Longman Panorma Civics Solutions for Class 7 Social science Chapter 11 - Striving For Equality

Answer:

Poverty is the main cause forcing people to live in unequal conditions.

Explanation: The lack of resources, financial constraints and the conditions of extreme poverty make one really needy and so desperate that it forces one to accept conditions of living below the level of equality.

Answer:

Cooperatives have encouraged collective methods of struggle as well as have helped in the upliftment of some sections of people.

Explanation: The formation of cooperatives not only ensures the manifestation of collective interests but also strives to be a force to be reckon with in improving the social and economic situation of the masses.

Answer:

Tawa is a tributary of Narmada.

Explanation: Tawa is the longest tributary of river Narmada, which flows through the North-West Madhya Pradesh and is an important water resource for many surrounding villages and towns.

Answer:

Tawa Matsya Sangh set up a unique example for the displaced people to earn their livelihoods.

Explanation: Tawa Matsya Sangh, also known as TMS, is a federation of fish workers that fought for the rights of displaced tribals and was successful in gaining the fishing rights in the Tawa reservoir.

Answer:

Constitution of India is a living document.

Explanation:The Constitution of India is widely considered as a living document due to its ideals, which serve as aspirations to people and communities struggling for equality. Thus, it has a real meaning in the daily lives of large sections of the society.

Answer:

Although prohibited by our constitution, discrimination is still practised in the name of religion, region, caste, creed, race and sex. The sections of society that are most affected by this form of inequality are women, dalits, poor and other marginalised and downtrodden sections of society such as tribals, fishermen, agricultural labourers, etc.

Answer:

Tawa Matsya Sangh (TMS) fought for the rights of displaced tribals of Madhya Pradesh who were earlier not given the rights to fishing in the Tawa reservoirs owing to the monopoly of state-level corporations (which operated either directly or through contractors). TMS mainly sought the rights of fishing in Tawa tributary of Narmada river for the villagers displaced due to dam construction.

Answer:

The villagers and the tribals set up the organisation of Tawa Matsya Sangh (TMS) to give a collective voice to their demand for equality and struggle for fishing rights in the Tawa river. In addition to this, the organisation was also a good alternative to secure their financial well being, for marketing their produce and for checking the monopolistic attitude of the state-level corporations.

Answer:

Tawa Matsya Sangh (TMS) is a cooperative federation of the fishermen of Satpura forests in Madhya Pradesh that has championed the cause of displaced tribals and fought for their fishing rights. TMS has been able to cater to different social as well as economic needs of the tribals that can be studied as follows:

1. Fighting for fishing rights of tribals: Since its establishment, TMS has fought for the rights of the tribals to fish into the waters of river Tawa using chakka jams and rallies, which was earlier only limited to the state-level corporations. In 1996, TMS was ultimately granted 5 year fishing rights in the reservoir.
2. Abolishing middlemen: TMS has successfully been able to eliminate all sorts of middlemen and contractors between the fishermen and the markets, thereby passing direct benefits to the former.
3. Economic benefits to tribals: Since the middlemen are not in place, the fishermen could now fetch Rs 15 per kg of fish as compared to Rs 3 per kg provided earlier by the state-level corporations. This enabled the fishermen to earn significantly more than usual. It has significantly elevated many families above poverty line.
4. Taking care of operational needs: TMS has also helped in storing and assembling the produce at its own cost.
5. Marketing requirements: The fishermen are no longer bothered about the marketing issue as it is duly handled by the TMS itself.
6. Regularity in payment: One of the significant contribution of TMS is the regularity in payment to the tribals who were earlier paid seasonally.
7. Collective platform for displaced villagers: Last but not the least, TMs is providing a sound platform for the villagers and the tribals to voice their concern to the respective authorities. 

Answer:

The Constitution of India is founded on the bedrock of justice and equality. These principles are not just a guiding force for the government authorities but are crucial for the growth of one's personality. The principle of equality is the most significant among them. That is why it has been mentioned in both fundamental rights and the directive principles. All the major movements seek their driving force from these provisions of the Constitution and strive to realise these goals in practical sphere and not merely as a provision in a book of law.

Every struggle of women, poor and the destitute strengthens from the belief that all people are equal before the law irrespective of caste, creed, sex, religion, region, race or place of birth. They find their belief supported by the provisions of the constitution itself. Majority of the participants in these movements aim at making these provisions of the constitution reality someday. There is a real meaning and utter importance of these provisions in our daily lives. This is what makes our Constitution a living document.