of Mewar, Maharana Kumbha alone had built 32 forts. The rampart of Kumbhalgarh fort built by Kumbha is 36 km long which is regarded as the world’s longest wall after the Great Wall of China.

The famous Jain temple of Ranakpur (Pali) was built during the reign of Maharana Kumbha by Dharanak Shah In the last days of his life, Kumbha suffered from anxiety and he spent most of his time in Kumbhalgarh fort itself. At the same place, he was assassinated by his son Uda in 1468 CE in greed of power.

Vijaya Stambha : Vijaya Stambha which is a nine story and 122 feet tall structure inside the Chittor fort was built by Maharana Kumbha in the memory of his victory upon Malwa’s Sultan Mahmud Khilji. Due to the artistic statues of numerous Hindu gods and goddesses engraved upon it, the Vijaya Stambha is called as the ‘Precious treasure of ancient Hindu Sculpture’. During the Indian national movement, the Vijaya Stambha had become the source of inspiration for the revolutionaries.

(a) Meaning: The concept of representation is important in any democracy. Today, most countries have large territories and populations. Hence, direct democracy is not possible. The form of democracy today is indirect democracy or representative democracy. People elect representatives among themselves to govern the country for e.g., in India, Members of Parliament (MP’s), Member

(b) Electoral Method: Persons are directly or indirectly elected by the citizens to govern them as members of representative assemblies e.g., General elections to Lok Sabha, Assembly elections.

(c) Non-electoral Method: Representatives occupy their position through nomination or appointment for e.g., President of India appoints 12 Members to the Rajya Sabha.

(d) Non-official Method: Civil society represents the people through various pressure groups like trade unions, student groups, peasant organizations.

• NGO’s such as AGNI have special programmes designed to encourage people to exercise their franchise.
• Street plays, flash mobs at railway stations, talks in colleges about the importance of voting
• Voter enrollment drives to encourage youngsters to vote.
• Advertisements, especially involving celebrities as ‘ambassadors’ for the franchise.
• In some countries of the world, the franchise is compulsory

Role of Parents in Moulding the Character of Children Moulding their children’s character is a great concern of all parents. Parents are constantly doing something or other to make their child do better in studies, inculcate better discipline, excel in sports, learn social interaction and various other aspects depending on their own vision and capabilities. Whether they are aware of it or not they are constantly shaping their child as moulding is an integral part of parenting. Parenting basically has to do with training, disciplining, moulding and at times forcing children to live as parents dictate. Forcing a child to adapt to what they think is right or what they feel the child should be doing is forceful parenting. Forceful parenting often does more damage to their children than it does good. It can demolish self-confidence and destroy the imagination of children.

Parents should strive to ensure that their children learn to experience and express themselves as free human beings. Now-adayswe have parents who, even before the child is one year old, decide to turn him/her into another Virat Kohli or Deepika Padukone. Most of the problems with adolescents can be traced back to an early age when they learned they were to just follow orders. 

Children who have to comply rigidly with what is expected of them, develop neither their own vision nor accountability. When not nurtured, their natural lights dim and they just follow their peers or the heroes that are shown to them by the entertainment media.

Some parents, on the other hand, are proud that their children are quiet and polite and that they have done their job very well. They don’t realize that their children are not just quiet but complacent. These children behave that way probably because they have stopped to think. Guiding your child to achieve his/ her true potential is good parenting. Real moulding is when your child shows some abnormal behaviour that is either against the norms of society oris affecting his overall growth and development and you correct that. 

The question that bothers most parents is: “What is more important: to shower a child with love and let Nature take its course or to provide intellectual stimulation?” Teiatest

theory maintains that the one complements the other. In the past, it was thought that love could develop a child and compensate for lack of intellectual stimulation. Today we know that to develop a child’s mind and mould his personality mental stimulation initiated by the parents is important.

The bulk of the responsibility for moulding their children’s character rests with the parents. Ideally, parents should rouse their curiosity by giving them plenty of information. When they grow up, they feel free to ask questions about all kinds of things in their environment as their curiosity would have been developed to a keen edge. Parents directly influence their child’s development and behaviour. They must teach their children the importance of honesty, truth, kindness, generosity, hard work and polite behaviour.

The bulk of the responsibility for moulding their children’s character rests with the parents. Ideally, parents should rouse their curiosity by giving them plenty of information. When they grow up, they feel free to ask questions about all kinds of things in their environment as their curiosity would have been developed to a keen edge. Parents directly influence their child’s development and behaviour. They must teach their children the importance of honesty, truth, kindness, generosity, hard work and polite behaviour.

There has been a controversy of heredity versus environment. But it is feltthat heredity, environment and good parenting make the children ideal citizens useful for themselves, their families, their society and humanity at large. Thus, parents have a big role to play in the formation of their children’ character.

1. Corporal punishment makes the student hate the subject and also the teacher who teaches it. 

2. Corporal punishment is a negative influence. Things learned through such influences are easily forgotten. 

3. Corporal punishment is violation of children’s right. Children are to be taught through positive ways and not by inicting pain on them. 

4. Corporal punishment breeds violence. When a student is beaten, there is a tendency in him to beat others who go against his wishes. Violence breeds violence

Modern Day Classrooms – Expectations And Realities. 

