Science

NOVA

Social Studies

Grade 9

Author
Binod Kumar Pathak

NOVA

Publication

NOVA PUBLICATION

Satungal, Kathmandu

NOVA

Publication

Price :

Edition : First 2017

Revised : 2018

Layout : Image Graphic

Printed in Nepal

© All rights reserved with the Publisher – No part of this publication may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means

Author’s Words

Textbooks for Nova Social Studies have always played contributory roles in
the direction of making education practical, contemporary, purposive and
morally strong in nature. Besides, a textbook of Nova Social Studies orients
the students towards the society we live in and helps the learners in exploring
solutions to various problems that we face at local, national and global levels
in political, economic and social life. A good textbook of Social Studies helps
the students in understanding the dynamics of human life at both individual
as well as group level. Learners develop civic consciousness, comprehend
the geographical phenomena, learn the basics of economics and broaden
their horizon of consciousness to appreciate the functioning of international
community without which we shall be left behind. This textbook is the result
of a broad thinking which do justice with all the objectives set out by the
Central Curriculum Department and and cater to the needs of quality contents
for students. The textbook has encapsulated lessons and topics in superbly-
arranged pattern and has created enough space for inculcating the feelings of
national unity and integrity in the learner’s mind and promoting fundamental
knowledge of democracy as a political system and way of life practised in
family, community and society at large apart from pure political activities. This
textbook has incorporated lessons which develop the sense and understanding
of art and beauty, human values and social ideals, moral duties and social
responsibilities and last but not the least scientific temper and curiosity in
dealings of day to day problems and situations. Learners (students) shall find
this textbook very useful. This textbook will help students cultivate healthy and
positive attitude towards life besides mastering essential information.

I express my sincere thanks to Managing Director Megh Raj Poudel who took
over the task to reach out to students with this textbook. He has been very open
and enthusiastic about any good ideas that a textbook requires to enhance the
quality of education in the country. I also thank Mr. Birendra Shrestha who
worked with mission-like zeal to make this book a reality and worked on its
design and layout. Every effort counts – be it on the stage or back of the stage.
I am thankful to all whosoever offered their assistance directly or indirectly.
Now the book is in your hands, delve deep in the knowledge and come out as
a bright star that throws light all around.

Author

Date: March 21, 2018 Binod Kumar Pathak

Chaitra 7, 2074

Contents Page
1
Unit: One We and Our Community
Lesson 1 Society and Development 1
Lesson 2 Types of Society 5
Lesson 3 Elements of True Society 9
Lesson 4 Socialization 12
Lesson 5 Our Identity 15
Lesson 6 Nation’s Pride 18

Unit: Two Development and Pre-requisites of Development 22
Lesson 1 Concept f Development
Lesson 2 Pre-requiites of Development 22
Lesson 3 Infrastructue of Development 26
Lesson 4 Traditional Knowledge, Skills and Technology 30
42
Unit: Three Our Traditions, Social Values and Beliefs
Lesson 1 Our Traditional Art 48
Lesson 2 Nepal’s Sculpture
Lesson 3 Architecture in Nepal 48
Lesson 4 Religious Tolerance and Secularism 54
Lesson 5 National Heroes and Luminaries 59
Lesson 6 Empathy and Cooperation 64
Lesson 7 A Culture of Peace 68
76
Unit: Four Social Problems and Solutions 79
Lesson 1 Identification of Social Problems and Solutions
Lesson 2 Corruption 82
Lesson 3 Social Problems – Prostitution, Addiction
Lesson 4 Contributions of Local and National Organizations to Social Reforms 82
Lesson 5 Efforts Made towards Social Reforms 87
Lesson 6 Conflict Cycle and Resolution 91
99
Unit: Five Civic Consciousness 103
Lesson 1 Introduction to Constitution 107
Lesson 2 History of Constitutional Development in Nepal
111

111

116

Lesson 3 Constituent Assembly 123
Lesson 4 Fundamental Rights 126
Lesson 5 Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties 135
Lesson 6 Right to Information 139
Lesson 7 Good Governance 144
Lesson 8 Legal State 148
Lesson 9 Democratic Conducts 153
Lesson 10 Civil Society 158
Lesson 11 Peace and Order 163
Lesson 12 Unity in Diversity 167
Lesson 13 Nationalism and National Issues 172

Unit: Six Our Earth 177
Lesson 1 Longitude and Time
Lesson 2 Physical Feature of Nepal 177
Lesson 3 Climate of Nepal 188
Lesson 4 Nepal’s Physical Diversity and Vegetation 195
Lesson 5 Topographical Diversity and Life Patterns in Nepal 200
Lesson 6 Status ofWater-Resources in Nepal and Use 202
Lesson 7 Map-Work 207
Lesson 8 Distance-related Knowledge in Map 213
Lesson 9 Asia – Geographical and Natural Environment 218
Lesson 10 Asia – Economic Activities and Social Life 222
Lesson 11 Europe – Natural Environment 228
Lesson 12 Europe – Economic and Social Life 237
Lesson 13 Australia – Physical and Natural Environment 246
Lesson 14 Australia – Economic and Social Life 252
Lesson 15 Asia, Europe, Australia and Nepal 261
267
Unit: Seven Our Past
Lesson 1 Historical Sources 270

Lesson 2 Shakyas from Kapilvastu 270
276

Lesson 3 Prithvi Narayan Shah and Unification Campaign 279
Lesson 4 Effects of Nepal’s Unification 287
290
Lesson 5 Anglo-Nepal War 296
Lesson 6 Stories of Brave Nepalese Soldiers in Anglo-Nepal War 300
Lesson 7 Rise of Ranas and Fall of their Rule 309
Lesson 8 Effects of Rana-Rule on Nepal 311
Lesson 9 Industrial Revolution and Its Effects 318
Lesson 10 Geneology and Family Tree 323
Lesson 11 Our Ancestors -- Pathfinders for Us 327
327
Unit: Eight Economic Activities 332
Lesson 1 Agriculture 337
Lesson 2 Modern Agricultural Practices 340
Lesson 3 Commercialization of Agriculture 344
Lesson 4 Industry 349
Lesson 5 Medium and Large Scale Industry 352
Lesson 6 Trade 355
357
Lesson 7 Structure of External Trade in Nepal 360
Lesson 8 Diversification of Trade in Nepal 362
Lesson 9 Trade Promotion and Marketization 366
Lesson 10 Relationship between Agriculture, Industry and Trade 369
Lesson 11 Economic Planning 374
Lesson 12 Poverty Eradication and Emloyment Generation 376
Lesson 13 Entrepreneurship 380
Lesson 14 Employment Generation and Management 380
Lesson 15 Labour 386
389
Unit: Nine Our International Relations and Cooperation 392
Lesson 1 Nepal’s Donor Countries and Institutions 395
Lesson 2 Nepal in United Nations Organization
Lesson 3 Nepal’s Contributions in Maintenance of International Peace
Lesson 4 Diplomatic Missions
Lesson 5 Contemporary Events

Unit

1

We and Our Community

Learning Objectives:

At the completion of this Unit, students will be able to:
 Understand the concept of Society and its evolution, development and types
 Explain different elements of Society, Socialization and demonstrate the same in

practice in daily life
 Identify the factors which constitute our society “unity in diversity”
 Develop capacity to preserve the features of Nepalese society and take pride in being

Nepali

Lesson

1 Society and Development

Nitish and Prashant are close friends. Both of them are in Grade 9. They attended the class of
Social Studies in the first period. While returning home, both of them are engaged in interaction
on the topic “Society and Its Development”. Following is the excerpt of their interaction:

Nitish: Prashant, I could not understand the meaning of “development of society” in the class
today. Can you explain it to me?
Prashant: Nitish, you need to understand the meaning of society before moving on to the
development of society.
Nitish: In lower classes, we were taught about it. But, it was just a cramming for me. I have yet to
figure out the true meaning of society.
Prashant: Let us start with the root word of Society. The English word society has come from
Latin word “socious”. The meaning of the word “socious” in Latin is friendliness or fraternity.
The term can refer to the whole of the humanity as “global society” or “society in general” or
“society of a country” or “society in a particular community”. It depends upon the context how
we use this word. There are people who do not fit in the society or attack on a society. They
are unfriendly or uncivil to the rest of the members of the society. In this sense, they may be
considered as “anti-social”. Thus, a society in a literal sense is the organized group of people
connected through friendliness (camaraderie) and mutual interaction (collaboration).

Nitish: What kinds of people get organized together to form a society?

Prashant: Society is an organized group of people living in certain defined geographical area

<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9 1

sharing the bond of common culture or goals or common political ideas. All the members of a
society remain active to achieve the common goals which they share with each other. Actually,
society is a network (web) which exists amongst the individuals connecting one with another.
This networking is the relationship amongst the individuals sharing bonds with one another
to achieve common goals. Those common goals may relate with social, economic, cultural or
religious aspects of human existence.

Relationship of one individual with others on a society
Nitish: Prashant, can you elaborate on the relationship of individuals with society?
Prashant: Human beings are intelligent, conscious and wise. They are social beings and therefore,
live in a group. Society is a group and a group is collection of individuals. Therefore, no individual
can exist without a society. A society is the need of individuals and an individual lives in a society.
Both society and individuals are interdependent. Individuals have no existence without society
and a society cannot exist without having individuals in it. Individual’s existence is possible
only within a society. This is how individuals do have relationships among themselves and at
the same time, society and individuals are interrelated. Society is a human product because it is
created by humans. But, this creation (society) turns back on humans and creates or molds them
every day.
Nitish: What are the important features (characteristics) of a society?
Prashant: Every society has some common features. Today, Sir was telling us about these common
features which have been noted down. I shall share those notes with you.
The following are the main features (characteristics) of the society:
1. A society has its own institutional development rooted in well-determined mores, rules and

policies guided by certain objectives (purposes) to be achieved.
2. There is mutual relationship amongst members of a society. Individuals in a society are conscious

members who have a reciprocal (mutual) relationship with one another. They share friendliness,
cooperation and unity amongst themselves.
3. A society keeps on changing in accordance with the change in the needs (desires/wants) and
priorities of the members of the society. Therefore, a society is called a dynamic entity (institution).
4. Individuals (members) in a society have common goals and needs (desires).
5. Every individual-member in a society protects his/her rights.
6. The members in a society create a network (web) of cultural relationships amongst themselves.
8. One of the major goals of a society is to achieve growth in its social dimension (that is called
social development).

2 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

Individuals are the foundation of a society

Nitish: Please tell me something about “development of a society”.
Prashant: A positive and progressive change in any thing (institution/event) or a process is
called development. It means that a newness or novelty in its positive quality in anything is
development. All the positive changes observed (seen) in social process, events, structure and so
on indicate towards “development of a society”.
Nitish: Okay. Now, I will repeat the things which I have understood. “Development of a society
indicates towards a total change in both internal and external aspects of the society”. Isn’t it?
Prashant: Yes, but there is much more than what you have said. Development of a society is a
process of transformation and change in social structure, social relationship and social composition
and so on. Every society is in a continuous progression from being simple to become complex,
from uncivilized status to be civilized and from being primitive (magic and superstitions) to
become modern (logical and scientific).
Nitish: At the end, let me know about the features of “development of the society”.
Prashant: The development of a society is an all-inclusive process. It is also a collective change.
A society is the dynamic whole and the speed or pace of dynamism is not constant. Therefore,
the nature of society in future cannot be exactly predicted. Every society in the world keeps on
changing or transforming. Society is always in motion. This change in a society can be either
planned or natural. But, one thing is certain and inevitable; that is change......social change.
Nitish: Prashant, you have elaborated on many points in which I was facing difficulty. I have
learnt a lot today. Thank you very much for your help.

Words and terms you would like to know

Society: A society is a group of people who shares the same geographical territory having a distinctive
culture and institutions under the same political authority and is involved in continuous social interac-
tion. There can be societies within a society. For example, a society can be composed of like-minded
people governed by their own norms and values within a dominant, larger society.
Collaborative Feature of Society: A society can enable its members to benefit in ways that would not
otherwise be possible on an individual basis. Thus, both individual and social (common) benefits are
derived from the society.
Development of a Society: The qualitative changes in the structure and framework of a society which help
the society to realize its aims and objectives along with setting up new goals (objectives) to be achieved
Dynamics of Development: Development is a human process. It means that human beings, not material
factors, are the dominant force of bringing development. The energy and aspiration of people in a society
drives the development and provides a direction for the society to change. Development is a process of
social change. Development is the result of society’s capacity to organize resources to meet challenges and
opportunities. Society passes through defined stages in the course of its development such as hunting and
gathering society to rural agrarian society and then to urban and industrialized society and so on.

<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9 3

Activities

1. Find out the occupation and profession of the people in your community. Explore their mutual
relationship with one another and present the same in the class.

2. Prepare a chart depicting the main features (characteristics) of your community.
3. Go through the following features of a society and find out if these features are present in your

community:

S. No. Features (Characteristics) Reflection
Yes /No
1. Development of a society is a collective change.

2. The pace of development in a society is not the same. Yes/No
3. Prediction about development of a society is not possible. Yes/No
4. Development of a society is a process of transformation. Yes/No
5. Development in a society is both natural and planned. Yes/No

Exercise

1. Briefly explain the meaning and nature of society.
2. Illustrate the relationship between society and individuals.
3. List the main features (characteristics) of a society.
4. What do you understand by the meaning of a society? Explain the features and dimensions of

development of a society.
5. Explain with appropriate examples the collaborative feature of a society.
6. Both development and social-change are interrelated. Examine with suitable examples.
7. Describe how society is a human product.
8. Is society a product or process? Analyze with examples.

Community Work

Pick up any three headings (items) out of the following and do research about them after consulting
and deliberating on the items selected with senior citizens of your community. Collect the details
showing all the changes in the last 20 years till today. Share your details in the class.

A. Economic Status B. Physical Infrastructure

C. Pattern of Daily Life D. Social Mores and Roles

E. Thinking Pattern F. Political Change

G. Status of Women

4 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

Lesson

2 Types of Society

Human societies have been classified in different ways on different bases. Sir Edward Burnett
Tylor, an English sociologist, had classified human society in different stages by applying Charles
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. Tylor provided the pattern of ‘social evolution’ from being a
primitive society to gradually become modern civilized society. Karl Marx in the 19th century
gave a material interpretation of society and classified the society accordingly. Karl Marx began
with hunting society to animal husbandry and then to feudal and socialist society to end up at last
on socialist human society. Human society can be divided according to stages of development,
level of inequality, urbanization and types of economy, political organization. Apart from them,
classification of society can be done on the basis of technology, patterns of livelihood and socio-
cultural elements.

Let us consider the following types of human societies on different bases:
A. On the Basis of Economy or Economic Structure:

1. Capitalist Society 2. Socialist Society 3. Mixed Economy Society

A human society with capitalist economy promotes private ownership of means of production.
A capitalist society promotes private enterprises and believes in accumulation of wealth through
free enterprises for expediting development. A socialist society does not allow private ownership
of means and resources of development. It believes in social ownership and democratic control
of the means of production through planned economy and strict government control. Public
enterprises controlled by the government are given more priority over the private enterprises.
Mixed economy society is the mixture of both capitalist as well as socialist economy.
B. On the Basis of Language:

1. Mono-lingual Society 2. Bi-lingual Society 3. Multi-lingual Society
C. On the Basis of Religion:

1. Hindu Society 2. Buddhist Society 3. Muslim Society 4. Christian Society
D. On the Basis of Residential Areas:

1. Rural Society 2. Urban Society
E. On the Basis of Time:

1. Ancient Society 2. Medieval Society 3. Modern Society

Hunting and Gathering Society....living nomadic lifestyle 5

<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9

Sociologists and anthropologists have divided the human society on the basis of technology and
social evolution in the following manner:
1. Hunting and Gathering Society: Hunting and gathering society is considered as the first stage
of human society. It is the simplest of all human societies. In this type of society, human efforts
were concentrated on hunting animals and gathering life-essentials for biological survival. It is also
known as foraging culture. Permanent settlement did not exist in this kind of settlement. Institutions
like family, marriage and kinship were totally absent. Human beings at this stage of society lived
just for biological survival. In course of hunting and gathering for survival, humans used different
kinds of stone weapons. Hand-operated weapons were used by them to hunt and kill animals and
birds. Humans were actually consumers, not producers in this type of society. There was no clear
division of labor in this type of society. But, normally men were busy doing hunting and women
used to go for gathering. Rautes in Nepal still live in hunting and gathering society. Even today,
this kind of society exists in India, Australia, Africa and other places where nomadic lifestyle exists.

Tools in Hunting and Gathering Tools used in pre-agricultural society
2. Animal Husbandry Society: Rearing animals (cattle) for livelihood and survival is known
as “Animal Husbandry Society”. This kind of society came into existence when ‘Hunting and
Gathering Society’ was not able to fulfill all the needs for human survival. Later on, animal
husbandry gradually picked up and got established as a type of society. Animal husbandry society
was divided into two types: Society with more animals and society with no or few animals. All
the important human needs for survival were fulfilled (supplied) by animal husbandry. This type
of society is still in existence in Middle-East, Africa, Tibet, and Central Asia and Northern part
of Nepal.
3. Horticulture Society: Horticulture society grows fruits, vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and trees
for survival. This kind of society exists in Kenya and New Guinea. A few societies are found in
Nepal which are engaged in horticulture.

Agricultural Society

6 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

4. Agricultural Society: Agricultural society began to grow grains and grasses at large scale
for organized way of living. Agricultural society gave rise to feudal society where the society
got divided into two classes: the land-owning class known as feudal lords and the agricultural
workers. Egypt is considered to be the first spot of beginning of agricultural society. Nepal is a
country of villages. Rural areas of Nepal have agricultural society. Around two-thirds (65%) of
the total population is still dependent upon agriculture.

Industries for producing goods in Industrial Society
5. Industrial Society: Industrial society produces the life-essentials from the production of industries
and promotes trade in these goods. This type of society is said to have begun in the 18th century.
The industry reflects the highly disciplined way of human energy and skills combined with natural
resources and technology to produce goods and services for satisfying human needs. In industrial
society, industrialists are called capitalists (bourgeois) and those who work in industries are called
workers (proletariat). A wide gap exists between the rich and the poor in an industrial society.
All the developed countries in the world like the United States of America, the United Kingdom,
Germany, Japan, and South Korea are the examples of industrial society. The urban areas of Nepal
and some of the industrial corridors within the country show the features of industrial society. For
example, cities and towns like Kathmandu Valley, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Lahan, Lekhnath, etc exhibit
the characteristics of industrial society in Nepal. Industrial society is marked by cultural diversity
because people from different regions and backgrounds come to urban centers to work in factories.

Post-industrial society driven by knowledge, information and expertise

6. Post-industrial Society: Post-industrial society is marked by explosion of human knowledge and
blossoming of human intelligence as a result of which sophisticated technology begins to regulate
the human life and human society. Post-industrial society connects all the countries together
through modern means of transport and communication. Distance of time and geography gets
minimized and the concept of global village and global governance takes root. Interconnectivity
in commerce, trade, economy, culture and politics becomes a reality. Knowledge-based industries
and service sectors become the most important part of economy. Almost all the developed
countries have successfully transformed into post-industrial societies. Most of the countries in
Europe and North America are post-industrial societies.

<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9 7

Words and terms you would like to know

Material Interpretation of Society: Karl Marx gave his theory of evolution of society on the basis of
matter that is production process and wealth creation. This kind of interpretation of society is known as
material interpretation of society.
Mono-lingual society: A society having one language
Bi-lingual society: A society having two languages
Multi-lingual society: A society having more than two languages
Ancient Society: A society having a recorded history till 4th century AD
Medieval Society: The period in the history of the society that lasted from about AD 350 to about 1450
Modern Society: The period in the society that extends from the end of the Middle Ages (around the
middle of the 15th century) to the present day

Activities

1. Which type of human society do you like the most? Give reasons.
2. What kind of society do you live in at present? Derive the conclusion only after getting votes from

the leaders of your society in different fields.

Exercise

1. Both Tylor and Marx have classified the society. Briefly introduce their classification and the main
basis of their classification.

2. Differentiate between the following:
a) Hunting and Gathering Society and Agricultural Society
b) Animal Husbandry Society and Horticulture Society
c) Agricultural Society and Industrial Society
d) Industrial Society and Post-industrial Society
e) Rural Society and Urban Society

3. Citing suitable examples, describe the divisions of human society based on economic structure
and time.

4. Briefly introduce the human society based on language and religion.
5. Prepare the list of different types of human societies with their respective features.
6. Write down the main feature of the human society given below:

S.N. Types of Society Main Feature of a Society
1. Hunting and Gathering Society
2. Animal Husbandry Society
3. Agricultural Society
4. Horticultural Society
5. Industrial Society

8 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

Lesson

3 Elements of True Society

Essential elements which constitute the society are its components. There are some concrete
elements which must be present to form a human society. These elements are being given below:
1. Fixed Geographical Territory: Every society has defined geographical area. Defined

geographical area gives identity to a society and members of the society feel close to each
other. They get an opportunity to share thoughts with one another on various aspects of their
society.
2. Population Size: Big or small, a society must have population. Without population, there is
no question of having a society in existence.
3. Definite Name: Every society has a definite name. A definite name gives an identity which
is unique for a society. Uniqueness of every society makes its members totally distinct from
others.
4. Social Affiliation: Members of a society exhibit common feelings for each other and they
have a common identity. They help each other in hour of need like natural disasters and other
man-made disasters. The help is extended at both group as well as individual level. Common
celebrations in festivals and other occasions bring members of a society together. This is how
they feel for each other in sorrow and happiness. This is all because of social affiliation.
5. A common Life Pattern: Members of a society share a common life pattern in general.
All members satisfy their needs and ambitions in the society. Society provides livelihood,
entertainment, education, security and other such facilities to the members. The life pattern
of the members of a society depends upon the structure of the society. This is the reason life
patterns differ from one country to another. American society is different from Indian society
and Nepali society is different from the Chinese society.
6. Social Rules and their Obedience: All members of a society are guided by social rules in
their behavior with one another. Obedience to social mores and rules constitutes an essential
component of a society.
7. Self-birth and Natural Evolution: The birth of a society is not like a product from a factory.
Actually it is gradual evolution on its own from within the society. Therefore, it is difficult to
give an exact date as to when a society is born because it is not produced by external agents. A
society is always happening and becoming. A society is a process. A group of people living in
a place or migrating to a different place begins to develop feelings of unity and togetherness
after a time and this is the stage of birth or evolution of the society.
8. Stability: A society is relatively stable because it is fixed with territory, language and culture.
9. History with Pride and Glory: Every society is proud of its past and that makes the members
of the society feel proud of their heritage and historical achievements and political struggles.
The real strength of a society comes from the inner forces of emotions running high in all the
members. There are examples around the world where a bigger society has disintegrated
into fragments. On the other hand, smaller societies have come together to become a bigger
one. So, it is not just a geographical territory and population size that keep a society safe

<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9 9

and secured. There are other vital elements of true society which help in its continuity. If
vital elements of inner forces of emotions are missing amongst the members, then a society
cannot continue and stand with pride. Of course, forces of integration and disintegration in
and within a society keep on working. Let us know about the elements (components) of true
society which make it survive by avoiding conflicts and eliminating disintegrating forces.

The following are the elements (components) of a true society.

1. Feeling of Belongingness: Feeling of belongingness develops when members of a society
remain accountable to the society and have honest belief that the society exists for me
and I exist for my society. Feeling of belongingness makes the members active on their
own. The active members bring dynamism in a society and help bring development.

2. Community Feeling: Feeling for community makes the members responsible towards
their own community. This helps create dynamic and responsible society.

3. Security: Members of a society stand for their rights and interests in a society. They
stress more on seeking security from and within the society. Members want security for
themselves, for their family and overall security for their community.

4. Unity: All the members of a society get united for wellbeing of their society and
contribute through different kinds of group works, community services and charity
programs. ‘United we stand, divided we fall’ is the mantra for progress.

5. Cooperation and Coexistence: Cooperation and coexistence amongst the members help
in achieving common goals of a society. Members become friendly with each other and
share common identity.

6. Togetherness: Members of a society live together, work together and in hours of crisis
stand together for helping each other. This is an important component of a society as
togetherness helps the members to build mutual relationship.

7. Good Feeling and Friendliness: Members of a society are connected with one another
by friendliness and have good feeling for one and all in the society. Every human
being requires good feeling right from being a child up to the old age. There are many
members in human society who are incapable of looking after themselves due to their
age or disease or any other problems of life. For such people, the society is the only help
and they survive and live because of the good feeling shown by other members of the
society.