It is a pity that even though we got independence 70 years ago, our educational system has not improved much from the days of the British rule here. We still practise the old talk and chalk method of teaching in congested classrooms with just a blackboard and some pieces of chalk and a few benches and desks for the students. The classrooms are crowded, not properly ventilated’ and most classrooms do not have lights and fans. Sitting in the classrooms becomes a boring affair and the atmosphere there is not at all conducive to learning.

These things have to change. We have to improve our classrooms to international standards. Then only the teaching and learning process will become efficient and enjoyable. Teaching and learning should become an enjoyable activity by the teachers as well as the students. To motivate them we should ensure that the classroom offer a conducive atmosphere.

To improve the teaching-learning process, we need smart classrooms. Smart Classrooms are technology enhanced classrooms that foster opportunities for teaching and learning by integrating learning technology, such as computers, specialized software, audience response technology, assistive listening devices, networking, and audio/visual capabilities. Such classrooms will help the students to feel fully engaged in the lessons and understand them better. Science and technology are growing at mind-boggling speed and this growth should be reflected in our classrooms.

Then we have to improve the student-teacher ratio. In some of our classrooms there are often more than 60 students. How can a teacher teach 60 or more students efficiently? He can’t give individual attention to the students. All students are not equally intelligent or motivated. So the student teacher ratio should be such that all students can get individual attention.

Another thing is changing our teaching methods. We do not have proper laboratories. Even chemistry, and physic and biology are taught in ordinary classrooms through the lecture method. Students learn things by doing, especially in science subjects. But we still teach by saying “Suppose this is a test tube. Suppose I am pouring some sulphuric acid into it. Suppose I put some ………” and it goes on like that. Students hardly, learn by such suppositions. Let the students see the things and practically carry out the experiments. And then they will learn. Practice makes perfect.

For teaching language efficiently, language laboratories are essential. Languages may have different phonemes. In English, for example, we have 44 phonemes, of which 24 are consonant, 12 vowels and 8 diphthongs. Some of these phonemes do not exist in Malayalam. So they ought to be taught very carefully. In English /v/ and /w/ are two different phones. So are /s/ and /z/. But we Malayalees pronounce them as if there is no difference. For us ‘veil’ and ‘wail’ have no difference in pronunciation. So are ‘vine’ and ‘wine’. So students should be taught to articulate /v/ and /w/ properly. M is a labiodental sound where was /w/ is a bilabial. The confusion between /s/ and Izl also should be corrected. For that we need a language lab. The problem is more when it comes to certain vowels in English.

Smart classrooms are a necessity of the times. Well lit, properly ventilated classrooms with enough space for each student are essential for learning. In such classrooms, teaching and learning become a pleasant and efficient affair.

Student Rights And Responsibilities: Respected Principal, dear teachers and students, In the Panel Discussion today, the topic is the rights and responsibilities of the students. Rights and responsibilities are the two sides of the same coin. Rights involve responsibilities and responsibilities bring in rights. Students have many rights and corresponding responsibilities. 

I will not go into the details of the rights and responsibilities of students as they will be done by the panel members. But I will mention a few of them as a starting point. I believe the primary right of the students is the right to be taught properly. They come to the school with the main intention of learning. So they have a right be taught in a way they understand what is being taught. 

Students have a right to have recreational and sports and games facilities. There is a well-known Latin saying, “mens sana in corpora sano” which means “a healthy mind in a healthy body.” “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Students should have playgrounds and material for various games and sports. Then only they can build healthy bodies. This is especially the case with students in their teens. Students should have a right to assemble and air their views. Thus they have a right for association. They have a right to express their opinions on the various things going on in the campus and the management should be willing to listen to their views.

Students have the responsibility to study well. They should respect their teachers and their classmates. They have the responsibility to keep the campus clean. They should take care of the school properties and no wilful damage should be done. They have the responsibility to pay any fee or charge that is mandatory. They have the responsibility to strictly adhere to the code of conduct for students. They have the responsibility of not doing any un-student like activities in the school, like smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and taking drugs. They have the responsibility not to bring in politics into the school. They have the responsibility of being morally upright. They have the responsibility to work hard and achieve their goals in life.

Well, students have many rights and responsibilities and they do not end with the ones I have mentioned. Our panel members will enlighten us more about them. I am sure we will have a fruitful discussion. Thank you, all!

If the living organisms would not reproduce, then after their death, there would be no  organisms left. The species would thus perish. Reproduction is, thus, the means of  perpetuation of species.

The answer is (a)— (ii) (b)— (iii) (c)— (iv) (d)— (i)

Advantages of vegetative reproduction:  

1. It is an easier, rapid and less expensive method of propagation.  

2. Seedless plants can be raised.  

3. Plants produced by this method are identical copies of the parent plant and show  no variations.  

4. Plants like banana, rose and jasmine do not produce viable seeds. Such plants  can be easily grown by this method.

The lubricant spreads as a thin layer between the two surfaces. The motion now is between the surface and the lubricant layer. It changes the dry friction into wet friction. Since wet friction is less than dry friction, so we use lubricants in the machines to reduce the force of friction between the various parts of the machine.

In search of pastures

Himachal Pradesh

It is a type of Proportional Representation where voters rank candidates in order of preference.