8. Obeying Laws and Customs: Human society will turn chaotic and confusing if not
guided and regulated by laws and customs. Obedience to such laws and customs is
mandatory to bring harmony and cooperation within the society. Violation of these
laws and customs brings social sanctions and punishment on those who disobey them.
Violators of laws and customs are asked to change their behavior within the society.

9. Accountability and Responsibility: For a well-knit society, every member must feel
accountable to others and towards the society as a whole. In this way, all the members
have expressed or unexpressed responsibility to develop the society and preserve its
values. One member must not blame others for any wrong when it happens in a society.
It is our individual and collective responsibility to own up the wrong or any problem in
order to correct it and remove it.

10 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

Words and terms you would like to know

Mores: the customs and habitual practices that a group of people accept and follow as moral standards
Social Affiliation: social relationship, the act of becoming formally connected or joined
Integration (n.): acceptance into community
Disintegration (n.): breaking into pieces; the loss of unity or integrity
Well-being (n.): the state of good or fortune
Social sanction: a punishment imposed by a society as a result of breaking laws or rules

Activities

What types of elements have you noticed in a society in which you live? Make a list of those elements.

Exercise

1. Explain five fundamental elements of a society without which it cannot come into existence.

2. Society is a process of natural evolution. Clarify.

3. Describe five elements in a society which provide strength in the survival of the society.

4. Elaborate on the following elements of society by expressing their significance:

A. Accountability and Responsibility B. Obeying Laws and Customs

C. Good Feeling and Friendliness D. History

Community Work

Make several groups and investigate how far spirits of cooperation, unity and harmony are present in
the society we live. Also find out the degree of obedience and adherence to social norms and values.
You can take help from the community leaders and seniors for your research and investigation.

11<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9

Lesson

4 Socialization

Humans are social beings. Society gives meaning to the life of human beings. Without society,
human beings cannot survive and realize their higher potentials. Individual’s inner qualities
blossom only within the society. The time interval from birth till death shapes up the individuals
in accordance with social mores and rules prevailing in the society. Society has both formal
and informal institutions to shape up the individuals. Formal institutions like schools, colleges,
universities, political and economic system have deliberate and willful influences over the members
of the society. Informal institutions like family, friends, neighborhoods, social interactions and
so on also cast influences over the members of society. The shaping up of individuals by both
formal and informal institutions in the society is known as socialization. Socialization is the whole
process of learning throughout the entire life. Socialization shapes up the behavior, beliefs, and
actions of children, adolescents and adults. Therefore, an individual learns to adjust to a group
(or a society) and behave in an acceptable manner. Socialization teaches people about what is
acceptable and what is unacceptable in a given environment.

Every society has some core values, social and moral codes of conduct (behavior), ideals, attitudes
and belief system. In case an individual is not able to imbibe social traditions, values, beliefs and
other social patters, s/he will be in difficulty to live and adjust in that society. In case of failing
to conform to social norms and mores of society, s/he will be targeted as deviant, anti-social and
delinquent by other society members. Thus, socialization is more effective and productive in
childhood as children learn the rules and moral codes of a society in which they are born before
they become adult. In reality, socialization never stops and it continues till death. An individual
learns about different institutions, organizations and hierarchies (status) existing in a society only
through socialization. Socialization helps in the development of an individual’s personality.

Factors (Means) of Socialization

Socialization takes place through various means in a society. No individual can escape (avoid) those
means (factors) in a society because every society has a culture. And, individuals have to live in a
culture. Following are the brief description of means (factors) of socialization:

A. Language: Language is the principal means used by human beings to communicate with one
another. Language is the expression of ideas by means of speech-sounds combined into words.
Language is used both in speaking as well as in writing to express ideas, ideals, rules, values
and other such things which the society allows. Language is a means of communication and a
powerful tool to transmit culture to individuals at personal or group level.

B. Fraternity and Cooperation: All the great lessons, teachings, moral values and ideals are
transferred from one generation to another or from one person to another in an atmosphere of
love and understanding. All the members in a society live together in the spirit of fraternity and
cooperation. They mutually agree or disagree to accept or reject certain customs, ideas, moral
codes and belief systems. This is how socialization moulds the person in family, neighborhood,
peer groups and schools and other such groups. These groups (or institutions) do not operate in
the environment of hate and contempt. They cast their influences on members of society in the
environment of love, affection and understanding. This is where socialization works in creating
a lasting impact on individual’s personality.

12 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

C. Social Interaction: Social interaction is the essential element (ingredient) of socialization
without which no interdependence and exchange between the members are possible. Social
interaction is all about establishing contact through different means of communication
between individuals or groups or between an individual and a group within the society
for achieving individual or group goals. Print and electronic media like newspapers and
television and radio are powerful media of socialization but most of the times they are
one-way communication system. At present, social media like FACEBOOK and Twitter
are important tools of communication in social interaction. Live communication in
social interaction is two-way communication which has a great impact on socialization.

There are several institutions in a society like home, family, peer group, school and community
and media. These institutions play very active role in socialization. These institutions are also
referred to as “agents of socialization”.

Importance of Socialization

No society can ever exist without socialization as no two societies are exactly the same.
Undercurrent of influences called socialization on members of society continues to mould them.
Members of society develop community-specific attitude, behaviors, moral and social values and
protect and preserve the tradition of society. Socialization helps the children in understanding
the expectations that others have and ambitions which can be fulfilled within the society. Both
men and women behave and interact in a specific way in a particular society. This is exactly what
their society has made them behave like. Look at the example of behavior patterns of children
and interaction between men and women in American, Arabian, Chinese, Nepalese and Indian
societies. We notice the differences. This is because of socialization. Just take the examples of
different religious communities in Nepal like Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians.
Difference in their culture and behavior patterns is noticeable. Socialization helps in developing
skills and favorable attitudes amongst the members of society which helps them in survival
and earning livelihood within the society. Members of a society are socialized about the social
values and ideals of a society in which they have to function in different capacities like son,
father, brother, uncle, citizen, worker and so on. Members of a society become aware about their
social responsibilities and duties that they have to discharge (fulfill). They become disciplined
members of a society in whatever roles they are in. Socialization helps the individuals to develop
full potentials of their personality. They have positive feeling for their own society. At last, the
socialization prepares individuals to fit in the society and then the individuals influence the
society to reach another level of evolution in civilization.

Words and terms you would like to know

Ideal (n.): an excellent or perfect example of something or somebody; a standard or principle to which
people aspire

Attitude (n.): an opinion or general feeling about something

Belief (n.): acceptance of truth of something

Tradition (n.): long-established action or pattern of behavior in a community or group of people, often
handed down from one generation to another

Fraternity (n.): feelings of friendship and mutual support between people

Two-way Communication System: both the ends of communication channel are exchanging views and
news simultaneously

13<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9

Activities

1. Illustrate with examples how home, family and peer groups help in socialization.
2. Fill up the blanks below:

S.N. Factors (means) of Socialization Features (Characteristics)
1. Language
2. Understanding and Cooperation
3. Social Interaction

Exercise

1. What is socialization? Explain.
2. Human being is biological creature. Justify by giving evidences and examples.
3. Explain how human beings get transformed from being biological creatures into the social beings.
4. Describe the importance of socialization.
5. Explain the factors (means) of socialization.
6. Critically comment on the role played by any five agents of socialization.
7. Compare and contrast the role of media and social sites in socialization to the role of home and

family.
8. Distinguish between formal and informal institutions of a society.
9. What do you mean by social roles? Evaluate the contribution of social roles in socialization.
10. Do you think socialization generates conflicts and violence between the societies and have

sometimes negative impact on development of a society? Analyze critically with relevant
examples from the present-day societies around the world.

Community Work

Divide your class into 4-5 groups and let them visit several local communities to find out the ways
and means of socialization. List the findings and share them in the class. Which means and agents of
socialization are more effective in a community and why? Explain to the class.

14 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

Lesson

5 Our Identity

A. National Identity

Nepal has three geographical divisions: Mountains (Himal), Hills (Pahad) and Tarai (Plains)
regions. Himalayan region of Nepal can be further divided into three parts: Marginal or lower
Himalayas, Bhote-valley and main Himalayas. Similarly, hilly region of Nepal can be divided into
three parts: Middle-land, Mahabharat Hills and Chure Hills. Tarai region too has three divisions:
Main Tarai, Bhabbar and Inner Tarai (Madhes). Nepal, a small country with 147,181 square
kilometers (56,827 sq mi) area, has such a great diversity and divisions at geographic and cultural
levels. This is our national identity. Nepal rises from less than 100 meters (328 ft) elevation in
the tropical Tarai to over 7,000 meters (22,966 ft) having permanent snow-line with 90 mountain
peaks. Earth’s highest mountain peak, Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) having the elevation of 8,848
meters (29,029 ft), is located in Nepal.
Nepal is multi-caste, multi-religious, multi-lingual country which is full of geographic diversity.
A total of 123 languages have been identified in Nepal. A total of 10 main religions such as
Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Kirat, Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism have been identified in Nepal.
Three major river systems have divided Nepal into three regions like Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali.
Nepal is second richest country after Brazil in having river resource. There are around 6,000
rivers (and streams) in Nepal. This too is our national identity.

B. Ethnic Identity

According to last population census, Nepal has a total of 125 ethnic groups. Nepal has six such
ethnic groups whose population has already exceeded six lakhs. Nepal stands united despite
having such a level of diversity. Unity in diversity is our identity. National unity and integrity is
not compromised at all even though every ethnic and caste group preserves their own language,
script and culture.

Let us follow the ethnic diversity in the following sentences:

Blessed are Himal, Pahad and Tarai.
Rais and Limbus in the East, in the middle live the Newars
Some enjoy DHAN-NACH while others like DHEWA–CHHEVAR.
Gurungs in the West identify with RODI,
Spread all over in all the regions are Bahun and Chhetri.
Blessed are Himal, Pahad and Tarai.
In the north live the Sherpas, Madhesis live in the South,
Nepal appears a beautiful living garden from the mount’s mouth.
Magar culture reflects in dance-KAURA,
Nepal is worth ...seeing in DHOTI, TOPI, BAKHU and DAURA
....Oh, such a great unity in diversity and its aura.
Blessed are Himal, Pahad and Tarai.

15<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9

C. Lingual Identity

Linguistic diversity exists in Nepal. According to national population census 2011 AD, Nepal
has 123 languages recognized as the mother tongues. Nepal’s linguistic heritage belongs to
three major language groups, namely, Indo-Aryan, Tibeto-Burman, and indigenous. Nepali is
the official language of Nepal. Most of the people in Nepal use Nepali as mother tongue. The
major languages of Nepal spoken as mother tongues are Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu,
Tmanag, Newari, Magar, Awadhi, Thulung (Rai), Bantawa, Limbu, Hindi and Baijika. Some of
the languages such as Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Awadhi and Hindi are rich in resources like
having a range of literature available in these languages.

D. Religious Identity

Nepal is multi-religious and multi-cultural country. Nepal is a country with religious tolerance.
Major religious groups like Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians live here in peace and
harmony having the feeling of good-will for each other. All the religious groups support and
extend their help in organizing major religious festivals. There are atheists too in Nepalese
society. Atheists do not believe in any religion. Nepal is a secular country where the STATE does
not interfere in the internal religious matters. Citizens are free to practice the religion of their
choice. All the religions are equally respected in Nepal.

Description of Religious Groups in Nepal

S.N. Religions Number of Followers Percentage (%)

1. Hinduism 21551492 81.34
2. Buddhism 2396099 9.04
3. Islam 1162370 4.39
4. Kirant 807169 3.05
5. Christianity 375699 1.42
6. Nature (Animism) 121982 0.5
7. Bon 13006 0.04

Source: Nepal’s Population Census, 2068 BS

E. Gender Identity

Gender identity relates with being male or female. There are some who do not fall into the two
categories called male and female. They belong to ‘third gender’. Gender-related specific behavior
makes our identity distinct in the world. Hindus have many “Goddesses” whom they worship in
feminine forms. For example, Goddess Saraswati for knowledge, Laxami for wealth, Durga for
power, Kali for liberation from sorrows and so on. In Hinduism women have respectful positions
in family and society. Gender equality is our true identity. In other religions of Nepal too, gender
equality is emphasized. The Constitution of Nepal strictly prohibits ‘gender discrimination’ in
any form. Gender discrimination is borne out of negative behavior or negative attitude towards
feminine gender. Nepalese society is striving towards gender equality.

16 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

Activities

1. Collect samples which show religious and gender identity in Nepal from amongst the community
of Buddhists, Muslims, Kirants, Christians and others. Share your collected samples and evidences
in the class.

2. Observe the gender behavior and gender status in your family and community. Share your
observation in the class.

3. Make a list of different ethnic groups who are living in your locality. Highlight their status in the
locality and assess the benefits which the locality has received from them.

Exercise

1. Elaborate on national identity of Nepal.
2. Nepal is a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual country. Explain with examples.
3. Analyze the multi-religious feature of Nepalese society with appropriate examples.
4. What do you understand by “gender identity”? Explain how far gender equity exists in the

Nepalese society.
5. Define gender discrimination. To what extent gender discrimination exists in Nepal?
6. List out the problems and challenges being faced in our national identity and gender identity.

Suggest measures (ways) to overcome them.
7. Define secularism. Do you think secularism adds strength to our religious identity? Argue with

examples.

Project Work

Prepare a project with details of national identity, lingual identity, ethnic identity and religious identity
with facts, figures and examples.

17<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9

Lesson

6 National Pride

1. Cultural Identity

Nepal is a country of cultural diversity. Different ethnic groups have their own traditions
and cultural identities. Apart from this, shared cultural traditions have developed amongst
different ethnic groups living in different geographical regions. In Nepal, geographical regions
like Mountainous region, Hilly region and Tarai region have their own culture and tradition.
Geographical region and same climatic conditions have played determining role in evolving
common shared culture.

Traditional Music Ritual Pet(Kalash) Diyo Daura-Suruwal

Urbanization and promotion of trade and business have brought people from different ethnic
groups together. This has encouraged exchange at various levels including culture, tradition and
pattern of life. Inter-ethnic mixing is taking place in schools, neighborhoods, factories, offices
and so on. This kind of inter-mixing in residential areas and work-places has allowed sharing of
values and beliefs among different ethnic groups. Inter-ethnic marriages and social interactions
bring the ethnic groups closer to one another.

Now, one can see a fair number of families having inter-ethnic backgrounds in urban areas of
Nepal. In recent times, influences of Khas from Karnali, Mithila from mid-Tarai, Deuda culture
from far-western region have travelled far and wide in Nepal to leave the imprint on different
ethnic groups living in other regions of the country. Still, there are several ethnic groups living in
Nepal with their own unique culture and tradition.

2. National Flag

Every country is represented by its national flag. National flags of
the participant countries are held and hoisted with great pride in all
the international meetings, programs and celebrations at bilateral
and multilateral levels. National flags are held high in all the official
programs and meetings, in the vehicles of top officials and in the
offices of constitutional body heads of the country. Proud citizens of
the country keep the flag hoisted at the top of their houses, in the
office or use it as an emblem. National flag of Nepal is hoisted in
school compounds to teach the students about national unity and
integrity which it stands for.
The national flag of Nepal is the only non-quadrilateral national flag in the world. Two triangles
have been added to make our national flag. The two triangles mean to symbolize the Himalayan

18 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

Mountains as well as pagoda architecture in the country. Celestial bodies MOON and SUN have
been depicted on the triangles of the national flag. The Moon stands for the cool weather conditions
of the Himalayan region and the Sun indicates the hot weather conditions of the Tarai region.
Another interpretation of Moon is that Nepalese people are simple, loving and hospitable by nature.
And, Sun shows their fierce determination and loyalty towards their work. So long as Sun and Moon
remain in the cosmos, Nepal shall stand with pride and glory on this planet. The flag has crimson
red color which symbolizes the color of the rhododendron, the country’s national flower. Red color
also stands for courage and valor which every Nepali loves to imbibe and demonstrate. The blue
color on the border of the flag is the color of peace, harmony and non-violence. The basic design of
the present-day flag has been derived from the original flag which has been in use for more than
2,000 years.

3. National Anthem

National anthem is a nation’s official hymn or song, expressing patriotic sentiments and played
or sung on public occasions. National anthem reflects the glorious past and reality of the present
of any country. National anthem generates pride for a nation and fills the atmosphere with
patriotic fervor (fragrance). People rise up from their seats to be in the posture of attention as
a mark (show) of respect towards the nation whenever the national anthem is played or sung.
National anthem reminds us of our duty and responsibility towards the nation. National anthem
of our country incorporates geographical uniqueness, political reality and cultural setting of
Nepal in its reference. National anthem is a tribute to the nation. The words (lyrics) of Nepal’s
national anthem were written by the poet Pradeep Kumar Rai, (alias Byakul Malla) and the music
was composed by legendary musician Amber Gurung. The present national anthem has taken
up the issue of inclusiveness raised in Mass Movement–II, 2062/63 BS. The national anthem
was officially adopted on August 3, 2007 (Shrawan 18, 2064) by the then speaker of the Interim
Parliament, Subash Chandra Nemwang, in a ceremony held inside the Singh Durbar. National
anthem remindd us about our unity in diversity.

National Anthem (lyrics in Nepali)

;of}+ yF'uf km' nsf xfdL, Pp6} dfnf g]kfnL 1fge"ld, zflGte"ld t/fO{, kxf8, lxdfn

;fj{ef}d eO{ km}lnPsf, d]rL dxfsfnL . cv08 of] Kof/f] xfd|f] dft[e"ld g]kfn .

k|s[ltsf sf]6Lsf]6L ;Dkbfsf] cfFrn ax›n hflt, efiff, wd{, ;+:s[lt 5g\ ljzfn

jL/x¿sf /utn], :jtGq / c6n . cuu| fdL /fi6« xfdf| ],ho ho g]kfn .

4. Janaki Temple

Ram Janaki (or Janaki) temple is the
biggest temple of Nepal built in Mughal
style. Besides, this temple is the supreme
specimen of Rajasthani architecture. In
the middle of the building lies the central
Janaki temple. Behind the Janaki temple
lies the Janak temple. There are two entry
points in this temple. At the north-east
door (entry-point) of the temple, sculpture
of two lions looks very imposing. These
stone statues are one of the best examples of Nepali sculpture.
This temple was built by the queen of Tikam-Garh, Brishbhanu Devi, some 100 years ago. She
had then spent nine (9) lakhs rupees in building this temple. Therefore, this temple is also called

19<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9

“Naulakha Temple”. Ram temple is located near this temple. To the north-east of this temple
lies the Laxaman temple and towards the south-west is a mosque. This mosque is situated
in the compound of the Janaki temple symbolizing unique understanding and communal
harmony between Hindus and Muslims. The mosque was built for Muslim masons and artists
who worked to build the Janaki temple. They used to pray in the mosque while working on
the Janaki temple. Since then, this mosque has been there and has now become a symbol of
religious harmony.

5. Pashupati Nath Temple

Lord Pashupati Nath (Shiva) is the ancient Hindu God. The temple is situated on the bank of the
river Bagmati. Pashupati Nath temple is considered as the most celebrated temple of Lord Shiva
in the whole world. This temple was built by King Dharma Dutta. Later on, Pratap Malla and the
queen of Shiva Singh Malla renovated the Pashupati Nath Temple. This temple and its nearby
area popularly known as the ‘Pashupati area’ has been listed in World Heritage Sites. Many
visitors from all the religious groups visit the temple to see the architecture and other parts but
only Hindus can enter the main temple to worship the Lord Pashupati (Shiva). This temple has
been built in Pagoda architecture. This temple is adorned with golden roof and has metallic doors
made up of silver. The golden pinnacle (GAJUR) rests on the roof of the temple. A huge gathering
of devotees joins the celebrations in the temple particularly on the occasions of Maha Shivaratri
and Bala Chaturdashi. Whole area of the temple is dotted with art, sculpture and other bathing
spots (GHATS). A statue of large bull (NANDI), the temple of Vasuki (King of Naga—mythical
snake) and wood carvings of several Hindu deities like Parvati, Ganesh, Hanuman, Ram, Sita and
others adorn the wooden plank of the temple.

Pashupati Nath Temple......Kathmandu (Gaushala)

6. Sagarmatha (Mount Everest)

Nepal has a series of world-famous Himalayan mountain peaks. There are altogether 14 mountain
peaks exceeding the height of 8,000 meters. Out of these (14 mountain peaks), eight (8) snow-covered
mountain peaks are only in Nepal. Sagarmatha mountain-peak also known as Mount Everest is the
national identity of Nepal. Sagarmatha is located at 27°59'31’’E longitude. Its height goes up to
8,848 meters (29,029 feet). This mountain-peak was named as Mount Everest after the name of the
British Surveyor Sir George Everest by the British Surveyor General of India Andrew Waugh. The
Royal Geographical Society approved this name in 1865 AD. Nepali historian Babu Ram Acharya
changed the name of this mountain-peak as Sagarmatha in 1956 (2013 BS). The Himalaya-Hindukush
mountain range in which Sagarmatha lies is also known as the Third Pole because its ice fields

20 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

contain the largest reserve of fresh water outside the two Polar-Regions (both North Pole and South
Pole). Thus, the Third Pole containing the world’s highest mountains, including all 14 peaks above
8,000 meters, is the source of 10 major rivers and forms a formidable global ecological buffer.
Many tourists and visitors go for trekking or mountaineering on Sagarmatha. This is how it helps
in our economic development too. Sagarmatha is truly a national identity and the pride of Nepal.

Activities

1. List the items which fall under national pride and discuss them in the class.
2. Explain by giving reasons how Sagarmatha has preserved our national identity.
3. Pashupati Nath and Janaki Temple are our national pride. Explain with resons.
4. Sing the National Anthem together in the class-room and deliver a morning speech on its meaning

and significance.
5. Draw the figure of national flag and explain the meaning of all the symbols used like red and blue

colors, Moon and Sun.
6. Discuss the following lines from our national anthem with examples and its role in making Nepal

a prosperous and peaceful country.

;of}+ y'Fuf k'mnsf xfdL, Pp6} dfnf g]kfnL 1fge"ld, zflGte"ld t/fO{, kxf8, lxdfn
;fj{ef}d eO{ km}lnPsf, d]rL dxfsfnL . cv08 of] Kof/f] xfd|f] dft[e"ld g]kfn .
k|s[ltsf sf]6Lsf]6L ;Dkbfsf] cfFrn ax›n hflt, efiff, wd{, ;+:s[lt 5g\ ljzfn

jL/x¿sf /utn], :jtGq / c6n . cu|ufdL /fi6« xfd|f],ho ho g]kfn .

Exercise

1. What do you understand by “cultural identity”? Make a list of cultural identities of Nepal and
explain their significance.

2. Himal (Mountains), Pahad (Hils) and Tarai (Plains) are not just the three ecological regions of
Nepal but they also show distinct cultures. Analyze with examples.

3. Nepal exhibits unity in diversity at cultural level. Illustrate with appropriate examples.
4. Explain why the national flag is considered as national glory.
5. Describe the cultural significance of Janaki temple. Why is it considered as national pride of Nepal?
6. Pashupati Nath temple is the masterpiece of art and architecture. Examine the statement.
7. What is the third pole? Which area in Nepal is considered as the third pole?

Community Work

Do research on your community and find out the various issues and aspects which are culturally
significant and hence are matters of pride. Prepare a report on it and present the same in the class.

21<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9

Unit

2

Development and Prerequisites of
Development

Learning Objectives:

At the completion of this Unit, students will be able to:
 Understand the concept of development and know about different sources and means

of development
 Understand the pre-requisites of development and their significance
 Evaluate the status of education, health, transportation, communication, electricity and

drinking water and others
 Appreciate people’s participation, creativity and responsibility in development work
 Explore the possibilities of use of traditional knowledge, skill and technology in

development works

Lesson Concept of Development

1

Development is positive and progressive change. Change is the universal law. Nothing remains
static. Development too is a change but the change which is positive and progressive in nature.
Development is a dynamic progressive change. It happens at the level of individual, family,
community, village, and town and in the whole country. Development makes our life easy,
convenient and full of opportunities at both individual as well as group (community) level. For
example, if the census report of the country shows that the literacy rate of women has gone higher
and higher in the last three decades then it means that the women development has gone up in
that society. This shows improvement of education level inside the country. Similarly, if infant
mortality rate and maternal mortality rate have come down then it shows development in the
status of public health inside the country. United Nations Organization on various occasions has
outlined the concept of development as not only fulfillment of material needs but other important
social and cultural needs too. Economic growth of a country alone may not cause full human
development there. UNDP (United Nations Development Program) took steps to measure
“Human Development” by life expectancy, literacy (or educational attainment) and people’s
average income. Therefore, development is not just limited to accumulating commodities and
financial wealth.

22 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

Development is a holistic (all-inclusive or all encompassing) term that shows positive dynamic
growth in economic, socio-cultural, political and environmental dimensions (aspects) of human
life at individual and group level in the society. Economic dimension of development includes
rise in national income and per capita income, development of economic infrastructure like
transportation and communication, improved economic activities in agriculture, industry, trade
and services, availability of more jobs for unskilled, semi-skilled and highly skilled labor force.
Socio-cultural dimension of development emphasizes on living in social harmony without social
evils and gender discrimination. Children must get proper protection with overall facilities in the
areas of health, education, housing, sanitation and drinking water and so on. Political dimension
definitely includes pro-people governance by providing good-governance and fundamental rights
with impartial and speedy justice system. Environmental aspect of development is a relatively
new addition that takes care of pollution-free air, water and soil with further preservation of
forest and wildlife.

Economic Growth and Economic Development

Today we hear a lot about economic growth and it seems to be of great concern for all the developing
countries in the world including Nepal. Surprisingly, there is no universally acceptable definition
of the term “economic growth”. A simple definition is that it is an increase in the level of output
of goods and services that is sustained over a long period of time. The estimation of total output
of goods and services produced within a country in a year is called the “national product” and
when national product is estimated in money-value it becomes “national income”. In other
words, economic growth is the rise of country’s national income year after year. There are two
popular indicators, namely GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and GNP (Gross National Product)
that measure the “national income” to estimate the level of “economic growth” of a country. Per
Capita Income (PCI), another indicator of showing a level of economic growth of a country, is
derived from “national-income” (measured through GDP or GNP or both) when it is divided by
the total population of a country. Economic growth is a continuous process and must generate a
positive change in the lives of people over time.
Economic development is a broader term than economic growth and it includes other factors
too such as literacy, health, child mortality rate, equality, regional balance, infrastructure, etc.
The difference between economic growth and economic development is a minute one. For
example, when a child begins to grow in height and weight after taking birth, we never say that
the development of the child is complete just with the growth in height and weight. Similarly,
in an economy, economic growth alone is not enough; we require economic development too
by having better health of people, education for all, and reduction in inequality among sections
of people and regions, reduction in infant mortality rate (IMR), access to drinking water for all,
etc. Economic growth is the part of economic development and economic development is not
possible without having economic growth. Measurement of the level of economic development
does not depend upon a single factor. On the other hand, measurement of economic growth
is quite possible through GDP, GNP and PCI. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is the monetary
value (money value) of total goods and services produced within the geographical boundary of a
country in a year. GDP is also known as Gross Domestic Income. GNP (Gross National Product)
is the broader indicator, which also includes remittances sent from abroad with existing GDP
plus foreign exchange reserve accumulated by external trade and other grants and aid received
from the foreign countries. In this way, GNP (Gross National Product) is the monetary value
(money value) of total goods and services produced within the geographical boundary of the
country in a year along with the remittances to the motherland (receiving country) sent from
abroad by the citizens working in foreign countries. Both GDP and GNP express national income.

23<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9

[Note: GDP can be understood as GDI (Gross Domestic Income) and GNP as GNI (Gross National
Income)]

Numerically expressed, GNP = GDP + Remittances + Grants/Aid + Foreign Exchange Reserve
PCI stands for Per Capita Income and is the average annual income of an individual in a country.

National Income (GDP or GNP)
Numerically expressed, PCI = Total Population of the Country

This way of measuring economic growth was criticized by economists and development experts
for being narrow and inadequate, as it does not take standard of living of the people into account.
It is because PCI of individual falls when the population increases at a faster rate than that of
total national income. Besides, Per Capita Income is just a mathematically (statistically) derived
average and does not show the real earned income by every individual in a country in a year that
may fall well below the projected PCI. Rise in overall national income too may happen because of
economic activities of few business-industrial houses with the political nexus without broadening
the employment opportunities for people at large. It means that economic growth may happen
without having economic development, as economic growth is just a one-dimensional concept of
rise in national income whereas economic development is a multi-dimensional concept.

Pre-requisites of Development: Pre-requisites of development prepare the foundation of
development. These pre-requisites are required to create strong pillars on which development
stands. These strong pillars are known as infrastructure of development. Developing infrastructure
in itself is development for which basics are required. And those basics are called pre-requisites of
development. For example, literacy is the pre-requisite for development of education. Education
here is infrastructure without which overall development is not possible at individual and group
levels. Let us have a look of following means and resources as pre-requisites of development.

Resource Means
Raw Materials Mineral Ores, Products from agriculture, forest and ocean/sea
Labor-force Skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labor/workers
Capital Different varieties of savings, investment, trading & industries
Market Sale-purchase at local, national and international levels
Communication Tele-vision, Radio, Post-office, Telephone, E-mail, internet etc.
Transportation Water ways, Road and Rail-ways, Air-ways, Rope-ways
Education Schools, Colleges, Universities, Skill & Vocational Trainings
Health Hospitals, medicines, Health workers, Health posts and centers
Energy Hydroelectricity, Oil & Gas supply, Nuclear energy, Thermal power, Solar
energy, wind-energy, Bio-gas, Geo-thermal energy
Commerce Banking system, Insurance, Cooperative Financial Institutions
Irrigation Canal, Well, Tube-well, Rain-water, Artificial storage etc

Activities

1. Write an essay on the topic, “Change at the place where I live” by highlighting the changes which

24 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

you have noticed in your lifetime and the changes which your father and other elders have noticed.
Do you call it development? If yes, then give reasons with examples.
2. Find out the total income earned by your family in a month and in entire year and then calculate
the average annual income of one individual of your family.
3. Collect several pictures of development of a country or a town or a place. You can draw the
pictures of development on your own. Paste those pictures together and make a big poster to hang
it in the class-room.

Exercise

1. Define development. Give examples of development.
2. Do you think every change at individual and group level is called development? Analyze with

illustration and examples.
3. Development is a multi-dimensional phenomenon. Explain those dimensions with examples.
4. Economic growth is not the complete form of development. Discuss by giving illustrations.
5. Differentiate between economic growth and economic development.
6. What do you mean by national income? What are the major indicators of national income?
7. What is Gross National Income (also known as GNP)? How does it differ from Gross Domestic

Product (GDP)?
8. Define Per Capita Income. Mention how it is calculated.
9. Calculate the Per Capita Income of a country Z whose national income is US $ 1.5 trillion and the

population of the country in that year (say n year) is 60 million.
10. List some of the core areas of infrastructure where development is indispensable for any country

to progress.
11. What are the primary areas of bringing development in sectors like communication, transportation,

capital-formation, education and health? Assess Nepal’s development in these sectors.

Community Work

Twenty years from now, several changes are waiting to happen for an area where we reside. New
houses, road-network, schools, hospitals, public parks and many other such things are expected to
come up. In times to come, pattern and method of cooking and spending time in leisure will have
definitely changed. Meet with the community people who are involved in community development
projects and find out about the expected changes towards development. Prepare an essay and share
the same in the class.

25<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9

Lesson

2 Pre-requisites of Development

‘Pre-requisites of development’ means required essential positive and favorable conditions for
development. There can be many numbers of pre-requisites of development. Pre-requisites of
development like literacy, people’s participation, entrepreneurship, peace and order have been
discussed in this lesson.
1. Literacy: Literacy is the ability to recognize letters and read the written script with ease. Generally,
literate persons are able to read and write any text in mother-tongue and are able to write few
sentences related with his/her daily life if asked. Literate persons develop ability to communicate
with others and understand other’s communication without much difficulty. They are able to
calculate simple daily life numerical sums. Today, a drastic change has come about in the concept of
literacy. Earlier, only 3 R’s (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic) were required in order to be literate
but now 7 R’s need to be developed for being literate. These 7 R’s are Reading, Writing, Arithmetic,
Rights, Responsibilities, Relationship and Recreation. Literacy is no more limited to just reading
and writing at fundamental level but it is more about developing inner capacity of an individual.
Literacy directly enhances the quality and level of consciousness among the people. It encourages
people’s participation in development projects, social harmony and cooperation, awareness for
social values. Literacy also promotes entrepreneurship and makes a citizen conscious of his/her
own rights and duties.

Literacy is the means of empowerment. The first attempt of spreading literacy in Nepal was
undertaken by ancient GURUKUL system. According to National Population Census 2068 BS,
literacy rate of Nepal stood at 65.9 percent.
2. People’s Participation: Participation is a process of consultation and includes a strong
tendency to share developmental goals collectively. It reduces dependency of people in general
and individual in particular on external agency like Government by creating confidence, self-
sufficiency and trust in themselves. Thus, people’s participation simply means community
mobilization for realizing developmental goals in political, socio-cultural and economic sectors.
As we all live in a community cooperation among community people is important to develop the
community’s self-sufficiency and self-reliance. The community has an important role to identify
its various problems as well as developmental goals and use available resources in the village or
urban settlement to solve those problems and accordingly meet the developmental goals.
Illustration 1: Agriculture in the southern part of Pokhara was not yielding expected result.
Farmers were suffering despite having sufficient tracts of land because they didn’t have facilities
for irrigation. A consumer group of local farmers was formed in order to use the water from FEWA
Lake for irrigation. Local efforts and people’s participation bore fruits. The water from FEWA Lake

26 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

was distributed amongst the farmers for irrigation purposes. Today, all the farmers are happy and
prosperous as they are able to do farming without facing problems of irrigation.

 

Illustration2: Some socially conscious women from the Gorkha district purchased books after
having collected money. They took initiative to set up a library in their community. They also
formed a consumer group of library users and charged some fees for using the library. Today, the
library has become the center of productive discussions on current social, economic and political
problems and the latest issues. As library attracts students and adults alike, it has begun to work
towards bringing social transformation as the agent of social-change. Awareness programs in nearby
villages for growing up girls and women are being organized by this library group and girls are
being encouraged to be sent to schools. Non Government Organizations (NGOs) operating at local,
national and international levels cooperated with this group of women in modernizing the library
by giving their contributions in the form of books and skills for the upkeep of the library.
The community members are central to all community-based and participatory development
programs. The role of the community in ensuring people’s participation in the community-based
programs is really crucial. People’s participation happens at three levels…individual, family and
the community. The individual decides how to protect his/her own interest to achieve personal
development goals. At the level of family, the parents decide about children’s rights or the head
of the family supports other dependent members to achieve their goals. At the bigger level in
community, people in the community decide what kind of problems to solve first and by which
means for achieving the community objectives.
3. Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurship is one of the most important pre-requisites of development.
Entrepreneurship is the process of designing, launching and running a new activity or business
in areas of agriculture, industry, business and trade and others. The entrepreneur is a person who
takes risk by taking initiatives to manage and organize any enterprise as the center of economic
activities. The entrepreneurs are pioneers as business leaders and innovators of new ideas and
business processes. Entrepreneurs are able to perceive new business opportunities and go ahead
with concrete business actions such as developing a business plan, organizing human and natural
resources with the help of technology and required finance (capital) under his/her leadership.The
entrepreneurs creates opportunity for self-employment on one hand and provides employment to
others on the other. Therefore, education to create entrepreneurs is very important in any country
or society for sustainable development. Members of society must think of doing something on
their own rather than being dependent on the Government to give them employment. This is how
entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in development and expansion of the economy of a country.
4. Peace and Order: Peace and order or simply PEACE can be understood at both individual
level between two individuals and at group level between two communities or between the two
countries. At individual level, peace means absence of malice, disputes, ill-feeling, jealously and
any kind of negativities between the individuals while dealing with each other. At group level,
it means presence of ‘Good-Governance’ and governing the society (or a country) with ‘rule of

27<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9

law’ by delivering justice to all in political, economic and social spheres of human activities.
Development is not possible without having peace (and order) in the society both at individual
and social (group) level. Absence of peace in a society creates conflicts, confusion and chaos
within the society. Disputes erupt between individuals and between the communities leading
towards violence, sometimes. Atmosphere of cooperation among individuals and social harmony
are lost. This kind of negativities does not lead us towards development.
Therefore, social harmony, mutual understanding and consensus are the only ways to establish
peace in the society and that will lead the society to progress and development. All the members
of a society have to remain united and should act with understanding for achieving success. Even
for individual success, a society has to remain integrated and functional because disintegrated
and divided society cannot satisfy the needs and ambitions of its members (individuals).

Sustainable peace

Sustainable peace is possible only when the media like radio, television, newspapers, magazines
and different layers of leaders in community and society play very constructive and positive roles.
Sustainable peace is long lasting. Efforts for sustainable peace root out (eliminate) the possibilities
of any future conflicts by recognizing (detecting) their root causes and resolving or minimizing
them before the conflicts cause damage. Sustainable peace is all about smart ways (techniques/
methods) of conflict management. Sustainable peace does not only look for immediate resolution of
conflicts, rather its vision is much more in order to create a peaceful society for a long time to come
in the future. Does it mean that conflicts will never arise between individuals or two communities
or groups of people? Actually, not having conflicts at all in a society is unnatural. A society is a
dynamic whole of dynamic individuals. In such a situation, conflicts will crop up and successful
resolution of conflicts leads both the individuals and society towards progress. Therefore, conflicts
are also considered as pre-requisite of development. It is quite unnatural to think that no conflicts
will ever crop up in case of sustainable peace. The political leaders and community leaders in a
country must be honest and cautious so that no conflicts degenerate into becoming crisis, chaos and
corruption.

There are various ways of resolving conflicts for maintaining peace in a society. Effective dialogue
to talk about various aspects of conflict between two individuals and groups or communities is
the best method to resolve the conflicts and maintain peace. As it is clear by now that conflict
is a clash of interests between two individuals or between two groups of individuals. Effective
management of diverse groups in a society by empowering the marginalized groups at political,
social and economic levels helps resolve the conflicts and maintain peace. There must be uniformity
and honesty in what we say and what we do. Most of the conflicts crop up due to not fulfilling
one’s own promises and backtracking on them because of lack of uniformity and honesty in our
thoughts and deeds. Positive thinking towards others and attitude of service develop a positive
thinking and this plays a vital role in building peace. Continuous self-evaluation of one’s own
actions and speech is far better than other external means of conflict management.

Words and trms you would like to know

Self-sufficiency: not dependent on other country or society or individuals to meet one’s needs
Upkeep (n.): the maintenance of somebody or something in proper condition or operation
Good-Governance: political rule with accountability and protection of fundamental rights of citizens,
rule of law and justice for all, etc.
Rule of Law: equality before the law and the fair treatment of every one high or low, big or small by the
laws which are just, fair and unbiased
Uniformity (n.): unchanging nature

28 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

Backtrack (v.): to change, to distance from a previous action, opinion or statement
Crucial (adj.): decisive, important
Chaos (n.): disorder
Crisis (n.): dangerous or worrying time
Consensus (n.): general or widespread agreement among all the members of a group
Malice (n.): the intention or desire to cause harm or pain to somebody

Activities

1. Organize a debate competition on the topic, “Literacy is the basic foundation of development.”
2. Meet those people in your community who have been benefitted by informal educational

programs. Record the benefits they have received from ‘informal educational programs’ and
present the same in the class.
3. Do you think the definition of literacy that you have learnt in this lesson will apply to the
‘differently-abled people’ or not? Discuss with your class-mates and derive the conclusion.
4. Discuss important features of “entrepreneurship” in the class. Prepare a chart on the topic and
display it in the class-room.
5. Entrepreneurship is the pre-requisite (pre-condition) of development. Justify the statement with
valid argument.
6. Prepare a dialogue between two individuals on the topic, “School – A zone of peace.”
7. Find out if the statements given below are correct or incorrect. Give reasons for your choice.

Yes, we do provide our service to our village. No, We just get involved into big projects
So what if we contribute in small manner? We and seek international help before we can do
have a responsibility and duty towards the anything for village and villagers.
village. And, we do it.

Oh yes! They give us service and help us Their help is required but all the time, we must
besides earning profits. not be dependent upon them.

Okay but poor citizens cannot afford. Okay but they are hiking the tax.

Exercise

1. What is literacy? Explain how literacy helps in bringing development in other sectors.
2. Compare the level of literacy and the literacy rate from 2038 BS, 2048 BS, 2058 BS and up to 2068 BS.
3. Define people’s participation. Explain the role played by people’s participation in community

development.
4. Outline the important features of people’s participation.
5. What do you understand by entrepreneurship? How does it help in overall development of

society/country?
6. A country like Nepal requires more entrepreneurs than anything else for development of the

country. Examine the statement with appropriate examples and illustrations.
7. Define peace. Outline its four characteristics.
8. Define conflict. Why is it considered as a pre-requisite of development?
9. What are the ways to maintain peace in a society?
10. Do you think Nepal is a peaceful country? Analyze with the help of examples and argument.
11. Explain the relationship between peace and development with appropriate illustrations.

Community Work 29
Prepare a booklet, “Know My School” for your guardians and other visitors.

<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9

Lesson

3 Infrastructure of Development

Infrastructure is the underlying foundation or basic framework for development. Infrastructure
provides services and facilities necessary for an economy to function. Infrastructure provides
the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area, as transportation and
communication systems, power plants, and schools. The term “infrastructure” typically refers
to the technical structures that support a society, such as roads, bridges, water supply, sewers,
electrical grids, telecommunication, and so forth. In this way, infrastructure constitutes “the
physical components of interrelated systems” that provides commodities and services to sustain
or enhance human lives in a society in a stable manner. In practical sense, infrastructure facilitates
the production of goods and services along with the distribution of finished products to markets.
Besides, infrastructure helps in providing basic social services such as education and training
through schools/colleges, ‘health check-up’ through hospitals and it helps in the transportation
of raw materials to a factory. Thus, infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures
needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.

Highways City Roads Dams

Problems being faced by Nepal in developing infrastructure

1. Lack of capital (investment)
2. Lack of skilled workforce for scaling up infrastructue development
3. Difficulty in working on ‘infrastructure development’ due to poor technology
4. Inability to use available means and resources due to lack of public awareness
5. Frequent damage and early destruction of physical infrastructure because of difficult uneven

topography and weak soil structure (Earth-crust)
6. Regular attack of natural disasters such as flood, land-slide, earthquake and so on
7. Unable to maximize the use of some of the resources and means because of obstacles posed by

religious and superstitious beliefs, unscientific traditions and ethnic customs
8. Increase in dependency on foreign countries for capital investment and infrastructure

development

Let us know about main infrastructures in detail:

1. EDUCATION

Learning that develops capacity, competency and right attitude in order to live in the world with
personal honor and dignity by making positive contribution to the society is called education.

30 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

Learning takes place when knowledge, skills and habits are firmly established in a person (learner)
transferred by a group of people from one generation to the next through teaching, training, or
research. Education happens either under the guidance of others or on its own (autodidactic).
Education is considered to be the tool for both individual and social development in political,
social and economic dimensions of life. Thus, education is essential for physical, emotional
(psychological), social, cultural and moral (spiritual) development of human beings. Education is
a continuous process and goes throughout the life. One gets education through different means
(methods). Generally, people get education through formal, informal and irregular channels.

The people are the best resource for any country. The people, when educated and skilled, are able to
accomplish any work in convenient, active and productive manner. They become the asset for the
country....human resource of the country. Education widens the human consciousness and opens
the door for all-round development. Education enhances our skills and modifies our behavior. It
brings qualitative change in one’s life and livelihood. Education is the basic foundation and hence
an important infrastructure of development. Education helps in generating skills amongst people
and prepares necessary workforce required for the economic development of the country and
for becoming self-reliant. Education helps us know about our rights. It develops and promotes
creativity, ingenuity and entrepreneurship in people. Education gives us understanding and
capacity to solve problems and promote harmony within the family, neighborhood and in the
country. Educated person uses the right kind of language and behavior while dealing with others
and demonstrates high moral values, responsibility and cooperation in day to day life.

2. HEALTH

Health is the general condition of a person’s mind and body – that is free from illness, injury
or pain in day to day functioning. World Health Organization (WHO) defines HEALTH as “a
state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease
or infirmity.” Healthy body is the power house for healthy mind. Health is an important
infrastructure of development. Without health, individuals shall not be able to contribute to
the nation in any field. If the health is gone, then everything is gone. Healthy people work for
themselves and for others in the community. Healthy people make fine workforce for the country.
Good health is an important asset for every citizen to improve the living standard. Factors such as
clean water and air, adequate housing, and safe communities and roads contribute to good health,
especially to the health of infants and children. Unfortunately, health care facilities, hygiene,
nutrition and sanitation in Nepal are of poor quality, particularly in the rural areas. The poor
and the marginalized class have limited access to basic health care in Nepal due to prevailing
illiteracy, widespread poverty and lack of awareness. Government of Nepal is trying to set up
health posts and hospices in villages and remote areas of Nepal. Therefore, health for all is still
a distant dream in Nepal. Transportation problem in rural areas further worsens the situation in
healthcare as it takes days to carry the ailing person to nearby hospital for seeking medical care.
Not having medical tools and equipment to perform medical treatment/operation worsens the

31<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9

patients’ health condition. Even life-saving medicines run out of stock in several health-posts
and hospitals or they are in short-supply. Nepal’s health scenario cannot become better if drastic
reforms are not brought about in health sector.

Periodic health checkup is necessary for everyone
Average age (life expectancy at birth) in Nepal is much lower in comparison to other developed
countries in the world. Those countries having higher average age of their citizens provide
quality health services and the citizens enjoy much better health conditions. In recent years, urban
population in Nepal has increased rapidly. Apart from rural Nepal, health problem has become
major concern among urban population too. Little or no physical exercise, imbalanced diet and
urban life style contribute to health problems in urban Nepal. With a view to provide basic health
services (facilities), Government has to set up hospices and hospitals in every village and town of
Nepal along with health posts in every residential lane and ward. And, it is very encouraging to
observe that the Government is working on this task. One can see health workers and assistant
health workers providing services in every residential lane and ward.

3. ELECTRICITY

Electricity is used as energy. Energy derived from electricity is an important infrastructure of
development as it supplies energy for day-to-day survival in lighting the room, building, road-
side through devices like bulb, tube-light and lamp on the post, etc. All the devices like fan,
heater, air-conditioner, mobile phone, battery charging, some of the medical appliances, etc derive
energy from electricity to function. Electricity is required for heating, cooling, lighting, pumping,
and running the powered machines, and for charging the motor appliances and gadgets that
make our life efficient and comfortable. Electricity is the generation of power-energy that runs
factories, rail and electric cars and trolleys. It is one of the most important infrastructures of
development in modern industrial world and in space age.

Access to electricity brings progress and development

32 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

Electrical engineering is the specific branch of study which produces skilled engineers who
lay down the foundation of electricity connectivity in public and private buildings, factories,
industries and have better ideas of all the electrical appliances and gadgets. It is impossible
to imagine about development of any country without having sufficient amount of electric
generation to fulfill the energy needs of the country. There are various sources for generating
electricity. Most conventional source of generating electricity is COAL. Coal-generated electricity
is called thermal power (electricity). Next is from water. Nepal is rich in water resources as Nepal
has more than 6,000 rivers - big and small - from which electricity can be generated to the extent of
83,000 MW. Electricity generated from water is known as hydroelectricity. There are other sources
like wind, solar power, and nuclear energy and geo-thermal energy from where electricity can
be generated. These sources are called renewable sources of energy. Nepal has recently worked
on the option of generating electricity from animal and human waste called bio-energy. Nepal
has already started working on wind energy and solar energy for generation of electricity. But,
Nepal is energy-starved country and has been facing acute shortage of electricity in all walks of
life. Developed countries have more electricity consumption at individual level (kWh per capita)
than the developing or least developed countries. Look at the table below:
Electric Power Consumption (kWh per capita) from 2011 to 2015 AD

Country kWh per capita Country kWh per capita
(2011-15 AD) (2011-15 AD)

Australia 10398 China 3475
Bangladesh 279 India 744
Brazil 2462 Nepal 119
Canada New Zealand 9373
Chile 15615 United States 12954
3810

Electric power consumption (kWh per capita) in Nepal is very low in comparison to other
countries in the world.

As of Baisakh 2073, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has a total installed electricity generation
capacity of about 689 MW (in a year). Out of this, the hydropower capacity stands at 632 MW.
In total, Nepal generates less than 750 MW of electricity from different sources in a year. Nepal
requires minimum of 1,200 MW every year at the current rate of development and the demand
of electricity is growing at 11 percent per annum in Nepal. Nepal can produce 43,000 MW of
hydro-electricity out of the ‘total available potential’ of 83,000 MW. Not having sufficient amount
of electricity is one of the main reasons for Nepal’s backwardness. All the economic sectors like
primary sector (agriculture), secondary sector (manufacturing) and tertiary sector (services) are
directly dependent upon the uninterrupted supply of electricity for their growth and success.
Businesses and industries need electricity to accomplish their daily activities. In the face of short
supply of electricity, industries fail to produce the desired level of output that results in the loss of
revenue causing massive layoffs of laborers that further creates unemployment in the economy.
Not only this, business transactions too suffer heavily causing tremendous shortage of essential
items on a daily basis.

Let us have a look of some of the hydro-electricity projects in Nepal:

Hydro-electricity Projects Place or Location Generation in Megawatt
Marsyangdi Project Tanahun 69 Megawatt
Kulekhani (I) Project Makwanpur 60 Megawatt

<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9 33

Trishuli Project Nuwakot 21 Megawatt

Sunkoshi Project Sindhupalchowk 10.05 Megawatt

Bhotekoshi Project Sindhupalchowk 42 Megawatt
Kali Gandaki (A) Project Syangja 144 Megawatt
Chilime Project Rasuwa 20 Megawatt

Modikhola Project Parvat 14 Megawatt
Upper Tamakoshi Project Dolakha 456 Megawatt
Jhimruk Project Pyuthan 12 Megawatt

Middle Marsyangdi Project Lamjung 70 Megawatt

Note: Upper Tamakoshi Project is under construction.

4. COMMUNICATION

Communication is the transmission (conveyance) of message, data, and information from one end
called source to another end called receiver. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines communication
as a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of
symbols, signs, or behavior. There are various modes of communication like post office, telephone,
mobile-phone, text-messaging, internet, e-mail. Today, internet, telephone and social media have
made distant communication instantaneous and have bridged the gap of geographical distance
all over the world. Latest entry of facebook, twitter, skype, viber, and messenger and others
have made distant communication lively two-way instantaneous communication. Electronic
media such as radio and television have started connecting with the people on live show through
telephone, e-mail, video-conferencing and facebook. Thus multi-media communication is
in display to make it more interactive. Print media such as newspapers, weekly and monthly
magazines and other journals are still very popular in their one-end communication style. It is
one-end communication because views, news and opinions are printed and then disseminated to
viewers without having instant live response to them. Now, a person in remote part of Nepal can
talk to one’s relatives and friends working in foreign countries on telephone, viber, messenger
and facebook. Through skype and video-calling one can even perform some rituals in festivals.
This has started happening. Through video-calling one can see the person at the other end. This
is definitely a big improvement over old style of sending letters through post office. Post office
is still functioning and is relevant in Nepal because all the villages in rural areas do not have
communication facilities by internet and telephone.

Modern communication systems are agents of development
The postal service at regular level in Nepal began from 1875 AD from Kathmandu to Gorkha,
Pokhara and Palpa. Three years later, the Post Office (Nepal Hulak Ghar) was established in 1878

34 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

(1935 BS) and from then onwards, the postal service in Nepal was opened to public use. Nepal
Television is the oldest television channel. Nepal Television was launched as a project under the
sixth development plan (1980-1985 AD) with the slogan “Communication for Development”
with a broad mission to produce and telecast programs on educational, religious and cultural
conservation to promote national unity, conserve heritage and promote national interest. Kantipur
Television, Image Television and NTV 2 Metro are satellite channels located in Kathmandu valley.
Radio has been the most popular form of mass communication in Nepal. Radio Nepal is the state-
owned radio broadcasting organization of Nepal established on 1 April 1951. Radio Nepal airs
programs on short and medium waves and FM frequencies. Private operators, of course, lease the
FM channel and lots of FM channels also operate in Nepal. Some of the European and American
channels can be heard on short wave but the broadcast quality is below the mark. Gorkhapatra is
the first Nepali newspaper. Gorkhapatra was first printed on Baisakh 24, Monday of 1958 (May
6, 1901). With the publishing of Gorkhapatra, Nepal entered into the newspaper development
era in the history of Nepali journalism during the rule of Prime Minister Dev Shumsher JBR.
Internet in Nepal is growing rapidly because competitive Internet Service Providers (ISP) are
operating in Nepal’s market. Now-a-days, urban Nepalese have began to get the news and other
important information from Internet -- as an important source of independent news in Nepal.
Nepali bloggers have turned out to become important opinion-makers and window to the world
to understand Nepal.

5. TRANSPORTATION

Movement of goods, services and humans from one place to another is known as transportation.
Transportation has a direct role to play in economic development of a country. Transportation
also plays an important role in social integration and cultural unity. In the present day world,
trade and business of any country flourishes only when transportation network (such as
roads, railways, waterways and airways) is well-developed. It is linked with creation of more
employment. Basic essential services like health-care and education are easily accessible due to
transportation facilities. Good-governance is not possible without having ‘proper transportation’.
Political administration shall fail to change the life of the people for better unless each village
within the country is well-connected by road with the towns and cities. In this regard, all the
districts in Nepal except Dolpa and Humla have been connected with road-network by the end of
2071-2072 BS. Tribhuvan highway is the oldest highway in Nepal. This highway was built in 2013
BS with the cooperation of India. Transportation is the “life-blood” of economy and “backbone”
of Good-Governance.

Tribhuvan Highway Prithvi Highway

<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9 35

Look at the following two situations:

Situation No. 1: Seema Lama from Humla resides in Kathmandu for her study. She needs to
visit her home but she cannot. It is because direct road link from Kathmandu to Humala is not
available. Taking up airplane to Nepalgunj does not help her much. She has to keep on waiting
for her turn in Nepalgunj to further take a trip to Humla. This is why Seema faces problems to
visit her home.

Situation No. 2: Dorze Lakpa, a resident of Mustang, visited a fruit-shop of Rameshwor Thakali
for purchasing apples. He had to pay 100 NPR for one kilogram of apples. It was surprising for
him because he used to buy apples at 20 Ruppes (NPR) for a kilogram in Mustang. But in Pokhara,
the price has gone up by five times. This has happened because there is no road connectivity to
take apples from Mustang to other parts of the country. Apples are transported by airplane to
other parts of the country making them expensive. So Dorze took an initiave to build a road to
connect Mustang with Pokhara and other urban towns in the western and central part of Nepal.

Nepal is a landlocked country, with India and China sharing borders with the country. Since the
country is mostly mountainous and has a rough and rugged terrain, road transport is the most
preferred and favored transport system in Nepal. Airways are the next best option in Nepal but
it is costlier and requires a lot of investment. Airways cannot connect every village in Nepal
providing door to door services like roadways. Railways are not a practical alternative due to
uneven topography in Himalayan and Hilly region of Nepal. The Nepal transport authority is
planning to build up a large road network to increase and improve the condition of roads in
Nepal. There are about 15 national highways in the country, apart from the many small feeder
roads. There are also many village and agriculture roads. Roadways are the most reliable means
of transport in Nepal. Following strategies have been devised to improve road transportation in
Nepal in the 13th Three Year Interim Plan (2070/71-2072/73 BS):

a) To connect the district headquarters and border areas by road network
b) To improve the road condition in urban areas in Nepal
c) To connect Kathmandu valley with the Tarai region by highways
d) To improve the condition of roads by connecting market for agricultural and industrial

products in both Hilly and Tarai regions of Nepal
e) To connect remote areas and extremely backward areas of Nepal by road networks by

developing east-west, north-south and middle hills corridors
f) To develop the East-West Highway for promotion of regional trade and to connect with Asian

markets
g) To develop proper system for looking after the road network around the country in order to

construct, maintain and run the roadways
h) To entrust the local authorities as entities to widen people’s participation (and decentralization)

for upkeep and maintenance of local roads
i) To do research and sponsor studies on road safety and environment safety
j) To explore the possibilities of water navigation, railways and rope-ways inside the country
k) To attract and invite the private players (developers) in development of transport infrastructure

and to have laws for effective regulation of transport

Road is the most essential infrastructure for the development of the Nepalese society. Nepal
has made significant progress in the development of road transportation in the recent decades.
However, headquarters of some mountain districts of the country are yet to be connected with
other parts of the country through motorable roads because of the rugged topography and steep
slope in Himalayas and hills that cover 83% of the total area of Nepal.

36 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

Following is the list of important highways (Raj-Marg) in Nepal:

S.N. Code Connecting Points Name of Highways Length in km.
1. H01 Mechi- Mahakali Mahendra Highway 1027.67 km
2. H02 Birgunj - Kathmandu Tribhuvan Highway 159.66 km
3. H03 Kathmandu - Kodari Araniko Highway 112.83 km
4. H04 Naubise - Pokhara Prithvi Highway 173.43 km
5. H05 Narayanghat - Pokhara Madan Ashrit Highway
6. H06 Birtamod-Sindhuli-Dhulikhel B.P. Highway 36.16 km
7. H07 Kechna- Taplejung Mechi Highway 198 km
8. H08 Rani- Hile Kosi Rajmarg 268 km
9. H09 Kadmah - Salleri Sagarmatha Highway 111 km
10. H10 Sunauli - Pokhara Siddharth Highway 265 km
11. H11 Amelia - Musikot Rapti Highway
12. H12 Nepalgunj - Surkhet Ratna Highway 181.22 km
13. H13 Surkhet - Jumla Karnali Rajmarg 196 km
14. H14 Mohnapul - Darchula Mahakali Rajmarg 113 km
15. H15 Syaule-Samuwagang, Safe Seti Rajmarg
220 km
320 km
65.96 km

6. DRINKING-WATER

Water has always been one of the most essential components to sustain all kinds of ‘life forms’,
especially humans. Water is life-blood of the ecosphere and ‘safe drinking water’ is a precious
resource for nurturing healthy human resource. Drinking water also known as potable water is
water safe enough for human consumption having low risk of immediate or long-term harm.
Water is safe enough for drinking only when “drinking water” clears the test of ‘safety and
purity’ on following three categories: physical, chemical and microbiological contamination. On
physical and chemical parameters, drinking water has to be free from heavy metals, organic
compounds, total suspended solids (TSS), and so on. Actually, microbial pathogenic parameters
are the greatest threat to human health and therefore ‘safe drinking water’ becomes the highest
priority in day-to-day life in Nepal. Every year, hundreds of people die because of water-borne
diseases in Nepal. ‘Safe drinking water’ is derived from ‘fresh water’. Fresh water is not the
salt water (from sea and ocean) and hence earns the nickname of “sweet water”. Access to safe
drinking water and sanitation is a human right.

Nepal is fortunate enough to be one of the richest countries in the world for having fresh water
resources. The country has over 6,000 rivers of which 10 are big ones and 600 lakes with area greater
than 1 hectare and groundwater sources. Unfortunately, Nepal does not have infrastructures to
harness the available ‘fresh water’ resources for drinking purposes. Many families (households)
are deprived of safe drinking water in Nepal. Most of the households having access to ‘drinking
water’ fetch it from sources like wells, streams, and rivers. Such ‘drinking water’ does not
match with the international standards of ‘good quality drinking water’ because it comes from
“untreated sources” like uncovered wells, rivers and springs normally considered ‘not clean’.
We know that urban population in Nepal is increasing rapidly and it has emerged as a great
challenge to supply safe drinking water to them. With the population growing over the years in

37<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9

Nepal, the demand for drinking water is increasing day by day. Water is a renewable but finite
resource because nature’s replenishment capacity for water is fixed. Water is different from other
natural resources because substitutes are available for most of the resources but there are no
substitutes available for water.
Major problems in supply of drinking water in Nepal are the imbalance in supply and demand,
growing pollution from domestic waste, industrial effluents and agro-chemical contamination,
insufficient and inadequate treatment facilities, weak policy implementation, lack of storage
capacity, groundwater depletion and arsenic content found in water. Shallow ground waters are
at risk from contamination of pathogenic bacteria, pesticides, nitrates and industrial effluents. In
addition to this, underground water resources are being excessively used. Kathmandu Valley
is facing more problem of safe drinking water as underground aquifers are drying up fast.
There exists a possibility of contamination of iron, arsenic, and nitrate in ‘tube well’ water too.
Water-borne epidemics are still common in the country causing huge loss of lives every year.
Contaminated drinking water is the direct result of dumping of domestic waste and industrial
water into the water bodies without any treatment. The supply of drinking water through pipes
has its typical problems of leakage and rusting in pipelines. For example, according to estimates,
as much as half the water piped in the Valley is being lost through leakages from rusty pipes,
some of which were laid down as long as a century ago. Presence of sewage pipe nearby the
‘drinking water’ pipe increases the risk of contamination of drinking water. Mainly women and
children spend hours in gathering water (often-contaminated one) from far-off places everyday
for drinking purposes and other household chores.

Water, water everywhere but not enough to drink
The following are the measures or ways to reduce the contamination of fresh-water and make it
available as safe drinking water for people in Nepal:
• Rationing our water-use: Filling a bucket of water and then using it cautiously is always

better than using water directly from the running tap. Continuously running water from the
tap while washing car or motorcycle or cattle or any other object results in wastage of water.
• Using used water: Using used-water (without having toxic elements) for washing vegetables
or watering plants or for flushing toilets saves water.
• Filtering waste water: Installation of Reed Bed Treatment System and Up-Flow Bio-Filter and
other filtering mechanism at households, institutions and small communities purifies waste
water to an extent that it can safely be used for cleaning vehicles, flushing toilet, gardening
etc.
• Rain-water harvesting: Rain-water Harvesting System collects rain-water during the rainy
season and stores it. The collected water after getting filtered is fit for even drinking purpose.
Rain-water can further be channeled to go inside the ground to recharge groundwater

38 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

level. Water collection system with reserve tank and filter is available at different prices in
accordance with the volume of water to be collected.
• Recharging groundwater: Digging a small pit near water source like well, then putting some
sand, pebbles and bricks, there helps in recharging groundwater quickly after it rains.
• Stopping leakage of water: Fixing any faucets, toilets, kitchen taps, basins or water pipes
saves a lot of water every day as even a small drop can add up to a lot of water-waste over
time.
Thus, Nepal needs to improve its institutional functioning and use the trained and dedicated
human resources towards the attainment of “safe drinking water for all”.

Words and terms you would like to know

Uninterrupted (adj.): unobstructed, without obstacle or interruption
Massive (adj.): big, huge, many
Layoff (n.): dismissal of employees, a period of unemployment
Flourish (v.): grow well
Reliable (adj.): dependable
Untreated Source: not purified and detoxified at source
Fetch (v.): to get something in

Activities

1. Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan once said, “Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.”
In light of this thought, read the following news report:

Jajarkot district fully literate

Himalayan News Service
Jajarkot, March 11, 2016
Jajarkot has been declared a fully literate district. The district has 95.31 literate residents between

15 and 60 years of age against the mandatory criteria of 90 literate persons in every 100 people.
Jajarkot is the 24th fully literate district in the country, sixth in mid-west region and second such
district in Bheri zone.
a) Do you think performance of Nepal in the field of literacy is satisfactory? Discuss it in the class
and write down the final conclusion in a paragraph.
b) Literacy is a pre-requisite of development. Organize a debate in the class on this topic.
2. Illustrate any four causes which have led to failures in development of essential pre-requisites of
development.
3. Prepare a report on the status of education in your Village Development Committee and
Municipality after having consulted with the Secretary of VDC or municipality. Present the report
in the class.
4. Figure out the problems and challenges being faced by your school or community in education
sector. Write a letter to School Management Committee or District Education Officer suggesting
remedies to those problems. Post the letter from the nearest post office.
5. Explain how you will make people who take patients to the witch-doctor first and then to the
hospital understand their mistakes and follies.
6. Development in Nepal requires a multi-sectoral approach, one that brings together the public and
private sectors and the active participation by local and indigenous communities. Discuss on this
development approach by taking help from your Social Studies teacher. Share the conclusion in
Morning Assembly of your school.

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7. Write down the condition of local hospital and community health-post as indicated in the
following table:

Description Number

A. Doctor

B. Nurse

C. Bed-available

D. Medicines distributed free (Type)

E. Patients visited (daily)

8. What kinds of measures should be adopted in order to improve the health condition of your
community? Explain four such measures.

9. Write an essay on “Status or condition of communication in Nepal”.

10. Electricity, if used wisely, is the greatest friend and becomes the worst enemy if not put to proper
use. Present your thought and opinion on this observation.

11. Write an application to the Electricity Department requesting for installation of electricity grid
and transformer in your residential area or village.

12. Nepal has enormous possibility in generating hydroelectricity. Part of it, if generated in excess of
domestic use, can be exported to neighboring countries too. Discuss who is supposed to take the
initiatives and in what manner.

13. Discuss how poor road network or absence of road transportation adversely affects the human
life at individual and group level.

14. Nepal has enormous possibility in generating hydroelectricity. Part of it if generated in
excess of domestic use can be exported to neighboring country too. Discuss who is supposed
to take the initiatives and in what manner.

15. Discuss how poor road network or absence of road transportation adversely affects the
human life at individual and group level.

16. Make a list of major causes which contributed to non-development of adequate transport
infrastructure in our country.

Exercise

1. Define infrastructure. Explain its importance in bringing development to the country.
2. Name three most urgent infrastructures which Nepal requires at present. Give reasons for

choosing these three infrastructures.
3. Nepal has been facing problems in developing infrastructure. What are those problems?
4. Education has to be skill-based and vocational in nature. Discuss how far you agree with it in the

context of Nepal.
5. Government needs to concentrate on rural areas by improving the standard of community

schools and reducing the dropouts for building human resource in Nepal. Critically evaluate the
observation.
6. Private health services are out of reach for the poor and public health services (Government
hospitals) are in poor condition. Analyze the health status of Nepal in light of this statement.
7. Nature has blessed Nepal with water as being the second richest country in water resource. But,
Nepal has neither enough hydroelectricity nor drinking water. Explain where things have gone
wrong and what are the ways to correct (improve) them.

40 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>

8. Describe what roles electricity plays in overall development of the country.
9. Communication and transportation are like brain and lungs in the life of a country.

Explain their significance in human life and the roles played by them in the development of the
country.
10. List the problems being faced by Nepal in areas of drinking water.
11. Mention the ways (methods) to have safe drinking water.
12. What do you understand by education? Explain its significance.
13. Healthy citizens are basic source of development. Argue with appropriate examples.
14. Outline the causes which inhibited (discouraged) the growth of transportation in Nepal.
15. Explain why construction of roads is expensive and difficult in Nepal.
16. Analyze why road transportation is the best option for bringing development and Good
Governance in Nepal.

Community Work

1. Prepare a list of the present infrastructure in your residential area. As it happens in Nepal,
infrastructure gets damaged and destroyed to larger or lesser extent every year due to natural
disasters like floods, earthquake, landslides, etc. If it happens in your residential area, explain
what you would do to get them in pre-disaster stage. How would you rebuild your infrastructure?
Take insight from elder people and senior citizens and prepare an essay on it. You can go through
news of post-earthquake reconstruction programs launched by the Government of Nepal in 2016.

2. Prepare questionnaires in connection with the use of “Mobile Phone”. Collect the responses on
those questionnaires from mobile-users. Finally, prepare a report on it and submit the same to
your “Social Studies Teacher”. For your help, samples of questions are given here:
A. Have you ever used “mobile phone”? If not, with whom did you see a mobile-phone first?
B. How did your life change after having the mobile phone?
C. Which profession or occupation are you in? How do you get help in your work from mobile
phone?
D. ..................................................................................................................
E. ....................................................................................................................
F. ...................................................................................................................

3. Where do you live out of three ecological regions: Himalayan region, Hilly region or Plain (Tarai)
region? If you live in rural areas of Nepal, then prepare a report on problems being faced in
transportation by the people while going to urban areas of Nepal. If you live in urban areas
(town or city) then make a description of several obstacles you face while going to your village or
other rural parts of the country. Do not forget to suggest measures (ways out) to come out of the
problems and obstacles being faced in Nepal’s transportation sector.

41<< Nova Social Studies Grade-9

Lesson Traditional Knowledge, Skills and
Technology and Their Creative Use
4

Human beings have been continuing to use local resources by using available knowledge, skills
and technology in order to make their life smooth, risk-free and convenient. Since ancient times,
humans developed varieties of technologies for their use in day-to-day life. These technologies
assisted them at various steps of their lives in different situations and even now these are relevant
to us. These are local technologies which are based on traditional knowledge and skills passed
on to us from our ancestors. In other words, local technologies assist in our daily activities of life
and have been developed by indigenous (local) community based on the inherited traditional
knowledge. Nepal is a country of diversity in terms of natural resources, physical features and
human culture. Nepal is the home to many numbers of ethnic and indigenous communities
(groups). All these indigenous communities, also known as local communities, are the powerhouse
of traditional local knowledge and skills. They have many local technologies in their hands which
they have developed. Local technologies like AARAN, boat, TUIN, KHUKURI and hand-held
agricultural appliances like plough, sickle and spade are common sights in Nepal for everybody
to see and, if necessary to use. Aaran is a kind of oven placed on the ground fed with coal to
produce sufficient fire and heat to melt the iron rods and slabs. Blacksmiths commonly use Aaran
to sharpen and shape up iron objects into weapons, vessels or any other kinds of useful iron
objects. In Nepal, Aaran is popular local technology to make metal vessels and objects out of
metals like copper, iron, aluminum and different mixture of alloys. Even Khukuri - the multi-
purpose hand-held device is made on Aaran. Khukuri can be used for kitchen purposes as well as
for protection in danger and also as a symbol of bravery. Tuin is a local transportation technology
used for crossing the rivers in Nepal. Tuin is a wood-box hanging on an iron rope fixed with the
help of pulley. Iron-rope is supported by the pillars embedded on both sides of a river.

AARAN KHUKURI TUIN

Modern knowledge, skills and technology have yet not replaced them because of their uniqueness
and the context in which they operate and apply. Local indigenous communities in Nepal have
been surviving by using their own local technologies based on traditional knowledge and skills.
These technologies are based on science, wisdom and geographical and climatic realities. Local
people rely on their local technologies for their survival. And, most of the practices based on
traditional knowledge and skills have proved to promote sustainable development and community
participation. These practices are environment friendly. Therefore, all that is traditional is not
necessarily unscientific and backward. Let us have some examples of traditional, indigenous
knowledge, skills and technology in Nepal.

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Making cow dung cake (GUINTHA) used to tend the fire while cooking food in Madhesh saves the
forest being used for local purposes. Domestic animals play a vital role here as rural life in Nepal
is dependent on animals for various purposes including for getting GUINTHA. Domestic animals
like cows and buffaloes become source of not only milk but for natural manures prepared from
their dung and GUINTHA used in cooking food. This is the example of traditional indigenous
technology being used for mass-survival in absence of modern coking gas, electricity and other
alternatives. Pottery is a local (traditional) technology used for making pots out of clay. It is an art
and science of molding the clay into different useable pots. Clay is kneaded well before it is placed
on rotating wooden circle to shape it up in useable ways. While shaping up the kneaded clay on the
wooden circle into various designs and shapes of pots, potter’s hands and fingers play the magic.
After having dried these pots in the Sun, they are ready for use. Clay pots are still very popular in
Nepal.

GUINTHA Pottery – An art and science of making clay-pots

Traditional Carpet-industry Technology of making Mud-House in Nepal

Janto or Janta being used to pound grains Dhikki in Hilly houses

Similarly, sharpening and de-rusting the iron-made daily use appliances and vessels is done by
traditional technology. Many of the carpet industries in Nepal still follow the traditional skills
and knowledge for carpet weaving and export the carpets to different countries in the world.
Technology and skills involved in making mud-house in rural areas of Nepal is very popular.

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Residents themselves make such houses and they don’t feel the need to call an expert architect and
civil engineer to build their houses.

One finds JANTO in the rural Nepal to pound the wheat, grains, rice, etc to convert them into flour.
Two circular stones are joined together and upper stone is rotated in clockwise or anti-clockwise
direction to make JANTO or JANTA. Base stone remains static (non-moving). Janto is commonly
found in rural heartlands of Nepal. Frictional force between the two circular stones pounds grains
(cereals or pulses) into fine flour.

Dhikki is used by agricultural families in Nepal to beat the grains mostly paddy and wheat grains
to get rice and wheat out of it. Beaten rice popularly known as CHUIRA can be made by Dhikki at
local levels when rice is beaten. Since most of the agricultural households in Nepal are surviving on
agriculture, they usually keep Dhikki in their house. Dhikki is a local mill where all the grains get
proper treatment. Dhikki thrashes the paddy grains in a bowl shaped structure to remove the upper
coating (layer) from the rice. The traditional technology is used to get oil from the mustard and other
seeds in rural Nepal.

Prototype of Dhikki Prototype of Plough Boat

Traditional plough is still being used in Nepal to do farming. Oxen and Yaks are commonly used in
doing agriculture in Nepal as a means of traditional technology and skills.

Yaks (in Himalayan region) and Oxen (in Tarai ) being used in farm cultivation

Thread-weaving Basket-making Rope-making in Tarai village

44 Nova Social Studies Grade-9 >>